Eschmann SES Little Sister 3 User manual

SES LS3

A UTOCLAVE

Instructions for use

490346

ST-IM29h

Introduction

Warnings and

information

Preparation
and loading

Sterilizing

and drying

Cleaning and care

Maintenance

Technical data

Read these Instructions before use

Keep these ‘Instructions for use’ in a safe convenient place for future reference.

Eschmann After Sales Service Department

The Eschmann After Sales Service Department is staffed and equipped to provide advice and
assistance during normal office hours. To avoid delays when making enquires, please quote the
Model and Serial Number of your Autoclave (NOTE: For location of the Serial Number Plate
see Fig.1. Item 19).

For Customers on the Mainland of England, Scotland and Wales, or on the Isle of Wight :­When you receive your Little Sister 3 Autoclave ensure that you complete your Service Guarantee
and Registration Card, and then FREEPOST it to Eschmann Equipment. Failure to return this
card means you will not benefit from our FREE installation service, which will ensure your Autoclave
is correctly installed, plus two FREE service visits during the following 12 months.

For further information visit www.eschmann.co.uk

All correspondence relating to the after sales service of Eschmann Equipment to be addressed to :

UK Customers

Eschmann Equipment, Peter Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 8TJ, England.
T el: [phone]. Fax: [phone].

Overseas Customers

Contact your local distributor. In case of doubt contact Eschmann Equipment.

Patents and Trade marks

The ESCHMANN name and logo are registered trade marks of Eschmann Holdings Limited .
“Eschmann Equipment” is a trading name of Eschmann Holdings Limit ed.
“Little Sister”, “SES”, and “LS3” are trade marks of Eschmann Holdings Limited.

Patents : Patents Pending plus - Pat. US5090033 and Pat. GB2238407

Copyright © 2002

All rights reserved. This booklet is protected by copyright. No part of it may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise without written permission from Eschmann Holdings Limited.
The information in this publication was correct at the time of going to print. The Company, however,
reserves the right to modify or improve the equipment referred to.

If the CE mark is affixed to the product, it indicates compliance with Council Directive
93/42/EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning medical devices.

Instructions for use

ST-IM29h October 2003

SES LS3

AUTOCLAVE

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Water quality caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

WARNINGS

Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Electrical safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

General safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

User notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

INFORMATION

Safety Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Conditions of safe use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Warning markings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

INITIAL PREPARATION FOR USE

Initial preparation for use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

LOADING THE AUTOCLAVE

Loading the autoclave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

STERILIZING AND DRYING

Sterilizing and drying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

CLEANING AND CARE

Cleaning and care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

SAFETY CHECKS

Weekly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Annually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

UK Guidance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

MAINTENANCE

Fuse renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Preventative Maintenance Agreement . . . . . . . . . 7

Error Correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Cleaning Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

TABLE 1

Fault finding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRINTER

Printer output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Front Panel Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Paper Roll Renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Ribbon Cartridge Renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Spares pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Setting Time and Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Illustrations for Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

TECHNICAL DATA

Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

INTRODUCTION

There are four versions of the Little Sister 3 Autoclave,
Short and Long chamber both with and without printer. For
instructions on how to use the printer (if fitted) see the
special section towards the end of this booklet.

These instructions apply to the following Autoclaves:­SES LITTLE SISTER 3 STANDARD

(from Serial Number LCB8B0000, or LSK8B0000 for non-CE).

without printer : 87-020-05 87-022-01

87-022-17

with printer : 87-020-13 87-022-09

87-022-25

SES LITTLE SISTER 3 LONG

(from Serial Number LLCB8B0000, or LLSB8B0000 for non-CE).

without printer : 87-020-21 87-022-49

87-022-66

with printer : 87-020-29 87-022-58

87-022-74

The Accessories listed below are available:-

Tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REF 87-040-07

Tray lifter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REF 87-040-90

Chiropody tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REF 87-041-12

Tray - Long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REF 87-040-19

Cassette (tray with lid) . . . . . . . . . . . REF 87-040-87

Printer spares pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . REF 87-034-05

Service Manual

A Service Manual containing technical description,
complete maintenance procedures and an illustrated list
of spare parts is available on request from the Eschmann
After Sales Service Department.

Reservoir Water Quality Caution

a. Eschmann recommend filling the reservoir with ‘Sterile

Water for Irrigation’. This is low in dissolved solids and
has a low microbial count. In the U.K. the Department
of Health recommend that ‘Sterile Water for Irrigation’
is used in bench-top Autoclaves (NHS Estates
document HTM2031).

b. If ‘Sterile Water for Irrigation’ is not being used then

Eschmann strongly recommend the use of either
distilled water, deionized water, purified water or
water treated by the reverse osmosis process. These
types of water are low in dissolved solids and can help
reduce the effects of tap water detailed below.

c. DO NOT USE TAP WATER, this is high in dissolved

solids and can deposit lime scale, block filters and
cause damage to the pressure vessel.

d. Eschmann also recommend changing the water in the

reservoir on a weekly basis, with the type of water
detailed in ‘a’ (or ‘b’) above. This will reduce the build-up
of contaminants in the water that may cause blocked
filters and/or damage to the pressure vessel. Your local
Health Authority may suggest that you change the
reservoir water more frequently. Eschmann advise you
to follow your local Health Authority’s recommendations.

ST-IM29h P3/12

WARNING

READ NOTES (1-5) BEFORE USE

The use of this autoclave should be under the
control of a responsible Person with sterilization
training. The user remains responsible for ensuring
that the load is suitable for the process adopted.

Note 1.

regarding the maximum temperature the instrument
can withstand. This is necessary as the sterilizing
temperature for 121ºC cycles may be exceeded
(typically to peaks of 130°C) during the drying phase
under certain conditions such as small loads.

g. The Autoclave will discharge steam during and at the

end of some cycles. Ensure the autoclave is not
positioned close to heat or smoke detectors as these
may be activated by the release of steam.

THE USER SHOULD BE A WARE OF THE FOLLOWING
POSSIBLE HAZARDS

a. Burns to the user caused by hot accessible surfaces

of the load, burns to the user caused by high
temperature internal surfaces of the chamber, scalds
to the user caused by hot water and/or steam from the
reservoir, scalds to the user caused by hot water from
the chamber on opening the door, scalds to the user
caused by hot water and/or steam from overfilling the
reservoir.

b. The hazard of scalds and burns from contact with hot

surfaces are greater during validation with the cover
removed which also exposes the risk of electric
shock. Validation should therefore only be carried out
by a qualified engineer.

c. Infection, caused by contact with water in the reservoir

if the reservoir is not drained, left to dry and recharged
at regular intervals as described in these instructions
for use (see paragraph 22) to prevent possible
contamination.

d. The autoclave indicates a successful cycle, but the

load remains non-sterile because the load is not
suitable for the steam sterilization cycle. All loads and
loading conditions must be validated. It is
recommended that the user consults the instructions
for use of the items to be autoclaved and if in doubt
consult a qualified microbiologist or Authorized Person.

Note 3.

THE USER SHOULD FOLLOW THESE ELECTRICAL
SAFETY MEASURES

a. This equipment must be earthed.
b. Switch ‘off’ unit and disconnect from mains power

supply before renewing fuses.

c. Switch ‘off’ unit and disconnect from mains power

supply before checking and cleaning the autoclave.

d. Do not attempt to service this equipment internally.

Note 4.

THE USER SHOULD FOLLOW THESE GENERAL
SAFETY MEASURES

a. Do not fill the reservoir during a sterilizing cycle.
b. Do not cover the ventilation louvres.
c. Do not use abrasive powders, chemicals, or solutions

containing chlorine to clean the autoclave.

d. Always allow unit to cool before attempting to open

the chamber door.

e. If an error display appears during a cycle, do not

switch-off power until discharge of hot water or steam
into the reservoir has stopped. Do not attempt to open
chamber door until unit has cooled and internal
pressure has fallen sufficiently to release pressure
safety bolt. Also see ‘Safety Checks’ page 7.

Note 2.

THE USER SHOULD BE A WARE OF THE FOLLOWING
LIMITATIONS DURING USE

a. Never use trays or cassettes without perforations as

this will result in a non-sterile load.

b. Do not process wrapped, sealed or porous goods or

fluids in this autoclave.

c. Not to be used in zones of risk associated with

flammable anaesthetics.

d. The Little Sister 3 is designed to sterilize instruments,

NOT TO WASH THEM. If instruments are not cleaned
this may compromise the efficiency of the sterilization
process.

e. These Autoclaves are not suitable for instruments or

items with narrow lumens.

f. When sterilising instruments not of solid metal

construction, the manufacturer of the instrument must
be consulted about its suitability for autoclaving,

P4/12 ST-IM29h

Note 5.

GENERAL POINTS TO REMEMBER DURING USE
a. Close the chamber door properly before selecting the

required programme.

b. Always leave the chamber door slightly open after

use.

c. Never use tap water see section 6 and ‘Reservoir

Water Quality Caution’ on page 3.

d. Ensure instruments are free from debris before placing

them in sterilizer chamber.
e. Use the ‘tray lifter’ to remove the sterilized load.
f. Keep chamber trays and chamber face clean.
g. Clean door seal and chamber face with a lint-free

cloth at weekly intervals.
h. Regular maintenance (every three months is

recommended) is required to ensure continued safety

and reliability

SES LS3

AUTOCLAVE

GENERAL INFORMATION NOTES

IMPORTANT

The design of the autoclave pressure vessel is
approved by a third party to PD5500 Cat.3. The
pressure vessel is constructed and tested to BS3970
Parts 1 and 4. In order to ensure safety and to
comply with UK regulations, the vessel and fittings
should be inspected by a ‘competent person’ at
intervals of no more than 14 months. This can be
carried out by an Eschmann trained engineer.

The Little Sister 3 Autoclave (Standard and Long) is designed
for the sterilization of unwrapped instruments, utensils and
other items. It operates automatically at the touch of a single
programme selector touch button, and has four programmes
134°C and 121°C, both with and without drying (see Important
Note below right). The Autoclave is capable of 4 cycles per
hour when the ‘134°C Without drying’ programme is selected.
For sterilization cycle times, refer to the ‘TECHNICAL DA T A ’
section on page 12.

Little Sister 3 Autoclave, safety features:-

a. Pressure Door Lock. The door is mechanically locked

at pressures above 0.14 bar.

b. Door Interlock Switch. This prevents programme

starting if door is not properly closed.

c. Electrical Door Lock. This prevents the door being

opened inadvertently by the operator once the cycle
has started and holds the door closed until the end of
the cycle. It will also keep the door closed under all
fault conditions.

d. Pressure Relief Valve (safety valve). This valve safely

releases excess pressure (i.e. above 2.6 bar).

e. Microcomputer. The microcomputer constantly

monitors all key functions. If an error arises, it
immediately stops the cycle, discharges pressure,
and causes the appropriate message to be displayed
(See Error Correction para. 27).

f. Overheat Control. The microcomputer operates in

conjunction with an independent manual reset
thermostat to protect the heating element from
overheating. The autoclave is also fitted with a fusible
link which, should overheating occur, will cut all power
to the heating element and microcomputer and operate
the manual reset thermostat, leaving only the red
overheat warning lamp illuminated on the front panel.

Declaration

The design of the autoclave pressure vessel is approved
by a third party to PD5500 Cat.3. The pressure vessel is
constructed and tested to BS3970 Parts 1 and 4.

Conditions of Safe Use:-

a. Indoor Use.
b. Altitude up to 2000 metres.
c. Temperature 5°C to 40°C.
d. Maximum relative humidity 80% for temperatures up

to 31°C, decreasing linearly to 50% relative humidity
at 40°C.

e. Mains supply voltage fluctuations not to exceed ±10%

of the normal voltage.

f. No other voltage fluctuations specified by the

manufacturer.

Note: If it is required to operate this Autoclave outside of
these conditions, contact Eschmann Equipment at the
address given in these instructions.

IMPORT ANT NOTE:

UK Customers should arrange for this equipment
to be installed by an Eschmann Trained Engineer
before use. (For free installation and service details
see page 2). Also see ‘Safety Checks’ page 7.

The preset sterilizing temperature for your Little Sister 3
Autoclave is displayed on a temporary label affixed to the
front of the unit. All programmes can be deactivated or
reactivated by an Eschmann Trained Engineer , on request.

WARNING MARKINGS

The warning markings on this equipment have the
following meanings

Caution; refer to accompanying documents
(i.e. these Instructions for Use).
This symbol, adjacent to the door knob, warns
the user of the possible escape of steam and
hot water when the door is opened.

Caution; refer to accompanying documents
(i.e. these Instructions for Use).
This symbol, adjacent to the overheat light at
the bottom of the control panel, warns the user
of overheating of the sterilizing chamber.

Caution; hot surface.
This symbol warns the user of high surface
temperatures on the outside of the equipment.

Caution; refer to accompanying documents
(i.e. these Instructions for Use).
This symbol on the serial number label (rating
plate), and on the lid of the unit, warns the user
that it is necessary to read the Instructions for
Use before using the equipment.

Note: This equipment is defined as:

Installation Category 2 (Overvoltage Category 2)
Pollution Degree 2 (in accordance with IEC664).

ST-IM29h P5/12