JP2007306944A - Endoscope, medical appliance for endoscope, and method for display thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attach a display having superior contrast and visibility by a laser marking. <P>SOLUTION: A colorant is incorporated into a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin or a rubber constituting an endoscope 3, and a portion incorporated with the colorant is irradiated with a pulse laser beam of YAG or YVO<SB>4</SB>having a wavelength of 355, 532 or 1064 nm, whereby a marking including letters or symbols is color-developed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention generally relates to an endoscope, a medical instrument for an endoscope, and a display method thereof used for observation, examination, diagnosis, and treatment in a body cavity of a human body.

  An endoscope is generally inserted into a body cavity or the like of a human body and used for observation, examination, diagnosis, and treatment of the human body. Such an endoscope is provided with an index such as a distance scale so that the operator can determine the length of insertion into the body cavity or the like at the insertion portion. The operation section of the endoscope is provided with, for example, a manufacturer name, a logo, a product name, and a button and lever function display.

  In general, such an endoscope display method uses ink, and uses printing methods such as inking, pad printing, screen printing, and brush writing. As the type of ink, for example, urethane or epoxy ink is used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method using photocurable ink, and Patent Document 2 discloses a method using fluorine-based ink.

  Endoscopes are generally sterilized using glutaraldehyde-based sterilization solution, sterilization solution containing peracetic acid, or sterilization solution containing hydrogen peroxide, or using hydrogen peroxide and low-temperature plasma. It is sterilized by the bacteria method or autoclave sterilization method. If these sterilizations are repeatedly performed, printing with ink may cause discoloration, fading, or peeling from the base resin, making it difficult to identify the printed indices, characters, etc. is there. Many substrate resins that are resistant to sterilization generally have poor adhesion, poor adhesion to ink, and the ink easily peels off.

  That is, in the display method using ink, the base is a difficult-to-adhere material such as polyolefin-based resin or fluorine-based resin, and the adhesion of the ink to these hardly-adhesive material is weak, and printing to the difficult-to-adhere material is difficult. It is. In addition, in the display method using ink, the display by the ink is peeled off or discolored by applying various sterilization techniques, and the display becomes difficult to see.

  In addition, since endoscopes are often scrubbed during cleaning, there is also a problem that printing is faint due to the cleaning.

  Furthermore, since many inks contain an organic solvent, there are environmental problems and safety problems for workers. In the process of printing using ink, additional equipment such as a drying room and UV irradiator is required, more time is required for setup, a large number of printing plates must be held, high-speed lines There are a number of problems in printing work such as being unable to cope with the problem.

  In recent industrial products, a method of attaching a display by irradiating a laser beam is used, and for example, it is often used for printing lot numbers and ID numbers. For an endoscope treatment instrument device, for example, Patent Document 3 discloses that a manufacturer name, a model number, and the like are printed using laser marking or the like. Patent Document 4 discloses a method for obtaining a color-development that hardly causes deterioration by performing laser marking on an endoscope medical instrument.

In addition, as a method of marking by irradiating a resin with a laser beam, Patent Document 5 discloses that a resin is mixed with a filler that can be returned by an energy ray and printed, and Patent Document 6 discloses that It is disclosed that the surface of a synthetic material is marked by exposing the surface to light containing a dye and a silicon-containing inorganic compound or silicon.
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 61-241184 JP 2003-88489 A JP-A-8-131448 JP 2004-195030 A Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 62-59663 Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 61-41320

  However, the display method for obtaining a color product using laser marking is significantly inferior in terms of contrast and visibility as compared with a printed product using ink, and there is a problem that the display product is difficult to see. .

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope, a medical instrument for endoscope, and a display method for endoscopes, which are provided with a display having excellent contrast and visibility by laser marking.

The present invention relates to an endoscope and a medical instrument for endoscope which are at least partially formed of a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin or rubber, and a coloring agent / filler for the thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin or rubber. has a portion added with a display unit for displaying wavelength 355nm at the site, the character that is formed by coloring a part by irradiating a pulsed laser beam of 532nm or 1064 nm YAG or YVO _4, and a code comprising a symbol And an endoscope medical instrument.

The present invention relates to an endoscope formed of at least a part of a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or a rubber, and a display method for a medical instrument for an endoscope, and a coloring agent for the thermoplastic resin, the thermosetting resin, or the rubber. Characters and symbols formed by adding a filler and coloring the part by adding YAG or YVO ₄ pulsed laser light having a wavelength of 355 nm, 532 nm or 1064 nm to the part where the colorant / filler is added The display method of the endoscope which displays the code | symbol containing and medical equipment for endoscopes.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can provide an endoscope provided with a display having excellent contrast and visibility by laser marking, a medical instrument for endoscope, and a display method thereof.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a laser marking device for applying a display unit by laser marking to an endoscope and an endoscope medical instrument. As the Q-switch pulse laser light source (hereinafter referred to as pulse laser light source) 1, for example, an Nd: YVO ₄ laser (hereinafter referred to as YVO ₄ laser) that outputs pulse laser light 2 having a wavelength of 1064 nm is used. The pulse laser light source 1 may use an Nd: YAG laser (hereinafter referred to as a YAG laser) that outputs a pulse laser beam 2 having a wavelength of 1064 nm. The YAG laser and YVO ₄ laser can output pulsed laser light 2 having wavelengths of 355 nm and 532 nm by half-wave conversion.

Note that the peak output value of the YAG laser varies greatly depending on the scan speed. On the other hand, the YVO ₄ laser shows only a small change in the peak output value even if the scan speed changes. The YAG laser is generally multi-mode, but the YVO ₄ laser is single mode. If this single mode is used, it is advantageous for the contrast and visibility of the display portion obtained by laser marking.

For this reason, both the YVO ₄ laser and the YAG laser can be used to attach a display unit for displaying a code including characters and symbols on the surface of the endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for endoscope. It is preferred to use a mode YVO ₄ laser.

  The endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for endoscope which are objects of laser marking are at least partially formed of a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or rubber, and these thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, or rubber There are parts where colorants and fillers are added.

  Examples of the resin used for the endoscope include various engineering plastics, various super engineering plastics, and various thermoplastic resins. Specifically, polyolefin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polystyrene, polyoxymethylene acetal, polyamide nylon, polybutylene terephthalate, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyurethane, polyester, noryl, polyetherimide, polyether Examples thereof include fluorine resins such as nitrile, polyether ether ketone, polyimide, polyphthalamide, polyphenylene label, and polytetrafluoroethylene, and thermoplastic resins such as thermoplastic polyurethane.

  As the colorant / filler, for example, at least one of carbon black, calcium carbonate, black iron oxide, titanium black or titanium dioxide is added.

  When laser marking is performed on a thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, or rubber, the laser beam can be laser-marked at any wavelength of 1064 nm, 532 nm, and 355 nm. Since the colorant / filler has a strong absorption band with respect to wavelengths in the visible region and ultraviolet region, the wavelength of the pulsed laser light 2 has a low laser output value and is suitable for the endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for endoscope. 532 nm and 355 nm that can be laser-marked on the surface of a thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin or rubber without causing damage are preferred. Further, a good display composition can also be obtained by irradiating a 266 nm pulse laser beam having a quarter wavelength after wavelength conversion.

  In the pulse laser light source 1, a Q switch 1c is provided between the output mirror 1a and the high reflection mirror 1b. The pulse laser beam 2 is output from the pulse laser light source 1 by the on / off operation of the Q switch 1c.

  An XY scanner 4 is provided on the optical path of the pulsed laser light 2 output from the pulsed laser light source 1. The XY scanner 4 includes an X-axis scanner 5 and a Y-axis scanner 6. Among these, the Y-axis scanner 6 scans the pulse laser beam 2 output from the pulse laser light source 1 in the Y-axis direction by swinging the Y-axis scan mirror 6a in the arrow A direction. The X-axis scanner 5 scans the pulse laser beam 2 scanned in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis scanner 6 in the X-axis direction by swinging the X-axis scan mirror 5a in the arrow B direction.

  The fθ lens 7 is provided on the optical path of the pulsed laser light 2 scanned in the XY axis direction by the XY scanner 4. The fθ lens 7 condenses the pulsed laser light 2 scanned in the XY axis direction by the XY scanner 4 as spot light on the surface of the endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for endoscope.

  The controller 8 starts and stops the laser output operation of the pulse laser light source 1, controls the laser output value of the pulse laser light source 1, the switching operation of the Q switch 1c, each of the X-axis scanner 5 and the Y-axis scanner 6 in the XY scanner. Controls the scanning operation.

  In order to improve the contrast and visibility of the display part that is applied by laser marking on the surface of the endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for endoscope, coloration by irradiation with pulsed laser light 2 at the painted part in the display part It is necessary to increase the density of the part. The density of the coloring portion depends on the spot diameter of the pulse laser beam 2, the hatching interval of the pulse laser beam 2, the Q switch frequency of the pulse laser beam 2, and the scan speed of the pulse laser beam 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the pulse laser beam 2 is applied to the endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for an endoscope, the portion of the endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for the endoscope that has been irradiated with the pulse laser beam 2 is The color changes to white. This discolored portion becomes the color developing portion 9.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, in order to attach a display unit for displaying a code including a character and a symbol such as the numeral “1”, the pulse laser beam 2 is moved in the XY axis direction for each pulse as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. Scanning is performed, and a plurality of coloring portions 9 are formed in the XY axis directions by the pulse laser beams 2 for each pulse. In this case, the color developing units 9 do not overlap with the adjacent color developing units 9.

  In order to increase the density of each color developing portion 9 by irradiation with such a pulse laser beam 2, the spot diameter r of the pulse laser beam 2, the hatching interval h of the pulse laser beam 2, the Q switch frequency of the pulse laser beam 2, the pulse Marking conditions such as the scanning speed of the laser light 2 are set for each material of the endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for the endoscope.

  Next, setting of marking conditions will be described. As the marking conditions, the output value of the pulse laser beam 2, the hatching interval h of the pulse laser beam 2, the spot diameter, the size of the rθ lens 7, the number of processes, etc. are set, and the scan speed of the pulse laser beam 2 and the pulse laser beam 2 FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the results of marking, for example, the symbol “□” by changing the Q switch frequency.

  The marking results differ from each other in the material forming the endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for endoscope. The materials forming these endoscopes and endoscope medical instruments 3 are thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin or rubber, and colorants / fillers such as carbon black, calcium carbonate, black iron oxide, and titanium. It differs depending on the combination with at least one of black and titanium dioxide. The marking results are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and a plurality of marking results can be obtained by changing the marking conditions and the materials forming the endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for the endoscope.

  As can be seen from these marking results, the shading of the white color of each symbol “□” changes by changing the scan speed of the pulse laser beam 2 and the Q switch frequency. From these shades of white color of “□”, the contrast and visibility are determined, and the code “□” with the best white color is selected. However, from these marking results, the optimum marking conditions for improving the contrast and visibility of the display unit are determined for each material forming the endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for endoscope. For example, the contrast value between the coloring portion 9 formed on the endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for the endoscope and the base portion thereof is, for example, “3” or more, brightness 60 or more, hue −20 to +20, saturation −10 to 10 A marking condition of +10 is determined.

  As a result, as marking conditions, for example, the spot diameter r of the pulse laser beam 2 is 5 to 100 μm, the hatching interval h of the pulse laser beam 2 is 1 to 80 μm, the Q switch frequency of the pulse laser beam 2 is 0.1 to 100 kHz, the pulse It was found that the scanning speed of the laser beam 2 should be adjusted in each range of 1 to 3000 mm / sec. In particular, the spot diameter r of the pulse laser beam 2 is 40 μm or less, the hatching interval h of the pulse laser beam 2 is 30 μm, the Q switch frequency of the pulse laser beam 2 is 30 kHz, and the scan speed of the pulse laser beam 2 is about 2 to 3000 mm / sec. It is preferable to adjust to.

  The peak output value of the pulsed laser light 2 is preferably large, but is 0.1 in relation to the material forming the endoscope and the endoscope medical instrument 3 in order to improve the contrast and visibility of the display unit. It is good to adjust within the range of ~ 50W. The average output of the pulse laser beam 2 is 0.1 to 50W.

  As the pulse width of the pulse laser beam 2 irradiated onto the endoscope and the surface of the endoscope medical instrument 3 is smaller, a display unit with improved contrast and visibility can be attached. Thereby, the pulse width of the pulse laser beam 2 is adjusted within a range of 0.1 to 200 ns. In particular, a pulse width of 10 ns of the pulse laser beam 2 is suitable.

  However, the controller 8 has, for example, the spot diameter r (= 5 to 100 μm) of the pulse laser beam 2, the hatching interval h (= 1 to 80 μm) of the pulse laser beam 2, and the Q switch frequency (= 0.1 of the pulse laser beam 2). To 100 kHz), the switching operation of the Q switch 1c under the marking conditions set in each range of the scanning speed of the pulse laser beam 2 (= 1 to 3000 mm / sec), the X axis scanner 5 and the Y axis scanner 6 in the XY scanner. The scan speed and the Q switch frequency of the Q switch 1c are respectively controlled.

  The setting unit 9 sets, for example, the spot diameter r of the pulse laser beam 2, the hatching interval h of the pulse laser beam 2, the Q switch frequency of the pulse laser beam 2, and the scan speed of the pulse laser beam 2 to the controller 8.

  Next, laser marking using the laser marking apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  From the setting unit 9 to the controller 8, for example, the spot diameter r of the pulse laser beam 2 is 5 to 100 μm, the hatching interval h of the pulse laser beam 2 is 1 to 80 μm, and the Q switch frequency of the pulse laser beam 2 is 0. Marking conditions are set in each range of 1 to 100 kHz and the scanning speed of the pulse laser beam 2 is 1 to 3000 mm / sec. In particular, the spot diameter r of the pulse laser beam 2 is 40 μm or less, the hatching interval h of the pulse laser beam 2 is 30 μm, the Q switch frequency of the pulse laser beam 2 is 30 kHz, and the scan speed of the pulse laser beam 2 is about 2 to 3000 mm / sec. The marking conditions are set.

  The controller 8 sets the hatching interval h of the pulse laser beam 2, the Q switch frequency of the pulse laser beam 2, the switching operation of the Q switch 1c at the scan speed of the pulse laser beam 2, the X-axis scanner 5 and Y in the XY scanner. Each scan speed of the axis scanner 6 and the Q switch frequency of the Q switch 1c are controlled.

  As a result, the pulsed laser light 2 output from the pulsed laser light source 1 is scanned in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis scanner 6 and further scanned in the X-axis direction by the X-axis scanner 5 and enters the fθ lens 7. The pulsed laser light 2 incident on the fθ lens 7 is scanned as a spot light on the surface of the endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for the endoscope. At this time, the spot diameter r of the pulsed laser beam 2 is formed to be 5 to 100 μm, particularly 40 μm or less by focusing with the fθ lens 7.

  At this time, when the pulse laser beam 2 is irradiated on the surface of the endoscope and the endoscope medical instrument 3, the pulse laser beam 2 is received by the endoscope and the endoscope medical instrument 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the portion is changed to a white color to form a coloring portion 9.

  At the same time, since the pulse laser beam 2 is scanned in the XY axis direction for each pulse, as shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of color developing sections 9 do not overlap each adjacent color developing section 9 in the XY axis direction. It is formed. At this time, in order to increase the density of each color developing portion 9 by irradiation with the pulse laser beam 2, the hatching interval h of the pulse laser beam 2 is 1 to 80 μm, particularly the spot diameter r of the pulse laser beam 2 as shown in FIG. Is 40 μm or less, and the hatching interval h of the pulsed laser light 2 is 30 μm, so that a plurality of color forming portions 9 are formed. As a result, the display part of the code | symbol containing a character and a symbol is attached | subjected on the surface of an endoscope and the medical instrument 3 for endoscopes.

  FIG. 6 shows an external view of the endoscope 10. The endoscope 10 includes an insertion portion 11, an operation portion 12, a connector portion 13, and an operation portion-connector portion connecting pipe 14. Among these, the insertion part 11 has the front-end | tip part 11a, the curved part 11b, and the soft part 11c. The operation unit 12 includes a UD (up / down) angle knob, a UD angle release knob, an RL (right direction, left direction) angle knob, an RL angle release knob, a suction button, an air / water supply button, and the like.

  In such an endoscope 10, for example, the display units 15 to 20 are respectively attached to the insertion unit 11, the operation unit 12, and the connector unit 13 by the laser marking. The insertion unit 11 is provided with a display unit 16 for displaying a white line index and a display unit 15 for displaying the logo type. The white line index is attached to measure the insertion depth of the insertion portion 11 into the body cavity.

  The operation unit 12 displays, for example, a display unit 17 that displays the model name and logotype of the endoscope 10, and various angles such as a UD angle knob, a UD angle release knob, an RL angle knob, and an RL angle release knob. A display unit 18 and a display unit 19 for displaying buttons such as a suction button and an air / water supply button are attached.

  The connector unit 13 is provided with a display unit 20 that displays, for example, a manufacturer name and a logotype.

  7 (a) and 7 (b) show a comparison between the present invention and the prior art, and FIG. 7 (a) shows an example of the display unit 15 attached to the endoscope 10 of the present invention. ) Indicates a display portion attached by conventional laser marking. From the comparison of these display units, it can be seen that the display unit 15 attached to the endoscope 10 of the present invention is superior in contrast and visibility than the conventional one.

Next, with reference to Table 1, each Example 1-6, a prior art example, and a comparative example are demonstrated.

  Each Example 1-6 shows the result of having performed the laser marking to the endoscope 10 formed with the polyester resin which is a thermoplastic resin. In addition, even if the endoscope 10 is formed of a thermosetting resin or rubber, the same effect can be obtained.

  In the resin composition, the amount of the colorant / filler is expressed by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polyester resin. Each Example 1-6 and a comparative example are carbon black 1 weight part, calcium carbonate 0.1 weight part, black iron oxide 0.1 weight part as a coloring agent and a filler with respect to 100 weight part of thermoplastic polyester resins. 1 shows a result of obtaining a white display portion by adding 1 part by weight of titanium dioxide and irradiating the thermoplastic polyester resin to which the colorant is added with pulsed laser light 2. These Examples 1-6 show each result when the irradiation conditions of the pulsed laser beam 2 are changed, and the comparative example shows the results under the irradiation condition of the pulsed laser beam 2 performed conventionally.

The irradiation conditions of the pulse laser beam 2 are YAG laser and YVO ₄ laser as the laser type (laser light source 1), and further, wavelength, hatching interval h, spot diameter r, peak output value, average output, pulse width, Q switch frequency , Scan speed.

  A conventional example shows the result of giving a white display to a black thermoplastic polyester resin using a white thermosetting urethane-based ink.

  Evaluation results of contrast and visibility are obtained from this table. The contrast is a result measured by a luminance meter, and the visibility is a visual evaluation result compared with printing with ink. The contrast is “3” or more in each of Examples 1 to 6. In contrast, the contrast of the conventional example is “3” or more, and the contrast of the comparative example is “2”.

  The visibility is evaluated by, for example, four stages “1” to “4”. Stage “1” has white color development comparable to ink and very good visibility. Stage “2” is slightly inferior in white color development as compared with ink, but has good visibility. Stage “3” is inferior in white color development as compared with ink and has poor visibility. Stage “4” is almost indistinguishable and has poor visibility.

Further, in this table, the conventional example, comparative example, a procedure as described in JIS Z8729 color of Examples 1 to 6 by Konica Minolta color spectrometer ^L * ^a * ^{b *} lightness color meter The color measurement results of L ^* , hue a ^* , and saturation b ^* are shown. The larger the L ^* value and the smaller a ^* and b ^* , the whiter the color. According to this measurement, the ink of the conventional example has a large L ^* value and is excellent in white color. In each of Examples 1 to 6, the L ^* value is 60 or more, and the ink has good visibility.

  From the above evaluation results, if the irradiation conditions of each pulsed laser beam 2 of Examples 1 to 6 are all, the laser marking has good contrast and visibility, which is inferior to the printed matter of ink. An indication can be obtained. On the other hand, if it is the irradiation conditions (comparative example) of the conventional pulse laser beam, it will be understood that it is inferior in contrast and has poor visibility, and the present invention (Examples 1 to 6) is superior.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, a colorant is added to the thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, or rubber forming the endoscope 3, and a wavelength of 355 nm, 532 nm, or 1064 nm is added to the portion where the colorant is added. Because the sign including characters and symbols formed by color irradiation by irradiating YAG or YVO ₄ pulse laser light is displayed, the contrast is "3" or more, and the white color development that is comparable to the printed matter with ink The display units 15 to 20 having very good visibility can be attached to the surface of the endoscope 10.

  The endoscope 10 generally uses a sterilization method using a glutaraldehyde-based sterilization solution, a sterilization solution containing peracetic acid, or a sterilization solution containing hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide and low-temperature plasma. Although the sterilization is performed by the sterilization method or the autoclave sterilization method, the display units 15 to 20 attached to the endoscope 10 are not peeled off or discolored by these sterilization methods. .

  Moreover, although it is often rubbed in the cleaning, the respective display portions 15 to 20 are not fainted by this cleaning.

  Further, if the method of attaching the display units 15 to 20 to the endoscope 10 by laser marking, ink containing an organic solvent is not used, the environment is not affected, and the safety to the worker is achieved. Can be improved.

  Since laser marking can attach each display part 15-20 to endoscope 10 at high speed, it can be installed in a high-speed line which manufactures endoscope 10.

  Each display of the endoscope 10, such as the insertion portion 11, the operation portion 12, and the connector portion 13, where there are many opportunities for contact with the operator or inside the body cavity when used for observation, inspection, diagnosis and treatment of the human body. Even if the parts 15 to 20 are added, the display parts 15 to 20 are not discolored or faded. Accordingly, the display unit 18 for displaying angles such as the UD angle knob, the UD angle release knob, the RL angle knob, and the RL angle release knob in the operation unit 12 and the buttons such as the suction button and the air / water supply button are displayed. The display part 19 can be confirmed clearly and operability can be improved. In particular, each of the display units 15 and 16 attached to the insertion unit 11 comes into contact with the body cavity by being inserted into the body cavity or the like. The white line index such as a distance scale is clearly displayed without being discolored or blurred by the contact. Thus, it is possible to accurately determine the length of insertion into a body cavity or the like.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said one Embodiment, You may deform | transform as follows.

  In the above embodiment, the case where laser marking is performed on the endoscope 10 formed of thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, or rubber has been described. Clear marking can be performed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the display units 15 to 20 are mainly attached to the endoscope 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the endoscope as an endoscope used with the endoscope 10 is used. As a medical instrument for a mirror, for example, a colorant is added to a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin or rubber to a treatment tool such as a biopsy forceps, a rotary clip device, and a high-frequency snare, and a wavelength of 355 nm is added to the site where the colorant is added. It is possible to display a code including characters and symbols formed by color development by irradiating a pulse laser beam of 532 nm or 1064 nm YAG or YVO ₄ .

Furthermore, the present invention adds a colorant to a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or rubber forming an endoscope 10 and a medical instrument for an endoscope such as a treatment instrument, and a wavelength is added to a site where the colorant is added. Endoscope 10 with a display unit displaying characters and symbols formed by color development by irradiating YAG or YVO ₄ pulsed laser light of 355 nm, 532 nm or 1064 nm, and endoscopes such as treatment tools Mirror medical devices can be manufactured.

  Next, other features of the present invention will be described.

The present invention relates to an endoscope and an endoscope medical instrument that are at least partially formed of a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or a rubber, and a colorant for the thermoplastic resin, the thermosetting resin, or the rubber. A display unit which has a part to which a filler is added and displays a code including characters and symbols formed by coloring the part by irradiating a pulsed laser beam having a wavelength of 266 nm with YAG or YVO ₄ An endoscope and a medical instrument for an endoscope characterized by comprising the above.

  The present invention is the endoscope and the medical instrument for an endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the hatching interval is 30 μm.

  11. The endoscope according to claim 10, wherein the pulse frequency by the Q switch is 30 kHz.

  The present invention provides the endoscope and the medical instrument for an endoscope according to claim 11, wherein the scan speed is 2000 mm / sec.

  The present invention is the endoscope and the medical instrument display method according to claim 19, wherein the hatching interval is 30 μm.

  The present invention is the endoscope and the medical instrument display method according to claim 25, wherein the pulse frequency by the Q switch is 30 kHz.

  The present invention is the endoscope and the medical instrument display method according to claim 26, wherein the scan speed is 2000 mm / sec.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic block diagram of the laser marking apparatus used for one Embodiment of the endoscope which concerns on this invention, and the medical instrument for endoscopes. The schematic diagram which shows the formation effect | action by the laser marking of the display part attached | subjected to the endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscopes. The schematic diagram which shows the scan of the pulse laser beam for forming the display part attached | subjected to the endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscopes. The figure which shows the marking result for setting the marking conditions of the display part attached | subjected to the endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscopes. The figure which shows the marking result for setting the marking conditions of the display part attached | subjected to the endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscopes. The external view which shows each display part attached | subjected to the endoscope. The figure which shows the comparison with the display part attached | subjected to the endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscopes, and the past.

Explanation of symbols

  1: Q switch pulse laser light source, 1a: output mirror, 1b: high reflection mirror, 1c: Q switch, 2: pulse laser beam, 3: endoscope and endoscope medical instrument, 4: XY scanner, 5: X-axis scanner, 5a: X-axis scan mirror, 6: Y-axis scanner, 6a: Y-axis scan mirror, 7: fθ lens, 8: controller, 9: setting unit, 10: endoscope, 11: insertion unit, 12 : Operation part, 13: connector part, 14: operation part-connector part connection pipe, 11a: tip part, 11b: bending part, 11c: flexible part, 15-20: display part.

Claims (29)

In endoscopes and endoscope medical instruments at least partially formed of thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin or rubber,
By having a portion where a colorant / filler is added to the thermoplastic resin, the thermosetting resin or the rubber, and irradiating the portion with YAG or YVO ₄ pulsed laser light having a wavelength of 355 nm, 532 nm or 1064 nm Provided with a display unit for displaying a code including characters and symbols formed by coloring the part,
Endoscope and medical instrument for endoscope characterized by the above.   The endoscope and medical treatment for endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the colorant / filler includes at least one of carbon black, calcium carbonate, black iron oxide, titanium black, or titanium dioxide. Instruments.   The endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is formed in an insertion unit, an operation unit, and a connector unit in the endoscope main body.   The endoscope and the medical treatment for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the display section is formed with a hatching interval of 1 to 80 µm when the portion is repeatedly irradiated while scanning the pulse laser beam. Instruments.   The internal display according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is formed by irradiating the part with a spot diameter of the pulse laser light of 5 to 100 μm when the part is irradiated with the pulsed laser light. Medical instruments for mirrors and endoscopes.   The endoscope and the medical instrument for an endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the spot diameter of the pulsed laser light is set to 40 μm or less and irradiated to the part. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is formed by irradiating the part with a peak output of the pulse laser beam of 0.1 to 100 kW and an average output of 0.1 to 50 W. And medical instruments for endoscopes.   The endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is formed by irradiating the part with a pulse width of the pulsed laser light of 0.1 to 200 ns.   The endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscope according to claim 8, wherein the pulse laser beam is formed by irradiating the site with a pulse width of 10 ns or less.   The endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is formed by irradiating the part with the pulsed laser beam having a pulse frequency of 0.1 to 100 kHz by a Q switch. .   2. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is formed by irradiating the part with the scan speed of 1 to 3000 mm / sec when irradiating the part while scanning the pulse laser beam. Endoscope and endoscope medical instrument.   In the case where the display unit is based on a portion where a colorant / filler is added to the thermoplastic resin, the thermosetting resin, or the rubber, the portion is colored by irradiating the base and the pulse laser beam. The endoscope and the medical instrument for an endoscope according to claim 1, having a contrast of 3 or more.   The display portion is colored by irradiating the base with the pulsed laser light when the thermoplastic resin, the thermosetting resin, or the rubber is added with the colorant / filler to the base. The endoscope and the medical instrument for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the part has a lightness of 60 or more, a hue of -2 to +2, and a saturation of -10 to +10. In endoscopes and endoscope medical instruments at least partially formed of thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin or rubber,
It has a portion where carbon black is added to the thermoplastic resin, the thermosetting resin or the rubber, and is formed by irradiating the portion with a YVO ₄ pulsed laser beam having a wavelength of 532 nm. With a display unit that displays characters and symbols including symbols,
Endoscope and medical instrument for endoscope characterized by the above. In endoscopes and endoscope medical instruments at least partially formed of thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin or rubber,
It has a portion where carbon black is added to the thermoplastic resin, the thermosetting resin, or the rubber, and is formed by irradiating the portion with a YVO ₄ pulsed laser beam having a wavelength of 355 nm. With a display unit that displays characters and symbols including symbols,
Endoscope and medical instrument for endoscope characterized by the above. In the display method of the endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscope, at least a part of which is formed of a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or rubber,
The thermoplastic resin, and adding a colorant or filler in the thermosetting resin or the rubber, the wavelength at a site by adding the colorant or filler 355 nm, a pulsed laser beam of 532nm or 1064 nm YAG or YVO ₄ of Displaying a sign including characters and symbols formed by coloring the part by irradiation,
An endoscope and a medical instrument display method characterized by the above.   The endoscope and medical treatment for endoscope according to claim 16, wherein the colorant / filler has at least one of carbon black, calcium carbonate, black iron oxide, titanium black, or titanium dioxide. How to display the instrument.   The endoscope and the medical instrument display method according to claim 16, wherein the code including the character and the symbol is displayed on an insertion portion, an operation portion, and a connector portion in the endoscope main body. .   17. The display method for an endoscope and an endoscope medical instrument according to claim 16, wherein a hatching interval when irradiating the part repeatedly while scanning the pulse laser beam is set to 1 to 80 [mu] m.   The endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscope according to claim 19, wherein a spot diameter of the pulsed laser light when the pulsed laser light is irradiated onto the part is set to 5 to 100 µm and the part is irradiated. Display method.   21. The display method of an endoscope and a medical instrument for an endoscope according to claim 20, wherein the spot diameter of the pulse laser beam is 40 μm or less.   The peak output of the pulse laser beam is 0.1 to 100 kW, and the average output is 0.1 to 50 W. The endoscope and the medical instrument display method according to claim 16.   17. The display method of an endoscope and a medical instrument for an endoscope according to claim 16, wherein a pulse width of the pulse laser beam is set to 0.1 to 200 ns.   The display method of an endoscope and a medical instrument for an endoscope according to claim 23, wherein a pulse width of the pulse laser beam is 10 ns or less.   17. The endoscope and the medical instrument display method according to claim 16, wherein the part is irradiated as the pulse laser beam having a pulse frequency of 0.1 to 100 kHz by a Q switch.   17. The display method of an endoscope and an endoscope medical instrument according to claim 16, wherein the scan speed when irradiating the part while scanning with the pulsed laser light is 1 to 3000 mm / sec.   When the portion where the colorant / filler is added to the thermoplastic resin, the thermosetting resin, or the rubber is used as a base, the portion that is colored by irradiating the base with the pulsed laser light is 60 17. The endoscope and the medical instrument display method according to claim 16, wherein the display device has the lightness, the hue of -2 to +2, and the saturation of -10 to +10. In the display method of the endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscope, at least a part of which is formed of a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or rubber,
The part by adding a colorant / filler to the thermoplastic resin, the thermosetting resin or the rubber, and irradiating the part where the colorant / filler is added with a YVO ₄ pulsed laser beam having a wavelength of 532 nm. Display the code including characters and symbols formed by coloring
An endoscope and a medical instrument display method characterized by the above. In the display method of the endoscope and the medical instrument for endoscope, at least a part of which is formed of a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or rubber,
By adding a colorant / filler to the thermoplastic resin, the thermosetting resin, or the rubber, the portion where the colorant / filler is added is irradiated with a pulsed laser beam of YVO ₄ having a wavelength of 355 nm. Display the code including characters and symbols formed by coloring
An endoscope and a medical instrument display method characterized by the above.

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