Application of a dense gas technique for sterilizing soft biomaterials

Sterilization of soft biomaterials such as hydrogels is challenging because existing methods such as gamma irradiation, steam sterilization, or ethylene oxide sterilization, while effective at achieving high sterility assurance levels (SAL), may compromise their physicochemical properties and biocom...

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Main Authors: Karajanagi, S., Yoganathan, R., Mammucari, R., Park, H., Cox, J., Zeitels, S., Langer, R., Foster, Neil
Format: Journal Article
Published: John Wiley & Sons 2011
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/55618
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author Karajanagi, S.
Yoganathan, R.
Mammucari, R.
Park, H.
Cox, J.
Zeitels, S.
Langer, R.
Foster, Neil
author_facet Karajanagi, S.
Yoganathan, R.
Mammucari, R.
Park, H.
Cox, J.
Zeitels, S.
Langer, R.
Foster, Neil
author_sort Karajanagi, S.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Sterilization of soft biomaterials such as hydrogels is challenging because existing methods such as gamma irradiation, steam sterilization, or ethylene oxide sterilization, while effective at achieving high sterility assurance levels (SAL), may compromise their physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. New methods that effectively sterilize soft biomaterials without compromising their properties are therefore required. In this report, a dense-carbon dioxide (CO 2 )-based technique was used to sterilize soft polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogels while retaining their structure and physicochemical properties. Conventional sterilization methods such as gamma irradiation and steam sterilization severely compromised the structure of the hydrogels. PEG hydrogels with high water content and low elastic shear modulus (a measure of stiffness) were deliberately inoculated with bacteria and spores and then subjected to dense CO 2 . The dense CO 2 -based methods effectively sterilized the hydrogels achieving a SAL of 10 -7 without compromising the viscoelastic properties, pH, water-content, and structure of the gels. Furthermore, dense CO 2 -treated gels were biocompatible and non-toxic when implanted subcutaneously in ferrets. The application of novel dense CO 2 -based methods to sterilize soft biomaterials has implications in developing safe sterilization methods for soft biomedical implants such as dermal fillers and viscosupplements. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-556182018-03-29T09:09:36Z Application of a dense gas technique for sterilizing soft biomaterials Karajanagi, S. Yoganathan, R. Mammucari, R. Park, H. Cox, J. Zeitels, S. Langer, R. Foster, Neil Sterilization of soft biomaterials such as hydrogels is challenging because existing methods such as gamma irradiation, steam sterilization, or ethylene oxide sterilization, while effective at achieving high sterility assurance levels (SAL), may compromise their physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. New methods that effectively sterilize soft biomaterials without compromising their properties are therefore required. In this report, a dense-carbon dioxide (CO 2 )-based technique was used to sterilize soft polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogels while retaining their structure and physicochemical properties. Conventional sterilization methods such as gamma irradiation and steam sterilization severely compromised the structure of the hydrogels. PEG hydrogels with high water content and low elastic shear modulus (a measure of stiffness) were deliberately inoculated with bacteria and spores and then subjected to dense CO 2 . The dense CO 2 -based methods effectively sterilized the hydrogels achieving a SAL of 10 -7 without compromising the viscoelastic properties, pH, water-content, and structure of the gels. Furthermore, dense CO 2 -treated gels were biocompatible and non-toxic when implanted subcutaneously in ferrets. The application of novel dense CO 2 -based methods to sterilize soft biomaterials has implications in developing safe sterilization methods for soft biomedical implants such as dermal fillers and viscosupplements. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 2011 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/55618 10.1002/bit.23105 John Wiley & Sons restricted
spellingShingle Karajanagi, S.
Yoganathan, R.
Mammucari, R.
Park, H.
Cox, J.
Zeitels, S.
Langer, R.
Foster, Neil
Application of a dense gas technique for sterilizing soft biomaterials
title Application of a dense gas technique for sterilizing soft biomaterials
title_full Application of a dense gas technique for sterilizing soft biomaterials
title_fullStr Application of a dense gas technique for sterilizing soft biomaterials
title_full_unstemmed Application of a dense gas technique for sterilizing soft biomaterials
title_short Application of a dense gas technique for sterilizing soft biomaterials
title_sort application of a dense gas technique for sterilizing soft biomaterials
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/55618