Faster turnaround time
Productions remain in an electron beam cell for a matter of
seconds as compared with several minutes or hours in a gamma
cell.
Faster turn-around time requires less product to be held in
inventory.
Reduced product alteration
Because of the shorter exposure time to the irradiation source,
electron beam processing reduces the oxidation effects on
products and thus reduces material degradation and minimizes
sensory changes.
Flexibility
L-3 PS' electron beam facilities can switch from one targeted
dose to another in a matter of a few seconds; by design, gamma
facilities cannot switch rapidly or frequently.
Uniform, controlled dose
Electron beam processing delivers a measurable and consistent
dose to products based upon pre-set accelerator parameters;
all processing parameters are under constant measurement by
the built-in computer PLC; any variation occurring during
a processing run automatically shuts down the system until
the reason for the variation can be determined and corrected.
No re-sourcing required
Electron beam processing is accomplished through accelerated
electrical energy and not via radioactive isotopes such as
Cobalt-60; therefore, the facility does not need to be out
of service for any period of time in order to re-introduce
the sterility source into the operation. When gamma facilities
are re-sourced, products must be re-validated before they
can run in normal production. This inconvenience is not encountered
in electron beam processing.
Safety
Because electron beam facilities run from the normal electrical
power distribution system, they can be inactivated by simply
shutting off the power. There are no radioactive materials
issues or residuals to handle.
It is estimated that between
80 and 90% of all disposable medical plastic products currently
manufactured are compatible with electron beam processing.
Given the obvious advantages of the process itself, coupled
with L-3 PS' firm commitment to superior, personalized, customer
service, L-3 PS' overwhelming success in medical device sterilization
technology is easily understood.
