JPH1156749A - Ultrasonic cleaning device for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely clean an endoscope by changing the frequency and output level of ultrasonic wave radiated to the cleaning fluid in which an endoscope is dipped according to the stain of the endoscope. SOLUTION: This device is designed in such a manner that an ultrasonic oscillator 60 radiates ultrasonic wave to the cleaning fluid in a cleaning tank 16, and ultrasonically cleans an endoscope. A control unit 64 detects the stain of cleaning fluid in the cleaning tank 16 using a stain sensor 78, and changes the frequency and output level of ultrasonic wave radiated from the ultrasonic oscillator 60 based on the results.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope which ultrasonically cleans an endoscope immersed in cleaning water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an endoscope cleaning apparatus, an endoscope used for inspection is housed in a cleaning tank, and cleaning water is supplied to the entire endoscope.
Alternatively, the endoscope is washed and disinfected by immersing the entire endoscope in washing water or a disinfecting solution. At present, in such an endoscope cleaning device, an ultrasonic cleaning device that radiates ultrasonic waves to cleaning water in which the endoscope is immersed and ultrasonically cleans the endoscope has been proposed.

[0003]

However, in the conventional ultrasonic cleaning device for an endoscope, the frequency and output of the ultrasonic wave radiated from the ultrasonic vibrator regardless of the degree of contamination of the endoscope or the progress of the cleaning. The level is constant and the washing time is determined by the user's experience. For this reason, there has been a problem in that the cleaning properties vary, and the cleaning is not performed reliably and the cleaning time is unnecessarily long.

[0004] In particular, the degree of contamination of the endoscope varies significantly depending on the condition of the test object used (for example, the presence or absence of adherence of body fluid), and it is dangerous to determine the cleaning time based only on the experience of the user. is there. In general, the higher the frequency and the higher the power of the ultrasonic cleaning, the better the cleaning power. Therefore, when the contamination is severe, it is desired to perform the cleaning by the high frequency and the high output level of the ultrasonic wave. However, when the frequency of the ultrasonic wave is fixed at a high frequency, the cavitation size (the size of bubbles generated in the liquid by the ultrasonic vibration) is large, so that it is not suitable for washing the details, and is complicated like an endoscope. It is difficult to clean various shapes in detail, and if the cleaning is performed for a long time with a high output level ultrasonic wave, the endoscope may be damaged. Therefore, it has been difficult to completely clean the endoscope with ultrasonic waves having a constant frequency and output level.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and performs an appropriate ultrasonic cleaning in accordance with the degree of dirt on the endoscope, thereby making it possible to reliably clean the endoscope. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic cleaning device for a mirror.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, an endoscope is housed in a washing tank, and the endoscope is immersed in washing water. In an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope that radiates ultrasonic waves to ultrasonically clean the endoscope, at least one of a frequency and an output level of ultrasonic waves radiated from the ultrasonic transducer is made variable. Features.

According to the present invention, when the endoscope accommodated in the cleaning tank is immersed in cleaning water, ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic vibrator into the cleaning water to ultrasonically clean the endoscope. In addition, at least one of the frequency and the output level of the ultrasonic wave radiated from the ultrasonic transducer to the washing water can be changed. This makes it possible to perform ultrasonic cleaning with ultrasonic waves having an optimum frequency and output level according to the degree of contamination and the shape of the endoscope, and it is possible to reliably perform cleaning of the endoscope.

In addition, by detecting the degree of dirt in the washing water during the cleaning process of the endoscope, the frequency or output level of the ultrasonic wave is varied based on the degree of dirt, so that the endoscope can be performed independently of the user's experience. Until the mirror is completely cleaned, the endoscope can be cleaned automatically and without waste.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic cleaning device 10 is formed in a box shape, and includes an apparatus main body 12 and a lid 14. On an upper surface of the apparatus main body 12, a cleaning tank 16 in which an endoscope is stored is provided. A cylindrical injection device 18 is provided in the cleaning tank 16, and the injection device is provided with nozzles 18A, 18A,. When the jetting device 18 is driven, the jetting device 18 is rotated, and washing water (water such as tap water) is jetted from the nozzle 18A, and the endoscope housed in the washing tank 16 is washed. Will be A water supply port 17 is provided in the cleaning tank 16.
Cleaning water or disinfectant is supplied from the water supply port 17.

An ultrasonic transducer (not shown) is fixed to the back of the bottom of the cleaning tank 16. When the endoscope is ultrasonically cleaned, the cleaning water is stored in the cleaning tank 16 and the endoscope is completely immersed in the cleaning water, and ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic vibrator to the cleaning water. Dirt and the like adhering to the endoscope are washed by ultrasonic vibration (cavitation (cavitation phenomenon)).

The lid 14 is provided on the apparatus main body 12 via hinges 20, 20 so as to be freely opened and closed. When the lid 14 is closed, the upper opening of the cleaning tank 16 is completely covered by the lid 14, so that the cleaning water, the disinfecting solution and the like do not splash outside. An operation panel 22 and a display panel 24 are provided on the front of the apparatus main body 12. Operation panel 2
Reference numeral 2 is provided with a number of buttons for instructing various settings relating to the contents of the washing operation and starting washing. Further, the display panel 24 displays various contents such as a remaining time of the cleaning work, a time until the work is completed, and a warning when a trouble occurs.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the endoscope is housed in the cleaning tank 16 of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.
8 is provided, and the endoscope 50 is accommodated in a wound state around the peripheral portion. The operation unit 52 of the endoscope 50 is provided with a coupler 3 provided on a side surface of the cleaning tank 16.
Placed near 2,32. The couplers 32, 32 are provided with an air supply / water supply button mounting port 52A, a suction button mounting port 52B, and a forceps insertion port 52C provided on the hand operation unit 52.
Are connected via tubes 34, 34, 34. As a result, the washing water and the disinfecting solution sent from the coupler 32 are supplied to the air supply / water supply tube inside the endoscope 50,
The liquid is supplied to the suction tube and the forceps insertion tube, and the inside of the endoscope 50 is cleaned.

Cleaning water and disinfectant supplied from the water supply port 17, the nozzle 18 A of the injection device 18 and the coupler 32 into the cleaning tank 16 are discharged from a drain port 36. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control block of the ultrasonic cleaning of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 10. As shown in the figure, ultrasonic vibrators 60 are fixed to the lower back surface of the cleaning tank 16, and these ultrasonic vibrators 60 are controlled by a control unit 64 via an ultrasonic control unit 62. That is, the ultrasonic control unit 62 includes the control unit 64
The frequency and output level of the ultrasonic vibrator 60 are switched based on an instruction signal input from. As a result, the ultrasonic transducer 60 emits high-frequency or low-frequency, high-output or low-output ultrasonic waves.

The spraying device 18 provided in the cleaning tank 16
Nozzle 18A, water supply port 17, couplers 32, 32
Wash water (water such as tap water) supplied from a faucet 66 is supplied via a solenoid valve 68. The opening and closing of the solenoid valve 68 is controlled by the control unit 64 via the water supply / drainage control unit 70. That is, the water supply / drainage control unit 70 opens and closes the solenoid valve 68 based on the instruction signal input from the control unit 64. Thus, when the water supply / drainage control unit 70 opens the electromagnetic valve 68, the water supplied from the faucet 66 is supplied to the nozzle 18A, the water supply port 17, the couplers 32, 32, and
The water is supplied to the washing tank 16 and the endoscope internal conduit, and the water supply stops when the water supply / drainage control unit 70 closes the solenoid valve 68.

The drain port 36 provided in the cleaning tank 16 is connected to an external drain port 74 via a pump 72. The pump 72 is controlled on / off by a control unit 64 via the water supply / drainage control unit 70. That is, the water supply / drainage control unit 70 turns on / off the operation of the pump 72 based on the instruction signal input from the control unit 64.
Turn off. Thereby, when the water supply / drainage control unit 70 operates the pump 72, water and the like in the cleaning tank 16 are discharged from the drain port 36 to the outside of the apparatus via the external drain port 74,
When the pump 72 is stopped, water and the like are stored in the cleaning tank 16.

On the side surface of the cleaning tank 16, there is provided a dirt detection pipe 76 into which water stored in the cleaning tank 16 flows. The conduit 76 is provided with a dirt sensor 78 for detecting the degree of dirt in water. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the dirt sensor 78. As shown in the figure, a dirt sensor 78 including a light emitting diode (LED) 78A and an optical sensor 78B is provided below the dirt detection pipe 76. The conduit 76 is formed of a transparent member such as transparent glass, and a black body (a member that does not reflect light) 80 is mounted on the upper surface facing the dirt sensor 78.

Accordingly, the LED 7 of the dirt sensor 78
The light emitted from 8A is applied to water in the conduit 76,
If the water contains a dirt component, the water is scattered by the dirt component, and the scattered light (reflected light) is detected by the optical sensor 78B. Therefore, the light sensor 78
The intensity of the light detected by B indicates the degree of water contamination, and the greater the intensity of the detected light, the more the water can be determined to be dirty.

The LED 78A and the optical sensor 78B
May be installed at positions facing each other with the pipe 76 interposed therebetween.
In this case, since the light sensor 78B detects the intensity of the light transmitted through the water (light not scattered by the dirt component of the water), it is determined that the water is more contaminated as the intensity of the detected light is smaller. . Further, other light emitting means such as a laser may be used instead of the LED 78A.

As described above, the detection signal (the optical sensor 78) indicating the degree of water contamination detected by the contamination sensor 78.
The signal indicating the light intensity detected by B) is input to the control unit 64 as shown in FIG. The control unit 64 detects the degree of contamination of the water in the cleaning tank 16 in which the endoscope is immersed by a dirt sensor 78, and based on the degree of dirt, gives a predetermined signal to the ultrasonic control unit 62 and the water supply / drainage control unit 70. An instruction signal is output to control the frequency and output level of ultrasonic waves radiated from the ultrasonic vibrator and supply / drainage of water.

Next, the control contents of the control unit 64 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, the control unit 64 performs the initial setting shown in FIG. 5 in a state where the endoscope is not housed in the cleaning tank 16, and detects the quality of water used as the cleaning water. As shown in the initial setting flowchart of FIG. 5, the control unit 64 first supplies water to the cleaning tank 16 in which the endoscope is not housed (step S10). That is, the water supply / drainage control unit 7
At 0, an instruction signal for opening the electromagnetic valve 68 is output, the electromagnetic valve 68 is opened by the water supply / drainage control unit 70, and water is supplied from the faucet 66 into the cleaning tank 16.

Then, the degree of dirt of the water injected into the dirt detecting pipe 76 is detected by the dirt sensor 78 (water quality inspection) (step S12), and a value indicating the degree of dirt of the water (the optical sensor 78B) The value of the light intensity detected by the above is set and recorded in a memory in the control unit 64 as a reference value (step S14). The reference value set in this manner indicates the degree of contamination of the water supplied from the faucet 66, and accurately determines the degree of contamination of the contaminated water by cleaning the endoscope as described later. It is a reference value for Thereby, even if the water quality differs depending on the region or the like, it is possible to accurately grasp the degree of contamination of the water caused by the washing of the endoscope.

Next, the procedure of this step when the endoscope is washed will be described. As shown in the flowchart of this step in FIG. 6, first, the user stores the endoscope in the cleaning tank 16,
The preparation for starting the cleaning of the endoscope is completed (Step S2)
0). Next, an instruction to start cleaning is input from the operation panel 22 (see FIG. 1). Thus, the control unit 64 executes the automatic cleaning program, and first supplies water to the cleaning tank 16 (step S22). That is, an instruction signal for opening the electromagnetic valve 68 is output to the water supply / drainage control unit 70 to output the electromagnetic valve 6.
6 is opened, water is supplied from the faucet 66 to the water supply port 17 and the coupler 32 (or the nozzle 18A of the injection device 18), and water is injected into the cleaning tank 16 and the endoscope internal conduit. Thus, the endoscope is preliminarily washed (washed with water) (step S24). The water used for the preliminary cleaning is drained from the drain port 36 (step S26). That is, an instruction signal for operating the pump 72 is output to the water supply / drainage control unit 70, and the water supplied to the cleaning tank 16 by the pump 72 is discharged to the drain port 3.
Discharge from 6.

After the completion of the pre-cleaning, the control unit 64 stops the pump 72 and operates the cleaning tank 1 as described above.
Then, water is supplied into the endoscope 6, and the endoscope is completely immersed in the water (step S28). Next, the control unit 64 causes the ultrasonic vibrator 60 to output high-frequency ultrasonic waves (step S30). That is, an instruction signal for outputting high-frequency ultrasonic waves is output to the ultrasonic control unit 62, and the ultrasonic control unit 62 causes the ultrasonic vibrator 60 to emit high-frequency ultrasonic waves to the water stored in the cleaning tank 16. The frequency of the high-frequency ultrasonic wave at this time is, for example, 100 to 200 kHz.
z. The output level of the ultrasonic wave at this time is not particularly limited to any value, but is set to an output level (low output level) lower than a high output level described later. Thereby, the endoscope accommodated in the cleaning tank 16 is ultrasonically cleaned by high-frequency ultrasonic waves.

After performing the ultrasonic cleaning for a predetermined time, the control unit 64 detects the degree of contamination of the water in the cleaning tank 16 by the contamination sensor 78 (step S3).
2). At this time, the reference value (the degree of water contamination due to water quality) set and recorded in the memory by the initial setting is read, and in step S32, the value detected by the dirt sensor 78 is compared with the reference value obtained in the initial setting, and the cleaning tank is read. It is determined whether or not the water in 16 has become dirty from a predetermined determination level due to the cleaning of the endoscope (step S34). That is, when the difference between the value detected by the dirt sensor 78 and the reference value is equal to or more than a predetermined value, it is determined that the water is dirty, and when it is less than the predetermined value, it is determined that the water is not dirty. . By determining the degree of water contamination in consideration of the water quality in this way,
It is possible to appropriately judge the dirt of water generated by washing the endoscope.

If it is determined in step S34 that the water is not contaminated, that is, if it is determined that dirt on the endoscope has been almost completely cleaned by preliminary cleaning (step S24), the process proceeds to step S42 described later. .
On the other hand, if it is determined that the water is dirty, that is, if it is determined that the endoscope is still considerably stained, the control unit 64 drains the water in the cleaning tank 16 and renews the water. Water is supplied, the water in the cleaning tank 16 is replaced, and the endoscope is immersed in new water (step S36). Then, the output level of the ultrasonic wave radiated from the ultrasonic transducer 60 is switched, and the ultrasonic wave of the high output level is radiated (step S3).
8). Thereby, when the endoscope is very dirty, the cleaning power by the ultrasonic wave is increased, and the dirt attached to the endoscope can be reliably cleaned to a predetermined level.

When the ultrasonic cleaning with the high output level ultrasonic wave is performed for a predetermined time (step S39), the control unit 64 again detects the degree of water contamination in the cleaning tank 16 by the contamination sensor 78, and Similarly, it is determined whether the water is dirty (step S40). At this time, if it is determined that the image is dirty, the dirt sensor 78 is used.
The above step S until it is determined that there is no contamination
The processing from 36 is repeatedly executed. At this time, the switching process in step S38 is not executed.

After the endoscope has been ultrasonically cleaned to a predetermined level by high-frequency ultrasonic waves, the control unit 64 switches the frequency of ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic transducer 60 to a low frequency. (Step S42), ultrasonic cleaning using low-frequency ultrasonic waves is performed (Step S4).
3). At this time, the frequency of the low frequency ultrasonic wave is, for example, about 30 kHz. As a result, the calibration size is reduced, and details such as gaps between members of the endoscope are reliably washed.

After performing the ultrasonic cleaning using the low frequency ultrasonic wave for a predetermined time, the degree of contamination of the water in the cleaning tank 16 is detected by the contamination sensor 78, and it is determined whether the water is contaminated as described above. A determination is made (step S44). if,
If dirty, the water in the cleaning tank 16 is replaced with new water (step S45), and the ultrasonic cleaning using the low-frequency ultrasonic wave is repeatedly performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the water is not contaminated, the water in the cleaning tank 16 is discharged from the drain port 36 and rinsed (step S46).

Although not described in detail below, in the rinsing in step S46, water is supplied into the cleaning tank 16 to flush the entire endoscope, thereby removing dirt from the endoscope and the inside of the cleaning tank 16. Wash off. After rinsing, a chemical (disinfectant) is supplied from the water supply port 17, the coupler 32, and the like to the inside of the cleaning tank 16 and the endoscope internal conduit to disinfect the entire endoscope with the disinfectant (step S48). . When disinfection is completed, rinsing is performed in the same manner as in step S46 (step S50), and air or alcohol is finally supplied into the cleaning tank 16 to dry the endoscope (step S52), and the automatic cleaning program ends. .

As described above, the degree of contamination of the water in the cleaning tank 16, that is, the degree of contamination of the endoscope or the degree of cleaning is detected, and the frequency and output level of the ultrasonic wave are switched accordingly. As a result, dirt attached to the endoscope can be reliably washed, and the endoscope can be cleaned with an appropriate cleaning time according to the degree of dirt. .

In the above-described embodiment, the output level is not switched in the case of the ultrasonic cleaning using the low frequency. However, in the case of the ultrasonic cleaning using the low frequency, even when the dirt is extremely dirty. The output level may be increased as in the case of ultrasonic cleaning using high frequency. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the ultrasonic cleaning is performed by using water is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The frequency and output level of the ultrasonic wave may be switched according to the degree of dirt.

In the above embodiment, both the frequency and the output level of the ultrasonic wave are switched. However, only the frequency or the output level may be switched. Further, in the above embodiment, the frequency and the output level of the ultrasonic wave are switched in two stages according to the degree of dirt. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The switching may be performed in stages or more.

Further, by detecting the degree of dirt on the endoscope by the dirt sensor 78, the time required for cleaning may be calculated and displayed on the display panel 24.
Alternatively, the current process may be displayed on the display panel 24 to notify the user.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, an endoscope housed in a cleaning tank is immersed in cleaning water, and ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic vibrator into the cleaning water to endoscope. When ultrasonic cleaning is performed, at least one of the frequency and the output level of the ultrasonic waves radiated from the ultrasonic transducer to the cleaning water can be changed. This makes it possible to perform ultrasonic cleaning with ultrasonic waves having an optimum frequency and output level according to the degree of contamination and the shape of the endoscope, and it is possible to reliably perform cleaning of the endoscope.

Further, by detecting the degree of contamination of the washing water during the cleaning process of the endoscope, the frequency or output level of the ultrasonic wave is varied based on the degree of contamination, so that the endoscope can be performed independently of the user's experience. Until the mirror is completely cleaned, the endoscope can be cleaned automatically and without waste. In addition, since washing can be performed with a minimum necessary amount of washing water, this is effective in saving water.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an endoscope cleaning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where the endoscope is housed in a cleaning tank of the endoscope cleaning device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control block for ultrasonic cleaning of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a dirt sensor.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of initial setting of the ultrasonic cleaning device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of this step of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Ultrasonic cleaning device 12 ... Device main body 14 ... Lid 16 ... Cleaning tank 17 ... Water supply port 18 ... Injection device 18A ... Nozzle 32 ... Coupler 60 ... Ultrasonic vibrator 62 ... Ultrasonic control unit 64 ... Control unit 68 ... Electromagnetic Valve 70: Water supply / drainage control unit 78: Dirt sensor

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued from the front page (72) Inventor Shozo Iyama 1-3324 Uetakecho, Omiya City, Saitama Prefecture Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope is housed in a washing tank, the endoscope is immersed in washing water, and ultrasonic waves are emitted from an ultrasonic vibrator into the washing water to ultrasonically wash the endoscope. An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for an endoscope, wherein at least one of a frequency and an output level of an ultrasonic wave radiated from the ultrasonic transducer is made variable. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a dirt detecting means for detecting dirt of the washing water, wherein a frequency or an output level of the ultrasonic wave is varied according to a degree of dirt of the washing water detected by the dirt detecting means. The ultrasonic cleaning device for an endoscope according to claim 1. 3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said stain detecting means detects the degree of stain of said washing water based on an amount of light reflected or transmitted through said washing water in said washing tank. Sonic cleaning device.