APPLICATION NOTE

Fast-Flush Drug Delivery Device Leak Testing

The Challenge

Flash-flush drug delivery device leak testing is a complex process.  Drug delivery devices typically have an inlet and outlet port, a flow restrictor, and a valve to bypass the restrictor. Makers and suppliers of these devices must ensure correct operation and integrity.

Challenge #1: Find all the right equipment to measure very low flow, high-flow, valve re-seating, valve leakage, and body leaks in the product.

Challenge #2: Organize the equipment into one integrated test. Sometimes accomplished with computers and programmable logic controllers, this can be a formidable task. The resulting group of equipment can be bulky, difficult to calibrate, hard to operate and a burden to keep maintained.

The Sprint iQ Solution for leak testing Fast-Flush Delivery Devices

The Sprint iQ is the only off-the-shelf answer to fast-flush drug delivery device leak testing. No other tester in the world is manufactured to meet the demands of this specific product test.  Incorporating a pressure sensor, two precision mass flow transducers, valving and logic control; the Sprint iQ handles the complex device testing routing in one small and easy-to program tester. With the press of Sprint iQ’s start button, the six-step test performs:

1. a leak test using flow
2. a low flow test
3. a high flow test
4. a second low flow test
5. a deviation limit evaluation
6. a “roll over” or actuator manipulation test

How Sprint iQ Leak Tester Works

The Sprint iQ tester works like this:

• The product is attached to both test ports and Sprint iQ is started by the operator or automated equipment. Air is routed to both Port 1 and Port 2 to conduct a leak test on the product body. (Figure 1)
• Air is routed to Port 1 through the restrictor and out to atmosphere through valve V2. Low flow is measured with Sprint iQ’s low-range flow transducer [F1].
• The product’s flush valve [FF] is activated by the operator or automated fixturing. The resulting high low is measured with Sprint iQ’s high-range flow transducer [F2].
• Sprint iQ performs a second low-flow test.
• Sprint iQ compares the first low flow to the second low flow to make sure the flush valve [FF] has properly reseated in the device being tested.

Applications

Sprint iQ is manufactured exclusively by Uson for testing fast-flush drug delivery devices commonly included in many disposable medical procedure kits and pre-packaged drug delivery systems.

If desired, the fast-flush steps can be turned off and Sprint used for either flow measurement or leak testing using flow. The Sprint iQ tester by Uson represents the leadership establishing the standard of testing in the medical device manufacturing industry.

Because all data concerning the operation of this tester cannot be included in this brief note, we invite you to call Uson to discuss how a Sprint iQ can be applied to your specific device testing needs.

Sprint iQ Features:

• Completely self-contained.
• All components in one small enclosure
• Fully calibrated and simple to maintain
• Perfect for bench or automation
• Small footprint of 8.5 by 15 inches
• Resolution of 1/100 sccm at 200 full scale
• Resolution of 1 sccm at 5000 full scale
• Easy to program and calibrate
• Interface for statistical process control