Ultrasound Probe Reprocessing
How to Clean and Disinfect Ultrasound Probes

Reprocessing Ultrasound Probes
Ultrasound probes can be reprocessed using both manual and machine methods. It is important to thoroughly clean and high-level disinfect probes to ensure their effectiveness and for patient care.
Endocavity and surface ultrasound probes should be throughly cleaned using an enzymatic solution prior to disinfection.
Endocavity probes are considered semi-critical and require high-level disinfection. High-level disinfection is a process that kills all microorganisms on a surface except for a small number of bacterial spores.
Surface probes are considered non-critical and require low-level disinfection. Low-level disinfection requires a liquid chemical germicide registered by the FDA as a hospital disinfectant. This type of disinfectant destroys most vegetative bacteria, some fungi, and some viruses.
High-level disinfection of endocavity ultrasound probes can be done using manual or machine methods.
Machine Reprocessing
The Astra system proves a practical and efficient solution for maintaining probe hygiene and readiness in a clinical setting. Halo probes have been validated for reprocessing using the Astra VR Automated Probe Disinfection System.
Civco Astra VR Probe Reprocessing System
- In-office reprocessing: This eliminates delays in probe availability, ensuring clinics can maintain a steady workflow.
- Cost efficiency: The low cost per disinfection cycle reduces labor and material expenses.
- Improved patient flow: With rapid disinfection, clinics can conduct back-to-back exams without compromising hygiene standards.
- Dual-probe capacity: Provides the ability to reprocess two probes at once, improving efficiency and making it ideal for high-demand settings
- UltrOx – Utilizes a proprietary Hydrogen Peroxide based solution
Contact us to learn about adding a probe reprocessing system.


Manual Reprocessing
Manual reprocessing of ultrasound probes can be done by trained personnel using the appropriate equipment and solutions.
The following is a partial list of solutions for high-level disinfection of endocavity probes. There are many commercially available vessels to contain these solutions, including tabletop and wall-mounted tubes and basins.
Each solution has individual guidelines for disinfection times and procedures. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific instructions and disinfection guidelines to ensure that high-level disinfection standards are met.
Hydrogen Peroxide solutions are generally preferred because they do not require hood ventilation.
- Hydrogen Peroxide – Revital-Ox™ Resert® high-level disinfection (Steris Corporation)
- Peracidic Acid – Cidex OPA® high-level Disinfectant (0.55% ortho-phthalaldehyde), from ASP (Ethicon US, LLC)
- Glutaraldehyde
- Cidex® – Fast-acting high-level disinfectant from ASP (Ethicon US, LLC)
- MetriCide® – High-level disinfectant from Metrex (Sybron Dental Specialties, Inc.)
- Procide-D® – High-level Disinfectant from Metrex (Sybron Dental Specialties, Inc.)
Additional Resources
- Guidelines for Cleaning Transducers and Equipment Between Patients (American Institute for Ultrasound Medicine – AIUM)
- Reprocessing Medical Devices in Healthcare Settings (FDA)