[A double inductively coupled low-pressure plasma for sterilization of medical implant materials]
Jörg Hauser1, Helmut Halfmann, Peter Awakowicz
1Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Deutschland. joerg.hauser@rub.de
Abstract:
The potential of plasma treatment in medicine is only slowly gaining acceptance. Inactivation of germs through exposure to UV radiation produced by plasma discharges and sterilization of medical implant devices and instruments is one possible application of this technique. In addition, due to the manifold possibilities of coating through plasma processes, quick sterilization-coating combinations of medical implant devices are possible. To analyze the effectiveness of this sterilization process on different material surfaces, three different alloys (X2CrNiMo18-15-3, Ti6Al7Nb and Ti6Al4V) and one thermoplastic material (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, UHMWPE), commonly used in medical implant devices, were examined in the presented study. After spraying Bacillus atrophaeus spores (10(6) CFU) on the surfaces of four different implant materials tested in this study (X2CrNiMo18-15-3, UHMWPE, Ti6Al7Nb and Ti6Al4V), it was demonstrated in each of four gas mixtures used (Ar, Ar:O2, Ar:H2 and Ar:N2) that due to the application of inductively coupled low-pressure plasma technique, plain medical implant materials can be sterilized rapidly, and can be protective and efficient.
Related Concept Videos
Methods of Sterilization II: Chemical Methods
Using chemical sterilization rather than heat to clean out equipment is recommended. It eradicates and removes all bacteria,...
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...
Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration
Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...


