FOWS Washer Autoclaves offer a unique solution to the problems of washing items used in sterile suites. Conventionally, drums, trays, change parts are passed out to a preparation area for washing in a batch washer, then reloaded into an autoclave for sterilisation back into the area.
The Fedegari washer-autoclave allows a combined process – products that are not direct product contact (e.g. Lyo trays) can be loaded into the chamber from the sterile side, washed and re-sterilised in one process, then withdrawn ready for use on the sterile side.
Where the sterilised items need protection (e.g. change parts) they can be withdrawn into a mobile LAF unit (see Bio-Com) or the process can be split:
- load from sterile side for washing
- withdrawal from the non-sterile side for bagging & sealing of openings
- reloading for pass-through sterilisation through to the sterile suite.
As well as the clear handling advantages, the washing process can take advantage of two unique capabilities:
- pure steam can be applied to pre-heat loads with viscous contaminants
- vacuum drying replaces hot air drying which is energy-hungry and has attendant problems of extraction of large volumes of hot humid air.
All Fedegari washer-autoclaves come with a complete SIP capability, sterilising all water recirculating lines.
Fedegari washer-autoclaves can also be operated as conventional saturated steam autoclaves, or as conventional batch washers.
