Why gamma rays are used for Sterilisation of surgical instruments?

Why gamma rays are used for Sterilisation of surgical instruments?

Gamma rays sterilize surgical instruments because they easily penetrate through most materials and the ionizing energy they release kills bacteria and viruses. Gamma rays damage DNA and other cellular structures, which causes cell death.

Which radiation is used to sterilize surgical instruments?

gamma radiation
The standard sterilization method for many medical devices and food samples over the past 40 years involves gamma radiation. However, when applying gamma radiation for sterilization of tissue allografts and polymer medical devices, structural changes are induced.

Which method of sterilization uses gamma rays?

Gamma radiation sterilization is the most popular form of radiation sterilization. [1,4] Co-60 and, to a lesser extent, Cs-137 serve as radiation sources and undergo decomposition to release high energy gamma rays. The produced electromagnetic radiation is highly penetrating and can kill contaminating microorganisms.

How does gamma ray sterilization work?

Gamma irradiation sterilization is performed by exposing the product to a radiation source, typically Cobalt 60 isotope, which decomposes into Nickel 60 isotope, firing off gamma rays in the process. These gamma rays can penetrate through the entire product, deactivating whatever microorganisms may be present.

How do gamma rays sterilize food?

Gamma irradiation is a physical/chemical means of sterilization, because it kills bacteria by breaking down bacterial DNA, inhibiting bacterial division. Energy of gamma rays passes through the equipment, disrupting the pathogens that cause contamination.

How radiation is used for sterilization?

Radiation is used to sterilize medical instruments by first sealing a clean, but not bacteria-free, instrument in an air-tight bag. The bag and instrument are then placed in a very large field of radiation that can penetrate the bag—for example, gamma radiation, x rays, or high-energy electrons.

How much does gamma sterilization cost?

The bulk of gamma sterilization is done at contract sterilizers. The project cost for a standard gamma installation is a few million dollars, and the cobalt 60 decays and is expensive to replace.

Are gamma rays harmful?

Gamma rays are a radiation hazard for the entire body. They can easily penetrate barriers that can stop alpha and beta particles, such as skin and clothing. Gamma rays have so much penetrating power that several inches of a dense material like lead, or even a few feet of concrete may be required to stop them.

What can gamma rays be used to sterilise?

Gamma rays can be used to sterilise both surgical instruments. and food at room temperature. Food such as vegetables and. fresh fruit can be made safe to eat without heating them.

How does a radiation bag keep an instrument sterile?

The bag and instrument are then placed in a very large field of radiation that can penetrate the bag—for example, gamma radiation, x rays, or high-energy electrons. These ionizing radiations can kill the bacteria (cells); and the air-tight bag will keep the instrument sterile until the bag is opened in the medical facility.

How are gamma rays used to treat cancer?

Killing the microorganisms slows down the decay of the food. Surgical instruments in hospitals such as. scalpels and clamps can be made safe after use in operations. High intensity gamma rays are also. used to kill cancer cells in a technique called radiotherapy.

Which is the default method for radiation sterilization?

Gamma is the “default” radiation sterilization method, accounting for >80% of radiation sterilization in the United States, standards and guidance also cover e-beam and x-ray