JP2007296141A - Method of manufacturing flexible tube for endoscope and flexible tube for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope and a flexible tube for endoscope, decreasing the number of work processes in manufacturing a flexible tube, facilitating the manufacture, and further reducing the manufacturing cost. <P>SOLUTION: This method of manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope includes: a content binding process of integrally covering a channel tube of a treatment tool insert channel 11, which is an integrated material stored in the inside of a flexible tube 101 for an endoscope, a light guide fiber 13, an air feed tube 14, a water feed tube 15, a cable 16 and an elongated integrated material such as a wire sheath 18 in which four operating wires 17 are respectively inserted with a coating sheet 30 having lubricity; and a skin covering process of covering a high polymer material formed into a skin 29 and forming the same as an outer layer of the covering sheet 30 binding the integrated materials. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  In general, for example, an insertion portion of a flexible endoscope such as a large intestine endoscope includes an elongated flexible tube portion, a bending portion in which a base end portion is connected to a distal end portion of the flexible tube portion, and a bending portion of the bending portion. A distal end rigid portion having a proximal end portion coupled to the distal end portion.

  Furthermore, the distal end rigid part is connected to a light guide fiber disposed behind the illumination lens of the illumination optical system, an image guide fiber disposed behind the objective lens of the observation optical system, or an image sensor such as a CCD. The distal ends of the cable of the signal line, the treatment instrument insertion channel such as forceps, and the tubes such as the air supply / water supply tube are fixed. These light guide fibers, image guide fibers, or CCD cables, treatment instrument insertion channels, tubes such as air / water supply tubes, and long built-in objects such as operation wires, It passes through the inside of the flexible tube of the flexible tube portion and extends to the operation portion side which is the base end portion side of the insertion portion.

  In addition, as a conventional structure of a flexible tube of a flexible endoscope, a flex which is a spirally wound spiral tube in which a plate-shaped spring material is spirally wound, a blade formed by knitting a steel wire into a net shape, and a cylindrical shape, A three-layer structure of a skin formed of a polymer material is common.

  For example, Patent Document 1 shows an example of a method for manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube. Here, first, a process of separately manufacturing the first assembly member in which the outer peripheral portion of the blade is previously covered with the outer skin and the second assembly member in which the flex is wound around the rod-shaped cored bar jig is performed. Subsequently, the first assembly member is disposed outside the second assembly member, the flex of the second assembly member is released from the cored bar jig, and the diameter of the flex is expanded, and the inner side of the first assembly member An assembling step for assembling the flex of the second assembling member is performed. Thereafter, the entire outer skin of the first assembly member is heated, and a flex coupling step is performed in which the “flex” of the second assembly member and the “skin + blade” of the first assembly member are integrally coupled. . Finally, the step of removing the cored bar from the combined body of the first assembly member and the second assembly member is performed to manufacture the flexible tube body (flexible tube).

And when actually manufacturing the insertion part of an endoscope, after manufacture of a flexible tube main body, one end part (front-end | tip part) is further fixed to the front-end | tip hard part side, and the state inserted through the bending part Light guide fiber, image guide fiber, imaging signal cable such as CCD, channel tube of treatment instrument insertion channel, tubes such as air supply / water supply tube, elongated wire such as operation wire and wire sheath through which operation wire is inserted A built-in object insertion step is performed in which the other end portion of the built-in object of the scale is inserted into the flexible tube body from the opening on the bending tube side of the flexible tube body. Subsequently, the step of joining the flexible tube body into which the built-in object is inserted and the bending tube of the bending portion, and the step of joining the flexible tube body and the operation portion are performed, and the built-in portion inserted into the flexible tube body. An object is extended in the operation unit.
JP 2002-551 A

  In the above-described conventional method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope, a manufacturing process of “outer + blade” as a first assembly member, a manufacturing process of “flex” as a second assembly member, An assembly step of disposing the first assembly member on the outside of the assembly member and assembling the flex of the second assembly member on the inside of the first assembly member; and the flex of the second assembly member and the first assembly member There is a flexible pipe manufacturing process that is manufactured through a plurality of processes consisting of a flex coupling process that integrates both, and the flexible pipe manufacturing process and the built-in object insertion process into the flexible pipe are respectively It is separate. Thus, in the conventional flexible tube, the number of work steps when manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube is large, and the manufacturing time is long.

  Further, when manufacturing the insertion portion of the conventional endoscope, that is, in the step of inserting the built-in object into the flexible tube, the distal end is fixed to the distal end rigid portion with respect to the inside of the flexible tube. Wire sheath with light guide fiber, image guide fiber, or CCD cable inserted into the bending tube of the bending portion, tubes such as treatment instrument insertion channels, air / water supply tubes, operation wires, and operation wires The work of inserting the rear end of a long built-in object such as is performed. During the insertion operation of the rear end of the long built-in object, the rear end side of the long built-in object is pushed into the tube of the flexible tube from the opening on the distal end side of the flexible tube. At this time, the long built-in object inserted from the opening on the distal end side of the flexible tube must be sequentially inserted in a state of being continuously pushed in the axial direction to the proximal end side of the flexible tube.

  At this time, the inner diameter of the flexible tube for an endoscope such as a large intestine endoscope is formed to a small diameter of about 10 mm, for example, and the length is formed to a long dimension of about 1.5 to 2 m, for example. The operation of continuously inserting the long built-in object in the axial direction for a long length from the small-diameter opening on the distal end side of the flexible tube to the proximal end side takes time, and the work time becomes long. The manufacturing time is often long. Furthermore, when the number of built-in objects inserted into the tube of the flexible tube is increased or the inner diameter of the flexible tube is further reduced, the work of inserting the long built-in object into the flexible tube is further It becomes difficult and workability at the time of manufacture of a flexible tube part may fall.

  The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above circumstances, and its purpose is to reduce the number of work steps at the time of manufacturing the flexible tube portion, to facilitate the manufacturing, and to reduce the manufacturing cost. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an endoscope flexible tube and an endoscope flexible tube.

The invention of claim 1 is a bundling member having lubricity, and a built-in object bundling step of integrally covering and bundling built-in objects housed in an endoscope flexible tube, and bundling the built-in objects A method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising an outer skin coating step of coating and molding a polymer material that is an outer skin as an outer layer of a binding member.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the built-in object housed in the endoscope flexible tube is bundled and covered integrally with a lubricating bundling member (built-in object bundling step). The outer layer of the bundling member bundled together is coated with a polymeric material that forms the outer skin (outer skin coating step), thereby reducing the number of work steps when manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube portion than before. Reduces manufacturing time and reduces the manufacturing time, and the built-in objects housed inside the flexible tube for endoscopes are bundled together with a bundling member that is covered with a lubrication. The object can be held while being movable in the axial direction, and the flexibility of the flexible tube portion for endoscope can be secured.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a built-in material bundling step of integrally covering and bundling a built-in object housed in the flexible tube for an endoscope with a bundling member, and providing lubricity for imparting lubricity to the bundling member. A method of manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: a step; and an outer skin coating step of coating and molding a polymer material as an outer skin as an outer layer of the binding member in which the built-in material is bundled It is.
In the second aspect of the present invention, the built-in objects housed in the endoscope flexible tube are integrally covered with a bundling member and bundled (built-in object bundling step). Then, in the lubricity imparting step, imparting lubricity to the bundling member, and subsequently coating and molding a polymer material that becomes the outer skin as the outer layer of the bundling member bundled with built-in materials (outer coating step), The number of work steps when manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube portion is reduced as compared with the conventional case, and the manufacturing time is shortened. Furthermore, the built-in objects bundled by the bundling member can move in the axial direction by providing lubricity to the bundling member that bundles and integrally covers the built-in objects housed in the endoscope flexible tube. It can be held in a state, and the flexibility of the endoscope flexible tube portion can be secured.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a step of applying a lubricant to the surface of a built-in object housed in the endoscope flexible tube, and a built-in object bundling step of covering and bundling the built-in object integrally with a bundling member. And an outer skin coating step of coating and molding a polymer material as an outer skin as an outer layer of the binding member in which the built-in material is bundled, and a method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: is there.

  In the invention of claim 3, after the lubricant is applied to the surface of the built-in object housed in the endoscope flexible tube (lubricant coating step), the built-in object is integrally covered with the binding member. And bundle (built-in material bundling process). After that, as the outer layer of the bundling member in which the built-in material is bundled, the polymer material that becomes the outer skin is coated and molded (outer skin coating step), thereby reducing the number of work steps when manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube portion. By reducing the manufacturing time and manufacturing time, and by applying a lubricant to the surface of the built-in object, the built-in object stored inside the flexible tube for the endoscope is bundled together with a bundling member. When covered, the built-in object bundled by the bundling member can be held in a state of being movable in the axial direction, and the flexibility of the flexible tube portion for endoscope can be ensured.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the built-in object binding step, the built-in object is disposed in the bundling member formed of a heat-shrinkable tube, and the built-in object is bundled by applying heat to the bundling member to contract. The method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a step.

  In the invention of claim 4, the built-in material bundling step includes a bundling member comprising the heat-shrinkable tube after the built-in material is arranged in the tube before the heat-shrinkable tube is heat-shrinked (built-in material arranging step). It is made to heat and shrink | contract and bundle (bundling process).

The invention of claim 5 further includes a blade covering step of disposing a braided braided braid on the outside of the bundling member in which the built-in objects are bundled before the skin covering step. It is a manufacturing method of the flexible tube for endoscopes in any one of 1-4.
In the invention of claim 5, before the skin covering step, the outer skin is reinforced with the blade by adding a step of arranging a mesh-shaped blade outside the binding member in which the built-in objects are bundled. Rotational force transferability (responsiveness) to the distal end hard part when the operation part on the part side is rotated is improved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the outer covering step, the polymer material is continuously extruded in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube for endoscope as an outer layer of the binding member in which the built-in objects are bundled. It is a manufacturing method of the flexible tube for endoscopes in any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned.
In the invention of claim 6, the outer layer of the bundling member in which the built-in objects are bundled is formed by continuously extruding a polymer material in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope flexible tube, thereby forming the outer skin. Thus, the number of work steps at the time of manufacturing the flexible tube portion is reduced to facilitate the manufacturing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bundling member having a lubricity for bundling a built-in object incorporated in a flexible tube for an endoscope, and a polymer material that covers a bundling object obtained by bundling the built-in object with the bundling member. An endoscope flexible tube comprising an outer skin.
In the seventh aspect of the present invention, the built-in objects bundled by the bundling member move in the axial direction by bundling the built-in objects housed inside the endoscope flexible tube by the bundling member having lubricity. The flexible tube portion for endoscope can be held in a possible state, and the flexibility of the endoscope flexible tube portion is maintained in a good state. Thus, the number of work steps when manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube portion is reduced as compared with the conventional one, and the manufacturing time is shortened.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the built-in object is a tubular built-in object such as a treatment instrument insertion channel or an air / water supply channel, or a cable such as a power cable or a signal cable. It is a flexible tube for endoscopes.
In the present invention of claim 8, tubular built-in items such as a treatment instrument insertion channel and an air / water supply channel housed in the endoscope flexible tube by a bundling member having lubricity, a power cable and a signal By bundling cables such as cables, the built-in objects bundled by the bundling members can be held in a state where they can move in the axial direction, and the flexibility of the flexible tube portion for the endoscope is kept in a good state. It is what I did.

The invention according to claim 9 is the flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the bundling member contains a lubricant.
In the invention of claim 9, the built-in objects bundled in the bundling member are axially bound by bundling the built-in objects housed in the endoscope flexible tube by the bundling member containing the lubricant. The flexible tube portion for endoscope can be held in a state where it can move in the direction, and the flexibility of the endoscope flexible tube portion is held in a good state.

The invention according to claim 10 is the flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the binding member is a single cylindrical covering sheet.
In the tenth aspect of the present invention, the endoscope flexible tube portion is formed by bundling built-in objects housed in the endoscope flexible tube by a binding member that is a single cylindrical covering sheet. The number of work steps when manufacturing the product is reduced as compared with the prior art, and the manufacturing time is shortened.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the binding member is a plurality of covering sheets having an annular shape and arranged at intervals in a longitudinal direction of the flexible tube for an endoscope. Item 8. The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Item 7.
In the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the inside of the endoscope flexible tube is formed by the binding members of the plurality of annular covering sheets arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope flexible tube. By bundling the built-in items housed in the endoscope, the number of work steps when manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube portion is reduced as compared with the conventional method, and the manufacturing time is shortened. This is intended to further improve the flexibility.

The invention according to a twelfth aspect is the flexible tube for an endoscope according to the seventh aspect, wherein the binding member is a covering sheet that is spirally wound around the built-in object. .
In the twelfth aspect of the present invention, by bundling a built-in object housed inside the flexible tube for an endoscope by a bundling member of a covering sheet spirally wound around the outside of the built-in object, The number of work steps when manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube portion is reduced as compared with the conventional case, the manufacturing time is shortened, and the flexibility of the endoscope flexible tube portion is further increased.

The invention according to claim 13 is the flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the binding member has a lubricant layer between the bundling member and the built-in object.
In the invention of claim 13, the built-in object bundled by the bundling member can be held in an axially movable state by the lubricant layer between the bundling member and the built-in object. The flexible tube portion is held in a good state.

The invention according to claim 14 is the flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the binding member is a heat-shrinkable tube.
In the invention of claim 14, before the heat-shrinkable tube is thermally shrunk, a built-in object housed in the endoscope flexible tube is inserted into a bundling member that is a heat-shrinkable tube, The bundling member, which is a shrinkable tube, is thermally shrunk to bundle the built-in objects stored inside the flexible tube for endoscopes, so that the troublesome work of inserting a long built-in object into the flexible tube is eliminated. Omitted, the number of work steps when manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube portion is reduced as compared with the prior art, thereby shortening the manufacturing time.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an internal housing for accommodating a plurality of built-in objects in which one end is attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope and the other end extends to the proximal end portion side of the insertion portion of the endoscope A flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: a bundling member having lubricity for bundling the built-in objects; and a polymer material outer skin that integrally covers the bundled material obtained by bundling the built-in objects with the bundling member. This is a flexible tube for an endoscope.
According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the work of inserting the long built-in object into the flexible tube by integrally covering the bundled object obtained by bundling the built-in object with the bundling member with the outer skin of the polymer material. The manufacturing time is shortened by reducing the number of work steps when manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube portion as compared with the prior art.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the flexible tube for an endoscope according to the fifteenth aspect, a lubricant that allows the binding member to slide between the built-in members is interposed. is there.
In the invention of claim 16, the built-in bundle bundled by the bundling member is made slidable between the bundling member and the built-in article by the lubricant interposed between the bundling member and the built-in article. The object can be held in a state where it can move in the axial direction, and the flexibility of the flexible tube portion for endoscope is held in a good state.

The invention according to claim 17 is the flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 15, wherein the binding member contains a lubricant in advance.
In the invention of claim 17, the built-in object bundled beforehand by the bundling member containing the lubricant can be held in a state of being movable in the axial direction. The flexibility is maintained in a good state.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the number of the work processes at the time of manufacture of a flexible tube part can be reduced, manufacture can be facilitated, and also the flexible tube for endoscopes which can reduce manufacturing cost can be reduced. A manufacturing method and a flexible tube for an endoscope can be provided.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a flexible endoscope 1 such as an electronic scope type colonoscope of the present embodiment. The endoscope 1 includes an elongated insertion portion 2 that is inserted into the body, and an operation portion 3 that is connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 2. A base end portion of the universal cord 4 is connected to the operation unit 3. A scope connector 5 connected to a light source device (not shown) or a video processor is provided at the tip of the universal cord 4. The scope connector 5 includes an optical connection part 5a, an electrical connection part 5b, and pipe connection parts such as a suction pipe, a water supply pipe, and an air supply pipe.

  The insertion portion 2 includes an elongated flexible tube portion 6, a curved portion 7 having a proximal end portion coupled to the distal end of the flexible tube portion 6, and a proximal end portion coupled to the distal end of the curved portion 7. A distal end rigid portion 8. The flexible flexible tube portion 6 is formed by inserting various long built-in objects into the endoscope flexible tube 101. As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end surface of the distal end rigid portion 8 includes two illumination lenses 9 of the illumination optical system, an objective lens 10 of the observation optical system, and a distal end opening of a treatment instrument insertion channel 11 that also serves as a suction port. 11a, an air / water nozzle 12 and the like are disposed.

  The distal end rigid portion 8 includes a distal end portion of a light guide fiber 13 (see FIG. 3) disposed behind the illumination lens 9, an imaging element such as a CCD (not shown) disposed behind the objective lens 10, and its A connection circuit board or the like is fixed. Note that the distal end rigid portion 8 may be fixed to a distal end portion of an image guide fiber (not shown) instead of the image pickup device, and the endoscope 1 is not limited to the electronic scope but may be a fiber scope. Furthermore, the tip of the fiber bundle of the light guide fiber 13 is branched into two. And the front end surfaces of the two branch fiber bundles are fixed behind the two illumination lenses 9 so as to face each other.

  Furthermore, the distal end of the treatment instrument insertion channel 11, the air supply tube 14 (see FIG. 3) connected to the air / water supply nozzle 12, and the distal end of the water supply tube 15 (see FIG. 3) are included in the distal end rigid portion 8. Parts are fixed.

  Further, a light guide fiber 13, a cable 16 (see FIG. 3) such as a signal line of an image sensor such as a CCD, an image guide fiber (not shown) in the case of a fiberscope, a treatment instrument insertion channel 11, and an air supply tube 14 Alternatively, the water supply tube 15 and the like extend from the inside of the bending portion 7 to the proximal end portion side of the flexible tube portion 6 through the flexible tube portion 6.

  The bending portion 7 is provided with a plurality of ring-shaped node rings forming a bending tube (not shown) along the insertion direction of the insertion portion 2 so that the front and rear node rings can rotate around the pivot portion. It is connected. Further, the distal ends of the four operation wires 17 (see FIG. 3) are fixed to the most advanced node ring. These four operation wires 17 are arranged to be inserted through wire receivers of operation wires provided on the inner peripheral surface of each node ring corresponding to the four bending operation directions of up, down, left, and right, respectively.

  Further, the four operation wires 17 are respectively inserted into the wire sheaths 18 (see FIG. 3) inside the endoscope flexible tube 101 in the flexible tube portion 6. That is, each of the four operation wires 17 and the wire sheath 18 through which the operation wires 17 are inserted have the operation wires 17 extended from the inside of the bending portion 7, and each distal end portion of each operation wire 17 is fixed to the last node ring. In a state of being inserted into the wire sheath 18, it passes through the flexible tube portion 6 and extends to the proximal end side of the flexible tube portion 6.

  The operation unit 3 is connected to the proximal end portion of the flexible tube unit 6. The operation unit 3 is provided with a grasping unit 19 for an operator to grasp. Further, the operation unit 3 is provided with a fixing member that fixes the outer peripheral surface of each rear end portion of each wire sheath 18 in the operation unit 3. In addition, outside the operation unit 3, an up / down bending operation knob 20 and a left / right bending operation knob 21 for bending the bending portion 7, a suction button 22, an air / water supply button 23, and various switches for endoscope photography. 24 and the treatment instrument insertion part 25 are provided, respectively. The treatment instrument insertion portion 25 is provided with a treatment instrument insertion port 26 connected to the proximal end portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel 11 disposed in the insertion section 2.

  An endoscope treatment tool (not shown) is inserted into the treatment tool insertion channel 11 from the treatment tool insertion port 26 of the endoscope 1 and pushed into the distal end rigid portion 8 side, and then the treatment tool insertion channel 11. It protrudes outside from the front end opening 11a.

  Further, each of the four operation wires 17 is extended from each wire sheath 18 so as to be pulled in response to the operation of the up / down bending operation knob 20 or the left / right bending operation knob 21 of the operation unit 3. The rear end portions of the operation wires 17 are attached to the operation wire connecting portions of the up / down bending operation knob 20 and the left / right bending operation knob 21. As a result, the bending portion 7 is operated to bend in one of four directions (up, down, left, and right) or a combination direction of any two of these four directions from a straight straight line extending straight. . Furthermore, the flexible tube portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 can be bent along the shape of the body cavity while being inserted into the body cavity of the patient.

  In addition, the endoscope flexible tube 101 in the insertion portion 2 of the present embodiment includes a treatment instrument insertion channel 11 which is a built-in object incorporated in the flexible tube portion 6 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Lubricating ability to bundle elongated and long built-in objects such as a channel tube, a light guide fiber 13, an air supply tube 14, a water supply tube 15, a cable 16, and a wire sheath 18 into which four operation wires 17 are inserted. A binding member 27 having a resin layer covering the binding material 28 formed by binding these built-in objects with the binding member 27. Here, the binding member 27 is a single cylindrical covering sheet 30 as shown in FIG. The covering sheet 30 is mainly made of a rubber material such as NBR, NR, SBR, CR, EP, urethane, silicon, or fluorine, or a synthetic resin material such as PE, PP, PTFE, or phenol. Further, the covering sheet 30 may contain or be coated with a lubricant in whole or in part. Further, the lubricant may be granular or liquid, and the type may be oil, silicon, PTFE, carbon, or the like. The covering sheet 30 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is preferably a tube capable of changing the inner and outer diameters. For example, after expanding so as to increase the inner diameter like a cylindrical rubber, the covering sheet 30 is restored to the original diameter. It is preferably a heat-shrinkable tube made of a rubber tube that can be returned or a polyolefin, silicon, PTFE, rubber or the like that has a function of reducing the diameter by heat. In the present embodiment, a heat shrinkable tube made of polyolefin is used.

  In the present embodiment, the bundling member 27 is a cover sheet 30 of a heat-shrinkable tube, and an example in which a lubricant is contained in the cover sheet 30 is shown. For the outer skin 29, a polymer material of a thermoplastic elastomer resin such as polyester, polyurethane, olefin, or styrene is used.

  Next, a manufacturing method of the endoscope flexible tube 101 which becomes the flexible tube portion 6 in the insertion portion 2 of the present embodiment will be described. First, a treatment instrument insertion channel 11 channel tube, a light guide fiber 13, an air supply tube 14, a water supply tube 15, and a cable 16 that are built-in items housed in the endoscope flexible tube 101 are provided. A long and slender built-in object such as a wire sheath 18 through which the four operation wires 17 are inserted is bundled and covered integrally with a lubricating covering sheet 30 (built-in object bundling step).

  In this built-in material binding step, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the channel tube of the treatment instrument insertion channel 11, the light guide fiber 13, and the air supply tube in the covering sheet 30 made of the heat-shrinkable tube in an expanded state. 14, a water supply tube 15, a cable 16, and a process of inserting an elongated and long built-in object such as a wire sheath 18 through which the four operation wires 17 are inserted. Further, after the built-in object is inserted, the covering sheet 30 is contracted by applying heat, and the built-in object is bundled by the contracted covering sheet 30 as shown in FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, the channel tube of the treatment instrument insertion channel 11, the light guide fiber 13, the air supply tube 14, the water supply tube 15, the cable 16, and the four operation wires 17 are respectively inserted. A long and narrow built-in object such as the wire sheath 18 is bundled by the covering sheet 30 to form a bundle 28 integrally covered.

  Thereafter, as an outer layer of the covering sheet 30 of the bundle 28 in which the built-in objects are bundled, an outer covering process is performed in which the outer peripheral side of the covering sheet 30 is covered with a resin layer of a thermoplastic elastomer resin to form the outer cover 29. In this skin coating process, a skin coating apparatus 31 shown in FIG. 6 is used. This outer covering device 31 is a drum-type built-in material supply device 32 that supplies a bundle 28 in which the built-in material is bundled in the built-in material binding step, and a resin material that forms the outer skin 29 to supply a covering sheet for the bundle 28. A finished product 34 of the endoscope flexible tube 101 in a state in which the outer skin 29 is coated as an outer layer of the bundle 28 is wound around a drum (not shown). And a take-up device 35 for taking.

  When the outer covering apparatus 31 is used, a bundle 28 in which the built-in objects are bundled is supplied from the drum-type built-in supply apparatus 32 to the extrusion molding apparatus 33. The extrusion molding device 33 is further supplied with a resin material forming the outer skin 29 from a resin material supply device (not shown). As a result, in the extrusion molding apparatus 33, the bundle 28 in which the built-in objects are bundled functions as a core metal (core material), and a resin material that forms the outer skin 29 is supplied as an outer layer of the core metal of the bundle 28 to be bound. As an outer layer of the article 28, an outer skin 29 is extruded on the outer peripheral side of the bundle 28.

  Further, the finished product 34 of the endoscope flexible tube 101 covered with the outer skin 29 extruded by the extrusion molding device 33 is sent to a drum (not shown) by the take-up device 35 and wound. As a result, the finished product 34 of the long endoscope flexible tube 101 is continuously extruded in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope flexible tube 101. Then, by cutting the finished product 34 of the long endoscope flexible tube 101 into a required length, the endoscope flexible tube 101 having a desired length is manufactured.

  Thereafter, the outer skin 29 and a part of the covering sheet 30 are removed on the connection portion side with the bending tube and the connection portion side with the operation portion 3 in the endoscope flexible tube 101 having a desired length. . And each built-in thing exposed by the connection part side with the bending tube of the flexible tube 101 for endoscopes is penetrated in a bending tube, and the operation wire 17 extended from the inside of a bending tube is the flexible tube for endoscopes After being inserted through the wire sheath 18 in 101, the endoscope flexible tube 101 and the rear end portion of the bending tube are connected.

  On the other hand, each built-in object exposed on the connection portion side of the endoscope flexible tube 101 with the operation portion 3 is guided into the operation portion 3, and the endoscope flexible tube 101 and the operation portion 3 are connected to each other. Is done. The wire sheath 18 of each built-in object is fixed to a fixing member in the operation unit 3, and the operation wire 17 is attached to each operation wire connecting portion of the up / down bending operation knob 20 and the left / right bending operation knob 21. Further, the channel tube of the treatment instrument insertion channel 11 is connected to the treatment instrument insertion port 26. Further, the air supply tube 14 and the water supply tube 15 are connected to an air supply / water supply button 23, respectively, and other built-in items are also connected at predetermined portions, respectively, to manufacture an endoscope.

  Therefore, the method for manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube 101 of the present embodiment has the following effects. That is, at the time of manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube 101, the channel tube of the treatment instrument insertion channel 11 housed in the endoscope flexible tube 101, the light guide fiber 13, the air supply tube 14, A step of bundling and integrally covering a long and long built-in object such as the water supply tube 15, the cable 16, and the wire sheath 18 through which the four operation wires 17 are respectively inserted with the lubricating coating sheet 30 (built-in material bundling step) And 2) of the step of forming the endoscope flexible tube 101 by covering the resin layer that becomes the outer skin 29 as the outer layer of the covering sheet 30 of the bundled material 28 in which the built-in material is bundled (outer covering step). It only takes a process. Therefore, when manufacturing the flexible tube portion 6 for an endoscope, it is not necessary to perform the troublesome work of sequentially inserting a long built-in object from the front end to the rear end of the flexible tube as in the prior art. Compared to the case where the long built-in object is sequentially inserted in the axial direction from the opening on the distal end side of the flexible tube to the proximal end side of the flexible tube, the long built-in object is easily installed. It becomes possible. As a result, the number of work steps when manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube portion 6 can be reduced as compared with the prior art, and the manufacturing can be facilitated, so that the manufacturing time can be shortened. Manufacturing costs can be reduced.

  In addition, with respect to the distal end rigid portion 8 and the bending portion 7, the channel tube of the treatment instrument insertion channel 11 housed in the endoscope flexible tube 101, the light guide fiber 13, the air supply tube 14, and the water supply Even in a state in which the distal end portion of a long and long built-in object such as the tube 15, the cable 16, and the wire sheath 18 through which the four operation wires 17 are inserted is fixed, the long built-in object and the endoscope can be used. The flexible tube 101 can be integrally processed. Even in this case, the number of work steps when manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube 101 can be reduced and the manufacturing can be facilitated.

  Further, in the endoscope flexible tube 101 of the present embodiment, the built-in objects are bundled with the lubricating covering sheet 30 and integrally covered, so that the built-in objects bundled with the covering sheet 30 move in the axial direction. It can be held in a possible state. Therefore, when the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the insertion target lumen, the flexibility (possibility of the flexible tube portion 6 formed by the endoscope flexible tube 101 in which the built-in object is incorporated). (Flexibility) can be secured. Further, with the above configuration, even when the bending portion 7 of the endoscope 1 is bent, the built-in objects housed inside the endoscope flexible tube 101 slide smoothly with the lubricant of the covering sheet 30. As a result, the bending operation can be performed with good response.

  9 and 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the binding member 27 used in the method for manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube 101 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 8) is formed by a plurality of annular covering sheets 41. The plurality of annular covering sheets 41 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope flexible tube 101.

  Also in the present embodiment, after forming a bound product 42 bound by a plurality of annular covering sheets 41, the outer layer side of the covering sheet 41 is coated as an outer layer of the covering sheet 41 of the bound object 42 in the next skin covering step. By extruding the outer skin 29, the finished product 34 of the long endoscope flexible tube 101 can be continuously extruded in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope flexible tube 101.

  Therefore, in the manufacturing method of the endoscope flexible tube 101 according to the present embodiment, when the endoscope flexible tube portion 6 is manufactured as in the first embodiment, the endoscope flexible tube 101 is flexible as in the prior art. There is no need to sequentially insert the long built-in object from the tip to the rear end of the tube, and the long built-in object is inserted from the opening on the distal end side of the flexible tube to the proximal end side of the flexible tube as in the past. It is possible to easily install the long built-in object as compared with the case of sequentially inserting in the state of continuously pushing in the axial direction. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of work steps when manufacturing the flexible tube portion 6 for an endoscope and to facilitate the manufacturing, thereby reducing the manufacturing time and manufacturing. There is an effect that the cost can be reduced.

  Further, in the endoscope flexible tube 101 of the present embodiment, the built-in object is bundled with a plurality of lubricous annular-shaped covering sheets 41 and integrally covered, thereby being bundled with the covering sheet 41. An object can be held in a state of being movable in the axial direction. Therefore, when the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the insertion target lumen, the flexibility of the flexible tube portion 6 formed by the endoscope flexible tube 101 with a built-in object is secured. can do. Further, with the above configuration, even when the bending portion 7 of the endoscope 1 is bent, the built-in object housed in the endoscope flexible tube 101 slides smoothly with the lubricant of the covering sheet 41. As a result, the bending operation can be performed with good response.

  Furthermore, instead of the plurality of annular covering sheets 41 of the present embodiment, a covering sheet that is spirally wound around the bundled built-in object may be used. Also in this case, the same effects as those of the second embodiment of the present invention (see FIGS. 9 and 10) are obtained.

  FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a cylindrical heat containing no lubricant as the bundling member 27 used in the method of manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube 101 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 8). The example which uses the coating sheet 51 of a shrinkable tube is shown.

  In the present embodiment, the built-in material binding step is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, a wire sheath into which the channel tube of the treatment instrument insertion channel 11, the light guide fiber 13, the air supply tube 14, the water supply tube 15, the cable 16, and the four operation wires 17 are inserted. A long and narrow built-in object such as 18 is bundled by the covering sheet 51 to form a bundled object 52 that is integrally covered.

  Thereafter, an outer covering process is performed in which the outer layer of the covering sheet 51 of the bundled object 52 in which the built-in objects are bundled is coated on the outer peripheral side of the covering sheet 51 with a resin layer to form the outer covering 29. In this skin coating process, a skin coating device 53 shown in FIG. 11 is used. In the outer covering device 53, a lubricant applying device 54 is interposed between the drum-type built-in supply device 32 of the first embodiment and the extrusion molding device 33. The lubricant applying device 54 applies a lubricant to the outer peripheral surface of the covering sheet 51, sprays it, or applies a lubricant by a dip method.

  When using the outer skin coating device 53 of the present embodiment, the bundle 52 in which the built-in material is bundled by the covering sheet 51 in the built-in material binding step is fed from the drum-type built-in material supply device 32 to the lubricant applying device 54. . In the lubricant applying device 54, the lubricant is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the bundle 52 or sprayed, or the lubricant is applied by a dip method. Here, after the lubricant is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the bundle 52, the bundle 52 in which the built-in material is bundled by the covering sheet 51 is subsequently supplied to the extrusion device 33. In this extrusion molding apparatus 33, the outer skin 29 is extruded as an outer layer of the bundle 52 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  Further, the finished product 55 of the endoscope flexible tube 101 covered with the outer skin 29 extruded by the extrusion molding device 33 is sent by the take-up device 35 and wound around a drum (not shown). As a result, the finished product 55 of the long endoscope flexible tube 101 is continuously extruded in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope flexible tube 101.

  Therefore, the manufacturing method of the endoscope flexible tube 101 of the present embodiment has the following effects. That is, even when the covering sheet 51 of the heat-shrinkable tube containing no lubricant is used as the bundling member 27 used in the method for manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube 101, the first covering device 53 is the first covering device 53. By providing the lubricant application device 54 between the drum-type built-in supply device 32 and the extrusion molding device 33 of the embodiment, the lubricant can be applied to the outer peripheral surface of the covering sheet 51. Except for the step of applying the lubricant, the outer skin 29 is extruded as an outer layer of the bundle 52 in which the built-in objects are bundled in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Therefore, also in the manufacturing method of the flexible tube 101 for endoscope of this Embodiment, the flexible tube formed with the flexible tube 101 for endoscopes in which the built-in thing was incorporated similarly to 1st Embodiment. When the portion 6 is manufactured, it is not necessary to sequentially insert the long built-in object from the front end to the rear end of the flexible tube as in the conventional case. A long built-in object can be easily installed as compared with the case where it is sequentially inserted in a state of being continuously pushed in the axial direction from the opening on the distal end side to the proximal end side of the flexible tube. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of work steps in manufacturing the flexible tube portion 6 formed by the endoscope flexible tube 101 with a built-in object, and to facilitate the manufacture. Therefore, the manufacturing time can be shortened and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the endoscope flexible tube 101 of the present embodiment, the lubricant is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the covering sheet 51 of the bundled object 52 in which the built-in objects are bundled by the covering sheet 51 by the lubricant applying device 54. The built-in objects bundled by the covering sheet 51 can be held in a state of being movable in the axial direction with respect to the outer skin 29. Therefore, when the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the insertion target lumen, the flexibility of the flexible tube portion 6 formed by the endoscope flexible tube 101 with a built-in object is secured. can do. Further, with the above configuration, even when the bending portion 7 of the endoscope 1 is bent, the built-in object housed in the endoscope flexible tube 101 slides smoothly with the lubricant of the covering sheet 51. As a result, the bending operation can be performed with good response.

  FIGS. 13 to 15 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the outer skin 29 is provided between the covering sheet 30 having lubricity and the outer skin 29 built in the flexible tube 101 for endoscope of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 8). The blade 61 is inserted for reinforcement. At the time of manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube 101, the channel tube of the treatment instrument insertion channel 11 housed inside the endoscope flexible tube 101, the light guide fiber 13, the air supply tube 14, The built-in material bundling step of bundling and integrally covering a long and long built-in object such as the water feeding tube 15, the cable 16, and the wire sheath 18 through which the four operation wires 17 are respectively inserted with the lubricating coating sheet 30, This is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  Thereafter, before the skin covering step, a step of braiding and forming a mesh-shaped blade 61 on the outside of the covering sheet 30 in which the built-in objects are bundled as shown in FIG. 14 is performed. Further, after the blade 61 is braided and formed, the outer peripheral surface of the blade 61 serving as the outer layer of the covering sheet 30 of the bundle 28 in which the built-in objects are bundled is covered with a resin layer serving as the outer skin 29. An outer covering process for forming the flexible tube 101 is performed.

  Therefore, in the endoscope flexible tube 101 according to the present embodiment, the outer skin 29 is reinforced by the blade 61 interposed between the lubricating coating sheet 30 and the outer skin 29 of the endoscope flexible tube 101. Can do. Moreover, the transmission property (responsiveness) of the rotational force to the distal end rigid portion when the operation portion on the operation portion side is rotated can be improved. Further, by holding the cover sheet 30 and the blade 61 in a slidable state due to the lubricity of the cover sheet 30, the flexibility formed by the endoscope flexible tube 101 having a built-in object built therein. The flexibility of the entire tube portion 6 can be maintained in a good state.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, instead of the light guide fiber 13 (see FIG. 3) described in the first embodiment, an LED (light emitting element) or an illumination lamp is used, and a power cable is provided in the bending portion 7 or the flexible tube portion 6. It may be inserted.

  Furthermore, as in the third embodiment (see FIGS. 11 and 12), the heat-shrinkable tube that does not contain a lubricant as the binding member 27 used in the method for manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube 101 is used. When the sheet 51 is used, in addition to the step of applying a lubricant to the outer peripheral surface of the covering sheet 51, spraying, or applying a lubricant by a dip method, the inside of the flexible tube 101 for endoscope You may provide the process of apply | coating a lubricant to the surface of the built-in thing accommodated in. In this case, a lubricant layer is provided between the binding member 27 and the built-in material. Therefore, the built-in objects bundled by the covering sheet 51 can be held so as to be movable in the axial direction. Therefore, when the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the insertion target lumen, the flexibility of the flexible tube portion 6 formed by the endoscope flexible tube 101 with a built-in object is secured. can do.

  Furthermore, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application are appended as follows.
Record
(Additional Item 1) A method for producing a flexible tube for an endoscope, which is a treatment tool insertion channel, an air / water supply channel, a power supply cable, a signal cable, and the like, and a portion of an electric wire, housed in the flexible tube. The first step of integrally covering and bundling the tubular inclusions with a stretchable thin film (covering sheet), and the outer layer of the thin film covering the inclusions bundled by the first step as the outer resin A method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising a second step of forming a layer.

  (Additional Item 2) The method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the thin film contains a lubricant.

  (Additional Item 3) The stretchable thin film is a tube made of a heat-shrinkable resin, and the first step is a step of bundling the tubular built-in material with a thin film, and a step of applying heat to the thin film to shrink it. The manufacturing method of the flexible tube for endoscopes of the additional remark 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  (Additional Item 4) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1, further comprising a step of applying a lubricant to the surface of the built-in portion of the flexible tube for an endoscope before the first step. A manufacturing method of a flexible tube.

  (Additional Item 5) The method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1, further comprising a step of applying a lubricant to the outside of the thin film after the first step.

  (Additional Item 6) The thin film has an annular shape, and a plurality of the thin films are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube for an endoscope. A manufacturing method of a flexible tube.

  (Additional Item 7) The method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the thin film is formed of a single cylindrical sheet.

  (Additional Item 8) The method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the thin film is spirally provided on the outside of the built-in endoscope.

  (Additional Item 9) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 6, further comprising a step of forming a blade on the outer side of the thin film after the step of applying a lubricant to the outer side of the thin film. Production method.

  (Additional Item 10) The method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 2, further comprising a step of forming a blade outside the thin film containing the lubricant.

  (Additional Item 11) In the second step, an outer layer of a thin film covering the built-in object bundled in the first step and a resin layer serving as an outer skin are continuously provided in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube for endoscope. The method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the method is an extrusion molding step.

  (Additional Item 12) Tubular built-in objects such as a forceps channel, an air / water supply channel, a power cable and a signal cable of an endoscope flexible tube, a bundling member for bundling the built-in objects, the tubular built-in object and the bundling member A flexible tube for an endoscope comprising an outer resin layer covering the tube.

  (Additional Item 13) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 12, wherein the binding member contains a lubricant.

  (Additional Item 14) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 12, wherein a lubricant layer is provided between the binding member and the tubular built-in object.

  (Additional Item 15) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 12, wherein the binding member is a heat-shrinkable tube.

  (Additional Item 16) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 12, wherein the thin film has a plurality of annular shapes and is provided at intervals.

  (Additional Item 17) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 12, wherein the thin film is formed of a single cylindrical sheet.

  (Additional Item 18) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 12, wherein the thin film is formed of a spiral sheet.

  (Additional Item 19) In a flexible tube for an endoscope that houses a plurality of built-in objects, one end of which is attached to the distal end portion of the endoscope, a member that bundles the built-in objects, the built-in objects, and the built-in objects. A flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: a resin integrally covering a bundled member.

  (Additional Item 20) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 19, wherein a lubricant capable of sliding between the built-in object and a member that bundles the built-in object is interposed.

  (Additional Item 21) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 19, wherein a lubricant is previously contained in a member that bundles the built-in objects.

  The present invention provides a light guide fiber, an image guide fiber, a cable, or a long built-in object such as a tube inside a flexible tube such as a flexible tube or a curved portion of an insertion portion body of an endoscope. This is effective in a technical field for manufacturing an endoscope for performing installation work and a technical field in which the endoscope is used.

The perspective view which shows the schematic structure of the whole endoscope provided with the flexible tube for endoscopes manufactured by the manufacturing method of the flexible tube for endoscopes of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the structure of the front end surface of the insertion part of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment. The state in which the built-in object of the flexible tube for endoscope is inserted into the bundling member which is a heat-shrinkable tube before the heat-shrinkable tube is thermally contracted at the time of manufacturing the flexible tube for endoscope of the first embodiment. FIG. After the flexible tube for an endoscope is inserted into the bundling member that is a heat-shrinkable tube when the flexible tube for an endoscope according to the first embodiment is manufactured, the bundling member that is a heat-shrinkable tube is inserted. The cross-sectional view which shows the state which made it heat-shrink and bundled the built-in thing of the flexible tube for endoscopes. The perspective view which shows the binding thing which bundled the built-in thing of the flexible tube for endoscopes by heat-shrinking the binding member of the flexible tube for endoscopes of 1st Embodiment. A molding apparatus for continuously extruding a resin layer in the longitudinal direction of an endoscope flexible tube as an outer layer of a covering sheet in which built-in objects are bundled when manufacturing the endoscope flexible tube according to the first embodiment FIG. The perspective view which shows the state by which the outer skin of the resin layer was coat | covered as an outer layer of the coating sheet which bundled the built-in thing at the time of manufacture of the flexible tube for endoscopes of 1st Embodiment. The cross-sectional view of the flexible tube for endoscopes of FIG. The perspective view which shows the binding thing which bundled the built-in thing of the flexible tube for endoscopes of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the state by which the outer_layer | skin of the resin layer was coat | covered as an outer layer of the binding thing which bundled the built-in thing of the flexible tube for endoscopes of 2nd Embodiment. The schematic block diagram of the whole shaping | molding apparatus which extrudes continuously the resin layer of the outer skin of the flexible tube for endoscopes of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the binding thing which bundled the built-in thing of the flexible tube for endoscopes of 3rd Embodiment. The side view of the principal part which shows the internal structure of the flexible tube part of the endoscope which shows the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The cross-sectional view which shows the state which covered the braid | blade after bundling the built-in thing of the flexible tube for endoscopes with a binding member at the time of manufacture of the flexible tube for endoscopes of 4th Embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows the state by which the outer skin of the braid | blade and the resin layer was coat | covered as an outer layer of the coating sheet which bundled the built-in thing at the time of manufacture of the flexible tube for endoscopes of 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope, 2 ... Insertion part, 2A ... Insertion part main body, 11 ... Treatment instrument insertion channel (built-in thing), 13 ... Light guide fiber (built-in thing), 14 ... Air supply tube (built-in thing), 15 ... Water supply tube (built-in), 16 ... Cable (built-in), 17 ... Operation wire (built-in), 18 ... Wire sheath (built-in), 28 ... Bundled material, 29 ... Skin, 30 ... Coating sheet, 101 ... Interior Flexible tube for mirrors.

Claims (17)

A built-in material bundling step of integrally covering and bundling built-in objects stored inside the flexible tube for endoscope with a bundling member having lubricity;
A method of manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: an outer skin covering step of coating and forming a polymer material as an outer skin as an outer layer of the binding member in which the built-in material is bundled. A built-in object bundling step of integrally covering and bundling built-in objects housed in the endoscope flexible tube with a bundling member;
A lubricity imparting step for imparting lubricity to the binding member;
A method of manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: an outer skin covering step of coating and forming a polymer material as an outer skin as an outer layer of the binding member in which the built-in material is bundled. Applying a lubricant to the surface of a built-in object housed in the endoscope flexible tube;
A built-in material bundling step of integrally covering and bundling the built-in material with a bundling member;
A method of manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: an outer skin covering step of coating and forming a polymer material as an outer skin as an outer layer of the binding member in which the built-in material is bundled. The built-in material bundling step is a step of arranging the built-in material in the bundling member made of a heat-shrinkable tube;
The method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a step of bundling the built-in object by applying heat to the binding member to contract.   The blade covering step of arranging a braided braided braid on the outside of the bundling member in which the built-in objects are bundled before the outer covering step is further included. Manufacturing method for flexible tube for endoscope.   The outer covering step is a step of continuously extruding the polymer material in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube for an endoscope as an outer layer of the binding member in which the built-in objects are bundled. The manufacturing method of the flexible tube for endoscopes in any one of Claims 1-5. A bundling member having lubricity for bundling built-in objects incorporated in a flexible tube for an endoscope;
A flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: a polymer material outer skin that covers the bound object in which the built-in object is bound by the binding member.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the built-in object is a tubular built-in object such as a treatment instrument insertion channel or an air / water supply channel, or a cable such as a power cable or a signal cable.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the binding member contains a lubricant.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 7 or 9, wherein the binding member is a single cylindrical covering sheet.   The said binding member is an annular shape, It is the some coating sheet arrange | positioned at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the said flexible tube for endoscopes, The Claim 7 or 9 characterized by the above-mentioned. Flexible tube for endoscope.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 7 or 9, wherein the binding member is a covering sheet spirally wound around the built-in object.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the binding member has a lubricant layer between the bundling member and the built-in member.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the binding member is a heat-shrinkable tube. In a flexible tube for an endoscope that houses a plurality of built-in objects in which one end is attached to a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope and the other end extends to a proximal end portion side of the insertion portion of the endoscope. ,
A flexible binding member for bundling the built-in objects, and an outer skin made of a polymer material that integrally covers the bundled objects obtained by bundling the built-in objects with the bundling member. Flexible tube.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 15, wherein a lubricant that allows the binding member to slide between the built-in member is interposed.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 15, wherein the bundling member contains a lubricant in advance.

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