JP2007195824A - Flexible tube for endoscope and endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible tube for an endoscope, where members are mutually fixed firmly with a bonding agent and good liquid tightness is maintained, and a reliable endoscope equipped with the flexible tube. <P>SOLUTION: The distal end of an outer coat (first outer coat) 32 and the proximal end of an outer coat (second outer coat) 42 is overlapped with each other in the vicinity of a connecting tube 43. The overlapped portion is bound by a tight binding thread 9 from the outer side surface and the tight binding thread 9 is coated/fixed by the bonding agent 95. Therefore, an insertion flexible tube 2 shown in Fig.1 is constructed. The bonding agent 95 uses a bonding agent including a resin material 96 and a plurality of fiber chips 97 with a tensile strength stronger than that of the resin material 96. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope flexible tube and an endoscope.

In recent years, endoscopes are used for examination and diagnosis in the medical field.
In endoscopy, it is necessary to insert the insertion tube flexible tube of an endoscope to a deep part of a body cavity such as the stomach, duodenum, small intestine or large intestine.

  The insertion portion flexible tube has a tubular core and two outer skins that cover the outer periphery and are connected to each other. The connecting portion of the two outer skins is bound from the outside with a thread, and the thread is covered with an adhesive. Thereby, the liquid tightness of the insertion portion flexible tube is improved, and water vapor or the like is prevented from entering the endoscope.

  By the way, since the endoscope is repeatedly used, it is necessary to perform processing such as disinfection and sterilization each time. However, by performing these processing, deterioration of the adhesive is promoted, and the insertion portion flexible tube There is a problem that the liquid tightness of the liquid is lowered.

  For this reason, by setting the composition of the adhesive, an endoscope has been proposed in which durability such as heat resistance and chemical resistance is improved and deterioration of the adhesive is prevented (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  However, a cured product of an adhesive having improved durability in this way generally tends to become brittle as its hardness increases. Therefore, depending on the thickness of the adhesive, the adhesive may be cracked or peeled off by a normal bending operation or pressing with a finger or the like.

  Further, in recent years, higher temperature and higher pressure sterilization processing is generally performed like autoclave sterilization processing, and there is a tendency that the deterioration of the adhesive is more likely to proceed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-238834

  An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible tube for an endoscope capable of maintaining good liquid tightness by firmly fixing members with an adhesive, and reliability provided with such a flexible tube for an endoscope. It is to provide an endoscope with high height.

Such an object is achieved by the present inventions (1) to (17) below.
(1) A flexible tube for an endoscope in which members constituting the flexible tube for an endoscope are fixed with an adhesive,
The flexible tube for an endoscope, wherein the adhesive includes a resin material as a main component and includes a plurality of fiber fragments.

  Thereby, the flexible tube for endoscopes which can fix members firmly and can maintain favorable liquid tightness is obtained.

(2) The two members cover a first outer skin covering the outer periphery of the first core material and a second outer shell covering the outer periphery of the second core material connected to the distal end side of the first core material. And with the hull
In a state where the distal end portion of the first outer skin and the proximal end portion of the second outer skin are bound with the binding thread from the outer surface side, the binding thread is covered and fixed with the adhesive. The endoscope flexible tube according to (1) above.

  As a result, regardless of the composition of the resin material, an insertion portion flexible tube having a mechanical strength superior to that of the resin material and high liquid-tightness can be obtained.

  (3) The adhesive is filled in a stepped portion between the first outer skin and the second outer skin, so that the outer surface of the endoscope flexible tube has a continuous smooth surface. The endoscope flexible tube according to (2), which is configured.

  Accordingly, when the insertion portion flexible tube is inserted into the body cavity, the insertion into the body cavity is prevented, and the patient's pain can be reduced.

  (4) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the fiber fragment does not substantially melt or soften in high-temperature high-pressure steam sterilization.

  As a result, even if high temperature high pressure steam sterilization is performed on the insertion portion flexible tube, it is possible to prevent the fiber fragments from being deteriorated and deteriorated and the mechanical strength from being lowered. As a result, the mechanical strength of the adhesive is reduced, and it is possible to prevent cracks and peeling.

  (5) In the above (4), the fiber fragment includes at least one of para-aramid fiber, polyarylate fiber, polyparaphenylenebenzbisoxal fiber, high-density polyethylene fiber, carbon fiber, and glass fiber. The flexible tube for endoscopes as described.

  Since these fibers have a particularly high tensile strength, the mechanical strength of the adhesive can be effectively increased by being added to the adhesive.

  (6) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the fiber fragment has been subjected to a treatment for improving adhesion with the resin material.

  Thereby, since the adhesiveness of the resin material and the fiber fragment is further increased, the function of supporting and reinforcing the resin material can be further enhanced.

  (7) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein a content rate of the fiber fragment in the adhesive is 0.5 to 20% by weight.

  Thereby, the mechanical strength of the adhesive can be reliably increased while maintaining the characteristics of the resin material.

  (8) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the fineness of the fiber fragment is 0.5 to 2500 dtex.

  Thereby, since it contacts with a resin material with a large surface area, the function which raises the mechanical strength of an adhesive agent can be exhibited more effectively.

  (9) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein an average length of the fiber fragments is 0.5 to 5 mm.

  Thereby, a necessary and sufficient contact area is ensured between the fiber fragment and the resin material, and the mechanical strength of the adhesive can be reliably increased.

  (10) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein an orientation direction of the fiber fragment in the adhesive is random.

  Thereby, the mechanical strength (resistance) with respect to the load of all directions of an adhesive agent can be raised so that a crack etc. may not arise in an adhesive agent with respect to the load of any direction.

  (11) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the fiber fragments are aligned in the adhesive.

  Thereby, the crack etc. which arise in the direction which crosses a fiber fragment can be prevented especially reliably.

  (12) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the adhesive further includes an inorganic filler.

  Thereby, the mechanical strength of the entire adhesive can be further increased, and cracking or peeling of the adhesive can be more reliably prevented.

  (13) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the resin material includes an epoxy resin as a main component.

  Since the epoxy resin is excellent in heat resistance and chemical resistance, it is possible to particularly reliably prevent deterioration of the adhesive due to disinfection and sterilization treatment.

  (14) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the adhesive is covered with a coating layer composed of a second resin material as a main material.

  Thereby, even if the fiber fragment in the adhesive protrudes from the outer surface of the adhesive, the protruded fiber fragment can be buried in the coating layer. As a result, protrusion of fiber fragments from the outer surface of the insertion portion flexible tube can be prevented.

  (15) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to (14), wherein the resin material and the second resin material are of the same type.

  Thereby, since high adhesiveness is ensured between an adhesive agent and a coating layer, the effect of a coating layer can be exhibited over a long period of time.

  (16) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to (14) or (15), wherein an average thickness of the coating layer is larger than an average length of the fiber fragments.

  As a result, most of the fiber fragments can be reliably buried in the coating layer, and the fiber fragments can be more reliably prevented from penetrating the coating layer and protruding to the outer surface side of the insertion portion flexible tube. Can do.

(17) An endoscope comprising the endoscope flexible tube according to any one of (1) to (16).
Thereby, a highly reliable endoscope is obtained.

  According to the present invention, the members constituting the flexible tube for an endoscope are fixed with an adhesive mainly composed of a resin material and including a plurality of fiber fragments, so that the mechanical strength of the adhesive is improved. Thus, a flexible tube for an endoscope that can reliably prevent cracking or peeling of the adhesive and maintain good liquid-tightness over a long period of time can be obtained.

  Further, by covering the adhesive with a coating layer composed of the second resin material as a main material, fiber fragments protruding from the adhesive can be buried in the coating layer, and the insertion portion flexible tube Protrusion of fiber fragments from the outer surface can be prevented. For this reason, the flexible tube for endoscopes has higher safety.

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

<Endoscope>
First, the endoscope of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an embodiment when the endoscope of the present invention is applied to an electronic endoscope (electronic scope). Hereinafter, in FIG. 1, the upper side is described as “base end” and the lower side is described as “tip”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic endoscope 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. Gripping and operating the electronic endoscope 1 as a whole, a connection portion flexible tube 7 connected to the operation portion 6, and a light source insertion portion connected to the distal end portion of the connection portion flexible tube 7 8.

The insertion portion flexible tube 2 is used by being inserted into a lumen (body cavity) of a living body, for example.
The insertion portion flexible tube 2 and the connection portion flexible tube 7 are each a flexible tube for an endoscope in which the outer periphery of a (tubular) core material having a hollow portion is covered with an outer skin (that is, according to the present invention). Endoscope flexible tube).
The endoscope flexible tube will be described in detail later.

  A first operation knob 61, a second operation knob 62, a first lock lever 63, and a second lock lever 64 are provided on the upper surface of 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 4 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.

  A rigid portion 5 is connected to the distal end portion of the bending 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 imaging element. The image sensor outputs an image signal corresponding to the captured subject image. This image signal is transmitted to the light source insertion portion 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.

<Flexible tube for endoscope>
Next, the endoscope flexible tube of the present invention will be described.

  As described above, the endoscope flexible tube of the present invention can be applied to the insertion portion flexible tube 2 and the connection portion flexible tube 7, respectively. The case will be described as a representative.

  2 is an enlarged view showing a longitudinal section of the main part of the insertion section flexible tube included in the electronic endoscope shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of the main section of the insertion section flexible tube shown in FIG. It is a figure (schematic diagram) shown further expanding. Hereinafter, in FIG. 2, the right side is described as “base end” and the left side is described as “tip”.

  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 (first core material) 31 and an outer skin (first 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 with a uniform diameter in a spiral manner with a gap 313 therebetween. 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 so as to protrude from the distal end side 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, and 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).

  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 (second core material) 41 and an outer skin (second 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 a center line A (axis) thereof. 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 releasing each bending operation wire, the bending portion 4 is operated to bend in an arbitrary direction with the inclination 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.

  The outer periphery of the core material 41 is covered with an outer skin 42 so as to protrude to the proximal end side of the core material 41.

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.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the distal end portion of the outer skin 32 and the proximal end portion of the outer skin 42 are overlapped in the vicinity of the connecting pipe 43. The overlapped portion is bound by a binding thread 9 from the outer surface side, and the binding thread 9 is covered with an adhesive 95 and fixed by curing the adhesive 95. . Thereby, the insertion part flexible tube 2 is comprised.

  In such an insertion portion flexible tube 2, the bending portion 4 is operated to bend by the operation portion 6. At this time, stress tends to concentrate on the connection portion between the bending portion 4 and the flexible tube portion 3. .

  Further, when the insertion portion flexible tube 2 is inserted into the body cavity or washed, the insertion portion flexible tube 2 may be pressed with a finger or the like, and a pressing force may be applied to the connection portion. And when stress concentrates on a connection part, a crack, peeling, etc. are produced in the adhesive agent 95, and there exists a possibility that the liquid tightness of the insertion part flexible tube 2 may fall.

  In addition, the insertion section flexible tube 2 is exposed to chemicals such as various disinfectants and high temperature and pressure during repeated disinfection and sterilization processes. In particular, the adhesive portion 95 is required to have excellent heat resistance and chemical resistance because the liquid tightness of the connecting portion between the flexible tube portion 3 and the curved portion 4 tends to be lowered.

  However, adhesives with improved durability such as heat resistance and chemical resistance generally tend to become brittle as their hardness increases. For this reason, depending on the thickness of the adhesive, the mechanical strength of the adhesive 95 is reduced, and cracks, peeling, and the like are likely to occur, and the liquid tightness of the insertion portion flexible tube 2 is further reduced.

  Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, an adhesive containing a plurality of fiber fragments 97 having a tensile strength larger than that of the resin material 96 is used as the adhesive 95 for the resin material 96.

  As a result, the fiber fragment 97 added to the adhesive 95 functions to support and reinforce the resin material 96 when its periphery is covered with the resin material 96. Mechanical strength can be improved. As a result, the adhesive 95 (cured product thereof) exhibits mechanical strength superior to that of the resin material 96 regardless of the composition of the resin material 96, and the occurrence of cracks or the like is reliably prevented. This can contribute to the improvement of liquid tightness of the flexible tube 2.

  In other words, by appropriately setting the composition of the resin material 96, the mechanical strength of the adhesive 95 (cured product thereof) can be improved, and the heat resistance and chemical resistance can be improved. The insertion portion flexible tube 2 excellent in the above can be obtained.

  From this point of view, it is needless to say that the tensile strength of the fiber fragment 97 is preferably as large as possible. Specifically, although it depends on the composition of the resin material 96, it is preferably 0.5 GPa or more. The above is more preferable. As a result, the mechanical strength of the adhesive 95 can be increased to such an extent that it can sufficiently withstand the stress applied to the adhesive 95 when the electronic endoscope 1 is bent.

  Further, it is preferable that the fiber fragment 97 has been subjected to a treatment for improving the adhesion to the resin material 96 in advance. Thereby, since the adhesiveness of the resin material 96 and the fiber fragment 97 increases more, the function which supports and reinforces the resin material 96 can further be improved.

  Such treatment is appropriately selected depending on the composition of the resin material 96 and the fiber fragment 97. For example, physical treatment such as plasma treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment, electron beam irradiation treatment, chemical solution (acid, Chemical treatment such as alkali treatment), functional group addition treatment, coupling treatment, and the like.

  In addition, when the fiber fragment 97 is added to the adhesive 95, a secondary effect of suppressing the progress of cracks that are unintentionally generated in the adhesive 95 is also exhibited. This is because, when the crack generated in the resin material 96 of the adhesive 95 propagates to the entire adhesive 95, when the tip of the crack reaches the fiber fragment 97, the fiber fragment 97 prevents further development. It is because. Thereby, it can prevent that the crack reaches the whole adhesive agent 95 and the liquid-tightness of the insertion part flexible tube 2 falls.

  Examples of the fiber fragment 97 used in this way include fiber fragments such as cut fibers and chopped fibers.

  The constituent material of the fiber fragment 97 is preferably one that does not substantially melt or soften in high temperature and high pressure steam sterilization such as autoclave sterilization. Thereby, even if autoclave sterilization processing is performed on the insertion portion flexible tube 2, it is possible to prevent the fiber fragments 97 from being deteriorated and deteriorated to lower the mechanical strength. As a result, the mechanical strength of the adhesive 95 is reduced, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of cracks and peeling.

  As the fiber fragment 97, para-type or meta-type aramid fiber, polyamide-type fiber such as aliphatic polyamide fiber, polyarylate fiber (liquid crystal polyarylate fiber), amorphous polyarylate fiber, polyester type such as polyethylene terephthalate fiber Polyethylene fiber such as fiber, high density polyethylene fiber, polyvinyl alcohol fiber, polyparaphenylene benzbisoxal (PBO) fiber, polybenzazole fiber such as polyparaphenylene benzthiol (PBT) fiber, polyimide Fiber, synthetic fiber such as polyamide-imide fiber, PAN- or pitch-based carbon fiber, glass fiber, silicon carbide fiber, boron fiber, alumina fiber, etc., one or two of these Use more than one species in combination It can be.

  Among these, in particular, those containing at least one of para-aramid fibers, polyarylate fibers, polyparaphenylene benzbisoxal fibers, high-density polyethylene fibers, carbon fibers, and glass fibers are preferable. Since these fibers have particularly high tensile strength, the mechanical strength of the adhesive 95 can be effectively increased by being added to the adhesive 95.

  Furthermore, the melting point, softening point or decomposition temperature of these fibers are all higher than the temperature for disinfection and sterilization (for example, 120 to 130 ° C.) and relatively excellent in chemical resistance. It is suitable as a fiber fragment 97 to be added to the adhesive 95.

  The content of the fiber fragment 97 in the adhesive 95 is preferably about 0.5 to 20% by weight, and more preferably about 1 to 10% by weight. Thereby, the mechanical strength of the adhesive 95 can be reliably increased while maintaining the characteristics of the resin material 96 of the adhesive 95.

  Further, the fineness of the fiber fragment 97 is preferably about 0.5 to 2500 dtex, more preferably about 1 to 1000 dtex. Thereby, although depending on the length of the fiber fragment 97, the resin material 96 is brought into contact with a large surface area, so that the function of increasing the mechanical strength of the adhesive 95 can be more effectively exhibited. If the fineness of the fiber fragments 97 exceeds the above upper limit, the probability that the fiber fragments 97 come into contact with each other increases, so that the effect of adding the fiber fragments 97 is further increased, that is, the machine of the adhesive 95 No further improvement in mechanical strength can be expected.

  Further, the average length of the fiber fragments 97 is preferably about 0.5 to 5 mm, and more preferably about 1 to 3 mm. If the average length of the fiber fragments 97 is too short, a sufficient contact area between the fiber fragments 97 and the resin material 96 cannot be obtained, and the function of supporting the resin material 96 is not sufficiently exhibited. On the other hand, if the average length is too long, the probability that the fiber fragments 97 come into contact with each other increases, and the contact area between the fiber fragments 97 and the resin material 96 decreases as described above, thereby sufficiently supporting the resin material 96. Can not do. From this point of view, by setting the average length of the fiber fragments 97 within the above range, a necessary and sufficient contact area is ensured between the fiber fragments 97 and the resin material 96, and the mechanical strength of the adhesive 95 is increased. It can certainly be increased.

  Examples of the resin material 96 include epoxy resins, acrylic resins, silicone resins, polyvinyl acetate resins, polyvinyl alcohol resins, polyvinyl acetal resins, polyvinyl chloride resins, polyamide (nylon) resins, and polyolefins. Resin, cellulose resin, urea (urea) resin, melamine resin, phenol resin, resorcinol resin, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, polyimide resin, maleimide resin, polybenzimidazole resin, α- And cyanoacrylate resins.

  Among these, the resin material 96 preferably has an epoxy resin as a main component. Since the epoxy resin is excellent in heat resistance and chemical resistance, deterioration of the adhesive 95 due to disinfection and sterilization treatment can be particularly surely prevented.

  The orientation direction of the fiber fragments 97 in the cured adhesive 95 is not particularly limited, and may be random or aligned in a predetermined direction.

  When the orientation direction of the fiber fragment 97 is random, increase the mechanical strength (resistance) against the load in all directions of the adhesive 95 so that the adhesive 95 does not crack in any direction. Can do.

  On the other hand, when the orientation direction of the fiber fragment 97 is aligned in a predetermined direction, it is possible to particularly reliably prevent a crack or the like that occurs in the direction crossing the fiber fragment 97. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of a crack can be prevented more effectively by aligning the orientation direction of the fiber fragment 97 according to the direction of the load which is easy to apply to the insertion part flexible tube 2. FIG. In that case, since the same effect can be expected even if the thickness of the adhesive 95 is made thinner, the thickness of the adhesive 95 can be made thinner and the insertion portion flexible tube 2 can be made thinner.

  Examples of the predetermined orientation direction include a longitudinal direction, a circumferential direction, and a radial direction of the insertion portion flexible tube 2.

  Further, the adhesive 95 may be formed by a plurality of layers having different orientation directions of the fiber fragments 97. Thereby, the tolerance with respect to the load which each layer applies from a respectively different direction can be shown, As a result, the crack which generate | occur | produces in a some direction can be prevented more effectively.

  Furthermore, the adhesive 95 preferably contains an inorganic filler. Thereby, the mechanical strength of the adhesive 95 as a whole can be further increased, and cracking or peeling of the adhesive 95 can be more reliably prevented.

  Although it does not specifically limit as this inorganic filler, For example, quartz etc. other than aluminum type fillers, such as aluminum oxide and aluminum hydroxide, calcium type fillers, such as calcium silicate, are mentioned.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the distal end portion of the outer skin 32 and the proximal end portion of the outer skin 42 are configured to overlap, there is a step portion having a depth corresponding to the thickness of the outer skin 42 between them. Is formed. Then, the step portion is filled with an adhesive 95 and forms a smooth surface where the outer surface of the insertion portion flexible tube 2 continues from the outer skin 32 to the outer skin 42. Thereby, when inserting the insertion part flexible tube 2 in a body cavity, the insertion into a body cavity is prevented and a patient's pain can be reduced.

  Such an adhesive 95 preferably has a region in which the fiber fragment 97 is not substantially present in the vicinity of the surface thereof. This makes it difficult for the fiber fragment 97 to protrude from the outer surface of the adhesive 95, thereby improving the smoothness of the outer surface of the insertion portion flexible tube 2 and thereby improving the safety of the insertion portion flexible tube 2. it can.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the adhesive agent 95 shown in FIG. 3 is covered with the coating layer 98 comprised using the 2nd resin material as a main material. Thereby, even if the fiber fragment 97 in the adhesive 95 protrudes from the outer surface of the adhesive 95, the protruding fiber fragment 97 can be buried in the coating layer 98. As a result, the protrusion of the fiber fragment 97 from the outer surface of the insertion portion flexible tube 2 can be prevented as described above.

  In this case, as the second resin material, a material similar to the resin material 96 described above can be used, but the resin material 96 and the second resin material are preferably the same type. Thereby, since high adhesiveness is ensured between the adhesive agent 95 and the coating layer 98, the effect of the coating layer 98 mentioned above can be exhibited over a longer term.

  The covering layer 98 preferably has an average thickness larger than the average length of the fiber fragments 97. As a result, most of the fiber fragments 97 can be surely buried in the coating layer 98, and the fiber fragments 97 penetrate the coating layer 98 and protrude to the outer surface side of the insertion portion flexible tube 2. It can be surely prevented.

  The average diameter of the binding thread 9 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 1 to 500 μm, and more preferably about 10 to 300 μm. If the diameter of the binding thread 9 is too small, the tensile strength of the binding thread 9 is lowered depending on the constituent material and the like, and the outer skin 32 and the outer skin 42 are sufficiently bound to the core material 31 and the core material 41. May be difficult to fix. On the other hand, if the diameter of the binding thread 9 is too large, the outer diameter of the insertion tube flexible tube 2 at the portion that is bound by the binding thread 9 becomes too large, and the patient's pain may increase when inserted into the body cavity. There is.

  As described above, when the plurality of fiber fragments 97 are included in the adhesive 95, the mechanical strength of the adhesive 95 is improved, and cracking or peeling of the adhesive 95 can be reliably prevented. Therefore, the insertion portion flexible tube (flexible tube for endoscope of the present invention) 2 that can maintain good liquid tightness over a long period of time is obtained.

  As described above, the endoscope flexible tube and the endoscope of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of each member (each part) is an arbitrary one having the same function. Can be substituted.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic endoscope has been described. However, it is needless to say that the endoscope of the present invention can be applied to an optical endoscope, and is not limited to medical use. It can also be applied to an endoscope used for (industrial use).

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the flexible tube for endoscopes of this invention was applied to the insertion part flexible tube was demonstrated as a representative, other flexible tubes (for example, connection part flexible tube) are described. You may make it apply.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the endoscope flexible tube of the present invention is applied to the insertion portion flexible tube 2 having the flexible tube portion 3 and the bending portion 4 has been described as a representative. The invention is not limited to such a configuration.

  For example, you may make it apply the flexible tube for endoscopes of this invention to the part (insertion part) comprised by the insertion part flexible tube 2 and the rigid part 5. FIG. In this case, for example, in the connection between the outer skin 42 of the curved portion 4 and the outer surface of the rigid portion 5, these may be fixed by an adhesive 95 including a plurality of fiber fragments 97.

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

Example 1
First, a bending portion and a flexible tube portion (both are flexible endoscopes FB-29X manufactured by Pentax) as shown in FIG. 2 were prepared.

Next, the core material of the flexible tube part and the core material of the curved part were connected by a connecting pipe.
Next, the distal end portion of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion was placed on the connecting tube, and then the proximal end portion of the outer skin of the bending portion was placed so as to overlap the distal end portion of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion. Hereinafter, a portion where the proximal end portion of the outer skin of the bending portion and the distal end portion of the outer skin of the flexible tube portion overlap is omitted and referred to as a “connection portion”.

Next, the connecting portion was bound with a binding thread.
Next, this binding thread was covered and fixed with an adhesive. This adhesive is composed of an epoxy resin (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M, EW2040), and as an additive, a para-type high-strength aramid fiber (Teijin Techno Products) having an outer diameter of 12 μm (fineness of 1.7 dtex) × average length of 1 mm. (Technola, Inc.) and a quartz inorganic filler having an average particle size of 1 μm are added. The added amount of the fiber fragments was such that the content in the adhesive was 5% by weight. In addition, the direction of fiber fragments in the adhesive was made random.

Next, a coating layer having an average thickness of 1.2 mm made of the aforementioned epoxy resin was formed on the surface of the adhesive. This obtained the insertion part flexible tube.
Next, an electronic endoscope was manufactured using the obtained insertion portion flexible tube.

(Example 2)
Except that the fiber fragment to be added to the adhesive was changed to a fiber fragment of high-strength polyarylate fiber having an outer diameter of 50 μm (fineness: 28 dtex) × average length of 1 mm (manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd., Vectran), as in Example 1 above. Similarly, an electronic endoscope was manufactured.

(Example 3)
The fiber fragment added to the adhesive was changed to a fiber fragment of polyparaphenylene benzbisoxal fiber (Toyobo Co., Ltd., Zyron) having an outer diameter of 12 μm (fineness of 1.7 dtex) × average length of 1 mm. In the same manner as in Example 1, an electronic endoscope was manufactured.

Example 4
The fiber fragment added to the adhesive was changed to a fiber fragment of high strength (high density) polyethylene fiber (Toyobo Co., Ltd., Dyneema) having an outer diameter of 12 μm (fineness: 1.1 dtex) × average length of 3 mm. In the same manner as in Example 1, an electronic endoscope was manufactured.

(Example 5)
Example 1 except that the fiber fragment added to the adhesive was changed to a fiber fragment of carbon fiber having an outer diameter of 13 μm (fineness 2.3 dtex) × average length of 3 mm (Osaka Gas Chemical Co., Ltd., Dona Carbo). In the same manner, an electronic endoscope was manufactured.

(Example 6)
The fiber fragment added to the adhesive was changed to a fiber fragment of glass fiber (made by Asahi Fiber Glass Co., Ltd., chopped strand (CS)) having an outer diameter of 13 μm (fineness: 3.3 dtex) × average length of 3 mm, An electronic endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1.

(Example 7)
An electronic endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the fiber fragment content was 0.5% by weight.

(Example 8)
An electronic endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a fiber fragment having an outer diameter of 8 μm (fineness: 0.7 dtex) was used.

Example 9
An electronic endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that fiber fragments having an average length of 0.5 mm were used.

(Example 10)
An electronic endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the quartz inorganic filler was omitted.

(Example 11)
An electronic endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the fiber pieces that had been previously plasma-treated were used and the quartz inorganic filler was omitted.

(Example 12)
An electronic endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the coating layer was omitted.

(Comparative example)
An electronic endoscope was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the addition of the fiber fragment into the adhesive was omitted.

2. Evaluation of electronic endoscope In the electronic endoscopes of the examples and comparative examples, the strength of the adhesive was evaluated by the following method.

  First, 20 male volunteers had their nails pressed around the connection parts of a total of 65 (5 × 13) electronic endoscopes manufactured in each example and comparative example. As a result, 20 times of pressing force was applied to the connection portion for each electronic endoscope.

  At this time, each volunteer performed a pressing operation without knowing which electronic endoscope was touching.

  Next, the insertion tube flexible tube of each electronic endoscope was repeatedly sterilized at high temperatures using an autoclave. The conditions for sterilization are shown below.

・ Conditions for sterilization Temperature: 120 ℃
Time: 10 minutes Processing cycle: 3000 times

  In addition, after applying a pressing force to the connection portion with a nail every 500 processing cycles as described above, the electronic endoscope was submerged in water in a state where the internal pressure was set to 0.03 MPa. It was confirmed whether the liquid-tight structure (water-tight structure) of the endoscope was maintained. The results were evaluated according to the following criteria.

A: No generation of bubbles from the endoscope is observed even after the end of the 3000 processing cycles. O: Generation of bubbles from the endoscope is observed after the end of the 3000 processing cycles. Generation of bubbles from the endoscope was observed at 2500 times. X: Generation of bubbles from the endoscope was observed at 0 to 1000 treatment cycles. Table 1 shows the above evaluation results.

  As is apparent from Table 1, in the electronic endoscopes of the respective examples, even if the sterilization process by the autoclave was repeated 2500 times, the liquid-tight structure of the endoscope was not changed.

  In particular, in the electronic endoscopes of Examples 1 to 6 and Examples 11 to 12, even when the sterilization treatment was repeated 3000 times, the liquid-tight structure of the endoscope did not change.

  In addition, during the pressing operation, the surface of the connection part of the electronic endoscopes of Examples 1 to 11 was particularly smooth, whereas the surface of the connection part of Example 12 had a lot of unevenness. Volunteer felt.

  On the other hand, in the comparative example, generation of bubbles from the endoscope was confirmed when the liquid-tight structure was confirmed after 500 processing cycles.

  Then, when the connection part of the electronic endoscope in which the liquid-tight structure is no longer maintained was observed with an optical microscope, cracks were found in the adhesive covering and fixing the binding thread. From this, it can be inferred that the reason why the liquid-tight structure is no longer maintained is that the connection portion has cracked during autoclave sterilization or when a claw is applied with a pressing force.

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 an enlarged view which shows the longitudinal cross-section of the principal part of the insertion part flexible tube with which the electronic endoscope shown in FIG. 1 is provided. It is a figure (schematic diagram) which further expands and shows the longitudinal section of the principal part of the insertion section flexible tube shown in FIG.

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 5 Rigid 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 supply / liquid supply button 7 Connection part flexible tube 8 Light source difference Insertion part 81 Light source connector 82 Image signal connector 9 Tightening thread 95 Adhesive 96 Resin material 97 Fiber fragment 98 Covering layer

Claims (17)

A flexible tube for an endoscope, in which members constituting the flexible tube for an endoscope are fixed with an adhesive,
The flexible tube for an endoscope, wherein the adhesive includes a resin material as a main component and includes a plurality of fiber fragments. The two members include a first outer skin that covers the outer periphery of the first core material, and a second outer skin that covers the outer periphery of the second core material connected to the distal end side of the first core material. And
In a state where the distal end portion of the first outer skin and the proximal end portion of the second outer skin are bound with the binding thread from the outer surface side, the binding thread is covered and fixed with the adhesive. The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 1.   The adhesive is filled in a stepped portion between the first outer skin and the second outer skin, so that the outer surface of the endoscope flexible tube forms a continuous smooth surface. The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 2.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fiber fragment does not substantially melt or soften in high-temperature and high-pressure steam sterilization.   The endoscopic structure according to claim 4, wherein the fiber fragment includes at least one of para-aramid fiber, polyarylate fiber, polyparaphenylenebenzbisoxal fiber, high-density polyethylene fiber, carbon fiber, and glass fiber. Flexible tube for mirrors.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fiber fragment is subjected to a treatment for improving adhesion to the resin material.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a content ratio of the fiber fragment in the adhesive is 0.5 to 20% by weight.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fineness of the fiber fragment is 0.5 to 2500 dtex.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an average length of the fiber fragments is 0.5 to 5 mm.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an orientation direction of the fiber fragment in the adhesive is random.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an orientation direction of the fiber fragments is uniform in the adhesive.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the adhesive further contains an inorganic filler.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the resin material includes an epoxy resin as a main component.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the adhesive is covered with a coating layer composed mainly of a second resin material.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 14, wherein the resin material and the second resin material are of the same type.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 14 or 15, wherein an average thickness of the covering layer is larger than an average length of the fiber fragments.   An endoscope comprising the flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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