| Autoclaves, whether they are large autoclaves or | | | | The pressurized steam used in autoclaving |
| smaller instruments are designed to subject items | | | | provides a much more efficient means of |
| to steam at a temperature of at least 121 | | | | sterilization than would be possible with the |
| degrees C at high pressure in order to sterilize | | | | application of heat alone or hot air, which is an |
| them. The heat and pressure effectively | | | | especially inefficient way to sterilize. Since steam |
| eliminates bacteria, viruses and other pathogens | | | | at the temperatures typically seen in autoclaves |
| and these devices are used extensively in | | | | (around 134 degrees C) can sterilize equipment in |
| laboratories and medical facilities in the preparation | | | | only a few minutes as opposed to 2 hours being |
| of culture media for microbiology and other life | | | | needed when using air at a temperature of 160 |
| sciences applications, to sterilize laboratory | | | | degrees C, ensuring that the interior of the device |
| glassware, medical instruments and to | | | | is free of air is essential. In modern large |
| decontaminate potentially hazardous medical | | | | autoclaves, air may be removed through the |
| waste before disposal. | | | | action of the steam creating downward |
| These are the sterilization equipment of choice in | | | | displacement on the air (which is denser than |
| laboratories and hospitals. Autoclaves are also | | | | steam) and forcing it out of the unit through a |
| used in veterinary medicine, dentistry, research | | | | drain. A vacuum pump is also used in some |
| and development for pharmaceutical and food | | | | autoclaves. |
| production facilities. Large autoclaves and units of | | | | Autoclaves are also seen in use in some industrial |
| smaller sizes may be used anywhere else that | | | | applications where parts and materials need to be |
| sterilization of equipment is critical to ensuring the | | | | thoroughly sterilized during the production process, |
| outcome of the process, the safety of personnel | | | | this is relatively common in industries working with |
| or the public, such as in businesses which provide | | | | high performance composite materials, particularly |
| tattooing and body piercing services. | | | | in the aerospace sector. Due to the sheer size of |
| One of the concerns seen with autoclaving | | | | some of these components, especially large |
| materials to sterilize them for use in life sciences | | | | autoclaves may be needed to accommodate |
| laboratories is that the heat, moisture and | | | | them. Safety is always a matter of concern with |
| pressure involved in the process of sterilization | | | | these pressure sterilization devices, especially so |
| used by autoclaves may cause some degradation. | | | | with an extremely large unit. These larger devices |
| This is especially a concern with media used for | | | | in particular need to be designed to provide a |
| culturing microorganisms, since some of these | | | | very secure closure and feature highly reinforced |
| media may be thermolabile and can potentially | | | | walls which can withstand the rigors of regular, |
| affect their performance negatively or even | | | | often round the clock use. |
| render them unusable. With the latest generation | | | | Autoclaves of all sizes provide thorough elimination |
| of large autoclaves as well as those of smaller | | | | of pathogens, ensuring the safety of medical |
| capacities, this is less of a concern as | | | | devices, reducing the biohazard threat posed by |
| manufacturers have engineered these newer | | | | medical and veterinary waste and allow for more |
| models to be able to run at settings which | | | | accurate results in laboratory procedures. The |
| provide thorough sterilization without causing a | | | | number of accidental infections prevented by the |
| significant reduction in performance or usability of | | | | use of large autoclaves and small make them |
| heat sensitive materials. | | | | unsung heroes of medical science and public health. |