SPI Diamond Surgical Blades
Instructions for use and handling for longer lifetime of use
The performance characteristics and service life of the SPI Diamond Scalpel
blades depend to a very large degree on the care and attention give during
cleaning and sterilization. By taking these precautions, the possibility
of damage to the knife edge can be greatly minimized.
Three most prevalent mechanisms of damage to the edge:
1. Chemical influence
For the "normal" applications for microdissection work, damage is highly
unlikely. But for ophthalmic applications, prolonged exposure to aqueous
humor can result in knife edge damage.
Also, exposure to caustic and acidic solutions can result in corrosion
despite the fact that there is all stainless steel construction.
Diamond blades installed in titanium construction holders should not, in
general, be cleaned together with other instruments, such as those made of
stainless steel, either magnetic or nonmagnetic. Electrochemical effects
under these situations can be surprisingly considerable.
2. Mechanical Influence
Since all cutting edges and pointed ends are going to be highly sensitive
to any mechanical influences, it is essential that other instruments be
prevented from coming in contact and also, great care must be taken to keep
the blade from coming in contact with hard surfaces, which has a higher
likelihood of actually happening during the cleaning process.
The normal trays or other appliances often times used for the storing of
delicate instruments are not acceptable for diamond scalpel blades. The
ideal kind of container would be lined with a metal-friendly material so
that the individual instruments and the sensitive cutting edges and pointed
ends can not ever come in contact with each other.
3. Overheating
Excessive heat will damage the instruments. Sterilization in the autoclave
should be carefully monitored and controlled.
Tips for cleaning the diamond scalpels
The following procedures should be followed when cleaning the diamond
scalpel blades or the holder assemblies:
1. Clean the instrument and the blade between two fingers with a lint-free
cloth. Clean diamond cutting edges in the cutting direction toward the
pointed end. Ultrasonics should not be used in the cleaning since the small
particles left in the suspension could easily damage the cutting edge of the
diamond scalpel.
2. Use a 100% chlorine-free liquid product for the cleaning.
3. Always rinse well with distilled or deionized water.
4. Dry thoroughly each time after cleaning. Use gentle "bursts" with an
SPI Two-In-One ™ Duster to
speed up the drying process.
5. Check instruments carefully before returning them to the sterilization
case.
Sterilization
The diamond blades may be sterilized with any media such as autoclaves,
flash, and gas. Be sure to NOT touch any of the instruments when still hot.
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Tuesday October 07, 2008
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