Apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing endoscope

Abstract

A washing vessel capable of housing an endoscope is formed in an apparatus body. A washing solution containing a detergent is spurted against the endoscope arranged within the washing vessel for washing the endoscope. Also, an oxide-based disinfecting-sterilizing solution is supplied into the washing vessel for disinfecting-sterilizing the endoscope after the washing step together with the washing vessel.

1 . An apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope, comprising: 
 a vessel in which an endoscope can be mounted;    washing solution supply means for supplying a washing solution for washing an endoscope into said vessel;    washing means for washing the endoscope mounted within the vessel with said washing solution; and    disinfecting-sterilizing solution supply means for supplying an oxide-based disinfecting-sterilizing solution into the vessel,    wherein the endoscope mounted within the vessel is disinfected and sterilized with said oxide-based disinfecting-sterilizing solution.    
     
     
         2 . A method of washing-disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope, comprising the steps of: 
 supplying a washing solution into a vessel having an endoscope mounted therein for washing the endoscope; and    supplying an oxide-based disinfecting-sterilizing solution into the vessel so as to disinfect-sterilize the endoscope with said disinfecting-sterilizing solution.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein said washing solution contains as a main component an alkaline detergent, an enzyme or an enzyme-containing alkaline detergent.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein said disinfecting-sterilizing solution contains as a main component at least one kind of a concentrated disinfecting-sterilizing agent, said solution being prepared by diluting said concentrated agent with water within said vessel.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tank for storing said disinfecting-sterilizing agent and a fluid passageway for connecting said tank to said vessel so as to permit said disinfecting-sterilizing agent to be circulated through the apparatus.  
     
     
         6 . The method for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 2 , wherein said disinfecting-sterilizing step is performed at room temperature or higher.  
     
     
         7 . The method for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 2 , wherein an endoscope is dipped in said disinfecting-sterilizing solution which is held at room temperature or heated in said disinfecting-sterilizing step.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein said disinfecting-sterilizing solution supply means comprises: 
 a tank connected to a city water supply source and a warm water supply source and storing a disinfecting-sterilizing agent diluted with city water and/or warm water;    a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the disinfecting-sterilizing solution stored in said tank; and    a control section for controlling the supply amounts of said city water and warm water upon receipt of a detection signal supplied from said temperature sensor.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein said disinfecting-sterilizing solution does not communicate with the outside except a single portion, and a vapor component removing means is mounted at the portion where the disinfecting-sterilizing solution communicates with the outside.  
     
     
         10 . The method of washing-disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 2 , wherein said endoscope is dipped in a solution of at least an alkaline or enzyme-based detergent for the washing in said washing step.  
     
     
         11 . The method of washing-disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 2 , wherein said washing step is performed by at least an ultrasonic washing and by supply of a washing solution into tubular passageways of said endoscope.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel having said endoscope arranged therein is provided with an ultrasonic vibrator.  
     
     
         13 . The method of washing-disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 2 , wherein an ultrasonic washing and washing by circulation of a washing solution within the washing vessel are employed in combination in said washing step.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for supplying a washing solution into the tubular passageway of the endoscope such that said washing solution flows within the tubular passageway at a flowing speed of 100 cm/sec.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein said vessel has an upper opening, and said upper opening is closed by a top cover, a portion positioned higher than the surface of the liquid housed in the vessel being formed in at least a part of said top cover and at least a part of the top cover being kept in contact with the disinfecting-sterilizing solution in the disinfecting-sterilizing step.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 15 , wherein the disinfecting-sterilizing of the vessel including said top cover are performed by combination of contact with the disinfecting-sterilizing solution and spurting of the solution.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 15 , wherein said top cover includes a planar portion which is disinfected and sterilized by contact with the surface of the disinfecting-sterilizing solution filling the vessel and a projecting portion to which the disinfecting-sterilizing solution is spurted for the disinfecting-sterilizing purpose.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope by dipping an endoscope in a washing solution or disinfecting-sterilizing solution stored in a vessel, comprising: 
 reading means for reading data stored in said endoscope; and    setting means for setting the conditions for washing and disinfecting said endoscope based on the data read by said reading means.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 18 , wherein said data include at least the kind and date of manufacture of said endoscope.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 18 , wherein said data include the number of endoscopic inspections, date of inspection and finishing time of inspection, which can be rewritten every time an endoscopic inspection is performed.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 18 , wherein said data are stored in an IC memory arranged within a connector of the endoscope.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 18 , wherein said data are stored in a bar code attached to said endoscope.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus for washing and disinfecting-sterilizing an endoscope according to  claim 18 , further comprising a display section for displaying the washing tube for the tubular passageway which is to be used depending on the kind of the endoscope.