Endoscope insertion tube and endoscope

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of medical instruments, in particular to an endoscope insertion tube and an endoscope. The endoscope insertion tube comprises a flexible tube body, a coating layer and a bonding layer, the diameter of the flexible tube body is gradually reduced from the first end to the second end of the flexible tube body, the flexible tube body is coated with the coating layer, the rigidity of the coating layer is reduced from the first end to the second end of the flexible tube body, and the coating layer is connected with the flexible tube body through the bonding layer. According to the utility model, the influence of the flexible pipe body on the overall rigidity of the insertion pipe is fully considered, and the diameter of the flexible pipe body is gradually reduced from the first end to the second end, so that the rigidity of the flexible pipe body is gradually reduced from the first end to the second end. The end, with the smaller rigidity, of the coating layer is arranged corresponding to the end, with the smaller rigidity, of the flexible tube body, so that the bendable rigidity of the part, close to the first end, of the endoscope insertion tube is smaller, the flexibility is higher, the bendable rigidity of the part, close to the second end, of the endoscope insertion tube is higher, the enough supporting effect is achieved, and therefore controllability is better.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of medical devices, and particularly relates to an endoscope insertion tube and an endoscope. Background Art

[0002] An endoscope is a detection instrument for human body detection. It can enter the stomach through the oral cavity or enter the body through other natural orifices. The detection end of the endoscope insertion tube is provided with detection devices such as an optical lens and a sensor for monitoring a specified part in the human body. The endoscope insertion tube is a flexible tube body, and its bendable characteristic ensures that the optical lens and other sensors can reach various parts in the human body. The part of the endoscope insertion tube close to its detection end generally has a lower stiffness, that is, relatively softer, so that the detection end of the endoscope insertion tube can be bent flexibly. The part of the endoscope insertion tube close to its control end generally has a higher stiffness to play a supporting role.

[0003] The existing endoscope insertion tube includes a flexible tube body and a resin layer coated on the outer surface of the flexible tube body. From the control end to the detection end of the flexible tube body, different stiffnesses of the endoscope insertion tube at different positions are achieved by changing the stiffness of the resin layer.

[0004] However, the defect of the existing endoscope insertion tube is that only by changing the stiffness of the resin layer to achieve different stiffnesses of each part of the insertion tube, the influence of the flexible tube body on the overall stiffness of the insertion tube is ignored. Therefore, the overall stiffness design of the insertion tube has limitations, that is, the detection end of the insertion tube does not have sufficient softness, and thus the flexibility is relatively low. The control end of the insertion tube does not have sufficient stiffness, and thus cannot provide sufficient support for the overall endoscope, and the controllability is relatively low. It can be seen that the controllability and flexibility of the existing endoscope insertion tube are relatively low. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] In view of this, the utility model provides an endoscope insertion tube and an endoscope to solve the problem that the controllability and flexibility of the existing endoscope insertion tube are relatively low.

[0006] In a first aspect, the utility model provides an endoscope insertion tube, which includes:

[0007] A flexible tube body, which includes a spiral tube and a braided net. The braided net is coated on the spiral tube, and the diameter of the flexible tube body gradually decreases from its first end to its second end;

[0008] A coating layer, which is coated on the flexible tube body, and the stiffness of the coating layer decreases from the first end to the second end of the flexible tube body; the coating layer includes a first resin layer and a second resin layer. The first resin layer is coated on the outer surface of the flexible tube body, and the second resin layer is coated on the outer surface of the first resin layer;

[0009] The bonding layer is coated on the outer surface of the flexible tube body, and the coating layer is connected to the flexible tube body through the bonding layer.

[0010] Advantageous effects: The endoscope insertion tube of the present utility model fully considers the influence of the flexible tube body on the overall stiffness of the insertion tube. Therefore, the diameter of the flexible tube body gradually decreases from its first end to its second end, so that the stiffness of the flexible tube body gradually decreases from its first end to its second end. And the end with a smaller stiffness of the coating layer is arranged corresponding to the end with a smaller stiffness of the flexible tube body. Furthermore, the part of the endoscope insertion tube close to the first end has a smaller bendable stiffness and higher flexibility, and the part of the endoscope insertion tube close to the second end has a larger bendable stiffness and has sufficient supporting effect. Therefore, the controllability is better. In addition, since the endoscope insertion tube is bent multiple times during use and after a long time of use, it is easy for the flexible tube body and the coating layer to become separated. In this embodiment, a bonding layer is provided between the flexible tube body and the coating layer to make the connection between the flexible tube body and the coating layer more firm.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first resin layer is directly attached to the second resin layer, or the first resin layer and the second resin layer are arranged at intervals.

[0012] In some embodiments, the stiffness of the first resin layer is greater than that of the second resin layer;

[0013] The thickness of the first resin layer gradually decreases from the first end to the second end of the flexible tube body; the thickness of the second resin layer gradually increases from the first end to the second end of the flexible tube body.

[0014] In some embodiments, the stiffness of the first resin layer is less than that of the second resin layer;

[0015] The thickness of the first resin layer gradually increases from the first end to the second end of the flexible tube body; the thickness of the second resin layer gradually decreases from the first end to the second end of the flexible tube body.

[0016] Advantageous effects: This solution realizes that the stiffness of the coating layer gradually decreases from the first end to the second end, and the change in the stiffness of the coating layer is continuous and gentle, thereby improving the overall controllability and flexibility of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0017] In some embodiments, the hardness of both the first resin layer and the second resin layer is 65A - 85D.

[0018] Advantageous effects: On the premise of ensuring that the first resin layer and the second resin layer meet the stiffness standard, the stiffness of the first resin layer and the second resin layer is different.

[0019] In some embodiments, the thickness of the bonding layer is 1 - 100 μm.

[0020] Advantageous effects: Make the connection between the flexible tube body and the coating layer more firm.

[0021] In some embodiments, the diameter of the helical tube is 5 - 15 mm.

[0022] Beneficial effects: It meets the requirement for the diameter change of the helical tube 11, and thus realizes the change in stiffness of the helical tube from the first end to the second end. Furthermore, it ensures that the part of the helical tube near the first end has a relatively small stiffness and is relatively easy to bend, so it has relatively high flexibility. The part of the helical tube near the second end has a relatively large stiffness and is not easy to bend, providing sufficient support. Therefore, the controllability is relatively good.

[0023] In some embodiments, the outer surface of the coating layer is parallel to the axis of the flexible tube body.

[0024] Beneficial effects: It makes the thickness of the endoscopic insertion tube of this embodiment consistent from the first end to the second end, can ensure the regular appearance of the flexible tube body, and is also convenient for subsequent use and storage.

[0025] In some embodiments, the endoscopic insertion tube further includes an outer coating, which is coated on the outer surface of the coating layer.

[0026] Beneficial effects: After the endoscopic insertion tube is used, it needs to be cleaned. Long-term cleaning may damage the coating layer, and the outer coating effectively protects the coating layer.

[0027] In a second aspect, the present invention also provides an endoscope, which includes the above-mentioned endoscopic insertion tube.

[0028] Since the endoscope of the present invention includes the endoscopic insertion tube of the present invention and has the same beneficial effects, they will not be elaborated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0030] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of the endoscopic insertion tube of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the helical tube of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the endoscopic insertion tube of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the extrusion device for processing the coating layer of the endoscope insertion tube of the present utility model.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0035] 1. Flexible tube body; 11. Spiral tube; 12. Braided mesh; 100. First end; 200. Second end;

[0036] 2. Coating layer; 21. First resin layer; 22. Second resin layer;

[0037] 3. Adhesive layer;

[0038] 4. Extrusion device; 41. First extrusion channel; 42. Second extrusion channel; 43. Third extrusion channel; 44. Processing channel. Specific embodiments

[0039] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present utility model clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present utility model. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0040] The following will be combined with Figures 1 to 4 , to describe the embodiments of the endoscope insertion tube of the present utility model.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, on the one hand, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an endoscope insertion tube is provided. The endoscope insertion tube includes a flexible tube body 1 and a coating layer 2. The diameter of the flexible tube body 1 gradually decreases from its first end 100 to its second end 200. The coating layer 2 is coated on the flexible tube body 1, specifically, the coating layer 2 is coated on the circumferential outer surface of the flexible tube body 1, and the stiffness of the coating layer 2 decreases from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1.

[0042] The endoscope insertion tube of this embodiment fully considers the influence of the flexible tube body 1 on the overall stiffness of the insertion tube. The diameter of the flexible tube body 1 gradually decreases from its first end 100 to its second end 200. The flexible tube body 1 is usually made of metal. When the flexible tube body 1 is made of the same metal material or the metal materials are the same, the larger the diameter of the flexible tube body 1, the greater the stiffness, the less likely it is to be bent, so the lower the flexibility, and the greater the supporting effect. On the contrary, the smaller the diameter of the flexible tube body 1, the smaller the stiffness, the easier it is to be bent, and the higher the flexibility. Therefore, the stiffness of the flexible tube body 1 gradually decreases from its first end 100 to its second end 200. Therefore, the part of the flexible tube body 1 close to the second end 200 is easier to be bent, and thus the flexibility is higher. And the end of the coating layer 2 with smaller stiffness is arranged corresponding to the end of the flexible tube body 1 with smaller stiffness. Thus, the part of the endoscope insertion tube close to the second end 200 has a smaller bendable stiffness and higher flexibility, and the part of the endoscope insertion tube close to the first end 100 has a larger bendable stiffness, with sufficient supporting effect to ensure sufficient insertion force or provide column strength, so that the insertion tube can be smoothly inserted into the human body, preventing it from being difficult to insert the insertion tube due to insufficient stiffness of the part of the insertion tube close to the second end 200. Therefore, the controllability of the endoscope insertion tube is better.

[0043] It should be noted that the stiffness of the flexible tube body 1 refers to the bending stiffness of the flexible tube body 1, which can be understood as the bendable softness of the flexible tube body 1, rather than the material stiffness of the flexible tube body 1. For the convenience of expression, this embodiment directly refers to it as the stiffness of the flexible tube body 1.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first end 100 of the flexible tube body 1 refers to the control end, and the second end 200 refers to the detection end.

[0045] Furthermore, the endoscope insertion tube further includes an adhesive layer 3. The adhesive layer 3 is coated on the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1, and the coating layer 2 is connected to the flexible tube body 1 through the adhesive layer 3. The flexible tube body 1 is made of a metal material, and the coating layer 2 is usually made of a resin material. Since the surface energy of the metal is relatively high and the surface energy of the resin material is relatively low, the adhesion between the two is poor. When the endoscope insertion tube is bent multiple times during use and after a long time of use, it is easy for the flexible tube body 1 and the coating layer 2 to become detached. However, in this embodiment, by providing the adhesive layer 3 between the flexible tube body 1 and the coating layer 2, the adhesion between the flexible tube body 1 and the coating layer 2 can be enhanced, making the connection between the flexible tube body 1 and the coating layer 2 more firm, thereby increasing the service life of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0046] Further, the thickness of the bonding layer 3 is 1-100 μm. For example, the thickness of the bonding layer 3 can be 1 μm, 10 μm, 20 μm, 30 μm, 40 μm, 50 μm, 60 μm, 70 μm, 80 μm, 90 μm, or 100 μm. This makes the connection between the flexible tube body 1 and the coating layer 2 more firm.

[0047] In other embodiments, the thickness of the bonding layer 3 can also be 40-60 μm. For example, the thickness of the bonding layer 3 can be 40 μm, 45 μm, 50 μm, 55 μm, or 60 μm, which makes the connection between the flexible tube body 1 and the coating layer 2 more firm.

[0048] Specifically, the bonding layer 3 is an adhesive, and the types of adhesive materials include, but are not limited to, epoxy resin glue, silica gel, polyurethane glue, isocyanate glue, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, low-density polyethylene, or polyethersulfone, thus ensuring a relatively large viscosity of the bonding layer 3 and ensuring the firmness of the connection between the flexible tube body 1 and the coating layer 2.

[0049] Further, the flexible tube body 1 includes a spiral tube 11 and a braided mesh 12. The braided mesh 12 covers the spiral tube 11, and the diameter of the spiral tube 11 gradually decreases from the first end 100 to the second end 200. By changing the diameter of the spiral tube 11, the diameter of the flexible tube body 1 gradually decreases from the first end 100 to the second end 200.

[0050] Further, the diameter of the spiral tube 11 is 5-15 mm. For example, the diameter of the spiral tube 11 can be 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, or 15 mm. To meet the requirement of the diameter change of the spiral tube 11, and thus realize the change of the stiffness of the spiral tube 11 from the first end 100 to the second end 200.

[0051] In other embodiments, the diameter of the spiral tube 11 can also be 7-9 mm. For example, the diameter of the spiral tube 11 can be 7 mm, 7.5 mm, 8 mm, 8.5 mm, or 9 mm. This ensures that the part of the spiral tube 11 near the first end 100 has a relatively small stiffness and is relatively easy to bend, so it has relatively high flexibility. The part of the spiral tube 11 near the second end 200 has a relatively large stiffness and is not easy to bend, providing sufficient support. Therefore, the controllability is relatively good.

[0052] Further, in this embodiment, the coating layer 2 sequentially includes a first resin layer 21 and a second resin layer 22 from the inside to the outside in the radial direction. The stiffness of the first resin layer 21 is greater than that of the second resin layer 22. The first resin layer 21 is coated on the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1. The thickness of the first resin layer 21 gradually decreases from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1. The second resin layer 22 is coated on the outer surface of the first resin layer 21. The thickness of the second resin layer 22 gradually increases from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1. This solution realizes that the stiffness of the coating layer 2 gradually decreases from the first end 100 to the second end 200, and the change in the stiffness of the coating layer 2 is continuous and gentle, thereby improving the overall controllability and flexibility of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0053] In other embodiments, as Figure 3 shown, the coating layer 2 can also be set to sequentially include a first resin layer 21 and a second resin layer 22 from the inside to the outside in the radial direction. The stiffness of the first resin layer 21 is less than that of the second resin layer 22. The first resin layer 21 is coated on the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1. The thickness of the first resin layer 21 gradually increases from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1. The second resin layer 22 is coated on the outer surface of the first resin layer 21. The thickness of the second resin layer 22 gradually decreases from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1. This solution also realizes that the stiffness of the coating layer 2 gradually decreases from the first end 100 to the second end 200, and the change in the stiffness of the coating layer 2 is continuous and gentle, thereby improving the overall controllability and flexibility of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0054] Further, the outer surface of the coating layer 2 (which is the outer surface of the second resin layer 22 in this embodiment) is parallel to the axis of the flexible tube body 1. That is, the outer surface of the endoscope insertion tube in this embodiment is flush and is a straight cylindrical surface, which can ensure the regular appearance of the flexible tube body and is also convenient for subsequent use and storage.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first resin layer 21 is directly attached to or spaced from the second resin layer 22; in the embodiment of spaced arrangement, a flexible material can be filled between the two to increase flexibility, or an adhesive can be used to ensure the connection strength, or other possible functional materials, such as waterproof materials, heat insulation materials, etc.

[0056] Further, the hardness range of the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22 is 65A - 85D to ensure that the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22 have sufficient hardness to prevent the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22 from being worn due to long-term use.

[0057] Further, the resin materials used for the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22 are different, thereby achieving different stiffnesses between the two. The above-mentioned resin materials include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer, or thermoplastic polyamide elastomer. Two different materials are selected from them and used to manufacture the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22 respectively. Different resin materials have different hardnesses, and the manufactured first resin layer 21 and second resin layer 22 have different hardnesses. The greater the hardness, the greater the elastic modulus, and thus the greater the stiffness. Therefore, the stiffnesses of the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22 are different.

[0058] Further, the endoscope insertion tube further includes an outer coating, which is coated on the outer surface of the covering layer 2. Specifically, the outer coating is coated on the outer surface of the second resin layer 22 facing away from the flexible tube body 1. After the endoscope insertion tube is used, a cleaning operation needs to be performed. Long-term cleaning will cause damage to the covering layer 2. The outer coating in this embodiment effectively protects the covering layer 2 and ensures the service life of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0059] Specifically, the outer coating is varnish, which ensures the protective effect of the outer coating on the covering layer 2 and can improve the comfort of the patient.

[0060] Further, as Figure 4 shown, in this embodiment, the first resin layer 21, the second resin layer 22, and the bonding layer 3 are processed on the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1 through an extrusion device 4. The extrusion device 4 includes a processing channel 44 and a first extrusion channel 41, a second extrusion channel 42, and a third extrusion channel 43 arranged in sequence from the back to the front along the extension direction of the processing channel. The extrusion device 4 further includes a driving end, and the driving end is used to drive the flexible tube body 1 to move in the processing channel 44.

[0061] The method steps for the extrusion device 4 to process the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22 on the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1 are as follows:

[0062] The driving end of the extrusion device 4 drives the flexible tube body 1 to move from the back to the front in the processing channel 44;

[0063] When the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1 reaches the first extrusion channel 41, the first extrusion channel 41 extrudes a bonding material onto the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1 to form the bonding layer 3; when the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1 reaches the second extrusion channel 42, the second extrusion channel 42 extrudes a first resin material onto the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1 to form the first resin layer 21; when the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1 reaches the third extrusion channel 43, the third extrusion channel 43 extrudes a second resin material onto the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1 to form the second resin layer 22;

[0064] The driving end of the extrusion device 4 drives the flexible tube body 1 out of the processing channel 44.

[0065] In this embodiment, the extrusion device 4 processes the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22 on the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1 according to the above steps, greatly improving the processing efficiency of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided an endoscope, which includes the above-mentioned endoscope insertion tube, so that the controllability and flexibility of the endoscope operation are higher. Those skilled in the art can connect and install the endoscope insertion tube of this embodiment with other components of the endoscope. This embodiment does not introduce in detail its specific installation structure and installation method.

[0067] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by this application.

Claims

1. An endoscope insertion tube, characterized in that, Comprising: A flexible tube body (1), the flexible tube body (1) includes a spiral tube (11) and a braided mesh (12), the braided mesh (12) covers the spiral tube (11), and the diameter of the flexible tube body (1) gradually decreases from its first end (100) to its second end (200); A coating layer (2), the coating layer covers the flexible tube body (1), and the stiffness of the coating layer (2) decreases from the first end (100) to the second end (200) of the flexible tube body (1); the coating layer (2) includes a first resin layer (21) and a second resin layer (22), the first resin layer (21) covers the outer surface of the flexible tube body (1), and the second resin layer (22) covers the outer surface of the first resin layer (21); An adhesive layer (3), the adhesive layer (3) covers the outer surface of the flexible tube body (1), and the coating layer (2) is connected to the flexible tube body (1) through the adhesive layer (3).

2. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 1, wherein, The first resin layer (21) is directly attached to the second resin layer (22), or the first resin layer (21) and the second resin layer (22) are arranged at intervals.

3. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 2, characterized in that, The stiffness of the first resin layer (21) is greater than the stiffness of the second resin layer (22); The thickness of the first resin layer (21) gradually decreases from the first end (100) to the second end (200) of the flexible tube body (1); The thickness of the second resin layer (22) gradually increases from the first end (100) to the second end (200) of the flexible tube body (1).

4. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 2, wherein The stiffness of the first resin layer (21) is less than the stiffness of the second resin layer (22); The first resin layer (21) covers the outer surface of the flexible tube body (1), and the thickness of the first resin layer (21) gradually increases from the first end (100) to the second end (200) of the flexible tube body (1); The second resin layer (22) covers the outer surface of the first resin layer (21), and the thickness of the second resin layer (22) gradually decreases from the first end (100) to the second end (200) of the flexible tube body (1).

5. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 1, wherein, The hardness range of the first resin layer (21) and the second resin layer (22) is 65A - 85D.

6. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 1, wherein The thickness of the adhesive layer (3) is 1 - 100 μm.

7. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 1, wherein The diameter of the spiral tube (11) is 5 - 15 mm.

8. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer surface of the coating layer (2) is parallel to the axis of the flexible tube body (1).

9. The endoscope insertion tube according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The endoscope insertion tube further includes an outer coating, and the outer coating is coated on the outer surface of the coating layer (2).

10. An endoscope, characterized in that, Comprising the endoscope insertion tube according to any one of claims 1 - 9.

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