MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS) THE INFORMATION BELOW IS BELIEVED TO BE ACCURATE AND REPRESENTS THE BEST INFORMATION CURRENTYLY AVAILABLE TO US. HOWEVER, WE MAKE NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO SUCH INFORMATION, AND WE ASSUME NO LIABILITY RESULTING FROM ITS USE. USERS SHOULD MAKE THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS TO DETERMINE THE SUITABILITY OF THE INFORMATION FOR THEIR PARTICULAR PURPOSES. Information about stainless steel for Surgical/Dental/Orthodontic Instruments. 1. Preparation for disinfection and cleaning Instruments should be disinfected and cleaned immediately after use. Any soiling left to dry will make eventual cleaning much more difficult and could result in damage to the instruments. The instruments should be taken apart, if necessary, allowing the disinfectant to cover all surfaces. For disinfection of the instruments either humid heat or chemical disinfection can be used. Humid heat is preferable providing the instruments are suitable for treatment in this manner. Under no circumstances must instruments be soared in physiological saline solution as prolonged contact causes pitting and rust, and Passivation of Instruments with Tungsten Carbide inserts is prohibited. (where nitric acid and sodium dichromate solution is used which will have drastic effect on the T/C instruments) Undue dropping can cause damage to the Instruments. Hard metal tips on Scissors/Cutters may be chipped or small delicate Clamps can be deformed. In order to avoid this, carefully handle and deposit the Instruments after use. To avoid encrustation and corrosion, in case of removal in dry condition and return to the CSSD (Central Sterilization Service Department), the Instruments must immediately be subject to machine treatment. For this treatment, deposit the Instruments on suitable trays, e.g. perforated sterilizing trays. For effective cleaning, hinged Instruments have to be
opened (such as Scissors, Clamps, Gouge Forceps). Instruments that are subject to machine treatment have to be immersed into a combined disinfecting and cleaning agent. For removal in wet condition and return to CSSD(Central Sterilization Service Department) use only non-corrosive agents in prescribed concentrations. Water alone is not sufficient. The Instruments have to be fully covered by the solution. Instruments should never be left overnight before cleaning as the risk of causing permanent damage increases with the length of time between use and preparation. 2. Manual disinfecting and cleaning. For manual preparation, Instruments have to be immersed into a combined disinfecting and cleaning solution with proven disinfecting effect. The instructions of the manufacturer have to be strictly followed regarding concentration, temperature and induction time. Use fresh disinfecting and cleaning solutions every day. The following problems may occur due to using the same solution for too long. Risk of corrosion due to soiling Risk of corrosion due to increasing concentration caused by evaporation. Decrease of disinfecting effect due to excessive dirt concentration. Instruments with a narrow lumen (tubing, cannulae) or with cavities are generally difficult to prepare. One must, therefore take care that the passages are free and that the inside is completely in contact with the solution. After chemical disinfection and cleaning, the Instruments must always be rinsed well under running water. Any residue has to be removed manually (no metal brushes, no scouring agents) In order to avoid water spots, a final rinsing with demineralized water is recommended. Finally, the Instruments have to be dried immediately 3. Machine Disinfection and cleaning. Machine preparation is usually done in the case of a dry return to CSSD. When wet removal to CSSD(Central Sterilization Service Department) is the case, then either a low-foam
producing disinfectant has to be used or else the Instruments have to be thoroughly prewashed as foam development in the machine can considerably influence the cleaning results. The temperature of the inflowing water should not exceed 45 C as higher temperatures lead to protein coagulation and cause cleaning problems. Disinfection can either be performed chemo-thermally or thermally. Attention has to be paid to the following:- Hinged Instruments have to be opened, thus guaranteeing through cleaning in the joint Do not overload the perforated trays so that all Instruments can be well rinsed A thorough internal flow has to be guaranteed with Instruments having long, narrow cavities (tubing, cannulae, breathing systems). Use special inserts. Remnants from the cleaning phase have to be totally removed in the subsequent rinsing procedures as otherwise spotting and/or discoloration may occur. Additional use of a suitable neutralizing agent improves the rinsing results. For final rinsing, a temperature of 70-90 C has proved to be best. Sterile and demineralized water should be used. 4. Ultrasonic treatment. Ultrasonic treatment is particularly suitable for cleaning Instruments of high-grade steel. Attention should be paid to the following points: Fill the bath up to the makings. Add a suitable cleaning and/or disinfecting agent to the water. Temperature above 40 C promotes degreasing and cleaning. When using disinfecting and cleaning agents make sure that the concentration and temperature are correctly maintained. Instruments have to be completely covered by the cleaning solution. Hinged Instruments e.g. Scissors and Clamps etc have to be opened. After ultrasonic treatment, the Instruments have to be thoroughly rinsed either manually or by machine. Rinsing has to be performed with clear water of at least drinking quality or better still, with demineralized water in order to avoid water spots.
The Instruments should then be thoroughly dried. 5. Care and maintenance. Instruments with joints or ratchets have to be treated with suitable lubricating agent during the cleaning process. 6. Inspection. After each cleaning the Instruments have to be macroscopically cleaned, i.e. visible protein remnants and other contamination. Worn out or damaged Instruments should be removed for repair or replacement. Corroded Instruments should be discarded immediately as these can cause contact corrosion even on a perfect Surgical Instruments. Stains on Surgical Instruments are due to improper preparation. Causes of such stains or spots can be: Insufficient mechanical or manual cleaning Unsuitable cleaning, disinfecting and care agents. Failure to observe the dosage instructions for cleaning, disinfecting or care agents. Remnants of cleaning and disinfecting agents insufficient rinsing Poor water quality. Residues in the sterilizing steam when steam quality is not in accordance with recommendations. Remnants of medications, marking pens or chemo-indicators. Procedural faults e.g. not cleaning brand-new Instruments prior to sterilization. 7. Sterilization. The following proposals have to be observed. Sterilization conditions as well as units have to be in conformity with valid quality standards. Follow the sterilization instructions of the manufacturer. Autoclaving.
Temperature 134 C Hinged Instruments like Scissors, Clamps to be opened. The loading weight of perforated trays filled with Instruments should not exceed 10 Kgs. Temperature 180 C Not suitable for rigid and flexible endoscopes. Care & Handling of Instruments Some basic points for the care and handling of dental and surgical instruments, that will extend the life of instruments, eliminate staining or corrosion. 1. Instruments should be rinsed as soon as possible after use to remove blood, serum and saline. Do not use sponge basin as any residue from normal saline solution can cause corrosion to develop over a period of time. 2. Instruments should be thoroughly dried after cleaning and before rewrapping or sorting, as moisture left in the box lock or serrations can cause rust or corrosion to develop. 3. Do not leave instruments in a cold sterilization soak solution for extended periods as these solutions tend to be corrosive, after cold sterilization, rinse the instruments in distilled or demineralized water and dry thoroughly. 4. If using cold sterilization technique, change the solution according to directions as prolonged use will cause the solution to become corrosive. 5. Do not use caustic cleaners or any other cleaner except those specified for cleaning surgical instruments. 6. Do not clean instruments with steel wool or scouring powder, or use him PH detergents. If cleaning by hand, use specific instruments cleaner or a natural detergent soap and a soft brush (rinse with demineralized or distilled water). 7. Check your autoclave. Iron, sodium, calcium, magnesium or copper in your water can cause spotting, staining or corrosion to occur. In hard water areas, clean the line deposits from your autoclave, install a steam filter if possible. It will remove most of dirt, rust and pipe scale. 8. Make sure the wraps are rinsed sufficiently (6-8 times) to remove all chlorine bleach as any residue can cause staining or corrosion during autoclaving.
9. Do not leave instruments in the following solution for extended periods as corrosion can result - a) Aluminum, Barium, Calcium, Ferrous or stannous chloride solutions. b) Phenol, Lysol or Lodine. c) Dakin s Solution or Zephirin. d) Any acid, Mercury or potassium solution. 10. Do not sterilize stainless steel instruments with chrome plated instruments if possible, as any break in surface of the chrome plate will allow and electrolytic action develop between the dissimilar metals, causing pitting and/or a rusty appearance to develop. 11. Preheat instruments in autoclave before allowing steam to enter, if possible, to prevent an excessive amount of condensation forming on the surface of the instruments. 12. Don t open the autoclave too quickly after the sterilization cycles as excessive condensation will develop on the surface of the instruments (crack the clave to allow drying before opening fully). By above steps and using instruments cleaners and lubricant, your instruments should remain rust, spot and stain free. We hope it has answered any questions you might have on care of the stainless steel instruments. COMPOSITION OF STAINLESS STEEL USED: Composition Table (%) C : 20 Si : 51 Mn : 44 P : 17 S : 4 Ni : 7 Cr : 13.10