System and method for improved gas recirculation in surgical trocars with pneumatic sealing

A system for insufflation, and recirculation of insufflation fluid from a surgical operative environment, the system comprising:

• a control unit having:
• a) a fluid pump adapted and configured to circulate insufflation fluid through the system;
• b) a supply conduit in fluid communication with an output of the fluid pump and configured and adapted for delivering pressurized insufflation fluid to an output port of the control unit;
• c) a return conduit in fluid communication with an input of the fluid pump for delivering insufflation fluid to the fluid pump and configured and adapted for returning insufflation fluid to an input port of the control unit;
• and
• d) a pressure-controlled valve in fluid communication with an insufflation gas supply, the supply conduit and the return conduit, the pressure-controlled valve being adapted and configured to:
• i) respond to a low pressure control signal by opening, to place the supply conduit and the return conduit in fluid communication with one another, to reduce entrainment of air from the surrounding environment and to place the insufflation gas supply in fluid communication with the return conduit, to increase the concentration of insufflation gas in the system;
• ii) respond to a first high pressure control signal by opening, to place the supply conduit and the return conduit in fluid communication with one another;
• and
• iii) respond to a second high pressure control signal, corresponding to a pressure higher than the first high pressure control signal, by additionally opening a dump valve to release pressure from the system.