SURGICAL OPERATING FUEL FILTRATION DEVICE

Abstract

TITLE: SURGICAL SMOKE FILTRATION DEVICE The surgical smoke filtration device (10) comprises: - a filter support (15, 23) for a filter (14) having a gas inlet (13) and a gas outlet (24), equipped with a filter presence sensor (26), - a support (12) for a gas inlet tube (11) for the filter, connecting an inlet (13) of this filter (14) to the surgical field at a pressure higher than the gas outlet (24) of the filter (14), the tube support being equipped with a tube presence sensor (27), and - a signaling means (18, 19, 29) configured to signal the absence of the filter and / or the tube when at least one of the presence sensors provides a signal indicating an absence. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR FILTERING SMOKE FROM SURGICAL OPERATIONS Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for filtering fumes from surgical operations. It applies, in particular, to the fields of coelioscopy and surgery in an open operating field. More particularly, the present invention applies to the filtration of fumes produced during cauterization of the operating field. State of the art

[0002] During surgical operations in an open operating field, droplets, vapors and fumes may emanate from the operating field. These fumes are particularly significant during the cauterization phases. Studies of these fumes and of the atmosphere in the operating room show that they are likely to poison or contaminate the people present and, first and foremost, the surgeons performing these operations.

[0003] In the case of laparoscopic operations, the operating field is closed and under carbon dioxide pressure. But to evacuate the fumes in order to see the operating field through an endoscope, the surgeons open a trocar, which has the effect of transferring these fumes into the atmosphere of the operating room.

[0004] Which endangers the people present there and can contaminate the materials likely to be used for other surgical operations. Presentation of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0006] To this end, the present invention aims, according to a first aspect, at a device for filtration of surgical operation fumes, which includes: - a filter support having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, equipped with a filter presence sensor, - a support for a gas inlet tube in the filter, connecting an inlet of this filter to the operating field under a pressure higher than the gas outlet of the filter, the tube support being provided with a tube presence sensor and - a signaling means configured to signal the absence of the filter and / or the tubing when at least one of the presence sensors provides a signal representative of an absence.

[0007] Thanks to these provisions, the personnel present in the surgical block are informed of the absence of the means necessary for the filtration of gases leaving the field. operative. They can therefore act to set up this filtration.

[0008] In embodiments, the device which is the subject of the invention further comprises an actuator for opening or closing the gas passage through the tubing and a means for controlling the opening of the passage through the tubing.

[0009] Thanks to these provisions, the control means can, upon receipt of signals internal to the device or from elements external to the device, open the tubing and allow the evacuation and then the filtration of fumes from the operating field when such fumes or other emanations exist and close the tubing when no surgical operation is in progress or when the operating field does not give off any smoke or emanations, so as to avoid pollution of the filter.

[0010] In embodiments, the device further comprises means for detecting operation of a cauterization apparatus, the control means being configured to open the gas passage through the tubing when the cauterization apparatus is operating.

[0011] Thanks to these provisions, when the cauterization device is operating, the filtration of smoke and fumes from the operating field takes place.

[0012] In embodiments, the means for detecting operation of the cauterization apparatus is configured to detect the electrical power consumed by the cauterization apparatus.

[0013] Thanks to these provisions, the detection means is particularly reliable.

[0014] In embodiments, the means for detecting operation of the cauterization apparatus comprises a power supply unit configured to provide electrical power to the cauterization apparatus.

[0015] Thanks to these provisions, the detection means does not interact with the operation of the cauterization device and it is not necessary to pass a new certification of this device. For example, the power supply box includes an ammeter clamp.

[0016] In embodiments, the means for detecting operation of the cauterization apparatus comprises an image processing system from an electronic camera.

[0017] Thanks to these provisions, the detection of smoke on a video output of the electronic camera causes the filtration of smoke and fumes coming from the operating field.

[0018] In embodiments, the means for detecting operation of the cauterization apparatus comprises a microphone configured to pick up ultrasound emitted by a cauterization tool of the cauterization apparatus and a circuit for processing the signal provided by the microphone to detect the ultrasonic signals emitted by said tool.

[0019] Thanks to these arrangements, the detection of operation of an ultrasonic cauterization device can be completely independent of the power supply of the cauterization device and the video signal output of an electronic camera observing the operating field.

[0020] In embodiments, the control means is configured to open and close the gas passage through the tubing in a cycle having a frequency between 0.25 Hz and 4 Hz.

[0021] The inventors discovered that this cycle is more favorable to the evacuation of smoke and fumes when the tubing is open, while allowing the surgeon to observe the operating field when the tubing is closed, than a continuous opening of the tubing.

[0022] In embodiments, the filtration device comprises a means for creating a vacuum at the gas outlet of the filter, for example a fan or a pump.

[0023] Thanks to these provisions, the filtration device is autonomous and does not require connection to a vacuum circuit, for example.

[0024] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a coelioscopy device, which comprises at least one trocar and a filtration device which is the subject of the invention, the gas inlet tubing being configured to be connected to a said trocar.

[0025] Thanks to these provisions, the overpressure of the operating field under coelioscopy is sufficient for the operation of the filtration device which is the subject of the invention, it being noted that the outlet of the filter can, additionally, be connected to a vacuum circuit of the operating theatre in order to increase the depression and the suction flow rate.

[0026] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a device for protecting an open surgery operating field, which comprises a profile configured to be secured to a ring for retaining the lips of the incised skin, said profile comprising an internal pipe and at least one opening of the internal pipe oriented towards the center of the ring and a filtration device which is the subject of the invention, the gas inlet tubing being configured to be connected to the internal pipe of said profile.

[0027] Thanks to these arrangements, by connecting the filter outlet to a vacuum circuit or to a fan or pump integrated into the filtration device, the protection device sucks in the atmosphere at the opening through which the surgeon accesses the inside of the body of the patient, human or animal.

[0028] The advantages, aims and particular characteristics of this coelioscopy device or of this device for protecting an operating field being similar to those of the filtration device which is the subject of the invention, they are not recalled here. Brief description of the figures

[0029] Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the filtration device which is the subject of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0030] [fig. 1] represents, in perspective, a particular embodiment of the filtration device which is the subject of the invention,

[0031] [fig.2] represents, in side view, the filtration device which is the subject of the invention illustrated in Figure 1,

[0032] [fig.3] represents, in top view, the filtration device which is the subject of the invention illustrated in figures 1 and 2,

[0033] [fig.4] represents, in profile view, the filtration device which is the subject of the invention illustrated in figures 1 to 3,

[0034] [fig.5] represents, in section along plane AA identified in figure 2, the filtration device which is the subject of the invention illustrated in figures 1 to 4

[0035] [fig.6] represents, schematically and in perspective, a particular embodiment of a means for detecting the operation of a cauterization device,

[0036] [fig.7] represents a timing diagram of operation detection signals cauterization apparatus and opening and closing of a gas passage through a tube,

[0037] [fig.8] represents, schematically and partially, a coelioscopy device which is the subject of the invention,

[0038] [fig.9] represents, schematically and in top view, an embodiment by particular of a profile mounted on a lip retaining ring of an incision,

[0039] [fig. 10] represents, in partial section, a particular embodiment of a profile mounted on a lip retaining ring of an incision,

[0040] [fig.l 1] schematically represents sections of different lip retaining rings of an incision and

[0041] [fig. 12] represents a sectional view of a filter cartridge implemented in embodiments of the device which is the subject of the present invention. Description of the embodiments

[0042] The present description is given without limitation, each characteristic of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other characteristic of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner.

[0043] It should be noted, from now on, that the figures are each to scale and that the scales of the different figures may be different.

[0044] Throughout the description, the term "upper" or "top" refers to that which is at the top or facing upwards, in figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9, figures which correspond to the configuration of use of the device placed on a horizontal surface or on a horizontal incision, for figure 9. We call "lower" or "lower" what is at the bottom or oriented downwards, in these figures. The notions of vertical, height and horizontal follow from these definitions.

[0045] In the filtration device, the term "internal" refers to that which is close to or oriented towards a horizontal longitudinal axis 30 of the device and, external, to that which is oriented opposite this axis 30. The "length" of the device is defined along this axis 30.

[0046] In the operating field and for a lip retaining profile of the skin incision, "internal" is what is located in the patient's body or towards the central axis of the ring and external is what is located outside the patient's body or outside the ring.

[0047] Figures 1 to 5 show a device 10 for filtering fumes from surgical operations, which comprises, on a housing 25, a support 15 and 23 for a filter cartridge 14 having a gas inlet 13 and a gas outlet 24, provided with a sensor 26 for the presence of a filter. The housing 25 also comprises a support 12 for a gas inlet tube 11 in the filter cartridge 14, connecting the inlet 13 of this filter to the operating field under a pressure greater than the gas outlet 24 of the filter 14. The support 12 for the tube 11 is provided with a sensor 27 for the presence of the tube 11 in the support 12. The housing 25 also comprises a signaling means 18 and 19 configured to signal the absence of the filter 14 and / or the tube 12 when at least one of the presence sensors 26 and 27 provides a signal representative of an absence.

[0048] The housing 25 preferably comprises a battery (not shown) for powering all the components of the device 10. The housing can be powered by the mains or by this battery. This battery can also be used to maintain the alert function in the event of the absence of tubing and / or filter and / or in the event of the absence of mains power. The housing 25 is sealed and its shapes are optimized so as not to retain particles, dust or liquids.

[0049] The support 15 and 23 of the filter cartridge 14 here takes the form of a shoe consisting of two flexible blades made of elastic material (for example plastic or metal) which surround more than half the circumference of the cartridge 14. The ends of the flexible blades 15 and 23 form an open angle, the distance between these ends being greater than the circumference of the cartridge 14. The positioning and removal of the filter cartridge 14 is thus facilitated. At least one arrow shown on the cartridge 14 indicates the direction of mounting of the cartridge 14. The direction of movement of the gas is shown, in figures 1 to 3, by arrows in broken lines. The cartridge 14 comprises a water trap in the form of an incoming gas circuit (not shown) comprising angles of very small radius of curvature, so that the water droplets are projected onto the walls of this trap. A smoke filter (not shown) follows this water trap, in the direction from upstream (gas inlet 13) to downstream (gas outlet 24). Figure 12 gives more details on a particular embodiment of the filter cartridge 14.

[0050] The sensor 26 for the presence of a filter cartridge 14 is, for example, a switch positioned below the cartridge 14, between the flexible blades 15 and 23. The open or closed state of this switch is read by an electronic circuit 29 positioned in the housing 25.

[0051] The support 12 of the gas inlet tube 11 in the cartridge 14 comprises a cylindrical channel whose upper opening has a width (measured horizontally perpendicular to the axis 30) which is less than the diameter of the tube 11. The flexibility of the tube 11 allows it to penetrate into the support 12.

[0052] The sensor 27 for the presence of a tube 11 in the support 12 is, for example, a switch positioned below the tube 11, at the bottom of the support 12. The open or closed state of this switch is read by the electronic circuit 29.

[0053] The operating field (not shown) from which the gas enters the upstream part of the tubing 11 is under a pressure higher than the gas outlet 24 of the filter 14. Three means can be implemented to ensure this pressure difference. In the case of laparoscopy, the operating field is under positive pressure relative to the atmosphere of the surgical block and a tubing downstream of the filter cartridge can also be connected to a vacuum circuit or to the pump integrated in the housing as explained below. In the case of open surgery, a tubing 16 can be connected to a vacuum circuit. Finally, alternatively or in addition to at least one of these means, a pump (not shown) can be integrated in the housing 25.For example, a fan is integrated into the filtration housing 25, at the outlet of the filter cartridge 14, with a speed variator making it possible to create the depression for moving the gas from the operating field to this cartridge. For example, the flow rate of this fan varies from 6 L / min to 100 L / min depending on the type of operation, open surgery or laparoscopy. Alternatively, a housing of this fan can be removably attached to the filtration housing 25.

[0054] The fan makes it possible to vary the evacuation flow rate by managing the gas passage opening in the tubing after taking into account the signaling of cauterization or the presence of fumes by the means of detecting the operation of a cauterization device.

[0055] The fan speed controller allows for a configuration in laparoscopic surgery (from 0 to 15 L / min) and for open laparotomy surgery operations (from 0 to 100 L / min). The choice or selection of the operating mode can be made by capturing and analyzing the operating pressure at the terminals of the device: in the case of laparoscopy (the overpressure in the operating field is 8 to 15 mm Hg) and in open surgery (without overpressure of the operating field). The electronic card detects and allows the choice of operation with request for validation by the nursing staff.

[0056] The signaling means 18 and 19 are controlled by the electronic circuit 29. In the embodiment shown, the signaling means consists of light-emitting diodes, respectively green, to signal the simultaneous presence of a tube 11 and a filter cartridge 14, and red for all other cases, to signal the absence of the filter 14 and / or the tube 12 when at least one of the presence sensors 26 and 27 provides a signal representative of an absence.

[0057] In other embodiments, alternatively or in addition to the visual signaling, a generator (not shown) of audible sounds, integrated into the housing 25, emits an audible signal when at least one of the presence sensors 26 and 27 provides a signal representative of an absence.

[0058] The filtration device 10 preferably comprises an actuator 28 for opening or closing the gas passage through the tubing 11, an actuator controlled by the control means, or electronic circuit, 29. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the actuator 28 consists of a rotary servomotor which sets an arm in rotation to pinch the tubing 11. In other examples, the actuator 28 is a linear servomotor, a solenoid with a spring or a cylinder which causes the tubing 11 to be pinched or released.

[0059] The rotary potentiometer 17 allows an operator to control, via the circuit 29, the opening or closing of the gas passage in the tubing 11. A display 20, here consisting of light-emitting diodes, indicates the state of charge of the battery. A connector 21 allows the battery to be charged or the housing 25 to be powered. A connector 22 allows the input of signals for processing by the electronic circuit 29.

[0060] Preferably, the filtration device 10 further comprises a means for detecting the operation of a cauterization device (not shown). The control means 29 is configured to open the gas passage through the tubing 11 when the cauterization device is operating. Indeed, cauterization causes the diffusion of smoke and other emanations into the operating field.

[0061] Figure 6 shows a particular embodiment of a means 40 for detecting the operation of the cauterization device. In this embodiment, the detection is carried out on the electrical power consumed by the cauterization device, which is higher when the device is operating to cauterize. For this purpose, the detection means 40 comprises a power supply box 45 provided with a standard input electrical connector 41 configured to be connected to the electrical network and a standard output electrical connector 42 configured to be connected to the power supply electrical circuit of the cauterization apparatus. Inside the detection means 40, there is an electrical probe, for example, an ammeter clamp, which measures the intensity of the current between the connectors 41 and 42. The detection means 40 also comprises a signal output connector 44 representative of the measured electrical intensity connected, by an electrical cable (not shown) to the connector 22 of the housing 25.

[0062] In embodiments (not shown), the housings 25 and 40 are merged into a single housing.

[0063] In embodiments (not shown), the means for detecting operation of the cauterization apparatus comprises an image processing system from an electronic camera whose optical field covers, at least in part, the operating field. The smoke is then detected, for example, by its slow movement, its gray tint, and its low brightness gradient.

[0064] In embodiments (not shown), the means for detecting operation of the cauterization apparatus comprises, for example integrated into the housing 25, a microphone (not shown) configured to pick up ultrasound emitted by a cauterization tool of the cauterization apparatus. The electronic circuit 29 performs the processing of the signal provided by the microphone to detect the ultrasonic signals emitted by said tool, by measuring the sound intensity for the wavelengths of the ultrasound emitted by the tool.

[0065] In other embodiments, the detection means detects electromagnetic or electrical interference generated during cauterization or noise characteristic of cauterization (excluding generated ultrasound).

[0066] As illustrated in the timing diagram 60 of FIG. 7, when the means for detecting operation of the cauterization apparatus emits a signal 61 representative of the detection of cauterization (by going to the high state in FIG. 7, for a duration 63), the control means 29 controls, by means of a signal 62 (high for the opening command and low for the closing command) the opening of the gas passage in the tubing 11 and, possibly, the actuation of the possible pump of the device 10.

[0067] Preferably, at the end of the cauterization detection, the control means keeps the gas passage open in the tubing 11 for an additional duration 64, for example between zero and thirty seconds.

[0068] Preferably, the control means 29 is configured to open and close the gas passage through the tubing 11 according to a cycle 65 whose frequency is between 0.25 Hz and 4 Hz and, preferably between 0.5 Hz and 2 Hz. In FIG. 7, the cycle 65 is not on the same time scale as the signals 61 and 62. It is noted that the duty cycle of the cycle 65, represented as equal to 0.5, can take any value between 0 and 1.

[0069] The present invention also relates to a laparoscopy device 70, partially illustrated in Figure 8, which comprises at least one trocar 72 and a filtration device 10 which is the subject of the invention, the gas inlet tubing 11 being connected to a said trocar 72 for sucking gas into the operating field 71, here a cavity. In the representation of Figure 8, the tubing 11 is connected to a trocar 72 through which an endoscope 73 passes. Of course, any other trocar can be connected to the tubing 11. However, the advantage of connecting the tubing 11 to the trocar 72 through which an endoscope 73 passes is to suck the smoke in front of the distal optics of the endoscope 73.

[0070] The present invention also relates to a device 50 for protecting an operating field for open surgery, or laparotomy, as illustrated in Figures 9 to 11. The device 50 comprises a profile 51 configured to be secured to a ring 54 for retaining the lips of the incised skin. The profile 51 comprises an internal pipe 55 and at least one opening 52 of the internal pipe 55 oriented towards the center of the ring and a filtration device 10 which is the subject of the invention, the gas inlet tubing 11 being connected to the internal pipe 55 of the profile 51 by a “T” junction 53. Figure 11 shows ten examples of sections 54A to 54J of the ring, to which sections of profile 51 are easily adapted by those skilled in the art so that the profile is secured to the ring after having enveloped at least an upper part (i.e. outside the cavity forming the operating field) of its surface.

[0071] Figure 12 represents a filter cartridge 14, which comprises, successively, from upstream (at the top in figure 12) to downstream, in the direction of gas passage: - an end plate 80, forming a cover closing the upstream part of the cartridge 14, - an O-ring 81 ensuring the seal between the flange 80 and the body 85 of the cartridge 14, - a water trapping circuit 82, - a filter medium 92 retained by a grid 84, - an O-ring 83 ensuring sealing around the grid 84, - a first activated carbon filter 86, - a second activated carbon filter 87, - a filter holder grid 88, - an O-ring 89 ensuring sealing around the grid 88, - a multi-wave wave spring (in English “multiwave”) 90, - an end plate 91, forming a cover closing the downstream part of the cartridge 14, provided with an O-ring 93.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (10) for filtering fumes from surgical operations, characterized in that it comprises: - a support (15, 23) for a filter (14) having a gas inlet (13) and a gas outlet (24), provided with a sensor (26) for the presence of a filter, - a support (12) for a gas inlet tube (11) in the filter, connecting an inlet (13) of this filter (14) to the operating field under a pressure greater than the gas outlet (24) of the filter (14), the tube support being provided with a sensor (27) for the presence of the tube and - a signaling means (18, 19, 29) configured to signal the absence of the filter and / or the tube when at least one of the presence sensors provides a signal representative of an absence.

2. Filtration device (10) according to claim 1, which further comprises an actuator (28) for opening or closing the gas passage through the tubing (11) and a means (29) for controlling the opening of the passage through the tubing.

3. A filtration device (10) according to claim 2, which further comprises means (40) for detecting cauterization operation of a cauterization apparatus, the control means being configured to control the actuator (28) to open the gas passage through the tubing (11) when the cauterization apparatus is operating in cauterization.

4. A filtration device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the means (40) for detecting operation of the cauterization apparatus is configured to detect the electrical power consumed by the cauterization apparatus.

5. A filtration device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the means (40) for detecting operation of the cauterization apparatus comprises a power supply housing (45) configured to provide electrical power to the cauterization apparatus.

6. Filtration device (10) according to claim 3, in which the means for detecting operation of the cauterization apparatus comprises a system for processing images from an electronic camera.

7. Filtration device (10) according to claim 3, in which the means for detecting operation of the cauterization apparatus comprises a microphone configured to pick up ultrasound emitted by a cauterizing tool of the cauterizing apparatus and a signal processing circuit provided by the microphone for detecting ultrasonic signals emitted by said tool.

8. A filtration device (10) according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the control means (29) is configured to control the actuator (28) to open and close the gas passage through the tubing according to a cycle whose frequency is between 0.25 Hz and 4 Hz.

9. Filtration device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, which comprises a means for creating a vacuum at the gas outlet of the filter, for example a fan or a pump.

10. Laparoscopy device (70), which comprises at least one trocar (72) and a filtration device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, the gas inlet tubing (11) being configured to be connected to a said trocar.

11. Device (50) for protecting an open surgery operating field, which comprises a profile (51) configured to be secured to a ring (54) for retaining the lips of the incised skin, said profile comprising an internal pipe (55) and at least one opening (52) of the internal pipe oriented towards the center of the ring and a filtration device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, the gas inlet tubing (11) being configured to be connected to the internal pipe of said profile.

Images