Stable Micro Systems, specialist in the physical characterisation of pharmaceutical and medical products, has launched a Syringe Testing Rig to be operated in conjunction with its TA.XTPlus texture analyser. The innovative attachment effectively measures the aspiration force of filled syringe pistons, and using Stable Micro Systems" Exponent software, it guarantees accurate, repeatable results that enable syringe manufacturers to identify problems and produce safe, user-friendly products.
Successful administration of injections, as well as comfortable receipt of the material under the skin, rely on the effective tracking of the syringe piston within its outer tube. By testing the ease with which an injectable solution is expressed, manufacturers are able to optimise usability and patient comfort, while guaranteeing quality control and product safety.
Prior to testing, the syringe is held securely in place by a locking insert, which is easily adjusted up to a diameter of 40mm and accommodates a wide range of syringe shapes and sizes. A flat probe, connected to the arm of the TA.XTPlus, exerts pressure on the syringe piston, measuring its resistance to compression. Using Exponent software, a mean force is produced in graph form to provide an average measure of the ease with which the syringe is depressed and fluids are dis-charged. The universal design of the Syringe Testing Rig also allows manufacturers to determine the force required to remove the plunger from the syringe, thus emulating the ease with which the sy-ringe piston is withdrawn.