Which medical equipment uses steam under pressure for sterilization?

The autoclave is specifically designed to utilize steam under pressure as a method of sterilization. By creating a high-pressure steam environment, it can effectively kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, ensuring that medical instruments and equipment are free from all forms of microbial life. The steam penetrates fabrics and other materials, allowing for thorough sterilization even in complex shapes or dense loads. This method is widely recognized in healthcare settings for its efficiency and reliability in maintaining sterility.

Other options such as disinfectors typically use chemicals rather than steam for disinfection, while a steam sterilizer could refer to various devices that employ steam, but autoclaves are the most precise representation of this process under pressure. Dry heat ovens, on the other hand, utilize hot air for sterilization and do not use steam, making them unsuitable for this specific question regarding steam under pressure.