研究開発領域

Research and Development  New Medical Equipments made by Biodegradable Resins

While biodegradable polymers including Poly-L-lactide attract attention as environment-friendly materials, they have problems with strength and heat resistance. BMG succeeded in establishing a new technique that enables radiation sterilization to biodegradable polymers and increases of dynamic strength, heat resistance and durability. Using the new technique, BMG now is endeavoring to develop biodegradable resins for new medical applications.

Abstract of technology

In general, sterilization method such as high pressure steam sterilization, EOG (ethylene oxide gas) sterilization and radiation sterilization is widely used as a way of sterilization for biomaterial. High pressure steam sterilization utilizes relatively easy-to-operate autoclave, which is functioned under the condition of 121℃(at saturated vapor pressure of 1.0kg/cm²G) for 20 minutes. So it is for high temperature resistant material such as metal and ceramic and not for organic polymeric materials.
Radiation sterilization is said to be available for cross-linked polymer such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polystyrene and synthetic rubber, but polymer chain in other polymers such as polymethacrylic acid, Teflon, polyisobutylene, collagen, cellulose and polylactic acid is damaged by radiation exposure causing the degradation of molecular weight and mechanical strength. So for those polymers EOG sterilization is used.
Although EOG sterilization is the most advantageous to avoid the degradation of material, EOG could remain in the medical device after sterilization and could present unwelcome influence to the body. It is prone to be not adopted.
In order to address the above situation, BMG has discovered that the addition of triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) to bio-absorbable polymer can enhance the cross-linking effectively and reduce the remaining free radical, resulting to radiation-resistant bio-absorbable polymer.
This technology makes it possible to apply radiation sterilization to polymer for medical use including bio-absorbable polymer. It can also be applied to general industrial polymer such as food packaging sheet.