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Sterilization of medical equipment is one of the most important processes in healthcare. It eliminates all living microorganisms from medical and dental equipment, including bacteria, spores, viruses, and fungi, ensuring the safety and reusability of these devices. While various sterilization methods exist, hydrogen peroxide is widely used in healthcare centers, hospitals, and dental clinics due to its effectiveness, safety, and affordability. Below, we will explore two hydrogen peroxide sterilization techniques and how to select the appropriate pressure sensor for sterilization equipment based on sensor technical parameters and operational characteristics.

Two distinct sterilization processes utilize hydrogen peroxide. Each requires different measurement devices to ensure proper operation. The first process, plasma sterilization, uses a capacitive vacuum pressure gauge to measure process pressure during the sterilization cycle. Medical devices, including surgical instruments and catheters, dental equipment, and other devices with grooves and channels, are inserted into the sterilizer chamber. The chamber is then sealed and evacuated to create a vacuum. Hydrogen peroxide sterilant from pre-packaged containers is introduced into the chamber. After vaporization, the sterilant interacts with the surfaces of the medical/dental devices, causing a pressure increase; the pressure then decreases again and plasma is generated. The free radicals of hydrogen peroxide interact with and kill microorganisms. Afterward, the hydrogen peroxide decomposes, leaving only water vapor and oxygen. Medical devices can be used immediately after sterilization or stored.

To ensure effective sterilization, a specific base pressure is required within the sterilizer chamber when exciting the plasma. A capacitive vacuum pressure gauge is installed on the sterilizer to monitor and/or control chamber pressure, ensuring proper pressure is maintained during all phases of the sterilization process. When choosing a vacuum pressure gauge suitable for your application, partner with a supplier offering a range of products: different full-scale pressure ranges from 10 to 1000 Torr, a reading accuracy of ±0.5% (preferably ±0.25%), and a negligible temperature coefficient within a temperature compensation range of 0°C to 50°C.

The second sterilization process uses vaporized hydrogen peroxide. Before being converted to steam in the sterilization chamber, the hydrogen peroxide is stored in liquid form in a reservoir. During use, the liquid sterilant is sprayed from the reservoir into the system, killing microorganisms on the equipment. This application utilizes a gauge pressure sensor to measure the pressure exerted by the liquid sterilant in the reservoir on the sensor itself, indicating the hydrogen peroxide level.

This sterilization process works as follows: the pressure sensor is mounted at the bottom of the sterilant reservoir. The weight of the sterilant causes pressure on the sensor. The cable on the back of the sensor contains a vent, allowing the sensor to measure pressure relative to local atmospheric pressure (gauge pressure measurement). As the sterilant is consumed, the weight (pressure) decreases, and the output signal sent by the sensor to the redundant monitoring system decreases accordingly. The sensor can then issue a low-level warning to the sterilization technician. When the sensor register value is 0 PSIG, it indicates that the reservoir is empty.