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Abstract

A system changes the rate of operation of a smoke evacuator used with an electrosurgical generator during treatment of a patient electrosurgically at an operative site. A mono or bipolar circuit for electrosurgery has an electrosurgical generator, ESU. A switch in the circuit activates the ESU when keyed. An active output connects the ESU to supply radio frequency energy and a return input to the ESU receives energy. A handpiece has an active electrode and an active lead connects between the output and the electrode. A return lead connects the return input and has a terminus to the patient. A controller in the ESU controls the various output signals of the ESU in response to hand or foot switching inputs or sensed current in the patient circuit. A trigger is connected to the controller in the ESU. The smoke evacuator operates at a different rate when the trigger in the ESU is keyed. A rate controller adjusts the condition of its function per unit time in accord with the trigger on the ESU. Terminals on the ESU deliver signals from the trigger through connections between the terminals and the smoke evacuator. Also a smoke detector near the electrode can find smoke thereabout and delivers a signal during operation of the ESU. The smoke evacuator senses the signal and changes the rate controller from a low level of fluid flow through therethrough to a high flow for drawing fluid from the area about the active electrode. The rate controller adjusts. The switch is located on the handpiece or a foot pedal. A method for changing the rate of operation of a smoke evacuator has steps including having a circuit for electrosurgery associated with the ESU. Connecting a switch activates the ESU. The rate of the smoke evacuator is adjusted with the keying of the ESU or with sensed current from the patient circuit.

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