PECVD coating methods for capped syringes, cartridges and other articles

摘要

A method is disclosed in which a vapor-deposited coating or layer is directly or indirectly applied to at least a portion of the internal wall of the barrel of a capped pre-assembly comprising a barrel, optionally a dispensing portion, and a cap. The cap is secured to the barrel and at least substantially isolates the distal opening of the dispensing portion from pressure conditions outside the cap. A vapor-deposited coating or layer is applied directly or indirectly to at least a portion of the internal wall of the barrel while the pre-assembly is capped. The coating or layer is applied under conditions effective to maintain communication from the barrel lumen to the exterior via the front opening, optionally further via the dispensing portion lumen if present, at the end of the applying step. The capped pre-assembly can be pressure tested easily and rapidly, for example with a test duration between 1 and 60 seconds, to determine whether it has container closure integrity.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing a capped pre-assembly comprising:
a barrel comprising an internal wall defining a barrel lumen and a front opening through the internal wall;a dispensing portion comprising a hypodermic needle secured to the barrel, the hypodermic needle comprising a distal opening located outside the barrel and a dispensing portion lumen communicating between the front opening of the barrel and the distal opening of the dispensing portion; anda cap secured to the barrel and at least substantially isolating the front opening from pressure conditions outside the cap, the cap being sufficiently permeable to a sterilizing gas to sterilize the portions of the assembly isolated by the cap; and applying a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) coating or layer directly or indirectly to at least a portion of the internal wall of the barrel, while the pre-assembly is capped and the dispensing portion lumen of the hypodermic needle is communicating between the front opening and the distal opening of the dispensing portion, under conditions effective to maintain communication between the barrel lumen and the exterior via the front opening at the end of the applying step, in which essentially no PECVD coating is formed in the dispensing portion lumen of the hypodermic needle.