Solarclave – Solar Autoclave

Medical devices and instruments need to be properly sterilized before and after use with different patients. Rural clinics in Nicaragua often lack a constant supply of electricity required to attain the 250°F minimum temperature for sterilization. The student designers at Innovations in International Health (IIH) have designed a solar powered autoclave, dubbed Solarclave, to circumvent this issue and promote safe and healthy practices in rural medicine. A series of mirrors reflects sunlight, concentrating rays of light onto a closed bucket which acts as a "pressure cooker". The heat generated inside is well over the required minimum for sterilization; any instruments placed inside the vessel will be sterile and ready for use. The Solarclave's unique design optimally traps the heat reflected by the mirrors, making effective use of materials and time. The parts can be produced using locally-sourced materials (in Nicaragua thus far) and community groups like Las Mujeres Solares have been been trained to quickly assemble these units. The simple assembly also means that the Solarclave can also be transported to other rural clinics for use within the same day.