Abstract: A preferred process for degassing a mold piece includes inserting the mold piece into an internal volume within a canister, sealing the internal volume, drawing a vacuum in the internal volume, and introducing into the internal volume a gaseous fluid suitable for degassing the mold piece.

Abstract: This invention provides a process of sterilizing a medical device, and preferably the contents of a sealed container which comprises said medical device, comprising the step of exposing said medical device to ultraviolet radiation whereby the Dvalue of Bacillus stearothermophilus (ATCC 7953) is at least 3.9 mJ/cm2 ultraviolet radiation in the range of 240-280 nm to the spore. Further, this invention provides a process of sterilizing a medical device comprising the step of subjecting said medical device to ultraviolet radiation wherein the minimum total energy density of said ultraviolet radiation in the range of 240-280 nm which reaches the microorganisms present on said medical device is at least 18 mJ/cm2.