Surgical Smoke Evacuation Systems

Smoke Shark II & Smoke Shark III - Surgical Smoke Evacuation Systems (as supplied by Surgical Holdings in the UK) are intended to evacuate and filter surgical smoke plumes and aerosols created by the interface surgical tools with tissue, examples being lasers, electrosurgery systems, and ultrasonic devices.

These systems play a pivotal role in mitigating the risks associated with surgical smoke, which contains harmful substances such as cellular debris, bacteria, and viruses. Prolonged exposure to these particles can lead to respiratory issues and other health concerns for operating room staff. By effectively evacuating the smoke, these systems maintain a clear operating field, ensuring better visibility for surgeons and enhancing overall safety during procedures. The adoption of Surgical Smoke Evacuation Systems aligns with healthcare standards, prioritising the well-being of surgical teams and patients by creating a safer surgical environment.

Smoke Shark II

The Smoke Shark II is an advanced and efficient Surgical Smoke Evacuation System specifically designed to address the hazards of smoke and aerosols generated during surgical procedures. This innovative system is compact, portable, and easy to use, making it a valuable addition to operating rooms across various healthcare settings.

Its robust filtration technology effectively captures and removes surgical smoke, eliminating harmful particles, gases, and odours. The Smoke Shark II employs high-quality filters that efficiently trap contaminants, ensuring a clean and safe environment for surgical teams and patients. Its powerful suction capability swiftly removes smoke at its source, maintaining a clear and unobstructed surgical field.

Designed with user convenience in mind, the Smoke Shark II features intuitive controls and a compact footprint, allowing for easy placement within the operating room. Its quiet operation minimises disruptions during surgical procedures, enhancing the overall working environment.

The Smoke Shark II Smoke Evacuation Systems have been designed with a high suction, high flow rate vacuum motor. The ultra-quiet motor is used to draw the surgical smoke from the surgical site through the vacuum tubing and into the Bovie® SF35 Filter where the surgical smoke is processed by a series of filters. A single disposable filter is used to simplify the installation and removal during filter changes. The filter is completely enclosed to protect the healthcare personnel from potential contamination during filter changes. One SF35 Filter contains four different stages to capture the smoke plume.

The first stage filtration is a prefilter whose function is to trap and remove gross particulate and casual fluid.
The second stage filtration is ULPA grade (Ultra Low Penetration Air) filter whose high-tech patented (U.S. Patent #5874052) design captures particulates and micro-organisms from .1 to .2 microns at an efficiency of 99.999%.
The third stage of filtration uses the highest grade virgin activated carbon, specially designed for Bovie Medical Corporation for the removal and adsorption of odours and toxic gases produced by burning tissues. These harmful gases may constitute a health hazard to the healthcare profession - all who are subjected to prolonged exposure. The activated carbon used in the Smoke Shark II Smoke Evacuation Systems preferentially removes toxic organic gases rather than water vapour and provides optimal odour removal.
The fourth stage filtration is an expanded foam used to trap activated carbon fines from migrating out of the filter.

The electronic controls on the face panel of the Smoke Shark II Surgical Smoke Evacuation System has been designed “user friendly” and facilitate unit set up and operation. Please refer to Section 2.0 for Operating Instructions.

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Smoke Shark III

Crafted with a focus on optimal performance, the Smoke Shark III utilises cutting-edge filtration mechanisms to effectively capture and eliminate surgical smoke, comprising harmful particles and gases generated during various surgical procedures. Its high-quality filtration system ensures the removal of hazardous contaminants, providing a clean and safe environment within the operating room.

The Smoke Shark III is designed for user convenience and flexibility, featuring intuitive controls, a compact design, and easy mobility. Its powerful suction capability swiftly evacuates smoke at its source, maintaining a clear surgical field while minimising interruptions during procedures.

The system complies with stringent regulatory standards, emphasising safety and reliability. Its ability to efficiently remove surgical smoke, combined with its user-friendly design, positions the Smoke Shark III as an invaluable asset in modern healthcare settings, prioritising the well-being and safety of both medical professionals and patients undergoing surgical procedures.

Smoke Shark III reduces biological, physical, and chemical hazards present in electrosurgical smoke plumes. A surgical smoke evacuation system that is specifically intended for shorter procedures of 15 minutes or less. The quiet design offers excellent performance with less noise. Uniquely designed with a compact size for wall mounting. 4-Stage ULPA filtration is 99.999% efficient in trapping 0.1-0.2 micron particulates and micro-organisms.

Smoke Shark III Features:

Compact design with quiet and effective smoke evacuation
Reduces biological, physical and chemical hazards present in electrosurgical smoke plume
Minimal noise level with efficient multi-procedure 6-hour filters
Filter life-tracking technology
Hand-operated activation for maximising filter life
Includes SharkSkin adapter, Smart Shark remote activator, and one filter
Excellent particulate capture

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The Health Hazards of Surgical Smoke

Surgical smoke, a byproduct generated during surgical procedures involving energy-based devices like lasers, electrosurgical units, and ultrasonic scalpels, poses substantial health risks for healthcare workers and patients. Comprising particles, gases, and vapours, this smoke contains a complex mix of substances that can be harmful through inhalation or contact with the skin or eyes.

Composed of cellular debris, blood fragments, carcinogens, mutagens, and irritants like benzene and formaldehyde, surgical smoke presents a range of hazards. Exposure can lead to respiratory problems, exacerbate existing conditions, cause eye and skin irritation, and even pose long-term health risks like chronic bronchitis or increased cancer susceptibility among healthcare professionals. Additionally, the presence of viable microorganisms in the smoke raises concerns about potential infection transmission.

To mitigate these risks, healthcare facilities increasingly employ Surgical Smoke Evacuation Systems. These systems efficiently capture and filter out smoke and contaminants, preventing their spread within the operating environment. Protective measures such as masks, goggles, and adequate ventilation also aid in reducing exposure to surgical smoke.

Addressing these health risks involves raising awareness, implementing effective evacuation systems, and adhering to safety protocols. Prioritising the management and removal of surgical smoke is vital to creating a safer environment for both patients and medical professionals, minimising the potential health risks associated with its exposure.

PROCEDURE SAFETY

ALSGBI recommends the use of smoke evacuation systems during any medical procedure producing surgical smoke.

COVID 19

COVID-19 is a highly contagious RNA virus with a size range of 0.06 to 0.14 microns. There is a developing international consensus that urgent elective surgery should recommence and the perceived risks of aerosol production in laparoscopy can be minimised with appropriate techniques

One of these recommendations is Routine use of a closed-circuit smoke evacuation / ultra-low particulate air (ULPA) filtration system. Ultra-Low Particulate Air (ULPA) filters can remove 99.99% of airborne particles with a minimum particle penetration size of 0.05 microns (Aerosol particle size <5microns). Smoke Shark II is recommended for this and is approved for use by SAGES in the USA (Source ALSGBI 2020).

REDUCED RISK

Healthcare professionals are exposed to surgical smoke proven to carry viruses, CO, and other chemical and biological hazards. The Smoke Shark II minimises exposure to these toxic smoke plumes during electrosurgery, laser, and harmonic scalpel procedures.

COST-EFFECTIVE

The Extended-Life Filter (SF35) offers up to 35 hours performance reducing procedure cost by 38%(+/-) when used at the lowest setting.

INCREASED EFFICIENCY

The Smoke Shark II Smoke Evacuator is compatible with most electrosurgical generators. The unit operates in conjunction with the optional Bovie Remote Activation Switch (SERS2) for maximized filter life and surgical efficiency.

MODERN DESIGN

A light-weight, ultra-quiet and compact design allowing for simplified operation, storage, and portability.

RELIABLE

The Smoke Shark II Smoke Evacuator includes a standard two (2) year manufacturer warranty.

There are several accessories that can be supplied with the Smoke Shark to make it suitable for all situations that may be needed, these include but are not limited to: