Abstract: A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by concentrating a germicide via exploitation of the difference between the vapor pressures of the germicide and its solvent. A diffusion restriction can be placed into the diffusion path to assist this process and the path then opened to provide rapid diffusion of the thus concentrated germicide.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by concentrating a germicide via exploitation of the difference between the vapor pressures of the germicide and its solvent. A diffusion restriction can be placed into the diffusion path to assist this process and the path then opened to provide rapid diffusion of the thus concentrated germicide.

Abstract: A sterilization container has an improved elastomeric instrument holder. The instrument holder comprises a panel of elastomer having a projection depending downwardly therefrom and received within an perforation through a perforated surface within the container to hold the panel thereto. An aperture through the panel is adapted for receiving and holding an instrument to be sterilized. An inner surface of the aperture is adapted to have a reduced area of contact with an instrument received within the aperture. For example, the surface may comprise chamfers which meet to form a sharp ridge which contacts the instrument. The contact surface may also be textured to reduce the area of contact with the instrument. Alternatively, the surface may be formed of a material which is sufficiently permeable to a sterilizing gas so as to allow the area of the instrument in contact with the surface to receive a sufficient amount of sterilizing gas to become sterilized.