JP2014042766A - Steam sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steam sterilizer capable of heating and feeding air at a drying step without entailing the enlargement of the steam sterilizer.SOLUTION: The steam sterilizer 1 is constituted not only to feed, into a chamber 11, a steam generated by heating water 15 at heating and sterilizing steps but also to heat and feed air into the chamber 11 at a drying step via a flow path 40 formed in the interior of a block boiler 16. The steam sterilizer 1 is therefore capable of heating air at the drying step without configuring, in the interior thereof, a separate heating means for heating air.

Description

  The present invention relates to a steam sterilizer that performs sterilization processing on an object to be sterilized such as a surgical instrument with high-pressure steam.

  Steam sterilizers that perform sterilization using high-pressure steam on objects to be sterilized, such as medical instruments, generally contain the object to be sterilized and the object to be sterilized after the sterilization process in high-pressure steam is completed. The inside of the chamber is dried (drying process). Such a drying process is normally performed by taking in air from the outside and supplying the air into the chamber.

  As a specific configuration of the steam sterilizer for performing such a drying step, for example, a configuration described in Patent Document 1 is known. The steam sterilizer described in Patent Document 1 heats air sucked through an air filter while passing through a heating coil, and supplies the heated air to an inner can (chamber). And the structure which heats and supplies the air in the case of a drying process like patent document 1 can perform the to-be-sterilized thing and the drying in a chamber efficiently compared with the structure which does not heat air. Has the advantage.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-50647

  Here, when it is intended to shorten the total process time spent in a series of processes in the steam sterilizer, the sterilization process is determined to sterilize at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time. Cannot be shortened. Therefore, the structure of heating and supplying air as in Patent Document 1 that can shorten the time of the drying process is very preferable because it contributes to the shortening of the total process time in the steam sterilizer.

  However, in the steam sterilizer described in Patent Document 1, means for heating air such as a heating coil is required inside the steam sterilizer in order to heat the air in the drying process. Therefore, the steam sterilizer is increased in size accordingly.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the steam sterilizer which can heat and supply air in the case of a drying process, without enlarging a steam sterilizer.

  To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steam sterilizer for sterilizing an object to be sterilized with high-pressure steam, a chamber having an opening for taking in and out the object to be sterilized, and water. A water storage tank for storing, a water flow path through which the water flows, and an air flow path through which air flows; a block boiler that heats the water in the water flow path to generate the steam; and the block An induction heating coil for induction heating the boiler, a steam supply pipe for supplying the steam generated in the block boiler into the chamber, and the water storage tank are connected to the water flow path inside the block boiler. A water supply pipe to be supplied; and an air supply pipe for supplying the air to the air flow path inside the block boiler, and the air supplied by the air supply pipe, Characterized by heating in the air flow path of the internal serial block boiler.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the air flow path is provided inside the block boiler that generates water by heating water in the water flow path formed inside, and the air is heated in this air flow path. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a means for heating the air. Therefore, the inside of the steam sterilizer can be simplified, and air can be heated and supplied during the drying process without increasing the size.

  A second aspect of the present invention is a steam sterilizer according to the first aspect, wherein the water flow path and the air flow path inside the block boiler are the same flow path.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the water flow path and the air flow path serve as a single flow path, the heat of the block boiler that has generated heat by induction heating by the induction heating coil is effectively reduced to water. It can be used for heating and air heating.

  Moreover, the 3rd aspect of this invention is the steam sterilizer concerning the 1st or 2nd aspect, Comprising: The air heated in the said air flow path is supplied by the said steam supply pipe | tube.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the heated air is supplied into the chamber using the steam supply pipe, it is not necessary to separately provide a pipe for supplying the heated air into the chamber. In addition, the inside of the steam sterilizer can be simplified.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is a steam sterilizer according to the first aspect, wherein the waste water is connected between the chamber and the water storage tank via the water flow path inside the block boiler. A tube is provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the drain pipe is opened to the atmosphere, most of the water remaining in the chamber and the drain pipe is drained at a time, thereby shortening the time for the subsequent drying process and the like. be able to.

It is a schematic side view of the steam sterilizer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the block boiler in the steam sterilizer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the heating process in the steam sterilizer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the air release process in the steam sterilizer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the exhaust process in the steam sterilizer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the drying process in the steam sterilizer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The modification (a) of the block boiler in the steam sterilizer which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the other modification (b) are shown.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies a steam sterilizer for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to specify the present invention as this steam sterilizer. The present invention is equally applicable to other embodiments within the scope of the claims.

  First, with reference to FIG. 1, the steam sterilizer 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a steam sterilizer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The steam sterilizer 1 includes a chamber 11 inside a main body case 10. The chamber 11 has a hollow cylindrical shape having an opening 12. The chamber 11 is made of a material having high corrosion resistance, and is specifically made of stainless steel of SUS304. The opening 12 is positioned on the side surface of the main body case 10, and the user inserts and removes an object to be sterilized (for example, a medical instrument) to be sterilized through the opening 12. Further, the opening 12 is closed by an openable / closable lid 13 with a handle during the sterilization operation. In addition, when the article to be sterilized is accommodated, a mounting shelf (not shown) on which the article to be sterilized is placed is detachably installed inside the chamber 11.

  Further, the steam sterilizer 1 includes a water storage tank 14 inside the main body case 10. The water storage tank 14 is for storing water 15 used for generating steam used in the sterilization process. The water 15 is supplied to the water storage tank 14 by opening the top cover (not shown) of the main body case 10 by an operator prior to the sterilization work of the object to be sterilized.

  Further, the steam sterilizer 1 includes a block boiler 16 inside the main body case 10. The block boiler 16 is for generating steam for heating the water 15 to sterilize an object to be sterilized. The block boiler 16 has a cylindrical shape and is made of a material having high magnetic permeability, and specifically, is made of stainless steel of SUS430. Further, the block boiler 16 includes a flow path 40 that serves as both a water flow path through which water flows and an air flow path through which air flows. Details of the internal structure of the block boiler 16 will be described later.

  An induction coil 17 is arranged on the outer periphery of the block boiler 16 via a heat-resistant insulating plate (not shown). When a high frequency current is supplied to the induction coil 17, a magnetic flux is generated in the induction coil 17, the induction current flows through the block boiler 16, and the block boiler 16 generates heat.

  A water supply pipe 20 is connected between the water storage tank 14 and the block boiler 16 via an electromagnetic valve 18 and an electromagnetic pump 19. The water supply pipe 20 is used to supply the water 15 of the water storage tank 14 to the block boiler 16. By opening the electromagnetic valve 18 and operating the electromagnetic pump 19, the water 15 of the water storage tank 14 is supplied with water. It passes through the tube 20 and is supplied to the block boiler 16.

  Further, a steam supply pipe 21 is connected between the chamber 11 and the block boiler 16 via a check valve 22. The steam supply pipe 21 is used to supply steam generated in the block boiler 16 to the chamber 11. The check valve 22 is a valve for stopping the flow of gas or the like from the chamber 11 to the block boiler 16.

  In addition, although the connection location A of this steam supply pipe 21 and the chamber 11 may be performed anywhere in the chamber 11, in this embodiment, the steam supply pipe 21 is connected above the chamber 11, and air By supplying steam having a higher specific gravity than the upper part, the air in the chamber 11 is efficiently pushed out of the chamber 11.

An air supply pipe 23 is connected to the block boiler 16. The air supply pipe 23 is used to supply air supplied into the chamber 11 to the block boiler 16 when it is taken in from the outside of the steam sterilizer 1 in a drying process described later. A compressor 24, a filter 25, and an air valve 26 composed of an electromagnetic valve are sequentially connected to the air supply pipe 23. Then, the compressor 24 is operated to take in air from outside, and the air valve 26 is opened, whereby the taken-in air is purified by the filter 25 and supplied into the block boiler 16 through the air supply pipe 24. The air supplied into the block boiler 16 is heated in the block boiler 16, and the chamber 11
It is supplied to the inside and used for drying the object to be sterilized and the chamber 11. In the present embodiment, the air supply pipe 23 is connected to the water supply pipe 20 via the joint B. Details of the block boiler 16 and the air supply pipe 23 will be described later.

  A drain pipe 27 is connected between the chamber 11 and the water storage tank 14. The drain pipe 27 is used for returning the water or the like accumulated in the chamber 11 to the water storage tank 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the drain pipe 27 includes a check valve 28 at the tip of the chamber 11, and is connected to the steam supply pipe 21 on the way through the joint C. The block boiler is connected via the steam supply pipe 21. 16 and beyond the block boiler 16, the joint D is connected to the water storage tank 14 through the water supply pipe 20. Further, the drain pipe 27 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 29 in front of the water storage tank 14. The check valve 28 is a valve for stopping the flow of gas or the like from the block boiler 16 to the chamber 11. The electromagnetic valve 29 is a valve that is opened when draining from the chamber 11 to the water storage tank 14.

  In addition, an exhaust pipe 32 is connected between the chamber 11 and the water storage tank 14 via an exhaust valve 30 constituted by an electromagnetic valve and a vacuum pump 31. One end of the exhaust pipe 32 is connected to a position higher than the water level of the water storage tank 14, and the other end is connected to the back wall of the chamber 11. Then, by opening the exhaust valve 30 and operating the vacuum pump 31, the air and steam in the chamber 11 are exhausted through the exhaust pipe 32 in a timely manner.

  In addition, a temperature sensor 33 composed of a thermistor is attached to the back wall of the chamber 11. Then, the internal temperature of the chamber 11 is measured by the temperature sensor 33.

  Further, the steam sterilizer 1 includes a control unit 34 inside the main body case 10. The control unit 34 is configured by a microcomputer or the like, and the control unit 34 and the induction coil 17 are connected by a wiring 35 (shown by a broken line). Then, based on a preset program, an output from the temperature sensor 33, and a user operation through an operation unit (not shown) provided in the main body case 10, the control unit 34 guides the user. Current control for the coil 17, operation control of the electromagnetic pump 19, the compressor 24 and the vacuum pump 31, opening / closing control of the electromagnetic valves 18 and 29, the air valve 26 and the exhaust valve 30 are performed.

  Next, the internal structure of the block boiler 16 in the steam sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the block boiler 16 according to the present embodiment.

  As described above, the block boiler 16 generates heat by generating heat by induction heating by the induction coil 17, thereby heating the water 15 with the heat. The block boiler 16 is provided with a linear flow path 40 formed by drilling a cylindrical stainless lump with a drill.

  One of the flow paths 40 is connected to the water supply pipe 20 and the other is connected to the steam supply pipe 21. Then, when the water 15 supplied through the water supply pipe 20 passes through the flow path 40, it becomes high-pressure steam and is supplied to the chamber 11 through the steam supply pipe 21. Therefore, the flow path 40 is a water flow path through which the water 15 flows.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the air supply pipe 23 is connected to the water supply pipe 20 via the joint B before the block boiler 16. Therefore, the air supplied through the air supply pipe 23 is heated by passing through the flow path 40 and supplied to the chamber 11 through the steam supply pipe 21. For this reason, this flow path 40 is also an air flow path through which air flows.

  Here, the temperature of the block boiler 16 that generates heat by the induction coil 18 reaches about 200 ° C. Therefore, the water 15 flowing through the flow path 40 is instantly vaporized into steam. Further, the air flowing through the flow path 40 is also instantaneously heated. In addition, in this embodiment, although the linear flow path 40 was shown, in order to lengthen the flow path 40, you may make it a curved flow path, for example. Such a curved flow path is obtained by, for example, dividing a stainless steel block constituting a block boiler into two parts on the left and right sides, and forming a curved flow path on the surface (on the opposite side) of one stainless steel in advance. Then, it can be formed by pasting the other stainless steel together.

  An example of a series of processes for performing a sterilization process using the steam sterilizer 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to conceptual diagrams of each process in FIGS. First, the operator places an object to be sterilized on a placement shelf in the chamber 11 and closes the lid 13.

  Next, when the operator operates the operation unit provided on the front surface of the main body case 10 and starts the operation of the steam sterilizer 1, as shown in FIG. Supply is started and the block boiler 16 generates heat by induction heating. Then, the control unit 34 opens the electromagnetic valve 18 and the electromagnetic pump 19 operates to supply water 15 from the water storage tank 14 to the flow path 40 of the block boiler 16 through the water supply pipe 20.

  Then, when the water 15 is supplied to the heated block boiler 16, the water 15 is heated in the flow path 40 and steam is generated. And this vapor | steam passes the steam supply pipe | tube 21, and is supplied in the chamber 11 from the connection location A (heating process). At this time, the exhaust valve 30 is opened by the control unit 34 and the vacuum pump 31 is operated, whereby the air in the chamber 11 is discharged to the water storage tank 14 through the exhaust pipe 32 by the inflowing steam. .

  Then, when the temperature in the chamber 11 reaches a certain temperature while monitoring the output of the temperature sensor 33, the exhaust valve 30 is closed and the vacuum pump 31 is stopped by the control unit 34. Then, steam is continuously supplied, and the inside of the chamber 11 becomes a high pressure state. When the inside of the chamber 11 reaches the sterilization temperature (usually 121 ° C.), sterilization processing is performed for a predetermined time (usually 20 minutes) (sterilization process). The temperature control in the chamber 11 during the sterilization process is performed by the output of the temperature sensor 33, the opening of the exhaust valve 30, and the operation of the vacuum pump 31.

  When a predetermined time elapses and the sterilization process is completed, the supply of water 15 to the block boiler 16 and the current supply to the induction coil 17 are stopped, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. Is released. By opening the electromagnetic valve 29, the inside of the chamber 11 in a high pressure state and the flow path 40 of the block boiler 16 are opened to the atmosphere at once (atmospheric release step). And much of the water 15 remaining in the chamber 11 and the flow path 40 is discharged to the water storage tank 14 at the same time.

  In addition, although such an air release process is not necessarily a necessary process, since much of the water 15 remaining in the chamber 11 and the flow path 40 can be discharged at a time through the air release process. The subsequent process time can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where the atmosphere release process is not performed. Further, by setting the atmospheric pressure in the chamber 11 to be the same as the atmospheric pressure, it is not necessary to evacuate the vacuum in the chamber 11 until the atmospheric pressure in the chamber 11 becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure in the subsequent exhaust process.

When the atmosphere release process is completed, the electromagnetic valve 29 is closed, and then, as shown in FIG.
As a result, the exhaust valve 30 is opened and the vacuum pump 31 is operated, whereby the air and the like in the chamber 11 are exhausted through the exhaust pipe 32 (exhaust process). And the inside of the chamber 11 is made into a negative pressure state by the air in the chamber 11 being discharged. In addition, by setting the inside of the chamber 11 to a negative pressure state, air can be efficiently supplied in the subsequent drying step.

  When the exhaust process is completed, as shown in FIG. 6, the air valve 26 is opened by the control unit 34 and the compressor 24 is operated, and the flow path 40 of the block boiler 16 from the air supply pipe 23 through the filter 25. Air is supplied to At this time, the controller 34 supplies current to the induction coil 17. Therefore, the block boiler 16 generates heat by induction heating, and the air is heated in the flow path 40. And the heated air is supplied into the chamber 11 from the connection location A through the steam supply pipe 21 (drying process).

  By sending heated air into the chamber 11, the drying time required for drying the object to be sterilized in the chamber 11 and the drying in the chamber 11 is significantly shortened compared to the case where the air is not heated. Can do.

  A series of processes for performing sterilization using the steam sterilizer 1 in the present embodiment is completed by the processes as described above. The steam sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment heats the water 15 in the flow path 40 formed in the block boiler 16 to generate steam by supplying water to the chamber 11 in the heating process and the sterilization process, In the drying process, air is heated and supplied to the chamber 11. Therefore, the steam sterilizer 1 does not need to bother with a heating means for heating the air during the drying process, and can heat the air.

  In addition, although the block boiler 16 which comprises the steam sterilizer 1 in this embodiment was shown in FIG. 2, the modification of this block boiler 16 is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 7A shows a first modification of the block boiler, and FIG. 7B shows a second modification. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to the steam sterilizer 1. FIG.

  In the block boiler 16, the flow path 40 is configured to serve both as a water flow path through which the water 15 flows and an air flow path through which air flows. On the other hand, in the block boiler 16a of the modification 1 shown to Fig.7 (a), it has the structure by which the water flow path 40a in which the water 15 flows, and the air flow path 40b in which the air flows are each provided in the inside separately.

  A water supply pipe 20 for supplying water 15 from the water storage tank 14 is connected to one side of the water flow path 40a, and a steam supply pipe 21 for supplying steam to the chamber 11 is connected to the other side of the water flow path 40a. ing. An air supply pipe 23 for supplying air is connected to one side of the air flow path 40b, and an air supply pipe 23a for continuously supplying air from the block boiler 16a to the chamber 11 is connected to the other side of the air flow path 40b. It is connected. Unlike the steam sterilizer 1 in the block boiler 16, the air supply pipe 23 a does not supply air into the chamber 11 through the steam supply pipe 21. Therefore, the air supply pipe 23 a is connected to the chamber 11 at a position different from the connection location A between the chamber 11 and the steam supply pipe 21.

Even when the block boiler 16a as in the first modification is used, the water 15 supplied through the water supply pipe 20 is heated to generate steam in the water flow path 40a formed inside the block boiler 16a. Steam can be supplied to the chamber 11 via the steam supply pipe 21, and the air supplied via the air supply pipe 23a is heated in the air flow path 40b, and the heated air is supplied via the air supply path 23a. Can be supplied to the chamber 11. Therefore, since the air can be heated during the drying process using the block boiler 16a, the steam sterilizer 1 does not need to have a means for heating the air inside. Further, unlike the block boiler 16, the block boiler 16a has a water flow path 40a and an air flow path 40b that are configured separately, so that control at each step is facilitated.

  Next, the block boiler 16b of the modification 2 shown in FIG.7 (b) is demonstrated. Also in the block boiler 16b, the water flow path 40a through which the water 15 flows and the air flow path 40b through which the air flows are provided separately. Accordingly, in the block boiler 16b, the water supply pipe 20 is connected to one side of the water flow path 40a, and the air supply pipe 23 is connected to one side of the air flow path 40b, but the other side of the water flow path 40a and the air flow path are also connected. The other side of 40 b is configured to be connected to the steam supply pipe 21 in the same manner as the block boiler 16. That is, between the chamber 11 and the block boiler 16b, the steam supply pipe 21 is configured to also serve as the air supply pipe 23a (shown in the first modification).

  Even when the block boiler 16b as in the second modification is used, the water 15 is heated to generate steam in the water flow path 40a formed inside the block boiler 16b, and the air is heated in the air flow path 40b. can do. Therefore, since the air can be heated during the drying process using the block boiler 16b, the steam sterilizer 1 does not need to have a means for heating the air inside. Further, since the block boiler 16b is not only connected between the block boiler 16b and the chamber 11 by a single steam supply pipe 21, unlike the block boiler 16a of the first modification, there is no need to separately provide an air supply pipe 23a. In addition, there is no need to separately provide a connection point with the chamber 11.

  As described above, the steam sterilizer of the present embodiment can use the block boilers 16a and 16b of the first and second modifications. In addition, the steam sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment has a configuration (so-called horizontal type) in which the opening 12 of the chamber 11 faces the side surface of the main body case 10 and a lid 13 is provided on the side surface of the main body case 10. For example, a configuration (so-called vertical type) in which an opening and a lid of a chamber are arranged on the upper surface of the main body case is also possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steam sterilizer 10 ... Main body case 11 ... Chamber 12 ... Opening 14 ... Water storage tank 16 ... Block boiler 17 ... Induction coil 20 ... Water supply pipe 21 ... Steam supply pipe 22, 29 ... Check valve 23 ... Air supply pipe 28 ... Drain pipe 32 ... exhaust pipe 34 ... control unit 40 ... channel 40a ... water channel 40b ... air channel

Claims (4)

A steam sterilizer for sterilizing an object to be sterilized with high-pressure steam,
A chamber having an opening for taking in and out the article to be sterilized;
A water storage tank for storing water,
A block boiler that includes a water flow path through which the water flows and an air flow path through which air flows, and generates the steam by heating the water in the water flow path;
An induction heating coil for induction heating the block boiler;
A steam supply pipe for supplying the steam generated in the block boiler into the chamber;
A water supply pipe connected to the water storage tank and supplying the water to the water flow path inside the block boiler;
An air supply pipe for supplying the air to the air flow path inside the block boiler,
A steam sterilizer, wherein the air supplied by the air supply pipe is heated in the air flow path inside the block boiler.   The steam sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the water flow path and the air flow path inside the block boiler are the same flow path.   The steam sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air heated in the air flow path is supplied by the steam supply pipe.   The steam sterilizer according to claim 1, further comprising a drain pipe connected between the chamber and the water storage tank via the water flow path inside the block boiler.

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