ISO/TC 198/WG 12 - Information for reprocessing of resterilizable devices

This document specifies requirements for the information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer for the processing of critical or semi-critical medical devices (i.e. a medical device that enters normally sterile parts of the human body or a medical device that comes into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin) or medical devices that are intended to be sterilized. This includes information for processing prior to use or reuse of the medical device. Processing instructions are not defined in this document. Rather, this document specifies requirements to assist manufacturers of medical devices in providing detailed processing instructions that consist of the following activities, where applicable: a) initial treatment at the point of use; b) preparation before cleaning; c) cleaning; d) disinfection; e) drying; f) inspection and maintenance; g) packaging; h) sterilization; i) storage; j) transportation. This document excludes processing of the following: —   non-critical medical devices unless they are intended to be sterilized; —   textile devices used in patient draping systems or surgical clothing; —   medical devices specified by the manufacturer for single use only and supplied ready for use. NOTE      See ISO 17664-2:2021, Annex E, for further guidance on the application of the ISO 17664 series to a medical device.

This document specifies requirements for the information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer for the processing of non-critical medical devices not intended to be sterilized (i.e. a medical device that is intended to come into contact with intact skin only or a medical device not intended for direct patient contact). This includes information for processing prior to use or reuse of the medical device. Processing instructions are not defined in this document. Rather, this document specifies requirements to assist manufacturers of medical devices in providing detailed processing instructions that consist of the following activities, where applicable: a) preparation before processing; b) cleaning; c) disinfection; d) drying; e) inspection and maintenance; f) packaging; g) storage; h) transportation. This document excludes processing of: 1) critical and semi-critical medical devices; 2) medical devices intended to be sterilized; 3) textile medical devices used in patient draping systems or surgical clothing; 4) medical devices specified by the manufacturer for single use only and supplied ready for use. NOTE See Annex E for further guidance on the application of the ISO 17664 series to a medical device.

ISO 17664:2017 specifies requirements for the information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer for the processing of a medical device that requires cleaning followed by disinfection and/or sterilization to ensure that the device is safe and effective for its intended use. This includes information for processing prior to use or reuse of the medical device. The provisions of ISO 17664:2017 are applicable to medical devices that are intended for invasive or other direct or indirect patient contact.

ISO 17664:2004 specifies the information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer on the processing of medical devices claimed to be resterilizable, and medical devices intended to be sterilized by the processor. ISO 17664:2004 specifies requirements for the information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer, so that the medical device can be processed safely and will continue to meet its performance specification. Requirements are specified for processing that consists of all or some of the following activities: a) preparation at the point of use; b) preparation, cleaning, disinfection; c) drying; d) inspection, maintenance and testing; e) packaging; f) sterilization; g) storage. When providing instructions for these activities, medical device manufacturers are expected to be aware of the training and knowledge of procedures, and of the processing equipment available to the persons likely to be responsible for processing. It is likely that some processing procedures will be generic and well known and will use equipment and consumables conforming to recognized standards. In this case, a reference in the instructions is all that is required. For those medical devices where instructions for use are not required to accompany the medical device, other means of communicating the information can be used, e.g. user manuals, symbols or wall charts supplied separately. The principles of ISO 17664:2004 may be applied when considering the information to be supplied with medical devices which only require disinfection prior to re-use. ISO 17664:2004 is not applicable to textile devices used in patient-draping systems or surgical clothing.