There has been increasing emphasis on the sterilization of medical instruments and devices with the rise in the number of the viral and bacterial conditions that are highly resistant to treatment with standard antibiotics.
The Importance of Sterilization
Incorrect medical instrument sterilization allows these so-called superbugs to survive in medical treatment facilities, particularly with non-disposable devices. However, there have also been situations where device manufacturers have failed to follow the correct sterilization procedures, even though the devices or the instruments were marketed as sterilized to full compliance and standards with best practices and regulations.
Today, contract sterilization facilities can and do provide highly specific, approved and closely monitored and tested medical instrument sterilization processes. Using these types of facilities will ensure that all products sold as sterile by the manufacturer are sterile and are safe for use with patients.
ETO Sterilization and Gamma Irradiation
ETO or ethylene oxide is an effective processing method for both medical instruments as well as devices. It uses exposure over a specific time period to ethylene oxide, humidity and pressure in a sealed chamber to destroy the DNA of any microbes present.
Since this method does not use high heat, it will not impact the properties of metals, polymers, resins and other types of materials used in the manufacturing of medical devices. It is also economical as instruments can be processed in batches, allowing for large volume sterilization of everything from single-use devices through to medical equipment used in the surgical theater.
Gamma irradiation is less commonly used with medical instrument sterilization, but it is a process to consider with many applications. It can effectively kill microorganisms through packaging with only a very minor temperature effect. It also does not leave any residue, which is often an important consideration for implantable devices and specific types of medical instruments.
