When a medical device is to be used more than once, it is essential to subject it to sterilization. Sterilization, as the name suggests, is a process of getting rid of microbes including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa from the surface of the products. As a result, the devices become clean, and thus the risk of transmission of infections is eliminated. There are several ways to conduct sterilization among which the easiest method is the use of autoclave sterilizers, the chambers which can hold devices for a specified period of time and sterilize them using steam.
In the following sections, let us go through what autoclave sterilizers are, how they work, and what are some of their notable brands.
What are Autoclave Sterilizers?
Autoclave sterilizers are the devices that are employed to sterilize different products using pressurized steam. These heat the products at a specified temperature for a specified time. During this period, the steam generated in the system interacts with the microbes and damages their cells thus making them sterilized.
As the autoclave sterilizers use steam for sterilizing the devices, these can also be called steam sterilizers. Moreover, the process of sterilizing using steam is known as moist heat sterilization.
How Do Autoclave Sterilizers Work?
Microorganisms, particularly bacteria, make cell walls around their cells in order to protect them from being damaged. This cell wall is made up of proteins that are heat-sensitive and coagulate when the temperature becomes high.
Autoclave sterilizers work by generating steam which is maintained at high temperature and high pressure. This steam breaks the proteins present in the cell walls of bacteria and thus microbial cells are destroyed. This process of sterilization by an autoclave can be divided into three categories:
1. Purge phase
In the purge phase, the steam generated in the autoclave sterilizer displaces the air present in the device. Moreover, the temperature and pressure in the autoclave also rise.
2. Exposure or Sterilization Phase
During the exposure or sterilization phase, the autoclave automatically closes the exhaust valve. As a result, the steam does not leave the system thus causing the temperature and pressure to increase within the interior chamber of the autoclave. This high temperature and pressure is then maintained for the desired period of time. During this time, the substances kept in the autoclave are completely sterilized.
3. Exhaust Phase
Once the sterilization has been completed, the exhaust valve opens and the pressure from the interior chamber is released until the internal temperature becomes equal to the ambient temperature. However, the substances kept in the autoclave remain hot for a while until they cool down slowly.
Importance of Steam for Sterilization
Scientists started using steam for sterilizing products initially in 1679. Since then, its use has changed based on the devices for which this mechanism has been adopted.
Being more effective than water, steam has the potential to degrade molecules and substances quickly. Its efficacy can be estimated by the fact that if water and steam are maintained at 100°C, the energy present in steam would be seven times more than that present in boiling water.
As soon as steam comes into contact with a microbial cell which is cooler in temperature, it condenses to form water and transfers its heat energy to the cells. This way, the cells heat up quickly and get destroyed.
Temperatures of Autoclave Sterilizers
While using an autoclave sterilizer, different temperatures and pressures can be set. These parameters vary depending on the type of products to be sterilized and whether they are wrapped or unwrapped during sterilization. The following table shows the type of product along with a suitable temperature, pressure, as well as sterilization time.
| Steam Autoclave Sterilizers | Temperature | Pressure | Time Duration | |
| Fahrenheit (°F) | Celsius (°C) | |||
| Standard Conditions | 250 | 121 | 15 psi | 15 min |
| Unwrapped Items | 270 | 132 | 30 psi | 3 min |
| Lightly Wrapped Items | 270 | 132 | 30 psi | 8 min |
| Heavily Wrapped Items | 270 | 132 | 30 psi | 10 min |
*psi=Pounds per square inch
Advantages and Applications of Steam Autoclaves
An autoclave sterilizer can be employed for the different purposes to achieve the following advantages:
· Efficacy of Sterilization Process
Autoclave sterilizers are effective in decontaminating biological waste materials which are present on some medical devices. These generate steam at high temperature and pressure which results in the destruction of microbes on the medical items. This method is ideal for substances that have water in them as they cannot be subjected to dry heat sterilization.
· Versatility of Usage
Autoclave sterilizers can be employed to sterilize a vast variety of medical and laboratory products. These include glassware, fluids, solids, and other labware in the medical and pharmaceutical industries.
· Reduced Risk of Infections
The employment of autoclave sterilizers for cleaning surgical instruments before an operation significantly minimizes the risk of infection transmission.
· Reliable Safety Mechanisms
As an autoclave has highly pressurized steam in its interior chamber, it can become unsafe if this steam leaks out of the machine. To prevent these accidents, certain safety features have been introduced into the autoclave sterilizers. This way, the steam within the machine never gets out before cooling down. Thus, the facility as well as the workers are protected.
· Sterilization of Culture Media
In microbiology labs, autoclave sterilizers are also used for the sterilization of culture media. This is particularly helpful as products containing water cannot be subjected to dry heat sterilization.
· Sterilization of Plastic Ware
In addition, plastic tubes as well as pipette tips can also be cleaned using this method.
· Easy Standardization Process
To make sure that the autoclave is working efficiently, the device must be standardized frequently. This testing is easy to conduct on an autoclave sterilizer which renders the sterilization process reliable and uniform.
Limitations of Autoclave Sterilizers
Despite its ease and suitability for most substances, the use of autoclave sterilizers is not recommended in the following cases:
· When there is a need to sterilize heat-sensitive substances, the use of autoclave sterilizers should be discouraged. This is because, during steam sterilization, the heat-sensitive substance will also be degraded.
· When sharp and fine-cutting medical instruments such as scissors or scalpel blades are repeatedly exposed to sterilization, they become dull in appearance and have reduced functionality.
· Autoclave sterilizers are also not suitable for sterilizing laboratory-grade chemical substances as they are usually heat-sensitive and degrade at high temperatures.
Autoclave Sterilizers at Health Supply 770: Products and Features
Autoclave sterilizers are devices that are employed to make medical equipment clean and free from microorganisms. These machines work at a specific temperature for a specific time and generate steam which gets rid of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, spores, etc.
Considering their vast role in the sterilization of medical supplies, autoclave sterilizers are in high demand. In this regard, many different kinds of autoclave sterilizers are available at Health Supply 770 which have been detailed below along with their prices and purchase links:
8 L Dental Lab Autoclave Sterilizer Medical Steam Sterilization Drying Function
$1,250.99
Product Details
8 L Dental Lab autoclave sterilizers are the medical products that are employed to sterilize medical supplies in healthcare facilities. These products are manufactured in China. Their sterilization pressure can be set at 0.12 Mpa as well as 0.23 Mpa. The time required for the device to sterilize medical supplies is either 6 min (Minutes) or 25 min respectively.
Moreover, the drying time of the products in the 8 L Dental Lab autoclave sterilizers is up to 40 min. The construction material of the product is stainless steel and the size of the machine is 60 x 39 x 36 cm (Centimeters). In addition, their dimensions are Φ 250 x D 350 mm. The temperature of the device can be set at 122°C as well as at 134°C.
The overall capacity of these autoclave sterilizers is up to 18 liters and the heater power of the device is 1000 W (Watts). The product has multiple applications and can be employed for sterilizing items in dental setups, before and after surgeries, in beauty salons, in testing laboratories, as well as in other medical facilities.
Automatically Dental Medical 18L Autoclave Sterilizer Vacuum Steam Sterilization
$932.99
Product Details
Automatically dental medical 18L autoclave sterilizers are ideal for sterilizing medical products. These can have two temperature ranges i.e. 121°C with a pressure value of 0.12 Mpa and 134°C with 0.22 Mpa pressure. The sterilization time is either 6 min or 25 min.
These vacuum steam sterilizers have a chamber capacity of Ø 25 × D 35 cm (Ø 9.84 × D 13.78 inches) with an overall inside capacity of up to 18 liters. Like most other autoclave sterilizers, the product is constructed with stainless steel which renders it strong and durable.
The power required by the Automatically dental medical 18L autoclave sterilizers is 1000 W. These products are safe to use as they are equipped with safety valves as well as a heating-over protection system.
To further increase the life of these autoclave sterilizers, it is recommended to avoid using corrosive or chemical water-based substances as disinfectants. Moreover, care should be taken to avoid inaccuracies of voltage or frequency.
Midmark Corporat M9-022 Autoclave, Ultraclave Ritter M9001 Automat 9″X15″
Product Details
Midmark Corporat M9-022 autoclave ultra clave Ritter M9001 Automat 9″ x 15″ is another reliable and long-lasting item in this domain. These autoclave sterilizers have programmable buttons that allow quick and easy changes in temperature, drying time, as well as vent settings.
The temperature ranges that can be set in these autoclave sterilizers are between 230 to 275 degrees. Moreover, the sterilization time can be set between 3 to 90 min. In addition, the vent settings can either be slow or fast.
This steam sterilizer comes with 2 large and 2 small trays to hold the devices. The volume capacity of the product is up to 3.5 gallons. The unwrapped cycle time for cold is 19 min while for hot is 14 min.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article for autoclave sterilizers are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
Sterilizers are essential in every medical facility
All types of autoclave sterilizer sizes mentioned in the article, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the links given in the article to check out the wide range of autoclave sterilizers.
Bottom Line
In medical facilities, there is always a higher risk of contamination as well as infection transmission. Hence, it is essential to clean and sterilize all of the equipment on a daily basis or before every use. For this purpose, several methods are available one of which is the use of autoclave sterilizers.
Autoclave sterilizers are easy to use, efficient in performance, and work best in multiple kinds of facilities. These machines generate steam at high temperatures which interacts with microbes and destroys their cells.
Considering their importance, it is best to have an autoclave sterilizer at your medical facility, beauty salon, dental clinic, etc. In this regard, for purchasing different kinds of autoclave sterilizers, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
