Endoscopic electrosurgical suction-irrigation instrument

An endoscopic suction/irrigation instrument capable of use with a probe means, comprising:

• a) a fluid chamber having a proximal end and an open distal end with a separate suction port and a separate irrigation port located therebetween and in fluid communication with said fluid chamber;
• b) a hollow cannula communicating with said distal end of said fluid chamber, said hollow cannula and said fluid chamber forming a fluid flow path;
• c) a first automatic valve means covering said proximal end of said fluid chamber, said first automatic valve means for permitting the probe means to be inserted through said automatic valve means and into and through said fluid chamber and for preventing leakage of fluid out said proximal end of said fluid chamber when the probe means is in place in said fluid chamber in a first mode, and said first automatic valve means for automatically closing said proximal end of said fluid chamber when the probe means is withdrawn from said fluid chamber in a second mode and for preventing leakage of fluid out said proximal end of said fluid chamber in said second mode;
• d) a suction valve means for selectively coupling a suction tube to said fluid chamber via said suction port;
• and
• e) an irrigation valve means for selectively coupling an irrigation tube to said fluid chamber via said irrigation port.