The insertion tube is a flexible, spiral assembly that bends in any direction. The bending section is controlled by four angulation wires attached to its tip at various positions. Pulling on the wire at 12 o’clock will cause the bending section to curl up. Pulling on the wires at three o’clock will cause the tip to deflect to the right. The other wires pull down or to the left.
Single-use spiral assembly
In one embodiment, the insertion tube includes a single-use spiral tube. The spiral tube comprises a corrugated tubing with a plastic, atraumatic spiral bonded to its exterior. Rotation of the spiral component is controlled by rotation of the corrugated tubing in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The end collars 22, 26 include receiving cavities 27 that are sized to receive the ends of the braid/monocoil portion of the tube sub-assembly.
Flexible working channel
The flexible working channel of an endoscope enables the surgeon to manipulate and view internal structures. The working channel extends through a tube inserted into the body. The tube is equipped with various controls that allow the surgeon to manipulate the tip or bending region of the endoscope. The instruments are then connected to the video processor or light source. The light and power travel up the insertion tube. There are a number of controls on the handle.
Antireflux valve
The https://www.smarttechmed.com/product-category/endoscope-replacement-parts/video-heads-buttons/ contains an air, water, and suction system. Mild-pressure air enters the light source and travels up the channel to the distal tip, where it is forced out through a valve. The antireflux valve controls the flow of air and water into and out of the GI tract. A water-jet nozzle is included on some gastroscopes.
Heating portion
The heating portion of the https://www.smarttechmed.com/ is arranged to prevent the imaging instrument from becoming too hot. This heating element is made of a shape memory material that drives the movable optical member of the imaging unit. The movable optical member deforms based on the temperature. The heating unit includes a heating member that is configured to heat the distal end of the imaging unit. As the heating element is used to heat the distal end of the imaging unit, the insertion tube is made thicker.
Resins
Flexible endoscope insertion tubes are made from thermoplastic resins. These are polyamide, polyester, and polyurethane resins. The outer cover of the resin should have a tensile strength of 10 MPa or greater at ten percent elongation. A hindered amine compound, having a molecular weight of 500 or greater, is also used to complete the present invention.
Angulation wires
An endoscope’s angulation wires are a critical component of the instrument. Angulation wires run the length of the insertion tube and are attached to the bending tip at four different points. Pulling on the wire attached to the tip at 12 o’clock causes the bending section to curl up. Pulling on the wire attached to the tip at three o’clock causes the bending section to deflect to the right. Pulling on the wires at other positions causes the bending section to deflect to the left or right.
