Cold water cleaning of brain proteins, biofilm and bone - harnessing an ultrasonically activated streamElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Movie S1 Video sequence showing the generation of bubble activity in a free flowing jet as part of the UAS system reported in the main text. Note the images were recorded through a clear flat glass plate and the stream directed horizontally at the transparent interface. Hence these images were shot 'up the stream'. Frame rate 10 kfps, shutte

In the absence of sufficient cleaning of medical instruments, contamination and infection can result in serious consequences for the health sector and remains a significant unmet challenge. In this paper we describe a novel cleaning system reliant on cavitation action created in a free flowing fluid stream where ultrasonic transmission to a surface, through the stream, is achieved using careful design and control of the device architecture, sound field and the materials employed. Cleaning was achieved with purified water at room temperature, moderate fluid flow rates and without the need for chemical additives or the high power consumption associated with conventional strategies. This study illustrates the potential in harnessing an ultrasonically activated stream to remove biological contamination including brain tissue from surgical stainless steel substrates, S. epidermidis biofilms from glass, and fat/soft tissue matter from bone structures with considerable basic and clinical applications. The ability of acoustically active bubbles to remove a range of biological contaminants is demonstrated in an ultrasonically activated stream.