Endoscope Insertion Tube

Endoscopes are used to view, locate, sample, or remove objects from the lungs and digestive tract. They also can be used to remove stones from the bile duct or to take small samples of tissue for diagnostic purposes (biopsy).

The insertion tube of an endoscope is attached to a light source, suction, and water supply via a universal cord. It contains a valve that controls the combination of these sources.

Flexibility

An insertion tube for an endoscope is inserted deep into a body cavity (for example, into the stomach, duodenum or small intestine) in an endoscopic examination. As such, it is essential for such a flexible tube to have sufficient flexibility, so that the burden on patients can be reduced and the ease of the inserting operation can be improved.

In order to make the insertion tube flexible, an outer cover is provided on the outer periphery of the structural body, namely, on the side opposite to the internal side of the body cavity. This outer cover prevents body fluids and the like from entering the inside of the insertion section. Moreover, it also serves as a protective cover for the internal components of the insertion section.

The outer cover is made from a polyurethane elastomer having hard segments and soft segments. The hard segments mainly include diisocyanate and short chain glycol, which are chemically bound to the elastomer, while the soft segments are free from such chemically binding ingredients. The compounding ratio of these components in the polyurethane elastomer is generally within the range of 1.0×102 to 1.0×107 ps.

This outer cover consists of a layer of the polyurethane elastomer, which is extruded over a wire mesh made of stainless steel. The wire mesh is wound in spiral bands, each of which has its own internal diameter, to give the insertion tube its round shape and ensure that the shaft flexes freely as it is torqued.

Variable stiffness endoscopes reduce the risk of painful loop formation in clinical routine and help to avoid damage to the lining of the body cavity during insertion by reducing the force required to push the tip of the insertion tube through. Computer assisted and super flexible self-propelled colonoscopes with painless sedation free colonoscopy are currently available, but research is needed to increase their performance in clinical practice.

The rigidity of the insertion tube is controlled by a stiffness control ring which can be rotated to any one of a series of “hard” or “soft” positions at will during the procedure. The angulation knobs that are connected to the slide pins on each of the pull wires are also able to be twisted in the “hard” positions, thereby increasing the pull wire’s stiffness. In addition, a dry powdered lubricant is applied to all of the internal components, thereby reducing the stress that these parts place on each other during manipulation.

Durability

The insertion tube is a vital component of an endoscope, allowing the user to insert and manipulate the device as needed. Depending on the type of endoscope, this component can be either a flexible or rigid part, and it must have enough strength to withstand the stresses involved with manipulation.

The best insertion tube will be made from an atraumatic material that does not degrade or become damaged with repeated use. This is especially endoscope insertion tube true for the elastomeric or rubber based material used to make the tube’s outer cover, as well as for the polymer lining that forms its inner surface.

A good atraumatic material will be strong and resistant to chemical and heat damage. It also needs to be durable and able to withstand repeated sterilization treatment after each use.

In addition, the atraumatic material must also be lightweight and easy to manipulate. In other words, the insertion tube must be light enough to be maneuvered without strain, yet still strong enough to endure repeated twisting and bending in the hands of an expert user.

To achieve these goals, a variety of materials have been used in the manufacturing of endoscopes over the years. Some of these include aluminum, brass, stainless steel, and titanium. In addition, these materials have been treated with various chemicals and heat treatments to give them the atraumatic properties that endoscope users seek.

These treatments help to protect the atraumatic materials from being crushed or punctured by the endoscope. They also prevent the atraumatic materials from degrading too quickly, thus increasing the longevity of the device.

Another important consideration in the manufacture of a good insertion tube is the selection of the right lubricant. A dry powdered lubricant applied to the interior of the insertion tube helps to reduce the friction between components during manipulation, thereby decreasing wear and tear on the atraumatic materials.

A variable stiffness mechanism incorporated into the insertion tube enables an endoscopist to increase or decrease the stiffness of the insertion tube at will during a procedure. This is achieved by varying the mix of hard and soft resins within the polymer base layer of the insertion tube. This mixture allows the insertion tube to be stiffened or dampened at will by rotating a control ring.

Lightweight

When it comes to a medical instrument, it is a very good idea to keep it lightweight. This is because it can be a great help in making sure that it doesn’t get damaged easily. It also can be helpful in ensuring that it is easy to use and can last long.

When looking for an endoscope, it is a good idea to look for one that has a very light weight. This will make it easier for the surgeon to handle it and it can also be helpful in preventing any damages.

Another way to keep an endoscope lightweight is by using a very thin tube. This will make it easier for the surgeon and it will also be very comfortable to use.

Several different companies are also working to develop these types of tubes for the endoscope. Some of these companies have been able to come up with ways to make them more lightweight.

For example, the i10 line from Pentax has high-definition scopes that have a megapixel CCD camera at the tip of the insertion tube. This allows the user to view images in clear and detailed terms.

The i10 scopes are available in standard and slim sizes. These are very light and have a very small body. These are very handy for doctors and can be used anywhere.

These scopes are also very affordable and they can be bought from many different companies. They are also very popular among the medical community because they are very safe and are easy to use.

Aside from these advantages, they are also very durable and can last for a long time. They are also very easy to store and they can be kept in a very well-ventilated place.

Lastly, the i10 line of scopes from Pentax have a very good design and they are very simple to use. They are very lightweight and they can be easily stored in a very well-ventilated cabinet.

The i10 line of scopes have been very successful and they can be purchased from many different companies. They are very easy to use and they can be used anywhere. They are also very durable and they can last for a long time. They also are very affordable and they can be used anywhere.

Ease of Use

The insertion tube is one of the most important parts of an endoscope. This tube is used to deliver air, water and suction into the GI tract of the patient and also to control the flow of these fluids. The insertion tube is designed to be easy to operate.

The outer surface of the insertion tube is covered with a smooth, flexible plastic polymer. It is then shaped and bonded with heat treatment to give the insertion tube its unique shape.

Each end of the insertion tube contains two sets of spiral endoscope insertion tube bands that run in opposite directions. These bands lock together at the tube’s proximal end, giving it its round shape and also preventing it from crushing when subjected to pressure.

Next, the bending section of the insertion tube is made up of a series of metal rings connected to each other by freely moving joints (Fig. 3.8). The rings are displaced from each other by 90 degrees, creating a series of pivot pins that allow the deflectable section to curl in up-and-down or right-and-left directions.

Depending on the type of endoscope being used, the insertion tube can be angulated using the up-and-down and right-and-left angulation knobs. This allows the endoscopist to manipulate the tip of the scope in a variety of ways, such as sweeping it over an area, allowing for easier access to the esophagus or stomach.

In addition, the insertion tube has an air/water valve and a suction valve. The air/water valve is used to control the insufflation of air or flushing of water into the distal tip and the suction valve is used to aspirate air or fluid into the accessory channel of the insertion tube.

These valves are controlled by the endoscope’s control handle. This handle has buttons that respond to the endoscopist’s finger when they are pressed and it also contains ports for different functions, such as the suction port or biopsy port.

The blue air/water valve controls insufflation of air and the red suction valve controls aspiration of water into the accessory channel. These ports are sealed and cannot leak, but they can be damaged over time or through physical trauma.