New function on semi-micro and analytical balances simplifies minimum sample quantities to meet guidelines of the US Pharmacopeia
Sartorius has added another feature to its Genius series of semi-micro and analytical balances.
The SQmin function has been designed to offer optimal support in fulfilling the guidelines of the United States Pharmacopeia or USP with respect to the minimum sample quantity.
The USP is a quality management system for the pharmaceutical industry in the USA.
Among other guidelines, the USP specifies the minimum sample quantity for balances.
In accordance with these guidelines, the uncertainty of measurement may not be less than 0.1% of the sample weight when determining a sample quantity.
As globalisation continues to progress, the requirement of specifying and documenting the minimum sample quantity in accordance with USP (chapter 41) directly at the weighing location is becoming more significant.
The new SQmin function allows the Genius balance to be programmed with the required minimum sample weight for the balance at the location where it is set up.
It is entered and stored into the balance memory and can be viewed as required by the user.
When in use the SQmin label on the control unit will flash as long as the minimum sample quantity has not been reached.
In the print out, weights that are below the minimum limit are denoted by an asterisk.
Once the minimum weight is exceeded SQmin no longer flashes and printouts do not include asterisks.
GLP-compliant printouts can be configured to include the label 'SQmin = weight, unit'.
The SQmin function is straightforward to programme, easy to use in practice and is fully compliant with the USP guidelines.
Alongside Nice (Neutralisation by Ionic Charge Elimination) and the Fast (Fully Automatic by Soft Touch) motorised draft shield, SQmin is now included as standard on all Genius series balances.
