Originally Published EMDM November/December
2004
Industry News
Photocatalysts Could Keep Devices CleanerErik Swain
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
