Patent US4921492A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4921492A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
End effector for surgical plume evacuator
Assignee: LTG MEDICAL SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1988-05-31
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Granted: 1990-05-01
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Expires: 2008-05-31
Abstract
Abstract An end effector for efficiently removing the gaseous byproducts of laser surgery from a surgical site is provided. The end effector includes a flexible hose and a pliable vacuum head adhesively attachable in airtight relationship around a surgical site. The vacuum head includes a generally annular plenum for drawing plumes away from the surgical site from around a 360° arc. A porous plenum support prevents the flexible plenum from collapsing in the presence of a vacuum, and diffuses the vacuum around the entire periphery of the plenum.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard S. Schultz
- 👤 Jay F. Gold
- 👤 Rodney V. Erdman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B46/00; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/84; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/007; A61B2218/008; A61M2202/00; A61M2202/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for removing smoke, airborne particulates gaseous or like by-products of operating procedures producing such by-products from a surgical or other site, comprising: a plenum having a top wall, a bottom wall spaced apart from said top wall, a side wall extending between said top and bottom walls and presenting an outer periphery of said plenum, and structure defining a generally open facing presenting an inner periphery of said plenum, said top, bottom, and side walls defining an internal plenum chamber in fluid communication with said open facing; vacuum means operably coupled to said plenum for creating a reduced pressure within said plenum chamber, thereby drawing said by-products through said open facing; and diffuser means carried within said plenum chamber for maintaining said top and bottom walls in spaced apart relationship and distributing said reduced pressure along the inner periphery of said plenum whereby said by-products are drawn through said open facing from spaced points about said site.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for removing smoke, airborne particulates gaseous or like by-products of operating procedures producing such by-products from a surgical or other site, comprising: a plenum having a top wall, a bottom wall spaced apart from said top wall, a side wall extending between said top and bottom walls and presenting an outer periphery of said plenum, and structure defining a generally open facing presenting an inner periphery of said plenum, said top, bottom, and side walls defining an internal plenum chamber in fluid communication with said open facing; vacuum means operably coupled to said plenum for creating a reduced pressure within said plenum chamber, thereby drawing said by-products through said open facing; and diffuser means carried within said plenum chamber for maintaining said top and bottom walls in spaced apart relationship and distributing said reduced pressure along the inner periphery of said plenum whereby said by-products are drawn through said open facing from spaced points about said site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1, said bottom wall including an adhesive layer for adhesive attachment of said vacuum head around a surgical site.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 said top and bottom walls presenting a generally annular shape to said plenum said structure defining said inner periphery comprising structure defining access apertures in said top and bottom walls, said access apertures being adapted for providing access of surgical instruments through said top and bottom walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as claimed in claim 3, including a top wall transparent film removably carried by said top wall across said top wall access aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as claimed in claim 3, including a bottom wall transparent film removably carried by said bottom wall across said bottom wall access aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1, said vacuum means including a vacuum generator and hose means for operably coupling said plenum chamber to said generator in fluid communicating relationship.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as claimed in claim 6, said hose means including a generally flexible hose and a generally rigid handle for coupling said hose to said plenum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as claimed in claim 7, said handle being coupled to said plenum at said plenum side wall, whereby said generally rigid handle provides support for maintaining said top and bottom walls in spaced apart relationship.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as claimed in claim 8, said handle being integrally molded with said side wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as claimed in claim 7, said flexible hose including an internal chamber for carrying a prefilter material within said hose.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-30 | 1993-10-30 | 1994-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-30 | 1997-10-30 | 1998-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-30 | 2001-10-30 | 2002-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |