CLEANING and STERILISATION

Disassembly of equipment for cleaning

Applicators

7mm Dual Incision, 7.3mm and 8mm Single Incision and the Minilap Applicator:

• Applicators must be withdrawn from the operating Laparoscope or trocar and cannula before disassembly. • Unscrew the applicator handle from the shaft using an anticlockwise motion.

• Remove the seal tube from the exposed end of the push rod prior to the cleaning process. If the seal is damaged it should be replaced before sterlisation to ensure that there is no gas leakage through the applicator during pneumoperitoneum or insufflation. • Make sure that the applicator handle and shaft remain together so as not to "mismatch" serial numbers following cleaning.

5mm Single Incision Applicator:

• The applicator handle must be unscrewed from the shaft prior to withdrawal. • Withdraw the shaft from the bottom of the Laparoscope.

7mm Trocar and Cannula:

• Remove the trocar from the cannula. • Unscrew the cannual lid at the end of the cannula and remove the disposable seal. The seal must be discarded and not re-used.

Cleaning the sub-assemblies:

The best method of cleaning the various parts is by total immersion in an ultrasonic bath using a suitable detergent (check with your Sterile Services Department - CSSD), followed by thorough rinsing and flushing with clean water.

CAUTION:

• DO NOT use a solution with a pH lower than 5.0. • THOROUGHLY RINSE the applicator between cleaning treatments with distilled water to remove traces of any solutions, (many water supplies are chlorinated which causes corrosion). • THOROUGHLY DRY the applicator before sterilisation. If these cleaning facilities are not available, parts may be cleaned manually in a suitable detergent solution using the brush provided.

IMPORTANT: Particular attention must be paid to the areas that may act as a trap for blood and tissue fluids.

After cleaning with the detergent solution, the sub-assemblies should be thoroughly rinsed and flushed with clean water. It is inevitable that blood and tissue fluids will become trapped inside the applicator main tube during use.

The cleaning adapter supplied will help you to flush these contaminants away, simplifying the cleaning process.

For best results the movable jaw should be held down whilst the adaptor is screwed onto the main tube section.

• Using a standard Luer Lok syringe will allow you to force cleaning fluid or water down the shaft to remove debris that has been loosened by the initial cleaning processes. • Regardless of which cleaning method is used, as much excess rinsing water as possible must be shaken off the sub-assemblies before they are sterilised.

Sterilisation

The applicator should be sterilised in two parts - the handle and shaft. The cannula should be assembled and kept separate from the trocar. All parts should be suitably packed for the sterilisation method to be used and should be protected from any rubbing or knocking against other items during the process.

Autoclave at 134 - 137°, 2 bar pressure for a minimum of 4 minutes. Hospitals must re-validate this method with their own equipment.

WARNING: DO NOT USE A DRY HEAT STERILISATION PROCESS OR WET CHEMICAL STERILISING AGENTS CONTAINING