Medical device package vacuum sealer and burst tester

Abstract

One example embodiment includes a system for sealing and burst testing a medical device package. The system includes a nozzle, where the nozzle is configured to be inserted into a medical device package. The system also includes an air pump, where the air pump is configured to remove air from the medical device package through the nozzle and insert air into the medical device package through the nozzle for burst testing. The system further includes a sealer, where the sealer is configured to seal the medical device package.

1 . A system for sealing and burst testing a medical device package, the system comprising:
 a nozzle, wherein the nozzle is configured to be inserted into a medical device package;   an air pump, wherein the air pump is configured to:
 remove air from the medical device package through the nozzle; and 
 insert air into the medical device package through the nozzle for burst testing; and 
   a sealer, wherein the sealer is configured to seal the medical device package.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the air pressure within the medical device package. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor instructs the sealer to seal the medical device package when the air pressure goes below a threshold pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure the air pressure at which the medical device package bursts. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is configured to be retracted from the medical device package prior to the sealer sealing at least a portion of the medical device package. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air pump is further configured to reverse the direction of air flow. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air pump is configured to insert air into the medical device package until the medical device package bursts. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealer is configured to melt at least a portion of the medical device package. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an insertion device, wherein the insertion device is configured to insert the nozzle into the unsealed medical device package. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the insertion device is configured to insert the nozzle into the sealed medical device package. 
     
     
         11 . A system for sealing and burst testing a medical device package, the system comprising:
 a nozzle, wherein the nozzle is configured to be inserted into a medical device package,   an air pump, wherein the air pump is configured to:
 remove air from the medical device package through the nozzle; and 
 insert air into the medical device package through the nozzle; 
   a sealer, wherein the sealer is configured to seal the medical device package; and   a logic device, wherein the logic device is configured to control the operation to of the air pump and the sealer.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the logic device includes a processor. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the logic device instructs the air pump to remove air from the medical device package during a sealing operation. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the air pump continues to remove air from the medical device package until the air pressure drops below a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the logic device is configured to notify an operator if the air pressure fails to drop below the predetermined threshold after a certain period of time. 
     
     
         16 . A system for sealing and burst testing a medical device package, the system comprising:
 a system housing;   a sealer supported by the system housing, the sealer forming a seal on a medical device package by localized heating to a temperature that melts at least a portion of the medical device package;   a nozzle supported by the system housing, wherein the nozzle is configured to be inserted into the medical device package,   an air pump supported by the system housing, wherein the air pump is configured to:
 remove air from the medical device package through the nozzle; and 
 insert air into the medical device package through the nozzle; and 
   a logic device supported by the system housing and coordinating with both the sealer and the air pump;   wherein, during a sealing operation, the logic device instructs the air pump to remove air from the medical device package;   wherein, during a burst testing operation, the logic device instructs the air pump to reverse air flow and insert air into the medical device package;   wherein the logic device measures the maximum air pressure which is attained within the medical device package during the burst testing operation; and   wherein the logic device compares the maximum air pressure to a predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the logic device stops operation and notifies an operator if the maximum air pressure is below the predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the logic device is configured to perform a burst testing operation after the system has performed a predetermined number of sealing operations without a burst testing operation. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising a memory, wherein the memory is configured to record the results of prior burst testing operations. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising an output port, wherein the output port is configured to transmit the result of the comparison by the logic device of the maximum air pressure to the predetermined threshold.