JP2006296675A - Disposable medical tool and distribution system of the disposable medical tool - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a disposable medical tool which reduces a storage quantity at a medical facility by facilitating distribution and makes manufacturers keep track of information concerning disposal and reduces a load of medical waste after use on the environment, and a distribution system of the disposable medical tool. <P>SOLUTION: An endoscope cover 3 as the disposable medical tool is composed of a biodegradable substance for at least a part thereof. In the endoscope cover 3, an insertion portion cover portion 31, a tip cover member 31A provided at the tip portion of the insertion portion cover portion 31, an operating portion cover 32 and a mouth body portion 33 as all of its components are formed of a biodegradable plastic as a biodegradable material. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a disposable medical device and a distribution system for the disposable medical device.

  In recent years, various medical instruments have been developed and used with the advancement of medical technology. Among these medical devices are disposable medical devices that are discarded after being used once. As such a disposable medical instrument, an endoscope cover for covering an endoscope has been proposed as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-308786.

By using the conventional endoscope cover with the endoscope covered, the used endoscope cover can be discarded after use and replaced with a new endoscope cover. There is no need to disinfect and sterilize, and the time can be reduced and workability is improved.
JP-A-8-308786

  Conventional disposable medical devices are disposed of as medical waste after use by each medical facility or a medical waste collector (hereinafter simply referred to as a collector). The disposal of this medical waste is left to each medical facility, and it was difficult for the manufacturer to grasp how each medical facility and the collection company dispose of the medical waste.

  The conventional disposable medical device is made of, for example, various metals, plastic materials, and the like. For this reason, the said conventional disposable medical device is processed as a nonflammable medical waste. Therefore, the disposable medical instrument is required to reduce the burden on the environment as a medical waste after use.

  In addition, it has been necessary to keep the required number of conventional disposable medical devices in stock at each medical facility. Furthermore, it is necessary to store a predetermined number of disposable medical instruments after use as medical waste in each medical facility until the above-mentioned disposal, and a storage place is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and facilitates distribution and reduces the amount stored in a medical facility, and allows the manufacturer to grasp information at the time of disposal as medical waste after use. An object of the present invention is to provide a disposable medical device capable of reducing the load on the environment and a distribution system for the disposable medical device.

The present invention is a disposable medical instrument used for medical practice, and is characterized in that at least a part of the constituent parts constituting the disposable medical instrument is made of a biodegradable material.
Moreover, this invention is the disposable medical device of Claim 1, Comprising: All the said components which comprise the said disposable medical device were comprised by the said biodegradable material, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
The present invention is the disposable medical device according to claim 1, wherein the component constituting the disposable medical device is made of the biodegradable material, and a non-biodegradable part. It is characterized in that it can be decomposed into a non-biodegradable part made of a material.
Moreover, this invention is a distribution system of the disposable medical instrument as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3, Comprising: The said disposable medical instrument has identification label | marker information, and the said used by way of a communication line A used identification marker information acquisition unit that acquires identification marker information of a disposable medical instrument, and a calculation that calculates the number of used medical instruments based on the used identification marker information acquired by the used identification marker information acquisition unit And a delivery instruction unit that transmits delivery instruction information of a new disposable medical device via the communication line, based on the calculation result of the calculation unit, and the delivery instruction information from the delivery instruction unit Based on a calculation result of the calculated identification unit, a used identification marker information acquisition unit that acquires identification marker information of all the disposable medical devices via the communication line, A collection instruction unit that transmits the collection instruction information of the device via the communication line, and the identification mark information of the disposable medical device that has been collected based on the collection instruction information from the collection instruction unit is acquired via the communication line. And a collected identification label information acquisition unit.

  The disposable medical instrument of the present invention and the distribution system of this disposable medical instrument facilitate the distribution, reduce the amount of storage in the medical facility, and allow the manufacturer to grasp the information at the time of disposal so that the medical waste after use As an effect, the load on the environment can be reduced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 18 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus including an endoscope cover as a disposable medical instrument of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an internal view of FIG. FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope cover distribution system, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the database structure of the server of the manufacturer in FIG. 3, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an ID information reading screen displayed on a monitor arranged in the hospital laboratory of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is until the server of the manufacturer of FIG. 3 calculates the number of used endoscope covers 7 is a flowchart showing the operation until the manufacturer server in FIG. 3 sets the delivery / collection flag, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the agency terminal in FIG. 3, and FIG. Example of the delivery request instruction screen displayed on the terminal of FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the manufacturer's server with respect to the operation of the agency terminal of FIG. 8, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the endoscope cover database of hospital A, and FIG. 12 is the recovery of FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a collection request instruction screen displayed on the collection company terminal in FIG. 3, and FIG. 14 is a collection screen displayed on the collection company terminal in FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a completed ID information acquisition screen, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the manufacturer's server with respect to the operation of the collection trader's terminal in FIG. 12, and FIG. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement which the server of the manufacturer at the time of acquiring ID information at the time of a process, FIG. 17 is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the sterilization process ID information acquisition screen displayed on the terminal of the collection | recovery company of FIG. Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the grinding process ID information acquisition screen to be displayed on the recycler terminal of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes an electronic endoscope (hereinafter simply referred to as an endoscope) 2 including an imaging unit described later, and an endoscope 2 as a disposable medical instrument. And an endoscope cover 3 for covering. Further, the endoscope apparatus 1 includes a light source device 5, a video processor 6, a fluid control device 7, a monitor 9, and the like. The endoscope apparatus 1 is disposed in an examination room 51a (see FIG. 3) of a hospital 51 that is a medical facility.

  The light source device 5 is detachably connected to the endoscope 2 and supplies illumination light to the endoscope 2. The video processor 6 is detachably connected to the endoscope 2 and controls an imaging unit 24 (to be described later) of the endoscope 2 and processes a signal obtained from the imaging unit to process a standard image. A signal is output. The fluid control device 7 is detachably connected to the endoscope cover 3 and supplies fluid such as air or water to the air / water supply channel of the endoscope cover 3.

  The endoscope 2 includes an elongated insertion portion 2a, and an operation portion 2b that also serves as a gripping portion is connected to a proximal end portion on the proximal side of the insertion portion 2a. In the endoscope 2, a universal cord 2 c that incorporates a light guide and the like extends from the operation unit 2 b. The insertion portion 2a is configured by connecting a flexible flexible tube 10a, a bendable bending portion 10b, and a distal end constituting portion 10c provided with an observation optical system and the like from the base end side.

  The operation portion 2b is provided with a bending operation knob 11 (see FIG. 2) for bending the bending portion 10b. The operation unit 2b is provided with an air / water supply switch 12 and a suction switch 13, and is electrically connected to the fluid control device 7 through a signal line disposed in the universal cord 2c. Yes. Further, the operation unit 2b is provided with a remote switch 14 for remotely operating the video processor 6.

  A connector portion 15 connected to the light source device 5 is provided at an end portion of the universal cord 2c. An electrical cable 16 extends on the side of the connector portion 15, and an electrical connector 17 provided at this end is connected to the video processor 6.

  In the endoscope 2, a light guide 21 is inserted through the universal cord 2c, the insertion portion 2a, and the operation portion 2b. An illumination optical system 22 that illuminates a subject such as an affected part through a lens cover 30a (to be described later) of the endoscope cover 3 is provided at the distal end constituting part 10c that is an output end of the light guide 21. Instead of the illumination optical system 22 and the light guide 21, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) (not shown) may be provided. In this case, the endoscope 2 is provided with an electric wire extending from the LED instead of the light guide 21.

  On the other hand, the tip component 10c includes an objective optical system 23 that captures reflected light of an illuminated subject as a subject image, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) that captures the captured subject image, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and the like. An imaging unit 24 is provided. The video processor 6 processes the imaging signal from the imaging unit 24 of the endoscope 2 to generate a standard video signal, and displays an endoscopic image on the monitor 9. .

  On the other hand, the endoscope cover 3 that covers the endoscope 2 includes an insertion portion cover portion 31 that covers the insertion portion 2a of the endoscope 2, and an operation portion that covers the operation portion 2b and the universal cord 2c of the endoscope 2. A cover 32, a mouth part (support part) 33 that is fixed to a part of the operation part 2 b of the endoscope 2, and a distal end cover member 31 A provided at the distal end part of the insertion part cover part 31 are configured. Has been. Each part of the endoscope cover 3 is sterilized in advance before being used for endoscopy, and is discarded after being used for endoscopy.

  The tip cover member 31A is provided with a lens cover 30a, an air / water supply nozzle 30b, and a suction port 30c. In the endoscope cover 3 (insertion portion cover portion 31, mouth body portion 33), pipes such as an endoscope insertion channel 34, an air / water supply channel 35, and a treatment instrument insertion channel 36 are provided.

  The distal end of the endoscope insertion channel 34 reaches the lens cover 30a, and the insertion portion 2a of the endoscope 2 is inserted and disposed from the rear end. The air / water supply channel 35 has a front end communicating with the air / water supply nozzle 30b, and a rear end extending from the mouth portion 33 to the outside and connected to the air supply tube 35a and the water supply tube 35b. The other ends of the air supply tube 35 a and the water supply tube 35 b are connected to the fluid control device 7.

  The treatment instrument insertion channel 36 has a distal end communicating with the suction port 30 c, a rear end branched at the mouth portion 33, and one of the branched portions communicated with a treatment instrument insertion port 37 provided at the mouth portion 33. On the other hand, the other extends from the mouth portion 33 to the outside and is connected to the suction tube 36a. The suction tube 36 a is connected to the fluid control device 7.

  In addition, the insertion portion cover portion 31 and the mouth portion 33 are hermetically coupled, and the endoscope insertion channel 34 is hermetically covered up to the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2a of the endoscope 2. The mouth part 33 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the front end of the operation part 2b of the endoscope 2 so as to be airtight, and the mouth part 33 is fixed to the operation part 2b by frictional force in the case of contact. A sealing portion 39 is provided by an O-ring or the like (see FIG. 2). The mouth portion 33 has such a size (inner diameter) that the endoscope insertion channel 34 is almost fitted to the vicinity of the front end of the operation portion 2b of the endoscope 2.

  Thereby, when the insertion portion 2a of the endoscope 2 is inserted into the endoscope insertion channel 34, the mouth portion 33 of the endoscope cover 3 is caused by the frictional force between the seal portion 39 and the operation portion 2b. It is fixed to the operation unit 2b.

  In this embodiment, the entire configuration of the endoscope cover 3 is made of a biodegradable plastic as a biodegradable material. More specifically, in the endoscope cover 3, all the components of the insertion portion cover portion 31, the operation portion cover 32, the mouth portion 33, and the distal end cover member 31 </ b> A are made of biodegradable plastic.

  The biodegradable plastic is, for example, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, polyglycolic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene succinate, etc., and can be used in the same way as ordinary plastic during use. It has the property of being decomposed into carbon. For this reason, the said endoscope cover 3 can reduce the load to an environment by being comprised with a biodegradable plastic.

  The insertion portion cover 31 and the operation portion cover 32 are made of a soft biodegradable plastic, and the distal end cover member 31A and the mouth portion 33 are made of a hard biodegradable plastic. The tip cover member 31A and the mouth portion 33 form slits having a V-shaped or U-shaped cross section (not shown) to facilitate crushing of the endoscope cover 3 described later. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the biodegradable plastic is pulverized to be easily decomposed by microorganisms in the soil.

  In this embodiment, the endoscope cover 3 is provided with ID information as identification marker information that can be identified. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope cover 3 is provided with an identification tag 41 that can read ID information of each endoscope cover such as a serial number on the mouth 33. It has been. The identification tag 41 is configured by an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag.

  On the other hand, an ID reading device 42 for reading ID information recorded on the identification tag 41 is arranged in the examination room 51a. The ID reading device 42 is configured to read ID information recorded in the identification tag 41 by wireless communication.

  That is, the ID reading device 42 automatically reads ID information recorded by wireless communication with the identification tag 41 when the identification tag 41 is located within the wireless communication range. Thereby, an operator such as a nurse positions the identification tag 41 of the endoscope cover 3 within the wireless communication range of the ID reading device 42, so that the ID information recorded on the identification tag 41 is The ID reading device 42 can read the data.

  Although not shown in the figure, an ID reading device 42 similar to that in the examination room 51a is also arranged in an agency 54 and a collection company 55, which will be described later, and each person in charge performs ID information on the identification tag 41 according to each process. Is supposed to be loaded.

  The ID reading device 42 is connected to a hospital server 45 via a hospital network 44 as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing the distribution system 50 of the endoscope cover 3. The distribution system 50 for the endoscope cover 3 includes the hospital 51, the manufacturer 53, the agency 54, and the like via a wide area network 52 (for example, the Internet, but any communication line may be used). It is connected to the collection company 55 and configured to be able to communicate with each other.

  The hospital 51 has an examination room 51a and a purchasing unit 51b, which are connected by the hospital server 45. The in-hospital server 45 is configured to record various information such as endoscope image data, medical device data, and patient information for creating an electronic medical record. The in-hospital server 45 records the ID information of the used endoscope cover 3 by transmitting the ID information of the identification tag 41 read from the ID reading device 42. . The in-hospital server 45 is connected to the purchasing unit 51b via the in-hospital network 44, and stores purchase information and inventory information on purchased medical instruments, medical tools, medicines, and the like.

  The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 is connected to the in-hospital server 45 of the hospital 51, the terminal 54a of the agency 54, and the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 via the wide area network 52, and is acquired as described later. The database 53b of the endoscope cover 3 is constructed based on the ID information 3.

  In this embodiment, by communicating ID information of the endoscope cover 3 via the wide area network 52, the endoscope cover 3 is carried from the manufacturer 53 to the agent 54, and from the agent 54 to the hospital 51. The delivery of the endoscope cover 3 and the collection of the endoscope cover 3 from the hospital 51 to the collection company 55 are centrally managed by the server 53a of the manufacturer 53. That is, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 includes a used identification marker information acquisition unit, a calculation unit, a delivery instruction unit, a delivered identification marker information acquisition unit, a recovery instruction unit, and a recovered identification marker information acquisition unit. Doubles as

  The operation of the distribution system 50 of the endoscope cover 3 configured as described above will be described. It is assumed that the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 and the hospital server 45 of the hospital 51 are always on. The terminal 54a of the agency 54 and the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 are turned on when each person in charge starts up, and access to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 to transmit / receive information.

  First, the person in charge at the agency 54 receives an order request (contract) for the endoscope cover 3 from the person in charge of purchase at the hospital 51 by telephone or the wide area network 52. At this time, when contracting, for example, 20 endoscope covers 3 are contracted. In this embodiment, when the number of used endoscope covers 3 in the hospital 51 reaches a predetermined number, for example, ten, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 sets a collection / delivery flag as will be described later, whereby the terminal 54a of the agency 54 is set. , Communicates with the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 to make a delivery request or a collection request for the supplement.

  The person in charge at the agency 54 reads the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 delivered to the hospital 51 using the ID reading device 42 and transmits it from the terminal 54 a to the server 53 a of the manufacturer 53 through the wide area network 52. Based on the acquired ID information of the endoscope cover 3, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 creates a database 53b for each hospital A, B,... N as shown in FIG.

  As described above, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 records the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 delivered in advance for each hospital in the database 53b. In the hospital 51, an endoscopic examination is performed in the examination room 51 a using the delivered endoscope cover 3.

  The surgeon turns on the power source 5, video processor 6, fluid control device 7, and monitor 9. The surgeon inserts the endoscope 2 into the endoscope insertion channel 34, attaches the endoscope cover 3 to the endoscope 2, and performs an endoscopic examination. When the endoscopy is completed, the operator removes the endoscope 2 from the endoscope cover 3, and stores the endoscope cover 3 in a sealing packaging bag (not shown) as used. This sealing packaging bag is stored in the storage until it is recovered by the recovery company 55.

  Before the endoscopic examination, an ID information reading screen 60 of the endoscope cover 3 to be used is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 9 as shown in FIG. An operator such as a nurse causes the ID reading device 42 to read the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 to be used. At this time, the operator positions the identification tag 41 of the endoscope cover 3 within the wireless communication range of the ID reading device 42 and reads the ID information recorded in the identification tag 41 into the ID reading device 42. In this case, the automatically read ID information is transmitted to the hospital server 45 via the hospital network 44. The in-hospital server 45 transmits the ID information of the used endoscope cover 3 to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52.

  The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 executes processing until calculating the number of used endoscope covers according to the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 acquires the ID information of the used endoscope cover 3 from the in-hospital server 45 of the hospital 51 (step S1).

  The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 collates the acquired ID information of the used endoscope cover 3 with the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 recorded in the database 53b in advance (step S2), and the hospital 51 The number of used endoscope covers 3 is calculated (step S3). Next, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 executes processing until the delivery / collection flag is set according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 determines whether or not the calculated number of used endoscope covers 3 has exceeded a preset number set for each hospital 51 (step S11).

  If the number of used endoscopes 3 does not exceed the set number, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 records the acquired ID information and the number of currently used endoscope covers 3 in the database 53b (step) S12). On the other hand, when the number of used endoscopes 3 exceeds the set number, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 sets a delivery / recovery flag to the terminal 54a of the agency 54 and the terminal 55a of the collection company 55. (Step S13).

  The terminal 54a of the agency 54 and the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 are configured to operate based on the delivery / collection flag when activated by a person in charge. First, the delivery operation in the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 and the terminal 54a of the agency 54 will be described.

First, an operation executed by the terminal 54a of the agency 54 will be described. The terminal 54a of the agency 54 executes processing until the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 delivered to the hospital 51 is transmitted according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the person in charge starts and turns on, the terminal 54a of the agency 54 accesses the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52 and confirms the presence / absence of the delivery / collection flag (step). S21).

  The terminal 54a of the agency 54 determines whether there is a delivery / collection flag (step S22). When there is no delivery / collection flag, the terminal 54a of the agency 54 is terminated only by the operation of the person in charge. On the other hand, if there is a delivery / collection flag, the terminal 54a of the agency 54 sends a request signal for delivery request instruction screen data to request delivery request instruction screen data (step S23).

  The request signal for the delivery request instruction screen data is transmitted to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52. The terminal 54a of the agency 54 receives the delivery request instruction screen data from the server 53a of the manufacturer 53, and displays a delivery request instruction screen 62 as shown in FIG. 9, for example (step S24).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the delivery request instruction screen 62 displays “There are 10 endoscope covers in stock at Hospital A. Please read the IDs of the 10 endoscope covers to be delivered.” The hospital 51 prompts the hospital 51 to read the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 to be delivered together with an instruction to deliver the endoscope cover 3 to the hospital A.

  In accordance with the delivery request instruction screen 62, the person in charge at the agency 54 positions the identification tag 41 of the endoscope cover 3 to be delivered within the wireless communication range of the ID reading device 42 and is recorded on the identification tag 41. When the ID reading device 42 reads the ID information, the ID information is automatically input to the terminal 54a of the agency 54 after reading the ID information.

  The terminal 54a of the agency 54 transmits the input ID information to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52 (step S25). Thereafter, the person in charge at the agency 54 delivers the endoscope cover 3 having the ID information read thereto to the corresponding hospital 51.

On the other hand, the operation of the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 in contrast to the operation of the terminal 54a of the agency 54 is that the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 acquired from the terminal 54a of the agency 54 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation until recording is performed.
As shown in FIG. 10, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 confirms access from the terminal 54a of the agency 54 (step S31). The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 receives the request signal for the delivery request instruction screen data from the terminal 54a of the agency 54 (step S32), and sends the delivery request instruction screen data via the wide area network 52 in response to this request signal. Transmit (step S33).

  The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 receives and acquires the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 delivered from the terminal 54a of the agency 54 (step S34). The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 records the acquired ID information of the endoscope cover 3 in the database 53b, for example, the endoscope cover database of Hospital A as shown in FIG. 11 (step S35).

  The endoscope cover database of hospital A shown in FIG. 11 includes recording fields for the agent 54, the hospital 51, and the collection company 55, and ID information of the endoscope cover 3 is recorded therein. More specifically, the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 to be delivered is recorded in the record column of the agency 54. Further, the ID information of the used endoscope cover 3 is recorded in the recording column of the hospital 51. ID information of the collected used endoscope cover 3, the sterilized endoscope cover 3, and the endoscope cover 3 to be crushed is recorded in the record column of the collection company 55. The total number is recorded in the lower part of each recording column.

  As described above, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 can record the processing state of the endoscope cover 3 by recording in the database according to the processing state of the endoscope cover 3 for each hospital. Next, the collection operation in the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 and the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 will be described.

First, the operation performed by the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 will be described. The terminal 55a of the collection company 55 executes processing until the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 collected from the hospital 51 is transmitted according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 12, when the person in charge starts and turns on, the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 accesses the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52 and confirms the presence / absence of the delivery / collection flag (step). S41).

  The terminal 55a of the collection company 55 determines whether there is a delivery / collection flag (step S42). When there is no delivery / collection flag, the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 is terminated only by the operation of the person in charge. On the other hand, if there is a delivery / collection flag, the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 sends a request signal for the collection request instruction screen data to request the collection request instruction screen data (step S43).

  The request signal for the collection request instruction screen data is transmitted to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52. The terminal 55a of the collection company 55 receives the collection request instruction screen data from the server 53a of the manufacturer 53, and displays a collection request instruction screen 63 as shown in FIG. 13, for example (step S44).

  As shown in FIG. 13, the collection request instruction screen 63 displays “The used endoscope cover in A hospital is in stock. Please collect the used endoscope cover in A hospital.” The hospital 51 instructs the hospital A to collect the used endoscope cover 3. The person in charge of the collection trader 55 operates the terminal 55a to temporarily close the collection request instruction screen 63 and collect the used endoscope cover 3 to the corresponding hospital A.

  The person in charge of the collection company 55 reads the ID of the collected endoscope cover 3 by holding the collected endoscope cover 3 over the ID reading device 42 after collecting the used endoscope cover 3 from the hospital A. Make it. Then, the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 automatically transmits a collected signal indicating that it has been collected, and transmits a request signal for collected ID information acquisition screen data to obtain the collected ID information acquisition screen data. A request is made (step S45).

  The collected signal and the collected ID information acquisition screen data request signal are transmitted to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52. The terminal 55a of the collection company 55 receives the collected ID information acquisition screen data from the server 53a of the manufacturer 53, and displays a collected ID information acquisition screen 64 as shown in FIG. 14, for example (step S46). The read ID information is input to the terminal 55a of the collection company 55. The terminal 55a of the collection company 55 transmits the input ID information to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52 (step S47).

On the other hand, with respect to the operation of the terminal 55a of the collection company 55, the operation of the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 is based on the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 acquired from the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation until recording is performed.
As shown in FIG. 15, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 confirms access from the terminal 54a of the agency 54 (step S51). The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 receives the request signal for the collection request instruction screen data from the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 (step S52), and sends the collection request instruction screen data via the wide area network 52 in response to this request signal. Transmit (step S53).

  The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 receives the collected signal and the collected ID information acquisition screen data request signal from the terminal 55a of the collecting company 55 (step S54), and the collected ID information acquisition screen data is received according to the request signal. Is transmitted via the wide area network 52 (step S55). The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 receives and acquires the ID information of the used endoscope cover 3 collected from the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 (step S56). The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 records the collected ID information of the used endoscope cover 3 in the database 53b (step S57).

The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 that acquired the ID information records the ID information in the collected column of the collection company in the endoscope cover database of hospital A, for example, as described with reference to FIG. Record.
The collected endoscope cover 3 is sterilized and pulverized by the collection company 55. In this sterilization and pulverization process, the terminal 55a of the recovery company 55 receives screen data from the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 according to the processing state, and processes the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 to be sterilized and pulverized. The data is transmitted to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 according to the state.

  The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 records the acquired ID information of the endoscope cover 3 in the database 53b. The operation of the ID information acquisition process performed by the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 16, transmission / reception of a screen data request signal and screen data is omitted, and only the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 acquires ID information.

First, the person in charge of the collection company 55 sterilizes the collected endoscope cover 3 such as an autoclave (high temperature high pressure steam sterilization). After this sterilization process, the person in charge of the collection company 55 reads the ID information of the sterilized endoscope cover 3 in accordance with the screen display on the terminal.
After acquiring the collected ID information of the endoscope cover 3, the server 53 a of the manufacturer 53 generates sterilization processing ID information acquisition screen data, and the screen data is transmitted to the terminal 55 a of the recovery company 55. Send through.

  A sterilization process ID information acquisition screen 65 as shown in FIG. 17, for example, is displayed on the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 that has received the sterilization process ID information acquisition screen data. As shown in FIG. 17, on the sterilization processing ID information acquisition screen 65, the message “Please read the ID of the sterilized endoscope cover” is displayed, and the ID information of the sterilized endoscope cover 3 is read. Is to be encouraged.

  In accordance with the sterilization process ID information acquisition screen 65, the person in charge of the collection trader 55 positions the identification tag 41 of the sterilized endoscope cover 3 within the wireless communication range of the ID reading device 42 and puts it on the identification tag 41. The ID reading device 42 is made to read the recorded ID information. After reading the ID information, the ID information is input to the terminal 55a of the collection company 55.

  The terminal 55a of the collection company 55 transmits the input ID information to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52. Thereby, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 obtains the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 sterilized by the collection company 55 (step S61). The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 that has acquired the ID information records the ID information in the sterilized column of the collection company in the endoscope cover database of the hospital A, for example, as described above with reference to FIG. Record.

  Next, the person in charge of the collection company 55 crushes the sterilized endoscope cover 3 with a shredder or the like. As described above, in the endoscope cover 3 according to the present embodiment, all the constituent parts of the insertion portion cover portion 31, the operation portion cover 32, the mouth portion 33, and the distal end cover member 31A are made of biodegradable plastic. . For this reason, when the endoscope cover 3 of this embodiment is pulverized, all of it becomes fine fragments of a biodegradable plastic and is easily decomposed by microorganisms in the soil when buried in the soil.

  Before this crushing process, the person in charge of the collection company 55 reads the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 to be crushed according to the screen display on the terminal. After obtaining the ID information of the sterilized endoscope cover 3, the server 53 a of the manufacturer 53 generates pulverization processing ID information acquisition screen data, and the screen data is transmitted to the terminal 55 a of the collection company 55. Send through.

  A pulverization process ID information acquisition screen 66 as shown in FIG. 18, for example, is displayed on the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 that has received the pulverization process ID information acquisition screen data. As shown in FIG. 18, the crushing process ID information acquisition screen 66 displays “Please read the ID of the endoscope cover to be crushed.” And reads the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 to be crushed. Is to be encouraged.

  The person in charge of the collection company 55 locates the identification tag 41 of the used endoscope cover 3 to be crushed within the wireless communication range of the ID reading device 42 according to the pulverization process ID information acquisition screen 66, and ID information recorded in the tag 41 is read by the ID reading device 42. The read ID information is input to the terminal 55a of the collection company 55.

  The terminal 55a of the collection company 55 transmits the input ID information to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52. Thereby, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 acquires the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 to be crushed by the collection company 55 (step S62). The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 that acquired the ID information records the ID information in the crushed column of the collection company in the endoscope cover database of the hospital A, for example, as described above with reference to FIG. Record.

  Therefore, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 acquires the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 at the time of sterilization and pulverization processing from the terminal 55a of the collection company 55, and records the acquired ID information in the database 53b. Thereby, the maker 53 can grasp the processing state of the endoscope cover 3.

  The person in charge of the collection trader 55 removes the identification tag 41, then crushes the endoscope cover 3, and buryes the crushed pieces of the endoscope cover 3 in the soil of the disposal site and discards them. . Since the buried fragment of the endoscope cover 3 is a biodegradable plastic, it is decomposed into water and carbon dioxide by microorganisms in the soil.

  As a result, the endoscope cover 3 according to the present embodiment is composed of a biodegradable plastic as a whole, so that the burden on the environment can be reduced. In addition, the distribution system 50 of the endoscope cover 3 according to the present embodiment uses the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52 to obtain the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 between the agent 54, the hospital 51, and the collection company 55. Can manage.

  Moreover, the distribution system 50 of the endoscope cover 3 of the present embodiment reduces the storage space before and after use in the hospital 51. Furthermore, the distribution system 50 of the endoscope cover 3 of the present embodiment can automatically manage the number of used endoscope covers 3 used in the examination room 51a by the server 53a of the manufacturer 53. When the stock falls below a certain standard, the necessary number of endoscope covers 3 can be ordered automatically. Moreover, since the distribution system 50 of the endoscope cover 3 of the present embodiment can manage the use of the endoscope cover 3 in the examination room 51a by the server 53a of the manufacturer 53, the endoscope used as medical waste is used. When the cover 3 is generated, a collection request can be automatically made to the collection company 55.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is easy to distribute and reduce the storage amount in the medical facility, and the manufacturer can grasp the information at the time of disposal and reduce the burden on the environment as medical waste after use. can do.

  In the present embodiment, an RFID tag is used as the identification tag 41. When the identification tag 41 is located within the wireless communication range of the ID reading device 42, the ID information of the endoscope cover 3 is automatically read. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ID reading device 42 may be configured to read ID information using an ID tag such as an IC (Integrated Circuits) tag. The identification tag 41 may be composed of a biodegradable plastic, and the ID information recorded on the identification tag 41 may be input with a keyboard or the like, or optically read. Also good. In addition, the ID information is printed on the outer surface of the endoscope cover 3 using a biodegradable ink mainly made of soybean extract or the like instead of the identification tag 41 so that it can be read. May be.

  In this embodiment, the agent 54 is configured to deliver the endoscope cover 3 to the hospital 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the endoscope cover 3 is delivered to the hospital 51. May be a branch office or may be delivered directly from the factory by the manufacturer.

  FIGS. 19 to 27 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 19 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus provided with an endoscope cover as a disposable medical instrument of the second embodiment, and FIG. 20 is an internal view of FIG. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the first structure of the joint part of FIGS. 19 and 20, and FIG. 22 is the second structure of the joint part of FIGS. 19 and 20. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the main part, FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing a third configuration of the joint part shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, FIG. 24 is an overall block diagram showing the distribution system of the endoscope cover, and FIG. FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing a display example of a disassembling process ID information acquisition screen displayed on the terminal of the recovery trader. FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing a display example of the crushing process ID information acquisition screen displayed on the recovery trader terminal of FIG. FIG. 27 is a display example of a reuse ID information acquisition screen displayed on the terminal of the collection company in FIG. It is to illustration.

  In the first embodiment, the entire configuration of the endoscope cover 3 is configured by a biodegradable plastic, and the endoscope cover 3 is crushed and discarded after use. In the second embodiment, the endoscope cover 3 is disposed. At least the insertion part cover part of the cover is constituted by a biodegradable plastic, and the other part is constituted to be reused. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description will be omitted, and the same components will be described with the same reference numerals.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the endoscope apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment is configured to include an endoscope cover 3B in which the insertion portion cover portion 71 and the operation portion cover 72 are made of biodegradable plastic. ing. More specifically, in the endoscope cover 3B, the insertion portion cover portion 71 and the operation portion cover 72 are configured by a biodegradable plastic as a biodegradable portion, and a mouth portion ( The support portion 73 and the tip cover member 71A are made of metal or ordinary hard plastic. When the mouth part 73 and the tip cover member 71A are made of metal, the surfaces of the mouth part 73 and the tip cover member 71A are coated with an electric-resistant resin.

  The mouth part 73 and the tip cover member 71A can be reproduced as reusable parts as will be described later, and identification tags 41b each recording individual ID information are attached. In addition, the insertion portion cover portion 71 and the operation portion cover 72 are similarly attached with identification tags 41b that record individual ID information as parts to be crushed.

  The endoscope cover 3B is configured such that the mouth portion 73 and the tip cover member 71A can be disassembled. That is, the endoscope cover 3B includes the distal end cover member 71A and the insertion portion cover portion 71, the insertion portion cover portion 71 and the mouth portion 73, and the mouth portion 73 and the operation. Separable joints 74 are provided between the part covers 72.

  These joining portions 74 are configured, for example, as shown in FIGS. In addition, the joining part 74 shown in FIG. 21 thru | or FIG. 23 makes the example between the said front end cover member 71A and the said insertion part cover part 71.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the joining portion 74A constitutes a joining groove portion 75 in the circumferential direction on the proximal end side of the distal end cover member 71A. The joining portion 74A joins the distal end cover member 71A and the insertion portion cover portion 71 by embedding an O-ring 76 in the joining groove portion 75 from the outside with respect to the distal end side of the insertion portion cover portion 71. It is configured.

  As a result, the joining portion 74A is difficult to remove because the O-ring 76 has entered the joining groove 75 when the endoscope cover 3B is inserted into the body cavity, and the distal end cover member 71A and the insertion portion cover portion 71 are not easily removed. The tip cover member 71A and the insertion portion cover portion 71 are easily separated by taking out the O-ring 76 from the joining groove portion 75 when disassembling after use. Further, the joining portion 74B shown in FIG. 22 joins the distal end cover member 71A and the insertion portion cover portion 71 by embedding and thermally welding the distal end side of the insertion portion cover portion 71 in the joining groove portion 75. It is configured.

  Accordingly, when the endoscope cover 3B is inserted into the body cavity, the joining portion 74B is difficult to separate because the distal end cover member 71A and the insertion portion cover portion 71 are integrated by the joining groove portion 75 by heat welding. When disassembling after use, the tip cover member 71A and the insertion portion cover portion 71 can be easily separated by simply picking and removing one end of the insertion portion cover portion 71 with a finger.

  Further, in the joining portion 74C shown in FIG. 23, an adhesive 77 such as a quick-drying adhesive or an instantaneous adhesive is applied to the joining groove portion 75, and the distal end side of the insertion portion cover portion 71 is embedded in the joining groove portion 75. By adhering, the distal end cover member 71A and the insertion portion cover portion 71 are joined.

Accordingly, when the endoscope cover 3B is inserted into the body cavity, the joint portion 74C is separated because the distal end cover member 71A and the insertion portion cover portion 71 are integrated by the joint groove portion 75 by the adhesive 77. When disassembling after use, the distal end cover member 71A and the insertion portion cover portion 71 are easily separated by dissolving the adhesive with a dedicated solvent.
Although not shown, the joint 74 between the insertion portion cover 71 and the mouth portion 73 and the joint 74 between the mouth portion 73 and the operation portion cover 72 can be similarly configured.

  Thereby, the endoscope cover 3B is, after use, the joint portion 74 between the distal end cover member 71A and the insertion portion cover portion 71, the joint portion 74 between the insertion portion cover portion 71 and the mouth portion 73, and the mouth. The joint portion 74 between the body portion 73 and the operation portion cover 72 can be separated, and the tip cover member 71A and the mouth portion 73 can be reused parts.

  Therefore, in the distribution system 50B of the endoscope cover 3B, as shown in FIG. 17, the used endoscope cover 3B is collected by a collection company and disassembled after sterilization, and the insertion portion cover portion 71 and the operation portion cover are collected. 72 is crushed and discarded, and the tip cover member 71A and the mouth portion 73 are collected by the manufacturer 53 as reusable parts.

  The ID information of the endoscope cover 3B to be sterilized, disassembled, and pulverized by the recovery company is transmitted to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 and recorded in the database 53b according to the processing. The used endoscope cover 3B collected in the same manner as described in the first embodiment is sterilized, and ID information (recorded in the identification tag 41) of the sterilized endoscope cover 3B is obtained. It is read and transmitted to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53. As a result, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 acquires the ID information of the endoscope cover 3B sterilized by the collection company 55.

  Next, the person in charge of the collection company 55 disassembles the sterilized endoscope cover 3B. As described above, the endoscope cover 3B according to the present embodiment can separate the respective joint portions 74, and the insertion portion cover portion 71 and the operation portion cover 72, which are configured as a biodegradable plastic, are made of metal or hard plastic. The tip cover member 71A and the mouth part 73 that are configured can be disassembled. Therefore, the endoscope cover 3B according to the present embodiment can pulverize the insertion portion cover portion 71 and the operation portion cover 72, and can use the distal end cover member 71A and the mouth portion 73 as reusable parts. .

  Before this disassembly process, the person in charge of the collection company 55 reads ID information of the endoscope cover 3B to be disassembled according to the screen display of the terminal 55a. After acquiring the ID information of the sterilized endoscope cover 3B, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 generates disassembly process ID information acquisition screen data, and the screen data is transmitted to the terminal 55a of the collection company 55. Send through.

For example, a disassembly process ID information acquisition screen 81 as shown in FIG. 25 is displayed on the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 that has received the disassembly process ID information acquisition screen data.
As shown in FIG. 25, the disassembly process ID information acquisition screen 81 displays “Please read the ID of the endoscope cover to be disassembled.” And reads the ID information of the endoscope cover 3B to be disassembled. Is to be encouraged.

  The person in charge of the collection company 55 positions the identification tag 41 of the endoscope cover 3 to be disassembled within the wireless communication range of the ID reading device 42 according to the disassembly process ID information acquisition screen 81, and puts the identification tag 41 on the identification tag 41. The ID reading device 42 is made to read the recorded ID information. After reading the ID information, the read ID information is automatically input to the terminal 55a of the collection company 55.

  The terminal 55a of the collection company 55 transmits the input ID information to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52. As a result, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 acquires the ID information of the endoscope cover 3B to be disassembled by the collection company 55.

  The server 53a of the maker 53 that acquired the ID information records the ID information in the disassembled column (not shown) of the collection company in the endoscope cover database of the hospital A, for example, as described in the first embodiment. Record the total number in the lower row.

  Next, the person in charge of the collection trader 55 crushes the disassembled insertion portion cover portion 71 and the operation portion cover 72. Prior to this pulverization process, the person in charge of the collection company 55 receives individual ID information (recorded in the identification tag 41b) of the insertion unit cover unit 71 and the operation unit cover 72 as pulverized parts according to the screen display on the terminal. Read it. After obtaining the ID information of the endoscope cover 3B to be disassembled, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 generates pulverization process ID information acquisition screen data, and this screen data is transmitted to the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 to the wide area network 52. Send through.

  A pulverization process ID information acquisition screen 82 as shown in FIG. 26, for example, is displayed on the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 that has received the pulverization process ID information acquisition screen data. As shown in FIG. 26, the crushing process ID information acquisition screen 82 displays “Please read the ID of the endoscope cover pulverized part.” And reads the ID information of the endoscope cover pulverized part. It is supposed to prompt.

  In accordance with the crushing process ID information acquisition screen 82, the person in charge of the recovery trader 55 uses the ID reading device 42 as a radio for the identification tag 41 b of the insertion unit cover unit 71 and the operation unit cover 72 as an endoscope cover crushing part. The ID reading device 42 is made to read the ID information that is positioned within the communication range and recorded in the identification tag 41b. After the ID information is read, the automatically read ID information is input to the terminal 55a of the collection company 55.

  The terminal 55a of the collection company 55 transmits the input ID information to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52. As a result, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 acquires ID information of the endoscope cover pulverized parts pulverized by the collection company 55.

  The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 that has acquired the ID information records the ID information in the crushed column (not shown) of the collection company in the endoscope cover database of the hospital A, for example, as described in the first embodiment. Record the total number in the lower row.

  On the other hand, the person in charge of the collection trader 55 uses the disassembled mouth part 73 and the tip cover member 71A as reusable parts. The person in charge of the collection trader 55 reads the individual ID information (recorded in the identification tag 41b) of the mouth portion 73 and the tip cover member 71A as reusable parts according to the screen display on the terminal. After acquiring the ID information of the pulverized parts, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 generates reuse ID information acquisition screen data, and transmits this screen data to the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 via the wide area network 52.

  For example, a reuse ID information acquisition screen 83 as shown in FIG. 27 is displayed on the terminal 55a of the collection company 55 that has received the reuse ID information acquisition screen data. As shown in FIG. 27, the reuse ID information acquisition screen 83 displays “Please read the ID of the endoscope cover reuse part.”, And the ID information of the endoscope cover reuse part is displayed. Prompts for reading.

  In accordance with the reuse ID information acquisition screen 83, the person in charge of the collection trader 55 sets the mouth portion 73 and the identification tag 41b of the distal end cover member 71A as the endoscope cover reuse parts wirelessly of the ID reading device 42. The ID reading device 42 is made to read the ID information that is positioned within the communication range and recorded in the identification tag 41b. After reading the ID information, the ID information is input to the terminal 55a of the collection company 55.

  The terminal 55a of the collection company 55 transmits the input ID information to the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 via the wide area network 52. Thereby, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 acquires the ID information of the endoscope cover reuse component.

  The server 53a of the manufacturer 53 that acquired the ID information records the ID information in the reuse parts column (not shown) of the collection company in the endoscope cover database of the hospital A, for example, as described in the first embodiment. Record the total number in the lower row.

  Therefore, the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 can acquire the ID information of the pulverized parts and the reuse parts during the sterilization process of the endoscope cover 3B from the terminal 55a of the collection company 55.

  Next, the person in charge of the recovery trader 55 removes the identification tags 41 and 41b, and then crushes the insertion portion cover portion 71 and the operation portion cover 72 as endoscope cover crushing parts. The scraps of the crushed parts are buried in the soil of the disposal site and discarded. Since the buried crushed pieces are biodegradable plastic, they are decomposed into water and carbon dioxide by microorganisms in the soil. Further, the person in charge of the collection company 55 carries the mouth portion 73 and the tip cover member 71 </ b> A into the manufacturer 53 as endoscope cover reuse parts. The manufacturer 53 regenerates the endoscope cover 3 </ b> B by using the reused parts that have been carried in, the new insertion portion cover portion 71, and the operation portion cover 72.

  As a result, in the endoscope cover 3B according to the second embodiment, the insertion portion cover portion 71 and the operation portion cover 72 are made of a biodegradable plastic, and the mouth portion 73 and the distal end made of metal or hard plastic are used. Since the cover member 71A can be reused, the load on the environment can be reduced. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as those of the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce costs by utilizing reusable parts.

  Note that the endoscope cover 3B of Example 2 is configured to be disassembled into a biodegradable part and a non-biodegradable part, and the non-biodegradable part is configured to be separated into a reuse part. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to an endoscope cover in which a biodegradable part and a non-biodegradable part are integrally configured. In this case, the non-biodegradable part is configured by applying a magnetic metal or this magnetic metal, and the endoscope cover is crushed integrally or buried in the soil without being crushed and After the degradable part is decomposed by microorganisms, the metal part can be recovered by a magnet or the like.

FIG. 28 is a schematic explanatory view showing a disposable endoscope as a disposable medical instrument according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
While the first and second embodiments are configured by applying the endoscope cover to the present invention as a disposable medical instrument, the third embodiment is configured by applying the present invention to a disposable endoscope. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, description thereof will be omitted, and the same components will be described with the same reference numerals.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 28, the endoscope 100 of the third embodiment is configured to be disposable like the endoscope cover 3 described in the first and second embodiments.

  The disposable endoscope 100 has an elongated insertion portion 101, and an operation portion 102 that also serves as a gripping portion is connected to a proximal end portion on the proximal side of the insertion portion 101. The endoscope 100 has a universal cord 103 extending from the side of the operation unit 102. A connector portion 104 connected to a video processor (not shown) is provided at the end of the universal cord 103.

  The insertion portion 101 is configured by connecting a flexible flexible tube 111, a bendable bending portion 112, and a distal end constituting portion 113 having an observation optical system and the like from the proximal end side. The operation section 102 is provided with a bending operation knob 121 for bending the bending section 112. The operation unit 102 incorporates a sprocket (not shown) or the like for bending the bending portion 112 in accordance with a bending operation of the bending operation knob 121.

  The operation unit 102 is provided with an air / water supply cylinder unit 122 having an air / water supply switch 122a and a suction cylinder unit 123 having an intake switch 123a. Further, an electric switch unit 124 having a remote switch 124a for remotely operating the video processor, such as a release or a freeze, is provided on the distal end side of the operation unit 102.

  Further, a treatment instrument insertion port 125 for inserting a treatment instrument such as a biopsy forceps is provided on the proximal end side of the operation unit 102, and is normally closed by a forceps plug (not shown). The treatment instrument insertion port 125 communicates with a treatment instrument insertion channel (not shown) inside. The treatment instrument insertion port 125 is formed by inserting a treatment tool (not shown) such as forceps so that the distal end side of the treatment tool protrudes from an opening (not shown) of the distal end component 113 through an internal treatment tool insertion channel. Inspection can be performed.

  The air / water supply cylinder unit 122 is connected to an air / water supply channel (not shown). One end of the air / water supply channel is inserted into the insertion portion 101 to communicate with an air / water supply nozzle (not shown) provided in the tip structure portion 113, and the other end is inserted into the universal cord 103 to connect the connector. It communicates with an air / water supply base 131 provided in the section 104. An air / water supply tube (not shown) is detachably connected to the air / water supply base 131 so as to be connected to a fluid control device (not shown).

  On the other hand, the suction cylinder unit 123 is connected to a suction channel (not shown). One end of this suction channel communicates with the treatment instrument insertion channel, and the other end communicates with the suction cap 132 provided in the connector portion 104 through the universal cord 103. A suction tube (not shown) is detachably connected to the suction base 132 and is connected to the fluid control device via a suction bottle (not shown).

  The distal end component 113 is formed with openings for the air / water supply nozzle and the treatment instrument insertion channel. In addition, an illumination optical system 141 that illuminates a subject such as an affected part and an illumination unit 142 such as an LED that supplies illumination light to the illumination optical system 141 are disposed on the distal end component 113. Further, an objective optical system 143 that captures the reflected light of the illuminated subject as a subject image and an imaging unit 144 such as a CCD or a CMOS that captures the captured subject image are arranged in the tip configuration unit 113.

  Electrical signal lines 142 a and 144 a from the illumination unit 142 and the imaging unit 144 are connected to an electrical connector 145 provided in the connector unit 104 of the universal cord 103 through the insertion unit 101 and the operation unit 102.

  The bending portion 112 is configured such that a plurality of bending pieces 146 are rotatably connected, and the outer peripheral surface side of the bending pieces 146 is covered with a not-shown net tube and bending covering rubber. A bending operation wire 147 for bending the bending portion 112 is fixed to the bending portion 112 on the distal bending piece 146a, and the rear end side of the bending operation wire 147 is the insertion portion 101, the operation portion. 102 is inserted through the sprocket.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the endoscope 100 is a disposable endoscope that is discarded after being used once, and a part of the components of the disposable endoscope 100 is biodegradable as a biodegradable material. It is made of plastic.

  More specifically, the endoscope 100 includes an outer shape portion 101 a of the insertion portion 101, an outer shape portion 102 a of the operation portion 102, an outer shape portion 103 a of the universal cord 103, and an outer shape portion 104 a of the connector portion 104. Consists of biodegradable plastic. Further, in the endoscope 100, a conduit such as the treatment instrument insertion channel is constituted by a biodegradable plastic.

  Note that the endoscope 100 includes the distal end constituting portion 113, the bending portion 112, the electrical connector 145 of the connector portion 104, the electrical switch portion 124, the air / water supply cylinder unit 122, the suction cylinder unit 123, and the like. Components such as the bending operation wire 147 and the electric signal lines 142a and 144a are made of a metal material.

  In the present embodiment, these metal materials are formed by applying a magnetic metal or this magnetic metal. As a result, the component parts can be recovered by a magnet or the like after being pulverized by the recovery company 55 as will be described later.

As with the endoscope cover 3 of the first and second embodiments, the endoscope 100 is provided with an identification tag 41A that can read ID information for each endoscope such as a serial number. The identification tag 41A is configured by an RFID tag as in the first and second embodiments.
The identification tag 41A is read before use by the ID reading device 42 as in the case of the endoscope cover 3 of the first and second embodiments, and ID information is recorded in the hospital server 45 as the used endoscope 100. It has come to be.

  In the present embodiment, the endoscope 100 has a distribution system similar to the distribution system of the endoscope cover 3 in the first and second embodiments, and the ID of the endoscope 100 via the wide area network 52 is provided. By communicating information, the endoscope 100 is carried from the manufacturer 53 to the agency 54, the endoscope 100 is delivered from the agency 54 to the hospital 51, and the endoscope 100 is delivered from the hospital 51 to the collection company 55. The collection is centrally managed by the server 53a of the manufacturer 53. The distribution system of the endoscope 100 is the same as the distribution system of the endoscope cover 3 of the first and second embodiments until the used endoscope 100 is collected by the collection company 55 and sterilized and crushed. Since there is, explanation is omitted.

  The used endoscope 100 is pulverized by a shredder by a recovery contractor 55 after sterilization, and a metal part is recovered by a magnet or the like. The biodegradable plastic part, which is the remaining metal part, is buried in the soil of the disposal site and discarded, and is decomposed into water and carbon dioxide by microorganisms in the soil. The endoscope 100 may be buried in a disposal site without being pulverized and the biodegradable plastic is decomposed by microorganisms in the soil, and then the metal portion may be recovered from the soil with a magnet or the like.

  As a result, the endoscope 100 can obtain the same effects as those of the endoscope cover 3 of the first and second embodiments. In addition, the endoscope 100 unitizes components composed of metal materials such as the bending portion 112, the electric switch portion 124, the air / water supply cylinder unit 122, the suction cylinder unit 123, and the like, and biodegradable plastic The outer shape portion 101a of the insertion portion 101, the outer shape portion 102a of the operation portion 102, and the outer shape portion 104a of the connector portion 104 may be configured to be detachably fixed by, for example, snap fitting. In this case, after the endoscope 100 is sterilized, the recovery company 55 removes the metal unit and crushes the components of only the biodegradable plastic from which the metal unit has been removed.

The removed metal unit can be recycled as a reusable part, and is centrally managed by the server 53a of the manufacturer 53 by the identification tag 41b in which the individual ID information is recorded, and the manufacturer 53 to the manufacturer. 53 is conveyed.
Although the present invention is applied to an endoscope cover or a disposable endoscope as a disposable medical instrument, the present invention is not limited to this and introduces an endoscope, an electric knife or the like into a body cavity. Therefore, the present invention may be applied to a treatment instrument such as a trocar, forceps or electric knife, or a disposable medical instrument such as a catheter or an overtube.
It should be noted that embodiments configured by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belong to the present invention.

[Appendix]
According to the embodiment of the present invention described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.
(Additional item 1)
A disposable medical device used for medical practice,
A disposable medical instrument characterized in that at least a part of components constituting the disposable medical instrument is made of a biodegradable material.
(Appendix 2)
The disposable medical instrument according to appendix 1, wherein
A disposable medical instrument characterized in that all of the components constituting the disposable medical instrument are made of the biodegradable material.
(Additional Item 3)
The disposable medical instrument according to appendix 1, wherein
The component constituting the disposable medical instrument is configured to be decomposable into a biodegradable part composed of the biodegradable material and a non-biodegradable part composed of a non-biodegradable material. A disposable medical device.

(Appendix 4)
The disposable medical device according to any one of the additional items 1 to 3,
The disposable medical instrument is an endoscope cover that is inserted into a body cavity in a state where the endoscope is covered.
(Appendix 5)
The disposable medical device according to any one of the additional items 1 to 3,
The disposable medical instrument is a disposable endoscope.

(Appendix 6)
A distribution system for a disposable medical instrument according to any one of appendices 1 to 3,
The disposable medical device has identification marker information;
A used identification sign information obtaining unit for obtaining identification sign information of the disposable medical instrument that has been used via a communication line;
Based on the used identification marker information acquired by the used identification marker information acquisition unit, a calculation unit that calculates the number of the used medical instruments,
Based on the calculation result of the calculation unit, a delivery instruction unit that transmits delivery instruction information of a new disposable medical device via the communication line;
Delivered identification marker information acquisition unit for acquiring identification marker information of all the disposable medical instruments delivered based on the delivery instruction information from the delivery instruction unit, via the communication line,
Based on the calculation result of the calculation unit, a collection instruction unit that transmits collection instruction information of the used medical device via the communication line;
A collected identification label information acquisition unit that acquires the identification mark information of the disposable medical instrument that has been collected based on the collection instruction information from the collection instruction unit;
A distribution system for disposable medical instruments, comprising:

(Appendix 7)
The distribution system of the disposable medical instrument according to appendix 6,
The calculation unit calculates the number of used medical instruments by comparing the identification marker information acquired by the used identification marker information acquisition unit with identification marker information recorded in advance in a database. Distributing system for disposable medical devices.
(Appendix 8)
The distribution system of the disposable medical instrument according to appendix 6,
The collected identification marker information acquiring unit acquires the identification marker information of the crushed disposable medical instrument via the communication line, and the distribution system of the disposable medical instrument characterized by the above.
(Appendix 9)
The distribution system of the disposable medical instrument according to appendix 6,
Each non-biodegradable part of the disposable medical device has identification marker information,
The collected identification marker information acquisition unit acquires the identification marker information of the non-biodegradable unit via the communication line.

(Appendix 10)
An endoscope cover that is inserted into a body cavity in a state of covering the endoscope,
An endoscope cover characterized in that at least a part of components constituting the endoscope cover is made of a biodegradable material.
(Appendix 11)
The endoscope cover according to appendix 10, wherein
An endoscope cover, wherein an insertion portion cover portion that covers the insertion portion of the endoscope is made of the biodegradable material.

(Appendix 12)
The endoscope cover according to appendix 10, wherein
An endoscope cover having a mouth part fixed to a part of an operation part of the endoscope, and the mouth part is made of the biodegradable material.
(Appendix 13)
The endoscope cover according to appendix 10, wherein
An endoscope cover comprising an operation portion cover that covers the operation portion and the universal cord of the endoscope, and the operation portion cover is made of the biodegradable material.

(Appendix 14)
The endoscope cover according to appendix 11, wherein
An endoscope cover characterized in that a distal end cover member provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion cover portion is made of the biodegradable material.
(Appendix 15)
The endoscope cover according to appendix 11, wherein
An endoscope cover characterized in that a distal end cover member provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion cover portion is configured to be separable from the insertion portion cover portion.

(Appendix 16)
The endoscope cover according to appendix 11, wherein
An endoscope cover comprising a mouth part fixed to a part of an operation part of the endoscope, and the mouth part being configured to be separable from the insertion part cover part.
(Appendix 17)
The endoscope cover according to appendix 11, wherein
It has a mouth part fixed to a part of the operation part of the endoscope, and an operation part cover that covers the operation part of the endoscope and the universal cord, and the operation part cover can be separated from the mouth part. An endoscope cover characterized by comprising the above.

(Appendix 18)
A disposable endoscope having an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity and an operation portion connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion portion,
A disposable endoscope characterized in that at least a part of the constituent parts is made of a biodegradable material.
(Appendix 19)
The disposable endoscope according to appendix 18, wherein
A disposable endoscope characterized in that a plastic material constituting the component is made of a biodegradable material.

(Appendix 20)
The disposable endoscope according to appendix 18, wherein
The metal part which comprises the said component is comprised with the raw material which apply | coated the magnetic body metal or the magnetic body metal, The disposable endoscope characterized by the above-mentioned.
(Appendix 21)
The disposable endoscope according to appendix 20, wherein
A disposable endoscope characterized in that the metal parts are used for an air / water supply cylinder unit, a suction cylinder unit, an electric switch part, a tip constituent part, a bending part, and a connector electrode.

  The disposable medical instrument of the present invention and the distribution system of this disposable medical instrument facilitate the distribution, reduce the amount of storage in the medical facility, and allow the manufacturer to grasp the information at the time of disposal so that the medical waste after use Since the load on the environment can be reduced, it can be suitably used particularly for an endoscope cover and a disposable endoscope.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus including an endoscope cover as a disposable medical instrument of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of the endoscope cover of FIG. It is a whole lineblock diagram showing the distribution system of an endoscope cover. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a database structure of the server of the maker of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of ID information reading screen displayed on the monitor arrange | positioned at the laboratory of the hospital of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement until the server of the maker of FIG. 3 calculates the number of used endoscope covers. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement until the server of the maker of FIG. 3 raises a delivery / collection flag. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the terminal of the agency of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the delivery request instruction | indication screen displayed on the terminal of the agency of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the manufacturer's server with respect to operation | movement of the terminal of the agency of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the endoscope cover database of A hospital. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the terminal of the collection trader of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the collection request instruction | indication screen displayed on the terminal of the collection trader of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the collection completed ID information acquisition screen displayed on the terminal of the collection trader of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the manufacturer's server with respect to operation | movement of the terminal of the collection trader of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which the server of a manufacturer performs at the time of acquiring ID information at the time of the sterilization grinding | pulverization process of an endoscope cover from a collection trader's terminal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the sterilization process ID information acquisition screen displayed on the terminal of the collection trader of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the crushing process ID information acquisition screen displayed on the terminal of the collection trader of FIG. It is a whole block diagram of the endoscope apparatus provided with the endoscope cover as a disposable medical instrument of Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of the endoscope cover of FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the 1st structure of the junction part of FIG.19 and FIG.20. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the 2nd structure of the junction part of FIG.19 and FIG.20. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part showing a third configuration of the joint part of FIGS. 19 and 20. It is a whole lineblock diagram showing the distribution system of an endoscope cover. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the decomposition | disassembly process ID information acquisition screen displayed on the terminal of the collection trader of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the grinding | pulverization process ID information acquisition screen displayed on the terminal of the collection trader of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the reuse ID information acquisition screen displayed on the terminal of the collection trader of FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a disposable endoscope as a disposable medical instrument according to Example 3.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope apparatus 2 Endoscope 2a Insertion part 2b Operation part 3 Endoscope cover 5 Light source device 31 Insertion part cover part 31A Tip cover member 32 Operation part cover 33 Mouth part 34 Endoscope insertion channel 41 Identification tag 42 ID reading device 44 In-hospital network 45 In-hospital server 50 Distribution system 51 Hospital 52 Wide area network 53 Manufacturer 53a Server 53b Database 54 Distributor 55 Collection company

Claims (7)

A disposable medical instrument used in medical practice,
A disposable medical instrument characterized in that at least a part of the components constituting the disposable medical instrument is made of a biodegradable material. A disposable medical device according to claim 1,
A disposable medical instrument characterized in that all of the components constituting the disposable medical instrument are made of the biodegradable material. A disposable medical device according to claim 1,
The component constituting the disposable medical device is configured to be decomposable into a biodegradable part made of the biodegradable material and a non-biodegradable part made of a non-biodegradable material. A disposable medical device. It is a distribution system of the disposable medical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The disposable medical device has identification marker information;
A used identification sign information obtaining unit for obtaining identification sign information of the disposable medical instrument that has been used via a communication line;
Based on the used identification marker information acquired by the used identification marker information acquisition unit, a calculation unit that calculates the number of the used medical instruments,
Based on the calculation result of the calculation unit, a delivery instruction unit that transmits delivery instruction information of a new disposable medical device via the communication line;
Delivered identification marker information acquisition unit for acquiring identification marker information of all the disposable medical instruments delivered based on the delivery instruction information from the delivery instruction unit, via the communication line,
Based on the calculation result of the calculation unit, a collection instruction unit that transmits collection instruction information of the used medical device via the communication line;
A collected identification label information acquisition unit that acquires the identification mark information of the disposable medical instrument that has been collected based on the collection instruction information from the collection instruction unit;
A distribution system for disposable medical instruments, comprising: It is a distribution system of the disposable medical instrument according to claim 4,
The calculation unit calculates the number of used medical instruments by comparing the identification marker information acquired by the used identification marker information acquisition unit with identification marker information recorded in advance in a database. Distributing system for disposable medical devices. It is a distribution system of the disposable medical instrument according to claim 4,
The collected identification marker information acquiring unit acquires the identification marker information of the crushed disposable medical instrument via the communication line, and the distribution system of the disposable medical instrument characterized by the above. It is a distribution system of the disposable medical instrument according to claim 4,
Each non-biodegradable part of the disposable medical device has identification marker information,
The collected identification marker information acquisition unit acquires the identification marker information of the non-biodegradable unit via the communication line.

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