Importance

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Abstract

An instrument sterilization cassette, into which instruments to be sterilized may be placed on an internal support rack structure, has a housing defined by an open-topped base portion to which a lid portion is pivotally secured. Spaced series of flow openings are formed through the top and bottom side walls of the lid and base portions and permit a vertical throughflow of sterilizing fluid through the cassette, and across the instruments supported therein, when the lid portion is closed. An external latch structure is operative to releasably hold the lid portion closed, and is secured to perforated upper and lower plates slidably supported on the inner side surfaces of the top and bottom side walls of the cassette. By pulling the latch structure outwardly from the housing, the plate members are slidably moved in the same direction and their openings are moved into registry with the top and bottom side wall flow openings to permit a throughflow of sterilizing fluid through the cassette. By pushing the latch structure toward the housing, the plate members are slidably moved in a manner causing them to block the flow openings and close the cassette housing to protect the sterilized instruments from airborne contamination until the cassette is later opened when the sterilized instruments are to be used. A resilient locking mechanism within the housing releasably holds one of the plate members in its blocking position to inhibit undesired outward movement of the latch structure and a corresponding unblocking of the flow openings.

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First Claim