Abstract: The invention provides pellet for use as a core for a pharmaceutical dosage form having an inner and an outer zone where the inner zone includes a biologically active agent and said outer zone includes a layer formed by applying a substantially dry, free flowing inert powder which forms a non-tacky surface when placed in contact with water. The invention also provides a process for making pharmaceutical pellets where the core or at least one a layer on the core is formed by (a) contacting powder particles, adhering them to each other and compacting the adhered pellets by a rolling movement, wherein the degree of densification is controlled by the rolling movement; and (b) feeding a sufficient amount of a substantially dry, free flowing inert powder which forms a non-tacky surface when placed in contact with water to provide on said particles an outer zone including a layer formed from said substantially dry, free flowing inert powder.

Abstract: The drum coater comprises a substantially cylindrical drum (11) with a peripheral wall and a substantially horizontal axis of rotation. The method comprises providing a coating zone within the drum, feeding tablets into the drum, spinning the drum containing the tablets at a rotational speed such that a substantially annular bed of tablets is created, providing means for creating a cascade (19) of tablets at least in a part of the coating zone and spraying the tablets in the coating zone.

Abstract: A method for producing starch soft capsules comprises the following steps: preparing a mixture comprising starch, plasticizer and water, wherein more than 50 weight percent of the starch is present in the form of particles of granular starch; shaping the mixture to form a film in a shaping process; solidifying the mixture by increasing the temperature of the mixture during and/or after the shaping process by more than 5° C.; and shaping the film to form a soft capsule. Soft capsules produced by this method have starch particles bonded to one another. A device for performing this method comprises a shaping device to enable shaping of the starch material to form a film, and a heating device to perform a heat treatment to destructure the starch during and/or after the shaping. It comprises a rotary die device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for continuously coating cores by means of a dragée-making apparatus (15) comprising at least one rotatably driven drum (1) in which the product (5) is coated with one or several coating materials or is subjected to other treatment processes, such as spraying, drying. In order to be able to individually treat several small charges within a very limited space and with little effort regarding machines, the charge of the product that is to be processed is divided into small individual charges at the inlet end of the drum, is conveyed through the drum in a clocked manner, and is treated in individual treatment chambers (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) in the drum, which are separated from each other. The longitudinal conveyor (3) that conveys the individual charges through the drum embodies the individual treatment chambers in connection with the inner wall of the drum.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for uniform distribution of a liquid binder onto a surface of particulate solids of at least one pharmaceutical product. The system comprises a substantially circular mixer, provided with rotating means in a lower part, configured to rotate the solids along a periphery of the mixer in a first rotational movement, and at least one ultrasonic nozzle connected to a feeding device providing the said liquid binder, and configured to distribute the liquid binder as droplets onto the surface of the solids during their rotational movement.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a turbine coating apparatus and a spray gun assembly therefor. More specifically, the present invention relates to a spray gun assembly comprising a gun support mountable to the turbine coating apparatus and at least one spray gun mounted to the gun support. The spray gun is adapted for providing a spray of a coating substance onto a cluster of solid forms to be coated in the apparatus, where the spray defines a spray angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the coating plane defined by the cluster of solid forms in movement.

Abstract: Described are injectable formulations of nanoparticulate olanzapine that produce a prolonged duration of action upon administration, and methods of making and using such formulations. The injectable formulations comprise nanoparticulate olanzapine.

Abstract: A capsule dusting system is designed to expose capsules to a dusting agent in a controlled manner. The system incorporates a tumbling basket positioned within an enclosure. The tumbling basket is loaded with capsules and is rotatably connected to a drive shaft. A dust injection system meters the dusting agent into the dust injection system. The dust injection system may include a dusting injector that translates between two positions. At one position, the dusting injector is loaded with dusting agent by a powder supply system. At the other position, the dusting injector is positioned to inject the dusting agent into the tumbling basket. A gas is fluidly connected to the dusting injector to cause the dusting agent to disperse into the tumbling basket. The enclosure contains the dusting agent within the system to reduce the environmental, health, and safety hazards associated with airborne particulates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dry coating solid dosage forms. The method includes the steps of placing solid dosage forms in a rotatable, electrically grounded housing, and spraying a film forming polymer powder composition into the housing during rotation thereof to form a polymer coating on the solid dosage forms, the polymer powder composition being sprayed using an electrostatic spray gun, and curing the coated solid dosage forms.

Abstract: A method of coating tablets with a high molecular weight polymer wherein the high molecular weight polymer is suspended in a non-solvent, non-aqueous liquid carrier. The liquid carrier may include a low-viscosity binder. Preferably, the binder is included in concentrations of around 1-10% by weight in solution in the carrier. The high molecular weight polymer may be micronized prior to its suspension in the liquid carrier. Once suspended, the liquid is introduced into a spray coating machine such as a partially or fully perforated pan system wherein the tablets are coated as desired.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for simulating a pan coating process estimates at least one of tablet coating uniformity or coated tablet weight uniformity for tablets within a tablet bed of a pan. The simulation includes obtaining a plurality of parameters associated with the pan coating process, selecting tablet paths for each cycle of a simulation tablet in the tablet bed, determining a coating amounts for the tablet based on selected tablet paths, determining cycle times for the tablet, and summing the determined coating amounts and cycle times for the tablet. The simulation is repeated for each of a defined number of simulation tablets representing the tablets within the tablet bed to determine tablet coating uniformity and/or coated tablet weight uniformity for the tablets. Tablet paths and/or cycle times are determined randomly, e.g., in accordance with a Monte Carlo method.

Abstract: This invention provides baffles (10) for use in coating pans (50) within coating apparatus, and methods of manufacturing the baffles (10). The invention further provides methods of coating pharmaceutical formulations using the baffles (10) and coating pans (50) of the present invention.

Abstract: A system for coating tablets and other small articles is provided. The system is comprised of an elongate housing containing a drum journalled for rotation about a horizontal axis. The drum has two open ends that receive and discharge a supply of tablets respectively. The drum is rotated about the axis by a drive means to tumble the tablets and advance the tablets through the drum. The system also includes a system for delivering a selected amount of coating to the tablets while they are being tumbled and a feeder for continually feeding tablets at a first end of the housing. The system employs a weir plate for maintaining a depth of tablets within the drum and for controlling the time that the tablets remain in the drum. Finally, the system has a tablet discharge region for receiving tablets for discharge.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for treating particulate material with a coating medium, in particular for sugarcoating or film-coating pharmaceutical or food preformed pieces. The apparatus comprises a container drivable to rotate about a rotation axis, a spraying device for spraying the material with the coating medium and supplying means for supplying process air. The container comprises a bottom and an upstanding wall where the rotation axis of the container is substantially vertical and where an inclined return surface is arranged in the container. The return surface extends from an upper region of the container in the direction of an inner diameter region of the bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for treating particulate material with a coating medium, in particular for sugarcoating or film-coating pharmaceutical or food preformed pieces. The apparatus comprises a container drivable to rotate about a rotation axis, a spraying device for spraying the material with the coating medium and supplying means for supplying process air. The container comprises a bottom and an upstanding wall where the rotation axis of the container is substantially vertical and where an inclined return surface is arranged in the container. The return surface extends from an upper region of the container in the direction of an inner diameter region of the bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating seeds and particulate material includes an elongated tray operably mounted on a support frame with a motor for oscillating the tray to move particulate material from a rearward end to a forward end therealong. The tray includes a perforated support surface with a saw-toothed cross-sectional shape such that the particulate climbs the inclined tread of each sawtooth and drops from the forward end of one tread to the rearward end of an adjacent tread to form a “curtain”. A plurality of spray nozzles are located over the tray to direct coating solution onto the seeds as they move along the tray. Preferably, the nozzles direct spray towards the curtain of falling seeds between the treads. An upper housing on the support frame includes an air plenum which directs air downwardly onto the seeds on the support surface and through the perforated support surface to a second air plenum formed under the support surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a spherical particle comprising an aggregate of particles containing at least 95% of a water-soluble single substance having a viscosity of 10 mPa.

Abstract: To coat a surface of a medical implant such as an organ part or a synthetic prosthesis with a coating of living cells, the implant is inserted and fixed into a receiving container which is at least partially filled with a nutritive liquid medium containing the coating cells in suspension. Then the receiving container is rotated respectively about two distinct rotation axes, whereby preferably the two rotation motions are independently controllable and the two axes are substantially perpendicular to each other. Each of the two rotation motions can be a continuous rotation through 360°, or a stepwise intermittent rotation through successive rotational angle steps. The parameters of the two rotations about the two axes can be combined as needed for a particular application, for example a continuous rotation about one axis combined with a stepwise rotation about the other axis. The time period and rotational speed of each rotation can also be independently controlled.