Pain Point of Ultrasonics

Learning Objective: Know your ultrasonic thread type!

In my 25 years of experience, the MAIN pain point of ultrasonics are the different THREADS of the tips. Just like Metric and Imperial types of bolts/nuts, Ultrasonics have their own quirky differences in thread patterns. I have bought and returned many different types of tips b/c they didn't fit my Ultrasonic instrument. #frustration.

From the outside, both different threaded tips look the same:

These are EMS tips (just a google search)

Here are Satelec tips (google search)

Apart from the different style of tip, you'd never know that the Satelec doesn't fit the EMS thread!

Lesson Summary

Ultrasonic threading is often seen as a major "pain point" by those in the industry, as there are different types of tip threading that vary amongst instrument manufacturers. This can lead to a lot of frustration and wasted money trying to fit a tip to the device. We can see how this can be confusing by observing the examples of EMS and Satelec tips; while they may look the same from the outside, they don't "fit" in the same instrument. To make sure your tip fits your instrument, make sure to research the thread type.

• Ultrasonic threading is often seen as a major "pain point"
• Different types of tip threading vary amongst instrument manufacturers
• EMS and Satelec tips look the same from the outside, but don't "fit" in the same instrument
• Research the thread type to make sure your tip fits your instrument