JP2553463B2 - Sterilization / transportation system for medical equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dangerous manual operation by sterilizing medical instruments such as surgical instruments and medical materials in a sterilization room in a hospital and automating loading and unloading of these instruments. Sterilization system for eliminating

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, sterilizers are arranged on the carry-in side of unsterilized medical equipment and the carry-out side of pre-sterilized medical equipment in a sterilization room, and the sterilizer is supplied with steam in a closed container. There are a type that sterilizes medical equipment by the heat of lever steam and a type that sterilizes at low temperature by supplying a special sterilizing gas such as a mixed gas of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide into a closed container. Among them, in a sterilizer that performs sterilization with steam, the inside of an airtight container for accommodating medical equipment to be sterilized is constantly heated, and thus workers are exposed to the risk of burns. On the other hand, in the sterilizer using sterilizing gas, after the sterilization work, it is necessary to remove the residual gas adsorbed to the already sterilized medical equipment by aeration, so that the worker bears the risk of being exposed to the residual gas, Existing sterilized medical equipment is being transferred from the sterilizer to the aerator.

Pre-sterilized medical equipment taken out from the above apparatus is stored in a clean room always kept in a clean environment, and when it is necessary for medical procedures such as surgery,
The worker appropriately sorts the stored sterilized medical equipment, puts it on the sterilization trolley, and transports it to the operating room or each ward.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
According to the transport system, workers carry out work such as loading unsterilized medical equipment contaminated by medical procedures into the sterilizer and transferring gas from the sterilizer to the aerator manually. However, it is inevitable to work in a dangerous environment, such as infection caused by handling unsterilized medical equipment, burns caused by steam sterilizer, and exposure to residual gas. On the contrary, there is a possibility that the medical equipment once completely sterilized by the sterilization process may be contaminated by the hands of the workers.

Therefore, the main technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to eliminate the danger such as infection of workers and gas exposure, and to prevent recontamination of already sterilized materials by the intervention of workers to ensure safety. It is to provide a sterilization / conveyance system capable of improving efficiency and saving labor.

[0006]

The above technical problems can be effectively solved by the present invention. That is, the sterilization / transportation system for medical equipment according to the present invention includes an unmanned vehicle that automatically travels to transfer medical equipment, a required number of sterilization apparatuses arranged in a sterilization chamber, the sterilization apparatuses, and wards. A guideway that is laid via such as to guide the traveling route of the unmanned traveling vehicle, a destination instruction means that indicates the destination of the unmanned traveling vehicle, and a controlled side optical communication means mounted on the unmanned traveling vehicle, A control side optical communication means for transmitting and receiving an optical signal to and from a controlled side optical communication means of an unmanned traveling vehicle which is arranged at a stop position of the unmanned traveling vehicle such as a front surface of each sterilization apparatus, and the unmanned traveling vehicle A central control means for selecting and executing predetermined operation commands such as running / stopping of an unmanned vehicle, loading / unloading operation of medical equipment, and sterilization process of the sterilization processing device according to signals from each sterilization processing device and destination instruction means Equipped with It is intended.

In this sterilization / conveyance system, preferably, the taxiway is laid via a charging station for supplying electric power to a waiting unmanned vehicle or a storage space for sterilized medical equipment in a sterile room. The control side optical communication means is also provided in each of these charging stations and each storage space. The sterilization apparatus includes, for example, a hot steam sterilizer, a gas sterilizer, and a gas aerator. The unmanned traveling vehicle is capable of connecting and disconnecting with a sterilization trolley on which medical equipment is loaded, and conveys the medical equipment via the sterilization trolley.

[0008]

The unmanned vehicle receives a command signal from the central control means and travels to the location designated by the destination designating means along the traveling route of the taxiway. In addition, the central control means, charging station, each sterilization processing device,
A predetermined operation command is received by receiving a signal from the optical communication means on the control side for optical communication with the optical communication means on the controlled side of the unmanned vehicle that has been arrived at the stop position of the unmanned vehicle. Are sequentially selected and transmitted, and the operation of transporting, storing, and delivering medical equipment by an unmanned vehicle and the operation of a sterilization apparatus are controlled.

Therefore, unsterilized medical equipment is carried into the sterilization processing device by the unmanned traveling vehicle, the medical equipment is sterilized by the sterilization processing device, and the sterilized medical equipment is sterilized from the sterilization processing device to the required location by the unmanned traveling vehicle. Each process such as unloading to an unmanned vehicle that has finished loading or unloading is performed through a control side and a non-control side optical communication means between a charging station or a sterilization processing device and the central control device. The data is transmitted and received by the central control means to be sequentially remote-controlled.

As the sterilization apparatus, a heat steam sterilizer,
There is a gas sterilizer and gas aerator.In the case of a gas sterilizer, in order to remove the residual gas adsorbed on the sterilized medical equipment, the medical equipment is unmanned from the gas sterilizer to the aerator after the sterilization process is completed. Transfer by car. When the aeration is completed, the sterilized medical equipment is once again stored in the storage space in the sterile room by the unmanned traveling vehicle, and if necessary, transported from the sterile room to each ward or the like. In addition, the unmanned traveling vehicle that has finished loading or unloading the medical equipment to or from the sterilization apparatus, aseptic room, or each ward, etc., waits at the charging station and is charged.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medical equipment to be sterilized or the sterilized medical equipment is loaded on a sterilization trolley and conveyed by pulling the sterilization trolley by an unmanned vehicle. In this case, the medical equipment together with the sterilization cart is carried into the sterilization apparatus and sterilized, and the medical equipment is stored in the sterilization cart in a state of being loaded on the sterilization cart.

[0012]

1 is a schematic layout diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a sterilization / transportation system for medical equipment according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic system diagram. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 is a sterilization room, 2 is a sterile room (clean room) in which clean air filtered by a filter is constantly circulated, OP is an operating room, ST is a charging station, and 10 is these. An unmanned vehicle that is automatically driven while being guided to a taxiway L laid in a passage such as a corridor via a sterilization room 1, a sterile room 2, an operation room OP, a charging station ST, and each ward not shown, Reference numeral 20 is a sterilization processing apparatus arranged in the sterilization room 1, 30 is a main computer as a central control means for controlling the operations of the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 and the sterilization processing apparatus 20, and 40 is a destination of the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 in the main computer 30. A destination indicator panel 50 for inputting is a sterilization cart that is detachably connected to the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 and carries various medical equipment.

The taxiway L includes a main line route La and a sterilization room 1
The front position of each sterilization apparatus 20 in the inside and the aseptic chamber 2
A plurality of sterilized object storage spaces A _{1 to} A _n ,
At the positions of the plurality of charging stations ST, branch line routes Lb to Ld branched from the main line route La are provided. At the stop position of the unmanned vehicle 10 in the operating room OP or the like, an appropriate stop instruction means (not shown) such as a signal transmission or an image reading method is provided.

The unmanned vehicle 10 is driven by a motor that rotates in forward and reverse directions using a battery as a power source. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the unmanned vehicle 10 can enter between the wheeled leg portions 51 at the lower end of the sterilization carriage 50. It is short and has known equipment such as the battery and motor, a guideway sensor for steering along the guideway L, a safety bumper, an emergency stop switch (objective sensor), and transmits and receives optical signals. The controlled-side optical communication device 11 is provided with a trolley sensor 12 for detecting the presence of the sterilization trolley 50, and a drive controller 13. The controlled optical communication device 11 includes a light receiving portion 11a and a light projecting portion 11b.

The drive control device 13 includes a command signal based on an optical signal received by the light receiving portion 11a of the controlled side optical communication device 11, a steering signal from a taxiway sensor, and the drive control device 1
When the preset control data storage unit 3 is provided with preset data, the traveling and operation of the unmanned vehicle 10 are controlled. Further, the upper surface of the unmanned vehicle 10 is provided with a push-up engagement pin 14 that is pushed up and down by an actuator controlled by the drive control device 13, while the lower surface of the lower frame 52 of the sterilization carriage 50 is provided. A plurality of engaging concave portions 53 that can be engaged with the upper end portion of the push-up engaging pin 14 in a loosely fitted state are formed at positions closer to the front and rear. When the detection signal from the carriage sensor 12 is given to the push-up engagement pin 14, the actuator is driven via the drive control device 13 so that the push-up engagement pin 14 protrudes upward and the sterilization carriage 5 is operated.
The lower frame 52 is pushed up to the extent that one of the wheels 51a in the traveling direction is slightly floated above the floor while engaging with the engagement recess 53 of 0. Therefore, the unmanned vehicle 10 pulls the sterilization carriage 50 by engaging the push-up engagement pin 14 and the engagement recess 53 with the sterilization carriage 50 entering the lower side of the sterilization carriage 50.

Here, the sterilization apparatus 20 is a general term for the hot steam sterilization apparatus 20A, the gas sterilization apparatus 20B, the gas aerator 20C and the like. Of these, the thermal steam sterilizer 20A is a device for pressurizing and supplying hot steam into the treatment tank accommodating the medical equipment to sterilize the medical equipment by the heat of this steam, and the gas sterilizer 20B is the treatment tank. A special sterilizing gas such as a mixed gas of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide is supplied to sterilize at a low temperature. The gas aerator 2
0C removes the residual gas adsorbed by the medical equipment sterilized by the gas sterilizer 20B in the processing tank.

Each sterilization apparatus 20 (heat steam sterilizer 20)
A, gas sterilizer 20B and gas aerator 20C)
As shown in FIG. 3, the opening of the processing tank 21 is opened and closed by the slide door 22, and when the slide door 22 is closed, the front surface of the processing tank 21 is sealed with packing 23, so that the inside of the processing tank 21 is closed. The sterilizing gas is not leaked to the outside. The sliding door 22 is opened and closed by a door driving cylinder 24 and upper and lower rails 25,
Opening and closing movements are guided by wheels (not shown) traveling on 26, and sliding door 2 by door driving cylinder 24
The open / close operation of 2 and the processing operations such as the sterilization step by the pressurized supply of high temperature steam in the processing tank 21 and the drying step by the hot air send / receive signals to / from the main computer 30 and control each step in advance. The programs are sequentially executed via the sterilizer control panel 27 in which the program is stored. Further, these sterilization processing apparatuses 20 adopt a floor loading type opening / closing method in which the lower rail 26 and the floor surface of the processing tank 21 are installed at the same height as the floor surface of the sterilization chamber 1. There is.

At the front position of each sterilization apparatus 20, the guide path L is provided.
The end of the branch line route Lb branched from the main line route La extends from the front surface of the sterilization apparatus 20 toward the inside of the processing tank 21, and the branch line Lb in the vicinity of the front surface of the opening of the processing tank 21. On one side, a control side optical communication device 3 that performs optical communication with the controlled side optical communication device 11 of the unmanned vehicle 10 and exchanges signals with the main computer 30 is installed. The control side optical communication device 3 includes a light receiving unit 3
It consists of a and a light projecting section 3b. The control side optical communication device 4 similar to the above is installed on one side of the branch line Lc branched from the main line route La in each charging station ST. A plurality of sterilized material storage spaces A _{1 to} A _{n in the} sterile room 2
At one side of the branch line route Ld branched from the main route route La, the control side optical communication device 5 similar to the above is respectively provided.
And an in-vehicle sensor 6 for searching the in-vehicle situation of the sterilization cart 50 is installed. As the in-vehicle sensor 6,
For example, a light-shielding type optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor is used.

Upon reception of signals from the control side optical communication devices 3 to 5 and the sterilizer control panel 27, the main computer 30 receives destination commands, running commands, stop commands for the unmanned vehicle 10, and sterilization by the push-up engagement pins 14. The control side optical communication device 3 is selected again by appropriately selecting a predetermined operation command such as a connection or release command with the carriage 50 or a sterilization process by the sterilization process device 20.
5 to 5 and the sterilizer control panel 27, etc. The unmanned vehicle 10 is given an operation command from the main computer 30 via optical communication between the control side optical communication devices 3 to 5 and the controlled side optical communication device 11.

The medical equipment sterilization / transport system according to the above-described embodiment sterilizes and transports the medical equipment under the following control.

When the used contaminated medical equipment is carried into the hot steam sterilizer 20A from, for example, the operating room OP, first, the destination indicating board 40 is used to carry the hot steam sterilizer 20.
When instructing to carry in the contaminated medical material to A, the main computer 30 makes the unmanned vehicle 10 at the charging station ST based on the data already given by the signal from the light receiving section 4a of the control side optical communication device 4. Of the controlled side optical communication device 11 of the unmanned vehicle 10 that is on standby through the light projecting unit 4b of the control side optical communication device 4.
The departure command signal is transmitted to the light receiving section 11a of. For this reason,
The unmanned traveling vehicle 10 separates from the charging station ST and starts traveling toward the operating room OP.

On the other hand, various medical equipment such as surgical tools and medical materials that are contaminated by being used in medical procedures such as surgery are stored in the sterilization cart 50 in the operating room OP. When the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 arrives at the stop position by the stop instruction means on the taxiway L in the operating room OP, the traveling is temporarily stopped at that time. Therefore, when the sterilization trolley 50 on which the contaminated medical equipment is loaded is moved to the stop position of the unmanned traveling vehicle 10, a detection signal is output from the sterilization trolley sensor 12, so that the push-up engagement pin 14 projects upward. The engaging concave portion 5 on the lower surface of the body frame of the sterilization carriage 50 which is operated
3, the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 resumes traveling and pulls the sterilization carriage 50 toward the hot steam sterilizer 20A in the sterilization chamber 1.

The unmanned traveling vehicle 10 has a thermal steam sterilizer 20A.
When the vehicle enters the branch line Lb branched from the main line La of the taxiway L and arrives at the front position of the thermal steam sterilizer 20A, the control side optical communication device 3 installed on one side of the branch line Lb. The light receiving unit 3a receives the optical signal from the light projecting unit 11b of the controlled-side optical communication device 11 of the unmanned vehicle 10, and an arrival signal is transmitted from the controlled-side optical communication device 3 to the main computer 30. It Upon reception of this arrival signal, the main computer 30 selects a stop command signal and transmits it to the control side optical communication device 3, and also transmits a door opening command signal to the sterilizer control panel 27. Therefore, the drive control device 13 from the light projecting unit 3b of the control side optical communication device 3 through the light receiving unit 11a of the controlled side optical communication device 11.
When the stop command signal is input to the unmanned traveling vehicle 10, the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 is temporarily stopped at the front position of the thermal steam sterilizer 20A, while in the thermal steam sterilizer 20A, the sliding door 22 is opened by the door drive cylinder 24. It

When the slide door 22 is fully opened, a door opening completion signal is transmitted from the sterilizer control panel 27 to the main computer 30, and the main computer 30 receives the signal to select the next carry-in command signal and control it. It transmits to the side light communication device 3. The unmanned vehicle 10 includes the control-side optical communication device 3
From the light projecting section 3b of the receiving side to the light receiving section 11 of the controlled side optical communication device 11.
When the carry-in command signal is input to the drive control device 13 via a, the sterilization carriage 50 is moved to the hot steam sterilization device 20.
It is carried into the processing tank 21 of A and stopped, and the push-up engagement pin 14
Performs an operation of immersing downward, releasing the engagement with the sterilization carriage 50, and returning to the outside of the processing tank 21 in order.
Therefore, the sterilization cart 50 on which the contaminated medical equipment is loaded is left in the processing tank 21.

When the unmanned vehicle 10 goes out of the processing tank 21 and reaches the vicinity of the control side optical communication device 3, the light receiving section 3a of the control side optical communication device 3 again controls the controlled side optical communication of the unmanned vehicle 10. By receiving the optical signal from the light projecting unit 11a of the device 11, the carry-in completion signal is transmitted to the main computer 30. Upon reception of this carry-in completion signal, the main computer 30 transmits a door closing command signal to the sterilizer control panel 27 of the thermal steam sterilizer 20A. Therefore, the slide door 22
Closes the front opening of the processing tank 21, and when the thermal steam sterilizer 20A is completely closed, the sterilizer control panel 2
In accordance with the program stored in FIG. 7, a sterilization process by supplying hot steam into the processing tank 21 for a predetermined time and a drying process by supplying hot air for a predetermined time are sequentially executed, and a trolley for sterilizing the contaminated medical equipment 50 Sterilize each.

On the other hand, the unmanned vehicle 10 travels along the main line route La of the taxiway L to the charging station ST. At this time, the main computer 30 determines the vacant vehicle situation at each charging station ST based on the data from the control side optical communication device 4, and guides the unmanned vehicle 10 to the branch line route Lc of the vacant charging station ST. When the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 reaches the charging station ST, a detection signal is transmitted from the control side optical communication device 4 to the main computer 30, whereby the unmanned traveling vehicle 1 is transmitted from the main computer 30.
A stop command signal is transmitted to the controlled optical communication device 11 of 0, the unmanned vehicle 10 is connected to the charging station ST to charge the battery, and waits for the next command signal from the main computer 30.

Next, when carrying in and storing the sterilized medical equipment in the sterile room 2, first, when the sterilization process by the thermal steam sterilizer 20A is completed, a sterilization completion signal is mainly sent from the sterilizer control panel 27. Then, the main computer 30 determines the presence status of the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 at the charging station ST based on the data from the control side optical communication device 4, as in the case described above. Controlled optical communication device 11 of unmanned vehicle 10 on standby
A departure command signal is transmitted to. Therefore, the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 that has been on standby starts traveling away from the charging station ST and is guided toward the thermal steam sterilizer 20A.

When the light receiving section 3a of the control side optical communication apparatus 3 at the front position of the thermal steam sterilizer 20A receives the optical signal from the light projecting section 11b of the controlled side optical communication apparatus 11 of the unmanned vehicle 10. , The main computer 30 transmits a stop command signal to the control-side optical communication device 3, and the sterilizer control panel 2
Send a door open command signal to 7. Therefore, the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 is stopped at the front position of the control side optical communication device 3 and the thermal steam sterilizer 2 as in the loading operation described above.
In 0A, the sliding door 22 is opened by the door driving cylinder 24.

When the slide door 22 is fully opened, a sterilizer control panel 27 transmits a door opening completion signal to the main computer 30, and the main computer 30 receives the door opening completion signal and sends a next carry-out command signal. The selected optical communication device 3 and the controlled optical communication device 11 are selected.
Is input to the drive control device 13 of the unmanned vehicle 10. As a result, the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 enters so as to go under the sterilization carriage 50 in the processing tank 21 of the thermal steam sterilizer 20A and stops. At this time, the sterilization cart sensor 12 detects the sterilization cart 50,
The push-up engagement pin 14 projects upward to perform sterilization trolley 50.
After engaging with the engaging recess 53 on the lower surface of the vehicle body frame,
The unmanned traveling vehicle 10 resumes traveling and pulls the sterilization carriage 50 out of the processing tank 21 of the thermal steam sterilizer 20A.

When the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 exiting the processing tank 21 of the thermal steam sterilizer 20A passes near the control side optical communication device 3, the light receiving portion 3a thereof again controls the uncontrolled vehicle side optical communication of the unmanned traveling vehicle 10. By receiving the optical signal from the light projecting unit 11 a of the device 11, the carry-out completion signal is transmitted to the main computer 30. Upon receiving the carry-out completion signal, the main computer 30 receives the sterilizer control panel 2 of the thermal steam sterilizer 20A.
A door closing command signal is transmitted to 7. Therefore, the slide door 22 closes the front opening of the processing tank 21, and the thermal steam sterilizer 20A completes all the steps and enters the standby state.

On the other hand, the unmanned vehicle 10 that pulls the sterilization cart 50 loaded with the sterilized medical equipment, according to the guidance program of the main computer 30 selected by the destination instruction panel 40, stores the sterilized material storage space in the sterile room 2. A _{1 to} A _n
Drive towards. Sterile material storage space A _{1 in the} sterile room 2
Availability in to A _n through the stationary vehicle sensor 6 for detecting the sterilization carriage 50 is installed in each is determined by the main computer 30, branch to the vacant example sterilized storage space A ₃ Unmanned vehicle 10 on route Ld
Induce.

When the unmanned vehicle 10 arrives at the designated sterilized material storage space A ₃ , the sterilized material storage space A
Light receiving part 5a of control side optical communication device 5 installed on one side of ₃
Is the projector 1 of the controlled-side optical communication device 11 of the unmanned vehicle 10.
By receiving the optical signal from 1a, an arrival signal is transmitted from the control-side optical communication device 5 to the main computer 30, which causes the main computer 30 to the controlled-side optical communication device 11 of the unmanned vehicle 10. A stop command signal is transmitted. For this reason, the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 carries the sterilization carriage 50 into the vacant sterilized material storage space A ₃ and stops, and at the same time, the push-up engagement pin 14 moves downward to engage the sterilization carriage 50. Then, the operation such as returning from the sterilized object storage space A ₃ to the main line route La of the taxiway L is sequentially executed. Therefore, the sterilization cart 50 loaded with the sterilized medical equipment is left behind and stored in the sterilized material storage space A ₃ .

The unmanned vehicle 10 that has left the sterilized material storage space A ₃ travels toward the charging station ST. Also at this time, as described above, the main computer 30 determines the vacant state at the charging station ST based on the data from the control side optical communication device 4, and guides the unmanned vehicle 10 to the vacant charging station ST, As a result, the unmanned vehicle 10 is connected to the charging station ST to charge the battery and waits for the next signal from the main computer 30.

When the sterilization process is performed by the gas sterilizer 20B, the sterilization cart 50 carrying the gas sterilized medical equipment is carried out from the gas sterilizer 20B and then adsorbed to the medical equipment. In order to remove the residual gas, it is carried into the gas aerator 20C. The carry-in and carry-out operations in this case are also performed in substantially the same manner as the carry-in and carry-out operations to and from the thermal steam sterilizer 20A described above.

When the gas aerator 20C completes the process of removing residual gas from the sterilized medical equipment, it is preferable to carry out the gas aerator 20C from the processing tank manually. This is because it is necessary to visually determine the sterilization effect of the sterilizing gas.

Next, when sterilized medical equipment is required for a medical operation such as a surgical operation, when the medical equipment is delivered to the operating room OP, first, the destination instruction board 40 is used to deliver it to a predetermined operating room OP. When instructed to carry in the sterilized medical equipment, the main computer 30 determines the presence status of the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 at the charging station ST, and issues a departure command to the controlled-side optical communication device 11 of the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 on standby. Send a signal. Therefore, the unmanned vehicle 10 is away from the charging station ST, on the basis of the induced program selected, first starts running toward the sterilized storage space A ₁ to A _n sterile chamber 2. Also in this case, the storage status in the sterilized material storage spaces A _{1 to An} in the sterile room 2 is determined by the main computer 30 via the vehicle sensor 6 installed in each of them to detect the sterilization carriage 50. A determination is made, and guidance to the sterilization cart 50 carrying the sterilized medical equipment is performed.

Then, by the same procedure as described above,
The unmanned vehicle 10 enters so as to go under the sterilization cart 50 on which the sterilized medical equipment is loaded so as to stop, and pushes up the engaging pin 14 and the engaging recess 53 on the lower surface of the body frame of the sterilization cart 50. Is engaged, the traveling is resumed, and the sterilization carriage 50 loaded with the sterilized medical equipment is pulled toward the intended operating room OP. When the vehicle arrives at the stop position on the guide path L in the operating room OP, the traveling is stopped at that time and the push-up engagement pin 14 is retracted downward to disengage the sterilization carriage 50. To do. The unmanned vehicle 10 that has been disengaged returns to the charging station ST to be charged, and waits for the next signal from the main computer 30.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, the taxiway L is also laid from the passage on each floor of the ward through the elevator hall to the floor of the elevator car, so that the unmanned vehicle 10 can move to each floor such as the ward via the elevator. Can be In this case, the elevator control device and the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 send and receive signals, so that the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 arriving at the elevator hall can call the elevator, board the elevator, and move to the desired floor.

Various doors such as fire doors are provided in the middle of the taxiway L laid through the sterilization room 1, the sterilization room 2, the charging station ST, each ward and operation room OP, each floor passage, etc. Although there exist, when the unmanned vehicle 10 passes through these doors, the main computer 3 is transmitted and received by the signal transmission / reception similarly to the above.
0 can control the opening and closing of the door.

In the sterilization chamber 1, a heat steam sterilizer 20A,
When a plurality of gas sterilizers 20B and aerators 20C are installed, and when performing sterilization with the heat steam sterilizer 20A, for example, when the nth heat steam sterilizer 20A is vacant, The main computer 30 searches for the nth sterilizer control panel 27 in the standby state, and sends the unmanned vehicle 10 to the nth thermal steam sterilizer 20A.
Is configured to induce. The same applies to loading into the gas sterilizer 20B and the aerator 20C.

Further, the unmanned vehicle 10 is provided with an input device for manual operation so that traveling from the sterilization chamber 1 toward the sterilization processing device 20 or the charging station ST is present in the sterilization chamber 1 for example. It can be arbitrarily designated by the medical staff.

[0042]

According to the sterilization / transportation system for medical equipment according to the present invention, the following effects are realized. (1) Operation is managed by the central control unit, such as carrying in medical equipment contaminated by medical practice to the heat steam sterilizer 20A or gas sterilizer 20B and transferring gas sterilized medical equipment to the aerator. Since it is performed by an unmanned unmanned vehicle without human intervention, in-hospital workers can be infected with pathogenic bacteria by handling contaminated medical equipment, or get burned when carrying in and out of the steam sterilizer. It is possible to provide a safe environment and save labor without being exposed to the residual gas of gas-sterilized medical equipment. (2) For the reason of (1) above, it is possible to prevent medical equipment that has been completely sterilized from being re-contaminated by workers. (3) Since the sterilized medical equipment is stored while being loaded on the sterilization cart that has been sterilized together with this medical equipment, management is easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic layout diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a sterilization / transportation system for medical equipment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic system diagram of the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an unmanned traveling vehicle 10 and a sterilization trolley 50 in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 pulls the sterilization cart 50 in the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation when the unmanned traveling vehicle 10 carries the sterilization cart 50 into the sterilization processing apparatus 20 in the above-described embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Sterilization room 2 Aseptic room 3 to 5 Control side optical communication device 10 Unmanned vehicle 11 Controlled side optical communication device 14 Push-up engagement pin 20 Sterilization processing device 27 Sterilization device control panel 30 Main computer (central control means) 40 Destination instruction Board 50 Sterilization trolley L Taxiway OP Operating room ST Charging station

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An unmanned traveling vehicle that automatically travels to transfer medical equipment, a required number of sterilization apparatuses arranged in a sterilization chamber, and the unmanned vehicles laid via each sterilization apparatus and each ward. A guideway for guiding the traveling route of the traveling vehicle, a destination indicating means for instructing the destination of the unmanned traveling vehicle, a controlled side optical communication means mounted on the unmanned traveling vehicle, a front surface of each sterilization apparatus and each A control side optical communication means for transmitting and receiving an optical signal to and from a controlled side optical communication means of an unmanned traveling vehicle which is arranged at a stop position of the unmanned traveling vehicle such as in a ward, and the unmanned traveling vehicle, each sterilization processing device And a central control means for selecting and executing a predetermined operation command such as running / stopping of an unmanned vehicle, loading / unloading operation of medical equipment, and a sterilization process step of a sterilization processing device in response to a signal from a destination instructing means. Characteristic doctor Equipment sterilization and conveyance system. 2. The taxiway according to claim 1, wherein the taxiway is laid via a charging station for charging a waiting unmanned vehicle, and the charging station is also provided with control side optical communication means. A sterilization / transportation system for medical equipment. 3. The guideway according to claim 1, wherein the guideway is laid via a sterile room for storing sterilized medical equipment, and control side optical communication means is also provided in each storage space in the sterile room. A sterilization / transportation system for medical equipment characterized by the following. 4. The sterilization / transportation system for medical equipment according to claim 1, wherein the sterilization processing device includes a thermal steam sterilization device, a gas sterilization device, and a gas aerator. 5. The sterilization / conveyance system for medical equipment according to claim 1, wherein the unmanned traveling vehicle is capable of connecting and disconnecting with a sterilization cart on which medical equipment is loaded.