Using X-ray Technology to Sterilize Medical Devices

Malinowski, Mariusz

doi:10.34297/ajbsr.2021.12.001755

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…While sterilisation using gamma rays, i.e., the complete elimination of all microorganisms on a surface or in the air, has been used for decades for other materials such as grains (Cornwell, Bull, and Pendlebury 1966), the use of X-rays with high photon energies is a newer technology. In the medical field, sterilisation of medical devices by X-rays with a photon energy of up to 7.5 MeV is already regularly used (Grégoire et al 2003;Malinowski 2021), but for the disinfection of archival materials, it has only been used to a limited extent so far. In contrast to sterilisation, the aim of disinfection is not the complete elimination of all microorganisms, but the reduction of the microbial contamination to a harmless level.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disinfection of Mould-contaminated Archival Material by X-ray Irradiation – New Research Results on the Effect on Moulds and Cellulose

Palmbach

Dobrusskin

Jacot-Guillarmod

et al. 2023

Restaurator. International Journal for the Preservation of Library and Archival Material

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This research project examines the effects of X-rays on cellulose and some moulds frequently found on paper. The aim was to identify applications for X-ray irradiation that can be used as a disinfection method for archival material. The question was if X-rays are suitable as an alternative to gamma radiation and if they are less harmful. For this purpose, the minimum X-ray dose required to reduce the microbial count to a harmless level was determined. The material-altering effect was examined on samples treated with X-rays and gamma radiation. Spectrophotometric measurements showed that there is no noticeable colour change with either type of radiation. The determination of the molecular weight distribution, in turn, showed that the molar mass of the cellulose is considerably reduced with both treatment methods. Using mechanical tests, however, it could be demonstrated that this has no significant influence on the tensile strength. The examination of the oxidation behaviour also showed no significant difference between the differently treated samples. The studies demonstrated that both methods have an almost identical effect on cellulose. Thus, X-ray treatment is primarily a supplement to the known disinfection methods and is particularly suitable for objects that would not withstand treatment with alcohol.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%