KR20180087522A - An apparatus for washing and sterilizing endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for automatically washing and sterilizing an endoscope (1) comprising: an insertion unit (1) which has a photographing unit installed at a front end thereof; a manipulation unit (2) which is connected to a proximal end of the insertion unit (1) and configured to be gripped by an observer to perform various manipulations; and a channel (3) which is formed at the insertion unit (1) and at the manipulation unit (2) to allow a treatment tool for a treatment to be inserted in a front end of the insertion unit (1) through the manipulation unit (2). According to the present invention, the device comprises: a case (10) which includes a storage groove (12) to receive a holder (11) by which the endoscope (1) is held; a washing water spray unit (20) which includes a plurality of spray nozzles (21) spraying washing water to the endoscope (1) held by the holder (11); a tube unit (30) which includes a connection tube (35) including a nozzle (N) detachable from the channel (3) of the endoscope (1); and a washing water supply unit (40) which supplies washing water for washing the endoscope (1).

Description

≪ Desc / Clms Page number 1 > An apparatus for washing and sterilizing endoscope,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope automatic washing and sterilizing apparatus, and more particularly, to an endoscope automatic washing and sterilizing apparatus capable of cleaning and sterilizing an inside and an outside of a complicated structure.

1 is a view for explaining an embodiment of an endoscope.

As shown in the figure, the endoscope 1 is a medical instrument inserted into the body for directly observing or treating the internal organs or body cavity, and includes a camera module or an insertion unit An operation unit 2 which is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion unit 1 and performs various operations while the observer grasps the operation unit 2 and an operation unit 2 which is formed on the insertion unit 1 and the operation unit 2, 1, and a channel 3 into which a treatment instrument for treatment (procedure, tissue collection, procedure, etc.) is inserted. The endoscope 1 may include a universal cord 4 extended from the operation unit 2 and a connector unit 5 provided at the end of the universal cord 4. [

The insertion section 1 has a distal end 1a on which a camera module or a light source is installed, a curved section 1b connected to the distal end 1a and capable of flexing, a flexible section 1b connecting the curved section 1b and the manipulation section 3, And a flexible portion 1c made of a material. At this time, the treatment tool inserted through the channel 3 of the manipulation part 2 is exposed on the distal end part 1a.

The operation section 2 is provided with an operation lever 2a for remotely controlling the bending operation of the bend section 1b and a plurality of switches 2b for releasing and releasing the image.

In the channel 3, a treatment tool for collecting or performing a lesion cell or tissue is inserted and exposed to the opening of the distal end portion 1a.

The connector 5 is provided with a light guide connector 5a and a camera connector 5b and peripheral devices such as a light source device and a camera control unit are connected to the light guide connector 5a and the camera connector 5b.

 With this structure, the organs of the body are observed through the camera of the distal end portion 1a while the insertion portion 1 is inserted into the body, and a treatment instrument projecting to the distal end of the distal end portion 1a using the manipulation portion 2 So that the treatment can be performed. A prior art related to this is disclosed in Patent Publication No. 10-2005-0063772 under the name of endoscope.

Since the cost of the endoscope is at least 1,000 to 50 million won, the endoscopy is generally installed in the hospital, and the endoscope is washed and sterilized by reusing it. At this time, the disinfection of the endoscope is carried out by the nurse washing the brush with the chemical by hand.

However, since the endoscope has a complicated structure, it takes a lot of time to clean and sterilize the endoscope. Therefore, there is a lot of time restriction to use the endoscope once it has been used.

In addition, the endoscope was not structurally cleaned and sterilized completely, thus causing secondary infection by endoscopy. For reference, secondary infection by endoscopy accounts for 18% of all cases.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope automatic washing and sterilizing device capable of completely cleaning and sterilizing the inside and the outside of a complicated endoscope, .

It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscope automatic cleaning and sterilizing apparatus capable of automatically performing cleaning and sterilization in a short time, thereby minimizing time limitation for reuse.

In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope automatic washing and sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention comprises an insertion part (1) provided at a distal end of a photographing part, and a base part connected to a base end side of the insertion part (1) (3) in which a treatment instrument for treatment is inserted into the distal end of the insertion part (1) through the operation part (2), which is formed in the insertion part (1) and the operation part A case 10 for cleaning and sterilizing the endoscope 1 including the endoscope 1 and having a receiving groove 12 for receiving the receiving base 11 on which the endoscope 1 is mounted; A washing water distributor 20 having a plurality of spray nozzles 21 for spraying washing water into the endoscope 1 mounted on the cradle 11; A tubular unit (30) having a connecting tube (35) formed with a nozzle (N) to be attached to and detached from a channel (3) of the endoscope (1); And a washing water supply part (40) for supplying washing water for washing the endoscope (1).

In the present invention, an air supply unit (50) for supplying air for drying the endoscope (1); And a line N connecting the tubular unit 30 with the washing water supply unit 40 and the air supply unit 50. The tubular unit 30 is provided with a washing water supplied from the washing water supplying unit 40, And a flow path changing valve 60 for changing the flow path so that only one of the air supplied from the supply unit 50 is supplied.

In the present invention, the tubular unit 30 includes a distribution tank 31 installed in the sub-groove 14 of the receiving groove 12, and a connecting pipe 35 provided in the distribution tank 31, A plurality of connectors 32 selectively attached and detached, and a packing stage 33 for closing unused connectors.

In the present invention, an air injection port (70) formed on the inside of the case (10) and connected to the air supply part (50) to inject air to the outside of the endoscope (1); An ozone supply unit 80 for supplying aerosol supplied from the air supply unit 50; And an ultraviolet ray generator 90 installed on the side wall of the case 10 and irradiating ultraviolet rays for sterilization with the immobilizing endoscope 1.

The present invention further includes an exhaust fan (100) for forcibly exhausting the steam generated in the receiving groove (12).

According to the present invention, since the connection pipe connected to the tube unit is connected to the channel of the endoscope, air for washing water or drying can be passed through the inside of the channel, thereby enabling the inside of the endoscope to be cleaned or dried.

In addition, it is possible to clean the outside of the endoscope having a complicated structure by spraying the washing water in three dimensions through a plurality of spray nozzles formed in the washing water dividing portion, and the outside of the endoscope can be dried by the air injected through the air jet opening. Particularly, ozone is supplied to the air through the ozone supply unit 80 in the drying process to perform drying and ozone sterilization at the same time. Further, sterilization is performed again with the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet ray generator, And thus can solve the problem of secondary infection by endoscopy.

Since the washing water supply or the air supply is automatically performed by the operation of the flow path switching valve, the washing, sterilizing and drying operation can be automatically performed in a short time, thereby solving the problem of time limitation for reuse. It is effective.

1 is a view for explaining an embodiment of an endoscope,
2 is a perspective view of an endoscope automatic washing and sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the automatic endoscopic irrigation and sterilization apparatus of FIG. 2,
4 is a view for explaining the configuration of the endoscope automatic cleaning and sterilizing apparatus of FIG. 2,
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an arrangement position of a washing water splitter, a tube unit and an ultraviolet ray generating unit installed in the receiving groove of FIG. 2;
6 is a view for explaining the configuration of the tubular unit of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a view for explaining that, in Fig. 4, the washing water is supplied to the tube unit by the flow path changing operation of the flow path changing valve,
Fig. 8 is a view for explaining that air is supplied to the tubular unit by the flow path changing operation of the flow path changing valve in Fig.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an endoscope automatic washing and sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1, an endoscope automatic irrigation and sterilization apparatus according to the present invention includes an insertion unit 1 having a photographing unit or a light source such as a camera module or an optical fiber installed at a front end thereof, And a treatment tool for treatment is inserted into the distal end of the insertion portion 1 through the operation portion 2 as formed in the insertion portion 1 and the operation portion 2, And the endoscope 1 including the universal cord 4 extended from the operating section 2 and the connector section 5 provided at the end of the universal cord 4 And sterilization. The shape and number of structures and channels of the endoscope vary according to the purpose of use, and in this embodiment, one channel 3 is formed for easy explanation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an endoscope automatic washing and sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the endoscope automatic washing and sterilizing apparatus of FIG. 2 as seen from the rear side. FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a configuration of an endoscopic automatic washing and sterilizing apparatus of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the arrangement positions of a washing water splitter, a tubular unit and an ultraviolet ray generator, And Fig. 6 is a view for explaining the configuration of the tubular unit of Fig. 5F.

As shown in the figure, the endoscope automatic washing and sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention includes a case 10 having a receiving groove 12 for accommodating a cradle 11 on which the endoscope 1 is mounted; A washing water splasher 20 having a plurality of spray nozzles 21 for spraying washing water into an endoscope 1 mounted on a cradle 11; A tubular unit (30) having a connecting pipe (35) formed with a nozzle (N) to be attached to and detached from a channel (3) of the endoscope (1); A wash water supply unit 40 for supplying wash water for washing the endoscope 1; An air supply unit 50 for supplying air for drying the endoscope 1; And is provided on the line connecting the tubular unit 30 with the washing water supply unit 40 and the air supply unit 50. The washing water supplied from the washing water supply unit 40 to the tubular unit 30 or the cleaning water supplied from the air supply unit 50 A flow path changing valve 60 for changing the flow path so as to supply only one of the air to be supplied; An air injection port 70 formed on the inside of the case 10 and connected to the air supply unit 50 to inject air to the outside of the endoscope 1; An ozone supply unit 80 for supplying aerosol supplied from the air supply unit 50; An ultraviolet ray generating unit 90 provided on a side wall of the case 10 for irradiating ultraviolet rays for sterilization with the immobilizing endoscope 1; And an exhaust fan (100) for forcibly exhausting the steam generated in the receiving groove (12).

2, the case 10 includes a storage groove 12 in which a cradle 11 having a plurality of mounting grooves 11a on which the endoscope 1 is mounted is housed, An operation panel 15 having a plurality of switches for cleaning and disinfecting operations and a storage groove 12 for accommodating cleaning and sterilizing operations are provided in the housing groove 12, A drain pipe 16 through which the sprayed wash water is drained, and a water supply pipe 17 for supplying water to the wash water supply unit 40.

The mounting table 11 is provided with a plurality of mounting grooves 11a having various shapes so that the insertion portion 1 or the operating portion 2 of the endoscope 1 is mounted or the tubular treatment instrument (Not shown).

5, the washing water dispersing section 20 to be described later is provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction, and the ultraviolet ray generating section 90 to be described later is provided on both sides in the unidirectional direction Installation c.

The cover 13 opens and closes the receiving groove 12 to prevent the washing water from escaping to the outside when covering the upper end of the receiving groove 12. At this time, the cover 13 is provided with an exhaust fan 100 to be described later, thereby promoting the drying time of the endoscope 1. [ At this time, when the exhaust pipe 100 is not employed, a plurality of exhaust holes 13a may be formed in the cover 13.

As shown in Fig. 3, the sub-groove 14 has a shape roll which is immersed in the inner upper side of the accommodating groove 12 in the inner circumferential face of the accommodating groove 12, 30 are installed.

The drain pipe 16 drains the washing water that has been cleaned from the inside of the receiving groove 12.

The water supply pipe (17) is connected to a hose for supplying water to the wash water supply unit (40).

As shown in Fig. 5, the washing water dividing section 20 is provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the inside of the receiving groove 12, and has a bar shape provided with opposing injection nozzles 21. As shown in Fig. The washing water splasher 20 cleans the outside of the endoscope 1 by spraying the washing water into the endoscope 1 which is fixed to the cradle 11. The plurality of spray nozzles 21 provided on the washing water splasher 20 The endoscope 1 having the complicated structure can be effectively cleaned by injecting the washing water into the protruding or immersed part in the endoscope 1 by spraying the washing water in various directions.

3, the tube unit 30 is selectively connected to a connection tube 35 having a nozzle N which is attached to and detached from the channel 3 of the endoscope 1. As shown in Fig. The tubular unit 30 includes a distributing tank 31 installed in the sub-groove 14 and a plurality of discharge nozzles formed in the distributing tank 31 for selectively removing the connecting pipe 35 A connector 32, four connectors 32 in this embodiment, and a packing stage 33 for closing unused connectors. Accordingly, after the plurality of connection tubes 35 required are connected to the connector 32, the nozzle N can be inserted into the channel 3 of the endoscope or inserted into a channel formed in a treatment instrument (not shown) of the endoscope . And the connector to which the connection pipe 35 is not connected is closed by interposing the packing end 33 therebetween.

The washing water supply unit 40 is preferably an electrolytic water producing unit having an electrode plate for generating electrolytic water such as alkaline water or acidic water for generating and supplying washing water for washing the endoscope 1. [ Such washing water can remove proteins and the like on the endoscope 1.

The air supply unit 50 supplies air for drying the endoscope 1 or the treatment instrument (not shown), which is placed on the table 11.

4, the oil line conversion valve 60 is provided on the line L connecting the tubular unit 30, the washing water supply unit 40 and the air supply unit 50, and is connected to the tubular unit 30 Way valve so that only one of the washing water supplied from the washing water supply unit 40 or the air supplied from the air supply unit 50 is supplied. In this embodiment, a known three-way valve is employed.

4 and 5, the air jet opening 70 is formed inside the receiving groove 12 of the case and is connected to the air supply part 50, and is provided with air for drying the endoscope 1 after cleaning Spray.

On the other hand, the air jet opening 70 is provided with a shutter 75 for opening and closing the air jet opening 70 thereof. The shutter 75 closes the air jet opening 70 when air is not supplied to prevent the cleaning air jetting opening 70 from being introduced into the cleaning air jet opening 70 to be sprayed in the process of cleaning the endoscope 1. [

4, the ozone supply unit 80 is connected to the line L connecting the air supply unit 50 and the flow path switching valve 60, and is connected to the line L connected to the ozone supply unit 80, . The air that is sprayed through the tubular unit 30 (B). Ozone is contained in the air jetted to the air jet opening 70 so that ozone sterilization proceeds in the process of drying the channel 3 or the outside of the endoscope 1 having a complicated structure.

5, the ultraviolet ray generating unit 90 irradiates an ultraviolet ray for sterilization, for example, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 250 nm, to the endoscope 1 which is installed on the side wall of the case 10 and is placed on the base 11 do. The ultraviolet ray generating portion 90 includes an ultraviolet ray transmitting glass 91 provided on the unidirectional side wall of the case 10 and a ruled line lamp 92 provided on the rear side of the ultraviolet ray transmitting glass 91, (91) prevents the washing water, which proceeds to wash the endoscope (1), from contacting the ultraviolet lamp (92) inside the receiving groove (12).

The exhaust fan 100 forcibly exhausts the steam generated in the receiving groove 12, and is installed in the cover 13 as shown in FIG. 2 in this embodiment. The exhaust fan 100 is operated when the drying air is sprayed from the air jet opening 70, so that the air containing the wash water vapor is quickly exhausted to the outside, thereby shortening the drying time.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining that the washing water is supplied to the tube unit by the flow path changing operation of the flow path changing valve in FIG. 4, and FIG. And is supplied to the tubular unit.

7, when the tubular unit 30 and the washing water supply unit 40 are connected to each other, the washing water supplied from the washing water supply unit 40 is supplied to the tubular unit 30 The inside of the channel 3 is cleaned through the connected channel 35 via the inside of the channel 3 of the endoscope. At this time, the washing water is supplied to the washing water dividing section 20, and the outside of the endoscope 1 stuck to the holding table 11 is washed through the spraying nozzle 21.

8, when the channel conversion valve 60 connects the tube unit 30 and the air supply unit 50, the air supplied from the air supply unit 50 flows through the connection pipe 35 to the channel (not shown) 3) to dry the washing water on the inner circumferential surface of the channel (3). At this time, the air is supplied to the air jet opening 70 to dry the washing water adhering to the outside of the endoscope 1, which is placed on the holder 11.

That is, the inside of the channel 3 of the endoscope 1 can be cleaned or dried by the flow path changing operation of the flow path changing valve 60.

As described above, according to the present invention, the connection pipe 35 connected to the tubular unit 30 is connected to the channel 3 of the endoscope, whereby air for washing water or drying can be passed through the inside of the channel 3, The inside of the endoscope can be cleaned or dried.

In addition, it is possible to clean the outside of the endoscope 1 having a complicated structure by spraying the washing water three-dimensionally through the plurality of injection nozzles 21 formed in the washing water dividing portion 20 and by the air injected through the air jet opening 70 The outside of the endoscope 1 can be dried. Particularly, ozone is contained in the air supplied through the ozone supply unit 80 in the drying process to perform drying and ozone sterilization at the same time. Further, sterilization is performed again with the ultraviolet light irradiated by the ultraviolet ray generator 90, Thereby solving the problem of secondary infection by the endoscope.

Further, since the washing water supply or air supply is automatically performed by the operation of the flow path changing valve 60, the washing, sterilizing and drying operations can be automatically performed in a short time, thereby solving the problem of time limitation for reuse .

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1 ... endoscope 10 ... case
11 ... cradle 11a ... cradle groove
12 ... storage groove 13 ... cover
13a ... exhaust hole 14 ... sub-groove
15 ... operation panel 16 ... drain pipe
17 ... water supply pipe 20 ... washing water
21 ... injection nozzle 30 ... tube unit
31 ... distribution tank 32 ... connector
33 ... Packing stage 40 ... Wash water supply part
50 ... air supply part 60 ... flow path changing valve
70 ... Air nozzle 80 ... Ozone supply
90 ... ultraviolet ray generating part 91 ... ultraviolet ray transmitting glass
92 ... UV lamp 100 ... exhaust fan

Claims (5)

An operation section 2 connected to a base end side of the insertion section 1 and holding an observer and performing various operations; and a control section 3 for controlling the operation of the insertion section 1 and the operation section 2, And a channel 3 into which a treatment instrument for treatment is inserted into the distal end of the insertion part 1 through the manipulation part 2. The endoscope 1 is used for cleaning and sterilizing the endoscope 1,
A case 10 in which a receiving groove 12 is formed so that the cradle 11 on which the endoscope 1 is mounted can be received;
A washing water distributor 20 having a plurality of spray nozzles 21 for spraying washing water into the endoscope 1 mounted on the cradle 11;
A tubular unit (30) having a connecting tube (35) formed with a nozzle (N) to be attached to and detached from a channel (3) of the endoscope (1); And
And a washing water supply unit (40) for supplying washing water for washing the endoscope (1). The method according to claim 1,
An air supply unit 50 for supplying air for drying the endoscope 1;
The tubular unit 30 is connected to the line N connecting the tubular unit 30 with the washing water supply unit 40 and the air supply unit 50 and is connected to the tubular unit 30 through the washing water supplied from the washing water supply unit 40, (60) for converting only one of the air supplied from the main body (50) and the air supplied from the main body (50). The tubular unit (30) according to claim 2, wherein the tubular unit (30)
A distribution tank 31 installed in the sub trench 14 of the storage groove 12 and a plurality of connectors 32 installed in the distribution tank 31 for selectively removing the connection pipe 35, , And a packing stage (33) for closing the unused connector. The method according to claim 2, wherein
An air injection port 70 formed on the inside of the case 10 and connected to the air supply part 50 to inject air to the outside of the endoscope 1;
An ozone supply unit 80 for supplying aerosol supplied from the air supply unit 50;
Further comprising an ultraviolet ray generator (90) installed on a side wall of the case (10) and irradiating ultraviolet rays for sterilization with the immobilizing endoscope (1). 5. The method of claim 4,
Further comprising an exhaust fan (100) for forcibly exhausting steam generated in the receiving groove (12).

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