The uses of autoclaves

2011-03-19

The uses of autoclaves

Autoclaves are widely used in microbiology, medicine, body piercing, veterinary science, mycology, dentistry and podiatry.

Typical loads include glassware, medical waste, utensils, animal cage bedding, and Lysogeny broth.

A notable growing application of autoclaves is in the treatment and sterilization of waste, such as pathogenic hospital waste. Machines in this category largely operate under the same principles as the original autoclave in that they are able to neutralize potentially infectious agents by utilizing pressurized steam and superheated water.

A new generation of waste converters is capable of achieving the same effect without any pressure vessels to sterilize culture media, rubber material, gowns, dressing, gloves etc. It is particularly useful for materials which cannot withstand the higher temperature of hot air oven.

For all glass syringes, hot air oven is a better sterilizing method.

Back to list