Medical Devices
Authored by Mind Works (Private) Limited.
Advanced Quality Systems (AQS) Department
Published: August 2006
Updated: January 2018

To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your Mind Works medical instruments, it is essential to follow these professional care and maintenance instructions:

Purpose and Handling:

  • Only use instruments for their intended purpose as designed by the manufacturer.
  • Handle instruments with care, avoiding bouncing, dropping, or overstraining, which can cause damage.


Cleaning and Soaking:

  • Immediately clean instruments after each use to prevent the drying of blood and debris, which can be difficult to remove.
  • Soak instruments in an approved solution to loosen blood and soil from box locks, ratchets, hinges, and other parts.
  • Rinse all cleaning residue thoroughly to ensure the instruments are free from any leftover debris.

Water and Detergent:

  • Use only distilled or demineralized water for washing, rinsing, and sterilizing instruments.
  • Utilize a nylon brush or nylon pot scrubber with a low-sudsing near-neutral detergent (pH 7-a).
  • Avoid using normal tap water, steel wool, wire brushes, or highly abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the passive layer or protective film on the stainless steel instruments.

Lubrication:

  • After cleaning, immerse instruments in a water-soluble lubricant such as Instrument Milk or use Surgical Instrument Lube.
  • Do not rinse or wipe off the lubricant; it should remain on the instrument’s surface throughout sterilization and storage.
  • If using ultrasonic cleaning methods, lubricating the instrument is essential.

Sterilization:

  • Follow the sterilization instructions provided by the manufacturer.
  • Autoclave instruments using saturated water steam at 134°C.
  • Hot-air sterilization should be performed at a temperature between 180-200°C.

Instrument Compatibility:

  • Avoid mixing stainless steel instruments with plated instruments in ultrasonic cleaners, as electrolysis can cause corrosion or etching on the stainless steel instruments.
  • Do not autoclave stainless steel instruments with instruments of dissimilar materials (e.g., carbon steel, copper, brass, aluminum) to prevent potential electrolytic reactions.


Box Locks, Ratchets, and Serrations:

  • Keep box locks, ratchets, hinges, and serrations free from debris and build-up.
  • Failure to clean these areas can result in instrument stiffness, misalignment, and cracking.

Drying and Storage:

  • Thoroughly dry instruments before wrapping them to prevent moisture retention, especially in box locks, hinges, and crevices.
  • Moisture can lead to corrosion, so ensure instruments are completely dry before storage.

Tungsten Carbide Tips and Inserts:

  • Use pH-neutral detergents and lubricants for instruments with tungsten carbide tips and inserts.
  • Avoid using strong alkaline or acidic solutions, as they can break down the tungsten particles or cobalt binder, compromising hardness.

Professional Maintenance:

  • Periodically send the instruments to a reputable service provider for professional inspection, maintenance, and sharpening, if required. Seek
  • Seek professional assistance if you notice any functional issues or damage that cannot be addressed through routine care.

Following these care and maintenance instructions will help preserve the quality, performance, and longevity of your Mind Works medical instruments. For any specific questions or further instrument care recommendations, please consult our website or contact our customer support team.

Maintain the excellence of your Mind Works medical instruments with proper care and maintenance.