Active smoke filtration for insufflation

Abstract

An active smoke filtration unit is used to remove smoke during laparoscopic surgery. The active smoke filtration unit is part of a recirculation circuit. The recirculation circuit is pneumatically isolated from a primary flow generator, such as an insufflator, by a valve assembly. The active smoke filtration unit can be housed separately from the valve assembly or together with the valve assembly. The recirculation circuit can include a humidifier to heat and humidify the insufflation gases.

1 .- 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A system for laparoscopic surgery, the system comprising:
 a primary flow generator configured to generate a flow of gases;   a humidifier in fluid communication with the primary flow generator and configured to at least humidify the gases received from the primary flow generator;   a gases pathway configured to allow the gases to flow from the primary flow generator to the humidifier and the gases to flow from the humidifier to a body cavity;   a recirculation circuit connecting the body cavity to the gases pathway, wherein the recirculation circuit is configured to receive gases passing through the body cavity and to reintroduce the gases to the body cavity; and   a filtration unit positioned along the recirculation circuit, the filtration unit comprising a filter to remove smoke and other debris from the gases flowing through the recirculation circuit.   
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the gases from the primary flow generator are unhumidified. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the gases flowing from the humidifier to the body cavity are humidified. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the recirculation circuit connects to the gases pathway upstream of the humidifier such that humidity can be added to the gases flowing through the recirculation circuit before reintroduction to the body cavity. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the recirculation circuit connects to the gases pathway downstream of the humidifier such that humidity said gases flowing through the recirculation circuit for reintroduction to the body cavity can have less humidity. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the filtration unit comprises a flow generator portion. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the filtration unit comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a filtration portion, wherein the filtration portion is positioned between the inlet and the flow generator portion, wherein the gases from the body cavity are drawn in to the filtration unit through the inlet and toward the gases pathway through the outlet. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the humidifier comprises an inlet, an outlet, a chamber configured to hold a volume of liquid, and a heating element associated with the chamber. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 49 , further comprising a condensate management system configured to remove humidity from the gases flowing through the recirculation circuit, the condensate management system positioned along the recirculation circuit upstream of the filtration unit such that gases leaving the body cavity and flowing through the recirculation circuit passes through the condensate management system before passing through the filtration unit. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the condensate management system is positioned along a portion of the recirculation circuit extending between the body cavity and the filtration unit. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the condensate management system is positioned adjacent to an inlet of the filtration unit. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the condensate management system comprises a reusable water trap. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the condensate management system comprises a film or foamed breathable polymer, wherein the film or foamed breathable polymer comprises a conduit. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the condensate management system comprises a canister containing a substance with an affinity to water. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the substance comprises a foam material or a chemical that absorbs water. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the condensate management system comprises a tube containing absorbent material, the absorbent material comprising a sponge or foam. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 57  wherein the condensate management system comprises a desiccant located near the filtration unit. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 57  wherein the condensate management system comprises a desiccant located within the filtration unit and upstream of the filter. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 57  wherein the condensate management system comprises a heated conduit.