JP2014054361A - Steam sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steam sterilizer which generates steam using induction heating, and can shorten a heating step and prevent water supply into a chamber by efficiently generating steam.SOLUTION: Since a steam sterilizer 1 sprays water 15 supplied through a water supply pipe 20 and supplies it to a flow passage 40 by using a spray pipe 41 whose surface is formed with a plurality of holes 42, the water 15 can be efficiently heated to efficiently generate steam in a block boiler 16 which generates heat by induction heating by an induction coil 17.

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.

  A steam sterilizer described in Patent Document 1 is known as a steam sterilizer that performs sterilization using high-pressure steam on an object to be sterilized such as a medical instrument. This steam sterilizer includes a chamber that houses an object to be sterilized, and a steam generator that generates steam to be supplied into the chamber. The steam generator is composed of a sealed tank made of a magnetic material and an induction heating coil for induction heating the sealed tank, and heats water supplied from the water storage tank through a water supply pipe. By doing so, steam is generated.

  By the way, when steam is generated using induction heating, steam can be generated in a much shorter time than when steam is generated by heating a sheathed heater in a tank.

JP 2004-159996 A

  However, even when steam is generated using induction heating as described in Patent Document 1, if a certain amount of water is supplied from the water storage tank at a time, it takes time to evaporate the water. turn into. In particular, when trying to shorten the total process time spent in a series of processes in a steam sterilizer, the sterilization process is determined to be sterilized at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time. It cannot be shortened. Therefore, if the time of the heating process for generating steam can be shortened, it will contribute to shortening the total process time in the steam sterilizer, and therefore it is desirable to generate steam efficiently.

  In addition to the time to evaporate the water, if a certain amount of water is supplied from the water storage tank at a time, all of the water will not evaporate and part of the water will remain in the chamber due to bumping, etc. May be supplied. If water is supplied into the chamber in this way, problems may occur in subsequent processes such as poor drying in the subsequent drying process.

  In view of this, the present invention, in a steam sterilizer that generates steam using induction heating, further reduces the time of the heating process and prevents the supply of water into the chamber by efficiently generating steam. An object is to provide a steam sterilizer that can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a steam sterilizer for sterilizing an object to be sterilized with high-pressure steam, a chamber for storing the object to be sterilized, and for storing water A water storage tank; a water flow path through which the water flows; a block boiler that heats the water in the water flow path to generate the steam; an induction heating coil that induction-heats the block boiler; and the block boiler A steam supply pipe for supplying the steam generated in the chamber into the chamber, a water supply pipe connected to the water storage tank and connected to the water flow path inside the block boiler, and water supplied from the water supply pipe Spraying supply means for spraying and supplying to the water flow path.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the water supplied from the water supply pipe can be sprayed and supplied to the water flow path by the spray supply means, so that steam can be generated efficiently, The time for the heating process can be shortened, and the supply of water into the chamber can be prevented.

  Moreover, the 2nd aspect of this invention is the steam sterilizer which concerns on a 1st aspect, Comprising: The said dispersion | distribution supply means consists of a dispersion pipe | tube with which the several hole is formed in the surface.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since water is sprayed using the spray pipe having a plurality of holes formed on the surface, water can be sprayed with a simple configuration.

  Further, a third aspect of the present invention is a steam sterilizer according to the second aspect, wherein the block boiler is arranged in a vertical direction, and the spray tube is more than the middle position of the block boiler. The plurality of holes that extend upward and are formed in the spray pipe are provided above the spray pipe.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the block boiler arranged in the vertical direction, water can be sprayed from above the spray pipe extending upward from the middle of the block boiler, so that the temperature is high. Steam can be generated more efficiently by utilizing the middle area of the block boiler.

  Further, a fourth aspect of the present invention is a steam sterilizer according to the second aspect, wherein the block boiler is disposed in a lateral direction, and the plurality of holes formed in the spray pipe are: More than the end side of the block boiler, it is formed more on the center side.

  According to the 4th aspect of this invention, since more water can be sprayed from the center side of a block boiler in the block boiler arrange | positioned in a horizontal direction, the center side of a block boiler with high temperature is utilized. Thus, steam can be generated more efficiently.

  Moreover, the 5th aspect of this invention is the steam sterilizer which concerns on a 1st aspect, Comprising: The said distribution supply means consists of a spray nozzle part which sprays the said water in mist form.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, water can be sprayed in the form of a mist by the spray nozzle portion, so that steam can be generated more efficiently.

  Further, a sixth aspect of the present invention is the steam sterilizer according to the first aspect, wherein the block boiler is arranged in a vertical direction, and the spray supply means is arranged from the middle of the block boiler. Further, it extends to the upper side and is characterized by comprising a spray tube having an open top.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, water can be sprayed from the top opening of the spray pipe extending upward from the middle of the block boiler in the longitudinally arranged block boiler. Steam can be generated more efficiently by using the middle area of a high block boiler.

It is a schematic side view of the steam sterilizer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the block boiler in the steam sterilizer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the block boiler which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the block boiler which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

  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.

[Embodiment 1]
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the steam sterilizer 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a steam sterilizer 1 according to the first embodiment.

  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 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 23. The air supplied into the block boiler 16 is heated in the block boiler 16, supplied into the chamber 11, and used for drying an object to be sterilized or 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 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.

  A temperature sensor 33 made up 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 block boiler 16 in the steam sterilizer 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the block boiler 16 according to the first embodiment.

As described above, the block boiler 16 generates heat by the magnetic flux generated in the induction coil 17, and heats the water 15 with the heat to generate steam. The block boiler 16 is provided with a 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, the water 15 supplied through the water supply pipe 20 is heated in the flow path 40 to become 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 in front of 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 steam sterilizer 1 of this embodiment is provided with the block boiler 16 in the vertical direction as shown in FIGS. That is, the water supply pipe 20 and the steam supply pipe 21 are connected to the block boiler 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, if the water supply pipe 20 is simply connected to the flow path 40, when the water 15 is supplied from the water supply pipe 20 to the block boiler 16, the water 15 accumulates from the lower side of the flow path 40. . On the other hand, the induction heating by the induction coil 17 has the highest efficiency around the central portion of the induction coil 17 (the middle position of the block boiler 16). Therefore, if the water 15 only accumulates from the lower side of the block boiler 16, the water 15 is heated at the lower stage of the block boiler 16 having a low temperature, so that steam cannot be generated efficiently.

  Therefore, the steam sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment includes a spray supply unit that supplies the water 15 supplied to the flow path 40 to the flow path 40 while spraying the water 15. By this spray supply means, the water 15 supplied to the flow path 40 is scattered, and the granular water 15 is instantaneously heated and vaporized into steam at various places in the flow path 40.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the spray supply means is connected to the water supply pipe 20 and extends along the flow path 40 in the flow path 40 and has a plurality of holes 42 formed on the surface thereof. It is. The spray tube 41 is made of a copper tubular tube, and has a plurality of holes 42 formed on the upper side. The water 15 supplied from the water supply pipe 20 passes through the spray pipe 41 and is ejected from the upper hole 42 in various directions. The sprayed water 15 (shown by broken lines in FIG. 2) comes into contact with various locations of the block boiler 16 in the flow path 40 and is heated to become steam. In particular, in the present embodiment, the spray pipe 41 is extended to the upper side of the flow path 40 (upward from the middle of the block boiler 16) and sprayed from above the flow path 40 through the holes 42. The water 15 is also efficiently heated in the vicinity of the middle of the block boiler 16.

  And the temperature of the block boiler 16 which generate | occur | produces with the induction coil 18 reaches to about 200 degreeC. Therefore, the water 15 supplied to the flow path 40 is instantly vaporized into steam.

  In the above description, the spraying pipe 41 having a plurality of holes 42 formed on the surface is shown as the spraying supply means. However, as another spraying means, the spraying pipe extended above the middle of the block boiler 16. One opening (hole) may be provided at the top of 41. Also in the spray pipe 41, since the water 15 spreads in all directions by passing through the opening and passes through the middle of the block boiler 16 when being dropped by gravity, it is heated. It will vaporize into steam.

  An example of a series of steps for performing sterilization using the steam sterilizer 1 configured as described above will be described. 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 to start the operation of the steam sterilizer 1, the control unit 34 starts supplying high-frequency current to the induction coil 17, and induction heating is performed. As a result, the block boiler 16 generates heat. 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.

  When the water 15 is supplied to the heated block boiler 16, the water 15 is sprayed in the flow path 40 through the spray pipe 41 which is a spray supply means, and is heated to generate steam. . 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, the inside of the chamber 11 becomes a high pressure state, and when the inside of the chamber 11 reaches a sterilization temperature (for example, 121 ° C.), a sterilization process is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 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 the 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 then the electromagnetic valve 29 is opened by the control unit 34. 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 at once to the water storage tank 14.

  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 air release process is completed, the electromagnetic valve 29 is closed, and then 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 connected via the exhaust pipe 32. Etc. are discharged (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, the control unit 34 opens the air valve 26 and the compressor 24 is operated to supply air from the air supply pipe 23 to the flow path 40 of the block boiler 16 through the filter 25. . 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 according to the present embodiment heats the water 15 in the flow path 40 formed inside the block boiler 16 to generate steam by supplying water to the chamber 11 and drying it. In the 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.

  Note that the steam sterilizer 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the air is heated together with the heating of the water 15 in the flow path 40 formed inside the block boiler 16. The heating may not be performed. For example, the steam sterilizer 1 may be configured such that the air supply pipe 23 is directly connected to the chamber 11 without using the block boiler 16.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, the block boiler 16a of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the block boiler 16a according to the second embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the block boiler 16 of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, unlike the block boiler 16 of the first embodiment, the block boiler 16a is configured to include only the water flow path 40a inside.

  The block boiler 16a is provided with a spray nozzle 43 serving as a spray supply means at the tip of the water supply pipe 20 that supplies the water 15 to the water flow path 40a. The spray nozzle 43 is for spraying the water 15. Specifically, the spray nozzle portion 43 is a so-called one-fluid nozzle and can spray the water 15 only by the water pressure of the water 15.

  And the water 15 shown with the broken line in FIG. 3 will be sprayed from the spray nozzle part 43 in the shape of mist, and will be supplied to the inside of the block boiler 16a. The mist-like water 15 is finer than the water 15 as in the first embodiment and has a larger surface area. Therefore, the mist-like water 15 is heated more instantaneously inside the block boiler 16 a and becomes steam, and is supplied to the chamber 11 through the steam supply pipe 21. Supplied to. In addition, by allowing the spray amount of the water 15 from the spray nozzle unit 43 to be controlled via the control unit 34, the spray amount may be appropriately controlled to generate steam more efficiently.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, the block boiler 16b of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the block boiler 16b according to the third embodiment. The same components as those of the block boiler 16 of the first embodiment and the block boiler 16a of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, like the block boiler 16a of the second embodiment, unlike the block boiler 16 of the first embodiment, the block boiler 16b is configured to include only the water flow path 40a inside.

Unlike the block boiler 16, the block boiler 16b is arranged in the horizontal direction. That is, the water supply pipe 20 and the steam supply pipe 21 are connected to the block boiler 16b in the horizontal direction. As a spray supply means, a spray pipe 44 connected to the water supply pipe 20 and extending in the horizontal direction along the water flow path 40a in the water flow path 40a and having a plurality of holes 45 formed on the surface is provided.

  And the hole 45 formed in the surface of this spreading pipe 44 is provided only in the upper part side of the spreading pipe 44, as shown in FIG. In this way, by providing the hole 45 of the spray tube 44 only on the upper side, steam is generated as much as possible above the water flow path 40a so that the water 15 does not easily accumulate below the water flow path 40a. Yes. The hole 45 formed on the surface of the spray tube 44 does not need to be provided only on the upper side, and may be provided on the lower side. However, even when the hole 45 is provided on the lower side, the hole 45 is formed on the lower side. It is preferable to reduce the number of.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the hole 45 formed in the surface of the spreading | diffusion pipe | tube 44 has many in the center (the left-right direction center of the block boiler 16b) of the induction coil 17 in which the efficiency of the induction heating by the induction coil 17 is the best. Is provided. Thus, by providing a larger number of holes 45 of the spray tube 44 on the center side than on the left and right end sides of the block boiler 16b, more holes can be provided at the highest temperature in the water flow path 40a. Since the water 15 is sprayed, steam can be generated efficiently.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steam sterilizer 10 ... Main body case 11 ... Chamber 14 ... Water storage tank 16, 16a, 16b ... Block boiler 17 ... Induction coil 20 ... Water supply pipe 21 ... Steam supply pipe 23 ... Air supply pipe 34 ... Control part 40 ... Flow path 40a ... Water flow paths 41, 44 ... Scattering tubes 42, 45 ... Hole 43 ... Spray nozzle part

Claims (6)

A steam sterilizer for sterilizing an object to be sterilized with high-pressure steam,
A chamber for accommodating 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 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 connected to the water flow path inside the block boiler;
A steam supply unit for spraying and supplying water supplied from the water supply pipe to the water flow path.   The steam sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the spray supply unit includes a spray pipe having a plurality of holes formed on a surface thereof. The block boiler is arranged in the vertical direction,
The spray tube extends upward from the middle of the block boiler,
The steam sterilizer according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of holes formed in the spray pipe are provided above the spray pipe. The block boiler is arranged in a lateral direction,
The steam sterilizer according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of holes formed in the spray pipe are formed more on the center side than on the end side of the block boiler.   The steam sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the spray supply unit includes a spray nozzle unit that sprays the water in a mist form. The block boiler is arranged in the vertical direction,
2. The steam sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the spray supply unit includes a spray pipe that extends upward from the middle of the block boiler and has an open top.