| # | Ethylene Oxide | Gamma | Electron 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 | 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 |
| 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 predetermined loading pattern |
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