Abstract: A DC driven ionization apparatus is provided for ionizing a local atmosphere in which a corporeal surgical or cosmetic procedure is to be performed, the ionization apparatus including a safety circuit comprising detector means for detecting when a hazard condition exists, such as a short circuit or high charge level condition, a circuit controller for actuating switch means to turn the DC supply off and thereafter to cyclically reconnect and disconnect the DC supply until the hazard condition has been rectified, and re-set means for thereafter re-setting a continuous DC supply to the circuit until the next occurrence of a hazard condition or until the procedure is complete.

Abstract: Apparatus (100) and method are disclosed for removing or reducing the number of particles in an enclosed atmosphere during intracorporeal procedures. The apparatus comprises a housing (180) adapted to be placed against the body on which a procedure is to be formed, a first electrode (140) external to the housing for contacting the body, an elongated electrically insulated probe (130) extending from the housing (180) and being insertable into an intracorporeal body cavity (C) in which a procedure is to be performed, a second electrode (150) at the free end of the probe, and circuit means (110) for generating voltage between said first and second electrodes. The method comprises applying a voltage between the electrodes sufficient to cause local ionization of particles within the body cavity such that they migrate away from the second electrode, thereby removing or reducing the number of particles generated during the procedure from the enclosed atmosphere at or around the site of the procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus 100 for the reduction or removal of smoke particles suspended in a local atmosphere A and resulting from a surgical procedure, the apparatus including or comprising two electrodes 140 and 150 each in electrical communication with or being electrically connectable to opposite poles of a source of high voltage dc electricity. A first of the electrodes 140 may be electrically connectable to a patient P. and a second 150 may be positionable within or adjacent a patient such that the two electrodes, when in communication with opposite poles of said high voltage, ionize said particles in use, for attracting said particles toward the patient or toward the second of the electrodes.

Abstract: Apparatus (100) and method are disclosed for removing or reducing the number of particles in an enclosed atmosphere during intracorporeal procedures. The apparatus comprises a housing (180) adapted to be placed against the body on which a procedure is to be formed, a first electrode (140) external to the housing for contacting the body, an elongated electrically insulated probe (130) extending from the housing (180) and being insertable into an intracorporeal body cavity (C) in which a procedure is to be performed, a second electrode (150) at the free end of the probe, and circuit means (110) for generating voltage between said first and second electrodes. The method comprises applying a voltage between the electrodes sufficient to cause local ionisation of particles within the body cavity such that they migrate away from the second electrode, thereby removing or reducing the number of particles generated during the procedure from the enclosed atmosphere at or around the site of the procedure.