Patent ID: 6050133
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: A61L,G01M

Abstract:
A method for non-destructive testing for a leak in a sealed package having an interior chamber formed of a gas-permeable portion and a non-gas-permeable portion, comprising the steps of:a) forming a temporary barrier having an aperture to the gas-permeable portion to temporarily seal the gas-permeable portion of said package except at said aperture;b) applying a tracer gas through said aperture at said gas-permeable portion, whereby said tracer gas enters into said interior chamber;c) measuring the concentration of tracer gas at the exterior of the sealed package; andd) comparing the concentration of the tracer gas at the exterior of the sealed package under test with data of the concentration of tracer gas at the exterior of previously tested sample packages that are properly sealed, to determine whether the concentration of the tracer gas at the exterior of the package under test exceeds the concentration of the tracer gas at the exterior of previously tested sample packages by a statistically significant amount, thereby testing for a leak in a sealed package having an interior chamber formed of a gas-permeable portion and a non-gas-permeable portion.