Improved medical instrument shield and pouch for microwave sterilization.

摘要

A container for sterilizing objects contained in a pouch is provided with shield portions (30) having flexible wiping fingers (42) located on at least one side edge portion (44) of a peripheral edge of one of the shield portions (30). The wiping fingers (42) insure that metal-to-metal contact is maintained between the shield portions (30) during sterilization. The pouch is constructed from two sheets of a laminate material, and includes an instrument retaining portion and a fluid retaining portion. A water pillow that bursts during sterilization is provided within the fluid retaining portion. Alternatively, a temporary seal that bursts or opens during sterilization is provided within the fluid retaining portion to prevent the premature transfer of a sterilization fluid contained in the fluid retaining portion to the instrument retaining portion. <IMAGE>