Autoclaving is a sterilization method that uses high-pressure steam to sterilize medical equipment. The autoclaving processes work on the concept that the boiling point of water (or the steam) rises when it is put under high levels of pressure.
The term “autoclave” is derived from the Greek word for “auto”, meaning self, and the Latin word “clavis”, meaning key. So, in short, an autoclave refers to a self-locking device. It is commonly used in medical settings to sterilize equipment to reduce the risk of infections and contamination.
The first autoclave was actually a pressure cooker. It was originally invented in around 1681 by Denis Papin, who was a French physician, as a way of preparing food. He called this invention a "steam digester" and described how the processing of food using this device could improve digestion. The autoclave was later re-invented in 1879 by Charles Chamberland for scientific and medical purposes.
The items or medical equipment to be autoclaved are subjected to a gradual rise in temperature under specific conditions such as high pressure until a temperature of 121 °C is attained. It is then steamed for about 15 to 20 minutes.
The autoclave device allows steam to flow around the items and equipment in the chamber. The temperature and the duration of time necessary for sterilization to occur depend on the items and whether they are left exposed to the steam or are wrapped. The items must be separated to ensure that the steam can penetrate the load in an even manner. The steam should reach the small crevices and kill all bacteria, bacterial spores, and viruses thus sterilizing the equipment thoroughly.
Autoclaves can be used to eliminate or destroy microorganisms, vulcanize rubber, cure composites, and perform hydrothermal synthesis. It offers a highly dependable method for the decontamination and sterilization of laboratory glassware, reagents, medical instruments, and other waste media. Autoclaves can also inactivate spores, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms that may have accumulated on surgical instruments including scalpels, scissors, and forceps thereby reducing the risk of infections when these instruments are used during patient treatments or surgeries.
Gravity displacement autoclave
Gravity displacement autoclaves are the most common type of autoclave that rely on the use of dense steam in order to force the air out from the chamber of the machine. They are more suitable for the treatment or sterilization of basic loads such as flat surgical tools and some forms of bio-hazardous waste, though they are not as versatile as pre-vacuum autoclaves.
High-speed pre-vacuum sterilizer
High-speed pre-vacuum sterilizers, also called the prevac (pre-vacuum) autoclaves, are the types of autoclaves that use a vacuum pump for removing all the air from the chamber of the device, allowing for the better penetration of the steam.
These devices help in the sterilization of complex loads and materials including medical textile products, larger pieces of equipment, and porous loads. They can also be used to sterilize objects that are made of high-density polyethylene such as the pipette tips and syringes of sharps.
Class B - positive pressure
Class B autoclave is a compact autoclave. However, its performance level is comparable to that of the largest autoclaving machines used in hospitals. The letter “B” stands for the “big small sterilizers”, as they are small machines offering bigger performance.
Any form of load can be processed and sterilized in a class B autoclave. These include porous materials, textiles, products in pouches, and hollow items like wands, tips and turbines.
The applicable standard for an autoclaves of this type is EN 13060 that is specifically dedicated to small steam sterilizers (machines with a sterilization chamber which is smaller than a sterilization unit). This standard helps to distinguish between the sterilization cycles based on the materials that are being sterilized such as type A solid load, having hollow sections, solid loads, or type B solid loads, having hollow sections.
Class B autoclaves are suitable for a broad range of settings. They are considered the most suitable autoclave machine for dental practices as they offer a higher degree of flexibility. Also, though these devices are smaller in size, type B autoclaves offer outstanding performance, the highest possible safety standards and an unbeatable efficiency.
The strengths of these devices include the ease of handling due to their ergonomic designs and extensive energy savings due to lower power consumption. The user-friendly type B sterilizers are considered the most efficient as far as maintaining safety and hygiene in a medical environment is concerned. Moreover, they also provide a higher level of practicality.
N Class Autoclave - pressure cooker
The N class autoclaves are small and compact devices that are commonly used for sterilizing simple medical equipment and materials. The alphabet “N” stands for “naked solid products”. So, these autoclaves can not be used for the sterilization of textiles, hollow items, porous loads, and any product in pouches, because the cycles do not have the characteristics that pass the specific physical tests.
Also, another potential downside of N type autoclave is that it can not guarantee the steam penetration required for optimum sterilization of equipment, which is dependent on the creation of the vacuum at the beginning, which is not mandatory for these machines.
Class S - negative pressure
The class S autoclaves cover all other forms of autoclaves. These are essentially an intermediate class of autoclaves between the type B and type N autoclaves. Its characteristics are not clearly defined by any specific standards. So, only the manufacturers are able to provide all the details of the performance capabilities of these devices, as established by specific tests.
Gravity displacement
Vertical autoclaves
This type of medical autoclave can be loaded by opening the lid at the top. These are especially suited for smaller clinics with cramped spaces or in laboratories. They also have a comparatively smaller capacity chamber making them suitable for clinics where space is a constraint.
Horizontal autoclaves
These are front-loading steam sterilizers with a larger capacity chamber. When the space available in your clinic or hospital is not an issue, and if you need to treat or sterilize multiple loads every day, the horizontal autoclaves provide a superior way for reducing the strain on your medical staff.
In order to find the type of medical autoclaves that will be best suited to your healthcare facility, we need to consider the specific environment of your clinic, laboratory, or hospital, and your primary requirements.
If a large share of the medical devices you need to sterilize comprises flat surgical tools and biohazardous waste, you could opt for the gravity displacement autoclave. On the other hand, the prevac (pre-vacuum) autoclaves may be suitable for you if you need to sterilize a large amount of complex loads comprising medical textile products, larger pieces of equipment, and porous loads. These autoclaves are also suitable for your clinic if you need to sterilize equipment and materials made from high-density polyethylene such as the pipette tips and the syringes of sharps.
You could choose a vertical autoclave if your clinic or laboratory is small and your autoclaving needs are not extensive. These autoclaves are suitable if you do not have to sterilize equipment several times a day or a week and if the autoclaving loads are not large.
Horizontal autoclaves are perfect for larger clinics and hospitals where the medical staff are already burdened with a lot of responsibilities. These autoclaves can handle a larger load thus saving the precious time of your staff.
Most hospitals and clinics are making careful and responsible choices to ensure the autoclaves they choose are environmentally friendly. If you are conscious of the impact of autoclaves on the environment, you may choose those that are designed for minimizing energy expedite and reducing noise emissions.
You need to consider the volume of the instruments to be sterilized on a daily or a weekly basis when choosing the most suitable autoclave for your healthcare facility. You should consider the number of instruments you use per day, and how often they are needed.
Some other parameters to consider include the types of instruments that need to be sterilized, the number of and pieces you use daily, and whether any instrument require a dedicated cycle.
You may purchase larger autoclaves if the number of instruments, the bulk of instruments, or the frequency of sterilization is more. Otherwise, you could opt for a smaller autoclave. Smaller autoclaves are also suitable when some of the instruments require a dedicated cycle.
There are research studies being conducted to evaluate the impact of autoclaving on the environment and design ozone-generating sterilizers. These autoclaves are proving easy to operate, compact, and cost-effective in both industrial and hospital settings.
Ozone sterilization is believed to be safer for the environment as it does not involve any toxic chemicals or harmful emissions.
There is also a focus on designing medical autoclaves that also serve as waste converters and offer simpler and safer solutions for sterilizing medical equipment more efficiently without creating an adverse impact on the environment. There is an emphasis on designing and manufacturing autoclaves that are less complicated, have no pressure vessel, and include advanced features like the closed-loop water cycle.
Moreover, there are also attempts being made to design solar-powered autoclaves that are considered safer for protecting the environment by ensuring zero hazardous waste footprints.
Some of the main autoclave models available on the market today include:
Tuttnauer 1730
Midmark M11
Midmark M9
Tuttnauer 2340m
Tuttnauer 2540m
Tuttnauer EZ10
Tuttnauer EZ11Plus
Tuttnauer 3870ea
You can find additional information on these models by clicking on the links above.
The market offers a plethora of otoscope options designed with advanced features, clarity, and durability in mind.
Consideration of the otoscope price becomes pivotal when selecting the right device for specific medical facilities. Other key considerations include size, power source, battery life, brand, and the type of otoscope head.
]]>An otoscope is one of the essential diagnostic tools in the field of ENT medicine. This device is primarily used to look into the ears. Clinicians use these devices to investigate patients with symptoms that may be affecting the ears. Otoscopes can also be used to screen patients for any potential ear problems during regular check-ups.
These devices can provide a clear view of the ear canal, the eardrum or the tympanic membrane. Otoscopes, sometimes referred to as auriscopes, can be used by both ENT physicians and speciality medical professionals to examine the ears.
There are a variety of otoscopes designed and manufactured across the world and available online from a wide range of brands. Most clinicians prefer to buy otoscopes that offer advanced features, better clarity, and high durability. Otoscope price is also one aspect that can play a role in choosing the right otoscope for your setting or medical facility.
What is an otoscope?
An otoscope is a small medical instrument which is used for the examination of the ears. It is usually used by ENT physicians, although physicians of all specialities prefer to have an otoscope in their medical facility to help them make a quick diagnosis of ear conditions.
Otoscopes are very easy to use and can provide valuable information about the health of the ears by allowing direct visualization of the external ear and the eardrum.
What are the parts of an otoscope?
Otoscopes are composed of 3 general parts called the head, handle, and cone.
The primary function of the handle is to allow a firm grip on the instrument. It also has a power source for the light released by the device. The head has a light bulb and a low-power magnifying lens while the cone refers to the extended part of the head that needs to be passed into the ear canal for examination of the tympanic membrane.
What are otoscopes used for?
The use of otoscopes for ear examination is referred to as otoscopy. Otoscopy is an integral part of the doctor’s routine physical examination. It is a medical procedure, which involves looking into the ears of the patients and down the ear canals using an otoscope.
The purpose of this procedure is to examine the different parts of the ear, including the pinna, the internal and external auditory canal, and the eardrum. Looking at the condition of these structures can help the physician identify any abnormality such as an infection or perforation of the tympanic membrane.
Other than the routine screening and general check-up procedures, an otoscopy is also performed specifically during an extensive hearing assessment and before taking an impression of the ear for the fitting of hearing aids.
New and used otoscopes are usually sold in sets with ophthalmoscopes, as these devices are considered the standard tools that every doctor should have.
How does an otoscope work?
An otoscope is designed to release a beam of light to show the inner parts of the ear. An otoscope can help visualize and examine the parts of the ear canal and eardrum.
There are many otoscopes available on the market. It can be time-consuming for busy medical professionals to evaluate the details or features of all otoscopes and choose the best one suitable for their specific purposes. To make it easier, professionals should focus on the following key points and the otoscope price to aid in decision-making.
Here are some parameters that will help you with the otoscope purchase best suited to your specific needs as well as your budget.
Size
Otoscopes are available in 2 different sizes, often referred to as a standard otoscope or a pocket otoscope.
The smallest otoscopes are the size of a pen and can be secured to a pocket with a clip. Their construction is lighter than full-size otoscopes, however, they are usually not as robust hence, they are likely to have a shorter lifespan.
When choosing the size of otoscope that's right for you and your setting, it is important to consider the environment in which you plan to use it, and the type of patient you will be examining.
It is also worth noting that the smallest instruments, although relatively light, could be tricky to use for clinicians with larger hands. Similarly, the more robust models tend to have more weight. This could be a critical factor for you, especially if you are using the otoscope multiple times a day.
Battery Life and Power Source
Otoscopes are available in 2 main categories with regard to their power source. An otoscope can be hard-wired or battery-powered.
A hard-wired otoscope is often wall mounted. This means it remains plugged into the wall, and hence, it can be used only in the location where it is installed. These types of otoscopes are reasonably priced and can be handy in busy clinics and hospital settings where free-standing otoscopes are likely to go missing or get lost.
Otoscopes which are not hard-wired depend on rechargeable batteries for the source of power. These types of otoscopes are connected to a recharging station, which is plugged into the wall. However, they can be removed from the charging station making them portable. The batteries of these otoscopes are usually located in the handle of the instrument.
There are 3 main types of batteries used in otoscopes, which include lithium, nickel, and NiCd.
Lithium batteries have the ability to retain their charge efficiently even when the instrument is not in use. They can remain charged for nearly twice as long as the other types of batteries.
NiCd batteries are not preferred by most clinicians. These are the least desirable options as their charging capacity is usually much lower than lithium and nickel batteries. NiCd batteries also weigh significantly more than the other batteries.
Otoscopes with lithium batteries usually come with a higher price point, however, the higher price is justified for the benefits these batteries can offer.
Otoscope Head
The otoscope head is the most important feature to consider when purchasing. The type of head chosen can significantly impact the functionality as well as the price of the otoscope.
Most otoscope handles have the feature to change the head or can accommodate multiple heads allowing you to interchange them as and when needed.
Standard otoscope heads are the most common, more affordable and are generally easier to use and often accommodate the needs of clinicians in different settings. However, the disposable tips attach to the standard head through a metal groove that is not secure and could potentially make them fall off or get stuck in the ear during the examination.
Pneumatic otoscopes have a wider tip attached to the otoscope. Pneumatic otoscope heads are nowadays rarely used in clinics and hospitals.
Macroview otoscope heads are bulkier than standard models, although they can provide twice the field of view and nearly 30 per cent higher magnification than the standard counterparts.
Some otoscopes have video features in the head. These otoscope heads give a view of the ear on a monitor allowing the user to capture and record images. These otoscopes can be easily attached to a computer using a USB cable.
However most providers do not need video features in their routine practice and otoscopes that have video capability are generally more expensive than traditional models.
Light Source
While making an otoscope purchase decision, you need to consider the accessibility provided by the device to the light source and how easy it is to replace the bulb.
There are 4 basic types of lightbulbs used in otoscopes, which include incandescent, xenon, halogen, and LED.
Incandescent lightbulbs have a shorter lifespan and are likely to get dimmer throughout the lifespan of the bulb. Halogen lightbulbs produce a brighter glow and are longer life compared to incandescent light bulbs. Xenon lightbulbs tend to last longer than both halogen as well as incandescent bulbs. They burn brighter thus illuminating the ear canal more efficiently. LED bulbs can last longer than all the other types of bulbs and also shine the brightest. They can generate a blueish-white colour.
Most otoscopes on the market have xenon or halogen bulbs.
Cost
Pocket otoscopes are the most affordable otoscopes available in the market, however these otoscopes do not provide all the advanced features and usually have limited utility. Pocket otoscopes typically do not have interchangeable heads.
Pocket otoscopes and full-size otoscopes are considered traditional otoscopes. Pocket otoscopes are designed to fit into a pocket. These otoscopes are less bulky and much lighter compared to digital or video otoscopes. The head and the handle of the devices are included in a pocket otoscope. Most pocket otoscopes have alkaline batteries as a power source for the handle.
Full-size otoscopes are more substantial in size and weight compared to pocket otoscopes. These are usually comprised of sophisticated features including carefully designed handles and heads, which can even be purchased individually as these components can be interchanged amongst different brands.
Digital otoscopes for sale offer several advanced features. The technologically advanced optics provided by digital otoscopes can help physicians capture detailed images of the ear canal. This feature also offers a magnified view of the ear canal, and thus, enables clinicians to see details of the eardrum, tubes, and even hearing aids more clearly.
Some digital otoscopes also have a zoom function and free-focus wheel which allow doctors to fine-tune images, however digital and other advanced otoscopes have a higher price point in comparison to traditional otoscopes.
Welch Allyn, Heine, and ADC are some of the most highly reputable brands that specialize in digital otoscopes. Medical devices designed and manufactured by these brands offer higher accuracy, better durability and clarity of images.
Most ENT physicians and other medical professionals prefer to use otoscopes from these brands in order to improve their clinical efficacy. These devices are generally easy to use and can be employed in a wide range of clinical settings.
You may wish to consider used otoscopes for sale if you are looking to get these devices at a lower price point.
When you buy otoscopes for medical facilities, you can assess the parameters above including the type of head, battery or power source of the otoscope.
Functionality, durability, weight, and cost are also important criteria to keep in mind while making an otoscope purchase.
Otoscope price is a factor that can affect your choice of these devices. Not just the initial purchase price, but the overall lifetime otoscope price in terms of replacement parts and durability. Buying a reputable and trusted brand will help you save money long term by reducing expenditure on maintenance or repairs and ensures replacement parts are easily available.
What is the average otoscope price?
The average price range for a very basic otoscope typically falls between $20 and $60, however high quality professional-grade otoscope price point is generally much higher than this.
Does having a different power source affect an otoscope price?
Yes, there can be significant price differences based on the power source of an otoscope. Battery-powered otoscopes tend to be more affordable, ranging from $20 to $60, while rechargeable or corded otoscopes can cost anywhere from $60 to $1000+.
What is a high-quality, professional-grade otoscope price typically?
Professional-grade otoscopes designed for medical practitioners or specialists usually range from $200 to $800, depending on the brand, features, and additional accessories included.
Is there a difference between a digital and traditional otoscope price?
Yes, there are notable price variations between digital and traditional otoscopes. Traditional otoscopes, which use direct illumination, are generally more affordable and fall within the $20 to $100 range. On the other hand, digital otoscopes equipped with advanced features like image capture and video recording capabilities can range from $100 to $1000+.
If you would like additional advice on otoscope pricing, contact our specialists today on sales@integrisequipment.com or call 1 (888) 228-7564
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