Film-coating is used for several functions. Firstly, it removes residual dust from a tablet and aids packaging as the film forms a smooth casing. The film coating can also be used to color a tablet to comply with a patent. In addition, coating a tablet allows for easier tablet absorption for the comfort of patients and the film coating can also be gastro-resistant to target dissolution of the tablet in the intestine and not in the stomach.
A Safe, Precise and Intuitive Pump
For the film-coating process, the tablets are placed in a film-coating turbine: a drum, which stirs them with hot air. Nozzles then spray the film-coating liquid in fine droplets onto the tablets. The regularity of flow is essential in this application. The performance and smooth running of bioprocesses depend on the precision and reproducibility of fluid flow, cohesion between batches and compliance with regulations, including good manufacturing practices.
530S continuous tube peristaltic pumps offer flow rates from 0.04 ml/min to 3.5 l/min and a very precise speed control ratio of 2200:1, ideal for coating applications. This high precision is supported by a user-friendly human-machine interface requiring minimal intervention, thereby reducing the risk of errors.
In this application, a single supply is divided into three separate delivery lines, each running through a high-performance 313 series flip-top pump-head mounted to a single drive. This ensures smooth, accurate delivery to each of these individual supply channels.
Seamless Integration for Improved Efficiency
The efficiency of the 530S pump's advanced peristaltic technology is enhanced by the incorporation of Watson-Marlow’s single-use tubing and BioPure components that ensure seamless interaction with the dry formulation cleanroom environment.
The Bailly Creat laboratory relies on a fleet of high-performance machines that are reviewed regularly; its teams ensure assiduous monitoring and permanent control of production. The quality system in place thus enables continuous improvement of processes, optimum product quality and total safety for patients.
This pump was implemented in 2013 as part of a validated process. According to Mr. De Colnet, Production and Maintenance Manager at Bailly Creat, “Watson-Marlow is a recognized manufacturer in our industry and the pumps are renowned for their efficiency and quality. It is for this reason that we are renewing this model in our laboratory this year.”
Kristin Nugent is a Senior Account Supervisor at McNeil, Gray and Rice.