Project Description:

Electrocauterization is employed in over 40 million surgical procedures annually in the United States. Despite its widespread use, a significant drawback persists: the generation of surgical smoke. This smoke contains biohazardous chemicals equivalent to inhaling 27–30 unfiltered cigarettes per day and has been linked to increased rates of pulmonary disease and lung cancer in surgeons and OR staff. While current smoke evacuation devices exist, most are rejected by surgeons for being bulky from the evacuator extruding onto the pen’s electrode, limiting visibility and maneuverability. In addition, ineffective airflow control is a common concern – excessive suction can lead to clogging, while insufficient draw fails to adequately remove smoke. The market for smokeless cautery is significant, with a total addressable market of over $945 million and a serviceable addressable market of $47 million. There is a clear clinical need for a more effective system to mitigate surgical smoke while maintaining surgeon precision and visibility.

Our solution is the Fume Fighter, an electrocautery pen that integrates vented suction directly at the cautery tip. Small vents 360 degrees around the tip draw smoke into internal tubing aligned along the pen’s longitudinal axis, preventing interference with the surgical field. A built-in Air Quality Index (AQI) sensor monitors surrounding conditions and adjusts suction accordingly – a novel feature not present in existing devices. When AQI exceeds 100, a second layer of vents opens automatically to increase suction. Otherwise, the vents partially close to reduce airflow and prevent clogging. The pen’s dual-layer design features an external shell for wiring and vent control and an internal rotating tube that regulates suction strength. Additional features include two standard cautery mode buttons and a status light indicating safe air quality. Altogether, the Fume Fighter enhances surgical safety and efficiency without compromising usability.