Patent Description:
The disclosure generally relates to systems for performing minimally invasive surgery, and more particularly, to a closed loop smoke filtration system.

Minimally invasive surgery eliminates the need to make a large incision in a patient, thereby reducing discomfort, recovery time, and many of the deleterious side effects associated with traditional open surgery. In laparoscopic procedures, the abdominal cavity is insufflated with an insufflation gas such as, e.g., CO<NUM>, to create a pneumoperitoneum thereby providing access to the underlying organs. A laparoscopic instrument is introduced through a cannula or a trocar accessing the abdominal cavity to perform one or more surgical tasks. The cannula may incorporate a seal to establish a substantially fluid tight seal about the instrument to preserve the integrity of the pneumoperitoneum.

Instruments utilized during a laparoscopic procedure may include lasers, electrocautery, or sonic cutting instruments, which produce smoke and/or an aerosol as a byproduct of treating tissue. Smoke plumes may obscure the clinician's field of vision and the odor generated is unpleasant. Further, the smoke plume may contain infectious agents which may contaminate the operating arena thereby presenting a danger to operating personnel. The chemical vapor may be irritating to the respiratory tract and also may be carcinogenic. The smoke, noxious fumes, and other gases and vapors may include particulates, bacteria, viral elements, and undesirable odors.

The document <CIT> relates to a smoke evacuation system for use during surgical medical procedures. The system comprises: a surgical apparatus having a fluid conduit therethrough; a vacuum tube fluidly coupled with the fluid conduit; an electrostatic precipitator fluidly coupled with the fluid conduit, the electrostatic precipitator comprising at least one collection surface operable to attract ionized particulate; a vacuum source fluidly coupled with the vacuum tube, wherein the vacuum source is operable to create a flow of fluid through the fluid conduit, the vacuum tube and the electrostatic precipitator, wherein the electrostatic precipitator comprises a collection cell that is electrically charged to at least partially capture oppositely charged particulates in the flow of fluid; and a power source electrically coupled with the electrostatic precipitator.

The document <CIT> relates to a smoke evacuation system for use during surgical medical procedures. The system comprises: a trocar comprising a tubular hollow body circumscribing a cavity extending through a longitudinal axis of the trocar with a gasket at a first end and an exit port at a second end, the tubular hollow body comprising a first wall circumscribing the cavity and a concentrically spaced apart second wall; a first plate operable to maintain an electric charged disposed within the cavity on the first wall; a second plate operable to maintain an electric charge disposed between the first wall and the spaced apart second wall; an insufflator operable to provide gas to the cavity; and a charging controller operable to provide an electric charge to the first plate and the second plate. The electric charge on the first plate is opposite the electric charge on the second plate. The first plate is operable to negatively charge particles, and the second plate is operable to collect and attract negatively charged air particles.

The document <CIT> is state of the art according to Article <NUM>(<NUM>) EPC. This document relates to an insufflation apparatus for use in surgery comprising: an inlet port for receiving insufflating gas from a source of insufflating gas into the apparatus; an outlet port for delivering insufflating gas from the apparatus to a intracorporeal cavity of a patient; a return port for receiving insufflating gas from the patient; a conditioning unit for conditioning the insufflating gas, the conditioning unit comprising an electrostatic precipitator for removing particulate matter present in the extracted insufflation gas using electrostatic precipitation; a regulating assembly for regulating the flow of gas within the apparatus; and, an extractor unit for extracting the insufflating gas from the cavity of the patient to the return port. The electrostatic precipitator for removing particulate material, such as smoke particles, entrained within the insufflation gas, uses electrostatic precipitation. This may be achieved by ionising the insufflation gas and principally the entrained particulates, using an ionisation electrode, and subsequently passing the electrostatically charged gas through an electrically grounded passage so that the charged particulates become attracted to the passage wall, and thus separate from the insufflation gas.

It would be desirable to provide a safe and efficient smoke evacuation system.

The present invention provides a closed loop filtration system for use in a laparoscopic surgical procedure as defined in claim <NUM>. Further preferred embodiment of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

In accordance with the disclosure, a closed loop filtration system includes first and second trocars providing sealed access to a body cavity, a power supply, first and second ionizer units electrically coupled to the power supply, and a filter cartridge. The filter cartridge includes an outlet in communication with the first trocar, an inlet in communication with the second trocar, a first electrode disposed downstream of the inlet of the filter cartridge, and a second electrode disposed downstream of the first electrode. The first electrode is electrically coupled to the first ionizer unit to ionize airborne particulate matter flowing therethrough. The second electrode is electrically coupled to the second ionizer unit and configured to attract the airborne particulate matter that is ionized by the first electrode.

In an aspect, the closed loop filtration system may further include a pump connected to the outlet of the filter cartridge to direct a fluid from the second trocar to the filter cartridge.

In another aspect, the closed loop filtration system may further include an insufflation source connector that is coupled to an insufflation source and the first trocar.

In yet another aspect, the insufflation source connector may also be connected to an outlet of the pump.

In still yet another aspect, the first or second electrode may be a mesh.

In still yet another aspect, the filter cartridge may further include a mechanical filter.

In an aspect, the mechanical filter may be a HEPA or ULPA filter.

In another aspect, the power supply may provide an output voltage between about <NUM> VDC to <NUM> VDC.

In still yet another aspect, the power supply may be a lithium-ion battery.

In an aspect, the first electrode may be negatively charged.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a closed loop filtration system includes a first trocar configured to supply a fluid into a body cavity, a second trocar configured to discharge the fluid from the body cavity, a power supply, first and second ionizer units electrically coupled to the power supply, and a filter cartridge. The filter cartridge includes an outlet in communication with the first trocar, an inlet in communication with the second trocar, a first electrode disposed downstream of the inlet of the filter cartridge, and a second electrode disposed downstream of the first electrode. The first electrode is electrically coupled to the first ionizer unit to electrically charge airborne particulate matter passing through the first electrode. The second electrode is electrically coupled to the second ionizer unit and configured to attract the airborne particulate matter that is electrically charged by the first electrode.

In an aspect, the fluid may be an insufflation gas.

In another aspect, the filter cartridge may further include a mechanical filter that is disposed downstream of the second electrode.

In yet another aspect, the closed loop filtration system may further include a pump electrically coupled to the power supply and having a pump inlet in communication with the outlet of the filter cartridge and a pump outlet in communication with the first trocar.

In still yet another aspect, the pump may have an output of about <NUM> liters per minute.

In still yet another aspect, the first or second electrodes may be formed of stainless steel.

In still yet another aspect, the first or second electrodes may be a mesh.

In an aspect, the closed loop filtration system may further include an insufflation source connector disposed downstream of the pump outlet. The insufflation source connector may be coupled to an insufflation gas source.

In another aspect, the pump may be a diaphragm pump.

In yet another aspect, the power supply may be a lithium-ion battery.

The above and other aspects and features of this disclosure will become more apparent in view of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements.

The closed loop smoke filtration system disclosed herein is described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.

As used herein, the term "distal" refers to the portion that is being described which is farther from a user, while the term "proximal" refers to the portion that is being described which is closer to a user. In addition, the terms parallel and perpendicular are understood to include relative configurations that are substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular up to about + or - <NUM> degrees from true parallel and true perpendicular. Further, to the extent consistent, any or all of the aspects detailed herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects detailed herein.

Initially, with reference to <FIG>, a closed loop smoke filtration system in accordance with the disclosure is shown generally as a smoke filtration system <NUM>. The smoke filtration system <NUM> inhibits contaminated insufflation gas, which may include airborne particulate matter and pathogens, from being released to the operating room. In particular, the smoke filtration system <NUM> utilizes an electrostatic precipitator to filter out the airborne particulate matter and pathogens from the contaminated insufflation gas, as will be described. The smoke filtration system <NUM> includes a power module <NUM>, a filter cartridge <NUM>, an inlet tubing <NUM>, an outlet tubing <NUM>, a connecting inlet tubing <NUM>, a connecting outlet tubing <NUM>, and first and second trocars <NUM>, <NUM>.

The first and second trocars <NUM>, <NUM> are inserted through tissue and are placed adjacent a surgical site. The first trocar <NUM> provides sealed access of surgical instruments into an insufflated body cavity, such as the abdominal cavity. The first trocar <NUM> includes a cannula <NUM> and a housing <NUM>. The cannula <NUM> defines a lumen extending therethrough. The housing <NUM> may be secured with or integrally formed with the cannula <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is configured to support a seal assembly to provide sealed passage of the surgical instrument through the first trocar <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes an insufflation port <NUM> that is coupled to an insufflation source "IS" to provide the insufflation gas to the body cavity. The outlet tubing <NUM> interconnects the insufflation port <NUM> of the first trocar <NUM> to an insufflation source connector <NUM> that is coupled to the insufflation source "IS". The insufflation gas from the insufflation source "IS" and the filtered insufflation gas from the filter cartridge <NUM> are supplied to the body cavity through the first trocar <NUM>. In particular, the insufflation source "IS" provides the insufflation gas to the insufflation source connector <NUM> to initially insufflate the body cavity and also to compensate for any loss of the insufflation gas during a surgical procedure. While pneumoperitoneum in the body cavity is maintained, the smoke filtration system <NUM> forms a closed loop system and only the filtered insufflation gas is recirculated through the insufflation source connector <NUM>.

The second trocar <NUM> is identical to the first trocar <NUM> and thus will not be described. The second trocar <NUM> is also placed to provide sealed access of surgical instruments into the insufflated body cavity, such as the abdominal cavity, and to remove the contaminated insufflation gas from the insufflated body cavity. Under such a configuration, new or filtered insufflation gas is supplied to the body cavity via the first trocar <NUM>, while the contaminated insufflation gas is discharged from the body cavity via the second trocar <NUM> in order to maintain pneumoperitoneum. While the first and second trocars <NUM>, <NUM> are shown, it is contemplated that a single trocar having separate intake and exhaust flow paths may be used. For a detailed description of the structure and function of components of exemplary surgical access devices such as trocars and cannulas, reference may be made to <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the contaminated insufflation gas is discharged or evacuated from the second trocar <NUM> and flows into the filter cartridge <NUM> via the inlet tubing <NUM>. In an aspect, the filter cartridge <NUM> may be disposable. The filter cartridge <NUM> has the electrostatic precipitator that removes particulate matter and pathogens from the contaminated insufflation gas. The filtered insufflation gas then flows into the power module <NUM> via a connecting inlet tubing <NUM>. The connecting inlet tubing <NUM> is connected to an inlet port <NUM> (<FIG>) of a pump <NUM> in the power module <NUM> and a connecting outlet tubing <NUM> is connected to an outlet port <NUM> of the pump <NUM> such that the filtered insufflation gas flows through the pump <NUM>. The connecting outlet tubing <NUM> interconnects the pump <NUM> and the insufflation source connector <NUM> to direct the filtered insufflation gas to the outlet tubing <NUM>. The insufflation source connector <NUM> merges an insufflation gas from the insufflation source "IS" and the filtered insufflation gas.

<FIG> illustrates the filter cartridge <NUM> that utilizes the electrostatic precipitator to filter out the particulate matter and pathogens from the contaminated insufflation gas. In particular, the pump <NUM> (<FIG>) causes the contaminated insufflation gas to flow from the body cavity to the filter cartridge <NUM> via inlet tubing <NUM>. The filter cartridge <NUM> includes a chamber <NUM> supporting first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>. The first electrode <NUM> is coupled to the power supply <NUM> via a first ionizer <NUM> (<FIG>) that creates a first electric field around the first electrode <NUM> having a negative charge. The second electrode <NUM> is coupled to the power supply <NUM> via a second ionizer <NUM> (<FIG>) that creates a second electric field around the second electrode <NUM> having a positive charge. As the contaminated insufflation gas containing, e.g., smoke and particulate matter, flows through the filter cartridge <NUM>, the contaminated insufflation gas first passes through the first electric field where the airborne particulate matter is ionized by the negative charge present in the first electric field, thereby acquiring a generally negative charge. As the ionized airborne particulate matter flows through the chamber <NUM> in the direction of arrows "S", it passes into the second electric field that has a positive electric charge. The oppositely charged airborne particulate matter is attracted by the positive electric charge and accumulates in the chamber <NUM> of the filter cartridge <NUM> in the vicinity of the second electrode <NUM>. In this manner, evacuating the smoke and particulate matter in the insufflation gas in the body cavity may be performed in parallel with a surgical procedure, following a surgical procedure, or a combination thereof.

By subjecting the airborne particulate matter to a negative electric field and ionizing the airborne particulate matter with a negative electric charge, the oppositely charged electrode easily attracts and retains the ionized airborne particulate matter thereby inhibiting the airborne particulate matter from exiting the body cavity and into the environment surrounding the patient (e.g., an operating room).

It is contemplated that the electrical fields may be reversed such that a positive electric field is generated in the vicinity of the first electrode <NUM> and a negative electric field is generated in the vicinity of the second electrode <NUM>. In this instance, the airborne particulate matter would acquire a positive electric charge as it passes through the first electrode <NUM> and is attracted to the negative electric field near the second electrode <NUM> where the airborne particulate matter would accumulate. One or both of the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may be a wire, a mesh (<FIG>), a flexible conductive circuit, an electrically conductive organic compound, or combinations thereof. In an aspect, the mesh may be formed of stainless steel.

<FIG> illustrates the components of the power module <NUM>. The power module <NUM> includes the pump <NUM>, first and second ionizer units <NUM>, <NUM> (only one shown), and the power supply <NUM>. As discussed hereinabove, the pump <NUM> includes the inlet and outlet ports <NUM>, <NUM> that are in communication with the filter cartridge <NUM> and the insufflation source connector <NUM>, respectively, via the respective connecting inlet tubing <NUM> and connecting outlet tubing <NUM>. The pump <NUM> is electrically coupled to the power supply <NUM> for supply of power. In an aspect, the pump <NUM> may be a diaphragm pump with pump capacity of about <NUM> liters per minute (LPM). The first and second ionizer units <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled to the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> to create respective electric fields therearound, as discussed hereinabove. The first and second ionizer units <NUM>, <NUM> are electrically coupled to the power supply <NUM> for supply of power. In an aspect, the power supply <NUM> is a high voltage DC power supply that receives an input voltage of about <NUM> VDC and has an output voltage between about <NUM> VDC to <NUM> VDC. In an aspect, the power supply <NUM> is a lithium-ion battery.

<FIG> illustrates a filter cartridge <NUM> in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure. The filter cartridge <NUM> may be disposable. Similar to the filter cartridge <NUM>, the filter cartridge <NUM> includes first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> that are configured in a manner described hereinabove. However, the filter cartridge <NUM> may further include a mechanical filter <NUM>. The mechanical filter <NUM> captures any particulate matter that is not captured by the second electrode <NUM>. In an aspect, the mechanical filter <NUM> may be a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or an ultra-low particulate air (ULPA) filter.

In use, the first and second trocars <NUM>, <NUM> are placed with respect to the surgical site to maintain proper pneumoperitoneum of the surgical site. Initially, an insufflation gas is supplied to the surgical site by the insufflation source "IS" to inflate the body cavity. The clinician may perform surgical procedures as needed. During the surgical procedure, the clinician may utilize electrosurgical devices that may create smoke and impair visualization of the surgical site. The clinician may activate the smoke filtration system <NUM> as needed to remove the contaminated insufflation gas safely and efficiently from the body cavity. Activation of the smoke filtration system <NUM> activates the pump <NUM> to discharge the contaminated insufflation gas from the body cavity through the second trocar <NUM> to the filter cartridge <NUM>. The first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> and optionally the mechanical filter <NUM> removes the particulate matters and pathogens from the contaminated insufflation gas. The filtered insufflation gas is returned to the body cavity along with a new insufflation gas from the insufflation source "IS. " In this manner, the smoke filtration system <NUM> inhibits the contaminated insufflation gas from being released to the operating room and the environment, while maintaining pneumoperitoneum and improving visibility of the surgical site.

Claim 1:
A closed loop filtration system (<NUM>) for use in a laparoscopic surgical procedure comprising:
first and second trocars (<NUM>, <NUM>) providing sealed access to a body cavity;
a power supply (<NUM>);
first and second ionizer units (<NUM>, <NUM>) electrically coupled to the power supply; and
a filter cartridge (<NUM>) including:
an outlet in communication with the first trocar (<NUM>);
an inlet in communication with the second trocar (<NUM>);
a first electrode (<NUM>) disposed downstream of the inlet of the filter cartridge, the first electrode electrically coupled to the first ionizer unit (<NUM>) to ionize airborne particulate matter flowing therethrough; and
a second electrode (<NUM>) disposed downstream of the first electrode, the second electrode electrically coupled to the second ionizer unit (<NUM>) and configured to attract the airborne particulate matter that is ionized by the first electrode.