Multi-Level Ultrasonic Cleaning

The intermediate ultrasonic cleaning of medical products can be carried out immediately after their machining in order to remove the chippings, oil, and process coolant liquid residue applicable in the metal-cutting machines. Final multi-level ultrasoniccleaning performs tasks of the full removal of any foreign particles remaining on the surface of medical product in the process of its manufacturing: after machining, sandblasting grains, and acid solutions. This processing is required for imparting the absolute chemical purity to the surfaces of medical products before a final stage of its bactericidal radiation sterilization. The capabilities of a multi-level ultrasonic cleaning are such that it makes it possible to remove foreign inclusions without residue even from a newly-formed fine-porous structure with the diameter of pores ranging from 5 to 10 µm, which ariseon the surfaces of SLA or RBM types in the process of acid etching of titanium implants.

The principle of ultrasonic cleaning is fairly easy to understand, but hugely complicated in the technical implementation at an adequate technology level. A piece partbeing processed is put in a tank containing definite washing liquid medium (water, acid, alkaline, etc.) with an ultrasonic generator being built in it. The generated ultrasonic sound creates hydraulic waves of certain length in the liquid, which “wash” the surface being processed promoting both the surface motion of liquid itself and the stir of foreign particles being washed out from the smallest pits in such a way. The selection of ultrasonic wave assures the fact that the wave fluctuations of washing medium (and therefore its circulation) take place in the finest pores and structures of a piece part, which shall be cleaned.

 

The selection of washing medium characteristics is necessary for more accented purposeful effect on foreign inclusions (contaminants) of one or another chemical nature. In the manufacturing conditions of the ABM Technology, the “multi-leveledness” of processing implies an opportunity for subsequent ultrasonic cleaning of medical products at least in six different washing media – acid, alkaline, alcohol, water solution, and clean water. Our equipment has suchpowerful capabilities making it possible to carry out processing with the best quality and in the industrial-scale volumes. Only state-of-the-art high-technology ultrasonic baths manufactured by Swiss KKS Ultraschall AG, the acknowledged leader in the manufacturing of equipment of such class, are used at our ABM Technology Plant to solve the tasks of ultrasonic cleaning of the implants and prosthetic products.