Dosimetry for radiation sterilization of medical devices

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 96.0438

Key words (English)

Radiation sterilization; dosimetry; calibration; medical device

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: SMT4-CT96-2077

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 2.2 Measurements and testing

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

NPL England, Inst. Riso DK

Abstract (English)

The purpose of the project is to give a common standard for the correct application of high- Dose Dosimetry for the industrial sterilisation of medical devices.
During a first intercomparison between 27 cobalt 60 plants and 11 electron beam facilities with 2 dosimetry systems (alanine and dichromate) the measured doses were compared. It showed that a remarkable deviation between the different plants occurred. Following this first intercomparison a draft of a calibration guideline was developed, who should help to improve accuracy of calibration.
In a second intercomparison under equal conditions as the first one was then performed, following the guideline draft. The results of the second intercomparison showed, that the deviations between the different participants could be significantly reduced and more than 90% of the participants showed an agreement of +/- 5% for gamma and +/- 12% for electron beam treatment.
Therefore the developed guideline for calibration of dosimeters leads to more accurate and reliable dosimetry readings and helps to assure a precise and safe application of irradiation for the sterilisation of medical devices.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 96.0438