Endoscope reprocessor, method of operating the endoscope reprocessor, and control device

Abstract

This endoscope reprocessor comprises: a first tube including a first connector connected to a first cap of an endoscope; a second tube including a second connector connected to a second cap of the endoscope; a fluid supply unit for supplying a fluid to a conduit of the endoscope via each of the first tube and the second tube; and a controller for controlling the fluid supply unit. The conduit includes a first conduit in communication with the first cap, a second conduit in communication with the second cap, and a third conduit where the first conduit and second conduit merge. The third conduit has an opening at the distal end of an insertion part of the endoscope. The controller controls the fluid supply unit so as to feed the liquid at a first pressure to the first conduit and the second conduit and then feed the liquid at a second pressure higher than the first pressure.

Description

Endoscope reprocessor, endoscope reprocessor operation method, and endoscope reprocessor program

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope reprocessor used for reprocessing an endoscope, an operation method of an endoscope reprocessor, and a program for an endoscope reprocessor.

[0002] Endoscopes used in the medical field must be reprocessed, such as by being cleaned and disinfected, after their insertion portion is inserted into a subject to observe the inside of the subject and perform treatment using treatment tools, in order to be reused.

[0003] The endoscope reprocessor connects tube connectors to the suction nozzle and forceps nozzle of the endoscope, supplies fluid to each tube, and then discharges the fluid from the opening at the tip of the insertion section, thereby removing blood clots, mucus, and other contaminants that have adhered to the ducts.

[0004] International Publication No. WO2015-001843 discloses an endoscope cleaning device that cleans a forceps mouthpiece using liquid leaking from between the forceps mouthpiece and a connector of a tube connected to the forceps mouthpiece.

[0005] However, if the ductwork near the forceps mouthpiece is heavily soiled, the dirt may be swept away by the fluid and become trapped between the forceps mouthpiece and the connector of the tube connected to the forceps mouthpiece. For this reason, it is necessary to clean the forceps mouthpiece with a brush or the like before reprocessing using an endoscope reprocessor.

[0006] International Publication No. WO2016-194456 discloses an endoscope reprocessor that performs flow control to adjust the flow rate of a first fluid supply unit that supplies a liquid as a fluid and the flow rate of a second fluid supply unit that supplies a gas as a fluid.

[0007] However, with the flow control disclosed in International Publication WO2016-194456, when liquid is sent at high pressure from the forceps nozzle and the suction nozzle during the process of filling the endoscope channel with liquid, dirt can become lodged between the nozzle of the forceps nozzle and the connector of the cleaning tube.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an endoscope reprocessor, an endoscope reprocessor control method, and an endoscope reprocessor program that can prevent dirt from clogging between the forceps port nozzle and the cleaning tube connector.

[0009] An endoscope processor according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a first tube including a first connector that is connected to a first mouthpiece of an endoscope; a second tube including a second connector that is connected to a second mouthpiece of the endoscope; a fluid supply unit that supplies fluid to the ducts of the endoscope via each of the first tube and the second tube; and a controller that controls the fluid supply unit, wherein the ducts include a first duct that communicates with the first mouthpiece, a second duct that communicates with the second mouthpiece, and a third duct where the first duct and the second duct join together, and the third duct has an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the controller controls the fluid supply unit to deliver fluid to the first duct and the second duct at a first pressure, and then deliver the fluid at a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides an endoscope processor comprising: a first tube including a first connector connected to a first mouthpiece of an endoscope; a second tube including a second connector connected to a second mouthpiece of the endoscope; a fluid supply unit that supplies fluid to the ducts of the endoscope via each of the first tube and the second tube; and a controller that controls the fluid supply unit, wherein the ducts include a first duct that communicates with the first mouthpiece, a second duct that communicates with the second mouthpiece, and a third duct where the first duct and the second duct join together, and the third duct has an opening at the tip of the insertion section of the endoscope, and the controller controls the fluid supply unit to supply liquid to the first duct and the second duct at a first pressure, air to the first duct and the second duct at a second pressure, liquid to the first pressure, a third pressure higher than the first pressure, and air to the second duct at a fourth pressure.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention provides an endoscope processor comprising: a first tube including a first connector connected to a first mouthpiece of an endoscope; a second tube including a second connector connected to a second mouthpiece of the endoscope; a fluid supply unit that supplies fluid to the ducts of the endoscope via each of the first tube and the second tube; and a controller that controls the fluid supply unit, wherein the ducts include a first duct that communicates with the first mouthpiece, a second duct that communicates with the second mouthpiece, and a third duct where the first duct and the second duct join together, the third duct having an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the controller controls the fluid supply unit to supply air and liquid to the first duct and the second duct at a first pressure, and then at a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure.

[0012] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention provides a method for operating an endoscope reprocessor, which includes a first tube including a first connector connected to a first mouthpiece of an endoscope, a second tube including a second connector connected to a second mouthpiece of the endoscope, a fluid supply unit that supplies fluid to the endoscope's ducts via each of the first tube and the second tube, and a controller that controls the fluid supply unit, wherein the ducts include a first duct that communicates with the first mouthpiece, a second duct that communicates with the second mouthpiece, and a third duct where the first duct and the second duct join together, and the third duct has an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and controls the fluid to be delivered to the first duct and the second duct at a first pressure, and then at a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure.

[0013] In addition, one aspect of the present invention is an endoscope reprocessor program that includes a first tube including a first connector that is connected to a first mouthpiece of an endoscope, a second tube including a second connector that is connected to a second mouthpiece of the endoscope, a fluid supply unit that supplies fluid to the endoscope's ducts via each of the first tube and the second tube, and a controller that controls the fluid supply unit, wherein the ducts include a first duct that communicates with the first mouthpiece, a second duct that communicates with the second mouthpiece, and a third duct where the first duct and the second duct join together, and the third duct has an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and causes a computer to execute control to send fluid to the first duct and the second duct at a first pressure, and then send fluid at a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure.

[0014] 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope reprocessor according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a main part of an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a joint between a first connector and a forceps mouthpiece in an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a confluence of conduits in an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of a cleaning process of an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the flow of a cleaning process of an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment; FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the timing of switching between low-pressure liquid delivery and high-pressure liquid delivery in a cleaning process of an endoscope reprocessor; FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the timing of switching between low-pressure liquid delivery and high-pressure liquid delivery in a cleaning process of an endoscope reprocessor;

[0015] An endoscope reprocessor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the endoscope reprocessor 1 will be referred to as the reprocessor 1.

[0016] The drawings based on the embodiments are schematic. The relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the thickness ratio of each part, etc. are different from the actual ones. The drawings also include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios.

[0017] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope reprocessor according to a first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the reprocessor 1 has a main body 2 and a top cover 3 that can be opened and closed. Fig. 1 shows the reprocessor 1 with the top cover 3 open.

[0018] The reprocessor 1 is a device that regenerates an endoscope 9 or an endoscope accessory. The regeneration process may be rinsing with water, cleaning to remove organic matter and other contaminants, disinfection to neutralize specific microorganisms, sterilization to eliminate or kill all microorganisms, or a combination of these.

[0019] The main body 2 has, at its upper part, a treatment tank 5 for cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope 9, an operation panel 6, and a water supply hose connection port 7.

[0020] The treatment tank 5 stores a liquid such as a cleaning liquid, water, an alcohol disinfectant, or a sterilizing liquid. The treatment tank 5 has an endoscope placement section 11 and a terrace 21.

[0021] The endoscope placement section 11 has a bottom surface 12 and side surfaces 13, on which the endoscope 9 can be placed, and which stores liquid. The bottom surface 12 of the endoscope placement section 11 is provided with a discharge port 14 for discharging the stored liquid. The side surface 13 of the endoscope placement section 11 is provided with a circulation port 16 having a mesh filter 15. The circulation port 16 communicates with a liquid pump 51, which will be described later. The circulation port 16 may be provided on the bottom surface 12.

[0022] The terrace 21 is adjacent to the endoscope placement section 11 and is provided at a higher position than the endoscope placement section 11. The terrace 21 has a forceps stopper port 22 which is a first tube connection port, a suction nozzle port 23 which is a second tube connection port, a detergent nozzle 24, a disinfectant nozzle 25, a water supply nozzle 26, and a water level sensor 27.

[0023] The forceps plug port 22 is a port for connecting a first tube 31. The suction nozzle port 23 is a port for connecting a second tube 32. The first tube 31 and the second tube 32 constitute a cleaning tube. The number of ports that the reprocessor 1 has is not limited to two.

[0024] The cleaning agent nozzle 24 supplies a cleaning liquid to the treatment tank 5. The disinfectant nozzle 25 supplies a disinfectant liquid to the treatment tank 5. The water supply nozzle 26 supplies water taken in from the water supply hose connection port 7 to the treatment tank 5, and also supplies the liquid in the treatment tank 5 taken in from the circulation port 16 having the mesh filter 15 back to the treatment tank 5 to circulate it. The mesh filter 15 filters out dirt P from the liquid. The water level sensor 27 detects the level of the liquid stored in the treatment tank 5.

[0025] The operation panel 6 is disposed at the front of the upper part of the reprocessor 1. The operation panel 6 has various operation buttons (not shown). A user issues various instructions to the reprocessor 1 via the operation panel 6.

[0026] The water supply hose connection port 7 is provided at the rear of the upper part of the reprocessor 1. A water supply hose connected to a water faucet (not shown) is connected to the water supply hose connection port 7, and water is supplied to the reprocessor 1 via a water supply nozzle 26.

[0027] The top cover 3 is provided on the top of the main body 2 so as to be able to be opened and closed. By opening the top cover 3, the reprocessor 1 can place the endoscope 9 in the endoscope placement section 11 and connect the endoscope 9 to the reprocessor 1 via a first tube 31 and a second tube 32. After the endoscope 9 is set, the reprocessor 1 can be put into a state where it can be subjected to processes such as cleaning and disinfection by closing the top cover 3.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of the main parts of the endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a state in which an endoscope 9 connected to a first tube 31 and a second tube 32 is housed in the reprocessor 1. Note that Fig. 2 illustrates only the main components of the present invention. Furthermore, the reprocessor 1 may have a configuration different from that shown in Fig. 2 as long as it has the same functions as the configuration shown in Fig. 2.

[0029] The endoscope 9 has an insertion section 9A that is inserted into the body, an operation section 9B, a universal cord 9C, and an endoscope connector 9D. The endoscope 9 has a conduit 90 inside. The conduit 90 includes a first conduit 91, a second conduit 92, and a third conduit 93. A forceps mouthpiece 91A is provided at one end of the first conduit 91, and the other end merges with the second conduit 92. A suction mouthpiece 92A is provided at one end of the second conduit 92, and the other end merges with the first conduit 91.

[0030] The first conduit 91 and the second conduit 92 join to form a third conduit 93, through which the insertion section 9A passes and which has an opening O93 at its tip. A treatment tool such as forceps inserted through the forceps mouthpiece 91A passes through the first conduit 91 and the third conduit 93, with its tip protruding from the opening O93. Fluid delivered from the suction mouthpiece 92A passes through the second conduit 92 and the third conduit 93 and is released from the opening O93.

[0031] The first tube 31 has a first connector 31A provided at one end connected to a forceps connector 91A, which is a first connector of the endoscope 9, and a connector 31B provided at the other end connected to the forceps plug port 22 of the reprocessor 1. The forceps plug port 22 communicates with the forceps connector 91A of the endoscope 9 via the first tube 31.

[0032] The second tube 32 has a second connector 32A provided at one end connected to a suction mouthpiece 92A, which is a second mouthpiece of the endoscope 9, and a connector 32B provided at the other end connected to the suction mouthpiece port 23 of the reprocessor 1. The suction mouthpiece port 23 communicates with the suction mouthpiece 92A of the endoscope 9 via the second tube 32.

[0033] The reprocessor 1 has a liquid pump 51, a gas pump 52, a processing tank 5, a first solenoid valve 53, a second solenoid valve 54, a pressure sensor 81, pressure control units 82 and 83, a forceps plug port 22, a suction nozzle port 23, and a controller 61.

[0034] The liquid pump 51 takes in liquid such as cleaning liquid from the treatment tank 5 through the circulation port 16 having the mesh filter 15 into the conduit 55, pressurizes the taken-in liquid at a predetermined pressure, and sends the pressurized liquid to the branch conduit 59. Although not shown, a portion of the liquid taken in from the circulation port 16 is sent to the treatment tank 5 by another pump. The mesh filter 15 filters out dirt P that flows down from the conduit 90 of the endoscope 9 and is floating in the liquid in the treatment tank 5.

[0035] The liquid pump 51 is connected to a first solenoid valve 53 and a second solenoid valve 54 via a branch pipe 59. The first solenoid valve 53 is connected to the forceps plug port 22 via a pipe 57. The second solenoid valve 54 is connected to the suction nozzle port 23 via a pipe 58.

[0036] The gas pump 52 takes in gas via the conduit 56, pressurizes the taken-in gas to a predetermined pressure, and sends the pressurized gas to the branch conduit 59. The gas is, for example, air. The gas pump 52 is connected to the first solenoid valve 53 and the second solenoid valve 54 via the branch conduit 59.

[0037] A pressure sensor 81 and pressure control units 82 and 83 are disposed in branch line 59. Pressure control unit 82 is disposed in branch line 59 between liquid pump 51 and second electromagnetic valve 54. Pressure control unit 83 is disposed in branch line 59 between liquid pump 51 and second electromagnetic valve 54.

[0038] The pressure control units 82 and 83 are configured by, for example, proportional valves, etc. The pressure control units 82 and 83 control the pressure of the fluid supplied to the first pipe 91 and the pressure of the fluid supplied to the second pipe 92 in response to a control signal from the controller 61.

[0039] The controller 61 has a CPU 62, which is the central processing unit of a computer, and a memory 63, which includes a ROM, a RAM, or the like. The functions of the controller 61 are realized by the CPU 62 reading and executing a program from the memory 63. The program for causing a computer to execute the reprocessing stored in the memory 63 is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 8 and may be transferred to the memory 63.

[0040] The controller 61 is electrically connected to the liquid pump 51 , the gas pump 52 , the first electromagnetic valve 53 , the second electromagnetic valve 54 , the pressure sensor 81 , and the pressure control units 82 and 83 .

[0041] When supplying liquid to the conduit 90, the controller 61 starts the liquid pump 51 and stops the gas pump 52. When supplying gas to the conduit 90, the controller 61 stops the liquid pump 51 and starts the gas pump 52.

[0042] When a gas-liquid two-phase flow is supplied to the conduit 90, the controller 61 starts the liquid pump 51 and then the gas pump 52. The gas-liquid two-phase flow refers to a state in which the conduit 90 of the endoscope 9 is filled with liquid and then air is sent from the gas pump 52, causing a mixture of liquid and gas to exist in the conduit 90. More specifically, the gas-liquid two-phase flow includes any of a state in which gas bubbles exist in the liquid, a state in which liquid droplets exist in the gas, and a state in which a mass of liquid and a mass of gas exist side by side.

[0043] Furthermore, the controller 61 controls the open / close state of the first solenoid valve 53, whereby a predetermined flow rate (predetermined pressure) of fluid is supplied to the first pipeline 91 via the first tube 31. The controller 61 controls the open / close state of the second solenoid valve 54, whereby a predetermined flow rate of fluid is supplied to the second pipeline 92 via the second tube 32.

[0044] The controller 61 also controls the pressure control units 82 and 83 to control the pressure of the fluid supplied to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92. The controller 61 controls the pressure control units 82 and 83 to supply the fluid to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92 at a first pressure, or to supply the fluid to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92 at a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure.

[0045] The liquid pump 51, the gas pump 52, the first solenoid valve 53, the second solenoid valve 54, and the pressure control units 82 and 83 constitute the fluid supply unit 10. The controller 61 controls the timing and pressure at which the fluid supply unit 10 supplies the fluid to the pipeline 90.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a joint between a first connector and a forceps mouthpiece in an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment.

[0047] The first connector 31A has a connector body 71 provided at the tip of the first tube 31 , a plurality of spheres 72 , and a connector cover 73 provided on the outer periphery of the connector body 71 .

[0048] The connector body 71 is made of plastic or the like. The connector body 71 is cylindrical and has a plurality of circular holes H75 in the peripheral side portion 74. For example, four holes H75 are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the peripheral side portion 74 of the connector body 71. The diameter of each hole H75 decreases from the outer surface to the inner surface of the connector body 71, and the cross section of the peripheral side portion 74 in the thickness direction is tapered.

[0049] The plurality of spheres 72 are made of metal or the like. The plurality of spheres 72 have a diameter larger than that of the hole H75 in the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential side portion 74 so as not to fall off from the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential side portion 74, and are arranged so that some of the spheres 72 fit into the hole H75.

[0050] The connector cover 73 is made of plastic or the like. The connector cover 73 is disposed on the outside of the connector body 71 on which the plurality of spheres 72 are disposed. A circumferential gap G2 is formed between the connector cover 73 and the connector body 71.

[0051] The forceps mouthpiece 91A is made of metal, resin, etc. The forceps mouthpiece 91A has a body 77 formed in a cylindrical shape and an outward flange 78 at the tip.

[0052] The connector 31B of the first tube 31 is detachably attached to the forceps ferrule 91A. When the connector 31B is attached to the forceps ferrule 91A, the multiple (four in this example) spheres 72 of the connector 31B lock onto the outward flange 78 of the forceps ferrule 91A to prevent it from falling off. A circumferential gap G1 is formed between the body 77 of the forceps ferrule 91A and the connector main body 71.

[0053] The fluid delivered from the first tube 31 is introduced into the body 77 of the forceps ferrule 91A, passes between the hole H75 and the sphere 72, flows out from the gap G1, and passes between the connector main body 71 and the forceps ferrule 91A, and flows out from the gap G2. The fluid flowing out from the gaps G1 and G2 in the connection region between the connector 31B and the forceps ferrule 91A cleans the forceps ferrule 91A.

[0054] The shape of the connector 31B of the first tube 31 is not limited to the one described above, and for example, the connector disclosed in International Publication WO2015-001843 already described can also be applied.

[0055] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the junction of the conduits in the endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, after use, contaminants P may be attached to the conduits 90 of the endoscope 9, particularly the first conduit 91 and the third conduit 93, which are the removal paths for treatment tools inserted into the body.

[0056] As already explained, there are gaps G1 and G2 between the first connector 31A of the first tube 31 connected to the forceps mouthpiece 91A and the forceps mouthpiece 91A. Therefore, in the reprocessing process, when the fluid supplied to the second conduit 92 flows back through the first conduit 91 via the junction, there is a risk that dirt P swept away by the fluid may become trapped in the gaps G1 and G2. In particular, when air is supplied to the first conduit 91 and the second conduit 92 at high pressure from the beginning, there is a risk that large dirt P may become trapped in the gaps G1 and G2 between the first connector 31A and the forceps mouthpiece 91A.

[0057] In this embodiment, first, air and liquid are supplied at low pressure to the first conduit 91 and the second conduit 92 to remove large contaminants P adhering to the inside of the conduit 90, and then air and liquid are supplied at high pressure. This prevents large contaminants P from getting caught in the gaps G1 and G2 between the first connector 31A and the forceps mouthpiece 91A.

[0058] Next, a cleaning process will be described as an operation of the endoscope reprocessor 1. The user opens the top cover 3 of the endoscope reprocessor 1 and sets the endoscope 4 to be cleaned in the endoscope reprocessor 1. Specifically, the user connects the connector 31B of the first tube 31 to the forceps plug port 22, connects the connector 31A to the forceps mouthpiece 91A of the endoscope 4, connects the connector 32B of the second tube 32 to the suction mouthpiece port 23, and connects the connector 31A to the suction mouthpiece 92A of the endoscope 4. Although not shown, in addition to the connection between the first tube 31 and the second tube 32, other tubes may be used to connect the endoscope reprocessor 1 and the endoscope 4 as needed.

[0059] After connecting the endoscope reprocessor 1 and the endoscope 4, the user places the endoscope 4 in the endoscope placement section 11 and closes the top cover 3.

[0060] When the user issues an instruction to start a process such as cleaning and disinfecting from the operation panel 6, the CPU 62 reads a predetermined program from the storage unit 63 and starts processing the program.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the cleaning process of the endoscope reprocessor of the first embodiment.

[0062] The controller 61 controls the fluid supply unit 10 to send fluid at low pressure to the first conduit 91 and the second conduit 92 (S1). This process removes large contaminants P adhering to the inside of the conduit 90, particularly near the forceps mouthpiece 91A.

[0063] Next, the controller 61 controls the fluid supply unit 10 to send high-pressure liquid to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92 (S2), and the cleaning process ends.

[0064] As described above, in the cleaning process of this embodiment, the liquid is first sent at low pressure to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92, and then sent at high pressure. As described above, if the liquid is sent at high pressure from the beginning, there is a risk that large contaminants P washed away by the backflow will become trapped in the gaps G1 and G2. In contrast, in the cleaning process of this embodiment, the liquid is first sent at low pressure to remove the large contaminants P adhering to the inside of the pipeline 90. After the large contaminants P are removed, the liquid is sent at high pressure to clean the inside of the pipeline 90, thereby preventing the large contaminants P from becoming trapped in the gaps G1 and G2.

[0065] Therefore, according to the endoscope reprocessor 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent dirt from clogging between the mouthpiece of the forceps port and the connector of the cleaning tube.

[0066] The cleaning process of this embodiment is not limited to the process shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the flow of the cleaning process of the endoscope reprocessor of the first embodiment. In Fig. 6, the same processes as those in Fig. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.

[0067] In the process of S2, the controller 61 determines whether the cleaning processes of S1 and S2 have been performed a predetermined number of times after high-pressure liquid delivery to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92 (S11). If the controller 61 determines that the cleaning processes have not been performed the predetermined number of times (S11: NO), the controller 61 returns to the cleaning process of S1 and repeats the same process. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the cleaning processes have been performed the predetermined number of times (S11: YES), the controller 61 ends the cleaning process.

[0068] By switching between low pressure and high pressure liquid supply in small increments, a water hammer is generated due to a sudden change in pressure, and dirt P inside the pipeline 90 is removed.

[0069] The timing for switching between low-pressure liquid delivery and high-pressure liquid delivery may be as shown in FIG.

[0070] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the timing for switching between low-pressure and high-pressure fluid delivery during the cleaning process of an endoscope reprocessor. Note that in FIG. 7, the same processes as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0071] In the process of S1, the controller 61 determines whether a certain time has elapsed after sending the liquid at low pressure to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92 (S21).

[0072] If the controller 61 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S21: NO), the controller 61 returns to the cleaning process of S1 and repeats the same process. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (S21: YES), the controller 61 proceeds to the process of S2 and performs high-pressure liquid supply to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92.

[0073] The timing for switching between low-pressure liquid delivery and high-pressure liquid delivery is not limited to the process shown in FIG.

[0074] 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the timing for switching between low-pressure and high-pressure fluid delivery during the cleaning process of an endoscope reprocessor. Note that in FIG. 8, the same processes as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0075] In the process of S1, when the controller 61 sends the liquid at low pressure to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92, the controller 61 determines whether the pressure has become equal to or lower than a certain value (S31). The controller 61 determines whether the pressure has become equal to or lower than a certain value based on the measurement result of the pressure sensor 81.

[0076] If the controller 61 determines that the pressure is not equal to or less than the predetermined value (S31: NO), the process returns to the cleaning process of S1 and repeats the same process. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined value (S31: YES), the process proceeds to S2 and the high-pressure liquid is sent to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92.

[0077] For example, if large dirt P is attached near the forceps mouthpiece 91A or inside the conduit 90, the pressure of the delivered liquid will increase. Then, when the large dirt P is removed by delivering the liquid at low pressure, the pressure will decrease. Therefore, when the pressure falls below a certain value, the controller 61 determines that the large dirt P has been removed and switches from delivering the liquid at low pressure to delivering the liquid at high pressure.

[0078] The cleaning process of this embodiment may be the process shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the flow of the cleaning process of the endoscope reprocessor of the first embodiment. In Fig. 9, the same processes as those in Fig. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.

[0079] In the process of S1, the controller 61 sends low-pressure liquid to the first conduit 91 and the second conduit 92, and then sends gas to the first conduit 91 and the second conduit 92 (S41). Thereafter, in the process of S2, the controller 61 sends high-pressure liquid to the first conduit 91 and the second conduit 92.

[0080] As in the above process, after the liquid is sent at low pressure, the liquid is not immediately switched to being sent at high pressure, but air is sent once to the first conduit 91 and the second conduit 92. In this way, the liquid in the conduit 90 is removed, and then the liquid is sent at high pressure.

[0081] By sending the liquid in a state where the liquid inside the conduit 90 has been removed, the pressure on the distal end side of the conduit 90 (the distal end side of the insertion section 9A) decreases, and the flow rate of the liquid when sent at high pressure increases. As a result, the cleaning power inside the conduit 90 can be improved.

[0082] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the reprocessor 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the cleaning process is different from that of the first embodiment. The reprocessor 1 of the second embodiment performs cleaning using a gas-liquid two-phase flow.

[0083] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the cleaning process of the endoscope reprocessor of the second embodiment.

[0084] The controller 61 controls the fluid supply unit 10 to supply low-pressure liquid to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92 (S51). Next, the controller 61 controls the fluid supply unit 10 to supply predetermined pressure air to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92 (S52).

[0085] Next, the controller 61 controls the fluid supply unit 10 to supply high-pressure liquid to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92 (S53). Finally, the controller 61 controls the fluid supply unit 10 to supply air at a predetermined pressure to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92 (S54), thereby completing the cleaning process. Note that the predetermined pressure for the process in S52 and the predetermined pressure for the process in S54 may be the same pressure or different pressures.

[0086] The gas-liquid two-phase flow is achieved by sending liquid from the liquid pump 51 into the conduit 90, and then sending air from the gas pump 52 in a state where the conduit 90 is filled with liquid, thereby mixing the liquid and gas in the conduit 90. In this case, as in the first embodiment, the liquid is sent at a low pressure (first pressure) and air is sent at a predetermined pressure (second pressure) to remove large contaminants P, and then the liquid is sent at a high pressure (third pressure) and air is sent at a predetermined pressure (fourth pressure) to perform a cleaning process inside the conduit 90.

[0087] Therefore, according to the endoscope reprocessor 1 of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent dirt from clogging between the mouthpiece of the forceps port and the connector of the cleaning tube.

[0088] The cleaning process using the gas-liquid two-phase flow is not limited to the process shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 11 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the flow of the cleaning process of the endoscope reprocessor of the second embodiment.

[0089] The controller 61 controls the fluid supply unit 10 to supply low-pressure gas liquid to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92 (S61). The controller 61 simultaneously operates the liquid pump 51 and the gas pump 52 of the fluid supply unit 10 and controls the pressure control units 82 and 83 to supply low-pressure gas liquid.

[0090] Next, the controller 61 controls the fluid supply unit 10 to send high-pressure gas liquid to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92 (S62). The controller 61 sends high-pressure gas liquid by controlling the pressure control units 82 and 83 while simultaneously operating the liquid pump 51 and the gas pump 52.

[0091] In this way, the liquid pump 51 and the gas pump 52 may be operated simultaneously to supply a gas-liquid two-phase flow in which liquid and gas are mixed to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92. In this case, as in the first embodiment, the gas-liquid supply is performed at low pressure to remove large contaminants P, and then the gas-liquid supply is performed at high pressure to clean the pipeline 90.

[0092] As a result, it is possible to prevent large amounts of dirt P from being caught in the gaps G1 and G2 between the first connector 31A and the forceps mouthpiece 91A.

[0093] It should be noted that the steps in the flowcharts in this specification may be executed in a different order, may be executed multiple times simultaneously, or may be executed in a different order each time, as long as this does not contradict the nature of the steps.

[0094] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications, combinations, and applications are possible within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A first tube including a first connector that connects to the first nozzle of the endoscope, A second tube including a second connector connected to the second nozzle of the endoscope, A fluid supply unit that supplies fluid to the tubing of the endoscope via the first tube and the second tube, The system comprises a controller for controlling the fluid supply unit, The conduit includes a first conduit communicating with the first nozzle, a second conduit communicating with the second nozzle, and a third conduit formed by the confluence of the first and second conduits, the third conduit having an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope. The endoscope reprocessor is characterized in that the controller controls the fluid supply unit to deliver fluid to the first and second pipelines at a first pressure, and then deliver the fluid at a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure.

2. The endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller controls the fluid supply unit to perform a predetermined number of operations, which involve supplying fluid at the first pressure and then supplying fluid at the second pressure.

3. The endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller controls the fluid supply unit to deliver fluid at a second pressure when it determines that a certain amount of time has elapsed after delivering fluid at the first pressure.

4. The endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller controls the fluid supply unit to deliver fluid at a second pressure after determining that the pressure has fallen below a certain value following the delivery of fluid at the first pressure.

5. The endoscopic reprocessor according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller controls the fluid supply unit to deliver fluid at the first pressure, then deliver air to the first and second pipelines, and deliver fluid at the second pressure after the air has been delivered.

6. The endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller controls the fluid supply unit to supply fluid to the first and second pipelines at a first pressure, supply air at a third pressure, supply fluid at a second pressure which is higher than the first pressure, and supply air at a fourth pressure.

7. The endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller controls the fluid supply unit to supply air to the first and second pipelines at a first pressure, and then to supply air at a second pressure which is higher than the first pressure.

8. A method for operating an endoscope reprocessor, An endoscope reprocessor operation method for an endoscope, comprising an endoscope including a first conduit communicating with a first nozzle, a second conduit communicating with a second nozzle, and a third conduit formed by the confluence of the first and second conduits, wherein the third conduit has an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, characterized in that the reprocessor controls the delivery of fluid to the first and second conduits at a first pressure, and then delivers the fluid at a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure.

9. The method for operating an endoscope reprocessor according to claim 8, characterized in that the process of delivering fluid at the first pressure and then delivering fluid at the second pressure is controlled to be performed a predetermined number of times.

10. The method for operating an endoscope reprocessor according to claim 8, characterized in that, after delivering fluid at the first pressure, if it is determined that a certain amount of time has elapsed, the system controls the fluid delivery to be performed at the second pressure.

11. The method for operating an endoscope reprocessor according to claim 8, characterized in that, after delivering fluid at the first pressure, if it is determined that the pressure has fallen below a certain value, the system controls the fluid delivery to be at the second pressure.

12. The method for operating an endoscope reprocessor according to claim 8, characterized in that after delivering fluid at the first pressure, air is supplied to the first and second pipelines, and after the air is supplied, the fluid is delivered at the second pressure.

13. The method for operating an endoscope reprocessor according to claim 8, characterized in that it controls the supply of liquid to the first and second pipelines at a first pressure, supply of air at a third pressure, supply of liquid at a second pressure which is higher than the first pressure, and supply of air at a fourth pressure.

14. The method for operating an endoscope reprocessor according to claim 8, characterized in that after supplying air to the first and second conduits at a first pressure, the air is supplied at a second pressure which is higher than the first pressure.

15. A control device having a processor, A control device for an endoscope comprising a first conduit communicating with a first nozzle, a second conduit communicating with a second nozzle, and a third conduit formed by the confluence of the first and second conduits, wherein the third conduit has an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, characterized in that it controls the endoscope to deliver fluid to the first and second conduits at a first pressure, and then deliver the fluid at a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure.

16. The control device according to claim 15, characterized in that the control device controls the process of supplying liquid at the first pressure and then supplying liquid at the second pressure to be executed a predetermined number of times.

17. The control device according to claim 15, characterized in that when the control device determines that a certain amount of time has elapsed after supplying liquid at the first pressure, it controls the supply to supply liquid at the second pressure.

18. The control device according to claim 15, characterized in that, after delivering liquid at the first pressure, when it determines that the pressure has fallen below a certain value, it controls the device to deliver liquid at the second pressure.

19. The control device according to claim 15, characterized in that the control device delivers liquid at the first pressure, then delivers air to the first and second pipelines, and after the air is delivered, delivers liquid at the second pressure.

20. The control device according to claim 15, characterized in that the control device controls the supply of liquid to the first pipeline and the second pipeline at a first pressure, supplying gas at a third pressure, supplying liquid at a second pressure which is higher than the first pressure, and supplying gas at a fourth pressure.

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