Probe Reprocessing

Manual cleaning is required to ensure the Vscan Air CL is cleaned to the extent necessary for further processing.

Vscan Air CL Pre-Treatment at the Point of Use (Required for all Vscan Air CL probes)

The pre-treatment step is for removal of gel and to minimize risk for cross contamination.

After each use,
- remove the protective sheath from the Vscan Air CL if used.
- gently remove all coupling gel from the Vscan Air CL by wiping with a soft, low lint cloth.
Wipe the Vscan Air CL with one of the wipes (listed in the website https://gehealthcare.com/probecare or https://www.gehealthcare.com/products/ultrasound/ultrasound-transducers) from the lens of one transducer to the other. Dispose the cloth, wipe and gloves in the clinical trash.
After each use, inspect the lenses and housing of the Vscan Air CL. Look for any damage that would allow liquid to enter the Vscan Air CL.

Manual Cleaning Instructions

Manual cleaning is required to ensure the Vscan Air CL is cleaned to the extent necessary for further processing.

When cleaning select one of the cleaning methods described below, cleaning using wipes or cleaning using a cleaning solution.

Cleaning Using Wipes

Dispense a cleaning wipe from the wipe canister.
Hold the Vscan Air CL with the large lens facing away from your body.
Gently wipe the Vscan Air CL with a cleaning wipe along the length of the Vscan Air CL. Gently wipe the Vscan Air CL large lens.
Rotate the Vscan Air CL and wipe the surface of the Vscan Air CL. As the wipe becomes visibly soiled, discard the wipe into clinical trash and dispense fresh wipes as needed.
Wrap a clean wipe around a soft nylon bristle brush to access crevasses on the surface of the Vscan Air CL. Do not use the brush on the Vscan Air CL lenses.
Turn the Vscan Air CL so that the small lens is facing away from your body.
Gently wipe the Vscan Air CL with the cleaning wipe along the length of the Vscan Air CL. Gently wipe the Vscan Air CL small lens.
Rotate the Vscan Air CL and continue wiping until the entire surface of the Vscan Air CL has been wiped.
Visually inspect the Vscan Air CL for any remaining soil and, if necessary, repeat steps 2 through 8 until the Vscan Air CL is visibly clean.

NOTE: Pay special attention to lenses, edges and groves.

Cleaning Using A Cleaning Solution

Prepare a basin with enzymatic cleaner per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Immerse probe in the cleaning solution and ensure no air bubbles are trapped.
Use a soft nylon bristle brush to clean the probe. Do Not use the brush on the probe lenses as this can damage the soft acoustic lens.
Ensure the probe remains in the cleaning solution for the minimum contact time listed on the enzymatic cleaner label. Make sure to follow manufacturers’ recommendations.
Visually inspect the probe and probe components for soil. Repeat steps 4 - 6 until all visible soil has been removed from the surface of the probe.
Thoroughly rinse the probe to remove traces of the cleaner solution. Follow the cleaner manufacturers’ instructions.
Visually inspect the device in a well-lit area to ensure all surfaces are free from residual cleaning solution. Repeat Step 6 if visible cleaning solution is observed.
Thoroughly pat dry the probe using a clean low-lint soft, dry disposable cloth or wipe. Do not use abrasive paper products

Low-Level/Intermediate Level Disinfection With Wipes

Use a clean set of gloves.
Hold the Vscan Air CL with the large lens facing away from your body.
Wipe the Vscan Air CL from the large lens to the small lens, slightly rotating the Vscan Air CL after each wiping pass.
Turn the Vscan Air CL so that the small lens is facing away from your body.
Use a new wipe and apply to the small lens. Now, wipe the Vscan Air CL from the small lens to the large lens, slightly rotating the Vscan Air CL after each wiping pass.
Wrap a clean wipe around a soft nylon bristle brush to access crevasses on the surface of the Vscan Air CL. Do not use the brush on the Vscan Air CL lenses.
Once the Vscan Air CL has been completely wiped, use additional wipes and continue wiping the Vscan Air CL as needed to ensure all surfaces remain wet for the required exposure time listed on the disinfectant manufacturer’s label.
Dry all surfaces of the Vscan Air CL using a sterile, lint-free, soft wipe or cloth. Blot or pat the lenses dry.
After each use, inspect the lenses, and housing of the Vscan Air CL. If the Vscan Air CL is damaged, do not place it into any liquid (e.g. for disinfection) and do not use it until it has been inspected and repaired/replaced by a GEHC Service Representative.

High-Level Disinfection – Soak

High-Level Disinfection is required for devices that contact non-intact skin.

In order for cleaner to be effective, all visible residue must be removed during the cleaning process. Follow the cleaning instructions as given in ‘Manual cleaning Instructions’ to clean the probe before performing disinfection.

Do not soak probes in cleaner for longer than stated by the chemical manufacturers instructions for use. Extended soaking may cause probe damage and early failure of the enclosure, resulting in possible electric shock hazard.

Prepare a basin with the high-level disinfectant per the manufacturer’s instructions for use. Be sure to follow all precautions for storage, use and disposal. Observe specifically soak times and dilution rates.
Immerse cleaned and dried probe in the disinfectant for the time specified by the chemical manufacturer and ensure no air bubbles are trapped.
Thoroughly rinse the probe to remove traces of the disinfectant. Follow the disinfectant manufacturers instructions.
Thoroughly dry all surfaces of the device using a sterile, lint-free wipe or cloth, changing wipes/ cloths when necessary to ensure the device is completely dry.

NOTE: High-level disinfectants may be available as powder products. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use for preparing the disinfecting solution from the powder product.

Choosing A Disinfectant

When choosing a disinfectant, determine the required level of disinfection. If the possibility of cross-contamination or exposure to unhealthy or non-intact skin exists, then high level disinfection should be performed. Good hand hygiene practice is highly recommended to help further reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

NOTE: For additional information about cleaning and disinfection, refer to the recommendations of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). For country-specific disinfection regulations, check with your local regulatory infection control authorities.

NOTE: A validated, high-level disinfection process, combined with the use of a sterile gel and a probe cover/sheath is an accepted method of infection control for Ultrasound probes. Adequate records or a log book detailing the time, date, disinfection method, and verification of disinfectant effectiveness or test results is recommended. For more information about establishing an evidence based disinfection protocol for your practice, refer to the FDA, CDC, HICPAC, APIC, or the Joint Commission websites

Covering The Vscan Air CL Using A Sterile, Protective Sheath

1. Place an appropriate amount of gel inside the protective sheath and/or on the transducer face.

NOTE: Failure to use imaging gel may result in poor image quality.

2. Insert Vscan Air CL into sheath, making sure to use proper sterile technique. Pull cover tightly over Vscan Air CL face to remove wrinkles and air bubbles, taking care to avoid puncturing the sheath.

Applying the Sheath

Protective sheath
Vscan Air CL with the Protective sheath

3. Secure the sheath in place.

4. Inspect the sheath to ensure there are no holes or tears. If the sheath becomes compromised, stop the procedure and replace immediately.

Cleaning The Protective Case

The protective case is compatible with the set of cleaners and disinfectants listed for the Vscan Air CL probe. When cleaning the protective case pay special attention to its edges and grooves. Requirements for the protective case cleanliness will be defined by the way the protective case is implemented in the workflow for storing the Vscan Air CL probe. Cleaning of the protective case will be required if the Vscan Air CL was not properly cleaned of disinfected before it was storage in the protective case.

Protective case

GEHC Ultrasound Transducers Website

The GEHC Ultrasound transducers web site contains a list of chemicals that have been tested for compatibility with GEHC ultrasound probes. Verify probe compatibility via the GEHC ultrasound transducers web site. The reprocessing instructions provided in this document have been validated with the chemicals specified in ‘Chemicals used for Efficacy Validation with Vscan Air CL’

GEHC ultrasound transducers web site

https://gehealthcare.com/probecare

https://www.gehealthcare.com/products/ultrasound/ultrasound-transducers

Chemicals Compatible With Vscan Air CL

The table below lists the chemicals that were tested for compatibility with the probes.

Trade Name	Manufacturer	Active Ingredients
Cidezyme/ Enzol	Advanced Sterilization Products (J&J)	Subtilisins (proteolytic enzymes)
Alcohol 70% Ethanol on a wipe	All manufacturer	Ethyl Alcohol
Alcohol 70% Isopropanol on a wipe	All manufacturer	Isopropyl Alcohol
CaviWipes 1	Metrex	Isopropanol
Sani-Cloth AF3	PDI Healthcare	Quaternary ammonium compounds
Sani-Cloth HB Germicidal Disposable Wipe	PDI Healthcare	Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Sani Cloth Prime wipes	PDI Healthcare	Isopropanol, Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol), Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride
Cidex OPA	Advanced Sterilization Products (J&J)	Ortho-Phthalaldehyde
Sekusept Aktiv	Ecolab	Sodium Percarbonate Citric acid Sodium Carbonate(soda) Solvents /additives

Chemicals compatible with the Vscan Air CL probe

Disclaimer: The information herein is not intended to replace the product’s User Manual. Please consult the User Manual for comprehensive information and cautionary guidance about the product’s operation and use.