Method and apparatus for reducing residual levels of ethylene oxide in repeatedly sterilized polymeric devices

摘要

A method for reducing the build-up of residual levels of ethylene oxide in a polymeric medical instrument sterilization container (32) is provided. The container (32) is electroplated in a tank (50) with successive layers of copper, nickel and chromium. The layers of copper, nickel and chromium provide a protective coating of material dense enough to prevent the ethylene oxide from penetrating to and being absorbed by the less dense polymeric container (32). Thus the polymeric container (32) may be repeatedly sterilized without a hazardous build-up of residual ethylene oxide.