JP2003245251A - Autoclave apparatus for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autoclave apparatus for endoscopes which performs autoclave sterilization by arranging a soft insertion tube of the endoscope in a chamber holding a specified shape thereof even when the endoscope is used immediately after the sterilization and when the sterilizing position the endoscope is maintained for a while following the sterilization. <P>SOLUTION: The autoclave apparatus 40 is constituted of the body 41 thereof, a chamber 42, a door 43, a control part 44 and like. The door 43 is provided with a door hook 46. An endoscope holding plate 50 is detachably arranged in the door hook 46. The door 43 is freely openable with the endoscope holding plate 50 on the door hook 46. The endoscope holding plate 50 can be taken off the door hook 46 and the endoscope holding plate 50 taken off has a size enough to let it be housed into a tray 35 of a housing case 34. A plurality of holding members 52, etc., are arranged on one side of the endoscope holding plate 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope autoclave device for high pressure steam sterilization of an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, an organ in the body cavity can be observed, and if necessary, various treatment procedures can be performed using a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument channel. Medical endoscopes that can be used are widely used.

Particularly, in an endoscope used in the medical field, an insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity to observe an organ or the like, or a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument channel of an endoscope is used. Various treatments and treatments can be performed.

Therefore, when the endoscope or the treatment tool that has been used once is reused for another patient, it is necessary to prevent inter-patient infection via the endoscope or the treatment tool. I had to clean and disinfect the endoscope.

In recent years, autoclave sterilization (high-pressure steam sterilization), which can be used immediately after the sterilization is completed without requiring complicated work and has a low running cost, is becoming the mainstream of disinfection and sterilization of endoscope devices. .

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-285103 discloses an endoscope autoclave device for sterilizing an endoscope under high pressure steam without adversely affecting the function of the endoscope.

This environment of high-pressure steam sterilization is a very severe condition for an endoscope which is a precision electronic device. Therefore, in order to realize an endoscope resistant to this condition, various measures such as high pressure countermeasures, high temperature countermeasures, steam countermeasures, etc. are required in comparison with an endoscope which is assumed to be used in general disinfection / sterilization means. Measures are taken.

[0008]

However, in the endoscope autoclave apparatus of the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-285103, when the endoscope is placed in the chamber, the shape of the flexible insertion portion is arbitrary, For example, it is conceivable that the distal end side of the insertion portion is arranged in a state of being slightly rounded. If autoclave sterilization is performed in this state, the soft insertion portion may have a bending tendency, and the bending tendency may reduce the insertability.

Further, in the case of an autoclave device in which a holding member for holding the insertion portion in a predetermined bent shape is provided in the chamber so as not to deteriorate the insertion performance at the time of inspection, the endoscope is used immediately after sterilization. There is no problem in some cases, but in order to maintain the sterilized state of the endoscope for a while after sterilization,
For example, if autoclave sterilization is attempted in a sterilized pack, there is a risk that the endoscope cannot be held in the chamber.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the endoscope is used immediately after sterilization, and when the sterilized state of the endoscope is maintained for a while after sterilization. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscopic autoclave device capable of performing autoclave sterilization by holding the soft insertion part in a predetermined shape and arranging it in a chamber.

[0011]

An endoscope autoclave apparatus of the present invention is an endoscope autoclave in which a chamber in which an endoscope is placed is filled with high-pressure steam to sterilize the endoscope under high-pressure steam. The apparatus has an endoscope holding means disposed in the chamber and provided with a holding member for holding at least the flexible insertion portion of the endoscope in a predetermined shape.

Positioning means for detachably arranging the endoscope holding means at a predetermined position in the chamber is provided.

According to this structure, at least the insertion portion of the endoscope held by the endoscope holding means has a predetermined shape in the chamber. Then, the endoscope holding means holding the endoscope is detachably arranged at a predetermined position in the chamber.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an endoscope autoclave apparatus, and FIG. 3 is FIG.
4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4, and FIG. 4 is a view showing an endoscope holding plate disposed in the chamber.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with an endoscope 2 having an image pickup means (not shown), and detachably connected to the endoscope 2 and provided on the endoscope 2. A light source device 3 for supplying illumination light to a light guide (not shown)
A video processor 5 connected to the endoscope 2 via a signal cable 4 for controlling the image pickup means of the endoscope 2 and for processing the image signal obtained by the image pickup means into a video signal.
And a monitor 6 for displaying a video signal output from the video processor 5. The endoscope 2 is configured to be washed after being used for observation and treatment, and then sterilized by high-pressure steam sterilization.

The endoscope 2 has an elongated insertion portion 7 having flexibility, and an operation portion 8 provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 7.
And a flexible connecting cord 9 extending from a side portion of the operating portion 8 and a connector portion 10 provided at an end portion of the connecting cord 9 and detachably connected to the light source device 3. Has been done. An electric connector portion 11 to which the signal cable 4 connected to the video processor 5 can be detachably connected is provided on a side portion of the connector portion 10.

The electric connector portion 11 is provided with a ventilation portion (not shown) which communicates the inside and outside of the endoscope 2. Therefore, during the high-pressure steam sterilization, the waterproof cap 33 with the pressure adjusting valve is detachably connected to the electric connector 11. The waterproof cap 33 is provided with a pressure adjusting valve 33a.

At the connecting portion between the inserting portion 7 and the operating portion 8, there is provided an inserting portion side anti-folding member 12 having an elastic member for preventing abrupt bending at the connecting portion. Similarly, a connecting portion between the operating portion 8 and the connecting cord 9 is also provided with an operating portion side fold preventive member 13, and a connecting portion between the connecting cord 9 and the connector portion 10 is also foldable on the connector portion side. A stop member 14 is provided.

The insertion section 7 is provided on the operation section 8 at the tip of the flexible tube section 15 having flexibility in order from the operation section 8 side. A bending portion 16 that can be bent by operating the bending operation knob 30 and a tip portion 17 located on the tip end side of the bending portion 16 and provided with an observation optical system and an illumination optical system (not shown) are connected to each other. There is.

An air supply / water supply operation button 28 provided on the operation unit 8 is operated to supply air or water to the distal end portion 17, thereby allowing an optical member (not shown) on the outer surface of the observation optical system. An air / water supply nozzle for ejecting a cleaning liquid or gas toward the nozzle, and a suction opening which is a distal end side of a treatment instrument channel (not shown) for inserting a treatment instrument arranged in the insertion portion 7 or for sucking a liquid in a body cavity There is a mouth. Further, there is also provided a liquid delivery port for ejecting the liquid opened toward the observation object.

In the connector portion 10, a gas supply base 21 which is detachably connected to a gas supply source (not shown) built in the light source device 3, and a water supply tank 2 which is a liquid supply source.
A water supply tank pressurizing mouthpiece 23 and a liquid supply mouthpiece 24 which are detachably connected to the No. 2 are provided. Further, a suction mouthpiece 25 connected to a suction source (not shown) for performing suction from the suction port is provided. Further, an injection mouthpiece 26 is provided which is connected to a water supply means (not shown) for supplying water from the liquid supply port. Further, when a high-frequency leakage current is generated in the endoscope 2 when a high-frequency treatment or the like is performed, a ground terminal cap 27 is provided for returning the leakage current to a high-frequency treatment device (not shown).

In addition to the air supply / water supply operation button 28 for operating the air supply operation and the water supply operation and the bending operation knob 30 for performing the bending operation of the bending portion, the operation portion 8 is used for operating the suction operation. A suction operation button 29, a plurality of remote switches 31 for remotely operating the video processor 5, and a treatment instrument insertion port 32 which is a proximal end side opening communicating with the treatment instrument channel are provided.

When high-pressure steam sterilization is performed after using the endoscope 2 configured as described above, the endoscope 2 is a storage case for sterilization (hereinafter referred to as a storage case) which is an endoscope storage body. Store in 34). The storage case 34 includes a tray 35 and a lid member 36.

Here, high-pressure steam sterilization will be described.
Approved by American National Standards Institute, which is a typical condition for autoclaving.
American standard ANSI / AAMI issued by Medical Device Development Association
In ST37-1992, the sterilization step for the prevacuum type is 132 ° C. for 4 minutes, and the sterilization step for the gravity type is 132 ° C. for 10 minutes.

The temperature condition during the sterilization step of high-pressure steam sterilization varies depending on the type of high-pressure steam sterilizer and the time of the sterilization step, but is generally 115 ° C to 138 ° C.
It is set in the temperature range. 142 in some sterilizers
Some can be set to around ℃.

The time condition varies depending on the temperature condition of the sterilization process, but is generally set to about 3 to 60 minutes. Depending on the type of sterilizer, there are some that can be set to about 100 minutes. The pressure in the sterilization chamber in this step is generally set to about +0.2 MPa with respect to the atmospheric pressure.

In the general pre-vacuum type high-pressure steam sterilization process, a bleed vacuum process in which the sterilization chamber containing the equipment to be sterilized is decompressed before the sterilization process is performed, and then high-pressure high-temperature steam is sent into the sterilization chamber. And a sterilization step of performing sterilization.

The pre-vacuum process is a process for permeating steam into the details of the equipment to be sterilized during the subsequent sterilization step, and by depressurizing the sterilization chamber, high-pressure and high-temperature steam is spread all over the equipment to be sterilized. . The pressure in the sterilization chamber in this prevacuum process is generally set to about -0.07 MPa to -0.09 MPa with respect to atmospheric pressure.

In some cases, after the sterilization step, a drying step of re-pressurizing the sterilization chamber is included in order to dry the equipment to be sterilized after sterilization. In this drying step, the sterilization chamber is depressurized to remove steam from the sterilization chamber, thereby promoting the drying of the sterilization target device in the sterilization chamber. The pressure in the sterilization chamber in this step is generally -0.0 relative to atmospheric pressure.
It is set to about 7 to -0.09 MPa.

When the endoscope 2 is sterilized by high pressure steam,
It is performed with the waterproof cap 33 having the pressure adjusting valve 33a attached to the electric connector 11. In this state, the pressure adjusting valve 33a of the waterproof cap 33 is in a closed state, and the ventilation port is closed by the waterproof cap 33,
The inside and outside of the endoscope 2 are watertightly sealed.

In the case of the sterilization method having the pre-vacuum step, when the pressure inside the sterilization chamber is lowered in the brevacuum step and a pressure difference is generated such that the external pressure is lower than the internal pressure of the endoscope 2, The pressure adjusting valve 33a opens, and the inside and outside of the endoscope 2 communicate with each other through the vent hole. In other words, by preventing a large pressure difference between the inside of the endoscope 2 and the pressure inside the sterilization chamber, the endoscope 2 is prevented from being damaged by the pressure difference between the inside and the outside. .

In the sterilization step, when the pressure inside the sterilization chamber is increased to cause a pressure difference such that the external pressure is higher than the internal pressure of the endoscope 2, the pressure adjusting valve 33a is closed. As a result, the high-pressure and high-temperature steam does not positively enter the inside of the endoscope 2 through the waterproof cap 33 and the vent hole. However, the high-temperature and high-pressure steam is formed of fluororubber or silicone rubber which is a sealing means provided in the outer skin of the flexible tube portion 15 formed of a polymer material or the connecting portion of the exterior body of the endoscope 2. It gradually passes through the O-ring and penetrates inside.

Therefore, the exterior body of the endoscope 2 is in a state in which a pressure from the outside to the inside is added to the pressure reduced in the prevacuum process and the pressure increased in the sterilization process. Become.

In the case of a method including a depressurization step after the sterilization step, the pressure difference in the sterilization chamber decreases in this depressurization step so that the pressure outside the endoscope 2 becomes lower than that inside the endoscope 2. Almost at the same time, the pressure control valve 33a opens. This prevents a large pressure difference between the inside of the endoscope 2 and the pressure inside the sterilization chamber due to the communication between the inside and the outside of the endoscope 2 via the vent hole.
This prevents the endoscope 2 from being damaged by the pressure difference between the inside and the outside.

When the pressure reducing step is completed and the pressure inside the sterilization chamber is increased and the pressure outside the endoscope 2 becomes higher than the pressure inside the endoscope 2, the pressure adjusting valve 33a is closed. When all the steps of the high-pressure steam sterilization are completed, the exterior body of the endoscope 2 is in a state in which a pressure from the outside to the inside is generated due to the pressure reduced in the pressure reduction step. Here, when the waterproof cap 33 is detached from the electrical connector portion 11, the inside and outside of the endoscope 2 are communicated with each other by the vent hole and the inside of the endoscope 2 is also at atmospheric pressure, and the exterior of the endoscope 2 is exposed. The load caused by the pressure difference on the body disappears.

As shown in FIG. 2, an autoclave device 40
Is rotatably attached to the apparatus body 41, a chamber 42 provided on the apparatus body 41 side and serving as an endoscope apparatus placement space, and rotatably attached to the apparatus body 41, and closes the chamber 42 in a sealed state. It is composed of a door 43 and a control unit 44 for controlling the operation of the autoclave device 40.

Although not shown, the apparatus main body 41
A steam generator, a vacuum pump, etc. are built inside. Further, in the control unit 44, the power is turned ON / O.
FF operation, start or stop of sterilization process, change of sterilization conditions, etc. can be performed.

In the chamber 42, for example, two pairs of chamber hooks 45 are provided for suspending a peel pack 48 for covering a treatment tool 47 used in combination with the endoscope 2. On the other hand, the door 43 is provided with a pair of door hooks 46 serving as positioning means.

An endoscope holding plate 50 as an endoscope holding means is detachably arranged on the door hook 46. Therefore, an elongated hole 51, which is a pair of through holes corresponding to the door hook 46, is formed at a predetermined position of the endoscope holding plate 50 and is elongated in the direction of gravity. The door 43 is attached to the door hook 46 by the endoscope holding plate 50.
It can be opened and closed freely with the.

The endoscope holding plate 50 can be detached from the door hook 46, that is, the door 43, and the detached endoscope holding plate 50 is the tray 35 of the storage case 34. It is formed so that it can be stored inside. The tray 35 and the lid member 36 themselves may be the same as the endoscope holding plate 50.

A plurality of holding members 52, ..., 52 are arranged on one side of the endoscope holding plate 50. These holding members 52 are for holding the endoscope 2 as shown in the drawing, and as shown in FIG. 3, the flexible tube portion 15 is slid down in the direction of gravity and sideways by the holding member 52a. Held to not. Although not shown, the other holding members 52 also have the same configuration as the holding member 52a, and hold the endoscope 2 not only in the direction of gravity but also in the lateral direction so as not to slip.

Further, one or more pockets 53 are provided on one surface side of the endoscope holding plate 50. In the pocket 53, accessory parts that are detachable from the endoscope 2, such as an air / water supply operation button 28 and a suction operation button 29, are housed.

When the endoscope 2 is placed on the holding member 52 of the endoscope holding plate 50, the flexible tube portion 1 starts from the tip of the insertion portion 7.
It becomes a substantially straight state up to a predetermined position of 5, and has a bent shape after that. Then, in the present embodiment, for example, from the tip end surface of the tip end portion 17 of the insertion portion 7 to 70
It is formed so as to hold up to about cm in a substantially straight state.

Specifically, this means that, for example, in a colonoscope, when the anus of the large intestine to the cecum is inserted so as to eliminate excessive bending as much as possible (when inserted at the shortest distance), This is because the part up to about 70 cm is inserted. That is, the portion up to 70 cm is a portion to be inserted into almost all patients, and by preventing the flexible portion of the portion up to about 70 cm thus inserted from being bent, it is preferable. Insertability can be secured.

The operation of the endoscope autoclave device 40 configured as described above will be described. ◎ The endoscope holding plate 50 is attached to the door 43 in advance. Therefore, when sterilizing the endoscope 2 after the inspection by autoclave, after cleaning,
The cleaned endoscope 2 is arranged on the holding member 52 of the endoscope holding plate 50 arranged on the door 43. At this time, since the endoscope holding plate 50 is suspended by the door hook 46 provided on the door 43, the endoscope 2 can be mounted on the endoscope 2 as compared with the case where the endoscope holding plate 50 is located in the chamber 42. The work of arranging in a predetermined shape can be easily performed.

When the placement of the endoscope 2 on the holding member 52 is completed, the door 43 is closed and the sterilization process is started. At this time, if there is a treatment tool 47 or the like as the object to be sterilized, the treatment tool 47 is stored in the peel pack 48, and the hole portion 49 of the peel pack 48 is arranged in the chamber hook 45. As a result, the endoscope 2 and the treatment tool 47
Autoclave sterilization can be performed simultaneously.

During autoclave sterilization, the flexible tube portion 15
The flexible part of the connection cord 9 is exposed to high-pressure steam. This may cause the outer skin resin to have a bending tendency, but since the predetermined range is arranged in a substantially straight shape by the above-mentioned holding members 52, ..., 52, those portions may have a bending tendency. Is prevented. This hardly adversely affects the performance such as insertability.

The endoscope 2 that has been cleaned and sterilized as described above is immediately used for inspection. In other words, these inspections and cleaning / sterilization are repeated several times in a day. However, at the end of the day's final examination, sterilization is performed using a different procedure than described above. This is because the endoscope 2 after sterilization must be stored at the time of the final sterilization.

Therefore, when performing the final sterilization on that day, the endoscope holding plate 50 is removed from the door hook 46 of the door 43 as shown in FIG. Then, the removed endoscope holding plate 50 is placed in, for example, the storage case 34,
The endoscope 2 is arranged in a predetermined shape on the holding member 52 of the endoscope holding plate 50 arranged in the storage case 34. After this,
The lid member 36 is completely closed, and the storage case 34 is placed in the chamber 42 for autoclave sterilization.
At this time, although vapor is supplied into the storage case 34 by a filter (not shown), bacteria and liquid cannot enter.

Instead of arranging the endoscope holding plate 50 in the storage case 34, the endoscope holding plate 50 in which the endoscope 2 is arranged is covered with a peel pack which is an endoscope storage body. You may

In any case, sterilization is performed by disposing the endoscope 2 housed in the storage case 34 or the like that allows the passage of steam but prevents the entry of bacteria in the chamber 42 and performs the final sterilization of the day. After that, the storage case 34 accommodating the endoscope 2 can be taken out from the chamber 42 and stored for a long time.

In this way, by sterilizing between examinations and performing the next examination immediately after the sterilization work and storing after the examination, the handling method of the endoscope holding plate is divided, so that the examination is performed between the examinations. Can quickly perform sterilization work such as placing the endoscope in a predetermined shape, and
After the last sterilization of the day, the sterilized state can be stored reliably.

In this embodiment, the holding member 5
Although the configuration in which 2, 52a are attached to the endoscope holding plate 50 has been described, the holding members 52, 52a are directly attached to the chamber 4
It may be configured to be detachably attached to the inside of the door 2 or the door 43. In that case, when the number of the holding members 52 increases, a plurality of holding members 52 are provided in one endoscope holding plate 50 as in the present embodiment, and the endoscope holding plates 50 are provided in the chamber 42 or the door. It is configured to be detachably attached to any position of 43. As a result, the attachment can be performed by one attachment / detachment work, and the work becomes easy.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining another structure of the endoscope autoclave device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a state where the work plate is housed in the chamber, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a state where the work plate is pulled out from the chamber. As shown in the figure, in the autoclave device 40A of this embodiment, the form of the chamber 54 is different. That is, the autoclave device 40A
A rail portion 55 is provided in the chamber 54. Then, the work plate 56 can freely slide along the rail portion 55,
That is, the working plate 56 can be taken in and out of the chamber 54. A pair of hooks 58 corresponding to the door hooks 46 are fixedly mounted on the work plate 56, and the endoscope holding plate 50 can be detachably attached to the hooks 58.

The operation of the autoclave device 40A constructed as described above will be described. In the present embodiment, the endoscope holding plate 50 is arranged in advance on the hook 58 on the work plate 56. Therefore, when sterilizing the endoscope 2, the following procedure is performed.

First, the door 57 is opened and the working plate 56 on which the endoscope holding plate 50 is arranged is pulled out to the front. Next, the working plate 56 in the pulled-out state is used as a working table for the endoscope 2
Is placed on the holding member 52 of the endoscope holding plate 50. At this time, since the work plate 56 is positioned in the gravity direction of the endoscope 2, there is less concern that the endoscope 2 will be accidentally dropped on the floor surface during work. When the placement of the endoscope 2 on the holding member 52 is completed, the working plate 56 is housed in the chamber 54, the door 57 is closed, and autoclave sterilization is performed.

The sterilization method after the final inspection is the first
This is almost the same as the embodiment, and the endoscope holding plate 50 is arranged in the storage case 34, and the storage case 34 is used as the work plate 5.
6 is placed on the holding member 52 so that the endoscope 2 has a predetermined shape. Then, the storage case 34
The work plate 56 on which is placed is placed in the chamber, and the lid member 36 is completely closed to perform autoclave sterilization.

As described above, by disposing the holding plate on the working plate that slides with respect to the chamber, it is possible to prevent the endoscope from being accidentally dropped in the gravity direction during the disposing work of the endoscope. be able to. Other actions and effects are similar to those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining another structure of the endoscope autoclave device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the autoclave device 4 of the present embodiment
In 0B, a door 61 for sealing the chamber 60 can be opened and closed on the ceiling side, and the endoscope holding plate 50 is arranged on the bottom surface of the chamber 60 which is the gravity direction surface. The endoscope holding plate 50 is fixedly arranged on the bottom surface by, for example, a pair of slidable hooks 62 that are capable of projecting and retracting.

The slide hook 62 is retracted into the side wall of the chamber 60 by performing a pushing operation, and when the pushing operation is stopped, the sliding hook 62 naturally returns to the original projected state (state shown in the figure) by the urging force. It is configured. Further, although the opening of the chamber 60 faces the ceiling side, it is inclined to the operator side in consideration of workability.

The operation of the autoclave device 40B configured as described above will be described. The endoscope holding plate 50 is previously arranged on the bottom surface of the chamber 60 between examinations. In this state, since the endoscope holding plate 50 is located in the substantially gravity direction and is already placed in the chamber 60, the endoscope 2 is placed on the holding member 52 of the endoscope holding plate 50. There is no fear of dropping the endoscope 2 on the floor during work.

Further, as described in the second embodiment, the work for moving the work plate 56 in and out of the chamber 60 is not necessary. Furthermore, when the endoscope 2 is removed from the endoscope holding plate 50 after sterilization, the slide hook 62 is used.
Since the movement of the endoscope holding plate 50 is restricted by the, the endoscope holding plate 50 is reliably prevented from coming out of the chamber 60 when the endoscope 2 is removed.

By thus disposing the endoscope holding plate on the bottom surface of the chamber, the workability of disposing the endoscope in a predetermined shape can be greatly improved. Other actions and effects are similar to those of the above-described embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Additional Notes] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention as described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) In an autoclave device for an endoscope in which a chamber in which an endoscope is placed is filled with high-pressure steam to sterilize the endoscope under high-pressure steam, the endoscope is placed in the chamber and the endoscope is installed. An autoclave device for an endoscope having an endoscope holding means provided with a holding member for holding at least the soft insertion part of the above in a predetermined shape.

(2) An endoscope autoclave apparatus provided with a positioning means for detachably disposing the endoscope holding means at a predetermined position in the chamber.

(3) An endoscope autoclave apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the positioning means is provided on a door that seals the chamber, and the endoscope holding means is arranged on the door.

(4) The endoscope autoclave apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the positioning means is provided on a work plate slidable with respect to the chamber, and the endoscope holding means is arranged on the work plate.

(5) The endoscope autoclave apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the positioning means is provided at a predetermined position on the side wall of the chamber, and the endoscope holding means is arranged at the bottom of the chamber.

(6) Having an endoscope housing body for housing the endoscope holding means in the state where the endoscope is arranged, and holding the endoscope in the state where the endoscope is arranged in the chamber. The autoclave device for an endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the endoscope housing body containing the means can be stored.

(7) The endoscope autoclave apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the holding member holds the direction of gravity and the lateral direction of the endoscope.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the endoscope is used immediately after sterilization and when the sterilized state of the endoscope is maintained for a while after sterilization, It is possible to provide an endoscope autoclave device capable of performing autoclave sterilization by arranging the soft insertion portion in a predetermined shape and disposing it in a chamber.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an autoclave device for an endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an endoscope holding plate arranged in a chamber.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the endoscope autoclave device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another configuration of the endoscope autoclave device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Endoscope 40 ... Autoclave device 42 ... Chamber 43 ... Door 46 ... Door hook 50 ... Endoscope holding plate 51 ... long hole 52 ... Holding member

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An autoclave device for an endoscope in which a chamber in which an endoscope is placed is filled with high-pressure steam to sterilize the endoscope under high-pressure steam, wherein the endoscope is placed in the chamber and An autoclave device for an endoscope, comprising an endoscope holding means provided with a holding member for holding at least the soft insertion portion in a predetermined shape. 2. The endoscopic autoclave apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning means for detachably disposing the endoscope holding means at a predetermined position in the chamber.