Hi All,
Could anybody tell me what sholuld be the thickness of aluminium foil for
autoclaving so that we could use it in aseptic processing area,is there any
current data available for it?Wrapping methods and materials can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the cycle
– Don’t use foil
– Tyvek is good as can get air out/steam in an can be considered a sterile barrier if properly applied and dry
Packaging materialsA wide range of materials used for packaging of sterile supplies are available.
Traditionally, packaging materials for sterile supplies were reusable, such as sterilizing drums and cotton ware. Due to their inadequate microbial barrier, most of these traditional materials do not meet the requirements for primary sterile packaging anymore. They may still play a role as mechanical protection or additional dust protection layer. At the moment non-wovens, laminated film pouches, paper bags and containers are used as primary packaging materials. The following is an overview of packaging materials in use in sterile supply:
Textile sheets: cotton or linen
Use: Inner wrapping of instrument sets or outer dust protection
Textile alone is not suitable as primary packaging!
Cotton sheets have long been the standard packaging material for sterile goods. It has some major advantages
Textile always has been a very common and well known hospital commodity
Strong
Well drapable and convenient in use
Can be reused.
The openings between the threads however are larger then most micro-organisms and thus the fabric does not provide an adequate microbial barrier. It therefore does not meet the requirements anymore as primary packaging for sterile goods. They however are still often used as an inner wrapping for protection or as an outer dust cover.
Whenever textile is used, it should contain its natural humidity. (It should be conditioned). If textile is too dry it may cause overheating of the steam and thus cause a failing sterilization.
Paper sheets
Use: Primary packaging for wrapping of textile packs and instrument sets in trays. Also used as inner packaging in containers
Paper was the first alternative that replaced textile. It has a smaller pore size then textile. And thus can be used as primary packaging. Smooth papers are used for inner packaging, whereas crepe paper is stronger and is rough. Crepe paper can be used for inner and outer packaging.
During sterilization, steam penetrates through the packaging. When paper is wet, it looses much of its original strength. Therefore stress in paper should be prevented. Wrapping should not be too tight, but also not too loose. It is essential that drying is adequate.
Paper sheets are for single use only.
Non-woven sheets
Use: Primary packaging for wrapping of textile packs and instrument sets in trays. Also used as inner packaging in containers
Non-wovens contain a certain amount of synthetic fibers. Added may be inorganic, textile, cellulose or other kind of synthetic fibers. These fibers of different materials are joined together, by for example pressing and heating. This means that the fibers are not woven together, but sealed together. For sterilization special non-wovens have been developed to meet the requirements for the primary packaging of sterile goods. They combine the good characteristics of other packaging materials:
Very strong
Well drapable
Allow air removal and penetration of the sterilizing agent
Very small pores, thus efficient microbial barrier
Virtually lint-free; free of particles and loose fibers
They repel liquids (hydrophobic) Fluids are not absorbed into the fabric.
Various non-woven materials are available for a range of applications in the sterilization department: extra softness, extra strong, etc.
Non-woven sheets are for single-use only
Packing materials.doc (29.0 KB)