Method for treating objects and corresponding treatment machine

Abstract

Method for treating medical, surgical or laboratory objects (G), comprising a step of inserting (Fl) a basket (100) containing said objects (G) into a treatment chamber (11) of a treatment machine (10), and a step of recognizing (F2) the type of basket (100) and of said objects (G) present therein so as to carry out a dedicated treatment cycle. The method also comprises a feeding (F3) and a control (F4) step, before performing a treatment step (F5) dedicated to the specific type of objects (G).

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR TREATING OBJECTS AND CORRESPONDING TREATMENT MACHINE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a method for treating objects, such as medical, surgical or laboratory instruments, and / or pharmaceutical industry instruments, and a treatment machine, in particular for washing and thermal disinfecting such objects.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Treatment machines configured to wash and thermal disinfect objects, such as medical, surgical or laboratory instruments, and / or pharmaceutical industry instruments, are known.

[0004] In general, the objects to be treated are positioned in baskets which are then inserted in the machine to perform the treatment. The baskets comprise a frame defined by perimeter uprights and crosspieces, and by a plurality of connection elements that are connected to each other and to the uprights and / or crosspieces so as to define one or more planes for positioning the objects to be treated.

[0005] Each basket has a hydraulic distribution circuit comprising one or more rotating washing impellers that are usually associated at the lower part with the respective positioning planes, where possible.

[0006] Different types of baskets are used in relation to the type of objects to be treated, for example having a different number of positioning planes and / or impellers.

[0007] The hydraulic distribution circuit also comprises an inlet collector fluidically connected to each impeller. The inlet collector can be connected to a hydraulic feed circuit of the machine to feed the treatment liquid, for example water used in combination with disinfecting agents or products.

[0008] At least one pumping member of the treatment liquid is disposed along the machine’s feed circuit. The machine, by means of a control unit, is able to perform several dedicated treatment cycles, which require different amounts of liquid and different operating speeds of the pumping member. The amount of liquid and the operating speed are parameters that are already preset and cannot be modified, chosen in relation to an ideal number of objects present in the baskets and / or the type of baskets or of objects themselves.

[0009] The disadvantage may therefore arise that it is not possible to automatically adjust these parameters. This can lead to another disadvantage, namely that it is not possible to automatically adjust the consumption of liquid in the event, for example, that there is a smaller number of objects.

[0010] Some examples of methods for treating objects and corresponding treatment machines are described for example in US 2015 / 216608 Al, US 2003 / 190256 Al and US 2016 / 222950 Al. There is therefore the need to perfect a treatment method that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0011] To do this, it is necessary to resolve the technical problem of perfecting a method for treating objects that allows to automatically adjust certain operating parameters in order to limit the consumption of treatment liquid, in particular water, as much as possible.

[0012] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to perfect a method for treating objects that is optimized and highly efficient.

[0013] Another purpose of the present invention is to perfect a method for treating objects that allows to perform treatment cycles that are dedicated to the specific type of objects or baskets.

[0014] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a treatment machine capable of executing an optimized treatment method, which limits water consumption.

[0015] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0016] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0018] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a treatment method according to the present invention for treating objects comprises a step of inserting a basket containing the objects into a treatment chamber of a treatment machine, and a step of recognizing the type of basket and of objects present therein so as to carry out a dedicated treatment cycle.

[0019] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the method comprises at least: a feeding step, in which a minimum quantity of treatment liquid is fed into a tank of the machine, the liquid then being pumped toward the treatment chamber by a pumping member of the machine, and a control step, in which a pressure sensor detects a pressure datum downstream of the pumping member and sends it to a control unit which checks whether this pressure falls within a range of target pressures set in order to perform a dedicated treatment step.

[0020] If the pressure does not stably fall within the range of target pressures, the control unit drives a speed control device to automatically adjust an operating speed of the pumping member until the pressure stably falls within the range of target pressures.

[0021] Doing so achieves the advantage of preventing waste of treatment liquid, water in particular, optimizing the objects’ treatment cycle. Furthermore, in this way only the quantity of water that is strictly necessary for the given type of baskets and objects to be treated is used.

[0022] In the event the detected pressure is lower than the range of target pressures, in an adjustment step the control unit drives the speed control device on each occasion, in order to increase, each time, the operating speed of the pumping member by a certain percentage, wherein each speed increase is followed by a new control step until the detected pressure stably falls within the range of target pressures.

[0023] In the event the detected pressure is higher than the range of target pressures, in another adjustment step the control unit drives the speed control device on each occasion, in order to decrease, each time, the operating speed of the pumping member by a certain percentage, wherein each speed decrease is followed by a new control step until the detected pressure stably falls within the range of target pressures.

[0024] This certain percentage can be comprised between 1% and 10%. In particular, this certain percentage is comprised between 4% and 6%, more preferably it is 5%. Moreover, in addition to an increase in the operating speed, an additional feeding step is provided in which an additional quantity of treatment liquid is introduced into the tank to increase the pressure with which the liquid is pumped, so that the pressure stably falls within the range of target pressures without a continuous and significant increase in the operating speed.

[0025] In the recognition step, detection means of the machine detect recognition means of the basket to recognize the type of basket and objects present therein.

[0026] In accordance with some embodiments, the recognition means can be defined by an RFID tag and the detection means can be defined by a device for reading the RFID tag.

[0027] In accordance with other embodiments, the recognition means can be defined by one or more magnetic elements, the number and disposition of which are chosen so as to identify the different types of basket, and the detection means can be defined by an assembly of magnetic detection sensors. The present invention also concerns a machine for treating medical, surgical or laboratory objects, comprising a treatment chamber able to house a basket in which such objects are positioned, detection means able to detect recognition means of the basket so as to recognize the type of the basket and objects present therein in order to carry out a dedicated treatment cycle, and a feed circuit provided with a pumping member connected to a tank for feeding the treatment liquid.

[0028] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the machine comprises a control unit provided with a memory and connected to the detection means, to the pumping member and to a pressure sensor able to detect a pressure datum downstream of the pumping member and to send it to the control unit, which is configured to check whether the pressure falls within a range of target pressures stored in the memory and set in order to perform the dedicated treatment cycle.

[0029] If the detected pressure does not fall within the range of target pressures, the control unit is programmed to drive a speed control device associated with the pumping member in order to automatically adjust an operating speed thereof, until the pressure stably falls within the range of target pressures.

[0030] In the event the detected pressure is lower than the range of target pressures, the control unit is programmed both to drive the speed control device on each occasion, in order to increase, each time, the operating speed of the pumping member by a certain percentage, and also to check whether the pressure falls within the range of target pressures with each speed increase.

[0031] In the event the detected pressure is higher than the range of target pressures, the control unit is programmed both to drive the speed control device on each occasion, in order to decrease, each time, the operating speed of the pumping member by a certain percentage, and also to check whether the pressure falls within the range of target pressures with each speed decrease.

[0032] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0034] - fig. 1 is a block diagram of the method for treating objects according to the present invention;

[0035] - fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a hydraulic circuit of a machine for treating objects according to the present invention that executes the treatment method of fig. I-

[0036] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0037] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

[0038] DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The inventive principle of the present invention is briefly summarized below, the object of which is a method for treating medical, surgical and / or laboratory objects. The objects are positioned in a basket which is then disposed in a treatment machine. Initially, a recognition of the baskets and of the objects present therein is carried out, in order to select a treatment cycle dedicated to the specific type of objects. The treatment cycle can be selected manually, or automatically by the machine. Subsequently, a minimum amount of treatment liquid is loaded into the machine, with which to perform the dedicated washing cycle. It is important that in relation to the type of objects to be treated, the machine dispenses the washing liquid at a certain pressure, so as to guarantee the objects are treated correctly. For this reason, the pressure at the outlet of the machine’s pumping member is detected, which is then compared with a range of target pressures specific to the dedicated treatment cycle. On the basis of this comparison, the operating speed of the pumping member can be adjusted, that is, increased or lowered, until a pressure is reached downstream of the pumping member that stably falls within the range of target pressures. An important advantage is that, in this way, only the amount of treatment liquid, in particular water, is used which is strictly necessary for the given type of baskets and objects to be treated.

[0039] With reference to fig. 1, a treatment method according to the present invention can be used to treat objects G in a treatment machine 10. Preferably, the machine 10 (fig. 2) is configured to wash and disinfect such objects G.

[0040] The objects G can be medical, surgical or laboratory instruments, and / or pharmaceutical industry instruments or suchlike.

[0041] The objects G can be positioned in a certain type of basket 100 which is then inserted in the machine 10. Possibly, the objects G can be positioned in trays, or containers, which are disposed on the basket 100.

[0042] Before describing the treatment method in detail (fig. 1), and in order to better understand the present invention, we will now describe the basket 100 and the machine 10 (fig. 2).

[0043] The basket 100 comprises a frame 101 defined by perimeter uprights 102 and crosspieces 103, and by a plurality of connection elements, such as rods or bars, which are connected to each other and disposed in such a way as to define one or more planes for positioning the objects G, which are parallel to each other. According to preferred embodiments, the frame 101 has a parallelepiped structure.

[0044] The basket 100 comprises a hydraulic distribution circuit 105 provided with at least one washing impeller 106 rotating around a vertical central axis and fluidically connected to an inlet collector 107 for feeding a treatment liquid, when the basket 100 is housed in the machine 10.

[0045] The impeller 106 is pivoted to a support arm 109 connected to the inlet collector According to preferred embodiments, the basket 100 can be provided with two or more impellers 106 parallel to each other along the central axis AC and each fluidically connected to the inlet collector 107. Each impeller 106 and the respective arm 109 can be associated at the lower part with the respective positioning plane, where possible.

[0046] Furthermore, the impellers 106 can be disposed in such a way as to have a respective axis of rotation aligned with the central axis AC.

[0047] We must clarify that the number of impellers 106 identifies a different type of basket 100, chosen in relation to the type of objects G to be treated present therein.

[0048] The basket 100 comprises recognition means 110 configured to be detected by the machine 10 in order to recognize the type of basket 100 and objects G present therein.

[0049] According to some embodiments, the recognition means 110 can be defined by an RFID tag, which contains the information relating to the type of basket 100 and objects G contained therein.

[0050] Alternatively, according to other embodiments, the recognition means 110 can be defined by one or more magnetic recognition elements disposed, for example, on a lateral wall of the basket 100. The number and disposition of the magnetic elements identifies the type of basket 100 and objects G present therein.

[0051] The treatment machine 10 comprises a treatment chamber 11 able to house the basket 100.

[0052] The machine 10 comprises detection means 12 configured to detect the recognition means 110 in order to recognize the type of basket 100 and objects G. According to some embodiments, the detection means 12 can be defined by a reading device capable of acquiring the information present in the RFID tag of the basket 100.

[0053] Alternatively, according to other embodiments, the detection means 12 can be defined by an assembly of magnetic detection sensors able to detect the magnetic elements present on the basket 100.

[0054] The machine 10 comprises a hydraulic feed circuit 15 for feeding a liquid for treating the objects G. We must clarify that the treatment liquid can be water combined with disinfecting agents or products. The feed circuit 15 comprises at least one rotating main impeller 16 able to perform the treatment of the objects G, in combination with the impellers 106 of the basket 100, and one or more dispensing devices 17 configured to be fluidically connected to the inlet collector 107 in order to dispense the treatment liquid and drive the impellers 106.

[0055] Advantageously, the machine 10 can comprise two main impellers 16, one upper and the other lower.

[0056] The feed circuit 15 comprises at least one pumping member 20 for pumping the treatment liquid toward the main impellers 16 and the dispensing devices 17 which, during use, are connected to the inlet collector 107 of the basket 100 in order to drive the impellers 106.

[0057] A feed tank 21 of the treatment liquid is connected to the inlet of the pumping member 20.

[0058] At least one pressure sensor 22 is disposed at the outlet of the pumping member 20, configured to detect a pressure datum in the feed circuit 15 downstream of the pumping member 20. In other words, the pressure sensor 22 allows to detect a pressure datum PR of the treatment liquid exiting from the pumping member 20 and pumped toward the treatment chamber 11 , that is, toward the impellers 16, 106. The machine 10 comprises a control unit 25 operatively connected to the detection means 12, to the pumping member 20 and to the pressure sensor 22.

[0059] The control unit 25 is configured to interact with the detection means 12 and the pressure sensor 22, and to command the pumping member 20 to perform a specific dedicated treatment cycle, in relation to the type of basket 100 and / or objects G. The control unit 25 comprises at least one memory 26. The detection data of the detection means 12 can be stored in the memory 26. In addition, data relating to specific ranges of target pressures PT at which the treatment liquid has to be pumped in order to perform the dedicated treatment cycle can also be stored in the memory 26. Each range of target pressures PT is chosen so as to obtain an optimal treatment for the respective type of objects G to be treated.

[0060] Furthermore, the control unit 25 comprises, or is connected to, a speed control device 27 connected at least to the pumping member 20.

[0061] In particular, the control unit 25 is programmed to compare the pressure PR detected by the pressure sensor 22 with the target pressure PT range of the corresponding dedicated treatment cycle for the type of basket 100 and objects G. If the detected pressure PR does not stably fall within the range of target pressures PT, the control unit 25 is programmed to command the speed control device 27 so as to automatically adjust the operating speed of the pumping member 20, until the detected pressure P stably falls within the range of target pressures PT.

[0062] By adjusting the operating speed of the pumping member 20 it is possible to modify the flow rate dispensed by the dispensing devices 17, thus adjusting the speed of the impellers 16, 106 and optimizing the treatment of the objects G. The operation of the treatment machine 10 described heretofore, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps (fig. 1).

[0063] An insertion step Fl, in which the basket 100 with the objects G inside is inserted into the treatment chamber 11 of the treatment machine 10. A subsequent recognition step F2, in which the detection means 12 detect the recognition means 110 of the basket and send the detection data to the control unit 25, which recognizes the type of basket 100 and objects G present therein for the correct selection of the dedicated treatment cycle.

[0064] We must clarify that the selection of the dedicated treatment cycle can also be done manually by an operator.

[0065] Once the type of basket 100 and objects G has been recognized, a preliminary treatment step begins, under the control of the control unit 25.

[0066] In an initial feeding step F3, a minimum amount of treatment liquid is fed into the tank 21 to perform the specific dedicated treatment cycle. Subsequently, the pumping member 20 is driven.

[0067] Then, in a first control step F4, the pressure sensor 22 detects a pressure datum at the outlet of the pumping member 20 and sends this datum to the control unit 25. The control unit 25 checks whether this pressure PR falls within a range of target pressures PT set to perform the dedicated treatment cycle. In the event that the detected pressure PR is stable and falls within the range of target pressures PT, the actual treatment step F5 begins, starting the dedicated treatment cycle of the objects G without intervening on the speed control device 27. In the event that the detected pressure PR does not stably fall within the range of target pressures PT, the control unit 25 drives the speed control device 27 to automatically adjust the speed of the pumping member 20 until the pressure PR stably falls within the range of target pressures PT. Doing so achieves the advantage of having a significant saving in the amount of treatment liquid, in particular the water used to treat the objects G. In fact, in this case only an amount of water is used sufficient to have a pressure PR downstream of the pumping member which falls within the range of target pressures PT, preventing any waste and guaranteeing an optimal treatment of the objects G. In particular, in the event that the detected pressure PR is lower than the range of target pressures PT, in an adjustment step F6’ the control unit 25 drives the speed control device 27 on each occasion, in order to increase, each time, the operating speed of the pumping member 20 by a certain percentage. Each increase is followed by a new control step F4, in which it is checked that the detected pressure P falls within the range of target pressures PT.

[0068] The certain percentage can fall within a range comprised between about 1% and about 10%. Preferably, this percentage is comprised between about 4% and about 6%, more preferably it is about 5%.

[0069] In addition to an increase in the operating speed, an additional feeding step F7 can be provided, in which an additional amount of treatment liquid is fed into the tank 21 in order to increase the pressure with which the liquid is pumped, so that it stably falls within the range of target pressures PT without a continuous increase in the operating speed of the pumping member 20. For example, the additional amount of washing liquid can be 1 liter. This allows to not have to significantly increase the operating speed of the pumping member, leading to energy and economic savings.

[0070] Once a pressure PR that stably falls within the range of target pressures PT is reached, the dedicated treatment step F5 begins, in which the objects G are treated.

[0071] However, in the event that the detected pressure PR is higher than the range of target pressures PT, in another adjustment step F6” the control unit 25 drives the speed control device 27 in order to decrease, on each occasion, the operating speed of the pumping member 20 by a certain percentage. Each decrease is followed by a new control step F4, in which it is checked that the detected pressure PR falls within the range of target pressures PT.

[0072] Also in this case, the certain percentage can fall within a range comprised between about 1% and about 10%. Preferably, this percentage is comprised between about 4% and about 6%, more preferably it is about 5%. Once a pressure P that stably falls within the range of target pressures PT is reached, the dedicated treatment step F5 begins, in which the objects G are treated.

[0073] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the treatment machine 10 and to the method as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0074] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of methods for treating objects and corresponding treatment machines having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0075] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method for treating medical or laboratory objects (G), comprising a step of inserting (Fl) a basket (100) containing said objects (G) into a treatment chamber (11) of a corresponding treatment machine (10), and a step of recognizing (F2) said basket (100) and said objects (G) to carry out a treatment cycle dedicated to them, comprising at least: a step of feeding (F3) a minimum quantity of treatment liquid into a tank (21) of said machine (10), said liquid then being pumped toward said treatment chamber (11) by a pumping member (20), and a control step (F4), characterized in that a pressure sensor (22) detects the pressure (PR) downstream of said pumping member (20) and sends the corresponding datum to a control unit(25) which checks whether said pressure (PR) stably falls within a range of target pressures (PT) set in order to perform a dedicated treatment step (F5) in which, if said pressure (PR) does not stably fall within said range of target pressures (PT), said control unit (25) drives a speed control device (27) to automatically adjust an operating speed of said pumping member (20) until said pressure (PR) stably falls within said range of target pressures (PT).

2. Method as in claim 1 , characterized in that in the event said detected pressure (PR) is lower than the range of target pressures (PT), in an adjustment step (F6’) said control unit (25) drives said speed control device (27) on each occasion, in order to increase, each time, said operating speed of the pumping member (20) by a certain percentage, wherein each speed increase is followed by a new control step (F4) until said detected pressure (PR) stably falls within said range of target pressures (PT).

3. Method as in claim 1, characterized in that in the event said detected pressure (PR) is higher than the range of target pressures (PT), in another adjustment step(F6”) said control unit (25) drives said speed control device (27) on each occasion, in order to decrease, each time, said operating speed of said pumping member (20) by a certain percentage, wherein each speed decrease is followed by a new control step (F4) until said detected pressure (PR) stably falls within said range of target pressures (PT).

4. Method as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said percentage is comprised between 1% and 10%.

5. Method as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said percentage is comprisedbetween 4% and 6%.

6. Method as in claim 2, characterized in that in addition to an increase in said operating speed, an additional feeding step (F7) is provided in which an additional quantity of treatment liquid is introduced into said tank (21) to increase the pressure with which said liquid is pumped, so that said pressure stably falls within said range of target pressures (PT) without a continuous and significant increase in said operating speed.

7. Method as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that in said recognition step (F2) detection means (12) of said machine (10) detect recognition means (110) of said basket (100) to recognize the type of said basket (100) and of said objects(G) present therein, wherein said recognition means (110) are defined by an RFID tag and said detection means (12) are defined by a reading device of said RFID tag, or wherein said recognition means (110) are defined by one or more magnetic elements, the number and disposition of which are chosen to identify the different types of basket (100), and said detection means (12) are defined by an assembly of magnetic detection sensors.

8. Machine (10) for treating medical or laboratory objects (G), comprising a treatment chamber (11) able to house a basket (100) in which objects (G) are positioned, detection means (12) able to detect recognition means (110) of said basket (100) so as to recognize the type of said basket (100) and of said objects(G) present therein, in order to carry out a dedicated treatment cycle, and a feed circuit (15) provided with a pumping member (20) connected to a feed tank (21), characterized in that it comprises a control unit (25) provided with a memory(26) and connected to said detection means (12), to said pumping member (20) and to a pressure sensor (22) able to detect a pressure (PR) downstream of said pumping member (20) and to send the corresponding datum to said control unit (25), which is configured to check whether said pressure (PR) falls within a range of target pressures (PT) stored in said memory (26) and set in order to perform said dedicated treatment cycle, wherein if the pressure (PR) does not fall in said range of target pressures (PT), said control unit (25) is programmed to drive a speed control device(27) associated with said pumping member (20) to automatically adjust an operating speed thereof, until said pressure (PR) stably falls within said range of target pressures (PT).

9. Machine (10) as in claim 8, characterized in that in the event said detected pressure (PR) is lower than the range of target pressures (PT), said control unit (25) is programmed both to drive said speed control device (27) on each occasion, in order to increase, each time, said operating speed of said pumping member (20) by a certain percentage, and also to check whether said pressure (P ) falls within said range of target pressures (PT) with each speed increase.

10. Machine (10) as in claim 8, characterized in that in the event said detected pressure (PR) is higher than the range of target pressures (PT), said control unit (25) is programmed both to drive said speed control device (27) on each occasion, in order to decrease, each time, said operating speed of said pumping member (20) by a certain percentage, and also to check whether said pressure (PR) falls within said range of target pressures (PT) with each speed decrease.

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