This system of generating steam includes heating elements which are integrated into the lower part of the chamber. Water can be fed into the system manually. Autoclave models Systec VE-Series can optionally be automatically fed with demineralized water with the DI-Water connection.

Systec VE-Series autoclaves are controlled via a large, easy-to-read display and a membrane keypad with acoustic input confirmation. The layout of all input elements is logical and ergonomic and thus allows for convenient operation of the autoclave. Menus are available in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian – other languages can be included on demand.

A specially developed microprocessor is responsible for carrying out all control functions. The processor controls not only the sterilization schedule but also steam pressure and temperature within the chamber. In addition, it manages all optional functions such as drying, rapid cooling as well as pre- and post-vacuum modes.

Systec autoclave chamber doors are locked automatically, utilizing a circumferential ring system* which engages when the door is being closed. The chamber is sealed using a special seal made of highly heat-resistant silicone; the seal tightens as more pressure is built inside the chamber. This occurs automatically, without requiring additional compressed air.

In full accordance with modern regulations for pressure vessels such as DIN EN (IEC) 61010-2-040, the door-locking mechanism is controlled by the interior temperature. Thus, the door remains firmly locked and sealed until all excess pressure within the chamber has dissipated. The door as well as various other elements of the housing and vessel are built using stainless steel and clad in an aesthetically pleasing front cover is made of insulated plastic that is highly resistant to heat. The same material is used for the control panel, display as well as parts of the control processing system. This prevents operators from coming into contact with heated surfaces.

he door opens automatically either at the touch of a button or, optionally, automatically at the end of the sterilization program. This makes the process easy to operate and extremely practical for all workflows—especially when materials need to dry or cool down on their own after sterilization. Residual steam can thus escape without interrupting work or requiring further action. If the sterilized items remain in the autoclave for a short time, the residual heat is effectively used to dry them. To prevent contamination from outside during this automatic opening, the angle of the automatic door opening is limited to approx. 15°. The door can then be opened completely by hand to remove the sterilized items.

* Exceptions: On the Systec VE-40 and Systec VE-55 models, the lid is closed using a bolt mechanism rather than a ring system.

The entire autoclave procedure typically includes only a small fraction of time dedicated to actual sterilization – for example, when sterilizing at 121 °C, only about 15 minutes are typically spent on sterilizing. While sterilizing liquids, in particular, phases of heating up the chamber and cooling it down again make up a considerably longer part of the sterilization procedure.

Conventional sterilization procedures
Most conventional autoclaves fail to properly sterilize liquids, as these typically reach only about 60 to 90 °C despite the chamber itself having already reached sterilization temperatures. This is because the temperature for sterilization within the chamber is reached quickly, while liquids need additional time for their temperature to equalize.

Up to 50 % shorter heat-up times as standard
Thanks to the regulation of pressure as well as temperature at the same time, the pressure within the vessel is evenly increased during the initial heat-up phase. As a result, temperature equalization between liquids and the chamber itself is sped up, resulting in overall shorter heat-up times.

Liquids are also very slow to cool down, as, without active rapid cooling, temperatures within the chamber can only drop below 100 °C via a process of dissipating the built-up heat as radiation via the chamber insulation (see diagram: conventional cooling).

However, the overall time necessary for sterilization processes can be reduced substantially by using the new system and process technologies, potentially saving many hours during long sterilization processes (see diagram: rapid cooling).

Systec autoclaves offer numerous cooling functions for sterilizing liquids, including optional rapid cooling systems which reduce the time required for cooling liquids significantly.

Systec autoclaves can be cooled by conventional means, using a regulated steam venting procedure that cools the machine down to a temperature of 100 °C, after which the chamber cools down more slowly to about 80 °C by itself. Alternatively, they can include various options for rapid cooling, such as:

• Cooling with ambient air ventilation
• Mantle cooling with cooling water
• Mantle cooling with cooling water and support pressure
• Radial ventilator for air circulation and accelerated heat removal from the chamber
• Ultracooler
• Spray cooling with recirculated and recooled sterile water and support pressure

Mantle cooling with cooling water and support pressure

A flexible PT-100 temperature sensor is used throughout the entire cooling procedure to monitor the temperature within a vessel that is filled with liquid as a reference measurement. The sterilization period thus begins only once the temperature required for sterilization has been achieved in the actual liquid instead of inside the chamber.

The temperature of any subsequent cooling processes is monitored as well. Additionally, in order to protect the sterilized items from delayed boiling, the lid of the container can be opened only once the temperature inside of it is equal to or lower than 80 °C, according to industry standards. To prevent the liquid from boiling, support pressure is applied during the cooling-down phase using compressed air which has been filtered to be sterile.

Advantages:

• No liquid can be lost during sterilization, as boiling is prevented
• Cycle times are reduced in order to fully utilize the volume of each bottle, improving productivity in the process
• Prevents delayed boiling and overboiling
• Prevents bottles from bursting due to the heat of sterilization
• Using hermetically sealed bottles prevents re-contamination after sterilization
• Reduces cooling times by up to 60 %

Radial Ventilator

Combined with an optional cooling system which cools the chamber mantle with water while applying support pressure, a radial ventilator can ensure that heat is transported quickly from the sterilized items to the chamber mantle where it is cooled down.

• In order to not reduce the space available within the autoclave, the ventilator is mounted within the chamber door.
• Typical ventilation performance: 71 m³/h
• Reduces time for cooling by 70 % or less

Combined with optional mantle cooling with cooling water, support pressure as well as a radial ventilator, an Ultracooler heat exchanger can reduce cooling times significantly, thus speeding up the process of sterilization as a whole.

• The Ultracooler is mounted inside the chamber door, surrounding the radial ventilator. This requires no additional space within the chamber.
• Can achieve cooling times of 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the type and number of items which are to be sterilized.
• Reduces time for cooling by up to 90 %

In order to sterilize hazardous substances, an optional system for filtering air exhaust is available for Systec autoclaves. Its heat-resistant sterile filter is installed in a pressure-proof housing, making it easily accessible. The filter consists of a cartridge with a PTFE membrane – with a pore size of 0.2 μm. The filter is itself sterilized over the course of each sterilization run. The PT-100 temperature sensor also monitors the filter.

During the phase of heating up the chamber and the actual sterilization phase, condensation is automatically retained and sterilized inside the vessel. All existing microorganisms are eliminated effectively, as air exhaust filtration systems and condensate inactivation methods prevent them from escaping during sterilization. This also ensures that hazardous liquids or gases cannot be released but are sterilized and filtered out instead.

The internal memory for process data uses the internal storage; this is part of the Systec PLC. The capacity is sucient to store process data over an average period of 10 years.

The integrated documentation feature is used for comprehensive batch documentation and for exporting the electronic data as PDF or CSV via network interface or USB. The essential values of the individual program phases and process parameters are presented in a tabular overview, followed by a graph and a numerical table of the program sequence.

*the network interface requires the optional „Save to Folder“ feature for downloading the file to an FTP/SFTP server.

The backup function (via USB) enables the user to save and restore:

• program lists and their parameters,
• complete backups of the device with the current device software and its databases.

The backup file is encrypted and thus protected against manipulation.

The device has a real-time clock with automatic changeover to daylight savings time. Time, date and time zone can be set manually via the touch screen, the web server or automatically via the internet. A time server and an internet connection are required to automatically set the time.

• automatic summer/wintertime
• automatic leap year detection

The „Save to Folder“ function automatically exports the current process log to a server after the cycle has been finished. The following server types are supported: FTP, SFTP, FTPS.

All relevant information (current values of defined analogue and digital inputs and outputs of a device, current process status, alarms) is transmitted by the autoclave using the OPC-UA protocol.

An integrated printer is optionally available for documenting the program type, batch number, date, and time. The printout contains the essential information of a program cycle. It shows the basic parameter settings and the success or failure of a program cycle. The printout is created in the language that has been selected on the device.

Data can be downloaded from the autoclave as PDF and/or CSV (Excel) files*, using the USB or network interface**. Both the PDF and CSV files are electronically signed by the autoclave. This electronic signature is clearly assigned to the respective autoclave. It also indicates whether the exported files are valid or not. Any attempt of manipulation will result in the file being marked as invalid.

The advanced CFR 21 Part 11 solution also includes:

• Extended user account control. This includes an individual or global program list for each user, the assignment of the user to an individually created group (e.g. user, supervisor, administrator, cleaner, etc.) which has customizable rights.
• AuditTrail: All executed actions (e.g. changing parameters, starting or stopping sterilization programs) are documented and can be traced back to the respectice user and time stamp (date/time).
• There are up to five fields for electronic signatures. These are used to sign the exported PDF or CSV files on a PC (or any other device with the functionality to sign documents electronically).

* the network interface requires the optional „Save to Folder“ feature for downloading the file to an FTP/SFTP server
** only cycle data can be transferred via the network interface.

A flexible PT-100 temperature sensor is used throughout the entire cooling procedure to monitor the temperature within a vessel that is filled with liquid as a reference measurement. The sterilization period begins only once the temperature required for sterilization has been achieved in the actual liquid instead of inside the chamber.

The temperature of any subsequent cooling processes is monitored as well. Additionally, in order to protect the sterilized items from delayed boiling, the lid of the container can be opened only once the temperature inside of it is equal to or lower than 80 °C, according to industry standards. To prevent the liquid from boiling, support pressure is applied during the cooling-down phase using compressed air which has been filtered to be sterile.

Combined with an optional cooling system which cools the chamber mantle with water while applying support pressure, a radial ventilator can ensure that heat is transported quickly from the sterilized items to the chamber mantle where it is cooled down.

Combined with a water-cooled mantle, support pressure as well as a radial ventilator, an Ultracooler heat exchanger can reduce cooling times significantly, speeding up the process of sterilization as a whole.

Stainless steel wire mesh baskets, stackable.

The electrically operated device with swivel arm facilitates the loading and unloading of heavy items. A mobile control panel with push-button operation makes for ease of use. The device is attached to the side of the autoclave. The swivel arm has a special grip for the baskets that remain stable even under loading conditions.