What method utilizes ultrasonic waves for cleaning medical instruments?

The method that utilizes ultrasonic waves for cleaning medical instruments is indeed sonic cleaning. This process works by employing high-frequency sound waves, typically above the range of human hearing, to create microscopic cavitation bubbles in a cleaning solution. When these bubbles collapse, they generate intense shock waves that effectively dislodge debris, blood, and contaminants from the surfaces of medical instruments, including intricate and hard-to-reach areas.

Sonic cleaning is especially beneficial for delicate instruments that require thorough cleaning without the risk of damage from manual scrubbing. The action is gentle yet highly effective, making it a preferred choice in medical settings where instrument sterilization is critical to patient safety.

Other methods such as mechanical decontamination, rinsing in detergent, and dry heat sterilization do not involve the use of ultrasonic waves and serve different purposes in the cleaning and sterilization process. Mechanical decontamination generally refers to the physical cleaning action, rinsing with detergent focuses on chemical cleaning, and dry heat sterilization is a thermal method used to achieve sterilization rather than cleaning.