The complete line of Microelectrodes products offered by ADInstruments can be sterilized with standard gas sterilization methods as long as the temperature is not allowed to exceed 140 °F (60 °C). An example Ethylene Oxide (EO) sterilization procedure is listed below:
Preheat phase
Starting Temperature 110 ºF (43ºC) min.
Duration 30 minutes
Initial Vacuum
6.0 inHgA (20.3 kPa)
Rate: 3 minutes
Nitrogen Flush
2 cycles
Nitrogen Addition to: 28.0 ± 0.5 inHgA (94.8 ± 1.7 kPa)
Rate: 1.4 ± 0.5 inHgA/min. (4.7 ± 1.7 kPa/min.)
Evacuation: 6.0 ± 0.5 inHgA (20.3 ± 1.7 kPa)Rate: 1.0 ± 0.5 inHgA/min. (3.4 ± 1.7 kPa)
Conditioning
Humidification: 1.5 ± 0.5 inHgA (5.1 ± 1.7 kPa)
Steam Conditioning: 10 min.
Humidity Dwell: 30 ± 5 min. at 7.5 ± 0.5 inHgA (25.4 ± 1.7 kPa)
Relative Humidity: 15-70%Ethylene Oxide Concentration
500 ± 50 mg/L
Dwell Pressure: 16.5 ± 1.0 inHgA (55.8 ± 3.4 kPa)
Dwell Time: 2 hours
Temperature: 110-130 ºF (43-54 ºC)
Relative Humidity: 30-70% (35-44% nominal)After Vacuum
Vacuum: 6.0 ± 0.5 inHgA (20.3 ± 1.7 kPa)
Rate: 1.0 ± 0.5 inHgA/min. (3.4 ± 1.7 kPa)
Vacuum Hold: 10 min.Gas Wash A
4 cycles (minimum)
Release: 30.0 inHgA/min. (94.8 ± 1.7 kPa)
Rate: 1.4 ± 0.5 inHgA/min. (4.7 ± 1.7 kPa)Vacuum
6.0 ± 0.5 inHgA (20.3 ± 1.7 kPa)
Rate: 1.0 ± 0.5 inHgA/min. (3.4 ± 1.7 kPa)Release (Filtered Air)
28.0 ±0.5 inHgA (94.8 ± 1.7 kPa)
Rate: 2.0 ± 0.5 inHgA/min. (6.6 ± 1.7 kPa)Aeration (Hot Cell)
Duration: At least 8 hours
Temperature: 110 ± 10 ºF (43 ºC)