Laboratory Autoclaves
Manufacturer for Autoclaves
more information
Autoclaves - application possibilities
There are many application possibilities for our autoclaves manufactured by Systec, SANOclav or CertoClav. Autoclaves are predominantly used in research, development, industrial and production laboratories, whereby depending on the sterilization method, quantity, and size of the contaminated material a choice can be made between various sterilizers. Sterilizers are primarily used to kill pathogens and germs on an instrument, working tools, containers or dressings, while laboratories use sterilizers to produce culture media. The most reliable method of sterilization is sterilization using saturated, high-pressure steam. Such sterilizers are also known as steam sterilizers or autoclaves and are mainly used in medicine, microbiology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical processes, the health service, food industry and materials testing. Steam sterilizers are often used to autoclave devices, instruments, auxiliary equipment such as glass and Erlenmeyer flasks or Petri dishes.
Additionally, they are used for residue and waste sterilization as well as for the preparation of nutrient media. In the field of medicine, for example, autoclaves are used to sterilize surgical instruments or to disinfect other utensils. For hospitals, special autoclaves are available which can quickly deal with a large quantity of material for sterilization. Indispensable in every laboratory are steam sterilizers in the form of compact table-top autoclaves which can be rapidly set up directly at the workplace on the laboratory bench. Sterilizers, laboratory, and mini autoclaves are also suitable for use in pharmacies, medical and dental practices, tattoo and piercing studios as well as for the sterilization of baby bottles, household, and kitchen equipment. We would be happy to advise you when selecting which autoclave is most suitable for your needs. For this please use our contact form or simply call us on +49(0)3338 - 7510456.
Autoclave - functional principle
In an autoclave, material is sterilized by saturated steam in a quick-lock pressurized aluminum or autoclave stainless steel container. As autoclaves operate with moist heat and pressure, the temperatures and times required for reliable sterilization lower and shorter than with hot-air sterilization. In contrast to steam sterilizers, hot-air sterilizers are only suitable for the sterilization of instruments and work exclusively with dry heat, reaching very high temperatures of up to 250 °C which many synthetic materials or waste products cannot withstand. During steam sterilization, a pressure of 1-3 bars and a temperature of around 115 °C to 140 °C is attained in the interior of an autoclave, which thus also allows heat-sensitive articles, such as dressings, textiles, and plastics to be sterilized in an autoclave.
The sterilization cycle in an autoclave is divided into four stages - the rise time, in which the air inside the autoclave is removed and replaced by steam; the equalization period, in which the material to be sterilized reaches the required temperature; the sterilization phase, the duration of which depends on the sterilization temperature, the type of autoclave, degree of contamination, and the cooling phase which starts after sterilization and marks the end of the autoclaving cycle. Autoclaving at 121 °C for 15 minutes is considered as standard for steam sterilizers. As a rule, the entire operating time of steam sterilizers is 20 to 45 minutes. In order to guarantee that the autoclave is functioning correctly the quality and quantity of the filled water as well as the steam sterilizers themselves should be subject to regular functional tests.
Autoclaves - classes
Autoclaves are available is a variety of sizes and models to suit the particular area of application, method, design and usage volume. We currently supply autoclaves with a volume ranging from 5 to 200 liters, which come in the form of horizontal, vertical and pass-through autoclaves as well as media preparators. According to the EN 13060 standard relating to steam sterilization with small autoclaves, autoclaves are divided into three categories, namely class B, S & N autoclaves, to which three different types of sterilization method and cycles can be assigned.
Class B autoclave: class B autoclaves are subject to the highest requirements and are predominantly used for autoclaving in medical, research and development laboratories, as well as in industry and hospitals. Steam sterilizers in this class are able to sterilize both packaged and unpackaged articles, long instruments, solid bodies, hollow and porous materials. Type B sterilizers, which have a fractionated pre-vacuum are suitable for the sterilization of medical products, surgical instruments, utensils, flasks or bottles, fluids (nutrient media) and waste. Most Type B autoclaves can also be directly connected to a computer via interfaces provided on the steam sterilizers and can thus record the data of the sterilization process.
Class S autoclave: class S autoclave are steam sterilizers which usually have a simple pre- and post-vacuum and are used in research and medical laboratories, in hospitals and practices. Pre-vacuum/pressure steam sterilization is suitable for the sterilization of medical products, including unpackaged solid devices and solid objects such as scissors, forceps, certain hollow items and can also be used in medical practices where no surgical procedures are performed.
Class N autoclave: class N autoclaves are steam sterilizers used exclusively for the sterilization of solid products made of metal, porcelain, glass, textiles, dressing materials and temperature-resistant synthetic materials such a rubber or silicone. The gravitation or flow method of type N autoclaves is essentially only suitable for the sterilization of solid products without hollow areas, unpackaged instruments, devices and sterile articles for immediate use.
Laboratory autoclaves - accessories
Our autoclaves are distinguished by their robust design and long service life, as well as the possibility of replacing or adding individual components. Depending on the construction of the steam sterilizers, the manufacture and the material to be sterilized you can order various components and autoclave accessories such as sterilization containers, safety valves, control units or various vessels. Our sterilizer accessories range includes steam release cocks, sterilization chambers, thermostats, thermometers and manometers, wire baskets, lids, housings as well as regulators, stands, grips, safety valves and securing holders for laboratory autoclaves.
Various function tests are available for testing steam sterilizers, such as Bowie Dick test systems. With the aid of autoclaving indicators, you can ensure that your sterile material has actually been autoclaved. To prevent or rule out subsequent contamination of the autoclaved material in the laboratory, special sterilization packaging and films are often used. Special adhesive tapes, films and paper for steam sterilizers are agents that can be used to prepare the autoclaving of consumables. Available for cleaning the autoclaves are various utensils, such as special care agents, brushes and special steam sterilizer cleaners.
There are many application possibilities for our autoclaves manufactured by Systec, SANOclav or CertoClav. Autoclaves are predominantly used in research, development, industrial and production laboratories, whereby depending on the sterilization method, quantity, and size of the contaminated material a choice can be made between various sterilizers. Sterilizers are primarily used to kill pathogens and germs on an instrument, working tools, containers or dressings, while laboratories use sterilizers to produce culture media. The most reliable method of sterilization is sterilization using saturated, high-pressure steam. Such sterilizers are also known as steam sterilizers or autoclaves and are mainly used in medicine, microbiology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical processes, the health service, food industry and materials testing. Steam sterilizers are often used to autoclave devices, instruments, auxiliary equipment such as glass and Erlenmeyer flasks or Petri dishes.
Additionally, they are used for residue and waste sterilization as well as for the preparation of nutrient media. In the field of medicine, for example, autoclaves are used to sterilize surgical instruments or to disinfect other utensils. For hospitals, special autoclaves are available which can quickly deal with a large quantity of material for sterilization. Indispensable in every laboratory are steam sterilizers in the form of compact table-top autoclaves which can be rapidly set up directly at the workplace on the laboratory bench. Sterilizers, laboratory, and mini autoclaves are also suitable for use in pharmacies, medical and dental practices, tattoo and piercing studios as well as for the sterilization of baby bottles, household, and kitchen equipment. We would be happy to advise you when selecting which autoclave is most suitable for your needs. For this please use our contact form or simply call us on +49(0)3338 - 7510456.
Autoclave - functional principle
In an autoclave, material is sterilized by saturated steam in a quick-lock pressurized aluminum or autoclave stainless steel container. As autoclaves operate with moist heat and pressure, the temperatures and times required for reliable sterilization lower and shorter than with hot-air sterilization. In contrast to steam sterilizers, hot-air sterilizers are only suitable for the sterilization of instruments and work exclusively with dry heat, reaching very high temperatures of up to 250 °C which many synthetic materials or waste products cannot withstand. During steam sterilization, a pressure of 1-3 bars and a temperature of around 115 °C to 140 °C is attained in the interior of an autoclave, which thus also allows heat-sensitive articles, such as dressings, textiles, and plastics to be sterilized in an autoclave.
The sterilization cycle in an autoclave is divided into four stages - the rise time, in which the air inside the autoclave is removed and replaced by steam; the equalization period, in which the material to be sterilized reaches the required temperature; the sterilization phase, the duration of which depends on the sterilization temperature, the type of autoclave, degree of contamination, and the cooling phase which starts after sterilization and marks the end of the autoclaving cycle. Autoclaving at 121 °C for 15 minutes is considered as standard for steam sterilizers. As a rule, the entire operating time of steam sterilizers is 20 to 45 minutes. In order to guarantee that the autoclave is functioning correctly the quality and quantity of the filled water as well as the steam sterilizers themselves should be subject to regular functional tests.
Autoclaves - classes
Autoclaves are available is a variety of sizes and models to suit the particular area of application, method, design and usage volume. We currently supply autoclaves with a volume ranging from 5 to 200 liters, which come in the form of horizontal, vertical and pass-through autoclaves as well as media preparators. According to the EN 13060 standard relating to steam sterilization with small autoclaves, autoclaves are divided into three categories, namely class B, S & N autoclaves, to which three different types of sterilization method and cycles can be assigned.
Class B autoclave: class B autoclaves are subject to the highest requirements and are predominantly used for autoclaving in medical, research and development laboratories, as well as in industry and hospitals. Steam sterilizers in this class are able to sterilize both packaged and unpackaged articles, long instruments, solid bodies, hollow and porous materials. Type B sterilizers, which have a fractionated pre-vacuum are suitable for the sterilization of medical products, surgical instruments, utensils, flasks or bottles, fluids (nutrient media) and waste. Most Type B autoclaves can also be directly connected to a computer via interfaces provided on the steam sterilizers and can thus record the data of the sterilization process.
Class S autoclave: class S autoclave are steam sterilizers which usually have a simple pre- and post-vacuum and are used in research and medical laboratories, in hospitals and practices. Pre-vacuum/pressure steam sterilization is suitable for the sterilization of medical products, including unpackaged solid devices and solid objects such as scissors, forceps, certain hollow items and can also be used in medical practices where no surgical procedures are performed.
Class N autoclave: class N autoclaves are steam sterilizers used exclusively for the sterilization of solid products made of metal, porcelain, glass, textiles, dressing materials and temperature-resistant synthetic materials such a rubber or silicone. The gravitation or flow method of type N autoclaves is essentially only suitable for the sterilization of solid products without hollow areas, unpackaged instruments, devices and sterile articles for immediate use.
Laboratory autoclaves - accessories
Our autoclaves are distinguished by their robust design and long service life, as well as the possibility of replacing or adding individual components. Depending on the construction of the steam sterilizers, the manufacture and the material to be sterilized you can order various components and autoclave accessories such as sterilization containers, safety valves, control units or various vessels. Our sterilizer accessories range includes steam release cocks, sterilization chambers, thermostats, thermometers and manometers, wire baskets, lids, housings as well as regulators, stands, grips, safety valves and securing holders for laboratory autoclaves.
Various function tests are available for testing steam sterilizers, such as Bowie Dick test systems. With the aid of autoclaving indicators, you can ensure that your sterile material has actually been autoclaved. To prevent or rule out subsequent contamination of the autoclaved material in the laboratory, special sterilization packaging and films are often used. Special adhesive tapes, films and paper for steam sterilizers are agents that can be used to prepare the autoclaving of consumables. Available for cleaning the autoclaves are various utensils, such as special care agents, brushes and special steam sterilizer cleaners.