JPH119541A - Apparatus for rinsing/disinfecting endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the rinsing and disinfecting performances of an apparatus for rinsing/disinfecting an endoscope with a flowing liquid by a method wherein a liquid flow generating means is disposed to produce flows of a rinsing liquid and a disinfecting liquid accumulated in a rinsing tank and the direction of the flows of the rinsing liquid and the disinfecting liquid in the rinsing tank is caused to change by the liquid flow generating means. SOLUTION: A rinsing liquid in a rinsing bath 2 is sucked from a circulation liquid suction port 23 by a pump 25 in the course of a pipeline 21 for a flowing liquid to inject a high pressure rinsing liquid into the rinsing bath 2 from a flowing liquid jetting port 24. The water level in the rinsing bath 2 rises during the rinsing with the flowing liquid and when a first slit of a jet direction altering plate mounted on a float is positioned, the direction of the flowing liquid is forcedly changed obliquely leftward so that an endoscope 1 is rinsed while producing a liquid flow which passes counterclockwise around a housing space 9 around a tower 6 equipped with the endoscope 1. With further rise of the water level, a second slit of the jet direction altering plate is positioned in front of the liquid jetting port 24 and the direction of the liquid is forcedly dianged obliquely rightward so that the liquid flow is produced which flows clockwise around the housing space 9.

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 object to be cleaned by applying a flow to a cleaning solution or a disinfecting solution stored in a cleaning tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, endoscopes are frequently used for examination and treatment of body cavities. After using the endoscope, it is necessary to clean and disinfect the endoscope. In a conventional endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, an endoscope is set in a cleaning tank, and then the endoscope is cleaned by spraying a cleaning liquid onto the endoscope from an injection nozzle provided in the cleaning tank. After this washing, a disinfecting solution is injected into the washing tank, and the endoscope is immersed in the disinfecting solution for disinfection. Finally, rinse with clean water to complete.

On the other hand, when cleaning an endoscope, a method has been proposed in which a flow of a cleaning liquid is formed in the cleaning tank by spraying high-pressure cleaning water into the cleaning tank, and the endoscope is cleaned with the flow. (See JP-A-9-28669).

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
Generally, since the operation unit of the endoscope has a complicated shape,
In order to remove dirt adhering to it, it must be washed particularly strongly. Therefore, the operation unit of the endoscope is set at a position in front of the outlet of the washing water, or a flowing liquid is generated in the washing liquid in the washing tank. In the case of washing with flowing liquid, the outlet of the washing water was in water, and the impact force of flowing liquid was not sufficiently exerted. In addition, since the flow direction of the flowing liquid is one direction, there is a difference in how the flowing liquid hits depending on the position of the operation unit, and there is a possibility that the cleaning performance may be uneven.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve washing and disinfecting by a flowing liquid in an endoscope washing and disinfecting apparatus.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(Means) In an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for washing and disinfecting an object to be cleaned by immersing the object to be cleaned in a cleaning solution or a disinfecting solution stored in the cleaning tank, the cleaning solution or the disinfecting solution stored in the cleaning tank. In addition to a flow liquid generating means for generating a flow, the flow liquid generating means has a function of changing the direction of flow of the cleaning liquid or the disinfecting liquid in the cleaning tank. (Function) By changing the direction of the flow of the cleaning liquid or the disinfecting liquid in the cleaning tank, the cleaning / disinfecting action by the flowing liquid is enhanced.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope.
Is installed in the cleaning tank 2. The cleaning tank 2 is incorporated in an apparatus main body (not shown), and a lid 3 is provided at an upper opening of the cleaning tank 2. A vibration plate 4 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, and a Langevin type ultrasonic vibrator 5 is attached to the bottom surface of the vibration plate 4, for example. Then, by oscillating the ultrasonic vibrator 5, ultrasonic waves are transmitted into the liquid in the cleaning tank 2 via the vibration plate 4, and the endoscope 1 immersed in the liquid is cleaned with ultrasonic waves. .

At the center of the washing tank 2, a cylindrical tower 6 is provided for the purpose of reducing the amount of liquid stored in the washing tank 2. Inside the tower 6, a heater 7 for heating and keeping the liquid in the washing tank 2 is provided. At the top of the tower 6, a nozzle 8 for washing the ceiling surface facing upward is provided. A storage area 9 in which the endoscope 1 is installed is formed around the tower 6 in the cleaning tank 2 by using a stand such as a shelf (not shown). In particular, the operation unit of the endoscope 1 is installed on a holding member (not shown).

An inlet (water supply port) 10 and a channel connection port 11 are provided on an inner wall surface located relatively above the washing tank 2. A water supply system (liquid supply system) 12 for injecting cleaning water as a cleaning liquid into the cleaning tank 2 is connected to the inlet 10. The water supply system 12 has a water supply pipe 13 connected to the inlet 10, and a check valve 14, a water supply filter 15, and an electromagnetic water supply valve 16 are inserted in the water supply pipe 13. The inflow end of the water supply pipe 13 is connected to a water absorption source outside the main body of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, for example, a faucet 17 of a water supply. Then, by opening the faucet 17 and opening the electromagnetic water supply valve 16, tap water is injected into the washing tank 2 as washing water.

In the washing tank 2, a float switch 18 for controlling the height of the stored liquid is provided, and the float switch 18 is connected to a device control circuit (not shown). The device control circuit has a clock counter for counting water supply time, device use date and time interval, an arithmetic circuit for calculating water supply amount per time, a memory for storing data, and the like.

Further, in the main body of the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, there is provided a flowing liquid circulating supply system having a flowing liquid pipe 21 and a cleaning pipe 22 in a scope pipe. A circulating fluid suction port 23 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, and the circulating fluid suction port 23 has one end of the flowing liquid pipe 21 and the cleaning pipe 2 in the scope pipe.
2 are connected together at one end. The other end of the flow channel 21 is connected to a flow port 24 provided on the inner wall of the storage area in the cleaning tank 2.

The flowing liquid pump 2 is provided in the middle of the flowing liquid pipe 21.
5 are provided. Then, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 2 is sucked from the circulating liquid suction port 23 by the pump 25, and a high-pressure cleaning liquid or a disinfecting liquid is injected into the cleaning tank 2 from the flowing liquid outlet 24, and the cleaning liquid is injected into the cleaning tank 2. And a circulating fluid generating means for circulating the disinfecting solution, so that the endoscope 1 is washed or disinfected with the fluid flow. Since the high-pressure washing liquid is ejected from the flowing liquid ejection port 24, a flowing liquid is generated in the washing tank 2, and
The object to be washed becomes very well washed. When the disinfectant is present in the cleaning tank 2, the disinfectant is sucked from the circulating fluid suction port 23 and the cleaning tank 2 is discharged from the flowing liquid outlet 24.
Into the cleaning tank 2 by circulating the disinfectant.

A pump 26 for cleaning the inside of the scope conduit and a check valve 27 are provided in the middle of the conduit 22 for cleaning the inside of the scope conduit. The cleaning line 2 in the scope line ahead of this
The other end of 2 is branched into conduits 31 and 32 via electromagnetic on-off valves 28 and 29, respectively, one conduit 31 is connected to the channel connection port 11, and the other conduit 32 is connected to the ceiling. It is connected to a nozzle 8 for surface cleaning.

An endoscope conduit cleaning tube 33 is connected to the channel connection port 11. The tube 33 is connected to a channel opening provided in an operation section of the endoscope 1 through the tube 33. The washing water and the disinfecting solution are supplied into the channel of the endoscope 1.

An air supply line 37 is connected via a check valve 35 in the middle of the cleaning line 22 in the scope line, and a compressor 38 is provided in the air supply line 37. Then, air is sent from the channel connection port 11 through the air supply pipe 37 into the channel of the endoscope 1 through the endoscope pipe cleaning tube 33, and further air is sent to the ceiling cleaning nozzle 8 through the pipe 32. Sent,
Each water removal is performed.

On the other hand, a drain port 41 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, and the drain port 41 is connected to a disinfecting pipe 43 and a drain pipe 44 via an electromagnetic switching valve 42. The switching valve 42 has a position connected to the disinfecting line 43, a position connected to the discharging line 44, and a position for stopping drainage, and the switching operation is performed by a control device (not shown).

A disinfecting tank 45 is inserted in the middle of the disinfecting pipe 43, and an injecting disinfecting pump 46 is inserted upstream of the disinfecting tank 45. Disinfection pipeline 4
The outflow end of 3 is connected to the inlet 10 via a check valve 47. Then, a disinfecting solution supply system for injecting the disinfecting solution in the disinfecting tank 45 into the cleaning tank 2 is configured.

On the other hand, a drain pump 48 is provided in the middle of the discharge pipe 44. The distal end of the discharge pipe 44 is guided to the outside of the cleaning / disinfecting apparatus main body. By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, a jetting direction changing mechanism is attached to the liquid jet port 24. That is, the flowing liquid jet port 24 is provided at the center of one side wall portion of the cleaning tank 2 which is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above, and is located on the center line of the cleaning tank 2. It opens toward the center of the tank 2 and the center of the tower 6. A jet direction changing plate 50 is provided in front of the flowing liquid jet port 24, and has a function of changing the jet direction. The ejection direction changing plate 50 is supported by a support shaft 51.
, And is rotatably mounted on the support shaft 51. One end of the arm portion 52 is selectively positioned at the front of the liquid jet port 24.
Ejection direction regulating portion 5 provided with different types of slits 53 and 54
5 are formed. The first slit 53 and the second slit 54 change the direction of the liquid jetted from the liquid jet port 24, and the first slit 53 changes the jetting direction to the left as shown in FIG. The second slit 54 is formed in a shape that changes the ejection direction to the right and diagonally forward as shown in FIG. 2C.
Specifically, the first slit 53 has a semicircular opening on the left side and a semicircular closing part on the right side, and the inner surface of the closing part is formed with a slope inclined obliquely left and forward. Second slit 5
Reference numeral 4 has a semicircular opening on the right side and a semicircular closing part on the left side, and the inner surface of the closing part is formed with a slope inclined obliquely right and forward.

The other end of the arm 52 has a float 5
6 is attached. This float 56 is used for washing tank 2
It rises and descends according to the height (water level) of the liquid stored therein, and rotates the ejection direction changing plate 50. Below the vertical position of the float 56, a float stopper 57 for determining the lowest position of the float 56 is provided.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, the jet direction restricting portion 55 of the jet direction changing plate 50 is provided on the front surface of the flowing liquid jet port 24 until the float 56 reaches the water level a when it hits the float stopper 57. It is not positioned, and the front surface of the flowing liquid ejection port 24 is in an open state. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), when the float 56 is at the slightly raised water level b, the jet direction changing plate 50 rotates clockwise, and
The first slit 53 is located on the front surface of. FIG.
As shown in (c), when the water level becomes higher and the float 56 further rises, the ejection direction changing plate 50
Is further rotated clockwise, and the second slit 54 is located on the front surface of the flowing liquid jet port 24.

Next, the operation of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus will be described. When using the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, the used endoscope 1 is set in the cleaning tank 2 and the endoscope channel cleaning tube 33 is connected to the endoscope 1 and the channel connection port 11. Thereafter, the respective steps of washing, disinfection, rinsing, and air supply are performed with the operation of various operation switches (not shown).

First, in the cleaning step, when the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus is started, the number of days from the previous operation day is calculated, and if the apparatus has not been used for a long time, the float switch 18 is rinsed and the operation check step is performed. to go into. First, the water supply valve 16
Opens, and in the case of a water supply source such as tap water, for example, tap water is supplied from the water supply port 10 into the cleaning tank 2 through the water supply filter 15 and the water supply pipe 13. After a certain period of time, the flushing is started, and water is supplied until the float switch 18 is submerged, calculated from the previous water supply time stored in the memory. When the float switch 18 detects the liquid level, the flow washing step is continued. In this step, large dirt, soft dirt, light dirt, etc. attached to the endoscope 1 are washed. That is, dirt is removed by the impact force of the liquid flow swirling in the cleaning tank 2 or the liquid jetted from the liquid jet port 24. If the float switch 18 does not detect the liquid level, the process is stopped. In addition, when days have not passed since the last use, the float switch 1 is used as a normal process.
When 8 detects the liquid level, the water supply is stopped and the process proceeds.

When the preset process time for the washing of the liquid has been completed, the ultrasonic vibrator 5 is driven to perform ultrasonic cleaning. In the ultrasonic cleaning, hard dirt attached to the endoscope 1 and dirt attached to a complicated shape part are strongly removed. Thereafter, when the ultrasonic cleaning step is completed, the flowing liquid cleaning is performed again. In this step, dirt that has been swollen and peeled off from the endoscope 1 by ultrasonic cleaning is removed.

When the cleaning process is completed, the electromagnetic switching valve 4
2 is opened to the drain side, and at the same time the drain pump 48 is driven,
The cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 2 is discharged to the outside. Thereafter, the water supply valve 16 is opened, fresh water is again supplied into the cleaning tank 2, and the cleaning pump 26 in the scope pipeline is driven. Thereby, rinsing is performed. During this rinsing step, the opening and closing of the solenoid on-off valves 28 and 29 are reversed for a preset time and number of times, and rinsing water is sent to the ceiling surface cleaning conduit 32 to eject rinsing water from the ceiling surface cleaning nozzle 8. Then, a step of washing the ceiling surface of the washing tank 2 is performed.

In the latter half of the rinsing step, the pump 26 for cleaning the inside of the scope pipeline is stopped and the compressor 38 is turned on. , 29
By switching the opening and closing of the air, air is sent into the ceiling cleaning nozzle 8 and the endoscope 1 and the ceiling cleaning conduit 32 are drained.

After the rinsing step is completed, a disinfection step is subsequently performed. In this disinfection process, the disinfectant tank 45 is first used.
Is supplied from the water supply port 10 into the washing tank 2 through the disinfecting pump 46 and the disinfecting conduit 43. Here, the check valves 14 and 47 prevent the water supply and the disinfectant from flowing back. The entire endoscope 1 is completely immersed in the disinfectant solution stored in the cleaning tank 2, and the disinfectant solution in the cleaning tank 2 is supplied to the channel connection port 11 by turning on the cleaning pump 26 in the scope conduit. It is supplied and disinfection in the channel of the endoscope 1 is also performed. In this disinfecting process, the disinfecting solution flows through all the dirty pipes in the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, so that the inside of the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus can be automatically disinfected. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the electromagnetic switching valve 42 opens to the collection side,
The disinfecting solution is collected in the disinfecting tank 45.

After the end of the disinfection step, the rinsing step is performed again. In this case, when rinsing water is supplied, the water is supplied for a long time from when the float switch 18 detects the water level to when the float switch 18 calculated from the previously calculated water supply amount per hour is submerged. Thereby, the float switch 18 is completely rinsed.

After the rinsing step, drainage of the channel (pipe) of the endoscope 1 is completely performed by driving the compressor 38. After a certain period of time, the drainage pump 48
Stops.

Next, the cleaning operation in the flowing liquid cleaning step will be specifically described. During the washing with the flowing liquid, when the water level in the washing tank is initially equal to or lower than the water level a, as shown in FIG. And blows straight forward toward the center of the washing tank 2 (the center of the tower 6). Then, as the washing water is supplied from the inlet 10, the water level in the washing tank 2 rises, but when the water level reaches b as shown in FIG. The first slit 53 of the ejection direction changing plate 50 is located before the position 24. Then, Figure 2
As shown in (b), the direction of the flowing liquid is forced obliquely forward to the left, and as a result, the circulating flowing liquid in the cleaning tank 2 is directed in the direction of b in FIG. Storage area 9 around
The endoscope 1 is washed while making a liquid flowing counterclockwise. When the water level further rises and reaches the water level c, the float 56 further rises, and the second slit 54 of the ejection direction changing plate 50 is located in front of the flowing liquid ejection port 24. Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, the flowing liquid direction is forcibly moved forward diagonally right. As a result, the circulating liquid in the cleaning tank 2 is shown in FIG.
Then, the liquid flowing in the direction c is rotated clockwise around the storage area 9 around the tower 6 in which the endoscope 1 is installed, and the endoscope 1 is washed. As described above, only the change in the water level in the cleaning tank 2 automatically changes the direction in which the flowing liquid in the cleaning tank 2 is refluxed.

The same applies to the operation in the disinfecting step. Only by changing the liquid level of the disinfecting liquid in the cleaning tank 2, the direction in which the disinfecting liquid flows in the cleaning tank 2 is automatically changed, and the endoscope is used. 1 can be disinfected. It should be noted that a similar jet direction changing mechanism can be provided in front of the water inlet 10 in the cleaning tank 2 to change the direction of the flowing liquid of the supplied water.

(Second Embodiment) A jet direction changing mechanism of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, only the ejection direction changing mechanism is shown, but the other points are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The jetting direction changing mechanism in the second embodiment has a function of changing the jetting direction of the liquid jet by changing the jetting direction changing plate 60 at the jetting port 24. Is given. The ejection direction changing plate 60 is vertically slidably attached to the left and right guides 61, and moves up and down while covering the circular front opening of the flowing liquid ejection port 24.

A float 62 is attached to the upper end of the ejection direction changing plate 60. When the ejection direction changing plate 60 is lowered, the float 62 hits the upper end of the guide 61 as shown in FIG.
0 is held.

In the ejection direction changing plate 60, three types of openings (slits) 65, 66, 67 are formed at regular intervals on a straight line passing through the center of the front opening of the flowing liquid ejection port 24 in the vertical movement direction. Have been. Here, the first,
The opening 65 is a circular hole having a diameter larger than the diameter of the front opening of the flowing liquid jet port 24. Similar to the first slit 53 of the ejection direction changing plate 50 in the first embodiment, the intermediate second opening 66 has a shape that changes the ejection direction to the left and obliquely forward as shown in FIG. 4B. Has formed. That is, the first opening 65 has a semicircular opening on the left side and a semicircular closing part on the right side, and the inner surface of the closing part is formed with a slope inclined to the left diagonally forward. In addition, the lower third opening 67
Like the second slit 54 of the ejection direction changing plate 50 in the first embodiment, the hole is formed in such a shape as to change the ejection direction obliquely right forward as shown in FIG. 4C. That is, the third opening 66 has a semicircular opening on the right side and a semicircular closing part on the left side, and the inner surface of the closing part is formed with a slope inclined diagonally forward and left.

Next, the operation of the ejection direction changing mechanism in the second embodiment will be described. During the washing of the flowing liquid, when the water level in the cleaning tank 2 is initially lower than the water level a, the flowing liquid jet port 2
Since the first opening 65 of the ejection direction changing plate 60 is located before the cleaning liquid 4, the washing water is supplied to the flowing liquid ejection port 2 as shown in FIG.
4 erupts straight forward. As the washing water is supplied from the water inlet 10, the water level in the washing tank 2 rises, and when it reaches the water level b, the float 62 rises accordingly, so that the jetting direction is in front of the liquid jet outlet 24. Change plate 6
A second aperture 66 of zero is located. For this reason, FIG.
As shown by the arrow, the flowing liquid direction is forcibly changed diagonally to the left and ejected, and the washing water advances diagonally to the left and left.
As a result, a circulating liquid in the washing tank 2 is made to flow counterclockwise around the storage area 9 around the tower 6 in which the endoscope 1 is installed, and the endoscope 1 is washed.

Further, when the water level rises and reaches water level c,
The float 62 further rises, and the third opening 67 of the ejection direction changing plate 60 is located in front of the flowing liquid ejection port 24. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4C, the flowing liquid direction is forcibly changed to the oblique right front and is ejected, and the washing water advances obliquely to the left front. As a result, the circulating liquid in the washing tank 2 is made to flow clockwise around the storage area 9 around the tower 6 in which the endoscope 1 is installed, and the endoscope 1 is washed. Thus, the circulating direction of the flowing liquid in the cleaning tank 2 can be changed only by changing the water level in the cleaning tank 2.

In the disinfection step, when disinfecting is supplied into the cleaning tank 2, the direction of circulation of the disinfecting liquid is automatically changed. By attaching a mechanism similar to the ejection direction changing mechanism of the second embodiment in front of the water inlet 10 of the cleaning tank 2, it is possible to change the direction of the flowing liquid of the supply water.

(Third Embodiment) An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 71 denotes a cleaning tank, and a central tower 72 is provided at the center of the cleaning tank 71, and the endoscope 1 is installed around the central tower 72. Cleaning tank 71
In the center of the inner wall surface on one side, there are two flowing liquid outlets 7 for injecting the cleaning liquid sent from the liquid supply pipe 73 into the cleaning tank 71.
4,75 are provided. Each flow liquid outlet 74, 75
Is connected to the liquid feed line 73 via a two-way switching valve 76 which is electrically controlled. One of the flowing liquid outlets 7
Reference numeral 4 indicates that the jetting direction is set to the diagonally forward left, and the other flow liquid jetting port 75 is set to the jetting direction diagonally to the front right.

The operation of this embodiment will be described.
The washing liquid or the disinfecting liquid can be jetted from 4,75 alternately. In other words, if the cleaning liquid or the disinfecting liquid is jetted from the left liquid jet port 74, a counterclockwise liquid flow is created in the cleaning tank 71, and the cleaning liquid is jetted from the right liquid jet port 74. Then, a flow liquid in the clockwise direction b is created in the cleaning tank 71. In other words, the circulating direction is alternately changed to change the liquid flow to clean or disinfect the endoscope 1.

According to this embodiment, the direction of the flowing liquid can be switched between the direction a and the direction b by switching the two-way switching valve 76 while the liquid is being fed into the cleaning tank 71. The direction of flow of the flowing liquid in the cleaning tank 71 changes, and the endoscope 1 can be efficiently cleaned or disinfected by a function of giving a change in the liquid flow.

(Fourth Embodiment) A jet direction changing mechanism of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The jet direction changing mechanism has a block 82 attached to the inner wall of the cleaning tank 81, and a spherical cavity 83 is formed in the block 82. The cavity 83 is connected to a liquid feeding pipe 84 for feeding a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting liquid.

A rotating jet nozzle 85 is mounted in the cavity 83 of the block 82 so as to be freely rotatable on a spherical surface by a spherical bearing system. The rotary ejection nozzle 85 has a hollow spherical portion 86 and a nozzle portion 87 connected to each other, and the hollow spherical portion 86 has a hollow 8.
The nozzle part 87 is rotatably housed in the
The second cavity 83 protrudes into the cleaning tank 81 from the opening. The hollow spherical portion 86 is held by an O-ring 88 in the cavity 83 of the block 82 in a watertight manner so as to be rotatable spherically.

For this reason, since the direction of the rotary jet nozzle 85 can be freely changed easily by hand or the like, the function of freely changing the jet direction of the liquid sent from the water supply pipe 84 three-dimensionally. Can be played. In other words, the jetting direction from the rotary jet nozzle 85 can be directed not only to the center of the front, diagonally forward left, or diagonally forward right but also to other directions.

Therefore, according to the ejection direction changing mechanism of this embodiment, the direction of flow of the flowing liquid in the cleaning tank 81 is changed.
Not only can the endoscope 1 be efficiently cleaned or disinfected by a change in the liquid flow, but also the cleaning effect of the endoscope 1 by selecting an optimal ejection direction according to the cleaning state of the endoscope 1. Or the disinfection effect can be enhanced.

(Fifth Embodiment) An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 91 denotes a cleaning tank, and a central tower 92 is provided at the center of the cleaning tank 91.
The endoscope 1 is installed around the camera. A water inlet 94 connected to a water supply pipe 93 and a flow for injecting a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting liquid fed from a liquid supply pipe 95 into the cleaning tank 91 are provided on one inner wall surface of the cleaning tank 91. The liquid ejection port 96 is provided so as to be divided into right and left. Further, the water injection port 94 is provided so as to inject water toward the left area of the cleaning tank 91, and the flowing liquid jet port 96 is provided so as to jet liquid toward the right area of the cleaning tank 91. The directions of the water injection port 94 and the flowing liquid ejection port 96 are opposite to the direction of the circulation.

The cleaning liquid supplied into the cleaning tank 91 from the water inlet 94 is sucked through a circulating liquid suction port 97 provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 91 and the like, and passes through a flowing liquid pipe 95 and a liquid feeding pipe 95. And the flowing liquid ejection port 96 by the flowing liquid washing pump 99.
The cleaning tank 91 is returned to the inside.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. Water inlet 9
From FIG. 4, if the flowing liquid cleaning pump 99 is stopped while the cleaning liquid is being injected into the cleaning tank 91, the direction of the flowing liquid in the cleaning tank 91 is circulating in the direction a. When the flowing liquid washing pump 99 is operated after the water supply is completed, the circulating liquid suction port 9 is opened.
The washing liquid in the washing tank 91 is sucked from 7 and returned to the washing tank 91 from the flowing liquid ejection port 96, and the direction of the flowing liquid in the washing tank 91 is switched to the direction b. By performing this operation alternately, the direction of circulation of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 91 can be changed.
The endoscope 1 can be efficiently cleaned by the change in the liquid flow.

In the disinfection step, the circulating fluid suction port 9
7, the disinfecting solution in the cleaning tank 91 is sucked, and
6, the endoscope 1 may be disinfected by returning to the cleaning tank 91 and creating a circulation of the disinfecting solution in the cleaning tank 91.

(Sixth Embodiment) An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a cleaning tank, and this cleaning tank 10
A central tower 102 is provided at the center of 1, and the endoscope 1 is installed around the central tower 102. A washing tank 101 has a water supply line 103 for feeding a washing solution into the washing tank 101.
And a circulating liquid suction port 106 for sucking the liquid in the cleaning tank 101 are provided.

Further, the washing tank 10 formed in a substantially rectangular shape.
At the four corners of one inner wall, four jet ports 107a, 107b, 108a, 108b which are individually located are provided. A pair of jet ports 107 located on one diagonal line
The set of a and 108a belongs to the same system, and the set of a pair of outlets 107b and 108b located on the other diagonal belongs to another same system. The ejection ports 107a and 108b are for the cleaning tank 1.
01 is provided at both ends of the inner wall surface on the right side,
The other jet ports 107b and 108a are provided at both ends of the left inner wall surface of the cleaning tank 101.

The jetting directions of the jets 107a and 108a are opposite to each other along the right inner wall surface of the cleaning tank 101, and the jetting directions of the other jets 107b and 108a are the left inner wall surface of the cleaning tank 101. (See the direction of the arrow in the figure).

The circulating fluid suction port 106 has a circulating fluid pipe 1
10 is connected, and the other end of the circulating fluid line 110 is branched into two flowing liquid washing conduits 112 and 113 via a two-way switching valve 111 that is electrically controlled. One flow washing channel 112 is connected to one set of jets 107a and 108a, and the other flow washing channel 113 is connected to the other set of jets 107b and 108b. A flowing liquid washing pump 114 is provided in the middle of the circulating liquid pipe 110.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. Water inlet 1
After the water is supplied into the cleaning tank 101 from the cleaning tank 04, the flowing liquid cleaning pump 114 is operated, and the flowing liquid in the cleaning tank 101 is sucked from the circulating liquid suction port 106, and the flowing liquid cleaning pump 114 is supplied.
Through the two-way switching valve 111 to one of the flow washing channels 112 and 113 selected. For example, the liquid is returned to the cleaning tank 101 from the ejection ports 107a and 108a through the flowing liquid cleaning pipe 112, and at this time, the direction of the flowing liquid in the cleaning tank 101 is the direction a. After the preset time has elapsed, the two-way switching valve 111 is switched, and the other flowing liquid washing conduit 113 is selected, so that the direction of the flowing liquid is switched to the direction b, and the washing tanks 107 and 108 are moved from the jet ports 107b and 108b. 1
01, and at this time, the direction of the flowing liquid in the cleaning tank 101 becomes the b direction. Thus, the two-way switching valve 111
The function of alternately switching the direction of the flowing liquid is achieved by alternately switching. Then, the endoscope 1 in the cleaning tank 101 is cleaned.

When disinfecting the endoscope 1 by putting a disinfectant in the cleaning tank 101, the disinfectant is circulated and the direction of circulation in the cleaning tank 101 is changed.
Can be disinfected.

(Seventh Embodiment) An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 121 denotes a washing tank, and a central tower 122 is provided at the center of the washing tank 121, and the endoscope 1 is installed around the central tower 122.

A circulating liquid flow generator (means) 123 for circulating a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting liquid in the cleaning tank 121 is provided on one side wall of the cleaning tank 121. The circulating liquid flow generator 123 is provided on one side wall surface of the cleaning tank 121 so that the cleaning tank 1
21 are provided with two openings 125 and 126 in which the openings are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line of the opening 21.
6 is connected to a pump section 129 via flowing water pipes 127 and 128, respectively. An impeller 130 is provided inside the pump unit 129, and the impeller 130 is connected to a motor 131 that can rotate forward and reverse. As shown in FIG. 10, the circulating fluid flow generator 123 is installed at a position higher than the connection position between the bottom of the cleaning tank 121 and the flowing water pipes 127 and 128.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the motor 131 rotates forward (clockwise), the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 121 is sucked out from one of the water pipes 128 and returned to the cleaning tank 121 from the mouth 125 of the other water pipe 127. At this time, the direction of the flowing liquid in the cleaning tank 121 is the direction a. After a preset time has passed, the motor 131
Is switched in the reverse direction (counterclockwise), and the washing water in the washing tank 121 is sucked out from the running water pipe 127, and
8, the liquid is returned from the mouth 126 to the cleaning tank 121. At this time, the direction of the flowing liquid in the cleaning tank 121 is the b direction. In this way, by alternately switching the forward and reverse rotations of the motor 131, the direction of the flowing liquid can also be alternately switched. For this reason, the cleaning effect can be enhanced.

When disinfecting the endoscope 1, the direction of the flowing liquid can be alternately switched even when the disinfecting liquid is refluxed, so that the disinfecting effect can be enhanced. Further, since the circulating fluid generator 123 is installed at a position higher than the connection position between the cleaning tank 121 and the flowing water pipes 127 and 128, there is no residual water inside the circulating fluid generator 123.

(Eighth Embodiment) An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 141 denotes a cleaning tank. On one side inner wall of the cleaning tank 141, a water injection port 142 through which cleaning water is supplied into the cleaning tank 141, and a cleaning liquid is taken in from the cleaning tank 141 and sent into the cleaning tank 141 again. The flowing liquid ejection port 143 is provided side by side. The water injection port 142 and the liquid jet port 143 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line of the cleaning tank 141. A drain 144 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 141. The drain port 144 is for discharging the liquid in the cleaning tank 141 to the outside of the tank through the drain port 144 or supplying the liquid in the cleaning tank 141 taken in through the drain port 144 to the flowing liquid jet port 143. This switching is performed by a pipe switching valve (not shown).

The water injection port 142 and the flowing liquid jet port 143 are both rotated by a rotary operation device 150 as shown in FIG. 12 so that the jet direction of the jet port can be changed. That is, the rotary operation device 150 has a block 151 serving as a main body member fixed to the back surface of the wall portion of the cleaning tank 141, and this block 151 has a cylindrical nozzle member 15.
2 is rotatably mounted. The tip of the nozzle member 152 penetrates through the wall of the cleaning tank 141 to form the cleaning tank 141.
Sticking out. The tip of the nozzle member 152 obliquely crosses the center of rotation of the nozzle member 152 and faces obliquely forward.
53 are formed. A driving motor 154 such as a stepping motor is connected to the nozzle member 152, and the driving motor 154 is driven to rotate by selecting a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the nozzle member 152.

Block 15 for holding nozzle member 152
1 has a connection port 156 communicating with a through hole 155 formed in the nozzle member 152, and the connection port 156 has a pipe line 1.
57 are connected. The pipe 157 is connected to the drain 144 via the pipe switching valve described above. A flowing liquid recirculation pump (not shown) is inserted in the middle of the pipe 157. The cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 141 is guided into the nozzle member 152 through the conduit 157, the connection port 156, and the through hole 155, and is forcibly sent into the port 153. An oil seal 158 seals water between the wall of the cleaning tank 141 and the nozzle member 152. The block 151 and the nozzle member 15
2 is sealed with the outside by a packing 159.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, FIG. 11A shows a state in which the cleaning water is injected into the cleaning tank 141. At this time, the direction of the water inlet 142 is set so that the cleaning water to be injected can hit the endoscope 1 well. Have been.

FIG. 11 (b) shows a situation in which the washing with flowing liquid is performed, and the washing tank 141 taken in through the drainage port 144.
The washing water inside is spouted from the flowing liquid ejection port 143 into the washing tank 141. The mouth 153 of the flowing liquid jet 143 is swung at a set time interval, and alternately takes a position facing left obliquely forward and right obliquely forward. Although the direction of the opening 153 is set so that the flowing liquid ejected from the opening 153 hits the endoscope 1 well, the direction of the opening 153 of the flowing liquid ejection port 143 can be changed right and left, so that the washing is performed. Since the direction of circulation of the flowing liquid in the tank 141 changes alternately, the endoscope 1 can be efficiently washed.

FIG. 11C shows a state in which the cleaning water or the disinfecting solution in the cleaning tank 141 is discharged out of the cleaning tank 141. The flowing liquid jet port 143 is directed in a direction of directly discharging to the discharge port 144, thereby improving the discharge efficiency.

FIG. 11D shows the situation when a disinfecting solution is injected into the cleaning tank 141. The water inlet 142 faces the nearby side wall in order to suppress foaming of the chemical solution, and
One side wall is transmitted and poured.

FIG. 11E shows a situation at the time of rinsing. The rinsing water is injected from the water injection port 142 and the rinsing water is injected from the flowing liquid jet port 143 while the rinsing water is being injected.
Then, the flowing liquid jet port 143 is rotated to change the inflow direction thereof, so that the rinsing water is evenly applied to the washing tank 141 and the endoscope 1.

(Ninth Embodiment) An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, reference numeral 161 denotes a cleaning tank, and a central tower 162 is provided at the center of the cleaning tank 161, and the endoscope 1 is installed around the central tower 162. On one side inner wall of the cleaning tank 161 is provided a water injection port 163 for feeding the cleaning water. A water injection pipe 164 is connected to the water injection port 163.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The water inlet 163 is provided near the upper part of the operation unit 1a of the endoscope 1. As shown in FIG. 14, a part 165a of the fluid discharged from the water inlet 163 directly hits the operation unit 1a, and A part 165b of the fluid of the cleaning tank 161
It flows out in the direction of creating a water flow. For this reason, a part 165a of the fluid hits the operation unit 1a of the endoscope 1 violently, so that it is possible to strongly clean even a part having a concave shape. Also, another fluid portion 165
The entire endoscope 1 is washed with the flowing liquid created by b. The arrow in FIG. 13 indicates the direction of the flowing liquid.

Note that, instead of the water injection port 163 and the water injection system pipe line 164, a circulating liquid jet port and a flow liquid washing pipe line may be used. This embodiment can be applied in accordance with the above-described embodiments.

(Tenth Embodiment) An endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, an example of a water level detecting float switch 172 provided in the cleaning tank 171 is shown. The float switch 172 for detecting the water level is installed so that the float portion 173 is completely immersed in the washing water supplied to the washing tank 171.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. Normally, when the cleaning tank 171 is supplied with liquid, the float switch 1
72 detects a predetermined water level a and stops water supply. The water level in the rinsing step reaches a water level b higher than the water level a. For this reason, the float switch 172 is completely submerged in the rinse water, and even if the float portion 173 is contaminated, it is washed and released from the fixation, and can be returned. Conventionally, the float switch used for water level control is not always submerged in its entirety. On the other hand, some chemicals such as detergents and disinfectants used for washing and disinfecting are viscous, and after the process, the float portion is If a trace amount of the drug component remains, for example, it accumulates and dries, the viscosity increases, and the movement of the float of the float switch is hindered. Prevention of the float operation failure due to contamination of the water level control float switch was left to the maintenance by cleaning the worker. However, if the worker forgets to perform the maintenance (cleaning) of the float switch, the float is stuck, There was a possibility that an accurate water level could not be detected. However, according to this embodiment, the malfunction of the float switch is prevented,
Improve the reliability of the operation of the device.

[Supplementary Notes] In an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for washing and disinfecting an object to be cleaned by immersing the object to be cleaned in a cleaning solution or a disinfecting solution stored in the cleaning tank, the flow of the cleaning solution or the disinfecting solution stored in the cleaning tank is controlled. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus characterized by comprising a flowing liquid generating means, and having a function of changing a flow direction of a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting liquid in a cleaning tank.

2. In an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for washing and disinfecting an object to be washed by immersing the object to be washed in a washing solution or a disinfecting solution stored in the washing tank, the washing water from the water supply source is injected into the washing tank. A water port, a circulating fluid suction port for taking in a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting liquid in the cleaning tank, a flowing liquid jet port for sucking the cleaning liquid or the disinfecting liquid from the circulating liquid suction port, pressurizing the liquid and returning it to the cleaning tank; A jetting direction changing mechanism for changing a jetting direction of the washing liquid or the disinfecting liquid from the flowing liquid jet port into the washing tank.

3. In an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for washing and disinfecting an object to be washed by immersing the object to be washed in a washing solution or a disinfecting solution stored in the washing tank, the washing water from the water supply source is injected into the washing tank. A water port, a circulating fluid suction port for taking in a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting solution in the cleaning tank, and a flowing liquid jet port sucked from the circulating liquid suction port and pressurized and returned into the cleaning tank;
The direction of the flowing liquid created in the washing tank by injecting the washing liquid into the washing tank from the water inlet, and the direction of the flowing liquid created by ejecting the circulating water into the washing tank from the flowing liquid outlet. Characterized in that it is configured to be reversed.
According to this, it is possible to provide a simple configuration without adding a pipeline configuration to the conventional one.

4. An endoscope provided with a water inlet for ejecting the washing water from the water supply source into the washing tank, or an outlet having the water inlet and the washing water in the washing tank sucked and pumped by a pump and returned to the washing tank. In the mirror washing and disinfecting apparatus, at least one of the water injection port and the flowing liquid ejection port is provided near an upper part of an endoscope operation unit in the cleaning tank, and the cleaning water flowing out of the water injection port or the ejection port is viewed endlessly. It is characterized in that it is configured to directly hit the mirror operating unit and generate a flowing liquid in the washing tank. According to this, a complicatedly intricately shaped portion, particularly the operation section, can be strongly washed, and a liquid flow can be generated in the washing tank, so that the entire endoscope can also be thoroughly washed. Therefore, the cleaning power is significantly improved.

5. The endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a float switch for controlling a water level in the cleaning tank, wherein the float switch is immersed in rinsing water in the rinsing step to be rinsed. According to this, the malfunction of the float switch can be prevented, the liquid level of the apparatus can be reliably controlled, the reliability of the apparatus can be improved, and the overflow can be reliably prevented. 6. 6. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a float switch, a means for detecting a water injection amount per time during a rinsing step, a clock and a memory for recording the use date and time of the apparatus. The effect can be obtained in item 5 even when the apparatus has not been used for a long time.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to uniformly apply a flowing liquid to an endoscope having a generally long and complicated shape, which is installed in a cleaning tank, so that the cleaning property and the disinfecting property are improved. It can be significantly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of an operation of a jet direction changing mechanism at a flowing liquid jet port of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a change state of a flow in a cleaning tank by a jet direction changing mechanism of a flowing liquid jet port of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a jet direction changing mechanism in a flowing liquid jet port of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of an ejection direction changing mechanism of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a schematic configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a schematic configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a schematic configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a jet direction changing mechanism of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a schematic configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a schematic configuration of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a water level detection float switch of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus according to the tenth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope, 2 ... Cleaning tank, 10 ... Injection port, 21 ... Flowing liquid pipeline, 23 ... Circulating fluid suction port, 24 ... Flowing liquid ejection port, 25
... a pump for flowing liquid, 45 ... a disinfecting tank, 50 ... a jet direction changing plate.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for immersing an object to be cleaned in a cleaning solution or a disinfecting solution stored in a cleaning tank to wash and disinfect the object to be cleaned. Endoscope cleaning and disinfecting, comprising a flow generating means for generating a flow in the disinfecting liquid, and the flowing liquid generating means having a function of changing a flow direction of the cleaning liquid and the disinfecting liquid in the cleaning tank. apparatus.