These are the various kinds of autoclaves that are utilized in the process of sterilizing medical equipment

Since the late 19th century, machines that resemble pressure cookers and are known as  autoclave supplier have been used for the purpose of sterilizing medical equipment. There are several different kinds of autoclaves currently available on the market. They are now among the most important pieces of equipment in the healthcare industry: a prominent manufacturer, steam sterilizers are present in over 40 countries around the world, and they are used by all different kinds of medical facilities, such as dental and veterinary clinics, hospitals and operating rooms, as well as for applications in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry.

But how exactly is one supposed to choose the right steam sterilizer? What makes each of them unique in comparison to the others? In the following article, we will go over everything you need to know about the various kinds of autoclaves that are used in the medical industry for sterilization purposes!

How are the various kinds of autoclave machines separated into their respective categories?

There are many different aspects that can be used as a basis for categorizing the various types of autoclaves, and some of these aspects may overlap with each other. There are many different aspects that can be used as a basis for categorizing the various types of autoclaves. In most instances, steam sterilizers can be distinguished from one another by the following:

Size (or capacity) of the Function Class

1.) A variety of autoclaves, each of which is classified according to its function

Sterilization of medical supplies and waste is accomplished in every autoclave by subjecting steam to conditions of high temperature and pressure. Their function indicates how they should be loaded, and it also indicates how they should be used to force steam into their chamber in order to sterilize the instruments that are contained within it.

Vertical autoclaves

The top lid of these kinds of autoclaves is opened in order to load the patient. Particularly suited for use in laboratories or in smaller clinics that have limited floor space. As a consequence of this, their chambers also have a lower capacity.

Front-loading steam sterilizers that use horizontal  Horizontal autoclaves have a larger capacity chamber.

This one is exceptional for reducing the strain on medical staff when there is no limitation on the amount of available space and when it is necessary to treat a large number of loads each day.

Gravity displacement autoclaves
The saturated steam autoclave is one of the most common types of autoclaves, and it relies on this method to evacuate the air from the chamber of the device. They are appropriate for the treatment of fundamental loads such as flat surgical tools and specific kinds of biohazardous waste, but they do not have the same degree of adaptability as prevacuum autoclaves.

Pre-vacuum (prevac) autoclaves
This type of autoclave uses a vacuum pump to remove all of the air from the chamber of the autoclave. This allows for better steam penetration and the sterilization of more materials and complex loads, such as medical textile products, porous loads, larger pieces of equipment, and even objects made from high-density polyethylene, such as the syringes of sharps and the pipette tips.

2.) A variety of autoclaves arranged in classes according to their type
A classification scheme that makes it easier to distinguish between the various kinds of autoclaves. The class of a steam sterilizer indicates how versatile it is; more specifically, it shows what kinds of loads can be sterilized using that particular model.

Class N autoclaves

These are, in all essential respects, straightforward gravity-displacement autoclaves, and the only air that they extract from the chamber of the machine is a specific portion of it. Developed for the handling of more straightforward loads such as flat medical instruments.

Class S autoclaves

Another type of gravity displacement autoclave, this one employs a wall of dense steam; however, by performing the process three times, it is able to actually remove all of the air from the chamber, and as a result, it is able to treat bagged instruments as well as porous loads. However, it is still not as versatile and does not work as quickly as a class B autoclave.

Class B autoclaves are the premium pre-vacuum autoclaves that can sterilize the most materials and do so much more quickly than Class A autoclaves. This is accomplished by using a strong vacuum pump to remove all of the air from the chamber of the Class B autoclave.

Because of their simplicity of operation and high level of efficiency, certain models make the most of the technological advances that have been made in recent years. As a result, a wide variety of medical facilities find them to be an excellent investment.

3.) A variety of autoclaves, each of which can be classified according to their size (capacity).

There is a classification that is fairly easy to understand, but that in no way diminishes the significance of taking it into consideration. The size of the autoclave is another important aspect that needs to be considered: making the right selection in this regard is determined by the amount of waste that needs to be treated each day at your facility as well as the amount of space that is readily available to you.

Large steam sterilizers

These different kinds of autoclaves typically have a capacity that ranges anywhere from 110 to 880 liters. Ideal for large medical facilities such as hospitals that produce a significant amount of waste on a daily basis and need to make extensive use of various types of medical tools and equipment in order to treat their patients.

Medium-sized steam sterilizers

The capacity of autoclaves of this type typically ranges anywhere from 75 to 200 liters when fully loaded. An outstanding option for dental and other types of clinics, biotechnological applications, and hospital operating theaters among other possible settings for its use.

Compact sterilizers that use steam and sit on a bench

The capacity of vertical autoclave of this type is typically somewhere around 25 liters on average. These space-saving steam sterilizers are ideal for use in smaller medical facilities that have restricted access to space and do not need to clean as many medical instruments on a daily basis as larger facilities do.

There is a wide variety of autoclave equipment available, each of which offers a tried-and-true method of sterilization that is suitable for medical facilities of any size.

Every single one of our steam sterilizers is a high-quality pre-vacuum, class B autoclave type, regardless of the size! Because they are all crafted from high-quality 316L stainless steel, which is resistant to corrosion, they are able to effectively manage a wide variety of medical instruments over the course of their service lives. Because they only require one button to operate, they are incredibly simple to put to use. The entire steam sterilization process can be initiated with just the press of a single button. Even the doors to the machines can be closed without manual intervention. Our autoclaves only require about twenty minutes to finish the process, which includes drying the load that is contained within the autoclave, but the amount of medical waste and instruments that you need sterilized can affect how long it takes.

Our steam sterilizers also come with additional safety features. Their chamber doors cannot be opened while the pressure and temperature levels inside their chamber are still too high, which helps protect medical staff from unanticipated incidents.