JP2007267974A - Endoscope cleaning and disinfection equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The antibacterial activity of a disinfectant for disinfecting an endoscope is prolonged.
In an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10, a cleaning tank 16 in which an endoscope is accommodated, a disinfecting liquid tank 60 in which a peracid-based disinfecting liquid 30 such as peracetic acid is stored, and a disinfecting liquid stock solution 30a. A bottle receiving part 86 to which a disinfecting liquid bottle 84 filled with a liquid is mounted, a disinfecting liquid supply path 62 and a disinfecting liquid injecting / recovering path 64 connecting the cleaning tank 16 and the disinfecting liquid tank 60, and a bottle receiving part 86 and a disinfecting liquid injection. A disinfectant injection path 82 that connects the recovery path 64 is provided. First to third pumps 70, 77, 90, second and fourth electromagnetic valves 72, 80 are provided in the middle of each disinfecting liquid passage 62, 64, 82. The liquid contact member in contact with the disinfecting liquid 30 is formed of a low-reactive material having low reactivity with the disinfecting liquid 30 such as stainless steel. Since each liquid contact member does not affect the deterioration of the disinfectant solution (stock solution) 30, the antibacterial activity duration of the disinfectant solution 30 can be made longer than before.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for cleaning / disinfecting an endoscope.

  In the medical field, medical diagnosis using an endoscope is actively performed. Endoscopes used in medical diagnosis are subjected to various treatments such as cleaning, disinfection, rinsing, and drying in the cleaning tank of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device after preliminary (primary) cleaning by nurses. Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization.

  The endoscope disinfection device is connected to the disinfectant recovery path through an electromagnetic valve, a disinfectant tank that stores disinfectant, a disinfectant supply path that connects the cleaning tank and the disinfectant tank, a disinfectant recovery path, and a solenoid valve. A drainage path, a disinfection liquid injection section having an injection port for injecting a disinfection liquid into the disinfection liquid tank, a disinfection liquid injection path connecting the injection port and the disinfection liquid recovery path via a solenoid valve, It has a disinfecting liquid supply path, a disinfecting liquid recovery path, and a liquid feed pump provided in the middle of the disinfecting liquid injection path (see Patent Document 1).

  In the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus described above, when the disinfecting process is started, the pump is operated and the disinfecting liquid is supplied from the disinfecting liquid tank into the cleaning tank through the disinfecting liquid supply path. Next, when the disinfection process is completed, the disinfecting liquid used for the disinfecting process is collected in the disinfecting liquid tank through the disinfecting liquid collection path. At this time, if the disinfecting liquid is deteriorated and its cleaning effect is lowered, the deteriorated disinfecting liquid is discharged to the outside from the external drainage port via the drainage port and the drainage path of the cleaning tank. Then, a new cleaning liquid is supplied from the disinfecting liquid injection unit to the disinfecting liquid tank through the disinfecting liquid injection path and the disinfecting liquid recovery path.

As described above, various liquid passages (liquid pipes) such as each disinfectant supply path, disinfectant recovery path, and disinfectant injection path for supplying / recovering / injecting the disinfectant to the endoscope disinfection apparatus. Pumps, solenoid valves, etc. are frequently used. In general, the members such as the liquid passage (liquid pipe), the pump, and the electromagnetic valve are made of metal. In particular, the liquid passage (liquid pipe) is often made of copper or aluminum, which is a soft-cut material, in terms of workability and cost.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-316807 (see pages 3-4, FIG. 3)

  By the way, as a disinfectant used for disinfecting treatment, peracid-based disinfectants such as peracetic acid, electrolytic acid water, and ozone water are often used. Such a peracid-based disinfectant has a strong sterilizing effect, but has a problem of high reactivity with metals. Peracid-based disinfectants react with certain metals, especially copper and copper-based metals (brass, phosphor bronze), which contain copper as the main component, and the chemical components are decomposed, resulting in antibacterial activity (peroxide It has been confirmed that the acid concentration decreases (see FIG. 5). As described above, members made of copper-based metal are frequently used in endoscope disinfection devices. For this reason, even if a disinfectant having a high antibacterial activity (bactericidal effect) is used, the antibacterial activity is reduced by the deterioration of the disinfectant in contact with the copper-based metal. As a result, there has been a problem that the number of replacements of the disinfectant increases and the running cost increases.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus capable of extending the duration of antibacterial activity of a disinfecting solution as compared with the prior art.

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope, wherein a peracid-based disinfecting solution is used for disinfecting the endoscope, and at least the liquid contact member in contact with the disinfecting solution The surface is formed of a low-reactivity material having low reactivity with the disinfecting solution.

  It is preferable that the liquid contact member is formed of the low reactivity material. The liquid contact member is preferably formed of a highly reactive material having high reactivity with the disinfectant, and the liquid contact surface is preferably coated with the low reactivity material.

  The low-reactivity material is preferably stainless steel, titanium, Teflon (registered trademark), polyacetal, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyurethane, silicon rubber, or polysilazane. Moreover, it is preferable that the said highly reactive material is a copper-type metal which has copper or copper as a main component.

  The liquid contact member includes a cleaning tank in which the endoscope to be cleaned and disinfected is set, a disinfecting liquid tank in which the disinfecting liquid is stored, and an inlet for injecting the disinfecting liquid into the disinfecting liquid tank. At least one of a disinfecting liquid injection unit, a cleaning tank or a disinfecting liquid passage connecting the poisoning liquid injection unit and the disinfecting liquid tank, a liquid feeding pump provided in the middle of the disinfecting liquid passage, and an on-off valve. Preferably there is.

  The endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to the present invention has a low reaction at least on the liquid contact surface of a liquid contact member that comes into contact with a peracid-based disinfectant, which has low reactivity with the disinfectant and does not affect the deterioration of the disinfectant. Since it is made of a conductive material, the deterioration of the disinfectant solution is not promoted as in the conventional apparatus using a copper metal as the liquid contact member. That is, the duration of the antibacterial activity of the disinfectant can be made longer than before. For this reason, since the frequency | count of replacement | exchange of disinfection liquid can be reduced rather than the conventional apparatus, a running cost can be held down. In addition, even if the initial concentration of the disinfecting solution is lower than the conventional concentration, the antibacterial activity duration of the disinfecting solution can be kept at the same level as that of the conventional device, so that the concentration of the disinfecting solution can be made lower than before. . Thereby, the running cost is reduced and the safety is improved as compared with the case of using the conventional apparatus.

  In addition, the liquid contact member is formed of a highly reactive material that is highly reactive with the disinfectant solution and promotes the deterioration of the disinfectant solution, and the liquid contact surface of the liquid contact member is coated with the low reactive material. Since the treatment is performed, the liquid contact member can be formed using a material excellent in workability such as a copper-based metal. As a result, an increase in manufacturing cost of the device can be suppressed.

  In FIG. 1, an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10 includes a box-shaped apparatus main body 12 and a lid 14 attached to the apparatus main body 12 so as to be freely opened and closed by a hinge. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10 accommodates a used endoscope 20 (see FIG. 2) in a cleaning tank 16 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus body 12, and performs various cleaning, disinfection, rinsing, drying, and the like. Processing is performed to clean, sterilize, and sterilize the endoscope 20.

  An operation panel 22 and a display panel 24 are disposed in front of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12. Further, a door 12b that covers a loading chamber 12a (see FIG. 3) of a disinfectant bottle 84, which will be described in detail later, is provided at the center of the front surface of the apparatus main body 10. The operation panel 22 includes a power switch for turning on / off the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10, various buttons for instructing settings regarding the contents of the various processes, starting / stopping cleaning, and disinfecting liquid injection work. . The display panel 24 displays various setting screens, remaining processing time, a warning message when a trouble occurs, and the like.

  The lid 14 is opened and closed when the used endoscope 20 is accommodated in the cleaning tank 16 or when the endoscope 20 after the disinfection process is taken out. During cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization, the lid 14 covers the opening of the cleaning tank 16 so that cleaning water and disinfecting liquid do not splash outside. Further, the upper surface of the lid 14 is a transparent viewing window, and the state of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization can be visually confirmed.

  In the cleaning tank 16, an injector 26, a cleaning water supply port 28 for supplying cleaning water (not shown), a disinfecting liquid supply port 32 for supplying a disinfecting liquid 30 (see FIG. 4), cleaning water, A drain port 34 for discharging the disinfectant 30 is provided.

  The injector 26 is disposed substantially at the center of the cleaning tank 16 and includes a cylindrical rotating body 38 and a plurality of nozzles 40 provided on the peripheral surface of the rotating body 38. At the time of cleaning the endoscope 20, the rotating body 38 is rotated and cleaning water is jetted from the nozzle 40.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the used endoscope 20 is in a state where the hand operation unit 42 is placed in the vicinity of the coupler 44 provided on the side surface of the cleaning tank 16 and wound around the rotating body 38. In the washing tank 16. The coupler 44 is connected to the suction button mounting port 46, the air / water feeding button mounting port 48, and the forceps port 50 of the hand operation unit 42 via a tube 52. The cleaning water and the disinfectant solution 30 are supplied from the coupler 44 to the air / water supply tube, the suction tube, and the forceps insertion tube inside the endoscope 20 through the tube 52, thereby the inside of the endoscope 20. Pipes are cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized.

  An ultrasonic transducer 54 (see FIG. 3) is fixed to the back surface of the cleaning tank 16. The ultrasonic vibrator 54 is operated in a state where the cleaning water is stored in the cleaning tank 16 and the endoscope 20 is completely immersed in the cleaning water, and the ultrasonic waves are emitted to the cleaning water and attached to the endoscope 20. Clean the dirt ultrasonically.

  In FIG. 3, a water supply path 56 connected to a water supply source such as tap water faucet by a hose and connected to the cleaning water supply port 28 is disposed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 12. The water supply path 56 is opened and closed by a first electromagnetic valve 58 disposed in the middle thereof.

  When the first electromagnetic valve 58 is opened, water (tap water) from a water supply source flows into the water supply channel 56, and this tap water is supplied from the cleaning water supply port 28 to the cleaning tank 16 as cleaning water. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the nozzle 40 and the coupler 44 (refer FIG. 2) are connected to the water supply path 56 via the solenoid valve which is not shown in figure, and wash water is supplied also to these locations. It has become.

  A disinfectant tank 60 is disposed below the apparatus body 12. The disinfecting liquid tank 60 stores a disinfecting liquid 30 (see FIG. 3) used for disinfecting the endoscope 20. As the disinfectant 30, a peracid-based disinfectant having a strong bactericidal effect (antibacterial activity) such as peracetic acid, electrolytic acid water, ozone water or the like is used.

  The disinfecting liquid tank 60 has a disinfecting liquid supply path 62 connected to the disinfecting liquid supply port 32, a disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 connected to the draining outlet 34, and a disinfecting liquid draining path connected to an external draining port 66 described later. 68 is connected. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, this disinfection liquid tank 60 is connected to the water supply path 56 via the solenoid valve which is not shown in figure. That is, in this embodiment, the wash water (tap water) flowing through the water supply channel 56 is used as a diluting solution for diluting the disinfecting solution stock solution 30a described later.

  A first pump 70 that sucks the disinfecting liquid 30 in the disinfecting liquid tank 60 toward the cleaning tank 16 is provided in the middle of the disinfecting liquid supply path 62. When the first pump 70 is actuated, the disinfecting liquid 30 in the disinfecting liquid tank 60 sucked up by the first pump 70 flows into the disinfecting liquid supply path 62, and the disinfecting liquid 30 flows from the disinfecting liquid supply port 32 into the cleaning tank. 16 is supplied. Although not shown, the nozzle 40 and the coupler 44 are used in the disinfectant supply path 62 in the same manner as the water supply path 56.

  The disinfecting liquid injection / collection path 64 is for recovering the disinfecting liquid 30 used in the disinfecting process in the disinfecting liquid tank 60. The disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 is connected to a drain path 76 connecting the drain port 34 and the external drain port 66 via the second electromagnetic valve 72. The disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 and the drainage path 76 are opened and closed by the second electromagnetic valve 72. A second pump 77 is provided in the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 between the second electromagnetic valve 72 and the disinfecting liquid tank 60.

  When the cleaning process (rinse process) is completed, the second electromagnetic valve 72 is operated so that the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 side is closed and the drainage path 76 side is opened. Then, after the disinfection process is completed, the second electromagnetic valve 72 is operated so that the disinfecting liquid injection / collection path 64 side is opened and the drainage path 76 side is closed. Note that the disinfecting liquid 30 used for the disinfecting process a predetermined number of times is not collected in the disinfecting liquid tank 60 but is discharged from the external liquid discharge port 66. In this case, the second solenoid valve 72 is operated so that the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 side is closed and the drainage path 76 side is opened.

  The second pump 77 is operated when the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 side of the second electromagnetic valve 72 is open and the drain path 76 side is closed. As a result, the disinfecting liquid 30 discharged from the liquid discharge port 34 is collected in the disinfecting liquid tank 60.

  The disinfecting liquid draining path 68 is connected to the draining path 76. A third electromagnetic valve 78 is connected in the middle of the disinfectant drainage path 68. The third solenoid valve 78 is opened when the disinfecting liquid 30 in the disinfecting liquid tank 60 is drained. When the third electromagnetic valve 78 is opened, the disinfecting liquid 30 in the disinfecting liquid tank 60 is discharged from the external draining port 66 to the outside through the disinfecting liquid draining path 68 and the draining path 76.

  A fourth electromagnetic valve 80 is connected to the upstream side of the second electromagnetic valve 72 in the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64. The fourth solenoid valve 80 is connected to a disinfecting liquid injection path 82 for injecting a disinfecting liquid stock solution 30 a that is a stock solution of the disinfecting liquid 30 into the disinfecting liquid tank 60. Accordingly, the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 is also opened and closed by the fourth electromagnetic valve 80. The fourth solenoid valve 80 is operated so that the disinfecting liquid injection path 82 is opened and the upstream side (drainage port 34 side) of the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 is closed only when the disinfecting liquid stock solution 30a is injected. . Prior to the operation of the fourth electromagnetic valve 80, the second electromagnetic valve 72 is operated so that the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 side is opened and the drainage path 76 side is closed. A disinfecting liquid bottle 84 filled with the disinfecting liquid stock solution 30 a is connected to the disinfecting liquid injection path 82 through a bottle receiving portion 86.

  The disinfectant bottle 84 is loaded into a loading chamber 12 a provided in the center of the front surface of the apparatus main body 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the disinfecting liquid bottle 84 includes a bottle main body 87 in which the disinfecting liquid stock solution 30 a is stored, and a cap 88 attached to the mouth portion 87 a of the bottle main body 87. An annular seal member 88 a made of an elastic material is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 88. The opening (spout) of the cap 88 is kept liquid-tight with a thin film (not shown) or the like until it is attached to the bottle receiving portion 86. When the disinfectant bottle 84 is attached to the bottle receiver 86, the thin film is broken and the opening is exposed.

  The bottle receiving part 86 is provided at a position facing the disinfecting liquid bottle 84 in the loading chamber 12a. The bottle receiving portion 86 has a double tube structure including an outer tube 86a and an inner tube 86b formed coaxially in the outer tube 86a. The inner tube 86 b has an inlet 86 c into which the disinfectant stock solution 30 a in the bottle 84 is injected, and is connected to the disinfectant injection path 82. When the disinfectant bottle 84 is attached to the bottle receiving portion 86, the inner tube 86b is inserted into the bottle main body 87 through the opening of the cap 88, and the cap 88 is inserted into the groove formed between the two tubes 86a and 86b. Will be in a fitted state. The space between the inner tube 86b and the cap 88 is sealed with a seal member 88a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a third pump 90 that sucks the antiseptic solution stock solution 30 a in the antiseptic solution bottle 84 is provided in the middle of the antiseptic solution injection path 82. In the third pump 90, the second electromagnetic valve 72 is operated to open the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 side, the drainage path 76 side is closed, and the fourth electromagnetic valve 80 is operated to open the disinfecting liquid injection path 82. The operation is performed after the upstream side of the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 is closed. When the third pump 90 is operated, the disinfecting solution stock solution 30a of the disinfecting solution bottle 84 is injected into the disinfecting solution tank 60 via the injection port 86c, the disinfecting solution injection path 82, and the disinfecting solution injection / recovery path 64. The

  When the disinfecting liquid stock solution 30a is injected into the disinfecting liquid tank 60 by a specified amount, the operation of the third pump 90 is stopped. The fourth solenoid valve 80 is operated so that the disinfecting liquid injection path 82 is closed and the upstream side (the drain port 34 side) of the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 is opened. Next, a predetermined amount of diluent (tap water) is injected into the tank 60 from the water supply passage 56 via a solenoid valve and a dilution supply passage (not shown). Thereby, the disinfectant solution stock solution 30a is diluted to become the disinfectant solution 30. Although illustration is omitted, in the disinfecting liquid tank 60, whether or not a predetermined amount of the disinfecting liquid stock solution 30a or the diluted liquid is supplied, and whether or not the disinfecting liquid 30 is stored in an amount necessary for the disinfecting process. In order to detect whether or not the inside of the tank 60 is empty, a plurality of liquid level sensors (for example, a float switch and an ion probe) are provided.

  As described above, in the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 10, the disinfecting solution stock solution 30 a is injected from the bottle receiver 86, and the disinfecting solution stock solution 30 a is disinfected through the disinfecting solution injection path 82 and the disinfecting solution injection / recovery path 64. It is injected into the liquid tank 60. In the disinfection process, the disinfectant 30 is supplied from the disinfectant tank 60 to the cleaning tank 16 through the disinfectant supply path 62. After the sterilization process, the sterilization liquid 30 used in the process is collected in the sterilization liquid tank 60 via the drain port 34 and the sterilization liquid injection / collection path 64.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, the bottle receiving portion 86, the disinfecting liquid injection path 82, the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64, and the disinfecting liquid supply path 62 (as the liquid contact member in contact with the disinfecting liquid 30 and the disinfecting liquid stock solution 30a ( (Hereinafter simply referred to as disinfecting liquid passages 62, 64, 82), first to third pumps 70, 77, 90, second and fourth electromagnetic valves 72, 80, disinfecting liquid tank 60, and cleaning tank 16. And the drainage port 34, and the number thereof is large. At this time, the disinfecting liquid 30 used for the disinfecting process is a peracid-based liquid as described above. Therefore, when these liquid contact members are formed of a highly reactive material such as copper-based metal (brass or phosphor bronze) whose main component is copper having high reactivity with the disinfectant 30, contact with the liquid contact member As a result, the decomposition of the chemical component of the disinfectant solution 30 (disinfectant solution stock solution 30a) is accelerated. That is, the deterioration of the disinfectant solution 30 and the disinfectant solution stock solution 30a is promoted. Moreover, each liquid contact member will also deteriorate by reacting with the disinfecting liquid 30 (disinfecting liquid stock solution 30a).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, each of the above-mentioned liquid contact members (bottle receiving portion 86, disinfecting fluid passages 62, 64, 82, first to third pumps 70, 77, 90, second and fourth electromagnetic valves 72, 80). The disinfecting liquid tank 60, the cleaning tank 16, and the drain port 34) are formed of a low-reactive material that has low reactivity with the disinfecting liquid 30 and the disinfecting liquid stock solution 30a and does not affect the deterioration of the disinfecting liquid 30. In addition, when forming each liquid contact member with a low-reactive material, the contact part which contacts at least the disinfecting liquid 30 of each liquid-contact member should just be formed with the low-reactivity material.

  Examples of low-reactive materials include metal materials such as stainless steel and titanium, resin materials such as Teflon (registered trademark), polyacetal, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyurethane, and silicon rubber, and inorganic materials such as polysilazane. It is done. In addition to these, various materials may be used as long as the reactivity with the peracid-based disinfectant 30 is low. In this case, it is preferable to use a material excellent in workability.

  As an example in which each of the liquid contact members described above is formed of a low-reactivity material, the bottle receiving portion 86 described with reference to FIG. 4 will be described as an example. Among the liquid contact members, the bottle receiving portion 86 particularly contacts the disinfecting solution stock solution 30 a filled in the disinfecting solution bottle 84. Therefore, when the bottle receiving portion 86 is formed of brass, phosphor bronze, or the like, deterioration of the disinfecting solution stock solution 30a is promoted at the initial stage of injection of the disinfecting solution stock solution 30a. For this reason, all the bottle receiving parts 86 are formed with low-reactive materials, such as stainless steel. Or you may form only the contact part with the disinfecting-solution stock solution 30a of the bottle receiving part 86, ie, the inner tube | pipe 86b, with a low-reactive material. Thereby, there is no possibility that the deterioration of the disinfectant solution stock solution 30a is promoted particularly at the initial stage of injection of the disinfectant solution stock solution 30a.

  Further, similarly to the bottle receiving portion 86, the other liquid contact members are formed of a low-reactive material such as stainless steel. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the disinfecting liquid 30 or the disinfecting liquid stock solution 30a used (available) for the disinfection process from coming into contact with a highly reactive material such as brass or phosphor bronze. In addition, since only the deteriorated disinfectant which is not used (cannot be used) for disinfection treatment is allowed to flow through the drainage paths 68 and 76 and the third solenoid valve 78, the workability of brass, phosphor bronze, etc. as in the conventional case. It may be formed of a material excellent in the above.

  FIG. 5 shows a case in which peracetic acid used as the disinfectant 30 is brought into contact with a total of three kinds of metals, such as stainless steel, anodized aluminum (alumite), and copper-based metals such as brass and phosphor bronze for 7 days. It is the graph which compared the fall of the antibacterial activity of peracetic acid. In addition, as a comparative example, a decrease in the antibacterial activity of peracetic acid when no metal was brought into contact was plotted on the graph as “blank”. In this graph, the decrease in the antibacterial activity of peracetic acid is represented by the decrease in the peracid residual rate (peracid concentration).

  As shown in FIG. 5, when peracetic acid was brought into contact with a copper-based metal, it was confirmed that the peracid residual rate of peracetic acid decreased to almost 0% in 2 days. On the other hand, when contacted with the other two metals, the peracid residual rate of peracetic acid decreased only to around 60% even on the 7th day, and the state of “blank” that did not contact the metal was too much. It was confirmed that no difference occurred. As a result, when copper-based metal or alumite is used as the liquid contact member, the deterioration of the disinfecting solution (stock solution) 30 is not promoted as in the case of using the copper-based metal, that is, the deterioration of the disinfecting solution 30 is affected. It was confirmed that the Here, although the stainless steel contains copper, it does not affect the deterioration of the disinfectant solution 30, so that there is no problem in using it as a liquid contact member. Further, when alumite is used as the liquid contact member, the deterioration of the disinfectant 30 is not accelerated, but the alumite is corroded by contact with the peracid-based disinfectant 30 such as peracetic acid. For this reason, it is not preferable to use alumite as the liquid contact member.

  Thus, for the reason that it is excellent in workability in the past, it has been formed of a highly reactive material that is highly reactive with the disinfecting liquid 30 (such as the disinfecting liquid stock solution 30a) such as brass or phosphor bronze. By forming each of the liquid contact members with a low-reactivity material having low reactivity with the disinfecting liquid 30 such as stainless steel, the antibacterial activity duration of the disinfecting liquid 30 can be made longer than before.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 10. The operation of each part of the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 10 is controlled by the CPU 92. In addition to the components of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10 described above, the CPU 92 is connected to a ROM 94, a RAM 96, a power supply unit 102 that supplies operating power to the components of the apparatus 10, and the like.

  The ROM 94 stores programs and data necessary for operating the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10. The CPU 92 reads programs and data from the ROM 94 to the RAM 96 as a work memory, and executes control according to various processes. In addition, the CPU 92 operates each unit in response to an operation input on the operation panel 22 to display a screen on the display panel 24. Further, the CPU 92 causes each unit to execute control according to an operation input or the like of the operation panel 22 via a driver (not shown).

  Next, a processing procedure for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing the endoscope 20 by the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. After the inspection by the endoscope 20 is completed, the user first turns on the power supply of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10. In addition, the user lightly washes the used endoscope 20 with a sink or the like (primary washing) to wash away dirt attached to the endoscope 20. After this primary cleaning, a water leak test is performed to check whether or not the endoscope 20 has a hole.

  After the water leakage test, the user winds the endoscope 20 around the rotating body 38 and accommodates it in the cleaning tank 16 so that the hand operating unit 42 is positioned in the vicinity of the coupler 44. Next, the user connects the tube 52 to the attachment port 46 for the suction button, the attachment port 48 for the air / water supply button, and the forceps port 50, then closes the lid 14 and operates the operation panel 22 to perform cleaning / disinfection / Start the sterilization process.

  When an instruction to start cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization is given, an electromagnetic valve (not shown) that controls the supply of cleaning water to the injector 26, the first electromagnetic valve 58, the nozzle 40, and the coupler 44 under the control of the CPU 92. Etc.) and the pre-cleaning is started. First, water is ejected from the nozzle 40 while the injector 26 (the rotating body 2) rotates, and the outer surface of the endoscope 20 is cleaned. Further, water is introduced into the internal conduit of the endoscope 20 through the coupler 44 and the tube 52, and the internal conduit is cleaned. The water used in this cleaning is drained to the external drainage port 66 through the drainage port 34.

  Next, the first electromagnetic valve 58 is operated by the CPU 92 so that tap water from the water supply source is supplied to the cleaning tank 16 from the cleaning water supply port 28. Thereby, the endoscope 20 is completely immersed in the cleaning water (tap water). Further, under the control of the CPU 92, an enzyme detergent is put into the cleaning tank 16 by a mechanism not shown. Then, the ultrasonic vibrator 54 is operated by the CPU 92 to emit ultrasonic waves to the cleaning water and remove the dirt attached to the endoscope 20. Thus, the pre-cleaning of the endoscope 20 is completed. The water used in the pre-cleaning is drained to the external drainage port 66 through the drainage port 34.

  Similarly, after the pre-cleaning is finished, the internal pipe line is cleaned with the cleaning water, and then the cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning tank 16 from the cleaning water supply port 28, and the outer surface of the endoscope 20 and the cleaning tank 16 are cleaned. Rinsing is performed. The water used for rinsing is drained to the external drainage port 66 through the drainage port 34.

  After rinsing, under the control of the CPU 92, air is supplied from the nozzle 40 and the coupler 44 by a mechanism (not shown), and the endoscope 20 is air-dried. This prevents the disinfecting liquid 30 supplied during the disinfecting process from being diluted by the residual water adhering to the endoscope 20.

  After air drying, the first pump 70 is operated by the CPU 92 and the disinfecting liquid 30 is supplied from the disinfecting liquid water supply port 32 to the cleaning tank 16. Thereby, the endoscope 20 is completely immersed in the disinfecting liquid 30. Further, the disinfectant 30 is also introduced into the internal conduit of the endoscope 20 through the coupler 44 and the tube 52, and the internal conduit is disinfected. The endoscope 20 is completely immersed in the cleaning water.

  After immersing the endoscope 20 in the disinfecting liquid for a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 10 minutes), the second electromagnetic valve 72 is operated by the CPU 92, the drainage path 76 side is closed, and the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 side is opened. It becomes. Next, the CPU 92 operates the second pump 77. As a result, the disinfecting liquid 30 is collected in the disinfecting liquid tank 60 via the drain port 34 and the disinfecting liquid injection / collection path 64.

  After the disinfection, after the same rinsing as that after the pre-cleaning is performed, the above-described air drying is performed. Next, under the control of the CPU 92, alcohol is supplied from the nozzle 40 and the coupler 44 by a mechanism (not shown), and the endoscope 20 is flushed with alcohol. By air drying and alcohol flushing, bacteria in the washing tank 16 are prevented from growing in the endoscope 20 with residual water. Whether or not to perform alcohol flushing can be selected by the user on the operation panel 22.

  This completes the cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization processing of the endoscope 20. Then, when the next endoscope 20 is cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized, the above operation is repeated. At this time, when the disinfecting liquid 30 used for the disinfecting process is deteriorated and the antibacterial activity is lowered, the operation panel 22 is operated and the discharging operation of the disinfecting liquid 30 in the disinfecting liquid tank 60 is executed. When the user selects to perform drainage, the CPU 92 operates the third electromagnetic valve 78 to be opened. As a result, all of the disinfecting liquid 30 in the disinfecting liquid tank 60 is drained to the outside from the external drain port 66. When all the disinfecting liquid 30 has been discharged from the inside of the poison liquid tank 60, the CPU 92 displays that the discharge of the disinfecting liquid 30 has been completed on the display panel 24 after the third electromagnetic valve 78 is operated to be closed. The

  When the operation panel 22 is operated by the user and the execution of the disinfecting liquid injection is selected, the CPU 92 causes the second electromagnetic valve 72 to open on the disinfecting liquid injection / collection path 64 side and close the drainage path 76 side. In addition, the fourth electromagnetic valve 80 is operated so that the disinfecting liquid injection path 82 is opened and the upstream side of the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64 is closed. Next, under the control of the CPU 92, the third pump 90 is operated, and the disinfecting liquid stock solution 30 a of the disinfecting liquid bottle 84 passes through the bottle receiving portion 86, the disinfecting liquid injection path 82, and the disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 64. Injected into the disinfectant tank 60.

  When the prescribed amount of the disinfectant solution 30a is injected into the disinfectant solution tank 60, the operation of the third pump 90 is stopped by the CPU 92, the disinfectant solution injection path 82 of the fourth electromagnetic valve 80 is closed, and the disinfectant solution injection / recovery is performed. The operation is performed so that the upstream side (the drain port 34 side) of the passage 64 is opened. Next, under the control of the CPU 92, a predetermined amount of diluent (tap water) is injected into the tank 60 from the water supply passage 56 via a solenoid valve and dilution supply passage (not shown). Thereby, the disinfecting solution stock solution 30a is diluted to become the disinfecting solution 30, and the replacement operation of the disinfecting solution 30 is completed. Then, the cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization processing of the endoscope 20 is continued.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the liquid contact member (bottle receiving portion 86, disinfecting liquid passages 62, 64, 82, and the like, which are in contact with the disinfecting liquid 30 (disinfecting liquid stock solution 30a) in the endoscope cleaning color device 10 are provided. The first to third pumps 70, 77, 90, the second and fourth electromagnetic valves 72, 80, the disinfecting liquid tank 60, the cleaning tank 16, the drain port 34), stainless steel that does not affect the deterioration of the disinfecting liquid 30, etc. Of low reactivity material. As a result, the deterioration of the disinfectant 30 is not promoted as in the conventional apparatus using the copper-based metal as the liquid contact member. That is, the duration of the antibacterial activity of the disinfecting solution 30 can be made longer than before. Thereby, since the frequency | count of replacement | exchange of the disinfection liquid 30 can be reduced rather than the conventional apparatus, a running cost can be held down rather than the conventional apparatus.

  In addition, since each of the liquid contact members described above can be prevented from being corroded by the peracid-based disinfectant 30, the running cost can be reduced as compared with the conventional apparatus. Further, by forming the bottle receiver 86 with a low-reactive material among the liquid contact members described above, the bottle receiver 86 does not affect the deterioration of the disinfectant solution 30a at the initial stage of injection.

  Further, when the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 10 of the present invention is used, the antibacterial activity life of the disinfecting liquid 30 can be maintained at the same level as that of the conventional apparatus even if the initial concentration of the disinfecting liquid 30 is lower than that of the conventional apparatus. it can. That is, since the concentration of the disinfectant solution 30 can be made lower than before, the merit of using the apparatus 10 is increased from the viewpoint of cost and safety.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid contact member (the bottle receiving portion 86, the disinfecting fluid passages 62, 64, 82, the first to third pumps 70, 77, 90, the second and fourth solenoid valves) that come into contact with the disinfecting fluid 30. 72, 80, disinfectant tank 60, cleaning tank 16, and drain port 34) are formed of a low-reactivity material such as stainless steel, but the present invention is not limited to this. A low-reactivity material such as stainless steel is inferior in workability as compared with brass or phosphor bronze which are highly reactive materials. For this reason, there exists a possibility that the manufacturing cost of the washing | cleaning disinfection apparatus 10 for endoscopes may become significantly higher than before.

  Therefore, the liquid contact member described above is formed of a material excellent in workability of brass or phosphor bronze, and only the liquid contact surface in contact with the disinfectant 30 of each liquid contact member is coated with a low-reactive material. Also good. Specifically, the bottle receiver 106 that has been subjected to the coating process will be described as an example with reference to FIG. The bottle receiving portion 106 includes an outer tube 108 and an inner tube 110 as in the bottle receiving portion 86 described above. Both tubes 108 and 110 are made of a copper-based metal having excellent workability such as brass or phosphor bronze. The inner tube 110 is in contact with the stock solution 30a of the disinfectant solution in both the tubes 108 and 110. For this reason, the tip surface, the inner peripheral surface, and the outer peripheral surface, which are liquid contact surfaces of the inner tube 110, are coated with a low-reactive material, and these surfaces are covered with the coating film 112.

  As the low-reactivity material used for this coating treatment, for example, inorganic materials such as polysilazane, resin materials such as Teflon (registered trademark), and rubbers such as silicon rubber are used. In addition to these, various low-reactivity materials may be coated.

  By performing a coating process on the liquid contact surface of the bottle receiver 106, contact between the disinfectant 30 and the copper metal can be prevented. For this reason, similarly to the bottle receiving portion 86 described above, the bottle receiving portion 106 does not affect the deterioration of the disinfectant stock solution 30a. Similarly to the bottle receiving portion 106, other liquid contact members are also formed of a copper-based metal, and the liquid contact surface is coated to prevent contact with the disinfectant solution 30 (disinfectant solution stock solution 30a). Is done. Similarly, the liquid contact member does not affect the deterioration of the liquid. Thereby, since each said liquid-contact member can be formed with the copper-type metal excellent in workability, the raise of the manufacturing cost of the washing | cleaning disinfection apparatus 10 for endoscopes can be suppressed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, as a liquid-contacting member formed or coated with a low-reactive material, the bottle receiving part 86, the disinfecting liquid passages 62, 64, 82, the first to third pumps 70, 77, 90, The second and fourth electromagnetic valves 72 and 80, the disinfecting liquid tank 60, the cleaning tank 16, and the drainage port 34 are given as examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various kinds of contact with the disinfecting liquid 30 are possible. The liquid contact member may be formed of a low reactivity material or may be coated.

  In the above embodiment, tap water is directly introduced from the faucet. However, a filter for removing germs of tap water may be provided in the water supply channel 56. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the injector 26 is provided as an apparatus for pre-cleaning, you may provide a spray nozzle in the surroundings of the washing tank 16 instead of this or in addition to this.

1 is an external perspective view of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to the present invention. It is a top view of the washing tank in which the endoscope was accommodated. It is the schematic which shows the structure inside an apparatus main body. It is sectional drawing of a bottle receiving part. It is the graph which compared the reduction | decrease of the peracid residual rate (peracid density | concentration) of the disinfection liquid which each contacted disinfectant liquid with three types of metals, and the disinfection liquid which is not made to contact a metal. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the washing | cleaning disinfection apparatus for endoscopes. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a washing | cleaning / disinfection / sterilization process. It is sectional drawing of the bottle receiving part of other embodiment with which the coating process was performed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device 16 Cleaning tank 20 Endoscope 30 Disinfecting liquid 30a Disinfecting liquid stock liquid 34 Drain outlet 62 Disinfecting liquid supply path 64 Disinfecting liquid injection / recovery path 82 Disinfecting liquid injection path 84 Disinfecting liquid bottle 86 Bottle receiver Part

Claims (6)

In endoscope cleaning and disinfecting equipment that cleans and disinfects endoscopes,
A peracid-based disinfectant is used for disinfecting the endoscope, and at least the liquid contact surface of the liquid contact member in contact with the disinfectant is formed of a low-reactive material having low reactivity with the disinfectant. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus.   The endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid contact member is formed of the low-reactivity material. The liquid contact member is formed of a highly reactive material that is highly reactive with the disinfectant,
The endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid contact surface is coated with the low-reactive material.   The low-reactive material is stainless steel, titanium, Teflon (registered trademark), polyacetal, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyurethane, silicon rubber, or polysilazane. Endoscope cleaning and disinfection equipment.   The endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the highly reactive material is copper or a copper-based metal containing copper as a main component.   The liquid contact member includes a cleaning tank in which the endoscope to be cleaned and disinfected is set, a disinfecting liquid tank in which the disinfecting liquid is stored, and an inlet for injecting the disinfecting liquid into the disinfecting liquid tank. At least one of a disinfecting liquid injection unit, a cleaning tank or a disinfecting liquid passage connecting the poisoning liquid injection unit and the disinfecting liquid tank, a liquid feeding pump provided in the middle of the disinfecting liquid passage, and an on-off valve. The endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:

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