Pipe cleaning equipment and dental treatment equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a pipe cleaning device and dental treatment device that prevent cleaning agents from leaking from vacuum devices, thereby reducing the workload on the user. [Solution] The dental piping cleaning device comprises a holding unit 2d, a supply unit 450, and a discharge pipe 500. The holding unit 2d holds a medical vacuum device 40 connected to the first end 44a of the vacuum pipe 44. The supply unit 450 supplies a cleaning agent into the vacuum pipe 44. The discharge pipe 500 is provided within the holding unit 2d and discharges the cleaning agent to the outside through a second end 44b provided on the opposite side of the first end 44a of the vacuum pipe 44. When the vacuum device 40 is held in the holding unit 2d, the height of the first end 44a or the vacuum device 40 from the floor is greater than or equal to the height from the floor of the downward position 203a, which is the position facing the floor in the discharge pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pipe cleaning device and a dental treatment device.

Background Art

[0002] In a dental treatment device as an example of a medical device, a suction device is provided to suck saliva, cleaning water, etc. accumulated in the oral cavity during the treatment of a patient and discharge them from the oral cavity. The suction device is connected to a vacuum device such as a vacuum syringe via a vacuum pipe. The user inserts the tip of the vacuum device into the patient's oral cavity to suck saliva, cleaning water, etc.

[0003] The vacuum device is removed from the vacuum pipe and cleaned. However, the vacuum pipe is not assumed to be removed from the suction device for cleaning, and the inside of the pipe becomes dirty with saliva, cleaning water, etc. accumulated in the patient's oral cavity. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-121802 (Patent Document 1) discloses a cleaning method in which cleaning water or a disinfectant solution is stored in a spittoon, and the stored cleaning water or disinfectant solution is sucked and discharged through the vacuum pipe.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the cleaning method described in Patent Document 1, preparation work such as storing cleaning water or a disinfectant solution in the spittoon is required every time the vacuum pipe is cleaned, and the work burden on the user is large.

[0006] Supplying cleaning solution into the vacuum tube from inside the dental device can reduce the user's workload, but care must be taken to prevent the cleaning solution from leaking out of the tip of the vacuum tube. Since it is cumbersome for the user to supply cleaning solution into the vacuum tube while ensuring no leakage occurs, one possible solution would be to install a sensor that recognizes when the opening of the vacuum tube is in a position where cleaning solution will not leak. However, while installing a sensor at the opening of the vacuum tube would prevent cleaning solution from leaking out of the tip, it would require installing the sensor in the dental device itself, potentially increasing the device's manufacturing cost.

[0007] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a pipe cleaning device and a dental treatment device that can prevent cleaning agents from leaking out of vacuum devices and reduce the workload on the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A pipe cleaning device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a pipe cleaning device for dental treatment. The pipe cleaning device comprises a holding part for holding a medical vacuum instrument connected to a first end of a vacuum pipe, a supply part for supplying a cleaning agent into the vacuum pipe, and a discharge pipe provided within the holding part and connected to a second end provided on the opposite side of the first end of the vacuum pipe for discharging the cleaning agent to the outside, wherein the height from the floor of the first end or the vacuum instrument when the vacuum instrument is held in the holding part is greater than or equal to the height from the floor of the downward position in the discharge pipe that faces the floor.

[0009] A dental treatment device according to one aspect of this disclosure is a dental treatment unit for treating a patient. The dental treatment device comprises a treatment chair on which a patient can be seated or laid down for treatment; a treatment main body including a holding part for holding a medical vacuum device; a vacuum tube including a first end connected to the vacuum device and a second end opposite to the first end; a supply part for supplying a cleaning agent into the vacuum tube; a discharge pipe provided in the holding part and connected to the second end of the vacuum tube for discharging the cleaning agent to the outside; and a vacuum motor that generates suction pressure in the vacuum tube, wherein the height of the first end or the vacuum device from the floor when the vacuum device is held in the holding part is greater than or equal to the height from the floor at a downward position, which is a downward position in the discharge pipe. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, since a discharge pipe is provided in the holding part of the vacuum device, as long as the holding part is holding the vacuum device, it is possible to prevent the cleaning agent from leaking out from the tip of the vacuum device, regardless of the height of the holding part. Since the inside of the vacuum pipe can be filled with cleaning agent without the cleaning agent leaking out from the tip of the vacuum device, the workload of the user cleaning the vacuum pipe can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a dental treatment device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates the cleaning operation inside a vacuum pipe by a pipe cleaning device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a discharge pipeline in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow II in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This figure schematically shows the pipeline configuration of a suction device and a pipe cleaning device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]This is a control block diagram of a dental treatment device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of an operation icon for cleaning the piping of a dental treatment device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart illustrating the cleaning operation inside a vacuum pipe by a pipe cleaning device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the figures. First, the configuration of the dental treatment device 100 in the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the dental treatment device 100 in the embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, the dental treatment device 100 in the embodiment comprises a treatment device body 10, a treatment handpiece 30, a dental vacuum device 40, a suction device 200, and a vacuum motor 300. The suction device 200 is built into the spittoon 2 and is connected to the vacuum device 40 by a vacuum tube 44. The vacuum device 40 and the vacuum tube 44 are configured to be detachably connected to the spittoon 2. Note that the suction device 200 may also include the vacuum device 40 and the vacuum motor 300.

[0013] The medical device body 10 comprises a chair unit 1, a spittoon 2, a lighting unit 3, a lighting unit arm 4, a tray table 5, and a tray table arm 6. The chair unit 1 is configured so that the patient can receive medical treatment while seated or lying supine. The chair unit 1 comprises a base 1a, a seat plate 1b, a backrest 1c, a headrest 1d, and an armrest 1e. The seat plate 1b is mounted on the base 1a so as to be able to move up and down. The backrest 1c is attached to one end of the seat plate 1b so as to be able to move up and down. The headrest 1d is attached to the upper end of the backrest 1c so as to be able to tilt. The armrest 1e is mounted on the side of the seat plate 1b.

[0014] Spittoon 2 is installed to the side of chair device 1. Spittoon 2 comprises a body 2a, a basin 2b, and a cup water tap 2c. The basin 2b is installed at the upper end of the body 2a. A water supply tube extending from the cup water tap 2c is installed on the basin 2b. Lighting device 3 is connected to spittoon 2 via lighting device arm 4. Lighting device 3 is, for example, a shadowless lamp.

[0015] The tray table 5 is connected to the base 1a via a tray table arm 6. The tray table 5 is used to place and hold medical instruments, medicines, and the medical handpiece 30. The tray table 5 also includes an operation setting unit 5a for setting the operation of the chair device 1 and the medical handpiece 30.

[0016] The dental handpiece 30 is an instrument used for dental treatment. The dental handpiece 30 may include multiple handpieces. For example, the dental handpiece 30 may include a first air turbine handpiece (high-speed handpiece) 31, a second air turbine handpiece (high-speed handpiece) 32, a micromotor handpiece (low-speed handpiece) 33, a three-way syringe 34, etc. The dental handpiece 30 is configured to be secured to a doctor-side handpiece holder 5b provided on the tray table 5.

[0017] The vacuum device 40 inserts its tip into the patient's oral cavity and sucks up liquids such as saliva and cleaning water accumulated in the patient's oral cavity. The vacuum syringe 41 and the saliva ejecting syringe 42, which are the vacuum devices 40, are configured to be locked to the assistant-side instrument holder 2d provided on the spit tray 2. The instrument holder 2d holds the vacuum device 40 and corresponds to the holding part in this specification. The instrument holder 2d is configured to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the floor surface on which the dental treatment device 100 is installed by the instrument holder arm 47. The saliva ejecting syringe 42 has a smaller tip opening than the vacuum syringe 41 and sucks a smaller amount of liquid such as saliva and cleaning water accumulated in the oral cavity. Although not shown, the instrument holder 2d is provided with a display unit 43 for displaying error information and operation information of the vacuum device 40. The liquid etc. sucked by the vacuum device 40 passes through the vacuum tube 44 and the suction pipeline 204 provided outside the instrument holder 2d and is discharged. Further, the instrument holder 2d also holds a three-way syringe 49 that injects water, air, etc. The three-way syringe 49 is connected to an air supply pipeline 48 and a water supply pipeline (not shown). Note that the arrangement of the vacuum syringe 41, the saliva ejecting syringe 42, and the three-way syringe 49 on the instrument holder 2d is not particularly limited, and they do not have to be arranged in the order of the vacuum syringe 41, the three-way syringe 49, and the saliva ejecting syringe 42 in the order close to the chair device 1 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] The vacuum motor 300 is a device including a motor and a suction fan rotated by the motor, and generates a suction force. As the vacuum motor 300, a normal vacuum motor used in a normal dental treatment device or the like can be used.

[0019] The suction device 200 uses the suction force generated by the vacuum motor 300 to suck up liquids such as saliva and cleaning water accumulated in the patient's oral cavity. At that time, those liquids pass through the vacuum tube 44. Therefore, the inside of the vacuum tube 44 becomes dirty with saliva and cleaning water etc. accumulated in the patient's oral cavity.

[0020] The dental treatment device 100 in this embodiment includes a pipe cleaning device 400 for cleaning the inside of the vacuum tube 44. The cleaning operation of the inside of the vacuum tube 44 by the pipe cleaning device 400 will be described below. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the pipe cleaning device 400 in this embodiment. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the vacuum syringe 41, vacuum tube 44, and pipe cleaning device 400 when the vacuum syringe 41 is held in the instrument holder 2d. In Figure 2, the vacuum syringe 41 is used as an example of the vacuum instrument 40, but the configuration is similar for a drain syringe 42. The pipe cleaning device 400 includes a control unit 280 that controls the opening and closing of a control valve, etc. Details of this control will be described later.

[0021] The pipe cleaning device 400 includes a supply unit 450 which has cleaning pipes 46 provided for each of the vacuum pipes 44, a solenoid valve 410 for supplying water from a water source 50, a pump 420 for injecting chemicals into the supplied water, and a chemical tank 430 for storing the chemicals. The supply unit 450 supplies water to the cleaning pipes 46 via the solenoid valve 410, injects chemicals with the pump 420, and generates a cleaning agent. The supply unit 450 then supplies the generated cleaning agent to the vacuum pipes 44. The pump 420 adjusts the amount of chemicals injected.

[0022] The pipe cleaning device 400 includes a connection part 600 between the vacuum pipe 44 and the first pipeline 201. The connection part 600 includes a filter case capable of housing a filter. Solid matter and other particles contained in the liquid sucked up by the vacuum device 40 are captured by the filter. The pipe cleaning device 400 only needs to have fluid communication between the second end 44b of the vacuum pipe 44, opposite to the first end 44a to which the vacuum syringe 41 is connected, and the first pipeline 201. The second end 44b of the vacuum pipe 44 and the first pipeline 201 may be directly connected without including the connection part 600. The connection part 600 also includes a supply port 610 for supplying cleaning agent. The position of the supply port 610 is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to supply cleaning agent into the vacuum pipe 44, and it may be provided on the vacuum pipe 44.

[0023] When the vacuum syringe 41 is held in the instrument holder 2d, the vacuum pipe 44 hangs down towards the floor (downward in the diagram) near its midpoint in the length direction, forming an overall U-shape. When the pipe cleaning device 400 starts cleaning the vacuum pipe 44, the supply unit 450 supplies cleaning agent to the vacuum pipe 44. Specifically, as shown by arrow L1, the cleaning agent supplied from the supply port 610 flows into the vacuum pipe 44 from the second end 44b of the vacuum pipe 44. The second end 44b of the vacuum pipe 44 communicates with the discharge pipeline 500, which includes the first pipeline 201, the control valve 220, and the third pipeline 203. When the water level of the cleaning agent in the vacuum pipe 44 rises above the height of the second end 44b, the cleaning agent flows into the first pipeline 201, as shown by arrow L2. The cleaning agent that flows into the first pipe 201 passes through the control valve 220 and flows into the third pipe 203 as indicated by arrow L3. The cleaning agent that flows into the third pipe 203 flows from a high position to a low position due to gravity. The discharge pipe 500 has one end that connects to the connection part 600 and the other end that is provided on the opposite side of the said end and connects to the suction pipe 204. In this embodiment, the third pipe 203 of the discharge pipe 500 has a downward position 203a in a portion thereof, which is a position facing the floor. Therefore, the cleaning agent that flows into the third pipe 203 flows from the downward position 203a toward the floor in the discharge pipe 500, is discharged into the suction pipe 204, and is discharged into the vacuum tank 260 as indicated by L4. The vacuum tank 260 is a device that separates the gas and liquid sucked up by the vacuum device 40, and has a structure similar to that of a normal tank for separating gas and liquid.

[0024] Here, the height ha of the first end 44a of the vacuum pipe 44 from the floor is set to be higher by height h than the height hb of the lower position 203a from the floor. Therefore, the cleaning agent is supplied into the vacuum pipe 44 only up to height hb. In other words, the cleaning agent does not overflow from the first end 44a of the vacuum pipe 44, and any cleaning agent supplied beyond height hb is drained from the third pipeline 203 through the lower position 203a into the suction pipeline 204. Also, when the drain syringe 42 is held in the instrument holder 2d, the control valve 230 may be opened, in which case the cleaning agent flows into the vacuum pipe 44 to which the drain syringe 42 is connected, and the two vacuum pipes 44 can be cleaned simultaneously.

[0025] Furthermore, when the vacuum syringe 41 is held in the instrument holder 2d, the pipeline from one end of the discharge pipeline 500 that connects to the connection part 600 to the downward position 203a is configured to be at approximately the same height as the first end 44a of the vacuum pipe 44. Therefore, the cleaning agent supplied to the vacuum pipe 44 reaches the downward position 203a of the discharge pipeline 500 and is discharged through the suction pipeline 204.

[0026] After a predetermined time has elapsed since filling the vacuum tube 44 with the cleaning agent, the control valve 210 is opened, and the cleaning agent in the vacuum tube 44 is discharged by the suction force generated by the vacuum motor 300.

[0027] In this embodiment, the discharge pipe 500 is provided within the instrument holder 2d, as shown in Figure 2. For example, if the discharge pipe 500 is provided in the spittoon 2, the amount of cleaning agent filling the vacuum pipe 44 may vary depending on the height of the instrument holder 2d that holds the vacuum instrument 40. Specifically, if cleaning agent is injected when the instrument holder 2d is lower than the discharge pipe, the cleaning agent may leak out from the tip of the vacuum instrument 40 beyond the first end 44a of the vacuum pipe 44. A sensor may be provided to recognize that the first end 44a of the vacuum pipe 44 is in a position where cleaning agent will not leak out, but in that case, the manufacturing cost of the dental treatment device may increase due to the provision of the sensor. In the pipe cleaning device 400 in this embodiment, since the discharge pipe 500 is provided in the instrument holder 2d, the lower position 203a also moves vertically in accordance with the vertical movement of the instrument holder 2d. Therefore, in the pipe cleaning device 400 in this disclosure, although the heights ha and hb change as the instrument holder 2d moves vertically, the height ha of the first end 44a from the floor remains higher by height h than the height hb of the lower position 203a. In other words, as long as the vacuum instrument 40 is held in the instrument holder 2d, it is possible to prevent the cleaning agent from leaking out from the tip of the vacuum instrument 40, regardless of the position of the instrument holder 2d. Whether or not the vacuum syringe 41 is held in the instrument holder 2d is determined, for example, based on a pickup sensor A281 provided on the instrument holder 2d. The pickup sensor A281 is an example of a detection unit.

[0028] When the vacuum device 40 is held in the device holder 2d, the vacuum pipe 44 is not limited to being in a U-shape, but it is preferable that the entire vacuum pipe 44 is lower than the height ha from the floor surface of the first end 44a so that the supplied cleaning agent can flow easily into the vacuum pipe 44.

[0029] Furthermore, when a cleaning agent is supplied into the vacuum tube 44, the cleaning agent is not supplied to the vacuum tube 44 in the range of length h from the first end 44a of the vacuum tube 44. Therefore, when the vacuum syringe 41 is held in the instrument holder 2d, it is preferable that the height from the floor of the part of the vacuum tube 44 that is particularly preferred to be cleaned is lower than the height hb from the floor at the lower position 203a. The parts of the vacuum tube 44 that are particularly preferred to be cleaned are, for example, the joint mechanism 441 and the flow rate adjustment valve 44c.

[0030] The vacuum pipe 44 includes a joint mechanism 441 for connecting the vacuum device 40. The joint mechanism 441 is structured to be in close contact with the vacuum device 40, and contaminated liquid tends to accumulate between the joint mechanism 441 and the vacuum device 40. Therefore, it is preferable for the pipe cleaning device 400 to clean the joint mechanism 441. Accordingly, it is preferable that the height of the joint mechanism 441 from the floor surface when the vacuum device 40 is held in the device holder 2d is lower than the height hb of the lower position 203a. This allows the pipe cleaning device 400 to clean the joint mechanism 441 when cleaning the vacuum pipe 44.

[0031] Furthermore, the vacuum pipe 44 includes a flow rate adjustment valve 44c for adjusting the amount of suction by the vacuum device 40, located further towards the first end 44a than the joint mechanism 441. The flow rate adjustment valve 44c is prone to contamination as the aspirated liquid tends to accumulate there. Therefore, it is preferable for the pipe cleaning device 400 to clean the flow rate adjustment valve 44c. Accordingly, when the vacuum device 40 is held in the device holder 2d, it is preferable that the height of the flow rate adjustment valve 44c from the floor is lower than the height hb of the lower position 203a. This allows the pipe cleaning device 400 to clean the flow rate adjustment valve 44c in addition to the joint mechanism 441 when cleaning the vacuum pipe 44.

[0032] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the height ha of the first end 44a from the floor surface and the height hb of the lower position 203a are approximately equal. When the height ha of the first end 44a from the floor surface and the height hb of the lower position 203a are approximately equal, the vacuum pipe 44 can be immersed in the cleaning agent from end to end, and the cleaning agent can be prevented from leaking from the tip of the vacuum device 40. In addition, the joint mechanism 441 and the flow rate adjustment valve 44c described above can also be cleaned.

[0033] In particular, if the height ha of the first end 44a from the floor surface and the height hb of the lower position 203a from the floor surface are the same, it is preferable that the normal direction of the opening surface of the first end 44a is approximately vertical to the floor surface. This prevents the cleaning agent from overflowing from the vacuum device 40 even when the first end 44a and the lower position 203a are at the same position. Furthermore, when the vacuum device 40 is held in the device holder 2d, it is preferable that the opening surface of the first end 44a is approximately vertical to the normal direction of the floor surface. This allows the user to simply hold the vacuum device 40 in the device holder 2d without having to worry about the orientation of the opening surface of the first end 44a.

[0034] Next, the configuration of the discharge pipeline 500 in the embodiment of this disclosure will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the discharge pipeline in the embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow II in Figure 3. As an example of the control valves 220 and 230 in this embodiment, a diaphragm valve having a structure that opens and closes the flow path with a flexible diaphragm is shown.

[0035] Referring to Figure 3, the first conduit 201 connected to the vacuum syringe 41 is connected to the third conduit 203 via a control valve 220, and the second conduit 202 connected to the saliva syringe 42 is connected to the third conduit 203 via a control valve 230. The liquid flowing in from the first conduit 201 and the second conduit 202 passes through the downward position 203a of the third conduit 203, as indicated by arrow M1, and is drained into the suction conduit 204. The downward position 203a is the position facing the floor surface on which the dental treatment device 100 is installed. Therefore, the liquid that reaches the downward position 203a in the discharge conduit 500 flows towards the floor surface due to gravity and is discharged.

[0036] Referring to Figure 4, the first conduit 201 is installed perpendicular to the diaphragm of the control valve 220. The third conduit 203 extends perpendicular to the first conduit 201. As indicated by arrow M2, the liquid flowing from the vacuum syringe 41 into the first conduit 201 passes through the control valve 220 and flows into the third conduit 203 as indicated by arrow M3. The first conduit 201 and the third conduit 203 are installed horizontally to the floor surface on which the dental treatment device 100 is installed. This configuration prevents solid matter from accumulating in the diaphragm valve and blocking the flow path. Figure 4 describes the first pipeline 201, control valve 220, and third pipeline 203, but the second pipeline 202, control valve 230, and third pipeline 203 are provided in the same manner as the first pipeline 201, control valve 220, and third pipeline 203.

[0037] Next, the piping configuration of the suction device 200 and the pipe cleaning device 400 will be described. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the piping configuration of the suction device and the pipe cleaning device in the embodiment. In Figure 5, a vacuum syringe 41 and a drain syringe 42 are used as examples of vacuum devices 40.

[0038] The suction device 200 has a first conduit 201 to which a vacuum syringe 41 is connected via a vacuum tube 44, and a second conduit 202 to which a saliva syringe 42 is connected via the vacuum tube 44. The end 201a of the first conduit 201 and the end 202a of the second conduit 202 are in communication with the vacuum tube 44 via a connecting part 600. The connecting part 600 houses a filter 601 that captures solid matter contained in the liquid aspirated by the vacuum device 40. The first conduit 201 and the second conduit 202 are connected to the vacuum tank 260 via a third conduit 203 and a suction conduit 204. The third conduit 203 and the suction conduit 204 are connected at a downward position 203a. The vacuum tank 260 has a container, and the top of the container is provided with an inlet for connecting a suction line 204 and an exhaust port for connecting a suction line 205 leading to a vacuum motor 300. At the bottom of the container is a drain port for connecting a drain pipe 206 leading to a drain pipe. Check valves may be provided in the middle of the suction line 204 and the drain pipe 206.

[0039] The suction device 200 includes control valves 210, 220, and 230, which are on-off valves connected to the first conduit 201, the second conduit 202, the third conduit 203, and the suction conduit 205. Control valves 210 to 230 may each be solenoid valves. Control valve 210 is located between the vacuum tank 260 and the vacuum motor 300. Control valve 220 is located between the first conduit 201 and the third conduit 203, which are connected to the vacuum syringe 41. Control valve 230 is located between the second conduit 202 and the third conduit 203, which are connected to the saliva syringe 42. Each of the control valves 210, 220, and 230 is configured to allow the gas and liquid sucked from the vacuum device 40 to flow to the vacuum tank 260. The control valves 210, 220, and 230 may be located inside the first pipeline 201, the second pipeline 202, the third pipeline 203, and the suction pipeline 205, or they may be located separately from the first pipeline 201, the second pipeline 202, the third pipeline 203, and the suction pipeline 205. The discharge pipeline 500 constitutes a flow path from the vacuum pipe 44 to a downward position 203a and includes the first pipeline 201, the second pipeline 202, the third pipeline 203, the control valve 220, and the control valve 230.

[0040] The pipe cleaning device 400 includes cleaning pipes 46 provided for each of the vacuum pipes 44, a solenoid valve 410 for supplying water from the water source 50 to the cleaning pipes 46, a pump 420 for injecting a chemical agent into the supplied water, and a chemical tank 430 for storing the chemical agent. The pump 420 is, for example, a drip pump. The cleaning agent supplied into the vacuum pipes 44 is supplied into the vacuum pipes 44 through the cleaning pipes 46. Although the solenoid valve 410 and the pump 420 are provided individually for each cleaning pipe 46, they may be provided in common for two cleaning pipes 46.

[0041] The pipe cleaning device 400 discharges excess cleaning agent supplied to the vacuum pipe 44 into the vacuum tank 260 using the discharge pipe 500. As a result, excess cleaning agent during cleaning is drained from the lower position 203a of the discharge pipe 500, rather than from the tip of the vacuum device 40.

[0042] Figure 6 is a control block diagram of a dental treatment device 100 in an embodiment. The dental treatment device 100 includes various control devices, such as a control device for controlling the chair device 1, a control device for controlling the spittoon 2, and a control device for controlling the treatment handpiece 30. These control devices communicate with each other using related communication technologies such as CAN (Controller Area Network) communication. In the dental treatment device 100 shown in Figure 6, an example is described in which the control device for controlling the spittoon 2 controls the suction device 200 and the pipe cleaning device 400.

[0043] The control unit 280 shown in Figure 6 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory). The CPU comprehensively controls the entire dental treatment device 100 by executing operating programs stored in ROM, etc. ROM stores programs and other data executed by the CPU. RAM serves as a workspace for the CPU when executing programs, and temporarily stores programs and data used when executing programs. The control unit 280 is connected to pickup sensor A281, pickup sensor B282, start SW283, start SWB284, cleaning mode SW285, drug SW286, display unit 43, and input unit 45.

[0044] Specifically, when the pickup sensor A281 detects that the vacuum syringe 41 has been picked up from the instrument holder 2d of the spittoon 2, the start SWA283 is turned ON, the vacuum motor 300 is activated, the control valves 210 and 220 open, and the vacuum syringe 41 is used to aspirate saliva, rinsing water, and other liquids accumulated in the patient's oral cavity.

[0045] On the other hand, when the pickup sensor B282 detects that the saliva syringe 42 has been picked up from the instrument holder 2d of the spittoon 2, the start SWB284 is turned ON, the vacuum motor 300 is activated, and the control valves 210 and 230 open to aspirate saliva, rinsing water, and other liquids accumulated in the patient's oral cavity from the tip of the saliva syringe 42.

[0046] The cleaning mode SW285 is a switch for selecting a cleaning mode for cleaning the vacuum tube 44 from among several cleaning modes. The multiple cleaning modes will be described later. The chemical SW286 is a switch for changing the amount of chemical contained in the cleaning agent used to clean the vacuum tube 44. By increasing the amount of chemical contained in the cleaning agent with the chemical SW286, the amount of chemical injected into the water by the pump 420 is increased. Specifically, the pump 420 increases the amount of chemical dropped into the water by increasing the number of times the chemical is dropped into the water per unit time. These switches may be provided as physical switches on the instrument holder 2d, or, as will be described later, as one of the operation switches on the touch panel (input unit 45) provided on the display unit 43.

[0047] An icon for pipe cleaning operation may be displayed on the display unit 43 provided on the instrument holder 2d. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of an icon for pipe cleaning operation of a dental treatment device 100 in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The display unit 43 provided on the instrument holder 2d displays a menu screen for pipe cleaning. The menu screen for pipe cleaning displays an icon image g1 for selecting whether to perform pipe cleaning automatically or manually, an icon image g2 for setting whether to perform pipe cleaning when the power is turned on, an icon image g3 for setting whether to perform pipe cleaning when the chair device 1 is at a predetermined inclination, and an icon image g4 for setting the amount of chemical contained in the cleaning agent. In the display unit 43 shown in Figure 8, icon image g1 indicates that pipe cleaning will be performed automatically, icon image g2 indicates that pipe cleaning will be performed when the power is turned on, icon image g3 indicates that pipe cleaning will be performed when the chair device 1 is at a predetermined inclination, and icon image g4 indicates the amount of chemical contained in the cleaning agent (level 5). The display unit 43 has a touch panel function, with icon images g1 to g3 corresponding to the cleaning mode SW285, and icon image g4 corresponding to the drug SW286.

[0048] As shown in Figure 7, when the icon image g3 of the display unit 43 is active (ON), the vacuum pipe 44 is cleaned each time the patient's treatment is finished and the chair device 1 returns to a predetermined tilt (the state in which the patient is seated). This ensures that the inside of the vacuum pipe 44 is always kept clean.

[0049] The predetermined tilt is the tilt of the chair device 1 when the patient is seated. The user presses the treatment complete (exit) button when the treatment for the patient is finished. When the treatment complete button is pressed, the chair device 1 moves to a height and tilt suitable for the patient to exit. Therefore, when the chair device 1 reaches the predetermined tilt, it means that the treatment for the patient is finished. The location of the treatment complete button is not limited; it may be a physical button on the dental treatment device 100, or it may be displayed as an icon on the display unit 43.

[0050] Next, the operation of the pipe cleaning device 400 will be explained using a flowchart. Figure 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the pipe cleaning device 400 in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The control unit 280 controls the pipe cleaning device 400 to perform pipe cleaning when predetermined conditions are met. First, the control unit 280 determines, for example, whether the chair device 1 is at a predetermined inclination in order to estimate whether the medical treatment for the patient is finished (step S101). If the chair device 1 is not at the predetermined inclination (NO in step S101), the control unit 280 estimates that the medical treatment for the patient is in progress and returns the process to step S101. If the chair device 1 is at the predetermined inclination (YES in step S101), the control unit 280 estimates that the medical treatment for the patient is finished and determines whether the vacuum device 40 is held in the device holder 2d (step S102). The control unit 280 determines that the vacuum device 40 is being held in the device holder 2d because the pickup sensors A281 and B282 are in the OFF state.

[0051] If the vacuum device 40 is not held in the device holder 2d (NO in step S102), the control unit 280 returns the process to step S102. If the vacuum device 40 is held in the device holder 2d (YES in step S102), the control unit 280 supplies cleaning agent into the vacuum pipe 44 (step S103). Specifically, the control unit 280 opens the solenoid valve 410 to supply water to the cleaning pipe 46 and injects the amount of agent set in icon image g4 into the water using the pump 420.

[0052] The control unit 280 determines whether or not a set amount of cleaning agent has been supplied into the vacuum pipe 44 (step S104). Specifically, the set amount is the amount of cleaning agent that fills the vacuum pipe 44 up to the height hb of the lower position 203a. The control unit 280 determines whether or not the set amount has been supplied, for example, by the time the cleaning agent was supplied. As mentioned above, even if the control unit 280 supplies more cleaning agent than the set amount into the vacuum pipe 44, the cleaning agent exceeding the set amount is drained into the vacuum tank 260 through the discharge pipe 500, so it will not overflow from the vacuum device 40.

[0053] If the set amount of cleaning agent has not been supplied into the vacuum pipe 44 (NO in step S104), the control unit 280 returns the process to step S104. If the set amount of cleaning agent has been supplied into the vacuum pipe 44 (YES in step S104), the control unit 280 stops supplying the cleaning agent into the vacuum pipe 44 (step S105).

[0054] To enhance the cleaning effect inside the vacuum tube 44, the control unit 280 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed with the vacuum tube 44 filled with cleaning agent (step S106). Maintaining a state where the vacuum tube 44 is filled with cleaning agent increases the time the cleaning agent is in contact with the inner wall of the vacuum tube 44, making it easier to remove dirt adhering to the inner wall of the vacuum tube 44. For example, the predetermined time may be set to about 30 seconds, or it may be set to the time from the end of use of the dental treatment device 100 until the start of use the next day.

[0055] If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S106), the control unit 280 returns the process to step S106. If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S106), the control unit 280 discharges the cleaning agent from inside the vacuum pipe 44 (step S107). Specifically, the control unit 280 starts the vacuum motor 300, opens the control valves 210 and 220, 230 to suck the cleaning agent from the vacuum pipe 44 and the discharge pipe 500, and drains it into the vacuum tank 260. After the cleaning of the vacuum pipe 44 is complete, the vacuum device 40 is used in the medical treatment of the patient.

[0056] Subsequently, if the end of treatment for a patient is estimated, the control unit 280 determines whether the chair device 1 is in a predetermined tilt for a certain period of time (for example, about 5 minutes) (step S108). If the chair device 1 is in the predetermined tilt for a certain period of time, the control unit 280 determines that it is the interval period between the end of treatment for one patient and the start of treatment for the next patient, and starts cleaning the vacuum pipe 44. If the chair device 1 is in the predetermined tilt for a certain period of time (YES in step S108), the control unit 280 returns to step S103 and performs cleaning of the vacuum pipe 44.

[0057] If the chair device 1 is not at a predetermined tilt for a certain period of time (NO in step S108), the control unit 280 determines whether or not the operation to turn off the power of the dental treatment device 100 has been performed (step S109). If the operation to turn off the power has not been performed (NO in step S109), the control unit 280 returns to step S108 and determines whether or not the chair device 1 is at a predetermined tilt for a certain period of time. If the operation to turn off the power has been performed (YES in step S109), the control unit 280 terminates the process.

[0058] Before the vacuum pipe 44 is cleaned by the pipe cleaning device 400 shown in Figure 8, saliva, cleaning water, etc., that have been sucked up by the vacuum device 40 may remain in the vacuum pipe 44. Therefore, before supplying the cleaning agent into the vacuum pipe 44 in step S103 of Figure 8, the control unit 280 may control the dental treatment device 100 to suck up the liquid in the vacuum pipe 44 for a predetermined time. Specifically, the control unit 280 opens the control valves 210, 220, and 230 for a predetermined time. This allows the liquid in the vacuum pipe 44 to be discharged before supplying the cleaning agent, preventing the cleaning agent from being diluted by saliva, cleaning water, etc., that have been sucked up by the vacuum device 40. The predetermined time is, for example, 30 seconds.

[0059] In Figure 8, an example is shown in which, in steps S101 and S108, it is determined whether the chair device 1 is at a predetermined inclination as a means of estimating the end of treatment for the patient. However, the means of estimating the end of treatment for the patient are not limited to this. For example, the user pressing the treatment completion button and the chair device 1 stopping its operation may be used as a means of estimating the end of treatment for the patient.

[0060] During the cleaning operation of the vacuum pipe 44 by the pipe cleaning device 400 shown in Figure 8, if the vacuum instrument 40 detaches from the instrument holder 2d and the pickup sensor A281 or pickup sensor B282 turns ON, the control unit 280 closes the solenoid valve 410, stops the supply of cleaning agent, and quickly drives the vacuum motor 300 to open the control valves 210, 220, and 230. As a result, even if a user touches the dental treatment device 100 and the vacuum instrument 40 detaches from the instrument holder 2d while the vacuum pipe 44 is being cleaned, the cleaning agent inside the vacuum pipe 44 is sucked out, preventing the cleaning agent from leaking out of the tip of the vacuum instrument 40, or reducing the amount of leakage.

[0061] In this embodiment of the pipe cleaning device 400, the vacuum device 40 was removed and cleaned as an example, but the vacuum pipe 44 may also be cleaned with the vacuum device 40 attached. In this case, when the vacuum syringe 41 is held in the device holder 2d, if the height from the floor near the tip or in the middle of the vacuum device 40 is greater than or equal to the height from the floor at the lower position 203a, it is possible to prevent the cleaning agent from leaking from the tip of the vacuum device 40.

[0062] Furthermore, in the dental treatment device 100 of this embodiment, the vacuum tank 260 connected to the vacuum motor 300 is located inside the spittoon 2, but is not limited to this, and a vacuum motor with a vacuum tank function may be located outside the spittoon 2. In that case, the vacuum tank inside the spittoon 2 is omitted.

[0063] Furthermore, although the explanation was given using the example that the downward position 203a in the discharge pipeline 500 faces the floor, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which an additional discharge tube or the like is connected to the discharge pipeline 500, and the downward position that faces the floor exists not in the discharge pipeline 500 but in the tube. In this case, the tube can also be considered as part of the discharge pipeline.

[0064] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Chair unit, 2 Spittoon, 3 Lighting unit, 4 Arm for lighting unit, 5 Tray table, 6 Arm for tray table, 10 Main unit of dental equipment, 20 Cleaning unit, 30 Handpiece for dental treatment, 40 Vacuum device, 43 Display unit, 44 Vacuum tube, 45 Input unit, 46 Cleaning piping, 47 Arm for instrument holder, 50 Water source, 100 Dental treatment equipment, 200 Suction unit, 201 First pipeline, 202 Second pipeline, 203 Third pipeline, 204, 205 Suction pipeline, 206 Drain pipeline, 210, 220, 230, 240 Control valve, 260 Vacuum tank, 280 Control unit, 300 Vacuum motor, 400 Pipe cleaning unit, 410 Solenoid valve, 420 Pump, 430 Drug tank, 500 Discharge pipeline, 600 Connection unit.

Claims

1. A pipe cleaning device for dental treatment, A holding part for holding a medical vacuum device that connects to the first end of a vacuum tube, A supply unit that supplies cleaning agent into the vacuum pipe, The device includes a discharge pipe provided within the holding portion and connected to a second end located on the opposite side of the first end of the vacuum pipe, for discharging the cleaning agent to the outside, A pipe cleaning device in which, when the vacuum device is held in the holding part, the height of the first end or the height of the vacuum device from the floor is greater than or equal to the height from the floor at a downward position in the discharge pipeline that faces the floor.

2. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein when the vacuum device is held in the holding part, the height from the floor surface at the downward position is greater than or equal to the height from the floor surface of the flow rate adjustment valve of the vacuum pipe.

3. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the downward position is located at a height approximately equal to the height of the first end from the floor surface when the vacuum device is held in the holding part.

4. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the vacuum device is held in the holding part, the direction normal to the opening surface of the first end is oriented substantially vertically with respect to the floor surface.

5. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding part is provided so as to be movable in a vertical direction with respect to the floor surface on the main body of the medical device which has a vacuum tank in which the liquid sucked up by the vacuum device is stored.

6. A detection unit that detects that the vacuum device is being held in the holding part, The pipe cleaning device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: a control unit that controls the supply unit to supply a cleaning agent into the vacuum pipe when the detection unit detects that the vacuum device is being held in the holding unit.

7. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein when the vacuum device is held in the holding part, the vacuum pipe is U-shaped, and the lowest end of the vacuum pipe is above the floor surface.

8. The pipe cleaning apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit stops supplying cleaning agent to the vacuum pipe and starts suction by the vacuum device when the detection unit detects that the vacuum device is not held in the holding unit.

9. The pipe cleaning apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit controls the first control valve so that the suction pressure generated by the vacuum motor is transmitted into the vacuum pipe for a predetermined period of time before supplying the cleaning agent into the vacuum pipe.

10. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the supply unit supplies the cleaning agent into the vacuum pipe from the second end.

11. The aforementioned discharge pipeline is A first conduit having one end in communication with the second end, A second conduit is provided perpendicular to the first conduit and horizontally on the floor surface, A pipe cleaning device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a second control valve connecting the other end of the first pipe to one end of the second pipe.

12. The second control valve is a diaphragm valve, The other end of the first pipeline is connected perpendicularly to the diaphragm of the second control valve, as described in claim 11.

13. A dental treatment device for treating patients, A medical examination table in which a patient can be seated or reclined for examination, The main unit of the medical device includes a holder for holding medical vacuum devices, A vacuum pipe including a first end connected to the vacuum device and a second end opposite to the first end, A supply unit that supplies cleaning agent into the vacuum pipe, A discharge pipeline is provided within the holding portion and connected to the second end of the vacuum pipe for discharging the cleaning agent to the outside, The system includes a vacuum motor that generates suction pressure in the vacuum tube, A dental treatment device in which, when the vacuum device is held in the holding part, the height of the first end or the height of the vacuum device from the floor is greater than or equal to the height from the floor at a downward position, which is a downward position in the discharge pipe.

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