JPS63302991A - Unit type sterilization purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently remove or kill germs by fitting a sterile filter in a housing to remove germs from wash water supplied through a feed pipe. CONSTITUTION:A sterile filter 4 to remove germs from the water supplied from the feed pipe 2 is provided in the housing. In addition there is provided a drainage part 1a to discharge the wash water without germs which has passed through a sterile filter 4. The capacity of the sterile filter 4 ranges 0.1-0.45mum. Bags 9 of high molecular polyethylene is used to package the purifier body 5. These bags are disinfected and treated by ethylene oxide gas, etc. In this manner, the manufacturing cost and the running cost can drastically be reduced.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is useful for disinfecting the hands of nurses and other staff before surgeries and treatments in hospitals, as well as for accident relief and cleaning for patients themselves. The present invention relates to a unit type sterile cleaning device that can be used for sterilization, and industrially for sterilization and sterilization before special operations such as semiconductor manufacturing.

[Conventional technology]

For example, hand washing in hospitals is an extremely important issue for surgical personnel, especially in order to prevent post-operative illness caused by bacterial infection, and for this purpose, sterile purified water equipment has been designed at the expense of a large amount of research and equipment costs. has been developed and is in use.

Furthermore, even in micro-precision semiconductor manufacturing, contamination by bacteria causes circuit short circuits, so more complete removal and sterilization is desired.

The following four methods are generally known as methods for obtaining such sterile water for washing.

(1) Reverse osmosis method. As is well known, this is a method in which the osmotic pressure generated between solutions of different concentrations existing through a semipermeable polymer membrane is reversed by external pressure. This makes it possible to remove approximately the entire amount of organic matter dissolved in water, and more than 90 percent of the ions.

The semipermeable membranes currently in use have a molecular weight cut-off of about 180 and a pore size of about 10 millimicrons.

(2) Ultrafiltration method. This is an asymmetric high membrane similar to a reverse osmosis membrane, but its molecular weight cutoff is around 3,000 to 50,000, and although it cannot remove dissolved components like a reverse osmosis membrane, it can remove colloidal substances and bacteria in water. considered suitable for removal. In particular, it has been used for sterilization because it can be operated at a low pressure of 1 to 2 kg/cm'', rather than using high pressure like reverse osmosis.

(3) Microfilter method. This is 0.1 to 0
Bacteria are removed using a filter medium with pores of approximately 45μ.

(4) Microfiltration method. Although this name is not specifically classified as a membrane or filter medium, a sterilization method using a filter that is intermediate between the ultrafiltration method and the microfiltration method is called microfiltration method.

Among these various removal and sterilization methods, in particular,
Typical devices that have come into actual use in hospitals include the following devices.

(a) First, there is a reverse osmosis sterile purified water device shown in Figure 3.

In this device, water that has been sterilized by a reverse osmosis module is generally stored in a tank equipped with an ultraviolet tube and continuously circulated by a circulation pump. Sterile water is taken out from one end (E) of the shower from a branch pipe branching from this circulation system to wash hands.

(b) Next, FIG. 4 shows a simple sterile water device that uses a micro filter and ultraviolet irradiation.

In this device, water at an appropriate temperature passes through a mixing section equipped with a valve that adjusts the temperature of water and hot water to an appropriate temperature, passes through a sterilization filter, and the washing water that flows in through a conduit is sent to the shower housing using an ultraviolet tube installed in the shower housing. Both are sterilized and then drained from one end of the shower (1 section) to wash hands.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, among the conventional methods and specific devices of items (1) to (4) above, for example, the reverse osmosis sterile purified water equipment of item (a) above and the microfilter and ultraviolet irradiation of item (b) above, Despite periodic sterilization of each part of the type of simple sterile water equipment and replacement of the reverse osmosis module, microfilter, or ultraviolet light tube as a countermeasure against deterioration of filtration function, the sterile water Lm specified in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia Law is not maintained.
Bacteria were detected at a rate of less than 1 per 100 m2, and much more than the standard of 1 per 10 m2.

Currently, in order to prevent such bacterial contamination accidents, simple types such as the above (b) devices are tested every 5 to 15 days, and large devices such as the above (a) are tested every 15 to 60 days.
Currently, disinfection using a separate chemical (sodium hypochlorite, geltaldehyde, etc.) is performed daily.

Therefore, in view of the fact that accidents due to bacterial contamination (post-operative illness and occurrence of defective semiconductor products) are occurring frequently, the reason can only be attributed to the insufficient functioning of these disinfection and sterilization devices. We conducted repeated research to determine the causes and countermeasures for devices currently in widespread use.

In order to elucidate the cause, we first conducted a sterilization test and re-examined the reverse osmosis module of the reverse osmosis sterile purified water equipment described in item (a) above.

This sterilization test is shown in Table-1.

Margin below.

However, the water sampling time is the time (minutes) from the start of operation after stopping for 12 hours, and the testing method is 1; Millibore water sampler,
2; Blenhart infusion medium, 3. TGC solid medium, input bacterial base: 5erratia marc
escens.

When water containing bacteria is supplied to the semipermeable membrane of the above device, the pore size is estimated to be around 10 millimicrons, so theoretically bacteria particles larger than 0.3 microns can be removed. However, as is clear from Table 1 above, it was found that the same bacteria as the bacteria supplied to the primary side were actually detected on the secondary side.

Next, a sterilization test was also conducted on the microfilter in item (b) above and the microfilter in the simple sterile water device combined with ultraviolet □ external ray irradiation.

The results of this sterilization test are shown in Table 2.

Margin below.

However, a 0.2 micron filter was used.

The bacteria used is 5errati'a marCeSC.
It is enS.

As is clear from Table 2 above, it was found that the value exceeded the standard four days after the start of the test.

The following findings were obtained from the test results shown in Tables 1 and 2 above.

■ The general concept of filtration theory and performance of reverse osmosis and microfilters to filter dissolved solids, etc.
It cannot be applied to bacteria, which are living organisms. Regarding this point, the present inventors believe that the process of passage of bacteria through reverse osmosis membranes and microfilters is caused by morphological changes and generational changes in bacteria that have not been confirmed to be fixed in size as their original size. It is speculated that this is due to the advancement or movement unique to living organisms.

(2) Therefore, the microfilter itself can become a breeding site or breeding ground for bacteria.

■ Bacterial growth may occur due to bacteria contained in the raw water and back contamination that passes through the microfilter from one end of the shower.

■ As per the above test results, in view of the short-term deterioration of the bacterial filtration performance of the micro filter and reverse osmosis module, the physical filtration performance of the micro filter and reverse osmosis module deteriorates over a short period of time, and reverse contamination due to bacterial growth from one end of the shower Do not assume that it is time to replace the micro filter, shower cap, housing, etc. based on time.

The present invention is based on a completely new concept of sterilization that eliminates conventional sterilization concepts, and can be manufactured at low cost, is easy to use, requires no maintenance costs, and has a nearly perfect sterilization effect. The purpose is to provide a unit-type sterile cleaning device that can perform the following tasks.

[Failure to solve the problem]

In view of the current situation and based on new knowledge, the unit type sterile washer according to the present invention is designed to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art by detachably connecting the water supply pipe 2 to one side of the housing l. The housing 1
A sterilizing filter 4 for sterilizing the cleaning water supplied from the water supply pipe 2 is provided in the housing 1, and a drainage part Ia is provided in the housing 1 for discharging the sterile cleaning water that has passed through the sterilizing filter 4. The washer main body 5 was constructed using the above-mentioned methods, and the main body 5 was packaged and sterilized.

The water supply pipes herein include water pipes, faucets, hoses, and shower pipes of the existing sterile water purification equipment and simple sterile water equipment mentioned above.

Moreover, packaging sterilization refers to gas sterilization treatment or radiation sterilization during or after packaging.

(Function) That is, the present invention explains the bacterial permeation phenomenon using the unique filtration performance of the microfilter and the conventional theory. This was achieved based on what was discovered for the first time through numerous tests.

Therefore, by packaging and sterilizing the cleaning device, sterility is guaranteed when it is taken out of the packaging and attached to the water supply pipe, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the growth of particles that adhere to and grow on the channel elements themselves, such as conventional shower perforations. l due to falling bacteria
By having a simple unitized structure in which the main element is essentially the sterilizing filter, which is removable and can be attached or removed, the unique characteristics of the sterilizing filter housed in the unit can be prevented. Regardless of the filtration performance or performance deterioration, the filter can be replaced and disposed of within 3 to 4 days, preferably every day, after the bacteria have passed through.

[First Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 1, the unit type sterile washer according to the present invention is provided with a mounting part IC on one side of a housing l, which is detachably connected to a water supply pipe 2, and a To,
A cleaning device is provided in which a sterilizing filter 4 is provided to sterilize the cleaning water supplied from the water supply pipe 2, and a drain portion 1a is provided in the housing 1 to discharge the sterile cleaning water that has passed through the sterilizing filter 4. A main body 5 is constructed, and the main body 5 is packaged and sterilized to form a unit type. The housing 1 has a total length of about 200 mm, a diameter of about 50 mm, and is mainly made of plastic molding, and includes a shower eyelet plate 1a forming a drainage section at the front end, a main body section 1b, and an attachment section 1 at the rear end.
It consists of c.

The attachment part 1c is connected to a plug-in connector 3. The sterilization filter 4 was a microfilter of 0.2 microns and approximately 2 m2 in size. This micro filter is 0.1 micron to 0.4 micron
A material having a diameter of about 5 microns may be used at any time.
The drainage portion 1a is configured as a shower perforated plate with a large number of small holes. The cleaning device main body 5 is packaged using a polymeric polyethylene bag 9, and after the main body 5 is sealed, sterilization treatment is performed using ethylene oxide gas.

However, instead of the polymeric polyethylene bag 9, other synthetic resin or paper bags that are permeable to gas and do not allow bacteria to pass therethrough may be used.

Moreover, radiation sterilization may be performed instead of gas sterilization. In this case, of course, it is sufficient to use a bag made of a material that allows radiation to pass through but does not allow bacteria to pass through. Reference numeral 6 denotes an automatic electromagnetic valve connected to the connector, and is configured to control water supply by operating a switch 7.

[Second Embodiment] In this embodiment, the cleaning device body 5' is movably connected to a hose, and the housing 1' is gripped to make it easier to clean the affected areas of traffic accident patients and burn victims. It is configured to have a portion 1d.

The sterilizing filter 4° uses an ultra filter with an even smaller pore size. A controller 8 is provided so that it becomes unusable when approximately 200 liters are used and 8 to 10 people wash it, and the automatic electromagnetic valve 6 is controlled by this controller 8. Incidentally, by adjusting the controller 8, preferably 100 to 30
It is preferable to use washing water in the range of 0 liters by filtering it.

The drainage section 1a' is configured as a spray nozzle so that water can be discharged in a spray state even with a relatively low water pressure.

Other components are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

Although the above embodiments are all for use in hospitals, it is clear that the present invention can also be applied to sterilization in the Seimitsu industry, typified by the semiconductor industry, without further explanation. It's not there.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The unit-type sterile washer according to the present invention is based on completely new knowledge of bacterial permeation through a sterilizing filter, and has a simple unitized structure in which the main element is essentially the sterilizing filter, and the main element is a sterilizing filter. By packaging and sterilizing the water, bacterial contamination (including reverse contamination) of the wash water that could not be resolved with conventional various costly sterilization and sterilization devices can be avoided.
This has the effect of eliminating the

In addition, this sterilization effect does not require a large-scale equipment like conventional ones, so the manufacturing cost and running cost of the sterilization device can be significantly reduced, and it can be manufactured at a cost that can be easily disposed of. Therefore, it meets the purpose of short-term use and is advantageous in actual use.

It also has the advantage that it can be installed in existing sterilization and sterilization equipment with only a small amount of construction work, if necessary.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the unit-type sterile washer according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a partially longitudinal side view of the waist of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal side view of the waist of the second embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional reverse osmosis sterile water purification device;
The figure is a schematic diagram of a conventional simple sterile water device that combines a microfilter and ultraviolet irradiation. Housing...L, Water supply pipe...2, Mounting part...
・lc, sterilizing filter...4, drainage section 1a, washer body...5°

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) One side of the housing 1 is provided with an attachment part 1c that is detachably connected to the water supply pipe 2, and inside the housing 1,
A cleaning device is provided in which a sterilizing filter 4 is provided to sterilize the cleaning water supplied from the water supply pipe 2, and a drainage portion 1a is provided in the housing 1 to discharge the sterile cleaning water that has passed through the sterilizing filter 4. A unit type sterile washer comprising a main body 5, which is packaged and sterilized. (2) The unit type sterile washer according to claim 1, wherein the sterilizing filter 4 is a microfilter. (3) The unit type sterile washer according to claim (1), wherein the sterilizing filter 4 is an ultra filter. (4) The unit type sterile washer according to claim (1), wherein the drainage portion 1a is constituted by a shower eyelet plate. (5) The unit type sterile washer according to claim (1), wherein the housing 1 is configured as a grip portion. (6) The unit type sterile washer according to claim 1, wherein the sterilizing filter 4 is configured to have a filtering capacity of 100 to 300 liters of wash water. (7) The unit type sterile washer according to claim (1), wherein the drainage section 1a is configured as a spray nozzle.