JP3389793B2 - Endoscope treatment tool insertion tube and inner surface treatment method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a treatment instrument insertion tube for an endoscope used as a treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting a treatment instrument such as forceps in an endoscope used for medical purposes and the inner surface thereof. It relates to a processing method .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope used for medical purposes has a main body operating section connected to an insertion section into a body cavity or the like, and an observation mechanism is attached to the distal end of the insertion section. It is designed to observe the inside of the body cavity. When an affected area is found, a treatment tool such as forceps or a high-frequency treatment tool is used in order to remove the affected area, sample the tissue cells, stop the bleeding area, and inject an injection solution. A treatment instrument insertion channel for insertion is provided. The treatment instrument insertion channel extends from the treatment instrument introduction portion provided in the main body operation portion over the entire length of the insertion portion, and is connected to a treatment instrument insertion passage opening at the tip of the insertion portion near the site where the observation mechanism is provided.

Since the insertion portion bends in an arbitrary direction along the insertion path in the body cavity, the treatment instrument insertion channel inserted in the insertion portion must have a flexible structure. However, because the observation mechanism is provided at the tip of the insertion part, it becomes a hard tip part composed of a hard member,
An angle portion for connecting the distal end hard portion in a desired direction is continuously provided. Therefore, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the connecting portion between the hard tip portion and the angle portion.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a hard tip portion, 2 denotes an angle portion, respectively, and the hard tip portion 1 is provided with an illuminating portion facing the tip of the light guide, although not shown.
The observation unit 3 is provided for observing the inside of the body cavity under the illumination light emitted from the illumination unit. An objective lens unit 4 faces the observing section 3, and a prism 5 is fixed in a joined state on the image forming side of the objective lens unit 4, and a solid-state image pickup means 6 is attached to the prism 5. The solid-state image pickup means 6 is mounted on a circuit board 7, and a cable 8 is connected to the circuit board 7.

A treatment instrument insertion passage 9 is formed in the distal end hard portion 1, and one end side of a connecting pipe 10 is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion passage 9. The connection pipe 10 extends to the angle portion 2 side, and the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 is fitted and fixed to the connection pipe 10. Therefore, the treatment instrument insertion passage 9, the connection pipe 10, the treatment instrument insertion tube 1
1 forms a treatment instrument insertion channel, and the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 extends from inside the insertion portion to the main body operation portion.

Here, the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 must have flexibility so that when the insertion portion bends, the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 bends following the bending. In particular, since the curved portion of the insertion portion can be curved with an extremely small radius of curvature, it can be easily bent at least in the curved portion of the treatment instrument insertion tube 11.
Moreover, when the bending is released, it must be restored reliably. Further, since the treatment tool is inserted into the inside, at least the inner surface must be slippery in order to smoothly guide the treatment tool. Further, since the endoscope is, by its nature, washed every time it is used, it must be chemically resistant. Therefore, the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 is required to have airtightness, watertightness, flexibility, kink resistance, shape retention, slipperiness, chemical resistance, cleaning / disinfection properties, and the like.

From the above, the treatment instrument insertion tube 11
As the above, the structure shown in FIG. 4 is particularly preferably used. That is, the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 has a roughly three-layer structure. First, the inner layer 12 is a fluororesin layer and the intermediate layer 13 is a net as a reinforcing layer. The net is, for example, a hard stainless fiber or an amorphous metal. It is composed by braiding hard metal fibers having elasticity such as fibers and tungsten fibers. Further, the outer layer 14 is a urethane resin layer as a thermoplastic resin. Actually, the urethane resin forming the outer layer 14 is formed so as to be impregnated in the net as the intermediate layer, and there is no clear boundary between these two layers.

The inner layer 12 is made of a fluororesin, and the inner layer 12 is for improving the slippage of the inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube 11. Therefore, by making the thickness relatively thin, It prevents the hardness from increasing. Then, in consideration of cleanability and the like, in order to make the surface extremely smooth and to reduce the friction coefficient, it is made non-porous. Further, the intermediate layer 13 is for exhibiting a sufficient shape retaining ability even when the bending operation is performed in the angle portion 2 with the maximum curvature. The outer layer 14 covers the intermediate layer 13, and the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 is curved so as not to resist the expansion and contraction of the net forming the intermediate layer 13 and to prevent distortion or the like from occurring. Among the resins, particularly soft polyurethane and the like are suitable.

[0009]

By the way, the distal end of the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 is connected to the connecting pipe 10, but this connecting portion must be firmly connected and fixed. If this connecting portion is loose, not only airtight leakage will occur, but also the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 will separate from the connecting pipe 10. In particular, when the bending operation is performed so that the angle portion 2 has the maximum angle angle, the treatment instrument insertion tube 1
Since a large pulling force acts on 1, the treatment tool insertion tube 11 and the connection pipe 10 are easily separated unless they are completely connected.

In order to make the passage of the treatment tool smoothly, it is necessary to prevent the inner surface from having a step as much as possible.
Therefore, the treatment instrument insertion tube is connected to the connection pipe by fitting the treatment instrument insertion tube into the connection pipe. Therefore, in the case of the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 having the above-described configuration, the fitting portion to the connecting pipe 10 is the inner layer 12 which is smooth and has a small friction coefficient. The treatment tool insertion tube 11 is generally fixed to the connecting pipe 10 by using an adhesive, but the inner layer 12 is not well compatible with the adhesive and cannot maintain sufficient adhesive strength. .
As a result, there is less room for selection of an adhesive for fixing the treatment instrument insertion tube 11, and the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 due to poor adhesion will not be removed unless strict control such as application amount control at the time of adhesion is performed. There is a possibility that the connection pipe 10 may fall off.

For this reason, there is known a device in which the treatment instrument insertion tube is mechanically fixed to the connecting pipe. As an example, there is a structure in which a locking ring is used, and a claw that bites into the treatment instrument insertion tube when a force is applied to the peripheral body portion of the ring in the direction in which the treatment instrument insertion tube is pulled out is provided. . If such a configuration is adopted, the strength of the connecting portion of the treatment instrument insertion tube to the connection pipe is significantly increased, but if a locking ring is further fitted to the outer periphery of the treatment instrument insertion tube, the treatment as a whole is treated. The outer diameter of the tool insertion channel becomes large. In addition, if the treatment instrument insertion tube is fixed more firmly than necessary and it is in a state in which it cannot be separated, when the treatment instrument insertion tube is damaged such as buckling, the repair or replacement of the treatment instrument insertion tube will be hindered. There is also a risk of coming.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to connect a treatment instrument insertion tube made of a fluororesin layer having a smooth inner surface and a small friction coefficient with an adhesive. It is to be able to fix it firmly to the pipe.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a treatment tool insertion tube for an endoscope according to the present invention is provided.
The structure consists of a multilayer flexible tube with an inner layer made of fluororesin and an outer layer made of urethane resin, with a passageway for inserting a treatment instrument formed inside, and the tip attached to the body of the endoscope insertion section. The flexible tube is connected by fitting it to the inner surface of the flexible pipe from the tip portion of the fitting portion to the connecting pipe to the fitting portion to the connecting pipe. Etch over no range
Ru provided activated active surface against the adhesive by ring
On the other hand, by masking the outer surface of the flexible tube and
The tip surface is characterized in that it is not activated . The inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube is treated with fluororesin for the inner layer and urethane resin for the outer layer.
Made of multi-layer flexible tube made of
The tip of the treatment instrument insertion tube in which a passage for inserting the instrument is formed
Connect the end to the connecting pipe attached to the body of the endoscope insertion part.
When fitting and adhering, the inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube
In order to improve the adhesive strength between the
A surface treatment method that activates the inner surface of the fixture insertion tube.
The outer surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube on the distal end side and the distal end surface
And mask to the specified position on the inner surface of the tip side.
Of the masking area on the inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube
Do not exceed the length of the fitting part from the end position to the connecting pipe.
The inner surface is bonded by immersing it in the etching solution over a wide range
No active surface for the drug
The inner surface of the masked part may be cut off and removed.
And are its characteristics.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, since the configuration other than the treatment instrument insertion tube is substantially the same as that of the above-mentioned conventional technique, in the following description, the same or equivalent components as those of the conventional technique are designated by the same reference numerals. The detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, in FIG. 1, 20 is a treatment instrument insertion tube, and this treatment instrument insertion tube 20 is the inner layer 2
No. 1 is a non-porous fluororesin layer having a smooth and small friction coefficient. Further, the intermediate layer 22 is a reinforcing layer made of a net, the outer layer 23 covers the intermediate layer 22 so as not to be exposed to the outside, and when the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 is bent, the intermediate layer 22 made of a net can smoothly expand and contract. For this purpose, it is made of urethane resin, for example, soft polyurethane. Then, the distal end portion of the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 is fitted into the connecting pipe 10 so that they are connected to each other. With respect to the above points, the configuration is substantially the same as that of the conventional treatment instrument insertion tube 11.

Therefore, the inner layer 2 of the treatment instrument insertion tube 20
Most of the portion of the fitting portion 1 fitted to the connecting pipe 10 is subjected to an etching treatment to form an active group for the adhesive, thereby forming an active surface R activated for the adhesive. Here, the active surface R is formed only on the inner surface of the inner layer 21 that constitutes the treatment instrument insertion tube 20, and the end surface portion of the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 as well as the outer layer 23 is not treated. Moreover, in the inner layer 21 as well, the active surface R does not extend to a position beyond the fitting portion to the connecting pipe 10.

By thus forming the active surface R against the adhesive on the treatment instrument insertion tube 20, the adhesive 24 is interposed between the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 and the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 and the connecting pipe 10 is fitted. Since the adhesive force between the adhesive 24 and the active surface R of the inner layer 21 is exerted by a chemical bond such as hydrogen bond, the adhesive strength is dramatically improved. Therefore, the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 is firmly fixed to the connection pipe 10, and even if a strong pulling force acts on the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 by bending the angle portion 2, the adhesive layer does not peel off. The treatment instrument insertion tube 20 is prevented from coming off the connection pipe 10.

Therefore, the active surface R for the adhesive will be described below.
A method of forming the will be described. In order to form the active surface R, an etching process is performed on the inner surface of the inner layer 21, and as an example of this etching process, a process called a tetra-etching process is preferably used. In this tetra-etching process, a solution obtained by dissolving sodium naphthalene as an active substance in dimethyl ether is used as an etching solution, and sodium is liberated in the etching solution.
When polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example, is immersed as the fluororesin, sodium that has been liberated and activated in the etching solution reacts with fluorine to generate free radicals on the fluororesin side. Then, after pulling this fluororesin from the etching solution, after performing alcohol cleaning and water cleaning, when brought into contact with air, free radicals react with moisture in the air or organic fatty acids floating in the air,
The fluorine on the surface of the fluororesin is in a state of being replaced with an active group for the adhesive such as a hydroxyl group. The active surface R in which the portion thus substituted by the active group has activity for the adhesive
Becomes

That is, the reaction process in this tetra-etch process is as shown in Chemical formula 1.

[0020]

[Chemical 1]

As described above, the active surface R in which fluorine is substituted with an active group such as a hydroxyl group is in a state where the hydroxyl group is chemically bonded, such as hydrogen bonded to the adhesive. This results in extremely high adhesion. However, when fluorine is replaced with an active group, the smoothness that the inner layer 21 originally has is lost, and slippage becomes worse.
Is exposed at the portion of the passage through which the treatment instrument is inserted, the insertion property of the treatment instrument deteriorates. Therefore, the active surface R needs to be limitedly formed in the fitting portion of the connecting pipe 10 that does not function as the passage of the treatment tool. In addition, the treatment instrument insertion tube 2
Since 0 is a multi-layer structure and the outer layer 23 is made of urethane resin, if the etching liquid adheres to the urethane resin, the urethane resin will be destroyed. Then, since the net of the intermediate layer 22 made of the metal braid is exposed to the outside, the function of protecting other insertion members is lost. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the etching liquid from coming into contact with the outer layer 23 during the etching of the fluororesin.

From the above, the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is used as the etching apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 30 denotes an etching tank, and an etching solution in which sodium naphthalene is dissolved in dimethyl ether is stored in the etching tank 30. Reference numeral 31 is a flexible tube that constitutes the treatment instrument insertion tube 20, and the flexible tube 31 is not immersed in the etching solution as it is, but only a part of the inner surface comes into contact with the etching solution by the masking member 32. The outer surface and the tip surface are masked so as not to come into contact with the etching solution.

The masking member 32 is the flexible tube 3
1. A cylindrical body 33 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of 1 and a plug body 35 screwed into the bottom of the cylindrical body 33. A seal member 36 is interposed between the inner surface of the cylindrical body 33 and the plug body 35. To be done. The plug 35 has a communication hole 37 formed therein, and an annular protrusion 38 is provided on the upper end surface thereof. The outer diameter of the protrusion 38 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the flexible tube 31, so that the flexible tube 31 is fitted into the protrusion 38 in a substantially close-fitting state. It has become so.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the flexible tube 31 is attached to the masking member 32 and immersed in the etching solution in the etching bath 30, the inside of the flexible tube 31 contains the etching solution. However, an annular space is formed between the flexible tube 31 and the cylindrical body 33, and the etching liquid does not enter this space. Therefore, the etching liquid does not adhere to the outer surface of the flexible tube 31. Further, the portion where the active surface R is formed by etching is limited to a predetermined length in the axial direction, that is, a portion fitted into the connecting pipe 10 when the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 is formed.
This can be adjusted by the immersion depth of the flexible tube 31 in the etching bath 30. Therefore,
In order to be able to adjust the immersion depth accurately, it is preferable to form a marking for indicating the immersion depth on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 33 of the masking member 32. This marking is preferably formed in a band shape on the outer surface of the masking member 32, for example, at the portion indicated by the width B in FIG.

After the cleaning process of washing away the etching solution as a post-process of the etching process, the flexible tube 31
Is separated from the masking member 32. Here, the portion fitted to the protruding portion 38 on the distal end side of the flexible tube 31, that is, the portion having the interval D in FIG. 2 is not etched. Therefore, at least the portion of the interval D is cut and removed. Then, the site where the fluorine resin constituting the inner layer 21 is subjected to the etching treatment becomes the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 in which fluorine is replaced with an active group such as a hydroxyl group and the active surface R is formed on the distal end side. In addition, the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 is obtained by cutting and removing the above-mentioned portion of the interval D.
Is the state in which only the inner surface of the inner layer 21 is etched, and not only the outer layer 23 made of urethane resin forming the outer surface portion but also the tip surface is not etched.
There is no damage to the urethane resin constituting No. 3.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, the inner layer is flexible.
Bonded to the inner surface of a flexible tube that is a multi-layered body made of fluorine resin and urethane resin as the outer layer within the range from the tip of the fitting part to the connecting pipe to the fitting length of this connecting pipe Since the active surface for the agent is provided, the treatment tool insertion tube made of a fluororesin layer with a smooth inner surface and a small friction coefficient can be firmly fixed to the connecting pipe with an adhesive, and the angle portion can be bent. , Even if a strong pulling force is applied to the treatment instrument insertion channel , there is no risk of disconnection from the connecting pipe , and the outer surface
Also, since the tip surface is not activated, it is used as an outer layer.
It has various effects such that the resin is not destroyed .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a treatment instrument insertion tube according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a connection pipe.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processing device that forms an active surface on a treatment instrument insertion tube.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a connecting portion between the hard tip portion and the angle portion in the insertion portion of the endoscope.

FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory view of a treatment instrument insertion tube according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Tip hard part 2 Angle part 9 Treatment tool passage 10 Connection pipe 20 Treatment tool insertion tube 21 Inner layer 22 Middle class 23 outer layer 24 Adhesive 30 etching tank 32 Masking member R active surface

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) References Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-1630 (JP, A) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-228106 (JP, A) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-185226 (JP, A) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58- 112526 (JP, A) Actual Kaihei 4-47402 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 1/00-1/32

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A multi-layer flexible tube having an inner layer made of fluororesin and an outer layer made of urethane resin, a passage for inserting a treatment instrument is formed therein, and a distal end of the endoscope is a distal end body of the endoscope insertion portion. What is connected by fitting to a mounted connecting pipe, wherein the inner surface of the flexible tube does not exceed the fitting portion to the connecting pipe from the tip portion of the fitting portion to the connecting pipe. while over a range, Ru provided activated active surface against the adhesive by etching, before the masking
Note that the outer surface and tip surface of the flexible tube are activated.
A treatment instrument insertion tube for an endoscope, characterized in that it is not provided. 2. The inner layer is a fluororesin and the outer layer is a urethane resin
Made of multi-layer flexible tube made of
The tip of the treatment instrument insertion tube in which a passage for inserting the instrument is formed
Connect the end to the connecting pipe attached to the body of the endoscope insertion part.
When fitting and adhering, the inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube
In order to improve the adhesive strength between the
A surface treatment method that activates the inner surface of the fixture insertion tube.
The outer surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube on the distal end side and the distal end surface
Also, masking is performed to a specified position on the inner surface of the distal end side, and the masking range on the inner surface of this treatment instrument insertion tube
Exceeding the length of the fitting part from the end position to the connecting pipe
Immerse in the etching solution over the unexposed area and contact the inner surface.
No active surface for adhesive , the inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube is masked
Treatment of the endoscope, which is characterized by cutting and removing the cut portion.
Inner surface treatment method for fixture insertion tube . 3. The inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube is etched.
After contacting the coating solution,
The flushing liquid is washed away, according to claim 2.
A method for treating the inner surface of a treatment instrument insertion tube for an endoscope. 4. The masking is the treatment instrument insertion tube.
A plug member having a communication hole is connected to the tip of the cylinder that covers the outer surface of the sleeve.
And an annular projection having a predetermined length on the plug member.
The treatment instrument insertion tube, which is formed by connecting the outlets.
By fitting to this annular protrusion, the outer surface
And a muskin that extends to a specified position on the tip surface and the tip-side inner surface
The etching solution flowing in through the communication hole.
Characterized by making contact with the inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube
The inner surface treatment of the treatment instrument insertion tube of the endoscope according to claim 2.
Method.