JP2014061228A - Steam sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steam sterilizer which can heat and supply air in a drying process without enlarging the steam sterilizer and complicating a structure in the steam sterilizer.SOLUTION: A steam sterilizer 1 has a structure in which air to be supplied to a chamber 11 is heated by using a channel 40 provided in an inner part of a block boiler 16 which generates steam by heating water 15. Accordingly, a heat exchange part for heating air does not need to be provided in addition to the block boiler 16 purposely. Thereby, the steam sterilizer 1 can simplify an inner part thereof, and can heat and supply air in the drying process without enlarging itself.

Description

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

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

  As a specific configuration of the steam sterilizer for performing such a drying step, for example, a configuration described in Patent Document 1 is known. The steam sterilizer described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a heat exchanging unit for exchanging heat with the steam generator in the air supply pipe, and the air is heated by the heat held by the steam generator, resulting in a high temperature. The air is supplied to the sterilization chamber as drying air. And the structure which heats and supplies the air in the case of a drying process like patent document 1 can perform the to-be-sterilized thing and the inside of a sterilization chamber efficiently, compared with the structure which does not heat air. Has the advantage.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-76372

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

  However, in the steam sterilizer described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a heat exchange unit for heating air separately from the steam generator. Therefore, the steam sterilizer is increased in size, and the structure in the steam sterilizer is complicated.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a steam sterilizer capable of heating and supplying air during the drying process without increasing the size of the steam sterilizer and complicating the structure of the steam sterilizer. With the goal.

  To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steam sterilizer for sterilizing an object to be sterilized with high-pressure steam, a chamber having an opening for taking in and out the object to be sterilized, and water. A water storage tank for storing water, an internal space, a boiler for heating the water supplied from the water storage tank to generate steam in the internal space, and the steam generated by the boiler into the chamber A steam supply pipe to be supplied; and suction means for taking in air to be supplied into the chamber, wherein the air taken in by the suction means is heated in the internal space of the boiler. .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the heating of the air supplied to the chamber is performed in this internal space using a boiler that generates steam by heating water in the internal space. It is not necessary to provide a heat exchange part for heating the air separately from the boiler. Therefore, the inside of the steam sterilizer can be simplified, and air can be heated and supplied during the drying process without increasing the size.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the steam sterilizer according to the first aspect, wherein the air heated in the internal space is supplied into the chamber through the steam supply tube. It is characterized by.

  According to the 2nd aspect of this invention, since a steam supply pipe is used for the piping which supplies the heated air to a chamber, it is not necessary to provide a separate piping. Therefore, the inside of the steam sterilizer can be simplified, and heated air can be supplied during the drying process without increasing the size.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the steam sterilizer according to the first or second aspect, wherein the boiler is a block boiler that generates heat by an induction coil, and the internal space in the block boiler is: It is a flow path which serves as both the water flow path through which the water flows and the air flow path through which the air flows.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the boiler is a block boiler that generates heat by the induction coil, the flow path that is the internal space for heating water and air can be narrowed, and the boiler can be downsized. The inside of the steam sterilizer can be simplified, and heated air can be supplied without increasing the size. Moreover, the induction heating by the induction coil has a short time to heat generation, and can shorten the time of the sterilization process. Moreover, since it can heat by the induction heating of an induction coil and an alternating current power supply can be utilized as a power supply, it can utilize efficiently, without converting an electric current into direct current | flow.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steam sterilizer according to the first or second aspect, wherein the boiler comprises a boiler tank in which a sheathed heater is disposed in the internal space. .

  According to the 4th aspect of this invention, since a boiler consists of a boiler tank by which the sheathed heater is arrange | positioned in internal space, the structure which heats water and air is simple, and a number of parts also decreases. Further, in general steam sterilizers, a configuration using a sheathed heater as a means for generating steam is mainly used, so that some parts can be shared, and the steam sterilizer can be manufactured at low cost.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  An air supply pipe 23 is connected to the block boiler 16. The air supply pipe 23 is used to supply air supplied into the chamber 11 to the block boiler 16 when it is taken in from the outside of the steam sterilizer 1 in a drying process described later. A compressor 24 serving as a suction means for taking in air, a filter 25, and an air valve 26 composed of an electromagnetic valve are sequentially connected to the air supply pipe 23. Then, the compressor 24 is operated to take in air from outside, and the air valve 26 is opened, whereby the taken-in air is purified by the filter 25 and supplied into the block boiler 16 through the air supply pipe 24. The air supplied into the block boiler 16 is heated in the block boiler 16, 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 the water or the like accumulated in the chamber 11 to the water storage tank 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the drain pipe 27 includes a check valve 28 at the tip of the chamber 11, and is connected to the steam supply pipe 21 on the way through the joint C. The block boiler is connected via the steam supply pipe 21. 16 and beyond the block boiler 16, the joint D is connected to the water storage tank 14 through the water supply pipe 20. Further, the drain pipe 27 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 29 in front of the water storage tank 14. The check valve 28 is a valve for stopping the flow of gas or the like from the block boiler 16 to the chamber 11. The electromagnetic valve 29 is a valve that is opened when draining from the chamber 11 to the water storage tank 14.

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

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

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

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

  As described above, the block boiler 16 generates heat by generating heat by induction heating by the induction coil 17, thereby heating the water 15 in the internal space of the block boiler 16. And the block boiler 16 is provided with the internal space which consists of the linear flow path 40 formed by drilling with respect to the cylindrical-shaped stainless lump with a drill.

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

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the air supply pipe 23 is connected to the water supply pipe 20 via the joint B 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. Moreover, since the heated air is supplied to the chamber 11 via the steam supply pipe 21, a dedicated pipe for supplying the heated air to the chamber 11 is not required, and the steam sterilizer 1 can be downsized. Can be planned.

  Here, the temperature of the block boiler 16 that generates heat by the induction coil 17 reaches about 200 ° C. Therefore, the water 15 flowing through the flow path 40 is instantly vaporized into steam. Further, the air flowing through the flow path 40 is also instantaneously heated. Therefore, even if the flow path 40 is relatively thin, the water 15 and air can be efficiently heated, and a large internal space for storing the water 15 to generate steam is not required. By using the block boiler 16 that generates heat by the induction coil 17, the steam sterilizer 1 can be downsized. In addition, in this embodiment, although the linear flow path 40 was shown, in order to lengthen the flow path 40, you may make it a curved flow path, for example. Such a curved flow path is obtained by, for example, dividing a stainless steel block constituting a block boiler into two parts on the left and right sides, and forming a curved flow path on the surface (on the opposite side) of one stainless steel in advance. Then, it can be formed by pasting the other stainless steel together.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  When the 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 via the exhaust pipe 32 as shown in FIG. The air in the chamber 11 is exhausted (exhaust process). And the inside of the chamber 11 is made into a negative pressure state by the air in the chamber 11 being discharged. In addition, by setting the inside of the chamber 11 to a negative pressure state, air can be efficiently supplied in the subsequent drying step.

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

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

  A series of processes for performing sterilization using the steam sterilizer 1 in the present embodiment is completed by the processes as described above. And the steam sterilizer 1 of this embodiment becomes a structure which heats each by the same flow path, without dividing a water flow path and an air flow path in the flow path 40 formed in the block boiler 16. FIG. Therefore, when heating the air, there is no need to bother the provision of a heat exchange part as in Patent Document 1, and the configuration inside the steam sterilizer 1 can be simplified.

  In addition, although the schematic side view of the steam sterilizer 1 in this embodiment was shown in FIG. 1, the modification of this steam sterilizer 1 is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 7 shows a modification of the steam sterilizer 1A. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to the steam sterilizer 1. FIG.

  In the above embodiment, as the boiler, induction heating is performed by arranging the induction coil 17 on the outer periphery of the block boiler 16 to heat water and air. However, in this modification, not the induction coil 17 but the boiler tank 16a. A boiler in which a sheathed heater 17a is arranged in the internal space is used.

The boiler tank 16a is a metal sealed tank having a hollow inside. The sheathed heater 17a disposed inside the boiler tank 16a is provided with a nickel-chromium heating element 17c inside a heater pipe 17b having high thermal conductivity, and between the heater pipe 17b and the nickel-chromium heating element 17c. Is filled with an insulator. When a current flows through the nickel-chromium heating element 17c, the nickel-chromium heating element 17c generates heat due to the resistance of the nickel-chromium heating element 17c, and the temperature inside the boiler tank 16a becomes high. The member used for the heater pipe 17b may be anything as long as it has a high thermal conductivity, and copper is used in this modification.

  In addition, although the nickel-chromium heating element is used as the heating element in this modification, any member that generates heat due to resistance when a current is passed may be used. For example, an iron-chromium-aluminum heating element is used. May be.

  In the steam sterilizer 1A, the water tank 15 and air are heated in the internal space of the boiler tank 16a using the boiler tank 16a having such a configuration.

  And sterilization is performed using this steam sterilizer 1A. Similarly to the steam sterilizer 1, a series of sterilization processes by the steam sterilizer 1A includes a heating process, a sterilization process, an air release process, an exhaust process, and a drying process.

  At this time, in the heating process and the sterilization process, the water 15 is heated using the boiler tank 16a, and in the drying process, the air is heated using the boiler tank 16a.

  As described above, in the steam sterilizer of the present embodiment, the boiler tank 16a according to the modification can be used. And, since the structure of the heating means is simpler than that of the steam sterilizer 1, the number of parts is small, and in general steam sterilizers, the configuration using the sheathed heater 17a as the means for generating steam is the mainstream, Some components can be shared, and the steam sterilizer 1A can be manufactured at a lower cost than the steam sterilizer 1.

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

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A ... Steam sterilizer 10 ... Main body case 11 ... Chamber 12 ... Opening 14 ... Water storage tank 16 ... Block boiler 16a ... Boiler tank 17 ... Induction coil 20 ... Water supply pipe 21 ... Steam supply pipe 22, 29 ... Check valve 23 ... Air supply pipe 28 ... Drain pipe 32 ... Exhaust pipe 34 ... Control unit 40 ... Flow path

Claims (4)

A steam sterilizer for sterilizing an object to be sterilized with high-pressure steam,
A chamber having an opening for taking in and out the article to be sterilized;
A water storage tank for storing water,
A boiler that includes an internal space and generates steam by heating the water supplied from the water storage tank in the internal space;
A steam supply pipe for supplying the steam generated in the boiler into the chamber;
A suction means for taking in air to be supplied into the chamber,
The steam sterilizer, wherein the air taken in by the suction means is heated in the internal space of the boiler.   The steam sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the air heated in the internal space is supplied into the chamber through the steam supply pipe. The boiler is composed of a block boiler that generates heat by an induction coil,
The steam sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the internal space of the block boiler is a flow path that serves as both a water flow path through which the water flows and an air flow path through which the air flows.   The steam sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the boiler includes a boiler tank in which a sheathed heater is disposed in the internal space.

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