John Morris Scientific has introduced Adixen's Lyotrack, an online moisture-measurement system for freeze dryers.
The Lyotrack monitors the water-vapour concentration under vacuum-conditions inside of a freeze dryer.
Previously, the freeze-drying process was monitored by measuring temperature, pressure and time.
A careful interpretation of these parameters makes it possible to determine the end of the primary and secondary drying phases.
Placing the temperature probes and wiring up the connections throughout the freeze dryer is a laborious task, especially in the case of large-production freeze dryers.
Results can vary wildly because of inconsistent placement of the temperature probe within the chamber or sample.
The Lyotrack measures complete loads, independent from quantities or the product location within the freeze dryer.
Lyotrack uses ICP-OES technology (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy) to directly measure the water vapour inside the freeze-dryer.
This allows instant measurement of product moisture-levels and also helps determine process parameters such as the end of primary and secondary drying stages.
Installing the Lyotrack is straight-forward.
Lyotrack uses a flange connection on the freeze dryer, which only involves minor modifications.
The monitoring software runs off any standard Windows PC.
The Lyotrack has a relevant response to Food and Drug Administration recommendations, including the Process and Analytical Technology (PAT) initiative, recommending modern process analysis tools and resources for monitoring and controlling processes and process endpoints.
