Sterilizer selection guide by medical specialty

Plasma for rigid scopes and cameras; ETO if there is long tubing or cloth packs.

Typical reusable instruments

Scalpel handles, forceps, scissors, clamps, retractors, needle holders

Low-temp items

Laparoscopes (rigid), camera heads, light cables, trocars, insufflation tubing

Indicative size

Medium ~50–150 L — Multiple scope and cable sets per list.

Plasma for drills, scopes, and cameras; ETO for fine long lumens.

Typical reusable instruments

Micro-forceps, rongeurs, dissectors

Low-temp items

Neuro-endoscopes, bipolar cables, powered drills/motors (battery), optics

Indicative size

Small–Medium ~60–135 L — Low volume, but bulky battery motors set the floor.

Plasma or ETO for reusable electrode sets.

Typical reusable instruments

Reflex hammer (non-critical)

Low-temp items

Reusable EMG/EEG needle electrodes

Indicative size

Small benchtop ~30–60 L — Tiny loads.

ETO for long lumens. The TEE probe body is usually high-level disinfected (HLD), not sterilized.

Typical reusable instruments

— (most catheters are single-use)

Low-temp items

Reusable EP catheters, TEE probe accessories

Indicative size

Small–Medium ~60–135 L — Long catheters coil into the tray.

Plasma or ETO for fiber-optic headlights, sensors, and powered tools.

Typical reusable instruments

Sternal saws, bypass cannulas, vascular clamps

Low-temp items

Fiber-optic headlights, sensors, powered tools

Indicative size

Medium ~60–220 L — Bulky metal goes to steam; low-temp items share a moderate load.

Plasma for battery drivers and motors; ETO for sealed electronics.

Typical reusable instruments

Drills, reamers, saws, broaches, implant trays (steam)

Low-temp items

Battery drivers/motors, arthroscopes, light cables, cameras

Indicative size

Large ~50–220 L — Big motors plus high case turnover — the largest footprint.

Plasma for rigid scopes; ETO for flexible scopes.

Typical reusable instruments

Micro-ear instruments, nasal specula

Low-temp items

Rigid nasendoscopes, sinus scopes, micro-drills, flexible laryngoscopes

Indicative size

Small–Medium ~60–135 L — Compact scopes, moderate count.

Plasma (verify IOL/material compatibility); ETO is case-specific.

Typical reusable instruments

Fine forceps, cannulas, speculum (steam)

Low-temp items

Fiber-optic probes, vitrectomy handpieces

Indicative size

Small–Medium ~60–135 L — Small items, but high-volume eye hospitals run many cycles.

Note

Verify IOL and material compatibility before processing.

ETO for long flexible lumens; a rigid cystoscope can go to Plasma.

Typical reusable instruments

Resectoscope metal parts

Low-temp items

Flexible ureteroscopes/cystoscopes, lithotripsy probes, long lumens

Indicative size

Medium ~60–150 L — Long flexible scopes need coiling room.

Plasma or ETO for hysteroscopes, laparoscopes, and camera/cables.

Typical reusable instruments

Specula, D&C sets (steam)

Low-temp items

Hysteroscopes, laparoscopes, camera/cables

Indicative size

Medium ~50–150 L — Scope and camera sets per list.

ETO for terminal sterilization (these scopes are routinely HLD via AER). Plasma is unsuitable for these very long lumens.

Typical reusable instruments

—

Low-temp items

Flexible gastroscopes / colonoscopes (very long lumens)

Indicative size

Medium–Large ~135–220 L — ~1.6 m scopes coiled; busy units run high volume.

Note

Plasma is unsuitable for the very long lumens of GI endoscopes.

ETO for flexible bronchoscopes; Plasma for rigid bronchoscopes.

Typical reusable instruments

Rigid bronchoscope

Low-temp items

Flexible bronchoscopes

Indicative size

Small–Medium ~60–135 L — Fewer scopes than a GI unit.

Plasma for electronics and fiber-optic handpieces.

Typical reusable instruments

Mirrors, probes, forceps, elevators (steam)

Low-temp items

Fiber-optic / electric handpieces, implant motors, intraoral cameras

Indicative size

Small benchtop ~30–60 L — Small items, frequent short cycles.

Plasma for video-laryngoscope blades; ETO for LMAs and cloth-packed circuits.

Typical reusable instruments

Metal laryngoscope blades (steam)

Low-temp items

Fiber-optic video-laryngoscope blades, reusable LMAs, circuits

Indicative size

Medium ~100–150 L — Breathing circuits are bulky and cloth-packed, which points to ETO.

ETO for cannula lumens; Plasma for handpieces.

Typical reusable instruments

Fine instruments, vascular clamps (steam)

Low-temp items

Liposuction cannulas (lumens), Doppler probes, electrosurgical/laser handpieces

Indicative size

Small–Medium ~60–135 L — Moderate low-temp load.

Plasma or ETO for electrosurgery cables/tips and fiber-optic devices.

Typical reusable instruments

Minor surgery sets, punches (steam)

Low-temp items

Electrosurgery cables/tips, fiber-optic devices

Indicative size

Small benchtop ~30–60 L — Minimal low-temp volume.

Plasma for fast, residue-free cycles that preserve optics, electronics, and coatings; ETO for complex lumens.

Typical reusable instruments

Robotic arm adapters, trocars, cannulas

Low-temp items

Articulated wristed instruments (EndoWrist), robotic endoscopes/cameras, light cables — delicate optics & electronics

Indicative size

Medium–Large ~135–220 L — Long articulated instruments plus high-volume programs.