Please read my reply to a pertinent question regarding sterilization and Japanese Acupuncture  from Mark in Tennessee.

Greetings Mark,

Thank you for your continued interest and commitment to the practice of Traditional Acupuncture.

I hope all goes well for you and yours.
I can only answer your question from my recent experience in Ikeda sensei’s clinic.

He uses an autoclave for each and every guide tube after  use and also for silver needles.
I believe the stainless steel needles are single use only.

I am converting back to the metal guide tubes from the plastic pre packed ones.

There is no doubt in my mind that the metal tubes are far more effective in eliciting specific responses when needling, especially in the root treatment and scatter needling techniques.

It feels very much like the guide tube becomes an extra instrument and provides a far superior connection with the patient.

I will be using these guidelines, as used for tattooists in the states for sterilizing the guide tubes and needle trays.