Method and apparatus for cleaning the interior of a channel of a medical instrument

#The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cleaning the inside of a narrow channel or channel of a medical instrument such as an endoscope, a surgical instrument, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reliably removing materials such as mucus, blood, and the like which have adhered to the inner surface of the channel.

#The use of endoscopes has spread rapidly and widely in the medical field, and endoscopic operations are performed frequently. However, with the increasing number of endoscopic examinations being performed in recent years, infections are on the rise. Insufficiently cleaned endoscopes cause most of these infections.

#A large number of medical instruments for use in conjunction with endoscopes have been developed. Many of these medical instruments have complicated configurations, such as coil-shaped long, narrow tubes, that are difficult to clean. Infections due to insufficient cleaning of these instruments are on the rise and have become a significant problem. Thus, there is a great demand for the development of methods of preventing infections from occurring at the time of examination and treatment.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic construction view showing a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, for cleaning the inside of a channel of a medical instrument.

#FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the use of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a partly broken-away sectional view showing the cleaning apparatus of the present invention at a part thereof in the vicinity of a rear end of a cleaning liquid feeding tube.

#The method and the apparatus for cleaning the inside of a channel of a medical instrument according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

#The method of the present invention for cleaning the inside of the channel of a medical instrument includes the steps of inserting a cleaning catheter 2 having ultrasonic vibrators 4, 5 mounted thereon into a channel 12 of the medical instrument, of vibrating the ultrasonic vibrators 4, 5 and moving the cleaning catheter 2 in the channel 12 to transmit an ultrasonic vibration to an inner surface of the channel 12 and separate (remove) undesired matter from the inner surface of the channel 12.

#It is possible to transmit the ultrasonic vibration emitted from the cleaning catheter 2 to the entire inner surface of the channel 12 of the medical instrument by inserting the cleaning catheter 2 into the channel 12 and moving it in the channel 12, namely, by moving the cleaning catheter forward and rearward in the axial direction of the channel. Thereby, the undesired matter (or in other words, a contaminant), which has adhered to the inner surface of the channel of the medical instrument, is subjected to the ultrasonic vibration and separates therefrom while it is being pulverized. The inner surface of the channel of the medical instrument is cleaned with a cleaning liquid such as cleaning water or a diluted solution containing cleaning chemicals supplied (expelled) into the channel.