1.1 Equipment Checklist
| Item | Specification | Verification Method |
|---|---|---|
| Chamber cleanliness | ＜5 CFU/cm² residual | ATP bioluminescence test |
| Water resistivity | ≥1 MΩ·cm @25°C | Conductivity meter calibration |
| Door seal integrity | 0.5-0.7 mm compression | Pressure decay test |
1.2 Load Preparation
Packaging requirements:
Textile packs: ≤30 cm × 30 cm × 50 cm
Instrument trays: ≤7 kg dry weight
Liquid containers: ≤75% fill ratio
Orientation rules:
Maintain θ ≤15° for optimal air removal
2.1 Phase Parameters
| Stage | Temperature | Pressure | Duration | Critical Control Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-vacuum | 50-60°C | -12 PSI | 3× pulses | ＞98% air removal |
| Heating | 121°C | 15 PSI | ≤8 mins rise | ＜1°C/min overshoot |
| Sterilization | 121-134°C | 15-30 PSI | T = D×6 + 5 | ±0.5°C stability |
| Exhaust | 100°C | 0 PSI | 7-10 mins | ＜0.5% moisture retain |
| Drying | 80-90°C | -5 PSI | 25-40 mins | ＞95% dryness |
2.2 Parameter Input Sequence
Select cycle type:
Gravity: 121°C/30min
Pre-vacuum: 132°C/4min
Liquid: 115°C/30min
Set safety margins:
Example: 100L chamber at 121°C → 121 + 0.316 = 121.3°C
Initiate cycle with dual operator verification
3.1 Immediate Checks
Chamber drain filter inspection (＜1mL residual)
Printout analysis:
| Parameter | Acceptable Range |
|---|---|
| F₀ value | ≥15 minutes |
| Temperature dip | ＜0.3°C for ＜3 sec |
| Pressure hold | ±0.7 PSI from target |
3.2 Biological Monitoring
Geobacillus stearothermophilus test:
Incubation: 56-60°C for 24h
Population: 1×10⁶ spores/carrier
Pass criteria: No color change (pH indicator)
3.3 Load Release Criteria
Physical monitors passed
Chemical indicators color-matched
Biological results negative
Dryness confirmed (＜0.2% moisture)
Daily:
Chamber cleaning with neutral pH detergent
Door gasket inspection (replace if ＞0.2mm cracks)
Weekly:
Steam trap functionality test
Water conductivity measurement
Monthly:
Thermocouple calibration (±0.25°C tolerance)
Vacuum rate test (≥10 PSI/min)
Annual:
Chamber pressure test (1.5×MAWP for 10min)
Safety valve certification
| Symptom | Diagnostic Procedure | Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|
| Wet packs | Check drying phase parameters | Increase dry time by 20% |
| Temperature fluctuation | Verify steam quality (＞97% dryness) | Clean steam generator coils |
| Long heat-up time | Test heating element resistance | Replace elements if ＞15% variance |
| Vacuum failure | Perform leak test (＜1 mmHg/min loss) | Replace door seal |
Q: How to calculate sterilization exposure time? A: Use formula:
Where D₁₂₁ = 1.5 min for surgical instruments
Q: Can I interrupt an autoclave cycle? A: Only during heating phase. Aborting sterilization phase requires full re-sterilization.
Q: How to store sterilized packages? A: Controlled environment:
Temperature: 18-24°C
Humidity: ＜60% RH
The autoclaving process serves as an essential sterilization practice utilized across medical, laboratory, and research facilities to protect glassware and instruments through effective sterilization. High-pressure steam eliminates pathogens during this
The autoclaving process serves as an essential sterilization practice utilized across medical, laboratory, and research facilities to protect glassware and instruments through effective sterilization. High-pressure steam eliminates pathogens during this
The autoclaving process serves as an essential sterilization practice utilized across medical, laboratory, and research facilities to protect glassware and instruments through effective sterilization. High-pressure steam eliminates pathogens during this
The autoclaving process serves as an essential sterilization practice utilized across medical, laboratory, and research facilities to protect glassware and instruments through effective sterilization. High-pressure steam eliminates pathogens during this
The autoclaving process serves as an essential sterilization practice utilized across medical, laboratory, and research facilities to protect glassware and instruments through effective sterilization. High-pressure steam eliminates pathogens during this
The autoclaving process serves as an essential sterilization practice utilized across medical, laboratory, and research facilities to protect glassware and instruments through effective sterilization. High-pressure steam eliminates pathogens during this
