Life Sciences – Medical Devices – Infection Prevention

Sterilization Container Filters

Improve sustainability and gain cost savings with reusable sterilizer filters

Reusable sintered PTFE sterilization filters maintain sterile integrity

Our Porex Virtek® reusable filters function in two ways – as a vent to allow pressure equalization during the sterilization process, and as a filter barrier to bacteria during subsequent storage. These reusable filters, comprised of sintered PTFE, are engineered and designed to withstand repeated sterilization cycles as well as deliver substantial performance, convenience, and cost savings over traditional single-use paper and textile filter materials.

Options for reusable PTFE sterilization filters

Key Features & Benefits

Free of animal-derived additives and considered UPS Class VI, these reusable filters:

- Withstand repeated autoclave sterilization – Durable POREX Virtek PTFE material is designed to withstand repeated sterilization cycles, leading to cost savings and greater convenience.

- Have a printable surface – Batch ID and date codes can be printed on filters.

- Deliver high airflow and maintain sterile integrity – POREX Virtek PTFE is a sintered porous plastic that is inherently hydrophobic and is engineered for high airflow and high bacterial filtration efficiency to your specifications.

- Do not need to be replaced for the life of the container. Install it and forget it.

- Are free of PFOA: Compliant with (EC) 1907/2006 REACH / Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 POP

Porex Virtek® PTFE Sterilization Container Filter Portfolio

Material	Thickness mm Nominal	Typical Airflow l/hr/cm2 at 70 mbar	BFE^% Nominal*	*VFE^^* % Nominal**	Typical WEP^*** mBar
MA05	0.25	25 (min 16)	>99.9999	^†	520 (min 350)
MA10	0.65	35 (min 25)	>99.999	99.999	300 (min 200)
MA15	1.0	30 (min 14)	>99.9999	^†	350 (min 200)

*Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) data is based on a modified version of ASTM F2101
** VFE (Viral Filtration Efficiency), † Not tested but similar results to MA10 expected.
*** WEP (Water Entry Pressure)
Properties are typical and not meant for specifications. Selected options and adhesives may affect properties
Complete testing data and information is available upon request – all exceeded the standard BFE value of 98%
RoHS, WEEE, REACH Compliant (PFOA Free)

Bacterial Reduction Data

Staphylococcus aureus (gram pos)

Product	Initial CFU	24 hrs CFU	% Reduction	Log Reductions
Negative Control	3.3 x 106	3.7 x 106	-13	-0.05
Standard Product	3.3 x 106	3.4 x 106	-2	-0.01

Escherichia coli (gram neg)

Product	Initial CFU	24 hrs CFU	% Reduction	Log Reductions
Negative Control	2.4 x 106	2.9 x 107	-13	-0.05
Standard Product	2.4 x 106	2.8 x 107	-2	-0.01

Escherichia coli

Sample Time	Volume (L)	E. Coli Challenge Counts (CFU/mL)	E. Coli Effluent Counts (CFU/mL)	% Reduction
30 Sec	0.5	690,000	0	100
1 Min 30 Sec	1.5	690,000	0	100
3 Min 30 Sec	3.5	690,000	0.00%	100
5 Min 30 Sec	5.3	690,000	0	100

Download Technical Brief

Surgical and Medical Device Sterilization: Achieving Safety and Sustainability through Material Innovation

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