Abstract: An electrosurgical device comprising: an electrode having a first portion whose exterior is electrically uninsulated, a second portion whose exterior is electrically insulated, and a third portion; an elongated hollow body having an internal cavity, a front end, a rear end, an external surface, and an electrical wire arranged within the body. The hollow body is configured to reversibly receive the third portion of the electrode at the front end of the body such that electrical contact is made between the electrode and the electrical wire and the second portion of the electrode is not surrounded by the hollow body. A first button is provided for controlling a current flow at a first level to the electrode and is arranged on the external surface. A vacuum tube is slidably engaged by the body and has an inlet generally facing the front end and adjacent the electrode.

Abstract: A medical fluid filter system is provided having a housing having: a liquid trap chamber having a volume; a filter media chamber; a filter media arranged within the filter media chamber; the liquid trap chamber having a liquid trap outlet port in fluid communication with the filter media chamber; the liquid trap outlet port configured and arranged within the liquid trap chamber to inhibit flow of liquid from the liquid trap chamber to the filter media chamber and configured and arranged to allow gas to flow from the liquid trap chamber to the filter media chamber; a filter system inlet passing through the housing for intake of fluid originating from a surgical site; and a filter system outlet passing through the housing for fluid exhaust.

Abstract: A remotely activatable valve unit having: an inlet port; an exit port; an electronically activatable valve configured and arranged between the inlet port and the exit port; a receiver having an output; and a controller configured to operate the valve as a function of the receiver output. The exit port may be configured to attach to a vacuum means or to a wall vacuum.

Abstract: A filter body having a housing, a cavity for holding a filter media, intake ports each configured to receive an intake tube, and a plurality of intake port flaps configured for movement between a first position which restricts passage of a gas or liquid and a second position which allows passage of a gas of liquid. In one aspect, a filter body has flaps that have a magnet and the housing has an attracting material configured to attract the magnet in at least one of the flaps and configured to hold a flap in the first position. In another aspect, a filter in which a portion of the housing comprises an attracting means is configured to hold a flap in the first position. In another aspect, a filter having a housing configured to hold a filter media has a plurality of fluid passage holes and hole covers, in which the hole covers and an area adjacent to the holes on the filter housing each have an attracting material for holding the hole covers in a position.

Abstract: An evacuation system includes at least one fluid intake, at least one fluid outlet, at least one operational component such as an evacuation motor, and a first read/write device such as an RFID tag for transmitting, receiving, or storing information. The evacuation system also includes a filter having a second read/write device for transmitting information to the first read/write device. A microcontroller, which is in functional communication with the first read/write device and the operational component, interprets the information received by said first read/write device and controls the operational component based on said interpreted information.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device comprising: an electrode having a first portion whose exterior is electrically uninsulated, a second portion whose exterior is electrically insulated, and a third portion; an elongated hollow body having an internal cavity, a front end, a rear end, an external surface, and an electrical wire arranged within the body. The hollow body is configured to reversibly receive the third portion of the electrode at the front end of the body such that electrical contact is made between the electrode and the electrical wire and the second portion of the electrode is not surrounded by the hollow body. A first button is provided for controlling a current flow at a first level to the electrode and is arranged on the external surface. A vacuum tube is slidably engaged by the body and has an inlet generally facing the front end and adjacent the electrode.

Abstract: A filter body having a housing, a cavity for holding a filter media, intake ports each configured to receive an intake tube, and a plurality of intake port flaps configured for movement between a first position which restricts passage of a gas or liquid and a second position which allows passage of a gas of liquid. In one aspect, a filter body has flaps that have a magnet and the housing has an attracting material configured to attract the magnet in at least one of the flaps and configured to hold a flap in the first position. In another aspect, a filter in which a portion of the housing comprises an attracting means is configured to hold a flap in the first position. In another aspect, a filter having a housing configured to hold a filter media has a plurality of fluid passage holes and hole covers, in which the hole covers and an area adjacent to the holes on the filter housing each have an attracting material for holding the hole covers in a position.

Abstract: A service head for use in connection with a medical procedure in an enclosure such as an operating room. In one aspect, a service head comprises a filter adapted to be punctured by a timing pin in connection with the determination and/or communication of filter life. In another aspect, a service head comprises and RFID tag and RFID reader in connection with the determination and/or communication of filter life. In another aspect, a service head comprises wireless communication components for communicating with a surgical assembly such as an ultrasonic surgical device, electrocautery device, insufflator, laser surgical instrument, camera, surgical light source or endoscopic device.

Abstract: An evacuation system includes at least one fluid intake, at least one fluid outlet, at least one operational component such as an evacuation motor, and a first read/write device such as an RFID tag for transmitting, receiving, or storing information. The evacuation system also includes a filter having a second read/write device for transmitting information to the first read/write device. A microcontroller, which is in functional communication with the first read/write device and the operational component, interprets the information received by said first read/write device and controls the operational component based on said interpreted information.

Abstract: An evacuation system includes at least one fluid intake, at least one fluid outlet, at least one operational component, such as an evacuation motor, and a first read/write device for transmitting, receiving, or storing information. The evacuation system also includes a filter having a second read/write device for transmitting information to the first read/write device. A microcontroller, which is in functional communication with the first read/write device and the operational component, interprets the information received by said first read/write device and controls the operational component based on said interpreted information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved smoke evacuation device for use in laparoscopic surgeries. One improvement is a hydrophilic wick positioned within the inlet system of the smoke device for absorbing moisture and trapping surgical waste entering the smoke evacuation device. The second improvement is a multi-outlet valve inserted into the outlet system of the smoke evacuation device to enable quick depressurization of the surgical site.

Abstract: A service head for use in connection with a medical procedure in an enclosure such as an operating room. In one aspect, a service head comprises a filter adapted to be punctured by a timing pin in connection with the determination and/or communication of filter life. In another aspect, a service head comprises and RFID tag and RFID reader in connection with the determination and/or communication of filter life. In another aspect, a service head comprises wireless communication components for communicating with a surgical assembly such as an ultrasonic surgical device, electrocautery device, insufflator, laser surgical instrument, camera, surgical light source or endoscopic device.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a multiport filter having at least three intake ports and at least two layers—a first layer for containing particles 3 microns or greater and a second layer that contains particles 3 microns or less in size. In alternate embodiments, the filter includes a third layer for trapping odors and gases and a fourth layer for trapping fines. The second layer may be comprised of ULPA material and may have antimicrobial material. The invention also includes a contaminant removal system for the filtering and recirculation of air contaminated with smoke from cautery-type surgical procedures. The invention also broadly comprises a surgical assemblies control service head designed to house powered surgical devices and a vacuum-filtering system for the treatment of air contamination caused by surgical procedures.

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.

Abstract: The present invention includes a filter, 10, for purifying smoke plume generated from electrocautery or laser surgery. The filter includes a pre-filter, 11, for filtering gross particulate; a first filter, 12, having a structurally blended antimicrobial agent and adapted to capture and destroy minute and harmful organic particles such as viruses or bacteria at high efficiency; a second filter, 13, having a charcoal bed for removing gaseous toxins and odors from the smoke plume and a post-filter, 14, adapted to complete the general filtering process and to control the migration of any charcoal fines or other filter elements. The filter is adapted to be used in connection with various filter containers or hoods, including a rectangular hood, 16, or an industry-standard cylindrical filtering container, 20.