Smoke Evacuation Systems

Open and Laparoscopic: The RapidVac™ smoke evacuator (SE3690/SE3695) is equipped with ultra-low particulate air (ULPA) filtration technology. It is used in combination with an ULPA filter (SEA3700) and handheld smoke removal pencils/tubing.

Laparoscopic: The Valleylab™ laparoscopic smoke evacuation system (SEL7000A) with in-line ULPA filtration is a standalone device that connects directly to suction and effectively and efficiently removes surgical smoke from laparoscopic procedures.¹

In all surgical procedures, including those involving a patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, Medtronic recommends the continued use of these products in accordance with its labeling. The viability of virus particles once captured in Medtronic ULPA filters is unknown; therefore, filter disposal techniques should always assume contamination and hospital staff should follow hospital safe disposal protocols.

For the RapidVac™ smoke evacuator the design of this device prevents airflow in the incorrect direction (equipment to patient) and therefore reduces the risk of cross-contamination. As a result, the filter may be used until it has reached the end of its life as indicated on the device, at which point it should be replaced.

For the Valleylab™ laparoscopic smoke evacuation system, this device is single patient use and should be discarded after each procedure or replaced after 4 hours of continuous use.

For the RapidVac™ smoke evacuator after passing through the four stage ULPA system, filtered air is returned to the room.

For the Valleylab™ laparoscopic smoke evacuation system this system is connected to suction, and filtered air is not returned into the operating room.

A common misconception in evaluating filter adequacy is that the particle size rating for high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters (0.3μm / 300nm) and ULPA filters (0.12μm / 120nm) represents a ‘smallest particle that can be captured’ specification. In fact, this rating is better explained as the ‘most difficult particle to capture’. The ULPA filter efficiency rating of 99.9995% is based on a 0.12μm particle size, but this is not a minimum size. ULPA filters can capture smaller and larger particles at equal or greater efficiency.²

Medtronic has not conducted direct testing to evaluate the interaction of COVID-19 and surgical smoke evacuation products, and our clinical experts are not aware of external publications on this subject. There is no definitive evidence at this time to conclude that Medtronic smoke evacuation products are effective to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

The Sonicision™ device, like other ultrasonic dissection devices, produces surgical plume (mist) caused by the mechanical oscillation of the active blade against tissue. LigaSure™ devices produce steam caused by the heating of molecules between the jaws of the instrument.

In laparoscopic surgery, this plume/steam can be removed through laparoscopic smoke evacuation either with the Valleylab™ laparoscopic smoke evacuation system or the RapidVac™ smoke evacuator with smoke lap tubing.

In open surgery, this plume/steam can be removed using the RapidVac™ smoke evacuator and RapidVac™ smoke tubing by holding this tubing near the surgical site.

No, and for that reason, proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) techniques should always be employed even when using surgical smoke evacuation.

Open Surgery: Smoke evacuation pencils and open smoke tubing only filter particulate that is captured by the device, meaning that some particulate will dissipate into the operating room even though the vast majority is captured and filtered.

Laparoscopic Surgery: While smoke capture in laparoscopic surgery is more efficient due to the closed nature of the system, some leakage will still occur. For example, trocars may leak CO₂ and particulate into the operating room during instrument exchanges or trocar insertion/removal/venting.