The working principle of the thermometry disinfection machine

Thermal sterilization uses high temperature to coagulate or denature bacterial protein, lose enzyme activity, hinder metabolism and cause bacterial death. Thermal sterilization includes damp heat sterilization and dry heat sterilization. Damp and heat can solidify and deform bacterial protein; Dry heat can oxidize, denature and carbonize bacterial protein and concentrate electrolyte, resulting in cell death. Thermal sterilization is convenient, effective and non-toxic. It is the main sterilization method used by the hospital disinfection supply center. Pressure steam sterilization is the preferred sterilization method for moisture-resistant and heat-resistant medical devices.

Pressure steam sterilization adopts damp heat sterilization method. At the same temperature, the sterilization effect of damp heat is better than that of dry heat for the following reasons:

The temperature required for protein coagulation is related to its water content. The greater the water content, the lower the temperature required for protein coagulation. The bacterial protein during moist heat sterilization can absorb water, so it is easier to solidify than in dry and hot air at the same temperature.

During damp heat sterilization, steam releases a large amount of latent heat to further improve the temperature. At the same temperature, the time required for damp heat sterilization is shorter than that for dry heat.

The penetration of damp heat gas is stronger than that of dry heat gas, so the effect of damp heat is better than that of dry heat. High pressure steam can kill all microorganisms, even including bacterial spores, fungal spores and other high-temperature resistant individuals. The steam temperature of sterilization increases with the increase of steam pressure. By increasing steam pressure, the sterilization time can be greatly shortened. Therefore, it is the most effective and widely used sterilization method.