In November 1989 LASE, a division of EnviroSurgical lnc., began a research project to improve the level of protection afforded by the companies’ smoke evacuation unit. This project was an outgrowth of the ever increasing number of investigational papers that were published referring to the hazards of the components of laser and electrosurgical device created plume.

The criteria for the development of a new filtration device included the elimination of odor, hazardous gases, and if possible the killing of bacteria and viruses. The best known methods of filtration at the time the research began involved only passive filtration using charcoal and particle trapping filters.

The research project led to the development of a new filter, which is active in methodology and meets the criteria established prior to the project. This technology neutralizes chemical agents, kills bacteria and viruses and also provides complete odor control.

The purpose of this paper is to report the activities undertaken to develop this research program, review the obstacles faced during the project, report on the final filter developed and the test results of same, and look at the future potential for this device.

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