JP2006061498A - Flexible tube for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible tube for an endoscope whose resilient elasticity is increased at low cost. <P>SOLUTION: This flexible tube 26 for the endoscope has a spiral tube 30 formed of a spirally wound striplike member 28, a netlike tube 34 formed of a knitted thin wire member outwardly arranged on the spiral tube 30, and an outer skin 38 covering the netlike tube 34. The striplike member 28 is provided with magnetic force such that one side in its widthwise direction becomes a south pole and the other side becomes a north pole, and reaction force acts on the flexible tube 26 for the endoscope when the flexible tube 26 for the endoscope is bendedly deformed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope flexible tube forming an insertion portion of an endoscope.

  Conventionally, a flexible tube having flexibility has been used to form an insertion portion of an endoscope. An example of such a flexible tube is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The innermost layer of the flexible tube is provided with a spiral tube formed by spirally winding a band-shaped member such as metal or plastic with a constant diameter. The spiral tube is covered with a mesh tube formed by braiding a thin wire member such as metal. The outer peripheral surface of the mesh tube is covered with a skin formed of synthetic resin or the like. Resilience is imparted to the flexible tube by the spiral tube, the mesh tube, and the outer skin.

  In addition, on the outer peripheral surface of the outer skin, at least one line having a convex shape or a concave shape is extended over the entire length along the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube. The outer peripheral surface of the outer skin is coated with a coat layer having good chemical resistance. The streaks prevent the coat layer from peeling from the outer skin.

Various techniques for an endoscope are performed using the rebound resilience of a flexible tube. As an example, there is an α procedure for observing the inside of the large intestine. In this α procedure, an endoscope is inserted into the large intestine so as to draw an α-shaped loop in the large intestine. At this time, the insertion portion can be easily inserted into the large intestine by utilizing the rebound resilience of the flexible tube.
JP 2000-296105 A

  In the flexible tube of Patent Document 1, rebound resilience is imparted to the flexible tube by a spiral tube, a mesh tube, and an outer skin. However, it is difficult to ensure sufficient rebound resilience with spiral tubes, mesh tubes, and skins. In addition, the rebound resilience of the spiral tube, the mesh tube, and the outer skin is attenuated by the change over time and the bending operation, and the rebound resilience of the entire flexible tube is attenuated. In particular, the outer skin is relatively easily deteriorated because it is made of a synthetic resin. Here, it is possible to increase the impact resilience and prevent the impact resilience from being attenuated by arranging the spiral tubes in multiple layers, but in this case, the assembly of the spiral tubes becomes difficult, resulting in an increase in cost. End up.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flexible tube for an endoscope whose rebound resilience is increased at low cost.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a spiral tube formed by a spirally wound belt-shaped member, a mesh tube formed by a thin wire member that is sheathed and braided on the spiral tube, and the mesh tube In the flexible tube for an endoscope comprising the outer skin covered with the belt, the belt-like member is given a magnetic force so that one side in the width direction is an S pole and the other side is an N pole, A flexible tube for an endoscope, wherein a repulsive force is applied to the flexible tube for an endoscope when the flexible tube for an endoscope is bent and deformed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the flexible tube for endoscope is bent and deformed, a repulsive force is applied to the flexible tube for endoscope by the belt-like member, and the flexible tube for endoscope There is a force that tries to return to the original state.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spiral tube formed by a belt-like member wound in a spiral shape, a mesh tube formed by a thin wire member that is sheathed and braided on the spiral tube, and the mesh tube A flexible tube for an endoscope comprising an outer skin coated on the outer surface of the mesh tube, and at least two magnetic members are provided between the mesh tube and the outer skin, The at least two magnetic force members are arranged so as to exert a repulsive force on the endoscope flexible tube when the endoscope flexible tube is bent and deformed. It is a flexible tube for endoscopes.

  In the invention of claim 2, when the flexible tube for endoscope is bent and deformed, a repulsive force is applied to the flexible tube for endoscope by at least two magnetic members, and A force is generated to return the flexible tube to its original state.

  The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that the at least two magnetic members are arranged so as to be separable and attractable when the endoscope flexible tube is bent and deformed. This is a flexible tube for endoscope.

  In the invention of claim 3, when the flexible tube for endoscope is bent and deformed and at least two magnetic members are separated from each other, at least two magnetic members are attracted to each other so that the endoscope can be used. A repulsive force is applied to the flexible tube.

  The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the at least two magnetic force members are arranged so as to be accessible and repel each other when the flexible tube for endoscope is bent and deformed. 2 is a flexible tube for an endoscope.

  In the invention of claim 4, when the flexible tube for endoscope is bent and deformed and at least two magnetic members are brought close to each other, at least two magnetic members are repelled from each other. A repulsive force is applied to the flexible tube.

  According to the present invention, the rebound resilience of the endoscope flexible tube is increased at low cost.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration of an endoscope 12 according to the present embodiment. The endoscope 12 has an elongated insertion portion 14 that is inserted into a body cavity. The insertion portion 14 is formed by connecting the distal end configuration portion 16, the bending portion 18, and the flexible tube portion 20 in order from the distal end side. An operation unit 22 that is grasped by an operator is disposed at the proximal end of the insertion unit 14. The operation portion 22 is provided with an operation handle 24 for bending the bending portion 18.

  A lens for an illumination optical system and an image pickup element for an observation optical system are disposed at the tip configuration unit 16, and a light guide and a transmission cable are extended from these. These light guides, transmission cables, and other internal organs are inserted into the operation unit 22 through the distal end component portion 16, the bending portion 18, and the flexible tube portion 20. The flexible tube portion 20 is formed by a flexible tube 26 having flexibility.

  Hereinafter, the manufacturing process of the flexible tube 26 will be described with reference to FIGS. In step 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a thin belt-like member 28 having elasticity is prepared. The strip member 28 is made of, for example, metal. Then, a magnetic force is applied to the band-shaped member 28 so that one side in the width direction is an S pole and the other side is an N pole. In the present embodiment, the magnetic force is applied over the entire length of the belt-shaped member 28.

  In step 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the spiral tube 30 having a constant pitch is formed by winding the belt-shaped member 28 in a spiral shape with a constant diameter. As a result, in the loops adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the spiral tube 30, the S pole side of one loop and the N pole side of the other loop face each other and attract each other. That is, the portions of the adjacent loops aligned in the axial direction attract each other by magnetic force and can be separated from each other when the flexible tube 26 (see FIG. 7) is bent. (See FIG. 7).

  In step 3, as shown in FIG. 4, a mesh tube 34 is sheathed on the outer peripheral surface of the spiral tube 30. The mesh tube 34 is formed by braiding a thin wire member obtained by binding metal thin wires. Here, since the mesh tube 34 is made of metal, the mesh tube 34 is fixed in close contact with the spiral tube 30 by the magnetic force of the spiral tube 30.

  In step 4, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, a urethane-based adhesive 36 is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the mesh tube 34. In step 5, as shown in FIG. 6, an outer skin 38 is coated on the outer peripheral surface of the adhesive 36. The outer skin 38 is formed by coating the outer peripheral surface of the adhesive 36 by extrusion molding with a material excellent in heat resistance, wear resistance and adhesiveness with the adhesive 36, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer.

  In step 6, as shown in FIG. 7, a coat layer 40 is coated on the outer peripheral surface of the outer skin 38. The coat layer 40 is formed by coating the outer peripheral surface of the outer skin 38 with a material excellent in chemical resistance and slipperiness, for example, urethane resin or fluororesin by dipping or extrusion molding. In this way, the flexible tube 26 is manufactured.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope 12 of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described. When performing observation inside a body cavity using the endoscope 12 of the present embodiment, the insertion unit 14 is inserted into the body cavity. At this time, it is assumed that an external force is applied to the flexible tube 26 and the flexible tube 26 is bent. The spiral tube 30 is also bent by the bending of the flexible tube 26, and the distance between the loops adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the spiral tube 30 increases on one side and decreases on the other side. Since the loops adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the spiral tube 30 are attracted to each other by the magnetic force, forces approaching each other act between the portions whose intervals are increased as described above. That is, a force for returning the helical tube 30 to the original state acts, and a repulsive force is generated in the flexible tube 26. The endoscope 12 is inserted into the body cavity using such repulsive force.

  Therefore, the configuration described above has the following effects. Loops adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the spiral tube 30 are attracted to each other by magnetic force. For this reason, when the spiral tube 30 is curved and the interval between the loops increases on one side of the spiral tube 30, the force of approaching each other between the increased portions, that is, the spiral tube 30 is reduced. A force for returning to the state is applied, and a repulsive force is generated in the flexible tube 26. Accordingly, the resilience of the flexible tube 26 is increased. Further, the magnetic force is directly applied to the spiral tube 30, and the rebound resilience of the flexible tube 26 is increased by a simple and inexpensive process.

  In addition, since the repulsive force caused by such a magnetic force is hardly attenuated by a change with time or repeated bending operation, the rebound resilience of the flexible tube 26 is prevented from being attenuated.

  In addition, the manufacturing process of the flexible tube 26 mentioned above is an example, and if the flexible tube 26 of the same structure is formed, various deformation | transformation are possible. Further, although the magnetic force is applied over the entire length of the belt-shaped member 28, the belt-shaped member is provided so that the magnetic force is applied to at least a portion of the spiral tube 30 that is aligned in the axial direction of two adjacent loops. If magnetic force is given to the member 28, there exists an effect of this embodiment.

  8 to 13 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Components having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the manufacturing process of the flexible tube 26 will be described with reference to FIGS. Unlike the first embodiment, in step 1, no magnetic force is applied to the belt-like member 28 (see FIG. 8).

  In step 2 and step 3, as shown in FIG. 8, the spiral tube 30 is formed by the belt-like member 28 as in the first embodiment, and the mesh tube 34 is sheathed on the outer peripheral surface of the spiral tube 30. Since no magnetic force is applied to the spiral tube 30, the action of the mesh tube 34 closely contacting the spiral tube 30 due to the magnetic force of the spiral tube 30 does not occur. In step 4, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, a urethane-based adhesive 36 is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the mesh tube 34 as in the first embodiment.

  In step 5, an elastic ring 42 as a magnetic member shown in FIG. 10A is prepared. The elastic ring 42 is formed of rubber, for example, and is provided with a magnetic force so that one end side is an S pole and the other end side is an N pole. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the elastic ring 42 is divided in half by a plane including its central axis. The inner diameter of the elastic ring 42 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the mesh tube 34 (see FIG. 9).

  In step 6, as shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of elastic rings 42 are packaged on the outer peripheral surface of the adhesive 36. More specifically, the central axis of the elastic ring 42 substantially coincides with the central axis of the spiral tube 30 and the mesh tube 34, and the elastic ring 42 is disposed apart from each other in the axial direction of the spiral tube 30 and the mesh tube 34. Yes. Further, the elastic rings 42 are arranged so that the facing sides of the adjacent elastic rings 42 are different from each other and attract each other. That is, the axially aligned portions of the adjacent elastic rings 42 are attracted to each other by magnetic force and can be separated from each other when the flexible tube 26 (see FIG. 13) is bent. A repulsive force is generated at 26 (see FIG. 13).

  In step 7, as shown in FIG. 12, the outer surface of the adhesive 36 and the elastic ring 42 is covered with an outer skin 38. The outer skin 38 is formed by extruding a material excellent in heat resistance, wear resistance, and adhesiveness with the adhesive 36, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the adhesive 36 and the elastic ring 42 by extrusion molding. is there. In step 8, as shown in FIG. 13, a coat layer 40 is coated on the outer peripheral surface of the outer skin 38 as in the first embodiment. In this way, the flexible tube 26 is manufactured.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope 12 of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described. When the flexible tube 26 is bent by an external force, the spiral tube 30 and the mesh tube 34 are bent. As a result, the distance between the elastic rings 42 increases on one side of the spiral tube 30 and the mesh tube 34 and decreases on the other side. Since the elastic rings 42 are attracted to each other by a magnetic force, forces approaching each other act between the portions where the distance is increased. That is, a force for returning the spiral tube 30 and the mesh tube 34 to the original state acts, and a repulsive force is generated in the flexible tube 26.

  Therefore, the configuration described above has the following effects. The plurality of elastic rings 42 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the spiral tube 30 and the mesh tube 34, and the adjacent elastic rings 42 attract each other by magnetic force. For this reason, when the spiral tube 30 and the mesh tube 34 are curved and the distance between the elastic rings 42 is increased at one side of the spiral tube 30 and the mesh tube 34, the portions where the distance is increased approach each other. Force, that is, a force for returning the helical tube 30 and the mesh tube 34 to their original state, and a repulsive force is generated in the flexible tube 26. Accordingly, the resilience of the flexible tube 26 is increased. Further, an elastic ring 42 to which a magnetic force is applied is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the mesh tube 34, and the rebound resilience of the flexible tube 26 is increased by a simple and inexpensive process.

  In the present embodiment, the elastic ring 42 is used as a magnetic member, but various shapes of magnetic members can be used. Even if it is a magnetic member of another shape, there exists an effect of this embodiment by arrange | positioning so that it may mutually attract.

  FIG. 14 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. Configurations having functions similar to those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, unlike the second embodiment, the elastic rings 42 are arranged so that the opposing sides of the adjacent elastic rings 42 have the same polarity, and repel each other.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope 12 of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described. When the spiral tube 30 and the mesh tube 34 are curved, the distance between the elastic rings 42 increases on one side of the spiral tube 30 and the mesh tube 34 and decreases on the other side. Since the elastic rings 42 are repelled from each other by the magnetic force, forces that are separated from each other act between the portions where the distance is reduced. That is, a force for returning the spiral tube 30 and the mesh tube 34 to the original state acts, and a repulsive force is generated in the flexible tube 26. Therefore, the above configuration has the same effect as the second embodiment.

  It is possible to combine the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above. That is, it is possible to generate a stronger repulsive force in the flexible tube by configuring a spiral tube as in the first embodiment and arranging a magnetic member on the outer peripheral surface of the mesh tube as in the second embodiment. It becomes. Similarly, the first embodiment and the third embodiment can be combined.

Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application are appended as follows.
Record
(Additional Item 1) In an endoscope insertion portion in which a spiral tube, a mesh tube, an outer skin, and a coat layer are sequentially stacked, the rebound resilience of the insertion portion is performed by a magnetic force. Flexible tube.

(Additional Item 2) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic force is applied to the spiral tube.

(Additional Item 3) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic force is applied to a plurality of elastic rings placed on the mesh tube.

(Additional Item 4) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic force is applied to a plurality of elastic rings placed on the spiral tube and the mesh tube.

  The present invention provides a flexible tube for an endoscope that forms an insertion portion of an endoscope whose rebound resilience is increased at low cost.

The perspective view which shows the endoscope of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the process of preparing the strip | belt-shaped member in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 1st Embodiment of this invention, and providing a magnetic force. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the process of forming a helical tube in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the process of armoring a mesh pipe | tube on the outer peripheral surface of a helical tube in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the process of apply | coating an adhesive agent to the outer peripheral surface of a mesh pipe in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the process of coat | covering the outer skin on the outer peripheral surface of an adhesive agent in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the process of coat | covering the coating layer on the outer peripheral surface of the outer skin in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the process which forms a helical tube with the strip | belt-shaped member in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and coat | covers a mesh pipe | tube on the outer peripheral surface of a helical tube. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the process of apply | coating an adhesive agent to the outer peripheral surface of a mesh pipe in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a perspective view which shows the process of preparing an elastic ring in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (B) is for demonstrating the structure of the elastic ring of the embodiment. Perspective view. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the process of armoring the elastic ring on the outer peripheral surface of an adhesive agent in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the process which coat | covers an outer skin on the outer surface of an adhesive agent and an elastic ring in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the process of coat | covering the coating layer on the outer peripheral surface of the outer skin in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the process of armoring the elastic ring on the outer peripheral surface of an adhesive agent in the manufacturing process of the flexible tube of 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  26 ... Flexible tube, 28 ... Strip member, 30 ... Spiral tube, 34 ... Mesh tube, 38 ... Outer skin, 42 ... Magnetic member.

Claims (4)

A spiral tube formed by a strip-shaped member wound spirally;
A reticulated tube formed by a thin wire member that is sheathed and braided on the spiral tube;
A flexible tube for an endoscope comprising an outer skin covered with the mesh tube;
The band-shaped member is applied with a magnetic force so that one side in the width direction is an S pole and the other side is an N pole, and the endoscope flexible tube is bent when deformed. Acting a repulsive force on the flexible tube,
A flexible tube for an endoscope. A spiral tube formed by a strip-shaped member wound spirally;
A reticulated tube formed by a thin wire member that is sheathed and braided on the spiral tube;
A flexible tube for an endoscope comprising an outer skin covered with the mesh tube;
On the outer peripheral surface of the mesh tube, at least two magnetic members are provided between the mesh tube and the outer skin,
The at least two magnetic force members are arranged so as to exert a repulsive force on the endoscope flexible tube when the endoscope flexible tube is bent and deformed.
A flexible tube for an endoscope. The at least two magnetic force members are disposed so as to be separable and attractable from each other when the endoscope flexible tube is bent and deformed.
The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 2, wherein: The at least two magnetic members are arranged so as to be accessible and repel each other when the endoscope flexible tube is bent and deformed.
The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 2, wherein:

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