JP2024534658A - Filter Cartridge Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system is disclosed that includes a housing having a front end and a rear end defining a first internal flow passage 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 passage 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 the first internal flow passage; a second pleated filter element operatively associated with the second internal flow passage; and a carbon filter disk operatively associated with the second internal flow passage and positioned adjacent a downstream side of the second pleated filter element.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 17/509,203, filed October 25, 2021, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 15/988,702, filed May 28, 2018, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/527,553, filed June 30, 3017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

2. Background of the Invention
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to laparoscopic surgery, and more particularly to filter cartridges for multi-mode insufflation systems used during laparoscopic surgery.

2. Description of Related Art Laparoscopic or "minimally invasive" surgical techniques are becoming more common in the performance of procedures such as cholecystectomies, appendectomies, hernia repairs, and nephrectomies. Advantages of such procedures include less trauma to the patient, less chance of infection, and faster recovery time. Such procedures within the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity are typically performed through a device known as a trocar or cannula, which facilitates the introduction of laparoscopic instruments into the patient's abdominal cavity.

In addition, such procedures commonly include filling or "insufflating" the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity with a pressurized fluid, such as carbon dioxide, to create what is called a pneumoperitoneum. Insufflation can be accomplished by a surgical access device (sometimes called a "cannula" or "trocar") equipped to deliver an insufflation fluid, or by a separate insufflation device, such as an insufflation (Veress) needle. To maintain the pneumoperitoneum, it is desirable to introduce surgical instruments into the pneumoperitoneum without substantial loss of insufflation gas.

During a typical laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon makes three to four small incisions, usually about 12 millimeters or less each, typically with the surgical access device itself, typically with a separate inserter or obturator placed within it. After insertion, the inserter is removed and the trocar allows access for instruments to be inserted into the abdominal cavity. A typical trocar often provides a means for insufflating the abdominal cavity so that the surgeon has an open interior space to work within.

Trocars must provide a means for maintaining pressure within the cavity by sealing between the trocar and the surgical instruments being used, yet still allow at least a minimal degree of freedom of movement of the surgical instruments. Such instruments may include, for example, scissors, grasping and obturation instruments, cauterization units, cameras, light sources and other surgical instruments. A sealing element or mechanism is typically provided in the trocar to prevent leakage of the insufflation gas. The sealing element or mechanism typically includes a duckbill-type valve made of a relatively flexible material to seal around the outer surface of the surgical instrument passing through the trocar.

Additionally, in laparoscopic surgery, electrocautery and other techniques (e.g., harmonic scalpel) generate smoke and other debris within the surgical cavity, reducing visibility by obscuring and coating surfaces, such as through an endoscope. A variety of surgical air insufflation and smoke evacuation systems are known in the art.

Additionally, CONMED Corporation of Utica, New York, USA has developed surgical access devices that allow access to insufflated surgical cavities without traditional mechanical seals, as described in whole or in part in U.S. Patent No. 7,854,724, and has developed associated systems for providing sufficient pressure and flow to such access devices.

The present disclosure relates to multi-mode systems and related devices and methods capable of performing multiple surgical gas delivery functions, including insufflation to standard or specialized surgical access devices or other instruments such as Veress needles, smoke evacuation through standard or specialized surgical access devices, and specialized functions such as recirculation and filtration of insufflation fluids, such as those described above in U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,724, as well as those in U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,752, U.S. Pat. No. 7,285,112, U.S. Pat. No. 7,413,559, or U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,473.

The use of a single multi-mode system, such as that described herein, reduces costs by requiring the purchase of only one system while accomplishing multiple functions, and it also reduces the amount of equipment required in the operating room, thus reducing clutter and freeing up space for other necessary equipment.

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

A filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system includes a filter housing configured to seat within a filter cartridge interface of the surgical gas delivery system. A first filter element seats within a first end portion of the filter housing. A second filter element seats within a second end portion of the filter housing opposite the first end portion. A third filter element seats within the filter housing between the first and second filter elements.

The third filter element may include an activated carbon material. The third filter element may include an activated carbon disk. The first and second filter elements may each include a pleated filter material. The second filter element may be in the flow path downstream of the third filter element. The first filter element may be in a separate flow path from the second and third filter elements.

A separator wall may be included in the filter housing between the first filter element and the second filter element. The separator wall may include a gas opening therethrough, and a plenum may be defined between the separator wall and the third filter element, the gas opening configured to pressurize the plenum with gas to utilize a cross-sectional area of the third filter element that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the gas opening. A peripheral rim may be defined around the separator wall, and the third filter element may be seated against the peripheral rim to maintain a plenum defined within a volume defined between the separator wall and the third filter element and within the peripheral rim. A seal may be seated between the separator wall and the third filter element to force gas flow from the plenum through the third filter element. A seal seat may be defined within the peripheral rim with the seal seated therein. A fluid trap may be defined between the first filter element and the separator wall, the gas opening configured to permit passage of gas above a container of fluid trapped within the fluid trap.

A cover plate may be attached to the filter housing to secure a first filter element to a first end portion of the filter housing. The cover plate may include a fitting for connecting to a three lumen tubing set for gas communication between the three lumen tubing set and the filter element. The three lumen tubing set may be connected to the fitting. It is also contemplated that the cover plate may include a fitting for connecting to a two lumen tubing set for gas communication between the two lumen tubing set and the filter element. The two lumen tubing set may be connected to the fitting.

A second cover plate can be attached to the filter housing to secure a second filter element to a second end portion of the filter housing. The second cover plate can define three openings configured to seal against three respective gas ports defined at the filter 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 seat within a filter cartridge interface of a surgical gas delivery system. A first filter element seats within a first end portion of the filter housing within a first flow path. A second filter element seats within a second end portion of the filter housing opposite the first end portion within the second flow path. A third filter element seats within the filter housing between the first and second filter elements, the third filter element being within the second flow path, the first and second flow paths being fluidly separated from one another within the filter housing. A fourth filter element can seat within a third flow path fluidly separated from the first and second flow paths within the filter housing.

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

The method can include flowing the flue 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 can include flowing the insufflation gas into the pneumoperitoneum through a flow path in the filter cartridge separate from the flue gas, the insufflation gas passing through a second pleated filter element in the filter cartridge, and pressure can be communicated from the pneumoperitoneum through a third flow path through the filter cartridge separate from the flow paths of the insufflation gas and the flue gas.

The present invention is also directed to a filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system including a housing having a front end and a rear end. The housing defines a first internal flow passage extending downstream from a first inlet at the rear end of the housing to a first outlet at the 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 passage extending upstream from a second inlet at the front end of the housing to a second outlet at the rear end of the housing for returning gas from the patient's body cavity to the surgical gas delivery apparatus. The housing defines a third internal flow passage 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 insufflation gas from the surgical gas delivery apparatus to the patient's body cavity.

A first pleated filter element is positioned within the first internal flow passage to filter pressurized gas delivered to the patient's body cavity. A second pleated filter element is positioned within the second internal flow passage to filter pressurized gas returning from the patient's body cavity.

An activated carbon filter disk is positioned within the second internal flow passage between the second pleated filter element and the second outlet at the rear end of the housing to remove volatile organic compounds from the pressurized gas returning from the patient's body cavity. A nonwoven filter element is positioned within the third internal flow passage adjacent the third inlet at the rear end of the housing to filter the insufflation gas delivered to the patient's body cavity.

A fluid trap is defined within the housing and operatively associated with the second internal flow passage. 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 the rear end cap of the housing. The first outlet, the second inlet, and the third outlet are associated with the front end cap of the housing.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments thereof will now be described in detail with reference to certain drawings so that those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains will readily understand how to make and use the disclosed devices and methods without undue experimentation.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-mode gas delivery device constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a filter cartridge and a corresponding filter cartridge interface. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a filter cartridge adapted and configured to interface with the gas delivery apparatus of FIG. 1, showing the filter cartridge components looking toward the opening in the fitting of the three lumen tubing set in the first cover plate. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 1 showing the filter cartridge components looking toward the opening in the second cover plate that seals against the gas port of the filter cartridge interface of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 1 showing the filter element assembled within the filter housing. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative filter cartridge in which an activated carbon filter disc is positioned downstream of a proximal pleated filter element. FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the filter cartridge shown in FIG. 5, with a section of the cartridge housing sidewall removed to illustrate internal features of the filter cartridge in cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference is now made to the drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like structural features or aspects of the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a filter cartridge according to the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated by reference numeral 100. Other embodiments of filter cartridges according to the present disclosure, or aspects thereof, as described, are provided in FIGS. 2-4. The systems and methods described herein can be used to filter surgical gases, such as flue gases from a pneumoperitoneum during smoke-generating surgical procedures.

In FIG. 1, a surgical gas delivery system 10 for use during laparoscopic surgery is illustrated. The system 10 includes a device housing 12 with a carrying handle 14 on each side of the housing. The front 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 side of the housing 12 further includes a filter cartridge interface 20 having a rotatable latch mechanism 22 configured to facilitate secure engagement of a disposable filter cartridge 24 within the device housing 12. Additionally, the front side of the housing 12 includes a standard 6 mm air delivery connection 26. Although not shown, the rear side of the housing 12 includes a gas supply fitting for connection to a compressed gas source, a standard USB interface for service purposes, and a standard power connection.

The filter cartridge interface 20 is designed to recognize what type of filter 24 has been inserted into the housing. For example, it can recognize the proper position or orientation of the filter cartridge. It can also recognize whether the inserted filter is specifically designed for use in a first mode of operation (i.e., gas seal mode) or whether the filter is specifically designed for use in a second mode of operation (i.e., insufflation and smoke evacuation mode). Other aspects of the surgical gas delivery system are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,067,030, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

With reference to FIG. 2, the filter cartridge 24 has a filter housing 28 including a first cover plate 30 having a fitting 46 associated with a three-lumen tubing set 36 (as shown in FIG. 1). The filter housing 28 is configured to seat within the filter 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 container or fluid trap 40 for collecting liquid drawn into the system through the aspiration line of the tubing set 36, for example during smoke evacuation.

The first filter element 38a is seated in the first end portion 26 of the filter housing 28. As shown in FIG. 3, the second filter element 38b is seated in the second end portion 42 of the filter housing 28 opposite the first end portion 26. The third filter element 44 is seated in the filter housing 28 between the first filter element 38a and the second filter element 38b as shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 3, within the end cap 50 is a fourth filter element 32, which is a pleated-free filter for the sensing/air delivery line described below. The third filter element 44 includes an activated carbon material and is in the form of an activated carbon disk. Each of the first and second filter elements 38a and 38b includes a pleated filter material. It is contemplated that the third filter element 44 is a separate filter element from the second and third filter elements 38a and 38b, but may be integrated with the second filter element 38b. For example, a mesh support can be sandwiched together between a paper filter and a carbon filter, which can then be pleated to form a combined second filter element 38b and third filter element 44.

A first cover plate 30 is attached to a first end of the filter housing 28 to secure a first filter element 38a to the first end portion 26 of the filter housing 28. The first cover plate 30 includes a fitting 46 for connecting to the three lumen tubing set 36 for gas communication between the three lumen tubing set 36 and the filter elements 38a, 38b, and 44. A second cover plate 50 is attached to an opposite end of the filter housing 28 to secure a second filter element 38b to 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 to one another with a fourth filter element 32 sandwiched therebetween. Referring to FIG. 3, the second cover plate 50 defines three openings 52a, 52b, and 52c, each configured to seal against three respective gas ports defined in the filter cartridge interface 20 of FIG. 1. The fitting 46 includes three corresponding openings 54a, 54b, and 54c.

A first flow path is defined from opening 54a through filter cartridge 24, through fluid trap 40 (as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4), through second and third filter elements 38b and 44 for filtering flue gas from the pneumoperitoneum, and out through opening 52a, through one of the lumens in three-lumen tubing set 36, and into surgical gas delivery system 10. Second filter element 38b is downstream of third filter element 44 in this first flow path.

A second flow path is defined through the filter cartridge 24 and is fluidly separated from the first flow path within the filter cartridge 24. The second flow path brings gas from the surgical gas delivery system 10 through the opening 52b, through the first filter element 38a, and out through the opening 54b to maintain a pneumoperitoneum with gas passing through a second one of the lumens of the three lumen tubing set 36. Thus, the first filter element 38a is in a separate flow path from the second and third filter elements 38b and 44. This second flow path is in a pressure line and provides pressure to a jet to create a gas seal in a valveless seal, for example, for a surgical access device connected to the three lumen tubing set 36.

A third flow path is defined through the filter cartridge 24 that is fluidly separated from the other two flow paths within the filter cartridge 24. This third flow path does not pass through any of the filter elements 38a, 38b, or 44. Instead, the third flow path bypasses the filter elements 38a, 38b, and 44 so that abdominal pressure from opening 54c is conveyed through the filter cartridge 24 to opening 52c and the surgical gas delivery system 10 can monitor the pressure of the pneumoperitoneum through a third one of the lumens of the three-lumen tubing set 36. _CO2 insufflation gas can flow from opening 52c to opening 54c into the pneumoperitoneum. This third flow path functions as an insufflation/sensing line and is the only one of the three flow paths that passes through the fourth filter element 32.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a separator wall 56 is included within the filter housing 28 between the first filter element 38a and the second filter element 38b. The separator wall 56 cooperates with a bulkhead 58 of the filter housing 28 inside the first filter element 38a to define a fluid trap 40 therebetween for trapping fluid (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4 at the bottom of the fluid trap 40) from the inflow gas from the pneumoperitoneum. The separator wall 56 includes a gas opening 60 therethrough. The gas opening 60 is configured to permit the passage of gas above the reservoir of fluid trapped at the bottom of the fluid trap 40.

The plenum 62 is defined between the separator wall 56 and the third filter element 44. The gas openings 60 are configured to pressurize the plenum 62 with gas to utilize a cross-sectional area of the third filter element 44 that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the gas openings 60, i.e., the plenum 62 is pressurized to utilize substantially the entire area of the activated carbon of the third filter element 44. This allows the flue gas to flow through the activated carbon filter element 44 in the filter cartridge 24 to filter at least one of smoke, particles, and impurities from the flue gas.

A peripheral rim 64 is defined about the separator wall 56, where the third filter element 44 seats against the peripheral rim 64 to maintain spacing of the plenum 62 defined within the volume defined between the separator wall 56 and the third filter element 44 and within the peripheral rim 64. A seal 66 seats between the separator wall 56 and the third filter element 44 to force gas flow from the plenum 62 through the third filter element 44. A seal seat 68 is defined within the peripheral rim 64 with the seal 66 seated therein.

Another embodiment of a filter with a tubing set according to the present disclosure includes an adapter that plugs the pressure line, for example by plugging opening 54b, which causes the gas seal described above to form. In this embodiment, a two-lumen tubing set is attached to the filter cartridge, for example, one lumen connected to opening 54a and one lumen connected to opening 54c, with one lumen carrying sensing/insufflation gases and the other lumen removing surgical gases and smoke from the cavity. This embodiment includes the third filter element 44 described above for smoke evacuation and omits the third lumen of the three-lumen tubing set 36.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, another embodiment of the filter cartridge of the present invention is illustrated and generally designated by reference numeral 100. Filter cartridge 100 includes a generally cylindrical housing 110 having a front end 110a and a rear end 110b. A front end cap 112 is operatively associated with the front end 110a of housing 110, and a rear end cap 114 is operatively associated with the rear end 110b of 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 known in the art.

The housing 110 defines a first internal flow passage 115 extending 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 passage 115 is adapted and configured to deliver pressurized gas from a pump in the surgical gas delivery apparatus 12 to a body cavity of the patient. The housing 110 defines a second internal flow passage 116 extending upstream from a second inlet 124 in the manifold 125 in 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 passage is adapted and configured to return gas flow from the body cavity of the patient to a pump in the surgical gas delivery apparatus 12.

The housing 110 defines a third internal flow passage 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 in the front end cap 112 of the housing 110. The third internal flow passage is adapted and configured to deliver low pressure insufflation gas from an insufflation device within the surgical gas delivery apparatus 12 to a body cavity of the patient.

The first pleated filter element 132 is positioned within the first internal flow passage 115 of the housing 110 to filter or otherwise remove particles and other matter from the pressurized gas delivered by the pump to the patient's body cavity. The second pleated filter element 134 is positioned within the second internal flow passage 116 of the housing 110 to filter or otherwise remove particles, fluids, and other matter from the gas returning from the patient's body cavity to the pump. In some examples, this return gas flow is gas, including smoke, resulting from an electrocautery procedure performed within the patient's body cavity.

An activated carbon filter disk 136 is advantageously positioned within the second interior passageway 116 of the housing 110 between the second pleated filter element 134 and the second outlet 126 of the rear end cap 114 of the housing 110 to remove volatile organic compounds or the like from gases, including smoke, returning from the patient's body cavity to the pump. A nonwoven filter element or sheet of material 138 is positioned within the third interior passageway 118 of the housing 110 adjacent the third inlet 128 of the rear end cap 114 of the housing 110 to filter insufflation gases delivered from the insufflation device of the gas delivery device 12 to the patient's body cavity.

A fluid trap or container 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 bodily fluids and irrigation fluids 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 bounded by an internal separator wall 142 of the housing 110 and a baffle plate 144. The baffle plate 144 defines a port 146 that facilitates gas flow between the fluid trap 140 and the second pleated filter element 134 in the second internal flow path 116.

As described above and shown in the drawings, the method and system of the present disclosure provide for filtration of surgical gases with superior properties, including improved removal of smoke, particles, and impurities. While the apparatus and method of the present disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (20)

1. A filter 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 passage 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 passage 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 internal flow passage;
c) a second pleated filter element operatively associated with the second internal flow passage; and
d) a carbon filter disc operatively associated with said second internal flow passage and positioned adjacent to a downstream side of said second pleated filter element. The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein a third internal flow passage is defined within the housing, extending downstream from a third inlet at the rear end of the housing to a third outlet at the front end of the housing. The filter cartridge of claim 2, wherein a nonwoven filter element is operatively associated with the third internal flow passage. The filter cartridge of claim 3, wherein the nonwoven filter element is positioned adjacent to the third inlet at the rear end of the housing. The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein a fluid trap is defined within the housing and operatively associated with the second internal flow path. The filter cartridge of claim 5, wherein the fluid trap is located adjacent to the upstream side of the second pleated filter element. 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. 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. 1. A filter 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 passage 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 passage 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 positioned within the first internal flow passage; and
c) a second pleated filter element positioned within the second internal flow passage; and
d) a carbon filter disc positioned within the second internal flow passage between the second pleated filter element and the second outlet at the rear end of the housing. The filter cartridge of claim 9, wherein a third internal flow passage is defined within the housing, extending downstream from a third inlet at the rear end of the housing to a third outlet at the front end of the housing. The filter cartridge of claim 10, wherein a nonwoven filter element is operatively associated with the third internal flow passage. The filter cartridge of claim 11, wherein the nonwoven filter element is positioned adjacent to the third inlet at the rear end of the housing. The filter cartridge of claim 9, wherein a fluid trap is defined within the housing and operatively associated with the second internal flow path. 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. 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. 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. 1. A filter 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 passage extending downstream from a first inlet at the rear end of the housing to a first outlet at the front end of the housing for delivering pressurized gas from a surgical gas delivery apparatus to a body cavity of a patient, a second internal flow passage extending upstream from a second inlet at the front end of the housing to a second outlet at the rear end of the housing for returning gas from the body cavity of the patient to the surgical gas delivery apparatus, and a third internal flow passage 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 insufflation gas from the surgical gas delivery apparatus to the body cavity of the patient;
b) a first pleated filter element positioned within the first internal flow passage for filtering the pressurized gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient;
c) a second pleated filter element positioned within the second internal flow passage for filtering the pressurized gas returning from the body cavity of the patient; and
d) an activated carbon filter disk positioned within the second interior flow passage 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 returning from the body cavity of the patient; and
e) a nonwoven filter element positioned within the third internal flow passage adjacent the third inlet at the rear end of the housing for filtering the insufflation gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient. The filter cartridge of claim 17, wherein a fluid trap is defined within the housing, operatively associated with the second internal flow passage, and positioned between the second pleated filter element and the second inlet at the front end of the housing. 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. 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.

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