Surgical access device with active smoke filtration

A method of treating smoke at a surgical site using a surgical access device, the method comprising:

• inserting an elongate tubular member defining a lumen to the surgical site;
• performing a surgical procedure at the surgical site that generates smoke having airborne particulate matter;
• creating a negative electrical charge near a distal region of the elongate tubular member to apply a negative electrical charge to the airborne particulate matter;
• creating a positive electrical charge near the elongate tubular member proximally of the first electrode to attract the airborne particulate matter;
• and
• creating a vacuum within the lumen of the elongate tubular member to generate an air flow within the lumen of the elongate tubular member that moves from the distal region of the elongate tubular member towards a proximal region of the elongate tubular member to move the airborne particulate matter towards the second electrode.

A method of removing airborne particulate matter from a flow of air, the method comprising:

• creating the flow of air within a lumen of an elongate tubular member that moves from a distal region of the elongate tubular member towards a proximal region of the elongate tubular member;
• creating a negative electrical field near a distal region of the elongate tubular member;
• and
• creating a positive electrical field proximally of the negative electrical field to collect the airborne particulate matter on the elongate tubular member.

A method of treating smoke in a surgical site comprising:

• inserting an elongate tubular member of a surgical access device into the surgical site;
• performing a surgical procedure at the surgical site that generates smoke having airborne particulate matter;
• supplying a negative electrical charge to a first electrode, the first electrode coupled to the elongate tubular member and disposed in a distal region thereof;
• supplying a positive electrical charge to a second electrode, the second electrode coupled to the elongate tubular member and disposed in an intermediate region that is proximal of the distal region;
• and
• applying a vacuum to a lumen of the elongate tubular member, the vacuum generating air flow from the distal region of the elongate tubular member towards a proximal region of the elongate tubular member such that the airborne particulate acquires a negative electrical charge from the first electrode and is attracted to the second electrode.