Does needle clogging change the spatial distribution of injected drug in skin?
Prefilled syringes (PFS) are primary packaging materials that enable convenient and safe subcutaneous injection of parenteral drug solutions.
However, higher drug concentrations increasingly lead to needle clogging during storage due to water evaporation and drug solidification.
Understanding how such clogging affects the spatial distribution of injected drug in tissue is therefore pharmacokinetically important.
high-resolution Synchrotron X-ray CT combined with controlled injection
Our expertise in the field of Imaging enables us to visualize and analyze the spreading pattern and whereabouts of the injected liquid from a clogged needle in pig skin.
Using high-resolution Synchrotron X-ray CT combined with controlled injection, our studies on a monoclonal antibody solution show that initially fluid escapes only through a narrow channel in the blockage, generating high dynamic pressure that can alter the distribution of the fluid in the tissue and cause a long tail of fluid that reaches deep into the subcutaneous fiber network. Any clog entering the tissue dissolves rapidly.
3D Synchrotron-CT
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Answers to the most frequently asked questions
Synchrotron X-ray CT differs from histology and ultrasonography by providing a non-destructive, three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the spatial distribution and of injected drugs within tissue.
It offers higher spatial resolution, improved soft-tissue contrast, and faster acquisition than tube-based X-ray CT, enabling capture of rapidly dissolving drugs in tissue.
Yes, of course. We are here to advise you without obligation and to find out whether we can support you. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
Insights from customer projects
These projects show how we work with our customers to analyze complex material challenges and generate relevant insights using neutron and synchrotron techniques.
“Visualizing how injected medications behave within tissue is a key insight for understanding the impact a clogged needle can have on the injection process. Synchrotron X-ray tomography makes this possible in a truly impressive way. The 3D images provide even more detailed information. The outstanding expertise of the entire interdisciplinary team made this achievement possible.”
Dr. Alexander Zürn, Associate Director Advanced Testing Global Device & Packaging Development,
NovartisDiscuss your challenge with us
Insights from applied research
Investigating Zinc Migration from Rigid Needle Shield to Drug Formulation in Needle Tip of Pre-filled Syringe
Does needle clogging change the spatial distribution of injected drug in tissue? New insights by X-ray computed tomography
Unraveling Pre‑filled Syringe Needle Clogging: Exploring a Fresh Outlook Through Innovative Techniques
Tailor-made infrastructure for real-time investigation of prefilled syringes under varying temperature and pressure conditions using Synchrotron CT
Tailor-made infrastructure for the controlled injection of prefilled syringes (PFS) into tissue samples
Fully automated sample changing unit using robotic infrastructure
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