DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EVACUATING SURGICAL VAPOR AND MIST FROM A BODY CAVITY

摘要

Devices and methods for vacuum-assisted removal of contaminants (smoke, aresols, vapor and the like) in insufflated gas from a body cavity to clear the surgeon's vision of the site and prevent exposure of the surgical staff to the gas. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a series of flow restriction devices for stepping down of the flow rate generated by an external vacuum. This reduced flow rate allows safe yet rapid removal of the toxic and vision obstructing surgical byproducts from the patient's body cavity. The initial flow restriction device may comprise a perforated trocar sleeve in fluid communication with the vacuum source that allows retention of the surgical instrument within the trocar sleeve's inner lumen with concurrent smoke removal. Additional flow restriction devices located downstream of the perforated sleeve's intake ports are employed to safely limit the flow rate to a manageable and known value.