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Effects of different sterilization processes on the properties of a novel 3D‐printed polycaprolactone stent
Author(s) -
Guerra Antonio J.,
Cano Paula,
Rabionet Marc,
Puig Teresa,
Ciurana Joaquim
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.4344
Subject(s) - sterilization (economics) , polycaprolactone , materials science , crystallinity , differential scanning calorimetry , thermogravimetric analysis , scanning electron microscope , biomedical engineering , chemical engineering , composite material , polymer , medicine , physics , foreign exchange , monetary economics , economics , foreign exchange market , thermodynamics , engineering
Bioresorbable stents (BRS) offer the potential to improve long‐term patency rates by providing support just long enough for the artery to heal itself. While manufacturing methods to produce BRS using the appropriate architecture, material and mechanical studies, etc., have received much attention, the effects subsequent sterilization methods have on BRS properties are overlooked. Sterilization process can change a device's properties. This work presents the effects ethanol, ultraviolet light (UV), and antibiotic sterilization processes at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 hours have on a novel 3D‐printed polycaprolactone stent. The stents were analysed using sterility tests, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, mass spectrometry, for molecular weight, and degradation tests. Results have shown ethanol to be an effective sterilization treatment as it barely affected the material's properties. On the other hand, UV had a considerable influence (mainly produced by the photodegradation of UV irradiation) on crystallinity and molecular weight. Lastly, while antibiotic sterilization did not affect crystallinity to the same degree, it did substantially reduce the molecular weight of the samples. Ethanol results in being the best sterilization method for the high material requirements that medical devices such as stents have.