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Research Projects
New Gamma-Irradiation Sterilization of Biodegradable Biomaterials


The objective of this project is to develop a suitable gamma irradiation-based sterilization method so that biodegradable biomaterials could be sterilized without the adverse side effect (i.e., premature loss of mechanical property) that always associates with conventional Co-60 gamma irradiation sterilization.

All existing synthetic biodegradable biomaterials are sterilized by ethylene oxide gas. It is known that ethylene oxide is a class one carcinogen and may impose serious health hazard to workers in addition to its tedious and time consuming process. It would be ideal in terms of cost and convenience that if the existing gamma-irradiation facility could be used to sterilize surgical implants/medical devices made of biodegradable biomaterials without any adverse effect on the biomaterials. We have developed such a sterilization method based on existing Co-60 gamma facilities. This project led to one US Patent.





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