Insertion tube and endoscope
By designing a elastic layer and a spiral extension sheet structure with gradually reduced thickness in the endoscopic insertion tube, combined with the cladding layer, the problem of reliability and cost of insertion tube is solved, and better bending performance and reduction are achieved. Effects of production cost.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202420164694.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-23
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-01-23
AI Technical Summary
The problem of difficulty in using the endoscope insertion tube is both reliable and cost-reducing. In the prior art, the spring layer pitch gradient scheme leads to structural collisions and jams, and the resin layer composition adjustment process is complex and costly.
By designing a tubular structure in the insertion tube with gradually decreasing the thickness of the elastic layer from close to the operating part to away from the operating part, combined with the spirally extending sheet elastic member and the cladding layer, the bending stiffness of the insertion tube is achieved to avoid collision of the elastic layer. and stuck and simplify production processes.
Improves the bending performance and durability of the insert tube, reduces production costs, and ensures the reliability and high yield of the insert tube.
Smart Images
Figure CN222172086U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of medical equipment, in particular to an insertion tube and an endoscope. Background Art
[0002] Endoscopes are widely used in the medical field, and they can navigate, visualize or perform other operations inside various complex structures of the inspected object. Endoscopes usually have a flexible insertion tube, which is used to extend into the inspected object. In order to ensure smooth insertion, the insertion tube is usually designed to have a structure in which the bending stiffness gradually changes along the length axis and the bending stiffness at the front end is the smallest.
[0003] The endoscope insertion tube generally includes a three-layer structure, which is a spring layer, a braided layer, and a resin layer from the inside to the outside. In some technical solutions, in the spring layer, the pitch of the spring along the length axis is set to be gradual to achieve a gradual change in the bending stiffness of the insertion tube. However, when in use, in areas with small spring pitches, the spring structures themselves are prone to collide with each other or even get stuck, which reduces the bending performance and durability of the insertion tube and seriously affects the reliability of the insertion tube.
[0004] In other technical solutions, the resin layer is changed by changing the composition or proportion of the resin layer to achieve a gradual change in the bending stiffness of the insertion tube. However, the process of changing the composition or proportion of the resin layer is relatively complicated, the yield is low, and the precision and stability of the equipment are required to be high, so the production cost is high.
[0005] Therefore, the endoscope insertion tube of the related art has a technical problem that it is difficult to achieve both reliability in use and cost reduction. Utility Model Content
[0006] In view of this, the utility model provides an insertion tube and an endoscope to solve the problem that the insertion tube of the endoscope is difficult to achieve both reliability in use and cost reduction.
[0007] In a first aspect, the utility model provides an insertion tube for an endoscope, the endoscope comprising an operating portion, the insertion tube having a first end close to the operating portion of the endoscope and a second end away from the operating portion. Specifically, the insertion tube comprises an elastic layer and a coating layer coated on the outer side of the elastic layer. Furthermore, the elastic layer is constructed as a tubular structure, and the thickness of the elastic layer gradually decreases from the first end to the second end.
[0008] Beneficial effect: In this scheme, the thickness of the elastic layer gradually decreases from the first end close to the operating part to the second end far from the operating part, so that the stiffness of the insertion tube gradually decreases. This scheme realizes the gradual change of the stiffness of the insertion tube by changing the thickness of the elastic layer. Compared with the scheme of changing the pitch of the spring, the elastic layer of this scheme will not collide or get stuck with each other along the axial direction, so that the bendability and durability of the insertion tube are better, thereby improving the reliability of use; and compared with the scheme of changing the composition or proportion of the resin layer, this scheme can achieve the change of the thickness of the elastic layer by relying on the original equipment, which is not only simple in process, but also high in yield, thus greatly reducing the production cost.
[0009] In an optional embodiment, the elastic layer includes an elastic member, and the elastic member is configured as a sheet structure; the elastic member is spirally extended to form the elastic layer; and the thickness of the elastic member gradually decreases from the first end to the second end.
[0010] Beneficial effect: The elastic layer is formed by spirally extending an elastic member with a sheet-like structure, that is, the elastic member is a sheet-like structure before being formed into the elastic layer, which makes it easier to achieve a gradual change in the thickness of the elastic member, further simplifying the production process and cost.
[0011] In an optional embodiment, the thickness of the elastic member is in the range of 0.1-0.5 mm.
[0012] Beneficial effect: within this thickness range, the elastic layer formed by the elastic member can have good elasticity and is not prone to elastic failure during bending deformation, thereby further ensuring the reliability of the insertion tube.
[0013] In an optional embodiment, along the direction from the first end to the second end, the outer diameter of the elastic layer is the same, and the inner diameter of the elastic layer gradually increases.
[0014] Beneficial effect: With such arrangement, the coating layer outside the elastic layer can more easily and tightly cover the outer surface of the elastic layer, so that the elastic layer and the coating layer are not easily separated from each other, further ensuring the reliability of the use of the insertion tube.
[0015] In an optional embodiment, along the direction from the first end to the second end, the elastic member includes a plurality of continuous spiral portions, and the gaps between adjacent spiral portions are equal.
[0016] Beneficial effect: When the insertion tube is bent and deformed, adjacent spiral parts of the elastic member are unlikely to collide or even get stuck with each other, further ensuring the reliability of the insertion tube.
[0017] In an optional embodiment, along the direction from the first end to the second end, the elastic member includes a plurality of continuous spiral portions, and along the direction from the first end to the second end, the gaps between adjacent spiral portions gradually increase.
[0018] Beneficial effect: In this solution, the gap between adjacent spiral portions of the elastic member gradually increases along the direction from the first end to the second end, so that the bending stiffness of the insertion tube decreases as the gap increases. At the same time, the thickness of the elastic member gradually decreases. The synergistic effect of the two enhances the stiffness change of the insertion tube and improves the reliability of the bending deformation of the insertion tube.
[0019] In an optional embodiment, the gap between adjacent spiral portions ranges from 0.1 to 10 mm.
[0020] Beneficial effect: within the gap range, it is convenient to control the stiffness of the insertion tube within an appropriate range, and adjacent spiral portions of the elastic member are not prone to collision or jamming with each other, the bending performance and durability are better, and the reliability of the use of the insertion tube can be further ensured.
[0021] In an optional embodiment, the width of the elastic member is in the range of 1-5 mm.
[0022] Beneficial effect: Within this width range, the elasticity of the elastic layer can be further guaranteed, which is beneficial to controlling the bending deformation of the insertion tube.
[0023] In an optional embodiment, the covering layer includes a braided layer and an outer skin layer, the braided layer covers the outer surface of the elastic layer; the outer skin layer covers the outer surface of the braided layer.
[0024] Beneficial effects: The braided layer can provide support for the elastic layer, and the outer skin layer facilitates the insertion tube to be constructed into a closed tubular structure.
[0025] In a second aspect, the utility model also provides an endoscope, comprising an operating portion and an insertion portion connected to one end of the operating portion. Specifically, the insertion portion comprises an insertion tube, a bending portion and a head end as in the above embodiment, the insertion tube is connected between the operating portion and the bending portion; the head end is arranged at one end of the bending portion away from the insertion tube.
[0026] Beneficial effects: Since the endoscope includes the insertion tube of the present invention, it has the same effects as the insertion tube of the present invention, which will not be described in detail here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.
[0028] Figure 1This is a schematic structural diagram of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the utility model;
[0029] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an insertion tube according to an embodiment of the utility model.
[0030] Description of reference numerals:
[0031] 10. Operation part; 20. Insertion part; 21. Insertion tube; 21a. First end; 21b. Second end; 211. Elastic layer; 2111. Elastic member; 212. Braided layer; 213. Outer skin layer; 22. Bending part; 23. Head end part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiment of the utility model clearer, the technical solution in the embodiment of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiment of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiment is a part of the embodiment of the utility model, not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiment of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.
[0033] Endoscopes are widely used in the medical field. They can navigate, visualize or perform other operations inside various complex structures of the inspected object (such as the internal cavity of the human body). Endoscopes usually have a flexible insertion tube, which is used to extend into the interior of the inspected object. In order to ensure smooth insertion, the insertion tube is usually designed to have a structure in which the bending stiffness gradually changes along the length axis and the bending stiffness at the front end is the smallest.
[0034] The endoscope insertion tube generally includes a three-layer structure, which is a spring layer, a braided layer, and a resin layer from the inside to the outside. In some technical solutions, in the spring layer, the pitch of the spring along the length axis is set to be gradual to achieve a gradual change in the bending stiffness of the insertion tube. However, when in use, in areas with small spring pitches, the spring structures themselves are prone to collide with each other or even get stuck, which reduces the bending performance and durability of the insertion tube and seriously affects the reliability of the insertion tube.
[0035] In other technical solutions, the resin layer is changed by changing the composition or proportion of the resin layer to achieve a gradual change in the bending stiffness of the insertion tube. However, the process of changing the composition or proportion of the resin layer is relatively complicated, the yield is low, and the precision and stability of the equipment are required to be high, so the production cost is high.
[0036] Based on this, the utility model provides an insertion tube and an endoscope, which can achieve both reliability in use and cost reduction.
[0037] Combine the following Figure 1 and Figure 2 , describing an embodiment of the utility model.
[0038] In a first aspect, the utility model provides an insertion tube for an endoscope, the endoscope comprising an operating portion 10, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The insertion tube 21 has a first end 21a close to the operating portion 10 of the endoscope and a second end 21b away from the operating portion 10. Specifically, the insertion tube 21 includes an elastic layer 211 and a coating layer coated on the outer side of the elastic layer 211. Further, the elastic layer 211 is constructed as a tubular structure, and the thickness of the elastic layer 211 gradually decreases from the first end 21a to the second end 21b.
[0039] In this embodiment, the thickness of the elastic layer 211 gradually decreases from the first end 21a close to the operating portion 10 to the second end 21b far from the operating portion 10, so that the stiffness of the insertion tube 21 gradually decreases. This embodiment realizes the gradual change of the stiffness of the insertion tube 21 by changing the thickness of the elastic layer 211. Compared with the scheme of changing the pitch of the spring, the elastic layer 211 of this embodiment will not collide or get stuck with each other along the axial direction, so that the bendability and durability of the insertion tube 21 are better, thereby improving the reliability of use; and compared with the scheme of changing the composition or proportion of the resin layer, this embodiment can realize the change of the thickness of the elastic layer 211 by relying on the original equipment, which is not only simple in process, but also high in yield, thus greatly reducing the production cost.
[0040] It can be understood that both the elastic layer 211 and the coating layer are flexible, and the coating layer is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the elastic layer 211. Exemplarily, the coating layer is also constructed as a tubular structure and is coaxially arranged with the elastic layer 211.
[0041] Exemplarily, the elastic layer 211 and the coating layer can be constructed as a circular tube, a square tube or a flat tube structure, preferably a circular tube structure. The present application does not specifically limit the shape of the elastic layer 211 and the coating layer, as long as the insertion tube 21 can be inserted into the inner cavity of the object under inspection.
[0042] For example, the elastic layer 211 may include one or more layers of elastic material. When the elastic layer 211 has multiple layers of elastic material, the multiple layers of elastic material are stacked along the thickness direction of the elastic layer 211, that is, stacked along the radial direction of the insertion tube 21. For example, the elastic material may be a metal material or a rubber material.
[0043] In some embodiments, the elastic layer 211 includes a layer of elastic material. Figure 2The elastic layer 211 includes an elastic member 2111, which is a sheet-like structure, and the sheet-like structure of the elastic member 2111 is spirally extended to form the elastic layer 211. The thickness of the elastic member 2111 gradually decreases along the direction from the first end 21a to the second end 21b. In this embodiment, that is, the elastic member 2111 is a sheet-like structure before being formed into the elastic layer 211, which makes it easier to achieve a gradual change in the thickness of the elastic member 2111, further simplifying the production process and cost.
[0044] It should be noted that the thickness of the elastic member 2111 refers to the dimension along the extension direction perpendicular to the insertion tube 21, that is, the dimension in the radial direction of the insertion tube 21. Figure 2 As shown in the example, the thickness of the elastic member 2111 is d1. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 2 , the dimension of d1 gradually decreases along the direction from the first end 21 a to the second end 21 b .
[0045] Exemplarily, the elastic member 2111 may be made of metal, such as spring steel, stainless steel, copper or light alloy. Preferably, the elastic member 2111 is made of spring steel sheet.
[0046] During production and manufacturing, for example, in the process of rolling the spring steel sheet, the thickness of the spring steel sheet can be changed by changing the roller gap between the two rollers; then, the spring steel sheet is rolled into the above-mentioned elastic member 2111, so that the thickness of the elastic member 2111 gradually decreases from the first end 21a to the second end 21b, the process is simple, and the manufacturing cost is low.
[0047] In some embodiments, the thickness of the elastic member 2111 is in the range of 0.1-0.5 mm. Within this thickness range, the elastic layer 211 formed by the elastic member 2111 can have good elasticity and is not prone to elastic failure during bending deformation, thereby further ensuring the reliability of the insertion tube 21.
[0048] It is understandable that, in the present application, the thickness d1 of the elastic member 2111 at the first end 21a should be no greater than 0.5 mm, and the thickness d1 at the second end 21b should be no less than 0.1 mm. In addition, the difference in the thickness d1 of the elastic member 2111 between the first end 21a and the second end 21b can be adaptively adjusted according to the length of the insertion tube 21 or the rigidity requirement of the insertion tube 21, and the present application does not make a specific limitation on this, as long as 0.1 mm ≤ d1 ≤ 0.5 mm is satisfied.
[0049] In some embodiments, see Figure 2, along the direction from the first end 21a to the second end 21b, the outer diameter of the elastic layer 211 is the same, and the inner diameter of the elastic layer 211 gradually increases. In this way, the coating layer outside the elastic layer 211 is easier to tightly coat the outer surface of the elastic layer 211, so that the elastic layer 211 and the coating layer are not easy to separate from each other, further ensuring the reliability of the insertion tube 21.
[0050] It is understood that in some embodiments, Figure 2 As shown in the figure as an example, correspondingly, the inner diameter of the elastic layer 211 specifically refers to the spiral inner diameter of the elastic member 2111 , and the outer diameter of the elastic layer 211 specifically refers to the spiral outer diameter of the elastic member 2111 .
[0051] In some embodiments, along the direction from the first end 21a to the second end 21b, the elastic member 2111 includes a plurality of continuous spiral portions, and the gaps between adjacent spiral portions are equal. When the insertion tube 21 is configured in this way, when bending and deformation occurs, the adjacent spiral portions of the elastic member 2111 are not likely to collide or even get stuck with each other, further ensuring the reliability of the use of the insertion tube 21.
[0052] by Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the gap between adjacent spiral parts is d2, as shown in Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 2 , the sizes of the gaps d2 between adjacent spiral portions are equal from the first end 21 a to the second end 21 b .
[0053] It should be noted that the elastic member 2111 of the present application is actually formed as the elastic layer 211 in the form of a spring, and the pitch of the elastic member 2111 is the axial spacing between adjacent spiral portions, that is, Figure 2 The d4 shown in FIG. 1 is a different concept from the gap d2 between adjacent spiral portions mentioned in the present application.
[0054] In some embodiments, along the direction from the first end 21a to the second end 21b, the elastic member 2111 includes a plurality of continuous spiral portions, and along the direction from the first end 21a to the second end 21b, the gap d2 between adjacent spiral portions gradually increases.
[0055] In this embodiment, along the direction from the first end 21a to the second end 21b, the gap d2 between adjacent spiral portions of the elastic member 2111 gradually increases, so that the bending stiffness of the insertion tube 21 decreases with the increase of the gap d2. At the same time, the thickness d1 of the elastic member 2111 gradually decreases. The synergistic effect of the two enhances the stiffness change of the insertion tube 21 and improves the reliability of the bending deformation of the insertion tube 21.
[0056] It should be noted that this embodiment adopts a method of combining changing the thickness d1 of the elastic member 2111 and changing the gap d2 between the spiral portions. Under the premise that the thickness d1 of the elastic member 2111 changes gradually, the gap d2 between the spiral portions can change gradually within a smaller range. Therefore, when the insertion tube 21 is bent and deformed, the risk of collision or jamming between adjacent spiral portions can be reduced or even eliminated.
[0057] Exemplarily, in some embodiments, the elastic layer 211 includes two layers of elastic material. Specifically, the elastic layer 211 includes two elastic members 2111, both of which are configured as spiral structures and are stacked in sequence along the radial direction of the elastic layer 211. Specifically, along the direction from the first end 21a to the second end 21b, the thickness d1 of the elastic member 2111 located on the radial inner side gradually decreases, and the gaps d2 between adjacent spiral portions are equal; the thickness d1 of the elastic member 2111 located on the radial outer side remains unchanged, and the gaps d2 between adjacent spiral portions gradually increase.
[0058] In some embodiments, the gap between adjacent spiral portions is in the range of 0.1-10 mm. Within this gap range, it is convenient to control the stiffness of the insertion tube 21 within an appropriate range, and adjacent spiral portions of the elastic member 2111 are not prone to collide or get stuck with each other, and the bending performance and durability are better, which can further ensure the reliability of the use of the insertion tube 21.
[0059] In some embodiments, the width of the elastic member 2111 is in the range of 1-5 mm. Within this width range, the elasticity of the elastic layer 211 can be further guaranteed, which is beneficial to controlling the bending deformation of the insertion tube 21 .
[0060] It should be noted that the width of the elastic member 2111 refers to the width of each spiral portion, that is, the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the spiral portion. Figure 2 As shown in the example, the width of the elastic member 2111 is d3.
[0061] In some embodiments, the covering layer includes a woven layer 212 and an outer skin layer 213. The woven layer 212 is covered on the outer surface of the elastic layer 211 to provide support for the elastic layer 211 and ensure uniform deformation of the elastic member 2111. The outer skin layer 213 is covered on the outer surface of the woven layer 212 to fill the gap between the elastic layer 211 and the woven layer 212, so that the insertion tube 21 is constructed as a closed tubular structure to ensure the performance of the insertion tube 21.
[0062] Exemplarily, the material of the braided layer 212 is metal. Specifically, the braided layer 212 can be a tubular structure woven from metal wires and coated on the outer surface of the elastic layer 211. In some embodiments, the coating method can be that the inner surface of the braided layer 212 is welded and fixed to the outer surface of the elastic layer 211.
[0063] Exemplarily, the material of the outer layer 213 is resin. Specifically, the outer layer 213 can be constructed as a tubular structure that matches the outer shape of the woven layer 212, and the outer layer 213 is coated on the outer surface of the woven layer 212; in some embodiments, the coating method can be that the inner surface of the outer layer 213 is bonded and fixed to the outer surface of the woven layer 212.
[0064] The specific manufacturing method of the insertion tube 21 provided in the present application is:
[0065] Rolling: By changing the rolling gap between the two rollers, spring steel sheets with gradually decreasing thickness are produced;
[0066] Spring coiling: The rolled spring steel sheet is coiled and heat treated to obtain an elastic member 2111. During the spring coiling process, the spiral outer diameter of the elastic member 2111 is kept unchanged to form an elastic layer 211;
[0067] Coating: The outer side of the elastic member 2111 is coated with a metal braided mesh, and the outer side of the metal braided mesh is coated with a resin sheath to obtain the insertion tube 21.
[0068] In a second aspect, the utility model also provides an endoscope, referring to Figure 1 The endoscope includes an operation portion 10 and an insertion portion 20, wherein the insertion portion 20 is connected to one end of the operation portion 10. Specifically, the insertion portion 20 includes an insertion tube 21, a curved portion 22 and a head portion 23 as in the above embodiment, wherein the insertion tube 21 is connected between the operation portion 10 and the curved portion 22; and the head portion 23 is disposed at one end of the curved portion 22 away from the insertion tube 21.
[0069] For further information, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The insertion tube 21 has a first end 21a close to the operation part 10 of the endoscope and a second end 21b away from the operation part 10. The insertion tube 21 includes an elastic layer 211 and a coating layer coated on the outside of the elastic layer 211. The elastic layer 211 is configured as a tubular structure, and the thickness of the elastic layer 211 gradually decreases from the first end 21a to the second end 21b.
[0070] The endoscope provided in the present application includes the insertion tube 21 described in any of the above embodiments, and has the same technical effects as the above insertion tube 21, which will not be described in detail here.
[0071] Although the embodiments of the present invention are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are all within the scope defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An insertion tube for use in an endoscope, the endoscope comprising an operating portion (10), characterized in that: The insertion tube (21) has a first end (21a) close to the operating part (10) and a second end (21b) away from the operating part (10); the insertion tube (21) comprises: an elastic layer (211), wherein the elastic layer (211) is constructed as a tubular structure, and the thickness of the elastic layer (211) gradually decreases from the first end (21a) to the second end (21b); A coating layer is coated on the outer side of the elastic layer (211).
2. The insertion tube according to claim 1, characterized in that The elastic layer (211) comprises an elastic member (2111), and the elastic member (2111) is configured as a sheet-like structure; the elastic member (2111) is spirally extended and forms the elastic layer (211); Along the direction from the first end (21a) to the second end (21b), the thickness of the elastic member (2111) gradually decreases.
3. The insertion tube according to claim 2, characterized in that The thickness of the elastic member (2111) is in the range of 0.1-0.5 mm.
4. The insertion tube according to claim 2, characterized in that Along the direction from the first end (21a) to the second end (21b), the outer diameter of the elastic layer (211) is the same, and the inner diameter of the elastic layer (211) gradually increases.
5. The insertion tube according to claim 2, characterized in that Along the direction from the first end (21a) to the second end (21b), the elastic member (2111) includes a plurality of continuous spiral portions, and the gaps between adjacent spiral portions are equal.
6. The insertion tube according to claim 2, characterized in that Along the direction from the first end (21a) to the second end (21b), the elastic member (2111) includes a plurality of continuous spiral portions, and along the direction from the first end (21a) to the second end (21b), the gaps between adjacent spiral portions gradually increase.
7. The insertion tube according to claim 6, characterized in that The gap between adjacent spiral parts ranges from 0.1 to 10 mm.
8. The insertion tube according to claim 2, characterized in that The width of the elastic member (2111) is in the range of 1-5 mm.
9. The insertion tube according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The coating layer comprises a braided layer (212) and an outer skin layer (213); the braided layer (212) is coated on the outer surface of the elastic layer (211); and the outer skin layer (213) is coated on the outer surface of the braided layer (212).
10. An endoscope, characterized in that: include: Operation part (10); An insertion portion (20) is connected to one end of the operating portion (10); the insertion portion (20) comprises an insertion tube (21) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, a bending portion (22) and a head end portion (23); the insertion tube (21) is connected between the operating portion (10) and the bending portion (22); the head end portion (23) is arranged at one end of the bending portion (22) away from the insertion tube (21).