Method and apparatus for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical instruments

A method for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing a medical instruments, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a container for receiving a fluid bath, and introducing the instruments into the container;
• filling the container with a fluid and a cleaning agent to form a first fluid bath receiving the instruments to be cleaned;
• precleaning the instruments by subjecting the first fluid bath in the container to ultrasonic energy for a period of time T1;
• emptying the first fluid bath from the container and filling said container with a second fluid bath containing both a cleaning agent and sodium chloride;
• fine cleaning and sterilizing the instruments in the second fluid bath for a time period T2 by subjecting the second of fluid bath to ultrasonic energy, and circulating the second fluid bath through an electrolytic cell operating on a voltage to create an electrolytic disassociation therein;
• emptying the second fluid bath from the container and filling said container with a rinsing fluid bath;
• rinsing the instrument for a time period T3 by subjecting the rinsing bath to the ultrasonic energy and circulating the rinsing bath through the electrolytic cell;
• subsequently emptying the rinsing bath;
• and
• drying the instruments for a time period T4 by subjecting the instruments to heated air.