EVACUATOR
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present application claims priority to the provisional US patent application Ser. No. 60 / 082,125 filed on April 17, 1998. This invention relates to equipment, systems and methods for the removal of gaseous material and / or substantially gaseous. Such material includes, but is not limited to, aerosol byproducts of surgical processes, which include processes involving cutting, heating, or calcination. More particularly, the present invention relates to an evacuator or vacuum head for an evacuation system that efficiently removes smoke, steam, or plumes released by chemicals or produced by the use of laser, cut and / or sonic cauterization in a surgical site. Heating and / or calcination of tissue during surgical procedures has become common. An unwanted byproduct of heating and / or calcination, however, is the smoke generated in this way. The plumes of smoke can obscure the surgeon's field of vision and the odor generated is unpleasant and distract the entire surgical team and the patient, if awake. In addition, the smoke plume may contain infectious agents that present a danger to people in the operating room, and may leave a prolonged contamination within the area of operation. He
Chemical vapor (such as that produced by cleaning the computer parts) is similarly irritating to the respiratory tract of those who inhale it and can be carcinogenic. Smoke evacuation and filtration systems have been developed to eliminate smoke plumes from surgical sites and chemical vapors from the work environment. Such systems typically include a hose connected to a vacuum source or generator and a suction rod connected to the hose. Various filtration systems have been used in conjunction with vacuum generators to eliminate odor and infectious agents. Typically, the known evacuation rod and hoses and filtration systems have required the constant attention or activity of an assistant to hold the rod or hose nozzle near the surgical site. Another problem is that the air flow through the hose nozzle and the motor
'Suction are sources of excessive and unwanted noise in the operating room or in the work station. Ultimately, at least in part to address problems with rods, smoke evacuation systems can include an end effector that can be held in place in a surgical site if the constant attention of a nurse or other assistant. At least one evacuation system and one end effector are described in
U.S. Patent 4,921,492 (Schultz et al.), The disclosure of which patent is incorporated herein by reference. Schultz et al. describes a terminal effector to eliminate gaseous by-products from laser surgery of a surgical site. The end effector includes a flexible hose and a flexible vacuum head that can be adhesively bonded in an air tight relationship around a surgical site. The vacuum head includes a generally annular impeller for extracting the plumes away from the surgical site of approximately a 360 ° arc. A porous impeller support prevents the flexible impeller from collapsing in the presence of a vacuum, and diffuses the vacuum around the total periphery of the impeller. U.S. Patent 5,015,243 (Schifano) discloses another smoke evacuator that includes a flexible suction head for surrounding an operating site to extract smoke and air from a perimeter of the site as smoke is produced. In one embodiment, the suction head is a donut-shaped tubular member that includes a plurality of radial openings on an inner surface of the tubular member that confronts the operative site. Schifano teaches that the tubular ring member can be circular or oval, and that it does not need to completely encircle the operative site while the air is extracted substantially in a surrounding manner.
Since the systems of smoke evacuation and terminal executors of Schultz et al. and of the Schifano type are well suited for these intended purposes, there is room for improvement. For example, since the end effectors are collapsible and flexible to conform to a surface to which they are attached, neither describes a skeletal stiffening frame or structure to help maintain a shaped configuration. Such a skeleton or structure can be of value for adapting end effectors or vacuum heads for the evacuation of smoke for use in or near irregular physical features such as, for example, the ear, the nose, the mouth or in the area of joints It may be advantageous if the access opening of the generally central site of such end effectors can be varied in size to accommodate the different sizes of incisions and different processes, and whether the end effectors can be made available with the connecting port or openings in various locations. places for a particular end effector to be selected depending on the process that is performed. It may be advantageous if the end effectors are available in a generally elongated tubular configuration that can be bent in a configuration selected by the user, and wherein the configuration or effectors tend to remain in the selected configuration. It can also be advantageous if a
End effector or vacuum head can be integrated with the material of cloth or surgical fabrics widely used by custom or incorporated in part in a work station that may contain harmful chemical fumes. The present invention provides a well-suited evacuator for removing or evacuating smoke, chemical vapors, aerosols, gaseous or generally gaseous material and fluids including fluids with incoming particles or other material. It is well suited for use in the removal of substances from surgical sites, work stations and manufacturing assemblies or processing sites. The needs indicated above are largely solved by a smoke evacuation system and method, which includes an evacuator according to the present invention. The embodiments described herein are designed to effectively and silently remove smoke or other aerosols, including smoke or bioaerosols generated during surgical procedures, and may be used in a surgical site without the constant attention or manipulation of a surgeon or assistant. They can also remove the steam from the work site. An improved smoke evacuation system and method for removing gaseous byproducts from chemical or commercial processes is provided by the present invention. He
Smoke evacuation system includes a vacuum head that can be placed in a work or surgical site. The vacuum head includes an impeller, and an impeller support to prevent the impeller from collapsing when a vacuum or low pressure is established therein, and is adapted to facilitate the use of the system in a variety of surgical procedures in a variety of surgical sites. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a vacuum smoke evacuation head for coupling to a vacuum source to extract generally gaseous byproducts, including smoke, fine particulate matter, air and the like, from a surgical or commercial site. The smoke evacuator head is substantially made of a flexible or generally foldable material and defines an impeller. A impeller support is carried within the impeller to provide support for the impeller and to prevent the impeller from collapsing when a vacuum or relatively low pressure area is established therein. The smoke evacuator head includes an open inlet connection facing and / or inlet openings, and can be placed adjacent to or in a surgical site. An adhesive can be worn by the head to hold it in a selected position or location relative to the surgical site. In one embodiment, the smoke evacuator head includes at least one access opening which can
expand selectively in size. Typically, the access opening can generally be located centrally in the vacuum head, and has an initial peripheral edge that can move generally concentrically outward by selectively withdrawing one or more generally concentric, removable and extending peripheral portions. substantially through the opening. Also typically, the opening, the initial size or one of the extended sizes may be covered or sealed before use by a removable film. In another embodiment, the smoke evacuator vacuum head includes a skeletal stiffening member or positioning structure whereby the head can be configured and tends to remain in the selected configuration. The skeletal structure may comprise an elongate, flexible member formed of a suitable material that can be twisted or bent, yet has sufficient rigidity to retain the selected bend or bend. The skeletal structure may be internal or external, or may comprise a simple elongated member, a single annular member, a plurality of axially aligned members, a number of bypass and / or parallel members or a combination thereof. This modality may be well suited for use in regions of the body that have preferably irregular surfaces such as joints, ear, nose or
mouth . In another embodiment, the smoke evacuator may comprise a generally tubular body having two ends, one of which is adapted to be connected to another smoke evacuator vacuum head or to a coupler, such as a hose, to operatively couple the tubular body to a source of vacuum. The other end may be free. The body may have one or more regions comprising openings or a confronted opening for admitting smoke or the like when a vacuum or low pressure is established in the body. In this embodiment, the body may have a stiffening element or a skeletal structure to allow the body to bend and easily remain in a particular configuration for use in different situations. This modality of the vacuum head may be well suited for use in an adjunct or alone, in deep incisions or wounds during surgical procedures. In yet another embodiment, the smoke evacuator vacuum head performs an impeller which includes a confronting portion substantially open to be positioned generally adjacent to a smoke or aerosol producing site. In one embodiment, where the impeller has an upper facing wall, it is generally annular and includes a generally central access opening, the periphery of the opening being formed by an inner wall,
the confronted opening can be formed in and / or adjacent the inner wall comprising, for example, a chamfer and / or a portion of the upper wall. This embodiment is well suited for use in surgical procedures during which a flap or ridge of skin or tissue may be formed, for example around or as a result of the incision. Such processes include plastic surgery processes and mastectomies, for example, where vacuum induced in the impeller may tend to pull flaps of skin or tissue therein, particularly when the flap or tissue remains elevated. In another embodiment, the evacuation system of the present invention comprises an evacuation flag for connecting in a connected manner a vacuum generator or source and a vacuum head that generally surrounds a surgical site. The vacuum head is made substantially of a flexible or generally collapsible material and defines an impeller having a generally central opening. A material that supports the porous impeller is carried by the skin that contacts the wall of the vacuum head to hold the vacuum head in place in a surgical site. One embodiment and characteristics of the present invention is the concept of a channel supported on foam over a cross-sectional area that can be selected, incorporated or integrated with a surgical fabric, wherein the
The channel can be used to transport smoke and / or other aerosolized waste away from a surgical site. Any of the embodiments of the smoke evacuation system or vacuum head described herein may be provided in sterile form and in an acceptable color in an operating room environment. In one embodiment, the smoke evacuation system of the present invention comprises a vacuum head end effector that includes generally contiguous concentric areas, or regions that can be oval, formed or separated by generally concentric perforations so that the areas can selectively withdrawals to correspond to the required length of an incision or processed area. In one embodiment, the end effector according to the present invention may have an oval and generally central pre-proportioned disruptor of specific predetermined dimensions, the purpose may be to form an initial or primary work area and to allow the surgeon or assistant more easily remove the surrounding peripheral oval sections to expand the original opening. In one embodiment, each movable section of the vacuum head may be provided with a paperback adhesive that runs on a surface of the sections. He
adhesive with backing paper can be removed once the size of field or work area is determined, thereby allowing the remaining portion of the vacuum head and / or the fabric to be attached to the patient's prepared skin or to the medical fabric that covers the intended site of the surgery. In some embodiments, one or more manifold-type connection shanks or tubes may be extended from the foam-filled channel or vacuum head to carry smoke and vapor mixture from the operating site in a conduit and then even a deodorization, filtration and / or collection where the mixture can be processed and air can be returned to the room. In some embodiments, the skin of the fabric can cover the end effector, the collector and the fabric in continuity. In these and other embodiments, the manifolds may be provided to include curved and / or parallel, ie straight, edges or walls extending on or on the side of the impeller support supporting the exterior walls of the impeller or evacuation vacuum head. . The purpose of these ridges or walls may be to avoid possible wrinkling or constriction or other occlusion for the skin coated with the fabric in the impeller support / manifold or joint interface. This occlusion can be caused by the downward force deposited in the manifold by the pipe
joint that usually follows or falls to the floor of the operating room. In some cases, when the suction or reduced pressure is applied without the flange extensions in place, the skin may invaginate and cover the intake orifice of the manifold. Another embodiment includes a chamber or meeting room for the evacuated smoke as it leaves the foam-filled channel or the impeller towards the outlet site of the manifold or connection nipple. The chamber is attached to the flange extensions or walls (described in the previous paragraph) at one end and makes or attached to an exit port at the other end. The chamber and / or outlet port may be adapted to increase flow rates by including an area of increase of a cross-sectional area. The outlet port from which the smoke mixture leaves the smoke evacuator can be attached to a typical duct or hose. Any of the embodiments described herein can be formed by a wall or skin that can be made of the same material as a surgical fabric. The skin may typically be resistant or flame retardant, and any of the embodiments may be preferably composed of biocompatible material and may be capable of being disposed as typically disposed materials. It should be appreciated that characteristics of
any of the modalities can be selectively combined to adapt the vacuum evacuator head for a variety of surgical situations and processes. Other features and advantages of the smoke evacuation device and method of the present invention will become more apparent and understandable with reference to the description and accompanying drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a smoke evacuation system including an end effector of a vacuum head; Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the end effector shown in Figure 1, with end portions for clarity; Figure 3 is a top perspective view of an end effector vacuum head embodiment according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the end effector vacuum head shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of another
embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9a is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9b is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 15 is a perspective view of two embodiments of the present invention, when they can be used together; Figure 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 18 is a perspective view of another
embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 19 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in use in a work station. The accompanying figures and this description represent and describe embodiments of the smoke evacuation system and method of the present invention, including the smoke evacuator vacuum head, and features and components thereof. As used herein, the terms "evacuator", "smoke evacuator", "end effector", "vacuum head" and the like are intended to encompass a structure or structures in which the gaseous or generally gaseous material, such as aerosols, , smoke or steam is extracted when the structure is operatively coupled to a source of low pressure or vacuum and placed generally adjacent to a site that produces the gaseous or generally gaseous material. As used herein, the term "surgical field" is intended to encompass places where an incision will be made in the skin or where other surgical operations or processes will be performed. With respect to the meanings for fastening, mounting, joining, or connecting the components of the present invention form the device and system as a whole, unless specifically described to the contrary, such means are intended to encompass conventional fasteners such as screw machines, nut connectors and
bolts, machine for threaded connectors, snap rings, hose clamps, such as screw clamps and the like, rivets, screws and nuts, rotulas, pins and the like. The components can also be connected by adhesives, glues, welding, ultrasonic welding, fixation or friction deformation if appropriate. Unless it is specifically described or thought otherwise, the materials for making components of the present invention can be selected from suitable materials such as metal, metal alloys, natural and synthetic fibers, vinyls, plastics and the like, and suitable production or fabrication methods can be used including casting, extrusion, molding and machined Any reference to the beginning and end, right and left, above and below, and top and bottom is intended for convenience of description, not to limit the present invention or its components in any positional or spatial orientation. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a smoke evacuation system 10 according to the patent of Shultz et al. described above. The system includes an interchangeable end effector 12 connected to the appropriate vacuum generator and to the fixation assembly 14. In one embodiment, the end effector 12 may include a flexible hose 16 coupled to a vacuum head 18 by a handle 20
collector type generally tubular. In one embodiment, the base head 18 includes a generally planar body 22 having an upper wall 24, a lower wall 26 and an outer side wall 27 extending between the upper wall 24 and the lower wall 26. The body 22 is preferably formed of a flexible non-porous synthetic resin so that it will conform to the surface surrounding the surgical site. The lateral, upper and lower walls 24, 26, 27 together define substantially a generally annular inner impeller 28. The walls form an outer skin of the impeller 28 and can be composed of a substantially non-porous, flexible medical grade material. The selection material may be a synthetic material, or a natural material, such as fibrous material, for example, cellulose or cotton fiber based material, as is currently used in surgical fabrics and / or towels. The material of choice may be without flame retardant characteristics. Preferred synthetic materials may be selected from open cell foams, urethane film, spun lace polyester, nonwoven polyurethane tape and the like. The upper wall 24 includes an access opening 32, and the bottom wall 26 includes an access opening 34 typically aligned and / or substantially congruent with the upper wall access opening 32. From
Preferably, a layer or adhesive 36 is cut by the top wall 24, and a transparent film 38 is removably carried in place over the top access opening 32 by the adhesive 36. Preferably, the bottom wall 26 includes a first layer 40. adhesive and a transparent film 42 removably carried by the first adhesive layer. A second adhesive layer 44, which may have an antiseptic embedded therein, is carried by the transparent lower wall film 42. A protective layer 46 of sterile exfoliation is removably carried by the antiseptic adhesive layer 44. It will be appreciated that, with the application of a vacuum to the body 22, the bottom and top wall 24, 26 can be driven, thereby producing the volume of the impeller 28. Thus, in the end effector 18 shown in Figs. and 2, and in the embodiments of the invention described herein, an inner center impeller bracket 48 formed from a porous material such as foamable urethane or other suitable crosslinked open cell foam material, a support matrix or the like it is carried within the impeller 28, to provide the body 22 with some rigidity without substantially detracting from the flexibility of the head. The inner center 48 comprises an inner impeller support structure 48 which allows the flow of air and smoke into the impeller 28 while blocking the
entry of larger materials such as tissue or surgical materials. Preferably, the inner center support 48 should be made of a synthetic or natural material that is hydrophobic so as to resist the absorption of fluids often present in the operative field. A cross-linked open cell foam of size between 5 and 25 pores per inch (ppi) is well suited for the center of impeller can be molded and / or can be contiguously formed with the outer skin, and can be provided with a plurality or matrix of channels or air flow shafts. If the configuration of the vacuum head 18 is generally circular, generally oval, or of different configuration, it will be seen that the impeller 28 provides for the evacuation of the generally gaseous material substantially around an entire 360 ° arc. Figures 3 and 4 depict an embodiment of the smoke evacuator 18 of the present invention, wherein the central access opening 32 can be expanded to form a large opening or opening 50 by removing a peripheral portion 52 of the vacuum head 18 evacuator of the access opening 32 originally provided. The upper bottom walls 24, 26 and the impeller support material 48 may include a line of weakness 56 being punched, carried or partially cut to define the removable portion 52 and to facilitate its removal. It can be provided
A selected number of generally concentric portions can be removed. The line of weakness, scoring, cutting or perforations 56 may be substantially concentric and congruent with respect to the initial access opening 32, or may be adapted to expand the initial access opening in a selected direction or in a selected configuration, for example, it may comprise one or more weakness start and end arcs at the peripheral edge of the access opening (see for example, the lines of weakness a and b shown in Figure 6). (With the description of this and other modalities, in common with the terminal effector represented in Figures 1 and 2, and with other embodiments of the invention, they are made and will be referred to in common form). Figures 5, 6 and 2 represent another embodiment of the smoke evacuator vacuum head 18 of the present invention, wherein the vacuum head 18 is provided with an access opening of variable size and is integrated with a surgical fabric 60 comprising a relatively large relatively flexible garment-type sheet material. The fabric or fabrics are widely used to establish or trace a surgical field, it can generally be transparent, and it can be formed by a PVC material or the like. They can carry an adhesive or a surface for the connection of a patient's skin, typically four strips of adhesive
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to define a periphery. A surface of the fabric may have an adhesive thereon, for the attachment of an end effector 18 of a vacuum head. The integration of the end effector 18 of the vacuum head of the present invention can be achieved by providing a cloth or a piece of cloth material with an opening by placing the end effector 18 over the opening, and attaching and sealing the edges of the end effector 18 to the fabric (see Figure 6). The end wall of the end effector 18 can be omitted, in which case the outer or upper side wall 24 can be attached to the fabric, whereby the fabric forms the side wall, completing the impeller 28 and encompassing the open cell cross-linked foam that forms the impeller support 48. In use, the integrated fabric and the end effector 18 can be placed over an intended incision site with the access opening aligned with the site. A tab 64 can be grasped or pulled to allow access to the site. If a larger incision site opening is required initially, or if the incision site needs to be expanded or extended, another tab 66 may be grasped or pulled to remove a peripheral portion 52, thereby lengthening, specifically stretching the opening. As shown in Figure 12, the pre-cut access opening cover is provided with as many tabs as is convenient to facilitate gripping or pulling the cover away from the end effector 18. Pull one of the
Tabs releases the pre-perforated cover skin and allows the precut foam to be removed. Figure 7 (and others, including Figures 15 and 16) represents another embodiment of the present invention wherein a skeletal wire type member 70 is provided. The skeletal member 70 is flexible and can be bent to the extent that it can be manipulated, bent or twisted in a desired configuration, however it is sufficiently inflexible or rigid to retain its bent or twisted configuration. It can be located in the impeller 28 as shown, or it can be appropriately secured to the outside of the end effector 18. Figure 7, and Figures 8-10 represent embodiments of the present invention wherein the walls of the impeller 28 define the access opening or opening that is in an open confrontation 74, and wherein the open confrontation 74 extends in the upper wall 24 of the impeller 28. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the access opening wall is substantially and completely an open confrontation 64 extending up an angle or bracket 76 in the upper wall. The inclination or angle of the top wall can be 10 to 60 degrees, with 45 degrees well suited for many processes. Figures 9a and 9b represent two non-skewed modalities, and Figure 10 represents a modality wherein the inner wall of the
The impeller 28 is substantially continuous, only the bracket 76 comprises the open confronted portion of the impeller 28. These embodiments are generally well suited for use in surgical procedures involving a tongue or a tissue flange which, if the upper wall or a portion it is not adapted to provide an inlet for the gaseous material, it can occlude the open confrontation, blocking or at least interfering with the flow of gaseous material in the impeller 28. The embodiment shown in Figure 10 can also be adapted for surgical procedures particular, such as processes involving the chest, providing a sealing means, such as an adhesive, or, on the inner rim or wall 29 of the impeller 28, can thus be adhered or sealed in place to the chest with a portion of the chest which extends through the access opening. Figure 11 depicts a smoke / cloth evacuator embodiment of the present invention wherein the dual vacuum that couples the union handles is provided. Such a modality may be well suited for processes that require large incisions, such as spinal processes, thoracotomy, large abdominal incisions, and the like. In one embodiment, the evacuator mode of Figure 11 as a single device without a fabric as shown in Figure 11.
Figures 13 and 14 depict another embodiment of the smoke evacuator of the present invention wherein the impeller 28 is formed by a substantially continuous wall, which may be a single piece of. Clogged material that can be formed from bottom and top side walls. In this embodiment, the vacuum head 18 and the impeller 28 have an elongated, straight, generally tubular configuration with two free ends, one end 80 of which can be closed and the other end 82 that can be adapted to another modality of the end effector 28 as shown in Figure 14. The end 82 may be flat or otherwise adapted to be attached to the suction pipe or channel described above. In one embodiment (not shown), cannula member 84 is not biased as shown in Figure 13. In other embodiments (not shown), this embodiment of the invention can be adapted for direct coupling to a hose or other accessory, or may include or be attached to a manifold or handle 20 generally similar to that shown in Figure 1, for attachment to a hose or other accessory. Note that Figure 14 also shows that the skeletal fitting member 70 shown in two of its possible locations can be used to configure and position the mode of the generally tubular smoke evacuator 18, or a portion thereof, in a relatively deep incision or wound. deep
Figure 15 depicts an embodiment of the smoke evacuator of the present invention adapted for spinal operations or other processes where a relatively large incision can be used. The impeller 28 is formed in the configuration of two generally parallel tubular members 88, 90, each having substantially continuous end, bottom, top and bottom walls, and an inner wall comprising an open confrontation 74. Each embodiment of the invention may include a generally elongate inner plenum space adjacent to the manifold or handle port 20. In the evacuator of Figure 15, for example, the upper wall 24 and the bottom wall 26 extend to form a space 100 of elongate impeller adjacent to the manifold port or handle 20, so that the suction force generated in the handle manifold 20 is dispersed more evenly, including through the impeller and along the open confrontation 74. Such a characteristic may be included in any of the embodiments of the invention described herein. Note that, as in all embodiments described herein, the malleable skeletal fitting member 70, which may be formed of nitinol or similar "memory" material, may be incorporated to facilitate the reconfiguration of this modality, eg, the configuration shown in imaginary. This mode of vacuum head 18 may have
a single connection manifold or nozzle 20 as shown or can be adapted to have two manifolds with an adapter circuit to allow them to flow in a 7/8"vacuum hose (see for example Figure 11). Such circuit adapters are readily available as standard catalog items for respiratory therapy and anesthesia Figure 16 depicts a form of smoke evacuator 18 well suited for dental surgery eg a "bite block" modality It should be appreciated that the smoke evacuator 18 can be provided in any suitable form for use in or around the mouth, and that substantially all of the skin or walls forming this preferred mode can not be absorbent Figure 17 and 18 represent a mode wherein a vacuum head 18 generally The tubular comprises a region of internal impeller adjacent to the manifold or handle port 20 and two impeller arms 90, 92. 90, 92 of impeller which, like Figures 17 and 18, may be two free arms, which may be curled or bent to substantially encircle a surgical site. An advantage of this embodiment is that the impeller arms 90, 92 with their free ends that are flexible, whereby the head 18 becomes more flexible so that it can more easily assume and shape the fabric configuration
underlying. The arms 90, 92 and yes the head 18, can move in several directions according to the layout of the adjacent tissues. Because in one embodiment, a surface of the vacuum head 18 of Figures 17 and 18 may have an adhesive thereto for attachment to a fabric, it may be desirable to have a mode wherein the ends 90, 92, face an address when viewed from the upper mode and another where the ends 90, 92 face the other direction. These modalities can provide the necessary flexibility for various surgical procedures, including processes on bilateral mirror image structures or tissues. In use, it should be understood that the operation of all embodiments described herein may be generally similar. The vacuum head 18, or the fabric 60 with the integrated vacuum head 18, is interchangeably attached to the skin surrounding a surgical site by peeling the sterile exfoliation cuirass 46 and pressing the adhesive layer 44 carried by the back wall 26 of the body 22 against the skin. It will be appreciated that the flexible vacuum head 18 allows a seal to the full air, of the bottom wall 26 against the skin or any skin cover (such as a transparent cloth). The films 28, 42 carried by the bottom and top walls 24, 26, respectively, can be completely removed. With the performance of the
vacuum source 14, air is withdrawn in the impeller 28, and is transported through the flexible hose 16 and inside the filter (not shown) in the vacuum source 14 the porous impeller holder 48 carried within the impeller 28 prevents that the vacuum impeller 28 collapses under the influence of vacuum. The impeller support 48 can also be adapted to improve the diffusion effect of the vacuum around or through the impeller 28, thereby improving the extraction of the air in impeller 28 around its total periphery or open confrontation, instead of only in the vicinity of the handle 20. Furthermore, extracting the air through the larger opening presented by the impeller 28 reduces the noise created by the air flow in the hose 16. The gaseous or aerosol material produced in the surgical site is removed at both in the impeller 28 and evacuated through the flexible hose 16. The impellant support 48, due to its porous nature, can also act as a filter as the smoke is extracted therethrough. Referring again to Figure 1, the surgical instruments can be manipulated through the tread line T in the transparent film 38 and / or through the access opening 32. Alternatively, the transparent film 38 can be completely removed. It will be appreciated that the vacuum and the extraction effect presented by the impeller 28 to the surgical site may be increased leaving
a transparent film 38 instead. The end effectors 18 of the present invention can be extruded from a single piece of material, for example, the body 22, tubular handle 20, flexible hose 16, and certain embodiments, a filter and a connector can be formed from a unitary piece of synthetic resin or similar material that can be extruded. The end effectors of the present invention can be advantageously and hygienically disposed after a single use, without the need to handle the contaminated material. In another use of the invention, the modalities of the vacuum head 18 can be used in a workstation or the like, or on or within a container or the like, to remove the fumarole or smoke. Such workstations and containers can be used, for example, to clean components in the computer industry or to carry out experiments or tasks in which polluting fumaroles are eliminated. Figure 19 demonstrates such use. Workstation 110 may have handle holes 112, with or without suitable seal collars 113 or attached gloves (not shown), through which a technician or user may enter their hands with gloves or without gloves. The vacuum head 18 can be placed inside, adjacent to or on the work station 110, by
example, as shown, may be coupled to an outer surface of the workstation enclosure adjacent to an opening in the wall defining the work station. It can also be attached to an interior surface. When a suction force is applied, the vacuum head 18 receives smoke or fumarole from inside the work station. In one embodiment, an air supply may be pumped into the work station 110 through a hose 114 to assist in removing the vapors, aerosols, or gaseous material toward the vacuum head 18. The air supply can provide air at any given ratio; The ratio for a workstation of typical size, can be 30 cubic feet per minute. The present invention can be represented in other specific forms without departing from the essential spirit or attributes to it. The described modalities should be considered in all aspects as illustrative, not as restrictive.