Desktop autoclaves achieve reliability with Bürkert steam valves

Autoclaves sterilise equipment in a sealed chamber by replacing air in the chamber with steam. During this repeated process known as ‘pulsing’, a vacuum is formed to remove the air and excess moisture as it is mixed with and then replaced by the steam; once the air has been replaced then the pure steam is used to complete the sterilisation process. The pressure can vary inside the autoclave which adjusts the internal temperature and pressure to match set-point levels.

The process aims to kill all bacteria known to man during a set period of time at a temperature of 134°C plus while leaving no potentially hazardous moisture residue on equipment afterwards. An MDS autoclave sterilisation cycle generally lasts between 30-35 minutes – which if used 15 times a day (typical for a dentist), works out at roughly between 7-8 hours use daily. The autoclaves remove 99.9% of all air inside the chamber, guaranteeing a successful cycle. The heating stage of the process usually lasts between three and four minutes – depending on the amount of contaminated equipment being processed.

David Thomas, the director of MDS Medical, has over 40 years experience designing, building and servicing autoclaves. At MDS, he set out to provide an affordable, but high performance desktop autoclave through collaboration with an established volume manufacturer that could make the cases for him. Part-built autoclaves are shipped to MDS in Corby, Northamptonshire for final assembly in preparation for the heavy duty use that they will endure.

Building for MDS customers always includes the installation of Bürkert solenoid valves. Characterised by their small but heavy duty construction the valves help provide dependable performance despite frequent use, boosting the operational lifetime and ruggedness of an already proven product. The valves also ensure all MDS autoclaves are HTM01-05 compliant and carry a European directive CE mark. MDS as standard offer a warranty for 12 months or 1000 cycles for their autoclave customers.

David holds a high opinion of the Bürkert products he uses, ‘these are the Rolls Royce of valves,’ he comments, standing next to a part-built example of one of his custom autoclaves. This particular model incorporates two Bürkert Type 6014 brass bodied 3/2 way miniature solenoid valves and a single Type 6013 2/2 way normally closed valve. This model is part of the 8 to 12 litre range – ideal for tattoo and chiropody businesses.

For veterinary and dentistry applications, 18 to 22 litre variations are supplied. Each autoclave is designed especially for the end user, with David’s experience and expertise enabling a wide range of options.

The specific benefits of the valves are clear. Typically, instruments harbour residue, oil or other matter they have been exposed to. This residue can be damaging to the operating efficiency of a typical solenoid valve, especially the valve seat. As the valve opens and closes to allow fluid through the system, so the valve seat comes into direct contact with the media. However, the Bürkert valves David uses have seats made from highly durable FKM. FKM ensures the valve seat can withstand the effects of steam and residue to perform efficiently despite exposure to different substances in the system.

This impressive reliability is further illustrated by the lack of maintenance the valves require. ‘Usually we recommend to our customers that a busy autoclave is serviced every six months, however with Bürkert valves they can last up to 2 years or even longer,’ David explains. Fundamentally, the valves allow us to transform a reliable autoclave into one specialised for constant heavy duty use; combining contamination resistance and low maintenance costs to provide genuine cost effective performance. For end users, this can only be a good thing.

Another aspect of the business highlights the trust MDS invests in Bürkert valves. MDS operates a maintenance service for any brand of autoclave, helping to keep this essential equipment for businesses operational. If problems arise with an autoclave valve from a different manufacturer – then MDS will automatically replace it with a Bürkert valve.

The Bürkert valves revitalise older autoclave models and can push them well beyond their standard service life; consequently lowering costs and increasing confidence. This not only saves businesses the outlay of replacing an entire unit – but also ensures they will not lose time to further failures. Without an operational autoclave, vets and doctors cannot work, so MDS aims to tackle downtime head on with a cost effective reliable solution.

Essentially, Bürkert valves have offered MDS and the businesses they supply a valuable component to reap the benefits of wholly reliable yet very cost effective autoclave equipment. By refitting components with rugged Bürkert replacements – essential sterilisation products can be kept working at a fraction of the original replacement price. By providing a custom solution that works, while only specifying high quality Bürkert components, MDS Medical Ltd is redefining cost effectiveness in the industry. David states his feelings simply, ‘for us they are the best valve on the market’.