| CPC A61B 1/018 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00131 (2013.01); A61B 1/00066 (2013.01)] | 22 Claims |

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1. An endoscope comprising:
an insertion cord configured to be inserted into a patient's body cavity, the insertion cord including a distal tip unit;
a handle, the insertion cord extending from the handle, and the handle including a working channel access port providing access to a working channel extending from the handle to the distal tip unit of the insertion cord; and
a biopsy valve attached or attachable to the working channel access port and configured to close and seal the working channel access port while allowing insertion of a tool or instrument into the working channel, the biopsy valve including:
a valve lid comprising a lid partition wall and an insertion passage traversed by the lid partition wall, the lid partition wall including a first weakened portion and a slit, the slit formed or configured so as to close the insertion passage and provide a passageway for insertion of the tool or instrument, the slit comprising a first slit end adjacent to the first weakened portion, the first weakened portion configured to tear in a first, predetermined, tear direction starting from the first slit end.
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