The cleaning step is by far the most important step when it comes to the reprocessing of a medical device. The processes of disinfection and sterilization cannot be carried out successfully if there has not been a sufficient amount of cleaning done first.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF CLEANING USING ULTRASONICS?
In the process of ultrasonic cleaner cleaning, mechanical vibrations are used to agitate a solution, which, in turn, assists in the removal of soil from the surfaces of surgical devices and, in some cases, from the lumens as well
This process is called ultrasonic cleaning
When sound waves move through a liquid and cause microscopic implosions of bubbles, a process known as cavitation is initiated
Cavitation is a scientific term for this phenomenon
When the bubbles come into contact with surfaces, they burst, resulting in a vacuum-like scrubbing action that helps to loosen soil from the surface
The cavitation process then removes the bioburden that was present on the surface of the items that were submerged in the chamber
The combination of the three parameters described below within ultrasonic cleaning systems is what enables these systems to provide an effective level of cleaning:
Cleansing Products That Make Use Of Cavitation Flow and Sonic Irrigation
A medical device that is both delicate and difficult to clean, such as an attachment for a robotic surgical system, a laparoscopic device, or a Minimally Invasive Surgical (MIS) instrument, requires a cleaning system that is both efficient and effective.
CLEANERS That Rely on Cavitation and Ultrasound to Perform Their Duties
The design of the ultrasonic system, and more specifically the ultrasonic frequency (which is measured in kilohertz, or kHz), as well as the power density, are the most important factors in determining how successfully the cavitation process will be carried out.
Another important factor to take into account is the process that results in the formation of the cavitation bubbles. For example, more traditional technologies make use of metal transducers, whereas more contemporary designs prefer making use of ceramic transducers, which are less taxing on the devices. Because ultrasonic waves travel in a direction that is upward from the bottom, the cavitation will be more effective at imploding on the instrument surfaces that have been placed on the first and most immediate tray that it will encounter because ultrasonic waves travel in a direction that is upward from the bottom. The instruments that have been transferred to the second or third tray will not experience this problem. The mounting of transducers to the sides of the tank in large ultrasonic cleaner cleaners, on the other hand, makes it possible to clean multiple layers of trays simultaneously and in an effective manner.
There are ultrasonic cleaners available that also provide flow; this feature is sometimes referred to as sonic irrigation.
Devices that have been lumenized or cannulated are not designed to be effectively cleaned by standard ultrasonic cleaner cleaning systems because these systems are not designed to do so. The STERIS Innowave Ultrasonic Irrigators have capabilities for sonic irrigation, which enables the ultrasonic energy and cavitation to work on both the exterior and interior of the devices that are being processed. These capabilities allow the STERIS Innowave Ultrasonic Irrigators to be more versatile.
In order to pass certain cleaning validations for specific complex surgical instruments, a minimum pressure for the flow is required. This minimal pressure for the flow becomes an important key parameter to ensure that the bioburden is removed from within the instruments, and it is one of the conditions that must be met.
The step of selecting a cleaning chemistry as one of the process of ultrasonic cleaning's essential components is one of its essential components that is included in the process. These detergent-based products should provide cleaning, be effective across a range of different water quality conditions, not harm the device while simultaneously protecting the device from damage over time, be easy to rinse off, and be compatible with the ultrasonic cleaning system. The Prolystica Instrument Cleaning Chemistries go above and beyond the traditional cleaning methods in order to fulfill all of these prerequisites. Because it has a low foam profile, it can be used in sonic washers as well as washer/disinfectors without causing an excessive buildup of foam in either of those machines.
THE BENEFITS THAT Come Along With Utilizing An Ultrasonic Cleaner
Today's surgical procedures make extensive use of a variety of instruments, many of which have designs that are intricate, delicate, and complicated. The method of ultrasonic cleaning enables a scrubbing action to be applied, which allows for the reaching of small crevices, irregular surfaces, and internal passages without causing any damage to the intricate device that is being cleaned. Ultrasonic washers are designed to remove even the most tenacious soils while maintaining a consistent level of cleanliness throughout the washer chamber. The surface and lumens of instruments can be difficult to clean, but ultrasonic washers are designed to tackle this challenge. In order to accomplish this, specific detergents will need to be utilized during the cleaning process, in addition to the implementation of the recommended preventative and routine maintenance.
The following recommendations are provided in order to guarantee that ultrasonic cleaner cleaning systems are used in a manner that is not only efficient but also risk-free:
It is important that the chemicals that are used to sterilize surgical instruments are designed to be effective in ultrasonic cleaning systems.
It is generally recommended, prior to processing devices, that the freshly prepared cleaning solution be degassed in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Because there is a chance that the sonication will damage the device's individual components, it is not recommended that sonication be used on certain devices or building materials (such as certain types of adhesives used on optical components or rubber). When combined with other device materials like stainless steel, certain electronic components, such as those that contain metals like brass, copper, aluminum, or chrome-plate, may not function properly. These components include those with these metals as an ingredient.
It is essential to replace the cleaning solutions on a regular basis, ideally after each use and always before processing ophthalmology instruments. This should be done as soon as possible. It is recommended that you switch out the cleaning solutions.
It is recommended to carry out verification testing on the ultrasonic unit on a regular basis in order to ensure that the cleaning procedure is operating efficiently. This can be done so by following the instructions provided.
