| 摘要 |
A countertop decontamination unit (A) has a decontamination chamber (10) which contains items to be sterilized, disinfected, or otherwise microbially decontaminated. A catheter (60) has an initial curve shape (62A). However, the catheter (60) is straightened in use and returns to a shape (62B). During a decontamination cycle, one or more porous clips (64) are disposed into frictional contact with the catheter. The clip (64) holds the catheter in the initial or undersized shape (62A) during the decontamination process. In the decontamination process, the decontamination fluid is heated at least to a temperature that resets the shape memory of the catheter (e.g., 40 DEG -60 DEG C.). The clip (64) has a sufficient porosity that microbial decontamination fluid penetrates through the clip to wet portions of the item surface in frictional contact with the clip assuring total microbial decontamination of the catheter. Once the decontamination is complete and the catheter is cooled, it holds the reset initial shape (62A).
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