Automatic fluid control system for use in open and laparoscopic laser surgery and electrosurgery and method therefor

An automatic fluid control system for surgical lasers and electrosurgery apparatus, for both open and laparoscopic procedures, comprising, in combination:

• at least one fluid irrigation container;
• at least one irrigation tubing connected to said at least one fluid irrigation container;
• at least one valve connected to said at least one irrigation tubing for accessing irrigation fluid in said at least one fluid irrigation container;
• means for employing a surgical device;
• means for irrigating said irrigation fluid through the irrigation tubing to a site of the surgical device wherein the means for irrigating is connected to said means for employing a surgical device such that said irrigating means is activated upon deactivation of said surgical device;
• a suction tubing connected to a suction container;
• and
• means for suctioning fluid from within a patient through the suction tubing at the site of the surgical device wherein the suctioning means is connected to the irrigating means such that said suctioning means is activated upon deactivation of said irrigation means.

An automatic fluid control system for surgical lasers and electrosurgery apparatus, for both open and laparoscopic procedures, comprising, in combination:

• at least one fluid irrigation container;
• at least one irrigation tubing connected to said at least one fluid irrigation container;
• at least one valve connected to said at least one irrigation tubing for accessing irrigation fluid in said at least one fluid irrigation container;
• means for employing a surgical device;
• means for irrigating said irrigation fluid through the irrigation tubing to a site of the surgical device wherein the means for irrigating is connected to said means for employing a surgical device such that said irrigating means is activated upon deactivation of said surgical device;
• a suction tubing connected to a suction container;
• and
• means for suctioning fluid from within a patient through the suction tubing at the site of the surgical device wherein the suctioning means is connected to the irrigating means such that said suctioning means is activated upon activation of said irrigating means and said suction means is deactivated at a short predetermined time following deactivation of said irrigation means.

An automatic fluid control system for surgical lasers and electrosurgery apparatus, for both open and laparoscopic procedures, comprising, in combination:

• at least one fluid irrigation container;
• at least one irrigation tubing connected to said at least one fluid irrigation container;
• at least one valve connected to said at least one irrigation tubing for accessing irrigation fluid in said at least one fluid irrigation container;
• means for employing a surgical device;
• a suction tubing connected to a suction container;
• means for suctioning fluid from within a patient through this suction tubing at the site of the surgical device wherein the suctioning means is connected to the means for employing a surgical device such that said suctioning means is activated upon activation of means for employing the surgical device;
• and
• means for irrigating said irrigation fluid through the irrigation tubing to a site of the surgical device wherein the means for irrigating is connected to said suctioning means such that said irrigating means is activated upon activation of said suctioning means.

An improved multifunctional handpiece for performing suction and irrigation comprising:

• an elongated hollow tubular member having an anterior end and a posterior end;
• a suction/irrigation adaptor comprising an anterior end, a posterior end, a suction port, and an irrigation port, wherein the anterior end of said suction/irrigation adaptor is connected to the posterior end of said elongated hollow tubular member;
• and
• a handpiece comprising an anterior end, a posterior end, and electrical contacts for activating suctioning means and irrigation means wherein the anterior end of said handpiece is connected to the posterior end of said suction/irrigation adaptor.

An improved multifunctional hand piece for performing suction and irrigation in conjunction with electrosurgery and laparoscopy comprising:

• a hand piece having an anterior end, a posterior end, and electrical contacts for activating suctioning means, irrigation means, and electrosurgery means;
• an electrosurgical connector having an anterior end and a posterior end wherein the posterior end of said electrosurgical connector is connected to the anterior end of said hand piece;
• a suction/irrigation adaptor comprising an anterior end, a posterior end, a suction port, and an irrigation port, wherein the posterior end of said suction/irrigation adaptor is connected to the anterior end of said electrosurgical connector;
• a double channeled suction/irrigation tubular member having an anterior end and a posterior end wherein the posterior end of said double channeled suction/irrigation tubular member is connected to the anterior end of said suction/irrigation adaptor;
• and
• an electrode connected to said electrosurgical connector such that the electrode extends through channels contained within the electrosurgical connector, the suction/irrigation adaptor, and the double channeled suction/irrigation tubular member wherein the end of said electrode extends beyond the anterior end of said double channeled suction/irrigation tubular member.