User Manual for the Vacuklav
®
23-B
7
1.4 Control
panel
___________________________________________________________
Fig. 3: Vacuklav
23-B control panel
1.5
Performance features of this autoclave
______________________________________
1.5.1
Preliminary air removal by sub-atmospheric pulsing ________________________________________
Preliminary air removal by sub-atmospheric pulsing repeatedly evacuates the air from the autoclave and alternately
introduces steam between evacuations: providing the required penetration of the sterilized objects with saturated
steam. This ensures fast and effective execution of difficult sterilization tasks: e.g., instruments with narrow bores
and large amounts of textiles. This autoclave also features a special program for the Bowie & Dick Test (a
recognised procedure used in large-scale sterilization to confirm steam penetration.
1.5.2 Sterilization
categories _________________________________________________________________
The Vacuklav
®
23-B features three sterilization programs for temperatures at 134°C: the “Universal Program” (for
wrapped objects), the “Prion Program” (a special Universal Program), the “Fast Program” for unwrapped items, and
the “Gentle Program” (a sterilization program for textiles and rubber articles at 121°C). The user can at any time
perform additional functional checks of the autoclave by running the Bowie & Dick Test for steam penetration, and
the Vacuum Test for leak testing. The additional program "MELAsteam
®
" is available as an option, and functions at
a temperature of 136°C.
1.5.3
Separate steam generation______________________________________________________________
The powerful steam generator outside the actual sterilization chamber makes it possible to sterilize large loads of
instruments or textiles in a short time. No waiting periods are necessary between the sterilization cycles, and
excess temperatures within the sterilization chamber cannot occur.
1.5.4
One-way system / conductivity measurement / automatic re-supply of water ____________________
The Vacuklav
®
23-B operates with the tried-and-proven one-way system: this means that all evaporated water and
all impurities contained in this water are removed from the autoclave upon pressure release. For the following
program cycle, new demineralized / distilled water is therefore used. An integrated conductivity measurement
system monitors the quality of the demineralized / distilled water used in steam generation. For heavy use of the
autoclave, we recommend supply of the demineralized / distilled water by connection of a water-treatment system
such as the MELAdem
®
47 or MELAdem
®
37. If the instruments are carefully prepared, this arrangement prevents
spots on the items sterilized, and avoids fouling of the autoclave.
1.5.5
Electronic parameter control ____________________________________________________________
The microprocessor installed in the Vacuklav
®
23-B implements electronic parameter control, which continuously
monitors pressure, temperature, and time in the programs. The process evaluation and monitoring system
contained in the program control system compares momentary process parameters with standard process data and
monitors the process with respect to limit temperatures, limit times, and limit pressures. This function detects
malfunctions in the program cycle and guarantees the security of the sterilization / disinfection results.
1.5.6 Vacuum
drying________________________________________________________________________
The vacuum drying feature ensures good drying results, even for wrapped items.
Program
Start / Stop
Function buttons
For selections, settings, and display of
special functions: printing, date and time of
day, pre-heating, total sterilised loads, water
conductivity, error-report acknowledgement
Program selection button
For selection of the sterilisation programs and
test programs, and for selection/settings of
options (sub-menus) for the special functions
Start / stop button
For starting and stopping of
programs, drying, and for
control fo special functions
2 x 20-character alphanumeric LED
display
For display of program status and
parameters, and for operator for basic and
special functions