Why Medical Manufacturers Are Using Ultrasonic Cleaners

New technologies have made medical devices and equipment harder to clean, that’s why medical manufacturers must explore better ways to clean and sterilize them.

Certain cleaning methods may compromise the functionality of medical devices, and even damage them. High-pressure cleaning and autoclave sterilizing can’t be used for devices with electronics or other temperature-sensitive components. Manual scrubbing may remove heavy contamination but may also scratch fragile optical parts and surfaces with delicate coatings.

Medical manufacturers need effective but gentle and low-temperature cleaning methods that can sterilize as well. And this is where medical ultrasonic cleaners become the better alternative to traditional cleaning methods.

They operate at room temperature and can easily clean medical devices with complex shapes or hard-to-reach areas.

Ultrasonic cleaners work by generating microscopic cavitation bubbles in the cleaning solution. The bubbles form and burst in time with the ultrasonic frequency being applied. When they burst, they create tiny, intense jets of liquid that impact the surfaces of the parts to be cleaned and dislodge contaminants.

Since the cavitation bubbles are present wherever the cleaning solution can penetrate, medical ultrasonic cleaners can clean devices with complex shapes, openings, dead-end holes, rough areas, and interior spaces that are normally hard to clean with manual scrubbing. Devices with light contamination can be cleaned as little as ten minutes.

The choice of frequency is a key element for achieving optimal cleaning performance. Low frequency ultrasonic cleaners produce comparatively large cavitation bubbles that deliver an intense cleaning action. Higher frequencies, on the other hand, produce smaller bubbles and cleaning action is gentler. The cleaning intensity of ultrasonic cleaners can be adjusted from robust cleaning for certain devices, such as implants, to gentle cleaning action for delicate instruments. When a disinfectant is added to the cleaning solution, it renders the clean parts sterile.

To achieve a successful ultrasonic cleaning, an experienced ultrasonic cleaner manufacturer can advise customers on the right frequency for their cleaning application while also addressing cleaning tank size and system power. When the medical ultrasonic cleaner is matched correctly to the cleaning application, the cleaning performance is excellent.

Read Kaijo’s complete article, “Why Medical Manufacturers are Using Ultrasonic Cleaners”, for further information. If you have questions or would like to set up a free consultation to discuss your ultrasonic cleaning needs, contact Kaijo by email at info@kaijo-shibuya.com or by calling 408-675-5575.

Kaijo Exhibiting at MD&M Trade Show August 10-12, 2021 Booth #2385

Visit us at Booth #2385 at the MD&M (Medical Design and Manufacturing) West trade show in Anaheim, CA on August 10-21, 2021.

Key discussions will include the importance of using the proper frequency for different medical cleaning applications, as well as Phenix Hyper and Phenix+ ultrasonic cleaners that are ideal for cleaning all types of delicate medical parts, tools, and devices.

Medical devices are often delicate and have to be cleaned to meet high standards. Many of these devices cannot be exposed to conventional mechanical scrubbing, heat, and chemicals that will compromise their functionality and damage them.

Ultrasonic cleaners are perfect for medical industry applications because they provide gentle cleaning and complete removal of contaminants.

In order for an ultrasonic cleaner to clean most effectively, the right frequency needs to be used based on the application. Ultrasonic systems can be adjusted and configured to match the cleaning requirements of medical devices and components so that all surface contaminants are cleaned quickly and completely.

Selecting the right frequency is not important – it is also critical. That’s because using the wrong frequency can damage the parts and components. Using the right frequency, on the other hand, can provide rapid and thorough cleaning of the components, removing all contaminants from the surface of the parts and components being cleaned.

Lower frequencies – They’reusually 40 kHz and below. Typical cleaning frequencies used include 26 kHz and 38 kHz to provide robust cleaning for hard metals, glass, and porcelain parts.

Mid-range frequencies – They range from 40 kHz to 160 kHz. Typical frequencies used include 78 kHz, 100 kHz, 130 kHz, and 160 kHz for cleaning softer and more delicate materials, soft metals, aluminum, and ceramic parts.

Higher frequencies – They range from 200 kHz up to 1+ MHz. Typical frequencies used include 200 kHz, 430 kHz, 950 kHz, and 1.6 MHz for delivering very gentle cleaning parts with incredibly soft surfaces, delicate coating, and micro-structures.

Kaijo’s ultrasonic cleaners for medical cleaning applications

• Kaijo-Shibuya Phenix+ – It has self-regulation features for ease of use, and remote-control operation and monitoring for ease of integration.
• Kaijo-Shibuya Phenix Hyper – The Hyper Mode achieves 3-D cleaning of complex-shaped objects to ensure all surfaces with irregular shapes are thoroughly cleaned.

A leader among ultrasonic cleaner manufacturers for over 70 years, Kaijo Corporation provides powerful and precise cleaning of parts and components.

Read our complete article, Kaijo Highlighting Its Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems for Medical Applications at MD&M West August 10-12, 2021, to learn more. If you would like to discuss your ultrasonic cleaner needs prior to the MD&M event, call Kaijo at 408-675-5575 or send an email to info@kaijo-shibuya.com to set up a free consultation.

Guidelines for Using Ultrasonic Cleaners to Clean Surgical Instruments

Ultrasonic cleaners can deliver excellent cleaning and sterilizing to all types of surgical tools and instruments, which are normally difficult to clean using traditional cleaning methods.

Some instruments, such as laparoscopes used in minimally invasive surgery, may have heat-sensitive components, and can’t be sterilized in an autoclave. Some instruments have complex shapes with areas impossible to reach within manual cleaning. Using ultrasonic cleaners also reduces the risk to medical personnel of handling sharp tools.

Ultrasonic cleaners for medical instruments are deemed effective for cleaning, and as a result, a growing number of medical facilities have begun using them. Despite that, specific guidelines should be followed to ensure a safe and effective operation.

1) Although ultrasonic cleaners are highly effective in cleaning and sterilizing surgical tools, regular medical procedures should still be followed. For example, the tools should be rinsed right after use or kept moist to prevent blood, other bodily fluids, or other material from drying out, as dried contaminants are harder to clean out.

2) The manufacturer’s recommendations and the IFU should always be followed.

3) Effective cleaning depends on using the correct ultrasonic frequency. Cleaners used with only one type of instrument or application may have fixed frequency, while general-purpose cleaners can typically be operated at several frequencies, depending on what’s being cleaned.

4) Sterilization depends on using the right disinfectant and the right quantity. The IFU sometimes specify disinfectants to be used and the applicable research may be available for specific cases. Medical personnel should verify the type and concentration of the cleaning solution.

5) When operating properly, medical ultrasonic cleaners deliver stainless steel instruments that are shiny and completely clean while other parts will be visibly free of contaminants.

6) Besides the general instructions for the use of ultrasonic cleaners for surgical instruments, medical facilities should prepare specific use-based policies and procedures for cleaning different types of instruments with ultrasonic technology. Kaijo works closely with all of the customers to ensure their ultrasonic cleaner requirements are met. You can learn more by reading the complete article, Guidelines for Using Ultrasonic Cleaners to Clean Surgical Instruments, and then by contacting Kaijo to ask questions or to set up a free consultation. You can reach Kaijo Shibuya by either calling 408-675-5575 or by emailing them at info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

Using Ultrasonic Cleaners to Provide an Effective Sterilization Process

Medical devices, instruments, and equipment designed for repeated use have to be cleaned and sterilized after each patient.

Traditional cleaning usually consists of manual scrubbing and wiping together with steam cleaning. Sterilization then takes place at high temperatures in an autoclave. However, more modern medical devices and tools usually include electronics and other temperature-sensitive components. They may also have interior crevices and complex shapes that are hard to clean. Some devices are fragile and may be damaged by manual cleaning or have delicate coatings that are easily scratched when scrubbed.

Ultrasonic cleaners for medical instruments are the better alternative to traditional cleaning methods. Read the article “Why the Sterilization Process Requires an Ultrasonic Cleaner” by Medicanix. They explain how ultrasonic cleaners clean these instruments effectively while avoiding issues with heat and handling.

But ultrasonic cleaners for medical instruments, by themselves, do not sterilize the parts to be cleaned. Adding disinfectant to the cleaning solution can result in sterile parts. The key to a successful cleaning is using the right ultrasonic cleaner for a specific cleaning application and the right amount of disinfectant for parts that are sterile and completely clean.

Ultrasonic cleaners can gently remove contamination without using heat (depending on the parts to be cleaned). They work by using microscopic cavitation bubbles in the cleaning solution to dislodge contaminants from the underlying surfaces. Ultrasonic waves in the cleaning solution generate the bubbles, which form and collapse in time with the ultrasonic frequency. When they collapse, the bubbles release tiny jets of cleaning solution that hit the parts to be cleaned and wash away the contaminants.

This process takes place wherever cleaning solution is present, even on complex shapes and inside interior crevices, inside tubes, along hinges, and in dead-end holes.

One of the great things about ultrasonic cleaners for medical applications and tools is they can clean gently at room temperature. The cleaning intensity can also be adjusted to match the fragility of the medical parts to be cleaned and temperature-sensitive electronics don’t suffer heat damage.

With ultrasonic cleaners, there’s no need for scrubbing or heating, both of which would otherwise damage fragile and heat-sensitive medical tools and devices. Kaijo’s experience building ultrasonic cleaners, along with their in-house expertise, makes them the best choice for working with medical facilities for their ultrasonic cleaner needs.

Our complete article, Using Ultrasonic Cleaners to Provide an Effective Sterilization Process, explains further. After reading the article, contact Kaijo by email at info@kaijo-shibuya.com or by calling 408-675-5575 if you have questions or would like to set up a free consultation to discuss your ultrasonic cleaner requirements.

Why Ultrasonic Cleaners Are Essential to Medical Manufacturers

Modern medical equipment incorporates sensitive components such as electronics, sensors, and optical fiber. Because of the way they are constructed, traditional cleaning and sterilizing methods can’t often be used in cleaning them.

Manual scrubbing can remove heavy contamination but can cause scratches to certain devices such as sensors, optical devices, and other fragile equipment. Some electronics are sensitive to heat, and therefore cannot stand high temperatures from hot steam. Devices with complicated shapes, hinges, threaded holes, and interior surfaces are hard to clean by traditional cleaning methods alone.

Ultrasonic cleaners provide the best alternative to traditional cleaning methods to remove contaminants without using chemicals, manual scrubbing, or high temperatures. They can do effective cleaning performance for both robust parts and delicate parts, as long as the configurations are adjusted accordingly.

Medical ultrasonic cleaners work by creating microscopic bubbles in the cleaning solution. As the ultrasonic sound waves pass through the cleaning tank, the bubbles form and burst in tune with the ultrasonic frequency. When the bubble bursts, it produces a tiny but powerful jet that can dislodge contaminants from the surface of the part to be cleaned.

The ultrasonic cleaning system has to have enough power to fill the cleaning tank with ultrasonic waves. Ultrasonic cleaners can be configured to deliver strong cleaning performance for durable and robust parts or gentle cleaning to fragile parts. Low frequencies create comparatively large bubbles and deliver a powerful cleaning action. High frequencies, on the other hand, produce smaller bubbles and weaker jets, providing a gentler cleaning action. Choosing the right frequency matches the cleaning power to the medical equipment to be cleaned.

Ultrasonic cleaners can clean parts and devices with complex shapes, interior holes or along crevices. While medical ultrasonic cleaners do not sterilize, adding a disinfectant to the cleaning solution renders the clean parts sterile. As modern medical equipment gets more difficult to clean, ultrasonic cleaners are the ideal solution for the manufacturers of medical equipment. Learn more about Kaijo’s ultrasonic cleaning systems by reading the complete article, Why Ultrasonic Cleaners Are Essential to Medical Manufacturers. Call Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575 to set up a free consultation to discuss your cleaning requirements or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

Ultrasonics Clean Semiconductor Components for Heart Pacemakers

Implants used in medical procedures are subject to extremely high standards of cleanliness and sterilization.

Traditional cleaning methods including manual cleaning, using parts washers and steam sterilization are often not effective for implants using new technology. Semiconductors are fragile and sensitive to heat; thus, they could be damaged from the traditional cleaning methods or excess heat.

Ultrasonics provide an attractive alternative to the traditional cleaning methods.  Medical ultrasonic cleaners can clean implants with complex shapes and crevices, heat-sensitive semiconductor parts and other medical devices to achieve cleanliness and sterilization standards without damaging fragile components.

Ultrasonic cleaners use the scrubbing action of microscopic cavitation bubbles in the cleaning solution to clean parts quickly and effectively. An ultrasonic generator produces a high-frequency electric signal, and an ultrasonic transducer converts the signal to sound waves in the cleaning solution. As the sound waves travel past the parts to be cleaned, they generate the tiny bubbles. The bubbles form and collapse in tune with the ultrasonic frequency, delivering a powerful scrubbing action against the surfaces of the parts to be cleaned.

While ultrasonic cleaning technology itself removes all traces of contaminants from the parts surfaces, it does not sterilize them. Therefore, a mild disinfectant or solvent can be added to the cleaning solution so that the parts can be cleaned and sterilized in the ultrasonic bath.

Some medical parts are robust with hard surfaces while others may be mechanically fragile or have delicate surfaces. Low frequencies (around 26 kHz) produce comparatively large bubbles with intense cleaning. Higher frequencies, on the other hand, deliver gentler cleaning with smaller bubbles. The frequency used with an medical ultrasonic cleaner needs to be chosen appropriately for the application to produce the right cleaning intensity.  Kaijo works with medical equipment manufacturers to provide expert guidance on using the right frequency and system for the specific application.

Read our newest article, Ultrasonic Clean Semiconductor Components for Heart Pacemakers, to learn more. If you would like to set up a free consultation to discuss your needs, or have questions, contact Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

Why Is an Ultrasonic Cleaner Essential Equipment at a Medical Facility?

Many modern medical instruments are heat-sensitive, so they cannot be cleaned with high-pressure steam and sterilized in an autoclave. Parts such as electronics and optical fibers can be damaged when subjected to high temperatures. Since many medical instruments are delicate and have complex shapes, manual cleaning cannot clean them completely and can even damage them.

Medical ultrasonic cleaners are an excellent way for medical facilities to keep their high-tech medical instruments and devices clean and sterile.

How do ultrasonic cleaner systems work in cleaning temperature-sensitive medical instruments and devices?

The high-frequency sound waves produced by the ultrasonic cleaners remove organic matter, contaminants and other particles from part surfaces quickly and effectively. An approved disinfectant may be added to the solution in the ultrasonic cleaning tank to sterilize the parts.

One of the great things about medical ultrasonic cleaners is that they don’t have to be monitored constantly. Medical personnel can place the devices and instruments into the ultrasonic cleaning tank, set the timer, and come back to remove the newly cleaned and sterile parts. To add, ultrasonic cleaners can provide highly effective cleaning and sterilizing solutions for these different tasks.

Several medical devices have hard-to-reach crevices and complicated shapes, which retain contamination even after sterilization. Such residues can cause infection. Ultrasonic cleaners remove all contamination, improving patient outcomes. There’s also need for soaking in harsh cleaning solvents, therefore reducing chemical costs. Surgical instruments and other sharp medical devices can cause injury when they’re cleaned manually. With ultrasonic cleaners, manual scrubbing and cleaning of sharp instruments is eliminated.

Ultrasonic cleaners are essential for cleaning temperature-sensitive medical instruments and devices. Medical facilities have different cleaning needs, such as cleaning newly manufactured devices and implants and cleaning re-usable instruments. All these cleaning needs can be fulfilled by ultrasonic cleaning systems that are specifically configured for a medical cleaning application.

For more details read the article, Why is an Ultrasonic Cleaner Essential Equipment at a Medical Facility? If you would like a free consultation or have questions about using an ultrasonic cleaner for your medical cleaning application, contact Kaijo at info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call 408-675-5575.

How Ultrasonic Cleaning Benefits Medical Industry Operations

The cleaning of reusable instruments, medical devices, and implants during medical industry operations is critical but is often difficult. Manual pre-cleaning, steam cleaning, and heat-sterilization are time-consuming and may damage delicate and temperature-sensitive instruments. Many of these instruments have complex shapes, which make them hard to access for manual cleaning.

Despite the difficulties, organic matter from previous patients and other medical facility contamination needs to be removed entirely to prevent infecting new patients.

The use of medical ultrasonic cleaners provides an ideal solution to many of these problems. This method uses an ultrasonic cleaner, which works by producing microscopic cavitation bubbles in the cleaning solution. The bubbles form and collapse in tune with the high-frequency sound waves passing through the liquid. When the bubbles collapse, they create a powerful scrubbing action against the parts’ surfaces to be cleaned. Surface contaminants are dislodged and swept away.

In ultrasonic cleaning, the two critical factors for effective and successful cleaning of medical parts are the chosen frequency and power. Lower frequencies produce larger bubbles that provide a more intense cleaning of hard and robust parts. Higher frequencies generate comparatively smaller bubbles and gentler cleaning action of more fragile and delicate parts. Choosing the right frequency ensures that the parts are cleaned quickly and thoroughly without damaging the parts to be cleaned (especially the fragile and delicate medical parts and tools).

The power of the ultrasonic cleaning system must be enough to fill the tank with ultrasonic waves. These waves create bubbles throughout the liquid, even on interior surfaces, inside holes, or along cracks. While ultrasonic cleaning only dislodges physical surface contamination and does not kill pathogens, the systems can be used to sterilize parts by adding an appropriate amount of disinfectant to the ultrasonic bath.

The medical ultrasonic cleaner effectively cleans medical parts, tools, and implants provides improved cleaning performance, reduced cleaning times, and consistent results. These things lead to less time spent on cleaning tanks, better use of medical personnel who receive cleaner instruments, and improved patient outcomes.

Learn more about this topic by reading the complete article, “How Ultrasonic Cleaning Benefits Medical Industry Operations.” You may set up a free consultation to discuss your needs by contacting Kaijo at 408-675-5575 or email at info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

How Ultrasonic Cleaners Are Used to Provide Effective Infection Control

Invasive surgical techniques are being used more frequently, and the tools and instruments used in these procedures can’t be easily cleaned or sterilized with high temperatures. Many of these tools and instruments are hard to clean and many are temperature sensitive. They also have complex shapes and features that can harbor contamination and pathogens.

Manual ultrasonic cleaners are used to clean these kinds of tools and instruments. Ultrasonic cleaning performance is excellent but does not, by itself, guarantee that an instrument or tool is sterile. However when the appropriate amount of disinfectant is added to the cleaning solution, the action of the ultrasonic cleaning forces the liquid into crevices and holes where it can kill microbes on contact. The sound waves clean the surfaces of tools and instruments and the dislodged matter is removed, leaving the disinfected parts. Together with a disinfecting cleaning solution, an ultrasonic cleaner is a better alternative to steam sterilization.

Ultrasonic cleaners work by using an ultrasonic transducer to convert a high-frequency electrical signal to ultrasonic sound waves in the cleaning solution. The transducer (mounted in the tank) vibrates in tune with the electrical signal to create sound waves throughout the cleaning bath. Microscopic cavitation bubbles are created in the low-pressure troughs of the ultrasonic waves and collapse in the high-pressure peaks.

As each of the cavitation bubbles collapses, it creates a powerful suction effect that dislodges microbes and contaminates particles from the parts’ surfaces to be cleaned. Once dislodged, the microbes are fully in contact with the cleaning solution’s disinfectant and are killed. You can find details of the type of disinfectant that works best for ultrasonic cleaning by referring to the website “Infection Control Today“.

Here are the key factors to consider when using medical ultrasonic cleaners to clean surgical tools and instruments:

• Size of the cleaning tank – It should be sized with the largest dimension longer than the length of the largest part. Often, a basket is used to hold the smaller components and keep them from vibrating against the tank’s sides.
• Power required – The ultrasonic cleaning system should have enough power to fill the cleaning tank with the ultrasonic waves.
• Frequency – Choosing the wrong frequency can lead to damage to these surgical tools and instruments, many of which contain soft, delicate, or fragile parts and components. Low frequencies produce comparatively bigger cavitation bubbles and a robust cleaning action, which can damage fragile parts.

For more details, read the complete article, “How Ultrasonic Cleaners Are Used to Provide Effective Infection Control.” You may contact Kaijo Shibuya if you would like to set up a free consultation by calling them at 408-676-5575 or sending an email to info@kaijo-shibuya.com.

Why the Medical Industry Has Increased Their Use of Ultrasonic Cleaning

Safe medical practices require a high degree of cleanliness. That’s why medical instruments, implants, and other medical devices have to be cleaned thoroughly before use.

Medical instruments and devices may have been contaminated with bodily fluids, while implants may have manufacturing residues that have to be removed. Ultrasonic cleaning uses microscopic cavitation bubbles to break up and dislodge surface contamination quickly and thoroughly.

Medical ultrasonic cleaners work by generating microscopic cavitation bubbles throughout the cleaning bath. When these bubbles collapse, they emit a tiny but powerful jet that dislodges dirt and contamination from the devices’ surface to be cleaned. The millions of the tiny cavitation bubbles produce an intense scrubbing action that leaves device surfaces completely clean.

Traditional cleaning methods such as manual cleaning and soaking the parts in chemicals can be time-consuming, costly, unsafe, and, most of all, won’t produce the same complete cleaning results as an ultrasonic cleaner does. The traditional cleaning process may also require constant monitoring. Manual cleaning and scrubbing of sharp objects can cause puncturing wounds or cuts, and the process can take a lot of time and effort. Not to mention that manual cleaning can be difficult, especially if the device has complex shapes or hard-to-clean openings and crevices.

On the other hand, soaking the parts requires chemicals that have to be purchased, stored, delivered, and (when they’re no longer needed) disposed of properly. These harsh cleaning chemicals can pose a significant environmental hazard if not handled properly.

Many of these medical tools and devices are delicate that they cannot withstand high temperatures. For instance, cleaning them with hot water may cause damage and, in turn, compromise their efficiency. Optical devices such as parts of fiber optics may have delicate surfaces that manual scrubbing can damage them. Medical ultrasonic cleaners can be designed to deal with these issues and thoroughly clean fragile electronic and optical devices

Ultrasonic cleaning, therefore, may help address these issues. The parts are placed in a basket immersed in the cleaning bath that can be plain water or solution with only mild detergent or disinfectant. After a timed period of ten to twenty minutes, the clean parts can be removed from the bath. No manual cleaning or scrubbing, use of chemicals, and supervision of the cleaning process are needed. The result is clean objects that can be sterilized without fear that hidden contamination may protect microbes and pathogens against sterilization.

For more details read the article, “Why the Medical Industry Has Increased Its Use of Ultrasonic Cleaning”. As a leader among ultrasonic cleaner manufacturers, Kaijo Shibuya provides extensive experience with a broad product line and outstanding customer support to address your industrial cleaning requirements. Contact them at info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call 408-675-5575.