Benefits of automated capsule filling

Capsule filling is a very common activity in pre-clinical and early clinical studies, but it is not without its challenges! Capsules are often filled manually, either because sample series are too small for filling machines or because different amounts are required per capsule, which is not easy to automate. Manual capsule filling is tedious and challenging. Weighing into small diameter capsules can be tricky and very slow, especially if tens, hundreds or even thousands of capsules need to be prepared each day. Risk of error in data handling is also a real issue. As the substances used in pre-clinical or clinical studies are typically of unknown potency, any spillage or exposure presents a safety risk to the scientist. Spillage is not only a safety issue, but also a cost issue because of the waste of valuable material. This application note presents a solution for automated capsule filling which enables safer and more efficient operation and a significant increase in throughput.