Abstract: A surgical assembly is provided including a surgical passer having a wire portion coupled to a handle, with the wire portion having a free distal end, an outer periphery, and at least one recess therein in a distal end region. The assembly further includes a tube element having a proximal end, a tissue penetrating distal end, and a channel extending therein from an opening at the proximal end and defined by an inner periphery. The channel has at least one projection projecting outwardly into the channel in a distal end region thereof. The outer periphery of the surgical passer is dimensioned relative to the inner periphery of the channel of the tube element so that the surgical passer is positionable within the tube element, and when so positioned, the at least one tube element projection engages the at least one surgical passer recess to removably couple the surgical passer to the tube element.

Abstract: A suction control valve is disclosed that vents to atmosphere the residual vacuum pressure presented to a suction catheter or similar device when the central bore of the valve is completely blocked by a valve member and the device that the suction control valve is controlling becomes occluded. A vent bore extends from the central bore through the valve body underneath the valve member. A vent channel is formed in the underside of the valve member longitudinally aligned with the vent bore and extending a small distance along the underside of the valve body from the end of the valve body. The length of the vent channel is such that when the valve member completely blocks the central bore, the vent channel is positioned over the vent bore thereby forming a vent path from the central bore through the vent bore and vent channel to the atmosphere. Unless the valve body is in the fully closed position, the vent bore is not aligned with the vent channel.