Abstract: The cleaning valves (or valves) of the current disclosure are generally single-use devices (SUDs) and therefore disposable. Reusing SUDs can be disadvantageous, as single-use devices are not designed to be reusable. Accordingly, valves for medical devices, such as endoscopes, disclosed may be configured to transition from a first state to a second state for indication of utilization of the valve, e.g., via exposure to a valve well. The transition from the first state to the second state may prevent reuse valves of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the valve may be made from a limited number of components and materials.

Abstract: A suction valve for an endoscope (e.g., a duodenoscope) includes a valve housing, a valve spool, and a return mechanism for returning the valve spool from a manually depressed position to a home position. In the depressed position, the suction valve places the endoscope in a suction configuration for drawing fluids, tissue or other matter out from within a patient. The home position places the endoscope in a vented configuration to interrupt the suction. Various examples of the return mechanism include a resilient integral portion of the valve spool, a resilient integral portion of the valve housing, a resiliently flexible diaphragm extending radially across an annular gap between the valve spool and the valve housing, and a magnetic set affixed to the valve spool and the valve housing.

Abstract: A gas/water valve for a medical device, including a shaft and a seal assembly. The shaft may include an outer surface, a first opening, a second opening, a third opening located between the first opening and the second opening, and a bore extending from the first opening to the second opening and in fluid communication with the third opening. The seal assembly may be positioned at the third opening, extend less than an entirety of a circumference around the shaft, and selectively seal the third opening.

Abstract: A gas/water valve for a medical device, including a shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a bore extending from a first opening to a vent (e.g., a second opening) proximate the proximal end. A seal assembly may be positioned around the shaft. The seal assembly may comprise a distal sealing member including at least one gas flow aperture extending through a thickness thereof and a proximal sealing member. The proximal sealing member may be axially displaceable along the shaft.

Abstract: A medical cleaning valve (or cleaning valve) may be configured to provide cleaning functionality to air and water channels of an endoscope. One or more embodiments described herein may include cleaning valves with features and/or components that facilitate differentiating them from procedural valves. In some embodiments, valves may be made from a limited number of parts and materials, to limit their cost. For example, multiple seals may be formed as a single component, such as via overmolding. In another example, wiper seals may be used to accommodate greater manufacturing tolerances. In yet another example, the valve may have a single elastomeric component, or spring cap, which may combine the functionality of a number of components (e.g., a boot, spring, spring housing, and stem cap).

Abstract: A medical cleaning valve (or cleaning valve) may be configured to provide cleaning functionality to air and water channels of an endoscope. One or more embodiments described herein may include cleaning valves with features and/or components that facilitate differentiating them from procedural valves. In some embodiments, valves may be made from a limited number of parts and materials, to limit their cost. For example, multiple seals may be formed as a single component, such as via overmolding. In another example, wiper seals may be used to accommodate greater manufacturing tolerances. In yet another example, the valve may have a single elastomeric component, or spring cap, which may combine the functionality of a number of components (e.g., a boot, spring, spring housing, and stem cap).

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for a valve assembly for a medical device. The valve has a cap, a shaft which moves within a valve body, and a spring member between the cap and the valve body to move the valve within the body. The valve shaft and/or spring member are made of a degradable material, such as a metal or a polymer. The degradable material has a higher degradation rate than conventional valve components to reduce the environmental impact of disposing of the valve.

Abstract: A valve assembly with a valve shaft shiftable within a valve well from an off position blocking fluid communication between ports in the valve well, and an on position allowing fluid communication between such ports. The valve shaft is in a stable position in either the off position or the on position such that force need not be applied to maintain the valve shaft in either the off position or the on position once the valve shaft has been moved to such position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a medical valve are disclosed. For example, the medical valve may include a valve body including a body outlet aperture and a body inlet aperture, and an inner shaft including an inner shaft outlet aperture and an inner shaft inlet aperture, wherein the inner shaft is configured to rotate such that the medical valve transitions to an active state whereby the body inlet aperture and the inner shaft inlet aperture are substantially in alignment.

Abstract: A suction valve for endoscopes (e.g., duodenoscopes) includes a valve housing with strategic relative port sizing to provide a vented configuration and a suction configuration. In the suction configuration, the endoscope conveys suction to a distal end of the endoscope's flexible tubular probe. In the vented configuration, the suction is mostly turned off at the distal end. The valve housing has a suction source opening leading to a vacuum pump, a vent opening that can be opened to atmosphere, and a probe opening leading to a suction tube in the flexible tubular probe. In some examples, the suction source opening is larger than the vent opening, which in turn is larger than the probe opening. With such port sizing, the suction valve can switch between the vented and suction configurations without relying on any moving parts. An operator can switch to the suction configuration by simply covering the vent opening.

Abstract: An ostomy device includes a pouch, a bag, and a securing mechanism. The pouch extends from a proximal end attachable to skin surrounding a stoma exit of a patient to a distal end. The pouch includes an outlet accessible to the patient. The bag is housed within the pouch and extends from a proximal end interfacing with the exit to a distal end. The bag includes separatable sections. The mechanism secures, relative to the pouch, remaining sections that are proximal of a distal-most section. The bag is configured so that, when the distal-most section is filled with waste from the exit, the distal-most section may be detached from the remaining sections and a distal-most one of the remaining sections is securable by the mechanism relative to the pouch in a position to interface with the exit to receive further waste from the exit.

Abstract: An ostomy device includes an inflatable member and a tubing. The inflatable member defines a hole extending therethrough. The inflatable member is configured to extend about a portion of an intestine proximate a stoma. In an operative configuration, the inflatable member movable between a deflated configuration, in which the stoma is maintained in an open position, and an inflated configuration, in which the inflatable member expands to decrease a size of the hole such and close the stoma. The tubing extends from a first end connected to the inflatable member to a second end. A channel of the tubing is in communication with an interior of the inflatable member such that inflation fluid is configured to flow through the tubing to move the inflatable member between the deflated and inflated configurations.

Abstract: An endoscope (e.g., a duodenoscope) includes a bifluidic valve for controlling the flow of water and air through a flexible tubular probe to respectively irrigate or insufflate an internal cavity of a patient. Some examples of the bifluidic valve include a flexible valve seal that allows air to flow in one direction but not in reverse. Different examples of the valve seal include various features, such as a set of overlapping flexible flaps arranged in a spiral, a rubber-like disc with an array of cross-slit perforations that open in response to a positive pressure differential across the disc, a resiliently expandable cone with multiple concentric ridges, a valve spool encircled by an elastic tubular piece that can expand radially to open an air passageway in the valve spool, and an elastic tube that in reaction to being compressed or otherwise shortened bulges radially outward to block an annular air passageway.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a flow of fluid to an endoscope. An illustrative container and tube set arranged and configured to couple to an endoscope may comprise a first container configured to contain a fluid, the first container having a first port in fluid communication with a bottom portion thereof, a second container configured to contain a fluid, the second container having a first fluid inlet, wherein a first end of the first fluid inlet is coupled to the first port of the first container and a second end of the first fluid inlet is coupled to the second container, a first water supply tube, and a first gas supply tube. The first water supply tube and the first gas supply tube may each have a lumen in selective fluid communication with the second container and a second end external to the second container.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a flow of fluid to an endoscope. An illustrative container and tube set arranged and configured to couple to an endoscope may comprise, a first container configured to contain a fluid, a first water supply tube including a first lumen extending therethrough and in selective fluid communication with the first container, a first gas supply tube including a second lumen extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the first container, a second container configured to contain a fluid, a second water supply tube including a third lumen extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the second container, and a fluid flow control mechanism positioned in-line with the second water supply tube, the fluid flow control mechanism configured to selectively fluidly couple the second container with the first container.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for a valve assembly for a medical device. The valve has a cap, a stem which moves within a valve body, and a spring member between the cap and the valve body to move the valve within the body. The valve stem and/or spring member are made of a degradable material, which may be a metal. The degradable material has a higher degradation rate than conventional metal valve components to reduce the environmental impact of disposing of the valve.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for an air and water valve assembly for a medical device. The valve assembly includes a valve cap and valve stem with a central lumen running from an air inlet in the side wall of the valve stem to an air hole the valve cap. Improvements to the valve include adding an air outlet lumen, adding a seal to the air outlet lumen, and/or adding directional ribbing to a seal for water flow.

Abstract: The cleaning valves (or valves) of the current disclosure are generally single-use devices (SUDs) and therefore disposable. Reusing SUDs can be disadvantageous, as single-use devices are not designed to be reusable. Accordingly, valves for medical devices, such as endoscopes, disclosed may be configured to transition from a first state to a second state for indication of utilization of the valve, e.g., via exposure to a valve well. The transition from the first state to the second state may prevent reuse valves of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the valve may be made from a limited number of components and materials.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to devices, systems, and methods for controlling the flow of fluids in endoscopic systems, such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) enabled endoscopes. Some embodiments are particularly directed to valve sets and/or valve interface mechanisms for controlling air, water, and/or suction flow through a valve well for an endoscopic system. Several embodiments are directed to user interface mechanisms and techniques for enabling an operator to interact with and control endoscope valves. Many embodiments are directed to mechanisms and techniques for translating interface input motion into valve control motions. In one or more embodiments, the valve sets and/or valve interface mechanisms may be disposable.