The Hound combines microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in a single instrument to create a versatile particle analysis tool. Use microscopy to automatically count and characterize particles by size and morphology. To confirm particle identity, use Raman or LIBS to collect and compare spectral information that is unique to most materials. Hound can be used in an automated fashion to enable the characterization of samples that contain many visible and subvisible particles from almost any sample type.
Hound can also be used in a manual mode to identify individual particles that may be found as part of a drug development or manufacturing process. Raman or LIBS spectra from unidentified particles are compared to a built-in reference spectra library. Operators can also create their own reference spectra specific to their raw or finished materials or their manufacturing equipment and process.
Features:
- 532 nm Raman, 785 nm Raman, LIBS and up to 50X microscopy in a single instrument
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Size and/or morphology-directed particle identification
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Sample capture methods for solid particles in solution, powders, and amorphous aggregates in solution
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Automated particle location and chemical/elemental identification across multiple samples
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Automated and manual imaging and identification modes to analyze particles
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Non-destructive chemical and elemental analysis and identification
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Statistically significant particle analysis with automated modes to image and identify thousands of particles
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High quality mosaic images of all particles in filtration area
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High magnification particle-specific images capture immediately before identification
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Guided software for manual or automated particle identification with Raman and/or LIBS
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User defined, transferrable experimental methods to store and share experiment parameters (illumination and spectroscopy settings, scan magnification and area, size and morphology directed identification criteria, etc.)
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Built in data integrity checks with experiment, method, database, and report file validations
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21 CFR part 11 compliance tools included
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Full IQ/OQ (installation qualification/operational qualification) available
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NPL (National Physical Laboratory) traceable standards included
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Spectral databases for 532 nm Raman, 785 nm Raman, and LIBS included
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Fully customizable reference databases to target identification of materials specific to laboratories or processes
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Consumables for reduced noise and improved signal for Raman spectroscopy and high contrast for dark and translucent particles
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Minimal user training required; no expert user needed
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Designed specifically for pharmaceutical and biologic applications