Patent Description:
Surgical smoke and aerosol, or plume, is often created during the performance of various types of surgeries. For example, when laser or electrosurgical energy is delivered to a cell, heat is created. This heat vaporizes the intracellular fluid, which increases the pressure inside the cell and eventually causes the cell membrane to burst. In this example, a plume of smoke containing water vapor is released into the atmosphere of the operating room, doctor's office, or other location in which the surgery is taking place. At the same time, the heat created may char the protein and other organic matter within the cell and may cause thermal necrosis in adjacent cells. The charring of cells may also release other harmful contaminants, such as carbonized cell fragments and gaseous hydrocarbons.

<CIT> discloses an electrosurgical dissection instrument which includes a housing, a vacuum cannula extending distally from the housing, and an electrode extending distally from the housing through the vacuum cannula. The vacuum cannula and electrode are configured for independent, selective positioning along a longitudinal axis of the housing. An aspiration tube may be coupled to the vacuum cannula. The vacuum cannula and/or aspiration tube include one or more pre-aspiration ports and/or an elastomeric or rigid aspiration tip at a distal end thereof. A second independently-positionable vacuum cannula and/or aspiration tube may be disposed within the first vacuum cannula and/or aspiration tube. Once positioned, the vacuum cannula and electrode may be fixed in position to prevent undesired movement during use.

<CIT> discloses an electrosurgical device and method for cauterizing tissue and evacuating fluid from the surgical site. The device comprises an insulated conductive shaft having a proximal end coupled to an electric generator and a distal end coupled to an electrode for cutting or coagulating tissue. The shaft has an inner lumen fluidly coupled to a vacuum source and a plurality of insulated side holes in communication with the lumen. The side holes are configured to remain free of obstructions so that fluid, such as smoke, can be continuously evacuated during the surgical procedure.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for surgical procedures and a method for providing the apparatus. The apparatus in accordance with the invention is defined by claim <NUM>. The method in accordance with the invention is defined by claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by claims <NUM> to <NUM>, and <NUM>.

A first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a surgical apparatus. The surgical apparatus includes an elongated body including a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end, the elongated body including a fluid conduit extending through the longitudinal axis, and a fluid inlet disposed adjacent to the distal end, wherein the fluid inlet is operable to allow a flow of fluid at a first flow rate. The surgical apparatus further includes a cutting element disposed adjacent to the distal end, a fluid outlet disposed adjacent to the proximal end, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication via the fluid conduit, and at least one perforation defined by the elongated body adjacent to the distal end, wherein the at least one perforation is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.

A second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure presents a surgical apparatus. The surgical apparatus includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a fluid inlet disposed adjacent to the distal end. The surgical apparatus further includes a cutting element disposed adjacent to the distal end, a fluid outlet disposed adjacent to the proximal end, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication via a fluid conduit, and a plurality of perforations defined by the elongated body located adjacent the distal end, wherein the plurality of perforations are in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.

A third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure presents a method of providing a surgical apparatus, the surgical apparatus including an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a fluid inlet disposed adjacent to the distal end. The surgical apparatus further includes a cutting element disposed adjacent to the distal end, and a fluid outlet disposed adjacent to the proximal end, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication via a fluid conduit. The surgical apparatus still further includes at least one perforation defined by the elongated body adjacent to the distal end, wherein the at least one perforation is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. The method further includes providing a vacuum source in fluid communication with the fluid outlet, and cutting tissue, whereby a plume develops and is at least partially communicated to the fluid conduit via the fluid inlet and the at least one perforation.

A fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure presents a surgical apparatus. The surgical apparatus includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a fluid inlet disposed adjacent to the distal end. The surgical apparatus further includes a cutting element disposed adjacent to the distal end, and a fluid outlet disposed adjacent to the proximal end, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication via a fluid conduit. The surgical apparatus still further includes a plurality of perforations defined by the elongated body located adjacent to the proximal end, wherein the plurality of perforations is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.

The following will describe embodiments of the present disclosure, but it should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and various modifications of the invention are possible without departing from the basic principles. The scope of the present disclosure is therefore to be determined solely by the appended claims.

During some surgical procedures, plume or smoke is created near the surgical site. This plume or smoke can include gases, fluids, and/or particulates. These gases, fluids, and/or particulates can be harmful to humans if inhaled. These gases, fluids, and/or particulates can also obstruct a medical professional's view of the surgical site during the performance of the surgery. If the medical professional is unable to properly view the surgical site, the medical professional may be more inclined to make mistakes during the procedure. Accordingly, there is a need to effectively and efficiently remove surgical smoke, plume, gas, fluid, and/or particulates from and around the surgical site during the performance of the surgical procedure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a surgical apparatus operable to have a flow of gas, fluid, and/or particulate pass through it. Embodiments of the present disclosure allow gas, fluid, and/or particulates created during a surgical procedure to be removed or evacuated from nearby the surgical site. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a surgical apparatus having an increased surface area such that the surgical apparatus is operable to evacuate gas, fluid, and/or particulates from a larger area other than simply adjacent to the surgical site. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a surgical apparatus having one or a plurality of perforations located adjacent to a cutting element, wherein each one of the one or plurality of perforations are fluidly connected to a conduit within the surgical apparatus for evacuating gas, fluid, and/or particulates. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a surgical apparatus having a plurality of perforations disposed through the long axis of the surgical apparatus operable for allowing a flow of gas, fluid and/or particulates through the long axis of the surgical apparatus.

Referring to <FIG>, shown are exemplary embodiments of a device <NUM> suitable for performing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Shown in <FIG> is device <NUM> having a body <NUM> and a longitudinal axis <NUM>. At the distal end <NUM> of device <NUM> is cutting element <NUM>. Embodiments of cutting element <NUM> include an electrode operable to apply an electrical current to a surgical site for cutting and/or coagulation. Embodiments of cutting element <NUM> include an ultrasonic scalpel or a laser scalpel. Embodiments of device <NUM> include a first button <NUM> and in some instances a second button <NUM>. Embodiments of device <NUM> provide that buttons <NUM>, <NUM> may be operable to (i) activate/deactivate cutting element <NUM>, (ii) change the cutting configuration of cutting element <NUM> (e.g., cutting to coagulation), (iii) activate/deactivate an evacuation source, and/or (iv) operate a valve <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) within conduit <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) operable to allow a flow of fluid, gas and/or particulates through conduit <NUM> in one configuration and obstruct the flow of fluid, gas, and/or particulates through conduit <NUM> in a second configuration. In yet another embodiment, first and second buttons <NUM>, <NUM> are operable to activate a first power level and a second power level of cutting element <NUM>.

Adjacent cutting element <NUM> is inlet <NUM>. Inlet <NUM> provides an opening that is fluidly connected to conduit <NUM>. Conduit <NUM> extends through the longitudinal axis <NUM> of body <NUM>. Conduit <NUM> provides a hollow channel that allows a flow of fluid, gas, and/or particulates through body <NUM>. At the proximal end <NUM> of body <NUM> is outlet <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). Outlet <NUM> is fluidly connected to conduit <NUM> and provides an opening that allows a flow of fluid, gas, and/or particulates to pass through it. Outlet <NUM> is fluidly coupled to tube <NUM>. Tube <NUM> defines a hollow passage that is fluidly connected to outlet <NUM> and an evacuation source <NUM> (e.g., a vacuum source as shown in <FIG>). Embodiments of evacuation source <NUM> are operable to urge or create a flow of fluid and/or particulates through inlet <NUM>, perforations <NUM>, conduit <NUM>, outlet <NUM> and tube <NUM> such that a flow of fluid and/or particulates passes from inlet <NUM> to evacuation source <NUM>. Embodiments of evacuation source <NUM> include a motor <NUM> and a power source <NUM> (e.g., power from an outlet or battery <NUM>) such that evacuation source <NUM> is operable to create a vacuum or fluid flow through device <NUM> and tube <NUM>. In this embodiment, outlet <NUM> is fluidly connected to ball swivel joint <NUM> having a hollow passageway <NUM> (see <FIG>) that is fluidly connected to tube <NUM>, outlet <NUM> and conduit <NUM>. Ball swivel joint <NUM> is operable to move and/or rotate to multiple angles allowing the tube <NUM> and/or body <NUM> to be moved relative to one another (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>). Ball swivel <NUM> includes a socket portion that is rotatably coupled with body <NUM> adjacent outlet <NUM>. The ball swivel <NUM> also includes a ball portion that is at least partially disposed within the socket portion such that the ball portion and the socket portion are in fluid communication with one another and together form hollow passageway <NUM>.

Adjacent inlet <NUM> are perforations <NUM>. Perforations <NUM> provide openings, passageways or holes in body <NUM> from a surrounding environment to conduit <NUM>. Perforations <NUM> are in fluid communication (also referred to as fluidly connected) to conduit <NUM>. Perforations <NUM> are operable to allow a flow of fluid, gas, and/or particulates from the surrounding environment through perforations <NUM> to conduit <NUM>. It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure provide that outlet <NUM> allows a flow of fluid, gas and/or particulates at a first rate and perforations <NUM> allow a flow of at a second rate. In one embodiment the second rate with will less that the first rate. In another embodiment, a flow rate through perforations <NUM> is less than or equal to a flow rate of fluid through the outlet <NUM>. Embodiments of perforations <NUM> define a gap having an area that is less than the area of inlet <NUM>. Embodiments of perforations <NUM> in another embodiment define a gap having an area that is less than or equal to the area of inlet <NUM>.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which depicts a close-up view of the distal end of device <NUM>. Shown in <FIG> is electrode <NUM> extending from inlet <NUM> of shroud <NUM>. Shroud <NUM> includes perforations <NUM>, which provide gaps, holes or passageways to conduit <NUM>. It should be appreciated that in this embodiment perforations <NUM> include an exterior opening portion <NUM> (fluidly connected to the surrounding environment) adjacent the radial exterior surface <NUM> of shroud <NUM>, and an interior opening portion <NUM> (fluidly connected to conduit <NUM>) adjacent the radial interior surface <NUM> of shroud <NUM>. Exterior opening portion <NUM> and interior opening portion <NUM> of a perforation <NUM> are in fluid communication with one another and are connected by radial perforation surface <NUM>. The radial perforation surface <NUM> is defined by the radial surface of shroud <NUM> that connects the exterior opening portion <NUM> and the interior opening portion <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the exterior opening portion <NUM> can be disposed closer to the distal end <NUM> than the interior opening portion <NUM>. In other words, the exterior opening portion <NUM> and the interior opening portion <NUM> do not run perpendicular the longitudinal axis <NUM>, but are angled between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. In other words, the radial perforation surface <NUM> between the exterior opening portion <NUM> and the interior opening portion <NUM> can be angled toward the distal end <NUM> or any other direction. In another embodiment the exterior opening portion <NUM> can be disposed closer to the proximal end <NUM> than the interior opening portion <NUM> such that the radial perforation surface <NUM> is angled toward the proximal end <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, the exterior opening portion <NUM> is disposed such that it is radially spaced from the interior opening portion <NUM>. Embodiments include some or all of the perforations <NUM> including a filter <NUM> located within perforations <NUM> between the radial perforation surface <NUM>. Embodiments of filter <NUM> are operable to remove gases, fluids and/or particulates from a flow that passes through filter <NUM>. Embodiments of filter <NUM> include HEPA filters, carbon filters, and any type of air filter known in the art. Embodiments of carbon filters include porous carbon that is operable to trap or filter out particulates from gas and/or fluids that pass through perforations <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, device <NUM> includes three perforations <NUM> located adjacent inlet <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments provide there being one or multiple perforations <NUM> disposed anywhere along body <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, shown is an embodiment of device <NUM> having two perforations <NUM> disposed adjacent inlet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, shown is yet another embodiment of device <NUM>. In this embodiment, device <NUM> includes one perforation <NUM> disposed adjacent inlet <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, illustrated is device <NUM> with tube <NUM> coupled to filter assembly <NUM> operable to filter out gas, fluid and/or particulates from the flow that passes through inlet <NUM>, perforations <NUM>, conduit <NUM>, outlet <NUM>, and tube <NUM>. It should be appreciated that embodiments include a vacuum or evacuation source being coupled to filter assembly <NUM> operable to urge or create a flow of fluid, gas, and/or particulates through inlet <NUM>, perforations <NUM>, conduit <NUM>, outlet <NUM>, and tube <NUM>. Embodiments of a vacuum or evacuation source include a central vacuum unit installed in a wall of a medical facility, a standalone unit or a remote vacuum unit (as shown in <FIG>) located adjacent to or spaced from the filter assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, shown is yet another embodiment of device <NUM> having a body <NUM>, an inlet <NUM> and one perforation <NUM>. It should be appreciated in this embodiment that shroud <NUM> surrounding cutting element <NUM> has a length extending along the longitudinal axis <NUM> that is shorter than that found in <FIG>. Embodiments of device <NUM> include a shroud <NUM> partially extending over length of cutting element <NUM> by <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>%.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which illustrates another embodiment of device <NUM> having a body <NUM>, a shroud <NUM> and perforations <NUM>. It should be appreciated that embodiments provide that perforations <NUM> (as depicted in <FIG>) are colinear with one another such that the perforations <NUM> are lined up adjacent to one another along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of device <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, perforations <NUM> are located along the same radial position with respect to the longitudinal axis <NUM> as first and second buttons <NUM>, <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments of perforations <NUM> can be located colinear with one another at any radial location on body <NUM> (or shroud <NUM>) or they can be non-colinear with one another. As shown in <FIG>, perforations <NUM> are co-linear with one another along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of device <NUM>, but are located <NUM> degrees from the radial location of first and second buttons <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, shown is yet another exemplary embodiment of device <NUM> having a body <NUM> and perforations <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, perforations <NUM> are located along body <NUM> adjacent first and second buttons <NUM>, <NUM> rather than the shroud <NUM> portion of body <NUM>. In this embodiment, perforations <NUM> are colinear with first and second buttons <NUM>, <NUM> along body <NUM> extending from adjacent shroud <NUM> to adjacent ball swivel <NUM>. It should be appreciated that regardless of the location of perforations <NUM> on device <NUM>, in each embodiment, perforations <NUM> provide a gap, hole or passageway between conduit <NUM> and the exterior environment of device <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, shown is an embodiment of device <NUM> similar to that found in <FIG>. Shown in <FIG> is device <NUM> having a body <NUM> and perforations <NUM> located colinear with one another along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of body <NUM>. However, in this embodiment, perforations <NUM> are radially spaced from first and second buttons <NUM>, <NUM> by approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, shown is another exemplary embodiment of device <NUM> having a body <NUM> and perforations <NUM>. In this embodiment, there are only three perforations <NUM> located adjacent ball swivel <NUM>. It should be appreciated that embodiments of device <NUM> provide that perforations <NUM> are located on multiple radial locations (or sides) of device <NUM>. For example, device <NUM> from <FIG> may include three perforations <NUM> along one side and three perforations <NUM> located along another side <NUM> degrees radially from the three perforations <NUM> depicted in <FIG>.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which depicts device <NUM> with body <NUM>, shroud <NUM> and perforations <NUM>. As shown in this embodiment, there are two sets of perforations <NUM> that are colinear with one another along the radial direction. In other words, perforations <NUM> circumscribe shroud <NUM> creating two rings around shroud <NUM>. It should be appreciated that embodiments include perforations <NUM> forming one (shown in <FIG>) or multiple rings around shroud <NUM> and/or body <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, shown is another exemplary device <NUM> having a body <NUM> and a single perforation <NUM> located adjacent ball swivel <NUM>.

In practice embodiments of device <NUM> can be used in surgical procedures. For instance, cutting element <NUM> will be used to cut human tissue. This cutting can cause the creation of surgical smoke or plume, which can include gases, fluids, and/or particulates to enter the atmosphere surrounding the surgical site. A vacuum source <NUM> fluidly connected to tube <NUM> and conduit <NUM> of device <NUM> will be activated such that a flow of gas, fluid and/or particulates is created or urged through inlet <NUM>, perforations <NUM>, conduit <NUM>, outlet <NUM>, and tube <NUM>. Since the surgical smoke or plume may not be localized next to the surgical site, the inlet <NUM> alone will not be able to evacuate all of the visibility obstructing surgical smoke. In this regard, perforations <NUM> increase the area of evacuation such that the smoke or plume can be more quickly and efficiently removed from the surgical room/area. For the embodiment in which perforations <NUM> include filters <NUM>, gas, fluid, and/or particulates that pass through filters <NUM> and perforations <NUM> will be filtered based on the type of filter <NUM> located in each particular perforation <NUM>.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which depicts a logic flow diagram suitable for practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Block <NUM> states providing a surgical apparatus, the surgical apparatus comprising an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a fluid inlet disposed adjacent to the distal end, a cutting element disposed adjacent to the distal end, a fluid outlet disposed adjacent to the proximal end, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication via a fluid conduit, and at least one perforation defined by the elongated body adjacent to the distal end, wherein the at least one perforation is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit; and providing a vacuum source in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. Then block <NUM> specifies wherein the at least one perforation captures at least a portion of the plume not captured by the fluid inlet.

Some of the non-limiting implementations detailed above are also summarized in <FIG> following block <NUM>. Block <NUM> recites wherein the at least one perforation defines a gap having an area less than the fluid inlet. Block <NUM> states wherein the at least one perforation is operable to allow the flow of fluid at a second flow rate, and wherein the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate. Then block <NUM> specifies wherein the at least one perforation comprises an exterior opening and an interior opening, wherein the exterior opening is disposed closer to the distal end than the interior opening. Block <NUM> states wherein the cutting element comprises one of (i) an electrode extending from the distal end, (ii) an ultrasonic blade extending from the distal end, and (iii) an optical fiber. Next block <NUM> relates to the surgical apparatus further comprising a second at least one perforation defined by the elongated body adjacent to the proximal end, wherein the second at least one perforation is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. Then block <NUM> indicates wherein the elongated body defines a third at least one perforation disposed between the at least one perforation and the second at least one perforation, wherein the third at least one perforation is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. Finally, block <NUM> states wherein the fluid inlet is operable to capture a fluid adjacent the cutting element, and wherein the at least one perforation is operable to capture a fluid spaced from the cutting element.

The logic diagram of <FIG> may be considered to illustrate the operation of a method, or a specific manner in which components of a device are configured to cause the device to operate or be provided, whether such device is an electrosurgical device, surgical device, or one or more components thereof.

Claim 1:
A surgical apparatus, comprising:
an elongated body (<NUM>) comprising a longitudinal axis (<NUM>), a distal end (<NUM>), and a proximal end (<NUM>), the elongated body (<NUM>) comprising a fluid conduit (<NUM>) extending along the longitudinal axis (<NUM>);
a fluid inlet (<NUM>) disposed adjacent to the distal end (<NUM>), wherein the fluid inlet (<NUM>) is operable to allow a flow of fluid at a first flow rate;
a cutting element (<NUM>) disposed adjacent to the distal end (<NUM>);
a fluid outlet (<NUM>) disposed adjacent to the proximal end (<NUM>), wherein the fluid inlet (<NUM>) and the fluid outlet (<NUM>) are in fluid communication via the fluid conduit (<NUM>); and
at least one perforation (<NUM>) defined by the elongated body (<NUM>) adjacent to the distal end (<NUM>), wherein the at least one perforation (<NUM>) is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit (<NUM>);
characterised in that the at least one perforation (<NUM>) includes a filter (<NUM>), wherein the filter is located within the perforation and is operable to remove gases, fluids and/or particles from a flow that passes through the filter.