KR101020517B1 - Medical apparatus for sterilizing and drying of handpieces - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for sterilization and drying of a medical handpiece, wherein the handpiece is fixed in a chamber configured to attach and detach the handpiece, and the low temperature plasma is formed by a hollow tube formed inside or outside the handpiece. Plasma and ozone are supplied to perform cleaning, sterilization and drying procedures for the handpiece.

In particular, while performing the effective handpiece cleaning, sterilization and drying process by low temperature plasma and ozone, at the same time to prevent the deformation of the handpiece, and to perform the handpiece cleaning and sterilization and drying process at once In addition, the time required for disinfecting and sterilizing handpieces can be significantly reduced.

Therefore, the rapid and effective dental treatment is possible, as well as environmentally sterilizable, there is an effect to improve the product life and competitiveness for expensive handpieces.

Low temperature plasma, ozone, handpiece, sterilization, drying, hot air

Description

Medical apparatus for sterilizing and drying of handpieces}

The present invention relates to an apparatus for sterilization and drying of a medical handpiece, and more particularly, by using a low temperature plasma ozone water mixed with low temperature plasma and ozone and water at room temperature, a hollow tube formed inside as well as the outside of the handpiece. By washing, sterilizing and drying, it is possible to effectively disinfect and sterilize and to prevent deformation of the handpiece.

In general, a variety of dental medical instruments are used in dentistry to treat abnormal teeth. In particular, dental handpieces used during surgery and treatment are exposed to bacteria and microorganisms, and therefore, between patients or between medical personnel and medical staff. Cross-infection problems are frequent.

Therefore, in order to prevent infection by bacteria and microorganisms as described above, the importance of disinfection and sterilization for dental medical instruments is emerging.

Disinfection and sterilization methods currently used include methods by means of devices and medicines. Dental medical instruments, for example, handpiece sterilizers are autoclave and dry heat sterilizers. ), An EO sterilizer, an ultrasonic sterilizer, and the like, and methods such as povidone, gluconate chlorohexidine, glutaraldehyde, and the like are used.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned handpiece is used by attaching and detaching a variety of dental tools for treating the patient's teeth, such handpiece to the hollow to the inside to supply the washing water sprayed to the treatment site when treating the patient's teeth The tube is formed.

However, the hollow tube formed in the handpiece as described above is not only straight, but also composed of various shapes such as bent at a certain angle, and because its inner diameter is very small, the above-mentioned high temperature and high pressure handpiece sterilization apparatus When used, there is a problem that the deformation of the product, such as a handpiece, resulting in a shortened product life of the handpiece.

Due to the above problems, despite the need to use a sterilized handpiece for each patient, the product life of the expensive handpiece can be significantly reduced, most dentists are reluctant to sterilize by high temperature, high pressure There is a situation.

In case of sterilization and sterilization using chemicals, the degree of deformation of the product may be reduced compared to the high temperature and high pressure handpiece sterilizer, but many processes such as chemical sterilization, sterilization, and drying are required. In addition, since the time required for disinfection and sterilization work is long and requires a lot of manual work, a separate equipment such as a dryer and a sterilizer required for a separate process is required, and the burden of the overall equipment cost and maintenance cost becomes very large.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention by using the ozone water mixed with low-temperature plasma and ozone and room temperature water, by washing, sterilizing and drying the hollow tube formed inside as well as the outside of the handpiece, effective disinfection And it is possible to provide a sterilization and drying device of the medical handpiece that can be sterilized and at the same time prevent the deformation of the handpiece in advance.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sterilization and drying apparatus for a medical handpiece which significantly reduces the time required for disinfection and sterilization of the handpiece by performing the washing and sterilization and drying process of the handpiece at once.

In order to achieve the above object, the sterilization and drying apparatus of the medical handpiece according to the present invention, the washing water supply device for storing and supplying the washing water at room temperature; A sterile gas generating device generating low temperature plasma and ozone; Sterilization which receives at least one of washing water supplied from the washing water supply device and low temperature plasma and ozone generated from the sterilizing gas generating device and performs at least one of washing, sterilizing and drying processes for a handpiece installed to be detachable therein. And drying apparatus; And a discharge device for storing and discharging wastewater discharged from the sterilization and drying apparatus after at least one of the washing, sterilizing and drying processes for the handpiece is completed.

In particular, the sterilization and drying apparatus, the ozone water mixed with the washing water and low temperature plasma and ozone is stored, and the washing, sterilization and drying process for the handpiece by the low temperature plasma and ozone supplied from the sterilization gas generating device When the at least one of the process is completed is configured in the interior of the chamber for discharging sewage, and comprises a handpiece connecting portion formed to supply the ozone water to the hollow tube formed inside the handpiece while being formed detachable to the handpiece It is characterized by.

More preferably, the inside of the chamber of the sterilization and drying apparatus further comprises a water level sensor for detecting the level of ozone water, if the level of ozone water is detected by the water level sensor, supply of the washing water supplied from the washing water supply device And stopping and controlling the operations of the washing water supply device and the low temperature plasma generation device to supply the low temperature plasma and ozone supplied from the sterilization gas generation device into the chamber.

In addition, the chamber of the sterilization and drying device further comprises an ozone sensor for detecting the ozone concentration of the ozone water, the sterilization gas generating device, to generate ozone in response to the ozone concentration of the ozone water detected by the ozone sensor It is preferable to include an ozone generating means.

In addition, the inside of the chamber of the sterilization and drying apparatus further comprises a temperature and humidity sensor for sensing the temperature and humidity inside the chamber, the sterilization gas generating device, generates heat in response to the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature and humidity sensor It is preferable to include a hot air generating means.

In addition, the sterilizing gas generating device, characterized in that it further comprises an oxygen generator for supplying oxygen to the ozone generating means and low temperature plasma generating means.

In addition, the discharge device, characterized in that it comprises an ozone decomposer for decomposing ozone contained in the air discharged from the sterilization and drying device.

By the above solution, the present invention is fixed to the handpiece in the chamber (Chamber) configured to attach and detach the handpiece, and the low-temperature plasma (Plasma) and the hollow tube formed on the inside as well as the outside of the handpiece By supplying ozone to perform the cleaning, sterilization and drying process of the handpiece, while performing an effective cleaning, sterilization and drying process, it is possible to prevent deformation of the handpiece in advance.

In particular, by washing the handpiece and sterilization and drying process at a time, it is possible to significantly reduce the time required for disinfection and sterilization of the handpiece.

Therefore, the rapid and effective dental treatment is possible, as well as environmentally sterilizable, there is an effect to improve the product life and competitiveness for expensive handpieces.

Examples of sterilization and drying apparatus of the medical handpiece according to the present invention can be applied in various ways, in the following description of the most preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, the mechanical configuration and coupling relationship of each configuration Since various modifications are possible depending on the requirements of those skilled in the art and the configuration of the handpiece, it is not limited to the specific one.

1 is a conceptual view showing an embodiment of the sterilization and drying apparatus of the medical handpiece according to the present invention, the washing water supply device 100, sterile gas generating device 200, sterilization and drying device 300 and the discharge device ( 400).

The washing water supply device 100 stores and supplies washing water at room temperature, and includes a washing water storage unit 110, a purification filter 120, a washing water supply unit 130, and a first non-return valve 140. do.

The washing water storage means 110 is for storing the washing water at room temperature, the shape and size of the washing water can be variously applied according to the needs of those skilled in the art, and comprises at least one water level sensor (111a) (111b) therein do.

The purification filter 120 is to remove foreign substances contained in the washing water stored in the washing water storage means 110.

The washing water supply means 130 is for supplying the washing water stored in the washing water supply apparatus 100 to the sterilization and drying apparatus 300, consisting of a water pump and the like, a separate control means (not shown), for example For example, it is controlled according to a control algorithm programmed in a microprocessor or the like. Here, the control algorithm can be variously applied and modified according to the needs of those skilled in the art, and the same in the control of each configuration below.

The first non-return valve 140 prevents ozone water from flowing back from the sterilization and drying apparatus 300 to the washing water supply device 100, and prevents the first reverse flow when the washing water supply means 130 operates. The valve 140 is in an open state, and when the washing water supply means 130 does not operate, the first backflow prevention valve 140 is in a closed state.

The sterilization gas generator 200 generates low-temperature plasma and ozone, and includes a low-temperature plasma generating unit 211, an ozone generating unit 212, a hot air generating unit 220, a second check valve 230, and ozone. It is configured to include a sensor 240 and the oxygen generator 250.

The low temperature plasma generating means 211 is to generate a low temperature plasma at room temperature, the ozone generating means 212 to generate ozone, the water and ozone at room temperature in a way that can be sterilized most effectively in the natural state It is possible to clean and sterilize handpiece by making mixed low temperature plasma ozonated water and to be environmentally friendly sterilization. Here, the configuration of the low-temperature plasma generating means 211 and the ozone generating means 212 and the low-temperature plasma generating method can also be variously applied according to the needs of those skilled in the art.

The hot wind generating means 220 is to generate air heated by a heater or the like, and is operated in response to a temperature detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 314 of the sterilization and drying apparatus 300 to be described below.

The second non-return valve 230 may prevent the ozone water from flowing back from the sterilization and drying apparatus 300 to the sterilization gas generator 200.

The ozone sensor 240, for measuring the concentration of ozone present in the chamber 310 of the sterilization and drying apparatus 300, is preferably configured in the chamber 310, according to the needs of those skilled in the art The ozone generated by the ozone generating means 212 may be measured. Here, the amount of ozone generated by the ozone generating means 212 is controlled in response to the concentration of ozone measured by the ozone sensor 240.

The oxygen generator 250 is for generating a high concentration of low-temperature plasma and ozone, the amount of ozone required in response to the detection result of the ozone sensor 240, the low-temperature plasma generating means 211 and ozone generation When greater than the amount of ozone generated by the means 212, oxygen is generated to generate insufficient ozone and supplied to the low temperature plasma generating means 211 and the ozone generating means 212.

The sterilization and drying apparatus 300 receives the washing water supplied from the washing water supply device 100 and the low temperature plasma and ozone generated from the sterilizing gas generating device 200 and is installed to be detachable therein. Performing at least one of washing, sterilizing, and drying processes (not shown, dotted lines in FIG. 1), the chamber 310 includes a chamber 310 capable of storing and discharging ozone water, low temperature plasma, and ozone. Here, the ozone water (when the washing water and ozone are mixed) and the low temperature plasma and ozone supplied from the washing water supply device 100 and the sterilization gas generator 200 are supplied directly into the chamber 310 and at the same time the handpiece It is supplied to a hollow tube (not shown) formed in the connection portion 311.

The chamber 310 includes a handpiece connection part 311, a door sensor 312, a water level sensor 313, a temperature humidity sensor 314, and a solenoid valve 315a and 315b.

The handpiece connection part 311 is for fixing and fixing the dental handpiece, and the handpiece is formed to be detachable.

At this time, the hollow tube (ozone water and low-temperature plasma and ozone supplied tube) formed in the handpiece connecting portion 311 is formed so that the hollow tube inside the handpiece is connected.

Accordingly, ozone water, low temperature plasma and ozone supplied to the handpiece connection part 311 are discharged into the chamber 310 through a hollow tube formed inside the handpiece.

On the other hand, the chamber 310 is configured with a door (not shown) for attaching and detaching the handpiece, the door sensor 312 for detecting that the door is opened during the cleaning, sterilization and drying process is installed, the door Will inform the user whether the opening and closing of the. Here, the notification method of the door opening and closing may use a speaker or a display.

The water level sensor 313 is for detecting the storage level of the ozone water supplied through the washing water supply device 100 and the sterilization gas generator 200, when a predetermined amount of ozone water is stored in the chamber 310, It detects this and transmits a detection signal to a control means (not shown).

The control means stops supplying the washing water by the washing water supplying means 130 when the detection signal of the water level sensor 313 is received and closes the first check valve 140.

 The temperature and humidity sensor 314 is for controlling the temperature of the hot air supplied through the sterilization gas generating device 200, and measures the internal air temperature and humidity of the chamber 310 and transmits it to the control means.

The control means controls the operation of the hot air generating means 220 by comparing the temperature measured by the temperature and humidity sensor 314 and the set temperature (drying temperature set by the user).

The solenoid valves 315a and 315b are for selectively discharging ozone water stored in the chamber 310 or air including low temperature plasma and ozone, and the operation thereof will be described in more detail below.

The discharge device 400 is to store and discharge the sewage discharged from the sterilization and drying apparatus 300 after at least one of the washing, sterilization and drying process for the handpiece is completed, sewage storage means 410 ), A foreign material removal filter 420, ozone decomposer 430, vacuum pump 440 and the foreign material storage means 450 is configured to include.

The sewage storage means 410 stores ozone water discharged during washing, sterilization and drying, and air containing low-temperature plasma and ozone, and is a water level sensor (411a) (411b) (411c) for detecting the level of ozone water. Is configured to include at least one, if the water level of the ozone water is detected by the high water level sensor (411a), and transmits a warning message for the user to empty the sewage container, the warning message may be transmitted through the speaker or display.

The foreign substance removal filter 420 is for removing foreign substances and moisture from ozone contained in the air in the sewage storage means 410.

When the air including the low-temperature plasma and ozone discharged from the sewage storage means 410 passes through the foreign matter removing filter 420, the foreign matter is removed and the dried air is supplied to the ozone decomposer 430, where the dried air May include low temperature plasma and ozone.

The ozone decomposer 430 is for decomposing ozone discharged from the sterilization and drying apparatus 300.

The vacuum pump 440 is to allow the ozone water and the air containing the low temperature plasma and ozone stored in the sewage storage means 410 to move smoothly.

The foreign matter storage means 450 is to collect the foreign matter and moisture filtered by the foreign matter removal filter 420.

Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 2a to 2d, it will be described the operation of the sterilization and drying apparatus of the medical handpiece according to the present invention described above. In describing the operation below, the operation control of each component is controlled by the above control means, and it is natural that the control means is not limited to a specific one.

First, the user opens a door (not shown) installed in the chamber 310 of the sterilization and drying apparatus 300, and fixedly connects the handpiece (not shown) to the handpiece connecting portion 311 for sterilization and drying. When the door is closed, the control means measures the amount of the washing water stored in the washing water storage means 110 of the washing water supply device 100 and informs the user when it is insufficient.

When a sufficient amount of washing water is stored in the washing water storage means 110, the control means opens the sole valve 315a and operates the washing water supplying means 130, the low temperature plasma generating means 211, and the ozone generating means 212. At the same time, the first and second non-return valves 140 and 230 are opened to allow ozone water (water mixed with wash water and ozone) to be supplied into the chamber 310 as shown in FIG. 2A. At this time, as described above, a part of the ozone water is supplied to the inside of the chamber 310 through the hollow tube formed inside the handpiece through the handpiece connecting portion 311.

The above process is a washing process, and the washing process ends when the water level is detected by the water level sensor 313 configured in the chamber 310.

When the washing process ends, the sterilization process starts, and the control means terminates the operation of the washing water supply means 130 and closes the first backflow check valve 140 when the sterilization process starts.

After the sterilization process is progressed, as shown in Figure 2b as the low-temperature plasma and ozone generated in the sterilization gas generator 200 is supplied in the form of bubbles through the handpiece connecting portion 311, the hollow tube formed inside the handpiece The interior is sterilized.

By sterilizing the handpiece by using a bubble-type low-temperature plasma and ozone as described above, sterilization by low temperature and low pressure is possible, thereby preventing deformation of the handpiece in advance.

As the low-temperature plasma and ozone are supplied as described above, air is introduced into the chamber 310 and a part of the air introduced therein is introduced into the wastewater storage means 410 of the discharge device 400 through the sole valve 315a. The air introduced into the sewage storage means 410 passes through the foreign matter removing filter 420, and the air mixed with the low temperature plasma and ozone is supplied to the chamber 310 again. This is based on the principle that when the vacuum pump 440 sucks air from the wastewater storage means 410 and becomes a vacuum state, the air in the chamber 310 flows into the wastewater storage means 410.

When the sterilization process is terminated, as shown in FIG. 2C, the sole valve 315b of the chamber 310 is opened, and the sewage storage means 410 is vacuumed by the vacuum pump 440 to be stored in the chamber 310. Ozone water is discharged to the sewage storage means 410, the drying process is started when all the ozone water in the chamber 310 is discharged.

When the drying process is started, the control means checks the temperature and humidity sensed by the temperature and humidity sensor 314 configured in the chamber 310, and the hot air generating means 220 of the sterilization gas generating device 200 to correspond to the set drying temperature. ) Will be activated. At this time, the air flow of the drying process is as shown in Figure 2d.

Of course, the configuration and operation of the sterilization and drying apparatus of the medical handpiece according to the present invention described above is not limited to the one configuration and operation described above.

For example, the cleaning, sterilization and drying process can be controlled to select at least one according to the needs of those skilled in the art, information about the progress of each process and the operation of each component can be informed by voice and visual Of course.

In other words, by additionally configuring the sound output means (speakers, etc.) and the display means (monitors, touch pads, etc.) in the sterilization and drying apparatus of the medical handpiece of the present invention described above, so as to facilitate the status check and control of each configuration Of course you can.

In addition, the sterilization and drying device of the medical handpiece of the present invention can be configured by modularizing in various forms to be detachable to the dental medical device.

The embodiments of the sterilization and drying apparatus of the medical handpiece according to the present invention have been described above. Such a technical configuration of the present invention will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments are to be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and the meanings of the claims and All changes or modifications derived from the scope and the equivalent concept should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the sterilization and drying apparatus for a medical handpiece using a low temperature plasma according to the present invention.

2a to 2d is a conceptual diagram showing the operation of the sterilization and drying device of the medical handpiece using the low temperature plasma shown in FIG.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: washing water supply device 110: washing water storage means

120: purification filter 130: washing water supply means

140: first check valve 200: sterile gas generating device

211: low temperature plasma generating means 212: ozone generating means

220: hot air generating means 230: second backflow check valve

240: ozone sensor 250: oxygen generator

300: sterilization and drying device 310: chamber (Chamber)

311: handpiece connection 400: discharge device

410: sewage storage means 420: foreign material removal filter

430: ozone decomposer 440: vacuum pump

Claims (7)

Washing water supply device for storing and supplying the washing water at room temperature; A sterile gas generating device generating low temperature plasma and ozone; Sterilization which receives at least one of washing water supplied from the washing water supply device and low temperature plasma and ozone generated from the sterilizing gas generating device and performs at least one of washing, sterilizing and drying processes for a handpiece installed to be detachable therein. And drying apparatus; And Sterilization and drying apparatus for a medical handpiece comprising a; discharge device for storing and discharging the effluent discharged from the sterilization and drying apparatus after at least one of the washing, sterilization and drying process for the handpiece is completed. The method of claim 1, The sterilization and drying device, When the washing water and the low temperature plasma and ozone mixed ozone water are supplied and stored, and at least one process of washing, sterilizing and drying the handpiece by the low temperature plasma and ozone supplied from the sterilization gas generator is completed It is configured in the interior of the chamber for discharging, the handpiece of the medical handpiece, characterized in that the handpiece is formed to be detachable and comprises a handpiece connecting portion formed to supply ozone water to the hollow tube formed inside the handpiece. Sterilization and drying unit. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Inside the chamber of the sterilization and drying apparatus further comprises a water level sensor for detecting the level of ozone water, When the level of ozone water is detected by the water level sensor, the supply of the washing water supplied from the washing water supply device is stopped, and the washing water supply device and the low temperature to supply the low temperature plasma and ozone supplied from the sterile gas generating device into the chamber. Sterilization and drying apparatus for a medical handpiece, characterized in that for controlling the operation of the plasma generating device. The method of claim 3, wherein Inside the chamber of the sterilization and drying apparatus further comprises an ozone sensor for detecting the ozone concentration of the ozone water, The sterile gas generating device, Sterilization and drying device of the medical handpiece comprising a ozone generating means for generating ozone in response to the ozone concentration of ozone water detected by the ozone sensor. The method of claim 4, wherein Inside the chamber of the sterilization and drying apparatus further comprises a temperature and humidity sensor for detecting the temperature and humidity inside the chamber, The sterile gas generating device, Sterilization and drying apparatus for a medical handpiece comprising a hot air generating means for generating heat in response to the temperature and humidity sensed by the temperature and humidity sensor. The method of claim 5, The sterile gas generating device, Sterilization and drying apparatus of the medical handpiece further comprises an oxygen generator for supplying oxygen to the ozone generating means and low temperature plasma generating means. The method of claim 6, The discharge device, Sterilization and drying device of the medical handpiece comprising a ozone decomposer for decomposing ozone contained in the air discharged from the sterilization and drying device.

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