Sterilization method for extraoral suction system for dentistry, and extraoral suction system for dentistry

Abstract

To provide a sterilization method for an extraoral suction system for dentistry which improves a sterilization effect using ozone.SOLUTION: A sterilization method for an extraoral suction system for dentistry restricts ventilation between an air suction path (51) inside an arm (1) and an external space (Ve) by attaching an ozone generation device (7) not having an air suction port to a tip of the arm (1) in a suction system (ST) with the arm (1), restricts ventilation on the downstream side of the air suction path (51) by a ventilation resistor (61T), forms a space (Va) restricting ventilation with the outside between the ozone generation device (7) and the ventilation resistor (61T), and discharges ozone (G) from the ozone generation device (7) into a closed space (Va).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sterilization method for a dental extraoral suction system and a dental extraoral suction system. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology for sterilizing a dental extraoral suction system is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a method in which an ozone generator is detachably attached to the tip of a suction arm of a therapeutic vacuum device, which is a dental extraoral suction system, and ozone generated by the ozone generator is sucked into a suction hose in the suction arm to sterilize bacteria and the like.

[0003] As described in Patent Document 1 (paragraph 0003), known types of dental extraoral suction systems include an indoor installation type (standalone type) in which a vacuum device and a suction arm are integrated in a one-to-one relationship, and a centralized control type in which a vacuum device and multiple suction arms are connected in a one-to-multiple relationship, and Patent Document 2 describes the centralized control type. The centralized control type has a main pipe connected to the vacuum device, and multiple branch pipes branching off from the main pipe and connected to each of the multiple suction arms, and the multiple branch pipes are provided with valves for opening and closing each of the branch pipes.

[0004] Ozone generators having various configurations regarding air intake are known, and Patent Document 3 describes an ozone generator that has no air intake port on any surface of the housing other than the surface that releases ozone. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-174692 [Patent Document 2] JP 2006-55428 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2004-22195 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The ozone generator described in Patent Document 1 has a suction port, and with the ozone generator attached to the tip of an arm, the outside air communicates with the space inside a suction hose arranged inside the arm. As a result, when the vacuum device and the ozone generator attached to the tip of the arm are operated, outside air is sucked in through the suction port of the ozone generator and sucked into the suction hose together with ozone generated by the ozone generator.

[0007] The speed of the air sucked by the vacuum device is relatively high, and even if ozone is continuously supplied from the ozone generator, the time that the ozone remains in the suction hose is extremely short. Therefore, it is believed that there is room for improving the sterilization effect.

[0008] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sterilization method for a dental extraoral suction system and a dental extraoral suction system in which the sterilization effect by ozone is improved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises the following steps 1) to 3). 1) A dental extraoral suction system having an arm portion, an ozone generator having no intake port is attached to the tip of the arm portion to restrict ventilation between the intake passage in the arm portion and an external space, and ventilation on the downstream side of the intake passage is restricted by a ventilation resistor, thereby forming a space between the ozone generator and the ventilation resistor in which ventilation with the outside is restricted; The sterilization method in the dental extraoral suction system comprises discharging ozone from the ozone generator into the space. 2) A dental extraoral suction system including an arm portion, a suction machine for suctioning air, and an intake pipe connecting the arm portion and the suction machine, The intake pipe is configured to have a main pipe connected to the suction machine and a branch pipe connecting the arm section and the main pipe, and the air in the external space sucked from the tip of the arm section by the suction operation of the suction machine is discharged to the outside from the suction machine through the intake pipe, and a ventilation resistor is disposed in the suction machine to limit the ventilation between the main pipe and the outside, An ozone generator having no intake port is attached to the tip of the arm portion to restrict ventilation between the intake passage in the arm portion and the external space, and a space having restricted ventilation with the outside including the branch pipe and the main pipe is formed between the ozone generator and the ventilation resistor; This is a sterilization method for a dental extraoral suction system, in which ozone is released from the ozone generator into the space in which ventilation with the outside is restricted. 3) A dental extraoral suction system including a plurality of arms, a suction device for suctioning air, and an air intake line connecting the plurality of arms and the suction device, the intake pipe includes a main pipe connected to the suction machine, and a plurality of branch pipes each connecting the arm portion to the main pipe via an on-off valve; The suction operation of the suction machine is configured to suck air from the outside space through the tip of one of the multiple arm sections whose on-off valve is in an open state, and the sucked air is discharged to the outside from the suction machine through the intake pipe, and a ventilation resistor is disposed in the suction machine to limit the ventilation between the main pipe and the outside, Among the multiple arm sections, the on-off valve corresponding to a sterilization arm section that is to be sterilized is opened, and the on-off valve corresponding to a non-sterilization arm section that is not to be sterilized is closed, An ozone generator having no intake port is attached to the tip of the sterilization arm to restrict ventilation between the intake path in the sterilization arm and an external space, and a space having restricted ventilation with the outside is formed between the ozone generator and the ventilation resistor, the space including the main pipe and the branch pipe corresponding to the sterilization arm; The sterilization method in the dental extraoral suction system comprises discharging ozone from the ozone generator into the space. The present invention also has the following configuration 4). 4) a plurality of arm portions; A suction machine for sucking air; an intake pipe connecting the arm portions and the suction machine; A control device; Equipped with the intake pipe includes a main pipe connected to the suction machine and communicating with the outside, and branch pipes connecting the main pipe to the plurality of arm portions via respective on-off valves; The suction machine has an air flow resistor that restricts air flow between the main pipe and the outside, The control device controls the suction operation of the suction machine and the opening and closing operation of the on-off valve, a suction arm portion that is to be sucked out of the plurality of arm portions is opened, and then the suction machine is operated to suck in air from the tip of the suction arm portion, and the air is discharged from the suction machine to an external space via the intake pipe; The control device, in the sterilization operation, the on-off valve corresponding to the sterilization arm section that is the target of sterilization among the multiple arm sections is controlled to be in an open state, the on-off valve corresponding to the non-sterilization arm section that is not the target of sterilization is controlled to be in a closed state, and the suction operation is controlled to be in a stopped state; This is an extraoral suction system in which, when an ozone generator without an air intake is attached to the tip of the sterilization arm, a space with restricted ventilation to the outside is formed between the ozone generator and the ventilation resistor, including the main pipe and the branch pipe corresponding to the sterilization arm. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the sterilization effect of ozone is improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dental extraoral suction system ST of a first aspect for sterilization by a sterilization method in a dental extraoral suction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an arm portion 1 of the dental extraoral suction system ST of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the ozone generator 7 used in the sterilization method in the dental extraoral suction system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the arm portion 1 during treatment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the state of arm portion 1 during sterilization. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the distribution state of ozone immediately after the start of sterilization of the arm portion 1. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the distribution state of ozone after a certain time has elapsed since the start of sterilization. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the distribution state of ozone after a certain time has elapsed from the state shown in FIG. 5B. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the change in ozone concentration in the space Va over time. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a dental extraoral suction system ST. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the dental extraoral suction system STA of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the suction device 3A shown in FIG. 8 at the S9-S9 position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the distribution state of ozone after a certain time has elapsed since the start of sterilization in the arm part ST1 of the dental extraoral suction system STA. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the change in ozone concentration over time in the space VAa. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of the sterilization method in the dental extraoral suction system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a dental extraoral suction system STB of a third aspect for sterilization by a sterilization method in a dental extraoral suction system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a first sterilization method using the same. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the second sterilization method using the dental extraoral suction system STB. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a dental extraoral suction system STB. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a table showing combinations of sterilization modes in the dental extraoral suction system STB. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a table for explaining the operation of the dental extraoral suction system STB in each sterilization mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The sterilization method for the dental extraoral suction system of the present invention will be explained using a first embodiment of the dental extraoral suction system ST (hereinafter, suction system ST), a second embodiment of the dental extraoral suction system STA (hereinafter, suction system STA), and a third embodiment of the dental extraoral suction system STB (hereinafter, suction system STB).

[0013] (First aspect: suction system ST) First, the sterilization method of the suction system ST of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the dental extraoral suction system ST of the first embodiment, which is sterilized by the sterilization method in the dental extraoral suction system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the arm unit 1 of the dental extraoral suction system ST of the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a side view of the ozone generator 7 used in the sterilization method in the dental extraoral suction system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view explaining the state of the arm unit 1 during treatment. Fig. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view explaining the state of the arm unit 1 during sterilization. Fig. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view explaining the distribution state of ozone immediately after the start of sterilization of the arm unit 1. Fig. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the distribution state of ozone after a certain time has elapsed since the start of sterilization. Fig. 5C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the distribution state of ozone after a certain time has elapsed from the state shown in Fig. 5B. Fig. 6 is a graph showing the time change of the ozone concentration in the space Va. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a dental extraoral suction system ST.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the suction system ST is a centralized management type having multiple arm sections 1, and is equipped with multiple arm sections 1 (1A to 1C), a suction machine 3, an intake pipe 5 connecting the multiple arm sections 1A to 1C and the suction machine 3 as a gas flow path, and a control device 9. The intake pipe 5 has a main pipe 54 and a plurality of branch pipes 53 (53A-53C) that connect the main pipe 54 to suction hoses 51 (51A-51C) that serve as intake passages and are passed through the inside of each arm portion 1. An on-off valve 6 that opens and closes the flow path is provided at the end of the suction hose 51 that connects to the branch pipe 53. The on-off valve 6 operates electromagnetically. The on-off valve 6 may be located anywhere in the branch pipe 53 as long as it can open and close the flow path of the suction hose 51. That is, the branch pipe 53 connects the arm portion 1 and the main pipe 54 via the on-off valve 6.

[0015] The suction machine 3 has a suction pump 31. When the air intake port 15a (see FIG. 2) at the tip of the arm of the arm unit 1 is not blocked, the suction pump 31 operates to suck in outside air from the air intake port 15a via the air intake pipe 5 and a suction hose 51 passing through the inside of the arm unit 1.

[0016] 7, the control device 9 includes a CPU 91 which is a central processing unit, a storage unit 92, and a timer unit 93. Output signals from the mounting sensor 19 and the concentration measuring device 62 are input to the control device 9. The control device 9 controls the suction operation of the suction pump 31 and the opening and closing operation of the on-off valve 6. The suction system ST also includes an output device 82 which outputs information by sound, image, or the like, and the control device 9 outputs information such as the operating status of the suction system ST from the output device 82 by image, sound, or the like.

[0017] Next, the details of the arm unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The arm unit 1 has a base 10a and a plurality of arms, which are, from the base side, a first arm unit 10, a second arm unit 11, a third arm unit 12, a fourth arm unit 13, a fifth arm unit 14, and a distal arm unit 15. Each arm unit is connected to be rotatable with a predetermined torque or more via a first joint 21 to a fifth joint 25, respectively. This allows the distal arm unit 15 of the arm unit 1 to be oriented in any direction by the force of the user's hand. The branch pipe 53 is connected to an opening / closing valve 6 arranged on one end side of the suction hose 51. The suction hose 51 is passed through the inside of the arm unit 1, and the other end side opens as an intake port 15a at the distal end of the distal arm unit 15.

[0018] The fourth arm section 13 has a main body switch 18. The main body switch 18 is a non-contact type, and the user can turn the operation of the suction device 3 ON / OFF by holding his / her hand over the main body switch 18. The distal arm section 15 is provided with a handle 17, and the user can more easily change the position of the arm by gripping and moving the handle 17. In addition, either a hood 81 or an ozone generator 7 can be selectively and detachably attached to the distal end of the distal arm section 15. In addition, an attachment sensor 19 is provided to the distal end of the distal arm section 15. The attachment sensor 19 detects whether the ozone generator 7 is attached to the distal end of the distal arm section 15, and sends the detection result to the control device 9.

[0019] When performing suction operation for dental treatment, the hood 81 is attached to the distal arm 15 or nothing is attached. In either state, the air intake 15a is open and air can be taken in. The control device 9 controls the suction mode with the air intake 15a open. On the other hand, when the ozone generator 7 is attached to the distal arm 15, as described later, the ozone generator 7 does not have a suction port, so the air intake 15a is blocked and suction operation in dental treatment cannot be performed. With the air intake 15a blocked, the control device 9 controls the sterilization mode.

[0020] 3, the ozone generator 7 includes a housing 71, an engagement portion 72, an outlet 73, and an ozone generating unit 74. The ozone generator 7 may be substantially the same as the ozone generator described in Patent Document 1, except that it does not have an intake port. The ozone generating unit 74 generates ozone by a known method.

[0021] The housing 71 of the ozone generator 7 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and has a power button 711 on its side. The engagement portion 72 is a portion that protrudes in a cylindrical shape from a surface 71a, which is one end surface of the housing 71, and is adapted to enter and engage with the tip portion of the tip arm portion 15. The discharge port 73 is the other end portion of a tube whose one end is connected to an ozone generator 74. When the ozone generator 7 is operated by operating the power button 711, the ozone generator 74 generates ozone in a well-known manner and discharges the generated ozone G from the discharge port 73 into the external space. That is, when a user operates the power button 711 to operate the ozone generator 74, the ozone G is discharged from the discharge port 73 into the external space.

[0022] FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the suction path for one arm unit 1 of the suction system ST, showing the state of the suction mode. That is, the state in which the hood 81 is attached to the tip of the arm unit 1 and the outside air can be sucked is shown. Specifically, the suction hose 51 has an on-off valve 6 attached to the end, and a branch pipe 53 is connected to the on-off valve 6. The branch pipe 53 is connected to a main pipe 54, and the main pipe is connected to the suction machine 3. Thereby, when the suction machine 3 operates, the valve body 61 of the on-off valve 6 opens in conjunction with the suction as described later, and the outside air AR is sucked from the external space Ve and flows through the suction hose 51, the on-off valve 6, the branch pipe 53, and the main pipe 54 to the suction machine 3. The outside air AR that flows into the suction machine 3 passes through a dust removal filter or the like provided inside and is discharged to the outside (external space or exhaust processing device, etc.). In this example, a concentration measuring device 62 is arranged on the immediate upstream side (hereinafter also referred to as the primary side) of the on-off valve 6. In addition, an attachment sensor 19 is disposed at the tip of the arm portion 1. As shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 7, outputs of the concentration measuring device 62 and the attachment sensor 19 are input to the control device 9. The control device 9 controls the operation of the aspirator 3.

[0023] The schematic cross-sectional view of Fig. 4B shows a sterilization mode in which the valve body 61 of the on-off valve 6 is closed, the hood 81 is removed, and the ozone generator 7 is attached, from the state shown in Fig. 4A. In this state, the base side of the suction hose 51 is almost closed by the valve body 61, and the tip side is substantially blocked by the ozone generator 7 from communicating with the external space Ve, so that a space Va in which communication with the outside is restricted is formed between the ozone generator 7 and the valve body 61. When the ozone generator 7 is operated, ozone G is released into this space Va. When the valve body 61 is closed, it becomes an air flow resistor 61T that restricts communication between the space Va in the suction hose 51 and the branch pipe 53. The ozone generator 7 does not have an intake port that opens to the external space, and when the ozone generator 7 is attached to the tip of the arm portion 1, even if the valve body 61 is opened and the suction machine 3 is operated, it is substantially difficult to draw in air from the external space Ve, although there may be a small amount of air leaking in and out through small gaps between components.

[0024] In the suction system ST, even if the suction machine 3 operates with one arm 1A among the multiple arm units 1A-1C in the sterilization mode and the other arm units 1B and 1C in the suction mode for treatment, the opening / closing valve 6 of the arm unit 1A is in the closed state, so that the intake air of the arm units 1B and 1C flows only through the main pipe 54. Therefore, there is no effect on the airtightness of the space Va in which ventilation with the outside air in the sterilization mode shown in Fig. 4B is restricted. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the arm units 1A and 1B are in the sterilization mode with the ozone generator 7 attached, and the arm unit 1C is in the suction mode with the hood 81 attached.

[0025] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams showing how ozone G diffuses in the space Va when sterilization is started by operating the ozone generator 7 in the state shown in FIG. 4B. Immediately after the start of sterilization, as shown in Fig. 5A, in the space Va, the concentration of ozone G is high near the outlet 73, and the concentration decreases the further away from the outlet 73, and almost no ozone G reaches the vicinity of the on-off valve 6. When a certain time has passed since the start of sterilization and the operation of the ozone generator 7 has been continued, as shown in Fig. 5B, in the space Va, ozone G reaches the vicinity of the on-off valve 6 in the space Va, but the concentration gradually decreases the further away from the outlet 73. When a certain time has passed with the operation of the ozone generator 7 continued from the state shown in Fig. 5B, the difference in concentration distribution in the space Va decreases, and the overall ozone concentration in the space Va increases, as shown in Fig. 5C.

[0026] Thus, according to the first aspect of the sterilization method of the present invention, the space Va to be sterilized in the suction hose 51 is substantially a closed space between the ozone generator 7 and the ventilation resistor 61T which is the closed valve body 61, and the concentration of ozone G in the space Va can be increased with less difference in distribution by releasing ozone G into the space Va for a certain period of time. Therefore, the opportunity and time for the part in contact with the space Va (for example, the inner surface of the suction hose 51) to come into contact with ozone G increases, improving the sterilization effect.

[0027] FIG. 6 shows the results of measuring the change in ozone concentration in space Va during sterilization operation using concentration meter 62 and other instruments. Concentration meter 62 measures the ozone concentration in space Va at the position farthest from the discharge port 73 of ozone generator 7, i.e., the position upstream of and close to on-off valve 6. The measurement results of concentration meter 62 are shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 also shows by the solid line the results of simultaneous measurement under the same conditions using the same measuring instrument as concentration meter 62 at a position near the discharge port 73 of ozone generator 7. The measurement was performed in sterilization mode, with the operation start time of ozone generator 7 set to time 0 (zero), and the operation of ozone generator 7 stopped after 30 minutes and continued in this state for up to 60 minutes. The ozone concentration was measured using a concentration measuring device 62 consisting of a gas extractor AP-20 manufactured by Komyo Rikagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. and ozone detection tubes Model No. 182SB and Model No. 182U.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, when the ozone generator 7 starts to operate, the ozone concentration increases and reaches an almost equilibrium state after 5 minutes. The equilibrium concentration is about 25 ppm near the outlet 73 and about 18 ppm near the on-off valve 6. When the operation is stopped after 30 minutes, the ozone concentration gradually decreases, and after 45 minutes, a slight concentration (0.7 ppm) remains at one of the measurement points, that is, near the outlet 73, and after 60 minutes, it becomes 0 (zero) at both measurement points. This makes it clear that by operating the ozone generator 7 for only a first time and then maintaining it in that state for a second time after stopping, the remaining ozone concentration can be effectively utilized to obtain a good sterilization effect. 6, the first time period is set to 30 minutes, and the second time period for maintaining the same state after the operation of the ozone generator 7 is stopped is set to at least 30 minutes from the start of the operation of the ozone generator 7 until 60 minutes have elapsed, and during the second time period, the ozone generator 7 is not removed from the arm portion 1, and the valve body 61 is maintained in a closed state. Note that the reason why the concentration 30 minutes after the operation is stopped is lower than the concentration in the equilibrium state is presumably because, according to the specifications of the measuring device, it takes several minutes from sample collection to obtaining the results, and the sample collection in this measurement experiment was performed after the operation of the ozone generator 7 was stopped, so that a certain amount of ozone decomposition proceeded.

[0029] (Second embodiment: suction system STA) Next, the suction system STA of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 10. Fig. 8 is an external perspective view of the dental extraoral suction system STA of the second embodiment. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view at the S9-S9 position of the suction machine 3A shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view explaining the distribution state of ozone after a certain time has elapsed since the start of sterilization in the arm part ST1 of the dental extraoral suction system STA.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 8, the suction system STA is a standalone type including a suction machine 3A and an arm unit ST1 connected to the upper part of the suction machine 3A. The arm unit ST1 includes a plurality of arms rotatably connected by a joint structure generally similar to that of the arm unit 1 of the suction system ST, and has a distal arm unit 15A corresponding to the distal arm unit 15 of the arm unit 1. The distal arm unit 15A can be oriented in any direction by manually moving the arm unit ST1.

[0031] The ozone generator 7 is detachably attached to the tip of the tip arm 15A. The tip arm 15A is provided with an attachment sensor 19A that detects whether the ozone generator 7 is attached. A suction hose 51SA is passed through the inside of the arm ST1, with one end opening to the external space Ve at the tip of the tip arm 15A and the other end connected to the first flow path 3A7 inside the suction machine 3A.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 9, the aspirator 3A has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 3A2 that is elongated vertically. Inside the housing 3A2, a first flow path 3A7 on the inside and a second flow path 3A8 on the outside of the first flow path 3A7 are formed as flow paths through which intake air from the arm portion ST1 flows. The lower part of the first flow path 3A7 communicates with the lower part of the second flow path 3A8, and the upper part of the second flow path 3A8 communicates with the outside air. In addition, a control device 9A is disposed inside the housing 3A2.

[0033] The first flow path 3A7 accommodates and arranges the dust filter 3A3, the back filter 3A4, the fan 3A1, and the HEPA filter 3A5 from the upper side. The suction hose 51SA is connected to the upper end of the first flow path 3A7. In this configuration, when the fan 3A1 operates, a downward airflow is generated, and outside air is sucked into the suction hose 51SA from the distal arm portion 15A. This sucked intake air passes through the dust filter 3A3, the back filter 3A4, and the HEPA filter 3A5 in this order, and dust and the like in the airflow are removed. The intake air that has passed through the HEPA filter 3A5 enters the second flow path 3A8, rises, and is discharged from the upper part of the housing 3A2 to the external space Ve.

[0034] The dust filter 3A3 is a filter that does not allow relatively large dust particles to pass through. The back filter 3A4 has finer mesh than the dust filter 3A3 and prevents fine dust that has passed through the dust filter 3A3 from passing through the back filter 3A4. The back filter 3A4 is a filter that can collect 90% or more of dust particles of 0.3 μm or more. The HEPA filter 3A5 is a filter having an ultra-fine mesh, and prevents the passage of fine dust particles that have passed through the back filter 3A4. The HEPA filter 3A5 is a filter that can collect 99.97% or more of dust particles of 0.3 μm or more.

[0035] A concentration measuring device 3A6 is disposed in the first flow path 3A7 for measuring the ozone concentration of the gas that has passed through the dust receiving filter 3A3 and is immediately before flowing into the back filter 3A4.

[0036] The configuration of the suction system STA is shown by the parenthesized symbols in the block diagram of Fig. 7. That is, the control device 9A has a CPU 91A, a storage unit 92A, and a timer unit 93A. Signals from the mounting sensor 19A and the concentration measuring device 3A6 are input to the control device 9A. The control device 9A controls the operation of the fan 3A1. The suction system STA is equipped with an output device 82A (see Fig. 8) that outputs information in the form of sound or images, and information such as the operating status of the suction system ST is output from the output device 82A in the form of images or sound by the control device 9A.

[0037] In the suction system STA having the above-mentioned configuration, the sterilization mode state with the ozone generator 7 attached to the tip of the tip arm 15A is shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 10. In this state, the dust filter 3A3, the back filter 3A4, and the HEPA filter 3A5 are arranged on the base side of the suction hose 51SA. Among them, the dust filter 3A3 and the back filter 3A4 are arranged upstream of the fan 3A1, and form a ventilation resistor group 3ATG. In this state, the tip side of the suction hose 51SA is blocked from ventilation with the outside air by the ozone generator 7, and the base side has a large ventilation resistance due to the ventilation resistor group 3ATG. The ozone generator 7, the suction hose 51SA, and the ventilation resistor group 3ATG form a space VAa that is considered to be a substantially closed space.

[0038] In this state, the ozone generator 7 was operated for a predetermined time as an experiment, and the change in ozone concentration was measured on the immediate primary side (the ozone generator 7 side) and secondary side (the opposite side of the ozone generator 7) for each of the dust receiving filter 3A3, the back filter 3A4, and the HEPA filter 3A5. As a result, it was found that a significant difference in ozone concentration occurred between the primary side and the secondary side of the back filter 3A4, and it was made clear that the back filter 3A4 was essentially a ventilation resistor 3AT corresponding to the valve body 61 in the closed state in the suction system ST of the first embodiment. That is, as shown in Fig. 10, the space between the back filter 3A4 and the ozone generator 7 (range La in Fig. 10) is regarded as a space VAa in a substantially closed state. Therefore, when the ozone generator 7 is operated for a certain period of time, as shown in FIG. 10, the ozone concentration in the space VAa increases, and the ozone concentration in the space VAb downstream of the back filter 3A4 (the opposite side of the ozone generator 7) becomes low, making it clear that sterilization of the space VAa can be effectively performed.

[0039] FIG. 11 shows the results of measuring the change in ozone concentration over time in the space VAa during the sterilization operation using the concentration measuring device 3A6 and other devices. The concentration measuring device 3A6 measures the ozone concentration in the space VAa at a position upstream and close to the back filter 3A4, which is the furthest from the discharge port 73 of the ozone generator 7 (see FIG. 10). The measurement results of the concentration measuring device 3A6 are shown by the dashed line in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 also shows the results of simultaneous measurements using the same measuring device as the concentration measuring device 3A6 at a position near the discharge port 73 and in the space VAb downstream of the back filter 3A4, respectively, by the solid line and the thick solid line. The measurements were performed in the sterilization mode, with the operation start time of the ozone generator 7 set to time 0 (zero), the operation of the ozone generator 7 stopped after 30 minutes, and the same state was maintained until 60 minutes had passed since the start of operation. The ozone concentration measuring device was the same as that used to measure the data in FIG. 6.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 11, as in the first embodiment, when the ozone generator 7 starts to operate, the ozone concentration rises and reaches an almost equilibrium state after 5 minutes. The equilibrium concentration is about 28 ppm near the outlet 73 and about 12 ppm upstream of the back filter 3A4. When the operation is stopped after 30 minutes, the ozone concentration gradually decreases, and at 45 minutes, a slight concentration (0.25 ppm) remains at one of the measurement points, the upstream side of the back filter 3A4, and at 60 minutes, it becomes 0 (zero) at both of the two measurement points. Also, at the downstream side of the back filter 3A4, the concentration is 0 (zero) ppm from 0 to 60 minutes. In this way, after the operation of the ozone generator 7 is stopped, the ozone concentration decreases, but does not immediately become 0 (zero), but gradually decreases, and gradually decreases until it becomes 0 (zero) 60 minutes after the operation starts. As a result, it has become clear that not only in the centralized management type but also in the standalone type suction system STA, the ozone generator 7 is operated for the first time t1, and after it is stopped, the ozone generator 7 is maintained in the same state for a second time t2, and a good sterilization effect can be obtained. In the example of the suction system STA in which the first time is 30 minutes as shown in FIG. 11, the second time for maintaining the same state after the operation of the ozone generator 7 is stopped is at least 30 minutes until 60 minutes have passed since the operation start time, and the ozone generator 7 is maintained in the state without being removed during the second time.

[0041] In Fig. 11, the ozone concentration in the space VAb on the secondary side of the back filter 3A4 is also measured and shown. As is clear from Fig. 11, the ozone concentration in the space VAb is 0 (zero) for the measurement time of 60 minutes, and it is clear that there is substantially no leakage of ozone from the space VAa to the space VAb, and there is no effect on sterilization in the space VAa. This result is presumably due to the fact that although the back filter 3A4 itself has breathability, ozone G is adsorbed by the back filter 3A4 and there is substantially no ozone passing through.

[0042] An example of the procedure of the sterilization operation when the suction system ST is installed in a dental clinic is shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flow diagram showing the procedure of one aspect of the sterilization method in the dental extraoral suction system according to the embodiment of the present invention. This example is the procedure in the suction system ST of the first aspect.

[0043] First, when the treatment is finished, the user performs an operation to end the operation of the corresponding arm portion 1. In response to this operation, the control device 9 stops the operation of the suction device 3 and closes the on-off valve 6 (S1). The control device 9 determines whether or not the ozone generator 7 is attached to the tip of the arm portion 1 based on a signal from the attachment sensor 19 (S2). If not (No), the determination (S2) is repeated.

[0044] The user attaches the ozone generator 7 to the tip of the arm unit 1 and turns on the operation of the ozone generator 7. By attaching the ozone generator 7, a signal indicating "attached" is input from the attachment sensor 19 to the control device 9. The control device 9 then determines that the determination in (S2) is Yes and transitions to the sterilization mode (S3). In addition, the timer unit 93 starts measuring the elapsed time (S4).

[0045] The memory unit 92 stores a time t1, which is a first time set in advance, and the timer unit 93 monitors and judges whether the time t1 stored in the memory unit 92 has elapsed (S5). If not (No), the judgment is continued. If it becomes Yes (Yes), a notice that the time t1 has elapsed is output from the output device 82 (S6). The time t1 is specifically a time set as a predetermined operation time of the ozone generator 7, and the notice output from the output device 82 is an operation stop notice for prompting the user to stop the operation of the ozone generator 7. The operation stop notice is output for a certain period of time, for example. The user receives the operation stop notice and stops the operation of the ozone generator 7. On the other hand, after the timer unit 93 of the control device 9 outputs the operation stop notice for the certain period of time, it resets the monitoring of the time passage and restarts it from 0 (zero) again (S7).

[0046] The memory unit 92 stores a second time t2 that is a preset time, and the timer unit 93 monitors and judges whether the time t2 stored in the memory unit 92 has elapsed (S8). If not (No), the judgment is continued. When the result is Yes (Yes), the timer unit 93 outputs a notice from the output device 82 that the second time (time t2) has elapsed (S83). The time t2 is specifically a predetermined time (second time) during which the ozone generator 7 is maintained in the same state after the operation of the ozone generator 7 is stopped, and the notice output from the output device 82 is a removal notice for encouraging the user to remove the ozone generator 7 from the arm unit 1. The removal notice is output for a certain period of time, for example. The user receives the operation stop notice and removes the ozone generator 7 from the arm unit 1.

[0047] When the control device 9 starts outputting the removal notification, it monitors the signal from the mounting sensor 19 and judges whether the device is not mounted or not (S85). If the device is mounted (No), the judgment is continued. If the device is not mounted (Yes), the sterilization mode is cancelled (S9) and the sterilization operation is ended.

[0048] The time t1 and the time t2 are preferably set based on the results of Fig. 6 and Fig. 11. That is, the time t1 is preferably set to be equal to or longer than the time from the start of sterilization until the ozone concentration at the portion farthest from the ozone generator 7 in the spaces Va and VAa reaches a predetermined concentration. Here, the predetermined concentration is generally an ozone concentration in the air required for effective sterilization by ozone, or a concentration preset as an ozone concentration capable of effectively sterilizing the intake passages 51 and 51SA of the arm parts 1 and ST1. The time t2 may be set according to the attenuation characteristics of the ozone concentration in the spaces Va and VAa after the release of ozone G from the ozone generator 7 is stopped. The time t1 and the time t2 may also be set based on the CT value, which is known as an index of sterilization by ozone.

[0049] As described above in detail, the two aspects of the sterilization method in the dental extraoral suction system of the present invention are a method in which the ventilation between the intake passage 51, 51SA in the arm portion 1, 1A and the external space Ve is restricted by the ozone generator 7, and the ventilation on the downstream side of the intake passage 51, 51SA is restricted by the ventilation resistor 61T, 3AT. This forms a space Va, VAa inside the intake passage that is substantially closed or has limited ventilation with the outside between the ozone generator 7 and the ventilation resistor 3AT, 61T, and releases ozone from the ozone generator 7 into the space Va, VAa.

[0050] As a result, ozone remains in the spaces Va and VAa, and the ozone concentration in the spaces Va and VAa can be controlled according to the operating time of the ozone generator 7, so that sterilization can be performed at an ozone concentration according to the target to be sterilized. Also, optimal and efficient sterilization can be performed during times when there is no patient and suction operation is not performed, and after the end of clinic hours. In addition, in the case of the centralized management type, sterilization can be performed independently for each of the multiple arm units 1, so that sterilization can be performed for arm units 1 that are not performing treatment during clinic hours at the dental clinic, regardless of whether the other arm units 1 are operating, improving the sterilization efficiency of the suction system ST as a whole.

[0051] (Third aspect: Suction system STB) Next, a dental extraoral suction system STB (hereinafter, suction system STB) according to a third embodiment of the dental extraoral suction system of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 17. Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the suction system STB of the third embodiment and a first sterilization method performed by the same. Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining a second sterilization method performed by the suction system STB. Fig. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the suction system STB. Fig. 16 is a table showing combinations of sterilization modes in the suction system STB. Fig. 17 is a table for explaining the operation of the suction system STB in each sterilization mode. In Figs. 13 and 14, each member is shown in a simplified schematic manner.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 13, the suction system STB is a centralized management type and has a configuration basically similar to that of the suction system ST. That is, the suction system STB includes a plurality of (two in this example) arm units 8 (8A, 8B), a suction machine 3B, an intake pipe 5B connecting each of the arm units 8A, 8B to the suction machine 3B as a gas flow path, and a control device 9B. The arm unit 8 is installed inside the treatment room RM, the suction machine 3B is installed outside the treatment room RM, and the intake pipe 5B is installed under the floor of the treatment room RM as a pipe connecting the arm unit 8 to the suction machine 3B.

[0053] The intake pipe 5B has a main pipe 54B and branch pipes 53B (53BA, 53BB) that connect the main pipe 54B to suction hoses 85A, 85B that serve as intake passages passed through the insides of the respective arm portions 8. An on-off valve 6A that opens and closes the flow passage is provided at the end of the suction hose 85A that connects to the branch pipe 53BA. Similarly, an on-off valve 6B that opens and closes the flow passage is provided at the end of the suction hose 85B that connects to the branch pipe 53BB. The on-off valves 6A, 6B are electromagnetically opened and closed under the control of the control device 9B. The on-off valves 6A, 6B may be provided in the middle of the branch pipes 53BA, 53BB as long as they can open and close the flow passages of the suction hoses 85A, 85B. That is, the branch pipes 53BA, 53BB connect the arm portions 8A, 8B to the main pipe 54B via the on-off valves 6A, 6B.

[0054] The suction unit 3B has a similar configuration to the suction unit 3A shown in Fig. 9. That is, the suction unit 3B has a fan 3B1 and a ventilation resistor 3B3. The fan 3B1 corresponds to the fan 3A1 in the suction unit 3A, and the ventilation resistor 3B3 includes a back filter and has the same function as the ventilation resistor 3AT.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 13, the downstream end of the main pipe 54B in the intake pipe 5B is connected to the suction machine 3B, and the gas in the main pipe 54B passes through the ventilation resistor 3B3 by the operation of the fan 3B1 and is discharged to the outside (external space or exhaust processing device, etc.). Dust and other particles contained in the gas are removed by adsorption or the like in the ventilation resistor 3B3. A concentration meter 3B6 is disposed immediately adjacent to the upstream side (arm unit 8 side) of the ventilation resistor 3B3. The concentration meter 3B6 constantly measures the ozone concentration and outputs the result to the control device 9B (see Fig. 15).

[0056] In this example, the control device 9B is disposed in the aspirator 3B. As shown in Fig. 15, the control device 9B includes a central processing unit (CPU) 91B, a storage unit 92B, and a timer unit 93B. The control device 9B receives output signals from the main body switch 18A and the mounting sensor 89A of the arm unit 8A, and output signals from the main body switch 18B and the mounting sensor 89B of the arm unit 8B. In addition, the control device 9B receives an output signal from a concentration measuring device 3B6 disposed near the upstream side of the ventilation resistor 3B3 of the aspirator 3B.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 13, an input / output device 94B is installed on an inner wall of a treatment room RM. The input / output device 94B has an input section where a user can input operation instructions, and an output section that outputs images or sounds. An operation instruction signal is input from the input / output device 94B to the control device 9B, and the control device 9B causes the input / output device 94B to output the operation state of the suction system STB, etc.

[0058] The control device 9B controls the operation of the fan 3B1, the on-off valve 6A corresponding to the arm portion 8A, and the on-off valve 6B corresponding to the arm portion 8B. The on-off valves 6A and 6B have valve bodies 61A and 61B therein, respectively, and the flow path is opened and closed by rotating the valve bodies 61A and 61B with a solenoid or the like.

[0059] In the suction system STB, the control device 9B can independently perform operation in the suction mode in which the arm sections 8 (8A, 8B) are used for treatment on each of the arm sections 8, and can also perform sterilization operations in the first sterilization mode and the second sterilization mode described below on each of the arm sections 8.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 16, a sterilization mode and a non-sterilization mode (suction mode) are set for each arm section 8, and the control device 9B can select from four operation patterns. Of these four operation patterns, the first sterilization mode is mode MAB in which both arm sections 8A, 8B are in the sterilization mode. The second sterilization mode is mode MA or mode MB in which either one of the arm sections 8A, 8B is in the sterilization mode. Mode MN is a mode in which sterilization is not performed and both arm sections 8A, 8B are in the suction mode.

[0061] (First sterilization mode [Mode MAB]: see Figure 13) Mode MAB is a mode in which the arm portion 8A, the arm portion 8B, and the intake pipe 5B are sterilized simultaneously. As described above, the ventilation resistor 3B3 including the back filter exerts the same function as the ventilation resistor 3AT of the second embodiment. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the ozone generator 7 (7A, 7B) is attached to the tip of the arm portion 8A and the arm portion 8B, the on-off valves 6A, 6B are opened, and the fan 3B1 is stopped. As a result, the space from the tip portion of the suction hose 85A, 85B that is substantially blocked by the ozone generator 7, through the on-off valves 6A, 6B, through the branch pipes 53BA, 53BB, to the ventilation resistor 3B3 that is the end of the main pipe 54B is regarded as a substantially closed space VBab even if there is a slight ventilation with the outside space. Therefore, when at least one of the installed ozone generators 7A and 7B is operated for a certain period of time, the ozone concentration in the space VBab increases, similar to the result in Fig. 10, and the space VBab can be effectively sterilized. In Fig. 13, ozone G is indicated by dots.

[0062] The control of mode MAB by the control device 9B is as follows: When the control device 9B receives an operation command from the input / output device 94B to execute mode MAB, it stops the fan 3B1, opens the on-off valves 6A and 6B, and monitors the input signals from the attachment sensors 89A and 89B. After the user attaches the ozone generators 7 to the tips of the arms 8A and 8B, the user turns on the power button 711 (see FIG. 3).

[0063] When the control device 9B receives signals from both of the mounting sensors 89A and 89B indicating that the ozone generator 7 has been mounted, the control device 9B starts the time lapse with the timer unit 93B. Thereafter, the operation procedures are the same as those of the first and second aspects, and a notification is output when a first time (time t1) has elapsed, and then a notification is output when a second time (time t2) has elapsed.

[0064] (Second sterilization mode [Mode MA]: See Figure 13) The second sterilization mode includes mode MA and mode MB, as shown in Fig. 16. Here, mode MA in which arm section 8A is in the sterilization mode and arm section 8B is in the suction mode for the suction target will be described with reference to Fig. 14.

[0065] Mode MA is a mode in which the arm portion 8B is not sterilized as a non-sterilization arm portion (suction arm portion), and the arm portion 8A and the intake pipe 5B are sterilized simultaneously as a sterilization arm portion. Specifically, the ozone generator 7 (7A) is attached to the tip of the arm portion 8A, the on-off valve 6A is opened, the on-off valve 6B is closed, and the fan 3B1 is stopped. As a result, the space from the tip portion of the suction hose 85A through the on-off valve 6A to the main pipe 54B via the branch pipe 53BA, the space in the branch pipe 53B between the on-off valve 6B and the main pipe 54B, and the space in the main pipe 54B whose end is the ventilation resistor 3B3 become the space VBa in which ventilation with the outside is restricted. Therefore, when the ozone generator 7 attached to the arm portion 8A is operated for a certain period of time, the ozone concentration in the space VBa increases, similar to the result of FIG. 10, and the space VBa can be effectively sterilized. In FIG. 14, the ozone G is indicated by dots.

[0066] The control of mode MA by the control device 9B is as follows: When the control device 9B receives an operational instruction from the input / output device 94B to execute mode MA, it stops the fan 3B1, opens the on-off valve 6A, closes the on-off valve 6B, and monitors the input signal from the attachment sensor 89A. After the user attaches the ozone generator 7 to the tip of the arm portion 8A, the user turns on the power button 711 (see FIG. 3).

[0067] When the control device 9B receives a signal from the mounting sensor 89A indicating that the ozone generator 7 has been mounted, the control device 9B starts the time lapse with the timer unit 93B. Thereafter, the operation procedures are the same as those of the first and second aspects, and a notification is output when a first time (time t1) has elapsed, and then a notification is output when a second time (time t2) has elapsed.

[0068] The control device 9B switches between receiving and not receiving an input signal as shown in FIG. 17 depending on the mode instructed from the input / output device 94B for the four modes (mode MAB, mode MA, mode MB, mode MN) shown in FIG. 16. Specifically, signals coming from main body switches 18A, 18B, mounting sensors 89A, 89B, and concentration measuring device 3B6 are switched between being received (◯) and not being received (×) for each of the four modes.

[0069] For example, when execution of mode MA is instructed, signals from the attachment sensor 89A and concentration measuring device 3B6 are received, but other signals are not received. When mode MN is instructed, signals from the main body switches 18A and 18B are received, but other signals are not received. This simplifies the program and prevents malfunctions as the control device 9B does not perform unnecessary judgment operations in the instructed mode.

[0070] According to the suction system STB of the third aspect described above, in a centralized management type in which the arm unit 8 and the suction machine are located at separate locations, it is possible to simultaneously sterilize not only the arm unit 8 but also the arm unit 8 and the intake pipe 5B that is usually laid under the floor. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently and highly efficiently perform sanitary management and maintenance of the suction system STB.

[0071] The above-mentioned suction system STB has been described as having two arm units 8A, 8B, but the number of arm units 8 may be three or more. In this case, among the three or more arm units 8, any number of arm units 8 that are not to be sterilized can be set. This allows maintenance work such as disassembly and cleaning to be performed on the arm units 8 that are not to be sterilized during the sterilization operation of the arm units 8 that are to be sterilized. This improves the efficiency of maintenance, including sterilization.

[0072] The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configurations and procedures, and may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0073] The configurations of the centralized management type suction system ST of the first embodiment and the suction system STB of the third embodiment may be freely combined. For example, the concentration measuring device 62 in the suction system ST may be provided in the suction system STB. The location of the control device 9B in the suction system STB may be outside the aspirator 3B.

[0074] The user may determine the passage of time t1 and time t2 without providing the mounting sensor 19, 19A, 19B and the timer unit 93, 93A, 93B. The concentration measuring device 62, 3A6, 3B6 may be attached when obtaining data for setting the time t1 and time t2, and may not be mounted on the actual machine. Also, the concentration measuring device 62, 3A6, 3B6 may be attached to the actual machine, and the control device 9, 9A, 9B may set the time t1 and time t2 based on the ozone concentration measured in real time as the ozone generator 7 operates.

[0075] The ozone generator 7 does not have to be directly attached to the distal arm portion 15, 15A, 15B, and may be attached via a flexible hose. For example, the ozone generator 7 may be placed on a desk or the like, and one end of a flexible hose may be connected to the outlet of the ozone generator 7 and the other end may be attached to the distal end of the distal arm portion 15.

[0076] The ozone generator 7 does not have an air vent opening into the external space Ve when attached to the tip of the arm unit 1, but may have an intake port opening into the internal space Va of the arm unit 1. In other words, the ozone generator 7 does not have an intake port on any surface of the housing 71 other than the surface 71a having the outlet 73 that releases ozone.

[0077] The ventilation resistors 61T, 3AT, 3B3 do not need to completely block ventilation, but may limit ventilation with the outside. In particular, as long as they can limit the passage of ozone G and increase the concentration of ozone G in the spaces Va, VAa, VBab to be higher than the space downstream of the ventilation resistors 61T, 3AT, 3B3 (the exhaust side in the intake mode), they may allow ventilation that allows a certain amount of ozone G to pass through.

[0078] A substance that has a disinfecting effect and floats and diffuses in the air may be used as an alternative to ozone G. In this case, too, it is expected that a disinfecting effect similar to that of ozone G can be obtained based on the technical idea of ​​the present invention that a space with limited ventilation to the outside is formed and a floating and diffusing substance having a disinfecting effect is released into the space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1, 1A~1C, ST1 Arm section 10a Pedestal 10 First arm section 11 Second arm section 12 Third arm section 13 4th Arm Section 14 5th Arm Section 15,15A End arm section 15a Air intake 17 Handle 18, 18A, 18B Main unit switch 19, 19A, 19B Mounted sensor 21 First joint 22 Second joint 23 Third joint 24 Fourth joint 25 5th joint 3,3A,3B Suction machine 31 Suction pump 3A1,3B1 Fan 3A2 case 3A3 Dust Filter 3A4 Back Filter 3A5 HEPA filter 3A6,3B6 Concentration measuring device 3A7 First flow path 3A8 Second flow path 3AT, 3B3 Ventilation resistor 3ATG Ventilation resistor group 5,5B Intake pipe 51,51SA Suction hose (intake passage) 53, 53A, 53B, 53C, 53BA, 53BB Branch pipe 54,54B Main 6,6A,6B On-off valve 61, 61A, 61B Valve body 61T Ventilation resistor 62 Concentration measuring device 7,7A,7B Ozone Generator 71 Case 71a side 711 Power button 72 Engagement part 73 Outlet 74 Ozone Generator 81 Food 82,82A Output device 8,8A,8B Arm section 85A, 85B Suction hose 89A, 89B Mounting sensor 9, 9A, 9B Control device 91, 91A, 91B CPU (Central Processing Unit) 92,92A,92B Storage section 93, 93A, 93B Timer section 94B I / O device AR Outside Air G. Ozone La range MAB, MA, MB, MN modes RM treatment room ST, STA, STB Dental extraoral suction system (suction system) t1,t2 time Va, VAa, VAb, VBab, VBa space Ve external space

Claims

1. A dental extraoral suction system having an arm portion, an ozone generator having no intake port is attached to the tip of the arm portion to restrict ventilation between the intake passage in the arm portion and an external space, and ventilation on the downstream side of the intake passage is restricted by a ventilation resistor, thereby forming a space between the ozone generator and the ventilation resistor in which ventilation with the outside is restricted; A sterilization method in a dental extraoral suction system, comprising discharging ozone from the ozone generator into the space.

2. The sterilization method in a dental extraoral suction system as described in claim 1, wherein the dental extraoral suction system is a centralized control type having a plurality of arm portions, and the air resistance body is an opening / closing valve that opens and closes the intake path.

3. The sterilization method for a dental extraoral suction system according to claim 1, wherein the dental extraoral suction system is a stand-alone type having one arm portion, and the air resistance is a filter arranged in the air intake path.

4. A dental extraoral suction system including an arm portion, a suction machine for suctioning air, and an intake pipe connecting the arm portion and the suction machine, The intake pipe is configured to have a main pipe connected to the suction machine and a branch pipe connecting the arm section and the main pipe, and the air in the external space sucked from the tip of the arm section by the suction operation of the suction machine is discharged to the outside from the suction machine through the intake pipe, and a ventilation resistor is disposed in the suction machine to limit the ventilation between the main pipe and the outside, An ozone generator having no intake port is attached to the tip of the arm portion to restrict ventilation between the intake passage in the arm portion and the external space, and a space having restricted ventilation with the outside including the branch pipe and the main pipe is formed between the ozone generator and the ventilation resistor; A sterilization method for a dental extraoral suction system, comprising discharging ozone from the ozone generator into the space in which ventilation with the outside is restricted.

5. A dental extraoral suction system including a plurality of arms, a suction device for suctioning air, and an air intake line connecting the plurality of arms and the suction device, the intake pipe includes a main pipe connected to the suction machine, and a plurality of branch pipes each connecting the arm portion to the main pipe via an on-off valve; The suction operation of the suction machine is configured to suck air from the outside space through the tip of one of the multiple arm sections whose on-off valve is in an open state, and the sucked air is discharged to the outside from the suction machine through the intake pipe, and a ventilation resistor is disposed in the suction machine to limit the ventilation between the main pipe and the outside, Among the multiple arm sections, the on-off valve corresponding to a sterilization arm section that is to be sterilized is opened, and the on-off valve corresponding to a non-sterilization arm section that is not to be sterilized is closed, An ozone generator having no intake port is attached to the tip of the sterilization arm to restrict ventilation between the intake path in the sterilization arm and an external space, and a space having restricted ventilation with the outside is formed between the ozone generator and the ventilation resistor, the space including the main pipe and the branch pipe corresponding to the sterilization arm; A sterilization method in a dental extraoral suction system, comprising discharging ozone from the ozone generator into the space.

6. A sterilization method in a dental extraoral suction system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the steps of: releasing ozone from the ozone generator into the space; providing a time period during which the ozone is not released and ventilation between the space and the outside is restricted.

7. The sterilization method in a dental extraoral suction system according to claim 6, wherein the time during which the state in which ventilation with the outside of the space is restricted is set as a second time, the second time being set according to the decay characteristics of the ozone concentration in the space after the release of ozone from the ozone generator is stopped.

8. A plurality of arm portions; A suction machine for sucking air; an intake pipe connecting the arm portions and the suction machine; A control device; Equipped with the intake pipe includes a main pipe connected to the suction machine and communicating with the outside, and branch pipes connecting the main pipe to the plurality of arm portions via respective on-off valves; The suction machine has an air flow resistor that restricts air flow between the main pipe and the outside, The control device controls the suction operation of the suction machine and the opening and closing operation of the on-off valve, a suction arm portion that is to be sucked out of the plurality of arm portions is opened, and then the suction machine is operated to suck in air from the tip of the suction arm portion, and the air is discharged from the suction machine to an external space via the intake pipe; The control device, in the sterilization operation, controlling the on-off valve corresponding to a sterilization arm section that is a sterilization target among the multiple arm sections to be in an open state, the on-off valve corresponding to a non-sterilization arm section that is not a sterilization target to be in a closed state, and the suction operation to be stopped; When an ozone generator without an air intake is attached to the tip of the sterilization arm, an extraoral suction system is formed in which a space with restricted ventilation to the outside is formed between the ozone generator and the ventilation resistor, the space including the main pipe and the branch pipe corresponding to the sterilization arm.

Images