JPH10113332A - Treatment tool inserting tube for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To strongly fix a treatment tool inserting tube to a connecting pipe by using an adhesive by provided an activated surface against the adhesive to the inner surface of the treatment tool inserting tube which is made of a fluorine resin layer whose inside surface is smooth and whose frictional coefficient is small. SOLUTION: In the treatment tool inserting tube 20 made up of an inner layer 21 of a nonporous fluorine resin layer which is smooth and whose frictional coefficient is small, an intermediate layer 22 of a reinforcing layer consisting of a net, and an outer layer 23 of urethane resin such as a soft polyurethane, a large part of the fitting part of the inner layer 21 thereof to a connecting pipe 10 is formed by an activated surface R which is subjected to activated treatment against the adhesive by means of etching treatment, and an adhesive 24 is interposed therebetween. Thus, when the treatment tool inserting tube 20 is fitted to the connecting pipe 10, the adhesive force due to the chemical bonding between the adhesive 24 and the activated surface R of the inner layer 21 is developed, so that the adhesive strength therebetween can be greatly enhanced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a treatment instrument insertion tube of an endoscope used as a treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting a treatment instrument such as forceps in an endoscope used for medical use or the like. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope used for medical purposes and the like has an operation section connected to an insertion section into a body cavity or the like. An observation mechanism is attached to a distal end of the insertion section. To observe the inside of the body cavity and the like. If the affected part is found, use a treatment tool such as forceps or a high-frequency treatment tool to remove it, sample tissue cells, further stop bleeding, or inject an injection. A treatment tool insertion channel for insertion is provided. The treatment instrument insertion channel extends from the treatment instrument introduction section provided in the main body operation section over the entire length of the insertion section, and is connected to a treatment instrument insertion passage that is open at a distal end of the insertion section near a portion where the observation mechanism is provided.

[0003] Since the insertion portion bends in an arbitrary direction along the insertion path in the body cavity, the treatment instrument insertion channel inserted into the insertion portion must have a flexible structure. However, from the relation that the observation mechanism is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion, it becomes a distal end hard portion formed of a hard member,
An angle portion for orienting the tip hard portion in a desired direction is continuously provided. Therefore, FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a connecting portion between the hard end portion and the angle portion.

[0004] In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a hard tip portion, and 2 denotes an angle portion. The hard tip portion 1 is provided with an illuminating portion facing the front end of a light guide, although not shown.
An observation unit 3 for observing the inside of a body cavity under illumination light emitted from the illumination unit is provided. An objective lens unit 4 faces the observation unit 3, and a prism 5 is fixed to the image forming side of the objective lens unit 4 in a joined state, and a solid-state imaging unit 6 is provided to be joined to the prism 5. The solid-state imaging means 6 is mounted on a circuit board 7, and a cable 8 is connected to the circuit board 7.

A treatment tool insertion passage 9 is formed in the distal end hard portion 1, and one end of a connecting pipe 10 is inserted into the treatment tool insertion passage 9. The connecting pipe 10 extends toward the angle portion 2, and the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 is fitted and fixed to the connecting pipe 10. Therefore, the treatment tool insertion passage 9, the connection pipe 10, and the treatment tool insertion tube 1
The treatment instrument insertion channel 1 is constituted by 1, and the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 extends from inside the insertion section to the main body operation section.

[0006] Here, the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 must be flexible so that when the insertion section is bent, the insertion section follows the bending. In particular, since the bending portion of the insertion portion can be bent with an extremely small radius of curvature, the bending portion of the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 can be easily bent at least in this bending portion,
Moreover, when the bending is released, it must be surely restored. In addition, since the treatment tool is inserted into the inside, at least the inner surface must have good sliding in order to smoothly guide the treatment tool. In addition, endoscopes must be chemically resistant because they are cleaned each time they are used. Therefore, the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 is required to have airtightness, watertightness, flexibility, kink resistance, shape retention, good slippage, chemical resistance, cleaning disinfection, and the like.

[0007] From the above, the treatment instrument insertion tube 11
The one having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 is particularly preferably used. That is, the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 has a substantially three-layer structure. First, the inner layer 12 is a fluororesin layer, and the intermediate layer 13 is a net as a reinforcing layer. This net is made of, for example, hard stainless steel fiber or amorphous metal. It is formed by braiding a hard metal fiber having a spring property such as fiber or tungsten fiber. Further, the outer layer 14 is a urethane resin layer as a thermoplastic resin. Actually, the urethane resin constituting the outer layer 14 is formed so as to be impregnated in the net as the intermediate layer, and there is no clear boundary between the two layers.

The inner layer 12 is formed of a fluororesin. The inner layer 12 is provided for improving the inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 so that the inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 can be smoothly slid. It prevents the hardness from increasing. Then, in consideration of cleaning properties and the like, the surface is extremely smooth and non-porous in order to reduce the friction coefficient. Further, the intermediate layer 13 is for exerting a sufficient shape retaining ability even when the bending operation is performed at the maximum curvature in the angle portion 2. The outer layer 14 covers the intermediate layer 13. The treatment instrument insertion tube 11 is bent so that the net does not become resistant to expansion and contraction of the net constituting the intermediate layer 13, and urethane is used to prevent distortion. Among resins, soft polyurethane and the like are particularly preferable.

[0009]

By the way, the distal end of the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 is connected to the connecting pipe 10, but this connecting portion must be connected and fixed firmly. If this connecting portion is loose, not only does airtight leakage occur, but also the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 comes off from the connecting pipe 10. In particular, when the angle portion 2 is bent so as to have the maximum angle, the treatment instrument insertion tube 1
Since a large pulling force acts on 1, if the connection between the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 and the connection pipe 10 is not perfect, the tube 1 is easily detached.

[0010] In order to allow the treatment tool to pass smoothly, it is necessary to minimize the step on the inner surface.
For this purpose, the treatment instrument insertion tube is connected to the connection pipe by fitting the treatment instrument insertion tube to the connection pipe. Therefore, in the case of the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 having the above-described configuration, the fitting portion to the connecting pipe 10 is an inner layer 12 having a smooth and small friction coefficient. Generally, the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 is fixed to the connection pipe 10 using an adhesive, but the inner layer 12 has poor adaptability to the adhesive and cannot maintain a sufficient adhesive strength. .
As a result, there is less room for selection of an adhesive for fixing the treatment tool insertion tube 11, and the treatment tool insertion tube 11 due to poor bonding can be obtained if the management at the time of bonding, such as control of the amount of application, is not strictly performed. There is a possibility of falling off from the connecting pipe 10.

[0011] For this purpose, there is known a treatment instrument insertion tube which is mechanically fixed to a connecting pipe. As an example, there is a configuration in which a locking ring is used, and a claw that bites into the treatment instrument insertion tube is provided on a peripheral body of the ring when a force acts in a direction in which the treatment instrument insertion tube is pulled out. . If such a configuration is adopted, the strength of the connecting portion of the treatment instrument insertion tube to the connection pipe is significantly increased, but if a locking ring is further fitted around the outer circumference of the treatment instrument insertion tube, the treatment The outer diameter of the tool insertion channel becomes large. In addition, if the treatment tool insertion tube is fixed more strongly than necessary to make it substantially inseparable, if the treatment tool insertion tube is damaged such as buckling, it will not be possible to repair or replace the tube. May come.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to connect a treatment tool insertion tube having a smooth inner surface made of a fluororesin layer having a small friction coefficient by using an adhesive. It is intended to be able to be fixed firmly to a pipe.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a multi-layered flexible tube whose inner layer is made of fluorine resin and whose outer layer is made of urethane resin, and through which a treatment tool is inserted. A passage is formed, and the distal end is connected by fitting to a connecting pipe attached to the distal end main body of the endoscope insertion portion, and the inner surface of the flexible tube is connected to the connecting pipe. The present invention is characterized in that an active surface for the adhesive is provided from the distal end portion of the fitting portion to an area not exceeding the fitting portion to the connecting pipe.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. However, since the configuration other than the treatment instrument insertion tube is substantially the same as that of the above-described conventional technology, in the following description, the same or equivalent components as those of the conventional technology are denoted by the same reference numerals. The detailed description is omitted.

First, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 denotes a treatment tool insertion tube.
No. 1 is a nonporous fluororesin layer having a low friction coefficient and smoothness. Further, the intermediate layer 22 covers the reinforcing layer made of a net, the outer layer 23 covers the intermediate layer 22 so as not to be exposed to the outside, and the intermediate layer 22 made of the net can smoothly expand and contract when the treatment tool insertion tube 20 is bent. In order to achieve this, a urethane resin, for example, a soft polyurethane is used. Then, the distal end portion of the treatment instrument insertion tube 11 is connected to the connection pipe 10 by fitting the two. The above points are substantially the same as those of the conventional treatment instrument insertion tube 11.

However, the inner layer 2 of the treatment instrument insertion tube 20
An active surface R that has been subjected to an activation process for the adhesive is formed by forming an active group for the adhesive by etching the majority of the portion fitted to the connection pipe 10 in 1. Here, the active surface R is formed only on the inner surface of the inner layer 21 constituting the treatment instrument insertion tube 20, and the outer layer 23 and the end face of the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 are not processed. Moreover, also in the inner layer 21, the active surface R does not extend to a position beyond the fitting portion to the connecting pipe 10.

As described above, when the treatment tool insertion tube 20 is formed with the active surface R for the adhesive, the adhesive 24 is interposed therebetween, and the treatment tool insertion tube 20 is fitted to the connecting pipe 10. Since the adhesive force between the adhesive 24 and the active surface R of the inner layer 21 is exerted by a chemical bond such as a hydrogen bond, the adhesive strength is dramatically improved. Therefore, even if the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 is firmly fixed to the connecting pipe 10 and the angle portion 2 is bent and a strong pulling force acts on the treatment instrument insertion tube 20, the adhesive layer does not peel off. Separation of the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 from the connection pipe 10 is prevented.

Therefore, the active surface R for the adhesive will be described below.
A method for forming the will be described. An etching process is performed on the inner surface of the inner layer 21 to form the active surface R. As an example of the etching process, a process called a tetra-etch process is suitably used. In this tetra-etch treatment, a solution obtained by dissolving sodium naphthalene as an active substance in dimethyl ether is used as an etching solution, and sodium is released in the etching solution.
When, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is immersed as a fluororesin, sodium activated and activated in the etchant reacts with fluorine to generate free radicals on the fluororesin side. Then, when the fluororesin is pulled up from the etching solution, washed with alcohol and washed with water, and then brought into contact with air, free radicals react with moisture in the air, organic fatty acids floating in the air, and the like,
Fluorine on the surface of the fluororesin is replaced with an active group for an adhesive such as a hydroxyl group. The active surface R in which the portion substituted by the active group is active toward the adhesive as described above.
Becomes

That is, the reaction process in the tetra-etch treatment is as shown in Chemical formula 1.

[0020]

Embedded image

As described above, the active surface R in which fluorine has been substituted with an active group such as a hydroxyl group is in a state where the hydroxyl group is chemically bonded to the adhesive by a hydrogen bond or the like. This results in very high adhesion. However, when the fluorine is replaced with the active group, the smoothness which the inner layer 21 should have originally is lost, and the slip becomes worse.
Is exposed at the portion of the passage through which the treatment instrument is inserted, the penetrability of the treatment instrument deteriorates. Therefore, the active surface R needs to be limitedly formed at the fitting portion of the connection pipe 10 that does not function as a passage for the treatment tool. In addition, treatment instrument insertion tube 2
Numeral 0 denotes a multilayer structure, and since the outer layer 23 is made of urethane resin, if an etching solution adheres to the urethane resin, the urethane resin will be destroyed. Then, since the net of the intermediate layer 22 made of a metal braid is exposed to the outside, the function of protecting other insertion members is lost. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the etchant from touching the outer layer 23 when etching the fluororesin.

From the above, an apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 is used as an apparatus for performing an etching process. In the drawing, reference numeral 30 denotes an etching tank, in which an etching solution obtained by dissolving sodium naphthalene in dimethyl ether is stored. Reference numeral 31 denotes a flexible tube constituting the treatment instrument insertion tube 20. The flexible tube 31 is not immersed in the etching solution as it is, but only a part of the inner surface thereof comes into contact with the etching solution by the masking member 32. The outer surface and the tip surface are masked so as not to come into contact with the etching solution.

The masking member 32 is a flexible tube 3
A cylindrical member 33 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical member 1 and a plug 35 screwed into the bottom of the cylindrical member 33, and a sealing member 36 is interposed between the inner surface of the cylindrical member 33 and the plug 35. Is done. The plug 35 has a communication hole 37 formed therein, and an annular protrusion 38 is provided on the upper end surface thereof. The outer diameter of the protrusion 38 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the flexible tube 31, so that the flexible tube 31 is fitted to the protrusion 38 in a substantially tight fit. It has become so.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the flexible tube 31 is mounted on the masking member 32 and immersed in the etching solution in the etching tank 30, the etching solution is placed inside the flexible tube 31. However, an annular space is formed between the flexible tube 31 and the cylindrical body 33, and the etching liquid does not enter this space. Therefore, the etching liquid does not adhere to the outer surface of the flexible tube 31. Further, the portion where the active surface R is formed by etching is limited to a portion which is fitted to the connecting pipe 10 up to a predetermined length in the axial direction, that is, when the treatment tool insertion tube 20 is formed.
This can be adjusted by the immersion depth of the flexible tube 31 in the etching solution in the etching bath 30. Therefore,
In order to be able to adjust the immersion depth accurately, it is preferable to form a marking indicating the immersion depth on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 33 of the masking member 32. This marking is preferably formed in a band shape on the outer surface of the masking member 32, for example, at a portion indicated by a width B in FIG.

After a cleaning step of washing away the etching solution as a post-processing of the etching processing, the flexible tube 31 is removed.
Is separated from the masking member 32. Here, the portion fitted to the protruding portion 38 on the distal end side of the flexible tube 31, that is, the portion at the interval D in FIG. 2 is not subjected to the etching process. Therefore, at least the portion at the interval D is cut and removed. The portion of the inner layer 21 where the fluorine resin is etched is the treatment tool insertion tube 20 in which the fluorine is replaced with an active group such as a hydroxyl group and the active surface R is formed on the distal end side. Further, by cutting and removing the portion at the interval D described above, the treatment instrument insertion tube 20 is removed.
Is a state in which only the inner surface of the inner layer 21 is etched, and not only the outer surface 23 made of urethane resin constituting the outer surface but also the tip surface is not etched.
No damage is caused to the urethane resin constituting No. 3.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, the flexible tube is bonded to the inner surface of the flexible tube from the distal end of the fitting portion to the connecting pipe within a range not exceeding the fitting length to the connecting pipe. Since the active surface for the agent is provided, the treatment tool insertion tube made of a fluororesin layer with a smooth inner surface and a small friction coefficient can be firmly fixed to the connecting pipe using an adhesive, and by bending the angle part, etc. Even if a strong pulling force is applied to the treatment instrument insertion channel, various effects such as a possibility that the treatment instrument insertion channel is not detached from the connecting pipe can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a treatment tool insertion tube is connected to a connection pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processing apparatus for forming an active surface on a treatment tool insertion tube.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a connecting portion between a hard distal end portion and an angle portion in an insertion portion of the endoscope.

FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory view of a treatment instrument insertion tube according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hard tip part 2 Angle part 9 Treatment tool insertion passage 10 Connecting pipe 20 Treatment tool insertion tube 21 Inner layer 22 Intermediate layer 23 Outer layer 24 Adhesive 30 Etching tank 32 Masking member R Active surface

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A multi-layered flexible tube whose inner layer is made of a fluorine resin and whose outer layer is made of a urethane resin, a passage for inserting a treatment instrument is formed inside, and a tip is formed at a tip end body of an endoscope insertion portion. In the one that is connected by fitting to the attached connecting pipe, the inner surface of the flexible tube does not exceed the fitting part to the connecting pipe from the distal end of the fitting part to the connecting pipe. A treatment tool insertion tube for an endoscope, wherein an active surface for an adhesive is provided over a range.