Small footprint and simplicity distinguish Copley Scientific’s transdermal drug testing systems

Copley Scientific’s innovative approach to design has driven the company’s development of a range of compact instrumentation for the straightforward and accurate testing of transdermal drug delivery systems.

This includes two units based on the vertical diffusion or Franz cell, a method that is well-established for in vitro testing of topical pharmaceutical semi-solid dosage forms, such as creams, ointments and gels. Streamlined heating systems and a novel clamping arrangement simplify equipment set-up and enhance measurement accuracy.

The HDT 10 accommodates 10 diffusion cells in a single aluminium heating block. It is robust and extremely compact, with a very small footprint. Powerful magnetic stirrers are located beneath each test station, with stirrer speed and temperature being set, controlled and displayed from a single control panel. The heating block design gives stable temperature control and eliminates the ‘spaghetti’ of tubing associated with the use of more-conventional water-jacketed cells.

The HDT 1 is a smaller, lower cost unit with just a single cell. It is particularly useful during early phase evaluation studies when there is little material available and the testing burden is lighter. The cell design is identical to the HDT 10 and incorporates a novel three-pronged spring clamp that makes it easier to eliminate air bubbles during test set-up, for better quality data.

As well as vertical diffusion cells, Copley Scientific also offers rotating paddle and paddle-over-disc accessories, for use with traditional dissolution testers (USP Methods 5 & 6), for those employing alternative transdermal testing strategies.