Abstract: A method for brazing two or more of stainless steel components for use in medical equipment, in which one component is joined to other component using a brazing material containing Au of which amount is 62.5 wt % or higher, the method comprising the steps of: a first step in which the components are subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature of 1,050 to 1,200° C. in a hydrogen containing atmosphere or in a vacuum; a second step in which one of the components is allowed to close to the other component so as to form a gap therebetween; and a third step in which the brazing material in a molten state is supplied into the gap to join the components together to manufacture a metal assembly. The joint portions formed in the metal assembly have excellent chemical resistance and corrosion resistance, and thus the metal assembly is suitably used in an endoscope.

Abstract: A method for brazing two or more of stainless steel components for use in medical equipment, in which one component is joined to other component using a brazing material containing Au of which amount is 62.5 wt % or higher, the method comprising the steps of: a first step in which the components are subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature of 1,050 to 1,200° C. in a hydrogen containing atmosphere or in a vacuum; a second step in which one of the components is allowed to close to the other component so as to form a gap therebetween; and a third step in which the brazing material in a molten state is supplied into the gap to join the components together to manufacture a metal assembly. The joint portions formed in the metal assembly have excellent chemical resistance and corrosion resistance, and thus the metal assembly is suitably used in an endoscope.

Abstract: A long and thin flexible tube of an endoscope which forms an outer wall of an insert part and which is fitted with a built-in object including a device for transmitting an observed image from the distal end of the insert part to the proximal end thereof. Also disclosed is a method of producing the long and thin flexible tube. The flexible tube is formed by inserting the built-in object into a plurality of short flexible tube elements, and then connecting together each pair of adjacent short flexible tube elements by use of a connecting device, with the built-in object inserted therein.