Using Ultrasonic Cleaning for Medical Device Components

When components for medical devices are not cleaned properly at every stage of the manufacturing process, they may introduce contaminants into the medical environment. Ultrasonic cleaning of these components ensures that they are free from harmful particles and dangerous substances when they are incorporated into the medical device.

Traditional cleaning methods such as manual scrubbing and prolonged soaking in harsh chemicals may miss contaminants in hard-to-reach areas. Besides, these aggressive, toxic chemicals may leave harmful traces on the component.

Medical ultrasonic cleaners can clean medical device components entirely and rapidly, leaving no traces on the device. Ultrasonic cleaners generate microscopic bubbles in the cleaning solution. As the bubbles form and collapse in tune with the ultrasonic frequency, they create a powerful scrubbing action that dislodges contaminating particles and removes unwanted film and residues from the surfaces of the parts to be cleaned.

The medical device components are soaked in the cleaning solution either by placing them directly into the ultrasonic cleaning tanks or placing them in the basket, which is then submerged. Wherever there is a cleaning solution, the bubbles form and remove impurities from the surface of these components. The cleaning solution penetrates everywhere, into holes, along intricate and complex shapes and inside crevices.

The ultrasonic cleaner uses only plain water with a bath at room temperature. Still, cleaning can be sped up by adding mild detergent or heating the cleaning solution to remove more stubborn dirt (such as oil and grease contamination). Ultrasonic cleaning does not need harsh cleaning chemicals or manual scrubbing, making it environmentally friendly while improving the overall cleaning performance.

Ultrasonic cleaning also doesn't need monitoring or supervision, making the cleaning process completely safe. Operators place the components into the tank filled with the cleaning solution, set a timer, and then come back later to remove the clean components.

The complete article, Using Ultrasonic Cleaning for Medical Device Components, explains more about Kaijo Shibuya’s experience and expertise in providing medical ultrasonic cleaners. If you have questions, or would like to set up a free consultation, email info@kaijo-shibuya.com or call 408-675-5575.

How Ultrasonic Cleaners Effectively Clean Plastic Molds

Ultrasonic cleaning offers a solution that combines superior cleaning with fast-cleaning action for many items, including plastic molds. Traditional cleaning methods, such as manual scrubbing and using chemicals with prolonged soaking, are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Even so, they often miss contaminants in hard-to-reach places. Ultrasonic cleaners remove contaminants everywhere the cleaning solution can penetrate and does not require the use of chemicals.

Ultrasonic cleaning system generates microscopic cavitation bubbles in a tank that contains the cleaning solution and the parts to be cleaned – in this case, plastic molds. The bubbles form and collapse in tune with the ultrasonic frequency, dislodging dirt and contaminants from the surfaces to be cleaned. The cavitation bubbles clean wherever the cleaning solution is present, even in tiny mold structures such as ejector pin holes, cooling channels, and vent paths. The bubbles clean quickly but thoroughly, without requiring any monitoring or supervision. All the operators can do is to set the timer and then return to remove the cleaned molds.

In Ultrasonic cleaning, cavitation bubbles do the cleaning so no cleaning chemicals are required. This provides substantial savings by eliminating the costs for acquiring, storage, handling, and disposing of the harsh chemicals. The ultrasonic cleaning system leaves no waste that is otherwise harmful to the environment, and workplace safety is significantly increased. Adding a mild detergent or heating the cleaning solution is only needed when the parts have hard-to-remove oily or greasy deposits, to speed up the cleaning process. The ultrasonic cleaning system is an environmentally friendly method that improves production line performance.

When the ultrasonic cleaning system is appropriately configured for the application, cleaning occurs quickly without leaving any residue. Choosing the right frequency ensures that the ultrasonic cleaning system cleans as expected. Low frequencies create comparatively large bubbles and deliver a more powerful cleaning action suitable for cleaning robust material but can cause pitting of the mold surface or damage intricate structures. On the other hand, high frequencies create smaller bubbles and deliver a gentler cleaning performance. If the frequency is too high however, the cleaning time may be increased, and overall cleaning performance may suffer.

Choosing the adequate power level for the cleaning application is also vital to deliver optimal cleaning. Depending on the tank's size, several built-in or immersible ultrasonic transducers may be required. The ultrasonic cleaner’s generator must have enough power to fill the cleaning tank with ultrasonic waves.

Discover more by reading the complete article, How Ultrasonic Cleaners Effectively Clean Plastic Molds. For more information, or to schedule a free consultation, call 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.