Speaker
Mr
Frank-Holm Roegner
(Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, Germany)
Description
Currently most $\gamma$ or high energy EB ionizing irradiation
processes for medical and pharmaceutical production are provided by
external services. Only a few applications rely on low energy
electron irradiation: e.g., syringe tub sterilization at high
throughput filling lines. But more complex and expensive logistics as
well as demands for flexibility in small customized production batches
calls for an irradiation processes integrated into the production
chain. The simple implementation of irradiation technologies into
typical production environments. is hindered by the limited
penetration depth of low energy electrons and the expense of
multisource arrangements needed for 3D-objects. Therefore,
Fraunhofer FEP and partners has developed a new low energy electron
irradiation application available for production integrated solutions.
To avoid multisource arrangements for homogeneous irradiation of
3D-objects, a toroidal shaped electron beam source was developed. By
using high-voltage glow discharge for electron generation, a compact
and robust electron source for energies up to $150$ kV was born.
Original targeted for treating bulk goods, a single source is
perfectly adapted for surface modification or sterilization of 3D
products like implants, or continuous feed material like tube packaged
parts. First experimental results of operation, the electron
generation principle and the first application (seed treatment) will
be presented.
Liquids irradiation traditionally requires high energy irradiation
because of the penetration depth requirements. Especially in the case
of vaccine production, virus inactivation by irradiation is very
interesting because of the high efficiency in antigen conservation.
But high energy irradiation at external facilities is not practicable
because of the strong safety requirements. Within an ongoing
Fraunhofer funded project, an interdisciplinary team developed a low
energy irradiation method for virus containing suspensions to produce
inactivated but still very efficient vaccines. Actually results about
irradiation technology and vaccine testing will be presented. The new
inactivation technology will make vaccine production faster and
cheaper with higher efficacy at the same time.
Together with some actually additional development directions like:
- Miniaturized electron beam sterilization compartment for on-site
sterilization of packaged products;
- Electron beam modification of cell-therapeutic substrates;
we can show an enormous potential for low electron irradiation
processes in medical and pharmaceutical production.
More flexibility in small batch production and a close production
chain inside the facility increase the safety level and the production
efficiency at the same time. Low energy electron irradiation will
play an important role in this paradigm change over the next years to
fulfil the requirements of more than just the healthcare industry.
| Country/Organization invited to participate | Germany |
|---|
Primary author
Mr
Frank-Holm Roegner
(Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, Germany)
Co-authors
Mr
André Weidauer
(Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, Germany)
Mr
Javier Portillo Casado
(Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics. Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, Germany)
Mr
Martin Thoma
(Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Germany)
Mr
Sebastian Ulbert
(Fraunhofer-Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Germany)
