Resources >> Reprocessing Guidelines >> Irrigation & Aspiration Handpieces

GUIDELINES FOR REPROCESSING
DUCKWORTH & KENT REUSABLE TITANIUM OPHTHALMIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
IRRIGATION & ASPIRATION HANDPIECES

Duckworth & Kent manufacture a wide range of Ophthalmic Titanium Surgical Instruments, which include some very delicate and precise instrumentation. The utmost care must be taken at all times when handling these instruments to avoid damage.

CLEANING
We would recommend that all instruments be cleaned as soon after use as possible to avoid drug solutions, tissue, blood or other residues drying on them.

For the D&K range of Irrigation / Aspiration handpieces manual cleaning is recommended.

Instruments should be immersed in a non-ionic detergent that is not acid based.
It is important to ensure that no air is trapped inside the device and that the detergent covers all surfaces. The outside of the device can be cleaned with a brush to remove any visible dirt. Ensure that this cleaning process is carried out beneath the surface of the solution.
The instrument should also be flushed through with a clean detergent solution for a minimum of 3 times.
After cleaning, the device should be rinsed thoroughly in sterile distilled water for a minimum of 3 times. The device should also be flushed out several times with sterile distilled water using a basic syringe to remove the detergent solution and any organic material.

STERILIZATION
Moist heat (steam) is the preferred method of sterilization for D&K Ophthalmic Titanium Surgical Instruments. Please ensure the system manufacturers guidelines are followed at all times.

A maximum temperature of 137 degrees centigrade is recommended for all D&K instrumentation for a minimum holding time of 3 minutes, not exceeding 30 minutes.

All cleaning processes require validation at the point of use. Their effectiveness will depend on many factors and it is only possible to give guidance for an effective process.

25/11/02