# US 7,611,490 B2 · Adjustable surgical vacuum valve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,490 B2 - Document ID: US7611490B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/055,104 - Filed: 2005-02-11 - Published: 2005-07-07 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2002-05-15 - Inventors: Kevin T. Foley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611490B2 ## CPC - A61M 1/7411: {by changing the size of a vent (in combination with changing the cross-section of the line A61M1/7413)} - A61M 1/742: {by changing the size of a vent (A61M1/7411 takes precedence)} - Y10S 604/902: Suction wands - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A suction regulator valve adapted to be installed between a suction pump or other vacuum source and a suction tube or catheter, the valve comprising a hollow valve body having an outer surface with a generally transverse or circumferential opening therethrough, and a valve member slidably mounted on the valve body for generally transverse or circumferential movement thereon. The valve member is movable between an open position wherein the opening is uncovered and a closed position wherein the valve member covers and closes the opening. The valve member is positioned for engagement by the thumb or other finger of a user to enable the movement of the valve member to cover or uncover all or a portion of the opening. The suction regulator valve may be a separate member, may have a handle portion or may be formed integrally with a suction wand or other suction device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical suction regulator valve formed of a medically suitable plastic material and being of a size and constructed to be installed between a surgical suction pump and a surgical suction catheter used for the removal of body fluids during a medical procedure, said valve comprising: a hollow valve body having a longitudinal axis with an interior flow channel extending between the outer ends thereof, said valve body having connector members on the outer ends thereof constructed for attachment to the surgical suction catheter and the surgical suction pump, said valve body having an outer surface with an elongated opening therethrough extending generally transverse to said longitudinal axis, and a valve member slidably mounted on said valve body for generally transverse movement on said outer surface thereof adjacent to said elongated opening, said valve member being movable between an open position wherein said opening is uncovered and a closed position wherein said valve member covers and closes said opening; wherein said valve body and said valve member are constructed to enable the incremental movement of said valve member relative to said valve body and the retention of said valve member in a desired position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve member is positioned for engagement by the thumb or other finger of a user to enable the movement of said valve member to cover or uncover all or a portion of said opening. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve body comprises a hollow handle portion connected thereto and positioned to enable the gripping thereof by one hand of a user and the engagement of said valve member by the thumb or other finger of the one hand of the user. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The valve of claim 3 wherein said handle portion is connected to one end of said valve body, and further comprising a surgical suction tube attached to the other end of said valve body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve body comprises a stop for limiting the opening and closing movement of said valve member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The valve of claim 5 wherein said valve body comprises axially spaced end walls, and said stop comprises a wall extending generally longitudinally between said end wails. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The valve of claim 6 wherein said valve body is of generally cylindrical configuration, said valve member is of generally annular shape, and said opening is a generally circumferential slot. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The valve of claim 7 wherein said end walls of said valve body are generally elliptical in shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The suction regulator valve of claim 6 wherein said outer surface of said valve body is recessed between said end walls, and said valve member is slidable on said outer surface between said end walls. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The valve of claim 9 wherein said valve member is in slidable engagement with said end walls. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve body is of generally cylindrical configuration, said valve member is of generally annular shape, and said opening is a generally circumferential slot. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The suction regulator valve of claim 1 wherein said valve member is in sealing engagement with the adjacent outer surface of said valve body when in said closed position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The suction regulator valve of claim 12 wherein said valve member is formed of a flexible and resilient material to enable it to be drawn into sealing engagement with the adjacent outer surface of said valve body when in said closed position. ### Claim 14 A unitary adjustable surgical suction device comprising: a surgical suction catheter of a size suitable for use in the removal of body fluids during surgery or other medical procedures; a surgical suction regulator valve connected to said suction catheter and being formed of a medically suitable plastic material; a hollow handle member connected to said suction regulator valve; and a surgical connector member connected to said handle member; wherein said valve comprises a hollow valve body having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface with an elongated opening therethrough extending generally transverse to said longitudinal axis , and a valve member slidably mounted on said valve body for generally transverse movement on said outer surface thereof adjacent to said elongated opening, said valve member being movable between an open position wherein said opening is uncovered and a closed position wherein said valve member covers and closes said opening; wherein said valve body and said valve member are constructed to enable the incremental movement of said valve member relative to said valve body and the retention of said valve member in a desired position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The suction device of claim 14 wherein said suction regulator valve is connected at one end to the inner end of said suction catheter, said handle member is connected at its inner end to the other end of said suction regulator valve, and said suction connector member is connected to the outer end of said handle member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The suction device of claim 14 wherein said valve member is positioned for engagement by the thumb or other finger of a user when the handle member is gripped by the hand of the user. ### Claim 17 A surgical suction regulator valve formed of a medically suitable plastic material and being of a size and constructed to be installed between a surgical suction pump and a surgical suction catheter used for the removal of body fluids during a medical procedure, said valve comprising: a hollow valve body having a longitudinal axis with an interior flow channel extending between the outer ends thereof, said valve body having connector members on the outer ends thereof constructed for attachment to the surgical suction catheter and the surgical suction pump, said valve body having an outer surface with an elongated opening therethrough extending generally transverse to said longitudinal axis, and a valve member slidably mounted on said valve body for generally transverse movement on said outer surface thereof adjacent to said elongated opening, said valve member being movable between an open position wherein said opening is uncovered and a closed position wherein said valve member covers and closes said opening; wherein said valve body comprises a stop for limiting the opening and closing movement of said valve member, and said stop has a recess near said outer surface of said valve body which is positioned to receive the adjacent end portion of said valve member as it is being moved to said closed position to urge it into sealing engagement with the adjacent outer surface of said valve body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The suction regulator valve of claim 17 wherein said recess in said stop and said adjacent end portion of said valve body are tapered in a complementary manner.