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Using scanning electron, confocal and optical microscopes to measure microscopic holes in trays
Author(s) -
Bix Laura,
Kassarjian Ondrea,
Cardoso Fernando,
Lockhart Hugh
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
packaging technology and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.365
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1099-1522
pISSN - 0894-3214
DOI - 10.1002/pts.703
Subject(s) - confocal , laser , laser scanning , penetration depth , materials science , microscope , confocal laser scanning microscopy , nanotechnology , certification , scanning electron microscope , penetration (warfare) , optics , process engineering , computer science , biomedical engineering , composite material , physics , engineering , operations research , political science , law
Package integrity is of paramount importance to the medical device industry. As healthcare costs soar and integrity testers become more and more sensitive, concern with the question ‘what hole size allows microbial penetration into device packages?’ is re‐ignited. However, producing a consistent and measurable defect in the microcosm presents challenges. Varying techniques are currently employed to produce these defects. Use of an excimer laser is one of the most precise and accurate techniques, and holes ‘certified’ to be a given size can be purchased at a significant cost. To verify the accuracy and precision of holes drilled with an excimer laser, researchers measured laser‐drilled ‘exit’ and ‘entry’ holes in glycol‐modified polyetheylene terephthalate (PETG) trays using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal microscopy. This data and the certification data provided by the laser driller were analysed using a mixed‐model analysis of variance (ANOVA). Both the effect of measuring technique and hole side (entry vs. exit) were found to be significant. These significant differences have the potential to impact the question that the industry faces with regard to penetration threshold. This suggests that a shift in thinking is needed. Perhaps it would be better if the industry stops thinking about hole size and begins to think in terms of what researchers have referred to as the ‘effective hole’, which is defined as the volume of gas that will flow through a hole of defined size per unit time. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.