ASTM F1744-96(2008)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Care and Handling of Stainless Steel Surgical Instruments
Standard Guide for Care and Handling of Stainless Steel Surgical Instruments
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended to provide a better understanding of the care of stainless steel surgical instruments intended for reuse. This guide is not intended for use with electrical, pneumatic or other powered surgical instruments.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:F1744–96 (Reapproved 2008)
Standard Guide for
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Care and Handling of Stainless Steel Surgical Instruments
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1744; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 Passivation—Stainless steel can spot, stain, and cor-
rode. This is minimized by passivation which is a process used
1.1 This guide is intended to provide a better understanding
to create a protective chromium oxide surface layer while
of the care of stainless steel surgical instruments intended for
removing surface carbon and iron. This is accomplished in the
reuse. This guide is not intended for use with electrical,
atmosphere slowly or through immersion in oxidizing solution
pneumatic or other powered surgical instruments.
or through an electro-polish process. Through repeated pro-
2. Referenced Documents
cessing the passivation layer will thicken until a good protec-
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tive film is formed.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.1 Never expose instruments to strong acids such as
F 899 Specification for Wrought Stainless Steels for Surgi-
hydrochloric, aqua regia, dilute sulphuric, carbonic, and tar-
cal Instruments
taric.
F 921 Terminology Relating to Hemostatic Forceps
3.2.2 Avoid contact with salt solutions such as aluminum
F 1026 Specification for General Workmanship and Perfor-
chloride, mercury salts, stannous chloride. Also avoid contact
mance Measurements of Hemostatic Forceps
with potassium thiocyanate and potassium permanganate and
F 1078 Terminology for Surgical Scissors—Inserted and
limit contact with iodine solutions to periods less than 1 h.
Non-Inserted Blades
3.2.3 Chloride-bearing solutions such as blood and saline
F 1079 Specification for Inserted and Noninserted Surgical
can cause localized corrosion.Avoid prolonged exposure to or
Scissors
rinsing in saline solutions or corrosion and pitting will occur.
F 1089 Test Method for Corrosion of Surgical Instruments
Use demineralized or distilled water instead. Place instruments
F 1325 Specification for Stainless Steel Suture Needle
into water, enzymatic solution, or disinfectant bath immedi-
Holders-General Workmanship Requirements and Corre-
ately after use so the blood or other material will not dry on
sponding Test Methods
them prior to transport to designated cleaning/reprocessing
3. General
area.
3.1 StainlessSteelTypes—Thestainlesssteelsmostusedare
4. General Care of Instruments
martensitic and austenitic types such as those in Specification
4.1 General—Use instruments only for their intended pur-
F 899. Martensitic stainless steel contains iron, chromium, and
pose, such as cutting, holding, clamping, retracting, and so
sufficient carbon so that when it is hardened by heat treatment,
forth.Avoid undue stress or strain when handling and cleaning.
a substantial martensitic structure is the result. Austenitic
Standard terminology relating to Hemostatic Forceps and
stainless steel has better corrosion resistance and contains iron,
Surgical Scissors are found in Definitions F 921 and Specifi-
chromium, and nickel. It has a substantial austenitic structure
cation F 1078.
and a lower carbon content.Although it cannot be hardened by
4.1.1 Hemostatic Forceps—These forceps are designed to
heat treatment, it can be work-hardened.
clamp blood vessels.They should not be used to clamp towels,
suction tubing, or as needle holders or pliers. Misuse generally
results in misalignment and even cracked box locks.
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F04 on Medical and
4.1.2 Needle Holders—Although designed to withstand
Surgical Materials and Devices and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
someforce,theyarenottobeusedaspliers,jawmisalignments
F04.33 on Medical/Surgical Instruments.
being the result. Select a needle holder matching the size
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2008. Published March 2008. Originally
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approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as F 1744 – 96 (2002) .
needle being used.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.1.3 Scissors—Do not use scissors for the wrong job,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
otherwise, the tips will become misaligned and the blades will
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. dull or chip. Delicate scissors should be particularly guarded
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F1744
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