JP2003000527A - Parts associated with endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide parts associated with an endoscope which hardly gives rise to the degradation in slidability in sliding portions in spite of repetitive use. SOLUTION: The associated parts of the endoscope have threaded portions and are formed with coating layers composed of diamond-like carbon(DLC) in at least portion of the surfaces of external threads and/or internal threads constituting the threaded portions. The thickness of the coating layers is preferably 0.05 to 10 μm. The coefficient of friction of the coating layers measured by a ball on disk method is preferably 0.05 to 0.7. The coating layers preferably satisfy the relation 2.5×10<7> <=T/P<=1×10<10> when the pitch of the external threads or internal threads is defined as P [μm] and the average thickness of the coating layers as T [μm].

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an endoscope-related product.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the medical field, endoscopes are used for examination and diagnosis of the digestive tract and the like.

[0003] Forceps, high-frequency cautery treatment tools, and the like are used when performing inspection, diagnosis, and treatment with such an endoscope.

Some of the endoscope related products (including the endoscope body) have a sliding portion such as a screw portion. A lubricant may be provided on the sliding portion of such an endoscope-related product for the purpose of improving slidability.

By the way, although the endoscope related products are usually used repeatedly, they may come into contact with body fluid or the like when they are inserted into a body cavity for use. Therefore, it is necessary to clean and sterilize the endoscope-related products each time.

As a sterilization process for endoscope-related products,
Usually, steam sterilization with high temperature and high pressure steam and EOG
(Ethylene oxide gas), sterilization using a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant is used.

However, the conventionally used lubricant has a problem that it is deteriorated and deteriorated by the sterilization treatment and the like and sufficient slidability cannot be obtained. As described above, due to the reduced slidability, the operability of the endoscope-related product is reduced, which may hinder the inspection and diagnosis.

Also known are lubricants which are excellent in chemical resistance and hardly deteriorate or deteriorate even when subjected to such sterilization treatment. However, when such a lubricant is used, sufficient slidability is obtained. There were cases where it was not possible to obtain it.

In some cases, it is impossible to dispose a lubricant on the sliding portion because the sliding portion (screw portion) is open to the outside.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope-related product which is less likely to cause deterioration of slidability in a sliding portion even when repeatedly used.

[0011]

The above objects are achieved by the present invention described in (1) to (15) below.

(1) An endoscope-related product having a threaded portion, wherein diamond-like carbon (D) is formed on at least a part of the surface of the male screw and / or the female screw constituting the screwed portion.
An endoscope-related product, wherein a coating layer made of LC) is formed.

As a result, it is possible to provide an endoscope-related product in which the slidability of the sliding portion is less likely to deteriorate even after repeated use.

(2) An endoscope-related product having a sliding portion which is required to have liquid tightness, wherein a coating layer composed of diamond-like carbon (DLC) is provided on at least a part of the surface of the sliding portion. An endoscope-related product characterized by being formed.

As a result, it is possible to provide an endoscope-related product in which the slidability of the sliding portion is less likely to deteriorate even after repeated use.

(3) The endoscope-related article according to (1) or (2), wherein the coating layer is formed by a vapor phase film forming method. This improves the adhesiveness between the coating layer and the site where the coating layer is formed.

(4) The vapor deposition method is any method selected from chemical vapor deposition (CVD), sputtering, vacuum deposition, and ion plating. Mirror related items. Thereby, the coating layer,
The adhesion with the site where the coating layer is formed is improved.

(5) The coating layer has a thickness of 0.05 to 30 μm.
The endoscope-related product according to any one of (1) to (4) above, which is formed at a film forming rate of m / h. Thereby, the coating layer having excellent slidability can be formed with good productivity.

(6) The pitch of the male screw or the female screw is P [μm], and the average thickness of the coating layer is T [μm].
In this case, the endoscope-related product according to any one of (1) to (5) above, which satisfies the relationship of 2.5 × 10 ⁷ ≦ T / P ≦ 1 × 10 ¹⁰ . As a result, the slidability of the sliding portion is further improved.

(7) The average thickness of the coating layer is 0.1
The endoscope-related product according to any one of (1) to (6), which has a thickness of 10 μm. As a result, the slidability of the sliding portion is further improved.

(8) The friction coefficient μ of the coating layer measured by the ball-on-disk method is 0.05 to 0.7, which is related to the endoscope according to any one of the above (1) to (7). Goods. As a result, the slidability of the sliding portion is further improved.

(9) The endoscope-related product according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein a lubricant is provided on at least a part of the surface of the coating layer. As a result, the slidability of the sliding portion is further improved.

(10) The endoscope related article according to the above (8), wherein the lubricant is an oily substance. As a result, the slidability of the sliding portion is further improved.

(11) The endoscope related article according to the above (10), wherein the oily substance contains at least one of silicone oil and grease. This allows
The slidability in the sliding portion is further improved.

(12) The endoscope-related product according to any one of the above (1) to (11), wherein the coating layer is formed via an underlayer. This further improves the adhesion between the coating layer and the site where the coating layer is formed.

(13) The underlayer is made of W, Cr, T
The endoscope-related item according to (12), which is made of a material containing at least one of i, Co, Si, and Al. This further improves the adhesion between the coating layer and the site where the coating layer is formed.

(14) The underlayer is formed by sputtering, and the above (12) or (1)
The endoscope-related product described in 3). This improves the adhesion between the underlayer and the site where the underlayer is formed.

(15) The related article of the endoscope is a flexible variable device for changing the flexibility of an insertion portion of the endoscope, which is one of the above (1) to (14). Scope related items.

Thus, a flexible variable device having excellent operability can be obtained for a long period of time.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An endoscope-related product of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an electronic endoscope (electronic scope), FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a treatment instrument insertion port projection of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1. Further, in the following description, the left side in FIGS. 1 and 3 is referred to as “proximal end”, the right side is referred to as “tip”, the upper side is referred to as “upper”, and the lower side is referred to as “lower”.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 includes an elongated insertion portion 2 and an operation portion 3 provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 2.
The universal tube 7 connected to the operation section 3 and the connector section 8 provided on the tip side of the universal tube 7.
And have. The configuration of each unit will be described below.

The insertion portion 2 is a portion to be inserted into the lumen (tubular organ) of a living body, and has a structure in which various internal components described later are arranged inside a long tubular member. .

Most of the entire length of the insertion portion 2 (a portion excluding the vicinity of the tip) is formed of a flexible tube portion 21 having flexibility (elasticity). The exterior of the flexible tube portion 21 is configured by an endoscope flexible tube. The flexible tube for an endoscope is formed by braiding a spiral tube 23 formed by spirally winding a band-shaped material and a thin wire made of metal or non-metal, and a net shape that covers the outer periphery of the spiral tube 23. It is composed of a tube 24 and a flexible tube skin 25 which is made of an elastic material such as synthetic resin and covers the outer periphery of the mesh tube 24. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the spiral tube 23
Are provided in duplicate.

The portion near the distal end of the insertion portion 2 has a curved portion 22.
It is composed of. The exterior of the bending portion 22 is composed of a bending tube. The curved tube includes a plurality of node rings (not shown) rotatably connected to each other, a mesh tube 24 covered on the outer circumference of the node ring, and a rubber covered (covered) on the outer circumference of the mesh tube 24. It consists of a tube and. Such a curved portion 22
As will be described later, the curve can be remotely controlled from the operation unit 3.

An image pickup device (CCD) (not shown) for picking up a subject image in the observation region is provided at the tip of the insertion portion 2 (curved portion 22).

As shown in FIG. 2, inside the insertion portion 2,
Light guide fiber bundle 11 by optical fiber bundle, image signal cable 12, bending operation wire 13
The treatment instrument insertion channel tube 14 and the air / water feeding tube 15 are inserted / installed along the longitudinal direction. The endoscope 1 is capable of supplying air and water into the lumen from the tip of the insertion portion 2 through the inside of the air and water supply tube 15.

The inside of the treatment instrument insertion channel tube 14 serves as a treatment instrument insertion channel 16 through which forceps, a treatment instrument such as a high-frequency ablation treatment instrument, and a flexible variable device 5 described later are inserted. Although the treatment instrument insertion channel 16 is provided at a position eccentric from the central axis 26 of the insertion portion 2 in the illustrated configuration, the treatment instrument insertion channel 16 in the cross section of the insertion portion 2 is provided.
The position of is not particularly limited, and may be provided concentrically with the insertion portion 2, for example.

The treatment instrument insertion channel 16 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2, and the treatment instrument insertion channel 16 is formed.
The distal end of is opened to the outside at the distal end of the insertion portion 2 and a treatment instrument insertion channel outlet 18 is formed.

The base end portion of the insertion portion 2 is connected to the operation portion 3. The operation part 3 is a part which is grasped by an operator and operates the entire endoscope 1. The operation unit 3 is provided with operation buttons for performing various operations and bending operation knobs 31A and 31B. As operation buttons, an air / water supply button 33 for performing air / water supply operation, a suction button 34 for performing suction operation, and the like are provided. Further, by operating the bending operation knobs 31A and 31B, the bending operation wire 13 arranged in the insertion portion 2 is pulled, and the bending portion 22 is pulled.
The bending direction and the degree of bending can be freely controlled.

A treatment instrument insertion port projection 32 is formed near the tip of the operation section 3 so as to project obliquely upward.

The treatment instrument insertion port projection 32 is formed with a treatment instrument insertion port 17 projecting in a cylindrical shape, and the proximal end of the treatment instrument insertion channel 16 is directed obliquely upward in the treatment instrument insertion port 17. It is open to the outside.

The inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel 16 in the portion formed inside the treatment instrument insertion port projection 32 is larger than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel 16 in the portion formed inside the insertion portion 2. That is, the inner peripheral surface of the treatment instrument insertion channel 16 in the vicinity of the treatment instrument insertion port projection 32 forms a tapered inner peripheral surface 36 whose inner diameter increases from the distal end direction toward the proximal end direction (see FIG. 6). ).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the treatment instrument insertion port projection 32 is provided with a luer mouth piece 35.

A pair of flange projections 37 are formed on the outer peripheral surface near the tip of the lure cap 35 so as to project radially outward. The pair of flange projections 37
The lure cap portions 35 are provided at opposite positions in the radial direction with the axis line therebetween. A forceps, a treatment tool such as a high-frequency cautery treatment tool, a flexible variable device 5 described later in detail, and the like can be attached to and detached from the luer mouthpiece 35. Treatment tool insertion port protrusion 3
2, a forceps plug 38 that covers the lure mouth portion 35 when not in use
Is included.

One end of a universal tube 7 is connected to the lower portion of the operating portion 3 and the universal tube 7
The other end of is connected to the connector portion 8. The connector section 8 includes a light source insertion section 81 and an image signal connector 82.
Is provided, and the endoscope 1 is connected to a light source processor device (not shown) via both connectors. Further, the light source processor device is connected to a monitor device (not shown) via a cable.

The light emitted from the light source in the light source processor unit is supplied in the connector section 8, the universal tube 7,
It passes through the light guide fiber bundles 11 continuously arranged in the operation part 3 and the insertion part 2, and is irradiated to the observation site from the tip of the insertion part 2 (curved part 22) to illuminate.

The reflected light (subject image) from the observation site illuminated by the illumination light is imaged by the image sensor. An image signal corresponding to a subject image captured by the image sensor is output via a buffer (not shown).

This image signal is continuously arranged in the insertion section 2, the operation section 3 and the universal tube 7.
It is transmitted to the connector unit 8 via the image signal cable 12 that connects the image pickup device and the image signal connector 82.

Then, predetermined processing (for example, signal processing, image processing, etc.) is performed in the connector section 8 and the light source processor device, and then input to the monitor device. In the monitor device, an image (electronic image) captured by the image sensor,
That is, the moving image of the endoscope monitor image is displayed.

The present invention is applied to, for example, an endoscope related product (endoscope related product) having such a configuration.
In the present specification, the "endoscope-related product" means an endoscope body, a forceps used in connection therewith, a treatment tool such as a high-frequency ablation treatment tool, a device such as a flexible variable device, and the like. Refers to parts and accessories.

A flexible variable device will be described below as an example of an endoscope-related product. 4 is an overall external view of the flexible variable device, FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the flexible variable device shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. FIG. 7 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view near the operation mechanism of the sex variation device.
FIG. 8 is an external view of a state in which the flexible variable device is attached to the endoscope, and FIG. 8 is a view showing an outline of a treatment instrument insertion channel tube of the endoscope in which the bending rigidity variable coil portion of the flexible variable device is inserted. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the tip end portion of the bending stiffness variable coil portion. It should be noted that FIG. 8 is a simplified view for the purpose of showing a configuration example of the treatment instrument insertion channel tube, and illustrations of the internal components of the insertion portion and the like are omitted. In the following description, the left side in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 is referred to as “proximal end”, the right side is referred to as “tip”, the upper side is referred to as “upper”, and the lower side is referred to as “lower”. .

As shown in FIG. 4, the flexible variable device 5 has
The operation mechanism section 50 located outside the treatment instrument insertion port projection 32
1 and a bending rigidity variable coil portion 502 to be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel tube 14 and the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the operating mechanism 50
Inside 1, there is provided an inner base tube 503. The inner base cylinder 503 has an outer surface tapered protrusion 504 and a fine male screw 505. Also, the inner base tube 50
A slider movement space 506 is formed in the inside 3.

The outer peripheral surface of the outer taper projection 504 is formed as a conical taper outer peripheral surface 507 whose outer diameter gradually decreases along the direction from the base end side to the front end side of the outer surface taper projection 504. Inside the tapered protrusion 504,
A coil storage hole (recess) 508 is formed.

A fine female screw 509 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the attachment / detachment operation ring 510 is screwed onto the fine male screw 505 provided on the outer periphery of the inner base cylinder 503.
9 and the fine male screw 505, the attachment / detachment operation ring 5
10 can be rotated (slipped) with respect to the inner base cylinder 503. The fine male screw 505 and the fine female screw 509 are screwed so that the attachment / detachment operation ring 510 is only substantially rotated, that is, the attachment / detachment operation ring 510 with respect to the inner base cylinder 503 does not greatly change its axial position. The inclination and the like are set.

An outer base cylinder (cylindrical base) 511 is fixed to the outer side of the inner base cylinder 503 with respect to the inner base cylinder (cylindrical base) 503. Also has a series of fine male threads 505 formed. That is, the attachment / detachment operation ring 510 is supported rotatably in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surfaces of both the inner base cylinder 503 and the outer base cylinder 511.

An O-ring (waterproof ring) made of a material such as silicone rubber that has both water impermeable and elastic deformability is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the attachment / detachment operation ring 510 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner base cylinder 503. ) 530 is provided, and an O-ring (waterproof ring) made of a material having similar water impermeability and elastic deformability is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the attachment / detachment operation ring 510 and the outer peripheral surface of the outer base cylinder 511. ) 531 is provided. With these O-rings 530 and 531, the inner base cylinder 50 is attached to the detachable operation ring 510 that is a movable member.
3 and the inside of the outer base cylinder 511 can be kept liquid-tight.

The attaching / detaching operation ring 510 is further formed with a cylindrical surrounding wall 512 which is substantially concentric with the outer surface taper protrusion 504.

On the inner surface of the cylindrical surrounding wall 512, a double thread screw (inner thread groove) which can be screwed with the pair of flange projections 37 of the luer mouthpiece 35 in a manner surrounding the tapered outer peripheral surface 507 of the outer taper projection 504. 513 is formed. The tubular surrounding wall 512 including the double-threaded screw 513 and the outer surface taper protrusion 504 are provided with a luer mouthpiece receiving portion (flexible variable device attaching / detaching mechanism) 514 that is detachable from the luer mouthpiece portion 35 of the treatment instrument insertion port protrusion 32. I am configuring.

A coil (coil body) 515 constituting the bending rigidity variable coil portion 502 is inserted into the coil housing hole 508 formed in the outer taper protrusion 504.
The end surface of 15 is in contact with the bottom surface of the coil housing hole 508. The coil 515 is a tubular coil that is linear in a free state, and is expandable and contractable in the axial direction.

The outer surface of the coil 515 is a cylindrical waterproof cover 52.
Covered by 9. The tubular waterproof cover 529 is made of a material such as fluororesin or silicone resin,
It has non-water permeability and flexibility corresponding to the deformation of the flexible tube portion 21. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the tubular waterproof cover 529 is located coaxially with the outer surface of the coil 515 and covers the entire coil 515 in the longitudinal direction. For example, the coil 515 has its base end portion fitted in the coil housing hole 508 of the outer surface taper protrusion 504.
The tubular waterproof cover 529 covers the coil 515 up to the area inside the coil housing hole 508.

A coil pulling wire 516 is inserted through the center of the coil 515. This coil pulling wire 51
Reference numeral 6 denotes a through hole 51 formed in the outer surface tapered protrusion 504 (inner base cylinder 503) so as to communicate with the coil housing hole 508.
It extends through the slider 7 into the slider movement space 506 and is fixed to the slider shaft 518. A slider 520 is fixed to the outer circumference of the slider shaft 518 with a fixing screw 519. The inner surface of the slider movement space 506 has a non-circular cross section, and the slider 520 has a non-circular outer surface shape that engages with the inner surface of this non-circular cross section.
Therefore, the combined body (the wire pulling member) of the slider 520 and the slider shaft 518 can move the slider pulling space 506 in the extending direction of the coil pulling wire 516 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 6) without rotating. .

A male screw 52 is attached to the base end of the slider shaft 518.
1 is provided, and the male screw 521 is screwed to the female screw 523 of the rotating body 522 provided inside the outer base cylinder 511.

A coating layer (not shown) made of diamond-like carbon (DLC) is formed on the surfaces of the male screw 521 and the female screw 523. The coating layer has excellent slidability as described later in detail. For this reason,
The sliding resistance when the male screw 521 and the female screw 523 are relatively rotated is small, and the operability of the rotating operation of the screw portion is excellent. Further, the coating layer is also excellent in thermal stability, chemical resistance and abrasion resistance. Therefore, the flexible variable device 5
Is less likely to cause deterioration in slidability at the screw part (sliding part) even after repeated use.

When the pitch of the male screw 521 or the female screw 523 on which the coating layer is formed is P [μm] and the average thickness of the coating layer is T [μm], 2.5 × 10 ⁷ ≦ T / P
It is preferable to satisfy the relationship of ≦ 1 × 10 ¹⁰ .

When T / P is a value within the above range, the slidability in the screw portion (sliding portion) becomes particularly excellent.

On the other hand, if the T / P value is less than 2.5 × 10 ⁷ , the effect of the present invention may not be sufficiently obtained. Further, when the value of T / P exceeds 1 × 10 ¹⁰ , the coating layer is likely to be peeled off when a strong impact is applied from the outside.

A fine male screw 52 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 522.
4 is formed, and the fine male screw 524 is screwed with the fine female screw 526 of the flexible adjusting operation ring 525.

Further, the fine male screw 524 and the fine female screw 52
6 means that the flexible adjusting operation ring 525 is only substantially rotated, that is, the axial position of the flexible adjusting operation ring 525 with respect to the outer base cylinder 511 (inner base cylinder 503) does not change significantly. , Screw inclination, etc. are set.

The flexibility adjusting operation ring 525 is the attachment / detachment operation ring 5.
The rotation center is substantially the same as that of the rotation center 10. That is, the flexibility adjusting operation ring 525 is supported rotatably in the circumferential direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the outer base cylinder 511, and the inner peripheral surface of the flexibility adjusting operation ring 525 and the outer base cylinder 511 are supported. An O-ring (waterproof ring) 532 made of a material having both non-water permeability and elastic deformation such as silicone rubber is arranged between the outer peripheral surfaces. With this O-ring 532, with respect to the flexible adjustment operation ring 525 that is a movable member,
The inside of the outer base cylinder 511 can be kept liquid-tight.

Further, the flexible adjusting operation ring 525 is in contact with the outer base cylinder 511 in the vicinity of its tip. At the portions (abutting portions 533, 534) where the flexibility adjusting operation ring 525 and the outer base cylinder 511 are in contact with each other, the surfaces of the flexibility adjusting operation ring 525 and the outer base cylinder 511 are similar to those described above. A coating layer (not shown) is formed.

Similarly, a coating layer (not shown) is also formed on the portions (contact portions 535, 536) where the flexible adjusting operation ring 525 and the rotating body 522 contact each other.

In this way, the contact portions 533, 534, 53
The formation of the coating layer on 5, 536 reduces the sliding resistance at the contact portion. As a result, it becomes possible to more easily perform the turning operation of the flexibility adjusting operation ring 525.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the tip of the coil pulling wire 516 is slightly projected from the tip of the coil 515, and the tip of the wire has the same diameter as the outer diameter of the coil 515. Tip cap (coil pressing member) 527
Is fixed. The tip cap 527 is the coil 51.
5, the tip position of the coil 515 with respect to the tip of the coil pulling wire 516 is regulated via the tip cap 527.

The tip cap 527 is made of a non-water-permeable material, and the tip cap 527 and the tip of the coil pulling wire 516 are closed so as to be in a non-water-permeable state. Further, the tip cap 527 has a tubular cap leg portion 528 which is fixed to the inner surface of the tip portion of the tubular waterproof cover 529 described above so as not to pass water. Therefore, the inside of the tip of the bending stiffness variable coil section 502 is kept liquid-tight by the tip cap 527 and the tubular waterproof cover 529, and the infiltration of the liquid into the inside of the coil 515 is prevented. The coil pulling wire 51
6 is not fixed to the coil 515 except for engaging with the coil 515 via the tip cap 527.

The manner of attachment / detachment and use of the above flexible variable device 5 will be described. When the flexible variable device 5 is attached to the treatment instrument insertion port projection 32 of the endoscope 1, the treatment instrument insertion channel tube is inserted from the treatment instrument insertion port 17 with the forceps plug 38 opened as shown in FIG. 14 (Treatment tool insertion channel 16)
Then, the bending rigidity variable coil portion 502 is inserted.

When the bending stiffness variable coil portion 502 is inserted to some extent, the luer cap receiving portion 514 (the outer surface taper protrusion 50) which constitutes the operation mechanism portion 501 of the flexible variable device 5.
4, the tubular surrounding wall 512 and the double-threaded screw 513) approach the luer mouth portion 35 of the treatment instrument insertion port projection 32.

Here, the attachment / detachment operation ring 510 is rotated in the direction in which the pair of flange projections 37 of the lure cap portion 35 are screwed into the double thread 513. Then, the pair of flange projections 37 are screwed into the double-threaded screw 513 and guided, and the luer cap receiving portion 514 moves in a direction approaching the luer cap portion 35. As a result, the outer surface taper protrusion 504 on the side of the luer mouthpiece receiving portion 514 has the treatment tool insertion opening 17 of the lure mouthpiece portion 35.
The taper outer peripheral surface 507 is pressed into the taper inner peripheral surface 36 of the luer mouthpiece portion 35 so that the two taper surfaces come into close contact with each other. That is, by screwing the pair of flange projections 37 into the double-threaded screw 513, the luer mouthpiece receiving portion 514 is press-fitted to the luer mouthpiece portion 35,
As shown in FIG. 7, the flexible variable device 5 is attached to the endoscope 1. When removing the flexible variable device 5,
It suffices to rotate the attachment / detachment operation ring 510 in the direction opposite to that at the time of attachment. Then, the lure cap portion 35 and the lure cap receiving portion 51.
4 is guided in the direction of mutual separation according to the double thread 513 and the pair of flange projections 37, and the tapered inner peripheral surface 3
The close contact state between 6 and the tapered outer peripheral surface 507 is released.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the flexible variable device 5 is mounted, the bending stiffness variable coil portion 502 inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel tube 14 has a flexible tube portion 21 at its distal end. Is located near the tip (near the curved portion 22). Here, the flexibility of the flexible tube portion 21 can be changed by rotating the flexibility adjusting operation ring 525. Specifically, the flexibility of the flexible tube portion 21 changes in the following manner.

When the flexible adjusting operation ring 525 rotates, the rotating body 522 rotates together with the flexible adjusting operation ring 525. Then, the female screw 523 formed on the rotating body 522,
Due to the relationship with the male screw 521, a moving force in the axial direction is applied to the slider shaft 518. Here, the slider shaft 51
Since 8 is fixed to the slider 520 which is prevented from rotating with respect to the inner base cylinder 503, the slider shaft 518 moves only in the axial direction without rotating. When the slider shaft 518 moves, the coil pulling wire 516 fixed to the slider shaft 518 is pushed and pulled, and as a result, the coil 515 expands and contracts. For example, when the slider shaft 518 moves to the left in FIG. 6, the tip end of the coil pulling wire 516 fixed to the coil 515 causes the coil 51 to move.
Move in the direction to shrink 5. The coil 515 has a characteristic that it is hard to bend (hard) when compressed, and easily bends (soft when uncompressed) when extended (compressed). The bending rigidity increases and it becomes difficult to bend. Therefore, the hardness of the flexible tube portion 21 in which the coil 515 is located is also increased. Bending rigidity of the coil 515, that is, the flexible tube portion 21.
The degree of hardening can be adjusted by the amount of rotation operation of the flexible adjustment operation ring 525. Since the bending stiffness variable coil portion 502 does not reach the inside of the bending portion 22, even if the flexibility of the flexible tube portion 21 changes, the hardness of the bending portion 22, that is, the bending operability is not affected. .

To release the flexible state of the flexible tube portion 21,
The flexibility adjusting operation ring 525 is rotated in the opposite direction to that during the curing operation. Then, the force in the compression direction with respect to the distal end portion of the coil 515 is released or reduced, so that the coil 515 expands by that amount and bending rigidity decreases. When the flexible adjustment operation ring 525 is operated until the coil 515 becomes free, the flexible tube portion 21 becomes the most flexible.

By the way, in this embodiment, the male screw 52
1, the surface of the female screw 523 and the contact portions 533, 534,
At 535 and 536, a coating layer made of diamond-like carbon (DLC) is formed. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the turning operation of the flexibility adjusting operation ring 525. Further, since the coating layer is also excellent in thermal stability, chemical resistance and abrasion resistance, even if the flexible variable device 5 is repeatedly used, the operability of the flexible adjusting operation ring 525 is deteriorated. hard.

In the flexible variable device 5, the attachment / detachment operation ring 510 and the flexibility adjustment operation ring 525 are rotatable about a common rotation center. The rotation operation direction for curing the tube portion 21 and the rotation operation direction for mounting the flexible variable device 5 by the attachment / detachment operation ring 510 described above are set to be the same. That is, FIG.
In the case where the attachment / detachment operation ring 510 is rotated in the A direction, if the above-described luer cap coupling (luer lock) occurs, rotation of the flexible adjustment operation ring 525 in the A direction causes the coil 515 to rotate. The operation mechanism unit 5 so that compression occurs.
The screw direction and the like in 01 are set. In this way, by making the mounting operation direction of the flexible variable device 5 in each of the operation rings 510 and 525 and the curing operation direction of the flexible tube portion 21 the same, there is no fear that the luer lock will loosen during the curing operation. ,preferable. Of course, the flexible variable device 5 is fixed by rotating the attaching / detaching operation ring 510 in the B direction, and the coil 515 is cured by rotating the flexible adjusting operation ring 525 in the B direction. May be.

As described above, the flexible variable device 5 for adjusting the flexibility of the flexible tube portion 21 is provided with the treatment instrument insertion port projection 32.
By attaching to, it will be in a flexible variable state,
Similar to the case of handling a treatment tool such as forceps, the operator of the endoscope can independently adjust the flexibility, and the operability is good. Further, since the flexible variable device 5 is a separate member from the endoscope 1, it is not necessary to newly dispose a complicated mechanism for flexibility adjustment inside the endoscope, and the structure is simple. Highly versatile.
In particular, the flexible variable device 5 of the present embodiment is a special modification or change on the endoscope side with respect to an endoscope of a type in which the treatment instrument insertion port projection has a mouthpiece structure for attaching and detaching the treatment instrument. It can be installed without adding.

During the examination with an endoscope, it is general to insert the insertion portion to the innermost part in the insertable range, and observe and treat while moving the insertion portion in the direction of pulling out. On the other hand, the main purpose of hardening the insertion portion (flexible tube portion) is to improve workability during insertion. Therefore, at the time of insertion, the flexible variable device 5 is mounted and the flexible tube portion 2 is attached.
The flexibility of device 1 is adjusted appropriately, and when it is inserted all the way, the flexible variable device 5 is removed, and the treatment instrument insertion channel tube 14
It is possible to insert forceps, a high-frequency cautery treatment tool, or the like into the. In other words, the flexible variable device 5 closes the treatment instrument insertion channel tube 14 at the time of use, but can be removed at the stage of observation and treatment, so that there is no practical problem with the endoscope 1.

Further, since the flexible variable device 5 has a waterproof structure, dirt is unlikely to enter inside, and cleaning after use is easy. Specifically, the bending stiffness variable coil section 50
Since the inside of 2 is liquid-tight by being covered with the tubular waterproof cover 529, and the tip portion is also made liquid-tight through the tip cap 527, dirt is removed from the tubular waterproof cover 52.
9 does not enter the inside of the tubular waterproof cover 529 even when attached to the coil 9, and the coil 515 and the coil pulling wire 5 inside the coil 515.
No dirt adheres to 16. After using the flexible variable device 5, it does not take time and effort to remove the dirt attached to the outer surface of the tubular waterproof cover 529. Further, since the cleaning liquid does not enter the inside of the tubular waterproof cover 529 when the flexible variable device 5 is cleaned, drying is quicker than when the inside of the coil 515 is immersed in the cleaning liquid, and the storage work after cleaning is also performed. Can be done quickly. Further, since it is protected by the tubular waterproof cover 529, the coil 51 is protected during use and cleaning.
5 and the coil pulling wire 516 can be prevented from being deteriorated or damaged.

In particular, since the treatment instrument insertion channel tube 14 into which the variable bending stiffness coil 502 is inserted communicates with the treatment instrument insertion channel outlet 18, body fluid and other dirt enter from the treatment instrument insertion channel outlet 18. there is a possibility. However, as described above, the bending stiffness variable coil portion 5
02 is covered with the tubular waterproof cover 529 and the tip cap 527, so that the treatment instrument insertion channel tube 14
The coil 515 and the coil pulling wire 516 can be kept in non-contact with the body fluid and dirt that get inside.

Further, in the flexible variable device 5, not only the bending rigidity variable coil portion 502 but also the operation mechanism portion 501 has a liquid-tight structure, so that the entire device can be washed in a lump and after use. Excellent cleaning workability. Specifically, the inner base cylinder 503 and the outer base cylinder 511 that form the main body of the operation mechanism 501, and the detachable operation ring 510 and the flexible adjustment operation ring that are rotatably supported outside the main body. 525 between the plurality of O-rings 530, 53 described above.
1 and 532 are provided, and the base member 50 that constitutes the main body of the operating mechanism 501 by each O-ring.
The inside of 3, 511 is kept liquid-tight. Therefore, like the bending rigidity variable coil section 502, there is no possibility that dirt will enter the operation mechanism section 501 during use. Further, at the time of cleaning, even if the operating mechanism section 501 is immersed in the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid does not penetrate into the inside thereof, so that it can be quickly dried and stored.

As described above, according to the present invention, diamond-like carbon (DL) is formed on at least a part of the surface of the sliding portion.
It is characterized by having a coating layer composed of C).

The coating layer will be described in detail below. The coating layer is diamond-like carbon (D
LC). Such a coating layer has the following advantages.

1. The coating layer composed of lubricity DLC has excellent lubricity (sliding property).
Have. Therefore, by forming the coating layer, the sliding resistance at the sliding portion is reduced, and the operability of the endoscope-related product can be made excellent.

As an index showing lubricity, for example, JI
The friction coefficient μ in the ball-on-disk method, which is measured according to S R 1613, and the like can be mentioned. The friction coefficient μ of the coating layer measured by the ball-on-disk method is 0.05.
It is preferably about 0.7, more preferably about 0.1 to 0.5, and even more preferably about 0.1 to 0.35. When the friction coefficient μ of the coating layer is a value in this range, the sliding resistance at the sliding portion can be reduced more effectively.

2. chemical resistance The coating layer composed of DLC has excellent chemical resistance.

The endoscope-related products are sometimes subjected to a high degree of sterilization using a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfecting solution, etc., but even if they are contacted with such chemicals, the coating layer will deteriorate or deteriorate. Hateful.

Therefore, the endoscope-related product having the coating layer made of DLC can be used for a long time without deterioration even in an environment where it is routinely contacted with a chemical such as a disinfectant.

3. Heat-resistant The coating layer made of DLC has excellent heat resistance.

The endoscope-related product may be subjected to steam sterilization using high-temperature and high-pressure steam, but the endoscope-related product having such a coating layer can be subjected to high sterilization repeatedly. It is less likely to deteriorate and can be repeatedly subjected to such sterilization.

4. The coating layer formed of wear-resistant DLC has excellent wear resistance.
Therefore, stable sliding characteristics can be obtained over a long period of time. Further, since dust due to abrasion is unlikely to be generated, it can be applied to a screw portion (sliding portion) opened to the outside.

As described above, the coating layer made of DLC has the above-mentioned four excellent advantages, and due to the synergistic effect of these four, even if it is repeatedly used, the slidability in the sliding portion is unlikely to deteriorate. Endoscope related products are provided.

Further, since DLC has a very low biocidal property, it is possible to form a coating layer also on a sliding portion which may come into contact with a living body.

Although such a coating layer may be formed by any method, it is preferable that it is formed by a vapor phase film forming method, and among them, thermal CVD,
Chemical vapor deposition (CV) such as plasma CVD (RF plasma CVD, ECR plasma CVD, etc.), laser CVD, etc.
It is preferably formed by any one of D), sputtering such as chemical sputtering and physical sputtering, vacuum deposition, and ion plating. By using these methods, a uniform coating layer with less unevenness can be obtained relatively easily.

An example of the method for forming the coating layer by sputtering will be described below. Sputtering is usually performed in an atmosphere gas mainly containing an inert gas such as argon gas or helium gas, but the atmosphere gas contains hydrocarbon gas such as methane gas or ethane gas, hydrogen gas or the like. Is preferred. As a result, the obtained coating layer can be made up of hydrogenated DLC. When the coating layer is composed of hydrogenated DLC, the friction coefficient of the coating layer is lowered and the lubricity is further improved.

The total content of hydrocarbon gas and hydrogen gas in the atmosphere gas is preferably 10 vol% or more. This makes it possible to add hydrogen to the DLC more effectively.

In the atmosphere gas, for example, O ₂ ,
A reactive gas such as N ₂ or NH ₃ may be included. By performing sputtering in an atmosphere gas containing such a reactive gas, a coating layer to which an element other than C and H is added can be formed. As a result, it is possible to improve the adhesion to the site where the coating layer is formed and to adjust the hardness and the like of the coating layer.

As the target, graphite or the like is usually used. As a target, C,
Elements other than H (for example, N, O, Ti, Al, Cr, S
A material containing i) or the like may be used, or a mixture of such a material and graphite may be used. As a result, C, H
A coating layer to which an element other than the above is added can be formed. As a result, it becomes possible to improve the adhesion to the site where the coating layer is formed and to adjust the hardness and the like of the coating layer.

Further, such sputtering is preferably performed by radio frequency (RF) discharge. This allows
Plasma density can be increased and arc discharge can be effectively prevented.

The film forming rate of the coating layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.05 to 30 μm / h,
It is more preferably 1 to 20 μm / h. When the film formation rate of the coating layer is less than the lower limit value described above, it takes time to form the film, and the productivity of the endoscope 1 decreases. On the other hand, if the film formation rate of the coating layer exceeds the upper limit, the variation in the thickness of the coating layer tends to increase.

The thickness of the coating layer is not particularly limited,
It is preferably 0.01 to 8 μm, and 0.1 to 5 μm
Is more preferable, and 0.5 to 3 μm is even more preferable. If the thickness of the coating layer is less than the lower limit value described above, the effects of the present invention may not be sufficiently obtained. On the other hand, when the thickness of the coating layer exceeds the upper limit value, the flexibility of the insertion portion 2 may be reduced.

Prior to the formation of the coating layer, a base layer (not shown) may be formed at the site where the coating layer is formed.
The underlayer is not particularly limited, but W, Cr, Ti, C
It is preferably made of a material containing at least one of o, Si and Al. This improves the adhesion to the site where the coating layer is formed.

Although such an underlayer may be formed by any method, it is preferable that it is formed by a vapor phase film formation method, and that formed by sputtering. More preferable. When the underlayer is formed by sputtering, it is possible to relatively easily form a coating layer having uniform and stable adhesion.

The thickness of the underlayer is not particularly limited,
It is preferably about 0.01 to 2 μm, and 0.02 to
More preferably, it is about 1 μm.

Prior to the formation of the coating layer and the underlayer, a pretreatment such as a cleaning treatment, a blast treatment, an etching treatment or the like may be performed.

In addition, on at least a part of the surface of the coating layer,
A lubricant (not shown) may be provided. Thereby, the slidability of the sliding portion is further improved.

The lubricant may be any, but is preferably an oily substance. By using the oily substance as the lubricant, the lubricant can be stably held at the target site for a long period of time. As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent deterioration of the slidability of the sliding portion.

Examples of the oil-like lubricant include silicone oil and grease.

Such an effect becomes more remarkable by appropriately selecting the coating layer, the composition of the lubricant and the like.

While the endoscope component of the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, although the waterproof flexible variable device has been described in the above-described embodiment, a non-waterproof flexible variable device may be used.

The covering layer is a sliding portion (for example, a fine male screw 50) that slides by rotating the attachment / detachment operation ring.
5, the surface of the fine female screw 509). As a result, it becomes possible to easily attach and detach the flexible variable device to and from the endoscope.

The present invention is not limited to the flexible variable device as described above, but may be any endoscope-related item. For example, when a fiberscope (endoscope body) is used as an endoscope-related product, a coating layer composed of diamond-like carbon is formed on the sliding part of the eyepiece part and the sliding part of the waterproof cap part. can do.

In the above-described embodiments, the coating layer made of diamond-like carbon is described as being formed on the entire surface of the sliding portion, but it is formed on at least a part of the surface of the sliding portion. It should have been done.

[0122]

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

1. Manufacture of Endoscope-Related Product (Example 1) A flexible variable device as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 9 was manufactured. The outer base cylinder 511, the male screw 521,
Stainless steel (SUS304) was used as the constituent material of the rotating body 522 and the flexibility adjusting operation ring 525. The length of the bending stiffness variable coil portion was 1.6 m.

The coating layer is composed of a male screw 521, a female screw 523,
The contact portions 533, 534, 535, 536 are formed on the entire surface. The coating layer was formed by sputtering.

This sputtering was performed as follows using a vacuum device ("DLC-MR2" manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation).

First, the inside of the vacuum apparatus is filled with argon gas: 60 v.
It was replaced with a mixed gas of ol% and methane gas: 40 vol%. After that, the atmosphere pressure was adjusted to 0.6 Pa by adjusting the flow rate of the mixed gas and the exhaust amount.

After adjusting the atmospheric pressure in the vacuum apparatus, graphite was used as a target and high frequency discharge was performed to form a coating layer.

The flow rate of the mixed gas at the time of sputtering was 60 SCCM and the atmospheric pressure was set to 0.6 Pa. The high frequency power was 500W. The film forming rate was 0.4 μm / h. The average thickness of the coating layer thus formed was 0.03 μm.

Example 2 The average thickness of the coating layer is 0.1 μm.
A flexible variable device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that m was set.

Example 3 A flexible variable device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the average thickness of the coating layer was 1 μm.

Example 4 The average thickness of the coating layer is 10 μm.
A flexible variable device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above.

(Example 5) Almost the entire surface of the coating layer,
A flexible variable device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a lubricant was provided. As the lubricant, silicone grease (“G30M” manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was used.

Example 6 The average thickness of the coating layer is 0.1 μm.
A flexible variable device was produced in the same manner as in Example 5 except that m was changed.

Example 7 A flexible variable device was produced in the same manner as in Example 5 except that the average thickness of the coating layer was 1 μm.

Example 8 The average thickness of the coating layer is 10 μm.
A flexible variable device was produced in the same manner as in Example 5 except for the above.

(Example 9) Prior to the formation of the coating layer, an underlayer of W (average thickness 0.02) was formed at the portion where the coating layer was formed.
μm) was formed by sputtering, and a flexible variable device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

Example 10 The average thickness of the coating layer is 1 μm.
A flexible variable device was produced in the same manner as in Example 9 except for the above.

(Example 11) A flexible variable device was produced in the same manner as in Example 9 except that a lubricant was provided on almost the entire surface of the coating layer. As the lubricant, silicone grease (“G30M” manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was used.

Comparative Example 1 A flexible variable device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the coating layer was not formed.

Comparative Example 2 Almost the entire surface of the sliding portion,
A flexible variable device was produced in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that a lubricant was provided. As the lubricant, silicone grease (“G30M” manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was used.

2. Evaluation <Evaluation of Friction Coefficient> First, the friction coefficient of the DLC film was evaluated.

A DLC film was formed on the upper surface of a SUS304 disc under the same conditions as in Examples 1 to 11. Disk with DLC film (diameter 40 mm x thickness 5 mm) and SUS304 ball (diameter 10 m
The friction coefficient μ by the ball-on-disk method (the friction coefficient μ in the initial, middle and final stages) was measured according to JIS R 1613. As a ball-on-disc type friction and wear tester, Center Suisse D '
Electronique et de Microtechnique SA "CS
EM TRIBOMETER "was used.

As a result, the measured values of the friction coefficient μ of the DLC film were all in the range of 0.15 to 0.18.

<Evaluation of operability of the flexibility adjusting operation ring> The following evaluations were performed using each of the flexible variable devices obtained in each Example and each Comparative Example.

First, prepare an endoscope as shown in FIG.
The flexible variable device was inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel tube from the treatment instrument insertion port projection 32.

Next, by rotating the attachment / detachment operation ring 510 in the direction in which the pair of flange projections 37 of the luer cap 35 are screwed into the double thread 513, the flexible variable device was attached to the endoscope.

Thereafter, the flexible adjusting operation ring 525 is set to the position shown in FIG.
It was rotated alternately in the direction A and the direction B. This operation 1
Repeated 500 times. The operability of the flexibility adjusting operation ring 525 during the 100th and 1500th rotation operations was evaluated according to the following four-stage criteria. ⊚: The torque is light and very good. ◯: The torque is light and good. Δ: A little heavy, but usable. X: Many are caught and are not suitable for use.

Thereafter, the flexible variable device was removed from the endoscope, and hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization and high pressure steam sterilization were performed.

The hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization was carried out for about 75 minutes using a gas plasma sterilizer (“STERRAD” manufactured by Johnson & Johnson Medical).

High-pressure steam sterilization was carried out using a prevacuum type autoclave under the conditions of 121 ° C. for 10 minutes.

Such hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization and steam sterilization were alternately repeated (100 times each).

Thereafter, the flexibility adjusting operation ring 525 was rotated in the same manner as described above. The operability of the flexible adjusting operation ring 525 during the 1500th rotation operation (3000 rotations including the rotation operation before the sterilization treatment) was evaluated in the same manner as described above.

The results are shown in Table 1. Table 1 also shows the conditions of the coating layer, the lubricant, and the base of each flexible variable device.

[0154]

[Table 1]

As is clear from Table 1, all of the flexible variable devices (endoscope-related products) of the present invention are excellent in the operability of the flexible adjustment operation ring, and sterilization treatment is repeated. After that, excellent operability was maintained. It is considered that this is because the flexible variable device (endoscope-related product) of the present invention has excellent slidability in the sliding portion, and the slidability is unlikely to deteriorate even after repeated use. To be

On the other hand, in the flexible variable device of the comparative example,
The operability of the flexibility adjusting operation ring was poor.

[0157]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an endoscope-related product which is less likely to cause a reduction in impulsiveness in a sliding portion even when it is repeatedly used.

Further, since it has excellent chemical resistance and heat resistance,
It is possible to obtain an endoscope-related product that can be repeatedly subjected to steam sterilization, advanced sterilization using a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant, and the like.

Further, since the coating layer has excellent wear resistance, the above-mentioned effects can be maintained for a long period of time. That is, it is possible to obtain an endoscope-related product having excellent durability.

Such an effect becomes more remarkable by appropriately selecting the average thickness and composition of the coating layer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an electronic endoscope.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG.

3 is an enlarged view of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1 in the vicinity of a treatment tool insertion port projection. FIG.

FIG. 4 is an overall external view of a flexible variable device.

5 is an external perspective view of the flexible variable device shown in FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the treatment tool insertion port projection of the endoscope and the operation mechanism portion of the flexible variable device.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a state in which the flexible variable device is attached to the endoscope.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a treatment instrument insertion channel tube of an endoscope in which a bending rigidity variable coil portion of a flexible variable device is inserted.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the tip of the bending stiffness variable coil section.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 endoscope 11 Light guide fiber bundle 12 Image signal cable 13 Bending operation wire 14 Treatment tool insertion channel tube 15 Air / water supply tubes 16 Treatment tool insertion channel 17 Treatment tool insertion port 18 Treatment tool insertion channel outlet 2 Insert 21 Flexible tube 22 Curved part 23 spiral tube 24 mesh tube 25 Flexible tube skin 26 central axis 3 operation part 31A, 31B Bending operation knob 32 Treatment tool insertion port protrusion 33 Air / water button 34 Suction button 35 lure base 36 Taper inner peripheral surface 37 Flange protrusion 38 forceps plug 5 Flexible variable device 501 operation mechanism section 502 Bending rigidity variable coil 503 Inner base tube 504 External taper protrusion 505 Fine male screw 506 Slider movement space 507 Taper outer peripheral surface 508 coil storage hole 509 Fine female screw 510 Detachable operation ring 511 Outer base tube 512 tubular surrounding wall 513 double thread screw 514 Lure base 515 coil 516 Coil Traction Wire 517 through hole 518 slider shaft 519 fixing screw 520 slider 521 male screw 522 rotating body 523 female screw 524 Fine male screw 525 Flexible adjustment operation ring 526 Fine female screw 527 Tip cap 528 Cap leg 529 tubular waterproof cover 530 O-ring 531 O-ring 532 O-ring 533 contact part 534 contact part 535 abutment 536 abutment 7 Universal tube 8 Connector part 81 Light source insertion part 82 Image signal connector

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 4C061 JJ01 JJ06                 4K029 AA02 AA29 BA02 BA03 BA06                       BA07 BA17 BA34 BA35 BB02                       BC01 BC02 BD04 CA01 CA03                       CA05 DC05 EA01                 4K030 BA28 CA02 HA04 JA12 LA23

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope-related product having a threaded portion, wherein diamond-like carbon (DLC) is provided on at least a part of the surface of a male screw and / or a female screw constituting the screwed portion.
An endoscope-related product having a coating layer formed of. 2. An endoscope-related product having a sliding portion required to be liquid-tight, wherein a coating layer made of diamond-like carbon (DLC) is formed on at least a part of the surface of the sliding portion. Endoscope-related products characterized by being used. 3. The endoscope related article according to claim 1, wherein the coating layer is formed by a vapor phase film forming method. 4. The chemical vapor deposition method (CV)
The endoscope-related product according to claim 3, wherein the method is any one selected from D), sputtering, vacuum deposition, and ion plating. 5. The coating layer is 0.05 to 30 μm / h.
The endoscope-related product according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is formed at the film-forming speed. 6. When the pitch of the male screw or the female screw is P [μm] and the average thickness of the coating layer is T [μm], 2.5 × 10 ⁷ ≦ T / P ≦ 1 × 10 ¹ claim 1 satisfying the relation of ⁰ to endoscope-related article according to any one of the 5. 7. The average thickness of the coating layer is 0.1-10.
The endoscope-related product according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which has a thickness of μm. 8. The endoscope-related product according to claim 1, wherein a friction coefficient μ of the coating layer measured by a ball-on-disk method is 0.05 to 0.7. 9. The endoscope-related product according to claim 1, wherein a lubricant is provided on at least a part of the surface of the coating layer. 10. The endoscope-related product according to claim 8, wherein the lubricant is an oily substance. 11. The endoscope-related product according to claim 10, wherein the oily substance contains at least one of silicone oil and grease. 12. The endoscope related article according to claim 1, wherein the coating layer is formed via a base layer. 13. The underlayer comprises W, Cr, Ti, C
The endoscope-related product according to claim 12, which is made of a material containing at least one of o, Si, and Al. 14. The endoscope related article according to claim 12, wherein the underlayer is formed by sputtering. 15. The endoscope related product is a flexible variable device for changing the flexibility of an insertion portion of the endoscope.
An endoscope-related product according to any one of 1 to 14.