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1.1 This guide covers the evaluation of chitosan salts suitable for use in biomedical or pharmaceutical applications, or both, including, but not limited to, tissue-engineered medical products (TEMPS).

1.2 This guide addresses key parameters relevant for the functionality, characterization, and purity of chitosan salts.

1.3 As with any material, some characteristics of chitosan may be altered by processing techniques (such as molding, extrusion, machining, assembly, sterilization, and so forth) required for the production of a specific part or device. Therefore, properties of fabricated forms of this polymer should be evaluated using test methods that are appropriate to ensure safety and efficacy.

1.4 Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, in your state may be prohibited by state law.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

4.1 This guide contains a listing of those characterization parameters that are directly related to the functionality of chitosan. This guide can be used as an aid in the selection and characterization of the appropriate chitosan or chitosan salt for a particular application. This standard is intended to give guidance in the methods and types of testing necessary to properly characterize, assess, and ensure consistency in the performance of a particular chitosan. It may have use in the regulation of devices containing chitosan by appropriate authorities.

4.2 The chitosan salts covered by this guide may be gelled, extruded, or otherwise formulated into biomedical devices for use as tissue-engineered medical products or drug delivery devices for implantation as determined to be appropriate, based on supporting biocompatibility and physical test data. Recommendations in this guide should not be interpreted as a guarantee of clinical success in any tissue-engineered medical product or drug delivery application.

4.3 To ensure that the material supplied satisfies requirements for use in TEMPs, several general areas of characterization should be considered. These include identity of chitosan, physical and chemical characterization and testing, impurities profile, and performance-related tests.