Method of sterilization

This invention provides a process of sterilizing a medical device, and preferably the contents of a sealed container which comprises said medical device, comprising the step of exposing said medical device to ultraviolet radiation whereby the Dvalue of Bacillus stearothermophilus (ATCC 7953) is at least 3.9 mJ/cm2 ultraviolet radiation in the range of 240-280 nm to the spore. Further, this invention provides a process of sterilizing a medical device comprising the step of subject said medical device to ultraviolet radiation wherein the minimum total energy density of said ultraviolet radiation in the range of 240-280 nm which reaches the microorganisms present on said medical device is at least 18 mJ/cm2. This invention further provides an apparatus for delivering UV radiation to a medical device for sterilization comprising a radiation source and a reflector for said radiation source wherein said reflector directs radiation from said radiation source such that at least 3 J/cm2 broad spectrum radiation of which at least 50 mJ/cm2 of said radiation is UV radiation in the range of 240-280 nm to a treatment area for said medical device, said treatment area is at the focal plane of said reflector. This invention provides a process and apparatus in which sterilization can be achieved in less than 20 seconds, preferably less than 15 seconds, more preferably in less than 5 seconds. The process and apparatus are efficient and continuous.