Cherwell shortens autoclave validation process at JPen Medical

Published: 20-Nov-2012

By using the DataTrace wireless data loggers

Cherwell Laboratories is helping JPen Medical, a UK specialist in on-site maintenance and calibration of medical equipment and devices, to cut hours off equipment testing and validation times. By using DataTrace self-contained, wireless, high-precision dataloggers for autoclave testing and validation, JPen Medical engineers can save as much as three hours at on-site visits, which is increasing productivity significantly.

DataTrace probes can be readily used to measure temperature and pressure directly inside an autoclave for full validation with FDA 21CFR11 compliance and minimal equipment downtime. Traditional autoclave validation involves the complex and protracted task of introducing many thermocouple wires into an autoclave chamber. Taking an autoclave apart to fit wired probes through a port and then placing them securely within a load can be time-consuming. Furthermore, such thermocouples are not robust and require pre and post verification to identify any offset.

I knew there had to be an easier way of testing and validating autoclaves, which can take up to four hours when using wired thermocouples

“I knew there had to be an easier way of testing and validating autoclaves, which can take up to four hours when using wired thermocouples; the Cherwell system is saving us so much time, in fact we now only need to have one engineer on-site rather than two,” said Scott Renshaw-Harris, lead engineer at JPen Medical, which is based in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

“By using DataTrace, the whole process can take as little as 45 minutes – an autoclave cycle – since there is no need to calibrate the system and the wireless probes are compact and tough and can be simply placed directly inside the autoclave chamber.”

JPen Medical engineers have also found the Cherwell system to be portable and easy to use. “Set up is very straightforward and takes just five minutes on the laptop, with readily accessible help files if ever needed,” added Renshaw-Harris.

JPen Medical is now also considering using the DataTrace dataloggers for further applications, such as fridge and freezer validation.

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