Sterilizers are used to disinfect materials. They use steam or dry heat to destroy living microbes. An example of this is the autoclave. In the clinic to kill bacteria, viruses and spores present in the material. With this facility, their instruments and tools can be reused. Autoclaves can be used in different industrial areas, such as hospitals, laboratories or dental clinics.

What are the types of autoclaves?

Autoclaves are divided into three categories: N, S and B. Let’s discuss the differences.

1. Class N autoclaves are usually compact. They use this type of autoclave to disinfect simple materials. It uses thermodynamic air displacement to remove air from the chamber. This type of letter “N” stands for “bare solid product”.

2. The performance of class B autoclaves is similar to that of large machines used in hospitals. The letter “B” on this autoclave stands for “large and small sterilizer”. Despite its small size, it offers greater performance. They can sterilize any load using a class N autoclave.

3. Class S autoclaves have all the characteristics of other types of autoclaves. It can sterilize single package or multilayer package materials. Class S autoclave is called large autoclave.

Autoclaves can be divided into four major categories according to their functions. All autoclaves use high temperature and high pressure steam to sterilize medical equipment and waste.

1. Vertical autoclave

These types of autoclaves are loaded by opening their top cover. Ideal for laboratory use or small clinics with narrow space. Therefore, they also have a smaller capacity chamber.

2. Horizontal autoclave

Front-loading steam sterilizer with larger capacity chamber. This can be very useful for reducing stress on medical staff when available space is not an issue and you have to handle a lot of loads each day.

3. Gravity displacement autoclave

One of the most common types of autoclave relies on the use of concentrated steam to push air out of the machine’s chambers. They are suitable for handling base loads such as flat surgical tools and certain types of biohazardous waste, but are not as versatile as pre-vacuum autoclavs.

4. Prevac autoclave

This type of autoclave use vacuum pump to remove all the air in the autoclave chamber, thereby better penetration of steam, and the more material and complex load for sterilization, such as medical textiles, porous load, large equipment, and even objects made from high density polyethylene, such as various liquid and suction of syringes.

Precautions before purchasing autoclave

Before purchasing an autoclave, you should at least check the following factors:

1. Capacity

2. Duration of covering during sterilization

3. Maintenance (this is after-sales service)

4. Price

Everyone wants to buy the machine that best suits their standard of work. They want to make sure the machine is worth the money.

How much does the autoclave cost?

Autoclave prices vary according to the type of autoclave. It varies according to the uses and applications that the autoclave can perform.

On the other hand, the level of sterilization depends to some extent on the quality of the autoclave. Most of the time, autoclaves with the best quality and advanced features are costly.

Similarly, they should reflect the quality of the autoclave in the price offered. You should stick to the main purpose. No matter what type of autoclave you use, it should meet the required sanitary conditions.