Melag 15, 17, 23, 26 User manual
Operating manual
for MELAG-Autoclaves
Type 15 Type 17 Type 23
Dear Doctor:
Thank you very much for the trust which you have shown by purchasing this
autoclave.
For 50 years now, MELAG - a medium-sized family-owned and -operated company has specialised in the production of sterilization equipment for medical practice.
During this period, MELAG has succeeded in becoming a leading manufacturer of
sterilization equipment. More than 335 000 MELAG units sold throughout the world
testify to the exceptional quality of our products, which are manufactured exclusively
in Germany.
As all other MELAG products, this autoclave was manufactured and tested according
to strict quality criteria. Before placing this unit into operation, please read this
Operating Manual carefully. The long-term functional effectiveness and the
preservation of the value of your autoclave will depend on careful preparation of
instruments before sterilization, and on proper care of the unit.
The staff and management of MELAG
To ensure the functional effectiveness of this unit and to
preserve its value:
1. Prepare the instruments to be sterilized carefully
2. Take proper care of the autoclave
3. Use only pure distilled or demineralised water
Content:
Page
1 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................2
1.1 F
1.2 TECHNICAL DATA ....................................................................................................................................2
1.3 PREPARING INSTRUMENTS FOR STERILIZATION .........................................................................................3
1.4 RUST FORMATION = DRAG-IN RUST..........................................................................................................3
1.5 TAKING CARE OF YOUR AUTOCLAVE .........................................................................................................3
1.6 INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSPECTION AND CARE OF THE DOOR AND DOOR-LOCK COMPONENTS...........................4
1.7 CHECKING THE AUTOCLAVE.....................................................................................................................5
2 INSTALLATION ..........................................................................................................................................5
2.1 S
2.2 FILLING THE STORAGE CONTAINER...........................................................................................................6
2.3 VDE - REGULATIONS ..............................................................................................................................6
RONT OF THE AUTOCLAVE .....................................................................................................................2
ETTING UP THE AUTOCLAVE...................................................................................................................5
3 FOR EACH STERILIZATION .....................................................................................................................6
TEMS TO BE STERILIZED .........................................................................................................................6
3.1 I
3.2 STERILIZATION PROCESS.........................................................................................................................7
3.3 PROCESS CONTROL ................................................................................................................................7
3.4 PROGRAM TERMINATION .........................................................................................................................7
3.5 R
EMOVING DRY LOADS............................................................................................................................7
3.6 STERILIZATION FREQUENCY.....................................................................................................................7
4 FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT STERILIZATION ..............................................................................8
4.1 D
URATION OF STERILIZATION (COMPLETE PROCESS).................................................................................8
4.2 USE OF DISTILLED OR DEMINERALISED WATER ..........................................................................................9
5 NOTES ON OPERATING MALFUNCTIONS ...........................................................................................10
5.1 L
OW PRESSURE READING FROM THE PRESSURE GAUGE..........................................................................10
5.2 PRESSURE READING FROM PRESSURE GAUGE TOO HIGH.........................................................................10
5.3 P
5.4 O
RESSURE READING TOO LOW...............................................................................................................11
VERHEATING IN THE CHAMBER............................................................................................................11
5.5 RESIDUAL WATER IN THE CHAMBER........................................................................................................12
5.6 SIGNAL LAMP 'POWER' STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY ...................................................................................12
5.7 SIGNAL LAMP 'POWER' DOESN'T LIGHT UP ..............................................................................................12
6 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ........................................................................................................................12
7 TAKING THE AUTOCLAVE OUT OF OPERATION/TRANSPORT/RE-INSTALLATION ......................12
8 ANNEX ......................................................................................................................................................13
8.1 S
8.2 I
PARE PARTS.......................................................................................................................................13
NSIDE THE AUTOCLAVE.........................................................................................................................13
Content
Operating manual for type 15/17/23
1 Introduction
1.1 Front of the autoclave____________________________________________________
1
2
Autoklav23
Trocknen
Manometer
3
2
-1
Thermometer
5-
6
0
Netz
3
4
5
100
15O
200
6
7
8
9
10
Wasserentleerung
Zeitschaltuhr
Druckschalter
b
2
r
a
5030
0
1 bar
11121311
1 Housing lid 6 Thermometer 12 Outlet for draining
2 Cooling rests 7 Signal lamp "Heating" distilled or demineralised water
(for trays, etc.) 8 Timer switch 13 Inspection cut-away for
3 Pressure gauge 9 Switch "Water inlet" examining the water level
4 Switch "Drying" 10 Pressure selection
5 Signal lamp "Power" 11 Adjustable feet
1.2 Technical data __________________________________________________________
Type 15 Type 17 Type 23
Sterilization chamber (diameter X depth) 15 X 38 cm 18 X 42 cm 23 X 45 cm
Max. load:
Instruments (with trays) 2 kg 3 kg 4 kg
Textiles 150 g 200 g 500 g
Electrical power supply, (AC) 230 V / 1560 W 230 V / 1350 W 230 V / 1970 W
Water consumption per sterilization
280 ml 300 ml 300 ml
cycle
Pressure range: 1 bar program - 1.0 bar (121°C) up to 1.4 bar (126°C)
Pressure range: 2 bar program 2.0 bar (134°C) up to 2.5 bar (138°C)
Operating time: 1 bar program - 50 minutes 50 minutes
Operating time: 2 bar program 30 minutes 30 minutes 30 minutes
Break between 2 sterilization cycles 30 minutes 30 minutes 30 minutes
Mains-fuse 2x 12,5A/T 12,5A/T 12,5A/T
Drying time As required
Page 2
1.3 Preparing instruments for sterilization ______________________________________
MELAG - non-rusting materials
All parts of MELAG autoclaves which come into
contact with steam are made of non-rusting
materials. The pressure chamber, storage container,
and tray rack assembly are of stainless steel, pipes
carrying steam are made of copper, the chamber
door is made of chrome-plated brass, and the trays
are made of eloxated aluminium.
Drag-in rust
The use of non-rusting materials excludes the
formation of rust as a result of the components of
the autoclave. Where rust forms in the autoclave or
on the items being sterilized, investigations have
repeatedly shown that this rust has been brought in
from other sources. It should be borne in mind that
rust can form even on the best quality stainless steel
instruments, for example as a result of improper
treatment with chemical agents or disinfectant
during preparation for sterilization.
Preparations of items for sterilization
The example of drag-in rust shows how important it
is to prepare items properly for sterilization. In
particular, the following points should be observed:
The instruments should be disinfected and cleaned
immediately after use in accordance to UVV/VBG
103 with a disinfectant and/or cleaning solution. The
solutions should be used in the correct
concentration and care should be taken to adhere
precisely to the correct immersion times! It is
advisable to make use of appropriate cleaning aids
such as an ultrasound cleaning unit, or a thermodesinfector.
Cleaning the instruments before sterilization is also
very important in order to avoid introducing dirt and
contamination which can separate from the
instruments under steam pressure and block the
filters, jets, and valves of the autoclave! Above all,
locks, joints and hinges of instruments must be
thoroughly cleaned with a brush. Cleaning and
disinfecting agents should be washed off thoroughly
with clear water, again using a brush. Residues of
cleaning and disinfectant chemicals must under no
circumstances find their way into the autoclave,
since they can give rise to corrosion! Finally, swill
with demineralised water and then dry the
instruments well.
Brand-new instruments
The cleaning procedures described above are also
necessary for brand-new instruments, since these
often carry small amounts of oil, fat and soiling from
the manufacturing process.
1.4 Rust formation = Drag-in rust _____________________________________________
As already explained, the non-rusting materials used
in the autoclave cannot give rise to rust formation in
the autoclave!
Where rust forms this is "drag-in rust". This
originates from instruments or other metallic objects
carrying traces of rust, even though they are made
of stainless steel, or are made of normal steel but
have a damaged galvanic coating. Often a single
rusty instrument is enough to pass rust on to other
instruments or to lead to film rust forming in the
autoclave and resulting to corrosion damage.
Therefore the pressure chamber should be wiped
out regularly, in order to avoid the formation of film
rust. Rust which forms on the pressure chamber,
storage container, or on the tray rack assembly must
be removed using small amounts of a mild
commercial cleaning agent for stainless steel. Do
not use steel wool or a steel brush! In order to clean
the pressure chamber withdraw the tray rack
assembly. Dispose of instruments which are causing
rust!
1.5 Taking care of your autoclave _____________________________________________
Every week
Cleaning the autoclave chamber
The autoclave chamber and the door surfaces
should be cleaned at least once a week. To do this,
the trays and the tray rack assembly should be
withdrawn from the chamber. The chamber can then
be wiped out with a soft cloth or a (non-abrasive)
sponge. Stubborn spots can be removed using small
quantities of a mild commercial steel cleaning agent,
taking care that none gets into the pipes attached to
the autoclave chamber. Do not use abrasive
cleaners such as steel wool or a wire brush. Alkaline
cleaning agents or products containing chlorine
alkaline must not be used. Spots on stainless steel
can be removed using 5% oxalic acid.
Door gasket
The door gasket should be checked once a week for
signs of wear and damage. It should be
cleaned with a mild commercial cleaning agent.
Every two weeks
Demineralized/distilled water storage container
Every two weeks, the demineralised/distilled water
storage container should be emptied by opening the
outlet (12). If necessary clean the container, e.g.
using a bottle cleaning brush and warm water with a
detergent additive. Swill out well with water and refill
with demineralized/distilled water (for the water
quality see Section 4.2).
Note!
Door spindle
The spindle of the door lock is important for the safe
operation of the autoclave, and must be regularly
lubricated with silicone grease. Any signs of wear
should be reported immediately to an authorised
technician, who will examine and if necessary
replace it.
Page 3
Operating manual for type 15/17/23
1.6 Instructions for inspection and care of the door and door-lock components ______
In order to prevent premature wear, it is absolutely necessary to keep the following components well
lubricated at all times: the threaded spindle of the palm grip hand knob, the hinges of the lock yoke, and the
pressure locking bar. Use the following lubricant: plain-bearing grease (Gleitfett, MELAG art. no. 24355), or
an equivalent silicone grease, or Molykote
The signs in the diagrams below indicate that the lock components of the door have become subject to
excessive wear. If any of the following signs appear, then the device must be inspected by a MELAG
customer-service representative, or an authorized technician from a specialist dealer:
• There is too much play in the
hinge of the pressure locking
bar (the door “hangs”)
Warning!
The hinge bolts must absolutely
remain completely inserted (flush) in
the latch and in the hinge yoke of the
locking pressure bar (left side)
®
.
• There is too much play in
the hinge of the lock yoke.
• Hard-metal screw-thread insert
which has been screwed out of the
latch
Warning!
If the bolt moves out of place upward or downward
as shown here, and is not flush, do not use the
autoclave. Call the technical customer service for
repair before using the device.
• Too much play in the
threaded spindle of the
palm grip hand knob (the
spindle rattles in the latch)
• The threaded spindle
become definitely hard to
turn
Page 4
Loading...