JP2002078673A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope not liable to be damaged or broken even by repeated use and having a small curved surface resistance. SOLUTION: The endoscope comprises an insertion part 2 having flexibility (pliability), and a control unit installed at the proximal end of the insertion part 2. The part 2 is constituted by arranging an elongated member such as a tube, a wire or the like in a tuke constituted of a pellicle 382 or the like. A lubricant 5 is arranged in the tuke, and a coating layer 4 constituted of a polyparaxylylene resin is formed on an inner surface of the tuke and the front surface of the long-sized member. As the polyparaxylylene resin, the resin containing at least one type selected from the group consisting of a polyparaxylylene and a monochloroparaxylylene is preferred. A thickness of the coating layer is preferred to be 0.1 to 75 ×m.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the medical field, endoscopes are used for inspection and diagnosis of the digestive tract and the like. The endoscope has an insertion section to be inserted into a body cavity, and an operation section installed on a proximal end side of the insertion section and performing a bending operation on a distal end portion of the insertion section. The endoscope has a connecting portion extending from the operation unit and connected to the light source device and the control device.

[0003] The insertion portion has a flexible tube having flexibility so as to be inserted into a curved body cavity and to follow the body cavity, and a bending portion which is bent at the distal end thereof.

In the insertion portion, a bending mechanism for bending a bending portion existing in the distal direction, a light guide for transmitting light from the light source device to the distal portion, and an image guide for transmitting an image of a subject to the operating portion. A long member such as a tube through which forceps for performing treatment and cell inspection and the like and an air supply / liquid supply tube for injecting a drug solution and the like are provided in the longitudinal direction as necessary.

[0005] When the flexible tube or the bending portion is bent, friction is generated in each of the long members contained therein due to the bending, and pressure is applied. Conventionally, in order to protect each long member from this friction and pressure, a lubricant has been arranged around each long member.

Incidentally, since such an endoscope is used repeatedly, it is necessary to perform cleaning and sterilization each time.

[0007] Lubricants conventionally used have a problem that they are deteriorated and deteriorated by such sterilization. Such deterioration or deterioration of the lubricant causes a decrease in lubricity or a failure of the endoscope.

[0008] In addition, there is known a lubricant which is excellent in chemical resistance and hardly deteriorates or deteriorates even if it is subjected to such a sterilizing treatment. In some cases, sufficient lubricity cannot be obtained and sliding resistance is large. In particular, optical fibers (optical fibers) constituting a light guide or an image guide may be damaged or broken unless sufficient lubricity is obtained.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope which has a low bending resistance and is less likely to be damaged or damaged even when used repeatedly.

[0010]

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is defined below as (1) to (15).

(1) An endoscope having a lumen, a long member disposed inside the lumen, and a lubricant disposed inside the lumen, wherein the endoscope includes an inner surface of the lumen, And / or an endoscope, wherein a coating layer made of polyparaxylylene resin is formed on at least a part of the surface of the member.

Thus, it is possible to provide an endoscope which has a small bending resistance and is unlikely to be damaged or damaged even when used repeatedly.

(2) The endoscope according to (1), wherein the elongated member is movable relative to the lumen. This further reduces the bending resistance of the endoscope.

(3) The endoscope according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the lubricant contains at least one of fluorocarbon, boron nitride, graphite, and a fluororesin.

[0015] Thereby, the bending resistance of the endoscope is further reduced, and the chemical resistance is improved.

(4) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the lubricant contains a powder lubricant.

This facilitates the handling of the lubricant and further reduces the bending resistance of the endoscope.

(5) The average particle size of the powder lubricant is:
The endoscope according to the above (4), which has a thickness of 0.01 to 20 μm.
This further reduces the bending resistance of the endoscope.

(6) The lubricant is silicone gel,
The endoscope according to any one of the above (1) to (5), which comprises at least one kind of grease.

This makes it easy to handle the lubricant, and protects the long member disposed inside the lumen from impacts and the like.

(7) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the lubricant is disposed around the member. This further reduces the bending resistance of the endoscope.

(8) The polyparaxylylene resin is
The endoscope according to any one of the above (1) to (7), comprising at least one of polymonochloroparaxylylene and polyparaxylylene. Thereby, at least one of the flexibility and the chemical resistance of the endoscope is improved.

(9) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the long member is a wire.

Thus, the wire can be pulled smoothly, and the operability of the bending operation of the endoscope can be improved.
Followability is improved.

(10) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the long member is a tube.

This makes it possible to more effectively prevent the long member in the lumen from being damaged or broken.

(11) The elongated member is an optical fiber bundle, and the lubricant is disposed on at least a part of an outer surface of the optical fiber bundle, according to any one of the above (1) to (10). An endoscope according to claim 1.

This makes it possible to more effectively prevent the optical fiber bundle from being damaged or broken.

(12) The elongated member is an optical fiber bundle, and the lubricant is disposed on at least a part of an outer surface of each optical fiber constituting the optical fiber bundle. The endoscope according to any one of (11).

This makes it possible to more effectively prevent the optical fiber bundle from being damaged or broken.

(13) The long member is an optical fiber bundle, and the coating layer made of polyparaxylylene resin is
The endoscope according to any one of the above (1) to (12), which is formed on at least a part of an outer surface of the optical fiber bundle.

This makes it possible to more effectively prevent the optical fiber bundle from being damaged or broken.

(14) The long member is an optical fiber bundle, and the coating layer made of polyparaxylylene resin is
The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the endoscope is formed on at least a part of an outer surface of each optical fiber constituting the optical fiber bundle.

This makes it possible to more effectively prevent the optical fiber bundle from being damaged or broken.

(15) The thickness of the coating layer is 0.1 to
The endoscope according to any one of the above (1) to (14), which has a thickness of 75 μm. This further reduces the bending resistance of the endoscope.

[0036]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an endoscope according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an embodiment of an endoscope (fiberscope type) of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible tube in the endoscope shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a part (near a central portion of an optical fiber bundle forming a light guide) of the bent cross-section illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. In the following, in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 of the present invention
It has an insertion section 2 for a long object having flexibility (flexibility), and an operation section 7 installed on the base end side of the insertion section 2. The operation unit 7 is a part that is operated by the operator to operate the endoscope 1 as a whole.

As shown in FIG. 1, the operating section 7 includes an operating section main body 71 and an operating section cover 72 forming the outer wall thereof.
It has a bending operation mechanism for remotely bending the bending portion 21 (bending operation) to be described later, and an air supply / liquid supply channel for introducing a fluid to be supplied to the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2.
A bending operation lever 73 for performing the bending operation is rotatably supported on the operation section main body 71.

An eyepiece 8 is provided on the head (base end) of the operation section main body 71. With the eyepiece 8, an image of the subject can be directly observed. The eyepiece 8 can be detachably connected to a camera (not shown) having a built-in CCD (image pickup device) and an image pickup optical system. Therefore, the subject can be observed as a monitor image.

A flexible light guide tube 9 into which a light guide 32 described later is inserted is connected to the operation unit main body 71 on the side opposite to the support of the bending operation lever 73. A connector 10 connected to a light source device (not shown) is connected to a distal end portion of the light guide flexible tube 9.

The insertion section 2 is used by being inserted into a body cavity. As shown in FIG. 1, the insertion section 2 has a flexible tube 20 from the hand (base end) side and a bending section 21 that can be bent (bent) at the distal end side. A tip portion 22 is formed at the tip of the curved portion 21, and a tip portion 23 is formed at the tip.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer tube 2
4, an image guide 31, a light guide 32, a forceps insertion tube 33, an air supply tube 34, and a liquid supply tube 35 are arranged along the longitudinal direction. I have.

Each of these long members (image guide 31)
Light guide 32, forceps insertion tube 33,
The gas supply tube 34 and the liquid supply tube 35) are isolated from the outside and protected by the outer tube 24. Further, the outer tube 24 prevents substances that come into contact with the surface of the insertion section 2, for example, chemicals and body fluids, from penetrating into the insertion section 2, and protects each member in the insertion section 2. This outer tube 24
Are, in order from the inside, a wire insertion frame 37 and an endothelium 38
1 and an outer skin 382 are laminated.

The outer skin 382 is preferably made of a material having flexibility (flexibility) in order to prevent the tissue in the body cavity from being damaged by friction. Outer skin 382
Examples of the constituent materials include polyolefin resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyamide resins, polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate, and polyurethane resins. Resin, polystyrene resin, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorine resin such as ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, various flexible resins such as polyimide resin, polyurethane elastomer, polyester elastomer, polyolefin elastomer , A polyamide-based elastomer, a polystyrene-based elastomer, a fluorine-based elastomer, a silicone rubber, a latex rubber, and various other elastomers. Door can be.

The thickness of the outer cover 382 is not particularly limited as long as it can protect various members in the insertion portion 2 and does not hinder the flexibility and bendability of the insertion portion 2.
It is preferably about 00 μm, more preferably about 200 to 1000 μm.

Next, the long members (the image guide 31, the light guide 32, the forceps insertion tube 33, the air supply tube 34, and the liquid supply tube 35) disposed inside the outer tube 24 will be described.

The image guide 31 transmits the image of the subject to the eyepiece 8. The image guide 31 includes an optical fiber bundle and protective tubes (a first protective tube 311 and a second protective tube 31) for protecting the optical fiber bundle.
2).

The optical fiber bundle is composed of a plurality of optical fibers 6 (optical fibers). Each optical fiber 6 is bound and fixed by, for example, an adhesive at both ends of the eyepiece section 8 and the tip end section 23, and the other optical fibers 6 are individually movable in other portions. Thereby, the cross-sectional shape of the image guide 31 other than the both ends can be changed as needed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tip 2 of the insertion section 2
3 is provided with an objective lens 39. The end (incident end) of the image guide 31 is connected to the objective lens 39.

The objective lens 39 can form an image of a subject on the incident end of the image guide 31.

The light guide 32 guides light from a light source of a light source device (not shown) connected to the connector 10 and irradiates the light forward of the foremost end 23. This makes it possible to obtain the illumination light necessary for observing the subject.

The light guide 32 includes an optical fiber bundle,
A protection tube 321 for protecting the optical fiber bundle.

The optical fiber bundle is composed of a plurality of optical fibers 6 (optical fibers). Each optical fiber 6 is bound and fixed by, for example, an adhesive at both ends of the connector 10 and the distal end portion 23, and in other portions, each optical fiber 6 is individually movable. Thereby, the cross-sectional shape of the light guide 32 other than the both ends can be changed as needed.

The image guide 31 and the light guide 3
The optical fiber 6 used for 2 is made of quartz, multi-component glass, plastic or the like.

The diameter of the optical fibers 6 constituting these optical fiber bundles is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 2 to 40 μm, more preferably about 4 to 10 μm. If the diameter is less than the lower limit, the filling property of the lubricant 5 into the gap of the optical fiber bundle may be deteriorated. On the other hand, if the diameter exceeds the above upper limit, the pixel density may decrease and the light guide efficiency may decrease.

The forceps insertion tube 33 has a hollow structure, through which forceps are inserted. With these forceps, the endoscope 1 can perform various treatments, treatments, and the like in the vicinity of the distal end portion 23.

It should be noted that other medical treatment tools and diagnostic tools other than the forceps may be inserted through the forceps insertion tube 33.

Gas supply tube 34, liquid supply tube 35
Is opened at the distal end of the insertion portion 2, and a fluid can be injected into the body cavity or can be sucked from the body cavity through the distal end opening. For example, the liquid supply tube 35 injects, or injects, the cleaning water, the chemical solution, and the like introduced from the air supply / liquid supply channel of the operation unit 7 into the vicinity of the distal end portion 23 inserted and placed in the body cavity. The body fluid and the like near the distal end portion 23 can be collected.

As shown in FIG. 2, a lumen is formed inside the outer tube 24, and an inner surface of the outer tube 24 has
A coating layer 4 made of polyparaxylylene resin is formed. Further, each of the long members (the image guide 31, the light guide 32, the forceps insertion tube 33, the air supply tube 34, and the liquid supply tube 3) disposed in the lumen.
The coating layer 4 is also formed on the surface of 5), and the lubricant 5 is disposed inside (lumen) of the outer tube 24. Coating layer 4,
The lubricant 5 has excellent lubricity as described later in detail. For this reason, when each long member relatively moves with respect to the outer tube 24 (lumen) (for example, when the insertion portion 2 is curved), between the long member and the long member and between the outer tube and the long member. The frictional resistance between the members is small. Therefore,
Each of the long members can move smoothly, and the bending resistance of the insertion section 2 becomes small. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent damage, breakage, and the like of each long member.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A lumen is formed inside 21, and a coating layer 4 is formed on the inner surface of the protective tube 321. In addition, an optical fiber bundle is disposed in the lumen as a long member. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a coating layer 4 is formed on the surface of each optical fiber 6 constituting this optical fiber bundle, and a lubricant 5 is disposed around each optical fiber 6.

As described above, the coating layer 4 is formed on the surface of each optical fiber 6 constituting the optical fiber bundle of the light guide 32 and on the inner surface of the protective tube 321 covering the optical fiber bundle. The provision of the lubricant 5 allows the optical fiber 6 to move between the optical fiber 6 and the optical fiber 6 and the optical fiber 6 when the optical fiber 6 moves relative to the protective tube 321 (for example, when the insertion section 2 is curved). -The frictional resistance between the protection tubes 321 is small. For this reason, it becomes possible for each optical fiber 6 to move smoothly, and the bending resistance of the insertion part 2 becomes small. Therefore, pulling, pressing, and buckling of each optical fiber when the insertion section 2 is bent or the like is suppressed, and as a result, damage, breakage, and the like of the light guide 32 can be effectively prevented.

In the image guide 31, the coating layer 4 and the lubricant 5 are similarly arranged. Accordingly, when the optical fiber 6 moves relatively to the first protective tube 311 (for example, when the insertion section 2 is curved), the space between the optical fiber 6 and the optical fiber 6 and the optical fiber 6 are determined.
The frictional resistance between the first protection tubes 311 is small. For this reason, it becomes possible for each optical fiber 6 to move smoothly, and the bending resistance of the insertion part 2 becomes small. Accordingly, pulling, pressing, and buckling of each optical fiber when the insertion section 2 is bent or the like is suppressed, and as a result, damage, breakage, and the like of the image guide 31 can be effectively prevented.

The bending portion 2 incorporating such long members
1 is bent in a predetermined direction by rotating the bending operation lever 73 to pull and relax the wire 36 (FIG. 3).
reference).

The pair of wires 36 are arranged so as to substantially face each other via the central axis of the insertion section 2. The wire 36 (long member) is connected to the wire insertion frame 3
7 and between the endothelium 381 (in the lumen). The distal end of the wire 36 is adhered and fixed to a closed portion of the distal end portion 22 of the insertion section 2.

For this reason, the bending operation lever 73 is rotated to pull one wire 36 and the other wire 36
As shown in FIG. 3, the bending portion 21 bends toward the side where the leading end of the pulled wire 36 is located.

Further, by operating the operating section 7 to rotate the insertion section 2 about the axis and combining this with the bending, it is possible to observe 360 ° in all directions.

As the wire 36, a wire having strength and durability that does not cause disconnection due to frequent towing operations, and having a small elongation is used. As such a wire, for example, a metal wire such as stainless steel,
A single wire or a fiber bundle made of a resin fiber such as polyamide or polyester may be used.

The outer diameter of the wire 36 varies depending on its constituent material and various conditions such as the cross-sectional shape, dimensions, and constituent material of the insertion portion 2. However, the wire 36 is made of, for example, a polyacrylate twisted yarn or a single wire of stainless steel. When constituted, the outer diameter is preferably about 30 to 3000 μm, more preferably about 100 to 1000 μm.

The wire insertion frame 37 supports the wire 36 together with the inner skin 381. Since both support the wire 36, the wire 36 can smoothly bend in a predetermined direction.

The wire insertion frame 37 and the inner skin 381
Is made of a material (for example, stainless steel) that can support the wire 36 and has strength and durability that does not cause breakage when the wire 36 is pulled.

The thickness of the wire insertion frame 37 and the inner skin 381 is such that the wire 36 can be supported and the insertion portion 2
It is not particularly limited as long as it does not hinder the flexibility and bendability of the film, and is preferably about 100 to 3000 μm,
It is more preferably about 00 μm.

The lumen into which the wire 36 is inserted (the space formed by the wire insertion frame 37 and the inner skin 381)
A coating layer 4 is formed on the inner surface of the wire 36 and the surface of the wire 36, and a lubricant 5 is disposed inside the lumen. Accordingly, when the wire 36 (elongated member) moves relative to the lumen (for example, when the wire 36 is pulled), the frictional resistance between the inner surface of the lumen and the wire becomes small. Therefore, the bending resistance of the insertion section 2 is reduced, and as a result, the wire 36 can be smoothly pulled, and the operability and followability of the bending operation of the endoscope 1 are improved.

As described above, the present invention is characterized in that the coating layer 4 made of polyparaxylylene resin and the lubricant 5 coexist. Hereinafter, the coating layer 4 and the lubricant 5 will be described in detail.

[Coating Layer] The coating layer 4 is made of polyparaxylylene resin. Such a coating layer 4 has the following advantages.

1. Lubricity The coating layer 4 made of polyparaxylylene resin has excellent lubricity. Therefore, by forming the coating layer 4, the bending resistance of the insertion portion 2 can be effectively reduced, and each member can be effectively protected from damage due to friction.

2. Chemical Resistance The insertion section 2 may be immersed in a chemical such as a disinfectant before and after use. Some conventional lubricants react with such chemicals, degrade or corrode, and cannot withstand long-term use.

On the other hand, the coating layer 4 made of polyparaxylylene resin has excellent chemical resistance. For this reason, even if the lubricant 5 comes into contact with such a chemical,
Hard to deteriorate.

Therefore, the endoscope 1 having the coating layer 4 made of polyparaxylylene resin can be used for a long time without deterioration even in an environment where it is in daily contact with chemicals such as disinfectants. Will be possible.

3. Water repellency / gas barrier properties The insertion section 2 is subjected to advanced sterilization using a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant or the like. This hydrogen peroxide-based disinfecting solution easily penetrates into the insertion portion 2 and is easily adsorbed by rubber, resin, or the like. For this reason, when the insertion portion 2 is repeatedly subjected to such sterilization, there is a problem that members in the insertion portion 2 gradually deteriorate.

However, the coating layer 4 made of polyparaxylylene resin is excellent in water repellency and gas barrier properties.
Therefore, by forming such a coating layer,
A hydrogen peroxide-based disinfecting liquid or the like hardly permeates into the inside, so that deterioration of each member can be prevented.

Therefore, such an insertion portion 2 is hardly deteriorated even after repeated high-level sterilization, and can be repeatedly used for such sterilization.

4. Insulating property Since the coating layer 4 made of polyparaxylylene resin has an electrical insulating property, a place where it can be used in the insertion portion 2 is not limited and can be widely used. In addition, the insulation of the entire insertion section 2 can be improved.

In particular, when used for an electronic endoscope, for example, the coating layer 4
Even if they are in contact, they do not cause a short circuit or the like. In addition, electric leakage, electric shock and the like can be prevented.

As described above, the coating layer 4 composed of the polyparaxylylene resin has the above four excellent advantages, and the synergistic effect provides an excellent endoscope 1 as described later. .

The poly-para-xylylene resin constituting the coating layer 4 is poly-para-xylylene (poly-para-xylylene).
e), poly-monochloroparaxylylene
-para-xylylene), polydichloroparaxylylene (poly
-dichloro-para-xylylene, poly-monofluoro-para-xylylene, poly-monoethyl-para-xylyle
ne) and the like, and among them, those containing at least one of polyparaxylylene and polymonochloroparaxylylene are particularly preferable. Polyparaxylylene is particularly excellent in flexibility. Further, polymonochloroparaxylylene is particularly excellent in gas barrier properties.

The coating layer 4 is usually formed by using a dimer corresponding to para-xylylene resin as a raw material,
(Chemical vapor deposition). Prior to the formation of the coating layer 4, a cleaning treatment is performed on the portion where the coating layer is formed.
A base treatment such as blasting or etching may be performed. Thereby, the uniform and dense coating layer 4 can be stably obtained.

The thickness of the coating layer 4 is not particularly limited.
0.1 to 75 μm, preferably 0.5 to 20 μm
m is more preferable. If the thickness of the coating layer 4 is less than the lower limit, the effects of the present invention may not be sufficiently obtained. On the other hand, when the thickness of the coating layer 4 exceeds the upper limit, flexibility may be reduced.

[Lubricant] Like the coating layer 4, the lubricant 5 has excellent lubricity. In the present invention, particularly excellent lubricity is obtained by allowing the coating layer 4 and the lubricant 5 to coexist.

Examples of the lubricant 5 include those containing molybdenum disulfide (MoS ₂ ), boron nitride (BN), graphite, carbon fluoride ((CF) _n ), fluororesin, etc. It is preferable that the resin contains at least one of boron (BN), graphite, fluorocarbon ((CF) _n ), and fluororesin. These lubricants are particularly excellent in chemical resistance.

The shape of the lubricant is not particularly limited, but is preferably one containing a powder. When the lubricant 5 contains a powder lubricant, the lubricant 5 can enter into a narrow gap, so that lubrication can be performed more smoothly, and handling of the lubricant 5 becomes easier.

The average particle size of the powder lubricant is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.01 to 20 μm, and 0.1 to 1 μm.
About 6 μm is more preferable, and about 1 to 14 μm is still more preferable. When the average particle size exceeds the upper limit of this range,
In some cases, the lubricity of the lubricant 5 deteriorates, and sufficient lubricity cannot be obtained. On the other hand, a lubricant having an average particle size smaller than the lower limit is difficult to produce, and also has poor handleability.

It is particularly preferable that the lubricant 5 contains fluorocarbon among the powder lubricants described above. When a lubricant containing fluorocarbon is used as the lubricant 5, the following advantages are obtained.

1. Lubricity The lubricant 5 containing fluorocarbon has particularly excellent lubricity. Therefore, by using such a lubricant 5, bending resistance can be effectively reduced, and each member can be effectively protected from damage due to friction.

2. Chemical Resistance The insertion section 2 may be immersed in a chemical such as a disinfectant before and after use. Some conventional lubricants react with such chemicals, degrade or corrode, and cannot withstand long-term use.

On the other hand, the lubricant 5 containing fluorocarbon has excellent chemical resistance. Therefore, the lubricant 5 is hardly deteriorated or deteriorated even when it comes into contact with such a chemical.

Therefore, the endoscope 1 having such a lubricant 5 can be used for a long time without deterioration even in an environment where the endoscope 1 is in daily contact with a chemical such as a disinfectant.

3. The water-repellent insertion section 2 is subjected to advanced sterilization using a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant or the like. This hydrogen peroxide-based disinfecting solution easily penetrates into the insertion portion 2 and is easily adsorbed by rubber, resin, or the like. For this reason, when the insertion portion 2 is repeatedly subjected to such sterilization, there is a problem that members in the insertion portion 2 gradually deteriorate.

However, the lubricant containing fluorocarbon 5
Has excellent water repellency. For this reason, when such a lubricant 5 is used for the insertion portion 2, it becomes difficult for the hydrogen peroxide-based disinfecting liquid or the like to penetrate inside, and deterioration of each member can be prevented.

[0100] Therefore, such an insertion portion 2 is hardly deteriorated even by repeatedly performing advanced sterilization, and can be repeatedly provided for such sterilization.

4. Insulating property Since the lubricant 5 containing fluorocarbon has electric insulating properties, the place where it can be used in the insertion portion 2 is not limited and can be widely used. In addition, the insulation of the entire insertion section 2 can be improved.

In particular, when the lubricant 5 is used for an electronic endoscope, even if the lubricant 5 is present in the vicinity of, for example, a lead wire or a connection portion between a lead wire and a CCD, a short circuit does not occur. . In addition, electric leakage, electric shock and the like can be prevented.

As described above, the lubricant 5 containing fluorocarbon has the above four excellent advantages, and the synergistic effect provides an excellent endoscope 1 as described later.

The value of n of the fluorocarbon ((CF) _n ) is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 10 to 100,
About 70 is more preferable, and about 30 to 40 is more preferable. If the value of n exceeds the upper limit of this range, sufficient lubricity may not be obtained, and if it is less than the lower limit, water repellency may be insufficient.

The average molecular weight of the fluorocarbon is not particularly limited, but may be 300 to 350 for the same reason as described above.
About 0 is preferable, about 600 to 2500 is more preferable, and about 900 to 1200 is more preferable.

The lubricant 5 may contain a semi-solid dispersion medium such as silicone gel or grease, or an oil. In particular, when the lubricant 5 contains a semi-solid dispersion medium, not only lubricity is obtained but also handling becomes easy. Furthermore, it becomes possible to protect each long member of the insertion portion 2 from impact or the like.

By making the coating layer 4 and the lubricant 5 coexist as described above, the effect of the coating layer 4 and the lubricant 5
Works synergistically with the effect described above, and particularly excellent effects can be obtained. In other words, the coexistence of the coating layer 4 and the lubricant 5 provides particularly excellent lubricity.
The friction between each of the long members when the is bent is suppressed, and damage and breakage of each of the long members can be prevented.

Further, it is possible to obtain the insertion portion 2 having excellent chemical resistance. Therefore, the insertion portion 2 is hardly deteriorated even when exposed to a chemical such as a disinfectant, and sterilization /
It can be repeatedly used for sterilization and the like.

Furthermore, since the coating layer 4 has high water repellency and gas barrier properties, even if sterilization or sterilization is performed with a substance that easily penetrates into the inside of a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfecting solution, such substance penetrates into the inside. It becomes difficult to do. For this reason, the insertion portion 2
Even if advanced sterilization using a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfecting solution or the like is repeatedly performed, deterioration becomes difficult.

The coating layer 4 has chemical resistance and water repellency.
Since it has gas barrier properties, the outer skin 382 and the inner skin 38 that prevent chemicals and the like from penetrating into the insertion portion 2 from the outside
1 can be made thinner. This makes it possible to reduce the diameter of the endoscope.

These effects become more remarkable by appropriately selecting the constituent materials of the lubricant 5, the coating layer 4, and the like.

Although the endoscope of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the portions where the coating layer 4 and the lubricant 5 are disposed are not limited to the portions described above. For example, the coating layer 4 and the lubricant 5 can be arranged on other portions such as the light guide flexible tube 9 and the sliding portion in the operation portion 7. Further, a coating layer may be formed on the inner surface of the forceps insertion tube 33, the inner surface of the air supply tube 34, the inner surface of the liquid supply tube 35, and the like.
Further, the coating layer 4 and the lubricant 5 can be provided only in a specific portion of the above-described portions. further,
In each part, the conditions of the coating layer 4 (for example, the composition of the constituent material,
Thickness, etc.) and conditions of the lubricant 5 (for example, composition of constituent materials,
The particle size of the powder lubricant may be different.

The number of the wires 36 need not be a pair, ie, two, as described above. For example, the number of wires 36 may be one or three or more.

Further, the structure of each member can be replaced by any member having the same function.

For example, the above-described embodiment is an optical endoscope using an optical fiber bundle as an image guide, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a CCD (image pickup device) or the like may be provided at the tip of the insertion section. It may be a built-in electronic endoscope.

In such an electronic endoscope, since the coating layer 4 has insulating properties, it is possible to prevent a short circuit, a short circuit, etc., and also to prevent an electric shock. Obtainable.

Although the above-described embodiment is an endoscope used for medical use, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be an endoscope used for industrial use or the like.

[0119]

Next, specific examples of the present invention will be described.

[0120] 1. Production of Endoscope (Example 1) An endoscope as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 was produced using a bronchial fiber endoscope “FB-15X type” manufactured by Asahi Optical Co., Ltd.

As the lubricant, fluorocarbon ((C
F) The powder of _n ) was used. This fluorocarbon has n of 30
４０40, and the average particle size was 5６6 μm.

The coating layer was made of polyparaxylylene. The coating layer was formed by CVD.
The average thickness of the obtained coating layer was 1 μm.

Example 2 An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the average thickness of the coating layer was changed to 5 μm.

Example 3 An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that powder of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is a fluorine resin, was used as a lubricant. The average particle size of this PTFE was 5 to 6 μm.

Example 4 An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 3, except that the average thickness of the coating layer was 5 μm.

Example 5 A lubricant was prepared by dispersing 50 parts by weight of fluorocarbon ((CF) _n ) in 100 parts by weight of a silicone gel (“SE1880” manufactured by Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co., Ltd.). An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1. This fluorocarbon has n of 30
４０40, and the average particle size was 5６6 μm.

Example 6 An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 5, except that the average thickness of the coating layer was changed to 5 μm.

Example 7 An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the coating layer was made of polymonochloroparaxylylene.

Example 8 An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 7, except that the average thickness of the coating layer was changed to 5 μm.

Example 9 An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 7 except that powder of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is a fluorine resin, was used as a lubricant. The average particle size of this PTFE was 5 to 6 μm.

Example 10 The average thickness of the coating layer was 5 μm.
An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 9 except that the above procedure was adopted.

Example 11 The same as Example 7 except that a fluorocarbon ((CF) _n ) dispersed in a silicone gel (“SE1880” manufactured by Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co., Ltd.) was used as a lubricant. An endoscope was manufactured. This fluorocarbon had n of 30 to 40 and an average particle size of 5 to 6 μm.

Example 12 The average thickness of the coating layer was 5 μm.
An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 11 except that the above procedure was adopted.

(Comparative Example 1) An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the coating layer was not formed.

(Comparative Example 2) An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, except that powder of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is a fluorine-based resin, was used as a lubricant. The average particle size of this PTFE was 5 to 6 μm.

Comparative Example 3 An endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, except that molybdenum disulfide (MoS ₂ ) was used as a lubricant. The average particle size of the molybdenum disulfide was 5 μm.

2. Evaluation Using each endoscope obtained in each example and each comparative example,
The following evaluation was performed.

First, the bending section was bent by operating the bending operation lever of each endoscope. Perform this operation 100 times.
Repeated times. The angle force in the 100th bending operation was evaluated according to the following four-step criteria. ◎: Has an optimal angle force and is optimal for use as an endoscope. ：: It has an appropriate angle force and is suitable for use as an endoscope. Δ: The angle strength was somewhat large, and there was a problem in use as an endoscope. X: The angle force is very large and is not suitable for use as an endoscope. Or it cannot be used as an endoscope due to damage.

Furthermore, a gas plasma sterilizer (“STERRA” manufactured by Johnson & Johnson Medical Co., Ltd.)
D)), these endoscopes were subjected to hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization for about 75 minutes. After repeating this sterilization process 300 times, the bending portion was bent by operating the bending operation lever of each endoscope. The angle force at this time was evaluated in the same manner as described above.

Table 1 shows the results. Table 1 also shows the conditions of the lubricant and the coating layer of each endoscope.

[0141]

[Table 1]

As is clear from Table 1, the endoscopes of the present invention all had excellent curving properties, and maintained excellent curving properties even after repeated sterilization.

On the other hand, the endoscopes of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 were inferior in curvature. In addition, the endoscope of Comparative Example 3 had excellent curving properties before the sterilization treatment was performed, but by repeating the sterilization treatment, the outer skin and the endothelium of the insertion portion were torn.

[0144]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an endoscope having a small bending resistance and hardly causing damage or breakage even when used repeatedly.

Further, the endoscope which can be repeatedly sterilized to a high degree can be obtained because of its excellent chemical resistance. Further, since it has excellent insulation properties, it can be applied to an electronic endoscope.

In addition, since the coating layer has excellent chemical resistance, water repellency and gas barrier properties, it is possible to make the outer skin and endothelium which prevent the penetration of chemicals and the like from the outside into the insertion portion thin. Become. This makes it possible to reduce the diameter of the endoscope.

Such effects become more remarkable by appropriately selecting a lubricant, a constituent material of the coating layer, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an embodiment of an endoscope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an insertion portion of the endoscope shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a bending portion in the insertion section of the endoscope shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of the longitudinal sectional view shown in FIG. 2 in an enlarged manner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Insertion part 20 Flexible tube 21 Bending part 22 Tip part 23 Top part 24 Outer tube 31 Image guide 311 First protection tube 312 Second protection tube 32 Light guide 321 Protection tube 33 Forceps insertion tube 34 Send Air tube 35 Liquid supply tube 36 Wire 37 Wire insertion frame 381 Endothelium 382 Outer skin 39 Objective lens 4 Coating layer 5 Lubricant 6 Optical fiber 7 Operating section 71 Operating section body 72 Operating section cover 73 Bending operation lever 8 Eyepiece section 9 Flexible light guide 10 Connector

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope comprising a lumen, a long member disposed therein, and a lubricant disposed inside the lumen, wherein the endoscope comprises an inner surface of the lumen and / or Alternatively, an endoscope, wherein a coating layer made of a polyparaxylylene resin is formed on at least a part of the surface of the member. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the elongated member is movable relative to the lumen. 3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant contains at least one of fluorocarbon, boron nitride, graphite, and a fluororesin. 4. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant includes a powder lubricant. 5. The powder lubricant has an average particle size of 0.01.
The endoscope according to claim 4, which has a diameter of from about 20 m to about 20 m. 6. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant contains at least one of silicone gel and grease. 7. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant is disposed around the member. 8. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the polyparaxylylene resin contains at least one of polymonochloroparaxylylene and polyparaxylylene. 9. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the elongated member is a wire. 10. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the elongated member is a tube. 11. The inner member according to claim 1, wherein the elongated member is an optical fiber bundle, and the lubricant is disposed on at least a part of an outer surface of the optical fiber bundle. Endoscope. 12. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the elongated member is an optical fiber bundle, and the lubricant is disposed on at least a part of an outer surface of each optical fiber constituting the optical fiber bundle. An endoscope according to any one of the above. 13. The optical fiber bundle, wherein the long member is an optical fiber bundle, and a coating layer made of polyparaxylylene resin is formed on at least a part of an outer surface of the optical fiber bundle. 13. The endoscope according to any one of 12. 14. The long member is an optical fiber bundle, and a coating layer made of polyparaxylylene resin is formed on at least a part of the outer surface of each optical fiber constituting the optical fiber bundle. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: 15. The coating layer has a thickness of 0.1 to 75 μm.
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein m is m.