Container for holding items to be microbially deactivated in a reprocessor

A container for holding items to be microbially deactivated in a reprocessor, comprised of:

• a generally cup shaped tray having a bottom wall and a continuous side wall extending to one side from the periphery of said bottom wall, said bottom wall and said side wall defining a cavity for receiving instruments and items to be microbially deactivated;
• a lid attachable to said tray, said lid dimensioned to cover said cavity;
• an inlet port formed in said tray communicating with said cavity;
• an outlet port formed in said tray communicating with said cavity;
• and
• a valve assembly disposed within one of said ports, said valve assembly for controlling flow therethrough, said valve assembly comprised of:
• a valve housing defining a housing cavity therein;
• and
• a barrier element disposed within said housing cavity, said barrier element consisting of a material that is permeable to gas and water vapor but impermeable to liquid, bacteria and organisms, said barrier element being movable within said housing cavity between a first position and a second position, wherein fluid flow through said valve housing is restricted to flow through said barrier element when said barrier element is in said first position, and fluid flow through said valve assembly may flow through said barrier element and around said barrier element when said barrier element is in said second position.

A container for holding items to be microbially deactivated in a reprocessor, comprised of;

• a generally cup shaped tray having a bottom wall and a continuous side wall extending to one side from the periphery of said bottom wall, said bottom wall and said side wall defining a cavity for receiving instruments and items to be microbially deactivated;
• a lid attachable to said tray, said lid dimensioned to cover said cavity;
• an inlet port formed in said tray communicating with said cavity;
• an outlet port formed in said tray communicating with said cavity;
• a tubular member disposed within one of said ports, said tubular member having an opening extending therethrough, said tubular member aligned with said one port such that said opening in said tubular member is in fluid communication with said cavity in said tray;
• a plurality of first apertures formed in said tubular member, said first apertures connecting said opening in said tubular member to an external portion of said tubular member, said tubular member being movable between a first position and a second position;
• and
• a barrier element disposed within said opening and transversing said opening at a location below said first apertures, said barrier element consisting of a material that is permeable to gas and water vapor but impermeable to liquid, bacteria and organisms, said barrier element attached to said tubular member such that fluid flow through said one port is restricted to fluid flow through said barrier element when said tubular member is in said first position, and fluid flow through said one port is through said first apertures and through said barrier element when said tubular member is in said second position.