ClO₂: Material-Safe Sterilization
for Modern Medical Devices
As medical devices increasingly rely on advanced polymers and mixed-material designs, sterilization methods must deliver efficacy without compromising material integrity. This paper explains how chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) gas provides broad-spectrum microbial inactivation while remaining compatible with common device polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, silicone, and PLA. Unlike ethylene oxide, ClO₂ operates through controlled oxidation rather than deep material absorption, reducing residual concerns and minimizing damage. Validation studies and clinical pilots demonstrate that ClO₂ supports reliable sterilization, shorter turnaround times, and material preservation.
