OpaqView: new solution for the inspection of opaque products

Aug 18, 2026 | 3 min read

Syntegon’s presentation at the PDA Visual Inspection Forum 2026 in Dublin this year attracted quite a bit of attention and sparked lively discussions. Our expert Jan Sende presented a brand-new approach for the inspection of opaque products.

Key Takeaways
              Syntegon introduced OpaqView, a new technology for inspecting opaque injectables, at the PDA Visual Inspection Forum.
The system uses state-of-the-art cameras, illumination, and software functions to detect particles in products that conventional visual inspection cannot reliably inspect.
The technology is now available on all of Syntegons automated inspection platforms, with prior feasibility testing to confirm product compatibility

            

The PDA Visual Inspection Forum is the place to be for everyone involved in the inspection of pharmaceuticals. This year’s event in Dublin, Ireland, on May 19 and 20 was no exception. Under the motto “Inspect to Protect: Safeguarding Sterile Products Through Visual Inspection”, the forum brought together the global community of visual inspection professionals to shape the future of pharmaceutical product quality.

Many participants took the opportunity to present new research and technological innovations. One of the presentations that attracted significant attention was from our Inspection Expert for Vision & CCIT, Jan Sende. For the first time, he revealed details about OpaqView, Syntegon’s new particle inspection technology for opaque products and answered numerous questions that arose during the subsequent panel discussion.

OpaqView

Our technology to inspect opaque injectables for particles

“I enjoyed the in-depth discussions and the strong interest from the audience – and am sure this is just the beginning of a new chapter in visual inspection.”

Jan Sende, Inspection Expert for Vision & CCIT at Syntegon

e.g. propofol and other lipid emulsions

Enhancing patient safety

Pharmacopeial standards worldwide require injectables to be free from visible particulate matter. However, some difficult-to-inspect products (DIPs), such as dark liquids, milky products, heavy suspensions, and other opaque formulations, can conceal contaminants from visual detection. Traditional manual or automated inspection methods often struggle to identify particulate matter in these products because their lack of transparency prevents clear observation of the contents.

“We have been working on this topic for a while and have tested and evaluated various methods. Therefore, the new OpaqView can rightly be considered a breakthrough in the visual inspection of challenging, opaque products and the enhancement of patient safety,” Jan Sende underlines.

e.g. iron-based, methylene-blue

Easy integration and feasibility tests

OpaqView overcomes visibility barriers with special cameras, advanced illumination techniques, and software functions. The inspection station can be easily integrated into existing automated machines and combined with regular visual inspection stations. The system has already been tested with many different product samples, including actual customer products, and is fully integrated into Syntegon’s vision software. Syntegon has established a fully equipped test laboratory to advance method development and support the evaluation of difficult-to-inspect injectables. Here, further feasibility tests for customer products can be performed at any time.

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Benefits of OpaqView at a glance
              A new, promising approach to inspecting opaque products
Inspection station easy to integrate into existing machines
Inspection of both opaque and non-opaque products on one machine
Non-invasive and non-destructive procedure
Significant enhancement of product quality and patient safety

            

Milky solution, water and dark liquid comparison

Traditional visible-light inspection fails for opaque products – OpaqView making the invisible visible

Regulations require the inspection of injectables for visible particles. Conventional manual and automated inspections using visible light cannot reliably penetrate opaque formulations and therefore fail to detect particles in many products. OpaqView extends reliable visual inspection to products previously beyond the limits of conventional visible‑light methods, setting a new benchmark for inspection performance and product safety. Would you like to find out whether your products are suitable for OpaqView? Contact us to schedule a meeting and have your samples tested.