A VHP sterilization pipeline structure and sterilization method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a VHP sterilization pipeline structure and sterilization method, including a nitrogen pipeline, a first sterilization recovery pipeline, a vacuum pipeline, a second sterilization recovery pipeline, a vacuum breaking pipeline, a third sterilization recovery pipeline and a sterilization recovery main pipeline; one end of the nitrogen pipeline is connected to a nitrogen source through a first valve, and the other end is connected to the first port of the equipment in the isolator; one end of the first sterilization recovery pipeline is connected to the first valve, and the other end is connected to the sterilization recovery main pipeline through a first control valve; the vacuum pipeline includes a first vacuum pipeline and a second vacuum pipeline; the vacuum breaking pipeline includes a first vacuum breaking pipeline and a second vacuum breaking pipeline; one end of the third sterilization recovery pipeline is connected to the second valve, and the other end is connected to the second sterilization recovery pipeline; the second vacuum pipeline is equipped with a switching valve, and the second vacuum breaking pipeline is connected to the switching valve. The present invention achieves the purpose of sterilizing the internal pipeline system of the isolator without opening it through the cooperation of the above-mentioned devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of pipeline sterilization, and in particular to a VHP sterilization pipeline structure and a sterilization method. Background Art

[0002] Taking medical equipment as an example, most medical equipment now requires the installation of isolators and other structures to create a sterile environment. This sterile environment needs to be sterilized by VHP (vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilization method) before production to ensure the sterility requirements in isolators and other cavities during production.

[0003] In the prior art, there are many piping systems (including vacuum piping and nitrogen piping, etc.) inside the isolator. When the piping system inside needs to be sterilized by VHP, the isolator needs to be opened. However, opening the isolator cannot take into account its own sterility performance, that is, it is impossible to sterilize the piping system inside the isolator, resulting in the inability to ensure the sterility of the piping system inside the isolator, which poses certain safety hazards.

[0004] Therefore, a VHP sterilization pipeline structure and a sterilization method are needed to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a VHP sterilization pipeline structure and a sterilization method, so as to sterilize the pipeline system placed inside the isolator, thereby ensuring the sterility of the pipeline system inside the isolator.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a VHP sterilization pipeline structure, including a nitrogen pipeline, a first sterilization recovery pipeline, a vacuum pipeline, a second sterilization recovery pipeline, a vacuum breaking pipeline, a third sterilization recovery pipeline and a sterilization recovery main pipeline;

[0007] One end of the nitrogen pipeline is connected to a nitrogen source through a first valve, and the other end is connected to a first port of a device in the isolator;

[0008] One end of the first sterilization recovery pipeline is connected to the first valve, and the other end is connected to the sterilization recovery main pipeline through a first control valve;

[0009] The vacuum pipeline includes a first vacuum pipeline and a second vacuum pipeline which are selectively connected;

[0010] One end of the first vacuum pipeline is connected to the second vacuum pipeline, and the other end is connected to the second port of the device in the isolator;

[0011] The second vacuum pipeline provides vacuum suction to the second port through the first vacuum pipeline;

[0012] One end of the second sterilization recovery pipeline is connected to the first vacuum pipeline, and the other end is connected to the sterilization recovery main pipeline through a second control valve;

[0013] The vacuum breaking pipeline includes a first vacuum breaking pipeline and a second vacuum breaking pipeline connected by a second valve;

[0014] One end of the first vacuum breaking pipeline is connected to the second vacuum breaking pipeline, and the other end is connected to an atmospheric gas source or a sterilizing gas source;

[0015] The second vacuum breaking pipeline provides atmospheric gas to the second port through the first vacuum breaking pipeline;

[0016] One end of the third sterilization recovery pipeline is connected to the second valve, and the other end is connected to the second sterilization recovery pipeline;

[0017] The second vacuum pipeline is provided with a switching valve, and the second vacuum breaking pipeline is connected to the switching valve;

[0018] The sterilization recovery pipeline is used to recover and discharge the sterilization gas.

[0019] Furthermore, the sterilization recovery main pipeline includes a catalytic decomposition filter and a sterilization vacuum pump which are arranged in sequence.

[0020] Furthermore, the nitrogen pipeline, the second vacuum pipeline and the second vacuum breaking pipeline are all provided with a first filter element.

[0021] Furthermore, manual valves are provided on both sides of the first filter element located on the second vacuum pipeline and the second vacuum breaking pipeline.

[0022] Furthermore, the first vacuum pipeline and the second vacuum pipeline are connected via the manual valve.

[0023] Furthermore, both the second sterilization recovery pipeline and the second vacuum breaking pipeline are provided with a one-way valve.

[0024] Furthermore, a buffer tank is provided on the second sterilization recovery pipeline and the second vacuum breaking pipeline;

[0025] The sterilizing gas on the second sterilizing recovery pipeline passes through the one-way valve and the buffer tank in sequence;

[0026] The atmospheric gas on the second vacuum breaking pipeline passes through the one-way valve and the buffer tank in sequence.

[0027] Furthermore, the second vacuum pipeline also includes a vacuum suction pump, a second filter device and a vacuum distribution tank which are arranged in sequence.

[0028] Furthermore, the first valve and the second valve are both configured as electric three-way valves.

[0029] In other embodiments, the present invention further proposes a sterilization method for a VHP sterilization pipeline structure, which specifically comprises the following steps:

[0030] Control the first valve to connect the nitrogen pipeline with the first sterilization recovery pipeline, and at the same time open the first control valve to allow the sterilization gas in the isolator to pass through the nitrogen pipeline and the first sterilization recovery pipeline along the first port and be recovered to the sterilization recovery main pipeline;

[0031] Control the first vacuum pipeline to be disconnected from the second vacuum pipeline, and open the second control valve, so that the sterilization gas in the isolator passes through the first vacuum pipeline and the second sterilization recovery pipeline in sequence along the second port, and is recovered to the sterilization recovery main pipeline;

[0032] The first vacuum breaking pipeline is connected to a sterilization gas source, and the second valve is controlled to connect the first vacuum breaking pipeline with the third sterilization recovery pipeline, and the second control valve is opened to allow the gas in the sterilization gas source to pass through the first vacuum breaking pipeline, the third sterilization recovery pipeline and the second sterilization recovery pipeline in turn, and be recovered to the sterilization recovery main pipeline.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0034] By setting up the first sterilization recovery pipeline, the second sterilization recovery pipeline and the sterilization recovery main pipeline, when the nitrogen pipeline and the first vacuum pipeline inside the isolator need to be sterilized, it is only necessary to inhale the sterilization gas in the isolator from the first port and the second port respectively, and recover it to the sterilization recovery main pipeline, thereby achieving the purpose of quickly sterilizing the internal pipeline system of the isolator without opening the isolator, thereby ensuring the sterility of the internal pipeline system of the isolator.

[0035] Furthermore, by connecting the first vacuum breaking pipeline to a sterilization gas source, the first vacuum breaking pipeline can be sterilized before the isolator is vacuum broken, thereby effectively preventing the situation in which the sterility of the isolator cannot be guaranteed due to residual bacteria in the first vacuum breaking pipeline when atmospheric gas is injected into the isolator for vacuum breaking, thereby further improving the protection effect of the isolator.

[0036] In addition, since the nitrogen pipeline and the nitrogen source, the first vacuum pipeline and the second vacuum pipeline, and the first vacuum breaking pipeline and the second vacuum breaking pipeline can be connected or disconnected, each pipeline can be independent of each other, thereby effectively avoiding adverse effects caused by pipeline crossing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a VHP sterilization pipeline in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic flow chart of a sterilization method for a VHP sterilization pipeline structure in another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The VHP sterilization pipeline structure and sterilization method of the present invention will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the schematic diagram, wherein the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, and it should be understood that those skilled in the art can modify the present invention described herein, and still achieve the beneficial effects of the present invention. Therefore, the following description should be understood as being widely known to those skilled in the art, and not as a limitation of the present invention.

[0040] The present invention is described in more detail in the following paragraphs by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and claims. It should be noted that the drawings are in very simplified form and in non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clearly assist in illustrating the purpose of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] Embodiment 1

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention proposes a VHP sterilization pipeline structure, including a nitrogen pipeline 1, a first sterilization recovery pipeline 2, a vacuum pipeline, a second sterilization recovery pipeline 3, a vacuum breaking pipeline, a third sterilization recovery pipeline 4 and a sterilization recovery main pipeline 5.

[0043] The nitrogen pipeline 1 is connected to a nitrogen source 7 through a first valve 6, and the other end is connected to a first port (as shown by N in the figure) of the device in the isolator. When the nitrogen pipeline 1 is connected to the nitrogen source 7 through the first valve 6, the nitrogen in the nitrogen source 7 can be injected into the first port through the nitrogen pipeline 1, and then enter the interior of the isolator to perform normal nitrogen injection operation.

[0044] One end of the first sterilization recovery pipeline 2 is connected to the first valve 6, and the other end is connected to the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5 through the first control valve 8. When the nitrogen pipeline 1 is switched to be connected with the first sterilization recovery pipeline 2, and the first control valve 8 is opened, the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5 can absorb the power to make the sterilization gas inside the isolator flow along the first port, pass through the nitrogen pipeline 1, the first sterilization recovery pipeline 2 and the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5 in sequence, and realize the sterilization operation of the nitrogen pipeline 1 in the isolator.

[0045] The vacuum line includes a first vacuum line 9 and a second vacuum line 10 which are selectively connected.

[0046] One end of the first vacuum pipeline 9 is connected to the second vacuum pipeline 10, and the other end is connected to the second port of the device in the isolator (as shown by V in the figure).

[0047] One end of the second sterilization recovery pipeline 3 is connected to the first vacuum pipeline 9 , and the other end is connected to the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5 through a second control valve 11 .

[0048] The second vacuum pipeline 10 provides vacuum suction to the second port through the first vacuum pipeline 9 to extract the gas inside the isolator and complete the vacuum operation of the isolator.

[0049] In summary, through the above arrangement, the first vacuum pipeline 9 can be selectively connected to the second vacuum pipeline 10 and the second sterilization recovery pipeline 3 .

[0050] When the first vacuum pipeline 9 is connected to the second vacuum pipeline 10, a vacuuming power is provided to the second vacuum pipeline 10, so that the internal gas of the isolator can be discharged to the outside through the first vacuum pipeline 9 and the second vacuum pipeline 10 from the second port in sequence, thereby realizing the vacuum operation of the isolator.

[0051] When the first vacuum pipeline 9 is connected to the second sterilization recovery pipeline 3 and the second control valve 11 is opened, the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5 can absorb power to allow the sterilization gas inside the isolator to flow along the second port, pass through the first vacuum pipeline 9, the second sterilization recovery pipeline 3 and the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5 in sequence, thereby achieving the sterilization function of the first vacuum pipeline 9 in the isolator.

[0052] The vacuum breaking pipeline includes a first vacuum breaking pipeline 13 and a second vacuum breaking pipeline 14 connected via a second valve 12 .

[0053] One end of the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13 is connected to the second vacuum breaking pipeline 14 , and the other end is connected to an atmospheric gas source or a sterilizing gas source (not shown in the figure).

[0054] Furthermore, the second vacuum breaking pipeline 14 provides atmospheric gas to the second port through the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13 to perform a vacuum breaking operation on the isolator.

[0055] Among them, one end of the third sterilization recovery pipeline 4 is connected to the second valve 12, and the other end is connected to the second sterilization recovery pipeline 3; the second vacuum pipeline 10 is equipped with a switching valve 15, and the second vacuum breaking pipeline 14 is connected to the switching valve 15.

[0056] Then, when the second valve 12 connects the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13 with the second vacuum breaking pipeline 14, and is switched through the switching valve 15 to connect the second vacuum breaking pipeline 14 with the second vacuum breaking pipeline 10, and the first vacuum pipeline 9 with the second vacuum breaking pipeline 10 is also connected, gas can be injected into the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13, that is, the atmospheric gas source is connected to the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13, so that the atmospheric gas passes through the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13, the second vacuum breaking pipeline 14, the second vacuum breaking pipeline 10 and the first vacuum breaking pipeline 9 in turn, and is discharged from the second port to the inside of the isolator, thereby realizing the operation of breaking the vacuum of the isolator.

[0057] When the second valve 12 connects the first vacuum rupture pipeline 13 with the third sterilization recovery pipeline 4, and the second control valve 11 on the second sterilization recovery pipeline 3 is opened, sterilization gas can be injected into the port of the first vacuum rupture pipeline 13, that is, the sterilization gas source is connected to the first vacuum rupture pipeline 13, so that the sterilization gas flows along the first vacuum rupture pipeline 13, the third sterilization recovery pipeline 4, the second sterilization recovery pipeline 3 and the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5, thereby realizing the sterilization operation of the first vacuum rupture pipeline 13, and ensuring that the gas containing bacteria in the first vacuum rupture pipeline 13 will not be injected into the isolator during operation.

[0058] It should be particularly noted that the first vacuum pipeline 9 and the nitrogen pipeline 1 are both placed inside the isolator, while the other pipelines are exposed outside the isolator.

[0059] The sterilization recovery pipeline 5 is used to recover and discharge the sterilization gas.

[0060] To summarize, the present device is provided with a first sterilization recovery pipeline 2, a second sterilization recovery pipeline 3 and a sterilization recovery main pipeline 5. When it is necessary to sterilize the nitrogen pipeline 1 and the first vacuum pipeline 9 inside the isolator, it is only necessary to inhale the sterilization gas in the isolator from the first port and the second port and recover it to the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5, thereby achieving the purpose of quickly sterilizing the internal pipeline system of the isolator without opening the isolator, thereby ensuring the sterility of the internal pipeline system of the isolator.

[0061] Furthermore, by connecting the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13 to a sterilization gas source, the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13 can be sterilized before the isolator is vacuum broken, thereby effectively preventing the sterility of the isolator from being unable to be guaranteed due to residual bacteria in the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13 when atmospheric gas is injected into the isolator for vacuum breaking, thereby further improving the protection effect of the isolator.

[0062] In addition, since the nitrogen pipeline 1 and the nitrogen source 7, the first vacuum pipeline 9 and the second vacuum pipeline 10, and the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13 and the second vacuum breaking pipeline 14 can be connected or disconnected, each pipeline can be independent of each other, thereby effectively avoiding the adverse effects caused by pipeline crossing.

[0063] Wherein, the first valve 6 and the second valve 12 are both configured as electric three-way valves.

[0064] In other embodiments, in order to enable the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5 to quickly attract and discharge the sterilization gas in the first sterilization recovery pipeline 2 and the second sterilization recovery pipeline 3, the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5 includes a catalytic decomposition filter 16 and a sterilization vacuum pump 17 which are arranged in sequence.

[0065] In other embodiments, the nitrogen pipeline 1 , the second vacuum pipeline 10 and the second vacuum breaking pipeline 14 are all provided with a first filter element 18 for filtering nitrogen, vacuum gas and vacuum breaking gas.

[0066] Manual valves 19 are provided on both sides of the first filter element 18 on the second vacuum pipeline 10 and the second vacuum breaking pipeline 14 . The first filter element 18 between the two manual valves 19 can be disassembled by closing the two manual valves 19 at the same time.

[0067] In addition, the first vacuum pipeline 9 and the second vacuum pipeline 10 are connected via the manual valve 19 , that is, the manual valve 19 controls the connection or disconnection between the first vacuum pipeline 9 and the second vacuum pipeline 10 .

[0068] Preferably, both the second sterilization recovery pipeline 3 and the second vacuum breaking pipeline 14 are provided with a one-way valve 20 to prevent the backflow of the sterilization gas and the vacuum breaking gas respectively.

[0069] In addition, buffer tanks 21 are provided on the second sterilization recovery pipeline 3 and the second vacuum breaking pipeline 14 to buffer the sterilization gas and the vacuum breaking gas respectively.

[0070] It should be noted that the sterilizing gas on the second sterilizing recovery pipeline 3 passes through the one-way valve 20 and the buffer tank 21 in sequence, and the atmospheric gas on the second vacuum breaking pipeline 14 passes through the one-way valve 20 and the buffer tank 21 in sequence. This means that the one-way valve 20 and the buffer tank 21 are arranged in sequence according to the gas direction.

[0071] In other embodiments, the second vacuum pipeline 10 further includes a vacuum suction pump 22 , a second filter device 23 , and a vacuum distribution tank 24 which are sequentially arranged to provide power output for vacuum suction of the second vacuum pipeline 10 .

[0072] Among them, in the actual application process, by setting a plurality of first ports, second ports, nitrogen pipelines 1, first vacuum pipelines 9 and second vacuum breaking pipelines 14 connected in parallel inside the isolator, the synchronous operation and synchronous sterilization treatment of multiple devices can be realized. The specific mechanism and operation process are the same as those described above and will not be repeated here.

[0073] In addition, the above-mentioned sterilizing gases can be set to vaporized sterilized hydrogen peroxide to cooperate with the pipeline to achieve the sterilization function.

[0074] Embodiment 2

[0075] like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment adds a sterilization method of a VHP sterilization pipeline structure on the basis of the first embodiment, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0076] Control the first valve 6 to connect the nitrogen pipeline 1 with the first sterilization recovery pipeline 2, and at the same time open the first control valve 8 to allow the sterilization gas in the isolator to pass through the nitrogen pipeline 1 and the first sterilization recovery pipeline 2 along the first port, and be recovered to the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5 to complete the sterilization operation of the nitrogen pipeline 1.

[0077] The first vacuum pipeline 9 is controlled to be disconnected from the second vacuum pipeline 10, and the second control valve 11 is opened, so that the sterilization gas in the isolator passes through the first vacuum pipeline 9 and the second sterilization recovery pipeline 3 in sequence along the second port, and is recovered to the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5 to complete the sterilization operation of the first vacuum pipeline 9.

[0078] The first vacuum breaking pipeline 13 is connected to a sterilization gas source, and the second valve 12 is controlled to connect the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13 with the third sterilization recovery pipeline 4, and the second control valve 11 is opened to allow the gas in the sterilization gas source to pass through the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13, the third sterilization recovery pipeline 4 and the second sterilization recovery pipeline 3 in sequence, and be recovered to the sterilization recovery main pipeline 5 to complete the sterilization operation of the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13.

[0079] In summary, through the above steps, the device can quickly sterilize the nitrogen pipeline 1 and the first vacuum pipeline 9 inside the isolator without opening the isolator, so as to ensure the sterility of the internal pipeline system of the isolator.

[0080] Furthermore, the first vacuum breaking pipeline 13 can be quickly sterilized externally to prevent the sterility of the isolator from being destroyed due to bacteria remaining in the first vacuum breaking pipeline 3 when the isolator is subjected to vacuum breaking operation.

[0081] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A VHP sterilization pipeline structure, characterized in that: It includes a nitrogen pipeline, a first sterilization recovery pipeline, a vacuum pipeline, a second sterilization recovery pipeline, a vacuum breaking pipeline, a third sterilization recovery pipeline and a sterilization recovery main pipeline; One end of the nitrogen pipeline is connected to a nitrogen source through a first valve, and the other end is connected to a first port of a device in the isolator; One end of the first sterilization recovery pipeline is connected to the first valve, and the other end is connected to the sterilization recovery main pipeline through a first control valve; The vacuum pipeline includes a first vacuum pipeline and a second vacuum pipeline which are selectively connected; One end of the first vacuum pipeline is connected to the second vacuum pipeline, and the other end is connected to the second port of the device in the isolator; The second vacuum pipeline provides vacuum suction to the second port through the first vacuum pipeline; One end of the second sterilization recovery pipeline is connected to the first vacuum pipeline, and the other end is connected to the sterilization recovery main pipeline through a second control valve; The vacuum breaking pipeline includes a first vacuum breaking pipeline and a second vacuum breaking pipeline connected by a second valve; One end of the first vacuum breaking pipeline is connected to the second vacuum breaking pipeline, and the other end is connected to an atmospheric gas source or a sterilizing gas source; The second vacuum breaking pipeline provides atmospheric gas to the second port through the first vacuum breaking pipeline; One end of the third sterilization recovery pipeline is connected to the second valve, and the other end is connected to the second sterilization recovery pipeline; The second vacuum pipeline is provided with a switching valve, and the second vacuum breaking pipeline is connected to the switching valve; The sterilization recovery pipeline is used for recovering and discharging the sterilization gas; the sterilization recovery main pipeline comprises a catalytic decomposition filter and a sterilization vacuum pump which are arranged in sequence.

2. The VHP sterilization pipeline structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nitrogen pipeline, the second vacuum pipeline and the second vacuum breaking pipeline are all provided with a first filter element.

3. The VHP sterilization pipeline structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: Manual valves are provided on both sides of the first filter element located on the second vacuum pipeline and the second vacuum breaking pipeline.

4. The VHP sterilization pipeline structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first vacuum pipeline is connected to the second vacuum pipeline through the manual valve.

5. The VHP sterilization pipeline structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second sterilization recovery pipeline and the second vacuum breaking pipeline are both provided with a one-way valve.

6. The VHP sterilization pipeline structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second sterilization recovery pipeline and the second vacuum breaking pipeline are also provided with a buffer tank; The sterilizing gas on the second sterilizing recovery pipeline passes through the one-way valve and the buffer tank in sequence; The atmospheric gas on the second vacuum breaking pipeline passes through the one-way valve and the buffer tank in sequence.

7. The VHP sterilization pipeline structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second vacuum pipeline also includes a vacuum suction pump, a second filter device and a vacuum distribution tank which are arranged in sequence.

8. The VHP sterilization pipeline structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first valve and the second valve are both configured as electric three-way valves.

9. A sterilization method using the VHP sterilization pipeline structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The specific steps include: Control the first valve to connect the nitrogen pipeline with the first sterilization recovery pipeline, and at the same time open the first control valve to allow the sterilization gas in the isolator to pass through the nitrogen pipeline and the first sterilization recovery pipeline along the first port and be recovered to the sterilization recovery main pipeline; Control the first vacuum pipeline to be disconnected from the second vacuum pipeline, and open the second control valve, so that the sterilization gas in the isolator passes through the first vacuum pipeline and the second sterilization recovery pipeline in sequence along the second port, and is recovered to the sterilization recovery main pipeline; The first vacuum breaking pipeline is connected to a sterilization gas source, and the second valve is controlled to connect the first vacuum breaking pipeline with the third sterilization recovery pipeline, and the second control valve is opened to allow the gas in the sterilization gas source to pass through the first vacuum breaking pipeline, the third sterilization recovery pipeline and the second sterilization recovery pipeline in turn, and be recovered to the sterilization recovery main pipeline.

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