• Simplified application specific for fluidics.
• Designed to be adapted to other particle size analyzers as an add-on module
• Can be setup as a stand-alone system
• Allows adaptability to most in-line processes.

Not all particles are round. In fact, very few are in real life. Laser diffraction performs an indirect measurements of size. What this means is that what is being measured in laser diffraction is NOT the actual size of the particle but rather the diffracted angular light intensity that is scattered as a function of size. As a result, this method as well as many others used in industry, assume that particles are spherical in nature when reporting size information. The calculations rendered are based on what is known as Equivalent Spherical Diameter. If the particles being measured are, in fact, round in nature, this would be an acc urate way of checking the size, however if they are not round, and most are not, then assuming they are round when looking at statistical results may lead the operator to believe that the particles will perform one way when in fact they will perform differently.

Image Analysis performs a direct measurement of the particle. Unlike Laser Diffraction and other indirect measurement techniques, Image Analysis will take measurements of images of the actual particle. By doing this, calculations can be made to render many different measures about a particle.

In the similar case shown above, the 100 µm diameter particle, assuming it is round in nature, would have up to 30 additional measurements calculated. This gives the user much more confidence to make correct assumptions of how their particles will perform.

• Keep their existing technology. No need to change established specifications or methods.
• Complement with high value shape data to gain more insight into your process.
• All reporting and data can remain the same.

As a new generation of the traditional Particle Insight instrument, the new features are:

• Improved optics. All components related to image capture (camera and Lens) have been noticeably improved, including easier magnification configuration. Higher speed data transfer rate improves real-time analysis.

• Improved Light source. The strobe light source has been replaced with a brighter strobe light with an amber filter. This filter reduces the effect of multiple wave lengths when using white light only.

• Improved images. Higher resolution and image capture for better edge definition.

• Improved accuracy. Better accuracy and ability to differentiate minor differences in particle shape down to one micron.
• Improved resolution. USB 3 high resolution digital camera with up to 5 MPs resolution and higher speed data transfer rate and capable of taking up to 127 frames per second rated, captures live images of thousands of particles.

• Improved fluidics. The oscillating pumps have been replaced with stronger peristaltic pumps that use a chemical resistant tubing. Also, the peristaltic pumps are less prone to maintenance issues.

• Pi Sentinel PRO Shape Module has now a Chemical resistant tubing to maintain compatibility for organic solvents. Pi Sentinel PRO SM has replaced the standard tubing for aqueous solvents  with chemical resistant tubing that convert the Pi Sentinel PRO Shape Module into an organic compatible module.

• Improved Sample Cell assembly. The Quartz sample cell has been implemented with quick connectors (body and insert)  to facilitate easy removal for cleaning purposes, replacement or just change the size of the cell for another size.

• Improved thumbnail features. When viewing particle thumbnails, the left-mouse button will display all the shape measurement values for that selected thumbnail, the right-mouse button will allow the user to eliminate that specific particle from the database and statistics. Useful when, for example, a single air bubble is not wanted in the database.

• Improved correlation plot features. Correlation Plot now, able to view thumbnails directly from correlation plot area of interest.

• New perimeter measure. A second Circularity measure was developed called “Perimeter Circularity” to assist customers with existing FPIA systems who have data using this different Circularity measure.

• New 3 digits resolution. Circularity and ALL other fraction measures have data reported with 3-decimal place accuracy. A requirement for transition from FPIA data to Pi Sentinel PRO data.

• New instrument Certification program. IO / OQ Certification and Validation program using NIST traceable standards.

• New Data Integrity compliance. The Certification program complies to new Data Integrity FDA Guidance document.

• New computing platform. Included with every system is an All-in-One computer with touch screen, allowing the customer more interaction with the software features.

• New software interface. The software user interface has been changed to reduce the clutter of options presented to the user. The user still has all the options of the old Pi, they are just accessed differently.