Cleaning device and method for operating a cleaning device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device (WD) for medical instruments, comprising a cleaning chamber (SK) for receiving the medical instruments, wherein an adaptation strip (AL) for dispensing a fluid into the medical instruments is arranged in the cleaning chamber (SK), wherein the adaptation strip (AL) has a plurality of receptacles (AS), wherein one of the medical instruments can be connected to each receptacle (AS); a compressed air supply unit (DVR) which is designed to conduct a compressed air, as the fluid, to the adaptation strip (AL); at least one cleaning agent line which is designed to conduct a cleaning medium, as the fluid, into the adaptation strip (AL); a sensor device (140) which is designed to provide a sensor signal which represents a pneumatic pressure of the compressed air conducted to the adaptation strip (AL) and / or represents a pressure volume flow of the cleaning medium conducted to the adaptation strip (AL); and a control device (160) which is designed to determine, using the sensor signal, an occupancy signal which indicates a number of medical instruments connected to the adaptation strip (AL).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Cleaning device and method for operating a cleaning device

[0003] The invention relates to a cleaning device and a method for operating the cleaning device for medical instruments.

[0004] WO 2011101396 A1 describes a device intended for disinfecting, sterilizing and / or maintaining medical instruments.

[0005] The approach presented here aims to create an improved cleaning device for medical instruments and an improved method for operating the cleaning device in accordance with the main claims.

[0006] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a cleaning device and a method for operating the cleaning device with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the following dependent claims.

[0007] The advantages achievable with the invention consist of the automated detection of which images of the cleaning device are occupied by medical instruments. This enables the dispensing of cleaning agents and care products, for example, tailored accordingly.

[0008] A cleaning device for medical instruments has the following features:

[0009] a cleaning chamber for receiving the medical instruments, wherein an adapter bar for dispensing a fluid into the medical instruments is arranged in the cleaning chamber, wherein the adapter bar has a plurality of receptacles, wherein one of the medical instruments can be connected to each receptacle,

[0010] a compressed air supply unit designed to direct the fluid as compressed air to the adapter strip,

[0011] at least one cleaning agent line, which is designed to direct a cleaning medium into the adaptation strip as the fluid,

[0012] a sensor device configured to provide a sensor signal representing a pneumatic pressure of the compressed air directed to the adapter bar and / or a pressure volume flow rate of the cleaning medium directed to the adapter bar, and a control device configured to determine, using the sensor signal, an occupancy signal indicating a number of medical instruments connected to the adapter bar.

[0013] The cleaning device can, for example, be designed as a dental care device. In this embodiment, the medical instruments can be, for example, devices for dental treatment. The cleaning device can thus be used to clean various medical instruments, such as turbines or handpieces and contra-angles. The cleaning chamber can be a space in which various process steps or applications for cleaning and maintaining the medical instruments take place. At least one spray arm can be arranged in the cleaning chamber to clean the medical instruments externally. The adapter bar can be designed to allow the attachment of medical instruments, for example, by clipping or screwing them on. According to one embodiment, the adapter bar can, for example, have four, eight, or more receptacles. The majority of these receptacles can be designed as plug-in receptacles.Alternatively, the majority of the inlets can also be designed as screw-in inlets. The cleaning agent line can be a hose or a pipe. The sensor device can be positioned on a line leading to the adapter strip or, for example, within the adapter strip itself. The sensor signal can be sent from the sensor device to the control unit or read by the control unit. The control unit can be configured to send the occupancy signal to a display unit to show the user how many of the majority of inlets are occupied. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit can be configured to control the delivery of a quantity of cleaning agent, adjusted to the detected number of occupied inlets, and additionally or alternatively, the delivery of maintenance product to the occupied inlets.

[0014] The cleaning device may include a cleaning agent dispensing unit. This unit may be configured to deliver a specific quantity of cleaning agent, defined by a signal, via a line to the adapter bar located in the cleaning chamber for receiving the medical instruments. The control unit may be configured to determine the cleaning agent signal using an occupancy signal. For example, the cleaning agent dispensing unit could be an oil canister that dispenses cleaning agent into the line by means of pressure. The cleaning agent could be, for example, a cleaning oil; a white oil, for instance.The cleaning agent line can be designed like the cleaning agent line, as a hose or, for example, as a pipe. The control unit can be configured to determine the occupancy signal by comparing the sensor signal with a reference line. The reference line can include values ​​that represent a correlation between different pressure values ​​of the compressed air supplied to the adapter bar and / or different flow rates of the cleaning medium supplied to the adapter bar and different values ​​of medical instruments connected to the adapter bar. Advantageously, the reference line can be defined once during an initialization process for the cleaning device or a similar cleaning device. By comparing a value represented by the sensor signal with the reference line, it is possible to determine simply yet very accurately how many slots are occupied.

[0015] Thus, the control unit can be configured to determine at least one value of the reference line using the sensor signal and a reference number of the medical instruments connected to the adapter strip during sensor signal acquisition. The reference number can be predefined by the cleaning device or entered by a user, allowing a mapping between a value represented by the sensor signal and the reference number to be stored as part of the reference line. This process can be repeated for different reference numbers, so that the entire reference line can be acquired gradually.

[0016] The control unit can be configured to provide a loading signal indicating an incorrect load when the occupancy signal shows a number of medical instruments connected to the adapter bar that is below a certain threshold. This occupancy signal can trigger a message on a display, alerting the user to the incorrect load.

[0017] The control device can also be configured to provide a connection signal indicating a faulty connection of the medical instruments if the sensor signal represents a pressure below a minimum value and / or a pressure volume flow above a maximum pressure.

[0018] The control unit can be configured to provide a blockage signal indicating a blockage of the fluid dispensing into the medical instruments when the sensor signal represents a minimum pressure of the cleaning medium at a pump for conveying the cleaning medium or a minimum pressure flow rate. This prevents a cleaning process from starting if, for example, the adapter bar itself or one of the connected instruments is blocked or improperly connected. This improves the hygiene of the cleaning device. The cleaning device can also have a cleaning agent valve configured to switch between the compressed air supply unit and the cleaning agent line with the adapter bar. The cleaning agent valve can be located within a cleaning agent line.

[0019] Furthermore, the cleaning device can have a lubricant valve designed to switch between the lubricant dispensing unit and the adapter strip. The lubricant valve can be located upstream of the sensor unit.

[0020] The sensor system can include a pressure sensor to detect the pneumatic pressure at the adapter bar. It can also include a volumetric flow sensor to detect the pressure-controlled volumetric flow rate at the adapter bar. This sensor system enables automated detection of the number of instruments used in a dental cleaning and disinfection unit through pressure and volumetric flow measurement.

[0021] Furthermore, a method for operating a cleaning device is presented, comprising a step of directing compressed air to the adapter bar using the compressed air supply unit or conveying the cleaning medium into the adapter bar through the at least one cleaning agent line. Following the directing step, a step of sensing the pneumatic pressure of the compressed air directed to the adapter bar and / or the pressure volume flow rate of the cleaning medium directed to the adapter bar is performed, and a step of determining an occupancy signal is carried out, wherein the determining step indicates the number of medical instruments connected to the adapter bar, using the pneumatic pressure and / or the pressure volume flow rate.

[0022] For an initialization process, a storage step can be performed instead of the determination step. In the storage step, an assignment can be saved based on a current reference number of occupied adaptation positions and a value for pneumatic pressure and / or pressure flow rate recorded at that current reference number. This process can be repeated until all possible reference numbers of occupied adaptation positions have been tested. The resulting saved assignments can then be used in the determination step of the occupancy signal during a subsequent execution of the procedure, for example, in a normal operating mode for cleaning medical instruments.

[0023] The described approach can be used in a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device such as a cleaning or disinfection device, a small sterilizer, a large-capacity disinfector or a container washing system.

[0024] An embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows

[0025] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cleaning device;

[0026] Figure 2 shows another schematic representation of an embodiment of a cleaning device;

[0027] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an adaptation strip;

[0028] Figure 4 shows another schematic representation of an embodiment of an adaptation strip;

[0029] Figure 5 shows a diagram of a supply pressure level and a quantity of lubricating oil as a function of the number of instruments;

[0030] Figure 6 shows another diagram of a supply pressure level and a quantity of maintenance oil as a function of the number of instruments;

[0031] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method; and Figure 8 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a control device for executing a method.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cleaning device WD. The cleaning device WD comprises a cleaning chamber SK in which medical instruments can be cleaned. In the cleaning chamber SK, a spray arm SAG, another spray arm SAU, an adapter bar AL with multiple receptacles AS, and a basket K are arranged as examples. Instruments to be cleaned can be attached to the multiple receptacles AS and cleaned externally and internally during a cleaning process, and at least maintained internally.

[0033] The cleaning device WD comprises a sensor unit 140 configured to sensing the pneumatic pressure of compressed air directed into the adapter bar AL and / or the pressure flow rate of a cleaning medium directed into the adapter bar AL. Furthermore, the cleaning device WD comprises a control unit 160 configured to determine the occupancy of the adapter bar AL using a sensor signal provided by the sensor unit 140.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the cleaning device WD has a cleaning agent line 100, which is shaped to direct a cleaning agent from a cleaning agent supply unit OIL via a cleaning agent valve OIV2 to a basket interface KS of the cleaning chamber SK in the adaptation strip AL. Advantageously, the quantity of cleaning agent can be automatically adjusted based on knowledge of the occupancy of the adaptation strip AL.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the cleaning device WD has a cleaning agent connection 110, which allows cleaning agent to be drawn into the cleaning device WD. According to another embodiment, the cleaning agent is conveyed into the cleaning chamber SK using a cleaning agent conveying device UP, distributed there, and optionally circulated.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the cleaning device WD comprises a compressed air supply unit DVR, which is designed to direct compressed air to the spray arm SAO, the further spray arm SAU or the adaptation bar AL, in order to, for example, blow out residues of cleaning agents from corresponding components of the cleaning device WD or the instruments to be cleaned by means of a burst of compressed air.

[0037] A cleaning agent line 120 connected to the cleaning agent conveying device UP and a compressed air line 130 connected to the compressed air supply unit DVR are, according to an exemplary embodiment, switchable via a cleaning agent valve SV to the basket interface KS, so that it can be set via the cleaning agent valve SV whether cleaning agent or compressed air is supplied to the adaptation strip AL.

[0038] In one embodiment, the sensor device 140 is arranged in a line between the caretaker intermediate valve ÖV2 and the basket interface KS. According to the embodiment shown here, the sensor device 140 comprises a pressure sensor DS. The sensor device 140 provides a sensor signal representing the pneumatic pressure of the compressed air directed to the adapter bar AL. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor device 140 provides a sensor signal representing the pressure volume flow rate of the cleaning medium or the compressed air flow directed to the adapter bar AL.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the cleaning device WD described here is designed as a dental care device that cleans, disinfects, and maintains medical instruments. The medical instruments are received in the cleaning chamber SK, for example, by the adapter bar AL. The medical instruments are cleaned by a cleaning agent supplied by the cleaning agent connection 110. According to one embodiment, the cleaning agent is directed from the cleaning agent conveying unit UP via a branch point a, the rinsing agent valve SV, and another branch point b to the basket interface KS, or from branch point a to the spray arms SAO and SAU. The adapter bar AL is designed to dispense an introduced fluid, i.e., compressed air, the cleaning medium, or the maintenance agent, into the connected medical instruments.After a cleaning process, the cleaning agent used can be drained or pumped out of the WD cleaning device by a pump 150.

[0040] The maintenance product, for example a maintenance oil, is supplied or conveyed from the maintenance product supply unit (ÖL) into the maintenance product line 100 after a cleaning process, according to one embodiment. The maintenance product supply unit (ÖL) is, for example, designed as an oil cartridge or an oil can with propellant gas. According to one embodiment, the maintenance product is first supplied by an oil plunger (ÖS) into an oil cartridge adapter (ÖA), which then dispenses the maintenance product. To prevent the maintenance product from flowing back into the oil cartridge adapter (ÖA), an oil valve (ÖV1) is arranged in the maintenance product line 100. The maintenance product is conveyed via the maintenance product line 100 to the lubrication valve (ÖV2) and from there to the basket interface (KS).

[0041] According to one embodiment, the compressed air supply unit DVR is designed to supply compressed air to the compressed air line 130 of the cleaning device WD. The compressed air supply unit DVR is a compressed air supply connection of the cleaning device WD. The compressed air supply unit DVR is used to supply the compressed air to the adapter bar AL, the spray arm SAO, or the additional spray arm SAU. Optionally, the compressed air in the cleaning device WD is first cleaned by a filter F to prevent germs from entering the cleaning device WD via this route. To generate a constant pressure, the cleaning device WD optionally has a pressure regulating valve DRV. A pressure of, for example, 3 to 5 bar is allowed through the pressure regulating valve DRV. Subsequently, according to one embodiment, the compressed air is directed through a compressed air valve DV.The compressed air valve DV is designed to either direct the compressed air to the cleaning agent valve SV, or to allow venting of the pipe section located between the compressed air valve DV and the cleaning agent valve SV.

[0042] The SV rinsing valve is used to connect either the DVR compressed air supply unit or the 120 cleaning agent line to the AL adapter strip. The 100 maintenance line, the 130 compressed air line, and the 120 cleaning agent line are configured here as supply lines, each carrying different fluids to the AL adapter strip.

[0043] The cleaning agent, the cleaning fluid, and the compressed air are all routed through the basket interface KS into the cleaning chamber SK and to the adapter strip AL. The basket interface KS serves as a connection point for the adapter strip AL. The adapter strip AL is a type of distribution chamber with multiple receptacles AS. According to one embodiment, these multiple receptacles AS are configured as multiple connection positions. A medical instrument can be connected to each of these multiple receptacles AS for internal cleaning and maintenance. To hold the medical instruments connected to the adapter strip AL or to accommodate additional medical instruments, the cleaning chamber SK is optionally equipped with the basket K. According to one embodiment, the cleaning device WD also includes an additional basket K2.

[0044] The cleaning device WD has a control unit 160 configured to determine the number of medical instruments connected to the adapter bar AL using the sensor signal provided by the sensor unit 140, and to provide an occupancy signal indicating the number. The occupancy signal is determined, for example, by comparing the sensor signal with a predetermined reference line. The reference line includes a mapping of possible values ​​of the sensor signal to possible values ​​of the number of medical instruments connected to the adapter bar AL. In this way, it is easy to determine, simply by accessing the reference line, how many connected instruments correspond to a given pressure or flow rate indicated by the sensor signal. The reference line can thus serve as a lookup table.

[0045] Reference line values ​​can be stored in the cleaning device WD. According to one embodiment, the control unit 160 is configured to determine and store reference line values ​​in an initialization process. For this purpose, the sensor signal is acquired while a known reference number of medical instruments is connected to the adapter bar AL. A value represented by the sensor signal is then stored together with this reference number as the reference line value. According to one embodiment, this process is repeated until every possible number of medical instruments is connected to the adapter bar AL and at least one corresponding sensor signal has been acquired for each instrument.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the control unit 160 is configured to provide a loading signal that indicates incorrect loading if the occupancy signal shows a number of medical instruments connected to the adaptation bar AL that is below a threshold. If a measured pressure or flow rate does not correspond to any adapted instruments, the control unit can issue a warning signal to suggest correct adaptation to the user or to ask the user whether the existing load is appropriate or meaningful. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the control unit 160 also provides a connection signal if the sensor signal represents a pressure below a minimum value.

[0047] If a measured pressure is below an approved minimum value or the volume flow is at its maximum, the connection signal is output according to one embodiment to indicate a missing basket insert for instrument maintenance in basket K or a faulty adaptation of basket K.

[0048] In the event that the measured pressure corresponds to a flushing pressure or a minimum volume flow rate, which may be detected, for example, by a standard sensor on the circulation pump (UP), this may indicate a blockage in the basket insert or incorrectly adapted medical instruments.

[0049] If the pressure or volume flow measured using sensor device 140 corresponds to a single adapted instrument, an unfavorable loading situation can be detected. In this case, a message is optionally sent indicating whether reprocessing should be started with a minimum number of instruments.

[0050] Advantageously, the number of adapted instruments can be determined before the start of the reprocessing and maintenance process using the approach described here and communicated to the user, for example, via a display. Only when the user confirms this, i.e., when the number of instruments recognized by the controller matches the number of instruments actually adapted by the user, is the process started according to an exemplary implementation. This upstream process, in addition to the error / limit cases already described, also protects the user against the possibility of an instrument being unintentionally incompletely adapted, not correctly released by the process medium, or possibly falling off the adapter.

[0051] The approach described here enables the detection of the adapted number of instruments using the Sensor 140 device by measuring the back pressure or volume flow within the basket insert. This allows the amount of cleaning agent used to be reduced to the necessary minimum, thus extending the replacement interval of the oil container in the washer-disinfector. In addition to reducing the oil load in the wastewater and the items being washed in the wash chamber, this represents a significant benefit for the customer.

[0052] Furthermore, the approach described here, according to one implementation example, detects limit cases and errors and communicates them to the control system and the user. Optionally, the user can also be offered suggestions for increasing efficiency. Both of these features improve process sustainability and the self-healing process, as well as error detection and correction.

[0053] Furthermore, the type of dishwashing item can be identified by using more sensitive sensors or a basket insert modified for different items to be washed.

[0054] In the automated reprocessing with integrated instrument care of medical instruments, such as handpieces, contra-angles, or dental turbines, in the WD cleaning unit, these instruments are supplied with rinsing solution via cleaning agent line 120 and lubricating oil via lubricating agent line 100. This is achieved via an optional basket insert and the AL adapter strip, to which the instruments are connected, for example, with plug-in adapters, in order to reprocess and maintain the internal channels. According to one embodiment, the basket insert is itself equipped with internal supply channels that direct the process media to the corresponding internal channels of the plug-in adapters. In this configuration, for example, a total of eight adapter positions are provided, each consisting of two AL adapter strips with four adapter positions each, arranged in series.Using the sensor device 140, it is detected which AS receptacles are occupied. Empty AS receptacles result in reduced rinsing pressure within the instruments during reprocessing, which would have to be compensated for by an increased flow rate or speed of the circulation pump. In addition, a very small amount of lubricating oil leaks from each empty AS receptacle.

[0055] The WD cleaning unit, equipped with sensor 140, is designed for the preparation and maintenance of handpieces, contra-angles, and dental turbines, by means of automatic detection of the equipped adaptation positions and the resulting adaptive rinsing pressure.

[0056] Capable of adjusting the amount of care products. In addition, the user can be alerted to empty AS receptacles.

[0057] Furthermore, the amount of lubricating oil actually introduced into the instrument is monitored and recorded in the WD cleaning device, according to one embodiment. This reduces the risk of over-oiling, i.e., excessive exposure of the instrument to the lubricating medium. This results in reduced, or even negligible, oil consumption and oil leaching into the wastewater, as well as minimal external wetting of other items being washed and surrounding instruments.

[0058] The sensor unit 140 enables the device control, for example in the form of the control unit 160, to detect the number of occupied adaptation positions and thus reduce the required amount of oil so that it is exactly sufficient for the number of detected instruments. Consequently, the wetting of other instruments in the rinsing chamber and the introduction of lubricating oil into the wastewater are further reduced.

[0059] The sensor device 140 enables the detection of the number of handpieces and contra-angle pieces connected to the dental care unit, here in the form of an AL adaptation strip, for example via pneumatic pressure measurement.

[0060] For initialization, the control unit, for example in the form of the control device 160, of the cleaning device WD, according to one embodiment, measures the pressure introduced into the system via the compressed air supply DVR as a reference value in a single initialization step with the basket K inserted and the dental care insert, for example in the form of the adaptation bar AL, without connected instruments and with the supply channels KR / KP at the adaptation points closed by the automatic process media release. This value is stored in the control unit.

[0061] This process is then repeated successively with one, then two, then three, etc., instrument adapters attached and thus opened – up to the maximum number of instruments that can be adapted to the dental care unit. The values ​​recorded are saved in each instance to generate a reference line that can be used during normal operation of the WD cleaning device to determine the occupancy with medical instruments.

[0062] As the number of instruments increases and the individual adaptation points open due to the process media release mechanism, the pneumatic resistance within the adaptation bar AL decreases. Consequently, the pressure in the channels of the supply system KS / KP also drops. The resulting gradations Ap of decreasing back pressure make it quantifiable and allow for an evaluation of the dependence of the measured pressure level on the number of adapted instruments. By recording the respective number of pressure differences Ap, the control system can then adjust the actuation time of the lubrication valve ÖV2 accordingly.

[0063] The pressure is detected by a pressure sensor DS of the control unit 140, located at the rinsing chamber interface KS of the basket K, and transmitted to the control unit 160. Based on the measured pressure, the control unit 160 determines the required quantity of lubricating oil for the respective number of instruments and can release it via the opening time of the lubricating oil valve ÖV2.

[0064] Figure 2 shows another schematic representation of an embodiment of a cleaning device WD. According to one embodiment, the cleaning device WD is shaped like the cleaning device described in Figure 1. In contrast to the cleaning device described in Figure 1, the cleaning device WD has a volume flow sensor VS as a sensor device 140.

[0065] Here too, the cleaning device WD is designed as a dental cleaning and disinfection unit with an instrument care function and a detection system. The volume flow sensor VS detects the volume of a cleaning medium or compressed air flowing through it. If the volume flow sensor VS measures a pressure volume flow exceeding a maximum pressure, the control unit 160, according to one embodiment, provides a connection signal representing an incorrect connection of the medical instruments. The connection signal can also represent an incorrectly inserted basket K or basket insert. According to one embodiment, the sensor unit 140 provides, among other things, a blockage signal if a minimum pressure volume flow is measured at the cleaning agent delivery unit UP.A blockage is possible, for example, in the output to the medical instruments.

[0066] The approach described here enables the identification of the number of handpieces and contra-angle pieces connected to the dental care unit, in this case in the form of an AL adaptation strip, via a volume flow measurement.

[0067] If the approach described here is implemented as shown in Figure 2, the volume flow sensor VS encompassed by the sensor device 140, for example, detects the volume of compressed air flowing through the liquor supply channel KP within the basket interface KS at the washing chamber SK.

[0068] In this configuration as well, the initialization procedure described in Figure 1 is carried out according to an exemplary embodiment, and the resulting volume flows for the respective adapted number of instruments are determined. These values ​​are stored, for example, in the control unit 160.

[0069] It is also possible to combine the different sensor designs of the sensor device 140 from Figure 1 and Figure 2, whereby any physical and technical disadvantages of one design can be compensated for by the other.

[0070] Regardless of its implementation, the detection system is capable of recognizing borderline cases in loading situations or highly inefficient loading situations, e.g., when only one instrument is adapted, and optionally communicating these to the user via a corresponding display on the cleaning device WD. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an adaptation strip AL. The adaptation strip AL is shaped like the adaptation strip described in Figure 1. The adaptation strip AL has a cleaning medium channel KR and a maintenance oil channel KP. The receptacle AS is concealed by an adapter lock ADS, which can be moved using a control lever BB.

[0071] According to the embodiment shown here, the adapter bar AL has four receptacles AS. One receptacle AS is covered by the adapter lock ADS, preventing any flushing solution or compressed air from the cleaning medium channel KR and no maintenance oil from the maintenance oil channel KP from reaching the receptacle AS. Channel release is achieved manually by the user using the operating lever BB as a handle and pulling the adapter lock ADS to the side.

[0072] Figure 4 shows another schematic representation of an embodiment of an adapter strip AL. According to this embodiment, the adapter strip AL is shaped like the adapter strip described in Figure 1. The adapter strip AL has the cleaning medium channel KR and the lubricating oil channel KP. It is attached to the receptacle AS in a medical instrument DI. The medical instrument DI is, for example, a dental instrument including a plug-in adapter.

[0073] Through the open adapter lock ADS, cleaning agent or compressed air is directed into the medical instrument DI via the cleaning medium channel KR and lubricating oil via the lubricating oil channel KP. According to one embodiment, the adapter lock ADS has a locking piece SF for the cleaning medium channel KR and another locking piece SÖ for the lubricating oil channel KP. By moving the adapter lock ADS using the operating lever BB, the locking piece SF and the additional locking piece SÖ are pulled out from within the adapter strip AL, thus opening the media channels within the adapter strip AL.

[0074] Figure 5 shows a diagram 500 of a supply pressure level 510 and a lubricating oil quantity 520 as a function of the number of instruments. The abscissa represents the number of occupied adaptation positions, or attachments, and the ordinate (left) shows the pressure level in Ap increments, where Ap represents a specific pressure difference in mbar. A second, dotted ordinate (right) shows the lubricating oil quantity 520 in Am increments, where Am represents a predefined volume in millimeters.

[0075] Below the abscissa, adaptation ports blocked by process media release are shown in black, and those released by an attached instrument adapter are shown in white. The supply pressure level 510 is displayed here between 0 and 6 Ap increments. As the number of instruments increases and the individual adaptation ports are opened by the process media release mechanism, the pneumatic resistance within the adaptation bar decreases, and consequently, the pressure in the supply system channels also decreases. The resulting gradations of decreasing back pressure make it quantifiable and allow for an evaluation of the dependence of the measured pressure level on the number of adapted instruments. The maintenance oil quantity 520, for example, is shown between 0 and 6 Am increments, with the maintenance oil quantity 520 increasing with each occupied adaptation port.The amount of care oil 520 and the supply pressure level 510 are shown here, for example, quantified in stages.

[0076] Figure 6 shows another diagram 600 of a supply pressure level 510 and a lubricating oil quantity 520 as a function of the number of instruments. The abscissa shows the number of occupied adaptation positions, or attachments, in units / quantity, and the ordinate shows the pressure level in Ap increments. A second dotted ordinate shows the lubricating oil quantity 520 in Am increments.

[0077] The supply pressure level 510 and the maintenance oil quantity 520 are shown linearly, for example, with the supply pressure level 510 shown between 0 and 6 Ap steps and the maintenance oil quantity 520 shown between 0 and 6 Am steps.

[0078] The course of the supply pressure level 510, or a pressure characteristic curve, can also be approximately linearly interpolated. This allows for an even more precise control duration of the lubrication valve and thus an even more precisely calibrated oil quantity release.

[0079] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 700 for operating a cleaning device as described with reference to the preceding figures.

[0080] The procedure 700 includes a step 701 of directing compressed air to the adaptation bar or conveying a cleaning medium into the adaptation bar.

[0081] Responding to step 701 of the routing process, step 703 is executed to detect the pneumatic pressure of the compressed air routed to the adapter bar and / or the pressure-volume flow rate of the cleaning medium routed to the adapter bar. In step 705, a value of the detected pneumatic pressure and / or a value of the detected pressure-volume flow rate is used to determine an occupancy signal indicating the number of medical instruments connected to the adapter bar.

[0082] According to one embodiment, in step 705 the number of connected medical instruments is determined by comparing the value of the detected pneumatic pressure and / or the value of the detected pressure volume flow rate with a reference line that includes a mapping between values ​​for pneumatic pressure and / or values ​​for pressure volume flow rate and occupied adapter positions, thus representing a lookup table.

[0083] Optionally, steps 701 and 703 are executed for an initialization process. Such initialization can, for example, populate the reference line with values. For this purpose, steps 701 and 703 are repeatedly performed with different known reference numbers at occupied adaptation locations. For example, the reference number can be continuously increased starting from zero occupied adaptation locations, for instance, by one or another suitable number at a time, until all adaptation locations are occupied. In step 707, according to one embodiment, an assignment is stored between the current reference number and the currently recorded value for pneumatic pressure and / or pressure volume flow at that reference number. In this way, the reference line can be recorded by repeatedly executing the process and stored for later use in step 705.

[0084] Figure 8 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a control device 160, for example for carrying out a method as described with reference to Figure 7. The control device 160 corresponds, for example, to the control device described with reference to Figure 1.

[0085] In one embodiment, the control unit 160 receives a sensor signal 801 from the sensor device 140. Using the sensor signal 801, the control unit 160 is able to determine an occupancy signal 803. The occupancy signal 803 represents, for example, the number of occupied recordings.

[0086] If, for example, the occupancy signal 803 does not correspond to a connected medical instrument, an optional loading signal 805 is also output, which is used, for example, to inform a user via a display that the loading is incorrect. If, for example, the sensor signal 801 represents a pressure below a minimum value or a pressure volume flow rate above a maximum pressure, the control unit 160 optionally provides a connection signal 807, which is used, for example, to inform the user via the display that a faulty connection exists.

[0087] If the dispensing of cleaning agent to the medical instruments is blocked, for example by an excessively high pressure or an excessively low flow rate indicated by sensor signal 801, the control device 160 is optionally designed to output a blockage signal 809, which is used, for example, to inform the user via the display that a blockage is present.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Cleaning device (WD) for medical instruments (DI), wherein the cleaning device (WD) has the following features: a cleaning chamber (SK) for receiving the medical instruments (DI), wherein an adapter bar (AL) for dispensing a fluid into the medical instruments (DI) is arranged in the cleaning chamber (SK), wherein the adapter bar (AL) has a plurality of receptacles (AS), wherein one of the medical instruments (DI) can be connected to each receptacle (AS); a compressed air supply unit (DVR) designed to supply compressed air as the fluid to the adapter bar (AL); at least one cleaning agent line (120) which is designed to direct a cleaning medium into the adaptation strip (AL) as the fluid; a sensor device (140) configured to provide a sensor signal (801) representing a pneumatic pressure of the compressed air directed to the adapter bar (AL) and / or a pressure volume flow rate of the cleaning medium directed to the adapter bar (AL); and a control device (160) configured to determine an occupancy signal (803) using the sensor signal (801), which indicates a number of medical instruments (DI) connected to the adapter bar (AL).

2. Cleaning device (WD) according to claim 1, comprising a care product supply unit (OIL) for supplying a care product, wherein the care product supply unit (OIL) is configured to convey the adapted quantity of the care product via a care product line (100) to the adaptation bar (AL) arranged in the cleaning room (SK) for receiving the medical instruments (DI) using a care product signal defining an adapted quantity of the care product, and wherein the control device is configured to determine the care product signal using the occupancy signal (803).

3. Cleaning device (WD) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (160) is configured to determine the occupancy signal (803) by comparing the sensor signal (801) with a reference line.

4. Cleaning device (WD) according to claim 3, wherein the control device (160) is configured to determine at least one value of the reference line using the sensor signal (801) and a reference number of medical instruments (DI) connected to the adapter strip (AL) during the acquisition of the sensor signal (801).

5. Cleaning device (WD) according to one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the control device (160) is configured to provide a loading signal (805) which indicates an incorrect loading when the occupancy signal (803) indicates a number of medical instruments (DI) connected to the adapter bar (AL) that is below a threshold value.

6. Cleaning device (WD) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the control device (160) is configured to provide a connection signal (807) indicating a faulty connection of the medical instruments (DI) when the sensor signal (801) represents a pressure below a minimum value and / or a pressure volume flow above a maximum pressure.

7. Cleaning device (WD) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the control device (160) is configured to provide a blocking signal (809) indicating a blocking of the dispensing of the fluid into the medical instruments (DI) when the sensor signal (801) represents a flushing pressure of the cleaning medium at a cleaning agent delivery device (UP) for conveying the cleaning medium or a minimum pressure volume flow.

8. Cleaning device (WD) according to one of the preceding claims, with a cleaning agent valve (SV) configured to switchably connect either the compressed air supply unit (DVR) or the cleaning agent line (120) to the adapter strip (AL).

9. Cleaning device (WD) according to claim 2, with a care product valve (ÖV2) which is configured to switchably connect the care product supply unit (ÖL) to that of the adaptation strip (AL).

10. Cleaning device (WD) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (140) comprises a pressure sensor (DS) to detect the pneumatic pressure at the adaptation strip (AL).

11. Cleaning device (WD) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (140) comprises a volume flow sensor (VS) to detect the pressure volume flow at the adapter bar (AL).

12. Method (700) for operating a cleaning device (WD) according to claims 1 to 11, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Conveying (701) compressed air to the adapter bar (AL) using the compressed air supply unit (DVR) or conveying the cleaning medium into the adapter bar (AL) through the at least one cleaning agent line (120); Measuring (703) the pneumatic pressure of the compressed air supplied to the adapter bar (AL) and / or the pressure volume flow rate of the cleaning medium supplied to the adapter bar (AL); and Determine (705) an occupancy signal (803) indicating a number of medical instruments (DI) connected to the adapter bar (AL) using pneumatic pressure and / or pressure volume flow.

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