Patent · US Active

Device and method for controlling the flow rate of evacuating surgical vapor and mist from a body cavity

US8551050B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
4References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 10, 2011
Grant dateOct 8, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 28, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2217/005
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Devices and methods for vacuum-assisted removal of surgically contaminated gas from an insufflated body cavity, the contaminants comprising smoke, aerosols, vapor, mist and the like generated during surgical procedures in order to clear the surgeon's vision of the surgical site and prevent exposure of the surgical staff to the gas. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a series of flow restriction devices to enable stepping down of the flow rate generated by an external vacuum. This reduced flow rate allows safe yet rapid removal of the toxic and vision-obstructing surgical byproducts from the patient's body cavity. The initial flow restriction device may comprise a perforated trocar sleeve in fluid communication with the vacuum source that allows retention of the surgical instrument within the trocar's inner lumen with concurrent smoke removal. The flow rate is infinitely variable, adjustable and selectable using a flow control adjuster comprising a smoothly varying orifice.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.