Useful advices for cleaning with ultrasounds

What are ultrasounds?

Ultrasounds are vibrations of a material medium which are similar to sound waves, but with frequencies which are too high to be audible to the human ear. The frequency limit of human hearing ranges from around 10 Khz to approximately 18 Khz. The audible frequency limit decreases with the increase in age. More particularly SONICA® ultrasonic cleaning units operate at a frequency of as many as 45 Khz, i.e. at a frequency much higher than the audible one.

All the SONICA® units consist of an ultrasounds generator and one or more piezoelectric transducers (according to the model) which are attached to the outside base of the tank in stainless steel containing the washing liquid. The electronic generator produces a continuous signal at a frequency of 45 Khz, and pilots the piezoelectric transducers which transform the electrical signal into a mechanical vibration. This vibrational energy is transmitted to the liquid in the tank at the frequency of 45,000 oscillations per second. These pressure and vacuum oscillations create an enormous quantity of microbubbles in the liquid which, by imploding in extremely rapid succession, create enormous impact energies between the detergent liquid and the surface to be cleaned. This is known as "cavitation" and provides an efficient and safe cleaning method in less time.

Useful advice and suggestions

The type of detergent to be used. In order to wash any instrument or object, use tap water as the main substance and dissolve in it a quantity of detergent or solution which varies according to the type of material residue to be removed from the object. Only use pure detergent if expressly specified in the instructions for use of the product. If for example an object soiled with greasy or fatty material is to be cleaned, use a small quantity of SONICA® UG solution, diluting it in water as indicated in the instructions for the product and clean in ultrasounds. The SONICA® UG detergent enables removal of many types of impurities.

When small quantities of plaster have to be removed. Use pure SONICA® RG solution. Pour it into a beaker or directly into the tank. Its strong action will allow total removal of the plaster even from dental prostheses.

When many objects have to be cleaned. Do not overload the ultrasonic cleaning unit. Preferably arrange the objects rationally on the base of the rectangular basket, place the latter in the tank and clean as appropriate. Too many objects washed at the same time reduce the efficiency of cleaning with ultrasounds. When the objects are very dirty. Use long cleaning times, heating the washing liquid according to the object to be washed. When to replace the detergent solution. To achieve efficient cleaning change the detergent solution often, above all if it is used to clean surgical instruments. Shape and size. There are no special rules for the shape of objects to be cleaned, however avoid inserting particularly heavy and large objects in the tank. The liquid must always cover the entire object. Cleaning time. The cleaning time always depends on the type of object, and the type and quantity of the material to be removed.