Choosing the Right Laboratory Autoclave

Priorclave laboratory autoclave

A sterilizer is any sterilization equipment that uses chemicals, high pressure, filters, or other means to eliminate living microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and spores.

An autoclave is a specific type of sterilizer that uses steam to sterilize or disinfect the objects inside. The term “autoclave” refers to equipment that locks automatically due to steam pressure, but nowadays not all models work like this. Autoclaves can only process materials that are resistant to high temperatures. In particular, they are used to sterilize liquids or solids, to decontaminate liquid or solid waste before disposal, and to destroy dangerous biological agents.

The autoclave you choose will vary according to the intended use:

• For laboratories: Benchtop (also known as tabletop) or floor-standing laboratory autoclaves are available, generally designed for small volumes. They are mostly vertical autoclaves, which means they take up less space.
• For production: If you need equipment for production processes, consider the conditions of use and handling, the daily volumes that the device is capable of processing, and, if necessary, connectivity to the control computer system.
• For a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) environment: In the pharmaceutical sector, GMPs aim to guarantee manufacturing quality. As such, they require the use of equipment and accessories that are often specific and have the necessary qualifications and the appropriate documentation. You’ll have to opt for an autoclave that meets GMP requirements.
• For clinical environments: Medical autoclaves must have certain certifications. For example, in hospitals, autoclaves intended for reprocessing medical devices, such as surgical instruments, are considered medical devices and must therefore comply with the regulations applicable to this type of equipment.

LTE Scientific autoclaves

Autoclaves are classified into three categories according to their configuration:

• Horizontal autoclaves are usually front-loading and suitable for sterilizing products and large volumes. Larger models require trolleys and take up more space than vertical models.
• Vertical autoclaves: These models are top-loading and are suitable for sterilizing waste and small materials. They have the advantage of taking up little space.
• Autoclaves with two doors: These are intended to be integrated into a production line, for example in the pharmaceutical industry. These models must act as a sanitary barrier between the two sides of the autoclave.

There are autoclaves with cylindrical chambers and others with rectangular chambers:

• Cylindrical chamber: Steam circulates more naturally in the cylindrical chamber, which favors sterilization. However, a cylindrical chamber autoclave is larger than a rectangular chamber autoclave with the same capacity. Generally, these models are also cheaper than rectangular ones.
• Rectangular chamber: Their volume is greater than that of a cylindrical chamber, but it is necessary to arrange the materials and utensils inside it properly to ensure sterilization is effective. This equipment should still have rounded corners to facilitate cleaning.

Depending on the autoclave you choose, you may need certain accessories. Here are some of the most common:

• Steam generator, if the autoclave does not have one
• Vacuum pump, necessary for certain sterilization processes
• Accessories for loading and unloading the autoclave
• System for filtering the steam released into the environment
• Air-steam mixer, to cool hermetically sealed containers without them opening abruptly under the effect of pressure and to generate back pressure and forced ventilation to reduce the cooling time (by up to 50%) for liquid sterilizations, for example
• System for drying glassware after sterilization

You should also check whether the autoclave needs to undergo a qualification process, particularly in terms of Good Manufacturing Practices. These establish various stages of qualification:

• FAT (Factory Acceptance Test)
• DQ (Design Qualification)
• IQ (Installation Qualification)
• OQ (Operational Qualification)
• PQ (Performance Qualification)
• SAT (Site Acceptance Test)

Each of these phases must be accompanied by specific documentation. If you need help with this process, don’t hesitate to contact your autoclave manufacturer.

Depending on the autoclave you want to buy, make sure it has an adequate electrical system, demineralized water supply, compressed air system, sewage system, and ventilation system (natural or artificial).

Some autoclaves can be connected to a computer or an ethernet network, which makes it possible to generate the documentation needed to monitor the sterilization process.

You should also plan preventive maintenance of the autoclave to minimize the risk of breakdowns.