Medical Device Link.

Originally Published EMDM November/December 2004

Industry News

Research into photocatalytic technology indicates that it might have promise for use in the sterilization or decontamination of medical devices. Tony Byrne, a professor at the University of Ulster (Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, UK), told attendees at September’s MEDTEC Ireland conference in Galway that applying titanium oxide nanoparticles to devices eliminates organic pollutants. This includes proteins that sometimes remain on reused devices after reprocessing, he said.

Photocatalysis is the use of a catalyst to accelerate a photochemical process. Adding light and the catalyst to an organic material and oxygen produces water and carbon dioxide.

There are a number of photocatalysts, but titanium oxide has so far proven to be the best for practical use, Byrne said. It is insoluble at the pH levels encountered in the process, photostable, photoactive, inexpensive, and readily available. It also has the proper band gap and has been shown to degrade a wide range of organic materials.

Most applications research has focused on water and air purification. But a self-cleaning glass product has just been commercialized, and scientists are looking for other ways to apply the technology, Byrne said. He noted that the primary reason he came to MEDTEC was to assess the device industry’s interest in pursuing commercial applications.

He said titanium oxide could be a fit for devices because it is nontoxic, resists corrosion, and can kill a wide range of microorganisms. It does not require other chemicals to be added in order for the process to begin; only ultraviolet light is needed. The process can occur at ambient temperature and pressure. It can be switched on or off. And, he said, the process should be compatible with existing decontamination and disinfection regimes. Currently the University of Ulster has two research projects involving photocatalysts and medical devices.

“The first project indicates that we might be able to make smart catheter materials that can serve as an early warning system to detect microbial contamination,” Byrne said. “Presumably, we then could make smart implants that could be prevented from causing infection. The second project could lead to the manufacturing of a self-cleaning instrument. This could be a potential technology for the sterilization or decontamination of medical devices.”

For more information, contact Tony Byrne at the Photocatalysis Research Group, Nanotechnology Research Institute, University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Northern Ireland BT37 0QB, UK; phone: +44 28 90368941; fax +44 28 90366863.

Copyright ©2004 European Medical Device Manufacturer