Modeling approach to verification of parameters of bone grafts radiation sterilization

Using the GEANT4 software package, the process of radiation sterilization of bone samples was simulated for the two most common sources - the flow of gamma rays and accelerated electrons. It is shown that during sterilization by gamma quanta, even at a low initial energy of the flux (0.5 MeV), there is a high degree of uniformity in the distribution of the absorbed dose, and as a result, the uniformity of the resulting sterilizing effect. At the same accelerated electron beam energy, the main part of the absorbed dose falls on the surface region. Increasing the electron beam energy to 3 MeV makes it possible to obtain a more uniform distribution of the absorbed dose over the volume of the bone fragment, and the use of bilateral irradiation provides an effective sterilizing effect even on the central region of the implant. The results obtained made it possible to reveal the regularities in the formation of the pattern of the distribution of the absorbed dose depending on the parameters of the electron beam, the conditions and geometry of the irradiation process and, on this basis, to develop practical recommendations for optimizing the modes of radiation treatment of a bone implant using fast electrons. This will ensure uniform processing of bone fragments with dimensions typical for use in bone grafting.