Flexible sheathing tube construction, and method for fabrication thereof
First Claim
1. A flexible tube construction for an endoscopic insertion tube encasing at least one elongated flexible component of an endoscopic examination instrument within a hollow internal passage of the tube, comprising:
- a multi-layered wall including at least, from the side of the internal passage, an open helical coil structure formed of a flat metal strip having a predetermined width wound in a cylindrical shape in a predetermined open pitch so as to provide required flexibility in bending directions together with compressive strength, a protective mesh sleeve fitted on said helical coil structure, and an insulating outer coating layer formed on said protective mesh sleeve; and
an inner coat layer of a resilient material formed on the inner periphery of said open helical coil structure to cover inner surfaces of helices of said metal strip completely, filling in gap spaces between open helices of said helical coil structure and keeping the at least one elongated flexible component in the internal passage out of contact with helices of said metal strip of said helical coil structure.
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Abstract
A flexible sheathing tube suitable for encasing an elongated flexible body like a flexible insertion rod of an endoscope or other insertion type examination istrument, and a method for fabrication of such sheathing tubes. The flexible sheathing tube being of the type is basically provided with a flexible base structure having at least an open helical coil member of a cylindrical shape, a protective mesh sleeve fitted on the helical coil member, and an insulating outer coating layer formed on the protective mesh sleeve. The sheathing tube is further provided with an inner coat layer of a resilient material formed on the inner side of the helical coil member in such a manner as to cover the inner periphery of the helical coil member completely, filling in gap spaces between open helices of the coil member.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A flexible tube construction for an endoscopic insertion tube encasing at least one elongated flexible component of an endoscopic examination instrument within a hollow internal passage of the tube, comprising:
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a multi-layered wall including at least, from the side of the internal passage, an open helical coil structure formed of a flat metal strip having a predetermined width wound in a cylindrical shape in a predetermined open pitch so as to provide required flexibility in bending directions together with compressive strength, a protective mesh sleeve fitted on said helical coil structure, and an insulating outer coating layer formed on said protective mesh sleeve; and an inner coat layer of a resilient material formed on the inner periphery of said open helical coil structure to cover inner surfaces of helices of said metal strip completely, filling in gap spaces between open helices of said helical coil structure and keeping the at least one elongated flexible component in the internal passage out of contact with helices of said metal strip of said helical coil structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification