EH 5_2015

Disinfection and cleaning of medical instruments with ultrasound D® , S® and T® www.bandelin.com SONOMIC • Space-saving built-in bath or compact version • Disinfection and cleaning of standard and/or rinsable MIS instruments – gentle and in shortest time SONOREX DIGITEC • Ultrasonic baths with pushbuttons • Disinfection and cleaning – gentle and in shortest time TRISON patent EP 2 837 353 • Modular compilation of system as required and type of instruments • Time optimized and coordinated cleaning proces- ses depending on the type of instruments • Disinfection and cleaning – gentle and in shortest time • Robotic and rinsable MIS instruments: safety by the rinsing of single channel and examination BANDELIN on tour Dusseldorf, Hall 12 A30 Dubai, Hall Z3 L35 BANDELIN_EH_5.indd 1 16.10.2015 16:06:42 www.healthcare-in-europe.com 7LABORATORY & INFECTION CONTROL Microbubbles reach into the cracks and crevices New ultrasound system cleanses instrumentsUK-based researchers have shown how a pioneering ultrasonic device can significantly improve the cleaning of medical instruments and reduce contamination and risk of infection Report: Mark Nicholls Called StarStream – a new ultrasonic device makes water more efficient for cleaning by sending a gentle stream of water through a noz- zle that generates ultrasound and creates tiny bubbles that automati- cally scrub surfaces. The system is reported to improve the cleaning power of water and reduce the need for additives and heating. Currently, StarStream is built into a hairdryer-type device for manual cleaning, but could be fixed onto robot arms for other applications, such as for cleaners that can access hard-to-reach areas. Whilst ultrasonic cleaning is a recognised technique, the inventors of StarStream point to that flex- ibility and adaptability as offering significant benefits in a healthcare environment. Invented and patented by Professor Tim Leighton and col- league Dr Peter Birkin from the University of Southampton - and in commercial production by Ultrawave Ltd – recently published studies have demonstrated the effec- tiveness of the system. Using just cold water, StarStream has been shown to be capable of removing biological contamination, including brain tissue, from surgical steel. It was also able to remove bac- terial biofilms that typically cause dental disease and was effective at removing soft tissue from bones, which is necessary before trans- plants to prevent rejection of trans- planted material by the recipient’s immune system. Professor Leighton, from the University’s Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, said: ‘In the absence of sufficient cleaning of medical instruments, contamination and infection can result in serious consequences for the health sector and remains a significant challenge. Our highly effective cleaning device works with cold water and without the need for chemical additives, or the high power consumption associ- ated with conventional strategies. It has the potential to meet this chal- lenge and transform the sector. ‘Cracks, crevices, contoured sur- faces and intricate architectures, like small tools, are normally difficult to clean because brushes and wipes do not penetrate these architectures well,’ Leighton added. ‘StarStream is very good at cleaning in cracks and crevices, because the interaction of the crevice with the sound field creates “acoustic radiation forces”, which actively draws bubbles into the crevices to clean them. These bubbles are like microscopic scrub- bing machines, removing contami- nants from surfaces. ‘The range of contaminants that it removes is extensive although, if necessary, the water can be heated and chemicals such as a bleach or biocide added. StarStream helps these chemicals penetrate cracks and crevices much more quickly than mere passive diffusion would allow.’ Designed as a ‘clean in place’ tool, it can be used with minimal training and runs without special facilities. ‘It could provide a quick rinse of a number of items, for example the tools at the end of a duodeno- scope, to remove the bulk of tissue clumps,’ Leighton suggested ‘This might become increasingly important as the economic recession causes more Sterile Services depart- ments to close at weekends. If tools used on a Friday afternoon were to be allowed to dry all weekend, before attempts are made to clean them on a Monday, the hazard of infecting the next patient increases greatly.’ Professor Leighton has been inter- ested in the interaction of sound and bubbles since 1984 but that interest evolved into examining what would happen if you projected ultrasound at a bubble. Realising the ‘wobble’ induced in the bubble by ultrasound caused effective cleaning, with the bubbles turned into microscopic scrubbing machines, he assembled a team to make these ideas a reality and has been supported by the Royal Society Brian Mercer Award for Innovation, which provid- ed £250,000 to conduct the neces- sary research. That was also underpinned by increasing concerns about hospital cleaning challenges, reducing con- tamination and water usage, as well as the disadvantages of ultrasonic cleaning baths. The sound and vibration expert not only believes StarStream has clear benefits for hospitals but there are also applications for wounds in combat zones and he believes ambulances and other rescue vehi- cles could effectively carry such devices. StarStream is being refined for a growing range of applications as it moves into commercial production. Tim Leighton, FREng FRS, is founder and chair of Southampton University’s Network for Anti-Microbial Resistance and Infection Prevention (NAMRIP) Strategic Research Group, which hosts over 100 members. He is also founder and chair of Health Effects of Ultrasound in Air (HEFUA), and Professor of Ultrasonics and Underwater Acoustics at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research within the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton Details: www.southampton.ac.uk/engi- neering/research/projects/starstream.page StarStream is a new technology that delivers a gentle stream of cold water through a nozzle to generate ultrasonically produced tiny bubbles that ‘scrub’ surfaces TRISON patent EP 2837353 BANDELIN_EH_5.indd 116.10.201516:06:42

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