CrystalVision
Automatic Smoke Evacuation Systems
The Crystal Vision models 350-D and 360 offer the most convenient and effective method of collecting and filtering smoke produced during open surgical procedures. These patented systems offer a smoke collection tube that slips over the electrosurgery pencil in the surgeon's hand. This means that the smoke collection tube moves wherever the surgeon's hand moves and the tube is always positioned at the best location to collect and filter smoke. Other systems have a completely separate collection tube that must be moved by another person if it is going to be at the best location for smoke evacuation. The staff in the operating room seldom has time to fuss with the smoke evacuator tube; therefore, huge quantities of smoke are frequently not captured when other systems are sued.
The Crystal Vision 350-D and 360 are in a class by themselves when used during open procedures. A patented sensor system turns the evacuator on and off when the surgeon activates the electrosurgical laser, argon beam coagulator, or other smoke producing instrument. The Crystal Visions are very easy to live with in the operating room. They are small, weigh about seventeen pounds, and are very quiet. Most O.R staffs simply slip the Crystal Vision onto a shelf on the electrocautery cart.
The 350-D and 360 automatically stops the vacuum pump if tissue is trapped in the evacuation tube. The evacuators automatically restart when the tissue or other obstruction is cleared from the tube. Both models automatically tell the operator when to replace the input filter. This reduces procedural costs, eliminates guessing, and provides for the best removal of smoke from the surgical site.
The model 350-D is further separated from other smoke evacuators when it is used during laparoscopic procedures for removing smoke. The 350-D was designed specifically for these procedures and this system has several features unique to any smoke evacuation system.
A pneumoperitoneum is created during laparoscopy by inflating the abdominal cavity with carbon dioxide gas from an insufflator. The inflation allows the surgeon to see better and creates a much safer operating environment for the patient. Leaks in the instruments and suctioning of fluids (and gas) decreases the carbon dioxide in the abdomen. The insufflator senses the lower pressure and adds more gas. Surgeons frequently rest their arm or actually lean on the patient. This can cause the pressure in the pneumoperitoneum to increase above safe levels but the insufflators cannot reduce the pressure because they are only designed to add gas to the abdomen.
Noise Levelfor Crystal Vision Smoke Evacuator System
Cornell University conducted the research to explore the effects of low frequency noise. The results demonstrated that prolonged exposure to low frequency noise (such as the low rumble of HVAC equipment) causes the following effects of people:
· Raises blood pressure levels
· Increases the feeling of stress
· Causes headaches
· Causes other respiratory ailments
In the surgical environment, stress levels are usually already elevated, plus low frequency noise also interferes with normal communication. The sound level of normal communication is between 69-79 dB at a frequency of 450 Hz to 600 Hz.
A hospital in India conducted a unique and valuable study on the effects of noise in the operating room – not low frequency noise, but the more typical high frequency noise levels. The researchers tested two cognitive functions: Mental efficiency & short-term memory. Using five separate operating suites, professional grade recordings were made of the noise generated during surgical procedures. The noise levels were measured over three to five hours, recording noises made by surgical instruments, suction devices, monitors, alarms, and the ambient noises of doctors, nurses and other operating room staff members. The microphones for the noise recordings were placed 10 inches from the anesthesiologist's ears.
Results noted that the average noise level was slightly over 77 decibels, which is considerably louder than an alarm clock set at 2 feet away. The anesthesiologists who were exposed to this level of noise for prolonged periods of time were less efficient and had decreased short-term memory. The conclusion of the study noted that “the administration of anesthesia is a task where even momentary inefficiency can result in serious consequences to the patient. Hence, operating room noise should be reduced”.
I.C. Medical, Inc. is very aware of these problems so we designed our Smoke Evacuator to operate as quietly as possible and at a frequency that does not interfere with personal communication, thus avoiding the low and very high frequency levels, which are associated with the problems previously mentioned.
I.C. Medical, Inc. conducted a noise level and frequency analyzer test for our Smoke Evacuator System using a CEVA SC 160 Sound Level Meter Spectrum Analyzer. We continue to improve our system, especially in regards to generating a very low noise level. Currently our Smoke Evacuator is the smallest and quietest smoke evacuator available on the market.
The following are the values for our Smoke Evacuator noise level and frequency:
· The noise level is 45dB at a frequency of 5 kHz when used during an open procedure. The Smoke Evacuator is activated only when smoke is produced and also turns off automatically.
· For laparoscopic procedures, no noise is detected, even at 2 inches from the unit when using our Smoke Evacuator.