Medical Device Packaging Machine with Integrated Seal Inspection and Seal Strength Tester

Oct. 16, 2007 - PRLog -- After more than 7 years of design and development, Van der Stahl Scientific announces the all-new VIU® Medical Device Packaging machine with integrated visual seal inspection and peel tester. This system has been granted two separate U.S. Patens for it’s integrated peel tester as well as its visual seal inspection device. Under the sterile barrier system and the ISO 11607, medical device packagers are required to run in-process testing in order to determine seal strength and integrity.

Company spokesman Charlie A. Webb says, “We believe that it is simply intuitive that the medical device packaging machine should integrate the required testing function in order to facilitate and encourage regular seal strength testing. Regular seal inspection is the single most important step a device company can do to thwart seal failure at the point of care.” The company states that the microprocessor that manages the seal function will also dual-task to run the intelligence for the integrated peel tester.

The peel tester is designed to harmonize with standards such as the ASTM F-88. The company states that operators will be prompted to stop packaging operations and to run a peel before the machine will allow continuing with the packaging process. The intervals of when these tests will be performed are manager or quality team adjustable.

The data that’s gathered during these sessions can be archived to close the loop on packaging and testing. Van der Stahl Scientific was also awarded in September 2007 an additional patent for the Visual Inspection Tool that utilizes a 3X magnification and low-angle lighting. This will allow medical device packagers to utilize a repeatable standard for the visual inspection of flexible medical packaging.

Company spokesman Charlie Webb a certified packaging professional states, “The low angle of light greatly exaggerates the micro-topography of the seal film and users can evaluate possible failures or breaches in the sealing process.”

Historically, many companies have used a variety of indoor ambient lighting and magnification that is counter to the needed standard. The company believes that unifying a base or threshold standard will help thwart the possibility of variations when performing the visual inspections under the ASTM F 1886-98 visual inspection standard.

To better enhance the new medical device-packaging machine, the visual inspection unit will be integrated also with the medical device-packaging machine allowing for integration of both peel testing and visual inspection onboard the packaging machine itself. The company states that it is committed to encouraging compliance to the sterile barrier system through more force-compliance systems such as the VIU® Medical Device Packager. Forcing the machine to prompt regular peel testing is a giant step forward in the whole integration of production and quality. The machine is slated for production in early to mid 2008 and for information regarding the VIU® packaging machine, you’re encouraged to call customer service 1-800-550-3854. Or visit the companies website www.vanderstahl.com.

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There are many choices for packaging machinery in North America. The Van der Stähl Scientific team believes wholeheartedly that our firm is unmatched in terms of quality machinery, technical support, customer service and on-time delivery. Our in-house certified technical support understands complex packaging issues such as sterile device packaging under the ISO 11607 sterile barrier system process.

Website: www.vanderstahl.com