JP2014042843A - Washing and sterilizing apparatus and control method of washing and sterilizing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce droplets remaining on a ceiling and residual water in a washing tank caused thereby when finishing water discharge without elongating a total time of a rinsing step in a case of washing the ceiling of a top cover.SOLUTION: A washing tank of a washing and sterilizing apparatus has an upper opening part covered with a top cover. The washing tank includes a ceiling washing nozzle for jetting liquid towards a ceiling, as an inner face of the top cover. In a rinsing step, water in the washing tank is circulated by a circulation pump 76. A valve 92 is disposed at a supply passage for connecting the circulation pump 76 to the ceiling washing nozzle, and when the circulation is started, the valve 92 is opened and the water is jetted out from the ceiling washing nozzle. The valve 92 is closed when a jetting time T1 elapses from the start of the circulation to stop the jetting of the ceiling washing nozzle. When the circulation is finished, the water is discharged. A long period of time during which the water falls from the ceiling by dead weight is secured without elongating the time for draining.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for cleaning / disinfecting medical instruments such as endoscopes and a method for controlling the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

  A cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting a used endoscope is known (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). The cleaning / disinfecting apparatus stores a used endoscope in a cleaning tank and automatically performs a cleaning / disinfecting process including a cleaning process, a disinfection process, and the like. In the cleaning tank, the supplied cleaning liquid and disinfecting liquid are stored and accommodated in a state where an endoscope having a long insertion portion is wound. The upper opening of the cleaning tank is covered with a top cover that is openable and closable on the apparatus main body in order to prevent the cleaning liquid and the disinfecting liquid from splashing outside the cleaning tank.

  In the cleaning process, the cleaning liquid is stored in the cleaning tank, and the stored cleaning liquid is circulated from the cleaning tank to the cleaning tank again via a circulation pipe, and the water flow is generated. Body fluids and filth attached to each channel arranged in the endoscope are washed away. In the disinfection process, a predetermined amount of disinfectant is supplied from the disinfectant tank provided in the device into the washing tank, and the endoscope is immersed in the disinfectant to remove pathogens and viruses, or Disappear.

  A rinse process is performed after each process of a washing | cleaning process and a disinfection process. In the rinsing process, water is supplied to the washing tank, and the supplied water is circulated through a circulation pipe to remain in the outer surface of the endoscope and in the channel as in the washing process. Rinse the cleaning solution or disinfectant with water. The rinsing process includes three sub-processes: water supply for supplying water to the cleaning tank, circulation of water after the completion of water supply, and drainage from the water cleaning tank used for rinsing after the completion of circulation.

  At the time when drainage is completed, if there is residual water that could not be drained from the washing tank or piping, it is not hygienic, and if there is residual water in the rinsing process before the disinfection process, It may be diluted and the disinfectant solution may not have the proper concentration. If the drainage time is long so that the remaining water is completely drained, the total time of the rinsing process will be long.

  In the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the drainage capacity is enhanced by sending pressurized air into the pipeline or making the inside of the pipeline negative pressure during drainage. Thereby, the residual water in a pipe line is reduced, without extending the total time of a rinse process.

JP 2009-112343 A JP 2009-142324 A

  Some cleaning and disinfecting apparatuses are provided with a ceiling cleaning nozzle for cleaning the ceiling (the inner surface of the top cover) by spraying water toward the top cover in the cleaning tank. The ceiling cleaning nozzle is connected to a circulation conduit, and continues to inject water toward the ceiling while water is being circulated in the rinsing process. The sprayed water falls from the ceiling toward the washing tank by its own weight. Simultaneously with the end of the circulation, the ceiling cleaning nozzle spray is also stopped, and the water that has dropped into the cleaning tank is drained.

  However, since it takes a certain amount of time for the water to fall from the ceiling to the washing tank, there are cases where many water droplets remain on the ceiling even when the drainage is completed. Although the water droplets on the ceiling fall into the washing tank over time, residual water is generated in the washing tank because it does not drain even if it falls into the washing tank after draining. If there is a large amount of residual water, as described above, not only is it unsanitary, but it also causes dilution of the disinfectant solution when the next disinfection step is performed. Also, if water droplets remain on the ceiling after draining is complete, water droplets may flow down from the ceiling when the top cover is opened immediately after draining and may splash outside the cleaning tank, which is inconvenient for the operator. It also causes a pleasant feeling.

  As a countermeasure for such a problem, it is conceivable to extend the drainage time. However, if the drainage time is extended, there is a problem that the total time of the rinsing process is increased. The above Patent Documents 1 and 2 only disclose a technique for discharging the residual water of the piping, and there is no indication or suggestion regarding the treatment of water droplets remaining on the ceiling and the residual water of the cleaning tank resulting therefrom. Not considered.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a ceiling at the end of drainage without extending the total time of the rinsing process even when the ceiling of the top cover is washed in the rinsing process. The purpose is to reduce the remaining water droplets and the residual water in the washing tank.

  The cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of the present invention is a cleaning tank that stores a medical instrument and stores a liquid, and the stored liquid is a cleaning process, a disinfection process, and a rinsing process after cleaning immediately after the cleaning process. A cleaning tank in which a rinsing step after disinfection is performed immediately after the process, a top cover that opens and closes the upper opening of the cleaning tank, a circulation means for circulating the liquid stored in the cleaning tank through a circulation path, and a cleaning tank The ceiling cleaning nozzle that sprays the liquid supplied by the circulation means toward the ceiling, which is the inner surface of the top cover, and the post-cleaning rinsing step and the post-disinfection rinsing step are water supply and water circulation by the circulation means, respectively. , And at least one rinse step of one cycle in which the drainage after the circulation is one cycle, and at least one of a rinse step after cleaning and a rinse step after disinfection Fraud and mitigating risk injection of water by the ceiling washing nozzle, and a control means for stopping in the middle of the circulation. The control means is characterized in that after the water injection is stopped, the post-cleaning rinsing step or the post-disinfection rinsing step is terminated without restarting the water injection.

  In the rinsing step after washing or the rinsing step after disinfection, it is preferable that the control means starts jetting water by the ceiling washing nozzle with the start of circulation and continues jetting until it is stopped in the middle of circulation.

  It is used for cleaning and disinfecting the air supply / water supply channel, suction channel and forceps channel of the endoscope, and has a channel cleaning port that injects water during circulation. The control means is a ceiling cleaning nozzle. It is preferable to continue the water injection from the channel cleaning port even after the water injection is stopped.

  The control means preferably stops the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle in the middle of the circulation at least in the rinsing step after cleaning. According to this, it is possible to reduce the degree to which the disinfecting liquid is diluted with the remaining water in the rinsing process at the start of the disinfection process.

  It is preferable that the timing of stopping the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle is determined in consideration of the allowable amount of water droplets remaining on the ceiling at the time when drainage is completed. Moreover, it is preferable that a control means stops injection of a ceiling washing nozzle before the predetermined time previously determined from the time of completion | finish of a circulation.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a ceiling air supply nozzle that injects air toward the ceiling. Moreover, it is preferable that a control means starts the injection of a ceiling air supply nozzle, after the injection of a ceiling washing nozzle stops. It is preferable that the control means continues the injection of the ceiling air supply nozzle until the drainage is completed.

  The ceiling air supply nozzle is preferably capable of injecting alcohol in addition to air. Moreover, it is preferable that the control means injects air from the ceiling air supply nozzle, stops the alcohol injection, and then injects air. The ceiling cleaning nozzle and the ceiling air supply nozzle may be combined.

  The control method of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of the present invention performs the cleaning process and the disinfection process of the medical device with the liquid stored in the cleaning tank in a state where the upper opening of the cleaning tank is covered with the top cover, and after the cleaning process. The post-cleaning rinsing step is performed with water stored in the cleaning tank, respectively. In the post-cleaning rinsing process and the post-disinfection rinsing process, the water in the cleaning tank is circulated through the circulation path, and water is sprayed from the ceiling cleaning nozzle in the cleaning tank toward the ceiling, which is the inner surface of the top cover, in the circulation step. A rinsing process of one cycle having a series of steps of a spraying step to be performed and a draining step for draining from the washing tank after the circulation step is completed. In at least one of the post-cleaning rinsing process and the post-disinfection rinsing process, a circulation halfway stop step for stopping the injection step in the middle of the circulation step is performed, and after the injection step is stopped, the cleaning is performed without restarting the injection step. The post-rinse process or the post-disinfection rinse process is terminated.

  The injection step is preferably started with the start of the circulation step and continued until it is stopped in the middle of the circulation.

  The cleaning / disinfecting device is used for cleaning / disinfecting the air / water supply channel, suction channel and forceps channel of the endoscope, and has a channel cleaning port that injects water during circulation. In the step or the post-disinfection rinsing step, it is preferable that the water injection from the channel cleaning port is continued even after the water injection by the ceiling cleaning nozzle is stopped.

  The circulation stop step is preferably performed at least in the rinsing step after cleaning.

  In the rinsing process of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, the present invention stops water injection to the ceiling of the top cover by the ceiling cleaning nozzle in the middle of the circulation performed before drainage, Since the rinsing process after cleaning or the rinsing process after disinfection was completed without resuming the spraying of the top cover, even when the top cover was washed on the ceiling, the total time of the rinsing process was not extended and the drainage was completed. The water droplets remaining on the ceiling and the remaining water in the cleaning tank resulting therefrom can be reduced.

It is an external view of the washing | cleaning disinfection apparatus of this invention. It is an external view of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus with the top cover opened. It is explanatory drawing which shows a piping system. It is a timing chart of the operation of the circulation pump and the opening and closing of the valve in the rinsing process. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of an electric structure. It is a flowchart which shows a washing | cleaning disinfection processing procedure. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a rinse process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the rinse process of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the piping system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a timing chart in the rinse process of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the rinse process of 3rd Embodiment.

[First embodiment]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a cleaning / disinfecting apparatus) 10 includes a box-shaped apparatus main body 11. A cleaning tank 13 that houses the used endoscope 12 and is supplied with a cleaning liquid and a disinfecting liquid is provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 11. The cleaning tank 13 is a water tank with an open top, and is formed of a metal material having excellent heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and the like, such as stainless steel. The apparatus main body 11 is provided with a top cover 16 that functions as a lid that covers the opening 13 a of the cleaning tank 13.

  The apparatus main body 11 has a chassis (not shown). In addition to the cleaning tank 13 and the top cover 16, the chassis is provided with a cleaning / disinfecting mechanism (see FIG. 3) for performing a cleaning / disinfecting process. Yes. The cleaning / disinfecting mechanism includes a pipe for supplying a cleaning liquid and a disinfecting liquid to the cleaning tank 13, a pump, a solenoid valve, and a tank for storing a detergent and a disinfecting liquid. The outer periphery of the chassis is covered with an exterior member composed of a front panel 17, a side panel 18, and an upper panel 19.

  When viewed from above, the inner peripheral shape of the cleaning tank 13 has a substantially circular front portion and a substantially square rear portion. A substantially circular net 21 on which the endoscope 12 is placed is disposed on the bottom surface of the front portion. The net 21 creates a gap through which liquid flows between the endoscope 12 and the bottom surface, and increases the area where the liquid supplied to the cleaning tank 13 contacts the outer surface of the endoscope 12.

  In the center of the net 21 is disposed a small item cleaning basket 22 that accommodates small components such as an air / water supply button and a suction button that are detached from the endoscope 12. In the vicinity of the accessory cleaning basket 22, a ceiling cleaning nozzle 23, an accessory cleaning nozzle 61 (see FIG. 3), and a temperature sensor 57 (see FIG. 3) are arranged. The ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 injects cleaning liquid and water toward the inner surface (ceiling) of the top cover 16 positioned above to clean the ceiling. The accessory cleaning nozzle 61 injects a cleaning liquid or water toward the accessory parts accommodated in the accessory cleaning basket 22 to clean the accessory parts. The temperature sensor 57 measures the temperature of the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 13.

  The endoscope 12 is placed on the net 21 so as to surround the accessory washing basket 22 in a state in which the long insertion portion 12a and the universal cord 12b to be inserted into the subject are wound. The The universal cord 12b is a cord connected to a processor that processes an imaging signal received from the endoscope 12 and a light source device that inputs illumination light to a light guide inserted in the endoscope 12. At one end of the universal cord 12b, a connector for connecting to the processor and a connector for connecting to the light source device are provided. Since the connector connected to the processor is provided with a contact portion for obtaining electrical continuity, a waterproof cap is attached at the time of cleaning.

  The insertion portion 12a is provided with an air / water supply channel for supplying air / water, a forceps channel for inserting a treatment tool such as forceps, and a suction channel for sucking a body fluid or dirt that obstructs observation. Has been. One end of the air / water channel is connected to the spray nozzle at the tip of the insertion portion 12a, and the other end extends into the universal cord 12b via an operation portion connected to the insertion portion. . One end of the forceps channel is connected to the forceps outlet at the distal end of the insertion portion 12a, and the other end is connected to the forceps inlet of the operation portion 12c. The suction channel is shared with the forceps channel from the forceps outlet at the distal end of the insertion portion to the branching point that branches toward the forceps inlet, and extends from the branching point into the universal cord 12b via the operation portion 12c.

  In the rear part of the cleaning tank 13, a waste liquid port 26 is provided on the bottom surface, and a water level sensor 27 is provided on the side surface. The waste liquid port 26 discharges used cleaning liquid and disinfecting liquid and water used for rinsing from the cleaning tank 13. The water level sensor 27 is, for example, a float switch type level sensor in which the float moves up and down in accordance with the liquid level, and detects the position (water level) of the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 13. The water level sensor 27 can detect a plurality of water levels such as a first water level corresponding to the amount of liquid suitable for cleaning and disinfection, and a second water level that is higher than the first water level and detects the overflow of the stored liquid. A multi-point detection type is used.

  Terraces 13 b and 13 c that are one step higher than the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 13 are provided in the rear portion of the cleaning tank 13. Each of the terrace portions 13b and 13c is provided at two corners of the rear portion, and has a substantially triangular shape when viewed from above. One terrace portion 13b is provided with an airtight test port 28. The airtight test port 28 is for sending compressed air into the gap between the outer skin of the insertion portion 12a and the universal cord 12b of the endoscope 12 and the built-in object, and testing whether a small hole or a crack that allows liquid to enter the outer skin has occurred. Port. The hermetic test port 28 is connected to a base for a hermetic test provided on the connector of the universal cord 12b through a tube (not shown).

  The terrace unit 13 b is provided with a supply port for supplying a liquid used for cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope 12 into the cleaning tank 13. The supply port is provided with a water supply nozzle 29a, a disinfectant supply nozzle 29b, and a detergent supply nozzle 29c bent toward the inside of the cleaning tank 13. These nozzles 29 a to 29 c are arranged at a position higher than the liquid level of the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 13.

  The water supply nozzle 29 a supplies water into the cleaning tank 13, and the detergent supply nozzle 29 c supplies the detergent stored in the detergent tank into the cleaning tank 13. Body fluid and dirt attached to the endoscope 12 after use are washed away with a cleaning liquid in which water and a detergent are mixed. The disinfecting liquid supply nozzle 29 b supplies the disinfecting liquid stored in the disinfecting liquid tank into the cleaning tank 13. Pathogenic bacteria and viruses that have not been washed away with the cleaning solution are removed by the disinfecting solution, or the pathogenicity is lost.

  On the side surface of the terrace portion 13 b, a circulation port 31 is provided for circulating the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 13 and generating a water flow in the liquid in the cleaning tank 13. The circulation port 31 sucks the liquid in the cleaning tank 13 into a circulation pipe disposed below the cleaning tank 13. The water supply nozzle 29a, the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23, and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61 are also used as a circulation nozzle, and the liquid sucked into the circulation pipe from the circulation port 31 is supplied to the cleaning tank 13 from each nozzle 29a, 23, 61. Will be re-supplied.

  The terrace portion 13c is provided with a channel cleaning port 32 used for cleaning and disinfecting the air / water channel, suction channel and forceps channel of the endoscope 12. The channel cleaning port 32 is provided with a plurality of ports for an air / water supply channel, a suction channel, and a forceps channel. Each port communicates with an air supply / water supply channel and a suction channel through a connection tube 62 (see FIG. 3), a mounting port to which an air supply / water supply button and a suction button are attached, and a forceps channel. Connected to the forceps inlet. The mounting opening and the forceps entrance are provided in the operation portion 12 c of the endoscope 12. The channel cleaning port 32 supplies fluid such as water, cleaning liquid, disinfecting liquid, alcohol, and compressed air into the air / water supply channel, the forceps channel, and the suction channel.

  The front panel 17 of the apparatus main body 11 has a side end attached to the chassis via a hinge and can be freely opened and closed. A storage tray (not shown) is provided in the front panel 17. In the storage tray, a detergent tank 83 (see FIG. 3) and an alcohol tank 86 (see FIG. 3) are stored. The detergent tank 83 stores a detergent used for cleaning the endoscope 12. The alcohol tank 86 stores alcohol that flows into each channel such as a forceps channel after the endoscope 12 is cleaned and disinfected. A transparent window 33 for visually confirming the remaining amount of liquid in each tank is attached to the front panel 17.

  In the storage tray, a supply bottle storing a concentrated liquid of a disinfecting liquid (for example, peracetic acid, glutaraldehyde (GA), orthophthalaldehyde (OPA), etc.) is stored in an exchangeable manner. The supply bottle is connected to a disinfecting liquid tank 84 (see FIG. 3) provided in the chassis, and supplies the concentrated liquid into the disinfecting liquid tank 84. The concentrate is used after being diluted to an appropriate concentration with water in the disinfectant tank.

  Reference numeral 34 denotes a paper discharge port for discharging the print on which the cleaning history information is printed, and a printer 105 (see FIG. 5) is disposed in the back of the paper discharge port 34. The cleaning history information is information such as the date and time of cleaning, the name of the person in charge of cleaning, and the ID of the endoscope 12 that has been cleaned. The print on which the cleaning history information is printed is used for confirming and managing the cleaning / disinfecting result of the endoscope 12.

  An operation panel 36 is provided at the front end of the upper panel 19. The operation panel 36 is provided with operation buttons 37 for inputting various operation instructions, a display 38 for performing various displays, and a reading unit 39. The operation button 37 includes, for example, a start button for instructing start of cleaning and disinfection, a stop button for instructing emergency stop, and an operation key for operating an operation screen displayed on the display 38.

  The display 38 is a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example, and displays an operation screen including a selection screen for selecting a cleaning program and a setting screen for performing various settings, as well as the progress and remaining time of cleaning / disinfection processing, troubles Displays a warning message when an error occurs. The cleaning program defines, for example, the content of the cleaning process such as how long and how long each step of cleaning, disinfection, and rinsing is executed. In addition to the standard cleaning program that executes each process in the order of cleaning, rinsing, disinfection, rinsing, and drying, the cleaning program includes a cleaning program that executes each process alone, Several cleaning programs with different disinfection times are available.

  The reading unit 39 has a tag reader 104 (see FIG. 5) disposed therein. The tag reader 104 communicates with the RFID tag provided on the endoscope 12 and the RFID tag provided on the nameplate of the person in charge of cleaning in a non-contact manner to communicate information in the RFID tag (the ID of the endoscope 12 and the person in charge of cleaning). Name).

  The upper panel 19 has a frame shape in which an opening 19 a that exposes the opening 13 a of the cleaning tank 13 is formed. At the upper end of the opening 13 a of the cleaning tank 13, a peripheral edge part 13 d that is orthogonal to the vertically rising side surface of the cleaning tank 13 and extends in the horizontal direction is formed. The peripheral portion 13d and the upper panel 19 are joined so as not to generate a gap through which gas or liquid leaks from the boundary between them. On the inner edge of the opening 19a of the upper panel 19 is formed a slope 19b inclined toward the opening 13a of the cleaning tank 13 so that the liquid flows toward the cleaning tank 13 by the action of gravity.

  The top cover 16 includes, for example, a cover main body 41 formed of a substantially rectangular plate formed of plastic, and a packing 42 attached to an outer peripheral portion of the cover main body 41 facing the cleaning tank 13 on the lower surface side. Consists of. The top cover 16 is attached to the apparatus main body 11 at an attachment portion 43 (see FIG. 1) protruding from the rear of the cover body 41, and is closed to cover the opening 13a of the cleaning tank 13 with the attachment portion 43 as a fulcrum. It rotates between the position and the open position where the opening 13a is opened and exposed.

  The top cover 16 is electrically opened and closed by a motor. The opening / closing operation instruction is input by depressing the foot pedal 44. The foot pedal 44 is disposed below the front panel 17. When the foot pedal 44 is depressed when the top cover 16 is closed, the top cover 16 is opened, and when the foot cover 44 is opened, the top cover 16 is closed.

  The top surface of the top cover 16 is configured with a gently curved surface without fine irregularities so that it can be easily cleaned. The ceiling, which is the lower surface of the top cover 16, has a cross section that is the same as that of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 so that the liquid sprayed from the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 reaches the entire surface of the ceiling from the portion facing the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 to the peripheral edge. Are formed in a convex, gently circular arc shape with the opposite portion as a vertex. Further, a net 46 is provided in the front part of the ceiling of the top cover 16. The net 46 is disposed at a position facing the net 21 disposed on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 13 when the top cover 16 is closed. The net 46 presses the endoscope 12 accommodated in the cleaning tank 13 from above, and sinks the endoscope 12 below the liquid level.

  The cover body 41 is formed of, for example, a transparent or translucent plastic material so that the state in the cleaning tank 13 can be visually recognized from the outside. The packing 42 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and seals the opening 13a of the cleaning tank 13 in an airtight and watertight manner. The packing 42 is in pressure contact with the peripheral portion 13d of the cleaning tank 13 and the inner surface of the opening 19a of the upper panel 19, so that the liquid supplied to the cleaning tank 13 is scattered to the outside, and further, the odor of the disinfecting liquid is exposed to the outside. Prevent leakage.

  An air passage 48 (see FIG. 1) that communicates the inside and the outside of the cleaning tank 13 is provided at the rear portion of the top cover 16. The opening 13 a of the cleaning tank 13 is sealed with a packing 42. For this reason, when the liquid in the cleaning tank 13 is discharged from the waste liquid port 26 or the circulation port 31 in a state where the top cover 16 is closed, outside air is taken into the cleaning tank 13 from the outside through the air passage 48.

  In addition, in the initial stage of rotation when the top cover 16 starts to rotate from the closed position to the open position, the opening 13a is sealed by the packing 42, so that the top cover 16 rotates in the opening direction in that state. The inside of the cleaning tank 13 becomes negative pressure. Until the sealing of the opening 13a by the packing 42 is released, outside air is taken into the cleaning tank 13 from the outside through the air passage 48. Thereby, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the cleaning tank 13 is eliminated, and the top cover 16 can be rotated in the opening direction.

  On the top surface of the top cover 16, a filter mounting portion 51 to which the deodorizing filter 49 is mounted so as to be replaceable is formed. The filter mounting portion 51 is formed with a slit 51 a that constitutes the ventilation path 48. The deodorizing filter 49 is mounted on the filter mounting portion 51 so as to cover the slit 51 a from above, and is disposed in the ventilation path 48. The deodorizing filter 49 deodorizes the odor of the gas discharged from the cleaning tank 13 to the outside through the air passage 48.

  The filter mounting portion 51 is provided with a filter cover 52 that covers the deodorizing filter 49 so as to be freely opened and closed. A slit 52a is formed in the filter cover 52, and the slit 52a constitutes an air passage 48 together with the slit 51a. The slit 51a is formed with a section bent in a crank shape, and prevents the liquid in the cleaning tank 13 from being scattered to the deodorizing filter 49 through the slit 51a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a rubber heater 56 is attached to the lower surface of the cleaning tank 13. The rubber heater 56 heats the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 13 through the cleaning tank 13. The temperature of the liquid is measured by a temperature sensor (TE) 57, and the rubber heater 56 is controlled based on the measured temperature. The cleaning liquid and the disinfecting liquid are adjusted to an appropriate temperature by the rubber heater 56 because the cleaning effect and the disinfecting effect vary depending on the temperature.

  An ultrasonic transducer 58 is attached to the lower surface of the cleaning tank 13 via a vibration plate 59. The diaphragm 59 has a disc shape, and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 58 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the diaphragm 59. The ultrasonic vibrator 58 vibrates the cleaning tank 13 to vibrate the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 13 and ultrasonically cleans the endoscope 12. When the liquid is vibrated by the ultrasonic vibrator 58, fine bubbles are generated in the liquid, and dirt rises from the surface of the object by the energy accompanying the burst of the bubbles.

  The connection tube 62 is for connecting the channel cleaning port 32 and each channel of the endoscope 12. An attachment tool (not shown) for attaching the connection tube 62 to the endoscope 12 is provided at one end of the connection tube 62.

  The piping system of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10 is roughly divided into a water supply path for supplying water from the faucet 71 to the cleaning tank 13, and a supply pump for supplying detergent, disinfectant, alcohol, and compressed air to the cleaning tank 13 ( SP) 72, 73, 74, and 75 are provided, and circulation pumps (CP) 76 and 77 for aspirating the liquid in the washing tank 13 from the circulation port 31 and supplying the liquid to the washing tank 13 again are arranged. And a discharge path for discharging the liquid in the cleaning tank 13 from the waste liquid port 26.

  The water supply path is a path from the faucet 71 to the water supply nozzle 29a. In the water supply path, a water supply port 78, a valve (V) 79, a water filter 81, and a valve 82 connected to the faucet 71 by a hose are along the water supply direction. Are arranged in order. The valve 79 is an electromagnetic valve that functions as a water supply valve that opens and closes a path between the water supply port 78 and the water filter 81 to switch between supply and stop of water.

  The water filter 81 is a purified water filter that captures foreign substances and bacteria contained in tap water and filters the tap water. Since the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10 of the endoscope 12 that is a medical instrument requires high water purification capability, a high-grade water purification filter containing a substance having a bacterial action such as an enzyme is used as the water filter 81. The valve 82 is a three-way electromagnetic valve for selectively connecting the path leading from the valve 82 to the water feed nozzle 29 a to either the water feed path leading to the faucet 71 or the circulation path leading to the circulation pump 76.

  The supply pump 72 is disposed on a supply path connecting the detergent tank 83 for storing the detergent and the detergent supply nozzle 29c, sucks up the detergent from the detergent tank 83, and supplies the detergent to the detergent supply nozzle 29c. The supply pump 73 is disposed on a supply path that connects the disinfecting liquid tank 84 that stores the disinfecting liquid and the disinfecting liquid supply nozzle 29b, sucks the disinfecting liquid from the disinfecting liquid tank 84, and supplies it to the disinfecting liquid supply nozzle 29b. To do.

  The supply pump 74 is disposed on a supply path for supplying an alcohol tank 86 that stores alcohol, and sucks alcohol from the alcohol tank 86. The supply path of alcohol is branched into two paths on the downstream side of the supply pump 74: a path leading to the channel cleaning port 32 and a path leading to the accessory cleaning nozzle 61. The alcohol sucked up by the supply pump 74 is The liquid is supplied to the channel cleaning port 32 and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61 via the path.

  The air pump 75 is disposed on a supply path that compresses the atmosphere and supplies the compressed air to the channel cleaning port 32 and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61. On the downstream side of the air pump 75, an air filter 87 that purifies the atmosphere by capturing germs in the atmosphere is disposed. A valve 88 is disposed on the downstream side of the air filter 87.

  The valve 88 is a three-way electromagnetic for selectively connecting the path from the valve 88 to the channel cleaning port 32 and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61 with either the path for supplying the atmosphere leading to the air pump 75 or the path leading to the circulation pump 77. It is a valve. Valves 89 and 91 for opening and closing the paths leading to the channel cleaning port 32 and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61 are arranged on the path connecting the channel cleaning port 32 and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61 to the valve 82.

  A circulation path, one end of which is connected to the circulation port 31, is branched into a path leading to the circulation pump 76 and two paths leading to the circulation pump 77. The downstream path of the circulation pump 76 is further branched into a path leading to the valve 82 and a path leading to the valve 92. The valve 92 is an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes a path connecting the circulation pump 76 and the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23. The liquid sucked by the circulation pump 76 is supplied to the water supply nozzle 29a and the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 through the valve 82 and the valve 92. A downstream path of the circulation pump 77 is connected to a valve 88. The liquid sucked by the circulation pump 77 is supplied from the valve 88 to the channel cleaning port 32 and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61 through the valve 89 and the valve 91.

  A discharge path whose one end is connected to the waste liquid port 26 is connected to the switching valve 93. The downstream side of the switching valve 93 branches into two paths: a path leading to the discharge pump (DP) 94 and a path leading to the disinfecting liquid tank 84. The discharge pump 94 sucks the liquid discharged from the waste liquid port 26 and discharges it as waste liquid to sewage outside the apparatus. The switching valve 93 is in a closed state in which the discharge of liquid from the waste liquid port 26 to the downstream side of the switching valve 93 is stopped, in a state in which a path leading from the waste liquid port 26 to the discharge pump 94 is opened, and in the disinfecting liquid tank 84 from the waste liquid port 26. It is an electromagnetic valve that selectively switches the three states of opening the path leading to.

  The cleaning liquid and water supplied to the cleaning tank 13 are used once and then sucked by the discharge pump 94 and discharged outside the apparatus. On the other hand, since the disinfecting liquid can be used a plurality of times, the disinfecting liquid after use is returned from the waste liquid port 26 to the disinfecting liquid tank 84 via the switching valve 93 until the disinfecting ability disappears. It is. The switching valve 93 is provided to return the disinfecting liquid to the disinfecting liquid tank 84. The disinfecting solution gives off a strong odor and cannot be discharged into sewage as well as the cleaning solution and water. The disinfecting liquid tank 84 is provided with a discharge port (not shown), and the disinfecting liquid that has been used a predetermined number of times is collected from the discharge port of the disinfecting liquid tank 84.

  The cleaning process is divided into sub-processes of ultrasonic cleaning and cleaning with a cleaning liquid (hereinafter referred to as main cleaning). In ultrasonic cleaning, first, the valve 79 is opened and water supply is performed in a state where the valve 82 is switched to a state in which the valve 79 and the water supply nozzle 29a are connected. When the water level sensor 27 detects that the cleaning tank 13 is filled with an appropriate amount of water, the valve 79 is closed to stop water supply. And the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 58 act | operates and the water stored in the washing tank 13 is vibrated. When the ultrasonic cleaning is completed, the switching valve 93 is switched from a state in which the liquid discharge is stopped to a state in which the waste liquid port 26 and the discharge pump 94 are connected, and the water stored in the cleaning tank 13 is discharged outside the apparatus. The

  In the main cleaning, first, along with water supply, the supply pump 72 is operated to supply the detergent from the detergent tank 83 to the washing tank 13 through the detergent nozzle 29c. Water and detergent are mixed in the cleaning tank 13 to generate a cleaning liquid. When the water supply and the detergent supply are completed, the cleaning liquid is circulated. In circulation of the cleaning liquid, first, the switching valve 93 is closed, and a path leading to the circulation pump 76 and the water supply nozzle 29a is opened by the valve 82, and a path leading from the circulation pump 76 to the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 is opened by the valve 92. . Further, a path leading to the channel cleaning port 32 and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61 is opened by the valves 89 and 91.

  In this state, the circulation pumps 76 and 77 are operated, and the cleaning liquid sucked from the circulation port 31 is supplied again to the cleaning tank 13 through the water supply nozzle 29a, the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23, the channel cleaning port 32, and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61. The By such circulation, a water flow is generated in the cleaning tank 13. The dirt of the endoscope 12 is washed away by this water flow.

  The cleaning liquid supplied from the channel cleaning port 32 passes through each channel of the endoscope 12 to wash away the internal dirt, and is discharged to the cleaning tank 13 from the nozzle at the tip of the insertion portion, the forceps outlet, and the like. The accessory cleaning nozzle 61 injects cleaning liquid toward the accessory parts in the accessory cleaning basket 22 to wash away the dirt of the accessory parts.

  The ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 sprays a cleaning liquid toward the ceiling to wash away the dirt on the ceiling. The cleaning liquid sprayed on the ceiling flows toward the peripheral edge of the ceiling and spreads over the entire surface of the ceiling. The cleaning liquid that has flowed through the ceiling falls into the cleaning tank 13 by its own weight. In the cleaning process, while the cleaning liquid is being circulated, the valves 89, 91, and 92 are opened, and the supply of the cleaning liquid to the channel cleaning port 32, the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23, and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61 is continued. When the circulation of the cleaning liquid is completed, the used cleaning liquid is discharged by the discharge pump 94.

  In the disinfection process, the supply pump 73 is operated to supply the disinfectant from the disinfectant tank 84 to the cleaning tank 13 through the disinfectant supply nozzle 29b. Then, similarly to the circulation in the cleaning process, the circulation pumps 76 and 77 are operated to circulate the disinfecting liquid for a predetermined time. When the circulation is completed, a path leading to the disinfecting liquid tank 84 is selected by the switching valve 93, and the disinfecting liquid is returned from the waste liquid port 26 to the disinfecting liquid tank 84.

  Immediately after each of the cleaning process and the disinfecting process, a rinsing process for washing away the cleaning liquid and the disinfecting liquid adhering to the outer surface of the endoscope 12 and each channel is performed. As shown in FIG. 4, the rinsing process includes sub-processes of water supply, circulation, and discharge, like the cleaning process. When the valve 79 is opened, water is supplied from the faucet 71 and water is stored in the cleaning tank 13. After the end of the water supply, the circulation pumps 76 and 77 are operated and the water is circulated for a predetermined time (circulation time) Tc, similarly to the cleaning step. In the circulation of the rinsing process, unlike the circulation of the cleaning process, water is injected from the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 only for a predetermined time (injection time) T1 from the start of the circulation, and when the injection time T1 has elapsed, the valve By closing 92, the supply path from the circulation pump 76 to the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 is shut off, and water injection is stopped.

  It takes a certain amount of time for most of the water sprayed on the ceiling to fall from the ceiling to the washing tank 13 by its own weight. After the drainage is completed, the water that falls into the cleaning tank 13 remains as residual water that is not discharged from the cleaning tank 13. For this reason, the amount of residual water at the end of drainage is reduced by stopping the water injection from the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 before the circulation ends (in the middle of the circulation). Although water falls from the ceiling during the jetting time T1 during which water is jetted, there is also an increase in water adhering to the ceiling due to jetting, so the amount of water droplets remaining on the ceiling while jetting continues Does not change.

  When the water injection is stopped, there is no increase in water due to the injection, so that the water drops remaining on the ceiling gradually decrease due to the fall of the water. When the circulation time Tc elapses and the circulation is completed, the discharge pump 94 is activated and drainage from the waste liquid port 26 is started. Even during the discharge, the water continues to drop from the ceiling to the washing tank 13, and the water dropped into the washing tank 13 until the drainage is completed is drained from the waste liquid outlet 26, and therefore does not remain in the washing tank 13. . Therefore, the longer the time T2 until the end of drainage after stopping the injection, the fewer water droplets remain on the ceiling, and the less the remaining water in the cleaning tank 13 that cannot be drained. In the present invention, by stopping the injection in the middle of circulation, the time T2 is lengthened without lengthening the drainage time.

  Specific values of the water supply time Ts, the circulation time Tc, the drainage time Td, and the injection time T1 are, for example, a water supply time Ts of about 50 s, a circulation time Tc of about 40 s, and a drainage time Td of about 30 s. The total rinsing time is about 120 s (about 2 minutes). The injection time T1 is about 20 s, and the time T2 is about 50 s because it is circulation time Tc (about 40 s) + drainage time Td (about 30 s) −injection time T1 (about 20 s).

  The spray time T1 is a time determined in consideration of the time required for the water sprayed from the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 to the ceiling of the top cover 16 to reach the entire surface of the ceiling, and specifically, the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 The injection amount per unit time, the water pressure, and the size of the top cover 16 are appropriately determined. The time T2 is a value determined in consideration of the allowable amount of water droplets remaining on the ceiling at the end of drainage. Specifically, after the ejection is stopped, the time from when the water droplet falls from the ceiling until the water droplet remaining on the ceiling is reduced to an allowable amount is measured, and the time is determined based on this measured value. Since the amount of water droplets adhering to the ceiling varies depending on the spray amount of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 and the size of the top cover 16, the time T2 is also equal to the spray amount of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 and the size of the top cover 16 similarly to the spray time T1. It is determined accordingly.

  Returning to FIG. 3, in the drying process, valves 89 and 92 are opened, and a path leading to the channel cleaning port 32 and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61 is opened. The supply pump 74 is actuated to suck alcohol from the alcohol tank 86, and the sucked alcohol is sprayed to each channel and small parts of the endoscope 12 through the channel washing port 32 and the small article washing nozzle 61.

  Thereafter, a path from the air pump 75 to the valves 89 and 91 is selected by the valve 88, and the air pump 75 is activated. When the air pump 75 is actuated, compressed air is blown from the channel washing port 32 and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61 to each channel and accessory part, and water droplets attached to the inside of each channel and the outer surface of the accessory part are blown off together with the alcohol. . Moreover, since alcohol has high volatility, water adhering to the surface is evaporated by the heat of vaporization of alcohol. In this way, each channel and small parts of the endoscope 12 are dried.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10 includes a plurality of electrical components, which are connected to a CPU 101 that controls the entire apparatus. The ROM 102 stores various control information set in advance such as data describing the contents of the cleaning program, in addition to a control program used for controlling the entire apparatus.

  The RAM 103 is an execution area for control programs loaded from the ROM 102. The EEPROM 104 stores cleaning history information in addition to a device number, various setting information, various control information, and the like. The device number is identification information given to each cleaning / disinfecting device 10. The device number is a manufacturing number or serial number given at the time of manufacturing, or an identification number given to identify a plurality of devices in the hospital using the cleaning / disinfecting device 10. The setting information includes various processing times such as the circulation time Tc in the rinsing process and the injection time T1 of the ceiling injection nozzle 23 in the rinsing process.

  The control information includes, for example, the number of times the antiseptic solution is used. As described above, the disinfecting liquid can be used a plurality of times, and the number of times of use is the number of times that the endoscope 12 can be disinfected with the disinfecting liquid maintaining the disinfecting effect. It represents the approximate life of the liquid. Since the service life may vary depending on the disinfectant used, it can be changed by storing it in the EEPROM 104. The service life may be input directly from the operation panel 36 or may be automatically set based on the name of the disinfectant solution.

  As described above, the cleaning history information is information such as the date and time of cleaning, the name of the person in charge of cleaning, the ID of the endoscope 12 that has been cleaned, and the number of times the disinfectant is used, the temperature of the disinfectant, A scope ID that is identification information of the endoscope 12 is included. The printer 105 prints the cleaning history information on the recording paper, and discharges the printed print from the paper discharge port 34. The network IF 106 is an interface for performing communication control by connecting to a network such as a LAN. For example, the cleaning history information and operation status of the plurality of cleaning / disinfecting apparatuses 10 are collected via the LAN, and those It is used to connect to a management PC that collectively manages information.

  Further, a water level sensor 27 and a temperature sensor 57 are connected to the CPU 101, and each sensor 27, 57 outputs a water level detection signal and temperature information to the CPU 101. The timer 107 measures an elapsed time from an arbitrary time point based on a time signal from a clock circuit or the like. The counter 108 is used for counting the number of processing repetitions. Further, the CPU 101 includes a cleaning / disinfecting processing mechanism including supply pumps 72 to 74, circulation pumps 76 and 77, valves 79, 81, 82, 88, 89, 91, 92, 93, rubber heater 56, and ultrasonic vibrator 58. Are connected to a pump drive unit 109, a valve drive unit 110, a heater drive unit 111, and an ultrasonic transducer drive unit 112.

  The operation of the above configuration will be described below based on the flowcharts of FIGS. When cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope 12, the foot pedal 44 is operated to open the top cover 16 of the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 10. The endoscope 12 is set in the cleaning tank 13, and the endoscope 12 and the channel cleaning port 32 are connected by a connection tube 62. After the endoscope 12 is set, the foot pedal 44 is operated and the top cover 16 is closed.

  When the cleaning program is selected on the operation panel 36 and the start of cleaning / disinfection is instructed (S (step) 10), the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10 starts the cleaning / disinfecting process. The cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10 first executes a cleaning process (S20). In the cleaning process, after the ultrasonic cleaning by the ultrasonic vibrator 58 is performed, the main cleaning with the cleaning liquid is performed. In the main cleaning, after the cleaning liquid is stored in the cleaning tank 13 by supplying water and detergent, the circulation pumps 76 and 77 are operated to circulate the cleaning liquid.

  During the circulation, the cleaning liquid is supplied again to the cleaning tank 13 from the water supply nozzle 29 a, the channel cleaning port 32, the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23, and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61. Due to the circulation, a water flow is generated in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 13, and the outer surface of the endoscope 12 and the dirt on the channel are washed away. The cleaning liquid sprayed from the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 spreads over the entire ceiling of the top cover 16 and cleans the dirt on the ceiling.

  In the cleaning process, the supply of the cleaning liquid from the water supply nozzle 29a, the channel cleaning port 32, the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23, and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61 is continued until the circulation is completed. When the circulation is completed, the discharge pump 94 is operated and the cleaning liquid is discharged from the waste liquid port 26. When the cleaning process is completed, the rinsing process is started (S30).

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the rinsing step, first, water is supplied to the cleaning tank 13 (S100). When the water supply is completed, measurement is started by the timer 107 (S101), and circulation by the circulation pumps 76 and 77 is started (S102). When the circulation is started, water is supplied again to the cleaning tank 13 from the water supply nozzle 29a, the channel cleaning port 32, and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61. The cleaning liquid adhering to the outer surface of the endoscope 12 and the channel is washed away by the water flow generated by the circulation.

  As shown in FIG. 4, since the valve 92 is opened at the start of circulation, water injection is started from the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 by the start of circulation. The sprayed water spreads over the entire surface of the ceiling, and the cleaning liquid adhering to the ceiling is washed away.

  When the circulation is started, the CPU 101 starts monitoring the measurement value T of the timer 107 and determines whether or not the injection time T1 of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 has elapsed (S103). When the measured value T exceeds the injection time T1, the CPU 101 determines that the injection time T1 has elapsed (Y in S103). When determining that the injection time T1 has elapsed, the CPU 101 closes the valve 92 and stops the water injection from the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 (S104). Even after the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 stops, the water injection from the water supply nozzle 29a, the channel cleaning port 32, and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61 continues.

  The CPU 101 continues to monitor the measurement value T of the timer 107 even after the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 is stopped, and determines whether or not the circulation time Tc has elapsed (S105). If the measured value T exceeds the circulation time Tc, the CPU 101 determines that the circulation time Tc has elapsed (Y in S105). When determining that the injection time T1 has elapsed, the CPU 101 stops the circulation pumps 76 and 77 and ends the circulation of water (S106). After completing the circulation of water, the CPU 101 operates the discharge pump 94 to drain through the waste liquid port 26 (S107).

  In the rinsing process, the water injection from the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 stops when the injection time T1 has elapsed after the start of circulation. The water sprayed on the ceiling of the top cover 16 falls from the ceiling to the cleaning tank 13. Since water adhering to the ceiling does not increase after water injection stops, the amount of water droplets remaining on the ceiling gradually decreases due to the fall of water. As shown in FIG. 4, since the injection is stopped in the middle of the circulation, the time T2 during which the water droplets remaining on the ceiling are reduced is longer than in the conventional case where the injection is continued until the circulation is completed. For this reason, compared with the past, at the end of drainage, water droplets remaining on the ceiling and residual water remaining in the cleaning tank 13 can be reduced. Since the time T2 is lengthened by stopping the injection in the middle of the circulation without changing the drainage time, the total time of the rinsing process is not extended.

  Returning to FIG. 6, when the rinsing step (S30) is completed, the disinfection step (S40) is executed. The CPU 101 operates the supply pump 73 to supply the disinfecting liquid from the disinfecting liquid tank 84 to the cleaning tank 13. In the rinsing process (S30) immediately before the disinfection process, the injection stop timing of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 is advanced, so the remaining water in the cleaning tank 13 is small. For this reason, in the disinfection process, the degree to which the disinfecting liquid supplied to the cleaning tank 13 is diluted with the remaining water is reduced, so that an appropriate concentration of the disinfecting liquid is ensured. In the disinfection process, the endoscope 12 is disinfected by circulating a disinfectant solution as in the cleaning process and the rinsing process. After completing the circulation, the CPU 101 returns the disinfecting liquid from the waste liquid port 26 to the disinfecting liquid tank 84.

  When the disinfection step (S40) is completed, the rinsing step (S50) is executed in the same procedure as the rinsing step (S30). Also in the rinsing step (S50), water injection from the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 stops in the middle of circulation. Therefore, at the end of the rinsing step (S50), there is little residual water remaining in the cleaning tank 13.

  When the rinsing step (S50) is completed, the drying step (S60) is performed. The CPU 1010 operates the supply pump 74 to inject alcohol from the channel cleaning port 32 and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61. Thereby, alcohol is sprayed on the channel and small parts of the endoscope 12. Thereafter, the CPU 101 operates the air pump 75 to inject compressed air from the channel cleaning port 32 and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61. As a result, compressed air is blown to the channel and small parts of the endoscope 12, and water droplets attached to the inside of the channel and the surface of the small parts together with alcohol are blown off.

  There are few water droplets remaining on the ceiling of the top cover 16 at the end of the rinsing step (S50) immediately before the drying step. Therefore, for example, in the drying process, since there are few water droplets falling from the ceiling onto the small parts, the drying effect is also high.

  When the drying step (S60) is completed, the top cover 16 is opened by operating the foot pedal 44 in order to take out the endoscope 12 subjected to the cleaning / disinfecting process from the cleaning tank 13. Since there are few water droplets remaining on the ceiling of the top cover 16, there are few water droplets flowing down toward the cleaning tank 13 along the ceiling when the top cover 16 is opened. If a large amount of water droplets flow down from the top cover 16 when the top cover 16 is released, the water droplets are scattered to the outside of the cleaning tank 13 and the visual impression is poor. By reducing the number of water droplets remaining on the ceiling, the discomfort of the operator who takes out the endoscope 12 is also reduced.

  In addition, after the drying step (S60), the endoscope 12 may be left for a while without being immediately taken out from the cleaning tank 13. Even in such a case, since there are few water droplets remaining on the ceiling of the top cover 16 and residual water in the washing tank 13, the propagation of various germs can be reduced, so that it may be hygienic.

  In the first embodiment, the water injection time T1 by the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 is set to a predetermined time. However, when the water injection amount and the water pressure by the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 can be changed, the unit The time T2 from the stop of injection to the end of drainage may be determined by changing the injection time T1 according to the injection amount per hour and the water pressure. For example, when the injection amount per unit time or the water pressure changes, the amount of water droplets adhering to the ceiling of the top cover 16 also changes. If the amount of water droplets is small, the time required to decrease to the allowable amount of water droplets remaining on the ceiling can be shortened. Therefore, the jetting time T1 may be increased to shorten the time T2 until drainage ends. In this case, the CPU 101 determines the time T2 by changing the injection time T1 in accordance with the injection amount of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 and the water pressure.

  In the first embodiment, in the rinsing process of both the rinsing process (S30) immediately before the sterilization process and the rinsing process (S50) immediately after the sterilization process, the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 is stopped during the circulation. However, any one of each rinse process (S30) and (S50) is good. For example, since the concentration of the disinfecting solution is important for performing reliable disinfection, the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 is stopped at least in the rinsing step (S30) immediately before the disinfecting step so that the disinfecting solution is not diluted. It is preferable.

[Second Embodiment]
In the rinsing process immediately after the sterilization process (S50 in FIG. 6), the rinsing process may be repeatedly performed in order to sufficiently wash out the sterilizing solution. In this case, the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 may be stopped during the circulation of each rinsing process, but only in the final rinsing process, as in the second embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. The injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 may be stopped. Except for this, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. The following description will focus on the differences.

  In the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of the second embodiment, the CPU 101 counts the number of rinsing steps with the counter 108 (see FIG. 5). When the rinsing process is started, first, the CPU 101 resets the counter 108 to set the count value to “0” (S200). In step S201, the counter 108 is incremented to set the count value to “1”. Then, water supply is performed (S202). After the water supply, the CPU 101 resets the timer 107 to start measurement (S203), and operates the circulation pumps 76 and 77 to start circulation (S204). By starting the circulation, water is supplied again to the cleaning tank 13 from the water supply nozzle 29a, the channel cleaning port 32, the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23, and the accessory cleaning nozzle 61.

  When starting to circulate, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the count value has reached a predetermined number of repetitions N (an integer of 2 or more) of the rinsing process. In the first rinsing step, since the count value is 1, the CPU 101 determines that the count value has not reached the number of repetitions N (S205), and proceeds to S208. If the count value has reached the number of repetitions N, it is the last rinsing step, so the measured value T of the timer 107 is monitored to determine the elapse of the injection time T1 (S206). If the injection time T1 has elapsed (Y in S206), the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 is stopped (S207).

  S208 to S210 are the same as S105 to 107 of the first embodiment, and the CPU 101 executes circulation until the circulation time Tc is reached, and drains after the circulation is completed. After draining, in S211, the CPU 101 determines whether the count value has reached the number of repetitions N. If the number of repetitions has reached N (Y in S211), the rinsing process is terminated. If the number of repetitions N has not been reached (N in S211), the process returns to S201, the counter 108 is incremented, and steps S202 to S211 from water supply to drainage are repeated.

  The meaning of stopping the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 in the middle of the circulation is to reduce the residual water in the cleaning tank 13 at the start of the disinfection process, the drying process, etc. performed immediately after the rinsing process, or at the end of all the cleaning / disinfection processes. Therefore, when the rinsing process is repeatedly executed continuously as in the second embodiment, the desired effect can be obtained if the injection is stopped only in the last rinsing process.

[Third embodiment]
As in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, in addition to the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23, a ceiling air supply nozzle 121 that injects compressed air toward the ceiling is provided, and water droplets remaining on the ceiling are blown off by the compressed air. May be. The difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is that the ceiling air supply nozzle 121 is provided, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore, the difference will be mainly described below.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the ceiling air supply nozzle 121 is disposed in the vicinity of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23. The ceiling air supply nozzle 121 is connected to a compressed air supply path from the air pump 75 via a valve 122. When the air pump 75 is activated with the valve 122 opened, compressed air is injected from the ceiling air supply nozzle 121.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the rinsing process of the third embodiment, first, water is supplied (S301), the timer 107 is started after water supply (S302), and circulation is started (S303). Thereby, the jet of water is started from the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23. Then, the CPU 101 monitors the elapse of the injection time T1 by the timer 107 (S304), and when the injection time T1 elapses, the valve 92 is closed during the circulation to stop the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 (S305).

  The CPU 101 opens the valve 122 and activates the air pump 75 simultaneously with the stop of the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23, and starts the injection of compressed air from the ceiling air supply nozzle 121 (S306). Water droplets adhering to the ceiling of the top cover 16 are blown off by the compressed air ejected by the ceiling air supply nozzle 121.

  The CPU 101 monitors the elapse of the circulation time Tc with the timer 107 (S307), and when the circulation time Tc elapses, the CPU 101 ends the circulation (S308). When the circulation is completed, drainage is performed (S309). After the end of drainage, the injection of the ceiling air supply nozzle 121 is stopped (S310).

  Thus, by stopping the jet of water by the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 and then performing the jet of compressed air by the ceiling air supply nozzle 121, water droplets remaining on the ceiling of the top cover 16 can be reduced, Compared with the first and second embodiments, the amount of residual water remaining in the cleaning tank 13 can be further reduced. There is also an effect that water droplets can be removed more quickly.

  As in this example, if the injection of compressed air by the ceiling air supply nozzle 121 is continued until the end of drainage after the water injection by the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 is stopped, the injection time of the compressed air becomes longer. However, the timing of the start and end of compressed air injection by the ceiling air supply nozzle 121 is not limited to this example and can be determined as appropriate. For example, the injection of the compressed air by the ceiling air supply nozzle 121 is between the stop of the water injection by the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 and the end of the circulation, or the compressed air is not injected during the circulation, and only during the drainage. You may go.

  Moreover, although the example which injects compressed air with the ceiling air supply nozzle 121 demonstrated in this example, in addition to compressed air from the ceiling air supply nozzle 121, you may inject alcohol. For example, in the rinsing step, after stopping the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23, the CPU 101 first operates the supply pump 74 (see FIG. 9) to inject alcohol from the ceiling air supply nozzle 121 toward the ceiling. And after stopping injection of alcohol, the air pump 75 is operated and the compressed air is injected from the ceiling air supply nozzle 121. As described above, since alcohol is highly volatile, it has the effect of evaporating the water droplets on the ceiling by the heat of vaporization of the alcohol, so the amount of water droplets remaining on the ceiling can be further reduced. Furthermore, since the alcohol also has a function of deodorizing the odor of the disinfecting solution, it can be expected to reduce the odor of the disinfecting solution such as peracetic acid.

  Moreover, although the example which provided the ceiling air supply nozzle 121 and the ceiling washing nozzle 23 separately demonstrated in this example, you may use a ceiling air supply nozzle and a ceiling washing nozzle together. For example, when the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 is used as a ceiling air supply nozzle, in FIG. 3, piping connecting the valve 88 and the valve 92 is provided, and the valve 92 is connected to the path from the circulation pump 76 and the valve 88. It consists of a three-way solenoid valve that switches the path. If the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 is used as a ceiling air supply nozzle, there is no need to newly secure a space for arranging the ceiling air supply nozzle. For example, when a design change is made to an existing apparatus having a ceiling cleaning nozzle. It is advantageous.

  Moreover, although the example which provided the ceiling washing | cleaning nozzle 23 and the ceiling air supply nozzle 121 one each was demonstrated, you may provide multiple at least one. Further, the positions of the ceiling cleaning nozzle 23 and the ceiling air supply nozzle 121 can be appropriately changed. For example, separately from the ceiling air supply nozzle 121, another ceiling air supply nozzle may be provided at a position closer to the ceiling such as the terrace portions 13b and 13c. In this case, if the injection direction of the ceiling air supply nozzle is set to a direction close to a horizontal direction substantially parallel to the ceiling, the effect of blowing water droplets is improved.

  The present invention can be applied not only to a cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for cleaning / disinfecting an endoscope, but also to a cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for cleaning / disinfecting medical instruments that are reused by cleaning / disinfecting. As a medical instrument other than the endoscope, for example, a treatment instrument that is used by being inserted through the forceps channel of the endoscope, such as a forceps, an ultrasonic probe, a clip treatment instrument, and a snare, can be considered. Of course, a medical instrument other than the treatment tool used with the endoscope may be used. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Cleaning disinfection apparatus 12 Endoscope 13 Cleaning tank 13a Opening part 16 Top cover 23 Ceiling cleaning nozzle 76, 77 Circulation pump 79, 92, 122 Valve 101 CPU
107 Timer 108 Counter 121 Ceiling air supply nozzle

Claims (16)

A cleaning tank for storing a medical device and storing a liquid, and cleaning the medical device with the stored liquid, a disinfection step, a rinsing step after the cleaning immediately after the cleaning step, and a disinfection immediately after the disinfection step A washing tank in which a rinsing process is performed;
A top cover that opens and closes the upper opening of the cleaning tank;
A circulation means for circulating the liquid stored in the washing tank through a circulation path;
A ceiling cleaning nozzle that is disposed in the cleaning tank and injects the liquid supplied by the circulation means toward the ceiling that is the inner surface of the top cover.
The rinsing step after washing and the rinsing step after disinfection each include at least one rinsing step of one cycle in which one cycle is water supply, circulation of water by the circulation means, and drainage after completion of circulation,
In at least one of the post-cleaning rinsing step and the post-disinfection rinsing step, the spraying of water by the ceiling cleaning nozzle is provided with control means for stopping in the middle of the circulation,
The control means terminates the post-cleaning rinsing step or the post-disinfection rinsing step without stopping the water injection after stopping the water injection.   In the post-cleaning rinsing step or the post-disinfection rinsing step, the control means starts jetting of water by the ceiling cleaning nozzle at the start of the circulation and continues the jetting until it is stopped in the middle of the circulation. The cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1, which is continued. Used for cleaning / disinfecting the air / water channel, suction channel and forceps channel of the endoscope, and has a channel cleaning port for jetting water during the circulation,
3. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit continues the water injection from the channel cleaning port even after the water injection by the ceiling cleaning nozzle is stopped. 4.   The cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means stops the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle during the circulation in at least the post-cleaning rinsing step.   The timing for stopping the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle is determined in consideration of an allowable amount of water droplets remaining on the ceiling at the time when the drainage is finished. The cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to the item.   The cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means stops the injection of the ceiling cleaning nozzle a predetermined time before the end of the circulation.   The cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a ceiling air supply nozzle that injects air toward the ceiling.   8. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit starts spraying the ceiling air supply nozzle after spraying of the ceiling cleaning nozzle is stopped.   9. The cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control means continues the injection of the ceiling air supply nozzle until the drainage is completed.   The cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the ceiling air supply nozzle is capable of injecting alcohol in addition to air.   11. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit sprays alcohol from the ceiling air supply nozzle, stops air injection, and then sprays air.   The cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the ceiling cleaning nozzle and the ceiling air supply nozzle are combined. The cleaning process and the disinfection process of the medical device are performed with the liquid stored in the cleaning tank in a state where the upper opening of the cleaning tank is covered with the top cover, and the rinsing process after the cleaning is performed after the cleaning process. In the control method of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus that performs the post-disinfection rinsing step with water stored in the cleaning tank,
The rinsing step after washing and the rinsing step after disinfection are:
A circulation step for circulating the water in the washing tank through a circulation path;
An injection step of injecting water from the ceiling cleaning nozzle in the cleaning tank toward the ceiling which is the inner surface of the top cover in the circulation step;
Including one cycle of rinsing step having a series of steps of draining step of draining from the washing tank after completion of the circulation step,
In at least one of the post-cleaning rinsing step and the post-disinfection rinsing step, a circulation halfway stop step for stopping the injection step in the middle of the circulation step is performed, and after the injection step is stopped, the injection step is performed. A control method for a cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, wherein the post-cleaning rinsing step or the post-disinfection rinsing step is terminated without restarting.   The method of controlling a cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the spraying step is started at the start of the circulation step and is continued until stopped in the middle of the circulation. The cleaning / disinfecting apparatus is used for cleaning / disinfecting the air / water supply channel, suction channel and forceps channel of the endoscope, and has a channel cleaning port for injecting water during the circulation.
The water injection from the channel cleaning port is continued even after the water injection by the ceiling cleaning nozzle is stopped in the post-cleaning rinsing step or the post-disinfection rinsing step. 14. A method for controlling the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to 14.   The control method of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the circulating stop step is executed at least in the post-cleaning rinsing step.