WO2006054964A1 - Preparation et caracterisation de formulations en mode haut debit - Google Patents

Preparation et caracterisation de formulations en mode haut debit Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006054964A1
WO2006054964A1 PCT/US2004/037735 US2004037735W WO2006054964A1 WO 2006054964 A1 WO2006054964 A1 WO 2006054964A1 US 2004037735 W US2004037735 W US 2004037735W WO 2006054964 A1 WO2006054964 A1 WO 2006054964A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
station
vial
rack
dispensing
additive
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2004/037735
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Stephen Robert Bysouth
Sidney Wilson Hite
Amrish Bohara
John Henry Nettleton-Hammond
Karin Ingegard Bergstrom
Rowena Landham
Ingrid Gunborg Lukkari
Original Assignee
Syngenta Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Syngenta Limited filed Critical Syngenta Limited
Priority to EP04810792A priority Critical patent/EP1830950A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US2004/037735 priority patent/WO2006054964A1/fr
Priority to JP2007541153A priority patent/JP4648398B2/ja
Publication of WO2006054964A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006054964A1/fr

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J19/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J19/0046—Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/028—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/00277—Apparatus
    • B01J2219/00279—Features relating to reactor vessels
    • B01J2219/00281—Individual reactor vessels
    • B01J2219/00283—Reactor vessels with top opening
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/00277—Apparatus
    • B01J2219/00279—Features relating to reactor vessels
    • B01J2219/00306—Reactor vessels in a multiple arrangement
    • B01J2219/00308—Reactor vessels in a multiple arrangement interchangeably mounted in racks or blocks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/00277—Apparatus
    • B01J2219/00279—Features relating to reactor vessels
    • B01J2219/00306—Reactor vessels in a multiple arrangement
    • B01J2219/00313—Reactor vessels in a multiple arrangement the reactor vessels being formed by arrays of wells in blocks
    • B01J2219/00319—Reactor vessels in a multiple arrangement the reactor vessels being formed by arrays of wells in blocks the blocks being mounted in stacked arrangements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
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    • B01J2219/00277—Apparatus
    • B01J2219/00279—Features relating to reactor vessels
    • B01J2219/00331—Details of the reactor vessels
    • B01J2219/00333—Closures attached to the reactor vessels
    • B01J2219/00344—Caps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
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    • B01J2219/00277—Apparatus
    • B01J2219/00479—Means for mixing reactants or products in the reaction vessels
    • B01J2219/00484—Means for mixing reactants or products in the reaction vessels by shaking, vibrating or oscillating of the reaction vessels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/00277—Apparatus
    • B01J2219/00495—Means for heating or cooling the reaction vessels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/00277—Apparatus
    • B01J2219/0054—Means for coding or tagging the apparatus or the reagents
    • B01J2219/00547—Bar codes
    • B01J2219/00549—2-dimensional
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/00583—Features relative to the processes being carried out
    • B01J2219/00585—Parallel processes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/00583—Features relative to the processes being carried out
    • B01J2219/00596—Solid-phase processes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/0068—Means for controlling the apparatus of the process
    • B01J2219/00686—Automatic
    • B01J2219/00689—Automatic using computers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/0068—Means for controlling the apparatus of the process
    • B01J2219/00686—Automatic
    • B01J2219/00691—Automatic using robots
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/0068—Means for controlling the apparatus of the process
    • B01J2219/00693—Means for quality control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/0068—Means for controlling the apparatus of the process
    • B01J2219/00695—Synthesis control routines, e.g. using computer programs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/00718—Type of compounds synthesised
    • B01J2219/00756—Compositions, e.g. coatings, crystals, formulations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B02—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING; PREPARATORY TREATMENT OF GRAIN FOR MILLING
    • B02C—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING IN GENERAL; MILLING GRAIN
    • B02C17/00—Disintegrating by tumbling mills, i.e. mills having a container charged with the material to be disintegrated with or without special disintegrating members such as pebbles or balls
    • B02C17/04—Disintegrating by tumbling mills, i.e. mills having a container charged with the material to be disintegrated with or without special disintegrating members such as pebbles or balls with unperforated container
    • B02C17/06—Disintegrating by tumbling mills, i.e. mills having a container charged with the material to be disintegrated with or without special disintegrating members such as pebbles or balls with unperforated container with several compartments
    • B02C2017/065—Disintegrating by tumbling mills, i.e. mills having a container charged with the material to be disintegrated with or without special disintegrating members such as pebbles or balls with unperforated container with several compartments with several compartments in the form of multiwell blocks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N2035/00178—Special arrangements of analysers
    • G01N2035/00326—Analysers with modular structure
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/0099—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor comprising robots or similar manipulators

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to an automated robotic system for the production and testing of formulations at a very high throughput. More specifically, it is an integrated system of hardware and software capable of preparing and evaluating hundreds of dispersed multi-phase solutions per day.
  • the system can process formulations rapidly in an automated way and enable very flexible formulation recipes to be introduced. Up to 1200 formulations on the 1 to 20 mL scale can be made per day. This includes tracking of processes from start to finish and the integration of analytical data with the as-designed and as-formulated experimental results. Materials and consumables can be distributed from storage systems to the work stations where dispensing of ingredients in various states can be performed, including solids, liquids, gels, pastes, suspensions and waxes.
  • the emulsions, dispersions, and/or solutions formed can be characte ⁇ zed using methods including phase diagnosis, turbidity analysis, viscosity and particle sizing.
  • the modular system allows future processes and tests to be added, either to a station, or as a new station. . • • .
  • Formulation chemists in the Surface Actives Ingredients (surfactants) and agrochemical markets realize the potential for applying Design of Experiments (DOE) methods to assess the impact of many variables on the performance, shelf-life, delivery characteristics, contamination susceptibility, and customer satisfaction of their products. Due to the complexity.of the formulation recipes and the number of variables to be evaluated, DOE techniques generate matrices of tens of thousands of experiments that must be conducted to explore and refine the experimental space for these products. The shear number of experiments required renders typical bench chemistry techniques ineffective. The invention described herein provides the formulation chemist with a means of tackling these large DOE matrices in an automated fashion.
  • DOE Design of Experiments
  • the invention is an automated robotic system for the production and testing of formulations at a very high throughput. It is an integrated system of hardware and software capable of preparing and evaluating hundreds of dispersed multi -phase solutions per day.
  • the system can formulate aqueous solutions (SL), oil in water emulsions (EW), suspo-emulsions
  • SE micro capsule suspensions
  • ME micro-emulsions
  • SC suspension concentrates
  • the system allows chemists to generate expe ⁇ mental samples of varying recipe and method to be conducted in parallel with projected throughput of up to 1200 formulations processed and characterized per day.
  • Materials and consumables can be distributed from storage systems to the woik stations where dispensing of ingredients in va ⁇ ous states can be performed, including solids, liquids, gels, pastes, suspensions and waxes.
  • the emulsions formed can be characterized using methods including phase diagnosis, turbidity analysis, viscosity and particle sizing using automated test equipment.
  • An integrated module can also perform Tank Mix
  • the modular system allows future processes and tests to be added, either to a station, or as a new station
  • the software capability includes tracking of processes from start to finish and the integration of analytical data with the as- designed and as-formulated experimental results. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automated robotic system for the production and testing of formulations.
  • Figure 1 illustrates rack and vial storage system 100.
  • Figure 2 illustrates consumables store 200.
  • Figure 3 illustrates robotic arm 300.
  • Figure 4 illustrates solid dispensing station 400.
  • Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500. • . •
  • Figure 6 illustrates normal liquids dispensing and pipetting, and characterization station 600.
  • Figure 7 illustrates mixing or homogenizing station 700.
  • Figure 8 illustrates flexible arm station 800 used in alternative embodiment.
  • Figure 9 illustrates comminutor station used in an alternative embodiment 900.
  • Figure 10 illustrates phase stability and cloud point station 1000.
  • Figure 11 illustrates buffers 1100.
  • Figure 12 illustrates dispensing, pipetting, and characterization station 1200, included in alternative embodiments.
  • DC 233082V 1 - 3 - Figure 13 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for system set-up.
  • Figure 14 illustrates flow diagram of experiment for preparing and testing Solution in Water (SL) formulation.
  • Figure 15 illustrates flow diagram of experiment for preparing and testing Suspension Concentrate (SC) emulsion formulation.
  • Figure 16 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention comprising rack and vial storage system 100, consumables store 200, robotic arm 300, mixing or homogenizing station 700, phase stability and cloud point station 1000, buffers 1100, and dispensing, pipetting, and characterization station 1200.
  • Figure 17 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention comprising rack and vial storage system 100, consumables store 200, robotic arm 300, solid dispensing station 400, liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500, liquids dispensing and pipetting and characterization station 600, mixing or homogenizing stations 700, flexible arm station 800, comminutor station 900, phase stability and cloud point station 1000, and buffers 1100.
  • An automated robotic system is disclosed herein for the production and testing of • formulations at a very high throughput.
  • a run is considered to be the operation of the system 'over a 24 hour period, including an approximately 20 hour operation period and an approximately four hour set-up period
  • the disclosed, preferred embodiment is based upon the use of a 25 mL vial to hold about 10 mL of test formulation.
  • the embodiment disclosed herein is disclosed for illustrative purposes only, alternative embodiments are envisioned.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates rack and vial storage system 100, comprising rack 102 and vial 104.
  • Vials are of the order of 25 mL, and 24 mm diameter, 73 mm high. They are racked in racks with a 'well-plate' foot-print containing 6 vials per rack. Each vial is bar coded and each rack is bar- coded. As these are custom racks, there is likely no cost differential between having plastic racks molded or machined from metal, hi fact, metal racks can provide a simpler and faster means to
  • DC 233082vl - 4 - heat the vials, because placing a rack of vials on a hot-plate is faster than transferring vials from a rack to a heating block. Ln this instance too, less space is needed on a robot deck, as empty racks are not generated, diminishing the need for storage.
  • Figure 2 illustrates consumables station 200. These are used to supply the materials needed for a run including vials, pipette tips and, optionally, materials to be dispensed.
  • the number and size of the storage systems will depend on the manufacturer, vial size and functions as above, selected by the customer.
  • These stations are designed to store and present to an arm or gantry robot, individual plates in a defined position. At the beginning of a run they are loaded appropriately and at the end of a run, they contain finished formulations, grouped as needed (pass, fail, etc ,), along with empty racks and used source vessels, ready for unloading
  • Capacity requirements are dependent upon the desired application. For example m one embodiment 2000 positions are provided to hold 1500 vials (leaving 500 empty) and in a second embodiment 1000 positions are provided with 600 vials ' (leaving ' 400 empty). Additionally, “ space • is provided for consumables (for example 5000 pipette tips) and for compound supply. '
  • Figure 3 illustrates robotic arm 300 showing arm 302 and rail 304.
  • the robotic arm provides the transport connection between all the stations for making and characterizing the emulsions, by moving the racked vials between the stations as required.
  • the system is augmented by a second arm.
  • the sole arm also has the task of loading individual vials into the mixing systems; this requires either a gripper tool change, or the design of a dual function gripper for both vial and rack handling.
  • DC 233082vl - 5 - Operation of the robotic arm can be considered to be divided into three parts: set-up, where materials and racks are dispersed about the system; run, where samples and supplies are transported during making of emulsions and; clean-up, where at the end of a run, dispersed material and samples are restored to their proper location.
  • set-up where materials and racks are dispersed about the system
  • run where samples and supplies are transported during making of emulsions and
  • clean-up where at the end of a run, dispersed material and samples are restored to their proper location.
  • the use of such an arm enables 'random access' type of ordering of processes supplied by the stations around the rail.
  • the robotic arm has the ability to read rack identity by bar codes.
  • Figure 4 illustrates solid dispensing station 400.
  • a station can be obtained from multiple manufacturers, including Chemspeed, Autodose and Flexiweigh.
  • the platform is adapted to suit individual requirements.
  • the dispense accuracy of each system is dependant on the material to be dispensed.
  • a representative sample must be dispensed from the container in terms of particle size and chemical composition. If required, sample conditioning such as grinding and sieving can be used to prepare the powders. Dispenses of 1 mg can easily be achieved and pre-treatment of the powders will increase both accuracy and precision.
  • the solid dispensing station 400 can accept racks of empty vials, or vials from other dispense stations in racks and can either be preloaded with materials for a run, or accept racks of materials to be dispensed
  • the station picks up either whole racks of vials or individual vials, places them on mass balance 402, dispenses by weight, solids obtained from solid source hoppers 404 into each vial, returning the vials to the rack before placing the rack at the delivery/collection point. It also moves racks of materials to be dispensed from the • delivery/collection point to the .distribution point on the deck.
  • the station also includes bar code reader 406.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500.
  • This station is based upon a gantry or Cartesian laboratory robot. Again, there are many manufacturers of such systems for example the Gilson "Cyberlab" 230/240/400 type platforms. These robot systems allow up to six tools to be mounted on the tool head above the deck, and the deck can be fitted with custom equipment including sub-stations with other integral tools, hi a preferred embodiment the tool head is fitted with devices such as, but not limited to: rack/plate gripper, vial and cap gripper, gel dispenser gripper if required, pipettor for small plastic disposable pipette tips, optional pipettor for glass disposable pipette tips, and vacuum canula for dispensing grinding beads.
  • rack/plate gripper vial and cap gripper
  • gel dispenser gripper if required
  • pipettor for small plastic disposable pipette tips optional pipettor for glass disposable pipette tips
  • vacuum canula for dispensing
  • Some tools can require more than one tool position. Some of these devices are multifunctional.
  • the vial gripper can also function as the gel dispenser gripper.
  • more than one size of pipette can be required for precision and accuracy in dispensing. It is envisioned that both 5 mL and 500 ⁇ L tips are used.
  • the deck is mounted with associated devices such as, but not hmited to: movable gel dispensers 502; rack or dispensing locations 504; comminuting bead source 506, pre-loaded with beads; bar code reader/decapper 508; orbital shaker 510; one or more heated blocks 512; heated glass pipette tips 514; second mass balance 516; pipette-tip rack space 518; liquid vial deck space to enable other sources of normal liquids to be placed on the deck; enough space to contain the racks (likely stacked) that have been emptied into other deck units; and trash collection chute 520 for pipette tips and vial caps.
  • Bar code reader/decapper 508 is used for identifying and opening vessels that arrive capped.
  • the gel, paste and high viscosity fluid dispensing or the meltables dispensing can require a separate station or sub station, especially when combined with mixing or when the quantities that should be dispensed, exceed 2 mL.
  • the dispense volume can be confirmed using a balance.
  • the dispensing since order of addition and mixing do not allow the tip of any dispenser to contact the mixed formulation, the dispensing must be conducted without touch-off
  • the station When a mixer is used with dispensing, the station includes a dedicated wash station in which the mixers are cleaned, along with a wash fluid reservoir, pumps, drainage and valves as required (specified during the design phase) mL and 500 ⁇ L tips are used.
  • DC 233O82vl - 7 - Figure 6 illustrates normal liquids dispensing and pipetting, and characterization station 600, which can be included in alternative embodiments.
  • This station provides a pair of waste stations where two separated types of fluid can be pumped to waste, and can be preferred when fluids are incompatible.
  • the tool head can be fitted with items such as: rack/plate gripper; vial, filter and cap gripper; pipettor for plastic disposable pipette tips; dispense needle attached to the off-deck dispensing pumps, valves and manifold; and dispense needle for dispensing a common wash fluid.
  • some tools can require more than one tool position and in a preferred embodiment, some devices are multifunctional. As before, more than one size of pipette is required for precision and accuracy in dispensing. It is envisioned that both 5 mL and 500 ⁇ L tips would be used. Additionally, a pipettor suitable for more viscous samples can require a separate tool or replace those in the 5 mL tip rack.
  • the deck is mounted with devices, the number and position of which are dependent upon the application.
  • the devices include but are not limited to the following: bar code reader/capper/decapper 602, caps source, second pipette-tip rack space 604; liquid vial deck space, second orbital shaker 606; tank mix testing unit 608; particle-sized injection port 610, dilution port 611; viscometry injection port(s) 612, filtration device; filter elements source 614, particle size detector 618; viscometry detector(s) 620; cap supply 622; wash station 628; bead collection 630; trash 632; photography system 624, and particle microscopy system 638. .
  • the bar code reader/capper/decapper 602 is used for identifying and opening vessels that arrive capped and for closing vials before they are sent to storage.
  • a source for about 2000 caps is provided
  • pipette-tip rack space 604 composes a source of special slotted tips for aspirating the comminuted mixture from the beads
  • Liquid vial deck space enables other sources of normal liquids to be placed on the deck.
  • enough space is provided to contain the racks and to provide space for sorting sample vials into classes (e.g. once pass/fail criteria are applied).
  • Orbital shaker 606 provides general mild to moderate mixing but is also used for Tank Mix Testing 608.
  • Samples are pipetted into the particle-size injection port 610, the actual particle size detector 618 being mounted off deck.
  • Dilution port 611 allows dilution of the formulation for particle photography.
  • Viscometry injection port(s) 612 allow for measurement of viscosity at
  • Filtration devices allow for timing the filtration of tank mix test samples.
  • Filter elements obtained from filter elements source 614 are used for the tank mix test.
  • Photography system 624 is used for photographing the tank mix test filter surface.
  • processing or measuring devices including but not limited to: particle size detector 618, photography system 624, viscometer measurement electronics 620, valve and pump system 626 for dispensing small (lO's of micro liters) volumes of samples with a 'majority solvent' flush to the dispense needle, and pump and source of common wash fluid 616 connected to its needle.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates mixer/homogenizer station 700 with liquid addition. These station(s) have the ability to mix in both high and low shear mode m parallel.
  • Stations 702 include a two axis (one vertical and one horizontal axes) Cartesian robotic system that can move up to six mixer/homogenizers 704 mounted m-line on an arm, between several rows of up to six (n x 6) vessels and to an ultrasonic wash station 706 and a rinse station 708. Additionally, the vessels in which mixing is occurring can be heated or cooled via a temperature-controlled fluid jacket and a chiller/heater/circulator 710.
  • the mixers include hardware to mount 3 probes of 1/8" diameter with their working ends at the mixer blade. These probes can be for measuring pH or tubes for dispensing fluids into the mixture connected to a liquid addition unit 712 as determined by application requirements.
  • the mixer/homogenizer 704 preferred capabilities include:. the ability to mix in high and . low shear modes; the ability to determine some measure of torque such as current vs. speed to allow a crude measure of viscosity; and a head diameter of no more than 15 mm.
  • the liquid addition units 712 allow specific liquid(s) to be dispensed while mixing.
  • the liquid addition units are built from common components available from companies such as Hamilton, Cavro, Rheodyne and Valco. The numbers of designs of such devices are infinite, and those described here should be thought of as proposals to meet defined needs ' with the understanding that other component combinations can provide the appropriate functionality.
  • each of the mixer heads is provided with one supply tube, each supplied from a separate pump 714 and source bottle 716. This allows the addition of up to six different liquids chosen by the mixer row position where the target vial is
  • the mixer system is provided with two tubes along with a combination pH electrode.
  • a combination pH electrode In a preferred embodiment an electrode of 1/8' diameter which includes the temperature probe, is used. Fluid is supplied to each mixer/homogenizer head, one at a time, from valves 718. As desc ⁇ bed, it can be used for pH adjustment; however, it can also be used for dispensing other normal liquids if pH adjustment is not needed.
  • off deck can be a pH multimeter 720 such as that available from NICO2000. Versions are available that accept up to 24 pH probes and 24 temperature probes.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates flexible arm station 800 used in an alternative embodiment.
  • Flexible arm 802 accepts racks of vials from the robot arm 302 delivery point and provides individual vials to capping/ decapping/bar code reading/cap supply station 804. For mixing, if caps are present, they are removed and discarded in trash bin 806 and the vials placed in the appropriate mixer location 704 Alternatively, caps can be put on the vial before it is placed in commmutor 902 by flexible arm 802. After processing, flexible arm 802 moves the vials to the capping/decapping/ bar code reading/cap supply station 804 as needed and returns them to the appropriate racks
  • Systems, within reach of flexible arm 802 can include but are not limited to: transfer area for delivery and receipt of racks of vials 808; -rack storage space for emptied racks 810; capping/decapping/ bar code reading/cap supply station 804 (vials only- not racks); if flexible arm 802 is used during the de-capping, trash chute 806; off mixer station(s); and commmutor loading receptacle 904.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates comminution station 900 used in an alternative embodiment
  • planetary ball mill 902 is modified and small vials of about 25 mL are placed around the periphery of vial holders 906 to provide the comminution action required for up to 32 vials in parallel.
  • Capped vials are delivered to the mill containing solids liquids and beads.
  • the planetary action causes the beads to roll and 'fly' in the vial, causing grinding of the solid particles.
  • the mill returns to defined stop position 908 and the vials are
  • the vials can be de-capped. Whether to de-cap depends on the future of the vial. Further, vials can be stored in the space provided and de- capping delayed to allow mate ⁇ al to settle off the lid.
  • phase stability and cloud point station 1000 Apart from torque feed- back from the mixing stations, phase stability and cloud point station 1000 is the first station visited by most samples where characterization takes place. It is based on Cartesian robotic system 1002 such as provided by Gilson. In a preferred embodiment, the only tool on the head 1004 is gripper 1006. This gripper has the ability to invert the vials if needed. Mounted on the deck are turbidity analysis instrument(s) 1008 such as Turbiscan (from Formulaction) or similar systems, bar code reader 1010, heated/cooled zones 1012 and space for at least 3 racks.
  • Turbiscan from Formulaction
  • Samples are delivered in racks by arm 302, and vials withdrawn and either placed in the heated/cooled zones and subsequently into the turbidity analysis instrument systems, or immediately into the turbidity analysis instrument systems where they are characterized for such properties as turbidity, phase separated, homogeneous, sedimentation, creaming, foaming etc.
  • the vials are then removed and either placed back into the o ⁇ ginal rack, or sorted into 'pass' and 'fail' racks as determined by the selection criteria Arm 302 then removes the racks of vials
  • FIG 11 illustrates temperature buffers 1100
  • Such complex automated •systems need space to buffer the stations to allow processes occurring at different times and ' speeds, to be synchronized.
  • Each of solid dispensing station 400; liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables station 500; .normal liquids dispensing and pipetting and characterization station 600; flexible arm station 800, phase stability and cloud point station 10000, and alternate dispensing, pipetting, and characterization station 1200 naturally provides some buffer capacity and space in storage systems 100 that can also be available during an experimental campaign. However, additional space can be required.
  • two embodiments could include ambient and temperature controlled buffers 1102 and 1104, respectively.
  • arm 302 is then the only service that the buffers would require as these buffers would be 'dumb'.
  • Figure 12 illustrates alternate dispensing, pipetting, and characterization station 1200, which can be included in alternative embodiments.
  • This station is based upon a gantry or Cartesian Laboratory Robot. Again, there are many manufacturers of such systems such as the
  • the tool head can be fitted with items such as: rack/plate gripper; vial and cap g ⁇ pper; gel dispenser gripper; pipettor for plastic disposable pipette tips; pipettor for glass disposable pipette tips; dispense needle attached to the off-deck dispensing pumps, valves and manifold; and dispense needle for dispensing a common wash fluid
  • some tools can require more than one tool position and in a preferred embodiment, some devices are multifunctional. As before, more than one size of pipette can be required for precision and accuracy in dispensing. It is envisioned that both 5 mL and 500 ⁇ L tips would be used. Additionally, a pipettor suitable for more viscous samples can require a separate tool or replace those m the 5 mL tip rack.
  • the deck can be mounted with the following associated devices, the number and position dependent upon the application' bar code reader/capper/decapper 1202; caps source 1232; pipette-tip rack space 1204, balance 1206; liquid vial deck space; particle-sized injection port 1208; viscometry injection port(s) 1210, dram wash station(s) 1212; gel dispensers 1220, orbital shaker 1214; heated block(s) 1216 and heated pipette tips 1218.
  • Bar code reader/capper/decapper 1202 is used for identifying and opening vessels .that are capped and closing vials before they are sent to storage.
  • Cap .source 1232 provides a source for about 2000 caps.
  • Balance 1206 is used for confirming the dispense by weight Liquid vial deck space enables other sources of normal liquids to be placed on the deck.
  • enough space is provided to contain the racks and to re-order the vials into classes Samples are pipetted into particle-sized injection port 1208. Viscometry injection port(s) 1210 allow for measurement of viscosity at different shear rates.
  • Orbital shaker with heating and cooling capability 1214 is where mixtures requiring agitation, such as unstable suspensions, are delivered after decapping. Orbital shaker 1214 can also be used for mild mixing such as dissolution. With careful selection of the shaker, even more aggressive agitation can be achieved. Materials are placed upon/within heated block(s) 1216 for melting. The materials are then readied for dispensing. Heated pipette tips 1218 can be preloaded and heated for dispensing small quantities of meltables.
  • the off deck is mounted with devices, including but not limited to: second particle size detector 1222 and flush system; second viscometer electronics 1224; second valve and pump system 1226 for dispensing small (lO's of micro liter) volumes of samples with a 'majority solvent' flush to the dispense needle; trash receptacle 1234; dilution port 1236; second particle microscopy system 1238, and pump and source of common wash fluid connected to its needle 1228.
  • devices including but not limited to: second particle size detector 1222 and flush system; second viscometer electronics 1224; second valve and pump system 1226 for dispensing small (lO's of micro liter) volumes of samples with a 'majority solvent' flush to the dispense needle; trash receptacle 1234; dilution port 1236; second particle microscopy system 1238, and pump and source of common wash fluid connected to its needle 1228.
  • the gel, paste and high viscosity fluid dispensing or the meltables dispensing can require separate mixing station 1230.
  • the dispense volume is confirmed using balance 1206.
  • the dispensing must be conducted without touch-off.
  • the automated robotic system is designed to operate without manual interference for a minimum duration of, but not limited to, one day after it is initialized and loaded with relevant components (raw mate ⁇ als, consumables, vials and racks) in the set up phase
  • relevant components raw mate ⁇ als, consumables, vials and racks
  • Each vial 104 in any given rack 102 represents a unique expe ⁇ ment and has its own set of parameters such as, but not limited to, number of components, type and quantity of each component, mixing time, comminution time, etc.
  • the tool heads on solid dispensing station 400, liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500, normal liquids dispensing, and pipetting, and characterization station 600 and flexible arm station 800 are capable of handling both racks 102 and single vials 104
  • arm 302 used for transfer between stations in one embodiment, can handle only racks 102.
  • the vials 104 are always grouped together in racks 102 when being transferred between stations. Once on a station, vials 104 can be picked up by the tool head and taken to the required locations for processing.
  • the initialization and set up phase have also been elaborated upon to illustrate the steps involved in preparing the system for a batch of experiments.
  • the objective of this experiment is to prepare a clear formulation, within a certain pH range, containing one active ingredient and three different additives. Successful formulations are then further tested for their chemical and/or biological activity.
  • the steps involved in this experiment are as follows:
  • Figure 13 illustrates the steps involved in the set-up phase of the system before experimentation can begin for preparing and testing Solution in Water (SL) emulsion formulation.
  • SL Solution in Water
  • the next step is loading racks and vials step 1304, where the required number of racks 102 and vials 104 are loaded ' in rack and vial storage system 100. .
  • step 1306 all consumables such as but not limiting to pipette tips are loaded in consumables storage system 200.
  • active mgredient(s) are loaded on liquid dispensing, pipetting, characterization station 600.
  • the active ingredients are loaded through the bottles connected to valve and pump system 626.
  • step 1310 additive one is loaded on liquids, suspensions, gels, and meltables dispensing station 500.
  • loading occurs at rack or dispensing locations 504.
  • step 1312 additive two being high viscosity liquid, can be dispensed by movable gel dispensers 502 on liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500 and hence are loaded in one of gel dispensers 502.
  • step 1314 additive three being a solid, is dispensed at solid dispensing station 400. It is loaded in one of solid source hoppers 404 and can be placed either directly on solid dispensing station 400 or in rack 102 in consumables storage system 200. From consumables storage system 200, rack 102 containing hopper 404, can then be picked up by robotic arm 302 and transported on rail 304 to solid dispensing station 400.
  • step 1316 water is loaded on liquid dispensing, pipetting, characterization station 600 through a bottle(s) connected to valve and pump system 626.
  • step 1318 consumables such as but not limited to pipette tips, are picked up from consumables storage system 200 by robotic arm 302 and transferred on rail 304 to liquids, suspensions, gels, meltables dispense station 500 and normal dispensing, pipetting, characte ⁇ zation station 600.
  • m system initialization complete step 1320 after all components are loaded and consumables transferred, the system is ready to start the expe ⁇ ments
  • Figure 14 illustrates the flow diagram of the experiment for preparing and testing Solution in Water (SL) formulation.
  • the various steps involved in executing each block of the • flow diagram are described below in detail. As before, we note that this -description is for. illustration purposes only, various embodiments will necessitate various steps in- various orders as will be readily seen by the experienced practitioner
  • rack 102 containing as many as, but not limited to, six empty vials 104 is picked up by arm 302 and transferred to rack 102 entry point on liquids, suspensions, gels, meltables dispense station 500. From here, it is moved to rack or dispensing locations 504 by the tool head on liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500.
  • step 1404 the tool head picks up vial 104 from rack 102, takes it to barcode reader/ decapper 508 for barcode scanning and puts it back in rack 102. Based on the barcode, the control software determines the component, in this case additive one, to be dispensed in vial 104. For the current experiment, the tool head picks up a disposable pipette
  • step 1406 additive two being a high viscosity liquid, is dispensed gravimet ⁇ cally
  • the tool head transfers vial 104 from its rack 102 to mass balance 516, which is then initialized and tare weight determined by the control software
  • the tool head picks up movable gel dispenser 502 containing additive two, b ⁇ ngs it over vial 104 and dispenses the additive two in discreet shots of 0 1 g until the balance registers 0 6 g It then takes movable gel dispenser 502 back to its location and transfers vial 104 back m rack 102
  • rack 102 with all its vials 104 is transferred to rack 102 exit point on liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500
  • step 1408 rack 102 is picked up from rack 102 exit point on liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500 by arm 302 and transferred to the rack 102 entry point of solid dispensing station 400 for dispensing additive three From there, vial 104 is first taken to barcode reader 406 foi barcode scanning and then placed on mass balance 402 by the tool head on solid dispensing station 400 From the barcode, the control software confirms the solid to be dispensed, m this case additive three, which needs to be dispensed in vial 104.
  • hopper 404 containing additive three is picked up by the tool head and 0.6 g of additive three is added in vial 104 on mass balance 402 When all solid dispensing tasks are completed, rack 102 is transferred to rack 102 exit point on solid dispensing station 400
  • arm 302 picks up rack 102 from the exit point on solid dispensing station 400 and transfers it to rack 102 entry point on normal liquids dispensing and pipetting, and characte ⁇ zation station 600.
  • the tool head picks up rack 102 from entry point and transfeis it to rack 102 buffer zone There, 7 6 mL of active ingredient is added volumetncally in the vial 104 by the needle on tool head from the active ingredient reservoir connected to valve and pump system 626
  • the needle on tool head is ⁇ nsed m wash station 628 and then 1 mL of water is dispensed from the water reservoir connected to
  • arm 302 transfers rack 102 from exit point on normal liquids dispensing and pipetting, and characterization station 600 to rack 102 entry point 808 next to flexible arm 802.
  • Flexible arm 802 moves rack 102 from there to the rack storage space for emptied rack 810.
  • Vial 104 is picked up by flexible arm 802, taken to barcode reading station 804 for identification and then placed on mixer/homogenizer station 704 on mixer/homogenizer station 700.
  • Parallel mixing stations 702 moves over up to six vials 104 placed on six parallel mixer/homogenizer stations 704, moves vertically down till mixers are in vials 104, and then starts mixing at low shear for 30 seconds.
  • the mixture in .vial 104 is mixed at high shear for two minutes by the mixer/homogenizer 704.
  • the mixer/homogenizers 704 move vertically up till they are out of the vials 104, move to ultrasonic bath 706 to get washed and then moved to ⁇ nse station 708 to get ⁇ nsed.
  • Vial 104 is moved back to rack 102 on the rack storage space for emptied rack 810 by flexible arm 802. The rack 102 is then moved to rack 102 exit point by the flexible arm 802.
  • arm 302 transfers rack 102 from rack 102 exit point by flexible arm 802 to rack 102 entry point on phase stability and cloud point station 1000.
  • Tool head 1004 on this station picks up the 104 from rack 102 with gripper 1006, takes it to barcode reader 1010 for identification and then puts it on turbidity analysis instrument 1008 for phase analysis.
  • the analysis results are analyzed by the software and the mixture is classified into categories such as, but not limited to, "Transparent”, “Turbid”, “Foamy”, “Two-phase” etc.
  • phase analysis step 1430 after • • 24 hours, arm 302 picks up rack 102 containing "passed” samples again ' from rack.and vial storage system 100 and transfers them to rack 102 entry point on phase stability and cloud point station 1000.
  • Tool head 1004 on this station picks up vial 104 from rack 102 with gripper 1006, takes it to barcode reader 1010 for identification and then puts it on turbidity analysis instrument 1008 for phase analysis.
  • second determination step 1432 the analysis results are again analyzed by the software and the mixture is classified into categories such as, but not limited to "Transparent”, “Turbid”, “Foamy”, “Two-phase” etc.
  • the objective of this experiment is to prepare a suspension concentrate emulsion formulation, within a certain particle size distribution and viscosity range, containing one active ingredient and two different additives. Successful formulations are then further tested for their chemical and/or biological activity.
  • the steps involved in this experiment are as follows:
  • FIG. 15 illustrates the flow diagram of the expe ⁇ ment for prepa ⁇ ng and testing Suspension Concentrate (SC) emulsion formulation
  • SC Suspension Concentrate
  • rack 102 containing as many as, but not limited to, six empty vials 104 is picked up by arm 302 and transferred to rack 102 entry point on liquids, suspensions, gels, meltables dispense station 500. From here, it is moved to " rack or dispensing locations 504 by the tool head on liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500.
  • step 1504 the tool head picks up vial 104 from rack 102, takes it to barcode readei/decapper 508 for barcode scanning and puts it back in rack 102 Based on the barcode, the control software determines the component, m this case additive one, to be dispensed m vial 104
  • the tool head picks up a disposable pipette from pipette-tip rack space 518, aspirates 1 0 mL of additive 1 and dispenses it m the appropriate vial 104 in rack 102
  • the tool head then moves above trash collection chute 520 to dispose of the pipette tip
  • step 1506 additive two being a high viscosity liquid, is dispensed gravimetncally
  • the tool head transfers vial 104 from rack 102 to mass balance 516, which is then initialized and the tare weight determined by the control software The tool head then picks
  • step 1508 rack 102 is picked up from rack 102 exit point on liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500 by arm 302 and transferred to rack 102 entry point of solid dispensing station 400 for dispensing active ingredient.
  • vial 104 is first taken to barcode reader 406 for barcode scanning and then placed on mass balance 402 by tool head on solid dispensing station 400.
  • the control software determines the solid, in this case active ingredient, which is to be dispensed in vial 104.
  • hopper 404 containing active ingredient is picked up by the tool head and 4.0 g of active ingredient is added in appropriate vial 104.
  • rack 102 is transferred to rack 102 exit point on solid dispensing station 400.
  • ami 302 picks up rack 102 from exit point on solid dispensing station 400 and transfers it to rack 102 entry point on normal liquids dispensing and pipetting, and characterization station 600.
  • the tool head picks up the rack from entry point and transfers it to rack 102 buffer zone.
  • 4.0 mL of water is added volumetrically in vial 104 by the needle on tool head from the active ingredient reservoir connected to the valve and pump system 626.
  • the needle on tool head is rinsed in wash station 628 and rack 102 is then moved to rack 102 exit point on normal liquids dispensing and pipetting, and characterization station 600.
  • beads are first added in vial 104 using a solids canula on the liquids, suspensions, gels, meltables dispense station 500.
  • Arm 302 transfers rack 102 from exit point on normal liquids dispensing and pipetting, and characterization station 600 to rack 102 entry point on liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500, from where it is moved to the rack or dispensing locations 504.
  • the canula on the tool head of liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500 aspirates the required quantity of beads from the comminuting bead source 506 and dispenses them volumetrically into vial 104.
  • DC 233082vl - 22 - rack is then moved to rack 102 exit point on liquids, suspensions, gels and meltables dispense station 500 by the tool head and transferred by arm 302 to rack 102 entry point 808 next to flexible arm 802.
  • Flexible arm 802 then moves rack 102 to the rack storage space for empty racks 810.
  • Vial 104 is picked up by flexible arm 802, taken to capping/decapping/barcode reading/cap supply station 804 for identification and capping.
  • a cap is dispensed from the cap supply and held on the mouth of vial 104 by the tool head.
  • Vial 104 is capped by rotating it around its central vertical axis and then placed in one of comminution locations 904 at defined stop position 908 on vial holder 906 of comminution station 900 by flexible arm 802.
  • the lid on comminution station 900 is closed and vial holders 906 are then rotated in planetary motion for 60 minutes.
  • vial holder 906 stops at defined stop position 908, and vial 104 is picked up by flexible arm 802 and transferred back to rack 102 in the rack storage space for emptied rack 810.
  • Rack 102 when filled, is moved by flexible arm 802 to rack 102 exit point 808, from where it is transferred by arm 302 to rack 102 entry point on normal liquids dispensing, pipetting, characterization station 600 for bead removal
  • Vial 104 is moved to barcode reader/capper/decapper 602 by tool head on normal liquids dispensing and pipetting, and characte ⁇ zation station 600.
  • the cap on vial 104 is gripped by the barcode reader/capper/decapper 602 tool head and vial 104 is rotated to be de-capped. The cap is disposed of in trash 632 and vial 104 is moved to back to rack 102.
  • the tool head picks up a pipette from pipette-tip rack space 604, aspirates between 0.5 and 1.0 mL of suspension from vial 104 and injects it in the particle-size detector injection port 610. This port allows dilution of the sample before measuring.
  • the injected sample is analyzed in the off-deck mounted particle analyzer 618 and the particle size distribution profile is generated. This profile is then
  • rejection step 1518 if the measured particle size distribution of the sample from vial 104 is out of the desired range, then the formulation in that vial 104 is classified as “failed” and 5 is not tested further. It can be transferred in another rack 102, reserved for "failed” formulation and transferred to rack and vial storage system 100 when it is filled with vials 104.
  • the formulation in that vial 104 is classified as "passed” and its viscosity is measured at both high-shear and low-shear.
  • high shear viscosity measurement step 1520 and in low sheer viscosity measurement step 1522 the tool head picks up a pipette from pipette-tip rack space 604, aspirates between 0.5 and 1.0 mL of suspension from vial 104 and injects it in the viscometry injection port(s) 612.
  • the high shear and low shear measurements are conducted in 15 two different viscometer detectors 620. After the measurement is complete, viscometry injection port(s) 612 and off deck viscometer detectors 620 are automatically washed and cleaned.
  • viscosity determination step 1524 the measured viscosities are compared with the desired values. If the measurements are within the desired range, then the samples are classified . . as “passed”. If not, they are- classified as "failed”. •
  • step 1528 the formulation is moved by the tool head to rack 102, reserved for "passed” samples.
  • This rack 102 when filled, is moved to rack 102 exit point by the tool head, picked up by arm 302 and transferred back to rack and vial storage system 100 in a space reserved for "passed” samples and stored for further analysis.

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Abstract

Cette invention concerne un système robotique automatisé pour la production et la vérification de formulations à un très haut débit. Il s'agit d'un système intégré (matériel et logiciel) permettant de préparer et d'évaluer des centaines d'émulsions par jour. Le système peut formuler des solutions aqueuses (SL), des émulsions aqueuses (EW), des émulsions en suspension (SE), des suspensions de micro-capsules (CS), des micro-émulsions (ME) et des suspensions concentrées (SC) dans une échelle de 1 à 25 ml. Il peut traiter des émulsions de manière rapide et automatisée et permet d'entrer des recettes de formulation très diverses. Des chimistes peuvent utiliser le système pour générer des échantillons expérimentaux de différentes recettes et un procédé à conduire en parallèle avec un débit prévu allant jusqu'à 1200 formulations traitées et caractérisées par jour. Il est possible de distribuer des matières et des consommables des systèmes de stockage aux postes de travail, où les ingrédients peuvent être distribués dans divers états, notamment solides, liquides, gels, pâtes, suspensions et cires. Les émulsions formées peuvent être caractérisées au moyen de procédés tels que le diagnostic de phase et l'analyse de turbidité, de viscosité ou de granulométrie à l'aide de matériel de test automatisé. Un module intégré permet également d'effectuer un test de compatibilité de mélange en cuve en mode haut débit. Le système modulaire permet d'ajouter, par la suite, des processus et des tests à un poste existant ou en tant que nouveau poste. Les fonctions logicielles comprennent le suivi complet des processus et l'intégration des données analytiques aux résultats expérimentaux tels qu'issus de la conception ou de la formulation.
PCT/US2004/037735 2004-11-12 2004-11-12 Preparation et caracterisation de formulations en mode haut debit WO2006054964A1 (fr)

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JP2007541153A JP4648398B2 (ja) 2004-11-12 2004-11-12 高速大量処理モードにおける製剤の調合及び特性評価

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