JP3616758B2 - Endoscope washing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning an endoscope.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-194533 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-275717 disclose an apparatus for automatically inserting a wire brush into an endoscope pipe line accommodated in a washing tank to wash the inside of the pipe line. . Outside the washing tub, there is provided a guide box with a built-in drive roller used for the wire brush so that the wire brush can be moved forward and backward with respect to the endoscope. The wire brush passes through the guide box and extends to the inside of the endoscope, and cleaning water passes through the guide box and travels along the wire brush to the inside of the endoscope.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional apparatus, it is difficult to avoid that cleaning water stays in the guide box after the endoscope cleaning is completed, and that dirt attached to the wire brush remains during the cleaning. In general, the pipe for guiding the wire brush into the guide box and the pipe for guiding the wire brush from the guide box to the endoscope are connected to the guide box above the bottom of the guide box. Washing water or the like stays between the connection site and the bottom of the pipe. The retention of such things contributes to making the inside of the guide box unsanitary.
[0004]
The present invention relates to an improvement of the conventional endoscope cleaning apparatus, and has an object to prevent water for cleaning from staying in a portion such as a guide box for guiding a wire brush.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for cleaning an endoscope by storing the endoscope in a washing tub and supplying cleaning water to the washing tub.
[0006]
In such an apparatus, the features of the present invention are as follows. Outside the washing tub, at least one of a first means and a second means connected to the washing tub so as to allow water to pass therethrough is provided. The first means is for driving a wire brush that can enter the inside of the endoscope together with washing water and wash the inside thereof, and the second means is provided inside the washing tank. It is for discharging the gas. The first means includes a first portion where water for washing toward the inside of the endoscope is retained, and the second means is a second portion for retaining water which is directed outward from the inside of the washing tank. Site is included. Either one of the first and second portions is provided with a drainage means capable of forcibly discharging the water staying there.
[0007]
The present invention has the following preferred embodiments.
(1) The first means has a drive member for moving the wire brush forward and backward with respect to the inside of the endoscope, and the drive member is located outside the washing tub and the wire brush and the washing Water is stored in a guide box that can pass water for use toward the endoscope, and the drainage means is provided in the guide box.
(2) In the guide box, a pipe capable of allowing the wire brush to be moved forward and backward and allowing the washing water to flow toward the guide box is connected above the bottom of the guide box. The drain means is connected to the bottom.
(3) The second means has an exhaust pipe extending outward from the washing tub, and a trap capable of capturing moisture flowing from the washing tub is attached to the exhaust pipe, and the drainage is attached to the trap. Means are provided.
(4) The drainage means includes either an aspirator or a drainage pump.
(5) The aspirator includes a backflow prevention valve.
(6) The apparatus has a plurality of the guide boxes, and the aspirator is connected to each of the guide boxes.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The details of the endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0009]
FIG. 1 is a top view of a washing tub 3 constituting an endoscope washing apparatus according to the present invention. The washing tub 3 is in a state in which a lid 4 is opened. Is attached. The endoscope 2 after use is stored in the washing tank 3 for washing, and washing water can be supplied from the water supply ports 13 and 14. Alkaline water, acidic water, and tap water are used for the washing water. The conditions for supplying these washing water can be set by an operation panel (not shown) attached to the washing tub 3. The water in the washing tub 3 goes out from the drain 15. The endoscope 2 is a conventional one, and includes a connector portion 17, a universal cord portion 18, an operation portion 19, an insertion portion 21, and the like. The operation unit 19 is provided with a forceps insertion port 22, a suction button insertion port 23, and the like.
[0010]
From the side wall 3 a of the washing tub 3, two flexible connecting pipes 26 and 226 extend into the washing tub 3, and from the connecting pipes 26 and 226, two wire brushes 31 and 231 extend. The wire brushes 31, 231 have wire portions 33, 233 and brush portions 36, 236 at the tips of the wire portions 33, 233, which can advance and retract from the tips of the connecting pipes 26, 226, respectively. . The connecting tubes 26 and 226 can be attached to and detached from the forceps insertion port 22 and the suction button insertion port 23 of the endoscope 2. The wire brushes 31 and 231 have the inside of the pipe line cleaned by brushing and washing the wire parts 33 and 233 together with the brush parts 36 and 236 by repeatedly moving forward and backward toward the inner side of the endoscope 2, that is, the inner part of the pipe line. can do.
[0011]
The preferred alkaline water supplied as washing water to the endoscope 2 has a pH of 11.0 or higher and an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of -800 mV or higher, and blood and other proteins attached to the endoscope after use. Used to dissolve dirt. Preferred acidic water has a pH of 2.7 or less, a residual chlorine concentration of 20 to 60 mg / l, and a redox potential of +1100 mV or more, and is used as a disinfectant that kills bacteria and the like attached to the endoscope 2. The tap water is used when the endoscope 2 is rinsed in advance or after sterilization.
[0012]
A first cleaning device 51, a second cleaning device 52, and a gas discharge means 370 (see FIG. 5) constituting the endoscope cleaning device are attached to the outside of the cleaning tank 3. In the endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the present invention, any one of the first and second cleaning apparatuses 51 and 52 and the gas discharge means 370 is provided in the cleaning tank 3. The apparatus provided with the means 370 will be described. Moreover, since the 1st washing apparatus 51 and the 2nd washing apparatus 52 have the same structure, below, only the 1st washing apparatus 51 is demonstrated below.
[0013]
A first cleaning device 51 in FIG. 1 includes a wire brush 31 housed in a pipe portion 56 that extends about 3/4 so as to surround the cleaning tub 3 from the outside, and drive means 50 that moves the wire brush 31 forward and backward. And a cleaning water supply means 60 (see FIG. 2) capable of flowing cleaning water through the pipe portion 56 to the endoscope 2. A guide box 57 that forms the driving means 50 is provided at the front end portion 56 a of the pipe portion 56, and the guide box 57 is fixed to the outside of the side wall 3 a of the washing tub 3. An attachment 59 to the forceps insertion opening 22 of the endoscope 2 is attached to the distal end of the connecting tube 26 extending from the guide box 57 to the inside of the washing tub 3. The rear end portion 56b of the pipe portion 56 extends to the inside of the washing tub 3, and an openable / closable sealing plug 61 is attached to the end. The rear end portion 56b is fixed to the side wall 3b of the washing tub 3 in a watertight state.
[0014]
In the wire brush 31, the wire portion 33 passes through the guide box 57 and is guided to the washing tub 3, and the tip of the wire brush 31 is seen from the attachment 59 inside the washing tub 3. Inside the guide box 57 is a drive member comprising a pair of rollers 72a and 72b sandwiching the wire portion 33 and a drive gear 74 for rotating the rollers 72a and 72b, and the wire portion 33 is advanced by the rotation of the rollers 72a and 72b.・ Can be retreated. The guide box 57 is provided with a forced drainage means 80.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view when the first cleaning device 51 fixed to the side walls 3a and 3b of the cleaning tub 3 is in an extended state. In the first cleaning device 51, the wire portion 33 of the wire brush 31 extends in the length direction of the pipe portion 56 inside the pipe portion 56, and the almost entire length of the wire brush 31 extends from the connecting pipe 26 of the device 51 to the sealing plug 61. It is stored between. The wire portion 33 has a brush portion 36 at its front end and a light shielding plate 66 at its rear end. The pipe portion 56 has a front sensor 67 at the front end portion 56 a slightly behind the guide box 57, and a rear sensor 68 at the rear end portion 56 b slightly in front of the sealing plug 61. These sensors 67 and 68 are the same, and are composed of a light projector 91 and a light receiver 92 facing each other on the radially outer side of the light-transmitting pipe portion 56. The illustrated wire brush 31 is in the retracted state, and the light shielding plate 66 is in the position of the rear sensor 68 to block the light from the projector 91 and sense that the wire brush 31 is in the retracted position. 68 transmits a signal to the gear 74 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) of the guide box 57 through an appropriate control circuit. When the wire brush 31 moves forward and the light shielding plate 66 reaches the position of the front sensor 67, the light from the projector 91 is blocked to sense that the wire brush 31 is in the forward position, and at that time, the front sensor 67 The signal is transmitted to the gear 74 of the guide box 57.
[0016]
The guide box 57 has a pair of rollers 72a and 72b and a drive gear 74 inside thereof (see FIGS. 1 and 3), is covered with a removable lid 73, and a drainage means 80 is connected to the bottom. Yes.
[0017]
A washing water supply means 60 is provided in the vicinity of the rear end portion 56 b of the pipe portion 56. The supply means 60 in the illustrated example includes a water supply pipe 63 and an electromagnetic valve 64, and in the water supply pipe 63, any one of alkaline water, acid water, and tap water enters the pipe portion 56 by opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 64. Water for washing can be supplied. These waters pass through the pipe part 56, pass through the guide box 57, and proceed to the inside of the endoscope 2 through the connecting pipe 26.
[0018]
The drainage means 80 connected to the guide box 57 is guided from the aspirator 81, the water supply pipe 82 connected to the upper end of the aspirator 81, the first drain pipe 83 having the electromagnetic valve 84 connected to the lower end of the aspirator 81, and the aspirator 81. And a second drain pipe 87 extending to a bottom opening 86 provided at the bottom of the box 57. In a preferable use state of the drainage means 80, water pressure is constantly applied to the water supply pipe 82 from the water supply pump 88 or the water pipe, while the electromagnetic valve 84 is closed when the endoscope 2 is being washed, and the inside of the aspirator 81 is positive pressure. To be kept. The aspirator 81 is provided with a check valve that prevents the flow of water toward the guide box 57, so that the internal water does not flow into the guide box 57 even if the water supply pipe 82 is at a positive pressure. Further, the washing water in the guide box 57 does not leak into the positive pressure aspirator 81 and flow into it. When the washing of the endoscope 2 is finished and the flow of washing water toward the endoscope 2 is stopped, the electromagnetic valve 84 is opened and the water from the water supply pipe 82 flows vigorously in the aspirator 81. Washing water or the like staying in the guide box 57 under the action of the aspirator 81 flows toward the aspirator 81 and is stored in the drain tank 89 beyond the first drain pipe 83. The pipe diameter of the first drain pipe 83 is the same as or larger than the pipe diameter of the water supply pipe 82.
[0019]
3 and 4 are a top view of the guide box 57 and a partial sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. However, in FIG. 3, the lid 73 (see FIG. 2) of the guide box 57 is removed and the inside can be seen. 3 and 4, only the second drain pipe 87 connected to the opening 86 is shown as the drain means 80. The rollers 72 a and 72 b in the guide box 57 rotate while holding the wire portion 33 of the wire brush 31 with an appropriate pressure so that the wire brush 31 can be moved forward and backward, and the wire brush 31 is moved relative to the pipe portion 56. When inserting and removing, the brush portion 36 can be passed. The rollers 72a and 72b are rotated by a driving gear 74 and a motor 76 connected thereto, and the motor 76 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by a signal from the front sensor 67 and the rear sensor 68 and stopped. Is possible.
[0020]
In the 1st washing apparatus 51 formed in this way, the attachment 59 of the connection pipe 26 is fixed to the forceps insertion port 22 of the endoscope 2 in FIG. At this time, if the wire brush 31 protrudes from the connecting tube 26, it is inserted into the forceps insertion port 22 in advance. When operation is started using an operation panel (not shown) of the washing tub 3, the solenoid valve 64 of the water supply pipe 63 is opened, and either alkaline water, acidic water or tap water is set in the pipe portion 56. Supplied according to requirements. At the start of operation, the wire brush 31 is in a state in which the light shielding plate 66 is retracted from the rear sensor 68. The rollers 72a and 72b which have started operation are drawn out while moving the wire brush 31 forward and backward, and gradually advance in the forceps channel (not shown) of the endoscope 2. When the light shielding plate 66 of the wire brush 31 reaches the front sensor 67, the wire brush 31 is stopped by a signal from the front sensor 67 that is blocked from light projection. Thereafter, the rollers 72 a and 72 b return the wire brush 31 to the position where the light shielding plate 66 reaches the rear sensor 68 while moving the wire brush 31 forward and backward, or simply by moving backward. Normally, such washing is performed for each of alkaline water, acidic water, and tap water, thereby completing washing of the endoscope 2 with the forceps conduit (channel). However, depending on the operating conditions set in the first washing device 51, the washing time and the number of times of washing can be changed for each washing water. While the endoscope 2 is being cleaned in this manner, the wire brush 31 is also cleaned. The wire brush 31 is not wound around a reel as in the prior art, but extends straight in the pipe portion 56, so that the periphery of the wire portion 33 and the periphery of the brush portion 36 are thoroughly washed. The wire brush 31 has the brush portion 36 positioned in front of the forceps insertion port 22 when the light shielding plate 66 is positioned at the rear sensor 68 and the forceps when the light shielding plate 66 is positioned at the front sensor 67. It is preferable that the length reaches the front end of the pipeline, and the pipe portion 56 also preferably has a corresponding length.
[0021]
When inserting / removing the wire brush 31 into / from the pipe portion 56, the sealing plug 61 is removed inside the washing tub 3 and the rear end portion 56b of the pipe portion 56 is opened. Since the rear end portion 56b is located inside the washing tub 3, even if the rear end portion 56b is in an open state or the sealing plug 61 is not completely attached to the rear end portion 56b, the pipe portion The washing water supplied to 56 does not leak into the room. The first cleaning device 51 is attached with the sealing plug 61 in a state where the rear end portion 56b of the pipe portion 56 is removed from the cleaning tub 3, and the drive means 50 and the connecting pipe 26 are also removed from the cleaning tub 3, and the entire device 51 is cleaned. It is also possible to use it in a state separated from the tank 3.
[0022]
The second cleaning device 52 shown in FIG. 1 is used in the same manner as the first cleaning device 51. However, in the illustrated second cleaning device 52, the attachment 259 of the connecting tube 226 is connected to the endoscope 2. The suction button insertion port 23 is fixed. The wire brush 231 of the second cleaning device 52 is used for cleaning the suction conduit and the universal cord section conduit (both not shown) of the endoscope 2. However, the drainage means 280 provided in the guide box 257 has an aspirator 281 and is used similarly to the drainage means 80 of the first washing apparatus.
[0023]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the gas discharge means 370 including an exhaust pipe 371 extending outward from the side wall 3a of the washing tub 3. A water distribution pipe 20 and an exhaust pipe 371 connected to the drain port 15 extend outward from the washing tank 3, and a trap 372, a chlorine gas absorption can 373, a vacuum pump 374 and a three-way valve 376 are provided in the exhaust pipe 371. They are attached in the order shown. Extending from the three-way valve 376 are an exhaust pipe 371 whose tip is open to the atmosphere, and an air supply pipe 377 whose tip is connected to the washing tub 3. The vacuum pump 374 can be started and stopped at any time by manual operation, but separately, the lid 4 of the washing tub 3 is closed or the lid 4 is closed and alkaline water is supplied to the washing tub 3. Sometimes it can be automatically set to start and automatically stop after a certain amount of time has passed since the end of the supply of acidic water. Due to the action of the vacuum pump 374, air, water vapor, and water droplets inside the washing tub 3 flow through the exhaust pipe 371. The drain pipe 20 is provided with an automatic opening / closing valve (not shown) and is appropriately opened / closed according to the operating conditions of the washing tub 3. A manual operation valve 20 a can be provided in the drain pipe 20.
[0024]
In the washing tub 3, when acidic water obtained by electrolyzing salt water is supplied, chlorine gas is easily generated from the acidic water containing chlorine, and particularly acidic water is injected inside the washing tub 3. Many chlorine gases are likely to be generated. The chlorine gas is sucked together with air and water vapor by the vacuum pump 374 and flows from the washing tank 3 to the exhaust pipe 371. The trap 372 captures moisture such as water vapor flowing through the exhaust pipe 371 together with the chlorine gas and air, and absorbs the can. In 373, chlorine gas is captured. The air from which the chlorine gas has been removed passes through the three-way valve 376 and is discharged from the exhaust pipe 371 to the atmosphere. If necessary, this air can be returned to the washing tub 3 by switching the three-way valve 376. A drainage means 380 is attached to the trap 372. The drainage means 380 is similar to the drainage means 80 illustrated in FIG. 2 and has an aspirator 381. A water supply pump 388 is connected to the aspirator 381 via a water supply pipe 382, and an electromagnetic valve 384 is connected via the drainage pipe 383. Are connected. A drain pipe 387 extends between the aspirator 381 and the trap 372.
[0025]
FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the trap 372 and drainage means 380 connected thereto. The trap 372 and the absorption can 373 form an integral unit 381, the trap 372 is located at the upper part of the unit 381, and the absorption can 373 is located at the intermediate part. In the trap 372, an exhaust pipe 371 extending in the vertical direction in the figure is divided into an upper portion 382 and a lower portion 383, and when air or chlorine gas from the washing tub 3 flows from the upper portion 382 to the lower portion 383. In addition, the water flowing together with the air and chlorine gas is captured by the trap 372. In the trap 372, the captured water can be discharged by operating the drainage means 380 at appropriate intervals. In the trap 372, the remaining water can be drained by removing the rubber stopper 384 at the bottom.
[0026]
FIG. 7 is a drawing similar to FIG. 2 showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the drainage means 80 and 280 of the first washing device 51 and the second washing device 52 include individual aspirators 81 and 281, a common water supply pump 88, and a common electromagnetic valve 84. Water supply is performed by water supply pipes 82 and 282 divided into two branches, and drainage is also performed through drainage pipes 83 and 283 divided into two branches. Thus, if one aspirator 81,281 is assigned to each one of the guide boxes 57,257, even if the drainage of one of the guide boxes 57,257 is completed, the other drainage is reliably performed. Can do.
[0027]
In the present invention, in order to forcibly drain the guide boxes 57, 257 and the trap 372, an electric drain pump may be used as the drain means 80, 280, 380 instead of the aspirators 81, 281, 381. it can. The endoscope cleaning apparatus having the first cleaning apparatus 51 and the second cleaning apparatus 52 may have only one cleaning apparatus 51 or 52. The forced drainage means as shown in the example can be attached not only to the guide boxes 57 and 257 and the trap 372 but also to other parts where water is likely to stay. The inner surfaces of the bottoms of the guide boxes 57 and 257 may be inclined so that the opening 86 is provided at the lowest part.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a guide box for passing a wire brush and a trap for discharging chlorine gas, etc., for forcibly discharging cleaning water and the like remaining in them. Therefore, the inside of the guide box and the trap can always be kept in good hygiene.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing tank having an endoscope washing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope cleaning apparatus in an extended state.
FIG. 3 is a top view of a guide box.
4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of gas discharge means.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a trap.
FIG. 7 is a drawing similar to FIG. 2 showing an example of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Endoscope 3 Washing tank 31 Wire brush 51 First means (washing apparatus)
52 Second means (washing device)
57 1st part (guide box)
80 drainage means 81 aspirator 82 water supply pipe 83 drainage pipe 84 solenoid valve 87 drainage pipe 231 wire brush 257 first part (guide box)
280 Drainage means 281 Aspirator 282 Water supply pipe 283 Drainage pipe 370 Second means (gas discharge means)
371 Exhaust pipe 372 Second part (trap)
380 Drainage means 381 Aspirator 382 Water supply pipe 383 Drainage pipe 384 Solenoid valve 387 Drainage pipe

Claims (7)

In an apparatus for storing an endoscope in a washing tub, supplying water for disinfection to the washing tub and washing the endoscope,
Outside the washing tub, at least one of a first means and a second means connected to be able to pass water into the washing tub is provided, and the first means enters the inside of the endoscope together with washing water. And the second means is for discharging the gas inside the washing tub, and the first means includes the internal view. A first portion where water for washing toward the inside of the mirror stays is included, and the second means includes a second portion where water toward the outside from the inside of the washing tank stays. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a drainage means capable of forcibly discharging the water accumulated therein is provided at any one of the two parts. The first means has a drive member for moving the wire brush forward and backward with respect to the inside of the endoscope, and the drive member is located outside the washing tub so that the wire brush and the washing water are The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drainage means is provided in the guide box that can be passed through the endoscope toward the endoscope. In the guide box, a pipe capable of storing the wire brush so that the wire brush can be moved forward and backward and allowing the washing water to flow toward the guide box is connected to a position above the bottom of the guide box, and the bottom The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drainage means is connected to the apparatus. The second means has an exhaust pipe extending outward from the washing tub, and a trap capable of trapping water flowing from the washing tub is attached to the exhaust pipe, and the drain means is provided in the trap. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The apparatus in any one of Claims 1-4 in which the said drainage means contains either an aspirator or a drainage pump. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the aspirator includes a check valve. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus has a plurality of the guide boxes, and the aspirator is connected to each of the guide boxes.

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