New-generation autoclaves? These are the benefits of modern steam sterilizers

28-07-2022

What are new-generation autoclaves exactly? Steam sterilizers have been present in the healthcare industry since the late 19th century, but a lot of time has passed since their inception. Technological progress can be felt in many areas of the medical industry, including the methods used to sterilize medical tools and waste.

In Celitron’s next article, we will discuss what benefits our new-generation autoclaves can bring to medical facilities of all sizes!

How are new-generation autoclaves different from other steam sterilizers? What are the benefits of using them?

Many features differentiate new-generation autoclaves from other waste treatment machines. The most advanced models make full use of the advantages of modern technology and are highly customizable with a wide range of accessories. As a manufacturer of new-generation steam sterilizers, Celitron can easily provide different medical facilities with options most suited to the size of their facility and the amount of waste/tools needed to be sterilized on a regular basis.

Here are some of the main benefits you can expect from choosing Celitron’s new-generation autoclaves:

• A 316L corrosion-resistant stainless steel chamber that ensures the durability of the steam sterilizer.
• A cost-effective and environmentally friendly operation thanks to energy-saving systems, which compensates for the higher purchase price. This makes new-generation autoclaves a viable long-term investment.
• Extra safety features that prevent the door of the autoclave from being opened until pressure and temperature levels are still high within the chamber.
• An automated steam sterilization process (including drying the load inside) is controlled by a microprocessor-based system. Even the closing and opening of the chamber’s door are done automatically. All that is left for medical staff is to load and unload the machine and push a button.
• A touch-screen LCD screen displays all vital information about the sterilization cycle.
• Settings that allow for up to 20 sterilization cycles to be customized according to your needs.
• An option to connect new-generation autoclaves with your PC for external documentation.
• Self and remote diagnosis.

Class B steam sterilizers – the most advanced model among new-generation autoclaves

Steam sterilizers are also categorized by class – new-generation autoclaves typically fall into the B class, which represents the most advanced models on the market. All of them use steam to sterilize waste and medical tools: the class of an autoclave indicates how the air is forced out of the machine’s chamber, and what kind of materials they can treat.

Compared to class N and class S models, new-generation class B autoclaves use a powerful vacuum pump instead of gravity displacement to remove all the air out of their chamber before using high-pressure and high-temperature steam to sterilize the load inside. They can treat wrapped and unwrapped medical tools, hollow items, porous items, as well as textile items.

Using a vacuum pump not only allows for more reliable and versatile sterilization but a faster operation as well. For example, Celitron’s new-generation class B autoclaves can complete one sterilization cycle in about 20 minutes (depending on the size of the load).

The temperature of the steam used by Celitron’s autoclaves ranges between 121 and 134 degrees, meaning even heat-resistant foreign materials will be eliminated from the waste or tools inside.

Hybrid new-generation autoclaves – the Integrated Sterilizer and Shredder (ISS)

Celitron also has its own hybrid new-generation autoclave that combines the steam sterilization and shredding process into one single vessel. Infectious medical waste such as sharps waste cannot be adequately sterilized by autoclaves, and need to be shredded first to be effectively treated.

The ISS is already present in medical facilities located in over 40 countries all around the globe, including hospitals, blood banks, clinics, dialysis centers, as well as surgical and plasma centers. Just like Celitron’s other new-generation autoclaves, it emits zero harmful substances and complies with all WHO and EU recommendations for infectious medical waste disposal. It is also cheaper to operate and maintain compared to an on-site incinerator.

Celitron’s Integrated Sterilizer and Shredder can be used to dispose of:

• Hypodermic needles, sharps waste containers
• Medical waste originating from isolation ward patients
• Items contaminated with blood, discarded diagnostic samples containing blood and body fluids
• Swabs, textiles, bandages, paper, glass, plastic, surgical equipment, disposable medical instruments
• Vaccine roller bottles and other cell culture dishes, specimen containers

However, be warned that you CANNOT treat pharmaceutical, chemical, and pathological waste with the ISS: these will still need to be disposed of via other methods, such as incineration.

Which new-generation autoclave should I purchase?

There is no difference in performance among Celitron’s new-generation autoclaves, all of them provide the same reliable steam sterilization technology at the site of your facility.

There are 3 questions you need to answer before purchasing an autoclave is:

1. How many medical tools do you use each day and how often do they need to be sterilized?
2. How much medical waste do you generate each day?
3. How much available space do you have to install a new-generation autoclave?

Celitron’s steam sterilizer machines are available with varying capacity sizes, which defines how big of a load they can handle within one sterilization cycle. These are models you can purchase:

• Sting 11B Premium small new-generation autoclaves with a chamber capacity of 25 liters.
• Azteca AC medium new-generation autoclaves with a chamber capacity that ranges between 75 and 200 liters.
• Azteca A large new-generation autoclaves with a chamber capacity that ranges between 110 and 880 liters.

Sometimes, purchasing two smaller autoclaves can be more cost-effective instead of going with one bigger machine. Having at least two steam sterilizers allows you to treat different loads simultaneously. Many hospitals equipped with Celitron’s new-generation autoclaves have chosen to go with the Azteca A series of large steam sterilizers, but also purchased models from the Azteca AC series of medium autoclaves as a backup on-site treatment solution.

For more information on Celitron’s new-generation autoclaves, just click on the following link: celitron.com – You can find all the technical specifications of our steam sterilizers on our website.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to CONTACT US, and we’ll get back to you with a free quote as soon as possible!