A robotic system includes an electrosurgical generator; an electrosurgical instrument including an electrosurgical connector; and a robotic arm having an instrument drive unit coupled to the electrosurgical instrument. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit housing having: an electrosurgical receptacle coupled to the electrosurgical generator and configured to engage the electrosurgical connector; an activation link configured to engage the electrosurgical connector; and a detection switch actuatable by the actuation link upon being engaged by the electrosurgical connector.

An elongate medical device shaft may comprise an elongate body and an annular electrode disposed on the elongate body. The annular electrode may define a longitudinal axis and have an outer diameter. The outer diameter may be greater at an axial center of the electrode than at an axial end of the electrode. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate body may comprise three longitudinal sections having three wall thicknesses. The middle wall thickness may be less than the proximal and distal wall thicknesses and the distal wall thickness may be less than the proximal wall thickness. Additionally or alternatively, the shaft may comprise an inner cylindrical structure and an outer tube. The outer tube may comprise a first radial layer and a second radial layer that is radially-outward of the first radial layer, the first radial layer, second radial layer, and inner structure having different stiffnesses.

Systems, such as an electrosurgical unit, and method for use with an active electrode and a plurality of return electrodes are disclosure. An electrosurgical treatment is provided to tissue via the active electrode at a treatment site and a first return electrode of the plurality of return electrodes at the treatment site. An impedance measurement is received or determined of an impedance in the tissue between the active electrode at the treatment site and a second return electrode of the plurality of return electrodes at a site remote from the treatment site.

An electrosurgical system includes a generator, a delivery device, a return device, and a return electrode monitor (REM). The delivery device is in electrical communication with the generator and has a delivery electrode configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue. The return device has a first jaw member including a first return electrode and a second jaw member including a second return electrode. The first and second jaw members are configured to capture tissue between the first and second return electrodes. The REM is disposed within the generator and is in electrical communication with the first and second return electrodes. The REM is configured to determine a size of a return contact area of the first and second return electrodes with tissue to prevent delivery of electrosurgical energy from the generator to tissue when the size of the return contact are is below a threshold size.

An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical unit electrically coupled to a surgical retractor. The electrosurgical unit includes an RF output and an RF return. The surgical retractor includes a return pad electrically coupled to the RF return of the electrosurgical unit. The electrosurgical unit includes an RF output configured to be coupled to an electrosurgical device, such as an electrosurgical device configured in a monopolar mode. A controller is configured to determine an impedance in tissue at a surgical area electrically disposed between the RF output and the and the RF return. The surgical retractor includes a handle and a blade configured to interface with tissue. The blade includes a return electrode.

Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for providing coordinated energy outputs of separate but connected modules, in some cases using communication protocols such as the Data Distribution Service standard (DDS). In some aspects, there is provided a communication circuit between a header or main device, a first module, and a second module, each including connection to a segment of a common backplane, where the output from a first module can be adjusted by sensing a parameter from a second module. In some aspects, the signal can pass from the first module through the header to the second module, or in other cases directly from the first module to the second module. Aspects of the present disclosure also include methods for automatically activating a bipolar surgical system in one or more of the modular systems using the DDS standard.

A method for controlling an output of an energy module of a modular energy system. The energy module can comprise a plurality of amplifiers configured to generate a drive signal at a frequency range and a plurality of ports coupled to the plurality of amplifiers. The method includes determining to which port of the plurality of ports the surgical instrument is connected, selectively coupling an amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers to the port of the plurality of ports to which the surgical instrument is connected, and controlling the amplifier to deliver the drive signal for driving the energy modality to the surgical instrument through the port.

A first module configured to engage with a second module in a stacked configuration to define a modular energy system is provided. The second module comprises a second bridge connector portion that comprises a second outer housing and a second electrical connection element. The first module comprises a first bridge connector portion comprising a first outer housing and a first electrical connection element. The first outer housing is configured to engage the second outer housing during assembly of the modular energy system prior to the first electrical connection element engaging the second electrical connection element.

This invention relates to high-frequency ablation of tissue in the body using a cooled high-frequency electrode connected to a high frequency generator including a computer graphic control system and an automatic controller for control the signal output from the generator, and adapted to display on a real time graphic display a measured parameter related to the ablation process and visually monitor the variation of the parameter of the signal output that is controlled by the controller during the ablation process. In one example, one or more measured parameters are displayed simultaneously to visually interpret the relation of their variation and values. In one example, the displayed one or more parameters can be taken from the list of measured voltage, current, power, impedance, electrode temperature, and tissue temperature related to the ablation process. The graphic display gives the clinician an instantaneous and intuitive feeling for the dynamics and stability of the ablation process for safety and control. This invention relates to monitoring and controlling multiple ground pads to optimally carry return currents during high-frequency tissue ablation, and to prevent of ground-pad skin burns. This invention relates to the use of ultrasound imaging intraoperatively during a tissue ablation procedure. This invention relates to the use of nerve stimulation and blocking during a tissue ablation procedure.

An electrosurgical vessel sealing device that can seal biological vessels using a confined microwave field that yields a well-defined seal location with low thermal margin. The device comprises a pair of jaws that are movable relative to each other to grip biological tissue. A blade for cutting the gripped tissue is slidable between the jaws. A coplanar microstrip antenna is mounted on the inner surface of one or both of the pair of jaws to emit microwave energy into the gap therebetween. The device may comprise a separate dissector element to enable fine tissue cutting and dissection to be performed.