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One of the many challenges facing technicians in sterile processing
is the ever-increasing amount of lumened instruments. From orthopedic shavers to all the assorted sizes of Frazier suctions to laparoscopic instruments to robotic instruments, there is no shortage of complex lumened instruments. The manual cleaning process
becomes a never-ending process of finding the brush that fits exactly right to clean every lumen while also keeping instruments flowing through to the assembly side. One of the most important tools in our arsenal to fight against dirty lumens is the automated
irrigation function in our ultrasonic cleaners. This automated lumen cleaning process will provide highly effective and efficient cleaning action in all those lumens provided it is working properly.
To get the most effective lumen cleaning from our ultrasonic irrigation
systems, we need to know how it works and how to properly maintain it. The lumen irrigation systems work by circulating ultrasonic bath water with a pump through a system of tubing, manifolds, ports, adapters, and hoses. The water that is circulating through
the ultrasonic must be filtered to protect the pump and to prevent debris from being circulated and deposited back into the instrument lumen. Depending on the model of your ultrasonic, the filter may need to be changed during preventative maintenance by a
service technician, or it may need to be changed by the frontline sterile processing technician. It is critically important that you understand your role when it comes to maintaining your cleaning equipment.
In the Ultra Clean Systems Triton ultrasonic models, there is an irrigation
filter that is accessible when you lift the top panel and remove the filter cap. The tiny filter you find behind that filter cap is the only thing preventing loose debris from landing inside of your lumened devices. It is recommended in the instruction for
use (IFU) to change the filter either at the end of each shift or every time the water is drained from the basin (see figure below). So, remember to dust off that accessory connection kit and change those filters so that you can leverage the efficient and
effective cleaning action of your ultrasonic lumen irrigation system.
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