Sterilization container and instrument holder therefor

An instrument holder for use with a sterilization container comprising:

• a panel having at least one projection thereon, the projection adapted to extend into a perforation in the sterilization container to hold the panel thereto;
• at least one aperture through the panel, whereby an instrument may be placed through the aperture for holding the instrument;
• and
• wherein the panel has a first face and a second face with the at least one aperture extending therebetween, the aperture being defined by an inner aperture surface between the panel first face and panel second face and wherein the inner aperture surface has a contact surface against which the instrument received within the aperture can contact and wherein said contact surface has an area less than the inner aperture surface and wherein the inner aperture surface comprises a first chamfer extending from the first face, tapering toward the second face and terminating in a ridge, whereby the contact surface is limited to the ridge.

A method for sterilizing a surgical instrument comprising the steps of:

• enclosing the instrument within a sterilization container which comprises an enclosure, and an instrument holder within the enclosure, wherein the instrument holder comprises a panel having at least one aperture therethrough and wherein the panel has a first face and a second face with the at least one aperture extending therebetween, the aperture being defined by an inner aperture surface between the panel first face and panel second face;
• placing the instrument into said aperture into contact with said inner aperture surface;
• admitting a sterilizing gas into said enclosure;
• and
• adapting the inner aperture surface to enhance penetration of the sterilizing gas to a portion of the instrument within the aperture between the first and second faces by providing a chamfer extending from the first face, tapering toward the second face and terminating in a ridge which contacts the instrument and contacting said portion with the sterilizing gas.