JPH04317623A - Endoscope washing/disinfecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely execute the work of washing, disinfection, etc., for the outside surface and all the internal duct lines of the endoscope. CONSTITUTION:The device is provided with a moving/operating mechanism 41 for moving and operating feed liquid bases 37, 38 for supplying a washing liquid, etc., to the inside of a duct line of an endoscope 1 and washing it, between a connecting position to cylinder bases 32, 33 of the endoscope 1 and a connection release position to the cylinder bases 32, 33 separated from this connecting position.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device for cleaning and disinfecting used endoscopes.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In general, used endoscopes used, for example, for patient treatment, are cleaned and sterilized by an endoscope washer/disinfector and then reused. This type of endoscope washer/disinfector is provided with an endoscope mounting table and an injection nozzle for spraying a cleaning liquid onto the endoscope mounted on the mounting table in the cleaning tank. When cleaning and disinfecting endoscopes, cleaning liquid is sprayed from the spray nozzle onto the endoscope on the mounting table to wash away dirt and other substances adhering to the surface of the endoscope. After rinsing by supplying rinsing water to
This cleaning tank is filled with a disinfectant solution, the endoscope is immersed in the disinfectant solution for disinfection, and then warm air or the like is blown onto the endoscope to dry it.

[0003]Furthermore, the liquid delivery tube in the pipe cleaning section of the washer-disinfecting device is attached to the cap attachment part of the endoscope conduit, such as various cylinder caps and treatment instrument insertion ports provided in the operation section of the endoscope. By connecting the connectors in a watertight manner and sequentially sending cleaning liquid, disinfectant liquid, and rinsing water from this liquid feeding tube, internal pipes such as air and water passages, suction passages, and treatment instrument insertion channels can be cleaned and disinfected. I try to do that.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-203534, it is difficult to use the endoscope when cleaning or disinfecting the internal conduit of the endoscope. The connectors of the liquid feeding tube are fixedly connected to various cylinder caps and treatment instrument insertion ports on the mirror side, respectively, by means such as screws. however,
When the endoscope is set in the washer/disinfector, the liquid supply tube
Cleaning liquid, disinfectant liquid, rinsing water, etc. are used in the contact parts between the tube connector and the various cylinder caps and treatment instrument insertion ports on the endoscope side, and the O-rings attached to the liquid delivery tube on the washer-disinfector side. Since the water does not flow, there is a problem that cleaning, disinfection, rinsing, etc. of these contact parts cannot be carried out. Therefore, the contact parts between the connector of the liquid feeding tube and the various cylinder caps and treatment instrument insertion ports on the endoscope side, as well as the parts such as O-rings attached to the liquid feeding tube on the washer-disinfecting device side, −
Since the lumber is left in a dirty state, there is a risk that cleaning, disinfection, etc. of such parts may be insufficient.

[0005] Among human diseases, there are dangerous infectious diseases that are easily transmitted, such as AIDS and hepatitis B. Therefore, for medical devices such as endoscopes that are inserted directly into the patient's body, the outer surface of the endoscope and all internal channels must be cleaned and disinfected to ensure the prevention of infection to others. The reality is that there is a demand for this to be carried out reliably.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and conventionally, cleaning, disinfection, etc. are not performed on the contact area between the cap attachment part of each conduit on the endoscope side and the conduit cleaning part. Endoscope cleaning allows you to easily clean and disinfect areas that could not be cleaned and to reliably clean and disinfect the outer surface of the endoscope and all internal ducts. The purpose is to provide a disinfection device.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides an endoscope holder in a cleaning tank, and is connected to a base attachment part of a conduit of the endoscope, and is connected to a base attachment part of a conduit of the endoscope. In an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting device, the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device is provided with a conduit cleaning unit that supplies a cleaning liquid or the like to clean the conduit cleaning unit, and a position where the conduit cleaning unit is connected to the cap mounting portion, and a cap mounting portion spaced apart from this connection position. The device is provided with a moving operation means for moving between the connection release position and the disconnection position.

[0008]

[Operation] In the above configuration, when cleaning, disinfecting, etc. the internal conduit of the endoscope, the conduit cleaning part is separated from the connection position with the mouthpiece attachment part on the endoscope side in the cleaning tank. By moving the pipe between the cap mounting part and the connection release position, the contact part between the cap mounting part of each conduit on the endoscope side and the conduit cleaning part is exposed in the cleaning tank, and these parts are exposed in the cleaning tank. The parts are brought into contact with the liquid in the cleaning tank to facilitate cleaning, disinfection, etc.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. 3 and 4 show a cleaning and disinfecting device for the endoscope 1 as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. Further, FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the entire endoscope 1 that is to be cleaned and disinfected by this cleaning and disinfecting apparatus.

In FIG. 2, 2 is an insertion section of the endoscope 1, 3 is an operating section, and 4 is a universal cord. An air supply conduit 5 and a water supply conduit 6 are disposed within the insertion section 2, operation section 3, and universal cord 4, respectively.

The downstream sides of the air supply pipe 5 and water supply pipe 6 merge near the distal end of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1 to form one common air and water supply tube 75. Air or water is supplied through the air/water supply nozzle 7 at the tip of the air/water supply tube 75 so that the gas or liquid (such as cleaning water) can be sprayed onto the outer surface of the observation window.

Furthermore, a connector portion 8 is provided at the distal end of the universal cord 4. This connector portion 8 is provided with an air/water supply cap 9, an air supply cap 10, and a suction cap 17, respectively. In this case, the air and water supply mouthpiece 9 is provided with an air supply port and a water supply port that are connected to the upstream sides of the air supply pipe line 5 and the water supply pipe line 6, respectively. An air tube 12 and a water tube 13 of a water tank 11 are connected to the air and water ports of the air and water mouthpiece 9, respectively.

[0013] Further, a branch pipe line formed by branching the upstream side of the air feed pipe line 5 is connected to the air supply mouthpiece 10. and,
The air supply cap 10 is connected to the air pump 15 in the light source device 14 when the connector portion 8 of the universal cord 4 is connected to the light source device 14.

Further, a suction device 16 is connected to the suction mouthpiece 17 of the connector section 8 . This suction mouthpiece 17 is connected to a downstream connecting end of a downstream suction conduit 18 disposed within the universal cord 4. This downstream suction pipe line 18
The upstream connecting end of is connected to the suction switching valve 19.

Furthermore, a forceps channel 20 for inserting a treatment instrument is provided within the insertion section 2 and the operation section 3. One end side of the forceps channel 20 is connected to the tip opening of the insertion section 2. The other end of the forceps channel 20 is connected to a forceps insertion port provided in the operating section 3. A forceps plug 21 is attached to this forceps insertion opening. Furthermore, this forceps channel 20 is connected to a suction switching valve 19. The suction switching valve 19 can open and close the communication state between the forceps channel 20 and the downstream suction line 18, and when the forceps channel 20 is in communication with the downstream suction line 18, the forceps channel 20 is used to control the upstream suction. A conduit is now formed.

Further, in the middle of the air supply pipe 5 and the water supply pipe 6, there is an air/water supply switching valve 2 for switching between air supply and water supply.
2 are arranged. And this air/water supply switching valve 2
When the air supply line 5 is closed by the operation in step 2, the air supply mouthpiece 1
Air sent from 0 passes through an air supply tube 12, is supplied into a water supply tank 11, and is switched to a state in which the water surface of this water supply tank 11 is pressed. In this state, water in the water tank 11 is injected from the air and water nozzle 7 via the water pipe 6.

Furthermore, the suction switching valve 19 is provided with a suction cylinder 19a formed within the operating section 3. The opening edge of this suction cylinder 19a has a cylinder base (
A cap mounting portion) 32 is provided in a protruding manner. A suction button unit 30A is removably attached to the cylinder cap 32.

The suction button unit 30A includes a suction piston that is slidably mounted in the suction cylinder 19a of the operating section 3, a suction button formed on the head of the piston, a suction button mounting rubber, and a return spring. Components such as the following are provided. And this suction switching valve 19
By operating the suction button, the suction mode can be switched.

The air/water supply switching valve 22 also has an operating section 3.
An air and water supply cylinder 22a formed inside is provided. A cylinder cap (cap mounting portion) 33 is provided protruding from the opening edge of the air/water supply cylinder 22a. An air/water supply button unit 30B is removably attached to the cylinder cap 33.

The air/water supply button unit 30B includes an air/water supply piston slidably mounted in the air/water supply cylinder 22a of the operating section 3, an air/water supply button formed on the head of the piston, and an air/water supply button formed on the head of the piston. Air water button mounting rubber, retarder
Components such as springs are provided. and,
By operating the air/water supply button of the air/water supply switching valve 22, air supply and water supply operations can be switched.

On the other hand, the cleaning and disinfecting device for the endoscope 1 has a configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, 23 is the main body of the cleaning and disinfecting device. A cleaning tank 24 is provided in the upper part of the cleaning/disinfecting device main body 23. This cleaning tank 24
The upper space is the cleaning tank cover 2 attached to the device main body 23.
5, it is closed so as to be openable and closable.

A cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28 is rotatably mounted approximately at the center of the cleaning tank 24. Rotary injection nozzles 26 and 27 are protruded from the upper and lower parts of the outer peripheral surface of the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28, respectively. Note that this cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28 is connected to a drive motor 29 disposed in the machine room below the cleaning tank 24.
It is designed to be rotationally driven by.

Furthermore, a shelf (holding section) 31 for placing the endoscope 1 is provided around the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28. This mounting shelf 31 has upper and lower rotating injection nozzles 26, 2
7, and the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 2
8 is driven, cleaning water is sprayed from the upper and lower rotating spray nozzles 26 and 27 over the entire outer surface of the endoscope 1 placed on the mounting shelf 31. .

In addition, on the inner peripheral surface of the cleaning tank 24, as shown in FIG. A holder 34 is provided protrudingly. This pipe cleaning cap holder 34
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope connecting portion 35 is formed in the endoscope. The endoscope connecting portion 35 has locking holes 35a and 35b for removably locking the cylinder caps 32 and 33 of the endoscope 1.
is formed.

Furthermore, a liquid feeding cap accommodating chamber 36 is formed inside the pipe cleaning cap holder 34 . A pair of (first
, second) liquid feeding mouthpieces (pipe cleaning section) 37, 38 and the connection positions of these first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37, 38 with the cylinder mouthpieces 32, 33 of the endoscope 1 and this connection. A movement operation mechanism (movement operation means) 41 is provided, which operates between a disconnection position with the cylinder caps 32 and 33 which are spaced apart from each other.

The moving operation mechanism 41 is provided with a rotating member 42 that is rotationally driven at a fixed position and a drive motor 43 that rotationally drives this rotating member 42. This rotating member 4
A substantially male-threaded rotation transmission groove 42a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of 2.

Furthermore, the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37 and 38 have engagement grooves 43 and 44 that mesh with the rotation transmission groove 42a of the rotating member 42 on the outer peripheral surfaces thereof, and these first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces. A guide groove 45 extending along the axial direction of 37 and 38,
46 are provided respectively. These guide grooves 45
, 46 have inserted therein guide protrusions 47 and 48 for preventing rotation, which protrude toward the liquid feeding cap housing chamber 36 side, as shown in FIG. As the rotating member 42 rotates, the first,
While the second liquid feeding caps 37 and 38 are guided by the engagement portions between the guide grooves 45 and 46 and the guide protrusions 47 and 48, the first
, driven forward and backward in the axial direction of the second liquid feeding caps 37 and 38;
Operation to move the first and second liquid feeding caps 37 and 38 between the connection position with the cylinder caps 32 and 33 of the endoscope 1 and the disconnection position with the cylinder caps 32 and 33 separated from this connection position. It is now possible to do so.

Furthermore, the first and second liquid feeding caps 37, 38
O-ring mounting grooves 37a and 38a are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the distal end thereof, respectively. These O-ring mounting grooves 37a
, 38a between the outer circumferential surfaces of the cylinder caps 32, 33 of the endoscope 1 and the first and second liquid feeding caps 37, 38, and the inner circumferential surfaces of the cylinder caps 32, 33 of the endoscope 1. Watertight Seat
O-rings 39 and 40 are fitted therein.

Further, a cleaning water tank 51 and a disinfectant tank 52 are provided in the machine room of the cleaning and disinfecting device main body 23, respectively. In this case, a water faucet 54 is connected to the wash water tank 51 via a water supply valve 53. The tap water supplied from the tap 54 is stored as cleaning water in the cleaning water tank 51. Furthermore, this wash water tank 51 is connected to a wash pump 55, and this wash pump 55 is connected to a first electromagnetic valve 56.

Furthermore, a predetermined disinfectant is contained in the disinfectant tank 52. The disinfectant tank 52 is connected to a disinfectant pump 57 , and the disinfectant pump 57 is connected to a first electromagnetic valve 56 . The discharge port of the first solenoid valve 56 passes through the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28,
The upper and lower rotary injection nozzles 26 and 27 and the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37 and 38 in the liquid feeding mouthpiece storage chamber 36 are connected, respectively.

Furthermore, a drain port 58 is provided at the inner bottom of the cleaning tank 24.
is formed. This drain port 58 is connected to a second solenoid valve 59.
It is connected to the. One discharge port of this second solenoid valve 59 is connected to the disinfectant tank 52, and the other discharge port is connected to the disinfectant tank 52.
The drain is connected to a water pipe 61 via a drainage pump 60.

Furthermore, a control device 62 is provided at the front of the main body 23 of the cleaning/disinfecting device. This control device 62 is an operation panel 6 installed on the front upper surface of the cleaning/disinfecting device main body 23.
Connected to 3. By operating the operation panel 63 and setting the cleaning and disinfection time etc. in the control device 62, the cleaning and disinfection device main body 23 automatically performs cleaning and disinfection according to a preset program. It is supposed to be done.

Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows the connected state of the air and water supply tube 75 disposed within the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 5(A). The connecting end of the air/water supply tube 75 on the operation unit 3 side is connected to the downstream ends of the air supply pipe 5 and the water supply pipe 6 via a piping connector 71, respectively.

This piping connector 71 is provided with a pair of tube connecting portions 72 and 73 on the upstream side and a single tube connecting portion 74 on the downstream side. In this case, the pipe diameters of the tube connection parts 72 and 73 on the upstream side of the piping connector 71 are formed to be smaller than the pipe diameter D1 of the air supply pipe line 5 and the water supply pipe line 6, and the tube connection parts on the downstream side The pipe diameter of the portion 74 is larger than the pipe diameter D2 of the air/water supply tube 75. At the downstream ends of the air supply pipe line 5 and the water supply pipe line 6, there are tube connection parts 72 and 7 on the upstream side of the piping connector 71.
3 is inserted and connected, and the air and water supply tube 75
The upstream end of the tube is inserted into and connected to the downstream tube connecting portion 74.

[0035] Therefore, the air supply pipe line 5 and the water supply pipe line 6
The end faces 72a, 73a of the upstream tube connecting portions 72, 73 of the piping fitting 71 exposed in the flow path, and the inside of the flow path of the downstream tube connecting portion 74 of the piping fitting 71. Since the upstream end surfaces 75a of the air and water supply tubes 75 exposed to When the cleaning brush is inserted from the side, dirt adhering to the vicinity of each exposed end surface 72a, 73a, 75a can be reliably removed, and the brushing operation of the cleaning brush can be facilitated.

Furthermore, an air/water supply hole 77 is formed in the main body 76 of the distal end component disposed at the distal end of the insertion section 2. Recessed mounting grooves are formed on the upstream and downstream sides of the air and water supply hole 77, respectively. One end of a metal connecting cap 78 is located in the upstream installation groove of the air and water supply hole 77, and a base end of a nozzle tube 79 forming the air and water nozzle 7 is located in the downstream installation groove. are fixed in the inserted state. In this case, the pipe diameter D3 of the connecting cap 78 is smaller than the pipe diameter D2 of the air/water supply tube 75. The upstream end of the connecting cap 78 is inserted into and connected to the downstream end of the air/water supply tube 75.

Therefore, in this case as well, the end face 78a of the upstream end of the connecting cap 78 exposed in the flow path of the air/water supply tube 75 is directed toward the suction cylinder 19a side of the suction switching valve 19. Since the brushes can be arranged in the same position, when the cleaning brush is inserted from the suction cylinder 19a side of the suction switching valve 19, the dirt attached to the vicinity of the end surface 78a at the upstream end of the connection cap 78 can be removed without fail. It can be removed and the brushing work of the cleaning brush can be facilitated. Furthermore, the pipe diameter D1 of the upstream air supply pipe 5 and the water supply pipe 6, and the pipe diameter D of the air and water supply tube 75.
2 and the pipe diameter D3 of the downstream connecting cap 78 is set to D1
>D2 >D3

[0038] Since the diameter of the pipe can be gradually reduced from the upstream side to the downstream side, the water pressure of the cleaning water flowing inside this pipe can be gradually increased, and the cleaning effect can be improved. It is possible to improve the

Further, as shown in FIG. 5(B), a ring-shaped step 81 for attaching a ring-shaped tip cover is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tip component main body 76 on the tip side. A substantially cylindrical tip cover 82 made of, for example, a plastic material is attached to the tip cover mounting step 81. As shown in FIG. In this case, an engagement protrusion 83 is provided protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the tip cover attachment step 81. A recess that removably engages with the engaging protrusion 83 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the tip cover 82, and the tip cover 82 is connected to the tip component through these concave and convex fitting portions. Tip cover mounting step part 8 of main body 76
1 is removably attached.

Further, a protrusion 84 bent inward is provided at the open end of the distal end cover 82 on the distal end side. Furthermore, the nozzle tube 79 of the air/water supply nozzle 7
is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber or vinyl chloride. In this case, the tip of the nozzle tube 79 is provided to protrude forward from the front surface of the tip component main body 76. Then, the tip cover 82 is attached to the tip component main body 76.
When the nozzle tube 79 is attached to the tip cover 82, the protruding portion 84 of the tip cover 82 bends the protruding portion of the nozzle tube 79 toward the observation window 85 disposed approximately at the center of the front surface of the tip component body 76. It has become.

[0041] Therefore, the air/water supply nozzle 7 having the above configuration
In this case, by removing the tip cover 82 from the tip component main body 76, the nozzle tube 79 can be easily transformed into a straight shape. Therefore, cleaning work of the air/water supply nozzle 7 can be facilitated. Furthermore, a concave mounting groove is formed on the downstream side of the air and water supply hole 77, and the base end of the nozzle tube 79 forms the air and water supply nozzle 7 in the mounting groove on the downstream side of the air and water supply hole 77. Since it is fixed in the inserted state, the air/water supply nozzle 7 and the air/water supply hole 7
There is no fear that a step will be formed at the connection part between the air and water supply nozzle 7 and the air and water supply hole 77, and it is possible to prevent dirt from accumulating at the connection part between the air and water supply nozzle 7 and the air and water supply hole 77.

It should be noted that the front surface of the tip component main body 76 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, an illumination window 86 is arranged around the observation window 85. Furthermore, an image guide 88 formed of, for example, an optical fiber is connected to the observation window 85 via an optical system 87.
The input end faces of the light guide 89 are arranged to face each other, and the output end face of a light guide 89 formed by an optical fiber is arranged to face the illumination window 86.

Next, the cleaning and disinfecting operation of the endoscope 1 using the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus having the above configuration will be explained with reference to Table 1 below. In Table 1, A indicates a state in which the first and second liquid feeding caps 37 and 38 are accommodated in predetermined accommodation positions inside the pipe cleaning cap holder 34, and B indicates a state in which the first and second liquid feeding caps 37 and 38 are housed in predetermined accommodation positions inside the pipe cleaning cap holder 34. A state in which the O-rings 39, 40 of the liquid feeding caps 37, 38 are held in the disconnected position from the cylinder caps 32, 33, C
are the O-rings 39, 4 of the first and second liquid feeding caps 37, 38.
0 is inserted into the regular pipe cleaning position in the cylinder caps 32, 33, and the cylinder caps 32, 33 of the endoscope 1 and the first,
The first and second liquid feeding caps are sealed watertight between the outer peripheral surfaces of the second liquid feeding caps 37 and 38 and the inner peripheral surfaces of the cylinder caps 32 and 33 of the endoscope 1. 37 and 38, respectively.

[0044]

[Table 1]

First, the cleaning tank cover 25 of the cleaning and disinfecting device main body 23 is opened, and the used endoscope 1 is placed on the shelf 31 of the cleaning tank 24. Further, the cylinder caps 32 and 33 of the operating section 3 of the endoscope 1 are locked in the locking holes 35a and 35b of the endoscope connecting portion 35 in the channel cleaning cap holder 34 (endoscope set). In this case, the pipe cleaning cap holder 34
The first and second liquid feeding caps 37 and 38 are held at the A position.

Furthermore, in this state, the main body 23 of the cleaning and disinfecting device
The start button provided on the operation panel 63 is pressed (start switch on). With this operation, the drive motor 29, the drive motor 43, and the cleaning pump 5
5. When the drain pump 60 is driven, the first electromagnetic valve 56 connects the cleaning water tank 51 side, the rotary injection nozzles 26, 27 of the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28, and the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37, 38. At the same time, the second electromagnetic valve 59 is switched to a state where the drain port 58 side of the cleaning tank 24 and the drain pump 60 side are communicated with each other.

The rotary member 42 is rotationally driven by the drive motor 43, for example, in the forward rotation direction. Furthermore, in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member 42, the first and second liquid feeding caps 37, 38 are moved downward in FIG. Predetermined insertion position C
will be inserted until At this time, the cylinder base 3 of the endoscope 1
2, 33, the outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second liquid feeding caps 37, 38, and the inner circumferential surfaces of the cylinder caps 32, 33 of the endoscope 1.
It is held in a watertight state by rings 39 and 40.

Further, as the cleaning pump 55 is driven, the cleaning water in the cleaning water tank 51 is supplied to the rotary injection nozzles 26 and 27 of the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28 and the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37 and 38. be done. Therefore, the outer surface of the endoscope 1 is cleaned by the cleaning water jetted from the rotary jetting nozzles 26 and 27 of the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28, and the cleaning water jetted from the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37 and 38. Cleaning water is introduced into the duct of the endoscope 1, and the inside of this duct is cleaned (cleaning work). In addition, at this time, the endoscope 1
The cleaning water used for cleaning is pumped by the drain pump 60 from the drain port 58 of the cleaning tank 24 to the water distribution pipe 61 side, and is drained to the outside (drainage work).

[0049] Furthermore, when the cleaning work has finished for a set period of time, the driving of the cleaning pump 55 is stopped, the disinfectant pump 57 is driven, and the first electromagnetic valve 56 is closed to the disinfectant tank. 52 side and the rotary injection nozzles 26, 27 of the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28 and the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37, 38 side, and the second solenoid valve 59 is switched to the state where the water is discharged. The state changes to the state where the mouth 58 is closed.

In this state, the disinfectant in the disinfectant tank 52 flows through the rotary injection nozzles 26, 27 of the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28 and the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37, 38.
Supplied on the side. Therefore, the outer surface of the endoscope 1 is disinfected by the disinfectant liquid sprayed from the rotary spray nozzles 26 and 27 of the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28, and the first
, the disinfectant liquid injected from the second liquid feeding caps 37 and 38 is introduced into the duct of the endoscope 1, and the inside of this duct is disinfected (
disinfection work).

Furthermore, since the drain port 58 is closed during the disinfection process, the rotary injection nozzles 26, 2
7 and the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37 and 38 are used to disinfect the outer surface of the endoscope 1 and the inside of the duct of the endoscope 1, and then are cleaned. It is stored in the tank 24. Then, when the disinfectant accumulated in the cleaning tank 24 reaches a predetermined amount and the entire endoscope 1 is immersed in the disinfectant in the cleaning tank 24 (disinfection immersion), the disinfectant pump 5
7 is stopped, and the rotating member 42 is rotated, for example, in the reverse rotation direction by the drive motor 43 of the moving operation mechanism 41. As the rotating member 42 rotates, the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37 and 38 are moved upward in FIG. 1 to position B.

At this B position, the first and second liquid feeding caps 37
, 38, the O-rings 39, 40 are connected to the cylinder caps 32, 33.
Since the first and second liquid feeding caps 37, 38 and the cylinder caps 32, 33 are separated from each other, a gap is formed between the first and second liquid feeding caps 37, 38 and the cylinder caps 32, 33. 3
The disinfectant solution in the cleaning tank 24 enters into the gap between liquid feeding caps 37, 38
and the cylinder caps 32, 33) are disinfected.

Furthermore, when this disinfection immersion work has finished for a set time, the second solenoid valve 59 closes the cleaning tank 2.
A switching operation is performed to establish communication between the drain port 58 of No. 4 and the disinfectant tank 52, and the disinfectant in the cleaning tank 24 is returned to the disinfectant tank 52 (disinfectant returning operation).

When this disinfectant returning operation is completed, the cleaning pump 55 is driven and the cleaning water in the cleaning water tank 51 is supplied to the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 2 in substantially the same way as the cleaning operation described above.
The endoscope 1 is supplied to the rotary jet nozzles 26, 27 and the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37, 38 of the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28 by the cleaning water jetted from the rotary jet nozzles 26, 27 of the cleaning water supply nozzle unit 28. A rinsing operation in which the outer surface of the endoscope 1 is cleaned, and cleaning water jetted from the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37 and 38 is introduced into the duct of the endoscope 1 to clean the inside of the duct. will be carried out. At this time, the cleaning water used for cleaning the endoscope 1 is pumped into the cleaning tank 24 by the drain pump 60.
The water is forced into the water pipe 61 through the drain port 58 and drained outside (drainage work).

[0055] When the rinsing and draining operations are completed, the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37 and 38 are returned to the A position, and the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37 and 38 are used for pipe cleaning. It is accommodated in a predetermined accommodation position inside the cap holder 34 . When the first and second liquid feeding caps 37 and 38 are returned to the A position, the drive motor 43 of the moving operation mechanism 41 is stopped (stopped), and the endoscope 1 is cleaned and disinfected. The work is finished.

Therefore, in the above structure, the first and second liquid feeding caps 37 and 38 of the pipe cleaning cap holder 34 are connected to the cylinder caps 32 and 33 of the endoscope 1 in the cleaning tank 24. Connection position and cylinder mouthpiece 32 spaced apart from this connection position
, 33 is provided, so that when cleaning or disinfecting the internal pipes of the endoscope 1, the cleaning water or disinfectant solution in the cleaning tank 24 is removed. With the endoscope 1 immersed in the liquid, the first and second liquid feeding caps 37
, 38 from the connection position with the cylinder mouthpieces 32, 33 on the endoscope 1 side to the distant connection release position with the cylinder mouthpieces 32, 33, the cylinder mouthpieces of each conduit on the endoscope 1 side are removed. 32, 33 and pipe cleaning cap holder 34
The contact portions with the first and second liquid feeding mouthpieces 37 and 38 can be exposed in the cleaning tank 24. Therefore, conventionally,
The cylinder caps 32 and 33 of each conduit on the endoscope 1 side and the first and second liquid feeding caps 37 and 38 of the conduit cleaning cap holder 34 were not able to perform cleaning, disinfection, etc. By bringing the contact portion into contact with the liquid in the cleaning tank 24, cleaning, disinfection, etc. can be easily performed, so cleaning, disinfection, etc. of the outer surface of the endoscope 1 and all internal pipes can be performed easily. can be done reliably.

FIG. 8 shows a first modification of the distal end of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1. As shown in FIG. This includes a male-threaded tip cover mounting screw portion 91 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the proximal side of the tip component body 76, and a substantially cylindrical tip cover 92 made of, for example, a transparent plastic material. A screw hole portion 93 is provided in the threaded portion 91 to screw the tip cover 92 onto the tip component main body 76, and the tip portion of the tip cover 92 is bent inward. A protrusion 94 is provided all around the circumference. Therefore, in this case as well, the endoscope 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. 5(B)
Almost the same effect can be obtained.

Furthermore, FIGS. 9A to 9F show a second modification of the distal end of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1. In FIGS. This includes a disposable tip cover 10 attached to the tip component body 76.
1 is installed.

In this case, the distal end component main body 76 of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1 has a substantially ring-shaped step portion 102 for attaching the distal end cover on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end, as shown in FIG. 9(B). is formed. A tip cover fixing groove 103 is formed in this mounting step portion 102 .

[0060] Furthermore, an observation window 104 is disposed approximately in the center of the front surface of the tip component main body 76, and this observation window 104
A pair of illumination windows 105 , 105 , a forceps insertion channel 106 , and an air/water supply nozzle 107 are arranged around the .

Furthermore, the tip cover 101 is shown in FIG.
), the observation window 104 of the tip component body 76,
Illumination windows 105 , 105 , forceps insertion channel 106
, openings 108 , 109 , 109 through which these are inserted at positions facing the air and water nozzles 107 , respectively.
, 110 and 111 are formed, respectively, and a notch 112 for inserting a destructive tool is formed at the edge of the cylindrical portion 101a of the tip cover 101.

[0062] Also, the cylindrical portion 101a of the tip cover 101
The tip cover fixing groove 1 of the tip component main body 76 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the tip component body 76.
03 is provided with a protruding hook 113 that fits inside. The hooks 113 are arranged along the axial direction of the tip component main body 76 so as to be parallel to the notches 112. Further, a pair of destruction guide grooves 114 and 114 are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 101a of the tip cover 101, one end of which is connected to the notch 112. The other ends of these destruction guide grooves 114 , 114 pass through both sides of the hook 113 and the opening 111 for insertion of the air/water supply nozzle 107 and extend to a position near the opening 108 for insertion of the observation window 104 . ing.

When assembling the endoscope 1, the cylindrical portion 101a of the tip cover 101 is inserted into the mounting step 102 of the tip component body 76, and is inserted into the tip cover fixing groove 103 of the tip component body 76. Tip cover 10
This tip cover 101 is fixed to the tip structure main body 76 in a state where the hook 113 of No. 1 is fitted.

[0064] Also, after using the endoscope 1, remove this tip cover.
101 is removed from the tip component body 76. When removing the tip cover 101, the notch 1 of the cylindrical portion 101a of the tip cover 101 is
With a destructive tool 115, such as a screwdriver, inserted into 12, the tool 115 is tilted in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. As a result, as shown in FIG.
The hook 113 and the opening 111 for passing through the air and water nozzle 107 are destroyed along the peripheral edge part 116.
is separated from the main body of the tip cover 101. Therefore, the tip cover 101 can be easily removed from the tip component main body 76.

Therefore, with the above configuration, a new tip cover 101 is always attached to the tip component main body 76 during inspection using the endoscope 1, and after the inspection using the endoscope 1 is completed, the distal end cover 101 is used. The tip cover 101 can be removed from the tip component body 76 and discarded. Therefore, when inspecting with the endoscope 1 as in the past, the tip cover 10
1. To prevent problems such as dirt from adhering to the scratched part or the material of the tip cover 101 deteriorating over time due to hydrolysis and poor drainage performance when the tip cover 101 is scratched. Can be done.

FIGS. 10A to 10G show a third modification of the distal end of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1. This is the same as the disposable tip cover 101 shown in FIG.
As shown in C), an air/water supply nozzle 121 is integrally provided. In this case, an air/water supply hole 122 connected to the base end side of the air/water supply nozzle 121 is formed in the tip component main body 76, as shown in FIG. 10(B).

Furthermore, a seal member 123 such as an O-ring is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the base end of the air/water supply nozzle 121, as shown in FIGS. 10(D) and (E). Then, with the tip cover 101 fixed to the tip component body 76, a seal member 123 is formed between the base end of the air/water nozzle 121 and the air/water supply hole 122 of the tip component body 76.
It is designed to be watertightly connected.

Therefore, with the above structure, the same effect as that of the disposable tip cover 101 shown in FIG. 9 can be obtained, and in this case, especially the tip cover 10
1 from the tip component body 76, the air/water supply nozzle 121 is also removed from the tip component body 76 together with the tip cover 101, so that the air/water supply hole of the tip component body 76 is removed. 122 can be made easier to clean by brushing.

Furthermore, FIGS. 11 to 13 show a fourth modification of the distal end of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1. FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the disposable tip cover 101 in FIG. 13.
As shown in (B), the tip cover 101 is divided into two parts from approximately the center. In this case, the length L of the air/water supply tube 131a of the tip cover 101 is set to approximately 15 cm or more. Further, a tip cover 101 is provided on the front surface of the tip component main body 76.
An insertion hole 132 through which the air/water supply tube 131a is inserted.
, and a pair of tip cover fixing grooves 133 , 133 are formed in the step portion 102 for attaching the tip cover of the tip component main body 76 . These fixing grooves 133 , 133 are arranged at positions separated by approximately 180° on the circumferential surface of the step portion 102 .

Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 1 of this tip cover 101
A pair of notches 134 and 134 for inserting a destructive tool are formed at the edge of the 01a. Furthermore, hooks 135 , 135 that fit into the tip cover fixing grooves 133 , 133 of the tip component body 76 are protrudingly provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 101 a of the tip cover 101 . These hooks 135, 135 are arranged in parallel in the notches 134, 134 along the axial direction of the tip component main body 76. Furthermore, this tip cover 101
As shown in FIG. 11(D), a pair of destruction guide grooves 136 1 and 136 1 are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 101a, one end of which is connected to each notch 134 . The other end side of these destruction guide grooves 136, 136 is the observation window 1
04 extends to a position near the opening 108 for insertion.

In addition, the insertion hole 132 of the tip component main body 76
The distal end of the connecting pipe 141 is fixed to. At the base end of this connecting pipe 141 is an exterior tube 14.
The two tips are connected. This exterior tube 14
2 is connected to the downstream end of the air/water supply tube 75 via the connection cap 143.

A large-diameter O-ring mounting portion 144 is formed between the upstream connecting end 143a and the downstream connecting end 143b of the connecting cap 143, and the O-ring is mounted inside the O-ring mounting portion 144. 145 is installed.

When assembling the endoscope 1, the air and water supply tube 131a of the tip cover 101 is inserted into the insertion hole 132 of the tip component body 76, and the cylindrical portion 101a of the tip cover 101 is inserted into the insertion hole 132 of the tip component body 76. is inserted into the mounting step 102 of the tip component body 76, and the hooks 135, 135 of the tip cover 101 are fitted into the tip cover fixing grooves 133, 133 of the tip component body 76. The tip cover 101 is the tip component main body 76
Fixed. In this case, the tip of the air and water supply tube 131a is connected to the connection pipe 141 and the exterior tube 142.
With the distal end cover 101 mounted at a predetermined mounting position on the distal end component main body 76, the distal end cover 101 is inserted into the connecting cap 143 as shown in FIG.
Watertightly sealed by an O-ring 145 inside.

[0074] Also, after using the endoscope 1, remove this tip cover.
101 is removed from the tip component body 76. When removing the tip cover 101, as shown in FIG. 13(A), a destructive tool such as a screwdriver, etc.
With the tools 115 and 15 inserted, tilt the tool 115 in the direction shown by the arrow in the figure. As a result, Figure 13 (
As shown in B), the tip cover 101 is divided into two parts along the destruction guide grooves 136, 136, and the lower half part 151
is separated from the main body of the tip cover 101. Therefore, the tip cover 101 can be easily removed from the tip component main body 76.

Therefore, even with the above configuration, FIG.
It is possible to obtain the same effect as the disposable type tip cover 101, and in this case, especially the tip cover 1
The length L of the air/water supply tube 131a of 01 is approximately 1
Since it is set to about 5 cm or more, when the inside of the body cavity is inflated during endoscopy, the backflow of dirt in the body cavity due to the pressure inside the body cavity can be stopped only within this air and water supply tube 131a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dirt in the body cavity from flowing into the air/water supply tube 75 side of the endoscope 1. The work of brushing and cleaning the water pipe can be facilitated. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0076]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
The connection position of the pipe cleaning section, which supplies cleaning liquid etc. into the endoscope pipe to clean it, with the cap mounting part of the endoscope pipe, and the disconnection position with the cap mounting part separated from this connection position. Since we have provided a moving operation means for moving between the endoscope and the pipes, cleaning and disinfection cannot be performed on the areas where the fitting parts of each pipe line on the endoscope side and the pipe cleaning part come in contact with each other. It is possible to easily perform cleaning, disinfection, etc. on the exposed parts, and it is possible to reliably perform cleaning, disinfection, etc. on the outer surface of the endoscope and all internal pipes.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the main parts of an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall schematic configuration diagram showing the piping state of the internal conduit of the endoscope.

[Fig. 3] A schematic configuration diagram of the entire endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the endoscope installed in the cleaning tank.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of an endoscope, in which (A) is an overall perspective view and (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the distal end of the insertion section.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main parts showing the connected state of the air and water supply tubes of the endoscope.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main parts of a first modified example of the distal end of the insertion section of the endoscope.

FIG. 9 shows a second modified example of the distal end of the insertion section of the endoscope, and FIG. 9(A) is a perspective view of the main part showing a state in which the distal end cover is attached. (B) is a perspective view of the main parts showing the tip component main body before the tip cover is attached, (C) is a perspective view showing the tip cover,
(D) is a perspective view showing the engagement claw part of the tip cover, (E) is a perspective view of the main part to explain the removal work of the tip cover, and (F) is a perspective view of the tip cover removed from the main body. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the tip cover.

FIG. 10 shows a third modification of the distal end of the insertion section of the endoscope, and FIG. 10(A) is a perspective view of the main part showing a state in which the distal end cover is attached. (B) is a perspective view of the main parts of the tip component main body before the tip cover is attached, (C) is a perspective view of the tip cover, and (D) is a perspective view of the engagement claw of the tip cover. Figure, (E)
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the tip cover, FIG. 3F is a perspective view of essential parts for explaining the removal operation of the tip cover, and FIG. 3G is a perspective view showing the tip cover removed from the tip structure body.

FIG. 11 shows a fourth modification of the distal end of the insertion section of the endoscope, and FIG. 11(A) is a perspective view of the main parts showing a state in which the distal end cover is attached. (B) is a perspective view of the main parts of the tip component main body before the tip cover is attached, (C) is a perspective view of the tip cover, and (D) is a perspective view of the engagement claw of the tip cover. figure.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main parts of the tip structure body with the tip cover attached.

[Fig. 13] This figure is for explaining the cleaning work of the air and water supply tube of the endoscope. (A) is a perspective view of the main part to explain the work of removing the tip cover, and (B) is a perspective view of the main part. A perspective view showing the tip cover removed from the tip component main body, (C
) is a vertical sectional view of the main part showing the cleaning brush insertion process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1... Endoscope, 24... Cleaning tank, 31... Mounting shelf (holding part),
32, 33... Cylinder cap (cap mounting part), 37... First liquid feeding cap (pipe cleaning part), 38... Second liquid feeding cap (
pipe cleaning section), 41...movement operation mechanism (movement operation means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope holding part is provided in a cleaning tank, and is connected to a base attachment part of a conduit of the endoscope, and is configured to supply a cleaning liquid or the like into the conduit of the endoscope. In an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device equipped with a cleaning pipe cleaning section,
An endoscopic view characterized in that a moving operation means is provided for moving the conduit cleaning section between a connection position with the cap mounting section and a disconnection position with the cap mounting section spaced apart from the connection position. Mirror cleaning disinfection device.