A new type of freeze drying microscopy based upon time-domain optical coherence tomography is presented here. The microscope allows for real-time, in situ imaging of pharmaceutical formulations in vials relevant for manufacturing processes with a lateral resolution of <7µm and an axial resolution of <5µm. Correlation of volumetric structural imaging with product temperature measured during the freeze-drying cycle allowed investigation of structural changes in the product and determination of the temperature at which the freeze-dried cake collapses.
This paper is hosted on the Optica Infobase website.
Tags: microscopy