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Blister packs also known as press through packs are common packaging formats for drugs in the form of tablets and capsules. Such packages not only preserve the quality of the drug, but also ensure ease of use to the consumers. Blister packages are commonly used by drug manufacturers to ensure protection of the product from oxidation, moisture or other atmospheric pollutants which may lead to product degradation.

However, in recent years, the industry has seen a tremendous increase in the number of high-risk medicines, which are more sensitive to environmental condition than other tablets or capsules. This has further increased blister package integrity challenges. Although the amount of environmental contaminants that can enter a package depends on leak size, with blister packages, even minute leaks can become troublesome. Therefore, ensuring blister package integrity is extremely crucial.

Earlier traditional destructive methods such as the dye ingress method was used to test blister packages. But these methods were subjective, probabilistic and lacked accuracy in test results. This encouraged manufacturers to use non-destructive Container Closure Integrity test (CCIT) methods that were accurate and produced quantitative results with measurable result data.

PTI’s VeriPac Universal Blister Verification (UBV) system is a reliable and hassle-free technique to ensure blister package leak detection. These are deterministic non-destructive solutions specifically designed for multi-cavity blister packs. PTI’s VeriPac UBV utilizes volumetric imaging under vacuum to identify the presence and location of leaks.

Under this method, sample packages are placed inside the test chamber. After pressing the start button, vacuum is pulled to a pre-determined level. If any leaks are present, the packages expand under vacuum, and air escapes into the chamber causing blister packages to collapse. Volumetric measurement readings are taken during the vacuum test, that analyzes which blister cavities are defective. It is a rapid test that allows operators to get quantitative measurements associated with each package test in addition to definitive pass or fail results.

The UBV technology offers leak detection down to 10 microns with minimal test time, averaging 10-30 seconds depending on blister cavity volume. Test system requires no tooling changeover or other complex adjustments with simple interface for testing various blister package formats. This technology is specifically useful for tiny blister cavities which are quite difficult to detect using standard vacuum systems due to its low headspace.

Benefits of VeriPac UBV technology:

• Non-destructive package inspection system
• Accurate and reliable results
• Definite pass/fail result based on quantitative test data
• Accommodates multiple blister packaging formats with no tooling changeover
• Eliminates destructive, subjective testing methods
• Effective in detecting even minute leaks