# US 2023/0067531 A1 · Active control of surgical smoke evacuation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0067531 A1 - Document ID: US20230067531A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/868,851 - Filed: 2022-07-20 - Published: 2023-03-02 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-24 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Daniel A. Joseph; Christopher A. Valentine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230067531A1 ## CPC - A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor - A61B 18/1485: {having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings} - A61B 90/98: using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders - A61B 2018/00172: {Connectors and adapters therefor} - A61B 2018/00178: {Electrical connectors} - A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation} - A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting} - A61B 2018/00678: {upper} - A61B 2018/00744: {Fluid flow} - A61B 2018/00773: {Sensed parameters} - A61B 2018/0091: {Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device} - A61B 2018/00988: {Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter} - A61B 2090/064: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension} - A61B 2218/007: Aspiration - A61B 2218/008: for smoke evacuation - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An electrosurgical smoke evacuation pencil includes a handle housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the handle housing defining a lumen therethrough, a nozzle in fluid communication with the lumen, a pressure sensor configured to sense a vacuum pressure at the nozzle, a connector coupled to the distal end portion of the handle housing, the connector configured to couple to a suction source, and an electrode configured to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrosurgical pencil comprising: a handle housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the handle housing defining a lumen therethrough; a nozzle in fluid communication with the lumen; a pressure sensor configured to sense a vacuum pressure at the nozzle; a connector coupled to the distal end portion of the handle housing, the connector configured to couple to a suction source; and an electrode configured to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1, further comprising a valve configured to reduce or remove the vacuum pressure at the nozzle when actuated. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electrosurgical pencil according to claim 2, wherein the valve is configured to actuate to an open position in response to a pressure signal measured by the pressure sensor exceeding a preset threshold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The electrosurgical pencil according to claim 3, wherein the pressure sensor is integrated into the valve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1, further comprising a motion sensor disposed on the nozzle, wherein the motion sensor is configured to transmit a motion signal to the suction source to initiate suction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The electrosurgical pencil according to claim 2, wherein the valve includes a cover configured to prevent actuation of the valve by an external force. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes a mating sensor configured to sense a mating connection with the suction source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The electrosurgical pencil according to claim 7, wherein the mating sensor includes a unique identifier. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1, wherein the connector is further configured for electrical communication between the pressure sensor and the suction source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes a mechanical interface configured to mate with a suction conduit having a counterpart mechanical interface. ### Claim 11 A surgical smoke evacuation system, comprising: a smoke evacuator including a suction generator configured to create a vacuum pressure; an electrosurgical pencil including: a nozzle; and a pressure sensor configured to sense vacuum pressure at the nozzle; a suction conduit coupling the nozzle to the smoke evacuator; a valve configured to reduce the vacuum pressure from the nozzle; a processor; and a memory, including instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the surgical smoke evacuation system to: sense the vacuum pressure at the nozzle; and actuate the valve to an open position based on the sensed pressure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The smoke evacuation system according to claim 11, wherein the valve is configured to open to reduce the vacuum pressure from the nozzle of the electrosurgical pencil in response to the sensed vacuum force being greater than a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The smoke evacuation system according to claim 11, further comprising a motion sensor disposed on the nozzle, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further causes the system to: sense a signal by the motion sensor indicating movement of the electrosurgical pencil; and initiate suction by the smoke evacuator based on the sensed signal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The smoke evacuation system according to claim 11, further comprising a motion sensor disposed on the nozzle, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further causes the system to: sense a signal by the motion sensor indicating that the electrosurgical pencil is at a resting position; and stop suction by the smoke evacuator based on the sensed signal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The smoke evacuation system according to claim 11, wherein the valve includes a cover configured to prevent actuation of the valve by an external force. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The smoke evacuation system according to claim 11, wherein the pressure sensor is integrated into the valve. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The smoke evacuation system according to claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system to: dynamically adjust the vacuum pressure generated by the smoke evacuator based on the sensed vacuum pressure at the nozzle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The smoke evacuation system according to claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system to: determine the nozzle is occluded based on the sensed signal; and dynamically adjust the vacuum pressure generated by the smoke evacuator based on the determined occlusion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The smoke evacuation system according to claim 18, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system to: determine whether occlusion is removed based on the sensed signal; and dynamically increase the vacuum pressure generated by the smoke evacuator based on the determination the occlusion was removed. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The smoke evacuation system according to claim 11, wherein the electrosurgical pencil includes a connector configured to couple to a suction source, wherein the connector includes a mating sensor configured to sense a mating connection with the suction source.