PACKAGING RESOURCE CENTER
Compact Filling and Packaging Line
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A turnkey operation consists of a washing machine, sterilizing tunnel with sterilized cooling zone, a filling and closing machine, fully automatic loading and unloading units, a crimping machine, an isolator, and a vacuum dryer. A transfer port is installed in the top of the isolator to ensure contamination-free transfer of pharmaceutical powder or liquid from the product storage container to the isolator. The product transfers to the auger filler through an internally routed telescopic tube. The dosing system operates with a filling accuracy of ± 3%. Possible vial sizes range from 6R to 20H. The line offers compact design, especially the filling machine, which, including the biflow conveyor, has a length of only 2270 mm. Optima Packaging Group GmbH, Schwäbisch Hall, Germany; +49 791 5060; www.optima-ger.com.
Prefillable-Syringe Manufacturing Facility
A new facility in Neder-Over-Heembeek, near Brussels, Belgium, is a prefilled-syringe filling and finishing operation expressly built for this purpose, doubling the area of a company’s facilities. European regulatory commissions approved this facility in July 2006, and the company expects to have the first FDA-approved product manufactured in 2008. Catalent Pharma Solutions, Somerset, NJ; 732/537-6200; www.catalent.com.
Codispensing Aerosol
A line of products designed specifically to simultaneously codispense two-component aerosolized products has added a new device. The Series E Advanced Codispensing System features Cushioned Tolerance to consistently dispense product accurately regardless of dimensional variations in cans and valve stems. The device accommodates formulas that must be combined in ratios other than 1:1 and can deliver a homogenous stream, a homogenous spray, or side-by-side streams. Its design uses less molded plastic and has ergonomically designed tilt-touch actuation. MixTek Systems LLC, New York City; 212/247-1800; www.mixtek.com.
Safety Pen Needle
A new safety pen needle provides protection against accidental injuries and is designed for disposable use in hospitals and patient care situations. The Penfine Universal Click features a click-on mechanism and fits all preexisting pen systems. The wide range of different cannula lengths and diameters provides each patient with the optimal needle for therapy. Ypsomed Selfcare Solutions, Burgdorf, Switzerland; +41 034 4244111; www.ypsomed.com.
Single-Vent Stopper
A single-vent, 13-mm stopper complements a 20-mm stopper that has been used successfully in lyophilization chambers. This new LyoTec product option enables pharmaceutical manufacturers to select the appropriate stopper and vial-sizing combination ideally suited for each drug compound. The stoppers bring a measure of safety to any lyophilization process by preventing product loss that can lead to unnecessary expense, breach of a sterile environment and, in some cases, a hazardous environmental cleanup. Another benefit of the stoppers is the single-vent, or igloo, configuration. This design can help prevent mechanical twinning, the interlocking of stoppers in filling-line feeding bowls. West Pharmaceutical Services Inc., Lionville, PA; 800/345-9800; www.westpharma.com.
Prefillable Syringes
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A line of prefillable syringes are delivered already siliconized, sterilized, and preassembled, reducing process time for filling operations. Ready to Fill (RTF) glass syringes can also be fitted with safety and security features. The Rigid Needle Shield (RNS), an injection-molded component consisting of two plastic elements, provides needle protection and combines the functions of a tamper-evident syringe closure with a needle adapter. The Tamper-Evident Luerlock Closure (TELC), manufactured in a single multicomponent injection-molding process, also combines tamper evidence and a needle adapter. Gerresheimer AG, Dusseldorf, Germany; +49 211 6181250; www.gerresheimer.com.
