Integrated electrosurgical exhaust system

Abstract

An electrosurgical smoke evacuation system includes an electrosurgical pen, a power unit, and a return electrode. The electrosurgical pen is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue and to expel smoke from a surgical site. The power unit is fluidly coupled and electrically coupled to the electrosurgical pen and includes an electrosurgical energy source, a suction generator configured to expel smoke from a surgical site, and a filter configured to filter smoke expelled from the surgical site. The system also includes an actuator mechanism disposed on at least one of the electrosurgical pen or the power unit. The actuator mechanism is configured to control at least one of a suction level of the suction generator or delivery of electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical pen. The system also includes a return electrode configured to return the electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue to the electrosurgical energy source.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 433,776, filed on December 20, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical devices and, more particularly, to an integrated electrosurgical smoke evacuation system. Background Art

[0003] Monopolar electrosurgery (ES) pens are used in surgical procedures, typically for cutting tissue and / or for coagulating blood vessels. ES pens typically include a handpiece in which electrodes of various shapes and sizes can be placed. The ES pens are connected to an ES generator, such as the Valleylab from Medtronic. TM FX8 or FT10 generator, the ES generator supplies high-frequency alternating current, usually radio frequency (RF) alternating current, to the electrode. The ES generator can supply a variety of waveforms suitable for achieving various surgical effects (such as cutting, coagulation, blending, spraying, electrocautery, etc.).

[0004] When using an ES pen, surgical smoke is often generated. An effective way to remove surgical smoke from the surgical site is to use an ES pen with an electric suction generator and an ultra-low penetration air (ULPA) filter, which has an integrated smoke extraction nozzle located near the pen's electrode. However, conventional smoke extraction systems typically require various electrical and / or fluid connections from inside the sterile field to outside the sterile field, which can lead to tangles in wires and tubing and create tripping hazards. In addition, smoke extraction equipment may not always be available in the operating room. Even when smoke extraction equipment is available, it may not be possible to control the suction level from within the sterile field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, an electrosurgical smoke evacuation system is provided, comprising an electrosurgical pencil, a power unit, and a return electrode. The electrosurgical pencil comprises a handle housing, a nozzle defining a lumen for evacuating smoke from a surgical site, and an electrode configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue. The power unit is fluidically and electrically coupled to the electrosurgical pencil and comprises a housing. An electrosurgical energy source, a suction generator, a power source, and a filter are disposed within the housing of the power unit. The electrosurgical energy source is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the electrode of the electrosurgical pencil. The suction generator is disposed within the housing and configured to apply suction to the nozzle of the electrosurgical pencil to evacuate smoke from the surgical site. The power source is disposed within the housing and configured to power the electrosurgical energy source and the suction generator. The filter is disposed within the housing and in fluidic communication with the suction generator. The filter is configured to filter smoke exhausted from the surgical site via the nozzle of the electrosurgical pencil. The return electrode is electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy source of the power unit. The return electrode is configured to be adhered to the patient for returning electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue via the electrode of the electrosurgical pencil to the source of electrosurgical energy.

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the nozzle of the electrosurgical pencil is fluidly coupled to the suction generator of the power unit by a tube that couples the handle housing of the electrosurgical pencil to the suction generator.

[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the electrodes of the electrosurgical pencil are electrically coupled to a source of electrosurgical energy by an electrosurgical supply line.

[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the return electrode is electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy by an electrosurgical return line.

[0009] In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the electrosurgical smoke evacuation system further includes an actuation mechanism disposed on a handle housing of the electrosurgical pencil, the actuation mechanism configured to control delivery of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes of the electrosurgical pencil.

[0010] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the electrosurgical smoke evacuation system further includes an actuation mechanism disposed on a handle housing of the electrosurgical pencil, the actuation mechanism configured to control a suction level of the suction generator.

[0011] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the electrosurgical smoke evacuation system further includes an actuation mechanism disposed on the housing of the power unit, the actuation mechanism configured to control delivery of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes of the electrosurgical pencil.

[0012] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the electrosurgical smoke evacuation system further includes an actuation mechanism disposed on the housing of the power unit, the actuation mechanism configured to control a suction level of the suction generator.

[0013] In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the housing of the power unit includes at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the suction generator.

[0014] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the power unit includes a liquid trap disposed within the housing and configured to collect liquid drained from the surgical site.

[0015] According to the present disclosure, another electrosurgical smoke evacuation system is provided, comprising an electrosurgical pencil, a power unit, an actuator mechanism, and a return electrode. The electrosurgical pencil is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue and evacuate smoke from a surgical site. The power unit is fluidically and electrically coupled to the electrosurgical pencil and includes a housing. The power unit also includes an electrosurgical energy source, a suction generator, and a filter. The electrosurgical energy source is disposed within the housing and configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical pencil. The suction generator is disposed within the housing and configured to evacuate smoke from a surgical site via the electrosurgical pencil. The filter is disposed within the housing and configured to filter smoke evacuated from the surgical site via the electrosurgical pencil. The actuator mechanism is disposed on at least one of the electrosurgical pencil or the power unit. The actuator mechanism is configured to control at least one of the suction level of the suction generator or the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical pencil. The return electrode is electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy source of the power unit. The return electrode is configured to be adhered to a patient to return electrosurgical energy delivered to tissue via the electrosurgical pencil to the electrosurgical energy source.

[0016] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the electrosurgical pencil is fluidly coupled to the suction generator of the power unit by a tube.

[0017] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an electrosurgical pencil is electrically coupled to a source of electrosurgical energy by an electrosurgical supply line.

[0018] In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the housing of the power unit includes at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the suction generator.

[0019] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an electrosurgical pencil includes a nozzle defining a lumen in fluid communication with a suction generator for evacuating smoke from a surgical site, and an electrode in electrical communication with an electrosurgical energy source and configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue.

[0020] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the power unit includes a liquid trap disposed within the housing and configured to collect liquid drained from the surgical site.

[0021] In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the actuator mechanism is a slide switch configured to move longitudinally along a handle housing of the electrosurgical pencil.

[0022] According to the present disclosure, an electrosurgical smoke evacuation kit is also provided. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation kit includes an electrosurgical pencil, a power unit, and a return electrode. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation kit also includes an electrosurgical supply line, tubing, and an electrosurgical return line. The electrosurgical pencil is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue and evacuate smoke from the surgical site. The power unit is fluidically and electrically coupled to the electrosurgical pencil and includes a housing. The power unit also includes an electrosurgical energy source, a suction generator, a filter, and the power source. The electrosurgical energy source is disposed within the housing and configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical pencil. The suction generator is disposed within the housing and configured to evacuate smoke from the surgical site via the electrosurgical pencil. The filter is disposed within the housing and configured to filter smoke exhausted from the surgical site via the electrosurgical pencil. The power source is disposed within the housing and configured to supply power to the electrosurgical energy source and the suction generator. The electrosurgical supply line is configured to electrically couple the electrosurgical pencil to the electrosurgical energy source of the power unit. The tubing is configured to fluidically couple the electrosurgical pencil to the suction generator of the power unit. The return electrode is electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy source of the power unit. The return electrode is configured to be adhered to the patient for returning electrosurgical energy delivered to tissue via the electrosurgical pencil to the electrosurgical energy source. The electrosurgical return wire is configured to electrically couple the return electrode to the electrosurgical energy source of the power unit.

[0023] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an actuator mechanism is provided on at least one of the electrosurgical pencil or the power unit. The actuator mechanism is configured to control at least one of a suction level of the suction generator or a delivery of electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical pencil.

[0024] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the power unit includes a liquid trap disposed within the housing and configured to collect liquid drained from the surgical site. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Various aspects of the disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an integrated electrosurgical smoke evacuation system according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2 According to various aspects of the present disclosure Figure 1 a perspective view of an integrated electrosurgical smoke evacuation system showing a return electrode of the integrated electrosurgical smoke evacuation system coupled to a patient;

[0028] Figure 3 According to various aspects of the present disclosure Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a power unit of an integrated electrosurgical smoke evacuation system;

[0029] Figure 4 According to various aspects of the present disclosure Figure 1A perspective view of an electrosurgical (ES) pencil with an integrated electrosurgical smoke evacuation system;

[0030] Figure 5 According to various aspects of the present disclosure Figure 4 An exploded perspective view of the ES pen; and

[0031] Figure 6 is configured for use with Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an exemplary robotic surgical system for use in conjunction with an integrated electrosurgical smoke evacuation system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Embodiments of the present disclosure are now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like or corresponding elements in each of the figures of the accompanying drawings. Aspects may be combined in any manner consistent with the functionality of the apparatus and / or methods disclosed herein. As used herein, the term "clinician" refers to a physician, surgeon, nurse, or any other care provider, and may include auxiliary personnel. Throughout this specification, the term "proximal" will refer to the portion of the device or its components that is closer to the clinician, and the term "distal" will refer to the portion of the device or its components that is further away from the clinician. As used herein, the term "exemplary" does not necessarily mean "preferred" and may simply indicate an example unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0033] As used herein, terms including "generally," "about," "substantially," and the like are intended to encompass variations up to and including plus or minus 10%, such as manufacturing tolerances, material tolerances, usage and environmental tolerances, measurement variations, design variations, and / or other variations. Furthermore, in the drawings and the following description, terms such as front, back, upper, lower, top, bottom, and similar directional terms are used merely for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In the following description, well-known functions or configurations are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure with unnecessary detail.

[0034] The present disclosure relates to an all-in-one integrated electrosurgical smoke evacuation system, comprising an electrosurgical smoke evacuation (ES) pen configured to evacuate surgical smoke to treat tissue during operation. The ES pen is electrically and fluidically coupled to a power unit, which integrates various components within the power unit's housing. This allows the ES pen to treat tissue using monopolar electrosurgical energy and to evacuate surgical smoke from the surgical site via suction applied to the ES pen by the power unit. The power unit is lightweight and portable and can be conveniently placed on the patient, on the operating table next to the patient, or near the operating table within the sterile field during surgery. The power unit filters and / or captures the exhausted smoke and discharges the filtered air into the surrounding environment. A return electrode is electrically coupled to the power unit and configured to adhere to the patient to return the monopolar electrosurgical energy from the patient to the power unit. The entire electrosurgical smoke evacuation system is configured to reside entirely within the sterile field during surgery, eliminating the need for wires or tubing to extend from the sterile field into surrounding areas outside the sterile field. This arrangement minimizes tripping hazards and entanglement of wires and / or tubing. The entire electrosurgical smoke evacuation system can be enclosed in a single disposable package, and the setup of the system can simply include unpacking the system within the sterile field, adhering the return electrode to the patient, and activating the power unit. The application of energy delivery and suction can be controlled at the ES pen and / or the power unit within the sterile field, thereby eliminating the need for electrical connection to the control interface outside the sterile field, thereby further minimizing the number of required wires. In order to minimize expenses, the system can be returned to the manufacturer for reprocessing, where certain components of the system can be disassembled, cleaned / disinfected, refurbished, reassembled, and / or sterilized for reuse. Some system components can be discarded and / or recycled and replaced with replacement components.

[0035] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a surgical smoke evacuation system 10 according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The surgical smoke evacuation system 10 generally includes a power unit 100 having a housing 102, an ES pen 200 having a handle housing 210, and a return electrode 300 (e.g., a return pad). The ES pen 200 is fluidly coupled to the power unit 100 by tubing 230 and electrically coupled to the power unit 100 by an electrosurgical supply line 150. The return electrode 300 is electrically coupled to the power unit 100 by an electrosurgical return line 302. During surgery, the return electrode 300 is adhered to the skin of a patient "P" for returning electrosurgical energy provided to the patient "P" by the power unit 100 via the ES pen 200 to the power unit 100. The handle housing 210 of the ES pen 200 can be configured as a handle that is configured to be grasped by a clinician, but non-handle configurations are also contemplated, for example, for mounting the ES pen 200 and / or attaching the ES pen 200 to a surgical robot arm (see Figure 6 ).

[0036] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of the power unit 100 is shown. A controller 160, a power source 120, an electrosurgical energy source 125, and a suction generator 144 are disposed within the housing 102 of the power unit 100. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the suction generator 144 may comprise a compressor pump. The power unit 100 is configured to output electrosurgical energy (e.g., radio frequency, microwave, etc.) to the ES pen 200 via the electrosurgical energy source 125; and to exhaust surgical smoke from the surgical site via suction applied to the ES pen 200 by the suction generator 144. The controller 160, the electrosurgical energy source 125, and the suction generator 144 are powered by the power source 120. The power source 120 may comprise, for example, any one or more of a battery, multiple batteries, or a DC high-voltage power source connected to an AC source (e.g., line voltage). Additionally or alternatively, the power unit 100 may be configured to receive power from a conventional AC wall outlet (not shown). In this case, the power unit 100 may include a suitable cord and plug (not shown) for electrically coupling one or more components of the power unit 100 to an AC wall outlet. The electrosurgical energy source 125 may be configured to convert AC power provided from the AC wall outlet into electrosurgical energy suitable for use with the ES pen 200.

[0037] The suction generator 144 generates negative pressure with a vacuum force for removing surgical smoke from the surgical site during surgery. The suction generator 144 may include a motor and one or more fans and / or pumps to generate negative pressure for drawing surgical smoke from the surgical site into the power unit 100. The suction generator 144 is in fluid communication with the inlet port 136 provided on the power unit 100. The inlet port 136 is configured to be connected to the proximal end 234 ( Figure 5) is connected to place the suction generator 144 in fluid communication with the ES pen 200. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the power unit 100 can be configured without the inlet port 136, and the proximal end 234 of the tubing 230 can be directly connected to the suction generator 144. The filter 140 is disposed within the housing 102 in the power unit 100 and is in fluid communication with the suction generator 144 and the inlet port 136. The filter 140 allows exhaust air to pass through to be discharged from the power unit 100 while trapping smoke particles within the filter 140. The filter 140 can also be configured to remove pollutants, debris, gaseous byproducts, and odors from the exhaust air. The liquid collector 142 is disposed within the housing 102 of the power unit 100 and is in fluid communication with the suction generator 144. To protect the filter 140 from getting wet, the liquid collector is configured to collect inadvertently inhaled liquid (e.g., blood, saline, etc.) before the liquid reaches the filter 140, thereby preventing the filter 140 from getting wet. Preventing the filter 140 from getting wet will increase the useful life of the filter 140. The suction generator 144 is in fluid communication with one or more exhaust ports 104 disposed through the housing 102 of the power unit 100 (see Figure 1 The air that passes through the filter 140 is exhausted from the power unit 100 through one or more exhaust ports 104 .

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the suction generator 144 is positioned within the housing 102 proximal to the filter 140 (e.g., the suction generator 144 is closer to the inlet port 136 and / or tubing 230). By positioning the suction generator 144 proximal to the filter 140, a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure is applied to the filter 140 during operation of the suction generator 144. The pressure passing through the filter 140 allows the filter 140 to have a reduced surface area while still maintaining an equivalent airflow through the filter 140. Positioning the suction generator 144 proximal to the filter 140 can also be used to increase the useful life of the filter 140. For example, as the filter 140 captures and accumulates particles, the filter becomes clogged and the effective filter surface area is reduced. The suction generator 144 can compensate for the clogging of the filter 140 by increasing the pressure applied to the filter 140 to maintain proper airflow through the filter 140. Although Figure 3 Liquid trap 142 is shown as being positioned distally of suction generator 144 (e.g., further from inlet port 136 and / or tubing 230), but it should be understood that liquid trap 142 may be disposed within and / or integrated with suction generator 144. In this case, suction generator 144 may include a centrifugal pump configured to throw liquid into a housing of suction generator 144 and collect in a reservoir of liquid trap 142.

[0039] The electrosurgical energy source 125 provides the electrodes 214 ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) provides electrosurgical energy for treating (e.g., cutting, coagulating, ablating, etc.) tissue of a patient "P." Electrosurgical energy is provided to the electrode 214 via an electrosurgical supply line 150. The electrosurgical supply line 150 is configured for connection to the active single pole terminal 132 of the power unit 100. More specifically, the power source 120 provides DC power to the electrosurgical energy source 125, which converts the provided DC power to electrosurgical energy and delivers the electrosurgical energy to the active single pole terminal 132 of the power unit 100. In aspects of the present disclosure, the power unit 100 can be configured without the active single pole terminal 132, and the electrosurgical supply line 150 can be directly coupled to the electrosurgical energy source 125. As indicated above, AC power can be provided by an AC wall outlet. Electrosurgical energy is supplied to the patient "P" via the ES pen 200 and is returned to the electrosurgical energy source 125 through a return electrode 300 adhered to the patient "P" via an electrosurgical return line 302 connected to the return single pole terminal 134 ( Figure 3 ). In various aspects of the present disclosure, the power unit 100 can be configured without the return single pole terminal 134, and the electrosurgical return line 302 can be directly coupled to the electrosurgical energy source 125. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the surgical smoke evacuation system 10 can include a plurality of return electrodes configured to be disposed on the patient "P" to minimize the chance of tissue damage by maximizing the total contact area with the patient "P." In various aspects of the present disclosure, the power unit 100 and the return electrode 300 can be configured to monitor so-called "tissue-to-patient" contact to ensure that there is sufficient contact therebetween, thereby minimizing the chance of tissue damage.

[0040] The controller 160 has a processor 162 and a memory 164. Instructions can be executed by the processor 162, which can include one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general-purpose microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuits. Therefore, the term "processor" as used herein may refer to any of the aforementioned structures or any other physical structure suitable for implementing the described techniques. In addition, these techniques can be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements. It is contemplated that the controller 160 can be located in the power unit 100, the ES pen 200, and / or a remote computer system.

[0041] In one or more examples, the described techniques may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. The computer-readable medium may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium that corresponds to a tangible medium such as a data storage medium (e.g., RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer).

[0042] Now refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , a connector 222 (e.g., a swivel connector) at the distal end 236 of the tubing 230 couples the handle housing 210 to the tubing 230. The tubing 230 is in fluid communication with a lumen 227 of the handle housing 210 that extends through the ES pen 200. The lumen 227 of the handle housing 210 can be defined by the handle housing 210 itself, or in some aspects, can be a separate tube or lumen structure disposed within the handle housing 210 or coupled to the exterior of the handle housing 210. The tubing 230 can be corrugated by including spiral ridges 232 disposed on the outer surface of the tubing 230. The corrugated structure of the tubing 230 minimizes kinking and provides increased flexibility to the tubing 230. As Figure 5 As shown, the tubing 230 may also include an opening 148 at any point along its length to allow the electrosurgical supply line 150 to pass into the lumen defined within the tubing 230. The lumen defined by the connector 222 is in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the tubing 230 and the lumen 227 of the handle housing 210. Thus, with the proximal end 232 of the tubing 230 connected to the inlet port 136 of the power pack 100, the lumen 227 of the handle housing 210 is placed in fluid communication with the suction generator 144 of the power pack 100 via the connector 222 and the tubing 230.

[0043] refer to Figure 5 The handle housing 210 includes a first housing portion 210a and a second housing portion 210b, which are fixed to each other using any suitable method (e.g., ultrasonic welding) to fix and house the internal components of the ES pen 200. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the handle housing 210 of the ES pen 200 can be formed of a thermoplastic material.

[0044] ES Pen 200 also includes a nozzle 212 coupled to a distal end portion of handle housing 210. A lumen 220 (e.g., a smoke lumen) is defined through nozzle 212 for aspirating fluid (e.g., surgical smoke, debris, gaseous byproducts, etc.) from the surgical site and is in fluid communication with a lumen 227 defined by handle housing 210. Lumen 227 defined by handle housing 210 serves as a fluid inlet, allowing fluid (e.g., smoke) aspirated through nozzle 212 to be discharged through handle housing 210 and tubing 230 via operation of suction generator 144. In various aspects of the present disclosure, at least a portion of nozzle 212 can be a transparent, substantially transparent, or translucent material configured to facilitate vision within the surgical field. For example, at least a portion of nozzle 212 can be formed from a transparent polycarbonate resin. Other resin materials are contemplated, such as, for example, polymethyl methacrylate or acrylic (PMMA), polymethacrylimide (PMMI), silicone-based resins, and the like. In aspects of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the nozzle 212 can be formed from a radiopaque material (such as, for example, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material) such that at least a portion of the nozzle 212 appears opaque under a medical imaging modality using radiation (such as, for example, X-rays).

[0045] The electrode 214 of the ES pen 200 extends distally from the distal end portion 202 of the handle housing 210. The electrode 214 includes a distal portion 214b having a tissue processing portion (e.g., a blade (as shown), a hook, a needle, etc.) and a proximal portion 214a disposed within the handle housing 210. The electrode 214 is removably received by a cartridge 216, which in turn is formed in the handle housing 210 ( Figure 5 ) is supported by a container 240 within the ES pen 200 such that the collet 216 and the distal portion 214b of the electrode 214 extend distally from the distal end portion 202 and through the lumen 220 of the nozzle 212. The distal portion 214b of the electrode 214 has a geometry that, in conjunction with an energy delivery algorithm stored in the memory 164 of the controller 160, is used to minimize arcing and smoke plume at the surgical site. The residual smoke plume, along with other fluids, is captured by the nozzle 212 of the ES pen 200 and drawn by the suction generator 144 through the handle housing 210, the tubing 230, and into the power unit 100. The exhausted smoke plume and other fluids are collected by the liquid collector 142 and / or filtered by the filter 140 before the filtered air is discharged from the power unit 100 via one or more exhaust ports 104.

[0046] In various aspects, the electrode 214 can be removed from the cartridge 216 so that the electrode 214 can be replaced with a new electrode and / or with an electrode having a different shape, size, and / or configuration, depending on the needs of the clinician for a given procedure. The nozzle 212 can also be removed from the handle housing 210 so that the nozzle 212 can be replaced with a new nozzle and / or with a nozzle having a different shape, size, and / or configuration. For example, the nozzle can be replaced with a nozzle of a different size, depending on the size of the electrode being used.

[0047] The proximal portion 214a of the electrode 214 extends proximally from the container 240 and is received in the electrical unit 260 ( Figure 5 ) within the conductive electrode clip 250 of the handle housing 210. In various aspects, the electrical unit 260 can be coupled to an inner surface (e.g., ribbed) of the handle housing 210 to secure and stabilize the proximal portion 214a of the electrode 214 within the handle housing 210. The electrical unit 260 is electromechanically coupled to the electrosurgical supply line 150, which interconnects the electrical unit 260 to the electrosurgical energy source 125 of the power unit 100. The electrical unit 260 includes a pair of switches 262, 264 ( Figure 5 ), the pair of switches are aligned with a pair of buttons 270, 280 extending from the first housing portion 210a, respectively, thereby allowing the switches 262, 264 to be activated when the corresponding buttons 270, 280 are pressed. Activation and / or deactivation of the button switches 262, 264 are used to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the power unit 100 to the electrode 214. For example, one of the buttons 270, 280 can be used to cause the electrosurgical energy source 125 of the power unit 100 to provide electrosurgical energy to the electrode 214 for cutting tissue, and the other of the buttons 270, 280 can be used to cause the electrosurgical energy source 125 of the power unit 100 to provide electrosurgical energy to the electrode 214 for coagulating tissue.

[0048] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the buttons 270, 280 can be replaced by any suitable actuation mechanism, such as a rocker switch, a pressure-sensitive transducer, or a slide switch, that is configured to be actuated longitudinally (e.g., distally and proximally) along the handle housing 210 between a plurality of positions corresponding to energy output power levels of the electrosurgical energy source 125.

[0049] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the ES pen 200 may include a longitudinal slot 292 ( Figure 5) within the actuation mechanism 290. The actuation mechanism 290 is configured to actuate longitudinally (e.g., distally and proximally) along the longitudinal slot 292 to enable a clinician to control, within the sterile field and in real time during surgery, the power level of electrosurgical energy delivered from the electrosurgical energy source 125 of the power unit 100 to the electrode 214 of the ES pen 200 and / or the level of suction applied to the nozzle 212 of the ES pen 200 by the suction generator 144 of the power unit 100. In various aspects, the actuation mechanism 290 can be a slide switch configured to slide along the longitudinal slot 292 between a plurality of positions corresponding to the power output level of the electrosurgical energy source 125 and / or the suction level of the suction generator 144.

[0050] In aspects of the present disclosure, the power unit 100 may include an actuation mechanism 110 disposed on the housing 102 of the power unit 100. The actuation mechanism 110 is electrically coupled to any one or more of the internal components of the power unit 100 (e.g., the controller 160) to enable a clinician to control, within a sterile environment and in real time during surgery, the power output level of electrosurgical energy delivered from the electrosurgical energy source 125 of the power unit 100 to the electrodes 214 of the ES pen 200 and / or the level of suction applied to the nozzle 212 of the ES pen 200 by the suction generator 144 of the power unit 100. In aspects of the present disclosure, the actuation mechanism 110 can be any suitable user interface and include, for example, a touch screen, one or more buttons, one or more switches (e.g., a rocker switch), one or more pressure-sensitive transducers, and / or one or more slide switches that are configured to actuate longitudinally (e.g., distally and proximally) along the housing 102 of the power unit 100 between multiple positions corresponding to power output levels of the electrosurgical energy source 125 and / or suction levels of the suction generator 144.

[0051] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the surgical smoke evacuation system 10 may include the actuation mechanism 110 of the power unit 100 or the actuation mechanism 290 of the ES pen 200 for controlling the power output level and / or the suction level. In other aspects of the present disclosure, the surgical smoke evacuation system 10 may include both the actuation mechanism 110 of the power unit 100 and the actuation mechanism 290 of the ES pen 200 for redundantly controlling the power output level and / or the suction level in real time.

[0052] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the power unit 100 can include or be coupled to a suitable mechanical interface that is configured to removably attach the power unit 100 to a structure within the sterile field. For example, the power unit 100 can be attached to a surgical drape or a surgical bed to help maintain the sterility of the power unit 100.

[0053] As is known in the art, surgical instruments can generally be classified as reusable instruments (e.g., instruments that are cleaned and / or sterilized), disposable instruments (e.g., instruments that are completely discarded after a single use), reprocessable instruments (e.g., instruments in which some parts are disposable and other parts are reusable after cleaning and / or sterilization), or reprocessable instruments. Typically, these reprocessable instruments are disposable instruments (or reprocessable instruments) that are collected after surgical use and returned to the manufacturer, where they are disassembled, cleaned / sterilized, refurbished, reassembled, sterilized, and sold as reprocessed instruments. In many cases, most of the original parts of the instrument are reused to provide the necessary parts for reassembling the same instrument. Parts that wear out during use, break during disassembly, and / or are otherwise not reprocessable as they were can be refurbished, modified, or discarded for recycling and replaced with replacement parts. In various aspects of the present disclosure, any one or more of the above-mentioned components of the electrosurgical smoke evacuation system 10 can be sent to the manufacturer for reprocessing or discarded and / or recycled after a single use. The costs associated with the use of the disclosed electrosurgical smoke evacuation system 10 may be reduced by reworking as many components of the system as possible.

[0054] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned components of the surgical smoke evacuation system 10 can be provided as a kit in a common packaging. The kit includes the power unit 100, the ES pen 200, the return electrode 300, the tubing 230, the electrosurgical supply line 150, and the electrosurgical return line 302 in a common packaging. In some aspects, the kit can include multiple electrodes of various sizes for replacing the electrode 214 of the ES pen 200 and / or multiple nozzles of various sizes for replacing the nozzle 212 of the ES pen 200. The kit can also include instructions for use (not shown). The common packaging of the kit can also include a thermoformed plastic tray (not shown) and / or other packaging materials within the scope of those skilled in the art.

[0055] Now go to Figure 6 , shows a robotic surgical system 1000 configured for use in accordance with the present disclosure. Aspects and features of the robotic surgical system 1000 that are not germane to an understanding of the present disclosure are omitted to avoid obscuring the aspects and features of the present disclosure with unnecessary detail.

[0056] The robotic surgical system 1000 generally includes a plurality of robotic arms 1002, 1003; a control device 1004; and an operating console 1005 coupled to the control device 1004. The operating console 1005 may include a display device 1006, which may be configured to display a three-dimensional image, and manual input devices 1007, 1008, by means of which a clinician (e.g., a surgeon) may be able to remotely manipulate the robotic arms 1002, 1003 in a first operating mode. The robotic surgical system 1000 may be configured for use with a patient 1013 lying on a patient table 1012 for minimally invasive treatment. The robotic surgical system 1000 may further include a database 1014, particularly coupled to the control device 1004, in which preoperative data and / or anatomical maps, for example, from the patient 1013, are stored.

[0057] Each of the robotic arms 1002 and 1003 may include a plurality of components connected by joints and a mounted device, which may be, for example, a surgical tool "ST". The surgical tool "ST" may include, for example, the ES pen 200 of the present disclosure, thereby providing any of the functions detailed above on the robotic surgical system 1000.

[0058] The robotic arms 1002 and 1003 may be driven by electric drives (e.g., motors) connected to a control device 1004. The motors may be, for example, rotary drive motors configured to provide rotational inputs to perform one or more desired tasks. The control device 1004 (e.g., a computer) may be configured to activate the motors, specifically with the aid of a computer program, in such a manner that the robotic arms 1002 and 1003 and the surgical tools "ST" mounted thereon perform desired movements and / or functions in accordance with corresponding inputs from manual input devices 1007 and 1008, respectively. The control device 1004 may also be configured in such a manner that it adjusts the movement of the robotic arms 1002 and 1003 and / or the motors.

[0059] More specifically, the control device 1004 can control one or more of the motors based on rotation, for example, using a rotational position encoder (or Hall effect sensor or other suitable rotational position detector) associated with the motor to control the rotational position to determine the rotational output from the motor and the rotational input provided thereby. Alternatively or additionally, the control device 1004 can control one or more of the motors based on torque, current, or in any other suitable manner.

[0060] Although various aspects of the present disclosure have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited to these aspects, as the disclosure is intended to be as broad in scope as the art will allow and this specification should be read in the same manner. Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as illustrative of particular aspects. Those skilled in the art will be able to envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical smoke evacuation system, comprising: An electrosurgical pencil, comprising: handle housing; a nozzle defining a lumen for exhausting smoke from the surgical site; and an electrode configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue; a power unit fluidly and electrically coupled to the electrosurgical pencil, the power unit having a housing and comprising: an electrosurgical energy source disposed within the housing and configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the electrodes of the electrosurgical pencil; a suction generator disposed within the housing and configured to apply suction to the nozzle of the electrosurgical pencil for evacuating the smoke from the surgical site; a power source disposed within the housing and configured to power the source of electrosurgical energy and the suction generator; and a filter disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the suction generator, the filter being configured to filter the smoke exhausted from the surgical site via the nozzle of the electrosurgical pencil; and A return electrode is electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy source of the power unit, the return electrode being configured to adhere to a patient for returning electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue via the electrode of the electrosurgical pencil to the electrosurgical energy source.

2. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle of the electrosurgical pencil is fluidly coupled to the suction generator of the power unit by a tube, the tube coupling the handle housing of the electrosurgical pencil to the suction generator.

3. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 1, wherein the electrodes of the electrosurgical pencil are electrically coupled to the source of electrosurgical energy by an electrosurgical supply line.

4. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 1, wherein the return electrode is electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy by an electrosurgical return line.

5. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuation mechanism disposed on the handle housing of the electrosurgical pencil and configured to control the delivery of the electrosurgical energy to the electrodes of the electrosurgical pencil. 6 . The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuation mechanism disposed on the handle housing of the electrosurgical pencil and configured to control a suction level of the suction generator.

7. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuation mechanism disposed on the housing of the power unit and configured to control the delivery of the electrosurgical energy to the electrode of the electrosurgical pencil.

8. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 1, further comprising an actuation mechanism disposed on the housing of the power unit and configured to control a suction level of the suction generator.

9. An electrosurgical smoke evacuation system according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the power unit includes at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the suction generator.

10. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 1, wherein the power unit comprises a liquid trap disposed within the housing and configured to collect liquid exhausted from the surgical site.

11. An electrosurgical smoke evacuation system, comprising: An electrosurgical pencil configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue and to evacuate smoke from a surgical site ； a power unit fluidly and electrically coupled to the electrosurgical pencil, the power unit having a housing and comprising: an electrosurgical energy source disposed within the housing and configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical pencil; a suction generator disposed within the housing and configured to exhaust the smoke from the surgical site via the electrosurgical pencil; and a filter disposed within the housing and configured to filter the smoke exhausted from the surgical site via the electrosurgical pencil; an actuator mechanism disposed on at least one of the electrosurgical pencil or the power unit, the actuator mechanism configured to control at least one of a suction level of the suction generator or the delivery of the electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical pencil; and A return electrode is electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy source of the power unit, the return electrode being configured to be adhered to a patient for returning the electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue via the electrosurgical pencil to the electrosurgical energy source.

12. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 11, wherein the electrosurgical pencil is fluidly coupled to the suction generator of the power unit by a tube.

13. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 11, wherein the electrosurgical pencil is electrically coupled to the source of electrosurgical energy by an electrosurgical supply line.

14. An electrosurgical smoke evacuation system according to claim 11, wherein the housing of the power unit includes at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the suction generator.

15. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 11, wherein the electrosurgical pencil comprises: a nozzle defining a lumen in fluid communication with the suction generator for exhausting the smoke from the surgical site; and An electrode is in electrical communication with the source of electrosurgical energy and is configured to deliver the electrosurgical energy to the tissue.

16. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 11, wherein the power unit comprises a liquid trap disposed within the housing and configured to collect liquid exhausted from the surgical site.

17. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation system of claim 11, wherein the actuator mechanism is a slide switch configured to move longitudinally along a handle housing of the electrosurgical pencil.

18. An electrosurgical smoke evacuation kit, comprising: An electrosurgical pencil configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue and to evacuate smoke from a surgical site ； a power unit fluidly and electrically coupled to the electrosurgical pencil, the power unit having a housing and comprising: an electrosurgical energy source disposed within the housing and configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical pencil; a suction generator disposed within the housing and configured to exhaust the smoke from the surgical site via the electrosurgical pencil; a filter disposed within the housing and configured to filter the smoke exhausted from the surgical site via the electrosurgical pencil; and a power source disposed within the housing and configured to power the electrosurgical energy source and the suction generator; an electrosurgical supply line configured to electrically couple the electrosurgical pencil to the source of electrosurgical energy of the power unit; a tube configured to fluidly couple the electrosurgical pencil to the suction generator of the power unit; a return electrode electrically coupled to the source of electrosurgical energy of the power unit, the return electrode configured to be adhered to a patient for returning the electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue via the electrosurgical pencil to the source of electrosurgical energy; and An electrosurgical return wire is configured to electrically couple the return electrode to the source of electrosurgical energy of the power unit.

19. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation kit of claim 18, further comprising an actuator mechanism disposed on at least one of the electrosurgical pencil or the power unit, the actuator mechanism being configured to control at least one of the suction level of the suction generator or the delivery of the electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical pencil.

20. The electrosurgical smoke evacuation kit of claim 18, wherein the power unit includes a liquid trap disposed within the housing and configured to collect liquid drained from the surgical site.

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