Endoscopic aspirator surgical instrument

An endoscopic aspirator instrument for use with a grasping instrument and a surgical sponge, said grasping instrument having a first diameter, said surgical sponge having a sponge volume, said aspirator instrument comprising:

• an aspiration tube having a central axis, a distal tip, said distal tip having a central distal tip opening, a proximal end, and a lumen, said lumen having a continuous circular cross-section and having a second diameter, said central distal tip having a diameter equal to said second diameter;
• a handle coupled to said proximal end of said aspiration tube;
• aspiration valve assembly means proximate said handle for connecting said lumen to a source of vacuum, and for regulating the application of vacuum to said lumen;
• cover means coupled to said handle;
• tool access port means having a size substantially equal to said first diameter, located proximate said cover means substantially concentric with said central axis for admitting said grasping instrument to said lumen;
• whereby said grasping instrument may move axially along said axis to retract said surgical sponge into said lumen defining a first position for said sponge and,
• whereby said grasping instrument may move axially along said axis to advance said surgical sponge out of said distal tip opening defining a second position for said sponge;
• said grasping instrument and said lumen together defining an aspiration area having a cross sectional area value substantially equal to the difference between said first diameter and said second diameter;
• whereby said sponge may be cleansed in said second position by aspiration through said aspiration area.