Method and system for controlling the temperature in an endoscope reprocessing machine

Abstract

The method and the system for controlling the temperature of the water used for cleansing an endoscope to be reprocessed according to the invention, are implemented in an endoscope washer machine (M), comprising a tank (D) made of medical grade polymer material. According to the invention, said machine (M) comprises an internal hot water storage tank (C), with heating means of the water and a first hydraulic line (10) of water to be heated, coming from an external water supply network (cold water). The water contained in said storage tank (C) is heated by said heating means to a temperature of 60°C or higher, maintaining this temperature at least for the time required to eliminate all possible proliferation of bacteria inside said storage tank (C). Water from di said external water supply network flowing into the storage tank (C) through said first hydraulic line (10) is then mixed with the hot water present in the storage tank (C), until the water mixed in said storage tank (C) is taken to a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C. A hot water outlet (C1) is provided in said storage tank (C) and said hot water outlet (C1) of said tank (C) is hydraulically connected with said tank (D) by means of a second hydraulic line (20), which passes, in a sealed manner, through said discharge opening (E) of said tank (D) and flows out into said tank (D). The hot water mixed in the storage tank (C) and having a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C is pushed through said water outlet (C1) and said second hydraulic line (20) into said tank (D), passing through the discharge opening (E) of the tank (D), by means of a difference in pressure of the cold water entering said storage tank (C) through said first hydraulic line (10), filling the tank (D) with hot water at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C to the desired level, and cleansing of an endoscope to be reprocessed arranged in said tank (D) takes place.

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a method for controlling the temperature of the water used for cleansing an endoscope to be reprocessed in an endoscope washer machine, comprising a tank made of medical grade polymer material. The invention also refers to a system for implementation of the aforesaid method.

[0002] It is specified that the invention can be specifically applied in an endoscope washer machine made of medical grade polymer material, in particular in a machine of the type specified comprising a treatment tank made of medical grade polymer material.Background

[0003] The standard UNI EN ISO 15883 establishes the process steps for reprocessing endoscopes, listing the crucial steps to be followed to obtain complete removal of organic material from the instrument and perfect cleanliness and disinfection.

[0004] These steps include cleansing, which is carried out using an enzymatic detergent.

[0005] The temperature of the water used for washing with the detergent is considered suitable if within the range from 30 to 40°C. In this temperature range, the enzymes optimize and accelerate their catalytic reaction, maximizing removal of the organic material present on the surface and within the channels of endoscopes which are reprocessed after use. At the current state of the art, an endoscope washer machine made of polymeric material can use water at the correct temperature, connecting the hot water intake of the machine with the specific connection provided in the water supply network of the healthcare structure in which the machine is installed.

[0006] In case of the use of water with a temperature exceeding 40°C in the pipes of the water supply network, the endoscope washer machine of the type specified can use an suitable thermostatic mixer to obtain water at the correct temperature; however, in this case, it is necessary to hydraulically connect the hot water intake of the machine both to the hot water network and to the cold water network of the healthcare structure.

[0007] Other types of endoscope washer machines allow the water to be heated inside the machine, through systems that do not store water, which allow it to be heated to the correct temperature.

[0008] The document DE 40 03 987 A1 discloses a system for controlling the temperature of the water used to cleanse an endoscope to be reprocessed in an endoscope washer machine of the type specified above.Technical problem underlying the invention

[0009] At the current state of the art there are no known endoscope washer machines made of polymeric material, having an internal system for heating the water for cleansing endoscopes integrated with the machine by means of a storage tank. A part of currently known machines can only be installed through connection both to the hot water and to the cold water of the water supply network of the healthcare structure, while the remaining part of the machines has an internal resistor that allows water to be heated, by means of a process which, however, is long and somewhat inefficient.Summary of the invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling the temperature of the water used for cleansing an endoscope to be reprocessed in an endoscope washer machine, comprising a tank made of medical grade polymer material, which allows the water to be heated and used at the optimal temperature during the cleansing step in the endoscope reprocessing process.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system which allows the aforesaid method to be implemented.

[0012] In view of these objects, the present invention provides a method for controlling the temperature of the water used for cleansing an endoscope to be reprocessed in an endoscope washer machine, comprising a tank made of medical grade polymer material, the essential feature of which forms the subject matter of claim 1.

[0013] The present invention also provides a system for implementation of the method indicated above, the essential feature of which forms the subject matter of claim 4. Other advantageous features form the subject matter of the dependent claims.Description of the drawing

[0014] In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a schematic view, with parts in section, illustrating a part of an endoscope washer machine in which the method according to the invention is implemented by means of the system according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic view, with parts in section, illustrating in its entirety the endoscope washer machine in which the method according to the invention is implemented by means of the system according to the invention.

[0015] With reference to the drawing, the method for controlling the temperature of the water used for cleansing an endoscope to be reprocessed is implemented in an endoscope washer machine M, comprising a tank D made of medical grade polymer material, wherein: said tank D is provided with an opening E in the bottom of the tank for discharging the water from said tank, and said discharge opening E is configured to be selectively opened and allow the outflow of water and closed to prevent the outflow of water from said tank D.

[0016] The method according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing said endoscope washer machine M with an internal hot water storage tank C; providing said storage tank C with heating means of the water contained in the storage tank; providing in said endoscope washer machine M a first hydraulic line 10 of water to be heated, coming from an external water supply network (cold water); providing in said first hydraulic line 10 of water to be heated: a water intake A hydraulically connected with respect to said external water supply network, a first solenoid valve B to shut off water flow, hydraulically branched downstream of said water intake A and maintained in a permanent hydraulically open position; a second solenoid valve downstream of said first solenoid valve B and hydraulically connected to a water inlet of said storage tank C to load water in said storage tank C, wherein said second solenoid valve is configured to be selectively switched into a hydraulically open position, in which it allows the water to be heated to flow from said water intake A to said storage tank C, and into a closed position, in which it shuts off the flow of water to be heated from said water intake A to said storage tank C; switching said second solenoid valve into said open position, and filling the storage tank C with water from said external water supply network, after said storage tank C has been filled, switching said second solenoid valve into said closed position, in which further water cannot enter said storage tank C through said first hydraulic line 10; heating the water contained in said storage tank C by means of said heating means up to a temperature of 60°C or higher, maintaining this temperature for at least the time required to eliminate all possible proliferation of bacteria inside said storage tank C; switching said second solenoid valve into said open position, in which water from said external water supply network is conveyed inside said storage tank C from said water intake A through said first hydraulic line 10; mixing water from said external water supply network entering in the storage tank C through said first hydraulic line 10 with the hot water present in the storage tank C, to take the water mixed in said storage tank C to a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C; providing a hot water outlet C1 of said storage tank C and hydraulically connecting said hot water outlet C1 of said storage tank C with said tank D by means of a second hydraulic line 20, which passes, in a sealed manner, through said discharge opening E of said tank D and flows into said tank D; providing said water outlet C1 with flow shut-off valve means, configured to be switched selectively into a hydraulically open position, in which they allow the hot water to flow from said storage tank C through said second hydraulic line 20, and into a hydraulically closed position, in which they shut off the flow of hot water from said storage tank C through said second hydraulic line 20; switching said valve means of said water outlet C1 of said storage tank C into a hydraulically open position and closing said discharge opening E of said tank D; pushing the hot water contained in the storage tank C and having a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C through said water outlet C1 and said second hydraulic line 20 to said tank D, passing through the discharge opening E of said tank D, by means of a difference in pressure of the cold water entering said storage tank C through said first hydraulic line 10; filling the tank D to the desired level with hot water having a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C; after reaching the desired level of hot water in the tank D, switching said second solenoid valve into the hydraulically closed position and switching said valve means of said water outlet C1 of said storage tank C into the hydraulically closed position; utilizing the hot water contained in the tank D to cleanse an endoscope to be reprocessed arranged in said tank D; after cleansing of said endoscope to be reprocessed, opening said discharge opening E of said tank D and discharging the water from said tank D.

[0017] Moreover, the method according to the invention is characterized by the step of providing a hydraulic branch of said first hydraulic line 10, upstream of said second solenoid valve to said tank D, and providing said hydraulic branch with filter means, with a flow sensor and with a third solenoid valve, so that, when said second solenoid valve is switched into the hydraulically closed position, said hydraulic branch provides a passage of network water (cold water) from said network intake A directly into the wash tank D, to carry out at least one of the following operations: prewash, intermediate rinse, disinfection and final rinse of an endoscope to be reprocessed in said tank D.

[0018] Further, the method according to the invention is characterized by the step of configuring said storage tank C as boiler.

[0019] Moreover, the present invention provides a system for controlling the temperature of the water used to cleanse an endoscope to be reprocessed in an endoscope washer machine M, comprising a tank D made of medical grade polymer material, wherein: said tank D is provided with an opening E in the bottom of the tank for discharging the water from said tank, and said discharge opening E is configured to be selectively opened and allow the outflow of water and closed to prevent the outflow of water from said tank D.

[0020] The system according to the present invention is characterized in that: a hot water storage tank C is arranged inside said endoscope washer machine M; heating means of the water contained in said storage tank C are arranged in said storage tank C; a first hydraulic line 10 of water to be heated is arranged in said endoscope washer machine M, is branched from an external water supply network (cold water) and comprises: a water intake A hydraulically connected with respect to said external water supply network, a first solenoid valve B to shut off water flow, hydraulically branched downstream of said water intake A and maintained in a permanent hydraulically open position; a second solenoid valve arranged downstream of said first solenoid valve B and hydraulically connected to a water inlet of said storage tank C to load water into said storage tank C, wherein said second solenoid valve is configured to be selectively switched into a hydraulically open position, in which it allows the water to be heated to flow from said water intake A to said storage tank C, and into a hydraulically closed position, in which it shuts off the flow of water to be heated from said water intake A to said storage tank C; said heating means are configured to heat the water contained in said storage tank C to a temperature of 60°C or higher and maintain this temperature at least for the time required to eliminate all possible proliferation of bacteria inside said storage tank C; wherein, in a first operating arrangement: said storage tank C is filled with water from the external water supply network, by means of said first hydraulic line 10 and said second solenoid valve switched into the hydraulically open position, said second solenoid valve is switched into the hydraulically closed position and the water contained in said storage tank C is heated to a temperature of the water of 60°C or higher, the water is maintained at a temperature of 60°C or higher for the time required to eliminate all possible proliferation of bacteria inside said storage tank C, wherein, in a second and subsequent operating arrangement: said second solenoid valve is switched into said hydraulically open position allowing the water of said external water supply network to flow inside said storage tank C from said water intake A through said first hydraulic line 10, mixing with the hot water present in the storage tank C, wherein the temperature of the water mixed ranges from 30°C to 40°C; a hot water outlet C1 is arranged in said storage tank C and is hydraulically connected with said tank D by means of a second hydraulic line 20, which passes, in a sealed manner, through said discharge opening E of said tank D and flows out into said tank D; water flow shut-off valve means are arranged in said water outlet C1 and are configured to be selectively switched into a hydraulically open position, in which they allow hot water to flow through said second hydraulic line 20, and into a hydraulically closed position, in which they shut off the flow of hot water through said second hydraulic line 20; wherein, in a third and subsequent operating arrangement: said valve means of said water outlet C1 of said storage tank C are arranged in a hydraulically open position and said discharge opening E of said tank D is closed, so that the hot water mixed in the storage tank C and maintained at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C is pushed through said water outlet C1 and said second hydraulic line 20 into said tank D, passing through the discharge opening E of the tank D, by means of a difference in pressure of the cold water entering said storage tank C through said first hydraulic line 10, and fills the tank D with hot water at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C to the desired level; after reaching the desired level of hot water at the temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C in said tank D, said second solenoid valve is switched into the hydraulically closed position and said water outlet C1 of said storage tank C is switched into the hydraulically closed position; the hot water contained in the tank D at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C allows correct cleansing of an endoscope to be reprocessed arranged in the tank D; after cleansing of the endoscope to be reprocessed and opening of said discharge opening E of said tank D, the water utilized for cleansing in said tank D is discharged through said opening E.

[0021] Moreover, the system according to the invention is characterized in that a hydraulic branch of said first hydraulic line 10 is arranged upstream of said second solenoid valve and extends into said tank D, wherein said hydraulic branch is provided with filter means, with a flow sensor and with a third solenoid valve, so that, when said second solenoid valve is switched into the hydraulically closed position, said hydraulic branch provides a passage of network water (cold water) from said network intake A directly into said washing tank D, to carry out at least the following operations: prewash, intermediate rinse, disinfection and final rinse of a endoscope to be reprocessed in said tank D. Further, the system according to the invention is characterized in that said storage tank C is configured as a boiler.Advantages of the invention

[0022] The method and the relative system according to the invention allow the endoscope washer machine of the type specified to depend solely on the cold water connection of the healthcare structure in which the machine is installed, and allow heating of the cold water to be obtained an a completely efficient and rapid manner.

[0023] Moreover, considering the temperature to which the water is preheated inside the machine, the method and relative system according to the invention are completely safe and protected from the possible proliferation of bacteria, which are eliminated by the hot water.

[0024] As is apparent from the above, the present invention achieves the objects set forth in the introduction of this description, in a simple and efficient way.

Claims

1. Method for controlling the temperature of the water used for cleansing an endoscope to be reprocessed in an endoscope washer machine (M) comprising a tank (D) made of medical grade polymer material, wherein: - said tank (D) is provided with an opening (E) in the bottom of the tank for discharging the water from said tank, and - said discharge opening (E) is configured to be selectively opened and allow the outflow of water and closed to prevent the outflow of water from said tank (D); characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - providing said endoscope washer machine (M) with an internal hot water storage tank (C); - providing said storage tank (C) with heating means of the water contained in the storage tank; - providing in said endoscope washer machine (M) a first hydraulic line (10) of water to be heated, coming from an external water supply network (cold water); - providing in said first hydraulic line (10) of water to be heated: - a water intake (A) hydraulically connected with respect to said external water supply network, - a first solenoid valve (B) to shut off water flow, hydraulically branched downstream of said water intake (A) and maintained in a permanent hydraulically open position; - a second solenoid valve arranged downstream of said first solenoid valve (B) and hydraulically connected to a water inlet of said storage tank (C) to load water into said storage tank (C), wherein said second solenoid valve is configured to be selectively switched into a hydraulically open position, in which it allows the water to be heated to flow from said water intake (A) to said storage tank (C), and into a hydraulically closed position, in which it shuts off the flow of water to be heated from said water intake (A) to said storage tank (C); - switching said second solenoid valve into said open position, and filling the storage tank (C) with water from said external water supply network, - after said storage tank (C) has been filled, switching said second solenoid valve into said closed position, in which further water cannot enter said storage tank (C) through said first hydraulic line (10); - heating the water contained in said storage tank (C) by means of said heating means up to a temperature of 60°C or higher, maintaining this temperature for at least the time required to eliminate all possible proliferation of bacteria inside said storage tank (C); - switching said second solenoid valve into said open position, in which water from said external water supply network is conveyed inside said storage tank (C) from said water intake (A) through said first hydraulic line (10); - mixing water from said external water supply network entering in the storage tank (C) through said first hydraulic line (10) with the hot water present in the storage tank (C), to take the water mixed in said storage tank (C) to a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C; - providing a hot water outlet (C1) of said storage tank (C) and hydraulically connecting said hot water outlet (C1) of said storage tank (C) with said tank (D) by means of a second hydraulic line (20), which passes, in a sealed manner, through said discharge opening (E) of said tank (D) and flows into said tank (D); - providing said water outlet (C1) with flow shut-off valve means, configured to be switched selectively into a hydraulically open position, in which they allow the hot water to flow from said storage tank (C) through said second hydraulic line (20), and into a hydraulically closed position, in which they shut off the flow of hot water from said storage tank (C) through said second hydraulic line (20); - switching said valve means of said water outlet (C1) of said storage tank (C) into a hydraulically open position and closing said discharge opening (E) of said tank (D); - pushing the hot water contained in the storage tank (C) and having a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C through said water outlet (C1) and said second hydraulic line (20) to said tank (D), passing through the discharge opening (E) of said tank (D), by means of a difference in pressure of the cold water entering said storage tank (C) through said first hydraulic line (10); - filling the tank (D) to the desired level with hot water having a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C; - after reaching the desired level of hot water in the tank (D), switching said second solenoid valve into the hydraulically closed position and switching said valve means of said water outlet (C1) of said storage tank (C) into the hydraulically closed position; - utilizing the hot water contained in the tank (D) to cleanse an endoscope to be reprocessed arranged in said tank (D); - after cleansing of said endoscope to be reprocessed, opening said discharge opening (E) of said tank (D) and discharging the water from said tank (D).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized by the step of providing a hydraulic branch of said first hydraulic line (10), upstream of said second solenoid valve to said tank (D), and providing said hydraulic branch with filter means, with a flow sensor and with a third solenoid valve, so that, when said second solenoid valve is switched into the hydraulically closed position, said hydraulic branch provides a passage of network water (cold water) from said network intake (A) directly into the wash tank (D), to carry out at least one of the following operations: prewash, intermediate rinse, disinfection and final rinse of an endoscope to be reprocessed in said tank (D).

3. Method according to claim 1 and / or 2, characterized by the step of configuring said storage tank (C) as boiler.

4. System for controlling the temperature of the water used to cleanse an endoscope to be reprocessed in an endoscope washer machine (M), comprising a tank (D) made of medical grade polymer material, wherein: - said tank (D) is provided with an opening (E) in the bottom of the tank for discharging the water from said tank, and - said discharge opening (E) is configured to be selectively opened and allow the outflow of water and closed to prevent the outflow of water from said tank (D); characterized in that: - a hot water storage tank (C) is arranged inside said endoscope washer machine (M); - heating means of the water contained in said storage tank (C) are arranged in said storage tank (C); - a first hydraulic line (10) of water to be heated is arranged in said endoscope washer machine (M), is branched from an external water supply network (cold water) and comprises: - a water intake (A) hydraulically connected with respect to said external water supply network, - a first solenoid valve (B) to shut off water flow, hydraulically branched downstream of said water intake (A) and maintained in a permanent hydraulically open position; - a second solenoid valve arranged downstream of said first solenoid valve (B) and hydraulically connected to a water inlet of said storage tank (C) to load water into said storage tank (C), wherein said second solenoid valve is configured to be selectively switched into a hydraulically open position, in which it allows the water to be heated to flow from said water intake (A) to said storage tank (C), and into a hydraulically closed position, in which it shuts off the flow of water to be heated from said water intake (A) to said storage tank (C); - said heating means are configured to heat the water contained in said storage tank (C) to a temperature of 60°C or higher and maintain this temperature at least for the time required to eliminate all possible proliferation of bacteria inside said storage tank (C); - wherein, in a first operating arrangement: - said storage tank (C) is filled with water from the external water supply network, by means of said first hydraulic line (10) and said second solenoid valve switched into the hydraulically open position, - said second solenoid valve is switched into the hydraulically closed position and the water contained in said storage tank (C) is heated to a temperature of the water of 60°C or higher, - the water is maintained at a temperature of 60°C or higher for the time required to eliminate all possible proliferation of bacteria inside said storage tank (C), - wherein, in a second and subsequent operating arrangement: - said second solenoid valve is switched into said hydraulically open position allowing the water of said external water supply network to flow inside said storage tank (C) from said water intake (A) through said first hydraulic line (10), mixing with the hot water present in the storage tank (C), wherein the temperature of the water mixed ranges from 30°C to 40°C; - a hot water outlet (C1) is arranged in said storage tank (C) and is hydraulically connected with said tank (D) by means of a second hydraulic line (20), which passes, in a sealed manner, through said discharge opening (E) of said tank (D) and flows out into said tank (D); - water flow shut-off valve means are arranged in said water outlet (C1) and are configured to be selectively switched into a hydraulically open position, in which they allow hot water to flow through said second hydraulic line (20), and into a hydraulically closed position, in which they shut off the flow of hot water through said second hydraulic line (20); - wherein, in a third and subsequent operating arrangement: - said valve means of said water outlet (C1) of said storage tank (C) are arranged in a hydraulically open position and said discharge opening (E) of said tank (D) is closed, so that the hot water mixed in the storage tank (C) and maintained at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C is pushed through said water outlet (C1) and said second hydraulic line (20) into said tank (D), passing through the discharge opening (E) of the tank (D), by means of a difference in pressure of the cold water entering said storage tank (C) through said first hydraulic line (10), and fills the tank (D) with hot water at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C to the desired level; - after reaching the desired level of hot water at the temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C in said tank (D), said second solenoid valve is switched into the hydraulically closed position and said water outlet (C1) of said storage tank (C) is switched into the hydraulically closed position; - the hot water contained in the tank (D) at a temperature ranging from 30°C to 40°C allows correct cleansing of an endoscope to be reprocessed arranged in the tank (D); - after cleansing of the endoscope to be reprocessed and opening of said discharge opening (E) of said tank (D), the water utilized for cleansing in said tank (D) is discharged through said opening (E).

5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that a hydraulic branch of said first hydraulic line (10) is arranged upstream of said second solenoid valve and extends into said tank (D), wherein said hydraulic branch is provided with filter means, with a flow sensor and with a third solenoid valve, so that, when said second solenoid valve is switched into the hydraulically closed position, said hydraulic branch provides a passage of network water (cold water) from said network intake (A) directly into said washing tank (D), to carry out at least the following operations: prewash, intermediate rinse, disinfection and final rinse of a endoscope to be reprocessed in said tank (D).

6. System according to claim 4, characterized in that said storage tank (C) is configured as a boiler.