Gaseous sterilization of impermeable containers through use of porous material

A method of sterilizing a biomedical material, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a gas-impervious container having an open end and flowable biomedical material therein and a gas-permeable porous insert, and
• b) exposing the open end of the container to a gaseous sterilant,
• c) using the biomedical implant material in a biomedical procedure,
• wherein the container is substantially cylindrical and has a longitudinal axis, wherein the insert is disposed along the longitudinal axis of the substantially cylindrical container, and wherein the insert contacts the flowable biomedical material along the longitudinal axis, wherein the insert extends through the container,
• and
• wherein the exposure of the open end of the container to the gaseous sterilant is sufficient to sterilize the flowable biomedical material contained therein.