JP4615935B2 - Endoscope flexible tube and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope flexible tube disposed in an endoscope used for medical or industrial use, for example, and a method for manufacturing the same.

  For example, in the endoscope flexible tube disclosed in Patent Document 1, a release agent is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the spiral tube. A mesh tube is disposed on the outer periphery of the spiral tube. A polyester urethane adhesive is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the mesh tube. The outer peripheral surface of the mesh tube is covered with an outer skin made of a synthetic resin material. As described above, the mesh tube and the outer skin are bonded and integrated by the polyester urethane adhesive.

In addition, the endoscope flexible tube disclosed in Patent Document 2 irradiates high frequency from the outside of the outer skin to fix the metallic tube and the resin outer shell by electromagnetic induction in order to fix the metallic tube and the resin outer shell. The outer skin is melted by generating heat to fix the mesh tube and the outer skin.
JP-A 61-46923 JP 2002-209834 A

  The flexible tube mesh tube disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the synthetic resin material outer skin are bonded and integrated by an adhesive of polyester urethane. For this reason, the adhesive force (adhesion) between a reticulated tube and an outer skin can be maintained by use, such as repeatedly bending a flexible tube. However, when a greater force is applied to the flexible tube or the bending frequency is high, the adhesive force between the mesh tube and the outer skin gradually decreases due to use, and a part between the mesh tube and the outer skin is used. May peel off. In this case, if the flexible tube is bent with the peeled portion of the outer skin peeled off from the mesh tube inside, wrinkles may be generated in which the outer skin of the peeled portion further protrudes inside the curved flexible tube.

  Further, since the endoscope flexible tube disclosed in Patent Document 2 uses electromagnetic induction to fix the outer skin and the mesh tube, for example, when the diameter of the flexible tube changes, the heating amount of the mesh tube is controlled. Can be difficult.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to provide a space between the mesh tube and the outer skin even when a large force is applied or repeatedly bent. An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible tube for an endoscope that can prevent a decrease in adhesion and a method for manufacturing the same.

  In order to solve the above problems, the endoscope flexible tube manufacturing method according to the present invention includes a spiral tube in which a strip is spirally wound, and a mesh tube formed by braiding strands or strand bundles. And a step of coating the outer periphery of the mesh tube with a light-transmitting outer resin, and irradiating the mesh tube with laser light from outside the outer resin to heat the mesh tube. And a step of melting the inner peripheral surface of the outer resin and bonding the mesh tube and the outer resin.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the endoscope flexible tube manufacturing method of the present invention is formed by knitting a spiral tube in which a strip is spirally wound and a strand or a strand of strands. A step of sequentially concentrically laminating the mesh tube, a step of impregnating a light-absorbing resin material from the outside of the mesh tube, a step of coating an outer periphery of the mesh tube with a light-transmitting sheath resin, and the sheath resin The light-absorbing resin material is irradiated with laser light from the outside to heat the light-absorbing resin material and melt the light-absorbing resin material to bond the light-absorbing resin material and the outer resin. And a step of bonding the mesh tube and the outer resin.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the endoscope flexible tube manufacturing method of the present invention is formed by knitting a spiral tube in which a strip is spirally wound and a strand or a strand of strands. A step of sequentially concentrically laminating the mesh tube, a step of impregnating a light-absorbing resin material from the outside of the mesh tube, a step of coating an outer periphery of the mesh tube with a light-transmitting sheath resin, and the sheath resin The mesh tube and the light-absorbing resin material are irradiated with laser light from outside to heat the mesh tube and the light-absorbing resin material to at least the inner peripheral surface of the outer resin and the light-absorbing resin material A step of melting one side and bonding the inner peripheral surface of the outer shell resin to the mesh tube and the light-absorbing resin material.

  Even when a large force is applied to the flexible tube or when it is repeatedly bent, the adhesion between the mesh tube and the outer resin is strongly heat-sealed, so that the adhesiveness is prevented from being lowered. Can do. Since only the resin interface inside the outer resin is melted, the outer resin and the mesh tube can be bonded without causing a change in the appearance of the flexible tube.

  Preferably, the method further includes the step of irradiating the laser beam at a plurality of locations from the outside of the outer resin to bond the mesh tube and the outer resin around the entire circumference.

  For this reason, the mesh tube and the inner resin interface of the outer resin are bonded all around.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the endoscope flexible tube of the present invention is formed by braiding strands or strands of strands on the outer periphery of a spiral tube having a strip-like shape, and is heated by heating means. Directly heated mesh tubes are concentrically arranged, the outer peripheral surface of the mesh tube is coated with the outer resin, and the heating tube is heated by the heating means to melt the inner peripheral surface of the outer resin. Ri Na by bonding with the outer sheath resin and the mesh tube Te, the outer sheath resin has optical transparency, the heating means, a laser light irradiated on the mesh tube passes through the outer sheath resin Use .

Even when a large force is applied to the flexible tube or when it is repeatedly bent, the adhesion between the mesh tube and the outer resin is strongly heat-sealed, so that the adhesiveness is prevented from being lowered. Can do. Since only the resin interface inside the outer resin is melted, the outer resin and the mesh tube can be bonded without causing a change in the appearance of the flexible tube. Since the mesh tube is heated by the laser beam and only the inside of the sheath resin is melted, the sheath resin and the mesh tube can be bonded without causing a change in the appearance of the flexible tube .

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the endoscope flexible tube of the present invention is formed by braiding strands or strands of strands on the outer periphery of a spiral tube having a strip-like shape, and is heated by heating means. Directly heated mesh tubes are concentrically arranged, impregnated with resin material from the outside of the mesh tubes, the outer surface of the mesh tube is covered with the outer resin, and the mesh tubes are heated by the heating means. and Ri Na by bonding the inner peripheral surface and the braid tube and the resin material of the outer sheath resin is melted at least one of the resin material and the inner peripheral surface of the outer sheath resin and the outer sheath resin is the light transmission The resin material has light absorptivity, and the heating means uses laser light that passes through the outer resin and irradiates at least one of the mesh tube and the resin material .

Even when a large force is applied to the flexible tube or when it is repeatedly bent, the adhesion between the mesh tube and the outer resin is strongly heat-sealed, so that the adhesiveness is prevented from being lowered. Can do. Since only the inner resin interface of the outer shell resin is melted, the inner peripheral surface of the outer shell resin can be bonded to the mesh tube and the resin material without changing the appearance of the flexible tube. Since at least one of the mesh tube and the resin material is heated by the laser beam and only the resin interface inside the sheath resin is melted, the inner peripheral surface of the sheath resin and the mesh shape are not changed without causing an appearance change of the flexible tube. The tube and the resin material can be heat-welded .

  According to the present invention, even when a large force is applied or repeatedly bent, it is possible to prevent the adhesiveness between the mesh tube and the outer resin from being lowered. A flexible tube and a manufacturing method thereof can be provided.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 10 has an elongated and flexible insertion portion 12, an operation portion 14 provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 12, and the operation portion 14. And a universal cord 16.

  The insertion portion 12 includes a hard distal end portion 22, a curved portion 24 that can be bent and coupled to the distal end portion 22, a distal end portion that is coupled to a proximal end portion of the curved portion 24, and a proximal end portion that is connected to the operation portion 14. Are connected to the flexible tube 26.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the flexible tube 26 includes a spiral tube 32, a mesh tube 34 that covers the outer periphery of the spiral tube 32, and an outer skin 36 that covers the mesh tube 34. The outer skin 36 includes a coat layer 38 on the outer peripheral surface.

  The spiral tube 32 is formed by winding a thin plate made of stainless steel having elasticity in a spiral shape. The spiral tube 32 may be formed by spirally winding two elastic strip thin plates in a different direction in addition to the one formed by spirally winding one elastic strip thin plate. Good. Alternatively, three elastic belt-like thin plates may be spirally formed in different directions and overlapped and wound.

  The outer skin 36 is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer that is excellent in heat resistance and wear resistance and transmits light. As the thermoplastic elastomer, urethane-based, styrene-based, olefin-based, ester-based or amide-based resin materials are used. Such a thermoplastic elastomer is blended with a colorant for the transmission layer. For this reason, the outer skin 36 is provided with the characteristic which permeate | transmits the laser beam mentioned later.

  The coat layer 38 is thinly formed of a material excellent in chemical resistance and slipperiness with respect to the patient's body wall. For example, a urethane resin material or a fluorine resin material is used for the coat layer 38.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (B), the mesh tube 34 is formed into a tubular shape by weaving, for example, a wire bundle in which the strands 34a are bundled. The mesh tube 34 is formed of a metal wire such as a stainless steel wire, a beryllium copper wire or a phosphor bronze steel wire, an aramid fiber having high strength and heat resistance, or the like.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the flexible tube 26 having such a configuration will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3A, as a first step, a mesh tube 34 is placed on the outer periphery of a spiral tube 32 having a core metal (not shown) inserted inside. In addition, it is preferable that the mold release agent is apply | coated to the outer peripheral surface of the spiral tube 32, and its edge part. This prevents the inner peripheral surface of the mesh tube 34 and the outer peripheral surface of the spiral tube 32 from being bonded. For this reason, the spiral tube 32 and the mesh tube 34 can be freely curved separately.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, as a second step, the outer periphery resin 36 having light transmittance is coated on the outer periphery of the mesh tube 34 by extrusion molding or dip molding.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, as the third step, laser light is irradiated from the outside to the inside of the light-transmitting skin 36. At this time, a laser beam irradiation system 70 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4A, the laser light irradiation system 70 includes, for example, a YAG laser or LD (laser diode) oscillator 72 (here, assumed to be a YAG laser oscillator) 72, a laser probe 74, and a condensing beam. And a lens 76. A base end portion (incident end portion) of the laser probe 74 is disposed at a laser beam emission port (not shown) of the oscillator 72. A condensing lens 76 is disposed at the tip (exit end) of the laser probe 74. For this reason, when laser light is emitted from the laser light emission port of the oscillator 72, the laser light is guided from the proximal end portion of the laser probe 74 to the distal end portion and emitted from the distal end portion. The wavelength of the laser light is, for example, 1064 nm. Laser light emitted from the tip of the laser probe 74 is condensed at a predetermined focal length by the condenser lens 76. At this time, the condensing position of the laser light is adjusted to the mesh tube 34. Then, the laser light passes through the light-transmitting outer skin 36 and is irradiated on the mesh tube 34, and the mesh tube 34 is heated. When the mesh tube 34 is heated in this manner, the inner peripheral surface of the outer skin 36 in contact with the mesh tube 34 is melted. For this reason, the outer skin 36 melts so as to be impregnated into the mesh tube 34. Thereafter, the inner peripheral surface of the outer skin 36, which is a thermoplastic elastomer, is cured while maintaining a soft state, and the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 are firmly bonded. That is, the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 are bonded to the mesh tube 34 by thermal welding on the inner peripheral surface of the outer skin 36. At this time, the laser light irradiation system 70 is moved relative to the outer skin 36 in the longitudinal direction or the circumferential direction of the outer skin 36, and the laser light is irradiated to the entire mesh tube 34 around the entire circumference. 36 is joined all around.

  In addition, when condensing the laser beam on the mesh tube 34 through the outer skin 36, it may be possible to irradiate a plurality of locations at once from the laser probe 74 radially inward of the flexible tube 26. If it does so, the movement amount which moves the flexible tube 26 with respect to the laser beam irradiation system 70 can be decreased. For example, once the laser beam is irradiated, the laser beam irradiation system 70 can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube 26 if the mesh tube 34 can be irradiated with a laser beam in a ring shape to generate heat. The outer skin 36 and the reticular tube 34 can be joined to the entire circumference only by moving to.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, as the fourth step, a coating layer 38 is formed by covering the outer periphery of the outer skin 36 with a coating material. The coat layer 38 is formed by, for example, extrusion molding or dip molding.

  Thereafter, the metal core (not shown) inserted inside the spiral tube 32 is extracted, and the production of the flexible tube 26 of the endoscope 10 is completed.

  With the flexible tube 26 having such a configuration, when the heat is applied to the mesh tube 34 with laser light between the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 coated on the outer periphery of the mesh tube 34, the skin 36 is once melted. Then, they are joined by thermal welding by curing. For this reason, even when the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 is repeatedly bent, peeling between the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 is prevented.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  By irradiating and heating the mesh tube 34 with laser light, and melting the inner peripheral surface of the outer skin 36 by heating the mesh tube 34, the outer skin 36 is cured to weld the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36, The mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 can be firmly joined. For this reason, even when a large force is applied to the flexible tube 26 or repeatedly bent, it is possible to prevent the adhesion between the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 from being lowered.

  In addition, since only the inside of the outer skin 36 is melted by laser light irradiation, unlike the thermal welding by the atmospheric furnace, the outer surface of the outer skin 36 is prevented from being affected by heat, and the flexible tube 26 having a smooth outer surface. Can be produced.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The same members as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  A manufacturing process of the flexible tube 26 according to this embodiment will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5A, as a first step, a mesh tube 34 is placed on the outer periphery of a spiral tube 32 having a core metal (not shown) inserted inside. This first step is the same as the first step described in the first embodiment. In addition, even if the light-absorbing resin material (adhesive) 42 described later of the mesh tube 34 is cured by applying a release agent to the outer peripheral surface and the edge portion of the spiral tube 32, the mesh tube 34 The inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the spiral tube 32 are prevented from being bonded.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, as a second step, a light-absorbing resin material 42 that is easily impregnated into the mesh tube 34 is applied to the outer periphery of the mesh tube 34 in a high pressure state by extrusion molding or dip molding. As a result, the mesh tube 34 is impregnated with the resin material 42. The resin material 42 is made of urethane or epoxy containing a light-absorbing colorant such as carbon black.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, as a third step, the outer periphery of the mesh tube 34 is coated with a light transmissive outer shell 36 by extrusion molding or dip molding.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, as a fourth step, laser light is irradiated using a laser light irradiation system 70 from the outer side to the inner side of the light-transmissive outer skin 36 of the flexible tube 26. This step is the same as the third step in the first embodiment. At this time, the condensing position of the laser light is adjusted to the mesh tube 34 or the resin material 42 impregnated in the mesh tube 34. Then, the laser beam is irradiated to the mesh tube 34 impregnated with the resin material 42 through the light-transmitting outer skin 36. For this reason, the mesh tube 34 and the light absorbing resin material 42 impregnated in the mesh tube 34 are heated. When the mesh tube 34 is heated in this way, the inner peripheral surface of the outer skin 36 in contact with the mesh tube 34 is melted by the heat of the mesh tube 34. For this reason, the outer skin 36 is impregnated in the mesh tube 34 or blended with the resin material 42 impregnated in the mesh tube 34. Thereafter, the inner peripheral surface of the outer skin 36, which is a thermoplastic elastomer, is cured while maintaining a soft state, and the resin material 42 impregnated into the mesh tube 34 is cured while maintaining a soft state, so that the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 are cured. Are firmly joined. That is, the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 are bonded together by welding the inner peripheral surface of the outer skin 36 to the mesh tube 34, and the resin material 42 in which the inner peripheral surface of the outer shell 36 is impregnated in the mesh tube 34. Bonded by welding. At this time, the laser light irradiation system 70 is moved relative to the outer skin 36 in the longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction of the outer skin 36, and laser light is irradiated to the entire circumference of the mesh tube 34 impregnated with the resin material 42. Then, the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 are joined all around.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, as the fifth step, a coating layer 38 is formed by covering the outer periphery of the outer skin 36 with a coating material. The coat layer 38 is formed by, for example, extrusion molding or dip molding. This step is the same as the fourth step in the first embodiment.

  Thereafter, the core metal inserted inside the spiral tube 32 is removed, and the production of the flexible tube 26 of the endoscope 10 is completed.

  With the flexible tube 26 having such a configuration, the outer shell 36 and the mesh tube 34 impregnated with the resin material 42 are joined by two means. The first is thermal welding between the resin material 42 and the outer skin 36 by curing after the resin material 42 is melted. The second is thermal welding between the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 by curing after the outer skin 36 is melted by heating the mesh tube 34. Further, both the resin material 42 and the outer skin 36 are soft materials that are difficult to be separated from each other even when the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 is repeatedly bent. For this reason, even when the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 is repeatedly bent, peeling between the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 is prevented.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  Since the outer tube 36 and the mesh tube 34 impregnated with the resin material 42 are joined by two means, even when a large force is applied or when the mesh tube 34 is repeatedly bent, the mesh tube 34 and the outer tube 36 are separated. It can prevent that the adhesiveness between them is lowered.

  In this embodiment, the heating of both the mesh tube 34 and the light-absorbing resin material 42 has been described. However, it is sufficient to heat at least one by irradiating the laser beam.

  In this embodiment, it has been described that the light-absorbing resin material 42 is impregnated into the mesh tube 34. However, the resin material 42 includes an adhesive having light-absorbing property. Then, as in this embodiment, even when a large force is applied to the flexible tube 26 or when it is repeatedly bent, the adhesion between the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 is reduced. Can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, the use of the flexible tube 26 for the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 has been described. However, for example, the flexible tube 26 is also preferably used for the universal cord 16.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is a modification of the first and second embodiments, and the same members as those described in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and are described in detail. Is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the mesh tube 34 uses a heating wire such as a nichrome wire. For this reason, when the mesh tube heat generating system 80 (see FIG. 7) described later is used, it is possible to cause the mesh tube 34 to generate heat by passing an electric current through the mesh tube 34.

Next, another manufacturing process of the flexible tube 26 different from the manufacturing process of the flexible tube 26 described in the second embodiment will be described.
The steps from the first step to the third step are the same as those described in the second embodiment.

  As a fourth step, the mesh tube 34 is heated using the mesh tube heating system 80 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the reticular tube heating system 80 includes a power source 82 and a pair of lead wires 84a and 84b. One lead wire 84 a has one end connected to the power source 82 and the other end connected to one end of the mesh tube 34. One end of the other lead wire 84 b is connected to the power supply 82, and the other end is connected to the other end of the mesh tube 34. For this reason, the mesh tube 34 functions as a resistance element that generates heat. When the current I is supplied from the power source 82 to the lead wires 84a and 84b, the mesh tube 34 is heated. Heating the mesh tube 34 melts the outer skin 36 and the resin material 42. Therefore, the outer skin 36 melts so as to be impregnated in the mesh tube 34 or to be mixed with the resin material 42 impregnated in the mesh tube 34. The resin material 42 does not need to have light absorption. Thereafter, the supply of the current I from the power source 82 to the mesh tube 34 through the lead wires 84a and 84b is stopped, and the inner peripheral surfaces of the resin material 42 and the outer skin 36 are hardened to strengthen the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36. Join. For this reason, the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 are bonded to the resin material 42 in which the inner peripheral surface of the outer skin 36 is impregnated in the mesh tube 34 while the inner peripheral surface of the outer skin 36 is bonded to the mesh tube 34 by welding. Glued.

  The fifth step is the same as the fifth step described in the second embodiment.

  Thereafter, the core metal inserted inside the spiral tube 32 is removed, and the production of the flexible tube 26 of the endoscope 10 is completed.

  With the flexible tube 26 having such a configuration, the outer shell 36 and the mesh tube 34 impregnated with the resin material 42 are joined by two means. The first is thermal welding between the resin material 42 and the outer skin 36 by curing after the resin material 42 is melted. The second is thermal welding between the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 by curing after the outer skin 36 is melted by heating the mesh tube 34. Further, both the resin material 42 and the outer skin 36 are soft materials that are difficult to be separated from each other even when the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 is repeatedly bent. For this reason, even when the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 is repeatedly bent, peeling between the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 is prevented.

  Since only the inside of the outer skin 36 is melted by the heat generated by the mesh tube 34, unlike the thermal welding by the atmosphere furnace, the outer surface of the outer skin 36 is prevented from being affected by heat, and the flexible tube 26 having a smooth outer surface is formed. Production is possible.

  In this embodiment, the use of the resin material 42 has been described. However, as described in the first embodiment, the mesh tube 34 and the outer skin 36 may be directly joined without using the resin material 42. good.

  Although several embodiments have been specifically described so far with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and all the embodiments performed without departing from the scope of the invention are described. Including implementation.

  According to the above description, the following matters can be obtained. Combinations of the terms are also possible.

[Appendix]
(Additional Item 1) In an endoscope insertion portion in which a spiral tube, a mesh tube, and an outer skin are sequentially stacked, laser light is irradiated from the surface of the outer skin, condensed on the mesh tube, and heated. Manufacturing method of flexible tube for mirror.

    (Additional Item 2) At the insertion part of the endoscope in which the spiral tube, the reticulated tube coated with a resin material (adhesive), and the outer skin are sequentially stacked, laser light is irradiated from the surface of the outer skin to the resin material (adhesive). A method for producing a flexible tube for an endoscope, wherein the tube is condensed and heated.

    (Additional Item 3) A method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1 or Additional Item 2, wherein the laser beam is irradiated over the entire circumference of the flexible tube.

    (Additional Item 4) The method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1 or Additional Item 2, wherein the laser beam is irradiated at a plurality of positions in a longitudinal direction of the flexible tube.

    (Additional Item 5) A method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1 or Additional Item 2, wherein a coloring agent for a transmission layer is used as a coloring agent for an outer skin.

The perspective view which shows the schematic structure of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the flexible tube of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (B) is a schematic perspective view which shows a part of reticulated tube in (A). . (A) And (B) shows the cross section of the upper half flexible tube with respect to the central axis of the flexible tube of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and shows the manufacturing process of a flexible tube. Schematic shown sequentially. (A) And (B) shows the cross section of the upper half flexible tube with respect to the central axis of the flexible tube of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and shows the manufacturing process of a flexible tube. Schematic shown sequentially. (A) thru | or (C) show the cross section of the upper half flexible tube with respect to the central axis of the flexible tube of the endoscope which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and show the manufacturing process of a flexible tube. Schematic shown sequentially. (A) And (B) shows the cross section of the upper half flexible tube with respect to the central axis of the flexible tube of the endoscope which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and shows the manufacturing process of a flexible tube. Schematic shown sequentially. Schematic which shows the state which applies a reticulated tube heat generating system to the flexible tube of the endoscope which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, and manufactures a flexible tube.

Explanation of symbols

  26 ... flexible tube, 32 ... spiral tube, 34 ... mesh tube, 36 ... outer skin, 38 ... coat layer, 70 ... laser light irradiation system, 72 ... oscillator, 74 ... laser probe, 76 ... condensing lens

Claims (6)

A step of concentrically sequentially laminating a spiral tube in which a strip is spirally wound and a mesh tube formed by knitting strands or strand bundles;
Coating the outer periphery of the mesh tube with a light-transmitting outer resin;
Irradiating the mesh tube with laser light from the outside of the outer resin to heat the mesh tube to melt the inner peripheral surface of the outer resin to bond the mesh tube and the outer resin. A method of manufacturing an endoscope flexible tube characterized by the above. A step of concentrically sequentially laminating a spiral tube in which a strip is spirally wound and a mesh tube formed by knitting strands or strand bundles;
Impregnating a light-absorbing resin material from the outside of the mesh tube;
Coating the outer periphery of the mesh tube with a light-transmitting outer resin;
The light absorbing resin material is irradiated with laser light from the outside of the outer skin resin to heat the light absorbing resin material to melt the light absorbing resin material, and the light absorbing resin material and the outer resin A method of manufacturing an endoscope flexible tube, comprising the steps of: adhering the mesh tube and adhering the outer tube resin to the mesh tube. A step of concentrically sequentially laminating a spiral tube in which a strip is spirally wound and a mesh tube formed by knitting strands or strand bundles;
Impregnating a light-absorbing resin material from the outside of the mesh tube;
Coating the outer periphery of the mesh tube with a light-transmitting outer resin;
The mesh tube and the light-absorbing resin material are irradiated with laser light from the outside of the skin resin to heat the mesh tube and the light-absorbing resin material, and the inner peripheral surface of the skin resin and the light-absorbing resin A method of manufacturing an endoscope flexible tube, comprising: melting at least one of the materials to bond the inner peripheral surface of the outer resin to the mesh tube and the light-absorbing resin material.   4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of irradiating a plurality of portions of the laser light from the outside of the outer resin to bond the mesh tube and the outer resin around the circumference. The manufacturing method of the endoscope flexible tube of any one. On the outer periphery of the spiral tube in which the strip is formed into a spiral shape, a wire or strand bundle is knitted and formed, and a mesh tube that is directly heated by a heating means is arranged concentrically,
Covering the outer surface of the mesh tube with the outer resin,
Heating the mesh tube by the heating means to melt the inner peripheral surface of the outer resin and bonding the mesh tube and the outer resin,
The outer resin has light permeability,
The endoscope flexible tube according to claim 1, wherein the heating means uses a laser beam that passes through the outer resin and is applied to the mesh tube. On the outer periphery of the spiral tube in which the strip is formed into a spiral shape, a wire or strand bundle is knitted and formed, and a mesh tube that is directly heated by a heating means is arranged concentrically,
Impregnating the resin material from the outside of the mesh tube,
Covering the outer surface of the mesh tube with the outer resin,
The mesh tube is heated by the heating means to melt at least one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer shell resin and the resin material, and the inner peripheral surface of the outer shell resin is bonded to the mesh tube and the resin material. ,
The outer resin has light permeability,
The resin material has light absorptivity,
The flexible endoscope tube according to claim 1, wherein the heating means uses laser light that is transmitted through the outer sheath resin and is applied to at least one of the mesh tube and the resin material.

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