Abstract: A system for noise and vibration management of a smoke evacuation system includes a pump that compresses air and produces a pressure differential within an airflow path. The pump may be a sealed, positive displacement pump. The system includes vibration absorption mechanisms disposed between inner and outer housings, as well as on the outside surface of the outer housing. Methods of controlling and regulating a motor of the system to preserve the lifespan of the motor and maintain consistent airflow rates throughout the smoke evacuation system include varying a supply of electrical current to the motor so that it can operate at variable performance levels. Orifices are opened and closed in order to relieve resistance pressures within the airflow path due to clogging and blockages.

Abstract: A system for noise and vibration management of a smoke evacuation system includes a pump that compresses air and produces a pressure differential within an airflow path. The pump may be a sealed, positive displacement pump. The system includes vibration absorption mechanisms disposed between inner and outer housings, as well as on the outside surface of the outer housing. Methods of controlling and regulating a motor of the system to preserve the lifespan of the motor and maintain consistent airflow rates throughout the smoke evacuation system include varying a supply of electrical current to the motor so that it can operate at variable performance levels. Orifices are opened and closed in order to relieve resistance pressures within the airflow path due to clogging and blockages.

Abstract: A smoke evacuation device that evacuates smoke from a surgical site and filters the smoke from the air. The smoke evacuation device can include a fluid trap for removing moisture from the smoke. The smoke evacuation device can also include a filter with a compression mechanism for compressing a filter medium. The smoke evacuation device can also include features for controlling flow parameters, noise, and vibrations of the device. A remote activation device can also be used to activate the smoke evacuation device upon detection of certain system parameters.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) current sensor for remotely activating a smoke evacuation device in an electrosurgical system includes a sensor body with a cable interfacing sidewall and a retaining member. The cable interfacing sidewall and the retaining member define a retention pocket for receiving a cable communicating RF current. The RF current sensor additionally includes a sensor element for detecting RF current in the cable and a sensor cable in electrical communication with the sensor element. The RF current sensor can operate in at least two modes, depending on whether the cable communicates RF current to a monopolar or bipolar electrosurgical instrument, but regardless of the operation mode, the sensor cable can communicate an activation signal and a current signal derived from the detected RF current to the smoke evacuation device, which activates or adjusts the period of time and/or the smoke evacuation flow rate of a vacuum source.

Abstract: A fluid trap for minimizing the escape of contaminated fluids from the fluid trap when an orientation of the fluid trap changes during removal or transport includes a front cover, a rear cover coupled to the front cover, and an interior chamber defined by the front and rear covers. The front cover defines an inlet port extending a first distance into an interior chamber of the fluid trap. The rear cover defines an exhaust port extending a second distance away from the rear cover of the fluid trap and positioned above the inlet port when the fluid trap is in an upright position. The interior chamber has a maximum fluid volume defined as the lesser of a fluid reservoir volume, a front cover volume, and a rear cover volume.

Abstract: A smoke evacuation device that evacuates smoke from a surgical site and filters the smoke from the air. The smoke evacuation device can include a fluid trap for removing moisture from the smoke. The smoke evacuation device can also include a filter with a compression mechanism for compressing a filter medium. The smoke evacuation device can also include features for controlling flow parameters, noise, and vibrations of the device. A remote activation device can also be used to activate the smoke evacuation device upon detection of certain system parameters.

Abstract: A fluid trap for minimizing the escape of contaminated fluids from the fluid trap when an orientation of the fluid trap changes during removal or transport includes a front cover, a rear cover coupled to the front cover, and an interior chamber defined by the front and rear covers. The front cover defines an inlet port extending a first distance into an interior chamber of the fluid trap. The rear cover defines an exhaust port extending a second distance away from the rear cover of the fluid trap and positioned above the inlet port when the fluid trap is in an upright position. The interior chamber has a maximum fluid volume defined as the lesser of a fluid reservoir volume, a front cover volume, and a rear cover volume.

Abstract: A smoke evacuation device includes one or more cooling mechanisms and an exhaust mechanism to reduce velocity and noise of filtered air exiting the smoke evacuation system. The cooling mechanism includes ventilation openings and/or a rotary mechanism disposed within the system to circulate air and cool by convective heat transfer. A pressure relief mechanism is also provided at the inlet or outlet of the system or the pump within the system. The pressure relief mechanism is configured to reduce pressures due to abnormal flows within the smoke evacuation system.

Abstract: A fluid trap for minimizing the escape of contaminated fluids from the fluid trap when an orientation of the fluid trap changes during removal or transport includes a front cover, a rear cover coupled to the front cover, and an interior chamber defined by the front and rear covers. The front cover defines an inlet port extending a first distance into an interior chamber of the fluid trap. The rear cover defines an exhaust port extending a second distance away from the rear cover of the fluid trap and positioned above the inlet port when the fluid trap is in an upright position. The interior chamber has a maximum fluid volume defined as the lesser of a fluid reservoir volume, a front cover volume, and a rear cover volume.

Abstract: A filter includes (i) a filter body, (ii) a front cap associated with a first end of the filter body and coupled to and receiving smoke from a vacuum hose, (iii) a back cap associated with a second end of the filter body and having a filter exhaust sized and shaped to associate with and communicate suction from a smoke evacuation system, (iv) a compressed carbon reservoir disposed within the filter body between the front cap and the back cap, and (v) a flexible porous barrier disposed on at least a first side of the compressed carbon reservoir. The compressed carbon reservoir is under a compressive bias by the flexible porous barrier that transitions from a flexed state to a partially relaxed state in response to the compressed carbon reservoir reducing in volume.

Abstract: A fluid trap for minimizing the escape of contaminated fluids from the fluid trap when an orientation of the fluid trap changes during removal or transport includes a front cover, a rear cover coupled to the front cover, and an interior chamber defined by the front and rear covers. The front cover defines an inlet port extending a first distance into an interior chamber of the fluid trap. The rear cover defines an exhaust port extending a second distance away from the rear cover of the fluid trap and positioned above the inlet port when the fluid trap is in an upright position. The interior chamber has a maximum fluid volume defined as the lesser of a fluid reservoir volume, a front cover volume, and a rear cover volume.

Abstract: A filter includes (i) a filter body, (ii) a front cap associated with a first end of the filter body and coupled to and receiving smoke from a vacuum hose, (iii) a back cap associated with a second end of the filter body and having a filter exhaust sized and shaped to associate with and communicate suction from a smoke evacuation system, (iv) a compressed carbon reservoir disposed within the filter body between the front cap and the back cap, and (v) a flexible porous barrier disposed on at least a first side of the compressed carbon reservoir. The compressed carbon reservoir is under a compressive bias by the flexible porous barrier that transitions from a flexed state to a partially relaxed state in response to the compressed carbon reservoir reducing in volume.

Abstract: A system for noise and vibration management of a smoke evacuation system includes a pump that compresses air and produces a pressure differential within an airflow path. The pump may be a sealed, positive displacement pump. The system includes vibration absorption mechanisms disposed between inner and outer housings, as well as on the outside surface of the outer housing. Methods of controlling and regulating a motor of the system to preserve the lifespan of the motor and maintain consistent airflow rates throughout the smoke evacuation system include varying a supply of electrical current to the motor so that it can operate at variable performance levels. Orifices are opened and closed in order to relieve resistance pressures within the airflow path due to clogging and blockages.

Abstract: A smoke evacuation device that evacuates smoke from a surgical site and filters the smoke from the air. The smoke evacuation device can include a fluid trap for removing moisture from the smoke. The smoke evacuation device can also include a filter with a compression mechanism for compressing a filter medium. The smoke evacuation device can also include features for controlling flow parameters, noise, and vibrations of the device. A remote activation device can also be used to activate the smoke evacuation device upon detection of certain system parameters.

Abstract: A smoke evacuation device includes one or more cooling mechanisms and an exhaust mechanism to reduce velocity and noise of filtered air exiting the smoke evacuation system. The cooling mechanism includes ventilation openings and/or a rotary mechanism disposed within the system to circulate air and cool by convective heat transfer. A pressure relief mechanism is also provided at the inlet or outlet of the system or the pump within the system. The pressure relief mechanism is configured to reduce pressures due to abnormal flows within the smoke evacuation system.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) current sensor for remotely activating a smoke evacuation device in an electrosurgical system includes a sensor body with a cable interfacing sidewall and a retaining member. The cable interfacing sidewall and the retaining member define a retention pocket for receiving a cable communicating RF current. The RF current sensor additionally includes a sensor element for detecting RF current in the cable and a sensor cable in electrical communication with the sensor element. The RF current sensor can operate in at least two modes, depending on whether the cable communicates RF current to a monopolar or bipolar electrosurgical instrument, but regardless of the operation mode, the sensor cable can communicate an activation signal and a current signal derived from the detected RF current to the smoke evacuation device, which activates or adjusts the period of time and/or the smoke evacuation flow rate of a vacuum source.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for actuating and/or articulating a circular stapler. In one exemplary embodiment, a circular stapler is provided having an elongate shaft with a stapling apparatus coupled thereto. An electrically expandable and contractible actuator, such as an electroactive polymer actuator, can be used to pivotally or angularly adjust a position of the stapling apparatus relative to the elongate shaft by delivering energy to the electroactive polymer actuator. In another embodiment, an electroactive polymer actuator can be used to actuate the stapling apparatus, thereby driving one or more staples, preferably in a substantially curved pattern, into tissue. The actuator can alternatively or additionally drive a blade distally to cut tissue being stapled.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for effecting movement of one or more components of a multifire device, such as a clip applier, hernia tacker, or skin stapler. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical fastening instrument is provided having an elongate shaft with an end effector coupled thereto and adapted to apply one or more surgical fasteners to tissue. An electrically expandable and contractible actuator, such as an electroactive polymer actuator, can be used to drive a fastener advancing or forming assembly through the elongate shaft, thereby driving a surgical fastener into tissue. In another embodiment, an electrically expandable and contractible actuator, such as an electroactive polymer actuator, can be used to effect movement of an articulation joint formed between the elongate shaft and the end effector.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for actuating and/or articulating a grasping device. In one exemplary embodiment, a grasping device is provided having a shaft with an end effector having opposed jaws coupled to the shaft. An electrically expandable and contractible actuator, such as an electroactive polymer actuator, can be used to actuate the end effector to open and close the opposed jaws to grasp tissue or other objects. In another embodiment, an electroactive polymer actuator can be used to pivotally or angularly adjust a position of the end effector relative to the shaft by delivering energy to the electroactive polymer actuator.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for actuating and/or articulating a grasping device. In one exemplary embodiment, a grasping device is provided having a shaft with an end effector having opposed jaws coupled to the shaft. An electrically expandable and contractible actuator, such as an electroactive polymer actuator, can be used to actuate the end effector to open and close the opposed jaws to grasp tissue or other objects. In another embodiment, an electroactive polymer actuator can be used to pivotally or angularly adjust a position of the end effector relative to the shaft by delivering energy to the electroactive polymer actuator.