Abstract:
A medical fluid filter system is provided having a housing having: a liquid trap chamber having a volume; a filter media chamber; a filter media arranged within the filter media chamber; the liquid trap chamber having a liquid trap outlet port in fluid communication with the filter media chamber; the liquid trap outlet port configured and arranged within the liquid trap chamber to inhibit flow of liquid from the liquid trap chamber to the filter media chamber and configured and arranged to allow gas to flow from the liquid trap chamber to the filter media chamber; a filter system inlet passing through the housing for intake of fluid originating from a surgical site; and a filter system outlet passing through the housing for fluid exhaust.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/584,897, filed Jan. 10, 2012; which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fluid filtration and more specifically to methods and devices for fluid filtration in a medical environment. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the corresponding parts portions or surfaces of the disclosed embodiment, merely for the purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, provided is a medical fluid filter system ( 100 ) comprising a housing ( 120 ) comprising: a liquid trap chamber ( 128 ) having a volume; a filter media chamber ( 138 ); a filter media ( 143 ) arranged within the filter media chamber; the liquid trap chamber having a liquid trap outlet port ( 131 ) in fluid communication with the filter media chamber; the liquid trap outlet port configured and arranged within the liquid trap chamber to inhibit flow of liquid from the liquid trap chamber to the filter media chamber and configured and arranged to allow gas to flow from the liquid trap chamber to the filter media chamber; a filter system inlet ( 117 ) passing through the housing for intake of fluid originating from a surgical site; and a filter system outlet ( 134 ) passing through the housing for fluid exhaust. 
     The liquid trap outlet port may be generally near the center of volume of the liquid trap chamber. 
     The liquid trap outlet port may be above a lowest position within the liquid trap chamber for any orientation of the system in a gravitational field. 
     The liquid trap outlet port may be arranged in a position separated from an inner surface of the liquid trap chamber towards a generally central region of the liquid trap chamber. 
     The liquid trap chamber may have an inlet port in communication with the system inlet configured and arranged within the liquid trap chamber to inhibit flow of liquid from the liquid trap chamber out of the inlet port. 
     The liquid trap chamber may have an inlet port in fluid communication with the system inlet and configured and arranged within the liquid trap chamber to inhibit flow of liquid from the liquid trap chamber out of the inlet port and the fluid trap inlet port may be generally near the center of volume of the liquid trap chamber. 
     The filter media may be configured and arranged to filter surgical smoke. 
     The medical fluid filter system may further comprise a sliding valve ( 133 ). 
     The medical fluid filter system may further comprise a blower ( 370 ). 
     The system may be configured and arranged to use an inertial force caused by a circular flow path to separate liquid from the fluid. 
     In another aspect, a medical fluid filter system ( 100 ) is provided comprising: a filter system inlet ( 117 ) for intake of fluid originating from a surgical site; a housing ( 120 ) in fluid communication with the filter system inlet, the housing having: a filter media chamber ( 138 ) for receiving a filter media ( 143 ); a liquid trap chamber ( 128 ) for retaining liquids from the fluid and the liquid trap chamber having a volume; a generally tubular liquid trap outlet ( 131 ) extending into the volume and in fluid communication with the filter media chamber; a filter system outlet ( 134 ) passing through the housing for fluid exhaust. 
     The liquid trap outlet has an end located generally near the center of volume of the liquid trap chamber. 
     The liquid trap outlet port and the fluid trap inlet port may share a common wall. 
     The liquid trap chamber and the filter media chamber share a common wall. 
     The system may further have a filter media ( 143 ) configured and arranged to filter surgical smoke. 
     The system may further contain a moisture indicator ( 321 ) for indicating when the filter media is wet. 
     The liquid trap chamber may contain an inner peripheral surface for containing a liquid in at least two orientations of the medical fluid filter system. 
     The system may further contain a sliding valve ( 133 ). 
     The system may further contain a blower ( 370 ). 
     The system may be configured and arranged to use an inertial force caused by a circular flow path to separate liquid from the fluid. 
     In another aspect, a liquid trap system ( 120 ) is provided comprising: a system inlet ( 123 ); a system outlet ( 134 ); a hollow liquid trap chamber ( 128 ) having: an outer boundary ( 129 ), a liquid trap chamber inlet ( 151 ) in fluid communication with said system inlet, and a liquid trap chamber outlet ( 131 ) in fluid communication with said system outlet; said liquid trap chamber outlet arranged in a position separated a distance from said outer boundary towards a generally central region ( 150 ) of said liquid trap chamber. 
     The liquid trap system may further have a filter media chamber arranged between the liquid trap chamber outlet and the system outlet and may have a filter media arranged within the filter media chamber. The filter media may be pleated and may be configured and arranged to filter surgical smoke. 
     The liquid trap system may further have a valve. The valve may be a sliding valve. 
     The liquid trap system may further have a moisture wick, a liquid capturing gel, an attachment clip, and/or an attachment loop. The liquid trap chamber may be transparent. The filter media may have an antimicrobial substance. 
     The liquid trap system may further have a pump, a blower, and/or an impeller. The liquid trap system may further have a liquid exit port and may have a a container for storage of liquid from the liquid exit port. The liquid trap system may further have a moisture indicator for indicating when the filter media may be wet. 
     The liquid trap chamber may be in a generally cylindrical shape or a generally rectangular prism shape, for example. The liquid trap system may further have an obstruction between the system inlet and the system outlet. The liquid trap system may further have a hydrophobic media arranged across the fluid trap outlet. 
     The system may be configured and arranged to use a centrifugal force caused by a fluid flow to separate liquid from the fluid. 
     The liquid trap system may further have a biodegradeable material. The system may be sterile. 
     The system may be configured for connection to a wall suction unit. The liquid trap system may further have a power source. The power source may be a battery. 
     In another aspect, provided is a fluid filter system ( 100 ) having: a housing ( 120 ); a filter system inlet ( 117 ); a filter system outlet ( 134 ); a liquid trap chamber ( 128 ) having an outer boundary ( 129 ) and a liquid trap inlet ( 151 ) in fluid communication with the system inlet ( 117 ); the liquid trap outlet ( 131 ) arranged in a generally central region of the liquid trap chamber ( 150 ); a filter media chamber ( 138 ) in fluid communication with the liquid trap outlet; a filter media ( 143 ) arranged within the filter media chamber; and the filter media chamber having an outlet ( 136 ) in fluid communication with the filter system outlet. 
     The liquid trap chamber outlet may be above a lowest position within the liquid trap chamber for any orientation of the system in a gravitational field. In addition, the liquid trap chamber inlet may be arranged in a position separated from the outer boundary towards a generally central region of the liquid trap chamber. The liquid trap chamber outlet may be arranged in a position which may be not in a direct flow path out of the liquid trap chamber inlet into the liquid trap chamber. 
     The filter media may be pleated and/or may be configured and arranged to filter surgical smoke. The filter system may further have a valve. The valve may be a sliding valve. The filter system may further have a moisture wick, a liquid capturing gel, an attachment clip, an attachment loop. The liquid trap chamber may be transparent. The filter media may have an antimicrobial substance. 
     The filter system may further have a pump, a blower, an impeller. The filter system may further have a liquid exit port and may have a container for storage of liquid from the liquid exit port. 
     The filter system may further have a moisture indicator for indicating when the filter media may be wet. 
     The housing may be in a generally cylindrical shape or a generally rectangular prism shape. The filter system may further have an obstruction between the system inlet and the system outlet. The filter system may further have a hydrophobic media arranged across the fluid trap outlet. 
     The system may be configured and arranged to use a centrifugal force caused by a fluid flow to separate liquid from the fluid. 
     The filter system may further have a biodegradeable material The system may be sterile. The system may be configured for connection to a wall suction unit. The filter system may further have a power source. The power source may be a battery. 
     The filter medias may have a first portion and a second portion. One of the filter portions may be pleated to maximize surface area, and/or may be configured as a sleeve. One of the filter portions may be odor reducing, harmful gas/substance adsorbing/absorbing/detoxifying, antimicrobial, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and/or optimized to prevent passage of smoke. One of the filter portions may be activated carbon, and/or made of fibers. One of the filter portions may be a ULPA filter. A filter media cap may be provided to interface with one or more of the filter media portions. 
     The filter system input may include a tube. The tube may be made of clear material and may be configured to aid in viewing inside the tube to see flow blockages. The tube may be flexible and may be configured to block fluid flow when pinched with a clamp valve. The input may contain an input adapter and the input adapter may be a Luer-Lock adapter and/or may contain friction ridges, or screw threads. The input may contain a housing connection adapter and the housing connection adapter may also be a Luer-Lock adapter and/or may contain friction ridges, or screw threads. 
     The input may include an internal wick for absorbing or blocking liquid or moisture. The wick may contain a hydrophobic material or a liquid retaining material such as sodium polyacrylate. The wick may be configured and arranged to partially or substantially obstruct fluid flow in order to prevent a large pressure drop across the filter system for a given flow rate. The wick may be optimized to prevent the passage of materials which may damage the filter media. 
     The filter system may contain valve. The valve may be a sliding valve, a roller valve, a pinch valve, or a rotary valve. The sliding valve may contain friction ridges to aid in user ergonomics. The valve may be adapted to maintain peritoneal distention when the filter system is used in laparoscopic surgery. The valve may contain indicia for indicating when the valve is open, closed, or positioned at some quantitative level. 
     The liquid trap input and output may be arranged such that flow of liquid out of the input and into the chamber will not directly be in line with the liquid trap output. The direction of flow from the liquid trap input into the chamber may be directed to flow directly into a wall of the liquid trap chamber. The liquid trap may be configured and arranged to partially or substantially obstruct fluid flow and/or to prevent a large pressure drop across the filter system for a given flow rate. 
     The filter system housing may have an output adapter configured for attachment to a tube. The output adapter may be a Luer-Lock adapter and/or may contain friction ridges, or screw threads. 
     The attachment clip may contain an elastic member, friction ridges, and/or may be configured and arranged for attachment to a drape. 
     The attachment loop may be configured and arranged to be clamped or attached to a carabiner. The attachment loop may be a carabiner, or contain Velcro (hook and loop) straps. 
     The housing and/or other filter system components may be made of a special material that is light weight, strong, antimicrobial, biodegradable, or radiation proof. The material may be a plastic, polymer, polyethylene, lead, or other similar material. The material may be clear in order to view whether the liquid trap is filled with fluid or whether flow is blocked. 
     The housing may be welded together in order to make connections air tight. The housing and other filter system components may be ultrasonically welded. 
     The filter system may be configured and optimized for having its input connected to a high pressure surgical chamber and/or its output releasing to ambient air. The output may be configured and optimized to be connected to a suction unit or standard medical wall suction. The filter system may contain a balloon or bag for capturing the fluid that passes through the filter system. 
     The filter system may contain an RFID tag. The filter system may include an electronic data storage containing filter information. The filter system may contain an indicator for indicating a usage level of the filter system. The indicator may react through atmospheric exposure. 
     The filter system may contain a one way valve, and/or the one way valve may be configured and optimized to prevent material captured by the filter media from exiting the filter system input. The filter system may contain pressure valves at each of its ports to prevent contents from exiting the filter system unless a nontrivial pressure is applied across each valve. The valves may be configured to not allow any fluid flow through the system, even if the system is connected to a pressurized surgical site, unless a pressure differential from a suction unit is provided. The filter system may be configured and optimized for continuous use during a surgical procedure. 
     The filter system may contain a powered suction unit. The powered suction unit may be configured to provide a substantial or all of the pressure differential for driving fluid through the filter system. The fluid flow rate through the filter system may be about 3 liters per minute. 
     In addition the filter system may contain an RF transponder for communication with a trocar, a insufflator, or smartboom. The filter system may further contain one or more one way valves and the valves may be placed at the liquid trap chamber inlet and/or outlet, the filter chamber inlet and/or outlet, and/or the filter system inlet and/or outlet. The valves may also be automatic valves or electronic valves. The valves may also be biased to be normally closed to prevent any fluid in the filter system from exiting the system when the flow drive is off. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a first embodiment fluid filter system. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric view of the fluid filter system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a close up exploded partial view of the fluid filter system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the fluid filter system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the fluid filter system taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a section view of the fluid filter system shown in  FIG. 1  being used in a first orientation. 
         FIG. 7  is a section view of the fluid filter system shown in  FIG. 1  being used in a second orientation. 
         FIG. 8  is a section view of the fluid filter system shown in  FIG. 1  being used in a third orientation. 
         FIG. 9  is a section view of the fluid filter system shown in  FIG. 1  being used in a fourth orientation. 
         FIG. 10  is a partial bottom view of the fluid filter system shown in  FIG. 1  with the valve slide removed. 
         FIG. 11  is a rear view of the fluid filter system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a left side view of the fluid filter system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is a right side view of the fluid filter system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 14  is a side partial view of a second embodiment fluid filter system. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded isometric view of the filter system shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of a third embodiment filter system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained by the entire written specification, of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  discloses a first embodiment  100  of a device and/or system for filtering a fluid. Fluid filter system  100  comprises an input hose portion  110  and filter housing (or filter capsule or cartridge)  120 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , input hose portion  110  contains input adapter  113 , flexible tube  111 , and wick  112 . Input adapter  113  has input side  114  and opposite output side  115 . Input side  114  acts as a system inlet for attachment to a fluid source for inwards fluid flow  117 . In this embodiment, adapter input side  114  is a Luer-Lock adapter, but other similar alternative adapters may be used. Adapter output side  115  is connected to a first input side end of tube  111  through compressive engagement. In this embodiment, tube  111  is a clear flexible tube. Within tube  111  is arranged wick  112 . In one embodiment, wick  112  is made of a moisture absorbent or adsorbent material such as PVA. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , tube  111  has an output side end which compressively engages filter cartridge inlet portion  121  at external inlet  123 . External inlet  123  contains friction ridges which help prevent tube  111  from disconnection and also helps to make an air tight seal. 
       FIG. 3  is a close up exploded isometric view of filter cartridge  120 . Filter cartridge  120  contains three housing portions: inlet side portion  121 , body portion  127 , and end portion  145 . Tubular external inlet  123  passes through housing inlet side portion  121  and connects to tubular inlet inner portion  125 . Housing inlet portion  121  is ultrasonically welded to housing body portion  127  to form liquid trap chamber  128 . Liquid trap chamber  128  has inner surface  129  which acts as an outer boundary for any captured within liquid trap  128 . Liquid trap outlet internal side  131  is supported by housing body portion  127 . Liquid trap inlet internal side  125  and liquid trap outlet internal side  131  protrude into a generally central region of liquid trap chamber  128 . Liquid trap outlet  131  forms a conduit between liquid trap  128  and filter chamber  138 . 
     Filter chamber  138  is formed between housing body portion  127  and housing end portion  145 . Housing end portion  145  is ultrasonically welded to housing body portion  127 . Arranged within filter chamber  138  of one embodiment are first filter media  139 , second filter media  141 , and third filter media  143 . First filter media  139  is hydrophobic fibrous filter media. Second filter media  141  is activated charcoal media. Third filter media is a pleated fibrous filter media. Other embodiments may include one or two of the foregoing media and/or other similar media. 
     Housing body portion  127  connects to valve slide retainer  135 . On the outer surface of housing body portion  127  facing valve slide retainer  135  is valve passage  134 . Valve slide  137  is arranged to selectively block passage  134  as will be discussed in greater detail below. Also shown in  FIG. 3  is attachment clip portion  149 . 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of filter cartridge  120  showing opening  136  and valve slide  137 . 
       FIG. 5  is vertical section of filter system  120  showing the flow of fluid from first into filter system  117  through the filter system and out of the system  119 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , tube  111  has a larger diameter than wick  112 . This allows fluid to flow inwards  117  through tube  111 . Moisture that is in fluid passing past wick  112  may be absorbed or adsorbed by wick  112 . Fluid flow continues rightwards and passes from tube  111  through liquid trap inlet outer side  123 . Flow continues rightwards through fluid trap inlet inner side  125  and out  151  of inlet inner side  125  into liquid trap chamber  128 . Straight inertial flow of fluid out of liquid trap  125  does not flow directly into filter trap outlet  131 . Rather, fluid flow is forced to circulate within chamber  128  before passing out of chamber  128 . Liquid within the flow  151  falls within chamber  128  and pools at a lower region  120  of liquid trap  130 . Liquid trap inlet  125  and liquid trap outlet  131  are arranged in the central region  150  of liquid trap chamber  128 . After fluid circulates within chamber  128 , pressure causes it to pass out liquid trap outlet  131 . Fluid flow continues rightwards  153  out of outlet  131  into filter chamber  138 . Flow within filter chamber  138  first must pass through first filter media  139 . Since filter media  139  is hydrophobic, any liquid remaining in the flow may be prevented from passing further rightwards. 
     In one embodiment, flow next passes through filter media  141 , which absorbs/adsorbs/deactivates odors, an/or chemical contained within the flow. Flow next passes through filter media  143 . The pleats of filter media  143  create a large surface area which allows the use of ULPA media, for example, with very small pores while keeping flow resistance lower than a similar unpleated media. Flow continues rightwards towards the right boundary of housing end portion and passes into passageway  157 . Passageway  157  directs flow towards valve  133 . More specifically, flow continues through passageway  157  out through opening  136  in housing body portion and out of the filter system  119 . The horizontal position of valve slide  137  affects the flow rate by selectively blocking opening  136 . When slide  137  is pushed fully leftwards, opening  136  will be completely blocked fully stopping fluid flow through system  100 . When slide  137  is pushed fully rightwards, opening  136  is not obstructed by valve  137  at all and flow is not obstructed by valve  133 . 
       FIGS. 6-9  demonstrate how the liquid trap will work in any orientation. Fluid will collect at a lower region  130  within the fluid trap. Because liquid trap inlet  125  and liquid trap outlet  131  are centrally located  150  within liquid trap chamber  128 , lower liquid region  130  will always be separated from the outlet and inlet. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  show attachment loop  161  and attachment clip  163 . Attachment loop  161  is useful for attachment to an IV pole or other similar object. Attachment clip  163  is useful for attachment to a drape. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate the left side view and the right side view of fluid filter cartridge  120 . 
       FIG. 14  shows second embodiment filter system  200 . Filter system  200  has flexible input tube portion  210 , filter cartridge portion  220 , system inlet  217 , and system outlet  219 . As shown in the exploded isometric view of  FIG. 15 , system  200  has input adapter  213 , compressively connected to tube  211 , which compressively connects to inlet outer side  223 . Inlet outer side  223  is held by housing inlet portion  221 . Within filter cartridge  220  are filter first media  239 , filter cap  241 , second filter media first layer  243 , and second filter media second layer  244 . Filter cartridge inlet portion  221  is ultrasonically welded to filter cartridge outlet portion  245 . 
     In this embodiment, first filter media  239  is a cylindrical sleeve of activated carbon media. Second filter media first layer  243  and second layer  244  form a pleated ULPA media. Media cap  241  is arranged adjacent first and second media and blocks direct flow from inlet  223  to outlet  219 . The volume generally between cartridge inlet portion  221  and end portion  245  inner walls and the outer cylindrical surface of filter media  239  creates a liquid trap. More specifically, since the outer cylindrical diameter of the filter media is less than the inner diameter of the cartridge housing, liquid will fall into the region below the filter media. In order to pass out of the filter cartridge housing, liquid would need to go up against gravity through the filter media to flow out  219 . 
     Shown in  FIG. 16  is third embodiment filter system  300 . System  300  is similar to systems  100  and  200  and also contains suction unit  370  configured and arranged to provide vacuum suction. System  300  generally includes inlet  317 , input tube portion  310 , filter cartridge  320 , and suction unit  370 . Input tube portion  310  is similar in the first and second embodiments. Suction unit  370  is an blower, a pump, or impellor such as a Multicomp USA, Part # MC32897 impellor. Suction  370  is configured to provide suction to aid the flow of fluid from inlet  317  out through outlet  375 . System  300  can be used in a laparoscopic surgical setting in which inlet  317  is connected to a pressurized surgical site, and  375  is fed into ambient air. However, blower  370  can be configured such that it provides the substantial portion of the fluid flow drive through system  300 . System  300  can also be configured such that it does not use any portion of the pressure differential between the surgical site and ambient air for causing fluid flow. 
     In addition, each of the disclosed filter system embodiments may modified to also contain an RF transponder for communication with a trocar, a insufflator, or smartboom. The disclosed embodiments may further contain one or more one way valves and the valves may be placed at the liquid trap chamber inlet and/or outlet, the filter chamber inlet and/or outlet, and/or the filter system inlet and/or outlet. The valves may also be automatic valves or electronic valves. The valves may also be biased to be normally closed to prevent any fluid in the filter system from exiting the system when the flow drive is off. 
     The described embodiments provide a number of unexpected results and advantages over the prior art. For example, filter media life may be prolonged by preventing moisture and fluid from in the fluid flow from reaching the filter media. In another aspect, if during laparoscopic surgery blood or other body fluids is passed out of the trocar, it may be intercepted by the wick or the liquid trap before reaching and damaging the filter media. Additionally, the variable valve in certain embodiments allows the filter system to be used in a variety of operating conditions, flow rates, and pressure differentials. Further the clip and clamp provide significant usability improvements by allowing the device to be easily mounted, reducing the strain on the very sensitively held trocar. The filter system has a small form factor, made possible through the combined use in certain embodiments of filter media pleating and filter media lifetime enhancement from the moisture capture techniques. Finally, the efficient combination of elements of the filter system produces a highly economical device that is appropriate for disposable use. 
     Therefore, while the presently-preferred form of the method and device for a filter system has been shown and described, and several modifications discussed, persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that various additional changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.