Ethylene Oxide | Gamma | E-beam | X-ray | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Methodology | Penetration of sterilant gas into packaged product | Irradiation of product using photons from radioisotope | Product sterilized using ionizing energy from electron beam | Products sterilized using ionizing energy from Rhodotron electron beam |
Efficacy | Process efficacy confirmed by biological indicators and/or process monitoring | Process parameters confirmed by dosimetry | Process parameters confirmed by dosimetry | Process parameters confirmed by dosimetry |
Penetration | Requires gas permeable packaging and product design | Good penetration complete even at high densities (> 0.4 gm/cc) | Efficient penetration at bulk densities between 0.05 – 0.30 gm/cc | Excellent penetration for all product types |
Material Compatibility | Very few material compatibility concerns Liquids are generally not recommended | Compatible with most materials; plastics need to be evaluated
Avoid acetals, PTFE (teflon), unstable polypropylene Additives are available to correct issues. |
Negative effects are frequently less pronounced or eliminated | Similar to gamma, however negative effects are frequently less pronounced or eliminated |
Turnaround Time | Days: Conventional = 9-10 days. EOExpress® = one day | Hours: time varies based on dose requirements | Minutes: time varies based on dose requirements | Hours: time varies based on dose requirements |
Process | Complex process: Variables include exposure time, temperature, humidity and EO concentration
Non-process variables impacting lethality include load density, packaging, and winter shipping conditions. |
Simple process: Variables include time in the cell and isotope load | Complex process: Variables include scan height, processing speed, number of passes, and orientation to the beam | Moderately complex process: Variables include processing speed, number of passes and number of pallets on conveyor |
Product Handling | Traditional processing: pallets are transferred between stages via fork truck or conveyor system
EOExpress® processing: entire process takes place in the sterilization chamber |
Aluminum totes/pallets with product placed in pre-determined loading pattern | Aluminum carriers with product placed in pre-determined loading pattern, or boxes placed directly onto conveyor | Products processed via pallets, in pre-determined loading pattern |
Details | Ethylene Oxide Services Page | Gamma Irradiation Page | E-beam Services Page | X-ray Services Page |