Leak tester saves time, money, mess

The non-destructive BlisterScan leak tester from UK-based Sepha, of Belfast, is claimed to offer the pharmaceutical industry significant savings in time and cost. Developed as a clean and dry alternative to the conventional 'blue dye' test for detecting leaking blister packs, the BlisterScan is also an objective method of testing as results are displayed automatically on a screen rather than being based on an assessment by the operator.

The test cycle takes just two minutes, and the tool-less product changeover can be accomplished in 30 seconds, with each different blister format requiring only two low-cost plates. The machine is capable of detecting holes as small as 5µm. Blisters that pass the test can be immediately placed back onto the production line, while rejected packs can be deblistered and the valuable product recovered for repackaging.

A further advantage is that the BlisterScan identifies each time which blister pocket is defective, allowing any problems on the production line to be corrected at an early stage.

Unlike other leak detection systems, the BlisterScan can offer full validation to national standards, Sepha adds.