An apparatus that produces steam at high pressure within a sealed chamber. Autoclaving is used in hospitals for the sterilization of surgical equipment (see sterilization).
This is a very e?ective way of ensuring that material (e.g. surgical dressings) is completely sterilised, and that even the most resistant bacteria with which it may be contaminated are destroyed. Its use is based upon the fact that water boils when its vapour pressure is equal to the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. This means that if the pressure inside a closed vessel is increased, the temperature at which water inside the vessel boils will rise above 100 degrees centigrade. By adjusting the pressure, almost any temperature for the boiling of the water will be obtained.
1. n. a piece of equipment for sterilizing surgical instruments, dressings, etc. It consists of a chamber, similar to a domestic pressure cooker, in which the articles are placed and treated with steam at high pressure. 2. vb. to sterilize in an autoclave.
Creation of a germfree environment to protect a patient from infection. Aseptic technique is used during surgery and when caring for people suffering from diseases, such as leukaemia, in which the immune system is suppressed. All people who come in contact with the patient must scrub their hands and wear pre-sterilized gowns and disposable gloves and masks. Surgical instruments are sterilized in an autoclave. The patient’s skin is cleaned with antiseptic solutions of iodine or hexachlorophene. A special ventilation system in the operating theatre purifies the air. (See also isolation.)... aseptic technique
n. 1. a combination of processes used to remove adherent proteins, microorganisms, and infectious agents or other contaminants from surgical instruments and the environment so there is no risk or spread of infection or disease. Instruments are sterilized in an autoclave to finish the decontamination process. 2. the reduction or removal of chemical agents from a site following a terrorist attack or industrial accident; this includes decontaminating people who have come into contact with such agents.... decontamination
n. 1. a surgical operation or any other process that induces *sterility in men or women. In women, hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy (surgical removal of both ovaries) are 100% effective and permanent. Alternatively, the Fallopian tubes may be removed (see salpingectomy) or divided and/or ligated. These operations can be performed through the abdomen or the vagina. The modern technique (tubal occlusion) is to occlude (close) permanently the inner (lower) half of the Fallopian tube through a *laparoscope. The occluding device is usually a clip (the Hulka-Clemens or Filshie clips) or a small plastic ring (Falope ring); *diathermy coagulation carries greater dangers (e.g. bowel burns) and is now little used. A more recent method is the use of a rapid-setting plastic introduced into the tubes through a hysteroscope (see hysteroscopy). Men are usually sterilized by *vasectomy. See also castration. 2. the process by which all types of microorganisms (including spores) are destroyed. This is achieved by the use of heat, radiation, chemicals, or filtration. See also autoclave.... sterilization
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