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Dentsleeve Technical Note 3 Version 2 - Cleaning and sterilising



Cleaning and sterilisation of Dentsleeve assemblies

Cleaning

This is an essential step before sterilisation. Failure to cleanse assemblies carries the risk of ineffective sterilisation, and blockage of manometric channels by retained body fluids.

Body fluids should not be allowed to dry in or on the assembly after it has been used, as removal of deposited solids from these can then be very difficult.

Directly after use, immerse the assembly in a bowl of warm, mild detergent solution, and wipe it externally several times under water.

Use a 20 ml syringe to flush the detergent solution through all channels of the assembly regardless of whether the channel has been used for measurement or not.

Use of a 20 ml syringe minimises the risk of applying excessive pressure to manometric channels which can burst as a result of this.

The flushing pressure should be reduced for miniature and micro manometric assemblies (those with manometric lumina smaller than
0.6 mm).

In assemblies equipped with balloons do not flush these accidentally. These connectors are supplied with a male luer connector and a red luer locking ring, so they are readily distinguished.
Rinsing

Rinse the outside of the assembly in a bowl of clean water.

Remove the assembly from the rinse water and place it on a clean surface.

Cover the assembly with a towel to absorb the water jets that exit from side holes on flushing.

Flush each channel with water and then air. This can be achieved conveniently by using a 20 or 30 ml syringe which is only part-filled with water. After flushing several ml of water with the syringe pointing downwards, tilt the syringe upwards so that air is then forced out of the syringe.
Sterilisation

We advise strongly against the use of glutaraldehyde solutions for disinfection.
The risks of eye splash with flushing are substantial and this method has not been validated.

Disinfection with glutaraldehyde also introduces the possibility of retention of glutaraldehyde within assemblies because of inadequate flushing. Retained glutaraldehyde can cause serious injury to patients on subsequent use of the manometric assembly.

Air flushing that is needed after syringing of assemblies cannot dry internal channels adequately. This retained moisture is an infection hazard.

Autoclaving is the only method of sterilisation that we recommend.
Your assembly is designed to withstand repeated autoclaving.
The autoclaving time must allow for the presence of water within assembly channels even after prolonged air flushing. Only special approaches will clear manometric channels of water completely.

Autoclaving will ensure complete dryness of the assembly channels, as well as reliable sterilisation.

Users must determine effective protocols for the autoclaves that they will be using in consultation with infection control officers.

In one institution the following process has been certified as effective.

-

steam autoclave at 134° for
5 minutes at 30 psi or 206 kpa
-

total cycle time of 30 minutes to allow for warm up and cool down.

Luer plugs must be removed for autoclaving. The plugs should be autoclaved with the assembly.

         
         

WARNING

The risks of eye splash are substantial if manometric assemblies are flushed with glutaraldehyde.
Autoclaving is the only safe method for disinfection of Dentsleeve assemblies.

         
         

Dentsleeve International Ltd

     

Technical Notes