Flexible tube for an endoscope and electronic endoscope equipped with the flexible tube
First Claim
1. A flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising:
- an elongated flexible tubular body; and
a plurality of easily bendable portions provided in the tubular body in a spaced apart manner along the longitudinal direction thereof, each of these easily bendable portion being adapted to be bent locally with a smaller curvature radius when the flexible tube is bent in one direction.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible tube for an endoscope which has excellent insertion operability is disclosed. The flexible tube includes and an elongated flexible tubular body constructed from a core body having a hollow space and an outer cover which is provided over the outer periphery of the core body and formed into a laminated structure having a plurality of layers. The tubular body is formed with a plurality of easily bendable portions which are provided in a spaced apart manner along the longitudinal direction thereof, each of these easily bendable portion being adapted to bend locally with a smaller curvature radius when the flexible tube is bent in one direction. The average interval between the adjacent easily bendable portions is preferably in the range 50-400 mm. The easily bendable portions is formed by locally changing the flexural rigidity of the outer cover. For example, it is formed by changing the thickness of at least one layer of the laminated structure of the outer cover at a position corresponding to the easily bendable portion.
60 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising:
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an elongated flexible tubular body; and
a plurality of easily bendable portions provided in the tubular body in a spaced apart manner along the longitudinal direction thereof, each of these easily bendable portion being adapted to be bent locally with a smaller curvature radius when the flexible tube is bent in one direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An electronic endoscope, comprising:
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an operation section which is operated by an operator; and
a flexible tube for an endoscope which is connected to the operation section, the flexible tube including an elongated flexible tubular body and a plurality of easily bendable portions provided in the tubular body in a spaced apart manner along the longitudinal direction thereof, each of these easily bendable portion being adapted to bend locally with a smaller curvature radius when the flexible tube is bent in one direction.
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Specification