A steam sterilizer and working method for sterilization of novel coronavirus nucleic acid detection

Abstract

The present invention discloses a steam sterilizer and working method for the sterilization of novel coronavirus nucleic acid detection, which belongs to the technical field of disinfection and sterilization equipment. The bottom of the steam sterilizer body is connected to the normally closed drain valve, the chloride ion sensor and the automatic drain joint in sequence through a water quality filter. A pressure sensor and a temperature sensor are also provided inside the steam sterilizer body, and a safety valve is connected to the top. During operation, the main heater is heated up for three pulsating heatings, and exhaust is performed once after each pulsating heating; after the drainage time of the normally closed drain valve is reached, it is judged whether to open the normally closed drain valve for the second time according to the water quality information. If the water quality concentration is less than the specified value, the steam sterilizer ends its operation. If the water quality concentration is greater than the specified value, the normally closed drain valve is reopened, and the above steps are repeated until the water quality concentration is less than the specified value, and the steam sterilizer ends its operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention discloses a steam sterilizer and its working method for sterilizing COVID-19 nucleic acid testing equipment, belonging to the field of disinfection and sterilization equipment technology. Background Art

[0002] Steam sterilizers utilize microcomputer control and LCD displays, employing saturated steam as the working medium to effectively sterilize items within a short time. They are suitable for rapid sterilization of instruments, dressings, rubber, liquids, glassware, culture media, waste, and blood samples in various levels of medical and biomedical research institutions, including laboratories, operating rooms, supply rooms, universities, livestock farms, disease control centers, and PCR COVID-19 laboratories. However, during the sterilization of waste from COVID-19 nucleic acid testing, the chlorine-containing disinfectant sprayed onto the surface of the waste is highly corrosive to stainless steel, ultimately leading to corrosion of the stainless steel inner tank of the steam sterilizer. This causes steam leakage from the welded seals of the inner tank and malfunction of the steam sterilizer. Existing technology addresses this by using a corrosion-resistant stainless steel inner tank, but this significantly increases the material cost of the steam sterilizer, making it unsuitable for widespread use. Users using ordinary stainless steel inner tanks experience rapid corrosion, resulting in equipment failure and wasted resources. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention proposes a steam sterilizer and its working method for sterilizing COVID-19 nucleic acid testing equipment, solving the problem of easy corrosion inside existing steam sterilizers.

[0004] A steam sterilizer for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing includes: an automatic water inlet connector, an automatic drain connector, and a steam sterilizer body. The first branch of the automatic water inlet connector is connected to the water inlet at the bottom side of the steam sterilizer body via a normally closed water inlet valve, and the second branch is connected to the flushing outlet at the top of the steam sterilizer body via a normally closed flushing valve. The drain outlet at the bottom of the steam sterilizer body is connected in sequence to a normally closed drain valve, a chloride ion sensor, and the automatic drain connector via a water filter.

[0005] The steam sterilizer body has a dirt-proof tray inside. A main heater and a water level float are located between the dirt-proof tray and the bottom of the steam sterilizer body. The top of the dirt-proof tray has an exhaust port that connects to the outside of the steam sterilizer body. The exhaust port is connected in sequence to a biosafety filter, a normally open exhaust valve, and a filter.

[0006] The steam sterilizer is also equipped with a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor inside, and a safety valve is connected to the top.

[0007] Preferably, a branch is provided between the normally open exhaust valve and the filter, and the branch is sequentially connected to a check valve, a condenser, a condenser exhaust port, a filter canister, and a balance hole;

[0008] The one-way valve discharges cold air between the normally open exhaust valve and the filter to reduce the temperature of the gas discharged from the normally open exhaust valve. The condenser exhaust port is connected to the top of the filter tank through a pipe that extends from the top of the filter tank to below the liquid level inside the filter tank. The top of the filter tank is also connected to a balance hole through a pipe.

[0009] Preferably, the temperature sensor comprises a platinum resistance thermometer.

[0010] A method for operating a steam sterilizer for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing, comprising:

[0011] S1. The steam sterilizer starts working, the normally closed water inlet valve opens, and pure water enters the main body of the steam sterilizer;

[0012] S2. When the set water level of the float ball is reached, the normally closed inlet valve closes, the main heater starts heating, and the normally open vent valve opens to vent air.

[0013] S3. The main heater heats up in three pulsed heating cycles, and exhausts air once after each pulsed heating cycle;

[0014] S4. All solenoid valves are closed, and the interior of the steam sterilizer becomes a sealed space.

[0015] S5. Continue heating to the set sterilization temperature and then maintain the set sterilization time;

[0016] S6. After the sterilization time is reached, the normally closed drain valve opens and the normally open exhaust valve opens. The pressure inside the main body of the steam sterilizer drops to zero, and the hot air is discharged through the normally open exhaust valve and cooled down.

[0017] S7. The normally closed flushing valve is opened, and pure water is sprayed out through the spray arm at the top of the steam sterilizer body to rinse the inner surface of the steam sterilizer body.

[0018] S8. After the water level reaches the set water level of the water level float, the normally closed drain valve closes and the main heating pipe starts heating;

[0019] S9. After heating to the set flushing pressure, the normally closed drain valve opens, and the water quality information of the discharged water is detected in real time by the chloride ion sensor.

[0020] S10. After the normally closed drain valve has drained for the specified time, determine whether to open the normally closed drain valve a second time based on the water quality information. If the water concentration is less than the specified value, the steam sterilizer will stop working. If the water concentration is greater than the specified value, reopen the normally closed drain valve and repeat the above steps until the water concentration is less than the specified value, at which point the steam sterilizer will stop working.

[0021] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are: by adding a flushing solenoid valve and a water quality detection sensor to the existing materials, the corrosive damage of COVID-19 nucleic acid waste to the inner pressure vessel is solved; and by using multiple pulse heating cycles, a better sterilization effect is ensured. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is a graph showing the relationship between pressure and time in the steam sterilizer body;

[0024] The reference numerals include: 1-automatic water inlet connector, 2-automatic drain connector, 3-chloride ion sensor, 4-normally closed drain valve, 5-normally closed water inlet valve, 6-normally open exhaust valve, 7-water filter, 8-main heater, 9-anti-fouling tray, 10-steam sterilizer body, 11-biosafety filter, 12-filter, 13-check valve, 14-condenser, 15-filter tank, 16-balancing hole, 17-normally closed flushing valve, 18-pressure gauge, 19-spray arm, 20-safety valve, 21-air path direction, 22-water path direction. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The specific implementation of the present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments:

[0026] A steam sterilizer for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing, such as Figure 1 (wherein the gas path direction 21 and the water path direction 22 are indicated by different arrows), comprising: an automatic water inlet connector 1, an automatic drain connector 2 and a steam sterilizer body 10, wherein a first branch of the automatic water inlet connector 1 is connected to a water inlet at the bottom side of the steam sterilizer body 10 via a normally closed water inlet valve 5, a second branch is connected to a flushing port at the top of the steam sterilizer body 10 via a normally closed flushing valve 17, and a drain port at the bottom of the steam sterilizer body 10 is sequentially connected to a normally closed drain valve 4, a chloride ion sensor 3 and the automatic drain connector 2 via a water filter 7;

[0027] The steam sterilizer body 10 has a dirt-proof tray 9 inside. A main heater 8 and a water level float ball are provided between the dirt-proof tray 9 and the bottom of the steam sterilizer body 10. The top of the dirt-proof tray 9 has an exhaust port that connects to the outside of the steam sterilizer body 10. The exhaust port is connected in sequence to a biosafety filter 11, a normally open exhaust valve 6 and a filter 12.

[0028] The steam sterilizer body 10 is also equipped with a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, and a safety valve 20 is connected to the top. The pressure sensor is connected to a pressure gauge 18.

[0029] A branch is provided between the normally open exhaust valve 6 and the filter 12, and the branch sequentially connects the one-way valve 13, the condenser 14, the exhaust port of the condenser 14, the filter tank 15 and the balance hole 16;

[0030] The one-way valve 13 discharges cold air between the normally open exhaust valve 6 and the filter 12 to reduce the temperature of the gas discharged from the normally open exhaust valve 6. The exhaust port of the condenser 14 is connected to the top of the filter tank 15 through a pipe. The pipe extends from the top of the filter tank 15 to below the liquid level inside the filter tank 15. The top of the filter tank 15 is also connected to the balance hole 16 through a pipe.

[0031] The temperature sensor includes a platinum resistance thermometer.

[0032] A method for operating a steam sterilizer for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing, comprising:

[0033] S1. The steam sterilizer starts working, the normally closed water inlet valve 5 is opened, and pure water enters the main body 10 of the steam sterilizer;

[0034] S2. When the set water level of the float ball is reached, the normally closed inlet valve 5 closes, the main heater 8 starts heating, and the normally open vent valve 6 opens to vent air.

[0035] S3. The main heater heats up 8 times in 3 pulsed heating cycles, and exhausts once after each pulsed heating cycle;

[0036] S4. All solenoid valves are closed, and the steam sterilizer body 10 becomes a closed space;

[0037] S5. Continue heating to the set sterilization temperature and then maintain the set sterilization time;

[0038] S6. After the sterilization time is reached, the normally closed drain valve 4 is opened, the normally open exhaust valve 6 is opened, the pressure inside the steam sterilizer body 10 drops to zero, the hot air is discharged through the normally open exhaust valve 6, and is cooled;

[0039] S7. The normally closed flushing valve 17 is opened, and pure water is sprayed out through the spray arm 19 at the top of the steam sterilizer body 10 to rinse the inner surface of the steam sterilizer body 10.

[0040] S8. After the water level reaches the set water level of the water level float, the normally closed drain valve 4 closes and the main heating pipe starts heating;

[0041] S9. After heating to the set flushing pressure, the normally closed drain valve 4 is opened, and the water quality information of the discharged water is detected in real time by the chloride ion sensor 3.

[0042] S10. After the drainage time of the normally closed drain valve 4 is reached, determine whether to open the normally closed drain valve 4 for the second time based on the water quality information. If the water quality concentration is less than the specified value, the steam sterilizer ends its operation. If the water quality concentration is greater than the specified value, reopen the normally closed drain valve 4 and repeat the above steps until the water quality concentration is less than the specified value and the steam sterilizer ends its operation.

[0043] like Figure 2 , pulsating heating and exhaust are performed alternately. At this time, the internal air pressure of the steam sterilizer body 10 rises and falls repeatedly. After closing all the solenoid valves, it rises to the sterilization temperature and maintains it, and then exhausts and flushes water, and the flushing process continues for several times.

[0044] Of course, the above description is not a limitation of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above examples. Changes, modifications, additions or substitutions made by technicians in this technical field within the essential scope of the present invention should also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A steam sterilizer for COVID-19 nucleic acid detection and sterilization, characterized in that: include: An automatic water inlet joint, an automatic drainage joint and a steam sterilizer body, wherein the first branch of the automatic water inlet joint is connected to the water inlet at the bottom of the side of the steam sterilizer body through a normally closed water inlet valve, and the second branch is connected to the flushing port at the top of the steam sterilizer body through a normally closed flushing valve. The drainage port at the bottom of the steam sterilizer body is connected to the normally closed drainage valve, the chloride ion sensor and the automatic drainage joint in sequence through a water quality filter, and the chloride ion sensor detects the water quality information of the discharged water in real time; An anti-contamination tray is provided inside the steam sterilizer body, a main heater and a water level float are provided between the anti-contamination tray and the bottom of the steam sterilizer body, an exhaust hole connected to the outside of the steam sterilizer body is provided on the top of the anti-contamination tray, and the exhaust hole is connected to the biosafety filter, the normally open exhaust valve and the filter in sequence; The steam sterilizer body is also provided with a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, and a safety valve is connected to the top; A branch is provided between the normally open exhaust valve and the filter, and the branch is sequentially connected to the one-way valve, the condenser, the condenser exhaust port, the filter tank and the balance hole; The one-way valve discharges cold air to between the normally open exhaust valve and the filter to reduce the temperature of the gas discharged from the normally open exhaust valve. The exhaust port of the condenser is connected to the top of the filter tank through a pipeline. The pipeline extends from the top of the filter tank to below the liquid level inside the filter tank. The top of the filter tank is also connected to the balance hole through a pipeline. The temperature sensor includes a platinum thermal resistor.

2. A working method of a steam sterilizer for COVID-19 nucleic acid detection and sterilization, characterized in that: A steam sterilizer for COVID-19 nucleic acid detection sterilization as claimed in claim 1, comprising: S1. The steam sterilizer starts working, the normally closed water inlet valve opens, and pure water enters the main body of the steam sterilizer; S2. When the water level reaches the set water level of the water level float, the normally closed water inlet valve is closed, the main heater starts heating, and the normally open exhaust valve is opened for exhaust; S3. The main heater is heated up by pulsating for 3 times, and exhaust is performed once after each pulsating heating; S4. All solenoid valves are closed, and the main body of the steam sterilizer becomes a closed space; S5. Continue to heat up to the set sterilization temperature and maintain the set sterilization time; S6. After the sterilization time is reached, the normally closed drain valve opens, the normally open exhaust valve opens, the pressure in the steam sterilizer body drops to zero, the hot air is discharged through the normally open exhaust valve and is cooled; S7. The normally closed flushing valve is opened, and pure water is sprayed out through the spray arm on the top of the steam sterilizer body to flush the inner surface of the steam sterilizer body; S8. When the water level reaches the set water level of the water level float, the normally closed drain valve is closed and the main heating pipe starts heating; S9. After heating to the set flushing pressure, the normally closed drain valve is opened, and the water quality information of the drained water is detected in real time through the chloride ion sensor; S10. After the drainage time of the normally closed drain valve is reached, determine whether to open the normally closed drain valve for the second time based on the water quality information. If the water quality concentration is less than the specified value, the steam sterilizer ends its operation. If the water quality concentration is greater than the specified value, reopen the normally closed drain valve and repeat the above steps until the water quality concentration is less than the specified value and the steam sterilizer ends its operation.

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