JP2010035619A - Apparatus for washing and sterilizing endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for washing and sterilizing an endoscope which determines that the remaining number of times the amount of a drug solution of a drug solution bottle side can be used is equal to or less than a set number of times and is suitable for smoothly washing and sterilizing endoscopes. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus for washing and sterilizing endoscopes has a gravity-feed washing solution diluting mechanism 6 and a gravity-feed sterilizing solution diluting mechanism 7. In the mechanism 6, a reservoir tank 31 having a water level sensor 35 is disposed below the drug solution bottle 29, and a dilution tank 36 is placed below the reservoir tank. A control portion 8 determines that the remaining usable number of times is equal to or less than the set number of times which is set in advance in accordance with a detected result of the water level for a prescribed amount of the drug solution by the water level sensor 35, and a display portion 9 informs of the result by a display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope.

Endoscopes used in the medical field are cleaned and disinfected by an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device every time an endoscopic examination is performed. For example, disinfectants are widely used for disinfection.
When disinfecting with a disinfecting solution, a method is generally adopted in which a concentrated disinfecting chemical solution previously injected into a chemical solution bottle is fed into a dilution tank and diluted or diluted with water.
For example, in the conventional example of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-133929, a metering tank is provided under a chemical bottle in a pipe line connecting a chemical bottle (chemical tank) and a cleaning tank, and electromagnetic valves are provided on both upper and lower sides of the metering tank. A configuration in which is arranged is disclosed.
JP-A-6-133929

In the case of a method in which a chemical solution is fed by its own weight, the remaining usable number of times when the amount of the chemical solution in the chemical solution bottle is sterilized cannot be determined as in the conventional example. For this reason, there may be a case where the chemical solution is insufficient during the actual disinfection process and the cleaning and disinfection cannot be completed smoothly.
For this reason, it is convenient to be able to determine or confirm that the remaining usable number of times of the chemical solution on the side of the chemical solution bottle used for cleaning and disinfecting and diluting is, for example, about several times. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and can determine that the remaining usable number of times of the amount of the chemical solution on the side of the chemical solution bottle is equal to or less than the set number of times, and is suitable for smoothly performing cleaning and disinfection. An object is to provide an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

The endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of the present invention is
A chemical bottle filled with a chemical solution for cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope;
A storage tank disposed below the chemical liquid bottle, for storing the chemical liquid from the chemical liquid bottle in a predetermined amount by its own weight;
A dilution tank for diluting the chemical solution supplied from the storage tank;
A supply pipe for supplying the chemical liquid from the chemical liquid bottle to the dilution tank via the storage tank;
A water level detection sensor for detecting the level of the chemical solution provided in the storage tank;
Discrimination based on the detection result of the water level detection sensor for determining whether or not the remaining usable number of times when performing cleaning and disinfection by the amount of the chemical liquid remaining on the side of the chemical bottle including at least the storage tank is equal to or less than the set number of times Means,
It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it can be determined that the remaining usable number of times on the side of the chemical liquid bottle including the storage tank is equal to or less than the set number of times.

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

Example 1
1 to FIG. 5 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a configuration including a self-weight type disinfectant solution dilution mechanism in the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A to 3C show states in which the number of remaining uses of the disinfectant solution supply unit before bottle storage, after bottle storage, and after bottle storage has reached a predetermined number of times or less. FIG. 4 shows a configuration including the disinfectant solution dilution mechanism in the first modification of the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 shows a configuration including the disinfection solution dilution mechanism in the second modification of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a cleaning / disinfecting tank 3 that accommodates an endoscope 2 to be cleaned / disinfected and performs cleaning / disinfecting, and the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3. The cleaning chemical solution diluting mechanism 6 and the disinfecting chemical solution diluting mechanism 7 connected through the cleaning liquid supply line 4 and the disinfecting liquid supply line 5 respectively, the control unit 8 for controlling these, and information such as the control result are displayed. And a display unit 9 for notifying.

Pumps 11 and 12 are inserted in the middle of the cleaning liquid supply pipe 4 and the disinfecting liquid supply pipe 5, respectively, and are respectively prepared in the cleaning chemical liquid diluting mechanism 6 and the disinfecting chemical liquid diluting mechanism 7 under the control of the control unit 8. The cleaning liquid and the disinfecting liquid are, for example, pumped up and supplied into the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3.
The cleaning / disinfecting tank 3 is connected to a water supply source such as a water tap 15 via a water supply line 14 provided with a water supply valve 13, and (an endoscope) an outer surface cleaning / disinfecting line 16 and (an endoscope) The pipe inner surface cleaning / disinfecting pipe line 17 is also connected.
One end of the outer surface cleaning / disinfecting pipe line 16 and the inner pipe surface cleaning / disinfecting pipe line 17 are connected to the circulating water discharge port 18 at the bottom of the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3, and the other end is connected to a pump 19, For example, the liquid supply ports 21 and 22 provided on the wall surface of the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3 are connected to each other.

A drain port 23 provided on the bottom surface of the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3 is connected to a drain line 25 provided with a drain valve 24, and a pump 26 that drains in the middle of the drain line 25. Is connected. The liquid supply port 22 is connected via a connection tube 27 inside the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3 to a fluid base connecting portion 28 for supplying air and water provided in the endoscope 2.
The pumps 11, 12, 19, 20, 26, the water supply valve 13, and the drainage valve 24 are controlled by the control unit 8. In addition, a solenoid valve described below is also controlled by the control unit 8. On the other hand, the cleaning chemical solution dilution mechanism 6 is connected to a cleaning chemical solution bottle (also simply referred to as a chemical solution bottle) 29 and a bottle storage unit 30 into which the concentrated cleaning chemical solution is injected, and the chemical solution bottle 29 and the bottle storage unit 30. A cleaning liquid reservoir tank (also simply referred to as a reservoir tank) 31 as a storage tank for storing a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid, and an electromagnetic valve 32 connected to the reservoir tank 31 as an opening / closing portion near the lower end are provided. A self-heavy cleaning chemical liquid supply unit 34 including a (cleaning) chemical liquid supply pipe 33 is provided.

The lower end of the chemical solution supply line 33 of the cleaning chemical solution supply unit 34 is connected to a cleaning chemical solution dilution tank (also simply referred to as a dilution tank) 36, and the electromagnetic valve 32 whose opening / closing is controlled under the control of the control unit 8 is opened. In this case, the cleaning chemical solution is supplied from the reservoir tank 31 into the dilution tank 36 by its own weight. The reservoir tank 31 is provided with a water level sensor 35 as a water level detection sensor for detecting the water level of the cleaning chemical solution inside the reservoir tank 31, and a detection signal from the water level sensor 35 is input to the control unit 8.
The dilution tank 36 is connected to one end side of a dilution pipe 37 provided with a dilution valve 37a in the middle, and the other end is connected to, for example, a water tap 37b serving as a supply source of dilution water. Further, the dilution tank 36 is provided with a water level sensor 38 for detecting the supply amount of dilution water and cleaning chemicals supplied into the dilution tank 36, and a detection signal from the water level sensor 38 is sent to the control unit 8. Entered.

Then, under the control of the control unit 8, when the cleaning liquid for cleaning (endoscope) for one time is stored in the dilution tank 36 as a cleaning liquid by preparation by dilution with dilution water, a cleaning process for cleaning starts. The control unit 8 drives the pump 11 to supply the cleaning liquid into the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3. Further, the disinfectant chemical dilution mechanism 7 has a configuration similar to the cleaning chemical dilution mechanism 6. However, in the present embodiment, the disinfectant solution diluting mechanism 7 has two types of first disinfectant solution and second disinfectant solution (for example, the first disinfectant solution is the main disinfectant solution and the second disinfectant solution is activated). The disinfectant solution activator is provided with two disinfectant solution supply units 44A and 44B.
The disinfectant solution diluting mechanism 7 includes disinfectant solution bottles 39A and 39B into which concentrated first disinfectant solution and second disinfectant solution are respectively injected in advance, and bottle storage portions 40A and 40B thereof, Each of the chemical liquid bottles 39A and 39B is connected to each other, and each of the reservoir tanks 41A and 41B is connected to each of the reservoir tanks 41A and 41B. Self-weight disinfectant liquid supply parts 44A and 44B each having (disinfect) chemical liquid supply pipes 43A and 43B provided with solenoid valves 42A and 42B as opening and closing parts that open and close near the lower end are provided.

The lower end of the chemical solution supply line 43I of each disinfectant solution supply unit 44I (I = A, B) is connected to a disinfectant solution dilution tank (also simply referred to as a dilution tank) 46, and the electromagnetic valve 42I is controlled under the control of the control unit 8. When opened, the disinfectant liquid is supplied from the reservoir tank 41I into the dilution tank 46 by its own weight. The reservoir tank 41 </ b> I is provided with a water level sensor 45 </ b> I as a water level detection sensor for detecting the water level of the disinfecting chemical solution stored therein, and a detection signal from the water level sensor 45 </ b> I is input to the control unit 8.
Further, the dilution tank 46 is connected to one end side of a dilution pipe 47 provided with a dilution valve 47a in the middle, and the other end is connected to, for example, a water tap 47b serving as a supply source of dilution water. Further, the dilution tank 46 is provided with a water level sensor 48 for detecting the supply amount of the dilution water, the first disinfectant chemical solution and the second disinfectant chemical solution supplied into the dilution tank 46. The detection signal is input to the control unit 8.

Then, under the control of the control unit 8, the dilution tank 46 stores a disinfecting chemical solution for one disinfection as a disinfecting solution by diluting preparation with dilution water. When the disinfection process starts, the control unit 8 drives the pump 12. The disinfecting liquid is supplied into the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3.
The control unit 8 includes, for example, a flash memory 8a as a rewritable nonvolatile memory in the control unit 8, for example.
The control unit 8 manages the remaining amount of the used cleaning chemical solution and the remaining amount of the disinfecting chemical solution and the remaining usable number of times each time the cleaning and disinfecting process is performed once, and the flash memory 8a as a storage unit stores the information. And store (update previous content).
In addition, when the chemical solution bottle 29 of the cleaning chemical solution dilution mechanism 6 and the chemical solution bottles 39A and 39B of the disinfecting chemical solution dilution mechanism 7 are exchanged, the control unit 8 performs the (cleaning) chemical solution of the newly installed chemical solution bottle 29. The amount (and the remaining usable frequency) and the (disinfecting) chemical liquid amount (and the remaining usable frequency) of the chemical bottles 39A and 39B are updated.

For example, FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the disinfecting chemical solution supply unit 44A in which the chemical solution bottle 39A is placed in the bottle storage unit 40A and set (mounted) at a predetermined storage position (mounting position). The configurations of the other disinfectant chemical supply unit 44B and the cleaning chemical supply unit 34 are the same.
40 A of bottle accommodating parts are comprised with the bottomed (for example) cylindrical container which the upper side opens, for example so that the chemical | medical solution bottle 39A can be attached or detached.
At the center of the bottom surface of the bottle storage portion 40A, a chemical solution injection port 51 for injecting a chemical solution is provided on the reservoir tank 41A side by inserting a bottle tip in a state where the chemical solution in the chemical solution bottle 39A is sealed. ing. Inside the chemical solution inlet 51, a bottle opening blade 52 and a seal member 53 are provided.

The bottle opening blade 52 protrudes upward and acutely from the bottom surface of the bottle storage portion 40A inside the chemical liquid injection port 51. Therefore, when the user presses the chemical liquid bottle 39A to be mounted from the upper side to the lower side, the bottle opening blade 52 opens a hermetic seal that seals the opening at the front end of the bottle.
Further, a sealing member 53 such as an O-ring is provided on the inner side surface of the chemical liquid inlet 51 so that the opened chemical liquid does not leak from the base receiver 51.
In addition, the vicinity of the upper end of the chemical liquid injection port 51 expands, for example, in a tapered shape, and a position restriction unit that restricts or guides the distal end portion of the chemical liquid bottle 39A to the deep side of the chemical liquid injection port 51, that is, a predetermined mounting position. (Or a guide portion) 54 is formed.
Further, a position restricting portion 55 for restricting or guiding the chemical liquid bottle 39A at a predetermined mounting position in the bottle accommodating portion 40A is also provided inside the side surface of the bottle accommodating portion 40A.

In addition, a reservoir tank 41A is provided below the bottom surface of the bottle storage portion 40A so as to communicate with the opening of the chemical liquid injection port 51. When the chemical bottle 39A is attached to the bottle storage portion 40A via the chemical injection port 51 (see FIG. 3B), the reservoir tank 41A is connected to the chemical bottle 39A to form one closed space.
The reservoir tank 41A has, for example, a short cylindrical shape having an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the chemical liquid injection port 51, and has a storage portion that stores a plurality of times of disinfecting chemical liquid. And connected to the upper end of the chemical solution supply pipe 43A.
The lower end of the chemical solution supply conduit 43 </ b> A communicates with the opening on the upper surface of the dilution tank 46. In addition, an electromagnetic valve 42 is provided near the lower end of the chemical solution supply line 43A. By opening the electromagnetic valve 42, the disinfectant chemical solution in the reservoir tank 41A is supplied into the dilution tank 46 by its own weight. . The opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 42 is controlled by the control unit 8.

A water level sensor 45A is provided in the reservoir tank 41A. This water level sensor 45A controls the (water level) detection signal when the position (water level) of the upper surface of the chemical solution in the reservoir tank 41A falls below a predetermined position. Output to unit 8.
In this embodiment, the detection position of the water level sensor 45A is set in advance so as to be, for example, the amount of the disinfectant liquid for disinfecting several times. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the detection signal is output from the water level sensor 45A, the disinfectant liquid supply unit 44A sets a preset number of times (specifically, the remaining usable number of times when disinfection is performed). (Several times) the amount of disinfectant solution is less than the minute.
That is, the water level sensor 45A determines whether or not the remaining usable number of times due to the amount of the disinfecting chemical liquid remaining on the side of the chemical liquid bottle 39A including the reservoir tank 41A is equal to or less than a preset number of times set. For this reason, the control unit 8 to which the water level sensor 45A or its detection signal is input forms a determination means for determining whether or not the remaining usable number of times is equal to or less than the set number.

When this detection signal is input, the control unit 8 displays, on the display unit 9, for example, a determination result indicating that the remaining number of usable disinfectant solutions in the disinfectant solution supply unit 44A is less than the set number of times. Accordingly, the display unit 9 forms notification means for notifying the user by displaying the determination result.
In addition, it is desirable that the control unit 8 informs the user of information indicating that the remaining number of usable times of the disinfecting chemical solution supply unit 44A is reduced on the display unit 9, and sets a new chemical solution bottle 39A. You may make it announce by a display.
By displaying such information, the user can smoothly set a new chemical liquid bottle 39A in the disinfecting chemical liquid supply unit 44A, and can ensure good operability or convenience for the user. Yes.

When the power of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 1 is turned on, the control unit 8 reads out information on the remaining number of usable times (and the remaining amount of drug solution) stored in the flash memory 8 a and displays it on the display unit 9. You may make it do.
The same applies to the other disinfectant chemical supply unit 44B and the cleaning chemical supply unit 34 in FIG. 1 (in the case of the cleaning chemical supply unit 34, of course, the disinfecting chemical solution is replaced with the cleaning chemical solution, and the numbers also correspond. Need to be read as). The notification means is not limited to the display by the display unit 9 and may be notified by voice or sound, for example, or may be used in combination.
FIG. 3A shows a state in which the chemical solution bottle 39A is stored in the bottle storage unit 40A and set in a predetermined mounting state, and this state is a simplified illustration of FIG. In the state of FIG. 3A, the user can store the chemical bottle 39A in the bottle storage portion 40A and set it in a predetermined mounting state as shown in FIG. 3B by pushing the upper end of the chemical bottle 39A.

In the state of FIG. 3B, the water level at the upper end of the disinfecting chemical liquid in the chemical liquid bottle 39A is lowered by the amount that flows into the reservoir tank 41A connected and disposed below it due to its own weight. However, the water level is higher than the position of the water level sensor 45A set in the reservoir tank 41A.
Then, after setting the state shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 8 controls the disinfectant solution supply units 44 </ b> A and 44 </ b> B of the disinfectant solution dilution mechanism 7 when the disinfection process for disinfecting is started.
Specifically, the control unit 8 opens the dilution valve 47a and supplies dilution water into the dilution tank 46 using the dilution pipe 47 provided with the dilution valve 47a.
At that time, the control unit 8 monitors the detection signal of the water level sensor 48, and when one dilution water is supplied into the dilution tank 46 according to the detection result of the detection signal of the water level sensor 48, the dilution valve 47a is closed.

The detection signal of the water level sensor 48 in this case is output when the water level of the dilution water reaches the sensor electrode position whose lower end is set at the second highest position from the lowest position. The sensor electrodes set at the third and fourth highest positions from the lowest position are used to detect the water levels of the following two disinfectant chemicals.
Next, the control unit 8 opens the electromagnetic valve 42A of the disinfectant chemical supply unit 44A. By this opening, the disinfectant liquid in the reservoir tank 41A is supplied (flows) into the dilution tank 46 by its own weight.
At that time, the control unit 8 monitors the detection signal of the water level sensor 48, and when one disinfectant chemical is supplied into the dilution tank 46 according to the detection result of the detection signal of the water level sensor 48, the electromagnetic valve 42 </ b> A is turned on. Close.

Next, the control unit 8 opens the electromagnetic valve 42B of the disinfectant liquid supply unit 44B. By this opening, the disinfectant liquid in the reservoir tank 41B is supplied (flows) into the dilution tank 46 by its own weight.
At that time, the control unit 8 monitors the detection signal of the water level sensor 48, and when a single disinfectant solution is supplied into the dilution tank 46 according to the detection result of the detection signal of the water level sensor 48, the electromagnetic valve 42 </ b> B is turned on. Close.
In this way, the dilution tank 46 is prepared and prepared with a disinfectant used for performing one disinfection step.
The control unit 8 controls the cleaning chemical solution diluting mechanism 6 in substantially the same manner, so that the cleaning liquid used for performing one cleaning process is prepared in the dilution tank 36. However, in this case, since there is only one cleaning chemical solution supply unit 34, the cleaning chemical solution is supplied once from the cleaning chemical solution supply unit 34 to the dilution tank 36. Correspondingly, the water level sensor 38 has a configuration including three sensor electrodes.

And when it will be in the state which performs a washing | cleaning process, the control part 8 will operate the pump 11, and will supply the washing | cleaning liquid in the dilution tank 36 in the washing | cleaning disinfection tank 3. FIG. Thereafter, the control unit 8 operates the pumps 19 and 20 to clean the endoscope 2 by circulating the cleaning liquid in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3.
When the cleaning process is completed, the control unit 8 opens the drain valve 24 and operates the pump 26 to discharge the cleaning liquid in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3.
When the drainage of the cleaning liquid is completed and the rinsing process for rinsing is completed, the control unit 8 starts the disinfection process. In this case, the control unit 8 operates the pump 12 to supply the disinfecting liquid in the dilution tank 46 to the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3. Thereafter, the control unit 8 operates the pumps 19 and 20 to disinfect the endoscope 2 by circulating the disinfecting liquid in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3.
When the disinfection process is completed, the control unit 8 opens the drain valve 24 and operates the pump 26 to discharge the disinfecting liquid in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3.

When the drainage of the disinfectant is completed, the control unit 8 performs a rinsing process and ends the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting process. Further, the control unit 8 updates the amount of the cleaning chemical solution and the amount of the disinfecting chemical solution in the flash memory 8a so as to be reduced by the amount used for each endoscope cleaning / disinfecting process. Decrease the number of usable times by one.
When the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting process is repeated in this manner, the disinfecting chemical solution in the chemical solution bottle 39A is emptied as shown in FIG. 3C from the amount of the disinfecting chemical solution in the state shown in FIG. 3B, for example. It becomes the state below the position of the water level sensor 45A set to.
In this state, a detection signal is output to the control unit 8 by the water level sensor 45A. Then, as described above, the control unit 8 displays on the display unit 9 that the disinfecting chemical solution in the disinfecting chemical solution supplying unit 44A has become a preset number of times or less.
When this display is performed, the user may attach a new chemical solution bottle 39A to the bottle storage unit 40A.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to determine or confirm the remaining number of times of the chemical solution with a simple configuration and at low cost. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the chemical liquid from being interrupted due to shortage of the chemical during the actual cleaning and disinfection, and the cleaning and disinfection can be performed smoothly.
Further, there is an advantage that the reservoir tank can be provided without being bulky by forming the chemical solution bottle and the reservoir tank so as to form one closed space.
In the above-described first embodiment, the reservoir tank is integrally provided on the bottom surface of the bottle storage unit. However, as in the first modified example described below, the reservoir tank is provided in the middle of the supply pipeline. It may be structured.

FIG. 4 shows a disinfectant solution dilution mechanism 7 </ b> C according to a first modification of the first embodiment. In this modification, for example, one disinfectant solution is diluted to obtain a disinfectant solution, but can be easily applied to a configuration in which two disinfectant solutions are diluted as in the first embodiment.
The disinfectant solution diluting mechanism 7 </ b> C extends, for example, from the solution bottle 39 storing the disinfectant solution in a rotationally asymmetric shape and the bottle storage unit 40, and obliquely downward from the bottom surface of the bottle storage unit 40. Self-weight disinfection consisting of the discharged chemical solution supply line 43, a reservoir tank 41 provided in the middle of the chemical solution supply line 43, and an electromagnetic valve 42 provided near the lower end of the chemical solution supply line 43 A chemical solution supply unit 44C is provided.
In the present modification, a lid 40c is attached to the upper end of the bottle storage unit 40 so that it can be opened and closed by turning (the opening at the upper end).

The lower end of the chemical solution supply line 43 of the disinfectant solution supply unit 44C is connected to the disinfectant solution dilution tank 46. When the electromagnetic valve 42 is opened under the control of the control unit 8, the disinfectant solution is diluted from the reservoir tank 41. The tank 46 is supplied with its own weight. The reservoir tank 41 is provided with a water level sensor using a float switch 45, and a detection signal from the float switch 45 is input to the control unit 8.
Further, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the chemical solution injection port 51, the bottle opening blade 52, the seal member 53, and the position restricting portion 54 are provided near the bottom surface of the bottle storage portion 40. In addition, a position restricting portion 55 is provided inside the side surface of the bottle storage portion 40.
In addition, an inlet 61 for injecting dilution water is provided on the upper surface of the dilution tank 46, and dilution water is supplied from the water tap 37b as shown in FIG.

Further, the dilution tank 46 is provided with a water level sensor 48C composed of three sensor electrodes for detecting the supply amount of dilution water and disinfectant chemical solution supplied into the dilution tank 46. The detection signal is input to the control unit 8.
Then, under the control of the control unit 8, the disinfecting chemical liquid for one disinfection is diluted with the dilution water and stored as the disinfecting liquid in the dilution tank 46. When the disinfection process starts, the control unit 8 drives the pump 12. Then, the disinfectant is supplied into the cleaning / disinfecting tank 3 through the disinfectant supply line 5.
As in the case of the first embodiment, this modification can determine or confirm the remaining number of times of the chemical solution with a simple configuration and at a low cost.
In the first embodiment and the first modified example described above, the chemical solution in the reservoir tank 41 is injected into the dilution tank 46 by its own weight. However, as in the modified example described below, suction or A structure may be employed in which the chemical solution in the reservoir tank 41 is injected into the dilution tank 46 by pressurization or the like.

FIG. 5 shows a disinfectant solution supply unit 44D in the second modification. The disinfectant liquid supply unit 44D is provided with a liquid supply pipe 63 that closes the bottom of the reservoir tank 41 and connects the dilution tank 46 from the upper surface side of the reservoir tank 41 in the disinfectant liquid supply unit 44C of FIG. A liquid feed pump 64 for feeding liquid is provided in the middle of the liquid feed pipe 63.
For example, the reservoir tank 41 has a non-return state for making an airtight state when an inlet 66 is formed at the tip of the pipe 65 extending upward and the liquid feed pump 64 is fed. A valve 67 is inserted. Others are the same as the structure of FIG.
This modified example is different from the first modified example in that a chemical pump in the reservoir tank 41 is sucked and fed to the dilution tank 46 by providing the liquid feeding pump 64. The effect is similar to that of the first modification except that the liquid feed pump 64 is required.

FIG. 6 shows a disinfectant solution supply unit 44E in the third modification. This disinfectant solution supply unit 44E is provided with an air pump 71 for supplying liquid by pressurizing the end corresponding to the intake port 66 at the upper end of the pipe 65 in the disinfectant solution supply unit 44D of FIG. 64 is not provided.
In this case, the attachment position of the lower end of the conduit 65 is set to the midway position of the chemical solution supply conduit 43 that connects the bottom surface of the bottle storage portion 40 and the reservoir tank 41, and the bottom surface of the bottle storage portion 40 and the reservoir tank 41 A check valve 72 is further provided in the middle of the chemical solution supply pipe 43 connecting the two.
This modification is different from the second modification in that the chemical liquid in the reservoir tank 41 is pressurized by the air pump 71 and fed to the dilution tank 46, but the effect is almost the same.

(Example 2)
FIG. 7 shows a disinfectant solution dilution mechanism 7F according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, a present Example demonstrates the case where one disinfectant liquid is diluted and used as a disinfectant.
This disinfectant solution diluting mechanism 7F has a configuration in which a second electromagnetic valve 74 is provided in the middle of the solution supply line 43 that connects the bottom surface of the bottle storage section 40 and the reservoir tank 41 in the disinfectant solution diluting mechanism 7C shown in FIG. The disinfectant solution supply unit 44F is configured to control the opening and closing of the second electromagnetic valve 74 by the control unit 8.
The cross-sectional area (horizontal direction) of the reservoir tank 41 is considerably or much smaller than the cross-sectional area (horizontal direction) of the dilution tank 46. In this embodiment, using the reservoir tank 41 and the float switch 45, the control unit 8 measures (disinfects) the chemical solution once for each time, and dilutes the measured amount of the chemical solution into the dilution tank. 46 is supplied (injected).

For this reason, when the chemical switch is injected into the reservoir tank 41 in a state where the electromagnetic valve 42 is closed, the float switch 45 is at a water level where the upper surface of the chemical solution used for one disinfection is located, for example, from OFF It is set to be ON.
In addition, as a water level detection sensor which measures the chemical | medical solution for 1 time, not only the float switch 45 but another water level sensor may be sufficient. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.
In the present embodiment, since a water level detection sensor that measures (detects) the water level of one chemical liquid is employed, the control unit 8 can use the remaining liquid chemical bottle 39 when the new chemical liquid bottle 39 is mounted. The possible number of times is stored in the flash memory 8a, and each time a cleaning / disinfecting step is performed, one time is subtracted from the remaining usable number of times stored in the flash memory 8a. Then, it is determined whether or not the remaining number of usable times is less than a preset number of times (for example, three times). When the number of remaining usable times is less than or equal to several times, the control unit 8 uses the display unit 9 to notify To do.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, when supplying the chemical solution to the dilution tank 46, the control unit 8 closes the electromagnetic valve 42 and then opens the second electromagnetic valve 74, so that the chemical solution is supplied from the chemical solution bottle 39 side. It is injected into the reservoir tank 41 by its own weight.
When an amount of chemical solution used for one disinfection is injected into the reservoir tank 41, the float switch 45 is turned on. When the detection signal is input, the control unit 8 causes the second electromagnetic valve 74 to be turned on. Is closed.
Thereafter, the control unit 8 opens the electromagnetic valve 42 and injects into the dilution tank 46 an amount of chemical liquid used for one disinfection injected (stored) in the reservoir tank 41.
In this case, the control unit 8 uses the detection signal with priority by the float switch 45 over the detection signal by the water level sensor 48C.

According to this embodiment, since the sensor provided in the reservoir tank 41 having a cross-sectional area that is considerably smaller than the cross-sectional area of the dilution tank 46 is accurately and quantitatively measured for one time, the case of the first embodiment More precise measurement is possible.
Therefore, the variation in the amount of the chemical solution for each use can be reduced as compared with the case of Example 1, and the remaining amount of the chemical solution on the side of the chemical solution bottle 39 can be accurately determined or confirmed from the number of times of supply from the reservoir tank 41 to the dilution tank 46.
In addition, since the information on the remaining amount of the chemical solution and the remaining usable number of times is stored in the flash memory 8a as the storage unit every time, when the remaining usable number of times becomes equal to or less than the set number, the control unit 8 The determination result is notified by the display unit 9.
In this case, as described above, the disinfectant solution for one batch can be quantitatively measured with high accuracy, so that the notification of the determination result is also accurate.

In the present embodiment, the chemical liquid in the reservoir tank 41 is supplied to the dilution tank 46 by its own weight. However, like the disinfecting chemical liquid supply unit 44G of the first modification shown in FIG. It is also possible to use a configuration in which the liquid is sucked up and sent, or as in the disinfectant solution supply unit 44H of the second modification shown in FIG. 8 and 9 are the same as those in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 except for the second electromagnetic valve 74, and the description thereof is omitted.
These modifications require the liquid feed pump 64 or the air pump 71, but the other effects are almost the same as those of the second embodiment.
It should be noted that embodiments configured by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belong to the present invention.

  The endoscope to be cleaned / disinfected is stored in the cleaning / disinfecting tank and cleaned and disinfected.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a disinfectant solution supply unit in FIG. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a chemical solution supply unit in a state before bottle storage. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating the chemical solution supply unit in a state after the bottle is stored. FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating the chemical solution supply unit in a state where the remaining usable number of times after bottle storage reaches a predetermined amount or less. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram including a disinfectant solution dilution mechanism in a first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a disinfectant solution supply unit according to a second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a disinfectant solution supply unit according to a third modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a disinfectant solution dilution mechanism in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a disinfectant solution supply unit in a first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a disinfectant solution supply unit in a second modification of the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope cleaning disinfection apparatus, 2 ... Endoscope, 3 ... Cleaning disinfection tank, 4 ... Cleaning liquid supply line, 5 ... Disinfection liquid supply line, 6 ... Cleaning chemical solution dilution mechanism, 7 ... Disinfection chemical solution dilution mechanism, 8. Control unit, 9 ... Display unit, 11, 12, 19, 20, 26 ... Pump, 29, 39A, 39B ... Chemical bottle, 30, 40, 40A, 40B ... Bottle storage unit, 31, 41, 41A, 41B ... reservoir tank, 32, 42, 42A, 42B ... solenoid valve, 33 ... chemical supply line, 34 ... cleaning chemical supply part, 35, 45A, 45B ... water level sensor, 36,46 ... dilution tank, 38,48 ... water level Sensor, 43A, 43B ... Chemical solution supply line, 44A, 44B ... Disinfectant chemical supply unit

Claims (8)

A chemical bottle filled with a chemical solution for cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope;
A storage tank disposed below the chemical liquid bottle, for storing the chemical liquid from the chemical liquid bottle in a predetermined amount by its own weight;
A dilution tank for diluting the chemical solution supplied from the storage tank;
A supply pipe for supplying the chemical liquid from the chemical liquid bottle to the dilution tank via the storage tank;
A water level detection sensor for detecting the level of the chemical solution provided in the storage tank;
Discrimination based on the detection result of the water level detection sensor for determining whether or not the remaining usable number of times when performing cleaning and disinfection by the amount of the chemical liquid remaining on the side of the chemical bottle including at least the storage tank is equal to or less than the set number of times Means,
An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus comprising:   The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls supply of the chemical solution to the supply pipe so that the amount of the chemical solution in the storage tank becomes a predetermined amount.   And a second opening / closing portion that opens and closes the supply pipe provided between the storage tank and the dilution tank, and the control means controls the opening / closing of the second opening / closing opening. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 2.   The open / close part that opens and closes the supply pipe line provided between the chemical solution bottle and the storage tank, and the control means controls the opening and closing of the open / close part. Endoscope cleaning disinfection device.   The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising notification means for notifying a determination result by the determination means.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising storage means for storing information on the amount of remaining chemical solution and the remaining number of usable times for each use of cleaning and disinfecting. Mirror cleaning disinfection device.   Further, the liquid supply pump is provided between the storage tank and the dilution tank and supplies the chemical liquid to the dilution tank, and the control means controls liquid supply by the liquid supply pump. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6.   The said dilution tank is arrange | positioned under the said storage tank, The said chemical | medical solution stored in the said storage tank is supplied to a dilution tank via the said supply line by the dead weight. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 6.

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