JP3629005B2 - Endoscope washing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning apparatus using a wire brush.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-194533 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-275117 disclose an apparatus for automatically inserting a wire brush into an endoscope pipe line accommodated in an endoscope washing tank and washing the inside of the pipe line. Yes. Since the wire is long, it is wound around a reel, and a necessary amount is paid out according to the length of the pipe.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the known cleaning apparatus, the wire feed amount may be controlled by the rotation of the reel. However, in this case, even if the wires overlap and are wound around the reel, or even if they are wound around without being overlapped, if the wound state is not constant, the reel rotation speed and the wire feed The amount is not constant, and the feeding amount cannot be accurately controlled. In addition, since one end of the wire is fixed to the reel, the wire cannot be exchanged unless the fixing is released, and for that purpose, the reel must be taken out from the part in which it is stored. There are many cases.
[0004]
The present invention relates to an improvement of an endoscope cleaning apparatus using a wire brush, which facilitates accurate control of dimensions when a wire brush inserted into an endoscope channel advances and retracts, and a wire. It is a problem to improve the ease of handling of the endoscope cleaning device by facilitating the replacement of the brush.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention for solving the above problems comprises the first invention and the second invention, and both inventions are directed to a wire having a brush attached to the front end of a wire having a front end and a rear end. Moving the wire brush forward and backward in a direction from the wire brush housing part to the endoscope in a state where the brush, the part for housing the wire brush, and the brush are inserted into the duct of the endoscope An endoscope cleaning apparatus having a driving means that can be used.
[0006]
In such an endoscope cleaning apparatus, the first invention is characterized as follows. The wire brush housing portion has a front end portion, a rear end portion, and a pipe-like intermediate portion extending between the both end portions, and the front end portion is in an open state so that it can be connected to a conduit of the endoscope. Formed and capable of supplying cleaning water for the endoscope to the inside of the wire brush housing part and the position detecting means of the wire and the wire brush housing part at one of the intermediate part and the rear end part and intersecting the wire brush housing part A water supply pipe connected in the direction in which the wire is connected, and an action portion for the detection means is provided at the rear end of the wire, and the action portion has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the wire. is there.
[0007]
In such an endoscope cleaning apparatus, the features of the second invention are as follows. The wire brush housing portion has a front end portion, a rear end portion, and a pipe-like intermediate portion extending between the both end portions, and the front end portion is in an open state so that it can be connected to a conduit of the endoscope. Formed and capable of supplying cleaning water for the endoscope to the inside of the wire brush housing part and the position detecting means of the wire and the wire brush housing part at one of the intermediate part and the rear end part and intersecting the wire brush housing part A water supply pipe connected in the direction in which the wire is provided, and an action portion for the detection means is provided at the rear end of the wire, and the action portion has both end portions in the direction in which the wire extends, and both end portions thereof. At least one of them is pointed in the direction in which the wire extends.
[0008]
These first and second inventions have the following preferred embodiments.
(1) The endoscope cleaning apparatus can operate or stop the driving unit based on a signal from the position detection unit generated by the action unit acting on the position detection unit.
(2) In the endoscope cleaning apparatus, the intermediate portion is light-transmitting, the position detecting means is a projector and a light receiver facing each other with the intermediate portion interposed therebetween, and the action portion is provided from the projector. It blocks light.
[0009]
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.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a partially broken top view of a washing tub 3 in which an endoscope washing apparatus is used. The washing tub 3 is in a state in which a lid 4 is opened. Is attached. In the washing tub 3, the used endoscope 2 is stored 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. These washing water supply conditions can be set by an operation panel (not shown) attached to the washing tub 3. The washing water in the washing tank 3 goes out from the drain port 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.
[0011]
Two flexible connecting pipes 26 and 226 extend from the side wall 3 a of the washing tub 3, and two wire brushes 31 and 231 extend from the connecting pipes 26 and 226. The wire brushes 31, 231 have wire portions 33, 233 and brush portions 36, 236 at the tips of the wire portions 33, 233, and 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, 231 can brush and wash the inside of the pipe line by the wire parts 33, 233 repeatedly moving forward and backward toward the inner part of the pipe line of the endoscope 2 together with the brush parts 36, 236. it can.
[0012]
The preferred alkaline water supplied as washing water has a pH of 11.0 or higher and an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of -800 mV or higher in order to dissolve blood and other protein stains adhering to the endoscope after use. used. Preferred acidic water has a pH of 2.2 to 2.7, an oxidation-reduction potential of +1100 mV or more, an effective chlorine concentration of 20 to 60 mg / kg, and is used as a disinfectant that kills bacteria attached to the endoscope 2. . The tap water is used when the endoscope 2 is rinsed in advance or after sterilization.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the washing tub 3. A first cleaning device 51 and a second cleaning device 52, which are endoscope cleaning devices according to the present invention, are attached to the outside of the cleaning tank 3. The first cleaning device 51 and the second cleaning device 52 have substantially the same structure, and the first cleaning device 51 will be first described below. The first washing device 51 has a pipe portion 56 extending so as to surround the washing tub 3 from the outside. A drive portion 57 is attached to a front portion 56 a of the pipe portion 56, and the drive portion 57 is a side wall of the washing tub 3. It is fixed to the outside of 3a. A connecting pipe 26 that forms the front end of the first cleaning device 51 extends from the drive unit 57 to the inside of the cleaning tank 3. An attachment 59 for the forceps insertion port 22 (see FIG. 1) of the endoscope 2 is attached to the distal end of the connecting tube 26. The rear portion 56b of the pipe portion 56 forms a rear end portion of the first washing device 51, and a seal plug 61 (see FIG. 3 (a)) that can be opened and closed is attached to a distal end that extends to the inside of the washing tub 3. ing. The rear portion 56b is fixed to the side wall 3b of the washing tub 3 in a watertight state. A water supply pipe 63 and an electromagnetic valve 64 are connected in the vicinity of the rear portion 56b. Inside the washing tub 3, the tip of the wire brush 31 is seen from the attachment 59.
[0014]
FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the first cleaning device 51 and the second cleaning device 52. 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 intermediate portion 56 c between the front portion 56 a and the rear portion 56 b of the pipe portion 56. The almost entire length is accommodated in the wire brush housing part from the connecting pipe 26 to the sealing plug 61 in the device 51. The wire portion 33 has a brush portion 36 at its front end and a light shielding member 66 at its rear end. The pipe portion 56 has a front sensor 67 at the front portion 56 a and slightly behind the drive portion 57, and has a rear sensor 68 at the rear portion 56 b and slightly in front of the sealing plug 61. These sensors 67 and 68 have the same structure, and include a light projector 91 and a light receiver 92 that face each other on the radially outer side of the light-transmitting pipe portion 56. The illustrated wire brush 31 is in a retracted state, and the light shielding member 66 is located at a position facing the rear sensor 68 so as to shield the light from the projector 91 and sense that the wire brush 31 is in the retracted position. The sensed rear sensor 68 transmits the signal to the driving unit 57 through an appropriate control circuit. When the wire brush 31 moves forward and the light blocking member 66 comes to a position facing 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 is detected. Transmits the signal to the drive unit 57. The drive unit 57 includes a housing 71 and a roller 72 that is housed in the housing 71, and the housing 71 is in a watertight state except for a connection portion between the pipe portion 56 and the connecting pipe 26. In the water supply pipe 63 connected from the direction intersecting the pipe portion 56 in the vicinity of the rear portion 56b of the pipe portion 56, any one of alkaline water, acidic water, and tap water enters the pipe portion 56 by opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 64. Wash water can be supplied.
[0015]
4 and 5 are a top view of the drive unit 57 and a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. However, in FIG. 4, the lid 73 (see FIG. 3A) of the housing 71 in the drive unit 57 is removed, and the inside of the housing 71 is visible. The roller 72 of the drive unit 57 is composed of a pair of rollers 72a and 72b arranged in parallel. The rollers 72a and 72b rotate while holding the wire part 33 of the wire brush 31 with an appropriate pressure to advance and retract the wire brush 31. In addition, when the wire brush 31 is inserted into and removed from the pipe portion 56, the brush portion 36 can be passed. The roller 72 is rotated by a drive 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.
[0016]
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. When the wire brush 31 is fixed, the wire brush 31 protruding from the connecting tube 26 is inserted into the forceps insertion opening 22 in advance. Subsequently, the attachment 259 of the connecting tube 226 of the second cleaning device 52 is fixed to the suction button insertion port 23 of the endoscope 2. When the operation is started using the operation panel of the washing tub 3, the electromagnetic valve 64 of the water supply pipe 63 is opened, and either alkaline water, acidic water or tap water is supplied into the pipe portion 56 according to the setting conditions of the panel. . The wire brush 31 at the start of operation is in a retracted position where the light shielding member 66 faces the rear sensor 68. In the driving means 57 that has started operation, the rollers 72a and 72b are advanced 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 blocking member 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 where the projection is blocked. Thereafter, the rollers 72 a and 72 b return the wire brush 31 to a position where the light shielding member 66 reaches the position facing 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 forceps conduit (channel) of the endoscope. 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.
[0017]
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. When the light shielding member 66 is in a position facing the rear sensor 68, the wire brush 31 is positioned in front of the forceps insertion opening 22, and the forceps when the light shielding member 66 is in a position facing the front sensor 67. It is preferable that the length of the pipe reaches the front end of the pipe, and the pipe portion 56 is also preferably a length corresponding thereto. The water supply pipe 63 may be connected to any position of the pipe portion 56, but is preferably connected to the rear portion 56 b of the pipe portion 56 in order to wash the entire length of the wire brush 31.
[0018]
When inserting / removing the wire brush 31 into / from the pipe portion 56, the sealing plug 61 may be removed inside the washing tub 3 and the rear portion 56b of the pipe portion 56 may be opened. Since the rear portion 56b is located inside the washing tub 3, even if the rear portion 56b is in an open state or the sealing plug 61 is not completely attached to the rear portion 56b, The supplied washing water does not leak into the room in which the washing tank 3 is placed. The first cleaning device 51 is attached with the sealing plug 61 in a state where the rear portion 56b of the pipe portion 56 is removed from the cleaning tub 3, and the drive means 57 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.
[0019]
When the wire brush 31 is moved backward by the rotation of the rollers 72 a and 72 b, the light blocking member 66 passes through the intersection 80 between the pipe portion 56 and the water supply 63 and goes out of the rear portion 56 b of the pipe portion 56.
[0020]
The second washing device 52 in FIG. 3B is the same as the first washing device 51 in FIG. 3A except for the arrangement of the rear sensor. Therefore, the part corresponding to the reference number of the first washing device 51 Is displayed by adding 200 to the reference number. The second washing device 52 includes a first rear sensor 268a, a second rear sensor 268b, and a third rear sensor 268c that are arranged in the length direction of the pipe portion 256 near the rear portion 256b of the pipe portion 256. The structure of the first to third rear sensors 268a to 268c is made the same as that of the front sensor 267. The second cleaning device 52 is suitable for cleaning the suction conduit and the universal cord section conduit (both not shown) of the endoscope 2, and the attachment 259 of the connecting tube 226 is an endoscope. Fix to the suction button insertion port 23 of the mirror 2. When the second cleaning device 52 is started using the operation panel of the cleaning tank 3, the wire brush 231 advances from a position where the light shielding member 266 faces the second rear sensor 268b and reaches a position facing the third rear sensor 268c. . During this time, the brush portion 236 cleans the suction pipe of the endoscope 2 while moving forward and backward. Next, the wire brush 231 retreats from the position where the light shielding member 266 faces the third rear sensor 268c to the position facing the first rear sensor 268a, during which the brush part 236 comes out of the suction conduit. Further, the wire brush 231 advances while being gradually advanced and retracted little by little until the light shielding member 266 reaches a position facing the front sensor 267, during which the brush portion 236 cleans the universal cord portion conduit. When the cleaning of the entire length of the conduit is completed, the wire brush 231 returns to a position where the light shielding member 266 faces the second rear sensor 268b. While the wire brush 231 moves in this way, cleaning water of any one of alkaline water, acidic water and tap water is supplied to the pipe portion 256 from the water supply pipe 263.
[0021]
In addition, the selection order of the 1st-3rd rear sensors 268a-268c when moving the wire brush 231 can be changed suitably. For example, the light shielding member 266 can be started from a position facing the first or third rear sensor 268a, 268c instead of the illustrated example. Furthermore, the wire brush 231 that has finished cleaning the endoscope 2 can be returned to a position where the light shielding member 266 faces the first rear sensor 268a. If the brush portion 236 is positioned in the connecting pipe 226 when the wire brush 231 is returned to this position, alkaline water, acidic water, and tap water are sequentially supplied from the water supply pipe 263 to the brush portion 236. Thus, the brush part 236 can be sufficiently washed. After the brush portion 236 has been cleaned, the wire brush 231 advances the light shielding member 266 to the second rear sensor 268b to prepare for the next cleaning of the endoscope 2.
[0022]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the light shielding member 26, and (a) to (e) illustrate various aspects of the member 26. The light shielding member 66 in (a) is a cylindrical member extending in the same direction as the wire portion 33 extending horizontally in the left-right direction in the drawing, and includes a front end portion 81 connected to the wire portion 33 and a rear end opposite thereto. As shown in these end portions 81 and 82, the cross-sectional shape in the direction orthogonal to the wire portion 33 is substantially circular. Even if the light shielding member 66 having such a cross-sectional shape rotates in the circumferential direction in the pipe portion 56, the area that blocks the light from the light projector 91 does not change and is constant. Even if the cross-sectional shape is a polygonal light-shielding member, if the action is equivalent to that of the light-shielding member 66, the cross-sectional shape of the light-shielding member is regarded as a substantially circular shape in the present invention. The light shielding member 66 of (a) has a drawback that when it moves forward or backward and passes through the intersecting portion 80 between the pipe portion 56 and the water supply pipe 63, it is easily caught by the intersecting portion 80. The light shielding member 26 of (b) is an example that can eliminate the difficulty, and the diameter of the front end portion 81 gradually decreases in the direction in which the wire portion 33 extends (left and right direction in the figure), and the front end portion 81 thereof. Has a pointed conical shape. Such a light shielding member 66 is unlikely to be caught by the intersecting portion 80 when the wire portion 33 moves forward. In the light shielding member 26 of (c), the diameter of the rear end portion 82 gradually decreases in the direction in which the wire portion 33 extends, and the rear end portion 82 has a conical shape. Such a light shielding member 66 is less likely to be caught by the intersecting portion 80 when the wire portion 33 moves backward. In the light shielding member 66 in (d), the front end portion 81 and the rear end portion 82 have a conical shape. Such a light shielding member 26 is less likely to be caught by the intersecting portion 80 when the wire portion 33 moves forward and backward. The light shielding member 66 of (e) is a plate-shaped member having a hexagonal shape, and the front end portion 81 and the rear end portion 82 are formed so as to extend toward the direction in which the wire portion 33 extends. The light shielding member 66 is unlikely to be caught at the intersection 80 as in the case of (d). However, when the light shielding member 66 rotates in the pipe portion 56, the area facing the light projector 91 changes in a substantial sense, so that the light blocking area may change accordingly.
[0023]
6A to 6E, in the present invention, the light shielding member 66 rotates in the pipe portion 56 by making the cross-sectional shape of the light shielding member 66 substantially circular. However, the rotation does not change the area that blocks the light from the projector 91. Therefore, the light shielding member 66 is excellent in accurately reproducing the stop position of the wire brush 31 and can accurately control the dimensions when the wire brush 31 moves forward / changes. In addition, since the front end portion 81 and / or the rear end portion 82 of the light shielding member 66 are pointed toward the direction in which the wire portion 33 extends, the wire brush 31 can be easily and quickly inserted into and removed from the pipe portion 56. The forward / backward movement at 56 becomes smooth.
[0024]
In the present invention, the light shielding member 266 can be formed in the same shape as the light shielding member 66 in the illustrated example. These light shielding members 66 and 266 can be made of plastic or other appropriate material. In the present invention, the water supply pipe 63 connected to the pipe portion 56 at the rear portion 56b can be replaced with one connected at the intermediate portion 56c. In the pipe portion 56, there is no special provision between the position of the water supply pipe 63 and the positions of the front sensor 67 and the rear sensor 68, and each position can be freely determined.
[0025]
In this invention, the pipe part 56 of the 1st washing apparatus 51 and the pipe part 256 of the 2nd washing apparatus 52 which have the same length by the example of illustration can be replaced with what differs in length. Moreover, the washing tank 3 can also be used by attaching only one of the first washing device 51 or the second washing device 52.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
In the endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the present invention, the wire brush moves forward and backward with respect to the endoscope by detecting the action portion provided at the rear end of the wire inserted into the pipe-shaped portion with the sensor. Control the dimensions. In the control, the action part is not caught in the pipe-like part by bending the end part of the action part, and the influence of the action part rotation is eliminated by making the action part substantially circular in cross section. can do. Therefore, the endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the present invention is easy to handle because the dimensions when the wire brush moves forward and backward can be accurately controlled.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial top view of a washing tank in which an endoscope washing apparatus is used.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the washing tub shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an endoscope cleaning apparatus showing different embodiments according to (a) and (b).
FIG. 4 is a top view of driving means.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.
6A to 6E are diagrams showing light shielding members of various modes.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Endoscope 3 Washing tank 26 Connecting pipe 31 Wire brush 33 Wire 36 Brush 51 Endoscope washing device 52 Endoscope washing device 56 Pipe 56a Front portion 56b Rear portion 56c Intermediate portion 57 Drive means 63 Water supply means (water supply pipe)
66 Action part (light shielding member)
67 Detection means 68 Detection means 231 Wire brush 233 Wire 236 Brush 256 Pipe 256b Rear portion 263 Water supply means (water supply pipe)
266 Action part (light shielding member)
267 detection means 268a, 268b, 268c detection means

Claims (4)

A wire brush in which a brush is attached to the front end of a wire having a front end and a rear end, a portion for storing the wire brush, and the wire brush storage portion in a state in which the brush is inserted into a conduit of an endoscope In an endoscope cleaning apparatus having driving means capable of moving the wire brush forward and backward in a direction from the endoscope toward the endoscope,
The wire brush housing portion has a front end portion, a rear end portion, and a pipe-like intermediate portion extending between the both end portions, and the front end portion is in an open state so that it can be connected to a conduit of the endoscope. Formed and capable of supplying cleaning water for the endoscope to the inside of the wire brush housing part and the position detecting means of the wire and the wire brush housing part at one of the intermediate part and the rear end part and intersecting the wire brush housing part A water supply pipe connected in the direction in which the wire is connected, and an action portion for the detection means is provided at the rear end of the wire, and the action portion has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the wire. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope cleaning apparatus is provided. A wire brush in which a brush is attached to the front end of a wire having a front end and a rear end, a portion for storing the wire brush, and the wire brush storage portion in a state in which the brush is inserted into a conduit of an endoscope In an endoscope cleaning apparatus having driving means capable of moving the wire brush forward and backward in a direction from the endoscope toward the endoscope,
The wire brush housing portion has a front end portion, a rear end portion, and a pipe-like intermediate portion extending between the both end portions, and the front end portion is in an open state so that it can be connected to a conduit of the endoscope. Formed and capable of supplying cleaning water for the endoscope to the inside of the wire brush housing part and the position detecting means of the wire and the wire brush housing part at one of the intermediate part and the rear end part and intersecting the wire brush housing part A water supply pipe connected in the direction in which the wire is provided, and an action portion for the detection means is provided at the rear end of the wire, and the action portion has both end portions in the direction in which the wire extends, and both end portions thereof. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the ends is bent in a direction in which the wire extends. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driving means can be operated or stopped based on a signal from the position detection means generated by the action portion acting on the position detection means. The intermediate portion is light transmissive, the position detecting means is a light projector and a light receiver facing each other with the intermediate portion interposed therebetween, and the action portion blocks light from the light projector. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to any one of the above.

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