METHOD OF MANUFACTURING OUTER COVER OF ENDOSCOPIC FLEXIBLE TUBE AND OUTER COVER FOR ENDOSCOPIC FLEXIBLE TUBE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an outer cover for an endoscopic flexible tube which is capable of providing the endoscopic flexible tube having excellent operability of insertion. SOLUTION: The method of manufacturing the outer cover for the endoscopic flexible tube has a first process step of forming a molding 4 having a hollow portion by using material mainly composed of a polymer material and a second process step of irradiating at least a portion of the molding 4 with radiations. At least a portion of the molding 4 is composed of the material containing the high-polymer material and a crosslinking assistant promoting the crosslinking reaction of the polymer material. In addition, the contents of the crosslinking assistant vary at different points in a longitudinal direction. The molding 4 is preferably obtained by extrusion molding. The material used for forming the molding 4 preferably contains at least either of a polyurethane resin and a polyurethane elastomer.