Sterilization - Siemens ACUSON Cypress Operator's Manual

Safety, Technical Description, and Accuracy
10-12

Sterilization

Noncritical Device Applications
Conventional applications for external transducers have a very low probability
for spreading infection because they are used on intact skin. This requires gen-
eral cleaning only, or low-level disinfection. Follow your institution's guidelines
related to infection control and ultrasound imaging.
In instances where the risk of infection is very low use the following procedure:
After completing an exam, wipe the gel off the transducer.
Wipe the transducer and cable with a soft, dry or water-moistened cloth.
To clean the transducer, wipe it with a cloth moistened with an isopropyl alco-
hol solution (rubbing alcohol) or a 2% glutaraldehyde-based disinfectant.
Immediately wipe the transducer with a soft cloth moistened with quality tap
water, to prevent the solution from air-drying on the transducer.
Do not sterilize a transducer using autoclaving, ultraviolet, gamma radiation,
gas, or dry-heat methods.
Semicritical Device Applications
If an external transducer is used in a situation where it may come into contact
with a source of infection such as broken skin, lesions, or post-operative
wounds, then use a sterile sheath.
Transducers used in a surgically invasive or intraoperative cardiac application
for scanning a surgical site are to be used only with a sterile sheath legally mar-
keted for such an indication. Transducers are not intended to be applied directly
to a wound. If a transducer is used in such a situation it should be high-level dis-
infected after such use:
After carefully disposing of the sterile sheath, wash the transducer with soap
and water.
Perform high-level disinfection with a generic 2% glutaraldehyde solution, fol-
lowing the manufacturer's instructions.
Rinse the transducer with quality tap water, taking care to keep the cable and
connector dry.
Wipe the transducer handle with a cloth moistened with an isopropyl alcohol
solution (rubbing alcohol).
CAUTION
In disinfecting external transducers, be careful to immerse only the top
portion of the transducer, up to one inch (2.5 cm) from the transducer
ACUSON Cypress™ Operator's Manual