Patent ID: 6408889
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: A61B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a bendable tube for an endoscope, a catheter, or the like having a plurality of joint pieces which are made of metal and arranged in a row, said method comprising the steps of:(a) preparing said joint pieces each of which has a tubular configuration, each of said joint pieces being provided at one end portion thereof with a pair of first connecting portions and at the other end portion with a pair of second connecting portions, said first connecting portions being projected in a center axis direction of said joint piece and arranged 180 degrees away from each other in a peripheral direction, said second connecting portions being projected in the opposite direction to said first connecting portions and arranged 180 degrees away from each other in the peripheral direction, said first connecting portions each being formed with a through-hole; (b) in said joint pieces to be placed adjacent to each other, radially externally overlapping said second connecting portion of one of said adjacent joint pieces with said first connecting portion of the other adjacent joint piece; and (c) in the overlapped condition of said first and second connecting portions, pressing said second connecting portion from outside, thereby forming a protrusion projected inward in a radial direction and simultaneously fitting said protrusion into said through-hole, said joint pieces being rotatably connected together only by this fitting engagement between said protrusion and said through-hole.