Abstract: An endoscope is provided with a pliable tube having an integument layer made of a resin constituting an insertion portion and at least one slender tube element inserted through the insertion portion. The amount of contraction of the pliable tube after application of a thermal load during a high-pressure steam sterilization step is set larger than the amount of contraction of the tube element after application of a thermal load during the high-pressure steam sterilization step.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument has a control member, a portion of the member having an outer surface with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The non-circular cross-sectional shape may be provided to the control member by providing peripheral projections or fins along the length of the portion or by providing the periphery of the portion with a polygonal shape. Where fins are used, the fins are preferably quite small and only have a minimal effect on the fluid flow cross-sectional area between the interior of the endoscope instrument shaft and the central control member. The resulting instrument has significantly reduced backlash in end effector assembly manipulation, while maintaining adequate fluid flow in the endoscope shaft.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided with a pliable tube composed of an integument layer formed from a resin and a metal tube integrally fitted into this integument layer in an insertion portion. The inner diameter dimension of the pliable tube at ambient temperature after application of the thermal load of the high-pressure steam sterilization step is larger than the inner diameter dimension at ambient temperature before application of the thermal load.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope has an elongated tubular core body, and an outer cover which is provided over the core body. The outer cover is composed of an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer. In this flexible tube, any one of the layers is different from one of the other layers in its property. Further, at least one of the layers has a thickness-varying region where the thickness of the layer varies in its longitudinal direction. In addition, the inner layer of the outer cover has projections which are integrally formed on the inner layer so that the projections project into holes and/or the recesses formed on the core body. This structure makes it possible to produce a flexible tube for an endoscope that has high durability, high flexibility and high chemical resistance as well as excellent operationability.

Abstract: Endoscopic apparatus, including a probe (9) having an anterior component (12) and a posterior component (14), and a flexible dual-sleeved tube (31). The flexible dual-sleeved tube consists of a flexible external sleeve (26) and a flexible internal sleeve (36) within the external sleeve. The sleeves are coupled between the anterior component and the posterior component so as to define an enclosure (37) between the sleeves, which enclosure is inflated in order to propel the anterior component within a lumen (49).

Abstract: An endoscope has an insertion member that includes a flexible tube. The flexible tube has a spiral tube, which is formed by spirally winding a metallic belt, sheathed with a braid, and has the braid sheathed with a resin sheathing. The resin sheathing is made of an ester-series thermoplastic elastomer, an amide-series thermoplastic elastomer, or a blend of them. Therefore, the flexural rigidity of the flexible tube of the insertion member attained at a predetermined position after the flexible tube is loaded during high-temperature high-pressure steam sterilization is equal to or lower than that attained before the flexible tube is loaded. Consequently, the flexural rigidity of the flexible tube attained after sterilization with high-temperature high-pressure steam is equal to or lower than that attained before the sterilization. Thus, the inserting smoothness of the insertion member can be optimized.

Abstract: An endoscope of the present invention includes an inserting portion having a mesh tube formed of at least two metal wires in the shape of a mesh, wound with an angle so that the metal wires are not disposed in the direction orthogonal to or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inserting portion, and a contraction member for generating the force causing contraction of the inserting portion in the longitudinal direction thereof generally with the same magnitude as the extension force of the inserting portion in the longitudinal direction thereof generated due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the endoscope.

Abstract: An insertion unit of an endoscope in accordance with the present invention comprises, from the distal end thereof, a distal section, a bending section that is freely bendable, and a soft section having flexibility. The soft section comprises a small-diameter portion formed on the distal side thereof, a large-diameter portion, and a tapered portion linking the small-diameter portion and large-diameter portion. At least part of the tapered portion is disposed forward an endoscope portion separated 70 cm from the distal endoscope end. Assume that the insertion unit is inserted into the large intestine and the distal section is introduced the shortest distance into the appendix. In this case, the distance from an endoscope portion located at the anus to the distal end of the distal section is known to generally range from approximately 60 cm to approximately 70 cm. Therefore, when at least part of the tapered portion is disposed forward the endoscope portion separated 70 cm from .

Abstract: An endoscope characterized by a soft section thereof through which built-in components lie has a flexible tube and pluralities of metallic built-in components and nonmetallic built-in components. The flexible tube is made by sheathing a metallic tubular member with a nonmetallic tubular member. The pluralities of metallic built-in components and nonmetallic built-in components lie through the flexible tube. As one property of the flexible tube, the hardness of at least a certain portion of the flexible tube, which discourages bending, is determined so that the hardness exhibited by the metallic tubular member that is an integral part of the flexible tube and the metallic built-in components will be higher than the hardness exhibited by the nonmetallic tubular member that is an integral part of the flexible tube and the nonmetallic built-in components.

Abstract: A hood for an endoscope has a cap part detachably mounted on the end portion of the insertion part of an endoscope. An opening communicates with the inside of the cap part, at the end of a flexible tube connected to the opening. Into the flexible tube, such an endoscopic treating instrument as a high frequency snare is inserted.

Abstract: A fitting hole portion of a shaft portion fitted to a mouth ring portion of an endoscope is provided to an attachment portion of a ligation band operation band, and an operation to switch between a flange portion insertion position at which the flange portion of the mouth ring is insertable and an engagement position at which a protrusion portion of the mouth ring portion is engagable is performed by a sliding member slidable with respect to the shaft portion.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by provision of a flexible endoscope insertion shaft having a hollow inner shaft portion formed from a superelastic metal alloy. The hollow inner shaft portion includes a plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced apart holes passing through a wall thereof. Flexibility properties of the insertion shaft are variable without varying the thickness of or the composition of the wall of the hollow inner shaft portion by varying a number of, size of, and/or relative position of the plurality of holes. A polymeric coating coats a surface of the hollow inner shaft portion.

Abstract: An flexible tube for an endoscope having excellent resilience and durability is provided. The flexible tube for an endoscope includes a spiral coil formed by helically winding a band-shaped member, a reticular tube formed by braiding a plurality of fine wires and provided over the spiral coil, and a flexible outer cover provided over the reticular tube. The fine wires include at least one first fine wire having a coating layer mainly made from a resin material and at least one second fine wire having no such a coating layer, and the first fine wire is made more flexible than the second fine wire. The difference between the flexibilities of the first fine wire and the second fine wire can be obtained in such a way (method) that the first fine wire is made from a constituent material softer than a constituent material of the second fine wire, or that the diameter of the first fine wire is made to be smaller than the diameter of the second fine wire, or the like.

Abstract: Endoscope apparatus and methods provide measurements of infrared radiation in the 2 to 14 micrometer wavelength range by mounting an array of infrared radiation detecting elements at the distal end of the endoscope, according to aspects of the invention. Sensor packaging techniques and elemental distributions for the sensor array provide additional advantages.

Abstract: Insertion tube devices are disclosed.

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.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope comprises a flexible elongated structural body and an outer cover provided over the elongated structural body. In this flexible tube, at least the outer peripheral part of the outer cover is made of a material which contains elastic resin and plant extract having an antibacterial property, and the plant extract is prepared using at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the order Ranunculales. Further, in the flexible tube, the plant extract and the resin that constitutes the outer cover are inert with respect to each other. According to the flexible tube described above, it is possible to provide a flexible tube for an endoscope that can not only exhibit excellent antibacterial property against bacteria and the like, but also sustain the antibacterial property over a long period of time.

Abstract: In an endoscope of the present invention having a feature in a flexible tube section constituting an insertion section, the flexible tube section includes a spiral tube formed by spirally winding a metal strip, a mesh-like tube covering the outside periphery of the spiral tube; and an outer sheath layer composed of resin for covering the outside of the mesh-like tube, wherein when the outer sheath layer is softened by being subjected to a thermal load caused in a high temperature/high pressure steam sterilization process, the outside diameter of the flexible tube section is the same as or smaller than the outside diameter thereof before it is subjected to the thermal load.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope includes a flexible elongated structural body and an outer cover provided over the elongated structural body. The outer cover is made of a material which contains polyurethane elastomer and polyester elastomer, in which compounding ratio of the polyurethane elastomer and the polyester elastomer in the material is 0.03-0.3 parts by weight of the polyester elastomer per 1 part by weight of the polyurethane elastomer. This flexible tube has excellent flexibility as well as various excellent properties such as chemical resistance, heat resistance and weather resistance.

Abstract: An elongated built-in component formed with a hollow resin tube is passed through a flexible tube that is an integral part of a soft insertion member of an endoscope. Assuming that a critical radius of curvature the flexible tube exhibits after completion of sterilization with high-temperature high-pressure steam is Rj, and a critical radius of curvature the elongated built-in component exhibits after completion of the sterilization is Rn, the condition of Rj≧Rn is met. Unless the flexible tube is bent to exhibit so small a radius of curvature as to cause the flexible tube to buckle, the built-in component will not buckle.

Abstract: A flexible tube having a laminated multi-layer structure including an outer layer composed of a main tube body layer formed of thermoplastic synthetic resin in a predetermined thickness and a reinforcing layer provided on the inner side of the main tube body layer, and an inner layer formed of a thin film sheet of air tight and low friction material. The inner layer is formed by rolling an elongated strip of a thin film sheet into a tubular form such that opposite lateral sides of the thin film sheet are overlapped one on the other to provide a thick wall portion extending longitudinally of and at one angular position of the inner layer.

Abstract: An flexible tube for an endoscope having excellent resilience and durability is disclosed. The flexible tube is composed of a tubular core boy obtained by covering the outer periphery of a coil with a reticular tube of a braided thin wires and an outer cover formed of a synthetic resin and provided over the outer periphery of the tubular core boy. At least one of the thin wires has a coating layer and the flexible outer cover has a portion which is in contact with the coating layer of the thin wire of the reticular tube, in which the coating layer is formed of a material containing the material of the portion of the outer cover, and the material of the coating layer has a higher melting point than that of the material of the portion of the outer cover. The outer cover may be formed into a multi-layered structure including an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument has a control member, a portion of the member having an outer surface with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The non-circular cross-sectional shape may be provided to the control member by providing peripheral projections or fins along the length of the portion or by providing the periphery of the portion with a polygonal shape. Where fins are used, the fins are preferably quite small and only have a minimal effect on the fluid flow cross-sectional area between the interior of the endoscope instrument shaft and the central control member. The resulting instrument has significantly reduced backlash in end effector assembly manipulation, while maintaining adequate fluid flow in the endoscope shaft.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided with a pliable tube composed of an integument layer formed from a resin and a metal tube integrally fitted into this integument layer in an insertion portion. The inner diameter dimension of the pliable tube at ambient temperature after application of the thermal load of the high-pressure steam sterilization step is larger than the inner diameter dimension at ambient temperature before application of the thermal load.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope is provided with an outer tube member. A synthetic resin layer is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the outer tube member. A coating layer is further formed on the outer circumferential surface of the synthetic resin layer. The outer circumferential surface of the synthetic resin layer is provided with at least one groove or protrusion.

Abstract: An endoscope having a control section and a shaft extending from the control section. The shaft comprises an outer cover; a tubular braid member located, at least partially, inside the outer cover; and a support frame located, at least partially, inside the tubular braid member. The support frame comprises a shape memory member which is spiral shaped. The shape memory member is comprised of a superelastic shape memory alloy. A first length of the support frame comprises the shape memory member having a first width and/or thickness a second length of the tubular shape comprises the shape memory member having a different second width and/or thickness such that the support frame has different respective stiffnesses along the first and second lengths.

Abstract: An endoscopic flexible tube that allows for easy fabrication of a jacket of a multi-layered structure that is adequately protected against separation of overlying layers. Two adjacent layers in the multi-layered structure portion of the jacket are integrally combined via an area that comprises a mixture of the constituent materials of the two layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope shaft comprising a hose body which forms a central working conduit and a number of functional conduits. According to the invention, the hose body is manufactured of an extruded synthetic material surrounded by a silicone clothing or cover which forms the outer layer of the endoscope shaft.

Abstract: An flexible tube for an endoscope having excellent resilience and durability is disclosed. The flexible tube is composed of a tubular core boy obtained by covering the outer periphery of a coil with a reticular tube of a braided thin wires and an outer cover formed of a synthetic resin and provided over the outer periphery of the tubular core boy. At least one of the thin wires has a coating layer and the flexible outer cover has a portion which is in contact with the coating layer of the thin wire of the reticular tube, in which the coating layer is formed of a material containing the material of the portion of the outer cover, and the material of the coating layer has a higher melting point than that of the material of the portion of the outer cover. The outer cover may be formed into a multi-layered structure including an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer.

Abstract: An external component of an endoscope includes an aluminum alloy base member whose surface is subjected to anodic oxidation, and thereafter, is subjected to an electrolytic deposition thereon.

Abstract: In an endoscope of the present invention having a feature in a flexible tube section constituting an insertion section, the flexible tube section includes a spiral tube formed by spirally winding a metal strip, a mesh-like tube covering the outside periphery of the spiral tube; and an outer sheath layer composed of resin for covering the outside of the mesh-like tube, wherein when the outer sheath layer is softened by being subjected to a thermal load caused in a high temperature/high pressure steam sterilization process, the outside diameter of the flexible tube section is the same as or smaller than the outside diameter thereof before it is subjected to the thermal load.

Abstract: A flexible tube having a laminated multi-layer structure including an outer layer composed of a main tube body layer formed of thermoplastic synthetic resin in a predetermined thickness and a reinforcing layer provided on the inner side of the main tube body layer, and an inner layer formed of a thin film sheet of air tight and low friction material. The inner layer is formed by rolling an elongated strip of a thin film sheet into a tubular form such that opposite lateral sides of the thin film sheet are overlapped one on the other to provide a thick wall portion extending longitudinally of and at one angular position of the inner layer.

Abstract: An endoscope has an insertion member that includes a flexible tube. The flexible tube has a spiral tube, which is formed by spirally winding a metallic belt, sheathed with a braid, and has the braid sheathed with a resin sheathing. The resin sheathing is made of an ester-series thermoplastic elastomer, an amide-series thermoplastic elastomer, or a blend of them. Therefore, the flexural rigidity of the flexible tube of the insertion member attained at a predetermined position after the flexible tube is loaded during high-temperature high-pressure steam sterilization is equal to or lower than that attained before the flexible tube is loaded. Consequently, the flexural rigidity of the flexible tube attained after sterilization with high-temperature high-pressure steam is equal to or lower than that attained before the sterilization. Thus, the inserting smoothness of the insertion member can be optimized.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope has an elongated tubular core body, and an outer cover which is provided over the core body. The outer cover is composed of an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer. In this flexible tube, any one of the layers is different from one of the other layers in its property. Further, at least one of the layers has a thickness-varying region where the thickness of the layer varies in its longitudinal direction. In addition, the inner layer of the outer cover has projections which are integrally formed on the inner layer so that the projections project into holes and/or the recesses formed on the core body. This structure makes it possible to produce a flexible tube for an endoscope that has high durability, high flexibility and high chemical resistance as well as excellent operationability.

Abstract: An endoscope characterized by a soft section thereof through which built-in components lie has a flexible tube and pluralities of metallic built-in components and nonmetallic built-in components. The flexible tube is made by sheathing a metallic tubular member with a nonmetallic tubular member. The pluralities of metallic built-in components and nonmetallic built-in components lie through the flexible tube. As one property of the flexible tube, the hardness of at least a certain portion of the flexible tube, which discourages bending, is determined so that the hardness exhibited by the metallic tubular member that is an integral part of the flexible tube and the metallic built-in components will be higher than the hardness exhibited by the nonmetallic tubular member that is an integral part of the flexible tube and the nonmetallic built-in components.

Abstract: A tubular member useful as an inner liner for the working channel of a flexible endoscope has a distal portion which is specially treated to make it highly flexible and resistant to kinking or collapsing when it bends with the flexible section of the endoscope. The tubular member is also useful as a catheter device or as a component of a catheter device or catheter system. A multiplicity of external ridges on the distal portion of the tubular member reinforce the tubing wall and prevent kinking or buckling of the wall or collapsing of the inner lumen. The external ridges may be formed by convolutions of the tubing wall or by external threads which are formed on the exterior of the tubing wall within the flexible distal portion. An outer helical reinforcing coil may be added between the external ridges to further reinforce the flexible distal portion of the tubular member from kinking or collapsing.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope comprises a flexible elongated structural body and an outer cover provided over the elongated structural body. In this flexible tube, at least the outer peripheral part of the outer cover is made of a material which contains elastic resin and plant extract having an antibacterial property, and the plant extract is prepared using at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the order Ranunculales. Further, in the flexible tube, the plant extract and the resin that constitutes the outer cover are inert with respect to each other. According to the flexible tube described above, it is possible to provide a flexible tube for an endoscope that can not only exhibit excellent antibacterial property against bacteria and the like, but also sustain the antibacterial property over a long period of time.

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.

Abstract: A single instrument is provided for simultaneously enabling fluid inflow, fluid outflow and pressure sensing during endoscopic surgical procedures. The instrument comprises three concentric tubular members, each of which has a distal end and a proximal end and each of which has a port connected to its proximal end for providing access to the interior of the associated tubular member. Each of the tubular members is coaxially aligned with the others and the central most tubular member is adapted to enable an elongated endoscopic instrument to be inserted axially therethrough. The invention also resides in the method of sensing pressure within a body cavity by utilizing such an instrument which enables a user to perform fluid inflow, fluid outflow and pressure sensing simultaneously.

Abstract: An endoscopic insertion tube includes a helically wound spiral tube and a net-like braid disposed in overlaying relation. A polymeric adhesive layer is applied over the length of the spiral tube and the outer peripheral surface of the braid. A pre-expanded hollow tubular sheath member is placed over the adhesive layer and is shrunk thereupon using heat to cross-link with the polymeric adhesive layer. The sheath includes a preferably multi-layer structure including at least an inner and an outer layer which can be co-extruded or applied to the assembly in separate sections. According to a preferred embodiment, the outer layer is a clear high-polymer material that allows printing applied to the exterior of the upper layer to be protected.

Abstract: A flexible tube of an endoscope includes a tubular spiral, a meshwork tube provided around the tubular spiral, and a resin sheath provided around the meshwork tube. The meshwork tube is made by netting a plurality of wire bundles, each of the bundles being made of a plurality of metal wires. At least one wire for each bundle is coated with a coating material made of thermoplastic resin. The coating material is bonded to the resin sheath and the tubular spiral by heating the resin sheath and the meshwork tube.

Abstract: In a flexible endoscope having a flexible insertion tube comprising a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering thereabout which encloses an interior space, the improvement according to the present invention comprises a vapor barrier between the outer covering and the interior space. Thus, vapor, such as hydrogen peroxide or other sterilants, passing through the outer covering from an atmosphere thereabout is prevented from entering the interior space by the vapor barrier. Further, the vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances, such as lubricants, within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering.

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.

Abstract: Surgical method and apparatus for resectioning tissue, preferably lumenal tissue, with a remaining portion of an organ being anastomized with staples or other fastening means, preferably endolumenally. The apparatus may be inserted via a naturally occurring body orifice or a surgical incision and then advanced using either endoscopic or radiological imaging guidance to an area where surgery is to be performed. Under endoscopic or diagnostic imaging guidance the apparatus is positioned so tissue to be resected is manipulated into an inner cavity of the apparatus. The apparatus then cuts the diseased tissue after stapling and retains the diseased tissue within the apparatus. The rent resulting in a border of healthy tissue is anastomosed with surgical staples.

Abstract: A bendable portion for an endoscope includes a bending mechanism which minimizes the bendable portion diameter and allows a large degree of bending. A bending mechanism embodiment uses a shape memory alloy coil encircling the elastic body of the bendable portion. The shape memory alloy coil is heated to define the shape of the bendable portion.

Abstract: An optical endoscopic portal for providing a passage through a body cavity wall includes a cannula comprising an absorbent member having a distal end for positioning in a body cavity, a proximal end for positioning external of the body cavity and a passage between the distal and proximal ends for receiving instruments. The absorbent member has a rigid dry state prior to introduction through the cavity wall and a soft wet state after absorbing fluid upon introduction of the distal end in the body cavity. An optical element is disposed in the absorbent material and optically couples the distal end with the proximal end. The optical element includes a light transmitting optical element for illuminating the body cavity and/or an image transmitting optical element for transmitting an image of the body cavity for viewing externally thereof.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope that includes a spiral tube, a netted tube that covers the outer surface of the spiral tube, and a jacket. The netted tube is formed by braiding a plurality of strand bundles each formed by closely arranging a plurality of fine wires in parallel. The jacket is made of a flexible synthetic resin which covers the outer surface of the netted tube. The braid density K of the netted tube lies in a range of 0.772.ltoreq.K.ltoreq.0.906.

Abstract: A flexible sheathing tube particularly suitable for use on an endoscopic insertion rod or flexible light guide cable, the sheathing tube having a laminated wall basically including a helical coil as a flexible base structure and a tubular metal wire netting placed around the helical coil member. The helical coil member has a certain number of helices thereof tightly closed and fixed to each other into the form of a rigid ring at least at one end of the sheathing tube to be trimmed in a subsequent stage. The end ring provides a rigid support uniformly on and around the inner periphery of the tubular netting, permitting a cutter blade to cut the end of the sheathing tube to a predetermined length by a straight clear cut through the laminated wall and the backing end ring.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising a flexible tubular body characterized in that a coating layer of aliphatic resins is formed on at least one surface of the outermost layer portion of the flexible tubular body. The coating layer of aliphatic resins is formed by applying a coating agent containing an aliphatic prepolymer on the surface, followed by curing.

Abstract: A joint construction for connecting a flexibly bendable angle section of an endoscopic insertion rod with an anteriorly and/or posteriorly located section of the insertion rod, including a line-wrapping layer formed on a fore end portion of a resilient outer skin layer of the angle section at a joint with the adjoining section, and a rigid cover ring fitted on the line-wrapping layer for protective purposes. The rigid cover ring is externally tapered or gradually thinned down in its front and rear end portions to provide front and rear bevel surfaces.