The latest technologies of our era are very quickly implemented in all areas of human activity. Whether it is the food industry, metallurgy or mechanical engineering, the use of innovative ideas has affected all branches of production.
There are processes where compliance with aseptic conditions or sterility is the main attribute. This is the field of medicine, food production, pharmaceuticals, research laboratories. Tools and materials used by workers in these industries must meet strict aseptic requirements.
How to achieve sterility and keep it?
Three basic methods are used to sterilize materials and tools, two of which are thermal and one is chemical. These methods are:
- Exposure to steam under pressure or autoclaving. It is produced in special installations - autoclaves, where water and steam are exposed to the material and tools at a temperature of 180 ° C, the duration of the process is 15 minutes.
- Exposure to hot air in a dry oven. This cabinet is a type of oven in which material and sterilization tools are placed on perforated shelves. The temperature is set on the display and reaches up to 134 ° C, the exposure duration is 1 hour.
- Exposure to vapors of gases of ethylene oxide or formaldehyde. This method is chemical and is considered a “cold” effect, since the temperature of the gas vapor does not exceed 40-50 ° C.
After the process of sterilization of materials and tools has passed, the question arises of how to maintain the sterility of the necessary substances for the longest possible time. The answer is simple and concise: you need to use special packaging that will protect sterile instruments and materials from re-infection. Currently, for these purposes, a kraft package for sterilization is widely used. This is a new generation of packaging, widely used, due to its good performance.
What is a sterilization craft bag?
Kraft bags for sterilization are very durable, their density is 80 g / cm 3 . They are resistant to moisture and pass air through microscopic holes in the structure of the packaging material. The permeability of such packets is selective: they are able to pass air molecules and retain the cells of microorganisms, which contributes to the preservation of aseptic conditions inside.
The kraft bag for sterilization is made from sulphate pulp with long fibers. It has four to six layers of fiber. This material has been used by postal agencies for quite a long time to package parcels. Having migrated to other spheres of human activity, kraft paper has acquired a new shape and has become an excellent packaging material that preserves the sterility of substances.
Areas of use
Kraft packages for instrument sterilization are used in medicine, pharmaceuticals, in microbiological and chemical laboratories.
- In such bags, you can sterilize pipettes, syringes, tubes, scalpels, Petri dishes and much more.
- For aseptic packaging of materials and tools.
- For airtight packaging of food and industrial products.
- For marketing purposes - packages with the logo of the company.
Device features
The bags are fixed using a valve or a paper clip and are sealed with self-adhesive tape for tightness.
The Kraft bag for sterilization is equipped with an indicator to monitor the sterility of the contents. During sterilization, the color of the indicator changes. The colors of the indicators they have, depending on the manufacturers, are different. Color transition is specified in the attached instructions.
A kraft bag for sterilization preserves the aseptic state of the instrument or material for a long time. 21-60 days (depending on the brand of the manufacturer) when fixed with a valve, for three days when fixed with a paper clip.
Kraft packages for sterilization of tools and materials have several advantages over other types of packaging, which are as follows:
- Due to the special composition of the paper, kraft bags do not get wet, which is a significant plus when processing steam.
- The high strength of such a package will guarantee the integrity and preservation of sterility inside.
- The ease of sealing the bag eliminates the need for special equipment.
- The packaging is permeable. Air enters through the fibers of the bag and the contents adjust to the surrounding conditions of humidity and temperature.
- Kraft package for sterilization withstands high temperatures up to 180 ° C without loss of strength.
- The presence of indicator components makes it possible to control the sterility of the contents.
- A variety of sizes allows you to pack any tool or material with optimization of the space inside the package.
- A hermetically sealed bag is able to preserve the aseptic of the sterilized material for up to 60 days, depending on the manufacturer, the number of kraft paper layers and the method of fastening the bag. The two-layer bag fastened by the valve and self-adhesive gives the maximum safety of sterility.
- Affordability makes it possible to use kraft packages everywhere.
How to use the craft package?
Any device needs proper use, like kraft bags for sterilization. Instructions for use are usually enclosed in a box with this material. The main provisions of the instructions for using bags for sterilization:
- Before use, a thorough inspection of the package is carried out to confirm integrity. Damaged or non-integral packages must not be used.
- Attention is drawn to the production date and expiration date. Packages without a manufacturing date and with an expired shelf life are prohibited.
- Dry and clean tools and materials are placed in a single or double craft package, based on their size - individually or as a set. Fasten the package with a paper clip or valve, seal it with a self-adhesive tape for tightness. Check for the presence of a sterilization indicator and its compliance with the color specified in the manufacturer's instructions. Packages without an indicator and with a color that does not match it are not allowed for use.
- The packaging with the prepared material must be clearly labeled with the date of sterilization.
- After observing all the preparatory manipulations, the packed bags of material are placed in special perforated baskets and subjected to the necessary type of sterilization: steam, air or chemical. The weight of the basket with materials packed in two layers of kraft bags should not exceed 10 kg. If the weight of the basket is greater, then in order to avoid wetting the material, it is worth distributing the packages with the contents into two baskets.
- Sterilization of prepared materials is carried out according to the established regime, according to the selected type. All devices must be equipped with verified sensors, be operational. A competent specialist with special approval is allowed to work with autoclaves and hazardous chemicals.
- When placing the prepared material, it is worthwhile to ensure that it does not touch the walls and lid of the sterilization apparatus, and do not exceed the loading rate.
- During sterilization, the color of the indicator changes from the original to the contrast. The initial and transitional color of the indicator is indicated in the passport to the craft package. This indicates that the process was successful, and the color indicator allows us to conclude that the contents of the package are sterile. The sterilization mark is entered in the appropriate registry.
- Packages with sterile instruments and materials are stored without unpacking in dry and clean cabinets, avoiding dust, moisture and direct sunlight. Certain conditions must be observed in the room: temperature +10 ... + 30 ˚ and humidity not more than 50%. If all storage conditions are met, aseptic conditions inside the package are stored for a period specified by the manufacturer. If moisture gets on the kraft package, it is considered unsuitable for use even after drying. The shelf life of the sterilized material should not exceed the period of use of the package itself.
Vigilance on guard of aseptic conditions
Before opening each package, a mandatory careful inspection is made. The use of kraft packages with sterile contents is unacceptable in the following cases:
- Expiration of the kraft package.
- Expiration of sterilized material.
- Lack of labeling with sterilization date.
- Violation of the integrity and tightness of the package.
- The indicator during sterilization did not change color or is very different from that provided by the manufacturer.
- If you violate the recommendations for the storage of sterile material.
If, after visual inspection of the package with sterile contents, there were no comments, then it is opened with full aseptic compliance, and the contents are laid out on a sterile table. Kraft bag for sterilization is used once, and then disposed of with household waste. Since the composition of its natural origin, the package decomposes ideally and does not pollute the environment.