HLT

Blogs

04
Nov 2020

Helium Leak Detection for Vial Capping Optimization and Assembly Validation

Helium Leak Detection for Vial Capping Optimization and Assembly Validation

The adoption of deterministic, quantitative test methods for comprehensive container closure integrity testing (CCIT) has become the norm over the past decade. Recent and future regulatory guidance directives have continued this trend. However, this trend of increasing scrutiny, and thus, increasing complexity for regulated companies, is not in vain. The benefits of such a method are plentiful, and their usage can span the entire lifecycle of a product-package system, right from development of the package, to stability, to analysis of package integrity after distribution cycles. In fact, the need for CCIT at multiple product lifecycle stages is explicitly discussed in USP <1207>.

In the current version of USP <1207>, there are a total of four subsections. USP <1207.1> discusses critical background information and rationale for the selection of an appropriate test method. Included in this subchapter is a detailed discussion of CCI evaluation during a product life cycle, which states: “Package integrity verification occurs during [at least] three product life cycle phases: 1) the development and validation of the product– package system, 2) product manufacturing, and 3) commercial product shelf-life stability assessments”. The idea behind such a statement is that CCI should be built into the design of the product-package system and the processes that yield it.

This is a notable shift from the somewhat pervasive tendency to consider CCI as a checkbox, something verified as a company is assembling documentation for a filing, perhaps after the final configuration and manufacturing has been finalized. This latter approach has inherently more risk. What if the vial-stopper configuration chosen does not have an ideal fit? What if the assembly parameters used for capping that vial do not yield consistently integral final packaging? Situations like this are not uncommon, and can lead to expensive changes, product recall, or risk to patient safety. Fortunately, modern, deterministic methods, such as helium leak detection, can help characterize and mitigate these risks.

Early on in the development process, the inherent integrity of the chosen product-package system should be evaluated, essentially answering the question: “Are these components, when mated optimally, capable of creating an integral seal?”. This concept is called inherent integrity, or whether the package components, as an inherent function of themselves, can create and maintain an integral seal. For a manufacturer considering the implementation of a stopper from a potential catalog or stock of many varieties, for example, a helium leak test study can be developed in order to assess the relative performance of each component. In the experience of LDA and its partners, there can be a significant difference between stoppers with the respect to their ability to create adequate seals, regardless of capping conditions. Future blogs in the LDA resource center will highlight these applications.

A specific, upstream and preventive CCI program that is gaining in popularity is that of a “Capping Study”; a program in which optimal sealing parameters are determined through correlation with low leakage rates. In such programs, there are typically a range of sample sets assembled at capping parameters from very low (aluminum crimp seal barely applied) to very high (possibly yielding stress cracks in the vial neck area). These samples are subsequently assessed for % compression of the stopper and residual seal force (RSF), an indirect measure of the amount of force the stopper is applying to the land-seal of the vial. The third, and most critical part of the triad, is helium leak testing. As each set of samples undergo helium leak testing, differences in leak performance between the sets can be identified. An ideal set of capping parameters that correlates to consistently low leak rates can be determined. Additionally, an ideal residual seal force range can be identified.

The correlations between capping parameters, RSF, and helium leak rate can be immensely valuable. For example, this work can be performed at lab-scale for development purposes, helping to inform final settings for a manufacturing setting. Manufacturing capping settings can be tailored to yield package RSF data in line with laboratory results. Package systems produced on that full-scale line can be further tested by helium leak detection as final confirmation and as part of a complete assembly validation for the product-package system and its assembly processes.

To further provide insight into the value of this approach, if product is being manufactured at 3 sites, the identified capping settings can be employed at each site, aiding in the transfer and validation process. More importantly, samples can be pulled from the line at each site and routinely checked by RSF. If the samples pulled off the line exhibit RSF values within a range that correlates to reduced risk of leakage and consistent with historical data, capping processes are likely under control. Although this does not guarantee package integrity, it provides an added layer of control, and can be referred to as an ongoing seal quality test. Similarly, helum leak detection can be employed on a routine basis for additional confidence, as helium would be considered a true seal integrity test.

Numerous capping optimization and assembly validation studies like these have been performed using LDA SIMS 1284+ helium leak detector and LDA’s unique range of accessories for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. As the concept of CCI, and inherent CCI specifically, continues to be a topic regulatory agencies are more interested in, it is likely this trend of evaluating CCI in package development and validation will become an expectation. However, this change is one that should be welcomed by industry. Evaluating components prior to their use potentially prevents costly component changes down the road, and can lead to safer, less recall-prone packaging.

Readmore...
package integrity verification, CCI program, container closure integrity testing
2574
24
Jun 2020

Leak Detection Associates Announces New SIMS 1915+ Low Temperature -80C Helium Leak Testing System

Leak Detection Associates Announces New SIMS 21 CFR Part 11 Compliant System Software

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. (PRWEB) DECEMBER 12, 2019

Leak Detection Associates (LDA), the world’s premier manufacturer of custom built, helium-based leak testing instruments for the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Medical Device and Food Packaging Industries is excited to announce its second major product launch of 2019. The new LDA LT80 (LOW TEMPERATURE -80C) helium leak testing system is designed for testing containers at temperatures as low as -80°C. Incorporating an SP Corporation Chiller, LDA’s LT80 system allows for concurrent temperature conditioning, temperature monitoring, and helium leak testing of packages. The LT80 is available as an upgrade to existing LDA SIMS units in the field, or as a complete package, the LDA SIMS 1915+ LT80, incorporating the recently released features of the industry-leading, Agilent Technologies-based SIMS 1915+ with 21 CFR Part 11 compliant SIMS Software. The LDA SIMS 1915+ LT80 package represents the first time a ready to order, off the shelf, Part 11 compliant helium leak testing system specifically configured for low temperature testing down to -80°C has been available in the marketplace.

“Many innovative biopharmaceutical products coming to market today feature proteins that typically degrade at room temperature. Companies continue to drive toward deeper cold storage to support these products, and are in need of developing container and package systems that can maintain container closure integrity at these challenging conditions and throughout the product lifecycle, as set forth by USP 1207,” commented Jeff Morrow Lucas Director of Engineering for Leak Detection Associates. “Based on expressed needs of the marketplace, the SIMS 1915+ LT80 unit is designed for this specific application – testing packages while at cold conditions down to -80C – and provides an easy to implement solution to this evolving need for analysis.”

The key objective of any CCI program is to ensure that the container closure system maintains integrity throughout its lifecycle by preventing ingress of elements detrimental to a product’s efficacy and sterility, such as microbes or reactive gases, or egress of product or package headspace. The freeze/thaw cycle that is common with biologically-based products frequently require extremely low storage and shipment temperatures. When exposed to deep-cold or ultra-cold temperatures, physical changes to elastomeric components in particular can occur as materials reach or exceed their glass transition state, creating leaks at low temperatures that would otherwise not be observed while at room temperature. This type of leakage is typically observed at primary seal areas, such as that between an elastomeric closure and glass vial being used below -60C. This is of particular relevance for those shipping on dry ice, which reaches temperatures down to approximately -78C. Having a means to test container closure integrity while at these low temperatures enables manufacturers to gain insight into optimal package choice and design, as well as assembly parameters, to minimize leakage and demonstrate robust understanding of a package system’s performance in accordance with USP 1207.

The new SIMS Model 1915+ LT80 model is available for immediate order and will be customized to client’s specific testing needs. Each SIMS 1915+ LT80 can be complimented with Leak Detection Associates’ robust service and contract offerings, custom test fixtures, and change parts to provide end-to-end leak testing solutions.

TO READ ENTIRE PRWEB PRESS RELEASE PLEASE CLICK HERE

Readmore...
USP 1207, SIMS 1915+, CCI program, helium leak testing
1657

Popular Blogs

Tags

Leak Detection Associates Celebrates Major 2019 Milestones

Dec 27, 2019   |   11894

Leak Detection Associates (LDA), the world’s premier manufacturer of custom built, helium-based leak testing instruments for the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Medical Device and Food Packaging Industries is excited to celebrate the completion of its first calendar year under new management.

The Advantages of Using Helium for Leak Testing

May 13, 2020   |   6182

The use of helium gas as a medium for leak testing dates back to the 1940’s.Using helium as the “tracer” gas enables the user to discover and measure extremely small leaks.

An Overview of 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance Requirements

Nov 02, 2020   |   5578

A review of some simple and direct questions regarding Part 11 compliance to help you to understand its requirements and implementation.

Leak Detection Associates Announces New and Updated Helium Leak Detection System

Nov 01, 2020   |   4870

Leak Detection Associates (LDA), the world’s premier manufacturer of custom built, helium-based leak testing instruments is excited to announce the launch of its newest and most advanced helium leak detection system, the SIMS Model 1915 that is engineered incorporating industry-leading Agilent Technologies components and is custom designed to meet the stringent requirements of clients in FDA-regulated industries.

2019 PDA Container Closure Integrity Testing Workshop Presentation

Nov 03, 2020   |   4535

The 2019 PDA Container Closure Integrity Testing Workshop in Gothenburg, Sweden, had the following presentation that was given as a 20 minute introduction to the use of helium leak detection for container closure integrity testing (CCIT).
Popup