Types of autoclaves for dental clinics
An autoclave is a sterilization device that uses steam and pressure to clean and disinfect various items and tools. We all already know that it is a necessary dental device for maintaining an adequate level of sterilization for the patient and the medical staff so that sterilization of sufficient quality - ensures the elimination of bacteria, including spores, that cause infection.
There are 3 different types of standards for autoclaves:
EN 13060 is a standard found in small sterilizers and is most common in various dental clinics and laboratories. In this standard, you can find 3 different types and classifications that will be detailed later in the article. EN 285 defines requirements for the production of large steam sterilizers. And the third is ANSI/AAMI ST55, a North American standard for steam sterilization and is divided into 2 types: gravity displacement and dynamic air removal.
The different types of EN 13060 standard:
Class B: Designed for sterilizing all types of instruments, such as porous, solid, and hollow instruments wrapped in a regular or double wrap. They work by removing air from the chamber using a cyclic vacuum pump. The cycle time is 20 minutes, which is much faster than older models.
Class S: Designed for sterilizing products and instruments specified by the sterilizer manufacturer and only specific products. The cycle times of these sterilizers are shorter than those of the B cycle and these types of sterilizers are typically used in emergency rooms or emergency medicine.
Class N: Designed for single, unenclosed (naked) solid devices.
Below is an explanation of the different types of solids and tools for use in an autoclave:
Solid - products that are not made of porous material and do not contain cavities, for example: probe, sonde, mirrors.
Hollow - Products that are not made of porous material and have cavities. Narrow-lumen instruments such as hand tools, scissors, and forceps...
Porous - products such as textiles, surgical packaging, wrappings...