The doubt regarding the re-sterilization of articles made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sterilized with gamma radiation (GR) and subsequently with ethylene oxide (EO) persists to date. Through a systematic literature review, this article analyzed studies that demonstrated compatibilities and incompatibilities between the sterilization processes with GR and EO, when used as consecutive sterilizati...

BACKGROUND Allograft safety is contingent on effective sterilization. However, current sterilization methods have been associated with decreased biomechanical strength and higher failure rates of soft-tissue allografts. In this study, electron beam (e-beam) sterilization was explored as an alternative sterilization method to preserve biomechanical integrity. We hypothesized that e-beam steriliz...

A new bio restorable hybrid burn dressing which combines a synthetic porous top layer with a spongy collagen sub layer was developed and studied. The top layer contained the antibiotic drug gentamicin for controlled release to the wound site. Our investigation focused on the effects of gamma-irradiation sterilization (10, 25, 35 and 50 kGy) on the antibacterial efficacy and on the mechanical an...

A wound dressing should ideally provide an optimal healing environment which enables rapid healing. It should maintain a moist environment at the wound surface, allow gas exchange, act as a barrier to microorganisms, remove excess exudates and afford mechanical protection to the wound. A new bioresorbable hybrid wound dressing which combines a poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) porous top layer w...

Silver nanoparticles are commonly used in a variety of commercial and medical products. Here we investigate the effects of standard sterilization methods, including heat/steam (autoclave) and gamma-irradiation on the structural integrity and biocompatibility of citrate-stabilized silver nanoparticles with nominal sizes of 20, 40, 60 and 80 nm. Particle size, shape and in vitro biocompatibility ...

Various local drug delivery devices and coatings are being developed as slow, sustained release mechanism for drugs, yet the polymers are typically not evaluated after commercial sterilization techniques. We examine the effect that commercial sterilization techniques have on the physical, mechanical, and drug delivery properties of polyurethane polymers. Specifically we tested cyclodextrin-hexa...

In a randomized, double-blind trial, gamma radiation-sterilized, chlorhexidine-coated triple-lumen catheters were compared with uncoated control catheters for their ability to prevent catheter infection in 254 intensive care unit patients. The chlorhexidine coating was not efficacious, and a rabbit model demonstrated that reduction of chlorhexidine activity by gamma radiation sterilization was ...

versus ethylene oxide (ETO) sterilization on the mechanical strength of cortical bone grafts. Tibias were collected from cadavers of mature goats. Sixty test specimens were randomized into four groups : fresh (no processing), frozen (freezing at –70°C), gamma-irradiated, and ETO-sterilized specimens. Torsion, three-point bending, and compression testing were separately performed with a material...

Musculoskeletal allografts have been used extensively for a variety of orthopaedic procedures. Allograft does have the potential, however, to transmit a variety of pathogens. Two current sterilization methods widely used in the tissue banking industry are ethylene oxide (ETO) treatment and gamma irradiation. ETO has been shown to adversely affect the biologic incorporation of allograft tissue. ...

Introduction RTI Biologics, Inc. (RTI) currently produces allograft demineralized bone matrix (DBM) paste products that are manufactured under strict aseptic conditions using single donors. All donors are subjected to rigorous screening, prior to processing, to ensure that no transmissible pathogens are present in donor material. In addition, a terminal sterilization procedure has been introduc...