Introducing the Tuttnauer Clean and Simple Ultrasonic Cleaner
Recently, we’ve talked about how important ultrasonic cleaners are to the medical industry. The machines that clean using the ultrasonic process as opposed to standard steam sterilization. They’re not any better or worse than standard autoclaves, but it’s just about what approach you want to take. Steam sterilization is a high pressure chamber that can use different classes of cycle to deliver a different form of sterilization. Whereas the ultrasonic cleaners use ultrasonic sound to agitate solvent in the tank and clean the instruments that way.
It’s all about choice, but today we’d like to shine the spotlight on a new ultrasonic cleaner on the market from Tuttnauer. They’ve decided to get into the ultrasonic cleaner market with the Clean and Simple Ultrasonic Cleaning System. For a company usually only staying in the steam autoclave market, we were surprised to see this pop up. And we were definitely interested in looking more into it. We’ve mentioned this machine briefly before but today we’d like to go a bit more in-depth and tell you about it.
And if you have any questions, you can call our Free Tech Support line, 704-966-1650 Option 3 for free technical support.
What is an Ultrasonic Cleaner
To put it simply, the autoclave chamber is usually filled with water or a liquid solvent. Ultrasonic cleaners sterilize using ultrasonic sound waves to scrub tools of pathogens. For example, the Tuttnauer Clean and Simple Ultrasonic Cleaner operates at 60 kHz when cleaning. The sound waves to induce the process called cavitation by agitating the solvent in the chamber. “Cavitation ‘bubbles’ form when sonic energy creates a void (or cavity) which gets trapped as a bubble in a liquid solution of water or solvent. These microscopic bubbles implode with such force that contaminants adhering to surfaces are dislodged.” (via Best Technology)
The Tuttnauer Clean and Simple Ultrasonic Cleaner
Now let’s talk a bit more about the machine itself. The Tuttnauer Clean and Simple Ultrasonic Cleaner is a new ultrasonic cleaner to keep on your radar. Tuttnauer is a staple brand and everything they’ve come out with has us more excited than the last. The Clean and Simple is a simple looking but complex sterilization machine. Let’s get into some of the specifics that we do know.
Size
Its design is non-intrusive and can be placed countertop without being in your way. And depending on what size you’ll need, the Clean and Simple comes in 1 gallon, 3 gallon or a 6 gallon model. And we’ve got the specs for those here:
1 Gallon
Even as the Clean and Simple comes in a non-intrusive format, there’s still a good range of sizes to choose from. So we’ll start with the first one, the 1 Gallon model of the ultrasonic cleaner. The 1 Gallon model sports a 0.85 gallon, or 3.2 liter tank with the following tank dimensions:
- 9.38 (23.83) W
- 4.0 (10.16) H
- 5.38 (13.67) D
This being housed in an outer layer comprised of the following exterior dimensions:
- 10.25 (26.03) W
- 8.25 (20.95) H
- 6.5 (16.51) D
3 Gallon
Next is the 3 Gallon model. The 3 Gallon model comes with a 3.25 gallon, or 12.3 liter tank. The tank itself measures in at these dimensions:
- 15.5 (39.37) W
- 6.0 (15.24) H
- 9.0 (22.86) D
And the exterior housing for the unit measures at these dimensions:
- 16.5 (41.91) W
- 12.13 (30.81) H
- 10.0 (25.4) D
6 Gallon
Finally the 6 Gallon model, which comes in at a 6.5 gallon, or 24.6 liters. And the tank’s dimensions are as follows:
- 19.8 (50.2) W
- 6.5 (16.5) H
- 11.8 (29.8) D
And after the tank, these are the external dimensions:
- 21.8 (52.2) W
- 12.7 (32.2) H
- 13.8 (34.9) D
The Sound
During operation, usually you can hear certain autoclaves from another room depending on how they operate. They all vary in sounds and sizes but thankfully, for as small as the Clean and Simple can get, it’s quieter than most. Tuttnauer’s ultrasonic cleaner cycles at a quiet 60kHz. This not only being easier on the ears but also the instruments inside the chamber. The quieter noise allows for less aggressive decontamination while still going above and beyond in removing the contaminants.
Accessories
The Clean and Simple Ultrasonic Cleaner has a fair share of accessories to aid in the efficiency of the cleaning process. Things like indicator strips to make sure the cleaning water is in proper condition. Or cleaning tablets that are a three-in-one enzyme cleaner that you just drop into your chamber water. These accessories in question would be the Ultrasonic Cleaning Tablets and the Ultrasonic Cleaners (not to be confused with the type of autoclave.)
The Ultrasonic Cleaning Tablets are cleaning tablets that dissolve in about a minute inside the chamber. Turning the standard water in the chamber into a non-ionic solution. This solution is non-corrosive, non-toxic, biodegradable and non-caustic. Just drop two tablets into the chamber and you’re ready to go. Its features are as follows:
- Easy to use tablet form
- Eliminates handling of heavy 1 gallon containers
- No bulky storage
- No pre-mixing required
- Enzymatic solution effectively
- breaks down protein
The Ultrasonic Cleaning indicators are meant for cleaning efficiency tests. What we know about these are really just what can be described in its characteristics:
- Synthetic substrate, thermostable
- Test soil composed of organic components (proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids and colorants), according to ISO/TS 15883-5:2005 standard. WTL198-0062 formulation allows detection of all factors that affect the cleaning/washing process outcome.
- Should be used for routine monitoring in a ultrasonic washer.
- Specific metallic holder: WTL198-0085
Final Thoughts
Once we’d previously discussed the importance of ultrasonic cleaners, it was only a matter of time before we talk ed about this one. Tuttnauer is a name that we push heavily for their quality over the years that seemingly just can’t decline. And while there isn’t pages and pages worth of information on their newest device here, there’s still more than enough to show you. Ultrasonic cleaners as a whole are praised for their surface decontamination skills. And Tuttnauer’s Clean and Simple is no exception. With its compact size and quiet operation, not only is it guaranteed to get the job done, but be as out of the way as you want it to be until you need to see it again. And a couple of accessories to help ensure that what you’re getting when those instruments come out is the best sterilization you can get out of this thing.
As always if you have any questions about this process or anything else please feel free to contact us and take advantage of our “FREE TECH SUPPORT.”
We also offer FREE VIRTUAL TECH SUPPORT to “See and Talk” with a “Real Time Live Technician” for any problems you may be in need of help with.
You can also use our “FREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM”. Take the guesswork and worrying about what unit is due for maintenance and which maintenance cycle it is time for. We will keep track of all your autoclaves and let you know when it’s time for anything.
The Pack of 64 Ultrasonic Cleaning Tablets are available here.
The Pack of 144 Ultrasonic Cleaning Tablets are available here.