US Patent 10245042 Check valve vented sterilizable powered surgical handpiece

A steam-sterilizable powered surgical handpiece provided with a check valve for venting of an interior cavity of the handpiece. The check valve may be configured to vent steam, steam condensate or contaminants from the interior cavity during a steam sterilization cycle. The check valve may be configured to open when subjected to steam sterilization parameters to prevent gas, liquid or contaminants from potentially degrading interior components of the handpiece.