Instrument storage tray

A tray for storing and sterilizing surgical instruments comprising:

• first and second pairs of parallel walls each having a top and a bottom and a height H between said top and bottom, said first pair of parallel walls having a length L and said second pair of parallel walls extending between said first pair of parallel walls and having a width W therebetween, said first and second pairs of parallel walls establishing an instrument storage area;
• an instrument storage shelf within said storage area having said width W, a length S extending from one wall of said second pair of parallel walls to an end plate extending down from said instrument storage shelf to a depth P, said length S being less than said length L, and positioned a distance h below aid top of said first and second paris of parallel walls said distance h being less than said height H;
• a trough, having a base at a depth D below said instrument storage shelf, extending into said instrument storage self from one wall of said first pair of parallel walls to an edge at a width W from said one wall of said first pair of parallel walls, said width w being less than said width W, and extending from said one wall of said second pair of parallel walls to an end plate at a distance T, said distance T being less than said distance S;
• a recessed instrument storage area extending between said first pair of parallel walls and from said end plate of said instrument storage shelf to a wall of said second pair of parallel walls other than said one wall of said second pair of parallel walls and having a base at said distance P below said instrument storage shelf;
• said depth D and said distance P being less than said height H;
• said first and second pairs of parallel walls, said instrument storage shelf and end plate, said trough base, edge and end plate, and said recessed instrument storage area base constructed of a high temperature resistant thermoplastic material;
• and
• said instrument storage self, said base of said recessed instrument storage area, and said base of said trough having perforations for allowing steam to pass therethrough, such that instruments stored on said instrument storage shelf, in said recessed instrument storage area, and in said trough may be sterilized.