Professional ethylene oxide (ETO) sterilization services for medical devices. Commonly used low-temperature sterilization process suitable for heat and moisture-sensitive materials.
Ethylene Oxide (EO) is a low temperature gas that can penetrate thin films and breathable materials in order to sterilize effectively.
EO is an alkylating agent and alters the amino acids that make up a microorganism's proteins, DNA and RNA.
EO is most useful when a product cannot be exposed to heat, humidity, or radiation and thus is useful for a wide variety of medical devices that aren't enabled through other processes. For most types of thin films and breathable packaging EO will penetrate through and sterilize effectively.
Provides a low-temperature processing environment that is gentle on adhesives, bonding agents and materials of construction.
Useful for long cannulated polymeric constructed devices
Able to sterilize heat or moisture-sensitive products
Least potential for product material degradation and widest material compatibility
Lengthy cycle, aeration and post-processing duration
Materials with high absorption rates such as silicone may exhibit high levels of "residuals" that can pose cytotoxicity challenges.
Potential for hazardous exposure to patients and staff
Processing Environment risks include flammability and explosive potential