JP2009189414A - Endoscope washing and disinfecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent imperfect washing and disinfection caused by projection of one part of an endoscope from liquid and prevent contamination of the endoscope by water droplets stuck to the inner face of a top cover. <P>SOLUTION: When the top cover 37 is closed, the inner face section 62 of the top cover 37 faces the whole body of an opening 31a of a washing tub 31 or is fitted thereto. The flow rate of an antiseptic solution 85 fed from an antiseptic solution tank 87 to the washing tub 31 is measured by a second flow rate sensor 89. The feed rate of the antiseptic solution 85 fed to the washing tub 31 is calculated based on the measurement result of the second flow rate sensor 89. When the liquid level position of the antiseptic solution 85 in the washing tub 31 reaches a position coming into contact with the inner face section 62, the supply of the antiseptic solutio 85 is stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus including a cleaning tank that houses an endoscope and a lid that opens and closes an opening at the top of the cleaning tank.

  An endoscope is known as a medical device used for inspection and treatment in a body cavity of a living body. The endoscope includes an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity. The insertion portion is a rod-shaped body having a circular cross section and having flexibility. An imaging unit for imaging the inside of the body cavity is provided at the distal end of the insertion unit. A plurality of channels exposed from the distal end of the insertion portion are provided in the insertion portion. For example, treatment tools such as forceps and injection needles used for treatment of the affected area are inserted into the forceps channel.

  Endoscopes are always cleaned and disinfected after use. Endoscopes after use have body fluid and dirt attached mainly to the outer surface of the insertion portion and each channel. Pathogenic bacteria and viruses contained in body fluids and filth cause nosocomial infections. The cleaning of the endoscope is a process of washing away body fluids and dirt attached to the endoscope using water or a detergent. Endoscope disinfection is a process of immersing the endoscope in a disinfectant solution to remove pathogenic bacteria and viruses that are not removed by washing, or to eliminate pathogenicity.

  Endoscope cleaning and disinfecting devices that can automatically perform endoscope cleaning and disinfection are used. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus includes a cleaning tank, a water supply nozzle, and a liquid supply nozzle. The washing tank is a water tank whose upper part is opened, and stores the used endoscope. The water supply nozzle injects water as a cleaning liquid into the cleaning tank. The liquid supply nozzle supplies a disinfectant into the cleaning tank when the endoscope is disinfected. The supply amount of water and disinfecting liquid is controlled based on the detection result of the liquid level detection sensor provided in the cleaning tank.

  The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus includes a top cover that opens and closes an opening at the top of the cleaning tank. The top cover is opened when the endoscope is accommodated in or removed from the cleaning tank, and is closed during cleaning and disinfection. At the time of cleaning the endoscope, splashes of water sprayed into the cleaning tank adhere to the inner surface of the top cover to form water droplets. The water droplets adhering to the inner surface of the top cover contain pathogenic bacteria and viruses washed away from the endoscope. There is concern that the endoscope after disinfection is contaminated by water droplets adhering to the inner surface of the top cover.

Various inventions have been made to prevent the endoscope from being contaminated by water droplets adhering to the inner surface of the top cover. For example, in an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device described in Patent Document 1, a flat surface portion provided on a top cover is brought into contact with a disinfecting liquid stored in a cleaning tank, and the flat surface portion is disinfected together with an endoscope. The water supply nozzle and the liquid supply nozzle are provided at a position higher than the liquid level of the water or the disinfecting liquid stored in the cleaning tank in order to prevent the backflow of the water or the disinfecting liquid stored in the cleaning tank. Therefore, the top cover described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a convex portion that covers the water supply nozzle and the liquid supply nozzle. A disinfecting liquid ejected from a slit provided in the liquid supply nozzle is applied to the inner surface of the convex portion.
Japanese Patent No. 3219730

  In the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the disinfection of the endoscope may be incomplete. The endoscope has an insertion portion bent in an annular shape and is accommodated in a cleaning tank. The insertion portion may be bent due to its own elasticity, vibration, impact, water flow of the cleaning liquid, or the like, and may move to a position different from the original position. For example, when the distal end of the insertion portion moves into the convex portion of the top cover and protrudes from the liquid surface of the disinfecting liquid, the protruding portion is not immersed in the disinfecting liquid or the immersion time is shortened.

  Even if a disinfectant is applied to the inner surface of the convex portion of the top cover, it is considered that a sufficient disinfecting effect cannot be obtained. For example, when the ejection pressure of the disinfecting liquid ejected from the liquid supply nozzle is low, water droplets attached to the inner surface of the convex portion cannot be washed away sufficiently. Further, the contact time between the inner surface of the convex portion and the disinfecting liquid is shorter than that in the case of being immersed in the disinfecting liquid.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent a part of an endoscope from protruding from a liquid and incomplete disinfection. Another object of the present invention is to prevent the endoscope from being contaminated by water droplets adhering to the inner surface of the top cover.

  In the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of the present invention, the inner surface of the lid that opens and closes the opening at the top of the cleaning tank faces or fits over the entire opening of the cleaning tank. Moreover, the detection means which detects supply_amount | feed_rate of the disinfection liquid supplied in a washing tank with a liquid supply means is provided. The control means controls the supply amount of the disinfecting liquid by the liquid supplying means based on the detection result of the detecting means, and brings the disinfecting liquid into contact with the inner surface portion.

  The flow rate of the disinfectant may be measured by the detection means. An appropriate amount of disinfectant can be supplied according to the capacity of the cleaning tank. Moreover, an overflow unit that discharges a predetermined amount or more of a predetermined amount of disinfecting liquid from the cleaning tank may be provided, and the disinfecting liquid that has flowed into the overflow unit may be detected by the detecting unit. An amount of the disinfecting liquid that fills the cleaning tank, that is, an amount of the disinfecting liquid that reliably contacts the inner surface of the lid can be supplied. Further, even if a disinfecting liquid exceeding the capacity of the cleaning tank is accidentally supplied to the cleaning tank, the excess disinfecting liquid is discharged, so that the lid is not opened by the pressure of the disinfecting liquid.

  According to the present invention, since the inner surface of the lid faces or fits over the entire opening in the cleaning tank and is brought into contact with the disinfecting liquid, the endoscope can be prevented from protruding out of the disinfecting liquid. . Further, since the inner surface portion of the lid is sterilized together with the endoscope, it is possible to prevent the endoscope from being contaminated by water droplets attached to the lid. Further, since the supply amount of the disinfecting liquid is detected by the detecting means and the liquid supplying means is controlled based on the detection result, the supply amount of the disinfecting liquid is provided even in the cleaning tank whose entire opening is covered with the inner surface of the lid. Can be controlled appropriately.

  An endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an endoscope that is cleaned and disinfected by the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of the present invention. The endoscope 10 includes an insertion unit 11 that is inserted into a body cavity of a living body, and an operation unit 12 that operates the insertion unit 11.

  The insertion part 11 is a rod-shaped body having a circular cross section and has flexibility. At the distal end of the insertion unit 11, an illumination unit that illuminates the inside of the body cavity and an imaging unit (not shown) that images the inside of the body cavity are provided. In the insertion portion 11, an air / water feeding channel 15 and a forceps channel 16, one end of which is exposed from the distal end of the insertion portion 11, are provided. A suction channel 17 is connected to the forceps channel 16.

  The operation unit 12 is provided with a forceps port 20, an air / water supply button 21, and a suction button 22. The forceps port 20 is fitted with a forceps port cap 23 that is removed during use. The air / water supply button 21 and the suction button 22 are detachably attached to the mounting ports 12a and 12b. The forceps port cap 23, the air / water supply button 21, and the suction button 22 are removed from the operation unit 12 when the endoscope 10 is cleaned.

  In the universal cord 25 and the connector unit 26 connected to the operation unit 12, the air / water supply channel 15 and the suction channel 17, and the wiring of the illumination unit and the imaging unit are incorporated. The connector portion 26 is provided with a contact portion for connecting the wiring to the light source device and the video processor. When the endoscope 10 is cleaned, a waterproof cap 27 (see FIG. 3) that covers and protects the contact portion of the connector portion 26 is attached.

  An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus) 28 shown in FIG. 2 is an apparatus that accommodates the used endoscope 10 for cleaning and disinfection. The device 28 includes a box-shaped device main body 30. A cleaning tank 31 in which the used endoscope 10 is accommodated is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 30. The cleaning tank 31 is a water tank having an open top, and is formed of a metal plate having excellent heat resistance, corrosion resistance, etc., such as stainless steel.

  An operation panel 33 and a display panel 34 are arranged in front of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 30. The operation panel 33 includes a number of buttons for instructing various settings related to cleaning and disinfection of the endoscope 10 and starting or stopping of cleaning and disinfection. For example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) is used for the display panel 34, and various setting screens, remaining time of each process, a warning message when a trouble occurs, and the like are displayed.

  A top cover 37 for opening and closing the opening 31 a at the top of the cleaning tank 31 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 30. The top cover 37 is a rectangular plate-shaped body made of, for example, plastic, and one side is pivotally supported by a hinge 38 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 30. Although not shown in detail, the top cover 37 is provided with a lock mechanism for locking in the closed position.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a supply port 40 that supplies liquid used for cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope 10 into the cleaning tank 31 is provided on the inner surface 31 b of the cleaning tank 31. The supply port 40 is provided with a water supply nozzle 41, a detergent supply nozzle 42, and a disinfectant supply nozzle 43 that protrude into the cleaning tank 31.

  The water supply nozzle 41 supplies water into the cleaning tank 31. The detergent supply nozzle 42 supplies detergent (for example, liquid enzyme detergent) into the cleaning tank 31. The disinfectant supply nozzle 43 supplies disinfectant (for example, glutaraldehyde, peracetic acid, orthophthalaldehyde) into the cleaning tank 31. Body fluids and filths adhering to the endoscope 10 are washed away by a cleaning liquid in which water and a detergent are mixed. Pathogenic bacteria and viruses that have not been washed away with the cleaning solution are removed by the disinfecting solution, or the pathogenicity is lost.

  A channel cleaning port 45 is provided on the inner side surface 31 c of the cleaning tank 31. The channel cleaning port 45 is used for cleaning and disinfecting the air / water channel 15, the forceps channel 16 and the suction channel 17 of the endoscope 10. The channel washing port 45 is provided with an air / water channel coupler 46, a suction channel coupler 47, and a forceps channel coupler 48.

  In the endoscope 10 accommodated in the cleaning tank 31, the mounting ports 12a and 12b and the forceps port 20 are connected to the couplers 46 to 48 by tubes 50 to 52 having flexibility. Gases and liquids such as water, cleaning liquid, disinfecting liquid, alcohol, and compressed air are supplied from the couplers 46 to 48 into the air / water supply channel 15, the forceps channel 16, and the suction channel 17.

  In the vicinity of the supply port 40, an airtight test port 54 used for an airtight test of the endoscope 10 is provided. The airtight test port 54 is provided with a tube coupler 54a for supplying compressed air. A tube having flexibility is attached to the tube coupler 54a. The tube is connected to a waterproof cap (not shown) 27 attached to the connector portion 26.

  An accessory cleaning basket 56 is attached to the bottom surface 31 d of the cleaning tank 31. The accessory washing basket 56 is, for example, a rectangular basket having an upper opening, and accessory parts such as an air / water supply button 21, a suction button 22, and a forceps port cap 23 removed from the operation unit 12 of the endoscope 10. Is housed. A waste liquid port 58 is provided at a corner of the bottom surface 31d. The waste liquid port 58 discharges used water, cleaning liquid, and disinfecting liquid from the cleaning tank 31.

  An overflow port 60 is provided at the edge 31 e provided on the outer periphery of the upper surface of the cleaning tank 31. The overflow port 60 discharges the disinfecting liquid overflowing from the cleaning tank 31 when a disinfecting liquid of a capacity or more is supplied into the cleaning tank 31.

  The inner surface 37a of the top cover 37 is provided with a flat inner surface portion 62 protruding in the thickness direction. A waterproof packing 63 made of rubber, elastomer or the like is provided on the outer periphery of the inner surface portion 62. As shown in FIG. 4, when the top cover 37 is closed, the waterproof packing 63 comes into contact with the edge portion 31 e to seal the inside of the cleaning tank 31. The inner surface portion 62 has a size that faces the entire opening 31a of the cleaning tank 31 or loosely fits into the opening 31a. The flat surface portion 62a of the inner surface portion 62 is disposed substantially horizontally when the top cover 37 is closed.

  FIG. 5 shows a piping system in the apparatus main body 30. A rubber heater 66 is attached to the lower surface of the cleaning tank 31. The rubber heater 66 heats the cleaning liquid or the disinfecting liquid stored in the cleaning tank 31 through the cleaning tank 31. In the cleaning tank 31, a temperature sensor (TE) 67 for measuring the temperature of the cleaning liquid or the disinfecting liquid is provided in addition to the above-described supply port 40 and the like.

  The water supply nozzle 41 is connected to a liquid supply path 70 through which water, a cleaning liquid, and a disinfecting liquid are flowed. The liquid supply path 70 is provided with a check valve 71 that prevents the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 31 from flowing back to the water supply nozzle 41. The other end of the liquid supply path 70 is connected to one end of the electric three-way valve 72.

  A water supply path 74 is connected to the other end of the electric three-way valve 72. The water supply channel 74 is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body 30 and connected to a tap water tap. The water supply path 74 is provided with a solenoid valve 75, a water filter (hereinafter abbreviated as WF) 76, and a first flow rate sensor 77 from the side connected to the faucet. The electromagnetic valve 75 switches supply / stop of tap water to the water supply channel 74. The WF 76 captures foreign substances and bacteria contained in tap water. The first flow rate sensor 77 measures the flow rate of water flowing in the water supply channel 74. The electric three-way valve 72 connects the liquid supply path 70 and the water supply path 74 when supplying water into the cleaning tank 31.

  A detergent supply path 80 for supplying the detergent 79 is connected to the detergent supply nozzle 42. The other end of the detergent supply path 80 is connected to a detergent tank 81 in which a detergent 79 is accommodated. The detergent supply path 80 is provided with a water pump (hereinafter abbreviated as WP) 82 and a check valve 83 from the detergent tank 81 side. The WP 82 sucks the detergent 79 in the detergent tank 81. The check valve 83 prevents the liquid from flowing back to the detergent supply nozzle 42.

  The disinfectant supply nozzle 43 is connected with a disinfectant supply path 86 for supplying the disinfectant 85. The other end of the disinfecting liquid supply path 86 is connected to a disinfecting liquid tank 87 in which the disinfecting liquid 85 is accommodated. In the disinfectant supply path 86, a WP 88, a second flow rate sensor 89, and a check valve 90 are provided from the disinfectant tank 87 side. The WP 88 sucks the disinfecting liquid 85 in the disinfecting liquid tank 87. The second flow rate sensor 89 measures the flow rate of the disinfecting liquid 85 flowing through the disinfecting liquid supply path 86. The check valve 90 prevents the antiseptic solution 85 from flowing back to the antiseptic solution supply nozzle 43. The disinfecting liquid tank 87 is provided with a drain passage 87a for discharging the used disinfecting liquid 85.

  A waste liquid passage 93 branched on the downstream side is connected to the waste liquid port 58. One of the branched first waste liquid paths 94 discharges the cleaning liquid and water used for cleaning the endoscope 10 to the outside of the apparatus main body 30 by the WP 95. The other second waste liquid path 96 returns the disinfecting liquid 85 used for disinfecting the endoscope 10 to the disinfecting liquid tank 87. Since the disinfecting liquid 85 does not lose its disinfecting effect after being used several times, it is returned to the disinfecting liquid tank 87 and repeatedly used. The first waste liquid path 94 and the second waste liquid path 96 are switched by opening and closing electromagnetic valves 97 and 98 provided respectively.

  A circulation path 100 for circulating the cleaning liquid, the disinfecting liquid 85, and water stored in the cleaning tank 31 is also connected to the waste liquid port 58. The circulation path 100 is provided with a WP 101 that sucks the liquid in the cleaning tank 31. The circulation path 100 is branched into a first circulation path 102 and a second circulation path 103 on the downstream side of the WP 100. The first circulation path 102 is connected to the electric three-way valve 72. The electric three-way valve 72 connects the liquid supply path 70 and the first circulation path 102 when circulating the water, the cleaning liquid, and the disinfecting liquid 85 stored in the cleaning tank 31.

  The second circulation path 103 is connected to the couplers 46 to 48 of the channel cleaning port 45 described above. The cleaning liquid, the disinfecting liquid 85, and the water that have flowed into the second circulation path 103 pass through the couplers 46 to 48 and the tubes 50 to 52 of the channel cleaning port 45, and are supplied to the air, water supply channel 15, forceps channel 16, and suction channel 17 Clean and disinfect.

  In addition to the second circulation path 103, the channel cleaning port 45 is connected to an air supply path for blowing air into each channel to remove water droplets, an alcohol supply path for allowing alcohol to flow and drying in each channel, and the like. In order to avoid complication of the drawing, FIG. 5 does not show the channel cleaning port 45 and the airtight test port 54 and various supply paths connected to them.

  An overflow passage 105 is connected to the overflow port 60. The overflow passage 105 is connected to the waste liquid path 93 and allows the disinfecting liquid 85 discharged from the overflow port 60 to flow into the waste liquid path 93.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus 28 includes a CPU 107 that controls the entire apparatus, a ROM 108 that stores a control program and various data, and a RAM 109 that is an execution area of the control program read from the ROM 108. I have. The CPU 107 drives an LCD driver 110 that drives the display panel 34, a valve driver 111 that drives each electromagnetic valve, a motor driver 112 that drives the electric three-way valve 72, a WP driver 113 that drives each WP, and a rubber heater 66. A heater driver 114 and the like are connected.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the cleaning and disinfection process of the endoscope 10 by the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 28 will be described. The endoscope 10 is washed with water with a sink or the like (preliminary washing) immediately after the inspection is completed, and is washed away before the attached dirt or the like becomes dry and difficult to fall off. Note that it is preferable to turn on the power of the apparatus 28 so that the endoscope 10 can be cleaned immediately after the preliminary cleaning.

  Small parts such as the air / water feed button 21, the suction button 22, and the forceps port cap 23 are removed from the operation unit 12 of the endoscope 10 and are accommodated in the small article washing basket 56. The operation unit 12 is accommodated in the cleaning tank 31 such that the mounting ports 12 a and 12 b face the channel cleaning port 45 and are along the longitudinal direction of the cleaning tank 31. The insertion portion 11 is wound in an annular shape and placed between the inner side surface 31 c and the small article cleaning basket 56. The connector portion 26 is placed between the inner side surface 31f and the accessory washing basket 56 with the universal cord 25 bent.

  Tubes 50 to 52 are respectively attached to the air / water channel coupler 46, the suction channel coupler 47, and the forceps channel coupler 48 of the channel cleaning port 45. The tubes 50 to 52 are connected to the air supply / water supply button mounting port 12 a, the suction button mounting port 12 b, and the forceps port 20 of the endoscope 10, respectively. After the endoscope 10 is accommodated in the cleaning tank 31, the top cover 37 is closed. The inner surface 62 of the top cover 37 faces the entire opening 31a of the cleaning tank 31 or fits loosely.

  The operation panel 33 is operated, and the cleaning process of the endoscope 10 is started. The CPU 107 controls the valve driver 111 to open the electromagnetic valve 75. Further, the motor driver 112 is controlled to switch the electric three-way valve 72 to connect the liquid supply path 70 and the water supply path 74. The water flowing through the water supply channel 74 due to the water pressure from the water pipe is purified by the WF 76. The water that has flowed into the liquid supply path 70 through the water supply path 74 is jetted from the water supply nozzle 41 into the cleaning tank 31.

  The CPU 107 drives the WP 82 simultaneously with the start of water supply to the cleaning tank 31, and discharges a predetermined amount of detergent 79 from the detergent supply nozzle 42 into the cleaning tank 31. A cleaning liquid in which water and a detergent 79 are mixed is generated in the cleaning tank 31.

  The CPU 107 calculates the supply amount of water supplied into the cleaning tank 31 based on the measurement result of the first flow sensor 77. The CPU 107 closes the electromagnetic valve 75 and stops water supply when the water supply amount reaches a predetermined amount.

  The CPU 107 controls the heater driver 114 to drive the rubber heater 66. The heat of the rubber heater 66 is transmitted to the cleaning liquid through the cleaning tank 31. The temperature of the cleaning liquid is detected by a temperature sensor 67. The CPU 107 controls the rubber heater 66 so that the cleaning liquid maintains a predetermined temperature.

  The CPU 107 switches the electric three-way valve 72 to connect the liquid supply path 70 and the first circulation path 102 and drives the WP 101. The cleaning liquid discharged to the waste liquid port 58 flows through the circulation path 100, the first circulation path 102, and the liquid supply path 70 and is jetted toward the endoscope 10 by the water supply nozzle 41. Body fluid and dirt attached to the outer surface of the endoscope 10 are washed away by the impact of the jetted cleaning liquid and the vortex flow during circulation. Since the concentration gradient of the detergent is leveled by the circulation of the cleaning liquid, the same cleaning power can be obtained in the entire area of the cleaning tank 31.

  The cleaning liquid that has flowed through the circulation path 100 is supplied into the endoscope 10 through the second circulation path 103, the channel cleaning port 45, and the like. The cleaning liquid supplied into the endoscope 10 cleans the air / water supply channel 15, the forceps channel 16 and the suction channel 17.

  The CPU 107 opens the electromagnetic valve 97 and drives the WP 95 after a predetermined time has elapsed. The cleaning liquid used for cleaning flows through the waste liquid port 58, the waste liquid path 93, and the first waste liquid path 94 and is discharged out of the apparatus main body 30. In order to prevent the cleaning liquid from remaining in the circulation path 100 and the like, the driving of the WP 101 is stopped after the discharge of the cleaning liquid.

  In order to remove the cleaning liquid from the endoscope 10, rinsing with water is performed. The CPU 107 supplies a predetermined amount of water into the cleaning tank 31 and circulates the water to remove the cleaning liquid adhering to the outer surface of the endoscope 10 and each channel. Since the supply of water and the discharge of water after rinsing are the same as at the time of washing, a detailed description is omitted.

  The CPU 107 drives the WP 88 to supply the disinfecting liquid 85 into the cleaning tank 31. The CPU 107 calculates the supply amount of the disinfecting liquid 85 supplied into the cleaning tank 31 based on the measurement result of the second flow sensor 89. The CPU 107 stops the WP 88 when the liquid level position of the disinfecting liquid 85 reaches a position where it comes into contact with the inner surface portion 62 of the top cover 37. Disinfecting liquid 85 exceeding the capacity of the cleaning tank 31 is discharged to the waste liquid path 93 through the overflow port 60 and the overflow passage 105.

  The CPU 107 heats the disinfecting liquid 85 to a predetermined temperature using the rubber heater 66 and the temperature sensor 67. After heating the disinfecting solution 85, the CPU 107 drives the WP 101 to circulate the disinfecting solution 85 in the cleaning tank 31 and in each channel. The outer surface of the endoscope 10 and each channel are sterilized by being immersed in the disinfecting liquid 85. The CPU 107 opens the electromagnetic valve 98 after a predetermined time has elapsed, and returns the disinfecting liquid 85 to the disinfecting liquid tank 87.

  During the disinfection of the endoscope 10, the endoscope 10 may move in the cleaning tank 31 due to the circulating flow of the disinfecting liquid 85, some vibration, impact, or the like, and the insertion unit 11 may be wound and loosened. In the present invention, the inner surface portion 62 of the top cover 37 faces the entire opening 31 a of the cleaning tank 31 and the disinfecting liquid 85 is in contact with the inner surface portion 62, so that the insertion portion 11 does not protrude out of the disinfecting liquid 85. Absent.

  After the disinfection is completed, rinsing is performed twice in order to remove the disinfectant 85 from the endoscope 10. After the end of rinsing, the CPU 107 blows air into each channel of the endoscope 10 to remove water droplets, and then causes alcohol to flow through each channel to dry it.

  After completion of cleaning and disinfection of the endoscope 10, the top cover 37 is opened and the endoscope 10 is taken out from the cleaning tank 31. Although water droplets at the time of rinsing adhere to the inner surface portion 62 of the top cover 37, the inner surface portion 62 is sterilized together with the endoscope 10, so that the endoscope 10 is again contaminated by the water droplets. Absent.

  In the above embodiment, the flow rate of the disinfecting solution 85 is measured by the second flow rate sensor 89, and the supply of the disinfecting solution 85 is stopped when the supply amount of the disinfecting solution 85 reaches a predetermined amount. However, since the thickness and length of the insertion portion 11 vary depending on the application, manufacturer, etc., even if the same amount of the disinfecting liquid 85 is supplied into the cleaning tank 31, the endoscope 10 depends on the volume difference of the endoscope 10. It is conceivable that the disinfecting liquid 85 overflows from the overflow port 60 or the disinfecting liquid 85 does not contact the inner surface portion 62. Therefore, when the disinfecting liquid 85 overflows from the overflow port 60, the supply of the disinfecting liquid 85 may be stopped.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the overflow passage 105 is provided with a liquid sensor 120 that detects the disinfecting liquid 85 overflowing from the cleaning tank 31. As the liquid sensor 120, various types of liquid sensors such as a capacitance type and an optical type can be used. The liquid sensor 120 generates a detection signal when detecting the disinfectant 85 and inputs the detection signal to the CPU 107. When the detection signal is input from the liquid sensor 120, the CPU 107 stops the WP 88 and ends the supply of the disinfecting liquid 85 to the cleaning tank 31.

  As a result, regardless of the volume difference of the endoscope 10, an amount of the disinfectant 85 that contacts the inner surface 62 of the top cover 37 is reliably supplied into the cleaning tank 31. Since the disinfecting liquid 85 that has flowed into the overflow passage 105 is returned to the disinfecting liquid tank 87, the disinfecting liquid 85 is not wasted.

  In each of the above embodiments, the disinfectant 85 is brought into contact with the inner surface portion 62 of the top cover 37, but cleaning liquid or rinsing water may also be brought into contact with the inner surface portion 62. The inner surface part 62 can be cleaned each time.

  In addition, the first flow sensor 77 and the second flow sensor 89 are provided in order to measure the flow rates of water and the disinfectant solution 85, but a single flow sensor may be used.

It is a top view which shows the structural example of an endoscope. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance shape of the endoscope washing | cleaning disinfection apparatus of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of a washing tank. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which closed the top cover. It is a piping diagram which shows the schematic piping system in an apparatus main body. It is a block diagram which shows a part of electrical structure of an endoscope washing | cleaning disinfection apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the washing | cleaning and disinfection procedure of an endoscope. It is a piping diagram which shows the example which provided the liquid sensor in the overflow channel | path. It is a block diagram of an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus that controls the supply amount of disinfecting liquid using a liquid sensor.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Endoscope 11 Insertion part 12 Operation part 28 Endoscope washing | cleaning disinfection apparatus 30 Apparatus main body 31 Cleaning tank 31a Opening 37 Top cover 40 Supply port 60 Overflow port 62 Inner surface part 77 1st flow sensor 85 Disinfection liquid 89 2nd flow sensor 105 Overflow passage 120 Liquid sensor

Claims (3)

The disinfection stored in the cleaning tank, having a cleaning tank for storing an endoscope, a lid for opening and closing an opening at the top of the cleaning tank, and a liquid supply means for supplying a disinfecting liquid into the cleaning tank In an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for disinfecting the endoscope by immersing the endoscope in liquid,
An inner surface portion of the lid that faces or fits over the entire opening of the cleaning tank when the lid is closed;
Detecting means for detecting a supply amount of the disinfecting liquid supplied into the cleaning tank by the liquid supply means;
An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the liquid supply unit based on a detection result of the detection unit and causes the disinfecting liquid to contact the inner surface portion.   The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit measures a flow rate of the disinfecting liquid.   The overflow means for discharging the disinfecting liquid of a predetermined amount or more set in advance from the cleaning tank is provided, and the detecting means detects the disinfecting liquid flowing into the overflow means. Endoscope cleaning disinfection device.

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