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Ultrasound cleaning in the veterinary practice

A glance at the German Civil Code (Section 90a BGB) reveals a legal paradox: „Animals are not objects.“ Yet, in the very same breath, the law qualifies this by stating that the provisions applicable to objects are to be applied to them mutatis mutandis.

In the past, this legal context has sometimes led to a fatal oversimplification: If, in a claim for damages – such as in the case of a post-operative infection – an animal is often still treated as if it were a damaged piece of property, why should one go to the same extreme lengths with practice hygiene as in a human surgical theatre? In the case of an „object“, isn’t it sufficient simply to brush the surgical instruments thoroughly under the tap after use?

This misconception regarding „the matter“ now poses a massive liability and reputational risk. Anyone who cuts corners on instrument reprocessing is failing to recognise the modern reality. Firstly, case law has long since changed: courts now award pet owners compensation for medical malpractice (e.g. for expensive follow-up treatment for sepsis) that far exceeds the animal’s mere „purchase price“. To its owner, an animal is a member of the family, not a replaceable commodity.

Secondly, modern veterinary practices and clinics have long been operating at the very cutting edge of technology – from complex osteosynthesis in pedigree dogs to delicate dental restoration in cats. Anyone providing treatment at this medical standard must also make the transition from simply „washing an item“ to validatable, uncompromising hygiene when pre-cleaning their instruments. This medical evolution is accompanied by an absolute ethical and legal obligation.

Are your treatment processes legally sound?

Don’t leave your practice hygiene and legal protection to chance – or to a manual brush. Discover how BANDELIN’s ultrasonic systems enable you to ensure your instrument reprocessing is validatable, gentle on materials and uncompromisingly safe.

Get advice on suitable veterinary solutions now!

Liability and „state of the art“: Why the MPBetreibV is relevant to you too

In the strict legal sense, veterinary medical devices are not covered by the standard Medical Devices Operator Regulation (MPBetreibV), which applies to human medicine. Nevertheless, for vets, adhering to these guidelines is the best form of personal and professional indemnity cover. If an animal patient develops sepsis following a procedure, the burden of proof often lies with the practice. You must demonstrate that your instrument reprocessing complies with the current „state of the art“. The guidelines issued by KRINKO (Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention) serve as the legal benchmark in this regard. Simply cleaning surgical instruments by hand with a brush under running water no longer meets this standard when it comes to complex instruments.

The limits of manual work and the danger of „sterile dirt“

Surgical scissors, fine arterial clamps and dental scalers have complex geometries. Hinges, grooves and lumens provide ideal hiding places for organic residues such as blood, secretions or tissue debris. If these are not completely removed by mechanical brushing, a disastrous scenario can occur in the autoclave: the heat of sterilisation denatures the proteins and „bakes“ them onto the instrument. This results in what is known as „sterile dirt“, beneath the crust of which germs can survive the sterilisation process.

The clean solution: impeccable hygiene through cavitation

To make the transition from error-prone manual preparation to a validatable, safe process, the use of high-performance physical technology is essential. This is where BANDELIN’s ultrasonic cleaning machines come into their own.

Cavitation at the microscopic level

BANDELIN SONOREX baths convert electrical energy into high-frequency mechanical vibrations via piezoelectric vibration systems. This creates a rapid alternation between negative and positive pressure within the cleaning fluid. During the negative-pressure phase, millions of tiny vacuum bubbles form, which implode abruptly during the positive-pressure phase. These Cavitation generates high-energy micro-flows that dislodge even the most stubborn organic contaminants from the finest capillaries and joints without coming into contact with them.

To distribute this force evenly across all instruments in the suspension basket, BANDELIN appliances feature the patented SweepTec technology. It continuously modulates the operating frequency by approximately ±1 kHz, prevents so-called „standing waves“ and produces an absolutely homogeneous sound field throughout the basin.

Ultrasound expertise and its interaction with chemistry

BANDELIN manufactures systems in Germany with a high degree of in-house production, which are designed to withstand the constant strain of everyday use in dental practices – fitted with stainless steel swivel basins and permanently welded drains. Models of the DIGITEC DT Series also come as standard with the valuable DEGAS function: As fresh tap water contains dissolved gases which physically buffer the implosion of the cavitation bubbles, rapid degassing expels these gases at an early stage. This ensures that maximum cleaning performance is available straight away.

Choosing the right product

Ultrasound provides the mechanical action, but it is the precisely calibrated chemistry that breaks the surface tension of the water and physically loosens the dirt. Furthermore, there is an ironclad physical rule in veterinary medicine: Instruments contaminated with blood or protein must never be heated to more than 40 °C in an ultrasonic bath, as otherwise the proteins will coagulate.

Instrument cleaning only

For the effective removal of blood and tissue residues, the use of mildly alkaline preparations such as STAMMOPUR R or TICKOMED 1 proven.

Combined user protection

If the instruments in the bathroom are to be chemically disinfected at the same time to protect practice staff (e.g. in the event of needle-stick injuries) from cross-contamination, VAH-certified combination products such as STAMMOPUR DR 8 is used.

Dental Excellence

For the dental unit’s rotating instruments that are subject to extreme wear and tear (cutters, drills), the special virucidal preparation STAMMOPUR DB the first choice.

The right products for every application

SONOREX SUPER RK 102 H Ultrasonic Bath with Heater
1.293,00 € (plus Shipping & VAT) Commercial customers only
excl. 19% VAT

plus Shipping costs
Add to basket
SONOREX K 3 C insert basket
74,00 € (plus Shipping & VAT) Commercial customers only
excl. 19% VAT

plus Shipping costs
Add to basket
TICKOPUR R 33 Universal cleaner for ultrasonic cleaning, concentrate
25,00 € - 1.320,00 € (plus Shipping & VAT) Commercial customers only
excl. VAT

plus Shipping costs
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
STAMMOPUR R Instrument Cleaner, concentrate
25,00 € - 134,00 € (plus Shipping & VAT) Commercial customers only
excl. VAT

plus Shipping costs
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
STAMMOPUR 24 Intensive cleaning and disinfection, concentrate
102,00 € - 447,00 € (plus Shipping & VAT) Commercial customers only
excl. VAT

plus Shipping costs
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Conclusion: Investment in patient safety and cost-effectiveness

Professional ultrasonic cleaning bridges the gap between the outdated „object-centred“ mindset and modern veterinary responsibility. Contactless ultrasonic cleaning prevents scratches and wear caused by harsh brushing, significantly extends the service life of your expensive instruments and provides the essential foundation for effective sterilisation.

Ready to take your practice hygiene to the next level?

Whether you run a small, compact small-animal practice or a busy veterinary clinic, we have the perfect SONOREX ultrasonic cleaner and the precisely tailored cleaning solution for your specific instruments. Save valuable working time, protect your team and maximise the lifespan of your expensive instruments.

Request a personalised quote for your practice!

Ultrasonic cleaning and disinfection

Temperature: Room temperature
Cleaning product: STAMMOPUR DR 8
Concentration: 5 %
Duration: 5 mins
Papova under intense pressure: 2% – 10 mins
Adeno under heavy load: 3% – 15 mins

FAQ

Are vets subject to the Medical Devices Operator Regulation (MPBetreibV)?

Strictly speaking, under the EU MDR, veterinary medical devices do not fall within the scope of the German Medical Devices Operator Regulation (MPBetreibV) for human medicine. However, in the event of a liability claim (e.g. post-operative infections), the „state of the art“ is required by law. Compliance with the KRINKO recommendations and the use of validatable procedures (ultrasound) therefore provide vets with essential legal protection.

Can the ultrasonic cleaner for surgical instruments be heated?

No, this is a common mistake. When cleaning surgical instruments, there is a risk of protein coagulation. At temperatures of 40 °C or above, the protein contained in blood and tissue coagulates and bonds extremely firmly to the stainless steel surface of the instrument. It is essential that the cleaning solution (e.g. using STAMMOPUR R) is prepared whilst cold.

Why isn’t cleaning with water and washing-up liquid enough?

Pure tap water has a high surface tension, which counteracts the force of cavitation and inhibits bubble formation. Special preparations such as STAMMOPUR reduce this tension, thereby achieving a cavitation efficiency of almost 100 %. Furthermore, standard commercial washing-up liquids lack the necessary ingredients to completely break down blood proteins chemically without corroding the stainless steel due to incorrect pH levels.

What is the DEGAS function on SONOREX DIGITEC devices used for?

Freshly prepared cleaning solutions contain dissolved gases (such as oxygen or carbon dioxide). These gases act as microscopic buffers and slow down the implosion of the cavitation bubbles. The DEGAS function (rapid degassing using pulsed sound) expels these gases from the liquid in a matter of minutes before the first cleaning cycle, ensuring maximum mechanical cleaning power.

Do instruments need to be brushed manually before being placed in the ultrasonic bath?

In the case of normal surgical soiling (blood, tissue residues), the instruments can be placed directly into the ultrasonic bath’s basket. Manual pre-cleaning is not necessary and only poses an unnecessary risk of injury. Only in the case of extremely heavy organic residues is it advisable to rinse the instruments briefly under cold running water, so as not to immediately oversaturate the ultrasonic bath.

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Bandelin Electronic

Quality since 1955

We - a Berlin-based family business in its third generation - specialise in the development, manufacture and distribution of ultrasonic devices, corresponding accessories and application-specific cleaning and disinfection preparations. The high vertical range of manufacture, a modern production facility and motivated employees distinguish us and are guarantors for constantly new quality products.