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Targeted Studies Using Serial Block Face and Focused Ion Beam Scan Electron Microscopy
Published on: August 10, 2019
The focused ion beam technique: a useful tool for pharmaceutical characterization
Shadi H Moghadam1, Rassoul Dinarvand, Louis H Cartilier
1Faculté de pharmacie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, Que., Canada H3C 3J7.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|June 23, 2006
Summary
Focused ion beam (FIB) analysis reveals the internal structure of pharmaceutical microspheres layer by layer. This advanced microscopy technique precisely maps internal voids, offering new insights into drug delivery systems.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Materials Science
- Microscopy
Background:
- Focused ion beam (FIB) is a hybrid technology combining scanning electron microscopy, ion milling, and CAD.
- FIB is established in electronics for failure analysis and device development.
- Its application in pharmaceutical analysis, particularly for microspheres, remains less explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pharmaceutical applications of FIB instrumentation.
- To perform microscopic analysis of microsphere structures.
- To precisely analyze the internal composition and morphology of microspheres.
Main Methods:
- Utilized FIB to sequentially peel microsphere layers for simultaneous scanning microscopy observation.
- Employed FIB milling for precise sample extraction (50nm accuracy) from specific microsphere regions.
- Prepared extracted samples to 200nm uniform thickness films for transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Main Results:
- Observed a wrinkled, non-porous microsphere surface.
- Identified internal holes that increased in size and number towards the particle center.
- Demonstrated layer-by-layer investigation of particle inner structure.
- Successfully prepared samples for high-resolution TEM examination.
Conclusions:
- FIB provides a unique method for precise, layer-by-layer investigation of microsphere inner structures.
- The technique allows for detailed morphological analysis of dosage forms.
- FIB holds significant potential for quantitative and qualitative analysis of various pharmaceutical materials and dosage forms.
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