Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a tray for sterilizing, storing, transporting and presenting surgical instruments is formed in a matrix format by molding, extrusion or assembling a matrix of interlocking egg crate type members with the contours of the instruments in question and in some cases a basket shape to hold several small instruments such as screws machined into the top surface of the matrix. The matrix is light, strong and burr free and is an open structure facilitating the passage of the sterilizing media, steam, past the instruments in question.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a tray for sterilizing, storing, transporting and presenting surgical instruments is made by drawing or hydroforming a light weight, malleable sheet metal into die cavities with the shapes of the tools in question and in some cases a basket shape to hold several small instruments such as screws with no sharp edges or burrs to puncture or tear the sterile gauze wrap and a high heat transfer coefficient to expedite the drying process after sterilization.