Effect of beta-based sterilization on P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) terpolymer for medical applications

Abstract

Electroactive polymers (EAP) are one of the latest generations of flexible actuators, enabling new approaches to propulsion and maneuverability. Among them, poly(vinylidene fluoridetrifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene), abbreviated terpolymer, with its multifunctional sensing and actuating abilities as well as its impressive electrostrictive behavior, especially when being doped with an plasticizer, has been demonstrated to be a good candidate for the development of low-cost flexible guidewire tip for endovascular surgery. To minimize the possibility of bacterial, fungal, or viral disease transmission, all medical instruments (especially components made from polymers) must be sterilized before introduction into the patient. Gamma/beta (γ/β) irradiation is considered to be one of the most efficient techniques for targeted reduction of microbials and viruses under low temperature, often without drastic alterations in device properties. However, radiation may cause some physical and chemical changes in polymers. A compromise is required to ensure sufficient radiation for microbial deactivation but minimal radiation to retain the material's properties. The main idea of this study aims at assessing the electromechanical performances and thermal/dielectric properties of β-irradiated terpolymer-based sterilization treatment. Ionizing β-rays did not cause any significant risk to the neat/plasticized terpolymers, confirming the reliability of such electrostrictive materials for medical device development.

Low‐Voltage Soft Actuators for Interactive Human–Machine Interfaces

“…The prospect of using these actuators toward medical devices for iHMI was further established by investigations that showed no changes to actuation performances under β irradiation sterilization procedure. [327] 4.4. Plasticized Gel Actuators PVC has often been seen as electrically inactive though this changed with the introduction of plasticizers that causes the formation of PVC gels.…”

Structuring BaTiO3 /PDMS Nanocomposite via Dielectrophoresis for Fractional Flow Reserve Measurement

“…However, restrictive aspects of fluorinated ferroelectric polymers are the high electric field required to reach their macroscopic piezoelectric properties (60À150 V μm À1 ) and low-temperature resistance (70À140 C), limiting their wide investigation for medical use. [7][8][9][10] In addition, raw material and manufacturing costs are extremely high, making them disadvantageous from a production point of view, and the β-phase PVDF, which contributes to its piezoelectricity, is complex to synthetize and cannot be produced in large scale. [11,12] Poly l-Lactic Acid (PLLA) is a common bioactive polymer for biodegradable medical devices.…”

Plasticized P(VDF‐TrFE): A new flexible piezoelectric material with an easier polarization process, promising for biomedical applications

“…The European Commission banned many phthalates for specific applications like toys and children articles and their concentration for other applications is restricted to a strong regulation. Schiava et al reported P(VDF‐TrFE‐CFE) based prototype by incorporating a diisononyl phthalate (DINP) as plasticizer for medical applications 36 . In this paper, we chose the diethyl phthalate (DEP) because previous studies show that the product does not exhibit remarkable toxicity, neither by the oral nor by dermal routes 37,38 .…”

“…Schiava et al reported P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) based prototype by incorporating a diisononyl phthalate (DINP) as plasticizer for medical applications. 36 In this paper, we chose the diethyl phthalate (DEP) because previous studies show that the product does not exhibit remarkable toxicity, neither by the oral nor by dermal routes. 37,38 Moreover, Xu et al and Xiao et al find, with polarization/ electric field hysteresis loops, that the DEP improves the ferroelectric properties of the P(VDF-TrFE).…”