Micro-CT in Pharmacy and Pharmacology

The internal structure of a tablet or any other solid dosage drug and even the parts used in the packaging, including sprays, can be observed without destroying the sample by X-ray computed tomography (CT). In some cases, in addition to the need for a non-destructive observation method, there is a need to observe micron-sized details; in these cases, the resolution of the CT imaging is not enough, and X-ray micro-computed tomography is an alternative. This method has many applications in pharmaceutics development:

Tablet Development
- To determine the thickness, shape and size of the layers in multilayer tablets
- To assess the morphology and pore-size distribution
- Assessment of the thickness uniformity of a functional coating, detection of the holes and cracks in the coating and their dimensions
- Determination of the thickness and integrity of the capsule’s solid shell and its welded seam
- To evaluate the defects in or damage to the internal structure of a compacted tablet
- To determine the distribution of an active ingredient or functional excipient in a tablet or a capsule
- To measure the uniformity and density variation of pharmaceutical samples
- To detect and locate the foreign matter such as a metal particle within a solid dosage form
- Counterfeit product detection

Inhaler, spray, syringe
- Non-destructive inspection of the internal parts

Packaging and sealing
- To Locate gaps in seal interfaces or other leakage pathways in packaging