Optics: measuring and testing – For light transmission or absorption
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-13
2001-08-14
Font, Frank G. (Department: 2877)
Optics: measuring and testing
For light transmission or absorption
C250S341100, C250S341700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06275294
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a device for and a method of analysing a sample, in particular a tablet, a capsule or a bulk powder.
EP-A-0767369 discloses a device for analysing a sample which performs a transmission measurement using near infra-red radiation. This device is, however, capable of providing only limited information as to the content of a sample, typically the quantity of a particular component in a sample, and cannot provide detailed information, for example, as to the three-dimensional distribution of one or more components in a sample.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a device for and a method of analysing a sample, in particular a tablet, a capsule or a bulk powder and especially a multiple unit pellet system tablet or capsule, which is capable of providing information as to the three-dimensional distribution of one or more components in the sample.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for analysing a sample, comprising: a sample positioning unit for positioning a sample; a radiation generating unit for providing at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation to each of first and second surfaces of the sample; an imaging unit for providing at least one image from radiation transmitted through each of the first and second surfaces of the sample; a detector unit for capturing the images provided by the imaging unit and generating signals corresponding thereto; and an analysing unit for operating on the signals received from the detector unit and generating signals representative of the three-dimensional distribution of at least one component in the sample.
Preferably, the sample positioning unit comprises a track through which samples are in use passed.
In one embodiment the sample positioning unit is configured such that samples are moved in a stepwise manner through the track.
In another embodiment the sample positioning unit is configured such that samples are moved continuously through the track.
In one embodiment at least one of the beams of radiation is collimated.
In another embodiment at least one of the beams of radiation is converging.
In a further embodiment at least one of the beams of radiation is diverging.
In one embodiment the principal axis of at least one of the beams of radiation is substantially normal to the respective surface of the sample.
In another embodiment the principal axis of at least one of the beams of radiation is at an angle to the respective surface of the sample.
In one embodiment at least one of the beams of radiation is dimensioned to irradiate substantially entirely the respective surface of the sample.
In another embodiment at least one of the beams of radiation is dimensioned to irradiate an area smaller than that of the respective surface of the sample.
In one preferred embodiment the radiation generating unit is configured so as in use to move the at least one of the beams of radiation in at least one direction and thereby scan the at least one of the beams of radiation over substantially entirely the respective surface of the sample.
Preferably, the first and second surfaces of the sample are oppositely-directed surfaces.
Preferably, at least one of the beams of radiation is visible light.
Preferably, at least one of the beams of radiation is infra-red radiation.
More preferably, the infra-red radiation is in the near infra-red region.
Still more preferably, the infra-red radiation has a frequency in the range corresponding to wavelengths of from 700 to 1700 nm, particularly from 700 to 1300 nm.
Preferably, at least one of the beams of radiation is x-ray radiation.
Preferably, the radiation generating unit comprises at least one radiation source and at least one optical element.
Preferably, the radiation generating unit further comprises a moving diffuser downstream of each radiation source.
Preferably, the radiation generating unit further comprises a polarizer downstream of each radiation source.
In a preferred embodiment the radiation generating unit comprises first and second radiation sources and associated optical elements, each of the radiation sources providing at least one beam of radiation for irradiating respectively the first and second surfaces of the sample.
In one embodiment any or each of the radiation sources comprises a laser, preferably a diode laser.
In another embodiment any or each of the radiation sources comprises a light-emitting diode.
Preferably, the imaging unit comprises at least one optical element for providing at least one image of radiation transmitted through each of the first and second surfaces of the sample.
More preferably, the imaging unit further comprises at least one polarizer for polarizing radiation transmitted through each of the first and second surfaces of the sample.
More preferably, the imaging unit further comprises at least one beam splitter for providing a plurality of images of different single frequency or frequency band from radiation transmitted through each of the first and second surfaces of the sample.
In one embodiment the beam splitter comprises a frequency dependent beam splitter, which together with the at least one optical element provides a plurality of images of different single frequency or frequency band from radiation transmitted through each of the first and second surfaces of the sample.
In another embodiment the beam splitter comprises a non-frequency dependent beam splitter, which separates radiation transmitted through each of the first and second surfaces of the sample into a plurality of components, and a plurality of filters for filtering each of the respective components to provide radiation of different single frequency or frequency band, the beam splitter and the filters together with the at least one optical element providing a plurality of images of different single frequency or frequency band from radiation transmitted through each of the first and second surfaces of the sample.
In a further embodiment the beam splitter comprises a transmission grating, which together with the at least one optical element provides a plurality of images of different single frequency or frequency band from radiation transmitted through each of the first and second surfaces of the sample.
In a yet further embodiment the beam splitter comprises a prism array, which separates radiation transmitted through each of the first and second surfaces of the sample into a plurality of components, and a plurality of filters for filtering each of the respective components to provide radiation of different single frequency or frequency band, the prism array and the filters together with the at least one optical element providing a plurality of images of different single frequency or frequency band from radiation transmitted through each of the first and second surfaces of the sample.
In a still further embodiment the beam splitter comprises a plurality of lenses, which separate radiation transmitted through each of the first and second surfaces of the sample into a plurality of components, and a plurality of filters for filtering each of the respective components to provide radiation of different single frequency or frequency band, the lenses and the filters together with the at least one optical element providing a plurality of images of different single frequency or frequency band from radiation transmitted through each of the first and second surfaces of the sample.
Preferably, the detector unit comprises at least one detector.
In one embodiment the detector unit comprises a single detector.
In another embodiment the detector unit comprises a plurality of detectors.
In one preferred embodiment the or at least one detector is a two-dimensional array detector.
In another preferred embodiment each detector is a sub-array of an array detector.
In a further preferred embodiment the or at least one detector is a one-dimensional array detector.
In one embodiment the detector unit is configured such that in use the at least one detector is moved to capture the images provided by the imaging unit.
Preferably, the at least one detector compri
Astrazeneca AB
Font Frank G.
Merlino Amanda
White & Case LLP
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