Flexible tube for endoscope and method of producing the flexible tube
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flexible tube for an endoscope comprising:
- a spiral coil defining gaps between adjacent turns of said spiral coil; and
a jacket formed by a jacket material and covering at least an outer surface of said spiral coil;
wherein said jacket material penetrates through said gaps to cover at least edges of said spiral coil, and wherein said spiral coil includes one or more superimposed layers which are covered with one or more layers of a reticulate tube, said reticulate tube being embedded in said jacket material.
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Abstract
A flexible tube for an endoscope includes a spiral coil 11 as the innermost layer and a jacket 13 that is formed by applying a melt of a jacket material 1 and then curing it, in which the jacket material 1 has been allowed to penetrate through the gaps between adjacent turns of the innermost spiral coil 11 to reach the portion of its inner surface.
86 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A flexible tube for an endoscope comprising:
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a spiral coil defining gaps between adjacent turns of said spiral coil; and
a jacket formed by a jacket material and covering at least an outer surface of said spiral coil;
wherein said jacket material penetrates through said gaps to cover at least edges of said spiral coil, and wherein said spiral coil includes one or more superimposed layers which are covered with one or more layers of a reticulate tube, said reticulate tube being embedded in said jacket material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of producing a flexible tube for an endoscope comprising:
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setting a spiral coil as an innermost layer on a mandrel with a clearance between an outer surface of said mandrel and an inner surface of said spiral coil;
applying a melt of a jacket material onto said spiral coil to penetrate through gaps between adjacent turns of said spiral coil into said clearance;
curing said jacket material; and
removing said mandrel. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
covering said spiral coil with one or more layers of a reticulate tube after setting said spiral coil.
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8. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said jacket material is a thermoplastic synthetic resin and applied with an extrusion molding machine.
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9. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:
performing a bond enhancing treatment to said spiral spring and a reticulate tube to which said jacket material is applied before applying said jacket material onto said spiral coil.
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10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the bond enhancing treatment comprises one of coating, plating, primer coating and adhesive application.
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11. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:
performing a bond enhancing treatment on a member to which said jacket material is applied, before applying said jacket material onto said spiral coil.
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12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the bond enhancing treatment comprises one of coating, plating primer coating and adhesive application.
Specification