JP2006026233A - Washing and disinfecting apparatus for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing and disinfecting apparatus for an endoscope which facilitates installation of the endoscope in a washing tub and connection between the apparatus and a connection port of each endoscope conduit arranged within the endoscope. <P>SOLUTION: The washing and disinfecting apparatus for the endoscope is used for washing and disinfecting the outer surface of an endoscope main body having an insertion section extending from an operation section and a plurality of the endoscope conduits arranged within the endoscope main body. An attachable and detachable central tower is arranged in the almost middle of the washing and disinfecting tub, and the operation section is installed in the washing and disinfecting tub. An endoscope connecting section for connecting to at least one of the endoscope conduits of the endoscope main body is provided on the central tower, and the endoscope connecting section is connected to a fluid supplying means for supplying a fluid into the endoscope conduits. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for automatically cleaning and disinfecting a used endoscope.

  Endoscopes used for the purpose of inspection and treatment in body cavities are not only the outer surface of the insertion part to be inserted into the body cavity, but also each endoscope such as an air supply / water supply line and a suction line that also serves as a forceps channel. Waste also adheres in the pipeline. Therefore, it is necessary to clean and disinfect used endoscopes.

  In general, when an endoscope cleaning process and a disinfection process are performed using a cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-263066), a cleaning process, a rinsing process, and a disinfecting process are performed. A process and an alcohol flush process are performed.

  In the washing process, first, washing water is supplied into the washing / disinfecting tank, and after the washing water reaches a predetermined water level, washing is started. The washing water is circulated and the outer surface of the endoscope is washed by the water flow. Further, in each endoscope conduit, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning / disinfecting layer is sucked with a circulation pump, and cleaning is performed with water pressure discharged from the circulation pump. At this time, the cleaning efficiency is increased by the ultrasonic vibrator provided in the cleaning layer.

  When the washing process is completed, before the process proceeds to the disinfection process, the process proceeds to the disinfection process after the rinsing process in which the washing water is washed out with tap water. In the disinfection process, instead of the washing water flowed in the washing process described above, the disinfecting liquid diluted to a predetermined concentration is flowed into the washing / disinfecting tank, and the circulation pump sucks the disinfecting liquid in the washing / disinfecting tank, Supply disinfectant solution into the tube. Further, the endoscope is sterilized by being immersed in a disinfecting solution for a predetermined time. Then, after the sterilization process is completed in a predetermined manner, the endoscope is alcohol-flushed or the like and dried in a predetermined manner, and the series of processes is completed.

In addition, in the used endoscope, filth easily adheres to the suction pipe through which the forceps are inserted. For this reason, an endoscope cleaning device that moves the wire brush forward and backward relative to the inside of the suction pipe and cleans the inside of the endoscope pipe is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-310550.
JP 2002-263066 A JP 2003-310550 A

  As described above, cleaning and disinfection of the endoscope must be performed not only on the outer surface of the endoscope but also in the endoscope channel. When installing the endoscope in the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-263066, the user arranges the operation unit along a predetermined wall surface at the back of the cleaning tank, and the endoscope tube Depending on the number of roads, it is necessary to connect multiple cleaning tubes, and it takes time to arrange the operation section and connect the cleaning tubes, which increases the time required for cleaning and disinfection. There is a problem that the rate becomes low.

  Moreover, in order to wash | clean an insertion part reliably, it is preferable that an endoscope receives efficiently the washing | cleaning liquid given the vibration by the ultrasonic vibrator arrange | positioned under the bottom face of a washing tank. In particular, the distal end portion of the insertion portion is provided with an opening of an endoscope duct, and has a complicated shape with various members. Therefore, dirt and mucous membranes are easily attached, and washing is most required. This is the part. Therefore, the cleaning efficiency is improved when the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion is installed on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank in which the ultrasonic transducer is disposed.

  However, the endoscope has a different length of the insertion portion for each model, and the operation portion is arranged along a predetermined wall surface behind the washing tub as described above. Therefore, in the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-263066, the position at which the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion is arranged on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank is not specified for each model, and ultrasonic vibration is performed. There is a problem that the child has to be provided everywhere under the bottom surface of the washing tank, resulting in high manufacturing costs.

  Furthermore, in an endoscope cleaning apparatus that cleans the suction pipe by moving the wire brush described in JP-A-2003-310550 forward and backward with respect to the suction pipe, the wire brush is a consumable item. Need to be replaced regularly or every time. Since this wire brush is longer than the length of the endoscope insertion portion, there is a problem in that the operation of inserting and setting a long wire portion into the apparatus at the time of replacement is complicated and unusable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and facilitates the installation of an endoscope in a cleaning / disinfecting tank and connection to connection ports such as pipes provided in the endoscope. Regardless of the endoscope model, the distal end of the endoscope insertion part can be securely placed on the ultrasonic vibrator of the washing tank, and an easily replaceable brush is automatically supplied to the endoscope conduit. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for brushing and cleaning the inside.

To achieve the above object, an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to the present invention includes an outer surface of an endoscope body having an insertion portion extending from an operation portion, and a plurality of endoscopes provided in the endoscope body. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting a mirror duct, wherein a removable central tower is disposed at a substantially central portion of the cleaning and disinfecting tank to which the operation unit is attached, and the endoscope is disposed on the central tower. An endoscope connecting portion that connects to at least one endoscope conduit of a mirror body is provided, and fluid supply means that can supply fluid to the endoscope conduit is communicated with the endoscope connecting portion. It is a feature.
Further, the central tower is characterized in that it is rotatable through a rotating means.
At least one vibration generating means is disposed on the bottom surface of the washing / disinfecting tank, and the positional deviation between the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope main body mounted on the central tower and the vibration generating means is determined on the central tower. It is characterized by adjusting by turning.
The central tower includes a storage unit that stores a wire-shaped cleaning brush, and a driving unit that sends the cleaning brush to the endoscope connection unit side or pulls the cleaning brush back to the storage unit side, and The cleaning brush is moved forward and backward in the endoscope pipeline to wash the endoscope pipeline.

  According to the present invention, it is easy to install the endoscope main body in the washing tub and to connect to the connection ports such as pipes provided in the endoscope main body, regardless of the type of endoscope. An endoscope in which the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion can be reliably disposed on the ultrasonic vibrator of the washing tank, and an easily replaceable washing brush is automatically supplied to wash the inside of the suction pipe of the endoscope A washing and disinfecting device can be realized.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, FIG. 2 is a perspective view mainly showing a cleaning tank of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration in the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the washing tub as viewed from below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 2 includes an apparatus main body 3 and a cleaning / disinfecting tank (hereinafter abbreviated as a cleaning tank) 4 in which an endoscope main body, which is a cleaning / disinfecting object, is installed. And a cleaning cover 5 for opening and closing the upper part of the cleaning tank 4.

  The apparatus main body 3 includes a sub operation panel 51 in which various display units such as a cleaning time display unit and a disinfection time display unit and various buttons such as a function check button and a disinfectant preparation button are disposed on the front surface, and the sub operation panel 51. Are provided with an alcohol indicator 53, a detergent indicator 54, and a front door 3a below them. Further, the apparatus main body 3 has a drain hose 82a extending from the lower back and is connected to an external drain through the drain hose 82a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the washing tub 4 has a substantially cylindrical housing recess 4b for installing an endoscope at the center, and an edge 4a around the periphery. A detergent nozzle 22, a disinfecting liquid nozzle 23, and a water supply / circulation nozzle 24, which will be described later, are arranged at one corner of the upper surface of the washing tub 4 so as to face the opening of the housing recess 4b. The accommodation recess 4b has a drain port 42 on the bottom surface and a circulation port 21 on the inner peripheral surface. The washing tub 4 includes a main operation panel 55 in which various buttons such as a start button and various display units such as a stage display unit for the cleaning and disinfecting process are disposed on the upper surface of the front edge 4a, and a rear edge. The water supply hose connection port 14b to which the other end of the water supply hose 80a to which the water tap and one end are connected is connected to the corner of the portion 4a. A power switch 56 is provided on the front surface of the washing tub 4.

  In addition, a turntable 8 serving as a rotating means is disposed in a central region of the housing recess 4b, and a removable central tower 70 described later is installed on the turntable 8.

Next, the internal configuration of the apparatus body 3 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the apparatus main body 3, a detergent tank 11 for storing a liquid detergent, a disinfecting liquid tank 12 for storing a disinfecting liquid diluted to a predetermined concentration, an alcohol tank 13 for storing alcohol, and a water tap A water filter 14 and an air filter 15 for filtering tap water supplied from 80 are provided. The disinfectant tank 12 is fixed in the apparatus main body 3, and the detergent tank 11, the alcohol tank 13, the water filter 14, and the air filter 15 are placed on the trays 11a and 13a to 15a, respectively. Each of the trays 11a, 13a to 15a can be pulled forward by opening the front door 3a (see FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body 3, and can be refilled with a predetermined liquid or a part can be replaced. it can.

  On the other hand, since the disinfecting liquid tank 12 is fixed in the apparatus main body 3, when the disinfecting liquid tank 12 is replenished with the disinfecting liquid, the front door of the apparatus main body 3 is opened and the bottle fixed inside the apparatus. This is done by connecting a disinfectant bottle 17 filled with a disinfectant concentrate to the connector 16. At that time, the tap water filtered by the water filter 14 is supplied to the disinfectant tank 12 through the dilution valve 18. The tap water from the tap 80 is sent to the water filter 14 by opening the valve inside the water supply valve 14A. Accordingly, the disinfecting liquid tank 12 stores the disinfecting liquid diluted to a predetermined concentration. FIG. 3 shows a state where the trays 11a and 13a to 15a are pulled out.

  The detergent nozzle 22 is connected to one end of the detergent pipeline 22 a, and one end of the detergent pipeline 22 a is connected to the detergent tank 11. A detergent pump 27 is interposed in the middle of the detergent conduit 22a. The disinfecting liquid nozzle 23 is connected to one end of the disinfecting liquid pipe line 23 a, and the other end of the disinfecting liquid pipe line 23 a is connected to the disinfecting liquid tank 12. A chemical pump 28 is interposed in the middle of the disinfecting liquid conduit 23a. Further, the water supply / circulation nozzle 24 is connected to one end of the water supply / circulation conduit 24a, and is connected to the other end of the water supply / circulation conduit 24a via the three-way switching valve 29, It is possible to selectively communicate with each other. In a state where the water supply / circulation nozzle 24 is connected to the water filter 14 side via the three-way switching valve 29, tap water filtered by the water filter 14 from the water supply / circulation nozzle 24 is discharged into the housing recess 4 b of the washing tub 4. Is done. On the other hand, in a state where the water supply / circulation nozzle 24 is connected to the fluid pump 30 via the three-way switching valve 29, the washing water or the disinfecting water stored in the washing tank 4 taken from the circulation port 21 is stored in the washing tank 4. It is discharged and circulated into the housing recess 4b. Although not shown in FIG. 3, a high pressure nozzle (not shown) is connected between the water supply / circulation nozzle 24 and the three-way switching valve 29 via a high pressure pump, and the water supply / circulation nozzle 24 is also connected from this high pressure nozzle. A liquid (tap water, washing water, etc.) similar to the above is ejected into the accommodating recess 4b by high pressure. Due to the liquid discharged from the high-pressure nozzle and the water supply / circulation nozzle 24, a water flow is generated in the housing recess 4b of the cleaning tank 4, and the outer surface of the endoscope body 101 described later is cleaned and rinsed by this water flow.

  In addition, the circulation port 21 communicates with a CH (channel) block 31 that is a four-way switching valve, and a CH (channel) pump 32 and cleaning water or disinfecting water are supplied to this communication path in order from the circulation port 21. (Channel) A check valve 33 is provided to prevent flow toward the pump 32. By driving the CH pump 32, the washing water or disinfecting water stored in the housing recess 4b is supplied to the CH block 31 side.

  Further, the CH block 31 communicates with the air filter 15 via the air check valve 35. The air check valve 35 prevents liquid (tap water, washing water, disinfecting water) from flowing to the air filter 15 side. The air filter 15 communicates with the compressor 34, and compressed air from the compressor 34 is discharged to the CH block 31 side through the air filter 15. A pipe line communicating with the exhaust valve 42 a branches from a pipe line between the compressor 34 and the air filter 15, and the exhaust valve 42 a adjusts the pressure of the compressed air from the compressor 34.

  Further, the CH block 31 communicates with the alcohol tank 13, and an alcohol pump 13A and an alcohol valve 36 are provided in the middle of the CH block 31 from the alcohol tank 13 side. The alcohol in the alcohol tank 13 is supplied to the CH block 31 via the alcohol valve 36 by the alcohol pump 13A.

  The liquid (tap water, washing water, disinfecting water) supplied to the CH block 31 described above is provided with a relief valve 7a on the turntable 8 provided on the bottom surface of the washing tank 4 through the CH block 31 for each process. It is fed from the fluid supply line 7 that is interposed.

The drain port 42 described above is disposed on the bottom surface of the housing recess 4b of the washing tub 4, and a switching valve 43 is provided at the drain port. The switching valve 43 communicates with the disinfecting liquid tank 12 and returns the disinfecting liquid stored in the housing recess 4 b of the washing tank 4 to the disinfecting liquid tank 12 by selectively switching the valve. The switching valve 43 communicates with an external drain port 82 through a drain pipe 44a in order to discharge washing water, rinsing water, and the like to the outside. In the middle of the switching valve 43 and the drainage pipe 44a, a drainage pump 44 is provided for sucking the washing water, rinsing water, etc. stored in the housing recess 4b of the washing tank 4 and sending them out to the outside. . Further, the drain port 42 of the washing tub 4 communicates with the CH block 31 and a bypass valve 45 is interposed in the middle thereof.
The disinfecting liquid stored in the disinfecting liquid tank 12 and diluted to a predetermined concentration is replaced every predetermined number of times of the disinfecting process. When replacing the disinfecting liquid, the disinfecting liquid tank 12 communicates with the disinfecting liquid drain port 48, and the disinfecting liquid is discharged from the disinfecting liquid drain port 48 to the outside.

  In addition, the various pumps, various valves, various devices, and the like described above are controlled for each process by a control circuit 46 provided inside the apparatus main body 3. The control circuit 46 is supplied with electric power from an external outlet 81 via an electric cable via a power supply device 47.

  Four ultrasonic transducers (hereinafter abbreviated as US transducers) 6 are disposed below the bottom surface of the housing recess 4b of the washing tub 4 (see FIG. 4). Each US vibrator 6 is a vibration generating means for applying ultrasonic vibration to a liquid (tap water, washing liquid). Note that at least one US vibrator 6 is not limited to four, and may be four or more. Although not shown, a position display is provided on the bottom surface of the housing recess 4b of the washing tub 4 so that the position of the US vibrator 6 can be identified.

  A turntable 8 serving as a rotating means disposed at the center of the bottom surface of the housing recess 4b has a substantially disk shape, and a central tower 70 is detachably installed on the turntable 8. The turntable 8 communicates with the CH block 31 via the fluid supply line 7. That is, the liquid (tap water, washing water, disinfecting water, alcohol) supplied to the CH block 31 is supplied to the inside of the central tower 70 via the flowing liquid supply pipe 7, the relief valve 7 a and the turntable 8. . The rotary table 8 is provided with a brush drive motor, which will be described later. The brush drive motor is driven and controlled by a brush drive circuit 9.

Next, the configuration of the turntable 8 and the central tower 70 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.
5 is a top view of the central tower installed on the turntable, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the central tower, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state where the central tower is installed on the turntable, and FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the central tower cut along line AA in FIG. 5, and FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the central tower cut along line BB in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the central tower 70 installed on the turntable 8 of the housing recess 4 b has a substantially cylindrical shape (see FIG. 1) with a part cut off substantially vertically as viewed from above. The side surface cut off substantially vertically becomes an endoscope connector portion 78 which is an endoscope connection portion to which an operation portion of an endoscope described later is attached. Further, the turntable 8 has a substantially disc shape, a bearing hole 62 that is a hole drilled in a substantially central part, and two connector hole parts 65 that are holes drilled on the outer peripheral side. 66.

  As shown in FIG. 6, inside the central tower 70, there are a substantially semi-cylindrical internal space, that is, a wire storage portion 70a having a substantially semicircular cross-sectional shape, and the wire storage portion 70a and one end. It has a wire insertion passage 70c that communicates with the endoscope connector portion 78 and a suction line connection portion 76 that communicates with the other end of the wire insertion passage 70c. Further, a roller storage portion 70b is provided in the approximate center of the wire insertion passage 70c. Further, an air / water supply pipe connection portion 77 which is a hole cut to the front of the wire storage portion 70a is provided from the side surface of the endoscope connector portion 78 of the central tower 70.

  The wire portion 71b of the cleaning brush 71 is stored in the wire storage portion 70a. On the bottom surface of the wire storage portion 70a, there is an opening of a suction pipe side supply passage 72 to which liquid (tap water, washing water, disinfecting water, alcohol) from the inside of the apparatus is supplied. The cleaning brush 71 has a brush portion 71a attached to the tip of the wire portion 71b. Moreover, the wire part 71b is accommodated in the wire accommodating part 70a in the state wound by the coil shape, and has predetermined | prescribed flexibility.

  One end of each of the suction pipe connection part 76 and the air / water supply pipe connection part 77 is opened in the endoscope connector part 78. The other end of the air / water supply pipe connection part 77 communicates with the air / water supply pipe side supply path 79, and liquid (tap water, washing water, disinfecting water, alcohol) from the inside of the apparatus is supplied. . Further, the central tower 70 is provided with a magnet unit 75 along the outer surface of the endoscope connector part 78.

A first roller 73 that is a driving side roller and a second roller 74 that is a passive side roller having an outer peripheral surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the first roller 73 are rotatably provided in the roller storage portion 70b. It has been. The first and second rollers 73 and 74 have roller shafts 73a and 74a, respectively.
The wire portion 71 b of the cleaning brush 71 is pressed between the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second rollers 73 and 74. The cleaning brush 71 is inserted through the first and second rollers 73 and 74 to the opening of the suction conduit connection portion 76, and the brush portion 71 a is accommodated in the suction conduit connection portion 76.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the roller shaft 73 a of the first roller 73 protrudes from the lower surface of the central tower 70 and is engaged and joined to the bearing hole 62 of the turntable 8. The central tower 70 is provided with an air / water supply pipe side supply path 79 and has an air / water supply pipe side connector pipe 85 protruding from the lower surface of the central tower 70, and a connector hole 65 of the turntable 8. The air / water supply pipe side connector pipe 85 is engaged and joined. When the O-ring 85a provided on the outer peripheral portion of the air / water supply conduit side connector tube 85 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the connector hole 65, the joint portion between the connector hole 65 and the air / water supply conduit side connector tube 85 is formed. It is kept watertight.

  Further, the central tower 70 is provided with a suction pipe side supply path 72 and has a suction pipe side connector pipe 86 protruding from the lower surface of the central tower 70, and the suction pipe side connector pipe is formed in the connector hole 66 of the turntable 8. 86 is engaged and joined. The O-ring 86a provided on the outer periphery of the suction pipe side connector pipe 86 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the connector hole 66, so that the joint portion between the connector hole 66 and the suction pipe side connector pipe 86 is kept watertight. ing. The central tower 70 may be a disposable type or a reuse type. In this embodiment, the central tower 70 is a disposable type.

  Note that the connector hole portions 65 and 66 of the turntable 8 are provided on the upper surface of the turntable 8 at positions that are not point-symmetric with respect to the bearing hole portion 62 located at the approximate center thereof. Therefore, the positions at which the connector pipes 85 and 86 and the roller shaft 73a of the central tower 70 are respectively engaged are determined, so that the central tower 70 can be arranged only at a predetermined position of the turntable 8. . Therefore, the central tower 70 is prevented from being installed at an incorrect position on the turntable 8.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the turntable 8 has an annular groove 8c so that both surfaces of the outer peripheral portion have two flange shapes. This turntable 8 is disposed through an O-ring 64 in which an annular groove 8c can slide in a circular hole formed in the bottom surface of the housing recess 4b. Accordingly, the turntable 8 is rotatable with respect to the housing recess 4 b, and the joint portion between the housing recess 4 b and the turntable 8 is kept watertight by the slidable O-ring 64.

  A motor 61 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the lower surface of the turntable 8. The motor 61 has a motor shaft 67 that engages with the roller shaft 73a of the first roller 73 (see FIG. 8). The rotation of the first roller 73 is transmitted by engagement with the motor shaft 67 by driving the motor 61. The first roller 73 moves the wire portion 71b that is in contact with the outer peripheral surface in and out of the central tower 70 in accordance with the rotation. In other words, the wire portion 71 b that is in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second rollers 73 and 74 is pressed against the first and second rollers 73 and 74 by the rotation of the first roller 73, while being centered. It is moved back and forth inside and outside the tower 70. At this time, since the second roller 74 can freely rotate, the second roller 74 rotates as the wire portion 71b moves forward and backward due to the rotation of the first roller 73. Thus, within the long range of the wire portion 71 b, the cleaning brush 71 is moved from the inside of the suction pipe connection portion 76 of the central tower 70 to the outside by the rotation of the first and second rollers 73 and 74. It is sent out or pulled back toward the central tower 70 within the long range of the wire portion 71b. As described above, as shown in FIG. 9, the wire portion 71b is housed in a coil shape in the wire housing portion 70a.

The motor shaft 67 has an O-ring 67 a on the outer peripheral portion and is inserted into the bearing hole portion 62. The O-ring 67a of the motor shaft 67 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole 62, so that the water tightness between the motor 61 side and the housing recess 4b is maintained.
The turntable 8 has tube connection portions 8a and 8b that protrude from the lower surface and communicate with the connector hole portions 65 and 66, respectively. The liquid connection tubes 83a and 83b are respectively connected to the tube connection portions 8a and 8b. It is connected.

Next, a circuit configuration of the control circuit 46 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the circuit configuration of the control circuit.
As shown in FIG. 10, the control circuit 46 which is a CPU board includes an ultrasonic (US) control circuit 49 on the output side, various pumps, electromagnetic valves and brush drive circuits 9 which are driving systems, and various sensors on the input side. And various operation panels 51 and 55 are connected.

  The control circuit 46 is connected to a power supply device 47 (see FIG. 3), receives various signals from the various operation panels 51 and 55 of the washing tub 4, receives various signals as a drive system on the output side, various electromagnetic valves, and the like. Supply drive power to Furthermore, the control circuit 46 is supplied with various detection signals from various sensors (pressure sensor, water level sensor, position detection sensor, etc.) which are sensor systems on the input side, and based on the information of these various detection signals, Control the drive system. Various sensors (pressure sensor, water level sensor, position detection sensor) are provided in the washing tub 4 although not shown. Further, the control circuit 46 supplies a control signal to the US control circuit 49 in accordance with various cleaning / disinfecting process programs set on the various operation panels 51 and 55, and an ultrasonic (US) vibrator is based on the control signal. 6 is supplied with a drive signal and is driven.

  As described above, the cleaning brush 71 is driven to move in and out of the central tower 70 by the driving means constituted by the first and second rollers 73 and 74 of the central tower 70, the motor 61 of the turntable 8, and the brush drive circuit 9. Is done.

Here, with reference to FIG. 11, the configuration of the endoscope 100 employed in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the endoscope.
As shown in FIG. 11, the endoscope 100 includes an endoscope main body 101 and a universal cord 103. The endoscope main body 101 and the universal cord 103 are configured to be separable. The universal code 103 is a disposable type and is discarded every time the endoscopic examination is completed. Therefore, the endoscope body 101 is the only part that requires cleaning and disinfection.

  The endoscope main body 101 includes an operation unit 104 on the hand side and an insertion unit 105 extending from the operation unit 104. Further, a scope connector portion 105 a is provided on the proximal side of the insertion portion 105, and a cord side connector portion 103 a provided at the base end of the universal cord 103 is joined to the scope connector portion 105 a. In addition, although not shown in figure, both the connector parts 105a and 103a are joined with an electromagnet. That is, at the time of joining, in a state where the cord side connector portion 103a is positioned at a predetermined position on the scope connector portion 105a, the magnet 102 provided on the scope connector portion 105a and the magnet unit 102a provided on the cord side connector portion 103a are attracted to each other. The connector parts 105a and 103a are joined and fixed. The connection between the connector portions 105a and 103a may be a mechanical joining method other than an electromagnet.

  The insertion portion 105 of the endoscope main body 101 is provided with a suction conduit 106 representing an endoscope conduit, an air / water supply conduit 107 and the like from the scope connector portion 105a to the distal end side, and a distal end surface ( It is opened in the endoscope front end surface. In addition, the universal cord 103 is communicated with a pipe cap (not shown) in a state where the suction pipe 106, the air / water supply pipe 107, etc. of the endoscope main body 101 and the connector parts 105a and 103a are joined. Pipe lines 106a and 107a are provided. The cord side connector portion 103a has a forceps port 108 branchingly connected to the suction conduit 106a. The forceps port 109 is freely closed by a forceps plug 109A.

  The scope connector portion 105a provided on the universal cord 103 is connected to an endoscope control unit (not shown). The endoscope control unit includes a valve for supplying negative pressure to the suction conduit 106, a valve for supplying water to the suction conduit 106 (107b), and air supply or water supply to the air supply / water supply conduit 107 (106b). A switching valve or the like is provided.

  On the other hand, an imaging element 110 such as a CCD and an illumination element 111 such as an LED are disposed on the distal end surface of the endoscope body 101. Both elements 110 and 111 are connected to an endoscope-side control circuit (not shown) provided in the operation unit 104. This endoscope-side control circuit has a built-in power supply circuit, and supplies light emission power to the illumination element 111. Furthermore, the endoscope side control circuit includes a receiving unit that receives an image signal captured by the image sensor 110, an operation signal input unit, and the like.

  On the outer periphery of the operation unit 104, operation switches such as a track ball 113 for bending the endoscope distal end and scope switches 114a, 114b, 114c for performing various operations such as air / water supply are arranged. The operation signals from these operation switches are input to an operation signal input unit provided in the endoscope side control circuit.

  In the endoscope control unit, an endoscope image is displayed on a monitor (not shown) which is an external device based on a signal transmitted from the endoscope side control circuit 112, and each operation signal corresponds to each operation signal. Valves communicating with the pipes 106 (106b) and 107 (107b) are operated to perform control operations such as air supply / water supply.

  As described above, control operations such as air supply / water supply for the pipes 106 (106b) and 107 (107b) are performed by the valves provided in the endoscope control unit. Each of the pipes 106 and 107 has no built-in mechanism for operating a valve or the like, and each of the pipes 106 and 107 is disposed substantially straight.

Further, a contact sensor 105 </ b> A is disposed on the outer periphery of the distal end of the insertion portion 105 of the endoscope main body 101. This contact sensor 105A detects, for example, the contact pressure on the distal end side of the insertion portion 105 with the body cavity wall. Further, an angle member (not shown) made of EPAM (electroactive polymer) is provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 105 to bend the distal end portion of the insertion portion 105 in accordance with the operation of the trackball 113 of the operation portion 104. ing.
Although not shown, the endoscope side control circuit, which is a power source control means of the endoscope main body 101, has a memory element. The memory element includes various information of the endoscope main body 101, Various recognition information is recorded.

  The endoscope connector portion 78 (FIG. 6) of the central tower 70 basically has the same configuration as the cord side connector portion 103a provided in the universal cord 103 described above. Specifically, in the endoscope connector part 78 of the endoscope main body 101, the suction pipe connection part 76 and the air / water supply pipe connection part 77 are provided in the scope connector part 105 a of the endoscope main body 101. The suction pipe 106 and the air / water supply pipe 107 are disposed at positions corresponding to the base ends. The scope connector portion 105 a is attracted and fixed to a predetermined connection position of the endoscope connector portion 78 by the magnetic force of the magnet unit 75 provided in the magnet unit 102 and the endoscope connector portion 78. At this time, the suction pipe connection portion 76 of the central tower 70 is connected to the suction pipe 106 of the endoscope main body 101 and the air / water supply pipe connection portion 77 is connected to the air / water supply pipe 107.

Next, about the operation | movement which installs the endoscope main body 101 in the accommodation recessed part 4b of the washing tank 4 when wash | cleaning and disinfecting using the endoscope washing / disinfecting apparatus 2 of this embodiment comprised in this way. This will be described based on the procedure of step (S) in the flowchart of FIG.
After the end of the endoscopic examination, the user removes the universal code 103 from the endoscope main body 101 of the endoscope 100 and discards the universal code 103. The endoscope main body 101 is simply preliminarily washed at the bedside where the patient has been laid down (S1). Next, the user performs the main cleaning of the endoscope at the sink (S2). Thus, the endoscope main body 101 thus cleaned is ready for the cleaning / disinfecting process by the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 2.

  First, the cleaning cover 5 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 2 is opened, and the central tower 70 is installed on the turntable 8 of the housing recess 4b of the cleaning tank 4 (S3). At this time, the user uses the central tower 70 in which the cleaning brush 71 suitable for the various endoscope channels 106 and 107 of the endoscope main body 101 to be cleaned and disinfected is stored. As shown in FIG. 7, the central tower 70 is connected to the connector hole portions 65 and 66 and the bearing hole portion 62 of the turntable 8 with an air / water supply pipe side connector pipe 85, a suction pipe side connector pipe 86 and a roller. Each of the shafts 73a is engaged in a predetermined manner and is installed so as to be positioned in a predetermined direction with respect to the turntable 8.

  Next, in step S <b> 4, the endoscope main body 101 is installed in the housing recess 4 b of the cleaning tank 4. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the user faces the endoscope connector portion 78 of the central tower 70 on the side surface of the scope connector portion 105 a of the operation unit 104. At this time, the user rotates the central tower 70 so that the endoscope connector section 78 is on the near side, and the side surface of the scope connector section 105a is opposed to the endoscope connector section 78 of the central tower 70. be able to. A holding net (not shown) is laid on the bottom surface of the housing recess 4 b of the cleaning / disinfecting tank 4. The scope connector portion 105a basically has the same configuration as the cord-side connector portion 103a of the universal cord 103, and has a structure that can be joined to each other. That is, when the magnet unit 75 provided in the endoscope connector portion 78 and the magnet unit 102 of the scope connector portion 105a are attracted, the endoscope connector portion 78 and the scope connector portion 105a are fixed. At this time, the suction pipe connection portion 76 of the central tower 70 is connected to the suction pipe 106 of the endoscope main body 101 and the air / water supply pipe connection portion 77 is connected to the air / water supply pipe 107 correspondingly.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the user sets the endoscope main body 101 in the washing tub 4, the suction conduit 106 and the air / water supply conduit 107 of the endoscope main body 101 and the suction conduit of the central tower 70 are arranged. There is no need to connect the connecting portion 76 and the air / water supply pipe connecting portion 77 using a tube or the like. Therefore, the time required for connecting a tube or the like can be significantly shortened, and tube connection mistakes and connection failures do not occur, and each of the ducts 106 and 107 of the endoscope body 101 and the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 2 can be surely performed. It is possible to easily connect the pipe connection portions 76 and 77 on the side (the central tower 70). Further, when the user installs the endoscope main body 101 in the cleaning tub 4, the central tower 70 is positioned at the approximate center of the housing recess 4 b of the cleaning tub 4, and the endoscope connector portion 78 is on the near side. Since it can be rotated, the attachment and connection of the endoscope connector part 78 and the scope connector part 105a are facilitated.

  Next, the user rotates the central tower 70, and as shown in FIG. 15, the distal end portion of the insertion portion 105 of the endoscope 101 has four transducers 6 provided below the bottom surface of the housing recess 4 b. Among these, it arrange | positions on the vibrator | oscillator 6 near the front-end | tip part of the insertion part 105 (S5). At this time, the user can easily recognize the position of the US vibrator 6 on the bottom surface of the housing recess 4b by a position display (not shown). Therefore, the position shift of the US vibrator 6 can be easily adjusted by rotating the central tower 70 at the distal end of the insertion portion 105.

  Then, the user closes the cleaning cover 5, turns on the power switch 56, sets various process programs for cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope main body 101 using the various operation panels 55 and 56, and presses the start switch (S6). . At this time, the length information of the insertion portion 105 of the endoscope body 101 to be cleaned and disinfected is input. Then, power is turned on to the control circuit 46 built in the apparatus main body 3, and the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 2 starts cleaning / disinfecting the endoscope main body 101. The endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 2 and the endoscope main body 101 are each provided with an antenna that wirelessly transmits and receives various information signals, various recognition information signals, and the like recorded by the memory element of the endoscope main body 101. The control circuit 46 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 2 may recognize the length information of the insertion unit 105 based on various information signals and various recognition information signals from the endoscope main body 101. .

Next, various steps of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S11 shown in FIG. 16, the input of the start switch is awaited, and when the start switch is turned on (S12), the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the water supply valve 14A is opened and water supply is started from the tap. When starting the water supply, first, the three-way switching valve 29 is operated to connect the water supply / circulation nozzle 24 to the water filter 14 side. Then, the tap water filtered by the water filter 14 is supplied from the water supply / circulation nozzle 24 to the housing recess 4 b of the washing tub 4. At this time, the water level in the housing recess 4b is detected by a water level sensor (not shown) or the like, and the end time of water supply is monitored. When the water level stored in the housing recess 4b reaches the set water level, the three-way switching valve 29 is operated again, the connection between the water supply / circulation nozzle 24 and the water filter 14 side is interrupted, and the water supply ends ( S14).

  Next, in step S <b> 15, the CH pump 32 is driven and the tap water in the housing recess 4 b is sucked from the circulation port 21. This tap water flows from the CH pump 32 to the connector holes 65 and 66 of the turntable 8 via the check valve 33 and the CH blocks 31 and 7a, and the suction pipe side supply path 72 and the air supply / feed of the central tower 70. It is sent to the water pipe side supply path 79. Then, the tap water passes through the suction pipe side supply path 72 and is supplied from the suction pipe connection part 76 to the suction pipe 106 of the endoscope main body 101 through the wire storage part 70a. The air supply / water supply pipe 107 of the endoscope main body 101 is supplied from the suction pipe connection part 76 through 79.

  In addition, tap water is supplied to the pipes 106 and 107 of the endoscope main body 101, and a control signal is input from the control circuit 46 to the brush drive circuit 9. The brush drive circuit 9 drives the motor 61 in a predetermined manner. Then, a predetermined rotation of the motor shaft 67 of the motor 61, that is, a counterclockwise rotation toward the paper surface of FIG. 6 is transmitted to the roller shaft 73a of the central tower 70, and the first roller 73 rotates counterclockwise. Rotated in the direction. In accordance with the rotation of the first roller 73, the wire portion 71b of the cleaning brush 71 pressed against the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second rollers 73 and 74 is in order from the wire storage portion 70a to the suction tube of the endoscope main body 101. It is sent into the path 106. That is, the brush part 71a in the suction line connection part 76 is sent out into the suction line 106 as shown in FIG.

  At this time, the control circuit 46 controls the brush drive circuit 9 based on the length information of the insertion portion 105 of the endoscope main body 101. That is, the control circuit 46 calculates the amount of rotation of the first roller 73 for sending out the wire portion 71b necessary for the brush portion 71a at the tip of the cleaning brush 71 to reach the tip opening of the suction conduit 106. The control signal is supplied to the brush drive circuit 9. Then, the brush drive circuit 9 drives and controls the first roller 73 to a predetermined rotation amount based on a control signal from the control circuit 46.

  When the brush portion 71a of the cleaning brush 71 reaches the tip opening of the suction conduit 106, the control circuit 46 controls the first roller 73 to rotate in the clockwise direction toward the paper surface of FIG. Is supplied to the brush drive circuit 9. Thus, the first roller 73 is rotated in the clockwise direction by the brush drive circuit 9, and the wire portion 71b is fed into the wire storage portion 70a, whereby the brush portion 71a is pulled back to the proximal end side of the suction conduit 106. . Even in a state where the first roller 73 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the control circuit 46 controls the brush drive circuit 9 based on the length information of the insertion portion 105 of the endoscope main body 101. .

  The rotation control of the first and second rollers 73 and 74 by the control circuit 46 and the brush drive circuit 9 for the operation of feeding and retracting the inside of the suction pipe 106 of the wire portion 71b is repeatedly performed for a certain period. Is called. Thus, when the cleaning brush 71 is moved back and forth in the suction conduit 106 of the endoscope main body 101 at a predetermined time, the brush portion 71 a brushes and cleans the interior of the suction conduit 106.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, particularly in the endoscopic examination, the inside of the suction conduit 106 to which the patient's filth, mucous membrane and the like are likely to adhere is brushed and washed, so that the internal filth and mucous membrane are reliably attached. Kimono can be washed away.

  Next, in step S16, the control circuit 46 supplies a control signal to the US control circuit 49, and the US vibrator 6 to which a drive signal is supplied from the US control circuit 49 is operated based on this control signal. The US vibrator 6 applies ultrasonic vibration to the tap water in the housing recess 4b, and the endoscope main body 101 is ultrasonically cleaned. At this time, in particular, since the distal end portion of the insertion portion 105 is disposed at the bottom surface position of the housing recess 4b in which the US vibrator 6 is provided, by receiving ultrasonic vibration from the US vibrator 6 efficiently, Ultrasonic cleaning is ensured. That is, the distal end portion of the insertion portion 105 having a complicated shape in which the openings of the pipes 106 and 107 are disposed and the members such as the imaging element 110, the illumination element 111, and the contact sensor 105A are provided By arranging the vibrator 6 at the bottom surface position of the housing recess 4b, the ultrasonic vibration transmitted to the tap water is efficiently given, and the cleaning performance of the ultrasonic cleaning is improved. Note that step S15 and step S16 described above may be performed simultaneously.

  Next, in step S17, by driving the detergent pump 27, an appropriate amount of liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank 11 is discharged from the detergent nozzle 22, and mixed with tap water stored in the washing / disinfecting tank 4, so that the washing water is discharged. Generated. And the washing process in Step S18 starts. Washing water stored in the housing recess 4b is jetted from a high pressure nozzle (not shown) in which the endoscope body 101 is provided on the outer circumferential wall surface of the housing recess 4b and the inner circumferential wall surface, and a water flow is generated in the housing recess 4b. The Further, this water flow is vibrated by driving the ultrasonic transducer 6 in step S16. As a result, the outer surface of the endoscope body 101 is washed by the washing water flow and vibration.

  Further, the three-way switching valve 29 and the CH block 31 are operated so that the circulation port 21 communicates with the water supply / circulation nozzle 24 and the turntable 8. As a result, the wash water is discharged from the water supply / circulation nozzle 24 by the driving of the fluid pump 30 and circulated. At the same time, the cleaning water is supplied to the respective pipelines 106 and 107 of the endoscope main body 101 by the discharge pressure of the CH pump 32 through the endoscope connector portion 78 of the turntable 8 and the central tower 70, and the respective pipelines 106. , 107 is cleaned.

  Since the pipes 106 and 107 of the endoscope main body 101 employed in the present embodiment do not include a valve or a mechanism for operating the valve, the pipes 106 and 107 are substantially straight, and thus have a low flow resistance. The washing water can flow smoothly, and the insides of the pipes 106 and 107 are washed evenly. In addition, the brushing washing in the suction pipe line 106 in step S15 is continued even during this washing process (S18).

  Then, the process proceeds to step S19, where it is determined whether or not the cleaning process has been completed based on whether or not the set time has been reached, and the cleaning process is continued until the set time is reached. Then, when the set time is reached, it is determined that the washing is finished, and the process proceeds to step S20, and the washing water is drained. For the drainage of the washing water, the switching valve 43 provided at the drain opening 42 opened at the bottom of the washing / disinfecting tank 4 is operated to connect the drain opening 42 and the external drain opening 82 to drive the drain pump 44. Forcibly drain.

  When the drainage is completed in a predetermined manner, the switching valve 43 is operated to close the drainage port 42, and the three-way switching valve 29 is further operated to shut off the circulation port 21 and the water supply / circulation nozzle 24, and then step S21. And the disinfection process is started.

  When the disinfecting process is started, first, the disinfecting liquid stored in the disinfecting liquid tank 12 is supplied to the disinfecting liquid nozzle 23 by driving the chemical liquid pump 28, and the disinfecting liquid is supplied from the disinfecting liquid nozzle 23 to the washing tank 4. Is supplied. In this state, since the circulation port 21 and the turntable 8 are in communication with each other, the disinfecting liquid stored in the washing tub 4 is driven through the central tower 70 by the driving of the CH pump 32. It is supplied to each pipeline 106,107. Then, after the water level of the disinfecting liquid supplied to the cleaning / disinfecting tank 4 reaches the set water level, the disinfecting liquid is circulated for a set time.

  Thereafter, when the set time is reached, the driving of the CH pump 32 is stopped, and the endoscope main body 101 is immersed in the disinfectant for the set time. Also in this case, since each of the pipelines 106 and 107 of the endoscope main body 101 according to the present embodiment is piped in a substantially straight shape, the disinfectant is evenly distributed inside the pipeline.

  Next, in step S22, the immersion time of the endoscope main body 101 is measured. When the immersion time reaches the set time, it is determined that the disinfection is completed, and the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the disinfectant is collected. Since the disinfecting liquid is repeatedly used a certain number of times, the switching valve 43 is operated, the drain port 42 is communicated with the disinfecting liquid tank 12, and the disinfecting liquid stored in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 4 is stored in the disinfecting liquid tank 12. To be recovered.

  After the disinfecting liquid is collected in the disinfecting liquid tank 12 in a predetermined manner, the process proceeds to step S14, and the rinsing process is started. When the rinsing process is started, first, the three-way switching valve 29 is driven, the water / circulation nozzle 24 is communicated with the water filter 14 side, and the tap water filtered by the water filter 14 from the water / circulation nozzle 24 is washed in the washing tank. 4 is supplied. Then, after the tap water reaches a predetermined water level, the three-way switching valve 29 is closed, and the tap water stored in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 4 is circulated as in the cleaning process. Then, after the set time has elapsed, the water is drained.

  In step S25, the number of times of rinsing N is counted, and when the number of times of rinsing N reaches the set number of times, it is determined that the rinsing process is finished. And after the tap water used in the last rinse process is drained predetermined, it progresses to step S26 and an air supply process is started. When the air supply process is started, the CH block 31 is driven, the compressor 34 and the turntable 8 are communicated, and each tube of the endoscope main body 101 is connected via the endoscope connector portion 78 of the central tower 70. Compressed air is supplied to the passages 106 and 107, and the insides of the pipelines 106 and 107 are dehydrated and dried.

  In step S27, the air supply time by the compressor 34 is counted, and when the set time is reached, it is determined that the air supply process is finished, and after the compressor 34 is stopped, the process proceeds to step S28.

  In step S28, an alcohol flush process is started. In the alcohol flushing process, first, the alcohol valve 36 is driven to connect the alcohol tank 13 and the turntable 8, and the alcohol pump 13 </ b> A is driven to drive a small amount of alcohol stored in the alcohol tank 13. The liquid is fed to the pipes 106 and 107 of the endoscope main body 101 through the endoscope connector portion 78. Next, the CH block 31 is driven again, the turntable 8 is communicated with the compressor 34, and the compressor 34 is driven so that the compressed air passes through the endoscope connector portion 78 of the central tower 70 and each of the endoscope main bodies 101. Air is sent to the pipes 106 and 107.

  Alcohol is supplied to the pipes 106 and 107 of the endoscope main body 101 together with the compressed air, and the alcohol promotes the evaporation of a slight amount of water remaining in the pipes 106 and 107. The inside is dried early.

  In step S29, the air supply time of the compressed air is measured, and when the set time is reached, it is determined that the alcohol flush process is finished, and all the processes are finished.

  Then, the user opens the cleaning cover 5, separates the scope connector part 105 a and the endoscope connector part 78, and takes out the endoscope body 101 from the cleaning tank 4. Further, since the central tower 70 is disposable, the endoscope main body 101 is removed from the turntable 8 and discarded after the endoscope main body 101 is cleaned and disinfected.

  In connection between the scope connector portion 105a and the endoscope connector portion 78, as shown in FIG. 18, the suction conduit 106 and the air / water supply conduit 107 disposed in the scope connector portion 105a of the operation portion 104. When the used endoscope body 101A having the pipe caps 106b and 107b provided in the respective openings is cleaned and disinfected, the pipe cap 106b is supplied to the suction pipe connecting section 76 and the air / water feeding pipe connecting section 77. , 107b, and the scope connector portion 105a and the endoscope connector portion 78 may be mechanically joined.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when cleaning and disinfecting the used endoscope body 101, the scope connector portion 105a formed on the endoscope body 101 is installed in the central recess installed in the housing recess 4b of the cleaning tank 4. Since the connection can be completed by attaching to 70 with one touch, complicated connection work is not required, and work efficiency can be improved. In addition, since the work efficiency is improved, the time required for cleaning and disinfection is shortened, and the operation efficiency of the endoscope 100 can be improved correspondingly.

  Moreover, since the turntable 8 is rotatable with respect to the bottom surface of the housing recess 4b of the washing tub 4, the central tower 70 installed on the turntable 8 is also rotatable according to the user's desire. Therefore, the user can rotate the endoscope connector part 78 of the central tower 70 to the front side, and the connection between the endoscope connector part 78 and the scope connector part 105a is facilitated. The cleaning tank 4 can be easily installed in the housing recess 4b.

  Furthermore, the user rotates the central tower 70 in a desired manner corresponding to the length of various insertion portions 105 depending on the endoscope 100 model, so that the US vibrator 6 arranges the distal end portion of the insertion portion 105. It can arrange | position reliably on the bottom face of the accommodation recessed part 4b provided. Therefore, regardless of the length of the insertion portion 105 depending on the model of the endoscope 100, the distal end portion can be efficiently cleaned by ultrasonic vibration. In the present embodiment, four US vibrators 6 are provided, but the central tower 70 is rotated as desired to a predetermined position on the US vibrator 6 at the installation position of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 105. Since the number of US vibrators 6 can be reduced, the cost can be reduced during manufacturing.

  In addition, since the cleaning brush 71 moves forward and backward from the central tower 70 into the suction conduit 106 where dirt and the like are most likely to adhere, the brushing cleaning is performed, so that the suction conduit 106 can be reliably cleaned. After the endoscope 101 is cleaned and disinfected, the cleaning brush 71 can be easily replaced simply by removing the central tower 70 from the turntable 8 of the cleaning tank 4.

  As a result of the above, the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 2 installs the endoscope main body 101 in the cleaning tank 4 and connects the connection ports to the pipes 106 and 107 provided in the endoscope main body 101. In addition, the cleaning brush 71 can be disposed in the suction conduit 106 with the tip portion of the insertion portion 105 reliably placed on the US vibrator 6 of the housing recess 4b and easily replaceable regardless of the endoscope model. Can be automatically fed and brushed.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

It is a perspective view which shows an endoscope cleaning disinfection apparatus. It is a perspective view which mainly shows the washing tank of an endoscope washing / disinfecting apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure in an endoscope cleaning disinfection apparatus. It is the back perspective view which looked at the washing tub from the lower part. It is the figure which looked at the central tower installed in the turntable from upper direction. It is sectional drawing of a center tower. It is a figure explaining the state by which a center tower is installed in a turntable. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which cut | disconnected the center tower along the AA line of FIG. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which cut | disconnected the center tower along the BB line of FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the circuit structure of a control circuit. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of an endoscope. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure which installs an endoscope main body in the accommodation recessed part of a washing tank. It is a figure for demonstrating the state by which an endoscope main body is installed in a center tower. It is a figure for demonstrating the state by which an endoscope main body is installed in a center tower. It is a top view of the washing tub of the state where the endoscope main body was installed in the accommodation recess. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure in which an endoscope main body is washed and disinfected. It is a figure for demonstrating the brushing washing in a suction conduit. It is a figure for demonstrating the connection of an endoscope main body and a center tower.

Explanation of symbols

2. Endoscope cleaning and disinfection device
4b ... Recessing recess
4 ... Cleaning and disinfection tank
8 ... turntable
9 ... Brush drive circuit
61 ... Motor
70 ... Central tower
71 ... Washing brush
73, 74 ... Roller
78 ... Endoscope connector
80a ... Water supply hose
Agent Patent Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (4)

An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting an outer surface of an endoscope body having an insertion portion extending from an operation section and a plurality of endoscope channels provided in the endoscope body,
A removable central tower is disposed at a substantially central portion of the cleaning / disinfecting tank to which the operation unit is attached,
An endoscope connecting portion for connecting to at least one of the endoscope channels of the endoscope main body is provided in the central tower,
An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, wherein a fluid supply means capable of supplying a fluid to the endoscope conduit is communicated with the endoscope connecting portion.   The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the central tower is rotatable through a rotation unit. At least one vibration generating means is disposed on the bottom surface of the washing / disinfecting tank,
The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein a positional shift between a distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope main body mounted on the central tower and the vibration generating means is adjusted by rotation of the central tower. Mirror cleaning and disinfection device. The central tower has a storage portion for storing a wire-like cleaning brush and drive means for sending the cleaning brush to the endoscope connecting portion side or pulling it back to the storage portion side,
4. The interior of the endoscope conduit is cleaned by moving the cleaning brush forward and backward in the endoscope conduit of the endoscope body. 5. Endoscope cleaning and disinfection device.

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