A piston is inserted into a piston passage of a cylinder. The piston is displaced between a first position of a non-contact state and a second position by a pressing operation. At the first position, a suction source connection port of the cylinder faces a circumferential groove of the piston and a suction source conduit communicates with an outside atmosphere. At the second position, the suction source connection port faces an outer peripheral surface opening and the suction source conduit communicates with a suction connection port. A V-shaped opening portion as a correction opening portion is formed in the outer peripheral surface opening. The V-shaped opening portion causes an increment of a communication opening width at which the suction source connection port overlaps with the outer peripheral surface opening to be three times or less an increment of a pressing stroke of the piston.

A disposable air/water valve may include a main stem providing an air passage through the center bore of the main stem. A method for manufacturing a disposable air/water valve may include several steps. The main stem is molded, and placed in a mold for over-molding seals onto the main stem. Prior to the next steps, the retaining ring, button cap, and boot may be molded. The back end of the main step is placed through the center of the retaining ring and resilient member (e.g., spring). The button cap is then placed on and secured to the main stem.

An endoscopic probe which advances within a lumen having a central valve unit. The valve unit has a central bore defining a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one valve for controlling the introduction and withdrawal of fluid into the central bore. The probe further includes a sliding tubular sheath movably disposed inside the central valve unit, and a flexible sleeve, impermeable to the fluid and sealingly anchored to the central valve unit on both distal proximal ends. The sleeve is folded over to cover both the inside and outside of the sheath to sealingly envelop the sheath and contain the fluid, together with said valve unit, while allowing sliding of the sheath. A method for providing, assembling and operating the probe is also provided.

Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating insertion of an endotracheal tube and/or for verifying the position of the endotracheal tube within an airway of a patient with respect to an anatomical landmark of a patient are disclosed. Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating removal of debris from the distal airways of a patient under direct visualization are also disclosed.

An endoscope system for delivering a fluid to a patient and retrieving for diagnostic purposes from the patient a specimen. The system includes an endoscope, a fluid container containing a fluid, and a first specimen container for receiving a specimen. The endoscope system has a first user selectable state and a second user selectable state, where the endoscope system in the first user selectable state is configured to automatically deliver the fluid from the fluid container to the patient and in the second user selectable state is configured to automatically retrieve a specimen from the patient and provide the specimen to the first specimen container.

A method is provided for reprocessing an internal channel of a medical device with a reprocessing system having a valve, a fluid line fluidly coupled with the valve, and at least one sensor coupled with the fluid line. The method includes performing an actuation of the valve to direct liquid through the fluid line and into the internal channel, and detecting with the at least one sensor a predetermined condition within the fluid line while the liquid is being directed into the internal channel. In response to detecting the predetermined condition, a time duration measured from the actuation of the valve is recorded. The method further includes purging the liquid from the internal channel, and directing liquid through the fluid line and into the internal channel for the time duration.

A portable digital rectosigmoidoscope single-handed, digital intestinal endoscope, used by suitably trained healthcare workers to digitally view the anus, rectum and distal sigmoid colon in people with anorectal symptoms at point of care.

A vent assembly configured to maintain predetermined positive and negative pressure differentials between gas within a compartment and the environment, such as a compartment defining an interior of an endoscope is provided. The vent assembly includes a first housing having an upper vent and a lower vent coupled to the compartment. A piston is movable from a closed position to a first position, and from the closed position to a second position. In the closed position the piston blocks the upper and lower vents. A positive pressure differential moves the piston so as to open the vent to allow gas to escape from the compartment. A negative pressure differential draws the piston from the closed position to a second position to allow gas to enter the compartment.

A disposable valve assembly configured for use with an endoscope is disclosed. The disposable valve assembly may include a stem comprised of thermoplastic material, a spring stanchion configured to receive the stem and allow movement of the stem in an upward and downward position relative to the spring stanchion, a spring configured to contact that spring stanchion and the stem. In some embodiments, a lubricant is disposed on the stem, the spring stanchion and/or the spring. The disposable valve assembly may also include an antimicrobial agent disposed in the lubricant, or in the thermoplastic material and/or can be coated thereon. A method for manufacturing the disposable valve assemblies for use with an endoscope may include several steps.

A suction valve including a valve body having a first portion and second portion including a sidewall extending from the first portion along a valve body longitudinal axis defining a valve body interior. The second portion has an open end forming an inlet and the side wall having an outlet. A stem is disposed in the valve body interior and operably connected to a sealing member. The sealing member has a valve seal disposed thereon. The valve seal is movable between a closed position wherein the valve seal seals the inlet and an open position wherein the inlet is unsealed. The sealing member has a flexible member extending from the stem, wherein the sealing member is angularly deflectable relative to the valve body longitudinal axis when in the open position upon operation of a fluid flowing through the inlet and the outlet.