JP2574288B2 - Cleaning sterilization method - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning and sterilizing method suitable for cleaning and sterilizing a medical device including a contact lens.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, contact lenses have been used mainly by young women because they have higher fashionability than wearing glasses, as well as for medical use. However, there is a disadvantage that it takes time to clean and sterilize. That is, when it is worn on the eye, eye oil and protein stains and various bacteria in the tear adhere to the eyes, and hand rubs and the like during handling adhere. In addition, since the lens becomes cloudy due to the dirt, cleaning is required at regular intervals. Commercially available contact lenses can be broadly classified into hydrated and non-hydrated contact lenses.In particular, hydrated contact lenses are porous with a large number of micron-order vents through which oxygen can pass. Therefore, since organic contaminants and bacteria enter the pores, cleaning and sterilization are extremely troublesome.

The necessity of washing and sterilization and the mounting of a dirty lens on the eye have caused a new eye disease to occur in the medical community.

Conventional methods for cleaning and disinfecting conventional soft contact lenses include hand washing with surfactants, removal of proteins with enzymes and oxidants, and about 15 to kill fungi. It required a minute of boiling and a rinse with stored water between each washing step.

Another cleaning means other than those described above is Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 49-1041.
No. 65, a method for cleaning by vibrating a contact lens in a cleaning liquid, or as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-16629, the temperature of the cleaning liquid is 77 to 93 ° C., the vibration intensity is 10 W or more, and the frequency range is 20 to 100KHz ultrasonic cleaning method, Tokiko Sho 60
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. -2055, a number of cleaning means have been proposed, such as a method in which a current is passed while a contact lens is immersed in a saline solution to generate and disinfect hypochlorite in the saline solution.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, the conventional general cleaning method as described above not only takes much trouble, but also frequently causes deformation and damage of the object to be cleaned at the time of cleaning, and sometimes loses it. There was a disadvantage that the possibility was large.

Further, the cleaning method as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 49-104165 has such a low cleaning effect that not only protein but also dirt on eye oil cannot be sufficiently removed. The use of cavitation by sound waves improves the detergency, but is insufficient to remove protein stains.
The ultrasonic vibrator generally changes due to heat and its life is remarkably reduced. Therefore, there is a drawback that it is impossible to use heating and ultrasonic waves in common. Furthermore, the method of generating and disinfecting hypochlorite as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-2055 requires a small amount of cleaning effect, and requires separate hand cleaning with a surfactant and removal of proteins with enzymes and oxidizing agents. Had the disadvantage that

In view of the above problems, the present invention is capable of washing proteins, oils and fats, hand stains, etc. and sterilizing bacteria, viruses, etc., and minimizes the possibility of deformation, breakage, and loss of a body to be washed such as a lens. It can be washed, sterilized and neutralized in a short time, and has a highly reliable washing, sterilizing and neutralizing effect, and a cleaning and sterilizing method that takes into account the safety of the body such as eyes and skin. To provide.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the cleaning and disinfecting method of the present invention comprises placing an electrolytic solution containing chloride in a container, partitioning the electrolytic solution with an ion exchange membrane and a shield. An electrode is arranged via an ion-exchange membrane, an acidic solution and an alkaline solution are generated by applying a current to the electrolytic solution, and the alkaline solution is immersed in the generated alkaline solution while the alkaline solution is immersed. And a cleaning and disinfecting method in which the object to be cleaned is cleaned by applying a physical force thereto, and then the shield is moved to mix and neutralize the acidic solution and the alkaline solution to sterilize the object to be cleaned.

Action Since the present invention is for cleaning and disinfecting dirt on a body to be cleaned such as a contact lens by the above-described method, the action of dispersing and dissolving eye oil and protein in an alkaline solution and the action of physical force to remove eye oil and protein. Remove in a short time.

In addition, when hypochlorous acid generated in the acidic solution comes into contact with the object to be cleaned, and when hypochlorite generated by reacting with electrolytic ions in the alkaline solution comes into contact with the object to be cleaned, Demonstrates an effective sterilizing effect.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a cleaning device in which a cleaning tank 4 containing a contact lens 2 and an electrolytic solution 3 of 0.9% physiological saline is set in an ultrasonic water tank 6 containing water 5. 7 is an ion exchange membrane 8
The upper lid is integrated with the partition wall 9 on which is adhered. When the upper lid 7 is pushed in, the gap between the bottom 10 of the cleaning tank 4 and the partition wall 9 is formed.
Simultaneously with the disappearance of 11, the push-out pin 12 is pressed, the switch 14 of the electric circuit 13 is turned on, and the first timer 16 for returning the claw 15 for fixing the push-out pin 12 is also operated.

The first timer 16 is a 10-minute timer, and the upper lid 7 is 10
One minute later, the pawl 15 is pulled back by the magnetic force, so that the protruding pin 12 protrudes by the spring 17 and is lifted upward. That is, in that state, the original gap 11 is generated between the bottom 10 of the storage case 4 and the partition 9.

Numeral 18 denotes a negative electrode which is conductive due to the contact between the negative side of the DC power supply 19 and the A terminal 20 and the B terminal 21. Similarly, reference numeral 22 denotes a negative electrode which is also connected to the positive side of the DC power supply 19 and the C terminal 23 and the D terminal 24. It is a conducting positive electrode.

The DC power supply 19 is controlled by a second timer 25, which is a five minute timer.

Reference numeral 26 denotes an ultrasonic oscillator fixed to the bottom of the ultrasonic water tank 6 by a fixing jig 27 and a screw 28, and the ultrasonic oscillation circuit 28 oscillates an ultrasonic wave of about 200 KHz. The ultrasonic oscillation circuit 28
Is controlled by a third timer 29, which is a 15 minute timer.

Next, a method of cleaning and sterilizing the contact lens 2 having such a configuration will be described.

First, a predetermined amount of water 5 is put into an ultrasonic water tank 6, and further, an electrolytic solution 3, which is 0.9% physiological saline, and a contact lens 2 are put into a cleaning tank 4, which is a storage case, and set in the cleaning device 1. . At this time, the contact lens 2 is placed on the negative electrode 18 side. Next, the upper lid 7 integrated with the partition 9 to which the ion exchange membrane 8 is adhered is set at a predetermined position, and is pushed from above. Due to this pushing action, the protruding pin 12 is
The switch 14 of the electric circuit 13 is
It turns ON, and three timers are activated.

The second timer 25, which is a 5-minute timer, controls the DC power supply 19. The DC power supply 19 operates for 5 minutes, and the electrolytic solution 3 is energized through the negative electrode 18 and the positive electrode 22. That is, since 0.9% physiological saline is used as the electrolyte 3, water electrolysis occurs on the negative electrode 18 side, and the negative electrode 18
Hydrogen gas is generated from the surface 18, hydroxyl ions are generated in the electrolytic solution 3, and an alkaline solution is generated. In addition, on the positive electrode 22 side, decomposition of salt occurs to generate chlorine gas, and also electrolysis of water occurs, and hydrogen ions are generated in the electrolytic solution to become an acidic solution. Since chlorine gas is very soluble in water, it is dissolved in the electrolyte 3 and exists as hypochlorous acid. That is, the liquid in the tank on the side of the negative electrode 18 formed by the partition walls 9 on which the ion-exchange patterns 8 are adhered becomes an alkaline liquid, and the liquid on the side of the positive electrode 22 generates an acidic liquid containing hypochlorous acid. .

This alkaline solution causes an ionic reaction with free fatty acids present in the eye oil adhering to the surface of the contact lens 2,
It produces a cationic surfactant, ie soap, which can emulsify and disperse residual neutral fats and oils with its surfactant activity. In addition, since proteins are dissolved and dispersed in an alkaline solution, there is no need to separately add a surfactant, oxygen, an oxidizing agent, or the like.

Here, the current value was 3 mA, and the amount of the electrolytic solution was 40 cc. As a result, the pH on the negative electrode 18 side after 5 minutes was about 10.5.

A first timer 16 which is a 10-minute timer is a timer for controlling a time until a magnetic force for pulling back the claw 15 is applied.
Is disengaged from the claw 15, so that the upper lid 7 protrudes due to the force of the spring 17. That is, since a gap is formed between the partition wall 9 and the bottom 10 of the storage case 4, the alkaline solution on the negative electrode 18 side and the acidic solution containing hypochlorous acid on the positive electrode 22 side are mixed, and the electrolytic solution 3 It will be neutralized.

The third timer 29 which is a 15 minute timer is an ultrasonic oscillation circuit
With the timer controlling 28, the ultrasonic oscillator 26 continues to operate for 15 minutes. That is, when the contact lens 2 is immersed in the alkaline solution, the cleaning with the alkaline solution is further promoted, and the partition 9 and the bottom 10 of the storage case 4 are removed.
When the alkaline liquid and the acidic liquid are mixed, stirring helps to complete the neutralization. In addition, ultrasonic waves have the power to acidify the solution due to the oxidizing power of cavitation, and also have the effect of neutralizing the solution slightly inclined to the alkaline side by electrolysis of 0.9% physiological saline. Liquid 3 directly into contact lens 2
It is a liquid that is safe even if it is attached.

Incidentally, the pH of the alkaline solution was set to 10.5 in the example, but if it was 10 or less, the cleaning effect was extremely reduced, and if it was 12 or more, the material of the soft contact lens could be adversely affected. The optimum was 10 or more and 12 or less.

The reason why the 5-minute timer is used as the second timer 25 is that the time required for adjusting the pH to 10.5 was 5 minutes when the washing tank 4 used in the embodiment was 40 cc and the current value was 3 mA. The optimum value varies depending on the capacity of the cleaning tank 4 and the current value. The reason for using the first timer 16 for 10 minutes is that the washing is completed in about 3 to 5 minutes after the pH shows 10.5, and can be changed within the range of 8 to 15 minutes. . The reason why the third timer 29 is a 15-minute timer is
After opening the gap 11, a mixing time by ultrasonic waves for neutralization is required, which is longer than the first timer 16, and is not limited to 15 minutes.

The ion exchange membrane 8 is one in which hydrogen ions, hydroxyl ions, sodium ions, and chloride ions in the electrolyte 3 pass and exchange ions, but do not mix the electrolyte 3 itself. That is, the exchange of hydrogen ions or hydroxyl ions changes the pH of each tank, but the predetermined pH value is maintained because there is no mixing of the electrolytic solution 3 itself by ultrasonic vibration.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the electrolytic solution 3, which is a physiological saline solution as a chloride, is partitioned by the ion exchange membrane 8 and the partition 9 as an openable and closable shield, and a current flows through the electrolytic solution 3. Thereby, an acidic solution and an alkaline solution are generated, and the contact lens 2 as a body to be cleaned is contained in the generated alkaline solution.
Is washed by applying a stirring force as a physical force to the alkaline liquid and the object to be cleaned 2 in a state of being immersed. After the cleaning, the shield 9 is opened and the acidic liquid and the object to be cleaned 2 and the alkaline liquid are separated. This is a cleaning and sterilizing method characterized by mixing, sterilizing and neutralizing, and the following effects are obtained by performing the above-described cleaning step.

(1) Complex stains such as proteins, oils and fats, and dirt adhering to the body 2 to be washed can be easily and completely removed without using a detergent.
Furthermore, bacteria, viruses, and the like can be easily sterilized and bleached, so that labor, time, and cost as in the related art are not required.

(2) Immediately after washing, neutralization of the body to be cleaned 2 and the alkaline solution 3 as a cleaning solution is reliably performed, so that the cleaning solution 3 is safe even if it touches the skin, and the body to be cleaned 2 is applied to the body such as eyes. It is safe to wear, and there is no concern about polluting the environment even if the washing liquid 3 is allowed to flow into the sewage.

(3) Since the neutralized cleaning liquid 3 contains hypochlorite, it is suitable for preserving the object to be cleaned in a sterile state for a certain period of time.

In addition, by applying a physical force when neutralizing, the neutralization time is shortened, and the sterilization and neutralization of the cleaning target 2 are reliably performed. If a salt solution is used as the electrolyte, washing can be performed easily and the cost can be reduced.By setting the pH of the alkaline solution to 10 or more and 12 or less, a sufficient cleaning effect can be obtained, and mistakes can be made during cleaning. Reaching someone does not hurt you. Stirring eliminates uneven ion concentration, and enables uniform and effective cleaning of the entire body 2 to be cleaned. The use of ultrasonic waves at this time has a particularly high cleaning effect and is also effective for sterilization. When used at the time of neutralization after cleaning, fine pH adjustment is possible.

Furthermore, the contact lens 2 as a medical device is particularly liable to be stained with proteins, fatty acids, and neutral fats and oils, and is difficult to wash with a general detergent and requires a high degree of sterilization.
The cleaning and sterilizing method of the present invention is suitable. A water-absorbing material such as a soft contact lens is more suitable because dirt is sucked therein.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention provides an electrolytic solution containing a chloride, which is separated by an ion exchange membrane and an openable / closable shield, and an acidic solution and an alkaline solution are generated by applying a current to the electrolytic solution. ,
The cleaning is performed by applying physical force to the alkaline solution and the object to be cleaned while the object to be cleaned is immersed in the generated alkaline solution.After the cleaning, the shield is opened, and the acid solution and the object to be cleaned are opened. This is a cleaning and disinfecting method characterized by mixing with an alkaline solution, disinfecting and neutralizing, and the following effects are obtained by taking the above-mentioned cleaning step.

(1) Complex stains such as proteins, oils and grease attached to the object to be washed can be easily and completely removed without using a detergent, and bacteria and viruses can be easily sterilized and bleached. It doesn't take the trouble, time and cost like.

(2) Immediately after washing, neutralization of the object to be washed and the washing liquid is ensured, so that the washing liquid is safe even if it touches the skin,
It is safe to put the object to be washed on the body such as eyes, and there is no concern about polluting the environment even if the washing solution is allowed to flow into the sewage.

(3) Since the neutralized cleaning solution contains hypochlorite, it is suitable for preserving the object to be cleaned in a sterile state for a certain period.

In addition, by applying a physical force when neutralizing, the neutralization time is shortened, and sterilization and neutralization of the object to be cleaned are reliably performed. If a salt solution is used as the electrolyte, washing can be performed easily and the cost can be reduced.By setting the pH of the alkaline solution to 10 or more and 12 or less, a sufficient cleaning effect can be obtained, and during the cleaning, If someone accidentally puts your hand on you, it won't damage you. Stirring eliminates uneven ion concentration and enables uniform and effective cleaning of the entire object to be cleaned. The use of ultrasonic waves at this time has a particularly high cleaning effect and is also effective for sterilization. When used at the time of neutralization after cleaning, fine pH adjustment is possible.

Furthermore, since the medical device is particularly liable to be stained with proteins, fatty acids, and neutral fats and oils, it is difficult to wash with a general detergent and a high degree of sterilization is required. Therefore, the cleaning and sterilizing method of the present invention is suitable. A water-absorbing material is more suitable because dirt is sucked into it. A contact lens is also a kind of medical device, and the cleaning and disinfecting method of the present invention is optimal for a soft contact lens having water absorption.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning apparatus showing one embodiment of the present invention,
2 is a cross-sectional view showing the claw portion when the upper lid of the device is pushed in, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device when the upper lid protrudes, FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram of the device, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the same device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cleaning apparatus, 2 ... Cleaning object, 3 ... Electrolyte, 4 ...
... cleaning tank, 7 ... top lid, 8 ... ion exchange membrane, 9 ...
Partition wall, 14 switch, 16 first timer, 18 negative electrode, 22 positive electrode, 25 second timer, 28 ultrasonic oscillation circuit, 29 third timer.

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] An electrolyte solution containing chloride is placed in a container, the electrolyte solution is partitioned by an ion exchange membrane and a shield, electrodes are arranged via the ion exchange membrane, and a current flows through the electrolyte solution. An acidic solution and an alkaline solution are generated by washing the object to be cleaned by applying physical force to the alkaline solution and the object to be cleaned in a state where the object to be cleaned is immersed in the generated alkaline solution. And dissolving the mixture by mixing the acidic solution and the alkaline solution, neutralizing the mixture, and sterilizing the object to be cleaned. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a physical force is further applied during neutralization. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the chloride is sodium chloride. 4. The cleaning and sterilizing method according to claim 1, wherein the pH of the alkaline solution is adjusted to 10 or more and 12 or less. 5. The cleaning and sterilizing method according to claim 1, wherein a stirring force is used as a physical force. 6. The cleaning and sterilizing method according to claim 5, wherein an ultrasonic wave is used as a stirring force as a physical force. 7. The cleaning / sterilizing method according to claim 1, wherein the object to be cleaned is a medical device. 8. The cleaning / sterilizing method according to claim 1, wherein the object to be cleaned has water absorbency. 9. The cleaning and sterilizing method according to claim 1, wherein the object to be cleaned is a contact lens.