Photonic BioSystems, Inc.(http://www.photonicsystems.com) has developed new technology for measuring oxygen non-invasively inside sealed packages for the food, beverage, medical, pharmaceutical and electronics industries. Using remote optical interrogation, it eliminates destructive package testing and enables non-contact, rapid, real-time O2 measurements with highly specific responsiveness. This innovative approach makes “smart packages” by incorporating a small amount of an oxygen-sensitive luminescent dye inside the package film itself. The technology is extremely diverse, capable of measuring O2 either in the gas phase environment of a dry package, in the headspace of a liquid package or of dissolved-oxygen in fluids and beverages. This enables significant application for flexible film packages, rigid containers, bottles, vials, caps and other sealed vessels. The technology also allows for photostable, reversible response measurements that meet food safety laws while maintaining a low cost and large measurement range. These features create several benefits for both packagers and customers, including:
| Packager Benefits: | Customer Benefits: |
| • Enablement of 100% QC/QA up to point of sale | • Greater confidence in their supplier(s) |
| • More efficient and lower plant operating costs | • Reduced losses from dealing with inferior or unusable product |
| • Earlier identification of packaging equipment malfunction | • Shelf-life studies |
| • Reduced losses from out-of-spec packaging | • Reduced risk of compromised brand image from flawed product entering the market |
| • Higher customer loyalty | • Lower liabilities for resellers to end consumers |
| • Reduced risk of compromised brand image from flawed product entering the market | • Protection from bioterrorist attempts, adulteration, tampering |
| • Lower liability risk | • Opportunity for premium pricing commensurate with higher quality/safety |
| • Protection from bioterrorist attempts, adulteration, tampering | • Prevention of counterfeit product entering the market |
| • Opportunity for premium pricing commensurate with higher quality/safety | |
| • Elimination of product loss due to sacrificial sampling of goods for test purposes |
Through the patented process, O2-sensing polymer films can be made from nearly any grade of packaging plastic designed for food, medical or electronics packaging. The potential of this technology can be consider a game-changer for the packaging industry. Photonic BioSystems is currently seeking license candidates and welcomes all interested parties to contact them directly to discuss this opportunity and/or submit proposals.
