more from Bill Smith, cPac CEO:

CPAC’s RapidHeat Pro11 Sterilization of Dental Handpieces The RH-Pro11 Sterilizer incorporates the High Velocity Hot Air (“HVHA”) principle of sterilization which is a waterless, non-corrosive technology and completely safe for the sterilization of most dental handpieces.

Incorporating a higher sterilizer chamber temperature (3750F) that is only a nominal 100 degrees higher than an autoclave, HVHA sterilization has been demonstrated in comprehensive testing not to have any more deleterious effect on dental handpieces than that of steam autoclaves. Because of their high-speed operation, today’s handpieces are made of higher heattolerant materials including “Viton” O-rings and “Torlon” Bearing Cages that routinely operate at continuous temperatures exceeding 4500F.

Additionally, the fiber-optic glass rods of a dental handpiece which have an operating temperature of 9000F are not affected by the RH-Pro11 sterilization environment. A dental handpiece life cycle can actually be extended when sterilized by an RH-Pro11 sterilizer since no water (steam) or chemicals are used in the HVHA technology.

When surveying handpiece repair technicians nationwide we discovered that one of the worst enemies to a handpiece low-maintenance operation is the improper drying of handpieces and the resulting corrosion that moisture causes.

Another concern of infection control practitioners and that of the CDC is the potential cross contamination of an improperly cleaned and sterilized dental handpiece. Bioburden left on a dental handpiece may act as a protective shield for microorganisms in an autoclave. Whereas the same bioburden microorganism may be more easily killed in an RH-Pro11 sterilizer due to its elevated temperature transferring heat faster through surface contact (via heat conduction). In documented independent testing it has been shown that 47% of microbes within a handpiece motor were transferred to a prophy angle.

HVHA technology with its penetrative power can materially reduce microbial bioburden and transmission of microbes to and from the motor. Regarding lubricants used in dental handpieces, most of which are petrochemical based, if the handpiece lubricant is not properly expelled prior to sterilization there can be gumming up of the turbine with the potential for the lubricant to enter the patient which is not desirable. As a preventative measure CPAC recommends that hightemperature food grade lubricants (>5000F, e.g., Super Lube® DRI-FILM) be used for handpieces that are sterilized using the HVHA RapdHeat technology.

When the HVHA RapidHeat technology was originally validated and independent tests conducted for a variety of handpieces and submitted to FDA for clearance, there was found to be no negative impact on the tested handpieces with the tests actually demonstrating a 12-Log kill reduction of spores as required by FDA. CPAC is currently in contact with handpiece manufacturers requesting that they support the HVHA validation of their products and their IFU’s include HVHA sterilization.

Thank you –
~Shlomo Savyon
1-800-762-1586
Your Sterilizer expert

According to Bill Smith CEO of cPac (The Cox Rapid Sterilizer Manufacturing Company), some handpiece manufacturers in the past have been concerned about our higher temperature and if it has a deleterious effect on handpieces.  On the contrary, our technology has been documented (tested and proven) not to degrade the handpiece operating life.  Our RapidHeat Sterilizers operate at temperatures significantly less than the 500+ degrees F. operating temperatures of the Viton, Torlon, Radel and fiber optic components commonly used in handpieces. Actually, our RapidHeat sterilization extends the life of handpieces due to the fact there is no moisture or water used in the process to potentially corrode and abrade the key operating components of the handpiece.

Another interesting note of Interest:  CDC Infection control dental guidelines focus on insuring sterilization of the internal mechanism of handpieces which can easily be contaminated with patient material.  Unlike steam, which requires direct contact of steam to sterilize, our RapidHeat technology is a convective/conductive dry heat transfer process that dehydrates and kills microorganisms.  It is much easier to sterilize using RapidHeat than to rely on steam to seek out portals of entry to reach the narrow lumens of the handpiece internal mechanism.  Moreover, unlike our HVHA technology, there is a lengthy drying process for steam required by FDA which is a must for prolonging the life of the handpiece.

Thank you –
~Shlomo Savyon
1-800-762-1586
Your Sterilizer expert

Q: I own several Cox sterilizers, and is there any dry heat sterilizer that is bigger than the Cox?

A: * A High Velocity Hot Air (HVHA) Sterilizer* is bigger than a Cox sterilizer. It can hold up to six trays of instruments doing complete cycles of unwrapped instruments in six minutes, and bagged instruments in 12 minutes.

To review this item, click the link HERE

Thank you –
~Shlomo Savyon
1-800-762-1586
Your Sterilizer expert

Q: When the sterilizer was turned on this morning, it started making very loud sounds. The sound was so loud it made the fan rattle loudly. The temperature actually began to drop and when we attempted to run a cycle, an error message Err-31 came on and the machine was beeping continuously until the machine was unplugged. Please get back to me as soon as convenient. I tried to resolve this over the phone which would be quicker but would not be transferred was only told to refer to the website.

A: Error 31 is a low or no heat condition. Remove the drawer and turn the sterilizer on. Confirm that there is air movement inside the chamber and the main blower should not make any noise. If the main fan is pushing air and NOT making any knocking noises and there is still no heat, the heater element is probably bad and this can be confirmed by measuring ohms or doing a continuity test on it. If the blower is knocking, it would need to be replaced.

As of this date the parts for repair of Original style Cox Sterilizers is limited

Thank you –
~Shlomo Savyon
1-800-762-1586
Your Sterilizer expert

If your cox sterilizer unit is stuck at a temperature, for example at 347 degrees, then the solution is to simply unplug it to reset the logic circuitry.

Please call us now at 800-762-1586

Thank you –

~Shlomo Savyon
1-800-762-1586
Your Sterilizer expert

Q: Our sterilizer heated up to approximately 252 degrees this morning, and then shut itself off. It won’t turn on again. I pulled out the documentation for it and found a couple of fuses in the file. Is it possible we just need to replace a fuse? No one saw an error message before it shut down.

A: The problem is most likely from the fuse if there is no error message. On the backside of the machine, use a screw driver to take the fuse out and check its ohm value. It should be near 0 ohm. If the fuse is damaged, its ohm value should either be very big or have no value. You can just replace the fuse. However, if the fuse on the back is not the problem, then factory service is needed. The problem then originates from the fuse on the heating element.

Please call us now at 800-762-1586 This Model has been discontinued

Thank you –
~Shlomo Savyon
1-800-762-1586
Your Sterilizer expert

The fan on the back cover should run any time the sterilizer is on, and the same goes for the blower inside the chamber.

Please call as now at 800-762-1586 This Model has been discontinued

Thank you –
~Shlomo Savyon
1-800-762-1586
Your Sterilizer expert

Emitting loud noises is a bit vague, so not sure how to address the issue. Please call us to try and narrow down.

Thank you –

~Shlomo Savyon
1-800-762-1586
Your Sterilizer expert

Please call as now at 800-762-1586 This Model has been discontinued

Error Code E-10: Checksum failure (the program’s code has a problem)

Error Code E-11: RAM failure (the problem’s memory/space has a problem)

Error Code E-12: Switch failure (the machine’s switches have short circuited)

Error Code E-13: Time failure (the machine’s time does not align with the on-board crystal)

Error Code E-20: Open probe (check for broken leads)

Error Code E-21: Reasonableness failure (check for any erratic temperature readings)

Error Code E-30: Over heating error

Error Code E-31: Heater burned out and machine emitting little or no heat (possibly need to replace that part)

Note: Error codes E-30 and E-31 both can be from dust buildup in the back panel or broken fans

Error Code E-40: NVRAM read failure (need to replace control board)

Error Code E-41: NVRAM write failure (need to replace control board)

Please call as now at 800-762-1586 This Model has been discontinued

Thank you –
~Shlomo Savyon
1-800-762-1586
Your Sterilizer expert

The most probable reason for this is usually a bad heater element, but at times it can be caused by a failed main blower or a damaged circuit board. Check to make sure that with the drawer removed and the unit turned on, that there is good air-flow in the chamber.
You can unplug the sterilizer, remove the back and check the ohms on the heater element.

Please call us now at 800-762-1586 This Model has been discontinued

Thank you –
~Shlomo Savyon
1-800-762-1586
Your Sterilizer expert