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 and a coating layer, the flexible tube body comprises a woven mesh, and the weaving density of the woven mesh is increased from a first end to a second end; the covering layer covers the flexible pipe body, and the rigidity of the covering layer and the flexible pipe body is increased from the first end to the second end of the flexible pipe body. According to the endoscope insertion tube, the influence of the flexible tube body on the overall rigidity of the insertion tube is fully considered, so that the rigidity of the flexible tube body and the covering layer is increased from the first end to the second end, and the overall rigidity of the endoscope insertion tube is increased from the first end to the second end. Therefore, the first end of the insertion tube of the endoscope has enough softness and can be further bent at a large angle, and the second end of the insertion tube has enough rigidity and can further provide enough endoscope entering force for the whole endoscope. And therefore, the controllability and the flexibility of the endoscope insertion tube are improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] An endoscope is an instrument used for human inspection. The first end of the endoscope's insertion tube is equipped with optical lenses, sensors, and other detection devices for monitoring specific areas within the human body. The endoscope's insertion tube is a flexible tube whose bendability ensures the optical lens and other sensors can reach various locations within the human body. The portion of the endoscope's insertion tube near its first end is generally relatively low in rigidity, meaning it is relatively soft, allowing it to bend flexibly at large angles. The portion of the endoscope's insertion tube away from the first end is generally higher in rigidity to provide support.

[0003] The endoscope insertion tube in the related art includes a flexible tube body and a resin layer covering the outer surface of the flexible tube body. The resin layer comprises multiple sections of resin layers with varying stiffness. The sections are arranged on the flexible tube body in ascending order of stiffness, with the less stiff resin layer closer to the first end of the flexible tube body. This results in a lower stiffness at the first end of the endoscope insertion tube and a higher stiffness at the second end.

[0004] However, the drawback of the related art endoscope insertion tube is that it achieves different stiffness at different parts of the tube simply by varying the stiffness of the resin layer, while ignoring the influence of the flexible tube body on the overall stiffness of the tube. As a result, the overall stiffness design of the tube is limited. Specifically, the first end of the tube is not flexible enough to bend at a large angle, resulting in low flexibility. The second end of the tube is also not rigid enough to provide adequate support for the endoscope as a whole. Therefore, the controllability and flexibility of the related art endoscope insertion tube are low. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides an endoscope insertion tube and an endoscope to solve the problem of low controllability and flexibility of the endoscope insertion tube in the related art due to ignoring the influence of the flexible tube body on the overall rigidity of the insertion tube.

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

[0007] The flexible tube body has a stiffness that increases from its first end to its second end; the flexible tube body includes a spiral tube body and a braided mesh, the braided mesh is coated on the spiral tube body, the braided mesh includes at least two segments with different braiding densities in the axial direction, and the braiding density of the braided mesh increases from the first end to the second end;

[0008] The covering layer covers the flexible pipe body, and the rigidity of the covering layer increases from the first end to the second end of the flexible pipe body.

[0009] Beneficial Effects: The present invention fully considers the impact of the flexible tube body on the overall rigidity of the insertion tube. Therefore, by configuring the rigidity of both the flexible tube body and the covering layer to increase from the first end to the second end, the overall rigidity of the endoscope insertion tube increases from the first end to the second end. This ensures that the first end of the endoscope insertion tube is sufficiently flexible to allow for large angle bending, while the second end of the insertion tube is sufficiently rigid to provide sufficient support for the endoscope as a whole, ensuring sufficient force for advancing the endoscope or providing column strength to facilitate smooth insertion of the insertion tube into the human body. This prevents difficulty in inserting the insertion tube due to insufficient rigidity near the second end of the insertion tube, thereby improving the controllability and flexibility of the endoscope insertion tube. Furthermore, the greater the braid density of the braided mesh, the greater the rigidity of the braided mesh. By configuring the braid density of different mesh segments, the rigidity of the braided mesh can be conveniently increased from the first end to the second end.

[0010] In some embodiments, the braiding pitch of the braided mesh increases from the first end to the second end of the flexible pipe body.

[0011] Beneficial effect: By adjusting the braiding pitch of the network segment, the braiding density of the network segment is adjusted. This method of adjusting the rigidity of the flexible pipe body is relatively simple and easy to implement.

[0012] In some embodiments, the braiding pitch of the mesh segments ranges from 15 mm to 40 mm.

[0013] Beneficial effect: The setting of this pitch range can make the part of the endoscope insertion tube near the first end less rigid and thus softer, but not too soft to be unable to support the detection device; and make the part of the endoscope insertion tube near the second end more rigid, but at the same time able to bend.

[0014] In some implementations, the lengths of the network segments are equal.

[0015] Beneficial effect: The stiffness of the braided mesh changes more gradually from the first end to the second end, thereby improving the overall controllability of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0016] In some embodiments, the covering layer includes a first resin layer and a second resin layer in sequence from the inside to the outside in the radial direction, and the stiffness of the first resin layer is greater than that of the second resin layer; the first resin layer is covered on the outer surface of the flexible pipe body, and the thickness of the first resin layer gradually increases from the first end to the second end of the flexible pipe body; the second resin layer is covered on the outer surface of the first resin layer, and the thickness of the second resin layer gradually decreases from the first end to the second end of the flexible pipe body.

[0017] In some embodiments, the covering layer includes a second resin layer and a first resin layer in sequence from the inside to the outside in the radial direction, and the stiffness of the first resin layer is greater than the stiffness of the second resin layer; the second resin layer is covered on the outer surface of the flexible pipe body, and the thickness of the second resin layer gradually decreases from the first end to the second end of the flexible pipe body; the first resin layer is covered on the outer surface of the second resin layer, and the thickness of the first resin layer gradually increases from the first end to the second end of the flexible pipe body.

[0018] Beneficial effect: This solution realizes that the stiffness of the covering layer gradually increases from the first end to the second end, and the stiffness change of the covering layer is continuous and gentle, thereby improving the overall controllability of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0019] In some embodiments, the cover has a uniform thickness from the first end to the second end of the flexible pipe body.

[0020] Beneficial effect: Without changing the thickness of the coating layer, the stiffness of the coating layer is changed, which can ensure the regular appearance of the flexible pipe body.

[0021] In some embodiments, the covering layer includes at least two resin layer segments with different stiffnesses in the axial direction, and the stiffnesses of the resin layer segments increase from the first end to the second end of the flexible pipe body.

[0022] Beneficial effects: The thickness of each resin layer segment in the coating layer is consistent, and there is no need to process the thickness of each resin layer segment, which makes the processing and manufacturing of the endoscope insertion tube more convenient and saves manufacturing costs.

[0023] In some embodiments, the axial length of each resin layer segment is equal to the axial length of the web segment at the corresponding position.

[0024] Beneficial effect: The stiffness of the entire endoscope insertion tube changes more evenly from the first end to the second end, thereby improving the controllability of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0025] The utility model also provides an endoscope, which comprises the endoscope insertion tube mentioned above.

[0026] Because the endoscope of the present invention includes the endoscope insertion tube of the present invention and has the same beneficial effects as the endoscope insertion tube, details thereof will not be repeated 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 any creative work.

[0028] Figure 1is a schematic diagram of an endoscope insertion tube of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the braided mesh in the insertion tube of the endoscope of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope insertion tube of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is another cross-sectional view of an endoscope insertion tube according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the endoscope insertion tube of the present invention using a printer head to print a coating layer;

[0033] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of an endoscope insertion tube according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a coating layer in an endoscope insertion tube according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Description of reference numerals:

[0036] 1. Flexible tube body; 11. Spiral tube body; 12. Braided mesh; 100. First end; 200. Second end; 120. Mesh segment;

[0037] 2. Coating layer; 21. First resin layer; 22. Second resin layer; 23. Resin layer segment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] The following combination Figures 1 to 7 , describing embodiments of the endoscope insertion tube and endoscope of the present invention.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an endoscope insertion tube is provided, such as Figure 1 As shown, the endoscope insertion tube includes a flexible tube body 1 and a covering layer 2, wherein the stiffness of the flexible tube body 1 increases from its first end 100 to the second end 200, and the covering layer 2 covers the flexible tube body 1, wherein the stiffness of the covering layer 2 increases from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1.

[0041] This embodiment fully considers the impact of the flexible tube body 1 on the overall rigidity of the insertion tube. Therefore, the rigidity of both the flexible tube body 1 and the covering layer 2 is configured to increase from the first end 100 to the second end 200, thereby increasing the overall rigidity of the endoscope insertion tube from the first end 100 to the second end 200. This ensures that the first end 100 of the endoscope insertion tube is sufficiently soft and flexible, enabling greater bending angles. The second end 200 of the insertion tube is sufficiently rigid to provide adequate support for the entire endoscope, ensuring sufficient insertion force or providing column strength, thereby enabling smooth insertion of the insertion tube into the human body. This prevents difficulty in insertion due to insufficient rigidity near the second end of the insertion tube, thereby improving the controllability and flexibility of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0042] Furthermore, the outer surface of the coating layer 2 is coated with a glossy varnish, which protects the coating layer 2 and prevents the coating layer 2 from being corroded by acidic liquids in the human body, thereby protecting the endoscope insertion tube and ensuring its service life.

[0043] Furthermore, if Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the flexible pipe body 1 includes a spiral pipe body 11 and a braided mesh 12. The braided mesh 12 is wrapped around the spiral pipe body 11. The braided mesh 12 includes at least two segments 120 with different braiding densities in the axial direction. The braiding density of the braided mesh 12 increases from the first end 100 to the second end 200. The greater the braiding density of the braided mesh 12, the greater the stiffness of the braided mesh 12. By setting the braiding density of different segments 120, the stiffness of the braided mesh 12 can be increased from the first end 100 to the second end 200.

[0044] Specifically, the number of network segments 120 in this embodiment is four. Of course, depending on the length of the endoscope insertion tube, the number of network segments 120 can also be set to six, seven, eight, nine or ten. The technician can set the number of network segments 120 according to actual needs.

[0045] Specifically, the braided mesh 12 is made of metal material, and the spiral tube body 11 is a spiral tube of an endoscope insertion tube in the related art.

[0046] Furthermore, the braiding pitch of the braided mesh 12 increases from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1. That is, this embodiment adjusts the braiding density of the mesh segment 120 by adjusting the braiding pitch of the mesh segment 120. This method of adjusting the stiffness of the flexible tube body is relatively simple and easy to implement. The braiding pitch refers to: a braided wire is wound along the length direction of the spiral tube body 11, and the number of braided wires is generally multiple. When the braided wire is wound around the outer surface of the spiral tube body 11 for one circle, the distance between the starting point and the end point of the winding along the length direction of the spiral tube body 11. The smaller the braiding pitch of the mesh segment 120, the greater the braiding density of the mesh segment 120, and the greater the stiffness of the braided mesh 12.

[0047] Specifically, the weaving pitch range of the network segment 120 is 15mm-40mm, and in some embodiments it is 20mm-30mm. Taking the example of four network segments 120 in this embodiment, from the first end 100 to the second end 200, the pitch of the first network segment 120 is 30mm, the pitch of the second network segment 120 is 27mm, the pitch of the third network segment 120 is 24mm, and the pitch of the fourth network segment 120 is 21mm.

[0048] In another embodiment, when there are six segments 120, from the first end 100 to the second end 200, the pitch of the first segment 120 is 30 mm, the pitch of the second segment 120 is 28 mm, the pitch of the third segment 120 is 26 mm, the pitch of the fourth segment 120 is 24 mm, the pitch of the fifth segment 120 is 22 mm, and the pitch of the sixth segment 120 is 20 mm. This pitch range ensures that the portion of the endoscope insertion tube near the first end 100 is less rigid and thus more flexible, but not so flexible that it cannot support the detection device; and that the portion of the endoscope insertion tube near the second end 200 is more rigid while still being able to bend.

[0049] Furthermore, the lengths of the mesh segments 120 of this embodiment are equal, so that the stiffness of the braided mesh 12 changes more gradually from the first end 100 to the second end 200, thereby improving the overall controllability of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0050] Furthermore, the braided mesh 12 of this embodiment is integrally formed to enhance the structural strength of the braided mesh 12 , thereby improving the overall durability of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0051] Furthermore, the covering layer 2 includes, radially from the inside out, 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 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. The stiffness of the first resin layer 21 is greater than that of the second resin layer 22. This solution ensures that the stiffness of the covering layer 2 gradually increases from the first end 100 to the second end 200, and the stiffness of the covering layer 2 changes continuously and smoothly, thereby improving the overall controllability of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0052] In other embodiments, Figure 4 As shown, the second resin layer 22 is coated on the outer surface of the flexible pipe body 1, and the thickness of the second resin layer 22 gradually decreases from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible pipe body 1. The first resin layer 21 is coated on the outer surface of the second resin layer 22, and the thickness of the first resin layer 21 gradually increases from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible pipe body 1. The stiffness of the first resin layer 21 is greater than that of the second resin layer 22.

[0053] Furthermore, the coating layer 2 has a uniform thickness from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible pipe body 1. Therefore, without changing the thickness of the coating layer 2, the rigidity of the coating layer 2 can be varied, thereby ensuring a regular appearance of the flexible pipe body.

[0054] Furthermore, the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22 are made of different resin materials, each having different hardnesses. Consequently, the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22 manufactured using resin materials of different hardnesses have different stiffnesses. The greater the hardness of the resin material, the greater the stiffness of the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22. The aforementioned resin materials include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers, thermoplastic polyester elastomers, thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers, or thermoplastic polyamide elastomers. Two of these different materials are selected to manufacture the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22, respectively. The first resin layer 21 is made of a resin material of lower hardness, while the second resin layer 22 is made of a resin material of higher hardness. The hardness of the resin materials used in the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22 ranges from 65A to 85D.

[0055] Furthermore, if Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the first resin layer 21 and the second resin layer 22 are printed on the outer surface of the flexible pipe body 1, that is, the outer surface of the woven mesh 12, by a 3D printing device. The specific method steps are:

[0056] The flexible tube body 1 is mounted on the driving end of the 3D printing device (not shown in the figure), and the first resin material and the second resin material are respectively injected into the two printer heads 3 of the 3D printing device;

[0057] The driving end drives the flexible pipe body 1 to rotate along the axis;

[0058] The printer head 3 containing the first resin material is close to the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1 and prints the first resin material on the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1 in the process of moving from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1 to form a first resin layer 21;

[0059] During the printing of the first resin layer 21, the moving speed of the printer head 3 gradually decreases, the rotation speed of the driving end driving the flexible tube body 1 gradually increases, or the extrusion rate of the printer head 3 gradually increases, so that 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;

[0060] The printer head 3 containing the first resin material is removed;

[0061] The printer head 3 containing the second resin material is close to the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1 and prints the second resin material on the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1 in the process of moving from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1 to form a second resin layer 22;

[0062] During the printing of the second resin layer 22, the moving speed of the printer head 3 gradually increases, the rotation speed of the driving end driving the flexible tube body 1 gradually decreases, or the extrusion rate of the printer head 3 gradually decreases, so that 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;

[0063] The printer head 3 containing the second resin material is removed, the driving end stops driving the flexible tube body 1 to rotate, and the endoscope insertion tube is taken out.

[0064] In other embodiments, the structure of the coating layer 2 is different, and the steps of printing the coating layer 2 on the outer surface of the flexible pipe body 1 are different from those in the aforementioned embodiment.

[0065] Specifically, if Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the coating 2 includes at least two resin layer segments 23 with different stiffnesses in the axial direction. The stiffness of the resin layer segments 23 increases from the first end 100 to the second end 200 of the flexible tube body 1. Compared to the structure of the coating 2 in the previous embodiment, the thickness of each resin layer segment 23 in this embodiment is uniform. This eliminates the need for thickness machining of each resin layer segment 23, facilitating the manufacture of the endoscope insertion tube and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0066] Specifically, in some embodiments, the number of resin layer segments 23 ranges from four to ten. Each resin layer segment 23 is made of a different material, thereby achieving varying stiffness between the multiple resin layer segments 23. In this embodiment, the number of resin layer segments 23 is four to accommodate the varying stiffness requirements of the endoscope insertion tube. Of course, the number of resin layer segments 23 may also be six or eight. Each resin layer segment 23 has a uniform thickness, ensuring a uniform appearance for the inner tube.

[0067] Furthermore, the axial length of each resin layer segment 23 is equal to the axial length of the mesh segment 120 at the corresponding position, that is, the resin layer segment 23 corresponds to the mesh segment 120 one by one, so that the overall stiffness of the endoscope insertion tube changes more evenly from the first end 100 to the second end 200, thereby improving the controllability of the endoscope insertion tube.

[0068] Of course, each resin layer segment 23 can also be configured to correspond to multiple network segments 120, or each network segment 120 can be configured to correspond to multiple resin layer segments 23. For example, if there are two resin layer segments 23 and six network segments 120, each resin layer segment 23 can be configured to correspond to three network segments 120. Alternatively, if there are two network segments 120 and six resin layer segments 23, each network segment 120 can be configured to correspond to three resin layer segments 23.

[0069] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, at least two resin layer segments 23 with different stiffness are printed on the outer surface of the flexible pipe body 1, i.e., the outer surface of the woven mesh 12, by a 3D printing device. The number of printer heads 3 of the 3D printing device is at least two, and the number is the same as the number of resin layer segments 23. The specific method steps are as follows:

[0070] The flexible tube body 1 is mounted on the driving end of the 3D printing device, and resin materials with different rigidities are injected into different printer heads 3 respectively;

[0071] The driving end drives the flexible pipe body 1 to rotate along the axis;

[0072] At least two printer heads 3 are moved and approach the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1. The at least two printer heads 3 are arranged along the length of the flexible tube body 1. The rigidity of the resin material in the printer heads 3 gradually increases from the first end 100 to the second end 200. The at least two printer heads 3 simultaneously print the resin material therein onto the outer surface of the flexible tube body 1 to form at least two resin layer segments 23 with different rigidities.

[0073] The printer head 3 is completely moved out, the driving end stops driving the flexible tube body 1 to rotate, and the endoscope insertion tube is taken out.

[0074] All the printer heads 3 print at the same printing rate, i.e., all the printer heads 3 extrude the resin material at the same rate, so that the thickness of the resin layer segments 23 is equal, and thus the thickness of the flexible pipe body 1 from the first end 100 to the second end 200 is consistent.

[0075] The printing order may also be: from the first end 100 to the second end 200, the printer head 3 prints one by one.

[0076] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an endoscope is further provided, comprising the endoscope insertion tube described above, to enhance controllability and flexibility in endoscope operation. Those skilled in the art will be able to connect and install the endoscope insertion tube of this embodiment with other components of the endoscope, and the specific installation structure and method thereof will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0077] 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 this application.

Claims

1. An endoscope insertion tube, characterized in that: include: A flexible pipe body (1), wherein the rigidity of the flexible pipe body (1) increases from a first end (100) to a second end (200); the flexible pipe body (1) comprises a spiral pipe body (11) and a braided mesh (12); the braided mesh (12) is coated on the spiral pipe body (11); the braided mesh (12) comprises at least two mesh segments (120) with different braiding densities in the axial direction; and the braiding density of the braided mesh (12) increases from the first end (100) to the second end (200); A covering layer (2) covers the flexible pipe body (1), and the rigidity of the covering layer (2) increases from the first end (100) to the second end (200) of the flexible pipe body (1).

2. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 1, wherein The braiding pitch of the braided mesh (12) increases from the first end (100) to the second end (200) of the flexible pipe body (1).

3. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 2, wherein The weaving pitch of the mesh segment (120) ranges from 15 mm to 40 mm.

4. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 1, wherein The lengths of the network segments (120) are equal.

5. The endoscope insertion tube according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The coating layer (2) comprises a first resin layer (21) and a second resin layer (22) in order from the inside to the outside in the radial direction, and the rigidity of the first resin layer (21) is greater than the rigidity of the second resin layer (22); The first resin layer (21) is coated on the outer surface of the flexible pipe 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 pipe body (1); the second resin layer (22) is coated on 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 pipe body (1).

6. The endoscope insertion tube according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The coating layer (2) comprises a second resin layer (22) and a first resin layer (21) in order from the inside to the outside in the radial direction, and the rigidity of the first resin layer (21) is greater than the rigidity of the second resin layer (22); The second resin layer (22) is coated on the outer surface of the flexible pipe body (1), and the thickness of the second resin layer (22) gradually decreases from the first end (100) to the second end (200) of the flexible pipe body (1); the first resin layer (21) is coated on the outer surface of the second resin layer (22), and the thickness of the first resin layer (21) gradually increases from the first end (100) to the second end (200) of the flexible pipe body (1).

7. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 1, wherein The coating layer (2) has a uniform thickness from the first end (100) to the second end (200) of the flexible pipe body (1).

8. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 1, wherein The coating layer (2) comprises at least two resin layer sections (23) with different stiffness in the axial direction, and the stiffness of the resin layer section (23) increases from the first end (100) to the second end (200) of the flexible pipe body (1).

9. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 8, wherein The axial length of each resin layer segment (23) is equal to the axial length of the network segment (120) at the corresponding position.

10. An endoscope, characterized in that: The invention comprises the endoscope insertion tube according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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