Patent ID: 8821389

Claim:
An endoscopic aspiration device for use on a manipulating head of an endoscope, to which a proximal end of an elongated insertion rod member is connected, said endoscopic aspiration device comprising a valve casing provided on said manipulating head in communication with an aspiration passage leading to a fore distal end of said insertion rod member, and a valve assembly unit composed of an assembly of a valve member and a valve guide member having a connector member extended out for connection to a proximal aspiration passage on the side of a suction source, said valve member being put in a sliding displacement along said valve guide member to bring said aspiration passage into and out of communication with said proximal aspiration passage, characterized in that said endoscopic aspiration device comprises: a coupling mechanism provided between said valve casing and said valve guide member of said valve assembly unit and adapted to couple said valve guide member with said valve casing in such a way as to permit said valve assembly unit to make turns about a center axis of said valve casing on said manipulating head; said coupling mechanism including a coupling/uncoupling mechanism with a function of bringing said valve guide member of said valve assembly unit into and out of fitting engagement with said valve casing, and a lock-in mechanism with a function of retaining said valve guide member in a coupled state within the valve casing, preventing spontaneous dislodgement of said valve assembly unit from said valve casing in said turns of said valve assembly unit; and wherein said coupling/uncoupling mechanism is a holder ring formed of a resilient material and the lock-in mechanism includes a first and second sets of gripper portions adapted to securely grip therebetween a stationary flange member at a projected of said valve casing from upper and lower sides, together with a detachable flange portion formed on the side of said valve guide member of said valve assembly unit for abutting engagement with said stationary flange member, said holder ring being formed in C-shape in cross section and provided with an expandable split portion.