| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autoclave capable of positively preventing steam from permeating the inside of an endoscope in filling a sterilizing tank with the steam. SOLUTION: The autoclave 1 has an endoscope internal pressure adjusting means 3 for adjusting the pressure inside an endoscope 10 kept in a sterilizing tank 2. The means 3 has a pressurizing pump 32 for and a suction pump 31 for pressurizing and depressurizing the inside of the endoscope 10. When the tank 2 is filled with steam, the pumps 32 and 31 are operated so that the pressure inside the endoscope 10 becomes equal to that inside the tank 2 as much as possible on the basis of the pressure inside the endoscope 10 detected by a pressure sensor 5 and the pressure inside the tank 2 detected by a pressure sensor 6. Thus, the difference in pressure between the inside and outside of the endoscope 10 is reduced, thereby preventing the steam from permeating an outer cover of a flexible tube for endoscope. |
