Apparatus and method for the integrity testing of flexible containers
AssigneePall Technology UK Limited
InventorsAlexandre N. Terentiev, Sergey Terentiev
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for integrity testing a first container having a flexible body at least partially defining a first interior chamber using a second container having a second, preferably sterilized interior chamber at least partially filled with a detectable gas. A sensor associated with a detection chamber for receiving the flexible container, and possibly the second container as well, senses the presence of the detectable gas external to the first interior chamber in the event of a leak of the detectable gas therefrom. Related methods also involve integrity testing of fluid processing bags and other types of flexible containers.
Claims38
An apparatus for use in detecting a detectable gas in a hermetically sealed detection chamber, comprising:
- a sterilized first container for positioning in the detection chamber, said first container having a flexible body at least partially defining a first interior chamber for receiving and holding the detectable gas in the absence of a leak;
- a sensor associated with the detection chamber and capable of sensing the detectable gas external to the first interior chamber as the result of the leak;
- a pump for creating a pressure differential between the first interior chamber and the detection chamber;
- and
- a connector for delivering the detectable gas to the first interior chamber under sterile conditions.
An apparatus for use in detecting a detectable gas in a detection chamber, comprising:
- a sterilized first container for positioning in the detection chamber, said first container having a flexible body at least partially defining a first interior chamber for receiving and holding the detectable gas under sterile conditions;
- a conduit connected to the sterilized first container for delivering the detectable gas to the interior compartment;
- a sensor associated with the detection chamber and capable of sensing the detectable gas external to the first interior chamber as the result of the leak;
- and
- a pump for creating a pressure differential between the first interior chamber and the detection chamber.
An apparatus for use in detecting a detectable gas in a detection chamber, comprising:
- a sterilized fluid processing bag including a fluid-agitating element, said processing bag having a flexible body at least partially defining a first interior chamber for receiving and holding the detectable gas in the absence of a leak;
- a sensor associated with the detection chamber and capable of sensing the detectable gas external to the first interior chamber as the result of the leak;
- and
- a pump for creating a pressure differential between the first interior chamber and the detection chamber.
An apparatus for use in detecting a detectable gas in a hermetically sealed detection chamber, comprising:
- a sterilized first container for positioning in the detection chamber, said first container having a flexible body at least partially defining a first interior chamber for receiving and holding the detectable gas in the absence of a leak;
- a sensor associated with the detection chamber and capable of sensing the detectable gas external to the first interior chamber as the result of the leak;
- a pump for creating a pressure differential between the first interior chamber and the detection chamber;
- and
- a rigid container forming the detection chamber for receiving the first container, said rigid container including a port adapted for delivering the detectable gas from a source external to the first interior chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.