Patent ID: 8012424

Claim:
A container for holding items to be microbially deactivated in a reprocessor 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 bottom wall and said side wall defining a cavity for receiving instruments and items to be microbially deactivated; a lid attachable to said tray, said lid dimensioned to cover said cavity; an inlet port formed in said tray communicating with said cavity; an outlet port formed in said tray communicating with said cavity; and a barrier element disposed within one of said ports, said barrier element for controlling flow through said one port, said barrier element consisting of a material that is permeable to gas and water vapor but impermeable to liquid, bacteria and organisms, said barrier element being movable between a first position wherein fluid flow through said one port is restricted to flow through said barrier element and a second position wherein fluid flow through said one port may flow through said barrier element and around said barrier element.