JP5842941B2 - Sterilizer. - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus.

An operator using the sterilizer needs to know whether the sterilization process is complete.
The following techniques are disclosed as techniques for operating a sterilizer to confirm the sterilization status.
Prior art document 1 discloses a technique for detecting a change in a sterilization container so that a change in a detection unit during sterilization can be observed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-178902

The present invention provides a sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing using a vacuum, in light of the object to be sterilized in the sterilization chamber portion during sterilization by vacuum from the top of the sterilization chamber, sterilized by vacuum from the outside of the sterilization chamber door sterilizers It aims at providing the mechanism which can observe the sterilization condition of the to-be-sterilized thing under processing .

The present invention includes a lighting that illuminates the interior of the sterilization chamber, to place the boundary between the inside of the external and the sterilization chamber of the sterilizer, a built in part of the sterilization chamber door provided in the sterilizer comprising a first glass window, and a second glass window the built on top of the sterilization chamber so as to place the boundary between the inside of the external and the sterilization chamber of the sterilizing chamber, the sterilizing apparatus, wherein the sterilization chamber to sterilize the object to be sterilized by hydrogen peroxide is supplied into the sterilization chamber in the vacuum, further comprising a storage chamber for storing the illumination, wherein stored in the storage chamber lighting during sterilization by lights through the second glass window is provided at a boundary between the sterilization chamber the storage chamber inside the not evacuated of being reduced pressure, are housed in a vacuum pressure inside the sterilization chamber illuminates the object to be sterilized from an upper portion of said sterilization chamber, wherein The brightness through the second glass window is illuminating the object to be sterilized housed in a vacuum pressure inside the sterilization chamber, the sterilization from the outside of the sterilization chamber door through the first glass window The first glass window is provided as a viewport on the sterilization chamber door of the sterilization apparatus so that an object to be sterilized accommodated in the chamber can be observed with a vacuum pressure .

The first glass window is a pressure-resistant glass for vacuum that can withstand a vacuum pressure in the sterilization chamber between 20 Pascals and 100 Pascals .
Further, the second glass window is a pressure-resistant glass for vacuum that can withstand a vacuum pressure in the sterilization chamber between 20 Pascals and 100 Pascals .
Further, wherein the magnitude of the second glass window is the same size as the area of illumination that illuminates the interior of the.
Furthermore, waiting the illumination of sterilization, each illuminated with different illumination colors during normal execution during sterilization, the sterilization subject housed in a vacuum pressure inside the sterilization chamber of the sterilization chamber and shine from above, the brightness of the second of said different illumination colors respectively via the glass window is illuminating the object to be sterilized housed in a vacuum pressure inside the sterilization chamber, the sterilization chamber door wherein the object to be sterilized housed in a vacuum pressure inside the sterilization chamber from the outside through the first glass window can be observed.
Moreover, said the illuminating during the illumination of the sterilization abnormal, illuminated further in different illumination colors, the object to be sterilized housed in a vacuum pressure inside the sterilization chamber from the upper portion of said sterilization chamber To do.

The present invention, in a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing using a vacuum, in light of the object to be sterilized in the sterilization chamber portion during sterilization by vacuum from the top of the sterilization chamber, sterilized by vacuum from the outside of the sterilization chamber door sterilizers It is possible to provide a mechanism capable of observing the sterilization status of an object to be sterilized during processing .

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a sterilizer. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a sterilizer. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a sterilizer. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of a sterilization method. It is a figure which shows the time change of the pressure in the sterilization room | chamber interior during a sterilization process.

Referring to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to the present invention.
Reference numeral 10 denotes an object to be sterilized. An endoscope (long medical device) is preferable. There is a lumen inside the endoscope.
11 is a sterilization chamber.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a sterilization chamber door. The sterilization chamber door (door) is made of a square or rectangular surface (panel), and the surface facing the sterilization chamber is the inner wall of the sterilization chamber door (door) 12. The surface on the back side of the surface facing the sterilization chamber is the outer wall of the sterilization chamber door (door) 12.
Reference numeral 60 denotes a pressure sensor, which measures the pressure inside the sterilization chamber 11.
Reference numeral 107 denotes a support bar. The sterilization chamber door 12 and the rotating part 108 are connected.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a rotating unit for moving the sterilization chamber door 12 up and down (up and down). The sterilization chamber door 12 can be automatically moved up and down (lifted) by a rotating unit control unit (not shown) to open and close. The rotating unit 108 is controlled by a motor to open and close the sterilization chamber door 12 by moving it up and down (up and down).
When the sterilization chamber door 12 is opened, the position is lower than when the sterilization chamber door 12 is closed.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes a glass window (first glass window). It is a pressure-resistant glass window for vacuum that can withstand a degree of vacuum of up to about 20 Pascals, and is placed on the boundary between the inside of the sterilization chamber 11 and the outside of the sterilization chamber 11 (outside the sterilization apparatus 700). Built into some. The glass window 201 functions as a viewport so that the inside can be observed from the outside of the sterilization chamber 11.

Since the sterilization chamber 11 is a pressure vessel in which the pressure fluctuates to the vacuum pressure inside the sterilization chamber 11, it is difficult to install a view port (window) in a part of the sterilization chamber 11 or a part of the sterilization chamber door 12. It is.
The sterilization process may be performed from 30 minutes to 20 hours in some cases. If the process is performed normally, the sterilization chamber door 12 is not opened during the sterilization process.
On the contrary, since the sterilization process is performed for a long time, if there is an abnormality in the process, it is necessary to open the sterilization chamber door 12 quickly to check the sterilization state.
The inside of the sterilization chamber 11 can be confirmed by the viewport 201, and the sterilization processing state can be grasped (confirmed) by changing the illumination color.

Reference numeral 501 denotes a glass window (second glass window). It is a pressure-resistant glass window for vacuum that can withstand a degree of vacuum of about 20 Pascals, and is incorporated in a part of the sterilization chamber 11 so as to be arranged at the boundary between the interior of the sterilization chamber 11 and the storage chamber 503.
The size of the glass window 501 is sufficient if it is the same size as the size (area) of illumination.
Reference numeral 502 denotes illumination.
Thin LED lighting is preferable. Moreover, it is desirable that the brightness (illuminance) of the illumination is sufficiently bright so that the sterilized object 10 can be confirmed.
A, B, and C are the same thin LED lights having different illumination colors. For example, A is white, B is red, and C is green thin LED lighting.
An example of lighting 502 is as follows:
The white color of A lights up during the sterilization standby (READY). (State 1)
The red color of B lights up when an error (ERROR) occurs during the sterilization process. (State 2)
The green color of C lights up when the sterilization process is normally executed (PROCESS). (State 3)
The illumination 502 can illuminate the inside of the sterilization chamber 11 and notify the operator of an abnormality in the sterilization process.
A storage room 503 stores the illumination 502 in an atmospheric pressure atmosphere. In addition, the storage room for arranging the illumination 502 may be a space or a space.
Reference numeral 504 denotes a changing unit (switching control unit).
The illumination color of the illumination 502 is changed according to the state. That is, an appropriate illumination 502 that is turned on according to the state is selected and switched.
Reference numeral 505 denotes an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality during the sterilization process.
As an example of the abnormality which is the state 2 detected by the abnormality detection unit,
Concerning pressure abnormalities such as sterilization chamber 11 cannot be evacuated (exhaust) (error type 1)
Concerning sterilization gas abnormality such that sterilization gas cannot be introduced into the sterilization chamber 11 (error type 2)
There is.
In addition, the abnormality regarding the temperature of the sterilization chamber 11 may be sufficient.
FIG. 2 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the sterilization apparatus 700 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view as seen from the front of the sterilizer 700 (outside the sterilizer).
Reference numeral 201 denotes a glass window (first glass window).
Reference numeral 12 denotes a sterilization chamber door.
FIG. 3 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sterilizer 700 viewed from the side.
Reference numeral 10 denotes an article to be sterilized, which is a medical instrument stored in a sterilization chamber and sterilized. It is assumed that the object to be sterilized has a complex-shaped lumen.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a sterilization chamber (chamber), which is a casing having a volume of 76 liters capable of sterilizing medical instruments. The pressure in the sterilization chamber can be maintained from atmospheric pressure to vacuum pressure.
The temperature inside the sterilization chamber is maintained at 50 ° C. during the sterilization process.
Reference numeral 12 denotes a door of the sterilization chamber, which is a door through which the article to be sterilized 10 and the article to be sterilized 10 containing the article to be sterilized are put in and out.
Reference numeral 21 denotes a vacuum pump, which can set the pressure inside the sterilization chamber to a vacuum pressure.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a vaporization valve, which can open and close the conduction between the vaporization chamber and the sterilization chamber 11.
A vaporization chamber 30 vaporizes the hydrogen peroxide solution supplied from the hydrogen peroxide solution supply device.
Reference numeral 22 denotes an air release valve, which can open and close the connection between the sterilization chamber and the outside air (atmosphere).
In addition, the gas supplied to the sterilization chamber 11 may not be air | atmosphere, and air may be sufficient as it.
A hydrogen peroxide solution supply device 50 supplies a hydrogen peroxide liquid to the vaporizing chamber.
The concentration of the hydrogen peroxide solution supplied by the hydrogen peroxide solution supply device is between 59 wt% and 98 wt%.
Reference numeral 60 denotes a pressure sensor, which measures the pressure inside the sterilization chamber 11.
<First embodiment>
FIG. 4 will be described.
FIG. 4 is an example of a sterilization method (sterilization process step) for sterilizing the lumen of an object to be sterilized by the sterilization apparatus of the present invention.
In step S101, the inside of the sterilization chamber is maintained at a vacuum pressure by closing the atmosphere release valve and operating the vacuum pump (preliminary vacuum process).

  In step S102, it is determined whether or not step S103 has been executed a predetermined number of times (about four times) (determination step). That is, it is determined how many times the process has been repeated from step S103 to step S106. If it has been repeated a predetermined number of times, the process proceeds to the ventilation step of step S107.

  In step S103, the vacuum pump is stopped and the vaporization valve is opened, so that the hydrogen peroxide vapor prepared in advance in the vaporization chamber is supplied into the sterilization chamber, and the hydrogen peroxide vapor diffuses into the sterilization chamber (excessive). Hydrogen oxide diffusion process). The diffusion time is a predetermined time set in advance (between 60 seconds and 480 seconds). During the diffusion time, the pressure in the sterilization chamber increases, and when the predetermined time is reached, P1 (the first pressure) 1 pressure). In step S103, the air release valve remains closed. Steps 301 to 302 in FIG. 5 correspond to step S103.

  In step S104, a gas (atmosphere) is supplied from the outside of the sterilization chamber by opening the air release valve, and hydrogen peroxide vapor is introduced into the lumen of the object to be sterilized. The introduction time is a predetermined time set in advance (between 5 seconds and 10 seconds). During the introduction time, the pressure in the sterilization chamber rises rapidly, and P2 (a predetermined pressure at a predetermined time) The second pressure) is reached. In step S104, the vacuum pump remains stopped. Steps 302 to 303 in FIG. 5 correspond to step S104.

  Here, it is important that the hydrogen peroxide vapor is introduced into the deep part of the lumen and the hydrogen peroxide vapor introduced into the deep part of the lumen is once condensed in a liquid (hydrogen peroxide condensing step). In order to condense into a liquid, it is necessary to rapidly increase the pressure in the sterilization chamber to atmospheric pressure in a short time.

This rapid increase means that the pressure in the sterilization chamber, which was 1500 Pascals with a volume of 76 liters, is a short time of 5 seconds to 10 seconds at a predetermined pressure increase rate that reaches atmospheric pressure (P2). It is to supply the atmosphere abruptly.
In addition, the vaporization valve is closed to prepare hydrogen peroxide vapor in the vaporization chamber.
In step S105, it is determined whether the atmospheric pressure (P2), which is a predetermined pressure, has been reached by a pressure sensor that measures the pressure inside the sterilization chamber.

  In step S106, when the atmospheric pressure (P2) is reached, the air release valve is closed and the vacuum pump is operated to exhaust the inside of the sterilization chamber, which is atmospheric pressure. In the initial process of exhausting the interior of the sterilization chamber, as the pressure in the interior of the sterilization chamber decreases (decompression), hydrogen peroxide is condensed in the lumen of the object to be sterilized in step S104 and the lumen of the object to be sterilized is sterilized. This liquid is vaporized again (vaporized) in the lumen of the object to be sterilized (hydrogen peroxide vaporization step).

  In the present invention, the moment when the hydrogen peroxide liquid once condensed in the lumen of the object to be sterilized at the atmospheric pressure by the introduced gas is vaporized again into hydrogen peroxide vapor by decompression is considered to have the highest sterilization effect. This high sterilization effect does not obtain a high sterilization effect by leaving the hydrogen peroxide liquid once condensed in the deep part of the lumen in step S104 for a certain period of time. Since the liquid does not need to remain for a certain period, the vacuum process in step S106 can be started immediately.

  In other words, hydrogen peroxide vapor or liquid is left in the lumen of the object to be sterilized for a certain period of time, so that the sterilization effect is not enhanced. By executing using pressure change, a high sterilization effect can be obtained instantaneously.

  That is, according to the invention of the present application, it is not necessary to increase the sterilization effect by leaving the vapor or liquid of hydrogen peroxide in the lumen of the object to be sterilized for a certain period of time in the deep portion of the lumen. There is an effect that can be started.

  The vacuum time including the initial process is a predetermined time set in advance. During the vacuum time, the pressure in the sterilization chamber gradually decreases, and reaches a vacuum pressure P0 when the predetermined time is reached. Steps 303 to 304 in FIG. 5 correspond to step S106 (vacuum process).

By operating the vacuum pump, the inside of the sterilization chamber, which is at atmospheric pressure, is exhausted. The hydrogen peroxide solution that has been condensed into a liquid in step S104 and the surface of the object to be sterilized in the sterilization chamber, the hydrogen peroxide solution that has sterilized the lumen of the object to be sterilized, and vaporized again in step S106 The hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilized on the surface of the object to be sterilized in the sterilization chamber and the hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilized in the lumen of the object to be sterilized can be removed (recovered).
In step S107, the inside of the sterilization chamber is ventilated (ventilation process).
The sterilization process ends.
FIG. 5 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the time change <first embodiment> of the pressure in the sterilization chamber during the sterilization process for sterilizing the lumen of the object to be sterilized by the sterilization apparatus of the present invention.

  The pressure of P0 is a pressure after the atmosphere release valve and the vaporization valve are closed and the inside of the sterilization chamber is evacuated by a vacuum pump, and is between 20 Pascals and 100 Pascals and is a vacuum pressure.

The pressure of P1 is a pressure after the vapor of hydrogen peroxide is diffused into the sterilization chamber, and is between 1000 Pascals and 4000 Pascals (preferably 1500 Pascals).
The pressure of P2 is the pressure after supplying gas (atmosphere) to the inside of the sterilization chamber and the vapor of hydrogen peroxide condenses in the lumen, and is atmospheric pressure.
301 is a pressure (P0) before starting the hydrogen peroxide diffusion process of step S103.
302 is a pressure (P1) when the hydrogen peroxide diffusion process of step S103 is completed.
302 is the pressure (P1) before starting the hydrogen peroxide condensing process of step S104.
303 is a pressure (atmospheric pressure) when the hydrogen peroxide condensing process of step S104 is completed.
Reference numeral 303 denotes a pressure (atmospheric pressure) before starting the hydrogen peroxide vaporization process in step S106.
304 is a pressure (P0) when the vacuum process of step S106 is completed.
305 is a pressure (P0) before starting the ventilation process of step S107.

10 Objects to be sterilized (endoscope)
11 Sterilization room 12 Sterilization room door 201 Viewport (glass window)
502 Illumination 504 Change unit 700 Sterilizer (hydrogen peroxide gas sterilizer)

Claims (6)

Lighting to illuminate the interior of the sterilization chamber;
To place the boundary between the inside of the external and the sterilization chamber of the sterilizer, a first glass window incorporated in a part of the sterilization chamber door provided in the sterilization device,
A second glass window incorporated in the upper part of the sterilization chamber so as to be arranged at the boundary between the outside of the sterilization chamber and the inside of the sterilization chamber ;
With
The sterilization apparatus was sterilized object to be sterilized by hydrogen peroxide is supplied into the sterilization chamber to the sterilization chamber is evacuated,
A storage room for storing the lighting;
Through the second glass window provided at the boundary between the interior of the sterilization chamber to be decompressed and the storage chamber not to be decompressed by turning on the illumination stored in the storage chamber during the sterilization process , illuminates the object to be sterilized housed in a vacuum pressure inside the sterilization chamber from the upper portion of said sterilization chamber,
Through the first glass window from the outside of the sterilization chamber door due to the brightness of illuminating the object to be sterilized housed in the sterilization chamber with vacuum pressure through the second glass window The first glass window is provided as a viewport on the sterilization chamber door of the sterilization apparatus so that an object to be sterilized stored in the sterilization chamber can be observed under vacuum pressure. Sterilizer. 2. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first glass window is a pressure-resistant glass for vacuum capable of withstanding up to a vacuum pressure in the sterilization chamber between 20 Pascals and 100 Pascals . The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second glass window is a pressure-resistant glass for vacuum capable of withstanding a vacuum pressure in the sterilization chamber between 20 Pascals and 100 Pascals. . Sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the magnitude of the second glass window is the same size as the area of illumination that illuminates the interior of the. Waiting the illumination of sterilization, each illuminated with different illumination colors during normal execution during sterilization, the sterilization subject housed in a vacuum pressure inside the sterilization chamber from the upper portion of said sterilization chamber shine, and the brightness of the second of said different illumination colors respectively via the glass window is illuminating the object to be sterilized housed in a vacuum pressure inside the sterilization chamber from the outside of the sterilization chamber door sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it the object to be sterilized housed in a vacuum pressure through a first glass window inside the sterilization chamber is observed . Claims during the illumination of the sterilization abnormal, illuminated further in different illumination colors, the object to be sterilized housed in a vacuum pressure inside the sterilization chamber, characterized in that illuminating from the top of the sterilization chamber Item 6. The sterilization apparatus according to Item 5.

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