Ethylene oxide sterilizer: Overview, principle and application

1. Basic introduction of ethylene oxide sterilizer
Ethylene oxide sterilizer is a device that uses ethylene oxide gas to sterilize items. Ethylene oxide (EO) is a highly effective broad-spectrum sterilant that can kill bacteria, viruses, fungi and their spores. It is widely used in the sterilization of medical devices, laboratory equipment, pharmaceutical products and disposable medical supplies. Ethylene oxide sterilizers are particularly suitable for precision instruments and heat-sensitive materials that cannot be treated by high temperature and moist heat sterilization methods.

2. Working principle of ethylene oxide sterilizer
The working principle of ethylene oxide sterilizer can be divided into the following steps:

Pretreatment stage:

Before sterilization begins, the items to be sterilized are placed in the sterilizer chamber and pretreated. Pretreatment usually includes pre-vacuuming to remove air in the chamber to ensure that ethylene oxide gas can fully penetrate into all parts of the items.
Humidification stage:

The sterilization effect of ethylene oxide is best under certain humidity conditions, so before ethylene oxide is injected, the humidity in the chamber is usually adjusted by injecting water vapor or other means.
Ethylene oxide injection:

Ethylene oxide gas or its mixture with other gases (such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen) is injected into the chamber. Ethylene oxide gas can penetrate the packaging material and enter the interior of the object, destroying the DNA and protein structure of microorganisms to achieve a sterilization effect.
Sterilization stage:

Under the set temperature, humidity and pressure conditions, maintain a certain time (usually 2 to 12 hours) to ensure thorough sterilization. The specific sterilization parameters depend on the nature and degree of contamination of the sterilized items.
Exhaust and ventilation:

After sterilization is completed, the residual ethylene oxide gas in the chamber is removed through multiple vacuum and ventilation cycles. This step is crucial because ethylene oxide is toxic and flammable to a certain extent, and it is necessary to ensure that the residual amount on the items meets safety standards.
Cooling and removal:

After sterilization, wait for the chamber to cool to a safe temperature before opening the door to remove the sterilized items. Ensure the safety of operators and the sterility of items.
3. Advantages of ethylene oxide sterilizer
Broad-spectrum sterilization:

Ethylene oxide has a strong sterilization ability and can effectively kill a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and their spores.
Low-temperature sterilization:

Ethylene oxide sterilization is carried out at low temperatures (usually 37°C to 60°C) and is suitable for sterilizing heat-sensitive materials and precision instruments.
Strong permeability:

Ethylene oxide gas can penetrate most packaging materials and items with complex structures to ensure comprehensive sterilization.
Wide range of applications:

Applicable to items of various materials and shapes, such as plastics, rubber, metal and glass products, especially those that cannot withstand high-temperature steam sterilization.
4. Application of ethylene oxide sterilizer
Medical field:

In the medical field, ethylene oxide sterilizers are mainly used to sterilize disposable medical supplies (such as syringes, surgical blades, sutures), surgical instruments, endoscopes and other precision medical equipment.
Pharmaceutical industry:

In the pharmaceutical industry, ethylene oxide sterilizers are used to sterilize drug packaging, production equipment and sterile clothing to ensure the sterility of drugs during production, packaging and storage.
Laboratory:

In the laboratory, ethylene oxide sterilizers are used to sterilize experimental equipment, culture media, reagents and precision instruments to ensure the accuracy and reliability of experimental results.
Electronic industry:

In the electronics industry, ethylene oxide sterilizers are used to sterilize electronic components and precision equipment to prevent microbial contamination from affecting product quality and performance.
V. Operation steps of ethylene oxide sterilizer
Preparation:

Before using the ethylene oxide sterilizer, you first need to prepare the items to be sterilized and place them in the sterilizer chamber. Make sure there is enough space between the items so that the ethylene oxide gas can fully penetrate.
Set parameters:

Set the temperature, humidity, pressure and time parameters of the sterilizer according to the nature of the items to be sterilized and the sterilization requirements. Different items and sterilization purposes require different parameters to ensure the sterilization effect.
Start the sterilization procedure:

Start the sterilizer and start the sterilization procedure. The sterilizer will automatically perform pre-vacuum, humidification, ethylene oxide injection, sterilization, exhaust and ventilation. During the whole process, ensure the safe operation of the sterilizer and avoid misoperation.
Take out the items:

After the sterilization procedure is completed, wait for the chamber to cool to a safe temperature and ensure that the residual amount of ethylene oxide meets the safety standards before opening the door to take out the sterilized items. Ensure that the items taken out remain sterile to avoid secondary contamination.
VI. Maintenance and care of ethylene oxide sterilizer
Regular cleaning:

Regularly clean the chamber and filter of the sterilizer to avoid the sterilization gas pipeline and exhaust system being blocked by impurities. Keeping the equipment clean can extend its service life and ensure the sterilization effect.
Inspection and calibration:

Regularly check the accuracy of various parameters of the sterilizer, such as temperature, humidity, pressure and time. Calibrate when necessary to ensure the normal operation and sterilization effect of the equipment.
Replace wearing parts:

Regularly replace wearing parts of the sterilizer, such as seals, valves and filters. Timely replacement of wearing parts can avoid equipment failure and improve sterilization efficiency and effect.
Safety inspection:

Since ethylene oxide has certain toxicity and flammability, the safety of the sterilizer must be checked regularly to ensure that there is no leakage during the sterilization process and the exhaust system operates normally.
VII. Development trend of ethylene oxide sterilizer
With the advancement of science and technology and the continuous expansion of application fields, ethylene oxide sterilizers will show the following trends in future development:

Intelligence:

Future ethylene oxide sterilizers will be more intelligent, with functions such as automatic control, remote monitoring and data recording. Through intelligent control, sterilization efficiency can be improved and human operation errors can be reduced.
Environmental protection:

Environmental protection has become the focus of global attention, and future ethylene oxide sterilizers will pay more attention to energy conservation and environmental protection. By optimizing design and improving technology, the use and emission of ethylene oxide can be reduced, and the impact on the environment can be reduced.
Multifunctionality:

Future ethylene oxide sterilizers will have more functions, such as rapid sterilization, low-temperature sterilization and a variety of sterilization mode options. Through multifunctional design, it can meet the sterilization needs of different fields and different items.
Humanized design:

Future ethylene oxide sterilizers will pay more attention to humanized design to improve the convenience and safety of operation. Through humanized design, the labor intensity of operators can be reduced and work efficiency can be improved.
In short, as a high-efficiency, broad-spectrum, low-temperature sterilization equipment, ethylene oxide sterilizers are widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, laboratory and electronic industries. Through continuous technological innovation and improvement, ethylene oxide sterilizers will continue to play their important role and safeguard people's health and safety.