Sterilizing injection pen cartridges

[GimmeABreak]

I ordered a handful of cartridges from two different pen suppliers and they claim they are sterilized but no real way to be certain. Is there a way I can sterilize them in my lab? I searched this on other forums + reddit and can't seem to find any info. Insta pot? UV Light? With either of these methods, if the cart is sealed does sterilization even work?
TIA

 

[TNDelta]

I've heard of several taking them to a dentist office or doctor's that they're close with and sterilize with their equipment. Not sure how Insta Pot would work but maybe?

 

[Jackal]

Yes, asking a vet, dentist, doctor, or even a school if they will autoclave it for you will work.

Unfortunately an Instant Pot does not get hot enough. I believe the sterilize function only gets to about 239F (118C) . You want to reach a temp of 250F (121C) for 15-20 mins. I know some may say close enough but it is up to you to decide your amount of risk.

A manual pressure cooker with a 15psi weight works. This is what I use and yes the tape does turn from blue to black.

 

[GimmeABreak]

Yes, asking a vet, dentist, doctor, or even a school if they will autoclave it for you will work.

Unfortunately an Instant Pot does not get hot enough. I believe the sterilize function only gets to about 239F (118C) . You want to reach a temp of 250F (121C) for 15-20 mins. I know some may say close enough but it is up to you to decide your amount of risk.

A manual pressure cooker with a 15psi weight works. This is what I use and yes the tape does turn from blue to black.

Thanks for the quick response. So something like this would work:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVD2681X/

Any idea how long it would take?

 

[RedSkip]

Yes, asking a vet, dentist, doctor, or even a school if they will autoclave it for you will work.

Unfortunately an Instant Pot does not get hot enough. I believe the sterilize function only gets to about 239F (118C) . You want to reach a temp of 250F (121C) for 15-20 mins. I know some may say close enough but it is up to you to decide your amount of risk.

A manual pressure cooker with a 15psi weight works. This is what I use and yes the tape does turn from blue to black.

Genuinely curious… why 250 F when the FDA says 165F for food born bacteria?

 

[fetefille]

Yes, asking a vet, dentist, doctor, or even a school if they will autoclave it for you will work.

Unfortunately an Instant Pot does not get hot enough. I believe the sterilize function only gets to about 239F (118C) . You want to reach a temp of 250F (121C) for 15-20 mins. I know some may say close enough but it is up to you to decide your amount of risk.

A manual pressure cooker with a 15psi weight works. This is what I use and yes the tape does turn from blue to black.

I’m trying to figure this out. How do the cartridges get sterilized inside of the packaging, sealed at both ends with rubber stoppers? Just by virtue of the temp?

ETA: ok, I got part of it, medical grade kraft paper is permeable. The second part, the rubber stoppers…idk.

 

[exploitedworkerbee]

I’m trying to figure this out. How do the cartridges get sterilized inside of the packaging, sealed at both ends with rubber stoppers? Just by virtue of the temp?

ETA: ok, I got part of it, medical grade kraft paper is permeable. The second part, the rubber stoppers…idk.

Pressure causes the stoppers to pop out. You re-insert them while still packaged.

I haven’t actually done this personally but this is my understanding of it

 

[Jackal]

Genuinely curious… why 250 F when the FDA says 165F for food born bacteria?

Honestly, I don't know. I did a LOT of reading on it and that keeps coming up. I also asked a dermatologist that I have worked with for years and she said her practice autoclaves at 121C. Which she kindly did my first batch.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/steam-sterilization has some information and a nice timing chart.
I think it comes down your risk tolerance level.

 

[GimmeABreak]

Thanks for all of the reply's. I am either going to go with the $40 autoclave (in the amazon link above) or just roll the dice and hope the cartridge vendors actually sterilize them.... (TAKE THAT! immune system)

 

[fetefille]

Pressure causes the stoppers to pop out. You re-insert them while still packaged.

I haven’t actually done this personally but this is my understanding of it

Ahhhh interesting, the way my brain wouldn’t let this go.