Elastomer molding for endoscope

Abstract

The invention provides a flexible tube for an endoscope, which is excellent in elasticity (impact resilience), has suitable flexibility and also has chemical resistance. Disclosed is a flexible tube for an endoscope including a flexible-tube material covered thereon with a jacket, wherein the jacket contains two or more thermoplastic polyester elastomers crosslinked therein.

1 . An elastomer molding for an endoscope, comprising two or more thermoplastic polyester elastomers crosslinked therein. 
     
     
         2 . The elastomer molding according to  claim 1 , wherein a carbodiimide compound is contained as a crosslinking agent. 
     
     
         3 . The elastomer molding according to  claim 2 , wherein an average molecular weight of the carbodiimide compound is 30000 or more. 
     
     
         4 . The elastomer molding according to  claim 2 , wherein an average molecular weight of the carbodiimide compound is 10000 or more. 
     
     
         5 . The elastomer molding according to  claim 2 , wherein an average molecular weight of the carbodiimide compound is 15000 or more. 
     
     
         6 . The elastomer molding according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the thermoplastic polyester elastomers comprises a hard segment composed of polybutylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         7 . The elastomer molding according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polyester elastomer is chosen from a thermoplastic polyester elastomer comprising a hard segment composed of polybutylene naphthalate and a thermoplastic polyester elastomer comprising a hard segment composed of polybutylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         8 . The elastomer molding according to  claim 1 , containing 5 to 25 parts by weight of a plasticizer. 
     
     
         9 . The elastomer molding according to  claim 8 , wherein the plasticizer is a compound selected from the group consisting of fatty ester, glycol, glycerin, epoxy and polyester, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The elastomer molding according to  claim 1 , which is formed as a jacket for covering the surface of a flexible tube for an endoscope. 
     
     
         11 . A flexible tube for an endoscope, which is covered with a jacket, wherein the jacket is made of the elastomer molding of  claim 1 .