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1.1 This guide describes methods for assessing the service life, under prescribed laboratory conditions, of a brush part designed to clean a medical device. The method utilizes force testers to mechanically actuate a brush part at a constant rate. This action continues until the brush part demonstrates a significant reduction in cleaning power as measured by the force exerted during testing.

1.2 The test methods utilized in this guide are those described in Guides F3275 and F3276. In this guide, the number of repetitions is open-ended and determined by the measurable fatigue of the brush part as measured by a reduction in force, as well as any observation of wear or damage to the brush part.

1.3 Brushes designed to clean medical devices after clinical use play an important role in the effective reprocessing of those medical devices. Instructions for use from the brush manufacturer should supply information related to the service life of the brush. This may be stated in terms of (1) a time period; (2) the number of uses; (3) inspection of the brush for wear and damage.

1.4 Inspection for wear should always be a part of the instructions for use of a brush. Application of this guide can help to determine like mode(s) of observable failure of a brush part.

1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

5.1 This guide describes the use of test methods in Guides F3275 and F3276 to assess the service life of a brush part intended to clean a medical device.

5.2 In the case of a brush part intended to clean a lumen, the force required to move a brush part within a tube, an indicator of the friction a brush exerts on a surface, is a measurable parameter that can change over time and will decrease as the brush part loses integrity.

5.3 In the case of a brush part intended to clean the external surface, the force required to move the brush across a surface and the pressure the brush exerts on that surface are measurable parameters that can change over time and will decrease as the brush part loses integrity.

5.4 By providing objective, repeatable methods for evaluating performance under test conditions, this guide can improve the ability to assess the effectiveness of various brush part designs.