Real-Time UV Imaging of Nicotine Release from Transdermal Patch

A new approach to dissolution testing by UV imaging and finite element simulations

PURPOSE

Most dissolution testing systems rely on analyzing samples taken remotely from the dissolving sample surface at different time points with poor time resolution and therefore provide relatively unresolved temporally and spatially information on the dissolution process. In this study, a flexible numerical model was combined with a novel UV imaging system, allowing monitoring of the dissolution process with sub second time resolution.

METHODS

The dissolution process was monitored by both effluent collection and UV imaging of compacts of paracetamol. A finite element model (FEM) was used to characterize the UV imaging system.

RESULTS

A finite element model of the UV imaging system was successfully built. The dissolution of paracetamol was studied by UV imaging and by analysis of the effluent. The dissolution rates obtained from the collected effluent were in good agreement with the numerical model. The numerical model allowed an assessment of the ability of the UV imager to measure dissolution-time profiles. The simulation was able to extend the experimental results to conditions not easily obtained experimentally.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining FEM,experimental dissolution data and UV imaging provided experimental validation of the FEM model as well as a detailed description of the dissolution process.

In situ monitoring of carbamazepine-nicotinamide cocrystal intrinsic dissolution behaviour

Cocrystals have shown huge potential to improve the dissolution rate and absorption of a poorly water soluble drug. However, solution mediated phase transformation of cocrystals could greatly reduce the enhancement of its apparent solubility and dissolution rate. The aim of this study is to gain a deep understanding of the phase transition behaviour of cocrystals during dissolution and to investigate the improvement of dissolution rate. Dissolution and transformation behaviour of carbamazepine-nicotinamide (CBZ-NIC) cocrystal, physical mixture and different forms of carbamazepine: form I (CBZ I), form III (CBZ III) and dihydrate (CBZ DH) were studied by different in situ techniques of UV imaging and Raman spectroscopy. It has been found that compared with CBZ III and I, the rate of intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) of CBZ-NIC cocrystal decreases slowly during dissolution, indicating the rate of crystallisation of CBZ DH from the solution is slow. In situ solid-state characterisation has shown the evolution of conversion of CBZ-NIC cocrystal and polymorphs to its dihydrate form. The study has shown that in situ UV imaging and Raman spectroscopy with a complementary technique of SEM can provide an in depth understanding during dissolution of cocrystals.

Real-time dissolution behavior of furosemide in biorelevant media as determined by UV imaging

The potential of UV imaging as a new small scale flow-through dissolution testing platform and its ability to incorporate biorelevant media was tested. Furosemide was utilized as a model poorly soluble drug, and dissolution media simulating conditions in the small intestine (5/1.25 mM and 40/10 mM bile salt/phospholipid, pH 6.5) together with corresponding blank buffer were employed. Dissolution rates as a function of flow rate (0.2-1.0 mL/min) were determined directly from UV images, and by analysis of collected effluent using UV spectrophotometry. A good agreement in dissolution rates was observed, however repeatability of data based on measurement of collected effluent was superior to that obtained by UV imaging in the utilized prototypic flow cell. Both methods indicated that biorelevant media did not markedly increase the dissolution rate of furosemide as compared to buffer. Qualitatively, UV images indicated that uncontrolled swelling/precipitation of furosemide on the compact surface was occurring in some samples. In situ Raman spectroscopy together with X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the observations were not due to a solid form transformation of furosemide. The presented results highlight the complementary features of the utilized techniques and, in particular, the detailed information related to dissolution behavior which can be achieved by UV imaging.

Behaviour of HPMC compacts investigated using UV-imaging

The aim of the study was to visualize the behaviour of the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) in a buffer solution using UV imaging. The obtained results were related to rheological measurements in order to gain insight into critical polymer properties affecting drug release. Two viscosity grades of HPMC, 15cP and 50 cP, were used. The behaviour of the polymer at the surface of the compact was observed by UV-imaging at 214 nm for 90 min in a stagnant buffer solution and in presence of flow. Steady shear and oscillatory shear measurements were conducted to determine the rheological characteristics. Three distinctive phases could be detected by real-time UV-imaging of the HPMC; gel formation due to water penetration, further expansion of the gel into solution and finally steady conditions, where a critical polymer concentration that can withstand the shear forces without eroding was observed. The critical concentration corresponded to the rheologically determined gel point, which is the lowest concentration where a 3D-network is obtained. Higher viscosity grade HPMC swelled more rapidly and lead to a thicker gel layer, which was more resistant towards the shear forces due to the applied flow. The results showed that UV imaging is suitable for obtaining both qualitative and quantitative information on polymer behaviour.

Insights into the early dissolution events of amlodipine using UV imaging and Raman spectroscopy

Traditional dissolution testing determines drug release to the bulk, but does not enable an understanding of the events happening close to the surface of a solid or a tablet. UV imaging is a new imaging approach that can be used to study the dissolution behavior of chemical compounds. The UV imaging instrumentation offers recording of absorbance maps with a high spatial and temporal resolution which facilitates the abundant collection of information regarding the evolving solution concentrations. In this study, UV imaging was used to visualize the dissolution behavior of amlodipine besylate (amorphous and dihydrate forms) and amlodipine free base. The dissolution of amlodipine besylate was faster from the amorphous form than from the crystalline forms. The UV imaging investigations suggested that a solvent mediated phase transformation occurred for the amorphous amlodipine besylate and the amlodipine free base samples. Raman spectroscopy was used to confirm and probe the changes at the solid surface occurring upon contact with the dissolution media and verified the recrystallization of the amorphous form to the monohydrate. The combination of UV imaging and Raman spectroscopy is an efficient tool to obtain a deeper insight into the early events of the dissolution process.

Monitoring lidocaine single-crystal dissolution by ultraviolet imaging

Dissolution critically affects the bioavailability of Biopharmaceutics Classification System class 2 compounds. When unexpected dissolution behaviour occurs, detailed studies using high information content technologies are warranted. In the present study, an evaluation of real-time ultraviolet (UV) imaging for conducting single-crystal dissolution studies was performed. Using lidocaine as a model compound, the aim was to develop a setup capable of monitoring and quantifying the dissolution of lidocaine into a phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, under stagnant conditions. A single crystal of lidocaine was placed in the quartz dissolution cell and UV imaging was performed at 254 nm. Spatially and temporally resolved mapping of lidocaine concentration during the dissolution process was achieved from the recorded images. UV imaging facilitated the monitoring of lidocaine concentrations in the dissolution media adjacent to the single crystals. The concentration maps revealed the effects of natural convection due to density gradients on the dissolution process of lidocaine. UV imaging has great potential for in vitro drug dissolution testing.