Apparatus, facility and method for industrial washing of surgical instruments

Abstract

Washing apparatus (10) for washing surgical instruments (11) disposed in one or more containers (12), comprising: moving means (16) defining at least one first travel path (L1) having an inlet end (E) and an outlet end (U) and configured to travel the containers (12) along the first travel path (L1); a plurality of first washing stations (25) arranged along the first travel line (L1); and a first pick-up device (70) for picking up at least one container (12) from the first travel line (L1) and placing it in the washing station (25).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus, a facility and a method for industrial washing of surgical instruments, for example from one or more operating rooms. Background Art

[0002] Instruments used during surgical procedures are often provided to the medical team in kits or sets, each of which contains a certain number and type of surgical instruments. For example, each set may contain instruments that are specific to a particular surgical procedure.

[0003] Normally, to avoid contamination during the washing and sterilization steps, certain kits are never disassembled so that at the end of washing, the kit always contains the same instruments as at the end of the surgical procedure.

[0004] Typically, surgical instruments are washed in a thermal disinfectant washer or instrument washer and sterilized in a steam sterilizer (eg, an autoclave).

[0005] Furthermore, before the actual washing of the surgical instruments in the instrument washer, the surgical instruments are subjected to a preliminary washing in order to remove solid residues of blood or other substances resulting from the surgical operation deposited on the surgical instruments to be washed.

[0006] Initial washing includes cold washing, ultrasonic washing, and possibly manual washing with a manual device (such as, for example, a brush) to remove coagulated blood or other substances. In fact, usually, not all instruments coming out of the operating room are used and require comprehensive initial washing.

[0007] In the initial wash, the operator visually selects the surgical instruments and chooses whether to wash each instrument in a cold washer or wash them manually.

[0008] Although widely used, this solution is not very efficient and productive, especially when a large number of instruments need to be washed, such as in a hospital or operating room where many surgical procedures are performed every day.

[0009] Document US2021 / 002013A1 describes a method and system for repairing a medical device.

[0010] Document US2021 / 236676A1 describes a device for processing medical devices.

[0011] Document EP 3 009 201 A1 describes a washing device, in particular a thermal disinfection device.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need to improve an apparatus, facility and method for industrially washing surgical instruments to overcome at least one disadvantage of the prior art.

[0013] To achieve this, a technical problem had to be solved: being able to automatically transfer instruments from one washing machine to another while maintaining a high level of cleanliness.

[0014] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a facility and a method for industrially washing surgical instruments which can reduce the time required to wash the instruments.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a facility and a method for industrially washing surgical instruments that do not require the presence of a professional.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a facility and a method for industrially washing surgical instruments that are reliable and easy to use.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, an installation and a method for industrial washing of surgical instruments, which allow washing of surgical instruments without disassembling the kit to which they belong, and tracking of the instruments that make up the kit.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a facility and a method for industrial washing of surgical instruments which are very fast, efficient and which allow increased productivity and differentiation of the washing performed, in particular providing at least two lines for the objects to travel along the apparatus and thus providing two washing lines.

[0019] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages. Summary of the invention

[0020] The invention is set forth and described in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0021] In accordance with the above-mentioned purpose and solving the above-mentioned technical problems in a novel and original way while achieving significant advantages over the prior art, the washing equipment for washing surgical instruments placed in one or more containers according to the present invention includes: a moving device, which is configured to automatically move the containers along at least one first travel route; a plurality of first washing stations, which are associated with at least one first travel route, each first washing station being configured to perform washing operations on surgical instruments; and a first picking device, which is configured to automatically pick up at least one container from at least one first travel route and place it in one of the first washing stations, and vice versa.

[0022] According to possible aspects described herein, the moving device can be controlled by a central control unit and configured to automatically move the container also along a second travel route that is autonomous relative to the first travel route. In addition, the device also includes: one or more second washing stations associated with the second travel routes; and a second picking device, which is configured to automatically pick up at least one container from at least one second travel route and place it in one of the second washing stations, and vice versa.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, the washing station includes at least one of a cold washing station, an ultrasonic washing station, and a directional washing station.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one travel route includes an entry end and an exit end, and the device also includes an entry station arranged corresponding to the entry end and an exit station arranged corresponding to the exit end, wherein the entry station is configured to allow a container to be placed on a mobile device, and the exit station is configured to allow a container to be picked up from the mobile device.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, the entry station includes a robotized anthropomorphic arm configured to pick up a container from the collection area and place it in the first travel lane or in the second travel lane.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, the outlet station comprises grouping means configured to place the containers present in the outlet station on at least one mobile support member configured to be inserted into a thermal disinfector or an instrument washer.

[0027] The grouping device may comprise two lifting devices, each lifting device being associated with a moving member of the moving device and being configured to receive the flow of containers from the respective moving member.

[0028] The grouping device may include a robotic humanoid arm configured to pick up containers from the exit station and place them in the grouping area.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of closed walls, the walls internally accommodating at least the moving device, the washing station and the picking device, and having an inlet hole corresponding to the inlet end and an outlet hole corresponding to the outlet end.

[0030] Each container may be associated with a respective identification element encoding information related to the instrument contained in the container, and the apparatus may include identification means configured to identify the identification element of each container at the moment the container is placed on the mobile device.

[0031] The picking device comprises a plurality of picking members, each interposed between a travel line and a washing station, wherein each picking member comprises a frame on which a movable gripping member is mounted, controlled by a central control unit and configured to move containers from the travel line to the associated washing station and vice versa.

[0032] The clamping member may be substantially C-shaped with an inner portion thereof being an inverse mirror image of at least a portion of the outer circumference of the container.

[0033] The frame may comprise a temporary storage area on which the containers can be placed, thereby compensating for any fluctuations in the flow of containers entering the washing apparatus.

[0034] The invention also relates to a facility for washing surgical instruments, comprising an apparatus according to the invention, at least one thermal disinfector for thermally disinfecting surgical instruments and an additional movement device configured to automatically move surgical instruments emerging from the apparatus to the at least one thermal disinfector.

[0035] The present invention also relates to a method for washing surgical instruments placed in one or more containers, comprising: an introducing step, wherein the container is placed on the first travel lane and the second travel lane; a feeding step in which a first container is automatically advanced on a first travel path while a second container is simultaneously advanced on a second travel path; a first picking step in which at least one container is automatically picked up from a first travel line and placed in one of the first washing stations, and at least one container is automatically picked up from a second travel line and placed in one of the second washing stations; A washing step, wherein the surgical instruments contained in the container are washed.

[0036] The first container may be suitable for accommodating surgical instruments of a first type, and the second container may be suitable for accommodating surgical instruments of a second type. Thus, in this case, different instruments can be washed using the method of the invention, even simultaneously, with instruments of the first type being washed in a first line and instruments of the second type being washed in a second line.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one washing operation is selected from a cold washing operation, an ultrasonic washing operation, and a directional washing operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] - Figure 1is a schematic top view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] - Figure 2 and Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic top view of the various components of the device;

[0041] - Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Schematic three-dimensional view of the various components of the device;

[0042] - Figure 7 is a schematic top view of a facility according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] - Figure 8 is a schematic representation of an electrical diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] We must clarify that in this description, the words and terms used as well as the figures in the drawings have only the function of better illustrating and explaining the invention, and their function is to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0045] To facilitate understanding, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same common elements in the figures where possible. It should be understood that the elements and features of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further explanation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] refer to Figure 1 The device 10 according to the present invention is configured to automatically wash, for example, perform preliminary washing, on a surgical instrument 11 (hereinafter referred to as instrument 11 ).

[0047] Preferably, the device 10 of the invention is inserted into a washing facility 200 ( Figure 7 ) in which the thermal disinfection machine 201 is configured to process instruments 11 washed with the aid of the apparatus 10 of the present invention.

[0048] The instruments 11 to be washed come from one or more operating rooms and are grouped into kits 13 or groups of surgical instruments 11. In particular, here and in the following description, the term "kit" 13 refers to a certain group of surgical instruments 11.

[0049] The device 10 also comprises a plurality of containers 12, and the instruments 11 of each set 13 are distributed to one or more containers 12, which are open at the top and provided with holes to allow washing of the instruments 11 contained therein.

[0050] For example, the container 12 may be made of metal, and its walls may be made in the form of a grid or mesh so as to define a plurality of passage holes for water or other cleaning liquids.

[0051] Each container 12 is associated with a respective identification element 14 encoding information about the instruments 11 contained in the container. The identification element 14 also encodes the set 13 to which these instruments 11 belong.

[0052] Merely by way of example, the identification element 14 may be a barcode, a QR code, an RFID, Bluetooth, or another type configured to transmit data via electromagnetic waves, or similar and comparable types.

[0053] refer to Figure 1 , the apparatus 10 comprises a support structure 15 for a mobile device 16, which defines a first travel line L1. The mobile device 16 may also define a second travel line L2.

[0054] The mobile device 16 is controlled by a central control unit 17 ( Figure 8 ) control. The moving device 16 includes a first moving member 20 ( Figure 1 ), the first moving member 20 defines a first travel line L1 and is configured to move the first container 12A along the first travel line L1. In addition, the moving device 16 includes a second moving member 21 ( Figure 1 ), the second moving member 21 defines a second travel line L2 and is configured to cause the second container 12B to travel along it.

[0055] Central control unit 17 ( Figure 8 ) is configured to move each container 12 along the corresponding travel line L1, L2 with a certain step length and a certain frequency, so in particular the moving members 20, 21 ( Figure 1 ).

[0056] The travel lines L1 , L2 have an inlet end E from which a container 12 containing instruments 11 to be washed is introduced, and an outlet end U from which a container 12 containing washed instruments 11 is picked up.

[0057] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the inlet end E and the outlet end U correspond to the travel lines L1, L2. However, in other possible embodiments, the end of one travel line may not correspond to the end of another travel line. In addition, although the travel lines L1, L2 have a straight line shape in the given example, in other embodiments, they can have other shapes, such as a curve or a shape defined by any combination of straight and / or curved segments.

[0058] Each mobile member 20, 21 includes at least one corresponding conveyor belt moved by a motor (not shown). In some embodiments, each mobile member 20, 21 includes at least a plurality of conveyor belts arranged in series and moved by respective independent motors (not shown). However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that in other possible embodiments, the mobile members 20, 21 may include roller members, track members, rack members, chain members, belt members or other similar or equivalent members.

[0059] The apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of washing stations 25 , 26 , each of which is controlled by a central control unit 17 and is configured to perform a washing operation on instruments 11 contained in one or more containers 12 .

[0060] Specifically, the first washing station 25 is disposed in parallel with the first moving member 20 along the first traveling line L1 , and the second washing station 26 is disposed in parallel with the second moving member 21 along the second traveling line L2 .

[0061] In the example given here, the washing stations 25, 26 may be cold washing stations 27 ( Figure 3 ), ultrasonic washing station 28 and directional washing stations 29, 30 ( Figure 5 ), which will be described below.

[0062] Cold washing station 27( Figure 3 ) comprises an outer structure 31 having a front shell opening 32 and containing a cold washing machine 33, which is of a known type per se and will not be described in detail.

[0063] The cold washing station 27 further comprises a support member 35 movable between the interior of the cold washing machine 33 and the front housing opening 32. The support member 35 comprises a plurality of support portions 36 for receiving containers 12 of appliances 11 to be washed.

[0064] The ultrasonic washing station 28 comprises an outer structure 41 having a front opening 42 and containing an ultrasonic washing machine 43 , which is of a type known per se and will not be described in detail.

[0065] Furthermore, the ultrasonic cleaning station 28 comprises a support 45 which is movable between the interior of the ultrasonic cleaning machine 43 and the front opening 42 and comprises a plurality of support portions 46 for positioning the container 12 containing the instruments 11 to be cleaned.

[0066] Directional washing stations 29, 30 ( Figure 5) is configured to perform directed washing of the instruments 11 contained in the container 12. Here and hereinafter, "directed washing" means washing performed by spraying a washing liquid (e.g. water, or water and bicarbonate, or steam or hydrogen peroxide) directly onto the dirt masses present on each instrument 11 present in the container 12.

[0067] In order to enable complete directional washing of both sides of the implement 11 , the apparatus 10 comprises both an upper directional washing station 29 and a lower directional washing station 30 .

[0068] Each directional washing station 29, 30 comprises an external structure 51 having a front opening 52 and a resting surface 54 for the container 12. Also provided in each directional washing station 29, 30 are viewing means 53 and conveying means 55 for conveying pressurized liquid mounted on a moving means 56.

[0069] In the example given here, the moving device 56 is a Cartesian robot and is able to move the transport device along three mutually independent axes.

[0070] The mobile device 56 is directed by a processing unit 57, which is configured to receive and process the images captured by the viewing device 53 in order to identify dirt residues on the equipment 11 arranged in the container 12 placed on the resting plane 54. In addition, the processing unit 57 is also configured to determine the position of the identified dirt residues and to command the mobile device 56 to position the transport device 55 so that the jet transported by the transport device 55 hits the dirt residues on the equipment 11.

[0071] In the upper orientation washing station 29 , an observation device 53 , a conveying device 55 and a moving device 56 are arranged above the resting plane 54 .

[0072] In contrast, in the lower orientation washing station 30 , the viewing device 53 , the transport device 55 , and the moving device 56 are arranged below the resting plane 54 .

[0073] Preferably, the lower directional washing station 30 further includes a closing member 58 configured to close an upper hole of the container 12 disposed inside the lower directional washing station 30 .

[0074] Specifically, the closing member 58 has a function of preventing the instruments 11 contained in the container 12 disposed in the lower directional washing station 30 from escaping when impacted by the water flow sprayed upward from the bottom.

[0075] The closing member 58 comprises an arm 59 movable at least in the vertical direction, to which is attached a closing plate 60 adapted to overlap the upper aperture of each container 12 .

[0076] The combination of washing stations 25, 26 along the travel lines L1, L2 defines the cleanliness level that can be obtained for the equipment 11 traveling along the travel lines L1, L2 in question.

[0077] In this way, a distinction can be made between the type of washing and the level of cleanliness that can be achieved along the first or second travel route (L1 and L2 respectively).

[0078] As an example only, Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the cold washing station 27, the ultrasonic washing station 29, another cold washing station 27, another ultrasonic washing station 29, the upper directional washing station 29 and the lower directional washing station 30 are arranged in series along the first travel line L1. In contrast, two cold washing stations 27 and possibly one or more ultrasonic washing stations 28 are arranged along the second travel line L2.

[0079] In this case, a first container 12A is fed along a first travel route L1, containing instruments 11 that require thorough washing, such as instruments 11 that are contaminated with blood or other substances originating from human surgery. In contrast, a second container 12B is fed along a second travel route L2, containing instruments 11 that require only surface washing, such as instruments that are not used in the operating room but are present in the operating room.

[0080] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the combination of the washing stations 25, 26 along the travel lines L1, L2 may also be greatly different from the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. In fact, the combination of the washing stations 25, 26 along the travel lines L1, L2 may depend on the desired production rate and the washing program required for the device 10.

[0081] The device 10 also includes pickup devices 70, 71 ( Figure 1 and Figure 3 ), the picking device is configured to automatically pick up containers 12 from the travel lines L1, L2 and place them in the washing stations 25, 26.

[0082] Specifically, the apparatus 10 includes a first picking device 70 and a second picking device 71, wherein the first picking device 70 is configured to automatically pick up containers 12 from the first travel line L1 and position them in the first washing station 25, and the second picking device 71 is configured to automatically pick up containers 12 from the second travel line L2 and position them in the second washing station 26.

[0083] The pick-up devices 70 , 71 include a plurality of pick-up members 72 , each of which is interposed between the travel lines L1 , L2 and the washing stations 25 , 26 .

[0084] Each picking member 72 comprises a frame 74 on which a movable gripping member 73 is mounted, moved by drive members (not shown) controlled by the central control unit 17 and configured to move the container 12 from the travel line L1 , L2 to the associated washing station 25 , 26 and vice versa.

[0085] In this particular case, the gripping member 73 is substantially C-shaped, with its interior portion being an inverse mirror image of at least a portion of the periphery of the container 12. The gripping member 73 also moves in a direction orthogonal to its associated line of travel L1 , L2.

[0086] Preferably, each frame 74 also comprises a temporary storage area 75 on which the containers 12 can be placed, thus compensating for any fluctuations in the flow of containers 12 introduced into the device 10 .

[0087] In the embodiment shown here, the temporary storage area 75 is delimited by a cavity created on the upper part of the frame 74 .

[0088] In addition, the picking devices 70, 71 may further include a conveying member 77 ( Figure 3 ), the transfer member 77 is configured to transfer one or more containers 12 from one washing station 25, 26 to another adjacent washing station 25, 26.

[0089] Each transfer member 77 comprises a gripping member 79 moved by a drive member (not shown) controlled by the central control unit 17 and configured to displace a container 12 from one washing station 25 , 26 to another adjacent washing station.

[0090] In this particular case, the gripping member 79 is moved by a Cartesian robot 78 between two adjacent washing stations 25 , 26 .

[0091] For example, in Figure 1 In the embodiment, a transfer member 77 may be provided between the cold washing station 27 and the adjacent ultrasonic washing station 28 so that the container 12 may be transferred from the cold washing station 27 to the ultrasonic washing station 28 without returning to the travel routes L1 and L2 thereof.

[0092] The device 10 also includes a plurality of walls 80 ( Figure 1 ), the interior of the wall 80 contains the moving device 16, the washing stations 25, 26 and the picking devices 70, 71.

[0093] The wall 80 can separate the interior of the device 10 from its surroundings so as to ensure sanitary and clean conditions inside.

[0094] The wall 80 also comprises an inlet aperture 81 corresponding to the inlet end E of the travel lines L1 , L2 and an outlet aperture 82 corresponding to the outlet end U of the travel lines L1 , L2 .

[0095] The inlet opening 81, outlet opening 82 of the wall 80 are of a shape and size suitable for allowing the container 12 to be inserted and removed therefrom.

[0096] The installation 10 also comprises an entry station 85 arranged in the vicinity of the entry end E and configured to allow each container 12 to be positioned on the mobile device 16 .

[0097] The inlet station 85 comprises a collection area 86 in which the container 12 is arranged, and a feed area arranged corresponding to the inlet opening 81 .

[0098] The device 10 also comprises recognition means 88 , notably situated upstream of or in correspondence with the inlet orifice 81 and configured to recognize the identification element 14 of each container 12 at the moment when the container 12 is positioned on the movement means 16 .

[0099] The identification device 88 is also configured to transmit to the central control unit 17 information about the moment at which the container 12 is positioned on the mobile device 16 , in order to allow the next position of the container 12 in question to be determined.

[0100] In this way, the central control unit 17 can process information about the moment when a container 12 is positioned on the mobile device 16 and command the extent of movement of each mobile member 20 , 21 so as to be able to determine the position of each container 12 present on the travel line L1 , L2 .

[0101] The transfer of the containers 12 from the collection area 86 to the feed area 87 can be performed manually by the user O, who decides whether to position each container 12 in the first travel route L1 or in the second travel route L2 depending on the degree of dirtiness of the instruments 11 present in the container 12 concerned and the combination of washing stations 25, 26 associated with each travel route L1, L2.

[0102] Optionally, in Figure 2 In another embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 8 , the entry station 85 includes a robotized anthropomorphic arm 89 configured to pick up a container 12 from the collection area 86 and place it in the first travel lane L1 or in the second travel lane L2 .

[0103] In this case, a viewing device 90 configured to capture images related to the container 12 being manipulated by the robotized anthropomorphic arm 89 may be associated with the robotized anthropomorphic arm 89 .

[0104] Furthermore, the viewing device 90 is connected to a processing unit 91, which also communicates with the central control unit 17 and is configured to process the images taken by the viewing device 90 and to command the robotized anthropomorphic arm 89. The processing unit 91 is configured to detect whether there is dirt residue on the instrument 11 placed inside the container 12 manipulated by the robotized anthropomorphic arm 29, so as to decide on which travel line L1, L2 the container 12 is placed.

[0105] The apparatus 10 also includes an exit station 95 ( Figure 1 ), the outlet station 95 is arranged corresponding to the outlet aperture 82 and is configured to allow picking up each container 12 from the travel lines L1, L2 (ie from the mobile members 20, 21).

[0106] The exit station 95 comprises an extraction zone 96 arranged in correspondence with the exit end U of the travel lines L1 , L2 , in which the containers 12 coming from the mobile members 20 , 21 remain.

[0107] Optionally, the exit station 95 further comprises a grouping area 97, which is configured to allow the containers 12 present in the extraction area 96 to be arranged on a mobile support member 99, such as a trolley having a plurality of resting planes, the mobile support member 99 being configured to be inserted into a thermal disinfection machine 201 for thermally disinfecting the instruments 11, the thermal disinfection machine 201 being arranged downstream of the device 10.

[0108] The transfer of the containers 12 from the extraction zone 96 to the grouping zone 97 is done manually and by the user, who places each container 12 in the mobile support member 99 .

[0109] Optionally, in Figure 4 and Figure 6 In a further embodiment schematically shown in , the outlet station 95 comprises a grouping device 101 configured to place each container 12 present in the extraction zone 96 on a mobile support member 99 provided in the grouping zone 97 .

[0110] exist Figure 6 In the example shown, the grouping device 101 comprises two lifting devices 102 , each lifting device 102 being associated with a mobile member 20 , 21 and being configured to receive the flow of the containers 12 from the respective mobile member 20 , 21 .

[0111] Each lifting device 102 comprises a resting plane 103 on which the container 12 from the corresponding mobile member 20 , 21 is located, and a lifting member (not shown) configured to align the resting plane 103 with the supporting portion of the mobile supporting member 99 .

[0112] Preferably, the resting plane 103 consists of the upper part of a conveyor belt suitable for moving the containers 12 from the extraction zone 96 towards the mobile support member 99 .

[0113] exist Figure 4 In another example shown, the grouping device 101 includes a robotized humanoid arm 105, which is configured to pick up containers 12 from the exit station 95 (specifically located in the extraction area 96) and place them in the grouping area 97 of the exit station 95, specifically on the mobile support member 99.

[0114] The invention also relates to a facility 200 for washing surgical instruments 11 ( Figure 7 ), which comprises the device 10 as described above and at least one thermal disinfection machine 201 arranged downstream of the device 10.

[0115] Preferably, the facility 200 comprises a plurality of thermal disinfection machines 201 arranged along an alignment axis T, and a transport device 202 defining a first transport section 203 parallel to the alignment axis T and a second transport section 205 extending from the exit station 95 of the apparatus 10 of the present invention to the start of the first transport section 203 .

[0116] Optionally, in front of each thermal disinfection machine 201 there is provided a further insertion section 206 of the transport device 202 , which is configured to insert the mobile support member 99 travelling on the first transport section 103 into the respective thermal disinfection machine 201 .

[0117] Furthermore, a platform 207 configured to redirect the mobile support member 99 traveling on the transport device 202 is provided between the first transport segment 103 and the second transport segment 105 .

[0118] The operation of the device 10 according to the invention corresponds to the method according to the invention and comprises the following steps.

[0119] The method provides an introduction step in which a container 12 containing the instruments 11 to be washed is placed on a moving device 16 .

[0120] This introduction step can be performed manually by an operator who places each container 12 in the first travel line L1 or in the second travel line L2, depending on the cleanliness state of the surgical instruments 11 present in the container 12 and the combination of washing stations 25, 26 associated with each travel line L1, L2.

[0121] Alternatively, in embodiments providing this step, the introducing step may be performed automatically by a robotic anthropomorphic arm 89 .

[0122] Optionally, when the container 12 is positioned on the mobile device 16, an identification step also occurs, in which the identification device 88 identifies the identification element 14 associated with the determined container 12 and transmits an electrical signal to the central control unit 17, which includes the information contained in the identification element 14 and time information related to the moment when the container 12 is positioned on the mobile device 16.

[0123] Subsequently, the method provides a feeding step in which the containers 12 are caused to travel along the travel lines L1 , L2 in which they are placed.

[0124] For example, in Figure 1 In the schematically shown embodiment, a first container 12A containing at least one dirty surgical instrument 11 travels along a first travel route L1 , while a second container 12B containing a clean surgical instrument 11 travels along a second travel route L2 .

[0125] The travel of the containers along the travel lines L1 , L2 is directed by a central control unit 17 which in turn directs the mobile members 20 , 21 .

[0126] For example, the march can be gradual or continuous.

[0127] The method also provides a first picking step for each container 12 , which is automatically picked up from the travel line L1 , L2 along which it travels and placed in a washing station 25 , 26 .

[0128] For example, when the first container 12A traveling along the first travel route L1 is in front of the cold washing station 27, the ultrasonic washing station 28, or the directional washing stations 29, 30, the central control unit 17 commands the corresponding picking member 72 to place the first container 12A in the station in front of it.

[0129] On the other hand, for example again, when the second container 12B traveling along the second traveling line L2 is located in front of the cold washing station 27 or the ultrasonic washing station 28, the central control unit 17 instructs the corresponding picking member 72 to place the second container 12B in the station in front thereof.

[0130] Optionally, each container 12 may stop in a temporary storage area 75 before being placed on the moving support members 35 , 45 , in order to absorb and compensate for any fluctuations in the flow of containers introduced into the apparatus 10 .

[0131] When the washing stations 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 are sufficiently filled, the method provides for a washing step in which the instruments 11 contained in the containers 12 placed in the washing stations 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 are subjected to a washing operation.

[0132] The washing step may provide a cold wash operation, an ultrasonic wash operation, or a directed wash operation, depending on the wash station involved.

[0133] The method also provides for a second picking step, in which the containers 12 placed in the washing stations 27, 28, 29, 30 are automatically removed therefrom.

[0134] A second picking step may provide for picking up the container 12 from the washing station 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 where it is located, in order to place it again on the travel line L1 , L2 along which it travels.

[0135] Alternatively, the second picking step may provide for picking up the container 12 from the washing station 27, 28, 29, 30 where the container 12 is located in order to place it in another washing station 27, 28, 29, 30. In this case, the method may provide for performing an additional washing operation in the new washing station 27, 28, 29, 30 where the container 12 is located. The method then provides for a new picking operation to pick up the container 12 from the washing station 27, 28, 29, 30 where the container 12 is located and place it again on the travel line L1, L2 along which it travels.

[0136] When the container 12 is placed again on the travel line L1 , L2 along which it travels, the method causes the container 12 to travel along the travel line L1 , L2 towards a new washing station 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 or towards the exit station 95 .

[0137] Below, we will refer to the Figure 1 , and describes the path of a first container 12A located on a first travel line L1 , which travels to a first cold washing station 27 .

[0138] Subsequently, the first container 12A is picked up from the first travel line L1 and inserted into the cold washing station 27 where it undergoes a cold washing operation.

[0139] At the end of the cold washing operation, the first container 12A is taken out of the cold washing station 27 and inserted into the ultrasonic washing station 28 by means of the transfer member 77 interposed between the cold washing station 27 and the ultrasonic washing station 28 adjacent to the cold washing station 27 .

[0140] The first container 12A then undergoes an ultrasonic washing operation and, once this operation is finished, is taken out of the ultrasonic washing station 28 and brought again onto the first travel line L1 .

[0141] We must clarify that these washing operations can be carried out in the same way on the other first containers 12A fed along the first travel line 12, and also in the two other cold washing stations 27 and the ultrasonic washing station 28 present along it.

[0142] When the first container 12A is on the first travel line L1 again, it is advanced until it is in front of the lower directional washing station 29. At this time, the first container 12A is picked up from the first travel line L1 and inserted into the lower directional washing station 29, where a directional washing operation is performed using water sprayed upward from the bottom.

[0143] At the end of the directional washing operation, the first container 12A is removed from the upper directional washing station 29 and brought again to the first travel line L1.

[0144] When the first container 12A is on the first travel line L1 again, it is advanced until it is in front of the lower directional washing station 30. At this time, the first container 12A is picked up from the first travel line L1 and inserted into the lower directional washing station 30, where a directional washing operation is performed using water sprayed upward from the bottom.

[0145] At the end of this last directional washing operation, the first container 12A is picked up from the lower directional washing station 30 and brought again onto the first travel line L1.

[0146] At this time, the first container 12 is caused to travel along the first travel route L1 and is sent to the exit station 95 , from which the first container 12 is manually or automatically taken out and placed on the moving support member 99 .

[0147] Preferably, the mobile support member 99 will then be used to bring the plurality of containers 12 towards a thermal disinfection machine 201 situated downstream of the apparatus 10 , such as in the installation 200 according to the invention.

[0148] Below, we will refer to the Figure 1 The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and describes the path of a second container 12B located on the second travel line L2 , which travels until a cold washing station 27 is placed along the second travel line L2 .

[0149] Then, the second container 12B is picked up from the second travel line L2 and inserted into the cold washing station 27, where it undergoes a cold washing operation.

[0150] Optionally, at the end of the cold washing operation, the second container 12B is taken out of the cold washing station 27 and inserted into the ultrasonic washing station 28 by means of a transfer member 77 interposed between the cold washing station 27 and the ultrasonic washing station 28 adjacent to the cold washing station 27 .

[0151] The second container 12B then undergoes an ultrasonic washing operation, and once this operation is finished, the second container 12B is taken out of the ultrasonic washing station 28 and brought onto the second travel line L2 again.

[0152] At this time, the second container 12 is moved along the first travel route L1 and sent to the exit station 95 , from which the second container 12 is manually or automatically taken out and placed on the moving support member 99 together with other second containers 12B.

[0153] Preferably, the mobile support member 99 will then be used to convey the plurality of second containers 12B to a thermal sterilizer 201 situated downstream of the apparatus 10 .

[0154] Obviously, modifications and / or additions of components may be made to the device 10 , the installation 200 and the method described above, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

[0155] It is also obvious that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will be able to realize other equivalent forms of the apparatus 10, the facility 200 and the method for washing surgical instruments, which have the characteristics as described in the claims and therefore all fall within the scope of protection defined therein.

[0156] In the accompanying claims, references in parentheses are for the sole purpose of facilitating reading and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of protection defined by such claims.

Claims

1. A washing device (10) for washing surgical instruments (11) placed in one or more containers (12), comprising: A moving device (16), the moving device (16) being configured to automatically move the container (12) along at least one first travel route (L1); a plurality of first washing stations (25) associated with the at least one first travel route (L1), each of the first washing stations (25) being configured to perform a washing operation on the surgical instrument (11); and a first picking device (70), which is configured to automatically pick up at least one of the containers (12) from the at least one first travel route (L1) and place it in one of the first washing stations (25), or vice versa, characterized in that the moving device (16) is controlled by a central control unit (17) and is configured to make the container (12) also automatically travel along a second travel route (L2) that is independent of the first travel route (L1), and the washing equipment (10) also includes one or more second washing stations (26) associated with the second travel route (L2), and a second picking device (71), which is configured to automatically pick up at least one of the containers (12) from the at least one second travel route (L2) and place it in one of the second washing stations (26), or vice versa.

2. The washing device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The washing stations (25, 26) include at least one of a cold washing station (27), an ultrasonic washing station (28) and a directional washing station (29, 30).

3. A washing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one travel line (L1, L2) comprises an inlet end (E) and an outlet end (U), characterized in that The washing device (10) further comprises an entry station (85) and an exit station (95), wherein the entry station (85) is arranged corresponding to the entry end (E) and is configured to allow the container (12) to be placed on the mobile device (16), and the exit station (95) is arranged corresponding to the exit end (U) and is configured to allow the container (12) to be picked up from the mobile device (16).

4. The washing device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The entry station (85) includes a robotized anthropomorphic arm (89) configured to pick up a container (12) from a collection area (86) and place it in the first travel lane (L1) or in the second travel lane (L2).

5. The washing device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outlet station (95) comprises a grouping device (101) configured to place the containers (12) present in the outlet station (95) on at least one mobile support member (99) configured to be inserted into a thermal disinfection machine (201).

6. The washing device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The grouping device (101) comprises two lifting devices (102), each of which is associated with a moving member (20, 21) of the moving device (16) and is configured to receive a flow of containers (12) from the corresponding moving member (20, 21).

7. The washing device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that The grouping device (101) comprises a robotized humanoid arm (105) configured to pick up the containers (12) from the outlet station (95) and place them in a grouping area (97).

8. The washing device (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that: The washing device further comprises a plurality of closed walls (80), wherein the walls (80) internally accommodate at least the moving device (16), the washing stations (25, 26) and the picking devices (70, 71), and have an inlet hole (81) corresponding to the inlet end (E) and an outlet hole (82) corresponding to the outlet end (U).

9. Washing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Each container (12) is associated with a corresponding identification element (14), which encodes information related to the surgical instrument (11) contained in the container, and the washing device includes an identification device (88), which is configured to identify the identification element (14) of the container (12) at the moment when each container (12) is placed on the mobile device (16).

10. Washing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The picking device (70, 71) comprises a plurality of picking members (72), each of the picking members (72) being interposed between a travel route (L1, L2) and a washing station (25, 26), wherein each picking member (72) comprises a frame (74) on which a movable clamping member (73) is mounted, the frame (74) being controlled by the central control unit (17) and being configured to move the container (12) from the travel route (L1, L2) to the associated washing station (25, 26) and vice versa.

11. The washing device (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that The clamping member (73) is substantially C-shaped, and its inner portion is an inverse mirror image of at least a portion of the outer circumference of the container (12).

12. The washing device (10) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: The frame (74) comprises a temporary storage area (75) on which the container (12) can be placed to compensate for any fluctuations in the flow of the container (12) into the washing device (10).

13. A facility (200) for washing surgical instruments (11), comprising an apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, at least one thermal disinfection machine (201) for thermally disinfecting the surgical instruments (11), and an additional moving device (202), wherein the additional moving device (202) is configured to automatically move the surgical instruments (11) coming out of the apparatus (10) to the at least one thermal disinfection machine (201).

14. A washing method for washing surgical instruments (11) placed in one or more containers (12) in a washing device (10), wherein the washing device (10) is provided with: a moving device (16), the moving device (16) being configured to automatically move the container (12) along at least one first travel route (L1); a plurality of first washing stations (25) associated with the at least one travel route (L1), each of the first washing stations (25) being configured to perform a washing operation on the surgical instrument (11); and a first picking device (70) configured to automatically pick up at least one of the containers (12) from the at least one first travel line (L1) and place it in one of the first washing stations (25), or vice versa, wherein the moving device (16) is controlled by a central control unit (17) and configured to automatically move the container (12) also along a second travel line (L2) autonomous with respect to the first travel line (L1), wherein the washing device (10) further comprises one or more second washing stations (26) associated with the second travel line (L2); and a second picking device (71) configured to automatically pick up at least one of the containers (12) from the at least one second travel line (L2) and place it in one of the second washing stations (26), or vice versa, wherein the method is characterized by comprising: - an introduction step, in which the container (12) is placed on the first travel line (L1) and the second travel line (L2); - a feeding step, in which a first container (12A) is automatically advanced on said first travel line (L1) and a second container (12B) is simultaneously advanced on said second travel line (L2); - a first picking step, in which at least one container (12A) is automatically picked up from the first travel line (L1) and placed in one of the first washing stations (25), and at least one container (12B) is automatically picked up from the second travel line (L2) and placed in one of the second washing stations (26); - a washing step, in which the surgical instrument (11) contained in the container (12) is washed; - A second picking step, in which the container (12) is automatically picked up from the washing station (25, 26) in which it is located and placed in another washing station (25, 26), or in the corresponding travel line (L1, L2).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The at least one washing operation is selected from a cold washing operation, an ultrasonic washing operation, and a directional washing operation.

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