Nelipak Healthcare Packaging, a full-service global provider of custom thermoformed packaging, has entered into an agreement of intent with OPTEL GROUP, a global provider of vision inspection and traceability systems, to explore commercial opportunities to bring a new seal inspection technology to the medical device market, the companies reported in a news release. They're working on a solution that would allow the quality of a seal to be verified in real-time, controlled environments while detecting contaminants and other anomalies such as creases. The process would take only seconds, minimizing impact on production and OEE figures while also eliminating the risk of human error during visual inspection, it was reported.

“Foreign-body contaminants or poorly sealed vacuum-formed trays can create major setbacks for getting a product to market or cause time-consuming and costly product recalls,” said Michael Butler, senior account director at OPTEL, in the release. “The market stands to benefit significantly from a more precise and consistent method of inspecting and validating seal quality using algorithms preconfigured to a company’s exact specifications.”

“We are solely focused on understanding the specific needs and stringent requirements of the healthcare packaging market in the design and manufacture of rigid trays sealed on Nelipak heat tray sealers and other platforms,” added Seán Egan, director of global marketing at Nelipak. “We’re pleased to apply our deep understanding of sealing processes and challenges to working with OPTEL to bring to market a highly efficient and effective way to ensure seal quality.”

The companies will be exhibiting at MedtecLIVE May 21-23, 2019, in Nuremberg, Germany.

[Image courtesy of OPTEL GROUP]

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