JP3286044B2 - Endoscope cleaning and disinfecting equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used for examination and treatment of body cavities, in which air supply, water supply,
Various pipes for performing suction and the like are incorporated.
Then, in order to prevent infection and the like, the outer surface of the endoscope and the internal conduit are cleaned and disinfected each time the endoscope is used.

An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus used for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-1-153.
133 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-6811. In these endoscope cleaning devices, after the endoscope is set in the cleaning tank, the cleaning liquid is jetted from an injection nozzle provided in the cleaning tank and the cleaning liquid is sent to the internal conduit of the endoscope. To wash the endoscope. Further, a cleaning liquid is stored in the cleaning tank, and the endoscope is immersed in the stored cleaning liquid to clean the outer surface of the endoscope. Thereafter, disinfection with a disinfecting solution and rinsing with clean water are performed in the same manner.Finally, dry gas is supplied to the internal conduit of the endoscope, and the inside of the cleaning tank is heated to clean the outer surface of the endoscope. Both internal lines are designed to dry.

[0004]

As described above, various pipes for air supply, water supply, suction and the like are incorporated in the endoscope. The pipe resistance of each pipe is also different. Since the pipe resistance differs depending on the pipe, the liquid sending pressure required for cleaning, that is, the cleaning pressure also differs depending on each pipe. Therefore, since it is necessary to set the liquid sending pressure to each pipe to an appropriate pressure required for pipe cleaning, the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus has different discharge pressures according to the respective pipes inside the endoscope. A plurality of pumps are provided. In this case, with respect to a so-called extra-fine pipe having an extremely small diameter compared to the inner diameter of an ordinary endoscope internal pipe, the cleaning fluid is pumped by a pump having a large discharge pressure because the pipe resistance of the extra-fine pipe is large. Unless the liquid is sent at a high pressure, a sufficient cleaning effect cannot be obtained. However, if the cleaning liquid is supplied at a high pressure to the ultrafine conduit, the load on the ultrafine conduit is undesirably increased.

[0005] Further, since the cleaning liquid does not flow vigorously in an ultrafine pipe having a large pipe resistance, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid flowing inside the ultrafine pipe per unit time is very small. For this reason, for example, when the driving of the pump is stopped to stop the supply of the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid remains in the liquid supply pipe in the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus connected to the microfine pipe, and the remaining cleaning liquid is added to the microfine pipe. There is a problem that it keeps flowing in the interior forever.

That is, since the cleaning liquid from the liquid supply pipe in the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus can be vigorously passed through the internal conduit of the normal endoscope, the cleaning liquid remains in the liquid supply pipe. However, since the volume of the ultrafine line of the endoscope is very small compared to the volume of the inside of the cleaning pump and the liquid supply line in the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, the cleaning liquid remains inside the cleaning pump and the liquid supply line. As a result, the accumulated large amount of residual liquid is not easily discharged from the liquid supply conduit, and continues to flow from the microscopic conduit of the endoscope to the taper, causing a situation in which the liquid in the microscopic conduit is not replaced at all. . This results in a long rinsing time, for example, when performing the next rinsing step.

[0007] The same applies to the other steps. In particular, because it is not possible to spend much time collecting the disinfectant during the disinfection process, in terms of reducing the total process time,
The remaining disinfectant that has not been collected in the cleaning pump or the liquid feed line has been flushed together in the next rinsing step.
Was wasting expensive disinfectants. In addition, if the water removal time is shortened to shorten the time, the water may enter the disinfection process with water remaining in the ultrafine pipe, and in this case, the disinfecting solution is diluted and a reliable disinfection effect is obtained. Had the disadvantage of not having.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to eliminate the burden on the pipeline and to immediately discharge the liquid in the internal pipeline of the endoscope. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus capable of performing each step in a short time.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 is to supply a fluid such as a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting solution into an internal conduit of an endoscope. In an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting the inside, a supply pipe connected to an internal pipe of the endoscope, and a fluid such as a cleaning liquid or a disinfectant is supplied into the internal pipe through the supply pipe. A pump means, a branch line branching from near the connection end of the supply line to which the internal line is connected, and a branch line provided in the branch line.
And supplied into the supply line by the pump means.
The fluid to be supplied to the internal conduit or the branch conduit.
Discharge via drain or at least one controlled by line disconnect
Switching control means. Also, billing
Item 2. The invention according to Item 2, wherein the cleaning liquid is contained in the internal conduit of the endoscope.
And a disinfectant or other fluid to wash and erase the inside of the internal pipeline.
In an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for poisoning, a supply pipe connected to an internal pipe of the endoscope, and a pump means for supplying a fluid such as a cleaning liquid or a disinfectant into the internal pipe through the supply pipe. A branch pipe branching from the vicinity of a connection end of the supply pipe to which the internal pipe is connected, and a branch pipe provided in the branch pipe;
Discharge control means capable of discharging the fluid supplied into the supply pipe by the pump means at a predetermined flow rate.

[0010]

The residual liquid in the supply line passes through the branch line.
And the pipe line switching control means or the discharge control means.
Released through the steps . Therefore, for example, in the cleaning process
Liquid does not remain in the supply pipeline at the start of switching between each process such as the rinsing process and disinfection process, and the replacement of the cleaning liquid, rinsing water, disinfectant, etc. in the internal pipeline inside the endoscope is quick. Done.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a cleaning tank 2 for housing and holding an endoscope 10 to be cleaned. Although not shown, the endoscope 1
Various internal conduits for performing air supply, water supply, suction, and the like are incorporated in the inside of the cylinder 0. At least one of these internal conduits has an inner diameter that is much smaller than the internal diameter of a normal internal conduit. This is an ultrafine conduit having

The inside of the cleaning tank 2 provided in the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 1 is discharged from a first liquid feed pipe 4 connected to a water supply source 9 such as a water tap via a water supply switching valve 5. An end portion is arranged, so that the washing water from the water supply source 9 can be supplied into the washing tank 2 through the first liquid feed pipe 4.

A second liquid supply line 14 is further connected to the water supply switching valve 5. By switching the valve of the water supply switching valve 5, the water supply source 9 is connected to the first liquid supply line 4 and the second liquid supply line 4. It is configured to be connected to any one of the liquid feed pipes 14.

Similarly, the discharge end of the disinfectant supply pipe 8 connected to the disinfectant tank 6 and the discharge end of the detergent supply pipe 12 connected to the detergent tank 7 are respectively connected to the cleaning tank 2.
By driving pumps 15 and 16 interposed in the middle of the pipes 8 and 12, the detergent in the detergent tank 7 and the disinfectant in the disinfectant tank 6 are disposed. The water can be supplied into the cleaning tank 2 through the pipes 8 and 12.

A water supply tank 17 is provided at an upstream portion of the second liquid feed pipe 14. An electromagnetic valve 18 is interposed at a downstream portion of the second liquid feed pipe 14.
Further, the second liquid supply pipe 14 is located downstream of the solenoid valve 18 and is provided with a first cleaning pipe 14a as a supply pipe.
And a second cleaning pipe line 14b. And
The ultrafine conduit provided inside the endoscope 10 can be connected to the first cleaning conduit 14a via a connection tube 25. When connecting the first washing pipe 14a and the microfine pipe, one end of the connection tube 25 is connected to the first connection base 24 of the endoscope main body communicating with the microfine pipe. The other end is connected to the first cleaning conduit 14a.
Is connected to the connecting part 23 to be connected.

The second cleaning conduit 14b is connected via a connection tube 28 to an internal conduit of the endoscope 10 other than the ultrafine conduit (a normal conduit having an inner diameter sufficiently larger than the inner diameter of the ultrafine conduit). An internal pipeline is hereinafter referred to as a normal internal pipeline.) Second washing line 14b
When connecting the internal pipe and the internal pipe,
Is connected to a second connection base 27 of the endoscope main body communicating with the internal conduit, and the other end of the connection tube 28 is connected to a connection portion 26 to which the second cleaning conduit 14b is connected.

A pump for supplying a cleaning liquid, a disinfecting liquid or the like to the internal conduit of the endoscope 10 through the first and second cleaning conduits 14a and 14b through the first and second cleaning conduits 14a and 14b. 30 and 31 are provided. In this case, the pump 30 has a larger discharge force than the other ordinary pumps 15, 16, 31, and 44. In addition, these pumps 30,
Check valves 62 and 63 are interposed downstream of 31.
As a result, the flow direction of the cleaning liquid or the disinfecting liquid through the cleaning pipes 14a and 14b is regulated.

A bypass pipe 32 is connected near the downstream end of the first cleaning pipe 14a as a branch pipe communicating with the inside of the cleaning tank 2. The bypass pipe 32 is provided with an on-off valve 33 (electromagnetically operated) that opens and closes the bypass pipe 32 to control the communication between the first cleaning pipe 14 a and the cleaning tank 2. The on-off valve 33 is
Means for discharging the residual liquid in the washing pipeline 14a,
First, the remaining liquid in the first cleaning pipe 14a is supplied to the internal pipe.
Or discharge via bypass line 32 at least
This constitutes a pipeline switching control means (to be described later) for controlling any one of them .

The check valve 62 of the first washing line 14a
An air supply pipe 35 connected to a compressor 37 is connected to a pipe section on the downstream side. The air supply line 35 sends out the compressed air from the compressor 37 to the downstream side of the first cleaning line 14a via the check valve 36. Further, the air supply pipe 35 and the second cleaning pipe 14 are used.
b communicates with each other through a connection pipe line 45. Also in this case, the connection line 45 is connected to the air supply line 35 and the check valve 6.
The cleaning pipe 14b is connected downstream of the cleaning pipe 14b.

The solenoid valve 1 of the second liquid feed line 14
A circulation pipe 20 is connected to a pipe section downstream of 8 through a connecting member 21. The circulation line 20 communicates with the inside of the cleaning tank 2 through a first discharge port 46 provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, and allows the liquid in the cleaning tank 2 discharged from the first discharge port 46 to flow. The second operation is performed by opening the solenoid valve 22.
The liquid can be sent out into the liquid sending pipe line 14.

A second outlet 4 is provided at the bottom of the washing tank 2.
7 are provided. The switching valve 42 is connected to the discharge port 47.
One end of a drain pipe 43 is connected to the drain pipe 43. The drain pipe 43 discharges the liquid in the cleaning tank 2 to the outside by driving a pump 44 interposed in the drain pipe 43. it can.

The switching valve 42 is further connected to a disinfectant recovery line 41 connected to the disinfectant tank 6.
By switching the switching valve 42, the inside of the cleaning tank 2 can be connected to either the drainage pipe 43 or the disinfectant recovery pipe 41.

An exhaust port 38 is provided in the upper part of the cleaning tank 2. Further, warm air from a hot air generator 40 can be sent into the cleaning tank 2 through an air supply pipe 39. Further, the above-mentioned various electromagnetic valves and pumps are electrically connected to a control device (not shown), and the electromagnetic valves and the pump are controlled by the control device so that various processes described later are performed.

Next, the operation of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. When cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope 10 using the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 1, first, the used endoscope 10 is set in the cleaning tank 2. Then, one end of the connection tube 25 is connected to the first connection mouthpiece 24 of the endoscope main body, and the other end of the connection tube 25 is connected to the connection portion 23, so that the connection between the ultrafine conduit in the endoscope 10 and the And one cleaning pipe line 14a. Further, one end of the connection tube 28 is connected to the second connection base 2 of the endoscope main body.
7, the other end of the connection tube 28 is connected to the connection portion 26, and the second cleaning pipe 14 b is connected to a normal internal pipe in the endoscope 10. After that, cleaning, disinfection, rinsing,
Each process of air supply and drying is performed. The water supply tank 17 is supplied with washing water from the water supply source 9 in advance via the second liquid supply pipe 14.

In the washing step, first, the water supply switching valve 5 is switched in a direction in which the first liquid supply pipe line 4 and the water supply source 9 are connected, and the washing water is supplied from the water supply source 9 to the first liquid supply pipe. It is supplied into the cleaning tank via the passage 4. In addition, a predetermined amount of detergent is injected from the detergent tank 7 into the cleaning tank 2 via the detergent supply pipe 12. In this state, the electromagnetic valve 18, the on-off valve 33, and the switching valve 42 are all closed. Then, a fixed amount of cleaning water is supplied into the cleaning tank 2 and the endoscope 10 is supplied.
Is sufficiently immersed in the washing water, the water supply switching valve 5 is closed, and the supply of the washing water into the washing tank 2 is stopped. Subsequently, the electromagnetic valve 22 is opened, and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 2 flows from the first discharge port 46 into the second liquid supply pipe 14 via the circulation pipe 20. In this case, since the electromagnetic valve 18 is closed, the cleaning liquid that has flowed into the second liquid-feeding pipe 14 via the circulation pipe 20 is driven by the pumps 30 and 31 to be in the second state.
Circulates through a series of paths such as a liquid supply pipe 14 → first cleaning pipes 14a and 14b → connecting tubes 25 and 28 → internal pipe of the endoscope 10 → cleaning tank 2 → circulating pipe 20; The internal conduit of the endoscope 10 is cleaned.

That is, in this state, the outer surface of the endoscope 10 is immersed and cleaned by the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 2, and the internal conduit of the endoscope 10 is cleaned by the circulating cleaning liquid. In this case, the ultrafine pipe line is washed by the pump 30 at a liquid sending pressure higher than that of a normal internal pipe line due to the difference in the pipe line resistance.

When the predetermined cleaning step is completed, a rinsing step is performed. In this rinsing step, the electromagnetic valve 22 is used.
Is closed, the electromagnetic valve 18 is opened, the pump 44 is driven, and the switching valve 42 is switched in the direction of the drainage line 43. At this time, the water supply switching valve 5 is opened, and new washing water is supplied into the washing tank 6. Further, at the start of the rinsing step, the on-off valve 33 is opened for a certain time, and the cleaning liquid remaining in the first cleaning pipe 14a and the pump 30 is quickly discharged into the cleaning tank 2 through the bypass pipe 32. It is.

In such a rinsing step, all of the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning tank 2 and the cleaning liquid circulating in the internal pipe of the endoscope 10 are discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 43, and The outer surface of the endoscope 10 is rinsed while the washing water in the tank 2 is sequentially replaced with new washing water in an overflow manner, and the washing water in the water supply tank 17 is supplied via the electromagnetic valve 18 to the washing conduit 14a, It flows into the inside 14b to rinse the internal conduit b of the endoscope 10.
In this case, the washing water once used for rinsing is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 43 as it is. Also, this rinsing step is not performed by supplying and draining the washing water into the washing tank 2 in an overflow manner as described above, but rather repeating the operation of once storing the washing water in the washing tank 2 and then draining it several times. May be carried out.

In the latter half of the rinsing step, water is removed. In this water removal step, the water supply switching valve 5 and the electromagnetic valve 18 are closed (the switching valve 42 is kept switched in the direction of the drainage pipe 43), and the pumps 30, 31, and 44 are turned off. The driving is stopped, and the compressor 37 is driven. Thereby, air is supplied into the internal conduit of the endoscope 10, and the internal conduit of the endoscope 10 is drained. Further, at the start of the water removal step, the on-off valve 33 is opened for a certain period of time, and all of the rinse water remaining in the first cleaning pipe 14a is quickly released from the bypass pipe 32 to the cleaning tank 2 by air. It is exhaled.

When the water removal after the rinsing step is completed, a disinfection step is subsequently performed. In this disinfection process, the drive of the compressor 37 is stopped, and the switching valve 42 is closed.
Then, the pump 15 is driven, and the disinfecting solution in the disinfecting solution tank 6 is supplied into the cleaning tank 2 through the disinfecting solution supply pipe 8. At this time, the solenoid valve 22 is opened and the pump 3
0, 31 are driven. As a result, the endoscope 10 is immersed and disinfected by the disinfecting solution stored in the cleaning tank 2, and the internal conduit of the endoscope 10 is disinfected by the circulating disinfecting solution. Further, at the start of the disinfection step, the on-off valve 33 is opened for a certain period of time, and the air remaining in the first cleaning pipe 14a is quickly removed from the bypass pipe 3.
2 is discharged into the cleaning tank 2. As a result, the disinfecting solution can be quickly sent into the ultrafine conduit. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the switching valve 42 is switched to the direction of the disinfectant liquid collecting pipe 41, the electromagnetic valve 22 is closed, and the disinfecting liquid is collected in the disinfecting liquid tank 6 through the disinfecting liquid collecting pipe 41. When such a disinfection process is completed,
The rinsing step and the water removing step are sequentially performed by the operation described above again.

After all the liquid in the cleaning tank 2 has been discharged to the outside, a drying step is performed. In this drying step, hot air is sent from the hot air generator 40 into the cleaning tank 2 through the air supply pipe 39. In this case, by discharging the steam to the outside through the exhaust port 38, the humidity in the cleaning tank 2 is suppressed to be low, and the drying is promoted.

As described above, the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment communicates with the branch pipe or cleaning tank 2 provided near the downstream end of the first cleaning pipe 14a. A bypass conduit 32 for opening and closing the bypass conduit 32
Communication between the inside of the washing pipe 14a and the inside of the washing tank 2 is controlled.
With the on-off valve 33 as a pipeline switching control means , the first
Since the remaining liquid in the cleaning pipe line 14a can be discharged as needed, if the on-off valve 33 is opened at the start of switching of each step such as a cleaning step, a rinsing step, a disinfection step, etc. The circulating fluid of the previous process remaining in the cleaning pipe 14a can be quickly discharged into the cleaning tank 2 through the bypass pipe 32, and the cleaning liquid in the extra fine pipe in the endoscope 10 can be removed.
The replacement of rinsing water, disinfectant, etc. can be performed quickly. That is, it is possible to prevent the circulating liquid (unnecessary liquid) in the previous process from remaining in the first cleaning pipe line 14a, and the circulating liquid can be replaced quickly, so that the total process time can be reduced. Therefore, the usability of the user is improved.

In addition, since the disinfecting solution cannot be completely recovered due to the ultrafine pipe having a large pipe resistance, the first cleaning pipe 14a
There is no conventional disadvantage that the disinfectant is left in the washing tank 2 and the remaining disinfectant is flowed together in the next rinsing step.
It can be effectively used without wasting expensive disinfectant liquid because it can be discharged into the inside. Therefore, economy is good.

Further, since the rinsing time and the water removing time can be sufficiently secured with the reduction of the total process time, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the rinsing liquid remains in the ultrafine pipe line and enters the disinfection process. It is possible to solve the conventional disadvantage that the disinfecting solution is diluted and a reliable disinfecting effect cannot be obtained.

Since the time during which the on-off valve 33 is opened is very short, the time during which the liquid can be concentrated and delivered in the ultrafine pipe line becomes longer, and a reliable washing effect and rinsing effect can be obtained. it can.

Further, by opening the on-off valve 33, the pressure increased in the flow path from the first cleaning conduit 14a to the microscopic conduit of the endoscope 10 can be reduced as required. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the load on the ultrafine conduit.

The structure of this embodiment is not limited to an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope by immersing the endoscope in a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting liquid as described above. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus that cleans and disinfects an endoscope by ejecting the endoscope.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 50 of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the solenoid valve 33 is replaced with a small-diameter orifice (drainage orifice ).
Outgoing control means) 52 is merely provided, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. The inner diameter of the orifice 52 is of, for example, about 1 to 2 mm (sufficiently larger diameter than the extra fine line), rinsed in less and the pump 30 the pressure drop is of the order of sufficiently performed.

In this configuration, a small amount of liquid constantly flows out of the orifice 52 during the operation of the pump 30 in all steps from washing to drying, so that the liquid in the pump 30 and the first washing pipe 14a can be easily prepared. Be exchanged. Further, since the solenoid valve 33 is not used, the configuration of the entire apparatus is simplified, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Further, since the control of the solenoid valve 33 is not required, the software is simplified, and the cause of the failure is reduced.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of the present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the orifice 52 is replaced with a relief valve (pipe switching control).
Means) 71 is used, and the other configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment.

The relief valve 71 is provided at the discharge end of the bypass line 32 branched from the first cleaning line. When the pressure of the relief valve 71 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, for example, ² kgf / cm ² , the valve is opened and a fluid flows out. Therefore, the pump 30
By using a material that becomes equal to or higher than the set pressure at the time of cleaning and air supply, rinsing and dewatering in the ultrafine pipe can be performed in a short time. That is, by the operation of the pump 30 having an operating pressure equal to or higher than the set pressure, the first cleaning pipe 14a is passed through the bypass pipe 32 having a much larger cross-sectional area than the ultrafine pipe during the operation of cleaning and air supply. Since the fluid in the inside flows out, the fluid in the first cleaning pipe line 14a is immediately replaced at the time of switching of each cleaning step, and as a result, rinsing can be performed in a short time. Similarly, in the case of water removal in the pipeline by air supply, the bypass pipeline 3
Since the liquid in the first cleaning pipe line 14a immediately flows out from 2, the water can be removed from the ultrafine pipe line in a short time.

In this embodiment, the first cleaning pipe line 1 is used.
A check valve 75 is provided near the connection portion of the air supply pipe 35 connected to 4a. The check valve 75 is provided to prevent the fluid in the first washing pipe 14a having a higher washing water pressure than the second washing pipe 14b from flowing into the second washing pipe 14b. Things.

Therefore, the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of this embodiment can provide the same operation and effects as those of the first embodiment, and also allows the air from the air supply pipe 35 to the outside through the relief valve 75. Since the air can be released, a situation in which the pressure in the air supply pipe 35 becomes abnormally high can be avoided. That is, for example,
In the configuration of the first embodiment, in order to prevent the pressure in the air supply line 35 from becoming abnormally high, when the pressure in the air supply line 35 exceeds a predetermined pressure, the air supply line 35 It is necessary to separately provide a relief mechanism for releasing the air inside to the outside of the air supply line 35,
In the present embodiment, since the relief valve 71 has both the function as the relief mechanism and the function as the discharge means for releasing the fluid in the first cleaning pipe 14a to the outside, the first embodiment is different from the first embodiment. Compared with this, the apparatus can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of the present embodiment is configured such that an electromagnetic valve 76 is provided in the second cleaning pipe 14b downstream of the check valve 63 in addition to the configuration of the third embodiment. . As shown in FIG. 6, the solenoid valve 76 repeats the opening and closing operations at predetermined time intervals during the air supply step (during the water removal step) in which the compressor 37 operates.

Usually, in the air supply step, the compressor 37
The endoscope is driven to send compressed air to remove water in the internal conduit of the endoscope. However, when the conduit cross-sectional area of the endoscope is extremely large, the air supply pressure may decrease. When the air supply pressure is reduced, air supply to the microscopic conduit of the endoscope is not sufficiently performed, and water droplets may remain in the microscopic conduit. However, in this embodiment, during the air supply step, the solenoid valve 76 is opened and closed, and at the time of the closing operation, air supply is performed only at a high pressure only in the ultrafine pipe line, that is, at the set pressure of the relief valve 71. it can. As a result, water can be removed from the ultrafine conduit without any problem.

FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of the present embodiment, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the second liquid feed pipe 14 is not branched at the downstream side of the electromagnetic valve 18 but is downstream of the check valve 62. The portion is branched into a first cleaning conduit 14a and a second cleaning conduit 14b at a site. Therefore, in this configuration, the first
The fluids in the washing pipe 14a and the second washing pipe 14b are all operated by one high-pressure pump 30. Therefore, of course, the pump 31 and the check valve 63 are also excluded. Further, in this configuration, of the second liquid feed line 14, the line portion on the downstream side of the check valve 62 and the first cleaning line 1
An air supply conduit 35 is connected between the air supply conduit 4a and a branch portion that branches into the second cleaning conduit 14b. further,
Similarly to the fourth embodiment, a relief valve 71 is provided at the discharge end of the bypass pipe 32, and the second cleaning pipe 1 is provided.
An electromagnetic valve 76 is interposed in the middle of 4b. Therefore, the configuration of the present embodiment simplifies the pipeline configuration.

FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.
This is a combination of the configuration of the third embodiment and the configuration of the third embodiment. That is, the bypass line 32 branched from the first cleaning line 14a is further replaced by the first bypass line 3
2a and a second bypass line 32b, and an on-off valve 33 is interposed in the middle of the first bypass line 32a.
The relief valve 71 is provided at the discharge end of the bypass pipe 32b. Therefore, in this configuration,
Both the operation and effect of the first embodiment and the operation and effect of the third embodiment can be obtained. That is, it is possible to realize both effects of discharging the washing water and the like and preventing abnormal pressure rise in the air supply pipe.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show modifications of the installation position of the relief valve 71 provided in the third to sixth embodiments. As shown in the above embodiment, the relief valve 71 is provided at the discharge end of the bypass conduit 32. As shown in FIG. 9, the relief valve 71 is connected to the endoscope main body communicating with the microscopic conduit of the endoscope. It may be provided in the connector part 24a at one end of the connection tube 25 connected to the first connection base 24, or may be interposed in the middle of the connection tube 25 as shown in FIG. . Further, as shown in FIG. 11, it may be provided in a connector portion 23 a on the other end side of the connection tube 25 connected to the connection portion 23.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, by placing the relief valve 71 as close to the endoscope 10 as possible,
During the rinsing step, the liquid in the ultrafine conduit can be replaced in a shorter time. Similarly, water removal can be performed in a short time. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0050]

As described above, the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to the present embodiment has a supply conduit connected to the internal conduit of the endoscope.
A branch pipe branching from the vicinity of the connection end of the
A fluid provided in the supply line
Supply to the branch line or discharge through the branch line
At least by any one of them.
Or the branch conduit and the branch conduit
And supplied into the supply line by the pump means.
Discharge control means that can discharge fluid at a predetermined flow rate.
Since the fluid in the supply line can be discharged as needed or constantly, the liquid can be left in the supply line at the start of switching of each process such as a cleaning process, a rinsing process, and a disinfection process. It is possible to quickly replace the cleaning liquid, the rinsing water, the disinfecting liquid and the like in the internal conduit in the endoscope without being lost. In other words, it is possible to prevent the circulating liquid (unnecessary liquid) from remaining in the supply pipe in the previous step, and to quickly replace the circulating liquid, thereby shortening the total process time. Therefore,
The usability of the user is improved.

Further, since the disinfecting solution cannot be completely collected and remains in the supply conduit because of the internal conduit of the endoscope having a large conduit resistance, the residual disinfecting liquid is flushed together in the next rinsing step. no conventional drawback would, the disinfectant conduit
Since the switching control means or the discharge control means can promptly and reliably discharge the liquid, the expensive disinfecting liquid can be effectively used without wasting. Therefore, economy is good.

Further, as the total process time is shortened, a sufficient rinsing time and water removing time can be secured, thereby avoiding a situation in which the rinsing water remains in the endoscope internal pipe and enters the disinfection process. Therefore, the conventional disadvantage that the disinfecting solution is diluted and a reliable disinfecting effect cannot be obtained can be solved.

In addition, the pipeline switching control means or the discharge control
By the means , the pressure increased in the flow path from the supply pipe to the internal pipe of the endoscope can be reduced, so that the burden on the internal pipe of the endoscope can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of a main driving device of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a main part configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a main part configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a time chart of the operation of the solenoid valve and the compressor in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a main part configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a main part configuration diagram of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a first modification of the installation position of the relief valve.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a second modification of the installation position of the relief valve.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a third modification of the installation position of the relief valve.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 50 ... endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device, 10 ... endoscope, 14a
... first cleaning line (supply line), 30 ... pump, 32
... bypass line (branch line), 33 ... open / close valve ( line switching)
Control means ), 52 ... orifice ( discharge control means ), 71
... Relief valve ( pipe switching control means ).

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for feeding a fluid such as a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting solution into an internal conduit of an endoscope to clean and disinfect the internal conduit, wherein the device is connected to an internal conduit of the endoscope. A supply pipe to be supplied, a pump means for supplying a fluid such as a cleaning liquid or a disinfectant into the internal pipe through the supply pipe, and a branch from the vicinity of a connection end of the supply pipe connected to the internal pipe. a branch conduit supplies the provided branch conduit, the fluid supplied to the supply conduit by the pump means, said internal conduit
And / or discharge via said branch line
An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, comprising: a pipe line switching control means for controlling the endoscope. 2. A cleaning liquid or a disinfecting liquid or the like in an internal conduit of an endoscope.
Endoscope for cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the internal pipeline by feeding fluid
In a mirror cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, a supply pipe connected to an internal pipe of an endoscope , and a cleaning liquid and a disinfectant are supplied into the internal pipe through the supply pipe.
Pump means for supplying fluid, etc., from the vicinity of the connection end of the supply pipe to which the internal pipe is connected.
A branch pipe for branching; and a branch pipe provided in the branch pipe and provided by the pump means.
Fluid supplied in the supply pipe can be discharged at a predetermined flow rate
An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus comprising: a discharge control unit .