The autoclave is a fixture in the dental operatory, but do you know how it has evolved over time and in recent history? It might surprise you!
The steam digester, a precursor to the autoclave and domestic pressure cooker, can be traced back to physicist Denis Papin in the late 17th century. The invention of the first autoclave used to sterilize equipment and supplies dates back to 1884 and is credited to Charles Chamberland (appropriate name for inventing a chamber). As for the modern, compact autoclave used for dental instruments, specifically? It was actually the manufacturer SciCan that debuted the compact STATIM sterilizers in 1989.
STATIM sterilizers were game-changers because they introduced a patented steam technology invented in Canada and were designed to meet the growing need for handpiece sterilization. The proprietary technology, positive pressure pulse displacement (PPPD), uses saturated steam to remove air and effectively sterilize instruments between patients. Notably, STATIM uses only a small, specific amount of water required for each cycle, as opposed to conventional chambers that heat an entire reservoir of water.
Fast-forward to 2018, and the next-generation STATIM G4 Cassette Autoclave sterilizes up to 10 times faster than traditional chamber-style units, according to SciCan. The thin, stainless steel walls of STATIM’s fully-removable cassette allow for rapid heating and cooling of the chamber, matched by rapid drying. Moreover, G4 Technology automatically records and monitors every cycle 24/7, automating the tedious task of manually logging cycle data and eliminating errors. It’s also network-enabled, meaning the user can view STATIM G4’s current operations in real-time and access cycle history and sterilization records.
If that’s not high-tech enough, STATIM G4 is also capable of sending emails with cycle information errors directly to the dealer, plus it has a high-resolution, color touchscreen that offers current cycle information and customizable icons. Security and safety is also prioritized, as the STATIM G4 supports verifiable processes that are PIN protected, so that staff members can be required to authorize a cycle.
It’s easy to think of technology in the context of the device—the handpiece, the camera, the scanner. But now is the time to think more about the technology that sterilizes all the essential parts of these tools and more, protecting your patients and staff from infection. If you’re interested in the latest offerings from pioneers of advanced infection control, SciCan is offering a special promotion through March. Learn more at www.scicanusa.com.