JP2017136260A - Endoscope reprocessor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope reprocessor capable of preventing a plurality of attachments contained in a case from becoming entangled with each other and thus cleaning and disinfecting the whole of each attachment effectively.SOLUTION: The endoscope reprocessor comprises: a case 51 for containing endoscope attachments; a fluid introduction port 54b for introducing a fluid into the case 51; a connection 56 dangled inside the case 51 such that one end of the connection is allowed to be moved; and a swing part 57 of which specific gravity is greater than or equal to that of the fluid, and which is connected to the one end of the connection 56 and swings inside the case 51, receiving the flow of the fluid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope reprocessor.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus that cleans and disinfects endoscope accessories as well as endoscopes contaminated by use. For example, in JP 2009-207739 A, an endoscope accessory removed from an endoscope is stored in a case in a processing tank, a liquid such as a cleaning disinfectant is stored in the processing tank, An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus is disclosed in which liquid is jetted from a nozzle to a case and the accessory is stirred by the flow of the jetting liquid to wash the accessory.

JP 2009-207739 A

  However, in the conventional endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, when a plurality of accessories are accommodated in the case, the accessories may stay in combination with each other in the case.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an endoscope reprocessor capable of preventing a plurality of accessories housed in a case from being combined with each other and effectively cleaning and disinfecting each accessory as a whole. For the purpose.

  An endoscope reprocessor according to an aspect of the present invention includes a case that houses an endoscope accessory, a fluid introduction port that introduces fluid into the case, and a connection that is suspended in the case so that one end is movable. And a swinging part that has the same specific gravity as the fluid or has a higher specific gravity than the fluid and is connected to the one end of the connecting part and receives the flow of the fluid and swings in the case.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope reprocessor capable of preventing a plurality of accessories housed in a case from being combined with each other and effectively cleaning and disinfecting all the accessories. be able to.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the external appearance structure of the endoscope reprocessor concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the endoscope reprocessor concerning embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the case of the endoscope reprocessor concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining arrangement | positioning of the fluid introduction port of the case of the endoscope reprocessor concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of the state which the some accessory accommodated in the case in the endoscope reprocessor based on embodiment of this invention combined mutually.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an external configuration of an endoscope reprocessor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The endoscope reprocessor 1 is a device that performs a regeneration process for a contaminated endoscope E and parts or accessories (hereinafter simply referred to as “accessories”) A of the endoscope E. The regeneration treatment here is not particularly limited, and is rinsed with water, cleaning to remove dirt such as organic matter, disinfection to invalidate a predetermined microorganism, sterilization to eliminate or kill all microorganisms, or Any of these combinations may be used. The accessory is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a suction button or an air / water supply button.

  The endoscope reprocessor 1 includes a top cover 11 and an apparatus main body 21. The apparatus main body 21 has an operation unit 22 on the front surface, and various instructions regarding processing such as cleaning and disinfection of the endoscope E can be input. The apparatus main body 21 has a water supply hose connection part 23 and is connected to an external water supply means W (FIG. 2).

  The top cover 11 is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the processing tank 24 so as to cover the processing tank 24. When the top cover 11 is opened, the inside of the processing tank 24 is exposed to the outside.

  The processing tank 24 is formed in a bowl shape so that the endoscope E can be disposed. The treatment tank 24 includes a water leakage detection port 25, a water level sensor 26, a detergent nozzle 27, a chemical liquid inlet 31, a liquid outlet 32, a circulation port 41, a connector 42, a circulation nozzle 43, and a case 51. And having. The chemical liquid inlet 31 is connected to a chemical liquid inlet L (FIG. 2) described later. The circulation port 41 and the circulation nozzle 43 are connected to a fluid feeding part S (FIG. 2) described later.

  The endoscope reprocessor 1 is connected to the endoscope E through the connection tube T. In FIG. 1, the endoscope reprocessor 1 and the endoscope E are connected by four connection tubes T.

  After the endoscope E is connected, in the endoscope reprocessor 1, the endoscope E is arranged in the processing tank 24, the accessory A is accommodated in the case 51, and the endoscope E and the accessory A are stored. Cleaning is performed.

  Next, the configuration of the main part of the endoscope reprocessor 1 will be described more specifically.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the endoscope reprocessor 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the pipeline is represented by a solid line, and the electric signal line is omitted.

  The endoscope reprocessor 1 includes a chemical liquid introduction part L, a drainage port 32, a fluid feeding part S, a case 51, and a control part 61.

  The chemical solution introduction unit L is configured to be able to supply a chemical solution 31 a such as a disinfectant solution to the treatment tank 24. The chemical solution introduction part L includes a chemical solution tank 31b and a chemical solution pump 31c.

  The chemical liquid tank 31b can store the chemical liquid 31a. The chemical liquid tank 31 b is connected to the chemical liquid inlet 31. The chemical liquid tank 31 b includes a heating unit 31 d connected to the control unit 61, and can heat the chemical liquid 31 a in the chemical liquid tank 31 b under the control of the control unit 61.

  The chemical pump 31c is a pump for feeding liquid from the chemical tank 31b to the treatment tank 24. The chemical pump 31 c is disposed in a conduit between the chemical tank 31 b and the chemical inlet 31. The chemical liquid pump 31 c is connected to the control unit 61 and can take in the chemical liquid 31 a from the chemical liquid tank 31 b under the control of the control unit 61 and send it to the processing tank 24 via the chemical liquid inlet 31.

  The drainage port 32 is configured to drain the liquid stored in the processing tank 24. The drainage port 32 can communicate with either the chemical solution tank 31b or the external drainage means 32c via the on-off valve 32a and the three-way valve 32b. The on-off valve 32 a is configured by an electromagnetic valve connected to the control unit 61, and can communicate with the drain port 32 and a pipe line connected to the three-way valve 32 b under the control of the control unit 61. The three-way valve 32b is constituted by a direction switching valve connected to the control unit 61. Under the control of the control unit 61, the drain port 32 communicated via the on-off valve 32a is connected to the chemical tank 31b or the external drain means 32c. It is possible to communicate with either one of these.

  The fluid feeding section S is configured to be able to feed or feed liquid to the circulation nozzle 43, the connector 42 and the case 51. For example, the fluid feeding section S includes a liquid feeding pump 41a, a circulation pump 41b, a flow path switching valve 41c, a water supply switching valve 41d, and an air compressor 41e.

  The liquid feeding pump 41 a is a pump for feeding the liquid in the processing tank 24 to the connector 42 and the case 51. The liquid feed pump 41a is disposed in a pipe line between the circulation port 41 and the flow path switching valve 41c. The liquid feed pump 41a can communicate with either the connector 42 or the case 51 via the flow path switching valve 41c. The liquid feed pump 41a is connected to the control unit 61, and can take in the liquid in the processing tank 24 from the circulation port 41 under the control of the control unit 61, and can send the liquid to a pipe connected to the flow path switching valve 41c. .

  The flow path switching valve 41 c is configured by a direction switching valve connected to the control unit 61. The flow path switching valve 41c is connected to the liquid feed pump 41a, the air compressor 41e, the connector 42, and the case 51. Under the control of the control unit 61, at least one of the liquid feed pump 41a or the air compressor 41e and at least the connector 42 or the case 51 is communicated with each other.

  The circulation pump 41 b is a pump for feeding the liquid in the processing tank 24 to the circulation nozzle 43. The circulation pump 41 b is disposed in a pipe line between the circulation port 41 and the circulation nozzle 43. The circulation pump 41 b is connected to the control unit 61, takes in the liquid from the circulation port 41 under the control of the control unit 61, and sends the liquid to the circulation nozzle 43.

  The water supply switching valve 41 d is configured by a direction switching valve connected to the control unit 61. The water supply switching valve 41d is connected to the circulation nozzle 43, the circulation pump 41b, and the water supply hose connection part 23, and under the control of the control part 61, the circulation nozzle 43 and the circulation pump 41b or the circulation nozzle 43 and the outside Either one of the water supply means is made to communicate.

  The air compressor 41 e is a pump for sending external air to the connector 42 and the case 51. The air compressor 41e is opened to the outside and communicates with the flow path switching valve 41c. The air compressor 41e is connected to the control unit 61. Under the control of the control unit 61, the air compressor 41e takes in air from the outside and supplies the air to a pipe connected to the flow path switching valve 41c.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the case 51 of the endoscope reprocessor 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of the fluid introduction ports 54b of the case 51 of the endoscope reprocessor 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a plurality of accessories A housed in the case 51 in the endoscope reprocessor 1 are combined with each other according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the case 51 is configured to accommodate the accessory A. The case 51 is attached to a pedestal 52 provided in the center of the processing tank 24. The case 51 includes a cup 53, a nozzle 54, a lid 55, a connection portion 56, and a swinging portion 57.

  The cup 53 is formed in a bowl shape so that a plurality of accessories A can be accommodated therein. The cup 53 is made of, for example, metal or resin. In addition, although the side wall 53a and the bottom part 53b of the cup 53 are comprised by the plate-shaped member in FIG. 3, you may be comprised by the net-like member.

  The nozzle 54 is disposed at the bottom 53 b of the cup 53 and is configured so that a fluid can be introduced into the cup 53. The nozzle 54 has a bottom opening 54a, a fluid inlet 54b, and a fluid flow path 54c.

  The bottom opening 54a communicates with a pipe line connected to the flow path switching valve 41c via a pedestal flow path 52a provided in the center of the pedestal 52 in the axial direction.

  One or a plurality of fluid inlets 54 b are arranged on the bottom 53 b of the case 51. Each fluid inlet 54 b opens into the cup 53 and can introduce a fluid into the cup 53. In FIG. 4, each fluid inlet 54b is arranged radially and in four directions with the center of the bottom 53b as the center.

  The fluid channel 54c communicates with the bottom opening 54a and the fluid inlet 54b.

  A lid 55 detachably attached to the cup 53 may be provided so as to cover the upper opening of the cup 53. The lid 55 is made of, for example, metal or resin. The lid 55 may be provided with a lead-out port 55 b so that the fluid in the cup 53 can be led out of the cup 53. The number of outlets 55b may be one or more. For example, the lid 55 may be formed of a mesh member or a lattice member, and a plurality of outlets 55b may be formed as shown in FIG. The lid 55 may be provided with a knob 55a that can be picked with fingers.

  However, the case 51 of the present invention is not limited to the structure including the cup 53 and the lid 55 as shown in FIG. For example, a bottomed cylindrical cup 53 can be used. In this case, the opening side of the cup 53 can be attached to and detached from the processing tank 24.

  The connecting portion 56 is hung from the lid 55 into the case 51 so that the one end 56a can move freely. As a result, the swinging portion 57 connected to the one end 56 a can swing within the case 51. In order to make the one end 56a movable, the connecting portion 56 is made of a material that can be freely bent, such as a chain, a string, or a thread. However, the connection portion 56 of the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the connection portion 56 made of a rigid material can be used. In this case, the other end 56b of the rigid connection portion 56 may be connected to the case 51 by a spring, rubber, ball & socket or the like so that the one end 56a can be moved.

  In FIG. 3, the connection part 56 is comprised with the chain | strand. The connection part 56 has one end 56 a connected to the swing part 57 and the other end 56 b connected to the lid 55. The connection part 56 has a predetermined length. The predetermined length is set in advance such that the swinging portion 57 can contact the accessory A in the case 51 and does not contact the bottom 53b of the case 51 or the nozzle 54.

  The other end 56 b of the connecting portion 56 is not limited to the lid 55 and may be connected to the side wall 53 a of the cup 53. When the case 51 without the lid 55 is used, the other end 56 b may be connected to the top surface or the side wall of the processing tank 24 when the case 51 is set in the processing tank 24.

  The swing part 57 is configured to be able to swing within the case 51. The swing part 57 is formed in a spherical shape, for example. The swing part 57 is connected to one end 56 a of the connection part 56 and supported by the connection part 56.

  By arranging at least one of the connecting portion 56 and the swinging portion 57 on the fluid flow route R introduced into the cup 53, the swinging portion 57 swings in the case 51 in response to the fluid flow. The swinging part 57 has the same specific gravity as the fluid stored in the processing tank 24 or a higher specific gravity than the fluid. At least the surface of the oscillating portion 57 is preferably made of a material having a hardness lower than that of the accessory A accommodated in the case 51, and is configured to have elasticity such as a resin or a sponge. At least the surface of the swinging portion 57 is covered with an elastomer having a rubber hardness Hs70 or less as defined in JIS standards. Note that at least the surface of the oscillating portion 57 may be covered with a sponge instead of an elastomer, or a combination thereof. The size of the oscillating portion 57 is desirably 3 mm or more in diameter.

  That is, the case 51 includes a cup 53 having a fluid introduction port 54b which is a first surface, and a lid 55 which is a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the connecting portion 56 has a fluid flow. It is hung from the second surface on the route R.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the control unit 61 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) 61a, a ROM 61b, and a RAM 61c. The CPU 61a can read and execute various programs stored in the ROM 61b and the RAM 61c.

  The ROM 61b stores various programs related to the reproduction process of the endoscope E.

  The function of the control part 61 is implement | achieved when CPU61a runs the various programs memorize | stored in ROM61b.

  The processing tank 24 has a processing tank temperature measuring unit (not shown), can measure the temperature of the liquid stored in the processing tank 24, and can output it to the control unit 61.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope reprocessor 1 according to the embodiment will be described.

  The operator opens the top cover 11 and sets the endoscope E in the treatment tank 24. Subsequently, the surgeon opens the lid 55 of the case 51, accommodates the accessory A in the case 51, and closes the lid 55.

  When the top cover 11 is closed and an instruction for starting processing such as cleaning and disinfection is input by the operation unit 22, the control unit 61 supplies a liquid such as a chemical solution 31 a or water from the detergent nozzle 27, the chemical solution introduction port 31 or the circulation port 41. The liquid is stored in the treatment tank 24 by being injected into the treatment tank 24.

  When the liquid is stored in the processing tank 24, the case 51 is submerged and the case 51 is filled with the liquid. The swinging part 57 moves in the direction of gravity by its own weight, and is disposed on the fluid flow route R.

  When the control unit 61 transmits a control signal for communicating the liquid feeding pump 41a and the case 51 to the flow path switching valve 41c, the liquid feeding pump 41a and the case 51 communicate with each other. Subsequently, when the control unit 61 transmits a control signal for starting liquid feeding to the liquid feeding pump 41a, the liquid feeding pump 41a starts liquid feeding. Thereby, the liquid taken in from the circulation port 41 flows into the nozzle 54 via the flow path switching valve 41c and the in-pedestal flow path 52a, and is introduced into the case 51 from each fluid introduction port 54b. The control unit 61 may cause the air compressor 41e and the case 51 to communicate with each other by the flow path switching valve 41c and supply air into the case 51, or may supply both liquid and gas into the case 51 at the same time. Absent.

  2 shows an example in which the air compressor 41e can communicate with the case 51, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which only the liquid can be introduced into the case 51 may be employed.

  The fluid introduced into the case 51 directly or indirectly pushes and moves the swinging portion 57 disposed on the fluid flow route R. The swinging part 57 pushed by the fluid presses against the accessory A, pushes the accessory A, and as shown in an example in FIG. Let go. The accessory A pushed and moved by the swinging part 57 is stirred and rotated by the flow of the fluid led out from the nozzle 54, and the whole is cleaned and disinfected. The swinging portion 57 pushed and moved by the fluid returns to the fluid lead-out route R by its own weight. Thereby, the rocking | swiveling part 57 repeats rocking | fluctuation and prevents the combination of the accessory A. FIG.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the endoscope reprocessor 1 prevents the plurality of accessories A housed in the case 51 from continuing to be combined with each other, and effectively cleans and disinfects each accessory A as a whole. can do.

  In the embodiment, the oscillating portion 57 is formed in a spherical shape as an example, but the oscillating portion 57 may not be spherical. For example, the oscillating portion 57 may have a pyramid shape, a prism shape, a plate shape, a hemispherical shape, a star shape, or the like.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope reprocessor 11 Top cover 21 Apparatus main body 22 Operation part 23 Water supply hose connection part 24 Processing tank 25 Water leak detection port 26 Water level sensor 27 Detergent nozzle 31 Chemical liquid inlet 31a Chemical liquid 31b Chemical liquid tank 31c Pump 31d Heating part 32 Drain port 32a Open / close valve 32b Three-way valve 32c External drain means 41 Circulation port 41a Liquid feed pump 41b Circulation pump 41c Channel switching valve 41d Water supply switching valve 41e Air compressor 42 Connector 43 Circulation nozzle 51 Case 52 Base 52a Base channel 53 Cup 53a Side wall 53b Bottom 54 Nozzle 54a Bottom opening 54b Fluid inlet 54c Fluid flow path 55 Lid 55a Knob 55b Lead-out port 56 Connection portion 56a One end of the connection portion 56b The other end of the connection portion 57 Swing portion 61 Control portion 61a CPU
61b ROM
61c RAM
A Accessory E Endoscope L Chemical solution introduction part R Fluid lead-out route S Fluid supply part T Connection tube W External water supply means

Claims (6)

A case for accommodating an endoscope accessory;
A fluid inlet for introducing fluid into the case;
A connection part that is suspended in the case so that one end is movable;
A swing part that has the same specific gravity as the fluid or a specific gravity that is greater than that of the fluid, and is connected to the one end of the connecting part and receives the flow of the fluid and swings in the case;
An endoscopic reprocessor comprising: The case is
A first surface having at least one fluid inlet;
A second surface facing the first surface,
The endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit is hung from the second surface. The fluid introduction port is disposed in a nozzle for introducing the fluid into the case,
The endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion or the swinging portion is disposed in a flow route of the fluid introduced into the case.   The endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1, wherein the swinging portion has elasticity.   The endoscope reprocessor according to claim 4, wherein at least a surface of the swinging portion is covered with an elastomer having a rubber hardness of Hs70 or less.   The endoscope reprocessor according to claim 4, wherein at least a surface of the swinging portion is covered with a sponge.

Images