The autoclave is a device for sterilizing medical devices. Generally used in hospitals, it is also used in laboratories and dental offices. Its different sterilization cycles give it all-terrain versatility.

Originally, the autoclave was used to sterilize cans. Today it is used to sterilize objects through the use of heat and skin under pressure. Note, steam sterilization is the most used in hospitals.

Composition

The autoclave is generally an airtight container of various sizes. It is composed of a heat generator and a double-walled oven.

An autoclave is used to destroy the most aggressive germs, bacteria and microorganisms on objects for medical use to avoid any risk of contamination. To be a good sterilizer, the autoclave must both destroy microorganisms while respecting the integrity of the equipment passed for sterilization. In the case of steam autoclaves, moist heat using saturated steam under pressure is used to effectively kill pathogens. This method of sterilization is considered the most reliable.

Can be autoclaved, all hollow, solid, porous objects, wrapped or not. There are different classes of autoclaves determined by the volume of the sterilization chamber: B, N or S.

Class B autoclaves

Also called “small autoclaves”, class B autoclaves are the only sterilizers in the true sense of the term. Their operating cycle includes:

• pretreatment;
• a sterilization phase;
• a vacuum drying phase.

Class B autoclaves are the only ones recommended by standard NF EN 13060 for sterilization in the medical world.

Class N autoclaves

They are more water vapor disinfectors than sterilizers in the proper sense. They are used to sterilize unpackaged medical devices only and are not suitable for MDs whose sterile condition is unconditional. After this type of treatment, the objects should be used immediately.

Class S autoclaves

This type of autoclave can only be used for full medical devices, packaged or not.

Autoclaves are very easy to use and do not require any special skills for their handling. In the medical and hospital environment, the autoclave generally depends on a department dedicated to sterilization.

The stages of operation

Medical devices passed through the sterilizer follow a cycle divided into 4 stages which can vary more or less depending on the model. But in general, we find:

• the rise in heat and pressure by the injection of water vapor. A successive rise in pressure essential to limit colder air pockets and ensure better sterilization of porous or hollow bodies;
• equilibration is the phase during which the product to be sterilized has reached the right temperature at all points;
• sterilization (its duration varies according to the type of material to be sterilized), the quantity of germs to be treated and the temperature of the treatment;
• cooling of the chamber by depressurization to be able to open it in complete safety.

When to use it?

Right after use.

Many medical devices can be autoclaved whether they are stainless steel, aluminum, or polypropylene. Textiles, compresses, rubber or even glass can also be autoclaved.

Precautions to take

It is essential to find out whether or not certain materials can be autoclaved.

Several elements must be taken into account when choosing your autoclave:

• the opening system: access to the chamber is from the top on vertical models and from the front on horizontal sterilizers;
• available space: for small spaces, bench sterilizers are the most suitable. They land on the work plan. Rather, they are intended for back-up use. In larger, dedicated areas, the standing sterilizer is ideal. It is more bulky but also offers a greater capacity;
• capacity: the quantity of material to be processed each day will be decisive.

The pre and post-processing phases are also to be taken into account. Finally, it should be remembered that in a hospital environment, the use of a class B autoclave is compulsory.