ASTM_F_1744_-_96_2008e1.pdf

Designation:F174496(Reapproved 2008)1Standard Guide forCare and Handling of Stainless Steel Surgical Instruments1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1744;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1NOTEEditorial changes were made throughout in June 2008.1.Scope1.1 This guide is intended to provide a better understandingof the care of stainless steel surgical instruments intended forreuse.This guide is not intended for use with electrical,pneumatic or other powered surgical instruments.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2F899 Specification for Wrought Stainless Steels for SurgicalInstrumentsF921 Terminology Relating to Hemostatic ForcepsF1026 Specification for General Workmanship and Perfor-mance Measurements of Hemostatic ForcepsF1078 Terminology for Surgical ScissorsInserted andNon-Inserted BladesF1079 Specification for Inserted and Noninserted SurgicalScissorsF1089 Test Method for Corrosion of Surgical InstrumentsF1325 Specification for Stainless Steel Suture NeedleHolders-General Workmanship Requirements and Corre-sponding Test Methods3.General3.1 Stainless Steel TypesThe stainless steels most used aremartensitic and austenitic types such as those in SpecificationF899.Martensitic stainless steel contains iron,chromium,andsufficient carbon so that when it is hardened by heat treatment,a substantial martensitic structure is the result.Austeniticstainless steel has better corrosion resistance and contains iron,chromium,and nickel.It has a substantial austenitic structureand a lower carbon content.Although it cannot be hardened byheat treatment,it can be work-hardened.3.2 PassivationStainless steel can spot,stain,and corrode.This is minimized by passivation which is a process used tocreate a protective chromium oxide surface layer while remov-ing surface carbon and iron.This is accomplished in theatmosphere slowly or through immersion in oxidizing solutionor through an electro-polish process.Through repeated pro-cessing the passivation layer will thicken until a good protec-tive film is formed.3.2.1 Never expose instruments to strong acids such ashydrochloric,aqua regia,dilute sulphuric,carbonic,and tar-taric.3.2.2 Avoid contact with salt solutions such as aluminumchloride,mercury salts,and stannous chloride.Also avoidcontact with potassium thiocyanate and potassium permangan-ate and limit contact with iodine solutions to periods of lessthan 1 h.3.2.3 Chloride-bearing solutions such as blood and salinecan cause localized corrosion.Avoid prolonged exposure to orrinsing in saline solutions or corrosion and pitting will occur.Use demineralized or distilled water instead.Place instrumentsinto water,enzymatic solution,or disinfectant bath immedi-ately after use so the blood or other material will not dry onthem prior to transport to the designated cleaning/reprocessingarea.4.General Care of Instruments4.1 GeneralUse instruments only for their intendedpurpose,such as cutting,holding,clamping,retracting,and soforth.Avoid undue stress or strain when handling and cleaning.Standard terminology relating to Hemostatic Forceps andSurgical Scissors are found in Terminology F921 and Termi-nology F1078.4.1.1 Hemostatic ForcepsThese forceps are designed toclamp blood vessels.They should not be used to clamp towels,suction tubing,or as needle holders or pliers.Misuse generallyresults in misalignment and even cracked box locks.4.1.2 Needle HoldersAlthough designed to withstandsome force,they are not to be used as pliers,jaw misalignmentsbeing the result.Select a needle holder matching the sizeneedle being used.4.1.3 ScissorsDo not use scissors for the wrong job,otherwise,the tips will become misaligned and the blades will1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F04 on Medical andSurgical Materials and Devices and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeF04.33 on Medical/Surgical Instruments.Current edition approved Feb.1,2008.Published March 2008.Originallyapproved in 1997.Last previous edition approved in 2002 as F1744 96(2002)1DOI:10.1520/F1744-96R08E01.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 dull or chip.Delicate scissors should be particularly guardedagainst misuses.Use tissue scissors for tissue dissections only,not for cutting suture material or wires.4.1.4 Microsurgical InstrumentsMicrosurgical instru-ments are most susceptible to damage through misuse or roughhandling.Consequently,extra care must be taken to avoidcompromising their ex