Abstract: Dissolution testing system which uses a dissolution vessel to conduct a test of a tablet includes a frame on which the dissolution vessel is supported, a sampling probe movable into a position at least partly in an interior of the vessel, a temperature sensor on the sampling probe for sensing temperature of the dissolution media, a camera on the sampling probe for imaging dissolution of the tablet, and heating elements outside of the vessel interior for heating the vessel wall. A cover of the vessel has a media delivery conduit and a washing conduit passing therethrough. The vessel is in a housing that rotates between a testing position in which the vessel opening is oriented upward, and at least one additional position in which the vessel opening is oriented downward to allow for fluid flow out of the vessel interior, and drying and washing of the vessel interior.

Abstract: Inhaler testing apparatus includes a frame, a rotatable carousel rotatably mounted on said frame and that support tubes each having a closed end and an open end, an inhaler retaining apparatus on said frame that retains an inhaler being tested, and actuating mechanisms on the frame for moving the inhaler retaining apparatus in two directions, for shaking and actuating the inhaler being tested. A control unit controls rotation of the carousel and the actuating mechanisms to move the carousal relative to the inhaler being tested to cause controlled shaking of the inhaler and delivery of material from the inhaler into each tube. Analysis of the material in the tubes constitutes a test of the inhaler.

Abstract: Combined dissolution rate and permeation rate testing apparatus includes temperature-controllable testing cell units arranged on a housing frame. Each testing cell unit includes a donor chamber receivable of dissolution media, a receptor chamber receivable of bodily fluid, gaskets that retain a membrane between the two chambers, and controllable mixers that mix the fluid in the receptor chamber. A flow control arrangement operatively circulates dissolution media through the donor chamber and enables sampling of the dissolution media. Another flow control arrangement operatively circulates bodily fluid through the receptor chamber. An analysis unit analyzes dissolution media removed from the donor chamber and bodily fluid removed from the receptor chamber to provide data about dissolution of a pharmaceutical product dissolved in the dissolution media and permeation of the pharmaceutical product through the membrane into the bodily fluid.

Abstract: Dissolution tester assembly that tests pharmaceutical tablets includes a frame that operatively supports a vessel having an interior into which a tablet is placed, a camera assembly supported by the frame and including a shaft having a hollow portion and an end that extends into the vessel interior, and an imaging system for imaging the tablet during the dissolution process to enable display of the images on a monitor. The imaging system includes a first camera positioned in the hollow portion of the shaft and oriented to image downward toward a bottom of the vessel, and/or a second camera positioned on the frame at a location directly below the vessel and oriented to image upward toward the bottom of the vessel. An attachment, such as a paddle for stirring or a basket for retaining the tablet, may be positioned at the end of the shaft in the vessel.

Abstract: Combined dissolution rate and permeation rate testing apparatus includes temperature-controllable testing cell units arranged on a housing frame. Each testing cell unit includes a donor chamber receivable of dissolution media, a receptor chamber receivable of bodily fluid, gaskets that retain a membrane between the two chambers, and controllable mixers that mix the fluid in the receptor chamber. A flow control arrangement operatively circulates dissolution media through the donor chamber and enables sampling of the dissolution media. Another flow control arrangement operatively circulates bodily fluid through the receptor chamber. An analysis unit analyzes dissolution media removed from the donor chamber and bodily fluid removed from the receptor chamber to provide data about dissolution of a pharmaceutical product dissolved in the dissolution media and permeation of the pharmaceutical product through the membrane into the bodily fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, including a diagnostic method, for characterising platelets. More particularly, the invention relates to methods for characterising platelets by immobilising platelets on a substrate for detection and subsequent characterisation, and to devices on which such a method may be practiced. The method comprises the steps of:—a. contacting a substrate that includes a plurality of discrete platelet-binding zones having a surface area of 7850 ?m2 orless with a fluid composition comprising platelets; and b. detecting platelets bound to the platelet-binding zones and thereby characterising platelets.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: Dissolution tester assembly that tests pharmaceutical tablets includes a frame that operatively supports a vessel having an interior into which a tablet is placed, a camera assembly supported by the frame and including a shaft having a hollow portion and an end that extends into the vessel interior, and an imaging system for imaging the tablet during the dissolution process to enable display of the images on a monitor. The imaging system includes a first camera positioned in the hollow portion of the shaft and oriented to image downward toward a bottom of the vessel, and/or a second camera positioned on the frame at a location directly below the vessel and oriented to image upward toward the bottom of the vessel. An attachment, such as a paddle for stirring or a basket for retaining the tablet, may be positioned at the end of the shaft in the vessel.

Abstract: A sequential flow analysis tool comprising a microfluidic device having a fluid path defined within a substrate between an input and an output is described. The device includes a capture chamber provided within but offset from the fluid path, the capture chamber extending into the substrate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fluid path such that operably particles provided within a fluid flowing within the fluid path will preferentially collect within the capture chamber.

Abstract: Transdermal diffusion cell testing vessel includes a container defining a chamber having an opening against which skin is placed, and a casing arranged partially around and spaced apart from part of the container to define a compartment therebetween. The chamber retains a saline solution and is not in flow communication with the compartment through which water is circulated. The vessel includes separate inlet ports and outlet ports, each including a conduit communicating with the chamber or compartment. The outlet port of the chamber is angled downward relative to a horizontal upper surface of the container against which skin being tested is placed. The vessel is used for conducting transdermal diffusion cell testing in combination with a solution source fluidly coupled to each vessel, a waste receptacle fluidly coupled to each vessel, a syringe pump fluidly coupled to a respective vessel, and a sample collector fluidly coupled to the syringe pump(s).

Abstract: The formation of a barrier layer within individual channels or cavities of a microfluidic device is described. The barrier layer is effected through a gas phase deposition process, desirably implemented in a plasma environment using a gas plasma reactor. Judicious selection of a precursor compound used within the gas plasma reactor can provide for generation of a layer on the individual surfaces. Desirably the surface or barrier layer is generated through the chemical adsorption of a metalloid oxide such as a silicon oxide layer on the surface of the individual channels or cavities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, including a diagnostic method, for characterising platelets. More particularly, the invention relates to methods for characterising platelets by immobilising platelets on a substrate for detection and subsequent characterisation, and to devices on which such a method may be practiced. The method comprises the steps of:—a.contacting a substrate that includes a plurality of discrete platelet- binding zones having a surface area of 7850 ?m2 orless with a fluid composition comprising platelets; and b.detecting platelets bound to the platelet-binding zones and thereby characterising platelets.

Abstract: A sequential flow analysis tool comprising a microti iridic device having a fluid path defined within a substrate between an input and an output is described. The device includes a capture chamber provided within but offset from the fluid path, the capture chamber extending into the substrate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fluid path such that operably particles provided within a fluid flowing within the fluid path will preferentially collect within the capture chamber.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: Vessel for transdermal diffusion cell testing includes a container defining an interior chamber having an opening against which skin is placed, and a casing arranged partially around and spaced apart from part of the container to define a compartment therebetween. The chamber retains a saline solution and is not in flow communication with the compartment through which water is circulated. The vessel includes separate inlet ports and outlet ports, each including a conduit communicating with the chamber or compartment. The outlet port of the chamber is arranged above the inlet port of the chamber, proximate the opening of the chamber, and is angled downward relative to a horizontal upper surface of the container against which skin being tested is placed. Tilting of the vessel prior to or during introduction of solution prevents air bubbles from remaining between the skin and the solution.

Abstract: Transdermal diffusion cell testing vessel includes a container defining a chamber having an opening against which skin is placed, and a casing arranged partially around and spaced apart from part of the container to define a compartment therebetween. The chamber retains a saline solution and is not in flow communication with the compartment through which water is circulated. The vessel includes separate inlet ports and outlet ports, each including a conduit communicating with the chamber or compartment. The outlet port of the chamber is angled downward relative to a horizontal upper surface of the container against which skin being tested is placed. The vessel is used for conducting transdermal diffusion cell testing in combination with a solution source fluidly coupled to each vessel, a waste receptacle fluidly coupled to each vessel, a syringe pump fluidly coupled to a respective vessel, and a sample collector fluidly coupled to the syringe pump(s).

Abstract: Pharmaceutical product release rate testing device includes a base, at least one carousel member rotatably mounted on the base, each carousel member including a plurality of test tube pockets each adapted to receive a test tube fillable with test media, and a dipping mechanism for dipping samples to be tested into the test tubes when present in the pockets and filled with test media. A rinsing/filling mechanism is provided to rinse or fill test tubes in one set of pockets while test tubes in another set of pockets are involved in the dipping process via the dipping mechanism. The carousel member is temperature-controlled such that all of the test tubes when present in the pockets are at substantially the same temperature for critical stages of the testing process. Methods for conducting pharmaceutical product release rate testing using the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Brush head for cleaning a vessel and use in an automatic dissolution vessel cleaning apparatus which includes a rotatable shaft defining a through passage, an upper end of which is operatively connected to a vacuum source, an inflow housing having at least one channel through which cleaning fluid is pumped and to which the shaft is rotatably mounted, and a brush assembly mounted on the shaft below the housing such that a lower end of the passage is situated below the brush assembly. In use, when the brush head is inserted into the vessel, cleaning fluid is directed through the channel(s) into the vessel while the shaft rotates causing the brush assembly to rotate and clean an inner wall of the vessel with fluid in the vessel being drawn into the passage via its lower end upon coupling of its upper end to the vacuum source.