The Many Applications Of The Autoclave
The autoclave has been an indispensable device around the world in medical laboratories
, doctors' offices, pharmacy labs, veterinarians, and research laboratories. When sterile instruments are needed, they are easily put into that state with an autoclave.Laboratory autoclave are the most affluent tool used in aseptic methodology. There are many shapes and sizes available, and the functions can range from the very simple pressure steam type oven, to the high-tech devices used in hospitals.
The simplest form of autoclave is very much like a pressure cooker. A pressure cooker has only two parts: the Pan or Kettle, and the Lid. The lid and pan are designed to latch onto each other securely to permit steam and pressure buildup. The longer heat is applied to the bottom, the more pressure.
This is an effective method of sterilization, because most organisms burst under the high pressure, and the heat alone can kill almost any bacterium. Simple autoclaves are built on this principle. The use of heat and pressure sensitive tape or paper during the sterilization process can indicate a successful cleaning.
Steam generators are just as the name implies. These devices generate huge amounts of high-temperature steam and steam pressure. This sterilization technique has an all-around successful rate, especially with stainless steel surgical implements. Chemicals can be added to the water used in the process to ensure complete sterilization.
These steam generator type autoclaves come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and modes. Many come with computer control devices that monitor such vital functions as steam temperature, water flow, and pressure. Timers are essential to the sterilization process, as this also reduces the amount of time it takes to clean objects.
Industrial autoclaves are used in many functions of manufacturing, from pharmaceuticals to food products. These very large autoclaves can be built to accommodate nearly any size product, and can be implemented on an assembly line for continuous manufacturing. Food products such as canned goods are sterilized completely in this manner before packaging to ensure quality of the product.
Autoclave effluent treatment is also a vital part of ecology and human health. Waste products from a variety of health industries need to be sterilized before moving to landfills or to be burned. Products such as used needles, old bandage material, bedding, plastic s, and body fluids need to be sterilized before disposal. This reduces risk of contagions in the environment.
These autoclaves are usually quite large, and are nearly always fully automated. Waste products are loaded into the maw of the device, which conveys the materials into the oven itself. Computers control the durations, pressure, temperature, and steam. This assures complete sterilization.
Without autoclaves the world would be a nasty place. The simplicity of the design of these essential tools is only shadowed by the technology used in perfecting the technique. Autoclaves are used all over the world, and without them developing countries would have increased infection rates among those having surgery, and waste materials would build up, becoming a hazard to the health of the population.
Those in the field such as surgeons and infection control specialists clamor for these simple devices. From early beginnings to the high-tech devices of today, autoclaves are the important part of the world.
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by: Automobile Parts Manufacture