A Study of Preparation and Characterization of Crystal Violet Incorporated Polyacrylamide Gel (PAG) Dosimeters

Biomaterials and medical products intended for human contact undergo sterilization according to international standards. In biomedical applications, gamma radiation is the preferred sterilization method due to its superior properties. The applied dose of gamma radiation must be thoroughly validated to ensure patient safety and mitigate potential risks. Polymer gel dosimeters confirm whether a specified gamma sterilization dose is administered. In this study, a novel type of polymer gel dosimeter was developed, based on acrylamide with the addition of crystal violet dye. The doseimeters were irradiated with a 60Co gamma source at doses ranging from 7-28 kGy and at lower doses (30-90 mGy) for biomedical sterilization. FT-IR analyses were conducted for the purpose of structural characterization. Absorbance measurements were taken before and after irradiation using a a UV-Vis spectrophotometer to determine the dosimeter's dose response. Crystal violet (CV)-doped polyacrylamide gel (PAG) dosimeters have exhibited linear sensitivity to radiation dose. As the radiation dose increased, the dye's absorbance decreased, resulting in a lighter coloration of the solution. The stability of irradiated and non-irradiated dosimeters was measured at both room temperature and 4°C storage conditions over a 90-day period. The results indicated that the dosimeter exhibited stability under both environmental conditions. PAG dosimeters combined with CV additives show promise in validating dosing for sterilizing biomaterials and medical devices.