Centralized laser plume evacuation system through articulating arms

Claim 2

A modular display and connection unit for use with a centralized system for removing airborne contaminants from the site of at least one medical procedure being performed in at least one of a plurality of medical procedure rooms connected to the centralized system, the airborne contaminants being the result of the medical procedures performed in the medical procedure rooms, the centralized system including piping means for transporting the airborne contaminants from the medical procedure room, the modular display and connection unit comprising: a panel member having a front side and a rear side, said panel member being mountable to a support assembly providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; an access outlet integral with said panel member, said access outlet providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; means for connecting said access outlet to the piping means of the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; and means for sensing the pressure of air passing through the modular display and connection unit.

Claim 3

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 1, further comprising: display means operatively connected to said air pressure sensing means for displaying the pressure of air passing through the modular display and connection unit as detected by said air pressure sensing means, said display means being mountable on said front side of said panel member.

Claim 4

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 1, wherein said means for connecting said access outlet to the piping means of the centralized system comprises: a rigid pipe member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said rigid pipe member being affixed to and extending from said access outlet on said rear side of said panel member.

Claim 5

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 3, wherein said means for sensing the pressure of air passing through the modular display and connection unit comprises: a pressure sensor; and a tube member permitting fluid communication between said pressure sensor and said rigid pipe member.

Claim 6

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 4, further comprising: a flow control valve intersecting and communicating with said second end of said rigid pipe member; and a manually actable valve control knob for controlling said flow control valve, said valve control knob projecting from said front side of said panel member.

Claim 7

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 5, further comprising: alarm means mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said pressure sensor.

Claim 8

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 6, wherein said alarm means comprises: means for visually indicating an alarm condition mounted on said front side of said panel member, said means for visually indicating an alarm condition being actuated by a drop in pressure as indicated by said pressure sensor.

Claim 9

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 7, wherein said means for visually indicating an alarm condition comprises: a light emitting diode.

Claim 10

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 8, further comprising: display means operatively connected to said pressure sensor for displaying the pressure of air passing through the modular display and connection unit as detected by said pressure sensor, said display means being mountable on said front side of said panel member.

Claim 11

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 1, further comprising: alarm means mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said air pressure sensing means.

Claim 12

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 10, wherein said alarm means comprises: means for visually indicating an alarm condition, said means for visually indicating an alarm condition being actuated by a drop in pressure as indicated by said air pressure sensing means.

Claim 13

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 1, further comprising: means for sensing the velocity of air flow through the modular display and connection unit.

Claim 14

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 12, wherein said means for connecting said access outlet to the piping means of the centralized system comprises: a rigid pipe member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said rigid pipe member being affixed to and extending from said access outlet on said rear side of said panel member.

Claim 15

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 13, wherein said means for sensing the velocity of air flow through the modular display and connection unit comprises: a flow velocity sensor; and a tube member permitting fluid communication between said flow velocity sensor and said rigid pipe member.

Claim 16

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 14, further comprising: a flow control valve intersecting and communicating with said second end of said rigid pipe member; and a manually actuable valve control knob for controlling said flow control valve, said valve control knob projecting from said front side of said panel member.

Claim 17

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 15, further comprising: first alarm means mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said air pressure sensing means.

Claim 18

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 16, wherein said first alarm means comprises: first means for visually indicating an alarm condition, said first means for visually indicating an alarm condition being actuated by a drop in pressure as indicated by said air pressure sensing means.

Claim 19

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 17, wherein said first means for visually indicating an alarm condition comprises: a first light emitting diode.

Claim 20

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 18, further comprising: second alarm means mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said flow velocity sensor.

Claim 21

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 19, wherein said second alarm means comprises: second means for visually indicating an alarm condition, said second means for visually indicating an alarm condition being actuated by a drop in air flow velocity as indicated by said flow velocity sensor.

Claim 22

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 20, wherein said second means for visually indicating an alarm condition comprises: a second light emitting diode.

Claim 23

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 21, further comprising: first display means operatively connected to said air pressure sensing means for displaying the pressure of air passing through the modular display and connection unit as detected by said air pressure sensing means, said first display means being mountable on said front side of said panel member.

Claim 24

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 22, further comprising: second display means operatively connected to said flow velocity sensor for displaying the air flow velocity of air passing through the modular display and connection unit as detected by said flow velocity sensor, said second display means being mountable on said front side of said panel member.

Claim 25

A modular display and connection unit for use with a centralized system for removing airborne contaminants from the site of at least one medical procedure being performed in at least one of a plurality of medical procedure rooms connected to the centralized system, the airborne contaminants being the result of the medical procedures performed in the medical procedure rooms, the centralized system including piping means for transporting the airborne contaminants from the medical procedure room, the modular display and connection unit comprising: a panel member having a front side and a rear side, said panel member being mountable to a support assembly providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; an access outlet integral with said panel member, said access outlet providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; means for connecting said access outlet to the piping means of the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; and means for sensing the velocity of air flow through the modular display and connection unit.

Claim 26

A modular display and connection unit for use with a centralized system for removing airborne contaminants from the site of at least one medical procedure being performed in at least one of a plurality of medical procedure rooms connected to the centralized system, the airborne contaminants being the result of the medical procedures performed in the medical procedure rooms, the centralized system including piping means for transporting the airborne contaminants from the medical procedure room, the modular display and connection unit comprising: a panel member having a front side and a rear side, said panel member being mountable to a support assembly providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; an access outlet integral with said panel member, said access outlet providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; means for connecting said access outlet to the piping means of the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; and means for sensing the velocity of air flow through the modular display and connection unit.

Claim 27

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 24, further comprising: display means operatively connected to said air flow velocity sensing means for displaying the velocity of air flow through the modular display and connection unit as detected by said air flow velocity sensing means, said display means being mountable on said front side of said panel member.

Claim 28

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 24, wherein said means for connecting said access outlet to the piping means of the centralized system comprises: a rigid pipe member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said rigid pipe member being affixed to and extending from said access outlet on said rear side of said panel member.

Claim 29

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 26, wherein said means for sensing the velocity of air flow through the modular display and connection unit comprises: a flow velocity sensor; and a tube member permitting fluid communication between said flow velocity sensor and said rigid pipe member.

Claim 30

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 27, further comprising: a flow control valve intersecting and communicating with said second end of said rigid pipe member; and a manually actuable valve control knob for controlling said flow control valve, said valve control knob projecting from said front side of said panel member.

Claim 31

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 28, further comprising: alarm means mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said flow velocity sensor.

Claim 32

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 29, wherein said alarm means comprises: means for visually indicating an alarm condition mounted on said front side of said panel member, said means for visually indicating an alarm condition being actuated by a drop in air flow velocity as indicated by said flow velocity sensor.

Claim 33

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 30, wherein said means for visually indicating an alarm condition comprises: a light emitting diode.

Claim 34

A modular display and connection unit for use with a centralized system for removing airborne contaminants from the site of at least one medical procedure being preformed in at least one of a plurality of medical procedure rooms connected to the centralized system, the airborne contaminants being the result of the medical procedures performed in the medical procedure rooms, the centralized system including piping means for transporting the airborne contaminants from the medical procedure room, the modular display and connection unit comprising: a panel member having a front side and a rear side, said panel member being mountable to a support assembly providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; an access outlet integral with said panel member, said access outlet providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; means for connecting said access outlet to the piping means of the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; and valve control means for controlling the flow of air through said access outlet.

Claim 35

A modular display and connection unit for use with a centralized system for removing airborne contaminants from the site of at least one medical procedure being preformed in at least one of a plurality of medical procedure rooms connected to the centralized system, the airborne contaminants being the result of the medical procedures performed in the medical procedure rooms, the centralized system including piping means for transporting the airborne contaminants from the medical procedure room, the modular display and connection unit comprising: a panel member having a front side and a rear side, said panel member being mountable to a support assembly providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; an access outlet integral with said panel member, said access outlet providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; means for connecting said access outlet to the piping means of the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; and valve control means for controlling the flow of air through said access outlet.

Claim 36

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 32, further comprising: means for sensing the pressure of air passing through the modular display and connection unit; and means for sensing the velocity of air flow through the modular display and connection unit.

Claim 37

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 33, further comprising: first display means operatively connected to said air pressure sensing means for displaying the pressure of air passing through the modular display and connection unit as detected by said air pressure sensing means, said display means being mountable on said front side of said panel member; and second display means operatively connected to said air flow velocity sensing means for displaying the velocity of air flow through the modular display and connection unit as detected by said air flow velocity sensing means, said second display means being mountable on said front side of said panel member.

Claim 38

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 34, further comprising: first alarm memos mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said air pressure sensing means; and second alarm means mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said air flow velocity sensing means.

Claim 39

The modular display and connection unit described in claim 33, further comprising: first alarm means mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said air pressure sensing means; and second alarm means mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said air flow velocity sensing means.

Claim 40

An extension assembly for a medical procedure room for connection to a centralized system for removing airborne contaminants from the site of at least one medical procedure being performed in at least one of a plurality of medical procedure rooms connected to the centralized system, the airborne contaminants being the result of the medical procedures performed in the medical procedure rooms, the centralized system including primary piping means for transporting the airborne contaminants from the medical procedure room, vacuum means connected to the piping means to draw air from the medical procedure room via the primary piping means, and an inlet member permitting access of the extension assembly to the primary piping means, the extension assembly comprising: a supplemental piping member extending into the medical procedure room from the inlet member of the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants, said supplemental piping member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said supplemental piping member being connected to the inlet member; support means for properly positioning said supplemental piping member within the medical procedure room; and a modular display and connection unit affixed to said support means, said modular display and connection unit including means for connecting to said supplemental piping member.

Claim 41

An extension assembly for a medical procedure room for connection to a centralized system for removing airborne contaminants from the site of at least one medical procedure being performed in at least one of a plurality of medical procedure rooms connected to the centralized system, the airborne contaminants being the result of the medical procedures performed in the medical procedure rooms, the centralized system including primary piping means for transporting the airborne contaminants from the medical procedure room, vacuum means connected to the piping means to draw air from the medical procedure room via the primary piping means, and an inlet member permitting access of the extension assembly to the primary piping means, the extension assembly comprising: a supplemental piping member extending into the medical procedure room from the inlet member of the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants, said supplemental piping member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said supplemental piping member being connected to the inlet member; support means for properly positioning said supplemental piping member within the medical procedure room; and a modular display and connection unit affixed to said support means, said modular display and connection unit including means for connecting to said supplemental piping member.

Claim 42

The extension assembly described in claim 37, wherein said supplemental piping member comprises: smooth-sided, flexible tubing.

Claim 43

The extension assembly described in claim 37, wherein said support means comprises: an articulating arm suspended from the ceiling of the medical procedure room.

Claim 44

The extension assembly described in claim 37, wherein said support means comprises: a medical gas column suspended from the ceiling of the medical procedure room.

Claim 45

The extension assembly described in claim 37, wherein said support means comprises: a wall of the medical procedure room.

Claim 46

The extension assembly described in claim 37, wherein said modular display and connection unit comprises: a panel member having a front side and a rear side; an access outlet integral with said panel member, said access outlet providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; means for connecting said access outlet to the supplemental piping member of the extension assembly; and valve control means for controlling the flow of air through said access outlet.

Claim 47

The extension assembly described in claim 42, further comprising: means for sensing the pressure of air passing through the modular display and connection unit; and means for sensing the velocity of air flow through the modular display and connection unit.

Claim 48

The extension assembly described in claim 43, further comprising: first display means operatively connected to said air pressure sensing means for displaying the pressure of air passing through said modular display and connection unit as detected by said air pressure sensing means, said display means being mountable on said from side of said panel member; and second display means operatively connected to said air flow velocity sensing means for displaying the velocity of air flow through said modular display and connection unit as detected by said air flow velocity sensing means, said second display means being mountable on said front side of said panel member.

Claim 49

The extension assembly described in claim 44, further comprising: first alarm means mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said air pressure sensing means; and second alarm means mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said air flow velocity sensing means.

Claim 50

The extension assembly described in claim 43, further comprising: first alarm means mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said air pressure sensing means; and second alarm means mounted to said panel member and operatively connected to said air flow velocity sensing means.

Claim 51

A modular display and connection unit for use with a centralized system for removing airborne contaminants from the site of at least one medical procedure being performed in at least one of a plurality of medical procedure rooms connected to the centralized system, the airborne contaminants being the result of the medical procedures performed in the medical procedure rooms, the centralized system including piping means for transporting the airborne contaminants from the medical procedure room, vacuum means connected to the piping means to draw air from the medical procedure room via the piping means, and a central automated building control system for regulating the vacuum means, the modular display and connection unit comprising: a panel member having a front side and a rear side, said panel member being mountable to a support assembly providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; an access outlet integral with said panel member, said access outlet providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; means for connecting said access outlet to the piping means of the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; means for sensing the pressure of air passing through the modular display and connection unit; and alarm means operatively connected to said air pressure sensing means and the central automated building control system, whereby upon a drop in air pressure below a predetermined value as detected by said air pressure sensing means, said alarm means transmits a signal to the central automated building control system indicating that the vacuum created by the vacuum means should be increased.

Claim 52

A modular display and connection unit for use with a centralized system for removing airborne contaminants from the site of at least one medical procedure being performed in at least one of a plurality of medical procedure rooms connected to the centralized system, the airborne contaminants being the result of the medical procedures performed in the medical procedure rooms, the centralized system including piping means for transporting the airborne contaminants from the medical procedure room, vacuum means connected to the piping means to draw air from the medical procedure room via the piping means, and a central automated building control system for regulating the vacuum means, the modular display and connection unit comprising: a panel member having a front side and a rear side, said panel member being mountable to a support assembly providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; an access outlet integral with said panel member, said access outlet providing access to the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; means for connecting said access outlet to the piping means of the centralized system for removing airborne contaminants; means for sensing the pressure of air passing through the modular display and connection unit; and alarm means operatively connected to said air pressure sensing means and the central automated building control system, whereby upon a drop in air pressure below a predetermined value as detected by said air pressure sensing means, said alarm means transmits a signal to the central automated building control system indicating that the vacuum created by the vacuum means should be increased.