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2. MAIN FEATURES AND OPTIONS OF THE TOUCHCLAVE-R RANGE
2.1 Standard features
All Touchclave autoclaves share the same intuitive and powerful control system, allowing
different levels of access and control, and precise control of the machine. The specification,
configuration and performance vary according to the model purchased and any extra features
which have been fitted.
Touchclave-R models use “in chamber” heaters for steam generation. The base shelf in the
chamber covers a reservoir in which the heaters are located. The functioning of the autoclave
depends on having water in this reservoir. If there is no water, steam generation cannot
occur. Therefore the reservoir needs to be filled with water, either manually or using the
Automatic Water Fill feature, before the cycle can proceed.
2.2 Optional features
The following features are options, which may be fitted to the autoclave to assist the
operator, or to enhance performance by reducing the cycle time and extending its
functionality.
Condensate Unit: This air-cooled unit ensures that water from the Condensate Discharge or
the Chamber Water Discharge is below 80
o
C. This is important if plastic drains are used to
receive discharges. The Condensate Unit used is a fan-cooled heat exchanger. Cold air is
blown over a radiator, reducing the heat from the air/steam/water running through the coils.
The resulting warm air is blown from the rear of the autoclave.
Automatic Water Fill: This ensures that the water in the chamber is fully topped up before
commencing the cycle. It saves time for the operator, and reduces problems of spillage which
can occur with manual filling. However it cannot fill the chamber once sterilization is in
progress. The automatic water fill requires a piped water supply to be available in the
building near the autoclave.
Category 3 Effluent Retention: This protects the operator by filtering all non-condensable
gases through a 0.2 micron HEPA filter prior to exhaust, whilst returning liquids to the
chamber for sterilization. The filter is fitted inside a stainless steel housing which is accessible
from the rear of the machine. The filter should be checked regularly to ensure that
performance and safety are not impaired.
Automatic Drain Down: This enables the Chamber Water Discharge to take place
automatically at the end of each cycle. If this option is fitted, it is necessary also to fit the
Automatic Water Fill, which replenishes the water reservoir before the next cycle, and to
connect the discharge pipe to a floor drain able to withstand temperatures up to 100
o
C.
Vacuum System: This option adds functionality to the start and end of the cycle. It also
increases the range of loads that the machine can deal with. The vacuum system is used to
ensure efficient air removal at the start of the cycle (known as the “pre-vacuum” stage),
when a vacuum is drawn in the chamber to a set pressure. There follows the “negative
pulsing” stage, when the heaters raise the pressure up to a higher set point, before the
vacuum pump takes the pressure back down to the low set point again. This is repeated for a
number of “pulses”, until sufficient air has been removed from the load. After the sterilization
stage, a vacuum can be drawn in the chamber to help dry the load. The vacuum will remove
steam and easily accessible moisture, but it will not draw away pools of water or moisture
tapped in more complex loads.
Boosted Heater: This increases the heating power available to your machine, thus speeding
up cycle times and improving the recovery time after negative pulses. Boosted heaters are
recommended if the vacuum system is fitted.
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