Medical and surgical instruments of all sizes and complexity can pose challenges in cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing after use. The ultrasonic cleaning machine is an ideal tool for the first step of the three-step process to protect medical personnel and patients from possible infections caused by pathogens that remain on the instrument after surgery.

The principle of ultrasound

The ultrasonic cleaner works by cavitating and Ultrasonic transducer one billion tiny bubbles in the ultrasonic cleaning solution. When they come into contact with an object placed in a solution, they implode with violent force and remove contaminants without damaging the object. When medical and surgical instruments are properly prepared for the ultrasonic cleaning step, the process is rapid, thorough and efficient.

According to the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (Aorn) recommendation practice committee, advance preparation is important, the committee states that“Initial decontamination of the device should be initiated immediately after any invasive procedure.” It is important to clean and wipe the device before drying to remove overall contaminants and to adhere more firmly to the instructions. If instruments are batched prior to the ultrasonic cleaning step, they should be immersed in sterile solutions, such as enzyme soaks, to further prevent residual contaminants from drying on them. Use a brush to clean the inside of an intubation or luminal instrument.

Throughout the preparation and process, personnel must be careful to avoid sharp or sharp instrument cuts and scratches.

The most persistent contaminants can be removed quickly and safely. Both provide automatic degassing for fresh cleaning solutions and a scanning function to optimize the ultrasonic energy distribution throughout the bathtub. Cleaning times can be programmed on a user-friendly operation panel.

Ultrasonic cleaning process

In all cases, follow the manufacturer's instructions when using the ultrasonic cleaning process. These are representative steps.

The approved medical device cleaning solution is filled into the ultrasonic cleaning tank according to the dilution instructions provided. Turn on the cleaner and start degassing. This step removes the entrained air from the new solution, which interferes with cavitation efficiency and takes about 10 minutes.

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Separate equipment by alloy or composition to avoid potential damage (chrome plated equipment should not be ultrasonic cleaned) 

Instruments with moving parts should be disassembled for easy cleaning

Place the instruments in the basket of the ultrasonic cleaner, taking care not to touch each other

Intubation or luminal devices should be placed in a position to ensure that the interior is moistened by the cleaning solution. In some cases, putting them in perspective can help

Set up the control panel and start the cleaning process according to the manufacturer's instructions

At the end of the cycle, the instrument is removed from the ultrasonic cleaning tank and rinsed thoroughly to remove all traces of the cleaning fluid. Spot can be avoided by deionizing water rinsing. If the equipment can not be disinfected and sterilized immediately, make sure it is kept thoroughly dry. After sterilization, the parts can be reassembled.

Procedures should be established to guide the replacement of used ultrasonic cleaning solutions. In some cases, it is recommended to empty the solution and thoroughly clean and dry the tank after each ultrasonic cleaning cycle. Most of the solutions currently available were biodegradable, which would facilitate disposal, but local authorities should be consulted on appropriate practices.