JP2020078456A - Rfid tag for endoscope, management device, and cleaning history management system of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cleaning history of an endoscope by using the existing cleaning device.SOLUTION: An endoscope cleaning history management system comprises an endoscope 2 provided with an endoscope tag 6, a cleaning device 3 provided with a cleaning device tag 7, a tag reader 5 for enabling a transmission output to be set to one output or two outputs lower than one output, and a management device 10. The management device acquires related information between the endoscope and the cleaning device by using an endoscope ID 6a read from the endoscope tag and a cleaning device ID 7a read from the cleaning device tag in a state in which a transmission output of the tag reader is set to the one output, tries communication between the endoscope tag and the tag reader in a state in which the transmission output of the tag reader is set to the two outputs, determines that the endoscope is cleaned in the case that the endoscope ID written in the endoscope tag can be acquired, acquires a cleaning history of the endoscope, and associates the related information with the cleaning history.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning history management system that manages an endoscope cleaning history using an endoscope RFID tag and a cleaning device that cleans the endoscope.

  Endoscopes are widely used in medical institutions as an effective means for early detection and treatment of diseases. For this reason, it is necessary to efficiently use the handheld endoscope. However, the use of the endoscope requires that the endoscope has been previously cleaned and disinfected with a cleaning device in order to prevent the transmission of illness. It is desirable to keep the endoscope that has been cleaned so that the cleaning history can be clearly seen so that it will not be used again.

  As a cleaning history management system when the endoscope is cleaned using the cleaning device, for example, in the endoscope management system described in Patent Document 1, an endoscope, an employee, and a cleaning device (in the specification, (Washing machine) is provided with a passive RFID tag respectively, and the tag reader provided in the cleaning device acquires the individual identification information of the endoscope and the individual identification information of the cleaning device from each RFID tag. ing. In this management system, the individual identification information read by the tag reader and the cleaning information transferred from the cleaning device to the tag reader are transferred from the tag reader to the endoscope information management device, so that the endoscope management device can detect the respective information. Manage information by associating it.

JP 2001-327459 A

  There are various types of cleaning devices with different specifications, and the specifications are different depending on the model, such as a model with or without a function for outputting cleaning information, and a method for outputting cleaning information.

  However, the cleaning history management system described in Patent Document 1 performs history management on the premise of a cleaning device having a function of outputting cleaning information, and has a function of outputting cleaning information that has already been used. It was not easy to construct a system using a cleaning device that does not have one.

  Also, when a system is constructed using multiple cleaning devices of different models, if there are cleaning devices with different cleaning information output methods depending on the model of the cleaning device, the existing cleaning device should be used as it is to configure the system. Was not easy.

  Therefore, there has been a demand for the construction of a system for managing the cleaning history by using the existing cleaning device regardless of the function of outputting the cleaning information and the method of outputting the cleaning information.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and the like, and an RFID tag for an endoscope that can easily manage the cleaning history of an endoscope using a cleaning device that does not have a cleaning information output function, An object is to provide a management device and a cleaning history management system for an endoscope. As another object, an RFID tag for an endoscope, a management device, and a cleaning history management system for an endoscope that can easily manage the cleaning history of an endoscope by using a cleaning device that outputs different cleaning information are used. The purpose is to provide.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is an RFID tag for an endoscope, which is provided in an endoscope and performs information in a non-contact wireless communication with a tag reader, in comparison with a frequency characteristic when immersed in a cleaning liquid in a free space. Since the frequency characteristics in are offset to the high frequency side by a predetermined frequency in advance, the communication distance between the immersion in the cleaning liquid and the free space at the communication frequency of the tag reader is different and the immersion in the cleaning liquid. It is characterized in that it is formed to have a longer communication distance than that when communicating with the free space.

  The present invention is a management apparatus including a tag reader that acquires endoscope identification information for identifying each endoscope that is written in an RFID tag provided in the endoscope, when immersed in a cleaning liquid. Compared with the frequency characteristics of, the frequency characteristics in the free space are offset to the high frequency side by a predetermined frequency in advance, so that the communication frequency of the tag reader when communicating with the cleaning liquid and when communicating with the free space The communication distance between the RFID tag and the tag reader for an endoscope, which is different in the possible distance, and is formed so that the immersion distance in the cleaning liquid is longer than the communication distance when in the free space, When the endoscope identification information written in the RFID tag for the endoscope can be acquired, it is determined that the endoscope has been cleaned, and a cleaning history of the endoscope is acquired. ..

  The present invention is an endoscope cleaning history management system that manages a cleaning history of an endoscope using non-contact wireless communication performed between an RFID tag and a tag reader provided in the endoscope, and is immersed in a cleaning liquid. Since the frequency characteristics in free space are offset to the high frequency side by a predetermined frequency in advance compared to the frequency characteristics at the time when it is immersed in the cleaning liquid at the communication frequency of the tag reader and when it is in the free space. An endoscope provided with an RFID tag for an endoscope, which is formed so that the communicable distance is different from each other and is longer than the communicable distance when it is immersed in a cleaning liquid when compared to a free space, A cleaning device for cleaning the endoscope including the endoscope RFID tag, and endoscope identification information for identifying the endoscope written in the endoscope RFID tag for each individual. When the communication between the tag reader for reading, the RFID tag for the endoscope and the tag reader is tried, and the endoscope identification information written in the RFID tag for the endoscope can be acquired, the endoscope And a management device that determines that the endoscope has been washed and acquires a washing history of the endoscope.

  In the invention of the present application described above, the cleaning device includes an RFID tag for the cleaning device in which cleaning device identification information for identifying the cleaning device for each individual is written, and the management device is an RFID for the endoscope. While acquiring the related information between the endoscope and the cleaning device by using the endoscope identification information read from the tag and the cleaning device identification information read from the RFID tag for the cleaning device, When the communication between the RFID tag for the endoscope and the tag reader is tried and the endoscope identification information written in the RFID tag for the endoscope can be acquired, the endoscope is washed. A configuration is proposed, in which a judgment is made and a cleaning history of the endoscope is acquired, and the related information and the cleaning history are managed in association with each other.

  In the invention of the present application described above, a transmission output setting means for setting the transmission output of the tag reader to one output or two outputs lower than the one output is provided, and the management device has the transmission output of the tag reader to the one output. In the state of being set to the output of, the endoscope identification information read from the RFID tag for the endoscope, and the cleaning device identification information read from the RFID tag for the cleaning device, using the While acquiring the related information between the endoscope and the cleaning device, while the transmission output of the tag reader is set to the second output, the communication between the RFID tag for the endoscope and the tag reader is tried. When the endoscope identification information written in the RFID tag for the endoscope can be obtained, it is determined that the endoscope has been washed, the washing history of the endoscope is obtained, and the association is obtained. A configuration is proposed in which information and the cleaning history are associated and managed.

  According to the endoscope RFID tag and the management device according to the present invention, the endoscope RFID tag has a predetermined frequency characteristic in the free space as compared with the frequency characteristic when immersed in the cleaning liquid. Since the tag reader communication frequency is offset to the high frequency side by the frequency of, the communicable distance is different between when immersed in the cleaning liquid and when compared to the free space, and when it is immersed in the cleaning liquid, the free space is larger. Since the RFID tag for an endoscope is immersed in the cleaning liquid and is not soaked, the communicable distance is longer than the communicable distance when Therefore, the management device writes in the RFID tag for the endoscope by utilizing that the communication with the tag reader becomes possible when the RFID tag for the endoscope is immersed in the cleaning liquid. The endoscope is suitable for the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention that acquires the cleaning history of the endoscope because it can be determined that the endoscope has been cleaned when the acquired endoscope identification information can be acquired. RFID tags and management devices can be provided.

  According to the endoscope cleaning history management system of the present invention, the endoscope RFID tag that can communicate with the tag reader when immersed in the cleaning liquid (in other words, during cleaning) is used as the endoscope. Using the provided endoscope, the supply/drainage state of the cleaning liquid is detected by trying the communication between the RFID tag for the endoscope and the tag reader, and based on this result, it is determined that the endoscope has been washed, With the configuration that acquires the cleaning history of the endoscope, the existing cleaning device that does not have the output function of the cleaning history can be used as it is without modification, and the cleaning history management system for the endoscope is simple and inexpensive. Can be configured to. Also, when constructing a system using multiple cleaning devices of different models, even if there are cleaning devices with different cleaning information output methods, they can be used without modification without changing the endoscope cleaning history management. The system is configurable.

  According to the invention of the present application, it is utilized that the communication between the RFID tag for the endoscope and the tag reader becomes possible when the RFID tag for the endoscope is immersed in the cleaning liquid (in other words, during cleaning). By doing so, the RFID tag for the endoscope is always immersed in the cleaning liquid, so that it is possible to clearly confirm that the cleaning is completed, and it is possible to prevent the misuse of the endoscope which has not been cleaned. ..

  According to the present invention, the fact that the communication between the RFID tag for the endoscope and the tag reader becomes possible when the RFID tag for the endoscope is immersed in the cleaning liquid (in other words, during cleaning) is utilized. Therefore, if a state in which communication is not possible during cleaning (during immersion), that is, a state in which the endoscope identification information written in the endoscope RFID tag cannot be acquired occurs, the cause is the endoscope. It is possible to quickly determine that the RFID tag for the mirror is damaged due to poor watertightness.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, in a state where the cleaning liquid is not immersed in the cleaning liquid after drainage, for example, even when the cleaning liquid remains on the surface of the RFID tag for the endoscope, the RFID tag for the endoscope is immersed in the cleaning liquid. As in the case of the above, the endoscope identification information written in the RFID tag for the endoscope can be continuously read so that the RFID tag for the endoscope can be attached to the surface of the RFID tag. It is possible to clearly determine that a frequency shift has occurred in the frequency characteristic of the RFID tag for the endoscope by the cleaning liquid, and it is possible to quickly eliminate the influence of the frequency shift on communication.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematically the cleaning history management system 1 of the endoscope 2 of this invention. A graph measured to show the difference in frequency characteristics of the endoscope tag (RFID tag for endoscope) 6 provided in the endoscope 2 for the cleaning history management system 1 in air and during immersion in the cleaning liquid 33a. Is. It is explanatory drawing which shows a partial cross section for demonstrating the structure of the washing|cleaning apparatus 3. 6 is a graph showing a difference in the communication distance of air in the endoscope tag (RFID tag for an endoscope) 6, the communication distance of the immersion liquid in the cleaning liquid, and the communication distance of when a droplet is attached. .. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a cleaning process by the cleaning device 3 in association with a change in the water level of the cleaning liquid 33a. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electric constitution of the cleaning history management system 1 of the endoscope 2. 3 is a schematic diagram of a screen displayed on the monitor 20 in the cleaning history management system 1 for the endoscope 2. FIG. It is a flow chart for explaining main processing S100A of cleaning history management in cleaning history management system 1. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an acquisition process S200 of the related information of the endoscope 2 and the cleaning device 3 acquired from the endoscope ID (endoscope identification information) 6a and the cleaning device ID (cleaning device identification information) 7a. is there. It is a flow chart for explaining the acquisition processing S300 of the cleaning history acquired by detecting the water supply/drainage state of the cleaning liquid 33a. Detecting the related information of the endoscope 2 and the cleaning device 3 acquired from the endoscope ID (endoscope identification information) 6a and the cleaning device ID (cleaning device identification information) 7a, and the supply/drainage state of the cleaning liquid 33a. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a management process S400 with the cleaning history acquired by. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a state confirmation process S1000 that requests confirmation of the surface state of the endoscope tag (RFID tag for endoscope) 6. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the overall flow of the cleaning history management system 1 for the endoscope 2.

(Configuration of cleaning history management system)
As an embodiment of the invention according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as “the present invention”), a configuration of a cleaning history management system 1 for managing a cleaning history of an endoscope 2 equipped with an endoscope RFID tag 6 will be described with reference to FIG. Will be explained.

  The cleaning history management system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is roughly classified into an RFID tag for an endoscope in which endoscope identification information (hereinafter, referred to as an endoscope ID) 6a for identifying the endoscope for each individual is written. An endoscope 2 having an (hereinafter referred to as an endoscope tag) 6 and a cleaning device in which cleaning device identification information (hereinafter referred to as a cleaning device ID) 7a for identifying the cleaning device for each individual is written. A cleaning device 3 having an RFID tag (hereinafter referred to as a cleaning device tag) 7, an endoscope ID 6a written in the endoscope tag 6, and a tag reader 5 for reading the cleaning device ID 7a written in the cleaning device tag 7. , The management device 10 that acquires the endoscope ID 6a read by the tag reader 5 and the cleaning device ID 7a. In addition, the present embodiment also includes an employee tag 8 in which personal identification information (hereinafter, referred to as an employee ID) 8a of the employee 4 possessed by the employee 4 is written.

  The tag reader 5 and the management device 10 are connected via a connection cable 25, and the endoscope ID 6a of the endoscope 2 read by the tag reader 5, the cleaning device ID 7a of the cleaning device 3, the employee ID 8a of the employee 4, etc. Are sent from the tag reader 5 to the management device 10 and stored and managed.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the number of cleaning devices 3 is one, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more cleaning devices may be used. When using a plurality of cleaning devices 3, each cleaning device 3 can be equipped with the tag reader 5 to perform cleaning operations in parallel.

(Endoscope tag)
Next, the basic performance of the endoscope tag 6 included in the endoscope 2 will be described. The endoscope tag 6 is designed for the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a graph showing the difference between the frequency characteristic of the endoscope tag (RFID tag for endoscope) 6 in “in air/without liquid droplets” and the frequency characteristic in “during immersion” in the cleaning liquid. It is the measured graph. The condition of “in air/without liquid droplets” means that the endoscope tag 6 is in air (corresponding to a free space), and liquid droplets such as cleaning liquid adhere to the surface of the endoscope tag 6. Not showing the state. The “during immersion” condition refers to a state in which the endoscope tag 6 is completely immersed in the cleaning liquid. Specific description of “in air/without droplets” and “during immersion” will be described later.

  In the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention, the frequency used for communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 is the 920 MHz band defined by the Radio Law for passive tags, and in the following description, particularly Unless otherwise specified, the endoscope tag 6 is a passive type, and the communication frequency of the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 is assumed to use the 920 MHz band.

  Here, a method of measuring the frequency characteristic (the graph showing the change in the communicable distance with respect to the set frequency) of the endoscope tag 6 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. This measurement method is a method that is generally performed using a known network analyzer. The standard antenna connected to the network analyzer radiates radio waves toward the endoscope tag 6, and at the same time, in the endoscope tag 6. By receiving the responded signal, the communicable distance is calculated from the difference in the response signal strength with respect to the transmission output for each set frequency of the network analyzer. The output of 250 mW shown in FIG. 2 indicates the transmission output used when measuring the frequency characteristics of FIG. When the transmission output is used in the following description, it means the transmission output from the standard antenna used for the evaluation of the frequency characteristic of the endoscope tag 6 unless otherwise specified. The maximum value of the antenna power (transmission output) of the specific low power radio station (passive tag type system) according to the Radio Law is 250 mW.

  Next, the frequency characteristics of a commercially available general RFID tag will be described. Since a general RFID tag that is commercially available is usually used in the air (corresponding to free space), the frequency characteristic of the RFID tag is premised on the condition of "in air/without droplets". The tag reader 5 and the RFID tag are designed to support a communication frequency of 920 MHz.

  On the other hand, in the endoscope tag 6 of the present invention, as shown by the frequency characteristic A1 in the graph of FIG. 2, the maximum communicable distance is the maximum under the condition of “in air/without droplets”. The set frequency is designed to be about 970 MHz, and is designed to be preliminarily offset to the high frequency side by about 50 MHz as compared with the 920 MHz band defined by the Radio Law.

  Further, the endoscopic tag 6 of the present invention has a condition of “during immersion”, which indicates a state in which the endoscopic tag 6 is completely immersed in the cleaning liquid, as indicated by the frequency characteristic A6 in the graph of FIG. In this embodiment, the set frequency at which the maximum communicable distance is maximum is designed to be about 900 MHz, which is about 20 MHz lower than the 920 MHz band defined by the Radio Law.

  That is, the endoscopic tag 6 of the present invention has a frequency characteristic when it is in a free space, which is offset in advance to a high frequency side by a predetermined frequency, as compared with a frequency characteristic when it is immersed in a cleaning liquid. As indicated by the frequency characteristics A1 and A6 in the graph of FIG. 2, at the communication frequency of 920 MHz with the tag reader 5, the communicable distance is "under air/without droplets" and under "immersion". Designed to change.

  A specific description will be given by focusing on 920 MHz, which is the communication frequency with the tag reader 5. Considering a case where the endoscope tag 6 actually designed so as to have the frequency characteristic shown in FIG. 2 is used to communicate with the tag reader 5 with a distance of, for example, 0.4 m. In the condition of "/no droplet", the maximum communicable distance is 0.2 m, so that the communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 is "disabled", and the tag reader 5 is written in the endoscope tag 6. The endoscope ID 6a cannot be read. In addition, in the following description, when communication is described as “impossible”, it means that the endoscope ID 6a written in the endoscope tag 6 cannot be read.

  On the other hand, under the condition of "during immersion", the maximum communicable distance is 0.55 m, so that the communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 becomes "possible", and the tag reader 5 makes the endoscope tag 6 The endoscope ID 6a written in is read. In the following description, when communication is described as “possible”, it means that the endoscope ID 6a written in the endoscope tag 6 can be read.

  As described above, in the endoscope tag 6 of the present invention, the communicable distance at 920 MHz is different between the “in air/no droplet” condition and the “immersion” condition, and the It is designed so that the communicable distance is longer than that in the “in air/without droplets” condition.

  According to the endoscope tag 6 of the present invention, the communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 is tried, and the condition that the endoscope tag 6 is “immersing” (in other words, the endoscope 2 is being cleaned) Communication is “enabled” and communication is “disabled” under the condition of “in air/no liquid droplets” (in other words, before or after the endoscope 2 is cleaned). The water supply/drainage condition can be detected.

  Note that the frequency characteristics of the endoscope tag (RFID tag for endoscope) 6 shown in FIG. 2 represent one example, and the communicable distance is under the condition of “in air/without liquid drop”. If there is a difference in the "during immersion" condition, and if the "immersed" condition is designed so that the communicable distance is longer than that in the "in air/without liquid drops" condition, the frequency characteristics and The communicable distance is not limited to the embodiment.

(Structure of cleaning device)
Next, the cleaning device 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a partial cross section for explaining the configuration of the cleaning device 3. In the embodiment shown in this figure, a cleaning tank 33 having an open top is provided at the top of the cleaning device 3, and the endoscope 2 is put into the cleaning tank 33 through this opening. .. The cleaning tank 33 is provided with a lid 31 which is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the opening of the cleaning tank 33, so that the cleaning liquid 33 a does not leak outside from the cleaning tank 33 during the cleaning process of the endoscope 2. The portion is closed by the lid 31 in a watertight state. A window 31a formed of transparent resin or glass is provided at a predetermined position of the lid 31, and the opening of the washing tank 33 is closed by the lid 31 and the washing tank 33 is opened through the window 31a. The state inside 33, in other words, the presence or absence of the endoscope 2, the state of the cleaning process, and the like can be seen.

  Referring to FIG. 3, in the tag reader 5, when the endoscope 2 is put into the cleaning tank 33 of the cleaning device 3 and the opening of the cleaning tank 33 is closed by the lid 31, the antenna 5 a of the tag reader 5 is The endoscope tag 6 provided on the endoscope 2 is disposed so as to substantially face it. Incidentally, what is indicated by D in FIG. 3 is a separation distance between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6. Details of the separation distance D will be described later.

  Here, the cleaning process of the endoscope 2 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. After the endoscope 2 is put into the cleaning tank 33 of the cleaning device 3, when the cleaning process is started by the cleaning device 3, first, the cleaning liquid 33a is supplied into the cleaning tank 33, and the endoscope tag 6 is provided. Water is supplied until the endoscope 2 reaches the water level L where it is completely immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a. When the supply of the cleaning liquid 33a is completed, the cleaning of the endoscope 2 is started. Then, when the predetermined cleaning time is over, the cleaning liquid 33a is drained from the cleaning tank 33 to complete the cleaning process.

  As well shown in FIG. 3, the state in which the endoscope tag 6 is completely immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a in the cleaning tank 33 is the above-mentioned "during immersion" condition. In addition, there is no cleaning liquid 33a in the cleaning tank 33 (not shown), that is, before the cleaning liquid 33a is supplied to the cleaning tank 33, or after the cleaning is completed, the cleaning liquid 33a is drained from the cleaning tank 33, and the endoscope tag The state in which the droplets of the cleaning liquid 33a are not attached to the surface of 6 is the condition of "in air/without droplets" described above. Furthermore, in the present invention, when the cleaning liquid 33a is drained from the cleaning tank 33 after the cleaning is completed, the droplets of the cleaning liquid 33a are formed on the surface of the endoscope tag 6 (in particular, the antenna portion not shown in the drawing). The state in which is left is set as a condition of “in air/with liquid droplets”. Details of the condition of “in air/with liquid droplets” will be described later.

  The cleaning process by the cleaning device 3 described above, that is, a series of processes from the supply of the cleaning liquid 33a to the draining of the cleaning liquid 33a after the cleaning is performed by the worker 4 operating the cleaning device 3. Be seen. That is, since the cleaning device 3 used in the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention is configured by using the existing cleaning device, the cleaning liquid 33a after the endoscope 2 is put into the cleaning tank 33 is used. Water supply/drainage, cleaning start timing, cleaning time, and the like are performed according to conditions preset in the cleaning device 3.

  The details of the method of detecting the water supply/drainage state of the cleaning liquid 33a by using the communication trial between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 and the method of acquiring the cleaning history based on the result will be described below. Will be explained later.

(Detailed description of endoscope tags)
First, the characteristics of the endoscope tag 6 for the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows frequency characteristics measured by the same measurement method using the same endoscope tag 6 as in FIG. 2, and in addition to the frequency characteristics A1 (frequency characteristics A6 not shown) shown in FIG. The frequency characteristics A2, A3, A4, and A5 when the transmission output is 200 mW are shown. The details of each frequency characteristic condition (“state of the endoscope tag 6”/transmission output) are shown below.
Frequency characteristic A1: "in air/without droplets"/output 250 mW (same as FIG. 2)
Frequency characteristic A2: "in air/without droplets"/output 200 mW
Frequency characteristic A3: "In air/droplet (1 drop)"/output 200 mW
Frequency characteristic A4: "In air/droplets (several drops)"/output 200 mW
Frequency characteristic A5: "during immersion"/output 200 mW
Frequency characteristic A6: “during immersion”/output 250 mW (not shown)
In the following description, when describing the condition of the frequency characteristic, for example, the frequency characteristic A3 is described as "in air/with droplet (1 droplet) @ output 200 mW".

  FIG. 4 shows differences in the communicable distance in air, the communicable distance in immersion in the cleaning liquid 33a, and the communicable distance when a droplet of the cleaning liquid 33a adheres to the endoscope tag 6 provided in the endoscope 2. 2 is a graph obtained by measuring (the measurement method is the same as that in FIG. 2). Compared to the frequency characteristics shown in FIG. 2, the transmission output shows frequency characteristics under the condition of 200 mW except the frequency characteristics A1 (frequency characteristics A6 not shown), and the frequency characteristics A1 (shown in the figure). The setting is lower than 250 mW, which is the condition of frequency characteristic A6). Furthermore, in FIG. 4, frequency characteristics A3 and A4 are added, which are different in the condition of “droplet present” where droplets of the cleaning liquid 33a remain on the surface of the endoscope tag 6.

  Here, the state of “with liquid droplets” in which liquid droplets of the cleaning liquid 33a are attached to the surface of the endoscope tag 6 (particularly the antenna) will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, in order to stably establish communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 under the same conditions, the endoscope 2 is put into the cleaning tank 33 of the cleaning device 3. At this time, it is desirable that the antenna 5a of the tag reader 5 and the surface (antenna side) of the endoscope tag 6 are arranged to face each other. More preferably, the opening surface of the antenna 5a of the tag reader 5 and the surface (antenna side) of the endoscope tag 6 are preferably arranged so as to face each other.

  Considering the state in which the surface of the endoscope tag 6 is arranged so as to face the antenna 5a of the tag reader 5 in this way, when the cleaning liquid 33a is drained, the cleaning liquid 33a is discharged onto the surface of the endoscope tag 6. It is assumed that it will remain. For example, the surface tension may cause a droplet of the cleaning liquid 33a to be formed and remain. In particular, it is considered that the possibility is high when the surface of the endoscope tag 6 is deteriorated due to aging or the like.

  Therefore, in the present invention, assuming the state where the cleaning liquid 33a remains on the surface of the endoscope tag 6, the effect of the droplet on the frequency characteristic is evaluated. In evaluating the effect of the droplets of the endoscope tag 6, one droplet of the cleaning liquid 33a remains on the surface of the endoscope tag 6 and several droplets (3 droplets in this experiment. The same applies hereinafter). The states were reproduced and the frequency characteristics of each state were measured. Upon reproduction, the position where the influence of the droplets formed by the cleaning liquid 33a is the greatest is searched for, and the endoscope tag 6 in which the droplets are formed is prepared and the frequency characteristic is measured (the measurement method is the same as in FIG. 2). ). That is, the presence of liquid droplets under the condition of “in air/with liquid droplets” described above indicates a state in which the liquid droplets of the cleaning liquid 33a are attached to the surface of the endoscope tag 6, and one liquid droplet remains. The state is “in air/droplets (1 drop)”, and the state in which 3 droplets remain is “in air/drops (several drops)”.

  As well shown in FIG. 4, the frequency characteristic A2 in the state of "no droplet", the frequency characteristic A3 reproducing the state of "drop (one drop)" and "drop (several drops)" are reproduced. Comparing the frequency characteristics A4 that reproduces the state of “”, the influence of the droplet adhesion not only causes a decrease in the maximum communicable distance, but also the frequency at which the communicable distance becomes maximum as the number of droplets increases is on the low frequency side. Shift to. That is, it is considered that as the amount of the liquid droplets attached to the surface of the endoscope tag 6 increases, the frequency characteristic of the endoscope tag 6 becomes closer to the frequency characteristic of the state where the droplet is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a.

  Based on the results shown in FIG. 4, the maximum communication distance of the frequency characteristics A2, A3, A4, A5, the frequency indicating the maximum communication distance, and the communication distance at 920 MHz when the transmission output is 200 mW are compared. went.

  The frequency characteristic A3 under the condition "in air/droplet (1 drop) @ output 200 mW" is the maximum calculated communication compared to the frequency characteristic A2 under the condition "in air/no liquid drop @ output 200 mW". As the possible distance decreases by about 0.12 m, the frequency characteristic shifts to the low frequency side (the frequency indicating the maximum communicable distance shifts from 970 MHz to 965 MHz). Especially, focusing on 920 MHz, the calculated communicable distance is almost Only 0.13m longer.

  The frequency characteristic A4 under the condition of "in air/droplets (several drops) @ output 200 mW" is the maximum calculated communication as compared with the frequency characteristic A2 under the condition of "in air/without liquid drops @ output 200 mW". As the possible distance decreases by about 0.11 m, the frequency characteristic shifts further to the lower frequency side than the frequency characteristic A3 (the frequency indicating the maximum communicable distance shifts to 945 MHz), and the calculated communicable distance at 920 MHz is approximately 0. .18m longer.

  The frequency characteristic A5 under the condition of "immersion @ output 200 mW" is about 0.13 m lower than the frequency characteristic A2 under the condition of "in air/without droplet @ output 200 mW". At the same time, the frequency characteristic shifts to a lower frequency side than the frequency characteristic A3 (the frequency indicating the maximum communicable distance shifts to 900 MHz), and the calculated communicable distance at 920 MHz increases by about 0.31 m. As described above, the endoscope tag 6 of the present invention is configured such that the frequency characteristic shifts to the lower frequency side as the number of liquid droplets increases and “during immersion” approaches, and the calculated communicable distance at 920 MHz becomes longer. ing.

(Distance D between tag reader and endoscope tag)
Now, consider communication with the tag reader 5 by using the endoscope tag 6 that is actually designed so as to have the frequency characteristic shown in FIG. For example, assuming that the tag reader 5 is installed at a position separated by 0.15 m from the endoscope tag 6, the communication state in each frequency characteristic described above will be described below.

  Under the condition of "in air/without liquid drop @ output 200 mW" (frequency characteristic A2), the communication distance at 920 MHz is 0.1 m (less than 0.15 m), so that communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 is possible. It becomes "impossible" and the tag reader 5 cannot read the endoscope ID 6a written in the endoscope tag 6.

  Under the condition of "immersion @ output 200 mW" (frequency characteristic A5), the communication range at 920 MHz is 0.41 m (more than 0.15 m), so the communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 becomes "enabled". The tag reader 5 can read the endoscope ID 6a written in the endoscope tag 6.

  That is, if the communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscopic tag 6 is tried with the distance D between the tag reader 5 and the endoscopic tag 6 shown in FIG. When it is “possible”, it can be determined that the endoscope 2 is being immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a, and when communication is “impossible”, it can be determined that the endoscope 2 is not being immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a. It can detect the water supply/drainage status.

  On the other hand, the condition of "in air/droplet (1 drop) @ output 200 mW" (frequency characteristic A3) and the condition of "in air/droplet (several drops) @ output 200 mW" (frequency characteristic A4) are 920 MHz. Since the communicable distance in each is 0.23 m and 0.28 m (over 0.15 m in each case), even if the endoscope tag 6 is not immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a, the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 Communication is enabled, and the tag reader 5 can read the endoscope ID 6a written in the endoscope tag 6.

  As described in detail above, these two conditions assume that the cleaning liquid 33a remains on the surface of the endoscope tag 6 when the cleaning liquid 33a is drained after the cleaning of the endoscope 2 is completed. ..

  That is, if the communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 is tried with the distance D between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 shown in FIG. 3 set to, for example, 0.15 m, the cleaning liquid 33a When the communication is “possible” as in the “during immersion” state even after the water is drained, it can be determined that the cleaning liquid 33a is attached to the surface of the endoscope tag 6.

  Further, under the condition of “in air/without liquid drop @ output 250 mW” (frequency characteristic A1), the transmission output of the tag reader 5 is increased from 200 mW to 250 mW, so that the communicable distance at 920 MHz is 0.2 m (0.15 m Therefore, the communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 becomes “possible”, and the tag reader 5 can read the endoscope ID 6a written in the endoscope tag 6.

  That is, in a state where the distance D between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 is fixed to 0.15 m, the tag reader 5 and the endoscope can be viewed under the condition of “in air/without droplets @ output 200 mW” (frequency characteristic A2). Even if the communication of the mirror tag 6 is “disabled”, the communication can be “enabled” by increasing the transmission output of the tag reader 5 (250 mW in this embodiment).

  "In air/droplet (1 drop) @ output 200 mW" (frequency characteristic A3), "In air/droplet (several drops) @ output 200 mW" (frequency characteristic A4), "in air/ A specific description of the three conditions of "dropletless @ output 250 mW" (frequency characteristic A1) will be described later.

(Explanation of cleaning process by cleaning device)
Here, the cleaning process by the cleaning device 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the cleaning process by the cleaning device 3 in association with a change in the water level of the cleaning liquid 33a.

  When the employee 4 operates the cleaning device 3, the supply of the cleaning liquid 33a to the cleaning tank 33 starts (time H1). In this schematic diagram, the region A until the water level of the cleaning liquid 33a reaches L1 indicates that the communication is “disabled” (the endoscope ID 6a cannot be read). Further, the region B where the water level exceeds L1 is a region where communication is “enabled” (the endoscope ID 6a can be read).

  Next, when the water level reaches L (predetermined water level), the supply of the cleaning liquid 33a is stopped, the cleaning is started (time H2), and the endoscope 2 is cleaned for the predetermined cleaning time preset in the cleaning device 3. To be done. Generally, the cleaning device 3 starts cleaning after detecting that the cleaning liquid 33a reaches a predetermined water level L. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning liquid 33 is supplied (H2) before the cleaning liquid 33 is supplied. The cleaning time H is the time until the drainage of 33a starts (H3). The cleaning time H is a time preset in the cleaning device 3.

  When the cleaning of the endoscope 2 is completed (time H3), the cleaning liquid 33a is drained from the cleaning tank 33. At this time, under the condition of “in air/without liquid drop @ output 200 mW” (frequency characteristic A2), in this schematic diagram, the area C where the water level is lower than L1 is “disabled” (endoscope ID6a). Indicates that the area is unreadable).

  On the other hand, the condition (frequency characteristic A3) of “in air/droplets (1 drop) @ output 200 mW” where the cleaning liquid 33a adheres to the surface of the endoscope tag 6 is “in air/droplets (several drops) @ Under the condition of “output 200 mW” (frequency characteristic A4), in this schematic diagram, the region C is a region where communication is “enabled” (the endoscope ID 6a can be read).

  Then, the cleaning liquid 33a is completely drained from the cleaning tank 33, whereby a series of processes is completed (time H4). In the embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning process is from the start of the water supply of the cleaning liquid 33a (time H1) to the completion of the drainage of the cleaning liquid 33a (time H4), and the start of the drainage of the cleaning liquid 33a (time H2) after the completion of the water supply of the cleaning liquid 33a (time H2). The time up to time H3) is the cleaning time H. Note that, in FIG. 5, in order to facilitate the description of the relationship between the series of processes relating to cleaning and the water level, the timing at which communication is “enabled” during water supply and the timing at which communication is “disabled” during drainage are the same. However, it goes without saying that the timings do not always match.

  As already described in detail, since the cleaning device 3 used in the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention is configured by using the existing cleaning device, the cleaning process by the cleaning device 3, that is, the endoscope 2 is performed. A series of processes relating to the supply/drainage of the cleaning liquid 33a, the start timing of cleaning, the cleaning time, and the like after the cleaning liquid is charged into the cleaning tank 33 are performed according to the conditions preset in the cleaning device 3.

  As described above, in the endoscope tag 6 for the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention, the frequency characteristic when in the free space is higher than the frequency characteristic when immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a by a predetermined frequency. By being offset to the side, at the communication frequency of the tag reader 5, when the endoscope tag 6 is “in immersion”, “in air/without droplets”, and “in air/with droplets” Since the communicable distance changes in each mode, the fact that the communication with the tag reader 5 becomes “possible” when the endoscope tag 6 is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a is utilized, and thus the cleaning liquid 33a It is possible to detect the water supply/drainage state of.

  The cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention uses the endoscope 2 described above, and communicates with the tag reader 5 installed outside the cleaning device 3 and the endoscope tag 6 of the endoscope 2 placed in the cleaning tank 33. Of the cleaning liquid 33a in the cleaning process of the cleaning device 3 by utilizing the fact that communication with the tag reader 5 becomes “enabled” when the endoscope tag 6 is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a. Is detected and the endoscope 2 is determined to be washed based on the result of the detection, and the cleaning history of the endoscope 2 is acquired. Since the existing cleaning device without the above can be used as it is without modification, the cleaning history management system 1 for the endoscope 2 of the present invention can be configured easily and at low cost.

  Also, when constructing a system using multiple cleaning devices of different models, even if there are cleaning devices with different cleaning information output methods, they can be used without modification without changing the endoscope cleaning history management. The system is configurable.

  Further, according to the present invention, communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 is performed when the endoscope tag 6 provided in the endoscope 2 is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a (in other words, during cleaning). If it can be confirmed that the endoscope ID 6a written in the endoscope tag 6 can be read by adopting the configuration of utilizing "possible", the endoscope tag 6 included in the endoscope 2 is always Since it can be seen that the cleaning liquid 33a is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a, it is possible to clearly confirm that the cleaning is completed, and it is possible to prevent the misuse of the endoscope that has not been cleaned.

(Tag reader)
Next, the tag reader 5 will be described. A well-known tag reader 5 compatible with a 920 MHz band wireless system can be used. In the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention, the transmission output of the tag reader 5 is one output (for example, 250 mW) or two outputs lower than the one output (for example, according to a series of processes related to the cleaning process in the cleaning device 3). 200 mW) and set in two ways. The setting of the transmission output is performed via the management device 10 described below. In the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission output of the tag reader 5 is set by the management device 10. However, the transmission output may be set manually by the tag reader 5 itself or by the tag reader 5. An attenuator may be interposed between the endoscope tag 6 and the endoscope tag 6, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

(Management device)
Next, the management device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical configuration of the cleaning history management system 1 for the endoscope 2. In the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention, the endoscope ID 6a read by the tag reader 5 and written in the endoscope tag 6 included in the endoscope 2 and the cleaning device tag 7 included in the cleaning device 3 are used. The written cleaning device ID 7a and the employee ID 8a written in the employee tag 8 of the employee 4 are transmitted to the management device 10 via the connection (LAN) cable 25.

  The management device 10 includes a CPU 12, a ROM 13, a RAM 14, a hard disk 15, a clock 16 and a NIC (Network Interface Card) 17, which are mutually connected via a bus 11.

  The CPU 12 is a central processing unit, and centrally controls the calculation in the management device 10 and each unit such as the hard disk 15 connected via the bus 11. The CPU 12 also functions as a transmission output setting unit of the tag reader 5. The ROM 13 is a read-only nonvolatile storage device, and stores a program and the like (not shown) to be executed by the CPU 12 when the management device 10 is activated.

  The RAM 14 is a volatile storage device capable of reading and writing information. Storage areas (not shown) such as an endoscope ID memory, a cleaning device ID memory, an employee ID memory, a current date/time memory, a related information memory, and a cleaning history memory are secured in the RAM 14.

  The hard disk 15 is a non-volatile storage device capable of reading and writing information. The hard disk 15 stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”) (not shown), a cleaning history management program, a database, and the like. The OS is a basic program for causing the CPU 12 to control various devices (for example, the monitor 20 described later) and execute a cleaning history management program, and is first executed by the CPU 12 when the computer 10 is started.

  The cleaning history management program is an application program for causing the CPU 12 to execute information processing as the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention. When an instruction to execute the cleaning history management program is input to the CPU 12 based on the OS, the CPU 12 loads the cleaning history management program 15b into the RAM 14 and starts processing based on the cleaning history management program.

  The clock 18 is a device that outputs the date and time at that time based on a request from the CPU 12.

  The NIC 19 is a net memory interface that controls communication with various devices connected via the LAN 50. The CPU 12 exchanges information with another device (for example, the tag reader 5) connected to the LAN 50 via the NIC 19.

  A monitor 20 and a keyboard 21 are connected to the management device 10 as a user interface. These devices are connected to the bus 11, and input/output with the CPU 12 is possible via the bus 11.

  The monitor 20 is a display device that displays graphics and characters under the control of the CPU 12. The keyboard 21 is an input device mainly for inputting character information to the CPU 12. When the coordinates are input by the click operation, the CPU 12 which executes the cleaning history management program treats the constituent element of the screen displayed at the position indicated by the coordinates on the screen displayed on the monitor 30 as the click operation.

(Cleaning history management system)
Next, the cleaning history management system of the present invention configured using the endoscope 2 having the endoscope tag 6 described above, the cleaning device 3 having the cleaning device tag 7, the tag reader 5 and the management device 10. 1 will be described. The cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention pays attention to the water supply and drainage of the cleaning liquid 33a in the cleaning process of the cleaning device 3, tries the communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6, and the endoscope 2 is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a. Sometimes the communication is “enabled” to detect the water supply/drainage state of the cleaning liquid 33a, and based on this result, it is determined that the endoscope has been cleaned, and the endoscope 2 is cleaned. It is configured to retrieve history. Details of a specific method of acquiring the cleaning history will be described later.

<<Embodiment>>
The cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7 and the drawings (one of FIGS. 8 to 13) required for the description. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a screen displayed on the monitor 20. In the embodiment of the present invention, the procedure for acquiring the cleaning history is displayed, and the employee 4 is displayed on the monitor 20. The cleaning history management is performed based on the procedure. In the following description, the endoscope tag (RFID tag for endoscope) 6 having the frequency characteristic shown in FIG. 4 is used, and the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 are used in the configuration shown in FIG. And the distance D=0.15 m.

  First, a procedure for acquiring related information between the endoscope 2 and the cleaning device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 13. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the overall flow of the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention.

(Selection process of tag reader and cleaning device)
The embodiment of the present invention will be described using an example in which a system is constructed using three cleaning devices A, B, and C. At this time, the cleaning device A is the tag reader A for the cleaning device A, the cleaning device B is the tag reader B for the cleaning device B, and the cleaning device C is the tag reader C for the cleaning device C. It is supposed to be. In the following description, an example in which the tag reader A is selected will be described.

  When the cleaning history management system 1 is activated in the management apparatus 10 (S10 in FIG. 13, the same applies hereinafter), the monitor 20 displays the procedure 40 for acquiring the cleaning history stored in the management apparatus 10. In procedure 1, the employee 4 first selects a tag reader. The selection of the tag reader is performed by touching the selection display 41a, 41b, 41c for selecting the tag reader displayed on the monitor 20. The selection information signal generated by the touch is sent from the monitor 20 to the management device 10.

  The management device 10 monitors the selection information signal sent from the monitor 20 (S11), and when it judges that the selection information signal has been sent (S12: Yes), judges the sent selection information signal (S13). , The tag reader stored in advance in association with the selection information signal is set as the selected tag reader A (S13: “A”). At the same time, the cleaning device A paired with the selected tag reader A is set (S14). The tag reader/cleaning device selection process described above is performed by identifying the tag reader identification numbers “A”, “B”, “C” and the cleaning device, such as the tag reader A and the cleaning device A. This is a process for setting the numbers “A”, “B”, and “C”. When the setting of the tag reader and the cleaning device is completed, the process proceeds to the main process S100A (FIG. 8) in this embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the main processing A of the cleaning history management executed by the CPU 12 in the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention. In the embodiment of the present invention, the main process A is roughly divided into a related information acquisition process S200, a cleaning history acquisition process S300, a related information and cleaning history management process S400, as well shown in FIG. It consists of Details of the main process S100A will be described below in order.

(Related information acquisition process S200)
Returning to FIG. 7, the procedure 2 will be described. In step 2, output setting of the tag reader A selected in step 1 is performed. This output setting is performed by touching the output 1 display 42a displayed on the monitor 20. The output 1 information signal generated by touching the output 1 display 42 a is sent from the monitor 20 to the management device 10. The management device 10 sets the transmission output of the tag reader A selected in step 1 to one output (250 mW in the embodiment of the present invention) based on the output 1 information signal sent from the monitor 20. The signal is sent to the tag reader A. When the tag reader A receives the output 1 setting signal sent from the management device 10, it sets the transmission output to the first output, and the antenna 5a provided in the tag reader 5 sets a predetermined transmission output (250 mW in the embodiment of the present invention). The radio wave (920 MHz band) is transmitted.

  In procedure 3, the employee 4 first acquires the employee ID 8a from the employee tag 8. The tag reader A transfers the acquired employee ID 8a to the management device 10. The management device 10 stores the transferred employee ID 8a, and stores the employee ID 8a and the employee name previously stored (registered) in association with the employee ID 8a based on the employee ID 8a in the information display field. The employee ID of 43 ([N10001])/name column 43a is displayed. The employee ID 8a is acquired by the employee 4 holding the employee tag 8 over the tag reader 5.

  Next, the employee 4 acquires the endoscope ID 6a from the endoscope tag 6 included in the endoscope 2. The tag reader A transfers the acquired endoscope ID 6a to the management device 10. The management device 10 stores the transferred endoscope ID 6a and displays the endoscope ID 6a in the endoscope ID ([P01001]) column 43b of the information display column 43. Further, the management device 10 assigns the identification number of the endoscope 2, which is stored (registered) in advance in association with the endoscope ID 7a, for example, “1” based on the obtained endoscope ID 6a ([P01001]). Endoscope No. in the information display column 43. It is displayed in the column 43c. The acquisition of the endoscope ID 6a is performed with the endoscope 2 placed in the cleaning tank 33 (see FIG. 3).

  The acquisition process of the endoscope ID 6a will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, when the tag reader A is set to one output (250 mW), the endoscopic tag is operated under the condition of "in air/without liquid drop @ output 250 mW" (frequency characteristic A1). 6 has a communicable distance of 0.2 m (920 MHz), which is longer than the distance D=0.15 m between the tag reader A and the endoscope tag 6, so that the endoscope ID 6 a can be read.

  Next, the employee 4 acquires the cleaning device ID 7a from the cleaning device tag 7 provided in the cleaning device 3. The tag reader A transfers the acquired cleaning device ID 7a to the management device 10. The management device 10 stores the transferred cleaning device ID 7a and displays the cleaning device ID 7a in the cleaning device ID ([S00001]) column 43d of the information display column 43. Further, the management device 10 stores the cleaning device ID 7a ([S00001]) in association with the cleaning device A (S14 in FIG. 13) preset based on the tag reader A and stores the cleaning device identification number "A". Is displayed in the information display column 43. It is displayed in the column 43e. The employee 4 acquires the cleaning device ID 7a by holding the cleaning device tag 7 over the tag reader 5.

  The management apparatus 10 is associated with the employee ID 8a and the employee name associated with the employee ID 8a ([N10001]) acquired by the tag reader A in step 3, the cleaning apparatus ID 7a ([P01001]), and the cleaning apparatus ID 7a. The identification number "A" of the cleaning device, the endoscope ID 6a ([S00001]), and the identification number "1" of the endoscope associated with the endoscope ID 6a are stored in association with each other. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the management device 10 displays the counted cleaning date and time 44 (FIG. 7) and also logs the date and time when the endoscope ID 6a, the cleaning device ID 7a, the related information and the like are acquired. Store as data.

(Flow chart of related information acquisition process S200)
Here, the related information acquisition process S200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 9. FIG. 4 shows the frequency characteristic of the endoscope tag 6, and FIG. 9 is for explaining the acquisition processing S200 of the related information of the endoscope 2 and the cleaning device 3 acquired from the endoscope ID 6a and the cleaning device ID 7a. It is a flowchart. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 shows a flowchart focusing on a process of acquiring related information of the endoscope 2 and the cleaning device 3 by using the endoscope ID 6a and the cleaning device ID 7a for ease of explanation. Therefore, the processes such as the employee ID 8a, the identification number of the endoscope 6 and the identification number of the cleaning device 3 are omitted.

  When the tag reader A and the cleaning device A are set (S14 in FIG. 13) and the related information acquisition process is started (S200), the management device 10 first sets the transmission output of the tag reader A to one output. The output 1 setting signal is sent to the tag reader A (S201). When the output 1 setting signal is sent to the tag reader A, the first result flag of "blank" is set (S202), and the tag reader A waits for the endoscope ID 6a to be sent. The first result flag is a flag used to identify the quality of the endoscope tag 6. The first result flag, the second result flag and the third result flag described in detail below are information held in the RAM 14 provided in the management device 10.

  The employee 4 reads the endoscope ID 6a from the endoscope tag 6 by using the tag reader A set to one output, and sends the read endoscope ID 6a to the management device 10. When the endoscope ID 6a is acquired, as shown in FIG. 7, the endoscope ID 7a is displayed in the endoscope ID ([S00001]) column 43b of the information display column 43.

  The management device 10 waits until the endoscope ID 6a read by the tag reader A is sent from the tag reader A (S203), and when the endoscope ID 6a is acquired (S204: Yes), the first result flag is " "OK" (the endoscope tag 6 is "good") is set (S205), and the process proceeds to the next process. When the endoscope ID 6a is not acquired (S204: No), the time during which the endoscope ID 6a is not acquired, that is, the incommunicable time t1 is counted, and when the incommunicable time t1 is shorter than the predetermined time T1 set in advance, (S206: Yes), the process proceeds to S202, and the processes of S202 to S206 are repeated until the endoscope ID 6a can be acquired. When the communication unavailable time t1 is longer than the predetermined time T1 (S206: No), the related information acquisition process S200 is ended, and the result flag determination process of the main process S100A (FIG. 8) (S101 in FIG. 8). ).

  Returning to the acquisition determination of the endoscope ID 6a (S204), the endoscope ID 6a is acquired (S204: Yes), "OK" is set to the first result flag (S205), and then the second "blank" is set. The result flag is set (S207). The second result flag is a flag used to identify the quality of the cleaning device tag 7.

  The employee 4 reads the cleaning device ID 7a from the cleaning device tag 7 using the tag reader A set to one output, and sends the read cleaning device ID 7a to the management device 10. When the cleaning device ID 7a is acquired, the cleaning device ID 7a is displayed in the cleaning device ID ([S00001]) column 43d of the information display column 43, as shown in FIG.

  The management device 10 waits for the cleaning device ID 7a read by the tag reader A to be sent from the tag reader A (S208), and when the cleaning device ID 7a is acquired (S209: Yes), sets the second result flag to "OK." "(Cleaning device tag 7 is "good") is set (S210), and the process proceeds to the next step. When the cleaning device ID 7a is not acquired (S209: No), the time during which the cleaning device ID 7a is not acquired, that is, the communication unavailable time t2 is counted, and when the communication unavailable time t2 is shorter than the predetermined time T2 (S212). : Yes), the process proceeds to S208, and the processes of S208 to S212 are repeated until the cleaning device ID 7a can be acquired. When the communication unavailable time t2 is longer than the predetermined time T2 set in advance (S212: No), the related information acquisition processing S200 is ended, and the result flag determination processing of the main processing S100A (FIG. 8) (S101 in FIG. 8). ).

  Returning to the acquisition determination of the cleaning device ID 7a (S209), the cleaning device ID 7a is acquired (S209: Yes), and when the second result flag is set to "OK" (S210), the management device 10 acquires the acquired endoscope. The ID 6a ([P01001]) and the cleaning device ID 7a ([S00001]) are stored as related information associated with each other (S211). When the related information of the endoscope 2 and the cleaning device 3 can be acquired from the endoscope ID 6a and the cleaning device ID 7a, the related information acquisition process S200 ends.

  Here, returning to the main process A (FIG. 8), description will be given after the end of the related information acquisition process S200. When the related information acquisition process S200 ends, it is determined whether or not the first result flag and the second result flag are "OK" (S101), and the first result flag and the second result flag are "OK". "(S101: Yes), the process proceeds to the next cleaning history acquisition process S300.

  If the first result flag and the second result flag are not "OK" (S101: No), it is determined whether or not the "blank" result flag is the first result flag (S102), and the first result flag is determined. If the result flag is “blank” (S102: Yes), the management device 10 displays an error display (not shown) indicating that the endoscope ID 6a written in the endoscope tag 6 cannot be read, as shown in FIG. Is displayed in the endoscope ID column 43b of the information display column 43 of the monitor 20 (S103), and the main process A is terminated.

  Similarly, when the result flag of "blank" is judged to be any (S102) and the first result flag is not "blank" (S102: No), the management device 10 is written in the cleaning device tag 7. An error display (not shown) indicating that the cleaning device ID 7a cannot be read is displayed in the cleaning device ID column 43d of the information display column 43 of the monitor 20 shown in FIG. 7 (S104), and the main process A is ended. To do.

(Cleaning history acquisition process S300)
Returning to FIG. 7, the procedure 4 will be described. In step 4, the cleaning switch of the cleaning device 3 is turned on. As described in detail above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning process by the cleaning device 3, that is, the supply/drainage of the cleaning liquid 33a, the cleaning start timing, and the cleaning time after the endoscope 2 is put into the cleaning tank 33. A series of processes related to the above is performed according to the conditions preset in the cleaning device 3. After the cleaning switch of the cleaning device 3 is turned on in step 4, the process proceeds to step 5.

  In step 5, the output setting of the tag reader A is performed. This output setting is performed by the employee 4 touching the output 1 display 42b displayed on the monitor 20. The output 2 information signal generated by touching the output 1 display 42b is sent from the monitor 20 to the management device 10. The management device 10 sets the transmission output of the tag reader A selected in step 1 to the second output (200 mW in the embodiment of the present invention) based on the output 2 information signal sent from the monitor 20. The setting signal is sent to the tag reader A. When the tag reader A accepts the output 2 setting signal sent from the management device 10, it sets the transmission output to the dual output, and the antenna 5a provided in the tag reader 5 outputs a predetermined transmission output (200 mW in the embodiment of the present invention). Transmit radio waves (920 MHz band).

  After sending the output 2 setting signal to the tag reader A, the management device 10 sends an ID request signal to the tag reader A at regular intervals. Procedure 6 is performed based on this ID request signal. In response to the ID request signal, the tag reader A acquires the endoscope ID 6a ([P01001]) from the endoscope tag 6 included in the endoscope 2 and transfers the acquired endoscope ID 6a to the management device 10. The management device 10 stores the transferred endoscope ID 6a and displays the endoscope ID 6a in the endoscope ID ([P01001]) column 43f of the information display column 43. Further, while the endoscope ID 6a can be acquired from the endoscope tag 6, a mark “◯” indicating that the washing is being performed is displayed in the washing start display column 43g of the information display column 43. In the embodiment of the present invention, the ID request signal is repeatedly sent for a preset cleaning time H.

  The acquisition process of the endoscope ID 6a will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, when the endoscope tag 6 is not immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a, the endoscope is operated under the condition of "in air/without droplets @ output 200 mW" (frequency characteristic A2). The communicable distance of the tag 6 is 0.1 m (920 MHz), which is shorter than the distance D=0.15 m between the tag reader A and the endoscope tag 6, so that the endoscope ID 6 a cannot be read.

  When the supply of the cleaning liquid 33a progresses and the endoscope tag 6 is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a, as shown in FIG. 4, under the condition of "in air/in immersion @ output 200 mW" (frequency characteristic A5). , The communication distance of the endoscope tag 6 is 0.41 m (920 MHz), which is longer than the distance D=0.15 m between the tag reader A and the endoscope tag 6, so that the endoscope ID 6 a can be read. .. Communication is possible between the tag reader A and the endoscope tag 6. As a result, it is detected that the cleaning liquid 33a is supplied to the cleaning tank 33, and it is determined that the endoscope 2 is being cleaned based on the result.

  In step 7, when the cleaning of the endoscope 2 is completed and the cleaning liquid 33a is drained, the cleaning switch of the cleaning device 3 is turned off and the cleaning process is completed. In the embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning process ends at a preset timing in the cleaning device.

  In step 8, the communication between the tag reader A and the endoscope tag 6 after the drainage of the cleaning liquid 33a is confirmed. When the communication is “disabled” when the cleaning liquid 33a is completely drained, it is determined that the cleaning is completed, and “communication disabled” is displayed in the confirmation result column 43h of the information display column 43, and the cleaning is completed. Is displayed in the cleaning completed display field 43i of the information display field 43, and the completion of cleaning is stored as a cleaning history.

  On the other hand, when the cleaning liquid 33a is completely drained and communication is possible and the endoscope ID 6a can be continuously read, the state confirmation process S1000 of the endoscope tag 2 is performed. The status confirmation processing S1000 of the endoscope tag 2 will be described later.

(Flowchart of cleaning history acquisition process S300)
Here, the cleaning history acquisition process S300 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 10. FIG. 4 shows the frequency characteristics of the endoscope tag 6, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the cleaning history acquisition process S300 acquired from the cleaning device 3. In addition, in FIG. 10, in order to facilitate the description, the description will focus on the acquisition of the endoscope ID 6a.

  When the related information acquisition process S200 is completed and the supply of the cleaning liquid 33a to the cleaning tank 33 is started, the management apparatus 10 starts the cleaning history acquisition process (S300) and outputs the transmission output of the tag reader A to the second output. The output 2 setting signal to be set to is sent to the tag reader A (S301), and the ID request signal is sent to the tag reader A (S302). When the ID request signal is sent, the third result flag of "blank" is set (S303) and the tag reader A waits for the endoscope ID 6a to be sent. The third result flag is a flag used to identify the quality of the endoscope tag 6 being immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a.

  The tag reader A set to the second output reads the endoscope ID 6a according to the ID request signal, and sends the read endoscope ID 6a to the management device 10.

  The management apparatus 10 waits until the endoscope ID 6a read by the tag reader A is sent from the tag reader A (S304), and when the endoscope ID 6a is acquired (S305: Yes), sets the third result flag to " "OK" (the endoscope tag 6 being immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a is "good") is set (S306), and the process proceeds to the next step. When the endoscope ID 6a is not acquired (S305: No), the time during which the endoscope ID 6a is not acquired, that is, the communication-disabled time t3 is counted, and when the communication-disabled time t3 is shorter than the predetermined time T3 set in advance, (S309: Yes), the process proceeds to S302, and the processes of S302 to S309 are repeated until the endoscope ID 6a can be acquired. When the communication unavailable time t3 is longer than the predetermined time T3 (S309: No), the cleaning history acquisition process S300 is terminated, and the third result flag determination process (S105) of the main process S100A (FIG. 8) is performed. Proceed to.

  Returning to the acquisition determination of the endoscope ID 6a (S305), the endoscope ID 6a is acquired (S305: Yes), and if the third result flag is set to "OK" (S306), then the communication available time ts Make a decision. In the embodiment of the present invention, since the cleaning time H is preset in the cleaning device 3, the communication after the supply of the cleaning liquid 33a is started and the communication becomes “possible” (the endoscope ID 6a can be acquired). The available time ts is counted (S307), and when the counted available communication time ts is shorter than the cleaning time H (S308: Yes), the process returns to S302 and the series of processes is repeated at a constant cycle. When the counted communication available time ts is longer than the cleaning time H (S308: No), the process proceeds to the endoscope tag state confirmation process S1000 (see FIG. 5).

  In the state confirmation processing S1000 of the endoscope tag 6a (see FIG. 12), if the endoscope ID 6a cannot be read and the communication is determined to be “impossible”, the communication “impossible” is replaced with the cleaning completion ( After the cleaning history is acquired and stored as the cleaning history (S310), the cleaning history acquisition process S300 is ended.

  When the preset cleaning time H is completed, the cleaning device 3 starts draining the cleaning liquid 33a, and when the draining is completed, the cleaning switch is turned off to complete the cleaning process.

  Up to this point, by utilizing the fact that communication is possible when the endoscope tag 6 provided in the endoscope 2 is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a (in other words, during cleaning), the supply/drainage state of the cleaning liquid 33a can be determined. The configuration of the present invention for acquiring the cleaning history of the endoscope 2 by determining that the endoscope 2 has been cleaned based on the result of detection has been described above. Regarding the detection of the water supply/drainage state, a configuration using the endoscope tag 6 described so far as the endoscope tag for the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention, and a comparative example, a commercially available RFID tag (920 MHz) are used. Bands) will be compared to describe the difference in action and effect.

  The endoscopic tag 6 used in the present invention has the maximum communicable distance in this embodiment under the condition of “in air/without droplets” as shown by the frequency characteristic A1 in the graph of FIG. The frequency shown is designed to be approximately 970 MHz, and is designed to be preliminarily offset to the high frequency side by approximately 50 MHz as compared with the 920 MHz band defined by the Radio Law. Therefore, when the endoscope tag 6 is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a, a frequency shift occurs on the low frequency side, and the communicable distance becomes long at 920 MHz, which is the communication frequency of the tag reader 5.

  On the other hand, commercially available RFID tags are designed to support communication using the 920 MHz band. Since commercially available RFID tags are generally used in the air, the frequency characteristics of the RFID tags are designed under the condition of "in air/without droplets". Therefore, when a commercially available RFID tag is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a, a frequency shift occurs on the low frequency side, which shifts from the communication frequency (920 MHz) of the tag reader 5, or the communicable distance becomes extremely short. There is a risk that communication will be “disabled”.

  That is, in the comparative example configured by the commercially available RFID tag, the communication between the RFID tag and the tag reader 5 is tried so that when the RFID tag is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a (in other words, during cleaning), the tag reader 5 is used. It is possible to use the fact that the communication of “disabling” is used to detect the supply/drainage state of the cleaning liquid 33a. However, in this comparative example, the state in which the communication is “disabling” is the RFID tag. It is impossible to judge whether it is due to communication interruption due to immersion in the cleaning liquid 33a or damage due to poor watertightness of the RFID tag until the cleaning liquid 33a is completely drained and communication is restored. There was.

  On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present invention, the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 communicate with each other when the endoscope tag 6 is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a (in other words, during cleaning). The fact that the state of supply and drainage of the cleaning liquid 33a is detected by utilizing the fact that "there is" is possible. Therefore, when the state of "inability" of communication occurs during cleaning (during immersion) (S309 in FIG. 10). : No), it can be quickly determined that the cause is damage due to poor watertightness of the RFID tag.

(Endoscope state confirmation processing S1000)
Here, the state confirmation process S1000 of the endoscope tag 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 12. FIG. 4 shows the frequency characteristics of the endoscope tag 6, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the state confirmation processing S1000 that requests confirmation of the surface state of the endoscope tag 6 provided in the endoscope 2.

  In the determination processing (S308) of the communication possible time ts of the cleaning history acquisition processing S300 (FIG. 10), when it is determined that the counted communication available time ts is longer than the cleaning time H (S308: No), the endoscope The state confirmation process of No. 2 is started (S1000), and a trial of communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope ID6 is waited until the cleaning liquid 33a is completely drained (time H4 in FIG. 5) (S1001 and FIG. 5). reference).

  After a certain period of time has passed (when the cleaning liquid 33a is completely drained), the management apparatus 10 sends an ID request signal to the tag reader A set to the second output (S1002).

  The tag reader A reads the endoscope ID 6a according to the ID request signal, and sends the read endoscope ID 6a to the management device 10.

The management device 10 attempts communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 (S1003), determines the communication state (S1004), and determines that the endoscope ID 6a has been acquired (S1004: Yes). A display for confirming the state of the endoscope is displayed on the monitor 20 (S1005), and the process returns to S1002 to continue the communication trial between the tag reader A and the endoscope tag 6. At this time, a “state confirmation” (not shown) is displayed in the confirmation result column 43h of the information display column 43 of the monitor 20, and
At this point in time, since the endoscope 2 has been washed, "done" indicating that it has been washed is displayed in the washed display column 43i.

  When the “state confirmation” display appears in the confirmation result column 4h of the information display column 43 of the monitor 20, the employee 4 confirms that the cleaning liquid 33a is not attached to the surface of the endoscope tag 6, and the cleaning liquid 33a is If the cleaning liquid 33a is attached, the cleaning liquid 33a is wiped off so that the cleaning liquid 33a is not attached to the surface of the endoscope tag 6.

  The management device 10 repeatedly sends an ID request (S1002), tries communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 (S1003), determines the communication state (S1004), and the communication is “impossible” (endoscopic). If it is determined that the mirror ID 6a cannot be acquired (S1004: No), the state confirmation S1000 of the endoscope tag 2 is ended.

  This state confirmation processing S1000 of the endoscope tag 6 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, when the tag reader A is set to the dual output (200 mW), under the condition of “in air/droplet (1 drop) @ output 200 mW” (frequency characteristic A3), The communicable distance of the endoscope tag 6 is 0.22 m (920 MHz), which is longer than the distance D=0.15 m between the tag reader A and the endoscope tag 6, so that the endoscope ID 6 a can be read.

  Further, under the condition of “in air/with droplets (3 drops) @ output 200 mW” (frequency characteristic A4), the communicable distance of the endoscope tag 6 is 0.28 m (920 MHz), and the endoscope with the tag reader A is visible. Since the distance D of the mirror tag 6 is longer than D=0.15 m, the endoscope ID 6a can be read.

  As described in detail above, these two conditions assume that the cleaning liquid 33a remains on the surface of the endoscope tag 6 when the cleaning liquid 33a is drained after the cleaning of the endoscope 2 is completed. . That is, even if the cleaning liquid 33a is completely drained, it can be determined that the cleaning liquid 33a is attached to the surface of the endoscope tag 6 when the communication is “possible” continuously.

  Until now, even if the cleaning liquid 33a may be left on the surface of the endoscope tag 6 while the cleaning liquid 33a is completely drained, the reading of the endoscope ID 6a continues, that is, communication is possible. The configuration of the present invention having the above-described configuration has been described above. Here, when the cleaning liquid 33a remains on the surface of the endoscope tag 6, the endoscope tag for the cleaning history management system 1 of the present invention is described. The configuration using the endoscope tag 6 described above is compared with the configuration using a generally commercially available RFID tag (920 MHz band) as a comparative example, and the difference in action and effect will be described.

  As already described in detail, in the comparative example including the commercially available RFID tag, the communication with the tag reader 5 becomes “disabled” when the RFID tag is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a (in other words, during cleaning). However, in this comparative example, the cleaning liquid 33a remains on the surface of the RFID tag provided in the endoscope 2 after the cleaning liquid 33a is drained. If the frequency characteristics of the RFID tag shift to the low frequency side or the communicable distance becomes extremely short, the endoscope ID of the endoscope 2 cannot be read (communication does not recover). There is a possibility that a state may occur, and there may be a state in which it is not possible to determine whether the cause of this communication “impairment” is due to damage due to poor watertightness of RFID tag or due to frequency shift of RFID tag. There was a problem.

  On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present invention, even after the cleaning liquid 33a remains on the surface of the endoscope tag 6 provided in the endoscope 2 after the cleaning liquid 33a is drained (frequency shown in FIG. 4). The communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 is "possible" as in the case of the characteristic A3 and the frequency characteristic A4), when the endoscope tag 6 is immersed in the cleaning liquid 33a (in other words, during cleaning). Since the state of the surface of the endoscope tag 6 can be detected by continuing the state, when the state in which “communication is possible” occurs after the cleaning liquid 33a is drained (S1004 in FIG. 12: Yes). ), as a cause thereof, it can be clearly determined that the cleaning liquid 33a is attached to the surface of the endoscope tag 6 to cause a frequency shift, and the influence of the frequency shift on communication can be quickly eliminated.

  Now, returning to the main process A (FIG. 8), the process after the end of the cleaning history acquisition process S300 will be described. When the cleaning history acquisition process S300 is completed, the third result flag set in the cleaning history acquisition process S300 is determined (S105), and if the third result flag is set to "OK" (S105: Yes). ), and proceeds to the next related information and cleaning history management processing S400.

  If the third result flag is not set to "OK" (S105: No), the management device 10 displays an error display indicating that the endoscope ID 6a written in the endoscope tag 6 cannot be read. 7, the confirmation result column 43h of the information display column 43 of the monitor 20 is displayed (for example, “error”), and the uncleaned state is displayed in the cleaned display column 43i (for example, X), and the main processing is performed. A is finished. The "error" display here indicates a defect (watertightness or the like) of the endoscope tag 6.

(Related information and cleaning history management process S400)
Next, the related information and cleaning history management processing S400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 11. FIG. 4 shows the frequency characteristics of the endoscope tag 6, and FIG. 11 shows the related information between the endoscope 2 and the cleaning device 3 acquired from the endoscope ID 6a and the cleaning device ID 7a, and the supply/drainage state of the cleaning liquid 33a. 9 is a flow chart for explaining a management process with a cleaning history acquired by doing so.

  When the cleaning history acquisition process S300 is completed and the third result flag is set to "OK" (S105: Yes), the management apparatus 10 starts the related information and cleaning history management process (S400). , The output output 1 setting signal for setting the transmission output of the tag reader A to one output is sent to the tag reader A (S401), and the ID request signal is sent to the tag reader A (S402), and the communication after the cleaning liquid 33a is drained. Is tried (S403).

  The tag reader A set to one output reads the endoscope ID 6a according to the ID request signal, and sends the read endoscope ID 6a to the management device 10.

  The management device 10 attempts communication until the endoscope ID 6a read by the tag reader A is sent from the tag reader A (S403), and if the endoscope ID 6a is not acquired (S404: No), the endoscope The monitoring is continued until the mirror ID 6a is acquired. When the endoscope ID 6a is acquired (S404: Yes), the related information that has already been acquired and the cleaning history are associated with each other, and the associated information is stored as management information (S405), and the management processing of the related information and the cleaning history is performed. S400 is ended. When the endoscope ID 6a is acquired, “communicable” indicating that the endoscope ID 6a has been acquired is displayed on the monitor 20 in the confirmation result column 43b of the information display column 43 (not shown). In addition, "done" indicating that the washing is completed is displayed in the washed display column 43i.

  When the related information and cleaning history management process S400 is completed, the process returns to the main process S100A (FIG. 8) to set the first result flag, the second result flag, and the third result flag to “blank”. The main process AS100A for cleaning history management in the cleaning history management system 1 for the endoscope 2 of the present invention ends.

  This related information and cleaning history management processing S400 will be described with reference to FIG. As well shown in FIG. 4, under the condition of “in air/without liquid drop @ output 250 mW” (frequency characteristic A1), communication at 920 MHz can be performed by increasing the transmission output of the tag reader 5 from 200 mW to 250 mW. Since the distance is 0.2 m (more than 0.15 m), the communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 is “enabled”, and the tag reader 5 can read the endoscope ID 6 a written in the endoscope tag 6.

  In other words, under the condition of "in air/without liquid drop @ output 200 mW" (frequency characteristic A2), even if the communication between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 6 is "disabled", the transmission output of the tag reader 5 is increased (this In the embodiment, 250 mW) enables communication.

  According to the cleaning history management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission output of the tag reader 5 can be set to one output and two outputs, so that the distance D (between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the communicable distance can be changed while fixing 0.15 m). Therefore, even in the endoscope tag 6 of the present invention designed so that the frequency characteristic is offset to the high frequency side under the condition of “in air/without droplets” (frequency characteristic A1 and frequency characteristic A2 in FIG. 4). ), the series of processes relating to the acquisition of the cleaning history is configured to start with one output and end with one output, so that the distance D between the tag reader 5 and the endoscope tag 2 is fixed and before the cleaning is started. Therefore, the quality of the endoscope tag 6 can be determined. In addition, after the cleaning is completed, the cleaning history management system 1 is reset and can be returned to the initial state by being configured to check the communication by returning from the second output to the first output. It is possible to provide the cleaning history management system 1 that does not impair the convenience such that the cleaning 2 can be performed without fail.

So far, the embodiment in which the transmission output of the tag reader 5 can be set to one output and two outputs has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the process of acquiring the cleaning history of the endoscope 2 is performed with the same transmission output of the tag reader 5 as that of the above-described embodiments being fixed at the second output, and the related information of the endoscope 2 and the cleaning device 3 is obtained. Can be performed by bringing the endoscope tag 6 and the cleaning device tag 7 close to the tag reader 5 and acquiring the respective endoscope ID 6a and cleaning device ID 7a.

1 Cleaning History Management System 2 Endoscope 3 Cleaning Device 4 Employee 5 Tag Reader 5a Antenna 6 Endoscope Tag (RFID Tag for Endoscope)
6a Endoscope ID (Endoscope identification information)
7 Cleaning device tag (RFID tag for cleaning device)
7a Cleaning device ID (cleaning device identification information)
8 Employee tag 8a Employee ID (personal identification information)
10 management device 20 monitor 25 connection cable (LAN cable)
31 lid 31a window 33 cleaning tank 33a cleaning liquid D distance L water level S200 acquisition processing of related information S300 acquisition processing of cleaning history S400 management processing of related information and cleaning history

Claims (5)

An RFID tag for an endoscope, which is provided in the endoscope and performs information in a non-contact wireless communication with a tag reader,
Compared with the frequency characteristics when immersed in the cleaning liquid, the frequency characteristics in the free space are offset to the high-frequency side by a predetermined frequency in advance, so that the communication frequency of the tag reader is free from that when immersed in the cleaning liquid. An RFID tag for an endoscope, which is characterized in that the communicable distance is different from that in the space and that the immersion distance in the cleaning liquid is longer than that in the free space. .. In a management device including a tag reader that acquires endoscope identification information for identifying the endoscope written in an RFID tag provided in the endoscope for each individual,
Compared with the frequency characteristics when immersed in the cleaning liquid, the frequency characteristics in the free space are offset to the high-frequency side by a predetermined frequency in advance, so that the communication frequency of the tag reader is free from that when immersed in the cleaning liquid. Between the RFID tag for an endoscope and the tag reader, which have different communication distances with respect to the space and are formed so that the immersion distance in the cleaning liquid is longer than the communication distance with the free space. When communication is tried and the endoscope identification information written in the RFID tag for the endoscope can be acquired, it is determined that the endoscope has been cleaned, and the cleaning history of the endoscope is acquired. A management device characterized by: In a cleaning history management system for an endoscope, which manages a cleaning history of an endoscope using non-contact wireless communication performed between an RFID tag provided in the endoscope and a tag reader,
Compared to the frequency characteristics when immersed in the cleaning liquid, the frequency characteristics in the free space are offset to the high-frequency side by a predetermined frequency in advance, so that the communication frequency of the tag reader is free from the frequency characteristics when immersed in the cleaning liquid. An endoscope equipped with an RFID tag for an endoscope, which has a different communication range from that of a space and is formed so that it has a longer communication range when immersed in a cleaning solution than when it is immersed in a free space. With a mirror
A cleaning device for cleaning the endoscope including an RFID tag for the endoscope,
A tag reader for reading endoscope identification information for identifying the endoscope written in the RFID tag for the endoscope for each individual,
When the communication between the RFID tag for the endoscope and the tag reader is tried and the endoscope identification information written in the RFID tag for the endoscope can be acquired, the endoscope is washed. A management device for determining and acquiring a cleaning history of the endoscope;
An endoscope cleaning history management system characterized by being equipped with. The cleaning device includes an RFID tag for the cleaning device in which cleaning device identification information for identifying the cleaning device for each individual is written,
The management device is
Of the endoscope and the cleaning device using the endoscope identification information read from the endoscope RFID tag and the cleaning device identification information read from the cleaning device RFID tag While obtaining related information,
When the communication between the RFID tag for the endoscope and the tag reader is tried and the endoscope identification information written in the RFID tag for the endoscope can be acquired, the endoscope is washed. Judgment, obtain the cleaning history of the endoscope,
The cleaning history management system for an endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the related information and the cleaning history are managed in association with each other. A transmission output setting means for setting the transmission output of the tag reader to one output or two outputs lower than the one output,
The management device is
With the transmission output of the tag reader set to the one output, the endoscope identification information read from the endoscope RFID tag and the cleaning device identification read from the cleaning device RFID tag And using the information to obtain related information between the endoscope and the cleaning device,
With the transmission output of the tag reader set to the second output, the communication between the RFID tag for the endoscope and the tag reader is tried, and the endoscope written in the RFID tag for the endoscope is tried. When the endoscope identification information can be acquired, it is determined that the endoscope has been cleaned, and a cleaning history of the endoscope is acquired,
The endoscope cleaning history management system according to claim 4, wherein the related information and the cleaning history are managed in association with each other.

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