DESC:This invention relates to an apparatus for smoke removal, filtering or more particularly safe evacuation of contaminated gas used for insufflation in surgical procedures, including minimally invasive Surgical procedures Such as Laparoscopic surgery by filtering Smoke, Plume, Bacteria and Viruses from an operative site. ,CLAIMS:1. A laparoscopic Pneumoperitoneum smoke evacuation system for Safe evacuation of contaminated smoke or gas from an operative site used for insufflation in Laparoscopic Surgery by filtering Smoke, Plume, Bacteria and Viruses, the evacuator comprising:
a. a Luer lock valve located to couple to the trocar and communicating with the working channel;
b. a 0.22µ Hydrophobic PVDF / PTFE Membrane Filter of 28mm diameter outlet side for safe evacuation of contaminated gas, blocks 99.99% Pathogens including Viruses and Bacteria. A space provided between the housing and filter media, which referred to as a water trap area in which moisture and/or condensed vapor may collect during use of the system and filter. Thesystem comprises a housing (fluid conduit) extending between the surgical site and the filter.
c. The housing (fluid conduit) may be made from Polycarbonate or other suitable material.
d. A Smoke evacuating System for use during Surgical procedures involving a Surgical Site having an associated pressure higher than ambient pressure, Said system comprising of a filter having an outlet Side, and a fluid conduit extending between the Surgical Site and the filter, Said fluid conduit defining a fluid flow path between the Surgical Site and filter, Said higher pressure
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generating a fluid flow in the fluid flow path at a flow rate of from approximately 0.2 to 2.5 liters per minute at a pressure drop of from approximately 0.4 to 30 mm Hg from the site to the outlet side.
2. The System according to claim 1, the flow rate is approximately 2.5 liters per minute at a pressure drop of approximately 1 to 2 mm Hg.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate is approximately 3.6 to 3.8 liter/minute at a pressure drop of approximately 1 mm Hg.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the Luer lock valve is operably coupled to the fluid conduit.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the Luer lock valve comprises a fluid conduit compressing member.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the valve comprises a housing portion, wherein the conduit compressing member is movable relative to the housing portion to change the flow rate.