JP2006198234A - Flexible tube, mesh tube, endoscope, and method of manufacturing flexible tube - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible tube having sufficient resistance to disinfection and sterilization, its manufacturing method, a mesh tube forming such a flexible tube, and an endoscope having such a flexible tube. <P>SOLUTION: The flexible tube 30 has a spiral tube 34 formed by winding a strip member 32 spirally, the mesh tube 36 formed by braiding thin wire in tube shape and covering the spiral tube 34, and an outer skin 38 covering the mesh tube 36. A silica coating layer converted from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the outer surface of the thin wire of the mesh tube 36. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope which is sterilized and sterilized after use, for example, a flexible tube used for forming such an endoscope, a method for manufacturing the same, and a method for forming such a flexible tube. Related to the reticulated tube.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope is used in which an elongated insertion portion is inserted into a cavity so that the inside of the cavity is observed and work is performed in the cavity. In the industrial field, observation and inspection of scratches and corrosion in pipes of boilers, turbines, engines, chemical plants, and the like are performed using industrial endoscopes. In the medical field, a medical endoscope is used to observe an organ or the like in a body cavity, and if necessary, the treatment tool is inserted into the treatment tool channel of the insertion portion and protrudes from the distal end portion of the insertion portion. Various therapeutic treatments are performed.

  Such medical endoscopes are frequently used for various patients. However, in order to prevent infection between patients via the endoscope, the endoscopes are not used after the endoscope is used. Perform disinfection and sterilization. For example, disinfection and sterilization using a disinfecting solution such as a glutaral preparation is performed. Note that sterilization using a disinfecting solution has problems such as irritation of the disinfecting solution, residual toxicity, and difficulty in handling.

  Further, disinfection sterilization using a disinfection sterilization gas such as ethylene oxide (ethylene oxide) gas, formalin gas, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, and ozone is performed. In particular, ethylene oxide gas is widely used worldwide, but since ethylene oxide is a toxic substance, regulations in each country are increasing.

  For this reason, oxidizing agents such as peracetic acid-based drugs and hydrogen peroxide-based drugs are used for disinfection and sterilization in place of glutaral preparations, ethylene oxide gas, and the like.

  On the other hand, autoclaves that perform disinfection sterilization using high-temperature and high-pressure steam are widely used worldwide. This autoclave has many merits such as high sterilization reliability, no residual toxicity, and low running cost.

  By the way, the insertion portion of the endoscope is formed by a flexible tube. This flexible tube has a spiral tube in which a belt-like member is wound spirally. The spiral tube is covered with a mesh tube in which fine SUS wires are braided into a tubular shape. The strength against expansion and contraction and torsion is increased by the mesh tube, and the strength against crushing of the insertion portion of the endoscope is increased. The mesh tube is covered with a resin sheath.

In such a flexible tube, there is a problem that when sterilization and sterilization with an autoclave, an oxidizing agent or the like is performed, the SUS wire of the mesh tube is deteriorated and the strength of the flexible tube is reduced. In order to prevent such deterioration of the mesh tube, in the mesh tube of Patent Document 1, a thin line is covered with a fluororesin. Further, in the mesh tube of Patent Document 2, a fine wire is formed by carbon fiber.
JP 2002-95628 A JP 62-106737 A

  However, the fine wires of Patent Documents 1 and 2 are not sufficient in water resistance, gas barrier property, heat resistance, chemical resistance, and the like, and are not necessarily sufficient in resistance to disinfection sterilization by an autoclave, an oxidizing agent, or the like. That is, the resistance of the flexible tube to main disinfection sterilization is not always sufficient.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a flexible tube having sufficient resistance to sterilization and sterilization, a manufacturing method thereof, a mesh tube forming such a flexible tube, It is providing the endoscope which has such a flexible tube.

  The invention of claim 1 is a spiral tube formed by spirally winding a belt-like member, a mesh tube formed by braiding a thin wire into a tubular shape and covered with the spiral tube, A flexible pipe characterized in that a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the outer surface of the fine wire.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the spiral tube and the mesh tube. It is a flexible tube.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the flexible tube according to claim 1, wherein a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the mesh tube. .

  The invention according to claim 4 is the flexible tube according to claim 1, wherein a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the outer surface of the band-shaped member.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the silica coating layer is formed by applying an organic solvent in which perhydropolysilazane is dissolved to the surface on which the silica coating layer is to be formed and baking it in the air. It is a flexible tube of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The invention of claim 6 is formed by braiding fine wires into a tubular shape, and a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the outer surface of the fine wires. It is a mesh tube.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the silica coating layer is formed by applying an organic solvent in which perhydropolysilazane is dissolved to the outer surface of the fine wire and baking in the atmosphere. 6. A mesh tube according to 6.

  The invention of claim 8 is a spiral tube formed by winding a belt-like member in a spiral shape, a mesh tube formed by braiding a thin wire into a tubular shape and covered with the spiral tube, A flexible pipe having a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane on the outer surface of the thin wire. It is a endoscope.

  The invention of claim 9 is characterized in that a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the spiral tube and the mesh tube. It is a endoscope.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the endoscope according to claim 8, wherein a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the mesh tube. .

  The invention of claim 11 is the endoscope according to claim 8, wherein a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the outer surface of the belt-like member.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the silica coating layer is formed by applying an organic solvent in which perhydropolysilazane is dissolved to the surface on which the silica coating layer is to be formed and baking it in the air. The endoscope according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the endoscope is characterized in that:

  The invention of claim 13 includes a step of spirally winding a band-shaped member to form a helical tube, a step of forming a silica coating layer formed by converting perhydropolysilazane on the outer surface of the thin wire, and the thin wire being tubular Forming a mesh tube, coating the spiral tube with the spiral tube, and coating the mesh tube with an outer skin. It is.

  The invention of claim 14 further includes a step of forming a silica coating layer formed by converting perhydropolysilazane on the inner peripheral surface of the spiral tube and the mesh tube after the step of coating the mesh tube with the spiral tube. 14. The method for manufacturing a flexible tube according to claim 13, further comprising:

  The invention of claim 15 further comprises a step of forming a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane on the inner peripheral surface of the network tube after the step of forming the network tube. Item 14. A method for manufacturing a flexible tube according to Item 13.

  The invention of claim 16 further comprises a step of forming a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane on the outer surface of the strip-shaped member before the step of forming the spiral tube. Item 14. A method for manufacturing a flexible tube according to Item 13.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the step of forming the silica coating layer includes a step of applying an organic solvent in which perhydropolysilazane is dissolved to the surface on which the silica coating layer is to be formed and baking it in the air. The method for manufacturing a flexible tube according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

  According to the present invention, deterioration of the mesh tube against disinfection and sterilization is prevented, and resistance of the flexible tube and the endoscope is improved. In addition, it is possible to manufacture flexible tubes and endoscopes that have improved resistance to disinfection and sterilization.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration of an endoscope 10 according to the present embodiment. The endoscope 10 has an elongated insertion portion 12 that is inserted into a body cavity. The insertion portion 12 is formed by sequentially connecting the distal end configuration portion 14, the bending portion 16, and the flexible tube portion 18 from the distal end side. An operation unit 20 that is grasped by an operator is disposed at the proximal end portion of the insertion unit 12. The operation section 20 is provided with a bending knob 22 for operating the bending section 16 to bend. A universal cord 24 extends from the operation unit 20, and a connector 26 connected to the light source device is disposed at the extended end of the universal cord 24.

  An illumination optical system for illuminating the observation target is disposed in the tip configuration unit 14. A light guide for supplying illumination light to the illumination optical system is connected to the illumination optical system. The light guide is connected to the connector 26 through the distal end constituting portion 14, the bending portion 16, the flexible tube portion 18, the operation portion 20, and the universal cord 24 in order. In addition, an observation optical system for observing the observation object is disposed in the tip constituting portion 14. An image guide for transmitting an observation image is connected to the observation optical system. The image guide is sequentially inserted into the distal end constituting portion 14, the bending portion 16, the flexible tube portion 18, and the operation portion 20, and is connected to an eyepiece portion 28 disposed in the operation portion 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible tube portion 18 is formed by a flexible tube 30. The flexible tube 30 has a spiral tube 34 formed by winding a stainless steel strip-like member 32 in a spiral shape. The spiral tube 34 is covered with a mesh tube 36 formed by braiding thin wires into a tubular shape. The mesh tube 36 is covered with an outer skin 38 made of polyester resin, polyamide resin or the like.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the outer skin 38, an index 40 formed of a fluorine resin, a polyester resin, a polyamide resin or the like and colored with a white ink or the like is disposed. For example, the index 40 is arranged in the insertion portion 12 in order to detect the insertion depth of the insertion portion 12. The outer skin 38 and the index 40 are covered with a top coat 42 formed of polyester resin, polyurethane resin or the like.

  On the other hand, in the bending portion 16, a large number of substantially cylindrical bending pieces 44 are axially connected to each other so as to be rotatable. A connecting pipe 46 extends rearward from the curved piece 44 at the rearmost end. The connection pipe 46 is tightened at the distal ends of the spiral pipe 34 and the mesh pipe 36 of the flexible pipe 30. The plurality of bending pieces 44 are covered with a bending portion mesh tube 48 having the same configuration as that of the mesh tube 36. The curved portion network tube 48 is covered with a curved rubber 50 formed of fluorine rubber, EPDM or the like.

  The curved rubber 50 extends beyond the connecting pipe 46 to the distal ends of the spiral pipe 34 and the mesh pipe 36. The rear end of the curved rubber 50 is in contact with the front end of the outer skin 38 of the spiral tube 34. The outer peripheral surfaces of the rear end portion of the curved rubber 50 and the front end portion of the outer skin 38 are bound to the spiral tube 34 and the mesh tube 36 by a binding thread 52, and the binding thread 52 is fixed by an adhesive 54. Here, the top coat 42 of the flexible tube 30 extends beyond the front end portion of the outer skin 38 to the rear end portion of the curved rubber 50 so as to cover the binding yarn 52 and the adhesive 54.

Here, a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the outer surface of the fine wire forming the mesh tube 36 and the curved network tube 48. This perhydropolysilazane is an inorganic polymer having a silicon-nitrogen bond (Si-N bond) and a hydrogen atom (H atom) and being soluble in an organic solvent. When perhydropolysilazane is calcined at a high temperature in an inert atmosphere, it is converted into amorphous (amorphous) silicon nitride ceramics after thermosetting shrinkage associated with the dehydrogenation reaction. Further, when an organic solvent in which perhydropolysilazane is dissolved is baked in the air, it reacts with moisture and oxygen in the air to form a silica (amorphous SiO ₂ ) film. The silica film thus formed has a film quality and purity comparable to that of a quartz glass film. Further, this silica film has excellent water resistance and gas barrier properties, and has heat resistance, chemical resistance, insulating properties, smoothness, scratch resistance and antifouling properties comparable to those of quartz glass films.

  In this embodiment, an organic solvent in which perhydropolysilazane is dissolved is applied to a fine wire such as a stainless steel wire, a high-strength aramid fiber wire, or a blended wire of stainless steel and a high-strength aramid fiber by dip coating, spray coating, or the like. A silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the outer surface of the fine wire by firing in the air.

  Hereinafter, the mesh tube 36 and the curved portion mesh tube 48 according to an example of the present embodiment will be described. The acid-alkali resistance test was performed on the mesh tube 36 and the curved mesh tube 48 of this example. The reticular tube 36 and the curved portion reticular tube 48 of this example showed a strength retention of 90% under the conditions of 40% sulfuric acid, 95 ° C., and 100 hours immersion. In addition, the mesh tube 36 and the curved network tube 48 of this example showed a strength retention of 50% under the conditions of 10% sodium hypochlorite, 95 ° C. and 100 hours immersion. The reticulated tube 36 and the curved reticulated tube 48 formed of a conventional stainless steel wire showed 0% strength retention under the conditions of 10% sodium hypochlorite, 95 ° C. and 100 hours immersion.

  A wet heat test was conducted on the mesh tube 36 and the curved mesh tube 48 of the present example. The reticular tube 36 and the curved portion reticular tube 48 of this example exhibited a strength retention of 100% under the conditions of 120 ° C. saturated water vapor and 400 hours. The mesh tube 36 and the curved network tube 48 formed of conventional stainless steel wire showed a strength retention of 20% or less under conditions of 120 ° C. saturated water vapor and 400 hours.

  Further, a durability fatigue test was performed on the mesh tube 36 and the curved mesh tube 48 of the present example. The reticular tube 36 and the curved portion network tube 48 of the present example exhibited a durability fatigue that was approximately three times that of the reticular tube 36 and the curved portion network tube 48 formed of conventional stainless steel wires.

  Therefore, the endoscope 10 of this embodiment has the following effects. A silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the outer surface of the thin wire forming the mesh tube 36 and the curved network tube 48 of the present embodiment. This silica coating layer has excellent water resistance, gas barrier properties, heat resistance, chemical resistance, insulating properties, smoothness, scratch resistance and antifouling properties. For this reason, the resistance of the mesh tube 36 to the main sterilization, that is, the resistance of the endoscope 10 is improved.

  For example, when the endoscope 10 is sterilized and sterilized by autoclaving with high-temperature and high-pressure steam, fine wires formed of stainless steel and the like that are easily deteriorated are protected by a silica coating layer having excellent water resistance, gas barrier properties, and heat resistance. Therefore, the occurrence of rust on the thin wire is avoided, and the deterioration of the mesh tube 36 and the curved portion mesh tube 48 is prevented.

  For example, when the endoscope 10 is immersed in an oxidizing agent such as an acetic acid-based agent or a hydrogen peroxide-based agent and then sterilized and sterilized after the endoscope 10 is used, it is formed of stainless steel that is easily deteriorated. Since the fine wires are protected by the silica coating layer having excellent chemical resistance, the deterioration of the mesh tube 36 and the curved mesh tube 48 is prevented.

  Then, by forming a silica coating layer on the fine wire of the mesh tube 36, the adhesion and adhesion between the mesh tube 36 and the outer skin 38 are improved. Further, when the fine wire is deteriorated, the adhesion and adhesion between the mesh tube 36 and the outer skin 38 are reduced. However, since the fine wire is protected against main disinfection by the silica coating layer, the disinfection sterilization and It is prevented that adhesion and adhesion with the outer skin 38 are reduced. Accordingly, the followability between the mesh tube 36 and the outer skin 38 is improved, and the elasticity of the flexible tube 30 is improved. Thus, the silica coating layer also functions as a binder.

  Furthermore, the excellent insulation, smoothness, scratch resistance and antifouling properties of the silica coating layer improve the insulation, smoothness, scratch resistance and antifouling properties of the mesh tube 36 and the curved network tube 48. Yes.

  FIG. 3 shows 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. In the present embodiment, a silica coating layer 56 formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tube 30. That is, after the spiral tube 34 is coated with the mesh tube 36, the silica coating layer 56 formed by converting perhydropolysilazane is formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the spiral tube 34 and the mesh tube 36.

  When the endoscope 10 is sterilized and sterilized by an autoclave, the endoscope 10 is accommodated in a chamber, and high-temperature and high-pressure steam is supplied into the chamber to perform sterilization and sterilization. Usually, before high-temperature high-pressure steam is supplied into the chamber, the inside of the chamber is set to a negative pressure. Here, since the inside of the endoscope 10 is generally in a sealed state, when the inside of the chamber is set to a negative pressure, the pressure inside the endoscope 10 becomes higher than the outside pressure, and the bending rubber 50 and the like of the bending portion 16 are increased. It may expand and rupture. In order to prevent such a situation, when the endoscope 10 is sterilized and sterilized by an autoclave, the vent hole disposed in the endoscope 10 is opened to allow the inside and the outside of the endoscope 10 to communicate with each other. .

  Therefore, the endoscope 10 of this embodiment has the following effects in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, a silica coating layer 56 having excellent water resistance, gas barrier properties, and heat resistance is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tube 30. For this reason, when the endoscope 10 is sterilized and sterilized by an autoclave, the inner peripheral surface of the mesh tube 36 is not directly exposed to the high-temperature and high-pressure steam that has entered the endoscope 10, and the mesh tube 36 is deteriorated. This is further prevented.

  Hereinafter, modifications of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this modification, a silica coating layer formed by converting perhydropolysilazane is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the mesh tube 36, and then the mesh tube 36 is covered with the spiral tube 34.

  FIG. 4 shows a third 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. In the present embodiment, a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the outer surface of the band-shaped member 32 forming the spiral tube 34.

  Further, in order to fix the rear end portion of the curved rubber 50 and the distal end portion of the outer skin 38 to the spiral tube 34 and the mesh tube 36, a heat shrinkable tube formed of a fluororesin instead of the binding thread 52 (see FIG. 2). 58 is used. That is, after the curved rubber 50 is coated on the connecting pipe 46, the spiral tube 34 and the mesh tube 36, the heat shrinkable tube 58 is tightened at the rear end portion of the curved rubber 50 and the distal end portion of the outer skin 38. And the rear end portion of the curved rubber 50 and the front end portion of the outer skin 38 are fastened and fixed to the spiral tube 34 and the mesh tube 36.

  Therefore, the endoscope 10 of this embodiment has the following effects. A silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the outer surface of the band-shaped member 32 forming the spiral tube 34 of the present embodiment. For this reason, the water resistance, gas barrier property, and heat resistance of the spiral tube 34 are formed. And chemical resistance are improved. For this reason, the tolerance with respect to main disinfection sterilization of the endoscope 10 is further improved. The silica coating layer improves the insulation, smoothness, scratch resistance and antifouling properties of the spiral tube 34.

  Then, when the endoscope 10 is sterilized and sterilized by an autoclave, the resin curved rubber 50 and the outer skin 38 tend to deteriorate as a whole starting from the ends. In the present embodiment, the heat shrinkable tube 58 is severed at the rear end portion of the curved rubber 50 and the front end portion of the outer skin 38, and the heat shrinkable tube 58 made of fluororesin has excellent gas barrier properties. For this reason, deterioration of the end portions of the curved rubber 50 and the outer skin 38 is prevented, and as a result, deterioration of the curved rubber 50 and the outer skin 38 is prevented.

  In the above-described embodiment, as the strip-shaped member 32 that forms the spiral tube 34, a stainless steel wire, a high-strength aramid fiber wire, a mixed fiber of stainless steel and a high-strength aramid fiber, or the like is used as the thin wire of the mesh tube 36 and the curved portion network tube 48. Stainless steel is used. Here, by using an organic solvent in which perhydropolysilazane is dissolved, it is possible to form a silica coating layer on a very wide variety of substrates such as glass, metal, resin, film, wood and rubber. Furthermore, since the silica coating layer has excellent water resistance, gas barrier properties, heat resistance, chemical resistance, insulation properties, smoothness, scratch resistance and antifouling properties, even if these materials are inferior, By forming a silica coating layer on the surface, it becomes possible to use as a material for the fine wire of the mesh tube 36 and the curved network tube 48 and the strip member 32 of the spiral tube 34. For this reason, the range of the material selection of the thin wire | line of the mesh tube 36 and the curved part network tube 48, and the strip | belt-shaped member 32 of the spiral tube 34 has expanded.

  In the above embodiment, the flexible tube is used to form a fiberscope, but may be used to form another endoscope such as a flexible videoscope. The use of the flexible tube is not limited to the insertion portion of the endoscope. The flexible tube of the present invention is sterilized by sterilization and can be used for any flexible tubular device. For example, the flexible tube of the above embodiment can be used to form the universal cord of the endoscope of the above embodiment.

Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application are appended as follows.
Record
(Additional Item 1) A flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising a silica coating layer converted from perhydropolysilazane provided on at least the outer surface of the fine wire of the mesh tube.

  The present invention relates to an endoscope that has been sterilized after use and has sufficient resistance to sterilization, such as a flexible tube used to form such an endoscope, a method of manufacturing the same, and A reticulated tube forming a flexible tube is provided.

The perspective view which shows the endoscope of 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the insertion part of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the insertion part of the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the insertion part of the endoscope of 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Endoscope, 30 ... Flexible tube, 32 ... Strip member, 34 ... Spiral tube, 36 ... Reticulated tube, 38 ... Outer skin.

Claims (17)

A spiral tube formed by spirally winding a band-shaped member;
A reticulated tube formed by braiding thin wires into a tubular shape and covered with the spiral tube;
An outer skin covered with the mesh tube,
On the outer surface of the fine wire, a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed,
A flexible tube characterized by the above. A silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the spiral tube and the mesh tube,
The flexible tube according to claim 1. A silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the mesh tube.
The flexible tube according to claim 1. A silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the outer surface of the band-shaped member.
The flexible tube according to claim 1.   The said silica coating layer is formed by apply | coating the organic solvent which melt | dissolved perhydropolysilazane to the surface which is going to form the said silica coating layer, and baking in air | atmosphere. 4. The flexible tube according to any one of 4 above. It is formed by braiding thin wires into a tubular shape,
On the outer surface of the fine wire, a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed,
A mesh tube characterized by that.   The reticulated tube according to claim 6, wherein the silica coating layer is formed by applying an organic solvent in which perhydropolysilazane is dissolved to the outer surface of the fine wire and baking it in the atmosphere.   A spiral tube formed by spirally winding a belt-like member, a mesh tube formed by braiding a thin wire into a tubular shape and covered with the spiral tube, and the mesh tube covered And a flexible tube having a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane on the outer surface of the thin wire. A silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the spiral tube and the mesh tube,
The endoscope according to claim 8. A silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the mesh tube.
The endoscope according to claim 8. A silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane is formed on the outer surface of the band-shaped member.
The endoscope according to claim 8.   The said silica coating layer is formed by apply | coating the organic solvent which melt | dissolved perhydropolysilazane to the surface which is going to form the said silica coating layer, and baking in air | atmosphere. The endoscope according to any one of 11. Forming a spiral tube by spirally winding a band-shaped member;
Forming a silica coating layer converted from perhydropolysilazane on the outer surface of the fine wire;
Forming the mesh tube by braiding the thin wire into a tubular shape;
Coating the mesh tube on the spiral tube;
Coating the mesh tube with an outer skin;
The manufacturing method of the flexible tube characterized by comprising.   The method further comprises a step of forming a silica coating layer formed by converting perhydropolysilazane on the inner peripheral surface of the spiral tube and the mesh tube after the step of coating the mesh tube with the spiral tube. The manufacturing method of the flexible tube of Claim 13.   The flexible coating according to claim 13, further comprising a step of forming a silica coating layer formed by converting perhydropolysilazane on the inner peripheral surface of the mesh tube after the step of forming the mesh tube. A method of manufacturing a tube.   The flexible structure according to claim 13, further comprising a step of forming a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane on the outer surface of the strip-shaped member before the step of forming the spiral tube. A method of manufacturing a tube.   14. The step of forming the silica coating layer includes a step of applying an organic solvent in which perhydropolysilazane is dissolved to a surface on which the silica coating layer is to be formed and baking in the atmosphere. The manufacturing method of the flexible tube of any one of thru | or 16.

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