IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,905,831
Granted Patent B2
US 7,905,831 · App. 11/645,203 · Granted Mar 15, 2011

Endoscope washing/disinfecting system, endoscope, and endoscope washing/disinfecting device

Assignee: Olympus Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,905,831
App. No.
11/645,203
Granted
Mar 15, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a washing/disinfecting tank of an endoscope washing/disinfecting device, an endoscope connection portion to be joined to a connector portion of an endoscope body is provided, and receiving-side bases to be connected to each of pipelines of the endoscope body are provided. In washing/disinfecting the endoscope body, the connector portion is opposed to the endoscope connection portion in the predetermined positioned state, and then, a switch is turned on. Then, an electromagnet disposed at the endoscope connection portion is excited so as to attract and fix the connector portion by a generated magnetic force.

Claims (11)

1. An endoscope washing/disinfecting device for washing and disinfecting an endoscope set in a washing tank, the endoscope washing/disinfecting device comprising:

a connection pipe to which at least a washing liquid is supplied;

a moving mechanism for moving the connection pipe in a direction of a channel port of the endoscope set in the washing tank; and

a seal member for sealing a space between the connection pipe and the channel port;

a bulkhead provided outside of a side wall of the washing tank and forming a sealed space in which the moving mechanism and a part of the connection pipe are provided, the sealed space being formed as a result of connection of the channel and the connection pipe and different from a flowing passage through which the washing liquid is flown;

a water leakage sensor provided in the bulkhead; and

a control circuit for driving and controlling the moving mechanism according to a washing/disinfecting program for the endoscope, the control circuit monitoring an input of signal from the water leakage sensor all the time during execution of the washing/disinfecting program and executing error processing when receiving a signal indicating water leakage.

2. The endoscope washing/disinfecting device according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressurizing portion for pressurizing inside of the bulkhead when liquid is in the washing tank.

3. The endoscope washing/disinfecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the seal member configured to expand or contract in a radial direction crossing an axial direction of the connection pipe to controllably seal the space between the connection pipe and the channel port without a gap or with a gap.

4. The endoscope washing/disinfecting device according to claim 3 , wherein the seal member is comprised of an artificial muscle member.

5. The endoscope washing/disinfecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the moving mechanism is comprised of an artificial muscle member.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Jun 27, 2016
From: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
To: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 039344/0502 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2007
From: NOGUCHI, TOSHIAKI; SUZUKI, EIRI; GOCHO, MASANORI; KUROSHIMA, HISASHI; HASEGAWA, HITOSHI; ITOYA, SATOSHI; OGAWA, AKIO; ITO, NORIAKI
To: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 019082/0044 →
Priority Claims (3)
JP 2004-186951 · Jun 24, 2004 · national
JP 2004-186955 · Jun 24, 2004 · national
JP 2004-186956 · Jun 24, 2004 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTJP2005011541 · Jun 23, 2005
Related Publication 20070185385A1 · Aug 9, 2007