6-23
Sterilizer Operation Operator Manual 129390199
6.11 Liquid Cycle This cycle is used for sterilizing liquids in vented closures.
1. Refer to S
ECTION 6.1, BEFORE OPERATING THE STERILIZER, on PAGE
6-1 before running this cycle.
2. See instructions for using the loading car/transfer carriage or
rack and shelves, earlier in this section, for procedures to load
the sterilizer.
3. Press LIQUID touch-screen pad to start the Liquid cycle. Refer
to Table 6-10 for descriptions of cycle use.
4. Sterilizer automatically progresses through cycle, as follows:
NOTE: The control display indicates cycle progress in three
ways:
a. The large numerals in the screen’s center display estimated
remaining cycle time,
b. A status bar below the large numerals indicates approximate
cycle progress,
c. Screen background color changes as cycle progresses:
green indicating beginning (Condition), blue indicating middle
(Sterilize) and violet indicating end of cycle (Exhaust).
NOTE: If the wrong cycle has been selected, see S
ECTION
6.15, ABORTING CYCLES, on PAGE 6-36 in this section.
ACTIVATE SEAL – Steam enters the door seal, pressing it
against inside surface of the door.
PURGE – Chamber is purged with steam. Start of condition is
printed.Countdown timer on the display is estimated; timer self-
corrects estimated time at the beginning of each phase.
CHARGE – Chamber is charged with steam. Start of steam
charge is printed.
STERILIZE – Start of sterilize exposure is printed when the
chamber reaches sterilization temperature. Chamber
temperature is printed every five minutes.
SLOW EXHAUST – Start of exhaust is printed and chamber is
exhausted to 0 psig.
SLOW EVACUATE – A vacuum is slowly drawn in the chamber to
5.0 inHg. This phase assures that the chamber is cooled to
208°F (95°C).
VAPOR REMOVAL – Filtered air enters the chamber to relieve
the vacuum within the chamber.
RETRACT SEAL – Steam is exhausted from the door seal. For
hinged door models, the door must be unlocked and opened
slightly at this time, horizontal-sliding door models open
automatically. (Chamber vapor vents through slight opening
between seal and door, into the sterilizer cabinet for six minutes.)
COMPLETE – Complete tone sounds. Cycle summary and end of
cycle messages are printed.
5. Unload sterilizer (see instructions for using the loading
car/transfer carriage or rack and shelves, earlier in this section
for procedures to remove load).
WARNING – EXPLOSION
HAZARD: This sterilizer is not
designed to process
flammable compounds.
WARNING – PERSONAL
INJURY HAZARD: Avoid
personal injury from bursting
bottles. Liquid sterilization
cycle must only be used for
liquids in borosilicate (Pyrex)
flasks with vented closures.
WARNING: It is
inappropriate for a
healthcare facility to
sterilize liquids for direct
patient contact.
WARNING – BURN
HAZARD: When sterilizing
liquids, you must observe
the following procedures:
• Use Liquid cycle only.
• Use only vented closures.
• Use only Type I
borosilicate glass bottles.
• Do not allow hot bottle to
be jolted.
• Steam may be released
from the chamber when
door is opened. Step back
from the sterilizer each
time the door is opened to
minimize contact with
steam vapor.
CAUTION – POSSIBLE
EQUIPMENT DAMAGE
HAZARD: Sterilization of
chloride-containing
solutions (e.g., saline) can
cause chamber corrosion
and is not recommended
by the manufacturer. If,
however, chloride-
containing solutions must
be processed, clean the
chamber after each use.