Apparatus for washing and disinfecting endoscope by using diluted chemicals

• US 7,943,086 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2008
• Issued: 05/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corporation (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Kawachi, Shinichiro, Suzuki, Shintaro, Suzuki, Eiri
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin; Walter D
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLEVELAND, TIMOTHY C
• Application Number:
  US12/109,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20080267812A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 422/28, 422/3, 422/29, 422/62, 422/99, 422/102, 422/106, 422/500, 422/559, 134/113
• US Class Current: 422/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/123 using washing machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation

Abstract

An apparatus for washing and disinfecting an endoscope is provided. First and second chemicals and dilution water, which dilutes the chemicals to be used for disinfecting the endoscope, are charged into a tank. The tank includes a first portion, a second portion having an area of base smaller than that of the first portion, a first sensor detecting that the dilution water is charged into the first portion up to a first level, a second sensor detecting that the first chemical is charged into the second portion up to a second level, and a third sensor detecting that the second chemical is charged into the second portion up to a third level. A unit measures a first volume of the first chemical based on a result of the second sensor and measures a second volume of the second chemical based on results of the third sensor and the second sensor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for washing and disinfecting an endoscope comprising:

a dilution tank into which first and second chemicals and dilution water are charged in a filling direction, the dilution tank diluting the first and second chemicals to a predetermined concentration to be used for disinfecting the endoscope, and the dilution tank including;

a first storage portion;

a second storage portion which has an area of base smaller than an area of base of the first storage portion, has a volume smaller than a volume of the first storage portion, and communicates with the first storage portion;

a first electrode sensor that is provided adjacent to where the second storage portion communicates with the first storage portion, and detects a state in which the dilution water is charged into the second storage portion up to a first level;

a second electrode sensor that is provided at a position higher in the filling direction than the position of the first electrode sensor, and detects a state in which the first chemical is charged into the second storage portion up to a second level; and

a third electrode sensor that is provided at a position higher in the filling direction than the position of the second electrode sensor, and detects a state in which the second chemical is charged into the second storage portion up to a third level; and

a measurement unit which measures, as a first volume, a volume of the first chemical based on a detection result of the second electrode sensor and measures, as a second volume, a volume of the second chemical based on a detection result of the third electrode sensor and the detection result of the second electrode sensor.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second storage portion is formed on a top of the first storage portion.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage portion includes a heating member which heats either the dilution water or the first and second chemicals diluted with the dilution water.