Aurora, sterilization from the cold

Technology

There are currently three main processes for sterilizing heat-sensitive medical devices:

• by ionizing radiation (gamma rays and X-rays)
• by fumigation with ethylene oxide (at low pressure)
• by fumigation with hydrogen peroxide (at low pressure)

Unfortunately, these sterilization methods are not always compatible with many innovative medical devices. These are often made of fragile materials such as polymers, electronics, optics, textiles, etc.

More concerning is the fact that digestive endoscopes cannot be re-sterilized. Their shapes are too complex and their materials are incompatible with steam sterilization. This results in high contamination rates: more than 20% on average in France (Pineau, 2023), exposing patients to infections.

The sterilization system developed by AURORA represents atrueinnovation:

• By completely protecting patients exposed to potential infections from endoscopes that were previously non-sterilizable;
• By paving the way for the arrival on the market of innovative medical devices that do not have a suitable sterilization process;
• By offering a sterilizing agent that is non-toxic to human health and the environment, while also being energy efficient.

This technology is the result of collaboration between:

• The CRITT-MDTS (research and expertise center specializing in materials, coatings, and surface treatments) located in Charleville-Mézières and headed by Jean-Marc Popot
• The "Technological Developments and Industrial Interfaces" team led by Marie-Paule Gellé at the EA 4691 "BIOS" laboratory at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne
• The company AURORA, led by Jan LAARMAN and Thomas PARIAS