JP2009225811A - Endoscope washing and disinfecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent incomplete disinfection of an endoscope by air bubbles of disinfectant liquid staying under a liquid contact surface of a top cover. <P>SOLUTION: The top cover 58 for opening and closing the upper opening of a washing tub 31 includes a nozzle cover part 62 and the liquid contact surface 63. The nozzle cover part 62 covers a disinfectant liquid supply nozzle 39 and a part of the washing tub 31. The liquid contact surface 63 is suitable for the washing tub 31 and is in contact with the disinfectant liquid 81 stored inside the washing tub 31, and the liquid contact surface 63 is inclined so that the side in contact with the nozzle cover part 62 is high. The air bubbles 105 staying under the liquid contact surface 63 are moved to the nozzle cover part 62 by the buoyancy of themselves. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,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 flexible rod-like body, and includes an imaging portion that images the inside of the body cavity and various channels such as a forceps channel through which the treatment tool is inserted. There are various types of endoscopes, such as those for upper digestive organs, those for lower digestive organs, and those for bronchi. The length of the insertion portion varies depending on the type of endoscope, and varies from a length of 1 m or less to a length exceeding 1.5 m.

  End-use endoscopes are always cleaned and disinfected in order to remove body fluids and dirt attached to the outer surface of the insertion section and the inside of each channel. Body fluids and dirt attached to the endoscope are washed away using water or detergent. The endoscope after washing is immersed in a disinfectant solution. Pathogenic bacteria and viruses that have not been removed by washing are removed by a disinfectant, or pathogenicity is lost.

  In order to efficiently clean and disinfect an endoscope, an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus is used. As shown in FIG. 9, a conventional endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 110 includes a cleaning tank 111, a supply port 112, and the like. The cleaning tank 111 is a water tank whose upper part is opened, and stores the used endoscope 113. The supply port 112 includes a water supply nozzle 114, a disinfectant supply nozzle 115, and the like. As shown in FIG. 10, the disinfecting liquid supply nozzle 115 discharges the disinfecting liquid from above the cleaning tank 111 and supplies it into the cleaning tank 111. This is to prevent the disinfecting liquid 120 stored in the cleaning tank 111 from flowing back to the disinfecting liquid supply nozzle 115 and the like.

  The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 110 includes a top cover 117 that opens and closes an opening 111 a at the top of the cleaning tank 111. The top cover 117 is closed when the endoscope 113 is cleaned and disinfected. The top cover 117 is provided with a nozzle cover portion 118 and a liquid contact surface 119. The nozzle cover portion 118 has a concave shape that covers the supply port 112 and a part of the cleaning tank 111. When the top cover 117 is closed, the liquid contact surface 119 comes into contact with the disinfecting liquid 120 stored in the cleaning tank 111 and is disinfected with the endoscope 113 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Since the disinfecting liquid 120 is supplied into the cleaning tank 111 from above the cleaning tank 111, the disinfecting liquid 120 stored in the cleaning tank 111 is likely to generate a liquid flow in which bubbles 122 are mixed. Further, the disinfecting liquid 120 stored in the cleaning tank 111 is discharged again from the water supply nozzle 114 into the cleaning tank 111 through a circulation path connected to the cleaning tank 111, and bubbles 122 are also generated at that time. The bubbles 122 of the disinfecting liquid 120 generated on the liquid surface of the disinfecting liquid 120 circulate in the cleaning tank 111 and stay below the liquid contact surface 119.
Japanese Patent No. 3219730

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the endoscope 113 having the long insertion portion 124 is accommodated in the cleaning tank 111, a double or triple overlap occurs in the bent insertion portion 124. The endoscope 113 includes a universal cord 125 connected to a video processor or the like, and this universal cord 125 also overlaps the insertion portion 124. Further, an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus is known that accommodates two endoscopes 113 in a cleaning tank 111 and performs cleaning and disinfection. In this endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, an insertion unit 124 and a universal The overlap of the cords 125 becomes even worse.

  The height of the endoscope 113 on which the insertion portion 124 and the universal cord 125 overlap is increased in the depth direction of the cleaning tank 111. Therefore, when the top cover 117 is closed, as shown in FIG. 10, the insertion portion 124 and the universal cord 125 approach the liquid contact surface 119 and come into contact with the bubbles 122 of the disinfecting liquid 120 staying under the liquid contact surface 119. . In the endoscope 113, a liquid contact defect that does not come into contact with the disinfectant liquid 120 occurs in a portion in contact with the bubble 122. Since the immersion time in the disinfecting liquid 120 is shorter than that in the other parts, disinfection may be incomplete in the wetted part.

  Whether or not the insertion portion 124 or the like is in contact with the bubble 122 is difficult to know before the top cover 117 is closed. Further, even if it is found that the insertion portion 124 is in contact with the bubble 122, it is troublesome to open the top cover 117 once closed, take out the endoscope 113, and correct the bending of the insertion portion 124. For this reason, the endoscope 113 may be cleaned and disinfected without solving the liquid contact failure of the insertion portion 124.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent the disinfection of the endoscope from being incomplete due to the bubbles of the disinfecting liquid staying under the liquid contact surface of the top cover.

  An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to the present invention includes a cleaning tank that houses an endoscope, a liquid supply nozzle that discharges a disinfecting liquid used to disinfect the endoscope from above the cleaning tank, and supplies the liquid into the cleaning tank. It has. The lid that opens and closes the upper opening of the cleaning tank is provided with a nozzle cover portion that covers the liquid supply nozzle and a part of the cleaning tank when the lid is closed. Further, the lid is provided with a liquid contact surface that comes into contact with the disinfecting liquid stored in the cleaning tank when the lid is closed and is inclined with respect to the liquid surface of the disinfecting liquid.

  You may provide the vibration provision means which provides a vibration to a lid | cover. Further, the liquid contact surface may be disposed adjacent to the nozzle cover portion, and the liquid contact surface may be inclined so that the side in contact with the nozzle cover portion is disposed at a higher position than other portions.

  According to the present invention, the bubbles staying under the liquid contact surface move from below the liquid contact surface along the inclination of the liquid contact surface by their buoyancy. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the liquid-contact defect of the endoscope by a bubble can be prevented.

  Moreover, the movement of bubbles can be promoted by applying vibration to the lid. Furthermore, since the bubbles can escape to the nozzle cover portion, there is no need to newly provide an exhaust hole or the like for discharging the bubbles from the cleaning tank.

  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.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a supply port 36 is provided in the inclined portion 31 b provided in the corner portion of the cleaning tank 31. The supply port 36 includes a water supply nozzle 37, a detergent supply nozzle 38, and a disinfectant supply nozzle 39. The water supply nozzle 37 discharges water from above the cleaning tank 31 and supplies the water into the cleaning tank 31. The detergent supply nozzle 38 discharges detergent (for example, liquid enzyme detergent) from above the washing tank 31 and supplies the detergent into the washing tank 31. The disinfecting liquid supply nozzle 39 discharges a disinfecting liquid (for example, glutaraldehyde, peracetic acid, orthophthalaldehyde) from the upper side of the cleaning tank 31 and supplies the discharged liquid into the cleaning tank 31.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each of the nozzles 37 to 39 is made of, for example, a metal pipe bent in an arc shape, and the discharge ports 37 a to 39 a at the tip are directed into the cleaning tank 31. The discharge ports 37 a to 39 a are arranged above the cleaning tank 31. This is to prevent the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 31 from flowing back into the nozzle.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a channel cleaning port 41 is provided on the inner surface 31 c of the cleaning tank 31. The channel cleaning port 41 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 cleaning port 41 is provided with an air / water channel coupler 42, a suction channel coupler 43, and a forceps channel coupler 44.

  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 42 to 44 by flexible tubes 46 to 48, respectively. Gases and liquids such as water, cleaning liquid, disinfecting liquid, alcohol, and compressed air are supplied from the couplers 42 to 44 into the air / water supply channel 15, the forceps channel 16, and the suction channel 17.

  An airtight test port 50 used for an airtight test of the endoscope 10 is provided on the inner surface 31 d of the cleaning tank 31. The airtight test port 50 is provided with a tube coupler 50a for supplying compressed air. A tube having flexibility is attached to the tube coupler 50a. The tube is connected to a waterproof cap 27 attached to the connector portion 26. A liquid level sensor 51 is provided on the inner side surface 31d. The liquid level sensor 51 detects the liquid level position of the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 31.

  An accessory cleaning basket 53 is attached to the bottom 31 e of the cleaning tank 31. The accessory washing basket 53 is, for example, a circular cage having an upper opening, and accessory parts such as the air / water supply button 21, the suction button 22, and the forceps port cap 23 removed from the operation unit 12 of the endoscope 10 are used. Be contained. In addition, a waste liquid port 54 is provided at a corner of the bottom surface 31e. The waste liquid port 54 discharges used water, cleaning liquid, and disinfecting liquid from the cleaning tank 31. A vent hole 55 for venting the inside and outside of the cleaning tank 31 is provided in the inner side surface 31f.

  A top cover 58 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 58 is a rectangular plate-like body made of, for example, transparent plastic, and one side is pivotally supported by a hinge 59 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 30. Although not shown in detail, the top cover 58 is provided with a lock mechanism for locking in the closed position.

  A waterproof packing 60 made of rubber, elastomer or the like is provided on the outer periphery of the inner surface of the top cover 58. When the top cover 58 is closed, the waterproof packing 60 abuts on an edge 31g provided on the outer periphery of the upper surface of the cleaning tank 31, and seals the inside of the cleaning tank 31.

  The top cover 58 is provided with a nozzle cover portion 62 and a liquid contact surface 63. The nozzle cover portion 62 is a concave portion that bulges toward the outer surface side of the top cover 58. As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle cover portion 62 covers the nozzles 37 to 39 of the supply port 36 and a part of the cleaning tank 31. The part of the cleaning tank 31 is a range in which liquid is discharged from the nozzles 37 to 39 of the supply port 36 into the cleaning tank 31.

  Although not shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle cover portion 62 also covers the top of the tip portion of the liquid level sensor 51. This is because the liquid level sensor 51 is disposed at a position where the tip is higher than the upper surface of the cleaning tank 31 so that the liquid level of the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 31 can be detected.

  The liquid contact surface 63 is a flat plate portion protruding in the thickness direction of the top cover 58. When the top cover 58 is closed, the liquid contact surface 63 is fitted to the entire opening 31 a of the cleaning tank 31 except for a range covered by the nozzle cover portion 62. The liquid contact surface 63 is inclined so that the side in contact with the nozzle cover portion 62 is disposed at a higher position than the other portions.

  FIG. 5 shows a piping system in the apparatus main body 30. A rubber heater 65 is attached to the lower surface of the cleaning tank 31. The rubber heater 65 heats the cleaning liquid or the disinfecting liquid stored in the cleaning tank 31 through the cleaning tank 31. In addition to the supply port 36 and the like, a temperature sensor (TE) 66 that measures the temperature of the cleaning liquid or the disinfecting liquid is provided in the cleaning tank 31.

  The water supply nozzle 37 is connected to a liquid supply path 68 through which water, a cleaning liquid, and a disinfecting liquid flow. The other end of the liquid supply path 68 is connected to one end of the electric three-way valve 69. A water supply path 70 is connected to the other end of the electric three-way valve 69. The water supply path 70 is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body 30 and connected to a tap water tap.

  The water supply path 70 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 72 and a water filter (hereinafter abbreviated as WF) 73 from the side connected to the faucet. The solenoid valve 72 switches supply / stop of tap water to the water supply channel 70. WF73 captures foreign substances and bacteria contained in tap water. The electric three-way valve 69 connects the liquid supply path 68 and the water supply path 70 when supplying water into the cleaning tank 31.

  A detergent supply path 75 is connected to the detergent supply nozzle 38. The other end of the detergent supply path 75 is connected to a detergent tank 77 in which the detergent 76 is stored. The detergent supply path 75 is provided with a water pump (hereinafter abbreviated as WP) 78. The WP 78 sucks the detergent 76 in the detergent tank 77 and discharges it from the detergent supply nozzle 38.

  A disinfectant supply path 80 is connected to the disinfectant supply nozzle 39. The other end of the disinfecting liquid supply path 80 is connected to a disinfecting liquid tank 82 in which a disinfecting liquid 81 is stored. A WP 83 is provided in the disinfectant supply path 80. The WP 83 sucks the disinfecting liquid 81 in the disinfecting liquid tank 82 and discharges it from the disinfecting liquid supply nozzle 39. The disinfecting liquid tank 82 is provided with a discharge passage 82 a for discharging the used disinfecting liquid 81.

  A waste liquid path 85 branched on the downstream side is connected to the waste liquid port 54. One of the branched first waste liquid paths 86 discharges the cleaning liquid and water used for cleaning the endoscope 10 to the outside of the apparatus main body 30 by the WP 87. The other second waste liquid path 88 returns the disinfecting liquid 81 used for disinfecting the endoscope 10 to the disinfecting liquid tank 82. Since the disinfecting solution 81 does not lose its disinfecting effect after several uses, it is returned to the disinfecting solution tank 82 and used repeatedly. The first waste liquid path 86 and the second waste liquid path 88 are switched by opening and closing electromagnetic valves 89 and 90 provided respectively.

  A circulation path 92 for circulating the cleaning liquid, the disinfecting liquid 81, and the water stored in the cleaning tank 31 is also connected to the waste liquid port. The circulation path 92 is provided with a WP 93 that sucks the liquid in the cleaning tank 31. The circulation path 92 is branched into a first circulation path 94 and a second circulation path 95 on the downstream side of the WP 93. The first circulation path 94 is connected to the electric three-way valve 69. The electric three-way valve 69 connects the liquid supply path 68 and the first circulation path 94 when circulating the water, the cleaning liquid, and the disinfecting liquid 81 stored in the cleaning tank 31.

  The second circulation path 95 is connected to each of the couplers 42 to 44 of the channel cleaning port 41 described above. The cleaning liquid, the disinfecting liquid 81, and the water that have flowed to the second circulation path 95 pass through the couplers 42 to 44 and the tubes 46 to 48 of the channel cleaning port 41, and are supplied to the air, the water supply channel 15, the forceps channel 16, and the suction channel 17. Clean and disinfect.

  In addition to the second circulation path 95, the channel cleaning port 41 is connected to an air supply path that blows air into each channel to remove water droplets, an alcohol supply path that causes alcohol to flow and dry in each channel, and the like. In order to prevent complication of the drawing, FIG. 5 does not show an air supply path, an alcohol supply path, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus 28 includes a CPU 96 that controls the entire apparatus, a ROM 97 that stores a control program and various data, and a RAM 98 that is an execution area of the control program read from the ROM 97. I have. Connected to the CPU 96 are an LCD driver 99 that drives the display panel 34, a valve driver 100 that drives each electromagnetic valve, and the like. A motor driver 101 that drives the electric three-way valve 69, a WP driver 102 that drives each WP, and a heater driver 103 that drives the rubber heater 65 are also connected to the CPU 96.

  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 53. The operation unit 12 is accommodated in the cleaning tank 31 so that the mounting ports 12 a and 12 b face the channel cleaning port 41. The insertion portion 11 is wound in an annular shape and placed on the outer periphery of the accessory cleaning basket 53. The connector portion 26 is disposed in the vicinity of the airtight test port 50 with the universal cord 25 bent. A waterproof cap 27 is attached to the connector portion 26.

  Tubes 46 to 48 are respectively attached to the air / water channel coupler 42, the suction channel coupler 43, and the forceps channel coupler 44 of the channel cleaning port 41. The tubes 46 to 48 are connected to the air supply / water supply button mounting port 12a, the suction button mounting port 12b, and the forceps port 20 of the endoscope 10, respectively. After the endoscope 10 is accommodated in the cleaning tank 31, the top cover 58 is closed. The nozzle cover portion 62 covers the supply port 36 and the liquid level sensor 51. The liquid contact surface 63 is fitted into the entire opening 31 a of the cleaning tank 31.

  The operation panel 33 is operated, and the cleaning process of the endoscope 10 is started. The CPU 96 controls the valve driver 100 to open the electromagnetic valve 72. Further, the motor driver 101 is controlled to switch the electric three-way valve 69 so that the liquid supply path 68 and the water supply path 70 are connected. The water flowing through the water supply channel 70 by the water pressure from the water pipe is cleaned by the WF 73. The water that has flowed into the liquid supply path 68 through the water supply path 70 is jetted from the water supply nozzle 37 into the cleaning tank 31.

  The CPU 96 drives the WP 78 simultaneously with the start of water supply to the cleaning tank 31, and discharges a predetermined amount of the detergent 76 from the detergent supply nozzle 38 into the cleaning tank 31. As a result, a cleaning liquid in which water and the detergent 76 are mixed is generated in the cleaning tank 31. The amount of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 31 is detected by the liquid level sensor 51. The CPU 96 closes the electromagnetic valve 72 and stops water supply when the liquid level of the cleaning liquid reaches a predetermined position.

  The CPU 96 controls the heater driver 103 to drive the rubber heater 65. The heat of the rubber heater 65 is transmitted to the cleaning liquid through the cleaning tank 31. The temperature of the cleaning liquid is detected by the temperature sensor 66. The CPU 96 controls the rubber heater 65 so that the cleaning liquid maintains a predetermined temperature.

  The CPU 96 switches the electric three-way valve 69 to connect the liquid supply path 68 and the first circulation path 94 to drive the WP 93. The cleaning liquid discharged to the waste liquid port 54 flows through the circulation path 92, the first circulation path 94, and the liquid supply path 68, and is jetted toward the endoscope 10 by the water supply nozzle 37. 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 92 is supplied into the endoscope 10 through the second circulation path 95, the channel cleaning port 41, 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 96 opens the electromagnetic valve 89 and drives the WP 87 after a predetermined time has elapsed. The cleaning liquid used for cleaning flows through the waste liquid port 54, the waste liquid path 85, and the first waste liquid path 86 and is discharged out of the apparatus main body 30. In order to prevent the cleaning liquid from remaining in the circulation path 92 and the like, the driving of the WP 93 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 96 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 96 drives the WP 83 to supply the disinfecting liquid 81 into the cleaning tank 31. The CPU 96 detects the liquid level position of the disinfecting liquid 81 in the cleaning tank 31 by the liquid level sensor 51. The CPU 96 stops the WP 83 when the liquid level position of the disinfecting liquid 81 reaches the liquid contact surface 63 of the top cover 58.

  The CPU 96 heats the disinfectant liquid 81 to a predetermined temperature using the rubber heater 65 and the temperature sensor 66. After heating the disinfecting liquid 81, the CPU 96 drives the WP 93 to circulate the disinfecting liquid 81 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 a disinfectant solution 81. The CPU 96 opens the electromagnetic valve 90 after a predetermined time has elapsed, and returns the disinfecting liquid 81 to the disinfecting liquid tank 82.

  The disinfecting liquid 81 stored in the cleaning tank 31 during the disinfecting process generates bubbles 105 when discharged from the disinfecting liquid supply nozzle 39 and when it is circulated through the circulation path 92 and discharged from the water supply nozzle 37. It becomes easy. The liquid flow in which the bubbles 105 are mixed circulates in the cleaning tank 31 and stays under the liquid contact surface 63.

  Further, when the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 10 is long, a double or triple overlap occurs in the insertion portion 11 bent in the cleaning tank 31. Not only the insertion portion 11 but also the insertion portion 11 and the universal cord 25 overlap. The endoscope 10 in which the insertion portion 11 and the universal cord 25 overlap each other has a height that increases in the depth direction of the cleaning tank 31 and may be disposed near the liquid contact surface 63 of the top cover 58. In the conventional endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, the endoscope 10 may come into contact with the bubble 105 staying under the liquid contact surface 63, and liquid contact failure may occur in the contact portion.

  In the present invention, the liquid contact surface 63 is inclined so that the side of the liquid contact surface 63 in contact with the nozzle cover portion 62 becomes higher. Therefore, the bubbles 105 staying under the liquid contact surface 63 move to the nozzle cover portion 62 along the inclination of the liquid contact surface 63 by their buoyancy. Thereby, since the bubble 105 can be eliminated from under the liquid contact surface 63, the endoscope 10 can be appropriately sterilized without causing liquid contact failure due to the bubble 105.

  After the disinfection, rinsing is performed to remove the disinfectant 81 from the endoscope 10. After the end of rinsing, the CPU 96 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 cleaning and disinfection of the endoscope 10 are completed, the top cover 58 is opened and the endoscope 10 is taken out from the cleaning tank 31. Since the liquid contact surface 63 of the top cover 58 is sterilized together with the endoscope 10, the endoscope 10 is not contaminated again by water droplets adhering to the liquid contact surface 63 during rinsing.

  In order to promote the movement of the bubbles 105, the top cover 58 may be vibrated. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, ultrasonic transducers 107 and 108 are installed between the lower surface of the edge 31 g of the cleaning tank 31 and between the edge 31 g and the flange 58 a of the top cover 58. If the ultrasonic transducers 107 and 108 are driven at the timing when the bubbles 105 stay below the liquid contact surface 63, the vibrations are transmitted to the top cover 58, and the movement of the bubbles 105 along the inclination is promoted.

  When the present invention is applied to endoscopic ultrasonic cleaning in which an endoscope is disinfected by vibrating an antiseptic solution with an ultrasonic vibrator, the ultrasonic vibrator for disinfection is also used for the vibration of the top cover 58. Also good. Further, the position and the number of ultrasonic transducers are not limited to the present embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate.

  In each of the above embodiments, the liquid contact surface 63 is inclined so that the bubbles 105 move to the nozzle cover portion 62. However, even if the bubbles 105 are inclined so as to move toward the end portion side of the opening 31a of the cleaning tank 31. Good. Since a small space is formed between the waterproof packing 60 and the disinfectant 81 between the cleaning tank 31 and the top cover 58, the bubbles 105 can be discharged into this space.

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 a washing tank when a top cover is closed. 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 the schematic of the endoscope washing | cleaning disinfection apparatus provided with the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator which vibrates a top cover. It is a perspective view which shows the washing tank and top cover of the conventional endoscope washing | cleaning disinfection apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows a washing tank when the top cover of the conventional endoscope washing / disinfecting apparatus is closed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Endoscope 11 Insertion part 12 Operation part 28 Endoscope washing | cleaning disinfection apparatus 30 Main body 31 Cleaning tank 31a Opening 36 Supply port 58 Top cover 62 Nozzle cover part 63 Liquid contact surface 81 Disinfectant liquid 105 Bubble 107,108 Ultrasonic vibration Child

Claims (3)

A washing tank for storing the endoscope;
A liquid supply nozzle that discharges a disinfectant used for disinfecting the endoscope from above the cleaning tank and supplies the liquid into the cleaning tank;
Provided in a lid that opens and closes the upper opening of the cleaning tank, and a nozzle cover portion that covers the liquid supply nozzle and a part of the cleaning tank when the lid is closed;
A liquid contact surface provided on the lid and in contact with the disinfecting liquid stored in the cleaning tank when the lid is closed, and inclined with respect to the liquid surface of the disinfecting liquid. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus characterized by that.   The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising vibration applying means for applying vibration to the lid.   The liquid contact surface is disposed adjacent to the nozzle cover portion, and is inclined so that a side in contact with the nozzle cover portion is disposed at a higher position than other portions. 2. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to 2.

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