Chemical Characterization of Leachables in Catheter Device

Extractables or leachables of biomaterials or residues of additives used in the manufacturing process that are potentially released from a medical device may have an adverse effect on a patient. Chemical characterization of leachable chemicals and degradation products in a medical device is an important aspect of its overall biocompatibility assessment process, which helps to ensure that the therapeutical benefits exceed the potential biological risks associated with the use of the device or its components or materials. By evaluating the types and amounts of chemicals that may migrate from a device to a patient during clinical use, potential toxicological risks can be assessed. A semipolar solvent, 40% ethanol in water (v/v), an appropriate surrogate for blood and blood related substances, was used as an extraction medium to mimic the body fluid in contact with a medical device. The extraction was conducted at 37 °C for 24 h for limited exposure medical devices per ISO 10993-12:2021. From gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, leachable chemicals of polylactams, linear polyamides, cyclic polytetramethylene ether (PTME), poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMEG), cyclic and linear poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol adipate (PTMEGA), cyclic and linear poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol adipamide (PTMEGAA) were structurally elucidated. The workflow presented in this study was proven to be a successful approach for rapid extractable and leachable profiling and identification with confidence.