The Science of Helium as a Tracer Gas: Why It Excels in Leak Detection

 

 In industries such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biologics, helium is widely used to detect even the smallest leaks. In the medical field especially, helium plays an essential role in testing packages like foil pouches, vials, blisters, and bottles. But what makes helium such an exceptional tracer gas? Its tiny atomic size, chemical stability, and high detectability help to find leaks that other methods often miss.

In this blog, we’ll explore the science behind helium as a tracer, how it works, and why it has become the gold standard in leak detection.

Why Helium Is the Best Tracer Gas?

Helium gas is not just for balloons; it is also a powerful tool in science and medical industry for packaging on the purpose of leak testing. Here’s why it’s perfect for leak detection:

·       Helium atoms are tiny, so they can move through the smallest openings.

·       It’s non-toxic, non-flammable, and doesn’t react with other materials.

·       There’s very little helium in the air, so when it leaks from a package, it’s easy to measure.

·       It travels quickly through leaks, allowing for quick and accurate testing.

Because of these properties, helium helps find even the smallest leaks that might be impossible to see or detect using older methods.

Why Leak Testing Matters in Pharma and Medical Devices

Pharmaceutical products like vials, prefilled injections, and pouches must stay sterile and stable until they reach the patient. Container Closure Integrity (CCI) testing ensures that packaging is completely sealed.

For example, if a syringe has a tiny gap between the stopper and barrel, air or moisture could get in over time. This might cause the drug to lose its strength or become unsafe. Helium leak testing helps detect these small leaks before the product leaves the factory, keeping patients safe and ensuring product quality.

Helium Leak Testing using SIMS 1915+

At Helium Leak, we use advanced systems like the Seal Integrity Monitoring System (SIMS 1915+) to test packaging with helium. Here’s how it works:

·       The package is filled with helium gas and placed in a vacuum chamber.

·       A sensitive detector measures any helium that escapes.

·       Even the tiniest leak is picked up and measured accurately.

The SIMS 1915+ can find leaks as small as 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ mbar·L/s, which is far more sensitive than traditional tests like the bubble test or dye test. It can also test different kinds of packages like vials, syringes, bottles, foil pouches, and blister packs, and even work at very low temperatures for frozen or cold-stored products.

Conclusion:

Helium leak testing is not just a test process; it is a scientific way of making sure that there are safety, quality and reliability. By applying helium as a tracer gas, the manufacturers will be able to identify even the smallest of the leaks that are often ignored by other methods. This is an advanced technology to help safeguard sensitive pharmaceutical and parenteral products, which are used among patients worldwide. Helium Leak Testing is making a mark with reliable system like the SIMS 1915+, that provides the highest level of accuracy and assurance of packaging integrity.

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