Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6860849?dq=5,675,808
Timestamp: 2016-12-03 07:17:41
Document Index: 66456615

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 37', 'art 37', 'art 37', 'art 37', 'art 37', 'art 37', 'art 37', 'art 37', 'arts 37', 'arts 36', 'art 36', 'art 36', 'art 35']

Patent US6860849 - Flexible tube for an endoscope - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA 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...http://www.google.com/patents/US6860849?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6860849 - Flexible tube for an endoscopeAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS6860849 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/848,301Publication dateMar 1, 2005Filing dateMay 4, 2001Priority dateMay 8, 2000Fee statusPaidAlso published asDE10122203A1, US7169105, US20020010386, US20040193013Publication number09848301, 848301, US 6860849 B2, US 6860849B2, US-B2-6860849, US6860849 B2, US6860849B2InventorsMinoru Matsushita, Kikuo Iwasaka, Tadashi Kasai, Hideo NanbaOriginal AssigneePentax CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (17), Non-Patent Citations (1), Referenced by (108), Classifications (18), Legal Events (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetFlexible tube for an endoscope
US 6860849 B2Abstract
an elongated tubular core body; and an outer cover which is provided over the core body, the outer cover having a portion which is formed into a laminate structure composed of at least three layers, the layers of the laminate structure including an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer formed between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the intermediate layer of the outer cover has a higher elasticity than the inner and outer layers so that the intermediate layer functions as cushioning between the inner layer and the outer layer. 2. The flexible tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core body has a plurality of holes and/or a plurality of recesses.
an elongated tubular core body; and an outer cover which is provided over the core body, the outer cover having a portion which is formed into a laminate structure composed of at least three layers, the layers of the laminate structure including an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer formed between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the intermediate layer of the outer cover has a higher elasticity than the inner and outer layers so that the intermediate layer functions as cushioning between the inner layer and the outer layer; wherein the core body has a plurality of holes and/or a plurality of recesses; and wherein the core body includes: a coil that is formed by winding a band-shaped material into a spiral form; and a reticular tube that is formed by weaving a plurality of fine wires together, the reticular tube being provided over the coil. 18. The flexible tube as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least one of the fine wires forming the reticular tube is coated with a synthetic resin so that a coating of the synthetic resin is provided on the fine wire, in which at least a part of the coating is fused with and bonded to the inner layer of the outer cover.
an elongated tubular core body; and an outer cover which is provided over the core body, the outer cover having a portion which is formed into a laminate structure composed of at least three layers. In this invention, it is preferred that the layers of the laminate structure include an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer formed between the inner layer and the outer layer.
As shown in FIG. 9, the outer cover 3 of the flexible tube 1H has a laminate structure composed of inner, outer and intermediate layers 31-33. Each of the inner and outer layers 31 and 32 has a substantially uniform thickness over its entire region, and has almost homogeneous property over its entire region. The intermediate layer 33 has a first portion (first region) 33 a formed in a tip side region, and a second portion (second region) 33 b formed in a base side region. The first and second portions 33 a and 33 b of the intermediate layer 33 have different properties. As shown in FIG. 9, the first and second portions 33 a and 33 b are contiguous to each other through a boundary part (property-varying region) 37 formed between the first and second portions 33 a and 33 b, and they are arranged along the longitudinal direction. In this invention, it is preferable that the first portion 33 a is formed of a material having a lower hardness (stiffness) than that of a material constituting the second portion 33 b. Within the boundary part 37, its property gradually varies in the longitudinal direction. A tip end portion of the boundary part 37 has substantially the same property as that of the first portion 33 a, while a base end portion of the boundary part 37 has substantially the same property as that of the second portion 33 b. The boundary part 37 described above is formed through an extrusion molding process. Specifically, a mixture of a constituent material for the first portion 33 a and a constituent material for the second portion 33 b is prepared first, and then the mixture is fed during the extrusion molding while gradually changing the mixing rate of these materials. In this way, the outer cover 3 which has a layer with a boundary part where its property changes gradually in the longitudinal direction is formed. However, the structure of the boundary part 37 is not limited to that as described above. For example, the boundary part 37 maybe formed as a laminated part (composite part) composed of two halves. In this case, a first half is formed of a material having the same property as the first portion 33 a such that its thickness gradually decreases in the direction from the tip side to the base side. Further, a second half is formed of a material having the same property as the second portion 33 b such that its thickness gradually decreases in the direction from the base side to the tip side.
By configuring a flexible tube as described above, it is possible to form an intermediate layer so as to have relatively low stiffness in the first portion 33 a located at the tip side, and have relatively high stiffness in the second portion 33 b located at the base side. In addition, it is also possible to form the intermediate layer 33 such that a boundary part (property-varying region) 37 where its property varies gradually along the longitudinal direction is formed between the first and second portions 33 a and 33 b. According to the flexible tube as described above, due to the formation of the boundary part 37 as well as the homogeneous formation of the inner and outer layers 31 and 32, the stiffness of the flexible tube 1H gradually varies within the boundary part 37 and in the vicinity of its both ends. This structure makes it possible to provide a flexible tube whose stiffness (e.g., bending stiffness) varies more gradually along the longitudinal direction as compared with the flexible tube 1G (FIG. 8) of the seventh embodiment described above. When an endoscope with the flexible tube having the structure as described above is used during an endoscopic examination, it is possible to reduce burden on a patient, since the operator can more safely and smoothly insert the insertion portion of the endoscope into a body cavity of the patient.
As shown in FIG. 10, an outer cover 3 of the flexible tube 1I has a laminate structure composed of inner, outer and intermediate layers 31-33. Each of the inner and outer layers 31 and 32 has a substantially uniform thickness and a substantially homogeneous property over its entire region. The intermediate layer 33 has three distinct portions (i.e., first-third portions 33 a-33 c). The first portion (first region) 33 a is formed at the tip side, the third portion (third region) 33 c is formed at the base side, and the second portion (second region) 33 b is formed between the first portion 33 a and the third portion 33 c. Each of the first and third portions 33 a and 33 c is different from the second portion 33 b in its property. In this invention, it is preferable that the first portion 33 a is formed of a material having a lower hardness (stiffness) than that of a material constituting the second portion 33 b. Further, it is also preferable that the second portion 33 b is formed of a material having a lower hardness (stiffness) than that of a material constituting the third portion 33 c. In addition, the intermediate layer 33 has two boundary parts (property-varying regions) 37 which are formed between the first and second portions 33 a and 33 b and between the second and third portions 33 b and 33 c, respectively. Each of the boundary parts 37 has substantially the same structure as that of the intermediate layer 33 of the flexible tube 1H (FIG. 9) in the eighth embodiment described above, and formed in the same manner as in the eighth embodiment.
(1) A region of the outer cover 3 where both the first portion 32 a of the outer layer 32 and the first portion 31 a of the inner layer 31 are formed, and where these portions partly face each other. (2) A region of the outer cover 3 where both the second portion 32 b of the outer layer 32 and the first portion 31 a of the inner layer 31 are formed, and where these portions partly face each other. (3) A region of the outer cover 3 where both the second portion 32 b of the outer layer 32 and the second portion 31 b of the inner layer 31 are formed, and where these portions partly face each other. (4) A region of the outer cover 3 where both the third portion 32 c of the outer layer 32 and the second portion 31 b of the inner layer 31 are formed, and where these portions partly face each other. Therefore, the flexibility of the flexible tube 1K varies along the longitudinal direction in roughly four stages. Further, as a result of the formation of the boundary parts (property-varying regions) 35 and 36, the stiffness of the flexible tube varies more gradually along the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the stiffness of the flexible tube 1K in this embodiment varies along the longitudinal direction in a more gradual manner as compared with the flexible tube 1I (FIG. 10) of the ninth embodiment in which the stiffness varies in roughly “three” stages. Therefore, when an endoscope with the flexible tube having the structure as described above is used during an endoscopic examination, it is possible to reliably reduce burden on a patient, since the operator can more safely and smoothly insert the insertion portion of the endoscope into a body cavity of the patient.
Thickness: 0.2 mm Material: A medium hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A81. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) <Outer Layer>
Thickness: 0.1 mm Material: A High hardness polyester-based elastomer having a hardness of A92 (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) <Intermediate Layer>
Length: 440 mm Material: A low hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A68. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Second Portion
Length: 530 mm Material: A medium hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A82. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Third Portion
Length: 630 mm Material: A high hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A90. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Example 3b
Length: 450 mm Material: A low hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A68. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Second Portion
Length: 300 mm Material: A medium hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A82. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Third Portion
Length: 450 mm Material: A high hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A90. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Boundary Parts
Length: 450 mm Material: A low hardness polyolefine-based elastomer having a hardness of A76. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Second Portion
Length: 300 mm Material: A medium hardness polyolefine-based elastomer having a hardness of A85. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Third Portion
Length: 450 mm Material: A high hardness polyolefine-based elastomer having a hardness of A95. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Boundary Part
In this Example, each of the boundary parts 36 had a length of 200 mm. One of the boundary part 36 was formed between the first and second portions 32 a and 32 b, and the other boundary part 36 was formed between the second and third portions 32 b and 32 c. <Intermediate Layer>
Length: 600 mm Material: A medium hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A82. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Second Portion
Length: 600 mm Material: A high hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A91. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Boundary Parts
In this Example, the boundary part 35 having a length of 400 mm was formed between the first and second portions 31 a and 31 b. Comparative Example 3a
Thickness: 0.3 mm Material: A medium hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A81. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) <Outer Layer>
Thickness: 0.3 mm Material: A low hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A68. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Comparative Example 3b
Material: A medium hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A81. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) <Outer Layer>
Material: A high hardness polyester-based elastomer having a hardness of A92. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) Comparative Example 3c
Material: A high hardness polyurethane-based elastomer having a hardness of A90. (Hardness was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311.) <Outer Layer>
Co. Ex. 1a
Co. Ex. 1b
Co. Ex. 1c
Co. Ex. 1d
Material M: Medium Hardness Polyurethane-Based Elastomer (Hardness*: 81) Material L: Low Hardness Polyurethane-Based Elastomer (Hardness*: 68) Material H1: High Hardness Polyester-Based Elastomer (Hardness*: 92) Material H2: High Hardness Polyolefine-Based Elastomer (Hardness*: 91) Material H3: High Hardness Polyurethane-Based Elastomer (Hardness*: 92) *Hardness of the material was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311. TABLE 2
Material H1
Material H3
Co. Example
Material M: Medium Hardness Polyurethane-Based Elastomer (Hardness*: 81) Material L: Low Hardness Polyurethane-Based Elastomer (Hardness*: 68) Material H1: High Hardness Polyester-Based Elastomer (Hardness*: 92) Material H2: High Hardness Polyolefine-Based Elastomer (Hardness*: 91) Material H3: High Hardness Polyurethane-Based Elastomer (Hardness*: 92) *Hardness of the material was measured in accordance with JIS K 7311. TABLE 3
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KGArticulated section of a shaft for an endoscopic instrumentEP2510867A1 *Apr 13, 2012Oct 17, 2012Fujifilm CorporationEndoscope* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification600/140International ClassificationA61L29/08, A61L29/12, A61B1/005, B32B3/10, B32B1/08Cooperative ClassificationB32B3/10, A61L29/12, A61B1/005, B32B1/08, A61L29/085, A61B1/00071European ClassificationA61B1/00E4, A61L29/08B, A61B1/005, A61L29/12, B32B3/10, B32B1/08Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJul 5, 2001ASAssignmentOwner name: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MATSUSHITA, MINORU;IWASAKA, KIKUO;KASAI, TADASHI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:011952/0673;SIGNING DATES FROM 20010614 TO 20010618Oct 22, 2003ASAssignmentOwner name: PENTAX CORPORATION, JAPANFree format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA;REEL/FRAME:014619/0663Effective date: 20021001Aug 27, 2008FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Aug 1, 2012FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Aug 18, 2016FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services