Endoscope cleaning cart

Abstract

Provided is an endoscope cleaning cart. The endoscope cleaning cart is a cart capable of bedside cleaning and transportation of an endoscope, and is used to transport an endoscope (Z) having an insertion portion (Z1) inserted into a body cavity and an operation portion (Z2) for operating the insertion portion (Z1), and has a carrying portion (2) that carries a storage bag (B1) in which a cleaning solution is stored, and a holding portion (3) that holds the operation portion (Z2) above the carrying portion (2), the operation portion (Z2) being held by the holding portion (3) with the insertion portion (Z1) in a state of being immersed in the cleaning solution in the storage bag (B1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an endoscope cleaning cart. Background Technology

[0002] As with conventional endoscope transport vehicles, as shown in Patent Document 1, a medical electrical equipment loading vehicle has been considered that allows for safe and clean handling of endoscopes during movement to or storage in an endoscopy room. This medical electrical equipment loading vehicle has an endoscope hook for holding the endoscope and includes at least one of a heating element, a heat-insulating element, and a drying element. The heating element raises the temperature around the endoscope held on the endoscope hook, the heat-insulating element maintains the area around the endoscope at a preset temperature, and the drying element removes moisture from the area around the endoscope.

[0003] On the other hand, the Safety Management Committee of the Japan Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Technicians Association recommends bedside cleaning immediately after the endoscope is removed from the patient's body cavity.

[0004] However, the medical electrical equipment loading vehicle described in Patent Document 1 is intended to keep the endoscope in a suitable condition until it is used, without considering bedside cleaning after use. Conventional endoscope transport vehicles, while safely and cleanly handling endoscopes before use, do not consider how to handle endoscopes after use, including bedside cleaning.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-95888 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its main objective is to provide a vehicle capable of bedside cleaning and transporting endoscopes.

[0007] That is, the endoscope cleaning cart of the present invention is used to transport an endoscope, the endoscope having an insertion part inserted into a body cavity and an operating part for operating the insertion part. The endoscope cleaning cart has: a support part for carrying a storage bag containing cleaning fluid; and a holding part for holding the operating part above the support part. The operating part is held in the holding part, and the insertion part is immersed in the cleaning fluid in the storage bag.

[0008] With this type of endoscope cleaning cart, after the endoscope is removed from the patient's body cavity, the operating part of the endoscope is immediately held in the retaining part, and the insertion part is immersed in the cleaning solution in the storage bag. This allows for efficient bedside cleaning of the endoscope. Furthermore, since the used endoscope can be transported to the cleaning room in this state, the transport of used endoscopes is safe, and the cleaning of endoscopes in the cleaning room is efficient.

[0009] As a specific embodiment of the retaining part, it is preferable that the retaining part has one or more hooks for hooking the operating part. If this structure is used, the operating part can be simply hooked onto the hook part, which simplifies the operation of holding the operating part.

[0010] In a structure with multiple hooks, the operating parts hooked onto these hooks may interfere with each other, making hooking difficult or unstable. To solve this problem, it is preferable that the multiple hooks are configured such that, when multiple operating parts are hooked, adjacent operating parts are arranged differently from each other.

[0011] Preferably, the retaining part is formed of a light-transmitting material. If this structure is used, it is easy to know whether there is dirt residue in parts of the retainer that are difficult to see with the eye (such as the back) after cleaning the endoscope cleaning cart, thus keeping the retainer clean.

[0012] To prevent the insertion part from breaking while it is immersed in the cleaning solution inside the containment bag, it is preferable to provide a padding component below the containment bag in the support part.

[0013] There is a possibility that the receiving bag may be damaged due to the insertion part, and the cleaning fluid may leak out of the receiving bag. Therefore, it is preferable that the endoscope cleaning cart of the present invention also includes a leak-proof box, which is disposed between the receiving bag and the support part and receives the lower part of the receiving bag.

[0014] To facilitate cleaning of the leak-proof box, it is preferable that the leak-proof box is provided with a leak-proof bag for accommodating the lower part of the receiving bag, and the leak-proof box is configured to be detachable from the supporting part.

[0015] Preferably, the endoscope cleaning cart of the present invention also has a handle portion that is held during transport and is located at the rear in the direction of travel, wherein the handle portion and the retaining portion are located on the same side. With this structure, the endoscope can be stabilized during transport because the retaining part and the handle part are located on the same side.

[0016] Preferably, the endoscope cleaning cart of the present invention has: an upper frame portion for mounting the receiving bag; and a connecting frame portion disposed between the upper frame portion and the supporting portion, wherein the space between the upper frame portion and the supporting portion is empty. If this structure is present, the storage bag and its interior can be seen between the upper frame and the support section, allowing confirmation of the status of the endoscope insertion section, etc.

[0017] According to the present invention described above, a vehicle capable of bedside cleaning and transporting endoscopes can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the usage state of an endoscope cleaning cart according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a front view of an endoscope cleaning cart with the same implementation method. Figure 3 This is a side view of an endoscope cleaning cart with the same implementation. Figure 4 This is a top view of an endoscope cleaning cart with the same implementation method. Figure 5 These are cross-sectional views of the support portion and the leak-proof box in the same embodiment. Figure 6 These are top and front views of the retaining part in the same embodiment. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the dimensions of various parts of an endoscope cleaning cart according to the same embodiment. Figure 8 This is a front view of the endoscope cleaning cart of the present invention. Figure 9 This is a rear view of the endoscope cleaning cart of the present invention. Figure 10 This is a right view of the endoscope cleaning cart of the present invention. Figure 11 This is a left view of the endoscope cleaning cart of the present invention. Figure 12 This is a top view of the endoscope cleaning cart of the present invention. Figure 13 This is a bottom view of the endoscope cleaning cart of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] An endoscope cleaning cart according to one embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following figures are depicted in a schematic manner with appropriate omissions or exaggerations for ease of understanding.

[0020] <Device Structure> like Figure 1 As shown, the endoscope cleaning cart 100 of this embodiment transports the used endoscope Z from the endoscopy examination room to the cleaning room, for example. Furthermore, the endoscope cleaning cart 100 is used for bedside cleaning of the used endoscope Z, for example, in the endoscopy examination room. Additionally, the endoscope Z has an insertion part Z1 that is inserted into a body cavity and an operation part Z2 that operates the insertion part Z1. Figure 1 The text indicates two types of endoscopes (a conventional endoscope and a portable flexible endoscope with a display for airway management, etc.), but the types of endoscopes are not limited to this.

[0021] Specifically, such as Figures 1-4As shown, the endoscope cleaning cart 100 includes: a support portion 2 for supporting a storage bag B1 containing cleaning fluid; and a holding portion 3 for holding the operating portion Z2 above the support portion 2. In this embodiment, the endoscope cleaning cart 100 has the support portion 2 and the holding portion 3 provided on a cart body 4 that is generally rectangular frame shaped.

[0022] Additionally, a cleaning solution, such as an enzyme cleaner, is used to clean the insertion part Z1. Furthermore, to allow visibility of the interior, the storage bag B1 can be, for example, a transparent plastic bag.

[0023] Casters 5 are provided at the four corners of the lower part of the vehicle body 4. In addition, the vehicle body 4 has a handle 6 that is gripped during transport and is located at the rear in the direction of travel.

[0024] Furthermore, the vehicle body 4 has: a rectangular frame-shaped lower frame portion 41, on which a support portion 2 is provided; a rectangular frame-shaped upper frame portion 42, on which the upper part of the storage bag B1 containing cleaning fluid is installed; and straight connecting frame portions 43a to 43d, which connect the lower frame portion 41 and the upper frame portion 42 and are provided between the upper frame portion 42 and the support portion 2.

[0025] To prevent the endoscope Z (especially the insertion part Z1) from being damaged by contact, at least the upper frame part 42 of the vehicle body 4 is covered by a cushioning part 9 made of resin such as polyurethane. In addition, considering durability and rust resistance, the vehicle body 4 is made of stainless steel.

[0026] The connecting frame portions 43a and 43b on the handle portion 6 side of the vehicle body 4 have an upper extension portion 431 that extends upward further than the upper frame portion 42, and the handle portion 6 is provided in connection with this upper extension portion 431. Furthermore, a retaining portion 3 is provided at the upper part of the upper extension portion 431. That is, the handle portion 6 and the retaining portion 3 are located on the same side (rear side in the direction of travel) of the vehicle body 4. Additionally, the connecting frame portions 43a to 43d have a lower extension portion 432 that extends downward further than the lower frame portion 41, and a caster 5 is provided in this lower extension portion 432.

[0027] The support unit 2 is located on the lower frame part 41 of the vehicle body 4, and supports the containment bag B1 containing cleaning fluid. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the support portion 2 of this embodiment has: for example, a planar support surface 21 on which a storage bag B1 is supported; and a side wall portion 22 that surrounds the support surface 21 in a manner that prevents the storage bag B1 supported on the support surface 21 from falling outward from the support surface 21.

[0028] The sidewall portion 22 is configured to span adjacent connecting frame portions 43a to 43d, and in this embodiment, it is configured to be continuous with the bearing portion 21. The bearing portion 21 and the sidewall portion 22 form an open-top receiving space, in which the lower part of the receiving bag B1 (the part containing the cleaning fluid) is received. In this structure, there is no space between the upper frame portion 42 and the bearing portion 2, specifically between the upper frame portion 42 and the sidewall portion 22.

[0029] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, a resin padding member 7 is provided, for example, below the receiving bag B1 in the support section 2. In this embodiment, a leak-proof box 8 is provided between the receiving bag B1 and the support section 2, so the padding member 7 is provided at the bottom of the leak-proof box 8.

[0030] The leak-proof box 8 houses the lower part of the receiving bag B1 and is configured to be detachable from the support portion 2. Specifically, the leak-proof box 8 is detachably housed in a receiving space formed by the support portion 21 and the side wall portion 22. A leak-proof bag B2 for housing the lower part of the receiving bag B1 is detachably provided in the leak-proof box 8.

[0031] A pocket section 10 is provided on the connecting frame sections 43a and 43b on the side of the handle section 6 in the main body 4. The pocket section 10 contains tools used for cleaning, such as air and water supply connectors, waterproof caps for changing air and water supply connectors, contaminant containers, and water buckets, as well as other tools required for cleaning or other operations. In addition, the pocket section 10 is mounted on the connecting frame sections 43a and 43b on the side of the handle section 6 and is fixed behind the connecting frame sections 43a and 43b in the direction of travel.

[0032] The retaining part 3 holds the operating part Z2 so that the operating part Z2 will not fall off the endoscope cleaning cart 100 during transportation. Specifically, as Figure 6 As shown, the holding part 3 has one or more hook parts 31 of the hooking operation part Z2.

[0033] Specifically, the retaining part 3 is flat and has multiple hooks 31 that allow the operating part Z2 to be inserted and hooked from its front side (front side in the travel direction) toward the rear. Furthermore, the retaining part 3 is located above the upper extension 431 of the connecting frame parts 43a and 43b. That is, in this embodiment, the retaining part 3 is located above the handle part 6.

[0034] Here, the multiple hook portions 31 are configured such that, when multiple operating portions Z2 are hooked, adjacent operating portions Z2 are arranged differently from each other. Specifically, the hook portions 31 formed from the front to the rear are configured to have different lengths. The spacing between the hook portions 31 (the dimensions between the hook portions 31) is, for example, set to 4 cm depending on the size of the operating portion (view camera) of each company.

[0035] Furthermore, the retaining part 3 is formed of a light-transmitting material; in this embodiment, a transparent resin is used. Here, to ensure the durability of the retaining part 3, a transparent acrylic sheet with a thickness of 2 cm is used, for example.

[0036] Finally, refer to Figure 7 The dimensions of each part of the endoscope cleaning cart 100 in this embodiment are explained. The height of the handle 6 of the endoscope cleaning cart 100 from the ground is 87.5 cm, and the height of the holding part 3 from the ground is 101 cm. These dimensions were determined based on the average height of a woman (155 cm, 20 years old) to be a suitable height for ease of use. Furthermore, in the main body 4, the front-to-back and left-to-right dimensions of the lower frame 41 are the same, and the front-to-back and left-to-right dimensions of the upper frame 42 are also the same. The width (front-to-back) dimension of the upper frame 42 is 37 cm. This width dimension was determined based on the JIS size standard for wheelchairs to improve the stability of the endoscope cleaning cart 100. Furthermore, considering stability, the casters 5 are 10 cm in diameter, and stoppers are provided on the two diagonally opposite casters 5. Other dimensions are as follows... Figure 7 As shown.

[0037] <Effects of this implementation method> The endoscope cleaning cart 100 of this embodiment, configured as described above, immediately holds the operating part Z2 of the endoscope Z in the holding part 3 after it is removed from the patient's body cavity, while the insertion part Z1 is immersed in the cleaning solution within the receiving bag B1. This allows for efficient bedside cleaning of the endoscope Z. Furthermore, since the used endoscope Z can be transported to the cleaning room in this state, the used endoscope Z can be safely transported, and the endoscope Z can be efficiently cleaned in the cleaning room.

[0038] <Other Implementation Methods> For example, the holding part 3 of the embodiment has a hook part 31 for hooking the operating part Z2, but it may also have a structure that holds the operating part Z2 in place during transport so that it will not fall off the endoscope cleaning cart 100, such as having a clamping part that clamps and holds the operating part Z2.

[0039] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the retaining part 3 is provided on the same side as the handle part 6, but it can also be provided on the opposite side (front side in the direction of travel) of the handle part 6 in the vehicle body 4, or it can be provided on the left or right side of the vehicle body 4.

[0040] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the padding member 7 is configured to be disposed inside the leak-proof box 8, but in the absence of a leak-proof box 8, the padding member 7 may also be disposed in the support portion 2.

[0041] The support portion 2 is not limited to having a support surface 21 and a side wall portion 22. It can be configured to prevent the containment bag B1 from falling out. Specifically, it can also have a recess for containing the containment bag B1.

[0042] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, casters are provided on the lower extension 432 of the connecting frame portion 43, but casters 5 may also be provided on the lower surface of the bearing portion 2.

[0043] Furthermore, the main body of the vehicle is roughly rectangular in shape, but it can also be other shapes.

[0044] In addition, various modifications and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0045] 100 Endoscope Cleaning Truck Z endoscope Z1 Insertion Section Z2 Operation Unit B1 containment bag B2 Leak-proof bag 2. Bearing section 3. Holding section 31 Hook section 4. Vehicle body 42 Upper frame section 43a~43d connecting frame section 6. Handle 7. Pad components 8. Leak-proof box. Industrial applicability

[0046] According to the present invention, a vehicle capable of bedside cleaning and transporting endoscopes can be provided.

Claims

1. An endoscope cleaning cart for transporting endoscopes, the endoscopes having an insertion part for insertion into a body cavity and an operating part for operating the insertion part. The endoscope cleaning cart is characterized by having: The support section holds the storage bag containing the cleaning fluid; The holding part holds the operating part above the supporting part; and A leak-proof box is disposed between the receiving bag and the supporting part, and receives the lower part of the receiving bag. The supporting portion has: a supporting surface for supporting the receiving bag on its upper surface; and a side wall for preventing the receiving bag supported on the supporting surface from falling outwards. The operating part is held in the holding part, and the insertion part is immersed in the cleaning solution inside the containment bag. The leak-proof box is provided with a leak-proof bag to accommodate the lower part of the receiving bag, and the leak-proof box is designed to be detachable from the supporting part.

2. The endoscope cleaning cart according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retaining part has one or more hooks for hooking the operating part.

3. The endoscope cleaning cart according to claim 2, characterized in that, The plurality of hooks are configured such that, when the plurality of operating parts are hooked, adjacent operating parts are arranged differently from each other.

4. The endoscope cleaning cart according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retaining part is formed of a light-transmitting material.

5. The endoscope cleaning cart according to claim 1, characterized in that, A padding component is provided below the receiving bag in the carrying part.

6. The endoscope cleaning cart according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also features a handle that can be gripped during transport and is positioned behind the vehicle in the direction of travel. The handle and the retaining part are located on the same side.

7. The endoscope cleaning cart according to claim 1, characterized in that, have: The upper frame section, the upper part on which the receiving bag is mounted; and A connecting frame portion is disposed between the upper frame portion and the supporting portion. There is an empty space between the upper frame and the supporting part.

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