Sterilization Solutions

Name: Geuder AG
Address: Hertzstraße 4, Heidelberg, 69126, DE
Telephone: +49 6221 3066

Safe reprocessing as the foundation of every successful procedure

The proper reprocessing of ophthalmic surgical instruments is one of the central prerequisites for patient safety and surgical quality. Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization are not isolated individual steps, but a coherent process subject to validation – governed by the German Medical Devices Operator Ordinance (MPBetreibV), the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the relevant European standards.

Geuder supports you with reprocessing

Manufacturer's reprocessing instructions

For all reusable Geuder instruments we provide validated reprocessing instructions that clearly define which cleaning, disinfection and sterilization procedures are suitable and approved for the respective instrument. These instructions form the legal and qualitative basis for proper reprocessing in accordance with the MPBetreibV and MDR.

Training & workshops on instrument reprocessing

In cooperation with renowned partners, Geuder offers practical training workshops on the cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of ophthalmic surgical instruments. The workshops are aimed at CSSD specialists, OR nursing staff and those responsible for medical device reprocessing in clinics and eye centers.

Tray review and consultation

Our service team supports you with the structured review and assessment of your instrument trays – to identify wear, damage and reprocessing defects. This allows risks to be detected early and the instrument inventory to be optimized in a targeted manner.

Requirements for reprocessing in ophthalmology

Most ophthalmic surgical instruments are classified as critical B according to the RKI classification: they penetrate skin or mucous membrane, come into contact with blood or tissue and have complex geometries (e.g. joints, channels, cavities). For these instruments, machine cleaning and disinfection as well as final steam sterilization are mandatory.

The reprocessing of ophthalmic instruments should preferably be carried out by machine – using alkaline cleaners and validated cleaning-disinfection procedures in a washer-disinfector (WD). Manual pre-cleaning may additionally be necessary, but does not replace machine reprocessing.

For thermostable ophthalmic surgical instruments, steam sterilization (134 °C) is the preferred and regulatorily recommended sterilization procedure. For thermolabile instruments – particularly in posterior segment surgery – validated low-temperature procedures are used.

The choice of cleaning and sterilization procedure must take the material composition of the instruments into account. Not all materials tolerate every combination of cleaner, temperature and procedure. The manufacturer's reprocessing instructions provide binding guidance here – while protecting the investment in high-quality instruments.

Single-use vs. reusable instruments – the right decision

An increasingly relevant aspect of the reprocessing topic is the choice between single-use and reusable instruments

In many product categories, Geuder offers both sterilizable reusable instruments of hand-crafted quality and single-use solutions – for example the NanoEdge single-use knives or single-use products from the UNO Colorline product line. Which option makes sense in your facility depends on factors such as case volume, reprocessing infrastructure, regulatory requirements and cost-effectiveness.

Our team will be glad to advise you on this decision and show you ways to sensibly combine single-use and reusable products.

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