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A Novel SEM Image Processing Approach for Evaluating Sterilization Effects on Polymeric Medical Devices: Validation Against Traditional EDX Analysis.

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Title: A Novel SEM Image Processing Approach for Evaluating Sterilization Effects on Polymeric Medical Devices: Validation Against Traditional EDX Analysis.
Authors: Aboamer, Mohamed A.1 (AUTHOR) m.aboamer@mu.edu.sa, Almousa, Rashed1,2 (AUTHOR), Alassaf, Ahmad1,3 (AUTHOR), Alduraywish, Abdulrahman1 (AUTHOR), AlMohimeed, Ibrahim1,2 (AUTHOR), Alharbi, Talal2,3 (AUTHOR), Ghoneim, Vidan F.3 (AUTHOR)
Source: Polymers (20734360). Dec2025, Vol. 17 Issue 23, p3156. 22p.
Subjects: Sterilization (Disinfection), Scanning electron microscopes, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Surface morphology, Medical polymers, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resins
Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of UVC (Ultraviolet C Radiation), detergent foam, and alcohol (70%) sterilization methods on the surface morphology of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) specimens using a novel SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) image processing approach. Twelve 3D-printed specimens were prepared, and five concentric circular regions of interest (ROIs) per specimen were analyzed. Three quantitative descriptors—defect area fraction, anisotropy ratio, and RMS (Root Mean Square) roughness—were extracted to assess surface alterations. To validate the image-based findings, EDX (Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) elemental analysis for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O) was employed as a complementary and traditional benchmark technique. Statistical comparisons and p-value heat maps revealed strong convergence between SEM and EDX results. UVC sterilization consistently preserved surface morphology and elemental stability, showing the lowest defect fraction (p = 0.2684), balanced anisotropy (p = 0.02481), and minimal oxygen incorporation (O = 7.6). Foam sterilization produced intermediate effects, with significant anisotropy changes (p = 0.007456) and reduced nitrogen (19.6). Alcohol sterilization induced the most severe damage, characterized by high defect density, increased roughness, and elemental imbalance (N = 17.3, O = 13.9), confirming oxidative degradation. The convergence of SEM and EDX outcomes demonstrates that SEM image processing is a reliable novel method validated by traditional elemental analysis. Together, these approaches provide a robust framework for ranking sterilization efficacy, with UVC identified as the most favorable method, detergent foam as an acceptable alternative, and alcohol as the least effective due to its destabilizing effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Polymers (20734360) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: A Novel SEM Image Processing Approach for Evaluating Sterilization Effects on Polymeric Medical Devices: Validation Against Traditional EDX Analysis.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Polymers+%2820734360%29%22">Polymers (20734360)</searchLink>. Dec2025, Vol. 17 Issue 23, p3156. 22p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sterilization+%28Disinfection%29%22">Sterilization (Disinfection)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scanning+electron+microscopes%22">Scanning electron microscopes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Energy+dispersive+X-ray+spectroscopy%22">Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Surface+morphology%22">Surface morphology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Medical+polymers%22">Medical polymers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Acrylonitrile+butadiene+styrene+resins%22">Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resins</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of UVC (Ultraviolet C Radiation), detergent foam, and alcohol (70%) sterilization methods on the surface morphology of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) specimens using a novel SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) image processing approach. Twelve 3D-printed specimens were prepared, and five concentric circular regions of interest (ROIs) per specimen were analyzed. Three quantitative descriptors—defect area fraction, anisotropy ratio, and RMS (Root Mean Square) roughness—were extracted to assess surface alterations. To validate the image-based findings, EDX (Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) elemental analysis for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O) was employed as a complementary and traditional benchmark technique. Statistical comparisons and p-value heat maps revealed strong convergence between SEM and EDX results. UVC sterilization consistently preserved surface morphology and elemental stability, showing the lowest defect fraction (p = 0.2684), balanced anisotropy (p = 0.02481), and minimal oxygen incorporation (O = 7.6). Foam sterilization produced intermediate effects, with significant anisotropy changes (p = 0.007456) and reduced nitrogen (19.6). Alcohol sterilization induced the most severe damage, characterized by high defect density, increased roughness, and elemental imbalance (N = 17.3, O = 13.9), confirming oxidative degradation. The convergence of SEM and EDX outcomes demonstrates that SEM image processing is a reliable novel method validated by traditional elemental analysis. Together, these approaches provide a robust framework for ranking sterilization efficacy, with UVC identified as the most favorable method, detergent foam as an acceptable alternative, and alcohol as the least effective due to its destabilizing effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Polymers (20734360) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.3390/polym17233156
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 3156
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Sterilization (Disinfection)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Scanning electron microscopes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Surface morphology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Medical polymers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resins
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: A Novel SEM Image Processing Approach for Evaluating Sterilization Effects on Polymeric Medical Devices: Validation Against Traditional EDX Analysis.
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            – D: 01
              M: 12
              Text: Dec2025
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              Y: 2025
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