Aqueous radiation protecting formulations and methods for making and using them

摘要

Medical devices are typically sterilized in processes used to manufacture such products and their sterilization by exposure to radiation is a common practice. Radiation has a number of advantages over other sterilization processes including a high penetrating ability, relatively low chemical reactivity, and instantaneous effects without the need to control temperature, pressure, vacuum, or humidity. Unfortunately, radiation sterilization can compromise the function of certain components of medical devices. For example, radiation sterilization can lead to loss of protein activity and/or lead to bleaching of various dye compounds. Embodiments of the invention provide methods and materials that can be used to protect medical devices from unwanted effects of radiation sterilization.

主权项

1. A method of inhibiting damage to a saccharide sensor that can result from a radiation sterilization process, the method comprising combining the saccharide sensor with an aqueous radioprotectant formulation during the sterilization process, wherein:
the saccharide sensor comprises a saccharide binding polypeptide having a carbohydrate recognition domain; the aqueous radioprotectant formulation comprises a saccharide selected for its ability to bind the saccharide binding polypeptide; and performing the sterilization process under conditions selected so that the saccharide binds the saccharide binding polypeptide, thereby inhibiting damage to the saccharide sensor that can result from the radiation sterilization process.