Silicone: Cleaning and Sterilization

Cleaning: 

HSP silicone devices may be cleaned in a solution of hot water and mild soap. Synthetic detergents and oil based soaps should NOT be used, as they may be absorbed and subsequently leached out in transported fluids. If it is necessary to use a brush, only a very soft bristled one should be used. Rinse thoroughly in purified (distilled) water, taking care to flush the lumen of the tubing. Autoclave before the interior becomes dry. It is important that moisture be present on the inside of the tubes to avoid air locks during autoclaving.

Sterilization: 

It is critical that a sterilization protocol be established for your specific product configuration.

Steam: Medical grade silicone tubing is able to withstand all common steam autoclave sterilization cycles without adverse effects to the tubing. Autoclave cycles should be qualified by the user to their product configuration prior to sterilization.
Wrap in a non-linting material or place in a clean tray. Autoclave by one of the flowing:
• High-speed instrument Sterilizer: 10 minutes at 132 decrees Celsius and 30psi.
• Standard gravity Sterilizer: 30 minutes at 121 degrees Celsius and 15psi.

Ethylene Oxide, (EtO): the tubing is sterilized by normal EtO cycles that have been qualified by the user: aeration times must also be set by the user in accordance with the product configuration. This method is not recommended unless you know how long it takes to complete the out gassing of the residual EtO and other byproducts for the system you use.

Dry Heat: Any usual dry heat sterilization method qualified by the user may also be used to sterilize the silicone tubing. 

Radiation: Silicone has been shown to withstand gamma radiation sterilization with the usual exposure levels qualified by the user. Some physical properties may be slightly changed as a result of this form of sterilization. Effects that have sometimes been seen include: tensile strength remains essentially unchanged; minimal but measurable increase seen in durometer and tensile modulus at 200% elongation: tear strength and elongation may be slightly decreased. Exposure at 2.5 megarads produces minimal physical property changes, even at 200% elongation.