06/05/2020
, # Sterilizer
Our environment is full of micro organisms of all types harmful, harmless & useful.
If the micro organisms come in contact with open wounds, it poses a serious health hazard due to infection.
Generally an autoclave is used to sterilize Clothes, Instruments, Gauges, etc. used during & post surgery care.
Dhupam Karma: In era of Acharya Sushrut, sterilization was done by fumigation ( Jatmanasi, Tulasi, Nimba patra, Harida, etc were used as per articles which refer to Kashyap Samhita.)
Even today some Hospitals practise fumigation to sterilize their Operation Theatres. (However, the material used for fumigation is different such as Sodium Hypochlorite solution, Formaldehyde Solution, Hydrogen Peroxide + Silver, etc.) (The details are out of scope of this article.)
Coming back to autoclaves, one more application is found in sterilizing Labware. Another application in media preparation.
Autoclaves are primarily of following types:
1. Vertical steam sterilizers
A. Portable single walled approx 12”x12” / 12”x15” (6Ltr to 21 Ltr)
B. Single/ Double / Tripple Walled.
(35 Ltr to 180 Ltr)
2. Horizontal ( High Pressure )Sterilizers. These are generally of high capacities (150 Ltr onwards)
Autoclaves are generally set to operate at a pressure of 15 psi. Boiling point of water increases with raise in temperature. At 15 psi( 1.056 Kg/cm²), the Boiling point of water goes to about 121° C.
In basic design of autoclave, pressure is controlled by (SLPCV) Spring Loaded Pressure Control Valve, which can be manually set at different pressures.
If the pressure inside an autoclave increases beyond design pressure, uncontrolled, there is a Risk of a blast / explosion of the chamber due to High Pressure. The autoclave / sterilizer chamber, which is supposed to operate at 15 psi, for a specific period of time, ranging from 10 min onwards, is tested upto 20 psi. If it passes the test, it is accepted otherwise rejected at factory level itself.
In case SLPCV fails, there are *other components of control system which make good autoclaves full proof as far as safety is concerned.
Although these features add to the cost, these are mandatory for safety. Hence, whenever, you purchase an autoclave, check for safety features, which overweigh the cost saved.
I believe, life is more precious than the cost difference, which at times purchaser is tempted to save.
Updated Safe
Home Safe
For some more details on*other components of control system in autoclave / sterilizer, please visit again on 10th May.