JP2006068330A - Endoscope sterilization method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sterilization method for an endoscope which prevents a flexible tube from bending and wrinkling.
An endoscope sterilization method according to the present invention is a sterilization method in which high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization is performed in a state where at least a part of a flexible tube of an endoscope is curved. And / or changing the direction of bending of the flexible tube during the sterilization process. The endoscope sterilization method of the present invention is a sterilization method in which high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization is performed in a state where at least a part of the flexible tube of the endoscope is curved, and a predetermined part of the endoscope is The flexible tube has a first storage portion and a second storage portion that can be stored, and is bent in a state of being stored in the first storage portion and in a state of being stored in the second storage portion. High temperature and high pressure sterilization is performed using an endoscope container configured to have different directions.
[Selection] None

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope sterilization method.

  Since an endoscope has a long overall length for the purpose, it is usually subjected to high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization such as autoclave sterilization in a state where a flexible tube of the endoscope is curved.

  However, when exposed to harsh conditions such as high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization in such a curved state, bending wrinkles may result, and as a result, endoscope insertion and handling may be reduced. . In addition, there is a problem that the durability of the portion with the bent crease is lowered.

  In order to solve such a problem, a method is known in which a sterilization process is performed using a container that houses a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope in a substantially straight shape (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the container described in Patent Document 1, the entire endoscope is housed in a predetermined mold, and except for the vicinity of the distal end portion, it is always bent or rounded in a certain direction, so that a bending wrinkle is attached. In some cases, the insertion property and handling property of the endoscope deteriorate. In addition, when trying to store more parts in a substantially straight shape, the overall size of the container becomes very large, and thus there is a problem that the size of the apparatus for performing high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization becomes large. In addition, although it is conceivable to change the configuration of the apparatus according to the size of the container (the length of the endoscope), in such a case, there arises a problem that the versatility of the apparatus itself is lowered.

JP 2002-325719 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a method for sterilizing an endoscope that prevents bending of a flexible tube from being bent.

Such an object is achieved by the present invention described below.
(1) A sterilization method in which high-temperature high-pressure sterilization is performed in a state where at least a part of a flexible tube of an endoscope is bent,
A method for sterilizing an endoscope, wherein the direction in which the flexible tube is bent is changed each time sterilization is performed.
Thereby, even if it sterilizes repeatedly, it can prevent that a flexible pipe | tube is bent and wrinkled.

(2) A sterilization method in which high-temperature high-pressure sterilization is performed in a state where at least a part of a flexible tube of an endoscope is curved,
A first storage unit capable of storing a predetermined part of the endoscope; and a second storage unit;
Using an endoscope container configured such that the bending direction of the flexible tube is different between the state stored in the first storage unit and the state stored in the second storage unit. An endoscope sterilization method comprising sterilization.
Thereby, even if it sterilizes repeatedly, it can prevent that a flexible pipe | tube is bent and wrinkled.

(3) The endoscope sterilization method according to (2), wherein the predetermined part is a part including an insertion portion flexible tube and a bending portion of the endoscope.
Thereby, it is possible to more reliably prevent the endoscope from being bent and wrinkled.

(4) The endoscope sterilization method according to (2) or (3), wherein the predetermined part is a part including a connection portion flexible tube and a light source insertion portion of the endoscope.
Thereby, it is possible to more reliably prevent the endoscope from being bent and wrinkled.

(5) The endoscope container includes an operation unit storage unit that stores the operation unit of the endoscope.
The said 1st accommodating part and the said 2nd accommodating part are arrange | positioned so that it may become mutually symmetrical centering | focusing on the said operation part accommodating part, The said in any one of (2) thru | or (4) Endoscope sterilization method.
Accordingly, the bending direction of the flexible tube is more surely different between the state where the predetermined part of the endoscope is stored in the first storage portion and the state where the predetermined portion is stored in the second storage portion. Can do. As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent the flexible tube from being bent and wrinkled.

(6) The endoscope according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein the endoscope container includes a display unit that indicates either the first storage unit or the second storage unit. Sterilization method.
Accordingly, when the endoscope is stored, it can be easily determined which of the first storage portion and the second storage portion should be stored.

(7) The endoscope sterilization method according to any one of (2) to (6), wherein the endoscope container is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes.
Thereby, the endoscope can be sterilized more uniformly while more reliably preventing the flexible tube from being bent and wrinkled.

(8) The endoscope sterilization method according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the flexible tube is an insertion portion flexible tube.
Thereby, the fall of the insertion property and handling property of an endoscope can be prevented more effectively.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the sterilization method of an endoscope which prevents that a flexible tube | curve is bent and can be provided can be provided.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an endoscope sterilization method of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an endoscope to which the endoscope sterilization method of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a first embodiment of an endoscope container used in the endoscope sterilization method of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows a form, and is a figure which shows the state which accommodated the endoscope.

[Endoscope]
First, an endoscope applied to the endoscope sterilization method of the present invention will be described.

  An electronic endoscope 10 (hereinafter also simply referred to as an endoscope 10) to which the endoscope sterilization method of the present invention is applied is usually a long piece having flexibility (flexibility) as shown in FIG. An insertion portion flexible tube 11, a bending portion 12 provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion flexible tube 11, and a proximal end portion of the insertion portion flexible tube 11. An operation unit 13 that operates the entire mirror 10, a connection portion flexible tube 14 connected to the operation unit 13, and a light source insertion portion 15 provided on the distal end side of the connection portion flexible tube 14 are configured. .

  The insertion portion flexible tube 11 is used by being inserted into a lumen of a living body such as a digestive tract, for example. Further, operation knobs 131 and 132 are provided on the side of the operation unit 13. When the operation knobs 131 and 132 are operated, a wire (not shown) disposed in the insertion portion flexible tube 11 is pulled, and the bending portion 12 is bent in, for example, four directions, and the direction can be changed. it can.

  An imaging element (CCD) (not shown) that captures a subject image at the observation site is provided at the distal end of the bending portion 12, and an image signal connector 151 is provided at the distal end of the light source insertion portion 15. . The image signal connector 151 is connected to a light source device, and the light source device is further connected to a monitor device (not shown) via a cable.

  A light source connector 152 is installed at the distal end of the light source insertion portion 15, and the light source connector 152 is connected to a light source device (not shown). The light emitted from the light source device continues in the light source connector 152 and in the light source insertion portion 15, in the connection portion flexible tube 14, in the operation portion 13, in the insertion portion flexible tube 11, and in the bending portion 12. Through the light guide (not shown) by the optical fiber bundle arranged in this manner, the observation site is irradiated from the tip of the bending portion 12 and illuminated.

  The reflected light (subject image) from the observation site illuminated by the illumination light is imaged by the image sensor. The image sensor outputs an image signal corresponding to the captured subject image.

  This image signal is continuously arranged in the bending portion 12, the insertion portion flexible tube 11, the operation portion 13, and the connection portion flexible tube 14, and connects the image sensor and the image signal connector 151. The light is transmitted to the light source insertion portion 15 via an image signal cable (not shown).

  Then, predetermined processing (for example, signal processing, image processing, etc.) is performed in the light source insertion unit 15 and the light source device, and then input to the monitor device. In the monitor device, an image (electronic image) captured by the image sensor, that is, an endoscope monitor image of a moving image is displayed.

[Endoscope sterilization method]
The endoscope sterilization method of the present invention is a sterilization method for performing high-temperature high-pressure sterilization (high-temperature high-pressure steam sterilization) in a state where at least a part of the flexible tube of the endoscope as described above is curved, It is characterized in that the bending direction of the flexible tube is changed every time sterilization is performed. Thereby, even when the endoscope is exposed to severe conditions such as high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization, it is possible to prevent the endoscope from being bent and wrinkled. As a result, it is possible to prevent the endoscope from being deteriorated in insertability, handleability, durability and the like.

  “Every time sterilization” includes not only “every time sterilization” but also “every time sterilization”.

  The sterilization method of the present invention can be performed using, for example, an endoscope container (endoscope tray) as shown below.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an endoscope container used in the sterilization method of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope container 1 includes an insertion portion flexible tube storage portion 2 that stores the insertion portion flexible tube 11 and the bending portion 12, and an operation portion storage portion 3 that stores the operation portion 13. The first connection portion flexible tube storage portion 41 and the second connection portion flexible tube storage portion 42 that store the connection portion flexible tube 14, and the first light source insertion portion that stores the light source insertion portion 15. A storage unit 51 and a second light source insertion unit storage unit 52 are provided. The first connecting portion flexible tube storage portion 41 and the first light source insertion portion storage portion 51 constitute a first storage portion 101. The second connecting portion flexible tube storage portion 42 and the second light source insertion portion storage portion 52 constitute a second storage portion 102.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope container 1 is configured to store the insertion portion flexible tube 11 in a curved state.

  The endoscope container 1 is inserted in a state where the connection portion flexible tube 14 and the light source insertion portion 15 are stored in the first storage portion 101 and a state where the connection portion flexible tube 14 is stored in the second storage portion 102. The bending direction of the flexible tube 11 is different. That is, when the connection portion flexible tube 14 and the light source insertion portion 15 are stored in the first storage portion 101 and in the case where the connection portion flexible tube 14 is stored in the second storage portion 102, Since the general positional relationship is reversed, the bending direction of the insertion portion flexible tube 11 differs between the state in which it is stored in the first storage portion 101 and the state in which it is stored in the second storage portion 102.

  The 1st accommodating part 101 is comprised by the 1st connection part flexible tube accommodating part 41 and the 1st light source insertion part accommodating part.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first connection portion flexible tube storage portion 41 has one end formed continuously with the operation portion storage portion 3 described later, and the other end of the first light source insertion portion storage portion. 51 is formed continuously.

  The first connection portion flexible tube storage portion 41 is configured to store the connection portion flexible tube 14 of the endoscope 10.

  In this embodiment, the 1st connection part flexible tube accommodating part 41 has a shape which can be accommodated in the state which curved the connection part flexible tube 14. As shown in FIG.

  The first light source insertion portion storage 51 is configured to store the light source insertion portion 15 of the endoscope 10. That is, the first light source insertion portion storage portion 51 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the light source insertion portion 15.

  As described above, the second storage portion 102 includes the second connection portion flexible tube storage portion 42 and the second light source insertion portion storage portion 52.

  The second connection portion flexible tube storage portion 42 has the same configuration as the first connection portion flexible tube storage portion 41 described above.

  Further, the second light source insertion portion storage portion 52 has the same configuration as the first light source insertion portion storage portion 51 described above.

  The first storage unit 101 and the second storage unit 102 are arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to each other about a center line X of the operation unit storage unit 3 described later. Accordingly, the bending direction of the insertion portion flexible tube 11 is more reliably different between the state in which the insertion portion flexible tube 11 is stored in the first storage portion 101 and the state in which the insertion portion flexible tube 11 is stored in the second storage portion 102. Can be.

  The insertion portion flexible tube storage portion 2 is formed continuously with an operation portion storage portion 3 to be described later, and has a shape capable of storing the insertion portion flexible tube 11 and the bending portion 12 of the endoscope 10. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion portion flexible tube storage portion 2 is configured to store the insertion portion flexible tube 11 in a curved state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the insertion portion flexible tube storage portion 2 has a substantially linear shape in a portion for storing the bending portion 12 provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion flexible tube 11 of the endoscope. Yes. Since the bending portion 12 provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion flexible tube 11 is used by being inserted into a lumen of a living body such as a digestive tract, for example, among the portions of the endoscope, in particular. It is a part that needs to prevent bending wrinkles. Therefore, by making the insertion portion flexible tube storage portion 2 as described above, it is possible to reliably prevent the bending portion 12 from being bent and wrinkled.

The operation unit storage unit 3 is configured to store the operation unit 13 of the endoscope 10.
One end of the operation unit storage unit 3 is formed continuously to the insertion unit flexible tube storage unit 2 and the other end is stored in the first connection unit flexible tube storage unit 41 and the second connection unit flexible tube storage unit. It is formed continuously with the portion 42.

  It does not specifically limit as a material which comprises the container 1 for endoscopes, Various resin materials, various metal materials, etc. can be used. In particular, when a resin material is used, it is possible to provide the endoscope container 1 that is relatively light and easy to carry. Further, it can be formed into a desired shape relatively easily.

  Such a resin material is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include various thermoplastic resins and various thermosetting resins. For example, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). Such as polyolefin, cyclic polyolefin, modified polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyamide (eg, nylon 6, nylon 46, nylon 66, nylon 610, nylon 612, nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 6-12, Nylon 6-66), polyimide, polyamideimide, polycarbonate (PC), poly- (4-methylpentene-1), ionomer, acrylic resin, polymethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin) Acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS resin), butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyoxymethylene, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) ), Polyester such as polycyclohexane terephthalate (PCT), polyether, polyether ketone (PEK), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide, polyacetal (POM), polyphenylene oxide, modified polyphenylene oxide, polysulfone, polyether Sulphone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyphenylsulfone, polyarylate, aromatic polyester (liquid crystal polymer), polytetrafluoroethylene , Polyvinylidene fluoride, other fluororesins, styrene, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, polybutadiene, trans polyisoprene, fluoro rubber, chlorinated polyethylene, etc. Plastic elastomer, epoxy resin, phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester, silicone resin, urethane resin, polyparaxylylene, polymonochloroparaxylylene, polydichloroparaxylylene, polymonofluoroparaxylylene , Polyparaxylylene resins such as polymonoethyl paraxylylene, and the like, or copolymers, blends, polymer alloys, etc. mainly containing these, and one or more of these are used in combination. be able to.

  Among the above, it is particularly preferable to use a heat-resistant resin material such as polyolefin, fluorine-based material, silicone-based material, PEEK, polyetherimide, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, and polyphenylsulfone. Thereby, the deformation | transformation etc. of the container 1 for endoscopes by high temperature can be prevented more effectively in the case of high temperature / high pressure sterilization.

  The endoscope container 1 may be configured such that at least a surface in contact with the endoscope 10 is made of a flexible material. Thereby, when the endoscope 10 is accommodated, it is possible to prevent the endoscope 10 from being damaged.

  Examples of such a flexible material include various resin materials such as silicone resin and fluororubber.

  Further, the endoscope container 1 is provided with a vent hole (not shown). Thereby, since water vapor can pass through this vent hole at the time of high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization, the endoscope 10 can be sterilized more effectively in a state where the endoscope 10 is housed in the endoscope container 1. It becomes possible.

  In addition, the endoscope container 1 has display means (not shown) for indicating either the first storage unit 101 or the second storage unit 102. That is, the endoscope container 1 is provided with a display unit that indicates a history of whether the endoscope container 1 is stored in the first storage unit 101 or the second storage unit 102. Thereby, it is possible to easily determine which of the first storage unit 101 and the second storage unit 102 should be stored during storage.

  The type of the display means is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a switch-like display indicating which is stored by sliding, a number counter indicating how many times each storage is used, and the like.

  The shape and dimensions of the display means are not particularly limited and can be appropriately determined depending on other design matters.

  The endoscope container 1 as described above is subjected to the previous sterilization when the endoscope 10 is housed and subjected to high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization, for example, when the endoscope 10 is housed in the endoscope container 1. It can be used such as using a storage unit different from the storage unit used.

  Further, for example, after repeatedly using one of the first storage unit 101 and the second storage unit 102 a predetermined number of times, a storage unit different from the one used previously is repeatedly used a predetermined number of times. You can also

  Further, for example, high temperature and high pressure sterilization can be performed using the first storage unit 101, and the sterilization can be performed again by replacing the second storage unit 102 during the sterilization.

  By using the endoscope container 1 in this way, it is possible to more reliably prevent the insertion portion flexible tube 11 from being bent and wrinkled even if high temperature and high pressure sterilization is repeatedly performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the endoscope from being deteriorated in insertability, handleability, durability, and the like.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the endoscope container used in the endoscope sterilization method of the present invention will be described.

  Hereinafter, the endoscope container of the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the endoscope container of the present invention, and is a view showing a state in which the electronic endoscope 10 is housed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the endoscope container 1 ′ includes a first storage portion (first insertion portion flexible tube storage portion) 21 that stores the insertion portion flexible tube 11 and the bending portion 12, and a first storage portion. 2 storage sections (second insertion section flexible tube storage section) 22, operation section storage section 3 that stores the operation section 13, and connection section flexible tube storage section 4 that stores the connection section flexible tube 14. And a light source insertion portion storage portion 5 for storing the light source insertion portion 15.

  In the endoscope container 1 ′, the insertion portion flexible tube 11 and the bending portion 12 are stored in the first storage portion 21 and the second storage portion 22, as in the first embodiment. It is comprised so that the direction in which the insertion part flexible tube 11 curves may differ with the state accommodated in this.

  The first storage unit 21 and the second storage unit 22 are arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to each other about the center line Y of the operation unit storage unit 3. Accordingly, the bending direction of the insertion portion flexible tube 11 is more reliably different between the state in which the insertion portion flexible tube 11 is stored in the first storage portion 21 and the state in which the insertion portion flexible tube 11 is stored in the second storage portion 22. Can be.

  By using this endoscope container 1 'in the same manner as the endoscope container 1 described above, the insertion portion flexible tube 11 can bend and bend even if it is repeatedly subjected to high temperature and high pressure sterilization. It can be surely prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent the endoscope from being deteriorated in insertability, handleability, durability, and the like.

  The preferred embodiments of the endoscope sterilization method of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the electronic endoscope 10 is accommodated has been described. However, the endoscope sterilization method of the present invention can also be applied to the case where the optical endoscope is accommodated.

  Moreover, although the case where the container for endoscopes was used was demonstrated in embodiment mentioned above, this invention is not limited to this.

  In the above-described embodiment, the endoscope container can be inserted between a state in which a predetermined part of the endoscope is stored in the first storage unit and a state in which the endoscope container is stored in the second storage unit. Although it demonstrated as what was comprised so that the bending direction of a flexible tube might differ, what was comprised so that the bending direction of a connection part flexible tube may differ may be sufficient.

  In the above-described embodiment, the endoscope container has been described as having the first storage unit and the second storage unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first storage unit and the second storage unit are not limited thereto. There may be a third storage section that can be stored in a direction different from any of the sections.

  In the above-described embodiment, the endoscope container has been described as having a shape corresponding to the shape of the endoscope. However, the endoscope container of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the endoscope container may have a box shape and a groove corresponding to the shape of the endoscope may be formed therein. Further, the endoscope container may have a lid.

It is the schematic which shows the endoscope with which the sterilization method of the endoscope of this invention is applied. It is the schematic which shows 1st Embodiment of the container for endoscopes used for the sterilization method of the endoscope of this invention. It is the schematic which shows 2nd Embodiment of the container for endoscopes used for the sterilization method of the endoscope of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 'Endoscope container 101 1st accommodating part 102 2nd accommodating part 2 Insertion part flexible tube accommodating part 21 1st accommodating part (1st insertion part flexible tube accommodating part)
22 2nd accommodating part (2nd insertion part flexible tube accommodating part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Operation part accommodating part 4 Connection part flexible tube accommodating part 41 1st connection part flexible tube accommodating part 42 2nd connection part flexible tube accommodating part 5 Light source insertion part accommodating part 51 1st light source inserting part Storage section 52 Second light source insertion section storage section 10 Endoscope 11 Insertion section flexible tube 13 Operation section 131, 132 Operation knob 14 Connection section flexible tube 15 Light source insertion section 151 Image signal connector 152 Light source connector

Claims (8)

A sterilization method in which high temperature and high pressure sterilization is performed in a state where at least a part of a flexible tube of an endoscope is curved,
A method for sterilizing an endoscope, wherein the direction in which the flexible tube is bent is changed each time sterilization is performed. A sterilization method in which high temperature and high pressure sterilization is performed in a state where at least a part of a flexible tube of an endoscope is curved,
A first storage unit capable of storing a predetermined part of the endoscope; and a second storage unit;
Using an endoscope container configured such that the bending direction of the flexible tube is different between the state stored in the first storage unit and the state stored in the second storage unit. An endoscope sterilization method comprising sterilization.   The endoscope sterilization method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined portion is a portion including an insertion portion flexible tube and a bending portion of the endoscope.   4. The endoscope sterilization method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined portion is a portion including a flexible tube and a light source insertion portion of the endoscope. The endoscope container has an operation unit storage unit that stores an operation unit of the endoscope,
The endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first storage portion and the second storage portion are arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to the operation portion storage portion. Sterilization method.   The endoscope sterilization method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the endoscope container includes display means for indicating either the first storage unit or the second storage unit.   The endoscope sterilization method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the endoscope container is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes. The endoscope sterilization method according to claim 1, wherein the flexible tube is an insertion portion flexible tube.

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