Abstract: A surgical and dental instrument sterilizer is described. Liquid water is rapidly vaporized by microwave heating and steam is generated to attain a steam pressure of approximately 47 psi and a temperature of approximately 135° C. in the region of the articles to be sterilized. Micron-size water-droplets are intermittently sprayed onto the articles which are arranged on a tray, from both the top and from underneath thereof so as to thoroughly wet the surfaces. A 30-90 s duration of droplet spray is followed by pulsed microwave irradiation of the top and underneath surfaces for a similar period, as an example; this is followed by a plurality of spray/microwave cycles.

Abstract: A surgical and dental instrument sterilizer is described. Liquid water is rapidly vaporized by microwave heating and steam is generated to attain a steam pressure of approximately 47 psi and a temperature of approximately 135° C. in the region of the articles to be sterilized. Micron-size water-droplets are intermittently sprayed onto the articles which are arranged on a tray, from both the top and from underneath thereof so as to thoroughly wet the surfaces. A 30-90 s duration of droplet spray is followed by pulsed microwave irradiation of the top and underneath surfaces for a similar period, as an example; this is followed by a plurality of spray/microwave cycles.