Technical Specifications

The Inhaled Dissolution Apparatus (IDA) is a purpose-built dissolution testing system from Copley Scientific, developed specifically for orally inhaled products (OIPs). It addresses a long-standing gap in inhaled product testing: generating repeatable, comparable dissolution profiles from the small drug masses collected during aerosol testing . The IDA integrates sample collection, transfer, and dissolution into a three-step workflow, using a dedicated filter holder that attaches directly to the dissolution paddle. The system is supplied as a complete platform with the IDA-specific DIS 600i-ID or DIS 800i-ID Dissolution Tester . The specifications below cover the IDA dose collector and integrated system.

Model/Part Number: IDA (Inhaled Dissolution Apparatus); DIS 600i-ID or DIS 800i-ID dissolution tester

Flow and Dose Collection

• Flow rate compatibility: 5–100 L/min

• Flow profile options: constant flow; breathing simulation (tidal / inhalation-only)

• Compatible inlets: NGI Induction Port, NGI Preseparator, Fast Screening Impactor (FSI), Alberta Idealised Throat (adult and child), Alberta Idealised Nasal Inlet (AINI), Glass Expansion Chambers (all sizes)

• Dose collection: aerosolised drug collected uniformly onto a filter using the selected inlet configuration

Dissolution Testing

• Stations available: 6-station or 8-station configurations

• Media volume range: 200–500 mL

• Vessel type: flat-bottomed, purpose-designed for OIP media volumes

• Paddle type: reduced-diameter, adapted from USP design for lower media volumes

• Stirrer speed: 75 rpm (typical, as used in published studies)

• Media temperature: 37 °C (typical)

• Automation compatibility: compatible with Vertus III for automated shake and fire

Transfer Mechanism

• Filter holder: bespoke design attaches directly to the dissolution paddle, eliminating manual filter handling

• Transfer: undisturbed sample transfer from collection to dissolution vessel, preserving sample integrity

Integrated System Components

• Dose collector: IDA collection and transfer system

• Dissolution tester: IDA-specific DIS 600i-ID (6-station) or DIS 800i-ID (8-station), built on Copley dissolution technology

Standard Accessories Included:

• IDA dose collector with filter holder system

• IDA-specific dissolution tester (DIS 600i-ID or DIS 800i-ID, per configuration)

• Dedicated flat-bottom dissolution vessels

• Reduced-diameter paddles designed for IDA filter holders

• Operating manual

Items Excluded:

• Inlet configurations (NGI Induction Port, FSI, Alberta Throat, AINI, etc.) — selected separately per application

• Filters (A/E glass fibre filters, 76 mm diameter, ordered separately)

• Dissolution media and analytical consumables

• Automation system (Vertus III) if not ordered

• Installation qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) documentation, available on request

Pre-installation Requirement:
Place the dissolution tester on a rigid, level bench with clearance for the 6 or 8 station vessels and access to the paddle assemblies. Provide a water supply and drain if the dissolution tester requires circulation. Ensure the laboratory has a suitable vacuum source and flow controller for dose collection when used with impactor inlets. Install the IDA filter holder onto the paddle and confirm the assembly seats correctly in the vessel before the first run. Allow the dissolution media to reach 37 °C and degas before use.

Why This Apparatus Belongs in an Inhaled Product Development Lab

Inhaled dissolution testing has lacked a standardised, commercially available tool. Laboratories have adapted conventional dissolution equipment, developed in-house methods, and accepted the variability that comes with improvised workflows. The IDA inhaled dissolution apparatus was developed to close that gap. Copley describes it as a "first-of-a-kind commercially available solution" for inhaled product dissolution testing, purpose-designed to address the long-standing challenge of generating repeatable, comparable dissolution profiles from aerosolised drug samples .

The workflow is deliberately simple. The aerosolised dose is collected onto a filter using the inlet configuration appropriate to the product and method. The filter holder then attaches directly to the dissolution paddle, eliminating manual handling of the filter. The paddle and filter assembly are lowered into the flat-bottomed vessel containing pre-warmed media, and dissolution profiling proceeds under controlled conditions . Each step reduces the handling that introduces variability.

The system has been evaluated in published comparative studies. In work presented at Drug Delivery to the Lung 2025, the IDA distinguished the dissolution behaviour of fluticasone propionate delivered via a dry powder inhaler (Flixotide Accuhaler) and a metered dose inhaler (Flixotide Evohaler), with T50 values of 4.11 minutes for the DPI and 11.64 minutes for the MDI at 5 doses . The discrimination held across dose levels, demonstrating the apparatus can detect formulation differences that improvised methods may miss.

For buyers sourcing through OS4U, the configuration questions are the 6-station or 8-station format, the inlet configurations needed for your product portfolio, and whether Vertus III automation belongs in the workflow. The Copley IDA product page lists the full technical specifications and compatible inlets.

Key Benefits

Purpose-built for inhaled products

The IDA inhaled dissolution apparatus was designed for OIPs from the start, not adapted from conventional dissolution equipment. The reduced-diameter paddle and flat-bottom vessel geometry are optimised for the lower media volumes (200–500 mL) used in inhaled product testing, supporting consistent circulation around the filter even with small drug quantities .

Three-step workflow that reduces handling

Collect, Transfer, Dissolve. The bespoke filter holder attaches directly to the dissolution paddle, eliminating the manual filter handling that introduces sample loss, contamination, and variability. The collected dose reaches the dissolution vessel undisturbed .

Discriminatory performance demonstrated

Published studies show the IDA distinguishes dissolution profiles of products with different formulation characteristics. The T50 values for DPI and MDI fluticasone propionate formulations were clearly separated across dose levels, indicating the apparatus is sensitive enough for formulation comparison and bioequivalence support .

Inlet flexibility for method alignment

The IDA is compatible with the inlets routinely used in established in vitro testing: NGI Induction Port, NGI Preseparator, Fast Screening Impactor, Alberta Idealised Throat, AINI, and glass expansion chambers . The dissolution assessment can use the same collection approach as the existing APSD method, rather than requiring a separate setup.

Integrated dissolution tester

The IDA is supplied with the DIS 600i-ID or DIS 800i-ID, Copley dissolution testers configured specifically for the IDA workflow. The paddle and vessel are designed as a system, not assembled from mismatched components .

Automation-ready

Compatible with Vertus III for automated shake and fire, supporting workflow automation where sample throughput demands it .

Solving the Problems That Slow Inhaled Dissolution Testing Down

Struggling with lab-to-lab variability from in-house methods? The IDA provides a standardised, commercially available platform with a defined Collect-Transfer-Dissolve workflow. The method is transferable between laboratories because the apparatus is the same .

Losing sample during filter handling? The bespoke filter holder attaches directly to the paddle. The collected dose moves from filter to dissolution vessel without manual repositioning, preserving sample integrity .

Getting dissolution results that fail to distinguish formulations? Published data shows the IDA discriminated DPI and MDI fluticasone propionate formulations with clearly separated T50 values. The apparatus is sensitive enough to detect meaningful differences .

Needing to align dissolution collection with existing APSD methods? The IDA accepts NGI Induction Port, NGI Preseparator, FSI, and other common inlets. The collection step can use the same configuration as the established method .

Adapting standard USP dissolution equipment for inhaled products? The IDA uses purpose-designed paddles and vessels for OIP media volumes, rather than forcing standard equipment to operate outside its intended range .

Needing to scale throughput? The IDA is available in 6-station or 8-station configurations, and is compatible with Vertus III automation for shake and fire .

Budgetary Price and Final Price Calculation

Copley Scientific does not publish a budgetary price for the Inhaled Dissolution Apparatus IDA on its website, brochures, or distributor listings. The product is quotation-based, which is standard for new capital equipment in pharmaceutical testing. No price figure is stated here because a published figure does not exist.

To obtain the budgetary price and complete the requested calculation:

• Contact Copley Scientific directly (sales@copleyscientific.co.uk) or their regional distributor for Bangladesh (Apex Chromatography) .

• Request a budgetary quotation for the Inhaled Dissolution Apparatus (IDA), specifying the 6-station or 8-station configuration and the dissolution tester model (DIS 600i-ID or DIS 800i-ID) .

• Once the budgetary price is received, multiply it by 300 to obtain the final price.

Warranty & Support

We provide a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty covering parts and labor. Technical support, installation assistance, and operational training are also available. Replacement parts and consumables are available throughout the product’s service life. Copley offers full validation and aftersales service, with a network of specialist distributors providing localised support worldwide .

Request a Quotation or Technical Datasheet

Contact us for more information, customized configurations, and solutions tailored to your specific requirements.