Patent US5199944A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5199944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic smoke evacuator system for a surgical laser apparatus and method therefor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-09-24
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Granted: 1993-04-06
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Expires: 2011-09-24
Abstract
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 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 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. This smoke evacuation system has the advantages of not requiring an addition incision and not requiring additional personnel to operate the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Ioan Cosmescu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/007; A61B2218/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An automatic smoke evacuator system and an external laser surgical apparatus comprising, in combination: a laser surgical apparatus with a conduit for carrying gas; flow means coupled to said laser surgical apparatus to provide a flow of gas through said conduit in said laser surgical apparatus; exhaust means for carrying gas coupled to said laser surgical apparatus to withdraw gas from the area of the laser surgical apparatus; vacuum means for providing a gas flow force for said exhaust means; gas carrying conduit assembly means for connecting said exhaust means to said vacuum means; electrically actuated valve means for controlling flow in said gas carrying conduit assembly means; control means for activating said valve means in response to the activation of said laser surgical apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An automatic smoke evacuator system and an external laser surgical apparatus comprising, in combination: a laser surgical apparatus with a conduit for carrying gas; flow means coupled to said laser surgical apparatus to provide a flow of gas through said conduit in said laser surgical apparatus; exhaust means for carrying gas coupled to said laser surgical apparatus to withdraw gas from the area of the laser surgical apparatus; vacuum means for providing a gas flow force for said exhaust means; gas carrying conduit assembly means for connecting said exhaust means to said vacuum means; electrically actuated valve means for controlling flow in said gas carrying conduit assembly means; control means for activating said valve means in response to the activation of said laser surgical apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said laser surgical apparatus comprising a laser laparoscope.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said flow means comprising a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) insufflator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said exhaust means comprising a trocar having at least one exhaust hole on the end that is to be inserted into a body cavity, the trocar having a lumen connecting said at least one exhaust hole to a fitting on the end of said trocar that is to be external to the body cavity and connected to said gas carrying conduit assembly means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said vacuum means comprising a vacuum pump contained within said smoke evacuator system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said vacuum means comprising a vacuum source external to said smoke evacuator system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said valve means comprising at least one solenoid-actuated valve controlled by said control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said solenoid-actuated valve is normally closed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said gas carrying conduit assembly means comprising a vacuum conduit having a water trap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said gas carrying conduit assembly means further comprising a filter element in said vacuum conduit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said gas carrying conduit assembly means further comprising an adjustable flow meter in said vacuum conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said gas carrying conduit assembly means further comprising a pressure gauge in said vacuum conduit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises, in combination: power input means; at least one control switch means for detecting activation of said laser surgical apparatus, with an output having two electrical states; power switch means for switching power to said valve means and to said vacuum means in response to a control signal generated by said control switch means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said power input means comprising a three conductor power cord having a plug that couples said cord to a conventional power outlet for alternating current (AC).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 13 further comprising direct current (DC) voltage regulation means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said control switch means comprises an optical sensor having an optical transmitter and optical receiver, said output being in one of said two electrical states when the optical beam between said transmitter and said receiver is uninterrupted, which output changes to the second of said two electrical states when said optical beam is interrupted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said control switch means is mechanically coupled to a switch that activates said laser surgical apparatus such that actuation of said switch causes said output of said control switch means to change state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said switch that activates said laser surgical apparatus being a foot switch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said output of said control switch means can be used to start a new smoke exhaust cycle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 13 further comprising timer means for delaying the deactivation of said power switch means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said power switch means comprising a solid state relay.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 13 further comprising switched power output means for powering a vacuum source external to said smoke evacuator system, which switched power output means is provided by the output of said power switching means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system of claim 13 further comprising vacuum select switch means which electrically connects the electrical control input on one of said valve means to the output of said power switch means when said vacuum select switch means is in one state, and which connects the electrical control input on a second of said valve means to the output of said power switch means when said vacuum select switch is in a second state.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for evacuating smoke out of a body cavity during a laser surgical procedure using a smoke evacuator system comprising of the steps of: providing a laser surgical apparatus with a conduit for carrying gas; providing flow means coupled to said laser surgical apparatus to provide a flow of gas through said conduit in said laser surgical apparatus; providing exhaust means for carrying gas coupled to said laser surgical apparatus to withdraw gas from the area of the laser surgical apparatus; providing vacuum means for providing a gas flow force for said exhaust means; providing gas carrying conduit assembly means for connecting said exhaust means to said vacuum means; providing electrically actuated valve means for controlling flow in said gas carrying conduit assembly means; providing control means for activating said valve means in response to the activation of said laser surgical apparatus.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for evacuating smoke out of a body cavity during a laser surgical procedure using a smoke evacuator system comprising of the steps of: providing a laser surgical apparatus with a conduit for carrying gas; providing flow means coupled to said laser surgical apparatus to provide a flow of gas through said conduit in said laser surgical apparatus; providing exhaust means for carrying gas coupled to said laser surgical apparatus to withdraw gas from the area of the laser surgical apparatus; providing vacuum means for providing a gas flow force for said exhaust means; providing gas carrying conduit assembly means for connecting said exhaust means to said vacuum means; providing electrically actuated valve means for controlling flow in said gas carrying conduit assembly means; providing control means for activating said valve means in response to the activation of said laser surgical apparatus.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said laser surgical apparatus comprising a laser laparoscope.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said flow means comprising a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) insufflator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said exhaust means comprising a trocar having at least one exhaust hole on the end that is inserted into a body cavity, the trocar having a lumen connecting said at least one exhaust hole to a fitting on the end of said trocar that is external to the body cavity and connected to said gas carrying conduit assembly means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said vacuum means comprising a vacuum pump contained within said smoke evacuator system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said vacuum means comprising a vacuum source coupled to said smoke evacuator system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said valve means comprising at least one solenoid-actuated valve controlled by said control means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said solenoid-actuated valve is normally closed.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said gas carrying conduit assembly means comprising a vacuum conduit having a water trap.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said gas carrying conduit assembly means further comprising a filter element in said vacuum conduit.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said gas carrying conduit assembly means further comprising an adjustable flow meter in said vacuum conduit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said gas carrying conduit assembly means further comprising a pressure gauge in said vacuum conduit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said control means comprises, in combination: power input means; at least one control switch means for detecting activation of said laser surgical apparatus, with an output having two electrical states; power switch means for switching power to said valve means and to said vacuum means in response to a control signal generated by said control switch means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said power input means comprising a three conductor power cord having a plug that couples said cord to a conventional power outlet for alternating current (AC).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising direct current (DC) voltage regulation means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said control switch means comprises an optical sensor having an optical transmitter and optical receiver, said output being in one of said two electrical states when the optical beam between said transmitter and said receiver is uninterrupted, which output changes to the second of said two electrical states when said optical beam is interrupted.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said control switch means is mechanically coupled to a switch that activates said laser surgical apparatus such that actuation of said switch causes said output of said control switch means to change state.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said switch that activates said laser surgical apparatus being a foot switch.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said output of said control switch means can be used to start a new smoke exhaust cycle.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising timer means for delaying the deactivation of said power switch means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said power switch means comprising a solid state relay.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising switched power output means for powering a vacuum source external to said smoke evacuator system, which switched power output means is provided by the output of said power switching means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising vacuum select switch means which electrically connects the electrical control input on one of said valve means to the output of said power switch means when said vacuum select switch means is in one state, and which connects the electrical control input on a second of said valve means to the output of said power switch means when said vacuum select switch is in a second state.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising the steps of: inserting said laser surgical apparatus with attached exhaust means into the body cavity where the surgery is to occur; activating said laser surgical apparatus, which activation causes said valve means and said vacuum means to be activated, creating a path for exhaust gasses through said exhaust means, through said gas carrying conduit means, through said valve means, and through said vacuum means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-04-05 | 1996-10-05 | 1997-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-05 | 2000-10-05 | 2001-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-05 | 2004-10-05 | 2005-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |