JP2001120643A - Ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope which effectively cleans the entire endoscope 18 in a short time by forming a cleaning tank 16 from a resin and emitting ultrasonic waves of various frequencies from multiple ultrasonic vibration units 21. SOLUTION: An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 10 for an endoscope has a cleaning tank 16 formed from a resin and multiple ultrasonic vibration units 21 located at the bottom of the cleaning tank 16. Each ultrasonic vibration unit 21 is equipped with a diaphragm 22 and two ultrasonic vibrators 24 attached to the diaphragm 22. Each ultrasonic vibrator 24 emits a frequency selected according to the part of the endoscope 18 positioned above it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic cleaning device for an endoscope, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic cleaning device for an endoscope that uses an ultrasonic wave to clean an endoscope immersed in a cleaning liquid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope needs to be cleaned and disinfected after use. A cleaning device for an endoscope is cleaned and disinfected by immersing the entire endoscope in a cleaning solution or a disinfecting solution in a cleaning tank. I do. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-7290 discloses an ultrasonic cleaning device for an endoscope. The ultrasonic cleaning device radiates ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic vibrator to ultrasonically clean an endoscope. I have.

[0003]

A conventional ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope usually cleans the endoscope by radiating ultrasonic waves of one kind of frequency. However, the endoscope has different contamination status depending on a distal end portion, a hand operation portion, a connector portion, other portions, and the like, and each portion of the endoscope has a different shape. Therefore, there is a drawback that the entire endoscope cannot be effectively cleaned even if one type of ultrasonic wave is emitted.

As a general cleaning apparatus using ultrasonic waves, there is known an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus that switches ultrasonic waves of a plurality of frequencies with time and performs cleaning. However, this ultrasonic cleaning device emits ultrasonic waves of a plurality of frequencies at different times, and has a disadvantage that the cleaning time is long.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope which can effectively clean the entire endoscope in a short time. I do.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, an endoscope is housed in a cleaning tank, the endoscope is immersed in a cleaning liquid, and a plurality of ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the cleaning liquid. In an endoscope ultrasonic cleaning device that emits ultrasonic waves from a unit and ultrasonically cleans the endoscope, at least one ultrasonic vibration unit of the plurality of ultrasonic vibration units includes:
It is characterized by emitting an ultrasonic wave having a frequency different from that of an ultrasonic wave emitted from another ultrasonic vibration unit.

According to the present invention, since a plurality of ultrasonic waves having different frequencies are radiated from the plurality of ultrasonic vibration units, for example, an ultrasonic wave having an optimum frequency is applied to each part of the endoscope. Simultaneous emission allows the entire endoscope to be effectively cleaned in a short time.

Further, by attaching a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators having different frequencies to one diaphragm, it is possible to form a calculated mixed wave free of noise from other diaphragms. Therefore, according to the present invention, as when radiating ultrasonic waves of different frequencies separately at different times,
Multiple cleaning effects can be obtained simultaneously. Thus, the endoscope can be efficiently cleaned in a short time.

Further, by forming the washing tank with a synthetic resin, transmission of ultrasonic vibration from each ultrasonic vibration unit through the washing tank can be suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic vibration unit from interfering with each other.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasonic cleaning device 10 according to the first embodiment has a box-shaped external appearance and includes a main body 12 and a lid 14. A cleaning tank 16 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12.
The endoscope 18 to be washed is accommodated in the inside 6.

The lid 14 is attached to the upper part of the apparatus main body 12 by a hinge or the like so as to be openable and closable. When the lid 14 is closed, the upper opening of the cleaning tank 16 is completely covered. (Water, detergent) and chemicals (disinfectant) are not scattered outside.

The washing tank 16 is provided with a chemical (glutaraldehyde, peracetic acid, acidic water, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, etc.).
It is formed of a synthetic resin such as FRP, polyacetal resin, polyphenylene oxide resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, PTFE resin, and polycarbonate resin.

A cylindrical injection device 20 is provided at the center of the cleaning tank 16, and a nozzle (not shown) is provided on a side surface of the injection device 20. When the jetting device 20 is driven, the jetting device 20 rotates, and the cleaning water is jetted from the nozzle, whereby the endoscope 18 accommodated in the cleaning tank 16 is washed by circulating flow.

On the bottom of the cleaning tank 16, four ultrasonic vibration units 21A, 21B, 21C and 21D are provided. The ultrasonic vibration units 21A to 21C are provided in the cleaning tank 1
The endoscope 18 is housed in the vicinity of a highly contaminated site of the endoscope 18. That is, the ultrasonic vibration unit 21A
Is disposed at the position of the hand operation unit 42 of the endoscope 18, the ultrasonic vibration unit 21B is disposed at the position of the distal end 44 of the insertion unit, and the ultrasonic vibration unit 21C is disposed at the position of the connector unit 46. Has been established. The ultrasonic vibration unit 21D provided in the upper left corner of the cleaning tank 16
Is used when two endoscopes 18 are washed at the same time.

Each of the ultrasonic vibration units 21A to 21D includes a vibration plate 22 and two ultrasonic vibrators 24, 24. As shown in FIG.
Is installed so as to close the circular opening 16A formed on the bottom surface of the. The diaphragm 22 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel or titanium, and has a bolt portion 22 protruding from the lower surface.
A is fixed to the cleaning tank 16 by tightening a nut 30 through the back packing 26 and the holding plate 28.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic vibrator 24 is of a Langevin type and is adhered and attached to the lower surface of the diaphragm 22. When the ultrasonic vibrator 24 vibrates, ultrasonic waves are radiated into the cleaning tank 16 via the vibration plate 22.

Between the vibrating plate 22 and the cleaning tank 16,
An elastic body 32 is provided, and the elastic body 32 seals a gap between the diaphragm 22 and the cleaning tank 16. Elastic body 3
2 is a material that is resistant to the chemical, for example, fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, EPDM, silicone-based filler,
Flexible fluororesin or the like is selected. In addition to the elastic body interposed between the vibration plate 22 and the cleaning tank 16, the elastic body at the position immersed in the chemical solution is formed of the rubber material described above.
Conversely, the elastic body at a position not immersed in the chemical solution (for example, the back packing 26) may be made of a material other than the above-described rubber material (for example, neoprene (registered trademark) rubber).

As shown in FIG. 2, a cleaning solution inlet 34, a detergent inlet 36, and a plurality of couplers 38 are provided on the side of the cleaning tank 16. Chemical liquid inlet 34
From the cleaning solution, the cleaning solution is injected at the time of cleaning.
After that, a detergent is injected at the time of circulating washing. Further, the coupler 38 is connected to a mounting port of an air / water supply button and a forceps insertion port provided on the hand operation unit 42 of the endoscope 18 via a tube (not shown). Thereby, the coupler 38
The air / water supply tube, suction tube, and forceps insertion tube inside the endoscope 18 can be washed with the washing water and the disinfecting solution sent from the endoscope.

Further, a pair of shower nozzles 40, 40 are disposed at diagonal corners of the cleaning tank 16, and water or the like is sprayed from the shower nozzle 40 into the cleaning tank 16. A drain port 50 is provided on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 16, and the cleaning liquid and the chemical supplied to the cleaning tank 16 are drained by opening the drain port 50 with an electromagnetic valve or the like (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, an operation / display panel 52 is arranged in front of the apparatus main body 12. The operation / display panel 52 is provided with a number of buttons for instructing various settings relating to the contents of the cleaning operation, starting cleaning, and the like. Further, the operation / display panel 52 displays various contents such as a remaining time of the cleaning operation, a time until the end of the operation, and a warning when a trouble occurs.

Reference numeral 54 in FIG. 2 denotes a water level sensor. By detecting the water level with the water level sensor 54, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid or the chemical from overflowing from the cleaning tank 16.
Reference numeral 56 denotes an overflow drain port.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 10 for an endoscope configured as described above will be described.

The operator first accommodates the endoscope 18 in the washing tank 16 in a state of being wound around the injection device 20 as shown in FIG. Next, the attachment port of the air supply / water supply button of the endoscope 18, the forceps insertion port, and the coupler 38 are connected by a tube (not shown). Then, after the lid 14 is closed, by operating the operation / display panel 52,
Start the washing process.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the washing step, first,
Pre-cleaning of the endoscope 18 is performed (step 1). Pre-washing
For example, by driving the jetting device 20 to jet water from the nozzle to circulate and wash the outer surface of the endoscope 18,
Water is injected from the coupler 38 into the internal conduit of the endoscope 18 to clean the internal conduit of the endoscope 18. At this time, the outer surface of the endoscope 18 may be washed by spraying water from the shower nozzles 40, 40. Alternatively, pre-cleaning may be performed with a cleaning solution containing a detergent by injecting the detergent through the detergent inlet 36. The water used for pre-washing is drained from a drain 50.

After the pre-cleaning is completed, ultrasonic cleaning of the endoscope 18 is performed (step 2). In the ultrasonic cleaning, first, a cleaning liquid (water, detergent) is stored in the cleaning tank 16, and the endoscope 18 is completely immersed in the cleaning liquid. Next, the ultrasonic vibrator 24 is vibrated to emit ultrasonic waves from the vibration plate 22 to the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 16. Thus, the endoscope 18 is ultrasonically cleaned by cavitation generated by the ultrasonic waves. At this time, since the hand operation section 42, the distal end section 44, and the connector section 46 of the endoscope 18 having a relatively high degree of contamination are arranged above the ultrasonic vibration units 21A to 21C, radiation from the ultrasonic vibrator 24 is performed. The endoscope 18 can be effectively cleaned by the ultrasonic waves thus generated. In addition, the frequency of the ultrasonic wave radiated from each ultrasonic transducer 24 is selected according to a part of the endoscope 18 disposed above the ultrasonic transducer 24. The selection of this frequency will be described later in detail.

After the ultrasonic cleaning step is completed, the cleaning tank 16
The washing solution inside is drained from the drain port 50, and the endoscope 18
(Step 3). Next, cleaning tank 1
Water is supplied to the inside of the endoscope 6 to flow water to the outer surface and the internal conduit of the endoscope 18 to wash away dirt of the endoscope 18 and the cleaning tank 16. And after draining to prevent chemical dilution,
A chemical solution immersion step is performed (Step 5).

In the chemical immersion step, the entire endoscope 18 is disinfected by injecting the chemical into the cleaning tank 16 from the chemical injection port 34 and injecting the chemical into the internal conduit of the endoscope 18 from the coupler 38. I do. When the disinfection is completed, rinsing is performed, and finally, air or alcohol is supplied to the cleaning tank 16 to dry the endoscope 18. Thus, the cleaning process of the endoscope 18 is completed.

Next, the selection of the frequency of the ultrasonic wave radiated from the ultrasonic transducer 24 will be described.

Ultrasonic waves have different cleaning effects depending on their frequency. For example, low-frequency ultrasonic waves generate a large amount of cavitation and are suitable for cleaning large parts and for cleaning stubborn dirt. Conversely, high-frequency ultrasonic waves generate small cavitation and are suitable for cleaning small parts and cleaning for removing fine dirt.

On the other hand, the endoscope 18 has a different size and a different stain depending on its location, and therefore naturally has a different optimum frequency for cleaning. For example, the tip portion 44 is a small portion, and it is necessary to remove fine dirt. Therefore, high-frequency (for example, 30 to 50 kHz) ultrasonic cleaning is suitable. Therefore, the two ultrasonic transducers 2 arranged at the position of the tip 44
At steps 4 and 24, first, ultrasonic waves of 30 kHz are radiated to roughly remove dirt attached to the tip end portion 44. Next, one of the ultrasonic vibrators 24 emits an ultrasonic wave of 30 kHz, and the other ultrasonic oscillator 24 emits an ultrasonic wave of 50 kHz, and the tip portion 44 is ultrasonically cleaned with a mixed wave of 30 kHz and 50 kHz. I do. As a result, not only stubborn dirt is removed by 30 kHz ultrasonic waves, but also fine dirt is removed by 50 kHz ultrasonic waves at the same time. Finally, ultrasonic waves of 50 kHz are radiated by both ultrasonic transducers 24, 24, and fine dirt remaining on the tip 44 is removed.

As described above, the tip 44 is ultrasonically cleaned with relatively high frequency ultrasonic waves, and the frequency of the ultrasonic wave is increased stepwise to gradually remove fine dirt. It can be washed thoroughly.
Further, since ultrasonic waves of different frequencies are simultaneously radiated from the two ultrasonic transducers 24 and 24 for cleaning, cleaning unevenness can be eliminated as compared with the case of cleaning with single frequency ultrasonic waves. Furthermore, it emits ultrasonic waves of different frequencies.
Since the ultrasonic transducers 24, 24 are attached to one diaphragm 22, a calculated mixed wave can be formed, and the tip 44 can be effectively cleaned with the mixed wave. .

On the other hand, the hand operation unit 42 of the endoscope 18 is a large part and needs to remove stubborn dirt. Therefore, low-frequency (for example, 20 to 30 kHz) ultrasonic cleaning is suitable. Therefore, the two ultrasonic transducers 24 and 24 arranged below the hand operation unit 42 first use the 20 kHz
And emits a 20 kHz ultrasonic wave with one ultrasonic transducer 24,
The other ultrasonic oscillator 24 emits an ultrasonic wave of 30 kHz, and finally, both the ultrasonic oscillators 24 and 24 emit 30 kHz.
Emit z ultrasonic waves. Thereby, the hand operation unit 42
As in the case of the above-described distal end portion 44, the surface is effectively cleaned by ultrasonic waves having an appropriate frequency, and is also cleaned by the calculated mixed wave without causing cleaning unevenness.

Since the connector 46 is a large part, low-frequency (for example, 20 to 30 kHz) ultrasonic cleaning is suitable. Therefore, ultrasonic waves of 30 kHz are radiated by the ultrasonic vibrators 24, 24 disposed below the connector section 46. The connector section 46 includes the tip section 44 and the hand operation section 4.
Since the degree of contamination is relatively small with respect to 2, the washing can be surely performed without reducing the frequency of the ultrasonic wave stepwise or forming a mixed wave.

The cleaning tank 16 is made of a resin that does not easily transmit vibration. Therefore, even if ultrasonic waves of different frequencies are simultaneously emitted from the plurality of ultrasonic vibration units 21A to 21C, the ultrasonic vibration does not transmit to the cleaning tank 16, and the ultrasonic waves do not interfere with each other.
Therefore, the cleaning power does not decrease due to the interference between the ultrasonic waves, so that the endoscope 18 can be effectively cleaned.

As described above, according to the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, since the cleaning tank 16 made of a synthetic resin which is difficult to transmit ultrasonic vibration is used, each ultrasonic vibration unit 21 is used.
The ultrasonic vibrations from A to 21C are transmitted through the cleaning tank 16, and it is possible to suppress the ultrasonic waves from interfering with each other. Further, since the ultrasonic vibrator 24 is attached to the cleaning tank 16 via the vibration plate 22 and the elastic body 32, the ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the ultrasonic vibrator 24 to the cleaning tank 16 is applied to the vibration plate 22 and the elastic body 32. Accordingly, the effect of suppressing interference between the ultrasonic waves is improved. Further, since the ultrasonic vibration units 21A to 21C are arranged at the respective corners on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 16, and the ultrasonic vibration units 21A to 21C are separated from each other, the interference between the ultrasonic waves is more effectively suppressed. be able to. Therefore, even if the ultrasonic vibration units 21A to 21C emit ultrasonic waves of different frequencies, the ultrasonic waves do not interfere with each other and the cleaning power does not decrease. Thereby, each of the ultrasonic vibration units 21A to 21C
Thus, ultrasonic waves having a frequency suitable for each part of the endoscope 18 are simultaneously emitted, and the entire endoscope 18 can be washed in a short time.

Further, according to the ultrasonic cleaning device 10 of the present invention, since the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic vibration units 21A to 21C do not interfere with each other, the two ultrasonic When the sonic vibrators 24, 24 simultaneously emit ultrasonic waves of different frequencies, a calculated mixed wave without noise can be formed. Therefore,
The endoscope 18 can be cleaned in a short time because the cleaning effect of two types of frequencies can be obtained at the same time.

In the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a concave portion 16B is formed on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 16, and the diaphragm 22 and the elastic body 32 are accommodated in the concave portion 16B. ing. As a result, the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 16 has a seemingly flat shape without any level difference, so that dirt is less likely to accumulate as compared with the case where there is a level difference. it can.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which one endoscope 18 is washed has been described.
8, 18 may be washed at the same time. In this case, the second endoscope 18 connects the hand operation unit 42 to the ultrasonic vibration unit 2.
1C, and the tip 44 is located above the ultrasonic vibration unit 21D. Then, the ultrasonic vibration unit 21C emits an ultrasonic wave having a frequency suitable for cleaning the hand operation unit 42, and the ultrasonic vibration unit 21D emits an ultrasonic wave.
4 emits an ultrasonic wave having a frequency suitable for washing. Thereby, the two endoscopes 18 can be washed at the same time.

The number and arrangement of the ultrasonic transducers 24 are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example,
A large number of ultrasonic vibration units 21, 21... Are uniformly arranged on the bottom and side surfaces of the cleaning tank 16, and each ultrasonic vibrator 24 that operates based on the arrangement of each part of the housed endoscope 18 is controlled. Is also good. Thereby, even various endoscopes 18 having different lengths of the endoscope insertion portion can be efficiently cleaned.

In the above-described embodiment, the cleaning tank 16 is used.
Although the ultrasonic vibration unit 21 constituting a part of the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 16 is used, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained by using the ultrasonic vibration unit of the type immersed in the liquid in the cleaning tank 16. Can be.

The material of the cleaning tank 16 is not limited to resin, but is preferably a material that does not easily transmit ultrasonic vibration.

Further, the ultrasonic vibration units 21A to 21A
The structure of D is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, one or three or more ultrasonic vibrators 24 may be attached to the diaphragm 22.

[0044]

As described above, according to the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope of the present invention, a plurality of ultrasonic waves having a frequency corresponding to each part of the endoscope are radiated at the same time. The whole can be effectively washed in a short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of an ultrasonic cleaning device for an endoscope according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an apparatus main body of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ultrasonic vibration unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a cleaning process of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ultrasonic vibration unit showing a characteristic portion of a second embodiment of the ultrasonic cleaning device for an endoscope according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ultrasonic cleaning device, 12 device main body, 14 lid, 1
6 cleaning tank, 18 endoscope, 20 injection device, 21A-
21D: Ultrasonic vibration unit, 22: Vibration plate, 24: Ultrasonic vibrator, 42: Hand operation unit, 44: Tip, 46 ...
Connector part, 50 ... drain port, 52 ... operation / display panel

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope is housed in a washing tank, and the endoscope is immersed in a washing liquid. Ultrasonic waves are emitted from the plurality of ultrasonic vibration units to the washing liquid to cause the endoscope to emit ultrasonic waves. In the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope to be cleaned, at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic vibration units transmits ultrasonic waves having a different frequency from ultrasonic waves emitted from another ultrasonic vibration unit. An ultrasonic cleaning device for an endoscope, which emits light. 2. The ultrasonic cleaning device for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic vibration unit is disposed at a position of a distal end portion, a hand operation portion, and a connector portion of the endoscope. 3. The ultrasonic cleaning of an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic vibration unit is configured by attaching a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators having different frequencies to one vibration plate. apparatus. 4. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning tank is formed of a synthetic resin.