Abstract: An electro-surgical unit pencil apparatus having a removable shroud adaptably fitted over an external surface of a surgical pencil is presented where the pencil apparatus includes a conduit located within the shroud having a tapered portion surrounding the surgical pencil and in communication with the distal end of the shroud. An external conduit may be coupled to the proximal opening of the shroud and smoke evacuation means may be coupled to the external conduit for exhausting smoke from the shroud. The conduit includes an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a generally semi-circular shaped hollow interior, a handpiece holder located near a top outer surface of the conduit, and a nozzle member attached near the distal end of the conduit.

Abstract: A removable shroud for use with an electro-surgical unit pencil. The removable shroud includes a handpiece with a lumen therein; an elongated load-bearing support bearing a receiving surface on a top of the handpiece for cradling the electro-surgical unit pencil thereon; and a tapered nozzle, adapted to hold a distal end of the electro-surgical unit pencil therein when the pencil rests on the receiving surface, located at a distal end of the handpiece and having the lumen open into an interior of the tapered nozzle.

Abstract: A removable shroud for use with an electro-surgical unit pencil is disclosed where the shroud fits over a portion of the external surface of the electrosurgery unit pencil. The removable shroud includes a cylindrical shaped handpiece having an opening therein which provides means for accessing a hand switch contained on the electrosurgery unit pencil when the pencil is positioned within the shroud, a chute located alongside a bottom length of the cylindrical handpiece, and a tapered nozzle located near the distal ends of the cylindrical handpiece and the chute. The interior of the chute opens into the lumen of the cylindrical handpiece near the distal end of the chute and the proximal end of the chute extends beyond the proximal end of the cylindrical handpiece.

Abstract: A manual and automatic fluid control system and method for use in open and laparoscopic laser surgery and electrosurgery is disclosed. The system includes a manual mode along with several automatic modes which can effectuate both suction and irrigation, either individually or simultaneously. In the various automatic modes, the suction and/or irrigation is automatically activated during activation of a medical apparatus for laser surgery or electrosurgery without requiring separate activation from the surgeon or operating room staff. Several safety features for monitoring the fluid control system are also incorporated within the system such as fluid sensors for detecting the absence of irrigation fluid, pressure sensors and vacuum systems for monitoring fluid pressure, fluid sensors for monitoring fluid volume, and warning signals for detecting empty containers.

Abstract: An automatic activation system including a method for activating a second apparatus upon detecting the activation of a first apparatus, or an emergency situation or state relating to a first apparatus, is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the system includes an optical detector or sensor for a fiber optic which, when energized upon detection of a given condition in relation to a first medical apparatus, will trigger a second medical apparatus such as a smoke evacuator or a suction/irrigation unit for a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An electro-surgical unit (ESU) pencil apparatus includes an improved handpiece which enables the surgeon to vary the length of working electrode without having to use cutting electrodes of varying lengths. This is achieved by installing the electrode in an assembly that may, as desired by the surgeon, be extended from, or retracted into, the body of the ESU pencil apparatus. An uninterrupted RF signal is supplied to the electrode tip and uninterrupted smoke evacuation for the ESU pencil apparatus as the electrode assembly is expanded or retracted. Additionally, a device is provided for locking the electrode assembly at the desired length, so that it does not move during the operation. The ESU pencil apparatus is also adapted for use with an ESU-argon beam coagulator pencil.

Abstract: A electrosurgical unit (ESU) apparatus is disclosed in which an improved handpiece and smoke evacuation shroud apparatus and method provides efficient smoke collection without obstructing the surgeon's view of the surgical site through use of a smoke evacuation shroud design which controls the velocity and direction of the evacuating air flow in the vicinity of the surgical site by forming a vortex. This vortex creates a "funnel cloud" type action like that of a tornado or cyclone which contains the smoke immediately as it is generated by the cutting and coagulating action of the operating tip of the ESU surgery handpiece. The action of this vortex is a key advantage of the invention since generated smoke is immediately contained, and removed thereby avoiding obstructing the view of the surgeon.

Abstract: A laser surgical apparatus having an improved smoke evacuator system and method is provided whereby the radio frequency energy associated with the generation of RF from the electrosurgical unit (ESU) or a laser surgical apparatus is detected by a radio frequency sensor which in turn generates a control signal which provides the automatic control that activates the smoke evacuator system only during the approximate period of time when the laser surgical or electrosurgical unit is being utilized for surgical procedures.

Abstract: A lens exchanger for a laser surgical tool is disclosed. This lens exchanger installs easily between the coupler for the laser source and the surgical tool (such as a laparoscope). The lens exchanger protects the lens on the surgical tool from contamination by water vapor, smoke and debris. The lens exchanger can be configured to provide clear windows so the surgeon can conveniently switch to a clean lens during surgery as needed. The lens exchanger can also be configured with lenses that change the focus of the laser cutting beam, making the cutting spot more or less focused as required by the particular application.

Abstract: A smoke evacuator system for use during laser surgery is disclosed. In the case of a laser laparoscope, the laparoscope is provided with a conduit and fitting to provide CO.sub.2 gas through the laparoscope for distension purposes. The laser laparoscope is coupled to a special trocar that has exhaust holes near the tip (inside the body cavity) that are connected via conduit to an external fitting (outside the body cavity) to allow a vacuum source to draw smoke and CO.sub.2 gas out of the body cavity. The smoke evacuator system can use either a built-in vacuum pump or an external vacuum source such as that typically provided in an operating room. Electronics are provided which detect the activation of the cutting laser beam of the laser laparoscope, and activate the smoke evacuator system accordingly. In this manner the smoke evacuator system is turned on automatically each time the surgeon activates the cutting laser beam of the laser laparoscope.

Abstract: A laser laparoscope assembly and method therefor are provided. The assembly includes a laser, a laparoscope, and an adjustable coupler. The adjustable coupler is used for interconnecting the laser to the laparoscope, or tissue treating instrument. The adjustable coupler has adjustably offset screws for adjustment normal to a laser beam axis and has adjustable tilt screws for tilting a laparoscope passage in order to align a laparoscope passage axis with the laser beam axis whereby a beam contact point and a reflected beam within the laparoscope is avoided.

Abstract: An automatic smoke evacuator activator system and method are disclosed preferably for use with a laser surgical apparatus which utilizes a smoke evacuator system for removing smoke and toxic fumes from the area serviced by the smoke evacuator system and a switch coupled to the laser surgical apparatus for turning on the laser cutting beam of the laser surgical apparatus and to the smoke evacuator system for simultaneously turning on the smoke evacuator system when the laser cutting beam of the laser surgical apparatus is turned on. Other features include the switch having a switch position to turn off the smoke evacuator system and the laser cutting beam of the laser surgical apparatus. A time delay is coupled to the switch for time delaying the turning off of the smoke evacuator system. In one embodiment, a transmitter and a receiver are used to control the operation of the swtich by using an infrared beam between the transmitter and receiver that is acted upon by the switch.

Abstract: A performance tester apparatus and method as disclosed for surgical laser system which permits testing of both the laser aiming a laser cutting beams of the surgical laser system. The laser aiming and laser cutting beams are tested for coincidence with each other and a test is made using a bull's eye type configuration on a target to determine the mode and divergence of the laser cutting beam. A single non-inflammable and preferably removable target is used to test both the laser aiming and cutting beams. Suitable shielding means are also used to shield against possible eye injury to an operator or viewer of the test of either or both the laser aiming beam and the laser cutting beam.