Flexible tube for endoscope

Abstract

Abstract PURPOSE:To obtain a flexible tube for an endoscope that does not form creases on the outer cover and does not lose flexibility due to curving on bending by providing a soft tube between the flex and fraid. CONSTITUTION:In the flexible tube 5 of an endoscope, a soft tube 17 provided between the flex 14 and braid 15 is bonded and fixed to the outer peripheral face of the flex 14 with an adhesive 18. The tube 17 contacts the braid 15, but it is not fixed. When the flexible tube 5 is bent, the flex 14 contracts inside of bending of the flexible tube 5 and the pitch becomes small. However, the change of distance is absorbed by the whole length and generation of creases on the outer cover 16 can be prevented. On outside of bending of the flexible tube 5, the flex 14 elongates and the pitch becomes larger. However, it elongates freely without strain and can be bent freely and largely without subjected to action to suppress elongation from the braid 15. Further, by providing the soft tube 17 it follows well to movement of the flex 14 and braid 15, and smooth bending action is ensured.

Inventors

• 👤 Takeaki Nakamura
• 👤 剛明 中村

Bibliographic Details