FDA goes with the flow
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has purchased a FlowCAM particle imaging and analysis system from laboratory instrumentation manufacturer Fluid Imaging Technologies (Yarmouth, ME, USA).
Already proven in use for product formulation and quality assurance at global food, beverage, and biopharmaceutical giants, the FlowCAM met FDA requirements for an imaging-based particle analysis (flow microscopy) instrument that could offer continuous, microscopic, nondestructive viewing of samples, and measure and analyze near-transparent particles with particle sizes of 2 microns and greater.
The FlowCAM instrument has the ability to automatically detect and image particles in samples of 0.5 ml volumes at greater than 85% volume efficiency, measure their size and morphology, and execute pattern-matching functions during image acquisition while providing a particle count and percent by type. It also allows operators to immediately view results and interact with images and data in real time.
The images are saved with their corresponding size, shape, and number for further review and analysis using the company’s companion VisualSpreadsheet analysis software.
-- By Dave Wilson, Senior Editor, Vision Systems Design