Sterilization and Warranty Information
INSPIRED SURGICAL’S
RECOMMENDED STEPS IN CLEANING,
STERILIZATION & MAINTENANCE
OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
Sterilization-Cannula-and-Instrument
Instrument-Warranty
Inspection
Safe practice requires that all cannulas be inspected before each use. Failure to inspect cannula can result in damage to the instrument or ineffective cleaning. Verify there are no cracks, bends or burs in the shaft and the cannula has not loosened from the attached handle/hub.
Recommended Guidelines
• Improper use or sterilization of the instrument may result in injury.
• Always wear safety protection gear.
• Do not process dissimilar metals (stainless, copper, chrome plated, ect.) together.
• Never expose stainless steel instruments to bleach or any other corrosive chemicals to disinfect. Exposure to bleach may result in instrument pitting or discoloring and will void the manufacturer guarantees.
•Do not use abrasive brushes. Use only nylon brushes to remove debris.
Rinse/Presoak
It is important never to hold instruments in a dry container, which allows blood and debris to dry on instrument surfaces and makes cleaning more difficult. Immediately following use, remove organic materials by rinsing instruments with warm (not hot) preferable sterile or distilled water. Rinse should remove most blood fluids and tissue.
Pre Soak within an enzymatic cleaner (such as EZ-Zyme). Use distilled water if possible. Instruments should be fully submerged for at least 10 minutes. Do not let “sharps” touch each other and be sure dissimilar metal instruments are separated. Rinse instruments under running water to remove solutions.
Cleaning
• Using warm distilled water syringe, flush the instrument by either attaching it a luer or by inserting a catheter tip syringe. Flush the fluid through with high pressure.
• Remove remaining residue with a non-abrasive brush. To prevent damage and to clean effectively use the correct size brush.
• Wash and rinse product thoroughly, with distilled water as a final rinse.
• Air dry.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
We strongly recommend ultrasonic cleaning as the most effective way to clean surgical instruments, particularly those with hinges, moving parts, or instruments with very small holes.
• All instruments must be fully submerged in open position.
• Use distilled water and an approved Ultrasonic cleaning solution.
• Make sure that “sharps” blades do not touch other instruments to prevent possible surface scratching and be sure dissimilar metal instruments are separated.
• Process instruments for full recommended ultrasonic cleaning cycle. Generally 10 minutes on the highest setting, refer to your manual for specifics.
• Change solutions frequently, or as often as the manufacturer recommends.
• Rinse instruments with sterile or distilled water to remove the cleaning solution.
Sterilization
Inspect the cannulas. Verify all debris has been flushed from the interior; inspect each cannula hole to be sure blockage is removed.
The cannulas can then be placed in an approved sterilization tray or disposable sterilization pouches.
Instruments made of stainless steel, aluminum or delrin plastic can be steam autoclaved using these parameters: Temperature of 121C (250F) for 30 minutes.
Flash sterilization is not recommended but may be necessary when time is limited. Use these parameters: Temperature of 127 to 132C (260 to 270F) for 10 minutes
Refer to your autoclave operator’s manual for more specific details regarding use and additional safety precautions.
