JPS63249537A - Soft part of endoscope - Google Patents
Soft part of endoscopeInfo
- Publication number
- JPS63249537A JPS63249537A JP62083846A JP8384687A JPS63249537A JP S63249537 A JPS63249537 A JP S63249537A JP 62083846 A JP62083846 A JP 62083846A JP 8384687 A JP8384687 A JP 8384687A JP S63249537 A JPS63249537 A JP S63249537A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- endoscope
- hardness
- coating
- flexible
- protective net
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000007747 plating Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000011247 coating layer Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 17
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 17
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 7
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000010408 film Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 3
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052804 chromium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009713 electroplating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010422 painting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Instruments For Viewing The Inside Of Hollow Bodies (AREA)
- Endoscopes (AREA)
Abstract
(57)【要約】本公報は電子出願前の出願データであるた
め要約のデータは記録されません。(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
〔産業上の利用分野１
本発明は、医療用及び工業用に使用される内視鏡におけ
る挿入部を構成する軟性部に関するものである。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application 1] The present invention relates to a flexible part constituting an insertion part in an endoscope used for medical and industrial purposes.
［従来の技術１
内視鏡は操作部本体と挿入部とを有し、挿入部を人体に
おける体腔内や航空機エンジン、原子炉の内部等所定の
観察対象部内に挿入されて、その観察・検査や、治療、
修理を行ったりするために用いられる。[Prior art 1] An endoscope has an operating section main body and an insertion section, and the insertion section is inserted into a predetermined observation target area such as a body cavity of a human body, an aircraft engine, or a nuclear reactor, and is used for observation and inspection. or treatment,
It is used for making repairs.
ここで、挿入部は、観察窓や処置具等の導出部を備えた
先端硬質部に、該先端硬質部を所望の方向に向けるため
のアングル部を連設し、このアングル部から操作部本体
への連結部分までの大半の部分を柔軟性を有する軟性部
となすことにより構成される。このうち軟性部は、金属
帯片からなる螺旋管に保護ネットを被着させ、該保護ネ
ットの外周には、観察対象部への挿通案内性を良好なら
しめるために、滑りの良い部材からなる被覆層が形成さ
れるようになっている。Here, the insertion section has a rigid distal end section provided with a lead-out section for an observation window, a treatment instrument, etc., and an angled section for orienting the rigid distal section in a desired direction. It is constructed by making most of the part up to the connecting part to be a flexible part. The soft part consists of a helical tube made of metal strips covered with a protective net, and the outer periphery of the protective net is made of a material with good sliding properties in order to ensure good insertion and guidance into the observation target area. A covering layer is formed.
然るに、内視鏡における挿入部は、その用途等に応じて
種々の特性を備えさせる必要があり、例えば天腸鏡等に
あっては、挿入経路の関係等がら軟性部の先端側、即ち
アングル部との接続部側は柔軟性に優れている必要があ
るが、基端側、即ち操作部本体への連結部側はある程度
の硬くなっている方が操作性の観点からは好ましい。こ
のために、従来技術の内視鏡にあっては、軟性部におけ
る保護ネットに塗布される接着剤の量をその基端側の部
分が多くなるようにしたり、また基端側の被覆層を厚く
したりすることによって、軟性部の＋Ｉｌ線方向におけ
る硬さに変化を持たせるようにしている。However, the insertion section of an endoscope needs to have various characteristics depending on its use. For example, in a tenoscope, etc., depending on the insertion route, the tip side of the flexible section, that is, the angle Although the connecting portion side with the operating portion needs to be excellent in flexibility, it is preferable from the viewpoint of operability that the proximal end side, that is, the connecting portion side with the operating portion main body is hard to some extent. For this reason, in conventional endoscopes, the amount of adhesive applied to the protective net in the flexible part is increased on the proximal side, and the coating layer on the proximal side is By increasing the thickness, the hardness of the soft portion in the +Il line direction is varied.
［発明が解決しようとする問題点１
ところで、前述した如く、接着剤の贋や被覆層の厚み等
により軟性部の硬さに変化を持たせるようにすることは
、その硬さ度合を厳格に管理することができないだけで
なく、長期間使用している間に、経時変化等によって硬
さが変る等の不都合がある。[Problem to be solved by the invention 1] By the way, as mentioned above, making the hardness of the soft part vary depending on the quality of the adhesive, the thickness of the coating layer, etc. means that the degree of hardness must be strictly controlled. Not only is it difficult to control, but there are also disadvantages such as the hardness changing due to changes over time during long-term use.
本発明は斜上の点に鑑みてなされたもので、その目的と
するところは、軟性部の軸線方向における硬さに変化を
持たせるに当って、この硬さ変化を正確に所望の程度と
なるように形成でき、しかも長期間使用しても硬さが変
ることがない内視鏡の軟性部を提供することにある。The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to change the hardness of the soft part in the axial direction so that the change in hardness is accurately controlled to a desired degree. To provide a flexible part of an endoscope that can be formed to have a soft shape and whose hardness does not change even after long-term use.
［問題点を解決するための手段］
前述した目的を達成するために、本発明は、螺旋管また
は保護ネットのうちの少なくとも一方の部材の一部に硬
質化被膜を形成する構成と□したことをその特徴とする
ものである。[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has a configuration in which a hardened coating is formed on a part of at least one member of the spiral tube or the protective net. Its characteristics are:
【作用１
この硬質化被膜を形成した部分は他の部分より硬くなる
ので、軟性部はその軸線方向において硬さの変化を持た
せることができるようになる。[Operation 1] The part on which this hardened coating is formed becomes harder than other parts, so that the soft part can have a change in hardness in its axial direction.
従って、軟性部の操作部本体側が硬質となって、それを
挿入経路に沿って挿入部の挿入を行う操作が良好となる
。ここで、この硬質化被膜はめっき等の手段により形成
することができるものであるから、比較的薄い被膜であ
っても、硬さを持たせることができるようになり、この
硬質化被膜を形成することによる軟性部の厚みの増大は
殆ど無視し得る程度となる。Therefore, the operating part main body side of the flexible part becomes hard, and the operation of inserting the insertion part along the insertion path becomes easier. Here, since this hardened film can be formed by means such as plating, even a relatively thin film can be given hardness. The increase in the thickness of the flexible portion due to this is almost negligible.
而して、硬質化被膜による硬さの管理は、その厚みを制
御したり、また硬質化被膜を形成する部分を制限したり
することによって、容易にしかも正確に行うことができ
、さらに硬質化被膜を部分的に多層化し、各層の材質を
変えること等によっても硬さの変化を持たせるようにす
ることができる。しかも、この硬質化被膜は極めて安定
した堅牢なものであるために、長期間使用しても、その
硬さに変化が生じるおそれはない。Therefore, the hardness of the hardened film can be easily and accurately controlled by controlling its thickness and by limiting the area on which the hardened film is formed. The hardness can also be varied by partially multilayering the coating and changing the material of each layer. Moreover, since this hardened coating is extremely stable and robust, there is no fear that its hardness will change even after long-term use.
［実施例］
以下、本発明の実施例を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する
。[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.
まず、第１図は内視鏡の全体構成を示し、図中において
、１は操作部本体、２は挿入部をそれぞれ示し、挿入部
２は操作部本体１の連結側から大半の部分が軟性部２ａ
となり、該軟性部２ａの先端にアングル部２ｂが連設さ
れており、該アングル部２ｂの先端部は硬質となった先
端硬質部２ｃが形成されている。First, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the endoscope. In the figure, 1 indicates the operating section main body, and 2 indicates the insertion section. The insertion section 2 is mostly flexible from the connection side of the operating section main body 1. Part 2a
An angled portion 2b is connected to the tip of the flexible portion 2a, and a hard tip portion 2c is formed at the tip of the angled portion 2b.
軟性部２ａは、第２図に示したように、金属帯片を螺旋
状に巻回してなる螺旋管３と、該螺旋管３に被着される
保護ネット４と、該保護ネット４の外周に形成される滑
りの良い部材からなる被覆層５とからなる中空の柔軟性
部材で形成されて、内部にライトガイド及びイメージガ
イドの光学繊維束や、鉗子等の処置具を挿通するための
処置具挿通チャンネル等の内蔵物を通過させる通路が形
成されている。そして、この軟性部２ａの両端部にはそ
れぞれ操作部本体１゛及びアングル部２ｂへの接続用の
金具６，７が装着されている。As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible portion 2a includes a spiral tube 3 formed by spirally winding a metal strip, a protective net 4 attached to the spiral tube 3, and an outer periphery of the protective net 4. It is formed of a hollow flexible member consisting of a coating layer 5 made of a slippery material, and is used to insert optical fiber bundles of light guides and image guides, and treatment instruments such as forceps into the interior. A passage is formed through which built-in items such as a tool insertion channel pass. Metal fittings 6 and 7 for connection to the operating section main body 1'' and the angle section 2b are attached to both ends of the flexible section 2a, respectively.
螺旋管３は内側と外側との２重に巻回したものからなり
、その巻回方向は相互に反対方向となっている。そして
、該各螺旋管３には、第３図に示したように、硬質化被
膜８が形成されており、この硬質化被膜８は金具６への
連結側の部分が最も厚膜で、金具７の連結部側に向けて
途中の部分まで順次薄膜化するようになっている。この
結果、軟性部２ａはその操作部本体ｌへの連結部側が硬
くなり、アングル部２ｂへの連結部側が軟らかくなるよ
うにその軸線方向に硬さの変化を持った構造となってい
る。The spiral tube 3 consists of double windings, one on the inside and one on the outside, and the winding directions are opposite to each other. As shown in FIG. 3, each spiral tube 3 is formed with a hardened coating 8, and the hardened coating 8 is thickest on the connection side to the metal fitting 6. The film is gradually thinned down to the middle part toward the connection part 7. As a result, the flexible part 2a has a structure in which the hardness changes in the axial direction so that the part connected to the operation part main body l becomes hard and the part connected to the angle part 2b becomes soft.
本実施例は前述のように構成されるもので、螺旋管３に
硬質化被膜８を形成するには、該螺旋管３をニッケル、
クロム等のめっき槽に浸漬して、その表面に無電解ニッ
ケルめっきやクロム電気めっき等からなるめっき層を析
出させることにより行うことができる。而して、このめ
っき手段による硬質化被膜８は、例えば３重用ｍ程度の
極めて薄膜のものでも、必要程度の硬さを持たせること
ができるので、この硬質化被膜８の形成による厚みの増
大は殆ど無視し得る程度である。This embodiment is constructed as described above, and in order to form the hardened coating 8 on the spiral tube 3, the spiral tube 3 is coated with nickel,
This can be done by immersing it in a chromium or the like plating bath and depositing a plating layer made of electroless nickel plating, chromium electroplating, etc. on the surface. The hardened coating 8 produced by this plating method can be made to have the necessary degree of hardness even if it is a very thin film, for example, about 3 layers, so the thickness can be increased by forming the hardened coating 8. is almost negligible.
ここで、操作性の観点からは、軟性部２ａの硬さの変化
は、その操作部本体１への連結部側、即ち金具６を取付
けた側が最も硬く、この部分からアングル部２ｂへの連
結側、即ち金具７の取付は側に向けて連続的に軟らかく
なるようにすることが好ましく、このために硬質化被膜
８の厚みは金具６の取付は側が最も厚く、当該部分から
金具７の取付は側に向けて順次薄くなるようにしている
が、この硬質化被膜８の厚みの管理は、例えば螺旋管３
のめっき槽への浸漬時間や通電針等を変化させることに
より、簡単かつ正確に行うことができるようになる。し
かも、めっき手段によって硬質化被膜８を形成している
ので、この硬質化被膜８は堅牢で、経時変化等によって
硬さが変化したりする不都合を生じることはない。Here, from the viewpoint of operability, the hardness of the flexible part 2a is the hardest on the side where it connects to the operation part main body 1, that is, on the side where the metal fitting 6 is attached, and when the hardness changes from this part to the angle part 2b. It is preferable that the hardened coating 8 is thickest on the side, that is, when the metal fitting 7 is attached, so that it becomes continuously softer toward the side. The thickness of the hardened coating 8 is controlled so that it gradually becomes thinner toward the side.
By changing the immersion time in the plating tank, the current-carrying needle, etc., this can be done easily and accurately. Moreover, since the hardened coating 8 is formed by plating, the hardened coating 8 is robust and does not suffer from problems such as changes in hardness due to aging or the like.
而して、大腸鏡等として使用する場合においては、挿入
部２の体腔内への挿入深さに応じて抵抗が大きくなった
りするが、挿入部２を軟性部２ａにおける操作部本体１
への連結部分が最も硬く、この部分から先端側に向けて
徐々に軟らかくなっているので、挿入深さに応じて抵抗
が増大したとしても、円滑な挿入操作が可能となる。When used as a colonoscope or the like, the resistance increases depending on the insertion depth of the insertion section 2 into the body cavity.
Since the connecting portion to the tip is the hardest and gradually becomes softer from this portion toward the distal end, smooth insertion operation is possible even if resistance increases depending on the insertion depth.
なお、前述した実施例においては、螺旋管３に硬質化被
膜８を形成するように構成したものを示したが、この硬
質化被膜は保護ネット４に形成しても、また螺旋管３と
保護ネット４との両方に形成してもよい。さらに、硬質
化被膜は単層のものだけでなく、それぞれ材質の異なる
複数の層で形成することもできる。さらにまた、螺旋管
３の一部をマスキングした状態で硬質化被膜を形成する
ようにしても、軟性部２ａの軸線方向に硬さの変化を持
たせるようにすることもできる。さらに、６更質化被膜
はめっき手段だけでなく塗装等能の手段によっても形成
することができる。In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an arrangement was shown in which the hardened coating 8 was formed on the spiral tube 3, but even if this hardened coating is formed on the protective net 4, it is also possible to form the hardened coating 8 on the spiral tube 3. It may be formed both with the net 4. Furthermore, the hardened coating is not limited to a single layer, but can also be formed of a plurality of layers each made of different materials. Furthermore, even if a hard coating is formed with a part of the spiral tube 3 masked, the hardness can be varied in the axial direction of the flexible portion 2a. Furthermore, the hexa-refined coating can be formed not only by plating means but also by means such as painting.
［発明の効果１
以上詳述した如く、本発明によれば、軟性部を構成する
螺旋管または保護ネットのうちの少なくとも一方に硬質
化被膜を形成するようにしたので、軟性部の軸線方向に
硬さの変化を持たせることができ、この硬質化被膜の厚
みを軸線方向に変化させる等により硬さの変化度合を極
めて簡単にコントロールすることができ、しかも長期間
使用しても、硬さが変化することはない。[Effects of the Invention 1] As detailed above, according to the present invention, since a hardened coating is formed on at least one of the spiral tube and the protective net constituting the flexible part, The degree of change in hardness can be controlled extremely easily by changing the thickness of this hardened coating in the axial direction, and even after long-term use, the hardness remains constant. never changes.
図面は本発明の一実施例を示すもので、第１図は内視鏡
の全体構成図、第２図は軟性部の断面図、第３図は螺旋
管の断面図である。
１：操作部本体、２：挿入部、２ａ：軟性部、２ｂ＝ア
ングル部、２ｃ：先端硬質部、３：螺旋管、４：保護ネ
ット、５：被覆層、６．７：金具、８：硬質化被膜。
Ｊ、・−′The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a general configuration diagram of an endoscope, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a flexible portion, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a spiral tube. 1: Main body of operation part, 2: Insertion part, 2a: Soft part, 2b=Angle part, 2c: Hard tip part, 3: Spiral tube, 4: Protective net, 5: Coating layer, 6.7: Metal fitting, 8: Hardened coating. J,・−′
Claims (4)
ネットの外周に被覆層を形成してなり、その両端にそれ
ぞれ操作部本体及びアングル部への接続金具を装着した
ものにおいて、前記螺旋管または保護ネットのうちの少
なくとも一方の部材の一部に硬質化被膜を形成する構成
としたことを特徴とする内視鏡の軟性部。(1) A helical tube is covered with a protective net, and a coating layer is formed on the outer periphery of the protective net, and connecting fittings for connecting to the operation part main body and the angle part are attached to both ends of the helical tube, respectively. 1. A flexible portion of an endoscope, characterized in that a hardened coating is formed on a portion of at least one of a tube and a protective net.
取付け部から前記アングル部への接続金具側に向けて硬
性の度合が小さくなるように形成したことを特徴とする
特許請求の範囲第（１）項記載の内視鏡の軟性部。(2) The hardened coating is formed such that the degree of hardness decreases from the attachment part of the connection fitting on the operating section main body side toward the connection fitting side to the angle part. The flexible part of the endoscope described in paragraph (1).
る特許請求の範囲第（１）項記載の内視鏡の軟性部。(3) The flexible portion of an endoscope according to claim (1), wherein the hard coating is a plating layer.
形成したことを特徴とする特許請求の範囲第（３）項記
載の内視鏡の軟性部。(4) The flexible portion of an endoscope according to claim (3), wherein the plating layer is formed of a plurality of layers each made of a different material.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP62083846A JPS63249537A (en) | 1987-04-07 | 1987-04-07 | Soft part of endoscope |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP62083846A JPS63249537A (en) | 1987-04-07 | 1987-04-07 | Soft part of endoscope |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS63249537A true JPS63249537A (en) | 1988-10-17 |
| JPH0431250B2 JPH0431250B2 (en) | 1992-05-26 |
Family
ID=13814067
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP62083846A Granted JPS63249537A (en) | 1987-04-07 | 1987-04-07 | Soft part of endoscope |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS63249537A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5299560A (en) * | 1992-06-18 | 1994-04-05 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Endoscope in which a bend remaining in the insertion portion upon removal from storage is reduced |
| JP2009532085A (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2009-09-10 | ボストン サイエンティフィック リミテッド | Flexible endoscope with variable stiffness shaft |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5217998U (en) * | 1975-07-25 | 1977-02-08 | ||
| JPS5779501U (en) * | 1980-10-31 | 1982-05-17 | ||
| JPS6086301U (en) * | 1983-11-22 | 1985-06-14 | オリンパス光学工業株式会社 | Flexible tube for endoscope |
-
1987
- 1987-04-07 JP JP62083846A patent/JPS63249537A/en active Granted
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5217998U (en) * | 1975-07-25 | 1977-02-08 | ||
| JPS5779501U (en) * | 1980-10-31 | 1982-05-17 | ||
| JPS6086301U (en) * | 1983-11-22 | 1985-06-14 | オリンパス光学工業株式会社 | Flexible tube for endoscope |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5299560A (en) * | 1992-06-18 | 1994-04-05 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Endoscope in which a bend remaining in the insertion portion upon removal from storage is reduced |
| JP2009532085A (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2009-09-10 | ボストン サイエンティフィック リミテッド | Flexible endoscope with variable stiffness shaft |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH0431250B2 (en) | 1992-05-26 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US3960143A (en) | Endoscope with a tube for a medical treating instrument | |
| US5873866A (en) | Flexible sheathing tube construction, and method for fabrication thereof | |
| US5131406A (en) | Guide for introduction of catheters into blood vessels and the like | |
| US5228453A (en) | Catheter guide wire | |
| US6165140A (en) | Composite guidewire | |
| US4327711A (en) | Flexible tube for an endoscope | |
| US4643194A (en) | Flexible calibrator | |
| US5569220A (en) | Cardiovascular catheter having high torsional stiffness | |
| JP7339355B2 (en) | medical tubular body | |
| JPH05507857A (en) | Guidewire with flexible distal tip | |
| JP2001212076A (en) | Control wire guiding device for endoscope | |
| JP2000000309A (en) | Catheter tube | |
| JPS58103431A (en) | Flexible tube of endoscope | |
| JP3712750B2 (en) | Medical tube | |
| JPS63249537A (en) | Soft part of endoscope | |
| JP2001321324A (en) | Flexible tube for endoscope | |
| JP3895755B2 (en) | Medical tube | |
| JP2641789B2 (en) | Flexible tube for endoscope and method for manufacturing flexible tube | |
| EP0043856B1 (en) | Flexible calibrator | |
| JP3123393B2 (en) | Endoscope flexible tube | |
| JPH11262470A (en) | Insertion part of endoscope | |
| JP3632932B2 (en) | Catheter tube | |
| JPH0546723Y2 (en) | ||
| JPH01254138A (en) | Soft part of endoscope | |
| JPS61162929A (en) | Endoscope |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAPS | Cancellation because of no payment of annual fees |