6 Important Questions to Ask When Purchasing a Refurbished Autoclave Written by: Jason Thompson Purchasing a refurbished autoclave can be a smart investment — especially if you’re a fledgling laboratory or startup biotech company with limited funding. While going with a used autoclave may be less of an expenditure compared with a new purchase, selecting a refurbished autoclave should not be taken lightly. For example, it’s important to ensure […] Tweet Like Share
How to Validate an Autoclave: Sterilization Cycle Development Written by: Scott Mechler Cycle development is an important part of both the autoclave procurement and validation processes. In previous posts about validation, we explored Installation Qualification (IQ), Operation Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ). We also discussed the importance of steam quality testing as part of validating your autoclave, as well as Factory Acceptance Testing. In this post, we provide guidance in developing sterilization cycles and […] Tweet Like Share
Consolidated Sterilizer Systems Introduces Cloud Upgrade Kit for Existing Autoclaves in the Field Written by: Arthur Trapotsis Consolidated Sterilizer Systems announces that an upgrade kit is now available to retrofit your older-model steam sterilizers with cloud connectivity. The announcement means you now have a better, more affordable, option to upgrade your equipment without having to purchase a brand new sterilizer. The new upgrade kits come on the heels of Consolidated launching a […] Tweet Like Share
CSS CEO to Talk Sterilizer Best Practices in Upcoming ABSA Webinar Written by: Jason Thompson Consolidated Sterilizer Systems CEO Arthur Trapotsis will take part in a special webinar hosted by the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) for laboratory professionals looking to bolster their working knowledge of basic and advanced lab safety protocols. The webinar — Best Practices and Emerging Trends in Facility Decontamination and Steam Sterilization — is a two-part […] Tweet Like Share
CSS Unveils Autoclave of the Future at AALAS conference Written by: Jason Thompson The “Autoclave of the Future” received a warm reception from friends, colleagues and future clients during the annual American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) conference held this year in Charlotte, N.C. Arthur Trapotsis, President and CEO of Consolidated Sterilizer Systems, said he was pleased with the reaction industry professionals had of the new cloud-enabled […] Tweet Like Share
CSS & TetraScience to Host One-of-a-Kind Webinar on Benefits of Cloud-Connected Autoclave Technology Written by: Arthur Trapotsis Consolidated Sterilizer Systems and TetraScience will come together Oct. 25th for a live presentation about new cloud and Internet of Things (IoT) technology that will radically improve the efficiency of your lab. The one-of-a-kind webinar — titled “Cloud Enabled Laboratory Equipment: Learn How and Why You Should Be Adopting Cloud Tech in the Lab”— will feature […] Tweet Like Share
What to Know About Sterilizer Manufacturers When Designing a Laboratory Written by: Amit Gupta Designing a laboratory requires an incredible amount of forethought, knowledge, and planning. Not only must architects properly lay out the floor plan for the equipment, but they must also ensure the specifications for the equipment are accurate. The more complex the equipment (e.g. an autoclave) the more challenging these design efforts can be. From the […] Tweet Like Share
CSS to Showcase Cloud-Enabled Autoclaves at 67th annual AALAS Conference Written by: Jason Thompson The 67th annual American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) conference is right around the corner. Will we see you in Charlotte? This year’s AALAS conference marks the tenth consecutive year Consolidated Sterilizer Systems has participated in the industry-wide event. The conference is held over five days (Oct 30-Nov. 3.) and includes workshops, lectures, poster […] Tweet Like Share
Survey Results Show Need for Cloud-Connected Autoclaves in Laboratories Written by: Arthur Trapotsis A recent survey of autoclave users (researchers, lab managers, and technicians) shows, unequivocally, that having access to a cloud-connected autoclave can and will boost productivity, as well as improve access to sterilizer data. In an earlier post — The Birth of the Internet of Labs (IoL) — we skim the surface on the benefits of […] Tweet Like Share
How to Validate an Autoclave: Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) Written by: Scott Mechler A steam sterilizer, whether used for pharmaceutical or laboratory sterilizing applications, is designed to use steam under pressure as the sterilizing agent. When constructed, installed and operated correctly, a steam sterilizer should function properly and sterilize your load. But, how does a sterilizer manufacturer ensure the unit they’ve built is assembled properly and is in […] Tweet Like Share
7.12.23 Cordyceps Sterilization: How to Kill “The Last of Us” Parasite → In HBO’s recent adaptation of “The Last of Us,” a popular action-adventure video game, life as we know it is upended by a parasitic fungus that transforms its human hosts into zombies. The culprit? Cordyceps, a real-life genus of fungus which is best known for infecting insects (most famously ants) in much the same manner […]
6.30.23 Top 13 Sterile Processing Mistakes in Hospitals → When it comes to ensuring patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) is among the last lines of defense. It’s this department’s sole responsibility to make sure that reusable instruments and devices are properly decontaminated, sterilized, and ultimately safe to use in future procedures — protecting patients from […]
6.22.23 Sterilization vs. High-Level and Low-Level Disinfection [a 3-Point Comparison] → In a 1939 paper, microbiologist Earle H. Spaulding introduced a system for determining which medical devices and instruments needed disinfection and which ones required sterilization. In it, he proposed that critical instruments would need to be subjected to more stringent disinfection protocols than non-critical patient care items. Today, this framework is fittingly known as Spaulding […]