Overview Of Sterilization Technology Comparison
# 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

Related TechTips