2. 1. What is Sterilization?
2. Type of Sterilization Methods.
3. What is ETO Sterilization?
4. Why & where ETO Sterilization used?
5. Fact about ETO Gas.
6. What is ETO Sterilizer?
7. Technical Specification of ETO Sterilizer
8. How is sterilization cycle in ETO Sterilizer?
9. Advantages of ETO
10. Disadvantages of ETO
11. Contact us
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3. Sterilization is a phrase referring to any process that
eliminates or kills all forms of microbial life, including
transmissible agents (such as fungi, bacteria, viruses,
spore forms, etc.) present on a surface, contained in a
fluid, in medication, or in a compound such as biological
culture media. Sterilization can be achieved by applying the
proper combinations of heat, chemicals, and irradiation,
high reassure, and filtration.
The term has evolved to include the disabling or
destruction of infectious proteins such as prions related to
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE).
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4. There are mainly following sterilization methods are in use.
Heat based Sterilization
Chemical based Sterilization
Radiation sterilization
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6. ETO Stands for Ethylene Oxide
Sterilization
Ethylene oxide sterilization is a type of
chemical process consisting of four
primary variables namely gas
concentration, humidity, temperature
and time.
Ethylene oxide is an alkylation agent
that disrupts DNA of microorganisms,
which prevents them from reproducing.
ETO sterilization assures that a safe
and sterile product will be delivered to
the market each and every time.
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7. World / industries have been praising sterilization by steam
& superlative for destroying bacteria, fungi and spores.
Steam sterilization is also most cost effective & easy to use
method available but steam is not applicable to all
materials and instruments.
Advancement in medical procedures has resulted in the
increased usage of delicate instruments which can’t be
steam sterilized as they cannot survive excessive
temperatures or moisture of steam. So Heat and moisture
sensitive equipment require alternative methods of
sterilization. And that is where ETO Sterilization is used.
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8. ETO gas is carcinogenic, explosive and
mutagenic.
Ethylene Oxide (ETO) is a common gas used
for low temperature sterilization.
It is a colorless, poisonous gas that attacks the
cellular proteins and nucleic acids of
microorganisms.
It is most commonly used to sterilize
instruments with long lumens such as
endoscopes and all materials that have to be
sterilized but cannot withstand higher
temperature.
ETO process temperatures from 25 - 55°C are
used. A lower temperature results in a less
efficient process which leads to a longer
exposure time.
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9. ETO Sterilizer is equipment, which
facilitate ETO Sterilization process.
ETO Sterilizers are available in
various capacities from 0.45m3 to
44m3 volumetric capacities to carry
out ETO Sterilization.
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Front View of ETO Sterilizer
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There are 3 phase in ETO Sterilizer
Preconditioning
Sterilization
Aeration (Degassing)
Cycle time is usually more than 14
hours.
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Low temperature
High efficiency – destroys
micro-organisms including
resistant spores
Large sterilizing volume/
chamber capacity
Non corrosive to: plastic,
metal and rubber
materials
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Excessively Long cycle
Safety concerns - carcinogenic to
humans
Toxicity issues - toxic residues on
surgical instruments and tubing
Not recommended for flexible
scope
ETO is flammable
Requires special room conditions,
safety equipment and separate
ventilation system
Relatively high annual costs for
maintenance, servicing and
consumables.