JP2003038423A - Medical treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical treatment device capable of precisely displaying and recording that the device is put in a high temperature state like an autoclave. SOLUTION: This medical treatment device is characterized in that it has a thermal power element 15 as a thermal power means, an electromotive force sensor 16 as an electrical quantity detecting means for detecting the electrical quantity generated by the thermal power element 15, and a counter circuit 17 for detecting one among the amount of applied heat, the heat application time and the number of times of applying designated heat according to the detection result of the electromotive force sensor 16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a function of determining the operating environment temperature of a device such as a video endoscope or a TV camera system having a solid-state image sensor, after the device is sterilized. Regarding medical equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 62-41009, the endoscope is provided with a temperature detecting means which operates when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, and the endoscope is operated by an output from the temperature detecting means. It is known that the operating cumulative time is displayed externally so that the usage limit of the endoscope can be confirmed.

Further, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-20246, the endoscope is provided with a temperature detecting means which operates when the temperature reaches a sterilizable temperature, and the endoscope is operated by an output from the temperature detecting means. It is known that a display means for observing the display from the outside of the endoscope main body is provided so that it can be confirmed at a glance that it has been sterilized by an autoclave.

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-185047, a device for repeatedly recording the number of thermal cycles in which a medical-use component is acted, is used to detect and display / record a pressure change or temperature change. It is a thing.

[0005]

As shown in the above-mentioned prior art, the autoclave is known as a simple and reliable method, and the temperature becomes high during sterilization. In the past, in hospitals for sterilization, a separate recording sheet was used to manage the number of times of sterilization.

Similarly, since the autoclave is repeatedly exposed to thermal cycles, it is desired to reliably manage the number of times of use in order to manage durability.

Further, whether or not the autoclave is in the sterilization condition is judged from an indicator which is simultaneously put into the autoclave device and a recording means of the device. This is a method of confirming the condition of each device as a representative, but making it possible to determine whether each device has been placed in a sterilized state afterwards helps prevent infection more reliably.

On the other hand, as in the prior art, a method of detecting by utilizing the high temperature state and pressure change has been devised. However, the conventional techniques have the following problems in each method. That is, the Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-41009 discloses a built-in DC power supply. This means that the internal power supply needs to be replaced or recharged. In addition, depending on the type of power source, there is a voltage drop, so there is a possibility that the predetermined count may not be performed.

A power source is also required in JP-A-57-20246. With this technology, it is possible to display the status only after connecting the endoscope to the light source and control unit without incorporating a power supply, but in this case, it is sure to determine whether it has been put into the autoclave until it is connected. It is not possible.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-185047 describes a method of sensing and displaying / recording a pressure change or a temperature change. Here, the display means is made of a mechanical structure that reversibly changes with pressure or temperature change, and various mechanical recording means as recording means are described. Although the reset means at the time of use is also described, a mechanical structure that changes with pressure or temperature causes repeated heat history and changes in characteristics due to steam and its drained moisture during sterilization. As a result, for example, the amount of extension changes after the initial use and after a certain number of times. This is not a problem for equipment with a short expected life, but stability will occur if considerable repeated use is considered. Further, since bellows and the like require a space, they cannot be often used in surgical tools used under an endoscope. This also applies to other bimetal, tube and gear structures.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above circumstances, and the purpose thereof is to provide a compact and simple exchange /
It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical device that reliably displays and records that a medical device compatible with a high temperature environment is placed in a high temperature state such as an autoclave without using a built-in power supply that requires charging.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a thermoelectric generator, an electric amount detector for detecting the amount of electricity generated by the thermoelectric generator, and a detector for detecting the amount of electricity. The medical device is characterized by having a heating detection unit that detects at least one of the amount of heat applied, the time the heat is applied, and the number of times the predetermined heat is applied based on the result.

Further, the electric quantity detection means is operated by electric power generated by the thermoelectric generation means.

According to the above construction, the thermoelectric generator generates an electromotive force due to the temperature difference between the exterior side and the inside side of the medical device. The electromotive force is detected by the detection means, and counting is started when a predetermined electromotive force optimized according to the arrangement of the thermoelectric generation means in the medical device is reached, and at least the electric power value at that time, the time, and the number of times Detect either.

The detected state can be output to the user and maintenance service by the display means or recording means provided in the medical equipment main body or the combined apparatus.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment and is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a camera head portion of a TV camera which is connected to an endoscope and has a built-in solid-state image pickup device for outputting an endoscope image to a monitor.

As shown in FIG. 1, the camera head 1 is provided with a main housing 2 and a rear housing 4 which is connected to the main housing 2 with a screw 3 and serves as an electromagnetic shield. An endoscope connecting portion 5 is provided on the front portion of the main housing 2. Endoscope connection part 5
An airtight package 9 incorporating a solid-state image sensor 6, an optical filter 7 and a drive circuit 8 is provided in the rear part. An airtight connector 10 is provided at the rear end of the airtight package 9,
This airtight connector 10 is connected to the signal cable via the rear circuit 11.
Connected to 12. The signal cable 12 is connected to a camera control unit (not shown). The endoscopic image that has passed through the optical filter 7 is photoelectrically converted by the solid-state image pickup device 6, and an image is synthesized by a camera control unit as a video signal from the drive circuit 8, and the endoscopic image is displayed on a monitor (not shown).

The outside of the rear circuit 11 is covered with the rear case 4, and the rear case 4 and the airtight package 9 are covered with the main case 2, the front end side exterior member 13, and the rear end side exterior member 14. Further, watertightness is ensured between the main housing 2, the front end side exterior member 13, the rear end side exterior member 14 and the airtight package 9 and the signal cable 12.

Here, inside the front end side exterior member 13, a thermoelectric generator 15 is disposed at an arbitrary position so as to be submerged in the front end side exterior member 13 or the end of the thermoelectric generator 15 is in contact therewith. The other end of the thermoelectric generator 15 is in contact with the airtight package 9 that covers the solid-state image sensor 6 and the drive circuit 8 inside the camera head 1.

The thermoelectric generator 15 is connected to an electromotive force sensor 16 which detects an electromotive force generated when a temperature difference occurs. The electromotive force sensor 16 detects the electromotive force and the electromotive force is previously detected by the thermoelectric generator 15. The camera head 1 and the counter circuit 17 are configured to send a signal when a predetermined value set according to the condition to be detected is exceeded. The counter circuit 17 is driven by the electromotive force of the thermoelectric generator 15,
Count and / or record at least one of "counting 1 count when reaching a predetermined electromotive force", "measuring the duration of a predetermined electromotive force" and "recording the number of times reaching a predetermined electromotive force" Is configured to do.

The set value of the electromotive force sensor 16 can be adapted to any of various high temperature environmental conditions. For example, hot water washing (1
It is also possible to set different conditions such as (00 ℃ or lower) + autoclave (132 ℃ or higher).

The counter circuit 17 is directly or via a signal cable 12 provided on the surface of the camera head 1 or connected to a display means 18 in the camera control unit.

The display means 18 displays whether the predetermined temperature has been reached, whether the predetermined temperature has passed a predetermined time, how many times the predetermined temperature has been reached, or a composite status thereof. To do.

The display means 18 may be a simple LED or may be character information by an LED display device. When the display means 18 is an LED, the display means 18 is driven by electric power obtained by thermoelectric power generation and displayed at least at the end of sterilization. If the electric power does not reach the LED light emission display, the information stored in the counter circuit 17 may be read and confirmed when it is connected to the camera control unit. In addition, it is possible not to display the accumulated number and the number of sterilization, but to check only during maintenance.

Since the display method in the camera control unit is not affected by the temperature characteristics, the above-mentioned various displays may be displayed on the outer surface of the camera control unit (for example, the front panel) or the monitor.

The display means 18 may be provided with another buzzer to generate a warning sound.

Here, the thermoelectric generator 15 generates an electromotive force by utilizing the temperature difference between two kinds of semiconductors. In the present invention, one end of the thermoelectric generator 15 is exposed to the external environment in order to obtain a more stable electromotive force. It is possible to make contact with a material having a high thermal conductivity and contacting the other end with a heat-insulated material having a low thermal conductivity and having a large capacity.

The thermoelectric generator 15 is, for example, a thermocouple in which a bismuth antimony tellurium p-type semiconductor and a bismuth tellurium n-type semiconductor are combined. It is processed into prisms, arranged vertically so that they are adjacent to each other, and connected by electric wires. The thermoelectric generator 15 has a temperature difference of 1 ° C., and the thermoelectric generator 15 has a voltage of 445 mV and a current of 5 to 10
The electromotive force of mA is shown.

In the thermoelectric generator 15, an ion exchange membrane is introduced into the electrolytic solution so that the concentration of the electrolytic solution on both sides separated by the ion exchange membrane is controlled in accordance with the electrochemical reaction. A temperature difference secondary battery that is made into a new type and can be used even during charging by the main electrode by providing a pair of auxiliary electrodes on both sides of this ion exchange membrane. The ion exchange membrane and the auxiliary electrode are integrated into the battery. It can be

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

When the camera head 1 is put into an autoclave or the like, the thermoelectric generator 15 generates an electromotive force due to a temperature rise of the front end side exterior member 13 and a temperature difference inside the camera head 1.

The electromotive force generated by the electromotive force sensor 16 for detecting the electromotive force is determined by the electromotive force sensor 16 and the camera head 1 which is housed in advance, and a predetermined value set in accordance with the condition to be detected. If it is equal to or larger than the value, it is sent to the counter circuit 17. For example, in the case of an autoclave, it is exposed to saturated steam of at least 132 ° C, but the difference between the internal temperature and the internal temperature at this time is measured in advance, and the electromotive force generated by this temperature difference is set to a predetermined value. And

The counter circuit 17 is driven by the electromotive force of the thermoelectric generator 15, and has a predetermined value optimized for a heat load such as an installed state and a sterilization condition, "when the predetermined electromotive force is reached, 1 Counting and / or recording is performed by a memory or the like having at least one of "counting", "measuring the duration of a predetermined electromotive force", and "recording the number of times the predetermined electromotive force is reached".

The counter circuit 17 displays the above-mentioned count / record on the display means 18 provided on the surface of the camera head 1 directly or via the signal cable 12 or provided in the camera control unit. In the display means 18 of this record, for example, a judgment as to whether or not a predetermined temperature has been reached, the time and accumulated time at which the predetermined temperature has elapsed, the number of times the predetermined temperature has been reached, or a composite status thereof is displayed, and the user, Providing information to maintenance staff.

Although the conditions for the autoclave are described in this embodiment, disinfection that requires heat treatment,
In the case of sterilization or sterilization, even in a medical device that does not satisfy the conditions of the autoclave, the same effect is produced by adjusting the set values of the sensor to the respective conditions to be detected.

Taking hot water washing and an autoclave as examples, hot water of at least 80 ° C. and 100 ° C. or less (hot water conditions are various at a level not exceeding 100 ° C. for convenience) was touched. The electromotive force and its time and the temperature of 132 ° C or higher (5 minutes) (the autoclave also has various conditions of 118 ° C or higher for convenience) are separately judged and recorded, and displayed.

In this case, since the hot water washing condition is temporarily set in the autoclave, the electromotive force sensor works, but if it exceeds 110 ° C., it can be separated by canceling it.

Therefore, according to the first embodiment, there are the following effects.

1) It is possible to judge whether or not a high temperature condition such as an autoclave has been reached without incorporating a power source.

2) Settings can be made according to the conditions of disinfection, sterilization, and sterilization placed in a high-temperature environment, so that the basic structure can be easily handled. Also,
It is also possible to check multiple settings, in which case it can also be used to confirm a series of washing + sterilization steps.

3) It is easy to judge whether the product has reached the product life or not at the time of maintenance by the user, and the update time can be confirmed more reliably.

4) For example, when the accumulated number of times of sterilization approaches or reaches the life of the product, it is possible to prompt the user to respond by displaying information / warning to the user.

5) By counting the sterilization time, it is possible to confirm the sterilization condition easily though it is not accurate sterilization data.
It can also be used as a measure of sterilization failure that may occur depending on the environment in which the sterilizer is placed.

6) It can also be used as a temperature sensor in a sterilizer.

FIG. 2 shows the second embodiment and is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope with a bending mechanism that is inserted into the body. In this embodiment, a video endoscope having a solid-state imaging device built in at the tip of the insertion portion will be described in particular.

The endoscope 21 includes an objective lens 23 at the tip of an elongated insertion portion 22, a lens frame 24 for holding the objective lens 23, and a lens frame.
Solid-state image sensor 25 provided at the rear end of 24, solid-state image sensor 25
Signal cable 26 electrically connected to the signal cable 26
Connected to the control unit 27 for synthesizing an electric signal sent from the solid-state image sensor 25 into an image, a monitor 28 for displaying an image signal from the control unit 27, and an insertion unit 22, and an operation unit held by the user. It consists of 29. Although not shown here, the endoscope 21 is also connected to a light source device that illuminates the inside of the body.

Inside the endoscope 21, for example, in the vicinity of the solid-state image pickup device 25, one end abuts on the tip exterior member 30 or is exposed on the outer surface, and the other end is an internal structure of the endoscope 21, for example, a lens frame.
A thermoelectric generator 31 is arranged so as to touch 24. An electromotive force sensor 32 that detects an electromotive force generated when a temperature is generated is connected to the thermoelectric generator 31.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment. When the display unit 33 is built in, the display unit 33 is provided in the operation unit 29 because the insertion unit 22 is required for downsizing and bending structure.

In the case of a long or large medical device such as the endoscope 21, it is possible to incorporate a plurality of thermoelectric generators 31 and electromotive force sensors 32. In this case, for example, when one place does not reach a predetermined condition, a warning may be given or the place may be instructed, and each situation may be displayed. Further, the display unit may be provided in the operation unit even in a direct view type fiberscope (not shown) which is not a video type endoscope.

When a plurality of thermoelectric generators 31 and electromotive force sensors 32 are built in, for example, when even one place does not reach a predetermined condition, a warning is given or a counter circuit is provided to indicate the place. It may be operated, or each integrated value may be superimposed and displayed.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, there are the following effects.

1) In particular, since an endoscope covered with an elastic body and repeatedly bent and extended requires maintenance in a short span as compared with general medical equipment, this invention makes it easier to measure the durability. It is possible to confirm.

2) It is possible to narrow down the set value of the sensor by combining it with a cleaning / disinfecting or sterilizing device exclusively for endoscopes, and it is possible to obtain stable data (general-purpose autoclave with various conditions, etc.). (Compare to).

3) By providing a plurality of thermoelectric generators and electromotive force sensors, more reliable monitoring is possible.

4) If the operation unit is provided with a display means, the situation can be surely confirmed. For example, even a direct-view type fiberscope that is not connected to the control unit can be used without a special power supply.

FIG. 3 shows the third embodiment, and is an overall configuration diagram of an ultrasonic scalpel which mainly uses ultrasonic vibrations inserted into the body.

The ultrasonic knife 41 is divided into a main body 42, a probe 43 and a handle 44. The main body 42 is a handle connection part
A horn-shaped probe connecting portion 48 is provided on the side of the probe 43, which has a basic configuration including an outer casing 45, a main body holding portion 46, and a built-in ultrasonic transducer 47. Probe connection 48
The other end is connected to a generator (not shown), which is a power control device, via a cable 49.

The probe 43, which forms an insertion portion, is connected to the probe connecting portion 48. Here, a general short scissor probe is illustrated. A grip portion 50 for gripping an object is provided at the tip of the probe 43.

The handle 44 penetrates through the center in the state where the probe 43 and the main body 42 are combined, and is joined by the transducer connecting portion 51 of the handle 44 and the handle connecting portion 45 of the main body 42.

Inside the main body 42, a thermoelectric generator 52 is provided so that one end of the thermoelectric generator 52 is in contact with the exterior portion 46 of the main body 42 or is exposed on the outer surface and the other end is in contact with the ultrasonic transducer 47.

Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

1) It is possible to confirm the temperature information of the ultrasonic vibrator, which cannot be completely hermetically structured. A similar effect can be expected with a drill and a shaver using a general electric motor.

2) Information can be surely transmitted by providing a discriminating means in the handpiece.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment and is a longitudinal side view of an eyepiece of a rigid endoscope which is mainly used by inserting it into the body.

The rigid endoscope 61 includes an insertion portion 62 covered with an elongated metal tube, a relay optical system 63 for relaying an endoscope image through an objective lens (not shown) in the insertion portion 62, and a relayed endoscope. It is composed of an eyepiece optical system 64 for forming a mirror image, a DIN standard eyepiece 65, and a light guide 66 for guiding illumination light to the tip of the insertion portion along the relay optical system.

Here, a thermoelectric generator 68 is built in the eyepiece main body 67 of the rigid endoscope 61 such that one end of the thermoelectric generator 68 is in contact with the exterior member 69. The other end of the thermoelectric generator 68 is placed in the internal space of the rigid endoscope 61 and is connected to the electromotive force sensor 70. The electromotive force sensor 70 is connected to a counter circuit (not shown) with a memory built in the electromotive force sensor 70 or provided separately.

Since the rigid endoscope 61 generally does not operate by electricity except for the video type, a signal cable or the like is built-in.
Not connected. Therefore, the counter circuit is provided with a signal line 71 and a signal terminal 72 which are not used during normal observation. For example, a dedicated checker (not shown) is connected to the signal terminal 72 so that the sterilization status recorded in the memory inside the rigid endoscope 61 can be accessed. In the present embodiment, a light guide post 73 to which the signal guide 72 is connected to the light guide 66 is provided.

When connecting a checker (not shown) to the signal terminal 72, the memory of the counter circuit is accessed from the signal terminal 72 via the signal line 71. Data relating to the temperature environment as described in the above embodiment is recorded in the memory, and this information is read. The read information is displayed on the display means of the checker. The internal circuits are all driven by electromotive force due to the temperature difference.

Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

1) Even with respect to the conventional rigid endoscope that does not use electric signals, since the handling and the shape are not particularly changed regarding usage, it is possible to manage sterilization without calling the user special care in handling. It will be possible.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment and is a perspective view of a sterilization tray which is stored when sterilizing a medical device.

The sterilization tray 75 is composed of a main body 76 and a lid 77, and the main body 76 can accommodate medical equipment to be sterilized. A thermoelectric generator 78 is built in the main body 76 or the lid 77 with one end facing the outer surface and the other end covered with resin or the like. The thermoelectric generator 78 is connected to the electromotive force sensor / counter circuit 79 and is connected to the display device 80.

Due to the nature of the sterilization tray 75, a display device 80 is provided on the outer surface of the sterilization tray 75 so that it can be identified immediately after, for example, autoclaving.

Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

1) When the sterilization tray is a general-purpose type, it is often used continuously unless it is repeatedly and destroyed. On the other hand, the service life can be predicted, so that reliable updating is possible.

2) By providing the display means on the sterilization tray, the same effect can be obtained even if the medical device to be put therein does not have a guideline indicating that it has been placed in a high temperature environment. In particular, if a dedicated sterilization tray for each type and individual medical device is used, the number of times the medical device has been placed in a high temperature environment can be confirmed.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Compact and convenient, without using a built-in power supply that requires replacement and charging,
In addition, it is possible to reliably display and record that the medical device compatible with a high temperature environment is placed in a high temperature state such as an autoclave.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing a camera head portion of a TV camera which is connected to an endoscope and has a built-in solid-state image sensor for outputting an endoscope image to a monitor.

FIG. 2 shows the second embodiment of the present invention, and is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope with a bending mechanism that is inserted into the body.

FIG. 3 shows the third embodiment of the present invention, and is an overall configuration diagram of an ultrasonic scalpel that mainly uses ultrasonic vibrations inserted into the body.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and is a vertical cross-sectional side view of an eyepiece portion of a rigid endoscope which is mainly inserted into a body for use.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective view of a sterilization tray that is stored when sterilizing a medical device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Camera head 6 ... Solid-state image sensor 15 ... Thermoelectric generator 16 ... Electromotive force sensor 17 ... Counter circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A thermoelectric generator, an electric amount detector that detects an amount of electricity generated by the thermoelectric generator, and an applied amount of heat and heat based on a detection result of the electric amount detector. A medical device comprising: a heating detection unit that detects at least one of time and the number of times of application of predetermined heat. 2. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the electric quantity detecting means is operated by electric power generated by the thermoelectric generator.