Ultrasonic cleaning of surgical instrument

A method of cleaning a surgical instrument using a cleaning system and ultrasonic energy from the surgical instrument, wherein the cleaning system comprises a first container containing a fluid, wherein the first container defines a reflecting portion, wherein at least a portion of the reflecting portion defines a curved surface, wherein the curved surface defines a first focus point, wherein the surgical instrument comprises an end effector configured to deliver ultrasonic energy upon activation of the instrument, the method comprising:

• (a) aligning a first portion of the surgical instrument with the first focus point;
• (b) activating the surgical instrument, thereby delivering ultrasonic energy through the fluid;
• and
• (c) reflecting the ultrasonic energy off of the reflecting portion and toward a second portion of the instrument.

A method of cleaning a surgical instrument using a cleaning system and ultrasonic energy from the surgical instrument, wherein the cleaning system comprises a first container containing a fluid, wherein the first container defines a reflecting portion, wherein at least a portion of the reflecting portion defines a curved surface, wherein the curved surface defines a first focus point, wherein the surgical instrument comprises an end effector and a shaft, wherein the end effector is configured to deliver ultrasonic energy upon activation of the instrument, the method comprising:

• (a) immersing at least a distal portion of the shaft and the end effector in the fluid;
• (b) aligning the end effector with the first focus point;
• and
• (c) activating the end effector, resulting in reflection of ultrasonic energy from the end effector off of the reflecting surface and toward the distal portion of the shaft.