Home > Applications > Controlled Release Testing Attachments

Any of the texture analyser range can be used for the product tests listed below. A selection of special attachments and typical measurements are also shown which are commonly used in this application area. However, this does not show the complete range of attachments available for the testing of controlled release products. Test procedures include: compression, puncture/penetration, tension, fracture/bending, extrusion, cutting/shearing.

Typical measurements include: Tablet Coating Adhesion Transdermal delivery patch adhesion Bioadhesion/Mucoadhesion - buccal/gastric drug delivery adhesion characteristics Wound dressing and adhesive strip adhesion Metered Dose Inhaler actuation characterisation Gel penetration - rupture force and elasticity of e.g. stents, polymer implants Hardness/mechanical strength/failure behaviour of tablets, granules, microspheres, capsules Disintegration and swelling of tablets, granules and pellets

Tablet Coating Adhesion Fixture This test provides a quantitative  measure of the adhesion strength  of the coating to the tablet surface.  Such a test is useful for studying  the consequences of changes in  tablet coating formulation variables.	Mucoadhesion Test Rig Developed at the University of Strathclyde, and since adopted by a number of groups in Britain and Europe, this mucoadhesion apparatus offers a number of advantages over systems previously used. A particular advantage is the ability to test tissue samples in the conditions in which they are normally found. Tests of solid dosage forms, semi- solids such as ointments and gels and even systems which solidify on contact with the target organ can be performed.	Gels Rupture force and elasticity are important properties for the development of such products as coronary stents, where hydrogel polymers are selected due to their soft, rubbery nature which gives them a strong, superficial resemblance to living, soft tissue and allows them to stay intact within the body for the duration of their intended residence.
Ball probes Can be used to assess adhesive strength of e.g. transdermal  patches, wound dressings.	Metered Dose Inhaler The Inhaler Support provides a holding device for the inhaler so that it can be tested with a hemispherical probe which best mimics the action of the finger for drug delivery.	Peltier Plate Adhesive testing performed at constant temperature (e.g. 35C for skin controlled by a Peltier Plate attached to a texture analyser) provides a more accurate measurement.
Tablet /Microsphere  Compression Diametral compression of tablets provides objective failure  behaviour. The mechanical strength  of controlled release tablets is an  important determinant of drug  release. It is therefore necessary  to monitor and control the degree  of compaction, and hence  hardness, of these tablets.	Film Support Rig This rig allows testing of thin, film- like products to measure the burst  strength, resilience and relaxation  properties.	Progressive Swelling The Texture Analyser can very precisely quantify swelling behaviours of such controlled release substrates as tablets, gels, films, pellets, mucosal tissues, super-absorbent polymers.
Adhesive Bandage Peel Strength Adhesion testing allows characterisation of the strip material, chosen adhesive and bond strength to adherence surface.

Application Studies are available for the testing of CONTROLLED RELEASE products using the TA.XT2i, TA.XTplus, TA.XTExpress  or TA.HDplus texture analysers. In addition, scientific papers have been published which reference the use of the TA.XT2i/TA.XTplus/TA.HDplus in the testing of CONTROLLED RELEASE products. Click here for paper titles and citation details.

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