The Effects of Sterilization on the Mechanical Properties of Polysolfune
Class
Article
Department
Biological and Irrigation Engineering
Faculty Mentor
David Britt
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
Due to the large cost and waste production of single-use medical devices, reusable multiple use medical devices (MUD) are becoming more widely utilized. Although MUDs provide many benefits, sterilization must be performed in between uses of many of these devices. Sterilization can affect various aspects of the constituent materials of MUDs, even leading to degradation of polymers. In this study, the effects of bleaching and steam sterilization on the mechanical properties of the polymer, polysulfone, were examined. Polysulfone is a common polymer used in dialysis tubes as ultrafiltration membranes. An 8.4 percent and a 26.6 percent reduction in peak tensile load was observed in steam sterilized and bleach sterilized samples, respectively, as compared to non-treated samples.
Start Date
4-9-2015 4:00 PM
The Effects of Sterilization on the Mechanical Properties of Polysolfune
Due to the large cost and waste production of single-use medical devices, reusable multiple use medical devices (MUD) are becoming more widely utilized. Although MUDs provide many benefits, sterilization must be performed in between uses of many of these devices. Sterilization can affect various aspects of the constituent materials of MUDs, even leading to degradation of polymers. In this study, the effects of bleaching and steam sterilization on the mechanical properties of the polymer, polysulfone, were examined. Polysulfone is a common polymer used in dialysis tubes as ultrafiltration membranes. An 8.4 percent and a 26.6 percent reduction in peak tensile load was observed in steam sterilized and bleach sterilized samples, respectively, as compared to non-treated samples.