Method and apparatus for detecting defects and embedded objects in sealed sterilized packaging

An inspection system, comprising:

• a conveyance system moving sealed packages through an inspection station;
• a multi-head optical scanner including at least two fiber optic sensor arrays each comprised of bundle of optical fibers arranged in an x and y rows and forming a linear face, wherein a first array of fiber optic sensors is deployed to acquire optical feedback of side sealing areas of the sealed packages laying on the conveyance system and moving linearly in a y-direction and that is movement in parallel with movement of the conveyance system wherein the sealing areas are located on each of two sides of the at least one sterile object contained in the sealed packages during movement of the conveyance system, and a second set of an at least two fiber optic sensor arrangement is deployed to acquire optical feedback of top and bottom sealing areas disposed in an x-direction of the sealed packages, which is perpendicular with respect to movement of the sealed packaged on the conveyance system, wherein the top and bottom sealing areas are respectively located at the top and bottom of the at least one sterile object contained in the sealed packages during their movement on the conveyance system, wherein each array is oriented from their respective positions towards the inspection area to capture a top surface and the sealing areas of the sealed packages moving through the conveyance system;
• and
• an image processing module coupled to the multi-head optical scanner, said image processing module analyzing input from the at least two fiber optic arrays to identify artifacts and their location in the top, bottom and side sealing areas of the sealed packages defining the boundary surrounding at least one sterile object contained within the sealed packages.

A method of inspecting sealed sterile packaging for artifacts, comprising:

• providing an image processing module coupled to a multi-head optical scanner including at least two fiber optic sensor arrays each comprised of bundle of optical fibers arranged in an x and y rows and thrilling a linear face, wherein a first array of fiber optic sensors is deployed to acquire optical feedback of side sealing areas of the sealed packages laying on the conveyance system and moving linearly in a y-direction and that is movement in parallel with movement of the conveyance system wherein the sealing areas are located on each of two sides of the at least one sterile object contained in the sealed packages during movement of the conveyance system, and a second set of an at least two fiber optic sensor arrangement is deployed to acquire optical feedback of top and bottom sealing areas disposed in an x-direction of the sealed packages, which is perpendicular with respect to movement of die sealed packaged on the conveyance system, wherein the top and bottom sealing areas are respectively located at the top and bottom of the at least one sterile object contained in the sealed packages during their movement on the conveyance system, wherein each array is oriented from their respective positions towards the inspection area to capture a top surface and the sealing areas of the sealed packages moving through the conveyance system;
• optically capturing images of side sealing areas on sealed sterile packages using the first array of the multi-head optical scanner as the sealed packages are moving through a conveyance system;
• optically capturing images of top and bottom sealing areas on sealed sterile packages using the second array of the multi-head optical scanner as the sealed packages are moving through a conveyance system;
• processing the images of sealing areas captured by the multi-head optical scanner to determine if the sealing areas contain artifacts therein;
• and
• identifying sealing areas including sealing area locations wherein artifacts are located within sealed sterile packages.