A process and a device for eliminating harmful volatile elements, in particular chlorides andor sulfates, contained in a stream of particle-laden fumes, in which a given fraction of at least 5% of the fumes, referred to as by-passed fumes, is extracted. The honeycomb may have two sets of oppositely angled honeycomb cells, one capturing airflow from a fan and drawing it into the enclosure which the second set permits convective air currents to rise upwardly out of the enclosure. The agent tube may be structured for communication with a least one agent port formed in a staple cartridge of the surgical instrument for dispensing the medical agent therethrough. A second signal pair includes a third contact member and a sixth contact member. The manganese-containing sheath also protects the copper from corrosion by oxygen or water from its surroundings.