How Does an Autoclave Sterilize Equipment?

When we think of sterilization, we tend to think of very hot water, sterilizing soaps or acidic liquids like vinegar and lemon juice. But for professions where sterilization is required by law due to the risks of contaminated equipment, sterilization is a precise process. The modern way that dentists, doctors, veterinarians, and tattoo artists sterilize their equipment is with a machine called an autoclave. An autoclave looks and seems like something very high tech and hard to understand, but the underlying principles were established back at the end of the 19th century.

Today, many people use sterilized equipment that are exposed to high risk fluids only once and then dispose of the items. Needles, such as those used for blood draws, injections, and tattoos, are the most obvious examples. However a lot of the machinery and tools used in medical, dental, veterinary offices and tattoo shops aren’t, and don’t need to be disposable. It would be incredibly wasteful, not to mention expensive, if everything had to be thrown away each time it was used. Instead, the instruments and equipment are made of materials that are easy to sterilize, such as glass, stainless steel or other metals. Then to sterilize them, they are put into an autoclave.

An autoclave uses steam that is under high pressure to sterilize equipment. It takes between 15 to 20 minutes for high pressure saturated steam to sterilize equipment, depending on how much is being sterilized at one time. In fact, autoclaves are even being used now before items are disposed of so that any infectious agents are not even put into the waste disposal system. The steam in an autoclave is 121 degrees Celsius, which is extremely hot. The air in the autoclave is removed with a pump and steam is pumped in creating a pressurized environment. Potential infectious materials, pathogens, and toxins cannot withstand the heat and pressure created in an autoclave. This results in sterilized equipment which can be safely used on the next patient or procedure.