Hello,
For a microfluidic device I have built, I have a layer of PDMS acting as a gasket. I would like to be able to sterilized this device such that it can be reused. I am aware of multiple sterilization techniques (UV light, NaOH, bleach etc.) but ideally I would like to be able to put my devices in an autoclave.
My first question is, can PDMS be autoclaved? The layer I have now is approx. 20 um thick, spin coated on borosilicate glass. My lab members think not, but Millet et al. Article Microfluidic devices for culturing primary mammalian neurons...
seems to suggest it is possible.My follow-up question would be if the PDMS cannot be autoclaved, is there a material which could substitute as a gasket that CAN withstand being autoclaved? Ideally I could also create a layer of this material approx. 20 um thick on my device.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Hi David,
Its a complicated question and I don't think anyone has a clear YES/NO answer to it.
*PDMS can be autoclaved, but I have no idea what would happen to the PDMS gasket of thinkness 20µ. I could guess there would be not major deformity, but it think it would not serve the function as a gasket anymore.
*I would recommend you to use the autoclavable rubber from which the general gaskets are made of.
As a supplement answer I would suggest you to try, since PDMS is not expensive and you can give it a try. Nevertheless, it would be recommended to consider for alternate sterilization techniques, which could be more practical in your case.
Hi Abhijeet,
Thank you for your quick reply! I actually planning on trying out the autoclave this week, just to see what happens. Do you think there is any way I could damage the autoclave machine if the PDMS fails?
Could you please provide me a link to the autoclavable rubber? Does it come as a liquid that could be spin coated or just a solid?
Thank you for your help!
David
Hi David,
In autoclave the probable pressure is around 20-30psi with steam which is at 120-150 deg celcius max. PDMS has transition temperature of 200 deg celcius. I would be pretty assured that it can be autoclaved with steam at such elevated pressures. We did it the same way. Whether you have a big thick slab or a thin film of PDMS as long as the operating temperatures and pressures are within tolerable range it will do no harm to autoclave or nor to PDMS itself.
Regards
So I tried putting the devices in the autoclave and nothing bad seemed to happen! There was a residue on the PDMS, looked like it was from an evaporated liquid, but it rinsed off with ethanol. Under the microscope there was no difference before/after. Just have to try running cells and see if there is any effect I haven't seen yet!