A method of microbially deactivating items and storing the same in a sealable container forming a microbial barrier completely enclosing said items, comprising the steps of: a) placing items within a cavity in a sealable container having fluid access ports therein, said fluid access ports each having a valve element, said valve elements having a normally closed position and being moveable to an open position; b) placing said container having items to be microbially deactivated in said cavity into a reprocessor having a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid during a deactivation cycle; c) causing said valve elements in said fluid access ports to engage actuating means on said reprocessor wherein each of said actuating means includes a valve actuating connector that is mounted to a panel of said reprocessor, said valve actuating connector having a cylindrical body portion dimensioned to be received within a circular opening in said panel, the diameter of said circular opening being larger than a diameter of said cylindrical body portion such that said valve actuating connector moves within said circular opening in said panel of said reprocessor, and wherein engagement of said valve elements with said actuating means moves said valve elements to said open position to place said cavity in fluid communication with said circulation system; d) circulating said microbial deactivation fluid through said cavity of said container; e) removing said container from said reprocessor following said deactivation cycle; f) moving said valve elements to said normally closed position during said step e) of removing thereby preventing microbial contamination of the cavity of said container; and g) storing said sealed container with said deactivated items therein, wherein said deactivated items remain in a microbially deactivated environment. a) placing items within a cavity in a sealable container having fluid access ports therein, said fluid access ports each having a valve element, said valve elements having a normally closed position and being moveable to an open position; b) placing said container having items to be microbially deactivated in said cavity into a reprocessor having a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid during a deactivation cycle; c) causing said valve elements in said fluid access ports to engage actuating means on said reprocessor wherein each of said actuating means includes a valve actuating connector that is mounted to a panel of said reprocessor, said valve actuating connector having a cylindrical body portion dimensioned to be received within a circular opening in said panel, the diameter of said circular opening being larger than a diameter of said cylindrical body portion such that said valve actuating connector moves within said circular opening in said panel of said reprocessor, and wherein engagement of said valve elements with said actuating means moves said valve elements to said open position to place said cavity in fluid communication with said circulation system; d) circulating said microbial deactivation fluid through said cavity of said container; e) removing said container from said reprocessor following said deactivation cycle; f) moving said valve elements to said normally closed position during said step e) of removing thereby preventing microbial contamination of the cavity of said container; and g) storing said sealed container with said deactivated items therein, wherein said deactivated items remain in a microbially deactivated environment.