Open AccessEffect of Ethylene Oxide and Gamma (γ-) Sterilization on the Properties of a PLCL Polymer Material in Balloon Implants
Author(s) -
Moran Haim Zada,
Awanish Kumar,
Omar Elmalak,
Guy Mechrez,
Abraham J. Domb
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
acs omega
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.779
H-Index - 40
ISSN - 2470-1343
DOI - 10.1021/acsomega.9b02889
Subject(s) - crystallinity , ethylene oxide , polymer , dispersity , sterilization (economics) , materials science , biodegradable polymer , polylactic acid , caprolactone , chemical engineering , oxide , polymer chemistry , composite material , copolymer , metallurgy , economics , foreign exchange , monetary economics , foreign exchange market , engineering
Poly-l-lactide- co -ε-caprolactone (PLCL) is a unique polymer containing both polylactic acid and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) chain units, and thus it has better flexible and biodegradable properties. Based on these unique properties of PLCL, we have developed balloons that are now widely used in treating major medical problems [ Biomaterials 2016, 105, 109-116]. One of the most important considerations needed for balloons is to ensure that the material properties remain similar after undergoing ethylene oxide (EtO) or gamma (γ-) sterilization treatments. From the biotechnological point of view, we focused on analyzing the vital molecular properties of the PLCL material after sterilization, such as changes in crystallinity, molecular weight distributions ( M w , M n , and polydispersity index), and inherent viscosity (η). Analysis of the data reveals that EtO sterilization does not engender any change in crystallinity, melting temperature ( T m ), molecular weights, and η of the polymer. On the contrary, γ-radiations induce chain scission and consequential decrease of ∼33 and ∼15% in molecular weights and η values, respectively. Based on our observations, we recommend EtO sterilization instead of γ-radiation for PLCL. This ensures prolonged stability of the polymer against degradation in a biological environment, long-shelf life, and absolute assurance that balloon failures do not occur after implantation.