Papers by Keyword: Sterilization

Abstract: Sterilization is a crucial process in healthcare. The environment in which it is performed plays a critical role and any change in temperature and humidity of the environment can compromise the process. In addition, the water quality is also fundamental since its contamination and hardness can cause high impact damage to surgical material and medical equipment. It is difficult for public hospitals in Honduras to control these processes, environments, and water, possibly due to factors such as limited budgets or lack of knowledge of international guidelines. It is proposed to develop a monitoring system capable of measuring environmental and water quality parameters through the implementation of IoT for sterilization units. A vast literature review and the support provided by experts in the field allowed to establish the success criteria for the development of the prototype. The V methodology was used for the mechatronic design to obtain a complete product. By means of experimentation and finally field tests were carried out to determine the components that would integrate the system and the validation of their measurements. A monitoring system was developed to measure relative humidity, temperature, dust particles and total dissolved solids in the water. These measurements were displayed on a web based Ubidots dashboard for data visualization, storage, and export. Once the measurements were obtained, a comparison with international standards was carried out to demonstrate the importance of environmental monitoring in this area.

Abstract: This study aims to assess the morphological, thermal, chemical structure and mechanical properties of the gamma-irradiated and conventional (unirradiated) test specimens that were 3D printed using a methacrylate-based photo-curable resin and a stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer. The irradiated test specimens were exposed to 50 kGy gamma-ray dose. The morphological, thermal, chemical structure and mechanical properties of the irradiated and unirradiated test specimens were characterized using the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) and Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Results showed that irradiated test specimens exhibited lower surface roughness compared to the unirradiated specimens. Gamma-irradiated specimens also showed improved tensile strength and modulus of elasticity by 12.2% and 12.4 %, respectively. FTIR, DSC and TGA results showed no significant changes in the chemical structure and thermal properties of the 3D printed methacrylate-based resin after subjecting to gamma irradiation.

Abstract: In this article presents evidence about performance of mechanical properties of polycarbonate and nylon materials, which are used in the additive manufacturing by deposition of molten material and that have been subjected to sterilization processes by moist heat at 121°C and dry heat at 140°C. This study provides useful information to consider the use of these materials in sanitary and sterile settings. Mechanical tests of tensile, flex, hardness, Izod impact, thermal tests in Differential Scanning Calorimetry DSC, Thermomechanical analysis TMA and Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM were performed. It is concluded that the mechanical and thermal properties have not been altered through the effect of temperature in sterilization processes.

Abstract: The influence of means and modes of sanitary-hygienic treatments on the surface condition of medical rubber stoppers based on butyl and halobutyl rubbers used for sealing injection and infusion drugs was investigated using the method of determining the contact wetting angle on a DCAT 21 tensiometer. It has been established that the methods used for sanitary-hygienic processing have a destructive effect on the state of the surface, accompanied by a decrease in the edge angle of wetting (an increase in the hydrophilicity of the surface of the stoppers), which significantly increases the possibility of interaction with the dissolved pharmaceutical substances of drugs.

Abstract: This research studies on the effects of microwave heating of oil palm fruits for the sterilization. The conventional uses steam heating for sterilization of oil palm fruit brunches. The sterilization is requires as a pretreatment to deactivate enzymes that increase the free fatty acid content (FFA) before oil extraction. The conventional treatment of sterilization produces the large amount of waste water from the palm oil mill process. So, microwave heating is used in this research for solving this problem and improving of crude palm oil quality. In experiment, the oil palm fruits were heated for 1-5 min after that oil was extracted by solvent extraction. Oil content (OC), Moisture content (MC), Deterioration Of Bleachability Index (DOBI), carotene content (CC) and FFA were investigated. The optimum condition was 850W for 2 min of heating time. The chemical properties were 84.14% of OC, 8.49% of MC in mesocarp, 2.36 of DOBI, 882.55 ppm of CC and 3.40% of FFA. Fronm the results of chemical properties indicated that microwave heating is good technique for sterilization of palm oil fruits when compared with steam treatment.

Abstract: Sterilization is a procedure which promotes complete destruction or elimination of all forms of microorganisms. It is a fundamental stage in the processing of biomaterials, and functionality of any sterilization system must be determined by its effectiveness in exterminating microorganisms without harming or adversely affect the properties of medical devices. Some sterilization techniques can react with functional groups of the polymer leading to changes in the properties, affecting the biomaterial. This study aimed to develop chitosan membranes sterilize them by following methods: an autoclave, ethylene oxide, glutaraldehyde and ultraviolet radiation and characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM. Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that the method of sterilization indicated for the membranes of chitosan is ethylene oxide because the other altered physicochemical properties thereof.

Abstract: The results showed that For open areas, the bacterial number was significantly much than plant areas , 11 species of them have strong bactericidal effects, their sterilization rate were more than 40% . the ability of releasing oxygen was different for different plants in different months, but the similar law was rising in June and August, declining in July and September; in August. The results provide some basis informations and valuable suggestions for Anshun city ecological construction, improving the living environment and ecologically sustainable development.

Abstract: Taking young and tender bud of Paris polyphylla as explants, this paper studies the influence of different disinfection time, different pretreatment of low temperature, penicillin pretreatment in different time, and different bacteriostat treatment on the contamination rate of the tissue culture of Paris polyphylla. The experimental results show that: the disinfection effects of 30ss alcohol disinfection combining with 10mins sterilizing by mercuric chloride are the best; 4°C low temperature pretreatment for 360min is helpful to decrease the contamination rate; soaking in penicillin for 10min is effective for decreasing the contamination; respectively adding 3000mg/L sodium propionate and 20mg/L sodium benzoate in nutrient medium can effectively reduce the contamination rate.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dipping in 1% sodium bisulfite solution and packaging under nitrogen on qualitative properties of fresh sweet corn (Zea mays L.) sterilized at 121°C for 15 min and stored at 30°C for 90 days. Water content in all samples was maintained well during the storage. The samples either dipped in 1% sodium bisulfite solution or packaged under nitrogen all could better keep the content of soluble and reducing sugar than control and inhibit the browning caused by Maillard reaction during the sterilization.

Abstract: The objective of this study is to improve water quality resulting from rainwater purification treatment and to utilize reclaimed water purification system and high-class treatment purification system. This can be done by developing a purification treatment technique through resolution of discharged ozone problems by circulation-type of ozone treatment method with the use of a high-efficiency air-cooled cylindrical ozone generator. While the final removal rate of BOD showed the highest rate of 96% for 12g without showing a great difference for the ozone injection amount of 9g and 12g, the final removal rate of COD upon treating for 12 minutes showed 73%, 66%, 93% and 96% for 3g, 6g, 9g and 12g, respectively, exhibiting similar treatment results to that of BOD. The removal of TSS and VSS due to ozone treatment was indicated not to have occurred. Also, upon passage of the magnetized water device, the removal rate of colon bacterium and general bacteria was shown to be about 35%, while a high removal rate exceeding 70% was indicated during the initial 3 minutes. Upon final treatment for 12 minutes, sterilization power above 99% was exhibited. Upon treatment using the magnetized water device and the OH^- radical generator, not only dissolved suspended materials but also excellent sterilization power appeared to be identifiable.