Patent ID: 7314966

Claim:
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 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 fluid access ports in said container to engage actuating means on said reprocessor wherein engagement of said fluid access ports with said actuating means moves said fluid access ports to said open position to be in fluid communication with said circulation system; d) circulating said microbial deactivation fluid through said cavity of said container; and e) removing said container from said reprocessor following a deactivation cycle; f) disengaging said fluid access ports from said actuating means on said reprocessor during said step e) of removing thereby causing said fluid access ports to assume said normally closed position sealing said container, said sealed container forming a microbial barrier completely enclosing said items; g) storing said sealed container with said items therein at a location remote from said reprocessor for a period of time while simultaneously maintaining said microbial barrier completely enclosing said items therein.