JP2013255577A - Tube for endoscope and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a tube less susceptible to buckling and good flexibility while having a small diameter, in a tube for endoscopes and a method for manufacturing the same.SOLUTION: A channel tube 1 for forming a duct inside an endoscope includes: a bendable tube body 2 constituting an inner face of the duct; a metal coil member 3 spirally wound around the outer peripheral part of the tube body 2; and an elastic member 4 formed, at a part between winding of the coil member 3, into a spirally wound state with a wiring interval 4a smaller than a wire diameter of the coil member 3, fixed to the outer peripheral surface 2b of the tube body 2 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface 2b, and having an end part in the winding pitch direction closely fitted along the surface of the coil member 3 projected from the outer peripheral surface 2b.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope tube that forms a conduit inside an endoscope and a method for manufacturing the same. For example, the present invention relates to an endoscope tube suitable for a channel tube disposed in an insertion portion of an endoscope and a method for manufacturing the same.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope tube for forming various conduits for uses such as for inserting a treatment instrument is disposed inside an endoscope.
For example, since the insertion portion of the endoscope needs to be flexible so as to be able to bend in accordance with the shape of the duct in the body cavity of the human body, the same flexibility is applied to the endoscope tube arranged in the insertion portion. Sex is required.
In addition, such an endoscope tube must maintain a cross-section of a certain line or more so that an insertion object can be inserted even if the insertion portion is bent, and buckling due to bending does not occur. Is required.
In addition, such an endoscope tube is required to have a low surface frictional resistance so that sliding resistance between the insertion tube and the insertion tube is difficult to occur, and in addition, biocompatibility and chemical resistance are required. Therefore, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) which is a fluororesin is often used.
As such an endoscope tube, Patent Document 1 describes a guide tube in which a spiral groove having an arcuate cross section is formed on the outer periphery, and a steel wire is wound around the spiral groove. The cross-sectional shape of the spiral groove has a depth substantially equal to the diameter of the steel wire, and the radius of the arc is larger than the radius of the steel wire.
In Patent Document 2, a spiral groove is engraved on the outer periphery of the inner layer pipe made of fluororesin, and a steel wire having a wire diameter smaller than the groove width dimension and the groove depth dimension of the spiral groove is wound. In addition, an endoscope forceps channel tube is described in which an inner layer tube and an outer layer tube for covering and fixing a steel wire are formed by immersing them in a melt of silicone rubber and curing.
Further, in Patent Document 3, on the outer peripheral surface of the body portion of the PTFE tube, the circumferential rib-like portion of the convex cross section and the circumferential slit portion of the concave cross-section are alternately formed in a direction along the axis, There is described a flexible tube for an endoscope in which a metal coil body is wound so as to be completely buried in a circumferential slit portion.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No.59-40002 No. 3-15051 JP 2009-165719 A

However, the conventional endoscope tube and the manufacturing method thereof have the following problems.
In the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the cross-sectional shape of the spiral groove has a depth substantially equal to the diameter of the steel wire and the radius of the arc is larger than the radius of the steel wire, the guide tube is deformed. The steel wire is easily detached from the spiral groove. Thus, in the site | part from which the steel wire remove | deviated from the spiral groove, since the steel wire is not useful for reinforcement of a guide tube, there exists a problem that it becomes easy to buckle.
In the technique described in Patent Document 2, since the entire steel wire is fixed inside the spiral groove in a state of being covered with the outer layer pipe, the bending resistance is increased although the reinforcing effect is high. For this reason, there exists a problem that flexibility falls.
In the technique described in Patent Document 3, the metal coil body is not fixed to the main body portion of the tube, and when the main body portion of the tube is curved, the circling slit portion closes, whereby the metal coil body becomes the main body portion of the tube. It is set as the structure hold | maintained.
However, in such a configuration, the metal coil body is held only on the inner side of the curve, and there is a problem that bending to the inner side of the main body of the tube cannot be suppressed outside the curve. That is, since the winding interval of the metal coil body is increased according to the amount of bending, the surface of the metal coil body is urged toward the inner surface of the circumferential slit portion. However, when the material of the tube main body is a material having excellent lubricity, such as a fluororesin, the frictional force is small, so that the metal coil body can be easily moved relative to the inner surface of the circular slit portion. For this reason, it is difficult to obtain a holding force that suppresses deformation of the main body of the tube. Moreover, there is a possibility that the metal coil body slides with respect to the circumferential slit portion in the same manner inside the curve.
Regarding the inner circumference side of the curve, it can be considered that the metal coil body does not easily slip through by increasing the depth of the circumferential slit part, but the bending rigidity of the main body part of the tube increases, so that it becomes difficult to bend. There's a problem. Further, since the outer diameter becomes large, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the diameter of the endoscope.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an endoscope tube and a method for manufacturing the same that are difficult to buckle, have good flexibility, and have excellent durability even if the diameter is small. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an endoscope tube according to the present invention is an endoscope tube that forms a conduit inside an endoscope, and is bendable that constitutes an inner surface of the conduit. Between the tube main body, a metal coil member spirally wound around the outer periphery of the tube main body, and a spiral having a gap between the coil member windings smaller than the wire diameter of the coil member It is formed in a wound state, is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the tube body and covers the outer peripheral surface, and an end in the winding pitch direction is formed along the surface of the coil member protruding from the outer peripheral surface. And an elastic member in close contact.

  In the endoscope tube according to the present invention, the tube main body includes a spiral groove that is fitted on the inner peripheral side of the coil member on the inner side of the outer peripheral surface to which the elastic member is fixed. Is preferred.

  In the endoscope tube of the present invention, it is preferable that the elastic member is made of an elastic material having a rubber hardness of A20 or more and A70 or less.

  In the endoscope tube according to the present invention, when the tube body is not curved, the coil member has a protrusion height from the outer peripheral surface to which the elastic member is fixed as h (2/3) · h As described above, it is preferable that the elastic member is covered to a height of h or less.

  In the endoscope tube of the present invention, it is preferable that the elastic member is made of a polyurethane resin.

  An endoscopic tube manufacturing method according to the present invention is an endoscopic tube manufacturing method for forming a pipe line inside an endoscope, wherein the bendable tube main body constituting the inner surface of the pipe line is provided. A coil member winding step for spirally winding a metal coil member around the outer periphery, and a liquid curable resin agent that exhibits elasticity at the time of curing are applied to the outer peripheral surface of the tube body and the range covering the coil member The curable resin agent coating step, and the applied liquid curable resin agent, and by adjusting the layer thickness of the liquid curable resin agent, between the windings of the coil member, A shaping step of fixing the outer peripheral surface of the tube main body to cover the outer peripheral surface and shaping the curable resin agent into a spirally wound state having an interstitial gap smaller than the wire diameter of the coil member And the layer thickness is adjusted The curable resin agent of the liquid, the method comprising the curing step, the which is cured to fix the outer peripheral surface of the tube body.

  According to the endoscope tube and the manufacturing method thereof of the present invention, it is adjacent to the winding pitch direction of the elastic member formed in a spirally wound state having a gap between the wires smaller than the wire diameter of the coil member. Since the end portion is in contact with the surface of the coil member protruding from the outer peripheral surface, even if it has a small diameter, it is difficult to buckle, has good flexibility, and has excellent durability. .

It is the typical fragmentary sectional view which shows the structure of the tube for endoscopes of embodiment of this invention, and its AA sectional drawing. It is an enlarged view of the B section and the C section of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process flow of the manufacturing method of the tube for endoscopes of embodiment of this invention. It is process explanatory drawing for demonstrating the coil member winding process in the manufacturing method of the tube for endoscopes of embodiment of this invention. It is process explanatory drawing for demonstrating the curable resin agent application | coating process, the shaping process, and the hardening process in the manufacturing method of the tube for endoscopes of embodiment of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the mode at the time of the bending of the tube for endoscopes of embodiment of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the state of the convex part and recessed part at the time of curvature of the tube for endoscopes of embodiment of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the convex part state at the time of the curve of the tube for endoscopes of the 1st modification of embodiment of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the structure of the principal part of the tube for endoscopes of the 2nd modification of embodiment of this invention, and process explanatory drawing for demonstrating the shaping process in the manufacturing method. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the structure of the principal part of the tube for endoscopes of the 3rd modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the rubber hardness in an Example, and pressing force. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the coil pitch and pressing force in an Example.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, an endoscope tube according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Fig.1 (a) is typical fragmentary sectional drawing which shows the structure of the tube for endoscopes of embodiment of this invention. FIG.1 (b) is AA sectional drawing in Fig.1 (a). 2A and 2B are enlarged views of a portion B and a portion C in FIG.

The channel tube 1 (endoscope tube) of the present embodiment is, for example, a tubular member that forms a conduit inside the endoscope. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the tube body 2, a coil member 3, and an elastic member 4.
The channel tube 1 is a flexible member, and each component can be curved and deformed. Therefore, in the following description, the shape and relative positional relationship of the channel tube 1 when not bent will be described unless otherwise specified. The shape and relative positional relationship during bending will be described as necessary.

The tube body 2 is a bendable tubular member that constitutes the inner surface of the conduit, and as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 2a (duct) that forms a lumen. ) And a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 2b coaxial with the inner peripheral surface 2a.
As shown in FIG. 2A, a spiral groove 2c having an arc-shaped cross section having a radius r and a depth d ₂ (where 0 <d ₂ ≦ r) is formed on the outer peripheral surface 2b. The pitch of the spiral groove 2c is p.
Thus, since the depth d ₂ of the spiral groove 2c is less r, arc-shaped spiral groove 2c is inferior arc, and has a groove open towards the side of the tube body 2.
The material of the tube body 2 is flexible so that it can bend following the bending of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and slides on a member inserted into the inner peripheral surface 2a, such as a catheter or a treatment instrument. An appropriate material can be adopted as long as it has a low dynamic resistance.
In the present embodiment, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) which is a fluororesin is employed.

The coil member 3 is a reinforcing member for preventing buckling deformation by suppressing flattening of the cross-sectional shape of the tube main body 2 when the channel tube 1 is curved. It is wound.
In the present embodiment, a metal wire having a diameter of 2 · r is wound so as to fit into the spiral groove 2 c of the tube body 2.
Thereby, the fitting area | region 3b which is a site | part of the inner peripheral side of the coil member 3 is fitted by the spiral groove 2c. The fitting region 3b and the spiral groove 2c are in contact with each other and are not fixed.
In addition, the coil member 3 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 2 b of the tube body 2 by a protrusion height h. Here, h = 2 · r−d ₂ .
Such a relative positional relationship between the coil member 3 and the spiral groove 2c is a state when the channel tube 1 is not curved, and changes in accordance with each deformation when the channel tube 1 is curved, and the fitting region 3b becomes the spiral groove 2c. In some cases, it is not possible to be fitted away.
However, below, the partial area | region of the surface of the coil member 3 fitted with the spiral groove 2c at the time of such non-bending is defined as the fitting area | region 3b. Further, on the surface of the coil member 3, a partial region excluding the fitting region 3b is referred to as a protruding region 3a.

  Due to such a shape, the cross-sectional shape of the fitting region 3b with the spiral groove 2c is in a range of a semicircle or less, so that the coil member 3 and the spiral groove 2c are arranged in the radial direction of the tube body 2 (the tube body 2). In the case of relative movement in the direction away from each other in the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the coil member 3, the coil member 3 is not retained by the spiral groove 2 c and can be easily separated.

Although the material of the metal strand used for the coil member 3 is not specifically limited, In this embodiment, the stainless steel wire is employ | adopted.
As will be described later, in this embodiment, the coil member 3 is a member that defines the outermost diameter of the channel tube 1. For this reason, the surrounding other member and the channel tube 1 first contact with the protruding region 3a of the coil member 3 by appropriately setting the winding pitch in accordance with the size and shape of the other member located around. It is possible to do so. Thereby, the contact with the below-mentioned elastic member 4 arrange | positioned between windings can be avoided, and damage to the elastic member 4 can be prevented.
For example, when the channel tube 1 is used in an endoscope, the winding pitch of the coil member 3 is preferably in the range of 0.5 mm or more and 1 mm or less.
If the winding pitch is larger than 1 mm, the winding pitch of the coil member 3 becomes too large on the convex side of the curve, particularly at the time of bending, and the other members inside the endoscope are likely to come into contact with the elastic member 4 and are elastic. There is a possibility that the member 4 is damaged.
If the winding pitch is narrower than 0.5 mm, the space between the windings becomes too narrow, and the amount of force required for bending becomes too high, or the bendable bending radius becomes too large.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the elastic member 4 has a spiral shape having an inter-gap gap portion 4 a (inter-gap gap) smaller than the wire diameter 2 · r of the coil member 2 between the windings of the coil member 3. And is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 2b of the tube main body 2 at the joint surface 4c. Thereby, the elastic member 4 covers the outer peripheral surface 2 b of the tube body 2.
In addition, the elastic member 4 is in close contact with the end 4b in the winding pitch direction along the surface of the protruding region 3a of the coil member 3 protruding from the outer peripheral surface 2b.
For this reason, the protrusion area | region 3a of the coil member 3 is coat | covered the range except the space | interval clearance part 4a by the edge part 4b which the elastic member 4 mutually adjoins.
Moreover, the coil member 3 is in a state of being fitted into a recess having an arc-shaped cross section formed by a dominant arc formed by these end portions 4b and the spiral groove 2c. It is in a state of being prevented from coming off in the radial direction.
For this reason, the elastic member 4 is a member that suppresses the relative movement of the coil member 3 relative to the spiral groove 2c in the radial direction when the coil member 3 and the spiral groove 2c are relatively moved in the radial direction.

In addition, each edge part 4b and the surface of the protrusion area | region 3a of the coil member 3 may be closely_contact | adhered so that relative movement is possible, and the close_contact | adherence state may be fixed.
Hereinafter, as an example, a case where the close contact state is fixed will be described.
For this reason, in this embodiment, the width w ₀ (however, 0 ≦ w ₀ <2 · r) of the interstitial gap portion 4a does not change between non-curved and curved.

When the height of the outer surface 4d of the elastic member 4 from the outer peripheral surface 2b exceeds the protruding height h of the coil member 3, the outer surface of the elastic member 4 becomes the outermost surface of the channel tube 1, and thus the outer surface 4d protrudes. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the channel tube 1 increases. Thereby, since it becomes difficult to arrange | position to a small diameter endoscope, it is preferable that the height from the outer peripheral surface 2b of the outer surface 4d of the elastic member 4 is below the protrusion height h.
However, the height of the outer surface 4d may change along the winding pitch direction as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, or may be constant.

In the present embodiment, the outer surface 4d has a height h _4b (however, h _4b ≦ h) from the outer peripheral surface 2b at the tip of the end 4b that forms the interstitial gap 4a. The middle part of the part 4b is set to have a height h _m (where 0 <h _m <h _4b ).
When the height h _4b of each end _4b is determined, the width w ₀ of the interstitial gap 4a is determined according to the shapes of the coil member 3 and the spiral groove 2c.

When the height of the outer surface 4d of the elastic member 4 is increased uniformly, the elastic force increases even in the vicinity of the end 4b, so that the effect of suppressing the relative movement of the coil member 3 is enhanced. On the other hand, since the cross-sectional area contributing to the bending rigidity of the channel tube 1 is also increased, the channel tube 1 is difficult to bend.
For this reason, the height of the outer surface 4d of the elastic member 4 is increased in the vicinity of the end portion 4b as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and is decreased in the intermediate portion between the end portions 4b. It is preferable because the relative movement of the coil member 3 can be suppressed while the channel tube 1 is easily curved.
Therefore, the height h _4b is preferably as high as possible. For example, the height h _4b preferably satisfies the relationship of the following expression (1) with respect to the protrusion height h from the outer peripheral surface 2b of the coil member 3. It is more preferable to satisfy the relationship (2).

2/3 ≦ h _4b / h ≦ 1 (1)
3/4 ≦ h _4b / h ≦ 1 (2)

Here, h ₄ / h = 1 corresponds to the case of w ₀ = 0. w ₀ = 0 means that the end portions of the end portions 4b adjacent to each other are in close contact with each other so that they can come into contact with each other. In this case, the inter-strip gap portion 4a is a linear cut. It does not mean that the elastic member 4 covers the coil member 3 without a break.

The material of the elastic member 4 is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that can suppress relative movement of the coil member 3 and has an elasticity that can easily bend the tube body 2.
Examples of a material suitable for the elastic member 4 include an elastic material having a rubber hardness of A20 or more and A70 or less. Here, the rubber hardness is a rubber hardness of “durometer type A” in JIS6235.
When the rubber hardness of the elastic member 4 is greater than A70, the amount of force required for bending deformation described later is increased, which contributes to hardening the channel tube 1.
When the rubber hardness of the elastic member 4 is lower than A20, the elastic member 4 is too soft and may not be able to hold the coil member 3 on the convex side of the curve when curved.
As a kind of material of the elastic member 4, for example, polyurethane resin, silicone rubber, flexible epoxy resin, polyolefin elastomer and the like are preferable.
Among these, polyurethane resins have good durability against repeated bending and good chemical resistance. For this reason, the elastic force hardly deteriorates even in an environment such as a repetitive bending operation or disinfection to which the endoscope is exposed, which is particularly preferable.

Next, the manufacturing method of the tube for endoscopes of this embodiment which manufactures the channel tube 1 is demonstrated.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the method for manufacturing an endoscope tube according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a process explanatory diagram for explaining a coil member winding process in the method of manufacturing an endoscope tube according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 (a), 5 (b), and 5 (c) are diagrams for explaining a curable resin agent application process, a shaping process, and a curing process, respectively, in the endoscope tube manufacturing method of the embodiment of the present invention. It is process explanatory drawing.

  In order to manufacture the channel tube 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the coil member winding step S1, the curable resin agent coating step S2, the shaping step S3, and the curing step S4 are performed in this order.

First, prior to the coil member winding step S1, the tube body 2 is formed by molding or the like.
In the present embodiment, after the tube body 2 is formed, a surface activation process for bonding and fixing the elastic member 4 to the outer peripheral surface 2b is also performed (surface activation process step).
This step is performed by applying a surface activation treatment agent to the outer peripheral surface 2b. Thus, the surface activation process is completed.
As the surface activation treatment agent, an appropriate one can be adopted depending on the material of the tube body 2, but as an example in the case of a fluororesin, for example, surface activation of the fluororesin by containing active sodium Tetraetch (registered trademark) (manufactured by Junkosha Co., Ltd.).
In addition, although it is preferable to perform such a surface activation process process before coil member winding process S1, in curable resin agent application | coating process S2 mentioned later, if it is before apply | coating a curable resin agent, when You may go. For example, the surface activation process may be performed after the coil member 3 is wound.

Next, coil member winding process S1 is performed. This step is a step of spirally winding a metal strand that becomes the coil member 3 around the spiral groove 2 c that is the outer peripheral portion of the tube body 2.
The tube main body 2 is held in a straight state, and a metal strand is wound along the spiral groove 2c using a winding device. At this time, the metal strand is wound so as to be fitted into the spiral groove 2c. For this reason, the metal strand is closely fitted to the spiral groove 2c.
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the tube assembly 1A in which the coil member 3 is wound around the tube body 2 is formed.
Thus, the coil member winding step S1 is completed.

Next, curable resin agent application process S2 is performed. In this step, as shown in FIG. 5A, a liquid curable resin agent 5 that exhibits elasticity at the time of curing is applied to a range covering the outer peripheral surface 2 b of the tube body 2 and the coil member 3. .
That is, the curable resin agent 5 of the tube assembly 1A is applied to the height H (however, H> h) from the outer peripheral surface 2b. At this time, since the spiral groove 2 c and the coil member 3 are in close contact with each other, the curable resin agent 5 does not enter between the spiral groove 2 c and the coil member 3.
Above, curable resin agent application | coating process S2 is complete | finished.
Here, the curable resin agent 5 is a liquid containing a resin that forms the elastic member 4. For example, when the elastic member 4 is formed of a polyurethane resin, for example, a two-component mixed thermosetting polyurethane is used. Examples include resin liquids and solvent-diluted thermoplastic polyurethane resin liquids.

Next, the shaping step S3 is performed. In this step, as shown in FIG. 5B, the applied curable resin agent 5 is leveled, and the layer thickness of the curable resin agent 5 is adjusted, so that the coil member 3 is wound between the windings. It is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 2b of the tube body 2 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface 2b, and has a streak gap portion 4a smaller than the wire diameter 2 · r of the coil member 3 and is cured in a spirally wound state. This is a step of forming the conductive resin agent 5.
In the present embodiment, a shaping jig 6 that is slidably fitted to the coil member 3 and has a scraping portion 6 a that contacts the outermost part of the coil member 3 is prepared on the inner circumferential portion. The tube assembly 1A is inserted.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the shaping jig 6 may be a plate and may be a member formed with a scraping portion 6a formed of a circular hole. Moreover, the shaping jig 6 is good also as a tubular member provided with the scraping part 6a which consists of a cylindrical surface in an internal peripheral surface.
The internal diameter of the scraping portion 6a is set to a size that reliably contacts the coil member 3 in consideration of a winding error of the coil member 3 and the like. Since the tube assembly 1A can be elastically deformed, it can be inserted even if the scraping portion 6a has a slightly smaller diameter than the natural outer diameter.
Note that it is more preferable that the scraping portion 6a is formed of a flexible material such as rubber because resistance during insertion is reduced.
Thereby, the curable resin agent 5 swelled and applied to the height h or more from the inner peripheral surface 2 a is scraped off according to the outer diameter of the coil member 3, and the surface 5 a of the curable resin agent 5 is removed from the coil member 3. It is almost aligned with the outer diameter.
Thus, the shaping step S3 is completed.

Next, the curing step S4 is performed. This step is a step in which the liquid curable resin agent 5 having the adjusted layer thickness is cured and fixed to the outer peripheral surface 2 b of the tube body 2.
In this step, as shown in FIG. 5C, energy E is supplied as necessary to cure the curable resin agent 5. For example, if the curable resin agent 5 is thermosetting, heat energy is supplied as energy E by heating. Moreover, if it is UV curable, light energy will be supplied as energy E by irradiating UV light.
Thereby, hardening of the curable resin agent 5 starts and the elastic member 4 is formed.

At this time, since the outer peripheral surface 2b is surface activated, the curable resin agent 5 in contact with the outer peripheral surface 2b is bonded to the outer peripheral surface 2b as the curing proceeds. Further, the curable resin agent 5 is cured and adhered while being in close contact with the protruding region 3 a of the coil member 3. Thereby, the edge part 4b of the elastic member 4 is formed.
During such curing, the curable resin agent 5 may change in volume. For example, in FIG. 5C, volume contraction is caused, the layer thickness of the elastic member 4 is reduced, and the height h lower than the protruding height h of the coil member 3 at the position of the tip portion of the end portion 4b. _{It is 4b} . The outer surface 4d of the elastic member 4 is distributed in a range of the height h _4b or less from the outer peripheral surface 2b.
For this reason, the edge part 4b which mutually adjoins the elastic member 4 is spaced apart on both sides of the top part P, and the clearance gap part 4a is formed.
Further, since the fitting region 3b of the coil member 3 is closely fitted to the spiral groove 2c, the curable resin agent 5 does not enter, and even if it enters, the spiral groove 2c is bonded and fixed. Never happen. For this reason, the fitting area | region 3b of the tube main body 2 is not being fixed with the spiral groove 2c, but is in the state which can be separated / attached.
Thus, when hardening of the curable resin agent 5 is complete | finished, the elastic member 4 is formed on 1 A of tube assemblies, and the channel tube 1 is manufactured.

Next, the operation of the channel tube 1 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state when the endoscope tube according to the embodiment of the present invention is bent. FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the state of convex portions and concave portions during bending of the endoscope tube of the embodiment of the present invention.

Since each of the constituent elements of the tube main body 2, the coil member 3, and the elastic member 4 that are the constituent elements of the channel tube 1 can be elastically deformed, as shown in FIG. Can be made.
At this time, tensile stress is generated in the portion D shown in the drawing, which is a convex portion during bending, and compressive stress is generated in the portion E, which is a concave portion in bending. For this reason, the external force which deform | transforms in the arrow a and b direction is acting on D part and E part, respectively. For this reason, if the rigidity of the channel tube 1 is too low, it will bend and buckle.
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is known that a coil member formed of a highly rigid metal wire is used as a reinforcing member that avoids buckling of a tube body by fixing the coil member to the outer periphery of the tube body. According to such a conventional technique, the coil member and the tube main body are integrated. For this reason, although rigidity became high and buckling could be prevented, there existed a problem that a tube became difficult to curve and the curvature of curvature could not be made small too much.

In the channel tube 1, the coil member 3 is wound around the outer periphery of the tube main body 2, but the coil member 3 and the tube main body 2 are not fixed, and therefore the fitting region 3 b of the coil member 3 and the tube main body 2 are not fixed. The spiral groove 2c is separable in the radial direction of the channel tube 1.
In the channel tube 1, the tube body 2 has the elastic member 4 fixed to the inner peripheral surface 2 a of the tube body 2, and the end 4 b of the elastic member 4 is bonded to the protruding region 3 a of the coil member 3. The tube main body 2 is indirectly connected through the elastic member 4.

Therefore, on the convex side of the curve, as shown in FIG. 7A, the elastic member 4 joined to the coil member 3 is elastically deformed. As a result, the helical groove 2c of the tube body 2 and the coil member 3 are fitted. A gap g is formed by being separated from the joining region 3b. Thus, since the tube main body 2 and the coil member 3 are not directly joined and can be relatively deformed to some extent both in the radial direction and in the axial direction, the tube main body 2 is the coil member. 3 can be easily deformed in a curved manner as compared with the case where it is in close contact with 3 and deformed integrally.
Further, since the size of the gap g falls within a certain limit that balances the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 4, the gap g does not become too large to buckle.
On the other hand, on the concave side of the curve, as shown in FIG. 7B, the compressive force increases from the end 4b with respect to the protruding region 3a of the coil member 3, and the holding force with respect to the coil member 3 increases. The coil member 3 is substantially integrated. For this reason, buckling can be reliably prevented. However, although not shown in the illustration of FIG. 7B, the spiral groove 2c and the fitting region 3b can slide to each other to some extent even on the curved concave portion side, so that they are joined together and completely. Deformation is easy compared to the case of being integrated with the. That is, the tube body 2 between the winding pitches of the coil member 3 can slide and escape to the inner side even if it is sandwiched between the coil members 3 from the axial direction during bending.
Moreover, in this embodiment, since the outer surface 4d of the elastic member 4 is concave when not curved, the bulge of the outer surface 4d can be suppressed even when compressed by bending.

  In addition, since these deformations are all elastic deformations, when the external force is released, the shape before bending is restored by the elastic restoring force. For this reason, it is possible to bend repeatedly.

Thus, in the channel tube 1, compared with the case where the coil member 3 and the tube main body 2 are fixed, the work spent on the curved deformation is reduced on the curved convex side, so that buckling occurs. And can be bent more easily. That is, it is possible to bend to a smaller diameter with the same external force.
Moreover, since the outer diameter of the channel tube 1 does not exceed the outer diameter of the coil member 3 necessary for preventing buckling, the diameter can be reduced. For this reason, the diameter of the endoscope using the channel tube 1 can be reduced.
Therefore, the channel tube 1 is not easily buckled even if it has a small diameter, and the flexibility is good.
In addition, when the flexibility of the channel tube 1 is good in this way, the channel tube 1 can easily follow and deform in response to the bending or twisting of the insertion portion of the endoscope. Since the contact with the other member also becomes weak, damage to the other member can be suppressed.

  In the channel tube 1, the maximum outer diameter is the top portion P of the coil member 3, and the elastic member 4 is in a state of being recessed radially inward. For this reason, when the channel tube 1 is disposed inside the endoscope, other members around the channel tube 1 often come into contact with the protruding region 3a of the coil member 3 exposed between the interstitial gaps 4a. The contact with the elastic member 4 is reduced. For this reason, the possibility that the elastic member 4 is damaged due to contact with such other members is reduced, and it is possible to prevent fragments of the elastic member 4 from being scattered in the endoscope due to such damage. For this reason, durability of the channel tube 1 and an endoscope using the same can be improved.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the spiral groove 2c is provided on the tube main body 2, and the coil member 3 is fitted to the spiral groove 2c, the spiral groove 2c and the coil member are at least on the concave side even if the curve is repeated. 3 is engaged with the fitting region 3b. For this reason, since the coil member 3 does not shift in the axial direction of the channel tube 1, the coil member 3 can be stably held.

[First Modification]
Next, the channel tube of the 1st modification of the said embodiment is demonstrated.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a convex state when the endoscope tube according to the first modification of the embodiment of the present invention is bent.

As shown in FIG. 1, the channel tube 11 (endoscope tube) of this modification has the same configuration as the channel tube 1 of the above embodiment, and the end 4 b of the elastic member 4 and the coil The only difference is that the projecting region 3a of the member 3 is not bonded and is relatively movable.
Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the above embodiment.

The channel tube 11 can be manufactured in the same manner as in the above embodiment except that the elastic member 4 is made of a material that does not adhere well to the coil member 3.
Further, the surface of the coil member 3 may be subjected to a surface treatment such as a fluorinated silane coupling treatment, a fluororesin coat, or an olefin resin coat to prevent adhesion.

When such a channel tube 11 is bent, the coil member 3 can slide relative to the end 4b of the elastic member 4 and move relative to it. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8, in the convex part of curvature, the coil member 3 can be relatively moved so as to bite between the adjacent end portions 4b. Therefore, with the curvature, the width of the strip between the gap portion 4a, _{w 1 (however, w 0 <w 1 <2} · r) the width _{w 0} increases.
Thereby, the clearance gap g between the spiral groove 2c and the protrusion area | region 3a becomes large compared with the case of the said embodiment.
In this modification, the coil member 3 can be prevented from coming off by appropriately setting the height h _4b of the end 4b according to the elastic coefficient and friction coefficient of the elastic member 4.

Further, since all of the above deformations are elastic deformations, when the external force is released, the shape before bending is restored by the elastic restoring force. At this time, each end 4b generates an elastic restoring force that pushes the coil member 3 toward the spiral groove 2c, and the curved shape of the end 4b serves as a guide surface for moving the coil member 3. Can be reliably pushed back to the position before bending. Therefore, the channel tube 11 can be repeatedly bent.
Thus, according to the channel tube 11 of this modification, it is hard to buckle even if it is a small diameter similarly to the said embodiment. Compared with the above embodiment, the flexibility is better.

[Second Modification]
Next, the channel tube of the 2nd modification of the said embodiment is demonstrated.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the main part of the endoscope tube of the second modified example of the embodiment of the present invention, and a shaping process in the manufacturing method thereof. It is process explanatory drawing for this.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the channel tube 21 (endoscope tube) of the present modification includes an elastic member 24 instead of the elastic member 4 of the channel tube 1 of the above embodiment.
Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the above embodiment.

The elastic member 24 includes an end _24b whose height from the end 4b and the outer peripheral surface 2b is h _24b , instead of the end 4b of the elastic member 4 of the above embodiment. As a result, the width of the strip between the gap portion 24a is made to w _1. A suitable dimension range of the height h _24b is the same as the height h _4b of the above embodiment.
In the shaping step S3 described in the above embodiment, the layer thickness of the curable resin agent 5 before curing is set to h by scraping the curable resin agent 5 at the top portion P of the coil member 3 with the shaping jig 6. . For this reason, the height h _4b of the end portion 4b after curing and the width w ₀ of the interstitial gap portion 4a are determined by the surface tension of the curable resin agent 5 and the shrinkage rate during curing.
Since the elastic member 24 of the present modification is manufactured by a manufacturing method in which only the shaping step S3 of the above embodiment is modified, the end 24b can be used even if the curable resin agent 5 similar to that of the above embodiment is used. The height h _24b can be freely set.

In order to manufacture the channel tube 21, the coil member winding step S <b> 1 and the curable resin agent coating step S <b> 2 are performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment.
Next, in the shaping step S3 of this modification, a shaping jig 26 shown in FIG. 9B is used in place of the shaping jig 6.
In the tube assembly 1A, the shaping jig 26 has an arc-shaped coil contact portion 26a that is in close contact with the projecting region 3a of the coil member 3 adjacent to each other, and the coil contact portion 26a is in close contact with the projecting region 3a of the coil member 3. When this is done, a linear scraping portion 26b is provided on the inner side and the outer side of the coil members 3 adjacent to each other and facing the outer peripheral surface 2b with a predetermined interval h _26b . Here, the interval h _26b considers the shrinkage rate of the curable resin agent 5 so that the height from the outer peripheral surface 2b of the end 24b of the elastic member 24 becomes h _24b when the curable resin agent 5 is cured. It is the dimension decided.
In this step, each coil contact portion 26a of the shaping jig 26 is brought into close contact with the protruding region 3a of the coil member 3 adjacent to each other from the side (the upper side in the drawing) of the coil member 3, and the coil assembly 3 is used as a guide. Turn around the central axis of 1A. Thereby, the curable resin agent 5 is leveled by the scraping portion 26b. Accordingly, the curable resin agent 5, is shaped in layers having a surface 5a of the height h _26b from the outer peripheral surface 2b between the projecting regions 3a of the coil member 3 adjacent to each other.
When all of the curable resin agent 5 on the tube assembly 1A is shaped in this way, the shaping step S3 of this modification is completed.

  Next, the channel tube 21 is manufactured by performing the hardening process S4 similar to the said embodiment.

  According to the manufacturing method of this modification, the curable resin agent 5 is worn and shaped in the winding direction of the coil member 3 using the shaping jig 26, and therefore the shape of the shaping jig 26 is changed as necessary. As a result, the layer thickness of the elastic member 24 and the height of the end 24b in the channel tube 21 can be changed.

[Third Modification]
Next, the channel tube of the 3rd modification of the said embodiment is demonstrated.
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of an endoscope tube according to a third modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the channel tube 31 (endoscope tube) of the present modification includes a tube body 32 and an elastic member 34 instead of the tube body 2 and the elastic member 4 of the channel tube 1 of the above embodiment. Prepare.
Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the above embodiment.

The tube body 32 is a tubular member obtained by deleting the spiral groove 2c from the tube body 2 of the above embodiment.
For this reason, in this modification, the coil member 3 is wound on the outer peripheral surface 2b of the tube main body 32, and the surface of the coil member 3 excluding the contact portion 32c between the coil member 3 and the outer peripheral surface 2b is It protrudes on the outer peripheral surface 2b.
The contact portion 32c is a substantially linear shape in which a micro arc that is in close contact with the surface of the coil member 3 is spirally extended along the turning direction of the coil member 3 due to elastic deformation of the outer peripheral surface 2b of the tube body 32. It is an area. For this reason, the entire outer peripheral surface of the coil member 3 is the protruding region 3a, and the protruding height h is approximately 2 · r.
Moreover, since such a contact part 32c is formed between the coil member 3 and the outer peripheral surface 2b, when the curable resin agent 5 is applied, the curable resin agent 5 comes into contact. There is no penetration between the coil member 3 and the outer peripheral surface 2b in the portion 32c.

The elastic member 34 includes an end _34b whose height from the outer peripheral surface 2b is _h34b as the protruding height of the coil member 3 is changed. Thus, the width of the strip between the gap portion 34a is in the w _2. A suitable dimension range of the height h _34b is the same as the height h _4b of the above embodiment.
The end 34b of the elastic member 4 may be bonded to the coil member 3 as in the above embodiment, but may not be bonded to the coil member 3 as in the first modification.
The end portion 34b of the present modification has a larger contact area with the coil member 3 than when the coil member 3 is fitted in the spiral groove 2c. Easy to maintain retention.

  The channel tube 31 having such a configuration is manufactured by the manufacturing method described in any of the above embodiment, the first modified example, and the second modified example except that the tube main body 32 is used instead of the tube main body 2. can do.

According to the channel tube 31 of the present modification, the coil member 3 and the tube main body 32 are not directly fixed, being held by the end 34b of the elastic member 34 within a range equal to or less than the outer diameter of the coil member 3. Therefore, similarly to the above embodiment, even if it is a small diameter, it is difficult to buckle and has good flexibility.
Moreover, according to this modification, since the tube main body 32 does not have the spiral groove 2c, it is not necessary to wind the coil member 3 according to the spiral groove 2c. Is possible.
Moreover, the flexibility of the axial direction can be easily changed depending on the place by changing the winding pitch of the coil member 3 or changing the winding pitch of the coil member 3 over the axial direction of the channel tube 31 according to the use of the channel tube 31. It is.

  In the description of the above-described embodiment and each modification, the example in the case of the channel tube has been described as an example of the endoscope tube. However, the endoscope tube has a pipe line inside the endoscope. Any tube may be used as long as it is formed, and the present invention is not limited to a channel tube. For example, a tube for supplying water or air in an endoscope, a tube for protecting an optical transmission body such as an optical fiber, or the like may be used.

Moreover, in the description of the above-described embodiment and each modification example, in order to minimize the outer diameter of the endoscope tube, it is an example in which the end portion of the elastic member does not exceed the protruding height of the coil member. As described above, the end of the elastic member may protrude outward in the radial direction from the top of the coil member as long as a gap between the lines smaller than the wire diameter of the coil member is formed.
The endoscope tube having such a configuration is obtained by performing a shaping process, for example, in the shaping jig 26 of the second modified example in which the coil contact portion 26a is in contact with only the vicinity of the top of the coil member. Can be manufactured.

  Moreover, in description of said embodiment and each modification, when performing the surface activation process before winding the coil member 3, when winding the coil member 3 after surface-activating the whole tube main body 2, the coil member 3 is wound. As described in the example, the surface activation process may be performed by masking the spiral groove 2c.

Further, in the description of the above-described embodiment and each modification, an example in which the surface activation process is performed to bring the elastic member and the tube main body into close contact with each other is described. If the bonding can be performed satisfactorily without performing the treatment, the surface activation treatment may not be performed.
Further, the adhesive strength may be improved by means other than the surface activation treatment.

  In the description of the second modified example, the scraping portion 26b of the shaping jig 26 is described as an example in which the shape is a straight line. However, the scraping portion 26b is curved, for example, a convex arc or a concave arc. It is also possible to adopt a shape. In this case, the layer thickness of the elastic member can be appropriately changed in the winding pitch direction.

  In the description of the second modified example, the example in which the shaping process is performed by turning the plate-shaped shaping jig 26 along the coil member 3 has been described. For example, the same axis as the shaping jig 26 is used. By having a cross section along the direction, a cylindrical member having a spiral groove shape screwed into the coil member 3 may be used, and the excess curable resin agent 5 may be scraped off by the inner peripheral surface thereof.

  In addition, all the components described in the above embodiments and modifications can be implemented by being appropriately combined or deleted within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

  Next, specific examples corresponding to the above embodiment will be described together with comparative examples. Table 1 below summarizes the manufacturing conditions of Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and the evaluation results thereof.

[Example 1]
In the channel tube 1 of Example 1, a tubular tube made of PTFE having an outer diameter of 4 mm and a wall thickness of 0.3 m was used as the tube body 2. Spiral groove 2c, the groove radius 0.125 mm, groove depth _{d 2} is 0.125 mm, a groove pitch of 0.7 mm.
The coil member 3 was formed by winding a metal wire made of stainless steel having a wire diameter of 0.25 mm so as to fit in the spiral groove 2c. For this reason, the coil pitch of the coil member 3 is equal to the groove pitch of the spiral groove 2c.
As the curable resin agent 5, a two-component mixed type liquid polyurethane resin UE-947 (trade name) manufactured by Sanyu Rec Co., Ltd., which is a thermosetting polyurethane resin, is used. In the curing step S4, heating is performed at 80 ° C. for 2 hours. Went. Thus, the formed elastic member 4 has a rubber hardness of A50, and the height h _4b of the end portion _4b (the covering height in Table 1) is 3/4 (= 0.75) of the protruding height of the coil member 3. ) Times.
In addition, since the surface activation process using Tetraetch (registered trademark) is performed before winding the metal wire to be the coil member 3, the elastic member 4 and the inner peripheral surface 2a of the tube body 2 are bonded and fixed. ing.

[Examples 2 to 7]
Example 2 is different from Example 1 only in that the groove pitch of the spiral groove 2c is changed to 0.5 mm.
In Example 3, the rubber hardness of the elastic member 4 is increased by adopting, as the curable resin agent 5, a two-component mixed polyurethane resin UE-392 (trade name) manufactured by Sanyu Rec Co., Ltd., which is a thermosetting polyurethane resin. Only the point A70 is different from the first embodiment.
Example 4 is different from Example 1 only in that the groove pitch of the spiral groove 2c is changed to 0.4 mm.
Example 5 is different from Example 1 only in that rubber hardness A89 is obtained by using solvent-diluted thermoplastic polyurethane as the curable resin agent 5.
In Example 6, the rubber hardness of the elastic member 4 is increased by adopting, as the curable resin agent 5, the two-component mixed polyurethane resin UE-921 (trade name) manufactured by Sanyu Rec Co., Ltd., which is a thermosetting polyurethane resin. Only the point A20 is different from the first embodiment.
In Example 7, using the manufacturing method of the second modification, the height h _4b of the end portion _4b is set to 80 μm, and is about 2/3 (= 0.66) times the protruding height of the coil member 3. Only the point differs from the first embodiment.

[Comparative Examples 1 and 2]
Comparative Example 1 is an example when the elastic member 4 of Example 1 is removed. For this reason, the comparative example 1 is the same as the tube assembly 1A.
The comparative example 2 is an example in which the elastic member 4 and the outer peripheral surface 2b of the tube body 2 are not bonded to each other by omitting the surface activation process in the first embodiment.

[Evaluation method]
For these examples and comparative examples, pressing force evaluation, repeated bending evaluation, and observation of the curved shape were performed.
FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between rubber hardness and pressing force in Examples. The horizontal axis represents rubber hardness, and the vertical axis represents pressing force (N). FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the coil pitch and the pressing force in the example. The horizontal axis indicates the coil pitch (mm), and the vertical axis indicates the pressing force (N).

In the pressing force evaluation, the channel tube samples of each example and each comparative example were placed on fulcrums arranged at intervals of 100 mm, the center position between the fulcrums was pushed, three-point bending was performed, and the sample was 25 mm. The pressing force (N) required for wobbling was measured.
As shown in Table 1, the results are shown in Table 1. Examples 1 to 7 were 0.8N, 0.88N, 0.98N, 1.27N, 1.96N, 0.78N, 0.80N, and Comparative Example 1, respectively. 2 was 0.78N and 0.78N.
The pressing force of each example is equal to or greater than the pressing force of Comparative Example 1 having no elastic member 4 and Comparative Example 2 to which the elastic member 4 is not bonded. Flexibility with no problems.

  Further, when the pressing forces of Examples 6, 1, 3, and 5 differing only in the rubber hardness conditions are compared, a change as shown in FIG. 11 is shown. When the rubber hardness exceeds A70, the pressing force is remarkably large. You can see that For this reason, it turns out that the range of more suitable rubber hardness is the range of A20 or more and A70 or less.

  Moreover, when the pressing force of Example 4, 5, 1 from which only the coil pitch of the coil member 3 differs is compared, the change as shown in FIG. 12 is shown, and when the coil pitch is less than 0.5 mm, the pressing force is It can be seen that it is much larger. For this reason, it turns out that the range of the more suitable coil pitch is 0.5 mm or more.

Evaluation of repeated bending was performed by repeatedly bending the channel tube samples of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 from a straight state to 180 ° using a stainless steel rod having a diameter of 20 mm as a guide. As a result, as described in Table 1, in Experimental Example 1, since it was good, it could be evaluated as “good” (good), whereas in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, good results could not be obtained. “×” (not good).
That is, in the sample of Example 1, no change in the appearance of the sample was seen even after repeated bending 10,000 times. For this reason, even if the sample of Example 1 is repeatedly curved, it turns out that the possibility that the outer peripheral coating layer made of an elastic member is damaged can be suppressed.
On the other hand, in the sample of Comparative Example 1, a portion where the coil was removed from the groove and the coil wire was offset was generated in the curved portion that was repeatedly bent. This portion may not be able to suppress the buckling of the tube by the coil.
Further, in the sample of Comparative Example 2, it was confirmed that the elastic member 4 was partially peeled from the coil member 3 and further the elastic member 4 was partially peeled when bent 1000 times in the same manner. Interrupted.
Thus, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, compared to Example 1, the resistance by repeated bending tests was significantly inferior.

In the observation of the curved shape, each example was bent to a bending radius of 10 mm, and it was confirmed whether there was a problem such as the coil member 3 jumping out of the elastic member 4 and coming off. However, none of the coil members 3 was detached or misaligned.
In Example 7, since the height of the end 4b is relatively low, when the radius of curvature is 12 mm or less, a part of the coil member 3 is detached from the end 4b in the curved convex portion, and the elastic member 4 Protruding outward. However, even in this case, since only a part of the coil member 3 protruded, the tube body 2 could be further bent to a bending radius of 10 mm without buckling. Moreover, when it returned to the straight state, the coil member 3 returned between the end parts 4b and returned to the initial state.

1, 11, 21, 31 Channel tube (Endoscope tube)
1A Tube assembly 2, 32 Tube body 2a Inner peripheral surface (inner surface of pipe)
2b Outer peripheral surface 2c Spiral groove 3 Coil member 3a Protruding region 3b Fitting region 4, 24, 34 Elastic member 4a, 24a, 34a Inter-gap gap (inter-gap gap)
4b, 24b, 34b End 4c Joining surface 5 Curable resin agent g Gap h Projection height S1 Coil member winding step S2 Curable resin agent application step S3 Shaping step S4 Curing step

Claims (6)

An endoscope tube that forms a conduit inside the endoscope,
A bendable tube body constituting the inner surface of the conduit;
A metal coil member spirally wound around the outer periphery of the tube body;
Between the windings of the coil member, it is formed in a spirally wound state having a gap between the coil members that is smaller than the wire diameter of the coil member, and is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the tube body to cover the outer peripheral surface And along the surface of the coil member protruding from the outer peripheral surface, an elastic member having an end in the winding pitch direction adhered thereto,
An endoscope tube comprising: 2. The internal view according to claim 1, wherein the tube main body includes a spiral groove that is fitted to an inner peripheral side portion of the coil member on an inner side than an outer peripheral surface to which the elastic member is fixed. Mirror tube. 3. The endoscope tube according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is made of an elastic material having a rubber hardness of A20 or more and A70 or less. When the tube main body is not curved, the coil member has a protrusion height from the outer peripheral surface to which the elastic member is fixed to h, and the height of the coil member is (2/3) · h to h. The endoscope tube according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tube is covered. The endoscope tube according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic member is made of polyurethane resin. A method of manufacturing an endoscope tube for forming a pipe line inside an endoscope,
A coil member winding step of spirally winding a metal coil member around the bendable tube body constituting the inner surface of the pipe line;
A curable resin agent application step of applying a liquid curable resin agent that exhibits elasticity at the time of curing to a range covering the outer peripheral surface of the tube body and the coil member;
By leveling the applied liquid curable resin agent and adjusting the layer thickness of the liquid curable resin agent, it is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the tube body between the windings of the coil member. A shaping step of covering the outer peripheral surface and shaping the curable resin agent into a spirally wound state having a gap between the wires smaller than the wire diameter of the coil member;
A curing step of curing and fixing the liquid curable resin agent having the adjusted layer thickness to the outer peripheral surface of the tube body;
A method for manufacturing an endoscope tube, comprising:

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