Washing / sterilization device and lid part

Abstract

To provide a washing / sterilization device and a lid part that can improve water draining performance on a reverse face of a lid part and workability of wiping work.SOLUTION: A washing / sterilization device includes: a washing tank 13 for storing medical equipment; a lid part (top cover 16) for covering an opening (washing tank opening 13a) of the washing tank 13; a concave part 50 provided in a lid body (cover body part 16a) of the lid part, which includes a bottom part (concave part bottom part 50b) and a side wall part for connecting the bottom part and the lid body; and a bottom part opening 52 formed in the bottom part and communicated with the washing tank. The side wall part is an inclined part 50c which is tapered from the lid body toward the bottom part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical instrument washing and disinfecting apparatus and a lid for the washing and disinfecting apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A washer-disinfector that cleans and disinfects endoscopes, which are used medical instruments, is known. The washer-disinfector is equipped with a cleaning tank that stores used endoscopes. The washer-disinfector performs a cleaning and disinfecting process (also called a reprocessing process) on the used endoscopes in the cleaning tank. The washer-disinfector is provided with a top cover (lid) that covers the opening of the cleaning tank to prevent cleaning fluid, disinfectant fluid, etc. from splashing outside the cleaning tank during the cleaning and disinfecting process. This top cover is provided on the main body of the washer-disinfector so as to be rotatable between a closed position that covers the opening of the cleaning tank and an open position that opens the opening of the cleaning tank.

[0003] The top cover is formed with an air passage that connects the inside and outside of the cleaning tank and allows gas to circulate inside and outside the cleaning tank. The top cover is also provided with a filter housing section (also called a filter attachment section) (see Patent Documents 1 to 3). The filter housing section is arranged midway along the air passage and houses a deodorizing filter that deodorizes gas discharged from inside the cleaning tank to the outside.

[0004] The filter accommodating section described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is provided in a convex shape on the back surface of the top cover. This filter accommodating section includes a vertical wall extending vertically from the back surface of the top cover, a bottom connected to the vertical wall and covering the underside of the deodorizing filter, and a ventilation slit formed in the bottom. Furthermore, the cross section of the slit in the filter accommodating section described in Patent Document 2 is bent in a crank shape.

[0005] The filter housing portion described in Patent Document 3 is provided on the front surface of the top cover opposite to the back surface. A convex portion that protrudes from the back surface side to the front surface side is formed in part of the top cover described in Patent Document 3, and the filter housing portion described in Patent Document 3 is provided on the front surface side of this convex portion. A vent is provided in this filter housing portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-128907 [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-070947 A [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2019 / 014968 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] When the top cover is rotated from the closed position to the open position after cleaning and disinfecting a used endoscope, droplets of cleaning fluid, disinfectant fluid, etc. adhering to the back surface of the top cover flow down from the front end to the rear end of the top cover, and then fall from the rear end of the top cover into the cleaning tank (see Patent Document 1 above). In this case, the filter housing section described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is provided in a convex shape on the back surface of the top cover and further includes a vertical wall extending perpendicularly from this back surface. Therefore, this vertical wall may hinder the movement of droplets flowing down toward the rear end of the top cover, resulting in the droplets remaining on the back surface of the top cover. As a result, the water (liquid) on the back surface of the top cover is poorly drained.

[0008] Furthermore, after a used endoscope has been cleaned and disinfected, when wiping (cleaning) any droplets remaining on the back surface of the top cover with a wiping cloth or the like, the vertical wall of the filter housing section may hinder the movement of the cloth or the like, making the wiping process less efficient.

[0009] In the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus described in Patent Document 3, a convex portion is formed on the front side of the top cover, but this convex portion is concave when viewed from the back side of the top cover. Therefore, even in the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus described in Patent Document 3, when the top cover is rotated from the closed position to the open position after cleaning and disinfecting a used endoscope, droplets that flow down from the front end to the rear end of the top cover may accumulate in this convex portion. This results in poor drainage of water (liquid) from droplets on the back side of the top cover.

[0010] Furthermore, the convex portion described in Patent Document 3 is recessed away from the front side when viewed from the front side of the cleaning disinfection apparatus when the top cover is rotated to the open position. As a result, when an operator wipes the back side of the top cover from the front side of the cleaning disinfection apparatus, the operator needs to reach into the convex portion (which appears as a concave portion when viewed from the operator's perspective), which makes the wiping operation less efficient.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a cleaning and disinfecting apparatus and a lid that can improve the drainage of water from the back surface of the lid and the workability of wiping operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for medical instruments, comprising: a cleaning tank for storing medical instruments; a lid for covering an opening of the cleaning tank; a recess provided in the lid body of the lid, the recess having a bottom and a side wall connecting the bottom and the lid body; and a bottom opening formed in the bottom and communicating with the inside of the cleaning tank, the side wall being an inclined portion tapering from the lid body toward the bottom.

[0013] This cleaning tank disinfecting device improves the efficiency of the work of draining water (liquid) from the back surface of the lid and wiping off droplets.

[0014] A cleaning disinfecting apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect, wherein the bottom is provided with a tubular portion extending from the bottom opening toward the cleaning tank, thereby making it difficult for cleaning liquid or the like in the cleaning tank to enter the recess.

[0015] A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of the first or second aspect, wherein the lid portion is provided with a cover that covers the recessed portion.

[0016] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the cleaning disinfecting apparatus of the third aspect, wherein the cover is provided with a filter housing portion that houses a filter.

[0017] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a cleaning disinfection apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein an inner lid is provided between the filter housing section and the bottom section to cover at least the bottom opening of the bottom section, and a ventilation space is formed in the inner lid to communicate between the filter housing section and the bottom section, thereby allowing gas in the cleaning tank to be discharged to the outside of the cleaning tank through the filter.

[0018] A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to the cleaning disinfection apparatus of the fifth aspect, wherein the inner lid has a top surface and an outer surface, and a first air hole is formed in the outer surface, thereby enabling communication between the filter housing section and the bottom of the recess.

[0019] A cleaning disinfecting apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the cleaning disinfecting apparatus of the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the filter housing section is provided with an inner lid attachment section to which an inner lid is attached.

[0020] A cleaning disinfecting apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the cleaning disinfecting apparatus of any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the filter housing section houses the filter on a surface side opposite to a surface side facing the bottom of the inner lid.

[0021] A cleaning disinfecting apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the cleaning disinfecting apparatus of any one of the fourth to eighth aspects, wherein the cover is provided with an outer lid that covers the filter accommodating section, thereby preventing the filter from falling out of the filter accommodating section.

[0022] A cleaning disinfecting apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the ninth aspect, wherein a second air hole is formed in the outer cover, thereby communicating the inside and outside of the filter housing section.

[0023] The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of an eleventh aspect of the present invention is any of the first to tenth aspects and comprises an apparatus body for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments stored in a cleaning tank, and a lid portion is attached to the apparatus body so as to be rotatable between an open position that opens the opening and a closed position that closes the opening.

[0024] A lid according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is a lid that covers an opening of a cleaning tank that stores medical instruments in a medical instrument cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, and comprises a lid main body, a recess provided in the lid main body, the recess having a bottom and a side wall connecting the bottom and the lid main body, and a bottom opening formed in the bottom, and the side wall is an inclined portion that tapers from the lid main body toward the bottom. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The present invention improves the drainage of water from the back surface of the lid and the workability of wiping. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the cleaning disinfection apparatus with the top cover rotated to a closed position. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the cleaning disinfection apparatus with the top cover rotated to the open position. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a top cover and a rear cover. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a packing, an inner lid, a rear cover, and a bracket are removed from the top cover. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the top cover as seen from its front surface side. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the top cover as seen from its rear surface side. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a packing is removed from the top cover shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a recess as viewed from the front surface side of the top cover. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a recess as viewed from the rear surface side of the top cover. [Figure 10] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the recess taken along line XX in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the recess taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 8. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a top cover of a comparative example when rotated to an open position. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a bracket is attached to a cover attachment portion of the top cover. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the external appearance of a packing attached in a recess. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of an inner lid attached to the recess. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the inner lid as seen from its surface side. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the inner lid as seen from its rear surface side. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the deodorizing filter and the outer lid are removed from the rear cover. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the rear cover as seen from its front surface side. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the rear cover as seen from its rear surface side. [Figure 23] FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a top view of the rear cover before the deodorizing filter is housed. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a top view of the rear cover after the deodorizing filter has been housed. [Figure 26]FIG. 10 is a top view of the rear cover with the outer lid rotated to the open position. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a top view of the rear cover with the outer lid rotated to the closed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] <Cleaning and Disinfection Equipment 10> Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of the cleaning disinfection apparatus 10 with the top cover 16 rotated to the closed position. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the cleaning disinfection apparatus 10 with the top cover 16 rotated to the open position.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 10 cleans and disinfects endoscopes (not shown, same applies below) which are used medical instruments.

[0029] The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 10 includes a box-shaped apparatus main body 11. A cleaning tank 13 for storing used endoscopes is provided at the top of the apparatus main body 11. Cleaning liquid and disinfecting liquid are supplied to the cleaning tank 13 from the apparatus main body 11. The cleaning tank 13 is a water tank with an open top, and is made of a metal material such as stainless steel that has excellent heat resistance and corrosion resistance. A top cover 16 is attached to the apparatus main body 11 to cover a cleaning tank opening 13a, which is the opening of the cleaning tank 13.

[0030] The apparatus main body 11 has a chassis (not shown, same below). In addition to the cleaning tank 13 and top cover 16, this chassis is also equipped with piping for supplying detergent and disinfectant to the cleaning tank 13, a pump, an electromagnetic valve, and a tank for storing disinfectant, all of which are not shown. The outer periphery of the chassis is covered with exterior members such as a front panel 17, side panels 18, and top panel 19. The front panel 17 forms the front part of the cleaning disinfection apparatus 10, the side panels 18 form the side parts of the cleaning disinfection apparatus 10, and the top panel 19 forms the top part of the cleaning disinfection apparatus 10.

[0031] The front panel 17 has its side edges attached to the chassis via hinges (not shown) and can be opened and closed freely. A storage tray (not shown) is provided inside the front panel 17. A detergent tank and an alcohol tank (not shown) are stored in the storage tray. The detergent tank stores detergent used to clean the endoscope. The alcohol tank stores alcohol to be poured into various well-known channels of the endoscope after the endoscope has been cleaned and disinfected. The front panel 17 is also equipped with transparent windows 33 for visually checking the amount of liquid remaining in each tank.

[0032] A storage tray (not shown) stores replaceable supply bottles (not shown) that contain concentrated solutions of publicly known disinfectants (see Patent Document 1). These supply bottles are connected to a disinfectant tank (not shown) attached to the chassis, and supply the concentrated solutions into the disinfectant tank. The concentrated solutions are diluted with water to an appropriate concentration in the disinfectant tank before use.

[0033] A paper outlet 34 is provided above the transparent window 33 of the front panel 17. A printer (not shown) is disposed behind the paper outlet 34. This paper outlet 34 discharges printouts on which cleaning history information has been printed by the printer. The cleaning history information includes, for example, the date and time when the cleaning and disinfecting process was carried out, the name of the operator, and the ID (identification) of the endoscope that has been cleaned and disinfected. The printouts on which the cleaning history information has been printed are used to check and manage the results of cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope.

[0034] An operation unit 36 ​​is provided at the front end of the top panel 19. The operation unit 36 ​​is provided with a plurality of operation buttons 37 for inputting various operation instructions, a display 38 for displaying various information, and a tag reader 39. The operation buttons 37 include, for example, a start button for issuing an instruction to start the cleaning and disinfecting process, a stop button for issuing an emergency stop, and operation keys for operating the operation screen displayed on the display 38.

[0035] The display 38 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays an operation screen including a selection screen for selecting a menu for the cleaning and disinfecting process and a setting screen for making various settings. The display 38 also displays various information, including the progress and remaining time of the cleaning and disinfecting process, and warning messages when a problem occurs.

[0036] The tag reader 39 communicates in a non-contact manner with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag attached to the endoscope and an RFID tag attached to the nameplate of the worker, and reads the information stored in these RFID tags.

[0037] The top panel 19 has a frame shape with a panel opening 19a that exposes the cleaning tank opening 13a. At the top end of the cleaning tank opening 13a, a peripheral edge 13d is formed that extends horizontally and intersects perpendicularly with the side surface that rises vertically from the bottom of the cleaning tank 13. The peripheral edge 13d and the top panel 19 are joined so that no gaps that would allow gas or liquid to leak from the boundary between them are formed. The panel opening 19a has a slope 19b that is inclined toward the cleaning tank opening 13a so that liquid flows toward the cleaning tank 13 by gravity.

[0038] A net 21 and a small item cleaning basket 22 are attached to the front bottom portion 13f, which is the front portion of the bottom of the cleaning tank 13 (the portion on the front panel 17 side). The net 21 creates a gap between the endoscope and the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 13 through which liquid can flow, thereby increasing the area over which the liquid supplied to the cleaning tank 13 comes into contact with the outer surface of the endoscope. The small item cleaning basket 22 stores small parts (not shown, same below) such as the air / water supply button and suction button that have been removed from the endoscope.

[0039] At the boundary between the front bottom portion 13f and the rear bottom portion 13g, which is the rear portion of the bottom of the cleaning tank 13 (the portion on the side of the cover mounting portion 43 described below), there is formed a slope 13i that descends from the front bottom portion 13f to the rear bottom portion 13g. The rear bottom portion 13g is one step lower than the front bottom portion 13f. This slope 13i improves drainage from the front bottom portion 13f to the rear bottom portion 13g.

[0040] In the center of the front bottom portion 13f, although not shown, there are provided a vibration plate for ultrasonic cleaning, a back surface cleaning nozzle for cleaning the back surface of the top cover 16, a small item cleaning nozzle for cleaning small items in the small item cleaning basket 22, and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 13 (see Patent Document 2 above).

[0041] A detergent supply nozzle 29a, a disinfectant supply nozzle 29b, and a float switch 29c are provided on the peripheral edge 13d on the approximately front side of the bottom front portion 13f. The detergent supply nozzle 29a supplies detergent stored in a detergent tank (not shown) into the cleaning tank 13. Body fluids and dirt adhering to a used endoscope are washed away with cleaning liquid, which is a mixture of water and detergent. The disinfectant supply nozzle 29b is a metal tube bent toward the inside of the cleaning tank 13 and supplies disinfectant stored in a disinfectant tank (not shown) into the cleaning tank 13. Pathogens and viruses not washed away by the cleaning liquid are killed or inactivated by the disinfectant. The float switch 29c is an overflow detection switch that prevents the liquid supplied to the cleaning tank 13 from overflowing up to the peripheral edge 13d.

[0042] A drain port 24 and a circulation port 25 are provided on the bottom surface of the rear bottom portion 13g. The drain port 24 is provided to discharge used cleaning liquid, disinfectant liquid, and water used for rinsing from the cleaning tank 13. The circulation port 25 is provided to circulate the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 13 and generate a water flow in the liquid in the cleaning tank 13. The liquid sucked from the circulation port 25 is resupplied to the cleaning tank 13 from the previously described back surface cleaning nozzle and small item cleaning nozzle (not shown) and a water supply nozzle 26 (described later).

[0043] A water supply nozzle 26 that supplies water into the cleaning tank 13 is provided behind the circulation port 25 in the rear bottom portion 13g. A water level sensor 27 is attached to the side of the rear bottom portion 13g on the circulation port 25 side. The water level sensor 27 detects the position of the liquid surface (water level) of the liquid stored in the cleaning tank 13.

[0044] A terrace portion 13j having a height up to about the middle of the cleaning tank 13 is provided at the corner of the rear bottom portion 13g on the drain outlet 24 side.

[0045] On the upper surface of the terrace portion 13j, there are provided, in order from the front, an airtightness test connector 28a, a main channel cleaning connector 28b, and a sub-channel cleaning connector 28c. Each of these connectors 28a to 28c is a fluid supply connector for supplying fluid to the inside of the endoscope. Note that the configurations and functions of each of the connectors 28a to 28c are publicly known (see Patent Document 2 above), so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0046] <Top cover 16> The top cover 16 corresponds to the lid of the present invention. The top cover 16 is formed of, for example, a transparent or translucent plastic material so that the state inside the cleaning tank 13 can be seen from the outside. The top cover 16 is attached to the device body 11 via a cover attachment part 43 provided on the rear side (base end side) of the top cover 16. The cover attachment part 43 rotates around a rotation shaft (not shown) provided on the device body 11. As a result, the top cover 16 can rotate around the cover attachment part 43 (rotation shaft) as a fulcrum between an open position (see FIG. 2) that opens the cleaning tank opening 13a and a closed position (see FIG. 1) that closes the cleaning tank opening 13a.

[0047] When the top cover 16 is in the closed position, the lower surface of the top cover 16 facing the inside of the cleaning tank 13 is referred to as the "rear surface," and the upper surface opposite the rear surface is referred to as the "front surface." Furthermore, "front portion of" and "front side of" refer to "the portion on the front panel 17 side of" and "the direction of the front panel 17 side of" when the top cover 16 is in the closed position. Furthermore, "rear portion of" and "rear side of" refer to "the portion on the cover mounting portion 43 side of" and "the direction of the cover mounting portion 43 side of" when the top cover 16 is in the closed position.

[0048] The top cover 16 is opened and closed by an electric actuator (motor, etc.) not shown. An instruction to open or close the top cover 16 is input by depressing a foot switch 44 located below the front panel 17. When the top cover 16 is in the closed position, depressing the foot switch 44 causes the electric actuator to rotate the top cover 16 to the open position, and conversely, when the foot switch 44 is depressed while the top cover 16 is in the open position, the electric actuator rotates the top cover 16 to the closed position.

[0049] A rear cover 70, which will be described later, is provided at the rear portion of the front surface of the top cover 16, and an outer lid 92, which will be described later, is further provided on this rear cover 70. A net 46 is provided at the front portion of the back surface of the top cover 16. When the top cover 16 is in the closed position, the net 46 is positioned opposite the net 21 arranged on the front bottom portion 13f. The net 46 presses down on the endoscope housed in the cleaning tank 13 from above, submerging the endoscope below the liquid surface. The rear portion of the back surface of the top cover 16 is provided with the bottom of a recess 50 (see FIG. 5), which will be described in detail later, and a cylindrical portion 54 provided at the bottom of the recess 50.

[0050] Fig. 3 is an external perspective view of the top cover 16 and the rear cover 70. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the top cover 16 with the packing 58, inner lid 60, rear cover 70, and bracket 43a removed.

[0051] 3 and 4, a recess 50 is provided in the rear portion of the surface of the top cover 16, and a cover mounting portion 43 is further provided on the rear side of this recess 50. A rear cover 70 is provided on the recess 50.

[0052] An outer lid 92 is rotatably attached to the rear cover 70, and the rear cover 70 accommodates a deodorizing filter 90 (see FIG. 20) inside the outer lid 92, which will be described later.

[0053] A gasket 58, an inner lid 60, and a bracket 43a are provided between the top cover 16 and the rear cover 70. An air passage VE that connects the inside and outside of the cleaning tank 13 is formed in the recess 50 of the top cover 16, the inner lid 60, the rear cover 70, and the outer lid 92. Gas within the cleaning tank 13 is discharged to the outside through this air passage VE.

[0054] Fig. 5 is an external perspective view of the top cover 16 as seen from its front surface side. Fig. 6 is an external perspective view of the top cover 16 as seen from its back surface side. Fig. 7 is an external perspective view showing the top cover 16 shown in Fig. 6 with the gasket 20 removed. Note that the U direction in the figure is the direction from the back surface side of the top cover 16 toward the front surface side (the upward direction when the top cover 16 is in the closed position). Also, the D direction in the figure is the direction from the front surface side toward the back surface side of the top cover 16 [the downward direction (toward the cleaning tank 13) when the top cover 16 is in the closed position].

[0055] 5 to 7, the top cover 16 includes a cover main body 16a having a generally dome shape that bulges in the U direction, and a cover outer periphery 16b that is formed along the outer periphery of the cover main body 16a and extends in the D direction from the outer periphery. The cover main body 16a corresponds to the lid main body of the present invention and faces the cleaning tank 13 when the top cover 16 is in the closed position. By forming the cover main body 16a in a generally dome shape, the liquid sprayed upward from the aforementioned front bottom portion 13f can be more easily distributed throughout the entire cleaning tank 13.

[0056] A rib 16c (see FIG. 7) is formed on the back surface of the cover main body 16a. The rib 16c is formed along the inside of the cover outer periphery 16b and has a shape that extends in the direction D from the back surface of the cover main body 16a. A packing 20 (see FIG. 6) is attached to the top cover 16 so as to cover the end portions of the cover outer periphery 16b and the rib 16c on the D direction side.

[0057] Rib 16c reinforces outer periphery 16b of top cover 16, which is made of plastic material. Gasket 20 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and seals cleaning tank opening 13a when top cover 16 is rotated to the closed position. Therefore, when top cover 16 is rotated to the closed position, gas inside cleaning tank 13 is discharged to the outside through ventilation path VE.

[0058] <Recess 50> Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the recess 50 as viewed from the front surface side of the top cover 16. Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the recess 50 as viewed from the back surface side of the top cover 16. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the recess 50 taken along line XX in Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the recess 50 taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 8.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 , the recess 50 is formed integrally with the top cover 16 by recessing a portion of the rear portion of the top cover 16 in the direction D, for example, in the shape of the bottom of a boat or a bathtub. For example, in this embodiment, the recess 50 is formed such that its opening, the recess opening 50a, opens onto the surface of the top cover 16 and its bottom, the recess bottom 50b, is located closer to the direction D than the recess opening 50a, i.e., closer to the cleaning tank 13. Therefore, when viewed from the back surface of the top cover 16, the recess bottom 50b is located closer to the direction D than the cover main body 16a. Although not shown, the recess 50 may be textured. Alternatively, the recess 50 may be provided separately from the cover main body 16a.

[0060] A bottom opening 52 that communicates with the inside of the cleaning tank 13 is formed in the bottom portion 50b of the recess. A cylindrical portion 54 (corresponding to the tubular portion of the present invention) is formed extending from the bottom opening 52 in the direction D, i.e., toward the cleaning tank 13. A connecting portion 54a between the cylindrical portion 54 and the bottom portion 50b of the recess is formed in a curved shape. By extending the cylindrical portion 54 from the bottom opening 52 in the direction D (toward the cleaning tank 13), cleaning liquid and the like in the cleaning tank 13 are less likely to enter the recess 50. Furthermore, forming the connecting portion 54a in a curved shape makes it easier to wipe off cleaning liquid and the like that adheres to the connecting portion 54a. Furthermore, the cylindrical shape of the cylindrical portion 54 allows for good drainage of water (liquid).

[0061] It should be noted that there may be a plurality of bottom openings 52 and cylindrical portions 54. Furthermore, instead of the cylindrical portions 54, tubular portions of various shapes may extend in the direction D from the bottom opening 52. Furthermore, the shape of the connecting portion 54a may also be changed as appropriate.

[0062] A first wall 56 is formed on the surface side of the recess bottom 50b, protruding in the U direction (toward the rear cover 70) so as to include the bottom opening 52. The first wall 56 is formed in an oval shape (including a shape with a straight portion like a track in an athletics stadium or an elliptical shape) when viewed from the surface side of the top cover 16. The shape of the first wall 56 is not limited to an oval shape and can be various shapes such as an elliptical shape. In this embodiment, the bottom opening 52 is formed at a position offset from the center position of the first wall 56, but the position at which the bottom opening 52 is formed is not particularly limited. The area on the recess bottom 50b surrounded by the first wall 56 is an attachment portion to which a gasket 58 and an inner lid 60, which will be described later, are attached.

[0063] The area of ​​the recess bottom 50b is smaller than the area of ​​the recess opening 50a. Therefore, when viewed from the back surface side of the top cover 16, the side wall of the recess 50 connecting the recess bottom 50b and the cover main body 16a forms an inclined portion 50c that tapers from the cover main body 16a toward the recess bottom 50b. As a result, the inclined portion 50c slopes toward the outer periphery of the recess bottom 50b as it extends toward the D direction. The inclined portion 50c also has a curved shape that bulges toward the D direction (a convex curved surface when viewed from the back surface side of the top cover 16). Furthermore, a connection portion 50c1 between the inclined portion 50c and the recess bottom 50b and a connection portion 50c2 between the inclined portion 50c and the cover main body 16a are also curved.

[0064] By providing the inclined portion 50c in the recess 50 of the top cover 16 in this manner, even when the top cover 16 is rotated to the open position after the endoscope has been cleaned and disinfected, the movement of droplets flowing down from the front portion to the rear portion of the back surface of the top cover 16 is less likely to be impeded by the recess 50. As a result, water (liquid) from droplets on the back surface of the top cover 16 is better drained. Furthermore, since the recess 50 is raised in the D direction when viewed from the back surface side of the top cover 16, droplets are prevented from accumulating in the recess 50. As a result, water drainage on the back surface of the top cover 16 is further improved.

[0065] Furthermore, by providing the inclined portion 50c, when wiping the top cover 16 after the endoscope has been cleaned and disinfected, the movement of a wiping cloth or the like is less likely to be obstructed by the recess 50. As a result, the workability of wiping the back surface of the top cover 16 is improved. Furthermore, when viewed from an operator positioned approximately at the front of the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 10, when the top cover 16 is rotated to the open position, the recess bottom 50b and the inclined portion 50c are located closer to the operator than the cover mounting portion 43. This makes it easier for the operator to reach the recess bottom 50b and the inclined portion 50c, improving the workability of the wiping work.

[0066] Furthermore, during the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting process, the cleaning liquid, etc., sprayed from the back surface cleaning nozzle (not shown) on the front bottom portion 13f toward the back surface of the top cover 16 moves along the substantially dome-shaped back surface of the top cover 16 so as to spread over the entire back surface. If the entire side wall of the recess 50 were a vertical wall, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the cleaning liquid, etc., that hits the vertical wall would be blocked and likely to fall into the cleaning tank 13. This makes it difficult for the cleaning liquid, etc., to spread over the entire back surface of the top cover 16. In contrast, in this embodiment, the side wall of the recess 50 is formed into an inclined portion 50c, so that the cleaning liquid, etc., moving along the back surface of the top cover 16, easily moves around the recess 50. As a result, the cleaning liquid, etc., is easily spread over the entire back surface of the top cover 16.

[0067] Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the top cover 200 of the comparative example when it is rotated to the open position. As shown in Fig. 12, a part of the top cover 200 of the comparative example is provided with a convex portion 202 that is formed in a convex shape from the back surface side toward the front surface side (U direction side) of the top cover 200, similar to the invention described in Patent Document 3. A filter housing portion 204 that houses a deodorizing filter 90 (see Fig. 20), which will be described later, is provided on the front surface side of this convex portion 202.

[0068] The filter housing portion 204 is provided with a ventilation tube portion 206 that penetrates the top cover 200 and communicates with the inside of the cleaning tank 13. This ventilation tube portion 206 extends from the back surface of the top cover 200 in a direction further toward the inside of the cleaning tank 13 (direction D). In addition, the filter housing portion 204 is also formed with an air passage that communicates with the outside, although not shown. This allows gas within the cleaning tank 13 to be discharged to the outside via the ventilation tube portion 206 and the filter housing portion 204.

[0069] The top cover 200 of the comparative example is formed with a convex portion 202 that is concave in the opposite direction to the concave portion 50 of the present embodiment. Therefore, when the top cover 200 is rotated to the open position, droplets that flow down from the front portion to the rear portion of the top cover 200 accumulate in the convex portion 202. As a result, water (liquid) does not drain well on the back surface of the top cover 200. Furthermore, droplets get into the narrow gap 208 between the side wall portion of the convex portion 202 and the ventilation tube portion 206, which not only worsens water drainage but also makes it difficult for an operator to wipe off the droplets.

[0070] In contrast to this comparative example, in this embodiment, a recess 50 is provided in a part of the cover main body 16a of the top cover 16, and an inclined portion 50c is further provided that connects the cover main body 16a and the recess bottom 50b, thereby improving the drainage of water (liquid) from the back surface of the top cover 16 and the workability of wiping off droplets. Furthermore, by forming the inclined portion 50c and the connecting portions 50c1 and 50c2 into a curved shape, the drainage of water and the workability of wiping off droplets are further improved.

[0071] In this embodiment, when viewed from the rear surface side of the top cover 16, the inclined portions 50c are formed on the front and side of the recess bottom 50b, but the inclined portions 50c may also be formed on the rear side of the recess bottom 50b. Furthermore, it is not necessary to form the entire side wall of the recess 50 with the inclined portions 50c; at least a portion of the side wall may be formed with the inclined portions 50c. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inclined portions 50c and the connecting portions 50c1 and 50c2 are formed with curved shapes, but these shapes are not particularly limited.

[0072] <Bracket 43a> FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the bracket 43a is attached to the cover attachment portion 43 of the top cover 16. As shown in FIG. 13, the bracket 43a is formed, for example, from a metal material. The rear portion of this bracket 43a is fixed to the cover attachment portion 43 with screws. Two bracket tip portions 43a1 are formed on the front portion of the bracket 43a. These bracket tip portions 43a1 are fixed to the inclined portion 50c with screws in a space formed between the inclined portion 50c and the rear cover 70 (described later) [side regions of the outer recess 75 (see FIG. 22)]. This allows the recess 50 to be reinforced by the bracket 43a.

[0073] <Packing 58> Fig. 14 is an external perspective view of the packing 58 attached to the inside of the recess 50. As shown in Fig. 14, the packing 58 is formed in a shape (here, an oval shape) that follows the inner periphery of the first wall 56, and is attached to the inner periphery of the first wall 56 on the bottom 50b of the recess. This prevents the cleaning liquid and the like in the cleaning tank 13 from leaking from a gap between the first wall 56 and an inner lid 60 (described later).

[0074] <Inner lid 60> Fig. 15 is an external perspective view of the inner lid 60 attached in the recess 50. Fig. 16 is an external perspective view of the inner lid 60 as seen from its front surface side. Fig. 17 is an external perspective view of the inner lid 60 as seen from its back surface side.

[0075] 15 to 17, the inner lid 60 is formed in a shape (here, an oval shape) that follows the inner periphery of the packing 58 (first wall portion 56) when viewed from the front surface side of the top cover 16. The inner lid 60 is attached to the inner periphery side of the packing 58 and onto the recess bottom portion 50b so as to cover at least the bottom opening 52.

[0076] The inner lid 60 has an oval top surface 60a and an outer surface 60b extending in direction D from the outer periphery of the top surface 60a. A knob 62 is formed on the top surface 60a so that an operator can grip it when removing or attaching the inner lid 60. A plurality of ventilation holes 64 (corresponding to first ventilation holes of the present invention) are formed on the outer surface 60b. The shape and number of the ventilation holes 64 are not particularly limited.

[0077] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in Figure 15. As shown in Figure 18, inner lid 60 is composed of a top surface 60a and an outer surface 60b, and is attached to recess bottom 50b so as to cover at least bottom opening 52, thereby forming a ventilation space 66 inside inner lid 60. This ventilation space 66 communicates between recess bottom 50b (bottom opening 52) and a filter housing section 72 (see Figure 20) of rear cover 70, which will be described later, via each ventilation hole 64, and constitutes part of the ventilation path VE described above.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by forming each vent hole 64 on the outer surface 60b of the inner lid 60, the cleaning liquid etc. in the cleaning tank 13 that is sprayed out in the U direction from the bottom opening 52 is prevented from directly hitting the deodorizing filter 90 (see FIG. 20) described below. Note that, as long as it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid etc. in the cleaning tank 13 from directly hitting the deodorizing filter 90, the position of the vent hole 64 formed in the inner lid 60 is not particularly limited.

[0079] <Rear cover 70> FIG. 19 is an external perspective view of the rear cover 70 and the outer lid 92. FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing the rear cover 70 with the deodorizing filter 90 and the outer lid 92 removed. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the rear cover 70 corresponds to the cover of the present invention. The rear cover 70 is provided on the front side of the top cover 16 so as to cover a part of the top cover 16 (the recess 50), the cover mounting portion 43, and the bracket 43a. It is sufficient that the rear cover 70 covers at least the recess 50. The rear cover 70 is fixed to the top cover 16 with screws from the front side of the rear cover 70 and the back side of the top cover 16. The method of fixing the rear cover 70 to the top cover 16 is not particularly limited, and methods other than screw fixing can be used.

[0080] The rear cover 70 is provided with a filter housing portion 72 at a position facing the recess 50 .

[0081] The filter accommodating section 72 is formed in a generally concave shape that opens toward the front surface of the rear cover 70 and is recessed toward the D direction. The inner lid 60 described above is exposed at the bottom of the filter accommodating section 72, and a deodorizing filter 90 is accommodated within the filter accommodating section 72 so as to cover the inner lid 60. That is, the filter accommodating section 72 accommodates the deodorizing filter 90 at a position on the U direction side of the inner lid 60 (the side opposite to the side facing the recess bottom 50b). The opening of the filter accommodating section 72 is covered by the outer lid 92.

[0082] The outer lid 92 is provided on the rear cover 70 so as to be rotatable about two hinge shafts 73 (described later), and covers the filter housing portion 72, more specifically, the deodorizing filter 90 housed within the filter housing portion 72. The outer lid 92 is formed with a plurality of ventilation holes 92a that form part of the above-mentioned ventilation path VE, and two hook portions 93. When viewed from the surface side of the top cover 16, the area of ​​the outer lid 92 is larger than the area of ​​the deodorizing filter 90.

[0083] Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the rear cover 70 as seen from its front side, Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the rear cover 70 as seen from its back side, and Fig. 23 is a top view of the rear cover 70.

[0084] 21 to 23, rear cover 70 is provided with two hinge shafts 73 at positions that define the rear opening edge of filter accommodating section 72. An outer lid 92 is rotatably attached to two hinge shafts 73. Rear cover 70 is also provided with finger insertion sections 74 at positions that define the front opening edge of filter accommodating section 72. When opening outer lid 92, the operator inserts the tips of their fingers into finger insertion sections 74.

[0085] An outer recess 75 is formed in the filter accommodating section 72. When viewed from the surface side of the top cover 16, the outer periphery of the outer recess 75 has a shape that follows the outer periphery of the outer lid 92 in a closed position, which will be described later. This allows the outer lid 92 to fit into the outer recess 75. A middle recess 76 that accommodates a replaceable deodorizing filter 90 and a plurality of screw holes 77 for screwing the rear cover 70 to the top cover 16 are formed in the bottom of this outer recess 75.

[0086] Furthermore, a finger insertion section 78 is formed in the bottom of the outer recess 75 at a position that forms the opening edge on the front side of the middle recess 76. The tip of the worker's finger is inserted into the finger insertion section 78 when removing the deodorizing filter 90 from the middle recess 76.

[0087] The middle recess 76, when viewed from the surface side of the top cover 16, has a smaller area than the outer recess 75 and has a shape that follows the outer periphery of the deodorizing filter 90. This allows the deodorizing filter 90 to fit into the middle recess 76. As a result, the deodorizing filter 90 is replaceably housed in the filter housing portion 72. An exposure opening 80 that exposes the inner lid 60 to the middle recess 76 (inside the filter housing portion 72) is formed at the bottom of this middle recess 76. The inner lid 60 is attached to the exposure opening 80. Therefore, the exposure opening 80 corresponds to the inner lid attachment portion of the present invention.

[0088] When viewed from the front surface side of the top cover 16, the exposure opening 80 is formed in a shape (here, an oval shape) corresponding to the shape of the inner lid 60. As a result, the inside of the filter accommodating section 72 and the recess bottom 50b (inside the cleaning tank 13) communicate with each other via the ventilation hole 64 of the inner lid 60 and the exposure opening 80.

[0089] A second wall portion 81 (see FIG. 22) is formed on the back surface of the rear cover 70. The second wall portion 81 is formed in an oval shape along the periphery of the exposed opening 80 and protrudes toward the D direction (toward the recess 50). When the rear cover 70 is attached to the top cover 16, the second wall portion 81 fits internally into the first wall portion 56 formed on the recess bottom portion 50b described above. In other words, the first wall portion 56 fits externally into the second wall portion 81. At this time, the tip end portion (the end portion on the D direction side) of the second wall portion 81 abuts against the packing 58 described above.

[0090] <Deodorizing Filter 90> Fig. 24 is a top view of the rear cover 70 before the deodorizing filter 90 is housed. Fig. 25 is a top view of the rear cover 70 after the deodorizing filter 90 is housed. As shown in Figs. 24 and 25, the deodorizing filter 90 corresponds to the filter of the present invention, and is housed replaceably in the middle recess 76 so as to cover the inner lid 60.

[0091] The deodorizing filter 90 is disposed in the middle of the air passage VE inside the filter housing portion 72, and therefore deodorizes the odor of the gas discharged from the inside of the cleaning tank 13 to the outside through the air passage VE. Note that various filters other than the deodorizing filter 90 may be housed in the filter housing portion 72.

[0092] <Outer lid 92> Figure 26 is a top view of the rear cover 70 with the outer lid 92 rotated to the open position. Figure 27 is a top view of the rear cover 70 with the outer lid 92 rotated to the closed position. As shown in Figures 26 and 27, the outer lid 92 is provided with two hook portions 93 that rotatably engage with the two hinge shafts 73, respectively. This allows the outer lid 92 to rotate between an open position (see Figure 26) in which the deodorizing filter 90 housed in the filter housing portion 72 is exposed to the outside, and a closed position in which the outer lid 92 fits into the outer recess 75 to cover the deodorizing filter 90. Note that the means for attaching the outer lid 92 to the rear cover 70 is not limited to the method using the hinge shafts 73 and the hook portions 93, and various known methods can be used.

[0093] By covering the deodorizing filter 90 with the outer lid 92 except when the deodorizing filter 90 is replaced, the deodorizing filter 90 is prevented from falling off from the filter accommodating section 72 when the top cover 16 is rotated to the open position.

[0094] A plurality of slit-shaped ventilation holes 92a (corresponding to second ventilation holes of the present invention) formed in the outer lid 92 constitute part of the ventilation passage VE when the outer lid 92 is in the closed position. The shape and number of the ventilation holes 92a are not particularly limited.

[0095] Gas is discharged from inside the cleaning tank 13 to the outside through an air passage VE that runs from the cylindrical portion 54 through the bottom opening 52, the inner lid 60 (ventilation space 66 and air hole 64), the inside of the filter accommodating portion 72 (middle recess 76, deodorizing filter 90 and outer recess 75), and leads to the air hole 92a.

[0096] <Other> The configuration of the apparatus main body 11 (including the cleaning tank 13) of the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 10 described in the above embodiment is an example and can be modified as appropriate.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 10 has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to various cleaning and disinfecting apparatuses that clean and disinfect various medical instruments other than endoscopes, and to the lids of their cleaning tanks.

[0098] <Additional Notes> As can be understood from the above detailed description of the embodiments, this specification includes disclosure of various technical ideas including the inventions described below.

[0099] (Additional note 1) In a medical instrument cleaning and disinfection device, a washing tank for accommodating the medical instrument; a lid for covering the opening of the cleaning tank; a recess provided in a lid body portion of the lid portion facing the cleaning tank, the recess including a bottom portion located closer to the cleaning tank than the lid body portion, and a sidewall portion connecting the bottom portion and the lid body portion; a bottom opening formed in the bottom portion and communicating with the inside of the cleaning tank; Equipped with A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, wherein the side wall portion is an inclined portion that tapers from the lid main body portion toward the bottom portion.

[0100] (Additional note 2) A lid for covering an opening of a cleaning tank for accommodating medical instruments in a medical instrument cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, A lid main body portion; a recess provided in the lid main body, the recess including a bottom located closer to the cleaning tank than the lid main body, and a sidewall connecting the bottom and the lid main body; a bottom opening formed in the bottom; Equipped with The lid portion has a side wall portion that is an inclined portion tapered from the lid main body portion toward the bottom portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10...Cleaning and disinfecting equipment 11...Device body 13...Cleaning tank 13a...Cleaning tank opening 13d...periphery 13f...Bottom front part 13g…bottom rear part 13i…Slope 13j…Terrace section 16...Top cover 16a...Cover body 16b...Cover outer periphery 16c...Rib 17...Front panel 18...Side panel 19...Top panel 19a...Panel opening 19b...slope 20...Gasket 21...Net 22... Small item washing basket 24...Drainage port 25...Circulation port 26...Water supply nozzle 27...Water level sensor 28a...Airtightness test connector 28b...Main channel cleaning connector 28c...Subchannel cleaning connector 29a...Detergent supply nozzle 29b...Disinfectant supply nozzle 29c…Float switch 33...Transparent window 34...Paper outlet 36...Operation unit 37...Operation button 38...Display 39...Tag reader 43...Cover mounting part 43a…Bracket 43a1...Bracket tip 44...Foot switch 46...Net 50...recess 50a...recess opening 50b...bottom of recess 50c…Slope part 50c1...Connection part 50c2...Connection part 52…Bottom opening 54...Cylindrical part 54a...Connection part 56…First wall part 58...Gasket 60...Inner lid 60a...top 60b…Outer surface 62...Knob 64...Ventilation hole 66...Ventilation space 70...Rear cover 72...Filter housing section 73...Hinge axis 74...Finger insertion area 75...External recess 76…Medium recess 77...Screw hole 78...Finger insertion area 80…Exposed opening 81…Second wall part 90...Deodorizing filter 92…Outer lid 92a...vent 93...Hook part 200...Top cover 202...Convex part 204...Filter housing section 206...Ventilation tube 208...Gap VE...Ventilation passage

Claims

1. In a medical instrument cleaning and disinfection device, a washing tank for accommodating the medical instrument; a lid for covering the opening of the cleaning tank; a recess provided in a lid body of the lid part, the recess including a bottom and a sidewall connecting the bottom and the lid body; a bottom opening formed in the bottom portion and communicating with the inside of the cleaning tank; Equipped with A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, wherein the side wall portion is an inclined portion that tapers from the lid main body portion toward the bottom portion.

2. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion is provided with a cylindrical portion extending from the bottom opening toward the cleaning tank.

3. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lid portion is provided with a cover that covers the recess.

4. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cover is provided with a filter housing portion for housing a filter.

5. an inner lid that covers at least the bottom opening of the bottom portion is provided between the filter accommodating portion and the bottom portion; The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inner lid has a ventilation space formed therein that connects the filter housing portion and the bottom portion.

6. The inner lid has a top surface and an outer surface, The washer-disinfector according to claim 5, wherein a first air hole is formed in the outer surface.

7. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the filter housing section is provided with an inner lid mounting section to which the inner lid is mounted.

8. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the filter housing portion houses the filter on a surface of the inner lid opposite to a surface facing the bottom portion.

9. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cover is provided with an outer lid that covers the filter housing portion.

10. The washer / disinfector according to claim 9, wherein the outer cover is formed with a second air hole.

11. an apparatus main body for cleaning and disinfecting the medical instruments contained in the cleaning tank; The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is attached to the apparatus body so as to be rotatable between an open position that opens the opening and a closed position that closes the opening.

12. A lid for covering an opening of a cleaning tank for accommodating medical instruments in a medical instrument cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, A lid main body portion; a recess provided in the lid main body, the recess including a bottom and a sidewall connecting the bottom and the lid main body; a bottom opening formed in the bottom; Equipped with The lid portion has a side wall portion that is an inclined portion tapered from the lid main body portion toward the bottom portion.

Images