Patent ID: 8246905

Claim:
A method for disinfecting a cryostat, the cryostat having a microtome disposed in a closed cryostat chamber, the method comprising the steps of: a) subjecting the cryostat to a defrosting phase; b) introducing a vaporous disinfectant into the closed cryostat chamber; c) waiting an effective time for action of the disinfectant; d) generating a temperature difference in the closed cryostat chamber following step c); and e) discharging the disinfectant deposited in a colder region of the closed cryostat chamber in response to step d), wherein, following step c), a temperature of a cryostat refrigerator is reduced to below 0° C. in a cooling phase until at least a majority of the disinfectant has deposited on the refrigerator, the refrigerator being subsequently thawed to discharge the disinfectant from the cryostat chamber with the assistance of a collecting device.