JP2015229034A - Gas sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas sterilizer that can properly use a plurality of types of gas sterilization by one sterilizer.SOLUTION: Pressure reducing means 3 sucks gas inside a sterilization tank 2 and discharges it outside to reduce the pressure in the sterilization tank 2. Pressure restoration means 4 introduces air into the pressure-reduced sterilization tank 2 to restore the pressure in the sterilization tank 2. Steam supply means 5 supplies steam into the sterilization tank 2 or heats water supplied into the sterilization tank 2 to convert the water into steam. Gas supply means 6 can be connected to gas supply sources 22-24 of two or more of ethylene oxide gas, hydrogen peroxide gas, and formalin gas, and one of the two or more gases is alternatively supplied into the sterilization tank 2. Control means controls the respective means to sterilize an object to be sterilized in the sterilization tank 2 using a gas selected from the two or more gases.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas sterilizer that sterilizes an object to be sterilized using a sterilization gas.

  Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, gas sterilizers using ethylene oxide gas (EOG) are known. Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 2 below, a gas sterilizer using hydrogen peroxide gas is also known.

  The ethylene oxide gas sterilizer can be used regardless of the material of the sterilized material, but it takes a long time for sterilization and subsequent aeration. On the other hand, although the time required for sterilization is short, the hydrogen peroxide gas sterilizer causes deterioration and adsorption when used for polyamide resin (PA), polyurethane resin (PUR), ABS resin or cellulose. There are restrictions on the material.

  Therefore, it is necessary to select a sterilizer in consideration of such advantages and disadvantages. For example, in consideration of an allowable processing time, it is selected whether to use ethylene oxide gas sterilization or hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization. Alternatively, in the case of an article to be sterilized that is not suitable for hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, ethylene oxide gas sterilization is used.

JP 2010-63601 A JP-A-10-328276

  However, conventionally, any sterilizer is configured as a sterilizer dedicated to a specific sterilization gas. Therefore, for example, even if ethylene oxide gas sterilization and hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization are properly used, it is necessary to prepare an ethylene oxide gas sterilizer and a hydrogen peroxide gas sterilizer, respectively. I couldn't. Accordingly, a space for installing the sterilizer is required, and a part of the configuration is overlapped by a plurality of sterilizers. Such inconveniences are not limited to the proper use of ethylene oxide gas sterilization and hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, but may occur when multiple types of gas sterilization are used properly.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a gas sterilizer that can properly use a plurality of types of gas sterilization with one sterilizer. More specifically, it is intended to provide a sterilizer that can selectively perform any one of at least two selected from ethylene oxide gas sterilization, hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, and formalin gas sterilization. Let it be an issue.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is a sterilization tank in which an object to be sterilized is stored, and a gas in the sterilization tank is sucked and discharged to the outside. Depressurization means for depressurizing the inside of the sterilization tank, air is introduced into the depressurized sterilization tank, and a return pressure means for restoring the pressure inside the sterilization tank; steam is supplied into the sterilization tank, or the sterilization Steam supply means for heating and evaporating the water supplied in the tank, and connection to two or more gas sources among ethylene oxide gas, hydrogen peroxide gas and formalin gas are possible. A gas supply means capable of selectively supplying any of the gases into the sterilization tank, and controlling each of the means to use the gas selected from the two or more gases. And a control means for sterilizing an object to be sterilized in the sterilization tank. A sterilizer.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, any one of at least two sterilizations selected from ethylene oxide gas sterilization, hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, and formalin gas sterilization can be performed alternatively. . Therefore, for example, the operation can be switched to a desired sterilization method depending on the time required for sterilization, the material of the material to be sterilized, and the like. By enabling a plurality of types of gas sterilization with a single sterilizer, it is possible to save space and to make the configuration common.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the gas supply means includes a gas supply source that stores liquefied gas for each of the two or more gases, and a vaporizer that vaporizes the liquefied gas in the gas supply source. It is a gas sterilizer according to claim 1 characterized by things.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prepare a vaporizer for each sterilization gas and achieve optimum vaporization according to the type of gas.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the vaporizer is not provided for each of the two or more gases, but is shared by the two or more gases, and a common vaporizer includes the two or more gases. 3. The gas sterilizer according to claim 2, wherein any one of the liquefied gases is switched and can be supplied.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the configuration can be simplified by sharing the vaporizer with a plurality of gases.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the common vaporizer is also used as a water vaporizer as the steam supply means, and the common vaporizer is configured to liquefy any one of the two or more gases. The gas sterilizer according to claim 3, wherein gas or water can be switched and supplied.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, the configuration can be further simplified by unifying the vaporizer of the gas supply means and the vaporizer of the steam supply means.

  Invention of Claim 5 is equipped with the heating means which heats the inside of the sterilization tank, and the catalyst reactor which makes the gas harmless is provided in the exhaust passage from the inside of the sterilization tank by the decompression means, The control means depressurizes the inside of the sterilization tank by the decompression means, performs heating by the heating means and / or humidification by the steam supply means, and then puts any of the sterilization tank into the sterilization tank by the gas supply means. Gas is supplied to sterilize the object to be sterilized, and in the subsequent post-treatment step, the decompression by the decompression unit and the decompression by the decompression unit are repeated, or the decompression by the decompression unit and the steaming by the steaming unit are repeated. The gas sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gas sterilizer is repeated.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the pretreatment process for reducing the pressure in the sterilization tank and heating and / or humidifying the sterilization tank, and the sterilization for sterilizing the object to be sterilized by supplying the sterilization gas to the sterilization tank The process and the post-treatment process in which the pressure reduction and the air supply are repeated or the pressure reduction and the steam supply are repeated can be sequentially executed to sterilize the article to be sterilized and to perform subsequent processing. Further, in the post-treatment process, the sterilization gas can be rendered harmless by the catalytic reactor provided in the exhaust passage by the decompression means.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 6, in the post-processing step, the decompression by the decompression unit and the decompression by the decompression unit are repeated according to the type of gas supplied into the sterilization tank, Whether to repeat the decompression by the decompression means and the steaming by the steaming means can be switched, and whether to supply diluted air to the catalytic reactor and whether to operate the heater of the catalytic reactor can be switched The gas sterilizer according to claim 5.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the sterilization gas can be safely processed by switching the contents of the post-treatment process according to the type of gas.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the gas sterilizer which can selectively use multiple types of gas sterilization with one sterilizer is realizable. More specifically, it is possible to realize a sterilizer that can perform any one of at least two sterilizations selected from ethylene oxide gas sterilization, hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, and formalin gas sterilization. it can.

It is the schematic which shows Example 1 of the gas sterilizer of this invention. It is the schematic which shows Example 2 of the gas sterilizer of this invention.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing Example 1 of the gas sterilizer 1 of the present invention. The gas sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment is a combined sterilizer that can alternatively perform three types of sterilization, ethylene oxide gas sterilization, hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, and formalin gas sterilization.

  The gas sterilizer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a sterilization tank 2 in which an object to be sterilized is stored, a decompression means 3 that sucks and discharges the gas in the sterilization tank 2 to the outside, and decompresses the sterilization tank 2. Selected from among the above three types of sterilization gases, a decompression means 4 for introducing air into the sterilization tank 2 and restoring the pressure in the sterilization tank 2, a steam supply means 5 for supplying steam to the sterilization tank 2 Gas supply means 6 for supplying the sterilized gas into the sterilization tank 2, a pressure sensor 7 for detecting the pressure in the sterilization tank 2, a temperature sensor 8 for detecting the temperature in the sterilization tank 2, and detection signals of these sensors And control means (not shown) for controlling each means based on the elapsed time and the like. The material to be sterilized is not particularly limited, but is typically a medical instrument.

  The sterilization tank 2 is a hollow container that can withstand the decompression of the internal space. Typically, the sterilization tank 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular hollow box shape and can be opened and closed by a door. In addition, doors are provided on the front and back of the sterilization tank 2, and one door is used as a carry-in door for placing an object to be sterilized before sterilization into the sterilization tank 2, and the other door is an object to be sterilized after sterilization. It is good also as a carrying-out door for taking out out of the sterilization tank 2 (pass-through specification).

  The sterilization tank 2 is preferably provided with heating means (not shown) for heating the inside of the sterilization tank 2. For example, as a heating means, an electric heater is provided on the outer wall of the sterilization tank 2, and the electric heater is operated to warm the inside of the sterilization tank 2 from the outside. Alternatively, as a heating means, a warm water jacket is provided on the outer wall of the sterilization tank 2, and warm water is put into the warm water jacket to warm the inside of the sterilization tank 2 from the outside.

  The sterilization tank 2 is provided with a pressure sensor 7 for detecting the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 and a temperature sensor 8 for detecting the temperature in the sterilization tank 2. In addition, the sterilization tank 2 may be provided with a sterilization gas concentration sensor and a humidity sensor in the sterilization tank 2 as desired.

  The decompression means 3 is means for decompressing the inside of the sterilization tank 2 by sucking and discharging the gas in the sterilization tank 2 to the outside. In the present embodiment, an exhaust valve 10 and a vacuum pump 11 are sequentially provided in the exhaust passage 9 from the sterilization tank 2. When the vacuum pump 11 is operated with the exhaust valve 10 opened, the inside of the sterilization tank 2 can be decompressed.

  The exhaust passage 9 from the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is preferably provided with a catalytic reactor 12 that renders the sterilization gas harmless downstream of the vacuum pump 11. The catalytic reactor 12 includes a catalyst for decomposing the sterilized gas that is passed therethrough, and a heater that is operated as desired to catalytically burn the sterilized gas. It should be noted that the gas from the vacuum pump 11 to the catalytic reactor 12 can be mixed with dilution air as desired, and whether or not the dilution air is supplied can be switched. Moreover, the heating target temperature of the heater of the catalyst reactor 12 may be changeable according to the sterilization gas.

  The return pressure means 4 is a means for introducing air into the sterilized tank 2 whose pressure has been reduced to return the pressure in the sterilization tank 2. In the present embodiment, an aseptic filter (HEPA filter) 14 and an air supply valve 15 are sequentially provided in the air supply path 13 into the sterilization tank 2. When the air supply valve 15 is opened in a state where the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is depressurized, purified air is introduced into the sterilization tank 2 due to a differential pressure inside and outside the sterilization tank 2, and the inside of the sterilization tank 2 can be decompressed. it can.

  The steam supply means 5 is means for supplying steam into the sterilization tank 2. In the present embodiment, water from a water supply source (for example, a water storage tank) 16 is vaporized by the water vaporizer 17 and then can be supplied into the sterilization tank 2 as water vapor. A water passage valve 19 is provided in the water passage 18 between the water supply source 16 and the water vaporizer 17. On the other hand, a steam supply valve 21 is provided in the steam supply path 20 from the water vaporizer 17 to the sterilization tank 2. The water vaporizer 17 includes, for example, a heater, and water is vaporized by heating the heater.

  In this embodiment, the gas supply means 6 is a means for alternatively supplying any one of three types of sterilization gases (ethylene oxide gas, hydrogen peroxide gas, formalin gas) into the sterilization tank 2. is there. In this embodiment, for each of the three types of sterilization gases, gas supply sources (for example, cartridges or cylinders) 22 to 24 that store the liquefied gas and vaporizers 25 to 27 that vaporize the liquefied gas in the gas supply source are provided. In the gas supply sources 22 to 24, the sterilization gas may be stored in a predetermined concentration in a mixed liquefied state with the predetermined gas. The vaporizers 25 to 27 include, for example, a heater, and the liquefied gas is heated and vaporized by the heater.

  Specifically, a first vaporizer 25 for ethylene oxide gas, a second vaporizer 26 for hydrogen peroxide gas, and a third vaporizer 27 for formalin gas are respectively connected via gas passages 28 to 30. Connected to the sterilization tank 2. A first gas valve 31 is provided in the first gas path 28 from the first vaporizer 25 for ethylene oxide gas to the sterilization tank 2, and the second gasifier 26 for hydrogen peroxide gas is connected to the sterilization tank 2. A second gas valve 32 is provided in the second gas passage 29, and a third gas valve 33 is provided in the third gas passage 30 from the third vaporizer 27 for formalin gas to the sterilization tank 2. The first series passage 34 between the first gas supply source 22 for ethylene oxide gas and the first vaporizer 25 is provided with a first series valve 35, and a second gas supply source for hydrogen peroxide gas. 23 and the second vaporizer 26 are provided with a second communication valve 37 in the third communication passage 38 between the third gas supply source 24 for formalin gas and the third vaporizer 27. The third communication valve 39 is provided. In addition, the 1st gas path 28, the 2nd gas path 29, and the 3rd gas path 30 may be made into a common pipe line in the sterilization tank 2 side (downstream from each gas valve 31-33).

  By the way, a concentrator may be provided between the gas supply sources 22 to 24 and the vaporizers 25 to 27, and once condensed, the vaporizers 25 to 27 may be vaporized. For example, the second gas supply source 23 for hydrogen peroxide gas is stored as an aqueous solution having a hydrogen peroxide concentration of, for example, about 60%, and is concentrated to, for example, about 80-95% by a concentrator. Vaporization may be performed by the second vaporizer 26. By concentrating and vaporizing in advance, the amount of water vapor contained in the vaporized gas can be reduced, and the sterilization effect by the hydrogen peroxide gas can be improved. Of course, installation of the concentrator can be omitted if it is stored in the gas supply source at an appropriate concentration in advance.

  Conversely, a diluter may be provided between the gas supply sources 22 to 24 and the vaporizers 25 to 27, and the once diluted product may be vaporized by the vaporizers 25 to 27. For example, in the third gas supply source 24 for formalin gas, the formalin concentration is stored at about 37%, for example, which is mixed with distilled water in a diluter and diluted to about 2%, for example. The vaporizer 27 may vaporize. Of course, if it is stored in the gas supply source at an appropriate concentration in advance, the installation of the diluter can be omitted.

  The control means is a controller (not shown) that controls each means based on the detection signals and elapsed time of each sensor. Specifically, the electric heater of the sterilization tank 2, the exhaust valve 10, the vacuum pump 11, the catalyst reactor 12 (particularly the heater), the air supply valve 15, the water vaporizer 17, the steam supply valve 21, and the water flow valve. 19, first vaporizer 25 for ethylene oxide gas, first gas valve 31, and first series valve 35, second vaporizer 26 for hydrogen peroxide gas, second gas valve 32, and second communication valve 37, In addition to the third vaporizer 27, the third gas valve 33, and the third communication valve 39 for formalin gas, the pressure sensor 7, the temperature sensor 8, and the like are connected to a controller. Further, a setter (for example, a touch screen) for selecting a sterilization method (type of sterilization gas), an operation button for instructing start of operation, and the like are connected to the controller. In the setting device, in addition to the sterilization method (type of sterilization gas), sterilization conditions (for example, sterilization temperature, sterilization time, aeration time) can be set as desired. The controller sterilizes the sterilized material in the sterilization tank 2 according to a predetermined procedure (program) as described below.

Hereinafter, an example of the operation method of the gas sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment will be specifically described.
Prior to the start of operation, an object to be sterilized is accommodated in the sterilization tank 2, and the door of the sterilization tank 2 is closed in an airtight manner. Further, as described above, a sterilization method and the like are set using a setting device. At least one of sterilization among ethylene oxide gas sterilization, hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, and formalin gas sterilization is set. Thereafter, when the start of operation is instructed, sterilization of the object to be sterilized is performed by the set sterilization method.

  Although the operation details are not particularly limited, the operation details can be patterned regardless of the type of sterilization gas if executed as follows. That is, the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is decompressed by the decompression means 3, and after heating by the heating means and / or humidification by the steam supply means 5, any gas is supplied into the sterilization tank 2 by the gas supply means 6. Then, the object to be sterilized is sterilized, and in the subsequent post-treatment step, the decompression by the decompression means 3 and the decompression by the decompression means 4 are repeated, or the decompression by the decompression means 3 and the steaming by the steaming means 5 are repeated. Here, depending on the type of gas supplied into the sterilization tank 2, in the post-processing step, the decompression by the decompression means 3 and the decompression by the decompression means 4 are repeated, or the decompression by the decompression means 3 and the steam supply means. It is preferable to switch whether or not to repeat the steam supply according to 5 and whether to supply diluted air to the catalytic reactor 12 and whether to operate the heater of the catalytic reactor 12.

  Hereinafter, an example of specific operation contents (typically low temperature sterilization) will be described for each of ethylene oxide gas sterilization, hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, and formalin gas sterilization.

≪Ethylene oxide gas sterilization≫
In the case of ethylene oxide gas sterilization, as a pretreatment step, the sterilization tank 2 is depressurized to a set pressure by the depressurization means 3. Specifically, the vacuum pump 11 may be operated with the exhaust valve 10 opened. At this time, valves other than the exhaust valve 10 are in a closed state. When the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is reduced to the set pressure, the exhaust valve 10 is closed and the vacuum pump 11 is stopped.

  In parallel with such depressurization (or after such depressurization), the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is heated to a set temperature (for example, 55 ° C.) by the heating means. Specifically, the electric heater is operated and heated until the inside of the sterilization tank 2 reaches a set temperature. Such heating is continued until the end of the sterilization process.

  After the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 is reduced, steam is supplied into the sterilization tank 2 by the steam supply means 5 to humidify the sterilization tank 2 as desired. Specifically, the water supply valve 19 is opened to supply water to the water vaporizer 17 for vaporization, and the steam supply valve 21 is opened to supply steam into the sterilization tank 2. If a desired amount of steam is supplied into the sterilization tank 2, the water vaporizer 17 may be stopped and the steam supply valve 21 and the water flow valve 19 may be closed. Although the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is somewhat decompressed by the steam supply to the sterilization tank 2, the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is maintained at a set pressure by using the decompression means 3 as appropriate.

  In the subsequent sterilization process, ethylene oxide gas is supplied into the sterilization tank 2 by the gas supply means 6 to sterilize the article to be sterilized. Specifically, the first series valve 35 for ethylene oxide gas is opened to supply liquefied gas to the first vaporizer 25 for vaporization, and the first gas valve 31 is opened to enter the sterilization tank 2 with ethylene oxide gas. Can be supplied. If a desired amount of ethylene oxide gas is supplied into the sterilization tank 2, the first vaporizer 25 may be stopped and the first gas valve 31 and the first series valve 35 may be closed. After holding the inside of the sterilization tank 2 at the sterilization pressure for the sterilization time, the sterilization process is terminated. In the sterilization process, a process including a depressurization in the sterilization tank 2 and a return pressure by supplying a sterilization gas into the sterilization tank 2 may be repeated in some cases.

  In the subsequent post-treatment process (aeration), the decompression by the decompression means 3 and the decompression by the decompression means 4 are repeated. Specifically, the vacuum pump 11 is operated with the exhaust valve 10 opened, the interior of the sterilization tank 2 is depressurized to a predetermined pressure, and then the exhaust valve 10 is closed (the vacuum pump 11 may be stopped). Instead, the air supply valve 15 is opened, and the operation of returning the sterilization tank 2 to the specified pressure is repeated. The sterilization gas from the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is passed through the catalyst reactor 12 and rendered harmless. At this time, diluted air is mixed in the gas from the vacuum pump 11 to the catalyst reactor 12 and the heater of the catalyst reactor 12 is operated. When a predetermined end condition is satisfied, the sterilization tank 2 can be decompressed to atmospheric pressure by the decompression means 4 and the object to be sterilized can be taken out from the sterilization tank 2. In addition, it is desirable to process each of the above series of steps with a negative pressure less than atmospheric pressure.

≪Hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization≫
The case of hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization is basically the same as that of the above-described ethylene oxide gas sterilization. Therefore, the following description will focus on the differences between the two, and description of similar parts will be omitted. Parameters such as pressure, temperature, and time can be changed as appropriate.

  In the pretreatment step, as in the case of ethylene oxide gas sterilization, the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is decompressed to the set pressure by the decompression means 3. Further, as in the case of ethylene oxide gas sterilization, heating in the sterilization tank 2 may be performed if desired, but humidification is not necessary.

  In the subsequent sterilization step, the gas supply means 6 supplies hydrogen peroxide gas into the sterilization tank 2 to sterilize the article to be sterilized. Specifically, the second communication valve 37 for hydrogen peroxide gas is opened to supply liquefied gas to the second vaporizer 26 for vaporization, and the second gas valve 32 is opened to enter the sterilization tank 2 with hydrogen peroxide. Gas may be supplied. If a desired amount of hydrogen peroxide gas is supplied into the sterilization tank 2, the second vaporizer 26 may be stopped and the second gas valve 32 and the second communication valve 37 may be closed. After holding the inside of the sterilization tank 2 at the sterilization pressure for the sterilization time, the sterilization process is terminated. In the sterilization process, a process including a depressurization in the sterilization tank 2 and a return pressure by supplying a sterilization gas into the sterilization tank 2 may be repeated in some cases.

  In the subsequent post-processing step, the decompression by the decompression means 3 and the decompression by the decompression means 4 are repeated by a predetermined amount. The sterilization gas from the sterilization tank 2 is passed through the catalytic reactor 12 and decomposed. At this time, it is not necessary to mix dilution air into the gas from the vacuum pump 11 to the catalyst reactor 12, and it is not necessary to operate the heater of the catalyst reactor 12. After the depressurizing pressure is repeated by a predetermined amount, the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is restored to the atmospheric pressure by the decompression means 4, and the object to be sterilized can be taken out from the sterilization tank 2.

≪Formalin gas sterilization≫
The formalin gas sterilization is basically the same as the ethylene oxide gas sterilization described above. Therefore, the following description will focus on the differences between the two, and description of similar parts will be omitted. Parameters such as pressure, temperature, and time can be changed as appropriate.

  In the pretreatment step, as in the case of ethylene oxide gas sterilization, the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is decompressed to the set pressure by the decompression means 3. Further, as in the case of ethylene oxide gas sterilization, heating and / or humidification in the sterilization tank 2 may be performed as desired.

  In the subsequent sterilization process, formalin gas is supplied into the sterilization tank 2 by the gas supply means 6 to sterilize the article to be sterilized. Specifically, the third communication valve 39 for formalin gas is opened to supply liquefied gas to the third vaporizer 27 for vaporization, and the third gas valve 33 is opened to supply formalin gas into the sterilization tank 2. That's fine. If a desired amount of formalin gas is supplied into the sterilization tank 2, the third vaporizer 27 may be stopped and the third gas valve 33 and the third communication valve 39 may be closed. After holding the inside of the sterilization tank 2 at the sterilization pressure for the sterilization time, the sterilization process is terminated. In the sterilization process, a process including a depressurization in the sterilization tank 2 and a return pressure by supplying a sterilization gas into the sterilization tank 2 may be repeated in some cases.

  In the subsequent post-processing step, the decompression by the decompression means 3 and the steaming (recovery pressure) by the steaming means 5 are repeated by a predetermined amount. The sterilization gas from the sterilization tank 2 is passed through the catalytic reactor 12 and decomposed. At this time, it is not necessary to mix diluted air into the gas from the vacuum pump 11 to the catalyst reactor 12, but it is preferable to operate the heater of the catalyst reactor 12. After the depressurizing pressure is repeated by a predetermined amount, the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is restored to the atmospheric pressure by the decompression means 4, and the object to be sterilized can be taken out from the sterilization tank 2.

By the way, in general, ethylene oxide gas sterilization has good permeability and can sterilize any object to be sterilized, but the time required for sterilization is long (for example, sterilization 2 hours + aeration 8-16 hours), and ethylene oxide gas is Because it is poisonous gas, you may want to refrain from using it. On the other hand, in hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, although there are items to be sterilized that are not suitable for sterilization (PA, PUR, ABS resin, cellulose, etc.), sterilization time is short (for example, within about 1 hour) and OH radicals have strong oxidizing power. Therefore, it can be sufficiently sterilized at a low concentration, and hydrogen peroxide H ₂ O ₂ decomposes into H ₂ O and O ₂ , so it is environmentally friendly. In addition, formalin gas sterilization requires an intermediate processing time (for example, about 4 and a half hours) between ethylene oxide gas sterilization and hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization. Therefore, in consideration of such advantages and disadvantages of each gas sterilization, it is only necessary to select which sterilization method to operate.

  As described above, according to the gas sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment, any one of ethylene oxide gas sterilization, hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, and formalin gas sterilization can be executed alternatively. Therefore, for example, the operation can be switched to a desired sterilization method depending on the time required for sterilization, the material of the material to be sterilized, and the like. By enabling a plurality of types of gas sterilization with a single sterilizer, it is possible to save space and to make the configuration common.

  For example, during the day, use hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization with a relatively short treatment time (or formalin gas sterilization with a longer treatment time than hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization but shorter treatment time than ethylene oxide gas sterilization). Further, ethylene oxide gas sterilization with a relatively long treatment time (or formalin gas sterilization with a treatment time shorter than that of ethylene oxide gas sterilization but longer than hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization) can be used. In the case of an object to be sterilized that is not suitable for hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, ethylene oxide gas sterilization (or formalin gas sterilization) can be used. In this way, it is possible to sterilize all objects to be sterilized efficiently with a single sterilizer.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing Example 2 of the gas sterilizer 1 of the present invention. The gas sterilizer 1 of the second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, differences between the two will be mainly described, and description of similar parts will be omitted. In addition, portions corresponding to those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

  The gas sterilizer 1 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the water vaporizer 17 and the sterilizer gas vaporizers 25 to 27 are shared. That is, a common vaporizer 40 is provided as a vaporizer for water and each sterilized gas, and any one of the three types of sterilized gases or water can be switched and supplied to the common vaporizer 40. The

  Specifically, the common vaporizer 40 is connected to the sterilization tank 2 via a common gas path 41, and a common gas valve 42 is provided in the common gas path 41. The common vaporizer 40 is supplied with water from the water supply source 16 through the water passage 18 and liquefied ethylene oxide gas from the first gas supply source 22 through the first series passage 34 to supply the second gas. The liquefied hydrogen peroxide gas from the source 23 can be supplied via the second communication path 36, and the liquefied formalin gas from the third gas supply source 24 can be supplied via the third communication path 38. A water passage valve 19 is provided in the water passage 18, a first series valve 35 is provided in the first series passage 34, a second communication valve 37 is provided in the second communication passage 36, and a third communication passage 38 is provided in the third communication path 38. A valve 39 is provided. The water passage 18, the first series passage 34, the second communication passage 36, and the third communication passage 38 are common on the common vaporizer 40 side (downstream from the water communication valve 19 and the communication valves 35, 37, and 39). It is considered as a pipeline.

  In such a configuration, in order to supply steam into the sterilization tank 2, the water supply valve 19 is opened and water is supplied to the common vaporizer 40 with the communication valves 35, 37, 39 closed. Vaporization may be performed to open the common gas valve 42 and supply steam into the sterilization tank 2. In order to supply ethylene oxide gas into the sterilization tank 2, the first series valve 35 is opened and the common vaporizer is closed with the water valve 19, the second communication valve 37 and the third communication valve 39 closed. The liquefied ethylene oxide gas may be supplied to 40 and vaporized, and the common gas valve 42 may be opened to supply the ethylene oxide gas into the sterilization tank 2. In order to supply hydrogen peroxide gas instead of ethylene oxide gas, the second communication valve 37 may be opened instead of the first series valve 35, and in order to supply formalin gas instead of ethylene oxide gas, Instead of the first series valve 35, the third communication valve 39 may be opened. Other configurations (including control) are the same as those in the above embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Incidentally, the water vaporizer 17 of the steam supply means 5 and the sterilization gas vaporizers 25 to 27 of the gas supply means 6 in the first embodiment are unified as the common vaporizer 40 in the second embodiment. This vaporizer may be configured separately from the common vaporizer 40. For example, in FIG. 2, the water vaporizer 17 of the steam supply means 5 may be configured separately from the common vaporizer 40. In other words, in FIG. 2, the water supply source 16 is stopped from being connected to the common vaporizer 40 by the water passage 18, and instead the water supply source 16 is passed through the water passage 18 in the same manner as the steam supply means 5 in FIG. 1. It may be connected to the water vaporizer 17 and the water vaporizer 17 may be connected to the sterilization tank 2 by the steam supply path 20. In this case, similarly to the steam supply means 5 in FIG. 1, a water supply valve 19 is provided in the water supply path 18, and a steam supply valve 21 is provided in the steam supply path 20. The steam supply means 5 is controlled in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the gas supply means 6 is controlled in the same manner as in the second embodiment.

  The gas sterilizer 1 of the present invention is not limited to the configuration (including control) of each of the above embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate. In particular, as long as at least two kinds of gas sterilization among ethylene oxide gas sterilization, hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, and formalin gas sterilization can be performed alternatively, other configurations can be appropriately changed. For example, in each of the above embodiments, three types of gas sterilization of ethylene oxide gas sterilization, hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization, and formalin gas sterilization can be performed. It is. Specifically, there are the following aspects (a) to (d).

(A) Sterilizer capable of alternatively executing ethylene oxide gas sterilization and hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization (b) Sterilizer capable of alternatively executing ethylene oxide gas sterilization and formalin gas sterilization (c) Sterilizer capable of alternatively performing hydrogen oxide gas sterilization and formalin gas sterilization (d) Sterilizer capable of alternatively performing ethylene oxide gas sterilization, hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization and formalin gas sterilization Example sterilizer)

  By the way, for example, as described in (a) above, when formalin gas sterilization is omitted and ethylene oxide gas sterilization and hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization can be performed alternatively, Example 1 (FIG. 1) , The installation of the third gas supply source 24, the third communication passage 38, the third communication valve 39, the third vaporizer 27, the third gas passage 30, and the third gas valve 33 for formalin gas may be omitted. Alternatively, in the second embodiment (FIG. 2), the installation of the third gas supply source 24, the third communication passage 38, and the third communication valve 39 for formalin gas may be omitted. Similarly, when the hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization is omitted as in (b), the configuration relating to the supply of hydrogen peroxide gas into the sterilization tank 2 may be omitted. When the oxide gas sterilization is omitted, the configuration relating to the supply of ethylene oxide gas into the sterilization tank 2 may be omitted.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof, the steam supply means 5 is a means for supplying steam into the sterilization tank 2. It is good also as a means to vaporize. In other words, the water vaporizer 17 may be disposed in the sterilization tank 2, and water may be supplied to the water vaporizer 17 and vaporized in the sterilization tank 2, as in the above embodiments. In that case, the installation of the steam supply passage 20 and the steam supply valve 21 in each of the above embodiments can be omitted because of vaporization in the sterilization tank 2.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas sterilizer 2 Sterilization tank 3 Pressure reduction means 4 Pressure recovery means 5 Steam supply means 6 Gas supply means 9 Exhaust path 10 Exhaust valve 11 Vacuum pump 12 Catalytic reactor 13 Supply path 15 Supply valve 16 Water supply source 17 For water Vaporizer 22 First gas supply source (ethylene oxide gas supply source)
23 Second gas supply source (hydrogen peroxide gas supply source)
24 Third gas supply source (formalin gas supply source)
25 First vaporizer 26 Second vaporizer 27 Third vaporizer 40 Common vaporizer

Claims (6)

A sterilization tank in which objects to be sterilized are stored;
A vacuum means for sucking and discharging the gas in the sterilization tank to the outside, and reducing the pressure in the sterilization tank;
A pressure-reducing means for introducing air into the sterilized tank that has been depressurized to re-pressure the interior of the sterilized tank;
Steam supply means for supplying steam into the sterilization tank or heating and vaporizing water supplied into the sterilization tank;
It is possible to connect to two or more gas supply sources among ethylene oxide gas, hydrogen peroxide gas and formalin gas, and one of the two or more gases is selectively supplied into the sterilization tank. Possible gas supply means;
A gas sterilizer comprising: control means for controlling each of the means to sterilize an object to be sterilized in the sterilization tank using a gas selected from the two or more gases. The said gas supply means is provided with the gas supply source which stored the liquefied gas about each of the said 2 or more gas, and the vaporizer which vaporizes the liquefied gas in this gas supply source. Gas sterilizer. The vaporizer is not provided for each of the two or more gases, but is shared by the two or more gases,
The gas sterilizer according to claim 2, wherein any one of the two or more liquefied gases can be switched and supplied to a common vaporizer. The common vaporizer is also used as a water vaporizer as the steaming means,
The gas sterilizer according to claim 3, wherein any one of the two or more liquefied gases or water can be switched and supplied to the common vaporizer. A heating means for heating the inside of the sterilization tank;
A catalyst reactor for detoxifying the gas is provided in the exhaust path from the sterilization tank by the decompression means,
The control means depressurizes the inside of the sterilization tank by the decompression means, performs heating by the heating means and / or humidification by the steam supply means, and then puts any of the sterilization tank into the sterilization tank by the gas supply means. Gas is supplied to sterilize the object to be sterilized, and in the subsequent post-treatment step, the decompression by the decompression unit and the decompression by the decompression unit are repeated, or the decompression by the decompression unit and the steaming by the steaming unit are repeated. The gas sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gas sterilizer is repeated. Depending on the type of gas supplied into the sterilization tank,
Whether to repeat the decompression by the decompression means and the decompression by the decompression means, or to repeat the decompression by the decompression means and the steaming by the steaming means, is switched,
The gas sterilizer according to claim 5, wherein the presence or absence of supply of dilution air to the catalytic reactor and the presence or absence of operation of a heater of the catalytic reactor are switched.

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