JPH08243080A - Endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus capable of exactly adjusting the flow rate of a fluid for cleaning and disinfecting-work by processes for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope tube line, obtaining sufficient effect in cleaning the inside of the endoscope tube line, and safely and securely performing injection of a disinfectant liquid into the endoscope tube line. CONSTITUTION: Each process of a series of cleaning and disinfecting work of an inside tube line of an endoscope is interlocked with switching motion of operation buttons 9a, 9b, and 9c, and the prescribed flow rate of fluid in each process of cleaning and disinfecting work is controlled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a small endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for supplying various liquids to a conduit built into an endoscope to clean and disinfect the inside of the conduit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an air supply conduit is provided inside an endoscope.
A plurality of conduits such as a water supply conduit, a suction conduit, a treatment instrument insertion conduit, and the like are provided. After using the endoscope, it is necessary to clean and disinfect not only the outer surface of the endoscope but also the inside of these conduits.

As an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of this type, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-211118 has a cleaning / disinfecting tank for accommodating and sealing an endoscope in the main body of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. The endoscope is controlled by controlling the liquid feed rate of the liquid feed pump for each model of the endoscope so that the optimum liquid feed amount can be obtained according to the inner diameter and length of the endoscope line to be cleaned and disinfected. There is shown a large device configured to reliably clean the internal conduits of the.

Further, as an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus having another structure, in particular, a small endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus which does not have a cleaning / disinfecting tank for housing and sealing the endoscope in the apparatus body of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. The device is also being developed.

[0005]

Generally, a relatively high pressure (large flow rate) is used when the inside of the duct of an endoscope is cleaned.
It is effective to inject the cleaning liquid of 1. However, in the case of performing disinfection work, if the pipe line is sufficiently filled with the disinfectant solution, the disinfection effect is exerted.
It is not necessary to deliver the disinfectant solution into the conduit of the endoscope at a particularly high pressure (large flow rate). On the contrary, when the disinfectant solution having a strong disinfectant effect is flown at a high pressure, the disinfectant solution may be unnecessarily scattered around due to work mistakes. Therefore, regarding the work of injecting the antiseptic solution into the conduit of the endoscope, it is required to keep the flow rate to the minimum necessary.

However, in the conventional endoscope cleaning apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-211118, it is only possible to change the liquid feed amount of the liquid feed pump for each model of the endoscope. There is a problem that the amount of liquid delivered by the liquid delivery pump cannot be changed during the cleaning and disinfecting work of one endoscope.
Therefore, when cleaning and disinfecting one endoscope, the liquid feed rate of the liquid feed pump is fixed at a single preset value in advance.
For example, if the amount of liquid delivered by the liquid delivery pump is set to a state in which high-pressure (large flow rate) liquid delivery that is effective in the cleaning process is performed, the flow rate of the disinfectant liquid during the disinfection process becomes unnecessarily high and There is a problem that it becomes unsuitable for the process.

On the contrary, when the discharge amount of the liquid feed pump is set to a state in which the liquid is fed at the optimum flow rate (small flow rate) for the disinfection process, the flow rate of the wash liquid becomes insufficient during the washing work, and the endoscope tube There is a problem that the inside of the road cannot be cleaned sufficiently.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to accurately determine the flow rate of a fluid for cleaning and disinfecting work in each process such as a cleaning process of an endoscope conduit and a disinfecting process. It can be adjusted, and by using one fluid supply means, sufficient effect can be obtained for cleaning the inside of the endoscope conduit, and disinfection liquid can be safely and reliably injected into the endoscope conduit. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a connecting means connected to an internal conduit of an endoscope and a fluid for cleaning / disinfecting work to the internal conduit of the endoscope via the connecting means. A cleaning / disinfecting apparatus including a fluid supply means, a flow rate adjusting means for adjusting a flow rate of a fluid supplied from the fluid supplying means, and a switching means for switching each step of a series of cleaning / disinfecting operations of an internal conduit of an endoscope. And a control means for interlocking with the process switching operation of the switching means of the main body of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus and controlling the set flow rate of the fluid by the flow rate adjusting means for each step of the cleaning / disinfecting work. .

[0010]

[Function] During the cleaning and disinfecting work of the endoscope conduit, by controlling the set flow rate of the fluid by the flow rate adjusting means for each process of the cleaning and disinfecting work in association with the switching operation of each process of the series of cleaning and disinfecting work, The flow rate of the fluid for cleaning / disinfecting work is accurately adjusted for each process such as the cleaning process of the endoscope conduit and the disinfecting process.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
2 (C) will be described. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the entire endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. Reference numeral 1 denotes a pump unit main body (main body of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus). Two pumps (fluid supply means), a fluid pump 2 capable of sending a liquid and a gas and an air pump 3 for sending only a gas, are provided inside the pump unit body 1 as shown in FIG.
Is installed.

On the operation panel 4 which is the front panel of the pump unit body 1, a suction mouthpiece 5 communicating with the suction side of the fluid pump 2, a discharge mouthpiece 6 communicating with the discharge side of the fluid pump 2, and an air pump. 3 is connected to the air supply socket 7, the main switch 8, the fluid pump 2 and the air pump 3 are started and stopped, and each step of cleaning, disinfection, rinsing and water removal during cleaning and disinfecting work is arbitrarily performed. Three operation buttons (RUN / STOP button 9a that is the first button, second button that serves as a means for switching between the cleaning and disinfecting work steps that can be selected)
There are provided a SELECT1 button 9b which is a button, a SELECT2 button 9c which is a third button), and a display panel 10 which displays each process such as cleaning, disinfection, rinsing and water removal by an LED (light emitting diode) or the like.

The suction cap 5 is a so-called one-touch joint, and one end of the suction tube 11 can be detachably connected to the suction cap 5 via a joint 11a. Further, the other end of the suction tube 11 is fixed to the container 12 by a suction tube fixing tool 13 described later so that the tip of the suction tube 11 is immersed in the liquid in the container 12 containing the cleaning liquid, the disinfecting liquid, the rinse water and the like. There is.

The discharge mouthpiece 6 is also a one-touch joint, and a male joint 14a at one end of the air / liquid feeding tube 14 is detachably connectable to the discharge mouthpiece 6. A valve is provided inside the suction mouthpiece 5 and the discharge mouthpiece 6, and the valve is opened when the suction tube 11 or the air / liquid feeding tube 14 is connected, and the internal pipe lines communicate with each other, and when not connected. The valve is designed to close. Therefore,
Even when the tubes 11 and 14 are removed from the pump unit body 1, the liquid remaining in the pump unit body 1 does not leak out from the suction mouthpiece 5 and the discharge mouthpiece 6 to the outside.

Further, the shapes of the suction mouthpiece 5 and the discharge mouthpiece 6 are different from each other, and the joint 14a of the air / liquid feeding tube 14 cannot be connected to the suction mouthpiece 5 and the joint 11a of the suction tube 11 cannot be connected to the discharge mouthpiece 6, respectively. It has become.

The other end of the air / liquid feeding tube 14 communicates with the forceps port 16 of the endoscope 15 to be cleaned and disinfected and the internal pipe of the air / water feeding cylinder 17, and the suction cylinder 1
A pipe line connecting portion (connecting means) 19 to be described later that is connected in a state of closing 8 is provided. When cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope 15, the operation is performed with the endoscope 15 placed in a cleaning / disinfecting tank 20 provided separately outside the pump unit body 1. .

The suction mouthpiece 5 and the discharge mouthpiece 6 of the operation panel 4 are arranged at the lower right of the operation panel 4. Further, the three operation buttons 9a, 9b, 9c are arranged above the discharge mouthpiece 6 and the suction mouthpiece 5, and
Further, a display panel 10 is arranged above it.
Then, the suction cap 5, the discharge cap 6, and the three operation buttons 9
By arranging a, 9b, 9c and the display panel 10 in such a positional relationship, the joint portion between the suction mouthpiece 5 and the joint 11a of the suction tube 11 which occurs during the operation of the pump unit main body 1, and the discharge port. The display panel 10 and the operation buttons 9a, 9b, 9c are prevented from being contaminated by liquid dripping from the joint portion between the gold 6 and the joint 14a of the air / liquid feeding tube 14.

The connector portion 21 of the endoscope 15 can be connected to the air supply socket 7. Then, by connecting the connector portion 21 of the endoscope 15 to the air supply socket 7, air can be sent to the air supply / water supply channel of the endoscope 15, whereby residual water in the air supply / water supply channel can be removed. It can be discharged.

A water leakage detection tube (not shown) can be connected to the air supply socket 7. Then, a water leakage detection tube is connected to the air supply socket 7, air is sent to the inside of the endoscope 15 through this water leakage detection tube, and the endoscope 15 is submerged in the water, whereby the endoscope 15
It is possible to detect water leakage.

Further, one end of a tube 22 for injecting liquid can be detachably connected to the air supply socket 7 via a connector type adapter 22a having the same shape as the connector portion 21 of the endoscope 15. . A liquid injection part 23 having a substantially T-shaped branch conduit is provided in the middle of the liquid injection tube 22. When using the liquid injection tube 22, the adapter 22a is connected to the air supply socket 7, and the liquid injection tube 22 is connected to the joint 14a of the air supply / water supply tube 14 connected to the endoscope 15.
In the state where the other end of the liquid injection tube 22 is connected to the liquid injection section 23 in the middle of the liquid injection tube 22, for example, the syringe 13 shown in FIG.
It is designed to connect two injection devices. In this state, a liquid such as alcohol is injected into the liquid injecting section 23 via the syringe 132, and then the air is pumped by the air pump 3, so that the liquid injected into the liquid injecting section 23 flows into the conduit of the endoscope 15. It is supposed to be done.

The main switch 8 is arranged at the lower left of the operation panel 4. Above the main switch 8 is provided a waterless portion 24 in the form of a ridge, so that the switch 8 does not get wet with the drowning water.

A water pick 25, which is used for cleaning a small gap such as the periphery of the forceps raising base of the endoscope 15, is detachably connectable to the discharge mouthpiece 6. . Two tubes 26 and 27 having different tube diameters are connected to the water pick 25. Here, a joint 26a that is detachably connected to the discharge mouthpiece 6 is provided at the base end of the large-diameter tube 26 having a large tube diameter, and the small-diameter tube 27 having a small tube diameter has an injection nozzle 28a at the tip. The handpiece 28 provided is connected. Therefore, since the large diameter tube 26 is arranged on the side of the joint 26a in the water pick 25, the large diameter tube 26 is not easily broken from the root of the joint 26a while the water pick 25 is in use. There is.

The main switch 8 and the three operation buttons 9a, 9b, 9c of the operation panel 4 are connected to a control section (control means) 29 including, for example, a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits. A fluid pump 2, an air pump 3, and a display panel 10 are further connected to the control unit 29, and three press switches 31a of a foot switch 31 disposed outside the timer 30 and the pump unit body 1, 31b and 31c are respectively connected.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the display panel 10 has a first display section 32 for displaying each step of the cleaning process.
And a second display unit 33 for displaying each step of the disinfection process.
And a third display unit 34 for displaying other work processes. Here, the first display element 32 has a first display element 32a for displaying the FLUSH position during the cleaning process.
And a second display element 32b for displaying the RINSE position
And a third display element 32c displaying the DISCHG position
And are installed side by side.

Further, the second display section 33 has a first display element 33a for displaying the FLUSH position during the disinfection process,
A second display element 33b for displaying the DISCHG position,
A third display element 33c for displaying the RINSE position, D
A fourth display element 33d that displays the ISCHG position is arranged in parallel.

Further, the third display section 34 has a first display element 34a for displaying a leak detection test state (LEAKTEST / AIR) of the endoscope 15 and a water pick 25.
And a second display element 34b for displaying the usage state (WATERPICK) of the. The display panel 1
0 display elements 32a to 32c, 33a to 33d, 34
The a and 34b are formed of, for example, LEDs (light emitting diodes).

Further, in the memory built in the control unit 29, as shown in Table 1 below, the display elements 32a to 32 of the display panel 10 which are preset for each step of the cleaning and disinfecting work.
c, 33a to 33d, 34a, 34b LED display state, type of pump to be driven (one of the two pumps 2 and 3), rotational speed of the pump to be driven, each data of the set time of the timer 30. Is remembered.

[0028]

[Table 1]

The three operation buttons 9a, 9b, 9
L of each display element 32a-32c, 33a-33d, 34a, 34b of the display panel 10 is controlled by the control unit 29 in conjunction with the switching operation of each step of the cleaning / disinfecting work by the operation of c.
While the ED display state is switched, either one of the two pumps 2 and 3 is selectively driven, and the flow rate of the fluid supplied from the driven pump 2 is adjusted. There is. Here, the flow rate of the fluid supplied to the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 is adjusted by the rotation speed of the driven fluid pump 2 and the change of the set time of the timer 30, and thus the fluid supplied from the fluid pump 2 is adjusted. A flow rate adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate of is formed.

Therefore, during the cleaning / disinfecting work, each step of the cleaning / disinfecting work selected by operating any one of the three operation buttons 9a, 9b, 9c indicates the display elements 32a-32c, 33a-33d of the display panel 10. The number of revolutions (discharging amount) of the fluid pump 2 is set so that the discharging amount most suitable for each process is displayed on the LED 34b.

The fluid pump 2 and the air pump 3
Three operation buttons 9 for starting and stopping the process and switching processes
Although it is performed with a, 9b, and 9c, the operation can also be performed with the pressing switches 31a, 31b, and 31c of the foot switch 31.

FIG. 3 shows an endoscope 15 for cleaning and disinfecting.
It shows the internal conduit of. Here, in the endoscope 15, an insertion portion 35 to be inserted into the body, a proximal operation portion 36 connected to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 35, and the operation portion 3
6 is provided with a universal cord 37 whose base end is connected. The connector 21 is provided at the tip of the universal cord 37.

Further, a tip opening 39 of the suction channel 38 is formed at the tip of the insertion portion 35. The forceps port 16 of the operation unit 36 is connected to the middle of the suction channel 38, and the suction channel 38 between the forceps port 16 and the opening 39 also serves as a forceps channel. The base end side of the suction channel 38 communicates with the suction mouthpiece 40 of the connector portion 21 via the suction cylinder 18.

An air / water supply nozzle 41 is provided at the tip of the insertion portion 35. The air supply tube 42 and the water supply tube 43 communicating with the air supply / water supply nozzle 41 are connected to each other via the air supply / water supply cylinder 17 through the air supply / water supply cap 4 of the connector section 21.
It is connected to 4.

5 and 6 show the piping structure of the fluid pump 2 inside the pump unit body 1. The fluid pump 2 is provided with a suction port 45 for taking in liquid or the like from the outside of the apparatus and a discharge port 46 for discharging the liquid or the like pressurized in the body of the pump 2.

Here, one end of a pump suction tube 47 is connected to the suction port 45. The other end of the pump suction tube 47 is connected to a suction mouthpiece 5 which is fixed to the operation panel 4 with a rubber bush 48 interposed therebetween.

Further, one end of a pump discharge tube 49 is connected to the discharge port 46. The other end of the pump discharge tube 49 is connected to the discharge mouthpiece 6 which is fixed to the operation panel 4 with the rubber bush 48 sandwiched therebetween, similarly to the suction side.

Further, both ends of the pump discharge tube 49 are crimped and fixed by fixing rings 50 as shown in FIG.
The discharge pressure of the fluid from the fluid pump 2 prevents the connecting portions at both ends of the tube 49 from coming off.

Further, a casing 51 is attached to the discharge mouthpiece 6 so as to cover the connecting portion between the discharge mouthpiece 6 and the pump discharge tube 49. One end of a protective tube 52 that covers the circumference of the pump discharge tube 49 is connected to the casing 51. The other end of the protective tube 52 is connected to the pump discharge port 46.

A cap 51a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the casing 51 so as to communicate with the gap between the protective tube 52 and the pump discharge tube 49. This base 51
One end of the drain pipe 53 is connected to a. The other end of the drain pipe 53 is connected to the drain port body 55 provided on the bottom plate 54 of the pump unit body 1, and the bottom plate 5
It is opened to the outside through the drain hole 56 formed in the No. 4.

Here, the drain mouth 55 is the drain hole 5
6 is fixed to the bottom plate 54 of the pump unit body 1 with a screw 57 in a state of being sandwiched. The bottom plate 54 of the pump unit body 1 near the pipe is provided with a plurality of chassis holes 58 that open to the outside (hole diameter φ is preferably about 3 mm or less).

FIG. 7 shows a connection state of the pipe line connecting portion 19 of the air / liquid feeding tube 14. Here, a first tube 59 that is detachably connected to the discharge mouthpiece 6 of the pump unit body 1 via the joint 14a is provided on the upstream side of the air / liquid feeding tube 14. A valve is provided in the joint 14a, and the pump unit main body 1
When the connection with the discharge mouthpiece 6 is released, the valve in the joint 14a is automatically closed, and the liquid does not drip to the outside from the opening of the joint 14a.

Further, a substantially Y-shaped branch connector 60 is connected to the downstream side of the first tube 59. The branch connector 60 is provided with a first connecting portion 60a connected to the first tube 59 on one end side and bifurcated second and third connecting portions 60b, 60c on the other end side. .
Then, the second tube 6 for feeding the fluid to the suction channel 38 side of the endoscope 15 is supplied to the second connecting portion 60b.
The upstream end of No. 1 is connected, and the upstream end of the third tube 62 for sending the fluid to the air feeding tube 42 and the water feeding tube 43 side of the endoscope 15 is connected to the third connecting portion 60c.

At the downstream end of the second tube 61, a suction conduit line adapter 63 connectable to the forceps port 16 of the endoscope 15 is provided. Further, an air / water feeding adapter 64 connectable to the air / water feeding cylinder 17 of the endoscope 15 is provided at the downstream end of the third tube 62.

The connecting portion between the first connecting portion 60a of the Y-branch connector 60 and the first tube 59 has the structure shown in FIG. 8 (A). That is, a cylindrical tube connecting portion 65 is projectingly provided on the first connecting portion 60a of the Y branch connector 60. This tube connection 6
A large-diameter tapered tip projecting portion 66 is formed at the tip portion of No. 5.

The downstream end of the tube 59 is press-fitted into the tube connecting portion 65, and the downstream end of the tube 59 and the tube connecting portion 65 are liquid-tight.
And it is in a fixedly connected state. Further, the tube stop ring 67 is press-fitted from above the connecting portion between the downstream end of the tube 59 and the tube connecting portion 65. On the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the tube stopper ring 67, a protrusion 68 is provided so as to project inward, and the tube stopper ring 67 itself is prevented from falling off. Then, the downstream end of the tube 59 is securely connected to the tube connecting portion 65 by the press-fitting of the tube stop ring 67.

The second and third connecting portions 60b and 60c of the Y branch connector 60 and the second and third tubes 61 and 6 are also provided.
The connection portion with the second tube 61, the connection portion with the second tube 61 and the suction pipe adapter 63, and the connection portion with the third tube 62 and the air / water feeding adapter 64 are also the first of the Y branch connector 60.
It has the same structure as the connecting portion between the connecting portion 60a and the first tube 59, and is reliably connected by press fitting the tube stopper ring 67.

The tube stopper ring 6 shown in FIG.
Instead of 7, the tube stopper ring 69 having the structure shown in FIG. 8 (B) may be used. At the central portion of the inner peripheral surface of the tube stop ring 69, the projection 6 of the tube stop ring 67 is formed.
Instead of 8, a ring-shaped recess 70 is formed. When the tube stopper ring 69 is press-fitted from above the connecting portion between the downstream end of the tube 59 and the tube connecting portion 65 of the Y-branch connector 60, the position of the recess 70 of the tube stopper ring 69 is set to the tube. By matching with the tip projecting portion 66 of the connecting portion 65, the downstream end portion of the tube 59 is formed between the inner wall surface of the recess 70 of the tube stop ring 69 and the tip projecting portion 66 of the tube connecting portion 65. The tube stop ring 69 itself is prevented from falling off by being held in a strongly clamped and held state.

9 (A) and 9 (B) show the suction conduit adapter 63. The suction pipe line adapter 63 is provided with a substantially tubular adapter body 71.
The second tube 61 is provided at the base end of the adapter body 71.
Is formed into a cylindrical tube connecting portion 72 for liquid-tightly fitting and fixedly connecting. The connecting portion between the tube connecting portion 72 of the adapter body 71 and the second tube 61 is surely connected by press fitting the tube stop ring 67.

Further, a cylindrical forceps port insertion portion 73 to be inserted into the forceps port 16 is provided at the tip of the adapter body 71. The outer diameter of the forceps opening insertion portion 73 is 1
The diameter is set to be smaller than the inner diameter dimension of No. 6. Then, when the forceps port insertion portion 73 of the adapter body 71 is inserted into the forceps port 16, a gap 74 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the forceps port insertion portion 73 and the inner peripheral surface of the forceps port 16. Has become.

A plurality of notches 75 are formed in the forceps port insertion portion 73. These cutout portions 75 extend along the axial direction of the forceps opening insertion portion 73. Then, the liquid sent from the second tube 61 of the air supply / liquid supply tube 14 is passed through the cutout portion 75 to forceps port 1
It is designed so that it also wraps around the inner peripheral surface side near the tip edge portion of 6.

Further, a fixing ring 76 made of an elastic body for fixing the adapter body 71 to the forceps port 16 of the endoscope 15 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the adapter body 71. On the inner peripheral surface of the fixing ring 76, a fixing projection 77 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the adapter body 71 on the proximal end side, and an annular shape formed on the outer peripheral surface of the forceps port 16 on the distal end side. An annular engagement protrusion 78 is formed so as to be disengageably engaged with the engagement recess 16a.

A taper-shaped inclined surface 79 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing ring 76, the outer diameter of which increases toward the tip end side. This inclined surface 79
A large-diameter portion 80 having the largest outer diameter is disposed at a position corresponding to the substantially engaging convex portion 78 in.

On the outer peripheral surface of the adapter body 71, a retaining ring 81 for the fixing ring 76 is provided.
Is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the so as to be slidable along the axial direction. Here, the fall prevention ring 81 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter body 71 between the pressing release position of the fixing ring 76 shown in FIG. 9 (A) and the pressing position of the fixing ring 76 shown in FIG. 9 (B). A sliding shaft portion 82 is formed which serves as a sliding shaft when the sliding operation is performed. Then, in a state in which the captive prevention ring 81 is moved to the pressing position of the fixing ring 76 shown in FIG. 9B, the captive ring 76 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the forceps port 16 by the captive ring 81. It is designed to prevent 71 from falling off.

Further, the sliding shaft 82 has a retaining ring 8
In order to give a click feeling when 1 is slid to the pressing release position of the fixing ring 76 shown in FIG. 9 (A), and to prevent natural sliding in the direction of the pressing position of the fixing ring 76. First click convex portion 83
Is provided.

Further, a sliding hole portion 84 serving as a contact surface with the sliding shaft portion 82 of the adapter body 71 is formed on one end portion side of the fall prevention ring 81. This fall prevention ring 81
In the vicinity of the sliding hole portion 84, a plurality of slits for easily slipping over the first click convex portion 83 of the sliding shaft portion 82 when the captive ring 81 slides along the sliding shaft portion 82. The part 85 is formed.

On the other end side of the fall prevention ring 81, the fall prevention ring 81 slides in the pressing position direction of the fixing ring 76 shown in FIG.
A click feeling is provided when the vehicle gets over the large-diameter portion 80, and the pressing release position of the fixing ring 76 (see FIG. 9A).
The second click convex portion 86 is provided to prevent the second click convex portion 86 from naturally sliding in the direction of the position. Further, a plurality of anti-slip protrusions 87 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the fall prevention ring 81.

A ring-shaped knob portion 88 is fixedly attached to the outer peripheral surface of the adapter body 71 between the tube connecting portion 72 and the sliding shaft portion 82. The knob portion 88 is a portion for the user to grip the suction conduit adapter 63 with fingers when attaching and detaching the suction conduit adapter 63 to and from the forceps port 16. In this case, a male screw portion 89 for attaching the knob portion 88 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter body 71. Then, the female screw portion 90 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the knob portion 88 is screwed into the male screw portion 89 of the adapter body 71.

The end surface of the knob portion 88 on the forceps port insertion portion 73 side is a first abutting surface 91 for restricting one end position of the sliding range of the fall prevention ring 81.
Doubles as Here, the second abutting surface 92 for restricting the other end position of the sliding range of the drop-out prevention ring 81 is provided at the end of the adapter body 71 on the forceps port insertion portion 73 side. A knurled surface (not shown) for preventing slippage is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the knob portion 88.

Next, a method of mounting the suction conduit adapter 63 will be described. First, suction pipe adapter 63
When the is attached to the forceps port 16 of the endoscope 15, the fall prevention ring 81 is previously slid to the pressing release position of the fixing ring 76 shown in FIG. 9A. In this state, the fall prevention ring 81 does not press the fixing ring 76, so that the fixing ring 76 is in an easily attachable / detachable state that is easily deformed according to the shape of the forceps port 16. Then, in this state, the user holds the knob portion 88 of the suction conduit adapter 63 with his / her fingers or the like, and then attaches the suction conduit adapter 63 to the forceps port 16 of the endoscope 15.

During this mounting work, the suction pipe line adapter 6
After the fixing ring 76 of No. 3 is attached to the forceps port 16, the retaining ring 81 is fixed to the fixing ring 76 shown in FIG. 9B.
It is slid to the pressing position of. At the pressing position of the fixing ring 76 shown in FIG. 9B, since the fixing ring 76 is pressed inward from the outer peripheral surface side by the fall prevention ring 81, the fixing ring 76 is deformed outward. It is in a difficult state. Therefore, in this state, even if a force such as water pressure is applied to the connecting portion between the suction pipe line adapter 63 and the forceps port 16, the suction pipe line adapter 63 can be held in a state in which it is difficult to separate from the forceps port 16. Therefore, the work of attaching / detaching the suction conduit adapter 63 to / from the forceps opening 16 of the endoscope 15 can be easily performed, and the suction conduit adapter 63 is attached to the forceps opening 16 of the endoscope 15 during liquid feeding. It can be securely held in the closed state.

Also, when the liquid is injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 at high pressure, the suction conduit adapter 63 does not come off from the forceps port 16, so the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 is not removed. The inside can be reliably cleaned and disinfected by high-pressure liquid transfer.

10A and 10B show a state in which the air / water feeding adapter 64 is attached to the air / water feeding cylinder 17 and the suction cylinder 18 of the endoscope 15.
In the figure, reference numeral 93 is the operation unit 3 of the endoscope 15.
6 casing. Cylinder mounting ports 94 and 95 for the air / water feeding cylinder 17 and the suction cylinder 18 are formed in the casing 93. An air / water feeding cylinder 17 is attached to one cylinder attachment port 94 of the casing 93, and a suction cylinder 18 is attached to the other cylinder attachment port 95.

Further, at the cylinder opening end of the air / water feeding cylinder 17, there is formed a flange portion 96 arranged outside the cylinder mounting port 94 of the casing 93. Similarly, at the cylinder opening end of the suction cylinder 18, a flange portion 97 arranged outside the cylinder attachment port 95 of the casing 93 is formed.

The air / water supply adapter 64 is provided with a rectangular plate-shaped base plate 98. The base plate 98 includes an air / water supply cylinder 1 for the endoscope 15.
7, the attachment port 100 of the air / water supply cylinder inlet port 99 that is detachably connected to 7 and the attachment of the suction cylinder plug 101 that is detachably connected to the suction cylinder 18 and closes the opening of the suction cylinder 18. Each mouth 102 is formed.

Here, the air / water feeding cylinder inlet port 99 is provided with a substantially tubular base member 103 mounted slidably in the axial direction along one mounting port 100 of the base plate 98. A flange-shaped stopper 104 is integrally formed on the base end side of the base member 103, and a tube connecting portion 105 is provided so as to project. This tube connection part 105 has an air / liquid feeding tube 1
The downstream end of the fourth tube 62 of No. 4 is connected.

Further, a cylinder insertion portion 106 which is removably inserted into the air / water feeding cylinder 17 is screwed into the tip portion of the base member 103 via a screw portion. A spring receiving portion 107 is formed on the base end side of the cylinder inserting portion 106. The coil spring 1 is provided between the spring receiving portion 107 of the cylinder insertion portion 106 and the base plate 98.
08 is provided. And this coil spring 108
Due to the spring force, the entire air / water feeding cylinder inlet 99 is urged in the direction in which the cylinder insertion portion 106 separates from the base plate 98.

Further, the suction cylinder plug 101 is provided with a substantially cylindrical plug body 109 which is slidably mounted in the axial direction along the other mounting port 102 of the base plate 98. A flange-shaped stopper 110 is attached to the base end side of the stopper body 109.

Further, a cylinder closing portion 111 that is removably inserted into the suction cylinder 18 and closes the opening of the suction cylinder 18 is provided at the tip of the stopper body 109. The spring receiving portion 1 is attached to the cylinder closing portion 111.
12 are formed. A coil spring 113 is provided between the spring receiving portion 112 of the cylinder closing portion 111 and the base plate 98. Then, due to the spring force of the coil spring 113, the cylinder closing portion 111 moves away from the base plate 98 in the suction cylinder plug 1.
01 whole is energized.

In the cylinder of the suction cylinder 18 in the cylinder closing portion 111 of the suction cylinder plug 101, and in the cylinder insertion portion 106 of the air / water feeding cylinder injection port 99, the sliding contact surface with the cylinder inner peripheral surface of the air / water feeding cylinder 17. An O-ring 1 for preventing the liquid from flowing out from the inner side of each cylinder to the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder.
14 are provided.

A slider 115 is slidably supported on the base plate 98 of the air / water feeding adapter 64 in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the air / water feeding cylinder inlet 99 and the suction cylinder plug 101 with respect to the base plate 98. Is installed. The slider 115 is provided with an engagement groove 116 that is detachably engaged with the flange portions 96 and 97 at the cylinder opening ends of the air / water feeding cylinder 17 and the suction cylinder 18. Further, the air / water feeding adapter 64 is provided with the slider 11 when the slider 115 is held at the disengagement position shown in FIG.
5 and the flange portions 96, 97 at the cylinder opening ends of the air / water feeding cylinder 17 and the suction cylinder 18
Is disengaged and the slider 115 is moved to the engaging position shown in FIG. 10 (B) with respect to the base plate 98, so that the engaging groove 116 of the slider 115 is moved to the air / water feeding cylinder 17 and the suction cylinder 18. Are engaged with the flange portions 96 and 97 at the opening ends of the respective cylinders in a detachable manner.

Next, a method of mounting the air / water feeding adapter 64 will be described. First, the air / water supply adapter 64 is connected to the air / water supply cylinder 17 and the suction cylinder 1 of the endoscope 15.
8 is attached to the slider 115 in advance when mounting it on FIG.
Slide it to the disengaged position shown in. In this state, the air / water feeding adapter 64 is guided toward the air / water feeding cylinder 17 and the suction cylinder 18 of the endoscope 15,
As shown in 0 (A), the cylinder insertion portion 106 of the air / water feeding cylinder inlet port 99 is inserted into the air / water feeding cylinder 17 of the endoscope 15, and at the same time, the cylinder closing portion 111 of the suction cylinder plug 101 is set to the suction cylinder 18. insert.

At this time, the slider 115 of the air / water supply adapter 64 is connected to the casing 93 of the operating portion 36 of the endoscope 15.
The coil spring 108 of the air / water feeding cylinder injection port 99 and the coil spring 113 of the suction cylinder plug 101 are respectively compressed by pushing to a position close to.

Thereafter, the slider 115 is pressed against the base plate 98 in the directions of the cylinders 17 and 18, and the slider 115 is slid to the engaging position shown in FIG. The attachment of the air / water supply adapter 64 is completed by engaging the flange portions 96 and 97 at the cylinder opening ends of the water supply cylinder 17 and the suction cylinder 18, respectively. At this time, the coil spring 108 of the air / water feeding cylinder inlet 99 and the coil spring 113 of the suction cylinder plug 101 are held in a compressed state. Therefore, the cylinder insertion portion 106 of the air / water feeding cylinder injection port 99 is biased by the spring force of the coil spring 108 in the direction of insertion into the air / water feeding cylinder 17, and similarly, the cylinder closing portion of the suction cylinder plug 101. Since 111 is biased by the spring force of the coil spring 113 in the direction in which it is inserted into the suction cylinder 18, the air / water feeding adapter 64 is surely attached to the air / water feeding cylinder 17 and the suction cylinder 18 of the endoscope 15. It is installed. Therefore, it is possible to easily attach and detach the air / water feeding adapter 64 to / from the air / water feeding cylinder 17 and the suction cylinder 18 of the endoscope 15, and at the time of liquid feeding, the air / water feeding adapter 64 is used. It can be reliably held in a state of being attached to the air / water feeding cylinder 17 and the suction cylinder 18.

Further, even when the liquid is injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 at high pressure, the air / water feeding adapter 64 does not come off from the air / water feeding cylinder 17 and the suction cylinder 18. The inside pipe of the mirror 15 can be reliably cleaned by high-pressure liquid transfer.

FIG. 11A shows the suction tube 1 which is detachably connected to the suction mouthpiece 5 of the pump unit body 1.
1 is shown. The suction tube 11 has the above-mentioned joint 11a attached to one end of a tube body 117, and the intake filter 1 inserted into the liquid in the container 12 at the other end of the tube body 117.
18 is attached.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the intake filter 118 is provided with a cylindrical large-diameter filter holding cylinder 120 made of a metal material such as stainless steel. A tube connecting portion 121 to which the other end of the tube body 117 is connected is provided at the center of one end of the tube connecting portion 121.

Further, a male screw portion 120a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the filter holding cylinder 120. Then, a female screw portion 122a formed on the inner peripheral surface of one end of the cylindrical filter fixing member 122 is screwed to the male screw portion 120a of the filter holding cylinder 120.

Here, a cutout portion 122b is formed on the other end side of the filter fixing member 122. A filter receiver 122c is formed at the step between the female screw 122a and the notch 122b.

Further, a filter body 123 made of a mesh of metal, synthetic resin or the like is mounted between the filter receiver 122c of the filter fixing member 122 and the tip of the filter holding cylinder 120. Here, the filter body 123
A pair of anti-raveling rings 124 and 125 that prevent the perimeter of the mesh from fraying are adhesively fixed so as to sandwich the filter body 123. Then, the filter receiver 122c of the filter fixing member 122 and the filter holding cylinder 1
The filter main body 123 and the fray prevention ring 1 are screwed into the filter holding cylinder 120 with the filter main body 123 and the fray prevention rings 124 and 125 being sandwiched between the filter main body 123 and the fray prevention ring 1.
24 and 125 are fixed. Therefore, the filter holding member 122 is attached to the filter holding cylinder 120.
The filter main body 123 can be easily replaced together with the fray prevention rings 124 and 125 by removing the filter main body 123. A knurled portion 126 for slip prevention is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the filter fixing member 122.

A suction tube fixture 13 is provided in the middle of the tube body 117. The suction tube fixture 13 is provided with a plate-like fixture body 127 formed of a synthetic resin material or the like. As shown in FIG. 11 (A), the fixture main body 127 has a pair of tube support plates 12 that are spaced apart and opposed to each other at the lower part of one plate surface side.
8,128 are projected. Each tube support plate 128
A tube fixing hole 129 having a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tube body 117 of the suction tube 11 is formed therein.

Further, the fixture body 127 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (C), a hook 130 for hanging on the edge 12a of the container 12 and a grip portion 131 for gripping when the suction tube 11 is taken in and out of the container 12 are provided. Note that these hooks 130 and grips 131
The tube support plates 128, 1 on the upper part of the fixture body 127.
It is extended in the direction opposite to 28.

FIG. 12A shows the liquid injection tube 2
2 shows an overall configuration of No. 2. Pressurized air sent from an air pump 3, which is a pressurizing source mounted inside the pump unit body 1, is supplied to the liquid injection tube 22 via an adapter 22a connected to an air supply socket 7 of the pump unit body 1. A first feed pipe 133 for supplying to the liquid injection part 23 is provided.

The liquid injection part 23 is provided with a substantially tubular liquid injection part main body 134 as shown in FIG. 12 (B). A first tube connecting portion 135 is provided at the upstream end of the liquid injection portion main body 134 so as to project. Further, a second tube connecting portion 136 is provided so as to project from the downstream end portion of the liquid injection portion main body 134. The downstream end of the first feeding pipe 133 is airtightly fitted and fixedly connected to the first tube connecting portion 135. Further, the upstream end of the second feed pipe 137 is liquid-tightly fitted and fixedly connected to the second tube connecting portion 136.

Further, a liquid injection port body 138 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the liquid injection part main body 134. A luer lock gold 139 is formed on the outer end of the liquid injection port body 138 so as to project to the outside of the liquid injection part main body 134 and to which the syringe 132, which is a liquid feeding means, is detachably connected.
Then, the liquid to be supplied into the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 is injected into the inside of the liquid injection part main body 134 using this syringe 132.

A first check valve 140 is provided at the inner end of the liquid injection port body 138. The first check valve 140 includes a syringe 132 and a liquid injection part main body 134.
Open only when the liquid is injected into the inside of the
The fluid is prevented from flowing out of the liquid injection port body 138 from the inside of 34.

Further, a small-diameter ring-shaped valve seat 141 is provided on the side of the first tube connecting portion 135 so as to project in the conduit of the liquid injection portion main body 134. A second check valve 142 is mounted on the downstream side of the valve seat 141. The second check valve 142 allows the pressurized air flowing in from the first tube connecting portion 135 side to flow out to the downstream side of the valve seat 141, so that the fluid such as the liquid injected from the syringe 132 is not allowed. It is intended to prevent the inflow to the first tube connecting portion 135 side.

Incidentally, the first and second check valves 140, 142
A disk-shaped valve seat 143 made of an elastic body as shown in FIG. 12C is provided. A substantially C-shaped slit 144 is formed in the valve seat 143. Then, the slit 144 of the valve seat 143
An elastically deformable valve body 145 is formed by the inner part of the.

Further, at the downstream end of the second feeding pipe 137, a female second feeding joint which is detachable from a male joint 14a provided at the upstream end of the gas feeding and feeding tube 14 is provided. 146 is provided. This feeding joint 146
Has the same structure as the discharge cap 6 of the pump unit body 1. Inside the supply joint 146, a valve is provided which automatically closes when the connection of the air supply / liquid supply tube 14 to the joint 14a is released. Then, the joint 1 of the feeding joint 146 and the gas feeding and feeding tube 14
When the connection with 4a is released, the valve in the feed joint 146 is automatically closed, so that the liquid does not drip from the feed joint 146.

Next, the operation of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus having the above structure will be described. First, at the time of cleaning / disinfecting operation of the endoscope 15, as shown in FIG.
0, and the forceps port 16 of the endoscope 15 and the air / water feeding cylinder 17 of the endoscope 15 placed in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 20. The suction pipe line adapter 63 and the air / water feeding adapter of the air / water feeding tube 14. 64 are respectively connected. Here, in the state where the air / liquid feeding tube 14 is connected to the air / water feeding cylinder 17, the suction cylinder 18 is closed by the suction cylinder plug 101.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11C, the suction tube fixing tool 13 is installed at the edge 12 a of the container 12 with the intake filter 118 of the suction tube 11 inserted in the container 12 containing the cleaning liquid. To be done. At this time, the attachment position of the suction tube fixture 13 to the tube body 117 of the suction tube 11 is adjusted according to the depth of the container 12, and the intake filter at the tip of the suction tube 11 is immersed in the liquid of the container 12 filled with the cleaning liquid. After setting 118 to be sufficiently immersed, the suction tube fixture 13 is hooked and fixed to the edge 12a of the container 12.

When the intake filter 118 of the suction tube 11 is put into the container 12, the operator holds the grip portion 131 of the suction tube fixing tool 13 by hand and holds the suction tube fixing tool 13 at the edge of the container 12. Hook 1
The suction tube 11 is fixed to the container 12 by hooking 30.

Therefore, since the operator can perform the work without directly touching the suction tube 11, even if the operator's hand is contaminated, the suction tube 11 is contaminated. Moreover, there is no possibility that the liquid in the container 12 is contaminated.

Further, since the gripping portion 131 of the suction tube fixing tool 13 is extended to the outside of the container 12, even if the operator works with wet hands, the drops that fall from the operator's hands are not included in the container 12. It doesn't fall inside.

Further, since the filter holding cylinder 120 of the intake filter 118 is made of metal, it becomes a weight, and the hook 130 of the suction tube fixing tool 13 can be easily prevented from coming off from the edge 12a of the container 12.

Next, the joint 1 of the suction tube 11
1a and the joint 14a of the air / liquid feeding tube 14 are connected to the suction cap 5 and the discharge cap 6 of the pump unit body 1, respectively. At this time, there is no need to worry about mounting them in reverse because the shapes of the caps are different.

When performing the cleaning / disinfecting work of each conduit inside the endoscope 15, the main switch 8 and the three operation buttons 9 of the operation panel 4 of the pump unit body 1 are used.
The following steps are sequentially performed according to the operations of a, 9b, and 9c.

First, when the main switch 8 of the pump unit body 1 is turned on, the LED display of the display panel 10 of FIG. 4 turns on the first display element 32a for displaying the FLUSH position of the first display section 32 (WASH). Then, the standby of the cleaning work is completed.

Next, the RUN / STOP button 9a shown in FIG.
Pressing (or foot switch 31a) starts the fluid pump 2. At this time, at the same time, the LED display of the display panel 10 causes the first display element 32a for displaying the FLUSH position of the first display unit 32 (WASH) to change from lighting to blinking, and the operating state of the fluid pump 2 is displayed. It Then, the cleaning liquid sucked up from the container 12 by the operation of the fluid pump 2 passes through the air / liquid feeding tube 14 and the endoscope 1
Sent to 5.

Here, since the speed at which the cleaning liquid is discharged by the fluid pump 2 and the liquid feeding time are preprogrammed to the values most suitable for the cleaning process as in the example shown in Table 1, the operator can set RUN / Press the STOP button 9a 1
The washing process is automatically started by pressing the button once, and after the elapse of the set time, the operation of the fluid pump 2 is automatically stopped by the timer 30 and the washing operation is completed. In this cleaning step (WASH step), a relatively high pressure (high discharge speed) is set and a sufficient cleaning effect is obtained by sending the liquid for a long time. For example, when cleaning the suction channel 38 having an inner diameter of φ4.2 mm as the internal conduit of the endoscope 15, the discharge speed of the cleaning liquid from the fluid pump 2 is preferably about 5.3 liter / min.

In addition, the cleaning step (that is, WASH: FL
When USH) is completed, the second step of displaying the position of the next cleaning liquid rinsing operation step (WASH: RINSE)
The LED of the display element 32b is automatically turned on. Thereby, the worker looks at the LED display on the display panel 0,
Check and prepare for the next rinse step. That is,
Here, a required amount of rinse water is prepared in the container 12, and the container 12 containing this rinse water is replaced with the container 12 containing the cleaning liquid used in the previous step. Then, after performing the same work as above, press the RUN / STOP button 9a to
SH: Rinsing process, which is a cleaning liquid rinsing operation, is started.

In this case also, the fluid pump 2 is automatically stopped after the fluid pump 2 is operated at the previously programmed discharge speed and water feed time. Then, at the same time when the liquid feed pump 2 is stopped, the LE of the display panel 10 is
The D display is the next step, that is, the first display 32 (WAS
H) the third display element 32 displaying the DISCHG position
c is turned on.

When the WASH: DISCHG position is displayed in this way, next, in order to perform a residual water removing operation for removing residual water in the conduit of the endoscope 15, the tip of the suction tube 11 is placed in the container 12. And the tube 11 is set so that the tip of the tube 11 is raised from the liquid surface. After completion of the above preparation, the RUN / STOP button 9a is pressed. At this time, the fluid pump 2 becomes idle. Therefore, suction tube 1
1, a fluid pump 2, an air / water supply tube 14, and an endoscope 1
Air flows through all of the internal pipes of No. 5, and residual water in all the pipes is removed. In this case, the number of revolutions of the liquid feed pump 2 and the operating time are also programmed, the fluid pump 2 is automatically operated, and the residual water removing step is performed.

When the residual water removing step is completed, the LED display of the display panel 10 is automatically switched to the first display element 33a of the second display section 33 (DIS) for displaying the position of the disinfecting step. The disinfection process (DIS: FLUSH) is put on standby. In this disinfection process, the cleaning / disinfecting tank 20 is filled with an antiseptic solution, and the entire endoscope 15 is completely immersed in the disinfecting solution in the cleaning / disinfecting tank 20. At this time, it is necessary to send a sufficient amount of the disinfecting liquid not only to the outer surface of the endoscope 15 but also to the inner duct of the endoscope 15.

Therefore, the pump unit body 1 is connected to the endoscope 15 by the above-described method, and the container 12 filled with the disinfectant is prepared, and the rinse water used in the rinsing step of the previous cleaning step is stored in the container 12. Replace with the contained container 12.
Furthermore, the intake filter 118 of the suction tube 11 is submerged in the disinfectant solution of the container 12 filled with the disinfectant solution, and the suction tube 11 is set to the edge 12a of the container 12 by the suction tube fixing tool 13.

In this state, the RUN / STOP button 9a
Press to start the disinfection work which is the DIS: FLUSH process. Also in this case, the fluid pump 2 is operated and the disinfectant liquid is delivered at the pre-programmed discharge speed and water delivery time. At this time, the disinfectant liquid sucked up from the container 12 is sent so as to have the minimum discharge speed and liquid transfer time necessary for completely filling the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 (eliminating bubbles remaining). The operation of the liquid pump 2 is set.

That is, in this disinfection process (DIS process), it is not necessary to send the disinfectant solution at a high pressure (high discharge speed) as in the cleaning process. If the disinfectant solution is sent at a high pressure, the harmful disinfectant solution may be scattered around due to a work error or the like. Therefore, the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 can be sufficiently filled with the disinfectant solution. It is desirable that the disinfecting liquid is delivered at the minimum required disinfection speed (discharging amount) and the delivery time. For example, in this embodiment, when the inner diameter of the suction channel 38 of the endoscope 15 is φ4.2 mm, good results can be obtained with a discharge speed of the disinfecting liquid of 3.0 liter / min and a liquid sending time of about 15 seconds. There is.

After the set time has elapsed, the timer 30 automatically stops the operation of the liquid feed pump 2. Then, when the liquid delivery pump 2 is stopped, the LE of the display panel 10 is
D display is the next step, the second display unit 33 (DIS)
The second display element 33b for displaying the DISCHG position of is turned on.

When the DIS: DISCHG position is displayed in this manner, the work of discharging the disinfecting liquid in the duct of the endoscope 15 is then performed. In this case, the air / liquid feeding tube 14 is connected to the endoscope 15 immersed in the disinfectant for a time required for killing the bacteria, and the suction tube 11 is connected to the container 1.
Set in a state of being pulled up from the liquid surface of 2. Then R
When the UN / STOP button 9a is pressed to start the fluid pump 2, air is sent into the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 in the disinfectant solution of the cleaning / disinfecting tank 20, and the disinfectant solution in the conduit is discharged. .

In this state, by moving the endoscope 15 from the cleaning / disinfecting tank 20 to the rinsing tank, when the endoscope 15 is pulled up from the disinfecting liquid, the disinfecting liquid harmful to the human body is removed from the endoscope 15. It is possible to prevent as much as possible from dripping from inside the internal conduit. The operating time and the discharge speed of the fluid pump 2 at this time are programmed as described above and are automatically set.

Next, the rinsing (DIS: RINSE) work process and the water removal (DI) in the disinfection process of the endoscope 15 are performed.
The S: DISCHG) working process is performed by the same working method as the above-described rinsing working process and water removing working process in the cleaning process. At this time, when the final process of the disinfection work, DIS: DISCHG (water removal work process) is completed, the LED display of the display panel 10 is the first process, that is, the first process.
The first display element 32a for displaying the FLUSH position of the display unit 32 (WASH) of is turned on, and WASH: FLUSH
Return to the state where the position is displayed.

As described above, since the normal cleaning and disinfecting work processes are programmed so that the next process to be performed automatically stands by when the current process is completed, each cleaning and disinfecting work process is performed. RUN / STOP with one process
The button 9a (or the foot switch 31a) is operated to advance one after another.

When the order of the normal cleaning and disinfecting steps is arbitrarily changed or the steps are skipped, the SELECT1 button 9 on the operation panel 4 shown in FIG. 4 is used.
b (or foot switch 31b) is used.

That is, the WASH (cleaning) step and DI
When any one of the S (disinfection) processes is in a standby state (when any one LED is lit), when the SELECT1 button 9b (or the foot switch 31b) is pressed, each of the display panels 10 is pressed. Display element 32a
LED displays of 32c and 33a to 33d skip to the next step. Here, the order of skipping is the same as the sequence of the normal cleaning and disinfection (described above), from WASH: FLUSH to WASH: DISCHG.
Continued from DIS: FLUSH to DIS: DISCHG
Skip to.

Therefore, the operator selects the SELECT1 button 9 multiple times or once until the LED of the desired process is turned on.
It suffices to press b (or the foot switch 31b). The process selected by the SELECT1 button 9b is started by the RUN / STOP button 9a (or the foot switch 31a), but when the process selected at this time ends, the next process becomes the standby state.

Next, when the water pick 25 is used, or when the work of detecting the water leak of the endoscope 15 and completely removing the residual water in the air / water supply channel is performed, SELECT
2 Press the button 9c (or the foot switch 31c).

When the SELECT2 button 9c (or the foot switch 31c) is pressed, the LED of the WASH or DIS process is turned off and the LEAKTEST of the third display section 34 is turned off.
Display element 34a for displaying / AIR, or W
L of the second display element 34b displaying ATERPICK
ED lights up. In addition, switching of both is SELECT
The 2 button 9c (or the foot switch 31c) may be continuously pressed.

When a water leakage detection test of the endoscope 15 is performed, one end of a water leakage detection tube (not shown) is connected to the air supply socket 7 of the operation panel 4, and the other end is connected to the endoscope 15 side. Set to the condition. Furthermore, SEL
Operate the ECT2 button 9c to operate LEAKTEST / AI
The RUN / STOP button 9a (or the foot switch 31a) is pressed while the LED of the first display element 34a displaying R is turned on. As a result, the air pump 3 incorporated in the pump unit body 1 is started, air is discharged from the air supply socket 7 of the operation panel 4 of the pump unit body 1, and the water leak detection test of the endoscope 15 is performed. When removing residual water in the air / water supply channel of the endoscope 15, the connector portion 21 of the endoscope 15 may be connected to the air supply socket 7.

On the other hand, when the water pick 25 is used, the container 1 containing the liquid is used as in the cleaning / disinfecting process described above.
2. The intake filter 118 of the suction tube 11 is set in the state of being submerged in 2. Further, with the joint 26a of the water pick 25 connected to the discharge mouthpiece 6, SE
The RUN / STOP button 9a is pressed with the LED of the second display element 34b displaying the WATERPICK turned on by operating the LECT2 button 9c. As a result, the fluid pump 2 is operated, and the liquid is ejected from the nozzle 28a of the handpiece 28.

The discharge speed of the liquid from the fluid pump 2 at this time is set in advance so that the ejection pressure from the nozzle 28a of the handpiece 28 can be appropriately obtained. That is, when the water pick 25 is used, the nozzle 28 having a line diameter extremely smaller than that of the air / liquid feeding tube 14 is used.
Since the liquid is ejected through a, it is necessary to reduce the discharge speed of the fluid pump 2. For example, when the water pick 25 equipped with the nozzle 28a having an inner diameter of 1 mm is used, an appropriate injection pressure (about 2.0 Kg / cm ^{2 or} more) can be obtained at a discharge speed of about 0.6 liter / min. Then, when the mode of the water pick 25 is selected by operating the SELECT2 button 9c, the mode is automatically switched.

Since all the above modes set by the SELECT2 button 9c (or foot switch 31c) are continuous operation, if the function is intentionally stopped in the middle of the process, the RUN / STOP button 9a (or foot switch is used). Press 31a) again. At this time, the pump that was operating stops, and the process that was being performed at that time returns to the standby state.

Further, when returning to each process of WASH and DIS, the SELECT1 button 9b (or the foot switch 31b) may be pressed. In this case, the LED display on the display panel 10 returns to the state before the SELECT2 button 9c (or the foot switch 31c) is pressed.

Since a large load is applied to the discharge side tube of the fluid pump 2 during the above-mentioned WASH process and use of the water pick 25, a pressure resistant tube is used as the pump discharge side tube 49 inside the pump unit body 1. In order not to leak liquid to the connection with the base parts on both ends,
The fixing ring 50 is used for reinforcement. In the event that the pump discharge side tube 49 is damaged or liquid leaks from the tube connecting portion, the protective tube 5 covering the outside of the discharge side tube 49 with the leaked liquid.
It is guided to the casing 51 by 2 and further discharged to the outside of the pump unit main body 1 through the drain pipe 53 provided there. Therefore, the liquid leaked from the damaged portion of the pump discharge side tube 49 is prevented from being scattered into the inside of the pump unit main body 1, and the leaked liquid falls on the electric parts around the pump discharge side tube 49. Is being prevented.

Furthermore, even if liquid leakage occurs from a portion other than the above, the pump unit main body is passed through the chassis hole 58 provided on the bottom plate 54 of the pump unit main body 1 in the vicinity of the location where the pipeline through which the liquid passes is arranged. The liquid can be discharged to the outside of 1. This chassis hole 58 is used for the fluid pump 2,
It also serves as an air intake for cooling the pump motor and other electric parts of the air pump 3, and when the air in the pump unit body 1 is discharged to the outside by a cooling fan (not shown), the outside air is released from the chassis hole 58. It is designed to be inhaled.

Further, when the vibration of the pump generated by applying a large load to the fluid pump 2 is transmitted to the suction cap 5 and the discharge cap 6 side through the pump suction tube 47 and the pump discharge tube 49, the suction cap 5 And, it is absorbed by the rubber bush 48 sandwiched between the discharge mouthpiece 6 and the operation panel 4 of the pump unit body 1. Therefore, the vibration of the operation panel 4 can be prevented, and the noise generated by the vibration of the operation panel 4 can be prevented.

The liquid injection tube 22 is used when feeding a liquid such as alcohol into the conduit of the endoscope 15. In this case, the adapter 22a of the liquid injection tube 22 is connected to the air supply socket 7 of the pump unit body 1. Further, by operating the syringe 132 in a state where the syringe 132 is connected to the luer lock gold 139 of the liquid injection port body 138 in the liquid injection part 23, the liquid such as alcohol in the syringe 132 is transferred to the inside of the liquid injection part main body 134. Is injected into. At this time, the injected liquid is shown in FIG.
Inside, the pipe line on the right side of the second check valve 142 is filled.

In this state, when the air pump 3 mounted inside the pump unit body 1 is started, pressurized air flows into the liquid injection part body 134 through the first feed pipe 133. Due to the pressure of the pressurized air, the liquid filled in the pipe line on the downstream side of the second check valve 142 described above is supplied to the second supply pipe 137 and the air supply liquid supply tube 1.
It is pressure-fed into the internal duct of the endoscope 15 via 4.

When the air pump 3 is further supplied with air after the liquid such as alcohol is supplied, the pressurized air flows into the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 as it is. Therefore, the liquid such as alcohol flowing into the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 can be discharged before the inflow of the pressurized air, and the drying work in the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 can be continued. Can be done by

Therefore, the following effects can be obtained with the above structure. That is, at the time of cleaning / disinfecting the internal conduit of the endoscope 15, the L of the display panel 10 of the operation panel 4 indicates which process is currently performed in the series of cleaning / disinfecting operations.
The pump unit main body is displayed by the ED display, and the control unit 29 interlocks with the switching operation of each process of the series of cleaning / disinfecting work so that the discharge speed most suitable for the process displayed for each process of the cleaning / disinfecting work is obtained. 1 fluid pump 2
Since the set flow rate of the fluid by the fluid pump 2 is controlled by controlling the number of rotations of the, it is suitable for each work such as cleaning process of the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 and disinfection process. The flow rate of the fluid for cleaning / disinfecting work can be accurately adjusted. Therefore, a sufficient effect can be obtained for cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the internal duct of the endoscope 15 by using one fluid pump 2, so that it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the entire endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. .

Further, since all the work procedures are LED-displayed on the display panel 10 of the operation panel 4, there are no mistakes in the work procedures, skipping necessary work steps, etc. The effect is obtained.

Further, a protective tube 52 is provided outside the pump discharge tube 49 through which the pressurized liquid pressurized by the fluid pump 2 provided in the pump unit body 1 passes to form a complete double structure. When the inner pump discharge tube 49 through which the pressurized liquid passes is damaged or liquid leaks from the tube connecting portion, the liquid is discharged to the outside of the device without being scattered, so the pump unit body There is no concern that electric parts inside 1 will leak liquid and leak electricity.

The tube body 1 of the suction tube 11
The attachment position of the suction tube fixing tool 13 with respect to 17 is appropriately adjusted according to the depth of the container 12.
By driving the fluid pump 2 in this state, the liquid such as the cleaning liquid, the disinfecting liquid and the rinse water contained in the container 12 is sucked from the intake filter 118, the suction tube 11, the pump suction tube 47, the fluid pump 2, and the pump discharge. The endoscope 1 through the tube 49 and the air / liquid feeding tube 14 in this order
5 internal conduits.

Also, the grip portion 1 of the suction tube fixing tool 13
The suction tube 11 and the pump suction tube 4 are operated by operating the fluid pump 2 in a state where the intake filter 118 is pulled up from the liquid surface in the container 12 by holding the suction tube 11.
7, the liquid inside the fluid pump 2, the pump discharge tube 49, and the air supply / liquid supply tube 14 can be discharged.

Therefore, since the intake filter 118 of the suction tube 11 is taken in and out of the liquid in the container 12 by holding the grip portion 131 of the suction tube fixing tool 13, even if the operator's hand is contaminated, Suction tube 1
1 is not contaminated, and there is no risk of contaminating the liquid to be sent.

When the liquid injecting tube 22 is used for feeding a liquid such as alcohol into the conduit of the endoscope 15, the air pump 3 in the pump unit main body 1 and the endoscope 15 are separated from each other. Syringe 1 connected to the liquid injecting portion 23 of the liquid injecting tube 22 arranged between the inner pipe and
The necessary amount of liquid can be easily injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 by using 32. Therefore, the operation of injecting the liquid into the internal duct of the endoscope 15 is easy, and the operation of replenishing the required amount of the liquid once by using the syringe 132 does not become particularly troublesome. It is possible to easily carry out a continuous work in which the liquid feeding work and the air feeding work to the inside of the inner pipeline are alternately repeated.

The present invention is particularly suitable for delivering alcohol into the internal duct of the endoscope 15, and the syringe 1
32 liquid injection tube 2 with the required amount of alcohol
By injecting into the second liquid injecting section 23, it is possible to continuously perform sterilization of the inside of the conduit by alcohol feeding and drying of the inside of the inner conduit of the endoscope 15 by supplying pressurized air.

Further, since there is no danger that alcohol, which is a flammable liquid, will enter the interior of the pump unit body 1, there is no risk of ignition of alcohol and alcohol gas by the electrical parts inside the pump unit body 1.

Further, since alcohol is injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 by the constant pressurized air from the air pump 3 in the pump unit body 1, the liquid feeding pressure is higher than that in the manual feeding. It is possible to reliably and evenly deliver the liquid to the entire inside of the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 without any variation.

FIG. 13 shows a first modification of the suction tube fixture 13 of the first embodiment. The suction tube fixture 13 of this modification is provided with a cylinder 151 made of a metal or a synthetic resin material that is connected to the tube body 117 of the suction tube 11.

An intake filter 152 is provided at one end of the cylindrical body 151, and the suction tube 11 is provided at the other end.
The tube connection part 153 connected to is provided.
Further, on the tube connecting portion 153 side of the tubular body 151, a plate-shaped grip portion 155 having one end connected to a fixing ring 154 slidably fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 151 is provided.

Therefore, in the case of the above structure, the container 1
When the suction tube fixture 13 is fixed to the container 2, the intake filter 152 is soaked in the liquid in the container 12 and the cylinder 151 is placed against the wall of the container 12. At this time, the grip portion 155 functions as a hook for hanging on the edge 12a of the container 12. Therefore, also in the case of this modification, as in the first embodiment, the container 12
When the uncontaminated liquid in the inside is pumped up by the fluid pump 2 or the like via the suction tube 11 and sent to the channel of the endoscope 15, the operator directly touches the suction tube 11 and the cylinder 151. Since the work can be performed without the operator's hand being contaminated, the suction tube 11 and the cylinder 151 are not contaminated, and the liquid in the container 12 is not contaminated during the above operation. There is no risk of contamination.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show a second modification of the suction tube fixing tool 13. The suction tube fixture 13 of this modification includes two plate members 16
1, 162 are provided.

Here, a pair of tube support plates 163, 163 are provided on one plate-like member 161 so as to project from the lower part of the one plate surface side so as to be opposed to each other. Similar to the suction tube fixture 13 of the first embodiment, each tube support plate 163 has a tube fixing hole 164 having a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tube body 117 of the suction tube 11.

The other plate-shaped member 162 has a hinge 165.
It is rotatably connected to the plate member 161 via. The plate member 162 is formed in a substantially W shape. In addition, at the bent portion of the lower end portion of the plate member 162, a non-slip member 16 made of rubber or the like is provided on the surface facing the plate member 161.
6 is provided.

Further, a torsion coil spring 167 is provided on the hinge 165. The two plate members 161 and 162 are constantly urged by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 167 in the direction in which the lower end side is closed.

In addition, the upper ends of the two plate-shaped members 161 and 162 are operated to open the lower ends of the two plate-shaped members 161 and 162 against the spring force of the torsion coil spring 167. Gripping parts 161a and 162a are respectively provided.

Then, the suction tube fixing device 1 is attached to the container 12.
3 is fixed, the grip portions 161a and 162a of the two plate-shaped members 161 and 162 are gripped, and the torsion coil spring 1
After opening the lower end sides of the two plate-shaped members 161 and 162 against the spring force of 67, the edge 12a of the container 12 is attached to the two plate-shaped members 161 and 162 as shown in FIG. 14B. The two plate-shaped members 161, 162 are sandwiched by the lower end side of the
By releasing the grips 161a and 162a of the
The suction tube fixture 13 is fixed to the container 12 by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 167 while the edge 12a of the container 12 is sandwiched between the lower ends of the two plate-shaped members 161 and 162. Therefore, the suction tube 11 can be reliably fixed to the container 12.

Therefore, also in the case of this modification, as in the first embodiment, the uncontaminated liquid in the container 12 is pumped up by the fluid pump 2 or the like via the suction tube 11 and the channel of the endoscope 15. When the liquid is delivered to the gripping portion 161 of the two plate-shaped members 161 and 162 of the suction tube fixture 13.
a, 162a by operating the suction tube 11
Since the worker can perform the work without directly touching it, even if the worker's hand is contaminated, the suction tube 11 will not be contaminated, and the container during the above operation will not be contaminated. The liquid in 12 is also unlikely to be contaminated.
Further, in the case of this modification, the container 1 is different from that of the first embodiment.
Fixing to 2 can be performed more reliably.

FIG. 15 shows a third modification of the suction tube fixture 13. The suction tube fixing tool 13 of this modified example is replaced with the torsion coil spring 167 of the suction tube fixing tool 13 of the second modified example of FIGS. 14 (A) and (B), and two pieces made of metal, synthetic resin material or the like are used. Plate-shaped member 1
One of the grips 161a and 162a of the grippers 61 and 162, that is, the grip 162 of the plate member 162 in the present modification.
A leaf spring 171 is formed by cutting and bending a part of a and bending it, and the spring force of the leaf spring 171 always urges the lower ends of the two plate-shaped members 161 and 162 in the closing direction. It is configured.

Therefore, in this case as well, the same effects as those of the second modification can be obtained, and further, in this modification, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the second modification, and the configuration can be simplified. Can be achieved.

Also, the liquid injection tube 2 of the first embodiment.
As the first and second check valves 140 and 142 of the liquid injection part main body 134 in No. 2, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-26582.
A coupling valve as disclosed in FIG. 2 of the publication may be adopted.

Furthermore, a check valve having a modified structure shown in FIG. 16A may be adopted. In this modification, a large-diameter valve body accommodating chamber 182 is provided in the pipe line inside the tubular check valve body 181. A fluid inlet 18 is provided in the valve body storage chamber 182.
A ball-shaped valve body 184 that opens and closes 3 is provided.
The valve body 184 is constantly biased by the coil spring member 185 in the direction of closing the fluid introduction port 183.

Further, the liquid injection part main body 13 of the first embodiment.
The first check valve 140 of No. 4 is not necessarily a check valve, and a valve that communicates only when connected to a liquid feeding means such as a syringe may be used. For example, in FIG.
As shown in (B), a linear slit 192 is formed in the center of a disc-shaped valve seat 191 made of an elastic body, and a slit 192 of the valve seat 191 is formed by pushing a liquid feeding means such as a syringe into the slit 192. It may be configured to push open.

Further, the liquid injection part main body 13 of the first embodiment.
The second check valve 142 of FIG.
4 does not need to be provided inside the pipe 4, and may be provided anywhere inside the conduit between the air pump 3 and the liquid inlet 138. For example, the pump unit main body 1 may be provided in a pipeline.

Further, the liquid injection part main body 13 of the first embodiment.
Assuming a use condition in which the liquid is injected from 4 while the air pump 3 is in operation, it is unlikely that the liquid injected into the liquid injection part main body 134 will flow backward in the direction of the air pump 3. The check valve 142 is not necessarily provided.

In addition, the syringe 13 in the first embodiment
No. 2 is not limited to a syringe, and any other liquid feeding means can be adopted. As another liquid feeding means, a fluid pump such as a roller pump or a magnet pump may be used.

FIG. 17 shows the entire liquid injection mechanism 201 used in place of the liquid injection tube 22 of the first embodiment. The liquid injection mechanism 201 is provided with a pressure accumulating liquid tank 202. This liquid tank 20
A female type air supply joint 203 and a female type discharge joint 204 are provided on the upper surface of the lid 202a that closes the upper opening of 2.

Here, the air supply joint 203 has a first supply for supplying the pressurized air sent from the air pump 3 which is the pressurizing source mounted inside the pump unit body 1 into the liquid tank 202. One end of the pipe 205 is connectable via a male first feeding joint 206. The other end of the first supply pipe 205 is connected to the air supply socket 7 of the pump unit body 1 via an adapter 207.

Further, inside the liquid tank 202, a second supply pipe 208 for supplying the liquid pressurized by the pressurized air to the outside of the liquid tank 202 is arranged. The upper end portion of the second feeding pipe 208 has a discharge port joint 204.
And the lower end portion is extended to the inner bottom portion side of the liquid tank 202.

Furthermore, the lid 20 on the upper portion of the liquid tank 202
A liquid injection port 209 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of 2a. A luer lock base 210 is formed on the outer end side of the liquid injection port body 209, and a check valve 211 is provided on the inner end side.

No valve is provided inside the female air supply joint 203. Therefore, from this air supply port joint 203 to the first end of the downstream end of the first supply pipe 205.
The pressure remaining in the liquid tank 202 can be released to the outside by pulling out the feeding joint 206 of.

The air / liquid feeding tube 14 of the first embodiment can be attached to and detached from the female type outlet joint 204. A valve is provided inside the discharge port joint 204. Then, by pulling out the joint 14a of the air / liquid feeding tube 14 from the outlet joint 204, the outlet joint 2 is automatically released when the connection is released.
Even if the gas supply / liquid supply tube 14 is disconnected while the valve inside 04 is closed and the inside of the liquid tank 202 is pressurized, the liquid does not squirt from the discharge port joint 204.

When the liquid injection mechanism 201 is used, the syringe 212 is connected to the luer lock base 210 of the liquid injection port 209 of the liquid tank 202 to supply the liquid to be fed into the internal conduit of the endoscope 15. Inject by syringe 212. The liquid injected at this time is stored in the liquid tank 202.

In this state, when the air pump 3 mounted inside the pump unit body 1 is started, the pressurized air flows into the liquid tank 202 through the first feed pipe 205, and the liquid tank 202 The inside is pressurized. Therefore, the liquid inside the liquid tank 202 is pressurized, and the pressurized liquid flows through the second supply pipe 208 and flows into the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 via the gas supply / liquid supply tube 14. .

Further, when the air pump 3 continues to supply air, all the liquid in the liquid tank 202 is supplied, and subsequently the pressurized air from the air pump 3 is supplied to the second supply pipe 20.
8, the endoscope 15 as it is via the air / liquid feeding tube 14
It will flow into the internal conduit of. As a result, the liquid in the internal duct of the endoscope 15 can be continuously dried after the liquid is fed.

Therefore, the following effects can be obtained with the above structure. That is, since the liquid injection mechanism 201 used in place of the liquid injection tube 22 of the first embodiment uses the liquid tank 202, a large amount of liquid can be supplied at a time to the endoscope 1.
5 internal lines can be supplied.

Further, since it is a pressure storage type, it is possible to store the liquid in the liquid tank 202. Therefore,
It is also possible not to send the liquid in the liquid tank 202 all at once, but to feed the liquid little by little in a plurality of times. Also at this time, the liquid can be replenished into the liquid tank 202 at any time.

FIG. 18 shows the entire liquid injection mechanism 221 having a structure different from that of FIG. The liquid injection mechanism 221 is provided with a liquid tank 222 whose top opening is closed by a lid 222a. A tube connecting portion 223 is provided at the lower end of the liquid tank 222 so as to project.

On the upper surface of the lid 222a of the liquid tank 222, the air supply joint 224 and the liquid injection port 22 are provided.
5 are provided. Here, the air inlet joint 224
The first feed pipe 205 of the liquid injection mechanism 201 of FIG.
One end portion of is connectable via a male first feeding joint 206.

Further, one end of the second feed pipe 226 is connected to the tube connecting portion 223 of the liquid tank 222. The other end of the second supply pipe 226 is detachably connected to the air / liquid feeding tube 14 of the first embodiment through a female type outlet joint 227. Is communicated with the internal duct of the endoscope 15 via the.
Further, a luer lock base 226 is formed on the outer end side of the liquid injection port body 225 of the liquid tank 222, and a check valve 227 is provided on the inner end side.

When the liquid injection mechanism 221 is used, the syringe 228 is connected to the luer lock base 226 of the liquid injection port 225 of the liquid tank 222 to supply the liquid to be delivered into the internal conduit of the endoscope 15. The syringe 228 injects into the liquid tank 222.

In this state, when the air pump 3 mounted inside the pump unit body 1 is started, the pressurized air flows into the liquid tank 222 through the first feed pipe 205, and inside the liquid tank 222. Pressurized liquid is liquid tank 22
2 from the lower end of the tube connecting portion 223 to the second feeding pipe 2
26, and flows into the internal conduit of the endoscope 15 via the air / liquid feeding tube 14.

When the air pump 3 continues to supply air, all the liquid in the liquid tank 222 is supplied, and then the pressurized air from the air pump 3 is supplied to the second supply pipe 22.
6, the endoscope 15 as it is via the air / liquid feeding tube 14
It will flow into the internal conduit of. As a result, the liquid in the internal duct of the endoscope 15 can be continuously dried after the liquid is fed.

Therefore, the following effects can be obtained with the above structure. That is, since the liquid injection mechanism 221 used in place of the liquid injection tube 22 of the first embodiment uses the liquid tank 222, a large amount of liquid is supplied to the endoscope 15 at a time as compared with the first embodiment. Can be sent to the internal conduit of the.

Further, since the tube connection portion 223 for liquid outflow is provided at the lower end portion of the liquid tank 222, the liquid tank 22
All of the liquid in 2 can be completely used up, and no liquid remains in the liquid tank 222.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application will be additionally described as follows.

(Additional Item 1) An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus comprising: a supply means for supplying a fluid from at least one end of a conduit of an endoscope; and a fluid supply means for supplying a fluid to the supply means. An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus comprising: operating means for setting the output of the fluid sending means in accordance with each step of the cleaning / disinfecting work.

(Additional Item 2) Of the additional item 1, the operation means is an output control circuit for setting the output of the fluid sending means in response to a switch input, and a display means for interlocking with the output control circuit and displaying each stroke on the panel. Endoscope cleaning and disinfecting equipment.

(Additional Item 3) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Additional Item 2, in which the output control circuit can set the output of the fluid sending means and the operating time at the same time. (Additional Item 4) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Additional Item 2, wherein the display means for each step comprises a panel in which each step of the total cleaning / disinfecting work is arranged in order and is displayed by LED.

(Additional Item 5) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein the fluid feeding means is an electric liquid feeding pump. (Additional Item 6) In the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of Additional Item 1, a protective tube that completely covers a fluid conduit extending from the fluid feeding means provided inside the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus main body; An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus comprising a protective tube and a drain tube that opens the outside of the apparatus.

(Prior Art of Supplementary Note 6) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-4
As described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9824 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-73237, a single hose member is generally used for the piping inside the apparatus of the liquid feed pump incorporated in the cleaning apparatus.

(Problem to be Solved by Supplementary Note 6) The pipe through which the liquid in the endoscope cleaning device passes is usually composed of a single hose member, and in particular, the portion under pressure such as the discharge side of the fluid pump is reinforced. Leakage of liquid by using a tube,
Although it prevents rupture of the tube, if the tube itself is damaged or the tube connection part is disconnected, a large amount of liquid will be scattered inside the device and there is a danger of electrical leakage if it gets on the surrounding electrical parts. . When the operator notices the above phenomenon, the inside of the apparatus is already flooded and in an irreversible state.

(Purpose of Supplementary Note 6) Even if an abnormality occurs in the pipe line through which the pressurized liquid in the endoscope cleaning device passes and liquid leakage occurs, the liquid is scattered to the surrounding electric parts and electric wiring. It is possible to prevent electric leakage by discharging it to the outside of the device.

(Operation of Supplementary Note 6) It is possible to completely replace the tube on the discharge side of the liquid feed pump (the conduit through which the pressurized liquid passes) in the cleaning device with two
A heavy-duty structure that normally prevents the liquid from splashing inside the device if the discharge-side tube through which the pressurized liquid passes (inside) is damaged or if water leaks from the connection part of the tube At the same time, the liquid is discharged to the outside of the device by the drain pipe.

(Effect of Supplementary Note 6) Even if liquid leaks from the conduit through which the pressurized fluid passes inside the device, it is not scattered to the surrounding electric parts, so that electric leakage can be prevented. (Additional Item 7) In the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of Additional Item 1, the fluid feeding means has a discharge port and a suction port, and a suction tube is connected to the suction port and a gripping member is provided on the suction tube. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device characterized in that

(Additional Item 8) In the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of Additional Item 7, a fixing means for fixing the suction tube to a liquid tank storing a liquid to be fed to the duct of the endoscope is attached to the suction tube. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device characterized by being provided.

(Additional Item 9) The fixing means includes a biasing member that connects the two plate-shaped members by a hinge and biases the two plate-shaped members in a direction in which one end sides of the two plate-shaped members are always in contact with each other. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to item 8.

(Prior Art of Supplementary Notes 7 to 9) As a prior art, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-8213 discloses a device for pumping a cleaning liquid and sending the cleaning liquid to a conduit of an endoscope for cleaning. However, the inhalation tube of this device has a filter connected to the end of the tube body.

The operation of putting the filter into and out of the tank containing the cleaning liquid is performed by pinching the tube by hand. However, since the contaminated endoscope is handled, the tube is also contaminated by the working hand. There is a possibility that

Particularly, for an endoscope that has been disinfected, sterilized water may be used to rinse the endoscope. At this time, the cleaning device and the syringe are sterilized, and the operator is also sterilized. You can use your existing gloves, but otherwise you could inadvertently get the contaminated tube into the sterile water and contaminate it. Of course, if the sterile water is contaminated, the disinfected endoscope will be recontaminated.

(Problems to be Solved by Additional Items 7 to 9)
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-8213, the inhalation tube is contaminated, and the contaminated inhalation tube causes
There is a possibility that the liquid sent to the endoscope conduit may be contaminated.

Further, since the suction tube is only dropped into the tank, the filter may come out of the liquid surface during the liquid feeding work, and the liquid may not be fed. (Purpose of Supplementary Notes 7 to 9) In the endoscope cleaning device,
Make sure that the liquid delivered to the endoscope line is not contaminated.

(Purpose of Supplementary Notes 8 and 9) The liquid is reliably delivered to the duct of the endoscope. (The end of the inhalation tube should not rise above the liquid surface of the liquid to be sent.) (Operation of Supplementary Notes 7 to 9) A grip is provided in the middle of the suction tube, and the grip is held, By putting it in and out of the tank containing the liquid for sending it to the pipe of the mirror, it has the effect that the liquid is not contaminated.

(Operation of Supplementary Items 8 and 9) A fixing means that can be fixed to the holding portion and the tank containing the liquid to be fed to the conduit of the endoscope is provided in the middle of the suction tube to ensure the operation. It has the function of fixing the suction tube to the tank.

(Effects of Supplementary Items 7 to 9) Since the intake filter is taken in and out of the liquid to be fed to the endoscope duct by holding the grip provided on the suction tube, work with contaminated hands. Even the suction tube is not contaminated. Therefore,
The liquid is not polluted either.

(Additional Item 10) In the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of Additional Item 1, a pressure source for generating pressurized air provided inside the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus and one end side of the pressure source A feed pipe communicating with the feed pipe, the other end of which communicates with the endoscope pipe, and a liquid supply unit having a mouthpiece disposed in the feed pipe and capable of injecting a liquid into the feed pipe from the outside. An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus comprising: a liquid feeding means connectable to the base.

(Additional Item 11) The liquid supply section is provided in the liquid tank for containing the liquid, and the air supply capable of supplying the pressurized air from the pressure source into the liquid tank. A mouth, an outlet provided in the liquid tank for discharging the liquid and gas in the liquid tank to the outside of the liquid tank, and a mouthpiece provided in the liquid tank and capable of injecting the liquid into the liquid tank from the outside. 11. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to item 10, further comprising:

(Additional Item 12) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Additional Item 11, wherein the discharge port is provided below the liquid tank. (Additional Item 13) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Additional Item 10, wherein the mouthpiece is provided with a valve that can communicate only when liquid is injected by the liquid feeding means.

(Additional Item 14) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Additional Item 13, wherein the valve is a check valve. (Additional Item 15) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Additional Item 10, wherein the mouthpiece is provided with a valve that can communicate only when the liquid feeding means is connected.

(Additional Item 16) The additional item 13, wherein the valve is made of an elastic body having a slit.
15. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to 15. (Additional Item 17) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Additional Item 10, wherein the base is a luer lock base.

(Additional Item 18) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Additional Item 10, wherein the liquid feeding means is a syringe. (Additional Item 19) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Additional Item 10, wherein the liquid feeding means is a pump.

(Prior Art of Supplementary Notes 10 to 19) In the present technology, for cleaning or disinfecting a conduit incorporated in an endoscope, for example, endoscope cleaning / disinfecting for supplying a liquid to the conduit is performed. Regarding the device.

The endoscope used for the purpose of examination and treatment in the body cavity includes not only the outer surface of the insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity but also the conduits incorporated in the body, such as the air supply conduit,
Dirt and the like also adhere to the inside of the water supply line, the suction line or the forceps channel. Therefore, it is necessary to clean and disinfect the inside of the duct of the endoscope after use.

In order to surely clean and disinfect the inside of the endoscope conduit, not only the cleaning liquid, the disinfecting liquid and the rinse water are fed, but also the alcohol is fed and the inside of the conduit is dried. Need to let.

[0205] Conventionally, as an apparatus for feeding the liquid as described above to clean and disinfect the inside of the endoscope channel, Japanese Patent Application No. 6-896
There was an accumulator type cleaning device as described in No. 26. This cleaning device includes an air supply source, a pressure accumulating tank containing a chemical liquid such as a cleaning liquid, an injection port for injecting a liquid into the liquid tank, an injection lid detachable from the injection port, and An air supply tube that connects an air source and a pressure storage tank, and a liquid supply tube that connects the pressure storage tank and a conduit of the endoscope main body, and one downstream side end of the air supply tube and an upstream side of the liquid supply tube A means for connecting the one end so as to be able to communicate with each other without the liquid tank is provided. When cleaning the endoscope channel with such a cleaning device, a liquid tank is connected between the air supply tube and the liquid supply tube, and the air supply source is started.

On the other hand, when removing the liquid remaining in the endoscope conduit, the connecting means is used without using the liquid tank.
Directly connect the air supply tube and the liquid supply tube and start the air supply source.

(Problems to be Solved by Additional Items 10 to 19) However, in the above-described conventional method, when the liquid is replenished in the pressure accumulating tank, it is necessary to remove the injection lid attached to the injection port. Yes, this work was very troublesome. In particular, when the injection lid is a screw-in type, the screw bites when the tank internal pressure rises, and it becomes very difficult to remove the lid.

Therefore, a usage method in which only the amount of liquid necessary for one liquid feeding is injected into the pressure accumulating tank, all the liquid in the tank is fed, and then the air is continuously fed by the pressure source. However, it was very troublesome to replenish the accumulator tank with liquid each time, and it was difficult to allow it in practical use.

(Purpose of Additional Items 10 to 19) An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus capable of easily injecting a required amount of liquid between a pressure source and an endoscope conduit. . (Operation of Additional Items 10 to 19) When the liquid is fed into the endoscope channel, the liquid feeding means injects a necessary amount of the liquid into the liquid supply unit. Then, the injected liquid is pressurized by the pressurizing source, and the liquid is poured into the endoscope channel through the feeding pipe. Further, when the pressure source is continuously operated, the pressurized air flows into the endoscope conduit as it is, the liquid flowing into the endoscope conduit is discharged, and the interior of the conduit can be continuously dried. it can.

(Effects of Additional Items 10 to 19) It is possible to provide an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus capable of easily injecting a required amount of liquid between the pressure source and the endoscope conduit. is there. In addition, since it is easy to inject the liquid and it is not difficult to replenish the liquid every time, by injecting only the liquid for one time, the liquid feeding and the air feeding into the endoscope conduit can be continuously performed. Can be done by

The present technique is particularly suitable for feeding alcohol to an endoscope conduit, and by injecting a required amount of alcohol into a liquid supply section by means of a liquid feeding means such as a syringe and starting a pressure source, Sterilization in the pipeline by feeding alcohol and drying in the pipeline by feeding pressurized air can be continuously performed.

Further, since alcohol, which is a flammable liquid, does not enter the casing of the endoscope cleaning apparatus, there is no possibility that alcohol and alcohol gas will be ignited by electric parts inside the casing.

Further, since the liquid transfer is not manual, there is little variation in liquid transfer, and it is possible to reliably transfer the liquid into the entire conduit. (Additional Item 20) A connecting means connected to the internal conduit of the endoscope, a fluid supply means for supplying a fluid for cleaning and disinfecting work to the internal conduit of the endoscope via the connecting means, and this fluid. A main body of a cleaning / disinfecting apparatus equipped with a flow rate adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate of the fluid supplied from the supply means, and a cleaning / disinfecting apparatus main body having a switching means for switching each step of a series of cleaning / disinfecting operations of the internal conduit of the endoscope. During a series of cleaning / disinfecting operations in the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, the set flow rate of the fluid is controlled by the flow rate adjusting means in each step of the cleaning / disinfecting operation in conjunction with the process switching operation of the switching means of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus main body. A method for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope, characterized by comprising a control step.

[0214]

According to the present invention, the flow rate of the fluid for cleaning and disinfecting work can be accurately adjusted in each step such as the cleaning step of the endoscope conduit and the disinfecting step, and one fluid supply means. With the use of, it is possible to obtain a sufficient effect for cleaning the inside of the endoscope conduit, and it is possible to safely and reliably inject the disinfectant solution into the endoscope conduit.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a connection state of a control unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an internal duct of an endoscope to be cleaned and disinfected.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a display panel and operation buttons provided on the front panel of the pump unit body.

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a main part showing a piping structure of a fluid pump inside a pump unit main body.

6 is a sectional view taken along line L ₁ -L _{1 of} FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a connected state of a pipe line connecting portion of an air / liquid feeding tube.

FIG. 8A is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing a configuration of a connecting portion between a first connecting portion and a first tube of a Y-branch connector, and FIG. 8B is a tube stopper ring of FIG. 8A. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing a modified example of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the suction conduit adapter is attached to the forceps opening of the endoscope, and (A) shows a state in which the captive ring is slid to the pressing release position of the fixing ring. , (B) is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the captive ring is slid to the pressing position of the fixing ring.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which the air / water feeding adapter is attached to the air / water feeding cylinder and the suction cylinder of the endoscope. FIG. 10A shows the slider of the air / water feeding adapter held at the disengaged position. FIG. 3B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the slider of the air / water feeding adapter is held at the engaging position.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing a suction tube,
(B) is a side view showing the intake filter of the suction tube in a partial cross section, (C) is a state where the intake filter of the suction tube is inserted into the liquid in the container, and the suction tube is attached to the container by the suction tube fixing tool. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing a closed state.

FIG. 12 (A) is a plan view showing the overall structure of the liquid injection tube, FIG. 12 (B) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main part showing the internal structure of the liquid injection section body, and FIG. The top view which shows the valve seat of a stop valve.

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a mounting state of a first modification of the suction tube fixing tool.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing a second modification of the suction tube fixing tool, and FIG. 14B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the attachment state of the suction tube fixing tool of the second modification.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing a third modified example of the suction tube fixing tool.

16A is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the check valve of the liquid injection part main body, and FIG. 16B is a plan view showing a valve seat of the check valve.

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the entire liquid injection mechanism used in place of the liquid injection tube of the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the entire liquid injection mechanism having a configuration different from that in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Pump unit main body (main body of cleaning / disinfecting device), 2 ...
Fluid pump (fluid supply means), 3 ... Air pump (fluid supply means), 9a, 9b, 9c ... Operation buttons (switching means), 15 ... Endoscope, 19 ... Pipe line connection portion (connection means),
29 ... Control part (flow rate adjusting means, control means), 38 ... Suction channel (internal conduit), 42 ... Air supply tube (internal conduit), 43 ... Water supply tube (internal conduit).

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Kubota 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A connecting means connected to an internal conduit of an endoscope, a fluid supplying means for supplying a fluid for cleaning and disinfecting work to the internal conduit of an endoscope through the connecting means, and this fluid. A main body of a cleaning / disinfecting apparatus having a flow rate adjusting means for adjusting a flow rate of a fluid supplied from a supply means and a switching means for switching each process of a series of cleaning / disinfecting operations of an internal conduit of an endoscope, and the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device, which is provided with a control device which is interlocked with the process switching operation of the switching device of the apparatus main body and which controls the set flow rate of the fluid by the flow rate adjusting device for each process of the cleaning and disinfecting work. apparatus.