EP2368645B1 - Assembly and method for mechanically cleaning and disinfecting objects - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for machine cleaning and / or disinfecting objects. The machine cleaning or disinfecting of objects is widely used in the household, but especially in trade and industry. Examples of commercial and industrial applications are dishwashers, medical instruments and apparatus or other articles of daily use, washing machines or also CIP (Cleaning in Place) systems, for example in the food or beverage industry.

In particular, in the industrial and commercial sector, such dishwashers or machines for mechanical cleaning are often fed from cans, drums or other containers with present as a liquid concentrate detergent, disinfectant or other equipment. The funds are removed for example by means of suction lances from the container and metered by means of metering pumps of the machine.

US 2008/099045 A1 discloses a hand washing system that can automatically identify these users by means of an RFID tag carried by the users and documents whether the user in question satisfies the applicable hygiene regulations.

1. a) eine Vorrichtung zum maschinellen Reinigen und/oder Desinfizieren von Gegenständen, die wenigstens zwei Anschlüsse für Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehälter aufweist;
2. b) zwei oder mehrer Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehälter;
3. c) den Anschlüssen für Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehälter zugeordnete Stellplätze für die Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehälter;
   dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
4. d) die Vorrichtung wenigstens zwei den Anschlüssen für Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehälter zugeordnete RFID-Leseeinrichtungen aufweist;
5. e) jeder Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehälter mit wenigstens einem RFID-Tag versehen ist, auf dem Informationen zur Identifizierung des darin enthaltenen Verbrauchsmittels gespeichert sind, wobei wenigstens ein Teil dieser Informationen manipulationssicher auf dem RFID-Tag gespeichert sind und RFID-Tag (9, 10) mit einer UID-Nummer versehen ist;
6. f) die den Anschlüssen für Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehälter zugeordnete RFID-Leseeinrichtungen zum Lesen der RFID-Tags der angeschlossenen Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehälter ausgebildet sind;
7. g) die Anordnung weist ferner auf:
   1. i. einen Füllstandssensor für jeden Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehälter (1, 2);
   2. ii. eine Einrichtung, die nach einer Leermeldung eines Füllstandssensors eine Wiederinbetriebnahme nur dann erlaubt, nachdem die dem entsprechenden Anschluss (3, 4) für Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehälter (1, 2) zugeordnete RFID-Leseeinrichtung (11, 12) einen RFID-Tag (9, 10) mit neuer UID-Nummer identifiziert hat.

The invention is based on the object to provide an arrangement and a method of the type mentioned, or provide the possibility of increased safety in the performance of cleaning or disinfection operations. According to the invention, the arrangement for machine cleaning and / or disinfecting objects comprises:

1. a) an apparatus for machine cleaning and / or disinfecting articles, which has at least two connections for consumables storage container;
2. b) two or more consumable reservoirs;
3. c) locations for the consumables reservoirs assigned to the connections for consumable storage containers;
   characterized in that
4. d) the device has at least two RFID reader devices associated with the consumables supply container ports;
5. e) each consumable storage container is provided with at least one RFID tag, are stored on the information for identifying the consumable contained therein, wherein at least a portion of this information stored tamper-proof on the RFID tag and RFID tag (9, 10) is provided with a UID number;
6. f) the connections for consumables storage container associated RFID reading devices are designed to read the RFID tags of the connected consumables reservoir;
7. g) the arrangement further comprises:
   1. i. a level sensor for each consumable reservoir (1, 2);
   2. ii. a device which, after an empty message of a filling level sensor, only allows a restarting operation after the RFID reading device (11, 12) assigned to the corresponding connection (3, 4) for consumable supply containers (1, 2) has an RFID tag (9, 10) with a new UID number.

1. a) Anschließen von einem oder mehreren Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehältern an die Anschlüsse für Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehälter;
2. b) Einlegen der Gegenstände in die Vorrichtung zum maschinellen Reinigen und/oder Desinfizieren von Gegenständen;
3. c) Auslesen von Informationen aus den RFID-Tags des wenigstens einen Verbrauchsmittelvorratsbehälters;
4. d) Verifizieren, dass die in Schritt c) ausgelesenen Informationen die für das vorgesehene Betriebsprogramm geeigneten Verbrauchsmittel identifizieren;
5. e) Starten des Betriebsprogramms nach positivem Abschluss der Verifikation in Schritt d).

The method according to the invention operates using an arrangement according to the invention and has the following steps:

1. a) connecting one or more consumables reservoirs to the terminals for consumables reservoir;
2. b) placing the articles in the machine for cleaning and / or disinfecting objects;
3. c) reading information from the RFID tags of the at least one consumable storage container;
4. d) verifying that the information read in step c) identifies the consumables suitable for the intended operating program;
5. e) starting the operating program after positively completing the verification in step d).

First, some terms used in the invention are explained.

An apparatus for machine cleaning and / or disinfecting articles is any mechanical device that cleans either mobile or stationary equipment. The cleaning of stationary systems can be in particular a CIP (Cleaning in Place) cleaning Act, the device of the invention is in this context, a CIP cleaning system. The cleaning of mobile objects can be, in particular, a dishwasher which cleans, disinfects and optionally sterilizes dishes and other kitchen utensils or even medical instruments, apparatuses such as, for example, endoscopes or MIS instruments.

The device may in particular be a dishwasher for medical instruments and apparatus, in which the cleaning operations (for example of endoscopes) are subject to a specific quality assurance and / or documentation obligation.

The device has connections for consumer or resource reservoir. These containers may, for example, be canisters, drums or the like which contain consumables or operating agents (for example concentrates of cleaning agents and / or disinfectants), preferably in liquid form.

According to the invention, provision is made for the device to have RFID reading devices assigned to the connections for consumable storage containers. The term RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reading device refers to any devices known per se from the prior art with which information stored on an RFID tag or transponder can be read out.

By means of the RFID reading devices is a unique identification of each connected, provided with a corresponding RFID tag consumable reservoir possible. In the context of the invention, it is provided that it can also be determined by means of the RFID reading device that the corresponding consumable supply reservoir is actually connected to the intended connection. In this way it can be ensured that, for example, storage containers for cleaning agents on the one hand and disinfectants on the other hand are not reversed when connected to a dishwasher. For this purpose, each connection for a consumable storage container is assigned a separate RFID reader which selectively reads out the RFID tags of only one consumable reservoir, which is connected to the respective port of the device and for this purpose usually at a predetermined position within or in is placed near the device.

The consumables reservoir as part of or as a separate accessory to the inventive arrangement are provided with at least one RFID tag or transponder on which at least information for the identification of the consumable contained therein are stored. This identification information may include, for example, the type and trade name of the agent contained therein, the concentration, the intended application modes, expiration dates, analysis data, or the like. According to the invention, it is provided that at least part of this information is stored tamper-proof on the RFID tag. Tamper-proof means that this information can not be changed by the user of the consumption solutions (at least not with the usual means available to him).

The cleaning and disinfection of medical instruments and equipment is usually a so-called validated process, in which every step in the process must be fully and comprehensibly documented. This also includes the identification of the cleaning agents used. The tamper-resistant application of the information allows the invention to clearly identify and document the cleaning or consumable used in the process.

The invention thus enables a documentation of the cleaning operations carried out, which includes the consumables used in detail. For example, the information read from the RFID tag may include, for example, the batch number of a cleaning agent used, so that it is possible to unambiguously assign which process has been carried out by which means and which batch of the agent. If the data read from the RFID tag for documentation purposes is written tamper-proof, this increases the security and reliability of the documentation for a validated process.

A tamper-resistant application according to the invention, for example, by writing the data in a read-only area of the RFID tag (read only memory), the content of which can not be changed after a single write by the manufacturer of the consumable by the user of this consumption. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that the corresponding data is encrypted written to the RFID tag. This also deprives them of manipulation. In this way it is prevented or at least made more difficult for fake consumables to be circulated or used.

The RFID readers are associated with the port or ports for consumables reservoir. This means that the corresponding reading device is capable of reading out the RFID tag of a consumable storage container connected as intended to the device.

The invention makes it possible to verify, before the start of a cleaning or other operating process of the machine device by means of the RFID reading device, that the consumables required for the intended operating process are connected to the respectively associated connection and are available. This unambiguous identification of consumable containers avoids that due to unsuitable consumables or confusion when connecting containers the appropriate cleaning or disinfection processes do not run properly. This may be of particular importance, for example, in the cleaning and disinfection of medical instruments, such as endoscopes, which may not be properly cleaned and / or disinfected for further use on a patient in a possible in the prior art incorrect operation.

According to the invention, the RFID tags are provided with a UID number (Unique Identifier Number). By means of such a UID number, it is possible to identify and optionally trace each individual container of consumables.

Another advantage of the UID number is that they contribute to further increasing process reliability, especially in validated cleaning / disinfection processes can. According to the invention, a fill level sensor is provided which monitors the fill level of the consumables used. If this level sensor emits an empty message, the corresponding container must be replaced. According to the invention, it is provided that after such an empty message of a filling level sensor, a restarting operation is only possible after the corresponding RFID reading device has identified an RFID tag with a new UID number. This ensures that a new container of consumables is actually connected and not some of the old container is filled and reused with consumables (possibly counterfeit consumables) in unprofessional and unapproved validated processes. It can also be provided that the history of the UID numbers already read is stored in a database (in the device itself or centrally) to ensure that such improper reuse of containers takes place at certain time intervals.

The device may have a memory for storing suitable consumables or consumable containers. Thus, when reading the information from the RFID tags can be checked immediately, if appropriate consumables are connected and stopped in case of unsuitable means the corresponding operating program of the device or not even started. Instead of an internal memory, the device can also, preferably via a remote data connection such as the Internet, have or connect to a database in which the corresponding information is stored on suitable consumables and resources. Also, an internal database be updatable in the device via a corresponding remote data connection.

According to the invention, it can be provided that the device for machine cleaning and / or disinfection of articles has a device which only releases an operating program if the RFID reading devices assigned to the connections for consumable storage containers identify the connected consumable supply containers as suitable for carrying out the corresponding operating program. In this way it is prevented that a program is started with unsuitable consumables, as well as a possible permutation example of cleaning and disinfecting agents is detected and prevents a corresponding maloperation.

According to a further embodiment of the invention can be provided that the RFID tags additionally have information about the expiration date of the consumable and that the connections for consumables reservoir associated RFID reading devices read this expiration date and release the operating program only if the expiration date is not exceeded , This, too, contributes to increasing the safety of, in particular, validated cleaning / disinfection processes.

According to the invention, it is further possible for the arrangement to store the operating history of the device, including the consumables used, either in a memory belonging to the arrangement or in a database linked via a remote data connection. In this way the history of validated processes for cleaning can be determined and disinfect medical instruments automatically and track them at any time.

Either on the RFID tag itself or in a preferably linked via a remote data base database more information about the consumable such as product data sheets, safety data sheets or the like may be stored. This information is then available to the user at any time and up to date.

For a complete documentation of a validated process, it may be necessary to include analysis certificates for the consumables used. Such analyzes are carried out by the manufacturer of the consumables for each batch and provided in the form of analysis certificates to the buyers and users of these batches. According to the invention, it is possible that, based on the batch number stored on the RFID tag, the memory of the arrangement according to the invention or the associated database retrieves the corresponding analysis certificates of the consumables used and automatically adds them to the documentation via a remote data connection.

Medical instrument washer-disinfectors (RDGs) typically can run various cleaning / disinfecting programs depending on the instruments to be cleaned. According to the invention, it can be provided that the arrangement automatically identifies the instruments used and activates a corresponding cleaning program.

The identification of the instruments can be carried out according to the invention, for example, by RFID tags on the instruments themselves in conjunction with a corresponding RFID reader in the arrangement. Often, however, it will be sufficient to provide the instrument basket, in which the instruments for cleaning / disinfecting are placed in the RDG, with a corresponding RFID tag for identifying the instruments. For typical categories of instruments, which may require different cleaning / disinfection programs, are placed in specially designed baskets for these instruments and placed in the RDG. For example, there are different baskets for endoscopes, MIC instruments (minimally invasive surgery), instruments for conventional surgery, and the like.

The invention thus allows automatic complete documentation of the instrument cycle in a manner that can be understood in every detail.

Another aspect of the invention is a possible automatic recall of faulty consumable batches. If already sold consumables batches prove to be faulty, the manufacturer can set the UID numbers of the containers concerned in a database that is available to the users. If containers with the corresponding UID number are connected and recognized by the RFID reader of the arrangement according to the invention, they can be detected as defective via a remote data connection and the startup of the arrangement can be prevented.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained below with reference to the drawing. This shows schematically the Part of an inventive arrangement in which consumables are stored and metered.

The device according to the invention has a reservoir 1 connected thereto for cleaning agent and a reservoir 2 for disinfectant. It is understood that detergents and disinfectants are only examples of other possible combinations here.

At 3 and 4 indicated removal lances are provided for removing liquid from the storage containers 1, 2. Dosing pumps 5, 6 can remove by means of the removal lances 3, 4 detergent or disinfectant from the containers 1, 2 metered and fed by means of the metering lines 7, 8 of the dishwasher, not shown here, CIP cleaning system or the like.

The storage containers 1, 2 are provided with RFID tags or transponders 9, 10. These RFID tags are passive components that can store certain information and in which for storing this information or for later readout no energy source connected to these components is required.

The RFID tags 9, 10 are described by the manufacturer or bottler of the consumables in the course of filling the storage container 1, 2 with relevant information about the consumables filled into the container. The information described on the RFID tag in this embodiment contain information about the type and trade name of the filled consumables, the concentration, expiration dates and analysis data. Information about type and trade name, for example also include the batch number of the manufacturer batch of the agent.

At the intended place of consumption, the storage containers 1, 2 are set up by the operating personnel and connected to the device by means of the removal lances or the removal devices 3, 4. By placing them at the intended removal location, the RFID tags 9, 10 automatically and inevitably fall into the area of the RFID readers 11, 12 assigned to the respective installation location. These read out the information stored in the RFID tags 9, 10 and transmit them to an evaluation unit 13 and a control cabinet 14, the corresponding data processing units included. Optionally, an external data processing system 15 (for example, a personal computer) may be connected.

The read data are checked and it is verified whether in the storage containers 1, 2 means are included, which are actually suitable and intended for the respective intended cleaning or disinfection program. It is also checked whether the suitable means are also actually connected to the provided connection 3 or 4 respectively. Only if this test shows that appropriate storage utilities are contained in the storage containers 1, 2, the control unit 14 releases the program provided in each case and activates the metering pumps 5, 6 at the scheduled times within the program.

The arrangement according to the invention allows an automatic complete documentation of each cleaning or disinfectant program carried out. By means of the control unit 14 or a connected data processing system 15, each cleaning process can be recorded and documented with the method parameters used in the process. The documentation may include the details of the type and quantity of the consumables taken from the storage containers 1, 2, including their batch number. Thus, for example, the cleaning and disinfection of medical or surgical instruments can be automatically and completely automatically recorded and documented with all parameters including the detailed designation of the detergents and detergent batches used.

Claims (11)

1. An arrangement for automatically cleaning and/or disinfecting objects which comprises:

   a) an apparatus for automatically cleaning and/or disinfecting objects which comprises at least two connections (3, 4) for reservoirs (1, 2) for consumables;

   b) two or more reservoirs (1, 2) for consumables;

   c) storage locations for reservoirs (1, 2) for consumables assigned to the connections (3, 4) for the reservoirs (1, 2) for consumables,

   characterised in that

   d) the apparatus comprises at least two RFID readers (11, 12) assigned to the connections (3, 4) for reservoirs (1, 2) for consumables;

   e) each reservoir (1, 2) for consumables is provided with at least one RFID tag (9, 10), on which information is stored for identifying the consumable contained therein, wherein at least some of this information is stored on the RFID tag in tamper-proof manner and the RFID tag (9, 10) is provided with a UID number (Unique Identifier Number);

   f) the RFID readers (11, 12) assigned to the connections (3, 4) for reservoirs (1, 2) for consumables are configured to read the RFID tags (9, 10) of the connected reservoirs (1, 2) for consumables;

   i. the arrangement furthermore comprises:

   a filling level sensor for each reservoir (1, 2) for consumables;

   ii. a device which, when the level sensor has issued an "empty" message, only permits a restart once the RFID reader (11, 12) assigned to the corresponding connection (3, 4) for reservoirs (1, 2) for consumables has identified an RFID tag (9, 10) with a new UID number.
2. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the apparatus for automatically cleaning and/or disinfecting objects is a dishwasher or CIP system.
3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that tamper-proof storage is achieved by encrypting the information and/or by locating it on a read-only zone of the RFID tag (9, 10).
4. An arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the apparatus for automatically cleaning and/or disinfecting objects comprises a memory means (14, 15) for storing consumables or containers for consumables which are suitable for operation.
5. An arrangement according to claim 4, characterised in that the memory means (14, 15) may be updated by the operator of the apparatus or preferably over a data communications link by the supplier of the reservoirs for consumables.
6. An arrangement according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterised in that the apparatus for automatically cleaning and/or disinfecting objects comprises a device (14) which only permits the operating program to go ahead if the RFID readers (11, 12) assigned to the connections (3, 4) for reservoirs (1, 2) for consumables identify the connected reservoirs (1, 2) for consumables as being suitable for carrying out the corresponding operating program.
7. An arrangement according to claim 6, characterised in that the RFID tags (9, 10) additionally comprise information regarding the expiry date of the consumable and in that the RFID readers (11, 12) assigned to the connections for reservoirs (1, 2) for consumables read out said expiry dates and only permit the operating program to go ahead if the expiry dates have not passed.
8. An arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the apparatus for automatically cleaning and/or disinfecting objects comprises a memory means (15) for logging the operating history of the apparatus including the consumables which have been used.
9. An arrangement according to claim 6, characterised in that the operating history log may be associated via a data communications link with certificates of analysis for the consumables used.
10. An arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it comprises a device for identifying the nature of the objects to be cleaned and, on the basis of said identification, is configured to make a selection from a plurality of possible cleaning and/or disinfection programs.
11. A method for automatically cleaning and/or disinfecting objects using an arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised by the following steps:

    b) connecting one or more reservoirs (1, 2) for consumables to the connections (3, 4) for reservoirs for consumables;

    c) placing the objects in the apparatus for automatically cleaning and/or disinfecting objects;

    d) reading information out from the RFID tags (9, 10) of the at least one reservoir (1, 2) for consumables;

    e) checking that the information read out in step c) identifies the consumables suitable for the intended operating program;

    f) starting the operating program once the check in step d) has been carried out successfully.

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