sterilization

Examples of sterilization in the following topics:

• Surgical Sterilization

  • Sterilization refers to any of a number of medical techniques that intentionally leave a person unable to reproduce.
  • Sterilization methods include both surgical and non-surgical, and exist for both males and females.
  • Sterilization procedures are intended to be permanent; reversal is generally difficult or impossible.
  • The removal of the ovaries is not necessary for sterilization, but can treat and prevent ovarian cancer.
  • This is frequently used for the sterilization of animals, but rarely for humans.

• Heat

  • To achieve sterilization, different techniques and tools are used.
  • Autoclaving (pressure cooking) is a very common method for moist sterilization.
  • When sterilizing in this way, samples are placed into a steam chamber.
  • Pressure sterilization is the prevailing method used for medical sterilization of heat-resistant tools.
  • Other heat sterilization methods include flaming and incineration.

• Radiation

  • Sterilization by irradiation with gamma rays may, in some cases affect material properties.
  • Electron beam processing is also commonly used for sterilization.
  • Irradiation is used by the United States Postal Service to sterilize mail in the Washington, DC area.
  • Some foods (e.g. spices, ground meats) are irradiated for sterilization.
  • UV light is commonly used to irradiate and sterilize laminar flow cabinets between uses.

• Filtration

  • Fluids that would be damaged by heat, irradiation, or chemical sterilization can be sterilized by microfiltration using membrane filters.
  • Fluids that would be damaged by heat (such as fluids containing proteins like large molecule drug products, but also wine and beer), irradiation, or chemical sterilization can only be sterilized by microfiltration using membrane filters.
  • The filtration equipment and the filters may be purchased as pre-sterilized disposable units in sealed packaging, or must be sterilized by the user, generally by autoclaving at a temperature that does not damage the fragile filter membranes.

• The Eugenics

  • Bell that legitimized the forced sterilization of patients at a Virginia home for the mentally retarded.
  • In 1907, Indiana passed the first eugenics-based compulsory sterilization law in the world.
  • Men and women were compulsorily sterilized for different reasons.
  • Men were sterilized to treat their aggression and to eliminate their criminal behavior, while women were sterilized to control the results of their sexuality.
  • Native American women were also victims of sterilization abuse into the 1970s.

• The Eugenics Movement

  • Eight years later, Pennsylvania's state legislators passed a sterilization bill that was vetoed by the governor.
  • Men and women were compulsorily sterilized for different reasons.
  • Men were sterilized to treat their aggression and to eliminate their criminal behavior, while women were sterilized to control the results of their sexuality.
  • Bell that legitimized the forced sterilization of patients at a Virginia home for the mentally retarded.
  • These statutes were not abolished until the mid-20th century, with approximately 60,000 Americans legally sterilized.

• Aseptic Technique, Dilution, Streaking, and Spread Plates

  • Aseptic technique or sterile technique is used to avoid contamination of sterile media and equipment during cell culture.
  • This requires that exposure of containers of sterilized culture media to outside air should be minimized, and that flame is used to "re-sterilize" container lids and rims.
  • Sterile technique, in general, is a learned state-of-being, or mantra, where every utilization of any sterile material comes with the caveat of taking every precaution to ensure it remains as free of contaminants as possible for as long as possible.
  • Heat is an excellent means of killing microorganisms, and the Bunsen burner is the sterile technician's best friend.
  • The glass rod is sterilized and used to spread the microbe-containing liquid uniformly on the plate.

• Considerations in Microbial Control

  • Sterilization can be achieved by applying the proper combinations of heat, chemicals, irradiation, high pressure, and filtration.
  • Sterilization as a definition means that all life was terminated, whereas sanitization and disinfection terminates selectively and partially.
  • In general, surgical instruments and medications that enter an already aseptic part of the body (such as the bloodstream, or penetrate the skin) must be sterilized to a high sterility assurance level (SAL).
  • For example, medical device manufacturers design their sterilization processes for an extremely low SAL.
  • Preparation of injectable medications and intravenous solutions for fluid replacement therapy requires not only a high sterility assurance level, but also well-designed containers to prevent entry of adventitious agents after the initial product sterilization.

• Rate of Microbial Death

  • The rate of microbial death is used to develop standard protocols for sterilization in many industries.
  • It is important in order to develop standard protocols for disinfection which will facilitate the sterilization routine in many industries.
  • The goal is to find out what is the minimum time needed to achieve acceptable level of sterilization for a specific purpose.

• Physical Characteristics of Urine

  • Urine is a sterile waste product composed of water soluble nitrogen products.
  • Urine, a typically sterile liquid by-product of the body, is secreted by the kidneys through a process called urination and excreted through the urethra.