JP3045560B2 - Endoscope cleaning and disinfecting equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus using a disinfecting gas such as hydrogen peroxide gas (VPHP) or ethylene oxide gas (ETO) has been proposed as a means for sterilizing and disinfecting an endoscope. In this type of cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, after cleaning the endoscope contained in the cleaning and disinfecting tank with cleaning water, a disinfecting gas is introduced into the cleaning and disinfecting tank, and the endoscope after cleaning is disinfected with the disinfecting gas. It is configured.

[0003]

In such an endoscope cleaning apparatus, if water droplets adhered to the endoscope in the cleaning step remain in the disinfecting step, the disinfecting gas is decomposed and absorbed by the moisture. , A sufficient disinfection effect cannot be obtained. In particular, since the conduit for introducing the disinfecting gas into the channel of the endoscope is often used also as the washing water conduit for cleaning, if moisture remains in the conduit, the disinfecting gas is discharged from the conduit. It comes into contact with the water remaining inside and is decomposed and absorbed. Therefore, in order to prevent such a problem, it is conceivable to circulate warm air through a pipe through which the disinfecting gas flows before the disinfection step to dry the pipe, but completely remove water in the pipe. It takes time. Further, it is conceivable to set the concentration of the disinfecting gas higher in consideration of the moisture remaining in the pipeline, but there is a problem that the waste of the disinfecting gas increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent a disinfecting gas from being decomposed and absorbed by water droplets in a pipeline, and from the viewpoint of cleaning an endoscope. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus capable of effectively performing cleaning and disinfecting of an endoscope without prolonging the time required for disinfection.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cleaning / disinfecting tank for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope, and a channel of the endoscope accommodated in the cleaning / disinfecting tank. A channel connection portion, a fluid supply line connected to the channel connection portion for supplying a fluid to the channel, a cleaning water supply means for supplying cleaning water into the channel via the fluid supply line, provided <br/> the fluid supply conduit, a water droplet collecting means having a discharge line for discharging the water droplets as well as collecting the water droplets, provided in the discharge line, the opening and closing for opening and closing the discharge line Means, an air supply means for supplying air, and the air supplied from the air supply means is introduced into the fluid supply pipe, and the air is supplied through the water droplet collection means.
The space between the channel connection section and the channel of the endoscope
An air connecting portion provided on the fluid supply conduit for supplying air, a disinfection means for supplying a disinfecting gas, the fluid supply disinfection gas from the disinfection means for supplying to said fluid supply conduit An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus having a disinfecting gas connection provided in a conduit.

[0006]

According to the present invention, by providing a water droplet collecting means in the washing water introducing pipe, water droplets in the washing water introducing pipe can be removed by the water drop collecting means. Therefore, when disinfection, VP
The disinfecting gas such as HP is not decomposed and absorbed by water droplets in the pipeline, and the endoscope can be effectively cleaned and disinfected.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure,
1 is a washing and disinfecting bath, the bottom of the washing and disinfecting bath 1 wash
One end of a circulation pipe 3 is connected via a circulation pump 2 which is a purified water supply means . The circulation pipe 3 circulates the cleaning water supplied into the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1 by the water supply pipe 6, and the other end of the circulation pipe 3 is connected to a cleaning tube via a connector 4 as a channel connection part. 5 is connected. The cleaning tube 5 is for introducing cleaning water into a channel of the endoscope A, which is a disinfectant to be cleaned, and is connected to a forceps insertion port (not shown) of the endoscope A. The water supply pipe 6 is connected to the circulation pipe 3 via a water supply valve 7.

A washing nozzle 9 is connected to the circulation pipe 3 via a branch block 8 in the middle. The cleaning nozzle 9 is for jetting cleaning water to the endoscope A to wash and remove dirt attached to the endoscope A, and is provided at an upper portion in the cleaning and disinfecting tank 1.

In the middle of the circulation line 3, an air connection portion is provided.
One end of the air supply pipe 11 is connected via the switching valve 10. The air supply pipe 11 supplies air into the channel of the endoscope A, and the other end of the air supply pipe 11 is connected to an air pump 12 as an air supply means serving as an air supply source.

On the other hand, a disinfecting means is provided on the side wall of the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1.
One end of a gas introduction pipe 13 is connected. The gas introduction pipe 13 is for introducing hydrogen peroxide gas, which is a disinfecting gas, into the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1, and a hydrogen peroxide gas supply unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a VPHP supply unit) is provided at the other end of the gas introduction pipe 13. 14) is connected.

One end of a gas suction pipe 16 is connected to a pipe (a part of the circulation pipe 3) between the switching valve 10 and the connector 4 via a switching valve 15. The gas suction pipe 16 is for sucking hydrogen peroxide gas introduced into the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1 through a channel of the endoscope A, and the other end of the gas suction pipe 16 is connected to the other end of the gas suction pipe 16 via a suction pump 17. A gas return pipe 18 is connected. This gas return pipe 18 converts the hydrogen peroxide gas sucked by the suction pump 17 into VPHP.
The hydrogen peroxide gas introduced into the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1 is returned to the supply unit 14, and flows through the channel of the endoscope A. Further, the cleaning tube 5, the connector 4, the switching valve 15,
The system returns to the VPHP supply unit 14 via a gas suction pipe 16, a suction pump 17, and a gas return pipe 18.

A water droplet collecting means 19 is provided in a pipe line between the switching valve 15 and the connector 4, that is, in a pipe line 3 a through which washing water flows during cleaning and a disinfecting gas flows during disinfection. . The water droplet collecting means 19 collects and removes water droplets remaining in the pipeline, and includes an inner diameter enlarged portion 20 larger than the inner diameter of the pipeline 3a and a collecting portion provided below the enlarged portion 20. 21.

In the cleaning and disinfecting tank 1, a heater 22 for drying the cleaned endoscope A is provided, and a table 23 for placing the endoscope A is provided. . Further, the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1 is provided on the side wall of the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1.
A detergent supply unit 24 for supplying a detergent therein is connected via a detergent supply pipe 25.

Further, one end of a drain pipe 26 is connected to a pipe (a part of the circulation pipe 3) between the circulation pump 2 and the water supply valve 7, and a drain valve is connected to the other end of the drain pipe 26. A drain pump 28 is connected via 27. And the drainage pump 2
8 is connected to a water supply pipe 29 for supplying wash water to an external drainage facility. In addition, a drain pipe 31 as a discharge pipe is connected to a portion where the liquid easily remains in the above-described pipe via a drain valve 30 as an opening / closing means .

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the operation state of each device from the cleaning step to the disinfection step of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus configured as described above. As shown in the figure, in the cleaning process, the water supply valve 7 is first opened, and the cleaning water is supplied from the water supply pipe 6 into the cleaning and disinfecting tank 1 via the circulation pipe 3. When a predetermined amount of cleaning water is supplied into the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1, the water supply valve 7 is closed, and the circulation pump 2 is driven. As a result, the washing water supplied to the washing and disinfecting tank 1 flows through the circulation pipe 3 and is ejected from the washing nozzle 9 toward the outer surface of the endoscope A, and the washing tube 5 supplies the channel of the endoscope A. Introduced within. And the cleaning nozzle 9
The cleaning water spouted from the washing tube 5 collects in the lower portion of the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1 together with the cleaning water introduced into the channel of the endoscope A from the cleaning tube 5 and circulates again in the above-described flow path. In the first half of the cleaning process, the detergent supply unit 24 sends the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1
Detergent is supplied inside to enhance the cleaning effect.

By the way, when the first half of the cleaning step is completed,
The circulation pump 2 stops temporarily. Then, the drain valve 27 is opened, and the drain pump 28 is further driven. As a result, the cleaning water (containing detergent) in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1 is drained to the outside via the circulation pump 2, the circulation pipe 3, the drain pipe 26, the drain valve 27, and the drain pump 28.

When all the washing water in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1 is drained in this way, the drain valve 27 is closed, and the drain pump 28 is stopped. Then, the water supply valve 7 is opened again, cleaning water is supplied from the water supply pipe 6 into the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1, and when a predetermined amount of cleaning water is supplied into the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1, the water supply valve 7 is closed. The circulation pump 2 is driven. As a result, the washing water supplied to the washing and disinfecting tank 1 flows through the circulation pipe 3 and is ejected from the washing nozzle 9 toward the outer surface of the endoscope A, and the washing tube 5 supplies the channel of the endoscope A. Introduced within. At this time, the detergent supply unit 24
Since no detergent is supplied from, the detergent bubbles adhering to the inner surface of the circulation conduit 3 can be rinsed with washing water.

Next, in the air supply step, the drain valve 27 is opened, and the cleaning water in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1 is discharged to the outside by the drain pump 28. At the same time, the air pump 12 is driven.
The drying air is sent into the channel of the endoscope A through the pipe 0, the conduit 3a, the connector 4, and the washing tube 5. At this time, water droplets remaining in the pipe 3a are removed by the air pump 1
It moves to the washing tube 5 side by the air pressure from 2 and is collected and removed by the water droplet collecting means 19. At this time, the heater 22 is turned on to heat the inside of the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1.
In addition, the heater 22 is continuously turned on even in the drying process,
The surface of the endoscope A is heated and dried.

Next, in the disinfection process, the VPHP supply unit 14 operates, and hydrogen peroxide gas is supplied from the gas introduction pipe 13 into the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1. At about the same time, the suction pump 17 is driven. This enables the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1
The hydrogen peroxide gas supplied to the inside is sucked from the channel opening of the endoscope A, and the cleaning tube 5, the connector 4, the pipe 3
a, return to the VPHP supply unit 14 via the switching valve 15, the gas suction pipe 16, the suction pump 17, and the gas return pipe 18.
At this time, since the water in the pipe 3a is collected and removed by the water droplet collecting means 19, the hydrogen peroxide gas is not decomposed and absorbed by the water.

As described above, in the above embodiment, since the washing water flows during cleaning and the hydrogen peroxide gas flows during disinfection, the water drop collecting means 19 is provided in the pipe 3a. It can be collected and removed by the collecting means 19. Therefore, the hydrogen peroxide gas does not come into contact with the water in the pipeline to be decomposed and absorbed, and the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas is set to a high value in consideration of the water remaining in the pipeline, or is set higher. It is not necessary to take sufficient time for the air drying step to dry and remove water in the pipeline. Therefore, the endoscope can be effectively cleaned and disinfected without increasing the time from cleaning of the endoscope to disinfection. In the above embodiment, the heater 22 is stopped during the disinfection process. However, the heater 22 may be operated during the disinfection process in order to further promote the removal of water in the pipeline.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same portions as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the portions different from the first embodiment will be described.

That is, although the hydrogen peroxide gas is circulated in the first embodiment, the gas may be directly supplied into the channel of the endoscope A by a gas supply method as shown in FIG. In this case, the configuration is such that the hydrogen peroxide gas from the VPHP supply unit 14 is supplied by the gas supply pump 32.

In the first embodiment, one water droplet collecting means 19 is provided in the pipe 3a through which the cleaning water flows during cleaning and the hydrogen peroxide gas flows during disinfection, as shown in FIG. May be provided with a plurality of water droplet collecting means 19.

Further, in the first embodiment, the water droplet collecting means 19 is constituted by the inner diameter expanding portion 20 and the collecting portion 21. However, as shown in FIG.
May form a conduit.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Is connected to a suction pump 35 via a check valve 34,
The water drop in the pipeline may be positively removed by suction by the suction pump 35.

The external water supply equipment connected to the water supply pipe 6 may be hot water. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a branch block 36 is provided in the water supply pipe 6 so that both hot water and normal temperature water can be supplied. Good. In addition, a temperature sensor 37 may be provided in the water supply pipe 6 in consideration of heat resistance of the endoscope and the apparatus, and the water supply valve 7 may be closed for water supply exceeding the allowable temperature.
Further, a water heater 38 may be provided in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1, and the cleaning water may be heated and circulated by the water heater 38 in order to enhance the cleaning effect.

Further, water level sensors 39 and 40 are provided at a lower portion in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1, and the water level in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 1 is detected by the water level sensors 39 and 40. When the water level is low, the injection amount is small. The cleaning water may be injected from the nozzle 41, and when the water level is high, the cleaning water may be injected from the nozzle 42 having a large injection amount.

[0029]

As described above, the present invention provides a cleaning and disinfecting tank for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope, and a cleaning water for introducing cleaning water into a channel of an endoscope housed in the cleaning and disinfecting tank. An introduction pipe, air supply means for supplying drying air into the channel of the endoscope through the washing water introduction pipe, and the endoscope connected to the washing water introduction pipe via a switching valve; And a disinfecting means for disinfecting the inner and outer surfaces of the endoscope with a disinfecting gas, wherein a water droplet collecting means is provided in the washing water introduction conduit. Therefore, endoscope cleaning and disinfection should be performed effectively without disinfecting gas being decomposed and absorbed by water droplets in the pipeline, and without prolonging the time from endoscope cleaning to disinfection. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cleaning disinfection tank, 2 ... Circulation pump, 3 ... Circulation pipeline, 3a
... pipe line, 5 ... washing tube, 6 ... water supply pipe, 7 ... water supply valve,
9 cleaning nozzle, 11 air supply pipe, 12 air pump,
13: gas introduction pipe, 14: VPHP supply unit, 16
... gas suction pipe, 17 ... suction pump, 19 ... water droplet collecting means.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cleaning and disinfecting tank for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope, a channel connecting portion communicating with a channel of an endoscope housed in the cleaning and disinfecting tank, and a channel connected to the channel connecting portion and the channel A fluid supply line for supplying a fluid to the channel; a washing water supply means for supplying washing water into the channel via the fluid supply line; and a water supply line for collecting water droplets. a water droplet collecting means having a discharge line for discharging the water droplets is provided in the discharge conduit, and opening and closing means for opening and closing the discharge conduit, and blowing means for supplying air to the air, feeding from the air supply means The evacuated air is supplied to the fluid supply line.
Introduced and connected to the channel via the water droplet collecting means
An air connection section provided in the fluid supply pipe for supplying the air from the section to the channel of the endoscope; a disinfecting means for supplying disinfecting gas; An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, comprising: a disinfecting gas connection provided in the fluid supply conduit for supplying to the conduit.