WHAT IS AN AUTOCLAVE?<br />Autoclaves are also known as steam sterilizers, and are typically used for healthcare or industrial applications. An autoclave is a machine that uses steam under pressure to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores on items that are placed inside a pressure vessel. The items are heated to an appropriate sterilization temperature for a given amount of time. The moisture in the steam efficiently transfers heat to the items to destroy the protein structure of the bacteria and spores.<br />In healthcare, the term "autoclave" is typically used as the nomenclature to describe a Steam Sterilizer. ANSI/AAMI4, which provide standards and guidelines for the processing of medical devices, refers to autoclaves for healthcare specifically as Steam Sterilizers.<br /><br />HOW DOES AN AUTOCLAVE WORK?<br /><br />Conditioning Phase (C): Air inhibits sterilization and must be removed from the chamber during the first phase of the sterilization cycle known as conditioning. In dynamic air removal-type steam sterilizers, the air can be removed from the chamber using a vacuum system. It can also be removed without a vacuum system using a series of steam flushes and pressure pulses. Gravity-type sterilizers use steam to displace the air in the chamber and force the air down the sterilizer drain.<br />Exposure Phase (S): After the air is removed, the sterilizer drain closes and steam is continuously admitted into the chamber, rapidly increasing the pressure and temperature inside to a predetermined level. The cycle enters the exposure phase and items are held at the sterilization temperature for a fixed amount of time required to sterilize them.<br />Exhaust Phase (E): During the final phase of the cycle, exhaust, the sterilizer drain is opened and steam is removed, depressurizing the vessel and allowing the items in the load to dry.