| The autoclave has been an indispensable device | | | | takes to clean objects. |
| around the world in medical laboratories, doctors' | | | | Industrial autoclaves are used in many functions of |
| offices, pharmacy labs, veterinarians, and research | | | | manufacturing, from pharmaceuticals to food products. |
| laboratories. When sterile instruments are needed, they | | | | These very large autoclaves can be built to |
| are easily put into that state with an autoclave. | | | | accommodate nearly any size product, and can be |
| Laboratory autoclaves are the most affluent tool used | | | | implemented on an assembly line for continuous |
| in aseptic methodology. There are many shapes and | | | | manufacturing. Food products such as canned goods |
| sizes available, and the functions can range from the | | | | are sterilized completely in this manner before |
| very simple pressure steam type oven, to the | | | | packaging to ensure quality of the product. |
| high-tech devices used in hospitals. | | | | Autoclave effluent treatment is also a vital part of |
| The simplest form of autoclave is very much like a | | | | ecology and human health. Waste products from a |
| pressure cooker. A pressure cooker has only two | | | | variety of health industries need to be sterilized before |
| parts: the Pan or Kettle, and the Lid. The lid and pan | | | | moving to landfills or to be burned. Products such as |
| are designed to latch onto each other securely to | | | | used needles, old bandage material, bedding, plastic s, |
| permit steam and pressure buildup. The longer heat is | | | | and body fluids need to be sterilized before disposal. |
| applied to the bottom, the more pressure. | | | | This reduces risk of contagions in the environment. |
| This is an effective method of sterilization, because | | | | These autoclaves are usually quite large, and are |
| most organisms burst under the high pressure, and the | | | | nearly always fully automated. Waste products are |
| heat alone can kill almost any bacterium. Simple | | | | loaded into the maw of the device, which conveys the |
| autoclaves are built on this principle. The use of heat | | | | materials into the oven itself. Computers control the |
| and pressure sensitive tape or paper during the | | | | durations, pressure, temperature, and steam. This |
| sterilization process can indicate a successful cleaning. | | | | assures complete sterilization. |
| Steam generators are just as the name implies. These | | | | Without autoclaves the world would be a nasty place. |
| devices generate huge amounts of high-temperature | | | | The simplicity of the design of these essential tools is |
| steam and steam pressure. This sterilization technique | | | | only shadowed by the technology used in perfecting |
| has an all-around successful rate, especially with | | | | the technique. Autoclaves are used all over the world, |
| stainless steel surgical implements. Chemicals can be | | | | and without them developing countries would have |
| added to the water used in the process to ensure | | | | increased infection rates among those having surgery, |
| complete sterilization. | | | | and waste materials would build up, becoming a |
| These steam generator type autoclaves come in a | | | | hazard to the health of the population. |
| variety of sizes, shapes, and modes. Many come with | | | | Those in the field such as surgeons and infection |
| computer control devices that monitor such vital | | | | control specialists clamor for these simple devices. |
| functions as steam temperature, water flow, and | | | | From early beginnings to the high-tech devices of |
| pressure. Timers are essential to the sterilization | | | | today, autoclaves are the important part of the world. |
| process, as this also reduces the amount of time it | | | | |