EP3261516A1

EP3261516A1 - Fluid distributor for a preparation device for surgical instruments

Info

Publication number: EP3261516A1
Application number: EP16706146.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ole TOBIAN
Original assignee: Olympus Winter and Ibe GmbH
Current assignee: Olympus Winter and Ibe GmbH
Priority date: 2015-02-26
Filing date: 2016-02-08
Publication date: 2018-01-03
Also published as: US20170367570A1; JP2018509970A; JP6628807B2; WO2016134965A1; DE102015203429A1

Abstract

The invention discloses a fluid distributor (11) for a preparation device (10) for preparing surgical instruments (12), in particular endoscopes, comprising a first fluid transfer body (13), which has a fluid bore (15, 16) comprising a first inlet (17) and a first outlet (18), and comprising a second fluid transfer body (14), which has at least two second fluid bores (20, 23), each comprising a second inlet (24) and a second outlet (25), wherein the first fluid transfer body (13) and the second fluid transfer body (14) can be rotated with respect to one another around an axis of rotation (27) in such a way that the first fluid bore (15, 16) fluidically communicates with the at least two second fluid bores (20, 23) one after the other.

Description

Fluid distributor for a treatment device for surgical instruments

description

The invention relates to a fluid distributor for a treatment device for processing surgical instruments, in particular endoscopes. The invention further relates to a processing device for processing surgical instruments, in particular endoscopes, as well as a use of a corresponding fluid distributor in a processing device.

It is known in the prior art that endoscopes are used for the diagnosis and therapy of diseases. For the use of endoscopes and other surgical devices, it is necessary that these surgical instruments be prepared after use in a patient, i. E. must be cleaned and disinfected.

When preparing the surgical instruments, legal and clinical regulations must be strictly adhered to the components inside, eg endoscope channels, and on the surface of the surgical instruments, in particular endoscopes, must be disinfected and be free of germs, bacteria, etc.

Surgical instrument reprocessing devices, particularly endoscopes, have devices that clean and disinfect both the outer surfaces of the surgical instruments as well as the inner channels and channel systems using appropriate fluids. For this purge cycles are usually provided. Particularly in the case of the internal channel flushing of a surgical instrument, in particular an endoscope or a flexible endoscope, the hygienic result in the preparation depends on the flow rates of a treatment fluid. The treatment fluid may be liquids or gases.

In addition, a treatment device from Olympus Winter & Ibe GmbH, Hamburg, is known for the treatment and disinfection of flexible endoscopes under the name ETD. In this by automated cleaning and disinfection of, in particular flexible, endoscopes, the channels of the endoscopes with a treatment fluid or rinsing, cleaning and / or disinfecting fluids flushed through.

The preparation of surgical instruments after their use in a reprocessing device, eg washer-disinfector, places high demands on the clinical area. The treatment typically includes the steps of washing, disinfecting and drying the endoscopes. Before disinfecting, one or two washing or pre-washing cycles are carried out. Followed by rinsing with clear water and further drying steps. For washing and disinfecting, one or more chemicals are added to the washing medium or the cleaning agent for disinfecting. The exact dosage is important here.

Of particular importance in the preparation of surgical instruments, in particular endoscopes, is the cleaning and disinfection of the endoscope channels. For the preparation of the surgical instruments in this case the channels of the surgical instruments are connected to a rinsing circuit of the treatment device. For reprocessing the endoscope channels, the channels are e.g. connected to an adapter of a receiving basket, in which the endoscope to be cleaned is arranged, so that subsequently connected to the cleaning end of the receiving device with the channels to be cleaned endoscope in the washing compartment of the treatment device channels with flushing channels of the flushing circuit or the adapter with a counterpart of the flushing become .

The coupling of the channels of the endoscope to a flushing chamber provided in the Spülkreislauf done by plug-in couplings or screw, wherein the channels are connected individually and sequentially with lines of the flushing circuit. In addition, it is possible that the adapter and the counterpart are connected to each other.

For supplying fluids, in particular liquids and gases, to the channels to be cleaned or into the rinsing circuit, there are terminating valves, Y-hose distributing pieces or directional valves, which are diverted and brought together in a complex and often loss-making manner. In this case, the fluids flow through channels and can be distributed over several hoses. However, it is difficult to provide a uniform distribution and to provide moderate dosage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid distributor and a processing device for processing surgical instruments, in particular endoscopes, by means of which an exact distribution and in particular exact metering of fluids is made possible in order to efficiently prepare corresponding surgical instruments with these fluids.

This object is achieved by a fluid distributor for a treatment device for processing surgical instruments, in particular endoscopes, having a first fluid delivery body having a first fluid bore having a first inlet and a first outlet and having a second fluid delivery body having at least two second fluid bores has gene, each having a second input and each having a second output, wherein the first Fluidweiterleitungskörper and the second Fluidweiterleitungskörper are mutually rotatable about an axis of rotation, that the first fluid bore with the at least two second fluid holes in fluid communication successively.

Characterized in that the first fluid bore fluidly communicates with the at least two second fluid bores successively, a fluid at intervals over the first fluid bore can be transferred to the different second fluid bores. This can be done with a precise metering of the supplied fluid, for example by setting a predeterminable fluid flow and setting a predetermined time in which a fluid communication of the first and the respective second fluid bore prevails. For example, if there are two second fluid bores, the fluidic communication can always be alternated between the first second and second second fluid bores with the first fluid bores. In order to provide a fluidic communication of the first and the second fluid bore, in particular a first outlet of the first fluid bore in the immediate vicinity or in the conveying direction of the fluid is arranged immediately in front of the respective second inlet of the at least two fluid bores. Preferably, the second input of the second fluid bore is the same size as the first output of the first fluid bore. As a result, a precise adaptation and a loss-free transition of the fluid from the first fluid bore to the second fluid bore can take place.

Preferably, the fluid bores extend from one end face of a fluid transfer body to the other end face of the fluid transfer body. In particular, the fluid bores are preferably arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the respective fluid transfer body or to its axis of rotation. In this case, preferably the first fluid bore or preferably the first fluid bores are arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first fluid forwarding body and the at least two second fluid bores are arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second fluid forwarding body.

Preferably, at least two first fluid bores are provided in the first fluid transfer body. By this preferred measure it is very easy and efficient and exactly possible to mix different fluids. For example, it may be provided to provide two first fluid bores and two second fluid bores, whereby two different fluids are made available through the two first fluid bores and always vary. selnd a fluidic communication of a first fluid bore is provided alternately with the two second fluid bores and exactly the other way alternately the other first fluid bore can communicate fluidly with the respective other second fluid bore. In this way, mixtures of two different fluids, which are respectively supplied via the first fluid bores to the second fluid bores, can be efficiently achieved in the second fluid bores.

A particularly good mixing of the fluids is achieved when the rotation of the first and second Fluidweiterleitungskör- pers relative to each other takes place relatively quickly, so that only relatively small portions of the respective fluids are introduced into the at least two second fluid bores.

Preferably, m multiplied by n second fluid bores are provided in the second fluid transfer body, where n first fluid bores are provided in the first fluid transfer body, where n and m are natural numbers and n is greater than 1 and m is greater than or equal to one. Preferably, m is greater than 1.

This makes it possible that multiple lines or channels for the preparation of surgical instruments with a Flu id can be interspersed and also different fluids or provided with different components fluids mixed or unmixed can be provided. It may, for example, be provided to provide two first fluid bores in the first fluid-conveying body and four second fluid bores in the second fluid-conveying body. It is also possible to provide two first fluid bores and six second fluid bores, for example. Preferably, the first output of the first fluid bore or the first outlets of the first fluid bores and the second inlets of the second fluid bores are equidistant from the axis of rotation. This ensures that upon rotation of the first and second Fluidweiterleitungskorpers each other, an overlap of the first and second fluid bore is securely enabled. In particular, there is an overlap of the respective first outputs with the respective second inputs.

Preferably, the first fluid bores and the second fluid bores are each provided with equidistant distances from each other on a circle whose center represents the axis of rotation.

Preferably, at least two rows of first outputs of the first fluid bores and at least two rows of second inputs of the second fluid bores are provided, wherein the distance of each row of first outputs of the first fluid bores to the axis of rotation with the distances of a series of second inputs of the second fluid bores to the Match axis of rotation. As a result, more fluid lines or channels can still be supplied with fluid. Preferably, the respective fluid bores in the rows have equidistant spacings. These are in particular each on a circle.

Preferably, a hollow cylinder is provided, in which the first and the second fluid transfer body are arranged. Alternatively, the first or second fluid transfer body is formed as a hollow cylindrical pot having in one end face the first fluid bore or the first fluid bores or the second fluid bores, wherein the other fluid forwarding body is arranged in the pot. Preferably, at least one of the fluid weiterleitungskörper, ie the first or the second Fluidweiterleit- body, designed to be rotatable relative to the hollow cylinder. Preferably, measures are provided, for example, a collar on the hollow cylinder to allow a longitudinal axial attachment of the fluid or the forwarding body.

Preferably, a flat gasket is arranged between an end face of the first fluid transfer body and an end face of the second fluid transfer body, which permits a relative rotational movement of the first fluid transfer body to the second fluid transfer body. In this way, a sealing of the first and second fluid bores is made possible, at the same time a relative rotational movement of the fluid transfer body is allowed to each other. The flat gasket may be, for example, a gasket that has Teflon or Teflon.

Preferably, a shaft seal is provided which provides a seal between the Hohlzyl indians and the first and / or second fluid transfer body or provides a seal between the formed as a hollow cylindrical pot first or second Fluidweiterleitungskörper and the other Fluidweiterleitungskörper. By means of the shaft seal, the fluid-passing body or at least one fluid-passing body can thus be radial, ie. be sealed at the periphery. The shaft seal may contain Teflon or be made of Teflon.

According to the invention, a treatment device for processing surgical instruments, in particular endoscopes, is provided with a fluid distributor according to the invention which has been described above. The fluid distributor is preferably in a housing of the treatment device, which is a connection of the processing processing device to external fluid sources or fluid lines allows arranged. It may preferably be provided that the hollow cylinder is firmly connected to the housing or the cylindrical pot is firmly connected to the housing. The hollow cylinder can also be equipped so that the outer contour of the hollow cylinder is not circular in section, but for example rectangular but the inner diameter, in which the Fluidwei- terleitungskörper are arranged, is round in cross-section, so that a rotary rotational movement is possible.

According to the invention, a fluid distributor according to the invention is used in a processing device for processing surgical instruments, in particular endoscopes.

According to the invention, a method is provided for operating a treatment device for processing surgical instruments, in particular endoscopes, using a fluid distributor according to the invention, wherein at least one fluid is passed through at least a first fluid bore of a first fluid transfer body to at least two second fluid bores of a second fluid transfer body it is provided that the first fluid bore communicates with the at least two second fluid bores in succession fluidically, so that the fluid is introduced successively from the first fluid bore into the at least two second fluid bores.

Preferably, the method provides for transferring fluid from at least two first fluid bores into at least two second fluid bores, wherein the first fluid bores can communicate fluidically with the at least two second fluid bores sequentially, by providing fluidic communication sequentially. Preferably various fluids are used to provide fluid mixtures in the second fluid bores. Ports are then provided on the second fluid bores which are connected to, for example, channels of an endoscope in order to guide the fluids through the channels of the endoscope.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments according to the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may satisfy individual features or a combination of several features.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with respect to all in the text unspecified details of the invention. Show it :

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a processing device according to the invention

Fig. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a first fluid passage body with two fluid bores in different rotational positions, FIG.

Fig. FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a second fluid transfer body, in which fluids are introduced into corresponding fluid bores, corresponding to the rotational positions of the first fluid transfer body according to FIG. 2,

Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view through an invented Fluid distributor according to the invention in a first embodiment,

Fig. 5 is a schematic three-dimensional representation of a fluid distributor according to the invention in a second embodiment.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea each.

Fig. 1 shows a processing device 10 according to the invention in a schematic representation. In the processing device 10, an endoscope 1 2 is shown schematically in a basket 32. The endoscope 1 2 has channels that are to be cleaned and disinfected. For this purpose, lines 33 are provided through which appropriate fluids, such as liquids but also gases, can be passed. In order to guide appropriate fluids to the endoscope 1 2, a connection plate 31 is provided on the basket 32, which can be connected to a fluid distributor 1 1. The connection of the lines 33 may also be provided without connection plate 31 directly to the fluid distributor 1 1. The fluid distributor is supplied via lines 34 of the fluid reservoirs 36 and 37, a corresponding fluid via pumps 35. The fluid distributor 1 1 has two first fluid bores 15, 16 in a first fluid-conveying body 13, to which a second fluid-conveying body 14 immediately adjoins. In the second Fluidweiterleitungskorper four fluid holes, not shown, are provided, which communicate with the terminals of the line 33 of the connection plate 31.

In this exemplary embodiment, the first fluid-conveying body 1 3 is rotatable relative to the second fluid-conveying body 14 intended. By enabling the twisting of the first relay body 1 3, it is achieved that the first fluid bores 15 and 16 communicate alternately with the four second fluid bores, not shown, of the second fluid relay body 14. In this embodiment, two holes always communicate with each other. This is in Figs. 2 and 3 again shown schematically in more detail.

In Fig. 2, the first fluid transfer body 1 3 is shown at different angles of rotation. In a starting position, which in FIG. 2 a), the first fluid forwarding body 13 is shown, which has a first fluid bore 15 and a further first fluid bore 16. In the fluid holes 1 5 and 1 6 respectively fluids are indicated and provided with the reference numerals 28 and 29. The first fluid-passing body 13 can now be rotated in the direction of arrow 30 or the direction of rotation 30. Starting from the starting position of FIG. 2a), a position is reached after a 90 ° rotation, which in Fig. 2b) is shown. After a further rotation by 90 °, a position of the first fluid-conveying body 13 is reached, which in FIG. 2 c) is shown. Accordingly, the position of Figure 2 d) is provided for a further rotation by 90 °. In order not to provide excessive twisting of supply lines, it is preferable if, to reach the starting position of FIG. 2a) a reverse rotation, ie. opposite to the direction of rotation 30, is provided.

In Fig. 3, the second forwarding body 14 is shown schematically four times, in FIGS. 3 a), b), c) and d). The second fluid transfer body 14 has four second fluid bores 20, 21, 22, 23 which are all the same distance from the center of the cross section of the second fluid transfer body and at one the centers of the second fluid bores 20, 21, 22, 23 connecting circle each equidistant from each other. Correspondingly, the second fluid bores 20 - 23 may be connected to the first fluid bores 15, 16 of the fluid chamber shown in FIG. 2, as a function of the positions after rotation of the first fluid forwarding body 1 3, which are successively shown in FIG. 2 a), b), c) and d) are shown.

Which holes communicate with each other, can be well shown by the respective indicated in the holes fluids. In the case of FIG. 3 a), the fluid 28 is correspondingly left in the bore 20 and the fluid 29 in the bore 22. In the FIG. 3 b), the fluid 28 enters the second fluid bore 21 and the fluid 29 enters the second fluid bore 23. Accordingly, the fluid 29 arrives in the second fluid bore 21. 3 c) into the second fluid bore 20 and the fluid 28 into the second fluid bore 22. If the fluid 28 and the fluid 29 are different fluids, it is thus possible to achieve a mixture in the respective fluid channels since there are always different fluids be introduced into the second fluid bore 20, 21, 22, 23. In accordance with short successive supplies of fluids can be done very uniform dosing and mixing.

Fig. 4 shows schematically in a sectional view a fluid distributor 11 according to the invention in a further embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the first fluid-conveying body 1 3 and the second fluid-conveying body 14 are introduced into a hollow cylinder 41. The hollow cylinder 41 may be incorporated in a housing of a treatment device according to the invention. It is in Fig. 4, the first fluid bore 15 communicates with the second fluid bore 20, that is, the first fluid bore 15 communicates with the second fluid bore 20; a fluid can in the direction of arrow from a port 40 via the first input 1 7 through the first fluid bore 1 5 and then through the second Fluid bore 20 via a second output 25 to a port 40 reach. It can be seen that the first outlet 18 of the first fluid bore 15 is directly opposite the second inlet 24 of the second fluid bore 20. The same applies to the first fluid bore 16 and the second fluid bore 21, which are shown at the bottom in FIG. 4 is shown.

It can now be provided that the first Fluidweiterleitungskorper 13 about an axis which is in the plane of the drawing and horizontal, can be rotated or that the second Fluidweiterleitungskorper 14 can be rotated about this axis of rotation 27 to a fluidic communication of the first Flu id- bores 1 5, 16 with the second fluid holes 20, 21 to allow. If only, as shown here in Fig. 4, two second fluid bores 20, 21 are provided, it is thus always possible alternately to fluidically communicate the respective first fluid bore with the respective second fluid bore. In further second fluid bores, which are shown in FIG. 4, since it is a sectional representation, not shown, a corresponding fluidic communication may be provided, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is indicated.

In order to provide a seal, a flat seal 45, for example made of Teflon, is provided between the end face 43 of the first fluid forwarding body 1 3 and the end face 44 of the second fluid forwarding body 14. In addition, a radial seal or a shaft seal 46 may be provided, which in Fig. 4 provides a seal of the second fluid transfer body 14 to the hollow cylinder 41. A corresponding shaft seal 46 may also be provided in the region of the first fluid-passing body 1 3. However, this is in Fig. 4 not shown. This shaft seal 46 may also be formed of Teflon or Teflon contain .

In Fig. FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a fluid distributor 11 according to the invention in another embodiment. In this embodiment, the second fluid forwarding body 14 is pot-shaped and in this pot, the first fluid-passing body 13 is introduced. Since it is a three-dimensional representation, the end face 42 is only hinted at. Between this end face 42 of the second fluid forwarding body 14 and an opposite end face of the first fluid forwarding body 1 3, a corresponding flat gasket can also be provided. The meant here end face 42 is the inside of the pot.

There are also corresponding connections 40 are provided here, which represent a corresponding first input 1 7 of the first fluid forwarding body 1 3 and the first fluid holes 1 5, 16.

The first and the second fluid-conveying body 1 3, 14 and also the hollow cylinder 41 may be made of steel or of PEEK or polyetheretherketone.

The inventive idea is realized by means of a cylindrical body, which can be used as a metering device. The cylinder is in this case, for example, shell-like or pot-shaped and has corresponding through holes.

The bore centers are distributed concentrically around the central axis.

In the pot or the shell is a rotating insert which is positively connected, so that a rotational movement is possible.

The insert may have two or more through-holes which are at the same distance from the central axis of the cylinder as the holes provided in the cylinder itself. In order for a rotational movement of one of the components opening and closing of the holes to each other ermögl is light. The holes are arranged concentrically to each other.

The rotating insert can be manually driven, for example via a locking screw or automatically by a pneumatic or servo motor and adjusted to a desired position.

Liquid or gaseous media, i. Fluids can then be directed into individual channels by gravity and / or compressed air, or pumped through the cylinder, and then into hoses or tubes.

As a result, liquid and gaseous fluids can be metered. Due to the different rotational positions, corresponding holes can be opened or closed. The positioning of the rotations can be timed or regulated, whereby the amount of fluid flowing through can be controlled in a targeted manner. In addition, an efficient mixing of fluids can be made possible in particular with more than two connections.

As a result, a dosage and also a mixing of fluids is made possible in a very space-saving manner. Furthermore, it is possible to add cleaning chemicals in a targeted manner. All mentioned features, including the drawings alone to be taken as well as individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features are considered alone and in combination as essential to the invention. Embodiments of the invention may be accomplished by individual features or a combination of several features. In the context of the invention, features which are identified by "particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 0 Processing device

1 1 fluid distributor

1 2 endoscope

1 3 first fluid forwarding body

14 second fluid transfer body

1 5 first fluid hole

1 6 first fluid hole

1 7 first entrance

1 8 first exit

20 second fluid bore

21 second fluid bore

22 second fluid bore

23 second fluid bore

24 second input

25 second exit

27 axis of rotation

28 first fluid

29 second fluid

30 direction of rotation

31 connection plate

32 basket

33 line

34 line

35 pump

36 fluid supply

37 fluid supply

40 connection

41 Hohlzyl Indian

42 front side

43 front side 44 front side

45 Flat gasket 46 Shaft seal

10

15

20

30

Claims

claims

1 . Fluid distributor (1 1) for a treatment device (10) for processing surgical instruments (1 2), in particular endoscopes, with a first Fluidweiterleitungs- body (1 3) having a first fluid bore (1 5, 16), the first Input (17) and a first output (18) and with a second Fluidweiterleitungskör- per (14) having at least two second fluid bores (20, 23), each having a second input (24) and a second output (25 ), wherein the first Fluidweiterleitungskörper (1 3) and the second Fluidweiterleit- ment body (14) to each other about an axis of rotation (27) are rotatable, that the first fluid bore (1 5, 1 6) with the at least two second fluid bores (20 , 23) communicates successively fluidically.

2. Fluid distributor (1 1) according to claim 1, characterized net, that at least two first fluid bores (1 5, 1 6) in the first fluid forwarding body (1 3) are provided.

Fluid distributor (1 1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that m multiplied by n second fluid bores (20, 21, 22, 23) are provided in the second Fluidweiterleitungskörper (14), wherein n first fluid bores (1 5, 16) in first fluid transfer body (1 3) are provided, wherein n and m are natural numbers and n is greater than 1 and m is greater than or equal to 1.

Fluid distributor (1 1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first output (1 8) of the first fluid bore or the first outputs (18) of the first fluid bores (1 5, 1 6) and the second inputs (24 ) of the second fluid bores (20, 21, 22, 23) have an equal distance from the axis of rotation (27).

Fluid distributor (1 1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least two rows of first outputs (1 8) of the first fluid bores (1 5, 1 6) and at least two rows of second inputs (24) of second fluid bores (20-23), wherein the distance of each row of first outlets (18) of the first fluid bores (1 5, 1 6) to the axis of rotation (27) with the distances of a series of second inputs (24) of the second fluid bores (18) 20-23) match the axis of rotation (27).

Fluid distributor (1 1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a hollow cylinder (41) is provided, in which the first and the second fluid weiterführ- or the first or second Fluidweiterleitungskörper (1 3, 14) is designed as a hollow cylindrical pot having in a front side (42) the first fluid bore (1 5, 16) or the second fluid bore (20 - 23), wherein the other Fluidweiterleitungskörper (1 4, 1 3) is arranged in the pot.

Fluid distributor (1 1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that between a front side (43) of the first Fluidweiterleitungskörpers (1 3) and an end face (44) of the second Fluidweiterleitungskörpers (14) a flat gasket (45) is arranged, permitting relative rotational movement of the first fluid transfer body (13) to the second fluid transfer body (14).

Fluid distributor (1 1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a shaft seal (46) is provided, which provides a seal between the hollow cylinder (41) and the first and / or second fluid forwarding body (1 3, 14) or the one Seal between the formed as a hollow cylindrical pot first or second Fluidweiterleitungskörper (1 3, 14) and the other Fluidweiterleitungskörper (14, 1 3) provides.

Processing device (10) for processing surgical instruments (1 2), in particular endoscopes, with a fluid distributor (1 1) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

Use of a fluid distributor (1 1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 in a processing device (1 0) for processing surgical instruments (1 2), in particular endoscopes.