Patent ID: 6447473
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: A61B,A61M,F16K

Abstract:
A sheath assembly for use with an endoscopic medical device, comprising:a valve assembly comprising: a housing defining: an aperture, a passageway, and a branch passage extending from the aperture and intersecting and communicating with the passageway, the branch passage disposed at an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to the passageway; a piston defining an opening therethrough and disposed at least partially within the branch passage, the piston interrupting the branch passage such that the branch passage includes at least two sections, the piston being movable from a first position to a second position, the opening through the piston allowing communication between the aperture and the passageway when the piston is in the first position and the piston blocking communication between the passageway and the aperture when the piston is in the second position, the opening and the at least two sections forming a substantially straight-through and continuous pathway when the piston is in the first position; and a seal around the piston; and a sheath extending from the passageway and for passing over at least a portion of the endoscopic medical device.