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Autoclaves with a Green Side
Carbon footprints seem to be on everyones mind at ........
Touchclave-Lab Goes Large
LTE Scientific has introduced six new models to its ........
We are exhibiting at:
Arab Health - Dubai, 23-26 January 2012
Visit us on stand 1A10 to see our range of Endoscope Storage and Sterilization products.
Arab Lab - Dubai, 26-29 March 2012
Visit us on the British pavillion, Stand 743
Touchclave-Lab 'K' Series
The ‘K’ Series is LTE’s top-line range of mid-sized general purpose autoclaves, available in 150, 200, 300, 360 & 450-litre capacities, with a 300-litre pass-through version also available.
Designed to work from either a separate built-in steam generator or the customers own steam supply for optimum performance.
A wide range of features are included in the ‘K’ Series as standard to enhance machine performance and cycle efficiency. These include:
- 8-program touchscreen control system
- Internal data archiving
- Water jacketed chamber for exceptional cooling efficiency
- Water conservation system and exhaust condensate
- Pneumatically operated door lock and sealing system
- Integral silent air compressor
In addition, a wide range of options are available for the Touchclave-Lab range to suit individual customer requirements. See what other options you may need.
‘K’ Series models are designed to operate using either a steam generator situated beneath the chamber, or via the customers own direct steam supply. This arrangement maximises the usable chamber volume and provides a clean, unencumbered chamber, free from heaters and water.
Unless the door is properly closed and locked, the cycle cannot be started. At the end of the cycle, the door will not be released until both temperature and pressure have reached safe pre-set levels.
All models incorporate an easy-glide vertical sliding door and all models (except the pass-through version) have been designed to fit through as standard width door.
Specifications and Ordering Information
| Model | Chamber litres | Loading | Steam Generation |
Chamber dims, mm Dia x D | Overall dims, mm HWD | Weight, kg | Shelves/ positions |
| TC/150/KE | 150 | Front | Integral Steam Generator | 600 x 500 x 500 | 1815 x 720 x 1100 | 360 | 2/4 |
| TC/150/KS | 150 | Front | Direct Steam Supply | 600 x 500 x 500 | 1815 x 720 x 1100 | 400 | 2/4 |
| TC/200/KE | 200 | Front | Integral Steam Generator | 600 x 500 x 660 | 1815 x 720 x 1100 | 440 | 2/4 |
| TC/200/KS | 200 | Front | Direct Steam Supply | 600 x 500 x 660 | 1815 x 720 x 1100 | 480 | 2/4 |
| TC/300/KE | 300 | Front | Integral Steam Generator | 600 x 500 x 1000 | 1815 x 720 x 1100 | 610 | 2/4^ |
| TC/300/KS | 300 | Front | Direct Steam Supply | 600 x 500 x 1000 | 1815 x 720 x 1100 | 650 | 2/4^ |
| TC/360/KE | 360 | Front | Integral Steam Generator | 600 x 600 x 1000 | 1815 x 850 x 1500 | 700 | 2/4 |
| TC/360/KS | 360 | Front | Direct Steam Supply | 600 x 600 x 1000 | 1815 x 850 x 1500 | 650 | 2/4 |
| TC/450/KE | 450 | Front | Integral Steam Generator | 600 x 600 x 1250 | 1815 x 850 x 1750 | 760 | 2/4 |
| TC/450/KS | 450 | Front | Direct Steam Supply | 600 x 600 x 1250 | 1815 x 850 x 1750 | 710 | 2/4 |
Site Services
Water – Potable water with a maximum hardness of 50ppm CaCo3 is acceptable. Otherwise check with LTE for suitability. For automatic water fill/permanently piped versions, connection is via a 15mm diameter water inlet.
Drain – Not required on standard units although we would always recommend connection to 100mm drain where possible. For F models fitted with auto-drain and/or vacuum, and all K models a 100mm drain is required.
Electrical – See Table Below. Prices based on 220/240V (1-Phase) and 380/440V (3-Phase), 50Hz. For other voltages/frequencies, see options or check with LTE.
| Power Requirements | ||
| Non-Vacuum Models | Vacuum Models | |
| TC/150/KE | 3-Phase, 15kW, 25A/phase N+E | 3-Phase, 30kw, 50A/phase N+E |
| TC/200/KE | 3-Phase, 15Kw, 25A/Phase N+E | 3-Phase, 30kw, 50A/phase N+E |
| TC/300/KE | 3-Phase, 30kw, 45A/phase N+E | 3-Phase, 45kw, 63A/phase N+E |
| TC/360/KE | 3-Phase, 42kw, 60A/phase N+E | 3-Phase, 45kw, 63A/phase N+E |
| TC/450/KE | 3-Phase, 43Kw, 60A/Phase N+E | 3-Phase, 45kw, 60A/phase N+E |
| All KS Models | 1-Phase, 13A | 3-Phase, 16A/phase N+E |
Options & Accessories
| Capacity/Steam Generation Method | 150-litres | 200-litres | 300-litres | |||
| Integral steam generator |
Direct steam | Integral steam generator |
Direct steam | Integral steam generator |
Direct steam | |
| Standard | TC/150/KE1 | TC/150/KS6 | TC/200/KE1 | TC/200/KS6 | TC/300/KE1 | TC/300/KS6 |
| Enhancement Packages | ||||||
| Pre/Post Vacuum System | TC/150/KE3 | TC/150/KS7 | TC/200/KE3 | TC/200/KS7 | TC/300/KE3 | TC/300/KS7 |
| Pre/Post Vacuum System with Steam Jacket | TC/150/KE5 | TC/150/KS9 | TC/200/KE5 | TC/200/KS9 | TC/300/KE5 | TC/300/KS9 |
| TC/TDP/01 | Thermal data printer |
| TC/INK/01 | Ink data printer |
| TC/RDA/01 | Remote data archiving with RS232 connection (PC to be supplied by others)* |
| TC/RDA/02 | Remote data archiving with RS485 connection (PC to be supplied by others)* |
| TC/ADD/01 | Automatic drain for chamber water * (F Models fitted with Standard Plus option only) |
| TC/FIL/01 | Cat. 3 effluent retention upgrade (including 0.2micron exhaust filter)* |
| TC/KWF/01 | Media keep warm facility * (F Models only) |
| TC/AIR/01 | Air Ballast (using customers compressed air supply) |
| TC/AIR/02 | Air Ballast (with uprated internal air compressor and receiver) |
| TC/AFP/01 | Upgrade of standard probe to armour-flex probe |
| TC/MEM/01 | Increased Cycle Memory (20 programs)* |
| TC/MOD/01 | Modem Link* |
| TC/CSG/K1 | Constant standby steam generator for non-vacuum KE150* |
| TC/CSG/K2 | Constant standby steam generator for non-vacuum KE200* |
| TC/KSG/K3 | Constant standby steam generator for non-vacuum KE300* |
| TC/VOL/ | Conversion to 60Hz electrical supply (non-vacuum models)* - Add 05 for K models and 03 for F models |
| TC/VOL/ | Conversion to 60hz electrical supply (vacuum models)* - Add 06 for K models and 04 for F models |
| TC/ROG/01 | Modified steam generator for RO/De-mineralised water feed* (KE Models only) |
| TC/SSP/02 | Stainless steel primary pipework (orbitally welded, tri-clover fittings)* |
| TC/PAS/01 | Pass-through chamber *(K300 models only) |
| TC/MOR/01 | Morrison discard box size 1 (230 x 430 x 230mm HWD) |
| TC/MOR/02 | Morrison discard box size 2 (230 x 430 x 315mm HWD) |
| TC/BAS/01 | Basket size 1 (230 x 430 x 230mm HWD) |
| TC/BAS/02 | Basket size 2 (230 x 430 x 315mm HWD) |
Items marked * are factory fit options.
A range of other options can be ordered through our sales office including loading and carriage trolleys, stainless steel panel-work and chart recorders.
Options Explained
When choosing your autoclave, careful consideration needs to be given to the options you may need in order to optimise the autoclave’s performance and safety. Below, we briefly explain the purpose of the more popular options.
Vacuum. Provides efficient air removal at the beginning of the cycle, ensuring that steam will penetrate deep into the load and not be affected by trapped air pockets. Vacuum air removal is considerably faster than gravity systems. During the cooling stage, vacuum can be used to help dissipate heat from the load and also aid in the drying process – fitted as standard on Touchclave Systems-MP models and as an option on all other models.
Air Ballast. Fluid loads, especially sealed container, normally need to be cooled slowly in order to prevent breakage or volume loss. Air ballast provides an over pressure in the chamber during cooling which allows the fluids to be cooled faster and with a greatly reduced risk of breakage or volume loss – fitted as standard on all Touchclave-R and Systems-MP models and available as an option on other ranges.
Water Jacket Cooling System. Speeds up the cooling stage of the sterilization cycle - fitted as standard on all Touchclave-Lab “K” Series and Systems-MP models and as an option on Touchclave-Lab “F” Series models.
Steam Jacket. This feature is standard on Touchclave Systems-MP models and can be added to Touchclave-Lab “K” Series models when fitted with a constant standby steam generator. The steam jacket keeps the chamber hot in between cycles, and assists during the drying stage by flashing-off residual water in or around the load.
Constant Standby Steam Generator. Maintains the steam generator at pressure, ensuring that steam is available on demand, even for the first cycle of the day. Can also prove more economical than continually heating generator water from cold or warm.
Modem Link. This is a useful feature which allows real time information to be viewed by our technical and service team, thus minimizing potential down time.
Water Conservation. All “K” Series models and water-jacketed “F” Series models incorporate a water tank, which re-circulates the cooling water until it reaches a pre-set temperature when it is then drained and replaced. This feature significantly reduces water usage during the cycle.
Exhaust Condensate Unit. A re-circulating exhaust condensate unit is fitted on all “K” models, enabling discharge water temperatures to be kept below 70°C to avoid damage to plastic pipes and the environment. On vacuum models this feature also serves to protect the vacuum pump from live steam.
Effluent Retention. Used when processing potential or known P3 pathogens. Provides operator safety by filtering all non-condensable gases through a 0.2 micron filter prior to exhaust, whilst returning liquids to the chamber for sterilization, ensuring that nothing is exhausted without first being either filtered or sterilized.
Touchclave Touch Screen Systems® at the Heart of Every Touchclave-Lab Sterilizer
Touchclave-Lab sterilizers are equipped with a control system which incorporates a powerful PLC combined with an easy to use touch-screen through which all commands, cycle data, program data and alarms are inputted and displayed.
This versatile system gives users a choice of selecting from a menu of load-specific cycles or developing their own cycle profile. 8 cycles can be stored into the memory as standard, and optional memory expansion is available to increase the number of available cycles to 20.
Load Specific Cycles - Load-specific cycles are selected by pressing the appropriate on-screen cycle title icon and then following the on-screen instructions. The cycles are pre-programmed to optimize air removal and cooling profiles for each load type. The only parameters which then require operator input are : sterilizing temperature, hold time, safe load temperature, start/stop print, and print intervals. There is also the option to change the cycle title.
Developing Customised Cycles - Instead of a pre-programmed load specific cycle, users can develop a customised cycle profile by touching the “create own cycle” icon, which will lead them through a series of easy-to-follow screens, allowing the chosen parameters to be programmed, before storing them in any one of the available cycle number locations.
Once the programs are stored in the memory, starting the cycle could not be easier. A cycle menu is brought up on screen, allowing the required cycle to be selected. For those who need their cycles to be traceable, there is a facility to input operator ID and Batch information at this stage. There is also a facility to program a delayed cycle start, which is particularly useful for maximising the use of the sterilizer. “F” models also incorporate a keep warm feature. During the cycle, information is constantly displayed on the touch-screen. Every stage of the cycle carries a different information screen.
A fully integrated thermal paper printer, tractor printer or chart recorder is available as an option if, in addition to the electronic data archiving, a hard copy printout is required of relevant cycle information.
On completing a successful cycle, the screen will show the “Passed” display. If a fault occurs during the cycle, “Failed” will be displayed on the screen, with details of the fault conditions highlighted on a separate screen which can be accessed by the operator but only acknowledged by those with a supervisor access code. All fault conditions will also be printed where applicable.
Touchclave Touch Screen Systems incorporate a self-diagnostic system which will highlight any abnormality in the cycle. As an option, a modem can be fitted to the control system which will allow our technical team to view real-time cycle data from a remote location, enabling us in many cases to advise quickly on operational issues, thus minimising possible down-time.
Data Archiving
All Touchclave-Lab models are equipped with automatic electronic data archiving. The long-term storage of thermionic records for sterilisation operations is an area of growing concern to both operators and administrators. Therefore all Touchclave Touch Screen Systems include an internal data storage facility which allows up to 5000 cycles to be stored on a single flash-card. As an option, a remote cycle data archiving facility can be added so that all cycle data, including any fault or alarm conditions, can be downloaded to a PC and permanently recorded.
Main features of Touchclave data archiving:
As Standard
- Cycle data and status are stored within the PLC Controller.
- Dependent on the configuration, up to 5000 cycles may be recorded here. The internal storage medium is easily replaced either periodically or when full.
- The recorded cycle data and status include “checksum” data to facilitate data validation.
- A new cycle cannot be started until the data from the previous cycle have been recorded.
As an Option
- Cycle data may be downloaded to a remote personal computer, translated and formatted into HTML files, and either printed or permanently archived.
- During each transfer, the integral Touchclave checksum is verified, ensuring that the original data has not been corrupted or modified.
- The transfer of data stored with the Touchclave System is automatically started whenever the associated PC application is launched. The PC does not need to be on-line during autoclaving.
- Once the cycle data is stored on the PC, it may be browsed by date and summary information may be displayed. The data can also be used by management to review autoclave workload and working practice.
