Ethylene oxide is blended with an organic polymer to form a sterile material for encapsulating surgical instruments. The material does not bond to metal and can be easily removed when the instruments are needed

Montgomery, L. C.

Morelli, F. A.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

July 1964	 Brief 64-10066 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
This NASA Tech Brief is issued by the Technology Utilization Division to acquaint 
industry with the technical content of an innovation derived from the space program. 
Encapsulation Process Sterilizes and Preserves Surgical Instruments 
The problem: To develop a process for sterilizing 
surgical instruments in an encapsulating material that 
will preservethem in a sterile condition for indefinite 
periods. The process should not require autoclaving 
with steam, and the encapsulating material must be 
readily removable when the instruments are needed 
for use. 
A possible solution: A process of blending ethyl-
ene oxide, which serves as a sterilizing agent, with an 
organic polymer to form a sterile encapsulating mate-
rial that does not bond to metal. 
How it's donE: Ethylene oxide, in the gaseous or 
liquid state, is mixed with an appropriate plasticizer 
and uncured polymeric material that do not chemi-
cally react with the ethylene oxide. The instruments 
are dipped into a thin solution of the mixture to 
encapsulate them and then removed for vacuum 
degassing and subsequent curing of the adherent film. 
Sterilization of the instruments occurs during the de-
gassing and curing process. In this process, most of the 
ethylene oxide and other residual gases are liberated 
from the mixture, and all surfaces of the instruments 
are exposed to the sterilizing action of the released 
ethylene oxide. A residual quantity of this sterilizing 
gas remains diffused within the tightly adherent solid 
polymer film that encapsulates the instruments.
Notes: 
1. The use of ethylene oxide as a sterilizing agent is 
well known. The encapsulation process suggested 
in this brief is being developed and evaluated. The 
idea for this process stems from NASA's search for 
methods of sterilizing and protecting space hard-
ware against micro-organisms. Some degree of suc-
cess has been achieved in treating uncured poly-
urethane with ethylene oxide to obtain a sterile 
polymer for use as a propellant. 
2. For further information about this invention in-
quiries may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
4800 Oak Grove Drive 
Pasadena, California, 91103 
Reference: B64-10066 
Patent status: NASA encourages the immediate 
commercial use of this invention. Inquiries about ob-
taining rights for its commercial use may be made to 
NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C., 20546. 
Source: Lawrence C. Montgomery and 
Frank A. Morelli
(J PL-484) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States Govern-
ment, nor NASA, nor any person acting on behalf of NASA: A. Makes 
any warranty or representation, express or implied, with respect to the 
accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in
this document, or that the use of any information, apparatus, method, 
or process disclosed in this document may not infringe privately-owned 
rights; or B. Assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for 
damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method, 
or process disclosed in this document.
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Encapsulation process sterilizes and preserves surgical instruments

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