A METHOD OF CLEANING OR PURIFYING ELASTOMERS AND ELASTOMERIC ARTICLES WHICH ARE INTENDED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL USE

摘要

A method of cleaning or purifying elastomers and elastomeric articles which are intended for medical or pharmaceutical use which method comprises firstly performing a solvent extraction process on the elastomer or elastomeric article using a solvent in a non-supercritical state to substantially remove impurities therefrom and thereafter subjecting the elastomer or elastomeric article to a further solvent extraction step using a supercritical fluid or a mixture of supercritical fluids in order to remove or substantially reduce the concentration of the residue of extracting solvent remaining in the elastomer or elastomeric article after the first solvent extraction process.