Valve system for medical and veterinary appliances

Claim 2

A valve device for selectively controlling the application of suction or irrigation fluid in medical or veterinary examination units such as endoscopes, bronchoscopes and laryngoscopes, characterised by a valve body, a first outlet in said body leading to a scope shaft, a second outlet in said body communicating with said first outlet and defining a suction nipple, a third outlet in said body communicating with said first outlet and adapted to make a connection with a fluid pump, a spool valve disposed in a bore in said body movable from a first or normal position to vent the suction to atmosphere and connect the fluid pump to the first outlet, to a second position to connect the suction to the first outlet and close the connection between the fluid pump and the first outlet, and valve means disposed between the fluid pump and the first outlet operable to seal tightly when the spool valve is in said second position in response to residual suction, and operable to open when the spool valve is in said first position in response to fluid pressure from the fluid pump.

Claim 3

A device according to Claim 1 characterised in that the valve means defines a duckbill valve.

Claim 4

A valve device for selectively controlling the application of suction or irrigation fluid in medical or veterinary examination units such as endoscopes, bronchoscopes and laryngoscopes, characterised by a valve body, a first outlet in said body leading to a scope shaft, a second outlet in said body communicating with said first outlet and defining a suction nipple, a third outlet in said body communicating with said first outlet and adapted to make a connection with a fluid pump, a spool valve disposed in a bore in said body movable from a first or normal position to vent the suction to atmosphere and connect the fluid pump to the first outlet, to a second position to connect the suction to the first outlet and close the connection between the fluid pump and the first outlet, and valve means defining a duckbill valve disposed between the fluid pump and the first outlet.

Claim 5

A valve device for selectively controlling the application of suction or irrigation fluid in medical or veterinary examination units such as endoscopes, bronchoscopes and laryngoscopes, characterised by a valve body, a first outlet in said body leading to a scope shaft, a second outlet in said body communicating with said first outlet and defining a suction nipple, a third outlet in said body communicating with said first outlet and adapted to make a connection with a fluid pump, a spool valve disposed in a bore in said body movable from a first or normal position to vent the suction to atmosphere and connect the fluid pump to the first outlet, to a second position to connect the suction to the first outlet and close the connection between the fluid pump and the first outlet, and valve means defining a duckbill valve disposed between the fluid pump and the first outlet.

Claim 6

A valve device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the duckbill valve is disposed between the fluid pump and said third outlet and the bill portion of said valve is disposed so as to project toward said third outlet.

Claim 7

A valve device for selectively controlling the application of suction or irrigation fluid in medical or veterinary examination units such as endoscopes, bronchoscopes and laryngoscopes characterised by a valve body, a first outlet in said body leading to a scope shaft, a second outlet in said body communicating with said first outlet and defining a suction nipple, a third outlet in said body communicating with said first outlet and conformed to make a connection with a fluid pump, a spool valve disposed in a bore in said body movable from a first or normal position to vent suction to atmosphere and to connect the fluid pump to the first outlet to a second position to connect the suction to the first outlet and close the connection between the fluid pump and the first outlet and a valve means disposed between the fluid pump and the first outlet operable to seal tightly when the spool valve is in said second position in response to residual suction, said valve means defining a flexible duckbill valve disposed so that the bill portion thereof projects toward said first and third outlets.

Claim 8

A valve device for selectively controlling the application of suction or irrigation fluid in medical or veterinary examination units such as endoscopes, bronchoscopes and laryngoscopes characterised by a valve body, a first outlet in said body leading to a scope shaft, a second outlet in said body communicating with said first outlet and defining a suction nipple, a third outlet in said body communicating with said first outlet and conformed to make a connection with a fluid pump, a spool valve disposed in a bore in said body movable from a first or normal position to vent suction to atmosphere and to connect the fluid pump to the first outlet to a second position to connect the suction to the first outlet and close the connection between the fluid pump and the first outlet and a valve means disposed between the fluid pump and the first outlet operable to seal tightly when the spool valve is in said second position in response to residual suction, said valve means defining a flexible duckbill valve disposed so that the bill portion thereof projects toward said first and third outlets.

Claim 9

A device according to Claim 2, 3, 4 or 5 characterised in that the duckbill valve is contained within a housing.