Biopsy inlet valve

Abstract

A valve apparatus device provides surgical instruments with sealable access to an inlet port of an endoscope instrument channel. The valve has a hollow body with a distal end that releasably attaches to the inlet port, and a flexible diaphragm seal dividing the body into a proximal chamber and a distal chamber. An instrument opening extends through the diaphragm seal for the passage of instruments therethrough, and connects the chambers together. The diaphragm seal is configured to seal with a surgical instrument inserted into the instrument opening. At least one fluid transfer member is provided to fluidly interconnect the proximal chamber to the distal chamber when the surgical instrument is sealed within the instrument opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A valve for providing access to an inlet port of an endoscope, the valve comprising:
 a tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end configured to removably attach to the inlet port;   an internal wall separating the tubular body into a proximal chamber and a distal chamber;   a sealable opening extending through the internal wall; and   a passage between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber and remote from the sealable opening.   
     
     
         23 . The valve of  claim 22  wherein at least a portion of the internal wall is deflectable in the proximal direction. 
     
     
         24 . The valve of  claim 22  wherein at least a portion of the internal wall is deflectable in the distal direction. 
     
     
         25 . The valve of  claim 22  wherein the internal wall is a flat disk. 
     
     
         26 . The valve of  claim 22  wherein the internal wail is a tapered cone. 
     
     
         27 . The valve of  claim 22  wherein the tapered cone is tapered in the distal direction. 
     
     
         28 . The valve of  claim 22  wherein the sealable opening is a slit. 
     
     
         29 . The valve of  claim 28  comprising at least one reinforcement member adjacent to an end of the slit. 
     
     
         30 . The valve of  claim 29  wherein the at least one reinforcement member is configured to reduce crack propagation from the end of the slit. 
     
     
         31 . The valve of  claim 22  wherein the internal wall comprises a ring seal around the sealable opening. 
     
     
         32 . The valve of  claim 22  wherein the internal wall comprises at least one stiffening rib thereon to reduce deflection of the internal wall. 
     
     
         33 . The valve of  claim 22  wherein at least a portion of the valve is formed from an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         34 . A valve for providing an instrument with sealable access to an inlet port of an endoscope instrument channel, the valve comprising:
 a tubular body;   a flexible diaphragm having an opening extending therethrough and positioned within the tubular body to separate the tubular body into a proximal chamber and a distal chamber, the opening further configured to seal against an instrument when the instrument is inserted therein; and   a pressure transfer member configured to equalize pressure between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber when the opening is sealed.   
     
     
         35 . The valve of  claim 34  wherein the pressure transfer member is a passage communicating between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber and independent from the instrument opening. 
     
     
         36 . The valve of  claim 34  wherein at least a portion of the pressure transfer member is arcuate. 
     
     
         37 . The valve of  claim 34  wherein at least a portion of the pressure transfer member is straight. 
     
     
         38 . A valve for providing an instrument with sealable access to an inlet port of an endoscope, the valve comprising:
 a tubular body having a distal end, the distal end configured to removably attach to the inlet port;   a flexible seal separating the tubular body into a proximal chamber and a distal chamber, the flexible seal having an instrument opening extending therethrough and between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber;   at least one orifice connecting the proximal chamber and the distal chamber;   wherein the at least one orifice is open when the flexible seal is closed.   
     
     
         39 . The valve of  claim 38  wherein the at least one orifice connecting the proximal chamber and the distal chamber extends through the flexible seal. 
     
     
         40 . The valve of  claim 38  wherein the flexible seal comprises a plurality of orifices. 
     
     
         41 . The valve of  claim 38  wherein the instrument opening is centrally located within the flexible seal, and the flexible seal comprises three orifices equally spaced around the instrument opening.