Journal of Materials Science and Engineering with Advanced TechnologyAuthor's: James E. Kennedy and Clement L. Higginbotham
Pages: [201] - [217]
Received Date: March 27, 2010
Submitted by:
For wound healing, collagen demonstrates the ability to easily absorb
large quantities of tissue exudates, as well as shielding against
mechanical harm. This study investigates the effect of two established
sterilisation techniques, ethylene oxide (EtO) and gamma 
irradiation on collagen sponges. Thermal
analysis studies found two peaks on each of the sponges tested: the
first one, located around 
is a result of water bonded to molecules and
unfolding of the triple helical structure, and the second peak
125-145ºC is due to the decline of
cross-links. Hydration studies have shown that, the EtO sterilised
collagen sponge absorbed the greatest amount of deionised water after
a period of 3 days, while the gamma sterilised gentamicin sulphate
sponge completely dissolved after 24 hours. This is a good indication
that gamma sterilisation breaks down cross-links or larger chains of
the material, thus reducing the mechanical integrity of the sponge.
collagen, sterilisation, ethylene oxide, gamma, thermal analysis.
