JP3001935B2 - Operating method of gas sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 （産業上の利用分野） この発明に係るガス滅菌器の運転方法は、病院や各種
研究所に設置して使用されるガス滅菌器の運転方法に関
し、滅菌作業時に滅菌容器内の湿度を適正値に調整する
ものである。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The method of operating a gas sterilizer according to the present invention relates to a method of operating a gas sterilizer installed and used in hospitals and various laboratories, and performs sterilization during sterilization work. The humidity in the container is adjusted to an appropriate value.

（従来の技術） 病院等に於いて生じる、細菌が付着している恐れのあ
る被滅菌物を滅菌処理するのに、従来から例えば第２図
に示された様なガス滅菌器が使用されている。(Prior Art) For example, a gas sterilizer as shown in FIG. 2 has conventionally been used to sterilize an object to be sterilized, which may be adhered to bacteria, generated in a hospital or the like. I have.

このガス滅菌器に於いては、被滅菌物を収める内筒１
を外筒２を囲んで、両筒１、２の間にジャケット３を形
成している。このジャケット３には水を充填しておき、
この水に蒸気管４により電磁弁5a、5b、逆止弁６を経て
蒸気を吹込む事でこの水を加温し、ポンプ７により管８
と途中に気化器13を設けた蒸気管４の一部とを通してこ
の温水を循環させて内筒１内を加温する。温水でなく蒸
気を直接ジャケット３に通して加温するものもある。In this gas sterilizer, an inner cylinder 1 containing an object to be sterilized is provided.
Is surrounded by an outer cylinder 2 and a jacket 3 is formed between the two cylinders 1 and 2. This jacket 3 is filled with water,
This water is heated by injecting steam into the water through the solenoid valves 5a, 5b and the check valve 6 by the steam pipe 4, and the water is heated by the pump 7.
This warm water is circulated through the part of the steam pipe 4 provided with the vaporizer 13 on the way to heat the inside of the inner cylinder 1. In some cases, steam is passed directly through the jacket 3 instead of hot water to be heated.

ジャケット３内の温度は、温度検出器９により検出
し、この検出器９によって検出されたジャケット３内の
温度が十分高くなった場合には電磁弁5aを閉じ、温度が
下ると電磁弁5aを開いて新たな蒸気をジャケット３内に
吹込んで温水の温度を高める様にし、蒸気の凝縮により
温水量の増加した分や余分の蒸気は溢流器10を経て排水
管11に廃棄する。The temperature in the jacket 3 is detected by a temperature detector 9, and when the temperature in the jacket 3 detected by the detector 9 becomes sufficiently high, the solenoid valve 5a is closed, and when the temperature decreases, the solenoid valve 5a is turned off. When opened, new steam is blown into the jacket 3 to increase the temperature of the hot water, and the increased amount of hot water due to the condensation of steam and excess steam are discarded to the drain pipe 11 via the overflow device 10.

図示しないボンベに充填された液状の酸化エチレン等
の滅菌ガス（以下、単に酸化エチレンガスとする。）
は、蒸気管４を通じて蒸気を送給され内部の水を温水と
する気化器13内の蛇管14に、途中にフィルタ15、15、滅
菌弁16を設けたガス供給管17を通じて流す事によって気
化させる。この気化器13内で気化した酸化エチレンガス
は、更に管18を通じて内筒１内に送給される。Sterilization gas such as liquid ethylene oxide filled in a cylinder (not shown) (hereinafter simply referred to as ethylene oxide gas)
Is vaporized by flowing through a gas supply pipe 17 provided with filters 15, 15 and a sterilization valve 16 on the way to a serpentine pipe 14 in a vaporizer 13 in which steam is supplied through a steam pipe 4 and the internal water is heated. . The ethylene oxide gas vaporized in the vaporizer 13 is further fed into the inner cylinder 1 through the pipe 18.

気化器13に於いて凝縮した水や余分の蒸気は、ジャケ
ット３に入り、溢流器10を通って排水管11に入り廃棄さ
れる。The water or excess steam condensed in the vaporizer 13 enters the jacket 3, passes through the overflow device 10, enters the drain pipe 11, and is discarded.

内筒１に通じる管18の途中には、空気フィルタ20、吸
気弁21、逆止弁22を設けた空気管23を接続し、この内筒
１内に無菌空気を供給自在としている。又、この内筒１
内は、途中に排気弁24、真空ポンプ25、逆止弁26を設
け、端部を排出管11に接続された排気管27により排気自
在としている。An air filter 20, an intake valve 21, and an air tube 23 provided with a check valve 22 are connected in the middle of the pipe 18 communicating with the inner cylinder 1, so that sterile air can be freely supplied into the inner cylinder 1. Also, this inner cylinder 1
Inside, an exhaust valve 24, a vacuum pump 25, and a check valve 26 are provided on the way, and the end is freely exhausted by an exhaust pipe 27 connected to the exhaust pipe 11.

この滅菌器を使用するには、蒸気管４の途中の電磁弁
5a、5bを開いて、蒸気管４から気化器13を通じて内外筒
１、２間のジャケット３に蒸気を送給し、気化器13内と
ジャケット３内との水を加温してこれら各部分に存在す
る水を温水にする。To use this sterilizer, a solenoid valve in the middle of the steam pipe 4
5a and 5b are opened, steam is supplied from the steam pipe 4 to the jacket 3 between the inner and outer cylinders 1 and 2 through the vaporizer 13, and the water in the vaporizer 13 and the jacket 3 is heated to heat these parts. The water that is present in the water is heated.

次に滅菌弁16と吸気弁21とを閉じたままで排気弁24を
開き、真空ポンプ25を運転して内筒１内を真空にした
後、排気弁24を閉じて真空ポンプ25を停止させる。この
場合に於いて、滅菌弁16を開く前に、被滅菌物を加湿し
て滅菌作業が効率良く行なわれる様に、真空ポンプ25を
運転し、内筒１内を負圧に維持したまま、この内筒１内
に蒸気を送り込む（特開昭62−298358号公報）。Next, the exhaust valve 24 is opened with the sterilization valve 16 and the intake valve 21 closed, and the vacuum pump 25 is operated to evacuate the inner cylinder 1, and then the exhaust valve 24 is closed and the vacuum pump 25 is stopped. In this case, before opening the sterilization valve 16, the vacuum pump 25 is operated to keep the inside of the inner cylinder 1 at a negative pressure so that the object to be sterilized is humidified and the sterilization operation is efficiently performed. Steam is fed into the inner cylinder 1 (JP-A-62-298358).

次いで、滅菌弁16を開き、気化器13の蛇管14を通って
加温され気化した酸化エチレンガスを、管18を通じて内
筒１に入れる。高圧の酸化エチレンガスの供給により内
筒１内の圧力が所定値になったならば滅菌弁16を閉じ、
そのまま所定時間放置して内筒１内に収めた被滅菌物に
酸化エチレンガスを浸透させ、滅菌を行なう。Next, the sterilization valve 16 is opened, and the ethylene oxide gas heated and vaporized through the flexible tube 14 of the vaporizer 13 is put into the inner cylinder 1 through the pipe 18. When the pressure in the inner cylinder 1 reaches a predetermined value due to the supply of high-pressure ethylene oxide gas, the sterilization valve 16 is closed,
The object to be sterilized stored in the inner cylinder 1 is left as it is for a predetermined period of time to infiltrate ethylene oxide gas to perform sterilization.

滅菌中はポンプ７を運転してジャケット３に温水を循
環させ、温度検出器９からの信号に基づいてこの温水中
に適時新しい蒸気を吹込み、ジャケット３内の温水の温
度低下を防ぎ、内筒１内を適温に保つ。During sterilization, the pump 7 is operated to circulate hot water through the jacket 3 and, based on a signal from the temperature detector 9, new steam is blown into the hot water as needed to prevent the temperature of the hot water in the jacket 3 from dropping. The inside of the cylinder 1 is kept at an appropriate temperature.

所定時間の滅菌が終ったならば、滅菌弁16と吸気弁21
とを閉じた状態のままで排気弁24を開き、真空ポンプ25
を運転して内筒１内の酸化エチレンを排出すると共に内
筒１内を真空にする。When the sterilization for a predetermined time is completed, the sterilization valve 16 and the intake valve 21
With the valve closed, open the exhaust valve 24 and set the vacuum pump 25
Is operated to discharge ethylene oxide in the inner cylinder 1 and evacuate the inner cylinder 1.

内筒１内が真空になったならば、それ迄閉じていた吸
気弁21を開き、フィルタ20を通して清浄な無菌空気を内
筒１に吸入し、次いでこれを排出して残留ガスを除く。When the inside of the inner cylinder 1 is evacuated, the previously closed intake valve 21 is opened, clean sterile air is sucked into the inner cylinder 1 through the filter 20, and then discharged to remove residual gas.

被滅菌物が衣服、ふとんの様な繊維質のものである場
合は、酸化エチレンガスが深部に迄浸透し残留するの
で、これを能率良く除く為に、上記の空気吸入後再び内
筒１内を真空にし空気を吸入するという操作を、第３図
に示す様に短時間ずつ数回繰返すパルシングを行なった
後、内筒１内に清浄空気を流通させるブロー洗浄を行な
う。If the material to be sterilized is a fibrous material such as clothes or futon, the ethylene oxide gas permeates deeply and remains there. After the pulsing is repeated several times in a short time, as shown in FIG. 3, the air is sucked and the air is sucked in, and then the blow cleaning for flowing the clean air through the inner cylinder 1 is performed.

（発明が解決しようとする課題） ところが、従来のガス滅菌器に於いては、滅菌行程に
先立って、内筒１内に収納された被滅菌物を加温する加
温作業と、この被滅菌物に適度の湿り気を与える加湿作
業とを、同時に行なっていた為、必ずしも適切な加湿を
行なう事が出来なかった。(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the conventional gas sterilizer, prior to the sterilization process, a heating operation for heating the object to be sterilized housed in the inner cylinder 1 and this sterilization operation are performed. Since the humidifying operation of giving an appropriate degree of humidity to the object was performed at the same time, it was not always possible to perform appropriate humidification.

被滅菌物の滅菌を良好に行なう為には、この被滅菌物
が適度に湿らされている事が必要であり、被滅菌物が乾
燥している場合には、滅菌用の酸化エチレンガスと被滅
菌物の馴染みが悪く、被滅菌物が湿り過ぎている場合に
は、酸化エチレンガスが水分に吸収され、何れにしても
滅菌効果が悪くなってしまう。In order to properly sterilize the material to be sterilized, it is necessary that the material to be sterilized is appropriately moistened. If the material to be sterilized is dry, ethylene oxide gas for sterilization and ethylene oxide gas are used. If the sterilized material is not well-adapted and the material to be sterilized is too wet, the ethylene oxide gas is absorbed by the moisture, and in any case, the sterilizing effect is deteriorated.

本発明のガス滅菌器の運転方法は、この様な不都合を
解消するものである。The operation method of the gas sterilizer of the present invention eliminates such disadvantages.

（課題を解決する為の手段） 本発明のガス滅菌器の運転方法に於いては、被滅菌物
を収納して密閉した滅菌容器内の気体を排出した後、こ
の滅菌容器内に高温の水蒸気を送り込む事により、上記
被滅菌物を加温し、次いで上記滅菌容器内に外気を吸引
しつつこの滅菌容器内の気体を排出して、滅菌容器内の
湿度を低下させてから、上記滅菌容器内に所定量の水蒸
気を送り込んで、この滅菌容器内の湿度を所望値に調整
する。(Means for Solving the Problems) In the method for operating a gas sterilizer according to the present invention, after the gas in a sealed sterilization container containing an object to be sterilized is discharged, high-temperature steam is introduced into the sterilization container. To heat the object to be sterilized, then discharge the gas in the sterilization container while sucking outside air into the sterilization container, reduce the humidity in the sterilization container, and then A predetermined amount of steam is fed into the container to adjust the humidity in the sterilization container to a desired value.

（作用） 上述の様に構成される本発明のガス滅菌器の運転方法
の場合、被滅菌物を加温する加温作業と、この被滅菌物
に適度の湿り気を加える加湿作業とを独立して行ない、
しかも滅菌容器内に所定量の水蒸気を送り込む事で、定
量的な加湿を行なう為、被滅菌物の加湿を適正に行なう
事が出来る。(Operation) In the case of the operation method of the gas sterilizer of the present invention configured as described above, the heating operation for heating the object to be sterilized and the humidifying operation for adding appropriate humidity to the object to be sterilized are performed independently. Do
In addition, by sending a predetermined amount of water vapor into the sterilization container, quantitative humidification is performed, so that the object to be sterilized can be properly humidified.

（実施例） 次に、本発明の実施例に就いて説明する。(Example) Next, an example of the present invention will be described.

前記第２図に示した様なガス滅菌器を、本発明の方法
により運転しつつ、被滅菌物の滅菌処理を行なう場合に
は、内筒１内の圧力が、時間の経過と共に第１図に示す
様に変化する。When a gas sterilizer such as that shown in FIG. 2 is operated by the method of the present invention to sterilize an object to be sterilized, the pressure in the inner cylinder 1 increases with the passage of time in FIG. It changes as shown in.

滅菌作業の開始に当たっては、先ず蒸気管４の途中の
電磁弁5a、5bを開いて蒸気管４から気化器13を通じて内
外筒１、２間のジャケット３内に蒸気を送給し、気化器
13内とジャケット３内との水を加温してこれら各部分に
存在する水を温水とした後、ガス供給管17の途中の滅菌
弁16と空気管23の途中の吸気弁21とを閉じたままで、排
気管27の途中の排気弁24を開き、真空ポンプ25を運転し
て内筒１内を真空にした後、排気弁24を閉じて真空ポン
プ25を停止させる。At the start of the sterilization operation, first, the solenoid valves 5a and 5b in the middle of the steam pipe 4 are opened, and steam is fed from the steam pipe 4 through the carburetor 13 into the jacket 3 between the inner and outer cylinders 1, 2.
After heating the water in the inside of the jacket 13 and the jacket 3 to make the water existing in these parts hot water, the sterilization valve 16 in the middle of the gas supply pipe 17 and the intake valve 21 in the middle of the air pipe 23 are closed. While maintaining the state, the exhaust valve 24 in the middle of the exhaust pipe 27 is opened, the vacuum pump 25 is operated to evacuate the inner cylinder 1, and then the exhaust valve 24 is closed and the vacuum pump 25 is stopped.

そして、このままの状態で所定時間放置し、内筒１内
の圧力が変化しない事を確認する。漏洩検査を行なう。Then, it is left for a predetermined time in this state, and it is confirmed that the pressure in the inner cylinder 1 does not change. Perform leak inspection.

内筒１に漏洩がない事を確認出来たならば、それ迄閉
じていた、分岐蒸気管28の途中の弁29を開き、内筒１内
に水蒸気を送り込むと同時に排気管27の途中の排気弁24
を開き、真空ポンプ25を運転して内筒１内の過剰の水蒸
気を排出しつつ、内筒１内に収納された被滅菌物を加温
する。If it is confirmed that there is no leakage in the inner cylinder 1, the valve 29 in the middle of the branch steam pipe 28, which has been closed until then, is opened to feed steam into the inner cylinder 1 and simultaneously exhaust the gas in the exhaust pipe 27. Valve 24
Is opened, and the vacuum pump 25 is operated to discharge excess water vapor in the inner cylinder 1 while heating the object to be sterilized stored in the inner cylinder 1.

その後、上記弁29を閉じてから、空気管23の途中の吸
気弁21と排気管27の途中の排気弁24とを開いて、真空ポ
ンプ25を運転する事により、上記内筒１内に外気を吸引
しつつこの内筒１内の気体を排出して、内筒１内の湿度
を低下させ、被滅菌物を乾燥させる。Thereafter, after closing the valve 29, the intake valve 21 in the middle of the air pipe 23 and the exhaust valve 24 in the middle of the exhaust pipe 27 are opened, and by operating the vacuum pump 25, the outside air is introduced into the inner cylinder 1. The gas in the inner cylinder 1 is discharged while sucking the air, the humidity in the inner cylinder 1 is reduced, and the material to be sterilized is dried.

次いで、上記吸気弁21と排気弁24とを閉じてから、そ
れ迄閉じていた分岐蒸気管28の途中の弁29を開き、内筒
１内に所定量の水蒸気を送り込んで、この内筒１内の湿
度を所望値に調整する。Next, after closing the intake valve 21 and the exhaust valve 24, a valve 29 in the middle of the branch steam pipe 28 which has been closed is opened, and a predetermined amount of steam is fed into the inner cylinder 1. Adjust the humidity inside to the desired value.

内筒１内に所定量の水蒸気を送り込んだ後、所定時間
そのまま放置する事で、内筒１内の湿度を全体に亙って
均一にしたならば、次いで、ガス供給管17の途中の滅菌
弁16を開き、図示しないボンベ内の酸化エチレンを、気
化器13の蛇管14を通過させて加温し、気化させてから内
筒１内に送り込む。After a predetermined amount of water vapor is fed into the inner cylinder 1 and left for a predetermined time, the humidity in the inner cylinder 1 is made uniform throughout, and then sterilization in the middle of the gas supply pipe 17 is performed. The valve 16 is opened, the ethylene oxide in the cylinder (not shown) is heated by passing through the flexible tube 14 of the vaporizer 13, vaporized, and then sent into the inner cylinder 1.

その後は、前述した従来の運転方法と同様にして、内
筒１内の被滅菌物を滅菌処理する。Thereafter, the object to be sterilized in the inner cylinder 1 is sterilized in the same manner as in the conventional operation method described above.

上述の様に構成される本発明のガス滅菌器の運転方法
の場合、被滅菌物を加温する加温作業と、この被滅菌物
の適度に湿り気を与える加湿作業とを独立して行ない、
しかも内筒１内に所定量の水蒸気を送り込む事で、定量
的な加湿を行なう為、被滅菌物の加湿を適正に行なう事
が出来る。In the case of the operation method of the gas sterilizer of the present invention configured as described above, the heating operation of heating the object to be sterilized and the humidifying operation of appropriately humidifying the object to be sterilized are performed independently,
In addition, by feeding a predetermined amount of steam into the inner cylinder 1, quantitative humidification is performed, so that the object to be sterilized can be properly humidified.

（発明の効果） 本発明のガス滅菌器の運転方法は、以上に述べた通り
構成され作用するが、被滅菌物の加湿量を正確に規制出
来る為、良好な滅菌効果を得る事が出来る。(Effects of the Invention) The method of operating a gas sterilizer of the present invention is configured and operates as described above. However, since the amount of humidification of an object to be sterilized can be regulated accurately, a good sterilization effect can be obtained.

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

第１図は本発明の運転方法を実施する場合に於ける内筒
内の圧力変化の状況を示す線図、第２図は本発明の対象
となるガス滅菌器を示す配管図、第３図は従来の運転方
法を実施する場合に於ける内筒内の圧力変化の状況を示
す線図である。 1:内筒、2:外筒、3:ジャケット、4:蒸気管、5a、5b:電
磁弁、6:逆止弁、7:ポンプ、8:管、9:温度検出器、10:
溢流器、11:排水管、13:気化器、14:蛇管、15:フィル
タ、16:滅菌弁、17:ガス供給管、18:管、20:空気フィル
タ、21:吸気弁、22:逆止弁、23:空気管、24:排気弁、2
5:真空ポンプ、26:逆止弁、27:排気管、28:分岐蒸気
管、29:弁。FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state of a pressure change in an inner cylinder when the operating method of the present invention is carried out, FIG. 2 is a piping diagram showing a gas sterilizer to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of a pressure change in an inner cylinder when a conventional operation method is performed. 1: inner cylinder, 2: outer cylinder, 3: jacket, 4: steam pipe, 5a, 5b: solenoid valve, 6: check valve, 7: pump, 8: pipe, 9: temperature detector, 10:
Overflow device, 11: drain pipe, 13: vaporizer, 14: serpentine pipe, 15: filter, 16: sterilization valve, 17: gas supply pipe, 18: pipe, 20: air filter, 21: intake valve, 22: reverse Stop valve, 23: air pipe, 24: exhaust valve, 2
5: vacuum pump, 26: check valve, 27: exhaust pipe, 28: branch steam pipe, 29: valve.

Claims (1)

(57)【特許請求の範囲】(57) [Claims] 【請求項１】被滅菌物を収納して密閉した滅菌容器内の
気体を排出した後、この滅菌容器内に高温の水蒸気を送
り込む事により、上記被滅菌物を加温し、次いで上記滅
菌容器内に外気を吸引しつつこの滅菌容器内の気体を排
出して、滅菌容器内の湿度を低下させてから、上記滅菌
容器内に所定量の水蒸気を送り込んで、この滅菌容器内
の湿度を所望値に調整するガス滅菌器の運転方法。The present invention further comprises the steps of: discharging a gas in a sterilized container, which contains an object to be sterilized and sealing the container; heating the object to be sterilized by sending high-temperature steam into the container; The gas in the sterilization container is discharged while the outside air is sucked in, the humidity in the sterilization container is reduced, and then a predetermined amount of steam is sent into the sterilization container, and the humidity in the sterilization container is adjusted to a desired level. How to operate the gas sterilizer to adjust the value.