High-Speed Conveyor-Based Pharmaceutical Quality Control Using eSWIR Hyperspectral Imaging
Overcoming the limitations of point-by-point spectroscopy in manufacturing
Ensuring individual dosage uniformity on high-speed tablet lines requires rapid, non-destructive analytical tools capable of real-time spatial evaluation. Traditional single-point NIR or Raman sensors deliver bulk spectroscopic measurements but lack spatial resolution, leaving localized composition defects undetected. Line-scan extended short-wave infrared (eSWIR, 1000–2500 nm) hyperspectral imaging bridges this gap by combining rich chemical identification with full spatial mapping across each solid dosage unit.
Application domain
Related products
Accurate identification of formulations and excipients
Extending coverage beyond 1700 nm grants direct access to key vibrational overtones and combination bands that uniquely define active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), excipients, and binder matrices. Utilizing the L-EOS 2.5e push-broom system, whole-tablet chemical signatures are clearly resolved. This high spectral sensitivity enables straightforward identification across distinct drug categories while successfully discriminating products sharing identical APIs and nominal doses by capturing subtle variations in proprietary formulation and compact microstructure.
Product-level classification performance and spatial prediction maps at different integration times. ECOC-SVM confusion matrices (left; a, c) and corresponding pixel-by-pixel classification maps (right; b, d) for eleven OTC tablet products at (a, b) 2 ms, (c, d) 0.2 ms. Scale bars: 20 mm.
Performance and throughput for continuous production lines
Coupled with spatial-spectral preprocessing and multivariate classification models (SVM), high identification accuracy is maintained even at microsecond-scale exposure settings down to 0.02 ms. This ultra-fast photon acquisition capability eliminates line-speed bottlenecks and supports full 100% continuous conveyor-belt monitoring. Consequently, high-speed eSWIR imaging offers a powerful Process Analytical Technology (PAT) solution for real-time brand verification, automated product sorting, and early defect detection.
Kashi, S., & Sung, Y. (2026). High-Throughput eSWIR Hyperspectral Imaging for Pharmaceutical Classification at Industrial Line Speeds. AAPS PharmSciTech, 27, Article 308. Read the article.
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