JPH09253028A - Endscope washing and sterilizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use sterilization liquid at an optimum temperature at the time of sterilizing an endscope after washing it, to efficiently disinfect the endscope and to improve the reliability of disinfection. SOLUTION: The device is constituted so that the disinfection liquid is supplied from a disinfection liquid tank into a washing tank 2 after washing the endscope inside the washing tank 2 provided in a device main body, then the endscope is dipped into the sterilization liquid and is disinfected. In this case, a washing tank heater 38 for heating the sterilization liquid is provided in the washing tank 2, a temperature sensor 39 for detecting the temperature of the sterilization liquid in the washing tank 2 is provided and a control part 40 for detecting the temperature of the disinfecting liquid by the temperature sensor 39 and controlling the washing tank heater 38 is provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Endoscopes are frequently used for the purpose of examination and treatment in the body cavity of a living body. This endoscope must be washed and disinfected after use in order to prevent infection between patients. For example, an endoscope washing and disinfecting apparatus as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-17363 is used. . These devices, after setting the endoscope after use in the cleaning tank, while injecting the cleaning liquid from the injection nozzle provided in the cleaning tank,
The endoscope is washed by sending liquid into the endoscope channel such as a forceps channel.

Next, the disinfectant solution is injected from the disinfectant solution tank in the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus into the dipping tank which also serves as the cleaning tank through the pump in the apparatus. At the same time, the endoscope is disinfected by sending the liquid into the endoscope channel. At this time, as the disinfectant, for example, a glutaral disinfectant is used. For this disinfectant solution, the temperature effective for disinfection is set by each disinfectant solution manufacturer. Therefore, the disinfectant solution tank is provided with a heating means for a rubber heater, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-31588, to keep the disinfectant solution at an effective temperature. Next, rinsing is performed by injecting and sending clean water, and finally air is supplied into the endoscope conduit to remove water from the conduit. It has also been proposed to wash with ultrasonic waves in the washing step.

[0004]

However, the temperature of the disinfectant solution used in the disinfecting step may be controlled at room temperature to control the temperature in the disinfectant solution tank.
Even if the temperature is controlled by the heating means provided in the disinfectant solution tank, the disinfection effect cannot be sufficiently exerted unless the temperature when actually used in the cleaning tank is controlled.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to ensure that the temperature of the disinfecting liquid at the time of disinfecting the endoscope is the effective specified temperature of the disinfecting liquid. An object is to provide an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention supplies an antiseptic solution from a disinfectant solution tank into the cleaning tank after the endoscope is washed in the cleaning tank provided in the main body of the apparatus. Then, in an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for disinfecting by immersing the endoscope in this disinfectant solution, a heating means for heating the disinfectant solution in the cleaning tank and the temperature of the disinfectant solution in the cleaning tank. And a control unit for controlling the heating means. As a result, the temperature of the disinfecting solution can be set to the set temperature during the disinfecting process, and a reliable disinfecting effect on the endoscope can be obtained.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, and FIG. 2 shows a heating means. 1 and 2
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a main body of the apparatus, and a washing tank 2 which also functions as a disinfecting solution dipping tank is provided inside. An endoscope S, which is to be cleaned and disinfected, can be installed inside the cleaning tank 2, and a float switch 2a is provided.

A nozzle tower 3 is provided in the center of the inside of the washing tank 2, and a nozzle 4 for injecting the washing liquid toward the endoscope S is provided in the nozzle tower 3. Further, in the case of disinfection, the cleaning tank 2 serves as an immersion tank for the disinfectant solution, which is performed by immersing the endoscope in the disinfectant solution for a certain time.

A drain port 5 is provided at the bottom of the washing tank 2,
The drain port 5 is connected to a cleaning liquid discharge pipe line 7 and a disinfectant liquid return pipe line 8 via a switching valve 6. The cleaning liquid discharge conduit 7 is connected to a drain port 9 provided on the outer wall of the apparatus main body 1, and a drain pump 10 is provided in the middle of the cleaning liquid discharge conduit 7.

The disinfectant solution return pipe 8 is connected to a disinfectant solution tank 11 installed in the apparatus main body 1. A disinfectant supply line 12 is connected to the disinfectant tank 11, and this disinfectant supply line 12 is connected to a water supply port 13 provided in the cleaning tank 2. Further, a disinfectant solution supply pump 14 and a switching block 15 are provided in the middle of the disinfectant solution supply conduit 12. Further, an activated carbon filter 1 for preventing outflow of harmful disinfectant solution vapor is provided above the disinfectant solution tank 11.
6 is provided, and a drain outlet 17 is provided at the bottom.

A cleaning liquid supply pipe 18 is connected to the switching block 15, and the cleaning liquid supply pipe 18 is connected to a water faucet 19 outside the apparatus main body 1. A water supply valve 20 and a water supply filter 21 are provided in the middle of the cleaning liquid supply pipeline 18, and the cleaning water supplied from the water faucet 19 is washed from the water supply port 13 through the water supply valve 20, the water supply filter 21 and the switching block 15. Water is supplied to the tank 2.

Further, the connecting portion between the water supply filter 21 and the cleaning liquid supply pipe line 18 is designed so that the water supply filter 21 can be swung in the front direction of the apparatus main body 1 so as to be easily attached and detached. Further, as a result, a drain port (not shown) provided in the lower portion of the water supply filter 21 can be projected to the outside of the apparatus body 1, and residual water can be collected outside the apparatus body 1.

A circulation port 22 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2.
Is provided, and a tube connector 24 connected to the liquid outlet 23 and a channel (not shown) of the endoscope S is provided on the side wall of the cleaning tank 2. And the circulation port 22
Is connected to one end of a disinfecting liquid circulation pipe 25, and the other end thereof is connected to the liquid flow port 23. A first liquid flow pump 26 is provided in the middle of the disinfectant solution circulation line 25 to circulate the disinfectant solution.

Further, a channel disinfectant liquid circulation pipe 27 is branched from the middle of the disinfectant liquid circulation pipe 25, and the other end thereof is connected to the tube connector 24. In the channel disinfectant liquid circulation line 27, the second liquid flow pump 2 is provided.
8, a mixing block 29 and a channel valve 30 are provided.

An air supply pipe 32 communicating with an air pump 31 is connected to the mixing block 29, and an air filter 33 is provided in the middle of the air supply pipe 32. Then, air can be supplied into the channel of the endoscope S to remove water. The air filter 33 preferably has a 0.2 micron pore level capable of capturing bacteria.

Further, the mixing block 29 has a branch pipe 3
4 is connected, and this branch pipe 34 is connected to the nozzle 4
It is also connected to the cleaning case 35 in the cleaning tank 2.
Accessories for the endoscope S can be stored in the cleaning case 35.

An ultrasonic vibrator 36 is provided on the outer bottom surface of the cleaning tank 2 and is connected to an ultrasonic oscillator (not shown). Further, a top cover 37 that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 1 is provided above the cleaning tank 2. The top cover 37 is provided with an activated carbon filter 37a for preventing outflow of harmful disinfectant liquid vapor in the cleaning tank 2.

Further, the nozzle tower 3 provided in the cleaning tank 2
A cleaning tank heater 38 such as a rubber heater as a heating means is attached to the inner peripheral wall of the. The cleaning tank heater 38 is connected to a controller 40 together with a temperature sensor 39 for detecting the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 2, and the controller 40 is connected to a control panel 41.

Next, the operation of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus constructed as described above will be described. The endoscope S to be washed is installed in the washing tank 2, the channel of the endoscope S is connected to the tube connector 24, and the top cover 37 is closed.

First, the washing process will be described. The washing water supplied from the water faucet 19 passes through the water supply valve 20, the water supply filter 21, and the switching block 15 to supply the water.
The washing tank 6 is supplied with water. Here, the water supply valve 20 controls the supply of washing water, and the water supply filter 21 has a function of capturing bacteria in the washing water (for example, 0.2 micron hole).

When the washing tank 2 is filled with a predetermined amount of washing water, the float switch 2a is turned on.
The liquid flow pump 26 and the second liquid flow pump 28 are operated.
The cleaning water is sucked from the circulation port 22 and jetted from the liquid flow port 23 to the cleaning tank 2, and the outer surface of the endoscope S is cleaned by the water flow and the water pressure. In addition, the cleaning water sucked by the channel pump 28 sends and cleans the inside of the channel of the endoscope S from the tube connector 24. At this time, the second liquid flow pump 2
A fluctuating flow is generated by turning ON / OFF the 8 or the channel valve 30.

Further, since the branch pipe line 34 branched from the mixing block 29 communicates with the cleaning case 35 and the nozzle 4, the accessories of the endoscope S accommodated in the cleaning case 35 are cleaned and the nozzle 4 The cleaning liquid sprayed from cleans the inner surface of the top cover 37 and the wall surface of the cleaning tank 2.

At this time, it is also possible to operate the ultrasonic transducer 36 for ultrasonic cleaning. At that time, it is possible to raise or lower the water level to eliminate uneven cleaning, or to even out attacks on the endoscope S to prevent damage. When the cleaning is completed, the switching valve 6 is moved to the drainage side, the drainage pump 10 is operated, and the cleaning fluid in the cleaning tank 2 is discharged from the drainage port 9 to the apparatus main body 1
Drained outside.

Next, the disinfection process will be described. The disinfectant solution in the disinfectant solution tank 11 is supplied from the water supply port 13 into the cleaning tank 2 by the operation of the disinfectant solution supply pump 14. The cleaning tank 2 is filled with a predetermined amount of disinfecting liquid to disinfect the outer surface of the endoscope S. Similar to the washing process, the first flow pump 2
6. The second liquid flow pump 28 operates to disinfect the accessories and the inner surface of the top cover 37.

At this time, the cleaning tank heater 38 attached to the outer wall of the cleaning tank 2 heats the disinfectant solution. The temperature of the disinfectant solution is detected by the temperature sensor 39, and the control unit 40 can further heat the temperature to a specified temperature. Also,
In addition to the control unit 40, means (for example, a float switch 2a) for detecting that the disinfectant solution is contained in the cleaning tank 2 is provided, and the cleaning tank heater 38 is turned on only when the cleaning tank 2 contains liquid. A function may be provided. Further, the set temperature can be set by the user through the control panel 41 according to the optimum temperature of the disinfectant solution.

Further, a heater 11a and a temperature sensor 11b are provided on the outer peripheral wall of the disinfectant solution tank 11, and in consideration of heat exchange until the disinfectant solution is poured into the cleaning tank 2, heating is performed at a temperature higher than the set temperature. I am trying to do it. At this time, the disinfectant is circulated from the circulation port 22 to the flow outlet 23 via the first flow pump 26 to make the temperature of the disinfectant uniform and remove bubbles and the like adhering to the object to be disinfected. You can also Similar to the cleaning tank heater 38, a function of turning on the heater 11a only when liquid is contained in the disinfecting liquid tank 11 may be provided. In addition, the temperature sensor 39 and the temperature sensor 1
1b may be compared to detect a failure of the temperature sensors 39, 11b and notify the user.

Further, in order to reduce the amount of the disinfectant solution used for disinfection, the amount of the disinfectant solution stored in the cleaning tank 2 is reduced, and the second liquid flow pump 28 is provided to supplement the disinfection of the portion not in contact with the disinfectant solution. It is also possible to eject the disinfecting liquid by the nozzle 4 via the nozzle. When the disinfection is completed, the switching valve 6 is switched to the disinfectant solution tank 11 side, and the disinfectant solution is spontaneously dropped and collected in the disinfectant solution tank 11. Here, an air inlet / outlet is required for the cleaning tank 2 and the disinfectant tank 11 as the disinfectant moves, but the activated carbon filters 16, 37a serve as an air inlet / outlet to prevent outflow of harmful disinfectant solution vapor. Become.
Since the air inlet and outlet are apt to be wet and easily contaminated, it is desirable to connect the replaceable activated carbon filters 16 and 37a directly to the washing tank 2 and the disinfectant tank 11.

Next, the air supply step will be described. The air pump 31 operates to supply air into the channel of the endoscope S through the air filter 33, the mixing block 29, and the tube connector 24, and the inside of the channel is removed. Water.

Next, the disinfecting liquid draining process will be described. As in the disinfecting process, the disinfecting liquid is supplied to the cleaning tank 2.
Further, the drainage pump 10 operates to discharge the disinfectant liquid from the drainage port 9 to the outside of the apparatus main body 1. This process is performed when exchanging the disinfectant solution, but when using the disinfectant solution that is prohibited to drain into the drainage facility, it is necessary to collect it in a separately prepared container etc. and discharge it individually. is there.

In that case, as shown in FIG.
Alternatively, it may be connected to the recovery hose 42 and the end of the recovery hose 42 may be received by the container 43 or the like for recovery. In addition, the recovery hose 4
A cock 44 may be provided at the end of 2 to adjust the flow rate of the disinfecting solution.

The main steps of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus include a cleaning step, a disinfecting step, and a rinsing step. The rinsing step after the disinfecting step rinses more than the water level of the disinfectant solution in order to perform sufficient rinsing. The water level is high. In addition, the washing process is set to a sufficient water level higher than the water level of the disinfection process in order to obtain a sufficient washing effect. The water level of the disinfectant solution in the disinfection step is lower than the water levels of the cleaning step and the rinsing step, and the disinfectant solution is jetted from the nozzle 4 provided in the cleaning tank 2. Moreover, these water levels may be higher than those of the previous process. Further, the float switch 2a is generally installed at each position for setting these water levels, but the number of the float switches 2a is set to one, and the float switch 2a is turned on from the start time of water supply or disinfection solution injection. It is also possible to count the time up to and to calculate the flow rate from the time when the volume where the float switch 2a is turned ON is counted, and to control the required water level with time.

Next, the clogging check process will be described. Inside the apparatus main body 1, various pipe lines are formed as described above. If these pipes are clogged, operations such as washing, disinfection and water removal become uncertain. In particular, it is difficult for an operator to confirm the air supply and the water supply into the channel of the endoscope S during the process. Therefore, a process is provided to check for clogging.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, the clogging detector 45
To the tube connector 24. When the operator selects this step on the operation panel (not shown), the second flow pump 28 and the air pump 31 are sequentially operated to supply air and water to the tube connector 24. The clogging detector 45 is made of a transparent material, and an impeller 46 is provided inside the clogging detector 45, and the clogging detector 45 rotates depending on the pressure and amount of air / water supply. The operator visually checks it and confirms that there is no clogging.

Here, the clogging detector 45 is not limited to the above construction, and as shown in FIG. 5, the clogging detector 48 in which the ball 47 is housed inside the vertical tube made of a transparent material is connected to the tube connector 24. It is confirmed that the ball 47 levitates by the air and water pressure and the amount of air supplied, and the strength can also be measured by the flying height of the ball 47.

Further, this step may be linked with the main switch of the apparatus main body 1 or the cleaning / disinfecting step switch. That is, it is possible to prevent forgetting to perform the clogging check by performing this process or by preventing another process from starting unless it is released.

FIG. 6 shows an opening / closing mechanism of the top cover 37. A packing 50 is provided inside the top cover 37 so as to face the outer peripheral edge of the cleaning tank 2, and is sealed by the packing 50 when the top cover 37 is closed. Water leaks and disinfectant vapor leaks are prevented. One end of the top cover 37 is pivotally supported on the apparatus main body 1 by a hinge 51, and the top cover 37 is biased in the open direction by a biasing spring 52.

A lock hole 5 is provided at the other end of the top cover 37.
3 is provided, and the lock lever 54 is attached to the apparatus main body 1.
Are rotatably provided with the pivot pin 55 as a fulcrum. The lock lever 54 is biased clockwise by a biasing spring 54a, and the lock hole 53 is provided at one end thereof.
A lock claw 56 that can be engaged and disengaged and a lock release claw 57 that faces the lower edge of the top cover 37 are provided.

Further, on the side wall of the apparatus main body 1, a push-type opening button 58 facing the other end of the lock lever 54.
Is provided, and by pushing the release button 58, the lock lever 54 can be rotated to unlock the lock claw 56 from the lock hole 53.

In FIG. 7, an open solenoid 59 is installed in the apparatus main body 1 instead of the release button 58 and is connected to the lock lever 54. According to this structure, the opening solenoid 59 is excited by the switch 60, whereby the lock lever 54 is rotated to rotate the lock claw 56.
Can be unlocked from the lock hole 53.

FIG. 8 shows a concave groove 61 inside the top cover 37.
Is provided to prevent water droplets attached to the inner surface of the top cover 37 from dripping when opened. According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the following composition is obtained.

(Supplementary Note 1) After cleaning the endoscope in the cleaning tank provided in the main body of the apparatus, the disinfectant solution is supplied from the disinfectant solution tank into the cleaning tank, and the endoscope is immersed in this disinfectant solution. In an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for disinfecting by means of heating, a heating means for heating the disinfecting solution in the cleaning tank, and a control section for detecting the temperature of the disinfecting solution in the cleaning tank and controlling the heating means. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device comprising:

(Supplementary Note 2) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the cleaning tank is provided with a heating means and a temperature measuring means. (Supplementary Note 3) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the disinfecting liquid tank is provided with a heating means and a temperature measuring means.

(Supplementary Note 4) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the heating means is a plate-shaped rubber heater. (Supplementary Note 5) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the control unit has a heating temperature setting unit for the disinfecting liquid.

(Supplementary Note 6) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the disinfecting liquid is circulated by a liquid flow pump during the disinfecting step. (Supplementary Note 7) The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the liquid flow pump is the same as the pump used during the cleaning step.

(Supplementary Note 8) The supplementary note 1 is characterized in that the cleaning tank is provided with a tube connector connected to a channel of an endoscope, and a cleaning liquid, a disinfecting liquid and air are supplied into the channel. Endoscope cleaning and disinfecting equipment.

[0046]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the endoscope is washed and then disinfected, the disinfecting liquid can be used at an optimum temperature, the endoscope can be efficiently disinfected, and the disinfection reliability is improved. There is an effect of doing.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a heating unit of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing how the disinfectant solution of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus is collected in a container.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a clogging detector of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a clogging detector of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional side view showing a lock mechanism of a top cover of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional side view showing another example of the lock mechanism of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional side view showing a top cover of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Device main body 2 ... Washing tank 11 ... Disinfecting liquid tank 38 ... Washing tank heater (heating means) 39 ... Temperature sensor (temperature measuring means) 40 ... Control part

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope is washed in a washing tank provided in the main body of the apparatus, and then a disinfecting solution is supplied from the disinfecting solution tank into the cleaning tank, and the endoscope is immersed in the disinfecting solution to disinfect. In the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device for performing, a heating unit for heating the disinfecting liquid in the cleaning tank, and a control unit for detecting the temperature of the disinfecting liquid in the cleaning tank and controlling the heating unit are provided. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device characterized by the above.