Gas path system and sterilization device

Abstract

The utility model provides a gas path system and a sterilization device. The gas path system comprises a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a third pipeline, a first valve group, a flushing valve and a gas source, the first pipeline and the second pipeline are connected in parallel, the first pipeline comprises a first sub-pipeline and a second sub-pipeline which can be connected in series, and the second sub-pipeline and the third pipeline are connected in series; the second pipeline is serially connected with the third pipeline; the first valve group is arranged on the third pipeline, the flushing valve is arranged on the second pipeline, and the air source is connected with the first sub-pipeline. The gas path system is applied to the sterilization device, and the sterilization device further comprises a sterilizing agent source, a vaporizer and a sterilization cabinet. In the sterilization device, a first sub-pipeline, a sterilizing agent source and a second sub-pipeline are sequentially connected in series, and a vaporizer and a sterilization cabinet are sequentially connected to the end, away from a first pipeline, of a third pipeline in series. Therefore, when the sterilizing agent source is disassembled, the leakage of the sterilizing agent can be reduced or even avoided, and the pollution to the environment and the poison to an operator are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of medical equipment, and particularly relates to an air circuit system and a sterilizing device. Background Art

[0002] Medical devices are mostly sterilized using ethylene oxide. In ethylene oxide-based sterilization equipment, when the ethylene oxide cylinder is empty, it must be removed and replaced. If the pipes connecting to the cylinder are not flushed before removal, the ethylene oxide in the pipes will leak, causing environmental pollution and potentially causing human poisoning. Utility Model Content

[0003] The utility model aims to provide an air circuit system and a sterilization device, aiming to reduce or even avoid leakage of sterilizing agent when the sterilizing agent source of the sterilization device is replaced.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a gas circuit system, comprising a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a third pipeline, a first valve group, a flushing valve, and a gas source; wherein,

[0005] The first pipeline is connected in parallel with the second pipeline, the first pipeline includes a first sub-pipeline and a second sub-pipeline which can be connected in series with each other, the second sub-pipeline is connected in series with the third pipeline; the second pipeline is connected in series with the third pipeline;

[0006] The first valve group is arranged on the third pipeline, and the flushing valve is arranged on the second pipeline;

[0007] The gas source is connected to the first sub-pipeline.

[0008] Optionally, the gas source is further connected to the first pipeline and the first sub-pipeline through two ports respectively.

[0009] Optionally, the gas circuit system also includes a fourth pipeline and a second valve group; the fourth pipeline is connected to the gas source, and the fourth pipeline is also connected in series with the second pipeline and the first sub-pipeline through the two ports respectively; the second valve group is arranged on the first sub-pipeline.

[0010] Optionally, a pressure regulator is further included, and the pressure regulator is arranged between the connection point of the second pipeline and the fourth pipeline and the connection point of the first sub-pipeline and the fourth pipeline.

[0011] Optionally, the connection point between the second pipeline and the fourth pipeline is closer to the gas source than the connection point between the first sub-pipeline and the fourth pipeline; and the pressure regulator is a pressure reducer.

[0012] Optionally, a second monitor is further included, which is arranged on the fourth pipeline and includes a first pressure monitoring element and a second pressure monitoring element. The first pressure monitoring element is arranged on the side of the pressure regulator close to the gas source, and the second pressure monitoring element is arranged on the side of the pressure regulator away from the gas source.

[0013] Optionally, the gas source includes a first sub-gas source and a second sub-gas source; the first sub-gas source is connected to the first sub-pipeline, and the second sub-gas source is connected to the second pipeline.

[0014] Optionally, an air extraction device is further included; the second pipeline is connected to the air extraction device.

[0015] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention also provides a sterilization device, including the gas system, sterilant source, vaporizer and sterilization cabinet as described above; the first sub-pipeline, the sterilant source, and the second sub-pipeline are connected in series in sequence; the vaporizer and the sterilization cabinet are connected in series in sequence at the end of the third pipe away from the first pipe.

[0016] Compared with the existing technology, the gas circuit system and sterilization device of the present invention have the following advantages:

[0017] The aforementioned air circuit system includes a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a third pipeline, a first valve group, a flushing valve, and an air source; the first pipeline is connected in parallel with the second pipeline, and the first pipeline includes a first sub-pipeline and a second sub-pipeline that can be connected in series with each other, and the second sub-pipeline is connected in series with the third pipeline; the second pipeline is connected in series with the third pipeline; the first valve group is disposed on the third pipeline, and the flushing valve is disposed on the second pipeline; the air source is connected to the first sub-pipeline. The air circuit system is applied to a sterilization device, which also includes a sterilant source, a vaporizer, and a sterilization cabinet; and in the sterilization device, the first sub-pipeline, the sterilant source, and the second sub-pipeline are connected in series in sequence, and the vaporizer and the sterilization cabinet are connected in series in sequence to the end of the third pipeline away from the first pipeline. In this way, when the sterilization device is used to sterilize the target object loaded in the sterilization cabinet, the flushing valve is controlled to be closed, the first valve group is controlled to be opened, and the sterilant source is connected to the first sub-pipeline. Then, gas is introduced into the sterilant source through the first sub-pipeline, so that the sterilant is carried by the gas and enters the vaporizer for vaporization before entering the sterilization cabinet. When the sterilant source needs to be replaced, the first sub-pipeline is isolated from the sterilant source, and the flushing valve is controlled to be opened, and at least some of the valves in the first valve group are closed. Then, gas is introduced into the sterilant source through the second pipe to backflush the sterilant remaining in the second sub-pipeline into the sterilant source, or the sterilant remaining in the second sub-pipeline and the sterilant source is discharged through a vacuum device connected to the second pipe. When the sterilant source is subsequently disassembled, leakage of the sterilant can be reduced or even avoided, thereby reducing pollution to the environment and harm to the operator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings are provided to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a sterilization device provided by the present invention according to one embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of a sterilization device provided by the present invention according to another embodiment;

[0021] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a sterilization device provided according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] [The following are the descriptions of the reference numerals]:

[0023] 10-gas system, 110-first pipeline, 111-first sub-pipeline, 112-second sub-pipeline, 120-second pipeline, 130-third pipeline, 140-fourth pipeline, 210-first valve group, 220-flush valve, 230-second valve group, 310-gas source, 311-first sub-gas source, 312-second sub-gas source, 320-gas extraction device, 400-pressure regulator, 500-second monitor, 510-first pressure monitoring element, 520-second pressure monitoring element, 20-sterilant source, 21-body, 22-first joint valve, 23-second joint valve, 30-vaporizer, 40-sterilizer, DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following describes the implementation of the present invention through specific examples. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific implementation methods. The details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the illustrations provided in this embodiment only illustrate the basic concept of the present invention in a schematic manner. Therefore, the drawings only show components related to the present invention rather than being drawn according to the number, shape and size of components in actual implementation. The type, quantity and proportion of each component in actual implementation can be changed arbitrarily, and the component layout type may also be more complicated.

[0025] In addition, each embodiment described below has one or more technical features. However, this does not mean that users of the present invention must implement all technical features in any embodiment at the same time, or that they can only implement some or all technical features in different embodiments separately. In other words, as long as implementation is possible, those skilled in the art can, based on the disclosure of the present invention and depending on design specifications or implementation requirements, selectively implement some or all technical features in any embodiment, or selectively implement a combination of some or all technical features in multiple embodiments, thereby increasing the flexibility of the implementation of the present invention.

[0026] As used in this specification, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents, and the plural form "a plurality" includes more than two referents, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used in this specification, the term "or" is generally used in a sense that includes "and / or," unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, and the terms "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood broadly, for example, to mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. It can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. It can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be internal communication between two elements or an interactive relationship between two elements. Relational terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used solely to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations, nor do they indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly indicate the number of technical features indicated. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model can be understood based on the specific circumstances.

[0027] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide an air circuit system that can be used in a sterilization device to reduce leakage of the sterilant when replacing the sterilant source of the sterilization device, thereby reducing pollution to the environment and reducing harm to operators. The sterilant includes but is not limited to ethylene oxide.

[0028] A second purpose of the present invention is to provide a sterilization device comprising the gas circuit system.

[0029] To make the objectives, advantages, and features of the present invention more clearly apparent, the present invention is further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are greatly simplified and not to exact scale, and are intended solely to facilitate and clearly illustrate the objectives of the embodiments of the present invention. Identical or similar reference numerals in the drawings represent identical or similar components.

[0030] <Example 1>

[0031] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of the sterilization device provided in this embodiment is shown in FIG. Figure 1As shown, the sterilization device includes an air circuit system 10, a sterilant source 20, a vaporizer 30, and a sterilization cabinet 40. The air circuit system 10 includes a first pipeline 110, a second pipeline 120, a third pipeline 130, a first valve group 210, a flushing valve 220, and an air source 310. The first pipeline 110 and the second pipeline 120 are connected in parallel. The first pipeline 110 includes a first sub-pipeline 111 and a second sub-pipeline 112. The first sub-pipeline 111, the sterilant source 20, the second sub-pipeline 112, and the third pipeline 130 are sequentially connected in series, and the second pipeline 120 and the third pipeline 130 are connected in series. The vaporizer 30 and the sterilization cabinet 40 are sequentially connected in series at the end of the third pipeline 130 away from the first pipeline 110. The first valve group 210 is disposed on the third pipeline 130, and the flushing valve 220 is disposed on the second pipeline 120.

[0032] In actual use, the end of the first sub-pipeline 111 away from the sterilant source 20 and the end of the second pipe 120 away from the third pipe 130 are respectively connected to the two ports of the gas source 310. The method for using the sterilization device to sterilize the target objects loaded in the sterilization cabinet 40 is as follows: with all valves of the first valve group 210 open and the flushing valve 220 closed, the inert gas provided by the gas source 310 enters the sterilant source 20 through the first sub-pipeline 111, and then carries the sterilant along the second sub-pipeline 112 and the third pipe 130 into the vaporizer 30 for vaporization, and then enters the sterilization cabinet 40 to sterilize the target objects.

[0033] The sterilant source 20 is generally a high-pressure steel cylinder containing a liquid sterilant. When the sterilant in the high-pressure steel cylinder is about to be consumed, the sterilant source 20 needs to be disassembled and replaced with a new one.

[0034] It can be understood that the sterilant source 20 includes a main body 21, a first joint valve 21 and a second joint valve. The main body has an inner cavity for accommodating the sterilant, and the main body is also provided with a first interface and a second interface (not marked in the figure) that are connected to the inner cavity. The first sub-pipeline 111 is connected to the sterilant source 20 at the first interface, and the second sub-pipeline 112 is connected to the sterilant source 20 at the second interface. The first joint valve 21 is provided at the first interface, and the connection and disconnection between the first sub-pipeline 111 and the inner cavity can be controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the first valve 21. The second joint valve 23 is provided at the second interface, and the connection and disconnection between the second sub-pipeline 112 and the inner cavity can be controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the second joint valve 23. An optional operation for disassembling the sterilant source 20 is as follows:

[0035] First, the first joint valve 22 is closed, and the connection between the first sub-pipeline 111 and the first joint valve 22 is released. This step can prevent the residual sterilant in the sterilant source 20 from escaping from the first joint valve 22.

[0036] Next, at least part of the valves of the first valve group 210 are controlled to be closed, and the flushing valve 220 is controlled to be opened.

[0037] Next, the inert gas provided by the gas source 310 enters the second sub-pipeline 112 through the second pipe 120 to back-flush the sterilant remaining in the second sub-pipeline 112 back to the sterilant source 20 .

[0038] Next, the second connecting valve 23 is closed.

[0039] Next, the connection between the sterilant source 20 and the second sub-pipeline 112 is released. At this point, there is essentially no sterilant remaining in the second sub-pipeline 112, and the second joint valve 23 is closed, so there is almost no sterilant escaping, greatly reducing pollution to the environment and harm to the operator.

[0040] It should be understood that after closing the second connection valve 23, the flushing valve 220 may also be closed. Of course, the flushing valve 220 may also be controlled to close when a new sterilant source 20 is connected to the first sub-pipeline 111 and the second sub-pipeline 112 and before resuming the sterilization operation.

[0041] Optionally, the gas circuit system 10 may further include a first monitor and an alarm (not shown in the figure). The first detector may be provided on the second pipeline 120 and / or the flush valve 220. The first monitor is configured to monitor whether the flush valve 220 is closed during the sterilization operation. The alarm is communicatively connected to the first monitor. The alarm is configured to generate and display an alarm message when the first monitor detects that the flush valve 220 is not closed during the sterilization operation, so as to prompt the operator. The specific configuration of the first monitor is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be elaborated here.

[0042] The inert gas is, for example, nitrogen. When performing a sterilization operation, the pressure of the inert gas entering the first sub-pipeline 111 may be P1. During the process of disassembling the sterilant source 20, the pressure of the inert gas entering the second sub-pipeline 112 via the second pipe 120 may be P2. Preferably, P2 is greater than P1, so that the sterilant remaining in the second sub-pipeline 112 can be quickly blown back into the sterilant source 20. In practice, P1 may be less than 5 Kg / cm2 , for example 4.5Kg / cm 2 , P2 can be 6Kg / cm 2 -8Kg / cm 2 Choose between, for example 7Kg / cm 2 .

[0043] Furthermore, the gas circuit system 10 also includes a second valve group 230, which is disposed on the first sub-pipeline 111. During the process of disassembling the sterilant source 20, after closing the first connection valve 22, at least one valve in the second valve group 230 may also be closed. Thus, after the first sub-pipeline 111 is disconnected from the sterilant source 20, leakage of the inert gas from the first sub-pipeline 111 and resulting in waste can be avoided.

[0044] Optionally, the gas circuit system 10 further includes a fourth pipeline 140, through which the first sub-pipeline 110 and the second pipeline 120 are both connected to the gas source 310. In other words, the fourth pipeline 140 is connected to the gas source 310, the end of the first sub-pipeline 111 away from the sterilant source 200 is connected to a port on the fourth pipeline 140, and the end of the second pipeline 120 away from the third pipeline 130 is connected to another port on the fourth pipeline 140.

[0045] In order to achieve the effect that P2 is greater than P1, the gas circuit system 10 further includes a pressure regulator 400, which is arranged between the connection point A between the second pipeline 120 and the fourth pipeline 140 and the connection point B between the first sub-pipeline 111 and the fourth pipeline 140.

[0046] In some specific examples, the connection point A between the second conduit 120 and the fourth conduit 140 is closer to the gas source 310 than the connection point B between the first sub-conduit 111 and the fourth conduit 140, and the pressure regulator 400 is a pressure reducer. As such, the initial pressure of the inert gas provided by the gas source 400 can be P2. During the sterilization operation, the inert gas at pressure P2 is reduced to pressure P1 after passing through the pressure regulator 400 and then enters the first sub-conduit 111. During the operation of disassembling the sterilant source 20, the inert gas at pressure P2 directly enters the second conduit 120 and the second sub-conduit 112.

[0047] Furthermore, the gas circuit system 10 also includes a second monitor 500, which is disposed on the fourth pipeline 140 and is configured to monitor the pressure of the inert gas. Specifically, the second monitor 500 includes a first pressure monitoring element 510 and a second pressure monitoring element 520. The first pressure monitoring element 510 is located on a side of the pressure regulator 400 close to the gas source 310 to monitor the initial pressure of the inert gas, and the second pressure monitoring element 520 is located on a side of the pressure regulator 400 away from the gas source 310 to monitor the pressure of the inert gas after pressure regulation by the pressure regulator 400.

[0048] <Example 2>

[0049] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the sterilization device provided in this embodiment. Figure 2 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the gas source 310 of the gas circuit system 10 includes a first sub-gas source 311 and a second sub-gas source 312, the end of the first sub-pipe 111 away from the sterilant source 20 is connected to the first sub-gas source 311, and the end of the second pipe 120 away from the third pipe 130 is connected to the second sub-gas source 312.

[0050] In this way, the first sub-gas source 311 can directly provide the inert gas with a pressure of P1 during the sterilization operation, and the second sub-gas source 312 can directly provide the inert gas with a pressure of P2 during the disassembly of the sterilant source 20 .

[0051] The gas circuit system 10 of this embodiment may also include a second monitor 500, and the second monitor 500 includes a first pressure monitoring element 510 and a second pressure monitoring element 520. The first pressure monitoring element 510 may be directly disposed on the first sub-pipeline 111 to monitor the pressure of the inert gas provided by the first sub-gas source 311; the second pressure monitoring element 520 may be directly disposed on the second pipeline 120 to monitor the pressure of the inert gas provided by the second sub-gas source 312.

[0052] It can be understood that in this embodiment, the first sub-pipeline 111 and the second pipeline 120 are respectively connected to different sub-gas sources, so there is no need to provide the fourth pipeline and the pressure regulator.

[0053] <Example 3>

[0054] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the sterilization device provided in this embodiment. Figure 3As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 2 is that the air circuit system 10 includes an air source 310 and an air extraction device 320, the air source 310 is connected to the end of the first sub-pipeline 111 away from the sterilant source 20, and the air extraction device 320 is connected to the end of the second pipe 120 away from the third pipe 130.

[0055] An optional operation process for disassembling the sterilant source 20 of the sterilization device provided in this embodiment is as follows:

[0056] First, the first connecting valve 22 is closed, and the connection between the first sub-pipeline 111 and the first connecting valve 22 is released.

[0057] Next, at least part of the valves of the first valve group 210 are controlled to be closed, and the flushing valve 220 is controlled to be opened.

[0058] Next, the exhaust device 320 is operated to extract the residual sterilant in the second sub-pipeline 112 and the sterilant source 20 and discharge the residual sterilant into a waste collection tank.

[0059] Next, the engaging valve 23 is closed.

[0060] Next, the connection between the sterilant source 20 and the second sub-pipeline 112 is released.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first pressure monitoring element 510 provided on the first sub-pipeline 111 is used to monitor the pressure of the inert gas provided by the gas source 310 , and the second pressure monitoring element 520 provided on the second pipeline 120 is used to monitor the negative pressure of the second pipeline 120 .

[0062] While the present invention is disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Persons skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is intended to encompass such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A gas circuit system, characterized in that: It includes a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a third pipeline, a first valve group, a flushing valve, and an air source; wherein, The first pipeline is connected in parallel with the second pipeline, the first pipeline includes a first sub-pipeline and a second sub-pipeline which can be connected in series with each other, the second sub-pipeline is connected in series with the third pipeline; the second pipeline is connected in series with the third pipeline; The first valve group is arranged on the third pipeline, and the flushing valve is arranged on the second pipeline; The gas source is connected to the first sub-pipeline.

2. The gas circuit system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas source is connected to the second pipeline and the first sub-pipeline through two ports respectively.

3. The gas circuit system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gas circuit system also includes a fourth pipeline and a second valve group; the fourth pipeline is connected to the gas source, and the fourth pipeline is also connected in series with the second pipeline and the first sub-pipeline through the two ports; the second valve group is arranged on the first sub-pipeline.

4. The gas circuit system according to claim 3, characterized in that: A pressure regulator is also included, and the pressure regulator is arranged between a connection point between the second pipeline and the fourth pipeline and a connection point between the first sub-pipeline and the fourth pipeline.

5. The gas circuit system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connection point between the second pipeline and the fourth pipeline is closer to the gas source than the connection point between the first sub-pipeline and the fourth pipeline; the pressure regulator is a pressure reducer.

6. The gas circuit system according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a second monitor, which is arranged on the fourth pipeline and includes a first pressure monitoring element and a second pressure monitoring element. The first pressure monitoring element is arranged on a side of the pressure regulator close to the gas source, and the second pressure monitoring element is arranged on a side of the pressure regulator away from the gas source.

7. The gas circuit system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gas source includes a first sub-gas source and a second sub-gas source; the first sub-gas source is connected to the first sub-pipeline, and the second sub-gas source is connected to the second pipeline.

8. The gas circuit system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an air extraction device; the second pipeline is connected to the air extraction device.

9. A sterilization device, characterized in that: The method comprises an air circuit system, a sterilant source, a vaporizer and a sterilization cabinet as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; the first sub-pipeline, the sterilant source, and the second sub-pipeline are connected in series in sequence; the vaporizer and the sterilization cabinet are connected in series in sequence at an end of the third pipe away from the first pipe.

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