An autoclave is a cylindrical instrument, vertical or horizontal, designed to work with a high internal pressure, and used to sterilize materials and instruments using water vapor at high pressure and temperature. This equipment consists of a metal container with thick walls and hermetic closure, which allows sterilizing under high pressure, ensuring maximum disinfection of all clinical, laboratory, and dental materials.
Its main objective is to eliminate microorganisms and spores settled in this type of instrumentation, coagulating their proteins and thus avoiding the spread of any type of infection or damage of raw materials and laboratory tests. Therefore, it is considered essential equipment to ensure the safety of patients and professionals in clinics, hospitals, and dental offices, since through its use, the required instruments are sterilized in these places. There are different models and types of autoclave