JP2576033B2 - Endoscope cleaning method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cleaning an endoscope for sterilizing and purifying the surface of the endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since endoscopes are considered to have body fluid adhered to the tube surface after use, and secondary infection of Staphylococcus aureus and the like may be propagated using the medium as a medium, the tube surface must be sterilized before reuse. Requires cleaning.

Conventionally, as a method for cleaning the surface of an endoscope, as disclosed in JP-A-59-32435 and JP-B-5-44292, cleaning water such as tap water is used. There has been proposed a method of spraying the liquid onto the outer surface.

[0004]

However, it is difficult to completely remove proteins and oils and fats such as body fluids adhered to the tube surface by spraying such tap water, and sterilization is almost impossible with this method. is there.

[0005] In addition, it has been attempted to use high-concentration hypochlorite or formalin for the sterilization and cleaning of the tube surface of these endoscopes. However, in this method, if the waste liquid is drained as it is to a river or the like, secondary pollution occurs. Therefore, there is a problem that a waste liquid treatment facility is required.

Further, it has been reported that sterilization and cleaning with a chemical enhances the chemical resistance of the bacterium, and conversely, that the germ propagates using the chemical itself as a medium.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, an alkali water and an acid water generated by the electrolysis of a saline solution are sequentially supplied to the outer surface of an endoscope to endoscope. An endoscope cleaning method and apparatus for sterilizing and purifying the surface of a mirror are proposed.

[0008]

[Effect] For example, when a 5% saline solution is electrolyzed by separating a cathode and an anode with a diaphragm, about pH 12.0 alkaline water containing hydroxyl ions, chloride ions, etc. is obtained on the cathode side, and the anode side is obtained. Contains hydrogen ions, sodium ions, etc. at about pH 2.0, OR
Acid water with a P (redox potential) of 1000 mV or more is obtained.

Among them, alkaline water has the ability to wash and dissolve oils and fats, soluble proteins, acidic crystals, etc., and most microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses have a pH of 2.7 or less and an ORP of about +1.
Above 000 mV, it cannot survive, and the acidic water has a bactericidal action against microorganisms and the like.

Therefore, first, the outer surface of the endoscope is washed with alkaline water, and then the outer surface of the endoscope is washed with acidic water. Dissolution and removal of proteins and acidic crystals are performed, and sterilization of Staphylococcus aureus or the like is performed depending on acidic water.

Further, acidic water has the property of depriving itself of electrons and oxidizing it, neutralizing itself, having no persistence, and returning to ordinary water when exposed to light or air. Even after washing with alkaline water after alkaline water,
These waters return to normal water and do not remain.

The alkaline water is neutralized by being mixed with the acidic water before the neutralization, so that even if the alkaline water is drained, there is no problem of secondary pollution.

After the surface of the endoscope has been washed and sterilized with alkaline water and acidic water in this manner, the surface of the endoscope is washed with RO water or pure water that has passed through the ultrafiltration membrane. Be prepared for use.

[0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for cleaning an endoscope according to the present invention; FIG. Electrolyzer having a cathode chamber 1b and an anode chamber 1c, 2 is a salt tank, 3 is an acidic water storage tank, 4 is an endoscope cleaning device, 5 is an air supply device, 6 is a neutralization tank, 7 is This is a pure water storage tank.

An endoscope cleaning device 4 is fitted with a top plate 8 whose periphery is surrounded by a frame at an upper portion thereof, and the top plate 8 has a water inlet 9a at its tip. A spiral groove 9 having a discharge port 9b for washing water at its end and inclined toward the end is formed.

A bifurcated support 10 for fixing the tube of the endoscope is arranged along the inner periphery of the groove 9, a bubble hose 11 is provided at the bottom of the support 10, and an endoscope camera 12 is provided. The tube 13 is fixed to the support 10 and set in the spiral groove 9.

In addition, the endoscope cleaning device 4 is provided with a water level detection electrode 14 in the groove 9 near the water inlet 9a for cleaning water.
A control panel 15 is provided on the side surface.

In the above-described configuration, the electrolytic water, which is a 5% concentration saline solution obtained by replenishing the tap water with salt from the salt tank 2, passes through the water supply line from the bottom of the electrolyzer 1 to the cathode chamber 1 b and the anode chamber. Supplied to 1c.

[0019] By turning on the electrolyzer 1, the cathode chamber 1b OH ^-, Cl ^-, alkaline water containing an anion SO ₄ ^2-like (about pH 11.8) are produced, whereas the anode H ⁺ , N in chamber 1c
Acidic water containing cations such as a ⁺ , K ⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Ca ²⁺ (about pH 2.2)
Is generated.

Of these, the alkaline water is immediately sent to the endoscope cleaning device 4, while the acidic water is once stored in the water storage tank 3.

The alkaline water fed to the cleaning device 4 is supplied into the groove 9 from the water inlet 9a, flows down the groove 9 according to its inclination, and is discharged from the outlet 9b.

While the alkaline water flows down the spiral groove 9, clean air is sent from the air device 5 to the bubble hose 11, and bubble air is sent from the bubble hose 11 into the alkaline water.

The dirt such as fats and oils and proteins adhering to the tube 13 of the endoscope 12 is effectively washed by the alkaline water into which the bubbles are blown, and the washed alkaline water is stored in the neutralization tank 6.

After washing with alkaline water, the electrolyzer 1
Is turned off to stop the electrolysis, and the acidic water stored in the water storage tank 3 is supplied to the water inlet 9a by the pump 16.
Then, the tube 13 of the endoscope 12 is washed with the acidic water while blowing air bubbles into the acidic water from the bubble hose 11 in the same manner as the washing with the alkaline water.

The acidic water has a pH of about 2.2 and an ORP of 2000 mV or more.
When the washing of 13 is performed, the bacteria attached to the tube 13 are sterilized and washed.

The acid water after washing is stored in the neutralization tank 6,
By neutralizing the alkaline water, the washing water detoxified by the neutralization can be discharged from the drain port.

Thereafter, if necessary, pure water stored in the water storage tank 7 is supplied to the groove 9 through the water inlet 9a, and bubbles are formed in the pure water from the bubble hose 11 in the same manner as the alkaline water or acidic water. While blowing, the tube 13 of the endoscope 12 is washed, and the pure water after washing is stored in the neutralization tank 6.

After washing with the washing water, clean air is sent from the air supply device 5 to the bubble hose 16, and the bubble air is supplied from the bubble hose 16 to the tube 13 of the endoscope 12.
Spray.

By the blowing of the air, the washed tube 13 is dried, and at the same time, the anaerobic bacteria are sterilized and washed, and further, the chlorine compound generated in the electrolysis process is decomposed and removed.

[0030]

In summary, according to the present invention, the sterilization cleaning of the surface of the endoscope can be performed in a short time, reliably, and without residual.

The alkaline water and acidic water used for washing are temporarily stored in a neutralization tank, neutralized, and then discharged.
There is no problem of secondary pollution.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a cleaning / sterilization processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an endoscope cleaning device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the above.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a groove formed in the top plate of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 is an electrolyzer 1a is a diaphragm 1b is a cathode chamber 1c is an anode chamber 2 is a salt tank 3 is an acidic water storage tank 4 is an endoscope cleaning device 5 is an air supply device 6 is a neutralization tank 7 is pure water The water storage tank 8 is a top plate 9 is a spiral groove 9a is a washing water inlet 9b is a washing water outlet 10 is a bifurcated support 11 is a bubble hose 12 is an endoscope 13 is a tube 14 is a water level detecting electrode 15 is a control panel 16 is a pump

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] On the surface of the 1. A endoscope, the surface of the endoscope sterilized purified alkaline water and acidic water produced by electrolysis of brine is supplied alternately, the alkaline water and acidic water after use
Is a method for cleaning an endoscope, wherein the endoscopes are neutralized to render them harmless . 2. An apparatus for generating alkaline water and acidic water by electrolysis of saline, a storage tank for the generated alkaline water or acidic water, and alternately supplying the alkaline water and acidic water.
A cleaning device for disinfecting cleaning of the surface of the endoscope, and an air supply device for supplying air to the surface of the endoscope after washing during or cleaning with alkaline water to acidic water, alkaline water and acidic water after use An endoscope cleaning device comprising a neutralization tank for storing and neutralizing water.