JP5087382B2 - Endoscope packaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope packaging apparatus for packaging an endoscope in a packaging bag, and more particularly to an endoscope packaging apparatus for packaging an endoscope after reprocessing in a packaging bag.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the medical field, endoscopes that can directly observe the inside of a body cavity of a subject are actively used in order to accurately inspect the presence or absence of a lesion or the like. In an inspection using an endoscope, a flexible elongated insertion portion is inserted into the subject's body from the oral cavity or the like, and the body cavity of the subject is imaged by a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD provided at the distal end of the insertion portion. To do. And the image obtained by imaging is observed with a monitor.

  On the surface of the endoscope used in the examination, mucus, blood, dirt, microorganisms, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as pollutants) of the subject adhere. In addition, inside the insertion portion, there are provided a channel for supplying air and water, a channel for inserting a treatment instrument, and the like, and contaminants enter the inside of these channels. Therefore, after the inspection is finished, the endoscope used in the inspection is immediately subjected to a cleaning process (so-called pre-cleaning) for simply removing contaminants at the bedside. Then, after pre-cleaning, cleaning and disinfection processing (so-called reprocessing processing) is performed more closely and used again.

  When a reprocessed clean endoscope is stored in the air as it is, dust and dirt in the air adhere to the surface of the endoscope and the inside of the channel, and microorganisms contained in the air adhere to the surface of the endoscope. It grows inside the channel and gets contaminated again. In order to prevent such recontamination of the endoscope, a sterilization package (Patent Document 1) that is packaged while maintaining a sterilized state, a storage case that performs high-temperature steam sterilization (Patent Document 2), and a window that transmits ultraviolet rays The sterilization container (patent document 3) etc. which provided are proposed.

Further, the reprocess processing requires complicated work and a large-scale and expensive reprocess processing apparatus. Therefore, if you try to carry out not only pre-cleaning but also reprocessing at individual laboratories such as hospitals, the efficiency of inspections that should be performed due to complicated reprocessing will deteriorate, and the introduction of reprocessing equipment will be enormous. There is a problem that is necessary. Therefore, in recent years, a reprocessing facility that exclusively performs reprocessing is provided separately from the laboratory, and the laboratory receives a loan of a clean endoscope that has been reprocessed and performs an inspection. An endoscope rental system in which a cleaned used endoscope is collected again in a reprocessing facility and the used endoscope is reprocessed is being studied.
JP 2002-533191 A JP-A-5-337081 JP 2006-087514 A

  In the sterilization package of Patent Document 1, when the air in the package is slightly contaminated with microorganisms, the microorganisms grow over time, and therefore when stored for a long time before the endoscope is used again. It is difficult to keep the endoscope clean with this sterilization package. Moreover, since the storage case of patent document 2 and the sterilization container of patent document 3 are large-scale and expensive, it is difficult to introduce a new one.

  In addition, since reprocessing facilities handle a large number of endoscopes, endoscopes that are to be reprocessed one after another must be kept in good condition if they are not packaged quickly after reprocessing. Even if a packaging bag or the like that can be used is used, the risk of recontamination increases. If a large number of workers perform packaging work to reduce the time required to package the reprocessed endoscope, the cost of the rental endoscope will increase, and as a result, the endoscope will be rented. This will hinder the spread of the system. For these reasons, it is required to package the endoscope after the reprocessing process in a good state quickly and automatically immediately after the reprocessing process.

  In addition, since endoscopes vary in size, such as the length of the insertion portion, depending on the type of examination, it is usually necessary to provide individual packaging devices according to the type of endoscope to be packaged. When packaging different types of endoscopes such as lengths with a single packaging device, it is necessary to use a packaging bag of a size suitable for the longest endoscope. As a result, there arises a problem that the material of the packaging bag when packaging a relatively small endoscope becomes wasteful. In addition, if the size of the packaging bag is adjusted to a relatively small endoscope, the endoscope larger than the packaging bag will be packaged with the insertion part that tends to bend and bend in a curved state. The problem arises that it becomes difficult to ensure the above. For this reason, there is a need for an endoscope packaging apparatus that not only packages the endoscope regardless of the size of the endoscope, but also packages appropriately according to each size.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the endoscope after reprocessing is placed in a packaging bag of an appropriate size according to the size of the endoscope after the reprocessing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope packaging device that can be packaged immediately and automatically.

The endoscope packaging apparatus of the present invention is an endoscope packaging apparatus that wraps an endoscope after cleaning and disinfection processing in a packaging bag, an information acquisition unit that acquires type information of the endoscope, and the information acquisition Length determining means for determining the length of the endoscope to be packaged based on the type information acquired by the means, and a length corresponding to the length of the endoscope determined by the length determining means and packaging material supply means for supplying the packaging material, the packaging material the packaging material supplied from the supply means, the endoscope forms a housing portion having a length corresponding to the length of the endoscope Storage portion forming means for storing a mirror in the storage portion . Note that the length of the endoscope is, for example, a length obtained by combining the insertion portion and the operation portion that are straightly stretched in the endoscope to be packaged, or the insertion portion and the operation portion that are curved. And the combined length.

  The packaging material supply means includes a display unit forming unit that forms a display unit that displays the type information of the endoscope to be packaged, and the packaging material supply unit includes the storage unit and the display unit. It is characterized by supplying.

Further, the information acquisition means acquires a cleaning / disinfecting process result indicating whether or not the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting process has been normally completed as the type information. In this case, it is preferable to include a warning display means for displaying a warning when the result of the cleaning / disinfecting process of the endoscope to be packaged indicates that the cleaning / disinfecting process is not normally completed.

  In addition, a gas supply means for supplying an inert gas into the storage portion is provided, and the supply amount of the inert gas is adjusted according to the length of the endoscope determined by the length determination means. And

  According to the present invention, the length of the endoscope packaged in the packaging bag is determined, and the packaging material is supplied according to the determined length and the storage portion is formed. Can be packaged in a packaging bag of an appropriate size according to the size of the endoscope immediately and automatically after reprocessing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope rental system 11 is provided with a dedicated reprocessing facility 13 for performing reprocessing processing such as careful cleaning and disinfection of a used endoscope 12, and using the endoscope 12. And a laboratory 14 such as a hospital or an examination center that conducts examinations. By renting a clean endoscope 12 to the endoscope rental system 11 from the reprocessing facility 13 to the inspection laboratory 14 as necessary, it is possible to use an inexpensive, efficient and hygienic endoscope. It is a system to promote.

  The inspection laboratory 14 and the reprocessing facility 13 are connected to each other via a communication network such as a telephone line or the Internet, and exchange of information such as application for rental and notification of delivery date and collection date is performed online.

  In the laboratory 14, a doctor determines a necessary examination type based on the information of the subject such as a past illness and a current symptom. The types of examination using the endoscope 12 include, for example, upper gastrointestinal examination, lower gastrointestinal examination, bronchial examination, biliary examination, EMR (endoscopic mucosal resection), ESD (endoscopic submucosa) Incision and ablation). The endoscope 12 used for such various examinations is required to have different shapes and sizes depending on the characteristics of each examination. The inspection laboratory 14 requests the reprocessing facility 13 to lend the endoscope 12 according to the inspection to be performed, etc. via the communication network.

  In the inspection laboratory 14, the examinee is inspected using the clean endoscope 12 delivered and delivered from the reprocessing facility 13 by the truck 16 or the like, and immediately after that, the pre-test of the endoscope 12 is performed at the bedside. Cleaning is performed. That is, contaminants such as mucus, blood, and filth of the subject adhering to the endoscope 12 in an examination or the like are washed away. The used endoscope 12 that has been pre-cleaned in this manner is temporarily stored in a predetermined place provided in the inspection laboratory 14 and then collected again in the reprocessing facility 13 by the truck 16 or the like.

  The reprocessing facility 13 collects the collected used endoscope 12 according to the type of endoscope 12, the type of examination, the degree of contaminants remaining after pre-cleaning, etc. The mirror 12 is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Thus, the endoscope 12 is restored to a usable state again and stored in a predetermined place provided in the reprocessing facility 13.

  In the endoscope rental system 11, the endoscope 12 after the reprocessing process is subjected to a reprocessing processing facility after being subjected to the reprocessing process and before being ordered from the inspection laboratory 14, depending on the case. The state stored in 13 continues. When the reprocessed endoscope 12 is stored for a long time, microorganisms contained in the air adhere to and grow on the surface or inside of the endoscope 12, or dirt such as dust adheres. In spite of the reprocessing treatment, there is a risk of contamination again. In order to solve this problem, in the endoscope rental system 11, the endoscope 12 before and after use is stored and delivered in the reprocessing facility 13 while being stored in the packaging bag 21.

  The reprocessing facility 13 is provided with an endoscope packaging device 22 (hereinafter abbreviated as a packaging device, see FIG. 3) for sealing and packaging the clean endoscope 12 in a packaging bag 21 immediately after the reprocessing treatment. Yes. The endoscope 12 after the reprocessing process is sealed and packaged in the packaging bag 21 by the packaging device 22 until it is required from the inspection laboratory 14, sometimes for a considerable period of time. It is stored in a predetermined place provided in 13. The endoscope 12 is also delivered in a state of being sealed and packaged in the packaging bag 21 when rented from the reprocessing facility 13 to the inspection laboratory 14.

  The packaging bag 21 stores the clean endoscope 12 that has been subjected to the reprocessing process, and stores the pre-cleaned used endoscope 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the packaging bag 21 has a sheet material 31 (FIG. 3) made of a transparent (or translucent) resin such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride formed in a cylindrical shape so as to open in the longitudinal direction. Reference). The packaging bag 21 includes a handle portion 36, a storage portion 37, and a display portion 38, which are separated by linear seals 32a and 32b formed by thermocompression bonding.

  The handle portion 36 is provided at one end of the packaging bag 21 and is provided with a hole 39. The packaging bag 21 is suspended in such a manner that the hole 39 is provided in a dedicated rack (not shown) and is hooked on the hook, and the plurality of packaging bags 21 each store the endoscope 12. Stored in a tidy rack.

  The display unit 38 displays the type information of the endoscope 12 stored in the packaging bag 21. The type information displayed on the display unit 38 includes, for example, an ID for identifying each endoscope 12, the date and time when the reprocessing process is performed, the use of the endoscope 12, and the like. As will be described later, the type information displayed on the display unit 38 displays not all items of the type information that the packaging device 22 obtains from the reprocessing apparatus, but some items of particularly important type information.

  The storage unit 37 is provided with a length corresponding to the total length of the endoscope 12 including the insertion unit 41 and the operation unit 42 inserted into the body cavity of the subject, and is provided outside the packaging bag 21. On the other hand, it is provided so that it can be kept airtightly isolated for a long time. The boundary between the storage unit 37 and the display unit 38 is sealed with a linear seal 32a, the boundary between the storage unit 37 and the handle unit 36 is sealed with a linear seal 32b, and the storage unit 37 is cleaned after reprocessing. A flexible endoscope 12 is hermetically stored. The storage portion 37 is provided with a length substantially the same as the entire length of the endoscope 12, and stores the endoscope 12 in a state where the insertion portion 41 is straightened. Further, the storage portion 37 is provided with a locking seal 46. The locking seal 46 locks the endoscope 12 in the vicinity of the boundary between the operation unit 42 and the universal cord 47, and the insertion unit 41 is internally viewed when the packaging bag 21 is suspended and stored in the hole 39. Prevents bending due to the weight of the mirror.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the packaging device 22 is a device for packaging the endoscope 12 after reprocessing with a packaging bag 21, and manufacturing the packaging bag 21 and packaging the endoscope 12 with the packaging bag 21. Perform in parallel. The packaging device 22 includes a material roll 51 and a delivery roller 52. The material roll 51 wraps a long transparent (or translucent) resin-made sheet material 31 which is a material of the packaging bag, and stores the material roll 51 in a compact manner. The sheet material 31 is provided in a cylindrical shape in advance, and a cross-sectional portion perpendicular to the winding direction of the material roll 51 is opened. The feeding roller 52 pulls out the sheet material 31 from the material roll 51 and sends it out toward a conveyance path (not shown) for conveying the drawn sheet material 31.

  The packaging device 22 is provided with a cutter 53, a printing unit 56, a first sealer 57, a second sealer 58, and a puncher 59 in order from the upstream side in the feeding direction of the sheet material 31. These are arranged along the conveyance path of the sheet material 31. In addition to the delivery roller 52, a plurality of transport rollers for transporting the sheet material 31 are positioned in the transport path in an appropriate sense, but the illustration is omitted in order to avoid complexity of the drawing. Further, the carry-out roller, the material roll 51, and the delivery roller 52 are driven by a motor (not shown).

  The cutter 53 cuts the sheet material 31 fed from the material roll 51 and cuts the sheet material 31 having an appropriate length from the packaging bag 21 to be produced.

  The first sealer 57 is composed of a pair of bar heaters arranged facing each other across the conveyance path of the sheet material 31. The 1st sealer 57 is provided so that the space | interval between rod-shaped heaters may open and close centering on a conveyance path. Further, the rod-shaped heater constituting the first sealer 57 is provided with uniform linear teeth corresponding to the linear seal 32a. The first sealer 57 sandwiches the sheet material 31a so as to match the teeth of the rod heater, thereby thermocompression bonding the front and back of the sheet material 31 to form a linear seal 32a. A portion between the linear seal 32 a formed by the first sealer 57 and a portion cut by the cutter 53 is a display unit 38.

  The second sealer 58 is composed of a rod-shaped heater disposed facing each other across the conveyance path of the sheet material 31. The 2nd sealer 58 is provided so that the space | interval between rod-shaped heaters may open and close centering on a conveyance path. Further, the rod-shaped heater constituting the first sealer 57 is provided with uniform linear teeth corresponding to the linear seal 32b. The 2nd sealer 58 carries out the thermocompression bonding of the front and back of the sheet material 31 by pinching the sheet material 31a so that the tooth | gear part of a rod-shaped heater may match | combine, and forms the linear seal | sticker 32b. A portion between the linear seal 32b formed by the second sealer 58 and the downstream end of the sheet material 31a is the handle portion 36. The endoscope 12 to be packaged is inserted into the sheet material 31a after the first sealer 57 forms the linear seal 32a.

  Further, the second sealer 58 is disposed at a reference position that is separated from the first sealer 57 by a distance of an average length of the endoscope 12. The second sealer 58 is movable up and down along the feeding direction of the sheet material 31. When packaging the average length of the endoscope 12, the second sealer 58 remains in the reference position. When packaging the endoscope 12 that is longer (shorter) than the average length, the endoscope 12 is moved from the reference position to the downstream side (upstream side) in the delivery direction. The specific amount of movement of the second sealer 58 is determined according to the length of the endoscope 12 to be packaged.

  The first sealer 57 and the second sealer 58 constitute a storage portion forming sealer 61 (storage portion forming means) that forms the storage portion 37 in the packaging bag 21. The material roll 51, the delivery roller 52, and the cutter 53 constitute a sheet material supply unit 62 (packaging material supply unit) that supplies the sheet material 31 a that is the material of the packaging bag 21 to the storage unit forming sealer 61.

  A locking sealer (not shown) is provided between the first sealer 57 and the second sealer 58, and is a pair parallel to the feeding direction of the sheet material 31 arranged facing each other across the conveyance path of the sheet material 31a. It consists of a bar heater. The locking sealer is provided so that the interval between the bar heaters opens and closes around the conveyance path. Further, the rod-shaped heater constituting the locking sealer is provided with a linear tooth portion corresponding to the locking seal 46. The locking sealer forms a locking seal 46 by thermocompression of the front and back of the sheet material 31a by sandwiching the sheet material 31a so as to match the teeth of the rod heater.

  The printing unit 56 is provided between the cutter 53 and the first sealer 57. The printing unit 56 wraps the ID of the endoscope 12 to be packaged, the date on which reprocessing is performed, the type of the endoscope 12, and the package between the cut portion of the sheet material 31 a by the cutter 53 and the linear seal 32 a. The type information of the endoscope 12 such as whether or not the reprocessing process has been normally performed on the endoscope 12 is printed. Further, the puncher 59 is provided with a hole 39 in the handle portion 36.

  The packaging device 22 includes an exhaust unit 66, an information acquisition unit 67, a length determination unit 68, a warning display unit 38, and a control unit 71.

  The exhaust unit 66 includes an exhaust nozzle 76 and an exhaust pump 77, and exhausts the air in the storage unit 37 when the storage unit 37 is sealed. The exhaust nozzle 76 is inserted into the sheet material 31a to the vicinity of the second sealer 58 when the second sealer 58 forms the linear seal 32b after the endoscope 12 is inserted into the sheet material 31a. Further, the formation of the linear seal 32 b by the second sealer 58 described above is performed in a state where the exhaust pump 77 continues to exhaust the air in the storage portion 37 from the exhaust nozzle 76.

  The information acquisition unit 67 acquires the ID of the endoscope 12 to be packaged from the reprocess processing device 78. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 67 refers to the database 82 in which the type information 81 of the endoscope 12 handled in the reprocessing facility 13 is registered in advance for the acquired ID of the endoscope 12, and the endoscope 12 is packaged. Type information 81 is acquired. The type information 81 acquired by the information acquisition unit 67 includes, for example, the type (use) of the endoscope to be packaged, length information, the date and time when the reprocessing process was performed, and whether the reprocessing process ended normally. There is a reprocessing result indicating whether or not.

  The length discriminating unit 68 discriminates the length of the endoscope 12 to be packaged by referring to the length information among the type information 81 of the endoscope 12 to be packaged, and sends out the sheet material 31 by the feed roller 52. The amount, the moving direction and the moving amount of the second sealer 58 are determined. Based on the length of the endoscope 12 determined by the length determination unit 68, each unit of the packaging device 22 such as the sheet material supply unit 62 and the storage unit forming sealer 61 is controlled.

  The warning display unit 69 refers to the reprocess processing result in the type information 81 of the endoscope 12 to be packaged, and monitors the process of the packaging device 22 when the reprocess processing is not normally completed. At 83, a warning that the reprocessing process of the endoscope 12 to be packaged is not normally performed is displayed.

  The control unit 71 comprehensively controls the operation timing of each unit of the packaging device 22. For example, the sheet material 31 is cut by the cutter 53 when the amount of the sheet material 31 determined by the length determination unit 68 is fed by the feed roller 52. Further, for example, the second sealer 58 is moved in accordance with the moving direction and the moving amount determined by the length determining unit 68, and the appropriate storage unit 37 is formed in the endoscope 12 to be packaged.

  In the packaging device 22 configured as described above, when the endoscope 12 after reprocessing is delivered from the reprocessing device 78 as shown in FIG. Get the ID of the mirror 12. In addition, by referring to the database 82, the type information 81 of the endoscope 12 is acquired from the reprocess processing device 78.

  Then, from the acquired type information 81, the length determination unit 68 determines the length of the endoscope 12 to be packaged. Furthermore, the packaging device 22 sends out a sheet material 31 having an appropriate length according to the length of the endoscope 12 to be packaged, cuts the sheet material 31a, and the second sealer 58 with the length of the endoscope 12. Move to a position according to.

  When the second sealer 58 is moved to a position where the size of the storage portion 37 is suitable for the endoscope 12 to be packaged, a linear seal 32a is formed by the first sealer 57, and the sheet material 31a is internally viewed. A mirror 12 is inserted.

  The linear seal 32b is formed by the second sealer 58 while exhausting the air in the sheet material 31a so that the air remaining in the storage portion 37 is reduced as much as possible. The endoscope 12 is sealed. Furthermore, the type information 81 of the endoscope 12 is printed on the display unit 38, and the hole 39 is provided in the handle 36, whereby the packaging of the endoscope 12 is completed.

  As described above, the packaging device 22 determines the feeding amount of the sheet material 31 and the moving direction and moving amount of the second sealer 58 according to the length of the endoscope 12 according to the length of the endoscope 12 to be packaged. Therefore, the endoscopes 12 having different lengths depending on the types can be packaged automatically and appropriately without waste of materials.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the endoscope 12 is stored in the storage unit 37, the air in the storage unit 37 is exhausted. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and an inert gas such as nitrogen is stored in the storage unit 37. May be filled.

  For example, an air supply unit 92 (gas supply means) is provided in addition to the exhaust unit 66 as in the packaging device 91 shown in FIG. The air supply unit 92 includes a gas cylinder 93 filled with nitrogen gas and an air supply nozzle 94. The amount of nitrogen gas fed from the gas cylinder 93 is adjusted by opening / closing control of the valve 96 by the control unit 71. Similarly to the exhaust nozzle 76, the air supply nozzle 94 is inserted into the sheet material 31a when the linear seal 32b is provided, and supplies nitrogen gas fed from the gas cylinder 93 into the sheet material 31a.

  The packaging device 22 provided with the air supply unit 92 in this manner exhausts the gas in the storage unit 37 by the exhaust unit 66, and then supplies nitrogen gas into the storage unit 37 by the air supply unit 92. Is sealed in the storage portion 37.

  Since the endoscope 12 packaged by the packaging device 22 has a nitrogen gas atmosphere in the sealed storage unit 37, the packaged endoscope 12 is contaminated again by microorganisms in the air remaining in the storage unit. Is prevented.

  Furthermore, the endoscope is not only sealed and stored in the storage portion 37 of the nitrogen gas atmosphere, but the amount of opening of the valve 96 and the time during which the valve 96 is open are adjusted to minimize the amount of delivery in the storage portion 37. If nitrogen gas is filled in, the waste of gas to be supplied can be saved when the storage portion 37 is filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the endoscope 12 to be packaged is packaged in the packaging bag 21 in a state in which the insertion portion 41 inserted into the body of the subject is straightened. You may make it wrap in the packaging bag 21 in the state which curved 41. FIG.

  For example, a bending amount determination unit 102 and a bending unit 103 are provided as in the packaging device 101 illustrated in FIG. The bending amount determination unit 102 bends the endoscope 12 to be packaged so as not to bend and to minimize the length of the storage unit 37 according to the length of the endoscope 12 to be packaged. The length of the portion, the curvature when bending, and the like (hereinafter referred to as a bending amount) are determined. In addition, the bending portion 103 has a bending amount determined by the bending amount determination portion 102 and is inserted into the sheet material 31a in a state where the insertion portion 41 of the endoscope 12 delivered from the reprocessing apparatus 78 is bent. The endoscope 12 is sent in.

  In this way, the packaging apparatus 101 provided with the bending amount determination unit 102 and the bending unit 103 bends and inserts the insertion portion of the endoscope with a bending amount corresponding to the length of the endoscope to be packaged. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when packaging an endoscope 106a having a relatively long insertion portion, the vicinity of the distal end of the endoscope 106a is gently curved so as not to bend. . Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, when an endoscope 106b having a longer insertion portion than the endoscope 106a is packaged, the endoscope 106a is more than the endoscope 106a so as not to be bent. Wrapped in a more curved state.

  In this way, the packaging device 101 is packaged by curving the endoscope so that the bending amount is difficult to bend and the length of the storage portion 37 is minimized. The waste of the sheet material 31 can be eliminated. Moreover, since the entire packaging bag 21 is compact, the storage space for the packaged endoscope can be saved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the database 82 for registering information of the endoscope 12 handled in the reprocessing facility 13 is provided outside the packaging device 22. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the database 82 is provided in the packaging device 22. It may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the packaging apparatus acquires the ID of the endoscope 12 to be packaged from the reprocessing apparatus 78. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an IC tag or a bar code individually assigned to the endoscope. It may be possible to read from the above, or an operator who handles the packaging apparatus may input.

  In the above-described embodiment, the packaging bag 21 is provided with the display unit 38 that displays the type information 81 separately from the storage unit 37 and the handle unit 36. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the type information 81 is stored in the storage unit. You may make it print on the surface of 37, or a handle part. In the above-described embodiment, the type information is printed on the display unit 38. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a seal on which the type information is printed may be attached to the packaging bag 21.

  In the above-described embodiment, the warning display unit 69 displays a warning on the monitor 83 when the reprocessing process is not normally performed on the endoscope 12 to be packaged. When the reprocessing process is not normally completed in the endoscope 12, the packaging of the endoscope 12 by the packaging device 22 may be interrupted. Further, it may be displayed on the display unit 38 that the reprocessing process is not normally completed. Furthermore, a warning sound may be issued to warn that an endoscope that has not been successfully reprocessed is being packaged.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sheet material 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape in advance. However, the sheet material 31 is not limited to this, and is formed into a cylindrical shape by folding a planar sheet material and joining the end portions by thermocompression bonding or the like. May be. Alternatively, two planar shapes may be overlapped, and both ends may be joined along the longitudinal direction by thermocompression bonding or the like to form a cylindrical sheet material.

  In the above-described embodiment, the reprocessing facility 14 performs cleaning and disinfection as the reprocessing processing. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and sterilization processing may be performed in addition to cleaning and disinfection.

  In the above-described embodiment, the feed amount of the sheet material 31 is adjusted by the feed roller 52. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the conveyance roller (not shown) is engaged with the sheet material 31 while the sheet material 31 is locked. By moving the sheet material 31 in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction, the length of the sheet material 31 drawn from the material roll 51 and sent to the conveyance path may be adjusted.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the packaging bag 21 having an appropriate length for the endoscope 12 to be stored is manufactured by moving the second sealer 58 along the feeding direction of the sheet material 31. Instead, the packaging bag 21 may be manufactured while moving the sheet material 31a along the conveyance path. Furthermore, when manufacturing the packaging bag 21 while moving the sheet material 31a along the conveyance path, the linear seals 32a and 32b are formed by one sealer in which the first sealer 57 and the second sealer 58 are used in common. You may do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sheet material 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single planar sheet material is folded and the overlapping ends are joined by thermocompression bonding or the like. The packaging bag 21 may be manufactured after forming into a shape. Alternatively, the packaging bag 21 may be manufactured after joining the ends of two flat sheet materials to form a cylindrical shape.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of an endoscope rental system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a packaging bag. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a packaging apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure in which a packaging apparatus packages an endoscope. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the modification of a packaging apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the modification of a packaging apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which curves and packages an endoscope.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Endoscope rental system 12, 106a, 106b Endoscope 21 Packaging bag 22, 91, 101 Packaging apparatus 31, 31a Sheet material 32a, 32b Linear seal 37 Storage part 38 Display part 56 Printing part 57 1st sealer 58 2nd Sealer 61 Storage part forming sealer (Storage part forming means)
62 Sheet material supply section (packaging material supply means)
66 exhaust section 67 information acquisition section 68 length determination section 69 warning display section 78 reprocess processing device 81 type information 82 database 92 air supply section 102 bend amount determination section 103 bend section

Claims (6)

In an endoscope packaging device that wraps an endoscope after cleaning and disinfection treatment in a packaging bag,
Information acquisition means for acquiring type information of the endoscope;
Based on the type information acquired by the information acquisition means, a length determination means for determining the length of the endoscope to be packaged,
Packaging material supply means for supplying a packaging material having a length corresponding to the length of the endoscope determined by the length determination means;
Storage portion forming means for forming a storage portion having a length corresponding to the length of the endoscope in the packaging material supplied from the packaging material supply means and storing the endoscope in the storage portion; ,
An endoscope packaging apparatus comprising: A display unit forming means for forming a display unit for displaying the type information of the endoscope to be packaged;
2. The endoscope packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the packaging material supply means supplies the packaging material having a length including the storage unit and the display unit. 3. The information acquisition unit according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires, as the type information, a cleaning / disinfecting processing result indicating whether the cleaning / disinfecting processing of the endoscope has been normally completed. Endoscopic packaging device. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising warning display means for displaying a warning when the result of the cleaning / disinfecting process of the endoscope to be packaged indicates that the cleaning / disinfecting process is not completed normally. Endoscope packaging device. Gas supply means for supplying an inert gas into the storage unit,
The endoscope packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a supply amount of the inert gas is adjusted according to a length of the endoscope determined by the length determination unit. . The length of the endoscope is the combined length of the insertion portion in a state of being straightly stretched and the operation portion of the endoscope to be wrapped, or the combination of the insertion portion and the operation portion in a curved state. The endoscope packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the endoscope packaging apparatus has a length.

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