Abstract: A combined smoke evacuation and filter apparatus adapted to receive and hold a surgical device which may produce smoke such as a cauterization pencil or a laser device, and which apparatus can be connected to a vacuum source. The apparatus includes a unitary holder formed of elastic material, a suction tube carrying the power line of the device, a tubular plastic back end piece connecting the holder to the suction tube, and a filter housing at an end of the suction tube. The filter housing contains a four stage filter and a casual liquid collector. The unitary holder has a cradle, a conically shaped portion, and an oval shaped lumen located below the cradle for carrying the smoke to the end piece. The tubular back end piece is provided with a retaining fork which bears against the proximal end of the device, the elastic holder being stretched when the parts are assembled.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to a switch apparatus (6) for operating a surgical evacuator (14). The switch apparatus broadly comprises a surgical device (39) having a power unit (12), a vibration generator (10) for producing vibrations in response to the operation of the surgical device, a vibration sensor (22) for generating an output as a function of vibrations sensed, a control unit (23) for producing a control signal as a function of the vibrations produced by the vibration generator and a surgical evacuator for removing a waste product generated by the use of the surgical device. The vibration generator is adaptively coupled to the power unit. In addition, the control unit is adaptively coupled to the vibration sensor. The evacuator is responsive to the control signal and is activated or deactivated based on the operation of the surgical device.

Abstract: The present invention is a filter system self contained within a treatment room for a medical procedure. The filter system is partially incorporated into a standard surgical arm. The filter is mounted on the control unit of the surgical arm, which is at the free end of the surgical arm. A vacuum device to create airflow through the filter is located distant from the filter, but still within the treatment room. The vacuum device is adapted to exhaust either into a portion of the treatment or the HVAC system of the facility in which the treatment room resides. Controls for the filter system are also incorporated into the control unit of the surgical arm.