ASTM F 1980 - 21 Standard for Accelerated Aging of Sterile Barrier Systems for Medical Devices. All your Questions Answered Here

 

            QRA has 2 state of the art Labs in Singapore equipped to test your     

                   medical devices from all customers WORLDWIDE.

            QRA' s current Clients are from Asia, Australia and United States of 

                                                     America. 

ASTM F1980 - 16 

Standard for Accelerated Aging of Sterile Barrier Systems for Medical Devices

ASTM F1980 is a test standard titled, "Standard Guide for Accelerated Aging of Sterile Barrier Systems for Medical Devices" is a testing procedure that is used to help with the assessment of the sterile integrity of a package and product designed for medical use.

In order to validate a product and package's Sterile Barrier System (SBS) over the intended storage shelf life, accelerated aging is conducted to evaluate a package and product's long term usability and efficacy. ASTM F1980 is a specific accelerated aging test protocol set forth by ASTM International (American Standards for Test and Measurement International)  

It is also advisable to benchmark the product with Shelf Life Test which is to keep the product at the ambient temperature and humidity conditions for the entire duration of the product's useful life.

In summary, 2 different catagories of tests will be carried out simultaneously 

1. Accelerated aging test at 55 C 50% for a 3 year shelf life product for 4. 5 months.

2. The 'control' shelf life test to be kept at the full 3 year or 36 months test.

ASTM F1980-21 replaced F1980-16 in December 2021. What changed?

The revisions'  change recommends that the use of controlled humidity during acceleratedaging be considered, findings documented, and used during testing if warranted

Purpose of ASTM F1980 

To function safely and effectively, medical devices must maintain their sterile integrity throughout their shelf-life. However, over time, the physical properties of the materials may degrade in certain environments and, as a result, may negatively impact the safety and efficacy of the product. Because they endure so many unique environments while being transported,used, and stored, 

Medical devices must undergo shelf life testing in addition to sterile integrity testing. Hence the 2 tests above must be run simultaneously. 

ASTM F1980 specifically evaluates the aging process of a product along with its package and how it impacts sterility and shelf-life. 

Acing tests simulate these conditions by exposing the materials to elevated temperatures for shorter periods of time to represent an equivalent real time shelf life duration. ASTM F1980 testing offers valuable safety and performance insights to manufacturers. 

With a greater understanding of the aging process on a product and its package system as the result of testing, manufacturers can and do make more informed decisions regarding the handling, storing, and use of the product. Additionally, precise aging tests achieved by tight temperature tolerances offer enhanced assurance among regulatory agencies and consumers.

 

QRA Lab 1 at 21 Toh Guan Road East,

04 - 02 Toh Guan Centre

Singapore 608586

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Frequently Asked Questions :

What is the procedure for an accelerated aging test for medical devices?

In accelerated aging tests for medical devices, a material or Sterile Barrier System (SBS) is exposed to elevated temperatures for a condensed amount of time. By exposing the testing materials to more extreme conditions during a shorter time frame, researchers can evaluate how a product will age under normal conditions without waiting for the entire desired duration. Armed with this knowledge, manufacturers can determine shelf life, storage, in-use, and transportation parameters more accurately for their product.

Accelerated aging is a standard practice in the medical device industry for determining shelf life parameters by accelerating the effects of time on a Sterile Barrier System (SBS).

The accelerated aging process is based on the relationship between temperature and reaction rate, in which the reaction rate increases as the temperature rises. The Arrhenius Equation is the basic formula used for an accelerated aging test for medical devices is:

Accelerated Aging Time (AAT)= Desired Real Time (RT) divided by the Accelerated Aging

Factor (AAF)

ln summary

Every 10 C increase in ageing temperature shortens the AAT by half.

Therefore if you have a product whose expected shelf life is 3 years or 36 months, the device is expected to 'age' or experience :

>  for ambient storage 25 C ; keeping the product in a chamber at 35 C, the product is expected to 'age' in 18 months.

>   for ambient storage 25 C ; keeping the product in a chamber at 45 C, the product is expected to 'age' in 9 months.

>   for ambient storage 25 C ; keeping the product in a chamber at 55 C, the product is expected to 'age' in 4.5 months.

NOTES

The calculated AAT is typically rounded up to the nearest whole day.

QRA does not recommend aging packaging materials at temperatures exceeding +65°C. Common Accelerated Aging temperatures (TAA) are +50°C, +55°C, and +60°C.

Ambient temperature (TRT) is typically between +20°C to +30°C. A temperature of +25°C is a more conservative approach.

The aging factor is typically between 1.8 - 2.5 with a value of 2.0 being the most common accepted value.

To perform ASTM F1980 accelerated aging tests for medical devices, the laboratory facility must identify the Q10 value of the testing sample. The Q10 temperature coefficient is a measure of how quickly a material system changes when the temperature is increased by +10 C.

QRA has 2 state of the art Labs in Singapore equipped to test your     

                   medical devices from all customers WORLDWIDE.

        QRA's current Clients are from Asia, Australia and United States of 

                                                     America.

 

                                             QRA Lab 2 at 7 Perahu Road

                                                  Singapore 718 836

What are some of the parameters for ASTM F1980 testing?

ASTM International sets forth specific test parameters to ensure consistent testing across different lab facilities. The basic parameters for ASTM F1980 include the following:

1.    Accelerated Aging Temperature

2.    Humidity (F1980 - 21)

3.   The quantity of product testing samples

After the Accelerated Aging Tests, it is advisable to send your medical products to

a)    Peel Test

b)    Bubble (full immersion) Test

to determine the Confidence and Reliability Levels. QRA can advise you on these matters.

Arrhenius Equation ; What is it ? Why is it Useful ?

Using the Arrhenius Equation, the TRT should accurately reflect the actual product storage and in-use conditions, generally between 20°C and 30°C.

Accelerated aging temperature should be identified prior to testing. This is done by having in-depth knowledge of your materials, product, and packaging. It is not recommended to exceed +65 °C.

The need for controlled humidity during accelerated aging should be identified prior to testing; if materials are subject to moisture degradation, 45% - 55% RH is suggested. This input should be determined with your material providers' assistance.

A Q10 factor needs to be determined, which involves testing materials at various temperatures and defining the differences in reaction rate for a 10° change in temperature. A typical Q10 factor used during testing is 2.

Accelerated aging factor should be specified using the following equation:

AAF = Q10 (TAA-TRT)/10

QRA's sales professionals can walk you through your product ageing test needs. 

What is the best temperature to use for an ASTM F1980 test?

The ASTM F1980 standard suggests using an accelerated aging temperature below 60°C. Aging your product at a greater temperature provides the advantage of a faster simulation of the aging interval, but this comes with risks for particular products and packaging materials. Medical devices are often engineered with delicate materials that may drastically change when exposed to temperatures exceeding +60°C. Finding out if your medical product or device may be adversely affected by long periods of high heat or low humidity is a good place to start when choosing the best accelerated aging temperature.

QRA's experts can help you define the ideal temperature parameters for your products and packaging.

Common Accelerated Aging Temperatures: 50 C, 55 C, 57 C or 60 C

Does the F1980-21 version require using controlled humidity during accelerated aging?

In short, humidity is not a required element of accelerated aging. The recent version suggests that humidity conditions in the aging study be defined before starting aging studies. If RH will not be controlled, the rationale for exclusion should be documented.

What is the best humidity level to use for accelerated aging?

Humidity usage is dependent on the materials used in your product and packaging, how moisture impacts them, and other environmental factors. If humidity during accelerated aging is to be controlled, 

How do you evaluate the ASTM F1980 test, post-aging?

After a testing sample has undergone the accelerated aging process, its physical properties and package integrity will be compared against various aging time points.

This includes as per ASTM F1886, 

1. Peel Testing

2. Bubble Test 

3. Dye Test

My products must comply with the new F1980-21 revision. What do you recommend?

Whether you have a released medical device or a new product in development, QRA sales experts can help. Our recommendations will be based on your company's unique product, expected shelf life and how much you value your brand.

Talk to The Experts. Talk to QRA 

Consultancy is at NO COST.

Quotations are Free and Prompt. Prices are Inxpensive.

Service is World Class. 

Please contact :  Email : mark@qra.com.sg

                            Email : qrasales@qra.com.sg

                           Website : www.qra.com.sg

Facebook and Instagram Marketing 2 Day Course

 I have ended a rather hectic 2 day course in town for the following 

a) Facebook 

b) Instagram 

Marketing organised by a local training agency. The key takeaways from this insightful course is this :

1. Post updates on both FB and Insta often.

2. As many as 2 to 3 times a week for any small updates.

3. Get customers to write good reviews of the business as often as possible

4. Make use of influencers or so called people who write reviews of your product.

I know for the product and services which we are selling, the review of the services and products provided will be very small and niched, so we must try triply hard to get and keep the customers in our chosen fields of

a) biomedical

b) pharmaceutical

c)  testing

d) institutions of higher learning.

To grow internationally, we need to employ the following

a) SEO internationally

b) SEM

We are reaching to the big leagues, but to make it, and stay there, is a really big challenge and  we as a company must be resilient, hardworking and humble.

The story of QRA's rise is the Singapore story. 

No lucky breaks until every single opportunity is maximised.

With the vision in place, the 110% efforts of the staff  put in, everyone pulling together, we can and will be successful.

Luck ? Well it it comes, it is a Bonus.

  

QRA International Vision 2030

 

VISION 2030 

1. TO BE THE LEADING ATHLETIC MANUFACTURER BY 2030 

2. TO BE THE LEADING BIOMEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL TEST LAB8ORATORY IN ASIA BY 2025

3. TO MAKE QRA BRAND AS THE MOST RECOGNISABLE BRAND IN S.E.ASIA BY 2030

The Name Says it All 

Q uality 

R eliability

A ssurance

 

1.We Assure your Products Quality and Reliability ; 

2. We promise to increase the value of your products after testing with our Lab 

Quality :  Something which is well made, using the finest materials and thoughtful design incorporated into it. 

Reliability : Quality which keeps its Value over Time 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - What is it ?

Over the last 10 years, QRA has embarked upon a journey of building, amongst others, hypoxic chambers for 

a) Sports Organizations (Sport Singapore 2016)

b) Universities (University of Canberra Australia UCRISE and National University of Singapore)

c) Hospitals (Aspire Hospital in Doha Qatar).

Now, we are proud to say, we wish to focus on distributing a top brand of Hyperbaric Chambers, details to be sent out later.

What does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy which is offered in Soft Skin Hyperbaric Chambers do ?

Lets start with the theory shall we ?

There are 2 basic theories which are in the realm of physics :

a) Boyle's Law

b) Henry's Law. 

Essentially the application of these 2 laws 2 are these. For a fixed temperature, the higher the pressure, the lower the volume of the gas at constant temperature (Boyle's Law) and Henry's Law states that for a fixed volume, the higher the pressure applied, the more molecules of gas will be in the liquid at equilibrium. 

Henry's Law  

The amount of gas that will dissolve in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas above the liquid.

Breathing oxygen inside the pressure chamber increases the total amount of oxygen delivered to the cells by the bloodstream (Henry’s law). In addition, the increases in pressure result in a decrease in the size of bubbles (Boyle’s Law).

An increase in ambient pressure (and thus partial pressure) results in more gas dissolving into the liquid portion of blood and tissues.

The definition of Henry’s Law (named after William Henry) explains that pressure is necessary for a gas (oxygen) to dissolve effectively in a liquid (blood plasma).

Gas will go from a higher density (lungs) to a lower density (tissues) to achieve equilibrium.

Boyle's Law

Decreasing bubble volume

If the temperature remains constant, the volume of a gas is inversely proportional to the absolute pressure.

Boyle’s Law (named after Robert Boyle) is fundamental to hyperbaric and undersea medicine because it explains the pathophysiology of barotrauma.

Divers can develop bubbles in their bodies during a fast surface ascension or when they stay in the deep too long, a condition called decompression sickness, in which nitrogen dissolved in the blood and tissues by high-pressure forms bubbles as pressure decreases.

Bubbles that have been formed in the body can be reduced in size with hyperbaric chamber pressure. Decreasing bubble size is a primary therapy for decompression sickness.

The effects of Boyle’s law can be felt during chamber pressurization and depressurization. During pressurization, a patient’s ears will feel full, similar to the feeling experienced when traveling in an airplane. The pressure in the ears must be relieved during pressurization using recommended methods.

Studies have shown over the last 3 decades that for mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment, which is providing the atmospheres and O2 levels as such :

a) 1.4 ATA or 1.4 bars 

b) O2 at 24 - 28% 

there are many health benefits to this treatment, if the person can stay in a Hyperbaric chamber for up to 1.5 hours at a stretch. The total amount of these 'treatments' to optimise the results and not cause harm is less than 50 times per year. In short, one 'treatment' per week.

Our body has 25 trillion cells, and with mHBOT treatment, nutrients and O2 can be input at a far higher rate than at normal atmospheric levels.

Increasing the atmospheric pressure while breathing in enriched O2 atmosphere creates an environment where O2 is dissolved more efficiently into the surrounding liquids, such as blood plasma and cerebospinal fluids.

During mHBOT we breathe O2 under higher than normal atmospheric pressures inside a soft hyperbaric chamber (much like a soft cocoon with windows).

There will be many amazing good effects on health or results from treatment using mHBOT. 

Therein is the magic of mHBOT.  (Henry and Boyle Law in action). 

Contact :

Email : mark@qra.com.sg 

             qrasales@qra.com sg

Or look up our website at 

             www.qra.com.sg

for more exciting details !

  

Physical and Mental Pain Management 101

How do the most successful people thrive ? In the most competitive or harshest environments, it is the mental aspect of the game. Listen to good advice, but most importantly listen to your inner self - guidance through iron will and rock hard determination to succeed.

"You run the first 50K with your body and the next 50K with your mind" 

Dean Karnazes 100 K Ultramarthoner Champion 

Our bodies are limitless entities when we treat it right, by feeding / training it with the following 

a) Top Grade Fuel (Healthy Food)

b) Enough Rest

c) Mental Preparation 

d) Regular reviews over time. 

Pain Management - applying all of the below at various points in time. 

Having a thick skin is 90% of the battle won

Having the ability to handle physical and mental pain while still pursuing the top goal is 100% way to succeed. 

Having a small ego or open mind is also 99% of the battle won

Having courage is 99% of the battle won

Having tenacity to bounce back from all manner of setbacks is also 99% 

Having an iron will to win is also 99% of the battle won.

Listening to good and pragmatic advice and acting on the advice is 100% won strategy.