Scientific Papers

The purpose of this work is to demonstrate that compaction simulation can be used to calibrate a terahertz analyzer on a multi-component tablet system for rapid, non-destructive in process monitoring of roller compaction and tableting processes.

A formulation of ibuprofen 200 mg was evaluated using Quality by Design principles to:

• Study the effect of Twin Screw Wet Granulation (TSWG) factors on granule quality;

• Characterise the final compressed tablet.

The aim was to develop a simple method to quantify sticking risk using a minimal amount of material, which could be used early in development. A Compaction Simulator and a novel instrumented punch were used to characterise the sticking behaviour of 5 formulations, some of which were known to adhere to tablet punches during compression.

The aim of the project was to compare the compression properties of a group of excipients called polyols by Heckel testing, as these materials can be used to provide strength to tablet formulations. All of the samples have different chemical structures which may affect, for example, how a tablet formulation performs.

The investigation looked at taking three commonly used super disintegrants (SSG, CCS and PVP) and incorporating them into an immediate-release formulation. Super disintegrants are chemically modified version of traditional disintegrants used within tablets to improve the speed of release.

In this investigation the effects of temperature was assessed on three placebo formulations direct compression blends. A compaction simulator was used to compress the blends at high speed compaction and a temperature controlled die was used to heat the die to set temperature points to monitor the effects on the formulation. The effect of temperature on key compaction parameters was determined.