Suction-irrigation equipment with control valve

Abstract

A suction irrigator, particularly for surgical use, is made as two units of plastics material. One unit is formed by a handle having first and second parallel bores which are coupled respectively to a suction source and a source of irrigating fluid. The other unit comprises a valve assembly the housing of which is formed by injection moulding. The valve assembly has two inlet conduits which are inserted within respective bores in the handle, and an outlet conduit which can be connected to one or the other of the inlet conduits by displacing a valve member. The bores extend along tubular formations in the handle which are linked along most of their length by a land but which are separated by a slit close to the valve. On the handle there is a lip positioned to engage a resilient catch on the valve member and thereby limit its displacement.