JP-WO2025032802-A5 - Endoscope reprocessor, method of operating the endoscope reprocessor, and control device

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20230810

Description

The present invention relates to an endoscope reprocessor used for reprocessing endoscopes, a method for operating an endoscope reprocessor used for reprocessing endoscopes, and a control device . Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an endoscopic reprocessor that performs efficient reprocessing, a method for operating the endoscopic reprocessor for efficient reprocessing, and a control device . An endoscope reprocessor according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a first tube having a first connector connected to a first nozzle of an endoscope; a second tube having a second connector connected to a second nozzle of the endoscope; a fluid supply unit that supplies fluid to the tubing of the endoscope via the first tube and the second tube; a controller that controls the fluid supply unit; and a sensor that detects the pressure or flow rate of the fluid in the tubing, wherein the controller controls the fluid supply unit in a first mode that supplies fluid at a first pressure to the first tube, obtains the pressure or flow rate from the sensor, and switches the control of the fluid supply unit from the first mode to a second mode that supplies fluid at a second pressure higher than the first pressure to the first tube based on the pressure or flow rate. A method for operating an endoscope reprocessor according to one aspect of the present invention, wherein the endoscope includes a first conduit communicating with a first nozzle , a second conduit communicating with a second nozzle, and a third conduit formed by the confluence of the first and second conduits, the third conduit having an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope , the fluid supply unit is controlled to a first mode in which the fluid at a first pressure is supplied to the first conduit , the pressure or flow rate is obtained from a sensor that detects the pressure or flow rate of the fluid supplied to the conduit of the endoscope , and based on the pressure or flow rate , the control of the fluid supply unit is switched from the first mode to a second mode in which the fluid at a second pressure higher than the first pressure is supplied to the first conduit . A control device having a processor according to one aspect of the present invention, the processor controls a fluid supply unit in a first mode of supplying the fluid at a first pressure to the first conduit , and obtains pressure or flow rate from a sensor that detects the pressure or flow rate of the fluid supplied to the conduit of an endoscope, which includes a first conduit communicating with a first nozzle, a second conduit communicating with a second nozzle, and a third conduit formed by the confluence of the first conduit and the second conduit, the third conduit having an opening at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and based on the pressure or flow rate , switches the control of the fluid supply unit from the first mode to a second mode of supplying the fluid at a second pressure higher than the first pressure to the first conduit . According to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope reprocessor that performs efficient reprocessing, a method for operating the endoscope reprocessor for efficient reprocessing, and a control device . Figure 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope reprocessor according to an embodiment.Figure 2 is a diagram showing the main components of the endoscope reprocessor according to the embodiment.Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connection point between the tube connector and the forceps jaw of the endoscope reprocessor according to the embodiment.Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the confluence of the endoscopic tubes connected to the endoscopic reprocessor of the embodiment.Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation method of the endoscope reprocessor according to the embodiment.Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation method of the endoscope reprocessor according to the embodiment. The water supply hose connection port 7 is located at the upper rear of the main body 2. A water supply hose connected to a water tap (not shown) is connected to the water supply hose connection port 7, and water is supplied to the reprocessor 1 via the water supply nozzle 26. A check valve 51A is installed in the discharge pipeline of the liquid pump 51. A check valve 52A is installed in the discharge pipeline of the gas pump 52. Check valves 51A and 52A are not essential components. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connection between the first connector 31A of the first tube 31 and the forceps port 91A of the endoscope 9. Note that the connection between the second connector 32A of the second tube 32 and the air inlet 92A of the endoscope 9 has the same configuration as the connection between the first connector 31A and the forceps port 91A, so its explanation is omitted. The first connector 31A of the first tube 31 is detachably attache