Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Visualize Disintegration of Oral Formulations

Taking the lead from our colleagues in medical education: the use of images of the in-vivo setting in teaching concepts of pharmaceutical science

“…Specifically the study compared the images obtained of immediate release, standard release and slow release oral tablets both by benchtop observations of disintegration and using MRI, in both in-vitro and in-vivo settings [23]. Our findings highlighted the differences in in-vitro disintegration, with that of disintegration within the human stomach [23].…”

“…• Liquid emulsions have also been investigated in the stomach using MRI [16]. • Feasibility study that has investigated, with success, the ability to use MRI to compare different dosage formulations of a drug [23]. Computed Tomography and X-rays• Imaging using radio-opaque substances is able to identify the position of formulations following oral administration.• Radio-opaque substances are typically needed for imaging with barium sulphate often used once incorporated into the dosage form [35–37], however limited detail of the surrounding soft tissue anatomy is provided.• High contrast resolution images come with a drawback of requiring greater doses of radiation [38].…”

“…Recently we have published a feasibility study that has investigated, with success, the ability to use MRI to compare different dosage formulations of a drug [23]. Specifically the study compared the images obtained of immediate release, standard release and slow release oral tablets both by benchtop observations of disintegration and using MRI, in both in-vitro and in-vivo settings [23].…”

“…Specifically the study compared the images obtained of immediate release, standard release and slow release oral tablets both by benchtop observations of disintegration and using MRI, in both in-vitro and in-vivo settings [23]. Our findings highlighted the differences in in-vitro disintegration, with that of disintegration within the human stomach [23]. In addition to our own research, other studies have successfully used MRI to visualise the formation of the carbonated alginate raft that is formed and floats on top of the stomach contents after ingestion of the anti-reflux product Gaviscon®.…”

“…At The University of Auckland’s School of Pharmacy we have undergone a curriculum redevelopment and one objective is to achieve a fully integrated curriculum. One of the strategies is to place more of a focus on patient-centred care in our pharmaceutical science teaching by embedding a series of images acquired by MRI and benchtop visualisation [23] into teaching sessions regarding disintegration and dissolution of different formulation types. Images are used for students to visualise how certain processes occur in the human body, for example MRI images demonstrate disintegration occurring in the human stomach.…”