autoklaaveja

Autoklaaveja are pressure vessels designed to sterilize equipment and materials by using saturated steam under pressure. In English, the device is known as an autoclave; autoklaaveja is the plural form in Estonian. The combination of high temperature and moisture kills microorganisms more effectively than dry heat, enabling rapid sterilization of heat-tolerant items.

Typical cycles expose loads to saturated steam at about 121°C (250°F) and roughly 15 psi of pressure for 15 to 20 minutes; alternative cycles use 134°C (273°F) at about 30 psi for shorter times. Loads are prepared and wrapped or placed in appropriate containers; after heating, steam penetrates, and a drying phase helps prevent recontamination. Some units employ pre-vacuum cycles to improve steam penetration and load uniformity, especially for wrapped or porous materials.

There are table-top and benchtop models for laboratories and clinics, and larger vertical or horizontal chamber autoclaves for hospitals and industry. Designs vary: gravity-displacement units rely on steam entering the chamber and forcing air out through a vent, while pre-vacuum models remove air before steam introduction. Some autoclaves include liquid cycles for sterilizing media, as well as customized settings for different load types and drying requirements.

Autoklaaveja are used to sterilize surgical instruments, laboratory glassware and culture media, dental tools, dressings, and heat-tolerant medical devices. They are also employed in pharmaceutical manufacturing and for sterilizing waste, certain foods, and biotech materials. Validation and safety rely on chemical indicators and biological indicators (spore tests), routine maintenance, and adherence to standards such as ISO 17665, which define performance criteria and validation procedures.