Endoscopic aspirator surgical instrument

Claim 2

An endoscopic aspirator instrument for use with a grasping instrument said grasping instrument having a first diameter, said aspirator instrument comprising: a substantially straight aspiration tube having a central axis said aspiration tube having a continuous circular cross-section, a distal tip, a proximal end, and a single lumen, said lumen having a circular cross-section and having a 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; said grasping instrument and said lumen together defining an aspiration volume having a cross sectional area substantially equal to the difference between said first diameter and said second diameter.

Claim 3

The instrument of claim 1 wherein said aspiration valve assembly means comprises: a tilting valve stem and a valve disk; a valve seat located in said handle proximate said valve disk; a valve cover for positioning said valve stem to locate said valve disk on said valve seat; whereby said tilting valve is maintained on said valve seat by said valve cover and vacuum supplied to said valve seat.

Claim 4

The instrument of claim 1 wherein said cover means comprises: a unitary elastomeric cover having a peripheral lip for mating engagement with a peripheral bead formed on said handle.

Claim 5

The instrument of claim 3 wherein said elastomeric cover includes a finger tab for facilitating removal of said peripheral lip from said peripheral bead.

Claim 6

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.

Claim 7

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.