Endoscope insertion tube

Abstract

The utility model relates to an endoscope insertion tube, including inner lining pipe, the flat wire spring pipe of coaxial sleeve is established in the outside of inner lining pipe, the reinforcing braid pipe of axial spiral winding is established in the outside of flat wire spring pipe, and the outer lining pipe of coating is established in the outside of reinforcing braid pipe, and is located in the outside wall of outer lining pipe and hydrophilic layer, reinforcing braid pipe has medium density braid area and dense braid area, and medium density braid area and dense braid area are all equipped with multiple and axial alternative arrangement, and reinforcing braid pipe is metal material, and dense braid area forms developing part, the utility model discloses through the reinforcing braid pipe and flat wire spring pipe with specific structure can significantly improve the anti-bending performance and supportability of compliance catheter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to an endoscope insertion tube. Background Technology

[0002] The endoscopic insertion tube is the flexible tubular part of an endoscope, widely used in various interventional procedures, such as cardiovascular, neurovascular, and gastrointestinal surgeries. It is a widely used medical device in clinical practice. Currently, existing insertion tubes are mainly made of medical-grade rubber and medical-grade plastic, specifically composed of a three-layer tubular structure. Except for the distal end, which has two layers of polymer, the rest of the tube has a three-layer structure of polymer-braided mesh-polymer.

[0003] However, this type of catheter is less effective in terms of bending resistance and support. Therefore, it is necessary to design a new type of catheter to meet higher usage requirements. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing an endoscope insertion tube that can effectively solve the aforementioned problems.

[0005] To achieve the above requirements, the technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows:

[0006] An endoscope insertion tube is provided, comprising an inner liner tube, a flat wire spring tube coaxially sleeved on the outside of the inner liner tube, a reinforcing braided tube axially spirally wound on the outside of the flat wire spring tube, and an outer liner tube covering the outside of the reinforcing braided tube, and a hydrophilic layer disposed on the outer side wall of the outer liner tube; the reinforcing braided tube has a medium-density braided area and a dense braided area, each having multiple medium-density braided areas and the dense braided area arranged alternately in the axial direction, the reinforcing braided tube being made of metal, and the dense braided area forming a radiopaque section.

[0007] The endoscope insertion tube of this utility model includes a reinforcing braided tube comprising a first braided bundle unit with a forward spiral and a second braided bundle unit with a reverse spiral. The first braided bundle unit and the second braided bundle unit are arranged alternately inside and outside along the axial direction. Multiple first braided bundle units and multiple second braided bundle units are provided and evenly distributed circumferentially.

[0008] The endoscope insertion tube of this utility model includes a plurality of metal flat wires in both the first braided bundle unit and the second braided bundle unit. The plurality of metal flat wires are arranged in close proximity along the circumference of the flat wire spring.

[0009] The endoscope insertion tube of this utility model includes a first braided bundle unit and a second braided bundle unit, each comprising multiple strands of flat metal wires, wherein the flat metal wires are 2 mm wide and 0.03 mm thick.

[0010] The endoscope insertion tube of this utility model has a braid density of 40-50 PPI in the medium-density braided area.

[0011] In the endoscope insertion tube of this invention, the braid density of the densely braided area is greater than 50 PPI.

[0012] In the endoscope insertion tube of this utility model, the flat wire spring has a width of 2.0 mm, a thickness of 0.1 mm, and a pitch of 0.5 mm.

[0013] In the endoscope insertion tube of this invention, the thickness of the hydrophilic layer is 20-40 micrometers.

[0014] The endoscope insertion tube of this utility model has an inner liner tube with a thickness of 0.05 mm, the inner liner tube is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the outer liner tube is made of semi-crystalline to crystalline thermoplastic material.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0016] By using reinforced braided tubing and flat wire spring tubing with specific structures, the bending resistance and support of the compliant catheter can be significantly improved. At the same time, the radiopaque area formed by the dense braided area can improve the observability during later use. Compared with the traditional compliant catheter structure with added radiopaque rings, there will be no situation where the radiopaque ring falls off or scratches the tissue. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the utility model will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of a local structure.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the developing area formed by the first braided bundle unit and the second braided bundle unit of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0022] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0023] "Multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0024] Furthermore, the terms indicating orientation, such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "upper end," "lower end," and "longitudinal," are all based on the posture and position of the device or equipment described in this solution during normal use.

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, a clear and complete description will be provided below in conjunction with the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0026] The endoscope insertion tube of the preferred embodiment of this utility model, such as Figure 1-3As shown, it includes an inner liner tube 10, a flat wire spring tube 20 coaxially sleeved on the outside of the inner liner tube 10, a reinforcing braided tube 30 axially spirally wound on the outside of the flat wire spring tube 20, and an outer liner tube 40 covering the outside of the reinforcing braided tube 30, as well as a hydrophilic layer 50 provided on the outer side wall of the outer liner tube 40; the reinforcing braided tube 30 has a medium-density braided area 60 and a dense braided area 70, and multiple medium-density braided areas 60 and dense braided areas 70 are provided and arranged alternately in the axial direction. The reinforcing braided tube 30 is made of metal, and the dense braided area 70 forms the developing section.

[0027] The composite catheter of this solution significantly improves the bending resistance and support of the composite catheter through the reinforced braided tube 30 and flat wire spring tube 20 with specific structures. At the same time, the radiopaque area formed by the dense braided area 70 improves the observability during later use. Compared with the traditional composite catheter structure with added radiopaque ring, the radiopaque ring will not fall off or scratch the tissue. Moreover, the traditional catheter structure is complex, and the limitation of the structure itself makes it impossible to make the size very thin and the cost is high. This solution can avoid these drawbacks, achieving the goal of being thinner than traditional reusable tubes and more durable than disposable catheters. It belongs to a reusable tube body with thinner strength and higher lifespan.

[0028] In this embodiment, the reinforced braided tube 30 includes a first braided bundle unit 31 with a forward spiral and a second braided bundle unit 32 with a reverse spiral. The first braided bundle unit 31 and the second braided bundle unit 32 are arranged alternately inside and outside along the axial direction. There are multiple first braided bundle units 31 and second braided bundle units 32, which are evenly distributed circumferentially. That is, after the first braided bundle unit 31 and the second braided bundle unit 32 are spirally wound once, their original positions on the inside are changed to the outside, thereby forming a mesh-like cylindrical structure. This ensures the connection stability of the mesh structure and avoids long sections of unwinding at the cut-off point.

[0029] In this embodiment, both the first braided bundle unit 31 and the second braided bundle unit 32 include multiple metal flat wires, which are arranged in close succession along the circumference of the flat wire spring. Specifically, both the first braided bundle unit 31 and the second braided bundle unit 32 include multiple strands of metal flat wires 310, which have a width of 2 mm and a thickness of 0.03 mm.

[0030] In this embodiment, the braid density of the medium-density braided area 60 is 40-50 PPI, while the braid density of the dense braided area 70 is greater than 50 PPI. That is, the multiple first braid bundle units 31 and multiple second units of the medium-density braided area 60 have 40-50 cross-overs per inch of length to ensure that the braided layer formed by the reinforcing braided tube 30 can provide high support. Furthermore, the density of the dense braided area 70 is even higher. In practice, a braid density of 60 PPI is selected to ensure that a clear dark area is formed in this area during angiography, so that doctors can have a clear visual understanding of the insertion position of the composite catheter.

[0031] In this embodiment, the flat wire spring has a width of 2.0 mm, a thickness of 0.1 mm, and a pitch of 0.5 mm. By limiting these parameters, the flat wire spring can present an opaque blocking part when the angle between it and its axis is less than 90 degrees. This blocking part, combined with the densely woven area, can further enhance the shadow prominence of the imaging area, which is more conducive to the doctor's observation. It can be said to achieve multiple benefits.

[0032] In this embodiment, the hydrophilic layer 50 has a thickness of 20-40 micrometers. The hydrophilic layer 50 can reduce friction on human tissue and also increase service life.

[0033] In this embodiment, the thickness of the inner liner 10 is 0.05 mm, the inner liner 10 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the outer liner 40 is made of semi-crystalline to crystalline thermoplastic material. The choice of polytetrafluoroethylene material can reduce friction and prevent the contents (such as channel tubes, cables) from scratching the inner wall of the inner liner 10.

[0034] In this embodiment, the composite catheter is manufactured using the following existing process:

[0035] 1. A 0.05mm thick PTFE inner liner is placed over a 2.0mm inner core (usually made of PTFE).

[0036] 2. Use a spring winding machine to wind a single layer of flat wire spring (2.0mm wide, 0.1mm thick, 0.5mm spacing) around the outside of the PTFE inner liner tube to form a flat wire spring tube preform;

[0037] 3. Use a braiding machine to braid multiple strands of flat filaments (16 strands, 0.2mm wide, 0.03mm thick, braiding density 40-50PPI) onto the flat filament spring tube preform to form a tubular preform;

[0038] 4. Place the entire tubular preform into an extruder, and extrude the outer layer with a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material (PA12) to form an extruded tube with an outer diameter of 2.55 mm.

[0039] 5. Apply a polymer hydrophilic coating (such as PVP) with a thickness of 20–40 μm to the surface;

[0040] 6. Pull out the inner core;

[0041] 7. Trim both ends flat to a specific length (e.g., 625mm).

[0042] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An endoscope insertion tube characterized by comprising: The device includes an inner liner tube, a flat wire spring tube coaxially sleeved on the outside of the inner liner tube, a reinforcing braided tube axially spirally wound on the outside of the flat wire spring tube, and an outer liner tube covering the outside of the reinforcing braided tube, as well as a hydrophilic layer on the outer wall of the outer liner tube; the reinforcing braided tube has a medium-density braided area and a dense braided area, each of which has multiple medium-density braided areas and the dense braided area is arranged alternately in the axial direction, the reinforcing braided tube is made of metal, and the dense braided area forms the developing section.

2. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 1, characterized by The reinforced braided tube includes a first braided bundle unit with a forward spiral and a second braided bundle unit with a reverse spiral. The first braided bundle unit and the second braided bundle unit are arranged alternately inside and outside along the axial direction. There are multiple first braided bundle units and second braided bundle units, which are evenly distributed circumferentially.

3. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 2, characterized by Both the first braided bundle unit and the second braided bundle unit include a plurality of flat metal wires, which are arranged in close succession along the circumference of the flat wire spring.

4. The endoscope insertion tube according to claim 3, characterized by Both the first braided bundle unit and the second braided bundle unit include multiple strands of flat metal wires, the flat metal wires being 2mm wide and 0.03mm thick.

5. The endoscope insertion tube according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The knitting density of the medium-density knitting zone is 40-50 PPI.

6. The endoscope insertion tube according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The weaving density of the densely woven area is greater than 50 PPI.

7. The endoscope insertion tube of claim 1, wherein The flat wire spring has a width of 2.0 mm, a thickness of 0.1 mm, and a pitch of 0.5 mm.

8. The endoscope insertion tube of claim 1, wherein The thickness of the hydrophilic layer is 20-40 micrometers.

9. The endoscope insertion tube of claim 1, wherein The inner liner is 0.05 mm thick and made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The outer liner is made of semi-crystalline to crystalline thermoplastic material.

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