JP2023020698A - Sterilizer and sterilization method - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve a sterilization performance of a sterilizer.SOLUTION: A sterilizer includes a sterilization container, a sterilization operation part, a sterilization container heating part, a heating part 43 for an object to be sterilized, and a control unit. The control unit controls an outer heater to heat the sterilization container regardless of a presence/absence of a start operation to an operation part. The control unit controls the sterilization operation part to conduct a supply operation after a pressure inside the sterilization chamber is reduced to a target pressure when the operation part has received the start operation. Further, the control unit controls the heating part 43 for an object to be sterilized, to heat an object to be sterilized housed in the sterilization chamber before a pressure inside the sterilization chamber reaches a target pressure, when the operation part has received the start operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Embodiments disclosed herein and elsewhere relate to a sterilization apparatus and a sterilization method.

Conventionally, the sterilization chamber in the sterilization chamber is depressurized, a sterilant such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is sucked into the sterilization chamber and vaporized, and the objects to be sterilized in the sterilization chamber are sterilized with the vaporized sterilant. Sterilization devices are known.

JP 2007-007422 A

In this type of sterilization apparatus, it would be beneficial if the sterilization performance could be further improved. One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the like is to improve the sterilization performance of the sterilizer. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the like are not limited to the above problems. A problem corresponding to each effect of each configuration shown in the embodiment described later can be positioned as another problem to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the like.

A sterilization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a sterilization chamber provided with a sterilization chamber containing an object to be sterilized, adjusting the pressure in the sterilization chamber, and vaporizing the sterilant by the pressure in the sterilization chamber. A sterilization operation unit that performs a supply operation to the sterilization chamber, a sterilization chamber heating unit that heats the sterilization chamber, and a sterilization object heating unit that heats the sterilization object contained in the sterilization chamber , an operation unit that receives a sterilization start operation for the object to be sterilized, and a control device that controls the sterilization operation unit, the heating unit for the sterilization chamber, and the heating unit for the object to be sterilized, , controlling the sterilization chamber heating unit to heat the sterilization chamber regardless of whether or not the start operation is performed on the operation unit, and when the operation unit receives the start operation, the pressure in the sterilization chamber is set to the target After reducing the pressure to the pressure, the sterilization operation unit is controlled to perform the supply operation, and the object to be sterilized contained in the sterilization chamber is heated before the pressure in the sterilization chamber reaches the target pressure. The heating unit for the object to be sterilized is controlled so as to

FIG. 1 is a diagram exemplifying the configuration of the sterilization device of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view exemplarily showing a portion of the sterilization chamber in the sterilization apparatus of the embodiment, showing a portion other than the door of the sterilization chamber. FIG. 3 is a plan view exemplifying the main shelf of the sterilizer of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view exemplarily showing a portion of the heating/vaporization unit of the sterilization apparatus of the embodiment, showing the portion other than the upper wall. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view exemplarily showing a part of the cross section taken along line VV of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view exemplarily showing a part of the cross section taken along line VI-VI of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view exemplarily showing a part of the cross section taken along line VII-VII in FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sterilization device of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a timing chart of part of the standard mode, which is the second sterilization mode of the sterilizer of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing part of the standard mode, which is the second sterilization mode of the sterilization apparatus of the embodiment, and is a timing chart continued from FIG. 9 . FIG. 11 is a timing chart of part of the soft mode, which is the second sterilization mode of the sterilizer of the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing part of the soft mode, which is the second sterilization mode of the sterilization apparatus of the embodiment, and is a timing chart continued from FIG. 11 . FIG. 13 is a timing chart of part of the short mode, which is the second sterilization mode of the sterilizer of the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing part of the short mode, which is the second sterilization mode of the sterilization apparatus of the embodiment, and is a timing chart continued from FIG. 13 . FIG. 15 is a timing chart of part of the first sterilization mode of the sterilizer of the embodiment. 16 is a timing chart showing part of the first sterilization mode of the sterilizer of the embodiment, and is a timing chart following FIG. 15. FIG.

Embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

In addition, the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationship of each element, the ratio of each element, and the like may differ from reality. Moreover, even between the drawings, there are cases where portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included. In this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish parts, members, parts, positions, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

FIG. 1 is a diagram exemplifying the configuration of a sterilization device 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1 , the sterilization device 1 includes a sterilization processing section 2 and a control device 3 . The sterilization processing unit 2 vaporizes a liquid sterilant and sterilizes the object 100 to be sterilized with the vaporized sterilant. That is, the sterilization processing section 2 can kill bacteria. In other words, the sterilization processing unit 2 is sterilized. That is, the sterilization processing section 2 can reduce bacteria. A liquid sterilant is, for example, an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. Moreover, the object to be sterilized 100 is, for example, a medical device. The medical device may be one with a lumen, such as an endoscope, or one without a lumen. Note that the object to be sterilized 100 may be anything other than a medical device. The control device 3 controls the sterilization processing section 2 . The sterilization device 1 is also referred to as a sterilization device.

The sterilization processing unit (sterilization processing unit) 2 includes a sterilization chamber (sterilization chamber) 11 , a sterilization agent supply unit (sterilization agent supply unit) 12 , and an operation unit 13 . Inside the sterilization chamber 11, a sterilization chamber (sterilization chamber) 11a for accommodating an object to be sterilized (object to be sterilized) 100 is provided. supply. The sterilization chamber 11a is also referred to as chamber. The sterilant supply unit 12 is an example of a sterilization operation unit (sterilization operation unit).

Also, in this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, three mutually orthogonal directions are defined. The X direction coincides with the rear of the sterilization chamber 11 in the front-rear direction (depth direction), the Y direction is along the width direction of the sterilization chamber 11, and the Z direction is above the sterilization chamber 11 in the vertical direction (height direction). matches. In addition, henceforth, the width direction of the sterilization chamber 11 is also called the left-right direction.

The sterilant supply unit 12 adjusts the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a and performs a supply operation of vaporizing the sterilant by the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a and supplying it to the sterilization chamber 11a. The sterilant supply unit 12 includes a cartridge 31, a liquid phase pump 32, a concentrator 33, a solenoid valve 34, a distributor 35, a heating/vaporization unit 36, a vacuum pump 37, a solenoid valve 38, and a vacuum a gauge 39; The cartridge 31, the liquid phase pump 32, the concentrator 33, the solenoid valve 34, the distributor 35, and the heating/vaporization unit 36 constitute a fluid circuit. The heating/vaporization unit 36 is an example of a unit.

The vacuum pump 37 sucks the gas inside the sterilization chamber 11, that is, the sterilization chamber 11a, the heating/vaporization unit 36, and the distributor 35, and reduces the pressure in each space to create a vacuum state (a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure). state in a space filled with gas at high pressure). A vacuum state is also referred to as a negative pressure state.

The cartridge 31 contains a liquid sterilizing agent (undiluted solution). The liquid phase pump 32 sucks the liquid sterilant from the cartridge 31 and discharges or supplies the sucked liquid sterilant to the concentrator 33 . The liquid-phase pump 32 is a tube pump capable of measuring the suction amount and discharge amount of the sterilant.

The concentrator 33 heats the liquid disinfectant to concentrate the liquid disinfectant. Specifically, the concentrator 33 heats and vaporizes water in the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution to increase the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution.

A solenoid valve 34 is provided between the concentrator 33 and the sterilization chamber 11a. When the electromagnetic valve 34 is opened, the sterilant from the concentrator 33 is supplied to the sterilization chamber 11a if the sterilization chamber 11a has a negative pressure.

A distributor 35 is provided between the concentrator 33 and the sterilization chamber 11a. According to Pascal's law, the distributor 35 divides the liquid sterilant flowing from the electromagnetic valve 34 by negative pressure into four parts, and distributes them to the four vaporizers 42 described later in equal amounts.

The four vaporizers 42 vaporize the liquid sterilant and supply the gaseous sterilant into the sterilization chamber 11a.

The electromagnetic valve 38 can be changed between an open state for communicating the inside and the outside of the sterilization chamber 11a and a closed state for blocking the inside and the outside of the sterilization chamber 11a. When the solenoid valve 38 is opened, the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a returns from the reduced pressure state to the atmospheric pressure state. A vacuum gauge 39 measures the degree of vacuum in the sterilization chamber 11a.

FIG. 2 is a front view exemplifying a portion of the sterilization chamber 11 in the sterilization apparatus 1 of the embodiment, showing the portion of the sterilization chamber 11 other than the door 22. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, inside the sterilization chamber 11, a sterilization chamber 11a is provided. An object to be sterilized 100 (FIG. 1) is accommodated in the sterilization chamber 11a.

The sterilization chamber 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape with the front-rear direction as the longitudinal direction and the width direction as the lateral direction. The sterilization chamber 11 has a main body 21 and a door 22. - 特許庁In addition, the sterilization chamber 11 is also called a housing.

The main body 21 has an upper wall 21a, a lower wall 21b, a right wall 21c, a left wall 21d, and a rear wall 21e. The upper wall 21a and the lower wall 21b both extend in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and are provided parallel to each other with a space therebetween in the vertical direction. The right wall 21c and the left wall 21d both extend in a direction orthogonal to the width direction and are provided parallel to each other with a space in the width direction. The rear wall 21e extends in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, and connects rear ends of the upper wall 21a, the lower wall 21b, the right wall 21c, and the left wall 21d.

A sterilization chamber 11 a is provided inside the main body 21 . The sterilization chamber 11a is surrounded by a top wall 21a, a bottom wall 21b, a right wall 21c, a left wall 21d and a rear wall 21e.

The door 22 is rotatably supported by the front end portions of the upper wall 21a, the lower wall 21b, the right wall 21c, or the left wall 21d, and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 21. As shown in FIG. Door 22 is the front wall of sterilization chamber 11 . When closed, the door 22 extends in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction, and overlaps the front ends of the upper wall 21a, the lower wall 21b, the right wall 21c, and the left wall 21d to block the sterilization chamber 11a. do. When the door 22 is opened, the sterilization chamber 11a is opened forward. In addition, the rear wall 21 e may be configured as a door that can be opened and closed like the door 22 . That is, both the door 22 and the rear wall 21e may be openable and closable. Door 22 is an example of a wall.

An upper wall 21a, a lower wall 21b, a right wall 21c, a left wall 21d, a rear wall 21e and a door 22 surround the sterilization chamber 11a. In other words, upper wall 21a, lower wall 21b, right wall 21c, left wall 21d, rear wall 21e, and door 22 form sterilization chamber 11a. The upper wall 21a, the lower wall 21b, the right wall 21c, the left wall 21d, the rear wall 21e, and the door 22 are made of, for example, stainless steel plates with a thickness of several millimeters. The sterilization chamber 11 is rigid and has a relatively high specific heat.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an outer heater 25 is superimposed on the outer surfaces of the door 22, the upper wall 21a, the lower wall 21b, the right wall 21c, the left wall 21d, and the rear wall 21e. The outer heater 25 heats the inside of the sterilization chamber 11, that is, the sterilization chamber 11a from the outside of the sterilization chamber 11. As shown in FIG. Note that FIG. 1 shows only a portion of the outer heater 25 described above. The outer heater 25 has a heat source such as a seat heater. Hereinafter, the temperature during sterilization (sterilization) in the sterilization chamber 11a may be referred to as a sterilization temperature (sterilization temperature). The outer heater 25 is an example of a sterilization chamber heating unit (sterilization chamber heating unit).

As shown in FIG. 2, the sterilization chamber 11a accommodates two main shelves 23, two sub-shelf 24, and two heating/vaporization units 36. As shown in FIG. The main shelf 23 is also called the first shelf, and the sub-shelf 24 is also called the second shelf. The main shelf 23 is an example of a shelf.

The two main shelves 23 and the two sub-shelf 24 are vertically spaced apart. The lower main shelf 23 of the two main shelves 23 is arranged above the lower wall 21b, the lower sub shelf 24 of the two sub shelves 24 is arranged above the lower main shelf 23, The upper main shelf 23 of the two main shelves 23 is arranged above the lower sub-shelf 24, and the upper sub-shelf 24 of the two sub-shelves 24 is arranged above the upper main shelf 23. ing. Each of the main shelf 23 and the sub-shelf 24 is detachably supported by support portions 21f and 21g provided on the right wall 21c and the left wall 21d. The two main shelves 23 and the two sub-shelf 24 are slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the sterilization chamber 11 . The two main shelves 23 and the two sub-shelf 24 are capable of placing objects 100 to be sterilized.

FIG. 3 is a plan view exemplifying the main shelf 23 of the sterilizer 1 of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the main shelf 23 is net-like with a plurality of openings 23c. Specifically, the main shelf 23 has a plurality of rod-shaped first members 23a and a plurality of rod-shaped second members 23b. The plurality of first members 23a extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged at intervals in the width direction. The plurality of second members 23b extend in the width direction and are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The plurality of first members 23a and the plurality of second members 23b are connected to each other. A net 26 is superimposed on the lower side of the main shelf 23 . For example, the net 26 is welded to the main shelf 23 and integrated with the main shelf 23 . The specific heat of the net 26 is lower than that of the main shelf 23. The net 26 is provided with a plurality of openings. Note that the net 26 may not be provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, two heating and vaporizing units 36 are arranged below the two main shelves 23, respectively. Specifically, the two heating/vaporizing units 36 are arranged directly below the two main shelves 23, respectively. The vertical distance between the upper end of the shelf heater 43 included in the heating/vaporization unit 36 and the upper end of the main shelf 23 is a space where the object to be sterilized 100 on the main shelf 23 can be accommodated (hereinafter (also referred to as storage space on the shelf). In this embodiment, the lower end of the on-shelf accommodation space on the main shelf 23 coincides with the upper end of the main shelf 23, and the upper end of the on-shelf accommodation space is on the main shelf 23 adjacent to the main shelf 23 in the vertical direction. coincides with the lower end of the upper sub-shelf 24 of the . The vertical distance between the upper end of the shelf heater 43 and the upper end of the main shelf 23 is 1/4 or less or 1/10 or less of the vertical height of the storage space on the shelf above the main shelf 23. There may be.

Of the two heating/vaporizing units 36, the upper heating/vaporizing unit 36 is detachably supported by a support portion 21h provided on the right wall 21c and the left wall 21d. The lower heating/vaporization unit 36 of the two heating/vaporization units 36 is detachably supported by the lower wall 21bc.

FIG. 4 is a plan view exemplifying a portion of the heating/vaporization unit 36 of the sterilization apparatus 1 of the embodiment, showing the portion other than the upper wall 41a. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view exemplarily showing a part of the cross section taken along line VV of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view exemplarily showing a part of the cross section taken along line VI-VI of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the heating and vaporization unit 36 has a case 41, two vaporizers 42, a shelf heater 43 and a temperature sensor 44. As shown in FIG. The shelf heater 43 is an example of an object heating unit.

The case 41 includes an upper wall 41a (FIGS. 4 and 5), a lower wall 41b, a right wall 41c (FIG. 4), a left wall 41d (FIG. 4), a rear wall 41e (FIG. 4), and a front wall 41f (FIG. 4) and The case 41 is made of aluminum, for example. The case 41 is thinner than the sterilization chamber 11.

The upper wall 41a and the lower wall 41b both extend in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and are provided parallel to each other with a space therebetween in the vertical direction. The upper wall 41a is provided with an opening 41aa (FIGS. 5 and 6). The opening 41aa is a through hole that vertically penetrates the upper wall 41a. The right wall 41c and the left wall 41d both extend in a direction orthogonal to the width direction, and are provided parallel to each other with a space in the width direction. The rear wall 41e and the front wall 41f extend in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and are provided parallel to each other with a space therebetween in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the two carburetors 42 are arranged in the case 41 with a space therebetween in the front-rear direction, which is the direction intersecting the vertical direction. Each vaporizer 42 has a pair or two plates 45,46. Therefore, two sets 47 of two plates 45 and 46 are provided, and these sets 47 are arranged in the case 41 with a space therebetween in the front-rear direction. Note that the number of sets 47 is not limited to the above. For example, the number of sets 47 may be one, or three or more.

As shown in FIG. 1, two plates 45, 46 are arranged under the main shelf 23 in the sterilization chamber 11a. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the plates 45, 46 are flat. The two plates 45 and 46 both extend in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and are provided parallel to each other with a space therebetween in the vertical direction. The two plates 45, 46 are also called parallel plates. The thickness of the two plates 45 and 46 is, for example, about 3 mm, but is not limited to this. The plate 46 is arranged below the plate 45 . The plate 45 is fixed to the upper surface of the upper wall 41a with a fastener 51 such as a screw, with the opening 41aa partially covering the opening 41aa of the upper wall 41a. That is, the plate 45 is supported by the upper wall 41a. The plate 46 is arranged between the upper wall 41a and the lower wall 41b and is fixed to the inner surfaces of the upper wall 41a and the lower wall 41b by the fasteners 51, respectively. That is, the plate 46 is supported by the upper wall 41a and the lower wall 41b. The plate 46 has a facing portion 46a (FIGS. 5 and 6) and a projecting portion 46b. The facing portion 46a faces the plate 45 in the vertical direction. The protruding portion 46b is connected to the opposing portion 46a and protrudes from the plate 45 in the width direction intersecting the vertical direction. A plate 50 is provided between the plate 46 and the lower wall 41b. The plate 50 is made of aluminum, for example.

5 and 6, the vaporizer 42 is provided with a supply port 42b and an outlet 42c (FIG. 6). The supply port 42b is provided substantially in the center of the plate 46. As shown in FIG. That is, the supply port 42b is provided inside the outer edge portion 46c of the plate 46, which is one of the two plates 45 and 46. As shown in FIG. A liquid sterilant is supplied from the distributor 35 through the tube 48 to the supply port 42b. The supply port 42b supplies the liquid sterilant to the gap 42a between the two plates 45,46. The gap 42a is a passageway for the sterilant. The gap 42a is included in the opening 41aa of the upper wall 41a. The tube 48 is made of stainless steel, for example. Further, the tube 48 has, for example, a structure in which a stainless steel tube and a heat-resistant silicon tube are connected. A silicon tube is provided in a portion adjacent to the shelf heater 43 . The tube 48 is also called piping.

The outlet 42c is separated from the supply port 42b in the width direction intersecting the vertical direction. The outlet 42c is constituted by an outer edge 42d open to the outside of the two plates 45,46 in the gap 42a between the two plates 45,46. In addition, the outlet 42c is connected to the projecting portion 46b. The disinfectant between the two plates 45 and 46 flows out of the gap 42a between the two plates 45 and 46 through the outlet 42c.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shelf heater 43 is arranged below the main shelf 23 in the sterilization chamber 11a. Also shown in FIG. 4, shelf heaters 43 are provided around two plates 45 and 46 of each of the two sets 47 . The shelf heater 43 is a folded sheathed heater. The sheathed heater includes, for example, a stainless steel tube forming the outer circumference. The sheathed heater has an outer diameter of, for example, 6 mm and a rated power of about 1500 W, but is not limited to this. The shelf heater 43 has a relatively low specific heat. The shelf heater 43 has a plurality of first extensions 43a, a plurality of second extensions 43b, a plurality of third extensions 43c, and one fourth extension 43d. The plurality of first extending portions 43a all extend in the width direction, and are provided in parallel with each other at intervals in the front-rear direction. A vaporizer 42 is arranged between the two first extensions 43a. The plurality of second extension portions 43b all extend in the front-rear direction and are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction. The second extension 43b connects the right ends of the two first extensions 43a adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. The plurality of third extensions 43c all extend in the front-rear direction and are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction. The third extension 43c connects the left ends of the two first extensions 43a that are adjacent in the front-rear direction. The second extensions 43b and the third extensions 43c are alternately arranged. The fourth extending portion 43d extends rearward from the left end portion of the first extending portion 43a positioned on the frontmost side among the plurality of first extending portions 43a.

As shown in FIG. 4, the temperature sensor 44 is provided inside the case 41 and positioned between the two vaporizers 42 . The temperature sensor 44 is, for example, a thermocouple. The temperature sensor 44 is thermally connected to the second extended portion 43b of the shelf heater 43 via the heat transfer member 52 . Temperature sensor 44 measures the temperature of shelf heater 43 . The temperature sensor 44 can also be said to measure the temperature of the heating and vaporization unit 36 .

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view exemplarily showing a part of the cross section taken along line VII-VII in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the heat transfer member 52 has contact portions 52a and 52b. The contact portion 52a is a concave surface. The shelf heater 43 is inserted in the contact portion 52 a and the contact portion 52 a is in contact with the shelf heater 43 . The contact portion 52b is a concave surface. A temperature sensor 44 is inserted in the contact portion 52b, and the contact portion 52b is in contact with the temperature sensor 44. As shown in FIG. The heat transfer member 52 is made of aluminum, for example.

Here, the specific heat of each of the shelf heater 43, the two plates 45 and 46, and the case 41 of the heating/vaporization unit 36 is determined by each wall (upper wall 21a, lower wall 21b, right wall 21c, left wall 21d, rear wall 21e, lower than the specific heat of door 22). That is, the heating/vaporization unit 36 has a lower specific heat than the sterilization chamber 11 as a whole.

The operation unit 13 shown in FIG. 1 has an input function of receiving an operation from a user and a display function of displaying an image. For example, the operation unit 13 is a display with a touch panel that integrally has an input function and a display function. The operation unit 13 receives, for example, a sterilization start operation for the object 100 to be sterilized. The operation unit 13 displays buttons corresponding to various modes described later. The start operation is, for example, a touch operation on the button. Note that the operation unit 13 is not limited to a display with a touch panel.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sterilizer 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 3 includes an operation unit 13, an outer heater 25, a liquid phase pump 32, a concentrator 33, a solenoid valve 34, a shelf heater 43, a vacuum pump 37, a solenoid valve 38, and a vacuum gauge 39. , temperature sensors 44 and 49 are connected. The control device 3 controls the operation unit 13, the concentrator 33, the solenoid valve 34, the shelf heater 43, the vacuum pump 37, the solenoid valve 38, and the like. The controller 3 independently controls each heater (the outer heater 25 and the shelf heater 43). For example, the control device 3 controls the outer heater 25 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 49 and controls the shelf heater 43 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 44 .

The control device 3 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). That is, the control device 3 is a computer. The CPU reads and executes a program stored in a ROM or the like. The RAM temporarily stores various data used when the CPU executes programs and performs various arithmetic processes.

The control device 3 controls the outer heater 25 to heat the sterilization chamber 11 regardless of whether or not the operation unit 13 is operated to start. Specifically, the controller 3 causes the outer heater 25 to heat while the sterilizer 1 is powered on. Based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 49, the control device 3 controls the outer heater 25 so that the center of the sterilization chamber 11, that is, the center of the sterilization chamber 11a, reaches a specified target temperature (hereinafter also referred to as the chamber set temperature). to control. The temperature set inside the refrigerator may be, for example, 40° C. to 65° C., 45° C. to 60° C., 65° C. or higher, or other values. Note that the location measured by the temperature sensor 49 is a location that is less susceptible to the heat generated by the shelf heater 43 .

Further, the control device 3 performs the following sterilization process. When the operation unit 13 receives the start operation, the control device 3 reduces the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to the target pressure, and then controls the sterilant supply unit 12 to perform the supply operation. Further, when the operation unit 13 receives the start operation, the control device 3 heats the object to be sterilized 100 stored in the sterilization chamber 11a before the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a reaches the target pressure. Heater 43 is controlled.

More specifically, the sterilization process has a first sterilization mode and a second sterilization mode. The second sterilization mode includes a standard mode, a soft mode, and a short mode, which will be described later in detail. The control device 3 can selectively execute a first sterilization mode and a second sterilization mode (standard mode, soft mode, short mode). The control device 3 causes the operation unit 13 to display buttons representing the first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode (standard mode, soft mode, short mode). The control device 3 executes a mode corresponding to the touch-operated button among these buttons. The control device 3 executes the first sterilization mode or the second sterilization mode on condition that the operation unit 13 has received the start operation.

The first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode are the same in that the sterilization operation using a sterilant is performed. However, the first sterilization mode performs a pre-operation of heating the object 100 to be sterilized in a vacuum state before the sterilization operation, whereas the second sterilization mode does not perform the pre-operation.

More specifically, in the preliminary operation, after the shelf heater 43 performs heating for a certain period of time in a state where the sterilant supply unit 12 sets the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to a target pressure lower than the first pressure, the sterilant This is an operation in which the supply unit 12 returns the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to the first pressure. The first pressure is, for example, atmospheric pressure or pressure near atmospheric pressure. That is, the first pressure may be a pressure within a specified range including atmospheric pressure. In the pre-operation, the shelf heater 43 starts heating before the sterilant supply unit 12 makes the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a equal to or lower than the target pressure which is lower than the first pressure.

The sterilizing operation is an operation in which the sterilizing agent supply unit 12 supplies the sterilizing agent to the sterilizing chamber 11a after the pressure in the sterilizing chamber 11a is set to the target pressure, and the shelf heater 43 performs heating. In each of the first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode, the sterilization operation is repeated multiple times. The number of sterilization operations differs between the first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode. As an example, the number of sterilization operations in the first sterilization mode is less than the number of sterilization operations in the second sterilization mode. The number of sterilization operations in the first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode may be the same, or the number of sterilization operations in the second sterilization mode is greater than the number of sterilization operations in the second sterilization mode. may be more.

Next, specific examples of the first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode will be described. Below, first, the standard mode of the second sterilization mode will be described, and then the soft mode, the short mode, and the first sterilization mode will be described. Regarding the soft mode, the short mode, and the first sterilization mode, mainly the differences from the standard mode will be explained.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart of part of the standard mode, which is the second sterilization mode of the sterilizer 1 of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing part of the standard mode, which is the second sterilization mode of the sterilizer 1 of the embodiment, and is a timing chart following FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the standard mode has "steps" of "A", "sterilization (1/4 times)", "sterilization (2/4 times)", and "sterilization (3/4 times)". , including "sterilized (3/4 times)". "A" is conditioning. "Sterilization (1/4 times)", "Sterilization (2/4 times)", "Sterilization (3/4 times)", and "Sterilization (3/4 times)" respectively correspond to sterilization operations. That is, in the standard mode, the sterilization operation is performed four times.

"Details" in FIG. 9 represents the details of the operation of the sterilizer 1. FIG. "Depressurization" is an operation to decompress the inside of the sterilization chamber 11a. "Supply/spread/sterilize" is an operation of supplying a sterilizing agent to the sterilizing chamber 11a, diffusing the sterilizing agent in the sterilizing chamber 11a, and performing sterilization by the sterilizing agent.

"Pressure" in FIG. 9 is the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a. P1 is the target pressure for "sterilization (1/4 times)", ie, the first sterilization operation. P2 is the target pressure in "sterilization (2/4 times)" to "sterilization (4/4 times)", that is, the second to fourth sterilization operations. P3 is the first pressure.

Also, "ON" and "OFF" of the vacuum pump 37 in FIG. 9 indicate the operation and stop of the vacuum pump 37, respectively. Also, "open" and "closed" of the solenoid valves 34, 38 in FIG. 9 indicate the opening and closing of the solenoid valves 34, 38, respectively. Also, "ON" and "OFF" of the shelf heater 43 in FIG. Note that these notations are the same in FIG. 10 and subsequent figures.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the operation unit 13 receives an operation to start the standard mode, the control device 3 causes the vacuum pump 37 to set the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to the target with the solenoid valves 34 and 38 closed. Reduce pressure to P1. Along with this, the pressure in the space in the fluid circuit between the sterilization chamber 11a and the electromagnetic valve 34 is also reduced to the target pressure P1. At this time, the controller 3 causes the liquid-phase pump 32 to perform "B" before the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a reaches the target pressure P1. Action “B” is the supply of feed to concentrator 33 . Before this "B", a process such as a backflow check is executed. The backflow check is to check whether the sterilant is flowing back into the cartridge 31 or not. In addition, the controller 3 closes the electromagnetic valves 34 and 38 and simultaneously activates the shelf heater 43 . Thereby, heating by the shelf heater 43 is started.

The control device 3 opens the solenoid valve 34 only for a specified time when the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a has decreased to the target pressure P1. As a result, the sterilant coming out of the concentrator 33 advances toward the sterilization chamber 11 a and flows into each heating/vaporization unit 36 via the distributor 35 . In each heating/vaporization unit 36, the sterilant proceeds from the supply port 42b between the two plates 45,46 and is heated by the shelf heater 43 between the two plates 45,46. As a result, the disinfectant is vacuumed while thermally expanding between the two plates 45 and 46 and spreads concentrically, so that the contact area with the two plates 45 and 46 increases instantaneously. At this time, the shelf heater 43 accelerates the vaporization of the sterilant by heating the sterilant. As a result, the sterilant instantly evaporates between the two plates 45 and 46 to the saturated vapor pressure. That is, the disinfectant vaporizes between the two plates 45,46. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the time difference between the vaporization of the water molecules in the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and the vaporization of the hydrogen peroxide molecules. Here, the ratio of hydrogen peroxide and water in the vaporized sterilant (gas) is 60% hydrogen peroxide and 40% water, or a value close thereto.

The gaseous sterilant flows out of the outlet 42c into the sterilization chamber 11a outside the two plates 45,46. The gaseous sterilant that has entered the sterilization chamber 11 a flows upward and contacts the objects to be sterilized 100 placed on the main shelf 23 . Thereby, the object 100 to be sterilized is sterilized. In this manner, the sterilant is vaporized in the vaporizer 42 immediately below the main shelf 23 and the vaporized sterilant reaches the object to be sterilized 100 on the main shelf 23 . Therefore, the sterilizing agent vaporized by the vaporizer 42 can reach the object 100 to be sterilized in a relatively short time and a short distance. Therefore, the ratio of hydrogen peroxide and water in the gas reaching the object 100 to be sterilized is likely to be maintained at or close to 60% hydrogen peroxide and 40% water.

At this time, the shelf heater 43 heats (warms) the object 100 to be sterilized. That is, the shelf heater 43 heats the object 100 to be sterilized when the sterilizing agent supply unit 12 is supplying the sterilizing agent to the sterilizing chamber 11a. Specifically, the shelf heater 43 heats (warms) the object 100 to be sterilized with radiant heat. As described above, each shelf heater 43 is independently controlled by the controller 3 so that the temperature of the shelf heater 43 detected by the temperature sensor 44 is maintained at the heating set temperature. As an example, the shelf heater 43 is controlled so that the temperature of the shelf heater 43 is a first temperature during sterilization, and is controlled to a second temperature lower than the first temperature during standby (non-sterilization). is controlled to be The first temperature is, for example, a temperature within a specified range including 80°C, and the second temperature is a temperature within a specified range including 55°C. The temperature during standby is the same as the temperature at a location relatively distant from the case 41 inside the sterilization chamber 11a.

The reason why the ratio of hydrogen peroxide and water in the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is 60% hydrogen peroxide and 40% water or a value close thereto is as follows. That is, the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is provided, for example, in an aqueous solution with a concentration of about 60% (actually 59%), which is composed of 60% hydrogen peroxide molecules and 40% water. This is because it exists as an aqueous solution as it is without reacting or bonding because it has a high affinity with .

When such an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide evaporates, there is a high percentage that water evaporates first and hydrogen peroxide evaporates later. This is simply due to the difference in molecular mass (H ₂ O=18, H ₂ O ₂ =34), and this tendency does not change in vacuum evaporation or thermal evaporation. Due to such a tendency, at the initial stage of vaporization of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, vaporization of water is delayed and hydrogen peroxide is vaporized. Therefore, when the object 100 to be sterilized is sterilized, the vaporized water tends to reach the object 100 first to form a water film, and the hydrogen peroxide tends to reach the object 100 later. In this case, the hydrogen peroxide that reaches the object to be sterilized 100 is diluted by the film of water that has reached the object to be sterilized 100 first, so there is a risk that the sterilization effect will not be large. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, the sterilant is instantaneously vaporized between the two plates 45 and 46, so that there is a time lag between the vaporization of water and the vaporization of hydrogen peroxide in the aqueous hydrogen oxide solution. is suppressed, the difference between the arrival times of hydrogen peroxide and water at the object 100 to be sterilized tends to be small. Therefore, the sterilization effect of hydrogen peroxide tends to increase.

Next, the vaporization phenomenon of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution will be described. As the vaporization phenomenon, first, an evaporating dish heated to about 80° C. is placed under a vacuum of about 100 Pa, and a few milliliters of 60% aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is dropped onto the evaporating dish. In this case, if the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is dripped onto the evaporating dish, it is thought that the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution will evaporate in an instant, but in reality, several milliliters of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution will evaporate, like water droplets dripping onto an object such as a frying pan. , partly jumps and partly dances, while it splits slightly and gradually shrinks in volume, finally causing a phenomenon of complete evaporation. When this evaporation phenomenon is temporarily stopped in the middle of evaporation and the concentration of the remaining aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is measured, it is measured to be approximately higher than 60%. In addition, it is confirmed that the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is higher in the middle stage than in the early stage of the evaporation phenomenon, and in the latter stage than in the middle stage. This means that the heated aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution evaporates preferentially from water molecules over time, and the reason for this is the molecular weight. Since the smaller the molecular weight, the easier it vibrates and the easier it is to vaporize, it is thought that the water molecules vaporize before the hydrogen peroxide molecules. This vaporization order tendency is considered to be unavoidable because it is considered to be caused by the molecular weight. In this embodiment, based on the above idea, the two plates 45 and 46 are provided as described above, and the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution is instantaneously vaporized between the plates 45 and 46.

Next, the control device 3 causes the liquid phase pump 32 to perform the second "B", and then opens the solenoid valve 38 for a specified time to return the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to the first pressure P1. Further, the control device 3 stops the shelf heater 43 after a specified time has elapsed since the pressure inside the sterilization chamber 11a returned to the first pressure P1. This completes the processing from conditioning to sterilization (1/4 times).

Next, the controller 3 executes "sterilization (2/4)" to "sterilization (4/4)". "Sterilized (2/4)" to "Sterilized (4/4)" are the same as "Sterilized (1/4)". However, in "sterilization (2/4)" to "sterilization (4/4)", "B" of the liquid phase pump 32 is only once after the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a reaches the target pressure P2. .

Next, the control device 3 performs "ALV" shown in FIG. "ALV" is the aeration process. In "ALV", the specified operations "1/5" to "5/5" are repeatedly performed. The specified operations "1/5" to "5/5" are processes in which the vacuum pump 37 and solenoid valves 34, 38 reduce the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a from the atmospheric pressure to the specified pressure and return it to the atmospheric pressure again. be. It should be noted that the specified pressure in the specified operation "1/5" to [5/5] is the largest at the specified operation "1/5". This is because it takes time to minimize the specified pressure from the first specified operation [1/5].

FIG. 11 is a timing chart of part of the soft mode, which is the second sterilization mode of the sterilizer 1 of the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing part of the soft mode, which is the second sterilization mode of the sterilizer 1 of the embodiment, and is a timing chart following FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, soft mode differs from standard mode in the number and timing of "B"s of liquid phase pump 32 . In soft mode, "B" in "Sterilization (1/4)" is only once. In the soft mode, the operation "B" in "Sterilization (2/4)" to "Sterilization 4/4" is performed only once before the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a reaches the target pressure P2. Since there is no second time of "B" in "Sterilization (1/4)", the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a reaches the target pressure in "Sterilization (2/4)" to "Sterilization 4/4". This is because the concentrator 33 must contain a sufficient amount of sterilizing agent to be supplied to the liquid. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, "ALV" in soft mode is similar to "ALV" in standard mode.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart of part of the short mode, which is the second sterilization mode of the sterilizer 1 of the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing part of the short mode, which is the second sterilization mode, of the sterilizer 1 of the embodiment, and is a timing chart following FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the short mode, the time of the first pressure P3 is shorter in each of "sterilization (1/4)" to "sterilization 4/4" than in the standard mode. Also, the operation "B" of the vacuum pump 37 is the same as in the soft mode. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the number of times of specified operation "1/3" to [3/3] in short mode "ALV" is less than specified operation "1/5" to [3/3] in standard mode "ALV". 5/5] times.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart of part of the first sterilization mode of the sterilizer 1 of the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing part of the first sterilization mode of the sterilizer 1 of the embodiment, and is a timing chart following FIG.

As shown in FIG. 15, the first sterilization mode differs from the standard mode in the following. The first sterilization mode includes "A", "sterilization (1/2)", and "sterilization (2/2)" as steps. Also, in the first sterilization mode, step "A" includes "decompression", "preheating", "C", and "decompression", where "C" is open to the atmosphere.

As shown in FIG. 15, the control device 3 controls the sterilizer 1 to reduce the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a by the vacuum pump 37 with the electromagnetic valves 34 and 38 closed in step "A" of the first sterilization mode. is reduced to the target pressure P1 or less. Along with this, the pressure in the space in the fluid circuit between the sterilization chamber 11a and the concentrator 33 is also reduced to the target pressure P1 or less. In addition, the controller 3 closes the electromagnetic valves 34 and 38 and simultaneously activates the shelf heater 43 . Thereby, heating by the shelf heater 43 is started. Then, the control device 3 operates the shelf heater 43 for a certain period of time while the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a is equal to or lower than the target pressure P1. Next, after a certain period of time has passed, the controller 3 stops the vacuum pump 37 and opens the electromagnetic valve 38 for a specified period of time. This causes the sterilization chamber 11a to return to the first pressure P3. After that, the control device 3 operates the vacuum pump 37 to start reducing the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a again. Step "A" of the first sterilization mode corresponds to pre-operation.

Next, the control device 3 performs "sterilization (1/2)" and "sterilization (2/2)". , Sterilization 2/4 in the short mode, but the time from closing the solenoid valve 34 to opening the solenoid valve 38 is longer than in the short mode "Sterilization 2/4".

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the number of times of the specified operation "1/1" in the first sterilization mode "ALV" is 1/5 to [5/5] in the standard mode "ALV". less than the number of times

Note that the control device 3 can execute processing other than the above. For example, the control device 3 performs error processing. Error processing can be executed, for example, when the pressure inside the sterilization chamber 11a reaches a specified error pressure, when an error occurs in the transport of the sterilant, or when the sterilization process is canceled by pressing a button.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the sterilization apparatus 1 includes the sterilization chamber 11, the sterilization agent supply unit 12 (sterilization operation unit), the outer heater 25 (sterilization chamber heating unit), and the shelf heater 43 ( a heating unit for an object to be sterilized); The sterilization chamber 11 is internally provided with a sterilization chamber 11a that accommodates an object 100 to be sterilized. The sterilant supply unit 12 adjusts the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a and performs a supply operation of vaporizing the sterilant by the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a and supplying it to the sterilization chamber 11a. The outer heater 25 heats the sterilization chamber 11 . The shelf heater 43 heats the objects to be sterilized 100 stored in the sterilization chamber 11a. The operation unit 13 receives a sterilization start operation for the object 100 to be sterilized. Controller 3 controls sterilant supply 12 , outer heater 25 and shelf heater 43 . The control device 3 controls the outer heater 25 to heat the sterilization chamber 11 regardless of whether or not the operation unit 13 is operated to start. When the operation unit 13 receives the start operation, the control device 3 reduces the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to the target pressure, and then controls the sterilant supply unit 12 to perform the supply operation. Further, when the operation unit 13 receives the start operation, the control device 3 heats the object to be sterilized 100 stored in the sterilization chamber 11a before the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a reaches the target pressure. Heater 43 is controlled.

According to such a configuration, since the vaporized sterilant acts on the object 100 to be sterilized that has been sufficiently heated by the shelf heater 43, only the vaporized sterilant is applied without heating. The sterilization performance of the sterilization device 1 can be improved compared to the structure for sterilizing the object 100 to be sterilized. Further, since the shelf heater 43 heats the objects 100 to be sterilized stored in the sterilization chamber 11a before the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a reaches the target pressure, the shelf heater 43 causes the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to reach the target pressure. The sterilization performance of the sterilizer 1 can be improved compared to a configuration in which the object 100 to be sterilized is not heated before the pressure is reached.

The sterilization device 1 also includes a sterilization chamber 11 , a sterilant supply section 12 , a shelf heater 43 , and a control device 3 . The sterilization chamber 11 is internally provided with a sterilization chamber 11a that accommodates an object 100 to be sterilized. The sterilant supply unit 12 adjusts the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a and performs a supply operation of vaporizing the sterilant by the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a and supplying it to the sterilization chamber 11a. The shelf heater 43 heats the objects to be sterilized 100 stored in the sterilization chamber 11a. The control device 3 controls the sterilant supply section 12 and the shelf heater 43 . The control device 3 can selectively execute the first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode. In the first sterilization mode, after the shelf heater 43 performs heating for a certain period of time in a state where the sterilant supply unit 12 sets the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to a target pressure lower than the first pressure, the sterilant supply unit 12 returns the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to the first pressure, and after the pre-operation, the sterilant supply unit 12 sets the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to the target pressure and then supplies the sterilant to the sterilization chamber 11a. , and a sterilization operation in which the shelf heater 43 performs heating. A second sterilization mode performs a sterilization operation without performing a pre-operation.

According to such a configuration, since the object 100 to be sterilized can be efficiently sterilized by the vaporized sterilant and heating by the shelf heater 43, the object 100 to be sterilized can be sterilized only with the vaporized sterilant. The sterilization performance of the sterilization device 1 can be improved compared to the configuration that sterilizes the. In addition, in the first sterilization mode, the preliminary operation is performed before the sterilization operation, so that the object 100 to be sterilized can be further heated (warmed) by the heating of the shelf heater 43 . On the other hand, since the second sterilization mode does not perform preliminary operation, for example, if the operation time of the entire first sterilization mode and the operation time of the entire second sterilization mode are the same, sterilization by vaporized sterilant The time can be longer than the first sterilization mode. Moreover, when the operation time of the sterilization operation in the first sterilization mode and the operation time of the sterilization operation in the second sterilization mode are set to be the same, the operation time of the entire first sterilization mode can be shortened. Therefore, the first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode can be selected according to the object 100 to be sterilized, or the first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode can be selected according to the time required for sterilization.

Here, in the first sterilization mode, after the shelf heater 43 performs heating for a certain period of time in a state where the sterilant supply unit 12 sets the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to a target pressure lower than the first pressure, the sterilant The supply unit 12 performs a pre-operation to return the pressure inside the sterilization chamber 11a to the first pressure. According to such a configuration, when the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a is returned to the first pressure, the air causes adiabatic pressurization (molecules collide), and the temperature of the air introduced into the sterilization chamber rises very slightly. Therefore, there is an effect of heating the lumen of the object 100 to be sterilized, for example. Therefore, it is possible to improve the sterilization effect on the object 100 to be sterilized.

Moreover, the number of sterilization operations differs between the first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to obtain a sterilization effect corresponding to the number of sterilization operations in each of the first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode.

The sterilizer 1 also includes an operation unit 13 and an outer heater 25 . The operation unit 13 receives an operation for starting the sterilization operation. The outer heater 25 heats the sterilization chamber 11 irrespective of whether or not the operation unit 13 is operated to start. The control device 3 executes the first sterilization mode or the second sterilization mode on condition that the operation unit 13 has received the start operation. In the pre-operation, the shelf heater 43 starts heating before the sterilant supply unit 12 makes the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a equal to or lower than the target pressure which is lower than the first pressure.

According to such a configuration, in the pre-operation, the shelf heater 43 starts heating before the sterilant supply unit 12 reduces the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to the target pressure lower than the first pressure. The sterilization performance of the sterilizer 1 can be improved compared to a configuration in which the shelf heater 43 does not start heating before the pressure inside the sterilization chamber 11a is reduced to a target pressure lower than the first pressure.

In the sterilization operation, the shelf heater 43 starts heating before the sterilant supply unit 12 reduces the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to a target pressure lower than the first pressure.

According to this configuration, the shelf heater 43 starts heating before the sterilant supply unit 12 reduces the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a to the target pressure lower than the first pressure. The sterilization performance of the sterilization apparatus 1 can be improved compared to the configuration in which the shelf heater 43 does not start heating before the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a is reduced to the target pressure lower than the first pressure.

In the sterilization operation, the shelf heater 43 performs heating while the sterilizing agent supply unit 12 is supplying the sterilizing agent into the sterilizing chamber 11a.

According to such a configuration, the shelf heater 43 performs heating while the sterilizing agent supply unit 12 is supplying the sterilizing agent into the sterilizing chamber 11a. The sterilization performance of the sterilizer 1 can be improved compared to a configuration in which the shelf heater 43 does not perform heating while the sterilant is being supplied.

The sterilizer 1 also includes a plurality of main shelves 23 (shelves) arranged at intervals in the vertical direction of the sterilization chamber 11 arranged in the sterilization chamber 11a and on which the objects 100 to be sterilized are placed. The disinfectant supply section 12 has a heating/vaporization unit 36 (unit) arranged below the main shelf 23 in the vertical direction. The heating/vaporization unit 36 has a shelf heater 43, a pair of vertically opposed plates 45 and 46 with a space therebetween, and a case 41 that accommodates the shelf heater 43 and supports the pair of plates 45 and 46. . A shelf heater 43 is provided around a pair of plates 45 and 46 . The sterilant supply unit 12 includes a supply port 42b for supplying a liquid sterilant between the pair of plates 45 and 46, and a pair of plates 45 and 46 separated from the supply port 42b in a direction crossing the vertical direction. and an outlet 42c through which the sterilant between the plates 45, 46 flows out of between the pair of plates 45,46.
A sterilant is vaporized between a pair of plates 45,46.

According to such a configuration, since the shelf heater 43 is arranged below the main shelf 23 , it is easy to arrange the shelf heater 43 near the main shelf 23 . Therefore, it is easy to increase the heating amount of the object 100 to be sterilized by the shelf heater 43 .

Also, the outer heater 25 is arranged outside the sterilization chamber 11 .

According to such a configuration, since the outer heater 25 is arranged outside the sterilization chamber 11, the outer heater 25 does not need to have the strength to withstand the vacuum or the pressure change between the vacuum and the atmospheric pressure. The cost of the outer heater 25 can be reduced.

Next, a plasma sterilization apparatus as a reference example will be described. The plasma sterilization apparatus is of a type in which, for example, a 1-inch space is heated by plasma discharge from an electrode, which is a plate of punching metal, and discharge heat.

The low-temperature sterilization method using hydrogen peroxide gas began to be manufactured in the United States in the 1990s, and around 1997, sales of the equipment also began in Japan. This sterilization method was called plasma sterilization. This is because the sterilization process includes a step of creating a vacuum of about 30 Pa to generate plasma. At that time, vacuum-vaporized hydrogen peroxide molecules collided with electrons emitted by plasma discharge and separated to generate OH radicals. The manufacturer also explained and sold the product as such. However, the OH radicals produced by electron collision are extremely short-lived and disappear before reaching the object to be sterilized. Plasma discharge is mainly generated in the space unrelated to the antenna and the inner circumference of the sterilization chamber, and only a few electrons reach the space with the sterilized object. In addition, as a result of the generation of hydrogen peroxide gas in the first place, the pressure inside the sterilization chamber has risen to 1600 Pa, and plasma and the like cannot be generated at all. Moreover, at about 30 Pa at which plasma is generated, hydrogen peroxide molecules are scarcely present at a concentration sufficient to bring about a sterilization action, and even if sterilization is achieved, it is thought that the effect is extremely small.

At present, experts believe that the main role of plasma is to decompose residual hydrogen peroxide after the sterilization process. However, the reason why plasma sterilization devices still exist and are on sale is that plasma has effects other than those described above. That is, it is not the emitted electrons but the discharge heat generated from the antenna due to the plasma discharge that is effective in the sterilization action. In order to perform gas sterilization efficiently, not only hydrogen peroxide, but it is necessary to heat the object to be sterilized to a low temperature. It is considered that the effect is increasing.

Therefore, current plasma sterilizers have a plasma process at the beginning of the sterilization process prior to the hydrogen peroxide releasing process. For example, the pressure is reduced at the beginning of the sterilization process and a plasma discharge period of about 10 to 15 minutes is provided. As described above, plasma is not generated unless the pressure is reduced to about 30 Pa. During this time, even if hydrogen peroxide is introduced, it is immediately sucked out by the vacuum pump, and when the vacuum pump is stopped, the pressure rises and plasma phenomenon does not occur. That is, only air plasma is performed in this section. The discharge color of air plasma looks pink because nitrogen is colored, and air plasma can be said to be nitrogen plasma. Nitrogen is a very stable molecule, so if air plasma does not contribute to sterilization, heating (heating) is the only way to contribute to sterilization. If it is considered that heating contributes to sterilization, then after heating for 10 to 15 minutes, the object to be sterilized is heated by this heat, and the heating contributes to the sterilization action of hydrogen peroxide gas, which is introduced regardless of plasma. considered to contribute.

However, the plasma devices described above are too expensive and complex to be used as warming devices.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the heating/vaporization unit 36 is arranged below the main shelf 23 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, on the upper side of the heating/vaporization unit 36, the right wall 21c, the left wall 21d, and the upper wall 21a may be overlapped. Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the sub-shelf 24 is provided is shown, but the sub-shelf 24 may not be provided. Moreover, the heating unit for the object to be sterilized may be other than the shelf heater 43 .

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

According to at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to improve the sterilization performance.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Sterilization apparatus, 3... Control device, 11... Sterilization chamber, 11a... Sterilization chamber, 12... Sterilizing agent supply part (sterilization operation part), 23... Main shelf (shelf), 25... Outer heater (sterilization box heating part) , 36 ... heating/vaporization unit (unit), 41 ... case, 42b ... supply port, 42c ... outlet, 43 ... shelf heater (heating unit for object to be sterilized), 45, 46 ... plate, 100 ... object to be sterilized.

Claims (10)

a sterilization chamber provided therein with a sterilization chamber for accommodating objects to be sterilized;
a sterilization operation unit that adjusts the pressure in the sterilization chamber and performs a supply operation of vaporizing a sterilant by the pressure in the sterilization chamber and supplying it to the sterilization chamber;
a sterilization chamber heating unit for heating the sterilization chamber;
a heating unit for an object to be sterilized that heats the object to be sterilized contained in the sterilization chamber;
an operation unit that receives an operation to start sterilization of the object to be sterilized;
a control device that controls the sterilization operation unit, the sterilization chamber heating unit, and the object heating unit;
with
The control device is
Controlling the sterilization chamber heating unit to heat the sterilization chamber regardless of whether the start operation is performed on the operation unit,
When the operation unit receives the start operation, the pressure in the sterilization chamber is reduced to the target pressure, and then the sterilization operation unit is controlled to perform the supply operation, and the pressure in the sterilization chamber is reduced to the target pressure. Controlling the heating unit for the object to be sterilized so as to heat the object to be sterilized contained in the sterilization chamber before the pressure is reached;
Sterilizer. a sterilization chamber provided therein with a sterilization chamber for accommodating objects to be sterilized;
a sterilization operation unit that adjusts the pressure in the sterilization chamber and performs a supply operation of vaporizing a sterilant by the pressure in the sterilization chamber and supplying it to the sterilization chamber;
a heating unit for an object to be sterilized that heats the object to be sterilized contained in the sterilization chamber;
a control device that controls the sterilization operation unit and the heating unit for the object to be sterilized;
with
The control device is
After the heating unit for objects to be sterilized performs heating for a certain period of time in a state where the sterilization operation unit sets the pressure in the sterilization chamber to a target pressure lower than a first pressure, the sterilization operation unit moves the inside of the sterilization chamber a pre-operation of returning the pressure to the first pressure; A first sterilization mode that performs a sterilization operation in which the heating unit for sterilized substances heats,
a second sterilization mode in which the sterilization operation is performed without performing the pre-operation;
is selectively executable,
Sterilizer. The sterilizer according to claim 2, wherein the first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode differ in the number of times of the sterilization operations. an operation unit that receives an operation for starting a sterilization operation;
A sterilization chamber heating unit that heats the sterilization chamber regardless of whether the start operation is performed on the operation unit;
with
The control device executes the first sterilization mode or the second sterilization mode on condition that the operation unit has received the start operation,
In the preliminary operation, the heating unit for the object to be sterilized starts heating before the sterilization operation unit reduces the pressure in the sterilization chamber to a target pressure lower than a first pressure.
The sterilization device according to claim 2 or 3. In the sterilization operation, the heating unit for the object to be sterilized starts heating before the sterilization operation unit reduces the pressure in the sterilization chamber to a target pressure lower than a first pressure.
The sterilizer according to any one of claims 2-4. In the sterilization operation, the heating unit for the object to be sterilized performs heating while the sterilization operation unit supplies the sterilant into the sterilization chamber.
The sterilization device according to any one of claims 2-5. A plurality of shelves arranged at intervals in the vertical direction of the sterilization chamber arranged in the sterilization chamber and on which the objects to be sterilized are placed,
The sterilization operation unit has a unit arranged below the shelf in the vertical direction with respect to the shelf,
The unit includes the object heating unit, a pair of plates facing each other in the vertical direction with a space therebetween, and a case housing the object heating unit and supporting the pair of plates. death,
The heating unit for the object to be sterilized is provided around the pair of plates,
The sterilization operation unit includes a supply port that supplies the liquid sterilant between the pair of plates, and a supply port that is spaced apart from the supply port in a direction that intersects the vertical direction so that the sterilant between the pair of plates is supplied to the plate. an outlet that flows out between the pair of plates, and
the sterilant is vaporized between the pair of plates;
The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1-6. The sterilizer according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the sterilization chamber heating unit is arranged outside the sterilization chamber. a sterilization chamber provided therein with a sterilization chamber for accommodating objects to be sterilized;
a sterilization operation unit that adjusts the pressure in the sterilization chamber and performs a supply operation of vaporizing a sterilant by the pressure in the sterilization chamber and supplying it to the sterilization chamber;
a sterilization chamber heating unit for heating the sterilization chamber;
a heating unit for an object to be sterilized that heats the object to be sterilized contained in the sterilization chamber;
an operation unit that receives an operation to start sterilization of the object to be sterilized;
A sterilization method performed by a sterilization device comprising
The sterilization chamber heating unit heats the sterilization chamber regardless of whether the start operation is performed on the operation unit,
When the operation unit receives the start operation, the sterilization operation unit reduces the pressure in the sterilization chamber to the target pressure and then performs the supply operation, and the heating unit for the object to be sterilized Heating the object to be sterilized contained in the sterilization chamber before the pressure in the sterilization chamber reaches the target pressure;
Sterilization method. a sterilization chamber provided therein with a sterilization chamber for accommodating objects to be sterilized;
a sterilization operation unit that adjusts the pressure in the sterilization chamber and performs a supply operation of vaporizing a sterilant by the pressure in the sterilization chamber and supplying it to the sterilization chamber;
a heating unit for an object to be sterilized that heats the object to be sterilized contained in the sterilization chamber;
A sterilization method performed by a sterilization device comprising
After the heating unit for objects to be sterilized performs heating for a certain period of time in a state where the sterilization operation unit sets the pressure in the sterilization chamber to a target pressure lower than a first pressure, the sterilization operation unit moves the inside of the sterilization chamber a pre-operation of returning the pressure to the first pressure; A first sterilization mode that performs a sterilization operation in which the heating unit for sterilized substances heats,
a second sterilization mode in which the sterilization operation is performed without performing the pre-operation;
selectively execute
Sterilization method.

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