A Hospital EO Sterilizer, also known as an Ethylene Oxide Sterilizer, is a specialized medical device used in healthcare facilities to sterilize heat-sensitive instruments, equipment, and supplies. Ethylene oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that acts as a powerful disinfectant, capable of penetrating complex materials like plastics, rubber, optics, and electronics without causing damage. It’s particularly essential for items that can’t withstand steam, high heat, or radiation, such as endoscopes, cardiac catheters, and multi-channel surgical tools.
Hospital EO Sterilizers are commonly found in hospital Central Sterile Supply Departments (CSSD), clinics, and medical device manufacturing. They operate by exposing items to controlled concentrations of EO gas in a sealed chamber, followed by aeration to remove residues.
Hospital EO Sterilizer Video
How Does an EO Sterilization Process Work?
The process typically involves several stages and takes 12–24 hours per cycle, including preconditioning, sterilization, and aeration:
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Preconditioning: Items are humidified and heated (around 45–55°C) to optimize gas penetration.
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Sterilization: EO gas is introduced into the chamber under vacuum and controlled pressure (often -60 kPa). The gas kills microorganisms by alkylating their DNA.
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Exhaust and Aeration: Residual EO is vented and items are aerated in a separate chamber to reduce residues to safe levels (per ISO 11135 standards, e.g., <4 mg/device for most items).
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Monitoring: Modern units use PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and HMI for automated cycles, with sensors tracking temperature, pressure, humidity, and gas concentration.
Advantages of EO Sterilizers in Hospitals
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Broad Compatibility: Ideal for delicate, moisture-sensitive devices; achieves 99.9999% sterility assurance.
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No Residue: Leaves items residue-free after aeration, unlike some chemical methods.
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High Throughput: Suitable for batch processing in busy hospitals.
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Proven Efficacy: Dominant method since the 1960s for low-temperature sterilization.
Disadvantages and Safety Considerations
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Long Cycle Time: Slower than steam autoclaves, limiting rapid turnaround.
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Toxicity Risks: EO is flammable, explosive, and a known carcinogen. Exposure can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, or long-term health effects. Hospitals must use ventilated rooms, personal protective equipment (PPE), and monitoring to keep exposures below OSHA limits.
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Environmental Impact: EO emissions contribute to air pollution, prompting regulations.
Salient Features of ETO Sterilizer
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Machine is suitable to Sterilize Surgical Medical Device products like I.V. Sets, Disposable Syringes, Disposable Surgical Set, catheter, Urine Bag etc.
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ETO Sterilization reduce microbiological load and increase life span of material.
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Modular construction of chamber.
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Model is available from 0.5 Cubic Meters to 40 Cubic Metres.
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Easy to operate.
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Fully automatic operation based on PLC control.
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Semi Automatic (Pneumatically Operated Ball Valve) Control.
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Contact parts are SS 304 / 316.
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Process time about 8 hours.
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IQ/OQ/DQ documentation can be offered on demand. (OPTIONAL).
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It is useful for prevention of micro biological contamination useful for treatment of spices, dried nuts, Foods Packed cereals etc.
Process Operation of ETO Sterilizer
Ethylene Oxide Sterilization (Sterilisation) offers various distinct advantages over the conventional steam sterilizers (sterilisers), being a DRY & COLD (operates at 50ºC ) process proves very useful in sterilization of expensive items, also it has got a unique penetration ability, so it is very useful in sterilization (Sterilisation) of expensive and delicate items such as Cardiac catheters, Stents, IOL’s Tubings, various types of scopes, sharp surgical instruments etc., its unique mode of action, also enhances the life of several surgical accessories & disposables items thus making them perfectly reusable.
Types of EO Gas Sterilizers
We are one of the leading EO Gas Sterilizer manufacturer in India. We manufacture below two types of ETO sterilizers:
Semi Automatic Operation Mode EO Sterilizer: In this type of control mode there are analog type buttons onto control panel of the machine through which machine operation procedure will be done.
Fully Automatic Operation Mode EO Sterilizer: This is PLC HMI based fully automatic control mode equipment in which there is HMI mounted onto control panel of the machine through which operation procedure done.
Technical Specification of EO Gas Sterilizer
| Model | AETOS – 2.6 | AETOS – 4.5 | AETOS – 8 |
| Working Capacity in Cu. Ft. | 2.6 | 4.5 | 8 |
| Working Volume | 70 Liters | 125 Liters | 200 Liters |
| Chamber Size | 12” (W) x 12” (H) x 32”
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12” (W) x 12” (H) x 54” (D) OR
15” (W) x 15” (H) x 36” (D) |
20” (W) x 18” (H) x 38” (D) OR 16” (W) x 16” (H) x 54” (D) |
| Sterilant Gas | 40 grams cartridge | 100 grams cartridge | 170 grams cartridge |
| Sterilization Cycle | Warm & Cold Cycles are possible. | Warm & Cold Cycles are possible. | Warm & Cold Cycles are possible. |
| Aeration | In-built aeration facility provided. | In-built aeration facility provided. | In-built aeration facility provided. |
| Utility | Compressed Air (100 psig) | Compressed Air (100 psig) | Compressed Air (100 psig) |
| Power Supply | 1 K.W. | 2 K.W. | 2.5 K.W. |
| Power Voltage | 220 volts, Single Phase, 50 Hertz | 220 volts, Single Phase, 50 Hertz | 220 volts, Single Phase, 50 Hertz |
* Power voltage can be adjusted as per customer’s domestic power voltage requirements.
* Rights of technical improvements & modification reserved.
* Illustrations & dimensions are shown for information purpose only.
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