Ethylene Oxide Sterilizer

EO sterilization is preferred for materials that cannot withstand the high heat and pressure of steam autoclaves. It is compatible with plastics, polymers, electronics, and delicate assemblies, making it essential for medical devices and pharmaceutical manufacturing where device integrity must be preserved.

The cycle generally includes three phases:

• Conditioning (warm & humid exposure) for approximately 12 hours at around 55°C and 70% relative humidity.
• Gas injection and exposure for 4–8 hours under controlled temperature and humidity.
• Evacuation and gas clearance/aeration for roughly 8–12 hours to remove residual EO gas.

It is ideal for single-use healthcare items such as hypodermic injection tools, intravenous lines, clinical drape kits, protective gloves, fluid administration sets, urinary collection pouches, contraceptive devices, and other diagnostic or therapeutic gear. It is also suitable for plastics, rubbers, electronics, and multi-layered or wrapped items.

Internal surfaces and product-contact components are made from premium stainless steel (SS 304 and SS 316). Models feature a sectional, flexible chamber design, single-door configuration with a reliable locking mechanism, electronically managed heating, a high-capacity venturi system, and physical push-button controls. Full IQ, OQ, and DQ documentation packages are available.

Common models include AETOS – 2.6 (≈70 liters / 2.6 cu. ft.), AETOS – 4.5 (≈125 liters / 4.5 cu. ft.), and AETOS – 8 (≈200 liters / 8 cu. ft.). They use disposable EO cartridges (40g, 100g, or 170g), support warm and cold cycles, include in-built aeration, require compressed air (100 psig), and operate on 220 V single-phase power (power ratings from 1 kW to 2.5 kW; voltage can be adjusted).

The systems use disposable EtO cartridges of different capacities. A vacuum is drawn before gas injection, temperature is maintained (typically around 50°C), and residual gas is removed via continuous vacuum followed by fresh-air purging during the aeration phase.

These sterilizers are widely applied in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, herbal, Ayurvedic, biotech, cosmetic, and chemical industries for sterilizing heat-sensitive products and devices.

Key benefits include excellent material compatibility (safe for heat-sensitive plastics and electronics), strong penetration power for wrapped or complex items, preservation of device functionality and integrity, high throughput for large volumes of sensitive devices, and consistent achievement of SAL 10⁻⁶.

Alternatives include vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) for faster cycles with lower toxicity, radiation (gamma or electron beam) for dense materials, chlorine dioxide gas for heat-sensitive items, and steam or dry heat for non-sensitive devices. EO remains the method of choice when deep penetration and compatibility with complex or heat-labile medical devices are required.