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Pack Validation and Ageing Trials

Medical Pack Validation & Ageing Trials


Packaging forms an integral part of a sterile medical device. MET offer comprehensive support to assist engineers with the validation of medical pouches and blisters..
 
Medical Pack Validation and Ageing Trials
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Further Information
Our ISO 9000-2000 medical device testing laboratory is equipped to deliver confidence in your packaging systems. Our scientists and engineers all bring extensive experience and knowledge of medical device development. Our support extends to help and advice to assist you in the completion of your packaging project quickly and efficiently.

Shelf Life - Accelerated Ageing

  • Accelerated ageing according to ASTM F1980. Storage of packs at elevated temperature is used to simulate shelf life ageing in a shorter time period. Suitable for porous and non-porous packs. Storage at 55°C for 6 weeks gives a real time equivalent ageing of 1 year.

Seal Integrity

  • External visual inspection according to ASTM F1886-98 (2004). A relatively simple test, we normally use it to supplement information gleaned from other seal tests
  • Bubble emission according to ASTM D3078, vacuum test for non-permeable packs.
  • Dye penetration according to ASTM F1929 where dye is injected into sealed packs. Vacuum is applied and ingress into seals is then inspected visually. Suitable for packs with at least one transparent web.
  • Hospital environment microbial aerosol test. This test has been validated internally and shown to find channels as small as 0.3mm (no attempt has been made to validate below this). It simulates 1 year of storage unprotected on a hospital trolley.
  • Liquid immersion test - requires sterile packs.
  • Calibrated hole test. In this standard perforation test, impermeable packs are fitted with laser drilled holes of 12.5, 25, or 50 micron diameter. Leaking from the packs is then measured using a vacuum decay method and compared to non-perforated packs. We use this test for validation and IQ / PQ studies on customers' own machines.

Seal Strength

  • Burst test according to ASTM 1140-00. A good strength test that tests the entire seal area, locating the weakest point. Suitable for both porous and non-porous packs.
  • Seal tensile peel test to ASTM F88.

Web Materials

  • ASTM F1608 - Microbial ranking of porous packaging materials. This test evaluates the effectiveness of web materials as a barrier.
  • Dust drum microbial test for whole packages, as developed by HIMA.

Shipping

  • Uniform shipping simulation test according to ASTM D4169. A variety of shipping tests are available as well as preconditioning for desert, frozen or wet environments.



Please E-mail: or phone 08454 588924 for a confidential discussion about your project or product.