Flexible tube for endoscope

Abstract

Disclosed is a flexible tube for endoscopes whose surface is covered with an outer skin. This flexible tube for endoscopes is characterized in that the outer skin contains a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer. This flexible tube for endoscopes has resistance to cleaning liquids, disinfectant solutions and steam under pressure sterilization, while exhibiting excellent resilience (rebound resilience) and adequate flexibility.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a flexible tube for an endoscope, and more specifically, to a flexible tube for an endoscope having excellent chemical resistance and high pressure steam resistance. Background technique [0002] A flexible tube for an endoscope is usually covered with a flexible sheath. Such an outer skin makes it easy for the flexible tube to be inserted into the body cavity, and at the same time prevents liquids such as body fluids from invading the inside of the flexible tube. [0003] Conventionally, a polyurethane elastomer is generally used as a resin constituting the sheath of a flexible tube for an endoscope. However, when a polyurethane elastomer is used for the outer skin of a flexible tube for an endoscope, it has the disadvantage of being unable to withstand the high-pressure steam sterilization method using an autoclave, which is the most popular method of sterilizing endoscopes recently. Bacterial method (referring to J...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, when a polyurethane elastomer is used for the outer skin of a flexible tube for an endoscope, it has the disadvantage of being unable to withstand the high-pressure steam sterilization method using an autoclave, which is the most popular sterilization method for endoscopes recently. Bacterial method (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-346754)

That is, if such a flexible tube is used for autoclaving, there is a problem that the tensile strength of the sheath is lowered.

[0004] In addition, it has been studied to use a polyester elastomer containing polybutylene naphthalate or the like as a hard segment having high pressure steam resistance for the outer skin of a flexible tube for an endoscope, but because the flexibility is too high, Therefore, there is a disadvantage that it cannot be used in long-sized endoscopes such as large intestines (see Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-311536).

Images