Drug solution bottle unit and endoscope reprocessor

Abstract

To provide a structure capable of detecting that a chemical bottle unit is surely mounted at a prescribed position inside a device.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a chemical liquid bottle unit configured by combining at least two bottles, the chemical liquid bottle unit including a first bottle that stores a first chemical liquid and a second bottle that stores a second chemical liquid, the first bottle including an opening and a first container body that stores the first chemical liquid, the second bottle including an opening and a second container body that stores the second chemical liquid, the first container body including a first step portion for detection, the second container body including a second step portion for detection, the first bottle and the second bottle are substantially L-shaped, and when combined, the first container body and the second container body form a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a chemical solution bottle unit that is applied to an endoscope reprocessor that cleans and disinfects endoscopes and the like after use, and to an endoscope reprocessor. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used for the examination and treatment of the inside of living bodies. In particular, medical endoscopes are inserted into the body cavities of living bodies and therefore need to be cleaned and disinfected after use in preparation for the next use. For this reason, endoscope reprocessors (hereinafter simply referred to as endoscope reprocessors), which are endoscope cleaning and disinfecting devices that clean and disinfect endoscopes and other instruments after use, have been put into practical use and are widely used.

[0003] In general, chemical solutions such as disinfectants for cleaning and disinfecting endoscopes and the like are supplied to the market in a state sealed in a chemical solution bottle unit. Some chemical solution bottle units are formed by integrating two chemical solution bottles, each containing a different chemical.

[0004] In an endoscope reprocessor that uses such a liquid medicine bottle unit, the liquid medicine bottle unit must be securely attached to a predetermined position inside the device.

[0005] Therefore, in conventional endoscopic reprocessors, various configurations have been proposed for detecting the status of the drug solution bottle unit, such as whether it is correctly attached to a predetermined position inside the endoscopic reprocessor device, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4674272.

[0006] The endoscopic reprocessor disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4674272, etc., has a configuration that uses two detection switches (limit switches) to detect a predetermined position (locked position) and completed insertion position of the drug solution bottle unit inside the device, as well as a predetermined position (initial insertion position) before the locked position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4674272 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the liquid medicine bottle unit applied in the endoscope reprocessor disclosed in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Publication No. 4674272, etc., is configured such that the recess (step portion) on which the two detection switches (limit switches) act is provided in only one of the two liquid medicine bottles.

[0009] For this reason, even if only one of the liquid medicine bottles with a recess (step) is installed inside the endoscope reprocessor, the device may recognize it as a normal liquid medicine bottle unit consisting of two liquid medicine bottles and begin operation. In this case, one of the medicines will not be supplied, and only the other medicine will be supplied. In this state, the endoscope reprocessor will not be able to adequately clean and disinfect endoscopes, etc.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide an endoscope reprocessor and a liquid medicine bottle unit that is applicable to an endoscope reprocessor and is equipped with a position detector that detects the position of the liquid medicine bottle unit inside the device, and that is configured by combining at least two bottles and has a structure that can detect that the liquid medicine bottle unit is securely attached to a predetermined position inside the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides a liquid medicine bottle unit formed by combining at least two bottles, comprising a first bottle for storing a first liquid medicine and a second bottle for storing a second liquid medicine, the first bottle having an opening and a first container body for storing the first liquid medicine, the second bottle having an opening and a second container body for storing the second liquid medicine, the first container body having a first step portion for detection, the second container body having a second step portion for detection, the first bottle and the second bottle having an approximate L-shape, and when combined, the first container body and the second container body form the approximate shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, a liquid medicine bottle unit applicable to an endoscope reprocessor equipped with a position detector that detects the position of the liquid medicine bottle unit inside the device, in which the liquid medicine bottle unit is composed of a combination of at least two bottles, can be provided, and an endoscope reprocessor can be provided, which has a structure that can detect that the liquid medicine bottle unit is securely attached to a predetermined position inside the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an endoscope reprocessor to which a liquid medicine bottle unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the tray of the endoscope reprocessor of FIG. 1 is pulled out; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the liquid medicine bottle mounting device of the endoscope reprocessor of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a liquid medicine bottle unit is mounted on the liquid medicine bottle mounting device of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing the tray insertion process in the medicine bottle mounting device in the state of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram conceptually illustrating the configuration of the medicine bottle mounting device of FIG. 3; [Figure 7] An external perspective view showing the chemical solution bottle unit of the first embodiment of the present invention taken out, [Figure 8] A top view of the chemical solution bottle unit as seen from the direction of arrow [8] in FIG. 7, [Figure 9] A top view showing the state where the first chemical solution bottle and the second chemical solution bottle in the chemical solution bottle unit of FIG. 8 are separated, [Figure 10] A view showing the joint surfaces of the first chemical solution bottle and the second chemical solution bottle of the chemical solution bottle unit in FIG. 7, and a view showing the side surface of the first bottle along the line

[10] -

[10] in FIGS. 8 and 9, [Figure 11] A view showing the side surface of the second bottle along the line

[11] -

[11] in FIGS. 8 and 9, [Figure 12] A view showing the state at the second initial position [B1] after the chemical solution bottle unit has moved in the direction in which it is pushed in after the state in FIG. 6, [Figure 13] A view showing the state at the first detection position [C] after the chemical solution bottle unit has moved in the direction in which it is pushed in after the state in FIG. 12, [Figure 14] A view showing the state at the second detection position [B] after the chemical solution bottle unit has further moved in the direction in which it is pushed in after the state in FIG. 13, [Figure 15] A view showing the state at the third detection position [A] after the chemical solution bottle unit has further moved in the direction in which it is pushed in after the state in FIG. 14, [Figure 16] An external perspective view showing the chemical solution bottle unit of the second embodiment of the present invention taken out, [Figure 17] A top view of the chemical solution bottle unit as seen from the direction of arrow

[17] in FIG. 16, [Figure 18] A top view showing the state where the first chemical solution bottle and the second chemical solution bottle in the chemical solution bottle unit of FIG. 17 are separated, [Figure 19] An external perspective view showing the chemical solution bottle unit of the third embodiment of the present invention taken out, [Figure 20] A top view of the chemical solution bottle unit as seen from the direction of arrow

[20] in FIG. 19, [Figure 21] 21 is a top view showing a state in which the first liquid medicine bottle and the second liquid medicine bottle in the liquid medicine bottle unit of FIG. 20 are separated;

[0033] FIG. [Figure 22] 10 is a top view showing a liquid medicine bottle unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 23] 23 is a top view showing the state in which the first and second liquid medicine bottles in the liquid medicine bottle unit of FIG. 22 are separated. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. The drawings used in the following description are schematic. Therefore, in these drawings, each component is shown at a size that allows it to be recognized on the drawing. For this reason, the dimensional relationships and scales of each member in the drawings may be shown differently for each component. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments with respect to the quantity, shape, size ratio, relative positional relationships, etc. of each component shown in each drawing.

[0015] In the following description, when referring to the up-down direction, the down direction refers to the direction of gravity (vertically downward), and the up direction refers to the direction opposite to the direction of gravity (vertically upward). Furthermore, the left-right direction refers to the horizontal direction, which is the direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity (vertical direction).

[0016] In the following description of the embodiments, an automatic endoscope reprocessor (AER) is used as an example of an endoscope washer-disinfector. However, the embodiments are not limited to those for endoscopes and can be similarly applied to washer-disinfectors for various other types of medical equipment.

[0017] An endoscope reprocessor is a device that regenerates contaminated endoscopes, their parts, and accessories after use. Here, regeneration refers to various processes, including, for example, rinsing with water or the like, cleaning to remove organic contaminants, disinfection to neutralize specific microorganisms, and sterilization to eliminate or kill all microorganisms. An endoscope reprocessor may also be implemented in a form that combines the above-mentioned processes.

[0018] In addition, accessories include, for example, components that are attached to the endoscope when the endoscope is in use and that are removed from the endoscope during recycling processing, such as a suction button and an air / water supply button, as well as a tip cover that covers the tip of the endoscope.

[0019] First, before describing the configuration of the liquid medicine bottle unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the endoscope reprocessor to which the liquid medicine bottle unit is applied will be briefly described below.

[0020] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an endoscope reprocessor to which a liquid medicine bottle unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the endoscope reprocessor in FIG. 1 with the tray pulled out. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the liquid medicine bottle mounting device of the endoscope reprocessor in FIG. 1 with the liquid medicine bottle mounting device removed. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the state in which a liquid medicine bottle unit is mounted on the liquid medicine bottle mounting device in FIG. 3. Note that FIG. 4 shows the state in which the tray is pulled out. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing the process of inserting the tray into the liquid medicine bottle mounting device in the state of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the liquid medicine bottle mounting device in FIG. 3. Note that FIG. 6 shows a side view of the liquid medicine bottle device with the liquid medicine bottle unit mounted.

[0021] Fig. 7 is an external perspective view showing the liquid medicine bottle unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a top view of the liquid medicine bottle unit as seen from the direction of arrow [8] in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a top view showing the first and second liquid medicine bottles in the liquid medicine bottle unit of Fig. 8 with the first and second bottles separated. Figs. 10 and 11 are views showing the joining surfaces of the first and second liquid medicine bottles in the liquid medicine bottle unit of Fig. 7. Of these, Fig. 10 shows a side view of the first bottle taken along line

[10] -

[10] in Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. 11 shows a side view of the second bottle taken along line

[11] -

[11] in Figs. 8 and 9.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the endoscope reprocessor 1 of this embodiment is mainly composed of a device main body 2. The device main body 2 has an operation panel 3, an ID input unit 4, a top cover 5, and a water supply hose connection port 6. The device main body 2 also has therein a control unit 7, a liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8, a limit switch 9 which is a detection switch, a liquid medicine bottle unit 10, and two locking mechanisms (28, 29). Of these, the limit switch 9 and the two locking mechanisms (28, 29) are provided in the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8.

[0023] The operation panel 3 displays various information and also various operation buttons. That is, the operation panel 3 is mainly composed of, for example, a touch panel. Here, the various operation buttons displayed on the operation panel 3 function as various instruction input units. As a result, when a user or the like inputs a predetermined instruction from the operation panel 3, an instruction signal corresponding to the content of the instruction is output to the control unit 7.

[0024] Furthermore, the operation panel 3 displays various types of abnormality information when an abnormality occurs in the endoscope reprocessor 1. The abnormality information is displayed based on, for example, a signal transmitted from the control unit 7. This allows the operation panel 3 to warn the user or the like of the occurrence of an abnormality.

[0025] In this way, in this embodiment, the operation panel 3 also functions as a warning unit. The form of the operation panel 3 is not limited to the form shown in Figures 1 and 2. The operation panel 3 may be formed, for example, by an LED panel and a keyboard that allows key input.

[0026] The ID input unit 4 is a component that inputs a user ID, a scope ID (endoscopic information), etc. The ID input unit 4 is configured, for example, by an RFID reader that can read the user ID from an RFID tag. When the user ID is input, the ID input unit 4 outputs the user ID to the control unit 7.

[0027] The ID input unit 4 is not limited to an RFID reader, but may be, for example, a barcode reader that reads barcodes or a keyboard that allows key input.

[0028] The top cover 5 is provided so as to be able to be opened and closed freely on the top surface of the device main body 2. When the top cover 5 is opened, a treatment tank (not shown) is exposed towards the top of the device main body 2. The treatment tank is a cleaning and disinfecting tank that accommodates the endoscope, endoscope parts, accessories, etc. to be regenerated, and stores liquids such as cleaning liquid, disinfectant liquid, and rinse liquid.

[0029] The water supply hose connection port 6 is provided in one corner of the top surface of the device body 2. The water supply hose connection port 6 is connected to a regular water faucet through a water supply hose (not shown).

[0030] The liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 is a device for detachably installing a liquid medicine bottle unit 10 (described later) inside the device body 2 of the endoscope reprocessor 1. The liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 is disposed inside the device body 2, extending in the front-to-rear direction of the device body 2. The liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 also has a bottom surface with a predetermined inclination angle so that the base end side (front panel side) is higher than the tip end side (rear side of the device) (described in detail later).

[0031] A panel 2b for opening and closing an opening 2a (see FIG. 2) provided in the front panel of the device main body 2 is disposed on the base end surface of the drug solution bottle mounting device 8.

[0032] Next, the detailed configuration of the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. As shown in the figures, the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 has a bottle case 31 and a tray 32.

[0033] The bottle case 31 has a hollow, generally box-like shape and is formed by a bottom plate 31b, a top plate 31c, a pair of side plates 31d, a ceiling plate 31e, and an opening 31a.

[0034] Here, opening 31a is an opening portion that opens to a hollow region of the approximately box-shaped portion of bottle case 31 that is surrounded by bottom plate 31b, tip plate 31c, a pair of side plates 31d, and ceiling plate 31e. Opening 31a is formed as an insertion port through which a liquid medicine bottle unit 10, which will be described later, is inserted into bottle case 31. Opening 31a opens toward the base end side of device main body 2 (the front side of the device). Bottle case 31 is fixed inside device main body 2.

[0035] In this case, the bottom plate 31b of the bottle case 31 of the drug solution bottle mounting device 8 is disposed inside the device main body 2 at a predetermined inclination angle so that the base end side (front panel side) is higher than the tip end side (device rear side). Here, in the endoscope reprocessor 1 of this embodiment, the bottom plate 31b is set at an inclination angle S1 with respect to the horizontal line H, as shown in Fig. 6 .

[0036] As described above, the liquid medicine bottle unit 10, which will be described later, is inserted into the bottle case 31 from one end face (reference numerals 11a and 12a, which will be described later; see FIG. 7, etc.) through the opening 31a and placed at a predetermined position within the case 31. In this way, the bottle case 31 functions as a bottle setting section that sets the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 inside the device main body 2.

[0037] 3, the bottle case 31 has a pair of left and right guide rails 33 at the top of the left and right walls. The pair of guide rails 33 extend in the front-rear direction of the bottle case 31.

[0038] In the endoscope reprocessor 1, the tray 32 is a receiving member for storing the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 in the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 and for moving the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 in a predetermined direction inside the device main body 2.

[0039] The tray 32 has a bottom plate 35, a back plate 36, and a pair of left and right side plates 37. The bottom plate 35 is set to have a width slightly larger than the width dimension of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10. This allows the tray 32 to be able to place the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 on it. The bottom plate 35 is also set to have a width slightly smaller than the width dimension of the opening 31a of the bottle case 31. This allows the tray 32 to be inserted into the bottle case 31.

[0040] The rear plate 36 is disposed integrally with the panel 2b. The lower portion of the rear plate 36 is connected to the base end portion of the bottom plate 35. The rear plate 36 functions as a door that opens and closes the opening 2a of the device body 2.

[0041] That is, when the tray 32 is inserted and positioned up to the terminal position (tip position) within the bottle case 31, the back plate 36 closes the opening 2a of the device main body 2 together with the panel 2b. At this time, the panel 2b provided on the back plate 36, which is the base end face of the tray 32, is positioned on approximately the same plane as the front panel of the device main body 2. On the other hand, when the tray 32 retreats rearward relative to the bottle case 31, the back plate 36 and the panel 2b open the opening 2a of the device main body 2.

[0042] The pair of side plates 37 have their lower portions connected to the left and right sides of the bottom plate 35. The base ends of the pair of side plates 37 are connected to the sides of the back plate 36. In this way, the side plates 37 position the liquid medicine bottle units 10 placed on the tray 32 in the left-right direction.

[0043] The pair of side plates 37 also have a pair of rail portions 37a whose upper tip portions are slidably connected to the pair of guide rails 33. This allows the tray 32 to slide freely in the direction of advancing and retreating relative to the bottle case 31 (i.e., the direction of insertion and removal).

[0044] 3 and other figures, the bottle case 31 has two cap receiving tubes 43 (only one is shown in FIG. 6, as it is a side view) near the bottom surface (bottom plate 31b) of the tip plate 31c. The two cap receiving tubes 43 are arranged side by side at a predetermined distance in the left-right direction of the bottle case 31. The two cap receiving tubes 43 are tubular and have base end openings that can be inserted into caps (15, 16) (described later) of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10.

[0045] The two cap receiving pipes 43 also serve as fluid path inlets that guide the liquid in two liquid medicine bottles (first liquid medicine bottle 11 and second liquid medicine bottle 12) of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10, which will be described later, to a liquid medicine tank 2x (not shown) provided inside the device main body 2. To this end, the two cap receiving pipes 43 have fluid pipes 45 connected to the liquid medicine tank 2x (not shown) connected to their tips.

[0046] Furthermore, blades 41 (see FIG. 6) for separately breaking the closure members (17, 18; described in detail later) of the two liquid medicine bottles (11, 12) are integrally disposed inside each of the two cap receiving tubes 43. The blades 41 are formed of a tubular member made of metal such as stainless steel.

[0047] As will be described later, the blades 41 are configured to have a sharp shape for piercing through and breaking the closure members 17 and 18 (described later) of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 when the caps 15 and 16 of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 are inserted into the respective base-end openings of the two cap receiving tubes 43. For this purpose, a blade 41 is provided on each of the two cap receiving tubes 43. Note that because Fig. 6 is a side view, the two blades 41 cannot be seen.

[0048] The control unit 7 includes one or more processors 7a (see FIGS. 1 and 2), a memory, an input / output interface, a recording medium, and the like (not shown).

[0049] For example, the processor 7a is at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The control unit 7 controls the endoscope reprocessor 1 in an integrated manner.

[0050] To control the endoscope reprocessor 1, the processor 7a monitors when the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is replaced. In this monitoring, the processor 7a determines the position of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10. This position determination is performed based on detection signal information from the limit switch 9.

[0051] That is, the limit switch 9 functions as a position detector that detects the position of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 when it is attached to the liquid medicine bottle attachment device 8. The position determination of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 based on the limit switch 9 will be described later.

[0052] The processor 7a further determines whether there is an abnormality in the replacement work of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10. If an abnormality in the replacement work is determined, the processor 7a transmits an abnormality signal to, for example, the operation panel 3. As a result, abnormality information is displayed on the operation panel 3.

[0053] The limit switch 9 is a so-called double-action detection switch that is capable of detecting two types of pressing force. The limit switch 9 is attached to the ceiling plate 31e of the bottle case 31, as shown in FIG.

[0054] The limit switch 9 includes a switch body 50 , a push rod 51 , a roller lever 52 , and a roller 53 .

[0055] The push rod 51 is connected to the switch body 50. In a natural state where no external force is applied, the push rod 51 protrudes from the switch body 50 (see FIG. 6). The push rod 51 is configured to be pushed toward the inside of the switch body 50 by an external pressing force.

[0056] When the push rod 51 is pressed a predetermined first amount, the switch body 50 outputs a first signal. When the push rod 51 is pressed a second amount that is greater than the first amount, the switch body 50 outputs a second signal. As a result, the switch body 50 is configured to be able to detect two different amounts of pressing.

[0057] Roller lever 52 is attached to limit switch 9 so as to be able to swing freely. A roller 53 is provided at the tip of roller lever 52. Roller 53 is cylindrical with its major axis in the width direction. The major axis of roller 53 is arranged so as to be approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction of liquid medicine bottle unit 10. Roller 53 is rotatable around the major axis.

[0058] With this configuration, the rollers 53 function as contacts that come into contact with and roll on the upper surface of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 (tip inclined surfaces 11y, 12y, second side surfaces 11c2, 12c2, and recessed portion 10s, which will be described later; see FIG. 7).

[0059] That is, roller 53 moves along the upper surface of liquid medicine bottle unit 10 that is placed and moved on tray 32. In this case, roller 53 acts across both first liquid medicine bottle 11 and second liquid medicine bottle 12. For this reason, roller 53 is formed to have a predetermined length dimension in the width direction and is positioned so as to be in constant contact with the upper surface of liquid medicine bottle unit 10.

[0060] The tip of the push rod 51 is located within the swing range of the roller lever 52. The push rod 51 is disposed so as to be able to freely protrude and retract into the switch body 50. When the roller lever 52 is swung by a predetermined action, the push rod 51 is pressed and pushed into the switch body 50. In this case, the limit switch 9 outputs two types of detection signals according to the amount of depression of the push rod 51 by the roller lever 52, as described above.

[0061] The two locking mechanisms (28, 29) are mechanism units that, after being attached to the liquid medicine bottle attachment device 8, restrict removal of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 midway while it is moving inside the device main body 2.

[0062] The two locking mechanisms are a first locking mechanism 28 and a second locking mechanism 29. These two locking mechanisms (28, 29) have substantially the same configuration, but are different in their locations and actuation timing.

[0063] The two locking mechanisms (28, 29) are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in the direction along the movement direction of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10.

[0064] The activation timing of the two locking mechanisms ( 28 , 29 ) is controlled by the processor 7 a of the control unit 7 in accordance with the time-series changes in the output signal of the limit switch 9 .

[0065] The first lock mechanism 28 is provided to prevent the limit switch 9 from erroneously detecting the signal output.

[0066] The second locking mechanism 29 is provided to restrict movement of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 in the return direction (removal direction) toward the base end at the time when the closure members 17, 18 of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 are broken by the blade 41 or just before they are broken, thereby preventing leakage of the liquid medicine inside the liquid medicine bottle unit 10.

[0067] Next, the configuration of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 11. As shown in the figures, the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is a so-called cassette-type bottle unit configured by arranging two types of liquid medicine bottles, namely, a first liquid medicine bottle 11 which is a first bottle and a second liquid medicine bottle 12 which is a second bottle, side by side.

[0068] In the liquid medicine bottle unit 10, one of the first liquid medicine bottles 11 stores a disinfectant (for example, a liquid containing concentrated peracetic acid, referred to as the "agent"), which is a first liquid medicine. In the liquid medicine bottle unit 10, the other of the second liquid medicine bottles 12 stores a buffer, which is a second liquid medicine.

[0069] Although the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 in this embodiment is shown as being constituted by two bottles (11, 12), other configurations are also possible. The liquid medicine bottle unit may be constituted by, for example, a single liquid medicine bottle or by three or more liquid medicine bottles.

[0070] First liquid medicine bottle 11 and second liquid medicine bottle 12 are basically formed in approximately the same shape, with some slight differences in shape.

[0071] First medicinal liquid bottle 11 has first container body 13, which is the first bottle body and serves as the first main body, and cap 15. First container body 13 is a substantially box-shaped container in which liquid (the agent) is stored.

[0072] The second liquid medicine bottle 12 has a second container body 14 that is a second bottle body and serves as a second main body, and a cap 16. The second container body 14 is a substantially box-shaped container that stores a liquid (buffer material).

[0073] The first container body 13 has a first end face 11a (a flat end face 11x and a sloped end face 11y), a second end face 11b, four side faces (11c1, 11c2, 11c3, 11c4), and a recessed portion 11s.

[0074] Here, the four side surfaces are a first side surface 11c1, a second side surface 11c2, a third side surface 11c3, and a fourth side surface 11c4.

[0075] The first side surface 11c1 is disposed on the bottom side when the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is placed in an inverted state on the tray 32 of the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8, and is the surface that faces and contacts the bottom plate 35 of the tray 32.

[0076] The second side surface 11c2 is a surface facing the first side surface 11c1, and is a surface that is disposed on the upper surface side in the inverted state.

[0077] When the first and second liquid medicine bottles 11 and 12 are integrated to form the liquid medicine bottle unit 10, the third side surface 11c3 is joined to the third side surface 12c3 of the second liquid medicine bottle 12. The fourth side surface 11c4 is a surface opposite to the third side surface 11c3.

[0078] The first end face 11a is formed to have a flat tip surface 11x and a sloped tip surface 11y. The flat tip surface 11x is located at a position biased toward the first side surface 11c1 (see FIG. 10; bottom surface side) of the four side surfaces.

[0079] The second container body 14 has a first end face 12a (a flat end face 12x and a sloped end face 12y), a second end face 12b, four side faces (12c1, 12c2, 12c3, 12c4), and a recessed portion 12s.

[0080] Here, the four side surfaces are a first side surface 12c1, a second side surface 12c2, a third side surface 12c3, and a fourth side surface 12c4.

[0081] The first side surface 12c1 is disposed on the bottom side when the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is placed in an inverted state on the tray 32 of the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8, and is the surface that faces and contacts the bottom plate 35 of the tray 32.

[0082] The second side surface 12c2 is a surface facing the first side surface 12c1, and is a surface disposed on the upper surface side in the inverted state.

[0083] The third side surface 12c3 is a surface that is joined to the third side surface 11c3 of the first liquid medicine bottle 11 when the first liquid medicine bottle 11 and the second liquid medicine bottle 12 are integrated to form the liquid medicine bottle unit 10. The fourth side surface 12c4 is a surface that faces the third side surface 12c3.

[0084] The first end face 12a is formed to have a flat tip surface 12x and a sloped tip surface 12y. The flat tip surface 12x is located at a position biased toward the first side surface 12c1 (see FIG. 11; bottom surface side) of the four side surfaces.

[0085] In the first container body 13, the first end face 11a and the second end face 11b are arranged to face each other. In this case, the tip plane 11x of the first end face 11a and the second end face 11b are arranged to be approximately parallel to each other.

[0086] The four side surfaces (11c1, 11c2, 11c3, 11c4) are arranged so as to be approximately perpendicular to the first end surface 11a (the tip plane 11x thereof) and the second end surface 11b. In this case, the four side surfaces (11c1, 11c2, 11c3, 11c4) are arranged so as to surround the peripheries of the first end surface 11a and the second end surface 11b, respectively.

[0087] In the second container body 14, the first end face 12a and the second end face 12b are arranged to face each other. In this case, the tip plane 12x of the first end face 12a and the second end face 12b are arranged to be approximately parallel to each other.

[0088] The four side surfaces (12c1, 12c2, 12c3, 12c4) are arranged to be approximately perpendicular to the first end surface 12a (the tip plane 12x thereof) and the second end surface 12b. In this case, the four side surfaces (12c1, 12c2, 12c3, 12c4) are arranged to surround the peripheries of the first end surface 12a and the second end surface 12b, respectively.

[0089] In the first container body 13, a bottle opening (not shown) is formed on the tip flat surface 11x of the first end face 11a. The bottle opening is an opening for discharging the liquid (the agent) stored in the first container body 13. A substantially cylindrical portion (not shown) is formed in the bottle opening so as to surround the bottle opening. A cap 15 is attached to the substantially cylindrical portion using a connecting and joining means such as a screw connection.

[0090] In the second container body 14, a bottle opening (not shown) is formed on the tip flat surface 12x of the first end face 12a. The bottle opening is an opening for discharging the liquid (buffer material) stored in the second container body 14. A substantially cylindrical portion (not shown) is formed in the bottle opening so as to surround the bottle opening. A cap 16 is attached to the substantially cylindrical portion using a connecting and joining means such as a screw connection.

[0091] 7 to 9, the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 of this embodiment is formed in such a manner that the third side surface 11c3 of the first liquid medicine bottle 11 and the third side surface 12c3 of the second liquid medicine bottle 12 are adjacent to each other and integrally joined together. In other words, the third side surfaces 11c3 and 12c3 form a joining surface.

[0092] In this case, the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is arranged so that the end flat surface 11x of the first end surface 11a of the first liquid medicine bottle 11 and the end flat surface 12x of the first end surface 12a of the second liquid medicine bottle 12 are substantially flush with each other. Similarly, the second end surface 11b of the first liquid medicine bottle 11 and the second end surface 12b of the second liquid medicine bottle 12 are arranged so that they are substantially flush with each other.

[0093] The recessed portion 11s is a first stepped portion formed in a portion of the region of the first liquid medicine bottle 11 that spans from the second side surface 11c2 to the third side surface 11c3.

[0094] Similarly, the recessed portion 12s is a second stepped portion formed in a portion of the region of the second liquid medicine bottle 12 that spans from the second side surface 12c2 to the third side surface 12c3.

[0095] When the two liquid medicine bottles (11, 12) in the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 of this embodiment are connected as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the two recessed portions 11s, 12s are integrated to form a single recessed portion 10s (see Figure 7).

[0096] Here, a first detected surface 21 of the multiple detected surfaces acting on the limit switch 9 is formed in a part of each of the second side surfaces 11c2, 12c2 of both the drug solution bottles 11, 12, in an area near the tip (first end surface 11a, 12a) of the recessed portion 10s (FIGS. 8, 9, and 11). Here, the first detected surface 21 is the first surface.

[0097] The first detection surface 21 is a reference surface having a height approximately equal to that of the second side surface 11c2 on the upper surface side of the first container body 13. Specifically, the first detection surface 21 is provided in a partial area near the tip of the second side surface 11c2. The first detection surface 21 is formed by a flat surface extending in the front-rear direction.

[0098] Further, the tip inclined surface 11y of the first end surface 11a functions as an auxiliary detection surface that acts on the limit switch 9 (described in detail later).

[0099] Furthermore, inside the recessed portion 10s, a plurality of detection surfaces (22, 23) and a plurality of auxiliary detection surfaces (24, 25) that act on the limit switch 9 are formed in a predetermined shape.

[0100] Here, the detected surfaces inside the recessed portion 10s include a second detected surface 22 and a third detected surface .

[0101] The second detected surface 22 is a flat surface that forms a step that is one step lower than the first detected surface 21. In other words, the second detected surface 22 has a different vertical height than the first detected surface 21. In this case, the second detected surface 22 is lower than the first detected surface 21.

[0102] The second detected surface 22 is formed by a flat surface parallel to the first detected surface 21. The second detected surface 22 is disposed closer to the base end than the first detected surface 21. Here, the second detected surface 22 is the second surface.

[0103] The third detected surface 23 is a flat surface that forms a step that is one step lower than the second detected surface 22. In other words, the third detected surface 23 has a different vertical height than the second detected surface 22. In this case, the third detected surface 23 is lower than the second detected surface 22.

[0104] The third detected surface 23 is formed by a flat surface parallel to the first detected surface 21 and the second detected surface 22. The third detected surface 23 is disposed closer to the base end than the second detected surface 22. Here, the third detected surface 23 is the third surface.

[0105] The auxiliary detection surfaces inside the recessed portion 10s include a first auxiliary detection surface 24 and a second auxiliary detection surface 25.

[0106] The first auxiliary detection surface 24 is a first inclined surface that smoothly connects the first detection surface 21 and the second detection surface 22. The first auxiliary detection surface 24 is an inclined surface that slopes from the tip end side to the base end side inside the recessed portion 10s.

[0107] The second auxiliary detection surface 25 is a second inclined surface that smoothly connects the second detection surface 22 and the third detection surface 23. The second auxiliary detection surface 25 is an inclined surface that slopes from the tip end side to the base end side inside the recessed portion 10s.

[0108] The recessed portion 11s is formed with a third detected surface 23. The recessed portion 12s is formed with a second detected surface 22, a first auxiliary detected surface 24, and a second auxiliary detected surface 25.

[0109] Each of the container bodies 13, 14 is formed as described above. As described above, the caps 15, 16 are disposed at the respective predetermined positions (tip planes 11x, 12x) of each of the container bodies 13, 14 formed in this manner.

[0110] Each of the caps 15, 16 has a closing member 17, 18 therein. Each of the closing members 17, 18 is integrally formed so as to close the inner hole of each of the caps 15, 16. This keeps each of the container bodies 13, 14 in an airtight and liquidtight state.

[0111] The caps 15 and 16 have the same shape and size, and are both generally cylindrical in shape.

[0112] The cap 15 is disposed on the tip flat surface 11x of the first end surface 11a of the first container body 13. The cap 15 has a closing member 17, which is a first lid, inside.

[0113] The cap 16 is disposed on the tip flat surface 12x of the first end surface 12a of the second container body 14. The cap 16 has a closing member 18 therein, which is a second lid.

[0114] These closing members 17, 18 are lid members formed to close the inner holes of the caps 15, 16. Here, the closing members 17, 18 are formed using a material that can ensure high adhesion between them and the inner wall surfaces of the caps 15, 16, such as an elastic body made of resin, rubber, or the like. By providing the closing members 17, 18 inside the caps 15, 16 in this way, the first container body 13 and the second container body 14 have a sealed structure that can maintain an airtight and liquidtight state.

[0115] In other words, the inside of the first liquid medicine bottle 11 is sealed by a closing member 17 (first lid), and the inside of the second liquid medicine bottle 12 is sealed by a closing member 18 (second lid).

[0116] The liquid medicine bottle unit 10 configured in this manner is replaceable in the device body 2. That is, the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 used in the recycling process of an endoscope or the like is pulled out from the device body 2, for example, when the next recycling process is performed. Then, a new liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is inserted into the device body 2.

[0117] 6 and 12 to 15 are schematic diagrams showing in time sequence the actions when the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8, to which the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is mounted, is pulled into the inside of the device main body 2. As shown in FIG.

[0118] As described above, Figure 6 shows the state in which the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 is in the first initial position [A1] when it moves together with the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 toward the inside of the device main body 2 after the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 has been mounted on the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8.

[0119] At this time, roller 53 is not in contact with liquid medicine bottle unit 10. Therefore, the output signal of limit switch 9 is in the OFF state. Note that, when only the output signal of limit switch 9 is considered, the state in FIG. 6 is equivalent to the state in FIG. 15, which will be described later.

[0120] FIG. 12 shows a state in which the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is in the second initial position [B1] after being moved in the pushing direction following the state in FIG.

[0121] At this time, roller 53 contacts the inclined tip surfaces (11y, 12y) of liquid medicine bottle unit 10 and rolls along these surfaces (11y, 12y) to reach second initial position [B1]. During this process, roller lever 52 swings counterclockwise in the figure, pushing push rod 51 a predetermined distance. In response to this, limit switch 9 outputs a first signal. Note that, when only the output signal of limit switch 9 is considered, the state in FIG. 12 is equivalent to the state in FIG. 14, which will be described later.

[0122] FIG. 13 shows a state in which the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is in the first detection position [C] after being moved in the pushing direction following the state in FIG.

[0123] At this time, the roller 53 further rolls along the inclined tip surfaces (11y, 12y) of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 and reaches the predetermined first detection position [C]. During this process, the roller lever 52 further swings counterclockwise in the figure, further pushing the push rod 51 by a predetermined amount. In response to this, the limit switch 9 outputs a second signal. Upon receiving the second signal from the limit switch 9, the control unit 7 activates the first locking mechanism 28 through the processor 7a. This places the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 in the first locked state.

[0124] That is, in order for the first locking mechanism 28 to operate, as described above, State of Figure 6 (first initial position [A1]; limit switch 9 is in the OFF state), State of FIG. 12 (second initial position [B1]; limit switch 9 outputs first signal), State of Figure 13 (first detection position [C]; limit switch 9 outputs second signal) A series of transitions is required.

[0125] FIG. 14 shows a state in which the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is at the second detection position [B] after being further moved in the pushing direction after the state in FIG.

[0126] At this time, roller 53 rolls from first detectable surface 21 along first auxiliary detectable surface 24 of liquid medicine bottle unit 10, eventually reaching second detectable surface 22. During this process, roller lever 52 swings a predetermined amount clockwise in the figure. Push rod 51 then returns a predetermined amount in the protruding direction. In response to this, the output from limit switch 9 switches from the second signal to the first signal. Note that, when only the output signal of limit switch 9 is considered, the state in FIG. 14 is equivalent to the state in FIG. 12 described above.

[0127] FIG. 15 shows a state in which the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is at the third detection position [A] after being further moved in the pushing direction after the state in FIG.

[0128] At this time, roller 53 rolls from second detection surface 22 along second auxiliary detection surface 25 of liquid medicine bottle unit 10, eventually reaching third detection surface 23. During this process, roller lever 52 further swings a predetermined amount clockwise in the figure. This causes push rod 51 to return further in the protruding direction. In response, the output signal of limit switch 9 becomes OFF.

[0129] In response to the limit switch 9 being turned off, the control unit 7 activates the second locking mechanism 29 through the processor 7a, thereby putting the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 into the second locked state.

[0130] Here, when the drug solution bottle unit 10 is placed at the third detection position [A] shown in Fig. 15, the blade 41 is in contact with the closure members 17, 18 and breaking the closure members 17, 18, or the blade 41 is in a position on the verge of contacting the closure members 17, 18. Note that, when only the output signal of the limit switch 9 is considered, the state in Fig. 15 is equivalent to the state in Fig. 6 described above.

[0131] In order for the second locking mechanism 29 to operate in this manner, as described above, State of Figure 13 (first detection position [C]; limit switch 9 outputs second signal) The state of FIG. 14 (second detection position [B]; limit switch 9 outputs the first signal), The state of FIG. 15 (third detection position [A]; limit switch 9 is in the OFF state), A series of output signal change transitions are required.

[0132] As described above, the position of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 inside the device body 2 is determined based on the detection signals (first signal, second signal) of the limit switch 9. Here, focusing on the time-series changes of the two types of output signals of the limit switch 9, the following can be seen.

[0133] First, during the process of inserting the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 into the device body 2, if the output signal from the limit switch 9 remains in the OFF state and there has been no output signal from the limit switch 9 even going back a predetermined time, the processor 7a determines that the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is in the initial position [A1] during the insertion process (see FIG. 6). At this time, the blade 41 is located sufficiently far away from the closure members 17, 18 and is not in firm contact with them.

[0134] Next, when the output signal from the limit switch 9 changes from the OFF state to outputting the first signal during the process of inserting the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 into the device body 2, the processor 7a determines that the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is in the second initial position [B1] (see FIG. 12). Even at this point, the blade 41 is still sufficiently separated from the closure members 17, 18 and is not in firm contact with them.

[0135] Next, when the output signal from the limit switch 9 changes from the first signal to the second signal during the insertion of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 into the device body 2, the processor 7a determines that the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is at the first detection position [C] (see FIG. 13). At this time, the second signal is detected, and the first locking mechanism 28 is activated. This prevents the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 from being pulled back toward the base end. Even at this point, the blade 41 is still sufficiently separated from the closure members 17, 18 and is not in firm contact with them.

[0136] At this point, the first locking mechanism 28 is provided in consideration of the following.

[0137] As described above, during the process of inserting the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 into the device main body 2, if the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 is further pushed toward the inside of the device main body 2 after the first detection position [C] (second signal output of the limit switch 9; see Figure 13), the position of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 detected based on the limit switch 9 should change from [C] to [B] to [A].

[0138] On the other hand, when the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is in the first detection position [C] (see FIG. 13), if the first locking mechanism 28 is not provided, the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 can be pulled back toward the base end. Such an operation is not originally intended, and can be said to be an operation that is basically unnecessary when performing a cleaning and disinfecting operation in the endoscope reprocessor 1.

[0139] In this case, when such an operation is performed, the position of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is actually [C]-[B1]-[A1], but the position information detected by the limit switch 9 at this time is [C]-[B]-[A]. In other words, in this situation, even though a pull-back operation is being performed, if we focus only on the output signal of the limit switch 9, an output similar to that detected when the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 is pushed toward the inside of the device main body 2 is detected.

[0140] Therefore, even if the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 is actually pulled back and reaches the initial position [A1] due to an incorrect operation by the user, there is a possibility that an erroneous detection will occur in which the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 is determined to have been pushed in and is at the third detection position [A].

[0141] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first locking mechanism 28 is activated to prevent the retraction operation of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 only when the transition of the position information [A1]-[B1]-[C] is determined based on the output of the limit switch 9 by detecting the transition of a series of changes in the output signal of the limit switch 9.

[0142] In addition, from the viewpoint of preventing erroneous detection, a fourth detection position [D] (not shown) may be provided after the determination of the second detection position [B] (see FIG. 14) that is made after the state of FIG. 13, and a transition of the series of position information [A1]-[B1]-[C]-[B]-[D] may be determined. In this way, by setting the operating conditions of the first locking mechanism 28 in more detail, it becomes possible to further prevent erroneous detection of the position information.

[0143] Subsequently, during the process of inserting the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 into the device body 2 from the first detection position [C], when the output signal from the limit switch 9 changes from the second signal to the first signal, the processor 7a determines that the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is at the second detection position [B] (see FIG. 14). At this point, the blade 41 is approaching each of the closure members 17, 18.

[0144] Subsequently, when the output signal from the limit switch 9 changes from the first signal to the OFF state during the process of inserting the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 into the device body 2, the processor 7a determines that the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is at the third detection position [A] (see FIG. 15). At the same time, in response to the change of the limit switch 9 to the OFF state, the second locking mechanism 29 is activated. This prevents the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 from being pulled back toward the base end.

[0145] At this point, the blade 41 has come into contact with each of the closure members 17, 18 and is breaking the closure members 17, 18, or is in a position on the verge of coming into contact with the closure members 17, 18 (see FIG. 15). Therefore, if the retraction operation of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 can be further prevented at this point, leakage of the liquid medicine can be reliably prevented.

[0146] As described above, according to the first embodiment, in liquid medicine bottle unit 10 applied to endoscope reprocessor 1 equipped with a position detector (limit switch 9) that detects the position of the liquid medicine bottle unit attached inside device main body 2, liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is configured by combining at least two liquid medicine bottles, first liquid medicine bottle 11 and second liquid medicine bottle 12. In this embodiment, second side surface 12c2 (one side surface) of second liquid medicine bottle 12 is formed to have first detectable surface 21 (first surface) and second detectable surface 22 (second surface). Here, second detectable surface 22 (second surface) is formed on the same side surface as first detectable surface 21 (first surface), and first detectable surface 21 (first surface) and second detectable surface 22 (second surface) have different vertical heights on one side surface.

[0147] Second side surface 11c2 (one side surface) of first liquid medicine bottle 11 is formed to have third detectable surface 23 (third surface). Here, third detectable surface 23 (third surface) has a different vertical height from first detectable surface 21 (first surface) and second detectable surface 22 (second surface).

[0148] The first detectable surface 21 (first surface), the second detectable surface 22 (second surface), and the third detectable surface 23 (third surface) are arranged side by side in a direction along the movement direction of the first liquid medicine bottle 11 and the second liquid medicine bottle 12, and are arranged within the detection range of the limit switch 9 (position detector).

[0149] With this configuration, it is possible to detect whether the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is securely attached in the correct form at a predetermined position inside the device main body 2, and it is possible to prevent incorrect attachment of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 to the endoscope reprocessor 1.

[0150] In this embodiment, a configuration example is shown in which a third detectable surface 23 is formed on the first liquid medicine bottle 11, and a first detectable surface 21 and a second detectable surface 22 are formed on the second liquid medicine bottle 12, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration example.

[0151] For example, apart from the above-described configuration example, it is also possible to form a first detection surface 21 and a second detection surface 22 on the first liquid medicine bottle 11, and a third detection surface 23 on the second liquid medicine bottle 12.

[0152] Furthermore, the arrangement of the first detectable surface 21, the second detectable surface 22, and the third detectable surface 23 on the first liquid medicine bottle 11 and the second liquid medicine bottle 12 is not limited to the above example, and can be configured in various combinations.

[0153] Next, a liquid medicine bottle unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described below. Fig. 16 is an external perspective view (corresponding to Fig. 7) of the liquid medicine bottle unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 17 is a top view (corresponding to Fig. 8) of the liquid medicine bottle unit as viewed from the direction of arrow

[17] in Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is a top view (corresponding to Fig. 9) of the liquid medicine bottle unit in Fig. 17 with the first liquid medicine bottle and the second liquid medicine bottle separated.

[0154] In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which each joining surface (third side surface 11c3, 12c3) of the two liquid medicine bottles (11, 12) constituting the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is formed along the direction in which the liquid medicine bottle unit 10 is moved by the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 inside the device main body 2.

[0155] The liquid medicine bottle unit 10A of the second embodiment described below basically has a configuration substantially similar to that of the first embodiment described above. The only differences between the liquid medicine bottle unit 10A of this embodiment are the shapes of the two liquid medicine bottles (11A, 12A) and the configuration of the joining surfaces (third side surfaces 11c3, 12c3) of the two liquid medicine bottles (11A, 12A). Therefore, in describing the configuration of this embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Differences will be described in detail below.

[0156] In the liquid medicine bottle unit 10A of the second embodiment, the joint surface is formed in a direction that has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the direction in which the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 moves inside the device body 2.

[0157] With this configuration, the first side surfaces 11c1, 12c1 and the second side surfaces 11c2, 12c2 of the two liquid medicine bottles 11A, 12A are formed into a generally trapezoidal shape. In this case, if the first end surface 11a of the first liquid medicine bottle 11A is the upper base and the second end surface 11b is the lower base, then the first end surface 12a of the second liquid medicine bottle 12A is the lower base and the second end surface 12b is the upper base.

[0158] Here, the first end faces 11a, 12a and the second end faces 11b, 12b are arranged opposite to each other. The first end faces 11a, 12a have tip flat surfaces 11x, 12x and tip inclined surfaces 11y, 12y, respectively. The tip flat surfaces 11x, 12x and the second end faces 11b, 12b are parallel to each other. The tip flat surfaces 11x, 12x are arranged closer to the first side surfaces 11c1, 12c1. Caps 15, 16 are arranged on the tip flat surfaces 11x, 12x.

[0159] Recessed portion 11s and recessed portion 12s are formed on second side surfaces 11c2 and 12c2. In this case, recessed portion 11s and recessed portion 12s are cut at the joining surface (third side surfaces 11c3 and 12c3), and when two liquid medicine bottles 11A and 12A are joined together, recessed portion 11s and recessed portion 12s are integrally formed to form one recessed portion 10s.

[0160] The main part of recessed portion 11s is formed on the side of first liquid medicine bottle 11A, and the main part of recessed portion 12s is formed on the side of second liquid medicine bottle 12A. Recessed portion 11s is formed with third detectable surface 23. Recessed portion 12s is also formed with second detectable surface 22, first auxiliary detectable surface 24, and second auxiliary detectable surface 25.

[0161] The recesses 11s and 12s are formed in the central regions of the second side surfaces 11c2 and 12c2 of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10A. The other configurations of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10A are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0162] The first and second liquid medicine bottles 11A and 12A thus configured are joined together with their joining surfaces (third side surfaces 11c3 and 12c3) adjacent to each other to form a liquid medicine bottle unit 10A. In this case, for example, a belt-shaped transparent thin film member 27 (hereinafter simply referred to as a belt-shaped film 27) is used as the joining means. Specifically, for example, the belt-shaped film 27 is wound around the outer peripheries of the two liquid medicine bottles 11A and 12A to join the two bottles together (see FIG. 17).

[0163] In this case, strip film 27 is wound around first end faces 11a and 12a, second side faces 11c2 and 12c2 (one side face), second end faces 11b and 12b, and first side faces 11c1 and 12c1 (another side face opposite one side face), thereby bundling two liquid medicine bottles 11A and 12A.

[0164] At this time, strip film 27 is placed at a position different from recesses 11s and 12s (first detection surface 21 (first surface), second detection surface 22 (second surface), third detection surface 23 (third surface)). In other words, strip film 27 is placed at a position that does not cover recesses 11s and 12s.

[0165] The liquid medicine bottle unit 10A of the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above can also achieve substantially the same functions and effects as the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, in the liquid medicine bottle unit 10A of the second embodiment, the first liquid medicine bottle 11A and the second liquid medicine bottle 12A are configured to have different shapes, which can prevent operational errors such as accidentally loading only one bottle into the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 of the endoscope reprocessor 1.

[0166] Next, a brief description will be given of a liquid medicine bottle unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 19 is an external perspective view showing the liquid medicine bottle unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to Fig. 7). Fig. 20 is a top view of the liquid medicine bottle unit as seen from the direction of arrow

[20] in Fig. 19 (corresponding to Fig. 8). Fig. 21 is a top view of the liquid medicine bottle unit of Fig. 20 with the first liquid medicine bottle and the second liquid medicine bottle separated (corresponding to Fig. 9).

[0167] In the second embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the joining surfaces (third side surfaces 11c3, 12c3) of the two liquid medicine bottles (11A, 12A) constituting the liquid medicine bottle unit 10A are formed in a direction having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the direction in which the liquid medicine bottle unit 10A is moved by the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 inside the device main body 2.

[0168] A liquid medicine bottle unit 10B of a third embodiment, which will be described next, basically has a configuration substantially similar to that of the first and second embodiments described above. The liquid medicine bottle unit 10B of this embodiment differs in the shapes of the two liquid medicine bottles (11B, 12B) and the form of the joining surfaces (third side surfaces 11c3, 12c3) of the two liquid medicine bottles (11B, 12B). Therefore, in describing the configuration of this embodiment, the same components as those of the first and second embodiments described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Differences will be described in detail below.

[0169] When viewed from above (see Figures 20 and 21), the container body 13B of the first liquid medicine bottle 11B has a cutout portion 13Bb in the form of a portion of a corner being cut out, and a protrusion 13Ba of approximately the same shape and size as the cutout portion 13Bb (see the area surrounded by dashed-dotted line hatching in Figure 20; the hatching shown here does not represent a cross section).

[0170] The notch 13Bb is provided on the second end face 11b side, and the protrusion 13Ba is provided on the first end face 11a side. The notch 13Bb and the protrusion 13Ba are arranged side by side in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the first end face 11a and the second end face 11b, and are formed at positions spaced a predetermined distance apart.

[0171] Second liquid medicine bottle 12B has substantially the same shape as first liquid medicine bottle 11B rotated, for example, 180 degrees. In this case, container body 14B has cutout portion 14Bb on the first end surface 12a side. Also, protrusion 14Ba is provided on the second end surface 12b side. An opening and a substantially cylindrical portion (not shown) are formed in first end surface 12a formed within cutout portion 14Bb, and cap 16 is attached.

[0172] With this configuration, the positions of the closure members 17, 18 can be set to different positions in the direction in which the liquid medicine bottle unit 10A is moved by the liquid medicine bottle mounting device 8 inside the device body 2. This configuration is intended to contribute to different timings at which the closure members 17, 18 are broken by the blade 41.

[0173] Furthermore, the configuration in which predetermined portions are formed as settings such as protrusion 13Ba, notch 13Bb, protrusion 14Ba, and notch 14Bb is a device for ensuring that the capacities of both bottles 11B and 12B are approximately equal, even though the shapes of first liquid medicine bottle 11B and second liquid medicine bottle 12B are different.

[0174] Similarly to the second embodiment, recessed portions 11s and 12s are formed on second side surfaces 11c2 and 12c2. The configurations of recessed portions 11s and 12s are substantially the same as those of the second embodiment. The other configurations of liquid medicine bottle unit 10B are substantially the same as those of the first and second embodiments.

[0175] The liquid medicine bottle unit 10B of the third embodiment of the present invention configured as described above can also provide substantially the same functions and effects as the first and second embodiments described above.

[0176] Next, a liquid medicine bottle unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described below. Fig. 22 is a top view (corresponding to Fig. 8) showing the liquid medicine bottle unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 23 is a top view (corresponding to Fig. 9) showing the state in which the first liquid medicine bottle and the second liquid medicine bottle in the liquid medicine bottle unit of Fig. 22 are separated.

[0177] In the above-described first to third embodiments, the first detectable surface 21 (first surface), the second detectable surface 22 (second surface), and the third detectable surface 23 (third surface) formed on the upper surface (second side surfaces 11c2, 12c2) of the liquid medicine bottle unit are shown as configuration examples in which they are arranged side by side along the movement direction of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10A.

[0178] Here, the first detectable surface 21 (first surface), the second detectable surface 22 (second surface), and the third detectable surface 23 (third surface) are not necessarily limited to the above-described configuration example, considering that they only need to be positioned within the detection range of the limit switch 9 (position detector) in the direction of movement of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10A.

[0179] A liquid medicine bottle unit 10C of a fourth embodiment, which will be described next, basically has a configuration substantially similar to that of the first to third embodiments described above. The liquid medicine bottle unit 10C of this embodiment differs in the arrangement and shape of the first detection surface 21 (first surface), the second detection surface 22 (second surface), and the third detection surface 23 (third surface) formed on the two liquid medicine bottles (11B, 12B).

[0180] Therefore, in describing the configuration of this embodiment, the same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description of which will be omitted, and only the differences will be described in detail below.

[0181] First liquid medicine bottle 11C has first detectable surface 21 (first surface) and second detectable surface 22 (second surface) formed on second side surface 11c2. First detectable surface 21 is a flat surface near the tip of second side surface 11c2. Second detectable surface 22 forms a stepped portion that is one step higher than first detectable surface 21 and is a flat surface parallel to second side surface 11c2. That is, in this embodiment, convex portion 12Cs including second detectable surface 22 is provided instead of concave portion 12s in each of the above-mentioned embodiments. Convex portion 12Cs includes first auxiliary detectable surface 24 and second auxiliary detectable surface 25.

[0182] Second liquid medicine bottle 12C has third detectable surface 23 (third surface) formed on second side surface 12c2. Third detectable surface 23 forms a stepped portion that is one step higher than second detectable surface 22 and is a flat surface parallel to second side surface 12c2. That is, in this embodiment, convex portion 12Cs including third detectable surface 23 is provided instead of concave portion 12s in each of the above-described embodiments.

[0183] The first detection surface 21, the convex portion 11Cs, and the convex portion 12Cs are arranged at positions slightly offset (separate) in the width direction in the movement direction of the liquid medicine bottle unit 10C.

[0184] Correspondingly, the roller 53 of the limit switch 9 is formed to have a predetermined length S in the width direction (see FIG. 22). Here, the length S of the roller 53 in the width direction corresponds to the detection range of the limit switch 9.

[0185] In this embodiment, roller 53 has a widthwise length S that is long enough to cover both of convex portions 11Cs, 12Cs that are spaced apart in the widthwise direction. The other configurations of liquid medicine bottle unit 10C are substantially the same as those of the first to third embodiments described above.

[0186] The liquid medicine bottle unit 10C of the fourth embodiment of the present invention configured as described above can also provide the same functions and effects as the first to third embodiments described above.

[0187] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining the disclosed multiple constituent elements. For example, if the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved and the effects of the invention can be obtained even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in one embodiment, the configuration from which these constituent elements are deleted can be extracted as the invention. Furthermore, constituent elements from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. The present invention is not limited by specific embodiments other than as limited by the appended claims.

Claims

[Claim 1] A liquid medicine bottle unit configured by combining at least two bottles, a first bottle for storing a first chemical solution; a second bottle for storing a second medicinal liquid; the first bottle has an opening and a first container body that stores the first medicinal liquid; the second bottle has an opening and a second container body that stores the second medicinal liquid; the first container body has a first step portion for detection, the second container body has a second step portion for detection, The first bottle and the second bottle have a general L-shape, and when combined, the first container body and the second container body form a general rectangular parallelepiped shape. A liquid medicine bottle unit characterized by the above.

Images