JP7375449B2 - Sterilization equipment and sterilization method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sterilization device and a sterilization method for sterilizing (including mold removal) the interior of a medical building such as an operating room or a hospital room, or an indoor space such as an attic.

Conventionally, technology has been studied to disinfect the inside of hospitals and welfare facilities by spraying chemicals such as hypochlorous acid aqueous solution that have a sterilizing effect (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). . The sterilization device described in Patent Document 1 performs sterilization by spraying a chemical solution into an indoor space from a two-fluid nozzle so that the relative humidity after spraying becomes 70% or more. Furthermore, in the sterilization device of Patent Document 2, a two-fluid nozzle that sprays a chemical solution is fixed on a rotation mechanism attached to the upper end of a pole. After the chemical solution is sprayed in the two-fluid nozzle, the rotation mechanism is rotated to another spraying direction. Then, the chemical solution is sprayed in the spray direction under predetermined spray conditions.
Dust generated during hospital renovations may contain Aspergillus bacteria, the bacteria that causes Aspergillus infections. In this case, the risk of Aspergillus infection caused by inhalation by immunocompromised patients increases, so disassembly methods to suppress the scattering of Aspergillus bacteria are being considered (see, for example, Patent Document 3). In the disassembly method described in this document, sterilization is performed by spraying a mist of a chemical solution using a two-fluid nozzle of a sprayer of a sterilization device inserted through an opening in the ceiling.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-27849 JP2019-92922A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-131878

The sterilization device described above uses a two-fluid nozzle to spray the chemical solution. This two-fluid nozzle sprays a chemical solution using compressed air. Therefore, the sterilization device needed to be equipped with a compressor for supplying compressed air to the two-fluid nozzle. For this reason, it has been difficult to miniaturize the sterilization device, and it has been difficult to perform sterilization easily.

A sterilization device for solving the above problems is a sterilization device that sterilizes the indoor area of a medical building by spraying a chemical solution stored in a chemical solution tank from a nozzle, and the sterilization device disinfects the indoor area of a medical building. a coupler that fits into the shape of an outlet valve that supplies compressed air; a supply pipe that supplies the compressed air from the coupler to the nozzle; and when the sterilization is completed, the supply of the compressed air to the nozzle is stopped. A stop valve is provided.

A sterilization method for solving the above problems is a sterilization method using a sterilization device that sterilizes the interior of a medical building by spraying a chemical solution stored in a chemical tank from a nozzle. The bacteria device includes a coupler that fits into the shape of an outlet valve that supplies compressed air in the outlet provided indoors, a supply pipe that supplies the compressed air from the coupler to the nozzle, and a supply pipe that supplies the compressed air to the nozzle. and a stop valve that stops the supply of air, and when performing the sterilization, the coupler is fitted into the outlet valve, and the chemical solution is stopped using compressed air supplied through the outlet valve. is sprayed from the nozzle to sterilize the indoor space, and when the sterilization is completed, the stop valve stops supplying the compressed air to the nozzle.

According to the present invention, the sterilization device can be downsized and sterilization can be easily performed.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operating room to be sterilized in the embodiment. An explanatory diagram illustrating the external configuration of a sterilization device in an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the sterilization device in the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the sterilization device according to the embodiment is attached. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for sterilization processing in an embodiment. An explanatory diagram illustrating the external configuration of a sterilization device that sterilizes the attic space in a modified example.

An embodiment of a sterilization device and a sterilization method will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which a sterilization device is attached to an outlet for supplying various gases in a hospital operating room or the like to sterilize the operating room (indoors).

As shown in FIG. 1, the operating room 10 of this embodiment is surrounded by walls 11. An entrance/exit (not shown) is formed in the wall 11, through which patients and doctors enter and exit the operating room 10. A plurality of outlets 15 are provided in the wall 11. The outlet 15 is provided at a position slightly above the operating table B1 installed in the operating room 10.

The outlet 15 is provided with a plurality of outlet valves 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d. In this embodiment, oxygen, laughing gas, and compressed air are supplied to the outlet valves 15a, 15b, and 15c, respectively, at an air supply pressure of 0.4 MPa. Further, the outlet valve 15d performs suction.

The outlet valves 15a to 15d are given different colors to distinguish them from each other. Furthermore, pin holes are provided at the connection portions of each of the outlet valves 15a to 15d at different locations. The outlet valve 15a for supplying oxygen is colored green, and two pin holes are formed at positions 180 degrees apart. The outlet valve 15b for supplying laughing gas is colored blue, and two pin holes are formed at positions 120 degrees (240 degrees) apart. The outlet valve 15c for supplying compressed air is colored yellow and has three pin holes formed at positions 120 degrees apart. A ring cover 16 is attached to the outlet valves 15a to 15d when not in use.

FIG. 2 is an external configuration diagram of the sterilization device 20 used to sterilize the operating room 10, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the sterilization device 20.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sterilization device 20 includes a tank 20T and a coupler 25 connected to the tank 20T via a supply pipe 26. The tank 20T is provided with a control section 41, which will be described later. Further, the supply pipe 26 is provided with a pressure gauge 27 and an on-off valve device 28 for measuring the pressure of the gas passing therethrough.

The coupler 25 is colored in a color (yellow) that corresponds to the compressed air so that it can be connected to the outlet valve 15c that supplies compressed air. Further, the connecting portion of the coupler 25 includes a coupler plug 25a and a connecting pin 25b. The connecting pin 25b has three connecting pins 25b located 120 degrees apart so as to fit into the pin holes of the compressed air outlet valve 15c.

The coupler 25 and the supply pipe 26 are made of, for example, stainless steel, and function as a holding section that holds the sterilization device 20. Therefore, when the coupler 25 is attached to the outlet valve 15c, the sterilization device 20 is held and fixed by the outlet 15.

Furthermore, the sterilization device 20 includes two (plural) nozzles 30 that spray a liquid in a mist form, and a support section 31 that supports the nozzles 30. The nozzle 30 is, for example, a two-fluid nozzle, and uses compressed air supplied through the coupler 25 to spray the water or chemical solution in the tank 20T in a mist form. The two nozzles 30 are provided at the upper end of the support part 31 in opposite directions.
An installation section 29 is provided on the lower surface of the tank 20T. A screw hole 29a for attaching a tripod is formed in the center of the installation portion 29.

As shown in FIG. 3, a water tank 22 and a chemical tank 21 are partitioned into the tank 20T. The water tank 22 stores water, and the chemical liquid tank 21 stores chemical liquid. As this chemical solution, for example, a chemical solution with a pH of 6.5 and a hypochlorous acid concentration of 120 mg/L is used. This chemical solution is produced by diluting 6% sodium hypochlorite with tap water to a concentration of 3 to 0.5%, and then adding 3% hydrochloric acid, a food additive, to adjust the pH. In addition, in the case of mold removal, it is not necessary to adjust the pH.

The chemical solution tank 21 and the water tank 22 are alternatively supplied to the nozzle 30 via a liquid switching section 23 serving as a switching section. When the water tank 22 and nozzle 30 are connected, water from the water tank is sprayed from the nozzle 30 to humidify the operating room 10. Furthermore, when the chemical liquid tank 21 and the nozzle 30 are connected, the medical liquid is sprayed from the nozzle 30 to sterilize the operating room 10.

The nozzle 30 is connected to the supply pipe 26 via an on-off valve device 28 and a pressure gauge 27. The on-off valve device 28 functions as a stop valve, and opens and closes in response to instructions from a control unit 41, which will be described later. As this opening/closing valve device 28, a valve that opens when compressed air is at a predetermined pressure (for example, 0.3 MPa) or higher may be used. Moreover, the pressure gauge 27 measures and displays the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the supply pipe 26. The supply pipe 26 is connected to a compressed air tank 17 located outside the operating room 10 via a coupler 25 and an outlet valve 15c.

Furthermore, the sterilization device 20 includes a start button 33 , a timer 34 , a humidity sensor 35 , a remaining amount detection section 36 , and a control section 41 .
The start button 33 accepts an instruction to start sterilization.
The timer 34 measures the set time from when the start button 33 is pressed to when the chemical solution is actually sprayed. In this embodiment, the set time is set to, for example, 3 minutes. The operator leaves the operating room 10 within this set time after pressing the start button.

The humidity sensor 35 measures the humidity in the operating room 10. In this embodiment, the medical solution is sprayed when the humidity is equal to or higher than the chemical solution spraying start humidity, and humidification is performed when the humidity in the operating room 10 is less than the chemical solution spraying start humidity.
The remaining amount detection section 36 supplies a termination signal to the control section 41 when the amount of the chemical solution remaining in the chemical solution tank 21 becomes equal to or less than the threshold value.

Furthermore, the sterilization device 20 is connected to a plurality of concentration sensors 55 that measure the chlorine concentration of hypochlorous acid. The concentration sensors 55 are each installed in an adjacent room 50 such as a room adjacent to the operating room 10 or an attic space. The concentration sensor 55 supplies the control unit 41 with the chlorine concentration measured in the adjacent room 50 where it is installed.

The control unit 41 includes a humidification control unit 411, a chemical spray control unit 412, and a valve control unit 413.
The humidification control unit 411 controls humidification of the operating room 10. In this embodiment, humidification is performed when the humidity is lower than the starting humidity of chemical liquid spraying before starting chemical liquid spraying.

The drug solution spray control unit 412 controls spraying of the drug solution into the operating room 10 . In the present embodiment, the chemical liquid spray control unit 412 stores the chemical liquid spray start humidity, and performs chemical liquid spraying when the chemical liquid spray start humidity is equal to or higher than the chemical liquid spray start humidity. Further, the chemical liquid spray control unit 412 stores a reference value regarding the chlorine concentration, and temporarily stops the chemical liquid spraying when the chlorine concentration obtained from the concentration sensor 55 is equal to or higher than the reference value.

The valve control unit 413 controls the liquid switching unit 23 and the on-off valve device 28 in accordance with instructions from the humidification control unit 411 and the chemical spray control unit 412.
(sterilization method)
Next, a method of using the above-mentioned sterilization device 20 will be explained using FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, the amount of liquid medicine required for one-time sterilization is determined according to the volume of the operating room 10, the amount of items to be placed, etc., and this amount of liquid medicine is injected into the liquid medicine tank 21.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, a sterilization device 20 is installed.
Specifically, the operator removes the ring cover 16 of the outlet valve 15c of the outlet 15, which is colored the same yellow as the coupler 25 of the sterilization device 20. Then, the coupler 25 of the sterilization device 20 is attached to the outlet valve 15c. In this case, the connecting pin of the coupler 25 is fitted into the pin hole of the outlet valve 15c. Thereby, the sterilization device 20 is attached and fixed to the outlet 15 by the coupler 25.
Note that when the operating room 10 has a plurality of outlets 15, the sterilization device 20 may be installed at the outlet valve 15c of each outlet 15, respectively.

Next, the sterilization process shown in FIG. 5 is performed.
In this case, first, the operator presses the start button 33 of the sterilization device 20 installed in the operating room 10 and exits the operating room 10. The sterilization device 20 uses the timer 34 to measure the time from when the start button 33 is pressed.

Then, the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 executes a process of determining whether it is the start time (step S1-1). Specifically, the control unit 41 determines whether a set time has elapsed since the start button 33 was pressed.

Here, if it is determined that the set time has passed since the start button 33 was pressed ("YES" in step S1-1), the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 determines that the humidity in the operating room 10 is It is determined whether the humidity is equal to or higher than the spray start humidity (step S1-2). Specifically, the control unit 41 compares the humidity of the operating room 10 acquired from the humidity sensor 35 and the stored chemical solution spraying start humidity.

Then, if it is determined that the measured humidity is lower than the chemical solution spraying start humidity ("NO" in step S1-2), the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 executes water spraying start processing (step S1-3). Specifically, the humidification control unit 411 of the control unit 41 controls the valve control unit 413 to connect the water tank 22 and the nozzle 30 and to supply compressed air to the nozzle 30. The valve control unit 413 switches the liquid switching unit 23 to connect the water tank 22 and the nozzle 30. Furthermore, the valve control unit 413 opens the on-off valve device 28 and supplies compressed air from the outlet valve 15c to the nozzle 30. Further, this compressed air is supplied to the water tank 22, and water from the water tank 22 is supplied to the nozzle 30. As a result, water is sprayed from the nozzle 30, and the relative humidity in the operating room 10 increases.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the humidity supplied from the humidity sensor 35 is equal to or higher than the chemical spraying start humidity ("YES" in step 1-2), the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 executes the chemical spraying start process. (Step S1-4). Specifically, the chemical liquid spray control unit 412 of the control unit 41 controls the valve control unit 413 to switch the liquid switching unit 23 to connect the chemical liquid tank 21 and the nozzle 30. Furthermore, the chemical liquid spray control unit 412 controls the valve control unit 413 to open the on-off valve device 28 and supply compressed air from the outlet valve 15c to the chemical liquid tank 21 and the nozzle 30. As a result, the medical solution is sprayed from the nozzle 30 to sterilize the operating room 10.

After that, the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 executes a process of determining whether or not the chemical solution is used up (step S1-5). Specifically, the chemical liquid spray control section 412 of the control section 41 determines whether or not an end signal has been obtained from the remaining amount detection section 36.

Here, if it is determined that the end signal has not been obtained and the chemical solution remains (in the case of "NO" in step S1-5), the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 controls the concentration in the adjacent room to be the reference value. It is determined whether or not this is the case (step S1-6). Specifically, the chemical spray control section 412 of the control section 41 compares the chlorine concentration obtained from the concentration sensor 55 in the adjacent room 50 and the stored reference value.

Here, if it is determined that the chlorine concentration in the adjacent room 50 is lower than the reference value ("NO" in step S1-6), the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 continues spraying the chemical solution and checks whether the chemical solution is used up or not. The determination process is repeated (step S1-5).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the chlorine concentration in the adjacent room is equal to or higher than the reference value ("YES" in step S1-6), the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 executes a process to stop spraying the chemical solution (step S1-7). ). Specifically, the chemical spray control section 412 of the control section 41 closes the on-off valve device 28 .

After that, if the adjacent concentration becomes lower than the reference value ("YES" in step S1-8), the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 executes a chemical spray start process (step S1-4).

Thereafter, when an end signal is obtained and it is determined that the chemical solution is exhausted ("YES" in step S1-5), the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 ends the sterilization process. Specifically, when the chemical spray control section 412 of the control section 41 receives the signal from the remaining amount detection section 36, it closes the valve of the on-off valve device 28 via the valve control section 413. As a result, the supply of compressed air from the compressed air tank 17 is stopped, and the spraying of the chemical solution from the nozzle 30 is ended.

(effect)
Since the coupler 25 of the sterilization device 20 can be fitted into the outlet valve 15c provided in the operating room 10, the medical solution can be sprayed using compressed air supplied from the outlet valve 15c.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In this embodiment, compressed air is supplied to the sterilization device 20 from the outlet valve 15c in the operating room 10. Thereby, there is no need to mount a compressor that generates compressed air in the sterilization device 20, and the sterilization device 20 can be downsized and sterilization can be performed efficiently.

(2) In this embodiment, the coupler 25 of the sterilization device 20 has a color scheme and pin shape corresponding to the outlet valve 15c that supplies compressed air. Thereby, the coupler 25 of the sterilization device 20 can be reliably attached to the outlet valve 15c at the outlet 15.

(3) In this embodiment, the sterilizing device 20 is held on the wall 11 by attaching the coupler 25 of the sterilizing device 20 to the outlet valve 15c. Thereby, the sterilizing device 20 can be fixed, so there is no need to separately provide a member for fixing the sterilizing device 20, and the sterilizing device 20 can be further downsized.

(4) The sterilization device 20 of this embodiment includes a chemical solution tank 21, a water tank 22, and a liquid switching section 23. As a result, when the humidity in the operating room 10 is low at the start of sterilization, water from the water tank 22 can be sprayed from the nozzle 30 to humidify the operating room 10, and sterilization can be performed with high efficiency. I can do it.

(5) In the present embodiment, when the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 determines that the chemical solution in the chemical solution tank 21 is exhausted (“NO” in step S1-5), the control unit 41 closes the on-off valve device 28. Then, stop the compressed air and finish spraying the chemical solution. Thereby, the spraying of the chemical solution can be ended in accordance with the end of the chemical solution.

(6) In the present embodiment, the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 executes a process to stop spraying the chemical solution when the concentration in the adjacent room 50 is equal to or higher than the reference value (“YES” in step S1-6). Step S1-7). Thereby, even when the adjacent room 50 is used, spraying of the chemical solution can be temporarily stopped depending on the situation.

This embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. This embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.
- In the above embodiment, the coupler 25 of the sterilization device 20 was connected to the outlet valve 15c of the outlet 15 provided on the wall 11. The configuration of the outlet 15 that supplies compressed air to the sterilization device 20 is not limited to the case where it is provided on the wall 11. For example, it may be connected to an outlet valve of an outlet suspended from the ceiling, or it may be connected to an outlet valve of an outlet provided together with a power outlet on a column suspended from the ceiling.

Furthermore, as the outlet valve 15c of the outlet 15, a pin-shaped outlet valve was used in which the arrangement of pin holes differs depending on the type of gas to be supplied. Outlet valves having different Schrader shapes may also be used. In this case, the coupler 25 of the sterilization device 20 includes a ring-shaped protrusion that engages with a ring-shaped groove of an outlet valve that supplies compressed air.

- The sterilization device 20 of the above embodiment is provided with a tank 20T including a water tank 22. If an air conditioner or humidifier that humidifies the room is installed, the water tank 22 and liquid switching unit 23 may be omitted in the sterilization device 20. Thereby, the sterilization device 20 can be further downsized.

- In the above embodiment, the explanation has been made by applying the operation room 10 as an indoor room of a medical building. Indoor areas that are subject to sterilization are not limited to the operating room 10, but also rooms such as intensive care units (ICUs) and patient rooms where outlets equipped with outlet valves that supply compressed air are located, as well as the ceilings and ceilings of these rooms. Any area, such as under the floor, where the chemical solution can be sprayed by the nozzle of the sterilization device attached to the outlet valve may be used.

For example, FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a sterilization device for sterilizing an attic space. This sterilization device has a tripod 71 attached to the installation portion 29 of the sterilization device 20 described above, and is attached to the coupler 25 via an extension hose 72 to the outlet valve 15c. The extension hose 72 has a plug receiver and a connecting pin receiver that fit into the coupler 25 of the sterilization device 20, and a plug and a connecting pin that connect to the outlet valve 15c.
When sterilizing the attic using this sterilizing device 20, the coupler 25 of the sterilizing device 20 is connected to the outlet valve 15c via the extension hose 72. Then, the height of the telescopic pole 71a of the tripod 71 is adjusted, and the sterilization device 20 is installed in the attic 60 through the inspection opening in the ceiling C1. Thereby, compressed air from the outlet valve 15c can be used even when sterilizing or removing mold from the attic 60.

- In the above embodiment, the control unit 41 of the sterilization device 20 ends the sterilization process when it is determined that the chemical solution in the tank 20T is exhausted. The timing of ending spraying in the sterilization process is not limited to this. For example, the end of spraying may be determined depending on the humidity in the room or attic that is to be sterilized. Specifically, a hygrometer is installed inside the room to be sterilized (inside the room or in the ceiling) to measure the humidity. When the target humidity stop button is selected, the control unit ends the spraying when the measured humidity reaches the set value (target humidity) after starting the spraying. As a result, sufficient sterilization can be performed even when it is difficult to calculate the volume of the space to be sterilized, such as the ceiling space to be sterilized.
- In the above embodiment, a chemical solution produced by adding hydrochloric acid to adjust the pH was used. When disinfecting the attic inside a medical building, there is no need to adjust the pH.

- In the above embodiment, the sterilizing device 20 is supported by the coupler 25 and the supply pipe 26 by fitting the coupler 25 into the outlet valve 15c. The arrangement of the sterilization device 20 is not limited to this. For example, the tank of the sterilization device may be placed on the floor, and the support portion that supports the nozzle and the tank 20T may be connected by a flexible pipe.

B1... Operating table, 10... Operating room as indoor, 11... Wall, 15... Outlet, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d... Outlet valve, 16... Ring cover, 17... Compressed air tank, 20... Sterilization device, 20T ...Tank, 21...Medical solution tank, 22...Water tank, 23...Liquid switching part as a switching part, 25...Coupler forming the holding part, 25a...Connecting pin, 26...Supply pipe forming the holding part, 27...Pressure Total, 28... Opening/closing valve device as a stop valve, 29... Installation part, 29a... Screw hole, 30... Nozzle, 31... Support part, 33... Start button, 34... Timer, 35... Humidity sensor, 36... Remaining amount detection 41... Control unit, 50... Adjacent room, 55... Concentration sensor as a sensor, 60... Attic, 411... Humidification control unit, 412... Chemical spray control unit, 413... Valve control unit.

Claims (5)

A sterilization device that sprays a chemical solution stored in a chemical solution tank from a two-fluid nozzle to sterilize an indoor area of a building, which is equipped with an outlet valve that supplies compressed air .
a coupler that fits into the shape of an outlet valve that supplies compressed air in the outlet provided indoors;
a control unit that controls spraying of the chemical liquid in the chemical liquid tank;
The control unit supplies the compressed air from the coupler to the two-fluid nozzle, and when the indoor humidity has reached a chemical spray start humidity at which chemical liquid spraying starts, the chemical liquid stored in the chemical liquid tank and the compressed air are supplied to the two-fluid nozzle. a supply pipe that sprays mist from the two-fluid nozzle ;
A sterilization device comprising: a stop valve that stops supplying the compressed air to the two-fluid nozzle at the end of the sterilization. comprising a holding part that can be attached to the outlet,
The sterilization device according to claim 1, wherein the sterilization device is fixed by the holding portion. A sensor is provided in an area adjacent to the indoor area to measure a chemical solution leaking from the indoor area,
The sterilization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control section stops spraying the chemical solution when the detected amount obtained from the sensor exceeds a reference value. a water tank that supplies water to the two-fluid nozzle;
Further comprising a switching unit that switches the connection between the two-fluid nozzle and the chemical solution tank or the water tank,
According to any one of claims 1 to 3, the room is humidified by spraying water supplied from the water tank using compressed air supplied through the outlet valve. Sterilization device. A sterilization method using a sterilization device that sprays a chemical solution stored in a chemical solution tank from a two-fluid nozzle to sterilize the interior of a building , which is equipped with an outlet valve that supplies compressed air .
The sterilization device is
a coupler that fits into the shape of an outlet valve that supplies compressed air in the outlet provided indoors;
a control unit that controls spraying of the chemical liquid in the chemical liquid tank;
The control unit supplies the compressed air from the coupler to the two-fluid nozzle, and when the indoor humidity has reached a chemical spray start humidity at which chemical liquid spraying starts, the chemical liquid stored in the chemical liquid tank and the compressed air are supplied to the two-fluid nozzle. a supply pipe that sprays mist from the two-fluid nozzle ;
and a stop valve that stops supplying the compressed air to the two-fluid nozzle,
When performing the sterilization, the coupler is fitted into the outlet valve,
The control unit uses compressed air supplied through the outlet valve to spray the chemical solution from the two-fluid nozzle to sterilize the indoor area,
A sterilization method characterized in that, at the end of the sterilization, the supply of the compressed air to the two-fluid nozzle is stopped by the stop valve.