CARE AND CLEANING OF ESI LITE-PIPE INSTRUMENTS

The following is a summary of recommended care, cleaning and sterilization methods for ESI LITE-PIPE instruments, ESI Fiber Optic Cables, Rectal Cautery Snares and unlighted instruments.

1.    The main thing to remember in the care of fiber optic lighted instruments is that the bundle is made of glass sealed in a protective metal tube. DO NOT BEND THE LIGHT CARRIER  as some fibers will break causing a loss of light.

2.    The first step in good care after use is to clean instruments using soap and water and thoroughly rinse.

3.    Take extra care to wipe light input and output ends with soft gauze or an alcohol swab, being careful not to scratch glass faces.

4.    The instruments can be sterilized by ethylene oxide gas or standard steam autoclave procedures. Many of our customers flash autoclave at temperatures up to 270° Fahrenheit when time does not permit the preferred gas sterilization or the regular autoclave cycle.

5.    The flexible fiber optic cable is constructed entirely of high temperature components which will withstand normal 250° F autoclaving and flash autoclaving at 270° F. The cause of most problems in autoclaving fiber optic cables is careless handling such as tying fiber optic cables with rubber bands, kinking and stacking heavy instruments on them. We have not found routine flash autoclaving to be a problem when handled properly.

6.    The STERRAD sterilization system is also used by many of our customers.

7.    We recommend separating component parts for sterilizing; remove obturators from sheaths, extension tube from cautery handle, etc. 

8.    Special care is needed for coated instruments. We suggest steam sterilization exclusively .