Sterilization Tape: Uses, Types, and Usage Guide

 

Sterilization tape is an important tool in the medical, laboratory, dental and other fields, specifically used to mark and verify whether items have completed the sterilization process. Its core function is to visually display the completion status of the sterilization process through temperature or chemical sensitivity, effectively ensuring the safety of instrument use and reducing the risk of cross - infection.

 

I. Types and Working Principles of Sterilization Tape

According to different sterilization methods, sterilization tape can be divided into four major categories:

1. High - temperature and high - pressure sterilization indicator tape: Usually used in a pressure steam sterilization environment. When items are sterilized at 121°C for 20 minutes or at 132 - 134°C for 4 - 6 minutes, the indicator on the tape changes from yellow to black, confirming successful sterilization.

2. Ethylene oxide sterilization indicator tape: Suitable for gas sterilization scenarios. After 3 hours of treatment under the conditions of an ethylene oxide concentration of 600mg/L, a temperature of 50°C, and a humidity of 65% - 80%, the tape changes from red to green.

3. Dry - heat sterilization indicator tape: Specifically used for dry - heat sterilization equipment, triggering the indicator to change color through a specific high temperature.

4. Hydrogen peroxide sterilization indicator tape: Used in conjunction with low - temperature plasma sterilization technology, and the indicator changes color after exposure to hydrogen peroxide.

 

These tapes all use special chemical indicators, which will undergo an irreversible color change when the temperature, pressure or chemical conditions required for sterilization are reached, thus visually reflecting the sterilization effect.

 

II. Application Scenarios and Operating Specifications

Sterilization tape is widely used in the following scenarios:

- Medical device management: Items that require strict sterilization, such as surgical instruments and dental tools, need to be pasted with tape to ensure that they meet the sterilization standards.

- Laboratory consumable identification: Petri dishes and experimental utensils can be judged whether they can be safely used through the color change of the tape.

- Tattoo and beauty industry: Used for sterilization verification of needles, accessories and other items to ensure hygienic operation.

 

Usage steps:

1. Attach the tape: Cut an appropriate length of tape and paste it on the surface of the item to be sterilized, avoiding direct contact with the sterilant or covering key parts.

2. Sterilization treatment: Put the items into the corresponding sterilization equipment (such as a high - pressure steam sterilizer or an ethylene oxide sterilization chamber) and operate according to the standard process.

3. Check the color change: After sterilization is completed, observe whether the color of the tape has changed to the preset standard color (such as black or green) to confirm the effectiveness of sterilization.

4. Record information: Mark information such as the sterilization date and the operator on the tape after color change to ensure traceability.

 

III. Precautions for Purchase and Use

1. Select the appropriate type: Select the corresponding tape according to the type of sterilization equipment (such as high - temperature steam or ethylene oxide), and avoid ineffective indication due to parameter mismatch.

2. Check the expiration date: The tape should be used within the expiration date. Expired products may affect the accuracy of judgment due to the failure of the indicator.

3. Standardize the operating environment: Ensure that the sterilization equipment is clean and in normal function. For example, residual water should be drained before steam sterilization, and the concentration and humidity should be strictly controlled during ethylene oxide sterilization.

4. Avoid secondary pollution: The tape that has changed color cannot be reused, and the sterilized items should be stored in a sterile environment.

 

IV. Market Development and Quality Standards

In recent years, the technical standards of sterilization tape have been continuously improved. Some domestic production enterprises have passed international certifications (such as FDA 510(K)), breaking the traditional technological monopoly, and their products can meet the strict requirements of the global market for sterilization verification. When purchasing, pay attention to whether the product has medical - grade certification to ensure that it complies with industry regulations.

Through the reasonable selection and use of sterilization tape, the reliability and safety of the sterilization process can be significantly improved, providing key guarantees for fields such as medical health and laboratory research.