Surgical suction regulator valve

1. A suction regulator valve adapted to be installed between a suction pump or other vacuum source and a suction tube or catheter, said valve comprising:

a hollow valve body having an outer surface with a generally transverse opening therethrough, and

a valve member slidably mounted on said valve body for generally transverse movement on said outer surface thereof, 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. The valve of claim 3 wherein said valve body and said handle portion have connector members on the outer ends thereof for attachment to a suction tube, vacuum source or the like.

5. The valve of claim 3 wherein said handle portion is connected to one end of said valve body, and further comprising a suction member attached to the other end of said valve body.

6. The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve body comprises axially spaced end walls, and said stop comprises a wall extending generally longitudinally between said end walls.

7. 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.

8. The valve of claim 7 wherein said end walls are generally elliptical in shape.

9. The valve of claim 1 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. A suction regulator valve adapted to be installed between a suction pump or other vacuum source and a suction tube or catheter, said valve comprising:

a hollow valve body having an outer surface with a generally transverse opening therethrough, and

a valve member slidably mounted on said valve body for generally transverse movement on said outer surface thereof, 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;

said valve body comprising a stop for limiting the opening and closing movement of said valve member;

wherein said valve body comprises axially spaced end walls, and said stop comprises a wall extending generally longitudinally between said end walls; and

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.

13. The valve of claim 12 wherein said valve member is in slidable engagement with said end walls.

14. A suction regulator valve adapted to be installed between a suction pump or other vacuum source and a suction tube or catheter, said valve comprising:

a hollow valve body having an outer surface with a generally transverse opening therethrough, and

a valve member slidably mounted on said valve body for generally transverse movement on said outer surface thereof, 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; and

wherein said valve body and said valve member are provided with transversely spaced indentations and complementary protrusions for removable engagement with said indentations.

15. A suction regulator valve adapted to be installed between a suction pump or other vacuum source and a suction tube or catheter, said valve comprising:

a hollow valve body having an outer surface with a generally transverse opening therethrough, and

a valve member slidably mounted on said valve body for generally transverse movement on said outer surface thereof, 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 member is in sealing engagement with the adjacent outer surface of said valve body when in said closed position;

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.

16. A suction regulator valve adapted to be installed between a suction pump or other vacuum source and a suction tube or catheter, said valve comprising:

a hollow valve body having an outer surface with a generally transverse opening therethrough, and

a valve member slidably mounted on said valve body for generally transverse movement on said outer surface thereof, 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 member is in sealing engagement with the adjacent outer surface of said valve body when in said closed position;

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.

17. The suction regulator valve of claim 16 wherein said recess in said stop and said adjacent end portion of said valve body are tapered in a complementary manner.