CONTAMINATION-FREE ENDOSCOPE VALVES FOR USE WITH A DISPOSABLE ENDOSCOPE SHEATH

摘要

CONTAMINATION-FREE ENDOSCOPE VALVES FOR USE WITH A DISPOSABLE ENDOSCOPE SHEATH An endoscope and valve system specially adapted for use with a disposable sheath having a plurality of channels and respective resilient tubes extending therefrom. In one embodiment, the resilient tubes extend along grooves formed in the side of an endoscope control handle and are captured behind a pivotably mounted access door. The valve system pinches the tubes against the door. The pinching mechanism selectively releases the tubes by pressing respective valve-actuating buttons on the control handle. In another embodiment, the tubes are placed in external pinch valves which are selectively actuated by actuating switches mounted on the control handle.