ALLENDALE, NJ — A new automatic system that inspects plastic and glass syringes and cartridges for particulates in solution and for cosmetic defects at rates up to 36,000/h has been introduced by Eisai Machinery U.S.A. Inc., it was announced by Michael de la Montaigne, president.

New EIS automated system from Eisai Machinery inspects plastic and glass syringes and cartridges for particulates in solution and for cosmetic defects at rates to 36,000/h

The system, designated EIS, incorporates "transmitted light" technology to inspect for the presence of particulates in parenteral solutions, and "reflected light" technology to inspect for cosmetic container defects.

The transmitted light system, coined "Static Division" or "SD" technology, differentiates static from moving objects in real time by spinning the container, stopping it abruptly, and sensing the shadow created by any moving particle blocking light that is transmitted through the container and received by a photo diode sensor array.

Acceptance or rejection is therefore based only on the size of the particulate, not on any other factor such as its reflective strength, overcoming limitations of reflected light systems to detect dark-colored contaminants.

By analyzing only the change in light intensity (voltage fluctuations) caused by moving particles, the signals can be distinguished from static light reduction caused by stationary objects such as scratches, dirt, and printing on the container surface, and from ambient light, significantly decreasing the rejection of qualified products (false rejects), according to the company.

In addition to inspecting for particulates in solution, the SD system can detect the meniscus of the solution and thereby check container fill levels.

The reflected light (camera-based) system utilizes stable LED lighting and charge-coupled-device (CCD) technology for the inspection of cosmetic container defects including floating or sinking particles, non-moving particles, tip/needle defects, barrel cracks, flange defects, plunger position, liquid in ribs, fill level, tip/cap presence and tip/cap color.

In addition to inspecting for cosmetic defects, the reflected light system is reportedly effective for the inspection of particulates in high viscosity liquids that move too slowly when spun for inspection using transmitted light, and when inspecting for particles in lyophilized (opaque) products.

The EIS machine also features spin speed verification, lot trending, an oscillating drive for vibration-free container motion and 400+ milliseconds of inspection time per container, and non-vacuum (starwheel) sorting to reduce container breakage clean-up.

A closed-loop validation protocol allows containers to pass through the pre-spin table, the cosmetic inspection table, and the particle inspection table continuously, in order to provide data during product set up which mimics actual product conditions.

See the EIS product page for more details.