TWI847862B - Cleaning and sanitizing method for assistive devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of cleaning an assistive device includes spraying a first disinfectant on the assistive device using a spraying device and then setting the assistive device in standstill in a resting zone; using high-pressure hot water, a second disinfectant, a detergent and compressed air in sequence to clean the assistive device in a cleaning zone; drying and dehumidifying the assistive device in a dehumidification room; and exposing the assistive device under an ultraviolet light in a surrounding manner and ozonating the assistive device in a disinfection zone at the same time.

Description

Methods for cleaning and disinfecting assistive devices

The present invention relates to cleaning, disinfection and sterilization, and in particular to a method for cleaning and disinfecting auxiliary tools.

In the process of medical care, there is often a need to rent assistive devices, and the cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of the rented assistive devices are very important. If effective cleaning and disinfection cannot be achieved, bacteria and viruses will remain on the assistive devices, which may cause infection, discomfort to users, and endanger the health and safety of workers. Users will not be able to use the rented assistive devices with peace of mind.

In order to make assistive devices more hygienic in use, cleaning and disinfection of assistive devices is a very important and professional work technical process. However, the common method of cleaning assistive devices currently only uses alcohol and water for one or two disinfection procedures, and the cleaning effect is not ideal and dangerous.

The present invention provides a method for cleaning and disinfecting assistive devices, including using an automatic spraying device in a static area to spray disinfectant onto the assistive device to achieve the purpose of static disinfection and sterilization, using high-pressure hot water, disinfectant, detergent and compressed air in sequence to clean and disinfect the assistive device in a cleaning area, sterilizing, drying and dehumidifying the assistive device at high temperature in a drying room, and using ultraviolet light to surround the assistive device surface in a disinfection room to sterilize and release ozone to sterilize the assistive device in the disinfection room at the same time.

1: Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization system

11: Quiet area

12: Cleaning area

13: Drying room

14: Disinfection room

15: Maintenance area

16: Packaging area

17: Storage area

200: Cleaning and disinfection methods

S201 to S204: Steps

30:Spraying device

Da: Assistive devices

40:Spraying device

50:Spraying device

60:Spraying device

70: Compressed air device

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a cleaning, disinfection and sterilization system in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a flow chart of the cleaning and disinfection method used in the cleaning, disinfection and sterilization system in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the first step in the cleaning and disinfection method in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the use of high-pressure hot water in the second step of the cleaning and disinfection method in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the use of disinfectant in the second step of the cleaning and disinfection method in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the use of cleaning agents in the second step of the cleaning and disinfection method in Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the use of compressed air in the second step of the cleaning and disinfection method in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the third step in the cleaning and disinfection method in Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the fourth step in the cleaning and disinfection method in Figure 2.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing system 1 in an embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing system 1 can be used to thoroughly clean and disinfect assistive devices, allowing users to rent and use assistive devices with peace of mind. Assistive devices may include walkers, air mattresses, wheelchair seats, wheelchairs, and electric beds. The cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing system 1 may include a resting area 11, a washing area 12, a drying room 13, and a disinfection room 14 for cleaning and disinfecting assistive devices. FIG. 1 also includes an inspection area 15, a packaging area 16, and a storage area 17 for repairing and storing assistive devices. The assistive device can be sequentially transported to the resting area 11, the cleaning area 12, the drying room 13, the disinfection room 14, the inspection area 15, the packaging area 16 and the storage area 17 by a conveyor belt or manually. The resting area 11 can spray the assistive device with disinfectant to perform a preliminary disinfection and sterilization. The cleaning area 12 can sequentially use high-pressure hot water, disinfectant, detergent and compressed air to clean and disinfect the assistive device for secondary disinfection and high-pressure cleaning. The drying room 13 can sterilize the assistive device by high-temperature drying to perform a third disinfection and dehumidification. The disinfection room 14 can sterilize the surface of the assistive device by surrounding it with ultraviolet light and release ozone disinfection and sterilization in the disinfection room 14 to perform a fourth disinfection. After disinfection with disinfectant, high-pressure hot water cleaning, high-temperature drying and dehumidification, and ultraviolet/ozone disinfection, the bacteria content on the assistive device can be controlled below the standard safety value, allowing users to rent and reuse the assistive device with peace of mind. After cleaning and disinfection, the assistive device is tested, maintained, and repaired in the inspection area 15. Then the assistive device is packaged in the packaging area 16, and finally stored in the storage area 17 and waits for shipment.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a cleaning and disinfection method 200 used in the cleaning and disinfection sterilization system 1. The cleaning and disinfection method 200 includes steps S201 to S204, which are used to clean and disinfect auxiliary tools. Any reasonable technical changes or step adjustments are within the scope of the present invention. Steps S201 to S204 are as follows: Step S201 sprays the first disinfectant on the assistive device in the static area 11 to achieve the purpose of static disinfection and sterilization; Step S202 uses high-pressure hot water, the second disinfectant, the detergent and compressed air in the cleaning area 12 to clean and disinfect the assistive device; Step S203 sterilizes, dries and dehumidifies the assistive device at high temperature in the drying room 13; Step S204 The ultraviolet light in the disinfection room 14 surrounds the surface of the assistive device to sterilize and releases ozone in the disinfection room 14 to sterilize the assistive device.

Through steps S201 to S204, the cleaning, disinfection and sterilization system 1 can disinfect and clean the assistive device to achieve a sanitary and safe effect. The cleaning and disinfection method 200 is described below with reference to Figures 3 to 9.

Figures 3 to 9 are schematic diagrams of steps S201 to S204. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of step S201 in the cleaning and disinfection method of Figure 2, which is used to spray the first disinfectant to the auxiliary tool Da in the static area 11 using the automatic spraying device 30 and statically disinfect. The first disinfectant may include hypochlorous acid water, alcohol and/or bleach, and the ratio of hypochlorous acid water is a dilution ratio of hypochlorous acid liquid to water of 1:5, wherein the water may be hot water. Hypochlorous acid water oxidizes and decomposes microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses through oxidizing power, causing their metabolic function to be impaired and die, thereby achieving the effect of sterilization. In addition, hypochlorous acid water is a weak acid and is reduced to water after use, which is harmless to the environment and highly safe. Hypochlorous acid water has a stronger and wider range of sterilization effect than alcohol, and is less irritating than bleach, causing less damage to the skin, mucous membranes and respiratory tract. Alcohol can denature and coagulate the proteins of microorganisms. The alcohol concentration can be between 70% and 78%, which is used to penetrate the bacteria, denature the proteins inside the bacteria and make them inactive, so as to achieve a thorough sterilization and disinfection function. The main component of bleach is sodium hypochlorite, which effectively kills bacteria by denaturing the proteins of microorganisms. In step S201, the assistive device can be concentrated, sprayed with the first disinfectant and left to stand for at least ten minutes before the subsequent cleaning step, so as to perform preliminary cleaning and disinfection on the assistive device Da, and also protect the staff from being infected by bacteria on the assistive device.

Figures 4 to 7 are schematic diagrams of step S202 in the cleaning and disinfection method of Figure 2. After the automatic spraying device 30 sprays the second disinfectant to the auxiliary tool Da and leaves it to stand, the auxiliary tool Da is cleaned and disinfected in the cleaning area 12 using high-pressure hot water, the second disinfectant, the cleaning agent and compressed air in sequence. The purpose of step S202 is to use high temperature to clean the auxiliary tool Da and perform secondary disinfection at the same time. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of using high-pressure hot water in step S202. The spraying device 40 is used in the cleaning area 12 to spray high-pressure hot water to the auxiliary tool Da to preliminarily remove surface dirt and perform disinfection. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of using a second disinfectant in step S202, where a spray device 50 is used in the cleaning area 12 to spray the second disinfectant onto the auxiliary tool Da for disinfection again. The second disinfectant may include hypochlorous acid water, alcohol and/or bleach. The second disinfectant may be the same as or different from the first disinfectant. For example, the first disinfectant may be hypochlorous acid water, and the second disinfectant may be alcohol. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of using a cleaning agent in S202, where a spray device 60 is used in the cleaning area 12 to spray the cleaning agent onto the auxiliary tool Da for removing surface dirt that is difficult to remove. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the use of high-pressure air in step S202. A compressed air device 70 is used in the cleaning area 12 to spray compressed air to the auxiliary tool Da to achieve the effect of drying and dust removal.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of step S203 in the cleaning and disinfection method of FIG. 2. After the auxiliary tool is cleaned and disinfected in the cleaning area 12, the auxiliary tool Da is sterilized, dried and dehumidified at high temperature in the drying room 13. Since the temperature exceeding 60 degrees Celsius will cause damage to the bearing of the auxiliary tool, the target temperature of the drying room 13 can be set between 50 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius, and last for at least 4 hours to achieve a good disinfection effect. There are high-temperature pipes and moisture extraction pipes in the drying chamber 13. The high-temperature pipe can heat the air in the drying chamber 13, and the moisture extraction pipe can extract the water vapor in the air from the drying chamber 13 after the air is heated. At the same time, the temperature in the drying chamber 13 is raised and the humid air in the drying chamber 13 is extracted to avoid the presence of heated water vapor in the drying chamber 13 and to avoid water marks on the auxiliary tool Da.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of step S204 in the cleaning and disinfection method of Figure 2. After the auxiliary tool Da is sterilized, dried and dehumidified at high temperature in the drying chamber 13, a set of ultraviolet lamps are used in the disinfection chamber 14 to emit ultraviolet rays to surround and irradiate the auxiliary tool Da, thereby disinfecting the surface of the auxiliary tool Da. Ultraviolet rays can destroy the molecular structure of DNA or RNA in the cells of microorganisms, causing the death of growing cells or regenerative cells, so as to achieve the effect of sterilization and disinfection. The ultraviolet lamp can be placed above, below and on the side of the auxiliary tool Da. Since the penetrating ability of ultraviolet rays is relatively poor, ozone is released to the auxiliary tool Da in the disinfection chamber 14 to disinfect the inside (for example, the inside of a steel pipe) and the bottom of the auxiliary tool. Ozone is a strong oxidizing gas with a strong sterilizing and disinfecting effect. The sterilizing principle of ozone belongs to the biochemical oxidation reaction. It can directly oxidize the cell body of bacteria, destroy its DNA and achieve the effect of antibacterial, and also has a destructive effect on the RNA of viruses. In addition, ozone has a certain oxidizing effect on various toxins, reducing their toxicity. During this disinfection process, the staff will not enter the disinfection room 14, and after the execution, the exhaust fan will be used and left for more than 6 hours to allow the ozone to evaporate to avoid harm caused by ozone to the staff. In some embodiments, the release of ozone to the auxiliary tool Da in the disinfection room 14 and the surrounding irradiation of the auxiliary tool Da by the set of ultraviolet lights are performed simultaneously. Through this step, ultraviolet rays can sterilize the surface of the auxiliary tool, while ozone can sterilize the inside and bottom of the auxiliary tool to achieve a comprehensive sterilization effect.

In some embodiments, the cleaning and disinfection method 200 may also omit step S202. First, the assistive device is sprayed with a first disinfectant in the resting area 11 for preliminary disinfection. Then, the assistive device is sterilized, dried, and dehumidified at high temperature in the drying room 13 for secondary disinfection and dehumidification. Then, the surface of the assistive device is sterilized by surrounding ultraviolet light in the disinfection room 14, and ozone is released to the assistive device in the disinfection room 14 for a third disinfection.

In some embodiments, multiple steps in steps S201 to S204 can also be performed sequentially in the same area to save space and achieve cleaning and disinfection of auxiliary tools at the same time.

After cleaning the assistive device using this cleaning and disinfection method (or process), you can use a cold light instrument to detect the bacterial content of the assistive device. The cold light instrument can detect hidden pollution in the environment through the ATP content in the organism. Through the detection of the assistive device using the cold light instrument, the bacterial content of the assistive device after cleaning and disinfection using this method is lower than the standard value.

The cleaning, disinfection and sterilization system 1 and the cleaning and disinfection method 200 in the embodiment of the present invention clean and disinfect the assistive device by using disinfectant, high-pressure hot water cleaning, high-temperature drying and dehumidification, and/or ultraviolet/ozone disinfection, and control the bacterial content below the standard value, so that users can rent and reuse the assistive device with peace of mind.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

200: Cleaning and disinfection methods

S201 to S204: Steps

Claims (11)

A method for cleaning and disinfecting an auxiliary tool, comprising: a spraying device spraying a first disinfectant onto the auxiliary tool and leaving it there; high-temperature drying and dehumidifying the auxiliary tool; using a set of ultraviolet lamps to surround and irradiate the auxiliary tool; inspecting the auxiliary tool in an inspection area; packaging the auxiliary tool in a packaging area; and storing the auxiliary tool in a storage area. The method as described in claim 1, wherein: the high-temperature drying and dehumidification of the assistive device is performed in a drying room. The method as described in claim 2, wherein the high-temperature drying and dehumidification of the assistive device in the drying chamber comprises: setting a target temperature of the drying chamber between 50 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius, and simultaneously extracting the humid air in the drying chamber. The method as described in claim 1, wherein: using the set of ultraviolet lamps to surround the assistive device is using the set of ultraviolet lamps to surround the assistive device in a disinfection room. The method as described in claim 4 further comprises releasing ozone to the assistive device in the sterilization chamber. The method as described in claim 5, wherein releasing the ozone to the assistive device in the disinfection chamber and surrounding irradiating the assistive device with the set of ultraviolet lamps are performed simultaneously. The method as described in claim 1, wherein: after the spraying device sprays the first disinfectant onto the assistive device and leaves it to stand, the assistive device is subjected to high-temperature drying and dehumidification; and after the assistive device is subjected to high-temperature drying and dehumidification, the set of ultraviolet lamps is used to surround and irradiate the assistive device. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the first disinfectant comprises hypochlorous acid water, alcohol and/or bleach. The method as described in claim 1 further includes using high-pressure hot water, a second disinfectant, a cleaning agent and a compressed air in sequence in a cleaning area to clean and disinfect the auxiliary tool. A method for cleaning and disinfecting an assistive device, comprising: a spraying device sprays a first disinfectant onto the assistive device and leaves it alone; after the spraying device sprays the first disinfectant onto the assistive device and leaves it alone, a high-pressure hot water, a second disinfectant, a cleaning agent, and a compressed air are sequentially used in a cleaning area to clean and disinfect the assistive device; after the high-pressure hot water, the second disinfectant, the cleaning agent, and the compressed air are sequentially used in the cleaning area to clean and disinfect the assistive device, the assistive device is subjected to high-temperature drying and dehumidification; and after the assistive device is subjected to high-temperature drying and dehumidification, a set of ultraviolet lamps are used to surround and irradiate the assistive device. A method for cleaning and disinfecting an assistive device, comprising: A spraying device sprays a first disinfectant onto the assistive device and leaves it to stand; in a cleaning area, a high-pressure hot water, a second disinfectant, a cleaning agent and a compressed air are sequentially used to clean and disinfect the assistive device; the assistive device is subjected to high-temperature drying and dehumidification; and a set of ultraviolet lamps are used to surround and irradiate the assistive device; wherein the second disinfectant contains hypochlorous acid water, alcohol and/or bleach.

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