Final answer:
The FINAL stage in manufacturing a surgical grade instrument is sterilization, ensuring the elimination of all microbial life to maintain safety for surgical use, typically achieved via an autoclave or other methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The FINAL stage in manufacturing a surgical grade instrument is sterilization. During sterilization, all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, are eliminated to ensure that the instrument is safe for use in surgery. This is typically done using methods such as steam sterilization in an autoclave, which uses pressurized steam to achieve sterilization, or other techniques like ethylene oxide gas, depending on the material and design of the instrument. Sterilization is a critical component in the manufacturing of medical devices because it helps to prevent the transmission of infectious pathogens.
Sterility is confirmed by following strict protocols and maintaining meticulous documentation about quality control of disinfection protocols, as indicated by the FDA's recommendations. This assures that each instrument meets the necessary standards before being deemed ready for medical use. Instruments must also be handled properly post-sterilization to maintain their sterile condition until they are used.