Array ( [0] => {{Short description|Temperature and pressure instrument}} [1] => {{Other uses}} [2] => {{Infobox laboratory equipment [3] => |name = Autoclave [4] => [5] => |image = File:Rectangular-medical-autoclave-cutaway.jpg|thumb| [6] => |alt = [7] => |caption = Cutaway illustration of a jacketed rectangular-chamber autoclave [8] => |acronym = [9] => |other_names = [10] => |uses = [[Sterilization (microbiology)|Sterilization]] [11] => |inventor = [[Charles Chamberland]] [12] => |model = [13] => |related = [[Waste autoclave]] [14] => }} [15] => [[File:Cylindrical-research-autoclave-illustration.jpg|thumb|Cutaway illustration of a cylindrical-chamber autoclave]] [16] => An '''autoclave''' is a machine used to carry out industrial and scientific processes requiring elevated temperature and pressure in relation to [[ambient pressure]] and/or [[Room temperature|temperature]]. Autoclaves are used before surgical procedures to perform [[sterilization (microbiology)|sterilization]] and in the chemical industry to cure coatings and [[vulcanization|vulcanize]] rubber and for [[hydrothermal synthesis]]. Industrial autoclaves are used in industrial applications, especially in the manufacturing of composites. [17] => [18] => Many autoclaves are used to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to pressurized [[saturated steam]] at {{convert|121|C|F}} for 30–60 minutes at a pressure of 205 kPa or 2.02 [[Atm (unit)|atm]]{{Cite book |last=Powel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X0taDwAAQBAJ&dq=sterilization+103+kPa+15+lb&pg=RA1-PA124 |title=Va Mycorrhiza |date=2018-05-04 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn= 978-1-351-09441-2 |language=en}} (about double atmospheric pressure) depending on the size of the load and the contents.{{cite book|title=Microbiology|first1= Jacquelyn |last1=Black|publisher=Prentice Hall|year=1993|page=334|isbn = 9780135829172}} The autoclave was invented by [[Charles Chamberland]] in 1879,{{cite web|url=https://www.pasteur.fr/fr/institut-pasteur/notre-histoire/charles-chamberland-inventeur |title=Charles Chamberland, the inventor|date=9 November 2018|access-date=2021-12-15|publisher=Pasteur Institute|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211122124224/https://www.pasteur.fr/fr/institut-pasteur/notre-histoire/charles-chamberland-inventeur |archive-date=2021-11-22|url-status=live}} although a precursor known as the [[steam digester]] was created by [[Denis Papin]] in 1679.{{cite journal |author=Hugo WB |title=A brief history of heat and chemical preservation and disinfection |journal=Journal of Applied Bacteriology |volume=71 |issue=1 |pages=9–18 |date=July 1991 |pmid=1894581 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2672.1991.tb04657.x }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The name comes from Greek ''auto-'', ultimately meaning self, and Latin ''clavis'' meaning key, thus a self-locking device.{{cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=autoclave |title=Online Etymology Dictionary |publisher=Etymonline.com |access-date=2012-06-04}} [19] => [[File:Animated autoclave.webm|thumb|Video demonstrating how autoclaves work]] [20] => [21] => == Uses == [22] => Sterilization autoclaves are widely used in [[microbiology]] and [[mycology]], [[medicine]] and [[prosthetics]] fabrication, [[tattooing]] and [[body piercing]], and [[mortuary science|funerary practice]]. They vary in size and function depending on the media to be sterilized and are sometimes called [[retort]] in the chemical and food industries. [23] => [24] => Typical loads include laboratory glassware, other equipment and waste, surgical instruments, and [[medical waste]].{{cite web |url=http://consteril.com/index.php?pg=41 |title=Sterilization Cycles |publisher=Consolidated Machine Corporation |access-date=2009-06-30}}{{cite web|url=https://www.systec-lab.com/sterilization-of-liquids-solids-waste-in-disposal-bags-and-hazardous-biological-substances/|title=Sterilization of liquids, solids, waste in disposal bags and hazardous biological substances|date=2 January 2017|access-date=2017-04-20}} [25] => [26] => A notable recent and increasingly popular application of autoclaves is the pre-disposal treatment and sterilization of waste material, such as pathogenic hospital waste. Machines in this category largely operate under the same principles as conventional autoclaves in that they are able to neutralize (but not eliminate) potentially infectious agents by using pressurized steam and superheated water. A new generation of waste converters is capable of achieving the same effect without a pressure vessel to sterilize culture media, rubber material, gowns, dressings, gloves, etc. It is particularly useful for materials that cannot withstand the higher temperature of a hot air oven.{{cite book|author=Seymour Stanton Block|title=Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3f-kPJ17_TYC&pg=PA1052|access-date=19 January 2013|year=2001|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|isbn=978-0-683-30740-5}} [27] => [28] => Autoclaves are also widely used to cure composites, especially for melding multiple layers without any voids that would decrease material strength, and in the vulcanization of rubber.{{cite book|author=R. B. Simpson|title=Rubber Basics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sp0UpURKUV8C&pg=PA161|access-date=19 January 2013|year=2002|publisher=iSmithers Rapra Publishing|isbn=978-1-85957-307-5|page=161}} The high heat and pressure that autoclaves generate help to ensure that the best possible physical properties are repeatable. Manufacturers of spars for sailboats have autoclaves well over {{convert|50|ft|m}} long and {{convert|10|ft|m|0|abbr=}} wide, and some autoclaves in the aerospace industry are large enough to hold whole airplane fuselages made of layered composites.{{cite web|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200113124504.htm|title=A new approach to making airplane parts, minus the massive infrastructure: Carbon nanotube film produces aerospace-grade composites with no need for huge ovens or autoclaves|website=ScienceDaily|language=en|access-date=2020-01-13}} [29] => [30] => Other types of autoclaves are used to grow crystals under high temperatures and pressures. Synthetic [[quartz crystals]] used in the [[electronics industry]] are grown in autoclaves. Packing of parachutes for specialist applications may be performed under vacuum in an autoclave, which allows the chutes to be warmed and inserted into their packs at the smallest volume.{{Cite web |last=Zwicker |first=Matthew |date=2013-03-25 |title=Pack Density Limitations of Hybrid Parachutes |url=https://airborne-sys.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Pack-Density-Limitations-of-Hybrid-Parachutes.pdf |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=Airborne Systems}} [31] => [32] => A thermal [[effluent decontamination system]] functions as a single-purpose autoclave designed for the sterilization of liquid waste and effluent. [33] => [34] => == Air removal == [35] => It is very important to ensure that all of the trapped air is removed from the autoclave before activation, as trapped air is a very poor medium for achieving sterility. Steam at {{convert|134|C|F}} can achieve a desired level of sterility in three minutes, while achieving the same level of sterility in hot air requires two hours at {{convert|160|C|F}}.[https://www.saiglobal.com/PDFTemp/Previews/OSH/AS/AS4000/4800/4815-2006.pdf Australian/New Zealand Standard—Office-based health care facilities—Reprocessing of reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment, and maintenance of the associated environment] Methods of air removal include: [36] => [37] => ;Downward displacement (or gravity-type):: As steam enters the chamber, it fills the upper areas first as it is less dense than air. This process compresses the air to the bottom, forcing it out through a drain which often contains a temperature sensor. Only when air evacuation is complete does the discharge stop. Flow is usually controlled by a [[steam trap]] or a [[solenoid valve]], but bleed holes are sometimes used. As the steam and air mix, it is also possible to force out the mixture from locations in the chamber other than the bottom. [38] => ;Steam pulsing:: Air dilution by using a series of steam pulses, in which the chamber is alternately pressurized and then depressurized to near atmospheric pressure. [39] => ;[[Vacuum pump]]s:: A vacuum pump sucks air or air/steam mixtures from the chamber. [40] => ;Superatmospheric cycles:: Achieved with a vacuum pump. It starts with a vacuum followed by a steam pulse followed by a vacuum followed by a steam pulse. The number of pulses depends on the particular autoclave and cycle chosen. [41] => ;Subatmospheric cycles:: Similar to the superatmospheric cycles, but chamber pressure never exceeds atmospheric pressure until they pressurize up to the sterilizing temperature. [42] => [43] => Stovetop autoclaves used in poorer or non-medical settings do not always have automatic air removal programs. The operator is required to manually perform steam pulsing at certain pressures as indicated by the gauge.{{cite web|url=https://www.allamericancanner.com/Autoclave-Sterilizer.htm |title=All American Autoclave Sterilizer |publisher=AllAmericanCanner.com |date= |accessdate=2022-04-30}} [44] => [45] => == In medicine == [46] => [[File:Dry sterilizer , Autoclave.JPG|thumb|Dental equipment in an autoclave to be sterilized for 2 hours at 150 to 180 degrees Celsius]] [47] => [48] => A medical autoclave is a device that uses [[steam]] to [[sterilization (microbiology)|sterilize]] equipment and other objects. This means that all [[bacteria]], [[virus]]es, [[fungi]], and [[spore]]s are inactivated. https://www.scienceequip.com.au/blogs/news/how-does-an-autoclave-workHowever, [[prion]]s, such as those associated with [[Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease]], and some toxins released by certain bacteria, such as [[Cereulide]], may not be destroyed by autoclaving at the typical 134 °C for three minutes or 121 °C for 15 minutes and instead should be immersed in sodium hydroxide (1M NaOH) and heated in a gravity displacement autoclave at 121 °C for 30 min, cleaned, rinsed in water and subjected to routine sterilization.{{cite web [49] => | url = https://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/bse/whocdscsraph2003.pdf [50] => | title = WHO Infection Control Guidelines for Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies [51] => | author = Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control [52] => | authorlink = World Health Organization [53] => | date = 1999-03-26 [54] => | work = Communicable Diseases (CDS) [55] => | publisher = World Health Organization [56] => | pages = 29–32 [57] => | language = English [58] => | quote = Immerse in sodium hydroxide (NaOH)20 and heat in a gravity displacement autoclave at 121°C for 30 min; clean; rinse in water and subject to routine sterilization. [59] => | accessdate = 2002-02-05 [60] => }} Although a wide range of [[archaea]] species, including ''[[Strain 121|Geogemma barosii]]'', can survive and even reproduce at temperatures found in autoclaves, their growth rate is so slow at the lower temperatures in the less extreme environments occupied by humans that it is unlikely they could compete with other organisms.{{Cite journal |last=Cowan |first=D. A |date=2004-02-01 |title=The upper temperature for life – where do we draw the line? |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966842X03003160 |journal=Trends in Microbiology |language=en |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=58–60 |doi=10.1016/j.tim.2003.12.002 |pmid=15040324 |hdl=10566/147 |issn=0966-842X|hdl-access=free }} None of them are known to be infectious or otherwise pose a health risk to humans; in fact, their biochemistry is so different from our own and their multiplication rate is so slow that microbiologists need not worry about them.{{Cite journal |last1=Davies |first1=Julian |last2=Davies |first2=Dorothy |date=September 2010 |title=Origins and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance |journal=Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews|volume=74 |issue=3 |pages=417–433 |doi=10.1128/MMBR.00016-10 |issn=1092-2172 |pmc=2937522 |pmid=20805405}} [61] => [62] => Autoclaves are found in many medical settings, laboratories, and other places that need to ensure the sterility of an object. Many procedures today employ single-use items rather than sterilizable, reusable items. This first happened with [[hypodermic needles]], but today many [[surgical instruments]] (such as [[forceps]], [[hypodermic needle|needle]] holders, and [[scalpel]] handles) are commonly single-use rather than reusable items (see [[waste autoclave]]). Autoclaves are of particular importance in poorer countries due to the much greater amount of equipment that is re-used. Providing stove-top or solar autoclaves to rural medical centers has been the subject of several proposed medical aid missions.{{Cite web |title=Autoclave - Forest & Ray - Dentists, Orthodontists, Implant Surgeons |url=https://forestray.dentist/kb/autoclave/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=forestray.dentist |language=en-GB}} [63] => [64] => Because [[humidity|damp]] heat is used, [[lability|heat-labile]] products (such as some [[plastics]]) cannot be sterilized this way or they will melt. [[Paper]] and other products that may be damaged by steam must also be sterilized another way. In all autoclaves, items should always be separated to allow the steam to penetrate the load evenly. [65] => [66] => Autoclaving is often used to sterilize medical waste prior to disposal in the standard [[municipal solid waste]] stream. This application has become more common as an alternative to [[incineration]] due to environmental and health concerns raised because of the combustion by-products emitted by incinerators, especially from the small units which were commonly operated at individual hospitals. Incineration or a similar thermal oxidation process is still generally mandated for pathological waste and other very toxic or infectious medical waste. For liquid waste, an [[effluent decontamination system]] is the equivalent hardware. [67] => [68] => In dentistry, autoclaves provide sterilization of dental instruments. [69] => [70] => In most of the industrialized world [[medical-grade]] autoclaves are regulated [[medical devices]]. Many medical-grade autoclaves are therefore limited to running regulator-approved cycles. Because they are optimized for continuous hospital use, they favor rectangular designs, require demanding maintenance regimens, and are costly to operate. (A properly calibrated medical-grade autoclave uses thousands of gallons of water each day, independent of task, with correspondingly high electric power consumption.) [71] => [72] => ==In research== [73] => Autoclaves used in education, research, biomedical research, pharmaceutical research and industrial settings (often called "research-grade" autoclaves) are used to sterilize lab instruments, glassware, culture media, and liquid media. Research-grade autoclaves are increasingly used in these settings where efficiency, ease-of-use, and flexibility are at a premium. Research-grade autoclaves may be configured for "pass-through" operation. This makes it possible to maintain absolute isolation between "clean" and potentially contaminated work areas. Pass-through research autoclaves are especially important in [[Biosafety level 3|BSL-3]] or [[Biosafety level 4|BSL-4]] facilities. [74] => [75] => Research-grade autoclaves—which are not approved for use in sterilizing instruments that will be directly used on humans—are primarily designed for efficiency, flexibility, and ease-of-use. They display a wide range of designs and sizes, and are frequently tailored to their use and load type. Common variations include either a cylindrical or square pressure chamber, air- or water-cooling systems, and vertically or horizontally opening chamber doors (which may be electrically or manually powered). [76] => [77] => In 2016, the Office of Sustainability at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) conducted a study of autoclave efficiency in their genomics and entomology research labs, tracking several units' power and water consumption. They found that, even when functioning within intended parameters, the medical-grade autoclaves used in their research labs were each consuming 700 gallons of water and 90 kWh of electricity per day (1,134MWh of electricity and 8.8 million gallons of water total), because they consumed energy and water continuously, even when not in use. UCR's research-grade autoclaves performed the same tasks with equal effectiveness, but used 83% less energy and 97% less water.{{cite journal [78] => | last1 =Faugeroux [79] => | first1 =Delphine [80] => | last2 =Wells [81] => | first2 =Barbra [82] => | title =Laboratory autoclaves: a case study [83] => | url =https://www.priorclave.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/LabDesign_Dec2016.pdf [84] => | journal =Laboratory Design [85] => | volume =20 [86] => | issue =6 [87] => | pages =10–12 [88] => | access-date =May 24, 2017 [89] => }} [90] => [91] => ==Quality assurance== [92] => [[Image:Sterilization bag indicator mark.jpg|thumb|[[Sterilization (microbiology)|Sterilization]] bags often have a "sterilization indicator mark" that typically darkens when the bag and its contents have been adequately processed. Comparing the marks on an unprocessed bag (L) and on a bag that has been properly cycled (R) will reveal an obvious visual difference.]] [93] => [94] => In order to sterilize items effectively, it is important to use optimal parameters when running an autoclave cycle. A 2017 study performed by the [[Johns Hopkins Hospital]] [[biocontainment]] unit tested the ability of pass-through autoclaves to [[decontaminate]] loads of simulated [[biomedical waste]] when run on the factory default setting. The study found that 18 of 18 (100%) mock patient loads (6 PPE, 6 linen, and 6 liquid loads) passed sterilization tests with the optimized parameters compared to only 3 of 19 (16%) mock loads that passed with use of the factory default settings.{{cite journal |last1=Garibaldi |first1=Brian T. |last2=Reimers |first2=Mallory |last3=Ernst |first3=Neysa |last4=Bova |first4=Gregory |last5=Nowakowski |first5=Elaine |last6=Bukowski |first6=James |last7=Ellis |first7=Brandon C. |last8=Smith |first8=Chris |last9=Sauer |first9=Lauren |last10=Dionne |first10=Kim |last11=Carroll |first11=Karen C. |last12=Maragakis |first12=Lisa L. |last13=Parrish |first13=Nicole M. |title=Validation of Autoclave Protocols for Successful Decontamination of Category A Medical Waste Generated from Care of Patients with Serious Communicable Diseases |journal=Journal of Clinical Microbiology |date=February 2017 |volume=55 |issue=2 |pages=545–551 |doi=10.1128/JCM.02161-16 |pmid=27927920 |pmc=5277525 |language=en |issn=0095-1137}} [95] => [96] => There are physical, chemical, and biological indicators that can be used to ensure that an autoclave reaches the correct temperature for the correct amount of time. If a non-treated or improperly treated item can be confused for a treated item, then there is the risk that they will become mixed up, which, in some areas such as surgery, is critical. [97] => [98] => [[Chemical indicator]]s on medical packaging and [[autoclave tape]] change color once the correct conditions have been met, indicating that the object inside the package, or under the tape, has been appropriately processed. Autoclave tape is only a marker that steam and heat have activated the dye. The marker on the tape does not indicate complete sterility. A more difficult challenge device, named the Bowie-Dick device after its inventors, is also used to verify a full cycle. This contains a full sheet of chemical indicator placed in the center of a stack of paper. It is designed specifically to prove that the process achieved full temperature and time required for a normal minimum cycle of 134 °C for 3.5–4 minutes.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-04 |title=Steam Sterilization {{!}} Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines {{!}} Guidelines Library {{!}} Infection Control {{!}} CDC |url=https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/sterilization/steam.html |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=www.cdc.gov |language=en-us}} [99] => [100] => To prove sterility, biological indicators are used. Biological indicators contain [[spores]] of a heat-resistant bacterium, ''[[Geobacillus stearothermophilus]]''. If the autoclave does not reach the right temperature, the spores will [[germination|germinate]] when incubated and their [[metabolism]] will change the color of a [[pH]]-sensitive chemical. Some physical indicators consist of an [[alloy]] designed to melt only after being subjected to a given temperature for the relevant holding time. If the alloy melts, the change will be visible.{{Cite web |title=The Autoclave, effectivity and low cost |url=https://kalstein.eu/the-autoclave-effectivity-and-low-cost/?lang=en |access-date=2023-10-21 |language=en-US}} [101] => [102] => Some computer-controlled autoclaves use an F0 (F-nought) value to control the [[sterilization (microbiology)|sterilization]] cycle. F0 values are set for the number of minutes of sterilization equivalent to {{convert|121|°C|°F|abbr=on}} at {{convert|103|kPa|psi|abbr=on}} above atmospheric pressure for 15 minutes. Since exact temperature control is difficult, the temperature is monitored, and the sterilization time adjusted accordingly.{{Cite web |title=Sterilizer - an overview {{!}} ScienceDirect Topics |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/sterilizer |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=www.sciencedirect.com}} [103] => [104] => ==Additional images== [105] => [106] => Image:Autoclave stove top.jpg|Stovetop autoclaves, also known as [[pressure cooking#Related devices|pressure cooker]]—the simplest of autoclaves [107] => File:Autoclave machine.jpg|The machine on the right is an autoclave used for processing substantial quantities of laboratory equipment prior to reuse, and infectious material prior to disposal. (The machines on the left and in the middle are washing machines.) [108] => File:Systec H-Series Autoclaves.jpg|Horizontal high-capacity autoclave with cylindrical chamber [109] => File:Pass-through-autoclaves-1-231x300.jpg|Illustration of a cylindrical-chamber pass-through autoclave [110] => [111] => [112] => ==References== [113] => {{Reflist}} [114] => {{Commons category|Autoclaves}} [115] => {{Laboratory equipment}} [116] => {{Authority control}} [117] => [118] => [[Category:Laboratory equipment]] [119] => [[Category:Medical equipment]] [] => )
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Autoclave

An autoclave is a device used in the medical field, laboratories, and industries for sterilizing equipment, materials, and substances. It is a pressure chamber that works by using steam or a combination of steam and high pressure to eliminate bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores.

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It is a pressure chamber that works by using steam or a combination of steam and high pressure to eliminate bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. The autoclave has a variety of applications, including in healthcare facilities where it is used to sterilize surgical instruments, medical supplies, and laboratory equipment. In laboratories, autoclaves are used to sterilize agar, media, and other substances that are used in culturing microorganisms. Industries also utilize autoclaves for sterilizing items like food containers, pharmaceutical products, and cosmetic formulations. The autoclave operates by generating steam and then raising the temperature and pressure inside the chamber. The high pressure effectively increases the temperature inside the autoclave, ensuring that all microorganisms are destroyed. The time required for sterilization depends on the size and type of materials being sterilized, but typically ranges from 15 to 40 minutes. There are several types of autoclaves, including gravity displacement autoclaves, pre-vacuum autoclaves, and steam-flush pressure-pulse autoclaves. Each type has its own advantages and is suited for specific purposes. The use of autoclaves has significantly improved hygiene and safety in various industries. By effectively eliminating pathogens and contaminants, autoclaves help prevent the spread of infections and ensure the safety of products. However, proper operation and maintenance of autoclaves are essential to achieve optimal sterilization and avoid potential hazards. Overall, autoclaves are an important tool in the healthcare, laboratory, and industrial sectors, enabling the sterilization of equipment and materials, thereby contributing to the well-being and safety of individuals and preserving the quality of products.

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