What are Ultrasonic Washers or Surgical Instrument Washers and what are they for? | 2023
What are ultrasonic washing machines?
Ultrasonic washers are equipment used in medical and laboratory environments for cleaning and decontaminating instruments and utensils. Unlike conventional washing machines, ultrasonic washers use high-frequency sound waves to generate vibrations in a cleaning fluid, creating tiny bubbles that implode and remove dirt and contaminants from the surfaces of submerged objects.
Below I provide you with more information about ultrasonic washing machines:
- Principle of operation: Washing machines use piezoelectric transducers that generate high-frequency sound waves (usually in the megahertz range) within the cleaning fluid. These sound waves produce a cavitation action, where microscopic bubbles form and collapse repeatedly. These implosions create a vigorous cleaning action that removes dirt and contaminants attached to submerged objects.
- Effective cleaning: Ultrasonic washing machines offer more efficient and effective cleaning compared to traditional cleaning methods. Ultrasonic waves can penetrate hard-to-reach areas such as slots, crevices and small holes, removing dirt and contaminants more completely.
- Contaminant Removal: These washers are capable of removing a wide range of contaminants, such as grease, oil, biological waste, blood particles, dust, chemical residues, and other types of dirt. Ultrasonic waves release and emulsify contaminants, making them easier to remove.
- Saving time and effort: Washing machines automate the cleaning process, saving time and reducing the need for intensive manual cleaning. The objects are placed in the cleaning bath, the ultrasonic cycle is activated and the equipment performs the cleaning quickly and efficiently.
- Versatility of use: These washers are suitable for cleaning a wide variety of medical and laboratory objects and utensils, such as surgical instruments, dental pieces, optical instruments, syringes, prostheses, laboratory glassware, among others. Additionally, some models of ultrasonic washing machines also offer disinfection options using suitable disinfectant liquids.
What are Surgical Instrument washing machines used for?
Ultrasonic washing machines are used to clean objects by using high-frequency vibration generated by ultrasonic waves in a cleaning liquid. These waves create small bubbles in the liquid that burst quickly, generating an intense and effective cleaning action.
Ultrasonic washers are commonly used in the jewelry industry, electronic components manufacturing, cleaning automobile and aircraft parts, and cleaning medical and dental instruments. They are also used in laboratories to clean precision instruments and in scientific research to clean samples.
It is important to note that although ultrasonic washing machines offer efficient cleaning, they are not a substitute for sterilization. After ultrasonic cleaning, objects must undergo additional sterilization processes, such as the use of autoclaves, to ensure complete elimination of pathogenic microorganisms.
In summary, the ultrasonic washing machines They are efficient and versatile equipment that uses ultrasonic waves for effective cleaning of instruments and utensils.
