Abstract: A toxic fume absorber for a source of toxic or noxious fumes is provided that is particularly adapted for absorbing fumes generated in a chemical reaction involving a change of state. The absorber comprises a manifold or trough adapted for juxtaposition adjacent the source of the toxic fumes. An upwardly facing opening to said manifold is disposed adjacent and below the source of the fumes. A hood extends from the manifold and at least partially encompasses the source of the fumes. A vacuum source is connected to the manifold for drawing fumes down from the source of the fumes and into the manifold. A modularized filter unit and vacuum source is provided for drawing effluent from the manifold, scrubbing the toxic fumes therefrom and returning the same to a controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: An exhaust system for evacuating the toxic fumes produced when mixing bone cement in a surgical operating room. A fan unit located within a vacuum plenum draws fume-laden air from a hood under which the bone cement is mixed, and exhausts the fume-laden air into a safe external atmosphere. A short interval timer is provided so that the system may be switched on by a non-sterile member of the operating team and thereafter automatically turned off. The capacity of the fan is relatively large as compared to the area of the hood so that all of the fumes are effectively exhausted during the relatively short cycle of operation of the system and are substantially diluted with air so as not to create a polluting effect of the external atmosphere to which the effluent is exhausted. A barometric damper located between the fan and the external atmosphere prevents the external atmosphere from entering the operating room when the fan is not in operation.

Abstract: A surgical masking and ventilating system for protecting an operating zone from contaminants emanated by members of a surgical team during an operation. The system includes protective apparel for substantially isolating each member of the surgical team from the environment of the operating zone, a suction tube connecting the apparel of each member to a vacuum manifold, an aspirator adapted to create a vacuum in the manifold and each suction tube connected thereto for drawing away contaminants within the apparel of each member and creating an air flow that maintains the person at a comfortable temperature, and high efficiency filter means for cleaning the air discharged from the aspirator to a contaminant free condition prior to re-entry into the environment of the operating room.