Smoke evacuation system
Smoke evacuation system for removal of aerosolized chemical compounds and biological fine particles produced during laser treatment of tissue. The rapid smoke evacuation is achieved by coupling a low capacity vacuum pump to a vacuum valve and a vacuum reservoir to create very high flow rate for very short durations. The opening time of the valve could at least partially overlap the laser pulse duration.
1. A rapid pulsatile smoke extraction system for controlling smoke in tissue treatment procedures, comprising:
a laser configured to provide energy to a handpiece, the handpiece configured to apply the energy to tissue;
a reservoir including a smoke and particulate by-products filter, the reservoir connected by a tubing to a vacuum pump; and
a valve connected between the handpiece and the reservoir,
wherein the reservoir including the smoke and particulate by-products filter comprises a single element supporting a vacuum and is configured for filtering odors, viruses, and particulates from air that is drawn into the reservoir by vacuum pressure.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the laser is constructed and arranged to operate in a pulse mode and wherein duration of laser pulses is 1 microsecond to 100 millisecond.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the laser is constructed and arranged to operate in quasi-continuous mode.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum pump has a flow capacity of 0.5 liters per minute to 1000 liters per minute.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum pump has a flow capacity 0.5 liters per minute to 50 liters per minute.