JP6555765B1 - Endoscope cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an endoscope cleaning device that can ventilate vapors and gases generated from a chemical solution that are harmful to a human body in a shorter time and can reliably ventilate. An endoscope cleaning apparatus including a cleaning tank 13 that houses an endoscope 11 and performs cleaning and disinfection with a fluid, and an opening / closing part 12 that opens and closes the cleaning tank 13 to and from the endoscope 11. 10 and has a jetting means 30 for jetting the fluid into the cleaning tank 13 and a discharge means 60 for discharging the gas generated in the cleaning tank 13 from the cleaning tank 13. The first injection means 40 and the second injection means 50 have a gas flow from the gap S of the opening / closing part 12 to the outside by the jet of the fluid injected from the first injection means 40. In order not to leak, it is configured to inject the fluid that adjusts the momentum and / or direction of the fluid injected from the first injection means 40. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning apparatus for cleaning a used endoscope.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscope cleaning apparatuses that store used endoscopes in a cleaning tank and perform cleaning and disinfection have been proposed. In such an endoscope cleaning apparatus, vapor or gas harmful to the human body may be generated from a chemical solution used at the time of disinfection. If the harmful vapor or gas leaks from the gap between the opening and closing parts for inserting and removing the endoscope, there is a possibility that damage such as inhalation of gas by an operator may occur. In addition, when discharging disinfectant liquid from a container, what supplies a decomposition liquid has been proposed in order to suppress the odor (disabling) (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2009-207740 A

  However, there are few things that prevent the gas etc. from leaking out even though there are those that supply the decomposition liquid and prevent the gas etc. from going outside as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. . Further, even if it is considered to use a sealing member such as packing to prevent gas or the like from leaking, there is a possibility that a problem may occur in terms of cost and sealing performance.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and can prevent gas leakage to the outside without using a sealing member such as packing, and can improve safety while reducing costs. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope cleaning apparatus that can perform the above-described process.

  In order to achieve such an object, the present invention is characterized in that an endoscope is housed and a cleaning tank for cleaning and disinfecting with a fluid is opened, and the cleaning tank is opened and closed to put in and out the endoscope. An endoscope cleaning apparatus having an opening / closing unit, comprising: an ejecting means for injecting the fluid into the cleaning tank; and a discharging means for discharging the gas generated in the cleaning tank from the cleaning tank. The injection means includes a first injection means and a second injection means, and the second injection means is configured to cause the gas to flow by the jet of the fluid injected from the first injection means. The fluid is jetted to adjust the momentum and / or direction of the fluid jetted from the first jetting means so as not to leak to the outside through the gap of the opening / closing part. .

  In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the opening / closing part has a folded structure, the cleaning tank is opened by folding the opening / closing part, and the cleaning state is performed by extending the folded state of the opening / closing part. It is comprised so that a tank may be made into a closed state.

  The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the present invention includes a first injection unit and a second injection unit, and the second injection unit prevents the gas generated in the cleaning tank from leaking outside through the gap between the opening and closing parts. Further, since the fluid is injected to adjust the momentum and / or the direction of the fluid injected from the first injection means, the gas to the outside is used without using a sealing member such as packing. Leakage can be prevented, and safety can be improved while reducing costs.

  In addition, in the case where the opening / closing part has a folding structure in which the cleaning tank is opened by folding and the cleaning tank is closed by extending the folded state, a gap in the opening / closing part is particularly likely to occur. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to prevent gas leakage to the outside without using a sealing member such as packing, and it is possible to improve safety while reducing costs.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an endoscope cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the endoscope cleaning apparatus of the same embodiment with the opening / closing cover removed. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state which removed the opening / closing cover in the endoscope cleaning apparatus of the embodiment. It is a schematic front view of the state which removed the opening / closing cover in the endoscope cleaning apparatus of the embodiment. It is a schematic front view of the state which closed the opening-and-closing cover in the endoscope cleaning apparatus of the embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view for demonstrating the folding state of an opening-and-closing cover in the endoscope cleaning apparatus of the embodiment. It is the schematic front view which added the injection image from an injection port to the figure of the state which installed the endoscope in the state which opened the opening-and-closing cover in the endoscope cleaning apparatus of the embodiment. It is the schematic front view which added the injection image from another injection port to the figure of the state which installed the endoscope in the state which opened the opening-and-closing cover in the endoscope cleaning apparatus of the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

  The endoscope cleaning apparatus 10 according to this embodiment automatically cleans and disinfects the endoscope 11, and is provided in a concave shape from the front side as shown in FIGS. The mirror 11 includes a cleaning tank 13 that is accommodated and supported with its longitudinal direction facing up and down. The cleaning tank 13 has a vertically long shape, and the front opening 13a and the bottom wall 13b are provided so as to be inclined downwardly from the front, and the slope on the lower side is larger than the upper side. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 to 8, the front opening 13 a is covered with a substantially transparent opening / closing cover 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8, the bottom wall 13 b of the cleaning tank 13 is provided with an endoscope support portion 15 as a storage position for storing and supporting the endoscope 11. The endoscope support part 15 is formed so as to be supported in a state where the endoscope 11 is upright with the operation part 11a up and the insertion part 11b down.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 to 8, an opening / closing cover 12 that covers the front surface of the cleaning tank 13 and can open and close the inside of the cleaning tank 13 is provided. The open / close cover 12 of this embodiment has a folded structure as shown in FIGS. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, in the opening / closing cover 12, small opening / closing members 12a and large opening / closing members 12b are alternately arranged in the vertical direction and connected via hinges 12c. In addition, protrusions (not shown) protruding left and right from predetermined positions of the opening / closing members 12a and 12b are inserted into grooves (not shown) provided on the left and right inner side surfaces on the front side of the cleaning tank 13 so as to extend in the vertical direction. It is configured to slide.

  Further, the small opening / closing member 12a provided at the uppermost part is provided with protrusions on the left and right of the uppermost part, and is configured so as to be rotatable with respect to the groove part and not to slide in the vertical direction. With such a configuration, when the lower ends of the small opening / closing member 12a and the large opening / closing member 12b connected to the opening / closing cover 12 are moved downward, the opening / closing members 12a, 12b are moved to the cleaning tank 13 in a state where the upper portion is fixed to the uppermost portion. It extends in a substantially round shape along the shape of the front surface, and finally the opening of the cleaning tank 13 is closed to a closed state. Further, when the lower ends of the small opening / closing member 12a and the large opening / closing member 12b connected to the opening / closing cover 12 are moved upward, the opening / closing members 12a, 12b are formed in the shape of the front surface of the cleaning tank 13 with the upper portion fixed to the top. The small opening / closing member 12a is inserted inside the large opening / closing member 12b and folded, and the opening is opened.

  Since the opening / closing cover 12 has a folded structure as described above, the small opening / closing member 12a is inserted inside the large opening / closing member 12b. A large gap S is formed between the contact portion and the contact portion as compared with the case where the open / close cover is a single plate.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, cleaning fluid R such as acidic electrolyzed water, alkaline electrolyzed water, water (tap water), or cleaning fluid R such as air is injected into the endoscope 11 in the cleaning tank 13. An injection port 20 is provided for this purpose. In this embodiment, the first injection port 30, the second injection port 40, and the third injection port 50 are provided as the injection ports 20. An introduction portion (not shown) for introducing a cleaning member such as a wire brush into the endoscope 11 is also provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first injection port 30 for injecting the cleaning fluid R to the endoscope 11 is provided above the cleaning tank 13 in the injection port 20. . In this embodiment, it is provided at a total of four locations, one on each of the left and right of the uppermost portion, one on the right side below and one on the center. The first injection port 30 is connected to a power source such as a pump and a motor (not shown) and a tank and supply means for supplying various fluids, and is arranged so as to face substantially below or substantially in the lateral direction of the cleaning tank 13, respectively. ing. Here, in particular, the left and right uppermost portions are arranged so as to face the inner lower side of the cleaning tank 13, respectively. Moreover, the two 1st jet nozzles 30 arrange | positioned below are arrange | positioned so that it may be ejected toward the front-end | tip part of the endoscope just accommodated in the said position. Further, a fluid R such as alkaline electrolyzed water can be ejected as a jet H in this direction from the first injection port 30.

  A plurality of second injection ports 40 are arranged at the center in the cleaning tank 13. Here, it is provided in two places, one place on each side. The central injection port 40 is connected to a power source such as a pump and a motor (not shown) and a tank and supply means for supplying various fluids, and is arranged to face a predetermined direction. In this embodiment, the two second jet nozzles 40 are disposed so as to face the upper side inside the cleaning tank 13. From the second injection port 40, a fluid such as alkaline electrolyzed water similar to that of the upper injection port 30 can be ejected in this direction. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second ejection port 40 ejects the fluid R in a direction substantially opposite to the jet of the fluid R ejected from the uppermost first ejection port 30. Further, the injection strength of the fluid R is configured to be weaker than the first injection port 30 by a predetermined amount. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the second injection port 40 on the left side is disposed so as to be substantially opposite to the first injection port 30 on the uppermost right side, and as shown in FIG. 8, the second injection port on the right side. The injection port 40 is disposed so as to be substantially opposed to the first injection port 30 on the upper left side.

  In this way, the first direction is substantially opposite to the jet of the fluid R injected from the first injection port 30 and is less than the injection strength of the fluid R injected from the first injection port 30 by a predetermined amount. Since the fluid R is ejected from the two ejection ports 40, the direction and the momentum of the jet H of the fluid R ejected from the first ejection port 30 toward the opening / closing cover 12 can be weakened. As a result, the momentum of the injection from the first injection port 30 becomes stronger than necessary, and the jet H is directed toward the opening / closing cover 12, and the gas generated with a strong momentum is generated between the opening / closing cover 12 and the cleaning tank 13. And the gap S between the opening / closing cover members 12a and 12b of the folding type opening / closing cover 12 can be prevented.

  In addition, below the cleaning tank 13, the third injection ports 50 are provided in two places, one on each of the left and right sides. The third injection port 50 is connected to a power source such as a pump and a motor (not shown) and a tank and supply means for supplying various fluids, and is arranged so as to face substantially above the cleaning tank 13. Then, in particular, they are arranged so as to face the upper side inside the cleaning tank 13, respectively. Further, a fluid such as alkaline electrolyzed water can be ejected from the third ejection port 50 in the direction.

  In this embodiment, the first jet port 30, the second jet port 40, and the third jet port 50 are all configured to inject alkaline electrolyzed water after cleaning, and the endoscope 11. In this cleaning, a cleaning liquid such as acidic electrolyzed water, alkaline electrolyzed water, and water (purified water) is jetted to clean the outside of the endoscope 11.

  Further, it is efficient that the plurality of first injection ports 30, second injection ports 40, and third injection ports 50 are arranged in the vicinity of both left and right ends in the cleaning tank 13 in view of the injection angle and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be one arranged at the left and right central positions. Further, the positional relationship between the left and right first injection ports 30, the second injection ports 40, and the third injection ports 50 may be appropriate and may be arranged so as to be shifted vertically, and the vertical positions are arranged the same. Also good.

  Further, all of the first jet port 30, the second jet port 40, and the third jet port 50 may be jetted at the same time, or several or one by one. The momentum of injection, the injection amount, etc. may be changed.

  Moreover, the injection direction of each injection port 30 and 40 is set so that fluid R, such as the alkaline electrolyzed water injected from the 1st injection port 30 and the 2nd injection port 40, may collide. Therefore, the jets H that have been jetted collide with each other, so that the particles of the fluid R become finer, the surface area of the fluid R increases, and the chance of contact with the gas increases. Absorption efficiency can be improved. Moreover, since alkaline electrolyzed water has a chlorine adsorption capability, it can absorb chlorine more efficiently.

  A discharge means 60 is provided below the cleaning tank 13. Here, it is provided on the lower right side of the front view. The discharge means 60 is for discharging a cleaning liquid or a gas (chlorine gas or the like) generated by cleaning or disinfection with the cleaning liquid, and may be a valve having a hole connected to the outside. It is comprised by the exhaust means provided with the structure attracted | sucked outside.

  Note that the fluid R ejected from the first ejection port 30 can be used as appropriate, either liquid or gas. In the case of a liquid, an air flow utilizing attraction by dropping of a droplet is generated, and in the case of a gas, the jetted gas directly becomes an air flow. Further, when the fluid is a liquid, if the gas is dissolved in the liquid, a load on a filter or the like that removes the gas when ventilating can be reduced.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope cleaning apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described.

  First, the endoscope 11 is disposed on the endoscope support portion 15, the open / close cover 12 is closed, and the cleaning process is started. Here, after tap water is first jetted from the first jet port 30, the second jet port 40, and the third jet port 50 to the outside of the endoscope 11 for a predetermined time, the first jet port 30, Alkaline electrolyzed water is jetted from the second jet port 40 and the third jet port 50 for a predetermined time. During this time, the inside of the endoscope is simultaneously cleaned in the introduction unit, but the details are omitted.

  After the alkaline electrolyzed water is jetted to the outside of the endoscope 11, a disinfection process is performed next. Here, similarly, acidic electrolyzed water is jetted from the first jet port 30, the second jet port 40, and the third jet port 50, respectively, for a predetermined time. In this state, toxic gas such as chlorine gas is generated in the cleaning tank 13 due to the acidic electrolyzed water. Also, during the cleaning process and the disinfection process so far, a predetermined amount of suction is performed by the discharge means 60 in order to make the inside of the cleaning tank 13 have a negative pressure.

  Further, only by the suction of the discharge means 60, the gap S of the open / close cover 12 in the closed state, particularly the small open / close member 12a and the large open / close member 12b, due to the momentum of the jet H of the fluid R injected from the first injection port 30 Since the generated gas or the like may leak out from the space between the small opening / closing member 12a and the cleaning tank 13, the fluid injected from the first injection port 30 The fluid R is ejected from the second ejection port 40 in a direction substantially opposite to the jet H of R and a predetermined amount weaker than the strength of the jet H of the fluid R ejected from the first ejection port 30. Accordingly, the momentum of the jet of the fluid R from the first ejection port 30 is weakened, and the momentum of the jet H in the direction toward the opening / closing cover 12 is weakened.

  Next, after the disinfection process is completed and before the rinsing process, alkaline electrolyzed water is injected from the first injection port 30, the second injection port 40, and the third injection port 50, respectively, and suction is performed by the discharge means 60. At this time, air is taken in from the gap between the opening / closing cover 12 and the cleaning tank 13 by the jet H generated by the injection of alkaline electrolyzed water from the first injection port 30, gravity, and the suction force T of the discharge means 60. An air flow K passing through the mirror support 15 is generated, and alkaline electrolyzed water is jetted toward the discharge means 60 while neutralizing the gas and discharged outside. It should be noted that the momentum and amount of the alkaline electrolyzed water jet H from the first jet port 30 and the alkaline electrolyzed water from the second jet port 40 and the third jet port 50 so that the airflow K is generated with a predetermined strength. The momentum and amount of injection, the suction force T from the discharge means 60, and the like are adjusted. Also here, the fluid R is injected from the second injection port 40 so as to be substantially opposed to the first injection port 30 so that gas or the like does not leak from the opening / closing cover 12.

  Further, here, by spraying the alkaline electrolyzed water, a predetermined amount of chlorine can be adsorbed by the chlorine adsorbing capacity of the alkaline electrolyzed water, and the chlorine gas having a low concentration as a result of the adsorption is discharged from the discharge means 60. be able to. Thereby, the inside of the washing tank 13 in a state in which the chlorine gas concentration is reduced is ventilated by the air flow K, and ventilation can be performed more efficiently. Here, since alkaline electrolyzed water R from the second injection port 40 collides with the alkaline electrolyzed water jet H from the first injection port 30, the particle size of the fluid is reduced by the collision and the surface area is increased. Increase the chance of contact with the gas, improve the gas absorption efficiency by the fluid, and then ventilate. In addition, since the alkaline electrolyzed water used here is the same as the alkaline electrolyzed water used in the cleaning process, there is no need to use a tank or a pump in common, and the cost is high. It can be suppressed.

  Thereafter, a rinsing step is performed. In this rinsing process, tap water is similarly jetted from the first jet port 30, the second jet port 40, and the third jet port 50 for a predetermined time. At this time, the discharging means 60 sucks and tap water is discharged outside. Then, a drying process is performed by a blowing means (not shown), and all processes are completed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the first injection port 30 and the second injection port 40 are provided, and the second injection port 40 allows the gas generated in the cleaning tank 13 to pass through the gap S between the opening and closing cover 12. Since the fluid R that adjusts the momentum and / or direction of the fluid R ejected from the first ejection port 30 is ejected so as not to leak from the outside to the outside, a sealing member such as a packing is used. Without using, gas leakage to the outside can be prevented, and safety can be improved while reducing costs.

  The second injection port 40 is in a direction substantially opposite to the jet H of the fluid R injected from the first injection port 30 and the momentum of the jet H of the fluid R injected from the first injection port 30. The fluid R is injected with a weaker momentum, and the fluid R injected from the first injection port 30 and the second injection port 40 is configured so as to collide substantially oppositely. In addition, gas leakage to the outside can be prevented, and the safety can be improved while further reducing the cost.

  Further, in the case where the opening / closing cover 12 has a folding structure in which the cleaning tank 13 is opened by folding and the cleaning tank 13 is closed by extending the folded state, the gap S between the opening / closing cover 12 is particularly large. However, even with such a configuration, gas leakage to the outside can be prevented without using a sealing member such as packing, and safety can be improved while reducing costs. it can.

  In this embodiment, the first jetting means that is the jet that creates the airflow is only the upper first jetting port. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first jetting port is also provided at the center or the lower part. May be.

  Further, in this embodiment, the second injection port is arranged at the position and the direction in which the fluid is injected so as to substantially face the jet of the fluid injected from the first injection port. If the second injection port is arranged in the position and the direction in which the fluid is injected so as to prevent the gas from leaking from the opening / closing cover by the jet injected from the first injection port, it is not substantially opposite. They may be arranged in a positional relationship.

  Moreover, what is necessary is just to use it changing suitably as needed also about fluids, such as acidic electrolysis water and alkaline electrolysis water.

  The above embodiment is an exemplification of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Endoscope washing | cleaning apparatus 11 ... Endoscope 12 ... Opening / closing cover (opening / closing part)
12a ... small opening / closing member 12b ... large opening / closing member 13 ... cleaning tank 15 ... endoscope support section 20 ... injection port (injection means)
30 ... 1st injection port (1st ejection means)
40. Second outlet (second injection means)
50 ... third injection port 60 ... discharge means (exhaust means)
H ... Jet K ... Airflow R ... Fluid S ... Gap T ... Suction force

Claims (2)

An endoscope cleaning apparatus having a cleaning tank that houses an endoscope and performs cleaning and disinfection with a fluid, and an opening and closing unit that opens and closes the cleaning tank and puts the endoscope in and out.
An injection means for injecting the fluid into the cleaning tank; and a discharging means for discharging the gas generated in the cleaning tank from the cleaning tank.
The injection means has a first injection means and a second injection means,
The second jetting unit is configured to cause the gas jetted from the first jetting unit so that the gas does not leak to the outside through a gap of the opening / closing part by a jet of the fluid jetted from the first jetting unit. An endoscope cleaning apparatus configured to inject the fluid for adjusting body momentum and / or direction. The opening / closing part has a folded structure,
Folding the opening / closing part to open the cleaning tank,
The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning tank is configured to be closed by extending a folded state of the opening / closing portion.

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