Sterilization device

Abstract

To efficiently determine whether a sterilization process is appropriate. [Solution] The sterilization device 1, which communicates with the management device 20, is equipped with a sterilization controller 8. Based on the detection value of the operation sensor 6 that detects the operating status of the sterilization device 1, the sterilization controller 8 determines whether the operating status of the sterilization device 1 is appropriate using different criteria than those of the management controller 22 of the management device 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a sterilization device.

Background Art

[0002] Used medical instruments are sterilized by a sterilization device after being cleaned by a cleaning device. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a sterilization device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is necessary to determine whether the sterilization target has been properly sterilized. Conventionally, an indicator is housed in the sterilization device together with the sterilization target, and the propriety of the sterilization process of the sterilization target is determined based on the change of the indicator. When determining the propriety of the sterilization process using an indicator, it may take time until the determination.

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification aims to efficiently determine the propriety of the sterilization process.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This specification discloses a sterilization device that communicates with a management device. The sterilization device includes a sterilization controller. The sterilization controller determines the propriety of the operating state of the sterilization device based on a detection value of an operation sensor that detects the operating state of the sterilization device, according to a determination criterion different from that of the management controller of the management device.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The technology disclosed herein allows for efficient determination of the suitability of sterilization procedures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization apparatus and a control apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a computer according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the criteria for determination according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the control method of the sterilization apparatus according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Sterilization equipment and control equipment] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization device 1 and a control device 20 according to an embodiment. The sterilization device 1 sterilizes the object to be sterilized S. Medical instruments are an example of the object to be sterilized S. Scalpels and forceps are examples of medical instruments.

[0010] Examples of sterilization apparatus 1 include a steam sterilizer as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-086332 and a gas sterilizer as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-157270.

[0011] The sterilization apparatus 1 comprises a chamber 2, an inlet door 3 for opening and closing the entrance to the chamber 2, an outlet door 4 for opening and closing the exit to the chamber 2, a regulator 5, an operation sensor 6, an operation panel 7, and a sterilization controller 8.

[0012] The object to be sterilized, S, is brought into the chamber 2 through the entrance. The sterilization controller 8 opens the entrance door 3, and after the object to be sterilized, S, has been brought into the chamber 2, it closes the entrance door 3. In this embodiment, the object to be sterilized, S, is brought into the chamber 2 on a trolley 9.

[0013] The regulator 5 includes an actuator that adjusts the operating state of the sterilizer 1. The operating state of the sterilizer 1 includes the sterilization pressure, which indicates the pressure inside the chamber 2 during the sterilization process; the sterilization temperature, which indicates the temperature inside the chamber 2 during the sterilization process; and the sterilization time, which indicates the duration of the sterilization process. The regulator 5 adjusts the operating state of the sterilizer 1 based on control commands from the sterilization controller 8. Examples of the regulator 5 include a pressure regulator for adjusting the pressure inside the chamber 2 and a temperature regulator for adjusting the temperature inside the chamber 2. Examples of the pressure regulator include an air supply valve for adjusting the amount of sterilization gas supplied into the chamber 2 and an exhaust valve for adjusting the amount of gas discharged from the chamber 2. If the sterilizer 1 is a steam sterilizer, the air supply valve may also be called a steam supply valve. An example of the temperature regulator is a heater for raising the temperature inside the chamber 2.

[0014] The operation sensor 6 detects the operating status of the sterilization device 1. Examples of the operation sensor 6 include a pressure sensor for detecting sterilization pressure and a temperature sensor for detecting sterilization temperature. The values ​​detected by the operation sensor 6 are transmitted to the sterilization controller 8.

[0015] The control panel 7 is an input device operated by the user of the sterilizer 1. The user can use the control panel 7 to input target values ​​(sterilization mode) for the operating state of the sterilizer 1 to the sterilization controller 8. The target values ​​for the operating state of the sterilizer 1 include target values ​​for sterilization pressure, target values ​​for sterilization temperature, and target values ​​for sterilization time.

[0016] The sterilization controller 8 controls the regulator 5 so that the sterilizer 1 operates in the operating state specified by the user. The sterilization controller 8 controls the regulator 5 so that the difference between the target value of the operating state entered from the control panel 7 and the value detected by the operating sensor 6 becomes small.

[0017] The user inputs the target value of the operating state of the sterilization device 1 according to the sterilization target S. For example, when the sterilization target S is the sterilization target S1 with the first physical properties, the user inputs the target value (sterilization mode) of the operating state suitable for the sterilization target S1. When the sterilization target S is the sterilization target S2 with the second physical properties, the user inputs the target value (sterilization mode) of the operating state suitable for the sterilization target S2.

[0018] The sterilization controller 8 controls the transfer device 10 that transfers the sterilization target S. The transfer device 10 includes an automated guided vehicle 11 that carries out the carriage 9 from the inside of the chamber 2, a manipulator 12 that carries out the sterilization target S from the carriage 9, a first belt conveyor 13, and a second belt conveyor 14.

[0019] The management device 20 manages the sterilization device 1. The management device 20 includes an operation sensor 21 and a management controller 22. Similar to the operation sensor 6, the operation sensor 21 detects the operating state of the sterilization device 1. The functions (performance) of the operation sensor 21 and the functions (performance) of the operation sensor 6 are substantially the same. The detection value of the operation sensor 21 is transmitted to the management controller 22.

[0020] The sterilization device 1 communicates with the management device 20. The management controller 22 communicates with the sterilization controller 8. The management controller 22 receives operation data indicating the operating state of the sterilization device 1 from the sterilization controller 8. That is, the management controller 22 receives the detection value of the operation sensor 6 from the sterilization controller 8. When the detection value of the operation sensor 6 is transmitted from the sterilization controller 8 to the management controller 22, the operation sensor 21 may be omitted. In the following description, it is assumed that the management controller 22 receives the detection value of the operation sensor 6 from the sterilization controller 8.

[0021] The sterilization controller 8 determines the propriety of the operating state of the sterilization device 1 based on the detection value of the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21). The sterilization controller 8 generates first determination data indicating the determination result of the propriety of the operating state of the sterilization device 1 based on the detection value of the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21). The first determination data includes first OK data indicating that the operating state of the sterilization device 1 is proper and first NG data indicating that the operating state of the sterilization device 1 is improper.

[0022] The management controller 22 determines the propriety of the operating state of the sterilization device 1 based on the detection value of the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21). The management controller 22 generates second determination data indicating the determination result of the propriety of the operating state of the sterilization device 1 based on the detection value of the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21). The second determination data includes second OK data indicating that the operating state of the sterilization device 1 is proper and second NG data indicating that the operating state of the sterilization device 1 is improper.

[0023] The sterilization controller 8 monitors the second determination data generated by the management controller 22. The management controller 22 transmits the second determination data to the sterilization controller 8. The sterilization controller 8 receives the second determination data generated by the management controller 22.

[0024] [Computer] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a computer 1000 according to an embodiment. Each of the sterilization controller 8 and management controller 22 described above includes the computer 1000. The computer 1000 has a processor 1001 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory 1002 including non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage 1003, and an interface 1004 including input / output circuits. The functions of the sterilization controller 8 and management controller 22 are stored in the storage 1003 as computer programs. The processor 1001 reads the computer program from the storage 1003, loads it into the main memory 1002, and executes processing according to the program. The computer program may be distributed to the computer 1000 via a network.

[0025] [Judgment criteria] In this embodiment, the sterilization controller 8 determines whether the operating state of the sterilization device 1 is appropriate based on the detected value of the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21) using different criteria than those used by the management controller 22. The management controller 22 determines whether the operating state of the sterilization device 1 is appropriate based on the detected value of the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21) using different criteria than those used by the sterilization controller 8.

[0026] The judgment criteria include the difference between the target value of the operating state entered from the control panel 7 and the value detected by the operating sensor 6 (or operating sensor 21). The judgment criteria also include the tolerance range of the detected value relative to the target value of the operating state.

[0027] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the criteria for judgment according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the operating state includes sterilization pressure, sterilization temperature, and sterilization time. The target values ​​for the operating state are input from the operation panel 7. The tolerance range of the detected value relative to the target value in the sterilization controller 8 is different from the tolerance range of the detected value relative to the target value in the control controller 22. The tolerance range of the control controller 22 is larger than the tolerance range of the sterilization controller 8. For example, if the target value for sterilization pressure is 100, the lower limit of the tolerance range of the sterilization controller 8 is 95, which is 5 lower than the target value, and the lower limit of the tolerance range of the control controller 22 is 92, which is lower than the lower limit of the tolerance range of the sterilization controller 8. If the target value for sterilization temperature is 130, the lower limit of the tolerance range of the sterilization controller 8 is 125, which is 5 lower than the target value, and the lower limit of the tolerance range of the control controller 22 is 123, which is lower than the lower limit of the tolerance range of the sterilization controller 8. If the target sterilization time is 60, the lower limit of the tolerance range for sterilization controller 8 is 59, which is 1 less than the target value, and the lower limit of the tolerance range for control controller 22 is 58, which is shorter than the lower limit of the tolerance range for sterilization controller 8.

[0028] The sterilization controller 8 generates first OK data as first judgment data if the detected value from the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21) is within the tolerance range of the sterilization controller 8. The sterilization controller 8 generates first NG data as first judgment data if the detected value from the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21) is outside the tolerance range of the sterilization controller 8.

[0029] The management controller 22 generates second OK data as second judgment data if the detected value of the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21) is within the tolerance range of the management controller 22. The management controller 22 generates second NG data as second judgment data if the detected value of the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21) is outside the tolerance range of the management controller 22.

[0030] [Control Method] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the control method of the sterilization apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. When the sterilization of the object to be sterilized S is completed, the management controller 22 generates second determination data indicating the determination result of whether the operating status of the sterilization apparatus 1 is appropriate or not, based on the detected value of the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21). The second determination data generated by the management controller 22 is transmitted from the management controller 22 to the sterilization controller 8. The sterilization controller 8 receives the second determination data from the management controller 22 (step S1).

[0031] The sterilization controller 8 determines whether the operating status of the sterilization device 1 is appropriate based on the values ​​detected by the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21) (step S2).

[0032] In step S2, if the sterilization device 1 is determined to be in proper working order, that is, if the first OK data is generated (step S2: Yes), the sterilization controller 8 outputs an open command to open the exit door 4 so that the object to be sterilized S is removed from inside the chamber 2 (step S3). After the exit door 4 is opened, the sterilization controller 8 outputs a transport command to the automated guided vehicle 11 to transport the cart 9 to the outside of the chamber 2. Based on the transport command from the sterilization controller 8, the automated guided vehicle 11 transports the cart 9 to the outside of the chamber 2 and to the manipulator 12.

[0033] The sterilization controller 8 determines whether the second judgment data received in step S1 is the second OK data (step S4).

[0034] In step S4, if the second judgment data is determined to be the second OK data (step S4: Yes), the sterilization controller 8 outputs a transport command to the manipulator 12 so that the sterilization object S, which has been removed from inside the chamber 2, is transported to the first belt conveyor 13 (step S5). The first belt conveyor 13 transports the sterilization object S to the first storage location. The user can then use the sterilization object S that has been transported to the first storage location.

[0035] In step S4, if the second judgment data is determined to be second NG data (step S4: No), the sterilization controller 8 outputs a transport command to the manipulator 12 so that the sterilization target S, which has been removed from inside the chamber 2, is transported to the second belt conveyor 14 (step S6). The second belt conveyor 14 transports the sterilization target S to the second storage location. The sterilization target S, which has been transported to the second storage location, is transported again to the sterilization device 1 for sterilization.

[0036] In step S2, if it is determined that the operating state of the sterilizer 1 is improper, that is, if the first NG data is generated (step S2: No), the sterilization controller 8 does not output an open command. In other words, if it is determined that the operating state of the sterilizer 1 is improper, the exit door 4 does not open (step S7). The sterilization controller 8 outputs a notification command indicating that the operating state of the sterilizer 1 is improper and enters a standby state (step S8). The notification command includes a control command to activate an alarm device provided in the sterilizer 1. Examples of alarm devices include lamps, buzzers, and display devices. The alarm device may also be provided on the operation panel 7. When the alarm device is activated, the user can recognize that the operating state of the sterilizer 1 is improper.

[0037] [effect] As described above, according to this embodiment, a control device 20, separate from the sterilization device 1, determines whether the operating state of the sterilization device 1 is appropriate based on the detection value of the operation sensor 6 (or operation sensor 21). The determination of whether the operating state of the sterilization device 1 is appropriate includes determining whether the sterilization treatment of the sterilization target S is appropriate. The sterilization device 1 being in an appropriate operating state includes that the sterilization treatment of the sterilization target S has been properly carried out. According to this embodiment, the determination of whether the sterilization treatment is appropriate can be performed efficiently without using an indicator. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1...Sterilizer, 2...Chamber, 3...Inlet door, 4...Outlet door, 5...Regulator, 6...Operation sensor, 7...Operation panel, 8...Sterilization controller, 9...Cart, 10...Conveyor, 11...Automated guided vehicle, 12...Manipulator, 13...First belt conveyor (first conveyor), 14...Second belt conveyor (second conveyor), 20...Management device, 21...Operation sensor, 22...Management controller, 1000...Computer, 1001...Processor, 1002...Main memory, 1003...Storage, 1004...Interface, S...Item to be sterilized.

Claims

1. A sterilization device that communicates with a control device, Equipped with a sterilization controller, The sterilization controller determines whether the operating status of the sterilization device is appropriate based on the detection value of the operation sensor that detects the operating status of the sterilization device, using different criteria from the management controller of the management device. Sterilization equipment.

2. The sterilization controller generates first determination data indicating the suitability of the operating state based on the values ​​detected by the operating sensor. The first determination data includes first OK data indicating that the operating state is appropriate and first NG data indicating that the operating state is inappropriate. The sterilization controller described above is When the first OK data is generated, an open command is output to open the exit door of the chamber so that the object to be sterilized is removed from inside the chamber of the sterilization apparatus. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The management controller generates second determination data indicating the determination result of whether the operating state is appropriate or not based on the detected value of the operating sensor. The second determination data includes second OK data indicating that the operating state is appropriate and second NG data indicating that the operating state is inappropriate. The sterilization controller described above is When the first OK data is generated and the second OK data is received from the management controller, a transport command is output so that the sterilization target removed from inside the chamber is transported to the first transport device. When the first OK data is generated and the second NG data is received from the management controller, a transport command is output so that the sterilization object removed from inside the chamber is transported to the second transport device. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned determination criteria include the difference between the target value of the operating state and the detected value. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned operating conditions include sterilization pressure, sterilization temperature, and sterilization time in the sterilization process. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 4.

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