Care and Maintenance

General :: Inspect :: Precautions :: Pre-Clean :: Clean :: Decontaminate :: Dry :: Lube :: Sterilize :: Store

All of our surgical instruments are made from surgical grade stainless steel (300 or 400 series stainless steel). Stainless steel is an alloy, which despite its name, stains and can rust and become pitted. Therefore it is important to protect your investment in your stainless steel surgical instruments by following recommended care and maintenance procedures.

General Information

All of our surgical instruments are manufactured for an intended surgical or medical use. The intended use of each instrument can vary and includes uses such as cutting, clamping, dissecting, exploring, retracting, suturing, etc. Surgical instruments may become damaged if used for unintended purposes. Proper use, cleaning, handling, and storage will ensure performance and extend the useful life of your instruments.

Bio-Bridge Science’s instruments are supplied NON-STERILE. Each instrument must be cleaned and sterilized prior to use. Below we will list some general procedures and tips that you should keep in mind when caring for and maintaining your instruments (These are tips and suggested procedures only and are not meant as an instruction guide for how to clean your instruments. Always follow your organizations policies and procedures and make sure you follow any related manufacturer instructions, such as the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your autoclave, ultrasonic cleaning device, etc.).

Inspection

Upon receipt of your instruments and before each and every use you should inspect your surgical instruments for possible damage, wear, missing pieces, or malfunctioning parts. Carefully inspect the joints (box-locks), ratchets, distal tips, jaws and all movable parts. Damaged or defective instruments should not be used or processed. You can easily find a replacement for your damaged or defective item on www.BBSinstruments.com or by calling (630) 613-9687.

Precautions

• Delicate surgical scissors and micro instruments require special handling to prevent damage to the tips. Make sure to use cleaning tools specifically made for use on delicate instruments when cleaning, processing, and sterilizing these instruments.
• During cleaning or handling make sure not to apply excessive stress or strain on the jaws or joints of your instruments. Misuse will result in misalignment or cracks at the jaws or joints.
• Bone rongeurs and bone shears are only to be used for cutting bones and not for cutting wires, pins, or other materials. Do not twist or apply excessive stress during use of these bone-cutting instruments.
• Make sure to follow recommended guidelines and procedures when handling biologically contaminated instruments.
• Surgical instruments with dissimilar materials (such as aluminum and stainless) should be handled separately during ultrasonic cleaning to prevent cross-plating.
• During any type of cleaning make sure to open all instruments so ratchets and joints (box-locks) are exposed to the cleaning process.

Pre-Cleaning

The decontamination process should begin immediately after completion of the surgical procedure or if the procedure is long, within 20 minutes after work with the instrument is completed. Keep the instruments moist and do not allow blood and/or body fluids to dry on the instruments. Washing your instruments within a few minutes of surgery provides the best defense against blood or bodily fluids drying on the instruments, which may lead to rusting and pitting. Make sure to use recommended solutions for washing, cleaning, and lubricating your instruments. Rinse each instrument thoroughly to remove debris. Remember to open and unlock all instruments with hinges, joints, or other moving parts.

Cleaning

Ultrasonic cleaning is the industry Standard and should be used if available, as it is more efficient and effective than any other means of cleaning available today. Please keep in mind that cleaning, whether ultrasonic or manual does not sterilize the instruments and that the instruments must still undergo sterilization.

Ultrasonic Cleaning
Place the instruments in an open and unlocked position in the ultrasonic cleaner. Make sure that sharp blades on scissors, knives, osteotomes, etc. do not touch other instruments. Upon completion of cleaning make sure to rinse the instruments with distilled water to remove ultrasonic cleaning solution.

Manual Cleaning
If ultrasonic cleaning cannot be performed, instruments can be manually cleaned although this is not recommended, as it is not as effective as ultrasonic cleaning. Hand wash the instruments using a low-sudsing, neutral pH(7), protein-dissolving detergent specifically made for cleaning surgical instruments. Follow manufacturer’s directions regarding concentration, temperature, and contact/exposure time. Make sure to completely immerse the instruments during cleaning. Do not use steel wool, wire brushes, pipe cleaner, or abrasive detergents for cleaning. A stiff nylon brush is recommended. Use a syringe or flush ports to thoroughly clean the inner-lumens of instruments. As with ultrasonic cleaning, make sure to rinse the instruments thoroughly with distilled water to remove any cleaning solution.

Decontamination

Please note that the decontamination procedure does not sterilize the instruments. Select a high-level disinfectant made for use with surgical instruments. Follow the recommended directions on the disinfectant with regards to concentration, temperature, contact/exposure time and solution re-use. Do not use a high acid (pH 4 or lower) or high alkaline (pH 10 or higher) products for disinfectants. Once completed, thoroughly rinse the instruments with distilled water to remove all traces of the disinfecting solution. It is recommended to use STERILE water for the final rinse.

Drying

Instruments must be thoroughly dried to remove residual moisture before they can be stored. Use a soft, absorbent towel or cloth to dry external surfaces. Compressed air or a 70% alcohol rinse can aid in the drying process.

Lubrication

Lubrication is essential every time the instruments are processed. Lubricate all movable parts with a non-silicone, anti-microbial, water-soluble instruments lubricant such as instrument milk. The lubricating solution should not be rinsed or wiped off the instruments. The instruments should be assembled and inspected just prior to sterilization. Check for nicks, misalignment, cracks or other defects. Mechanically test the working parts to verify working function.

Sterilization

Steam sterilization is the most widely adopted method for sterilization used by hospitals and clinics today. Make sure you use distilled water in the reservoir of the sterilizer. You can either use a wrap or an approved sterilization container (one with holes will allow better steam penetration). Make sure you follow the directions from your sterilizers' manufacturer.

Storage

Make sure to store your instruments in appropriate containers, trays, or wraps to prevent damage to the instruments. Keep the instruments stored in an area free of excessive dust, chemical vapors, insects or rodents, and without extreme changes in temperature or humidity.

The suggestions above in combination with your organizations and the related equipment manufacturers instructions and procedures will ensure the performance and extend the useful life of your surgical instruments.

Bio-Bridge Science currently does not provide any of the lubricants, solutions, instrument milks, ultrasonic cleaners, autoclaves, or brushes mentioned in the information above. We recommend you contact your trusted supplier of other related hospital goods to source the items needed for care and maintenance of your surgical instruments.