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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System?
   

   The STERRAD^® 100NX™ System was designed to meet customer needs for a fast, versatile, and large sterilizer. The STERRAD^® 100NX System offers two cycle options: a 47-minute Standard cycle and a 42-minute Flex cycle. The sterilizer has the same footprint as the STERRAD^® 100S System but stands 4 inches taller.

   Other advantageous features include an enlarged rectangular chamber, network connectivity, self-diagnostics, an easy-to-read touch screen, and a hydrogen peroxide monitor that measures concentration of H₂O₂.

2. How does STERRAD^® 100NX™ technology differ from the other STERRAD^® System technology?
   

   While the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System is very similar to other STERRAD^® Systems, it uniquely utilizes a vaporization system to remove the majority of water from the hydrogen peroxide, resulting in a hydrogen peroxide concentration of up to 95%. This increased hydrogen peroxide level improves diffusion of peroxide into lumens and allows a broader range of processing claims for the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System.

3. What are the sterilization claims for the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System?
   

   The STERRAD^® 100NX™ Sterilizer is designed for sterilization of both metal and non-metal medical devices at low temperatures. Because the cycle operates within a dry environment and at low temperatures, it is ideal for instruments sensitive to heat and moisture. The STERRAD^® 100NX™ Sterilizer can also sterilize instruments which have diffusion-restricted spaces, such as the hinged portion of forceps and scissors.

   Medical devices with the following materials and dimensions can only be processed in the STERRAD^® 100NX™ Sterilizer Standard Cycle:

   Single channel stainless steel lumens with:
   An inside diameter of 0.7 mm or larger and a length of 500 mm or shorter
   Polyethylene and Teflon lumen tubing (excluding flexible endoscopes) with an inside diameter of 1 mm or larger and length of 1000 mm or shorter. [These items must be sterilized without any additional load.]

   Up to twenty (20) pieces of tubing may be sterilized at a time.
   Many flexible endoscopes, with the following materials and dimensions can only be processed in the STERRAD^® 100NX™ Sterilizer Flex Cycle:
   Single channel polyethylene and Teflon flexible endoscopes with a diameter of 1 mm or larger and length of 850 mm or shorter

   One or two flexible endoscopes may be sterilized at one time. These items must be sterilized without any additional load.

   For further information on claims please see Chapter 8 of the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System User's Guide.

4. What is the advantage of having both a Standard and a Flex Cycle?
   

   The availability of two cycles provides maximum flexibility for instrument processing. The vast majority of medical instruments that can be processed in the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System (90-95%) may be processed in the Standard Cycle. The Flex Cycle is specifically intended for processing of single channel flexible endoscopes.

5. How long are the cycle times?
   

   The Standard Cycle will run approximately 47 minutes and the Flex Cycle will run approximately 42 minutes. Variation of a few minutes around this time can be expected depending on the type of load being processed. Wet loads may result in extended and possibly cancelled cycles. Loads must be thoroughly dried to assure rapid instrument turnaround.

6. What is network connectivity and how is it installed?
   

   Network connectivity occurs when the sterilizer is connected to the facility's mainframe computer system to allow uploading of data from the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System to the facility's computer system. The uploading of data into a facility's computer system will require information technology (IT) support from the facility for configuration and access control. Additional software may also be required if the data from the STERRAD^® 100NX™ system is to be utilized by existing information management systems. Network connectivity requires the use of an Ethernet cable to connect the system to a network. In addition, network settings need to be configured for each system using a unique IP address. Detailed instructions for connecting the system to a computer network are provided in the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System User's Guide. ASP recommends that customers seek the assistance of their facility's IT support staff when configuring their system for network connectivity.

7. Can the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System be connected to an instrument tracking system?
   

   Yes. The facility must work with the supplier of the instrument tracking system in order to connect the sterilizer to the tracking system.

8. How many cycles can be run with each cassette? How many cassettes are in each case?
   

   Each cassette contains sufficient hydrogen peroxide to run 5 cycles. Each case contains 2 cassettes for a total of 10 cycles per case of cassettes. The cassette collection box for the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System holds up to 2 cassettes.

9. How do we prevent cassettes from being interchanged between STERRAD^® Systems?
   

   Each STERRAD^® 100NX™ System Cassette has an RFID tag, which is encoded with STERRAD^® 100NX™ System Cassette-specific information. When the user inserts the cassette in the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System, the system software verifies the validity of the information from the RFID tag. Only a STERRAD^® 100NX™ System Cassette will be accepted in a STERRAD^® 100NX™ System, however you can interchange STERRAD^® 100NX™ System cassettes with different STERRAD^® 100NX™ Systems.

10. What biological indicator should be used with the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System?
    

    To assure proper sterilizer monitoring, only biological indicators that are designed for use in a particular sterilization modality may be used. The only biological indicators appropriate for use in the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System are the STERRAD^® CycleSure^® Biological Indicator and the STERRAD^® 100NX™ Test Pack. Use of biological indicators not designed and validated for STERRAD^®100NX™ System may provide misleading results.

11. Is there an optional bar code reader available and how is it used?
    

    Yes. An optional bar-code reader is available from ASP (Product Code 10308). If instruments are labeled with barcodes, the bar-code reader is used for scanning the barcode to enter the load information into the Load Item Data screen.

12. Can I process batteries in a STERRAD^® 100NX™ System?
    

    Yes, you can process and sterilize batteries in the STERRAD^® 100NX™ System. Click here to download step-by-step instructions on preparing, decontaminating, charging, wrapping, labeling, sterilizing and storing batteries for later use.