Publication Date:
2014-06-07
Description:
Collagen is increasingly used as material for medical devices because of its excellent biocompatibility. To achieve long-term durability, the collagen materials are dried and subsequently sterilized. Most common sterilization methods are unsuitable as they cause denaturation. Currently, only ethylenoxide or γ irradiation preserves the microscopic and macroscopic collagen structure. However, both methods require high safety standards and include the risk of uncontrolled crosslinking or cleavage of protein chains. Here, supercritical carbon dioxide is used for the sterilization of different collagen devices. Thereby, the influence of pressure, temperature, sterilization aid and dosage, and different operation modes is determined. The method is a promising alternative to existing sterilization techniques. Due to its favorable properties, collagen is increasingly used in medical devices. Nowadays, the necessary sterilization of this sensitive material may be conducted only by ethylenoxide and γ irradiation. To overcome the drawbacks connected to those methods, a new sterilization procedure using supercritical CO 2 and the addition of small amounts of sterilization aid is successfully tested.
Print ISSN:
0930-7516
Electronic ISSN:
1521-4125
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
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