JP4994141B2 - Endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method and endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for cleaning and disinfecting endoscopes capable of retaining the concentration of antiseptic solution to a predetermined value or more by preventing the dilution of the antiseptic solution due to moisture such as cleaning solution remaining on a plurality of channels of an endoscope, the outer surface of the endoscope and a housing for storing the endoscope, reducing the frequency of exchanging the antiseptic solution and the like to consequently reduce the cleaning cost. <P>SOLUTION: This method for disinfecting endoscopes is provided with: a cleaning process for feeding cleaning solution containing detergent to the inside of the housing for storing the endoscope and the plurality of channels of the endoscope, cleaning the outer surface of the endoscope and the inside of the channels and, after the cleaning, discharging the cleaning solution outside the housing; an air feeding process for feeding drying air to the inside of the housing and the channel to dry the inside of the housing, the outer surface of the endoscope and the inside of the channels; and a disinfection process for feeding the antiseptic solution to the inside of the housing and the channel dried by the air feed and disinfecting the outer surface of the endoscope and the inside of the channels. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method and an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for cleaning, disinfecting an endoscope by cleaning, drying and disinfecting the outer skin (outer surface) of each endoscope and each channel.

  A medical endoscope is commonly used for a plurality of patients. After use, it is necessary to clean and remove the dirt on the surface of the endoscope and the channel (pipe) provided in the endoscope, and to disinfect and kill bacteria, etc., and to clean and disinfect the endoscope . For this reason, various apparatuses and methods for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope and further drying and cleaning the endoscope are conventionally known.

  Here, Patent Document 1 includes an inflow pipe connected to a water tap above the cylindrical main body, which has an insertion port inserted into the endoscope from the insertion port at the top of the cylindrical main body and has a discharge port below. A branch pipe connected to the forceps port of the endoscope is provided in the middle of the inflow pipe, and an injection pipe for injecting a cleaning agent or a disinfectant is provided on the branch pipe and the inflow pipe on the water tap side and the cylindrical body side, respectively. In addition, an endoscope treatment tool characterized in that a liquid flow is provided in a portion where the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope in the cylindrical main body is located, and the endoscope is cleaned using the endoscope treatment tool. A method is described.

  In Patent Document 2, a casing having an insertion port for inserting an endoscope at the top, a drainage port that can be opened and closed by a valve at the bottom, and a flexible tube is bent in a loop shape. The first end is connected to the endoscope insertion port, and the opposite second end is connected to the drainage port. A cleaning pipe, a cleaning liquid supply mechanism for supplying a cleaning liquid into the cleaning pipe, an external pipe connecting the first end side and the second end side of the cleaning pipe, and a pump provided in the pipe The cleaning liquid in the cleaning pipe is forcibly recirculated from the first end side to the second end side through these pipes and pumps, so that the second end side from the second end side to the first end side in the cleaning pipe. A bypass flow path that creates a circulating flow of cleaning liquid Cleaning device of an endoscope and having a drainage pump connected to the drain port through the valve, a is described.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, in a method for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope housed in a cleaning tank of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, a liquid having volatility at room temperature is immediately before the disinfection step. A method for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope is described in which a replacement step of replacing the water remaining in the inner conduit with the liquid is performed by introducing into the inner conduit of the mirror. In the replacement step, the liquid is also sprayed onto the outer surface of the endoscope and the surface of the cleaning tank.

  Patent Document 4 discloses an endoscope disinfecting apparatus for disinfecting an endoscope with a disinfecting liquid, minimizing the surface area of the disinfecting liquid and air exposure, and the endoscope air / water and A disinfection pan for disinfecting the light tube, an endoscope main body portion that is connected to the disinfection deep plate and disinfects the main body and the eyepiece of the endoscope, and is connected to the endoscope main body portion; An endoscope disinfection device is described that includes a tube portion into which an insertion tube (insertion portion) of an endoscope is inserted, and a deep dish housing that covers the deep dish and performs a fluid-tight seal. Moreover, it is described that the disinfection deep dish is comprised so that the liquid exposure surface area of disinfection liquid may be reduced in order to reduce the evaporation rate of disinfection liquid.

  Patent Document 5 also discloses a system for reprocessing a medical device having a tubular member, the first housing portion and the second housing defining a pressure chamber into which a part of the medical device is inserted. A system for reprocessing a medical device is described that includes a container having a portion and a tube connected to a chamber opening formed in the container and receiving a tubular member of the medical device.

JP 10-305011 A JP 2002-052033 A JP 2007-089636 A Special table 2003-530142 gazette JP 2005-521519 A

By the way, when cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope, the endoscope is accommodated in a storage container, the cleaning liquid is stored in the storage container, the endoscope is immersed to clean the endoscope, and then the storage container cleaning liquid Similarly, a disinfectant solution is stored in the storage container that has been discharged, the endoscope is disinfected, and the endoscope is cleaned and disinfected. As described above, when the disinfecting liquid is supplied to the storage container after cleaning with the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid remaining in the endoscope channel, the outer surface of the endoscope, and the storage container for storing the endoscope is used. The disinfectant will be diluted. When the disinfecting solution is diluted, there is a problem that the disinfecting performance of the disinfecting solution is lowered and the disinfecting solution cannot be sufficiently disinfected.
To deal with such problems, it is possible to sufficiently disinfect the endoscope by increasing the supply amount of the disinfecting liquid, but the running cost increases due to the increase in the amount of disinfecting liquid used. There was a problem of doing.

  In the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting method, the disinfecting liquid is collected and reused. For this reason, in order to maintain the disinfecting performance of the disinfecting solution, it is necessary to manage the concentration of the disinfecting solution so that it does not become a predetermined value or less. Since the solution is diluted, the concentration of the disinfectant inevitably decreases, and there is a problem that the endoscope cannot be sufficiently disinfected. In order to prevent the occurrence of such problems due to inadequate disinfection, the disinfectant must be replaced at an early stage, which reduces the number of times the disinfectant can be reused and increases the cost of disinfection. End up.

  Here, in the apparatuses described in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 5, dilution of the disinfectant cannot be prevented, and Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 5 include the above-mentioned disinfection. The problem due to dilution of the liquid is not described.

  Further, although cleaning is not described in Patent Document 4, in the case where disinfection is performed after cleaning the endoscope using the apparatus described in Patent Document 4, it is also necessary to prevent dilution of the disinfecting liquid. I can't. In other words, the apparatus of Patent Document 4 has a problem that even if the disinfecting liquid can be prevented from evaporating, it cannot prevent the disinfecting performance of the disinfecting liquid from being deteriorated due to dilution of the disinfecting liquid.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, in the replacement step, the liquid on the surface of the internal conduit (channel), the endoscope, and the cleaning tank is replaced with a volatile liquid to dilute the disinfectant solution. It is described to prevent. However, the method described in Patent Document 3 requires a volatile liquid to replace the disinfecting liquid in order to prevent dilution of the disinfecting liquid, and there is a problem that the cleaning cost increases. Further, even if the disinfecting liquid can be prevented from being diluted, the disinfecting liquid remaining in the endoscope internal pipe, the outer surface of the endoscope, and the cleaning tank cannot be recovered after the disinfecting process. As a result, the consumption of the disinfectant is accelerated, and there is still a problem that the cleaning cost increases.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, a plurality of channels of the endoscope, an outer skin (outer surface) of the endoscope, a cleaning liquid remaining in a cleaning storage container for storing the endoscope, and the like This makes it possible to maintain the concentration of the disinfectant solution at a predetermined value or more by reducing the number of times that the disinfectant solution is exchanged, thereby reducing the cleaning cost. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method that can be reduced.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an endoscope having a plurality of channels therein is accommodated in a storage container, and the endoscope is cleaned and disinfected to be cleaned and disinfected. An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method, wherein a cleaning liquid containing a cleaning agent is supplied to the storage container in which the endoscope is stored and to the plurality of channels to supply an outer surface of the endoscope and the plurality of channels. And after washing, the cleaning liquid is discharged out of the storage container, and a dry gas is supplied into the storage container and the plurality of channels of the endoscope so that the inside of the storage container and the An air supply step of drying the outer surface of the endoscope and the plurality of channels; and supplying a disinfectant solution to the inside of the storage container and the plurality of channels of the endoscope which are dried by the air supply. Of the endoscope It is to provide an endoscope washing and disinfecting method characterized by having a surface and disinfecting process of disinfecting said plurality of channels.

Here, the disinfection step includes a discharge step of discharging the used disinfectant solution outside the storage container after disinfection, and a recovery step of recovering the discharged disinfectant solution for reuse. It is preferable.
Moreover, it is preferable to have the 2nd air supply process which supplies dry gas to the said several channel of the said storage container and the said endoscope further after the said disinfection process.
Further, a vibration means for applying vibration to a part of the storage container is attached to a part of the storage container, and the vibration means applies vibration to a part of the storage container in the air feeding process. Then, it is preferable to drop the droplets adhering to the inside of the storage container.
The endoscope includes a connector portion, an operation portion, and an in-vivo insertion portion, and the storage container includes a box-shaped cleaning chamber that houses the connector portion and the operation portion of the endoscope, and the cleaning chamber. It is preferable to have a cylindrical cleaning unit that communicates with the endoscope and accommodates the internal insertion portion of the endoscope, and the cylindrical cleaning unit includes a vibration unit that applies vibration to the cylindrical cleaning unit. In the air supply step, the vibrating means attaches vibration to the cylindrical cleaning unit to drop droplets adhering to the inside of the cylindrical cleaning unit, and the cylindrical cleaning unit It is preferable to discharge from the end of the.

  In addition, the second aspect of the present invention is an endoscope that includes a connector portion, an operation portion, and an in-vivo insertion portion, and that has a plurality of channels therein and that can independently clean and disinfect two or more endoscopes. A mirror cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, wherein the connector portion and the operation portion of the endoscope are housed therein, and a cleaning chamber having an openable openable / closable lid disposed on the upper side, and disposed below the cleaning chamber Two or more storage containers for accommodating the endoscope, the tubular portion having a cylindrical portion that communicates with the cleaning chamber and accommodates the insertion portion of the endoscope in the interior thereof, and the endoscope A cleaning liquid containing a cleaning agent is supplied into the housed storage container and the plurality of channels of the endoscope housed in the storage container, and the outer surface of the endoscope and the plurality of channels are supplied. Cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the storage container And air supply means for supplying air to the plurality of channels of the endoscope and drying the inside of the storage container and the outer surface of the endoscope and the plurality of channels, and drying by the air supply Disinfecting means for disinfecting the outer surface of the endoscope and the plurality of channels by supplying a disinfecting solution to the plurality of channels of the storage container and the endoscope; The container has a narrow box shape and is arranged in parallel in the width direction, and the cleaning means, the air feeding means, and the disinfecting means are individually stored in the two or more storage containers. An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus characterized by independently cleaning, feeding, and disinfecting mirrors.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the disinfecting means may recover the used disinfecting liquid after the disinfection to discharge the used disinfecting liquid out of the storage container and to reuse it. preferable.
Further, the air supply means supplies air to the storage container cleaned by the cleaning means and the plurality of channels of the endoscope, and in the storage container and the endoscope sterilized by the disinfection means. It is preferable that the air is supplied to the plurality of channels of the mirror.
Furthermore, it is provided with a vibration means attached to a part of the storage container and imparting vibration to a part of the storage container. The vibration means supplies the dry air by the air supply means. It is preferable to apply vibration to a part of the storage container to drop the droplets adhering to the inside of the storage container.
Further, the apparatus further includes an oscillating means attached to the cylindrical part for applying vibration to the cylindrical part, and the oscillating means is supplying the dry air by the air supply means. It is preferable that vibration is imparted to the cylindrical portion so that the droplets adhering to the inside of the cylindrical portion are dropped and discharged from the end of the cylindrical portion.
Moreover, it is preferable that the said storage container has a transparent part for observing a part of the inside from the outside.
Further, the storage container is further opened to the cleaning chamber for inserting the in-vivo insertion portion of the endoscope, and an insertion port to which a tip of the cylindrical portion communicating with the cleaning chamber is connected, and It is preferable to have a casing that is provided at the bottom and includes a drain port to which the end of the cylindrical portion is connected, and that is disposed below the cleaning chamber and that houses the cylindrical portion.

According to the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method includes an air supply step of supplying air to the plurality of channels of the endoscope and the endoscope prior to the disinfection step of disinfecting the endoscope. This prevents dilution of the disinfecting solution by moisture such as cleaning solution remaining in the outer skin (outer surface) of the endoscope and the storage container for storing the endoscope, and maintains the concentration of the disinfecting solution at a predetermined value or more. In addition, it is possible to reduce the number of times of exchanging the disinfecting solution, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of cleaning and disinfecting.
Moreover, according to the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, two or more endoscopes can be independently cleaned, supplied and disinfected.

Hereinafter, an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a cleaning unit of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a cleaning apparatus) that performs an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the endoscope shown in FIG.

  First, the endoscope 100 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The endoscope 100 is a known medical endoscope, and is necessary for a long insertion portion 102 to be inserted into the body and a change in the shape of the insertion portion 102 provided at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 102. An operation unit 104 for performing an operation, a universal cord unit 106 extending from the operation unit 104 and having a plurality of channels therein, and a connector unit 108 connected to the operation unit 104 via the universal cord unit 106 Have

The operation unit 104, the universal cord unit 106, and the connector unit 108 have an air supply channel 112a, a water supply channel 112b, and a suction channel 112c therein. The operation unit 104 includes a forceps channel 112d therein.
The air supply channel 112a, the water supply channel 112b, and the suction channel 112c have openings 115a, 115b, and 115c, respectively, in the air supply connector 114a, the water supply connector 114b, and the suction connector 114c provided in the connector unit 108, respectively. Further, the forceps channel 112 b has an opening 115 d in a forceps connector 114 d provided in the operation unit 104.

The air supply channel 112a and the water supply channel 112b are merged by the operation unit 104 to become an air / water supply channel 112e which is one channel.
Further, the suction channel 112c and the forceps channel 112d are merged at the operation unit 104 to become a forceps / suction channel 112f which is one channel.
The air / water supply channel 112e and the forceps / suction channel 112f form the air / water supply port 116a and the suction port 116b at the distal end of the insertion unit 102 through the insertion unit 102 from the operation unit 104, respectively.

The operation unit 104 is provided with an air / water supply button 110a and a suction button 110b.
The air supply channel 112a and the water supply channel 112b communicate with the air / water supply button 110a. By operating the air / water supply button 110a, the air supply channel 112a and the water supply channel 112b are closed or opened.
The suction channel 112c communicates with the suction button 110b. By operating the suction button 110b, the suction channel 112c is closed or opened.

In the endoscope 100, air supply means is connected to the air supply connector 114a, and air is supplied from the air supply / water supply port 116a via the air supply channel 112a and the air supply / water supply channel 112e.
Moreover, a water supply means is connected to the water supply connector 114b, and water is supplied from the air / water supply port 116a via the water supply channel 112b and the air / water supply channel 112e.
Further, a suction means is connected to the suction connector 114c, and suction is performed from the suction port 116b through the suction channel 112c and the forceps / suction channel 112f.
Further, a treatment tool such as forceps is inserted through the opening of the forceps connector 114d, and the treatment tool is projected from the suction port 116b through the forceps channel 112d and the forceps / suction channel 112f.

Hereinafter, the air supply channel 112a, the water supply channel 112b, the suction channel 112c, the forceps channel 112d, the air / water supply channel 112e, and the forceps / suction channel 112f are also simply referred to as the channel 112.
The air supply connector 114a, the water supply connector 114b, the suction connector 114c, and the forceps connector 114d are also simply referred to as a connector 114.
The openings 115a, 115b, 115c, and 115d of the air supply connector 114a, the water supply connector 114b, the suction connector 114c, and the forceps connector 114d are also referred to as channel openings 115.
The air / water supply port 116a and the suction port 116b are also simply referred to as a tip opening 116.

The cleaning unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a cleaning chamber 12 and a cleaning tube 14 that are storage containers for storing the endoscope 100, a rinsing water supply means 16, a cleaning liquid supply means 18, a disinfecting liquid supply means 20, It has the 1st air supply means 22, the 2nd air supply means 28, the disinfection liquid collection | recovery means 42, and the piping which connects these. The cleaning unit 10 houses the endoscope 100 in a cleaning chamber 12 and a cleaning tube 14, and cleans and disinfects the endoscope 100 by cleaning, disinfecting, and drying.
Note that the cleaning device includes a control unit 130 (see FIG. 3) that controls the overall operation of the cleaning device including the cleaning unit 10.
In FIG. 1, for simplicity, the operation unit 104, the universal cord unit 106, and the connector unit 108 of the endoscope 100 are shown integrally, and only one channel 112 is shown.

The cleaning chamber 12 is a housing that houses the operation unit 104, the universal cord 106, and the connector 108 of the endoscope. In addition, the cleaning chamber 12 is provided with an insertion port for inserting the insertion portion 102 of the endoscope below. The cleaning chamber 12 is liquid-tightly configured by a lid (not shown) disposed on the upper surface thereof so as to be openable and closable.
The cleaning tube 14 is formed by forming a flexible cylindrical member made of synthetic resin into a spiral shape. In the present embodiment, the cleaning tube 14 extends downward while drawing a spiral, and one end thereof is connected to an insertion port provided below the cleaning chamber 12 and communicates with the inside of the cleaning chamber 12. The other end of the cleaning pipe 14 communicates with a discharge pipe 38 described later. The cleaning tube 14 accommodates the insertion portion 102 of the endoscope 100 therein.
The cleaning chamber 12 and the cleaning tube 14, in a state where the endoscope 100 is accommodated, are washed water supplied from a washing water supply unit 16 described later, a cleaning solution supplied from a cleaning solution supply unit 18, or a disinfecting solution supply unit 20. The antiseptic solution supplied from is stored and the endoscope 100 is immersed.

The cleaning liquid contains at least a surfactant as a cleaning agent. The cleaning liquid of the present embodiment includes additives such as a builder, an enzyme, an oxidized bleach, and a reduced bleach in addition to the surfactant as a more preferable form.
As the surfactant, various surfactants which are anionic surfactants or nonionic surfactants can be used.
The builder realizes one or more actions such as an alkali buffering action, a dispersing action, and a metal sequestering action. By adding at least one kind of builder to the cleaning liquid, the cleaning performance of the cleaning liquid can be improved.
Examples of the enzyme that can be used include proteases that degrade proteins, lipases that degrade lipids, amylases that degrade carbohydrates, and the like.
For oxidative bleaching agents, use chlorine bleaches that utilize the oxidizing action of hydroxyl radicals generated by the reaction of chlorine gas and water, and oxygen bleaches that use the oxidizing action of hydrogen peroxide. Can do.

The flush water supply means 16 supplies flush water such as tap water into the cleaning chamber 12 and the cleaning pipe 14 and the channel 112 of the endoscope 100. The flush water supply means 16 includes a flush water supply pipe, a water pump for applying pressure to the flush water to be supplied, and the like, depending on the flush water supply destination (wash chamber 12 or channel 112). Water is supplied at a predetermined pressure.
The cleaning liquid supply means 18 supplies the cleaning liquid into the cleaning chamber 12, the cleaning tube 14, and the channel 112 of the endoscope 100. The cleaning liquid supply means 18 includes a cleaning liquid tank that stores the cleaning liquid, a pipe that supplies the cleaning liquid, and a liquid supply pump that supplies the cleaning liquid, and supplies the liquid at a predetermined pressure according to the supply destination of the cleaning liquid.
The disinfectant supply unit 20 supplies the disinfectant into the cleaning chamber 12 and the cleaning tube 14 and the channel 112 of the endoscope 100. The disinfecting liquid supply means 20 has a disinfecting liquid tank that stores the disinfecting liquid, a pipe that supplies the disinfecting liquid, and a liquid feeding pump that supplies the disinfecting liquid. Pump with pressure.

The first air supply means 22 is connected to each of an air supply device 24 for supplying sterilized dry air, an air supply device 24 and a first valve 34 described later, and applies pressure to the supplied air. And an air supply pump 26 for pressure-feeding, and supplying sterilized dry air to the cleaning chamber 12 and the cleaning tube 14, that is, the storage container.
Similarly to the first air supply means, the second air supply means 28 has an air supply device 30 and an air supply pump 32 connected to each of the air supply device 30 and a second valve 36 described later by piping. Then, the sterilizing air is supplied into the channel 112 of the endoscope 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing water supply means 16, the cleaning liquid supply means 18, the disinfecting liquid supply means 20, and the first air supply means 22 are connected to the first valve 34 by pipes, and are connected via the first valve 34. Connected to the first common pipe 35. The first common pipe is connected to the cleaning chamber 12. By switching the first valve 34, any one of the rinsing water supply means 16, the cleaning liquid supply means 18, the disinfecting liquid supply means 20, and the first air supply means 22 is communicated with the cleaning chamber 12.
The washing water supply means 16, the cleaning liquid supply means 18, the disinfectant supply means 20, and the second air supply means 28 are connected to the second valve 36 by pipes, and the second common pipe 37 is connected via the second valve 36. Connected to. This second common pipe is connected to a connector 114 having a channel opening 115 of the endoscope 100. By switching the second valve 36, any one of the rinsing water supply means 16, the cleaning liquid supply means 18, the disinfecting liquid supply means 20, and the second air supply means 28 is communicated with the channel 112 of the endoscope 100.
As described above, in the illustrated example, one connector 114 is shown for simplicity, and the second common pipe 37 is connected to the connector 114. However, the endoscope 100 has a plurality of connectors 114. Yes, the second common pipe 37 is branched into a plurality of branches and connected to each of the plurality of connectors 114 of the endoscope 100.

The end of the cleaning tube 14 opposite to the cleaning chamber 12, that is, the downstream end of the cleaning tube 14 in the air supply direction communicates with the discharge pipe 38. The discharge pipe 38 discharges the cleaning water used for cleaning, the processing liquid such as the cleaning liquid and the disinfecting liquid to the outside of the storage container.
Further, a third valve 40 is disposed in the middle of the discharge pipe 38, and a disinfecting liquid recovery means 42 described later is connected to the third valve 40. The third valve 40 switches between a state in which the cleaning pipe 14 is closed, a state in which the cleaning pipe 14 is in communication with the discharge port of the discharge pipe 38, and a state in which the cleaning pipe 14 is in communication with the disinfectant recovery unit 42. By setting the third valve 40 in a state in which the cleaning pipe 14 is closed, the downstream side of the cleaning pipe 14 to which the discharge pipe 38 is connected is closed, and the washing water, the cleaning liquid, and the disinfecting liquid are supplied to the cleaning chamber 12 and It can be stored inside the cleaning tube 14.

The disinfectant recovery unit 42 includes a recovery pipe 44 connected to the third valve 40, a filter 46 provided in the recovery pipe 44, and a disinfectant recovery tank 48 connected to the recovery pipe 44. The disinfectant recovery unit 42 passes the disinfectant supplied from the disinfectant supply unit 16 and used for disinfection of the endoscope 100 through the recovery pipe 44, removes foreign matter with the filter 46, and stores it in the disinfectant recovery tank 48. And collect.
The disinfecting liquid recovery means 42 has a pipe 52 for connecting the disinfecting liquid recovery tank 48 to a disinfecting liquid tank (not shown) of the disinfecting liquid supply means 20, and further toward the disinfecting liquid recovery tank and the disinfecting liquid tank. The liquid supply pump 50 for supplying the recovered disinfectant liquid is supplied to the disinfectant supply means 34. As described above, the cleaning unit 10 of the present embodiment is configured to collect the used disinfectant and to be able to reuse it.
Here, the reusable disinfectant that can be used in the cleaning unit 10 of the present embodiment is, for example, peracetic acid, phthalal, or glutaral (GA).

  Moreover, the cleaning unit 10 of the cleaning device of the present embodiment has, as a more preferable mode, an ultrasonic vibration element 52 in a part of the cleaning tube 14 and is configured to be able to apply a vibration force to the cleaning tube 14. The ultrasonic vibration element 52 performs the cleaning tube 14 when performing each step (S4, S6, and S8) of supplying air into the cleaning tube and the channel 112 in the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method shown in FIG. Apply vibration force to Thereby, the water | moisture content adhering to the inside of the washing | cleaning pipe | tube 14 is sent to the downstream of the washing pipe | tube 14 by air supply and a vibration, and discharge | emission of washing water or washing | cleaning liquid or collection | recovery of disinfecting liquid can be performed with higher efficiency.

  In the cleaning unit according to the present embodiment, the endoscope is rinsed (rinsed) including the storage container, the rinse water supply unit, the pipes connecting them, and the like. Further, the cleaning means for cleaning the endoscope includes the storage container, the cleaning liquid supply means, the piping connecting them, and the like. In addition, the endoscope includes a storage container, a disinfectant supply unit, a pipe connecting the storage container, a disinfectant recovery unit, and a disinfecting unit for disinfecting the endoscope. The air supply means supplies air into the storage container and the channel of the endoscope, including the storage container, the first and second air supply means, and the piping connecting them.

  The cleaning apparatus according to the present invention includes a housing that houses the above-described cleaning unit 10. In addition, the cleaning apparatus has a display / operation panel including display means for displaying information such as the state of the cleaning unit and operation means for operating the cleaning unit 10 on the surface of the casing. Note that the cleaning device may include a printer as output means for outputting a history of endoscope cleaning and disinfection as necessary.

Here, the controller 130 of the cleaning apparatus will be described.
The control unit 130 controls the operation of the cleaning device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing the schematic configuration of the control unit 130.
The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132, a RAM 134, a ROM 136, an I / O control circuit 138, a communication I / F circuit 140, a panel I / F circuit 142, a clock 144, a reset circuit 146, a load driving circuit 148, and a sensor I / F circuit 150. , And a vibration source control circuit 152.

The CPU 132 is for controlling a cleaning / disinfecting process in the cleaning apparatus.
The ROM 136 stores various application programs including a cleaning / disinfecting process control program. Various application programs including the stored cleaning program are read from the ROM 136 by the CPU 132 and set in the RAM 134.
The RAM 134 stores history data of cleaning / disinfecting in the cleaning apparatus.

The load drive circuit 148 is a drive circuit for each valve (first valve 134, second valve 136, third valve 140, etc.) and each pump shown in FIG.
The sensor I / F circuit 150 includes a float switch 162 for detecting the water level of a storage tank and a cleaning tank for storing a cleaning liquid and a disinfecting liquid, an endoscope channel, a storage container for the cleaning apparatus, and the pressure and temperature inside each pipe. Is an interface of various sensors provided in a limit sensor 164 and other cleaning devices that detect that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Here, the various sensors include, for example, a sensor that detects opening and closing of the lid of the cleaning chamber 12, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of each part of the endoscope and the cleaning device, and a channel of the endoscope and the storage of the cleaning device. A pressure sensor or the like for measuring the pressure inside the container or each pipe.

The communication I / F circuit 140 is a communication interface circuit with the LAN connection unit 154, the RS232C connection unit 156, and the printer 158 provided in the cleaning apparatus.
The cleaning device can communicate the history data of cleaning and disinfection in the cleaning device by connecting the control unit 130 to a hospital network or the like through the LAN connection unit 154.
In addition, the cleaning device is connected to a PC or other peripheral device arranged outside the cleaning device by the RS232C connection unit 156. Using an external PC connected to the cleaning device, it is possible to control the operation of the cleaning device and manage history data of cleaning and disinfection.
The history management data can be printed from the printer 148. This printer 148 may be mounted on a cleaning device or may be an external printer.

  The panel I / F circuit 142 is an interface with the display / operation panel 160 of the cleaning apparatus. The display / operation panel 160 displays information on the cleaning apparatus, and also functions as a touch panel that can input an instruction from the operator.

  The vibration source control circuit 152 is a circuit that controls the operation of the vibration source shown in FIG. 1, that is, the ultrasonic vibration element 52 (see FIG. 1) in this embodiment. As will be described later, the vibration source drive control circuit 152 performs the ultrasonic vibration element 52 in each step (S4, S6, and S8) of supplying air into the cleaning tube and the channel in the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting method shown in FIG. Drive.

Hereinafter, the operation of the cleaning unit 10 of the above-described cleaning apparatus will be described, and the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 4 is a process diagram for explaining the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method of the present invention.
In this embodiment, prior to the step of setting the endoscope in the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 4, the user using the cleaning apparatus manually cleans the used (cleaning target) endoscope. Then, pre-cleaning is performed to remove deposits in the endoscope channel and on the outer surface.

First, the step (S0) for setting the endoscope shown in FIG. 4 will be described.
In this step, the insertion portion 102 of the endoscope 100 to be cleaned / disinfected, which has been subjected to preliminary cleaning, is inserted into the cleaning tube 14 through the insertion opening opened below the cleaning chamber 12, and the operation of the endoscope 100 is performed. The part 104, the universal cord part 106 and the connector part 108 are arranged in the cleaning chamber 12, and the endoscope 100 to be cleaned and disinfected is accommodated in the cleaning chamber 12 and the cleaning tube 14. Then, the second common pipe 37 can be connected to the connector 114 of the operation unit 104 and the connector unit 108 so that the washing water supply means 16, the cleaning liquid supply means 18 and the disinfecting liquid supply means 20 can communicate with each other via the second valve 36. State. Further, the lid of the cleaning chamber 12 is closed to seal the storage container. Thereby, the cleaning unit 10 is ready to start the cleaning / disinfecting operation of the endoscope 100.

Next, the step (S1) of rinsing the inside of the channel and the outer skin (outer surface) of the endoscope 100 with rinsing water will be described. In this step, first, the first valve 34 and the second valve 36 are switched to allow the flush water supply means 16 to communicate with each of the washing chamber 12 and the channel 112 of the endoscope 100. In addition, the third valve 40 is closed to close the lower end of the cleaning tube 14. That is, the cleaning chamber 12 and the cleaning pipe 14 are in a state in which flush water can be stored.
The flush water supply means 16 supplies high-pressure running water to the washing chamber 12 and the channel 112, and removes the outer skin of the endoscope 100, the deposits in the channel 112, the treatment liquid used for preliminary washing, and the like. After rinsing the outer surface of the endoscope 100 and the channel with flush water, the flush water supply means 16 stops supplying flush water. When the supply of the washing water is stopped, the third valve 40 is switched to connect the washing pipe 14 with the discharge port of the discharge pipe 38 to discharge the washing water.
In this step, after a predetermined amount of flush water is stored in the wash chamber 12 and the wash tube 14, the third valve 40 is opened and the outer surface of the endoscope 100 is rinsed with running water. Good.

  Next, the step (S2) of cleaning the inside of the channel 112 and the outer skin will be described. In this step, first, the first valve 34 and the second valve 36 are switched to allow the cleaning liquid supply means 18 to communicate with the cleaning chamber 12 and the channel 112 of the endoscope 100, respectively. In addition, the third valve 40 is closed to close the cleaning tube 14. Then, the cleaning liquid supply means 18 supplies a cleaning liquid in such an amount that the channel 112 of the endoscope 100 is filled with the cleaning liquid and the endoscope 100 is completely immersed. After a predetermined time has passed with the operation unit 104 completely immersed, the third valve 40 is switched to connect the cleaning tube 14 and the discharge port, and the cleaning liquid is discharged to the outside of the cleaning unit 10. Thereby, the stain | pollution | contamination which was not able to be removed in the rinse process (S1) by rinse water can be wash | cleaned and removed.

  The process of cleaning the endoscope 100 by supplying the cleaning liquid by the cleaning liquid supplying means 18 after closing the third valve 40 and closing the cleaning tube 14 again according to the degree of contamination of the endoscope 100. Multiple times may be performed.

  Next, a step (S3) of rinsing the inside of the channel 112 and the outer skin (outer surface) of the endoscope 100 with rinsing water is performed. Since this step is basically the same as the step S1, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. By this step, the cleaning liquid remaining in the channel 112 and the outer skin (outer surface) of the endoscope 100 can be removed.

  In this embodiment, the step of cleaning the outer surface of the endoscope and the inside of the channel with the cleaning liquid (S2) and the step of rinsing with rinse water (S3) are distinguished, but the step of S2 and the step of S3 are separated. At the same time, it may be an endoscope cleaning process. That is, the endoscope cleaning step may include a rinsing step of removing the cleaning liquid remaining in the outer surface of the endoscope and in the channel using flush water.

  Next, the step (S4) of supplying air into the cleaning chamber 12 and the cleaning tube 14, that is, the storage container and the channel 112 will be described. In this step, first, the first valve 34 and the second valve 36 are switched so that the first air supply means 22 communicates with the cleaning chamber 12 and the second air supply means 28 communicates with the channel 112 of the endoscope 100. The third valve 40 is set so that the cleaning pipe 14 and the discharge port communicate with each other.

  The first air supply means 22 supplies high-pressure dry air into the cleaning chamber 12. The supplied dry air flows through the cleaning pipe 14 and is discharged to the outside from the discharge port of the discharge pipe 38. That is, the first air supply means 22 supplies dry air into the storage container. The washing water adhering to the inside of the cleaning tube 14 is pushed by the air supply by the first air supply means 22 and discharged from the discharge port. Further, the washing water remaining in the washing tube 14 without being completely extruded is also dried.

  Further, the second air supply means 28 supplies high-pressure dry air into the channel 112 of the endoscope 100. The supplied dry air flows in the channel 112 and is exhausted into the cleaning tube 14 from the tip opening 116. The subsequent steps are the same as the air supplied from the first air supply means 22. The washing water adhering to and remaining in the channel 112 is pushed by the air supply by the second air supply means 28 and is discharged into the cleaning tube 14 from the tip opening 116. Further, the washing water remaining in the channel 112 without being extruded is also dried by air supply.

  As described above, by the step of supplying air into the cleaning tube 14 and the channel 112 (S4), the processing liquid such as the washing water remaining in the cleaning tube 14 and the channel 112 can be discharged and can be completely discharged. The treatment liquid that was not present can be dried quickly.

  The cleaning unit 10 has a timer (not shown), and the inside of the cleaning tube 14 and the channel 112 is dried by the air supplied from the first air supply means 22 and the second air supply means 28 using this timer. Measure enough time for After a predetermined time has elapsed, the timer transmits an air supply end signal from the first air supply means 22 and the second air supply means 28 to the control device. The control device stops the air supply of the first air supply means 22 and the second air supply means 28 after receiving the air supply end signal.

  Here, in the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method of the present embodiment, in the step of supplying air into the cleaning tube 14 and the channel 112 (S4), a vibration force is applied to the cleaning tube 14 by the ultrasonic vibration element 52 (S9). ). Thereby, the droplet adhering to the inside of the cleaning tube 14 can be quickly dropped. In addition to the air supply of the first air supply means 22 and the second air supply means 28, the vibration force of the ultrasonic vibration element 52 is applied, whereby the droplets adhering to the inside of the cleaning pipe 14 are efficiently removed. Can be sent to the downstream side of the cleaning pipe 14 and discharged to the outside of the cleaning pipe 14.

Next, the step (S5) of disinfecting the inside of the channel 112 and the outer skin will be described. In this step, the first valve 34 and the second valve 36 are switched to allow the disinfectant supply means 20 to communicate with the cleaning chamber 12 and the channel 112 of the endoscope 100, respectively. In addition, the third valve 40 is closed to close the cleaning tube 14. Then, the disinfectant supply means 22 supplies an amount of disinfectant that allows the endoscope 100 to be completely immersed in the cleaning chamber 12 through the first common pipe 35 and the channel 112 through the second common pipe 37. To do. After a predetermined time has passed with the endoscope 100 completely immersed, the third valve 40 is switched to connect the cleaning tube 14 and the recovery pipe 44 of the disinfectant recovery means 42 to recover the disinfectant.
In the step (S5) of disinfecting the inside of the channel 112 and the outer skin (S5), the channel 112 and the outside of the endoscope 100 are filled with the disinfecting solution in the channel 112 and the endoscope 100 is immersed in the disinfecting solution. The surface can be disinfected.

  Next, a step (S6) of supplying air into the storage container and the channel 112 is performed. This process is basically the same as the process of S4 described above, except that the third valve 40 is set so that the cleaning tube 14 and the disinfecting liquid recovery means 42 communicate with each other.

  The first air supply means 22 supplies high-pressure dry air into the cleaning chamber 12. The supplied dry air flows through the cleaning tube 14 and reaches the disinfecting liquid recovery tank 48 of the disinfecting liquid recovery means 42. The disinfecting liquid adhering to the inside of the cleaning tube 14 is pushed by the air supply by the first air supplying means 22 and sent to the disinfecting liquid collecting tank 48 of the disinfecting liquid collecting means 42.

  The second air supply means 28 supplies high-pressure air into the channel 112 of the endoscope 100. The supplied air flows through the channel and is exhausted from the tip opening 116 into the cleaning tube 14. The subsequent steps are the same as the air supplied from the first air supply means 22. The disinfecting liquid adhering and remaining in the channel 112 is pushed by the air supply by the second air supply means 28 and discharged into the cleaning tube 14 from the opening at the distal end of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 100. The discharged disinfecting liquid is pushed by the air supply by the first air supplying means 22 and is sent to the disinfecting liquid collecting tank 48 of the disinfecting liquid collecting means 42.

In this way, the disinfecting liquid remaining in the cleaning tube 14 and the channel 112 can be recovered with high efficiency by the step (S6) of supplying air into the cleaning tube 14 and the channel 112.
Also in this step, as in step S4, a predetermined time until the inside of the cleaning tube and the channel 112 is dried is measured by a timer (not shown), and the air supply is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed.

  Here, in the step of supplying air into the storage container and into the channel 112 (S6), as in the step of S4, a vibration force is applied to the cleaning tube 14 by the ultrasonic vibration element 52 (S9). In addition to the air supply of the first air supply means 22 and the second air supply means 28, the vibration force of the ultrasonic vibration element 52 is applied to the cleaning pipe 14, thereby sending the disinfecting liquid remaining inside the cleaning pipe 14. It can be sent to the downstream side of the cleaning pipe 14 in the air direction, and the disinfectant can be collected in a short time and with higher efficiency. Further, it is possible to prevent the disinfecting liquid from remaining in the portion where the insertion portion 102 and the cleaning tube 14 are in contact with each other, and the disinfecting liquid can be more reliably collected.

  Next, a step (S7) of rinsing the inside of the channel 112 and the outer skin (outer surface) of the endoscope 100 with rinsing water is performed. Since this step is basically the same as the step S1, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. By this step, it is possible to wash away the disinfectant components and the like adhering to the inside of the channel 112 and the outer skin (outer surface) of the endoscope 100.

Next, a step (S8) of supplying air into the storage container and the channel 112 is performed. Since this step is basically the same as the step S4, detailed description thereof is omitted. By this step, moisture remaining in the channel 112 of the endoscope 100, the outer skin (outer surface), and the cleaning tube 14 can be quickly dried.
Here, in the step of supplying air into the storage container and into the channel 112 (S8), as in the steps of S4 and S6, a vibration force is applied to the cleaning tube 14 by the ultrasonic vibration element 52 (S9).

  As described above, the endoscope 112 is cleaned and disinfected by cleaning, disinfecting, and drying the channel 112 and the outer skin of the endoscope 100.

  In the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method of the present invention, the step of cleaning the inside of the channel 112 and the outer skin (S2) and the step of rinsing the inside of the channel 112 and the outer skin of the endoscope 100 with washing water (S3) are performed. After the endoscope is cleaned and rinsed, before the step of disinfecting the inside of the channel 112 and the outer skin (S5), the step of supplying air into the storage container and the channel 112 (S4) is performed. Thus, after the inside of the storage container and the channel 112 is dried, the step of disinfecting the inside of the channel 112 and the outer skin (S5) can be performed, and the disinfecting liquid is diluted with the cleaning liquid remaining in the storage container and the channel 112. Can be prevented. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in disinfecting performance due to dilution of the disinfecting solution, and the endoscope 100 can be surely disinfected.

  In particular, in the present embodiment using a reusable disinfectant, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the concentration of the disinfectant due to dilution. Thereby, for example, a reduction in the number of reusable times due to dilution of the disinfecting solution can be prevented, and a reduction in the disinfecting performance of the disinfecting solution due to dilution can be prevented, and the cost for disinfection can be reduced. Further, since the dilution of the disinfecting liquid can be prevented, the concentration management of the cleaning liquid becomes easy.

Further, after the step (S5) of disinfecting the inside of the channel 112 and the outer skin (S5), a step (S6) of supplying air into the storage container and the channel 112 in a state where the cleaning tube 14 and the disinfectant collecting means 42 are in communication with each other. As a result, the disinfectant remaining in the cleaning tube 14 and the channel 112 can be efficiently recovered.
Moreover, since the dilution of the disinfecting solution can be prevented and the disinfecting solution can be recovered with high efficiency, the consumption of the disinfecting solution can be suppressed, and the cost for cleaning and disinfecting can be further reduced. Can do.

  Further, the ultrasonic vibration element 52 is disposed in the cleaning tube 14 of the cleaning device, and each step of feeding air into the storage container and the channel 112 in the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method shown in FIG. 3 (S4, S6). When the vibration force is applied to the cleaning tube 14 (step S9), the water adhering to the inside of the cleaning tube 14 is sent to the downstream side of the cleaning tube 14 by air supply and vibration. Thus, draining and drying of the washing water or cleaning liquid and recovery of the disinfecting liquid can be performed with higher efficiency. Further, it is possible to prevent the washing water, the cleaning liquid, or the disinfecting liquid from remaining in the cleaning pipe 14 at the contact portion between the cleaning pipe 14 and the insertion portion 102.

  Further, the cleaning apparatus of this embodiment uses a storage container including the cleaning tube 14, so that the cleaning tube 14 is supplied to the cleaning tube 14 and the channel 112 in each step (steps S 4, S 6, and S 8). However, since the flow path of the supplied dry air is formed, the above-described effect by the air supply can be more suitably obtained.

  In addition, the cleaning device of this embodiment stores the insertion portion 102 of the endoscope 100 in the cleaning tube 14 using a storage container including the cleaning tube 14. As a result, the volume of the storage container can be reduced as compared with the case where a storage container without the cleaning tube 14 is used, the amount of cleaning liquid required for cleaning and the amount of disinfecting liquid required for disinfection can be reduced, and cleaning / disinfecting can be performed. Can reduce the cost.

Moreover, since the cleaning apparatus of this embodiment can reduce the usage-amount of disinfecting liquid by using the storage container provided with the washing | cleaning pipe | tube 14 as mentioned above, since it is disposable, it disposes for every disinfection. Even if the disinfectant is used, the cost of the disinfectant can be reduced. That is, according to the present embodiment, a practical cleaning device suitable for using a disposable disinfecting solution can be provided, and the endoscope can be disinfected by so-called single shot. Note that by performing disinfection of the endoscope by a single shot, it becomes possible to perform higher-level hygiene management and more reliable infection prevention.
Even when a disposable disinfecting solution is used, as described above, the disinfecting solution is sent to the cleaning tube and the channel before the disinfecting step to remove water remaining in the cleaning tube and the channel. Can be prevented from thinning.

As described above, the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method and the endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
In the above embodiment, in the step of supplying air into the storage container and the channel 112, the air supply is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed using a timer, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least a part of the cleaning tube 14 is formed of a transparent member so that the inside of the cleaning tube 14 can be visually recognized, and further, a member that changes color when the adhering moisture is dried is visible from the transparent portion of the cleaning tube 14. It may be arranged at the position, and the air supply may be stopped when the user confirms that it has been dried by the air supply. Thereby, the air supply time can be shortened, and the time required for cleaning and disinfection can be shortened.

  Further, in the cleaning apparatus of the present embodiment, the arrangement positions of the ultrasonic vibration elements 52 in the cleaning tube 14 and the number of the ultrasonic vibration elements 52 are not particularly limited, and the ultrasonic vibration elements 52 are provided at a plurality of locations on the cleaning tube 14. May be provided. Thereby, a vibration force can be applied to the cleaning tube 14 from a plurality of locations, and the washing water or the cleaning liquid can be discharged or the disinfecting liquid can be recovered with higher efficiency.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ultrasonic vibration device 52 is disposed in the cleaning tube 14. However, the ultrasonic vibration device 52 may be disposed in the cleaning chamber 12 or a vibration force may be applied to the cleaning chamber 12. Thereby, the water | moisture content adhering to the inner surface of the washing | cleaning chamber 12 can also be dropped efficiently by air supply and a vibration, and discharge | emission of washing water or washing | cleaning liquid, or collection | recovery of disinfecting liquid can be performed more efficiently.

  Further, the cleaning device of the present embodiment may further include a water leakage detection means for detecting water leakage of the endoscope 100, and in the rinsing step S1 of the endoscope 100 in the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting method of the present invention. Alternatively, water leakage from the endoscope 100 may be detected. In this case, by constituting a part of the storage container with a transparent member, it is caused by a defect such as a pinhole that is caused by introducing pressurized air into the endoscope and causing leakage of the endoscope. The bubbles to be confirmed can be visually confirmed from the outside of the cleaning device, and the leakage of the endoscope can be easily detected.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the cleaning unit provided in the cleaning device according to the present invention. The cleaning apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured such that a discharge pipe or the like is disposed at a liquid pool position 64 at the lowermost part of the cleaning pipe 62, and one of the pipes communicates with the disinfectant recovery part 42 to recover the disinfectant. It is what is done. Since the cleaning apparatus of the present embodiment is basically the same as the cleaning apparatus including the cleaning unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 in other points, different points will be described below.

The cleaning tube 62 is formed in a loop shape, and is arranged so that the loop is in the vertical direction. Moisture remaining in the cleaning pipe 62 collects in a liquid pool position 64 which is a position lower than the surroundings in the pipe direction of the loop-shaped cleaning pipe 62.
A drain pipe 68 is connected to the liquid reservoir position 64 of the cleaning pipe 62 via an open / close valve 66 to discharge the liquid accumulated in the liquid reservoir position 64 to the outside of the cleaning pipe 62. The discharge pipe 68 is connected via a switching valve 70 to a discharge path 72 for discharging the washing water and the cleaning liquid and a recovery path 74 for recovering the disinfecting liquid. The discharge path 72 is a path for discharging the washing water and the cleaning liquid to the outside of the cleaning device. The recovery path 74 is a path for sending the disinfecting liquid to the disinfecting liquid recovery means 42 (see FIG. 1).

When discharging a solution such as washing water, a cleaning liquid, and a disinfecting liquid from the cleaning pipe 62, the opening / closing valve 66 is opened to allow the cleaning pipe 62 and the discharge pipe 68 to communicate with each other.
Here, when the solution discharged from the cleaning pipe 62 is a disinfectant, the switching valve 70 is operated to connect the discharge pipe 68 and the recovery path 74 to recover the disinfectant stored in the liquid storage position 64.
On the other hand, when the solution discharged from the cleaning pipe 62 is washing water or cleaning liquid other than the disinfecting liquid, the switching valve 70 is operated so that the discharge pipe 68 and the discharge path 72 are communicated with each other, and the liquid is accumulated at the liquid storage position 64. Drain flush water or cleaning liquid outside the device.

Thus, by providing the water reservoir 64 in the cleaning pipe 62, the water remaining in the cleaning pipe 62 can be efficiently collected at the liquid storage position 64.
Further, a drain means having a drain pipe 68 or the like is provided at the liquid reservoir position 64, and a discharge port of the drain pipe 38 to which one end of the cleaning pipe 62 is connected, and a drain pipe 68 at the liquid reservoir position 64. Since the water in the cleaning pipe 62 is discharged from two places, the washing water remaining at a position away from the discharge port in the cleaning pipe 62, compared to the case where the liquid is discharged from only one discharge port of the discharge pipe 38, The cleaning liquid and the disinfecting liquid can also be efficiently discharged outside the cleaning pipe 62.

FIG. 6 shows a cleaning chamber 80 and a cleaning tube 82 and their peripheral portions in another embodiment of the cleaning unit provided in the cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.
In the cleaning apparatus of the present embodiment, a plurality of liquid reservoirs 84 are formed in the cleaning pipe 82, and discharge means including a discharge pipe or the like is provided in each of the liquid reservoirs 84. Since the cleaning apparatus of the present embodiment is basically the same as the cleaning apparatus including the cleaning unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 in other points, different points will be described below.

The cleaning tube 82 is formed in a loop shape, and is arranged so that the loop is in the vertical direction. A plurality of, in this embodiment, three liquid reservoirs 84 are formed in the cleaning pipe 82.
The liquid reservoir 84 is provided on the lower surface side of a part of the cleaning tube 82 so as to protrude from the inside toward the outside. An opening is formed in the liquid reservoir 84, and a discharge pipe 88 is connected via an opening / closing valve 86. The discharge pipes 88 provided in each of the plurality (three in the illustrated example) of the liquid reservoirs 84 communicate with the main discharge pipe 90.

  The main discharge pipe 90 is connected via a switching valve 91 to a discharge path 92 for discharging the washing water and the cleaning liquid and a recovery path 94 for recovering the disinfecting liquid. The discharge path 92 is a path for discharging the washing water and the cleaning liquid to the outside of the cleaning device. The recovery path 94 is a path for sending the disinfecting liquid to the disinfecting liquid recovery means 42 (see FIG. 1).

In the present embodiment, a holding frame 96 is provided. The holding frame 96 is disposed along the discharge pipe 88 and the discharge main pipe 90, and holds the cleaning pipe 82 in each liquid reservoir 84. That is, the holding frame 96 is integrated with the discharge pipe 88 and the discharge main pipe 90 and holds the cleaning pipe 82 at a plurality of locations corresponding to the plurality of liquid reservoirs 84.
An ultrasonic vibration element 87 is disposed on the holding frame 86. The ultrasonic vibration element 87 applies vibration to the cleaning tube 82 via the holding frame 86 by applying vibration to the holding frame 86 that holds the cleaning tube 82 at a plurality of locations.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, a plurality of liquid reservoirs are formed in the cleaning pipe, and the washing water, the cleaning liquid and the disinfecting liquid discharged from the inside of the cleaning pipe are discharged from the discharge pipe provided in the liquid reservoir. As a result, the time required for discharging can be shortened.
In addition, by arranging the ultrasonic vibration element on the holding frame that holds the cleaning tube at a plurality of locations, the single ultrasonic vibration element can be vibrated to the plurality of locations on the cleaning tube, The cleaning liquid and the disinfecting liquid can be discharged from the inside of the cleaning pipe.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to the present invention.
A cleaning apparatus 170 shown in FIG. 7 has two cleaning units 172 that operate independently of each other and clean and disinfect the endoscope 100 by the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting method according to the present invention described above. The table endoscopes 100 can be cleaned and disinfected independently.

  The cleaning unit 172 communicates with the cleaning chamber 174 through the cleaning chamber 174 that houses the operation unit 104, the universal cord unit 106, and the connector unit 108 of the endoscope 100, and the insertion port provided on the bottom surface of the cleaning chamber 174. It has a loop-shaped cleaning tube 176 arranged in the direction, and is basically the same as the cleaning unit shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and described in detail. That is, the cleaning unit 172 includes a flush water supply unit 16, a cleaning liquid supply unit 18, a disinfectant supply unit 20, a first air supply unit 22, a second air supply unit 28, and a first air supply unit illustrated in FIG. The valve 34, the second valve 36, the third valve 40, the disinfectant recovery means 42, and the pipes that connect them, and the endoscope 100 is accommodated in the cleaning chamber 174 and the cleaning tube 176. Clean, disinfect and dry the endoscope.

The cleaning chamber 174 is a narrow casing, and an insertion port for inserting the insertion portion of the endoscope 100 is formed on the bottom surface thereof.
The cleaning tube 176 is a cylindrical member formed in a spiral shape or a spiral shape that is disposed in the vertical direction below the cleaning chamber 174. One end of the cleaning tube 176 is connected to the insertion port of the cleaning chamber 174 and communicates with the cleaning chamber 174. Further, the other end of the cleaning pipe 176 is connected to a discharge pipe. The cleaning tube 176 is disposed below the cleaning chamber 174 and is covered with a casing 177 having substantially the same width as the cleaning chamber 174.
The casing 177 is disposed integrally with the outer wall of the cleaning chamber 174 below the cleaning chamber 174, has a flat box shape substantially the same width as the cleaning chamber 174, and houses the cleaning tube 176 therein. The casing 177 has an opening at a position corresponding to the insertion port of the cleaning chamber 174 and a position connected to the discharge pipe of the cleaning pipe 176.
In the present embodiment, the storage container including the cleaning chamber 174, the cleaning pipe 176, and the casing 177 has a narrow flat box shape.

Further, the cleaning chamber 174 is liquid-tightly configured by a lid 178 disposed on its upper surface so as to be opened and closed with the back side of the cleaning device as a fulcrum.
The lid 178 is configured to open in a direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 7 by stepping on a foot step 180 provided below the cleaning device 170. Accordingly, the user can open and close the lid 178 while holding the endoscope in both hands.

  The cleaning apparatus 170 according to this embodiment includes two cleaning units 172, and the two cleaning units 122 are arranged so that the two storage containers are positioned in parallel in the width direction.

A display / operation panel 182 is provided on the upper surface of the central portion of the cleaning device 170, and a control unit 184 is provided inside the cleaning device below the display / operation panel.
A disinfectant tank 186 is disposed below the control unit 184. In the present embodiment, one disinfectant tank 186 is provided for each cleaning unit 172 so that each of the two cleaning units 172 can be driven independently.
In addition, one cleaning liquid tank 188 is disposed below the disinfecting liquid tank 186. That is, in this embodiment, one cleaning liquid tank 188 is shared by the two cleaning units 172, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the cleaning liquid tank 188 may be provided for each of the cleaning units 172.

  The cleaning apparatus 170 according to the present embodiment includes two mutually independent cleaning units 172, so that two endoscopes can be cleaned and disinfected at the same time independently, and the endoscope can be cleaned and disinfected with high efficiency. It can be carried out.

In the illustrated cleaning apparatus 170, two storage containers are arranged in parallel in the width direction and two cleaning units are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more, that is, a plurality of units are provided. These storage containers may be arranged in parallel in the width direction, and a plurality of cleaning units may be provided, whereby the plurality of endoscopes can be cleaned independently.
Further, the storage container of the present embodiment has a narrow flat box shape, and thus, even if a plurality of storage containers are arranged in the width direction, the size in the width direction of the cleaning device can be reduced. it can.

  In addition, since the cleaning apparatus 170 according to the present embodiment includes two mutually independent cleaning units 172, when cleaning, the two endoscopes do not contact each other, and the endoscopes contact each other. A decrease in cleaning performance can be prevented.

  In addition, since the cleaning apparatus 170 according to the present embodiment includes two mutually independent cleaning units 172, the endoscopes overlap each other as in the case where two endoscopes are cleaned in one cleaning tank. The endoscope can be set in a short time without requiring time for setting the endoscope.

  Also in the cleaning apparatus of this embodiment, by using a cleaning tank composed of a cleaning tube and a cleaning chamber, the channel and surface of the endoscope and the inside of the cleaning tube are dried with high efficiency as in the other embodiments. Can be made.

  Further, by using a cleaning tank including a cleaning tube and a cleaning chamber as in the above embodiment, it is possible to reduce the amount of cleaning liquid and disinfectant used, and to reduce the cost for cleaning and disinfection. Moreover, since the usage-amount of disinfecting liquid can be reduced, even if it uses the disposable thing which is not reused, the cost concerning disinfection can be suppressed. Even when a disposable disinfecting solution is used, as described above, the disinfecting solution is sent to the cleaning tube and the channel before the disinfecting step to remove water remaining in the cleaning tube and the channel. Can be prevented from thinning.

Here, also in the present embodiment, the cleaning device may be provided with a water leakage detection means to detect water leakage of the endoscope. In this case, by forming a part of the storage container with a transparent member and configuring the storage container so that the inside of the storage container can be observed from the outside, the operator can visually confirm bubbles due to leakage of the endoscope. it can.
In the present embodiment, since two or more endoscopes are housed in separate storage containers, it is possible to identify the endoscope that has leaked water.

  In addition, the cleaning unit 172 has a loop-shaped cleaning tube 176 arranged in the vertical direction in the same manner as that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, but is not limited thereto, and is shown in FIG. 1. Like the cleaning unit 10, it may have a cleaning tube extending downward while drawing a spiral from the cleaning chamber, and in this case as well, two or more endoscopes are cleaned independently, Can be disinfected and dried.

The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method of the present invention and the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus for performing the same have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and does not depart from the gist of the present invention. Of course, various improvements and changes may be made.
For example, an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus to which the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method of the present invention can be applied is not limited to a container having a cleaning tube for storing an insertion portion of an endoscope as a storage container, and there is no cleaning tube, The entire part of the endoscope including the insertion part may be accommodated in the cleaning chamber.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows typically one Embodiment of the washing | cleaning unit of the endoscope washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an endoscope typically. It is a block diagram which shows a control part. It is process drawing explaining the endoscope washing | cleaning disinfection method of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the principal part of other embodiment of the washing | cleaning unit. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the principal part of other embodiment of the washing | cleaning unit. It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the endoscope washing | cleaning disinfection apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,172 Cleaning unit 12, 60, 80, 174 Cleaning chamber 14, 62, 82, 176 Cleaning pipe 16 Flushing water supply means 18 Cleaning liquid supply means 20 Disinfection liquid supply means 22 First air supply means 24, 30 Air supply device 26 , 32 Air supply pump 28 Second air supply means 34 First valve 36 Second valve 38 Discharge piping 40 Third valve 42 Disinfectant recovery means 44 Recovery piping 46 Filter 48 Disinfectant recovery tank 50 Liquid supply pumps 52, 87 Sonic vibration element 64 Liquid reservoir position 66, 86 Open / close valve 68, 88 Discharge pipe 70, 91 Switching valve 72, 92 Discharge path 74, 94 Collection path 84 Liquid reservoir 90 Discharge main pipe 100 Endoscope 102 Insertion section 104 Operation part 106 Universal cord part 108 Connector part 110a Air / water supply button 110b Absorption Button 112 channel 112a air supply channel 112b water supply channel 112c suction channel 112d forceps channel 112e air supply / water supply channel 112f forceps / suction channel 114 connector 114a air supply connector 114b water supply connector 114c suction connector 114d forceps connector 116 tip opening 116a air supply / feed Water port 116b Suction port 130 Control unit 132 CPU
134 RAM
136 ROM
138 I / O control circuit 140 Communication I / F circuit 142 Panel I / F circuit 144 Clock 146 Reset circuit 148 Load component drive circuit 150 Sensor I / F circuit 152 Vibration source control circuit 154 LAN connection unit 156 RS232C connection unit 158 Printer 160 Display / operation panel 162 Float switch 164 Limit sensor 170 Endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device 178 Lid 180 Foot pedal 186 Disinfecting liquid tank 188 Cleaning liquid tank

Claims (9)

An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting method for storing an endoscope having a plurality of channels therein, inside a storage container, and cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope,
A cleaning liquid containing a cleaning agent is supplied to the storage container in which the endoscope is stored and to the plurality of channels to clean the outer surface of the endoscope and the plurality of channels. A cleaning step of discharging out of the storage container;
An air supply step of supplying dry gas to the plurality of channels of the storage container and the endoscope, and drying the inside of the storage container and the outer surface of the endoscope and the plurality of channels;
Disinfecting the outer surface of the endoscope and the plurality of channels by supplying a disinfectant solution to the plurality of channels of the endoscope and the endoscope dried by the air supply , and A disinfecting step including discharging the disinfecting liquid used outside the storage container after disinfection, and a recovering step of recovering the disinfecting liquid discharged for reuse .
An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting method comprising: following the disinfecting step, a second air supplying step for supplying dry gas into the storage container and the plurality of channels of the endoscope. Excitation means for applying vibration to a part of the storage container is attached to a part of the storage container,
The endoscope cleaning and disinfection according to claim 1 , wherein the vibration means applies vibration to a part of the storage container in the air supply process to drop the droplets adhering to the inside of the storage container. Method. The endoscope includes a connector part, an operation part, and an in-body insertion part,
The storage container includes a box-shaped cleaning chamber that stores the connector section and the operation section of the endoscope, and a cylindrical cleaning section that communicates with the cleaning chamber and stores the insertion portion of the endoscope. The endoscope cleaning and disinfecting method according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein The cylindrical cleaning unit is attached with vibration means for applying vibration to the cylindrical cleaning unit,
In the air supplying step, the vibration means imparts vibration to the cylindrical cleaning unit to drop droplets adhering to the inside of the cylindrical cleaning unit, and from the end of the cylindrical cleaning unit The endoscope cleaning method according to claim 3 , wherein the endoscope is discharged. An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus that includes a connector part, an operation part, and an in-vivo insertion part, and has a plurality of channels therein, and is capable of independently cleaning and disinfecting two or more endoscopes,
The connector portion and the operation portion of the endoscope are housed therein, and a cleaning chamber having an openable openable / closable lid disposed on the upper side, and disposed below the cleaning chamber and in communication with the cleaning chamber Two or more storage containers for storing the endoscope, and having a cylindrical portion for storing the internal insertion portion of the endoscope therein,
Supplying a cleaning liquid containing a cleaning agent into the storage container in which the endoscope is stored and in the plurality of channels of the endoscope stored in the storage container; and an outer surface of the endoscope; A cleaning means for cleaning the plurality of channels;
The inside of the storage container and the plurality of channels of the endoscope are supplied with air, and the inside of the storage container and the outer surface of the endoscope and the plurality of channels are dried by the cleaning means. In addition, air is supplied to the plurality of channels of the storage container and the endoscope, and is also supplied to the plurality of channels of the storage container and the endoscope sterilized by the disinfection means.
Disinfecting the outer surface of the endoscope and the plurality of channels by supplying a disinfectant into the storage container and the plurality of channels of the endoscope that are dried by the air supply , and used after disinfection. And disinfecting the disinfecting liquid out of the storage container , and having the disinfecting means for collecting the discharged disinfecting liquid in order to be reused ,
The two or more storage containers have a narrow box shape, and are arranged in parallel in the width direction,
The cleaning means, the air supply means, and the sterilization means independently clean, supply, and disinfect the endoscopes individually accommodated in the two or more storage containers. Endoscopic cleaning disinfection device. Furthermore, it is attached to a part of the storage container, and includes a vibration means for applying vibration to a part of the storage container,
The vibrating means applies vibration to a part of the storage container to drop the droplets adhering to the inside of the storage container when the dry air is supplied by the air supply means. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 5 . Furthermore, provided with a vibration means for applying vibration to the tubular portion, attached to the tubular portion,
When the dry air is supplied by the air supply means, the vibration means applies vibration to the cylindrical portion to drop the droplets adhering to the inside of the cylindrical portion, The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the endoscope is discharged from an end of the cylindrical portion. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the storage container has a transparent portion for observing a part of the inside from the outside. The storage container further opens to the cleaning chamber for inserting the in-vivo insertion portion of the endoscope, and has an insertion port connected to a tip of the cylindrical portion communicating with the cleaning chamber and a bottom portion thereof. The inside according to any one of claims 5 to 8 , further comprising a casing that is provided and includes a drain outlet to which an end of the cylindrical portion is connected, and is disposed below the cleaning chamber. Endoscopic cleaning disinfection device.

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