Cleaning medical instruments with ultrasound – safe, thorough and efficient
In medicine and laboratories, hygiene is a top priority. Instruments must not just be clean, they must be absolutely pure to ensure that neither staff nor patients are endangered. Traditional methods such as manual scrubbing pose risks – for example, injuries from sharp-edged instruments – and do not always achieve the deep cleaning required in everyday practice. Ultrasonic cleaning offers a reliable, safe, and gentle solution.
Why ultrasound is optimal for instrument cleaning
-
Thorough cleaning: Ultrasonic waves penetrate into the smallest cracks and joints where brushes and cloths cannot reach.
-
Protection of the material: The sensitive surfaces of surgical instruments are not damaged.
-
Hygienic & safe: Deposits, blood residues and bacteria are efficiently removed.
-
Time-saving: Several instruments can be cleaned simultaneously – with minimal personnel effort.
-
Fast reavailability: Cleaned instruments are ready for use again after a short drying and, if necessary, sterilization time.
Which medical instruments are suitable?
Ultrasonic cleaning has a wide range of applications, including:
-
Surgical instruments (e.g. scissors, clamps, forceps)
-
Dental instruments (e.g. drills, impression trays, pliers)
-
Prostheses and implant parts
-
Laboratory equipment and glassware
Heat-sensitive plastic parts or coated surfaces that could be attacked by ultrasound are not suitable.
Suitable cleaning concentrates for medical instruments
For the safe cleaning of medical instruments, we recommend special solutions:
-
EM-060 Dental and medical cleaner : for instruments in dental practices and in the medical field.
-
Stammopur DR 8 : specially designed for surgical instruments, disinfectant and gentle on materials.
-
EM-100 deoxidation concentrate : for removing light oxidation layers on metal.
Step-by-step: Cleaning instruments in an ultrasonic bath
-
Preparation: Carefully disassemble instruments (if possible) and rinse off coarse dirt under running water.
-
Filling: Fill the ultrasonic device with water and a suitable cleaning concentrate (according to the manufacturer's instructions).
-
Cleaning: Place instruments in the basket so they are not touching each other. Cleaning time: 5–15 minutes.
-
Rinse: Rinse instruments thoroughly with distilled water to remove chemical residues.
-
Drying: Dry with a sterile cloth or hot air dryer.
-
Further processing: Sterilize as required (e.g. in an autoclave).
Choosing the right ultrasonic cleaner
-
Small practices/laboratories: Devices such as the Emmi-04D or Emmi-D21 , compact and easy to use.
-
Medium-sized practices: Models with 2–4 liter capacity, optionally with heating for greater cleaning performance.
-
Clinics/Institutes: High-performance devices such as the Emmi-60 HC Plus , with large capacity and drain tap for efficient processes.
Conclusion
Ultrasonic cleaning of medical instruments combines safety, efficiency, and material protection. With the right devices and concentrates from ultraschall-welt.de , you can reliably ensure hygiene in your practice, clinic, or laboratory. Fast, thorough, and with minimal effort – this way, your instruments remain ready for use and in top condition for the long term.
