Optical Inspection of Lyophilized Vials Using Light Scattering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting lyophilized or powdery pharmaceutical products are inadequate, as they often involve destructive sampling and cannot accurately measure internal moisture content, structural integrity, or detect contamination, leading to potential quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A quality inspection apparatus and method using a transparent container, an illumination section, and an imaging section to analyze light scattering properties, enabling non-destructive inspection of pharmaceutical products by imaging their lateral surfaces and detecting internal states based on light scattering properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If destructive sampling inspection is used, then inspection coverage can be limited to sampled products, but the ability to detect all defective products is compromised and product integrity is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical imaging to create a visual copy of the product's internal structure through light scattering patterns. The imaging section captures light that has interacted with the product material, creating a non-contact representation that can be analyzed without physically damaging the product. This allows complete inspection of all products without destructive sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical destructive sampling with optical measurement. Instead of physically removing or damaging samples to inspect internal properties, the system uses light interaction to non-destructively measure internal moisture content, structure, and detect foreign matter through scattering patterns captured by the imaging section.
2Reliability
If visual inspection is used, then non-destructive inspection is achieved, but internal state cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary to access internal product properties. Light scatters and absorbs differently when interacting with materials of varying moisture content, structure, and composition. By analyzing these light-matter interactions through the imaging section, the system can non-destructively detect internal states without direct physical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct visual observation to optical scattering property analysis. By measuring how light scatters through the product container at different wavelengths and angles, the system extracts quantitative information about internal moisture content, structural integrity, and foreign matter presence that cannot be obtained through simple visual inspection.
3Ease of operation
If conventional inspection methods are used, then inspection process is simple, but manufacturing precision and quality control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional inspection system where a single optical measurement setup can detect multiple quality parameters simultaneously. The imaging section captures light scattering patterns that provide information about moisture content, internal structure, and foreign matter contamination all in one non-destructive measurement, eliminating the need for multiple separate inspection procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise, non-destructive inspection of lyophilized or powdery pharmaceutical products, detecting internal defects, moisture content, and contamination, improving production quality and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a hardware processor that acquires a light scattering property of the inspection target sample based on an imaging result of the imaging section
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a quality inspection apparatus that inspects quality of an inspection target sample filled in a transparent container, including: an illumination section that illuminates a bottom surface of the transparent container; an imaging section that images a lateral surface of the transparent container; and a hardware processor that acquires a light scattering property of the inspection target sample based on an imaging result of the imaging section, and detects an internal state of the inspection target sample based on the acquired light scattering property. The inspection target sample is a lyophilized or powdery pharmaceutical product.