Endoscope valve devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

A valve assembly with a valve shaft is transitionable within a valve well from a closed position blocking fluid communication between ports in the valve well to an open position allowing fluid communication between such ports. The valve shaft is in a stable position in both the closed position or the open position such that once the valve shaft has moved to this position, there is no need to apply a force to maintain the valve shaft in the closed position or the open position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 442,789, filed on February 2, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention generally relates to devices (including but not limited to components and assemblies), systems and methods for controlling the flow of material through valves. In particular, the present invention relates to devices, systems and methods for controlling the flow of material through valve assemblies that can be used in medical devices, such as endoscopes. Background Art

[0003] Various devices with valve assemblies for controlling the flow of fluids during various medical procedures are known in the art. For example, during a medical procedure, material may be supplied to an anatomical site (e.g., fluid may be supplied, such as for flushing), and / or aspirated from an anatomical site (e.g., fluid or biological material may be withdrawn from an anatomical site). A valve assembly may be used to control the flow of such material. An endoscope is a common medical device that is used to introduce or remove substances relative to an anatomical site and therefore typically includes a valve assembly. An endoscope typically has an insertion tube having a working channel through which a substance (e.g., a fluid, such as a gas or liquid) or a device or instrument or tool may be introduced into an anatomical site, or a substance may be removed or aspirated from an anatomical site. The valve assembly is typically associated with a control handle of the endoscope and is in fluid communication between a fluid supply source and / or a vacuum source and the insertion tube of the endoscope to control the flow of substances through the endoscope. The valve assembly typically includes a valve well and a valve shaft that can be transitioned within the valve well between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the valve assembly is in a closed / closed configuration, and in the open position, the valve assembly is in an open / open configuration. In the closed configuration, the valve assembly blocks fluid communication between the fluid / suction source and the insertion tube of the endoscope. When the valve assembly is transitioned to the open configuration (typically by pressing toward the handle), fluid communication is established between the fluid / suction source and the working channel of the endoscope to supply fluid to the insertion tube of the endoscope and / or apply suction pressure / negative pressure thereto.

[0004] Typically, the suction source connected to the endoscope is continuously running during surgery. However, it is often desirable to limit the application of suction during surgery. For example, in some endoscopic surgeries, it is desirable to maintain insufflation of the anatomical part to improve visualization of the target site of the surgery and / or to irrigate the target site, such as by supplying fluid to the target site. In this case, the valve assembly is typically biased to a closed configuration. The application of suction can be limited to reducing the fluid supplied in certain circumstances and / or removing other materials (e.g., biomaterials) from the target site. In order to apply suction, the medical professional must actively press the valve actuator, which would otherwise be biased to a closed position (without applying an actuating force to it) when in a neutral configuration. This may cause fatigue during long surgeries where regular suction is required, even intermittently. There remains a need for improvements in endoscopic valves, such as actuators for suction valves. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure is provided to introduce a series of concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the following detailed description. This disclosure is not intended to necessarily identify the key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to help determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various aspects and features of the present invention may be advantageously used alone in some cases, or in other cases in combination with other aspects and features of the present invention, whether or not described in this disclosure. The inclusion or exclusion of elements, components, etc. in this disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] According to various principles of the present invention, an actuatable member of a valve assembly for a medical device has a proximal end and a distal end, and further includes a user-engaging element along its proximal end and a shaft along its distal end. In some aspects, the shaft is positionable within a valve well of the valve assembly and is transitionable within the valve well along an actuation axis between an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve assembly is in an open configuration and the valve assembly is in a closed configuration; and the actuatable member remains in each of the open and closed positions without application of an actuation force thereto.

[0007] In some aspects, the actuatable member is retained in each of the open position and the closed position by an actuation feature on one of the shaft or the user engagement element.

[0008] In some aspects, the user engagement element is movable relative to the shaft. In some aspects, the user engagement element and the shaft rotate relative to each other to transition the shaft between an open position and a closed position. In some aspects, the user engagement element moves axially along the actuation axis and relative to the shaft. In some aspects, the user engagement element and the shaft move axially together along the actuation axis.

[0009] In some aspects, the shaft includes one of a cam surface or a cam follower, the cam surface or the cam follower being configured to enable movement of the shaft between an open position and a closed position when engaged with the other of the cam surface or the cam follower associated with the valve assembly. In some aspects, the shaft includes a proximal cam surface and a distal cam surface, each of which extends circumferentially around the shaft. In some aspects, the user engagement element includes a radially inwardly directed cam follower that engages the cam surface of the shaft to rotate the shaft between an open position and a closed position. In some aspects, the cam follower alternately maintains the cam surface in the open position or the closed position. In some aspects, the shaft includes one of a movable cam follower or a vertically extending cam surface, the vertically extending cam surface having an open rest position for the cam follower and a closed position for the cam follower, wherein in the open rest position, the cam follower maintains the shaft in the open position, and in the closed position, the cam follower maintains the shaft in the closed position.

[0010] In some aspects, the shaft rotates between an open position and a closed position.

[0011] In some aspects, the shaft is axially translated between an open position and a closed position.

[0012] In some aspects, the actuatable member further includes a biasing element positioned to bias the user engagement element proximally to a neutral position that alternates between the open position and the closed position upon sequential application and removal of a distal actuation force to the user engagement element.

[0013] According to various principles of the present invention, an actuatable member assembly for a valve assembly of a medical device includes an actuatable member having a user-engaging element along its proximal end and a shaft along its distal end; and a collar extending circumferentially around the shaft and configured to operably engage with the valve assembly to mount the actuatable member relative to the valve assembly. In some aspects, the shaft is positionable within a valve well of the valve assembly and is transitionable within the valve well along an actuation axis between an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve assembly is in the open configuration and the valve assembly is in the closed configuration; and one of the user-engaging element, the shaft, or the collar includes a cam surface, and the other of the user-engaging element, the shaft, or the collar includes a cam follower, the cam follower configured to engage the cam surface to effect movement of the shaft between the open and closed positions.

[0014] In some aspects, the actuatable member assembly further includes a biasing element positioned to bias the user engagement element proximally to a neutral position that alternates between the open position and the closed position upon sequential application and removal of a distal actuation force to the user engagement element.

[0015] According to various principles of the present invention, a method of actuating a valve assembly of a medical device includes applying an actuating force to an actuatable member of the valve assembly and releasing the actuating force, thereby causing the valve assembly to remain in one of an open configuration or a closed configuration; and applying an additional actuating force to the actuatable member and releasing the actuating force, thereby causing the valve assembly to remain in the other of the open configuration or the closed configuration.

[0016] In some aspects, the actuatable member is in a neutral position when no actuation force is applied thereto, and the biasing element biases the actuatable member back to the neutral position when the actuation force is released.

[0017] In some aspects, applying an actuating force to the actuatable member initiates transition of the valve assembly from one of the open or closed configurations to the other of the open or closed configurations, and releasing the actuating force allows the biasing element to complete transition of the valve assembly from one of the open or closed configurations to the other of the open or closed configurations, such that when the actuatable member returns to its neutral position, the valve assembly remains in the other of the open or closed configurations.

[0018] In some aspects, releasing the actuation force allows the valve assembly to transition from one of the open configuration or the closed configuration to the other of the open configuration or the closed configuration.

[0019] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, and the scope of the invention as claimed is set forth in the appended claims. Although the following disclosure is presented in terms of various aspects or embodiments, it should be understood that individual aspects may be claimed alone or in combination with various aspects and features of that or any other embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are schematic and not intended to be drawn to scale. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only, and the sizes, positions, orders, and relative sizes reflected in the figures in the drawings may vary. For example, the device may be enlarged so that details are discernible, but is intended to be reduced with respect to, for example, fitting within a delivery catheter or working channel of an endoscope. For clarity and simplicity, not every element is labeled in every figure, and not every element of each embodiment shown is necessary to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present invention.

[0021] The detailed description will be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters represent like elements, as follows:

[0022] Figure 1 A perspective view of an example of an embodiment of an endoscope having one or more valves formed in accordance with aspects of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 2 A device formed according to various principles of the present invention and configured to be associated with an endoscope, such as Figure 1 A perspective view of an example of an embodiment of an actuatable member of a valve assembly is shown being installed.

[0024] Figure 3A A valve assembly having an actuatable member (such as one along the Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an example of an embodiment of a valve assembly (shown along line IIIA-IIIA).

[0025] Figure 3B Shows something like Figure 3A , but wherein pressing distally activates the actuatable member.

[0026] Figure 3C Shows something like Figure 3B , but with the actuatable member being pressed further distally.

[0027] Figure 3D Shows something like Figure 3C , but wherein the actuatable member is Figure 3C The lateral position is released and returned toward the proximal position.

[0028] Figure 3E Shows something like Figure 3C but wherein the actuatable member is fully released to return to a position such as Figure 3A The neutral position is shown, but in the open position, wherein the valve assembly is in the open configuration.

[0029] Figure 4 Shows such as Figure 2 A bottom perspective view of an example of an embodiment of a collar element in FIG.

[0030] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of a valve well and valve collar shown in cross section and configured in relation to a valve well and valve collar formed in accordance with various principles of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 An elevational view of an example of an embodiment of an endoscope-mounted valve assembly actuatable member is shown in FIG.

[0031] Figure 6A Shown with such Figure 5 An elevational view of an example of an embodiment of a valve assembly of an actuatable member is shown with the valve ports positioned such that the valve assembly is in a closed configuration.

[0032] Figure 6B Shows something like Figure 6A , but wherein pressing distally activates the actuatable member.

[0033] Figure 6C Shows something like Figure 6B , but with the actuatable member being pressed further distally.

[0034] Figure 6D Shows something like Figure 6C , but wherein the actuatable member is Figure 6C The lateral position is released and returned toward the proximal position.

[0035] Figure 6E Shows something like Figure 6D , but wherein the actuatable member is Figure 6C The position in is further released and returns to Figure 6A , but wherein the valve port is now positioned so that the valve assembly is in an open configuration.

[0036] Figure 7A An exemplary embodiment of a valve well and valve collar shown in cross section and configured in relation to a valve well and valve collar formed in accordance with various principles of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 An elevational view of an example of an embodiment of an endoscope-mounted valve assembly actuatable member is shown in FIG.

[0037] Figure 7B Shows something like Figure 7A , but with modified actuation mechanism components.

[0038] Figure 8A Shown with such Figure 7A An elevational view of an example of an embodiment of a valve assembly of an actuatable member is shown with the valve port positioned such that the valve assembly is in a closed configuration and the actuatable member is in a first stable position.

[0039] Figure 8B Shows something like Figure 8A , but wherein pressing distally activates the actuatable member.

[0040] Figure 8C Shows something like Figure 8B , but wherein the actuatable member is Figure 8B The position in the middle is released and is in the second stable position.

[0041] Figure 8D Shows something like Figure 8C , but wherein pressing distally the actuable member to Figure 8C The second stable position is released to return to Figure 8A The first stable position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following detailed description should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, which depict illustrative embodiments. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and is therefore subject to variation. All devices, systems, and methods discussed herein are examples of devices and / or systems and / or methods implemented in accordance with one or more principles of the present invention. Each example of the embodiment is provided by way of explanation and is not the only way to implement these principles, but rather merely an example. Therefore, references to elements, structures, or features in the accompanying drawings must be understood as references to examples of embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention to the specific elements, structures, or features shown. Other examples of ways to implement the disclosed principles will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the present subject matter. For example, features illustrated and described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to produce a further embodiment. Therefore, the present subject matter is intended to cover such modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0043] It should be understood that the present invention is described in various levels of detail in this application. In some cases, details that are not necessary for a person of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present invention or that make other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. The terms used herein are used only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting beyond the scope of the appended claims. Unless otherwise specified, the technical terms used herein are to be understood as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. According to the present invention, all devices and / or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and performed without undue experimentation.

[0044] As used herein, "proximal" refers to the direction or position closest to a user (a medical professional or clinician or technician or operator or physician, etc., such terms are used interchangeably herein and are not intended to be limiting, and include automated controller systems or others), such as when the device is being used (e.g., when the device is introduced into a patient, or during implantation, positioning, or delivery) and / or closest to a delivery device, and "distal" refers to the direction or position farthest from a user, such as when the device is being used (e.g., when the device is introduced into a patient, or during implantation, positioning, or delivery) and / or closest to a delivery device. "Longitudinal" means extending along the longer or larger dimension of an element. A "longitudinal axis" extends along the longitudinal extent of an element, but is not necessarily straight and does not necessarily maintain a fixed configuration if the element flexes or bends, and "axial" generally refers to along the longitudinal axis. However, it should be understood that references to axial or longitudinal movement with respect to the above-described systems or elements thereof are not necessarily limited to axial and / or longitudinal movement along the longitudinal axis or central axis of the referenced element. "Center" means at least generally bisecting a center point and / or being generally equidistant from a periphery or boundary, and "central axis" means a line, relative to an opening, that at least generally bisects the center point of an opening, which extends longitudinally along the length of the opening when the opening comprises, for example, a tubular element, a passage, a cavity or a hole. As used herein, a "cavity" or "passageway" or "hole" or "passageway" is not limited to a circular cross-section. As used herein, the "free end" of an element is the terminal end beyond which such element does not extend. It should be understood that unless otherwise stated, terms such as, at or on or near or along an end are used interchangeably herein, are not intended to be limiting, unless otherwise stated, and are intended to indicate generally relative spatial relationships, rather than to limit precisely defined positions. Finally, reference to "at" a position or location is intended to include at and / or near such position or location (e.g., along it, adjacent it, etc.).

[0045] Various medical devices include valve assemblies for regulating or controlling fluid delivery (irrigation) or fluid aspiration (suction) relative to an anatomical site.While the present invention describes an aspiration valve, it should be understood that the principles of the present invention need not be so limited.

[0046] The suction valve assembly of the medical device is arranged to apply suction to the anatomical part from a suction source, such as via a flexible tubular element that is configured and positionable relative to the anatomical part. The suction source can be a pump or other mechanism that creates a vacuum to be applied to the anatomical part via the flexible tubular element. In the closed configuration of the valve assembly, fluid communication between the suction source and the flexible tubular element is severed or blocked so that suction is not applied to the anatomical part, and the valve can be considered to be in the closed configuration. In the open configuration of the valve assembly, the suction source is fluidly coupled to the flexible tubular element, such as to suction the anatomical part, and the valve can be considered to be in the open configuration.

[0047] The valve assembly of a medical device typically includes an actuable member that can move along an actuation axis within a valve well to switch the valve assembly between a closed position that places the valve assembly in a closed configuration and an open position that places the valve assembly in an open configuration. The actuable member can include a user engagement element and a valve shaft. Various valve assemblies have different arrangements of ports and flow paths that allow a fluid source, such as a suction source, to be in fluid communication with or not in fluid communication with the anatomical site. For example, in some valve assemblies, a fluid / suction source is fluidically coupled to a source port in the valve well that extends approximately transversely to the actuation axis of the valve shaft. In such valve assemblies, an application port (via which a fluid / suction application device applies fluid / suction to the anatomical site) is approximately axially aligned with the actuation axis of the valve shaft. In other valve assemblies, a fluid / suction source is fluidically coupled to a source port in the valve well that is approximately axially aligned with the actuation axis of the valve shaft. In such valve assemblies, the application port in the valve well extends transversely to the actuation axis of the valve shaft. The principles of the present invention can be applied to any form of valve assembly. In either form, the valve well passage extends through the valve well to fluidically connect the axial port and the lateral port of the valve well. The actuable member of the valve assembly is movably mounted in this valve well passage to axially and / or rotationally switch between open and closed positions to switch the valve assembly between corresponding open and closed forms. The actuable member has an axial flow path (extending roughly along the actuation axis of the actuable member) and / or a lateral flow path through it. When the valve shaft is in the open position, the source port and the application port of the valve well are fluidly connected by the flow path of the actuable member. When the valve shaft is in the closed position, the actuable member blocks the fluid communication between the source port and the application port of the valve well.

[0048] For convenience, the principles of the present invention are described with respect to a valve assembly having a supply port fluidly coupled to a suction source and a suction application port fluidly coupled to a suction application device. However, it should be understood that the principles of the present invention are applicable to valve assemblies other than those configured to apply suction. The suction source can be a pump or any other mechanism capable of creating a vacuum, such as those known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The suction application device can be any tubular element capable of applying suction from a suction source to an anatomical site, such as an insertion tube of an endoscope (e.g., having a suction lumen and / or working channel therethrough).

[0049] According to various principles of the present invention, unlike the valve assembly (particularly the suction valve assembly) of the prior art, which biases the actuable member to the closed position, the actuable member is stable in both the open position and the closed position and is actively actuated to move between such stable open or closed positions. As used herein, the term "stable" as used in the reference position indicates that the position is independently maintained and will not be converted without applying a force to it. In other words, the actuable member remains in each of the open position and the closed position without applying an actuating force to it. The actuable member can be in one of the open position or the closed position until it is actively actuated to move to the other of the open position or the closed position, and then remains in the other position until it is actively actuated to convert back to one of the open position or the closed position. For example, the actuable member can be in the open position until it is actively actuated to convert to the closed position, and then remains in the closed position until it is actively actuated to move to the open position. Once returned to the open position, the actuable member remains in the open position until it is actively actuated by the user to move to the closed position again. References herein to active actuation, etc. should be understood as actuation (e.g., movement) by a user (e.g., a medical professional) upon application of an actuation force (e.g., an external force, such as an intentional actuation force, which is typically applied by pressing an actuatable member in a direction toward a housing / handle relative to which the valve assembly is mounted), as distinct from current valve assemblies that automatically return to the same position.

[0050] According to various principles of the present invention, a valve assembly includes an actuable member that can be moved relative to a valve well. More particularly, in some embodiments, the actuable member has a valve shaft having a port and a flow channel that can be switched between being in fluid communication with and not in fluid communication with a port in the valve well so that the valve assembly can be switched between an open and closed configuration. For example, an example of an embodiment of a valve shaft formed according to various principles of the present invention has a transversely extending port and an axially extending port that are fluidically coupled via a flow channel (e.g., extending axially therebetween). The transversely extending port of the valve shaft can be moved to be in fluid communication with and not in fluid communication with a transversely extending port defined in the valve well. In the open position of the valve shaft, the transversely extending port of the valve shaft is in fluid communication with the transversely extending port of the valve well, thereby placing the transversely extending port of the valve well in fluid communication with the axially extending port of the valve well via the flow channel and the axially extending port of the valve shaft. This configuration of the valve assembly is considered to be an open configuration. In the closed position of the valve shaft, the transversely extending ports of the valve shaft are not in fluid communication with the transversely extending ports of the valve well, and the transversely extending ports of the valve well are no longer in fluid communication with the axially extending ports of the valve well. This configuration of the valve assembly is considered a closed configuration.

[0051] In some embodiments, axial movement of the actuatable member causes rotational movement of the valve shaft to transition the valve shaft between a closed position and an open position. In some embodiments, axial movement of the actuatable member causes axial movement of the valve shaft to transition the valve shaft between a closed position and an open position. In some embodiments, axial movement of the actuatable member causes both rotational and axial movement of the valve shaft to transition the valve shaft between a closed position and an open position.

[0052] The actuatable member remains in one of the open or closed positions until actuated into the other of the open or closed positions.

[0053] According to various principles of the present invention, a portion of an actuable member includes an actuating component that is configured to engage an actuating component on another portion of the valve assembly so as to cause the actuable member to switch between an open position and a closed position. For example, in some embodiments, the valve shaft of the actuable member includes an actuating component that operably engages an actuating component on a user-engaging element of the actuable member or a collar component of the valve assembly. Applying an actuating force to the actuable member causes the actuating components to operably engage with each other so as to cause the position of the actuable member to switch between an open and closed configuration. In addition, the actuable member is configured to remain in an open configuration and to remain in a closed configuration until an actuating force is applied to it. According to various principles of the present invention, the actuating components on the components of the actuable member maintain the actuable member in an open position and also maintain the actuable member in a closed position. Therefore, the valve assembly is maintained in an open configuration or a closed configuration without applying a continuous force to the actuable member to maintain the valve assembly in a selected configuration.

[0054] Various embodiments of valve assemblies (including but not limited to components and assemblies), systems, and methods will now be described with reference to the examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. References throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," etc., indicate that one or more specific features, structures, concepts, and / or characteristics according to the principles of the present invention may be included in conjunction with that embodiment. However, such references do not necessarily imply that all embodiments include a particular feature, structure, concept, and / or characteristic, or that one embodiment includes all features, structures, concepts, and / or characteristics. Some embodiments may include one or more such features, structures, concepts, and / or characteristics in various combinations thereof. It should be understood that one or more of the features, structures, concepts, and / or characteristics described with reference to one embodiment may be combined with one or more of the features, structures, concepts, and / or characteristics of any of the other embodiments provided herein. That is, any of the features, structures, concepts, and / or characteristics described herein may be mixed and matched to create hybrid embodiments, and such hybrid embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, references throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," etc., do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are they necessarily separate or alternative embodiments that are mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It should also be understood that the various features, structures, concepts and / or characteristics of the disclosed embodiments are independent and separable from each other and can be used or presented individually or in various combinations with each other to create alternative embodiments that are considered to be part of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically described herein, as describing all possible combinations and sub-combinations of features, structures, concepts and / or characteristics would be too cumbersome, and the examples of the embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present invention. It should be understood that the various dimensions provided herein are examples, and that one of ordinary skill in the art can readily determine the appropriate range of standard deviations and acceptable variations covered by the present invention and any claims associated therewith. The following description is merely an illustrative example of an embodiment and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present invention.

[0055] In the accompanying drawings, it will be understood that common features are identified by common reference elements and that, for the sake of brevity and convenience and not intended to be limiting, the description of common features is generally not repeated. For the sake of clarity, not all parts having the same reference numerals are numbered. In addition, a group of similar elements may be indicated by both numbers and letters, and generally an element or such elements or such elements as a group may be referred to by only numbers (excluding the letters associated with each similar element). It will be understood that in the following description, similar elements or components in the various illustrated embodiments of the valve assembly and associated components are generally designated by the same reference numerals increased by multiples of 100, and that, for the sake of brevity, redundant descriptions are generally omitted. In addition, certain features in one embodiment may be used across different embodiments and do not need to be individually labeled when appearing in different embodiments.

[0056] Turning now to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 An example of an embodiment of a valve assembly 100 formed according to the various principles of the present invention, as provided in an example of an embodiment of an endoscope 1000, is shown in FIG. It should be understood that endoscope 1000 is an example of an embodiment to which the principles of the present invention may be applied, and that the various principles of the present invention are applicable to other medical devices to control fluid flow associated therewith, the details of which are not critical to the present invention. Furthermore, while reference is made to aspiration valves, it should be understood that the disclosed principles and embodiments are applicable to other valves, such as fluid supply / irrigation valves.

[0057] The illustrated example embodiment of the valve assembly 100 is mounted relative to a control handle 1010 of an endoscope 1000 to regulate the flow of material (e.g., fluid) between an insertion tube 1020 of the endoscope 1000 and a suction source 1100. The endoscope 1000 has a connector cord 1030 extending to a scope connector 1032, with which the endoscope 1000 (and the valve assembly 100) can be fluidically coupled to the suction source 1100. The connector cord 1030 may alternatively be referred to herein as an umbilical cord, umbilical cord, universal cord, etc., without limitation. The scope connector 1032 may also connect the endoscope 1000 to various components, devices, etc., such as a fluid source (for supplying air, carbon dioxide, water, saline, or other gases or liquids), electrical connections, light sources, visualization elements (e.g., fiber optics, cameras, etc.), or other components, devices, etc. that may be used with the endoscope 1000, via the connector cord 1030. Insertion tube 1020 has a fluid lumen extending therethrough to a distal end that can be positioned (inserted, navigated, etc.) relative to an anatomical site (e.g., within a patient's body). Similarly, connector cord 1030 has a fluid lumen extending therethrough to fluidically couple suction source 1100 (e.g., via scope connector 1032) with control handle 1010. The fluid lumens through insertion tube 1020 and connector cord 1030, as well as the distal end of insertion tube 1020, can be well-known features formed in a manner known to those of ordinary skill in the art and are not shown to facilitate ease of illustration. Figure 1 The illustration of endoscope 1000 simplifies the drawing by removing details that are not necessary for understanding the present invention.

[0058] The valve assembly 100 has an actuatable member 110 that is configured to transition between an open position and a closed position along an actuation axis A when an actuation force is applied thereto. Typically, the actuation force is applied by a user of the valve assembly 100, such as a medical professional, in a distal direction, such as toward a control handle 1010 that houses the valve assembly 100, and typically along the actuation axis A. When the valve assembly 100 is in the open configuration, the source port and the application port of the valve assembly 100 are in fluid communication. For example, referring to Figure 1 In the example embodiment shown, when the valve assembly 100 is in the open configuration, the suction source 1100 can be fluidly coupled to the insertion tube 1020 of the endoscope 1000 to apply suction. When the valve assembly 100 is in the closed configuration, the source port and the application port of the valve assembly 100 are not in fluid communication (and are typically sealed relative to each other). For example, referring to Figure 1 In the example of the embodiment shown, the endoscope 1000 does not apply suction when the valve assembly 100 is in the closed configuration.

[0059] Further in accordance with various principles of the present invention, upon removal of the actuation force applied to change the configuration of valve assembly 100 from one of the open or closed configurations to the other of the open or closed configurations, valve assembly 100 remains in the other configuration. In other words, if an actuation force is applied to the actuatable member to change the configuration of valve assembly 100 to the closed configuration when valve assembly 100 is in the open configuration, then once the actuation force is no longer applied to the actuatable member, valve assembly 100 will remain in the closed configuration. Conversely, if an actuation force is applied to the actuatable member to change the configuration of valve assembly 100 to the open configuration when valve assembly 100 is in the closed configuration, then once the actuation force is no longer applied to the actuatable member, valve assembly 100 will remain in the open configuration. Thus, the actuatable member 110 has a first stable position in which the actuatable member 110 is in one of the open or closed positions, thereby placing the valve assembly 100 in the corresponding open or closed position; and a second stable position in which the actuatable member 110 is in the other of the open or closed positions, thereby placing the valve assembly 100 in the corresponding other of the open or closed positions.

[0060] The actuatable member 110 of the valve assembly 100 can have ports corresponding to ports within the valve well of the valve assembly 100 and can be moved into and out of fluid communication with the valve well ports to transition the valve assembly 100 between an open and closed configuration. According to various principles of the present invention, at least one component of the actuatable member 110 includes an actuation mechanism configured to transition a port defined in the actuatable member 110 into and out of fluid communication with a port in another component of the valve assembly 100, such as a port in the valve well of the valve assembly 100. The component of the actuatable member 110 having the port can be moved axially along an actuation axis A, rotated about the actuation axis A, or both axially and rotated about the actuation axis A to transition between an open and closed position, in which the port of the actuatable member 110 is in and out of fluid communication with a port of the valve well of the valve assembly 100. The actuation mechanism includes an actuation component that is operably engaged with another actuation component on the actuatable member 110 or another component of the valve assembly 100. The actuating member may be a cam follower and / or a cam surface, such as described below.

[0061] exist Figure 2 An example of an embodiment of an actuatable member 210 of a valve assembly 200 formed in accordance with various principles of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 11000). The illustrated example of an embodiment of the actuatable member 210 includes a valve shaft 220 and a user engagement element 230 that are operably coupled together. The valve shaft 220 typically extends along a distal end 211 of the actuatable member 210, and the user engagement element 230 typically extends along a proximal end 213 of the actuatable member 210. The valve shaft 220 and the user engagement element 230 are movable relative to each other, typically axially and rotationally relative to the actuation axis A. The biasing element 212 can be positioned relative to the valve shaft 220 and the user engagement element 230 to provide a biasing element 212 that is operatively coupled to the valve shaft 220 and the user engagement element 230. Figure 3A The neutral configuration shown maintains the user engagement element 230 spaced apart from the valve shaft 220. Figure 2 and Figures 3A to 3E In the example embodiment shown, the collar 240 is mounted around the valve shaft 220 and the user engagement element 230 and can maintain the relative positions of the valve shaft 220 and the user engagement element 230 relative to each other and to the valve well 250 of the valve assembly 200. For example, Figures 3A to 3E As shown, the collar 240 has a shaft retaining wall 242 extending radially inwardly from a generally cylindrical skirt 244 of the collar 240. The biasing element 212 can be positioned between the shaft retaining wall 242 and the user engaging element 230 to bias the user engaging element 230 away from the valve shaft 220. Additionally, the shaft retaining wall 242 defines a shaft retaining opening 245 (e.g., Figure 4 ), the valve shaft 220 extends through the shaft retaining opening 245. The valve shaft 220 may include a circumferential groove 225 (e.g., at Figure 2 244 ), the circumferential groove 225 engages with a shaft retaining opening 245 of the collar 240, such as to limit axial movement of the valve shaft 220 relative to the collar 240. The collar skirt 244 defines an axially extending slot 247. The user engagement element 230 has a skirt 234 (extending distally from the user engagement surface 232) that is axially movable relative to the collar skirt 244 and partially located within the collar skirt 244, wherein radially outwardly extending projections 236 are configured to extend into corresponding axially extending slots 247 defined in the collar skirt 244 to limit movement of the user engagement element 230 relative to the collar 240 to axial movement along the actuation axis A.

[0062] According to various principles of the present invention, axial movement of the actuatable member 210 along the actuation axis A causes rotational movement of the valve shaft 220 relative to the user engagement element 230 and relative to the valve well 250 to transition a transversely extending valve shaft port 222 (extending in a direction transverse to the actuation axis A) defined in the valve shaft 220 between an open position and a closed position. In the open position of the valve shaft 220, the valve shaft port 222 is fluidly coupled to and generally aligned with a transversely extending valve well port 252 defined in the valve well 250. In the closed position of the valve shaft 220, the valve shaft port 222 is not in fluid communication with (and is generally sealed from) the transversely extending valve well port 252 defined in the valve well 250. The transversely extending port 222 of the valve shaft 220 is in fluid communication with the axially extending port 224 via a valve shaft passage 226 extending generally axially through the valve shaft 220. The axially extending port 224 of the valve shaft 220 is in fluid communication with the axially extending port 254 of the valve well 250. Thus, when the valve shaft transversely extending port 222 is in fluid communication with the valve well transversely extending port 252 , the valve well transversely extending port 252 is in fluid communication with the valve well axially extending port 254 , thereby allowing suction to be applied through the valve assembly 200 .

[0063] exist Figure 2 and Figures 3A to 3E In the example of the embodiment shown, application of an actuation force F to the user engagement element 230 of the actuatable member 210 (e.g., to the user engagement surface 232 thereof) in a distal direction (toward the distal end 211 of the actuatable member 210) causes axial movement of the user engagement element 230 along the actuation axis A, which is translated into rotational movement of the valve shaft 220 about the actuation axis A. Rotation of the valve shaft 220 causes the valve shaft 220 to move from one of the open / closed positions to the other of the open / closed positions relative to the valve well 250. Unlike prior valve assemblies that return to a closed position upon removal of an actuation force applied to their actuatable members, according to various principles of the present invention, the valve shaft 220 remains in that position upon removal of the actuation force F that had placed the valve shaft 220 in either the open or closed position.

[0064] To enable this relative rotational movement between the valve shaft 220 and the valve well 250, the user engagement element 230 is fixed to prevent the valve well 250 from rotating relative to the valve assembly 200, while the valve shaft 220 rotates relative to the valve well 250. Figure 2 、 Figures 3A to 3E and Figure 4 In the example of an embodiment of the valve assembly 200 shown, a collar 240 positioned about the valve shaft 220 and the user engagement element 230 is mounted so as to be rotationally fixed relative to a valve well 250 within the valve assembly 200 ( Figures 3A to 3D). Because the user engagement element 230 is rotationally fixed relative to the collar 240, as described above, the user engagement element 230 is thereby rotationally fixed relative to the valve well 250. Because the valve shaft 220 is rotatable relative to the user engagement element 230 and the collar 240, the valve shaft 220 is rotatable within the valve well 250. The collar 240 can be mounted relative to the valve well 250 to be rotationally fixed thereto in any of a variety of ways, such as those known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the collar 240 can include an axially extending projection 246 (e.g., Figure 4 The collar 240 may further include one or more projections 248 extending radially inwardly from the collar skirt 244 that are configured to engage the valve well 250 to install the collar 240 relative to the valve well 250. Figures 3A to 3E In the example embodiment shown, the collar 240 is coupled, for example, by threaded connection, to the valve well 250 via an optional valve well nut 260. A radially inwardly extending projection 248 on the skirt 244 of the collar 240 engages a radially outwardly extending circumferential flange 262 on the valve well nut 260 to mount the collar 240 relative to the valve well nut 260 and, therefore, relative to the valve well 250, to which the valve well nut 260 is mounted. Thus, the collar 240 is inhibited from rotating relative to the valve well 250, and the user engagement element 230 is inhibited from rotating relative to the collar 240, while the valve shaft 220 can rotate relative to the valve well 250.

[0065] exist Figure 2 、 Figures 3A to 3E and Figure 4 In the example embodiment shown, to actuate the valve shaft 220 to rotate relative to the valve well 250, the actuation mechanism 270 is positioned relative to the valve shaft 220 and the user engagement element 230 and is configured to convert axial movement of the user engagement element 230 along the actuation axis A into rotational movement of the valve shaft 220. As the valve shaft 220 rotates, the transversely extending valve shaft ports 222 are successively rotated into and out of fluid communication with the transversely extending valve well ports 252 in the valve well 250, thereby successively transitioning the valve assembly 200 between the open and closed configurations, as shown. Figures 3A to 3E As shown and described in more detail below, in accordance with various principles of the present invention, when no actuation force is applied to actuatable member 210, valve shaft 220 remains in a selected position (open position or closed position).

[0066] exist Figure 2 and Figures 3A to 3E, which includes a cam surface 280 and a corresponding cam follower 290 configured to convert axial movement of the user engagement element 230 into rotational translation of the valve shaft 220. In the illustrated example of embodiment, the cam surface 280 (which includes a proximal cam surface 280p and a distal cam surface 280d) extends circumferentially around the outer surface of the valve shaft 220, and the cam follower 290 extends radially inward from the skirt 234 of the user engagement element 230. However, the opposite arrangement is also within the scope of the present invention, wherein the cam follower extends radially outward from the valve shaft 220 and rides along a cam surface that is along the inner surface of the skirt 234 of the user engagement element 230.

[0067] The operation of the actuating mechanism 270 formed according to various principles of the present invention can be referred to as Figures 3A to 3E The cam follower 290 shown in FIG is understood relative to the successive positions of the cam surface 280 (where Figures 3A to 3E The arrow in FIG indicates the next movement of the cam follower 290). The valve assembly 200 is Figure 3A 2 is shown in a closed configuration, wherein the valve shaft 220 is in a closed position and the laterally extending valve shaft port 222 is not aligned with and in fluid communication with the laterally extending valve well port 252. Figure 3A In the neutral configuration of the actuatable member 210, the cam follower 290 of the actuating mechanism 270 is located in the proximal valley 282p of the proximal cam surface 280p, as shown in FIG. Figure 3A As can be appreciated, the proximal valley 282p of the proximal cam surface 280p defines a rest position for the cam follower 290. Thus, when the cam follower 290 is positioned in the proximal valley 282p, the cam follower 290 remains in position unless or until an actuation force F is applied to the user engagement element 230 to move the cam follower 290 out of the proximal valley 282p. The proximal valley 282p can also be considered to define a proximal limit stop for proximal movement of the user engagement element 230.

[0068] When an actuation force F is applied to the user engagement element 230 to activate the actuation mechanism 270, the cam follower 290 moves distally with the user engagement element 230 and engages the distal angled surface 284d of the distal cam surface 280d, as shown in FIG. Figure 3B284 of the cam surface 280 is transverse to a plane perpendicular to the actuation axis A and extends between the valleys 282 and peaks 286 of the cam surface 280. Because the cam follower 290 is restricted from rotational movement (because the cam follower 290 extends from the user engagement element 230, which is rotationally fixed relative to the collar 240, which in turn is rotationally fixed relative to the valve well 250, as described above), further axial movement of the cam follower 290 along the inclined surface 284 of the cam surface 280 causes rotation of the valve shaft 220. More specifically, further distal axial movement of the user engagement element 230 relative to the valve shaft 220 causes the valve shaft 220 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the proximal end 213 of the actuatable member 210. Figure 3B As the valve shaft 220 rotates, the cam follower 290 rides along the distal inclined surface 284d of the distal cam surface 280d to be located in the distal valley 282d of the distal cam surface 280d, as shown in FIG. Figure 3C As shown. The distal valley 282d can be considered to define a distal limit stop for the distal movement of the user engagement element 230. Figure 3B and Figure 3C As can be appreciated, the rotation of the valve shaft 220 also causes the laterally extending valve shaft port 222 to rotate closer to the laterally extending valve well port 252. Figure 2 As can be appreciated, each of the proximal cam surface 280p and the distal cam surface 280d includes four sets of valleys 282, inclined surfaces 284, and peaks 286 extending around the valve shaft 220. Thus, when the cam follower 290 is moved from a position approximately midway along the distal inclined surface 284d (e.g., Figure 3B As shown) moves to the distal valley 282d (as shown Figure 3C As shown), the valve shaft 220 rotates about the actuation axis A by 1 / 8 turn (45°).

[0069] Removal of the actuation force F from the user engagement element 230 allows the biasing element 214 to move the user engagement element 230 proximally toward the proximal end 213 of the actuatable member 210, as shown in FIG. Figure 3D As shown above. Figure 3B As described above, but in the opposite direction, the cam follower 290 moves proximally with the user engagement element 230 and engages the proximal ramped surface 284p of the proximal cam surface 280p, as shown. Figure 3D As shown above. Figure 3B and Figure 3C As described above, the restriction of axial movement of the cam follower 290 causes further axial movement of the cam follower 290 along the inclined surface 284 of the cam surface 280 to cause rotation of the valve shaft 220. More particularly, as described with reference to Figure 3D and Figure 3E As will be appreciated, further proximal axial movement of the user engagement element 230 relative to the valve shaft 220 causes the cam follower 290 to ride along the proximal ramped surface 284p of the proximal cam surface 280p and cause the valve shaft 220 to move from Figure 3D The position shown is counterclockwise (when viewed from the proximal end 213 of the actuatable member 210 or when viewed from the proximal end 213 of the actuatable member 210). Figure 3D to the right) to Figure 3E Thus, the cam follower 290 is moved from a position approximately midway along the proximal inclined surface 284p (as shown in FIG. Figure 3D ) moves to the proximal valley 282p (as shown in Figure 3E As shown), the valve shaft 220 is rotated another 1 / 8 turn (45°) around the actuation axis A. Figure 3D and Figure 3E As will be appreciated, rotation of the valve shaft 220 rotates the laterally extending valve shaft port 222 closer to the laterally extending valve well port 252. Figure 3E and Figure 3A As can be appreciated, the sequence of movement of the actuatable member 210 from applying the actuating force F to the user engagement element 230 to removing that force (allowing the biasing element 212 to return the actuatable member 210 to the neutral configuration) moves the laterally extending valve shaft port 222 into fluid communication with the laterally extending valve well port 252.

[0070] As can be appreciated, once the cam follower 290 is positioned in the proximal valley 282p (such as Figure 3A or Figure 3E , cam follower 290 does not move, and therefore valve shaft 220 does not rotate, until actuatable member 210 is actuated. Thus, valve shaft 220 remains in its position (open or closed), and valve assembly 200 remains in its configuration (open or closed) until actuatable member 210 is actuated. Thus, a user of valve assembly 200 only needs to apply actuation force F to actuatable member 210 for a limited time to cause valve shaft 220 to transition to a different position, thereby transitioning valve assembly 200 to a different configuration. Once actuation force F has been applied to transition valve shaft 220 and valve assembly 200, there is no need to continuously apply actuation force F to maintain valve shaft 220 and valve assembly 200 in the position / configuration to which they have transitioned.

[0071] Instead of positioning the actuating mechanism relative to the valve shaft of the actuatable member and the user engagement element to effectuate transition of the valve shaft between the open and closed positions (to transition the valve assembly between the open and closed configurations), the actuating mechanism may be positioned relative to the actuatable member and the collar of the valve assembly to effectuate transition of the valve shaft between the open and closed positions. Thus, the user engagement element may or may not move relative to the valve shaft as the valve shaft moves to change the configuration of the valve assembly. In accordance with various principles of the present invention, the actuatable member of such embodiments has a neutral configuration such that the valve assembly remains in the configuration to which the actuating mechanism has moved the valve assembly even when an actuating force is no longer applied to the actuatable member.

[0072] exist Figure 5 An example of an embodiment of an actuatable member 310 is shown in FIG, having an actuation mechanism 370 and another component of a valve assembly positioned relative thereto. Figure 2 、 Figures 3A to 3E and Figure 4 An example of an embodiment of the actuatable member 210 is shown, Figure 5 The illustrated actuatable member 310 includes a valve shaft 320 and a user engagement element 330 operably coupled together. The valve shaft 320 generally extends along a distal end 311 of the actuatable member 310, and the user engagement element 330 generally extends along a proximal end 313 of the actuatable member 310. The user engagement element 330 can be integrally formed with the valve shaft 320 (e.g., as a proximal end 323 thereof), or separately formed from the valve shaft 320 and optionally movable relative thereto.

[0073] According to various principles of the present invention, such as Figure 5 and Figures 6A to 6E As shown, the collar 340 is positioned about the actuatable member 310, and the actuating mechanism 370 is positioned relative to the actuatable member 310 and the collar 340. The collar 340 is mounted relative to the valve well 350 of the valve assembly 300 so as to be rotationally fixed relative to the valve well 350, in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Figure 5 and Figures 6A to 6E In the example of the embodiment shown, the collar 340 is formed with a Figure 2 、 Figures 3A to 3E and Figure 4 The manner shown in FIG. is related to the installation of the valve well 350. For convenience and not intended to be limiting, Figure 5 and Figures 6A to 6E As shown in Figure 2 、 Figures 3A to 3E and Figure 4 Like parts shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by like reference numerals increased by 100, and for the sake of brevity and not intended to be limiting, references to the same parts are made. Figures 3A to 3E Combined description of it.

[0074] Actuation mechanism 370 is configured to convert axial movement of actuatable member 310 into rotational movement of valve shaft 320. More specifically, distal and proximal axial movement of actuatable member 310 along actuation axis A causes a portion of actuation mechanism 370 associated with valve shaft 320 to engage a portion of actuation mechanism 370 associated with sleeve 340 to cause valve shaft 320 to rotate relative to valve well 350, such as Figures 6A to 6E As the valve shaft 320 rotates, the transversely extending valve shaft port 322 defined in the valve shaft 320 is successively rotated to be in fluid communication and non-fluid communication with the transversely extending valve well port 352 in the valve well 350 of the valve assembly 300, thereby causing the valve assembly 300 to be successively in the open and closed configurations (e.g., Figures 6A to 6E and described in more detail below).

[0075] Alternatively, the user engagement element 330 is formed separately from the valve shaft 320 and is rotatable relative thereto such that axial movement of the user engagement element 330 causes axial movement of the valve shaft 320 to actuate the actuation mechanism 370 to rotate the valve shaft 320 without the user engagement element 330 rotating therewith (e.g., for the user's comfort). Figure 5 The illustrated example of an embodiment of the user engagement element 330 has a proximally facing user engagement surface 332 positioned along the proximal end 313 of the actuatable member 310, formed separately from and positioned above and covering the proximal end 323 of the valve shaft 320. An axial extension 334 extends distally toward and around the valve shaft 320, with a radially inwardly directed protrusion 336 engaging a circumferentially extending groove 325 around the proximal end 323 of the valve shaft 320 to couple the user engagement element 330 to the valve shaft 320 while optionally allowing relative rotational movement therebetween.

[0076] Application of an actuation force F to the user engagement surface 332 of the user engagement element 330 causes distal axial movement of the actuatable member 310 (toward the distal end 351 of the valve well 350) and actuates the actuation mechanism 370 to rotate the valve shaft 320. Optionally, a biasing element 312 biases the user engagement element 330 proximally when the actuation force F is removed. The biasing element 312 can be positioned between the user engagement element 330 (e.g., on its underside) and a shaft retaining wall 342, which extends radially inward from a generally cylindrical skirt 344 of the collar 340 and defines a shaft retaining opening 345 through which the valve shaft 320 extends. Proximal movement of the actuatable member 310 (e.g., to its initial position prior to application of the actuation force F) causes further actuation of the actuation mechanism 370 to complete the rotation of the valve shaft 320 to transition from one of the open or closed positions to the other of the open or closed positions. According to various principles of the present invention, when no actuation force is applied to actuatable member 310 , valve shaft 320 remains in the other of the open or closed position (into which valve shaft 320 has been transitioned by actuation force F).

[0077] Figure 5 and 6A to 6D The example of an embodiment of the actuation mechanism 370 shown includes a cam surface 380 extending circumferentially along the inner surface of the generally cylindrical skirt 344 of the collar 340, and a cam follower 390 extending radially outward from the outer surface of the valve shaft 320. However, the opposite arrangement is also within the scope of the present invention, wherein the cam follower extends radially inward from the inner surface of the collar skirt 344 and rides along a cam surface that extends circumferentially around the outer surface of the valve shaft 320. More particularly, Figure 5 and Figures 6A to 6E The example of an embodiment of the cam follower 390 shown in FIG includes a proximal cam follower 390p and a distal cam follower 390d axially spaced from each other with the cam surface 380 extending therebetween. Even more particularly, in FIG. Figure 5 and Figures 6A to 6EIn the example of the embodiment shown, the proximal cam follower 390p includes a plurality of proximal cam followers 390p circumferentially spaced about the valve shaft 320, and the distal cam follower 390d includes a plurality of distal cam followers 390d circumferentially spaced about the valve shaft 320. The cam surface 380 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced cam surfaces 380, each of which has a proximally facing inclined surface 382p (facing the proximal cam follower 390p) and a distally facing inclined surface 382d (facing the distal cam follower 390d). The proximal cam follower 390p has an inclined surface 392p that faces the proximally facing inclined surface 382p of the cam surface 380; and the distal cam follower 390d has an inclined surface 392d that faces the distally facing inclined surface 382d of the cam surface 380. The various inclined surfaces 382 and 392 extend transversely to a plane perpendicular to the actuation axis A. As shown in reference Figures 6A to 6E As can be appreciated, distal axial movement of the actuatable member 310 causes the inclined surface 392p of the proximal cam follower 390p to axially move into engagement with the proximally facing inclined surface 382p of the cam surface 380. Continued distal axial movement of the actuatable member 310 causes the inclined surface 392p of the proximal cam follower 390p to ride along the proximally facing inclined surface 382p of the cam surface 380 and causes the valve shaft 320 to rotate relative to the collar 340 and, therefore, relative to the valve well 350. Similarly, proximal axial movement of the actuatable member 310 causes the inclined surface 392d of the distal cam follower 390d to axially move into engagement with the distal facing inclined surface 382d of the cam surface 380. Continued proximal axial movement of actuatable member 310 causes inclined surface 392d of distal cam follower 390d to ride along distally facing inclined surface 382d of cam surface 380 and further causes valve shaft 320 to rotate relative to collar 340 and, therefore, relative to valve well 350. As can be appreciated, rotation of valve shaft 320 relative to valve well 350 switches transversely extending valve shaft port 322 in and out of fluid communication with transversely extending valve well port 352.

[0078] Such as Figure 5 The operation of the illustrated actuatable member 310 and the actuation mechanism 370 may be referred to in conjunction with FIG. Figures 6A to 6E The cam follower 390 shown in FIG is understood relative to the successive positions of the cam surface 380 (where Figures 3A to 3E The arrow in FIG indicates the next movement of the cam follower 290). The valve assembly 300 is Figure 6A 3 is shown in a closed configuration, wherein the valve shaft 320 is in a closed position and the laterally extending valve shaft port 322 is not aligned with and in fluid communication with the laterally extending valve well port 352. Figure 6A, actuatable member 310 is in a neutral configuration in which no actuation force is applied thereto.

[0079] When an actuation force F is applied to the user engagement element 330, the actuatable member 310 moves distally toward the distal end 301 of the valve assembly 300, and the actuation mechanism 370 is activated, as shown. Figure 6B More particularly, the proximal cam follower 390p moves distally with the user engagement element 330, and the inclined surface 392p of the proximal cam follower 390p engages the proximally facing inclined surface 382p of the cam surface 380. Because the collar 340 is fixed relative to the valve well 350 to prevent rotation, continued axial distal engagement of the inclined surface 392p of the proximal cam follower 390p with the proximally facing inclined surface 382p of the cam surface 380 causes the proximal cam follower 390p to ride along the proximally facing inclined surface 382p of the cam surface 380 to cause the valve shaft 320 to rotate relative to the valve well 350 (clockwise when viewed from the proximal end 313 of the actuatable member 310, or in a clockwise direction). Figure 6B To the left, arrive Figure 6C The laterally extending valve shaft port 322 is thereby moved relative to the laterally extending valve well port 352, as shown in FIG. Figure 6C As shown. Cam surface 380 can define a stop surface 386 that the proximal cam follower 390p encounters during rotation of the valve shaft 320 and prevents further rotation of the proximal cam follower 390p. Thus, stop surface 386 on cam surface 380 can serve as a distal limit stop for rotational (and generally distal axial) movement of the valve shaft 320.

[0080] Removal of the actuation force F from the user engagement element 330 allows the biasing element 312 to move the user engagement element 330 proximally toward the proximal end 303 of the valve assembly 300, as shown in FIG. Figure 6C As shown. The proximal movement of the valve shaft 320 causes the inclined surface 392d of the distal cam follower 390d to engage the distally facing inclined surface 382d of the cam surface 380. Because the collar 340 is fixed relative to the valve well 350 and therefore does not rotate, continued axial proximal engagement of the inclined surface 392d of the distal cam follower 390d with the distally facing inclined surface 382d of the cam surface 380 causes the distal cam follower 390d to ride along the distally facing inclined surface 382d of the cam surface 380 to cause further rotation of the valve shaft 320 (in the same direction as caused by the inclined surface 392p of the proximal cam follower 390p riding along the proximal facing inclined surface 382p of the cam surface 380). The laterally extending valve shaft port 322 is thereby further moved relative to the laterally extending valve well port 352. Figure 6EIn the example of the embodiment shown, when the actuatable member 310 is again in the neutral position, the transversely extending valve shaft port 322 is in fluid communication with the transversely extending valve well port 352. It will be appreciated that the distal cam follower 390d can be stopped from further rotational movement by engaging the stop surface 386 on the cam surface 380. Thus, the stop surface 386 on the cam surface 380 can serve as a positive stop for rotational (and generally also proximal axial) movement of the valve shaft 320.

[0081] As reference Figures 6A to 6E As will be appreciated from the description above, the rotation of valve shaft 220 caused by the distal movement of valve shaft 220 (upon application of actuation force F) and the inclined surface 392p of proximal cam follower 390p riding along proximally-facing inclined surface 382p of cam surface 380 rotates valve shaft 220 45° from the first neutral position. Furthermore, further rotation of valve shaft 320 caused by the proximal movement of valve shaft 320 and the inclined surface 392d of distal cam follower 390d riding along distally-facing inclined surface 382d of cam surface 380 rotates valve shaft 320 45° from the first neutral position. Thus, upon completion of its actuation movement (upon application and release of actuation force F to actuatable member 310), valve shaft 320 rotates 90° to move transversely-extending valve shaft port 322 into or out of alignment with transversely-extending valve well port 352. The downward and upward motions are repeated to rotate the valve shaft 90 degrees to move the transverse bore through the valve shaft back into alignment and fluid communication with and out of alignment and fluid communication with the transversely extending port in the valve well.

[0082] As described above, the principles of the present invention encompass various arrangements and configurations of actuation mechanisms that are arranged and configured relative to components of a valve assembly to transition the valve assembly between stable open and closed configurations, wherein the actuatable member remains in a neutral configuration in either configuration of the valve assembly. For example, instead of a cam follower associated with the valve shaft of the actuatable member and a cam surface associated with a collar of the valve assembly, such as in Figure 5 and 6A to 6D As described above with respect to the above examples of embodiments of the actuating mechanism shown in FIG, substantially the opposite configuration is also within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Figures 8A to 8D An example of an embodiment of a valve assembly having an actuation mechanism is shown in FIG, wherein a cam follower is associated with a collar of the valve assembly and a cam surface is associated with a portion of an actuatable member of the valve assembly. For convenience and not intended to be limiting, FIG. 7 and FIG. Figures 8A to 8D As shown in Figure 5 、 Figures 6A to 6E Like parts shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by like reference numerals increased by 100, and for the sake of brevity and not intended to be limiting, references to the same parts are made. Figures 3A to 3E As described in the above examples of embodiments, the actuation mechanism is positioned and configured to engage the actuable member and the collar of the valve assembly to cause a transversely extending port in the valve shaft of the actuable member to shift relative to a transversely extending port in the valve well of the valve assembly to transition the valve assembly between open and closed configurations, wherein the actuable member remains in a neutral configuration in either configuration of the valve assembly. However, in contrast to the above examples of embodiments, the transversely extending port in the valve shaft moves axially into and out of fluid communication with the transversely extending port in the valve well (as opposed to the rotational shifting described in the above examples of embodiments).

[0083] exist Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B Shown separately in Figures 8A to 8D In the example of an embodiment of an actuatable member 410 mounted in relation to a valve assembly 400, the actuation mechanism 470 includes a cam surface 480 and a cam follower 490. Figure 5 and Figures 6A to 6E As with the example embodiment shown, the collar 440 is positioned about the actuatable member 410, and the actuating mechanism 470 is positioned relative to the actuatable member 410 and the collar 440. The collar 440 is mounted relative to the valve well 450 of the valve assembly 400 so as to be rotationally fixed relative to the valve well 450, in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B and Figures 8A to 8D In the example of the embodiment shown, the collar 440 is formed with a Figure 2 、 Figures 3A to 3E and Figure 4 The method shown in FIG is related to the valve well 450 installation. Therefore, Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B and Figures 8A to 8D As shown in Figure 2 、 Figures 3A to 3E and Figure 4 Like parts shown in FIG. 1 are designated by like reference numerals increased by 200, and for the sake of brevity and not intended to be limiting, references to the same parts are made. Figure 2 、 Figures 3A to 3E and Figure 4 Combined description of it.

[0084] and Figure 5 and Figures 6A to 6E In contrast to the example of embodiment shown, Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B and Figure 8AIn the embodiment example of the actuating mechanism 470 with respect to the actuable member 410 shown in FIG8E , a cam surface 480 is mounted on the outer surface of the valve shaft 420 of the actuable member 410, and a cam follower 490 extends from a collar 440 positioned around the actuable member 410 to interact with the cam surface 480. Figure 5 and Figures 6A to 6E In contrast to the example of the embodiment shown, instead of the valve shaft 420 rotating between its open and closed positions, Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B and Figure 8A 8E , the valve shaft 420 moves along the actuation axis A between its open and closed positions. More particularly, the valve shaft 420 extends through a shaft retaining opening 445 in a shaft retaining wall 442 extending radially inward from a skirt 444 of a collar 440. The valve shaft 420 has an axially extending groove 427 engaged by a radially inwardly extending protrusion 447 on the collar 440 (e.g., extending radially inward from the shaft retaining wall 442). The valve shaft 420 is thereby rotationally fixed relative to the collar 440 so as not to rotate therewith. Since the collar 440 is positioned relative to the collar 440 as shown above, the valve shaft 420 is secured relative to the collar 440. Figure 2 、 Figures 3A to 3E and Figure 4 The valve shaft 420 is mounted relative to the valve well 450 in the manner described for the example embodiment of the present invention, and thus the collar 440 does not rotate relative to the valve well 450, and the valve shaft 420 (which is rotationally fixed relative to the collar 440) therefore does not rotate relative to the valve well 450. Thus, axial translation of the actuatable member 410 along the actuation axis A (such as upon application of an actuation force F to the user-engaging element 430 thereof) causes axial translation of the valve shaft 420 to move the transversely extending port 422 defined therethrough relative to the transversely extending port 452 defined in the valve well 450.

[0085] The cam surface 480 of the actuating mechanism 470 provides a closed stop surface 482 for the cam follower 490 to maintain the valve shaft 420 in the closed position relative to the valve well 450. As the actuatable member 410 moves distally along the actuation axis A from the closed position to the open position, the cam follower 490 rides along the open inclined surface 484 from the closed stop surface 482 to the open stop surface 486. When the cam follower 490 is seated in the closed stop surface 482, the valve shaft 420 is maintained in a stable open position relative to the valve well 450. Even when no actuation force F is applied thereto, the valve shaft 420 can remain in this stable open position until further actuation force F is applied to move the actuatable member 410 back to the closed position. When the actuatable member 410 moves distally from the open position to the closed position along the actuation axis A, the cam follower 490 rides back from the open stop surface 482 along the closed inclined surface 488 to the closed stop surface 482, thereby transitioning the valve shaft 420 from the stable open position to the stable closed position. Optionally, the biasing element 412 biases the user engagement element 430 proximally to transition the position of the valve shaft 420 when the actuation force F applied thereto is removed, so that the valve shaft 420 moves to a stable open or closed position when the actuation force F applied to the user engagement element 430 is removed.

[0086] exist Figure 7A and Figure 7B In the example of an embodiment of the actuation mechanism 470 shown, the cam follower 490 includes a radially inwardly extending cam finger 492 that is configured to sequentially engage the closed stop surface 482, the open ramp surface 484, the open stop surface 486, and the closed ramp surface 488 of the cam surface 480 as the valve shaft 420 transitions axially along the actuation axis A and between the closed and open positions to transition the valve assembly 400 between the closed and open configurations. The cam finger 492 can be laterally offset in a direction transverse to the actuation axis A, such as to facilitate movement of the cam finger 492 relative to various features of the cam surface 480. Figure 7A In the example of the embodiment shown, the cam finger 492 is mounted on a cam biasing member 494 mounted relative to the shaft retaining wall 442 to be biased to a generally vertical neutral position (e.g., along the actuation axis A). Figure 7B In the example of the embodiment shown, the cam finger 492 is mounted on a cam biasing element 494' that is stamped from a separate wall 442' that can be positioned relative to the shaft retaining wall 442 so that the cam finger 492 can extend into the cam surface 480. For convenience and not intended to be limiting, reference herein to the cam biasing element 494 is intended to include reference to the cam biasing element 494. Figure 7B488 . In some embodiments, the cam biasing element 494 is biased away from its neutral position when the cam follower 490 is positioned relative to at least one of the stop surfaces 482, 486 and / or relative to at least one of the inclined surfaces 484, 488. For example, when positioned relative to at least one of the stop surfaces 482, 486, the cam follower 490 can be biased away from its neutral position to bias the cam finger 492 relative to the associated inclined surface 484, 488 into a suitable position to move the cam finger 492 to the other of the stop surfaces 482, 486.

[0087] exist Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B and Figure 8A In the example of the embodiment of the actuating mechanism 470 shown in FIG8E , the distal position of the valve shaft 420 closer to the distal end 401 of the valve well 450 is the open position, and the proximal position of the valve shaft 420 closer to the proximal end 403 of the valve well 450 is the closed position. However, the present invention includes the opposite configuration, and those skilled in the art may make appropriate modifications. The operation of the actuating mechanism 470 formed according to various principles of the present invention can be referred to. Figures 8A to 8D The cam follower 490 shown in FIG. 4 is to be understood with respect to the successive positions of the cam surface 480 .

[0088] Such as Figure 7A and Figure 7B The operation of the actuating mechanism 470 can be referred to Figures 8A to 8C The cam follower 209 shown in FIG is understood in relation to the successive positions of the cam surface 230. It should be understood that the user engagement element 430 of the actuable member 410 has been omitted for simplicity of illustration, but this does not mean that the actuable member 410 does not have a user engagement element 430. The valve assembly 400 is Figure 8A 4. The valve assembly 400 is shown in a closed configuration, wherein the valve shaft 420 is in a closed position and the transversely extending valve shaft port 422 is not aligned with and in fluid communication with the transversely extending valve well port 452. The cam finger 492 is positioned in the closed stop surface 482 at the distal end 488d of the closed ramp surface 488. As can be appreciated, this position can prevent further proximal movement of the valve shaft 420 (e.g., as biased toward the proximal end 403 of the valve assembly 400 by the biasing element 412) and can therefore serve as a limit stop to limit proximal movement of the valve shaft 420 relative to the valve well 450.

[0089] To convert the valve assembly 400 into the open configuration, the actuatable member 410 is moved distally, such as Figure 8BFor example, application of a distally directed actuation force F to the user engagement element 430 at the proximal end 413 of the actuatable member 410 causes the actuatable member 410 to move distally from the proximal end 403 of the valve assembly 400 toward the distal end 401 of the valve assembly 400. The cam finger 492 is positioned relative to the open ramped surface 484 of the cam surface 480 such that the cam finger 492 will ride upward along the open ramped surface 484 when distal movement of the actuatable member 410 causes the valve shaft 420, and therefore the cam surface 480, to move distally. The proximal end 484p of the open inclined surface 484 can serve as a limit stop for distal movement of the actuatable member 410 (toward the distal end 401 of the valve assembly 400) because when the cam finger 492 reaches the proximal end 484p of the open inclined surface 484, the cam finger 492 cannot move further proximally, and the valve shaft 420 cannot move further distally. It should be understood that when the cam finger 492 is positioned at the proximal end 484p of the open inclined surface 484, the cam biasing element 494 is laterally biased away from its neutral position (e.g., away from the actuation axis A, along which the cam biasing element 494 extends in a substantially vertical neutral position) and compresses the biasing element 412 of the actuatable member 410. A lateral stop 485 can be provided relative to the proximal end 484p of the open inclined surface 484 to prevent the cam biasing element 494 from returning to its neutral position.

[0090] Removal of the actuation force F from the user engagement element 430 allows the biasing element 412 to move the actuatable member 410 proximally toward the proximal end 403 of the valve assembly 400, as shown in FIG. Figure 8C 4. As shown in FIG. 4. This proximal movement of the actuatable member 410 causes proximal movement of the valve shaft 420, causing the lateral stop 485 of the cam surface 480 to also move proximally to allow the cam biasing element 494 to move laterally toward its neutral position (e.g., toward the actuation axis A). However, when the cam finger 492 moves laterally toward its neutral position and the valve shaft 420 moves proximally, the cam finger 492 engages the open stop surface 486. Further proximal movement of the valve shaft 420 is thereby inhibited, thereby maintaining the valve shaft 420 in the open configuration, as shown. Figure 8C As shown in . A lateral stop 487 may be provided along the open stop surface 486 to inhibit further lateral movement of the cam biasing element 494 toward its neutral position, thereby further stabilizing the position of the cam finger 492 relative to the open stop surface 486. The valve shaft 420 is thereby stably maintained in the open position, wherein the port 422 extending laterally from the valve shaft is in fluid communication with the port 452 extending laterally from the valve well, as shown in . Figure 8C As shown in .

[0091] To return the valve shaft 420 from the open position to the closed position, a further actuation force F is applied to the actuatable member 410 (e.g., to the user engagement element 430) in a distal direction (toward the distal end 401 of the valve assembly 400), as shown. Figure 8D As shown. The actuation force F causes the valve shaft 420 to move distally relative to the cam finger 492, so that the lateral stop 487 along the open stop surface 486 moves distally of the cam finger 492, and the cam biasing element 494 can continue to bias the cam finger 492 to its neutral position. The distal movement of the valve shaft 420 relative to the cam finger 492 also causes the cam finger 492 to move into engagement with the proximal end 488p of the closed inclined surface 488. The proximal end 488p of the closed inclined surface 488 can serve as a limit stop for the distal movement of the actuatable member 410 along the closed inclined surface 488 (toward the distal end 401 of the valve assembly 400) because when the cam finger 492 reaches the proximal end 488p of the open inclined surface 488, the cam finger 492 cannot move further proximally, and the valve shaft 420 is therefore unable to move further distally. It should be understood that when the actuatable member 410 is in Figure 8B The location shown and Figure 8C In the illustrated position, biasing element 412 is compressed and may act as a further positive stop for distal movement of actuatable member 410 relative to valve well 450 .

[0092] When the cam finger 492 is positioned at the proximal end 488p of the closed ramped surface 488, removing the actuation force F from the user engagement element 430 allows the biasing element 412 to move the actuatable member 410 proximally toward the proximal end 403 of the valve assembly 400. The proximal end 488p of the closed ramped surface 488 can be tilted to allow the cam finger 492 to move laterally, and / or the cam biasing element 494 can remain biased to allow the cam finger 492 to move laterally to the other side of the lateral stop 487 and toward the closed ramped surface 488. Thus, continued proximal movement of the valve shaft 420 (such as caused by the biasing element 412) allows the cam finger 492 to ride along the closed ramped surface 488 and return to the closed stop surface 482. Once cam finger 492 reaches closed stop surface 482, actuatable member 410 cannot move further proximally and valve shaft 420 remains in the closed position with valve shaft transversely extending port 422 not in fluid communication with valve well transversely extending port 452 until actuation force F is again applied to actuatable member 410. Actuatable member 410 is again in a neutral position, such as Figure 8A 4. As shown, with the valve shaft 420 in the closed position and the valve assembly 400 in the closed configuration.

[0093] As mentioned above, in Figure 2 、 Figures 3A to 3E and Figure 4 In the example of an embodiment of the actuatable member 210 and associated actuation mechanism 270 shown, and in Figure 5 、 6A to 6D In the illustrated example embodiment of the actuable member 310 and associated actuating mechanism 370, the associated valve shaft 220, 320 rotates between an open and closed position. However, the axial position of the valve shaft 220, 320 relative to the associated valve well 250, 350 can be in the same neutral position in both the open position and the closed position. According to various principles of the present invention, an indicator, such as a window, can be provided along the actuable member 210, 310 to indicate the position of the valve shaft 220, 320 and / or the configuration of the associated valve assembly 200, 300. For example, the position of an indicator on the valve shaft 220, 320 relative to the engagement element 230, 330 can indicate the position of the valve shaft 220, 320 relative to the user engagement element 230, and therefore relative to the collar 240 and the valve well 250 and the port 252 extending transversely of the valve well.

[0094] In addition to those discussed above, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate various further benefits of various aspects, features, components and structures of the valve shaft and associated sealing member, as well as the valve assembly and endoscope, such as described above.

[0095] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that this discussion is merely a description of illustrative examples of embodiments and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of the invention. It will be understood that the principles of the present invention can be applied to various medical devices, instruments, tools, and the like, such as, but not limited to, various medical devices, instruments, tools, and the like for accessing an anatomical site and applying suction and / or lavage thereto, including, for example, endoscopes, gastroscopes, duodenoscopes, catheters, ureteroscopes, bronchoscopes, colonoscopes, arthroscopes, cystoscopes, hysteroscopes, and the like, which have integrated features for suctioning and / or lavaging an anatomical site. Furthermore, the principles of the present invention can be applied to reusable or disposable devices, instruments, tools, and the like.

[0096] All devices and methods discussed herein are examples of devices and / or methods implemented according to one or more principles of the present invention. These examples are not the only ways to implement these principles, but are merely examples and are not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present invention. Therefore, references to elements, structures, or features in the accompanying drawings must be understood as references to examples of embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention to the specific elements, structures, or features shown. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other examples of ways to implement the disclosed principles upon reading this disclosure. For example, the various elements and components of the valve assemblies described herein may be directly or indirectly coupled or engaged to one another, regardless of how these connections are depicted in the accompanying drawings. It should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the disclosed devices, systems, and / or methods and / or the series of steps described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the present invention. It should be understood that various features described with respect to one embodiment may typically be applied to another embodiment, whether or not explicitly stated. The various features described below may be used alone or in any combination thereof. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and all alternatives and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0097] The above discussion has broad applicability and has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to limit the invention to the forms disclosed herein. It should be understood that various additions, modifications, and substitutions may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. In particular, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the principles of the invention may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, and components without departing from its concept, spirit, scope, or characteristics. For example, to simplify the invention, various features of the invention may be combined together in one or more aspects, embodiments, or forms. However, it should be understood that various features of certain aspects, embodiments, or forms of the invention may be combined in alternative aspects, embodiments, or forms. Although the invention is presented in the form of embodiments, it should be understood that the various individual features of the subject matter need not all be present in order to achieve at least some of the desired properties and / or benefits of the subject matter or such individual features. Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be used with numerous modifications or variations to the structures, arrangements, proportions, materials, components, and other features used in the practice of the invention, which modifications or variations are particularly suitable for specific environments and operational requirements without departing from the principles, spirit, or scope of the invention. For example, an element shown as being integrally formed may be composed of multiple parts or elements that are shown as being integrally formed, the operation of an element may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the size or dimensions of an element may vary. Similarly, although operations or actions or procedures are described in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such a particular order or that all operations or actions or procedures must be performed to achieve the desired result. Additionally, other embodiments are also within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims may be performed in a different order and still achieve the desired result. Therefore, the presently disclosed embodiments should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the subject matter claimed is indicated by the appended claims and is not limited to the preceding description or the specific embodiments or arrangements described or shown herein. In view of the foregoing, individual features of any embodiment may be used and may be claimed alone or in combination with features of that embodiment or any other embodiment, and the scope of the subject matter is indicated by the appended claims and is not limited to the preceding description.

[0098] In the description above and in the claims below, the following will be understood. As used herein, the phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and / or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctions and non-conjunctions in operation. The terms "one", "an", "the", "first", "second", etc. do not exclude a plurality. For example, the terms "one" or "an" entity as used herein refer to one or more of the entities. Therefore, the terms "one" (or "an"), "one or more", and "at least one" are used interchangeably herein. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally adopted in the sense of including "and / or" unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the conjunction "and" includes each of the structures, components, features, etc. so connected, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, and the conjunction "or" includes one or other of the structures, components, features, etc. so connected, individually and in any combination and quantity, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, up, down, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, counterclockwise, and / or the like) are used for identification purposes only to assist the reader in understanding the present invention and / or to distinguish areas of associated elements from one another and do not limit the associated elements, particularly the position, orientation, or use of the present invention. Unless otherwise indicated, connection references (e.g., attach, couple, connect, join, and combine) are to be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements. In this regard, connection references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and in a fixed relationship to each other. Identification references (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to imply importance or priority, but are used to distinguish one feature from another.

[0099] The following claims are hereby incorporated by this reference into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the invention. In the claims, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and "including" do not exclude the presence of other elements, parts, features, groups, regions, integers, steps, operations, etc. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these features may be advantageously combined, and inclusion in different claims does not mean that a combination of features is not feasible and / or advantageous. Furthermore, singular references do not exclude the plural. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as an example of clarification and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.

Claims

1. An actuatable member for a valve assembly of a medical device, the actuatable member having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising: a user engagement element along said proximal end thereof; as well as an axis along said distal end thereof; in: The shaft is positionable within a valve well of the valve assembly and is transitionable within the valve well along an actuation axis between an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve assembly is in an open configuration and wherein the valve assembly is in a closed configuration; as well as The actuatable member is retained in each of the open position and the closed position without application of an actuation force thereto. 2 . The actuatable member of claim 1 , wherein the actuatable member is retained in each of the open position and the closed position by an actuation feature on one of the shaft or the user engagement element.

3. An actuatable member according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the user engagement element is movable relative to the shaft.

4. An actuatable member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the user engagement element and the shaft are rotatable relative to one another to transition the shaft between the open position and the closed position.

5. An actuatable member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the user engagement element moves axially along the actuation axis and in relation to the shaft.

6. An actuatable member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the user engagement element and the shaft move axially together along the actuation axis.

7. An actuatable member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the shaft includes one of a cam surface or a cam follower, the cam surface or cam follower being configured to effect movement of the shaft between the open position and the closed position when engaged with the other of the cam surface or cam follower associated with the valve assembly.

8. The actuatable member of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shaft comprises a proximal cam surface and a distal cam surface, each extending circumferentially around the shaft.

9. An actuatable member according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the user engagement element comprises a radially inwardly directed cam follower which engages the cam surface of the shaft to rotate the shaft between the open and closed positions.

10. An actuatable member according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the cam follower alternately holds the cam surface in the open position or the closed position.

11. An actuatable member according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the shaft includes one of a movable cam follower or a vertically extending cam surface, the vertically extending cam surface having an open rest position for the cam follower and a closed position for the cam follower, in which the cam follower holds the shaft in the open position and in which the cam follower holds the shaft in the closed position.

12. The actuatable member according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the shaft rotates between the open position and the closed position.

13. The actuatable member according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the shaft is axially translated between the open position and the closed position.

14. An actuatable member according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a biasing element positioned to bias the user engagement element proximally to a neutral position, the neutral position alternating between the open position and the closed position as a distal actuation force is sequentially applied to and removed from the user engagement element.

15. A method of actuating a valve assembly of a medical device, the method comprising: applying an actuation force to an actuatable member of the valve assembly and releasing the actuation force so that the valve assembly remains in one of an open configuration or a closed configuration; as well as Additional actuation force is applied to the actuatable member and the actuation force is released, thereby leaving the valve assembly in the other of the open configuration or the closed configuration.

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