With the launch of the Priorclave Q63 front-loading cylindrical chamber autoclave range it provided the laboratory manager with a truly viable alternative to large, more costly rectangular chamber autoclaves, yet capable of delivering the same sterilising throughput.
Chamber size has a major influence on autoclave selection therefore Priorclave designed the Q63 with a taller profile than that found in most ‘cylindrical’ machines, giving these autoclaves a load capacity suited to sterilising larger bulky items as well as enabling small and taller items could be sterilised in a single process. Users of Q63 autoclaves may also benefit from lower overall running costs associated with reduced power and water usage.
In comparing the costs of same capacity laboratory autoclaves, a steriliser with a cylindrical chamber will nearly always be that much lower in price than that of a rectangular design. This is achieved by a simpler production process.
Two models are currently available from this British specialist in the design and manufacture of laboratory and research grade autoclaves – 320 litre and 500 litre models. During the design the company has been mindful of operator safety, providing a low, comfortable loading height and many interlocks that prevent door opening at elevated pressures and temperatures.
While offering increased loading, the combination of features such as forced air cooling to reduce cycle times and automatic timed free-steaming for improved air removal add to the overall sterilising performance of the Q63 autoclave.
The build quality of the Q63 front loading autoclave range incorporates epoxy coated panels and frame members which are treated with an anti-bacterial agent highly effective against all bacteria and fungi including MRSA, preventing cross contamination within the laboratory.
All operating settings are programmed easily through the advanced Tactrol2 micro-processor controller which is standard across the entire Priorclave range. This can be configured to log all temperature, pressure time and cycle data into a single compact archive file which can be subsequently downloaded onto a USB flash drive for transfer to computer. This enables operational data to be forwarded from anywhere in the world direct to Priorclave’s UK Service Centre for technical assistance in fine-tuning and clarification of autoclave performance if required.
