Disposable air/water valve for an endoscope

Abstract

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.

1 . A method for manufacturing a disposable air/water valve comprising:
 molding a main stem; placing the main stem in a first mold, wherein at least one seal is over-molded onto the main stem; molding a retaining ring; molding a button cap; placing a back end of the main stem through the center of the retaining ring and a spring; and   placing the button cap on the main stem; and securing the button cap to the main stem.   
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the main stem is color coded. 
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the button cap is ultrasonically welded to the main stem. 
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the button cap is attached to the main stem. 
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of placing the retaining ring in a second mold, wherein a boot is over-molded onto the retaining ring. 
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the button cap centers the spring. 
     
     
         7 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for manufacturing a disposable air/water valve, the method comprising:
 molding a main stem to include a plurality of ridges and grooves disposed circumferentially about the main stem, an opening running along a longitudinal axis of the main stem that is connected to one end of the main stem; placing the main stem in a first mold, wherein at least one seal is over-molded onto the main stem to be disposed in the grooves; molding a retaining ring; molding a button cap; placing the retaining ring in a second mold, wherein a boot is over-molded onto the retaining ring; placing a resilient member in a retaining ring onto which the boot is over-molded and placing the one end of the main stem through the center of the retaining ring and a resilient member; and placing the button cap on the one end of the main stem; and securing the button cap to the main stem.   
     
     
         22 . A method of  claim 21 , wherein the main stem is color coded and the resilient member is a spring. 
     
     
         23 . A method of  claim 21 , wherein the button cap is ultrasonically welded to the main stem. 
     
     
         24 . A method of  claim 21 , wherein the button cap is attached to the main stem. 
     
     
         25 . A method of  claim 21 , wherein the button cap centers the resilient member. 
     
     
         26 . A method for manufacturing a disposable air/water valve, the method comprising:
 molding a main stem to include a plurality of ridges and grooves disposed circumferentially about the main stem, a first opening running along a longitudinal axis of the main stem that is connected to one end of the main stem, and a second opening which is disposed transverse to the first opening; placing the main stem in a first mold, wherein a plurality of seals is over-molded onto the main stem to be disposed in the grooves; molding a retaining ring; molding a button cap; placing a resilient member in a retaining ring and placing the one end of the main stem through the center of the retaining ring and a resilient member; and placing the button cap on the one end of the main stem; and securing the button cap to the main stem.   
     
     
         27 . A method of  claim 26 , further comprising the step of placing the retaining ring in a second mold, wherein a boot is over-molded onto the retaining ring. 
     
     
         28 . A method of  claim 26 , wherein the main stem is color coded and the resilient member is a spring. 
     
     
         29 . A method of  claim 26 , wherein the button cap is ultrasonically welded to the main stem. 
     
     
         30 . A method of  claim 26 , wherein the button cap is attached to the main stem. 
     
     
         31 . A method of  claim 26 , wherein the button cap centers the resilient member.