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I analytical techniques Computed tomography: Applications for evaluating tablets and capsules Brett Muehlhauser and Nate DeRoo North Star Imaging Computerized axial tomography (CAT), also known as CT, has been used in clinics and hospitals for decades and has become a life-saving diagnostic tool. The technology is also responsible for significant advances in industrial and scientific applications, offering image resolutions hundreds of times higher than what is used in the medical fields. This article outlines the benefits of using CT to study tablets and capsules. n pharmaceutical applications, CT can help fast-track new product and process development and assess the char- acteristics of existing products. Tablets and capsules, for example, can be CT-scanned using area detectors and micro-focus x-ray tubes to provide extremely high-resolu- tion and high-contrast sensitivity of the dosage form's fea- tures and materials. In fact, it's common to scan an entire tablet or capsule at voxel (three-dimensional (3D) pixel) resolutions of 3 to 15 microns. Even sub-micron voxel res- olutions are attainable if the study requires detail in the nanometer range. These 3D views provide unequaled volu- metric detail, and in some products you can see the loca- tion of individual particles of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). CT in motion Links to videos of 3D CT scans: 1. Coated pharmaceutical tablet: http://bit.ly/PharmTabNSI 2. Pharmaceutical tablet: http://bit.ly/PharmTab2NSI 3. Multilayer softgel bead: http://bit.ly/ProbioNSI Tablets & Capsules January 2016 15