Background of the Invention

This invention relates to an assembly for drawing off gases and particulate matter from a burning site. In surgical applications, such an assembly is useful as a plume evacuator for removing the gases and particulate matter gener¬ ated at a surgical site where a laser is being used.

Lasers are employed in dermatological surgery to remove such skin conditions as warts and cancerous tissues. A laser burns off the unwanted tissues and in so doing generates an odiferous by-product known as a "plume." The plume includes gases and particular matter and may further include bacteria and viruses such as the AIDS virus. Accordingly, it is important to evaculate the plume from the surgical environs as effectively as possible.

A plume evacuator currently on the market comprises a rigid hollow ring provided on an inwardly facing surface with a series of holes. The ring is connected to a vacuum generator and placed around the surgical site. During the laser operation, the vacuum generator or pump draws off the plume through the holes in the ring. The vacuum unit includes a filter which filters out the particulate matter. The filtered air is then returned to the operating room.

A disadvantage with that plume evacuator is that the fixed nature of the ring is not adaptable to the particular surgical conditions. For example, the ring is of a fixed diameter and cannot be adapted to differently sized surgical sites. This reduces the efficiency of the evacuator and may in some circumstances allow a portion of the plume to escape into the ambient atmosphere. Objects of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved plume evacuator.

Another object of the present invention is to pro¬ vide a plume evacuator which is easily adaptable to different surgical conditions.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide such a plume evacuator which can be adjusted to surround surgical sites of different sizes.

A further specific object of the present invention is to provide such a plume evacuator which is at least par-

tially conformable to a surface about a surgical site.

Yet a further specific object of the present inven¬ tion is to provide a plume evacuator which is adaptable to the shape of a surgical site.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a plume evacuator which can be located at a varying distance from a surgical site. Summary of the Invention

A device connectable to a suction source for drawing off particulate matter from the air about a burning site com¬ prises, in accordance with a general embodiment of the present invention an at least partially hollow body which is extended so as to at least partially surround the burning site. The hollow body is provided with a plurality of closed apertures. A plurality of selectably removable covers are provided on the hollow body at the apertures for keeping the apertures closed and for enabling the opening of selected ones of the apertures immediately prior to a burning operation. A fastening element is provided for detachably connecting the hollow body to the suction source.

The covers or removable closure elements on the hol¬ low body preferably take the form of punch-outs in a wall of the hollow body. The punch-out form of the covers or closure elements facilitates an inexpensive mass production of the smoke evacuator device.

A specific embodiment of a device connectable to a suction source for drawing off and particulate matter from the air about a burning site comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a flexible hose provided along an end seg¬ ment with a plurality of spaced apertures and covers attached to the hose for removably covering at least some of the aper¬ tures. A fastening element is provided for detachably con¬ necting the hose at an end opposite the segment to the suction source.

As mentioned hereinabove, the covers over the aper¬ tures in the hose preferably take the form of punch-outs in the wall of the hose. Prior to a burning operation, for exam¬ ple, laser surgery, a selectable number of punch-outs are removed to open selected apertures, thereby optimizing the

draw of the suction tube at the burning site.

Pursuant to another feature of the present inven¬ tion, a form retention component is attached to the hose for maintaining at least a portion of the hose in a selected sub¬ stantially loop-shaped configuration. The form retention com¬ ponent may take the form of a tie string, an endless loop, a clip, hook, or other coupling element at the distal end of the hose (opposite the fastening element) for securing a free tip of the hose to a middle portion thereof to thereby form a loop. The form retention component may alternatively take the form of an adhesive strip or other means for releasably attaching the hose to a surface around the burning site. As yet another alternative, the form retention component may include a bendable metal strip attached to the hose (for exam¬ ple, inside the hose) for maintaining the hose in an at least partially arcuate configuration formed by manipulation of the hose.

Pursuant to another feature of the present inven¬ tion, the smoke evacuator further comprises means attachable to the hose for varying the distance of the loop from the burning site.

The present invention provides an improved plume evacuator which is easily adaptable to different surgical con¬ ditions. The evacuator can be adjusted to surround surgical sites of different sizes insofar as the size of the loop which surrounds the surgical site is selected by the surgeon or assistant prior to the operation. Moreover, a plume evacuator in accordance with the present invention is at least partially conformable to a surface about a surgical site. The bendable metal strip and the releasable attachment component (e.g., adhesive strip) , either individually or in combination with one another, allow the hose to assume the contour of the patient's body in a region about the surgical site.

The selectably openable apertures in a plume evacuator in accordance with the present invention enable a surgeon or surgical assistant to optimize the locations of suction along the hose. Only the apertures which are most closely juxtaposed to the surgical site are opened and allowed to draw smoke. Apertures in the hose which are too far from

the surgical site, after the hose has been properly configured and disposed about the surgical site, remain closed, thereby maximizing suction through the apertures closest to the source of the plume.

Furthermore, a plume evacuator in accordance with the present invention can be located at a varying distance from a surgical site. More specifically, the hose may be attached to a foam strip which is provided with an adhesive surface for attachment to the patient's body in a region about the surgical site. The foam strip or other pad distances the evacuator hose from the skin surface and thereby enables an optimizing of the location of the suction apertures relative to the surgical site. Brief Description of the Drawing

Fig. 1 is an elevational side view of a plume evacuator hose in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational side view of another plume evacuator hose in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an elevational side view of yet another plume evacuator hose in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the plume evacuator hose of Fig. 1, showing the evacuator hose connected to a vacuum generator and in use during a surgical operation.

Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of an evacuator hose in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an additional embodiment of an evacuator hose in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a further embodiment of an evacuator hose in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view of the evacuator hose of Fig. 7 in a use configuration.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic end view of a plume evacuator hose in accordance with the present invention, show¬ ing that hose in relation to a skin surface.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic end view of the plume

evacuator hose of Fig. 9, showing that hose in another rela¬ tion to the skin surface.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic end view of the plume evacuator hose of Fig. 9, showing that hose in yet another relation to the skin surface.

Fig. 12 is a top view of another plume evacuator hose in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the plume evacuator hose of Fig. 12, showing the evacuator hose connected to a vacuum generator and in use during a surgical operation.

Fig. 14 is a top view of the plume evacuator hose of Fig. 12 in another use configuration.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic end view of the plume evacuator hose of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic end view of another plume evacuator hose similar to the hose of Fig. 12.

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic end view of yet another plume evacuator hose similar to the hoses of Figs. 12 and 16. Detailed Description

As illustrated in Fig. 1, a plume evacuator device 10 comprises a flexible hose 11 provided along an end segment 12 with a plurality of eguispaced equal-sized apertures 13 each stopped by a respective punch-out cover 13a formed from the sidewall of hose 11. At a free tip 14 of end segment 12, hose 11 is provided with a pair of tie strings 15 for detachably securing the hose tip to a middle portion of the hose to form a loop 16, illustrated in Fig. 4. At an end opposite tie strings 15 and perforated end segment 12, hose 11 is provided with a fastener part 17 for connecting the hose to a suction source or vacuum generator 18 (Fig. 4) .

Another plume evacuator device 20 is illustrated in Fig. 2. Device 20 similarly takes the form of a flexible hose 21, preferably made of synthetic resin material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon or polytetrafluoroethylene. Hose 21 is provided along an end segment 22 with a linear array of substantially equispaced circular apertures 23 having diameters which decrease in a monotonic sequence from a free hose tip 24 towards an end of hose 21 which is provided with a

coupling member 27 for connecting that hose end to suction source or vacuum generator 18 (Fig. 4) . Apertures 23 are cov¬ ered by respective punch-outs 23a formed in the sidewall of hose 21. At free tip or end 24, hose 21 is provided with a small loop 25 preferably made of an elastic synthetic resin material.

Yet another plume evacuator assembly 30 is depicted in Fig. 3. Again, that plume evactuator assembly comprises a flexible synthetic resin hose 31 provided along an end segment 32 with a linear array of circular apertures 33 stopped by respective punch-out covers 33a formed from the sidewall of hose 31. Apertures 33 or punch-out perforations 33a have essentially the same diameter but are spaced at distances from each other which increase in a monotonic manner from a free hose tip 34 towards an end 37 of hose 31 which is connectable to suction source of vacuum generator 18 (Fig. 4) . Hose end 37 is sufficiently resilient, for example, to receive a male inlet member (not illustrated) of suction source or vacuum generator 18 in an air-tight friction fit. At free tip or end 34, hose 31 is provided with a resilient clip fastener or cou¬ pling element 35 for securing hose tip 34 to hose 31 along a middle portion thereof to form a loop, as shown in Fig. 4.

In use of a plume evacuator device 10, 20, or 30, as depicted in Fig. 4 with reference particularly to device 10, the fastener part or coupling member 17, 27 or 37 is connected to suction source of vacuum generator 18. With respect to plume evacuator device 20, hose 21 is first brought through loop 25 and then end 37 is connected to the vacuum generator.

Upon the connection of hose 10 or 30 to vacuum gen¬ erator 18, the end segment 12 or 32 is then turned back upon itself to form loop 16 of a desired size. Upon the formation of loop 16, which is adapted to the size and location of a surgical site 40 on a patient's body 41, strings 15 or clip fastener 35 are fastened about a middle portion of the respec¬ tive hose 11 or 31 to maintain the end 14 or 34 in the shape of loop 16.

With respect to plume evacuator device 20, the loop (see loop 16 in Fig. 4) is formed prior to the connection of hose 21 to vacuum generator 18. The size of the loop may be

adjusted to the specific surgical conditions either before or after connection of hose 21 to vacuum generator 18.

During a cauterization or burning operation per¬ formed by a surgeon using a laser instrument 43 connected to a laser source 44, smoke 45 resulting from the burning of the skin tissues by a laser beam 46 is sucked through apertures 13, 23 or 33 which are opened prior to the commencement of the laser operation by pushing out the respective punch-out covers 13a, 23a, 33a. The smoke is then sucked along the length of the respective hose 11, 21 or 31 to vacuum generator 18 where the air is filtered of particulate material and possible gase¬ ous substances and returned to the air of the operating room or, alternatively, to a disposal conduit.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, a plume evacuator hose 51, which may take the form of hose 11, 21, or 31, is provided along a longitudinally extending surface with an adhesive strip 52 for releasably attaching the evacuator hose to a patient's skin about a surgical site. Adhesive strip 52 serves to fix the hose at the surgical site so that it does not shift during the surgical procedure. In addition, the adhesive strip serves to conform hose 51 to the shapes of the patient's body in a region about the surgical site.

In its sidewall, hose 51 is provided with a plurality of circular score lines 53 which define a plurality of spaced apertures 54 which closed by respective covers 56 integral with the hose sidewall. Selected covers 56 may be pressed inwardly into hose 51, thereby shearing those covers from hose 51 and opening the respective apertures 54. This punching out of the aperture covers 56, as well as aperture covers of any other hose embodiment discosed herein, is undertaken after the respective hose, e.g., hose 51, has been configured to conform to a surgical site. The removal of selected covers 13a, 23a, 33a, 56, etc., to open the apertures 13, 23, 33, 54, etc., closest to the surgical site may be undertaken while the respective hose, 11, 21, 31, 51 is located on the patient. Alternatively, the hose may be temporarily removed from the patient, the holes punched and the hose replaced in the original position and configuration.

As depicted in Fig. 6, a plume evacuator hose 61,

which may take the form of hose 11, 21, or 31, is provided along a longitudinally extending surface with an adhesive strip 62 attached to the hose via a buffer strip or cushion 63. Cushion 63 is made of a resilient foam-like material and serves to maximize the surface of the adhesive strip 62 which is in contact with the patient's skin surface at the surgical site. Adhesive strip 62 is preferably a two-sided adhesive strip and is covered, during shipping and prior to use of the plume evacuator, with a release liner 64.

As illustrated in Fig. 7, another plume evacuator hose 71 in accordance with the present invention is provided on an inner surface 72 with memory strip 73 in the form of an elongate metallic member. A two-sided adhesive strip 74 joins to an outer surface of hose 71 an elongate spacer member 75 which serves to set hose 71 at a distance from a surgical site, in a direction measured generally perpendicularly to the surface of the site. Spacer member 75 is provided along a side opposite tube or hose 71 with an adhesive layer 76 for attaching the hose to the patient's skin about the site of the surgery.

As shown in Fig. 8, memory strip 73 enables a surgeon or surgical assistant to form hose 71 into a variety of shapes each corresponding to the shape of a particular surgical site.

It is to be noted that memory strip 73 may be embedded in the wall of hose 71 or may, alternatively, be fastened to the outside of the hose.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 diagrammatically illustrate three different relationships between a hose 91 and a skin surface 92. In Fig. 9, the hose is in direct contact with the skin surface. In Fig. 10, hose 91 is elevated above skin surface 92 by virtue of a spacer member 93. In Fig. 11, hose 91 is spaced a greater distance from skin surface 92 by interposi¬ tion of a wider spacer member 94. Each tube or hose 91 may be sold with a plurality of spacer members 93 and 94, the surgeon or surgical assistant selecting the appropriate spacer member for the particular surgery to be performed. Generally, the larger the area at which the burning procedure is to be imple¬ mented, the wider the spacer member and the farther the hose

91 from the surgical site in the orthogonal direction.

It is to be noted that an evacuator hose in accord¬ ance with the invention is able to retain a selected loop- shaped form by the operation of tie strings 15, loop 25, or clip fastener 35, and/or by the operation of adhesive strip or layer 52, 62 or 76, and/or by the operation of metal memory strip 73.

As illustrated in Fig. 12, a plume evacuator hose 100 has a pair of flexible hollow prong sections 102 and 104 joined to one another at one end of a connector section 106 of hose 100. Connector section 106 is provided at an end oppo¬ site prong sections 102 and 104 with a coupling feature 108.

Prong sections 102 and 104 are provided along facing surfaces with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 110 and 112 which are covered by respective punch-outs 110a and 112a formed in the sidewalls of prong sections 102 and 104. Each prong section 102 and 104 is further provided with a respective bendable metal strip or rod 114 and 116 attached along an internal surface of the prong section, possibly by embedding the strip or rod in the flexible polymeric material of hose 100.

As shown in Fig. 13, prong sections 102 and 104 of hose 100 can be deformed, by virtue of bendable metal strips 114 and 116, to assume a circular or loop-shaped form dis¬ posable about a surgical site 118 on a patient's skin surface. Upon connection of hose 100 to a suction pump 120 via coupling 108, an activation of suction pump 120, and a burning or cauterization of diseased skin tissue at the surgical site by a laser device 121, particle laden air 122 is sucked through opened apertures 110 and 112 into prong sections 102 and 104.

As depicted in Fig. 14, prong sections 102 and 104 may be bent in other ways to provide other loop-shaped forms of differing sizes and shapes, to adapt hose 100 to the par¬ ticular surgical conditions. As further depicted in Fig. 14, apertures 110 and 112 disposed along arcuate portions 102a and 104a of prongs 102 and 104 which have been bent to surround a surgical site (e.g., 118 in Fig. 13) have been opened, while other apertures along end portions 102b and 104b which are not juxtaposed to the surgical site remain closed by their respec-

tive punch-out covers 110a and 112a. In contrast, in the use configuration shown in Fig. 13, it is possible that all of the apertures 110 and 112 of prongs 102 and 104 are sufficiently close to the surgical site 118 to justify removal of all the covers 110a and 112a.

It is to be noted that the punch-outs or covers 13a, 23a, 33a, 110a, 112a which close the plume evacuator suction apertures 13, 23, 33, 110, 112 may be removed via the aid of any convenient surgical tool, such as a clamp or forceps. Even a pen may be used.

As shown in Fig. 15, prong sections 102 and 104 are provided along lower surfaces with respective two-sided adhesive strips 124 and 126 each covered prior to use of hose 100 by respective release liners 128 and 130. Fig. 16 illustrates that resilient spacer strips 132 and 134 may be provided between adhesive strips 124 and 126, on the one hand, and prong sections 102 and 104, one the other hand, to increase the contact area between the adhesive strips and a skin surface to which prong sections 102 and 104 are to be attached during a surgical procedure.

As depicted in Fig. 17, further spacer elements 136 and 138 together with respective adhesive layers 140 and 142 may be inserted between two-sided adhesive strips 124 and 126, on the one hand, and spacer strips 132 and 134, on the other hand, to further increase the distance between prong sections 102 and 104 and the patient's skin surface to optimize suction during a surgical procedure.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. For example, other methods of covering or closing apertures 13, 23, 33, 54, 110, 112, ... are possible so that they may be easily and selectively opened prior to a surgical operation. One such method involves the placement of a plurality of adhesive strips over respective hose apertures. To open the apertures selected because of their proximity to the surgial site, the respective adhesive strips are peeled

away from the hose. Alternatively, a single adhesive strip may cover all of the suction apertures along the hose. Open¬ ing the selected apertures is accomplished by perforating the tape through selected apertures by using an appropriate instrument.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the draw¬ ings and descriptions herein are proferred by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.