Vacuum analyser for drug vials
in-line detection system to measure the partial pressure of oxygen
inside a glass vial.
WILCO has introduced what it claims is the first fully-automatic, 100 per cent in-line detection system to measure the partial pressure of oxygen inside a glass vial.
The head space analyser uses a laser absorption technology to measure O2 levels at production speeds of up to 500 vials per minute, according to the Swiss company.
The system is able to detect a partial vacuum change inside the vial caused by oxygen (O2) ingress and so give a reading of the vial's integrity in a non-destructive way.
"This should be of interest to any lyo [lyophilisation] line," said WILCO, particularly as the test can be carried out without interrupting production. Results are monitored and displayed on an integrated colour monitor, with defective product automatically removed from the production line.
The received signal from the sensor reacts linear to the increasing level of O2 inside the glass vial. This allows not only for the determination of presence of vacuum but also for the absolute measurement of vacuum levels, said WILCO.
