» 高压蒸汽灭菌

高压蒸汽灭菌

1880
  • Charles Chamberland
Antique autoclave used for steam sterilization in applied microbiology.

一种使用高温高压饱和蒸汽对设备和用品进行灭菌的方法。典型的灭菌周期为121°C (250°F),压力高于大气压100 kPa (15 psi),持续15分钟。这种高温和湿气的结合能有效地使蛋白质和酶变性,杀死所有微生物,包括顽固的细菌孢子。

The autoclave’s effectiveness stems from the principles of thermodynamics and microbiology. Unlike dry heat, which kills microorganisms through slow oxidation, moist heat from saturated steam is far more efficient. The steam transfers heat energy rapidly and upon contact with a cooler surface, it condenses, releasing its latent heat of vaporization. This process causes a rapid and irreversible coagulation and denaturation of essential proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids within the microbial cells, leading to their death. The increased pressure inside the autoclave serves a critical purpose: it raises the boiling point of water. At standard atmospheric pressure, water boils at 100 °C, a temperature insufficient to reliably kill bacterial endospores, which are highly resistant dormant structures. By increasing the pressure to approximately 15 psi (100 kPa) above atmospheric pressure, the boiling point is elevated to 121 °C. This higher temperature, combined with the penetrating power of steam, ensures the destruction of even the most resilient spores, such as those from Geobacillus stearothermophilus, which is often used as a biological indicator to validate autoclave performance. The typical 15-minute cycle time at 121 °C is a standard derived from thermal death time studies, providing a significant safety margin to achieve a high sterility assurance level (SAL). The process is not suitable for heat-sensitive materials like 塑料 or delicate electronics, which would be damaged by the high temperatures and pressure.

Historically, the autoclave was a direct descendant of the ‘steam digester,’ a pressure cooker invented by Denis Papin in 1679. However, its application to microbiology was pioneered by Charles Chamberland, a collaborator of Louis Pasteur, in 1879. Working in Pasteur’s lab, Chamberland recognized the need for a reliable 方法 to sterilize culture media and equipment to support the burgeoning field of bacteriology and validate the germ theory of disease. His invention provided the first robust tool to eliminate all forms of microbial life, revolutionizing experimental biology, medicine, and surgery. It allowed for the preparation of sterile culture media, enabling the isolation and study of pure bacterial cultures, a cornerstone of modern microbiology established by Robert Koch. The autoclave’s introduction into clinical practice dramatically reduced surgical site infections and made complex surgeries safer, becoming an indispensable tool in hospitals worldwide.

UNESCO Nomenclature: 2401
– Microbiology

类型

Physical Process

Disruption

Revolutionary

使用方法

Widespread Use

Precursors

  • denis papin’s steam digester (pressure cooker)
  • lazzaro spallanzani’s experiments on boiling and microbial growth
  • louis pasteur’s germ theory of disease

应用

  • 医疗和手术器械的消毒
  • 净化实验室设备和介质
  • 处理医疗机构的废物
  • 罐头和食品保鲜

专利:

NA

Potential Innovations Ideas

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Related to: autoclave, steam sterilization, microbiology, pressure, temperature, spores, decontamination, medical instruments, charles chamberland, moist heat.

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Historical Context

(if date is unknown or not relevant, e.g. "fluid mechanics", a rounded estimation of its notable emergence is provided)

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