Aquasonic 01-01 vs. 01-20: Sterile vs. Nonsterile Ultrasound Gel Packets Explained

Aquasonic 01-01 vs. 01-20: Sterile vs. Nonsterile Ultrasound Gel Packets Explained

Parker Aquasonic 01-01 and 01-20 both contain 20 grams of Aquasonic 100 ultrasound transmission gel, but they are not interchangeable.

The critical difference is sterility:

Aquasonic 01-01 is sterile, single-use ultrasound gel supplied in an individually overwrapped, sterilized foil pouch.

Aquasonic 01-20 is a single-use 20 g packet of nonsterile Aquasonic 100.

That distinction matters because single-use does not mean sterile. A 01-20 packet can reduce reliance on a shared multi-use bottle, but it does not satisfy a requirement for sterile ultrasound gel.

For procedures involving skin or tissue puncture, CDC currently advises healthcare professionals to use only single-use ultrasound gel specifically labeled sterile.

For current availability, compare Sterile Aquasonic 100 REF 01-01 with Aquasonic 100 Ultrasound Gel, including REF 01-20.

Aquasonic 01-01 vs. 01-20: Quick Comparison

The current package configuration explicitly identifies 01-20 as nonsterile while describing 01-01 as overwrapped and sterilized.

The Most Important Difference: Sterile vs. Single-Use

The terms sound similar, but they describe different things.

Single-use

A single-use product is intended to be used once and discarded.

Both 01-01 and 01-20 are single-use.

Sterile

A sterile product has been processed and packaged to meet a defined sterility requirement and is specifically labeled sterile.

Only 01-01 is the sterile Aquasonic configuration in this comparison.

Parker’s current 01-20 Instructions for Use explicitly describe the 01-20 Aquasonic 100 packette as nonsterile, water-soluble, non-staining, and for single use only.

Parker separately identifies 01-01 as Sterile Aquasonic 100, supplied in individually overwrapped, sterilized foil pouches.

The rule to remember

Single-use describes how many times the packet is used. Sterile describes its microbiological status.

A nonsterile single-use packet does not become a sterile product simply because nobody has opened it before.

What Is Aquasonic 01-01?

Parker REF 01-01 is Sterile Aquasonic 100 Ultrasound Transmission Gel.

Each individual pouch contains 20 g of ultrasound gel and is supplied with a sterile barrier intended for applications where sterile ultrasound coupling media are indicated.

Parker describes 01-01 as suitable for diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound applications requiring sterility. Its sterile-product IFU includes use:

• on or near broken skin when sterility is indicated;
• on mucous membranes and in natural body orifices;
• in patients where cross-contamination is a concern; and
• during sterile ultrasound procedures according to appropriate technique.

When a procedure requires sterile coupling media, shop Parker Sterile Aquasonic 100 REF 01-01.

What Is Aquasonic 01-20?

Parker REF 01-20 is a 20 g single-use packet of standard Aquasonic 100 Ultrasound Transmission Gel.

It is nonsterile.

Parker’s 2025 packette IFU states that 01-20 may be used on intact, unbroken skin and is intended for one use only. The packet should be discarded after use.

The manufacturer specifically contraindicates the nonsterile single-use product for:

• invasive procedures in which a device passes through tissue;
• procedures on or near broken skin, including fresh surgical sites or open wounds; and
• esophageal procedures.

For routine ultrasound applications where a single-use format is useful but sterile coupling gel is not required, see Aquasonic 100 REF 01-20 and other Aquasonic 100 sizes.

When Should You Choose Sterile Aquasonic 01-01?

Choose 01-01 when the procedure, facility policy, or professional guidance requires sterile ultrasound gel.

The strongest current example is a percutaneous procedure.

In May 2025, the CDC issued a nationwide alert instructing healthcare professionals to use only single-use ultrasound gel products labeled sterile for ultrasound performed in preparation for or during procedures that puncture the skin. Examples specifically identified by the CDC include:

• central intravenous line placement;
• peripheral intravenous line placement;
• amniocentesis;
• paracentesis;
• tissue biopsy; and
• surgical procedures.

The 2025 AIUM guidance similarly recommends sterile single-use gel when infection is a concern, including invasive procedures, examinations on non-intact skin or near fresh surgical sites, and ultrasound examinations performed on neonates.

Examples where 01-01 may be the appropriate choice

The facility infection-prevention policy, the procedure protocol, and the ultrasound-equipment instructions remain controlling.

Can Aquasonic 01-20 Be Used for Ultrasound-Guided IV Placement?

No—not as the coupling gel for the percutaneous procedure.

CDC’s current guidance specifically includes central and peripheral intravenous line placement among procedures for which only a single-use ultrasound gel labeled "sterile" should be used.

Because 01-20 is explicitly labeled nonsterile, it should not be substituted for 01-01 merely because both products:

• contain 20 g;
• are individually packaged;
• are single-use; or
• come from the Aquasonic 100 family.

For an ultrasound-guided vascular-access workflow requiring sterile gel, 01-01 is the relevant product.

Can 01-20 Be Used on an Open Wound or Fresh Surgical Site?

No.

Parker’s current 01-20 IFU specifically says the nonsterile packettes should not be used for procedures on or near broken skin, including an open wound or fresh surgical site.

By contrast, the Sterile Aquasonic 100 01-01 IFU specifically permits use on or near broken skin when sterility is indicated.

That makes the distinction straightforward:

Intact skin + no requirement for sterility → 01-20 may be appropriate.

Broken skin/fresh surgical site + sterile coupling required → use an appropriately labeled sterile product such as 01-01.

Why Use a Nonsterile Single-Use Packet at All?

Because cross-contamination and sterility are separate issues.

A large multi-use bottle can be convenient and economical, but repeated handling creates a different infection-control workflow than opening one packet for one patient and discarding it afterward.

Parker specifically positions the 01-20 single-use packet for intact-skin use where cross-contamination is a concern.

AIUM makes a similar distinction:

• Use sterile single-use gel when infection is a concern;
• Use nonsterile single-use gel when cross-contamination is a concern;
• Multidose containers may be considered for other appropriate situations.

01-20 therefore makes sense when:

• The examination is on intact skin
• Sterile gel is not required;
• Individual patient dispensing is desirable;
• Avoiding a shared multi-use bottle is a priority;
• equipment is mobile;
• a premeasured packet is convenient; or
• Facility policy favors single-use coupling media.

It should not be described as a “less sterile” version of 01-01.

It is nonsterile.

Bacteriostatic Does Not Mean Sterile

This distinction became especially important after CDC’s 2025 ultrasound-gel safety alert.

Aquasonic 100 is commonly described as bacteriostatic.

That does not make standard Aquasonic 100 or REF 01-20 sterile.

CDC specifically instructs healthcare providers that a product labeled bacteriostatic or preservative-containing should still be considered nonsterile unless its labeling specifically identifies it as sterile.

These terms are not interchangeable.

When sterility is required, look for the actual sterile designation.

For Aquasonic, that means REF 01-01, not 01-20.

Does Sterile Aquasonic 01-01 Provide Better Ultrasound Transmission?

There is no reason to choose 01-01 because you expect stronger acoustic transmission or better therapeutic ultrasound performance.

The important reason to choose it is sterility.

Parker identifies both standard Aquasonic 100 and sterile Aquasonic 100 as ultrasound transmission media designed across the broad frequency range used in medical ultrasound.

Therefore, do not frame the comparison as

premium ultrasound performance vs. ordinary ultrasound performance.

A better description is

same clinical category of ultrasound coupling media, different infection-control status, and packaging.

01-01 and 01-20 Have the Same 20 g Fill—but Very Different Packaging

Both products contain a 20 g individual portion.

That similarity is one reason they are easily confused in purchasing systems.

The packages are nevertheless different.

Aquasonic 01-01

Parker describes the sterile product as an overwrapped, sterilized foil pouch designed to maintain sterility for the individual application.

Aquasonic 01-20

Parker describes 01-20 as a 20 g single-use nonsterile packette.

The outer sterile barrier of 01-01 is not merely cosmetic packaging.

If the sterile package is opened, punctured, damaged, or otherwise compromised before use, the product should not be treated as sterile.

Why Do Some Websites Say 01-01 Contains 48 Pouches?

There has been a packaging change or catalog presentation change, and older distributor data remains online.

Currently lists 01-01 as:

24 × 20 g sterile pouches per box 2 boxes per bundle 6 bundles per case

That means one manufacturer bundle contains 48 pouches, but each current individual box contains 24.

Some major distributor pages continue to describe 01-01 simply as 48 per box, which appears to reflect the older configuration or to treat the two-box bundle as one sellable box.

Our current listing structure sells a 24-pouch box.

Current Parker packaging

Always compare actual pouch quantity, not only the manufacturer REF, when comparing distributor pricing.

01-01 vs. 01-20 for Physical Therapy and Therapeutic Ultrasound

For routine therapeutic ultrasound performed over intact skin, sterile gel is not automatically required.

A physical therapy clinic that prefers individual-use packaging may therefore find 01-20 more economical and operationally appropriate than opening a sterile 01-01 pouch for every routine intact-skin treatment.

Typical decision

For ultrasound systems themselves, browse our Therapeutic Ultrasound Equipment.

01-01 vs. 01-20 for Diagnostic Ultrasound

The same decision principle applies in diagnostic imaging.

Do not select the packet solely because the procedure uses diagnostic rather than therapeutic ultrasound.

Instead ask:

Does this examination require sterile coupling media?

For ordinary external imaging on intact skin, 01-20 may provide useful single-patient dispensing without paying for a sterile barrier that is not required.

For invasive, percutaneous, or other procedures where sterile gel is indicated, choose 01-01.

What About Neonates and Other High-Risk Patients?

This is an area where current professional infection-control guidance should be considered alongside the product IFU.

01-20 IFU permits its nonsterile single-use packets on intact skin in facilities where cross-contamination is a concern, including certain immunocompromised, neonatal, and critically ill populations.

However, the 2025 AIUM guidance prefers sterile single-use gel for neonatal ultrasound examinations and when infection is a concern.

The responsible clinician and facility infection-prevention policy should determine the required level of sterility.

Can I Save the Rest of an Open 20 g Packet for Later?

No.

Both products are single-use.

Parker instructs users to discard the 01-20 packette after use. The 01-01 sterile IFU similarly instructs users to discard the product after the procedure rather than saving an opened sterile pouch for another patient or later examination.

Do not:

• reseal an opened packet;
• move leftover gel into another container;
• share one packet between patients;
• refill an empty packet; or
• Save the remainder for another day's examination.

The individual packaging is intended to support a one-use workflow.

What if the 01-01 Sterile Wrapper Is Damaged?

Do not use it as a sterile product.

Parker’s sterile IFU says to discard the product if the package is damaged or there is evidence of contamination.

Inspect individual pouches before use for:

• punctures;
• open seams;
• tears;
• damaged overwrap;
• leakage; or
• other evidence that package integrity has been compromised.

Sterility depends on the intact sterile barrier.

What if I Want Colorless, Fragrance-Free Single-Use Ultrasound Gel?

Parker also manufactures Aquasonic CLEAR REF 03-20, a 20 g single-use packet.

But there is an important limitation:

03-20 is also nonsterile.

Parker’s 2026 catalog identifies 03-20 as 100 nonsterile single-use packettes per dispenser box.

Therefore:

If sterility is required, Aquasonic CLEAR 03-20 is not a substitute for 01-01 simply because it is individually packaged.

Compare the CLEAR formats at Aquasonic CLEAR Ultrasound Gel.

Sterile vs. Nonsterile vs. Multi-Use Aquasonic 100

For procurement, it helps to place both packets alongside the standard bottle formats.

The complete bottle and bulk-selection details belong on the Aquasonic 100 product page rather than being duplicated here.

The purpose of this guide is to answer the more specific question:

Do I need 01-01 or 01-20?

How to Choose Between Aquasonic 01-01 and 01-20

Use this sequence.

Choose 01-01 when:

• The procedure is percutaneous;
• Sterile gel is required by facility policy;
• Ultrasound is being performed on or near non-intact skin where sterile gel is indicated;
• The procedure protocol specifies sterile coupling media;
• the patient/procedure falls under an infection-control protocol requiring sterile gel; or
• You specifically need an individually overwrapped sterile 20 g pouch.

Shop Sterile Aquasonic 100 REF 01-01

Choose 01-20 when:

• The ultrasound examination is on intact, unbroken skin;
• Sterility is not required;
• You want one packet per patient or procedure
• You want to reduce reliance on a shared multidose bottle;
• portability matters; or
• Nonsterile single-use dispensing fits your facility policy.

Shop Aquasonic 100, including REF 01-20

When sterility requirements are uncertain, follow the ultrasound-device instructions and the facility's infection-prevention policy rather than choosing based only on price or package appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aquasonic 01-20 sterile?

No.

Parker explicitly labels REF 01-20 as a nonsterile single-use packette.

Is Aquasonic 01-01 sterile?

Yes.

REF 01-01 is Parker's Sterile Aquasonic 100 and is supplied as an individually overwrapped, sterilized foil pouch.

Are 01-01 and 01-20 both single-use?

Yes.

Both should be discarded after use.

Do both contain 20 grams?

Yes.

Each individual 01-01 or 01-20 pouch contains 20 g.

If 01-20 is unopened, isn't it sterile?

No.

An unopened nonsterile product remains nonsterile. Sterility requires specific validated manufacturing, packaging, and labeling.

Does “bacteriostatic” mean sterile?

No.

The CDC specifically says bacteriostatic or preservative claims should not be interpreted as evidence of sterility unless the product is specifically labeled sterile.

Can I use 01-20 for an ultrasound-guided peripheral IV?

No.

CDC recommends only single-use sterile ultrasound gel for ultrasound performed in preparation for or during peripheral and central IV placement.

Can I use 01-20 for a biopsy?

No.

Parker contraindicates 01-20 for invasive procedures such as tissue biopsy, and CDC recommends sterile single-use gel for percutaneous procedures.

Can 01-20 be used for routine physical therapy ultrasound?

It can be appropriate for ultrasound over intact, unbroken skin when sterile gel is not required and the equipment instructions permit conventional ultrasound coupling gel.

Can 01-01 be used for ordinary intact-skin ultrasound?

Yes, but using a sterile packet when sterility is not clinically required may add unnecessary cost.

Is 01-01 better acoustically than 01-20?

Parker does not position the sterile product as an acoustic-performance upgrade. The important difference for purchasing is sterility and sterile packaging, not a claim of superior ultrasound transmission.

Can I use one 01-01 pouch for two patients?

No.

It is a single-use sterile product. Discard remaining gel after the procedure.

Can I save unused 01-20 gel for the next patient?

No.

Parker directs users to discard the packette after use.

Can I use 01-20 near a surgical incision?

Contraindicates the nonsterile packet for use on or near broken skin, such as a fresh surgical site or open wound.

Is Aquasonic CLEAR available as a sterile 20 g packet?

Parker’s standard CLEAR REF 03-20 is nonsterile. Do not substitute it for sterile 01-01 when the procedure requires sterile gel.

Bottom Line: Choose by Sterility Requirement, Not Packet Size

Aquasonic 01-01 and 01-20 look like closely related products because both contain 20 g of Aquasonic ultrasound gel in individual packages.

But the distinction is clinically important:

01-01 = sterile + single-use + individually overwrapped sterile pouch

01-20 = nonsterile + single-use packette

Use 01-01 when sterile ultrasound gel is required.

Use 01-20 when the procedure is appropriate for nonsterile gel but an individual-use package is preferable to a shared bottle.

For percutaneous procedures such as ultrasound-guided IV placement, biopsy, paracentesis, or other procedures involving skin or tissue puncture, CDC advises using only single-use ultrasound gel specifically labeled sterile.

And remember:

Single-use does not mean sterile, and bacteriostatic does not mean sterile.

For sterile procedures, see Parker Sterile Aquasonic 100 REF 01-01 at Balego.

For nonsterile 01-20 packettes and standard Aquasonic bottle sizes, see Aquasonic 100 Ultrasound Transmission Gel.

For colorless, fragrance-free, nonsterile options, see Aquasonic CLEAR at Balego.

For additional ultrasound coupling media and electromedical contact products, browse our Conductive Gels, Lotions & Contact Media.

Clinical-use notice: Selection of sterile versus nonsterile ultrasound gel should follow current product labeling, the ultrasound equipment instructions, applicable infection-prevention guidance, and facility policy. Do not use a sterile pouch if its sterile barrier is damaged. Discard single-use gel after the procedure.