Abstract: An outer tubular envelope for covering an elongated inserting portion of an inserting apparatus such as, for example, an endoscope. A plurality of strands are braided into the form of a tube. At least one of the strands is different in color from the remaining strands and is woven thereinto so as to extend helically at a constant pitch.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising a proximal structure and an inserting structure extending from an operating body of the proximal structure. A guide tube assembly extending within the inserting structure comprises an inner tube formed of porous resin and an outer tube formed of imperforate resin. The inner tube has one end communicating with a proximal opening provided in the proximal structure and the other end communicating with a distal opening provided in a distal end of the inserting structure. A hollow portion of the inner tube communicates with an annular region between the inner and outer tubes through pores of a peripheral wall of the inner tube. The annular region communicates with a port provided in at least one of the proximal structure and the distal end of the inserting structure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses herewith an endoscope by which pressurized air is led into an inner portion of the endoscope. A plug of a light-transmitting optic bundle tube which communicates with the inner portion is covered, partially or totally, by a gas-tight cap which has a pressure inlet. The pressurized air is led from the pressure inlet into the inner portion of the endoscope through a terminal part or a gap of the plug.By these provisions, an internal pressure of the endoscope is raised to an extent not smaller than the external pressure of a cleanser in order to prevent the cleanser from flowing into the inner portion of the endoscope when washing and/or sterilizing a non-waterproof endoscope. In addition, a pinhole on a flexible sheath can easily be detected by testing a leakage of the pressurized air as for a waterproof endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising one or plural fluid inlets at the grip end of the endoscope or at the feeding pipe which contains an air-feeding pipe and a light-transmitting optical fiber.For washing and sterilization of endoscope which does not have a water-proof structure, compressed air or liquid is infused through the fluid inlet, raising the inner pressure of the endoscope to prevent the permeation of the cleanser and disinfectant into the innerside of the endoscope.For washing and sterilization of an endoscope which has a water-proof structure, the compressed air or the liquid is infused through the fluid inlet to detect a pin hole on the surface of a flexible sheath.