Application · Bag condition
Autoclaved bags, tested while still wet.
Terminal sterilisation leaves water on the surface of every bag. ASTRACEC machines test the bag in that condition, so there is no drying step between the autoclave and the integrity test.
The challenge
Water on the bag, where some methods look for water.
After autoclaving, condensation covers the film and collects around seals and ports. Methods that detect liquid on the surface, or rely on a dry bag, can return false results or need the bag to be dried first.
Extra handling
Drying bags before testing adds a process step, time and the risk of damage.
Harder to defend
A result that depends on how dry the bag is becomes difficult to justify to an inspector.
Not 100%
When the test cannot run at line speed after the autoclave, only samples are tested.
How ASTRACEC handles it
The reading does not depend on a dry surface.
Probe Position Decay™ measures how the sealed bag responds over the test cycle. Condensation on the film does not change that response, so wet bags can be tested directly.
- Unaffected by condensation on the bag surface
- Detects both gas and liquid leaks across the whole bag
- Non-destructive: good bags go on to release
- Available off-line on POLAR or in-line on VEGA
Which machine
Off-line or after the autoclave, at line speed.
Both machines use the same method. Choose by where in your process you need the result.
| POLAR · laboratory | VEGA · in-line | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Batch release, investigations, stability | 100% testing after sterilisation |
| Loading | Manual, by operator | Fully automatic |
| Detection | Down to 3 µm | Down to 1 µm |
| Throughput | Cycle from 4 s | Up to 8 000 bags/h |
| Bag volume | Up to 10 L | Up to 30 L |
Detection data for this application will be published once cleared by ASTRACEC. Until then, a feasibility study on your own bags gives you results for your format.
See the result on your own autoclaved bags.
Send us bags straight from your sterilisation cycle, including known defects. We test them and report in writing.