Effect of Ethylene Oxide and Gamma (γ-) Sterilization on the Properties of a PLCL Polymer Material in Balloon Implants

Moran Haim Zada, Awanish Kumar, Omar Elmalak, Guy Mechrez, Abraham J. Domb

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

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 (Mw, Mn, and polydispersity index), and inherent viscosity (η). Analysis of the data reveals that EtO sterilization does not engender any change in crystallinity, melting temperature (Tm), 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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)21319-21326
Number of pages8
JournalACS Omega
Volume4
Issue number25
DOIs
StatePublished - 17 Dec 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2019 American Chemical Society.

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