Hospital autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, use pressurized steam to effectively kill all microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores) on medical instruments and supplies, ensuring patient safety by providing sterile equipment for procedures, and rely on high temperatures (e.g., 121°C/250°F or 134°C/273°F) for set times to destroy microbial protein structures. These essential devices are used for sterilizing surgical tools, lab items, and processing biohazardous waste, making them crucial for infection control. How They Work (Principle)
- Steam & Pressure: They use saturated steam under pressure within a sealed chamber.