Autoclave

It is a machine used to sterilize by killing bacteria, viruses in the material placed inside.

Sterilization is the complete removal of micro organisms from an object or surface, it is obtained when micro organism are subjected to anti microbial agents for sufficient time and at optimum conditions.

Physical methods of sterilization

A) Heat sterilization which consist of moist heat and dry heat sterilization

B) Filtration which consist of irradiation

C) Sound (sonic) waves which consist of Pressure and Sunlight

An autoclave is also known as a steam sterilizer. Moist heat is the most common and effective method of sterilization

Parts of an autoclave

1. Pressure chamber

2. Lid/door

3. Bolt

4. Wing nut

5. Gasket

6. Container

7. Sterilizing drum

8. Sieve plate

                          Lid Consist of:

A) Pressure gauge

B) Pressure releasing unit / whistle

C) Safety valve

Pressure chamber: It is the main component of a steam autoclave, consist of an inner chamber and outer jacket

Lid: It seals off the outside atmosphere and create a sterilized condition on the inside of the autoclave, it is made tight via screw clamp and asbestos washer.

Pressure gauge: It assures the safety of the autoclave.

Whistle: It controls the pressure inside the chamber by releasing a certain amount of vapor by lifting itself

Safety Valve: It has a thin layer of rubber that bursts itself to release the pressure and avoid the danger of explosion.

                 Working Principle

• The autoclave works on the principle of moist heat sterilization where steam under pressure is used to sterilize the material present inside the chamber.
• The high pressure increases the boiling point of water and thus helps achieve a higher temperature for sterilization.
• Water usually boils at 100°C under normal atmospheric pressure (760 mm of Hg); however, the boiling point of water increases if the pressure is to be increased.
• Similarly, the high pressure also facilitates the rapid penetration of heat into deeper parts of the material, and moisture present in the steam causes the coagulation of proteins causing an irreversible loss of function and activity of microbes.
• This principle is employed in an autoclave where the water boils at 121°C at the pressure of 15 psi or 775 mm of Hg.
• When this steam comes in contact on the surface, it kills the microbes by giving off latent heat.
• The condensed liquid ensures the moist killing of the microbes.
• Once the sterilization phase is completed (which depends on the level of contamination of material inside), the pressure is released from the inside of the chamber through the whistle.
• The pressure inside the chamber is then restored back to ambient pressure while the components inside remain hot for some time.

Precaution of using an Autoclave

* Autoclaves should not be used to sterilize water-proof or water-resistant substances like oil or powders.