FST tweezersAs a precision tool, its cleaning and disinfection need to follow standardized procedures to ensure hygiene and safety, and extend its service life. The following are the key steps and operational points:
1、 Cleaning process: Thoroughly remove residues to avoid biofilm formation
Preliminary flushing
Operation: Rinse the surface of the tweezers with flowing water or specialized cleaning agent to remove visible dirt, blood, or tissue debris.
Key points: Joints, crevices, and other areas need to be repeatedly rinsed to avoid the formation of biofilms after dirt dries up (hindering the subsequent penetration of disinfectants).
deep cleaning
Method:
Soft bristled toothbrush+flowing water: Gently brush the surface of the tweezers, especially the joints and teeth, to remove stubborn stains.
Syringe flushing: For internal water supply forceps (such as models with tubing), use a syringe to flush the inside of the tubing to remove debris or blood clots.
Attention: Avoid using steel wire balls or highly corrosive cleaning agents to prevent scratching the surface or damaging the material.
Drying treatment
Operation: Use clean gauze or compressed air to dry the tweezers, ensuring there is no residual moisture (to prevent scale or corrosion during subsequent disinfection).
Taboo: Do not wipe with paper towels to avoid static electricity or fiber residue.
2、 Disinfection process: Select appropriate methods to ensure sterilization effectiveness
Alcohol immersion disinfection (recommended)
Concentration and time: Use 75% medical grade alcohol and soak for at least 1 hour (to ensure thorough killing of bacteria, viruses, and spores).
Operation: Fully immerse the tweezers in alcohol and avoid exposure to air (which may affect disinfection effectiveness).
Follow up treatment: After disinfection, wipe the surface with an alcohol cotton ball to remove residual disinfectant.
High pressure steam sterilization (applicable to high-risk scenarios)
Conditions: Temperature of 121 ℃ -134 ℃, pressure of 103-206kPa, duration of 15-30 minutes.
Applicable scenarios: When in contact with blood, tissue, or high-risk infection samples (such as surgery, animal experiments).
Note:
Ensure that the material of the tweezers is heat-resistant (such as stainless steel models).
After sterilization, it needs to be thoroughly dried to prevent rusting.
Ultraviolet disinfection (auxiliary method)
Operation: Place the tweezers under a UV lamp for 20-30 minutes, with an irradiation distance of ≤ 1 meter.
Limitations: It can only kill surface microorganisms and is ineffective for gaps or interiors. It needs to be used in combination with other methods.
3、 Maintenance and upkeep: the core measure to extend the service life
Lubrication treatment
Operation: Apply specialized lubricant (such as silicon-based lubricant) to the joint of the tweezers, gently open and close several times to evenly distribute the lubricant.
Effect: Reduce friction, prevent joint jamming or wear.
rust prevention treatment
Before long-term storage: Apply a thin layer of rust proof oil (such as mineral oil) on the surface of the tweezers, especially for non stainless steel models.
Rust treatment:
Slight rust spots: Gently wipe with a pencil (phosphate deposition is common, not true rust).
Severe corrosion: Professional polishing or replacement of tweezers is required.
Storage environment
Conditions: Dry, ventilated, free of corrosive gases, temperature ≤ 24 ℃, humidity ≤ 70%.
Container: Use specialized instrument boxes or sterile bags to avoid mixing with other metal tools (to prevent electrolytic contamination or scratches).
4、 Regular inspection: ensure functionality and accuracy
Visual inspection
Content: Observe whether there are cracks, deformations, or rust spots on the surface of the tweezers, and whether the joints are loose.
Frequency: Conduct a comprehensive inspection after each use and every month.
Functional Testing
Operation: Gently pinch the front end of the tweezers and check if the clamping force is uniform and if the opening and closing are smooth.
Accuracy requirement: The micro tweezers must ensure that the tip is aligned, without bending or deviation.
Precision calibration
Applicable scenarios: high-precision experiments (such as cell manipulation, electron microscope sample processing).
Method: Use standard measuring tools (such as vernier calipers) to measure the opening and closing distance of tweezers, with an error of ≤ 0.05mm.
5、 Common Problems and Solutions
| problem | reason | Solution |
| Residual stains after disinfection | Insufficient alcohol concentration or short soaking time | Soak in 75% alcohol for at least 1 hour |
| The tweezers rust | Storage environment is damp or not coated with rust proof oil | Apply anti rust oil after drying and store in a dry environment |
| Joint stuttering | Lack of lubrication or incomplete cleaning | Regularly lubricate and thoroughly clean joint gaps |
| Color change after disinfection | Electrolytic pollution or chemical residue | Avoid mixing with tools made of different materials and thoroughly rinse |