Insertion tube and endoscope
By closely fitting the heat shrinking part and adjusting the thickness and number of layers of the heat shrinking part, the problem of low efficiency in the production process of the existing insertion tube is solved, and efficient manufacturing and stiffness control of the insertion tube are realized.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202420264810.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-02
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-02-02
AI Technical Summary
The production process of the existing insertion tube is inefficient and the extrusion process of the resin layer is complex, resulting in high manufacturing difficulty and high defect rate.
The heat shrinking part is made of heat shrinking material, and it is closely fitted with the support part by softening and cooling it, simplifying the assembly process, and controlling the stiffness by adjusting the thickness and number of layers of the heat shrinking part to avoid the use of the extrusion process.
It realizes simple and fast assembly of the insertion tube, reduces production difficulty, improves manufacturing efficiency, avoids the complexity and defect rate of the extrusion process, and meets the stiffness requirements of the insertion tube.
Smart Images
Figure CN222172087U_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] An endoscope is a medical device used for visual inspection of human cavities and surgery. An endoscope usually includes an operating handle, an insertion tube, and a lens assembly. The insertion tube is a composite tubular structure. When the endoscope is used, the insertion tube is inserted into the inner cavity of the human body. The insertion tube can bend and deflect inside the human cavity under the action of external force and drive the lens assembly to rotate. In order to enable the endoscope to change the shooting angle more flexibly, improve the efficiency of the lens insertion and the controllability of the lens, the rigidity of the distal end of the insertion tube is usually required to be less than that of the proximal end.
[0003] In the related art, the stiffness variation trend of the insertion tube along the axial direction is mainly determined by the stiffness variation trend of its own resin layer. The resin layer in the related art is mostly made of materials with both processing plasticity and elasticity, and is made by multiple extrusion processes. The multiple extrusion processes in the related art can control the thickness of the resin layer formed at the current position, and change the thickness of the resin layer at each position of the insertion tube to make the stiffness of each position different. However, the operation process of the multiple extrusion processes is relatively complicated, resulting in the production process of the existing insertion tube being time-consuming, labor-intensive and inefficient. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of this, the utility model provides an insertion tube and an endoscope to solve the problem of low efficiency in the production process of the existing insertion tube.
[0005] In the first aspect, the utility model provides an insertion tube, which is applied to an endoscope. The endoscope includes an operating unit, and the insertion tube includes: a support part, which is connected to the operating unit, the support part is a tubular structure and has a working cavity inside, and a heat shrink part, which is sleeved outside the support part. The stiffness of the heat shrink part on one side close to the operating unit is greater than the stiffness of the other side of the heat shrink part. The heat shrink part has an unassembled state in which the inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the support part. The heat shrink part also has an assembled state in which it cooperates with the outer wall of the support part after heat shrinkage.
[0006] Beneficial effect: A heat shrink part is sleeved on the outside of the support part, and the stiffness requirement of the insertion tube can be met by controlling the stiffness of the corresponding position of the heat shrink part. The heat shrink part is made of a heat shrink material and has the characteristics of high temperature softening and cooling shrinkage when not assembled. After the heat shrink part is heat-shrunk, it can be tightly fitted with the support part. This form of insertion tube assembly process is simple and quick, which can effectively reduce the difficulty of insertion tube production and effectively solve the problem of low efficiency of the existing insertion tube production process.
[0007] In an optional embodiment, the stiffness of the heat shrinkable portion gradually decreases in a direction away from the operating unit.
[0008] Beneficial effect: The stiffness of the heat shrinkable part along the axial direction changes continuously, which can improve the flexibility of the bending part and effectively prevent the failure of the heat shrinkable part caused by the large difference in stiffness between adjacent positions of the heat shrinkable part.
[0009] In an optional embodiment, the thickness of the heat shrinkable portion gradually decreases in a direction away from the operating unit.
[0010] Beneficial effect: The stiffness of different positions of the heat shrinkable part can be made different without changing the stiffness of the material at different positions of the heat shrinkable part, and the changing method is simple and reliable.
[0011] In an optional embodiment, the heat shrinkable part includes a plurality of heat shrinkable layers arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside, and the number of the heat shrinkable layers of the heat shrinkable part gradually decreases in a direction away from the operating unit.
[0012] Beneficial effect: The stiffness of the heat shrinkable part can be changed by increasing or decreasing the number of heat shrinkable layers, and the changing method is simple.
[0013] In an optional embodiment, the heat shrink part is at least one of a PET heat shrink tube, a TPU heat shrink tube, a TPEE heat shrink tube, a silicone heat shrink tube, a fluororubber heat shrink tube and a polyolefin heat shrink tube.
[0014] Beneficial effects: The material sources are wide and can be flexibly selected according to the manufacturing requirements of the insertion tube.
[0015] In an optional embodiment, the support portion includes a first support layer and a second support layer, the second support layer is sleeved outside the first support layer, and the second support layer is a mesh structure.
[0016] Beneficial effects: The first support layer can support and form the space required for the working cavity, the second support layer can improve the force-bearing performance outside the first support layer, and when the heat shrink part is tightly attached to the support part, the mesh second support layer can provide more uniform supporting force for various parts of the first support layer on the inner side of the first support layer.
[0017] In an optional embodiment, the first supporting layer is an elastic member, and / or the first supporting layer and the second supporting layer are both made of metal materials.
[0018] Beneficial effects: The first supporting layer has better resilience and is not easily deformed; the first supporting layer and the second supporting layer are made of metal material, which is stronger and more durable.
[0019] In an optional embodiment, the insertion tube further includes a friction portion disposed outside the heat shrink portion.
[0020] Beneficial effects: The friction portion can not only improve the wear resistance of the insertion tube, but also improve the flexibility of the insertion tube.
[0021] In an optional embodiment, the material of the friction part is at least one of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer and thermoplastic polyester elastomer.
[0022] Beneficial effect: The friction part of this material has better resilience.
[0023] In a second aspect, the utility model further provides an endoscope, which comprises: an operating unit; a lens unit; the above-mentioned insertion tube, one end of which is connected to the operating unit and the other end of which is connected to the lens unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] 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.
[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of an insertion tube according to an embodiment of the utility model;
[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the insertion tube shown is not provided with a friction portion;
[0027] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of the heat shrink portion of the insertion tube in a main viewing direction;
[0028] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The friction part section of the heat shrink part is shown, and the structure schematic diagram of the heat shrink part is not shown in section;
[0029] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the insertion tube in cooperation with the operating unit is shown.
[0030] Description of reference numerals:
[0031] 1. Support part; 101. Bending section; 102. First support layer; 103. Second support layer; 2. Heat shrink part; 201. Heat shrink layer; 3. Friction part; 4. Operating unit. 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] Combine the following Figures 1 to 5 , describing an embodiment of the utility model.
[0034] According to an embodiment of the utility model, on the one hand, an insertion tube is provided, which is applied to an endoscope, the endoscope includes an operating unit 4, and the insertion tube includes: a support part 1 and a heat shrink part 2, the support part 1 cooperates with the operating unit 4 and forms a working cavity inside, the heat shrink part 2 is sleeved outside the support part 1, the stiffness of the heat shrink part 2 on one side close to the operating unit 4 is greater than the stiffness of the other side of the heat shrink part 2, the heat shrink part 2 has an unassembled state in which the inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the support part 1, and the heat shrink part 2 also has an assembled state in which it cooperates with the outer wall of the support part 1 after heat shrinkage.
[0035] When applying the insertion tube of this embodiment, a heat shrinkable part 2 is sleeved on the outside of the support part 1. The stiffness requirement of the insertion tube can be met by controlling the stiffness of the corresponding position of the heat shrinkable part 2. The heat shrinkable part 2 is made of a heat shrinkable material and has the characteristics of softening at high temperature and shrinking when cooled when not assembled. After the heat shrinkable part 2 is heat-shrunk, it can be tightly fitted with the support part 1. This form of insertion tube assembly process is simple and quick, which can effectively reduce the difficulty of inserting tube production and effectively solve the problem of low efficiency of the existing insertion tube production process.
[0036] Specifically, in the related art, the insertion tube can also change its own stiffness by controlling the feed ratio of soft and hard raw materials in the resin layer, but the resin layer still needs to be manufactured through an extrusion process. Since the extrusion process is difficult to control, there is still a problem of a high defective rate.
[0037] In the present embodiment, the heat shrinkable part 2 no longer needs to be arranged outside the supporting part 1 through an extrusion process. The manufactured heat shrinkable part 2 in an unassembled state is directly mounted on the supporting part 1 and heat-shrunk within a preset heat shrinkage temperature range. This allows the heat shrinkable part 2 to be tightly combined with the supporting part 1. The manufacturing process is fast, reliable, and not prone to producing defective parts.
[0038] In this embodiment, the stiffness of the heat shrink part 2 gradually decreases in the direction away from the operating unit 4, and the stiffness of the heat shrink part 2 along the axial direction changes continuously. While improving the flexibility at the bending section 101, it can also effectively prevent the failure of the heat shrink part 2 caused by the large difference in stiffness at adjacent positions of the bending section 101.
[0039] Specifically, one end of the support portion 1 away from the operating unit 4 forms a bending section 101. Since there are many bending conditions at the location of the bending section 101, the stiffness of the heat shrinkable portion 2 along the axial direction changes continuously, so that the bending section 101 can be bent smoothly.
[0040] It should be noted that the curved section 101 refers to the section where the bending mainly occurs.
[0041] In addition, there is no limitation on the form of changing the stiffness of the heat shrinkable part 2 , which may be changing the stiffness of the material of the heat shrinkable part 2 itself or changing the thickness of the heat shrinkable part 2 , as long as the stiffness of the heat shrinkable part 2 can be changed.
[0042] In this embodiment, the thickness of the heat shrinkable part 2 gradually decreases in the direction away from the operating unit 4. The stiffness of the heat shrinkable part 2 at different positions can be made different without changing the stiffness of the material at different positions of the heat shrinkable part 2. The changing method is simple and reliable.
[0043] Specifically, there is no limitation on the thickness variation of the heat shrinkable portion 2 , and the thickness may be varied in a step-like manner or in a slope-like manner, as long as the rigidity of the heat shrinkable portion 2 can be changed.
[0044] In this embodiment, the heat shrink part 2 includes a plurality of heat shrink layers 201 arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside. The number of heat shrink layers 201 of the heat shrink part 2 gradually decreases in the direction away from the operating unit 4. The stiffness of the heat shrink part 2 can be changed by increasing or decreasing the number of heat shrink layers 201. The changing method is simple.
[0045] Specifically, Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, as the number of heat shrink layers 201 changes, the stiffness of the heat shrink portion 2 changes in a step-like manner; since each heat shrink layer 201 has the same structure, when a heat shrink layer 201 is damaged during the manufacturing process, the same heat shrink layer 201 can be quickly used to replace it. At the same time, the operator can quickly and effectively change the local stiffness of the heat shrink portion 2 by cutting the heat shrink layer 201, thereby effectively improving the flexibility of the insertion tube manufacturing process.
[0046] It can be understood that, as an alternative implementation, the structures of adjacent heat shrinkable layers 201 may also be different, and their forming materials and sizes may be changed accordingly as required.
[0047] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings only illustrate the situation where the heat shrinkable part 2 includes four heat shrinkable layers 201. It can be understood that the structure is not limited to the four-layer structure shown in the accompanying drawings, but can also be three or two layers, which are less than four layers, or five or six layers, which are more than four layers, and the number of layers can be increased or decreased according to demand.
[0048] In some embodiments, the heat shrink layer 201 is glass-like at room temperature and has a high hardness, so it is not easy to be damaged during use. At the same time, the heat shrink layer 201 also has an ultra-thin outer wall, so when the number of layers of the heat shrink layer 201 is increased, the outer diameter of the insertion tube will not be significantly increased, which makes it easier to meet the size requirements of the insertion tube.
[0049] In this embodiment, the heat shrinkable part 2 is at least one of a PET heat shrinkable tube, a TPU heat shrinkable tube, a TPEE heat shrinkable tube, a silicone heat shrinkable tube, a fluororubber heat shrinkable tube and a polyolefin heat shrinkable tube. The material comes from a wide range of sources and can be flexibly selected according to the manufacturing requirements of the insertion tube.
[0050] Specifically, the PET heat shrink tube, TPU heat shrink tube, TPEE heat shrink tube, silicone heat shrink tube, fluororubber heat shrink tube and polyolefin heat shrink tube can refer to the structure and construction of the existing corresponding types of heat shrink tubes, which will not be described in detail here.
[0051] In some embodiments, the heat shrinking temperature of the heat shrinkable part 2 ranges from 85°C to 190°C.
[0052] In this embodiment, the support part 1 includes a first support layer 102 and a second support layer 103. The second support layer 103 is sleeved outside the first support layer 102. The second support layer 103 is a mesh structure. The first support layer 102 can support and form the space required for the working cavity. The second support layer 103 can improve the force performance outside the first support layer 102. When the heat shrink part 2 is tightly attached to the support part 1, the mesh second support layer 103 can provide more uniform supporting force for various parts of the first support layer 102 on the inner side of the first support layer 102.
[0053] Specifically, there is no limitation on the specifications and dimensions of the first support layer 102 and the second support layer 103, which can be selected according to the size of the insertion tube; there is no limitation on the materials of the first support layer 102 and the second support layer 103, which can be plastic, rubber, metal, etc., as long as they can meet the usage requirements.
[0054] In this embodiment, the first support layer 102 is an elastic member, and / or the first support layer 102 and the second support layer 103 are both made of metal materials. The first support layer 102 has better resilience and is not easily deformed. The first support layer 102 and the second support layer 103 are made of metal materials, which are stronger and more durable.
[0055] In some embodiments, the first support layer 102 is a metal spring, the first support layer 102 can be left-handed or right-handed, the second support layer 102 adopts a mesh structure woven from metal, and the second support layer 102 is a cylindrical mesh sleeve as a whole.
[0056] In this embodiment, the insertion tube also includes a friction portion 3 arranged outside the heat shrink portion 2. The friction portion 3 can not only improve the wear resistance of the insertion tube, but also improve the flexibility of the insertion tube. The friction portion 3 can adjust the overall softness and outer diameter of the insertion tube, and can control the flexibility at different positions to improve the control of the stiffness of various parts of the insertion tube.
[0057] The friction portion 3 refers to the portion located at the outermost layer of the insertion tube and mainly rubs against the outside.
[0058] Specifically, there is no strict limitation on the material and thickness of the friction part 3 , and they can be selected according to actual manufacturing requirements.
[0059] Furthermore, if Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, after the friction part 3 is provided, the outer diameter of the insertion tube at each location along the length direction can be made uniform.
[0060] In this embodiment, the material of the friction part 3 is at least one of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer and thermoplastic polyester elastomer. The friction part 3 made of such material has better resilience performance.
[0061] Specifically, there is no limitation on the molding method of the friction part 3 , and molding methods such as brushing, spraying, spin coating, and dipping may be used but are not limited to.
[0062] The following is a description of the manufacturing process of the insertion tube of this embodiment:
[0063] A spirally coiled metal spring is sleeved on a core rod to form a first support layer 102, and a metal woven mesh is woven outside the first support layer 102 using a braiding machine to form a second support layer 102; a heat shrinkable part 2 is sleeved outside the metal woven mesh, and heat shrinkage treatment is performed within a certain heat shrinkage temperature range so that the heat shrinkable part 2 is tightly combined with the second support layer 102; and a friction part 3 is formed by coating the outside of the heat shrinkable part 2.
[0064] According to an embodiment of the present invention, on the other hand, an endoscope is provided, which includes: an operating unit 4, a lens unit and the above-mentioned insertion tube, one end of the insertion tube is connected to the operating unit 4 and the other end is connected to the lens unit.
[0065] In this embodiment, the endoscope further includes necessary components such as an image display unit and a power supply unit.
[0066] 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 unit (4), characterized in that: The insertion tube comprises: A support portion (1) connected to the operating unit (4), the support portion (1) being a tubular structure and having a working cavity therein; The heat shrinkable part (2) is sleeved outside the support part (1), the rigidity of the side of the heat shrinkable part (2) close to the operating unit (4) is greater than the rigidity of the other side of the heat shrinkable part (2), the heat shrinkable part (2) has an unassembled state in which the inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the support part (1), and the heat shrinkable part (2) also has an assembled state in which it cooperates with the outer wall of the support part (1) after heat shrinkage.
2. The insertion tube according to claim 1, characterized in that The rigidity of the heat shrinkable portion (2) gradually decreases in a direction away from the operating unit (4).
3. The insertion tube according to claim 2, characterized in that The thickness of the heat shrinkable portion (2) gradually decreases in a direction away from the operating unit (4).
4. The insertion tube according to claim 3, characterized in that The heat shrinkable part (2) comprises a plurality of heat shrinkable layers (201) arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside, and the number of the heat shrinkable layers (201) of the heat shrinkable part (2) gradually decreases in a direction away from the operating unit (4).
5. The insertion tube according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The heat shrinkable part (2) is at least one of a PET heat shrinkable tube, a TPU heat shrinkable tube, a TPEE heat shrinkable tube, a silicone heat shrinkable tube, a fluororubber heat shrinkable tube and a polyolefin heat shrinkable tube.
6. The insertion tube according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The support portion (1) comprises a first support layer (102) and a second support layer (103), wherein the second support layer (103) is sleeved outside the first support layer (102), and the second support layer (103) is a mesh structure.
7. The insertion tube according to claim 6, characterized in that The first supporting layer (102) is an elastic member, and / or the first supporting layer (102) and the second supporting layer (103) are both made of metal materials.
8. The insertion tube according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The insertion tube further comprises a friction portion (3) arranged outside the heat shrink portion (2).
9. The insertion tube according to claim 8, characterized in that The material of the friction part (3) is at least one of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer and thermoplastic polyester elastomer.
10. An endoscope, characterized in that: include: Operation unit (4); Lens unit; The insertion tube according to any one of claims 1 to 9, one end of which is connected to the operating unit (4) and the other end of which is connected to the lens unit.