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: 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 fluid filtration device having an outer cylindrical surface with a first diameter having a longitudinal axis, and an inner cylindrical surface with an inner diameter substantially centered about the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of longitudinal holes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis arranged between the outer cylindrical surface and the inner cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A fluid filtration device having an outer cylindrical surface with a first diameter having a longitudinal axis, and an inner cylindrical surface with an inner diameter substantially centered about the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of longitudinal holes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis arranged between the outer cylindrical surface and the inner cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A filtration system for use in connection with a central vacuum system in a hospital or other medical facility. In certain aspects, the filtration system comprises a removable filter for removing contaminants; a fitting adapted for connection to a central vacuum source/system which provides constant suction, which fitting is positioned between the filter and the central vacuum source; a flow control valve positioned between the filter and the fitting; wherein the relative positions of the fitting, flow valve and filter prevent contaminants from being discharged into the central vacuum system. In other aspects, the system provides variable filter life based upon variable flow.

Abstract: A powered surgical device for cutting or drilling having a mechanical cutting or drilling assembly, a fluid inlet, and a vacuum source port for connecting to a vacuum source. The vacuum source port is disposed in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The surgical device is configured and arranged to cause an aerosol generated by the mechanical cutting or drilling assembly to be suctioned into the fluid inlet when the vacuum source port is connected to a vacuum source.

Abstract: A laparoscopic filter system having a main unit having an inflow port, an outflow port, a pressure sensing port, a user interface having a power switch, a controller, a pump, and an interface for receiving a detachable filter cartridge, and a detachable filter cartridge configured and arranged to reversibly attach to the interface, the detachable filter cartridge having an inflow pass-through line, an outflow pass-through line, a pressure sensing pass-through line, and a filter media arranged in series with the inflow pass-through line.

Abstract: A filtration system for use in connection with a central vacuum system in a hospital or other medical facility. In certain aspects, the filtration system comprises a removable filter for removing contaminants; a fitting adapted for connection to a central vacuum source/system which provides constant suction, which fitting is positioned between the filter and the central vacuum source; a flow control valve positioned between the filter and the fitting; wherein the relative positions of the fitting, flow valve and filter prevent contaminants from being discharged into the central vacuum system. In other aspects, the system provides variable filter life based upon variable flow.

Abstract: A powered surgical device for cutting or drilling having a mechanical cutting or drilling assembly, a fluid inlet, and a vacuum source port for connecting to a vacuum source. The vacuum source port is disposed in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The surgical device is configured and arranged to cause an aerosol generated by the mechanical cutting or drilling assembly to be suctioned into the fluid inlet when the vacuum source port is connected to a vacuum source.

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 fluid filtration device having an outer cylindrical surface with a first diameter having a longitudinal axis, and an inner cylindrical surface with an inner diameter substantially centered about the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of longitudinal holes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis arranged between the outer cylindrical surface and the inner cylindrical surface.

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 laparoscopic filter system having a main unit having an inflow port, an outflow port, a pressure sensing port, a user interface having a power switch, a controller, a pump, and an interface for receiving a detachable filter cartridge, and a detachable filter cartridge configured and arranged to reversibly attach to the interface, the detachable filter cartridge having an inflow pass-through line, an outflow pass-through line, a pressure sensing pass-through line, and a filter media arranged in series with the inflow pass-through line.

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 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: 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 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.