Tuttnauer AMS11-120-T, Operation And Maintenance Manual

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Fast exhaust: steam is exhausted out of the chamber at a fast rate until
pressure decreases to ambient pressure.
Drying: performed with the door closed by pulling vacuum and using the
accumulated heat in the chamber and the load to remove leftover moisture from
the instruments and wraps.
8.5.4 Description of the Vacuum Test Stages
Vacuum is produced in the chamber, down to P1=2.17 psi (15 kPa.) At this
stage all the valves close. The autoclave remains in this stage for 5 minutes.
This period enables the condition in the chamber to reach equilibrium. After the
5 minutes have elapsed, the cycle ‘history record’ records the pressure that is
referred to as P2. At this point the test begins and lasts 10 minutes. At the end
of the test, the cycle ‘history record’ records the results. The pressure at the end
of the test is referred to as P3.
Notes:
l
During the test period the autoclave is not heated. Even if the vacuum
test is completed, the operator shall check the test results and consider
whether the test results are acceptable or not.
l
Perform the Vacuum Test on a completely dry chamber. Preferably
following a cycle with a Drying procedure i.e., a Wrapped cycle, and after
the Chamber was cooled i.e., Sleep mode/Turned off.
8.5.5 Description of Bowie-Dick Test Stages
Air-removal stage: vacuum pulses are performed.
Heating stage: steam is inserted into the chamber until the sterilization
temperature and pressure are reached.
Sterilization stage: temperature and pressure are maintained constant at the
pre-set level for sterilization time.
Fast exhaust stage: steam is exhausted out of the chamber at a fast rate until
pressure decreases to ambient pressure.
Drying stage: heating of chamber followed by a vacuum break (air inlet) to
remove leftover moisture from the instruments and wraps. Air inlet to reach
atmospheric pressure.
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