JPH10258019A - Endoscope cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To clean minute parts of complex and fine form of an endoscope and an internal pipeline thereof without damaging the durability of the endoscope by cleaning the endoscope by a supercritical fluid. SOLUTION: A supercritical state-generating means 3 has a supercritical fluid pipeline 4 connected to a cylinder 25. The cylinder is equipped with a cooler 26, a booster pump 27 that pressurizes a cleaning medium from the cylinder 25 to a pressure higher than a critical pressure, a heater 28 that heats the cleaning medium to a temperature over critical temperature. After liquefied carbon dioxide as a cleaning medium that is supplied from the cylinder 25 has passed the cooler 26, it becomes carbon dioxide in a supercritical condition by being pressurized to a level above the critical pressure by the pump 27. The carbon dioxide in a supercritical condition is sent to the internal pipeline of the endoscope 2 through the supercritical fluid pipeline 4 and a cleaning tube 22.

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.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used for examination and treatment of body cavities, and air, water,
Various pipes for performing suction and the like are incorporated.
Then, in order to prevent infection and the like, each time the endoscope is used, its outer surface and inner pipe are cleaned.

[0003] In such endoscope cleaning, an endoscope cleaning apparatus is generally used. Such an endoscope cleaning apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-132116. In the endoscope cleaning device disclosed in this publication, the cleaning water supplied to the cleaning tank by the pump from the water supply tank is sprayed at a high pressure on the outer surface of the endoscope set in the cleaning tank through a shower, The washing water circulated by the pump is sent to the internal conduit of the endoscope. By such a flow of the cleaning water, large dirt, soft dirt, light dirt, and the like attached to the endoscope are washed away. Thereafter, a disinfecting step using a disinfecting solution and a rinsing step using clean water or the like are sequentially performed.

[0004]

In such a wet cleaning method using a liquid, it is difficult to sufficiently clean the very complicated and finely shaped details and internal conduits of the endoscope. That is, cleaning unevenness may occur due to the low cleaning power of the liquid itself or the presence of blind spots. Therefore, in order to increase the cleaning power, cleaning is performed for a long time or cleaning is promoted by adding ultrasonic waves, but it is still difficult to obtain a satisfactory cleaning level. To obtain a satisfactory cleaning level, the temperature of the cleaning water is raised to 50 ° C. to 60 ° C.
It is conceivable to set the temperature to ° C. However, since the endoscope is made of resin, there is a concern that the endoscope may be deformed at that temperature. That is, the durability of the endoscope may be reduced.

[0005] When disinfection is performed subsequently after washing with washing water, if washing water remains inside or outside the endoscope, inside the apparatus conduit, or in the washing tank, the washing water and the disinfecting solution mix. The disinfectant is diluted, causing a concentration drop. This undesirably reduces the life and disinfection effect of the expensive disinfecting solution.

In the wet cleaning method, the endoscope remains wet at the end of the rinsing step with clean water or the like.
The endoscope may become contaminated during storage, or may cause discomfort to the operator. Therefore, at the end of the rinsing step, the endoscope is dried to remove moisture, but in order to surely dry the details of the endoscope, an extremely long drying time is required. As a result, In addition, there is a problem that the process time of the entire cleaning is significantly increased. In particular, when performing gas sterilization after the rinsing process,
Since a sufficient sterilization effect cannot be obtained when moisture is attached to the endoscope, sterilization is performed after the endoscope has been dried for a long time in advance using another drying means.
That is, it was very difficult to combine the sterilization process with the wet cleaning method.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to form an endoscope having a very complicated and fine shape without deteriorating the durability of the endoscope. Provide an endoscope cleaning device that can perform sufficient cleaning of details and internal pipes in a short time, prevent dilution of the disinfectant due to water contamination, and can be easily combined with the sterilization process. Is to do.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a cleaning tank in which an endoscope is set; a supercritical fluid forming a supercritical fluid; Forming means, first supply means for supplying the supercritical fluid from the supercritical fluid forming means to the cleaning tank, and second supply means for supplying the supercritical fluid supplied to the cleaning tank to the internal conduit of the endoscope. And discharge means for discharging the supercritical fluid in the cleaning tank from the cleaning tank.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows a supercritical fluid generating means 3 for supplying a supercritical fluid to an internal conduit of an endoscope 2. In the figure, reference numeral 25 denotes a cylinder filled with a cleaning medium forming a supercritical fluid. As a cleaning medium forming a supercritical fluid, liquefied carbon dioxide is mainly used, but sulfur dioxide or ethane may also be used. Note that a supercritical fluid refers to a fluid in a region exceeding a critical temperature and a critical pressure inherent to a substance. This critical fluid has a viscosity, a diffusion coefficient, a density, and a dissolving power intermediate between a gas and a liquid. Also, since the gas is used by compressing the gas, it behaves as a gas when the pressure is returned to the normal pressure.

As shown, the supercritical fluid generating means 3 comprises:
It has a supercritical fluid line 4 connected to a cylinder 25. The supercritical fluid line 4 includes a cooler 26 and a pressurizing pump 27 for pressurizing the cleaning medium from the cylinder 25 to a critical pressure or higher.
And a heater 28 for heating the cleaning medium pressurized by the boost pump 27 to a temperature equal to or higher than the critical temperature. In addition,
In the figure, reference numeral 37 denotes a valve interposed at a portion of the supercritical fluid line 4 upstream of the cooler 26, and reference numeral 29 denotes a valve interposed at a portion of the supercritical fluid line 4 downstream of the heater 28. A switching valve for selectively introducing a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting liquid into the pipe 4.

According to the supercritical fluid generating means 3 having such a configuration, after the liquefied carbon dioxide as the cleaning medium supplied from the cylinder 25 passes through the cooler 26, the pressurized pump 2
7 to a pressure higher than the critical pressure.
Is heated to a temperature higher than the critical temperature, and becomes carbon dioxide in a supercritical state.

The carbon dioxide in the supercritical state is sent into the internal conduit of the endoscope 2 via the supercritical fluid conduit 4 and the washing tube 22. Therefore, the supercritical fluid pipeline 4 is connected to the branch header 52, and the branch header 52 is connected to the internal pipeline of the endoscope 2 via the solenoid valves 6a, 6b, 6c, for example, for example, three washing tubes 22. Is connected. At the end of each washing tube 22, a connector 53 that is detachably connected to an internal conduit of the endoscope 2 is provided.

As the internal conduits of the endoscope 2 to which the washing tube 22 is connected, for example, there are an air supply tube 59, a water supply tube 60, a suction tube 61, and a forceps raising stand operation wire insertion tube 63. The connection of the cleaning tube 22 to the air supply tube 59 and the water supply tube 60 is performed by removing a valve body (not shown) from the air supply / water supply cylinder 32 provided in the operation unit 2 a of the endoscope 2, By attaching a connector 53 to the connector.

The connection of the washing tube 22 to the suction tube 61 is performed by removing a valve body (not shown) from the suction cylinder 31 provided on the operation section 2a of the endoscope 2 and then plugging the suction cylinder 31 with a cap 35. To make it watertight,
Further, this is performed by attaching a connector 53 to the forceps port 30. The connection of the washing tube 22 to the forceps raising table operation wire insertion tube 63 is performed by attaching the connector 53 to the dedicated inlet 69.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the present invention in which the connection between the supercritical fluid generating means 3 and the endoscope 2 of FIG. 1 is specifically applied to a cleaning device. As shown in the drawing, the endoscope cleaning apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a cleaning tank 36 forming a cleaning chamber, and a predetermined number (one in the case of the present embodiment) The endoscope 2) can be set for cleaning and disinfection. A lid forming the ceiling surface of the cleaning chamber is attached to the cleaning tank 36 so as to be openable and closable, and the endoscope 2 can be set in the cleaning tank 36 by opening the lid. .

At the center of the bottom of the washing tank 36, a tower 38 is provided for the purpose of reducing the amount of liquid in the washing tank 36. Inside the tower 38, a heater (not shown) for heating and keeping the fluid in the washing tank 36 is provided.

The cleaning tank 36 is provided with an injection port 65. The inlet 65 is provided with a water supply source 11 such as a water tap.
The water supply pipe 13 is connected to the water supply pipe 13, and the washing water such as tap water can be supplied into the cleaning tank 36 through the water supply pipe 13. The electromagnetic valve 12 is provided in the middle of the water supply line 13.

A plurality of channel connection ports 71 to which the cleaning tube 22 is connected are provided on the side wall of the cleaning tank 36. The supercritical fluid pipeline 4 extending from the supercritical fluid generating means 3 is connected to these channel connection ports 71 via solenoid valves 6a, 6b, 6c. That is,
The supercritical fluid conduit 4 is connected to the operation unit 2a of the endoscope 2 in a manner shown in FIG. 1 and can communicate with the internal conduit of the endoscope 2. The supercritical fluid pipeline 4 is provided with a check valve 5a that opens toward the channel connection port 71.

Further, a jet port 66 for jetting a fluid to the outer surface of the endoscope 2 is provided on a side wall of the cleaning tank 36, and a first and a second drainage are provided at a bottom of the cleaning tank 36. Mouth 3
9, 40 are provided.

One end of a connection pipe 70 is connected to the injection port 66. The other end of the connection pipe 70 is connected to the heater 28.
It is connected to a portion of the supercritical fluid pipeline 4 located downstream of (see FIG. 1) and upstream of the check valve 5a.

The first circulation port 7a connected to the supercritical fluid pipeline 4 is connected to the first discharge port 39 via an electromagnetic valve 23 for opening and closing the discharge port 39. In this case, the first circulation line 7a has the circulation pump 8, the filter 47, and the check valve 5b opened toward the supercritical fluid line 4, and is located downstream of the check valve 5a. It is connected to the portion of the supercritical fluid pipeline 4 and can collect the fluid in the cleaning tank 36 and send it to the cleaning tank 36 again by pressure.

A second circulation line 7b connected to the supercritical fluid line 4 is connected to the second outlet 40 via an electromagnetic valve 50 for opening and closing the outlet 40. In this case, the second circulation line 7b has a circulation pump 51 and a check valve 5d opened toward the supercritical fluid line 4, and the supercritical fluid located upstream of the check valve 5a. It is connected to the pipe 4 and can collect the fluid in the cleaning tank 36 and send it back to the cleaning tank 36 by pressure.

An air supply pipe 9 connected to a compressor 10 is connected to a portion of the supercritical fluid pipe 4 located downstream of the check valve 5a. A check valve 5c that opens toward the supercritical fluid pipeline 4 is provided in the air supply pipeline 9. That is, the compressed air from the compressor 10 can be sent to the supercritical fluid line 4 via the air supply line 9.

A third outlet 7 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 36.
5 are provided. The third outlet 75 is connected to the disinfectant recovery line 15 and the drain line 20 through the line switching valve 14.
And are connected respectively. The disinfectant collection line 15
The disinfectant is connected to the disinfectant tank 16 and collects the disinfectant in the cleaning tank 36 into the disinfectant tank 16. The disinfectant tank 16 is supplied with a disinfectant from the disinfectant tank 16 by a pump 18.
The disinfecting solution feed pipe 17 to be supplied to the inside of the cleaning tank 36 by the suction action of is connected. It should be noted that the disinfecting solution feed line 17
A check valve 19 that opens toward the cleaning tank 36 is interposed in the middle of the process. A drainage pump 21 is provided in the drainage line 20 extending from the line switching valve 14.

Next, the operation of the endoscope cleaning apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described. First, the used endoscope 1 is set in the cleaning tank 36, the endoscope 2 and the cleaning tube 22 are connected as shown in FIG.
1 and the washing tube 22 are connected. After that, by operating various operation switches (not shown), cleaning,
The steps of disinfection, rinsing and air supply are performed automatically.

In the cleaning step, first, the supercritical fluid from the supercritical fluid generating means 3 is supplied through the supercritical fluid pipe 4 and the connection pipe 70 to the inside of the internal pipe of the endoscope 2 and to the cleaning. Tank 3
6 is sent. Thus, the outer surface of the endoscope 2 and the inside of the internal conduit of the endoscope 2 are cleaned with a supercritical fluid (carbon dioxide in a supercritical state). When a certain amount of supercritical fluid is supplied into the cleaning tank 36, the solenoid valves 23 and 50 are opened,
The circulation pumps 8, 51 are driven. Thereby, a part of the supercritical fluid in the cleaning tank 36 circulates from the second discharge port 50 to the second circulation pipe 7b and the connection pipe 70, and
6 is sprayed on the outer surface of the endoscope 2 at high pressure. Also,
On the other hand, a part of the supercritical fluid in the cleaning tank 36 circulates from the first outlet 39 through the first circulation line 7a and the supercritical fluid line 4, and Sent inside. The supercritical fluid sent to the internal conduit of the endoscope 2 is returned to the cleaning tank 36 through the distal end opening of the endoscope 2 and is again returned to the first circulation conduit 7a or the second circulation conduit. 7b.

With such a flow of the supercritical fluid, large dirt, soft dirt, light dirt and the like adhered to the endoscope 2 are washed away. In particular, such dirt is generated by the jet 6
6 is dropped from the outer surface of the endoscope 2 by the impact force of the supercritical fluid spouted from 6 and the eddy current in the cleaning tank 36 formed by the supercritical fluid.

After the above-described cleaning process is performed for a predetermined time,
The driving of the circulation pumps 8 and 51 is stopped, and the line switching valve 14 is switched to the drainage line 20 to drive the drainage pump 21. Thereby, the supercritical fluid in the cleaning tank 36 is discharged from the third discharge port 75 to the outside through the drainage line 20. Since the supercritical fluid is harmless to the environment, it does not cause any problem if it is discharged to the outside as it is.

After the above-described cleaning step is completed, a disinfection step is subsequently performed. In this disinfection step, first, the pipeline switching valve 14 is closed, and the pump 18 is driven. As a result, the disinfecting solution in the disinfecting solution tank 16 is injected into the cleaning tank 36 via the disinfecting solution feed pipe 17.

When a predetermined amount of the disinfectant is injected into the cleaning tank 36 and the endoscope 2 is completely immersed in the disinfectant, the pump 18
Is stopped. At this time, the electromagnetic valve 23 is opened and the circulating pump 8 is driven, so that the disinfecting liquid is also supplied into the internal pipe of the endoscope 2 via the first circulating pipe 7a.

After such disinfection has been performed for a predetermined time,
The line switching valve 14 is switched to the disinfecting solution collecting line 15 side, and the disinfecting solution in the cleaning tank 36 is collected in the disinfecting solution tank 16 through the disinfecting solution collecting line 15. At this time, the compressor 10 is driven, and the disinfectant remaining in the internal conduit of the endoscope 2 is also collected. That is, the air from the compressor 10 is pressure-fed into the internal pipe of the endoscope 2 via the air supply pipe 9 and the supercritical fluid pipe 4, and the disinfecting liquid remaining in the internal pipe is washed by this pressure. It is discharged into the tank 36. Then, the disinfecting solution discharged into the cleaning tank 36 is collected in the disinfecting solution tank 16 through the disinfecting solution collection pipe 15.

Subsequently, the disinfectant is rinsed. In this rinsing step, the electromagnetic valve 12 is opened, and the cleaning water from the water supply source 11 such as tap water is supplied from the inlet 65 into the cleaning tank 36 via the water supply pipe 13. Then, the electromagnetic valve 23 is opened and the circulating pump 8 is driven, so that the washing water is also supplied into the internal pipe of the endoscope 2 via the first circulating pipe 7a.

When the rinsing with rinsing water is completed, draining (water removal) is performed with the rinsing water completely drained from the cleaning tank 36. In this draining, the drive of the circulation pump 8 is stopped and the compressor 10 is driven, and the air from the compressor 10 flows through the air supply pipe 9 and the supercritical fluid pipe 4 into the internal pipe of the endoscope 2. The water remaining in the internal conduit is discharged into the cleaning tank 36 by this pressure. Then, through a series of steps as described above, the cleaning and disinfecting of the endoscope 2 is completed.

As described above, the endoscope cleaning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has the following advantages because it uses a supercritical fluid as a cleaning medium. (1) Unlike the conventional wet cleaning method, it is possible to sufficiently clean the very complicated and fine details and the internal conduit of the endoscope. (2) Since a sufficient cleaning effect can be obtained only by heating the supercritical fluid to about 35 ° C., the endoscope 2 does not need to be deformed. That is, the durability of the endoscope 2 does not need to be reduced. (3) If cleaning is performed again with a supercritical fluid as the final step of cleaning, draining and drying of the endoscope 2 become unnecessary. Therefore, the time of the process can be reduced. Further, dilution of the disinfecting solution due to mixing of water is prevented, and the life of the expensive disinfecting solution and the disinfecting effect are not reduced. In addition, it can be easily combined with a sterilization step.

In this embodiment, for example, glutaraldehyde is used as the disinfecting solution, but hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid or the like may be used. Also, a disinfectant that is harmless to the environment that can be discharged as it is, such as strongly acidic water, can be used.

In this embodiment using a supercritical fluid, it is desirable that the cleaning tank 36 be sealed. In the present embodiment, in the cleaning step, the outer surface of the endoscope 2 and the inside of the internal conduit are cleaned by the supercritical fluid. However, the internal conduit and the wire for operating the forceps erecting base, which are the most difficult to clean dirt. Only the inside of the tube containing the gas may be washed with the supercritical fluid. In this case, the outer surface of the endoscope 2 is washed with water as in the related art.

Further, the endoscope cleaning apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment
In this case, as described above, a series of steps shown in FIG. 3A is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the steps shown in FIGS. 3B to 3E are performed. May be. That is, in the embodiment (b), the supercritical fluid is also used in the rinsing step after disinfection. According to this aspect,
There is no need to rinse with tap water. In the mode (c), first, cleaning with a detergent is performed.
In this case, the endoscope 2 is immersed in, for example, an enzyme-based detergent in order to effectively wash the adhered blood and protein. Thereby, the stain on the endoscope 2 is chemically decomposed. Thereafter, cleaning with a supercritical fluid is performed, and various dirt or strong dirt adhering to the endoscope 2 is sufficiently cleaned. Thereafter, the endoscope 2 is cleaned and disinfected in the same manner as in the step (a). In this embodiment, rinsing with washing water may be performed after the detergent washing step. In the mode (d), gas sterilization is performed after cleaning with a supercritical fluid. Generally, before gas sterilization, sufficient drying is required, but after washing with a supercritical fluid, it is sufficiently dried, so that the sterilization step can be started immediately after washing. In the mode (e), a supercritical fluid is used as a drying unit.

FIG. 4 shows an endoscope cleaning apparatus 1a for cleaning the endoscope 2 by combining cleaning with a supercritical fluid and gas sterilization. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes an ethylene oxide gas (E
It is a cylinder filled with sterilizing gas such as O gas) and hydrogen peroxide gas. In the present apparatus 1a, after the sterilizing gas is activated by the activation tank 43, it flows into the cleaning tank 36 to sterilize the outer surface of the endoscope 2 and the inside of the internal conduit.
The activation tank 43 has a heat exchanger 46 and a hot water circulating pump 45 that constitute means for activating the sterilizing gas, and for example, vaporizes the sterilizing gas or makes it into a plasma state. In the drawing, reference numeral 42 denotes a pressure gauge, and reference numeral 44 denotes a valve.

In the sterilization process of the apparatus 1a, the inside of the cleaning tank 36 is made to have a negative pressure by the vacuum pump 48. Therefore,
Even if the washing tube 22 is not connected to the endoscope 2, sterilization gas flows into the endoscope 2 and sterilization is performed.
At this time, the operation of the circulation pump 8 causes the cleaning tank 36 to operate.
The sterilizing gas therein is circulated through the circulation line 7 having the filter 47. The cleaning process using the supercritical fluid is the same as the cleaning device 1 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a connection mode of a washing tube 22 for feeding and supplying air into and out of the internal conduit of the endoscope 2. In the figure, reference numeral 33 denotes an opening at the distal end of the insertion section of the endoscope 2, and reference numeral 34 denotes a connector suction base. As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, each opening 3 provided in the operation unit 2a of the endoscope 2
0, 31, 32 (30: forceps port, 31: suction cylinder,
32 ... The washing tube 22 can be connected to the air / water supply cylinder (see FIG. 1) in various combinations. Note that a cap 35 is attached to the opening to which the washing tube 22 is not connected, so that outflow of fluid is prevented.

Although a supercritical fluid is used in each of the above embodiments, a subcritical fluid may be used. According to the technical contents described above, various configurations as described below can be obtained.

1. An endoscope cleaning apparatus characterized in that the endoscope is cleaned with a supercritical fluid. 2. 2. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein cleaning is performed by a combination of a cleaning step using a supercritical fluid and a step using cleaning water. 3. An endoscope cleaning apparatus characterized in that an endoscope is cleaned while circulating a supercritical fluid.

4. An endoscope cleaning apparatus characterized by combining a cleaning means using a supercritical fluid and a disinfecting or sterilizing means. 5. An endoscope cleaning apparatus characterized in that cleaning of an endoscope with a supercritical fluid is performed at least before a disinfection or sterilization step. 6. 5. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sterilizing means is gas sterilization.

[0045]

As described above, according to the endoscope cleaning apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the endoscope's extremely complicated and fine details without reducing its durability. Sufficient cleaning can be performed on the internal conduit in a short time. Further, dilution of the disinfecting solution due to mixing of water can be prevented, and it can be easily combined with a sterilization step.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a connection state between a supercritical fluid generating means and an endoscope which constitute an endoscope cleaning apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention in which the connection configuration between the supercritical fluid generating means and the endoscope of FIG. 1 is specifically applied to a cleaning device.

FIG. 3 is a process diagram of the endoscope cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an endoscope cleaning apparatus for cleaning an endoscope by combining cleaning with a supercritical fluid and gas sterilization.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a connection mode of a washing tube for feeding and feeding air into an internal conduit of the endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1a: endoscope cleaning device 2: endoscope 3: supercritical fluid generating means (supercritical fluid forming means) 4: supercritical fluid pipe (first and second supply means) 7a: first Circulation pipeline (second supply unit) 7b: Second circulation pipeline (first supply unit) 20: Drain pump (discharge unit) 21: Drain pipeline (discharge unit) 22: Cleaning tube (second 2 supply means) 36 cleaning tank 70 connection pipe line (first supply means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] A cleaning tank in which an endoscope is set; a supercritical fluid forming means for forming a supercritical fluid; and a supercritical fluid supplied from the supercritical fluid forming means to the cleaning tank. 1 supply means, 2nd supply means for supplying the supercritical fluid supplied to the cleaning tank to the internal conduit of the endoscope, and discharge means for discharging the supercritical fluid in the cleaning tank from the cleaning tank; An endoscope cleaning apparatus comprising: