| Properties | Details |
|---|---|
| SFDA Classification | Class IIb |
| Purpose of Use | An autoclave is a device that sterilizes reusable medical instruments. The device uses steam temperature, pressure, and time factor to sterilize a specific weight of medical instruments. |
| Work Location & End-User | Work Location: Central sterile services department has the horizontal or vertical autoclaves “large in size” while there can be tabletop autoclaves anywhere needed in the hospital such as in the dental clinics. End User: Infection prevention and control lead in addition to any trained healthcare provider. |
| Parts & Accessories | The tabletop autoclave looks like a microwave heating device by adding a metal holder made of stainless steel to hold medical tools inside. The sterilizer also contains: 1. Heater: to heat distilled water 2. A water sensor is placed at a specified level to ensure that the water has reached the required amount of water. 3. Pressure sensor, pressure control valve, and pressure gauge - to control the pressure level according to the materials inside the sterilizer. 4. Thermometer 5. A safety valve for emergency situations. 6. Control board to order the desired sterilizing process depending on the medical tools. 7. Vacuum system to remove the air from the autoclave chamber. 8. Water inlet with its hose to take in the distilled water. 9. Water outlet with hose to get rid of water after each cycle 10. Screen 11. Printer to print operation report. |
| Operation | 1. After choosing the sterilizing process, the device starts to remove the air inside it 2. Then it takes in the distilled water from the tank. 3. When the water reaches a specific amount detected by the water sensor, the heater starts heating the water to produce steam. 4. With the steam raising the pressure, and with time factor, the autoclave sterilizes the medical tools. 5. The device drains the water and starts the cycle again several times until the process is ended and the sterilizing is ensured. 6. At the end, the printer prints all the process with all the information such as the maximum and minimum temperature and pressure, the time for each step, and if there are errors occurred during the process. |
| Common Problems | • The heat is coming out of the autoclave. This means that the door is not tightened. Wait for the device to cool down and adjust the level of tightness from the inner side of the door. Make sure that you don’t over-tight it as it will result in the door to be stuck after closing. Clean the leaking seal or gasket and replace if damaged. If a specific valve is leaking. Clean it or remove it if damaged. • The pressure rises above the marked level. Check the pressure valve and the safety valve and clean any dirt or remove any blockage of them. • The device is not heating. The heater is probably broken. Replace it with a new one. |
| Manufacturers | • Euronda SPA • Faro SPA • Tuttnauer Europe. BV • Shinva Medical Instrument Co. Ltd |
| Sources | • Saudi Food and Drug Authority • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • tuttnauer • stereois • Microbe Notes |
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