Flexible tube for endoscope

Abstract

A bent position holding section 3 for an endoscope 1 is provided with: a distal end hard section 20 constituting a first end 3a; a proximal end hard section 30 constituting a second end 3b; an outer cover tube 40 consisting of a soft member and constituting an outer cover; a bent position holding tube 50 capable of being bent relative to the longitudinal axis and capable of retaining the bent shape, the bent position holding tube 50 being disposed within the outer cover tube 40 and configured such that one of a fifth end 50a and a sixth end 50b is affixed either within a first hole 22h or within a second hole 31h, and the other end is disposed in a slidable manner within the first hole 22h or within the second hole 31h; and a pressing spring 60 disposed within the first hole 22h or withinthe second hole 31h and pressing one end of the bent position holding tube 50 toward the other end, the bent position holding tube 50 being disposed in a slidable manner within the first hole 22h or within the second hole 31h.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a flexible tube of an endoscope including a curved posture maintaining portion. Background technique [0002] Endoscopes are used for observation, treatment, and the like in living bodies, and for inspection, repair, and the like in industrial factory equipment. Medical endoscopes include endoscopes with flexible insertion parts that can be inserted into upper digestive organs, lower digestive organs, etc., and endoscopes with rigid insertion parts that can be inserted into abdominal cavity, chest cavity, etc. [0003] In the surgical endoscope device of Japanese Patent No. 5865559, an endoscope is disclosed in which a bending posture maintaining portion is provided at the root end of an insertion portion, wherein the insertion portion includes a metal front end portion, a bendable bending portion and metal rigid tubes. According to this endoscope, a user such as an endoscopist (scopist) can grasp and operate the endo...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

There is a possibility that a local load is applied to the slack part of the outer tube, and the tube deteriorates or breaks, thereby impairing the function as a bending posture maintaining part

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope flexible tube capable of solving the problem that the function of the bending position maintaining part is impaired due to shortening of the bending position maintaining tube.

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