EP0738545B1 - Method and device for cleaning and disinfecting containers for medical use - Google Patents

Abstract

Containers used to collect suction-extracted secretions from the mouth, breath or wounds are cleaned and disinfected by placing in a flushing machine while still closed and in a position where the contents cannot run out. The machine is closed, and at the same time, the container is tilted into a position where the contents can run out through gravity. The container is opened by generating an overpressure within it to force the cover off. The container and cover are then washed and disinfected. The container holder (3) has one position where the container (4) is held so that the contents cannot escape, and a second position where the container (4) is tiled so that its contents can escape by gravity. The container has a connection (6), linked to a tube (11), to create an overpressure within the container (4) displace the cover (5).

Description

The invention relates to a method and a Device for cleaning and disinfecting medical Containers according to the preamble of claim 1 and an apparatus for performing the method according to the preamble of claim 6.

Such containers used in the medical field too Suction cups or secretion canisters are called primarily for suction of mouth, breath or wound secretions in Clinics and medical practices used. Known secretion canisters are designed as a cylindrical tube with a round bottom and in particular have no undercuts, edges or other projections so that no secretions are left Unevenness in the interior of the container can hold. The containers are closed with a lid that can be closed using a Lip seal over the open end of the cylinder barrel is pushed. The cover has one or two connecting pieces. Lids that have two connecting pieces are with a nozzle to a vacuum source, such as a pump, connected and connected to the second nozzle a suction hose. There is a in one of the sockets Float valve arranged that when the secretion canister is full prevents secretions from reaching the suction pump. Further some of these secretion canisters have both sockets Check valves that are installed so that when switching off the vacuum source both ports are closed, so that a negative pressure is opposed inside the container remains in the atmosphere, which serves to support to keep the lid firmly on the container. So that can no secretions leak during transport.

In practice, however, when disposing of the secretion and cleaning the container has major problems. The lid is actually opened by the clinic staff what difficult because of the negative pressure. There too the outer wall of the container is smooth and in most Cases made of glass, it often happens that the Containers fall to the floor, which is then considered hygienic also brings aesthetic problems. Kick too Contaminating from the opened containers and malodorous gases.

For this reason, the use of disposable containers enforced to a greater extent in the past. However, such secretion canisters must be considered highly contaminated Hazardous waste can be disposed of, which is significant for the clinic Brings costs and with improper disposal also represents a source of infection for the population. Therefore it is again desirable to have such containers to be used several times.

The object of the present invention is therefore a method and device of the type mentioned in that regard improve that safe opening and cleaning (including disinfecting) the containers is.

This task is for the procedure by the in Claim 1 and for the device by the im Features specified claim 6 solved. Beneficial Refinements and developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

The basic idea of the invention is that the still tightly and hygienically sealed containers in one leak-proof alignment in a cleaning machine be introduced when or after closing the door tilted the cleaning machine into a run-out position then with the door tightly closed Machine automatically cleans the lid of the container is solved, then the cleaning and disinfection processes for the container and the lid.

The operating personnel are released from the task open the lid and comes with those in the container collected secretions do not touch. During the Handling by the staff is the container in one Leak-proof alignment, so that even if there is a leak Lids or leaky valves reduce the risk is that secretions leak.

The device according to the invention contains a frame, on the door that can be swiveled around a horizontal axis is appropriate. The frame has clear shots Positioning and fixing the containers. The recordings are aligned so that the container with the door open during loading in the leak-proof position is held. If the door is closed by pivoting, so the container is automatically swiveled, usually through an angle of 90 °. This turns the container into a Brought out position.

The lid is opened by a pressurized standing medium, preferably water, cleaning or Disinfectant or compressed air from the Cleaning machine can be provided. For this, a Connection piece of the cover when loading the machine connected to a pressure source with a hose. As soon as the machine door is closed and the cleaning program preferably after checking for leaks the door and the washroom starts from this Pressure source pressurizes the inside of the container, so that the lid is removed from the container. The lid is blown up, so to speak. Only after that can the Containers collected secretions due to gravity leak and be drained into the sewage system.

With highly contaminated secretions, such as from patients with contagious, notifiable under the Federal Disease Act Diseases can be caused by opening the container a pressurized disinfectant solution. The secretions are then with this disinfectant solution mixed and for a period of time sufficient for the Kill germs kept inside the machine. For this a shut-off valve in the machine outlet is closed. Then the cleaning and disinfection process can then with the usual cleaning and disinfection additives, a rinse aid with deionized water, if necessary also a subsequent disinfection with heated, germ-free Air or water vapor etc. are carried out.

Because there is also residual secretions in the cap-shaped lid can accumulate when the container is in a spout position is tilted, provides a development of the invention, that the lid in turn after detaching from the container is placed and held in a position in the lid accumulated secretions also due to gravity leak. This also turns the lid into a defined one Positioned in which it is relative to spray nozzles is aligned for cleaning fluid so that it is completely cleaned.

According to a development of the invention, that after completing all cleaning and disinfection processes the lid is automatically replaced on the container and the container is thereby closed. Here will the lid is first compressed air or a mechanical one Gripper arm swiveled up again until it is correctly opposite the container is aligned and then by hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical devices advanced towards the opening of the container until the container is closed again. All of this is still happening with the door of the cleaning machine closed, so that then the container is closed sterile when it comes out of the Machine is removed.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer Reinigungsmaschine mit der Vorrichtung nach einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung bei geöffneter Tür der Maschine,

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht ähnlich Fig. 1 jedoch bei geschlossener Tür der Maschine und noch verschlossenem Behälter;

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht ähnlich Fig. 2, bei welcher jedoch der Behälter geöffnet ist und der Reinigungsvorgang stattfindet;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung nach der Erfindung als Einsatzelement für übliche medizinische Reinigungs- und Desinfektionsmaschinen; und

Fig. 5

eine Frontansicht der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 4.

In some applications of such containers, small parts, such as syringe needles, are collected in these containers and cleaned and disinfected before disposal. In these cases, it is provided that these objects fall into a collecting container, which is, for example, a close-meshed grid, where they are cleaned and disinfected. This collecting container is attached to the above-mentioned frame and in such a way that it lies below the opening of the container when the door is closed and the container is aligned in its outlet position. Further refinements and advantages of the invention can be found in the following description, in which several exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail in connection with the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

2 shows a side view of a cleaning machine with the device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention with the machine door open,

Fig. 2

a view similar to Figure 1 but with the machine door closed and the container still closed;

Fig. 3

a view similar to Figure 2, but in which the container is open and the cleaning process takes place.

Fig. 4

is a schematic side view of the device according to the invention as an insert element for conventional medical cleaning and disinfection machines; and

Fig. 5

4 shows a front view of the device according to FIG. 4.

Fig. 1 shows a cleaning machine 1 in side view with door 2 open. There is a device on door 2 attached in the form of a frame 3 that the to be cleaned Container 4 and its lid 5 holds. The lid 5 has at least one connecting piece 6. The frame 3 has one Frame 7, on which here two shots 8 and 9 for shooting and holder of the container 4 are attached. These shots have, as can best be seen from FIG. 5, Recesses in which the containers can be clamped. Alternatively, the recordings 8 and 9 could also be resilient Brackets.

On the frame 3, a coupling head 10 is present, which the connector 6 of the cover 5 can be plugged on and thus can be connected. Furthermore, the coupling head 10 to one Hose line 11 connected with her other End with one lying inside the machine 1 Supply part 12 is connected, here compressed air or Disinfectant liquid through the hose 11 to Coupling head 10 promotes.

The frame 3 is constructed so that a central axis 13th of the container 4 with the door 2 open at an angle upwards is aligned, for example at an angle of 45 ° to the horizontal. This is the container 4 positioned in such a way that its content itself do not leak when the lid 5 is open or leaking can.

Further details of the frame will be more precise in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5 explained. Is this Frame 3 together with container 4 held on door 2 attached, for example by inserting or Latch in brackets, not shown, on the door can and is the hose 11 to the Coupling head 10 connected, the door is through Swiveling around a horizontally aligned door joint 14 closed. This will bring the frame into the interior 15 of the cleaning machine 1 and at the same time tilted by 90 ° until the door is completely closed 2 is assumed.

2, the container 4 is tilted into an outlet position, d. H. its central axis is now directed obliquely downwards and its contents flow downward by gravity against the still closed cover 6. Now that "Wash program" can be started. After possible Work steps such as pumping out residual water in the sump of the machine, checking valve positions, Water pressure etc. the program checks whether the door 2 is completely closed. If this is the case, then from the supply part 12 a medium under pressure such as gas or cleaning fluid in the Hose line 11 promoted. This is about the Coupling head 10 to the connecting piece 6 of the cover 5 connected. A possibly located in the nozzle Check valve is opened by this pressure and the Interior of the container 4 is pressurized. As soon as the pressure has reached a sufficient level, the Cover 5 together with the pipe socket 6 and the coupling head 10 moved in the direction of the central axis 13 of the container and thus separated from the container or "blown off". The Connection between the connecting piece 6 and the Coupling head 10 remains. Because the coupling head on a guide 17 of the frame 3, which is approximately parallel runs to the central axis 13 of the container 4, displaceable is guided, it slides along with the lid the guide 17 up to a stop 18. This is the Container opened and its contents can by gravity flow out and over the interior 15 get a drain 16.

The coupling head 10 is in turn one horizontal horizontal axis swiveling. To make a swivel motion force, a weight 19 is on the coupling head 10 attached that with the lid still closed (see Fig. 2) is approximately horizontal, with the lid open due to its gravity, the coupling head 10 and thus via the connecting piece 6 and the lid 5 in such a Position pivots that inside the cap-shaped lid objects, liquids or secretions Gravity fall into the interior of the machine 15 or can flow. This position is in Fig. 3 shown.

The machine's program checks whether the lid is open is what is recognizable by the fact that the pressure inside the hose 11 suddenly drops. Now that can actual cleaning program begin. In addition to this the usual nozzle rotating arms or instead of this in Interior 15 several spray nozzles 19, 20, 21, 22 arranged, over the cleaning liquid to all places to be cleaned can be sprayed. This is by dashed lines indicated in Fig. 3.

In addition, there is also a spray nozzle on the coupling head 10 23 available with the hose 11 with Cleaning fluid is supplied. This nozzle 23 is aligned with pivoted coupling head 10 that the cleaning liquid into the interior of the container 4 directs.

3, the nozzle 22 is like this arranged to spray the inside of the lid 5, so that this too is completely cleaned.

The washing program then runs in a conventional manner with various cleaning, disinfecting and optionally also drying steps. The cleaning can doing so with a cleaning solution and fresh water and that Disinfect with chemical disinfectants and / or Water vapor take place.

After the washing program has ended, door 2 is opened. As a result, the frame swings back into that in FIG. 1 position shown. The weight 19 pivots the Coupling head 10 again in the closed position of the cover 5, wherein the coupling head 10 together with the cover 5 along the Guide 17 slides towards the container 4. Well now the lid 5 is still completely on the container by hand 4 be postponed. The hose 11 is from the coupling head 10 separately and the frame 3 together with the cleaned container can be removed from the machine. The container can also be closed automatically or by opening the door.

With the device described, any container Be cleaned, for example, such containers, the small parts to be cleaned, such as syringe needles, included, which are cleaned before disposal have to. For this purpose, there is a collecting container on frame 3 25 attached, which is arranged so that it in the 2 and 3 below the opening of the container 4 is so that the objects through Gravity fall into the container 25. Of the Collection container 25 here consists of a metal grid, which is permeable to the cleaning liquid, so that the small parts are cleaned from all sides.

4 and 5 show that in side and front view Frame 3 with attached container 4. This frame can as a whole together with the container 4 from the cleaning machine 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3 taken from or in this be used. It therefore represents a special mission for universal medical cleaning machines Frame 3 has a rectangular base frame made of struts 27, 30, 31 and 32, which during use in the cleaning machine 1 substantially parallel to Inside wall of door 2. Over struts 27 and 32 a triangular frame is stretched out, that of struts 28, 29 or 33, 34. The struts 28 and 34, 29 and 33 and 27 and 32 are parallel and spaced apart. Between the struts 28 and 34 are the recordings 8 and 9 attached to the container 4. The struts 28, 29, 33, 34 are attached to the associated floor strut 27 and 32, respectively and each have an angle of about 45 °. At their other ends are the struts 28 and 29 on the one hand and 33 and 34 on the other hand with each other connected and form at the top of them spanned triangle about an angle of 90 °. Of course, the struts with bent wire parts be realized that are bent so that only joints must be welded together. The struts 29 and 33 are on the junction with the other strut 28 and 34 extended and form with this extended part guides 17 and 17 'for the coupling head 10th

As can best be seen from FIG. 5, the Coupling head 10 by two on the guides 17 and 17 ' guided sliding sleeves 35, 35 'and one connected to each Holding strut 36, 36 'held, the Coupling head 10 is pivotable on the holding struts 36, 36 ' is stored and straight along the guides 17 and 17 ' is movable.

At the end of the guides 17 and 17 'are stops 18 and 18 'attached, the displacement of the sliding sleeves 35, Limit 35 '.

The coupling head 10 has a coupling opening 37 for the Inclusion of the connecting piece 6 of the lid 5 and the Spray nozzle 23 and the connecting piece 26 for the connection the hose 11. The connecting piece 26, the spray nozzle 23 and the coupling opening 37 are above not shown Bores in the coupling head in fluid communication so that cleaning liquid supplied from the hose line 11 both to the spray nozzle 23 and to the connecting piece 6 and thus reaches the container 4.

From Fig. 5 it can still be clearly seen that the recordings 8 and 9 each have an approximately semicircular recess 38 or 39 have to hold the container. The recesses are led around a little more than 180 °, and the material of the Recordings 8 and 9 is elastic, so that the container in the recesses 38 and 39 can be clamped.

So that the container 4 also in the axial direction in the frame 3 is correctly centered, is in the bottom area of the frame an upwardly projecting stop tongue 40 is provided, which is angled in a Z-shape and at which the lower end of the container 4 comes to a stop.

Claims (14)

1. Method for cleaning and disinfecting a reservoir which contains impurities and which is closed by a cover, particularly a medical secretion reservoir, which is put into a frame of dish washing machine and then cleaned in the dish washing machine, characterized by the following steps:

   a. Putting the reservoir which is still closed into the dish washing machine in a position in which flowing out is prevented;

   b. closing the dish washing machine and simultaneously tipping the reservoir into a position in which the contents of the reservoir can flow out under the force of gravity;

   c. opening the reservoir by generating an over-pressure in its interior, thereby removing the cover from the reservoir; and

   d. washing and disinfecting the reservoir and the cover.
2. Method according to claim 1,
   characterized by turning the cover into a position wherein impurities sticking on its inner side also fall out under the force of gravity.
3. Method according claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the opening of the reservoir is performed only after checking that the dish washing machine is tightly closed.
4. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
   characterized in that the reservoir is automatically closed again after cleaning and disinfecting.
5. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that the over-pressure for opening the reservoir is generated by supplying gas or cleaning fluid.
6. Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting of reservoirs which contain impurities and which are closed by a cover, particularly medical secretion reservoirs, comprising a frame which is insertable into a dish washing machine and which holds the reservoir and its covers which have to be cleaned,
   characterized in that the frame (3) is tippable from a first extremal position, in which the reservoir (4) is kept in a position which prevents flowing out, into a second extremal position, in which the reservoir (4) is brought into such position, that the contents can flow out under the influence of gravity and that a connecting piece (6) of the reservoir (4) can be connected to a flexible hose line (11), which carries a pressurized medium, the pressure of the medium is so high, that the cover (5) is removed from the reservoir (4).
7. Apparatus according to claim 6,
   characterized in that a door (2) of the dish washing machine (1) comprises fixtures for removably connecting the frame (3) to the door (2).
8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7,
   characterized in that the apparatus comprises a coupling head (10) which can be connected to the connecting piece (6) of the cover (5), that the coupling head (10) comprises a connecting piece (26) allowing a connection with the flexible hose line (11) and that the coupling head (10) is slidable along a guidance (17, 17') which is parallel with the longitudinal axis (13) of the reservoir (4).
9. Apparatus according to claim 8,
   characterized in that the coupling head (10) is pivotable around an axis (36, 36') which is perpendicular to a median axis (13) of the reservoir (4).
10. Apparatus according to claim 9,
    characterized in that a weight (19) is provided eccentrically at the coupling head with respect to its pivot axis (36, 36').
11. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10,
    characterized in that a spraying nozzle (23) is provided at the coupling head (10), which is directed to the interior of the reservoir (4) when the coupling head (10) is in a extremal pivot position.
12. Apparatus according to one of the claims 8 to 11,
    characterized in that limit stops (18, 18') are provided at the free end of the guidance (17).
13. Apparatus according to one of the claims 6 to 12,
    characterized in that a sieve-shaped catch reservoir (25) is fixed to the frame (3), which open side is underneath and directed to the opening of the reservoir (4) when the reservoir (4) is pivoted into the flow out position.
14. Apparatus according to one of the claims 6 to 13,
    characterized in that the dish washing machine is a conventional dish washing machine for laboratory equipment or a dish washing machine for bowls containing human excrements.

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