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7272643 
Journal Article 
Laser sterilization of hydroxyapatite implants as an alternative to using radioactive facility 
Jeong, K; Jung, KJin; Bae, J; Kim, J; Jeongmin, Seo; Park, CH; Kim, S; Song, InH; , 
2020 
1 
Optik
ISSN: 0030-4026 
ELSEVIER GMBH 
MUNICH 
WOS:000581830300070 
Modern technology, including 3D printing, provides enormous potential for shape-and size-tailored treatments, especially in orthopedic surgery and dentistry. However, for a medical device produced in the clinical setting that is not compatible with autoclaving or gas sterilization, the choices are very limited, especially because there are a lot of obstacles to using a radiation facility to sterilize a few small-size devices. The goal of this study was to verify the efficacy of laser sterilization of discs made from hydroxyapatite (HA), a material that can be 3D printed and widely used as bone substitute. For this purpose, we compared sterilization efficacy for E. coli and S. mutans when using a range of laser, gamma-ray, and e-beam irradiation. Furthermore, we compared biocompatibility by culturing adult stem cells and MC3T3-E1 on HA discs before and after irradiation. Irradiation by UV-C (266 nm) at 100 mJ/cm(2) showed 3 kGy of gamma-ray or e-beam equivalent sterilization efficacy, without causing physical or chemical changes in the HA discs. In conclusion, in addition to offering affordable maintenance costs, laser sterilization can be used in small-size facilities and can sterilize an object within nanoseconds; this demonstrates its potential to be used on custom small-size medical devices as an alternative sterilization technique that can replace autoclaving, gas sterilization, or the use of radiation facilities.