High Resolution Nanoparticle Size & Zeta Potential Analyzer

Amerigo from Cordouan Technologies incorporates the latest developments in particle analytical technology into the world’s most sophisticated particle analyzer. for example, the 170 degree back scatter fiber optic technology was developed and patented in 2016. The high throughput sub-us photon counting (HTSP) and acquisition patents in Amerigo enables the most rapid dynamic light scattering possible.

In addition to size and zeta potential measurements, it is also possible to expand the capabilities of Amerigo to include the contactless remote fiber optic probe and a high concentration module for samples for which dilution is not a practical solution.

Amerigo enables measurements using three different angles, 170, 90, and 17 degrees. To eliminate potential bias that might occur with single angle DLS systems. HTSP™ software algorithms and hardware provide the use unparalleled access to the raw data, allowing the user to review data capture and reanalyze if necessary. The user has complete flexibility in time slicing, the data stream as required. A size data point can be obtained in as little as 200ms, so that kinetic data can me analyzed at a level never before possible in a DLS system.

With decades of experience in fiber optic technology and particle analysis, Courdouan has over 200 customers using their equipment at the world’s leading universities and research institutes. Amerigo is Cordouan’s answer to the needs of the mass market in particle analysis. It combines all of the knowledge and power associated with Cordouan’s most sophisticated particle analysis devices into the most flexible, and accurate system available on the market today.

While other manufacturers rely on decades old technology in their offerings, Cordouan has used there expertise and innovation to incorporate some of the most sophisticated particle analysis intellectual property and expertise into a world class instrument suitable for
all applications.

Particle Size Measurements

There are three different algorithms available to determine particle size and distribution.  The particle size distribution of many real life systems isn’t monomodal.  Cumulants, the historical algorithm to analyze light scattering data forces a single mode gaussian distribution to scattering data, whether it is representative of the sample or not.  Cordouan offers Pade Laplace (multiexponential discrete) and SBL (Sparce Bayesian Learning, multiexponential, continuous) size distribution fitting at no additional charge.

Particle Size Distributions

 

Zeta Potential Measurements

Amerigo is also an innovative zeta potential analyzer dedicated
to the characterization of nanoparticle suspensions. It utilizes
Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS) to provide outstanding
measurement resolution.
Zeta potential (ζ) is a fundamental property of colloidal
suspensions intimately related to the number of electrical
charges attached to the surface of the particles when immersed
in a solvent. It is thus linked to particle-particle
interaction and formulation stability in a very complex way
described by physical models like the Electrical Double Layer
(EDL).

Remote Contactless Measurements

The remote fiberoptic head for contactless measurements enables you to make a size measurement non-invasively, through the wall of any reasonably transparent container.   When the remote fiber optic head is used, temperature can be determined by a thermister probe or input by the user.
The remote fiber optic probe can also be used in places where normal routine sample collection is not possible, for example, radioactive or toxic samples.

Protein Aggregation

Protein aggregation is one of the biggest challenges in biopharma today.  Until the advent of Cordouan’s Remote fiber optic probe technology, scientists had to rely on statistical sampling of samples to detect aggregation in drug development.   This requires a great deal of clinical trial material, and especially at the early stages of drug development, it is difficult to know what sample size is representative of a trial batch.
Cordouan’s remote fiber probe coupled with HTSP sampling technology makes it possible to evaluate every single unit dose in a commercial scale protein based drug facility.
Unit does analysis makes protein based drugs safer for the patient, and provides more reliable clinical trial data.