BOXUN YXQ-50A Vertical Steam Autoclave

Overview

The BOXUN YXQ-50A Vertical Steam Autoclave is a fully integrated, microprocessor-controlled sterilization system engineered for precision, safety, and operational reliability in regulated laboratory and clinical environments. It operates on the principle of saturated steam under pressure—leveraging the thermodynamic properties of pressurized water vapor to achieve microbial inactivation through protein denaturation and nucleic acid disruption. With a certified maximum operating temperature of 135 °C at 0.22 MPa (31.9 psi), the unit complies with internationally recognized sterilization validation benchmarks—including ISO 17665-1:2017 (sterilization of health care products by moist heat) and EN 285:2015 (large steam sterilizers). Its 50-liter stainless-steel chamber (SUS304 construction) supports batch processing of reusable medical devices, glassware, culture media, textiles, and porous loads—making it suitable for routine use in hospital central sterile supply departments (CSSD), academic research laboratories, pharmaceutical QC labs, and agricultural biotechnology facilities.

Key Features

• Vertical design optimized for space-constrained lab environments, with footprint of only 445 × 525 mm and total height of 1120 mm
• SUS304 stainless steel chamber, door, and baskets—resistant to corrosion from repeated exposure to steam, alkalis, and acidic cleaning agents
• Interlocked handwheel door mechanism with positive mechanical safety lock, preventing accidental opening during pressurized cycles
• Self-expanding silicone gasket ensures hermetic sealing and automatic compensation for thermal expansion during heating
• Dual independent safety systems: temperature-based overheat protection and pressure-actuated mechanical relief valve (set at 0.25 MPa design limit)
• Real-time water level monitoring with audible/visual low-water alarm and automatic power cutoff to prevent dry-heating damage
• Programmable three-phase cycle logic: (a) Heating → Sterilization → Fast Exhaust; (b) Heating → Sterilization → Slow Exhaust; (c) Heating → Sterilization → No Exhaust—enabling tailored treatment of heat-labile or porous materials
• Integrated cold-air purge function prior to sterilization phase, ensuring removal of non-condensable gases for uniform steam penetration
• Internal steam recirculation path with dedicated 3-liter condensate collection bottle, minimizing environmental discharge and supporting closed-loop operation
• End-of-cycle acoustic signal, automatic depressurization control, and power-down sequence for hands-free completion

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The YXQ-50A accommodates diverse load configurations—including wrapped surgical instruments, unwrapped metal tools, liquid media in sealed bottles (up to 1000 mL), Petri dishes, pipette tips, and fabric packs—subject to validated loading patterns per ISO 11140 and AAMI ST79 guidelines. Chamber geometry (Ø300 × 755 mm) and basket dimensions (Ø280 × 210 mm × 3) support standardized load mapping for repeatable heat distribution. All critical process parameters—including chamber temperature, jacket pressure, elapsed time, and exhaust status—are logged internally and accessible via optional RS232/USB interface for audit-ready documentation. The system architecture supports alignment with GLP, GMP, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with compliant data management software and electronic signature protocols.

Software & Data Management

While the base configuration features a dedicated microcontroller with LED display and tactile membrane keypad, the YXQ-50A supports optional serial communication modules for integration into centralized lab information systems (LIS) or facility-wide sterilization tracking platforms. Cycle logs—including start/end timestamps, peak temperature, dwell duration, and fault codes—are stored in non-volatile memory for ≥1000 cycles. An optional thermal printer enables real-time hard-copy output of cycle reports, including operator ID, load number, and pass/fail status—facilitating traceability in ISO 13485-certified medical device manufacturing or CLIA-regulated clinical labs. Firmware updates are performed via secure USB interface, maintaining version control and cybersecurity integrity per IEC 62304 standards.

Applications

• Routine sterilization of reusable surgical instruments and dental handpieces in outpatient clinics and ambulatory surgery centers
• Preparation of microbiological growth media (e.g., agar, broth) in university teaching labs and industrial fermentation R&D units
• Decontamination of biohazardous waste (BSL-2 level) prior to autoclave validation or off-site disposal
• Validation studies for sterilization process development, including half-cycle and overkill method assessments
• Melting and temperature-holding of agarose gels, paraffin wax, or nutrient supplements—enabled by dual-stage thermal programming (60–98 °C melt range; 40–60 °C hold range)
• Supporting ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing laboratories requiring documented thermal equivalence and repeatability across batches

FAQ

What is the maximum validated load weight for the YXQ-50A chamber?

The chamber is rated for uniform steam penetration with up to 30 kg of standard instrument load or 25 L of liquid media—provided proper load configuration and cycle selection are applied per EN 285 Annex C.
Does the unit support vacuum-assisted air removal?

No—the YXQ-50A relies on gravity displacement and dynamic cold-air purge rather than vacuum pulsing; it is not designed for porous load sterilization requiring pre-vacuum cycles (e.g., wrapped textiles or lumened devices).
Can the sterilizer be validated using biological indicators?

Yes—standardized spore strips (e.g., Geobacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 7953) may be placed at multiple challenge locations (coldest spot, center, and drain) to verify lethality (F₀ ≥ 12 min) per ISO 11138-3.
Is third-party IQ/OQ/PQ documentation available?

BOXUN provides factory-issued installation and operational qualification templates; performance qualification must be executed on-site by qualified personnel using calibrated thermocouples and data loggers per ISO 17665-2.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for long-term reliability?

Daily: water level check and chamber wipe-down; Monthly: gasket inspection and door seal lubrication; Annually: pressure transducer calibration, safety valve functional test, and steam trap verification.