Sterilizer FAQs: EO, plasma and low temperature sterilization

EO sterilization (ethylene oxide sterilization) uses ethylene oxide gas to sterilize compatible medical devices at low temperature. It is used for heat- and moisture-sensitive items that cannot be processed by high-temperature steam.

ETO stands for ethylene oxide. An ETO sterilizer is an ethylene oxide sterilizer that uses EO gas for low-temperature sterilization of compatible medical devices.

There is no difference. 'EO' and 'ETO' both refer to ethylene oxide, so an EO sterilizer and an ETO sterilizer describe the same method.

Ethylene oxide sterilizes at low temperature and penetrates complex devices, lumens, and packaging, which makes it suitable for plastics, electronics, and tubing that high-temperature steam can damage.

Compatible heat- and moisture-sensitive devices such as catheters, tubing, plastic and polymer instruments, and packaged medical devices. Compatibility should be confirmed by validation.

Yes. Ethylene oxide gas can penetrate many packaging materials, so EO sterilization is widely used for compatible packaged medical devices, subject to validation of the package and load.

Aeration removes residual ethylene oxide from the load after the cycle so that devices can be handled safely. It is a standard part of the EO process.

Steam sterilization uses high-temperature pressurized steam, while EO sterilization uses ethylene oxide gas at low temperature. EO is chosen for devices that heat or moisture would damage.

Plasma sterilization is a low-temperature method that uses vaporized hydrogen peroxide and a plasma phase to sterilize compatible heat-sensitive instruments.

It uses vaporized hydrogen peroxide, followed by a plasma phase, to sterilize compatible instruments at low temperature with low moisture. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down primarily into water vapor and oxygen.

Vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) sterilization uses hydrogen peroxide vapor for low-temperature sterilization of compatible instruments and, in plasma systems, includes a plasma phase.

VHP stands for vaporized hydrogen peroxide. A VHP sterilizer uses hydrogen peroxide vapor for low-temperature sterilization. SSQ's EiligPlaz and HyperPlaz use a hydrogen peroxide plasma process in this category.

Both use hydrogen peroxide at low temperature. Plasma systems add a plasma phase as part of the cycle. The terms are often used together for low-temperature hydrogen peroxide methods.

Compatible heat- and moisture-sensitive instruments, including many laparoscopic and ophthalmic sets and instruments with electronics, subject to the validated cycle.

Compatible ophthalmic and microsurgical instruments can be evaluated for low-temperature H2O2 plasma sterilization, subject to instrument compatibility and the validated cycle.

Compatible laparoscopic instruments and accessories can be evaluated for H2O2 plasma sterilization, which suits delicate, heat-sensitive sets needing fast turnaround.

Low temperature sterilization refers to methods such as EO gas and hydrogen peroxide plasma that sterilize at low temperature, protecting heat- and moisture-sensitive instruments that steam can damage.

Low-temperature methods are used: EO sterilization for broad material and packaging compatibility, and H2O2 plasma for fast, low-moisture processing of compatible instruments. The right choice depends on the device.

EO offers broad material and packaging compatibility and deep penetration but requires aeration. H2O2 plasma runs at low temperature with low moisture and faster turnaround. Selection depends on device compatibility and throughput.

Steam sterilization uses high-temperature steam, while plasma sterilization uses hydrogen peroxide at low temperature. Plasma suits delicate, heat-sensitive instruments that steam can damage.

Hospitals often use both: EO sterilizers such as PurETO+ for complex and packaged devices, and H2O2 plasma sterilizers such as EiligPlaz for fast turnaround of compatible instruments.

Medical device manufacturers commonly use EO sterilizers such as PurETO+ and PurETO Elica for compatible packaged products, subject to validation.