How to use autoclave | Principle, Component parts, Working

Summary

This video provides an in-depth explanation of autoclave sterilization, highlighting its process, components, and significance in sterilizing medical and lab equipment. It covers the use of pressurized saturated steam to effectively destroy microorganisms through heat and moisture, emphasizing the importance of pressure, temperature, and time. The script explains the difference between saturated and superheated steam, detailing how moisture is crucial for successful sterilization. The video also outlines the autoclave's components and the step-by-step procedure for properly sterilizing items, from preparing materials to confirming sterilization success using indicators like autoclave tape.

Takeaways

• 😀 Autoclave sterilization is a method that uses moist heat, specifically saturated steam under pressure, to kill microorganisms and sterilize objects.
• 😀 Saturated steam is the most effective, reliable, and economical method for sterilizing medical and lab instruments, due to its microbicidal and sporicidal properties.
• 😀 Effective steam sterilization requires four main parameters: steam pressure, temperature, time, and exposure of materials to the saturated steam.
• 😀 The sterilization process works by causing irreversible coagulation and denaturation of enzymes and proteins in microorganisms.
• 😀 Saturated steam is more effective than superheated steam because it contains moisture that condenses on the object’s surface, transferring energy for sterilization.
• 😀 The boiling point of water increases with pressure, and inside an autoclave, water boils at 121°C at 15 psi, which is crucial for effective sterilization.
• 😀 It is essential to remove residual air from the autoclave chamber before starting the sterilization process to ensure full steam penetration for effective sterilization.
• 😀 Autoclaves consist of components like a pressure gauge, steam release valve, safety valves, and lid screws, all critical for maintaining pressure and ensuring proper sterilization.
• 😀 Proper processing of items to be sterilized includes loosening caps, plugging container mouths with cotton, and using autoclave tape to indicate if sterilization conditions were met.
• 😀 The autoclave sterilization time depends on the items being sterilized, with standard times ranging from 10 minutes for gloves to 25 minutes for surgical items.
• 😀 After sterilization, it is important to allow the autoclave to cool down, release residual steam, and confirm sterilization through autoclave tape indicators before removing the sterilized items.

Q & A

What is the definition of sterilization?

Sterilization is the process of killing, destroying, and eliminating microorganisms and other life forms that reside in and on the surfaces of objects.

What is autoclave sterilization?

Autoclave sterilization is a physical method of sterilization that uses moist heat, specifically saturated steam under pressure, at temperatures higher than 100°C to sterilize objects.

Why is pressurized steam sterilization the most widely used method?

Pressurized steam sterilization is the most effective, reliable, economical, and least toxic method, making it the most widely used technique for sterilizing medical and laboratory instruments.

What are the four main parameters involved in effective steam sterilization?

The four main parameters involved in effective steam sterilization are steam pressure, temperature, time, and the materials being sterilized.

What is the difference between saturated steam and superheated steam?

Saturated steam is a mixture of water in its liquid and gaseous phases, while superheated steam is steam that has been heated beyond the boiling temperature of water, resulting in a lack of moisture and less effective sterilization.

Why is saturated steam more effective for sterilization than superheated steam?

Saturated steam is more effective because it contains moisture, which allows it to condense on an object’s surface, transferring energy and destroying microorganisms. Superheated steam, being dry, cannot achieve this process.

How does the pressure inside an autoclave affect the boiling point of water?

At higher pressures, such as the 15 psi commonly found in an autoclave, the boiling point of water increases, allowing the water to reach temperatures above 100°C, which is crucial for effective sterilization.

What role does removing residual air from the autoclave chamber play in sterilization?

Removing residual air from the autoclave chamber is important because it ensures that the space is filled with steam rather than air, which is necessary for effective sterilization and heat penetration.

What are the main components of a typical pressure cooker-type autoclave?

A typical pressure cooker-type autoclave includes components like the pressure gauge, steam release or air exhaust valve, pressure regulating valve, safety valves, lid screws, vacuum release valve, and immersion heater.

What is the purpose of autoclave tape during sterilization?

Autoclave tape is used as a chemical indicator to show if the required sterilization temperature and pressure have been reached within the autoclave. It changes color or shows diagonal stripes when sterilization conditions are met.