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Types of sterilizers

Sterilization guarantees the elimination of germs, including spores, causing infection.
All instruments must be packed and sterilized to ensure that they are sterile at the point of use.

The reference standards for steam sterilizers are:

a. EN 13060 that defines requirements for manufacturing small steam sterilizers.
According to this standard, sterilizers are divided into 3 types:

  • Type N sterilizers, intended for the sterilization of non-wrapped solid products.
  • Type S sterilizers, intended for the sterilization of products specified by the manufacturer of the sterilizer.
  • Type B sterilizers, intended for the sterilization of all types of load, such as porous, solid and hollow instruments both wrapped and double-wrapped.
B Cycle

B Cycle

Designed for all types of load (B coming from “Big Sterilizers”).

Type B sterilizers, intended for the sterilization of all types of load, such as porous, solid and hollow instruments both wrapped and double-wrapped.
S Cycle

S Cycle

Designed for “Specific Products”

Type S sterilizers, intended for the sterilization of products specified by the manufacturer of the sterilizer.
The manufacturer of the sterilizer has determined what a particular cycle of the sterilizer can be used for, and has specified that information for the user in the IFU.
N Cycle

N Cycle

Designed for unwrapped solid instruments.

Type N sterilizers, intended for the sterilization of unwrapped solid instruments.
The N means None hollow and None wrapped (Naked solid items).


b. EN 285 that defines requirements for manufacturing big steam sterilizers.

c. ANSI/AAMI ST55 that is the North American standard for what concerns steam sterilization. According to this standard, sterilizers are divided into 2 types:

  • gravity displacement
  • dynamic air removal
  • Load types:

    Load types



    Solid, Hollow, Porous

  • Solid

    What is a
    solid load?



    Products that are not made of porous material and do not have cavities e.g. burs, explorers, mirrors …

  • Hollow

    What is a
    hollow load?



    Products that are not made of porous material and do have cavities.
    Narrow-lumen instruments like handpieces, scissors and forceps …

  • Porous

    What is a
    porous load?



    Products like textiles, surgical packs, wraps …

    Appropriate accessories
    for full traceability

    EliReel

    W&H‘s sterilization reels ensure excellent drying quality, resistance and an easy-to-read steam indicator.
    These features simplify both the sealing and sterilization processes and also improve safety in the clinic. More Info!

    Seal2 and SealVal2

    The W&H sealer creates a 12 mm wide seal in just two seconds without the risk of burning the sterilization package. The absolute hermetic and strong protection of the sterile goods from environmental influences guarantees continuing sterility. More Info!

    Barcode label printer

    The label printer can be connected to the sterilizer to print barcodes. In combination with the integrated data logger, it improves your traceability system.
    The label printer is a quick and easy tool to link the sterilization cycle with patient files. More Info!

    Barcode scanner

    This enables you to scan labels into patient files.


    More scientific details

    Learn more about professional sterilization.
    Visit our recommended W&H AIMS workflow at aims.wh.com