Irrigation control valve for endoscopic instrument

Abstract

An improved irrigation control valve for endoscopic instruments is herein described wherein the valve body is bilaterally symmetrical and includes a housing, a plurality of valve chambers, pistons for reciprocal movement within each of said chambers, an inlet port for connection to a source of an irrigation fluid and a vacuum port for connection to a source of vacuum and symmetrical opposed fittings for mounting a probe in either one of two positions to accommodate both the right handed and left handed clinician. The design of both the pistons and valve body are unique, compatible with injection molding fabrication techniques and further provide for replacement and/or into change of the probe. Such interchange and/or replacement of the probe can be accomplished without clamping off of either the source of irrigation fluid or the source of suction because of the proximal location of the probe connection to the valve body relative to both the irrigation and suction valves. The valve body can be used in conjunction with a variety of probes and in various endoscopic procedures; one of the preferred applications of this invention being in the hydrodissection of gynecological tissue.