DE102014018254A1 - STERLLSATOR FOR KEY DEMANDING OF OBJECTS AND OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sterilizer for reducing germs on objects, in particular on medical cutlery and other objects used in medicine, with a device for providing heat (16) and with a sterilization chamber (48) in which the objects are sterilized. To provide a sterilizer, which has a small size and at the same time a high capacity is achieved by a heat accumulator (50) for storing both the heat provided by the device, as well as for storing the not consumed in the sterilization process heat, wherein the sterilization chamber (48) a return line (59) is provided, passes through the unused process heat in the heat storage (50).

Description

The present invention relates to a sterilizer for germ reduction of articles according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for operating this sterilizer according to the preamble of claim 9.

In many parts of the world, even today, medical care is inadequate, for example because there is no adequate medical infrastructure for financial reasons, or because medical supplies have collapsed because of war or natural disasters. Now, if auxiliaries come to these parts of the world, there is often no possibility to sterilize or sterilize the items required for the medical treatment, in particular the surgical cutlery.

To solve this problem is in the DE 94 04 428 U1 a solar sterilizer has been proposed which obtains the energy required for sterilization via solar collectors. The from the DE 94 04 428 U1 known solar sterilizer can be easily disassembled and then brought in a van in almost all parts of the world.

The solar sterilizer according to DE 94 04 428 U1 is operated with distilled water to avoid contamination of the individual components.

The performance of the solar sterilizer according to DE 94 04 428 U1 depends on the size of the sterilization chamber and the size of the heat storage. The larger the sterilization chamber, the more items can be sterilized and the larger the heat storage, the more sterilization passes can be made. However, the larger the system gets, the more difficult it becomes to transport the solar sterilizer.

On this basis, the present invention, the object of the invention to provide a sterilizer of the type mentioned, which has a small size and at the same time a high capacity.

As a technical solution to this problem, a sterilizer with the features of claim 1 and an operating method for this purpose with the features of claim 9 is proposed according to the invention. Advantageous developments of this sterilizer and this method can be found in the respective subclaims.

A trained according to this technical teaching sterilizer has the advantage that the remaining after disinfection and / or sterilization process heat can also be stored and thus for other applications, in particular for further sterilization cycles, can be used. Thus, the existing energy is used efficiently, so that the heat storage can be made smaller with the same sterilization performance, which saves costs and improves the transportability of the sterilizer or that more sterilization cycles can be performed with the same size.

The storage of both the heat provided, as well as the remaining process heat in the same heat storage has the further advantage that a second memory can be omitted, resulting in a small size and weight savings of the sterilizer and also saves costs.

As a result, the entire sterilizer can be made very small and lightweight and thus can be carried by one person. Such a portable sterilizer may be transported by a person to remote locations to provide sterilized surgical instruments or the like to on-site physicians. This leads to improved medical care, especially in low-infrastructure regions.

In a preferred embodiment, the heat accumulator is designed in two parts and comprises a first partial accumulator and a second partial accumulator. The physical effect that is used during the implementation of a sterilization when using two small storage less entropy is generated than when using a correspondingly large single memory. This lower entropy results in more efficient use of available energy during sterilization, with the result that more sterilization cycles can be performed with the available energy, or that the two small reservoirs can be made correspondingly smaller, resulting in a small size of the sterilizer and leads to a reduction in weight.

In a preferred embodiment, it has proved to be advantageous to arrange at least one partial storage below the disinfection and / or sterilization chamber, so that the heat transfer medium (for example distilled water) from there under the influence of gravity from the disinfection and / or sterilization chamber in the can flow deeper arranged part of memory. This has the advantage that no pumps and no energy input is required, making the sterilizer not only lighter and smaller, but also the energy requirements of the sterilizer is reduced.

In a further preferred embodiment, the disinfection chamber and / or the sterilization chamber is at least partially surrounded by a heat chamber, in which the heat storage medium can enter. About this heat chamber then the actual disinfection chamber and / or the actual sterilization chamber is warmed up accordingly. This has the advantage that as a result the heat storage medium does not come into contact with the objects to be processed and thus is not contaminated. This then leads to the fact that the heat storage medium can be reused within the device with the result that the remaining process heat can be used well, which in turn leads to an improved energy efficiency of the sterilizer.

Another advantage is that the heating chamber can also be used for cooling. For this purpose, cold water from the potable water reservoir enters at least one of the heating chambers and thereby cools the disinfection and / or sterilization chamber, with the water being heated. It is particularly advantageous then to bring the heated water into the water treatment plant and / or the heat storage so as to use the heat present in the sterilizer for the further process.

In another preferred embodiment, a water treatment plant for the production of low-germ and / or distilled water is provided. This distilled water is used within the device as a heat transfer medium, which has the advantage that the entire sterilizer is also germ-free and thus significantly reduces the risk of transmission of pathogens. Another advantage is that the operation of the sterilizer no additional liquids or solids are necessary as heat transfer.

This advantage is further enhanced by the water treatment plant is followed by a distillate storage tank, so that there is always a sufficient amount of distilled water available.

Yet another advantage is that any water, including soiled water, can be used, because by the use of Wasseraufbereitungslanlage the water is purified and made germ-free, in particular distilled, and can then be used for sterilization.

It has proven to be advantageous to arrange this distillate reservoir above the heat storage so that the distilled water can be moved due to gravity within the sterilizer, without the need for pumps or energy needs.

The measures listed here lead to a very high energy efficiency of the sterilizer according to the invention with the result that the sterilizer can be built relatively small and thus remains portable and yet can be performed with a filled heat storage several sterilization cycles.

Further advantages of the sterilizer according to the invention and the method according to the invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the embodiments described below. Likewise, according to the invention, the above-mentioned features and those which are still further developed can be used individually or in any desired combinations with one another. The mentioned embodiments are not to be understood as an exhaustive list, but rather have exemplary character. Show it:

1 a side perspective view of the sterilizer according to the invention in the transport mode;

2 a perspective side view of the sterilizer according to 1 , with unfolded solar module in operating mode;

3 a rear view of the sterilizer according to 2 in the operating mode;

4 a schematic diagram of the sterilizer according to the invention according to 1 ,

In the 1 to 3 an inventive sterilizer is shown, which in 1 in transport mode, while the sterilizer the 2 and 3 is shown in the operating mode. This sterilizer has a cuboid housing 10 with a four feet 12 having support frame 14 and a three-part solar collector system 16 which folds up and over the support frame 14 can be used so that the entire sterilizer is compact and portable by a person. For this purpose, handles are on the device 18 intended.

In another embodiment, not shown here, shoulder straps are mounted on the device so that the sterilizer, like a backpack, can be carried on the back of a human.

At a front are in the housing 10 a disinfecting opening 20 a not shown here disinfection chamber and a sterilization opening 22 arranged a sterilization chamber, not shown here.

On a front is a winch 24 intended for a pump with a hose 26 Raw water can be pumped into a drinking water reservoir inside the sterilizer.

In 4 is a schematic diagram of the sterilizer according to the invention shown. This sterilizer includes a hand pump 24 , with the raw water through a sieve filter 30 and a microfilter 31 in a drinking water tank 34 can be pumped. About the drinking water tank 34 the water enters a thermal water treatment plant 36 in which it is above an evaporator 38 is evaporated and in a downstream condenser 40 is liquefied, so that distilled water in this way in a distillate storage tank 42 arrives.

This distillate is used both as a heat carrier and as a sterilizing agent for the process of sterilization.

The evaporator 38 is about the solar collector system 16 , in particular via tube collectors, supplied with energy. To the evaporator 38 is a residual water tank 44 connected, can be passed over the excess water to the outside.

Furthermore, there is a disinfection chamber in the sterilizer 46 and a sterilization chamber 48 and a heat storage 50 , where the heat storage 50 from a first partial store 52 and a second part store 54 composed. There is a partial storage 52 . 54 , in particular the second partial storage 54 , below the disinfection 46 and / or the sterilization chamber 48 arranged.

Around the side walls of the disinfection chamber 46 and around the side walls of the sterilization chamber 48 around is each a heat chamber 56 . 58 provided, the heat chamber 56 . 58 such with the heat storage 50 , in particular the first partial storage 52 and the second part store 54 , that is connected to the heat storage 50 incoming water in the desired heat chamber 56 . 58 can get to the disinfection chamber 46 and / or the sterilization chamber 48 to heat accordingly. In this case, preferably passes from the first part of memory 52 coming water in the appropriate heat chamber 56 . 58 to heat them and then the water with the remaining heat passes through a return line 59 in the same part store 52 back. The whole process takes place without pumps, solely due to the corresponding pressure conditions and / or due to gravity, so that no pumps are required for this entire process and no energy is consumed.

Here is the second partial memory 54 so below the disinfection chamber 46 and / or below the sterilization chamber 48 arranged that the distilled water by means of gravity into the appropriate partial store 54 can get.

The heat storage 50 is via appropriate piping 61 also with the disinfection chamber 46 and the sterilization chamber 48 directly connected, so that in the disinfection 46 or sterilization chamber 48 located, used as a heat transfer water, with the existing residual heat in the heat storage 50 can get back.

Both in the first part store 52 , as well as in the second part store 54 is a thermosyphon 60 which is transferred to the solar collector system 16 connected. With the help of this thermosyphon 60 will be in the solar collector system 16 generated heat in the partial storage 52 . 54 transported to heat them to the desired temperature.

In the disinfection chamber 46 is a rotor 62 provided over that in the disinfection chamber 46 moving water is set in motion to mechanically clean the objects therein. This rotor 62 is via an electric motor 64 driven. This electric motor 64 is via a battery 66 energized.

In addition, there is an electronic control unit in the sterilizer 68 , are controlled by the individual processes.

In addition, the sterilizer is still a small photovoltaic system 70 provided to the battery 66 To supply with electrical energy, so on the battery on the one hand, the electric motor 64 and on the other hand, the control unit 68 , as well as various valves can be operated.

In another, not shown embodiment, the solar system is replaced by a small gas burner. This makes the sterilizer even smaller and lighter can be transported by a wearer in rough terrain, for example in the mountains. In other embodiments, it is also possible to use burners with other fuels, for example oil or solid fuels.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 9404428 U1 [0003, 0003, 0004, 0005]

Claims (13)

Sterilizer for reducing germs on objects, in particular on medical cutlery and other objects used in medicine, with a device for providing heat ( 16 ), with a sterilization chamber ( 48 ) in which the articles are sterilized and / or with a disinfection chamber ( 46 ) for cleaning and disinfecting the articles, characterized by a heat accumulator ( 50 ) for storing both the heat provided by the device and for storing the process heat not consumed in the sterilization and / or disinfection, wherein at the sterilization chamber ( 48 ) and / or disinfection chamber ( 46 ) a return line ( 59 ) is provided by means of the unused process heat in the heat storage ( 50 ). Sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat accumulator ( 50 ) is designed in two or more parts and at least one first partial memory ( 52 ) and a second partial memory ( 54 ) having. Sterilizer according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one partial store ( 52 . 54 ) below the sterilization chamber ( 48 ) and / or disinfection chamber ( 46 ) is arranged. Sterilizer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disinfection chamber ( 46 ) and / or the sterilization chamber ( 48 ) from a heating chamber ( 56 . 58 ) is at least partially surrounded, with the heat storage ( 50 ) connected is. Sterilizer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a water treatment plant ( 36 ) for producing germ-free and / or distilled water, which is preferably between the device for providing heat ( 16 ) and the sterilization chamber ( 48 ) and / or disinfection chamber ( 46 ) is arranged. Sterilizer according to claim 5, characterized in that the water treatment plant ( 36 ) above the heat storage ( 50 ) and / or above the sterilization chamber ( 48 ) and / or disinfection chamber ( 46 ) is arranged. Sterilizer according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the heat chamber ( 56 ) of the disinfection chamber ( 46 ) and / or the heating chamber ( 58 ) of the sterilization chamber ( 48 ) with the water treatment plant ( 36 ), in particular one in the water treatment plant ( 36 ) provided drinking water reservoir ( 34 ) and / or with the heat storage ( 50 ) is connected to a cooling of the sterilization chamber ( 48 ) and / or disinfection chamber ( 46 ). Sterilizer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disinfection chamber ( 46 ), the sterilization chamber ( 48 ) and / or the heating chamber ( 56 . 58 ) via a line with the water treatment plant ( 36 ), so that residual heat in the water treatment plant ( 36 ) can get. A method for operating a sterilizer for reducing germs on objects, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, wherein sterile sterilization of the objects or distilled water is used, characterized in that the low-germ or distilled water is used simultaneously as a heat carrier, A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the low-germ or distilled water is used as a sterilizing agent. Method according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the germ-poor or distilled water for cleaning and / or disinfecting the objects is used. Method for operating a sterilizer for reducing germs on articles, in particular according to one of the device claims 1 to 8 and in particular according to one of the method claims 9 to 11, characterized in that during the sterilization no longer required process heat in the heat storage ( 50 ) and / or in the water treatment plant ( 36 ) is returned. Method for operating a sterilizer for reducing germs on articles, in particular according to one of the device claims 1 to 8 and in particular according to one of the method claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the transport of the heat carrier takes place by utilizing the pressure conditions and / or taking advantage of gravity.

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