DK173324B1

DK173324B1 - Method and apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing dental equipment

Info

Publication number: DK173324B1
Application number: DK14498A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Morten Skoedt Nielsen
Original assignee: Inter Select By Polti As
Priority date: 1998-02-02
Filing date: 1998-02-02
Publication date: 2000-07-24
Also published as: WO1999038539A1; AU2265299A; DK14498A

Description

i DK 173324 B1in DK 173324 B1

Fremgangsmåde og apparat til rengøring og sterilisering af dentaludstyrMethod and apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing dental equipment

Den foreliggende opfindelse angår en fremgangsmåde og et apparat til rengøring og sterilisering af dentaludstyr 5 som angivet i den indledende del af henholdsvis krav 1 og 6. Opfindelsen angår således specifikt rengøring og sterilisering af dentaludstyr, der er beregnet til indføring i mundhulen af en patient, og som har en udvendig overflade og en indvendig kanal defineret af en indvendig 10 overflade, hvor man under anvendelse af damp og med henblik på at eliminere mikroorganismer og urenheder på dentaludstyret efter en patientbehandling opvarmer den indvendige overflade af dentaludstyret så der sker en sterilisering, fortrinsvis til mindst ca. 121 °C, hvorved det 15 pågældende dentaludstyr kan' klargøres til brug på en anden patient. Ved at opvarme overfladen til den nævnte minimumstemperatur sikres en effektiv eliminering af mikroorganismer, der kan fremkalde sygdomme som hepatitis o.lign.The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing dental equipment 5 as set forth in the preamble of claims 1 and 6. Thus, the invention relates specifically to cleaning and sterilizing dental equipment intended for introduction into the oral cavity of a patient. and having an outer surface and an inner duct defined by an inner surface wherein, using steam and in order to eliminate microorganisms and impurities on the dental equipment after a patient treatment, the inner surface of the dental equipment is heated to provide sterilization, preferably to at least approx. 121 ° C, whereby the respective dental equipment can be prepared for use on another patient. By heating the surface to the minimum temperature mentioned, an efficient elimination of microorganisms that can cause diseases such as hepatitis and the like is ensured.

2020

Der kendes generelt fremgangsmåder og apparater af denne art, hvor dentaludstyr i form af et håndgreb med eksempelvis et tandlægebor anbringes i en autoklave med henblik på steriliseringsbehandling. Under forløbet af denne 25 proces opvarmes det pågældende dentaludstyr til temperaturer i størrelsesordenen ca. 121 °C i et lukket kammer, hvori der indføres damp fra en dampkilde. Forud for selve behandlingen anbringes dentaludstyret på passende holdere i det indre af kammeret, og kammeret er normalt altid di-30 mensioneret til at kunne rumme et højt antal håndgreb, således at der under én og samme proces kan foretages en sterilisering af mange håndgreb med bor.Methods and apparatus of this kind are generally known in which dental equipment in the form of a handgrip with, for example, a dental drill, is placed in an autoclave for sterilization treatment. During the course of this process, the dental equipment in question is heated to temperatures in the order of approx. 121 ° C in a closed chamber in which steam from a steam source is introduced. Prior to the treatment itself, the dental equipment is placed on appropriate holders in the interior of the chamber, and the chamber is usually always sized to accommodate a high number of handles, so that during one and the same process, many handles can be sterilized with boron. .

De kendte fremgangsmåder og apparater er imidlertid uhen-35 sigtsmæssige af en række årsager. For det første har det DK 173324 B1 2 ved målinger vist sig, at der fortsat resterer mikroorganismer og urenheder på dentaludstyret efter den foreskrevne autoklavering, hvilket har krævet en efterbehandling i form af en afspritning af udstyret. En årsag her-5 til kan muligvis henføres til udformningen af konventionelt dentaludstyr, der har håndgreb forsynet med en riflet overflade, der gør det lettere for tandlægen at opnå et sikkert greb omkring dentaludstyret, men som samtidig kan danne en vanskeligt tilgængelig grobund for mikroor-10 ganismer. Desuden er de kendte apparater pladskrævende og energikrævende og forudsætter sædvanligvis en fuldstændig fyldning af kammeret med dentaludstyr før steriliseringsbehandlingen påbegyndes. De kendte autoklaver er således ikke hensigtsmæssige, når der alene skal behandles ét en-15 kelt emne, såsom et enkelt håndgreb med påmonteret tandlægebor. Derudover er nedkølingstiden efter at steriliseringsbehandlingen er afsluttet ofte ganske langvarig, hvorfor dentaludstyret normalt ikke lader sig anvende umiddelbart efter afslutningen af autoklaveringen. De 20 sidstnævnte faktorer medfører, at man i en typisk tandlægeklinik vil være tvunget til at indkøbe et relativt stort antal af hvert redskab, typisk svarende til det antal patienter, der forventes at ville besøge klinikken i løbet af en arbejdsdag. Da investeringen i sådant udstyr 25 udgør en væsentlig del af den samlede investering ved drift af en tandlægeklinik, er der således et behov for så vidt muligt at kunne reducere det nødvendige antal tandlægeredskaber, uden at dette blot skal ske ved at benytte en halvt fyldt autoklave flere gange om dagen med 30 tilhørende driftsomkostninger.However, the known methods and apparatus are inappropriate for a variety of reasons. Firstly, in measurements DK 173324 B1 2, it has been found that microorganisms and impurities remain on the dental equipment after the prescribed autoclaving, which has required finishing in the form of a reprocessing of the equipment. One reason for this may possibly be attributed to the design of conventional dental equipment which has handles provided with a ribbed surface which facilitates the dentist to obtain a secure grip around the dental equipment, but which at the same time can form a difficult to access microfloral base. 10 ganisms. In addition, the known devices are space consuming and energy intensive and usually require a complete filling of the chamber with dental equipment before the sterilization treatment is started. Thus, the known autoclaves are not useful when only one single item is to be treated, such as a single handle with mounted dental drill. In addition, the cooling-off time after the sterilization treatment is completed is often quite prolonged, which is why the dental equipment is not usually usable immediately after the autoclaving is completed. The 20 latter factors mean that in a typical dental clinic, you will be forced to purchase a relatively large number of each tool, typically equal to the number of patients expected to visit the clinic during a working day. As the investment in such equipment 25 constitutes a significant part of the total investment in operating a dental clinic, there is thus a need, as far as possible, to reduce the required number of dental implants, without having to do so simply by using a half-filled autoclave. several times a day with 30 associated operating costs.

Det er et formål med opfindelsen at afhjælpe de ovenfor beskrevne uhensigtsmæssigheder, idet det specielt er et formål at tilvejebringe en fremgangsmåde og et apparat, ^ 35 hvormed der kan sikres en så pålidelig rengørings- og steriliseringsbehandling af dentaludstyr, at der efter DK 173324 B1 3 behandlingen ikke resterer mikroorganismer og urenheder på udstyret.It is an object of the invention to remedy the disadvantages described above, in particular it is an object to provide a method and apparatus for ensuring such a reliable cleaning and sterilization treatment of dental equipment that, in accordance with DK 173324 B1 3 the treatment does not leave microorganisms and impurities on the equipment.

Ovennævnte formål opnås ved ved at udøve den indlednings-5 vis nævnte fremgangsmåde som angivet i den kendetegnende del af krav 1, eller ved at indrette det indledningsvis nævnte apparat som angivet i den kendetegnende del af krav 6.The above object is achieved by practicing the method mentioned in the preamble as set forth in the characterizing part of claim 1, or by arranging the device mentioned in the preamble as set forth in the characterizing part of claim 6.

10 Fremgangsmåden er således defineret ved, at den udvendige overflade desuden påvirkes med en relativt koncentreret stråle af damp ved en sådan temperatur, at den udvendige overflade steriliseres, samtidig med at der foretages en mekanisk behandling af den nævnte udvendige overflade ved 15 hjælp af et børsteorgan.The method is thus defined in that the exterior surface is further affected by a relatively concentrated jet of steam at such a temperature that the exterior surface is sterilized while performing a mechanical treatment of said exterior surface by means of a brush member. .

Det har således på ganske overraskende måde ad denne vej vist sig muligt at opnå de ovennævnte formål, dvs. både at kunne tilvejebringe mere sterile og bedre rengjorte 20 emner efter en steriliserings- og rengøringsbehandling, samt at opnå den beskrevne rationaliseringsgevinst for så vidt angår det nødvendige antal udstyr, der skal indkøbes til en tandlægeklinik.Thus, it has been quite surprising in this way that it has been possible to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, viz. both being able to provide more sterile and better cleaned 20 items after a sterilization and cleaning treatment, as well as achieving the described rationalization gain in terms of the required number of equipment to be purchased for a dental clinic.

25 For at sikre en effektiv eliminering af mikroorganismer på dentaludstyrets overflade foretrækkes det, at den indvendige overflade påvirkes med damp i fortrinsvis mindst ca. 60 sekunder, og at den nævnte damppåvirkning og mekaniske behandling af den udvendige overflade udføres i et 30 tidsrum på mindst 45 sekunder, fortrinsvis mindst ca. 60 sekunder. Der vælges fortrinsvis en temperatur af dampen på mindst 121 °C.In order to ensure effective elimination of microorganisms on the surface of the dental equipment, it is preferred that the inner surface be affected by steam for preferably at least about 30 minutes. 60 seconds, and that said vapor action and mechanical treatment of the exterior surface is carried out for a period of at least 45 seconds, preferably at least approx. 60 seconds. Preferably, a temperature of the vapor of at least 121 ° C is selected.

Ved en hensigtsmæssig udførelsesform for apparatet ifølge 35 opfindelsen er dampdysen og børsteorganet integreret i én og samme enhed, der omfatter et håndgreb, hvormed den DK 173324 B1 4 nævnte mekaniske behandling kan udføres, fortrinsvis manuelt. Denne løsning er produktionsmæssigt og anvendelsesmæssigt særdeles hensigtsmæssig.In a suitable embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the steam nozzle and the brush member are integrated in one and the same unit comprising a handle by which the mechanical treatment mentioned, preferably manually, can be performed. This solution is extremely useful in terms of production and use.

5 I ovenstående tilfælde foretrækkes det endvidere at lede et kølemiddel, der f.eks. kan være nitrogen, under tryk gennem den nævnte indvendige kanal i dentaludstyret. Derved opnås en meget hurtig og effektiv afkøling af dentaludstyret, der således vil kunne benyttes ganske kort tid 10 efter afslutningen af rengørings- og steriliseringsbehandlingen.In the above case, it is further preferred to conduct a refrigerant which e.g. may be nitrogen, under pressure through said internal channel of the dental equipment. Thereby, a very rapid and efficient cooling of the dental equipment is obtained, which can thus be used quite shortly after the end of the cleaning and sterilization treatment.

Opfindelsen vil i det følgende blive nærmere beskrevet under henvisning til tegningen, der viser en i øjeblikket J 15 foretrukket udførelsesform. På tegningen viser: fig. 1 en skematisk afbildning af et apparat til udøvelse : af opfindelsen, og 20 fig. 2 en skematisk afbildning af et særligt velegnet redskab, der kan udgøre en del af det i fig. 1 viste apparat .The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, which shows a currently preferred embodiment. In the drawing: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for practicing the invention; and FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a particularly suitable tool which may form part of the device of FIG. 1.

I fig. 1 er med henvisningstallet 1 generelt vist et ap-25 parat til rengøring og sterilisering af dentaludstyr 80.In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is generally shown an apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing dental equipment 80.

Med betegnelsen "dentaludstyr" menes i denne forbindelse konventionelt tandlægeudstyr, såsom tandlægebor af metal, der ikke er af éngangstypen, og som er beregnet til at blive indført i mundhulen af en patient under dennes be-30 handling. Dentaludstyret er under en patientbehandling tilsluttet slanger, som tjener til fremføring af et tryksat fluidum, eksempelvis drivmidlet for et tandlægebor. Håndgrebet er til dette formål forsynet med en indvendig kanal, der ved den ene ende står i forbindelse med de 35 nævnte slanger, og som ved den anden ende udmunder i eksempelvis tandlægeboret. Dentaludstyr af denne art må ef- DK 173324 B1 5 ter afslutningen af en patientbehandling rengøres og steriliseres omhyggeligt før det kan anvendes på andre patienter. Som det vil fremgå af det nedenstående er det ved anvendelsen af apparatet 1 ikke nødvendigt at indeslutte 5 dentaludstyret 80 i et lukket kammer under steriliserings- og rengøringsbehandlingen, hvilket ellers er påkrævet ved sterilisering i konventionelle autoklaver.As used herein, the term "dental equipment" means conventional dental equipment, such as a non-disposable metal dental drill, which is intended to be inserted into the oral cavity of a patient during its treatment. During dental treatment, the dental equipment is connected to hoses which serve to convey a pressurized fluid, for example the propellant for a dental drill. For this purpose, the handle is provided with an inner channel which at one end communicates with the said tubes and which at the other end opens into, for example, the dental drill. Dental equipment of this kind must be cleaned and sterilized carefully before it can be applied to other patients after the end of a patient treatment. As will be seen below, when using the apparatus 1, it is not necessary to enclose the dental equipment 80 in a closed chamber during the sterilization and cleaning treatment, which is otherwise required by sterilization in conventional autoclaves.

Apparatet 1 omfatter et hus, der kan være understøttet af 10 hjul 5, og som kan have en adgangslåge, der giver adgang til apparatets 1 indre med henblik på servicering af de i huset monterede komponenter. Apparatet omfatter derudover også en overdel 2 med fastholdelsesmidler 65 beregnet til anbringelse af dentaludstyret 80 i f.eks. en vandret po-15 sition under steriliseringsbehandlingen, idet der desuden er indrettet en skålformet opsamlingsbakke 45 til opsamling af de under steriliseringsbehandlingen udstrømmende væsker.The apparatus 1 comprises a housing which may be supported by 10 wheels 5 and which may have an access door which provides access to the interior of the apparatus 1 for servicing the components mounted in the housing. In addition, the apparatus also comprises an upper part 2 with retaining means 65 intended for placing the dental equipment 80 in e.g. a horizontal position during the sterilization treatment, in addition, a bowl-shaped collection tray 45 is provided for collecting the fluids flowing out during the sterilization treatment.

20 Apparatet 1 omfatter derudover midler 10 til generering og lagring af damp i form af en beholder, der har en vandpåfyldningsstuds og et varmelegeme, der kan indstilles til at frembringe damp ved et givet tryk og med en ønsket temperatur, der dog fortrinsvis mindst udgør ca.The apparatus 1 further comprises means 10 for generating and storing steam in the form of a container having a water filling nozzle and a heater which can be adjusted to produce steam at a given pressure and at a desired temperature, but preferably at least .

25 121 °C. Under anvendelsen af apparatet ledes dampen gen nem et strømningsforløb, der vil blive beskrevet i nærmere detaljer nedenfor, idet eventuel kondenseret væske opsamles i opsamlingsbakken 45 og, via en returledning 40, ledes retur til en beholder 35 anbragt i huset. Det vil 30 således forstås, at der ved anvendelsen af apparatet etableres et i det væsentlige lukket strømningskredsløb, hvorved apparatet 1 kan benyttes fritstående, dvs. uden krav om permanent tilslutning til eksternt afløb eller vandforsyning.25 121 ° C. During use of the apparatus, the steam is passed through a flow path which will be described in more detail below, any condensed liquid being collected in the collection tray 45 and, via a return line 40, being returned to a container 35 disposed in the housing. Thus, it will be understood that when using the apparatus, a substantially closed flow circuit is established whereby the apparatus 1 can be used freely, i.e. without requiring permanent connection to external drain or water supply.

35 DK 173324 B1 635 DK 173324 B1 6

Midlerne 10 til generering og lagring af damp omfatter et første udløb, der er forbundet med den ene ende af damptilslutningsorganer 50 i form af et fleksibelt legeme, fortrinsvis en plastslange. Ved at denne slange er flek-5 sibel lettes arbejdet under anvendelsen af apparatet, således som det vil fremgå nedenfor. Ved den modsatte ende af de nævnte damptilslutningsorganer 50 er der via en ikke vist tilslutningsstuds påmonteret et rengørings- og steriliseringsredskab i form af et håndgreb 55 med en 10 gennemgående kanal, der leder dampen frem til en ved håndgrebets 55 modsatte ende arrangeret dampdyse 60, ud gennem hvilken den genererede damp kan strømme som en relativt koncentreret stråle. Ved dampdysen 60 er der tillige indrettet et børsteorgan 58, idet dysen fortrinsvis 15 er arrangeret således i forhold til børsten, at dampen strømmer ud mellem børstehårene, der således opvarmes af den hede damp.The vapor generation and storage means 10 comprise a first outlet connected to one end of vapor connection means 50 in the form of a flexible body, preferably a plastic hose. As this hose is flexible, the operation of the apparatus is facilitated, as will be seen below. At the opposite end of said steam connection means 50, a cleaning and sterilizing tool in the form of a handle 55 having a through passage leading to a steam nozzle 60 arranged at the opposite end of the handle 55 is mounted via a not shown connecting rod. through which the generated steam can flow as a relatively concentrated jet. At the steam nozzle 60 there is also provided a brush member 58, the nozzle preferably being arranged in relation to the brush so that the steam flows out between the bristles thus heated by the hot steam.

Apparatet 1 omfatter derudover en beholder 25 for et kø-20 lemiddel, der fortrinsvis kan være nitrogen, som via et steriliserende filter 26 og kølemiddeltilslutningsorganer 20, fortrinsvis i form af en slange, kan forbindes med en omskifterventil 30, der ligeledes er forbundet med et yderligere udløb fra midlerne 10 til generering og lag-25 ring af damp. Fra omskifterventilen 30 strækker der sig et rørformet tilslutningsorgan 70, der udmunder ved fastholdelsesmidlerne 65 for dentaludstyret 80 på apparatets 1 overdel 2. Det vil forstås, at man ved korrekt betjening af omskifterventilen 30 vil kunne lede enten damp 30 eller kølemiddel gennem tilslutningsorganet 70 og frem mod fastholdelsesmidlerne 65 for dentaludstyret 80.The apparatus 1 further comprises a container 25 for a refrigerant, which may preferably be nitrogen, which can be connected via a sterilizing filter 26 and refrigerant connection means 20, preferably in the form of a hose, to a switch valve 30 which is also connected to a further outlets from the means 10 for generating and storing steam. From the switch valve 30 extends a tubular connection means 70 which opens at the retaining means 65 of the dental equipment 80 on the upper part of the apparatus 1. It will be understood that through proper operation of the switch valve 30 it will be possible to pass either steam 30 or refrigerant through the connection means 70 onwards. against the retaining means 65 for the dental equipment 80.

Under anvendelsen af det i fig. 1 viste apparat 1 anbrin-, ges dentaludstyret først i fastholdelsesmidlerne 65, der 35 eksempelvis blot kan udgøres af en klemmelignende indretning, og tilslutningsorganet 70 tilsluttes den gennemgå- DK 173324 B1 7 ende kanal i dentaludstyret, der som nævnt eksempelvis kan være et konventionelt tandlægebor med et håndgreb med et påmonteret bor. Herefter tillades damp fra beholderen 10 at strømme gennem tilslutningsorganet 70, og dermed 5 gennem den indvendige kanal i dentaludstyret 80, ved at foretage en korrekt indstilling af omskifterventilen 30.In the application of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the dental equipment is first placed in the retaining means 65, which for example can only be constituted by a clamp-like device, and the connecting means 70 is connected to the through channel in the dental equipment, which as mentioned, for example, can be a conventional dental drill. with a handle with a mounted drill. Thereafter, steam from the container 10 is allowed to flow through the connecting means 70, and thus 5 through the inner channel of the dental equipment 80, by properly adjusting the switch valve 30.

Den varme damp vil øjeblikkeligt give anledning til en temperaturstigning af det indre af dentaludstyret, idet overfladen af dentaludstyrets indvendige kanal hurtigt 10 antager temperaturen af dampen. Ved et passende valg af trykket i dampbeholderen vil der endvidere forekomme en gennemblæsning af den nævnte kanal, hvorved organisk stof i tandlægeboret udblæses for sammen med den udstrømmende damp at blive ledt ned i opsamlingsbakken 45. Det bemær-15 kes i denne forbindelse, at temperaturen af dampen som minimum bør udgøre ca. 121 °C, idet man ved temperaturer herunder sædvanligvis ikke vil kunne sikre en effektiv eliminering af mikroorganismer. Den beskrevne proces kan i princippet sammenlignes med forholdene i en autoklave, 20 idet der blot ikke benyttes et egentligt autoklaverings-kammer. Der foretrækkes en mindste behandlingstid på ca.The hot steam will immediately give rise to a temperature rise of the interior of the dental equipment, with the surface of the inner channel of the dental equipment rapidly assuming the temperature of the steam. Further, by appropriate selection of the pressure in the vapor container, a blow-through of said duct will occur, whereby organic matter in the dentist drill is blown out to be discharged together with the flowing vapor into the collection tray 45. It is noted in this connection that the temperature of the steam should at least amount to approx. 121 ° C, since at temperatures below, it will usually not be possible to ensure efficient elimination of microorganisms. The process described can in principle be compared to the conditions of an autoclave, since no actual autoclaving chamber is used. A minimum processing time of approx.

60 sekunder, efter hvilket tidsrum den udvendige temperatur af dentaludstyret som følge af varmeledningen også vil antage en temperatur svarende tilnærmelsesvis til 25 temperaturen af den indvendige overflade.60 seconds, after which time the external temperature of the dental equipment due to the heat conduit will also assume a temperature approximately equal to the temperature of the inner surface.

Umiddelbart efter, at dentaludstyrets 80 udvendige overflade har opnået den ønskede, forhøjede temperatur som følge af varmeledningen, foretages ifølge opfindelsen en 30 steriliserings- og rengøringsbehandling af dentaludstyrets 80 udvendige overflader ved hjælp af henholdsvis dampdysen 60 og børsteorganet 58, der er monteret på håndgrebet 55. Når denne behandling skal udføres, aktiveres en afbryderventil (ikke vist) så damp strømmer fra 35 beholderen 10, gennem den fleksible slange 50 og ud fra dampdysen 60 i form af en relativt koncentreret stråle.Immediately after the external surface of the dental equipment 80 has reached the desired elevated temperature as a result of the heat conduit, the invention performs a sterilization and cleaning treatment of the external surfaces of the dental equipment 80 by means of the steam nozzle 60 and the brush member 58 mounted on the handle 55, respectively. When this treatment is to be performed, a switch valve (not shown) is activated so that steam flows from the container 10, through the flexible hose 50 and out of the steam nozzle 60 in the form of a relatively concentrated jet.

DK 173324 B1 8 Håndgrebet føres nu frem og tilbage så børstehårene 58 påvirker dentaludstyret 80 mekanisk ved at gnide mod udstyrets 80 overflade samtidig med at damp strømmer direkte ud på den nævnte overflade fra dampdysen 60, der hol-5 des i umiddelbar nærhed af overfladen. Den kombinerede effekt af denne mekaniske påvirkning og af dampstrålen har på overraskende måde ved sammenlignende forsøg vist sig at bibringe en bedre rengøring og sterilisering end ved sterilisering i de kendte autoklaver, som beskrevet 10 indledningsvis. En udvendig behandling som beskrevet ovenfor og med en varighed på ca. 60 sekunder har således vist sig at lede til en fuldstændig eliminering af mikroorganismer.GB 173324 B1 8 The handle is now moved back and forth so that the bristles 58 mechanically affect the dental equipment 80 by rubbing against the surface of the equipment 80 while steam flows directly onto the said surface from the steam nozzle 60 held in close proximity to the surface. The combined effect of this mechanical effect and of the steam jet has surprisingly been found by comparative tests to provide better cleaning and sterilization than by sterilization in the known autoclaves, as described initially. An exterior treatment as described above and with a duration of approx. Thus, 60 seconds has been shown to lead to complete elimination of microorganisms.

15 Efter rengørings- og steriliseringsbehandlingens afslutning vil det pågældende dentaludstyr typisk antage en temperatur svarende til dampens temperatur over hele sit tværsnit. For at reducere den nødvendige afkølingstid før dentaludstyret atter kan benyttes, kan omskifterventilen 20 30 nu omskiftes, så kølemidlet i kølemiddelbeholderen 25 under tryk kan bringes til at strømme gennem den indvendige kanal i dentaludstyret 80, via det rørformede tilslutningsorgan 70. Ved at vælge et kølemiddel i form af eksempelvis nitrogen med en passende lav temperatur, bli-25 ver det muligt at tilvejebringe en tilpas hurtig afkøling af dentaludstyret til en ønsket temperatur. Afkølingen kan eventuelt styres automatisk ved hjælp af automatisk virkende styreindretninger, såsom en timer, der efter et forudindstillet tidsforløb automatisk afbryder forbindel-30 sen til kølemiddelbeholderen 25,After completion of the cleaning and sterilization treatment, the dental equipment in question will typically assume a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the steam over its entire cross-section. In order to reduce the necessary cooling time before the dental equipment can be used again, the switch valve 20 30 can now be switched so that the refrigerant in the refrigerant container 25 can be pressurized to flow through the inner channel of the dental equipment 80, via the tubular connection means 70. By choosing a refrigerant in the form of, for example, nitrogen at a suitably low temperature, it becomes possible to provide a suitably rapid cooling of the dental equipment to a desired temperature. Optionally, the cooling may be controlled automatically by means of automatically acting control devices, such as a timer which, after a preset period of time, automatically disconnects the connection to the refrigerant container 25,

Nedenstående tabel viser resultatet af et sammenlignende forsøg, hvor der er foretaget ATP-målinger (ved den såkaldte "Hy-litetest") af tilsvarende belastet tandlægeud-35 styr (et tandlægebor), der har været underkastet behandling henholdsvis i en autoklave og ved fremgangsmåden DK 173324 B1 9 ifølge opfindelsen under brug af en børste med middel hårdhed (børstehår af polyester PBT med en diameter på 0,15 mm) og efter en indvendig damppåvirkning med en varighed på 60 sekunder og en udvendig påvirkning med damp 5 og børste i 60 sekunder. Autoklaveringen er foretaget ved en temperatur på 121 °C i 20 minutter.The following table shows the result of a comparative experiment in which ATP measurements (in the so-called "Hyality test") of correspondingly loaded dental equipment (a dentist's drill) have been subjected to treatment in an autoclave and the method respectively. DK 173324 B1 9 according to the invention using a medium hardness brush (polyester PBT bristles with a diameter of 0.15 mm) and after an internal vapor effect of 60 seconds and an external effect with steam 5 and brush for 60 seconds. The autoclaving is done at a temperature of 121 ° C for 20 minutes.

Autoklave Opfindelsen Måling i kanal i bor 156 9 (Super Torque 625) Måling af borets overflade 4100 11 (Alle talværdier under 50 antages sædvanligvis at repræ-10 sentere sterile forhold.) I fig. 2 er vist et tværsnit gennem en særligt foretrukket udførelsesform for håndgrebet 55, der i dette tilfælde er udformet som et langstrakt, cylindrisk hus med en 15 indsats 57 med radiært indadragende børstehår 58. De nævnte børstehår 58 definer en gennemgående cylindrisk kanal 59, der strækker sig i husets længderetning. Håndgrebet 55 er desuden forsynet med' en tilslutningsstuds 56, der tjener til at forbinde håndgrebet 55 med damptil-20 slutningsorganerne 50. Umiddelbart ved tilslutningsstudsen 56 er der arrangeret et dyseagtigt udløb 60 for damp, hvorved damp, der ledes fra beholderen 10, kan trænge ind i den cylindriske kanal 59 gennem åbninger i indsatsen 57 og mellem børstehårene 58. Det vil forstås, at man forud 25 for rengøringen og steriliseringen fører det pågældende dentaludstyr 80, der fortrinsvis vil være fastholdt af fastholdelsesmidlerne 65, gennem kanalen 59 og foretager en mekanisk behandling af overfladen af dentaludstyret 80 ved manuelt at bevæge håndgrebet 55 frem og tilbage, så 30 børstehårene 58 gnider mod overfladen, samtidig med, at der ledes damp ind i kanalen 59 gennem dysen 60. Denne bevægelse udføres i et givet tidsrum, der kan være ganske DK 173324 B1 10 t kort, f.eks. ca. 2 minutter, hvorefter håndgrebet 55 eventuelt kan efterlades på dentaludstyret 80 for påvirkning af dette med damp alene, eksempelvis i et totalt tidsrum på ca. 15 min. Efter afslutningen af sterilise-5 ringen ledes kølemiddel gennem dentaludstyret gennem tilslutningsorganet 70, dersom dentaludstyret i sig selv er udformet med en indvendig kanal som beskrevet ovenfor.Autoclave The Invention Channel Measurement in Drill 156 9 (Super Torque 625) Measurement of Drill Surface 4100 11 (All numerical values below 50 are usually assumed to represent sterile conditions.) In FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the handle 55, which in this case is designed as an elongated cylindrical housing with an insert 57 with radially inwardly extending bristles 58. Said bristles 58 define a continuous cylindrical channel 59 extending in the longitudinal direction of the house. The handle 55 is further provided with a connecting rod 56 which serves to connect the handle 55 with the vapor connection means 50. Immediately at the connection nozzle 56, a nozzle-like outlet 60 for steam is arranged, whereby steam discharged from the container 10 can penetrate. into the cylindrical channel 59 through openings in the insert 57 and between the bristles 58. It will be appreciated that prior to cleaning and sterilization, the respective dental equipment 80, which will preferably be held by the retaining means 65, is passed through the channel 59 and performs a mechanical treating the surface of the dental equipment 80 by manually moving the handle 55 back and forth so that the bristles 58 rub against the surface while steam is introduced into the duct 59 through the nozzle 60. This movement is performed for a given period of time which may be quite DK 173324 B1 10 t card, e.g. ca. 2 minutes, after which the handle 55 can optionally be left on the dental equipment 80 for its effect with steam alone, for example for a total period of approx. 15 min. Upon completion of the sterilization, refrigerant is passed through the dental equipment through the connector 70, if the dental equipment itself is designed with an inner channel as described above.

Selv om børsteorganet 58 og dampdysen 60 ovenfor er be-10 skrevet som værende integreret i et håndgreb, vil det forstås, at det nævnte håndgreb eventuelt vil kunne forbindes med automatisk virkende indretninger, der frembringer den ønskede bevægelse af børsteorganerne hen over dentaludstyrets udvendige overflade. I denne situation 15 betjenes håndgrebet således ikke manuelt.Although the brush member 58 and the steam nozzle 60 are described above as being integral to a handle, it will be appreciated that said handle may optionally be connected to automatically acting devices which produce the desired movement of the brush members over the external surface of the dental equipment. Thus, in this situation 15, the handle is not operated manually.

Claims

A method of cleaning and sterilizing the speech equipment (80) intended for insertion into the oral cavity of a patient having an outer surface and an inner duct defined by an inner surface, the method comprising a first step of 10 said interior surface is affected by steam at such a temperature that the interior surface is sterilized, characterized by a further step, during which the outer surface is affected by a relatively concentrated jet of steam at such a temperature that the outer surface is sterilized, simultaneously with mechanical treatment of said exterior surface by means of a brush means.

Method according to claim 1 and intended for handles 20 for drill, polishing equipment, rinsing equipment or similar dental equipment, which are preferably metallic, characterized in that the first step and the second step are carried out for at least 45 seconds, preferably at least approx. 60 seconds and the temperature of the steam is set to at least 25 121 ° C.

Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the first step is carried out for at least 60 seconds and the second step is then implemented. 30

Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dental equipment (80) is cooled by means of a sterile refrigerant immediately after the heating, which refrigerant is passed through the inner duct. DK 173324 B1

Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steam has a temperature of at least approx. 150 ° C and a pressure of at least ca. 4 bar. 5

Apparatus (1) for cleaning and sterilizing dental equipment (80) intended for insertion into the oral cavity of a patient having an outer surface and an inner duct defined by an inner surface, comprising: apparatus (1) means (10) for generating and storing steam, at least one steam nozzle (60) connected via said first steam connecting means (50) to said means (10) for generating and storing steam and with which an outside surface of said dental equipment ( 80) may be actuated by steam at such a temperature as to sterilize said exterior surface, as well as additional connecting means (70) for connecting said interior duct with means (10) for generating and storing a 'vapor, whereby the interior surface may be actuated by steam at such a temperature that the said inner surface is sterilized, preferably at least ca. 121 ° C, characterized in that said steam nozzle (60) is adapted to be fed over said external surface and that the apparatus (1) further comprises a brush member (58) with which a mechanical treatment of said outer surface, at the same time as said external surface is affected by steam from the steam nozzle (60).

Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the apparatus (1) further comprises a handle (55) with which said steam nozzle (60) and brush means (58) are connected together for being able to be conveyed together over said external surface, and the first vapor connection means (50) comprising a flexible hose. DK 173324 B1

Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the apparatus (1) further comprises at least one container (25) for a sterile refrigerant, preferably nitrogen, as well as refrigerant connection means 5 (20) for connecting said inner channel with said container. (25) for a sterile refrigerant.

Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the apparatus (1) further comprises a switching valve (30) for optionally connecting the said internal duct with the refrigerant connecting means (20) via said additional connecting means (70) or with the means (10) for generating steam.

Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the switch valve (30) is arranged for automatic control.

Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 6-10, characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises retaining means (65) for retaining said dental equipment (80) during the cleaning and sterilization, and that in connection with said retaining means is arranged a generally cup-shaped member (45) for collecting liquid obtained by densifying vapor flowing through the inner channel of the dental equipment (80).

Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 6-11, characterized in that the means (10) for generating steam comprise a container for water and a heater.