Christison Particle Technologies - Particle Characterisation Services

Christison Particle Technologies provides particle characterisation services, including advanced particle size measurement equipment, particle size reduction equipment and sample preparation equipment.

In addition, Christison provides validation and method development for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Our range of characterising instruments includes:

• Camsizer - dry digital imaging
• Crystalsizer - dry diffraction
• Brightwell DPA4100 MFI - wet digital imaging
• AccuSizer - obscuration
• Nicomp - dynamic light scattering
• Rion – obscuration
• Rhewum Air Jet Sieving

GMP MICRONISING

Christison holds a manufacturer's licence from the MHRA and is ISO 9001-certified.

Our clean room facilities are available for cGMP micronising and cGMP microfluidising. Christison's Microjet processors are available for sub-micron dispersions, emulsions, liposomes and cell disruption.

This provides a method for generating extremely small particle sizes using a clean, scaleable technology. We welcome visits to our facility for audits or to outline a study that meets your specific needs.

TEST LABORATORY

The Christison test laboratory provides the following services on a contract basis:

• Raw material / finished product characterisation
• Contamination testing e.g. USP 788
• Freeze drying

ANALYSIS OF DRY BULK MATERIALS

The Camsizer sets a new standard for the analysis of dry, pourable bulk materials. Its large measuring range (30microns to 30mm) provides an efficient alternative to traditional sieve analysis. The robust construction, interference-proof measuring principle and unique measuring method allows for simultaneous analysis of the particle size and shape even under production conditions. On-line versions are available for continuous monitoring.

The patented measuring setup of the Camsizer – two digital cameras as an adaptive measuring unit – improves and optimizes particle analysis by digital image processing. The contact-free optical measurement is carried out in real time and simultaneously obtains all the required information about particle size and particle shape. The measuring procedure of the Camsizer is fully automated, so that random errors can be ruled out. Indeed, manual operating steps are reduced to filling the hopper and removing the material.

WET DIGITAL IMAGING

The DPA4100 particle analyzer rapidly measures particle size from 0.7 micron with Micro-Flow Imaging (MFI), as well as concentration, shape and intensity. The technology has been shown to be superior for the detection, enumeration and characterisation of particles – independent of their material, shape or optical properties.

MFI has a superb combination of specifications and features, all based on a patented imaging platform that benefits particle analysis scientists in a variety of industries and applications.

AUTOMATIC PARTICLE COUNTER SYSTEM

The KL-04 automatic particle counter system is suitable for monitoring insoluble particle content in liquids and pharmaceutical injections. The particle counter includes a particle sensor, sampling system and secure software, all in one turnkey system.

The software of this particle counter system allows automatic calibration, while the sensor resolution accuracy tolerance is within 10% according to USP 24 <788> method. Data can be stored for several years on the integrated hard disk or tape drive, and software is compliant with CFR 21 Part 11.

SIEVES AND SIEVE SHAKERS

Christison offer various sieve shakers and sieve machines including the Rhewum precision air-jet sieve, the RoTap sieve shaker and the EFL heavy-duty shaker. We also supply 1,000s of laboratory test sieves in all mesh types, sizes and frame materials to ISO/BS and ASTM.

MICROJET PROCESSOR

Milling technology has in many cases remained unchanged for 50 years, but the demands made of it have dramatically increased. For example in the pharmaceutical industry the compounds are becoming increasingly difficult and more complicated to make and are increasingly insoluble in liquid. The regulatory and safety controls are increasing in parallel.

Microjet Fluid Technology is a system which overcomes the limitations of conventional mixing and homogenizing techniques. Operating at up to 24,000psi, the diamond and stainless steel interaction chambers produce extremely high levels of shear, resulting in very fine, tight particle size distributions and small particles of exceptional consistency. There is no grinding media and therefore no associated contamination problems. Temperature control is an integral part of the device which is easy to ‘clean in place’ The process is fully scalable and is optionally available with electrically driven intensifier pumps.

Please also see Pharmaceutical Technology - Christison Particle Technologies - Particle Sizing and Particle Disintegration