WO2011128599A1

WO2011128599A1 - Automatic device for disinfection of surgical motors

Info

Publication number: WO2011128599A1
Application number: PCT/FR2011/050864
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrice Slupecki; Gilles Casillo
Original assignee: @Nnie Plus
Priority date: 2010-04-14
Filing date: 2011-04-14
Publication date: 2011-10-20
Also published as: FR2958852B1; EP2558129A1; FR2958852A1; MA34149B1; CN102939112A

Abstract

Automatic device for disinfection of surgical motors that are used in the field of dentistry, in particular in handpieces, or in operating theatres, comprising an enclosure (1), means for holding the surgical motors, and means (33) for diffusion and spraying of cleaning, drying and lubricating fluids. The device comprises a multiplicity of juxtaposed modules (3) which are connected to at least one receiving means (4) arranged inside said enclosure (1), the modules (3) each being designed to receive a surgical motor and comprising, for this purpose, means for fixing the surgical motor, and also connection means specifically for the surgical motor that enable the diffusion of said fluids; and each of said modules (3) has reversible connection means (5) with a view to connecting each module to one or two adjacent modules (3) and making it possible to supply the module (3) with fluids and to circulate said fluids towards the other connected modules (3).

Description

AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR DISINFECTING SURGICAL ENGINES

The present invention relates to an automatic device for disinfecting surgical motors used in the dental field, including handpieces, or in operating theaters.

In the field of surgery it is essential that the instruments used are sterile, but before sterilization, it is necessary to carry out other operations such as cleaning, decontamination and drying, as well as the lubrication of the elements intended to be used. set in motion.

The main difficulties encountered concern the complete and efficient disinfection of surgical motors, which are rotary instruments, mainly soiled, in the case of handpieces, by the saliva and blood of patients, both externally and internally.

In order to avoid any contamination, it is necessary to clean and sterilize the instruments between each intervention. Since such a practice is difficult to perform manually because of the time required for disinfection and sterilization operations, the instruments are replaced between each patient, which necessitates the use of a large number of these instruments, and merely delays cleaning operations.

In order to overcome these various disadvantages, it has been proposed in the dental field in particular, cleaning devices for handpieces, which make it possible to carry out the cleaning of one or more handpieces, automatically.

Document FR 2 618 357 thus discloses a cleaning apparatus comprising a sealed enclosure provided internally with a standardized dental motor nose, each intended to receive a handpiece, each of said noses being fed sequentially with disinfectant fluids and lubricants, which pass through the handpieces.

Cleaning devices are also known comprising an enclosure enclosing means for spraying water and / or steam on a handpiece, as well as drying means, as in EP 0 056 791, EP 638 297 and FR 2,665,078, US 6,217,329 or US 4,990,087

These devices allow to clean and disinfect the inside or outside of a handpiece, and for some to lubricate the handpieces, automatically, so remove a task to the practitioner. However, they have drawbacks, besides the fact that none allows to perform all the operations necessary for effective disinfection and lubrication, they are of an uncomfortable use, including the difficulty of setting up and removal handpieces.

On the other hand, there are many types of handpieces, and it is therefore necessary to provide for each speaker several types of connection means and in sufficient number so as to treat all the instruments of a practitioner , but that supposes to over-size these cleaning devices, which is not possible.

Also known from US 5,543,119, a cleaning and disinfecting device comprising a removable cassette, adapted to contain several surgical motors adaptable to connection means arranged in an enclosure. Removability of the cassette facilitates the introduction and removal of the motors, which can be performed externally to the treatment chamber, however it does not solve the capacity problem mentioned above. Such a device can only occasionally clean hand parts.

The object of the present invention is to propose an automatic device for disinfecting surgical motors used in the dental field, and in particular the parts to be hand, or in the operating theaters, to remedy the various disadvantages mentioned above.

The automatic device for disinfecting surgical motors used in the dental field, and particularly the handpieces, or in the operating theaters according to the invention, comprises an enclosure, means for holding surgical motors, diffusion and spraying means. of cleaning, drying and lubricating fluids, and it is essentially characterized in that it comprises a multiplicity of modules juxtaposed and secured to at least one receiving means disposed inside said enclosure, said modules being intended for each to receive a surgical motor, and they comprise for this purpose means for fixing said surgical motor, as well as connection means specific to said surgical motor and adapted to allow the diffusion of said fluids; and in that each of said modules comprises reversible means of connection, for the purpose of connecting it to one or two neighboring modules, and which make it possible to supply said modules with fluids, and to circulate said fluids towards the other connected modules.

The device according to the invention is versatile, each module has specificities allowing it to treat a type of surgical motor, also, in practice, equips the automatic disinfection device of surgical instruments with modules adapted to the use to which it is intended, that is, it is configured to process the practitioner's instruments, according to their number and nature. This configuration consists of assembling on the receiving means or means, the appropriate number of modules adapted to the instruments. According to the invention, the assembling of the modules is achieved by their juxtaposition and the realization of the connections of the different fluids. Advantageously, the practitioner can himself configure his automatic disinfection device, incorporating the modules corresponding to his equipment, and also evolve according to the evolution of his equipment. According to an additional characteristic of the automatic disinfection device according to the invention, each module is in the form of a block traversed internally by supply channels for supplying fluid to the diffusion and spray means, and which are connected to a neighboring module in order to be supplied with fluids by the latter, and to another neighboring module to supply the latter with fluids.

According to another additional feature of the automatic disinfection device according to the invention, the two faces of the modules intended to be contiguous to one another for the purpose of connecting said modules, comprise the mouths of the fluid circulation channels, and mouths of one of said two faces are arranged symmetrically with respect to the mouths of the other face, while the junction is made through the connection means.

According to another additional characteristic of the automatic disinfection device according to the invention, each of the connection means consists of a connection teat, which is in the form of a tube, part of which is intended to be introduced into a mouth of a mouthpiece. channel of a module, while the other part is intended to be introduced into the mouth opposite the attached module, each of said parts being externally lined with a seal.

According to another additional feature of the automatic disinfection device according to the invention, the tube constituting the connection teat comprises externally in the middle position, a seal intended to allow centering and blocking of the tube between the two modules which it connects, to this effect the mouths each have a chamfer for housing said seal when the modules are contiguous.

According to another additional feature of the automatic disinfection device according to the invention, the modules comprise the side of which the engine is secured. surgical fluid spray booms, s ¹ extending parallel or substantially parallel to the axis of implanting said surgical motor.

According to another additional feature of the automatic disinfection device according to the invention, some modules incorporate a motor adapted to allow the driving of the surgical motor, while the connection means of the modules comprise electrical conduction means able to supply the motors of said modules.

According to another additional feature of the automatic disinfection device according to the invention, the modules are subject to the receiving means through sliding means.

According to another additional feature of the automatic disinfection device according to the invention, the receiving means are pivotally movable along a horizontal axis, and in a limited amplitude, so as to be able to take at least two positions, one of treatment where the modules are oriented so that the surgical motors they carry are oriented downwards in a vertical or substantially vertical position, and another unloading loading discharge where the modules are oriented so that the surgical motors they bear in the direction of the opening allowing access to the interior of the enclosure.

According to another additional feature of the automatic disinfection device according to the invention, the chamber comprises means for collecting the fluids after treatment, as well as means for washing the interior of the chamber.

According to another additional characteristic of the automatic disinfection device according to the invention, each set of modules subjected to a receiving means, comprises, at least one end of the juxtaposition of modules, an end module comprising specific means of connection to fluid supply means. According to another additional feature of the automatic disinfection device according to the invention, the fluid supply means consist of hoses.

The advantages and characteristics of the automatic disinfection device according to the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and which refers to the attached drawing, which represents a non-limiting embodiment thereof.

In the attached drawing:

- Figure 1 shows a partial schematic perspective view and partially cut away of an automatic device for disinfection of surgical instruments according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a portion of the same device.

- Figure 3 shows a partial schematic perspective and exploded view of the same part.

The following description relates to an automatic device for disinfecting surgical instruments, and in particular, in the dental field, handpieces. The device according to the invention is however not limited to this field, and it is perfectly usable in the operating rooms, with some modifications of a technical nature, of adaptation to the motors used in this field.

With reference to FIG. 1, it is thus possible to see an automatic device for disinfecting surgical instruments according to the invention. It essentially comprises, and in a manner known per se, an enclosure 1 provided with a door 10, and enclosing means 2 for holding handpieces, not shown, supplied with cleaning, drying and lubricating fluids, through connections, not shown.

According to the invention, the holding means 2 consist of assemblies of modules 3 mounted on receiving means 4 integral with the enclosure 1.

Referring also to Figure 2, we can see a set 2 of modules 3, while in Figure 3 we can see these modules 3 being assembled. Each module 3 comprises a block 30, in this case cubic, of the upper face 31 which projects perpendicularly, substantially centrally a nose 32 for fixing a handpiece, and on both sides of this nose 32, two ramps 33 provided, on the side facing the axis of the nose 32, spray holes 34.

The block 30 comprises on each of two parallel vertical faces 35, a groove 350 parallel to the plane of the upper face 31, and which allows the securement by coulxssement of the module 3 on a receiving means 4, visible in Figure 1.

Note that in this embodiment, the receiving means 4 is configured to receive two parallel sets 2 of modules 3, it comprises for this purpose three parallel rails 40, arranged in the same plane, the central slide 40 being common to both sets 2.

The block 30 comprises on each of the other two parallel vertical faces 36, connection means for connecting the modules 3 to each other.

Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 3, a face 36 comprises on the one hand two male plugs 37 for electrical connection, while the other face 36, which is not visible, has concordant female plugs; and on the other hand three mouths 38, consisting of inner channel ends 39 for conveying different fluids, the other side having the same mouths 38 arranged symmetrically.

The junction of each of the mouths 38 of a module 3 with a mouth 38 of the adjacent module 3, is achieved through a connecting nipple 5, which comprises a tube 50, externally provided with three O-rings, distributed longitudinally, namely two extreme seals 51 and a median seal 52.

Each of the extreme seals 51 is intended to provide a seal between the nipple 5 and the mouth 38 of the module 3 in which the nipple is inserted, while the seal median 52 is intended to achieve the centering and locking of the nipple 5 between the two modules 3.

Note that for this purpose, and preferably, the medial seals 52 are larger than those of the end seals 51, and the mouths 38 comprise a chamfer 380, for housing the median seal 52 when the modules 3 are contiguous.

Thus, a handpiece holding assembly 2 consists of the assembly of modules 3 chosen according to the number and nature of the handpieces to be treated, and this assembly is then subjected to a receiving means 4. which is disposed in the enclosure 1.

Due to the electrical connections via the plugs 37, and fluidic connections, via the channels 39, the assembly 2 is traversed by fluids for supplying each of the modules 3, which can operate independently.

Internally, each of the modules 3 comprises the means for conveying the fluids required for the treatments, and specifically for the handpiece carried by the module 3.

Circulating fluids are of different natures, water with or without detergent, for cleaning and external rinsing using ramps 33, hot water for thermal cleaning, air to turn the turbines and perform lubrication, and current, 12 V for example, to power a motor incorporated in the module 3 and able to drive the handpiece.

After assembly of the modules 3, they are connected to supply means in different fluids, not shown.

Note that it is preferably provided specific end modules 6, visible in Figures 1 and 2, which have particular characteristics to facilitate connection to these supply means. Thus these modules 6, which are not adapted to the reception of handpieces, although this could be conceivable, each include means, not visible, connection to a module 3, and means 60 for connection to the power supply means.

Furthermore, it is expected that the receiving means 4 can pivot about a horizontal axis by a limited amplitude, so as to allow to tilt the modules 3 and thus facilitate the introduction or removal of the handpieces, also, the connection means 60 connection to the supply means are preferably made through flexible pipes to allow such movement.

The pivoting of the receiving means 4 is preferably indexed so as to be immobilized in particular positions, in particular, as shown in FIG. 1, faces 31 of the modules 3 facing downwards, in a treatment configuration, or well faces 31 oriented in the direction of the opening of the chamber 1, to allow the introduction or removal of the handpieces, or faces 31 facing upwards, or in an approaching direction, corresponding to a position of unlocking, allowing the removal of the receiving means 4 for a modification of the composition of the assemblies 2.

Finally, the chamber 1 has a bottom 11 hopper-shaped to allow the collection of fluids after use. Advantageously, the enclosure 1 is provided with spray bars 12, only one of which is visible in FIG. 1, intended for cleaning the enclosure 1 after the treatment operations.

Claims

1) Automatic disinfection device for surgical motors used in the dental field, and especially handpieces, or in operating theaters, comprising an enclosure (1), holding means (2) for surgical motors, means (33) ) of diffusion and spraying cleaning fluids, drying and lubrication, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of modules (3, 6) juxtaposed and secured to at least one receiving means (4) disposed at the interior of said enclosure (1), said modules (3, 6) being each intended to receive a surgical motor, and comprise for this purpose means (32) for fixing said surgical motor, as well as connection means specific to said surgical motor and able to allow the diffusion of said fluids; and in that each of said modules (3, 6) comprises reversible connecting means (5), for connecting it to one or two adjacent modules (3, 6), which make it possible to supply said module (3 , 6) in fluids, and to circulate said fluids to the other modules (3, 6) connected.

2) automatic disinfection device according to claim 1, characterized in that each module (3, 6) is in the form of a block (30) internally traversed by supply channels (39) for supplying fluid the diffusion and spray means (33), which are connected to a neighboring module (3, 6) in order to be supplied with fluids by the latter, and to another adjacent module (3, 6) in order to feed the latter in fluids.

3) Automatic disinfection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the two faces (36) of the modules (3, 6) intended to be contiguous to each other for the connection of said modules (3, 6). , comprise the mouths (38) of the fluid circulation channels (39), and 1 ¹ mouthpieces (38) of one of said two faces (36) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the mouths (38) of the other face (36), while the junction is made through the connection means (5) .

4) Automatic disinfection device according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the connection means consists of a connecting teat (5), which is in the form of a tube (50), a portion of which is intended to be introduced in a mouth (38) of a channel (39) of a module (3, 6), while the other part is intended to be introduced into the mouth (38) facing the module (3, 6) joined, each of said parts being externally lined with a seal (51).

5) Automatic disinfection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the tube (50) constituting the connecting nipple (5) has an outwardly in the middle position, a seal (52) intended to allow centering and blocking of the tube ( 50) between the two modules (3, 6) that connects, for this purpose the mouths each have a chamfer (380) for housing said seal when the modules (3, 6) are contiguous.

6) automatic disinfection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modules (3) comprise the side (31) which is secured to the surgical motor, ramps (33) for spraying fluids, extending parallel or substantially parallel to the axis of implantation of said surgical motor.

7) Automatic disinfection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that some modules (3) incorporate a motor adapted to allow the driving of the surgical motor, while the connection means of the modules (3, 6) comprise means (37) of electrical conduction able to supply the motors of said modules (3, 6).

8) Automatic disinfection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the modules (3, 6) are subjected to the receiving means (4) through sliding means (40).

9) Automatic disinfection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the or the receiving means (4) are pivotally movable along a horizontal axis, and a limited amplitude, so as to take at least two positions, one of treatment where the modules (3, 6) are oriented so that the surgical motors they carry are oriented downwards in a vertical or substantially vertical position, and another loading unloading mouth wherein the modules (3, 6) are oriented so that the surgical motors they carry are inclined towards the opening to access the interior of the enclosure (1).

10) Automatic disinfection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the enclosure (1) comprises means (11) for collecting the fluids after treatment, and means (12) washing of inside the enclosure (1).

11) Automatic disinfection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each set (2) of modules (3, 6) secured to a receiving means (4) comprises at least one end of the juxtaposition of modules (3, 6), an end module (6) comprising specific means (60) for connection to fluid supply means.

12) Automatic disinfection device according to claim 11, characterized in that the fluid supply means consist of hoses.