JP2001198197A - Device and method for steam sterilization - Google Patents

Device and method for steam sterilization

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Publication number
JP2001198197A
JP2001198197A JP2000009703A JP2000009703A JP2001198197A JP 2001198197 A JP2001198197 A JP 2001198197A JP 2000009703 A JP2000009703 A JP 2000009703A JP 2000009703 A JP2000009703 A JP 2000009703A JP 2001198197 A JP2001198197 A JP 2001198197A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
steam
sterilized
sterilization chamber
sterilization
exhaust
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP2000009703A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Hiroyuki Minemura
広幸 峯村
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Chiyoda Manufacturing Corp
Original Assignee
Chiyoda Manufacturing Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chiyoda Manufacturing Corp filed Critical Chiyoda Manufacturing Corp
Priority to JP2000009703A priority Critical patent/JP2001198197A/en
Publication of JP2001198197A publication Critical patent/JP2001198197A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steam sterilization method capable of setting the frequency of steam feed-discharge operation in a conditioning process, when sterilizing the linens having steam substitution speed slower than that of appliances such as forceps, to the same frequency when sterilizing the appliances. SOLUTION: When materials to be sterilized are sterilized by steam using a steam sterilizing device provided with a steam feed means for feeding steam to a sterilization chamber 12 storing the materials to be sterilized, and a discharge means for discharging the air and the steam in the sterilization chamber 12, the steam is alternatively fed into and discharged from the sterilization chamber 12 storing the materials to be sterilized such as the linens having the steam substitution speed slower than that of the appliances such as the forceps. This steam sterilizing device is characterized in that, when heating the materials to be sterilized such as the linens, the steam feed speed to the sterilization chamber 12 and the discharge speed of the air or steam in the sterilization chamber 12 are set slower than those when heating the appliances such as the forceps.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

【０００１】[0001]

【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は蒸気滅菌装置及び蒸
気滅菌方法に関し、更に詳細には被滅菌物を収納する滅
菌室に水蒸気を供給する給蒸手段と、前記滅菌室内の空
気や蒸気を排気する排気手段とを具備する蒸気滅菌装
置、及び前記蒸気滅菌装置を用いた蒸気滅菌方法に関す
る。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steam sterilization apparatus and a steam sterilization method, and more particularly, to a steam supply means for supplying steam to a sterilization chamber for storing an object to be sterilized, and exhausting air and steam in the sterilization chamber. The present invention relates to a steam sterilizer provided with an exhaust means for performing the process, and a steam sterilization method using the steam sterilizer.

【０００２】[0002]

【従来の技術】病院等において包帯や手術衣等のリネン
類或いはメスや鉗子等の機器器具は、滅菌されてから種
々の目的で使用される。かかる滅菌には、通常、蒸気滅
菌装置が用いられ、リネン類や機器器具等の被滅菌物
は、蒸気滅菌装置の滅菌室に収容されて蒸気滅菌が施さ
れる。かかる蒸気滅菌装置の概略図を図４に示す。図４
に示す蒸気滅菌装置の本体部１００は、被滅菌物が収納
される滅菌室１０２と、滅菌室１０２の外面を取り囲む
ジャケット部１０４とによって構成され、滅菌室１０２
とジャケット部１０４との各々には、給蒸配管１０６，
１０８が設けられている。滅菌室１０２に給蒸する給蒸
配管１０６には、制御弁１１０、逆止弁１１４、及び滅
菌室１０２の安全弁１１２が設けられている。この給蒸
配管１０６には、逆止弁１１４と滅菌室１０２との間
に、清浄な空気を滅菌室１０２に供給する空気供給配管
１１６が繋ぎ込まれており、空気供給配管１１６には、
エアフィルタ１１８、制御弁１２０、及び逆止弁１２２
が設けられている。更に、ジャケット部１０４に給蒸す
る給蒸配管１０８には、元バルブ１２４、ストレーナ１
２６、減圧弁１２８、制御弁１３０が設けられており、
ジャケット部１０４の安全弁１３２も給蒸配管１０８に
設けられている。2. Description of the Related Art In hospitals and the like, linens such as bandages and surgical gowns and equipment such as scalpels and forceps are used for various purposes after being sterilized. Usually, a steam sterilizer is used for such sterilization, and objects to be sterilized, such as linens and equipment, are stored in a sterilization room of the steam sterilizer and subjected to steam sterilization. A schematic diagram of such a steam sterilizer is shown in FIG. FIG.
The main body 100 of the steam sterilizer shown in FIG. 1 includes a sterilization chamber 102 in which an object to be sterilized is stored, and a jacket 104 surrounding the outer surface of the sterilization chamber 102.
And a jacket portion 104, a steam supply pipe 106,
108 are provided. A control valve 110, a check valve 114, and a safety valve 112 for the sterilization chamber 102 are provided in a steam supply pipe 106 for supplying steam to the sterilization chamber 102. An air supply pipe 116 that supplies clean air to the sterilization chamber 102 is connected to the steam supply pipe 106 between the check valve 114 and the sterilization chamber 102.
Air filter 118, control valve 120, and check valve 122
Is provided. Further, a steam supply pipe 108 for supplying steam to the jacket 104 is provided with a main valve 124 and a strainer 1.
26, a pressure reducing valve 128 and a control valve 130 are provided,
The safety valve 132 of the jacket 104 is also provided in the steam supply pipe 108.

【０００３】かかる給蒸配管１０８によってジャケット
部１０４に給蒸された水蒸気が凝縮されて発生したドレ
ンは、ドレン排出配管１３４によって外部に排出され
る。このドレン排出配管１３４には、ドレントラップ１
３６及び逆止弁１３８が設けられている。また、滅菌室
１０２と真空発生手段としての水封式真空ポンプ１４０
との間は真空配管１４２によって連結されており、滅菌
室１０２側から逆止弁１４４、制御弁１４６が設けられ
ている。この真空配管１４２の逆止弁１４４と制御弁１
４６との間には、滅菌室１０２に給蒸された水蒸気が凝
縮されて発生したドレンを排出するドレントラップ１４
７及び逆止弁１４９が設けられたドレン排出配管１５０
と、制御弁１５２が設けられたパイパス配管１５４が繋
ぎ込まれている。かかるパイパス配管１５４は、滅菌室
１０２内の加圧蒸気を放出して滅菌室１０２を大気圧と
するためのものである。尚、水封式真空ポンプ１４０に
は、元バルブ１５６及び制御弁１５８が設けられた水供
給配管１６０によって水が供給され、真空配管１４２を
経由して水封式真空ポンプ１４０に吸引された蒸気や空
気は逆止弁１６２が設けられた排気配管１６４によって
外部に排気される。The drain generated by condensation of the steam supplied to the jacket portion 104 by the steam supply pipe 108 is discharged to the outside by a drain discharge pipe 134. This drain discharge pipe 134 has a drain trap 1
36 and a check valve 138 are provided. Further, the sterilization chamber 102 and a water ring vacuum pump 140 as a vacuum generating means are provided.
Are connected by a vacuum pipe 142, and a check valve 144 and a control valve 146 are provided from the sterilization chamber 102 side. The check valve 144 of the vacuum pipe 142 and the control valve 1
46, a drain trap 14 that condenses steam supplied to the sterilization chamber 102 and discharges generated drain.
7 and a drain discharge pipe 150 provided with a check valve 149
And the bypass pipe 154 provided with the control valve 152 is connected thereto. The bypass pipe 154 is for releasing pressurized steam in the sterilization chamber 102 to make the sterilization chamber 102 atmospheric pressure. Water is supplied to the water-sealed vacuum pump 140 through a water supply pipe 160 provided with a main valve 156 and a control valve 158, and the steam sucked by the water-sealed vacuum pump 140 via the vacuum pipe 142. Air and air are exhausted to the outside by an exhaust pipe 164 provided with a check valve 162.

【０００４】かかる図４に示す蒸気滅菌装置を用いて滅
菌を行う際には、図５に示すコンディショニング（真
空）行程、滅菌行程、排気行程、乾燥行程、及び完了行
程の各々を順次通過させる。図５において、横軸は経過
時間を示し、縦軸は滅菌室１０２の内圧を示す。先ず、
被滅菌物が収納された滅菌室１０２を気密状態とした
後、コンディショニング（真空）行程に入る。このコン
ディショニング（真空）行程では、ジャケット部１０４
に給蒸配管１０８の制御弁１３０を開にして蒸気を導入
して加熱された滅菌室１０２に収容した被滅菌物自体を
加温すべく、水封式真空ポンプ１４０を駆動すると共
に、制御弁１４６を開いて滅菌室１０２内を真空状態と
して空気を排気した後、給蒸配管１０６の制御弁１１０
を開にして滅菌室１０２内に給蒸し、滅菌室１０２の圧
力を上昇させて被滅菌物を加温する。更に、滅菌室１０
２を、制御弁１５２を開いて滅菌室１０２内の加圧蒸気
を放出して大気圧とした後、水封式真空ポンプ１４０を
駆動して真空状態とする。その後、再度、真空状態の滅
菌室１０２に給蒸する給蒸―排気の操作を複数回繰り返
し、被滅菌物を充分に加温する。このコンディショニン
グ（真空）行程は、被滅菌物の内部の空気を確実に排除
し、後述する様に、滅菌室１２に給蒸して被滅菌物を滅
菌温度に加温する際に、被滅菌物の内部温度も表面温度
と同程度の昇温速度で昇温させるためである。When performing sterilization using the steam sterilizer shown in FIG. 4, each of a conditioning (vacuum) step, a sterilization step, an exhaustion step, a drying step, and a completion step shown in FIG. 5 is sequentially passed. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates elapsed time, and the vertical axis indicates the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 102. First,
After the sterilization chamber 102 in which the object to be sterilized is stored is made airtight, a conditioning (vacuum) process is started. In this conditioning (vacuum) process, the jacket 104
A water-sealed vacuum pump 140 is driven to open the control valve 130 of the steam supply pipe 108 to introduce steam and heat the object to be sterilized contained in the sterilized chamber 102 which has been heated. 146 is opened and the inside of the sterilization chamber 102 is evacuated to a vacuum state.
Is opened to supply steam into the sterilization chamber 102, and the pressure in the sterilization chamber 102 is increased to heat the material to be sterilized. Furthermore, the sterilization room 10
After the control valve 152 is opened to release the pressurized steam in the sterilization chamber 102 to atmospheric pressure, the water ring vacuum pump 140 is driven to make a vacuum state. Thereafter, the operation of steaming and exhausting, in which steam is supplied to the sterilization chamber 102 in a vacuum state, is repeated a plurality of times to sufficiently heat the object to be sterilized. This conditioning (vacuum) step ensures that the air inside the object to be sterilized is eliminated, and as described later, when the object to be sterilized is heated to the sterilization temperature by supplying steam to the sterilization chamber 12, as described later. This is because the internal temperature is also raised at the same rate as the surface temperature.

【０００５】次いで、滅菌室１０２に給蒸配管１０６か
ら給蒸して所定圧力まで昇圧し、所定の圧力・温度の状
態で所定時間保持する。かかる保持によって、滅菌室１
０２内は滅菌温度で所定時間保持されるため、被滅菌物
に付着していた細菌等を滅菌することができる。その
後、滅菌室１０２内の加圧蒸気をバイパス配管１５４の
制御弁１５２を開いて排気した後、滅菌行程で濡れた被
滅菌物を乾燥する乾燥行程に入る。この乾燥行程では、
排気行程において、蒸気が排気されて大気圧となった滅
菌室１０２内を、真空配管１４２の制御弁１４６を開
（バイパス配管１５４の制御弁１５２を閉）き且つ水封
式真空ポンプ１４０を駆動することにより、滅菌室１０
２を真空状態として被滅菌物の水分を蒸発させる。但
し、水分の蒸発に伴い被滅菌物の温度が低下するため、
被滅菌物から水分を蒸発し易くすべく、加温された清浄
な空気を空気供給配管１１６の制御弁１２０を開いて滅
菌室１０２内に導入し、滅菌室１０２内を大気圧近傍ま
で昇圧して被滅菌物を昇温する。更に、昇温した被滅菌
物を乾燥すべく、再度、滅菌室１０２内を真空状態とし
た後、加温された清浄な空気を供給する操作を複数回繰
り返し、被滅菌物を充分に乾燥する。被滅菌物の乾燥が
不充分の場合は、被滅菌物を滅菌室１０２から取り出し
たとき、空気中の細菌等が被滅菌物に付着して増殖を始
めるおそれがあるためである。かかる乾燥行程が完了し
た際に、滅菌室１０２内に空気供給配管１１６の制御弁
１２０を開いて清浄な空気（冷風）を導入して滅菌を完
了する。[0005] Next, steam is supplied to the sterilization chamber 102 from the steam supply pipe 106 and the pressure is increased to a predetermined pressure, and the pressure is maintained at a predetermined pressure and temperature for a predetermined time. By such holding, the sterilization chamber 1
Since the inside of 02 is kept at a sterilization temperature for a predetermined time, bacteria and the like adhering to the object to be sterilized can be sterilized. Then, after the pressurized steam in the sterilization chamber 102 is exhausted by opening the control valve 152 of the bypass pipe 154, the process enters a drying process of drying the material to be sterilized wet in the sterilization process. In this drying process,
In the evacuation process, the control valve 146 of the vacuum pipe 142 is opened (the control valve 152 of the bypass pipe 154 is closed) and the water ring vacuum pump 140 is driven in the sterilization chamber 102 in which the steam is exhausted to the atmospheric pressure. By doing so, the sterilization room 10
2 is evacuated to evaporate the moisture of the material to be sterilized. However, since the temperature of the object to be sterilized decreases with the evaporation of water,
In order to facilitate evaporation of moisture from the material to be sterilized, heated clean air is introduced into the sterilization chamber 102 by opening the control valve 120 of the air supply pipe 116, and the pressure inside the sterilization chamber 102 is increased to near atmospheric pressure. To raise the temperature of the material to be sterilized. Furthermore, in order to dry the heated object, the operation of supplying the heated clean air is repeated a plurality of times after the inside of the sterilization chamber 102 is again evacuated to dry the object to be sterilized sufficiently. . This is because, if the material to be sterilized is not sufficiently dried, when the material to be sterilized is taken out of the sterilization chamber 102, bacteria in the air may adhere to the material to be sterilized and start growing. When the drying process is completed, the control valve 120 of the air supply pipe 116 is opened into the sterilization chamber 102 to introduce clean air (cold air) to complete the sterilization.

【０００６】[0006]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】図４及び図５に示す蒸
気滅菌装置及び蒸気滅菌方法によれば、大量の被滅菌物
の滅菌処理を行うことができる。ところで、被滅菌物に
は、包帯や手術衣等のリネン類、或いはメスや鉗子等の
機器器具がある。かかる被滅菌物のうち、リネン類は包
帯や手術衣等が積み重ねられて滅菌処理に付されるた
め、内部に空気が含まれた状態でコンディショニング行
程に入る。このため、リネン類は機器器具に比較して内
温の昇温速度が遅い。鉗子等の機器器具では、その周囲
の空気が蒸気と置換できれば内温が昇温されるが、リネ
ン類では、その周囲の空気のみならず内部に含まれてい
る空気を蒸気に置換しないとリネン類の内温が上昇され
難いからである。一方、通常は、滅菌室１０２への給蒸
速度及び滅菌室１０２からの排気速度は、内温の昇温が
容易な機器器具を被滅菌物とする場合に適合するように
調整されている。このため、鉗子等の機器器具よりも蒸
気置換速度の遅いリネン類等の被滅菌物を図４に示す従
来の蒸気滅菌装置を用いて滅菌する際には、そのコンデ
ィショニング行程における給蒸―排気の操作回数を、鉗
子等の機器器具を被滅菌物よりも多くなるように設定し
ている。According to the steam sterilization apparatus and the steam sterilization method shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it is possible to sterilize a large number of objects to be sterilized. By the way, the items to be sterilized include linens such as bandages and surgical gowns, and device instruments such as scalpels and forceps. Among the items to be sterilized, the linens are put on a conditioning process in a state where air is contained therein because bandages, surgical gowns and the like are stacked and subjected to a sterilization process. For this reason, the rate of temperature rise of linen is slower than that of equipment. In instruments such as forceps, if the surrounding air can be replaced with steam, the internal temperature rises.However, in the case of linens, not only the surrounding air but also the air contained inside must be replaced with steam. This is because it is difficult for the internal temperature of the species to rise. On the other hand, the steam supply rate to the sterilization chamber 102 and the exhaust rate from the sterilization chamber 102 are usually adjusted so as to be compatible with the case where the equipment whose internal temperature is easily increased is used as a device to be sterilized. For this reason, when sterilizing an object to be sterilized such as linen having a lower steam replacement speed than an instrument such as forceps using the conventional steam sterilizer shown in FIG. 4, the steam supply-exhaust in the conditioning process is performed. The number of operations is set so that the number of instruments and devices such as forceps is larger than that of the object to be sterilized.

【０００７】しかし、給蒸―排気の操作回数を増やすこ
とは、滅菌処理のサイクル時間が長くなり、蒸気滅菌装
置の処理能力を低下させることになる。更に、蒸気は被
滅菌物を充分に加温することなく排気されるため、蒸気
等のエネルギーを浪費することになり、蒸気滅菌装置の
省エネルギー化の要求と反することになる。そこで、本
発明の課題は、鉗子等の機器器具よりも蒸気置換速度の
遅いリネン類等を被滅菌物とする場合、そのコンディシ
ョニング行程における給蒸―排気の操作回数を、機器器
具を被滅菌物とする場合と同一回数とし得る蒸気滅菌装
置及び蒸気滅菌方法を提供することにある。[0007] However, increasing the number of times of steam supply / exhaust operation increases the cycle time of the sterilization process and lowers the processing capacity of the steam sterilizer. Further, since the steam is exhausted without sufficiently heating the material to be sterilized, energy such as steam is wasted, which is contrary to the demand for energy saving of the steam sterilizer. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the number of times of steam supply / exhaust operation in the conditioning process when linens or the like having a lower steam replacement speed than the instrument such as forceps are used as the object to be sterilized. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam sterilization apparatus and a steam sterilization method which can be performed the same number of times as the case.

【０００８】[0008]

【課題を解決するための手段】本発明者は前記課題を解
決すべく検討した結果、鉗子等の機器器具よりも蒸気置
換速度の遅いリネン類等の被滅菌物を収容した滅菌室の
給蒸と排気とを交互に施し、リネン類等の滅菌物を加温
する際に、鉗子等の機器器具を加温するときよりも滅菌
室への給蒸速度及び滅菌室内の空気や蒸気の排気速度を
遅くすることによって、滅菌室への給蒸と排気との操作
回数を機器器具等の被滅菌物の場合と同一回数とし得る
ことを見出し、本発明に到達した。すなわち、本発明
は、被滅菌物を収納する滅菌室に水蒸気を供給する給蒸
配管に設けられ、前記滅菌室内への水蒸気の給蒸速度を
調節する給蒸調節手段と、前記滅菌室から真空発生手段
に至る真空配管に設けられ、前記滅菌室の空気や蒸気の
排気速度を調節する排気調節手段と、鉗子等の機器器具
よりも蒸気置換速度の遅いリネン類等の被滅菌物が収納
された滅菌室の給蒸と排気とを交互に施し、前記リネン
類等の被滅菌物を加温する際に、前記被滅菌物としての
鉗子等の機器器具を加温する場合よりも、前記滅菌室へ
の給蒸速度及び前記滅菌室内の空気や蒸気の排気速度を
遅くするように、前記給蒸調節手段及び排気調節手段を
制御する制御部とが設けられていることを特徴とする蒸
気滅菌装置にある。また、本発明は、被滅菌物を収納す
る滅菌室に水蒸気を供給する給蒸手段と、前記滅菌室内
の空気や蒸気を排気する排気手段とを具備する蒸気滅菌
装置を用い、前記被滅菌物に蒸気滅菌を施す際に、鉗子
等の機器器具よりも蒸気置換速度の遅いリネン類等の被
滅菌物を収容した滅菌室の給蒸と排気とを交互に施し、
前記リネン類等の滅菌物を加温するとき、前記被滅菌物
としての鉗子等の機器器具を加温する場合よりも前記滅
菌室への給蒸速度及び前記滅菌室内の空気や蒸気の排気
速度を遅くすることを特徴とする蒸気滅菌方法でもあ
る。As a result of studying to solve the above problems, the present inventor has found that a steam supply in a sterilization chamber accommodating an object to be sterilized such as linens having a lower steam replacement speed than an instrument such as forceps. When heating sterilized materials such as linens by alternately applying air and steam, the steam supply speed to the sterilization chamber and the exhaust speed of air and steam in the sterilization chamber are higher than when heating equipment such as forceps. The present inventors have found that the number of operations for supplying and exhausting steam to and from the sterilization chamber can be made the same as the number of operations for the object to be sterilized, such as equipment and instruments, by delaying the process. That is, the present invention is provided in a steam supply pipe for supplying steam to a sterilization chamber accommodating an object to be sterilized, and a steam supply adjusting means for adjusting a steam supply rate of steam into the sterilization chamber; Vacuum pipes extending to the generating means are provided, and exhaust control means for controlling the exhaust rate of air or steam in the sterilization chamber, and objects to be sterilized such as linens having a lower steam replacement rate than the instrument such as forceps are stored therein. When steaming and exhausting are performed alternately in the sterilization chamber to heat the object to be sterilized such as the linen, the sterilization is performed more than when the instrument such as forceps as the object to be sterilized is heated. Steam sterilization, wherein a control unit for controlling the steam supply control means and the gas discharge control means is provided so as to reduce a steam supply rate to the chamber and an exhaust rate of air and steam in the sterilization chamber. In the device. Further, the present invention uses a steam sterilization apparatus comprising: a steam supply means for supplying steam to a sterilization chamber accommodating the object to be sterilized; and an exhaust means for exhausting air or steam in the sterilization chamber. When performing steam sterilization, alternately performing steam supply and exhaust of a sterilization chamber containing an object to be sterilized such as linens having a lower steam replacement speed than a device such as forceps,
When heating a sterilized material such as the linen, the steam supply speed to the sterilization chamber and the exhaust speed of air and steam in the sterilization chamber are higher than when heating equipment such as forceps as the object to be sterilized. It is also a steam sterilization method characterized by slowing down.

【０００９】かかる本発明において、リネン類等の被滅
菌物の蒸気滅菌を終了して乾燥する際に、前記被滅菌物
としての鉗子等の機器器具を乾燥する場合よりも、滅菌
室からの蒸気の排気速度を遅くするように、排気調節手
段を制御する制御部を設けることによって、リネン類等
の被滅菌物の乾燥速度を速めることができる。また、給
蒸調節手段として、鉗子等の機器器具の被滅菌物を加温
する場合に用いる給蒸調節手段と、前記機器器具よりも
蒸気置換速度の遅いリネン類等の被滅菌物を加温する場
合に用いる給蒸調節手段とを設けることによって、被滅
菌物の種類に応じて容易に給蒸速度を変更することがで
きる。更に、排気調節手段として、鉗子等の機器器具の
被滅菌物を蒸気滅菌する場合に用いる排気調節手段と、
前記機器器具よりも蒸気置換速度の遅いリネン類等の被
滅菌物を蒸気滅菌する場合に用いる排気調節手段とを設
けることによって、被滅菌物の種類に応じて容易に排気
速度を変更することができる。In the present invention, when the steam sterilization of the object to be sterilized such as linen is completed and dried, the steam from the sterilization chamber is more dried than when the equipment such as forceps as the object to be sterilized is dried. By providing a control unit for controlling the evacuation adjusting means so as to reduce the evacuation speed, the drying speed of the material to be sterilized such as linen can be increased. Further, as the steam supply adjusting means, the steam supply adjusting means used when heating the object to be sterilized of the instrument such as forceps, and the article to be sterilized such as linen having a lower steam replacement speed than the instrument and the like are heated. By providing the steam supply adjusting means used in such a case, the steam supply rate can be easily changed according to the type of the material to be sterilized. Further, as exhaust control means, exhaust control means used when steam-sterilizing an object to be sterilized of an instrument such as forceps,
By providing exhaust control means used when steam sterilizing an object to be sterilized such as linen having a lower steam replacement speed than the equipment, the exhaust speed can be easily changed according to the type of the object to be sterilized. it can.

【００１０】被滅菌物のうち、包帯や手術衣等のリネン
類は内部に断熱材としての空気が含まれているため、リ
ネン類の周囲の空気は勿論のことリネン類の内部空気を
蒸気に置換しなければリネン類の内部温度を上昇させる
ことは困難である。かかるリネン類の内部空気を蒸気に
置換する置換速度は、蒸気のリネン類の内部に拡散する
拡散速度に因るため、蒸気がリネン類の周囲の空気を蒸
気置換したものの、リネン類の内部に充分に拡散しない
状態で滅菌室内の蒸気を排気することは、リネン類の内
部空気が蒸気に充分に置換されておらずリネン類の内部
温度の上昇が不充分となる。このため、リネン類の内部
温度を充分に上昇させるには、滅菌室への給蒸―排気の
操作回数を多くする必要があるのである。この点、本発
明によれば、鉗子等の機器器具よりも蒸気置換速度の遅
いリネン類等の被滅菌物が収納された滅菌室の給蒸と排
気とを交互に施し、リネン類等の被滅菌物を加温する際
に、被滅菌物としての鉗子等の機器器具を加温する場合
よりも、滅菌室への給蒸速度及び滅菌室内の空気や蒸気
の排気速度を遅くすることによって、鉗子等の機器器具
よりも蒸気置換速度の遅いリネン類等の被滅菌物の内部
に蒸気を充分に拡散させることができる。その結果、滅
菌室への給蒸―排気の操作回数を被滅菌物としての鉗子
等の機器器具を加温する場合と同程度としても、リネン
類等の被滅菌物の内部温度を充分に昇温できる。[0010] Among the items to be sterilized, linens such as bandages and surgical gowns contain air as a heat insulating material inside, so that not only the air around the linens but also the internal air of the linens becomes steam. Without replacement, it is difficult to raise the internal temperature of the linens. The replacement speed of replacing the internal air of the linens with steam is due to the diffusion speed of the steam diffusing inside the linens. If the steam in the sterilization chamber is exhausted in a state where the steam is not sufficiently diffused, the internal air of the linen is not sufficiently replaced with the steam, and the internal temperature of the linen does not rise sufficiently. For this reason, in order to sufficiently raise the internal temperature of the linens, it is necessary to increase the number of times of steam supply and exhaust to the sterilization chamber. In this regard, according to the present invention, the steaming and exhausting of the sterilization chamber accommodating the object to be sterilized such as linens having a lower steam replacement speed than the instrument such as the forceps are alternately performed, so that the linen or the like is covered. When heating the sterilized material, by slowing the steam supply rate to the sterilization chamber and the exhaust rate of air or steam in the sterilization chamber, compared to the case of heating equipment such as forceps as the object to be sterilized, Vapor can be sufficiently diffused into a sterile object such as linen, which has a lower vapor replacement speed than an instrument such as a forceps. As a result, even if the number of operations of steam supply and exhaust to the sterilization chamber is almost the same as when heating equipment such as forceps as the object to be sterilized, the internal temperature of the object to be sterilized such as linen is sufficiently increased. You can warm up.

【００１１】[0011]

【発明の実施の形態】本発明に係る蒸気滅菌装置の一例
を図１に示す。図１は本発明に係る蒸気滅菌装置の概略
フローであって、蒸気滅菌装置の本体部１０は、被滅菌
物が収納される滅菌室１２と、滅菌室１２の外面を取り
囲むジャケット部１４とによって構成され、滅菌室１２
とジャケット部１４との各々には、給蒸配管１６，１８
が設けられている。滅菌室１２に給蒸する給蒸配管１６
には、制御弁２０、手動流量調節弁２２、逆止弁２４、
及び滅菌室１２の安全弁２７が設けられている。かかる
制御弁２０及び手動流量調節弁２２をバイパスするバイ
パス配管２５に、制御弁２１及び手動流量調節弁２３が
設けられている。このバイパス配管２５は、給蒸配管１
６よりも小径で且つ給蒸量も少ない（バイパス配管２５
を経由する給蒸量を、給蒸配管１６の給蒸量の１／２程
度とすることが好ましい）。更に、給蒸配管１６には、
逆止弁２４と滅菌室１２との間に、清浄な空気を滅菌室
１２に供給する空気供給配管２６が繋ぎ込まれており、
空気供給配管２６には、エアフィルタ２８、制御弁３
０、及び逆止弁３２が設けられている。また、ジャケッ
ト部１４に給蒸する給蒸配管１８には、元バルブ３４、
ストレーナ３６、減圧弁３８、制御弁４０が設けられて
おり、ジャケット部１４の安全弁４２も給蒸配管１８に
設けられている。FIG. 1 shows an example of a steam sterilizer according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic flow chart of a steam sterilization apparatus according to the present invention. A steam sterilization apparatus main body 10 includes a sterilization chamber 12 in which an object to be sterilized is stored, and a jacket section 14 surrounding the outer surface of the sterilization chamber 12. Composed, sterilization room 12
The steam supply pipes 16 and 18 are provided in each of the
Is provided. Steam supply pipe 16 for supplying steam to the sterilization chamber 12
Includes a control valve 20, a manual flow control valve 22, a check valve 24,
Further, a safety valve 27 for the sterilization chamber 12 is provided. A control valve 21 and a manual flow control valve 23 are provided in a bypass pipe 25 that bypasses the control valve 20 and the manual flow control valve 22. This bypass pipe 25 is connected to the steam supply pipe 1
6 and a smaller amount of steam supply (by-pass pipe 25
It is preferable that the amount of steam supplied via the steam supply line is about 1/2 of the amount of steam supplied to the steam supply pipe 16). Furthermore, in the steam supply pipe 16,
An air supply pipe 26 for supplying clean air to the sterilization chamber 12 is connected between the check valve 24 and the sterilization chamber 12,
The air supply pipe 26 includes an air filter 28 and a control valve 3.
0 and a check valve 32 are provided. A steam supply pipe 18 for supplying steam to the jacket portion 14 has a main valve 34,
A strainer 36, a pressure reducing valve 38, and a control valve 40 are provided, and a safety valve 42 of the jacket portion 14 is also provided in the steam supply pipe 18.

【００１２】かかる給蒸配管１８によってジャケット部
１４に給蒸された水蒸気が凝縮されて発生したドレン
は、ドレン排出配管４４によって外部に排出される。こ
のドレン排出配管４４には、ドレントラップ４６及び逆
止弁４８が設けられている。また、滅菌室１２と真空発
生手段としての水封式真空ポンプ５０との間は真空配管
５２によって連結されており、滅菌室１２側から逆止弁
５４、制御弁５６、手動調節弁５８が設けられている。
かかる制御弁５６及び手動流量調節弁５８をバイパスす
るバイパス配管６５に、制御弁６１及び手動流量調節弁
６３が設けられている。このバイパス配管６５は、真空
配管５２よりも小径で且つ排気量も少ない（バイパス配
管６５を経由する排気量を、真空配管５２の排気量の１
／２程度とすることが好ましい）。この真空配管５２の
逆止弁５４とバイパス配管６５の繋込との間には、滅菌
室１２に給蒸された蒸気が凝縮されて発生したドレンを
排出するドレントラップ５７及び逆止弁５９が設けられ
たドレン排出配管６０と、制御弁６２が設けられたバイ
パス配管６４が繋ぎ込まれている。バイパス配管６４
は、滅菌室１２内の加圧蒸気を放出して滅菌室１２を大
気圧とするためのものである。尚、水封式真空ポンプ５
０には、元バルブ６６及び制御弁６８が設けられた水供
給配管７０によって水が供給され、真空配管５２を経由
して水封式真空ポンプ５０に吸引された蒸気や空気は逆
止弁７２が設けられた排気配管７４によって外部に排気
される。The drain generated by condensation of the steam supplied to the jacket portion 14 by the steam supply pipe 18 is discharged to the outside by a drain discharge pipe 44. The drain discharge pipe 44 is provided with a drain trap 46 and a check valve 48. The sterilization chamber 12 and a water-sealed vacuum pump 50 as a vacuum generating means are connected by a vacuum pipe 52, and a check valve 54, a control valve 56, and a manual control valve 58 are provided from the sterilization chamber 12 side. Have been.
A control valve 61 and a manual flow control valve 63 are provided in a bypass pipe 65 that bypasses the control valve 56 and the manual flow control valve 58. The bypass pipe 65 has a smaller diameter and a smaller amount of exhaust than the vacuum pipe 52 (the exhaust amount passing through the bypass pipe 65 is reduced by one of the exhaust amount of the vacuum pipe 52).
/ 2). Between the check valve 54 of the vacuum pipe 52 and the connection of the bypass pipe 65, a drain trap 57 and a check valve 59 for discharging the drain generated by condensing the steam supplied to the sterilization chamber 12 are provided. The provided drain discharge pipe 60 and the bypass pipe 64 provided with the control valve 62 are connected. Bypass piping 64
Is for releasing the pressurized steam in the sterilization chamber 12 to make the sterilization chamber 12 atmospheric pressure. Water-sealed vacuum pump 5
0 is supplied with water through a water supply pipe 70 provided with a main valve 66 and a control valve 68, and steam and air sucked into the water ring vacuum pump 50 via the vacuum pipe 52 are supplied to a check valve 72. Is exhausted to the outside by an exhaust pipe 74 provided with the gas.

【００１３】かかる図１に示す蒸気滅菌装置では、給蒸
配管１６に設けられた制御弁２０、バイパス配管２５及
び制御弁２１、及び手動流調節弁２２，２３が、滅菌室
１２内への水蒸気の給蒸速度を調節する給蒸調節手段で
あり、真空配管５２に設けられた制御弁５６、バイパス
配管６５及び制御弁６１、及び手動流調節弁５８，６３
が、滅菌室１２内の空気や水蒸気の排気速度を調節する
排気調節手段である。また、給蒸調節手段を構成する制
御弁２０，２１、及び排気調節手段を構成する制御弁５
６，６１は、制御部８０によって開閉が制御されてい
る。つまり、滅菌室１２に給蒸する際に、制御部８０か
らの信号によって給蒸配管１６に設けられた制御弁２０
を閉じ、給蒸配管１６よりも小径で給蒸量の少ないバイ
パス配管２５に設けられた制御弁２１を開く操作を行う
ことによって、制御弁２０を開とし且つ制御弁２１を閉
じた場合に比較して、滅菌室１２への給蒸速度を遅くす
ることができる。一方、滅菌室１２に給蒸された蒸気を
排気する際には、制御部８０からの信号によって真空配
管５２に設けられた制御弁５６を閉じ、真空配管５２よ
りも小径で排気量の少ないバイパス配管６５に設けられ
た制御弁６１を開く操作を行ことによって、制御弁５６
を開とし且つ制御弁６１を閉じた場合に比較して、滅菌
室１２からの排気速度を遅くすることができる。尚、滅
菌室１２への給蒸速度及び排気速度の微小な調整は、給
蒸配管１６、真空配管５２、バイパス配管２５、６５の
各々に設けられた手動流量調節弁２２、５８、２３、６
３によって行うことができる。In the steam sterilizer shown in FIG. 1, a control valve 20, a bypass pipe 25, a control valve 21, and manual flow control valves 22 and 23 provided in a steam supply pipe 16 are provided with steam flowing into the sterilization chamber 12. , A control valve 56, a bypass pipe 65, a control valve 61, and manual flow control valves 58, 63 provided in the vacuum pipe 52.
These are exhaust control means for controlling the exhaust speed of air and water vapor in the sterilization chamber 12. Further, control valves 20 and 21 constituting steam supply adjusting means, and control valves 5 and 21 constituting exhaust gas adjusting means.
The opening and closing of the control units 6 and 61 are controlled by the control unit 80. That is, when the steam is supplied to the sterilization chamber 12, the control valve 20 provided in the steam supply pipe 16 is supplied by a signal from the control unit 80.
Is closed and the control valve 21 provided in the bypass pipe 25 having a smaller diameter and a smaller amount of steam supply than the steam supply pipe 16 is opened, so that the control valve 20 is opened and the control valve 21 is closed. As a result, the speed of feeding steam to the sterilization chamber 12 can be reduced. On the other hand, when the steam supplied to the sterilization chamber 12 is exhausted, the control valve 56 provided in the vacuum pipe 52 is closed by a signal from the control unit 80, and the bypass having a smaller diameter and a smaller exhaust volume than the vacuum pipe 52 is used. By performing an operation of opening the control valve 61 provided in the pipe 65, the control valve 56 is opened.
Is opened and the exhaust speed from the sterilization chamber 12 can be made slower than when the control valve 61 is closed. The minute adjustment of the steam supply rate and the exhaust rate to the sterilization chamber 12 is performed by manually controlling the flow rates of the steam supply pipe 16, the vacuum pipe 52, and the bypass pipes 25 and 65, respectively.
3 can be performed.

【００１４】この様に、滅菌室１２への給蒸速度及び排
気速度を容易に変更できる。このため、制御部８０に
は、内部空気の蒸気置換を必要とせず容易に加温できる
鉗子等の機器器具を被滅菌物とする場合、バイパス配管
２５，６５の制御弁２１，６１を閉じ、且つ給蒸配管１
６及び真空配管５２の制御弁２０，５６を開くように設
定しておくことによって、滅菌室１２への給蒸速度及び
排気速度を速くできる。一方、制御部８０には、内部空
気の蒸気置換を必要とする包帯や手術衣等の機器器具を
被滅菌物とする場合、バイパス配管２５，６５の制御弁
２１，６１を開き、且つ給蒸配管１６及び真空配管５２
の制御弁２０，５６を閉じるように設定しておくことに
よって、滅菌室１２への給蒸速度及び排気速度を遅くで
き、被滅菌物の内部空気を充分に蒸気に置換できる結
果、蒸気置換速度の遅い被滅菌物でも所望温度に昇温す
ることができる。従って、図１に示す蒸気滅菌装置によ
れば、被滅菌物の種類に適合するように、滅菌室１２へ
の給蒸速度及び排気速度を容易に変更できるここで、給
蒸配管１６及びバイパス配管２５の制御弁２０，２１
を、例えば滅菌室１２が大気圧以下では制御弁２１を開
（制御弁２０は閉）にして給蒸し、滅菌室１２が大気圧
以上では制御弁２０を開（制御弁２１は閉）又は制御弁
２０，２１を共に開にして給蒸してもよい。また、滅菌
室１２を真空とする水封式真空ポンプ５０の駆動時期
は、滅菌室１２が大気圧に到達した時点とし、駆動して
いる水封式真空ポンプ５０の停止時期は、滅菌室１２が
設定圧力Ｐに到達した時点からタイマーで設定されてい
る設定時間が経過した時点とすることが好ましい。水封
式真空ポンプ５０の到達真空度は水温による変動が存在
するが、タイマーの設定時間を調整することによって、
水封式真空ポンプ５０が停止したときの滅菌室１２の内
圧を一定とすることができるからである。このタイマー
の設定時間は、コンディショニング行程では、乾燥行程
よりも短時間に設定する。コンディショニング行程でタ
イマー設定時間を長時間とすると、被滅菌物、特にリネ
ン類等の被滅菌物の場合、滅菌室１２の内圧が低くなり
すぎ、被滅菌物に付着しているドレンが再蒸発して被滅
菌物の温度を低下させることがあるからである。In this way, the steam supply speed and the exhaust speed to the sterilization chamber 12 can be easily changed. For this reason, when equipment such as forceps that can be easily heated without requiring steam replacement of the internal air is used as the object to be sterilized, the control unit 80 closes the control valves 21 and 61 of the bypass pipes 25 and 65. And steam supply piping 1
By setting the control valves 20 and 56 of the vacuum pipe 6 and the vacuum pipe 52 to be open, the speed of feeding and exhausting the steam into the sterilization chamber 12 can be increased. On the other hand, when the device to be sterilized is a device such as a bandage or a surgical gown that requires steam replacement of the internal air, the control unit 80 opens the control valves 21 and 61 of the bypass pipes 25 and 65 and supplies steam. Piping 16 and vacuum piping 52
By setting the control valves 20 and 56 to be closed, the steam supply speed and the exhaust speed to the sterilization chamber 12 can be reduced, and the air inside the object to be sterilized can be sufficiently replaced with steam. It is possible to raise the temperature to a desired temperature even if the material to be sterilized is slow. Therefore, according to the steam sterilizer shown in FIG. 1, the steam supply speed and the exhaust speed to the sterilization chamber 12 can be easily changed so as to be adapted to the type of the material to be sterilized. 25 control valves 20, 21
For example, when the sterilization chamber 12 is lower than the atmospheric pressure, the control valve 21 is opened (the control valve 20 is closed) to supply steam, and when the sterilization chamber 12 is higher than the atmospheric pressure, the control valve 20 is opened (the control valve 21 is closed) or controlled. The steam may be supplied by opening both the valves 20 and 21. The water-sealed vacuum pump 50 for evacuating the sterilization chamber 12 is driven when the sterilization chamber 12 reaches the atmospheric pressure. The water-sealed vacuum pump 50 being driven is stopped when the sterilization chamber 12 is stopped. It is preferable to set a point in time when a set time set by a timer elapses from when the set pressure P reaches the set pressure P. Although the ultimate vacuum degree of the water ring vacuum pump 50 varies depending on the water temperature, by adjusting the set time of the timer,
This is because the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 12 when the water ring vacuum pump 50 stops can be kept constant. The setting time of this timer is set shorter in the conditioning process than in the drying process. If the timer is set to a long time in the conditioning process, the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 12 becomes too low in the case of an object to be sterilized, in particular, an object to be sterilized such as linen, and the drain adhering to the object to be sterilized re-evaporates. This may lower the temperature of the object to be sterilized.

【００１５】図１に示す蒸気滅菌装置を用いて被滅菌物
としてのリネン類に蒸気滅菌を施した。この蒸気滅菌に
おいて、ジャケット部１４に給蒸された蒸気によって加
熱され且つリネン類が収容された滅菌室１２の圧力の経
時変化を図２に示す。先ず、被滅菌物としてのリネン類
をコンディショニング行程で内部温度を昇温するため、
水封式真空ポンプ５０を駆動して滅菌室１２の空気を排
気し設定圧力Ｐとする（ｖ１）。この際、制御弁６１を
開（制御弁５６は閉）にし、滅菌室１２の空気を真空配
管５２よりも排気量の少ないバイパス配管６５を経由し
て排気する。この様に、バイパス配管６５を用いて滅菌
室１２の空気を排気することによって、真空配管５２を
経由して滅菌室１２の空気を排気する場合に比較して滅
菌室１２の空気の排気速度を遅くでき、リネン類の内部
の空気も排気できる。滅菌室１２が設定圧力Ｐに到達し
たとき、タイマー（図示せず）が作動し所定時間経過後
に水封式真空ポンプ５０を停止する（Ｔ１）。この水封
式真空ポンプ５０が停止したときの滅菌室１２の内圧
が、後述する乾燥行程での滅菌室１２の最低内圧よりも
高くなるようにタイマーの設定時間を設定する。Linens as objects to be sterilized were subjected to steam sterilization using the steam sterilizer shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a temporal change in the pressure of the sterilization chamber 12 heated by the steam supplied to the jacket portion 14 and containing linens in the steam sterilization. First, in order to raise the internal temperature of the linen as the object to be sterilized in the conditioning process,
The water ring vacuum pump 50 is driven to evacuate the air in the sterilization chamber 12 to a set pressure P (v1). At this time, the control valve 61 is opened (the control valve 56 is closed), and the air in the sterilization chamber 12 is exhausted through the bypass pipe 65 having a smaller exhaust volume than the vacuum pipe 52. In this manner, by evacuating the air in the sterilization chamber 12 using the bypass pipe 65, the air exhaust speed of the sterilization chamber 12 is reduced compared to the case where the air in the sterilization chamber 12 is exhausted via the vacuum pipe 52. It can be slowed down, and the air inside the linen can be exhausted. When the sterilization chamber 12 reaches the set pressure P, a timer (not shown) is operated, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the water ring vacuum pump 50 is stopped (T1). The set time of the timer is set so that the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 12 when the water ring vacuum pump 50 is stopped becomes higher than the minimum internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 12 in the drying process described later.

【００１６】水封式真空ポンプ５０が停止した後、制御
弁６１を閉として滅菌室１２に給蒸し、リネン類を加熱
する。この際、制御弁２１を開（制御弁２０は閉）と
し、滅菌室１２に給蒸配管１６よりも給蒸量の少ないバ
イパス配管２５を経由して給蒸する（Ｓ１）。この様
に、バイパス配管２５を用いて滅菌室１２に給蒸するこ
とによって、給蒸配管１６を経由して滅菌室１２に給蒸
する場合に比較して滅菌室１２への給蒸速度を遅くで
き、リネン類の内部に蒸気を充分に拡散させることがで
き、リネン類の内部温度を昇温できる。バイパス配管２
５を経由しての給蒸は、滅菌室１２の内圧が所定圧力に
到達したとき、制御弁２１を閉じて停止する。この給蒸
停止時の滅菌室１２の内圧は、後述する滅菌行程におけ
る滅菌室１２の内圧よりも低圧とする。コンディショニ
ング行程は、リネン類の内部の空気を確実に排除し、後
述する滅菌行程において、滅菌室１２に給蒸してリネン
類を滅菌温度に加温する際に、リネン類の内部温度も表
面温度と同程度の昇温速度で昇温し得る程度にリネン類
を加温する行程だからである。ここで、リネン類の内部
への蒸気の拡散速度は、大気圧以上で小さくなるため、
滅菌室１２が大気圧に到達するまで、バイパス配管２５
を経由して給蒸し（制御弁２０を閉、制御弁２１を
開）、大気圧以上では給蒸配管１６を経由して給蒸（制
御弁２０を開、制御弁２１を閉）するようにしてもよ
い。かかる排気操作（ｖ１、Ｔ１）と給蒸操作（Ｓ１）
とが一回では、リネン類の内部空気が充分に蒸気に置換
されて昇温されていないおそれがあるため、再度同様な
排気操作（ｖ１、Ｔ１）と給蒸操作（Ｓ１）とを行い、
リネン類の内部温度を充分に昇温してコンディショニン
グ行程を終了する。After the water-sealed vacuum pump 50 stops, the control valve 61 is closed to supply steam to the sterilization chamber 12 to heat linens. At this time, the control valve 21 is opened (the control valve 20 is closed), and steam is supplied to the sterilization chamber 12 via the bypass pipe 25 having a smaller amount of steam than the steam supply pipe 16 (S1). In this way, by supplying steam to the sterilization chamber 12 using the bypass pipe 25, the steam supply rate to the sterilization chamber 12 is reduced as compared with the case where steam is supplied to the sterilization chamber 12 via the steam supply pipe 16. Thus, the vapor can be sufficiently diffused into the linen, and the internal temperature of the linen can be increased. Bypass piping 2
When the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 12 reaches a predetermined pressure, the steam supply via 5 stops by closing the control valve 21. The internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 12 at the time of stopping the steam supply is set lower than the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 12 in the sterilization process described later. In the conditioning step, the air inside the linens is reliably eliminated, and in the sterilization step described later, when the steam is supplied to the sterilization chamber 12 and the linens are heated to the sterilization temperature, the internal temperature of the linens also becomes the surface temperature. This is because the linen is heated so that the temperature can be raised at the same rate. Here, the diffusion rate of the vapor into the linens decreases at or above atmospheric pressure,
Until the sterilization chamber 12 reaches the atmospheric pressure, the bypass pipe 25
(The control valve 20 is closed and the control valve 21 is opened), and when the pressure is equal to or higher than the atmospheric pressure, the steam is supplied via the steam supply pipe 16 (the control valve 20 is opened and the control valve 21 is closed). You may. Such an exhaust operation (v1, T1) and a steam supply operation (S1)
In the first time, there is a possibility that the internal air of the linen is sufficiently replaced with steam and the temperature is not raised, so the same exhaust operation (v1, T1) and steaming operation (S1) are performed again.
The inside temperature of the linens is sufficiently raised to end the conditioning process.

【００１７】次いで、滅菌室１２の温度が滅菌温度とな
るように、滅菌室１２に給蒸して所定圧力とした後、滅
菌室１２の所定の圧力・温度を所定時間保持する滅菌行
程に入る。この際、制御弁２１を開（制御弁２０は閉）
とし、滅菌室１２に給蒸配管１６よりも給蒸量の少ない
バイパス配管２５を経由して給蒸する（Ｓ１）。この様
に、バイパス配管２５を用いて滅菌室１２に給蒸するこ
とによって、リネン類の内部に蒸気を充分に拡散させる
ことができ、リネン類の内部温度を早期に滅菌温度まで
昇温できる。ここでも、滅菌室１２が大気圧に到達する
まで、バイパス配管２５を経由して給蒸し（制御弁２０
を閉、制御弁２１を開）、大気圧以上では給蒸配管１６
を経由して給蒸（制御弁２０を開、制御弁２１を閉）す
るようにしてもよい。また、滅菌室１２の所定の圧力・
温度を所定時間保持する際にも、バイパス配管２５を経
由して給蒸する（Ｓ２）。保持の際には、滅菌室１２か
らの放熱分の熱量を補う程度の給蒸だからである。尚、
コンディショニング行程や滅菌行程等において、滅菌室
１２及びジャケット部１４で蒸気が凝集して発生したド
レンは、ドレン排出配管６０，４４に設けられたドレン
トラップ４６，５７によって外部に排出される。Next, after the steam is supplied to the sterilization chamber 12 to a predetermined pressure so that the temperature of the sterilization chamber 12 becomes the sterilization temperature, the process enters a sterilization step of maintaining the predetermined pressure and temperature of the sterilization chamber 12 for a predetermined time. At this time, the control valve 21 is opened (the control valve 20 is closed).
Then, steam is supplied to the sterilization chamber 12 via the bypass pipe 25 having a smaller amount of steam than the steam supply pipe 16 (S1). In this manner, by supplying steam to the sterilization chamber 12 using the bypass pipe 25, the steam can be sufficiently diffused into the linens, and the internal temperature of the linens can be quickly raised to the sterilization temperature. Here, too, the steam is supplied via the bypass pipe 25 (the control valve 20) until the sterilization chamber 12 reaches the atmospheric pressure.
Is closed, and the control valve 21 is opened).
, The steam may be supplied (the control valve 20 is opened and the control valve 21 is closed). In addition, a predetermined pressure of the sterilization chamber 12
Even when the temperature is maintained for a predetermined time, steam is supplied via the bypass pipe 25 (S2). This is because during the holding, the steam is supplied so as to compensate for the amount of heat released from the sterilization chamber 12. still,
In the conditioning step, the sterilization step, and the like, drain generated by agglomeration of steam in the sterilization chamber 12 and the jacket portion 14 is discharged to the outside by drain traps 46 and 57 provided in drain discharge pipes 60 and 44.

【００１８】かかる滅菌行程が終了したとき、滅菌室１
２の蒸気を排気する。この際、バイパス配管６４の制御
弁６２を開いて滅菌室１２が大気圧となるまで蒸気を排
気した後、水封式真空ポンプ５０を駆動して滅菌室１２
の蒸気を排気し設定圧力Ｐとする（ｖ２）。このとき、
制御弁６１を開（制御弁５６は閉）にし、滅菌室１２の
蒸気を真空配管５２よりも排気量の少ないバイパス配管
６５を経由して排気することによって、リネン類の内部
の蒸気も排気できる。滅菌室１２が設定圧力Ｐに到達し
たとき、タイマー（図示せず）が作動し所定時間経過後
に水封式真空ポンプ５０を停止する（Ｔ２）。この水封
式真空ポンプ５０が停止したときの滅菌室１２の内圧
が、先述したコンディショニング行程での滅菌室１２の
最低内圧よりも低くなるようにタイマーの設定時間を設
定する。リネン類を濡らしている水分を可及的に再蒸発
させるためである。When the sterilization process is completed, the sterilization chamber 1
Exhaust the steam of 2. At this time, after opening the control valve 62 of the bypass pipe 64 and exhausting steam until the sterilization chamber 12 reaches the atmospheric pressure, the water ring vacuum pump 50 is driven to drive the sterilization chamber 12.
Is exhausted to a set pressure P (v2). At this time,
By opening the control valve 61 (closing the control valve 56) and exhausting the steam in the sterilization chamber 12 through the bypass pipe 65 having a smaller exhaust volume than the vacuum pipe 52, the steam inside the linen can be exhausted. . When the sterilization chamber 12 reaches the set pressure P, a timer (not shown) is operated, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the water ring vacuum pump 50 is stopped (T2). The set time of the timer is set so that the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 12 when the water ring vacuum pump 50 stops is lower than the minimum internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 12 in the above-described conditioning step. This is for the purpose of re-evaporating as much as possible the moisture that has wet the linens.

【００１９】その後、図５に示す従来の操作と同様に、
水分の蒸発に伴いリネン類の温度が低下するため、リネ
ン類から水分を蒸発し易くすべく、加温された清浄な空
気を空気供給配管２６の制御弁３０を開いて滅菌室１２
内に導入し、滅菌室１２内を大気圧近傍まで昇圧してリ
ネン類を昇温する。更に、昇温したリネン類を乾燥すべ
く、再度、滅菌室１２内を真空状態とした後、加温され
た清浄な空気を供給する操作を複数回繰り返し、リネン
類を充分に乾燥する。この際に、滅菌室１２内を真空状
態とするとき、前述した排気操作（ｖ２、Ｔ２）を採用
してもよいことは勿論のことである。Thereafter, similar to the conventional operation shown in FIG.
Since the temperature of the linens decreases with the evaporation of the water, the heated clean air is supplied to the sterilization chamber 12 by opening the control valve 30 of the air supply pipe 26 so as to facilitate the evaporation of the water from the linens.
And the pressure in the sterilization chamber 12 is increased to near atmospheric pressure to raise the temperature of the linens. Further, in order to dry the heated linens, the operation of supplying the heated clean air is repeated a plurality of times after the inside of the sterilization chamber 12 is again evacuated, and the linens are sufficiently dried. At this time, when the inside of the sterilization chamber 12 is evacuated, it goes without saying that the above-described evacuation operation (v2, T2) may be employed.

【００２０】ところで、メスや鉗子等の機器器具を被滅
菌物とする場合は、リネン類を被滅菌物とする場合に比
較して内部温度の昇温が容易であるため、給蒸配管１６
を経由する給蒸（制御弁２０を開、制御弁２１を閉）
と、真空配管５２を経由する排気（制御弁５６を開、制
御弁６１を閉）とを用い、バイパス配管２５，６５を用
いなくてもよい。但し、被滅菌物として、メスや鉗子等
の機器器具と包帯や手術衣等のリネン類とが混在する場
合は、リネン類を蒸気滅菌する場合のパターンとなるよ
うに滅菌室１２に給蒸及び排気を行うことが好ましい。
更に、図１においては、バイパス配管２５，６５を、給
蒸配管１６、真空配管５２よりも小径としているが、給
蒸配管１６、真空配管５２と同径とし、手動流量調節弁
２３、６３によって流量調整を図ってもよく、或いは制
御弁２１，６１の口径で流量調整を図ってもよい。ま
た、図１に示す蒸気滅菌装置では、滅菌室１２とジャケ
ット部１４とには、給蒸配管１６，１８の各々から独立
して給蒸されていたが、図３に示す様に、給蒸配管１８
を経由してジャケット部１４に給蒸された蒸気を、給蒸
配管１７を経由して滅菌室１２に給蒸してもよい。ここ
で、図３においては、図１と共通な部材には同一番号を
付して詳細な説明を省略する。When the equipment such as a scalpel or forceps is used as the object to be sterilized, the internal temperature can be easily increased as compared with the case where linens are used as the object to be sterilized.
(Via opening control valve 20 and closing control valve 21)
And the exhaust via the vacuum pipe 52 (the control valve 56 is opened and the control valve 61 is closed), and the bypass pipes 25 and 65 need not be used. However, when equipment and instruments such as scalpels and forceps and linens such as bandages and surgical gowns are mixed as objects to be sterilized, steaming and feeding to the sterilization chamber 12 are performed so as to form a pattern when steam sterilizing the linens. It is preferable to evacuate.
1, the bypass pipes 25 and 65 are smaller in diameter than the steam supply pipe 16 and the vacuum pipe 52. However, the bypass pipes 25 and 65 have the same diameter as the steam supply pipe 16 and the vacuum pipe 52. The flow rate may be adjusted, or the flow rate may be adjusted by the diameter of the control valves 21 and 61. Further, in the steam sterilizer shown in FIG. 1, the steam is supplied to the sterilization chamber 12 and the jacket portion 14 independently of each of the steam supply pipes 16 and 18, but as shown in FIG. Piping 18
The steam supplied to the jacket portion 14 via the steam supply line 17 may be supplied to the sterilization chamber 12 via the steam supply pipe 17. Here, in FIG. 3, the same members as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

【００２１】[0021]

【発明の効果】本発明に係る蒸気滅菌装置によれば、鉗
子等の機器器具よりも蒸気置換速度の遅いリネン類等を
被滅菌物とする場合であっても、そのコンディショニン
グ行程における給蒸―排気の操作回数を、機器器具を被
滅菌物とする場合と同一回数とし得るため、リネン類の
滅菌処理のサイクル時間を従来の蒸気滅菌装置よりも短
縮でき、蒸気滅菌装置の処理能力を向上させることがで
きる。更に、蒸気は被滅菌物としてのリネン類を充分に
加温してから排気され、蒸気滅菌装置の省エネルギーを
図ることもできる。According to the steam sterilization apparatus of the present invention, even when linen or the like having a lower steam replacement speed than the instrument such as forceps is used as the object to be sterilized, the steam supply during the conditioning process is not required. Since the number of exhaust operations can be the same as the number of times when the equipment is used as the object to be sterilized, the cycle time of linen sterilization can be shortened compared to a conventional steam sterilizer, and the processing capacity of the steam sterilizer is improved. be able to. Further, the steam is exhausted after sufficiently heating the linen as the object to be sterilized, so that the energy of the steam sterilizer can be saved.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of the drawings]

【図１】本発明に係る蒸気滅菌装置の一例を説明する概
略図である。FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a steam sterilizer according to the present invention.

【図２】図１に示す蒸気滅菌装置を用いてリネン類を蒸
気滅菌する際の滅菌室内の圧力の経時変化を示す圧力線
図である。FIG. 2 is a pressure diagram showing a temporal change in pressure in a sterilization chamber when steam sterilizing linens using the steam sterilizer shown in FIG.

【図３】本発明に係る蒸気滅菌装置の他の例を説明する
概略図である。FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the steam sterilizer according to the present invention.

【図４】従来の蒸気滅菌装置を説明する概略図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional steam sterilizer.

【図５】図４に示す従来の蒸気滅菌装置を用いて被滅菌
物を蒸気滅菌する際の滅菌室内の圧力の経時変化を示す
圧力線図である。FIG. 5 is a pressure diagram showing a time-dependent change in pressure in a sterilization chamber when steam-sterilizing an object to be sterilized using the conventional steam sterilizer shown in FIG.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

１０ 本体部 １２ 滅菌室 １４ ジャケット部 １６ 給蒸配管 ２０，２１，５６，６１ 制御弁 ２５、６５ バイパス配管 ５０ 水封式真空ポンプ ５２ 真空配管 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main body part 12 Sterilization room 14 Jacket part 16 Steam supply piping 20, 21, 56, 61 Control valve 25, 65 Bypass piping 50 Water ring vacuum pump 52 Vacuum piping

Claims (8)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項１】 被滅菌物を収納する滅菌室に水蒸気を供
給する給蒸配管に設けられ、前記滅菌室内への水蒸気の
給蒸速度を調節する給蒸調節手段と、 前記滅菌室から真空発生手段に至る真空配管に設けら
れ、前記滅菌室の空気や蒸気の排気速度を調節する排気
調節手段と、 鉗子等の機器器具よりも蒸気置換速度の遅いリネン類等
の被滅菌物が収納された滅菌室の給蒸と排気とを交互に
施し、前記リネン類等の被滅菌物を加温する際に、前記
被滅菌物としての鉗子等の機器器具を加温する場合より
も、前記滅菌室への給蒸速度及び前記滅菌室内の空気や
蒸気の排気速度を遅くするように、前記給蒸調節手段及
び排気調節手段を制御する制御部とが設けられているこ
とを特徴とする蒸気滅菌装置。1. A steam supply control means provided in a steam supply pipe for supplying steam to a sterilization chamber accommodating an object to be sterilized, for adjusting a steam supply rate of steam into the sterilization chamber, and generating a vacuum from the sterilization chamber. Evacuation adjusting means for adjusting the exhaust speed of air and steam in the sterilization chamber, and objects to be sterilized such as linens having a lower steam replacement speed than instruments and devices such as forceps, are provided in a vacuum pipe leading to the means. When the steaming and exhausting of the sterilization chamber are alternately performed to heat the object to be sterilized such as the linen, the sterilization chamber is more heated than when the instrument such as forceps is heated as the object to be sterilized. A steam sterilization apparatus, wherein a control unit for controlling the steam supply adjusting means and the exhaust adjusting means is provided so as to reduce a steam feeding rate to the air and a steam exhaust rate of the air and steam in the sterilizing chamber. . 【請求項２】 リネン類等の被滅菌物の蒸気滅菌を終了
して乾燥する際に、前記被滅菌物としての鉗子等の機器
器具を乾燥する場合よりも、滅菌室からの蒸気の排気速
度を遅くするように、排気調節手段を制御する制御部が
設けられている請求項１記載の蒸気滅菌装置。2. When the steam sterilization of an object to be sterilized such as linen is completed and dried, the speed of evacuation of steam from the sterilization chamber is higher than when the equipment such as forceps as the object to be sterilized is dried. 2. The steam sterilizer according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit for controlling the exhaust control means so as to delay the operation. 【請求項３】 給蒸調節手段には、鉗子等の機器器具の
被滅菌物を加温する場合に用いる給蒸調節手段と、前記
機器器具よりも蒸気置換速度の遅いリネン類等の被滅菌
物を加温する場合に用いる給蒸調節手段とが設けられて
いる請求項１又は請求項２記載の蒸気滅菌装置。3. The steam supply control means includes a steam supply control means used for heating an object to be sterilized such as forceps or the like, and a steam supply control means for sterilizing linen or the like having a lower steam replacement speed than the equipment. The steam sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a steam supply control means used when heating the product. 【請求項４】 排気調節手段には、鉗子等の機器器具の
被滅菌物を蒸気滅菌する場合に用いる排気調節手段と、
前記機器器具よりも蒸気置換速度の遅いリネン類等の被
滅菌物を蒸気滅菌する場合に用いる排気調節手段とが設
けられている請求項１〜４のいずれか一項記載の蒸気滅
菌装置。4. The exhaust adjusting means includes: an exhaust adjusting means used when steam-sterilizing an object to be sterilized such as a forceps;
The steam sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an exhaust control unit used for steam sterilizing an object to be sterilized, such as linen, having a lower steam replacement speed than the equipment. 【請求項５】 被滅菌物を収納する滅菌室に水蒸気を供
給する給蒸手段と、前記滅菌室内の空気や蒸気を排気す
る排気手段とを具備する蒸気滅菌装置を用い、前記被滅
菌物に蒸気滅菌を施す際に、 鉗子等の機器器具よりも蒸気置換速度の遅いリネン類等
の被滅菌物を収容した滅菌室の給蒸と排気とを交互に施
し、前記リネン類等の滅菌物を加温するとき、前記被滅
菌物としての鉗子等の機器器具を加温する場合よりも前
記滅菌室への給蒸速度及び前記滅菌室内の空気や蒸気の
排気速度を遅くすることを特徴とする蒸気滅菌方法。5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of supplying steam to a sterilization chamber for storing the object to be sterilized, and a steam sterilizer having an exhaust unit for exhausting air and steam in the sterilization chamber. When performing steam sterilization, steaming and exhausting of a sterilization chamber accommodating an object to be sterilized such as linen having a lower steam replacement speed than an instrument such as a forceps are alternately performed to remove the sterilized material such as the linen. When heating, the steam supply speed to the sterilization chamber and the exhaust speed of the air and steam in the sterilization chamber are made slower than in the case of heating equipment such as forceps as the object to be sterilized. Steam sterilization method. 【請求項６】 リネン類等の被滅菌物の蒸気滅菌を終了
して乾燥するとき、前記被滅菌物としての鉗子等の機器
器具を乾燥する場合よりも、滅菌室からの蒸気の排気速
度を遅くする請求項５記載の蒸気滅菌方法。6. When the steam sterilization of the object to be sterilized such as linen is completed and dried, the exhaust speed of the steam from the sterilization chamber is set lower than when the instrument such as forceps is dried as the object to be sterilized. The steam sterilization method according to claim 5, wherein the method is delayed. 【請求項７】 蒸気滅菌装置として、鉗子等の機器器具
の被滅菌物を加温する場合に用いる給蒸調節手段と、前
記機器器具よりも蒸気置換速度の遅いリネン類等の被滅
菌物を加温する場合に用いる給蒸調節手段とが設けられ
ている蒸気滅菌装置を用いる請求項５又は請求項６記載
の蒸気滅菌方法。7. A steam sterilization apparatus comprising: a steam supply control means used for heating an object to be sterilized such as forceps and the like; and an object to be sterilized such as linen having a lower steam replacement speed than the equipment and the like. The steam sterilization method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a steam sterilization apparatus provided with a steam supply control means used for heating is used. 【請求項８】 蒸気滅菌装置として、鉗子等の機器器具
の被滅菌物を蒸気滅菌する場合に用いる排気調節手段
と、前記機器器具よりも蒸気置換速度の遅いリネン類等
の被滅菌物を蒸気滅菌する場合に用いる排気調節手段と
が設けられている蒸気滅菌装置を用いる請求項５〜７の
いずれか一項記載の蒸気滅菌方法。8. A steam sterilizing apparatus, comprising: exhaust control means used for steam-sterilizing an object to be sterilized with an instrument such as forceps; and steam-sterilizing a linen or the like having a lower steam replacement speed than the instrument. The steam sterilization method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a steam sterilization apparatus provided with an exhaust control means used for sterilization is used.
JP2000009703A 2000-01-19 2000-01-19 Device and method for steam sterilization Pending JP2001198197A (en)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007252651A (en) * 2006-03-23 2007-10-04 Miura Co Ltd Steam sterilization device
JP2010259482A (en) * 2009-04-30 2010-11-18 Miura Co Ltd Steam sterilizing device

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007252651A (en) * 2006-03-23 2007-10-04 Miura Co Ltd Steam sterilization device
JP4721142B2 (en) * 2006-03-23 2011-07-13 三浦工業株式会社 Steam sterilizer
JP2010259482A (en) * 2009-04-30 2010-11-18 Miura Co Ltd Steam sterilizing device

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