Power cable with operating block for an electrosurgical instrument, associated assembly of instrument and power cable, and associated monitoring kit

Abstract

Power cable (10) for an electrosurgical instrument (5) comprising an end with a connector for connection to an electrosurgical energy generator (4) and an operating block (20) configured to adjust the current travelling into the power cable, with the purpose of adjusting the power of the electrosurgical instrument (5), as well as a robotic system for electrosurgical teleoperation comprising said power cable.

Description

POWER CABLE WITH OPERATING BLOCK FORAN ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT, ASSOCIATED ASSEMBLY OF INSTRUMENT AND POWER CABLE, AND ASSOCIATED MONITORING KITDESCRIPTION

[0001] . Field of the invention

[0002] . The object of the invention is a power cable for an electrosurgical instrument provided with an operating block.

[0003] . The invention further relates to an assembly comprising said power cable and an electrosurgical instrument.

[0004] . Furthermore, the invention relates to a monitoring kit comprising said power cable.

[0005] . The present invention further relates to a robotic system for electrosurgical teleoperation comprising said assembly.

[0006] . Furthermore, the invention relates to a control method of an electrosurgical instrument.

[0007] . Background art

[0008] . Generally, electrosurgery is defined as the surgical technique by which electric current (therefore electric power) at high frequency is transmitted to human tissues, generating a localized temperature increase such as to cut or coagulate such tissues. Such a technique requires an electrosurgical current generator, an active electrode (monopolar or bipolar), and a return electrode.

[0009] . For example, the prior art document WO-2024-261678 in the name of the same Applicant shows monopolar or bipolar electrosurgical instrument solutions controlled by a robotic electrosurgical teleoperation system of the master-slave type, and in particular solutions suitable for an aggressive miniaturization of the instrument itself for micro- electrosurgical applications.

[0010] . Manually controlled electrosurgical instruments, i.e., held in the hand by the surgeon during the electrosurgical procedure, are also known.

[0011] . In particular, the transmission of electrosurgical current from the generator to the active electrode occurs by means of a connection cable having a length between 1m-5m, either forming part of the activeelectrode itself or separate, with one or more electrical connectors suitable to connect to the electrosurgical generator and to the active electrode.

[0012] . In particular, the geometry of such electrical connectors is standardized, thus ensuring a safe electrical connection combining electrosurgical units, active electrodes, and connection cables from different manufacturers.

[0013] , The electrosurgical current generator is provided with manual controls with which the user can set the output electric power and the mode (for example, waveform, duty cycle) of the electrosurgical current, depending on the desired effect on the tissue. Each mode of each generator is characterized by an upper power limit defined by the generator manufacturer; such limits vary by generator manufacturer and are often much higher than the powers actually used during surgical procedures. As the selection of electrosurgical power is an action left to the user (operating room nurse and / or surgeon), this is inherently subject to human error.

[0014] . The incorrect setting of electrosurgical powers higher than the necessary power can cause irreversible damage to the patient or to the equipment used and provided with an active electrode, in the event of an unsuitable supply provided by an incompatible generator to which it might be connected in the operating room, given the large amount of electrical equipment present on site, taking into account the variability of the features of the machines themselves due to the large number of different manufacturers.

[0015] , For example, the prior art documents US-2024-285331, US-2024-285331 , and US-2009-024120A1 show solutions in which the power cable of a medical apparatus comprises control circuitry managed under the control of external control inputs originating from dedicated devices. Solutions of this type require the presence of dedicated data communication and control architectures between the power cable and the apparatus, such as, for example, an energy generator.

[0016] .Therefore, the need is felt to provide an electrosurgical setup solution with improved safety when in operating conditions, and which is, at the same time, compatible with a variety of different electrosurgical ormicro-electrosurgical equipment.[0171. Solution

[0018] . It is an object of the present invention to obviate the drawbacks complained of with reference to the prior art.

[0019] . This and other objects are achieved with a power cable, according to claim 1 , as well as with an assembly, according to claim 12, as well as with a method, according to claim 14.

[0020] . Certain advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0021] . By virtue of the proposed solutions, it allows limiting or automatically interrupting the electric power delivered to the electrosurgical instrument, by closing the control loop on the power cable of the electrosurgical instrument.

[0022] . In particular, the limitation and / or interruption of the electric power delivered is carried out by virtue of a dedicated block included on the power cable, thereby avoiding intervening on the electrosurgical energy generator. Thereby, the power cable, as well as the power cable and electrosurgical instrument assembly, is made compatible with a variety of different electrosurgical energy generators available on the market, without thereby reducing safety when under operating conditions.

[0023] . Therefore, a safe and at the same time compatible solution is provided, where appropriate with devices preexisting the invention, such as electrosurgical energy generators commonly present on the reference market, as well as, where appropriate with robotic systems for surgical teleoperation.

[0024] . B rief description of the figures

[0025] . F urther features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] .- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic axonometric view of a robotic system, according to an embodiment;

[0027] .- Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a robotic system, according to an embodiment;

[0028] .- Figures 3-A and 3-B are diagrammatic views of a power cable,according to some embodiments;

[0029] .- Figures 4-A and 4-B are diagrammatic views of a power cable and of the operating block, according to some embodiments;

[0030] .- Figures 5-A, 5-B and 5-C are diagrammatic views of a power cable and of the operating block, according to some embodiments;

[0031] .- Fig ures 6-A and 6-B are diagrammatic views of a power cable and of the operating block, according to some embodiments;

[0032] .- Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of a power cable and of the operating block, according to an embodiment;

[0033] .- Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of a robotic system for electrosurgical teleoperation, according to an embodiment;

[0034] .- Fig ure 9 is a diagrammatic exploded view of an instrument and power cable assembly, according to an embodiment;

[0035] .- Figure 10 is a block diagram of a robotic system, according to an embodiment;

[0036] .- Figure 11 is a block diagram of a monitoring kit, according to an embodiment;

[0037] .- Fig ure 12 is a block diagram of a robotic system, according to an embodiment.

[0038] . It should be noted that references to “an” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and are to be understood as to at least one, and for reasons of concision and of reduction of the total number of figures, a certain figure may be used to illustrate the features of more than one embodiment, and not all the elements of the figure may be necessary for a certain embodiment.

[0039] . Detailed description of some embodiments

[0040] . In accordance with a general embodiment, a power cable 10 is provided for an electrosurgical instrument 5, i.e., for a surgical instrument suitable to transmit radiofrequency energy to the tissues of the patient, such as, for example, of the electro-cauterizing type.

[0041] . It is clear that the present invention also relates to an assembly 30 comprising an electrosurgical instrument 5 and said power cable 10. The electrosurgical instrument may be of the monopolar or bipolar type, as may the power cable.

[0042] .The power cable 10 for an electrosurgical instrument comprises anelongated body with a first end 11 having at least a first connector 13 to connect to an electrosurgical energy generator 4.

[0043] .The electrosurgical energy generator 4 may be a generator of the type commonly available on the market, having an outlet port thereof intended to receive the first connector 13 of the first end 11 of the power cable. For example, the generator may be adapted to deliver various patterns of electrosurgical energy (such as cut / coagulation) which are transmitted, when in operating conditions, by means of the power cable 10.

[0044] . The power cable 10 comprises a second end 12. The second end 12 may be removably connected to the electrosurgical instrument 5. Preferably, the second end 12 of the connector comprises at least one second connector 14 to power feed the electrosurgical instrument 5. The first end 11 and the second end 12 are arranged opposite with respect to the elongated body of the power cable 10. The connectors 13, 14 may be electrodes, and in the case of a bipolar connector for a bipolar electrosurgical instrument, two connectors 14’, 14” may be provided at the end 12, suitable to conduct two phases 31 , 32 of the bipolar power cable.

[0045] . The second connector 14 may be, when in use, connected to the robotic manipulator 2 which operates the electrosurgical instrument 5.

[0046] . The second end 12 may be connected to the electrosurgical instrument 5 in a fixed manner.

[0047] . Advantageously, the power cable 10 further comprises an operating block 20 to limit and / or interrupt and / or modulate the current travelling into the power cable 10. Thereby, the power cable 10 is capable of controlling the power transmitted to the electrosurgical instrument 5.

[0048] . By virtue of the provision of the operating block 20, it is possible to adjust the power of the active surgical instrument.

[0049] . The operating block 20 is preferably arranged along the extension of the elongated body of the power cable 10. In accordance with an embodiment, the operating block 20 comprises a box-like body, for example substantially cylindrical or toroidal or cap-shaped, fitted around the power cable 10, in the manner of a rigid sleeve, in which input and output contact electrodes are provided, fastened to the electricalconductor provided inside the elongated body of the power cable.

[0050] . In accordance with another embodiment, the operating block 20 is arranged at said first connector 11 to connect to the electrosurgical energy generator 4.

[0051] .The operating block 20 is not necessarily an active electronic device and, for example, may be implemented as a passive electrical component with automatic operation, for example of the type comprising circuitry with a variable resistance.

[0052] , In accordance with an embodiment, the operating block 20 comprises a switch S of the passive type to open the circuit, interrupting the transmission of power to the electrosurgical instrument.

[0053] . In accordance with an embodiment, the operating block 20 comprises a fuse to achieve destructive interruption of current.

[0054] . In accordance with an embodiment, the operating block 20 comprises one or more passive variable resistors RA, sized so that the impedance thereof increases with increasing travelling electric current. By “variable resistor” it is also meant that the operating block 20 comprises one or more thermistors sized to dissipate a part of the travelling current into heat.

[0055] . In accordance with an embodiment, the operating block 20 comprises a passive voltage limiter, for example of the type formed by one or more Zener diodes. Thereby, limiting the peak voltage to a predetermined value allows limiting the power delivered by the electrosurgical instrument. The voltage may be limited, for example, to 400 Volts or to 1000 Volts.

[0056] . For example, Figure 4-A shows a power cable of the monopolar type in which the operating block 20 is of the passive type formed by a variable resistor RA.

[0057] , For example, Figure 4-B shows a power cable of the bipolar type in which the operating block 20 is of the passive type formed by a Zener diode Z and a resistor RB.

[0058] . The operating block 20 of the power cable 10 may be operable by means of control input IN, so as to allow controlling, on command, the power transmitted to the electrosurgical instrument 5, i.e. to limit and / or interrupt and / or modulate the current travelling in the power cable 10following the reception of a control input IN.

[0059] . In accordance with an embodiment, the operating block 20 comprises a circuitry thereof comprising a switch S of the relay type for receiving the control input IN, in which said relay may function as a switch or as a changeover switch.

[0060] . For example, Figure 5-A shows a power cable in which the operating block 20 comprises a switch S for receiving the control input IN.

[0061] , For example, Figure 5-B shows a power cable in which the operating block 20 comprises a switch S for receiving the control input IN, arranged in series with a variable resistor RA.

[0062] . For example, Figure 5-C shows a power cable in which the operating block 20 comprises a multichannel switch S for receiving the control input IN and switching based on the received input.

[0063] . The operating block 20 may comprise therein an electronic control unit 25 thereof, and in such case said operating block 20 is an active electronic device.

[0064] . In accordance with an embodiment, the operating block 20 comprises an active circuitry thereof comprising a programmable switch S, for example comprising therein an electronic control unit 25 with electric power supply, operable and / or controllable by means of said control input IN.

[0065] . In accordance with an embodiment, the operating block 20 comprises a receiving block 22, suitable to receive information, for example said control input IN, for the control of the operating block 20.

[0066] . In accordance with an embodiment, the operating block 20 comprises a tester 24 adapted to acquire information on the current and / or power travelling in the power cable 10, and therefore on the power delivered to the electrosurgical instrument 5.

[0067] .Where the tester 24 is included, the control input IN may be determined by the detection of an anomalous measurement by the tester, for example exceeding a certain predetermined threshold, so that the tester 24 transmits said control input.

[0068] . In accordance with an embodiment, the operating block 20 comprises a memory 23 to store information on the history of the powerdelivered by the surgical instrument and / or to store information on the impedance of the biological tissue to be treated. The memory 23 is preferably provided in operational connection with the tester 24. The operational connection between the tester 24 and the memory 23 may be managed by the electronic control unit 25.

[0069] . In accordance with an embodiment, the operating block 20 comprises a transmitter 26 suitable to transmit an output signal OU. The output signal OU may contain information on state parameters and / or operative data of the power cable. The output signal may be transmitted, when in operating conditions, to the electrosurgical energy generator 4.

[0070] , For example, Figure 6-A shows an operating block 20 comprising a tester 24 and a memory 23 to store the history of measurement data acquired by the tester.

[0071] , For example, Figure 6-B shows an operating block 20 comprising a receiving block 22 suitable to receive a control input IN and transmit it to the electronic control unit 25, a tester 24, an electronic control unit 25 to operate a switch S based on the acquired information and / or the control input, and in which a wireless transmitter 26 is further included to transmit information out of the operating block 20, in this case in the form of a wireless output signal OU.

[0072] , In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the power cable 10 is a bipolar cable comprising two phases 31 , 32, in which the tester 24 is configured for acquiring information on the impedance of the tissue to be treated. As shown, for example, in Figure 7, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the tester 24 comprises a voltage tester W between the two phases, a current tester J on the phase towards the instrument, in which the electronic control unit 25 is configured to process information acquired from the tester for calculating an impedance value of the tissue to be treated.

[0073] , In accordance with an embodiment, the first connector 13 is of a shape and size such as to be able to be coupled with the second connector 14, forming a modular unit. Thereby, in fact, it allows achieving a connection between two power cables 13. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, as shown for example in Figure 9, an additional cable segment 19 is also provided, without an operating block 20, whichacts as an extension 19, said at least one additional cable segment 19 comprising at least one connector 13’, 14’ thereof, of a shape and size such as to be couplable with the connector 13 and / or the second connector 14 of the segment of power cable comprising the operating block. It is therefore possible to achieve a modular power cable comprising a plurality of extensions, couplable to one another by means of respective connectors and couplable with the power cable segment comprising the operating block 20.

[0074] .To operate the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the active surgical instrument 5, a control interface 8 may be included on the electrosurgical instrument. For example, in this case, the electrosurgical instrument may be a non-robotic instrument i.e. not controlled by a robotic system when in operating conditions.

[0075] , In accordance with a general embodiment, the following is provided: a monitoring kit 40 comprising a power cable 10, according to any of the embodiments described above, and a monitoring device, such as, for example, a camera 6 and / or a detector 8 of vital parameters and / or a device 41 for monitoring an electrosurgical instrument 5.

[0076] , In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the operating block 20 of the power cable is configured to receive a control input IN and to adjust the current travelling in the power cable based on said control input, and the monitoring device is configured to transmit said control input IN to the operating block 20 of the power cable.

[0077] .Thereby, controlling the power of the electrosurgical instrument based on the monitoring information acquired by the monitoring device is permitted.

[0078] . For example, the monitoring device may comprise an infrared camera 6 suitable to acquire monitoring image data, so as to control the electrosurgical instrument based on the acquired monitoring image data. The monitoring device may comprise both an infrared camera and an RGB camera.

[0079] .The monitoring device may be a detector 8 of electrical parameters and / or a monitoring system of physiological parameters of the patient P. In particular, the detector 8 is adapted to acquire information from monitoring the patient's physiological parameters,such as ECG and / or heart beat and / or respiration and / or body temperature and / or brain activity and / or blood pressure and / or blood oxygenation, and to determine a value of one or more physiological parameters beyond thresholds or dangerous for the patient.

[0080] . In accordance with an embodiment, the monitoring device is suitable to measure and acquire the currents and / or powers delivered by said electrosurgical instrument 5, and to transmit control input IN to the operating block 20 of the power cable 10 based on said measurement and / or acquisition.

[0081] . The power cable 10 and the surgical instrument 5 are particularly suitable, albeit not exclusively intended, for a robotic system 1 for micro-electrosurgical teleoperation.

[0082] . In accordance with a general embodiment, a robotic system 1 for electrosurgical teleoperation comprises at least one power cable 10, according to any one of the embodiments described above, and at least one electrosurgical instrument 5, powered by means of said power cable 10.

[0083] . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the robotic system 1 is configured to transmit a control input IN to the operating block 20 of the power cable 10.

[0084] . Thereby, the robotic system 1 is allowed to effect an adjustment of the electrosurgical power.

[0085] . The control input IN transmitted by the robotic system 1 may be generated automatically by the robotic system.

[0086] . In particular, the robotic system 1 comprises at least one robotic manipulator 2 for operating the at least one electrosurgical instrument 5, the at least one active surgical instrument is mounted to the robotic manipulator 2. Between the surgical instrument and the robotic manipulator, a sterile barrier may be interposed. The robotic manipulator 2 comprises, for example, motorized actuators operated, when in operating conditions, under the control of a master control device 7, according to a master-slave architecture, in such a manner as to operate the electrosurgical instrument 5 under the control of the master control device 7. The master control device 7 is preferably of the type adapted to be gripped (hand-held) by a surgeon Sil, and for example may be ofthe type adapted to transmit tactile feedback to the surgeon Sil.

[0087] .The robotic system 1 comprises at least one electronic control unit thereof (not shown) to operate the at least one robotic manipulator 2 under the control of the control unit.

[0088] . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said operating block 20 of the power cable 10 is configured to receive a control input IN and to adjust the current travelling into the power cable based on said control input, and said control unit of the robotic system 2 is configured to transmit, to the operating block 20 of the power cable, said control input IN to operate the operating block 20 under the control of the control unit of the robotic system.

[0089] . Thereby, it is possible, when required, to adjust the power of the electrosurgical instrument based on information acquired by a camera 6 associated with the robotic system 1. In particular, according to an embodiment, the control unit of the robotic system is configured to interrupt the power cable 10 when the electrosurgical instrument is positioned outside the field of view of said camera 6. The information on the positioning of the electrosurgical instrument with respect to the field of view 6 may also be acquired by means of information on the motors of the robotic manipulator and / or by means of information acquired from the master control device 7.

[0090] . The robotic system 1 may comprise a monitoring device 40 according to any one of the embodiments described above.

[0091] . The camera 6 may comprise a thermal camera, for example of the infrared type. Alternatively or in addition, it is permitted to adjust the power of the electrosurgical instrument based on information acquired by a vital signs detector 9 of the patient P.

[0092] . The input signal IN may be transmitted by the master control device 7 of the robotic system 1 for electrosurgical teleoperation. To this end, a control interface, for example an adjustment ring nut, may be included on the body of the master control device 7, or on an accessory thereof mountable thereto, for controlling the operating block 20 of the power cable 10.

[0093] . In accordance with an embodiment, said operating block 20 of the power cable 10 comprises a transmitter 26 configured to transmit anoutput signal OU.

[0094] . The output signal OU is, according to a preferred embodiment, transmitted to the master command operating console M of the robotic system 1 for electrosurgical teleoperation. The output signal OU may be processed to display on screen 3 an alarm signal AL. The output signal OU may be processed to transmit a tactile feedback to the master command device 7.

[0095] . Said control unit of the robotic system 1 may be configured for receiving said output signal OU and for operating the at least one robotic manipulator 2 based on said output signal OU. Thereby, it allows, when necessary, to block the robotic manipulator 2 when the operating block 20 detects too much travelling current and / or too much power transmitted to the surgical instrument.

[0096] . In accordance with an embodiment, the robotic system 1 comprises a screen 3 for displaying information on the electrosurgical scene, in which the operating block 20 is configured to transmit, by means of the transmitter 26 thereof, an output signal OU to said screen 3, so that the screen 3 displays information on state parameters and / or operative data of the power cable, and in particular on the power of the electrosurgical instrument 5.

[0097] . The robotic system 1 may also comprise the electrosurgical energy generator 4. In particular, said electrosurgical energy generator 4 may deliver radiofrequency power between 100kHz - 3MHz and / or maximum powers up to 400W and / or frequency modulations between 1 Hz - 100 kHz and / or aperiodic modulations and / or duty cycle between 1 % - 100%.

[0098] . Hereinafter, a control method of an electrosurgical teleoperation robotic system will be described.

[0099] . A control method of a robotic system for electrosurgical teleoperation 1 comprising an electrosurgical instrument 5 and a power cable 10, according to any one of the embodiments described above, comprises the steps of acquiring monitoring information, and, based on the acquired monitoring information, transmitting a control input IN to the power cable of the electrosurgical instrument 5 to adjust the delivered electrosurgical power.

[0100] . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the methodfurther comprises, based on the acquired monitoring information, the step of recognizing and discriminating an anomaly, to transmit a control input IN to the power cable of the electrosurgical instrument 5 to adjust the electrosurgical power delivered.

[0101] . The monitoring information is preferably acquired by a monitoring device 40, according to any one of the embodiments described above.

[0102] . In particular, the monitoring device 40 may comprise, preferably, a camera 6 and / or a detector 8 of the vital parameters of the patient P and / or a device suitable for the measurement and acquisition of the currents and / or powers delivered by said electrosurgical instrument 5.

[0103] . The information acquired by the monitoring device may be transmitted to the robotic system 1 for electrosurgical teleoperation, so that the control unit of the robotic system 1 for electrosurgical teleoperation transmits the control input IN to the operating block 20 of the power cable 10.

[0104] . Hereinafter, a control method of an electrosurgical teleoperation robotic system will be described.

[0105] . A control method for a robotic system for electrosurgical teleoperation 1 comprising an electrosurgical instrument 5 and a power cable 10, according to any one of the embodiments described above, comprises the steps of controlling the electrosurgical instrument 5 by means of the operating block 20 of the power cable 10.

[0106] . Thereby, by means of the output signal OU of the operating block 20, it is possible to transmit a control signal to the robotic system 1 , for controlling the at least one robotic manipulator 2. For example, it allows the movement of the instrument to be slowed simultaneously with the adjustment (limitation) of the electrosurgical power transmitted by the power cable 10.

[0107] . A control method for an electrosurgical instrument will be described below.

[0108] . The control method is particularly adapted, albeit not exclusively intended, to be carried out by a control unit of an electrosurgical teleoperation robotic system, according to any one ofthe embodiments described above.

[0109] . The control method comprises the step of automatically adjusting the power of the electrosurgical instrument by operating on the power cable 10 thereof. The power cable is preferably a power cable according to any one of the embodiments described above.

[0110] . By virtue of such a method, it is possible to adjust the power of the instrument without intervening on the electrosurgical energy generator.

[0111] . In particular, the method comprises the step of limiting the power delivered by the electrosurgical instrument by means of the power cable.

[0112] . The control method of an electrosurgical instrument for performing an electrosurgical procedure comprises the step of adjusting the power of the electrosurgical instrument, by means of adjustment, with the operating block 20 of the power cable, of the current travelling in the power cable.

[0113] . Preferably, the step of adjusting the power of the electrosurgical instrument is carried out by avoiding receiving control input from the electrosurgical energy generator associated with said electrosurgical instrument and power cable assembly.

[0114] . Preferably the step of adjusting the power of the electrosurgical instrument is carried out by avoiding receiving any control input external to the power cable;

[0115] . For example, the step of adjusting is carried out based on the assessment of the current travelling in the power cable carried out by the operating block,

[0116] . By virtue of such a method, an electrosurgical instrument and power cable assembly is made compatible with a variety of electrosurgical generators available on the market, as the control over the delivered power occurs at the level of the power cable.

[0117] . The method may comprise the step of transmitting a control input signal IN to operate the power cable, so that, following said control input, the power cable limits or interrupts the current travelling in the power cable, limiting or interrupting the delivered electrosurgical power. In this case the control input does not originate from theelectrosurgical energy generator.

[0118] . The method may comprise the step of transmitting control signals from the power cable 10 to the robotic system 2. The transmitted control signals may comprise video signals to display an alarm. The transmitted control signals may comprise control signals intended to interrupt the ongoing teleoperation, i.e. to disable the control of the electrosurgical instrument 5 by means of the master control device 7 thereof.

[0119] . By virtue of the features described above, provided either separately or in combination with one another in particular embodiments, it is possible to meet the needs mentioned above, and to obtain the aforementioned advantages, and in particular:

[0120] . - the power limitation may be performed by a destructive passive component (fuse) and / or non-destructive (such as a switch) integrated in the power cable, which may limit the power on the instrument, so as to limit possible risks to the patient / operator due to breakage of the instrument or incompatibility problems;

[0121] . -a memory is included, integrated in the power cable, which can store the voltage and current values which have passed through the electrosurgical instrument over the life thereof in the operating field, that is, to have the “log files” of the electrosurgical instrument;

[0122] . - the power threshold may be mapped as a function;

[0123] . - a power cable is provided compatible with a variety of commercially available electrosurgical generators, as once the resistive load at the generator output is known (that is, the electrical resistance equivalent to the patient's tissue) and the operating block may be capable of deriving the power which the generator delivers.

[0124] . It is well understood that the combinations of features disclosed in the appended claims form an integral part of the present disclosure.In order to meet specific, contingent needs, those skilled in the art may make several changes and adaptations to the above-described embodiments and can replace elements with others which are functionally equivalent, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 1 Robotic system2 Robotic manipulator3 Screen or display4 Electrosurgical energy generator5 Electrosurgical instrument6 Camera7 Master control device8 Control interface of the instrument9 Vital signs detector10 Power cable11 First end12 Second end13 First connector14 Second connector19 Extension or segment20 Operating block22 Receiving block23 Memory24 T ester25 Electronic control unit of the power cable 26 T ransmitter30 Assembly31 Phase32 Phase40 Monitoring kit41 Device for monitoring the instrumentP PatientRA Variable resistanceRB ResistorS SwitchZ Zener DiodeJ Current testerw Voltage testerIN Control inputOU Output signalAL Displayed alarm informationSU SurgeonM Master control operating console

Claims

CLAIMS1. Power cable (10) for an electrosurgical instrument (5) comprising an end with a connector (13) to connect to an electrosurgical energy generator (4), andan operating block (20), configured to adjust the current travelling into the power cable, with the purpose of adjusting the power of the electrosurgical instrument (5).

2. Power cable according to claim 1 , wherein the operating block (20) is configured to limit the current travelling into the power cable so as to limit the power of the electrosurgical instrument.

3. Power cable according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said operating block (20) is a passive electric component.

4. Power cable according to claim 3, wherein said operating block (20) comprises:- one or more passive variable resistors (RA) with impedance increasing with the increase in travelling electric current; and / or- a passive voltage limiter, such as of the Zener diode (Z) type.

5. Power cable according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said operating block (20) comprises an electronic control unit (25) to control the operating block.

6. Power cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating block (20) operates in the absence of inputs originating from the electrosurgical energy generator, preferably in the absence of any control input external to the power cable.

7. Power cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating block (20) comprises a tester (24) suitable to acquire information on the current travelling into the power cable and the relative power of the electrosurgical instrument.

8. Power cable according to claim 7, wherein- the power cable is a bipolar cable for a bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising two phases (31 , 32); and wherein- the tester (24) is configured to acquire information on the impedance of the tissue to be treated.wherein, preferably, the tester (24) comprises:- a voltage tester (W) between the two phases;- a current tester (J) on the phase towards the instrument;and wherein the electronic control unit (25) is configured to process the information acquired by the tester to compute an impedance value of the tissue to be treated.

9. Power cable according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a memory (23) to store information on the history of the power of the electrosurgical instrument and / or to store information on the impedance of the tissue to be treated.

10. Power cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (25) is configured to acquire information from said tester (24) and / or from said memory (23), and to control the operating block (20) based on the acquired information; preferably, wherein the operating block (20) comprises a transmitter (26) suitable to transmit an output signal (OU), for example containing information on state parameters and / or operative data of the power cable.

11. Power cable according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second connector (14, 14’, 14”) located on the opposite end with respect to the connector (13) and suitable for connection with the electrosurgical instrument; and wherein the connector is of shape and size suited to be coupled with the second connector, thereby making a modular unit; wherein, preferably, said cable further comprising at least one additional cable segment (19), without any operating block, said at least one additional cable segment comprising at least one connector thereof of shape and size suited to be coupled with the connector and / or the second connector.

12. Assembly of instrument and power cable (30) comprising- an electrosurgical instrument (5),- a power cable (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. Monitoring kit (40) comprising:- a power cable (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said operating block (20) of the power cable is configured to receive a control input (IN) and to adjust the current travelling into the power cable based on said control input; and- a monitoring device, such as a camera (6) and / or a detector (8) for detecting vital signs and / or a device (41) to measure current and / or powerof the electrosurgical instrument, configured to transmit said control input (IN) to the operating block (20) of the power cable.

14. Control method of an electrosurgical instrument comprising -providing an electrosurgical instrument and power cable assembly, according to claim 12;-adjusting the power of the electrosurgical instrument, by adjustment, with the operating block (20) of the power cable, of the current travelling in the power cable.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the step of adjusting the power of the electrosurgical instrument is carried out by avoiding receiving control input from the electrosurgical energy generator associated with said electrosurgical instrument and power cable assembly, preferably by avoiding receiving any control input external to the power cable;for example, wherein the step of adjusting is carried out based on the assessment of the current travelling in the power cable carried out by the operating block.

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