Abstract: The invention provides a method of performing a musectomy intervention which method comprises applying the following steps to a human or animal body having a mucosal region which needs to be removed: injection of a physiologically acceptable liquid into the mucosal region from a high pressure source of said liquid; dissection of the mucosal region; and removal of the dissected mucosal region; the method is advantageous because it has a reduced risk of perforation of the submucosal musculature.

Abstract: An autoclave comprises an enclosure 10 defining a chamber 12, steam supply means 20, 22 arranged to supply steam to the chamber, steam venting means 34, 40, 58, 60 arranged to vent steam from the chamber, and control means 100, 102 arranged to control operation of the autoclave. The control means comprises a first controller 100 and a second controller 102, each controller being arranged to define a respective set of conditions required for a change of state of the autoclave, to monitor a parameter of the autoclave and determine therefrom whether its respective conditions have been met, and the control means is arranged to allow the change of state only if both sets of conditions have been met.

Abstract: According to the invention, a pre-conditioning method of operating an autoclave during a pre-conditioning stage of a sterilisation cycle wherein the autoclave has a chamber having an external wall, a supply of steam, a heater to heat the external wall of the chamber and a vacuum pump, which comprises the steps of: applying a first vacuum pulse in the chamber; heating the chamber; supplying steam to the chamber at a pressure above atmospheric pressure for a holding period which is sufficiently long for the contents of the chamber to be heated; and applying a second vacuum pulse in the chamber; has been found to be effective as a pre-conditioning stage for a sterilisation cycle for sterilising a porous load.