Cleanliness evaluation method using spectroscopic analysis for medical instruments that are rapidly measured and not rewashed

In order to reuse medical instruments, evaluation of cleanliness after washing is necessary. This cleanliness evaluation method is required to quickly and objectively evaluate the presence or absence of dirt. In this study, a new cleanliness evaluation method for medical instruments is proposed. Absorption spectra of medical instruments were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy, and the presence or absence of dirt was analyzed from the spectra obtained by the Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy method. Cleanliness evaluation using absorption spectra measured from various medical instruments could not classify the presence or absence of dirt. On the other hand, cleanliness evaluation using absorption spectra measured from only one type of medical instrument could classify the presence or absence of dirt with high accuracy. Further, the advantages and problems associated with this evaluation method are described.