Ophthalmic Instrument Repair Tips
With almost two decades of specialty surgical instrument experience, Ambler Surgical is changing the industry. We want to be a trusted source of information and make your job less stressful. Since we are the only instrument company providing free repairs on most Ambler Surgical ophthalmic instruments, you can rest assured that we are instrument repair experts. Be sure to ask about our Ophthalmic Instruments for Life.
Consider the following instrument repair tips:
1) Focus on purchasing quality surgical instruments to reduce overall expense:
- Lesser quality instruments demand more frequent repairs and require more extensive effort to restore functionality, resulting in a decreased life span of the instrument.
- Look at total expense for the instrument lifetime, rather than initial purchase price to determine best value.
2) Ask your vendor a few questions:
- Does the vendor repair instruments under a scope?
- Do they use the same repair service or is each repair shopped for best margin?
- Is the typical turnaround time within 48 hours?
- What is their success rate of repair?
- What is the price of return shipping?
- Do they have flat-fees on many repairs?
3) Stainless steel instrument stains and what they mean:
- Brown-Orange - First rub the stain with a pencil eraser. If the stain goes away, it is not a rusting issue. This coloring is indicative of phosphate deposits or rust in the autoclave water. Use a neutral detergent and rinse with distilled water.
- Dark Brown - The staining is a result of dried blood. Clean the instruments thoroughly prior to sterilization.
- Purple-Black - Ammonia in the detergent causes this staining. Rinse and avoid detergents with ammonia.
- Blue-Black - This is caused by autoclaving instruments with dissimilar metals. Separate instruments before sterilization and don't allow contact between stainless and titanium during sterilization.
- Black - An acid reaction causes these stains and is easily removed with a pencil eraser. Again use a neutral detergent and rinse thoroughly.
Of course, most Ambler Surgical ophthalmic instruments are repaired free of charge, but chances are you have some instruments from other companies that need repair. As a gesture of goodwill, please allow us to repair them free of charge, up to $100.
Ambler Surgical. Industry Leading Services. Ophthalmic Instruments For Life
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding instrument repair.
