JPH06133929A - Device for washing and disinfecting endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To inject chemicals such as detergents and disinfectans using a simple structure and in precisely determined amounts for use in washing and disinfecting. CONSTITUTION:Conduits connecting a detergent tank 19 and a disinfectant tank 20 both to a washing vessel 10 are provided with respective quantitative tanks 23, 24 for retaining chemicals supplied thereto from both of the tanks 19, 20. At the start of a washing process, a solenoid valve 21 located immediately below the detergent tank 19 is opened so that chemicals such as detergents are retained in the quantitative tank 23. Thereafter the solenoid valve located right below the detergent tank 19 is closed and a solenoid valve 25 located below the quantitative tank 23 is opened so that fixed amounts of chemicals are supplied into the washing vessel 10. A disinfecting process is started in the same manner as the washing process and chemicals such as disinfectants are supplied into the washing vessel 10 via the quantitative tank 24.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope after use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since an endoscope is contaminated once it is used, it is necessary to wash and disinfect it after use in order to prevent nosocomial infections. For example, JP-A-1-153133.
An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-6811 is used.

In these apparatuses, after the endoscope is set in the washing tank, the washing liquid is jetted from the jet nozzle provided in the washing tank and is fed into the endoscope conduit. Wash the inside of the mirror conduit. It is also considered that air bubbles are jetted into the cleaning liquid.

After the cleaning, the disinfecting liquid is sprayed or dipped in the disinfecting liquid in the same manner as the cleaning liquid, and further fed into the endoscope channel to disinfect the endoscope. Furthermore, rinsing is performed by jetting and sending cleaning water, and finally air is supplied into the endoscope conduit and the inside of the cleaning tank is heated to the outer surface of the endoscope.
The inside of the pipeline is also dried.

[0005]

By the way, in the conventional cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, the liquid injection of the detergent or the disinfecting liquid is usually carried out by a metering pump or a roller pump. But,
These pumps are expensive, and due to deterioration of tubes and the like, an accurate injection amount cannot be obtained and maintenance is troublesome.

Further, in the case of the above-mentioned pump, if the chemical liquid tank is removed for cleaning work or the like, there is a drawback that air cannot be injected into the tube or the like and an accurate and proper amount cannot be injected. If it is too thin, the effects of cleaning and disinfection cannot be obtained, or if the concentration is too high, it adversely affects the endoscope and causes failure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to accurately apply a chemical solution such as a detergent or a disinfectant solution used for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope with a simple structure. An object is to provide an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device capable of constant-quantity injection.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an endoscope cleaning device for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope by supplying a chemical solution from a chemical solution tank to a cleaning tank accommodating the endoscope. In the disinfecting device, a fixed quantity tank for storing the chemical solution supplied from the chemical solution tank is provided in a pipe line connecting the chemical solution tank and the washing tank.

[0009]

Operation: At the start of the washing process, the solenoid valve immediately below the chemical liquid tank is opened to store the chemical liquid such as detergent in the fixed amount tank. Thereafter, the electromagnetic valve immediately below the chemical solution tank is closed, and the electromagnetic valve below the metering tank is opened to supply a certain amount of chemical solution into the cleaning tank. At the start of the disinfection process, a chemical solution such as a disinfectant solution is supplied into the cleaning tank through the metering tank in the same manner as in the cleaning process.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show a first embodiment, and FIG.
Shows a schematic configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. Reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope, which is held inside the cleaning tank 10 by a holding member. The cleaning tank 10 is connected to a water supply system conduit 2, an outer surface cleaning conduit 3, and an in-scope conduit cleaning conduit 4.
The water supply system pipeline 2 is connected to a cleaning tank 10 via a water supply valve 5 for supplying water from a water supply source such as tap water.

Further, one end of the outer surface cleaning line 3 and the inner scope cleaning line 4 are connected to the circulating water discharge port 7 of the cleaning tank 10, and the other ends are used for cleaning the outer surface respectively. It is connected to the pump 8 and the cleaning pump 9 for cleaning the inside of the scope pipe.

Pipes are formed from the outer surface cleaning pump 8 to the nozzle 10a provided in the cleaning tank 10 and from the in-scope pipe cleaning pump 9 to the channel connection port 11. The channel connection port 11 is connected to various channels of the endoscope 1 via a tube 12 for cleaning an endoscope duct. In addition, an air supply pipeline 13 is connected in the middle of the cleaning pipeline 4 in the scope pipeline connected to the channel connection port 11.

One end of the drainage pipe 14 is connected to the drainage port 15 of the washing tank 10, and the other end is drainage valve 14.
It is connected to the drainage pump 16 via a and is piped to the outside of the apparatus. Further, the cleaning tank 10 is provided with a warm air generator 17 and an exhaust port 18 for drying the endoscope.

Further, a detergent tank 19 and a disinfectant solution tank 20 as chemical solution tanks are provided in the apparatus, and solenoid valves 21 and 22 are further provided at the bottoms of the tanks.
Downstream thereof, fixed quantity tanks 23, 24 and solenoid valves 25, 2
6 is provided and a pipeline is formed up to the washing tank 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the detergent tank 19 and the disinfectant solution tank 20 are detachable.
Cleaning work can be easily done, and it is possible to prevent bacteria, dirt, etc. from increasing in the tank. Further, an opening / closing valve 27 is provided below the detergent tank 19 and the disinfectant solution tank 20, and when the tank is lifted, the closing action of the opening / closing valve 27 prevents the liquid in the tank from dripping. Cage, only when the tank is placed at the designated location,
The opening / closing valve 27 is opened by the pressing member 28.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. First, when the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus is used, the used endoscope 1 is set on each holding member, and the endoscope conduit cleaning tube 12 is set.
And is connected to the channel connection port 11 via. afterwards,
Washing, disinfection, rinsing, air supply, and drying steps are performed in accordance with the operation of various operation switches (not shown). First, in the cleaning step, the water supply valve 5 is first opened, and cleaning water from a water supply source such as tap water is supplied to the cleaning tank 10 via the water supply system pipeline 2.

Further, a solenoid valve 21 under the detergent tank 19
Is opened, and the detergent is stored in the fixed quantity tank 23. After that, the solenoid valve 21 is closed and the metering tank 2
The solenoid valve 25 at the bottom of 3 is opened, and the detergent in the fixed quantity tank 23 is poured into the cleaning tank 10. Here, the detergent in the detergent tank 19 is a concentrated liquid, and is set to have an appropriate concentration when mixed in the washing water. Then, when a certain amount of water or detergent is supplied, the water supply valve 5 is closed, and subsequently, the outer surface cleaning pump 8 and the scope conduit cleaning pump 9 are turned on.

Washing tank 1 accompanying the driving of these pumps
The cleaning water in 0 is the nozzle 10a and the channel connection port 11
Is supplied to each. Then, the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 10 a is sprayed onto the endoscope 1 set in the cleaning tank 10 and is delivered into the channel of the endoscope 1.

Further, in the latter half of the cleaning process, the drain valve 14a is opened, and at the same time, the drain pump 16 is driven to discharge the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 10 to the outside and the water supply valve 5 is opened to supply new water to the cleaning tank 10. Supplied within. That is, washing, that is, rinsing is performed while the washing water in the washing tank 10 is sequentially replaced with new water. After that, the water supply valve 5 is closed, the outer surface cleaning pump 8 is stopped, and the cleaning tank 1
The rinsing liquid in 0 is discharged, and after a certain time, the drainage pump 1
6 stops.

At the final stage of the cleaning process, the scope pipe cleaning pump 9 is stopped and the compressor 27 is driven to introduce air into the channel of the endoscope 1 through the channel connection port 11. Then, the drainage of the endoscope 1 is performed.

After the washing process is completed, the disinfection process is subsequently performed. In this disinfection process, first, the electromagnetic valve 22 below the disinfectant solution tank 20 is opened, and the disinfectant solution is stored in the fixed quantity tank 24. After that, the electromagnetic valve 22 is closed, and the electromagnetic valve 26 below the fixed quantity tank 24 is opened to inject the disinfectant solution in the fixed quantity tank 24 into the cleaning tank 10.
Here, the disinfecting liquid in the disinfecting liquid tank 20 is a concentrated liquid, and is set to have an appropriate concentration in a state where it is mixed with a specified amount of cleaning water in the cleaning tank 10.

Subsequently, the outer surface cleaning pump 8 and the scope conduit cleaning pump 9 are turned on. As these pumps are driven, the disinfectant solution in the cleaning tank 10 becomes
a and the channel connection port 11 respectively. Then, the disinfectant solution sprayed from the nozzle 10a is washed in the cleaning tank 10.
The endoscope 1 set inside is sprayed and is fed into each channel to disinfect the endoscope 1.

Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the drain valve 14a
The drainage pump 16 is driven at the same time to open the washing tank 10
The disinfectant solution inside is discharged to the outside of the device. After the disinfection process, the rinsing process is performed subsequently.

In the rinsing process, first, the water supply valve 5 is left open, and new water is supplied into the washing tank 10. After that, the drain valve 14a is opened, and at the same time, the drain pump 16 is driven and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 10 is discharged to the outside. That is, rinsing is performed while the washing water in the washing tank 10 is sequentially replaced with new water.

After stopping the operation of the outer surface cleaning pump 8 and the scope conduit cleaning pump 9, the compressor 27
The air is introduced by driving to completely drain the water in the channel of the endoscope 1. After a certain period of time,
The drainage pump 16 is stopped. After the rinsing step is completed, the drying step is subsequently performed.

In the drying process, the warm air generator 17 to the washing tank 1
The hot air is introduced into the channel 0, and the air from the compressor 27 is heated and then flowed into the channel of the endoscope 1. At this time, the steam in the cleaning tank 10 is exhausted to the outside through the exhaust port 18, so that the humidity is lowered and the drying is promoted. In addition, in the present embodiment, the type in which the disinfectant solution is sprayed to disinfect the endoscope 1 has been described, but it is also applicable to a device in which the endoscope 1 is disinfected by being immersed in the disinfectant solution. Needless to say, Further, the shape of the metering tanks 23 and 24 described here is an example, and any structure may be used as long as it can store a metered amount of chemical solution.

According to this embodiment, since the detergent and the disinfecting solution can be easily and accurately injected into the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, the cost of the product can be reduced, and the failure of the endoscope due to the abnormal concentration can be prevented. It can be prevented.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The volumes of the quantitative tanks 23 and 24 in the first embodiment are set to be small so that various specified concentrations of detergents and disinfectants can be handled. That is, each concentration is made to correspond by the number of times it is injected from the fixed quantity tanks 23 and 24 into the cleaning tank 10.
For example, if the washing tank 10 has a capacity of 10 liters and the fixed amount tanks 23 and 24 are 50 ml, one injection is 0.5%, two injections are 1%, and four injections are 2%, which correspond to respective concentrations. . The user should be able to select this selection.

Since various detergents and disinfecting liquids having specified concentrations can be used, the range of selection is widened and the usability is improved depending on the user's preference and acquisition conditions. Further, even if the same detergent is used, the concentration can be changed depending on the degree of dirt, so that it can be efficiently and economically performed.

3 and 4 show a modified example of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 3 shows a pipeline structure around the pump 9 for cleaning the inside of the scope pipeline and the compressor 27.

In FIG. 3, after the conduits 4 for cleaning in the scope conduit and the air supply conduit 13 join, they are communicated with the endoscope conduit, and check valves are provided in the middle of the conduits. 28, 29 and solenoid valves 30, 31 are provided. These solenoid valves 30 and 31 are on / off controlled by control means (not shown). A temperature sensor 32 for detecting the temperature of the washing water is provided at the bottom of the washing tank 10.

The basic cleaning and disinfecting process is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the temperature sensor 32 provided in the cleaning tank 10 measures the temperature of the cleaning water at the beginning of the cleaning process.
According to a program determined in advance by this temperature, the time ratio of the flushing and the gas-liquid two-phase flushing is determined. In addition, the user should select in advance whether or not to use detergent.

As an example, a detergent is used and the washing water temperature is 50 ° C.
The operation of the cleaning process in the endoscope conduit under the above condition will be described. First, the cleaning pump 9 for cleaning the scope conduit and the electromagnetic valve 30 for controlling the cleaning liquid are turned on to clean the endoscope conduit. Only liquid flows. The cleaning solution with warm water to which this detergent is added has a very large chemical action to dissolve dirt, so when the cleaning solution is sufficiently in contact with the inner surface of the endoscope channel, as in the case of washing with flowing liquid, the cleaning force is the best. It is pulled out (see FIG. 4).

After that, in order to return the pressure in the liquid supply pipe in the apparatus to the normal pressure, the cleaning pump 9 in the scope pipe is used.
To stop. After that, the compressor 27 and the solenoid valve 31
After the switch is turned on, the cleaning pump 9 for cleaning the inside of the scope pipe is turned on and the cleaning is performed with a gas-liquid two-phase flow. Here, at the time of the above-mentioned washing with the flowing liquid, the dirt that is stuffy but sticks to the inner surface of the pipe line and cannot be completely removed is removed by mechanical force. Further, if the above two steps are repeated, the cleaning power can be further enhanced. here,
As shown in Table 1, it is possible to arbitrarily change the ratios of the flow washing and the gas-liquid two-phase flow washing, and select the physical washing and the chemical washing depending on the washing water conditions.

[0036]

[Table 1]

Here, the temperature of the cleaning liquid is controlled by the temperature sensor 3
Although the measurement is automatically performed by the method 2 described above, the present invention is not limited to this and may be selected by the user, or of course other measurement means may be used. Further, it is of course possible to change the ratio of the above-mentioned two cleaning means depending on the characteristics of each detergent. Further, the ratio of the above-mentioned two cleaning means is merely an example, and it is needless to say that the ratio can be changed within the range of not changing the gist of the present invention.

According to this endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, regardless of the difference in the cleaning conditions such as the presence or absence of hot water equipment, the difference in the temperature of the cleaning water, and the difference in the detergent to be used, the endoscope is always kept in the best condition in the endoscope conduit. Since cleaning can be performed, a device with a high cleaning level and a short cleaning time can be provided.

5 and 6 show a modified example of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. An air blowing nozzle 33 and a pressure sensor 34 for detecting the liquid surface position are provided below the cleaning tank 10.

The cleaning / disinfecting device has a water supply line not shown,
A pipe for cleaning inside the scope pipe is provided. Pipe lines from a disinfecting solution tank and a detergent tank (not shown) are connected to the cleaning tank 10 via electromagnetic valves, respectively. One end side of the in-scope washing line 4 is connected to the circulating water discharge port 35 of the washing tank 10, and the other end is connected to the in-scope washing pump 9. A pipe line is formed in the channel connection port 11 from the cleaning pump 9 for cleaning the inside of the scope pipe line. This channel connection port 11 is used for the endoscope 1.
Are connected to various channels through the endoscope conduit cleaning tube 12.

The air blowing nozzle 33 is connected to the conduit 3
6 is connected to the compressor 37, and the line 36
A switching valve 38 for switching between the channel connection port 11 and the air blowing nozzle 33 is provided in the middle of.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. First, when the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus is used, the used endoscope 1 is set in the cleaning tank 10, and the endoscope conduit cleaning tube 1 is set.
2 is connected to the endoscope 1 and the channel connection port 11.
After that, washing, disinfection, rinsing, air feeding, and drying steps are performed in accordance with the operation of various device switches (not shown).

First, in the washing step, the water supply valve is first opened,
For example, washing water from a water supply source such as tap water is supplied to the washing tank 10 via a water supply system pipeline. In addition, a preset amount of detergent is poured into the washing tank 10. Then, when a fixed amount of water is supplied, the water supply valve is closed, and then bubble cleaning is performed. That is, the compressor 37 is driven,
Compressed air is sent to the air blowing nozzle 33 and blows into the cleaning liquid. The endoscope 1 is washed by the impact force that the bubbles of the compressed air burst and the effect of stirring the washing liquid.

When the washing step is completed, the drain valve is opened, and at the same time, the drain pump is driven to discharge the washing liquid in the washing tank 10 to the outside and the water supply valve is opened to supply new water into the washing tank 10. Further, the cleaning pump 9 for cleaning the inside of the scope pipe is driven. That is, rinsing is performed while the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 10 is sequentially replaced with fresh water in an overflow manner. After that, the water supply valve is closed and the drainage pump is stopped.

After completion of this rinsing step, the scope pipe cleaning pump 9 is stopped and the switching valve 38
Are switched, and the endoscope 1 is switched through the channel connection port 11.
Air is introduced into the various channels to drain the water.

Then, the disinfection step is subsequently performed. First, the disinfectant solution in the disinfectant solution tank is supplied to the cleaning tank 10 through the injection pump and the disinfectant solution injection line. At this time, the liquid surface position W of the washing water is stopped slightly above the ejection port of the air blowing nozzle 33 (for example, 5 cm above the ejection port). That is, the pressure sensor 34 detects the liquid surface position W and controls the stop of the infusion pump. And the compressor 37
Is driven, and the disinfecting liquid is atomized and diffused by ejecting compressed air to disinfect the ceiling surface, the upper side surface, and the like of the cleaning tank 10.

After performing this step for a certain period of time, the injection pump is driven again to collect the disinfectant solution to the designated position, and the normal endoscope 1 is disinfected. That is, the entire endoscope 1 is the washing tank 1
The cleaning tank 1 is completely immersed in the disinfectant solution stored in 0, and the cleaning tank 1 is turned on by turning on the cleaning pump 9 in the scope pipeline.
The disinfectant solution in 0 is supplied to the channel connection port 11 to disinfect the endoscope 1. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the drain valve opens and the disinfectant solution is collected in the disinfectant solution tank.

After the disinfection process, the rinsing process is performed again. After the rinsing step, the water in the channel of the endoscope 1 is completely drained by driving the compressor 37. After a certain period of time, the drainage pump stops. After the rinsing step is completed, a drying step is subsequently performed.

It should be noted that, although the cleaning with bubbles is described, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this, and can be used for shower cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning. Further, here, the pressure sensor 34
Although the liquid surface position W is controlled by using, it is of course possible to use a float switch or the like. further,
Here, the cleaning tank 10 by atomization is used before the normal disinfection process.
Although the inside is sterilized, the timing is not particularly limited, and the sterilization may be performed at any time such as when the disinfectant is collected.

Therefore, it is possible to disinfect a portion such as the ceiling surface of the cleaning tank 10 that is difficult to disinfect. Further, the liquid surface position W is maintained at 1 cm, 3 cm, and 5 cm above the ejection port of the air blowing nozzle 33, for example, for 10 seconds each, as shown in FIG. Further, the compressed air may be jetted at the same time as the disinfectant solution is injected, without being limited to the case where the disinfectant solution is held at a fixed position for a fixed time. In this case, since the liquid surface position W constantly changes, the spray direction and particle size of the atomized disinfectant solution also change, and the entire cleaning tank 10 can be easily disinfected, and the disinfectant solution injection direction can be changed to ensure reliable disinfection. You can do it. Therefore, with a simple structure, it is possible to disinfect a difficult place to disinfect, such as a ceiling surface.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, the metering tank for storing the chemical solution supplied from the chemical solution tank is provided in the conduit connecting the chemical solution tank and the cleaning tank, thereby cleaning the endoscope. It is possible to accurately and quantitatively inject chemicals such as detergents and disinfectants used for disinfection with a simple structure.
The product cost can be reduced and the endoscope can be prevented from malfunctioning due to abnormal concentration.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a detergent / disinfectant tank according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a modified example of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a difference in cleaning force between the flow cleaning and the gas-liquid two-phase flow cleaning of the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another modified example of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a relationship between a liquid surface position of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus and an air blowing nozzle.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Endoscope, 10 ... Washing tank, 19 ... Detergent tank, 20 ...
Disinfectant tank, 23, 24 ... Fixed quantity tank.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for supplying a chemical solution from a chemical solution tank to a cleaning tank containing an endoscope to clean and disinfect the endoscope, a pipe line connecting the chemical solution tank and the cleaning tank is provided. An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device, which is provided with a metering tank for storing the chemical solution supplied from the chemical solution tank.