Suction valve with outwardly biased shaft for endoscopes

Abstract

A device, system, and method for a suction valve assembly for a medical device. The suction valve assembly includes a valve member having a valve shaft that slides within a valve well. The valve shaft includes one or more slits and is biased to expand outward and compress the inner wall of the valve well.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to valve assemblies and methods, and more particularly to a suction valve assembly and method for an endoscope.

Background Art

[0002] A wide variety of in-vivo medical devices and systems have been developed for medical applications, such as endoscopic procedures. Some of these devices and systems include guide wires, catheters, catheter systems, endoscopic instruments, and the like. These devices and systems are manufactured by any one of a variety of different manufacturing methods and can be used according to any one of a variety of methods. Each of the known medical devices, systems, and methods has certain advantages and disadvantages. There is a continuing need to provide alternative medical devices and systems, as well as alternative methods for manufacturing and using medical devices and systems.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure provides alternatives for the design, materials, manufacturing methods, and use of medical devices and medical systems. In a first example, a suction valve assembly for a medical device includes a valve body having a cylindrical valve well with an inner wall, an inlet channel in fluid communication with the valve well, and an outlet channel in fluid communication with the valve well, and a valve member having a valve shaft, the valve member having an inlet opening and being positioned within the valve well so as to slide along the inner wall between a closed position in which the inlet opening abuts a portion of the inner wall and an open position in which the inlet opening is aligned with the inlet channel of the valve body. The valve shaft may have one or more slits extending through a side surface of the shaft and allowing the valve shaft to expand outwardly, and the valve shaft is biased to expand outwardly to a diameter greater than the inner diameter defined by the inner wall of the cylindrical valve well.

[0004] In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the valve member may include a cap accessible from the outside of the valve body, which is mechanically in communication with the valve shaft such that the valve shaft slides to the open position when the cap is actuated.

[0005] In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the valve member may include a neck that connects the valve cap to the valve shaft. In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the neck may include a flat portion and a rounded portion that are shaped to resist the rotation of the valve member within the valve body.

[0006] In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the valve well may extend for the length of the longest dimension of the valve body between the top surface of the valve body and the bottom surface opposite it. In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the inlet channel may be located within the inner wall of the valve well.

[0007] In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the outlet channel may be located within the bottom surface of the valve body. In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the valve shaft may have only one slit extending through the side of the shaft, allowing the valve shaft to expand outward.

[0008] In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the valve shaft may have multiple slits extending along the sides of the shaft, allowing the valve shaft to expand outward.

[0009] In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the two slits may be located on either side of the valve shaft. In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the valve member may include multiple ribs that cross one or more slits within the valve shaft.

[0010] In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the valve member may be made from a single, uniform piece of material. In place of or in addition to any of the above examples, the suction valve assembly may further include a valve skirt having one or more wedge members, the valve skirt being configured such that when the valve shaft is in the closed position, each of the one or more wedge members presses against one or more slits in the valve shaft, thereby biasing the valve shaft outward toward the inner wall of the valve well.

[0011] In place of or in addition to any of the examples above, the valve member may be made of polycarbonate plastic. In another example, an endoscopic surgical device comprises an endoscope probe, a suction valve assembly according to one of the examples above, and a suction source that is in fluid communication with the inlet channel of the suction valve assembly, and by opening the valve, suction is provided to the endoscope probe from the inlet channel, through the valve well, into the outlet channel. The outlet passage of the suction valve assembly is in fluid communication with the endoscope probe.

[0012] In another example, a suction valve assembly may be intended for use in an endoscope having a lumen configured to extend into a patient's body lumen. The suction valve assembly comprises a valve member having a valve body and a valve shaft, the valve member having a cylindrical valve well with an inner wall, an inlet channel communicating fluid with the valve well, and an outlet channel communicating fluid with the valve well, the valve member having an inlet opening and being positioned in the valve well such that it slides along the inner wall between a closed position in which the inlet opening abuts against a portion of the inner wall and an open position in which the inlet opening is aligned with the inlet channel of the valve body. The valve shaft may have one or more slits extending through the side of the shaft, allowing the valve shaft to expand outward, and the valve shaft is biased to expand outward to a diameter greater than the inner diameter defined by the inner wall of the cylindrical valve well.

[0013] These and other features and advantages of this disclosure will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, and the scope of the claimed invention is set forth in the attached claims. The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and constituting part of this specification illustrate various embodiments and, together with the descriptions, serve to illustrate the intent of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of the components of an example endoscope is shown. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of the components of an exemplary endoscopic system is shown. [Figure 3A] A schematic perspective view of an exemplary suction valve component is shown. [Figure 3B] Figure 3A shows a side view of an exemplary suction valve member. [Figure 3C] Figures 3A and 3B are side views of a suction valve assembly including an exemplary suction valve member, showing the suction valve assembly in its first embodiment. [Figure 3D] Figure 3C is a side view of the suction valve assembly, showing the suction valve assembly in its second form. [Figure 4] A schematic side view of an exemplary suction valve component is shown. [Figure 5] A schematic side view of an exemplary suction valve component is shown. [Figure 6A] A schematic perspective view of an exemplary suction valve component is shown. [Figure 6B] Figure 3A shows a first side view of an exemplary suction valve member. [Figure 6C] Figure 6A shows a side view of the opposite side of the exemplary suction valve member. [Figure 7A] An exploded schematic perspective view of an exemplary suction valve member and valve skirt is shown. [Figure 7B] Figure 7A shows an exploded side view of an exemplary suction valve member and valve skirt. [Figure 7C] Figures 7A and 7B show cross-sectional views of an exemplary suction valve assembly in the closed position, including the suction valve member and valve skirt. [Figure 7D] FIG. 7A-7C show cross-sectional views of an exemplary suction valve assembly including a suction valve member and a valve skirt in an open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Although the present disclosure can accept various modifications and alternative forms, details thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail. However, it should be understood that the intention is not to limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative forms that fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0016] The present disclosure is now described with reference to an exemplary medical system that can be used in endoscopic medical procedures. However, it should be noted that this reference to a particular procedure is provided for convenience only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the concepts underlying the disclosed devices and related methods of use can be utilized in any suitable procedure, medical or otherwise. The present disclosure can be understood by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, where like elements are referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0017] All numerical values are assumed to be modified by the term "about" whether explicitly indicated or not in this specification. The term "about" in the context of numerical values generally refers to a range of numbers that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider equivalent (e.g., having the same function or result) to the recited value. In many cases, the term "about" may include numbers rounded to the nearest significant digit. Other uses of the term "about" (e.g., in contexts other than numerical values) are understood from the context of this specification and may be assumed to have their ordinary and customary definitions consistent with the context of this specification, unless otherwise specified.

[0018] Numerical ranges indicated by endpoints include all numbers within that range, including the endpoint (for example, 1-5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5). While several appropriate dimensions, ranges, and / or values ​​are disclosed for various components, features, and / or specifications, a person skilled in the art, driven by this disclosure, will understand that desired dimensions, ranges, and / or values ​​may deviate from those expressly disclosed.

[0019] Where used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include multiple references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Where used herein and in the appended claims, the term “or” is used generally to include “and / or” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For ease of understanding, note that certain features of this disclosure may be described in the singular, even if those features may be multiple or repeated within the embodiments in which they are disclosed. Each example of a feature includes and / or may be encompassed by a singular disclosure unless it is expressly stated otherwise. For the purposes of simplicity and clarity, not all elements of this disclosure are necessarily shown in each figure or described in detail below. However, it will be understood that the following descriptions may apply equally to any and / or all of the more than one component unless it is expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, for clarity, not all examples of some elements or features are shown in each figure.

[0020] References to “embodiments,” “some embodiments,” and “other embodiments” in this specification should be noted to indicate that while the embodiments described may include certain features, structures, or characteristics, not all embodiments necessarily include those particular features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Moreover, where certain features, structures, or characteristics are described in relation to an embodiment, it would be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art that, whether explicitly described or not, those features, structures, or characteristics would result in other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise. In other words, the various individual elements described below, even if not explicitly shown in specific combinations, are considered combinable or configurable with each other to form other additional embodiments or to complement and / or enhance the embodiments described, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0021] For clarity, certain identifying numerical nomenclature (e.g., First, Second, Third, Fourth, etc.) may be used throughout the description and / or claims to name and / or distinguish various features of the description and / or claims. It should be understood that numerical nomenclature is not intended to be limiting, but merely illustrative. In some embodiments, for brevity and clarity, modifications and deviations from previously used numerical nomenclature may be made. That is, a feature identified as the “First” element may later be referred to as the “Second” element, the “Third” element, and so on, or may be omitted entirely, and / or a different feature may be referred to as the “First” element. The meaning and / or names in each example will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0022] The detailed description is intended to illustrate the disclosure, but not to limit it. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various elements described may be arranged in various combinations and configurations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The detailed description illustrates exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary endoscope 100 is shown, and Figure 2 shows an exemplary endoscope system 200. The endoscope 100 may include an elongated tube or shaft 100a configured to be inserted into a subject (e.g., a patient).

[0024] The light source 205 of the endoscope system 200 can supply illumination light to the distal portion 100b of the endoscope 100. The distal portion 100b of the endoscope 100 may house an imaging device (e.g., a CCD or CMOS imaging device) (not shown). The light source 205 (e.g., a lamp) may be located within an image processing unit 210 that processes signals input from the imaging device and outputs the processed image signal to an image monitor (not shown) for viewing. The image processing unit 210 may also function as a component of an air supply / water supply circuit by housing a pressurizing pump 215, such as an air supply pump, within the unit 210.

[0025] The endoscope shaft 100a may include a distal tip 100c (e.g., a distal tip unit) located at the distal portion 100b of the shaft 100a, and a flexible bending portion 105 located proximal to the distal tip 100c. The flexible bending portion 105 may include an articulation joint (not shown) to assist in maneuvering the distal tip 100c. On the end face 100d of the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100, there is a gas / lens cleaning nozzle 220 for supplying gas to ventilate the inside of the patient in the treatment area and for supplying water to clean the lens covering the imaging device. An irrigation opening 225 on the end face 100d supplies irrigation fluid to the treatment area of ​​the patient. An illumination window (not shown) for transmitting illumination light to the treatment area and an opening 230 to a working channel 235 extending along the shaft 100a for passing a tool through the treatment area may also be included on the face 100d of the distal tip 100c. The working channel 235 may extend along the shaft 100a to a proximal channel opening 110 located distal to the operating handle 115 (e.g., the proximal handle) of the endoscope 100. A biopsy valve 120 may be used to seal the channel opening 110 to prevent unwanted fluid leakage.

[0026] The operating handle 115 may be provided with knobs 125 for providing remote four-way steering of the distal end via wires connected to articulated joints in a bendable flexible portion 105 (for example, one knob controls up-down steering, and another controls left-right steering). Multiple video switches 130 for remotely operating the video processing unit 210 may be located on the proximal end of the handle 115.

[0027] The handle 115 may be provided with a dual valve position 135. One of the valve positions 135 may receive a gas / water valve 140 for operating the venting gas and lens cleaning fluid supply operation. The gas supply line 240a and the lens cleaning fluid supply line 245a extend distally from the gas / water valve 140 along the shaft 100a and converge at the distal tip 100c proximal to the gas / cleaning fluid nozzle 220 (Figure 2).

[0028] Another valve position 135 may accommodate a suction valve 145 for operating the suction action. The suction supply line 250a may extend distally along the shaft 100a from the suction valve 145 to a junction that fluidly communicates with the working channel 235 of the endoscope 100.

[0029] The operating handle 115 may be electrically and fluidly connected to the image processing unit 210 via a flexible umbilical 260 and a connector portion 265 extending between them. The flexible umbilical 260 has a gas (e.g., air or CO2) supply line 240b, a lens cleaning fluid supply line 245b, a suction supply line 250b, an irrigation supply line 255b, an optical guide (not shown), and an electrical signal cable (not shown). When the connector portion 265 is inserted into the image processing unit 210, it connects the light source 205 in the image processing unit to the optical guide. The optical guide extends along the length of the umbilical 260 and the endoscope shaft 100a, transmitting light to the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100. The connector portion 265, when plugged into the video processing unit 210, also connects the air pump 215 to the gas supply line 240b inside the umbilical 260.

[0030] A water reservoir or container 270 (e.g., a water bottle) may be fluidly connected to the endoscope 100 through the connector portion 265 and the umbilical 260. A gas supply pipe 240c of a certain length passes from one end, located in the gap 275 between the top 280 of the reservoir 270 (e.g., a bottle cap) and the remaining water 285 in the reservoir, to a removable gas / lens cleaning fluid connector 290 outside the connector portion 265. A gas supply line 240b from the umbilical 260 branches within the connector portion 265 to fluidly communicate with the gas supply pipe 240c at the removable gas / lens cleaning fluid connector 290, as well as with the air pump 215. A lens cleaning fluid tube 245c of a certain length may penetrate the top 280 of the reservoir 270 to a removable connection 290 identical to the gas supply tube 240c of the connector portion 265, with one end positioned at the bottom of the reservoir 270. In other embodiments, the connections may be separate and / or separated from each other. The connector portion 265 may also have a removable irrigation connection 293 for an irrigation supply tube (not shown) extending from an irrigation water source (not shown) to an irrigation supply line 255b in the umbilical 260. In some embodiments, the irrigation water is supplied from a water source (not shown) independent of the water reservoir 270 via a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump). In other embodiments, the irrigation supply tube and the lens cleaning fluid tube 245c may source water from the same reservoir. The connector portion 265 may also include a removable suction connector 295 for suction supply lines 250b and 250a that fluidly connect a vacuum source (e.g., hospital house suction) (not shown) to the umbilical 260 and endoscope 100.

[0031] The gas supply line 240b and the lens cleaning fluid supply line 245b are fluidly connected to valve position 135 for the gas / water valve 140, and the operation of the gas / water valve in the well may be configured to control the supply of gas or lens cleaning fluid to the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100. The suction supply line 250b is fluidly connected to valve position 135 for the suction valve 145, and the operation of the suction valve 145 in the well is configured to control the suction applied to the working channel 235 of the endoscope 100.

[0032] The suction valve 145 may be configured to enable or prevent suction and / or suction effect within the working channel 235. When the suction valve 145 is in the closed position (e.g., first embodiment), the suction fluid flow through the working channel 235 can be blocked by the suction valve 145. When suction is desired within the working channel 235, the operator or user may actuate the suction valve 145 to the open position (e.g., second embodiment) (e.g., by pressing a button on the valve and / or actinguate the suction valve 145 in one or more other preferred manners). When the suction valve 145 is in the open position, the flow channel inside the suction valve may be connected to a suction device coupled to the working channel 235 at the suction connection 295, which can generate negative pressure that draws fluid in and out of the working channel 235 through an outlet provided within the suction valve. When the operator or user releases the suction valve 145, the valve 145 returns to its closed position, which can reduce or block the suction fluid flow from the work channel 235.

[0033] In some cases, the suction valve 145 can direct the suction fluid flow through the endoscope system 200 depending on the path of least resistance. In some cases, once the suction pump is turned on for the procedure, the pump remains on throughout the procedure, continuously drawing air from the flexible umbilical 260, and then drawing fluid from the line side of the endoscope 100, which rises the umbilical 260 and connects to the port in the suction valve 145. When the suction valve 145 is in a first position and / or configuration (e.g., closed position), the suction force or negative pressure from the suction pump is blocked from the working channel 235, and fluid can be drawn from the atmosphere through the suction valve 145. When the suction valve 145 is actuated to a second position and / or configuration (e.g., the open position) (e.g., when a button or cap associated with the suction valve 145 is pressed and / or actuated in one or more other suitable configurations), the opening from the atmosphere to the suction pump through the suction valve 145 can be effectively closed or blocked by the suction valve 145, and the flow path between the working channel 235 and the suction pump through the suction valve 145 can be opened. Thus, the fluid moving to the suction pump can follow a path of least resistance, which may vary depending on whether the suction valve 145 is in a first position (e.g., the closed position) or a second position (e.g., the open position).

[0034] In some cases, the valve stem of the suction valve 145 may be configured to have a valve well and an interlocking fit configured to receive the valve stem within the endoscope 100. In such a suction valve 145, when the valve stem is in a first position, the interlocking fit blocks the flow path or increases resistance to flow between the working channel 235 and the suction pump, while reducing resistance to flow between the atmosphere and the suction pump. Similarly, when the valve stem is in a second position, the interlocking fit blocks the flow path or increases resistance to flow between the atmosphere and the suction pump, while reducing resistance to flow between the working channel 235 and the suction pump.

[0035] The suction valve 145, configured to block flow using an interference fit between the valve stem and the valve well, requires a precisely manufactured valve stem. The precision required to manufacture a suction valve with an interference fit necessitates expensive materials (e.g., metal), high-precision machinery, and is time-consuming to achieve.

[0036] In addition, the suction valve 145, which has a compression-fit valve stem and valve well, is manufactured to have at least some clearance so that the valve stem can adjust its position within the valve well. This clearance may result in leakage during use, which can lead to two problems that a physician may notice. First, when the suction valve 145 is in the position intended to block suction from the working channel 235, there is still some suction flow passing through the working channel 235 and the suction valve 145 to the suction pump. The smaller the clearance between the valve stem and the valve well, the less unwanted flow will be generated through the working channel 235, and the larger the clearance, the more unwanted flow will be generated through the working channel 235, but the clearance is necessary to facilitate the movement of the valve stem within the valve well. In such a configuration of the suction valve 235, even when the suction valve 145 is in a position intended to block the suction flow from the working channel 235 when the flow is actively moving upward through the working channel 235, the user may perceive the suction as "poor blowing" due to the suction of the suction pump drawing a certain volume from the body lumen in which the user is working. Secondly, when the valve stem of the suction valve 145 is positioned in the valve well to facilitate the suction flow between the working channel 235 and the suction pump through the suction valve 145, the flow from the atmosphere to the suction pump may not be completely blocked. Any such leakage from the atmosphere may reduce the pressure difference between the suction valve and the distal end of the working channel 235, which leads to a reduction in suction force or negative pressure, a reduction in flow velocity, and airflow to the suction pump through the flow path.

[0037] A suction valve 145 configured to operate by a compression-fit valve stem and valve well may perform well when intended for reuse in multiple procedures, as the price point of such a suction valve may be high enough to justify manufacturing the suction valve 145 with the required precision from materials that can achieve and maintain the desired tolerances over the lifespan of the reusable suction valve 145. However, the price point of a single-use suction valve may make it impossible to use the necessary materials, tools, and / or precision manufacturing required to achieve and / or maintain tolerances over the lifespan of the single-use suction valve.

[0038] The suction valve configurations for the endoscope 100 and / or other suitable scopes discussed herein are configured to address the aforementioned concerns with existing suction valves and to mitigate and / or eliminate leakage along the unintended flow path through the suction valve 145. Figure 3A shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary suction valve member 300 configured to address these concerns.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3A, the suction valve member 300 includes a cap 302, a valve neck 304, and a valve shaft 310. The valve shaft 310 further includes an inlet opening 312 and a shaft slit 314. In this embodiment of member 300, the shaft 300 includes two symmetrical slits 314 arranged radially opposite to each other along the shaft side wall.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment, the valve neck may have a perfectly circular cross-section, but Figure 3A shows a valve neck 304 having alternating flat and curved surfaces corresponding to the shape of the opening of the valve body. This prevents the valve member 300 from rotating relative to the valve body, ensuring that the correct passages are aligned when the valve is open and that the correct passages are blocked when the valve is closed.

[0041] In the side view of member 300 shown in Figure 3B, it can be seen that the side wall of shaft 310 flares outward when unrestrained. This angle may be less than, for example, 5 degrees and may be a natural consequence of valve manufacturing, as will be further described herein. The deformation regions 316 at the top of each slit 314 within shaft 310 can contract, allowing the lower part of shaft 310 to move between the flared angle shown in Figure 3B and the substantially parallel angle shown in Figures 3C and 3D.

[0042] Figures 3C and 3D show a valve member 300 interacting with a valve body 320 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The valve body 320 includes a valve well 322, an inlet passage 324, and an outlet passage 326. In Figure 3C, the side wall of the valve shaft 310 blocks the inlet passage 324, and the valve is closed.

[0043] When the user presses the cap 302, the valve member 300 slides downward within the valve well 322 until the inlet opening 312 aligns with the passage 324, opening the valve as shown in Figure 3D. The passage 324 is in fluid communication with the suction source, and as a result, the fluid flows in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0044] The outward bias of the valve shaft 310 presses the shaft against the valve well 322 in both the open and closed positions. In the closed position, this force helps maintain a seal between the side wall of the shaft 310 and the inlet passage 324 in the region 328a, indicated by the dotted circle in Figure 3C.

[0045] The outward bias of the valve shaft 310 also acts to seal the air channel when the valve is open. The shaft 310 is pressed against the lower wall of the passage 324 in the region 328b, indicated by the dotted circle in Figure 3D.

[0046] Other designs for valve members are also possible, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Valve member 400 has a slit 414 but has a shaft 410 with added ribs 418. The ribs 418 provide additional strength to the shaft 410 and resist inward deformation of the shaft wall. Similarly, the shaft 510 of valve member 500 includes ribs 518 within the slit 514, which can yield more than the ribs 418, while still providing some additional support due to the intermediate angle at each rib 518.

[0047] Figures 6A–6C show another embodiment of a valve member 600 in which the valve shaft 610 has one slit 614 instead of two slits. Depending on the degree of deformation required for a particular valve configuration, any two-slit design described herein may potentially be fabricated using only one slit. In some implementations, the slits may be of different sizes or shapes to accommodate the absence of a corresponding slit on the opposite side. Furthermore, although the slits herein are shown perpendicular to the inlet opening (i.e., positioned 90 degrees around the shaft wall with respect to the inlet opening), it will be understood that if asymmetric deformation of the shaft is preferred, the slits may actually be positioned in other relative positions.

[0048] Figures 7A to 7D show embodiments of a suction valve including both a valve member 700 and a valve skirt 730. The valve skirt 730 includes a neck opening 732 that is sized and shaped to accommodate a valve neck 704.

[0049] The valve member 700 has a tapered slit 714 that opens at the top of the valve shaft 710. A wedge 734 protruding from the underside of the valve skirt 730 fits into the tapered slit 714 when the valve is in the closed position, pushing the side of the valve shaft 710 outward.

[0050] The valve skirt 730 and one or more wedges 734 remain stationary with the valve body 720. When the valve member 700 is positioned to close the valve, as shown in Figure 7C, one or more wedges 734 push the valve shaft 710 outward, which presses the shaft wall against the inlet passage 724, creating a seal against suction within the circled region 728.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7D, when the user presses the cap 702, the valve member 700 slides downward within the valve well 322 until the inlet opening 712 aligns with the passage 724, allowing flow into the valve member 700. At the same time, one or more wedges 734 disengage from the sides of the valve shaft 710, allowing the sides of the valve shaft 710 to relax inward.

[0052] The valve component can be manufactured from relatively inexpensive materials suitable for single-use disposal. The cap, neck, and shaft may be manufactured continuously from a single piece of polycarbonate plastic, or each component may be manufactured from separate pieces of plastic and then assembled together. Each component of the valve component may be made from the same or similar material in some implementations, and the thickness and dimensions of each piece are selected to provide the required elasticity and hardness.

[0053] In some implementations, the valve shaft may be injection-molded or extruded while one or more of the openings and / or slits are not yet present, and then the portion of the shaft may be removed to form the openings and / or slits using tooling, cutting, or another suitable technique. In some implementations, the ribs, flanges, wedges, and other smaller features may be cut from the same original material piece as the surrounding components, or formed separately (from the same or different material) and then mounted as shown.

[0054] It should be understood that this disclosure is illustrative in many respects. Modifications can be made in detail, particularly with respect to shape, size, and step arrangement, without exceeding the scope of this disclosure. This may include, to the appropriate extent, the use of any feature of one exemplary embodiment used in other embodiments. The scope of the invention is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A valve body having a cylindrical valve well with an inner wall, an inlet channel that communicates fluid with the valve well, and an outlet channel that communicates fluid with the valve well, and A valve member having a valve shaft, the valve member having an inlet opening, and positioned within the valve well such that it slides along the inner wall between a closed position in which the inlet opening abuts against a part of the inner wall and an open position in which the inlet opening is aligned with the inlet channel of the valve body, A suction valve assembly for a medical device, wherein the valve shaft has one or more slits extending through the side surface of the shaft, allowing the valve shaft to expand outward, and the valve shaft is biased to expand outward to a diameter greater than the inner diameter defined by the inner wall of the cylindrical valve well.

2. The suction valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve member further comprises a cap accessible from the outside of the valve body, the cap mechanically communicating with the valve shaft such that the valve shaft slides to the open position when the cap is actuated.

3. The suction valve assembly according to claim 2, wherein the valve member further comprises a neck for connecting the valve cap to the valve shaft.

4. The suction valve assembly according to claim 3, wherein the neck includes a flat portion and a rounded portion that are shaped to resist the rotation of the valve member within the valve body.

5. The suction valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the valve well extends for the length of the longest dimension of the valve body between the top surface of the valve body and the bottom surface opposite to the top surface of the valve body.

6. The suction valve assembly according to claim 5, wherein the inlet channel is located within the inner wall of the valve well.

7. The suction valve assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the outlet channel is located within the bottom surface of the valve body.

8. The suction valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the valve shaft has only one slit extending through the side of the shaft, allowing the valve shaft to expand outward.

9. The suction valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the valve shaft has two slits extending through the side surface of the shaft, allowing the valve shaft to expand outward.

10. The suction valve assembly according to claim 9, wherein the two slits are located on both sides of the valve shaft.

11. The suction valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the valve member comprises a plurality of ribs that cross the one or more slits in the valve shaft.

12. The suction valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the valve member comprises a single, uniform piece of material.

13. The suction valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a valve skirt having one or more wedge members, wherein when the valve shaft is in the closed position, each of the one or more wedge members is pressed against one of the one or more slits of the valve shaft, thereby biasing the valve shaft outward toward the inner wall of the valve well.

14. The suction valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the valve member is made of polycarbonate plastic.

15. Endoscopic probe and A suction valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the outlet passage of the assembly is in fluid communication with the endoscope probe, An endoscopic surgical device comprising a suction source that is in fluid communication with the inlet channel of the suction valve assembly, and which, by opening the valve, provides suction to the endoscope probe from the inlet channel through the valve well to the outlet channel.

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