Medical device prototyping and 3D printing has been on the rise in the past two decades [1]. Sterility of medical devices and prolonged assured sterility has been a challenge because of complex shapes/contours and the nature of raw material used as a build material. Certain materials may be heat-sensitive and others may not be suited for exposure to aggressive disinfectants and cleaning agents. Storage of such fabricated devices for a 12-month period of time in ‘sterile’ conditions until use is a major technological challenge. In this study, a novel approach was explored for a 12-month packaging of such devices to keep them sterile.
Decon Gel™ (CBI Polymer, Inc.) is a hydrogel, containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and minor fraction of organic solvents. This gel has been used for decontamination of radioactive material off hard and porous surfaces [2]. It has been used in Fukushima, Japan to remove high...
