DUS 1958-2

DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD

First Edition
2018-mm-dd

Surgical sutures — Specification — Part 2: Non absorbable

Reference number
DUS 1958-2: 2018

© UNBS 2018
DUS 1958-2: 2018

Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations

A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are
responsible for its correct application

© UNBS 2018

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any
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permission from UNBS.

Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to

The Executive Director

Uganda National Bureau of Standards
P.O. Box 6329
Kampala
Uganda
Tel: +256 414 333 250/1/2/3
Fax: +256 414 286 123
E-mail: info@unbs.go.ug
Web: www.unbs.go.ug

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 DUS 1958-2:2018

Contents Page

Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................. v
1 Scope ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................ 1
3 Terms and definitions ........................................................................................................................... 1
4 Classes of Non-absorbable sutures .................................................................................................... 2
4.1 Class I ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
4.2 Class II .................................................................................................................................................... 2
4.3 Class III ................................................................................................................................................... 2
5 General description ............................................................................................................................... 2
6 Quality requirements............................................................................................................................. 2
6.1 Identification .......................................................................................................................................... 2
6.2 Length ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
6.3 Diameter ................................................................................................................................................. 4
6.4 Tensile strength ..................................................................................................................................... 4
6.5 Needle attachment ................................................................................................................................. 5
6.6 Extractable colour ................................................................................................................................. 5
6.7 sterility .................................................................................................................................................... 6
7 Packaging ............................................................................................................................................... 6
8 Labelling ................................................................................................................................................. 6
9 Sampling ................................................................................................................................................ 7
Annex A (normative) Identification of sutures ............................................................................................... 8
A.1 Identification of silk ............................................................................................................................... 8
A.1.1 Method A ................................................................................................................................................ 8
A.1.2 Method B ................................................................................................................................................ 8
A.2 Identification of linen ............................................................................................................................ 8
A.2.1 Method A ................................................................................................................................................ 8
A.2.2 Method B ................................................................................................................................................ 8
A.3 Identification of poly (ethyleneterephthalate) .................................................................................... 8
A.3.1 Method A ................................................................................................................................................ 8
A.3.2 Method B ................................................................................................................................................ 8
A.4 Identification of polyamide-6 ................................................................................................................ 8
A.4.1 Method A. ............................................................................................................................................... 9
A.4.2 Method B. ............................................................................................................................................... 9
A.5 Identification of polyamide-6/6 ............................................................................................................. 9
A.5.1 Method A ................................................................................................................................................ 9
A.5.2 Method B. ............................................................................................................................................... 9
A.5.3 Method C ................................................................................................................................................ 9
A.5.4 method D ................................................................................................................................................ 9
A.6 Identification of polypropylene ............................................................................................................ 9
A.6.1 Method A. ............................................................................................................................................... 9
A.6.2 Method B. ............................................................................................................................................... 9
A.6.3 Method C. ............................................................................................................................................... 9
A.7 Identification of stainless steel .......................................................................................................... 10
A.8 Identification of poly (vinylidene difluoride) ..................................................................................... 10
A.8.1 Method A .............................................................................................................................................. 10
A.8.2 Method B .............................................................................................................................................. 10
A.8.3 Method C .............................................................................................................................................. 10

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DUS 1958-2: 2018

Annex B (normative) Diameter of sutures .................................................................................................... 11

Annex C (normative) Tensile strength .......................................................................................................... 12
Annex D (normative) Needle attachment...................................................................................................... 13
Annex E (normative) Extractable colours .................................................................................................... 14
Annex F (normative ) Sterility test ................................................................................................................ 15
F1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 15
F.2 Fluid thioglycollate medium .............................................................................................................. 15
F.3 Alternative thioglycollate medium .................................................................................................... 16
F.4 Soya-bean casein digest medium ..................................................................................................... 16
F.5 Sterility ................................................................................................................................................. 16
Bibliography ..................................................................................................................................................... 17

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 DUS 1958-2:2018

Foreword

Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and
Cooperatives established under Cap 327, of the Laws of Uganda, as amended. UNBS is mandated to co-
ordinate the elaboration of standards and is
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and

(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and

(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT Agreement of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of key stakeholders
including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties.
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.
The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee UNBS/TC 14, Medical devices.
US 1958 consists of the following parts, under the Surgical sutures — Specification
  Part 1: Surgical sutures — Specification — Part 1: Absorbable
  Part 2: Surgical sutures — Specification — Part 2: Non Absorbable

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DUS 1958-2: 2018

Introduction
Surgical sutures are used in a variety of different surgical procedures to close wounds and aid in tissue
healing. These sutures may be a single filament or multifilament or braided or twisted with or without a coating

Surgical sutures are classified into two types:

a) Absorbable surgical sutures

b) Non-absorbable surgical sutures

vi © UNBS 2018 – All rights reserved

DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD DUS 1958-2: 2018

Surgical sutures — Specification — Part 2: Non absorbable

1 Scope
This Draft Uganda Standard specifies the requirements, sampling and test methods for non absorbable
surgical sutures

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

WDUS ISO 5832-1, Implants for surgery -- Metallic materials -- Part 1: Wrought stainless steel

US ISO 24153 —.Random sampling and randomisation procedures

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp

3.1
monofilament
suture made of a single strand.

3.2
multifilament
suture composed of several filaments twisted or braided together.

3.3
non-absorbable sutures
sutures which, when introduced into a living tissue, are not metabolised by that tissue.

3.4
surgical sutures
flexible strands prepared from collagen derived from heathy animals or from synthetic polymer

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DUS 1958-2:2018

4 Classes of Non-absorbable sutures

4.1 Class I

These are composed of silk or synthetic fibres of monofilament, twisted or braided construction where the
coating if any does not significantly affect the thickness

4.2 Class II

These are composed of cotton or linen fibres or coated natural or synthetic fibres where coating significantly
affects the thickness but does not contribute to the strength.

4.3 Class III

These are composed of monofilament or multifilament metal wire.

5 General description
5.1 The suture shall either be monofilament or multifilament. If multifilament, the individual filament may be
combined by spinning, twisting, braiding or any combination.

5.2 It shall be sterile.

5.3 It may be coloured, coated or both

6 Quality requirements

6.1 Identification

The sutures shall comply with the requirements given in table 1 when tested in accordance with annex A.

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Table 1 — Identification of non-absorbable suture materials.

Material Requirements Test method.(Annex A)

Silk a cross-section is more or less triangular to semi-circular, A.1.1

with rounded edges and without a lumen
The fibres shall be coloured pale yellow A.1 2
Linen The fibres are seen to be 12 µm to 31 µm wide and, along A.2 1
the greater part of their length, have thick walls, sometimes
marked with fine longitudinal striations, and a narrow
lumen. The fibres gradually narrow to a long, fine point.
Sometimes there are unilateral swellings with transverse
lines.
The fibres are coloured violet-blue A.2.2
Polyethylene terephthalate Dissolves with difficulty A.3.1
(PET)
The material remains intact even after immersion for 6 h A.3.2
Polyamide-6 No crystals appear A.4.1
Dissolves A.4.2
Polyamide-6/6 It melts and burns forming a hard globule of residue with off A.5.1
characteristic odour resembling that of celery
A violet-brown colour slowly appears on the paper and A.5.2
fades slowly in air; it disappears almost immediately on
washing with dilute sulfuric acid R
The material disintegrates in the cold and dissolves within a A.5.3
few minutes.
Does not dissolve in 20 ml of a 70 per cent m/m solution of A.5.4
anhydrous formic acid R but dissolves in 20 ml of an 80 per
cent m/m solution of anhydrous formic acid R
Polypropylene It burns with a blue flame giving off an odour of burning A.6.1
paraffin wax and of octyl alcohol.
Complies when compared with the spectrum obtained with A.6.2
polypropylene CRS
The relative density of the material shall be 0.89 g/ml to A.6.3
0.91 g/ml
Stainless steel Comply with the requirements of 4.2 table1 of WDUS ISO A.7
5832-1
Poly (vinylidene difluoride) It melts in a flame and does not burn after removal of the A.8.1
flame.
No green colour is produced when heated with an oxidizing
flame.
The spectrum shall show absorption maxima at the A.8.2
following wave-numbers: 838.3 ± 0.5 cm-1, 873.3 ± 1 cm-1,
1070.0 ± 2 cm-1, 1165.0 ± 10 cm-1, 1275 ± 0.5 cm-1, 1399
± 5 cm-1.
The relative density of the material is 1.71 to 1.78. A.8.3

6.2 Length

The length of the suture without stretching shall be not less than 95 per cent of the length stated on the label
and shall not exceed 400 cm.

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6.3 Diameter

The diameter of sutures shall comply with requirements given in Table 2 when determined using a suitable
mechanical instrument capable of measuring with an accuracy of at least 0.002 mm and having a circular
pressor foot 10-15 mm in diameter as prescribed in annex B.

Table 2 — Average knot-pull limits and diameters of non absorbable sutures

Metric Size Limits on Average Limits on Average Knot-Pull Limits on Average Knot-Pull
(gauge no.) Diameter (mm)
(except where otherwise (except where otherwise
specified)a Tensile Strength (in kgf)b specified)a Tensile Strength (in N)b

Class II, Class III,

Min. Max. Class I ,Min. Class II, Min. Class III, Min. Class I, Min. Min. Min.

0.01 0.001 0.009 0.001a — 0.002a 0.01a — 0.02a

0.1 0.010 0.019 0.006a 0.005a 0.02a 0.06a 0.05a 0.20a
0.2 0.020 0.029 0.019a 0.014a 0.06a 0.194a 0.14a 0.59a
0.3 0.030 0.039 0.043a 0.029a 0.07a 0.424a 0.28a 0.68a
0.4 0.040 0.049 0.06 0.04 0.11 0.59 0.39 1.08
0.5 0.050 0.069 0.11 0.06 0.16 1.08 0.59 1.57
0.7 0.070 0.099 0.20 0.11 0.27 1.96 1.08 2.65
1 0.10 0.149 0.40 0.23 0.54 3.92 2.26 5.30
1.5 0.15 0.199 0.60 0.46 0.82 5.88 4.51 8.04
2 0.20 0.249 0.96 0.66 1.36 9.41 6.47 13.3
3 0.30 0.339 1.44 1.02 1.80 14.1 10.0 17.6
3.5 0.35 0.399 2.16 1.45 3.40a 21.2 14.2 33.3a
4 0.40 0.499 2.72 1.81 4.76a 26.7 17.8 46.7a
5 0.50 0.599 3.52 2.54 5.90a 34.5 24.9 57.8a
6 0.60 0.699 4.88 3.68 9.11a 47.8 36.1 89.3a
7 0.70 0.799 6.16 — 11.4a 60.4 — 112a
8 0.80 0.899 7.28 — 13.6a 71.4 — 133a
9 0.90 0.999 9.04 — 15.9a 88.6 — 156a
10 1.00 1.099 — — 18.2a — — 178a
11 1.100 1.199 — — 20.5a — — 201a
12 1.200 1.299 — — 22.8a — — 224a
a The tensile strength of sizes smaller than metric size 0.4 is measured by straight pull. The tensile strength of sizes larger
than metric size 3 of monofilament Class III (metallic). Non absorbable Surgical Suture is measured by straight pull. Silver
wire meets the tensile strength values of Class I Sutures but is tested in the same manner as Class III Sutures.

6.4 Tensile strength

The tensile strength of sutures shall comply with the requirements in Table 2 when tested in accordance with
annex C

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6.5 Needle attachment

6.5.1 If the sutures are supplied with an eyeless needle attached that is not stated to be detachable, they
shall comply with the requirements given in table3 when tested in accordance with in annex D.

Table 3 — Needle Attachment for Non-absorbable sutures

Gauge Number Limits on Needle Attachment

Non absorbable Average (in Individual (in Average (in N) Individual (in N)
Sutures
kgf) (Min.) kgf) (Min.) (Min.) (Min.)

0.1 0.007 0.005 0.069 0.049

0.2 0.014 0.010 0.137 0.098
0.3 0.021 0.015 0.206 0.147
0.4 0.050 0.025 0.490 0.245
0.5 0.080 0.040 0.784 0.392
0.7 0.17 0.08 1.67 0.784
1 0.23 0.11 2.25 1.08
1.5 0.45 0.23 4.41 2.25
2 0.68 0.34 6.67 3.33
3 1.10 0.45 10.8 4.41
3.5 1.50 0.45 14.7 4.41
4 1.80 0.60 17.6 5.88
5 and larger 1.80 0.70 17.6 6.86

6.5.2 If sutures are supplied with removable needle, they shall comply with the requirements given in table
4 when tested in accordance with annex D

Table 4 — Removable Needle Attachment for non-absorbable sutures

Gauge Number Limits on Needle Attachment

Non absorbable minimum (in kgf) Maximum (in kgf) Minimum (in N) Maximum (in N)
Sutures

1 0.028 1.59 0.274 15.6

1.5 0.028 1.59 0.274 15.6
2 0.028 1.59 0.274 15.6
3 0.028 1.59 0.274 15.6
3.5 0.028 1.59 0.274 15.6
4 0.028 1.59 0.274 15.6
5 0.028 1.59 0.274 15.6

6.6 Extractable colour

Dyed sutures shall be colour fast when tested in accordance with Annex E.

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DUS 1958-2:2018

6.7 sterility

It shall be sterile when tested in accordance with annex F

7 Packaging
7.1 The non-sterile suture shall be packaged in suitable well closed sachet or packets or containers.

7.2 The sterile sutures (dry or in fluid) shall be packed in sachets or packets or containers that maintain
sterility until the container is opened and allows the withdrawal and use of the suture in aseptic conditions.

7.3 A number of sachets (packets or containers) may be packaged in a box.

8 Labelling
8.1 The primary package of the suture shall be legibly and indelibly marked with the following information:

a) Name and address of manufacturer;

b) name of the product,

c) material of the suture;

d) size of the suture

e) gauge number;

f) structure (monofilament or multifilament);

g) length of suture, in centimetres;

h) sterile

i) if appropriate, that the suture is coloured,

j) batch number;

k) kind of needle if included;

l) number of sutures if multiple;

m) Warnings, like “DO NOT RESTERILIZE. DISCARD OPEN UNUSED SUTURES. STORE AT ROOM
TEMPERATURE. AVOID PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES”; and

n) date of manufacture and expiry.

8.2 If the sachets (packets or containers) are packaged in boxes, the boxes shall be labelled with the
following

i) name and address of the manufacturer/ packer/distributor;

ii) composition of any packaging fluid if used;

iii) batch number;

iv) name of product;

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v) whether sterile

Note — if the suture is packaged with a fluid, make sure that testing is done within 2 minutes after removing it from the
fluid.

9 Sampling
Sampling shall be done in accordance with US ISO 24153.

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DUS 1958-2:2018

Annex A
(normative)

Identification of sutures

A.1 Identification of silk

A.1.1 Method A

Dissect the end of a suture, using a needle or fine tweezers, to isolate a few individual fibres. The fibres are
sometimes marked with very fine longitudinal striations parallel to the axis of the suture. Examined under a
microscope.

A.1.2 Method B

Impregnate isolated fibres with iodinated potassium iodide solution R.

A.2 Identification of linen

A.2.1 Method A

Dissect the end of a suture, using a needle or fine tweezers, to isolate a few individual fibres. Examined under
a microscope

A.2.2 Method B

Impregnate isolated fibres with iodinated zinc chloride solution R.

A.3 Identification of poly (ethyleneterephthalate)

It is practically insoluble in most of the usual organic solvents, but is attacked by strong alkaline solutions. It is
incompatible with phenols.

A.3.1 Method A

Heat 50 mg in 50 ml of dimethylformamide R.

A.3.2 Method B

To about 50 mg add 10 ml of hydrochloric acid R1.

A.4 Identification of polyamide-6

It is practically insoluble in the usual organic solvents; it is not attacked by dilute alkaline solutions (for
example a 100 g/l solution of sodium hydroxide R) but is attacked by dilute mineral acids (for example a 20 g/l
solution of sulfuric acid R), by hot glacial acetic acid R and by a 70 per cent m/m solution of anhydrous formic
acid R.

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A.4.1 Method A.

Heat about 50 mg with 0.5 mL of hydrochloric acid R1 in a sealed glass tube at 110 °C for 18 h and allow to
stand for 6 h.

A.4.2 Method B.

Dissolve 50 mg in 20 mL of a 70 per cent m/m solution of anhydrous formic acid R.

A.5 Identification of polyamide-6/6

It is practically insoluble in the usual organic solvents; it is not attacked by dilute alkaline solutions (for
example a 100 g/l solution of sodium hydroxide R) but is attacked by dilute mineral acids (for example a 20 g/l
solution of sulfuric acid R), by hot glacial acetic acid R and by an 80 per cent m/m solution of anhydrous
formic acid R.

A.5.1 Method A

In contact with a flame.

A.5.2 Method B.

Place about 50 mg in an ignition tube held vertically and heat gently until thick fumes are evolved. When the
fumes fill the tube, withdraw it from the flame and insert a strip of nitrobenzaldehyde paper R.

A.5.3 Method C

To about 50 mg add 10 ml of hydrochloric acid R1.

A.5.4 method D

Dissolve 50 mg of sample in 20 ml of a 70 per cent m/m solution of anhydrous formic acid R and also in 20 ml
of an 80 per cent m/m solution of anhydrous formic acid R.

A.6 Identification of polypropylene

Polypropylene is soluble in decahydronaphthalene, 1-chloronaphthalene and trichloroethylene. It is not soluble
in alcohol, in ether and in cyclohexanone.
A.6.1 Method A.

It softens at temperatures between 160 °C and 170 °C.

A.6.2 Method B.

To 0.25 g add 10 ml of toluene R and boil under a reflux condenser for about 15 min. Place a few drops of the
solution on a disc of sodium chloride R slide and evaporate the solvent in an oven at 80 °C. Examine by
infrared absorption spectrophotometry.

A.6.3 Method C.

To 2 g add 100 ml of water R and boil under a reflux condenser for 2 h. Allow to cool. Determine the relative
density of the material using a hydrostatic balance.

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DUS 1958-2:2018

A.7 Identification of stainless steel

Stainless steel sutures shall be identified in accordance with ISO 5832 - 1.

A.8 Identification of poly (vinylidene difluoride)

It is soluble in warm dimethylformamide. It is insoluble in ethanol, hot and cold isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate,
tetrachlorethylene.
A.8.1 Method A

A.8.1.1 Melts the strand between 170 °C and 180 °C.

A.8.1.2 Place a small piece of suture on an annealed copper wire or sheet. Heat in an oxidising flame.

A.8.2 Method B

Dissolve 0.25 g of the suture in 10 ml of dimethylformamide R and boil under a reflux condenser for about 15
min. Place a few drops of the solution on a sodium chloride R slide and evaporate the solvent in an oven at 80
°C (1 h). Examine by infrared absorption spectrophotometry.

A.8.3 Method C

To 2 g of suture add 100 ml of water R and boil under a reflux condenser for 2 h. Allow to cool. Determine the
relative density.

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Annex B
(normative)

Diameter of sutures

B.1 Lay the strand across the center of the anvil and presser foot and gently lower the foot until its entire
weight rests upon the suture Measure non-absorbable sutures whether packaged in dry form or in fluid
immediately after removal from the container without drying or conditioning.

B.2 Measure the diameter of the suture at three points corresponding roughly to one-fourth, one half and
three fourths of its length. (See Table 2)

B.3 In case of braided sutures of size larger than 3-0 (metric size) make two measurements at each end
point at right angles to each other and use the average as observed diameter at that point.

B.4 In case of multifilament sutures, attach a portion of the designated section of the strand in affixed clamp
in such a way that the strand lies across the centre of anvil. While holding the strand in the same plane as the
surface of the anvil, place under tension by suitable means such as by passing the free end of the strand
around a cylinder or pulley and attaching to the free end a weight of about one half of the knot pull limit.

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DUS 1958-2:2018

Annex C
(normative)

Tensile strength

C.1 The minimum breaking load is determined over a simple knot formed by placing one end of a suture
held in the right hand over the other end held in the left hand, passing one end over the suture and through
the loop so formed (see Figure C1) and pulling the knot tight.

Figure C1 — Simple knot

C.1.1 Determine the tensile strength of surgical suture on a motor-driven tensile strength testing machine
having suitable clamps for holding the specimen firmly and using either the principle of constant rate of load
on specimen or the principle of constant rate of elongation of specimen, as described below.

C.1.2 Gauge length is defined as the interior distance between the two clamps. For gauge lengths of 125 to
200 mm, the mobile clamp is driven at a constant rate of elongation of 30 ± 5 cm per minute. For gauge
lengths of less than 125 mm, the rate of elongation per minute is adjusted to equal 2 times the gauge length
per minute. For example, a 5-cm gauge length has a rate of elongation of 10 cm per minute.

C.1.3 Determine the tensile strength of the suture, whether packaged in dry form or in fluid, promptly after
removal from the container, without prior drying or conditioning.

C.1.4 Attach one end of the suture to the clamp at the load end of the machine, pass the other end through
the opposite clamp, applying sufficient tension so that the specimen is taut between the clamps, and engage
the second clamp. Perform as many breaks as are specified in the individual monograph. If the break occurs
at the clamp, discard the reading on the specimen.

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Annex D
(normative)

Needle attachment

D.1 If the sutures are supplied with an eyeless needle attached that is not stated to be detachable, they
comply with the test for needle attachment shown in table 3 and for removable needle attachment, they shall
comply with the table 4.

D.2 Carry out the test on 5 sutures. Use a suitable tensilometer, such as that described for the
determination of the minimum breaking load.

D.3 Fix the needle and suture (without knot) in the clamps of the apparatus in such a way that the swaged
part of the needle is completely free of the clamp and in line with the direction of pull on the suture.

D.4 Set the mobile clamp in motion and note the force required to break the suture or to detach it from the
needle.

D.5 The average of the 5 determinations and all individual values are not less than the respective values
given in Table 3 and Table 4 for the gauge number concerned.

D.6 If not more than 1 individual value fails to meet the individual requirement, repeat the test on an
additional 10 sutures. The attachment complies with the test if none of these 10 values is less than the
individual value in Table 3 and Table 4 for the gauge number concerned.

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DUS 1958-2:2018

Annex E
(normative)

Extractable colours

E.1 Place 0.25 g of the suture to be examined in a conical flask, add 25.0 ml of water R and cover the
mouth of the flask with a short-stemmed funnel.

E.2 Boil for 15 min, cool and adjust to the original volume with water R.

E.3 Depending on the colour of the suture, prepare the appropriate reference solution as described in Table
E1 using the primary colour solutions. The test solution shall not be more intensely coloured than the
appropriate reference solution.

Table E1 – Colour referencing solution.

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Annex F
(normative )

Sterility test

F1 Introduction
The following culture media have been found to be suitable for the test for sterility. Fluid thioglycollate
medium is primarily intended for the culture of anaerobic bacteria; however, it will also detect aerobic bacteria.
Soya-bean casein digest medium is suitable for the culture of both fungi and aerobic bacteria.

F.2 Fluid thioglycollate medium

L-Cystine 0.5 g

Agar 0.75 g

Sodium chloride 2.5 g

Glucose monohydrate/anhydrous 5.5 g/5.0 g

Yeast extract (water-soluble) 5.0 g

Pancreatic digest of casein 15.0 g

Sodium thioglycollate or 0.5 g

Thioglycollic acid 0.3 ml

Resazurin sodium solution (1g/L of resazurin sodium), freshly prepared 1.0 ml

Water R 1000 ml

pH after sterilisation 7.1 ± 0.2

F.2.1 Mix the L-cystine, agar, sodium chloride, glucose, water-soluble yeast extract and pancreatic digest of
casein with the water R and heat until solution is effected.

F.2.2 Dissolve the sodium thioglycollate or thioglycollic acid in the solution and, if necessary, add 1 M
sodium hydroxide so that, after sterilisation, the solution will have a pH of 7.1 ± 0.2. If filtration is necessary,
heat the solution again without boiling and filter while hot through moistened filter paper.

F.2.3 Add the resazurin sodium solution, mix and place the medium in suitable vessels which provide a
ratio of surface to depth of medium such that not more than the upper half of the medium has undergone a
colour change indicative of oxygen uptake at the end of the incubation period. Sterilise using a validated
process. If the medium is stored, store at a temperature between 2 °C and 25 °C in a sterile, airtight container.

F.2.4 If more than the upper one-third of the medium has acquired a pink colour, the medium may be
restored once by heating the containers in a water-bath or in free- flowing steam until the pink colour
disappears and cooling quickly, taking care to prevent the introduction of non-sterile air into the container. Do
not use the medium for a longer storage period than has been validated.Fluid thioglycollate medium is to be
incubated at 30°C - 35 °C.

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DUS 1958-2:2018

F.2.5 For products containing a mercurial preservative that cannot be tested by the membrane-filtration
method, fluid thioglycollate medium incubated at 20°C - 25 °C may be used instead of soya-bean casein
digest medium provided that it has been validated as described in growth promotion test.

F.3 Alternative thioglycollate medium

Where prescribed or justified and authorised, the following alternative thioglycollate medium may be used.
Prepare a mixture having the same composition as that of the fluid thioglycollate medium, but omitting the
agar and the resazurin sodium solution, sterilise as directed above. The pH after sterilisation is 7.1 ± 0.2. Heat
in a water-bath prior to use and incubate at 30 °C - 35 °C under anaerobic conditions.

F.4 Soya-bean casein digest medium

Pancreatic digest of casein 17.0 g

Papaic digest of soya-bean meal 3.0 g

Sodium chloride 5.0 g

Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate 2.5 g

Glucose monohydrate/anhydrous 2.5 g/2.3 g

Water R 1000 ml

pH after sterilization 7.3 ± 0.2

F.4.1 Dissolve the solids in water R, warming slightly to effect solution. Cool the solution to room
temperature. Add 1 M sodium hydroxide, if necessary, so that after sterilisation the solution will have a pH of
7.3 ± 0.2.

F.4.2 Filter, if necessary, to clarify, distribute into suitable vessels and sterilise using a validated process.
Store at a temperature between 2 °C and 25 °C in a sterile well-closed container, unless it is intended for
immediate use. Do not use the medium for a longer storage period than has been validated. Soya-bean
casein digest medium is to be incubated at 20°C - 25 °C.

The media used comply with the following tests, carried out before or in parallel with the test on the product to
be examined.

F.5 Sterility
Incubate portions of the media for 14 days. No growth of micro-organisms occurs.

16 © UNBS 2018 – All rights reserved

 DUS 1958-2: 2018

Bibliography

[1] British Pharmacopoeia, 2017, published by The Stationery Office on behalf of the Medicines and
Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

[2] ISO 11135 (both parts), Sterilization of health care products — Ethylene oxide

[3] ISO 11137 (all parts), Sterilization of health care products — Radiation

[4] ISO 17665 (all parts), Sterilization of health care products — Moist heat

[5] US Pharmacopoeia 40

© UNBS 2018 – All rights reserved 17

 Certification marking

Products that conform to Uganda standards may be marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.

The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made
thereunder. This mark can be used only by those licensed under the certification mark scheme operated by
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance that the goods comply with the
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing in accordance with the
certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are
continually checked by UNBS for conformity to that standard.

Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda
National Bureau of Standards.

18 © UNBS 2018 – All rights reserved

DUS 1958-2: 2018

ICS 11.040.30

Price based on nn pages

© UNBS 2018– All rights reserved