JPH10309254A - Endoscope cleaning and disinfecting equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform an operator of insufficient sterilization of the inside of a system to prevent progress of contamination in the system, by giving the operator a warning to select a mode to securely perform sterilization of the system inside when the operator selected a mode to insufficiently sterilize the system inside. SOLUTION: When an operator presses a starting switch 53 on a setting panel to select a process of cleaning alone, a lamp for system sterilization recognition display 57 is lit ON and simultaneously the progress of the process is stopped. A lighting display of the system sterilization recognition display 57 informs the operator that system sterilization is not carried out even if the process is proceeded and warns the operator that the operator have to set again. The process is proceeded by pressing the starting switch again in that condition. When the operator sets the cleaning process and the sterilizing process again on the setting panel as the system sterilization recognition display 57 is lit on and presses the starting switch 53, the cleaning process and the sterilizing process are carried out. It is also allowed to make the process not be proceeded unless the operator sets again.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope is used by being inserted into a body cavity for the purpose of examining and treating the inside of the body cavity, so that it is necessary to wash and disinfect the endoscope after use. When cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope,
An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-28669 is used. The work flow of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus is divided into a cleaning step and a disinfecting step. In the cleaning step, the endoscope is cleaned by supplying cleaning water from a water supply tank provided in the apparatus to the cleaning tank through a water supply line. Also,
In the disinfecting step, disinfecting is performed by injecting a disinfecting solution into the cleaning tank and immersing the endoscope in the disinfecting solution.

Generally, in an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, water is left in a cleaning system unit such as a water supply tank or a water supply line after all the steps of cleaning and disinfecting are completed. If left as it is for a long time, there is a possibility that various bacteria may propagate. Then, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
The endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 8456 has a so-called in-device disinfecting function for removing and disinfecting water in a water supply tank and a water supply conduit. This in-apparatus disinfection function determines whether or not to perform disinfection based on the on / off time of the power switch or a dirt sensor, notifies the user, and if the user manually selects the in-apparatus disinfection process mode, the in-apparatus disinfection process is performed. Is what you do.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

(Problems of the prior art) However, the above-mentioned conventional method of disinfection in the apparatus automatically circulates a disinfectant in the water supply system which may contaminate the inside of the apparatus in synchronization with the disinfection process. Not suitable for disinfection. In other words, the user may select and execute only the cleaning step or set a short disinfection time, but in such a case, the disinfection in the apparatus may not be performed satisfactorily,
It was not possible to prevent the progress of contamination in the apparatus beforehand, and in the case of contamination, the notification of disinfection did not disappear, and there was a risk of confusion in use.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus which can prevent the progress of contamination in the apparatus and which is easy to use. To provide.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for disinfecting the inside of an apparatus in normal use in synchronization with an endoscope disinfecting step. If a use mode in which the inside is not disinfected satisfactorily is selected, a function is provided to notify the operator to select a use mode in which the inside of the device is surely disinfected, so as to prevent the progress of contamination in the device. It was made.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a cleaning tank in which an endoscope 2 is installed. A lid 3 is provided at an opening of the cleaning tank 1. A diaphragm 5 provided with, for example, a Langevin type ultrasonic vibrator 4 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 1. The vibrating plate 5 vibrates by oscillating the ultrasonic vibrator 4 to apply ultrasonic vibration to the endoscope 2 immersed in the cleaning solution in the cleaning tank 1 to ultrasonically clean the endoscope 2. It has become. The washing tank 1 is provided with a tower 6 located at the center thereof, and the tower 6 reduces the amount of washing water and disinfectant to be put into the washing tank 1. Inside the tower 6, a heater 7 for heating and keeping the liquid in the washing tank 1 is provided. The tower 6 is provided with a nozzle 8 for cleaning the ceiling surface facing upward. The endoscope 2 is installed in a crawling shape around the tower 6, and in particular, the operation unit 2 a is installed so as to be raised or moved up and down periodically by an endoscope holding unit (endoscope elevating means) 9. ing.

An inlet 10, a channel connection 11, and a water leak detection connection 12 are provided on the inner wall surface of the cleaning tank 1 at a relatively upper position, and a flowing liquid jet 13 is provided at a relatively lower position. Is provided. A circulating fluid suction port 14 and a drain port 15 are provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 1.

A water supply system (liquid supply system) 16 for injecting cleaning water as a cleaning liquid into the cleaning tank 1 is connected to the inlet 10. The water supply system 16 has a water supply pipe 17 connected to the inlet 10. A check valve 18, a water supply filter 19, and an electromagnetic water supply valve 20 are interposed in the middle of the water supply pipe 17. The inflow end of the pipe 17 is connected to a water absorption source, for example, a water tap 21. Then, by opening the faucet 21 and further opening the electromagnetic water supply valve 20, tap water is injected into the washing tank 1 as washing water.

The main body of the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus is provided with a cleaning system unit A having a cleaning pipe 22 in a scope pipe and a cleaning pipe 23 for flowing liquid. Pipes 22 and 2 of cleaning system unit A
The suction side 3 is connected to the circulating fluid suction port 14 at the bottom of the cleaning tank 1.

A flowing liquid washing pump 24 is provided in the flowing liquid washing pipe 23. Then, a high-pressure cleaning liquid is jetted from the flowing liquid jet port 13 into the cleaning tank 1, whereby a circulation of the cleaning liquid is formed in the cleaning tank 1 to wash the endoscope 2 with the liquid flow. . Since the high-pressure water is jetted from the flowing liquid jet port 13, the object to be cleaned and its portion located near the high-pressure water are washed very well.

A pump 25 for cleaning the inside of the scope pipeline and a check valve 26 are provided in the middle of the pipeline 22 for cleaning the inside of the scope pipeline. The cleaning line 2 in the scope line ahead of this
The other end of 2 is branched into a conduit 29 and a conduit 30 via electromagnetic on-off valves 27 and 28, respectively. One conduit 29 is connected to the channel connection port 11, and the other conduit 30 is connected to the ceiling. It is connected to a nozzle 8 for surface cleaning.

In the cleaning tank 1, an endoscope channel cleaning tube 31 is connected to the channel connection port 11,
The other end of the tube 31 is connected to a channel opening provided in the operation section 2a of the endoscope 2. Through this, the washing water is supplied into the channel of the endoscope 2. Further, the cleaning pipe 2 in the scope pipe is used.
An air supply pipe 33 is connected to the middle of 2 via a check valve 32. A compressor 34 is provided in the air supply pipe 33. Then, the endoscope channel cleaning tube 31 is connected from the channel connection port 11 through the channel 29.
Through the channel of the endoscope through the
Through the nozzle 8 for cleaning the ceiling surface, and removes water therefrom.

A flowing liquid washing pump 24 is provided in the flowing liquid washing pipe 23. Then, a high-pressure washing liquid is jetted from the flowing liquid jet port 13 into the washing tank 1, thereby forming a circulation of the washing liquid in the washing tank 1 to constitute a liquid washing system for washing the endoscope 2. I have. Since the high-pressure water is jetted from the flowing liquid jet port 13, the object to be cleaned and its portion located near the high-pressure water are washed very well.

On the other hand, a drain valve 15 is provided with an electromagnetic switching valve 3.
The disinfection conduit 37 and the discharge conduit 38 are connected via 6. The switching valve 36 has a position connected to the disinfecting conduit 37, a position connected to the drain conduit 38, and a position for stopping drainage, and a switching operation is performed by a control device (not shown).

A disinfecting tank 41 is inserted in the middle of the disinfecting pipe 37, and an injecting disinfecting pump 42 is inserted upstream of the disinfecting tank 41. Disinfection pipeline 3
The outflow end of 7 is connected to the inlet 10 through a check valve 43. Further, a disinfecting system unit B for injecting a disinfecting solution into the cleaning tank 1 is configured.

In the middle of the discharge line 38, a drain pump 4 is provided.
4 are provided. The distal end of the discharge line 38 is guided to the outside of the apparatus. The water leak detection connection port 12 is connected to an air pump 46 via a water leak detection pipe 45, and the water leak detection connection port 12 is connected to a water leak detection tube 47 of the endoscope 2 with a water leak detection tube 47. Air is fed into the endoscope 2 immersed in the water storage, and water leakage is detected by the presence or absence of air bubbles.

FIG. 2 shows an operation panel 51 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. The operation panel 51 displays a cleaning / disinfecting process display 5.
2. Start switch 53, stop switch 54, remaining time display 55, disinfectant temperature display 56, disinfection confirmation display 5 in the apparatus
7, water leak detection switch 58, manual air supply switch 5
9. Disinfectant heating switch 60, water supply switch 61 and the like are additionally provided.

The washing / disinfecting process display 52 is a setting panel (not shown) that displays the washing time and the disinfecting time set by the user, and also displays the current process in a blinking manner. The start switch 53 is a switch for starting the process, and the stop switch 54 is a switch for stopping the process halfway. The remaining time display 55 displays the remaining time of the process. Disinfectant temperature display 56 indicates cleaning tank 1
The current temperature of the disinfectant is displayed. The in-apparatus disinfection confirmation display 57 is a warning lamp that lights when the in-apparatus disinfection is not performed satisfactorily. The water leakage detection switch 58 is an operation start switch for starting a water leakage detection process. The manual air supply switch 59 is an operation switch for removing water in the endoscope conduit or discharging the cleaning water or the chemical solution in the cleaning tank 1. The disinfectant heating switch 60 is a switch for preheating the disinfectant. The water supply switch 61 is a switch for supplying water to the cleaning tank 1, and when the user replaces the element of the water supply filter 19,
This switch is used for checking whether there is any water leakage due to the reliable replacement work and for rinsing the inside of the cleaning tank 1.

Next, the function and operation of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus will be described. First, when using the cleaning disinfecting apparatus, the used endoscope 2 is set in the cleaning tank 1, and the water leakage detection connection port 12 and the water leakage detection base 48 on the endoscope 2 side are connected by the water leakage detection tube 47. connect. Thereafter, when the electromagnetic water supply valve 20 of the water supply system 16 is opened by pressing the water leakage detection switch 58, the cleaning water from the faucet 21 is supplied into the cleaning tank 1 from the inlet 10 through the water supply filter 19 and the water supply pipe 17. . When a certain amount of water is supplied into the cleaning tank 1, the air pump 46 operates and the water leakage detection pipe 45
And air is sent into the endoscope 2 through the water leak detection tube 47. Here, if there is a hole such as a pinhole in the endoscope 2, air bubbles are generated from the endoscope 2, so that the air bubbles can be visually discriminated, and it can be detected that there is a leak location.

When the water leak detection is completed, the water stored in the cleaning tank 1 is discharged. Therefore, the water leak detection tube 47 is removed, and the endoscope channel cleaning tube 31 is connected to the endoscope 2 and the channel connection port 11. Connect and connect both. afterwards,
When the start switch 53 is pressed in conjunction with the operation of various operation switches on the operation panel 51, the respective steps of washing, disinfection, rinsing, and air supply are performed. The user sets the time for cleaning and disinfecting, the temperature of the disinfecting solution, and the like on a setting panel (not shown).

As an example of the operation after startup, first, in the cleaning process, the water supply valve 20 is opened, and the cleaning water from the tap water faucet 21 is supplied from the inlet 10 through the water supply filter 19 and the water supply pipe 17 to the cleaning tank 1. Supplied within. Also,
The user injects the set amount of detergent into the cleaning tank 1 before starting the process. When a certain amount of water is supplied into the washing tank 1, the flowing liquid washing is started. When the designated water level is reached, the water supply valve 20 is closed. In this flowing liquid washing step, large dirt, soft dirt, light dirt, etc. attached to the endoscope 2 are washed. That is, the dirt on the endoscope 2 is removed by the swirling liquid flow in the cleaning tank 1 or the impact force of the liquid jetted from the flowing liquid jet port 13.

In order to minimize the amount of the disinfecting solution in the subsequent disinfecting step, the endoscope 2 is wound around the tower 6 so as to have a lower height, so to speak. At the time of this liquid washing, the operating portion 2a of the endoscope 2 is raised or moved up and down periodically by the endoscope holding portion 9, so that a gap is formed in the overlapping portion of the insertion portion 2b of the endoscope 2 in the shape of a cog. In addition, the position is changed, so that strong cleaning can be reliably performed.

When the preset process time for the washing of the liquid has been completed, ultrasonic cleaning is subsequently performed. In this ultrasonic cleaning, hard dirt attached to the endoscope 2 and dirt attached to a part having a complicated shape are strongly removed.

When the ultrasonic cleaning step is completed, the flowing liquid cleaning is performed again. In this step, the dirt that has been swollen and peeled off from the endoscope 2 is removed by ultrasonic cleaning. When these washing steps are completed, the pipeline switching valve 36 is switched to the drain side and opened, and at the same time, the drain pump 44 is driven, and the washing liquid in the washing tank 1 is discharged to the outside. Thereafter, the water supply valve 20 is opened again to supply new water into the cleaning tank 1, and the scope pipe line cleaning pump 25 is driven to perform rinsing. During this rinsing step, the solenoid on-off valve 27,
The process of washing the ceiling surface through the ceiling surface cleaning nozzle 8 is performed by inverting the opening and closing of 28 and sending rinsing water to the ceiling cleaning line 30.

In the latter half of the rinsing process, the pump 25 for cleaning the inside of the scope pipeline is stopped, the compressor 34 is turned on, and air is sent into the various channels of the endoscope 2 through the channel connection port 11. Then, by switching the opening and closing of the electromagnetic on-off valves 27 and 28, air is also sent to the ceiling surface cleaning nozzle 8, and the endoscope 2 and the ceiling cleaning conduit 30 are drained.

After the rinsing step is completed, a disinfection step is subsequently performed. In this disinfecting step, the disinfecting liquid in the disinfecting tank 41 is first supplied from the inlet 10 into the cleaning tank 1 through the disinfecting conduit 37 by the operation of the injecting disinfecting pump 42. Here, the check valves 18 and 43 act so that the water supply and the disinfectant do not flow back. In this way, the entire endoscope 2 is completely immersed in the disinfectant stored in the cleaning tank 1 and the disinfectant in the cleaning tank 1 is turned on by turning on the cleaning pump 25 in the scope conduit. It is supplied to the channel connection port 11 and disinfection in the channel of the endoscope 2 is also performed.

In this disinfecting step, the disinfecting solution flows through all of the cleaning pipes 22 and 23 in the scope conduit of the cleaning system unit A, so that the inside of the unit is automatically disinfected. You. That is, disinfection inside the device can be performed, and the disinfection in the device is performed in synchronization with the endoscope disinfection process.

Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the switching valve 36 opens to the collecting side, the disinfecting solution stored in the cleaning tank 1 is collected in the disinfecting tank 41, and the disinfecting step is completed. After the end of the disinfection step, the rinsing step is performed again.
After the rinsing step, the drainage of the channel of the endoscope 2 is completely performed by driving the compressor 34. After a certain period of time, the drainage pump 44 stops.

As described above, the endoscope 2 is washed and disinfected.
Here, for example, when the user selects a process of only cleaning on a setting panel (not shown), the in-apparatus disinfection as described above is not performed. If the user selects the cleaning-only process on the setting panel, it may be restricted so that it cannot be set if the setting does not perform sufficient internal disinfection, but here the following functions are provided for convenience of use. Let it.

Here, when the step of only cleaning is selected, the user is notified that disinfection in the apparatus is not performed satisfactorily in the procedure shown in FIG. When the user selects a washing-only process on the setting panel and presses the start switch 53, the lamp of the in-apparatus disinfection confirmation display 57 lights up, and at the same time, the process stops. Then, by the lighting display of the in-apparatus disinfection confirmation display 57, it is notified that the in-apparatus disinfection is not performed even if the process is continued, and a warning that the setting should be reset. When the start switch 53 is pressed again as it is, the selected process proceeds (proceeds in the flowchart of FIG. 3), but the in-apparatus disinfection confirmation display 57 remains lit. Here, when the user reselects the setting for selecting the cleaning and disinfection process on the setting panel and presses the start switch 53, the cleaning process and the disinfection process as described above are executed. The selected step may be prevented from proceeding even if is pressed (proceeds in the flowchart of FIG. 3).

It should be noted that not only when only the washing step is selected, but also when the disinfection step is selected, if there is a possibility that the disinfection in the apparatus may become insufficient due to a short disinfection time or the like, the apparatus may be installed in the apparatus. The lighting display of the disinfection confirmation display 57 is performed.

When there is a possibility that the disinfection in the apparatus may become insufficient, the set process is executed as it is, but a notification is made at the start of the next use process (the process in the next use is performed when the disinfection in the device is not performed). Notification is also made in the case of a setting that may be insufficient) or limit the process setting to the process of performing in-apparatus disinfection or advanced in-apparatus disinfection, and perform the next use process At times, disinfection in the apparatus may be performed reliably.

Further, when a process in which the in-apparatus disinfection may be insufficient is continued a predetermined number of times, the notification or the process setting may be limited. This notifying means is not limited to lamp lighting, and may be displayed by characters or symbols, for example, so as to perform a process for satisfying disinfection in the apparatus. In addition, when the notification by the buzzer is used together, the notification effect is enhanced.

The water supply switch 61 on the operation panel 51 is a switch for starting the water supply to the cleaning tank 1. When the user replaces the element of the water supply filter 19, the operation is carried out reliably, and water leakage occurs. The function is performed as follows when checking whether or not the cleaning tank 1 is used or when rinsing the inside of the cleaning tank 1. When the water supply switch 61 is pressed, water supply starts, and when the stop switch 54 is pressed, drainage / removal air supply is performed. In this case, as shown in Table 1, the drainage time (the drive time of the drainage pump 44, the running liquid cleaning pump 24, the scope channel cleaning pump 25, etc.), the water removal time, By changing the time (drive time of the compressor 34) and the like, the processing is completed in the shortest necessary time.

[0036]

[Table 1]

The function of the water supply switch 61 can be included in the water leakage detection switch 58. That is, the water leak detection switch 58 is pressed, and the stop switch
By pressing, the drainage / removal air supply is completed in the required minimum time in the same manner as described above.

In the above embodiment, the water supply system is not disinfected. However, the present invention includes a tank and a pipe of the water supply system inside the apparatus, and also includes a case of disinfecting the same. (Appendix) 1. In an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device that disinfects the inside of the device in synchronization with the endoscope disinfecting process in normal use,
An endoscope having a function of notifying an operator to select a use mode in which the inside of the device is surely disinfected when the operator selects a use mode in which the inside of the device is not disinfected satisfactorily. Cleaning and disinfection equipment. 2. The function of notifying the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of item 1 is to prompt the operator to reset the parameters if the parameters such as the disinfection time at the start of the cleaning / disinfecting are not set to satisfy the in-apparatus disinfection. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device. 3. The function of notifying the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device of the first item is to limit the setting so that the operator cannot set a parameter such as a disinfecting time to a time shorter than a minimum time for satisfying the disinfecting in the device. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus characterized in that: 4. The function of notifying the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device of the item 1 is that when the previous use of the device has not been performed in a manner that satisfies the in-apparatus disinfection, the operator is notified of the fact,
Alternatively, the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus performs the same action as in the above item 3. 5. The function of notifying the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device of the item 1 is to perform the same action as that of the item 4 when the use in the use mode that does not satisfy the disinfection in the device continues for a predetermined number of days or times. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device.

6. In the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus having a function of automatically injecting and discharging the washing water into and from the washing tank, the injection into the washing tank is started when the washing water injection button is pressed, and the button is pressed again. Stop the injection and start draining the wash water and removing water in the channel. At this time, the time until the button is pressed again is measured, and a drainage pump that operates in the drainage and water removal process in the channel according to the time,
An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus characterized by changing operation time and operation timing of a circulation pump, a compressor, and the like. 7. 7. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, if the button is not pressed again during the cleaning water injection step, the apparatus enters a water leak detection step of the endoscope tube.

In the prior arts of items 6 and 7, when checking for water leakage after replacing the filter or rinsing the dirt of the washing tank, there is no step of only supplying water. It had to be stopped halfway through, followed by a manual air supply step. For this reason, it was very troublesome work to perform the water supply process for checking and preparing the device. 6th-7th
According to the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of the item, it is possible to provide an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus with good operability that can supply water temporarily without troublesome work, increase the work efficiency of the user, and easily perform the water supply process. .

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the user is informed that disinfection in the apparatus has not been performed satisfactorily, contamination in the apparatus can be prevented from progressing without his knowledge. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing a configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a notification function in the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cleaning tank, 2 ... Endoscope, 13 ... Flowing liquid ejection port, 14 ... Circulating fluid suction port, 22 ... Cleaning pipe in scope pipe line, 23
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… Disinfection confirmation display in the device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Synchronizing with an endoscope disinfection process in normal use,
In an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device that disinfects the inside of the device, if the operator selects a use mode in which the inside of the device is not satisfactorily disinfected, the operator selects a use mode in which the inside of the device is surely disinfected. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus characterized by having a function of notifying the endoscope.