Sterilization confirmation tester and test pack

Abstract

The present invention provides a sterilization confirmation tester and a test pack which enables effective sterilization to be confirmed in a simple and sure manner by providing a simulation of the structure of an endoscope and so forth. The sterilization confirmation tester according to the present invention has a function of confirming effective sterilization treatment after sterilization performed by a sterilization apparatus. The sterilization confirmation tester includes a structure corresponding to at lest one of the components which form the endoscope.

1 . A sterilization confirmation tester for confirming effective sterilization performed by a sterilization apparatus, the sterilization confirmation tester having a structure which corresponds to at least one component of an endoscope.  
     
     
         2 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 1 , wherein the aforementioned structure includes a conduit simulation portion which is a structure corresponding to a conduit of the endoscope.  
     
     
         3 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 2 , wherein the aforementioned structure includes a casing for storing a sterilization confirmation indicator and two tubes connected to the casing so as to communicate with the interior space thereof, 
 and wherein the aforementioned conduit simulation portion includes conduits of the two tubes.    
     
     
         4 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 3 , wherein the aforementioned casing has a separatable portion which has a function of separating into parts so as to form an opening upon the application of a predetermined amount of force to the separatable portion.  
     
     
         5 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 4 , further including a culture medium bag which covers the portion where the opening is to be formed, in a watertight manner, and which includes a culture medium for a biological indicator.  
     
     
         6 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 4 , wherein a seal is adhered to the casing in order to seal the separatable portion in a watertight manner.  
     
     
         7 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 5 , wherein a seal is adhered to the casing in order to seal the separatable portion in a watertight manner.  
     
     
         8 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 1 , wherein the aforementioned structure is covered with a packaging member.  
     
     
         9 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 1 , wherein the aforementioned structure is configured so as to have contact faces where a lever member, which is a component of the operating lever, and a main unit member of an main operating unit portion are in contact with each other, in a state in which the operating lever of the operating portion of the endoscope is mounted to the main operating unit portion thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 2 , further comprising a conduit body having a conduit simulation portion, 
 wherein the aforementioned conduit simulation portion is configured so as to enable the length thereof to be adjusted in the longitudinal direction.    
     
     
         11 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 10 , wherein the aforementioned conduit body comprises: 
 a first conduit body having the aforementioned conduit simulation portion; and    a second conduit body which has another conduit simulation portion connected so as to communicate with the conduit simulation portion of the first conduit body, and which is slidably mounted within the first conduit body.    
     
     
         12 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 11 , wherein at lest one of the first conduit body and the second conduit body includes an elastic member for maintaining the interiors of the conduit simulation portions thereof in a watertight state.  
     
     
         13 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 11 , wherein at lest one of the conduit simulation portion of the first conduit body and the conduit simulation portion of the second conduit body stores a sterilization confirmation indicator therewithin for confirming effective sterilization by the sterilization treatment performed by the sterilization apparatus.  
     
     
         14 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 12 , wherein at lest one of the conduit simulation portion of the first conduit body and the conduit simulation portion of the second conduit body stores a sterilization confirmation indicator therewithin for confirming effective sterilization by the sterilization treatment performed by the sterilization apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  14 , wherein the sterilization effected by the sterilization apparatus is high-pressure and high-temperature steam sterilization or ethylene oxide gas sterilization, 
 and wherein the sterilization confirmation indicator has a function of producing a reaction corresponding to effective sterilization.    
     
     
         16 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 10 , having a function of allowing the tip of the conduit simulation portion to be extracted from the side face side of the conduit body, while a desired length of the remaining conduit simulation portion is stored within the conduit body, thereby enabling the length of the conduit simulation portion which remains within the conduit body to be adjusted.  
     
     
         17 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 2 , wherein a thermal insulating member is provided so as to cover the entire region of, or at least a part of, the outer face of the conduit simulation portion.  
     
     
         18 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 2 , further including a connection portion for connecting with another sterilization confirmation tester in a state in which respective conduit simulation portions communicate with one another.  
     
     
         19 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 18 , further including a plurality of the conduit simulation portions, 
 wherein the aforementioned connection portion is provided corresponding to the opening of each of the plurality of conduit simulation portions.    
     
     
         20 . The sterilization confirmation tester according to  claim 19 , wherein a sterilization confirmation indicator is provided within one of the plurality of conduit simulation portions in order to confirm effective sterilization after the sterilization treatment by the sterilization apparatus.  
     
     
         21 . A test pack employed for confirming effective sterilization of a sterilization apparatus, including a plurality of sterilization confirmation testers each of which has a structure corresponding to at least one of the components which form an endoscope, 
 and wherein the aforementioned sterilization confirmation testers are configured so as to have structures each of which corresponds to at least one of the components of the endoscope, and which differ from one another.    
     
     
         22 . A sterilization confirmation test pack comprising: 
 a plurality of sterilization confirmation testers, which is configured so as to be stored within a sterilization apparatus, and which includes a conduit simulation portion having a structure corresponding to a conduit of a medical device, and a connection portion for connecting with another sterilization confirmation tester;    a packaging member configured so as to store the plurality of sterilization confirmation testers; and    a thermal insulating member provided to at least a part of the packaging member.