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 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:
How Sprint iQ Leak Tester Works
The Sprint iQ tester works like this:
The operator (or automated machine) starts the test and Sprint iQ performs a leak test using flow. During leak test time, air is sent to test ports 1 and 2 filling all passages in the device being tested. Leak testing verifies the absence of body leaks in the product.
Leak Max is the largest flow allowed during the leak test. When the flow drops below this value, the leak test ends and the First Flow test starts.
Sprint iQ performs the fi rst low flow test by sending air to Port 1 and opening Port 2 to atmosphere. This allows air flow through the restrictor in the device being tested. Flow is measured with the tester’s low- low transducer.
Flow Max and Flow Min are the pass and fail limits established by setup personnel. If the flow is within this window, the First Flow test passes and the High Flow test starts. If flow is outside the Min/Max window, the test fails and the message 1ST FLOW is displayed in the status box on the tester’s display.
At the start of this test, Sprint iQ displays FLUSH to prompt the operator to activate the fast flush valve. Or Sprint iQ can send a signal to automated fixturing. The resulting high flow rate is measured with Sprint iQ’s high-flow transducer. Sprint iQ displays the high fl ow rate. The operator or automated fixturing releases the flush valve. If the flow does not reach the established minimum flow rate, the test fails and FLUSH is displayed in the status box on the tester’s run display.
Identical to the First Flow test, the second low flow test uses the same setpoints programmed in the First Flow test.
A percent deviation of the measurement made at First Flow compared to Second Flow. A percent deviation limit is entered by setup personnel to set the boundary for acceptance. If beyond the set deviation, the product fails and Sprint iQ’s reject light turns on. The deviation parameter ensures the bypass valve in the product properly re-seats after the high flow (flush) operation.
The Roll Over portion of the test can be used to determine if the flush device functions correctly when a patient is “rolling over” in bed. It allows an operator to manipulate the actuator from side to side to determine what type of flow failure has occurred.
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:
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