WO2002069785A1 - Tube flexible d'endoscope et procede de fabrication - Google Patents

Tube flexible d'endoscope et procede de fabrication Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002069785A1
WO2002069785A1 PCT/JP2002/002059 JP0202059W WO02069785A1 WO 2002069785 A1 WO2002069785 A1 WO 2002069785A1 JP 0202059 W JP0202059 W JP 0202059W WO 02069785 A1 WO02069785 A1 WO 02069785A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
resin
flexible tube
tube
flexible
mesh
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2002/002059
Other languages
English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Nobuharu Takahashi
Mitsuo Kondo
Original Assignee
Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. filed Critical Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
Publication of WO2002069785A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002069785A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/0009—Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes
    • A61M25/0012—Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes with embedded structures, e.g. coils, braids, meshes, strands or radiopaque coils
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00064—Constructional details of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/00071—Insertion part of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/00078—Insertion part of the endoscope body with stiffening means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/005—Flexible endoscopes
    • A61B1/0051—Flexible endoscopes with controlled bending of insertion part
    • A61B1/0055—Constructional details of insertion parts, e.g. vertebral elements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/0043—Catheters; Hollow probes characterised by structural features
    • A61M25/005—Catheters; Hollow probes characterised by structural features with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/0043—Catheters; Hollow probes characterised by structural features
    • A61M25/005—Catheters; Hollow probes characterised by structural features with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids
    • A61M25/0053—Catheters; Hollow probes characterised by structural features with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids having a variable stiffness along the longitudinal axis, e.g. by varying the pitch of the coil or braid

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flexible tube used as a flexible tube portion of an insertion portion, a light guide flexible portion, or the like in an endoscope.
  • Endoscopes used for medical or industrial purposes are generally configured as shown in Fig.13. That is, the main body operation unit 2 is connected to the base end of the insertion unit 1 inserted into the body cavity or the like, and the light guide unit detachably connected to the light source device (not shown) is connected to the main body operation unit 2.
  • the flexible part 3 is connected.
  • the insertion section 1 has a flexible tube section la for most of the length from the side connected to the main body operation section 2, and the flexible tube section 1a bends in an arbitrary direction along the insertion path. Is configured. Further, at the tip of the flexible tube portion 1a, an andal portion lb is provided, and at this angle portion 1b, a hard tip portion 1c is connected.
  • the rigid end portion 1c is provided with an endoscope observation mechanism and the like, and the angle portion 1b is bent by remote control of the main body operation portion 2 in order to direct the visual field in a desired direction. It has a configuration that can be used.
  • a light guide made of various transmission members that is, an optical fiber, extends from the flexible tube portion 1a constituting the inlet portion 1 to the distal end hard portion 1c via the angle portion 1b.
  • an optical fiber (for an optical endoscope) or a signal cable (for an electronic endoscope) connected to a solid-state imaging device, which constitutes an image guide, and treatment with forceps and the like Tubing, such as a treatment tool communication channel and air / water pipes Another long communication member is inserted.
  • the light guide flexible section 3 is provided with a light guide and an air / water pipe.
  • the light guide flexible section 3 is connected not only to the light source device but also to the processor. For this purpose, a signal cable is inserted through the light guide flexible section 3.
  • the flexible tube portion 1a constituting the inlet portion 1 and the light guide flexible portion 3 drawn out from the main body operation portion 2 have various penetrating members penetrated therein. Due to its nature, it is a soft member. For this reason, it must be flexible in the bending direction and have shape-retaining properties, that is, crush resistance, to protect the members penetrating inside. For this, they are formed of flexible tubes.
  • FIG. 14 shows the configuration of a flexible tube used as the flexible tube portion 1 a in the insertion portion 1.
  • reference numeral 4 denotes a flexible tube, which has a helical tube 5 as a structure, and the helical tube 5 is composed of outer and inner spiral members 5a and 5b.
  • the spiral bodies 5a and 5b are formed by spirally winding a metal strip of stainless steel or the like, whereby a passage for various insertion members is secured inside.
  • the spirals 5a and 5b are wound with a predetermined pitch interval therebetween, and the winding directions are opposite to each other. .
  • the outer periphery of the spiral tube 5 is covered with a net formed by braiding a metal wire, that is, a tubular mesh 6, and an outer skin layer 7 is further laminated on the outer surface of the tubular mesh 6.
  • the outer skin layer 7 holds the inside of the flexible tube 4 in a sealed state, and the outer surface is formed of a slippery soft resin material, for example, urethane resin or the like in order to smoothly insert the flexible tube 4 into a body cavity or the like.
  • a resin layer is formed. If the outer skin layer 7 is formed directly on the spiral tube 5 made of a metal strip with a pitch interval, there is a risk that the outer layer 7 may be separated from the spiral tube 5 and damaged, so that the tubular mesh 6 is interposed therebetween. I have. Therefore, the tubular net 6 functions as a base of the outer skin layer 7.
  • the outer skin layer 7 is formed by a force or a tube directly formed on the tubular mesh body 6 by extrusion molding, and is pressed by heating over the entire circumference.
  • the flexible tube 4 is formed in this manner.
  • the flexible tube 4 is configured as the flexible tube portion 1a of the insertion portion 1, the flexible tube 4 can be bent over its entire length. Must be.
  • the flexible tube portion 4 bends along an insertion path in a body cavity or the like, and when a force in the bending direction acts in the body cavity, it is necessary to flexibly follow the force.
  • the flexible tube portion 1a must be somewhat hard in the bending direction, that is, the rigidity in the bending direction must be increased.
  • the insertion path for the large intestine and the like is a complicatedly curved path, and there are some parts that are extremely bent.
  • the distal end of the flexible tube 1a that is, the portion connected to the androidal portion 1b and the vicinity thereof, should have a structure that is rather flexible in the bending direction, and the portion on the distal end side should be smoothly curved.
  • the angle portion 1b connected to the flexible tube portion 1a is for orienting the rigid tip portion 1c in a desired direction. In some cases, the bending operation is performed to 180 ° or more.
  • the flexible tube In order to prevent the stress from being extremely concentrated on the connecting portion between the angle portion 1b and the flexible tube portion 1a when the flexible tube is bent at or near the maximum bending angle, the flexible tube is required. Part 1a It is necessary to increase the flexibility near the connection with the angle part 1b. From the above requests and the like, in particular, the bending characteristics of the flexible tube 4 configured as the flexible tube portion 1a of the insertion portion 1 are such that the distal end bends most flexibly and at least moves toward the proximal end. It is also preferable to change the stiffness to a predetermined position so as to be continuously hardened. In order to change the hardness of the flexible tube 4 in the bending direction, various devices have been conventionally devised.
  • the flexible tube portion 4 is composed of the spiral bodies 5a and 5b, the tubular mesh tube 6 and the outer skin layer 7, the flexibility in the bending direction can be changed based on any of these members.
  • the spiral bodies 5a and 5b constituting the spiral tube 5 have a configuration in which the width and thickness are continuously changed, and the surface is subjected to plating to change the thickness of the parenthesis.
  • the tubular mesh pipe 6 there is a tubular mesh pipe whose knitting method, element wire diameter and the like are changed in the axial direction. Further, it is also known to change the amount of the adhesive supplied to the tubular mesh tube 6.
  • Either of the above or a combination thereof can provide a difference in hardness in the axial direction of the flexible tube.
  • the helical tube bends almost without resistance in the bending direction, it is essential that the flexible tube has crush resistance. Therefore, depending on the structure of the helical tube, it is not possible to make a marked difference in hardness.
  • the tubular net is elastic, and it is not easy to provide the tubular net with a substantial difference in hardness.
  • adhesives cannot be given properties that are stable over time, for example, because they deteriorate over time.
  • the outer layer constituting the flexible tube is formed by extrusion molding, and two types of resins with different hardness are supplied from the extruder, and the mixing ratio is changed in the axial direction.
  • the result is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-981115. It is the skin layer that has the greatest effect on the bending direction flexibility of the flexible tube. When the flexible tube bends, the outer skin layer contracts at the inner part in the bending direction and expands at the outer part.
  • the outer skin layer is formed of a soft resin, it is not necessarily elastic, and therefore has a very high resistance to the expansion and contraction. Therefore, the greatest factor in the resistance to bending of the flexible tube is the resistance to expansion and contraction of the outer skin layer.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to change the flexibility in the bending direction of a flexible tube in the axial direction by a simple processing. Is to do.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible tube having a high hardness in a bending direction in order to easily bend at a distal end side and to improve pushing thrust into an insertion path at a proximal end side.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible tube that can easily insert an insertion portion of an endoscope into an insertion path having a large resistance.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible tube that not only changes the flexibility in the bending direction but also changes the bending angle in the axial direction.
  • a first invention relating to a flexible tube of an endoscope includes covering a spiral tube with a tubular mesh, and further providing a resin layer on the outer periphery of the tubular mesh.
  • a flexible tube of an endoscope having an exterior and a passage for a communication member formed therein, wherein a degree of embedding of the resin layer in a mesh of the tubular mesh body is changed in an axial direction, By lowering the amount of resin embedded in the tubular mesh and improving the flexibility in the bending direction with a low hardness flexible part, and increasing the amount of resin embedded in the tubular mesh, And a high-hardness flexible portion having reduced flexibility in the bending direction.
  • a spiral tube of two layers inside and outside is covered with a tubular mesh body, and a resin layer is further provided around the outer periphery of the tubular mesh body,
  • a flexible tube of an endoscope having a passage for a communication member formed therein, wherein a degree of embedding of the resin layer in a mesh of the tubular mesh body is changed in an axial direction to form a tube.
  • a low-hardness flexible part that has improved flexibility in the bending direction by reducing the amount of resin embedded in the mesh, and increasing the amount of resin embedded in the cylindrical mesh to increase the bending direction
  • the flexibility in the bending direction is further enhanced by embedding the resin in the high hardness flexible portion with reduced flexibility and the space defined by the pitch between the outer spiral and the cylindrical mesh. It is characterized in that it is configured to include a bending angle limiting portion that reduces the bending angle and limits the bending angle.
  • the first invention relating to the method for manufacturing a flexible tube according to the present invention is characterized in that the spiral tube is covered with a cylindrical tubular mesh body and formed on the outer periphery of a flexible tube structure by molding means.
  • a method of laminating a resin layer wherein the resin layer is laminated on the tubular net by extrusion molding, and the resin layer is penetrated into the mesh of the tubular net at the time of molding.
  • the degree of flexibility in the bending direction is changed in the axial direction by changing the degree of embedding of the resin in the cylindrical mesh in the axial direction. This is its characteristic.
  • a second invention of the method for manufacturing a flexible tube according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a flexible tube, wherein a resin tube is provided on an outer periphery of a flexible tube structure formed by covering a spiral tube with a cylindrical tubular mesh.
  • the present invention relates to a method of packaging, wherein a resin tube having a thickness that changes in the axial direction is passed through the cylindrical mesh body, and the resin tube is substantially uniformly pressed by heating in a mold. It is characterized by being formed so as to have a large outer diameter.
  • the third invention relating to the method for manufacturing a flexible tube of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a flexible tube formed by covering two layers of inner and outer spiral tubes with a cylindrical tubular net.
  • a method of laminating a resin layer by molding means wherein the resin layer is laminated on the tubular net by extrusion, and permeates into the mesh of the tubular net at the time of this molding.
  • the degree of hardness in the bending direction is made different by changing the degree of embedding of the resin into the cylindrical mesh body in the axial direction.
  • the resin is also embedded in the space formed by the pitch interval of the outer spirals forming the two-layer spiral tube via the tubular mesh body.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a flexible tube showing one embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of part A and part B in Fig. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of a change in hardness of a flexible tube
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the extruder
  • Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tube used to form the outer skin layer by the tube attaching method.
  • Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the process of the tube coating method.
  • Figure 7 is a sectional view of the mold.
  • Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the spiral tube.
  • FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view showing the maximum bending state of the spiral tube of FIG. 8,
  • FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of the operation of the resin additional embedding section
  • Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the maximum embedding state of the additional resin embedding part
  • Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a change in the hardness and bending angle of the flexible tube
  • Fig. 13 is a general endoscope. External view showing the configuration
  • FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the configuration of a flexible tube according to the prior art. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
  • the flexible tube 10 has a passage formed therein for passing a flexible passage member such as an optical fiber, a cable, and a tube. ing.
  • the structure of this channel is a spiral tube, preferably a spiral tube composed of double spirals 11a and 11b wound at predetermined pitch intervals in opposite directions.
  • the spiral tube 11 is inserted into a tubular mesh body 12 formed by braiding a metal wire.
  • An outer skin layer 13 as a resin layer is laminated on the tubular net body 12.
  • One end of the flexible tube 10 is provided with a connecting pipe 14 for connecting to the main body operation unit 2, and the other end thereof is provided with a connecting pipe 15 for connecting to the angle unit 1b.
  • Fig. 2 shows the part A on one end and part B on the other end in Fig. 1, respectively.
  • (b) shows an enlarged view.
  • the flexible tube 10 is configured as the flexible tube portion 1a of the insertion portion 1 shown in FIG. 13
  • the portion B shown in FIG. 2 (b) is a side connected to the angle portion 1b.
  • the degree of embedding of the resin constituting the outer skin layer 13 into the mesh 12 S in the tubular mesh body 12 is different.
  • the mesh 12S of the tubular mesh body 12 forms the skin layer 13 with the resin forming the skin layer 13
  • a resin embedding part 13T almost completely buried with the resin to be formed is formed, so that substantially no void is generated.
  • substantially no resin enters the mesh 12S of the tubular mesh body 12, and the mesh 1 2
  • the whole of S is a void.
  • the flexibility of the flexible tube 10 in the bending direction changes by changing the degree of embedding of the resin into the mesh 12S in the tubular mesh body 12.
  • the braid angle does not change or hardly changes, so that the flexibility in the bending direction decreases.
  • the mesh 12S can be freely deformed, so that the flexibility in the bending direction increases.
  • the portion of the flexible tube 10 where the mesh 12 S of the tubular mesh body 12 S is almost completely buried with the resin constituting the outer skin layer 13 becomes a high-hardness flexible portion, and the mesh 1 A portion in which substantially no resin is present inside 2S and is in a substantially void state is a low-hardness flexible portion. Further, by adjusting the degree of embedding of the resin into the mesh 12S, that is, by adjusting the penetration depth into the mesh 12S, it is possible to provide an intermediate hardness.
  • the predetermined length Ls of the portion connected to the angle portion 1b is defined as a low-hardness flexible portion, and the high-hardness flexible portion Lh and the low-hardness flexible portion Ls In between, the hardness change flexible portion LV in which the flexibility in the bending direction continuously changes.
  • the hardness can be changed continuously or stepwise from the low-hardness flexible portion Ls to the high-hardness flexible portion Lh.
  • the insertion portion 1 when the flexible tube portion 1a in the insertion portion 1 of the colonoscope is inserted, the insertion portion 1 is inserted as the insertion depth of the insertion portion 1 into the body increases.
  • the resistance increases.
  • the flexible tube portion 1a which constitutes the majority of the length of the insertion portion 1, becomes harder in the bending direction as it is inserted deeper into the body, so that the thrust force can be reliably applied to the body.
  • the distal end side bends flexibly, and when the angle portion 1b connected to the flexible tube portion 1a is operated to bend the angle portion 1b, the flexible tube portion 1a is bent. Can be prevented from sharply bending from the connecting part, and the stress can be dispersed, so that the durability of the insertion part 1 is improved, and there is a possibility that excessive force may be applied to the internal penetration member. Is gone.
  • the insertion section 1 when the insertion section 1 is configured as the flexible tube section 1a in the insertion section 1 of the colonoscope, the insertion depth of the insertion section 1 into the body increases when the insertion section 1 is inserted into the body cavity.
  • the resistance to indentation increases according to the pressure.
  • the base end side of the flexible tube portion 1a is a high-hardness flexible portion Lh, the pushing thrust can be reliably applied to the distal end.
  • the insertion of the insertion portion 1 into the body does not become difficult or impossible, and the rigid distal portion 1c can be smoothly and promptly advanced to the target position. Can be.
  • the insertion path of the insertion part 1 has a bent part, a branch part, and the like. For this reason, at the time of the insertion operation, by bending the angle portion 1b in an appropriate direction, the distal end portion of the insertion portion 1 is made to respond to the bending of the path, The branching unit selects which route to take.
  • the angle portion 1b is forcibly bent by remote control.At this time, the portion from the low hardness flexible portion Ls to the hardness change flexible portion LV at the distal end of the flexible tube portion 1a corresponds to this. Following it, it turns gently. As a result, the followability of the insertion section 1 to the insertion path is improved, and the pain on the subject is reduced.
  • the flexible tube 10 in which the flexibility in the bending direction is changed can be used as the light guide flexible portion 3.
  • the light guide flexible section 3 is flexible in the bending direction, and one end is connected to the main body operation section 2 and the other end is provided with a connector for detachably connecting to the light source device or the like.
  • both ends of the light guide flexible portion 3 have a hard structure.
  • the vicinity of both ends constituting the connection portion to the hard structure is defined as a high-hardness flexible portion Lh
  • the middle portion is defined as a low-hardness flexible portion Ls.
  • the transition from the low-hardness flexible portion L s to the high-hardness flexible portion Lh is a hardness-changeable flexible portion L V for a certain length.
  • the first method is an extrusion molding method
  • the second method is a tube attaching method.
  • a tubular mesh 12 is braided on the outer surface of the spiral tube 11, whereby the flexible mesh formed of the spiral tube 11 and the tubular mesh 12 is formed.
  • the pipe structure is referred to as 14.
  • the outer skin layer 13 is formed by stacking the outer skin layer 13 on the flexible tube construct 14 by the two methods described above.
  • the molding machine 20 is roughly composed of a resin supply section 21 and a head section 22.
  • the resin supply section 21 has a well-known extruding mechanism (not shown) composed of a hopper, a screw, and the like, and is used to supply a resin made of a molten urethane resin or the like to the head section 22. Things.
  • the resin supply section 21 has, for example, a gear pump 21a as a means for feeding the molten resin, and the resin pump controls the supply flow rate of the resin.
  • the head 22 is fixedly attached to the head support 23.
  • the head support 23 is a gate 23 serving as a passage for supplying the molten resin 24 extruded from the gear pump 21 a of the resin supply section 21 to the head section 22.
  • the head portion 22 is provided with a manifold 2 so that the molten resin 24 fed from the gate 23 a can supply the outer skin layer 11 to the outer peripheral surface of the flexible tube structure 14.
  • 5 has a nipple 26 and a die 27.
  • the cone 26 is provided with a conical recess 26 a for guiding the insertion of the flexible tube member 14.
  • a conical convex portion 26b forming a manifold 25 in cooperation with the conical concave portion 27a on the left end side of the die 27 is provided. Is formed.
  • the outer periphery of the flexible tube member 14 is formed at a position on the right side in the figure from the exit of the die 25 in the die 27. It has an inner peripheral wall 27 b that determines the thickness of the outer skin layer 11 to be formed.
  • reference numeral 28 denotes a fastening portion for retaining the nipple 26 and the die 27, and the die 27 includes a ridge 23b formed on the head support 23 and It is locked by a ridge 28 a formed on a holding cylinder 28 screwed to the head support 23, and a lock nut 29 is screwed into the nipple 26. And this The molding machine 20 is adapted to be maintained in an assembled state.
  • the molding machine 20 is configured as described above.
  • the thickness of the outer layer 13 laminated on the flexible tube structure 14 is substantially equal to the thickness of the flexible tube structure 14. It depends on the diameter difference between the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the inner peripheral wall 27 b of the die 27. Therefore, if a volume of the resin based on the diameter difference is supplied in relation to the feed speed of the flexible tube structure 14, the outer layer 13 having a desired thickness is laminated on the flexible tube structure 14. Is done. In this case, the outer skin layer 13 is laminated on the surface of the tubular net 12, so that the resin does not penetrate into the mesh of the tubular net 12.
  • the surplus resin permeates into the mesh 12 S of the tubular mesh body 12, thereby filling the mesh 12 S with the resin.
  • a resin embedding portion 13 T is formed.
  • the supply amount of the resin from the resin supply unit 21 is changed according to the feed of the flexible tube structure 14.
  • the degree of embedding by the penetration of the resin into the mesh 12 S of the tubular mesh 12 can be changed, and when the flexible tube 10 is formed, the flexible tube 10 enters the tubular mesh 12.
  • the high hardness flexible portion Lh in which the resin has a high degree of penetration and the flexibility in the bending direction is low, and the resin has a low degree of penetration and the voids of the mesh 12S are enlarged.
  • a low-hardness flexible portion Ls having improved flexibility in the bending direction is formed.
  • the rotational speed of the gear 21a is continuously reduced from the position where the high-hardness flexible portion Lh is formed, and the resin supply amount is gradually reduced, so that the high-hardness flexible portion Lh and the low hardness are reduced.
  • a hardness change flexible portion Lv is formed between the flexible portion Ls and the flexible portion Ls.
  • the degree of penetration of the resin into the mesh 12 S of the tubular mesh 12 It can be adjusted depending on the degree. In other words, if the viscosity of the resin is reduced by raising the temperature of the resin, more resin permeates the mesh 12S. Although the temperature of the resin supplied from the resin supply section 21 may be directly changed, the tubular mesh 1 2 (and not only the tubular mesh 1 2 but also the spiral tube 1 1 if necessary) Is partially heated. By providing a partial heating portion in the flexible tube structure 14 in this manner, the degree of penetration of the resin can be increased. In particular, if the amount of resin supplied from the resin supply unit 21 is made variable and the cylindrical mesh 12 is partially heated, the degree of penetration of the resin into the mesh 12 S of the cylindrical mesh 12 is increased. Can be better controlled.
  • a method shown in FIG. As another method for forming the outer skin layer 13, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to control the degree of embedding of the resin into the mesh 12S of the tubular network 12 by the tube attaching method, a method shown in FIG. Thus, a resin tube 30 having the same outer diameter and an inner diameter varying in the axial direction is formed.
  • the tube 30 has a thick portion 30a at a predetermined length from one end, a thin portion 30b formed at the other end, and a thick portion 30a to a thin portion 3a.
  • the transition to 0b is a thickness change portion 30c where the thickness decreases continuously.
  • the inner diameter of the thick portion 30a is at least the same as or larger than the outer diameter of the flexible tube member 14.
  • the tube 30 formed as described above is passed through a flexible tube structure 14 in which a core material 31 is passed through, and the upper and lower molds 3 2 , 33, and press forming by pressing under heating.
  • the molded portions 32a and 33a of the upper and lower molds 32 and 33 are formed of semicircular concave portions, and when these upper and lower molds 32 and 33 are joined, a flexible tube is formed.
  • a cavity is formed that substantially matches the outer diameter of the outer skin layer 13 when 10 is formed.
  • a heater 34 is embedded, and the entire molds 3 2 and 3 3 are heated by the heater 34.
  • an auxiliary heater 34a is provided in a portion of the tube 30 where the thick portion 30a is located, and the auxiliary heater 34a allows the molds 32, 33 to be formed. The temperature can be raised partially.
  • the tube 30 is fitted into the flexible tube structure 14 and inserted between the upper and lower molds 32, 33a of the upper and lower molds 32, 33. 3 Clamp 3 and pressurize by appropriate clamping means. At this time, an adhesive is applied to the tubular net 12. Also, the tube 30 is heated and melted by energizing and heating the heater 34 and the auxiliary heater 34a provided in the molds 32, 33. As a result, the tube 30 comes into close contact with the tubular net 12.
  • the thickness of the thin portion 3 Ob in the tube 30 is set to a dimension such that the inner diameter thereof substantially coincides with the outer diameter of the tubular mesh body 12 when the outer skin layer 13 is formed. That is, at the thin portion 30 b, the resin constituting the tube 30 does not substantially enter the mesh 12 S of the tubular mesh 12.
  • the thickness change portion 30c connected to the thin portion 30b has a larger cross-sectional area than that of the thin portion 30b, and accordingly, the resin is correspondingly larger in the mesh 1 2 of the tubular mesh 12. It is embedded so as to penetrate into the inside of S, and a resin embedded portion 13 T is formed.
  • the thickness of the thick portion 30b is made larger than that of the thin portion 30b by an amount substantially corresponding to the gap of the mesh 12S of the tubular mesh 12S.
  • the heating temperature of the molds 32 and 33 is set higher at the position of the thick portion 30b than at the position of the thin portion 30a. As the viscosity becomes lower, it is smoothly and quickly embedded in the mesh 12S.
  • the outer diameter of the tube 30 does not change between the thick portion 30a and the thin portion 30b, The outer diameter is uniform over the entire length.
  • the degree of flexibility in the bending direction changes in the axial direction of the formed flexible tube 10.
  • the bending angle of the flexible tube 10 depends on the pitch interval between the double spirals 11 a and 11 b constituting the spiral tube 11. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the pitch between the inner and outer spirals 11a and 11b is P, if the flexible tube 10 is bent, the pitch P changes. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the flexible tube 10 is greatly bent and the pitch interval becomes 0, that is, the surface of the spiral body 11 b in the direction intersecting the axis of the flexible tube 10 (hereinafter, referred to as the surface). When the spiral ends are joined, the flexible tube 10 will not bend any further. As shown in FIG.
  • the pitch interval P of the inner and outer helical bodies lla and lib is not limited to the high hardness flexible portion Lh and the low hardness flexible portion Ls shown in FIG. 2B. Since it does not change, there is a difference between easy bending and difficult bending, but the bending angle is the same.
  • the volume of this space is limited to Slim.
  • the outer spiral body 1 1b also contributes to the increase in hardness in the bending direction.
  • the resin embedding portion 13 T constituting the outer skin layer 13 is formed by the mesh of the cylindrical mesh body 12.
  • the flexible tube 10 remains at the position of 12S, only the degree of flexibility in the bending direction changes, but additional resin is also embedded in the space S of the spiral body 1 1b.
  • the part 13 TT is applied, the hardness in the bending direction becomes higher, and the bending angle is also limited.
  • the portion where the additional resin embedding portion 13 TT exists becomes the bending angle limiting portion.
  • the degree of restriction of the bending angle is increased accordingly.
  • the additional resin embedding section 13 TT makes the embedded resin abut against the end surface of the spiral body, but to the extent that a slight gap S min occurs between the end surface of the spiral body and the resin.
  • the inner spiral 11a is not necessarily located below the pitch interval P in the outer spiral 11b. Instead of being located, there is a void Z (see Fig. 1) partially penetrating the spiral tube 11. Therefore, if the resin is excessively buried, the resin may flow out from the space Z into the inside. As described above, in a state in which there is some gap between the resin embedded in the space S and the end surface of the spiral body, the resin remains in the space Z and does not flow into the spiral tube 10. This is why the additional resin embedding portion 13TT has a gap S min between the end surface of the spiral body and the resin. The resin remaining in the space Z also has a function of increasing the hardness of the flexible tube 10 in the bending direction.
  • a predetermined The length is defined as a low-hardness flexible portion Ls, then a hardness-changed flexible portion Lv over a predetermined length, and a further length is defined as a ⁇ hardness-flexible portion Lh.
  • a bending limit portion La whose bending angle is continuously limited can be formed on the base end side of the substrate.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Endoscopes (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un tube flexible comprenant un tube en spirale (10) recouvert d'un corps tubulaire (12) à mailles pourvu d'une circonférence extérieure sur laquelle est appliquée une couche (13) de résine. Lorsque la couche (13) de résine est appliquée sur le corps tubulaire (12) à mailles, la résine est enfouie dans le corps tubulaire (12) à mailles. La quantité de résine enfouie varie en direction axiale de manière que la résine ne pénètre sensiblement pas dans les mailles (12S) du corps tubulaire (12) à mailles, et une partie flexible de faible dureté présentant une grande flexibilité dans la direction d'inclinaison est formée, une partie de résine (13T) étant enfouie dans les mailles (12S) du corps tubulaire (12) à mailles, formant ainsi une partie flexible de grande dureté présentant une flexibilité réduite dans la direction d'inclinaison.
PCT/JP2002/002059 2001-03-07 2002-03-06 Tube flexible d'endoscope et procede de fabrication WO2002069785A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2001-063187 2001-03-07
JP2001063187 2001-03-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002069785A1 true WO2002069785A1 (fr) 2002-09-12

Family

ID=18922219

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/JP2002/002059 WO2002069785A1 (fr) 2001-03-07 2002-03-06 Tube flexible d'endoscope et procede de fabrication

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2002069785A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3025750A4 (fr) * 2013-07-23 2017-01-25 Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha Cathéter et son procédé de fabrication

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2000162512A (ja) * 1999-01-01 2000-06-16 Asahi Optical Co Ltd 内視鏡の挿入部
JP2000316799A (ja) * 1999-05-11 2000-11-21 Asahi Optical Co Ltd 内視鏡の可撓管

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2000162512A (ja) * 1999-01-01 2000-06-16 Asahi Optical Co Ltd 内視鏡の挿入部
JP2000316799A (ja) * 1999-05-11 2000-11-21 Asahi Optical Co Ltd 内視鏡の可撓管

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3025750A4 (fr) * 2013-07-23 2017-01-25 Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha Cathéter et son procédé de fabrication
US10130790B2 (en) 2013-07-23 2018-11-20 Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha Catheter and method for manufacturing the same

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6565507B2 (en) Flexible tube, and method for manufacturing same
US7534317B2 (en) Kink-resistant access sheath and method of making same
EP0380543B1 (fr) Procede de fabrication d'un catheter ou tube
US8734695B2 (en) Endoscope flexible tube and its manufacturing method
WO2010038738A1 (fr) Equipement de revêtement multicouche, et procédé de revêtement multicouche
JP4866824B2 (ja) 内視鏡可撓管の製造方法
US20200215302A1 (en) Extrusion with preferential bend axis
EP2168471A2 (fr) Tube flexible pour endoscope et son procédé de fabrication
JP2010000299A (ja) 内視鏡用可撓管及び内視鏡
JP2002330923A (ja) 内視鏡の可撓管及びその製造方法
WO2002069785A1 (fr) Tube flexible d'endoscope et procede de fabrication
CN112590153B (zh) 内窥镜插入管的制造方法
JP3837867B2 (ja) 内視鏡の可撓管及びその製造方法
JP3586928B2 (ja) 内視鏡の可撓管
WO2019244521A1 (fr) Méthode de production de tube flexible endoscopique, tube flexible endoscopique et endoscope
JP5117819B2 (ja) 内視鏡可撓管の製造方法
JP2004290322A (ja) 内視鏡の可撓管
JP2009101075A (ja) 内視鏡可撓管の製造方法
JPH11245311A (ja) チューブの製造方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): CN US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB NL SE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase