CN118043119A

CN118043119A - Filter cartridge assembly

Info

Publication number: CN118043119A
Application number: CN202280066343.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 米基雅·西尔弗; 迈克尔·J·凯恩; 迈克尔·J·奥吉利; 迈克尔·芬克; 约瑟夫·艾伦; 马赫什·克里希纳穆尔蒂
Original assignee: COMBI
Current assignee: COMBI
Priority date: 2021-10-25
Filing date: 2022-10-07
Publication date: 2024-05-14
Also published as: CA3227635A1; AU2022377261A1; WO2023076017A1

Abstract

A filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system includes: a housing having a front end and a rear end and defining a first internal flow path extending downstream from a first inlet at the rear end of the housing to a first outlet at the front end of the housing, and a second internal flow path extending upstream from a second inlet at the front end of the housing to a second outlet at the rear end of the housing; a first pleated filter element operatively associated with a first interior flow path; a second pleated filter element operatively associated with a second interior flow path; and a carbon filter disc operatively associated with the second internal flow path and positioned adjacent the downstream side of the second pleated filter element.

Description

Filter cartridge assembly

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application is a continuation of the section of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/509,203 filed on 25 th 10/2021, claiming the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/988,702 filed on 28 th 5/2018, claiming the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/527,553 filed on 30 th 6/3017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Background

1. Technical field

The present invention relates to laparoscopic surgery, and more particularly, to a filter cartridge for a multi-channel filling system used during laparoscopic surgery.

2. Background art

Laparoscopic or "minimally invasive" surgical techniques are becoming increasingly common in the performance of procedures such as cholecystectomy, appendectomy, hernia repair, and nephrectomy. Benefits of such surgery include reduced trauma to the patient, reduced chance of infection, and reduced recovery time. Such procedures performed in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity are typically performed by a device known as a trocar or cannula that facilitates the introduction of laparoscopic instruments into the abdominal cavity of a patient.

In addition, such procedures typically involve filling or "inflating" the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity with a pressurized fluid, such as carbon dioxide, to create a so-called pneumoperitoneum. The inflation may be performed by a surgical access device (sometimes referred to as a "cannula" or "trocar") equipped to deliver inflation fluid or by a separate inflation device, such as an inflation (pneumoperitoneum) needle. It is desirable to introduce a surgical instrument into the pneumoperitoneum to maintain the pneumoperitoneum without substantial loss of inflation gas.

During a typical laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon makes three to four small incisions, typically no more than about twelve millimeters each, which are typically made by the surgical access device itself using a separate insert or plug disposed therein. After insertion, the insert is removed and the trocar allows instruments to enter to be inserted into the abdominal cavity. Typical trocars often provide a means of inflating the abdominal cavity so that the surgeon has an open interior space within which to work.

The trocar must provide a means to maintain pressure within the cavity through a seal between the trocar and the surgical instrument being used, while still allowing at least a minimum degree of freedom of movement of the surgical instrument. Such instruments may include, for example, scissors, grasping and occluding instruments, cautery units, cameras, light sources, and other surgical instruments. A sealing element or mechanism is typically provided on the trocar to prevent the escape of inflation gases. The sealing element or mechanism typically includes a duckbill valve made of a relatively flexible material to seal around the outer surface of the surgical instrument passing through the trocar.

Furthermore, in laparoscopic surgery, electrocautery or other techniques (e.g., harmonic scalpels) can generate smoke and other debris in the surgical cavity, thereby reducing visibility by atomizing the field of view from the endoscope or the like and by coating the surface of the endoscope or the like. A variety of surgical filling systems and smoke evacuation systems are known in the art.

In addition, CONMED Corporation of Utica, new York, USA has developed surgical access devices that allow access to the inflated surgical cavity without conventional mechanical seals, and related systems for providing sufficient pressure and flow to such access devices, as described in whole or in part in U.S. patent No. 7,854,724.

The present disclosure relates to multi-channel systems and related devices and methods capable of performing a variety of surgical gas delivery functions, including inflating standard or professional surgical access devices or other instruments (such as pneumoperitoneum needles, etc.); smoke is exhausted through a standard or professional surgical access device; and professional functions such as recirculation and filtration of the inflation fluid, such as by the surgical access devices described above in U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,724 and those of U.S. Pat. nos. 7,182,752, 7,285,112, 7,413,559, or 7,338,473.

By using a single multi-channel system (such as those described herein), multiple functions can be achieved by purchasing only one system, thereby reducing costs and thus reducing the number of devices required for the operating room, thereby reducing clutter and making room for other necessary devices.

Conventional techniques have been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is a continuing need to improve filtration in surgical access devices. The present disclosure provides a solution to this problem.

Disclosure of Invention

A filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system includes a filter housing configured to be disposed in a cartridge interface of the surgical gas delivery system. A first filter element is disposed in the first end portion of the filter housing. A second filter element is disposed in a second end portion of the filter housing opposite the first end portion. A third filter element is disposed in the filter housing between the first filter element and the second filter element.

The third filter element may comprise an activated carbon material. The third filter element may comprise an activated carbon disc. Each of the first filter element and the second filter element may comprise pleated filter material. The second filter element may be located in the flow path downstream of the third filter element. The first filter element may be located in a separate flow path from the second filter element and the third filter element.

A partition wall may be included within the filter housing between the first filter element and the second filter element. The partition wall may include a gas vent therethrough, wherein a gas chamber is defined between the partition wall and the third filter element, and wherein the gas vent is configured to pressurize the gas chamber with a gas to utilize a cross-sectional area of the third filter element that is greater than a cross-sectional area of the gas vent. A peripheral edge may be defined around the dividing wall, wherein the third filter element is disposed against the peripheral edge to retain the plenum defined within the volume defined between the dividing wall and the third filter element and within the peripheral edge. A seal may be disposed between the dividing wall and the third filter element to force the gas to flow from the plenum through the third filter element. A seal seat may be defined in the peripheral edge in which the seal is located. A fluid trap may be defined between the first filter element and the dividing wall, wherein the air holes are configured to allow gas to pass over a reservoir of fluid trapped in the fluid trap.

A cover plate may be mounted to the filter housing to secure the first filter element in the first end portion of the filter housing. The cover plate may include a fitting for connecting to the tri-lumen tubing set for gas communication between the tri-lumen tubing set and the filter element. A tri-lumen tubing set may be connected to the fitting. It is also contemplated that the cover plate may include a fitting for connecting to the dual lumen tube set for gas communication between the dual lumen tube set and the filter element. The dual lumen tube set may be connected to a fitting.

The second cover plate may be mounted to the filter housing to secure the second filter element in the second end portion of the filter housing. The second cover plate may define three apertures configured to form seals against three corresponding gas ports defined in a cartridge interface of the surgical gas delivery system.

Another exemplary embodiment of a filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system includes a filter housing configured to be disposed in a cartridge interface of the surgical gas delivery system. The first filter element is disposed in the first flow path in the first end portion of the filter housing. The second filter element is disposed in a second end portion of the filter housing opposite the first end portion in a second flow path. A third filter element is disposed in the filter housing between the first filter element and the second filter element, wherein the third filter element is located in the second flow path, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are fluidly isolated from each other within the filter housing. The fourth filter element may be disposed in a third flow path that is fluidly isolated from the first flow path and the second flow path within the filter housing.

A method for treating surgical gas for a surgical gas delivery system includes receiving a smoke exhaust from a pneumoperitoneum into a filter cartridge. The method includes flowing a flue gas exhaust through an activated carbon filter element within a filter cartridge to filter at least one of flue gas, particulates, and impurities from the flue gas exhaust. The method further includes receiving the filtered exhaust gas into a surgical gas delivery system.

The method may include flowing the smoke exhaust gas through a pleated filter element downstream of the activated carbon filter element and upstream of the surgical gas delivery system. It is also contemplated that the method may include flowing a charge gas into the pneumoperitoneum through a flow path in the filter cartridge separate from the flue gas exhaust, wherein the charge gas passes through a second pleated filter element in the filter cartridge and pressure from the pneumoperitoneum is transferred through a third flow path through the filter cartridge separate from the flow paths of charge gas and flue gas exhaust.

The present invention also relates to a filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system that includes a housing having a front end and a rear end. The housing defines a first internal flow path extending downstream from a first inlet at a rear end of the housing to a first outlet at a front end of the housing for delivering pressurized gas from the surgical gas delivery device to a body cavity of a patient.

The housing defines a second internal flow path extending upstream from a second inlet at a front end of the housing to a second outlet at a rear end of the housing to return gas from the body cavity of the patient to the surgical gas delivery device. The housing defines a third internal flow path extending downstream from a third inlet at the rear end of the housing to a third outlet at the front end of the housing for delivering inflation gas from the surgical gas delivery device to the body cavity of the patient.

A first pleated filter element is positioned within the first interior flow path for filtering pressurized gas delivered to a body cavity of a patient. A second pleated filter element is positioned within the second interior flow path for filtering pressurized gas returned from the body cavity of the patient.

An activated carbon filter disc is positioned within the second interior flow path between the second pleated filter element and a second outlet at the rear end of the housing for removing volatile organic compounds from the pressurized gas returned by the body cavity of the patient. A nonwoven filter element is positioned within the third interior flow path adjacent a third inlet at the rear end of the housing for filtering inflation gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient.

A fluid trap is defined within the housing and is operatively associated with the second internal flow path. The fluid trap is located between the second pleated filter element and a second inlet at the front end of the housing. The first inlet, the second outlet, and the third inlet are associated with a rear end cap of the housing. The first outlet, the second inlet, and the third outlet are associated with a front end cap of the housing.

These and other features of the systems and methods of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

In order that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure pertains will readily understand how to make and use the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail below with reference to certain drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-channel gas delivery device constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a filter cartridge and a corresponding cartridge interface;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a filter cartridge adapted and configured to be connected to the gas delivery device of FIG. 1, showing the cartridge components viewed toward an opening in a fitting for a three-lumen tube set in a first cover plate;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 1, showing the cartridge components looking toward the apertures in the second cover plate that form seals against the gas ports in the cartridge interface of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 1, showing the filter element assembled into a filter housing;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of another filter cartridge with an activated carbon filter disc positioned on the downstream side of a proximal pleated filter element; and

Fig. 6 is a side view of the filter cartridge shown in fig. 5 with a portion of the sidewall of the cartridge housing removed to show internal features of the filter cartridge in cross-section.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify like structural features or aspects of the present disclosure. For purposes of illustration and explanation, and not limitation, a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a filter cartridge according to the present invention is shown in fig. 1 and is generally designated by the reference numeral 100. As will be described, other embodiments of filter cartridges or aspects thereof according to the present disclosure are provided in fig. 2-4. The systems and methods described herein may be used to filter surgical gases, such as smoke exhaust gases from pneumoperitoneum, during a smoke-generating surgical procedure.

A surgical gas delivery system 10 for use during laparoscopic surgery is shown in fig. 1. The system 10 includes a device housing 12 having a carrying handle 14 on each side of the housing. The front face of the housing 12 has a capacitive or resistive touch screen 16 for presenting a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a power switch 18 for turning the device on and off.

The front face of housing 12 also includes a cartridge interface 20 having a rotatable latch mechanism 22 configured to facilitate secure engagement of a disposable cartridge 24 within device housing 12. In addition, the front face of the housing 12 includes a standard 6mm fill connector 26. Although not shown, the back side of the housing 12 includes a gas supply fitting for connection to a source of compressed gas, a standard USB interface for maintenance purposes, and a standard power connection.

The cartridge interface 20 is designed to identify which type of filter 24 has been inserted into the housing. For example, it may identify the correct position or orientation of the filter cartridge. It can also identify whether the inserted filter is a filter specifically designed for the first mode of operation (i.e., gas seal mode) or for the second mode of operation (i.e., charge and fume evacuation mode). Other aspects of the surgical gas delivery system are described in U.S. patent No. 9,067,030, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to fig. 2, the filter cartridge 24 has a filter housing 28 that includes a first cover plate 30 having a fitting 46 associated with a three-lumen tube set 36 (shown in fig. 1). The filter housing 28 is configured to be disposed in the cartridge interface 20 of the surgical gas delivery system 10 of fig. 1. The filter housing 28 is sized and configured to support a pair of first and second pleated filter elements 38a, 38b and defines an internal reservoir or fluid trap 40 for collecting liquid drawn into the system through the suction line of the tube set 36, for example, during fume evacuation.

The first filter element 38a is disposed in the first end portion 26 of the filter housing 28. As shown in fig. 3, the second filter element 38b is disposed in a second end portion 42 of the filter housing 28 opposite the first end portion 26. The third filter element 44 is disposed within the filter housing 28 between the first filter element 38a and the second filter element 38b, as shown in fig. 4. Within the end cap 50 is a fourth filter element 32, shown in FIG. 3, which is a non-pleated filter for a sense/fill line described below. The third filter element 44 comprises an activated carbon material and is in the form of an activated carbon disc. Each of the first filter element 38a and the second filter element 38b includes a pleated filter material. The third filter element 44 is a separate filter element from the second filter element 38a and the third filter element 38b, but it is contemplated that it may be integrated with the second filter element 38 b. For example, the mesh support may be sandwiched between a paper filter and a carbon filter, which may then be pleated to form the combined second filter element 38b and third filter element 44.

The first cover plate 30 is mounted to the first end of the filter housing 28 to secure the first filter element 38a in the first end portion 26 of the filter housing 28. The first cover plate 30 includes a fitting 46 for connection to the tri-lumen tubing set 36 for gas communication between the tri-lumen tubing set 36 and the filter elements 38a, 38b and 44. A second cover plate 50 is mounted to the opposite end of the filter housing 28 to secure the second filter element 38b in the second end portion 42 of the filter housing. The second cover plate 50 includes a proximal plate and a distal plate welded or otherwise joined together with the fourth filter element 32 sandwiched therebetween. Referring to fig. 3, the second cover plate 50 defines three apertures 52a, 52b, and 52c, each configured to form a seal against three corresponding gas ports defined in the cartridge interface 20 of fig. 1. Fitting 46 includes three corresponding openings 54a, 54b, and 54c.

A first flow path is defined from opening 54a through filter cartridge 24, through to fluid trap 40 (shown in phantom in fig. 4), and on through second filter element 38b and third filter element 44, and out through aperture 52a for filtering the smoke exhaust from the pneumoperitoneum, through one of the three lumen tube sets 36 into surgical gas delivery system 10. In this first flow path, the second filter element 38b is downstream of the third filter element 44.

A second flow path is defined through the filter cartridge 24, the second flow path being fluidly isolated from the first flow path within the filter cartridge 24. This second flow path carries gas out of the surgical gas delivery system 10, through the aperture 52b, through the first filter element 38a, and out of the opening 54b for holding the pneumoperitoneum with gas through the second lumen in the three lumen tube set 36. Thus, the first filter element 38a is located in a separate flow path from the second filter element 38b and the third filter element 44. This second flow path is located in the pressure line to supply pressure to the nozzle to form a gas seal in the form of a valveless seal, for example for a surgical access device connected to the three lumen tube set 36.

A third flow path is defined through the filter cartridge 24, the third flow path being fluidly isolated from the other two flow paths within the filter cartridge 24. The third flow path does not pass through any of the filter elements 38a, 38b or 44. Instead, the third flow path transmits abdominal pressure from opening 54c through cartridge 24 to aperture 52c, bypassing filter elements 38a, 38b, and 44, so that surgical gas delivery system 10 can monitor pressure in the pneumoperitoneum through the third lumen in three lumen tube set 36. CO ₂ inflation gas may flow from bore 52c to opening 54c and to the pneumoperitoneum. This third flow path serves as a fill/detect line and is the only one of the three flow paths through the fourth filter element 32.

Referring now to fig. 4, a dividing wall 56 is included within the filter housing 28 between the first filter element 38a and the second filter element 38 b. The partition wall 56 cooperates with a partition 58 of the filter housing 28 inside the first filter element 38a to define the fluid trap 40 therebetween for trapping fluid from the pneumoperitoneum (shown schematically in fig. 4 at the bottom of the fluid trap 40). The partition wall 56 includes air holes 60 therethrough. The air holes 60 are configured to allow the passage of gas over a reservoir of fluid trapped in the bottom of the fluid collector 40.

A plenum 62 is defined between the partition wall 56 and the third filter element 44. The air holes 60 are configured to pressurize the air chamber 62 with air to utilize a larger cross-sectional area of the third filter element 44 than the cross-sectional area of the air holes 60, i.e., the air chamber 62 is pressurized to use the activated carbon of the third filter element 44 in nearly the full area. This allows the flue gas exhaust gas to flow through the activated carbon filter element 44 within the filter cartridge 24 to filter at least one of flue gas, particulates, and impurities from the flue gas exhaust gas.

A peripheral edge 64 is defined around the partition wall 56 with the third filter element 44 seated against the peripheral edge 64 to maintain a spacing for the plenum 62 defined within the volume defined between the partition wall 56 and the third filter element 44 and within the peripheral edge 64. A seal 66 is disposed between the partition wall 56 and the third filter element 44 to force the gas from the plenum 62 to flow through the third filter element 44. A seal seat 68 is defined in the peripheral edge 64 in which the seal 66 is located.

Another embodiment of a filter with a tube set according to the present disclosure includes an adapter that blocks the pressure line, for example, by blocking the opening 54b responsible for forming the gas seal described above. In this embodiment, a dual lumen tube set would be attached to the filter cartridge, for example, with one lumen connected to opening 54a and one lumen connected to opening 54c, with one lumen responsible for sensing/filling gases and the other lumen removing surgical gases and fumes from the lumen. This embodiment includes a third filter element 44 for fume evacuation as described above, and omits the third lumen of the three lumen tube set 36.

Referring now to fig. 5 and 6, another embodiment of the filter cartridge of the present invention is shown and is generally designated by the reference numeral 100. The filter cartridge 100 includes a generally cylindrical housing 110 having a front end 110a and a rear end 110 b. The front end cap 112 is operatively associated with the front end 110a of the housing 110 and the rear end cap 114 is operatively associated with the rear end 110b of the housing 110. Front end cap 112 and rear end cap 114 may be welded, glued, or otherwise secured to housing 110 of filter cartridge 100 by methods well known in the art.

The housing 110 defines a first internal flow path 115 that extends downstream from a first inlet 120 in the rear end cap 114 of the housing 110 to a first outlet 122 in a manifold 125 on the front end cap 112 of the housing 110. The first internal flow path 115 is adapted and configured to deliver pressurized gas from a pump within the surgical gas delivery device 12 to a body cavity of a patient. The housing 110 defines a second internal flow path 116 that extends upstream from a second inlet 124 in a manifold 125 of the front end cap 112 of the housing 110 to a second outlet 126 in the rear end cap 114 of the housing 110. The second internal flow path is adapted and configured to return gas flowing from the patient's body cavity to the pump in the surgical gas delivery device 12.

The housing 110 defines a third internal flow path 118 extending downstream from a third inlet 128 in the rear end cap 114 of the housing 110 to a third outlet 130 in the manifold 125 of the front end cap 112 of the housing 110. The third internal flow path is adapted and configured to deliver low pressure inflation gas from the inflator in the surgical gas delivery device 12 to the body cavity of the patient.

A first pleated filter element 132 is positioned within the first interior flow path 115 of the housing 110 for filtering or otherwise removing particulates and other matter from pressurized gas delivered by the pump to the patient's body cavity. A second pleated filter element 134 is positioned within the second interior flow path 116 of the housing 110 for filtering or otherwise removing particulates, fluids, and other substances from the gas returned to the pump by the patient's body cavity. In some cases, this return gas flow will be a smoke-filled gas generated by an electrocautery procedure performed within a body cavity of the patient.

The charcoal filter disk 136 is advantageously positioned within the second interior flow path 116 of the housing 110, between the second pleated filter element 134 and the second outlet 126, in the rear end cap 114 of the housing 110 for removing volatile organic compounds and the like from the flue gas laden gas returned to the pump from the patient's body cavity. A nonwoven filter element or sheet of material 138 is positioned within the third interior flow path 118 of the housing 110 adjacent the third inlet 128 in the rear end cap 114 of the housing 110 for filtering inflation gas delivered from the inflator in the gas delivery device 12 to the body cavity of the patient.

A fluid trap or reservoir 140 is defined within the housing 110 of the filter cartridge 100 and is operatively associated with the second internal flow path of the housing 110. The fluid trap 140 is adapted and configured to collect body fluid and irrigation fluid drawn into the filter cartridge by the pump. The fluid trap 140 is located between the second pleated filter element 134 and the second inlet 124 in the front end cap 112 of the housing 110 and is defined by an interior dividing wall 142 and a baffle 144 of the housing 110. The baffle 144 defines a port 146 that facilitates gas flow between the fluid trap 140 and the second pleated filter element 134 in the second interior flow path 116.

As described above and shown in the figures, the methods and systems of the present disclosure provide for filtration of surgical gases with superior performance, including improved removal of smoke, particulates, and impurities. While the apparatus and methods of this disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that variations and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system, comprising:

a) A housing having a front end and a rear end and defining a first internal flow path extending downstream from a first inlet at the rear end of the housing to a first outlet at the front end of the housing and a second internal flow path extending upstream from a second inlet at the front end of the housing to a second outlet at the rear end of the housing;

b) A first pleated filter element operatively associated with the first interior flow path;

c) A second pleated filter element operatively associated with the second interior flow path; and

D) A carbon filter disc operatively associated with the second internal flow path and positioned adjacent a downstream side of the second pleated filter element.

2. The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein a third internal flow path is defined in the housing, the third internal flow path extending downstream from a third inlet at a rear end of the housing to a third outlet at a front end of the housing.

3. The filter cartridge of claim 2, wherein a nonwoven filter element is operatively associated with the third internal flow path.

4. The filter cartridge of claim 3, wherein the nonwoven filter element is positioned adjacent the third inlet at the rear end of the housing.

5. The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein a fluid trap is defined within the housing and is operatively associated with the second internal flow path.

6. The filter cartridge of claim 5, wherein the fluid trap is positioned adjacent an upstream side of the second pleated filter element.

7. The filter cartridge of claim 2, wherein the first inlet, the second outlet, and the third inlet are associated with a rear end cap of the housing.

8. The filter cartridge of claim 2, wherein the first outlet, the second inlet, and the third outlet are associated with a front end cap of the housing.

9. A cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system, comprising:

b) A first pleated filter element positioned within the first interior flow path;

c) A second pleated filter element positioned within the second interior flow path; and

D) A carbon filter disc positioned within the second interior flow path between the second pleated filter element and the second outlet at the rear end of the housing.

10. The filter cartridge of claim 9, wherein a third internal flow path is defined in the housing, the third internal flow path extending downstream from a third inlet at a rear end of the housing to a third outlet at a front end of the housing.

11. The filter cartridge of claim 10, wherein a nonwoven filter element is operatively associated with the third internal flow path.

12. The filter cartridge of claim 11, wherein the nonwoven filter element is positioned adjacent the third inlet at the rear end of the housing.

13. The filter cartridge of claim 9, wherein a fluid trap is defined within the housing and is operatively associated with the second internal flow path.

14. The filter cartridge of claim 13, wherein the fluid trap is located between the second pleated filter element and the second inlet at the front end of the housing.

15. The filter cartridge of claim 9, wherein the first inlet, the second outlet, and the third inlet are associated with a rear end cap of the housing.

16. The filter cartridge of claim 9, wherein the first outlet, the second inlet, and the third outlet are associated with a front end cap of the housing.

17. A cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system, comprising:

a) A housing having a front end and a rear end and defining: a first internal flow path extending downstream from a first inlet at a rear end of the housing to a first outlet at a front end of the housing for delivering pressurized gas from the surgical gas delivery device to a body cavity of a patient; a second internal flow path extending upstream from a second inlet at a front end of the housing to a second outlet at a rear end of the housing for returning gas from the patient's body cavity to the surgical gas delivery device; and a third internal flow path extending downstream from a third inlet at a rear end of the housing to a third outlet at a front end of the housing for delivering inflation gas from the surgical gas delivery device to a body cavity of the patient;

b) A first pleated filter element positioned within the first interior flow path for filtering the pressurized gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient;

c) A second pleated filter element positioned within the second interior flow path for filtering the pressurized gas returned from the body lumen of the patient;

d) An activated carbon filter tray positioned within the second interior flow path between the second pleated filter element and the second outlet at the rear end of the housing for removing volatile organic compounds from the gas returned by the patient's body cavity; and

E) A nonwoven filter element positioned within the third interior flow path adjacent the third inlet at the rear end of the housing for filtering the inflation gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient.

18. The filter cartridge of claim 17, wherein a fluid trap is defined within the housing and is operatively associated with the second internal flow path and is located between the second pleated filter element and the second inlet at the front end of the housing.

19. The filter cartridge of claim 17, wherein the first inlet, the second outlet, and the third inlet are associated with a rear end cap of the housing.

20. The filter cartridge of claim 17, wherein the first outlet, the second inlet, and the third outlet are associated with a front end cap of the housing.