WATER-ABSORBENT CARRIER, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING WATER-ABSORBENT CARRIER, MEDICAL ARTICLE, AND STERILIZATION METHOD

摘要

Provided are: a water-absorbent carrier for wet heat sterilization in which usage in a small space is possible and in which there is no risk of producing foreign matter; a method for manufacturing the water-absorbent carrier; a medical article; and a wet heat sterilization method. A water-absorbent carrier obtained by embedding a water-absorbent substance (any one of silica gel, zeolite, and polyacrylic acid) in a synthetic resin. The water-absorbent carrier can be molded to a granular shape or a sheet shape. The water-absorbent carrier can be manufactured by impregnating the water-absorbent substance with a water-soluble substance, then drying the water-absorbent substance, embedding the water-absorbent substance in a thermoplastic synthetic resin, and performing cleaning to remove the water-soluble substance. The water-absorbent carrier can also be manufactured by dispersing a non-water-soluble synthetic resin in a carrier fluid, mixing the water-absorbent substance therein, placing the mixture in a mold, and causing the carrier fluid to volatilize. The water-absorbent carrier can be provided and packaged in a closed space to be sterilized, whereby a medical article can be provided. In particular, the water-absorbent carrier carrying water is disposed in a region that water vapor cannot readily reach. The water-absorbent carrier is disposed in a closed space to be sterilized, and wet heat sterilization is performed. The present invention makes it possible to perform high-pressure water vapor sterilization at a wet heat temperature exceeding 100ºC.