Medical Product Performance Alterations During and after Radiation Sterilization Monitored Through Thermal Techniques

摘要

Sterilization of medical products with ionizing radiation has become increasingly popular during to recent technology advances and other market and environmental factors. However, the radiation dose which disrupts DNA sequences in bioburdens can also damage and alter polymer properties in substantial ways. We have reported earlier on using oxidative induction time (OIT) by DSC to monitor antioxidant depletion during and after irradiation. In addition, contrary to degradations cited above, there are also property enhancements we have noted through irradiation. In this presentation, both property degradation and enhancement examples will be illustrated with actual examples.