80781Electrosurgical Smoke Evacuation Forceps LaunchClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKBACKGROUND Electrosurgery is used in \>80% of surgeries, to cut tissue and control bleeding, and involves administering a high-frequency current to target tissue through an accessory selected to result in a particular surgical outcome, causing a cutting or coagulating effect. Electrosurgery produces smoke, which is made up of 95% water vapour and 5% "other matter". The latter poses a threat to staff and patients, being comprised of volatile organic compounds including hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, viruses, bacteria, and hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene. The Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) has found: _"Using an electrosurgery device on one gram of tissue is akin to inhaling the smoke from six unfiltered cigarettes in 15 minutes"._ "_perioperative nurses experience twice the incidence of many respiratory problems as compared to the general population_.". There are solutions on the market which are used to control this waste - however, the application of this safety feature to other instruments has been limited by inadequate design. Surgeons require a variety of tools, but the products available on the market cater to only one - the monopolar fingerswitch. COVID-19 RELEVANCE Patients are presenting with symptoms across several organ systems, suggesting viral presence in tissue outside of the respiratory system. Whilst there have not yet been any comprehensive studies regarding Covid-19 transmission through surgical smoke, other viruses are known to. As a result, smoke evacuation is now being recommended for use by various bodies: _"If available, monopolar diathermy pencils with attached smoke evacuators should be used "_ _(SAGES, USA_ 30/03/2020_)_ _"Liberal use of suction devices to remove smoke and aerosol during operations "_ (American college of surgeons 21/03/2020) COMPANY/PROJECT Prima has a 17-year history of delivering innovation in electrosurgery - Our devices are used in operating theatres across the UK, Europe and beyond. Recently, we have been attempting to rectify this global design oversight, which has become doubly important due to Covid-19\. Forceps are a major segment of the market, and represent the most commonly used "tool" other than the fingerswitch, required for any procedure where the clamping of a vessel to stop bleeding, or a similarly haemostatic effect, is desired. In line with this, Prima Medical has designed a world first - the only forcep which integrates smoke evacuation, and the only forcep with hand-activation (usually done by foot-pedal), to allow the surgeon greater control. In countries where SE is mandatory, it is commonplace for a nurse to attend just to hold the evacuation tubing - meaning that all procedures require another staff member and another device. In this sense, we offer a safety benefit for staff & budgetary savings for hospital administrators. Removal of the "additional device" will also have an effect on the environmental impact of each procedure, as the level of single-use plastic will be reduced.