Q. What is Autoclave sterilization?

Word "autoclave" means self locking and is used to denote an apparatus that sterilizes by use of steam under pressure. It operates on same principle as pressure cookers. Because the steam is formed in a closed system, the steam completely fills (saturates) the sterilizer chamber, pushing the cooler air out of an escape valve, which then closes and allows the build up of pressure.

Because air pockets in the chamber cannot reach sterilizing temperatures, some steam sterilizer manufacturers have added a pre sterilization vacuum cycle. At 100OC there is at least 7 times as much available heat from saturated steam as from boiling water.

The several types of steam sterilizers that are in use.

1. Lab Autoclave

2. Hospital dressing sterilizer

3. Bowl & instrument sterilizer

4. Rapid cooling sterilizer