AUGUST 20219product. If that happens, it may not deliver the efficacy of sterilization you expect. If it is prevacuum, make sure you are using a packaging material that can withstand a very rapid evacuation process. Acceptable materials for steam sterilization are paper plastic, paper/plastic peel packages; sterilization wraps which can be either woven or unwoven. Foils are not compatible Ethylene oxide gas (ETO)-can sterilize heat or moisture-sensitive medical equipment without deleterious effects on the material used in the medical devices. However, ETO gas is highly flammable, explosive and a toxic/carcinogenic. Cycle times are relatively long, particularly post-sterilization because aeration is required to remove toxic residues remaining after the sterilization process. Ethylene oxide penetrates well through porous materials such as medical grade paper and polyolefin nonwoven materials which have adequate porosity. The packaging used for ETO sterilized medical devices must combine sterile barrier properties and breathability to allow gas penetration and removal. It must also be resistant to vacuum.Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma-sterilization is beneficial for materials and devices that cannot tolerate high temperatures and humidity, such as some plastics, electrical devices, and corrosion-susceptible metal alloys. One disadvantages of gas plasma sterilization is paper, cellulose or linen products cannot be sterilized using hydrogen peroxide because it reacts with the fibers. This weakens them and there is little if any peroxide left to act as a sterilant. Permeable polymer based materials such as non-woven materials of polyolefin must therefore be used.Dry heat sterilization-dry heat is not a common sterilization modality in hospitals. It is frequently used in sterilizing dental instruments, Dry-heat sterilization can be used to sterilize items e.g., powders, petroleum products, oils that can sustain high temperatures. Acceptable sterilization materials are paper bags, aluminum, foil, polyfilm plastic tubing and wrapped perforated trays. Radiation sterilization-is a method used by industry for sterilizing single-use medical devices.Gamma sterilization may be performed on individual boxes, in irradiation containers usually referred to as totes, or on pallets.Shelf Life-the shelf life of a packaged sterile item depends on the quality of the wrapper, conditions during transport, storage conditions, amount of handling, and events that compromise the integrity of the package. Storage practices for wrapped sterilized instruments are event-relate and can be used indefinitely unless the packaging is compromised, torn or wet. Conclusion-the right choice for a medical package depends on an understanding of the effects materials and the sterilization processes have on one another. It is possible to select and validate an appropriate packaging material and compatible sterilization technique. To do so, it is important to select the proper material and sterilization conditions that will provide a sterile and safe product. Whether you select packaging materials based on compatibility with a sterilization method in place or select a sterilization method based on compatibility with packaging materials in place, it is important to understand the effects they have on each other. It is also important to keep pace with changes in sterilization technology, as those could prompt a rethinking of packaging materials. Ruth Plotkin Shumaker
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