Attachment for removal of smoke in laparoscopic surgery

Claim 2

An air quality enhancement device for removal of electrocautery or laser smoke from a patient cavity comprising: a hollow envelope having a forward, middle and rearward region further having a plurality of apertures located at a rearward region thereof, a first opening means through a wall of the hollow envelope at a forward region thereof for receiving smoke from a patient cavity, and a second opening means through the wall of the hollow envelope at a substantially middle region thereof for dispensing smoke from the patient cavity; a first connecting means located at the first opening of the hollow envelope for operatively attaching the air quality enhancement device to a laparoscopic assembly; and a second connecting means located at the second opening of the hollow envelope for operatively attaching the air quality enhancement device to a vacuum pump suction line.

Claim 3

A device according to claim 1 wherein the hollow envelope comprises a rigid plastic material.

Claim 4

A device according to claim 1 wherein the first connecting means comprises luer lock.

Claim 5

A device according to claim 1 wherein the second connecting means comprises a flexible plastic tube.

Claim 6

In combination, a laparoscopic assembly and an air quality enhancement device according to claim 1 comprising: a first connecting means located at the first opening of the hollow envelope and operatively attaching the air quality enhancement device to the laparoscopic assembly; and a second connecting means located at the second opening of the hollow envelope for operatively attaching the air quality enhancement device to a vacuum pump suction line.

Claim 7

A combination according to claim 5 wherein the air quality enhancement device is detachable from the laparoscopic assembly.

Claim 8

An evacuation method for removing laser smoke from an operation site in a patient cavity during laser laparoscopic surgery consisting the steps of: inserting a laparoscopic port having a valve means on a side thereof into a patient cavity; connecting the valve means to an easily detachable air quality enhancement device as described below; connecting the air quality enhancement device to a vacuum pump suction line, and performing laparoscopic surgery and adjusting the valve means to provide either a continuous or discontinuous suction for withdrawal of smoke and other contaminants from the patient cavity, thereby providing a smoke-free environment for surgeons; said air quality enhancement device comprising: (1) a hollow envelope having a plurality of apertures located at a rearward region thereof, a first opening through a wall of the hollow envelope at a forward region thereof, and a second opening through the wall of the hollow envelope at a substantially middle region thereof; (2) a first connecting means located at the first opening of the hollow envelope for operatively attaching the air quality enhancement device to a valve means positioned on a side of a laparoscopic port; and (3) a second connecting means located at the second opening of the hollow envelope for operatively attaching the air quality enhancement device to a vacuum pump suction line.

Claim 9

An evacuation method for removing laser smoke from an operation site in a patient cavity during laser laparoscopic surgery consisting the steps of: inserting a laparoscopic port having a valve means on a side thereof into a patient cavity; connecting the valve means to an easily detachable air quality enhancement device as described below; connecting the air quality enhancement device to a vacuum pump suction line, and performing laparoscopic surgery and adjusting the valve means to provide either a continuous or discontinuous suction for withdrawal of smoke and other contaminants from the patient cavity, thereby providing a smoke-free environment for surgeons; said air quality enhancement device comprising: (1) a hollow envelope having a plurality of apertures located at a rearward region thereof, a first opening through a wall of the hollow envelope at a forward region thereof, and a second opening through the wall of the hollow envelope at a substantially middle region thereof; (2) a first connecting means located at the first opening of the hollow envelope for operatively attaching the air quality enhancement device to a valve means positioned on a side of a laparoscopic port; and (3) a second connecting means located at the second opening of the hollow envelope for operatively attaching the air quality enhancement device to a vacuum pump suction line.