Apparatus and method for electrosurgical suction with separate flow channels

A suction apparatus for an electrosurgical pencil having an electrocautery electrode comprising:

• a smoke intake manifold having a smoke intake lumen in fluid communication with a smoke output port, wherein the smoke intake manifold has an inner perimeter is adapted to releasably receive electrosurgical pencil and is adapted for arrangement proximate to the electrocautery electrode when the electrosurgical pencil is held by the inner perimeter, the smoke intake manifold having an outer perimeter;
• a plurality of suction intake ports arranged about the outer perimeter of the smoke intake manifold for evacuating smoke that is to be generated by the electrosurgical pencil;
• and
• an extendable suction tube having proximal and distal ends, the extendable suction tube in fluid communication with a fluid output port.

A method for using a surgical instrument that generates smoke, comprising:

• releasably receiving the surgical instrument within an inner perimeter of an attachment housing, the attachment housing comprising an extendable suction tube, a smoke intake manifold having a plurality of suction intake ports, a fluid output port in fluid communication with the extendable suction tube, and a smoke output port in fluid communication with the smoke intake manifold;
• generating smoke by using the surgical instrument;
• evacuating the smoke via the suction intake ports of the smoke intake manifold;
• outputting the smoke via the smoke output port;
• evacuating liquid via the extendable suction tube during surgical operations with the surgical instrument;
• and,
• outputting the liquid via the liquid output port.