Surgical Access Device With Electrostatic Smoke Filtration

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional smoke evacuation systems for minimally invasive surgeries are inefficient, costly, and disrupt surgical procedures due to clogging and require additional components, impacting pneumoperitoneum integrity and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

A surgical access device with integrated electrodes that apply electric charges to airborne particulates, attracting them to a counter electrode for efficient evacuation using a vacuum system, minimizing disruption and maintaining pneumoperitoneum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate filter is mounted to the insufflation port for smoke evacuation, then smoke can be filtered and evacuated, but the surgical procedure is interrupted and additional components are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoke evacuationVSAvoidsurgical procedure interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the smoke evacuation function with the insufflation port by integrating a filter directly into the port structure. The filter includes a first portion that forms part of the insufflation port and a second portion that extends into the abdominal cavity, allowing smoke to be captured and evacuated without requiring separate external filter components or interrupting the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate filter is mounted to the insufflation port for smoke evacuation, then smoke can be filtered and evacuated, but additional components and expense are added to the procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoke evacuationVSAvoidadditional components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the smoke evacuation function with the insufflation port by integrating a filter directly into the port structure. The filter includes a first portion that forms part of the insufflation port and a second portion that extends into the abdominal cavity, allowing smoke to be captured and evacuated without requiring separate external filter components or interrupting the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a mechanical filtration method is used to remove smoke, then smoke can be filtered, but the filter clogs in the high moisture environment and reduces flow rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoke filtrationVSAvoidfilter clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical filtration system with an electrostatic precipitation system. Instead of using a mechanical filter that captures particles through physical blocking, the system uses charged electrodes to ionize smoke particles and collect them on oppositely charged surfaces. This eliminates the clogging problem associated with mechanical filters in high moisture environments while maintaining effective smoke removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional smoke evacuation is used with separate filters, then smoke can be removed, but the cost of the procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoke removalVSAvoidprocedure cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the smoke evacuation function with the insufflation port by integrating a filter directly into the port structure. The filter includes a first portion that forms part of the insufflation port and a second portion that extends into the abdominal cavity, allowing smoke to be captured and evacuated without requiring separate external filter components or interrupting the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively removes smoke and particulates during surgeries without interrupting the procedure, maintaining visibility and protecting personnel health, while reducing costs and maintaining pneumoperitoneum integrity.

Implementation Method 1

A first electrode circumferentially disposed about a first region of the elongate tubular member and electrically coupled to an anode of a power supply is configured to charge airborne particulate matter with a negative electric charge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

A second electrode circumferentially disposed about a second region of the elongate tubular member that is proximal of the first region and electrically coupled to a cathode of the power supply is configured to attract the airborne particulate matter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 3

A source of vacuum coupled to the housing is configured to evacuate the airborne particulate matter through the elongate tubular member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS20250268625A1Surgical access device with active smoke filtration

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A surgical access device includes a housing with an elongate tubular member extending distally from the housing. The elongate tubular member has an open distal aperture. A first electrode is disposed in a first region of the elongate tubular member and circumscribes the elongate tubular member. The first electrode is coupled to an anode of a power supply and is configured to provide airborne particulate matter with a negative electric charge. A second electrode is disposed in a second region of the elongate tubular member and circumscribes the elongate tubular member. The second electrode is coupled to a cathode of a power supply and is configured to attract the airborne particulate matter.