38 Ultrasonic cleaning solutions for laboratory applications


The cavitation phenomenon consists of the formation and growth of millions of microscopic bubbles under a low-pressure stage, produced into the ultrasonic bath due to a high power transducer 40kHz. These bubbles break in all directions and attack every surface in contact with water, erasing dirt, impurities and pollutants when contacting with the materials or pieces into the bath. This phenomenon allows cleaning all kind of items without the need of disassembling, due to all the surfaces being in contact with the liquid. The heating function of the unit allows the acceleration of this cleaning process.


Wiggens presents two series of standard ultrasonic cleaners with reliable quality and useful features, which allows the users a wide range of cleaning applications such as lab materials, medical instruments, dental prosthesis, optics, industrial items, jewelleries, also the degasification or liquid dissolution and compact substances disaggregation.


The following are the standard working volumes supplied: 3, 6, 10 and 22 litres, and bespoke volumes can be ordered for different applications. All functions can be viewed and monitored on a large and clear touch screen display. The parameters can be set by screen touching, including the ultrasonic working power (40% to 100%), bath temperature (20°C to 80°C), timer and warning function for safety.


All models are equipped with lids and trays that allow the parts they introduce to be directly cleaned without damaging the transducers and for easy handling.


In addition to the standard ultrasonic cleaners, Wiggens also offers the ultrasonic cleaners with special added functions. The Shaking Ultrasonic Cleaner is a good example, which means that the sample can be pre-homogenised at a specific shaking speed, and then final homogenisation can be achieved in a very short time, using ultrasonic power These two procedures can be carried out simultaneously or separately. Another added function is an ultrasonic cleaner with cooling for use in pathology and analysis labs, where the temperature of bath can be maintained at 10°C to 40°C even with the ultrasonic power generating heat continuously.


Contact Wiggens to accelerate your cleaning process. More information online: ilmt.co/PL/9D59


Innovative water purification for the modern laboratory


Established in 1997, Hydrolab is a leading Polish manufacturer specialising in the design and delivery of state-of-the-art water purification systems tailored for laboratory purposes. With over 25 years of experience, the company has been at the forefront of introducing cutting-edge water purification technologies, including mechanical filtration, adsorption, iron removal, softening, and various membrane technologies (such as reverse osmosis, microfiltration, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration). Hydrolab also incorporates 185nm and 254nm UV radiation and deionization into its systems.


The provision of pure water in laboratory settings is critical, often serving as the most important chemical reagent. Hydrolab offers an extensive range of water purification systems, meticulously designed to meet the standards of ISO 3696:1999, ASTM, CLSI, and FP norms for various water purity classes. In modern laboratories, water quality should remain consistent, with parameters like conductivity and temperature under continuous monitoring.


Hydrolab offers a diverse portfolio of over a hundred water purification systems. Drawing upon years of expertise and research, the company has developed three distinct series of demineralisers: TECHNICAL, HLP, and SPRING. These series provide ideal solutions that meet the stringent requirements of modern laboratories for ultrapure water supply. In addition to the core offerings, Hydrolab has introduced unique and innovative solutions, expanding the range to include the ULTRA, R, and TECHNICAL PLUS series. The product line extends to industrial systems, such as SPRING and TECHNICAL. These demineralisers find wide applications in analytical laboratories, as well as in sectors like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electronics, and the food industry, among others. The equipment is also popular in settings such as dental clinics and beauty salons.


Beyond equipment supply, Hydrolab offers a comprehensive array of services to ensure the delivery of the highest quality water for laboratories. The company provides guidance and support, from initial planning to installation, complete with IQ, OQ, and PQ documentation. Notably, Hydrolab maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification, covering quality management, design, production, and maintenance of water purification systems. This certification underscores the company’s commitment to upholding the highest standards in both its products and services.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/mVLw 61381pr@reply-direct.com 56962pr@reply-direct.com


Creating a safe and sterile waste exit route


Often an essential part of any laboratory ‘containment’ suite that requires hazardous waste sterilisation prior to safe disposal is inclusion of a pass-through (also known as a double door) autoclave. Key requirement is that both ends of the autoclave sterilising chamber are isolated. Double-door autoclaves are a unique design and this is where the experience and expertise of Priorclave, a dedicated UK manufacturer of laboratory and research grade autoclaves is essential.


With total control over the autoclave build, the company often adapts a standard steam steriliser or develops a totally unique autoclave to meet customer requirements. The overall design and build of each double-door autoclave takes place at Priorclave’s UK manufacturing centre where the company introduces a robust bulkhead mount to facilitate a strong structural fix into a dividing wall between the sterile lab and non-sterile areas.


Safe sterile transit is essential; therefore, interlocks prevent both doors being open at the same time as this would obviously breach the integrity of the site. The door at the unloading end will not open until the sterilisation cycle has been successfully completed. Also, it is not possible to release the loading door until the unloading door has been opened and subsequently closed and locked. Once installed the double-door Pass-Through research autoclave is the perfect partner working as an interface between sterile and non-sterile areas.


All sterilising processes are controlled through the very latest Tactrol®3 controller. Depending on the application Priorclave will configure layout of the Tactrol® controller to suit lab requirements. A typical set-up could be that only one side of the double door steriliser has access to the full control system, the other side of the autoclave equipped with just a screen to show process status so that staff are aware when a job is complete, and it is safe to remove the media or waste.


British autoclave manufacturer Priorclave can supply pass through autoclaves with sterilising chamber capacities up to 700 litres. These robust designs have an uncompromising level of safety to preserve sterile area.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/NeWl New testing system for hospital hygiene


TÜV SÜD has introduced an automated testing system for hospital hygiene, focusing on the machine-washability of medical devices. This system assesses the durability and functionality of products like hospital beds, patient hoists, and walking aids after undergoing washing cycles. It evaluates factors such as surface finishes, electronics, plastic components, and movable parts’ resilience during the washing process.


Previously, manufacturers had to invest in their own washing systems or use hospital facilities for testing. However, TÜV SÜD’s experts can now provide rapid and reliable testing, enhancing the value of products and aiding in promotional efforts. The testing adheres to industry standards, with specific criteria for the number of washing cycles devices must withstand. For example, medical beds are evaluated based on DIN EN 60601-2-52, which previously required 50 cycles but has been proposed to increase to 250 cycles in the latest standard draft. Similar standards exist for patient hoists and walking aids. TÜV SÜD has developed corresponding test procedures, considering factors like temperature, pH, and cleaning agents.


In Germany, where 20 million people are treated as hospital inpatients annually, machine reprocessing is becoming increasingly popular. Beds are taken to a central department, cleaned, disinfected, and dried with the push of a button, reducing the workload on nursing teams and minimising contact with potentially infectious surfaces.


The healthcare industry’s demand for efficient and reliable cleaning processes is growing, especially in the face of competition, rising costs, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Reliable hygiene measures are crucial in preventing infections, and TÜV SÜD’s testing system contributes to this goal. From a sustainability perspective, the testing facility recycles about 75% of the water used in the washing process, saving energy and water. Further optimisation measures, such as heat recovery from wastewater and carbon-neutral energy generation through photovoltaics, are also being considered.


TÜV SÜD’s automated testing system enhances the hygiene and durability of medical devices, addressing the growing demand for efficient and reliable cleaning processes in healthcare settings, while also contributing to sustainability goals.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/zBwy 61198pr@reply-direct.com 61526pr@reply-direct.com


INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - FEBRUARY 2024


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