Centralized laser plume evacuation system through articulating arms

• US 5,409,511 A
• Filed: 11/23/1993
• Issued: 04/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Michaud, Cooley, Erickson & Associates, Inc.
• Inventors: Paul, Gwen A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spitzer, Robert
• Application Number:
  US08/156,458
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 55/210, 55/218, 55/274, 55/356, 55/383, 55/467, 55/473
• US Class Current: 96/408
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/008 for smoke evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/784 by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2265/05 Special adapters for the connection of filters or parts of filters
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2273/28 Making use of vacuum or underpressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/10 Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 50/20 Combinations of devices covered by groups B01D45/00 and B01D46/00
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 15/005 comprising a stationary main duct with one or more branch units, the branch units being freely movable along a sealed longitudinal slit in the main duct

Abstract

A centralized system for removing the plume resulting from laser surgery, electrocauterization or orthopaedic surgery that takes advantage of the articulating arms frequently found in medical procedure rooms. The plume is drawn away from the surgery location by a vacuum. The tubing that carries the plume is held near the location of the medical procedure, and the plume is then drawn into the tubing. The tubing leads through the articulating arm to a main located above the ceiling. The main leads to a central room that includes, in series, a centrifugal separator, a vacuum producer and a high efficiency air filter.

Claims

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

a light emitting diode.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

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

a light emitting diode.

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. 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.

37. 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.

38. The extension assembly described in claim 37, wherein said supplemental piping member comprises:

smooth-sided, flexible tubing.

39. The extension assembly described in claim 37, wherein said support means comprises:

an articulating arm suspended from the ceiling of the medical procedure room.

40. 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.

41. The extension assembly described in claim 37, wherein said support means comprises:

a wall of the medical procedure room.

42. 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.

43. 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.

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. 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.