Patent ID: 8420016

Claim:
An apparatus for microbial deactivation of articles, the apparatus comprising: a container for enclosing at least one article to undergo microbial deactivation; a deactivation chamber dimensioned to receive said container; a vibration element imparting ultrasonic vibrations to said container, wherein said vibration element is in contact with at least one surface of said container; a fluid circulation system for circulating fluids through said deactivation chamber and through the inside of said container, said fluid circulation system including a valve for controlling the removal of fluids from the inside of said container; a source of dry air connected with said fluid circulation system to circulate dry air through the inside of said container; and a controller for controlling operation of said apparatus, wherein said vibration element is active to introduce ultrasonic waves into said container while said source of dry air is fluidly connected to said fluid circulation system to circulate dry air through the inside of said container and said valve is in a position to allow air and residual liquid to exit from the inside of said container.