4.1 Reusable medical devices have a range of cleanability. The equipment, effort, and time expended for cleaning devices should be feasible in the intended setting. For that reason, it is essential that cleanability be considered during the design phase.

4.2 The next section highlights features that either have a tendency to retain debris and/or make removing contamination difficult. Individually, the criteria listed in this document may not render a device difficult to clean. Furthermore, it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to consider feasibility and ease of cleaning the device in the clinical environment when designing their device. Although it may not be feasible to remove or modify all of the problematic design features from a device, device manufacturers should be aware of challenging designs for cleaning and take appropriate action for minimizing the impact of these features on cleaning. For example, disassembly may be necessary to thoroughly clean a device, or it may be determined that a device cannot be adequately cleaned, in which case that device would be designated single-use only. In addition, manufacturers should consider the compatibility of their device design with subsequent sterilization or disinfection.

1.1 This guide is intended to provide manufacturers of reusable medical devices design feature guidance to minimize debris retention after use and increase ease of removal of contaminants and cleaning product residuals from devices during cleaning/rinsing and also prepare for subsequent processing steps (for example, sterilization or disinfection).

1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.