JP2015136653A - Infectious waste treatment system and infectious waste treatment method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an infectious waste treatment system capable of performing effective use of resources.SOLUTION: A container opening device 30, a take-out device 40, a waste sterilization device 60 and a container sterilization device 100 are disposed in a treatment chamber R intercepted from an external space S. The container opening device 30 opens a cover Xb of a container X. The take-out device 40 takes out infectious waste Y from the container X. The waste sterilization device 60 sterilizes the infectious waste Y. The container sterilization device 100 sterilizes the container X from which the infectious waste Y has been taken-out with high-temperature vapor.

Description

  The present invention relates to an infectious waste treatment system and an infectious waste treatment method.

  Infectious waste that may cause infectious diseases is discharged from medical institutions. These infectious wastes are sterilized by heat or the like to remove the risk of infection. A system for sterilizing such infectious waste is described in Patent Document 1, for example.

JP 2003-102826 A

  Here, the infectious waste includes sharp items such as injection needles. For this reason, the infectious waste is stored in a sealed container so that the worker does not touch the infectious waste during transportation. When sterilizing the infectious waste contained in the container, it is conceivable to remove the infectious waste from the container, but there is a possibility that the operator may touch the infectious waste. For this reason, each container that contains infectious waste is incinerated. However, in recent years, high efficiency of recycling is required from the viewpoint of resource protection, and effective use of such waste is required.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the infectious waste processing system and the infectious waste processing method which can use resources effectively.

  The present invention is an infectious waste treatment system for treating infectious waste housed in a container having a detachable or pivotable lid, and a partition part that forms a treatment chamber that is blocked from the external space, A first transport device that transports a container that stores infectious waste carried into the processing chamber from a transport port provided in the partition wall; and a lid of the container that is provided in the processing chamber and transported by the first transport device. A container opening device that removes or opens the lid, a removal device that is provided in the processing chamber and that removes infectious waste from the container with the lid removed or the lid is opened, and a removal device that is provided in the processing chamber and removed by the removal device. A waste sterilizer for sterilizing the infectious waste collected, and a second transport device for transporting the infectious waste sterilized by the waste sterilizer out of the processing chamber from a waste outlet provided in the partition wall, Provided in the processing chamber A third transport device for transporting a container from which infectious waste has been taken out by the take-out device, a container sterilization device for sterilizing the container transported by the third transport device with high-temperature steam, and a container And a fourth transfer device for transferring the container sterilized by the sterilization apparatus to the outside of the processing chamber from the container discharge port provided in the partition wall.

  The present invention also relates to an infectious waste treatment method for treating infectious waste housed in a container having a detachable or pivotable lid, and a partition wall portion that forms a treatment chamber isolated from an external space A first transporting step for transporting a container for storing infectious waste carried into the processing chamber from a transport inlet provided in the first transport device, and a container opening device provided in the processing chamber for transporting the first transport The container opening process for removing or opening the lid of the container transported by the apparatus, and the taking-out device provided in the processing chamber take out the infectious waste from the container with the lid removed or opened. A waste sterilization process in which a waste sterilizer provided in the process chamber sterilizes infectious waste taken out by the take-out apparatus, and a second transport device provided in the process chamber is a waste sterilization process. Sterilized by infectious waste The second transfer step for transferring the waste from the waste outlet provided in the partition wall to the outside of the processing chamber and the third transfer device provided in the processing chamber for processing the container from which the infectious waste has been taken out by the take-out device A third transport step for transporting into a container sterilization device provided indoors, a container sterilization device for sterilizing a container from which infectious waste has been removed with high-temperature steam, and a fourth transport device, And a fourth transfer step of transferring the container sterilized by the container sterilizer out of the processing chamber from the container discharge port provided in the partition wall.

  In this infectious waste treatment system and infectious waste treatment method, the lid of the container is removed or opened by the container opening device, and the infectious waste is taken out from the container by the take-out device. The infectious waste removed from the container is sterilized by a waste sterilizer. The container from which the infectious waste is taken out is sterilized by a container sterilization apparatus. Thus, infectious waste is taken out from the container by each device provided in the processing chamber, and the container and the infectious waste are sterilized separately. Thereby, the sterilized container can be used again. In this way, the infectious waste treatment system can effectively use resources.

  In addition, since the process of removing the lid of the container and the process of taking out infectious waste from the container are performed by various devices provided in the processing chamber isolated from the external space, the operator is infectious. There is no risk of touching waste.

  The infectious waste treatment system further includes a stacking device for stacking containers from which infectious waste has been taken out by the take-out device, and the third transport device is configured to store a plurality of containers stacked by the stacking device. The container sterilizer may be sterilized with the containers stacked in a stack. In this case, a plurality of containers can be efficiently sterilized in a state where the containers are stacked in the container sterilization apparatus. The container sterilizer sterilizes with high-temperature steam. For this reason, even if the containers are stacked, the steam enters the gap between the stacked containers, so that the entire container can be effectively sterilized using the container sterilization apparatus.

  The infectious waste treatment system further includes a crushing device for crushing the infectious waste taken out by the take-out device, and the waste sterilizer irradiates the infectious waste crushed by the crushing device with microwaves. It may be sterilized. By crushing infectious waste with a crusher, infectious waste can be spread thinly. The infectious waste can be effectively sterilized by irradiating the spread of the infectious waste with microwaves.

  The take-out device may take out the infectious waste from the container by directing the opening of the container downward and dropping the infectious waste. In this case, infectious waste can be easily taken out from the container by directing the opening of the container downward.

  The infectious waste treatment system may further include a pressure adjusting device that lowers the pressure inside the processing chamber to the pressure in the external space. In this case, it is possible to suppress infectious waste dust or the like generated in the processing chamber from being released to the external space from the carry-in port, the waste discharge port, and the container discharge port.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the infectious waste processing system and the infectious waste processing method which can use resources effectively can be provided.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the infectious waste processing system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the infectious waste processing method.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the infectious waste treatment system 1 includes a partition wall 10, a first transport device 20, a container opening device 30, a take-out device 40, a pulverizer 50, a waste sterilizer 60, and a second transport device 70. The stacking device 80, the third transport device 90, the container sterilization device 100, the fourth transport device 110, and the atmospheric pressure adjustment device 120 are configured. The infectious waste processing system 1 processes infectious waste discharged from a medical institution or the like. The infectious waste treatment system 1 is installed in a building of a treatment factory (not shown).

  Here, the infectious waste Y is carried into the infectious waste treatment system 1 while being contained in the container X and sealed. The container X is configured to include a main body part Xa and a lid Xb. The main body portion Xa accommodates infectious waste Y. The lid Xb seals the opening of the main body Xa. The lid Xb can seal the inside of the main body portion Xa. In the present embodiment, the lid Xb is rotatably attached to the edge of the opening of the carry-in port 10a.

  Note that the lid Xb is not limited to being pivotally attached to the main body portion Xa. For example, the lid Xb may be detachable from the main body Xa, and the lid Xb may be configured to seal the opening of the main body Xa by a lock mechanism or the like. Moreover, the container X can be formed with resin.

  When the infectious waste Y is brought into the processing factory where the infectious waste processing system 1 is installed, the infectious waste Y is accommodated in the container X. Does not touch infectious waste Y.

  The partition wall 10 forms a processing chamber R that is blocked from a space (hereinafter referred to as “external space”) S in the processing factory. The partition wall 10 is provided with a carry-in port 10a, a waste discharge port 10b, and a container discharge port 10c. The container X is carried into the processing chamber R from the external space S through the carry-in port 10a. The infectious waste Y sterilized by the waste sterilizer 60 is discharged from the processing chamber R to the external space S through the waste discharge port 10b. The container X sterilized by the container sterilization apparatus 100 is discharged from the processing chamber R to the external space S through the container discharge port 10c.

  Further, the partition wall 10 blocks the operator from entering the processing chamber R during the sterilization of the infectious waste Y and the container X. However, an openable / closable entrance / exit for an operator to enter can be provided for maintenance of various apparatuses in the processing chamber R.

  The first transfer device 20 is provided in the processing chamber R. The first transport device 20 transports the container X carried into the processing chamber R from the carry-in port 10 a by the worker to the container opening device 30. Infectious waste Y is accommodated in the container X carried in from the carry-in port 10a. The container X is sealed with a lid Xb.

  The container opening device 30 is provided in the processing chamber R. The container opening device 30 opens the lid Xb of the container X transported by the first transport device 20. In addition, when the lid | cover Xb is detachable with respect to the main-body part Xa, the container opening apparatus 30 may remove the lid | cover Xb from the main-body part Xa.

  The take-out device 40 is provided in the processing chamber R. The take-out device 40 takes out the infectious waste Y from the container X whose lid Xb has been opened by the container opening device 30. In this embodiment, the infectious waste Y is taken out from the container X by dropping the infectious waste Y with the opening of the container X with the lid Xb opened facing downward. The infectious waste Y taken out from the container X falls toward the crushing device 50. A slope or the like may be provided between the take-out device 40 and the crushing device 50 so that the falling infectious waste Y is appropriately guided to the crushing device 50.

  The pulverizer 50 is provided in the processing chamber R. The crushing device 50 crushes the infectious waste Y taken out from the take-out device 40. The pulverized infectious waste Y is transported to the waste sterilizer 60 in a thinly spread state. The waste sterilizer 60 irradiates the infectious waste Y pulverized by the pulverizer 50 with microwaves to sterilize the infectious waste Y. The sterilized infectious waste Y is transported by the second transport device 70 and discharged from the processing chamber R to the external space S through the waste discharge port 10b. The sterilized infectious waste Y can be handled as normal waste and is collected in a waste box or the like. The collected infectious waste Y after sterilization is used for recycling and the like.

  The stacking device 80 is provided in the processing chamber R. The stacking device 80 stacks the containers X from which the infectious waste Y has been taken out by the take-out device 40 onto the pallet W. The stacking apparatus 80 stacks the containers X on the pallet W in a state where the lid Xb is opened. The third transport device 90 transports the pallet W on which the containers X are stacked to the container sterilizer 100.

  The container sterilizer 100 sterilizes the stacked containers X with high-temperature steam. As the container sterilization apparatus 100, an autoclave sterilized with high-temperature and high-pressure steam can be used. The setting conditions such as the temperature and time of the steam when sterilizing are set based on the state of the container X to be sterilized and the rules regarding the handling of infectious waste.

  The container sterilization apparatus 100 sterilizes with high-temperature steam. For this reason, even if the containers X are stacked, the steam enters the gaps between the stacked containers X, so that the entire container X can be effectively sterilized using the container sterilization apparatus 100. . Further, since sterilization is performed in a state where the lid Xb is open, the steam flows to the inside of the container X, and sterilization can be effectively performed.

  The fourth transport apparatus 110 discharges the container X sterilized by the container sterilization apparatus 100 from the processing chamber R to the external space S through the container discharge port 10c. The sterilized container X can be handled as a normal container. The container X discharged from the processing chamber R is subjected to visual appearance check, finish cleaning by an operator, and the like. Thereafter, the container X is sent again to a medical institution or the like, and is used to store the infectious waste Y. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the conveying apparatus for returning the pallet W discharged | emitted from the process chamber R in the process chamber R may be provided.

  The atmospheric pressure adjustment device 120 makes the atmospheric pressure in the processing chamber R lower than the external space S. In FIG. 1, the atmospheric pressure adjusting device 120 is installed near the upper portion of the partition wall portion 10, but the installation position of the atmospheric pressure adjusting device 120 is not limited.

  Next, the process flow of the infectious waste treatment method performed in the infectious waste treatment system 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the first transport device 20 transports the container X carried in by the operator to the container opening device 30 (step S101: first transport process). The container opening device 30 opens the lid Xb of the container X transported by the first transport device 20 (step S102: container opening process). The take-out device 40 takes out the infectious waste Y from the container X (step S103: take-out process). The pulverizer 50 pulverizes the infectious waste Y (step S104: pulverization step).

  The waste sterilizer 60 irradiates the pulverized infectious waste Y with microwaves to sterilize the infectious waste Y (step S105: waste sterilization step). The second transfer device 70 discharges the sterilized infectious waste Y outside the processing chamber R (step S106: second transfer step).

  The stacking apparatus 80 stacks the containers X from which the infectious waste Y has been taken out on the pallet W (step S107: stacking process). The third transport device 90 transports the stacked containers X into the container sterilization apparatus 100 (step S108: third transport process). The container sterilizer 100 sterilizes the container X with high-temperature steam in a state where the containers X are stacked (step S109: container sterilization process). The fourth transport device 110 transports the sterilized container X out of the processing chamber R (step S110: fourth transport process).

  In FIG. 2, the process from step S104 to step S106 is performed, and then the process from step S107 to step S110 is performed. However, the process from step S104 to step S106 and the process from step S107 to step S110 are performed. You may carry out in parallel in time.

  The present embodiment is configured as described above. In the infectious waste treatment system 1, the lid Xb of the container X is opened by the container opening device 30, and the infectious waste Y is taken out from the container X by the take-out device 40. . The infectious waste Y taken out from the container X is sterilized by the waste sterilizer 60. The container X from which the infectious waste Y has been taken out is sterilized by the container sterilization apparatus 100. Thus, the infectious waste Y is taken out from the container X by each device provided in the processing chamber R, and the container X and the infectious waste Y are sterilized separately. Thereby, the sterilized container X can be used again. As described above, the infectious waste treatment system 1 can effectively use resources.

  In addition, the process of opening the lid Xb of the container X and the process of taking out the infectious waste Y from the container X are performed by various devices provided in the processing chamber R that is isolated from the external space. There is no fear of touching infectious waste Y.

  The container X from which the infectious waste Y has been taken out is stacked by the stacking device 80. The container sterilization apparatus 100 performs sterilization processing in a state where the containers X are stacked. In this case, a plurality of containers can be sterilized efficiently in a state where the containers X are stacked in the container sterilization apparatus 100. The container sterilization apparatus 100 sterilizes with high-temperature steam. For this reason, even if the containers X are stacked, the steam enters the gaps between the stacked containers X, so that the entire container X can be effectively sterilized using the container sterilization apparatus 100. .

  The infectious waste Y is pulverized by the pulverizer 50. By crushing the infectious waste Y by the crushing device 50, the infectious waste Y can be spread thinly. Then, the waste sterilization apparatus 60 can effectively sterilize the infectious waste Y by irradiating the spread of the infectious waste Y with microwaves.

  The take-out device 40 takes out the infectious waste Y by directing the opening of the container X downward. In this case, the infectious waste Y can be easily taken out from the container X by directing the opening of the container X downward.

  The infectious waste treatment system 1 includes a pressure adjustment device 120 that makes the pressure in the processing chamber R lower than the pressure in the external space S. In this case, dust or the like of infectious waste Y generated in the processing chamber R can be prevented from being released into the external space S from the carry-in port 10a, the waste discharge port 10b, and the container discharge port 10c. .

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the infectious waste Y may be accommodated in the container X in a state of being put in a bag. In this case, the infectious waste Y can be easily taken out from the container X by the take-out device 40.

  Shutters and the like that can be opened and closed may be provided at the carry-in port 10a, the waste discharge port 10b, and the container discharge port 10c. FIG. 1 shows an example of the arrangement of each apparatus installed in the processing chamber R, and is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG.

  In addition, the partition 10 includes a first transport device 20, a container opening device 30, a take-out device 40, a pulverizer 50, a waste sterilizer 60, a second transport device 70, a stacking device 80, a third transport device 90, and Although the container sterilization apparatus 100 is integrally covered, each of these apparatuses can be individually covered.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Infectious waste processing system, 10 ... Partition part, 10a ... Carry-in port, 10b ... Waste discharge port, 10c ... Container discharge port, 20 ... First conveyance apparatus, 30 ... Container opening device, 40 ... Extraction device, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Grinding device, 60 ... Waste sterilizer, 70 ... Second conveying device, 80 ... Stacking device, 90 ... Third conveying device, 100 ... Container sterilizing device, 110 ... Fourth conveying device, 120 ... Pressure control device , R ... processing chamber, S ... external space, X ... container, Xb ... lid, Y ... infectious waste.

Claims (6)

An infectious waste treatment system for treating infectious waste contained in a container having a detachable or pivotable lid,
A partition that forms a processing chamber that is blocked from the external space;
A first transport device for transporting the container for storing the infectious waste carried into the processing chamber from a carry-in port provided in the partition;
A container opening device that is provided in the processing chamber and removes the lid of the container transported by the first transport device or opens the lid;
An extraction device that is provided in the processing chamber and takes out the infectious waste from the container in which the lid is removed or the lid is opened;
A waste sterilizer provided in the processing chamber for sterilizing the infectious waste taken out by the take-out device;
A second transporting device for transporting the infectious waste sterilized by the waste sterilization device to the outside of the processing chamber from a waste discharge port provided in the partition;
A third transfer device provided in the processing chamber for transferring the container from which the infectious waste has been taken out by the take-out device;
A container sterilizer that is provided in the processing chamber and sterilizes the container transported by the third transport device with high-temperature steam;
A fourth transport device for transporting the container sterilized by the container sterilizer from the container discharge port provided in the partition wall to the outside of the processing chamber;
Infectious waste treatment system comprising: A stacking device for stacking the containers from which the infectious waste has been removed by the unloading device;
The third transport device transports the plurality of containers stacked by the stacking device into the container sterilizer,
The container sterilization apparatus sterilizes the container in a state where the containers are stacked.
The infectious waste treatment system according to claim 1. Further comprising a crushing device for crushing the infectious waste taken out by the take-out device,
The waste sterilizer sterilizes the infectious waste crushed by the pulverizer.
The infectious waste processing system according to claim 1 or 2.   The said taking-out apparatus takes out the said infectious waste from the said container by orient | assigning the opening part of the said container to the downward side, and dropping the said infectious waste. Infectious waste treatment system.   The infectious waste treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an air pressure adjusting device that lowers an air pressure in the processing chamber to a pressure in the external space. An infectious waste treatment method for treating infectious waste contained in a container having a detachable or pivotable lid,
A first transporting step in which a first transporting device transports the container that stores the infectious waste carried into the processing chamber from a loading port provided in a partition wall that forms a processing chamber that is blocked from the external space. When,
A container opening step in which the container opening device provided in the processing chamber removes or opens the lid of the container transported by the first transport device;
An extraction device provided in the processing chamber, an extraction step of extracting the infectious waste from the container with the lid removed or the lid opened;
A waste sterilization apparatus provided in the processing chamber, a waste sterilization step of sterilizing the infectious waste taken out by the take-out apparatus;
A second transport device provided in the processing chamber transports the infectious waste sterilized in the waste sterilization step to the outside of the processing chamber from a waste discharge port provided in the partition wall. Process,
A third transfer step in which the third transfer device provided in the processing chamber transfers the container from which the infectious waste has been taken out by the extraction device into a container sterilization device provided in the processing chamber;
A container sterilization step in which the container sterilizer sterilizes the container from which the infectious waste has been removed with high-temperature steam; and
A fourth transporting step of transporting the container sterilized by the container sterilization device out of the processing chamber from a container discharge port provided in the partition;
Infectious waste treatment methods including:

Images