JPH10225440A - Washing device for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain an endoscope housed in a washing tank to be more clean by effectively sterilizing a washing liquid to be used as rinsing water and monitoring its ability. SOLUTION: This washing device for endoscope is provided with the washing tank 2 and a washing liquid tank 11 and sends washing liquid stored in the tank 11 to the tank 2 to wash at least the endoscope 4. In this case, washing liquid stored in the tank 11 is electrolyzed to produce acidic liquid and the produced acidic liquid is sent into the tank 2 to clean the endoscope 4. In addition, a sensor 42 detecting the characteristic and state of acidic liquid for washing the endoscope is set and the characteristic and state of the acid liquid is monitored by the sensor 42 to control the ability of electrolyzing so as to suit to a set condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning apparatus for cleaning an endoscope installed in a cleaning tank and peripheral equipment using an acid solution generated by electrolysis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A normal endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus includes a cleaning tank for installing an endoscope, a cleaning liquid tank and a disinfecting liquid tank, and switches between the cleaning liquid and the disinfecting liquid stored in each tank. The endoscope is cleaned and disinfected by sending the liquid to a cleaning tank and performing the cleaning step, the disinfecting step, and the rinsing cleaning step in this order. In this case, tap water has been usually used as a cleaning liquid for cleaning before disinfection and a rinse water for cleaning after disinfection.

[0003] However, even if the tap water is considered to be clean, various kinds of organic substances and microorganisms are usually slightly present, although the degree is different. Therefore, in some cases, it is conceivable that the microorganisms grow in the washing liquid tank using the organic matter as a nutrient source. If the water in the cleaning liquid tank is used in such a situation, there is a risk that the endoscope will be contaminated again, especially when the disinfected endoscope is rinsed and cleaned. Even though this is actually a clinically acceptable level of contamination, it is desirable to avoid such a degree of contamination in recent situations where strict hygiene is required.
As a countermeasure for this, in addition to daily management, for example, disinfectant is injected by providing a pipe for introducing a disinfectant into the cleaning liquid tank, or a heating mechanism is provided in the cleaning liquid tank to heat to 55 to 65 ° C. Sterilization procedures are conceivable.

However, the former method, in which a conduit for introducing a disinfecting solution into a cleaning solution tank, is sufficiently effective for sufficiently killing microorganisms in a solution already stored in a large amount. Not a means. In the latter method, in which a heating mechanism is provided in the cleaning liquid tank and the temperature is raised to 55 to 65 ° C., since the heating takes a long time and it is not possible to respond quickly, the water supply supplied from the water temperature drop in continuous use. There is a limit to the ability to remove microorganisms in water, and there is a difference in the removal effect depending on the state of use, and it has not always been possible to expect a sufficient effect.

[0005]

In view of such circumstances, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-160 proposes a method in which tap water is used to rinse acidic water generated by electrolysis in a cleaning liquid tank. However, when using acidic water for rinsing, there are the following problems. In other words, acidic water is unstable in its properties, and its properties are significantly degraded, especially when it comes into contact with proteins or the like over time. Also, the amount of acidic water stored in the washing tank is large,
Conversely, if the amount is small, the deterioration is apt to proceed, and the degree of the deterioration greatly changes depending on the temperature. Furthermore, the degree of deterioration is remarkable also depending on the condition of the object to be rinsed and washed, the properties of tap water to be electrolyzed, the state of use, and the like. In other words, the ability is greatly reduced depending on the various situations used. Therefore, conventionally, when using acidic water for rinsing,
Considering that the properties of the used acidic water are unstable, empirically effective conditions have been set and used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to monitor the properties of acidic water for cleaning an endoscope so as to actually confirm the actual properties of acidic water. It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscope cleaning device capable of reliably cleaning an endoscope in a situation where a desired disinfection effect is exhibited.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has a cleaning tank and a cleaning liquid tank, and sends the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank to the cleaning tank to at least clean the endoscope. In the endoscope cleaning apparatus, there is provided an electrolytic means for electrolyzing a cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank to generate an acidic liquid, and sending the generated acidic liquid to the cleaning tank to clean the endoscope. Means and a sensor for detecting the properties of the acidic solution for endoscope cleaning, wherein the properties of the acidic solution are monitored by the sensor, and the electrolysis capacity of the electrolytic means is adjusted to meet the set conditions. It is. Since the acidic solution is used for cleaning in this manner, recontamination of the endoscope and the like after rinsing and cleaning, particularly after disinfection, can be reliably prevented, and a cleaner state can be maintained. Since the properties are monitored and the electrolytic capacity of the electrolytic means is adjusted to meet the set conditions, high reliability is guaranteed.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body, and a cleaning tank 2 is disposed in an upper part in the apparatus main body 1. An opening / closing cover 3 is provided at an upper opening of the cleaning tank 2. A shelf 5 on which the endoscope 4 is placed is installed inside the cleaning tank 2. Cleaning tank 2
A cleaning nozzle 6 rotated by a motor (not shown) is provided at the center of the inside. Further, a disinfecting solution injection nozzle 7 is provided at a side portion inside the cleaning tank 2, and a conduit solution sending connector 8 is provided at a portion opposite to this. The conduit liquid feed connector 8 is connected to a conduit in the endoscope 4 using an adapter tube or the like (not shown).

In the lower part of the apparatus main body 1, a cleaning liquid tank 1 is provided.
1 and a disinfectant tank 12 are provided. The cleaning liquid tank 11 is connected to a water supply source, for example, a faucet 14 through an introduction pipe 13, and the cleaning liquid tank 11 receives supply of tap water from the water supply and stores it as a cleaning liquid. An electromagnetic first switching valve 15 for controlling water supply is provided in the middle of the introduction pipe 13. The first switching valve 15 automatically closes when a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid has accumulated in the cleaning liquid tank 11, and stops further water supply. The introduction pipe 13 is provided with a branch line for connecting the addition port 20 in addition to a pipeline line for connecting the faucet 14. The addition port 20 is used to add an additive that increases the conductivity of tap water to be electrolyzed, for example, sodium chloride (NaCl). Further, the addition port 20 can be used, for example, when a cleaning agent or a disinfectant is added when cleaning or disinfection in the cleaning liquid tank 11 is required.

A cleaning liquid supply pipe 16 and a first discharge pipe 17 are connected to the bottom of the cleaning liquid tank 11, and a cleaning liquid pump 18 is provided in the middle of the cleaning liquid supply pipe 16. The cleaning liquid supply pipe 16 branches into two pipes at a position downstream of the cleaning liquid pump 18, and one of the branch pipes 16 a
Is connected to the above-mentioned nozzle 6, and the other branch pipe 16b is connected to the above-mentioned conduit liquid sending connector 8 via a third switching valve 27 which will be described later. A discharge solenoid valve 19 is provided in the middle of the first discharge pipe 17.

The disinfectant tank 12 is connected to the bottom of the cleaning tank 2 through a discharge / introduction pipe 21. Discharge introduction pipe 2
A second switching valve 22 is interposed in the middle of 1. The second switching valve 22 is an electromagnetic switching valve, which is normally shut off. However, when the disinfecting solution in the cleaning tank 2 is returned to the disinfecting solution tank 12, the second switching valve 22 is closed. This is to perform a line switching with connection to the second discharge pipe 23 when discharging to the outside without returning. A discharge pump 24 is provided in the middle of the second discharge pipe 23.

A disinfectant supply pipe 25 is connected to the bottom of the disinfectant tank 12, and a disinfectant pump 26 is provided in the middle of the disinfectant supply pipe 25. further,
The disinfectant supply pipe 25 is branched into two conduits at a portion downstream of the disinfectant pump 26, and one of the branch pipes 25a is connected to the disinfectant injection nozzle 7 described above and the other branch is provided. The pipe 25b is connected to the above-mentioned conduit liquid feeding connector 8 via a third switching valve 27. The third switching valve 27 is connected to each branch pipe 16b,
25b is selected.

In the cleaning liquid tank 11, electrolytic treatment means for converting the cleaning liquid to an acidic liquid by electrolysis is incorporated. This electrolytic treatment means is configured as follows. As shown in FIG. 2, the inside of the washing liquid tank 11 has a ceiling portion, and the inside of the washing solution tank 11 allows only inorganic compounds to pass therethrough.
Is divided into two tanks. One tank 32 is the anode 3
3 is provided, and the other tank 34 is provided with a cathode 35. The cleaning liquid supply pipe 16 is connected to the bottom of the tank 32 on the anode 33 side, and the first discharge pipe 17 is connected to the bottom of the tank 34 on the cathode 35 side. The introduction pipe 13 is connected to a position on the ceiling corresponding to the tank 34 on the side of the cathode 35, and is opened and connected so as to flow down into the tank 34. Tap water supplied through the inlet pipe 13 is supplied to the cathode 3
The tank once enters the tank 34 on the fifth side and passes through the diaphragm 31 to the other tank 3.
2

A DC voltage is applied to both electrodes 33 and 35 by a DC power supply 36. The applied voltage at this time is adjusted by the variable resistor 37. That is, the variable resistor 37
Thus, the applied voltage between the electrodes 33 and 35 is adjusted, and the acidic water having a pH of usually 2 to 3 is generated in the tank 32 on the anode 33 side. At this time, caustic water is generated in the tank 34 on the cathode 35 side. The polarity of the anode 33 and the polarity of the cathode 35 can be switched by a polarity switch 38. For example, the polarities can be reversed in a disinfection process before the disinfection process.

As shown in FIG. 3, the resistance of the variable resistor 37 is adjusted by a resistor control circuit 39, and the resistor control circuit 39 adjusts the resistance according to the conditions set on the setting panel 40. And outputs a predetermined resistor control signal. Further, at a position before the second switching valve 22 in the middle of the discharge / introduction pipe 21 connected to the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, the property of the cleaning water discharged from the cleaning tank 2, for example, the pH of the cleaning water is detected. A sensor 42 is provided. Properties detected by the sensor 42, that is, water quality include pH value, oxidation-reduction potential, residual chlorine, dissolved excited oxygen or ion, contained protein, and the like, and the type of the sensor is selected or used in accordance therewith. . The properties of the actual cleaning water discharged from the cleaning tank 2 are detected and monitored by the sensor 42.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 41 calculates the data of the sensor output signal to determine whether the conditions satisfy the conditions set on the setting panel 40 provided in the device main body. The actual measurement data is displayed on the monitor 43. If the actual measurement data differs from the set conditions, the resistor control circuit 3
9 to adjust the output of the DC power supply 36 by adjusting the variable resistor 37 so as to meet the set conditions.

Next, the general operation of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus will be described. First, the endoscope 4 to be cleaned and disinfected is placed on the shelf 5 of the cleaning tank 2, and the conduit of the endoscope 4 is connected to the conduit liquid feed connector 8 via an adapter tube (not shown). I do. On the other hand, the tap faucet 14 and the first switching valve 15 are opened in advance, and tap water is introduced into the cleaning liquid tank 11 through the introduction pipe 13 to be filled with tap water. The amount of water stored in the cleaning liquid tank 11 is detected by a water level sensor (not shown). Unless the predetermined water storage amount is reached, the supply of tap water is continued with the first switching valve 15 open,
When a predetermined amount of the cleaning liquid is accumulated in the cleaning liquid tank 11, the first switching valve 15 is automatically closed to stop further water supply. The cleaning liquid tank 11 is supplied with water so that the stored water amount is always constant.

After a predetermined amount of washing water is stored in the washing liquid tank 11, an anode 33 and a cathode 35 installed in each of the tanks 32 and 34 in the washing liquid tank 11 partitioned by the diaphragm 31 are provided. A DC voltage is applied by a DC power supply 36 to perform electrolysis of the washing water. As a result, acidic water is generated in the tank 32 on the anode 33 side, and caustic water is generated in the tank 34 on the cathode 35 side. The pH of the acidic water generated in the tank 32 on the anode 33 side is adjusted to 2 to 3 by adjusting the applied voltage by the variable resistor 37. And this acidic water is used as washing water. Further, the tank 34 on the side of the cathode 35
From the water flowing into the tank 32 on the side of the anode 33, organic matter and the like can be filtered by the diaphragm 31 as much as possible. The caustic water generated in the tank 34 on the side of the cathode 35 is discharged through the first discharge pipe 17.

Therefore, cleaning is first performed. The cleaning liquid pump 18 is operated, and the cleaning liquid of the acidic water previously stored in the cleaning liquid tank 11 is sent to the cleaning nozzle 6 and the conduit liquid supply connector 8 through the cleaning liquid supply pipe 16, and the outside of the endoscope 4 from the nozzle 6. The surface of the endoscope 4 is cleaned by spraying a cleaning liquid onto the surface and further cleaning the inside of the conduit of the endoscope 4 from the conduit liquid feeding connector 8 through the adapter tube. At this time, the second switching valve 22 connects the discharge introduction pipe 21 to the second discharge pipe 23.
, And the discharge pump 24 is operated, so that the washing water falling to the bottom of the washing tank 2 is sequentially discharged. In conjunction with this, the above-mentioned discharge solenoid valve 19 is opened and mixed with the washing water discharged from the washing tank 2 to discharge the caustic water, and discharged through the first discharge pipe 17. Here, caustic water and acidic water are mixed and neutralized to return to normal water, so that the environment is not damaged.

In order to match the discharge amount of the caustic water with the supply amount of the acidic water used as the cleaning water as much as possible, for example, a discharge control means (not shown) such as a discharge pump or an on-off valve linked to the cleaning liquid pump 18 is provided. Good. Also, a caustic water drainage tank (not shown) is provided immediately after the discharge solenoid valve 19,
Furthermore, a valve may be provided downstream of the caustic water drainage tank. In this case, the discharge electromagnetic valve 19 is opened in conjunction with the operation of the cleaning liquid pump 18, and through this, the cleaning liquid tank 11 is opened.
The caustic water inside is temporarily stored in a caustic water drainage tank, the valve is controlled to be opened, and the caustic water is discharged in accordance with the cleaning water discharged from the cleaning tank 2. The water may be drained and neutralized at the time of the drainage. Also,
Pipes are separately connected to the tanks 32 and 34 in the cleaning liquid tank 11, and each of the pipes is connected to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 16 via a switching valve, and the switching valve is switched to select the cleaning liquid tank 11. The caustic water and the acidic water generated in each of the tanks 32 and 34 may be selectively supplied to the washing tank 2 as needed.

In the cleaning step before the disinfection, pre-washing with acidic water, main washing with a detergent mixed therein, and rinsing with acidic water are sequentially performed. Here, pre-washing with tap water as it is, electro-washing with detergent mixed, and rinsing with tap water as it is may be performed sequentially without performing electrolysis of the washing water in the washing liquid tank 11. Of course, as described later, cleaning before disinfection may be performed using generated caustic water.

After this cleaning step, a disinfection step is performed. In this disinfecting step, after the cleaning water supply operation is stopped and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 2 is discharged, the second switching valve 22 is closed and the disinfecting liquid pump 26 is operated to inject the disinfecting liquid through the disinfecting liquid supply pipe 25. The disinfectant is supplied from the nozzle 7 to the cleaning tank 2. Then, the endoscope 4 is immersed in the disinfecting solution stored in the cleaning tank 2, and the disinfecting solution is also supplied from the conduit liquid supply connector 8 into the conduit of the endoscope 4 through the adapter tube. By maintaining the state in which the endoscope 4 is immersed in the disinfectant for a while, both the outer surface of the endoscope 4 and the inside of its conduit can be disinfected. When this disinfection is completed, the second switching valve 22 is switched to the disinfectant tank 12 side, and the disinfectant is collected in the disinfectant tank 12 through the discharge / introduction pipe 21. Thus, a series of disinfection steps is completed.

Subsequently, a rinsing and washing step of a disinfectant is performed. The operation of this rinsing cleaning step is the same as the above-described cleaning using only cleaning water without a detergent in the cleaning step before disinfection. That is, the cleaning liquid pump 18 is operated, and the pH previously stored in the cleaning liquid tank 11 becomes 2
-3 acidic water (rinsing water) is sent to the cleaning nozzle 6 and the conduit liquid feeding connector 8 through the cleaning liquid supply pipe 16, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle 6 onto the outer surface of the endoscope 4 for rinsing and cleaning. Then, the inside of the conduit of the endoscope 4 is rinsed and washed from the conduit liquid feed connector 8 through the adapter tube.
At this time, the second switching valve 22 connects the discharge / introduction pipe 21 to the second
Is connected to the discharge pipe 23, and the discharge pump 24 is operated, so that the cleaning water falling into the cleaning tank 2 is sequentially discharged. The discharged cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 11 described above.
And discharged through the first discharge pipe 17 together with the caustic water discharged from the tank 34 on the cathode 35 side. Here, the amounts discharged as the caustic water and the acidic water substantially coincide with each other, so that the water is neutralized and returned to normal water. Therefore, the environment is not damaged.

In particular, in this rinsing and washing step, microorganisms in the tap water can be killed and removed by the antibacterial spectrum of the acidic water generated in the washing liquid tank 11. Further, in addition to the bactericidal activity due to its acidity, it exhibits a considerable antibacterial spectrum due to the activation of chloride ions in tap water and the generation of a small amount of ozone. Therefore, there is no possibility that the endoscope 4 which has been disinfected will be contaminated again at the time of rinsing and cleaning. Further, since no germs remain in the acidic water used for rinsing after washing and disinfection, even if the subsequent drying is insufficient, the germs will not propagate again.

If an additive, such as sodium chloride (NaCl), which increases the conductivity of tap water electrolyzed through the addition port 20 is added to the tap water in accordance with the inflow amount of the tap water, the tap water can be added. The conductivity is increased, and efficient electrolysis can be performed.

Further, in the cleaning process before the disinfection, the setting of the anode 33 by changing the setting on the setting panel 40 is performed.
When a voltage is applied between the anode 33 and the cathode 35 by using the polarity switch 38 and the anode 33 as the cathode and the cathode 35 as the anode, acidic water is generated in the tank 34 and caustic water is generated in the tank 32. Cleaning before disinfection may be performed using caustic water. In this way, since the cleaning step is performed using caustic water particularly in the cleaning step before disinfection, the ability to remove dirt such as proteins is increased, and a higher cleaning effect is obtained. In the rinsing and washing, the same operation and effect as described above can be obtained.

Next, the operation in the case of monitoring the properties of the acidic water used in the washing and performing feedback control on the generation of the acidic water will be described. For example, the properties of the actual cleaning water discharged from the cleaning tank 2 in the rinsing cleaning process are detected by the sensor 42, and the control device 41 determines whether or not the cleaning water meets the conditions set on the setting panel 40. However, the value of the property at the sensor 42 and the cleaning tank 2
Unlike the value of the property in the environment inside, it is usually lower than the set value, but the actual measurement data which is considered to be the actual value in the cleaning tank 2 is calculated, and this value is displayed on the monitor. Is displayed on the container 43. If the condition is different from the preset condition on the setting panel 40, the resistor control circuit 39 is controlled, and the variable resistor 37 is adjusted so that the value matches the preset condition, thereby changing the output of the DC power supply 36. . For example, when the pH value is low, the output is increased, and the electrolysis ability in the cleaning liquid tank 11 is increased. In this way, by continuously or intermittently monitoring the properties of the acidic water and performing feedback control of the acidic water generation ability, it can be expected that the washing water will always be washed in a normal state, and the reliability of washing will be improved. The nature increases.

Here, the automatic control is performed by feedback, but the adjustment can be performed manually. That is, the detection data displayed on the monitor display 43 is read, and the setting for increasing the generation capacity of the acidic water is manually performed on the setting panel 40 in accordance with the value of the detection data.

In the above-described first embodiment, a sensor 42 is provided in the middle of the discharge / introduction pipe 21 connected to the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, and the properties of the cleaning water discharged from the cleaning tank 2
For example, the pH of the cleaning water is measured, but the present invention is not limited to this. In order to measure the properties of the cleaning water to be injected into the cleaning tank 2, a sensor 42 is provided at a point A in the middle of the cleaning liquid supply pipe 16.
May be provided. Further, the cleaning water may be provided in the cleaning tank 2 and the properties of the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 2 may be measured. Further, a sensor 42 is provided at a portion B in the middle of the introduction pipe 13 for injecting the tap water from the water supply source into the cleaning liquid tank 11, and the quality of the injected tap water is measured in advance to adjust the electrolysis ability. Is also good. If the quality of the tap water to be injected differs, the properties of the wash water generated by electrolysis of the tap water also change, but the quality of the tap water to be injected is monitored in advance, and the electrolysis ability is adjusted accordingly.

Further, the output switch of the DC power supply 36 is controlled to be opened or closed manually or automatically. For cleaning, the tap water is used without electrolysis, and the acid water obtained by electrolyzing the tap water only at the time of rinsing is obtained. Water may be used. Further, the structure of the cleaning liquid tank 11 is not limited thereto.
If acidic water and caustic water are obtained, each tank 32, 34 and diaphragm 3
Arrangement etc. of 1 may be arbitrary. Further, the pipe configuration in each embodiment is not limited to this, and the branch position of the pipe,
The installation position of the pump, the position and the structure of the switching valve, and the like are not limited to those of the embodiment. In this embodiment, disinfection is performed in addition to cleaning. However, the present invention can be applied to a case where only cleaning is performed. The present invention includes rinsing after disinfection, and is particularly suitable for rinsing.

Next, an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the acidic water and the disinfecting solution are continuously supplied and drained to the cleaning tank 2 to circulate the acidic water and the disinfecting solution. In the configuration of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of the first embodiment, a bypass pipe 51 is branched in the middle of the discharge / introduction pipe 21, and the bypass pipe 51 is connected to a cleaning liquid supply pipe 16 at a fourth switching valve. 52. A circulation pump 53 is provided in the middle of the bypass pipe 51 to send a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting liquid from the discharge / introduction pipe 21 side to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 16 side, and to supply the acidic water to the cleaning tank 2 and drain the water from the cleaning tank 2. It is designed to circulate acidic water and disinfectant while circulating. Further, a sensor 42 is provided at an intermediate portion of the cleaning liquid supply pipe 16 to measure the property of the acidic water supplied to the cleaning tank 2 and to monitor the property of the acidic water.

In the case where acidic water or disinfectant is continuously supplied and drained to the washing tank 2 to circulate acidic water or disinfectant, the second
The switching valve 22 is closed, the fourth switching valve 52 is switched so as to communicate from the bypass pipe 51 to the downstream portion of the cleaning liquid supply pipe 16, and the circulation pump 53 is driven. When the acidic water circulating through the washing tank 2 is out of the set conditions, the circulation through the bypass pipe 51 is manually or automatically cut off, and the circulation is switched to the same as in the first embodiment. A new acidic water is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 11 to perform cleaning with normal properties.
In this case, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed.

According to this embodiment, since a cleaning liquid such as acidic water is circulated through the cleaning tank 2, it is not necessary to store a large amount of cleaning liquid as compared with the case of performing injection and discharge. In order to produce a large amount of cleaning liquid, a large-sized electrolyzer must be incorporated, but this is not necessary and can be easily incorporated into an endoscope cleaning apparatus. Since rinsing and washing of the endoscope is always performed by circulating acidic water, the rinsing washing capacity is increased, and the circulating washing liquid is monitored.
The cleaning ability can be determined. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment.

Hereinafter, an endoscope 4 as an example which is cleaned and disinfected using the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of each of the above-described embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, the endoscope 4 includes an operation unit 61, an insertion unit 62, and a light guide cable 63. The operation unit 61 has an angle operation knob 64 and an air / water supply button 6
5, a suction button 66, a switch section 67, etc. are provided, and a grip section 68 is formed at an intermediate portion of the operation section 61. The light guide cable 63 is connected to a portion on the hand end side of the operation unit 61.

A cylindrical connector 70 is attached to the extension end of the light guide cable 63.
The light guide pipe 71 and the air supply connection pipe 7
2 are protruding. On the side peripheral surface of the connector 70, a water supply base 73 and a suction base 74 are provided to protrude.
The water supply mouthpiece 73 is located closer to the hand than the suction mouthpiece 74, and both are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the suction base 74 is a line perpendicular to the axial direction of the connector 70 (the connector 70).
(The surface in the radial direction) is inclined at an angle θ1 toward the light guide tube 71 side.
Here, it is desirable to set the relation of 0 ° <θ1 <180 °. With this configuration, the endoscope 4 is suspended by holding the operation unit 61 and the light guide cable 63 is hung so that the washing water remaining in the suction base 74 and the channel communicated therewith. It is sanitary because the water naturally flows down and discharges.

At the same time, when the endoscope 4 is laid down with the angle operation knob 64 of the operation section 61 upward, which is a general method of placing the endoscope 4, the suction base 74 is shown in FIG. To the horizontal axis (horizontal plane) of the connector 70.
The tip side is provided to be inclined downward. Here, it is desirable to set the relation of 0 ° <θ2 <180 °. In this way, when the endoscope 4 is laid down, the cleaning water and the like remaining in the suction base 74 and the channel connected to the suction base 74 naturally flow down and are discharged, which is sanitary. If the direction of the connector 70 is set in this manner, the washing water or the like remaining in the endoscope 4 is naturally discharged and drained, regardless of whether the endoscope 4 is suspended and stored, or stored. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the inner diameter of the opening end of the suction base 74 is narrowed and narrowed. That is, when the inner diameter of the suction mouthpiece 74 is A, the inner diameter B of the inner edge portion 75 of the opening end is small (A> B). When the inner edge 75 of the opening end is narrowed in this way, the pressure at the time of discharging the cleaning water decreases, and both the pressure and the flow rate of the cleaning water at the opening edge decrease, so that the cleaning property is improved, and dirt hardly remains. The above points can be similarly applied to other bases.

On the other hand, on the lower surface of the operation part 61 of the endoscope 4, a connector locking member 80 which is also used as a finger hook is provided. The connector locking member 80 is provided integrally with the operation portion 61 and forms a ring portion 82 having an opening portion 81 as shown in FIG. As a result, the connector 70 can be elastically sandwiched between the connector 70 and the connector 70 as shown in FIG. When the endoscope 4 is used, the connector locking member 80 is designed to be hooked by inserting, for example, a thumb for gripping the grip portion 68. For this reason, it is possible to improve grip and operability, for example, the hand that grips the grip portion 68 is less likely to slip.

Such a connector locking member 80 may be configured to be detachable from a main body member of the operation section 61 of the endoscope 4. FIG. 8 shows an example in which a ring portion 83 is provided at one end of the operation portion 61 for elastically sandwiching and mounting the main body member, and the ring portion 82 is provided at the other end.

FIG. 9 shows a connection adapter 87 for connecting a water supply tube 86 to a base provided on the connector 70, for example, a water supply base 85.
In this structure, the outer peripheral surface of the water supply base 85 is formed smoothly. The connection adapter 87 is made of a tubular elastic member, and has a rib 88 formed on the inner surface thereof and an inner wall portion 89 for a fitting entrance formed in a tapered shape. The outer periphery of the water supply mouthpiece 85 may be formed in a tapered shape. The direction of the taper may be tapered or tapered. Such a base may be another base, for example, a suction base.

[Supplementary Notes] (1) A cleaning apparatus for an endoscope which has a cleaning tank and a cleaning liquid tank, and sends a cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank to the cleaning tank to clean at least an endoscope. , An electrolytic means for electrolyzing a cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank to generate an acidic liquid, and a cleaning means for feeding the generated acidic liquid to the cleaning tank to clean the endoscope; An endoscope cleaning device comprising: a sensor for detecting a property of an acid solution for cleaning, wherein a property of the acid solution is monitored by the sensor and an electrolysis ability of the electrolytic means is adjusted to meet a set condition. apparatus. (2) The cleaning device for an endoscope according to item 1, wherein the properties of the acid solution are monitored by a sensor, and the electrolysis ability of the electrolytic means is automatically controlled or manually adjusted to meet the set conditions. . (3) The cleaning device for an endoscope according to (1) or (2), wherein the property of the acidic liquid is monitored by a sensor for detecting the property of the acidic liquid after being discharged from the cleaning tank. (4) The cleaning device for an endoscope according to (1) or (2), wherein the property of the acidic liquid is monitored by a sensor for detecting the property of the acidic liquid before being injected into the cleaning tank. (5) The first, second, third and third features are characterized in that a reflux means for returning the acidic liquid discharged from the cleaning tank to the cleaning tank is provided, and a property of the acidic liquid is monitored by a sensor for detecting a property of the circulating water.
Item 5. The cleaning device for an endoscope according to Item 4.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, since an acidic solution is used for cleaning, recontamination of an endoscope or the like after rinsing and cleaning, particularly after disinfection, is reliably prevented, and a cleaner Since the state of the acidic solution can be maintained, the properties of the acidic solution are monitored, and the electrolytic capacity of the electrolytic means is adjusted to meet the set conditions, so that high reliability can be obtained for washing with the acidic solution.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing an overall configuration of a cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for an endoscope according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing a configuration near a cleaning tank in the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for an endoscope according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a functional unit in the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing an overall configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an endoscope.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the endoscope.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a part of a connector locking member that also serves as a finger hook in the endoscope.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the connector locking member.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection adapter between a water supply base and a water supply tube.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Device main body, 2 ... Cleaning tank, 4 ... Endoscope, 11 ... Cleaning liquid tank, 12 ... Disinfection liquid tank, 16 ... Cleaning liquid supply pipe, 1
7: first discharge pipe, 18: cleaning liquid pump, 31: diaphragm,
32 ... tank, 33 ... anode, 34 ... tank, 35 ... cathode, 36 ...
DC power supply, 37 variable resistor, 38 polarity switch, 39 resistor control circuit, 40 setting panel, 41
Control device, 42 ... sensor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope cleaning apparatus having a cleaning tank and a cleaning liquid tank, wherein the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank is sent to the cleaning tank to perform at least cleaning of an endoscope. An electrolytic means for electrolyzing a cleaning liquid stored in a tank to generate an acid liquid; a cleaning means for feeding the generated acid liquid to the cleaning tank to clean the endoscope; and an acid liquid for cleaning an endoscope. A cleaning device for an endoscope, comprising: a sensor for detecting a property of the electrolytic solution, wherein a property of the acid solution is monitored by the sensor, and an electrolysis ability of the electrolytic means is adjusted to meet a set condition.