There are quite a number of sterilization methods available for healthcare devices, pharmaceuticals and labware. They include electron beam irradiation, steam, ethylene oxide, sterile filtration, gamma irradiation and vapor phase hydrogen peroxide. It is essential to evaluate each technique before using it. Most importantly, you need to consider how the technique will affect the performance and characteristics of the final product.
One of the popular techniques of medical product irradiation is gamma irradiation. This is an effective and quick method of sterilization. The high energy gamma rays, that is the photons from Cobalt 60 result in ionization events that can cause sterilization, which is the desired effect as well as potential unintentional or undesirable effects like a change in the molecules of the products.
Photons do not have mass or a charge. This enables them to penetrate a material deeply. The penetration ability of the photons makes them suitable for sterilization of even the products that are relatively dense. When the photons penetrate a product, they can cause free radical formation, electron displacement and bond breakage. This mode of action can transform the large biological molecules required to support life like enzymes and DNA. This effectively renders any living organism present in the medical product non-viable and sterile.
The depth of penetration of photons is a great advantage of using gamma irradiation as a sterilization technique. In most cases, healthcare or pharmaceutical products that are in their final package such as shipping cartons can be penetrated easily with gamma irradiation. The advantages of gamma irradiation include:
- The depth of photon penetration makes it possible to sterilize materials of various density levels.
- This procedure does not require the addition of moisture or heat.
- The process is effective for sterilizing pharmaceutical products.
- Gamma irradiation does not produce residues.
- Makes terminal sterilization possible.
- There are simple ways to document high sterility assurance levels like 10-6.
Just like with any other process, you need to consider the potential negative effects of gamma irradiation. Since this process produces ionization events, it can cause undesirable or unintended effects. You, therefore, need to test each product in its final form with irradiation prior to making the final decision to sterilize it. It is also vital to document the tolerance of a material to gamma irradiation and determine its effects.
If you need assistance with irradiating medical products, then you should contact Symec Engineers India Pvt. Ltd. This firm was incepted in 1984 and has been working untiringly to provide the best irradiation services in India. At Symec Engineers, we offer comprehensive services for the pharmaceutical, chemical industries. Our company is recognized as the most reliable name when it comes to medical product irradiation services.
We develop special purpose machinery, process equipment and automated systems for gamma irradiation. We have also constructed a number of gamma irradiation plants in India and other countries. If you want to irradiate pharmaceutical products like surgical blades, syringes, scalpels, gauzes, rubber stoppers, catheters and rubber gloves among others, you will find a suitable machine manufactured by Symec Engineers. We have cost effective machines that are able to release electron beam and gamma ray radiation.
Symec Engineers Ltd is registered and licensed. Our firm is a fully fledged commercial manufacturer of irradiation equipment. Gamma irradiation ensures medical safety and accounts for the recycling of used pharmaceutical products. This helps safeguard the environment in the long run. You can learn more about our services and products by contacting our customer service department.