JP2000126125A - Washing-disinfecting-sterilizing device for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely perform a disinfection/sterilization in a short period of time by providing a detergent feeding means, a washing means which washes an endoscope in a tank with a detergent, a disinfecting/sterilizing agent feeding means which feeds an oxidation type disinfecting/sterilizing agent into the tank, and a disinfecting- sterilizing means which disinfects/sterilizes the endoscope in the tank with the oxidation type disinfecting/sterilizing agent. SOLUTION: First, in a washing process, a washing water is fed into a washing tank 1, and also, a detergent in a washing bottle 23 is poured into a washing tank 1, and the washing process is started. After the completion of the washing process, a rinsing is performed, and after the rinsing process is completed, a disinfection/ sterilization process is continuously performed. In the disinfection/sterilization process, first, an oxidation type disinfecting/sterilizing liquid in a disinfection liquid tank 18, is fed into the washing tank 1, and the whole body of an endoscope (a) is completely dipped in the disinfecting/sterilizing liquid which is filled in the washing tank 1, and the disinfecting/sterilizing liquid in the washing tank 1 is fed into the duct of the endoscope, and the disinfection/sterilization of the endoscopre (a) is performed. After the completion of the process, the rinsing process is performed again, and after the completion of the rinsing process, a water-draining process is performed, and a water- cutting for the duct in the endoscope (a) is carefully performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting / sterilizing apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting / sterilizing an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A medical endoscope must always be cleaned and disinfected after use. Conventionally, for example, an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus as shown in FIG. 6 has been used. These devices, after setting the endoscope a in the cleaning tank b, inject the cleaning liquid from the injection nozzle c provided in the cleaning tank b,
The endoscope a is washed by feeding the liquid into the endoscope channel. Thereafter, the endoscope a is disinfected by immersing it in a disinfecting solution and feeding the solution. Further, rinsing is performed by injecting and sending clean water, and finally, air is supplied into the endoscope duct to remove water in the duct. Further, instead of the spray nozzle c, a cleaning liquid is stored in a cleaning tank b, and cleaning is performed in an immersed state.

[0003] As shown in Fig. 7, the endoscope a is cleaned by spraying a washing liquid of hot water from a spray nozzle d as widely used in a dishwasher, and then a disinfectant is sprayed by a spray nozzle d. A device for disinfecting the endoscope a by spraying from the endoscope is also used.

[0004]

However, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 6, a disinfectant called glutaraldehyde is generally used. This chemical has an excellent ability to kill various bacteria and viruses. It took a long time. For example, advanced action disinfection requires 45 minutes and sterilization requires 10 hours. For this reason, between tests in which sufficient time is not required for treatment, the action time is shortened, disinfection becomes insufficient, or the number of tests needs to be reduced.

[0005] In addition, this chemical solution had to be diluted to a working concentration in advance and prepared and injected into the apparatus (about 20 liters). In this operation, after the activator was mixed with about 3 to 5 liters of the liquid, the operation of sufficiently shaking was repeated 4 to 6 times, and it was necessary to pour them into the apparatus. These tasks were very user-intensive.

Further, in the case of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7, since the cleaning liquid and the disinfecting liquid are used in a heated state, it takes a long time to heat, and as a result, the process takes a long time. Further, there is a disadvantage that the cost is increased due to the necessity of the heating means.

Further, in order to reliably apply the jetted liquid to the endoscope a, the endoscope a must be set in a wide space so that the endoscope a does not overlap. As a result, the apparatus has been increased in size. Further, since the disinfecting solution is sprayed to disinfect, it is difficult for the disinfecting solution to enter into the details, and the disinfecting step has to be performed for a long time. Further, in the case of such a type of disinfecting apparatus, a glutaraldehyde-based disinfecting solution is used. However, due to the heating of the disinfecting solution, the disinfecting device deteriorates and must be disposable every day, which increases the running cost. There was a disadvantage.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting / sterilizing apparatus capable of surely disinfecting / sterilizing in a short time.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a tank for storing an endoscope therein, and a tank for cleaning the endoscope in the tank. Cleaning agent supply means for supplying a cleaning agent, cleaning means for cleaning the endoscope housed in the tank with the cleaning agent, and sterilization disinfectant supply means for supplying an oxidizing sterilization disinfectant into the tank. And an sterilizing means for sterilizing the endoscope housed in the tank with the oxidizing sterilizing agent.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the detergent of the first aspect is an alkaline or enzymatic detergent. As described above, the entire endoscope is washed with a washing solution mainly containing an alkaline or enzyme-based detergent, and then the entire endoscope is disinfected / sterilized with an oxidizing / disinfecting / sterilizing solution. Such an oxidizing disinfecting / sterilizing agent has a high bactericidal power and can perform the disinfecting / sterilizing process in a much shorter time than conventional chemical solutions.

For example, when a peracetic acid-based disinfectant is used in combination with the present apparatus, sterilization can be performed in 10 to 20 minutes. When pouring the disinfectant / detergent solution into the cleaning tank, set one or more bottles of concentrated chemical solution to the designated position and press the button on the operation panel to automatically dispose of the concentrated solution in the disinfectant tank. It is diluted and mixed in. The washing / disinfecting process is performed in a state where the substrate is immersed in a disinfecting / sterilizing solution at room temperature.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment, and FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting / sterilizing apparatus. Reference numeral 1 denotes a cleaning tank, in which an endoscope a is installed. Reference numeral 2 denotes a diaphragm having a Langevin type ultrasonic vibrator attached to the bottom surface thereof, and oscillates ultrasonic vibrations in the cleaning liquid. The outer surface of the endoscope a is cleaned with ultrasonic waves oscillated from the diaphragm in detail. The diaphragm 2 is formed in a donut shape as shown in Japanese Patent No. 2749288.

Further, a cleaning tank 1 is provided at the center of the cleaning tank 1.
A tower 3 is provided for the purpose of reducing the amount of liquid inside. Cleaning tank 1
Is closed by a lid 1b having a packing 1a on the outer peripheral edge, and is kept watertight and airtight. Also, 4
Is a liquid jet port having a pipe formed from the discharge port of the liquid washing pump, and jets high-pressure water from the jet port, and the endoscope a
Wash the outer surface of. Reference numeral 5 denotes a washing water inlet through which tap water is injected into the washing tank 1, and a pipe line is connected from a tap faucet 6 via a sterilizing filter 7.

Further, the main body of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus is provided with a pipe 9 for cleaning the inside of the endoscope channel and a pipe 10 for washing the flowing liquid. The suction sides of these pipes 9 and 10 are connected to the cleaning tank 1.
Is connected to the circulating fluid suction port 11 at the bottom of the circulating fluid.

The other end of the endoscope channel cleaning pipe 9 is connected to an endoscope channel cleaning pump 12. The pump 12 for cleaning the inside of the endoscope channel is connected to the channel connection port 13 via a check valve 15a. The channel connection port 13 is connected to various channels of the endoscope a via an endoscope channel cleaning tube 14. Further, an error supply line 16 is connected via a check valve 15b in the middle of the endoscope tube cleaning line 9 connected to the channel connection port 13.

That is, the compressed air from the compressor 17 is also sent to the various channel connection ports 13 of the endoscope a,
It is designed to remove water. A bottle 19 containing a concentrated disinfectant / sterilant is set in the upper portion of the disinfectant tank 18. Depending on the type of the disinfecting / sterilizing agent, there may be one or a plurality of such concentrated solutions, and a bottle is provided for each number thereof.

The disinfecting / sterilizing solution is an oxidizing disinfecting solution containing peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide as a main component, and is activated by itself or by mixing several kinds of chemicals and diluting with clean water, and has a bactericidal effect. Demonstrate.

These agents are composed of, for example, a main agent 19a and an activator 19b as shown in FIG. 2A, and two types of main agents 19c as shown in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG.
Various types can be considered depending on the drug, such as a combination of the activator 19b with c.

The medicament is supplied by gravity or by solenoid valve 20.
After the concentrated disinfecting / sterilizing liquid falls into the disinfecting liquid tank 18 by the opening operations of a and 20b, the disinfecting / sterilizing liquid preparation operation is started by operating a button on the main panel.

The disinfectant tank 18 has a float switch 3
3 a and 33 b are provided, and a water supply valve 31 composed of an electromagnetic valve is provided in a pipe for supplying water to the disinfectant tank 18.
Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the float switch 33a,
33b is connected to the control unit C,
The electromagnetic valves 20a, 20b and the water supply valve 31 are turned on / off by signals from the terminals a, 33b.

That is, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 4, after the concentrated disinfecting / sterilizing liquid falls into the disinfecting liquid tank 18 by the opening operation of the solenoid valves 20a and 20b (step 1), the water supply valve 31 is moved to the tank side. (Step 2). Thereafter, the water supply valve 31 is opened and the tap water is injected into the disinfectant tank 18 via the water supply filter 7 (step 3).

Thereafter, the float switch 33a in the disinfectant tank 18 is turned on (step 4), and when the water level reaches the designated level, the water supply valve 31 is closed (step 5). Thus, the disinfecting solution having the specified concentration is prepared. (The float switch 33b is used for detecting an abnormal water level and is not normally used.) In order to perform sterilization, the chemical solution is heated,
When the process is disposable, the disinfecting / sterilizing solution may not be diluted in the disinfecting solution tank 18 in advance, and only the concentrated solution may be mixed. (That is, water is not supplied to the disinfecting solution tank 18.) Thereafter, at the start of the disinfecting step, the concentrated liquid may be injected into the cleaning tank 1, and then hot water may be supplied to the cleaning tank to perform preparation.
In this case, the washing tank 1 is directly supplied from each concentration bottle.
Then, a concentrated solution may be injected.

In the case where the bottle 19 shown in FIG.
In the case of a powder, there are various forms such as an individual. In addition, these disinfecting / sterilizing liquids can be sterilized to a disinfecting level (a level at which harmful bacteria can be killed) or a sterilizing level (a level at which all bacteria can be killed) at room temperature, or to a sterilizing level when heated. Have the ability. (Depending on the type of chemical solution) Therefore, if disinfection is sufficient, perform at room temperature.

The contents of these bottles are set at a designated position on the upper portion of the tank, and are charged into the disinfectant tank 18 by gravity or by the operation of solenoid valves 20a and 20b provided in this portion. .

Thereafter, tap water or hot water is automatically charged into the disinfectant tank 18 by operating a button on the main panel, and a disinfecting / sterilizing liquid having a practical concentration is generated. A pipe from the disinfectant tank 18 is connected to the cleaning tank 1 via an injection pump 21.

A component removing member 22 including an activated carbon filter is provided in a portion where such a disinfecting / sterilizing solution is present and communicates with the outside. Also,
Reference numeral 23 denotes a detergent bottle in which an alkaline detergent or an enzyme detergent is filled, and a pipe is connected to the washing tank 1 via an injection pump 24. The alkaline detergent or the enzyme detergent removes organic substances (protein, blood, etc.),
Oxidizing disinfectants (such as peracetic acid) have the effect of removing inorganic substances (such as calcium carbonate).

One end of the drain pipe 28 is connected to a drain port of the cleaning tank 1, and the pipe is connected to the outside of the apparatus via a drain pump 29. Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. First, when using the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus main body, the used endoscope a is set in the cleaning tank 1, and the endoscope channel cleaning tube 14 is connected to the endoscope a and the channel connection port 13. Thereafter, the respective steps of washing, disinfection / sterilization, rinsing, and air supply are performed by operating various operation switches (not shown). First, in the cleaning step, the water supply valve 31 is first opened, and the cleaning water from a water supply source such as tap water is supplied into the cleaning tank 1 from the cleaning water inlet 5 through the sanitizing filter 7 and the water supply line. Is done. Further, the detergent injecting pump 24 is operated to inject the detergent in the detergent bottle 23 into the washing tank 1.

When a predetermined amount of water is supplied, the water supply valve 31 is closed when the specified water level is reached, and the washing process is started. In the washing step, the ultrasonic washing and the liquid washing for jetting and washing from the ejection port are performed independently or simultaneously.

Further, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 1 is pressurized by the operation of the endoscope channel cleaning pump 12, and is sent into all the channels of the endoscope 1. In this case, a pump is selected such that the flow rate of the cleaning liquid at least in the suction pipe of the endoscope a is at least 100 cm / sec.

After the completion of the washing step, a rinsing is performed. In the rinsing step, after draining the washing liquid, pour clean water,
Rinse once or twice. In the latter half of the rinsing step, the pump 12 for cleaning the inside of the endoscope channel is stopped, the compressor 17 is turned on, and air is introduced into various channels of the endoscope a through the channel connection port 13 to remove air. A water process is performed.

After the rinsing step is completed, a disinfection / sterilization step is subsequently performed. In this disinfecting / sterilizing step, first, the oxidizing disinfecting / sterilizing solution in the disinfecting solution tank 18 is supplied to the cleaning tank 1 via the injection pump 21 and the disinfecting solution injecting line.
The entire endoscope a is completely immersed in the disinfecting / sterilizing liquid stored in the cleaning tank 1, and the disinfecting / sterilizing liquid in the cleaning tank 1 is turned on by turning on the endoscope channel cleaning pump 12. The liquid is fed into the endoscope channel, and the endoscope is disinfected / sterilized.

After a predetermined time has elapsed, the valve is opened and the disinfecting / sterilizing liquid is collected in the disinfecting liquid tank 18. The disinfecting / sterilizing solution is used repeatedly as long as it is effective. After the end of the disinfection step, the rinsing step is performed again.

After the completion of the rinsing step, a water removing step is subsequently performed, and the drainage of the conduit in the endoscope 1 is carefully performed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the disinfection / sterilization can be surely performed in a short time, and the work of the user can be greatly reduced.

FIG. 5 shows the second embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description is omitted. The present embodiment is a washing / disinfecting sterilizing apparatus capable of supplying water from a tap water and hot water from a hot water supply facility and using a disinfecting solution based on the hot water.

A water supply valve 40a made of an electromagnetic valve is provided in a pipe connected to the water tap 6 and a water supply valve 40b made of an electromagnetic valve is provided in a pipe connected to the hot water supply equipment 8. Hot water supply valve 40b is connected to control unit C.

Temperature sensors 50a and 50b are provided in a pipe line from the water tap 6 and a pipe line from the hot water supply facility 8, and temperature sensors 51 and 52 are provided in the washing tank 1 and the disinfectant tank 18. Further, a flow meter 53 for measuring the amount of water flowing into the disinfectant tank 18 is provided in the pipe 20 from the water tap 6 and the hot water supply facility 8.

The cleaning tank 1 and the disinfecting solution tank 18 are provided with heaters 54 and 55 for keeping the inside of the cleaning solution and the disinfecting solution, and the temperature sensors 51 and 52, the flow meter 53 and the heaters 54 and 55 are controlled. It is connected to section C.

The disinfectant tank 18 and the cleaning tank 1 are
Uses chemical and heat resistant materials such as stainless steel, polyethylene, and polypropylene. The control unit C
Detects the temperatures from the temperature sensors 50a and 50b, the water tap 6 and the temperature of the hot water from the hot water supply equipment 8.

When the operator inputs the set temperature of the disinfectant into the control unit C, the control unit C uses the set temperature of the disinfectant, the temperature of the tap water and the temperature of the hot water from the hot water supply equipment to control the tap water. Determine the ratio between the amount of water and the amount of hot water. Then, the amount of tap water and the amount of hot water to be supplied are calculated from the ratio and the capacity of the disinfectant tank 18.

Next, the control section C supplies the tap water by opening the water supply valve 40a based on the ratio. During this time, the supply amount of tap water is measured based on the flow meter 53. When the amount of tap water based on the ratio is supplied into the disinfectant tank 18, the water supply valve 40a is closed to stop water supply.

Next, the hot water supply valve 40b is opened to supply hot water. During this time, the amount of hot water supplied is measured based on the flow meter 53. When the amount of hot water based on the ratio is supplied into the disinfectant tank 18, the hot water supply valve 40b is closed to stop hot water supply.

At this time, at the same time, the controller C
By operating a and 20b, a disinfectant solution and a sterile solution are poured into warm water in the disinfectant solution tank 18 to prepare a disinfectant solution and a sterile solution. During the disinfecting process or the sterilizing process, the control unit C controls the heaters 54 and 55 so that the temperature of the disinfecting solution or the sterilizing solution in the disinfecting solution tank 18 and the cleaning tank 1 is kept at once.

The other points are the same as in the first embodiment. According to this embodiment, since hot water supply equipment outside the device is used, there is no need to make hot water inside the device. Therefore, it is sufficient for the heater to be small enough to maintain the set temperatures of the hot water, the disinfecting solution and the sterilizing solution.

According to the above embodiment, the following configuration is obtained. (Supplementary Note 1) A tank capable of storing an endoscope therein, cleaning agent supply means for supplying a cleaning agent for cleaning the endoscope into the tank, and an endoscope stored in the tank. Cleaning means for cleaning with a cleaning agent, sterilizing and disinfecting agent supplying means for supplying an oxidizing sterilizing agent to the tank, and an endoscope housed in the tank being sterilized by the oxidizing sterilizing agent. An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting sterilization apparatus comprising: a sterilizing means for disinfecting.

(Appendix 2) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting / sterilizing apparatus according to Appendix 1, wherein at least an oxidizing disinfectant or a sterilizing agent is used. (Supplementary note 3) The endoscope washing / disinfecting / sterilizing apparatus according to supplementary note 1, wherein the washing / disinfecting step can be performed at least at room temperature.

(Supplementary Note 4) The oxidizing disinfecting / sterilizing solution is composed of one or a plurality of concentrating agents before the preparation, and automatically dilutes and prepares tap water to a practical state inside the apparatus, and immerses it. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting / sterilizing apparatus according to appendix 1, which disinfects / sterilizes in a state.

(Supplementary note 5) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting / sterilizing apparatus according to Supplementary note 1, wherein the disinfecting / sterilizing liquid is used repeatedly within a certain number of disinfection / sterilizing times. (Supplementary Note 6) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting / sterilizing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the endoscope is immersed in a disinfecting / sterilizing solution at a normal temperature in a disinfecting step, or at a normal temperature or a heated state in a sterilizing step.

(Supplementary note 7) The endoscope according to Supplementary note 1, wherein the portion where the disinfecting solution or the sterilizing agent is present is a closed system except for an external communication point, and a vapor component removing means is provided at the external communication point. Cleaning and disinfection sterilizer.

(Supplementary Note 8) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting / sterilizing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the washing step is performed by immersing the endoscope in at least an alkaline detergent or an enzyme-based detergent for washing. (Supplementary note 9) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting / sterilizing apparatus according to Supplementary note 1, wherein the washing is performed by at least ultrasonic washing and liquid feeding into an endoscope channel.

(Supplementary Note 10) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting / sterilizing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the cleaning is performed by a combination of ultrasonic cleaning and cleaning by a liquid flow in a tank. (Supplementary Note 11) When the liquid is fed into the pipeline, the flow velocity in the pipeline is 10
2. The endoscope washing / disinfecting / sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid feeding means is configured to have a flow rate of 0 cm / sec or more.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, the endoscope can be reliably disinfected and sterilized in a short time, and the operation of the user can be greatly reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting sterilization apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are configuration diagrams showing different arrangement examples of a medicine bottle in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting sterilization apparatus showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a conventional endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cleaning tank 4 ... Liquid flow spout 5 ... Cleaning water injection port 6 ... Water tap 9 ... Cleaning pipe in endoscope pipe line 10 ... Liquid cleaning pipe line 18 ... Disinfectant tank 19 ... Bottle 21 ... Infusion pump

Claims (2)

[Claims] A tank capable of storing an endoscope therein; cleaning agent supply means for supplying a cleaning agent for cleaning the endoscope into the tank; and an endoscope housed in the tank. Cleaning means for cleaning with the cleaning agent; sterilizing disinfectant supplying means for supplying an oxidizing sterilizing agent into the tank; and an endoscope housed in the tank using the oxidizing sterilizing agent. An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting sterilization device comprising: a sterilizing means for sterilizing. 2. The endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning agent is an alkaline or enzymatic cleaning agent.