Endoscope reprocessor, method for operating endoscope reprocessor, and program for endoscope reprocessor

Abstract

This endoscope reprocessor is provided with: a first tube that is connected to a first cap of an endoscope; a second tube that is connected to the distal end part of the endoscope; a fluid supply unit that supplies a fluid to the conduit of the endoscope via each of the first tube and the second tube; and a controller that controls the fluid supply unit. The conduit includes a first conduit communicating with the first cap, a second conduit communicating with a second cap of the endoscope, and a third conduit communicating with a merging part where the first conduit and the 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 such that the second cap is in an open state and the fluid is supplied from the first tube and the second tube to the second cap via the merging part.

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 connected to a first nozzle of an endoscope, a second tube connected to a tip 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 nozzle, a second duct that communicates with a second nozzle of the endoscope, and a third duct that communicates with a junction where the first duct and the second duct join, 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 so that the second nozzle is in an open state and the fluid is supplied from the first tube and the second tube to the second nozzle via the junction.

[0010] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention provides a method for operating an endoscope reprocessor, which comprises a first tube connected to a first nozzle of an endoscope, a second tube connected to a tip 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 nozzle, a second duct that communicates with a second nozzle of the endoscope, and a third duct that communicates with a junction where the first duct and the second duct join, and the third duct has an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the second nozzle is controlled to be in an open state and the fluid is supplied from the first tube and the second tube to the second nozzle via the junction.

[0011] In addition, one aspect of the present invention is an endoscope reprocessor program that includes a first tube connected to a first nozzle of an endoscope, a second tube connected to a tip 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 nozzle, a second duct that communicates with a second nozzle of the endoscope, and a third duct that communicates with a junction where the first duct and the second duct join, and the third duct has an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the program causes a computer to execute control to supply the fluid from the first tube and the second tube to the second nozzle via the junction when the second nozzle is in an open state.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the main parts of an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the main parts of an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a joint between a connector and a forceps mouthpiece in an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a confluence of conduits in an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the connection configuration between a connector of a second tube and the tip end of an insertion section in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of a cleaning process in an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which an endoscope is placed in a processing tank of an endoscope reprocessor. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the connection configuration between a connector of a second tube and the tip end of an insertion section in the second embodiment.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] (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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The suction nozzle port 23 is a port for connecting the first tube 31. The forceps plug port 22 is a port for connecting the second tube 32 or the third tube 33. The first tube 31, the second tube 32, and the third tube 33 constitute a cleaning tube. The number of ports included in the reprocessor 1 is not limited to two. For example, the reprocessor 1 may have three ports for connecting the first tube 31, the second tube 32, and the third tube 33, respectively.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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 of the reprocessor 1, the endoscope 9 can be placed in the endoscope placement section 11 and the endoscope 9 can be connected to the reprocessor 1 via the first tube 31 and the second tube 32, or the first tube 31 and the third tube 33. After the endoscope 9 is set in the reprocessor 1, by closing the top cover 3, the reprocessor 1 becomes ready for processing such as cleaning and disinfection.

[0026] 2 and 3 are configuration diagrams 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. Fig. 3 shows a state in which an endoscope 9 connected to a first tube 31 and a third tube 33 is housed in the reprocessor 1. Note that Figs. 2 and 3 only show the main components of the present invention. Furthermore, the reprocessor 1 may have a configuration different from that shown in Figs. 2 and 3 as long as it has the same functions as the configuration shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0027] 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 suction mouthpiece 91A is provided at one end of the first conduit 91, and the other end merges with the second conduit 92. A forceps mouthpiece 92A is provided at one end of the second conduit 92, and the other end merges with the first conduit 91.

[0028] The third conduit 93, where the first conduit 91 and the second conduit 92 join, passes through the insertion section 9A and has an opening O93 (see FIG. 3 ) at its tip. A treatment tool such as forceps inserted through the forceps connector 92A passes through the second conduit 92 and the third conduit 93, and its tip protrudes from the opening O93. Fluid delivered from the suction connector 91A passes through the first conduit 91 and the third conduit 93 and is released from the opening O93.

[0029] The first tube 31 has a connector 31A at one end connected to a suction mouthpiece 91A, which is a first mouthpiece of the endoscope 9, and a connector 31B 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 91A of the endoscope 9 via the first tube 31.

[0030] The second tube 32 has a connector 32A at one end connected to the tip of the insertion section 9A of the endoscope 9, and a connector 32B at the other end connected to the forceps plug port 22 of the reprocessor 1. When the second tube 32 is connected, the forceps plug port 22 communicates with the tip of the insertion section 9A of the endoscope 9 via the second tube 32.

[0031] 3 has a connector 33A provided at one end connected to a forceps connector 92A, which is the second connector of the endoscope 9, and a connector 33B provided at the other end connected to the forceps plug port 22 of the reprocessor 1. When the third tube 33 is connected, the forceps plug port 22 communicates with the forceps connector 92A of the endoscope 9 via the third tube 33.

[0032] 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 forceps plug port 22 , a suction nozzle port 23 , and a controller 61 .

[0033] 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.

[0034] The liquid pump 51 is connected to the first solenoid valve 53 and the second solenoid valve 54 via a branch pipe 59. The first solenoid valve 53 is connected to the suction nozzle port 23 via a pipe 57. The second solenoid valve 54 is connected to the forceps plug port 22 via a pipe 58.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The treatment tank 5 is provided with a sensor 80 that detects contamination of the stored liquid. The sensor 80 is a turbidity sensor or the like that measures the turbidity of the liquid. The turbidity sensor detects contamination P of the liquid by measuring the light transmittance of the liquid. Because the stored liquid circulates through the conduit 90, removing contamination P from the conduit 90 also reduces the contamination P of the stored liquid. In other words, the contamination P detected by the sensor 80 can be considered to be contamination P in the conduit 90. The sensor 80 is preferably disposed near the forceps mouthpiece 92A of the endoscope 9 placed in the treatment tank 5.

[0037] 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.

[0038] The controller 61 is electrically connected to the liquid pump 51 , the gas pump 52 , the first solenoid valve 53 , the second solenoid valve 54 , and the sensor 80 .

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Furthermore, the controller 61 controls the open / close state of the first solenoid valve 53, thereby supplying a predetermined flow rate (predetermined pressure) of fluid to the first conduit 91 via the first tube 31. When the forceps plug port 22 and the tip end of the insertion section 9A are connected by the second tube 32, the controller 61 controls the open / close state of the second solenoid valve 54, thereby supplying a predetermined flow rate of fluid to the third conduit 93 via the second tube 32. When the forceps plug port 22 and the tip end of the insertion section 9A are connected by the second tube 32, the controller 61 controls the open / close state of the second solenoid valve 54, thereby supplying a predetermined flow rate of fluid to the second conduit 92 via the third tube 33.

[0042] The liquid pump 51, the gas pump 52, the first electromagnetic valve 53, and the second electromagnetic valve 54 constitute the fluid supply unit 10. The controller 61 controls the timing at which the fluid supply unit 10 supplies the fluid to the pipeline 90.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a joint between a connector and a forceps mouthpiece in an endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment.

[0044] The connector 33A has a connector body 71 provided at the tip of the third tube 33, a plurality of spheres 72, and a connector cover 73 provided on the outer periphery of the connector body 71.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The forceps mouthpiece 92A is made of metal, resin, etc. The forceps mouthpiece 92A has a body 77 formed in a cylindrical shape and an outward flange 78 at the tip.

[0049] The connector 33A of the third tube 33 is detachably attached to the forceps ferrule 92A. When the connector 33A is attached to the forceps ferrule 92A, the multiple (four in this example) spheres 72 of the connector 33A lock the outward flange 78 of the forceps ferrule 92A to prevent it from falling off. A circumferential gap G1 is formed between the body 77 of the forceps ferrule 92A and the connector main body 71.

[0050] The fluid delivered from the third tube 33 is introduced into the body 77 of the forceps ferrule 92A, passes between the hole H75 and the sphere 72, flows out from the gap G1, and passes between the connector body 71 and the forceps ferrule 92A and flows out from the gap G2. The fluid flowing out from the gaps G1 and G2 in the connection region between the connector 33A and the forceps ferrule 92A cleans the forceps ferrule 92A.

[0051] The shape of the connector 33A of the third tube 33 is not limited to the above, and for example, the connector disclosed in International Publication WO2015-001843 already described can also be applied.

[0052] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the junction of the conduits in the endoscope reprocessor according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, after use, contaminants P may be attached to the conduits 90 of the endoscope 9, particularly the second conduit 92 and the third conduit 93, which are the removal paths for treatment tools inserted into the body.

[0053] As already explained, there are gaps G1 and G2 between the connector 33A of the third tube 33 connected to the forceps nozzle 92A and the forceps nozzle 92A. Therefore, during the reprocessing process, when the fluid supplied to the first pipeline 91 flows back through the second pipeline 92 via the confluence, there is a risk that dirt P washed away by the fluid will become trapped in the gaps G1 and G2.

[0054] Generally, the insertion section 9A inserted into the body has a small diameter, and therefore the third conduit 93 provided within the insertion section 9A also has a smaller diameter than the first conduit 91 and the second conduit 92. Therefore, the conduit resistance of the third conduit 93 within the insertion section 9A is greater than the conduit resistance of the first conduit 91 and the conduit resistance of the second conduit 92. As a result, part of the fluid delivered from the suction mouthpiece 91A flows back toward the forceps mouthpiece 92A rather than toward the tip side of the insertion section 9A, and dirt P becomes trapped in the gaps G1 and G2.

[0055] In this embodiment, first, the second tube 32 is connected to the distal end of the insertion section 9A, and the third tube 33 is left open and not connected to the forceps mouthpiece 92A, and then fluid is delivered from the suction mouthpiece 91A and the distal end of the insertion section 9A. As a result, dirt P adhering to the second duct 92 and the third duct 93, which are the removal paths for the treatment tool, is discharged from the forceps mouthpiece 92A.

[0056] Thereafter, the third tube 33 is connected to the forceps mouthpiece 92A in place of the second tube 32, and the liquid is sent from the suction mouthpiece 91A and the forceps mouthpiece 92A, thereby preventing the dirt P from being caught in the forceps mouthpiece 92A.

[0057] 6 is a diagram showing a connection configuration between the connector of the second tube and the distal end of the insertion section according to the first embodiment. The connector 32A of the second tube 32 includes a nozzle 41 for feeding liquid to the third conduit 93, an insertion member 42 through which the distal end of the insertion section 9A is inserted, a spring 43 for clamping the insertion section 9A, and a fixing member 44 that clamps and fixes the insertion section 9A by the force of the spring 43.

[0058] The nozzle 41 is inserted into the third duct 93 inside the insertion section 9A, the insertion section 9A is clamped by the spring 43 and the fixing member 44, and the second tube 32 is fixed to the tip of the insertion section 9A so as not to come off during liquid delivery. In this way, the second tube 32 is fixed to the tip of the insertion section 9A, and liquid is delivered from the nozzle 41 of the second tube 32 to the third duct 93.

[0059] Next, the 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 suction mouthpiece port 23 and connects the connector 31A to the suction mouthpiece 91A of the endoscope 4. The user also connects the connector 32B of the second tube 32 to the forceps plug port 22 and connects the connector 32A to the tip of the insertion section 9A of the endoscope 4. The forceps mouthpiece 92A is left open. Although not shown, in addition to the connection between the first tube 31 and the second tube 32, other tubes may be connected between the endoscope reprocessor 1 and the endoscope 4 as needed.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the cleaning process of the endoscope reprocessor of the first embodiment.

[0063] The controller 61 drives the fluid supply unit 10 to simultaneously send the liquid to the first pipeline 91 and the third pipeline 93 (S1). By this process, the sent liquid is discharged from the forceps mouthpiece 92A, which is in an open state, and the dirt P adhering to the second pipeline 92 and the third pipeline 93 and the dirt P adhering near the forceps mouthpiece 92A is discharged from the forceps mouthpiece 92A.

[0064] The controller 61 may alternately send liquid to the first conduit 91 and the third conduit 93. When alternately sending liquid to the first conduit 91 and the third conduit 93, the controller 61 increases the amount of liquid sent or sends liquid at a high pressure. The controller 61 starts sending liquid from the suction mouthpiece 91A or the tip of the insertion section 9A, and after a certain period of time, stops sending liquid from the suction mouthpiece 91A or the tip of the insertion section 9A. The controller 61 then starts sending liquid from the tip of the suction mouthpiece 91A or the insertion section 9A that is not sending liquid. The timing for stopping and starting the liquid sending is determined so that the dirt P does not reach the other end of the suction mouthpiece 91A or the tip of the insertion section 9A. For example, the controller 61 calculates the flow rate of the fluid passing through the suction nozzle 91A and flowing into the duct 90, and the flow rate of the fluid passing through the tip of the insertion section 9A and flowing into the duct 90, and controls the timing of stopping and starting the liquid supply.

[0065] Next, the controller 61 notifies the user to replace the second tube 32 (S2). When the turbidity of the water detected by the sensor 80 falls below a predetermined value, the controller 61 determines that the dirt P in the conduit 90, including the second conduit 92, has been largely removed. The controller 61 then stops the delivery of liquid to the first conduit 91 and the third conduit 93, and generates an instruction signal to notify the user. The instruction signal instructs the user to remove the second tube 32 from the forceps plug port 22 and the distal end of the insertion section 9A, and to connect the third tube 33 to the forceps plug port 22 and the forceps ferrule 92A. The instruction signal is, for example, at least one of a display on the operation panel 6 and a sound.

[0066] When the user is notified that the second tube 32 needs to be replaced, the user replaces the second tube 32. Specifically, the user opens the top cover 3 of the endoscope reprocessor 1 and removes the second tube 32 from the endoscope reprocessor 1 and the endoscope 4. The user then connects the connector 33B of the third tube 33 to the forceps plug port 22 and connects the connector 33A to the forceps mouthpiece 92A of the endoscope 4. The distal end of the insertion section 9A is left open. After connecting the endoscope reprocessor 1 and the endoscope 4 with the third tube 33, the user places the endoscope 4 in the endoscope placement section 11 and closes the top cover 3.

[0067] The controller 61 drives the fluid supply unit 10 to simultaneously send liquid to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92 (S3). The controller 61 may alternately send liquid to the first pipeline 91 and the second pipeline 92. The controller 61 starts sending liquid from the suction nozzle 91A or the forceps nozzle 92A, and after a certain period of time, stops sending liquid from the suction nozzle 91A or the forceps nozzle 92A. The controller 61 then starts sending liquid from the suction nozzle 91A or the forceps nozzle 92A that is not sending liquid. The timings for stopping and starting the liquid sending are determined so that the dirt P does not reach one of the suction nozzle 91A and the forceps nozzle 92A from the other.

[0068] Furthermore, high conduit resistance of the third conduit 93 is a cause of backflow into the forceps mouthpiece 92A. In order to prevent backflow into the forceps mouthpiece 92A, the conduit resistance of the third conduit 93 may be reduced by exposing the tip of the insertion section 9A to the atmosphere from the treatment tank 5 in which the liquid is stored during liquid transfer.

[0069] The controller 61 then determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S4). If the controller 61 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S4: NO), the controller 61 continues the cleaning process of S3. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (S4: YES), the controller 61 ends the cleaning process.

[0070] In this way, before the cleaning process step in which liquid is sent from the suction mouthpiece 91A and the forceps mouthpiece 92A, a step of disconnecting the third tube 33 from the forceps mouthpiece 92A is provided. That is, with the forceps mouthpiece 92A in an open state, liquid is sent from the suction mouthpiece 91A and the distal end of the insertion section 9A, and dirt P in the second duct 92 and the third duct 93 is discharged from the forceps mouthpiece 92A.

[0071] This prevents dirt P from clogging between the forceps mouthpiece 92A and the connector 33A of the third tube 33 during the cleaning process in which liquid is delivered from the suction mouthpiece 91A and the forceps mouthpiece 92A.

[0072] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an endoscope installed in a processing tank of an endoscope reprocessor. As shown in Fig. 8, an endoscope 9 is placed in a processing tank 5 of the reprocessor 1. A holding net 8 made of, for example, metal or resin is attached to the bottom of the processing tank 5. When reprocessing is performed, the endoscope 9 is placed on the holding net 8 in the processing tank 5.

[0073] 9 is a diagram showing a connection configuration between the connector of the second tube and the distal end of the insertion section in the second embodiment. The second tube 32 includes a connector 32C instead of the connector 32A in FIG. 6. The connector 32C of the second tube 32 includes a nozzle 41 for feeding liquid to the third conduit, an insertion member 45 through which the distal end of the insertion section 9A is inserted, and a fixing member 46 for fixing the second tube 32 to the retaining net 8.

[0074] The insertion member 45 has a predetermined length so that the insertion portion 9A will not come out when inserted. As shown in Fig. 8, the insertion portion 9A of the endoscope 9 is wound around the holding net 8 when placed on the holding net 8 in the treatment tank 5. Therefore, if the insertion member 45 has a certain length, when the tip of the insertion portion 9A is bent, the outer surface of the tip and the inner surface of the insertion member 45 come into contact with each other, preventing the insertion portion 9A from coming out.

[0075] The fixing member 46 has a groove 47 into which the holding net 8 is fitted. After the user attaches the connector 32C to the tip of the insertion section 9A, the user fits the holding net 8 into the groove 47 of the fixing member 46 to fix it.

[0076] By fixing the connector 32C to the retaining net 8 in this way, it is possible to prevent the second tube 32 and the insertion section 9A from shifting positions during liquid transfer.

[0077] The configuration of the connector connected to the distal end of the insertion section 9A is not limited to the connector 32A shown in Fig. 6 or the connector 32C shown in Fig. 9, and other configurations may be used. For example, the connector 32A shown in Fig. 6 may be configured to include the fixing member 46 shown in Fig. 9 for fixing the second tube 32 to the retaining net 8.

[0078] Furthermore, 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, provided that this does not contradict the nature of the steps.

[0079] 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. An endoscope reprocessor comprising: a first tube connected to a first nozzle of an endoscope; a second tube connected to a tip of the endoscope; a fluid supply unit that supplies fluid to a pipeline of the endoscope via each of the first tube and the second tube; and a controller that controls the fluid supply unit, wherein the pipelines include a first pipeline communicating with the first nozzle, a second pipeline communicating with a second nozzle of the endoscope, and a third pipeline communicating with a junction where the first pipeline and the second pipeline join together, the third pipeline having an opening at the tip of an insertion portion of the endoscope, and the controller controls the fluid supply unit so that the second nozzle is in an open state and the fluid is supplied from the first tube and the second tube to the second nozzle via the junction.

2. An endoscope reprocessor as described in claim 1, characterized in that it has a sensor that detects dirt in the duct, and when the dirt detected by the sensor is below a predetermined value, the controller outputs an instruction signal to remove the second tube from the tip and connect a third tube to the second connector.

3. An endoscope reprocessor according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is a turbidity sensor or an optical sensor that measures the turbidity of the fluid that has passed through the pipeline.

4. An endoscope reprocessor according to claim 2, wherein the instruction signal is a display or sound for notifying a user.

5. The endoscope reprocessor of claim 1, characterized in that the controller calculates the speed of the fluid passing through the first nozzle and flowing through the endoscope's ducts, and the speed of the fluid passing through the tip of the endoscope and flowing through the endoscope's ducts, and controls the fluid supply unit to supply the fluid from the calculated speeds at a timing when the fluid does not reach the first nozzle from the tip, or does not reach the tip from the first nozzle.

6. An endoscope reprocessor as described in claim 1, characterized in that the controller controls the fluid supply unit to supply the fluid from either the second connector or the tip portion, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, to start supplying the fluid from the other portion to which the fluid is not being supplied.

7. An endoscope reprocessor as described in claim 1, characterized in that the second tube has a nozzle for delivering liquid to the duct of the endoscope, and is fixed to the second tube when attached to the tip portion.

8. An endoscope reprocessor according to claim 7, wherein the second tube includes a fastening member for fastening to a retaining net in which the endoscope is placed.

9. A method for operating an endoscope reprocessor comprising: a first tube connected to a first nozzle of an endoscope; a second tube connected to a tip of the endoscope; a fluid supply unit for supplying fluid to a pipeline of the endoscope via each of the first tube and the second tube; and a controller for controlling the fluid supply unit, wherein the pipelines include a first pipeline communicating with the first nozzle, a second pipeline communicating with a second nozzle of the endoscope, and a third pipeline communicating with a junction where the first pipeline and the second pipeline join together, the third pipeline having an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, the method comprising the steps of: controlling the supply of fluid from the first tube and the second tube to the second nozzle via the junction when the second nozzle is opened.

10. A method for operating an endoscope reprocessor as described in claim 9, characterized in that when the dirt in the duct detected by the sensor is less than a predetermined value, an instruction signal is output to instruct the second tube to be removed from the tip portion and the third tube to be connected to the second connector.

11. A method for operating an endoscope reprocessor as described in claim 9, characterized in that the speed of the fluid passing through the first nozzle and flowing through the endoscope's duct and the speed of the fluid passing through the tip of the endoscope and flowing through the endoscope's duct are calculated, and based on the calculated speeds, the fluid is controlled to be supplied at a timing when it does not reach the first nozzle from the tip, or from the first nozzle to the tip.

12. A method for operating an endoscope reprocessor as described in claim 9, characterized in that the fluid is supplied from either the second nozzle or the tip portion, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, control is performed to start supplying the fluid from the other nozzle to which the fluid is not being supplied.

13. A program for an endoscope reprocessor comprising: a first tube connected to a first nozzle of an endoscope; a second tube connected to a tip of the endoscope; a fluid supply unit that supplies fluid to a pipeline of the endoscope via each of the first tube and the second tube; and a controller that controls the fluid supply unit, wherein the pipeline includes a first pipeline communicating with the first nozzle, a second pipeline communicating with a second nozzle of the endoscope, and a third pipeline communicating with a junction where the first pipeline and the second pipeline join together, the third pipeline having an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, the program for an endoscope reprocessor comprising: a first tube connected to a first nozzle of an endoscope; a second tube connected to a tip of the endoscope; 14. A program for an endoscope reprocessor as described in claim 13, further causing a computer to execute control to output an instruction signal to remove the second tube from the tip and connect a third tube to the second connector when the dirt in the duct detected by the sensor is less than a predetermined value.

15. The program for an endoscope reprocessor as described in claim 13, further comprising causing a computer to execute control for calculating the speed of a fluid passing through the first nozzle and flowing through the endoscope's duct and the speed of a fluid passing through the tip of the endoscope and flowing through the endoscope's duct, and supplying the fluid from the calculated speeds at a timing when the fluid does not reach the first nozzle from the tip, or from the first nozzle to the tip.

16. A program for an endoscope reprocessor as described in claim 13, further causing a computer to execute control to supply the fluid from either the second nozzle or the tip portion, and, after a predetermined time has elapsed, start supplying the fluid from the other portion to which the fluid is not being supplied.

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