JPH1176144A - Endoscope washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope washing device designed to be able to surely wash the inner duct as well as the outer surface of an endoscope into a clean state by making it possible to directly supply unused clean water and a disinfectant into the inner duct of the endoscope. SOLUTION: A water supply 70 and disinfectant tanks 84, 84B each holding an unused disinfectant are directly coupled to couplers 34A, 34B through which water and the disinfectant are supplied to the inner duct (air and gas feed tubes or suction tube) of an endoscope enclosed in a washing tank 16. Therefore, water and the disinfectant can be supplied to the inner duct of the endoscope without the need to cause circulation of the water and disinfectant supplied into the washing tank 16 as in conventional cases, and the inner duct of the endoscope can surely be washed clean with the clean water and disinfectant.

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, and more particularly to an endoscope cleaning apparatus in which an endoscope is housed in a cleaning tank and a cleaning water such as water or a disinfectant is supplied to the cleaning tank. The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning device that performs cleaning.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope cleaning apparatus accommodates an endoscope used for inspection in a cleaning tank, and allows water (washing water) to flow through the entire endoscope, or water or a disinfecting solution (chemical solution). This is a device for washing and disinfecting the endoscope by immersing the entire endoscope in the like. FIG.
1 shows a configuration of a conventional endoscope cleaning device. As shown in FIG. 1, a water supply 102 is conventionally provided in a cleaning tank 100 for accommodating an endoscope.
A water supply port 104 for supplying water and a disinfectant solution supply port 108 for supplying a disinfectant solution in a disinfectant tank 106 are provided. Water and disinfectant water are supplied from the water supply port 104 and the disinfectant solution supply port 108 into the cleaning tank 100. Supplied to In the cleaning tank 100, couplers 112 and 11 connected to a flowing water port 110 and an internal conduit (air supply / water supply tube, suction tube, etc.) of the endoscope are provided.
4 are provided, these water outlet 110, coupler 112,
Reference numeral 114 is connected to a discharge port 116 via a circulation path 118. As described above, the water or the disinfecting water supplied to the cleaning tank 100 is discharged from the discharge port 116, circulates through the circulation path 118, and flows from the water supply port 110 to the outer surface of the endoscope. From 114, it is injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope. As a result, the outer surface and the inner conduit of the endoscope are cleaned. The used water is discharged to the outlet 12
0 to the outside of the apparatus, and the disinfectant is
By switching the connection, the liquid is collected in the disinfectant tank 106.

[0003]

However, in the conventional endoscope cleaning apparatus, as shown in FIG. 4, water or a chemical is once supplied into the cleaning tank 100, and the water or the chemical is collected while the endoscope is being cleaned. Since water and chemicals are supplied to the inside of the cleaning tank, water contaminated with dirt and bacteria on the outer surface of the endoscope, the inside of the cleaning tank, the circulation path, etc. during the process of supplying water to the cleaning tank. And chemicals spontaneously flow into the internal conduit from the opening at the distal end of the endoscope, and water and chemicals are supplied to the couplers 112 and 114 via the circulation path 118. There is a possibility that dirt, bacteria, and the like mixed in the water or the chemical solution may flow into the pipe of the mirror.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope cleaning apparatus capable of reliably cleaning an internal conduit of an endoscope in a clean state.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an external water supply port for supplying cleaning water or a chemical solution to a cleaning tank containing an endoscope, and an internal conduit of the endoscope. Endoscope cleaning apparatus having an internal water supply port for supplying cleaning water or a chemical solution to an internal conduit of the endoscope, and supplying a supply channel or a chemical solution for supplying new cleaning water from a water supply source. A supply path is communicated with the internal water supply port.

According to the present invention, a supply path for supplying new washing water or a chemical solution is communicated with the internal conduit of the endoscope. Even without circulating, it can be supplied to the internal conduit of the endoscope, and the internal conduit of the endoscope can be reliably cleaned with clean washing water or a chemical solution. Further, according to the invention as set forth in claim 4, the flexible portion of the endoscope is mounted on the spiral step, and the opening of the internal conduit passing through the flexible portion, that is, the tip portion of the flexible portion Is disposed at the top of the cleaning tank, so that when the cleaning water or the chemical supplied to the cleaning tank flows through the bottom of the cleaning tank and is discharged from the discharge port, the dirty cleaning water or the chemical is invisible. The tip is prevented from flowing into the internal conduit from the distal end of the mirror, and also when the entire endoscope is immersed by storing washing water or a chemical solution in the cleaning tank, the distal end is positioned upward in the liquid. Since it is disposed, the water pressure is low, and the stored washing water or chemical solution is prevented from flowing into the internal conduit from the tip. This can prevent dirt, bacteria, and the like mixed in the washing water and the chemical solution from flowing into the internal conduit of the endoscope.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the endoscope cleaning device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope cleaning device 10 is formed in a box shape, and includes an apparatus main body 12 and a lid 14. On an upper surface of the apparatus main body 12, a cleaning tank 16 for housing an endoscope is provided. A convex portion 26 is formed in the center of the cleaning tank 16 and a spiral step 2 is formed around the convex portion 26.
8 are formed. The endoscope is housed in a state of being wound around the convex portion 26, and the flexible portion of the endoscope is placed on the spiral step 28. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the endoscope is housed in the cleaning tank 16, which will be described later.

On the side of the cleaning tank 16, a water supply port (not shown) for supplying water into the cleaning tank 16, a nozzle (not shown) for spraying water, and water and disinfecting water are supplied to an internal conduit of the endoscope. A coupler (not shown) for supplying a liquid and a disinfectant injection port 30 for supplying a disinfectant into the cleaning tank 16 are provided. The endoscope accommodated in the cleaning tank 16 has a water supply port, a disinfectant injection port. The outer surface and the inner pipe are washed with water or disinfectant supplied from the inlet, the coupler, or the like. Further, an outlet 32 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 16.
The water or disinfectant supplied from the water supply port, disinfectant inlet, coupler, etc. is discharged from the outlet 32. The internal configuration of the cleaning tank 16 will be described later.

The lid 14 is provided on the apparatus main body 12 via hinges 20, 20 so as to be freely opened and closed. When the lid 14 is closed, the upper opening of the cleaning tank 16 is completely covered by the lid 14, so that water, disinfectant, and the like do not splash outside. An operation panel 22 and a display panel 24 are provided on the front of the apparatus main body 12. Operation panel 22
Is provided with a number of buttons for instructing various settings relating to the contents of the washing operation, starting washing, and the like. Further, the display panel 24 displays various contents such as a remaining time of the cleaning work, a time until the work is completed, and a warning when a trouble occurs.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the cleaning tank 16 in which the endoscope is housed in the endoscope cleaning apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.
Is housed in a state of being wound around a peripheral portion of the convex portion 26 provided at the central portion. That is, the operation unit 52 of the endoscope 50
Are placed near couplers 34A and 34B, which will be described later, and the flexible portion 54 and the LG flexible portion 56 of the endoscope 50 are
Is placed so as to surround the. As for the flexible portion 54, the helical step portion 28 formed around the convex portion 26 is formed.
Put on top. Thereby, when the endoscope 50 is housed, overlapping of the flexible portion 54 and the LG flexible portion 56 is prevented. Reference numeral 58 denotes a light guide connector attached to one end of the LG flexible portion 56.

An air supply / water supply button and a suction button are attached to the operation unit 52 of the endoscope 50, and these air supply / water supply button and the suction button are removed during washing, and the air supply / water supply button and the suction button are removed. The couplers 34A and 34B are connected to the mounting port 52A of the water supply button and the mounting port 52B of the suction button via the tubes 36 and 36. Thereby, the coupler 34
The water and the disinfecting solution sent from A and 34B are injected into the air supply / water supply tube and the suction tube inside the endoscope 50, and the internal conduit of the endoscope 50 is cleaned. In addition, the endoscope 50
The water and the disinfecting liquid injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope flow out of the endoscope 50 from the distal end portion 60 of the flexible portion 54 and the like.

A water supply port 38 is provided near the couplers 34A and 34B. Water is injected into the cleaning tank 16 from the water supply port 38 to clean the outer surface of the endoscope 50 and the like. On the other hand, a disinfectant injection port 30 is provided on the left side of the cleaning tank 16.
Is provided. From the disinfectant injection port 30, the cleaning tank 1
A disinfecting solution is supplied into the inside 6, and the outer surface and the like of the endoscope 50 are disinfected by the disinfecting solution.

The distal end portion 60 of the flexible portion 54 in which the internal conduit of the endoscope 50 is open is placed on the spiral step 28 and arranged above the cleaning tank 16. ,
Water and disinfectant supplied into the cleaning tank 16 are less likely to flow from the distal end portion 60 into the internal conduit. That is, the cleaning tank 16
The water or disinfectant flowing through the bottom of the endoscope does not flow from the distal end portion 60 into the internal conduit, and even if water or disinfectant is stored in the cleaning tank 16 and the entire endoscope 50 is immersed. Since the part 60 is located above the liquid, the water pressure is low, so that the stored water and the disinfecting liquid are prevented from flowing into the internal conduit. Thus, the dirt on the outer surface of the endoscope 50 and the inside of the cleaning tank 16 does not flow into the internal conduit of the endoscope 50, and the internal conduit can be appropriately cleaned.

The water supply port 38 is provided so that the direction of the water flowing out is the same as the direction of the distal end portion 60, so that water and disinfecting liquid can flow from the distal end portion 60 to the internal conduit. Inflow is prevented. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow path of water and a disinfectant in the endoscope cleaning device 10. The cross section of the cleaning tank 16 shown in FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
0, outlet 32, couplers 34A and 34B and water supply 38
Are shown, and a cross section of the hand-held operation part 52 of the endoscope 50 housed in the cleaning tank 16, the flexible part 54 of the endoscope mounted on the step part 28, and the light guide connector 58 is shown. .

As shown in FIG.
Water is supplied to the B and the water supply port 38 from the water supply 70 via the switching valve 72 and the pumps 74A, 74B, 74C, respectively. That is, the pumps 74A, 74
B and 74C are operated, and the pumps 74A, 74B and 74C are connected to the water supply 70 by the switching valve 70, and the water is supplied from the water supply 70 to the pumps 74A, 74B and 74C.
By the couplers 34A, 34B
The water is supplied from the water supply port 38 to the inside of the cleaning tank 16 and the internal conduit of the endoscope 50. As a result, fresh water from the tap 70 is directly injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope 50. Therefore, when water is injected from the couplers 34A and 34B into the internal conduit of the endoscope 50, water is once supplied to the cleaning tank 16 and the water is supplied to the circulation path in the endoscope cleaning apparatus 10 as in the conventional case. There is no need to circulate water, and clean water can be directly injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope 50.

When the water supplied from the water supply 70 is circulated and used in this way, the switching valves 72 allow the pumps 74A, 74B and 74C to be connected to the water filter 9.
0 and shut off the water from the tap 70. The water filter 90 is switched by the switching valve 92 of the outlet 32.
Is connected to the outlet 32. As a result, the water in the cleaning tank 16 is sent from the outlet 32 to the water filter 90, and after the water is purified by the water filter 90, the water is purified from the couplers 34A and 34B and the water supply port 38 into the cleaning tank 16 and the endoscope. It is injected into the internal conduit of the mirror 50. When discharging the water used for washing to the outside of the apparatus, a water filter 90 is required.
Can be discharged from

On the other hand, an antiseptic solution tank 80 storing an antiseptic solution is connected to the antiseptic solution inlet 30, and the antiseptic solution stored in the antiseptic solution tank 80 is injected into the cleaning tank 16 from the antiseptic solution inlet 30. It is supposed to be. The switching valve 92 of the outlet 32 is closed to store the disinfectant in the cleaning tank 16 and the entire endoscope 50 is immersed in the disinfectant so that the entire outer surface of the endoscope 50 is disinfected by the disinfectant. You.

A disinfectant tank 84 is connected to the couplers 34A and 34B via pumps 82A and 82B, respectively.
A and 84B are connected, and disinfectant tanks 84A and 84B store disinfectants for disinfecting the air / water supply tube and suction tube inside the endoscope 50, respectively. When the pumps 82A and 82B are driven, the disinfectant tanks 84A and 84A
The disinfectant stored in 4B is sucked up and the disinfectant is injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope 50 from the couplers 34A and 34B. As a result, a new disinfecting solution can be directly injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope 50. That is, the endoscope 5 is connected to the couplers 34A and 34B.
In the case of injecting the disinfectant into the internal conduit of the endoscope 0, there is no need to supply the disinfectant once to the cleaning tank 16 and circulate the disinfectant through the circulation path in the endoscope cleaning device 10 as in the related art. A clean disinfectant can be directly injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope 50.

Thus, the inside of the cleaning tank 16 and the endoscope 5 are
The disinfecting liquid supplied to the internal pipe of No. 0 is discharged from the discharge port 32 and collected in the tank 94. Next, an example of a cleaning procedure of the endoscope cleaning device configured as described above will be described. First, water is supplied to the cleaning tank 16 and the internal conduit of the endoscope 50 to perform cleaning with water. That is, the pumps 74A, 74
B, 74C are operated and the pumps 74A, 74B, 74C are connected to the water supply 70 by the switching valve 72,
Water is supplied from the couplers 34A and 34B and the water supply port 38 to the inside of the cleaning tank 16 and the internal conduit of the endoscope 50. First, the water is drained from the water filter 90 to the outside of the apparatus without circulating the water supplied to the inside of the cleaning tank 16 and the internal conduit of the endoscope 50. As a result, most of the dirt attached to the endoscope 50 is washed away, and the supplied water is circulated so as not to be used. Prevents spreading to surfaces, internal pipelines and other equipment pipelines.

Next, the switching valve 92 of the discharge port 32 is closed to store a predetermined amount of water in the cleaning tank 16, and then the pumps 74A, 74B and 74C are connected to the water filter 90 by the switching valve 72. The supply of water is shut off, and a water filter 90 is connected to the outlet 32 by a switching valve 92 of the outlet 32 to circulate the water stored in the cleaning tank 16. As a result, water flows on the outer surface and the internal conduit of the endoscope 50, and the endoscope 50 is cleaned.

When the above washing is completed, the water filter 90
Then, the water stored in the washing tank 16 is discharged to the outside. Then, the disinfecting solution is injected from the disinfecting solution tank 80 into the cleaning tank 16 via the disinfecting solution inlet 30 and the inner tube of the endoscope 50 is supplied from the disinfecting solution tanks 84A and 84B via the couplers 34A and 34B. Fill the road with disinfectant. At this time, the switching valve 92 of the outlet 32 is closed to store the disinfectant in the cleaning tank 16, and the endoscope 50 is completely immersed in the disinfectant to disinfect the outer surface and the internal conduit of the endoscope. I do. And
After disinfecting the endoscope 50 by immersing it in the disinfectant for a certain period of time,
The switching valve of the discharge port 92 is communicated with the tank 94, and the disinfecting solution stored in the cleaning tank 16 is collected in the tank 94.

When the above-mentioned chemical disinfection is completed, the couplers 34A and 34B and the water supply port 38 are provided in the same manner as in the pre-cleaning step.
Then, water is flowed to the outer surface and the internal conduit of the endoscope 50 to perform rinsing. In this rinsing step, as described above, water is temporarily stored in the cleaning tank 16 and the water is circulated. Then, when the water becomes dirty, the water in the cleaning tank 16 is replaced with new water to perform this operation. Execute repeatedly. Alternatively, the water discharged from the cleaning tank 16 may be drained from the water filter 90 and fresh water may be constantly injected from the couplers 34A and 34B and the water supply port 38 to perform rinsing.

After the rinsing is completed, air, alcohol or the like is removed from the cleaning tank 16 by a mechanism (not shown), and the endoscope 50 is cleaned.
Then, the endoscope is supplied to the internal conduit to dry the endoscope, thereby completing the cleaning. In this manner, the case where the fresh water of the water supply 70 is directly supplied to the internal conduit of the endoscope 50 for cleaning, and the case where the water supplied to the cleaning tank 16 is circulated for cleaning can be appropriately used. As a result, the internal conduit of the endoscope 50 can be appropriately cleaned, and water can be saved.

The washing procedure described above is an example,
The washing procedure is optional. In the above embodiment, when water is circulated, the coupler 3
4A, 34B, the water circulated from the water supply port 38 is supplied. However, only the water supplied from the water supply port 38 is used through the water filter 90, and the water circulated through the couplers 34A, 34B is used. The water supplied to the internal conduit of the endoscope 50 may always be supplied directly from the water supply 70.

Further, in the above embodiment, the disinfecting liquid is not circulated in the apparatus and used, but the disinfecting water may be circulated in the apparatus and used like water. In the above embodiment, water is used as the washing water, and the water is supplied from the water supply 70.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the case where washing water in which a chemical or the like is mixed in water is supplied from a tank, the washing water may be directly supplied to the couplers 34A and 34B from the tank as in the above-described embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the water supply port 3
The direction in which water flows into the cleaning tank 16 from the direction 8 matches the direction in which water injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope 50 flows out of the endoscope 50, so that the water flows into the internal conduit of the endoscope 50. The injected water may appropriately flow through the internal conduit.
Further, in the above embodiment, the water pressure of the water or the disinfectant to be injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope 50 is made higher than the water pressure outside the endoscope 50 by the pumps 74A, 74B or the pumps 82A, 82B. The water injected into the internal conduit of the endoscope 50 may appropriately flow through the internal conduit.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the supply line for supplying new washing water or chemical solution is connected to the internal conduit of the endoscope, so that the washing water or chemical solution is supplied as in the prior art. The endoscope can be supplied to the internal conduit of the endoscope without circulating through the circulation passage in the cleaning device, and the internal conduit of the endoscope can be reliably cleaned with clean washing water or a chemical solution. .

Conventionally, in the process of supplying the cleaning water or the chemical solution into the cleaning tank, the cleaning water or the chemical solution mixed with the dirt or the like in the cleaning tank flows from the opening at the end of the endoscope to the internal conduit. However, in the present invention, it is possible to supply the washing water and the chemical solution to the inside of the endoscope at the same time as supplying the washing water and the chemical solution to the washing tank. Troubles can be eliminated.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the flexible portion of the endoscope is mounted on the spiral step provided in the cleaning tank, and the internal conduit is inserted through the flexible portion. Since the opening, that is, the distal end of the flexible portion is arranged at the top of the cleaning tank, when the cleaning water or the chemical supplied to the cleaning tank flows through the bottom of the cleaning tank and is discharged from the discharge port, The dirty washing water and the chemical solution are prevented from flowing into the internal conduit from the end of the endoscope. Also, when the entire endoscope is immersed by storing cleaning water or a chemical solution in the cleaning tank, the water pressure is low because the distal end is located above the liquid, and the stored cleaning water or the chemical liquid flows inside from the distal end. Inflow into the pipeline is prevented.

Further, by injecting the washing water or the chemical in the same direction as the end of the endoscope mounted on the spiral step, the washing water or the chemical is injected from the end of the endoscope. Inflow can be suppressed. This makes it possible to reliably clean the internal conduit of the endoscope in a clean state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an endoscope cleaning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where the endoscope is housed in a cleaning tank of the endoscope cleaning device.

FIG. 3 shows water used in an endoscope cleaning device;
It is the figure which showed the flow path of the disinfecting liquid.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a flow path of water and a disinfectant used in a conventional endoscope cleaning device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Endoscope washing | cleaning apparatus 12 ... Device main body 14 ... Lid 16 ... Cleaning tank 30 ... Disinfectant liquid inlet 32 ... Outlet 34A, 34B ... Coupler 38 ... Water supply port 50 ... Endoscope 70 ... Water supply 80, 84A, 84B ... Disinfectant tank 90 ... Water filter

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued from the front page (72) Inventor Shozo Iyama 1-3324 Uetakecho, Omiya City, Saitama Prefecture Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An external water supply port for supplying cleaning water or a chemical to a cleaning tank in which an endoscope is housed, and a cleaning water or a chemical connected to an internal conduit of the endoscope and provided to the internal conduit of the endoscope. An endoscope cleaning device provided with an internal water supply port for supplying a new cleaning water from a water supply source or a supply path for supplying a chemical solution to the internal water supply port. Endoscope cleaning device. 2. A circulation path for circulating the cleaning water discharged from the discharge port of the cleaning tank to the internal water supply port, and a switching valve is provided in the circulation path so that the internal water supply port has a circulation path or the supply path. 2. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is selectively communicated so that the internal conduit of the endoscope can be selectively cleaned with fresh cleaning water or circulated cleaning water. 3. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a purifying means for purifying the cleaning water is provided in the circulation path. 4. A projection is provided at a substantially central portion in the cleaning tank, and a helical step is provided around the projection, and the flexible portion of the endoscope is placed on the step. The opening of the internal conduit formed at the tip of the flexible portion is arranged at an upper portion in the cleaning tank.
Endoscope cleaning device.