Laboratory Autoclave Steam Sterilization Cycles, Part 10: Immediate-Use (Flash) Sterilization Cycle Written by: Arthur Trapotsis There has been much debate around the antiquated term “flash” sterilization. The Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), the Joint Commission (JC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have all made a concerted effort to clarify the use of flash sterilization, which is now known as immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS). The particular cycle is not intended for routine sterilization but rather when specific instruments are needed for an emergency procedure. Compared to traditional gravity or vacuum cycles, which are performed at 250°F (121°C), immediate-use cycles are performed at elevated temperatures of 270°F–275°F (132°C–135°C). As a result, immediate-use sterilization cycles are often shorter than gravity or vacuum cycles, which is where the “flash” in flash sterilization comes from. Read more → Tweet Like Share
Why To Autoclave Liquids With a Load Probe Written by: Amit Gupta In our previous Sterilization Cycles post on the F0 Cycle, we briefly reviewed the process for autoclaving liquids with a load probe. This post further discusses the benefits of using a load probe for sterilization validation. A load probe is a temperature sensing probe located inside the laboratory’s autoclave chamber. It is configured such that […] Tweet Like Share
Laboratory Autoclave Steam Sterilization Cycles, Part 9: Air Over-Pressure Cycle Written by: Arthur Trapotsis In the ninth installment of our Steam Sterilization Cycles Series, we explore Air Over–Pressure, another cycle used to sterilize a specific type of liquid load. An Air Over-Pressure Cycle is used to sterilize small liquid loads that are extremely sensitive to evaporation or boil-over in laboratory autoclaves. Typical applications for this cycle include pre-filled pipet tips, small pre-filled vials, loosely capped flasks, foil sealed glassware, or any partially vented containers where even small amounts of evaporation are not acceptable. Read more → Tweet Like Share
Bowie-Dick & Vacuum Leak Tests: Autoclave Sterilization Cycles Written by: Arthur Trapotsis The entire purpose of a laboratory or medical autoclave is to, quite simply, sterilize; however, without the proper conditions for sterility, an autoclave may fall short of its mission. Validation is an essential quality assurance measure designed to ensure that your autoclave operates exactly as intended. There are a number of different ways to validate […] Tweet Like Share
Consolidated Sterilizer Systems Introduces the Ultimate Laboratory Autoclave Written by: Mike Peters New Autoclaves Feature Enhanced Safety, Space Savings, and Serviceability January 6, 2014, Boston, MA — Consolidated Sterilizer Systems announces the release of two new laboratory autoclaves in the EZ-Glide™ Vertical Sliding Door Autoclave series— models 26AV and 26BV. The new autoclave models feature unique power door operation designed for ease of use, simplified maintenance, and […] Tweet Like Share
Why Our New Laboratory Sterilizer Took 4 Years to Develop Written by: Arthur Trapotsis January 5, 2014 I’ve been CEO of Consolidated Sterilizer Systems for 6 years now and one thing I’ve learned along the way is to appreciate and embrace customer feedback. Early on in my career I kept hearing conflicting information about the design of our sterilizer doors. I would hear comments like; “Why don’t you offer a vertical sliding door sterilizer?” and “We love your radial-arm, hinged door.” Believe it or not, these seemingly different sets of customers were saying the same thing—that they both had poor experiences with the existing vertical door laboratory sterilizers on the market. Despite this information, we waited. The truth was we knew that vertical door sterilizers were prone to more errors and maintenance than the traditional, “radial arm, hinged” door and we wanted nothing to do with it. Read more → Tweet Like Share
Steam Sterilization Cycles, Part 7: Product Lifecycle Testing in an Autoclave Written by: Arthur Trapotsis In our 7th installment of the Advanced Cycles Series, we explore automated product lifecycle testing in an autoclave. Repeated exposure to an autoclave chamber’s extreme temperature and pressure conditions allows Quality Control Specialists to sharply accelerate product aging and evaluate the lifecycle of a product. Typically, this process requires that an individual (e.g. technician, scientist, engineer, etc) spend countless hours in front of an autoclave. What if you could program the autoclave to run multiple sterilization cycles (over multiple hours or days) with the press of a single button? Read more → Tweet Like Share
Autoclave Steam Sterilization Cycles, Part 6: F0 Cycle Written by: Arthur Trapotsis Autoclave efficacy is highly dependent on time, temperature, and pressure, and these parameters can be manipulated and optimized to create specific sterilization cycles for each application. To help your facility get the most out of your autoclave, we introduce the sixth article in our Steam Sterilization Cycles series: The F0 Cycle (pronounced f-sub-zero or f-sub-oh). Read more → Tweet Like Share
Properly Sizing an Autoclave Chamber for Your Animal Lab Written by: Mike Peters Steam sterilization is routinely used in animal laboratories for two reasons: 1) to sterilize animal cages in order to create a pathogen-free housing environment and 2) to properly dispose of harmful waste products. Since autoclaves are essential for everyday laboratory operation, it is important to select a chamber size with enough capacity to meet the […] Tweet Like Share
Consolidated Sterilizer Systems to Attend the 65th AALAS National Meeting Written by: Jason Thompson Consolidated Sterilizer Systems will be at Booth #1109 at this year’s AALAS National Meeting in San Antonio, Texas from October 19-23. What Is the AALAS National Meeting? The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science is a nonprofit association with approximately 12,000 members interested in the exchange of information in the care and use of laboratory […] Tweet Like Share
12.10.25 Introducing SterilSteam Sampler, The Steam Condensate Sampler for AAMI ST108 Compliance → Released in 2023, AAMI/ANSI ST108 establishes water quality requirements for water used in the cleaning, rinsing, disinfection, and sterilization of reusable medical devices. In addition to these requirements, ST108 mandates quarterly testing of steam condensate quality to ensure incoming steam does not stain instruments or pose a risk to patient safety. To help healthcare facilities […]
11.6.25 AAMI ST108 & Critical Water for Autoclaves: What ASCs Need to Know → A major step forward in patient safety, ANSI/AAMI ST108 establishes new minimum water quality requirements for water used in the cleaning, rinsing, disinfection, and sterilization of reusable medical devices. Despite providing guidance on water quality management for sterile processing, ST108 has also created confusion, especially regarding test protocols, water treatment, and critical water requirements. In […]
10.20.25 What Is an Autoclave Machine Really Used for? [Applications, Costs & More] → Autoclave machines are mission-critical equipment in a variety of industries, from healthcare to biotech, ensuring equipment and materials are sterilized and safe for use. Whether you’re considering purchasing an autoclave for a new facility, replacing a broken one, or expanding your current sterilization capacity, understanding the ins and outs of autoclave technology is key to […]
