Effect of Sterilization Methods on Electrospun Scaffolds Produced from Blend of Polyurethane with Gelatin

Abstract

Fibrous polyurethane-based scaffolds have proven to be promising materials for the tissue engineering of implanted medical devices. Sterilization of such materials and medical devices is an absolutely essential step toward their medical application. In the presented work, we studied the effects of two sterilization methods (ethylene oxide treatment and electron beam irradiation) on the fibrous scaffolds produced from a polyurethane-gelatin blend. Scaffold structure and properties were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), a stress-loading test, and a cell viability test with human fibroblasts. Treatment of fibrous polyurethane-based materials with ethylene oxide caused significant changes in their structure (formation of glued-like structures, increase in fiber diameter, and decrease in pore size) and mechanical properties (20% growth of the tensile strength, 30% decline of the maximal elongation). All sterilization procedures did not induce any cytotoxic effects or impede the biocompatibility of scaffolds. The obtained data determined electron beam irradiation to be a recommended sterilization method for electrospun medical devices made from polyurethane-gelatin blends.

3D Printing Applications for Craniomaxillofacial Reconstruction: A Sweeping Review

“…Due to its high melting point and Young’s modulus, a 3DMD made from titanium is sterilizable by irradiation or autoclaving without risk of deformation . Similarly, PEEK 3DMD can be sterilized by autoclave without significant changes to its dimensional accuracy. ,, By contrast, PMMA devices should not be sterilized by autoclave as conflicting data exists regarding structural compromise. , The remaining thermoplastic materials, PLA, PGA, PLGA, PE and PCL, are not survivable by autoclave, dry heat, or EO sterilization without altering their final structure or mechanical properties. , H 2 O 2 plasma vapor sterilization, ethanol, and electron beam irradiation have been found to be the safest sterilization techniques for PGA/PLGA and polycaprolactone. , Steam sterilization by autoclave (121 °C for 40 min) has been found to alter the physiochemical properties and pH of porous bioceramics with a concern that this would affect their osteoinductivity/osteoconductivity in vivo …”

“…107,168 The remaining thermoplastic materials, PLA, PGA, PLGA, PE and PCL, are not survivable by autoclave, dry heat, or EO sterilization without altering their final structure or mechanical properties. 169,170 H 2 O 2 plasma vapor sterilization, ethanol, and electron beam irradiation have been found to be the safest sterilization techniques for PGA/PLGA and polycaprolactone. 169,171 Steam sterilization by autoclave (121 °C for 40 min) has been found to alter the physiochemical properties and pH of porous bioceramics with a concern that this would affect their osteoinductivity/osteoconductivity in vivo.…”

Electrospun Scaffolds Enriched with Nanoparticle-Associated DNA: General Properties, DNA Release and Cell Transfection

“…Cell adhesion on different scaffolds was studied using SEM. Samples with HEK293T were prepared for SEM analysis, as previously described [47]. Briefly, after 2 days of cultivation, the matrices were washed twice with PBS, fixed with 2% formaldehyde in a physiological saline solution for 30 min, and rinsed with PBS.…”

The Impacts of the Sterilization Method and the Electrospinning Conditions of Nanofibrous Biodegradable Layers on Their Degradation and Hemocompatibility Behavior

“…Taking into account the chemical compositions of the materials employed in this study and based on previous results presented in the literature [ 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], we selected the low-temperature ethylene oxide (EO) and gamma irradiation (GAMMA) sterilization methods. EO (chemical) sterilization is particularly effective at low temperatures; however, this method entails the risk of chemical modification of the polymer, which could lead to changes in the mechanical properties, degradation behavior, and biocompatibility [ 26 , 27 , 29 ]. Although ionizing gamma irradiation sterilization is a very effective sterilization method (including for SARS-CoV-2 [ 30 ]), changes in the covalent structure of the polymer (the crosslinking of macromolecules and the cleavage of bonds) may lead to changes in the resulting properties of the polymer [ 24 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”