autoklaavi

Autoklaavi, also known as autoclave in English, is a device used to sterilize equipment and materials by exposing them to saturated steam under pressure. The term autoklaavi is used in Finnish and Estonian to refer to the same instrument. Autoclaves are essential in healthcare, laboratories, dental offices, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The operating principle involves sealing items inside a chamber and introducing steam to raise the internal pressure and temperature. Typical cycles heat to about 121°C (250°F) at roughly 15 psi for 15–20 minutes, though higher-temperature short cycles at 134°C (273°F) for 3–5 minutes are used for specific loads. A drying phase may follow to remove moisture from wrapped items. The exact time depends on load size, density, and steam penetration.

There are several types of autoclaves. Gravity displacement models rely on steam to displace air, while pre-vacuum or vacuum-assisted models remove air before sterilization, improving penetration of wrapped or porous loads. Autoclaves range from small tabletop units to large clinical or industrial cabinets, and they may include rapid “flash” cycles for immediate-use sterilization.

Uses and standards: Autoclaves sterilize surgical instruments, glassware, culture media, and other heat-stable items. Validation uses process indicators, chemical indicators, and biological indicators such as spore tests. International and national standards, such as ISO 17665, govern moist-heat sterilization practices and performance verification.

Safety and maintenance: Regular maintenance of seals, valves, and sensors is essential, as is using distilled or deionized water and monitoring cycle performance. Users must handle hot steam with care to avoid burns, and routine calibration helps ensure reliable sterilization.