Instrument container having multiple chambers with flow pathways therebetween

An instrument container for microbial deactivation of an instrument in a microbial deactivation process, the container comprising:

• a first chamber;
• a second chamber;
• a wall separating the first chamber from the second chamber;
• an opening formed in the wall;
• and
• at least one removable seal member for substantially sealing said opening, wherein an instrument extends through said seal member, said at least one removable seal member dimensioned to be received in said opening in said wall such that a gap surrounds an outer surface of said at least one removable seal member, thereby providing a fluid pathway between said first chamber and said second chamber.

A system for microbially deactivating instruments, the system comprising:

• a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid through a decontamination chamber that forms part of the circulation system;
• a container located within said decontamination chamber for holding at least one instrument to be microbially deactivated, said container comprising:
• a tray having a bottom wall and a continuous side wall extending from the periphery of said bottom wall, said bottom wall and said side wall defining a cavity for receiving an instrument to be microbially deactivated;
• a dividing wall in the tray for dividing said cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber, said dividing wall including at least one recess formed therein;
• a first removable seal member including a first opening dimensioned to receive a portion of the instrument extending therethrough, said first removable seal member dimensioned to be received in said at least one recess such that a first gap surrounds an outer surface of said first removable seal member, thereby providing a fluid pathway between said first chamber and said second chamber;
• and
• a lid attachable to said tray to enclose said cavity.