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 cleaning by hand, using parts washers and steam sterilization are often not effective for implants that include new technology. Semiconductor components are often fragile and heat-sensitive. They could be damaged from chemical cleaning methods or excess heat. Ultrasonics are an excellent alternative, providing contactless cleaning action that can be adjusted for varied intensity. Ultrasonic cleaners can clean implants with complex shapes, heat-sensitive semiconductor parts and other medical devices to medical cleanliness standards without damaging fragile components.

How Medical Devices Can Be Cleaned with Ultrasonics

Ultrasonics uses the scrubbing action of microscopic cavitation bubbles in the cleaning solution to clean parts quickly and effectively. An ultrasonic generator produces a high-frequency electrical 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.

Ultrasonic cleaning by itself removes all traces of contamination from part surfaces but does not sterilize the parts. A mild disinfectant or solvent can be added to the cleaning solution to create a sterile environment. This way, parts can be cleaned and sterilized in the ultrasonic bath.

Some parts are robust with hard surfaces while others may be mechanically fragile or have delicate surfaces. The intensity of the ultrasonic cleaning action depends on the frequency used. Low frequencies, around 26 kHz, produce comparatively large bubbles with intense cleaning, while higher frequencies deliver gentler cleaning with smaller bubbles. The ultrasonic frequency can be chosen to quickly clean heavy contamination from hard surfaces or to gently clean soft parts or parts with delicate coatings. An experienced ultrasonic cleaning equipment manufacturer can help select the appropriate frequency.

Changing to Ultrasonic Cleaners Delivers Substantial Benefits

When medical components, parts and devices are cleaned with ultrasonics, the process is completely safe and cleaning is more complete and faster than with traditional methods. The direct benefits of switching to ultrasonic cleaners can include the following:

• Devices with hard-to-clean holes, hinges or threads are cleaned completely
• Medical personnel can use time saved for medical tasks
• Reduced exposure to cleaning medical devices and components with chemicals
• Low operating costs
• Mechanical damage to soft or coated surfaces is eliminated

Instead of spending time manually cleaning parts or monitoring steam cleaning, medical staff can simply place the parts into the cleaning solution, set a timer and come back later to remove the clean parts. Ultrasonic cleaners provide rapid cleaning action and high levels of cleanliness. Medical device manufacturers can take advantage of ultrasonic cleaning technology to improve throughput, increase efficiency and reduce device defects.

Kaijo Delivers the Latest Ultrasonic Technology

Kaijo is working closely with the manufacturers of medical devices such as implants and pacemakers to provide the latest ultrasonic cleaning technology. Pacemaker electronics and other components can be cleaned more efficiently with ultrasonic cleaners than with traditional methods. With its extensive experience in ultrasonics, Kaijo is ideally situated to help medical device manufacturers transition to the new technology.

Because Kaijo designs and builds its ultrasonic cleaning equipment, the company can develop new products and customize existing systems to meet customer demands. Medical device manufacturers can detail their exact cleaning requirements and Kaijo can adapt their systems to meet these needs. The company can ensure the best frequency selection and ultrasonic cleaning system configuration is used to make sure customers get the cleaning performance they need.