SURGICAL FIELD SMOKE EVACUATORS
Universally adaptable evacuators are adaptable to all surgical fields, easy to apply and, in most cases, may be expanded and/or removed as necessary. A hollow tube including a fitting adapted for connection to a vacuum source and at least one smoke inlet is held in position with the smoke inlet proximate to a surgical wound. According to a preferred embodiment, a stapling tab extending from a flexible perforated tube is used to hold the evacuator in place around the periphery of a surgical incision. According to an alternative embodiment, a smoke evacuator attaches temporarily or permanently to a retractor or other surgical instrument. Standard tubing and couplers may be used and the assembly may be prepackaged in sterile condition and disposed after use.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/935,213, filed Sep. 7, 2004, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/500,636, filed Sep. 5, 2003, and 60/501,046, filed Sep. 8, 2003, the entire content of each application are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to surgical smoke evacuators and, in particular, to universally adaptable smoke evacuators applicable to numerous surgical wound types and locations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONModern surgical techniques typically utilize a “bovie” and/or bipolar cauterizing systems which can generate considerable amounts of smoke. This smoke often clouds the operative field of sight, and is potentially hazardous to attending personnel.
Smoke evacuation attached directly to operating bovie effectively eliminates smoke, but blocks the surgical view and makes use of the bovie cumbersome. Large hose evacuators placed near the operative incision are loud, in the way, and do not effectively or rapidly remove smoke from all fields.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention resides in universally adaptable evacuators used to eliminate smoke from an operative site, regardless of surgical wound type or location. The devices described herein are adaptable to all surgical fields, easy to apply and, in most cases, may be expanded and/or removed as necessary. They are also inexpensive, work with existing operating room suction systems, and they are quiet. They require no attachment to other surgical tools other than a vacuum source and, being low profile, are out of operative line of sight.
A surgical field smoke evacuator according to the invention comprises a hollow, flexible tube including a fitting adapted for connection to a vacuum source and at least one smoke inlet. At least one element is provided for holding the tube in position with the smoke inlet proximate to a surgical wound.
According to a preferred embodiment, the element is a stapling tab extending from a hollow, flexible perforated tube. According to an alternative embodiment, a smoke evacuator attaches temporarily or permanently to a retractor or other surgical instrument. Standard tubing and couplers may be used and the assembly may be prepackaged in sterile condition and disposed after use.
Turning now to the drawings,
Although apertures 308 are divided to assist with stapling, at least the material of 306 may be sufficiently penetratable that staples may go right through it without the need for separate perforations. Also, although apertures 304 are shown on two sides of body 302, they may be located in a single row, and the structure 302 need not be rectangular in cross section, but may be circular, oval, or other shape.
In terms of surgical procedure, the physician proceeds with the usual preparation and drape, placing a standard suction hose on the operative field. An incision is made down through subcutaneous tissue to deep fascia, with bleeding tissues being cauterized as necessary. The suction system is assembled, as shown in
As an alternative to a permanent attachment,
In terms of surgical procedure, the evacuator of
Claims
1. A surgical field smoke evacuator, comprising:
- a retractor terminating in a bent, distal end; and
- a suction tube attached to the retractor, the tube having a proximal end adapted for coupling to a vacuum source and a distal end supported at the bent, distal end of the retractor to evacuate smoke from an incision being held open with the retractor
2. The surgical field smoke evacuator of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the suction tube is flared.
3. The surgical field smoke evacuator of claim 1, wherein the suction tube is permanently attached to the retractor.
4. The surgical field smoke evacuator of claim 1, wherein the suction tube is temporarily attached to the retractor.
5. The surgical field smoke evacuator of claim 1, wherein the retractor is a Hibbs-type retractor.
6. The surgical field smoke evacuator of claim 1, wherein:
- the retractor has an upper surface that extends to the bent, distal; end
- the suction tube is disposed on the upper surface and also includes a bent section.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 10, 2009
Publication Date: Jun 4, 2009
Inventor: Mark H. Falahee (Ann Arbor, MI)
Application Number: 12/368,416
International Classification: A61M 1/00 (20060101); A61B 17/34 (20060101);