An autoclave is a device to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure steam at 121 °C or more, typically for 15 to 20 minutes depending on the size of the load and the contents. It was invented by Charles Chamberland in 1879, although a precursor known as the steam digester was created by Denis Papin in 1679.

Types

There are two main types of Autoclaves:

  • Stove top autoclaves actually resemble a culinary pressure cooker. Each unit comes complete with a bolt-down lid and a pressure gauge on the outside. These units require an outside heat source and can be extremely dangerous in untrained hands. They should only be used by experienced professionals.
  • Front loading autoclaves are more widely used for their convenience, but must also be handled with great care. The units are box-shaped and self contained, equipped with a heating unit to turn water into vapor for sterilization. The autoclave's controls allow the operator to set the desired temperature, and determine how long the machine will remain in operation. There is also a gauge to track chamber temperature/pressure.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Thu Mar 11 01:35:04 2010

Why do microbiologists autoclave their laboratory instruments and glassware?
Q. Why do microbiologists autoclave their laboratory instruments and glassware?
Asked by beanz - Sat Feb 7 19:50:53 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Because simply cleaning them with almost any other method may allow extremely hardy organisms to survive, such as the spores of Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) or Clostridium botulinum (causes botulism). Autoclaving uses high temperatures compounded with high pressures, the effects of which are enough to kill any known viral or bacterial threat. Oh...and because it's more cost effective in the long run than replacing your instruments every time they're used. :) Hope this helps!
Answered by TE714 - Sat Feb 7 20:08:01 2009

Autoclave Sterilizers: What do you know about them?
Q. I am wanting one specifically for my manicuring implements. There are so many different types; Steam, dry, beads... I am confused. What type of autoclave would you recommend for a nail technician?
Asked by NONAME - Wed Sep 13 22:49:30 2006 - - 2 Answers - 1 Comments

A. An autoclave is a radiated cleaner for needles and such mostly found in tattoo parlors. They are used on new needles to clean what you don't know is on them. Alll this done with radiation. The needles come in a pack that will tell you after is has been in the clave if it is, was, or has been dirty or contaminated.
Answered by Bo a - Wed Sep 13 22:54:40 2006

Do you have to be certified to operate an Autoclave?
Q. if so, how do you obtain certification?
Asked by katastrophe;; - Sat Oct 3 00:15:26 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Boo is right. They are almost the same as a pressure cooker that anyone could buy from Sam's Club. Plus autoclaves are built extra well for laboratory use and have at least two interlocking safety valves so that if one pressure measuring device was to fail the autoclave can't be started until it's fixed. The chances of two safety sensors going bad at exact same time are astronomical. And most them have a fused plug (like a fire sprinkler) that melts if the temperature would get to high and of course the pressure couldn't rise if this melted
Answered by biire2u - Sat Oct 3 00:59:12 2009

From Yahoo Answer Search: "autoclave"
Fri Jan 8 20:34:57 2010

Composite footbridge installed in six hours - Reinforced Plastics
reinforcedplastics.com
Composite footbridge installed in six hours

Reinforced Plastics, UK

Gurit maintains that this approach gives the materials excellent breathability and allows ' autoclave quality' laminates to be achieved. For example Gurit claims that the void content of a SPRINT composite laminate is comparable with autoclaved prepreg ...
Tattoo alert issued - Edmonton Sun
edmontonsun.com
Tattoo alert issued

Edmonton Sun,  Canada

Every shop should have a sanitization machine called an autoclave . Each month parlours are required to submit a spore count on the machine to health officials to ensure it's sanitary. Potential clients should ask to see the report, Lexei said. ...
The Desert Independent - Desert Independent
thedesertinde.com
The Desert Independent

Desert Independent, CA

He also went on to note that the Board, on it's own volition, purchased a $51000 Autoclave so that used surgical instruments could be sterilized here rather than be sent to Parker for sterilization as has been done for some time. ...

From Google News Search: "autoclave"
Mon Jun 22 10:56:01 2009

autoclave jpg
bensonsmedical.com
autoclave jpg
163px x 267px | 14.90kB

[source page]



Autoclave SM JPG
grc.nasa.gov
Autoclave SM JPG
426px x 640px | 28.40kB

[source page]

Polymers Branch Autoclave for Composite Processing This autoclave is used for curing composite parts It is our only processing device where it is practical to cure multiple parts at the same time It can be pressurized with

X017 Autoclave Casing To Oven JPG
york.ac.uk
X017 Autoclave Casing To Oven JPG
600px x 800px | 76.10kB

[source page]

X014 Solvent Casing To Oven JPG 10 Oct 2007 08 06 70k X014 Solvent Insulation To heater JPG 10 Oct 2007 08 06 93k X017 Autoclave Casing To Oven JPG 10 Oct 2007 08 06 76k Y117 jpg 10 Oct 2007 08 06 17k

From Yahoo Image Search: "autoclave"
Wed Jul 1 12:04:04 2009

Supplier cries foul over awarding of Autoclave contract
thenewstoday.info
Supplier cries foul over awarding of Autoclave contract

unknown

Wed, 27 May 2009 08:13:00 GM

A supplier of medical equipment dubbed as irregular the awarding of contract to supply one unit . Autoclave. machine to Gerden Pharma Lab and Co. Inc. by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Iloilo Provincial Government.

New Truck Marketing Plan
ridgelineownersclub.com
New Truck Marketing Plan

unknown

Fri, 29 May 2009 18:22:55 GM

Forum: The Ridge - Off-Topic Discussions Posted By: OwnerCS Post Time: 05-29-2009 at 09:51 AM.

Bio Medical Waste laws: Schedule-V
biomedicalwaste.blogspot.com
Bio Medical Waste laws: Schedule-V

Peter

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:40:00 GM

When operating a vacuum . autoclave. , medical waste shall be subjected to a minimum of one pre-vacuum pulse to purge the . autoclave. of all air. the waste shall be subjected to the following: a temperature of not less than 121Co and pressure ...

From Google Blog Search: "autoclave"
Sun Jun 28 14:48:08 2009