Page 25 of 35
Pre-Vacuum (if vacuum fitted) –
Set Pressure; Hold Time
The set temperature determines the pressure to which the vessel is drawn
down (for example, 500mBar), in order to begin removing air before
sterilization. When this pressure is reached, the Hold Time determines the time
in seconds for which the pressure is to be held.
Negative Pulsing (if vacuum fitted) –
Low & High Pressure Points; Pulse
Quantity
Vacuum systems have superior air removal, but may increase the length of the
cycle. Low and high pressure limits are normally set at around 500mBar and
800mBar respectively. The air is removed during a set quantity of pulses. On
Porous load machines low and high pressure limits are 200mBar and 800mBar
Positive Pulsing –
Low & High Pressure Points; Pulse Quantity
To ensure steam penetration into the product
Low and high pressure limits are normally set at around 1100mBar and
1900mBar respectively. The process is complete after a set quantity of pulses
normally 3-5.
Heat up –
Boost Factor
The controlling temperature of the autoclave can be set at a specified
temperature over the set sterilizing temperature, until the load reaches the set
sterilizing temperature. This procedure can reduce overall cycle time, with the
risk of overshooting the upper controlling temperature, so it may be suitable for
discard loads but not media loads. The setting range is from zero to
250mb/2.5
0
C.
Sterilization –
Sterilize Time; Sterilize Temperature; Logging Interval
The purpose of the autoclave is to sterilize the load effectively, and the
appropriate Sterilize Time (measured in seconds) will depend on the type of
load. Sterilize Temperature also depends on the type of load, and for most
loads is between 115
0
C and 136
0
C. The Logging Interval, also measured
seconds, determines how often the cycle details are recorded or printed during
this stage.
Cooling – Not available on Porous load machines
Cooling Type; Cooling
Temperature; Cooling Interlock; Logging Interval
‘Cooling type’ offers a choice of:
a. normal cooling, which relies on fan cooling while the steam pressure slowly
drops to atmospheric pressure; or
b. dynamic cooling, which uses fan cooling until the pressure has dropped to
1150mba, when air is blown through the chamber to reduce cooling time
and assist in drying the load; or
c. ballast cooling, which maintains pressure in the chamber while replacing the
steam with air, thus avoiding loss of fluids, particularly for media loads.
‘Cooling temperature’ sets the temperature to which the load must reduce
before it is safe to open the door. To ensure the setting operates safely, the
load probe must be within either the load or a simulated load.
‘Cooling Interlock’ is an optional safety measure which is best suited to liquid
loads. When the temperature is set, the cooling cycle is prevented from ending
until the temperature of both the load and the chamber have reduces to the set
level. This setting requires a separate probe to monitor the chamber
temperature.
To Next Page
Loading...
