autoclaved

Autoclaved refers to items sterilized using an autoclave, a device that employs saturated steam under pressure to reach high temperatures. The steam-pressure combination raises the effective temperature of sterilization, enabling rapid destruction of microorganisms and spores.

Typical cycles use 121°C (250°F) at 15 psi for about 15 to 20 minutes; alternatives at 134°C (273°F) for 3 to 5 minutes are used for specific loads. Effectiveness depends on load characteristics, air removal, and presence of porous materials. Validation relies on chemical indicators and, for critical uses, biological indicators such as spores of Geobacillus stearothermophilus.

Autoclaves are used to sterilize medical and dental instruments, laboratory media and glassware, surgical dressings, endoscopes, and some plastics, and they are also used to sterilize certain waste and canned foods in the food industry. They come in gravity-displacement and pre-vacuum designs; pre-vacuum cycles remove air more efficiently and shorten processing times.

Materials must be compatible with heat and moisture; heat- or moisture-sensitive items may be damaged. Packaging must withstand steam; certain papers, plastics, and electronics may be unsuitable. Regular maintenance, proper loading, and adherence to standards (such as ISO, ANSI/AAMI guidelines) are essential for reliability.

In practice, autoclaving is the preferred method for achieving high-level disinfection and sterilization in medical, laboratory, and industrial workflows, balancing effectiveness with speed.