Moist-heat Sterilization of Blood Bags

By Vittoria Mascherpa, R&D, Fedegari Autoclavi SpA

The complexity of Blood Bags (BBs) and the critical nature of their use inevitably lead to the choice of moist-heat as sterilization method. Due to a combination of heat- and pressure-related effects, a traditional sterilization process with initial vacuum and pure saturated steam would cause deformation of the PVC bags and alteration of the solutions contained in them.

This article provides basic information on the sterilization of blood bags systems by moist-heat. 
Problems of pressure compensation and steam penetration into the system parts without water inside, and 
the process choice between single and double autoclaving are discussed.