A. Demanuele et C. Gilpin, APPLICATIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPE TO THEANALYSIS OF PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATIONS, Scanning, 18(7), 1996, pp. 522-527
Electron microscopy has been used for several years as a routine tool
for the study of pharmaceutical formulations. However, it is usually d
esirable to obtain information on these systems in the wet state, and
there are concerns regarding the interpretation of information provide
d by conventional electron microscopy where samples are subjected to p
reparation techniques which may include freezing, drying, fracturing,
and coating. The environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) has
been used to analyse a number of pharmaceutical samples in their natu
ral state. Results obtained from these samples, including biodegradabl
e matrices, microparticulate systems (both degradable and non-biodegra
dable), and bioadhesive matrices, will be discussed and the merits and
limitations of the ESEM will be highlighted.