Reprocessing Single Use Biopsy Forceps for Reuse
K.Merritt, V.M. Hitchins, S.A. Brown and T.O. Woods, Division of Life Sciences, Division of Mechanics and Material Science, CDRH, FDA, Rockville, MD 20852
Economic considerations in the delivery of health care are enticing some facilities to reuse single use devices. Biopsy forceps, used together with an endoscope in gastrointestinal procedures, are among the devices that some entities are reprocessing. If these forceps are to be reused on another patient, they must be adequately cleaned and sterilized. We have been examining 3 types of single use GI biopsy forceps. These have an external polymer sheath covering the spring that operates either jaws or a snare. The snares have an open lumen. The jaw forceps appear sealed but actually there is an open lumen. Cleaning of these devices with a sequence of bleach, ultrasonic bath with detergent and enzyme, and water rinse appears to remove residual debris. However, drying the lumens of these devices is very difficult. Residual water may decrease the effectiveness of sterilization.