JP3652138B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope that is subjected to disinfection and sterilization after use.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, by inserting a long and thin insertion portion into a body cavity, the inside of a body cavity can be observed, and various medical treatments can be performed using a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument channel as necessary. Endoscopes are widely used. Also in the industrial field, industrial endoscopes that can observe and inspect internal scratches and corrosion of boilers, turbines, engines, chemical plants, and the like are widely used.
[0003]
In particular, medical endoscopes perform various treatments and treatments by inserting an insertion portion into a body cavity to observe an organ or the like or using a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument channel of an endoscope. . For this reason, when an endoscope that has been used once is reused for another patient, it is necessary to prevent infection between patients via the endoscope. Therefore, the endoscope is sterilized and sterilized after completion of the examination and treatment.
[0004]
Disinfection and sterilization methods include disinfection solution, ethylene oxide gas, formalin gas, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, ozone, and autoclave, which is sterilization using high-temperature and high-pressure steam. Ethylene oxide gas has been widely used worldwide. However, since ethylene oxide (ethylene oxide) is a toxic substance, regulations are becoming stronger and decreasing in each country. In addition, disinfecting liquids are currently predominantly glutaral preparations, but have problems of irritation, residual toxicity, and difficulty in handling.
[0005]
Against this background, in recent years, new drugs (peracetic acid-based drugs, hydrogen peroxide-based drugs, etc.) that replace ethylene oxide gas and glutaral preparations and other new disinfection sterilization methods have been developed. However, many of them have the problem of causing greater damage to instruments that are sterilized than ever before. Autoclaves that sterilize with high-temperature and high-pressure steam are widely used worldwide, and have many advantages such as high sterilization reliability, no residual toxicity, and low running costs. However, there is a problem that the damage given to the medical device is very large.
[0006]
The flexible insertion portion of the endoscope and the outer skin of the universal cord are generally made of a resin such as polyurethane resin or polyester resin, and the outermost layer is provided with a chemical resistant coating layer. This coating layer is generally formed of a urethane resin.
[0007]
However, endoscopes in which the coating layer is made of urethane resin have a problem in that the coating layer and the resin layer below it deteriorate when disinfecting with drugs such as peracetic acid-based drugs and hydrogen peroxide-based drugs. It was.
[0008]
Therefore, as a solution to this problem, for example, in JP-A-8-238308, a coating layer formed by applying and curing a coating agent containing an aliphatic prepolymer is proposed, and in JP-A-9-140669, A coating layer formed by chemical vapor deposition of polyparaxylene resin has been proposed.
In addition, an index for knowing the insertion depth is provided on the flexible insertion portion of the flexible endoscope. For example, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-36164, a conventional insertion portion is generally provided with a urethane resin index on the outer shell of polyurethane resin or polyester resin and coated with urethane resin thereon. .
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, none of the conventional coating layers proposed in JP-A-8-238308 and JP-A-9-140669 can withstand the main disinfection and sterilization treatment including autoclave.
Further, when autoclave sterilization is performed, the urethane resin does not have water resistance and heat resistance, so that there is a problem that the flexible tube is remarkably deteriorated and the index is also deteriorated and cannot be identified.
[0010]
This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, and makes it a subject to provide the endoscope which can endure main disinfection sterilization processes including an autoclave.
Furthermore, this invention makes it a subject to provide the endoscope which has the parameter | index of the insertion part which can endure high temperature, high humidity at the time of performing an autoclave.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The endoscope according to the present invention includes a spiral tube, a mesh tube formed on the outer periphery of the spiral tube, the outer skin formed on the outer periphery of the braid tube, a sequentially stacked flexible tube constructed in In the endoscope, a silica coating layer converted from perhydropolysilazane is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the spiral tube and an outer peripheral surface of the outer skin .
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
First, an example serving as a reference for the present embodiment will be described prior to the description of the embodiment of the present invention.
1 and 2 are views showing a reference example (first reference example) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the entire configuration of the endoscope. FIG. 2 is a flexible tube. It is a figure which shows the partial cross section of a curved part.
[0014]
(Constitution)
As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 mainly includes an operation unit main body 2 that also serves as a gripping unit, an insertion unit 3 for insertion into an observation target, and a universal cord 4 for connection with an external device.
[0015]
The insertion portion 3 is configured by sequentially connecting a flexible flexible tube 5, a bendable bending portion 6, and a distal end constituting portion 7 located at the distal end of the insertion portion 3 in order from the operation portion main body 2 side. .
[0016]
The bending portion 6 can be remotely operated so as to bend in a desired direction by a bending operation knob 8 provided in the operation portion main body 2.
[0017]
A connector 9 connected to a light source device (not shown) is provided at the end of the universal cord 4.
[0018]
The structure of the flexible tube 5 and the bending part 6 is demonstrated using FIG.
[0019]
The flexible tube 5 includes a spiral tube 10 formed of stainless steel, a mesh tube 11 formed of stainless steel on the outer periphery of the spiral tube 10, and a flexible tube formed of polyester resin, polyamide resin, or the like on the outer periphery of the mesh tube 11. The outer skin 12, a colored indicator 13 made of a metal such as a fluororesin, a polyester resin, a polyamide resin, or aluminum on the outer periphery of the outer skin 12, and a silica coating layer 14 formed by converting perhydropolysilazane on the outer periphery of the outer skin 12 and the indicator 13 Are sequentially laminated.
[0020]
In the present specification, the index refers to, for example, an index written on the insertion portion 3 for knowing the insertion depth of the insertion portion 3.
[0021]
The bending portion 6 has a plurality of bending pieces 15 connected in a freely bending manner, and the bending piece 15 at the rearmost end is connected to the distal end side of the flexible tube 5 via a connecting tube 16.
[0022]
A mesh tube 17 made of stainless steel is provided on the outer periphery of the bending piece 15, and a curve rubber 18 made of fluorine rubber, EPDM or the like is provided on the outer periphery of the mesh tube 17.
[0023]
The outer circumferences of the front and rear ends of the curved rubber 18 are bound by a binding thread 19, and an adhesive 20 is applied and fixed on the binding thread 19.
[0024]
The silica coating layer 14 is provided so as to cover up to the front end side of the adhesive 20 after the adhesive 20 is dried.
[0025]
Perhydropolysilazane is an inorganic polymer that is soluble in organic solvents. When it is fired at high temperature in an inert atmosphere, it is converted to amorphous silicon nitride ceramics after thermosetting shrinkage associated with the dehydrogenation reaction. is there. When the organic solvent solution of this polymer is used as a coating solution and baked in the atmosphere, it reacts with moisture and oxygen to obtain a silica (amorphous SiO ₂ ) film. The silica coating layer 14 is formed of this silica film.
[0026]
The ceramization can be performed at a temperature of 100 ° C. or less by a humidification process, and since it can be processed at room temperature by another method called a gas phase contact method, it can also be processed to a polyester resin or a polyamide resin. That is, the silica coating layer 14 formed of a silica film can be provided on the outer skin 12.
[0027]
The silica coating layer 14 can be coated by dip coating or spray coating.
[0028]
The silica film forming the silica coating layer 14 has excellent gas barrier properties, chemical resistance and heat resistance equivalent to quartz glass, insulation properties, scratch resistance, antifouling properties, and smoothness.
[0029]
Although not shown, the exterior of the flexible universal cord 4 has the same structure as the exterior of the flexible tube 5.
[0030]
(Action / Effect)
The operation and effect of this reference example are as follows.
[0031]
When the endoscope 1 is used for inspection and then cleaned, disinfected or sterilized, the resin of the flexible tube 5 that is most likely to deteriorate when immersed in a strong oxidizing chemical such as a peracetic acid-based chemical or a hydrogen peroxide-based chemical. Since the outer skin 12 formed by (1) is protected by the silica coating layer 14 formed of a silica film, the outer skin 12 can be prevented from deteriorating.
[0032]
Further, when subjected to autoclaving, the silica film forming the silica coating layer 14 has excellent gas barrier properties and heat resistance, so that the outer skin 12 can be prevented from being degraded by hydrolysis or the like.
[0033]
That is, the flexible tube 5 can withstand main disinfection and sterilization processes including an autoclave.
[0034]
In addition, since the index 13 has heat resistance and water resistance, deterioration due to autoclave can be prevented.
[0035]
Further, the electrical insulation, scratch resistance, antifouling property and smoothness of the flexible tube 5 are improved.
[0036]
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a partial cross section of the flexible tube and the bending portion according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0037]
Note that the configuration and operation of the parts not described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first reference example .
[0038]
(Constitution)
As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the silica coating layer 14 converted from perhydropolysilazane is provided not only on the outer surface of the flexible tube 5 but also on the inner surface.
[0039]
(Action / Effect)
In the present embodiment, the same operation and effect as the first reference example can be obtained. In addition, the following actions and effects can be obtained.
[0040]
When the endoscope 1 is sterilized by an autoclave, there is a process of making the inside of the chamber have a negative pressure before steaming. Since the endoscope is generally waterproof, the internal pressure of the endoscope 1 is relatively higher than the external pressure. In some cases, the curved rubber 18 may be ruptured. In order to prevent this, there is a case where the inside and outside of the endoscope 1 are communicated with a vent hole (not shown) provided in the endoscope 1 when the autoclave is applied. In this case, in general, water vapor enters the endoscope 1 and deteriorates not only outside but also inside the outer skin 12 of the flexible tube 5, but in this embodiment, a silica coating layer formed of a silica film is used. 14 protects the inner surface of the flexible tube 5 and prevents the flexible tube 5 from deteriorating.
[0041]
The silica coating layer 14 may be provided on the inner surface of the flexible tube 5 after assembling the spiral tube 10, the mesh tube 11, and the outer skin 12, or after the silica coating layer 14 is provided on the inner surface and the outer surface of the outer skin 12 in advance. The spiral tube 10 and the mesh tube 11 may be assembled. Alternatively, after the outer skin 12 and the mesh tube 11 are assembled, the silica coating layer 14 may be provided on the inner and outer surfaces, and then the spiral tube 10 may be assembled. The same effect can be obtained when assembled in any order.
[0042]
FIG. 4 is a view showing another reference example (second reference example) according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a partial cross section of the flexible tube and the bending portion.
[0043]
Note that the configuration and operation of a site not described in this second reference example is similar to the first reference example described above.
[0044]
(Constitution)
In the second reference example , not only the flexible tube 5 but also the entire surface of the endoscope 1 is provided with a silica coating layer 14.
[0045]
FIG. 4 illustrates the flexible tube 5 and the curved portion 6 of the endoscope 1 with the silica coating layer 14 provided on the surface, but the silica coating layer 14 is similarly provided in other portions. ing.
[0046]
After the curved rubber 18 is bonded to the connecting tube 16 and the mesh tube 11 of the flexible tube 5, the curved rubber 18 is fastened and fixed by a heat-shrinkable tube 21 formed of a fluororesin instead of a binding thread. At this time, the end portion of the outer skin 12 of the flexible tube 5 is also fastened and fixed by the heat shrinkable tube 21.
[0047]
When the autoclave is applied, the resin-made outer skin such as the curved rubber 18 and the outer skin 12 tends to start to deteriorate from the outer edge, but the heat shrinkable tube 21 provided to cover the outer edge of the present embodiment. Since it is a fluororesin, it is difficult for water vapor to pass therethrough, and in combination with the gas barrier effect of the silica coating 14, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the outer end of the skin.
[0048]
Even if the silica coating layer 14 is provided on the surface of a lens such as an objective lens (not shown), an illumination lens (not shown), or an eyepiece lens (not shown), the visible light transmittance and refractive index are equivalent to those of quartz glass. Does not deteriorate.
[0049]
(Action / Effect)
In the second reference example , the same operation and effect as the first reference example described above can be obtained. In addition, the following actions and effects can be obtained.
[0050]
Since the silica coating layer 14 is provided on the entire surface of the endoscope 1, not only the insertion portion 3 but also the entire endoscope 1, for example, the resin, lens, adhesive, metal, and the like of the operation portion main body 2 are resistant to autoclave. Chemical properties, electrical insulation, antifouling properties, etc. can be improved.
[0051]
Further, when the endoscope 1 in a watertight state is subjected to autoclaving, due to the gas barrier property of the silica coating layer 14, water vapor flows from a component joint such as a joint between the flexible tube 5 and the curved portion 6 into the endoscope 1. Intrusion can be prevented and deterioration of the internal structure of the endoscope 1 can be prevented. When the watertight endoscope 1 is applied to an autoclave, the bending rubber 18 is attached with a cap for preventing the bending of the bending rubber 18 so that the bending rubber 18 does not rupture due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the endoscope 1 described above. Alternatively, it is performed after attaching an endoscope 1 internal pressure adjusting valve to the endoscope 1.
[0052]
Further, when the inside and outside of the endoscope 1 are communicated to be applied to the autoclave in order to prevent the curved rubber 18 from bursting, the silica coating layer 14 may be applied not only to the outer surface but also to the inner surface. As a result, even if a large amount of water vapor enters the endoscope 1, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the components.
[0053]
Moreover, the tolerance with respect to main disinfection sterilization processes including the autoclave of the endoscope 1 whole improves.
[0054]
Further, the electrical insulation, scratch resistance, antifouling property and smoothness of the endoscope 1 as a whole are improved.
[0055]
Further, since the silica coating layer 14 itself has gas barrier properties, electrical insulation properties, scratch resistance, antifouling properties, and smoothness, the range of selection of the base material to be coated is expanded.
[0056]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0057]
For example, the endoscope 1 is not limited to a fiberscope, and may be a flexible videoscope or a rigid endoscope.
[0058]
[Appendix]
(Additional item 1)
A silica coating layer converted from perhydropolysilazane provided on at least the outer surface;
An endoscope characterized by comprising:
[0059]
(Appendix 2)
The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein
Having a flexible tube,
The silica coating layer was provided on at least the outer surface of the flexible tube.
[0060]
(Additional Item 3)
The endoscope according to appendix 2, wherein
The silica coating layer was provided on the inner surface of the flexible tube.
[0061]
(Appendix 4)
The endoscope according to appendix 2 to appendix 3, wherein
The flexible tube includes an insertion portion for insertion into an observation target.
[0062]
(Appendix 5)
The endoscope according to appendix 2 to appendix 3, wherein
The flexible tube includes a universal cord for connecting to an external device.
[0063]
(Appendix 6)
An endoscope having a flexible insertion portion,
An outer skin of the insertion portion formed of resin;
An index of heat and moisture resistance provided on the outer skin of the insertion part;
A silica coating layer converted from perhydropolysilazane provided on the indicator;
An endoscope characterized by comprising:
[0064]
(Appendix 7)
The endoscope according to appendix 6, wherein
The indicator is formed of a fluororesin.
[0065]
(Appendix 8)
The endoscope according to appendix 6, wherein
The indicator is formed of a polyester resin.
[0066]
(Appendix 9)
The endoscope according to appendix 6, wherein
The indicator is formed of a polyamide resin.
[0067]
(Appendix 10)
The endoscope according to appendix 6, wherein
The indicator is made of metal.
[0068]
(Prior art and issues related to Supplementary Item 6)
The flexible insertion portion of the flexible endoscope is provided with an index for knowing the insertion depth. For example, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-36164, the conventional insertion portion is generally provided with a urethane resin index on the outer shell of polyurethane resin or polyester resin, and coated with urethane resin thereon. .
[0069]
However, when autoclave sterilization is performed, the urethane resin does not have water resistance and heat resistance, so that there has been a problem that the flexible tube is remarkably deteriorated and the index is also deteriorated and cannot be identified.
[0070]
Additional Item 6 has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope having an index of an insertion portion that can withstand high temperature and high humidity when autoclaving.
[0071]
(Supplementary action pertaining to supplementary item 6)
In Additional Item 6, heat resistance and water resistance are imparted to the indicator provided in the flexible insertion portion so that the indicator does not deteriorate even when autoclaved.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, not only the outer surface of the flexible tube of the endoscope but also the inner surface is covered with the silica coating layer. Can be prevented from deteriorating. That is, when the endoscope is sterilized with an autoclave, it is possible to prevent water vapor from entering the endoscope and deteriorating not only the outer side but also the inner side of the flexible tube .
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 and FIG. 2 relate to a first reference example of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the overall configuration of an endoscope. FIG. 2 is a view showing a partial cross section of a flexible tube and a bending portion. relates to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG relates to a second reference example of FIG. 4 shows the present invention showing a partial cross section of the flexible tube and the curved portion, a partial section of the flexible tube and the curved portion Figure [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Operation part main body 3 ... Insertion part 4 ... Universal cord 5 ... Flexible pipe 6 ... Bending part 7 ... Tip structure part 8 ... Bending operation knob 9 ... Connector 10 ... Spiral pipe 11 ... Reticulated pipe 12 ... Skin 13 ... Indicator 14 ... Silica coating layer 15 ... Bending piece 16 ... Connecting pipe 17 ... Reticulated pipe 18 ... Bending rubber 19 ... Binding thread 20 ... Adhesive 21 ... Heat shrinkable tube

Claims (1)

A spiral tube ,
A mesh tube formed on the outer periphery of the spiral tube ;
An outer skin formed on the outer periphery of the mesh tube ;
In an endoscope having a flexible tube configured by sequentially laminating
An endoscope comprising a silica coating layer formed by conversion from perhydropolysilazane on an inner peripheral surface of the spiral tube and an outer peripheral surface of the outer skin .

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