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We offer state-of-the-art solutions for reliable particle inspection and detection of cosmetic defects, as well as complementary technologies, such as leak detection to test container integrity.
When dealing with pharma inspection, there is no “one-fits-all” solution. At Stevanato Group, we evaluate each product and its properties and recommend a technology that best suits your requirements.
1. Top shape and cosmetics
2. Color Code Ring
3. OPC
4. Body
5. Particles
6. Bottom
1. Cap (seal disc, cap rubber)
2. Particles
3. Barrel
4. Plunger
5. Bottom
1. Cap
2. Neck
3. Shoulder
4. Particles
5. Barrel
6. Plunger (Top, presence)
7. Flange
1. Stopper
2. Cap (Alu)
3. Crimp
4. Neck
5. Shoulder
6. Barrel
7. Particles
8. Heel
9. Bottom
1. Stopper
2. Cap (Alu)
3. Crimp
4. Neck
5. Shoulder
6. Barrel
7. Particles
8. Cake
9. Heel
10. Bottom
The key factors for deciding between a matrix or line scan cameras are the properties of the container, its content and possible defect scenarios.
Whatever the task, we leverage our expertise and mastering of advanced technologies to synchronize the field of view, acquisition of images, illumination, container spinning speed and rotation scheme.
With our particle tracking algorithm, we can efficiently detect particles in a wide range of liquid pharmaceutical products.
We have developed a patented method to reliably inspect even the most challenging suspensions or turbid products, such as insulin. Coupling high speed, line scan cameras and smart lighting systems we achieve a high detection rate and a simultaneous low false rejection rate. Our method features:
With common camera inspection techniques, it is hard to distinguish what is inside or outside the container when filled with very viscous products, such as hyaluronic acid.
Our 3D particle position detection technique provides:
Freeze-dried products are typically difficult to inspect and their variable characteristics can easily be misclassified as defects.
Lighting and image capture techniques are the key to an accurate and precise automated inspection of lyophilized products. Here are some of the approaches we successfully implemented:
Loss of sterility in parenteral products is one of the most serious threats to patient safety. Leak detection techniques can effectively verify container integrity. Stevanato Group applies high voltage leak detection (HVLD) for the detection of leaks in containers filled with liquid and head space gas analysis (HGA) to test containers filled with lyophilized products.
HGA is applicable to packages optically transparent to NIR radiation in the range 760 -1400nm (tubular, molded, clear, amber glass, PP, PE, COC, COP).
HGA ensures 100%:
Furthermore, AI models can generalize the acquired information to classify several similar objects and knowledge abstraction can be used to optimize costs. For example, different syringe flanges from various suppliers can be inspected using the same AI model.
Stevanato Group Vision AI, the platform integrating Deep Learning models, will enhance your equipment inspection performances, enabling to reduce false rejects while increasing the detection rate.
Save money and rely on skilled AI and vision engineers.
Our main goal is to support our customers and help them successfully overcome their challenges. Sometimes this means adopting new and innovative methods of inspection. We have successfully tested the following techniques:
Near Infrared (NIR)
NIR is a spectroscopic method. A substance is illuminated with a broad-spectrum (many wavelengths or frequencies) of near infrared light, which can be absorbed, transmitted, reflected or scattered by the sample. Cameras typically identify particles embedded on the surface or the bottom of a lyophilized drug, NIR can be useful in spotting the contaminants lying inside the cake to distinguish the foreign particle (glass, paper, etc.) from the substance itself.
Bubble suppression
When inspecting parenterals, good products may be rejected as defective because cameras misclassify bubbles as particles. In several projects we have successfully implemented an efficient method to separate air bubbles from particles, which is particularly suitable for high-speed cartridge inspection. By spinning the container at high speed, we confine the bubbles at the center and look for defects in all the other areas.
X-Ray
The pharma industry still has reservations about adopting x-ray inspection as they fear product stability could be compromised by radiation. Recent studies show that pharma products are not affected in terms of their chemical makeup and efficacy following exposure to x-ray in inspection systems. This opens up new opportunities: X-ray could be used for the inspection of biologics or for automatic sampling of lyophilized products.
NIR is a spectroscopic method. A substance is illuminated with a broad-spectrum (many wavelengths or frequencies) of near infrared light, which can be absorbed, transmitted, reflected or scattered by the sample. Cameras typically identify particles embedded on the surface or the bottom of a lyophilized drug, NIR can be useful in spotting the contaminants lying inside the cake to distinguish the foreign particle (glass, paper, etc.) from the substance itself.
When inspecting parenterals, good products may be rejected as defective because cameras misclassify bubbles as particles. In several projects we have successfully implemented an efficient method to separate air bubbles from particles, which is particularly suitable for high-speed cartridge inspection. By spinning the container at high speed, we confine the bubbles at the center and look for defects in all the other areas.
The pharma industry still has reservations about adopting x-ray inspection as they fear product stability could be compromised by radiation. Recent studies show that pharma products are not affected in terms of their chemical makeup and efficacy following exposure to x-ray in inspection systems. This opens up new opportunities: X-ray could be used for the inspection of biologics or for automatic sampling of lyophilized products.
