Make sure your Pen Cartridges are Sterilized
-
I see too many times folks still using pen cartridges that at first glance look sterilized. But please, for the love of Pete, thoroughly check the pouch and check the color indicators. If they have not changed colors then the contents inside the pouch are not sterile. So you can either throw them away or try to send them back. These I just got today with an order of pen needles.
-
Unrelated to pen cartridges but related to sterility -- isn't there a brand and portal to get sterile sealed vials without exorbitant shipping charges?
The Amazon ones are a big gamble that I'm uncomfortable with.
I'm aware of the ALK and such branded ones but the sites selling them have very high shipping charges unless you buy upwards of $100 worth stuff in one order.
-
Unrelated to pen cartridges but related to sterility -- isn't there a brand and portal to get sterile sealed vials without exorbitant shipping charges?
The Amazon ones are a big gamble that I'm uncomfortable with.
I'm aware of the ALK and such branded ones but the sites selling them have very high shipping charges unless you buy upwards of $100 worth stuff in one order.
@pep_researcher I was just looking at one place I know of, Med Lab Supply and seems like there has been a run on sterile vials. Most of their stuff is sold out. But when they do have stock available, their prices are pretty good.
-
I see too many times folks still using pen cartridges that at first glance look sterilized. But please, for the love of Pete, thoroughly check the pouch and check the color indicators. If they have not changed colors then the contents inside the pouch are not sterile. So you can either throw them away or try to send them back. These I just got today with an order of pen needles.
-
@pep_researcher I was just looking at one place I know of, Med Lab Supply and seems like there has been a run on sterile vials. Most of their stuff is sold out. But when they do have stock available, their prices are pretty good.
@mrjoshua44 said in Make sure your Pen Cartridges are Sterilized:
@pep_researcher I was just looking at one place I know of, Med Lab Supply and seems like there has been a run on sterile vials. Most of their stuff is sold out. But when they do have stock available, their prices are pretty good.
Medlab is all out of ALK vials. They have other available in singles but the shipping charges are whopping $15 for 10 vials worth $20 bucks. Shipping is free only above $100. Not buying full vial crates, cause I'm not running a pharmacy or professional lab here. LOL
-
@mrjoshua44 said in Make sure your Pen Cartridges are Sterilized:
@pep_researcher I was just looking at one place I know of, Med Lab Supply and seems like there has been a run on sterile vials. Most of their stuff is sold out. But when they do have stock available, their prices are pretty good.
Medlab is all out of ALK vials. They have other available in singles but the shipping charges are whopping $15 for 10 vials worth $20 bucks. Shipping is free only above $100. Not buying full vial crates, cause I'm not running a pharmacy or professional lab here. LOL
@pep_researcher I hear ya. But the unfortunate thing is, it seems no matter where you shop the shipping costs are all going to be high. It's freaking ridiculous.
-
@mrjoshua44 - still learning about this. My pouches have color codes like the ones you pictured. What exactly is supposed to change color?
@TrueNorth If they have been steam sterilized in an autoclave, the blue stripe will be black, like the one in this picture. If it is still blue, it has not been properly sterilized.
-
If you know how to use a pressure canner (properly vent it to evacuate the air) you can process them on an elevated rack for 30 minutes at 15 psi. Be sure to allow them to dry completely before handling to push the stopper back in through the packaging.
-
@TrueNorth If they have been steam sterilized in an autoclave, the blue stripe will be black, like the one in this picture. If it is still blue, it has not been properly sterilized.
@mrjoshua44 said in Make sure your Pen Cartridges are Sterilized:
he blue stripe will be black, like the one in this
Thanks for the explanation
-
If you know how to use a pressure canner (properly vent it to evacuate the air) you can process them on an elevated rack for 30 minutes at 15 psi. Be sure to allow them to dry completely before handling to push the stopper back in through the packaging.
@MyB That's the thing with using pressure canners though, the drying process. Even letting all the steam and pressure out of the vessel there is still moisture. Any little bit of water or moisture that gets left behind on the pouch can make the entire thing non-sterile. But using an autoclave with a dryer function solves that problem.
