Swab for laparoscopy

A swab comprising:

• a substantially cylindrical, straight outer hollow shank with a shank handle end and a shank working end;
• a rigid shaft movably received in said shank, said shaft having a shaft handle end generally aligned with the shank handle end and a shaft working end generally aligned with said shank working end;
• absorbent tip means for absorbing, said absorbent tip means operably and removably carried at the shaft working end and including generally opposed first and second ends and a body extending between said first and second ends, said body having a cross-sectional area, said first end carrying an absorbent material, a neck extending from said second end of said body, said neck having a terminal end and a central portion having a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of said body;
• a spring for constantly urging said absorbent tip means toward said shank handle end, said spring operably coupled between said shank and said shaft;
• and
• connecting means for operably connecting said absorbent tip means to said shaft, said connecting means comprising:
• a transverse opening in said shaft adjacent to the shaft working end and a cut away extending between said opening and said shaft working end, said opening for being aligned with and receiving said terminal end and said cut away area for being aligned with said central portion.