JP5555590B2 - Sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus.

  In a sterilization device such as an isolator, a sterilization gas such as hydrogen peroxide gas is supplied into the sterilization chamber in order to sterilize devices and instruments placed in the sterilization chamber (for example, Patent Document 1). Note that sterilization is to kill microorganisms and make them as sterile as possible, but in this specification, so-called decontamination, sterilization, sterilization, and the like are also included.

JP 2006-68122 A

  By the way, depending on the size and position of the device placed in the sterilization chamber, the flow of the supplied sterilization gas may be disturbed, and the device may not be sterilized effectively.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, and it aims at providing the sterilizer which can sterilize the apparatus etc. which are set | placed in a sterilization chamber effectively.

In order to achieve the above object, a sterilization apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a sterilization gas generator that generates hydrogen peroxide gas, which is a sterilization gas , a sterilization chamber to which the sterilization gas is supplied, and the sterilization chamber. And an atomizing device that condenses and atomizes the sterilizing gas inside the sterilization chamber.

  A sterilization apparatus that can effectively sterilize a device or the like placed in a sterilization chamber can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the isolator 10 which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the atomization apparatus 22. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the atomization apparatus 22. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a microcomputer 102. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the microcomputer 102 performs at the time of hydrogen peroxide gas generation | occurrence | production. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the microcomputer 102 performs at the time of hydrogen peroxide gas stop. It is a figure which shows an example at the time of installing the atomization apparatus 27 in the sterilization chamber.

At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an isolator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The isolator 10 (sterilization apparatus) includes a sterilization gas generation apparatus 20, a sterilization chamber 21, an atomization apparatus 22, a power supply apparatus 23, a pump 24, an electromagnetic valve 25, an exhaust apparatus 26, a control apparatus 30, and pipes 40 to 42. Composed.

The sterilization gas generator 20 generates hydrogen peroxide gas (sterilization gas) from hydrogen peroxide water (an aqueous solution in which hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) is dissolved). Further, the sterilization gas generator 20 supplies the generated hydrogen peroxide gas to the sterilization chamber 21 through the pipe 40.

  The sterilization chamber 21 is a chamber in which devices and instruments to be sterilized are placed, and the sterilization chamber 21 is provided with an atomizer 22, ports 60 to 62, a door 63, and a work glove 64.

  Hydrogen peroxide gas is supplied to the port 60 from the pipe 40, and hydrogen peroxide gas supplied to the sterilization chamber 21 is discharged from the port 61 to the pipe 41. Further, the port 62 is a port for taking out the power line of the atomizing device 22 provided inside the sterilization chamber 21 to the outside of the sterilization chamber 21.

  The door 63 is provided on the front surface of the sterilization chamber 21 so as to be openable and closable so that an apparatus to be sterilized can be carried into the sterilization chamber 21.

  The work glove 64 is provided with an opening (non-opening) provided in the door 63 so that, for example, the operator can change the position of the device to be sterilized in the sterilization chamber 21 or the position of the atomization device 22 with the door 63 closed. Attached). In the state where the door 63 is closed, the sterilization chamber 21 is sealed.

The atomizing device 22 is an electrostatic atomizing device that condenses and atomizes hydrogen peroxide gas, and includes a discharge electrode 70, a counter electrode 71, a mounting member 72, and a flexible tube 73.
When the discharge electrode 70 is cooled, the hydrogen peroxide gas in the sterilization chamber 21 is liquefied and attached to the surface of the discharge electrode 70. The discharge electrode 70 has corrosion resistance to hydrogen peroxide, and is a conductive material having high thermal conductivity (for example, an Al-Mg alloy) or a conductive material having high thermal conductivity coated with a corrosion resistance. These materials are preferably used. The discharge electrode 70 of the present embodiment has, for example, a material with high corrosion resistance (for example, gold, stainless steel, titanium, tantalum, zirconium, nickel) on the surface of a material with high thermal conductivity (for example, gold, silver, copper, aluminum). ) Is formed as a protective film.

  The counter electrode 71 is an electrode provided facing the discharge electrode 70 in order to atomize the liquefied hydrogen peroxide gas on the surface of the discharge electrode 70. The counter electrode 71 is made of a material having high corrosion resistance against hydrogen peroxide such as an aluminum alloy.

  The attachment member 72 is a box-like member to which the discharge electrode 70, the counter electrode 71, and the flexible tube 73 are attached. In addition, a plurality of installation bases (not shown) on which the attachment member 72 can be installed are provided on the wall surface inside the sterilization chamber 21. For this reason, the operator can install the attachment member 72 of the atomizing device 22 at an arbitrary position in the sterilization chamber 21.

  A flexible tube 73 (flexible tube) connects between the mounting member 72 and the port 62, and is connected to a tube for cooling the discharge electrode 70, and the discharge electrode 70 and the counter electrode 71 on the inner side. Wiring is routed. Note that the surface of the flexible tube 73 is coated with a material having high corrosion resistance against hydrogen peroxide.

  Here, the details of the atomizer 22 will be described with reference to the perspective view shown in FIG. 2 and the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. On the upper side (+ x side) of the attachment member 72, an opening 80 into which the discharge electrode 70 is inserted from the lower side (−x side) and an opening 81 into which the counter electrode 71 is inserted are provided. An opening 85 through which a wiring 90 for applying a voltage to the discharge electrode 70 and an opening 86 through which a wiring 91 for applying a voltage to the counter electrode 71 are provided are provided below the attachment member 72. It has been. The discharge electrode 70 and the wiring 90 (first wiring) are connected via the electrode A provided on the discharge electrode 70, and the counter electrode 71 and the wiring 91 (second wiring) are provided on the counter electrode 71. Connected through the electrode B. Furthermore, openings 87 and 88 through which a tube 92 through which cooling water for cooling the discharge electrode 70 flows are provided below the attachment member 72.

  In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, for the sake of convenience, a gap is drawn in each opening so that the structure when the discharge electrode 70 is attached to the attachment member 72 can be easily understood. Then, the clearance gap between each opening part is filled with resin, for example. The flexible pipe 73 is attached to the lower side of the attachment member 72 so that the wirings 90 and 91 and the tube 92 pass inside the flexible pipe 73. Although not shown here, the attachment member 72 has a fog from the counter electrode 71 while covering the discharge electrode 70 and the counter electrode 71 in order to protect the discharge electrode 70 and the counter electrode 71 from the operator's finger. A cover having an opening for releasing the gas into the sterilization chamber 21 is attached.

  The power supply device 23 applies a voltage to the wirings 90 and 91 in order to atomize the liquefied hydrogen peroxide gas on the surface of the discharge electrode 70. The power supply device 23 and the wirings 90 and 91 correspond to a voltage application unit.

  The pump 24 circulates coolant cooled by a cooler (not shown) flowing through the tube 92 in order to cool the discharge electrode 70. The pump 24 and the tube 92 correspond to a cooling unit.

  The electromagnetic valve 25 supplies the gas discharged from the port 61 to either the pipe 42 or the exhaust device 26 based on the control from the control device 30. The pipe 42 (supply pipe) supplies the gas from the electromagnetic valve 25 to the sterilization gas generator 20. The sterilization gas generator 20 supplies the gas supplied from the pipe 42 to the sterilization chamber 21. For this reason, when the gas from the port 61 is supplied to the pipe 42, the hydrogen peroxide gas in the sterilization chamber 21 is circulated.

  The discharge device 26 includes a catalyst, for example, detoxifies and sterilizes the gas output from the electromagnetic valve 25 and outputs the gas to the outside of the isolator 10.

  The control device 30 is a device that performs overall control of the isolator 10, and includes an operation unit 100, a storage device 101, and a microcomputer 102.

  The operation unit 100 is an operation panel or the like for the user to set the operation of the isolator 10. The operation result of the operation unit 100 is transmitted to the microcomputer 102.

  The storage device 101 stores program data executed by the microcomputer 102 and various data.

  The microcomputer 102 implements various functions by executing program data stored in the storage device 101. For example, when an instruction for generating sterilizing gas is output from the operation unit 100, the microcomputer 102 executes a predetermined program for generating sterilizing gas and controls each block of the isolator 10.

== Details of the microcomputer 102 ==
When an instruction for generating or stopping hydrogen peroxide gas is input from the operation unit 100, the microcomputer 102 executes a predetermined program, and as shown in FIG. 4, a valve control unit 300, a pump control unit 301, a gas The functions of the generation control unit 302, the power supply control unit 303, and the exhaust control unit 304 are realized.

  The valve control unit 300 switches the electromagnetic valve 25 to the pipe 42 side based on a gas generation instruction (hereinafter referred to as a generation instruction) from the operation unit 100. Further, when the pump 24 stops the circulation of the coolant, the valve control unit 300 switches the electromagnetic valve 25 to the exhaust device 26 side.

  When the electromagnetic valve 25 is switched to the pipe 42 side, the pump control unit 301 controls the pump 24 so that the coolant circulates. When the sterilizing gas generator 20 stops generating the hydrogen peroxide gas, the coolant is circulated. The pump 24 is controlled to stop.

  The gas generation control unit 302 controls the sterilization gas generator 20 so that hydrogen peroxide gas is generated when the pump 24 starts circulating the coolant. In addition, the gas generation control unit 302 controls the sterilization gas generation device 20 based on a gas generation stop instruction (hereinafter referred to as a stop instruction) from the operation unit 100 so that the generation of hydrogen peroxide gas is stopped.

  When the sterilization gas generator 20 generates hydrogen peroxide gas, the power supply controller 303 starts applying a voltage to the atomizer 22 so that the atomizer 22 starts electrostatic atomization. Moreover, the power supply control part 303 stops the application of the voltage to the atomizer 22 based on a stop instruction | indication.

  The exhaust control unit 304 operates the exhaust device 26 so that the gas in the sterilization chamber 21 is exhausted when the electromagnetic valve 25 is switched to the exhaust device 26 side. Further, the exhaust control unit 304 stops the operation of the exhaust device 26 when the electromagnetic valve 25 is switched to the pipe 42 side.

== About the processing of the microcomputer 102 ==
An example of processing performed by the microcomputer 102 in order to sterilize the device provided inside the isolator 10 will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that a device to be sterilized is placed inside the sterilization chamber 21.

  First, the valve control unit 300 switches the electromagnetic valve 25 to the pipe 42 side based on a generation instruction from the operation unit 100 (S100). Then, the pump control unit 301 starts the cooling of the discharge electrode 70 in order to operate the pump 24 so that the circulation of the coolant is started (S101).

  The gas generation control unit 302 controls the sterilization gas generator 20 so that hydrogen peroxide gas is generated when the pump 24 starts circulating the coolant (S102). And since the power supply control part 303 starts the application of the voltage to the atomizer 22, the atomizer 22 starts electrostatic atomization (S103).

  Thus, since the atomization device 22 condenses and atomizes the hydrogen peroxide gas in the sterilization chamber 21, the flow of the hydrogen peroxide gas is disturbed by the influence of the device placed inside the sterilization chamber 21, for example. Even if there is, the apparatus in the sterilization chamber 21 can be sterilized effectively.

  Next, a process performed by the microcomputer 102 when the sterilization process is stopped will be described with reference to FIG.

  Based on the stop instruction from the operation unit 100, the gas generation control unit 302 controls the sterilization gas generation device 20 so that the generation of hydrogen peroxide gas is stopped, and the power supply control unit 303 supplies the voltage to the atomization device 22. Is stopped (S200). As a result, generation of hydrogen peroxide gas and atomization are stopped. Then, when the generation of the hydrogen peroxide gas is stopped, the pump control unit 301 controls the pump 24 so that the circulation of the coolant is stopped (S201). When the circulation of the coolant is stopped, the valve controller 300 switches the electromagnetic valve 25 to the exhaust device 26 side (S202). Then, the exhaust control unit 304 operates the exhaust device 26 to start exhausting the gas in the sterilization chamber 21 (S203). Thus, after generation | occurrence | production of sterilization gas and the process of atomization are stopped, the operator can open the door 63 and can take out the apparatus etc. which were sterilized.

== Other installation forms of the atomizer ==
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the atomizing device 27 that does not use the flexible tube 73 is installed in the sterilization chamber 21. In FIG. 7 and FIG. 1, blocks with the same reference numerals are the same. When the atomizer 27 does not use the flexible tube 73, the atomizer 27 is installed in the installation chamber 200 that is recessed with respect to the wall surface of the sterilization chamber 21 on the door 63 side. When the atomization device 27 is installed in the installation chamber 200, the wires 90 and 91 and the tube 92 are taken out from the sterilization chamber 21 through the port 65 of the installation chamber 200. Since the atomization device 27 is placed inside the sterilization chamber 21, the atomization device 27 effectively sterilizes the device in the sterilization chamber 21 in the case shown in FIG. 7 as in the case shown in FIG. be able to. Note that the size of the opening of the installation chamber 200 is such that, for example, the finger of the operator's hand does not enter so that the operator does not touch the discharge electrode 70 by mistake.

  The isolator 10 of this embodiment has been described above. In the isolator 10, the atomizers 22 and 27 are installed inside the sterilization chamber 21. For this reason, for example, when a device to be sterilized is installed in the sterilization chamber 21, even if the flow of hydrogen peroxide gas from the sterilization gas generator 20 is disturbed, the inside of the sterilization chamber 21 is effectively obtained. Can be sterilized.

  The atomizers 22 and 27 are so-called electrostatic atomizers. For this reason, the atomizers 22 and 27 generate so-called radicals having high reactivity together with the mist of the hydrogen peroxide solution. Therefore, the interior of the sterilization chamber 21 can be sterilized more effectively than when the sterilization chamber 21 is simply sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas.

  Further, the surface of the discharge electrode 70 is protected with a material having high corrosion resistance against hydrogen peroxide. For this reason, the discharge electrode 70 can be easily cooled by cooling water, and can be prevented from being corroded by hydrogen peroxide.

  In the atomization device 22, the discharge electrode 70 and the like are installed on the attachment member 72 at the tip of the flexible tube 73. Further, the discharge electrode 70 is cooled by the coolant flowing through the tube 92 inside the flexible tube 73. By using the atomization device 22 having such a configuration, an operator can generate hydrogen peroxide mist at a desired position in the sterilization chamber 21, so that the position and size of the device placed in the sterilization chamber 21 can be adjusted. The device can be sterilized efficiently.

  Further, wirings 90 and 91 are passed through a flexible pipe 73 provided with a tube 92 through which a coolant flows. For this reason, since wiring 90, 91 and tube 92 can be stored in one flexible pipe 73, space saving becomes possible.

  In the isolator 10, the hydrogen peroxide gas from the port 61 is supplied to the sterilization gas generator 20 through the pipe 42. That is, the hydrogen peroxide gas is circulated in the isolator 10. For this reason, compared with the case where hydrogen peroxide gas is not circulated, the quantity of the hydrogen peroxide water at the time of sterilization treatment can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, hydrogen peroxide gas is used as the sterilization gas, but for example, peracetic acid gas may be used.

  In addition, the said Example is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and is not for limiting and interpreting this invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

  For example, the discharge electrode 70 may be cooled using a Peltier element instead of the cooling water. Moreover, although the atomizers 22 and 27 are so-called electrostatic atomizers, the invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of atomizing devices may be provided inside the sterilization chamber 21. Even in such a case, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the present embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Isolator 20 Sterilization gas generator 21 Sterilization chamber 22, 27 Atomization device 23 Power supply device 24 Pump 25 Electromagnetic valve 26 Exhaust device 30 Control device 40-42 Pipe 60-62, 65 Port 63 Door 64 Work glove 70 Electrode 71 Counter electrode 72 Mounting member 73 Flexible tube 80, 81, 85-88 Opening 90, 91 Wiring 92 Tube 100 Operation unit 101 Storage device 102 Microcomputer 200 Installation room 300 Valve control unit 301 Pump control unit 302 Gas generation control unit 303 Power supply control Part 304 exhaust control part

Claims (5)

A sterilization gas generator for generating hydrogen peroxide gas , which is a sterilization gas;
A sterilization chamber to which the sterilization gas is supplied;
An atomization device provided inside the sterilization chamber for condensing and atomizing the sterilization gas inside the sterilization chamber;
A sterilization apparatus comprising: The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1,
The atomizer is
A discharge electrode;
A counter electrode facing the discharge electrode;
A cooling unit that cools the discharge electrode so that the sterilized gas liquefied adheres to the surface of the discharge electrode;
A voltage application unit for applying a voltage to the discharge electrode and the counter electrode so that the sterilized liquefied gas on the surface of the discharge electrode is atomized;
With
The sterilization gas generator based on the sterilizing gas generation device, the start and sterilizing apparatus according to claim Rukoto provided a power control unit to stop the application of the voltage to the atomizing device. A sterilizer according to claim 2,
The discharge electrode is
A heat conducting member cooled by the cooling unit;
A protective film for protecting the surface of the heat conducting member so that the heat conducting member is not corroded by the sterilizing gas;
A sterilizer comprising: A sterilizer according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein
The cooling part is
Including a flexible tube through which a coolant for cooling the discharge electrode flows;
A sterilizer characterized by.
The sterilizer according to claim 4, wherein
A flexible tube connecting the sterilization chamber port and the atomizer;
The voltage application unit includes:
A first wiring provided inside the tube and connected to the discharge electrode;
A second wiring provided inside the tube and connected to the counter electrode;
A power supply device installed outside the sterilizer and applying a voltage to the discharge electrode and the counter electrode via the first and second wires;
Including,
A sterilizer characterized by.

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