Apparatus and method for drying instruments using superheated steam

In a steam sterilization system for the sterilization of medical or dental instruments using saturated steam, an apparatus for drying the instruments using superheated steam comprising:

• a chamber for receiving the instruments, the chamber having at least one inlet port;
• a steam generation means to generate superheated steam;
• a distribution means connected to the at least one inlet port for distributing superheated steam from the steam generation means, through the inlet port, within the chamber to dry the instruments after the instruments have been sterilized;
• and
• an exhaust means for purging vaporized moisture from the chamber;
• wherein the exhaust means comprises at least one exhaust port and at least one moisture removal means connected to the at least one exhaust port for removing the vaporized moisture from the chamber;
• and
• wherein said exhaust port comprises an inner probe and an outer probe concentrically arranged and sealably isolated from one another to define an interprobal space.