JP2006212278A - Manufacturing method of insertion flexible tube, insertion flexible tube and endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method of an insertion flexible tube by which a high liquid tightness between a flexible tube part and a curved part can be obtained regardless of the kind of the constituting material of the outer coat of the curved part, to provide the insertion flexible tube manufactured by the manufacturing method, and to provide an endoscope provided with the insertion flexible tube. <P>SOLUTION: In this manufacturing method of the insertion flexible tube, the distal end part of the core material 31 of the flexible tube part 3 is connected to the proximal end part of the core material 41 of the curved part 4 with a connection tube 43, the distal end part of the outer coat 32 of the flexible tube part 3 and the proximal end part of the outer coat 42 of the curved part 4 are brought into contact so as to be overlapped, and then the distal end part of the outer coat 42 and the proximal end part of the outer coat 32 are tightened with a thread 9 from the outer surface side. Thereafter, the thread 9 is coated with the material of the same kind as the material constituting the outer surface of the outer coat 32, and a coating layer 10 for fixing the thread 9 is formed. Prior to the formation of the coating layer 10, at least to the outer surface side of the proximal end part of the curved part 4, an adhesive material 11 highly adhesive to both of the outer surface of the outer coat 32 and the coating layer 10, is supplied. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an insertion portion flexible tube, an insertion portion flexible tube, and an endoscope.

In the medical field, endoscopes are used for examination and diagnosis of the digestive tract and the like.
Such an endoscope includes an insertion portion flexible tube to be inserted into a body cavity, an operation portion for operating the insertion portion flexible tube, a connection portion flexible tube connected to the operation portion, and a connection portion. And a light source insertion portion connected to the distal end portion of the flexible tube.

  Among these, the insertion portion flexible tube has a long flexible tube portion and a bending portion that is connected to the distal end portion of the flexible tube portion and can be bent, and rotates the insertion portion flexible tube. By bending the bending portion, all directions in the body cavity can be observed.

  Usually, each of the flexible tube portion and the bending portion is configured by covering a core material with a flexible outer skin. And the connection of this flexible tube part and a bending part is performed as follows (for example, refer patent document 1).

  First, after joining the ends of the core of the flexible tube portion and the bending portion, the joint portion is covered with the outer skin of the bending portion, and the outer skin end of the flexible tube portion and the outer skin end of the bending portion are brought into contact with each other. Make contact.

  Next, the outer skin of the flexible tube and the outer skin of the curved portion are respectively bound with a thread at a portion sandwiching the boundary portion, and then an adhesive is applied from above the thread.

  By applying an adhesive from the thread thus bound, the thread is fixed to the outer skin of the flexible tube portion and the outer skin of the bending tube.

  However, depending on the constituent material of the outer shell of the flexible tube and the outer tube of the bending tube, the adhesive may be easily peeled off, and the thread may be loosened to reduce the liquid tightness between the flexible tube and the bending portion. There is. When such a problem occurs, liquid such as liquid may enter the inside from the joint, and the endoscope may break down.

JP 2002-34900 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an insertion portion flexible tube capable of obtaining high liquid-tightness between the flexible tube portion and the bending portion, regardless of the type of constituent material of the outer skin of the bending portion, and such insertion. Another object of the present invention is to provide an insertion portion flexible tube manufactured by the method for manufacturing a portion flexible tube, and an endoscope including the insertion portion flexible tube.

Such an object is achieved by the present inventions (1) to (9) below.
(1) Inserted by connecting a bending portion including a core material and an outer skin covering the outer periphery of the core material to a distal end portion of a flexible tube portion including the core material and an outer skin covering the outer periphery of the core material. A method for producing an insertion portion flexible tube for producing a portion flexible tube,
The distal end portion of the core material of the flexible tube portion and the proximal end portion of the core material of the curved portion are connected, and the distal end portion of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion and the proximal end portion of the outer skin of the curved portion are connected to each other. A first step of contacting;
A second step of binding a distal end portion of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion and a proximal end portion of the outer skin of the bending portion with a thread from the outer surface side;
A third step of forming a coating layer for covering the yarn and fixing the yarn with the same kind of material as that constituting the outer surface of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion;
Prior to the third step, at least an outer surface side of the base end of the bending portion is supplied with an adhesive material having high adhesion to both the outer surface of the outer skin of the bending portion and the coating layer. The manufacturing method of the insertion part flexible tube characterized by having a property material supply process.

  Thereby, the insertion part flexible tube which has high liquid-tightness between a flexible tube part and a bending part can be manufactured irrespective of the kind of constituent material of the outer skin of a bending part.

  (2) The method for manufacturing an insertion portion flexible tube according to (1), wherein the adhesive material supply step is performed after the second step.

  Thereby, in addition to the adhesiveness with respect to the outer skin of the curved part of adhesive material, the anchor effect with respect to a thread | yarn is exhibited. For this reason, the adhesiveness between the adhesive material and the outer skin of the curved portion is further increased, and as a result, the adhesiveness between the coating layer and the outer skin of the curved portion via the adhesive material is further improved.

  (3) The insertable portion according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the outer surface of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion and the outer surface of the outer skin of the curved portion are made of a material having low adhesion to each other. A manufacturing method of a flexible tube.

  The present invention is suitable for application to the case where the outer surface of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion and the outer surface of the outer skin of the curved portion are made of materials having low adhesion to each other. Prominently demonstrated.

  (4) The insertion according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the outer surface of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion and the coating layer are each composed mainly of polymethylpentene or polyolefin elastomer. Of manufacturing a flexible tube.

  Polymethylpentene or polyolefin elastomer is excellent in chemical resistance and heat resistance, so it is suitable for deterioration of the outer skin of the flexible tube even if it is repeatedly subjected to disinfection and sterilization treatment (for example, autoclave sterilization) Can be prevented. Moreover, the liquid-tightness between a flexible tube part and a curved part is maintained over a long period of time by comprising this coating layer as a main material for polymethylpentene or polyolefin elastomer.

  (5) The manufacturing method of the insertion portion flexible tube according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the outer surface of the outer skin of the bending portion is made of fluororubber as a main material.

  Since this is excellent in chemical resistance and heat resistance, it is possible to suitably prevent deterioration of the outer skin of the curved portion even if the endoscope is repeatedly subjected to disinfection / sterilization treatment (for example, autoclave sterilization). .

  (6) The said adhesive material is a manufacturing method of the insertion part flexible tube in any one of said (1) thru | or (5) comprised by using hot-melt-adhesive as a main material.

  An adhesive material mainly composed of a hot-melt adhesive is preferable because it exhibits high adhesion to various resin materials and various rubber materials. Further, the coating layer is preferably made of polymethylpentene or polyolefin elastomer as a main material, and the outer surface of the outer skin of the curved portion is preferably made of fluorine rubber as a main material, which has relatively low adhesion. Although it is a combination of materials, by using an adhesive material having a hot melt adhesive as a main material, the coating layer and the outer skin of the curved portion can be reliably adhered (adhered) via the adhesive material.

  (7) In the first step, the base end portion of the outer skin of the bending portion is overlaid on the outer side of the distal end portion of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion. Manufacturing method of insertion part flexible tube.

  By superimposing the base end portion of the outer skin of the bending portion on the distal end portion of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion, the liquid tightness between the flexible tube portion and the bending portion can be further improved.

(8) An insertion portion flexible tube manufactured by the method for manufacturing an insertion portion flexible tube according to any one of (1) to (7).
Thereby, the insertion part flexible tube which has high liquid-tightness between a flexible tube part and a bending part is obtained.

(9) An endoscope comprising the insertion portion flexible tube according to (8).
Thereby, an endoscope having high liquid tightness can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, since the same kind of material as the material constituting the outer surface of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion is used as the constituent material of the covering layer, the covering layer is a portion in contact with the outer skin of the flexible tube portion. On the (base end side), extremely high adhesion can be obtained.

  On the other hand, since the adhesive material having high adhesion is supplied to both the outer surface of the outer skin of the bending portion and the coating layer, the coating layer is provided on the curved portion side (the tip side). ), High adhesion to the outer skin of the curved portion can be obtained through the adhesive material.

  For this reason, the yarn can be reliably fixed by the coating layer. Thereby, it is possible to suitably prevent the yarn from being loosened and loosened, and high liquid tightness between the flexible tube portion and the curved portion can be obtained, and this liquid tightness can be maintained for a long time.

  Hereinafter, a manufacturing method of an insertion portion flexible tube, an insertion portion flexible tube, and an endoscope of the present invention are explained in detail based on a suitable embodiment shown in an accompanying drawing.

  FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an embodiment when the endoscope of the present invention is applied to an electronic endoscope (electronic scope), and FIG. 2 is an insertion portion flexible tube provided in the electronic endoscope shown in FIG. It is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of this. In the following description, the upper side in FIG. 1 is referred to as the “base end”, the lower side is referred to as the “tip”, the right side in FIG.

  An electronic endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a long insertion portion flexible tube 2 having flexibility (flexibility) and a proximal end portion of the insertion portion flexible tube 2, and is held by an operator. An operation unit 6 for operating the entire electronic endoscope 1, a connection portion flexible tube 7 connected to the operation unit 6, and a light source insertion portion 8 connected to the distal end portion of the connection portion flexible tube 7. Have.

  The insertion portion flexible tube 2 is used by being inserted into a lumen (body cavity) of a living body, for example. As shown in FIG. 1, the insertion portion flexible tube 2 includes a flexible tube portion 3 and a bending portion 4 that is connected to a distal end portion of the flexible tube portion 3 and can be bent. Have.

  Each of the flexible tube portion 3 and the bending portion 4 is provided with a space in which a built-in material (not shown) such as an optical fiber, an image signal cable, or tubes (not shown) can be placed and inserted. It has been.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible tube portion 3 includes a core material 31 and an outer skin 32 that covers the outer periphery of the core material 31.

  The core material 31 includes a spiral tube 311 and a mesh tube (braided body) 312 that covers the outer periphery of the spiral tube 311, and is formed as a long tube-like object as a whole.

  The spiral tube 311 is formed by winding a strip-like material in a spiral shape with a uniform diameter at an interval 313. For example, stainless steel or copper alloy is preferably used as the material constituting the belt-like material.

  The mesh tube 312 is formed by braiding a plurality of metal or non-metallic thin wires. As a material constituting the fine wire, for example, stainless steel, copper alloy and the like are preferably used. Further, at least one of the fine wires forming the mesh tube 312 may be coated with a synthetic resin (not shown).

  The core material 31 is covered with an outer skin 32 by protruding both ends of the core material 31. The outer skin 32 is composed mainly of a resin material.

  The resin material is not particularly limited as long as it has flexibility (flexibility), and examples thereof include polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). Polyolefin, cyclic polyolefin, modified polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide, polyamideimide, polycarbonate, poly- (4-methylpentene-1), ionomer, acrylic resin, polymethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile Butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin), acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS resin), butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyoxymethylene, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol co Polyester such as coalescence (EVOH), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycyclohexane terephthalate (PCT), polyether, polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide, Polyacetal (POM), polyphenylene oxide, modified polyphenylene oxide, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polymethylpentene, aromatic polyester (liquid crystal polymer), polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, other fluororesins , Styrene, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, polybutadiene, Examples include various thermoplastic elastomers such as polyisoprene, fluororubber, chlorinated polyethylene, and copolymers, blends, and polymer alloys mainly composed of these, and one or more of these are combined. (For example, as a laminate of a plurality of layers).

  In particular, the outer surface of the outer skin 32 (in the case of a laminate, the outermost layer) is preferably composed of polymethylpentene (TPX) or polyolefin elastomer as a main material. Since polymethylpentene or polyolefin elastomer is excellent in chemical resistance and heat resistance, even if the electronic endoscope 1 is repeatedly subjected to sterilization and sterilization treatment (for example, autoclave sterilization), deterioration of the outer skin 32 is suitably prevented. can do.

  In the present invention, the coating layer 10 to be described later is composed of the same material as the material constituting the outer surface of the outer skin 32. The coating layer 10 is composed mainly of polymethylpentene or polyolefin elastomer. Thereby, the liquid-tightness between the flexible tube part 3 and the curved part 4 is maintained over a long period of time.

  The average thicknesses of the outer skin 32 and the outer skin 42 to be described later can protect the built-in objects disposed in the flexible tube portion 3 and the bending portion 4, respectively. Although it will not specifically limit if it does not prevent flexibility and curvature, It is preferable that it is about 100-3000 micrometers, and it is more preferable that it is about 200-1000 micrometers.

As shown in FIG. 1, a scale 22 indicating the insertion depth into the body cavity is attached to the outer surface of the flexible tube portion 3. As a result, when the insertion portion flexible tube 2 is inserted into the body cavity, the tip of the insertion portion flexible tube 2 can be reliably guided to a desired position by operating while observing the scale 22. it can.
The bending portion 4 is connected to the distal end portion of the flexible tube portion 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the bending portion 4 includes a core material 41 and an outer skin 42 that covers the outer periphery of the core material 41.

  The core member 41 includes a node ring assembly 411 and a mesh tube 412 that covers the outer periphery of the node ring assembly 411, and is formed as a long tube-like object as a whole.

  The node ring assembly 411 is configured by arranging a plurality of node rings 411a having a substantially circular cross section in parallel along the center line A (axis). In these node rings 411a, adjacent node rings 411a are connected to each other by rivets (not shown) and can be tilted with respect to each other. As a material constituting the node ring 411a, for example, stainless steel, copper alloy, or the like is preferably used.

  The node rings 411a are provided with wire guides (not shown) for each predetermined number of node rings 411a. The wire guide is inserted into a bending operation wire that is connected to a rigid portion 5 to be described later and continuously disposed in the bending portion 4 and the flexible tube portion 3. For example, the bending operation wires are provided in two pairs as a pair. By pulling or opening each bending operation wire, the bending portion 4 is bent in any direction with the tilt of the node ring 411a. The

  At this time, the bending operation wire is supported by the wire guide so as to be able to advance and retract in the distal direction and the proximal direction.

  The outer periphery of the node ring assembly 411 is covered with a mesh tube 412 having the same configuration as the mesh tube 312.

  The base end portion of the core material 41 is connected to the distal end portion of the core material 31 included in the flexible tube portion 3 via the connection tube 43.

On the outer periphery of the core material 41, both end portions of the core material 41 protrude and are covered with an outer skin 42.
The outer skin 42 is composed of a rubber material as a main material.

  The rubber material is not particularly limited. For example, butadiene rubber such as natural rubber (NR), isoprene rubber (IR), butadiene rubber (BR, 1,2-BR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and chloroprene. Diene special rubber such as rubber (CR), butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber (NBR), butyl rubber (IIR), ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM, EPDM), acrylic rubber (ACM, ANM), halogenated butyl rubber (X-IIR) ) Olefin rubber, urethane rubber (AU, EU), etc., hydrin rubber (CO, ECO, GCO, EGCO) ether rubber, polysulfide rubber (T), etc., polysulfide rubber, silicone rubber (Q), fluoro rubber (FKM, FZ), chlorinated polyethylene (CM), etc. It is, singly or in combination of two or more of these (e.g., as a laminate such a plurality of layers) can be used.

  In particular, the outer surface of the outer skin 42 (in the case of a laminate, the outermost layer) is preferably made of fluororubber as the main material. Since fluororubber is excellent in chemical resistance and heat resistance, deterioration of the outer skin 42 can be suitably prevented even when the electronic endoscope 1 is repeatedly subjected to sterilization / sterilization treatment (for example, autoclave sterilization). .

  A rigid portion 5 is connected to the distal end portion of the curved portion 4. The rigid part 5 is composed of a cylindrical block body.

An imaging device (CCD) (not shown) that captures a subject image at an observation site is provided inside the rigid portion 5, and the imaging device is provided in the insertion portion flexible tube 2, the operation portion 6, and the connection portion. An image signal cable (not shown) continuously disposed in the flexible tube 7 is connected to an image signal connector 82 provided in the light source insertion portion 8.
Further, the distal end of the bending operation wire is fixed to the rigid portion 5.

  Although it does not specifically limit as a constituent material of the hard part 5, For example, stainless steel, aluminum or an aluminum alloy, titanium, or a titanium alloy etc. are mentioned.

  Further, a light source connector 81 is provided along with an image signal connector 82 at the distal end of the light source insertion portion 8, and the light source connector 81 and the image signal connector 82 are connected to a connection portion of a light source processor device (not shown). The light source insertion unit 8 is connected to the light source processor device. A monitor device (not shown) is connected to the light source processor device via a cable.

  The light emitted from the light source processor device is continuously arranged in the light source connector 81, the light source insertion portion 8, the connection portion flexible tube 7, the operation portion 6 and the insertion portion flexible tube 2. The light passes through a light guide (not shown), and the observation site is irradiated from the tip of the rigid portion 5 to illuminate. Such a light guide is configured by bundling a plurality of optical fibers made of, for example, quartz, multicomponent glass, plastic, or the like.

  The reflected light (subject image) from the observation site illuminated by the illumination light is imaged by the image sensor. The image sensor outputs an image signal corresponding to the captured subject image. This image signal is transmitted to the light source insertion unit 8 via the image signal cable.

  Then, predetermined processing (for example, signal processing, image processing, etc.) is performed in the light source insertion unit 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, an endoscope monitor image of a moving image is displayed.

  Further, the operation unit 6 is provided with a first operation knob 61, a second operation knob 62, a first lock lever 63, and a second lock lever 64 on the upper surface in FIG. .

  When the operation knobs 61 and 62 are rotated, a bending operation wire (not shown) disposed in the insertion portion flexible tube 2 is pulled, and the bending portion 4 is bent in four directions. You can change the direction.

  Further, when the lock levers 63 and 64 are rotated counterclockwise, the bending state (the bending state in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction) of the bending portion 21 can be fixed (held), respectively. When the rotation operation is performed, the bending portion 4 fixed in the bent state can be released.

  Further, a plurality (three in this embodiment) of control buttons 65, suction buttons 66, and air / liquid feeding buttons 67 are provided on the side surface (circumferential surface) in FIG.

  While the electronic endoscope 1 is connected to the light source processor device (external device), by pressing each control button 65, various operations of peripheral devices such as the light source processor device and the monitor device (for example, moving images of electronic images) And a still image, an electronic image filing system and an imaging device can be operated and / or stopped, and an electronic image recording device can be operated and / or stopped.

  The suction button 66 and the air / liquid supply button 67 are respectively formed continuously in the light source insertion portion 8, the connection portion flexible tube 7, the operation portion 6 and the insertion portion flexible tube 2, respectively. Has a function of opening and closing a suction channel and an air / liquid feeding channel (both not shown) opened at the distal end of the insertion portion flexible tube 2 and opened at the other end by the light source insertion portion 8.

  That is, before the suction button 66 and the air / liquid feeding button 67 are pressed, the suction channel and the air / liquid feeding channel are closed (the fluid cannot pass through), When the suction button 66 and the air / liquid feeding button 67 are pressed, the suction channel and the air / liquid feeding channel are communicated (the fluid can pass).

  When the electronic endoscope 1 is used, suction means is connected to the other end of the suction channel, and air supply / liquid supply means is connected to the other end of the air / liquid supply channel.

  Thereby, in a state where the suction channel is in communication, body fluid or blood in the body cavity can be sucked from the distal end of the insertion portion flexible tube 2, and in the state where the air / liquid supply channel is in communication, the insertion portion Liquid or gas can be supplied from the distal end of the flexible tube 2 into the body cavity.

Next, the manufacturing method of the insertion part flexible tube of this invention is demonstrated.
FIG. 3 is a diagram (partial longitudinal sectional view) for explaining the method of manufacturing the insertion portion flexible tube of the present invention.

  [1] First, the flexible tube portion 3 in which the outer periphery of the core material 31 is covered with the outer skin 32 and the curved portion 4 in which the outer periphery of the core material 41 is covered with the outer skin 42 are prepared.

  [2] Next, as shown in FIG. 3A, the distal end portion of the core material 31 and the proximal end portion of the core material 41 are connected via a connecting pipe 43. A ring-shaped recess 431 is formed on the outer periphery of the connection pipe 43.

  Then, after covering the connecting tube 43 with the distal end portion of the outer skin 32 so that the distal end portion of the outer skin 32 is located in the recess 431, the base end portion of the outer skin 42 is superimposed on the distal end portion of the outer skin 32, Contact (first step).

  [3] Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the portion where the base end portion of the outer skin 32 and the distal end portion of the outer skin 42 overlap is bound from the outer surface side by the thread 9 (second step). ).

  Thereby, the outer skin 32 and the outer skin 42 are fixed with respect to the core material 31, and the liquid-tightness between the flexible tube part 3 and the bending part 4 is ensured.

  In particular, by overlapping the base end portion of the outer skin 42 with the distal end portion of the outer skin 32, the liquid tightness between the flexible tube portion 3 and the bending portion 4 can be further improved.

  Although the average diameter of the thread | yarn 9 is not specifically limited, It is preferable that it is about 1-500 micrometers, and it is more preferable that it is about 10-300 micrometers. If the diameter of the yarn 9 is too small, depending on the constituent material and the like, it may be difficult to bind the outer skin 32 and the outer skin 42 sufficiently and fix them to the core material 31. If the diameter is too large, the outer diameter of the insertion portion flexible tube 2 at the portion fastened with the thread 9 becomes too large, and the patient's pain may increase when the insertion portion flexible tube 2 is inserted into the body cavity. .

  [4] Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), at least the curved portion, the composition prepared by heating the adhesive material 11 to be melted or softened by heating or dissolved in a solvent or dispersed in a dispersion medium is prepared. 4 is supplied to the outer surface side of the base end portion 4 (in this embodiment, so as to cover the tip end side of the yarn 9) (adhesion material supplying step).

  In the present invention, as the adhesive material 11, a material having high adhesiveness is used for both the outer surface of the outer skin 42 of the curved portion 4 and the coating layer 10 described later.

  [5] Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (d), in a state where the constituent material of the coating layer 10 is melted or softened, it is supplied so as to cover the yarn 9 and the outer skin 32, and then cooled or the composition described above is applied. The solvent is removed from the product. Thereby, the coating layer 10 is formed, and the yarn 9 is fixed by the coating layer 10 (third step).

  In the present invention, the same material as the material constituting the outer surface of the outer skin 32 of the flexible tube portion 3 is used as the constituent material of the coating layer 10. For this reason, the coating layer 10 can obtain extremely high adhesion at the portion (base end side) in contact with the outer skin 32.

  On the other hand, since the adhesive material 11 having high adhesion is supplied to both the outer surface of the outer skin 42 and the coating layer 10 on the distal end side of the coating layer 10, the coating layer 10 adheres to the distal end side thereof. High adhesion to the outer skin 42 can be obtained through the adhesive material 11.

  For this reason, in the present invention, the yarn 9 can be reliably fixed by the coating layer 10 regardless of the type of material constituting the outer surface of the outer skin 42. Thereby, the unraveling and loosening of the thread | yarn 9 can be prevented suitably, and the liquid-tightness between the flexible tube part 3 and the curved part 4 is maintained over a long period of time.

  Here, the adhesive material 11, the outer skin 42, and the coating layer 10 are melted (compatible) with each other at their interfaces, or van der Waals forces generated between the materials (molecules) constituting them. It adheres by attracting by a hydrogen bond etc.

  Moreover, the gap between the outer skin 32 and the outer skin 42 is closed by the coating layer 10, and the entry of moisture, contaminants, and the like from this boundary portion is reliably prevented.

  Furthermore, the unevenness caused by the thread 9 and the like formed on the outer surface of the insertion portion flexible tube 2 is alleviated or eliminated by the covering layer 10, so that the patient's pain when inserting the insertion portion flexible tube 2 into the body cavity. Can be prevented from increasing.

  Here, when the constituent materials of the outer skin 32 and the outer skin 42 are selected by focusing on the characteristics required for each, the adhesion between the coating layer 10 made of the same material as the outer skin 32 and the outer skin 42 is reduced. Therefore, the covering layer 10 may be easily peeled off from the outer skin 42 on the tip side, and the yarn 9 may not be sufficiently fixed.

  In the present invention, since the adhesive material 11 is used as described above, peeling of the coating layer 10 from the outer skin 42 can be reliably prevented. Thus, the present invention is suitable for application to the case where the outer surface of the outer skin 32 of the flexible tube portion 3 and the outer surface of the outer skin 42 of the curved portion 4 are made of materials having low adhesion to each other. In this case, the effect of the present invention is particularly remarkable.

  The adhesive material 11 used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a material having high adhesion to both the outer surface of the outer skin 42 and the coating layer 10. For example, a hot melt adhesive or an outer skin 42 is used. Examples thereof include a mixture obtained by mixing the constituent material of the outer surface and the constituent material of the coating layer 10 at a predetermined ratio.

  Among these, the adhesive material 11 is particularly preferably composed of a hot melt adhesive as a main material. The adhesive material 11 having a hot melt adhesive as a main material is preferable because it exhibits high adhesion to various resin materials and various rubber materials.

  As described above, the coating layer 10 is preferably made of polymethylpentene or polyolefin elastomer as a main material, and the outer surface of the outer skin 42 is preferably made of fluoro rubber as a main material. Here, these are a combination of materials having relatively low adhesion, but by using the adhesion material 11 whose main material is a hot melt adhesive, the coating layer 10 and the outer skin 42 via the adhesion material 11. Can be reliably adhered (adhered).

  Examples of such hot melt adhesives include adhesive polyolefin.

The average thickness of the coating layer 10 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.01 to 0.4 mm, and more preferably about 0.01 to 0.2 mm. If the thickness of the covering layer 10 is too small, the yarn 9 may not be sufficiently fixed depending on the constituent material, the diameter of the yarn 9, the arrangement density of the yarn 9 (number of wrinkles), If the thickness of the covering layer 10 is too large, the portion provided with the covering layer 10 of the insertion portion flexible tube 2 becomes too thick, and the patient's pain increases when the insertion portion flexible tube 2 is inserted into the body cavity. There is a risk.
Through the above steps, the insertion portion flexible tube 2 is obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the adhesive material 11 is supplied after the outer skin 32 and the outer skin 42 are bound by the thread 9 has been described, but in the present invention, before the outer skin 32 and the outer skin 42 are bound by the thread 9. The adhesive material 11 may be supplied, that is, the adhesive material supply step may be performed before the second step.

  As in the present embodiment, the adhesive material 11 is supplied after the outer skin 32 and the outer skin 42 are bound by the thread 9, that is, the adhesive material supply step is performed after the second step, whereby the adhesive material is supplied. In addition to the adhesion of 11 to the outer skin 42, the anchor effect for the yarn 9 is exhibited. For this reason, the adhesiveness between the adhesive material 11 and the outer skin 42 is further increased, and as a result, the adhesiveness between the coating layer 10 and the outer skin 42 via the adhesive material 11 is further improved.

  As mentioned above, although illustrated embodiment was described about the manufacturing method of the insertion part flexible tube, insertion part flexible tube, and endoscope of this invention, this invention is not limited to these.

  For example, the manufacturing method of the insertion part flexible tube of this invention can also add the process of arbitrary objectives as needed.

  Further, the configuration of each part of the endoscope can be replaced with an arbitrary one that can exhibit the same function, or an arbitrary configuration can be added.

  The endoscope of the present invention is not limited to an electronic endoscope, but may be an optical endoscope (fiberscope). Furthermore, the endoscope is not limited to a medical endoscope but is used for industrial purposes. It may be a mirror.

Next, specific examples of the present invention will be described.
1. Manufacture of electronic endoscope Ten electronic endoscopes shown in FIG. 1 were manufactured for each of the examples and the comparative examples as follows.

Example 1
First, a bending portion and a flexible tube portion as shown in FIG. 1 were prepared.

  Next, the core material of the bending portion and the core material of the flexible tube portion were connected by a connecting tube, and the outer skin of the flexible tube portion was covered with the connecting tube, and then the outer shell of the bending portion was covered with the connecting tube.

  Next, the base end portion of the outer skin of the curved portion was bound with a polyamide yarn (average diameter: 90 μm) from the outer peripheral side.

  Next, adhesive polyolefin as an adhesive material was applied in a molten state so as to cover the tip side of the yarn.

Next, polymethylpentene (TPX) was applied in a molten state so as to cover the yarn and the adhesive polyolefin, and then cured to form a coating layer.
This obtained the insertion part flexible tube. In addition, the average thickness of the coating layer was 0.2 mm.

Next, an electronic endoscope was manufactured using the obtained insertion portion flexible tube.
The configuration of each part is as shown below.

・ Bending part ・ Dimension of node ring assembly: Outer diameter 9mm × Inner diameter 7mm
Construction material of node ring: Stainless steel Construction material of mesh tube: Stainless steel ・ Dimension of outer skin: Outer diameter 10 mm × Inner diameter 9 mm (average thickness 500 μm)
Outer skin composition: Single layer construction Outer skin material: Fluoro rubber

・ Flexible tube part ・ Dimensions of core material: Outer diameter 9 mm × Inner diameter 7 mm
Constituent material of spiral tube: Stainless steel Constituent material of mesh tube: Stainless steel ・ Dimension of outer shell: Outer diameter 10 mm × Inner diameter 9 mm (average thickness 500 μm)
Outer skin composition: Two-layer construction Outer skin constituent material: Inner layer: Polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer
Outer layer: Polymethylpentene (TPX)

(Example 2)
An electronic endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the constituent material of the outer layer of the outer skin and the constituent material of the covering layer in the flexible tube portion were changed to polyolefin elastomer instead of polymethylpentene. did.

(Comparative Example 1)
An electronic endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the adhesive material was omitted.

(Comparative Example 2)
An electronic endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that an epoxy adhesive was used instead of the adhesive material and the coating layer.

2. Evaluation Autoclave sterilization was repeatedly performed on the electronic endoscopes manufactured in each Example and each Comparative Example.
The conditions for one autoclave sterilization were 135 ° C. and 15 minutes.

For each electronic endoscope, after each autoclave sterilization was completed, the looseness of the yarn was confirmed and evaluated according to the following four criteria.
◎: The yarn is not loosened even after the end of 5000 times. ○: The yarn is slightly loosened at the end of 5000 times. Δ: The yarn is clearly loosened at the end of 5000 times. X: The yarn is finished at the end of 3000 times. There is obvious slack in

For each electronic endoscope, after each autoclave sterilization was completed, the tip of the insertion tube was immersed in warm water at 40 ° C. for 10 minutes, and then immersed in cold water at 0 ° C. The image quality was confirmed and evaluated according to the following four criteria.
◎: No change in the image quality of the subject even after 5000 times. ○: There is a slight decrease in the image quality of the subject image at the end of 5000 times. △: The image quality of the subject image decreases at the end of 5000 times. Yes ×: The image quality of the subject has deteriorated at the end of 3000 times. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

  As shown in Table 1, in any of the electronic endoscopes manufactured in each example, no slack of thread was observed and no change in the image quality of the subject image was observed.

  On the other hand, in the electronic endoscopes manufactured in each comparative example, when the autoclave sterilization was repeated 3000 times, obvious slack was observed in the thread, and the image quality of the subject was affected by the cloudiness of the lens. There was a decrease due to.

1 is an overall view showing an embodiment when an endoscope of the present invention is applied to an electronic endoscope (electronic scope). It is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-section which shows the structure of the insertion part flexible tube with which the electronic endoscope shown in FIG. 1 is provided. It is a figure (partial longitudinal cross-sectional view) for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the insertion part flexible tube of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic endoscope 2 Insertion part flexible tube 22 Scale 3 Flexible tube part 31 Core material 311 Spiral tube 312 Reticulated tube 313 Gap 32 Outer skin 4 Bending part 41 Core material 411 Node ring assembly 411a Node ring 412 Mesh tube 42 Outer skin 43 Connection pipe 431 Recess 5 Hard part 6 Operation part 61 First operation knob 62 Second operation knob 63 First lock lever 64 Second lock lever 65 Control button 66 Suction button 67 Air / liquid supply button 7 Connection part flexible pipe 8 Light source insertion part 81 Light source connector 82 Image signal connector 9 Thread 10 Cover layer 11 Adhesive material

Claims (9)

A flexible portion including a core material and an outer skin covering the outer periphery of the core material is connected to a bending portion including a core material and an outer skin covering the outer periphery of the core material, so that the insertion portion is flexible. A manufacturing method of an insertion portion flexible tube for manufacturing a tube,
The distal end portion of the core material of the flexible tube portion and the proximal end portion of the core material of the curved portion are connected, and the distal end portion of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion and the proximal end portion of the outer skin of the curved portion are connected to each other. A first step of contacting;
A second step of binding a distal end portion of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion and a proximal end portion of the outer skin of the bending portion with a thread from the outer surface side;
A third step of forming a coating layer for covering the yarn and fixing the yarn with the same kind of material as that constituting the outer surface of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion;
Prior to the third step, at least an outer surface side of the base end of the bending portion is supplied with an adhesive material having high adhesion to both the outer surface of the outer skin of the bending portion and the coating layer. The manufacturing method of the insertion part flexible tube characterized by having a property material supply process.   The method of manufacturing an insertion portion flexible tube according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive material supplying step is performed after the second step.   The manufacturing method of the insertion portion flexible tube according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer surface of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion and the outer surface of the outer skin of the curved portion are made of materials having low adhesion to each other.   The outer surface of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion and the coating layer are each made of polymethylpentene or polyolefin elastomer as a main material, and manufacturing the flexible tube of the insertion portion according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Method.   The manufacturing method of the insertion part flexible tube in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4 with which the outer surface of the outer skin of the said curved part is comprised as a main material for fluororubber.   The method for manufacturing a flexible tube of an insertion portion according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the adhesive material is composed mainly of a hot melt adhesive.   The insertion portion flexible tube according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in the first step, a base end portion of the outer skin of the bending portion is overlapped with an outer side of a distal end portion of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion. Production method.   An insertion portion flexible tube manufactured by the method for manufacturing an insertion portion flexible tube according to claim 1.   An endoscope comprising the insertion portion flexible tube according to claim 8.

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