Patent ID: 7422729

Claim:
A reprocessor for microbially deactivating items, said reprocessor comprised of: a deactivation chamber; a container for insertion into said deactivation chamber for holding items to be microbially deactivated, said container 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 side wall having a free edge, said bottom wall and said side wall defining a portion of said cavity for receiving instruments and items to be microbially deactivated; a lid operable to cover said tray, said lid and tray defining a cavity to hold said items to be deactivated; interacting seal means on said tray and said lid forming a seal between said tray and said lid, said seal means defining a convoluted path between said cavity and the exterior of said container; and a fluid passage extending through a portion of said side wall of said container and fluidly communicating with said convoluted path; and a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid having a first path fluidly communicating with said cavity in said container, and a second path fluidly communicating with said fluid passage in said container and said convoluted path.