This guide is intended to provide a better understanding of the care of stainless steel surgical instruments intended for reuse. This guide is not intended for use with electrical, pneumatic, or other powered surgical instruments. The stainless steels most used are martensitic and austenitic types. The instruments shall be used only for their intended purpose, such as cutting, holding, clamping, retracting, and so forth. Undue stress or strain should be avoided when handling and cleaning. The guide includes care in particular for hemostatic forceps, needle holders, scissors, microsurgical instruments, instrument kits, and other sharp instruments. The instrument care specified includes cleaning, lubrication, and inspection. Testing, repair and restoration, and sterilization are specified.

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

1. Scope

1.1 This guide is intended to provide a better understanding of the care of stainless steel surgical instruments intended for reuse. This guide is not intended for use with electrical, pneumatic or other powered surgical instruments.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

F899 Specification for Wrought Stainless Steels for Surgical Instruments

F921 Terminology Relating to Hemostatic Forceps

F1026 Specification for General Workmanship and Performance Measurements of Hemostatic Forceps

F1078 Terminology for Surgical Scissors--Inserted and Non-Inserted Blades

F1079 Specification for Inserted and Noninserted Surgical Scissors

F1089 Test Method for Corrosion of Surgical Instruments

F1325 Specification for Stainless Steel Suture Needle Holders-General Workmanship Requirements and Corresponding Test Methods

Keywords

care and handling; stainless steel surgical instrument; sterilization; surgical instruments; Care and handling; Stainless steel surgical applications; Sterilization; Surgical instruments;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 11.040.30 (Surgical instruments and materials)

Citing ASTM Standards

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