Pierceable Foil Lidding Assures Diagnostic Test Efficacy

A new, pierceable aluminum foil, designed for medical diagnostic applications, can be used as lidding or as part of the diagnostic product. AccuPierce foil, from PAXXUS, provides the puncture and seal functionality — and the chemical resistance — required for these applications.

Today’s diagnostic screening tests often use microfluidic reagent cards for sensitive, accurate, fast testing. The reagents, which are in small wells, are accessed using a probe. The probe must puncture the lidding with consistent force, and the lidding must provide a clean puncture every time.

Chemical resistance is essential for lidding in these applications, because reagents are often aggressive chemicals. A further challenge is the 1- to 2-millimeter sealing surface on reagent wells.

The new lidding pairs aluminum foil with chemical-resistant, high-barrier Exponent sealant, also from PAXXUS. The composite material provides quick, clean puncturing, and relatively low puncture force is required to pierce it.

AccuPierce is resistant to chemicals such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) reagents, organic solvents, ethanol, and isopropanol. The aluminum foil provides an extreme barrier against moisture and oxygen, which the sealant enhances.

Reagent wells are typically made from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC). The lidding can be heat sealed to all these materials, and it can create a hermetic seal to narrow surfaces, assuring the reagent’s purity and performance. The lidding is also compatible with multiple sterilization processes.

PAXXUS will be exhibiting this new product at MD&M West 2021 (co-located with WestPack 2021 in Anaheim, CA; August 10-12), Booth 2515.