JPH1085180A - Cleaning device for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning device with which series of processes from endoscope washing through disinfecting to washing can be automatically performed while reducing the quantity of disinfecting liquid to be used. SOLUTION: Under a storage chamber 11 provided with an opening/closing lid 14, a cylinder part 13 formed into double pipe and forming a lot of spour holes on an inner pipe 12 is provided. The lower end of the cylinder part, a supply line 15 to the cylinder part 13 for pressurized water and supply line 16 to the storage chamber 11 are provided with solenoid valves 25, 26 and 27 under the control of a sequencer 28, and a pump 23 for supplying the disinfecting liquid into the storage part 11 is controlled by the sequencer 28. As a result, when cleaning an endoscope 18, an inserting part 18b is passed through the cylinder part 13 and an operating part 18a is stored in the storage part 11. Next, the solenoid valves 25, 26 and 27 are controlled based on a program integrated into the sequencer 28, the pressurized water is supplied to the cylinder part 13, storage chamber 11 and operating part 18a, and the storage part 11 and the operating part 18a are disinfected by supplying the disinfecting liquid to them while driving the pump 23 for fixed time after cleaning is performed for fixed time. Afterwards, cleaning is performed again.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Complete cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes has been required as a measure against viruses that cause serious diseases such as HBV, HCV and HIV. Glutaraldehyde used as a disinfectant has been used to cleanse and disinfect endoscopes due to rough skin and suction. In recent years, cleaning apparatuses have been used because of the possibility of causing such cleaning.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional cleaning apparatus of this kind, in which an upper part is a cleaning chamber 1, a lower part is provided with a tank 2 for containing a disinfecting solution, and the cleaning chamber 1 is provided with a shelf 3 on which an endoscope is placed. The nozzles 4 are mounted on the rotating body 5 and swiveled up and down the shelf 3, and water is sprayed from above and below to the endoscope 6 placed on the shelf around the rotating body 5 to wash the water. After washing with water, the disinfecting solution in the tank is sent to the washing chamber 1 by a pump (not shown), and the endoscope 6 is immersed in the disinfecting solution for disinfection. Return and wash again with water.

[0004] In addition, as a cleaning device, there is also a device having a bed provided with a recess for placing an endoscope, injecting a disinfecting solution into the recess, immersing the endoscope after washing with water, and washing with water after disinfection. .

[0005]

In the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1, cleaning, disinfection, and cleaning by washing with water are performed in a closed container, and there is no possibility that the disinfectant causes rough skin of the hand or a built-in disease due to suction. However, a relatively large amount of disinfectant is required because the entire endoscope on the shelf must be immersed in the disinfectant, and it is costly to dispose each time. The tank is returned to the tank for reuse, but the disinfectant has not been replaced much, and the disinfecting power has decreased as the frequency of replacement has decreased.

The latter cleaning device requires less disinfectant than the former cleaning device shown in FIG. 1, but after disinfection, the endoscope must be taken out of the device and washed with water. A first object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope cleaning device in which washing, disinfection, and washing and disinfecting by washing are performed in a closed system, so that the disinfecting solution can be disposable and the amount of the disinfecting solution can be reduced. A second object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus, in which the endoscope can be further automatically cleaned and disinfected in the above apparatus.

[0007]

A cleaning apparatus for achieving a first object has a storage chamber having an openable and closable lid, in which an operation section of an endoscope is accommodated, and a storage chamber extending downward from the storage chamber to insert the endoscope. Part is inserted, the cylindrical part is composed of an inner pipe with a large number of ejection holes, and an outer pipe, and forms a double pipe, and pressurized water flows between the inner pipe and the outer pipe of the double pipe. It is supplied and injected into the inner tube from the ejection hole of the inner tube, and is also supplied to the storage room and the operation unit accommodated in the storage room, and the disinfecting liquid is supplied to the storage room by the pump to operate the operation unit. After washing, it flows into the insertion section,
In addition to filling the cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion is supplied to the operation unit in the storage room.

In the present apparatus, for cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope, the lid is opened, and the endoscope is inserted into the inner tube of the cylindrical portion from the distal end of the insertion portion. Then, after placing the operation unit in the storage room, the lid is closed. Next, first, pressurized water is supplied to the tube portion, the storage room, and the endoscope operation unit in the storage room, and the pressurized water sent to the tube portion is ejected from the ejection hole of the inner tube to insert the endoscope inserted into the inner tube. Cleaning the endoscope operating section from the outside with pressurized water sent to the storage room, and also cleans the air supply pipe and biopsy forceps pipe in the operating section with pressurized water sent to the endoscope operating section. I do.

After the cleaning, the disinfecting solution is sent to the storage room and the endoscope operation unit, and the disinfecting solution sent to the storage room is dropped on the operation unit, preferably sprayed and allowed to flow down to fill the cylindrical portion. Then, the endoscope insertion section is immersed in a disinfectant solution to disinfect from the outside, while the disinfectant solution sent to the endoscope operation section is filled with an air supply / water supply pipe and a biopsy forceps pipe, and each pipe is immersed in the disinfectant liquid. Disinfect each tube. After disinfection, drain and discharge the disinfectant solution in the cylinder. The discharged disinfectant is immediately or appropriately discarded. Next, washing by water washing is performed in the same manner as described above.

[0010] A cleaning device for achieving the second object is as follows.
In the above device, an electromagnetic valve for discharging is provided at an outlet of the cylindrical portion, and an electromagnetic valve is provided for each of a supply line to the cylindrical portion of the washing water and a supply line to the storage chamber. It is characterized by controlling the pump. In this device, when the start button for starting the program of the sequencer is pressed, each solenoid valve is opened by a control signal from the sequencer. Then, the pressurized water is sent to the cylinder section, the storage room, and the endoscope operation section, respectively, to wash each section, and discharged through a discharge electromagnetic valve.

After washing for a certain period of time, the solenoid valve of each supply line is closed by a control signal from the sequencer, and the drain valve is closed when the water in the cylinder is discharged after a certain period of time. At the same time, the pump is driven by a control signal from the sequencer, and the disinfecting solution is sent to the storage unit and the endoscope operation unit. The operation of the pump is programmed for a certain period of time, and the disinfectant fills the cylinder when the pump stops. When the cylindrical portion is filled with the disinfecting solution, the inside and outside of the endoscope insertion portion are immersed in the disinfecting solution and disinfection is performed. When a certain period of time has elapsed after the pump is stopped, the discharge solenoid valve is opened by the control signal from the sequencer, and the disinfectant is discharged.
Then, when a certain period of time has elapsed, the solenoid valves of the respective supply lines are opened by a control signal from the sequencer, and washing by water washing is performed for a certain period of time.

As described above, a series of steps of washing, disinfection, and washing are automatically performed based on a program incorporated in a sequencer. In order to stop the driving of the pump, a level sensor is provided in the cylinder or the storage chamber, and when the level sensor detects the level of the disinfecting solution, a detection signal is output to the sequencer, and the sequencer stops driving the pump based on the signal. Alternatively, a control signal for causing the control signal to be output may be output.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 2, a housing portion 11 having a funnel shape on the lower side has a double tubular shape, and a cylindrical portion 13 having an inner tube 12 formed with countless ejection holes is integrally formed downward. And
The storage section 11 and the cylindrical section 13 are formed of a transparent acrylic resin. If the diameter of the cylindrical portion 13 is too large, the consumption amount of the disinfecting liquid increases. It is desirable to make the diameter as small as possible so as not to hinder the washing with the washing water.

The openable and closable cover 14 for closing the storage section 11 has a hollow shape and has countless ejection holes at the bottom. Pressurized water (tap water) is supplied to the lower end of the cylindrical portion via the supply line 15 and is supplied to the lid 14 via the supply line 16,
Flexible tube 1 branched from supply line 16
The buttons 18d and 18 of the operation unit 18a of the endoscope 18 are provided at the seven ends.
e has an adapter 19 which is detachably attached to a place where e is removed.

A 2% aqueous solution of glutaraldehyde 21 used as a disinfectant is supplied from a tank 22 to a lid 14 via a supply line 24 by a pump 23 and to an adapter 19 via a tube 17. I have. In the figure, 25 is a discharge solenoid valve provided at the lower end of the cylindrical portion,
Reference numerals 26 and 27 denote solenoid valves provided on the supply lines 15 and 16, and these solenoid valves 25, 26 and 27 and the pump 23 are controlled by a sequencer 28.
Has a built-in program for that.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the endoscope, which comprises an operation section 18a, an insertion section 18b, and a connection section 18c, and inside which an air supply / water supply pipe 31 and a biopsy forceps pipe 32 are passed. The present apparatus is configured as described above, and when cleaning the endoscope 18 after use, the lid 14 is opened, and the endoscope 18 from which the buttons 18d and 18e are removed is inserted from the insertion section 18b into the operation section 18a.
Until it fits in the storage room 11. Then, the adapter 19 at the distal end of the tube is attached to a position where the buttons 18d and 18e are removed. Although not shown, the connecting portion 18c is fitted from above into a U-shaped groove (not shown) formed in the storage chamber 11, and protrudes out of the storage chamber.

After mounting the endoscope, the lid 14 is closed, and then a start button (not shown) of the sequencer 28 is pressed. Then, the solenoid valves 25, 26, 27 open, and the supply line 15
The pressurized water sent to the tube portion 13 through the inner tube 12 blows out from the inner tube 12 to clean the insertion portion 18b of the endoscope 18. The pressurized water sent to the lid 14 via the supply line 16 is sprayed to the operation unit 18a from the ejection hole at the bottom of the lid, and the operation unit 18a is washed and flows out into the inner pipe 12, and the tube 17 is supplied from the supply line 16 to the tube 17. Then, the pressurized water passed through the adapter 19 is sent to the air / water supply tube 31 and the biopsy forceps tube 32, which cleans both tubes 31 and 32 and flows out from the distal end of the insertion portion. Then, each of the washing water is discharged outside the cylinder through the solenoid valve 25.

After washing for a certain period of time, the sequencer 2
The solenoid valves 26 and 27 are first closed by the control signal from 8, and then the solenoid valve 25 is closed. When the solenoid valve 25 is closed, the pump 23 is controlled by a control signal from the sequencer 28.
Is driven, whereby the 2% aqueous solution of glutaraldehyde 21 in the tank 22 is supplied to the lid 14 and the adapter 19 via the line 24, and the aqueous solution of glutaraldehyde supplied to the lid 14 is sprayed on the operation unit. The aqueous solution flowing out of the inner tube and supplied to the adapter 19 flows into the air / water supply tube 31 and the biopsy forceps tube 32. Then, it gradually accumulates in the inner pipe and both pipes to increase the bulk. After a certain time has elapsed, the pump 2 is controlled by a control signal from the sequencer 28.
When 3 is stopped, the aqueous solution is slightly accumulated in the storage chamber. In this state, the insertion portion 18b and the air / water supply pipe 31,
The biopsy forceps tube 32 is disinfected.

After a certain period of time after the pump is stopped, the solenoid valve 25 is first opened by a control signal from the sequencer 28, and the aqueous solution in the cylinder is discharged. Then, when a certain period of time has elapsed, the solenoid valves 26 and 27 are opened, and the above-described cleaning is performed. When the washing is performed for a certain period of time, the solenoid valves 26 and 27 are closed by the output from the sequencer 28,
Washing stops.

[0020]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the disinfecting solution may be supplied in an amount sufficient to fill the cylindrical portion inserted into the insertion portion of the endoscope. As long as there is enough capacity to insert, the usage fee of the disinfecting solution is low, the cost does not increase even if it is disposed of each time disinfection is performed, and the disinfecting solution is switched by switching the supply of pressurized water and the disinfecting solution. The device is not diluted, the device can be sealed or almost closed by closing the lid, and it can be kept away from the disinfectant solution. Since the inner tube into which the insertion section is inserted is cylindrical and has no obstruction when inserting the insertion section, and the insertion section is smoothly inserted, optical equipment such as a lens at the tip of the insertion section can be used. It has the effect of not damaging it.

According to the cleaning device of the second aspect, cleaning →
A series of steps from disinfection to cleaning can be performed automatically. According to the cleaning device of claim 3, a level sensor is not required,
According to the cleaning device of the fourth aspect, the program is simple and the disinfecting solution can always be maintained at the set level regardless of the capacity of the device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional cleaning device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

11. Storage room 12. Inner tube 13. Tube section 14. Lid 15, 16, 24. Supply line 17. Tube 18. Endoscope 18a. Operation section 18b. Insertion section 18c.・ Connection 18d, 18e ・ ・ Button 19 ・ ・ Adapter 21 ・ ・ 2% aqueous solution of glutaraldehyde 22 ・ ・ Tank 23 ・ ・ Pump 25, 26, 27 ・ ・ Solenoid valve 28 ・ ・ Sequencer 31 ・ ・ Air / water pipe 32 biopsy forceps tube

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope comprising a storage chamber having an openable and closable lid and accommodating an operation section of an endoscope, and a cylindrical section extending downward from the storage chamber and into which an insertion section of the endoscope is inserted. An inner tube with a spout hole and an outer tube form a double tube, and pressurized water is supplied between the inner tube and the outer tube of the double tube and injected into the inner tube from the spout hole of the inner tube. At the same time, the disinfectant is supplied to the storage chamber by a pump, and the operation section flows into the insertion section after cleaning, and fills the cylindrical section. A cleaning device for an endoscope, wherein the cleaning device is supplied to an operation unit in a storage room. 2. An electromagnetic valve for discharge is provided at an outlet of the cylindrical portion, and an electromagnetic valve is provided on a supply line to the cylindrical portion of the washing water and a supply line to the storage chamber, and each electromagnetic valve is provided by a program incorporated in the sequencer. The endoscope cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope cleaning device controls the pump and the pump. 3. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the driving time of the pump is programmed in a sequencer in advance. 4. A cleaning apparatus for an endoscope according to claim 2, wherein a level sensor for disinfecting liquid is provided in the cylindrical portion or the storage portion, and the driving of the pump is stopped by a detection signal of the level sensor.