JPH0984749A - Reticulated tube for flexible tube of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [PROBLEMS] To provide a reticulated tube for a flexible tube of an endoscope, which has a strong coupling force with an outer cover when incorporated in a flexible tube and can be smoothly bent. SOLUTION: A mesh tube 20 formed by braiding a plurality of wire bundles 21 in which a plurality of thin wires are juxtaposed is coated on the outer circumference of a spiral tube 10, and the outer circumference is made of a synthetic resin outer sheath 30 having flexibility. A braided tube 20 for forming a flexible tube 1 of an endoscope having a braided angle of 45 ° to 65 °.
°, braid density 0.78 to 0.90, braid count 1
In the case of two bundles, the diameter of the wire of the reticulated tube 20 is d
When w is set, the number n of braids with respect to the average diameter D of the braid of the reticulated tube 20 is within a predetermined range.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reticulated tube for a flexible tube used as an exterior part of an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a flexible tube of an endoscope is formed by coating a mesh tube formed by braiding a plurality of wire bundles in which a plurality of thin wires are juxtaposed on the outer circumference of a spiral tube and further flexing the outer circumference thereof. It is formed by covering a synthetic resin outer shell having properties.

As shown in FIG. 9, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-223923, the total length L of the intersecting portions of the wire bundles 21 in the axial direction of the reticulated tube 20 is the axial line of the flexible tube. It is described that the ratio to the total length is 73% to 83%.

If this is replaced with a braid density K (K = (S−s) / S in FIG. 10) which is the ratio of the area where each wire bundle 21 covers the outer peripheral surface of the reticulated tube 20, 1- (1 Since −0.73) ² = 0.9271 1- (1-0.83) ² = 0.9711, 0.927 ≦ K ≦ 0.971.
When there is no gap between the wire bundles 21, s = 0 and K = 1.

[0005]

The flexible tube of an endoscope is used while being repeatedly bent with a small radius of curvature in a living body cavity or the like, but as described above, it has a large braid density and a small mesh shape. A flexible tube using a pipe has a weak binding force between the mesh tube and the outer skin, so the outer skin easily separates from the mesh tube when bent with a small radius of curvature, and as a result, wrinkles occur on the outer skin portion that is inside the curve. And, I often buckle.

Further, in order to strengthen the binding force between the mesh tube and the outer shell, the braid density of the mesh tube is made extremely sparse so that the softened or melted outer shell member is eroded well in the gap of the mesh tube. The member penetrates into the spiral tube portion inside the mesh tube, and the flexible tube does not bend smoothly, making it useless.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a reticulated tube for a flexible tube of an endoscope, which has a strong coupling force with an outer cover when incorporated in a flexible tube and can be smoothly bent.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a reticulated tube for a flexible tube of an endoscope of the present invention is a reticulated tube formed by braiding a plurality of wire bundles in which a plurality of thin wires are juxtaposed. A reticulated tube for covering the outer circumference of a spiral tube and further covering the outer circumference thereof with a flexible synthetic resin outer jacket, which is a reticulated tube having a braid angle of 45. ° to 6
When the braid density is 5 °, the braid density is 0.78 to 0.90, and the number of braids is 12 bundles, the diameter of the wire of the mesh tube is dw.
In this case, the number n of braids with respect to the average diameter D of the braid of the reticulated tube is in the following range.

When dw = 0.02 mm, 5.78 D ≦ n ≦ 12.82 D When dw = 0.03 mm, 3.86 D ≦ n ≦ 8.55 D When dw = 0.04 mm, 2.89 D ≦ n When ≦ 6.41D dw = 0.05 mm, 2.32D ≦ n ≦ 5.13D When dw = 0.06 mm, 1.93D ≦ n ≦ 4.27D When dw = 0.07 mm, 1.66D ≦ When n ≦ 3.66D dw = 0.08 mm, 1.45D ≦ n ≦ 3.20D When dw = 0.09 mm, 1.29D ≦ n ≦ 2.85D When dw = 0.10 mm, 1.16D ≦ n ≦ 2.56D When dw = 0.12 mm, 0.97D ≦ n ≦ 2.13D.

The maximum value of the braid average diameter D of the reticulated tube is preferably in the following range. When dw = 0.02 mm, 0.94 mm ≦ D ≦ 2.07 mm When dw = 0.03 mm, 1.41 mm ≦ D ≦ 3.1 mm When dw = 0.04 mm, 1.88 mm ≦ D ≦ 4. 15 mm dw = 0.05 mm 2.34 mm ≦ D ≦ 5.17 mm dw = 0.06 mm 2.82 mm ≦ D ≦ 6.21 mm dw = 0.07 mm 7.23 mm ≦ D ≦ 3 When 0.27 mm dw = 0.08 mm, 3.75 mm ≦ D ≦ 8.27 mm When dw = 0.09 mm, 4.22 mm ≦ D ≦ 9.30 mm When dw = 0.10 mm, 4.69 mm ≦ D ≦ When 10.34 mm dw = 0.12 mm, 5.64 mm ≦ D ≦ 12.37 mm.

[0011]

Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows the entire configuration of the endoscope, in which the bending operation knob 3 provided on the operation portion 2 is rotated at the tip portion of the flexible tube 1 which covers the insertion portion connected to the operation portion 2. A curved portion 4 is formed that is remotely bent by moving it.

Further, a tip portion main body 5 containing an objective optical system and the like is connected to the tip portion side of the bending portion 4.
A connector 7 connected to a light source device (not shown) is connected to an end of the flexible connection cord 6 connected to the operation unit 2.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a flexible tube 1, which is 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a spiral tube formed by spirally winding a metal band such as stainless steel or a copper alloy with a uniform diameter, and is formed by single winding or double or more winding.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a reticulated tube which is coated on the outer circumference of the spiral tube 10, and is formed by braiding a plurality of wire bundles 21 in which a plurality of metal wires of stainless steel or copper alloy are arranged in parallel. ing. However, the metal thin wires and the non-metal thin wires may be mixed and arranged. The number of strands contained in one strand 21 is called a number n, and the number of strands 21 to be braided is called a stroke number m. In the present invention, the number of braid shots m is m = 1.
2.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a flexible outer cover that covers the outer periphery of the reticulated tube 20, and is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyurethane resin and penetrates into the gap of the reticulated tube 20 from the outer surface side.

The spiral tube 10 and the mesh tube 20 are the spiral tube 10
The reticulated tube 20 is closely attached to the outer periphery of and is fixed to each other at both ends by soldering or the like. This prevents the flexible tube 1 from stretching and twisting. The angle α formed by each wire of the wire bundle 21 with respect to the axis 40 of the flexible tube 1 in this state is called a braid angle.

The braid angle α of the reticulated tube 20 for the flexible tube of the endoscope
In order to prevent buckling from occurring when the flexible tube 1 is repeatedly bent with a small radius of curvature, 45 ° to 6 °
It is known that the angle should be set within a range of 5 ° (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 6).
2-133925).

Further, in order that the binding force between the reticulated tube 20 and the outer cover 30 is strong and the flexible tube 1 can be smoothly bent, when the braid density of the reticulated tube 20 is K, K in a range of 0.78 ≦ K ≦ 0.90 (strictly, 0.
The inventors of the present application have found that it should be set within the range of 772 ≦ K ≦ 0.906), and have already filed a patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 7-206878).

As described above, the braid density K is equal to the wire bundle 21.
Is the ratio of the area covering the outer peripheral surface of the mesh tube 20 (K = 1 when there is no gap), and in FIG. 10, K = (S−s)
/ S.

Here, it is known that the braid density K is expressed by K = 2F-F ² ... F = m · n · dw / (2P · sin α). However, F: Filling factor m: Number of braid hits n: Number of braids held dw: Wire diameter of reticulated tube 20 [mm] P: Braid pitch [mm]

Since P = π · D / tanα ... And from the equation, n = (2π · sinα · F) D / dw · m · tanα. However, D: average diameter of braid of reticulated tube 20 (outer diameter of core + 2 dw)
[Mm].

Therefore, 0.772 ≦ K ≦ for K
The condition of 0.906 and the value of F obtained from the formula,
By substituting the condition of 45 ° <α <65 ° for α into the equation, the number n of braids with respect to the average diameter D of the braid of the reticulated tube 20 is calculated within the following range.

When dw = 0.02 mm, 5.78 D ≦ n ≦ 12.82 D When dw = 0.03 mm, 3.86 D ≦ n ≦ 8.55 D When dw = 0.04 mm, 2.89 D ≦ n When ≦ 6.41D dw = 0.05 mm, 2.32D ≦ n ≦ 5.13D When dw = 0.06 mm, 1.93D ≦ n ≦ 4.27D When dw = 0.07 mm, 1.66D ≦ When n ≦ 3.66D dw = 0.08 mm, 1.45D ≦ n ≦ 3.20D When dw = 0.09 mm, 1.29D ≦ n ≦ 2.85D When dw = 0.10 mm, 1.16D ≦ n ≦ 2.56D When dw = 0.12 mm, 0.97D ≦ n ≦ 2.13D. However, n is an integer because it is the number of braids.

If the number of braids n is too large, it is troublesome to bundle the strands and the manufacturing cost is increased. Therefore, it is preferable that the number n is 12 or less (one or more). Therefore, the maximum value of the average braid diameter D with respect to the wire diameter dw is preferably within the following range.

When dw = 0.02 mm, 0.94 mm ≦ D ≦ 2.07 mm When dw = 0.03 mm, 1.41 mm ≦ D ≦ 3.1 mm When dw = 0.04 mm, 1.88 mm ≦ D ≦ 4.15 mm dw = 0.05 mm 2.34 mm ≦ D ≦ 5.17 mm dw = 0.06 mm 2.82 mm ≦ D ≦ 6.21 mm dw = 0.07 mm 7.23 mm ≦ When D ≦ 3.27 mm dw = 0.08 mm, 3.75 mm ≦ D ≦ 8.27 mm When dw = 0.09 mm, 4.22 mm ≦ D ≦ 9.30 mm When dw = 0.10 mm, 4.69 mm ≦ D ≦ 10.34 mm When dw = 0.12 mm, 5.64 mm ≦ D ≦ 12.37 mm.

The present invention may be applied with the connecting cord 6 having the same structure as that of the flexible tube 1 described above.

[0027]

Example 1 The average diameter D of the braid of the reticulated tube 20 is 5.5 m.
m, the number of braiding strokes m is 12 bundles, and the wire diameter dw is 0.12 mm
And the braid number n of the braided tube 20 satisfying the conditions that the braid angle α is in the range of 45 ° <α <65 ° and the braid density K is in the range of 0.772 ≦ K ≦ 0.906 is α and K. According to FIG. 3, which shows the relationship with n by a diagram, it must be in the range of 6 ≦ n ≦ 11. Note that the numbers in the diagrams are the braid densities K expressed in% (the same applies to FIGS. 4 to 8).

[0028]

EXAMPLE 2 The average diameter D of the braid of the reticulated tube 20 is 5 mm, the number of braids m is 12 bundles, the wire diameter dw is 0.1 mm, the braid angle α is in the range of 45 ° <α <65 °, and the braid density K is obtained. Is 0.7
The braided number n of the braided tubes 20 satisfying the condition of 72 ≦ K ≦ 0.906 must be within the range of 6 ≦ n ≦ 12 according to FIG. 4 showing the relationship between α, K and n by a diagram. I won't.

[0029]

[Third Embodiment] The average diameter D of the braid of the reticulated tube 20 is 4 mm, the number m of the braid is 12 bundles, the wire diameter dw is 0.09 mm, the braid angle α is in the range of 45 ° <α <65 °, and the braid density K is obtained. Is 0.
The number n of braids of the braided tube 20 satisfying the condition of 772 ≦ K ≦ 0.906 should be in the range of 6 ≦ n ≦ 11 from FIG. 5 showing the relationship between α, K and n by a diagram. I have to.

[0030]

Example 4 The average diameter D of the braid of the reticulated tube 20 is 3 mm, the number of braids m is 12 bundles, the wire diameter dw is 0.07 mm, the braid angle α is in the range of 45 ° <α <65 °, and the braid density K is obtained. Is 0.
The braided number n of the braided tubes 20 satisfying the condition of 772 ≦ K ≦ 0.906 should be in the range of 5 ≦ n ≦ 10 according to FIG. 6 showing the relationship between α, K and n by a diagram. I have to.

[0031]

[Embodiment 5] The average diameter D of the braid of the reticulated tube 20 is 2 mm, the number m of the braid is 12 bundles, the wire diameter dw is 0.05 mm, the braid angle α is in the range of 45 ° <α <65 °, and the braid density K is obtained. Is 0.
The braided number n of the braided tube 20 satisfying the condition of 772 ≦ K ≦ 0.906 should be in the range of 5 ≦ n ≦ 10 according to FIG. 7 showing the relationship between α, K and n by a diagram. I have to.

[0032]

[Embodiment 6] The average diameter D of the braid of the reticulated tube 20 is 1 mm, the number of braids m is 12 bundles, the wire diameter dw is 0.02 mm, the braid angle α is in the range of 45 ° <α <65 °, and the braid density K is obtained. Is 0.
The braided number n of the reticulated tube 20 satisfying the condition of 772 ≦ K ≦ 0.906 should be in the range of 6 ≦ n ≦ 12 from FIG. 8 showing the relationship between α, K and n by a diagram. I have to.

[0033]

According to the present invention, in a reticulated tube for a flexible tube of an endoscope in which the number of braids is 12 bundles, the number of braids held relative to the average diameter of the braid of the reticulated tube is predetermined corresponding to the wire diameter of the reticulated tube. It is possible to satisfy both the braid angle of 45 ° to 65 ° and the braid density of 0.78 to 0.90 by stipulating the range of the above, and when the braid angle is incorporated into the flexible tube, the bond with the outer skin is achieved. It has a strong force and can be bent smoothly, and it is possible to impart excellent durability to the flexible tube.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial side view showing a flexible tube of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention by cutting away a part thereof.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of an endoscope to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a range of the number of braided braided net-like tubes according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a range of the number of braided braided mesh tubes of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a range of the number of braided braided net-like tubes according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a range of the number of braided net-like tubes according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the range of the number of braided braided net-like tubes of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a range of the number of braided net-like tubes according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial side view of a mesh tube.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a braid density of a mesh tube.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 flexible tube 10 spiral tube 20 mesh tube 21 wire bundle 30 outer skin

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A reticulated tube formed by braiding a plurality of wire bundles in which a plurality of thin wires are juxtaposed is coated on the outer circumference of a spiral tube, and the outer circumference is further covered by a flexible synthetic resin outer cover. A reticulated tube for forming a flexible tube of an endoscope having a braid angle of 45 ° to 65 °, a braid density of 0.78 to 0.90, and a braid count of 12 bundles. A braided tube for a flexible tube of an endoscope, wherein the braided number n with respect to the braided average diameter D of the braided tube is within the following range, where dw is the diameter of the braided tube. When dw = 0.02 mm, 5.78 D ≦ n ≦ 12.82 D When dw = 0.03 mm, 3.86 D ≦ n ≦ 8.55 D When dw = 0.04 mm, 2.89 D ≦ n ≦ 6. 41D dw = 0.05 mm 2.32 D ≦ n ≦ 5.13 D dw = 0.06 mm 1.93 D ≦ n ≦ 4.27 D dw = 0.07 mm 1.66 D ≦ n ≦ 3 .66D dw = 0.08 mm, 1.45 D ≦ n ≦ 3.20 D dw = 0.09 mm, 1.29 D ≦ n ≦ 2.85 D dw = 0.10 mm, 1.16 D ≦ n ≦ When 2.56D dw = 0.12 mm, 0.97D ≦ n ≦ 2.13D. 2. The reticulated tube for a flexible tube of an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the maximum value of the braid average diameter D of the reticulated tube is in the following range. When dw = 0.02 mm, 0.94 mm ≦ D ≦ 2.07 mm When dw = 0.03 mm, 1.41 mm ≦ D ≦ 3.1 mm When dw = 0.04 mm, 1.88 mm ≦ D ≦ 4. 15 mm dw = 0.05 mm 2.34 mm ≦ D ≦ 5.17 mm dw = 0.06 mm 2.82 mm ≦ D ≦ 6.21 mm dw = 0.07 mm 7.23 mm ≦ D ≦ 3 When 0.27 mm dw = 0.08 mm, 3.75 mm ≦ D ≦ 8.27 mm When dw = 0.09 mm, 4.22 mm ≦ D ≦ 9.30 mm When dw = 0.10 mm, 4.69 mm ≦ D ≦ When 10.34 mm dw = 0.12 mm, 5.64 mm ≦ D ≦ 12.37 mm.