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WO2025098797A1 - Système électrochirurgical, commutateur à pédales électrochirurgical et son procédé de fonctionnement - Google Patents

Système électrochirurgical, commutateur à pédales électrochirurgical et son procédé de fonctionnement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2025098797A1
WO2025098797A1 PCT/EP2024/080153 EP2024080153W WO2025098797A1 WO 2025098797 A1 WO2025098797 A1 WO 2025098797A1 EP 2024080153 W EP2024080153 W EP 2024080153W WO 2025098797 A1 WO2025098797 A1 WO 2025098797A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electrosurgical
footswitch
pedal
control device
electrosurgical system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/EP2024/080153
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Wolfgang Kuehne
Yü-Jen Lee
Felix KÖHNECKE
Gregory Berg
Imke Malchow
Daniel Ramin
Thomas Fähsing
Anne Kwik
Henning MUSCHKO
Charlotte SCHIERNING
Veronika HANDRICK
Imke HAASE
Thomas Stein
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Olympus Winter and Ibe GmbH
Original Assignee
Olympus Winter and Ibe GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE102023131154.9A external-priority patent/DE102023131154A1/de
Priority claimed from DE102023131153.0A external-priority patent/DE102023131153A1/de
Priority claimed from DE102023131155.7A external-priority patent/DE102023131155A1/de
Priority claimed from DE102023131151.4A external-priority patent/DE102023131151A1/de
Application filed by Olympus Winter and Ibe GmbH filed Critical Olympus Winter and Ibe GmbH
Publication of WO2025098797A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025098797A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

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    • A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B18/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating
    • A61B18/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
    • A61B18/1206—Generators therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • A61B90/36—Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
    • A61B90/37—Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation
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    • A61B2018/00607—Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
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    • A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B18/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating
    • A61B18/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
    • A61B18/1206—Generators therefor
    • A61B2018/1273—Generators therefor including multiple generators in one device
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B34/00—Computer-aided surgery; Manipulators or robots specially adapted for use in surgery
    • A61B34/20—Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
    • A61B2034/2046—Tracking techniques
    • A61B2034/2065—Tracking using image or pattern recognition
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
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    • A61B34/00—Computer-aided surgery; Manipulators or robots specially adapted for use in surgery
    • A61B34/25—User interfaces for surgical systems
    • A61B2034/254—User interfaces for surgical systems being adapted depending on the stage of the surgical procedure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
    • A61B90/08—Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for
    • A61B2090/0807—Indication means
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    • A61B90/90—Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
    • A61B90/92—Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags coded with colour

Definitions

  • Electrosurqical System Electrosurqical Footswitch, and Method of Operating the Same
  • the present disclosure relates to electrosurgical systems. More specifically, the disclosure relates to electrosurgical systems including footswitches, and to methods of operating the same.
  • Electrosurgery In electrosurgery, electrical currents are used to directly or indirectly achieve various different tissue effects. Electrosurgery usually involves one or more electrodes being brought close to or in contact with tissue under treatment, and applying alternating current to cause a tissue effect. Example tissue effects may be heating, desiccation, coagulation, cutting, cauterization, denucleation, vaporization, or the like.
  • the current may be routed through the tissue under treatment to achieve a desired effect.
  • the current may be routed through a conductive liquid to induce formation of a plasma, which then causes a desired tissue effect.
  • the current may be applied to electromechanical transducers to cause mechanical vibrations, like ultrasonic vibration, in an instrument to cause a desired tissue effect.
  • the electrosurgical current also called therapy current
  • therapy current is usually formed in a dedicated surgical generator, and then transferred to an electrosurgical instrument through a cable.
  • Modern electrosurgical generators are capable of providing therapy currents with a variety of different characteristics like current, voltage, waveform, and the like.
  • a foot switch comprises one or more pedals, which can be operated by the practitioner’s foot.
  • the foot switch may be placed under the operation table, so that it can conveniently be operated be the practitioner while performing surgery.
  • a foot switch is connected to a surgical generator by means of a cable.
  • a cable may be inconvenient in the OR theatre, because it adds to other cables required for interconnecting the generator with electrosurgical instruments, and the like.
  • Wireless footswitches are known which can reduce the cable complexity.
  • Wireless footswitches need to be supplied with electrical energy, typically through primary or secondary batteries.
  • Primary batteries use a non-reversible electrochemical reaction to provide electrical energy. Due to the non-reversible reaction, primary batteries cannot be reused, and need to be discarded once depleted.
  • Secondary batteries use a reversible electrochemical reaction for storing and providing electrical energy. Secondary batteries can be recharged when they are depleted, so they can be used multiple times.
  • electrosurgical generators a plurality of electrosurgical generators, footswitches, and electrosurgical instruments may be employed. Correctly assigning the footswitches to respective generators and instruments can be cumbersome and prone to errors. Further, electromagnetic interferences may affect communication within the electrosurgical system. It would be desirable to provide electrosurgical generators and footswitches addressing these and other issues.
  • footswitches need to undergo reprocessing under each use.
  • electrical and electronic components of foot switches may get into contact with reprocessing agents like water, detergents, disinfectants, or the like, causing the components to degrade. It would be desirable to provide footswitches being less susceptible to damage through reprocessing agents.
  • the present disclosure provides electrosurgical systems including electrosurgical generators and footswitches taking account of one or more of the above issues.
  • an electrosurgical system comprising an electrosurgical generator and a footswitch for operation with the electrosurgical generator, the footswitch including a rechargeable source of electrical energy, wherein the electrosurgical system further comprises a charging device couplable with the footswitch for recharging the source of electrical energy.
  • the electrosurgical system may further comprise a moveable support unit for supporting the electrosurgical generator, wherein the charging device is attached to the moveable support unit.
  • the moveable support unit may be a trolley or a cart.
  • the charging device may be fixedly mounted on a wall or a floor.
  • the footswitch may be autonomously moveable between a use position and the charging device.
  • the charging device may comprise a receptacle for receiving the footswitch.
  • the charging device and the footswitch may comprise mutually corresponding coupling means for transferring electrical energy from the charging device to the footswitch.
  • the mutually corresponding coupling means comprise a plug and a socket.
  • the mutually corresponding coupling means may comprise induction coils.
  • the mutually corresponding coupling means may comprise a first galvanic coupling element mounted on a first one of the footswitch and the charging device, a second galvanic coupling element moveably mounted on a second one of the footswitch and the charging device, and a magnetic element urging the first and second galvanic coupling element into contact.
  • the magnetic element may comprise a permanent magnet on a first one of the first and second coupling means and a ferromagnetic element on a second one of the first and second coupling means.
  • the second galvanic element may be held in a home position by one or more bias elements, and may be moved into a coupling position by a force of the magnetic element.
  • Disclosed herein is a charging device of an electrosurgical system according to the above description.
  • the footswitch may comprise indicator means for indicating a charging status of the rechargeable energy source.
  • the indicator means may comprise one or more LEDs.
  • an electrosurgical system comprising: an electrosurgical generator, and a footswitch for operation with the electrosurgical generator, wherein the footswitch comprises at least two pedals, and wherein the electrosurgical generator, the footswitch, or both comprise features for preventing inadvertent activation of a wrong pedal of the footswitch.
  • the footswitch may comprise mechanical means enabling a user to distinguish between the at least two pedals.
  • Each pedal of the footswitch may be moveable between a home position and an activation position, wherein the at least two pedals of the footswitch have different heights at their home position.
  • At least one of the pedals of the footswitch may comprise an upper surface with haptic features.
  • Each of the at least two pedals may comprise different haptic features at an upper surface.
  • At least one partition wall may be provided between the at least two pedals of the footswitch.
  • the footswitch my comprise a bracket spanning the at least two pedals. The bracket may be moveable.
  • Each of the at least two pedals may be movable between a home position and an activation position against the force of a bias element, and the bias elements of respective pedals may have different force characteristics.
  • the bias element of at least one of the pedals may have a non-linear force characteristic.
  • the electrosurgical generator may be configured to dynamically control assignment of the at least two pedals of the footswitch to electrosurgical functionalities of the electrosurgical generator.
  • the electrosurgical generator may be configured to assign at least wo of the two or more pedals to the same functionality.
  • the electrosurgical generator may be configured to assign at least one of the two or more pedals to no functionality.
  • the electrosurgical generator may be configured to dynamically assign at least one pedal of the footswitch to a functionality, to which no pedal had previously been assigned, in response to a user applying a predetermined activation sequence to the at least one pedal.
  • the electrosurgical generator may further be configured to issue an indication of which pedal currently is operated by a user.
  • the indication may include a visual indication, like a display of a color element and/or a textual element on a graphical user interface of the electrosurgical generator.
  • the indication may include an audible indication, like outputting a signal sound and/or a spoken textual element through a speaker of the electrosurgical generator.
  • the indication may include issuing an activation signal to a haptic feedback element of an electrosurgical element.
  • the footswitch may comprise one or more sensors associated with the two or more pedals for issuing a signal to the electrosurgical generator when at least one of the two or more pedals is operated.
  • the one or more sensors may comprise a touch sensor.
  • the one or more sensors may comprise a proximity sensor.
  • At least one pedal of the two or more pedals of the footswitch may comprise an electrically or electronically modifiable bias element, and the electrosurgical generator may be configured to dynamically modify the force characteristics of the at least one pedal.
  • the footswitch may comprise a base, a first pedal arranged on the base, a second pedal arranged on the base, and a footrest area arranged on the base between the first pedal and the second pedal.
  • the first and second pedal may each comprise four support pins. Each of the support pins may comprise a bias element and/or an electrical or electronic switch.
  • the footrest area may comprise a structured surface for providing enhanced frictional grip. A friction coefficient between a lower surface of the base and the ground may be lower than a friction coefficient between a sole of a surgical shoe and the surface of the footrest area.
  • a surface of the base of the footswitch may be coated with a material having a high coefficient of friction and high resistivity against dirt and moisture. The material may comprise a silicone resin.
  • the footswitch may comprise means for reducing unwanted sliding of the footswitch on the ground.
  • the means for reducing unwanted sliding may comprise extendable and retractable stopper elements.
  • the stopper elements may comprise friction pins.
  • the stopper elements may comprise suction cups.
  • the footswitch may further comprise switching means for extending and/or retracting the stopping elements.
  • the switching means may comprise a release button or an activation lever.
  • a surgical system comprising: at least one surgical device; a control device for controlling the surgical device; and a footswitch; wherein the control device is configured to operate in a first operational mode, causing the surgical device to perform a first surgical function, and to operate in a second operational mode, causing the surgical device to perform a second surgical function; and wherein the footswitch comprises a first input element for switching the control device between the first operational mode and the second operational mode; a second input element for activating and/or deactivating the first or second surgical function; a communication interface; and a processor; the processor being configured to bidirectionally exchange data with the control device through the communication interface.
  • the first input element may be a toggle button.
  • the second input element may be a pedal.
  • the footswitch may comprise means for optically indicating the operational mode of the control device.
  • the footswitch may comprise a light source for illuminating a portion of the footswitch.
  • the light source may be configured to illuminate the pedal.
  • the light source may be configured to illuminate the pedal with light having a first color when the control device is in the first operational mode, and to illuminate the pedal with light having a second color when the control device is in the second operational mode.
  • the footswitch may comprise an electronic display element.
  • the electronic display element may comprise an E-Ink display.
  • the E-Ink display may be part of the pedal switch.
  • the electronic display element may be configured to display a graphical element in a first color when the control device is in the first operational mode, and to display a graphical element in a second color when the control device is in the second operational mode.
  • the footswitch may comprise one or more sensors for detecting a status of the footswitch.
  • the one or more sensors may comprise at least one of a battery sensor, a connectivity sensor, a brightness sensor, and a positioning sensor.
  • an electrosurgical system comprising: at least one electrosurgical instrument, an electrosurgical control device, and at least one footswitch; the electrosurgical control device and the at least one footswitch being configured to wireless communicate with each other; wherein the electrosurgical control device and the at least one footswitch are configured to operate in a first operational mode and in a second operational mode; wherein, in the first operational mode, the electrosurgical control device and the at least one footswitch are configured to negotiate communication parameters for wireless communication between the electrosurgical control device and the at least one footswitch, and to store the negotiated communication parameters in respective memory elements of the electrosurgical control device and the at least one foot switch; and, in the second operational mode, the electrosurgical control device and the at least one footswitch are configured to retrieve stored communication parameters from respective memory elements, and to use the retrieved communication parameters for wireless communication between the electrosurgical control device and the at least one footswitch.
  • the electrosurgical control device and the at least one footswitch may be configured to communicate, in the second operational mode, using an IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) standard.
  • the electrosurgical control device and the at least one footswitch may be configured to communicate, in the first operational mode, using a Bluetooth standard, RFID, NFC, or other wireless communication means.
  • the electrosurgical control device and the at least one footswitch may be configured to use static or dynamic optical indicia, like barcodes, QR- codes, or the like, for negotiation in the first operational mode.
  • the electrosurgical control device and the at least one footswitch may be configured to operate in the second operational mode upon power-on.
  • an electrosurgical system comprising an electrosurgical control device and at least one electrosurgical instrument, wherein the at least one electrosurgical instrument is configured to transmit instrument identification information to the electrosurgical control device upon connection of the at least one electrosurgical instrument with the electrosurgical control device.
  • the at least one electrosurgical instrument and the electrosurgical control device may be configured to communicate instrument identification information using optical communication.
  • the at least one electrosurgical instrument may comprise an optical transmitter and the electrosurgical control device may comprise at least one optical receiver.
  • the at least one electrosurgical instrument may comprise a first controller connected to the optical transmitter, and the electrosurgical control device may comprise a second controller connected to the at least one optical receiver.
  • the first controller may be configured to encode instrument identification information into an activation pattern of the optical transmitter, and the second controller may be configured to decode a received activation pattern from the optical receiver into received instrument identification information.
  • an electrosurgical system comprising: an electrosurgical control device; a first electrosurgical instrument connected to the electrosurgical control device; a second electrosurgical instrument connected to the electrosurgical control device; a footswitch connected to the electrosurgical control device; a camera; and an image processing device; wherein the camera is configured to acquire an image of a surgical site, and the image processing device is configured to receive the image from the camera, to analyse the image to identify which one of the first electrosurgical instrument and the second electrosurgical instrument is currently being used in the surgical site, and to send an instrument selection signal to the electrosurgical control device.
  • the electrosurgical control device may be configured to enable electrosurgical therapy current output to the electrosurgical instrument currently being used in the surgical site, and to disable electrosurgical therapy current output to any electrosurgical instrument not currently used in the surgical site.
  • the electrosurgical control device may be configured to apply control signals received from the footswitch to the electrosurgical instrument currently being used in the surgical site.
  • an electrosurgical system comprising at least one electrosurgical instrument; an electrosurgical energy source for providing electrosurgical energy to the at least one electrosurgical instrument; and a footswitch device for controlling the electrosurgical energy source; wherein data communication between the footswitch device and the electrosurgical energy source is at least partially based on optical data communication technology.
  • optical data communication technology may reduce or eliminate the risk of malfunctions caused by electromagnetic interferences.
  • the electrosurgical energy source and the footswitch device may be connected through an optical fiber.
  • the optical fiber may be a polymeric optical fiber.
  • the electrosurgical energy source and the footswitch device are configured to bidirectionally communicate through the optical fiber.
  • the footswitch device may comprise a plurality of pedals, and activation signals of the plurality of pedals may be communicated through the optical fiber using wavelength-division multiplexing.
  • an electrosurgical system may comprise a plurality of footswitch devices; and data communication between the plurality of footswitch devices and the electrosurgical energy source may be routed through the same optical fiber using wavelength-division multiplexing.
  • the electrosurgical system may further comprise a multiplexer; wherein each of the footswitch devices is connected to the multiplexer through a separate footswitch device connection; and the multiplexer is connected to the electrosurgical energy source through the optical fiber.
  • the electrosurgical system may further comprise a demultiplexer; wherein the electrosurgical energy source comprises a plurality of footswitch connection ports; the demultiplexer is connected to the multiplexer through the optical fiber; and the demultiplexer is connected to the plurality of footswitch connection ports through separate energy source connections.
  • the separate footswitch connections and/or the separate energy source connections may be electrical connections.
  • the separate footswitch connections and/or the separate energy source connections may be optical connections.
  • a footswitch device of an electrosurgical system having a base comprising a plurality of mounting spaces for receiving individual pedal units; and at least one individual pedal unit to be removably mounted on one of the plurality of mounting spaces.
  • Each of the mounting spaces and the at least one individual pedal unit may comprise complementary mounting means for mounting the at least one individual pedal unit to the plurality of mounting spaces.
  • the complementary mounting means may comprise magnets.
  • the complementary mounting means may comprise pins and pin receptacles.
  • the complementary mounting means may comprise clamping means.
  • the complementary mounting means may comprise a spring.
  • the footswitch device may further comprise a control unit configured to determine an activation status on the one at least one individual pedal unit in a contact- free manner.
  • Each of the plurality of mounting spaces may comprise a reed switch connected to the control unit; and the at least one individual pedal unit may comprise a magnet, the magnet being arranged on the individual pedal unit so that the magnet is brought into the vicinity of a reed switch when a pedal of the individual pedal unit is depressed.
  • Each of the plurality of mounting spaces may comprise a photosensitive element connected to the control unit; and the at least one individual pedal unit may comprise a light source to be activated when a pedal of the individual pedal is depressed.
  • Each of the plurality of mounting spaces may comprise a photosensitive element and a light source connected to the control unit; and the at least one individual pedal unit may comprise an optical element configured to redirect light of the light source to the photosensitive element when a pedal of the individual pedal is depressed.
  • the base may comprise an RFID interrogator and the at least one individual pedal unit may comprise an RFID token configured to be brought into reading distance of the RFID interrogator when a pedal of the individual pedal unit is depressed.
  • the footswitch device may be configured to communicate with an electrosurgical energy source through an optical fiber.
  • the at least one individual pedal unit may comprise a light source to be activated when a pedal of the individual pedal is depressed; and the base may comprise a light collection element associated with each mounting space; the light collection element being configured to couple the light of the light source into the optical fiber.
  • a footswitch device of an electrosurgical system comprising a first base; one or more pedals arranged on the base; and a first optical system for guiding light from a light source to a light receiver; wherein each of the one or more pedals comprises an optical element interacting with the optical system, so that at least one characteristic of light guided through the optical system is modified when one of the one or more pedals is depressed.
  • the footswitch device may comprise two or more pedals, and the two or more pedals may comprise wavelength-selective optical elements.
  • the wavelength-selective optical elements may comprise filters.
  • the wavelength-selective optical elements may comprise dichroic mirrors.
  • the two or more pedals may be configured to move the wavelength selective optical element out of a beam path of the first optical system when the respective pedal is depressed.
  • the two or more pedals may be configured to move the wavelength selective optical element into a beam path of the first optical system when the respective pedal is depressed.
  • a footswitch device may further comprise a second base; at least one pedal arranged on the second base; and a second optical system; wherein the second base may removably couplable with the first base; and the second optical system may be connected to the first optical system when the second base is coupled to the first base.
  • the first base may further comprise a shutter for closing off the first optical system when the second base is not coupled to the first base.
  • the light source and the light receiver may be provided in the first base.
  • the footswitch device may further comprise connection means for connecting the first optical system with an external light source and/or an external light receiver.
  • an electrosurgical system comprising at least one electrosurgical instrument; an electrosurgical energy source; and a footswitch device having at least one pedal; the electrosurgical system further comprising an RFID interrogator; and each of the at least one pedal being associated with an RFID tag; wherein the RFID tags are mechanically linked to the at least one pedal so that the RFID tag is moved into or out of a reading distance of the RFID interrogator when the respective pedal is depressed.
  • Fig. 1 An electrosurgical system
  • Fig. 2a - c Charging devices of an electrosurgical system
  • Fig. 3a, b A galvanic coupling device
  • Fig. 4 A footswitch and a charging device
  • Fig. 5a - d Different footswitches
  • Fig. 6 A further footswitch
  • Fig. 7a - 7c Different force characteristics of a footswitch
  • Fig. 8 A further footswitch
  • Fig. 9 A futher footswitch
  • Fig. 11a, b A further footswitch
  • Fig. 12a, b A further footswitch
  • Fig. 13 A further footswitch
  • Fig. 14 A further footswitch
  • Fig. 15a, b A further electrosurgical system
  • Fig. 16 Another electrosurgical system
  • Fig. 17a - 17d Activation patterns
  • Fig. 18 An electrosurgical system
  • Fig. 19 A camera view
  • Fig. 20 A further electrosurgical system
  • Fig. 21 An optical communication system
  • Fig. 22 A further optical communication system
  • Fig. 23 A further electrosurgical system
  • Fig. 24 A footswitch device
  • Fig. 25 A sideview of the footswitch device of Fig. 24;
  • Fig. 26 A modified footswitch device
  • Fig. 27 A further modified footswitch device
  • Fig. 28 An even further modified footswitch device
  • Fig. 29 Another modified footswitch device
  • Fig. 30 Yet another modified footswitch device
  • Fig. 31 A further footswitch device
  • Fig. 32 A further electrosurgical system
  • Fig. 33 An activation detection system.
  • Fig. 1 shows an electrosurgical system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the electrosurgical system 1 comprises an electrosurgical generator 10 and an electrosurgical instrument 11.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 and the electrosurgical instrument 11 are connected by a cable 12 for transmission of electrosurgical therapy currents from the electrosurgical generator 10 to the electrosurgical instrument 11.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 comprises a graphical user interface 15, which may be or include a touch screen, and audio input I output devices like a microphone 16 and a speaker 17.
  • the electrosurgical instrument 11 may comprise a haptic feedback device 18 like a vibration source.
  • the electrosurgical system 1 further comprises a footswitch 20 for controlling one or more functions of the electrosurgical generator 10.
  • the footswitch 20 comprises a first pedal 21 and a second pedal 22.
  • the first and second pedals 21, 22 are operatable to send activation signals from the footswitch 20 to the electrosurgical generator 10, for causing the electrosurgical generator to transmit different therapy currents to the electrosurgical instrument 11.
  • pushing the first pedal 21 may cause the electrosurgical generator 10 to transmit a first therapy current suitable for cutting of tissue.
  • pushing the second pedal 22 may cause the electrosurgical generator 10 to transmit a second therapy current suitable for coagulation of tissue.
  • the footswitch 20 is configured to wirelessly communicate with the electrosurgical generator 10. Therefore, the footswitch 20 comprises a source of electrical energy 25, which may be a rechargeable battery 25 (shown in broken lines). In some embodiments, a single-use battery may be used instead of rechargeable battery 25.
  • One or more visual indicators 26, 27 are provided on the footswitch 20 to indicate a charging status of the battery 25.
  • the visual indicators 26, 27 may comprise LEDs, like a green LED for indicating a full battery, and a red LED for indicating an almost depleted battery.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 may be placed on a trolley 30.
  • the trolley 30 is equipped with wheels 31, so it can be easily moved.
  • the trolley 30 comprises a number of compartments for placing one or more instruments like the electrosurgical generator 10.
  • the trolley 30 is further equipped with a charging device 35 for recharging the battery 25 of the footswitch.
  • the charging device 35 includes a pocket-like receptacle, into which the footswitch 20 can be inserted. Different embodiments of the charging device 35 are shown in Figures 2a to 2c.
  • the charging device 35’ comprises a pocket-like receptacle 36, into which a footswitch 20’ can be introduced from an upper side thereof.
  • a connection plug 37 is provided, which connects with a corresponding connection socket 38 of the footswitch 20’.
  • Charging electronics 39 are provided at the lower side of the charging device 35.
  • the charging device 35” shown in Fig. 2b is similar to the one shown in Fig. 2a, and a detailed description of corresponding parts is omitted for sake of brevity.
  • the charging device 35 comprises an induction coil 41, interacting with a corresponding induction coil 42 of the footswitch 20” to transfer electric energy from the charging device 35” to the footswitch 20”.
  • the charging device 35’” shown in Fig. 2c is again similar to the charging devices shown in Fig. 2a and b.
  • the charging device 35’” comprises a galvanic coupler 50 to couple with footswitch 20’”.
  • the galvanic coupler 50 is shown in more detail in Figs. 3a and 3b.
  • the galvanic coupler 50 comprises a housing 51 , in which a coupling plate 52 is mounted on two springs 53.
  • the coupling plate 52 is equipped with two permanent magnets 54a, 54b and two first contact electrodes 55a, 55b.
  • the springs 53 hold the coupling plate 52 in a home position.
  • Fig. 3b shows the galvanic coupler 50 after coupling with a corresponding coupling section 60 of the footswitch 20’”.
  • the coupling section 60 comprises two ferromagnetic elements 61a with a distance corresponding to the distance between the permanent magnets 54a, 54b of the galvanic coupler 50, and two second contact electrodes 62a, 62b at positions corresponding with the first contact electrodes 55a, 55b.
  • a magnetic force between the permanent magnet 54a, 54b and the ferromagnetic elements 61a, 61b causes displacement of the coupling plate 52 against the elastic forces of the springs 53, so that the first and second contact electrodes 55a, 55b, 62a, 62b come into contact forming an electrical connection.
  • the contact plate 52 can adapt to a position of the footswitch 20’”, so that no exact positioning of the footswitch 20’” in the charging device 35’” is required.
  • the coupling plate 52 may be freely moveable in the housing without being tied by springs 53, the springs 53 being omitted.
  • a home position of the coupling plate 52 will be defined only by gravity and the geometry of the housing 51 and the coupling plate 52. The geometry may be designed in a way so that the coupling plate 52 is retained in the housing 51 when the footswitch 20”’ is removed from the charging device 35”’.
  • the charging device 35 may be mounted on a wall of an OR theatre or an office instead of the trolley 30.
  • Fig. 4 shows a further possible embodiment of a footswitch 100 and a charging device 101.
  • the footswitch 100 comprises retractable wheels 102, which can be in a retracted position during normal operation of the footswitch 100.
  • the wheels 102 can be extended, and the footswitch 100 can autonomously drive to the charging station 101.
  • the footswitch 100 can use electronic signals like Bluetooth, WiFi, or the like, optical orientation, inertia orientation, or a combination thereof.
  • Orientation strategies useful for finding the charging station 101 are e.g. known from other indoor orientation systems like in autonomous vacuum cleaning robots, or from outdoor orientation systems like in autonomous lawn mowing robots.
  • Coupling between the footswitch 100 and the charging device 101 can use similar concepts as explained above for the charging device 35.
  • Fig: 5a to 5d show different embodiments of foot switches designed to improve orientation of a user.
  • Fig. 5a shows a footswitch 200 comprising a base 201, a first pedal 202, and a third pedal 203.
  • Pushing of first or second pedal 202, 203 by a user causes an electrosurgical generator (not shown) to transmit different electrosurgical therapy currents to an electrosurgical instrument (not shown).
  • an electrosurgical generator not shown
  • electrosurgical instrument not shown
  • first and second pedals 202, 203 are in a default position, also called home position.
  • the end of the first pedal 202 pointing to a user also called proximal end, has a higher elevation than the proximal end of the second pedal 203.
  • the hight difference is marked by the arrow 205.
  • a user of the footswitch 200 will intuitively place a foot on the pedal having the lower elevation, i.e. the second pedal 203. Therefore, the second pedal 203 can be assigned to the therapy current to be used first in a procedure, like a therapy current suitable for coagulation of tissue. In a later stage of the procedure, the user can then place the foot on the pedal with the higher elevation, i.e. the first pedal 202. Pushing the first pedal 202 can be assigned to a therapy current being used later in the procedure, like a therapy current suitable for cutting tissue.
  • Fig. 5b shows a further footswitch 210 having a base 211 , a first pedal 212, and a second pedal 213.
  • the pedals have structured upper surfaces. The upper surface of the pedals will be contacted by the foot a user during operation of the footswitch 210, usually carrying indoor shoes with a soft sole, so that the user can haptically determine the surface structure.
  • the first pedal 212 has a prismatic surface with a central rib running from a proximal end of the pedal to a distal end thereof.
  • the second pedal has an upper surface with a plurality of convex structures, like shallow spikes or bumps.
  • the rib and the spikes or bumps other structures may be employed as well, including more complex structures like asterisks, circles, polygons, crosses, or the like.
  • Fig. 5c shows an even further example of a footswitch 220, again having a base 221, a first pedal 222, and a second pedal 223. Between the first and second pedals 222, 223, a wall 225 is provided.
  • the wall 225 is high enough to be found by a user when placing a foot over the footswitch, but not too high so that the user can easily move the foot between the first and second pedals 222, 223.
  • the wall 225 may have a hight approximately equal to the elevation of the first and second pedals 222, 223 in the home position.
  • the wall 225 may have a hight slightly higher, e.g. 1 to 5 cm higher, than the elevation of the first and second pedals 222, 223 in the home position.
  • FIG. 5d shows an example of a footswitch 230 having a base 231 , a first pedal 232, a second pedal 233, and a bracket 235 spanning the first and second pedals 232, 233. Similar to the wall 225 of the footswitch 220, the bracket 235 enables a user to determine whether a foot is places on the first pedal 232 or on the second pedal 233.
  • the bracket 235 preferably has a hight high enough to not impede movement of a user’s foot between the first and second pedals 232, 233.
  • the bracket may be moveable, so that it can be folded away by a user being more comfortable with working without the bracket.
  • Fig. 6 shows a sideview of a footswitch 250 according to a further embodiment
  • Figs. 7a to 7c show different possible force characteristics of the first and second pedals of the footswitch 250.
  • the footswitch 250 comprises a base 251 and first and second pedals, of which only the first pedal 252 is visible.
  • Each of the first and second pedals comprise a bias element 253 urging the respective pedal into a home position as shown in Fig. 6.
  • Figures 7a to 7c show different force characteristics of the first and second pedals, wherein the horizontal axis shows a displacement angle of the pedal from the home position, while the vertical axis shows a corresponding force of the bias element.
  • a force characteristic of the first pedal is displayed by a solid line
  • a force characteristic of the second pedal is displayed by a broken line.
  • both pedals have generally linear increase of force when the respective pedal is moved from the home position.
  • the solid line 261 representing the force characteristic of the first pedal shows a slower increase than the broken line 262 representing the force characteristic of the second pedal. It can be seen that a user will need more force for pressing the second pedal than for pressing the first pedal, and the difference in required force may help the user to recognize the first and second pedals.
  • the solid line 26T representing the first pedal shows a slow increase of force until the displacement reaches a threshold, and a steeper increase beyond the threshold displacement.
  • Such force characteristic can e.g. be achieved by combining two compression springs with different strength in series, so that the weaker spring is compressed first before the stronger spring gets compressed.
  • the broken line 262’ representing the second pedal shows a non-zero force at the home position of the pedal, and a linear increase from there.
  • a non-zero force at a home position may e.g. be achieved by providing a mechanical stop for the pedal at the home position, and providing the bias element in a preloaded state.
  • the different force characteristics of the first and second pedals may help a user discriminating between the pedals.
  • Fig. 7c shows further possible force characteristics suitable for discriminating between a first and a second pedal.
  • the solid line 261 shows a characteristic similar to the solid line 26T of Fig. 7b, but provides two threshold displacements with associated increases of slope.
  • the broken line 262 has steep slope at the beginning, and a slower slope after the displacement exceeds a tipping point. Mechanisms for achieving such force characteristics are described in US provisional application 63/439,937 filed on Jan. 19, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 may be configured to assist a user in selecting the correct pedal for activation.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 may be configured to issue a visible or audible indication of which pedal is currently operated by the user. For example, if a user starts pushing a first pedal associated with the electrosurgical generator 10 issuing a therapy current for coagulating tissue, the electrosurgical generator 10 may display a graphical element in a particular color, like blue, and/or a textual representation like “coag”, through the graphical user interface 15. Additionally or alternatively, the electrosurgical generator 10 may issue an audible indication like a particular sound, e.g. a low frequency humming sound, or a spoken indication like the word “coag”.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 may display a graphical element in a different particular color, like yellow, and/or a textual representation like “cut”, through the graphical user interface 15. Additionally or alternatively, the electrosurgical generator 10 may issue an audible indication like a different particular sound e.g. a high frequency beeping sound, or a spoken indication like the word “cut”. In some embodiments, the electrosurgical generator 10 may issue am activation signal to the haptic feedback element 18 of the electrosurgical instrument 11, for signalling which pedal is currently operated by the user.
  • Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a footswitch 300 having a base 301 and first and second pedals, of which only the first pedal 302 is visible.
  • Each pedal is equipped with a sensor 305 for sensing a foot of the user interacting with the respective pedal.
  • the sensor may be a proximity sensor, e.g. a capacitive proximity sensor, for generating a signal when the foot of the user is near the pedal.
  • the signal may be generated when the foot is closer to the pedal than e.g. 5cm or less, 2cm or less, 1cm or less, or the like.
  • the sensor 305 may be a touch sensor generating a signal when the foot of the user touches the pedal.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 may be configured to dynamically assign each of the pedals 21 , 22 of the footswitch 20 to a certain functionality, dependent on an operational mode selected on the electrosurgical generator 10 and / or on a current status of a procedure. If e.g. a selected operational mode only allows issuing a therapy current for coagulation of tissue, the electrosurgical generator 10 may assign both pedals 21, 22 to the function of issuing a coagulation current. Alternatively, the electrosurgical generator 10 may assign only the first pedal 21 to issuance of coagulation current, and assign the second pedal 22 to no function at all.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 may assign both pedals 21 , 22 to the function of issuing a cutting current. Alternatively, the electrosurgical generator 10 may assign only the second pedal 22 to issuance of cutting current, and assign the first pedal 21 to no function at all. In some embodiments, the electrosurgical generator 10 may be configured to allow a user overriding the assignment of the pedals. If e.g. a certain pedal is not assigned to a certain therapy current because such therapy current is not expected to be used in a selected operational mode or procedural situation, a particular activation sequence of the unassigned pedal may be provided to activate such unexpected therapy current.
  • activating the unassigned pedal twice in a short time may serve as trigger for the electrosurgical generator 10 to assign the respective pedal to the unexpected therapy current.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 may allow activation of the unexpected therapy current as “add on” to the selected operational mode, or switch to a different operational mode allowing activation of the respective therapy current.
  • the footswitch 300 and the electrosurgical generator 10 may be configured to dynamically modify a force characteristic of the pedals of the footswitch 300. Therefore, the footswitch 300 may comprise a bias element 310 which is electrically or electronically modifiable.
  • the bias element 310 may comprise a displacement transducer and a linear motor. The linear motor of the bias element 310 may be energized in dependence of a displacement determined by the displacement sensor and a predetermined force characteristic.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 may control the bias element 310 to provide a hight force against displacement, so that a user may recognize operating the wrong pedal.
  • Fig. 9 show yet another footswitch 400 for use in an electrosurgery system.
  • the footswitch 400 comprises a base 401 and first and second pedals 402, 403.
  • the pedals 402, 403 are arranged on the base with a distance, so that a footrest area 405 is formed between the first and second pedals 402, 403.
  • the footrest area 405 enables a user to place a foot between the first and second pedals in a neutral position, and to move the foot either to the left to reach the first pedal 402 or to the right to reach the second pedal 403.
  • This arrangement of the first and second pedals 402, 403 also serves to reduce the risk of a user inadvertently pushing the wrong pedal. At the same time, comfort of a user can be improved during phases of a procedure where no pedal activation is required.
  • Figs. 10a - c show a pedal of the footswitch 400 in a top view.
  • the first and second pedals 402, 403 of the footswitch 400 do not comprise a fixed pivot axis, but are equipped with four support pins 408 in the four corners of the respective pedal.
  • Each support pin 408 can comprise a bias element urging the support pin in an extended position, and an electrical or electronic switch to be activated when the support pin is compressed.
  • a user may operate the pedals 402, 403 by either stepping on a longitudinal edge of the respective pedal, as shown by the hashed area in Fig. 10b, or by stepping on a proximal edge of the respective pedal, as shown in Fig. 10c.
  • the footrest area 405 of the footswitch 400 may comprise a structured surface providing frictional grip to a foot placed in the footrest area 405.
  • the footrest area 405 may be equipped with bumps or other structures (not shown) for enhancing grip.
  • a user may use the footrest area 405 for repositioning of the footswitch during a procedure. For this purpose, the user may place a foot in the footrest area and move the foot sideways or in a forward or backward direction.
  • a lower surface of the footswitch (not shown) may comprise a lower coefficient of friction with the floor covering of an OR theatre than the footrest area 405 comprises with a sole of a user’s shoe.
  • the surface of the base 401 may be coated with a material that provides a good coefficient of friction, and at the same time provides resistivity against dirt and moisture, so it may easily be cleaned.
  • a suitable material for the surface of the base 401 may be a silicone resin.
  • Fig. 11a, b and Fig. 12a, b show footswitches providing enhanced security against unwanted repositioning.
  • Footswitch 450 of Figs. 11a, b comprises friction pins 451 at its bottom surface.
  • the friction pins 451 are extended below a lower surface of a housing of the footswitch 450, and provide high friction forces so that the footswitch 450 cannot inadvertently slide on the ground.
  • the footswitch 450 further comprises a release button 452.
  • a release button 452 By pushing the release button 452, e.g. with a foot, a user may cause the friction pins 451 being retracted into the housing of the footswitch 450. Without the friction pins touching the ground, the footswitch 450 may easily be moved to a new position as previously described with respect to Fig. 9.
  • the user may push the release button 452 once more, so that the friction pins 451 again extend, and avoid further movement of the footswitch 450.
  • Footswitch 500 of Figs. 12a, b is very similar to the footswitch 450, but comprises extendable suction cups 501 instead of friction pins.
  • the footswitch 500 comprises an activation lever 502.
  • Fig. 13 shows a footswitch 600, which can e.g. be used in a surgical system, e.g. the electrosurgical system 1 shown in Fig. 1.
  • the footswitch 600 is similar to the footswitch 400 shown in Fig. 9, and comprises a base 601 , on which a first pedal 602 and a second pedal
  • a footrest area is arranged side by side. Between the first and second pedals 602, 603, a footrest area
  • a toggle button is arranged so it can easily be operated with a foot resting in the footrest area 604.
  • a battery 610 Arranged inside the base 601 are a battery 610, a processor 611, and a communication interface 612.
  • the footswitch 600 further comprises first and second light sources 615, 616 associated with the first and second pedals 602, 603.
  • the first and second light sources 615, 616 may comprise one or more LEDs for illuminating the first and second pedals 602, 603.
  • the first and second light sources 615, 616 may comprise multiple LEDs emitting light in different colors, so that the first and second light sources 615, 616 may illuminate the first and second pedals 602, 603 in different colors.
  • the footswitch 600 further comprises a plurality of sensors 620, 621 , 622.
  • the sensor 620 may be a sensor for detecting brightness of ambient light.
  • the sensors 621 , 622 may be position of proximity sensors for detecting a user’s foot being placed on or near the first and second pedals 602, 603. Further sensors (not shown) may be integrated in the battery 610, e.g. for detecting a charging status and/or other operational parameters of the battery 610, and in the communication interface 612, e.g. for detecting connectivity-related parameters, like available communication peers, bandwidth load, signal strength, or the like.
  • the communication interface 612 may establish communication with the electrosurgical generator 10 of the electrosurgical system 1.
  • the communication interface 612 may be a wireless interface using the IEEE 802.11 standard (WiFi), but may also employ other communication technologies like RFID, NFC, or the like.
  • the processor 611 may be a general purpose processor as used in may automated devices.
  • the processor 611 may be configured to input data, e.g. from the communication interface 612 and the sensors 620, 621 , 622, and to output data, e.g. for controlling the light sources 615, 616, or to communicate through the communication interface 612.
  • a user may operate the first pedal 602 or the second pedal 603 to activate surgical functions of the electrosurgical device 11 of the electrosurgical system 1.
  • the processor 611 recognizes operation of one of the pedals 602, 603 and sends a corresponding signal to the electrosurgical generator 10.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 issues an electrosurgical therapy current to the electrosurgical instrument 11 through the cable 12.
  • the user may want to switch the electrosurgical generator 10 to a different operational mode.
  • the user may first want to use a first operational mode, in which the electrosurgical generator 10 can issue a therapy current suitable for coagulation of a blood vessel (“COAG”) upon pressing the first pedal 602, and a therapy current suitable for cutting the coagulated blood vessel (“CUT”) upon pressing of the second pedal 603.
  • COAG blood vessel
  • CUT coagulated blood vessel
  • the user may want to switch the electrosurgical generator to a second operational mode in which the electrosurgical generator can issue a therapy current suitable for controlling bleeding (e.g. “SPRAY COAG”).
  • the user may want to use a third operational mode in which the electrosurgical generator 10 issues a therapy current suitable for cutting highly perfused tissue (e.g. “BLEND CUT”).
  • the user can use the toggle button 605 for switching between the first, second and third operational modes of the electrosurgical generator 10.
  • the processor 611 Upon pressing the toggle button 605, the processor 611 sends a corresponding command to the electrosurgical generator 10 through the communication interface 612.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 is configured to receive the command, and to switch to the next available operational mode.
  • the electrosurgical generator sends a response signal to the processor 611 through the communication interface 612, indicating the new operational mode.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 may send information to the processor 611 indicating which of the first and second pedals 602, 603 is assigned to which kind of therapy current.
  • the processor 611 may use this information to control first and second light sources 615, 616.
  • the processor 611 may control the first light source 615 to illuminate the first pedal 602 with yellow light. This indicates to the user that pushing the first pedal 602 will cause the electrosurgical generator to issue a therapy current suitable for cutting.
  • the processor 611 may further control the second light source 616 to illuminate the second pedal 603 with blue light. This indicates to the user that pushing the second pedal 603 will cause the electrosurgical generator to issue a therapy current suitable for coagulation.
  • the processor may use the signal of the brightness sensor 620 to determine an appropriate brightness for the first and second light sources 615, 616.
  • the processor 611 may again control the first light source 615 to illuminate the first pedal 620 with yellow light.
  • the second pedal 603 is deactivated, and the processor 611 switched off the second light source 616.
  • the first pedal 602 When the electrosurgical generator 10 is in the third operational mode, the first pedal 602 may be deactivated, and only the second pedal 603 is activated for causing the electrosurgical generator 10 to issue a therapy current for blended cutting and coagulation.
  • the processor 611 may therefore switch off the first light source 615, and control the second light source 616 to illuminate the third pedal 603 with violet light.
  • the processor 611 may communicate further data to the electrosurgical generator 10 through the communication interface 612, like a charging level or a temperature of the battery 610, a signal level of the wireless communication channel between the communication interface 612 and the electrosurgical generator, an indication whether the user has placed a foot over the first or second pedals 602, 603 (without actually pushing them), or the like.
  • the electrosurgical generator 10 may e.g. use the data provided by the processor 611 to issue visual or acoustic indications to the user.
  • Fig. 14 shows a further footswitch 700, which is very similar to the footswitch 600 of Fig. 13. Same or similar elements are assigned a reference number increased by 100, and are not again described in detail.
  • the footswitch 700 comprises a first electronic display 730 located on the first pedal 702 and a second electronic display 731 located on the second pedal 703.
  • the processor 711 is configured to control the first and second electronic displays 730, 731 to display colored graphical elements indicating the electrosurgical function to which the first and second pedals 702, 703 are currently assigned.
  • the graphical elements to be displayed may comprise a complete screen area of the electronic display having a single color.
  • the processor 711 may control the first light electronic display 730 to show a yellow screen, and control the second electronic display 731 to show a blue screen.
  • the processor 711 may again control the first light electronic display 730 to show a yellow screen, and control the second electronic display 731 to show a black screen.
  • the processor 711 may control the first light electronic display 730 to show a black screen, and control the second electronic display 731 to show a violet screen.
  • the first and second electronic displays 730, 731 are preferably electronic devices requiring little energy, so that the battery 710 is not unnecessarily depleted.
  • the first and second electronic displays 730, 731 may be E-Ink displays. E-Ink displays do not consume any energy when displaying a static image, and only consume very little energy when the displayed image is changed.
  • Figs. 15a, b show a further electrosurgical system 800.
  • the electrosurgical system 800 comprises an electrosurgical control device 801 , like an electrosurgical generator, at least one electrosurgical instrument 802, and at least one footswitch 803.
  • the electrosurgical control device 801 and the footswitch 803 are configured to wirelessly communicate with each other. Therefore, the electrosurgical control device 801 comprises a first wireless communication interface 805, and the footswitch 803 comprises a second wireless communication interface 806.
  • the first and second wireless communication interfaces 805, 806 may use an IEEE 802.11 standard, also known as “WiFi”, for communication.
  • WiFi IEEE 802.11 standard
  • the WiFi standard provides for a high bandwidth and sufficiently long range to enable smooth communication between the electrosurgical control device 801 and the footswitch 803 in a usual electrosurgical environment like an OR theatre or a surgical office.
  • the electrosurgical control device 801 and the footswitch 803 need to agree on communication channel parameters. Therefore, the electrosurgical control device 801 comprises a third wireless communication interface 808, and the footswitch 803 comprises a fourth communication interface 809.
  • the third and fourth communication interfaces 808, 809 may use a different communication protocol like Bluetooth, RFID, or NFC. Such communication protocols may have lower bandwidth and/or a shorter range than e.g. the WiFi protocol, but provide for easier establishment of a working communication channel.
  • Some ways for dynamically negotiating communication channel parameters between an electrosurgical control device and a footswitch are e.g. disclosed in US patent application 18/122,464.
  • the electrosurgical control device 801 and the footswitch 803 further comprise first and second memory elements 810, 811.
  • the first and second memory elements 810, 811 may at least partially be static memory elements, able to store data for an extended period of time without requiring an energy supply.
  • the first and second memory elements 810, 811 may comprise EEPROM or FLASH memory elements.
  • Fig. 15a shows the electrosurgical system 800 in a first configuration.
  • the electrosurgical control device 801 and the footswitch 803 are brough into close proximity, so that the third and fourth communication interfaces 808, 809 can establish a first communication channel.
  • both the electrosurgical control device 801 and the footswitch operate in a first operational mode, in which they negotiate communication parameters through the first communication channel established between the third and fourth communication interfaces 808, 809. After successful negotiation, the negotiated communication parameters are stored in the first and second memory elements 810, 811 for later retrieval.
  • Fig. 51b shows the electrosurgical system 800 in a second configuration.
  • the electrosurgical control device 801 is connected to the electrosurgical instrument, and the footswitch 803 is placed in a larger distance from the electrosurgical control device 801 than in the first configuration.
  • the electrosurgical control device 801 and the footswitch 803 When powered on in the second configuration, retrieve previously negotiated communication parameters from their respective memory elements 810, 811, and use these communication parameters to establish a second communication channel between the first and second communication interfaces 805, 806. After establishing the second communication channel, a user can use pedals 815, 816 of the footswitch 803 for controlling the electrosurgical control device 801 and the electrosurgical instrument 802.
  • the electrosurgical control device 801 an the footswitch may use optical indicia for negotiation of communication parameters.
  • the optical indicia may comprise barcodes or QR codes, which may be statically or dynamically displayed on one of the electrosurgical control device 801 and the footswitch 803, and may be scanned or recognized by an optical receiver of the other one of the electrosurgical control device 801 and the footswitch 803.
  • the optical receiver may be a camera, a barcode scanner, or a similar optical receiver.
  • the electrosurgical system 900 comprises an electrosurgical control device, like an electrosurgical generator 901.
  • the electrosurgical system 900 further comprises at least one electrosurgical instrument.
  • two electrosurgical instruments 910, 920 are provided, but the electrosurgical system 900 may comprise only one electrosurgical instrument, or more than two electrosurgical instruments.
  • the electrosurgical instruments 910, 920 each comprise a connector plug 911, 921 for connecting with the electrosurgical control device 900.
  • the electrosurgical generator 901 comprises two connector sockets 930, 931 for receiving the connectors 911, 921.
  • the electrosurgical generator 901 may have more or less connector sockets than shown in the embodiment.
  • the connector plug 911 comprises three pins 911a, 911b, 911c
  • the connector plug 921 comprises three pins 921a, 921b, 921c
  • the connector socket 930 comprises three pin receptacles 930a, 930b, 930c
  • the connector socket 931 comprises three pin receptacles 931a, 931b, 931c.
  • the electrosurgical generator 901 further comprises an electrosurgical therapy current source 940.
  • the electrosurgical therapy current source 940 is connected to the pin receptacles 930b, 930c to provide an electrosurgical therapy current to a first electrosurgical instrument through the connector socket 930, and to the pin receptacles 931b, 931c to provide an electrosurgical therapy current to a second electrosurgical instrument through the connector socket 931.
  • the controller 950 is further connected with a first optical receiver 951 associated with the connector socket 930, and with a second optical receiver 952 associated with the connector socket 931.
  • the electrosurgical instrument 910 comprises an instrument identification controller 955. While the instrument identification controller 955 is shown to be part of the connector plug 911 , the instrument identification controller 955 may likewise be located directly in the electrosurgical instrument 910.
  • the instrument identification controller 955 is connected to the pins 911a, 911b to receive power supply through the connector plug 911 when the electrosurgical instrument 910 is connected to the electrosurgical generator 901.
  • the instrument identification controller 955 is further connected to an optical transmitter 956 associated with the connector plug 911.
  • the optical transmitter 956 is located on the connector plug 911 so that it placed into a line of sight with the optical receiver 951 when the connector plug 911 is inserted into the connector socket 930.
  • the instrument identification controller 955 is configured to activate the optical transmitter 956 as soon as the instrument identification controller 955 received a power supply.
  • the instrument identification controller 955 is configured to repeatedly switch the optical transmitter 956 on and off in a predetermined pattern to identify the electrosurgical instrument 910 to the electrosurgical generator 901.
  • Light from the optical transmitter 956 is received by the optical receiver 951 and converted into an electrical signal, which is then received by the controller 950.
  • the controller 950 is configured to decode the electrical signal received from the optical receiver 951 , and to identify the electrosurgical instrument 910 connected to the electrosurgical generator 901.
  • a control unit (not shown) of the electrosurgical generator 901 may use the instrument identification information for selecting an appropriate electrosurgical therapy current to the electrosurgical instrument 910 through the electrosurgical therapy current source 40.
  • the electrosurgical instrument 920 comprises an instrument identification controller 960 associated with an optical signal source 961.
  • the activation pattern applied to the optical transmitters 956, 961 by the instrument identification controllers 955, 960 may be a fixed pattern or a variable pattern. Possible fixed patterns are shown in Figs. 17a to 17d.
  • Fig. 17a shows a first activation pattern with a first frequency
  • Fig. 71b shows a second activation pattern with a second frequency being higher than the first frequency.
  • Fig. 17c shows a third activation pattern having the same frequency as the first activation pattern, but with a lower pule-pause ratio.
  • Fig. 17d shows a fourth activation pattern, again having the same frequency as the first and third activation patterns, but with a high pulsepause ratio.
  • activation patterns as shown in Figs. 17c, 17d different types of electrosurgical instruments can be identified through pulse width encoding, where each type of electrosurgical instrument is assigned a certain pulse width or pulse-pause ratio.
  • Variable activation patterns may be used to communicate further information from an electrosurgical instrument to an electrosurgical control device.
  • An electrosurgical instrument may be configured to track usage, e.g. by counting a number of activations, a duration of activation, an amount of delivered electrosurgical energy, or the like.
  • the instrument identification controller of such an instrument may be configured to encode such usage data through the activation pattern of the optical transmitter, and an electrosurgical control device may use such usage information to determine if operation of the electrosurgical instrument is still safe, or if the electrosurgical instrument should be replaced. The result of such determination may be communicated to a user through any appropriate means.
  • any suitable communication protocol for binary optical information exchange may be used in the electrosurgical system 900.
  • the electrosurgical system 1000 comprises an electrosurgical generator 1001, a first electrosurgical instrument 1010 connected to the electrosurgical generator 1001, and a second electrosurgical instrument 1020 connected to the electrosurgical generator 1001.
  • a footswitch 1030 is provided for controlling the transmission of electrosurgical therapy currents from the electrosurgical generator 1001 to the first and/or second electrosurgical instruments 1010, 1020.
  • the electrosurgical system 1001 further comprises a camera 1050 and an image processing device 1060.
  • the camera 1050 may be a room camera, a boom arm camera, a body-carried camera, an endoscopic camera, or the like.
  • the camera 1050 is directed towards a surgical target of interest at the surgical site.
  • the image processing device 1060 may be a standalone device, integrated into an endoscopic camera controller or the electrosurgical generator, or the like.
  • Fig. 19 shows a camera view of the camera 1050.
  • An outer circle 1100 marks the field of view of the camera 1050, and an inner circle 1110 marks an area of interest.
  • the area of interest may be a virtual area of interest determined by the image processing device 1060. A border of the area of interest may or may not be shown in a live image or a recorded image of the camera 1050.
  • the area of interest may be identical with the field of view of the camera 1050.
  • the area of interest may be a fixed area around a center of the field of view of the camera.
  • the area of interest may be dynamically determined by the image processing device 1060 to surround a surgical target of interest 1200.
  • a current position of the first and second electrosurgical instruments 1010, 1020 is shown in the camera view of Fig. 19.
  • the complete outlines of the first and second electrosurgical instruments 1010, 1020 are shown in Fig. 19, only those sections the instruments within the field of view of camera 1050 would be visible in the camera image.
  • the image processing device 1060 is configured to recognize the first and second electrosurgical instruments 1010, 1020 in the camera image. Therefore, the image processing device is configured to use standard image processing algorithms known to the skilled person.
  • the image processing device 1060 may be configured to identify the first and second electrosurgical instruments 1010, 1020 based on their geometrical shape, or based on optical markers 1011 , 1021 placed on the instruments.
  • the optical markers 1011 , 1021 may include barcode elements, color elements, or any other graphical element useful for identifying or recognizing a particular instrument.
  • the image processing device 1060 is further configured to determine, based on the recognition of electrosurgical instruments in the camera image, which electrosurgical instrument is currently used in the surgical site, and to send a corresponding instrument selection signal to the electrosurgical generator 1001.
  • the electrosurgical generator 1001 is further configured to receive the instrument selection signal from the image processing device 1060, and to enable output of electrosurgical therapy current only to electrosurgical instruments currently in use in the surgical site.
  • both the first and second electrosurgical instruments 1010, 1020 are visible and recognizable in the camera image, but only the first electrosurgical instrument 1010 is placed in the area of interest near the surgical target. Therefore, the image processing device 1060 will send the instrument selection signal only for the first electrosurgical instrument 1010.
  • the electrosurgical generator 1001 will therefore disable output of electrosurgical therapy current to the second electrosurgical instrument 1020, so that inadvertent activation of the second electrosurgical instrument 1020 and associated possible unwanted effect are avoided.
  • the electrosurgical generator may further be configured to automatically apply control signals received from the footswitch 1030 to the electrosurgical instrument currently being used in the surgical site.
  • a further electrosurgical system 2000 is shown.
  • the electrosurgical system 2000 is similar to the electrosurgical system 1 of Fig. 1 , and comprises an electrosurgical generator 2010, an electrosurgical instrument 2011, and a footswitch device 2020 having two pedals 2021, 2022.
  • the electrosurgical generator 2010 and the footswitch device 2020 are configured to communicate through an optical fiber 2025.
  • the communication though the optical fiber 2025 is less susceptible to electromagnetic interference than communication means using electrical cables or radio waves.
  • the electrosurgical generator 2010 comprises a first optical communication interface 2030, and the footswitch device 2020 comprises a second optical communication interface 2035.
  • the optical communication system of the electrosurgical system 2000 is shown in more detail in Fig. 21. It comprises the first optical communication interface 2030, the second optical communication interface 2035, and the optical fiber 2025.
  • the optical fiber 2025 may be a glass fiber or a polymer fiber.
  • a skilled person can select a glass fiber for low optical losses, e.g. when the optical communication system is intended for communicating over long distances, or a polymer fiber for low weight, low costs, and increased mechanical strength, e.g. when the optical communication system is intended for use in a rugged environment like an OR theatre, where it is possible that people step onto the fiber or carts are rolled over it.
  • optical communication interface 2030 For bidirectional communication, both optical communication interfaces 2030, 2035 may be equal in design, so that only the optical communication interface 2030 is described in detail.
  • the optical communication interface 2030 comprises a signal converter 2040 for converting an input signal received through input line 2041 into a driving voltage for a light source 2042, which may be an LED or a laser diode.
  • the signal converter 2040 may be a simple converter for converting a logic signal level (“high”, “low”) on the input line 2041 into an “on” or “off” state of the light source 2042.
  • the signal converter may provide for more sophisticated signal conversion.
  • the light source 2042 is arranged to emit light in the direction of a collector lens 2043, which is configured to focus the light to the end face of the optical fiber 2025.
  • Light received through the optical fiber 2025 is collected by the collector lens 2043 and emitted towards a light detector 2045, which may be a photodiode.
  • An output voltage of the light detector 2045 is provided to the signal converter 2040, which converts the output voltage into an output signal sent to the output line 2046.
  • Fig. 22 shows a further optical communication system.
  • the optical communication system of Fig. 22 is a unidirectional communication system using wavelength multiplexing.
  • the system comprises a first optical communication interface 2130, which is a sender interface, and a second optical communication interface 2135, which is a receiver interface.
  • the first optical communication interface 2130 comprises a first signal converter 2140 for converting signals received through first and second input lines 2141a, 2141b into driving voltages for first and second light sources 2142a, 2142b.
  • the light sources 2142a, 2142b may be LEDs or laser diodes emitting light of different wavelengths, like red and green light.
  • the second communication interface 2035 comprises first and second light detectors 2145a, 2145b, which may be photodiodes. Further, first and second filters 2146a, 2146b are associated with the first and second light detectors 2145a, 2145b, so that the first light detector 2145a only receives light from the first light source 2142a, and the second light detector 2145b only receives light from the second light source 2142b.
  • a signal converter 2146 of the second communication interface 2135 converts the output voltages of the first and second light detectors 2145a, 2145b into output signals sent to first and second output lines 2147a, 2147b.
  • the first and second input lines 2141a, 2141b can be used to transmit an activation status of the first and second pedals 2021, 2022 to the first signal converter 2040, and the first and second output lines 2147a, 2147b can be connected to electrosurgical function units (not shown) of the electrosurgical generator 2010 for generating first and second electrosurgical therapy currents to be output to electrosurgical instrument 2011.
  • the electrosurgical system 2500 comprises an electrosurgical generator 2510 and an electrosurgical instrument 2511.
  • three footswitch devices 2520, 2521 , 2522 are provided for controlling the electrosurgical instrument 2511 and the auxiliary medical devices 2512, 2513.
  • the three footswitch devices 2520, 2521 , 2522 may e.g. be located under an OR table to be operated by separate practitioners, one for an operating surgeon using the electrosurgical instrument 2511 , one for a support practitioner holding an operating an irrigation instrument (not shown), and one for a further support practitioner holding and operating a smoke evacuation instrument (not shown).
  • each of the footswitch devices 2520, 2521 , 2522 comprises a communication interface 2540, 2541, 2542.
  • the communication interfaces 2540, 2541, 2542 are electrical communication interfaces connected to the multiplexer 2531 though electrical signal lines.
  • the multiplexer 2531 and the demultiplexer 2532 may be designed similar to the first and second optical communication interfaces 2130, 2135 of Fig. 22, adapted to provide an appropriate number of signal channels, e.g. three for the present example.
  • each of the communication interfaces 2540, 2541, 2541 are optical communication interfaces as shown in Fig. 21.
  • the multiplexer 2532 comprises optical elements to couple light received from the respective optical interfaces into the optical fiber 2530.
  • Such optical elements may comprise prisms, dichroic filters, or the like.
  • the demultiplexer 2532 may in such embodiments comprise optical elements to separate light received through the optical fiber 2530 into different wavelengths.
  • Fig. 24 shows a footswitch device 2600.
  • the footswitch device comprises a base 2605 having three mounting spaces 2606a, 2606b, 2606c. Each of the mounting spaces 2606a, 2606b, 2606c, can removably receive a pedal unit 2610, two of which are shown in Fig. 24.
  • the footswitch device 2600 can be employed with one, two, or three pedal units mounted thereon. Of course, more or less than three mounting spaces can be provided on the base 2605 as well.
  • the base 2605 can have a smooth outer surface without any recesses from which spoiling would be difficult to remove.
  • the pedal units 2610 can likewise be optimized for easy cleaning.
  • the mounting spaces 2606a, 2606b, 2606c and the pedal units 2610 comprise complementary mounting means 2611, 2612 for mounting the pedal units 2610 on the mounting spaces 2606a, 2606b, 2606c.
  • the mounting means 2611 , 2612 may comprise magnets, pins and pin receptacles, clamps, springs, or the like.
  • Fig. 25 shows a side view of the footswitch device 2600.
  • a magnet 2615 is mounted to the movable pedal arm 2620, so that it moves downward when the pedal arm 2620 is depressed.
  • reed switches are mounted under each of the mounting spaces. The reed switches are connected to a control unit 2630.
  • the magnet 2615 activates the reed switch 2625, so that the control unit knows that a user has depressed the pedal unit 2610.
  • the control unit can communicate this information to an electrosurgical generator (not shown) through any suitable means, like through a signal cable or a wireless connection.
  • Fig. 26 shows a side view of a modified footswitch device 2700.
  • the pedal unit 2710 comprises an energy source 2711 , a switch 2712, and a light source 2713, e.g. an LED.
  • the switch 2712 is activated, and the light source 2713 emits light in the direction of a photosensitive element 2715 located in the base 2705.
  • a signal from the photosensitive element 2715 is received by the control unit 2730.
  • the control unit can communicate this information to an electrosurgical generator (not shown).
  • Fig. 27 shows a side view of a further modified footswitch device 2800.
  • the pedal unit 2810 comprises a mirror 2811 mounted on the moveable pedal arm 2820.
  • a light source 2821 and a photosensitive element 2822 are arranged so that the mirror 2811 redirects light from the light source 2821 to the photosensitive element 2822 when the pedal arm 2820 is depressed.
  • Fig. 28 shows a side view of an even further modified footswitch device 2900.
  • an RFID tag 2911 is mounted on the movable pedal arm 2920 of the pedal unit 2910.
  • An RFID interrogator 2925 is mounted in the base 2905 of the footswitch device 2900.
  • the RFID interrogator 2925 may be arranged in the base 2905 so that it spans more than one mounting space, and preferably spans a complete width of the base.
  • the pedal arm 2920 of the pedal unit 2910 is depressed, the RFID tag is moved into the reading distance of the RFID interrogator 2925, so that is can be detected.
  • the control unit 2930 receives the detection signal from the RFID interrogator, which at the same time marks the depressing of the pedal unit 2910 and identifies which pedal unit of a plurality of available pedal units has been depressed.
  • Fig. 29 shows a sideview of another modified footswitch device 3000, which is configured to communicate with an electrosurgical generator (not shown) through an optical fiber 3001.
  • the pedal units 3010 of the footswitch device 3000 are the same as the pedal units 2710 sown in Fig. 26.
  • a collection lens 3015 is provided in each mounting space, focusing the light of the light source of the pedal unit 3010 to the end face of an optical fiber 3016.
  • the base 3005 further comprises an optical multiplexer 3030, combining light from individual optical fibers 3016 into the optical fiber 3001 running to the electrosurgical generator.
  • Fig. 30 shows a side view of another footswitch device 3100, also configured to communicate with an electrosurgical generator (not shown) through an optical fiber 3101.
  • the footswitch device 3100 is configured to receive light through the optical fiber 3101 from the electrosurgical generator.
  • the pedal units 3110 of the footswitch device 3100 are similar to the pedal units 2810 sown in Fig. 27, holding a mirror 3111 on the movable pedal arm 3120.
  • the base 3105 holds a similar optical system as the base 3005 of footswitch device 3000, wherein the optical multiplexer 3130 also acts as a splitter distributing the light received through the fiber 3101 to respective optical fibers 3116 ending in the respective mounting spaces.
  • the light received through the fibre 3101 is focussed towards the mirror 3111 by the collection lens 3115 and reflected back downwards towards the collection lens.
  • the light is only directed back to the end face of the optical fiber 3116 when the pedal arm 3120 is depressed and the mirror 3111 is in a horizontal position. In this case, the light is directed back to the electrosurgical generator (not shown) through the fiber 3101.
  • the footswitch device comprises a first base 4005 and a second base 4010, which can be removably coupled with each other using coupling means 4011 , 4012.
  • the coupling means may comprise magnets, plugs and plug receptacles, clamps, springs, or the like.
  • a first pedal 4020 and a second pedal 4030 are mounted so that they can be pushed by a user’s foot.
  • a third pedal 4040 is mounted on the second base. Shape, arrangement, and any other feature of the pedals 4020, 4030, 4040 can be similar to the ones described above with respect to other aspects of the disclosure.
  • the first base 4005 further comprises a control unit 4050, a light source 4055, light receivers 4060, 4061 , 4062, and a first optical system.
  • the first optical system is configured to guide light from the light source 4055 to the light receivers 4060 and 4061.
  • the second base comprises a second optical system configured, when the first and second bases 4005, 4010 are coupled, to receive light from the first optical system, and to guide that light to the light receiver 4062.
  • a moveable shutter 4070 is provided on the first base 4005 to close of the first optical system and the light receiver 4062 when the second base 4010 is not coupled to the first base 4005.
  • the light source 4055 is configured to emit light at a plurality of wavelengths.
  • the light source 4055 may be a white light LED or a combination of differently colored single color LEDs.
  • the first and second optical systems comprise various optical elements like mirrors 4065 to redirect the light as needed. Other optical elements like lenses, optical fibers, shutters, stops, or the like may also be used as needed.
  • a first wavelength selective optical element 4070 is mechanically coupled with the first pedal 4020 so that the optical element 4070 is in the light path of the first optical system when the first pedal 4020 is in a home position, and that the optical element 4070 is moved out of the light path when the first pedal is depressed (not shown).
  • the first wavelength selective optical element 4070 is configured to modify a characteristic of the light from the light source 4055.
  • the first wavelength selective element 4070 may comprise a narrow-banded filter for absorbing light of a certain first wavelength, or a dichroic mirror for reflecting light of the first wavelength out of the beam path.
  • a fixed dichroic mirror 4075 is provided to reflect light of the first wavelength towards the light receiver 4060.
  • the first pedal 4020 When the first pedal 4020 is in its home position (as shown), light of the first wavelength is absorbed or reflected out of the beam path by the first wavelength selective optical element 4070, so that no light can be reflected towards the first light receiver 4060. Only when the first pedal 4020 is depressed by the user, the first wavelength light can pass by the first pedal 4020 and reach the dichroic mirror 4075 and the light receiver 4060. Therefore, the light receiver 4060 receives light when the first pedal 4020 is depressed, and can send a respective signal to the control unit 4050.
  • Light from the light source 4055 with a wavelength other than the first wavelength can pass by the first pedal 4020 and the dichroic mirror 4075 without being affected.
  • a second wavelength selective optical element 4080 is mechanically coupled with the second pedal 4030 so that the optical element 4080 is in the light path of the first optical system when the second pedal 4030 is in a home position, and that the optical element 4080 is moved out of the light path when the second pedal is depressed (not shown).
  • the second wavelength selective optical element 4080 is configured to modify a characteristic of the light from the light source 4055.
  • the second wavelength selective element 4080 may comprise a narrow-banded filter for absorbing light of a certain second wavelength, or a dichroic mirror for reflecting light of the second wavelength out of the beam path.
  • a fixed dichroic mirror 4085 is provided to reflect light of the second wavelength towards the light receiver 4061.
  • the second pedal 4030 When the second pedal 4030 is in its home position (as shown), light of the second wavelength is absorbed or reflected out of the beam path by the second wavelength selective optical element 4080, so that no light can be reflected towards the second light receiver 4061. Only when the second pedal 4030 is depressed by the user, the second wavelength light can pass by the second pedal 4030 and reach the dichroic mirror 4085 and the light receiver 4061. Therefore, the light receiver 4061 receives light when the second pedal 4030 is depressed, and can send a respective signal to the control unit 4050.
  • the control unit 4050 can communicate the activation status of the first and second pedals 4020, 4030 to an electrosurgical generator (not shown) on any convenient way, e.g. through a signal cable, an optical fiber, or through a wireless communication channel.
  • the second base 4010 When the second base 4010 is coupled to the first base 4005, light from the light source having other wavelengths than the first or second wavelength can enter the second optical system.
  • a third optical element 4090 is mechanically coupled with the third pedal 4040 so that the optical element 4090 is in the light path of the second optical system when the third pedal 4040 is in a home position, and that the optical element 4090 is moved out of the light path when the third pedal is depressed (not shown).
  • the third optical element 4090 is configured to modify a characteristic of the light from the light source 4055. If the light source 4055 emits light with three distinct wavelengths, like with individual LEDs, the third optical element 4090 may comprise a narrow-banded filter for absorbing light of a third wavelength, or a dichroic mirror for reflecting light of the third wavelength out of the beam path. If the light source 4055 is configured to emit white light, the third optical element 4090 may also be configured to block light completely. Behind the third pedal 4040 (in the travelling direction of the light from the light source 4055), fixed mirrors 4065 are provided to reflect light back into the first base and to the light receiver 4062.
  • the third pedal 4040 When the third pedal 4040 is in its home position (as shown), remaining light is absorbed or reflected out of the beam path by the third optical element 4090, so that no light can be reflected towards the third light receiver 4062. Only when the third pedal 4040 is depressed by the user, the remaining light can pass by the third pedal 4040 and reach the light receiver 4062. Therefore, the light receiver 4062 receives light when the third pedal 4040 is depressed, and can send a respective signal to the control unit 4050.
  • the control unit 4050 can communicate the activation status of the third pedal in the same way as those of the first and second pedals as described above.
  • a further electrosurgical system 5000 is shown.
  • the electrosurgical system comprises an electrosurgical generator 5010 and a footswitch device 5020.
  • the footswitch device 5020 is connected to the electrosurgical generator 5010 through an optical fiber 5030.
  • the electrosurgical generator 5010 comprises the usual circuitry for generating electrosurgical therapy currents and related control circuitry, which is not shown in the drawing for sake of brevity. Further, the electrosurgical generator comprises a light source 5040 configured to emit light having several wavelengths into the optical fiber 5030, a deflecting mirror 5042 for diverting light received through the optical fiber 5030 away form the light source 5040, a first dichroic mirror 5044 for reflecting light of a first wavelength towards a first light receiver 5045, a second dichroic mirror 5046 for reflecting light of a second wavelength towards a second light receiver 5047, and a third light receiver 5048 for receiving light with other wavelength than the first or second wavelength.
  • a light source 5040 configured to emit light having several wavelengths into the optical fiber 5030
  • a deflecting mirror 5042 for diverting light received through the optical fiber 5030 away form the light source 5040
  • a first dichroic mirror 5044 for reflecting light of a first wavelength towards a first light receiver 5045
  • the footswitch device 5020 comprises a first base 5050 and a second base 5051 , which can be releasably coupled with each other.
  • a first pedal 5060 and a second pedal 5070 are mounted on the first base 5050, and a third pedal 5080 is mounted on the second base 5051.
  • the first base 5050 further comprises a first optical system for receiving light from the optical fiber 5030 and for guiding the light along the first and second pedals 5060, 5070, and back to the optical fiber 5030.
  • the second base 5051 comprises a second optical system for receiving light from the first optical system when the first and second bases 5050, 5051 are coupled, and to guide the light along the third pedal 5080 and back to the first optical system.
  • first optical system In the first optical system, light received through the optical fiber 5030 first passes a partial mirror 5101 and is redirected by mirror 5102 to pass by first and second pedals 5060, 5070.
  • a first wavelength selective optical element 5105 Attached to the first pedal 5060 is a first wavelength selective optical element 5105, which may be a filter or a dichroic mirror to absorb or reflect light of the first wavelength out of the beam path.
  • the first wavelength selective optical element 5105 is attached to the first pedal 5060 so that it is aligned with the beam path of the first optical system when the first pedal 5060 is in a home position, and moved out of the beam path when the first pedal 5060 is depressed.
  • light of the first wavelength After passing the first pedal 5060, light of the first wavelength is deflected by third and fourth dichroic mirrors 5106, 5107, back to the partial mirror 5101, from where it is reflected towards the optical fiber 5030. Light with other wavelengths than the first wavelength passes through the third and fourth dichroic mirrors 5106, 5107 towards the second pedal 5070.
  • a second wavelength selective optical element 5110 Attached to the second pedal 5070 is a second wavelength selective optical element 5110, which may be a filter or a dichroic mirror to absorb or reflect light of the second wavelength out of the beam path.
  • the second wavelength selective optical element 5110 is attached to the second pedal 5070 so that it is aligned with the beam path of the first optical system when the second pedal 5070 is in a home position, and moved out of the beam path when the second pedal 5070 is depressed.
  • light of the second wavelength After passing the second pedal 5070, light of the second wavelength is deflected by fifth and sixth dichroic mirrors 5111 , 5112, back to the partial mirror 5101, from where it is reflected towards the optical fiber 5030.
  • Light with other wavelengths than the first or second wavelength passes through the fifth dichroic mirror 5011 towards the second base.
  • the second base 5051 is not coupled to the first base 5050, light passing through the fifth dichroic mirror 5111 is absorbed by a movable shutter 5120. If the first and second bases 5050, 5051 are coupled, light passing through the fifth dichroic mirror 5011 passes into the second optical system along the third pedal 5080.
  • a third optical element 5125 Attached to the third pedal 5080 is a third optical element 5125, which may be a blind or a mirror to absorb or reflect all remaining light out of the beam path.
  • the third optical element 5125 is attached to the third pedal 5080 so that it is aligned with the beam path of the second optical system when the third pedal 5080 is in a home position, and moved out of the beam path when the third pedal 5080 is depressed. After passing the third pedal 5080, remaining light is deflected by mirrors 5126, 5127, back to the first optical system, where it passes through the sixth and fourth dichroic mirrors 5112, 5107 to the partial mirror 5101, from where it is reflected towards the optical fiber 5030.
  • Light reflected back from the footswitch device 5020 through the optical fiber 5030 is received in the electrosurgical generator 5010.
  • light of the first wavelength is directed to and received by the first light receiver 5045.
  • a control unit 5130 of the electrosurgical generator 5010 knows that the first pedal 5060 is depressed when a detection signal is received from the first light receiver 5045.
  • Light of the second wavelength is directed to and received by the second light receiver 5047.
  • a control unit 5130 of the electrosurgical generator 5010 knows that the second pedal 5070 is depressed when a detection signal is received from the second light receiver 5047.
  • Light of other wavelength than the first or second wavelength is directed to and received by the third light receiver 5048. As such light can only pass the second optical system when the third pedal 5080 is depressed, a control unit 5130 of the electrosurgical generator 5010 knows that the third pedal 5080 is depressed when a detection signal is received from the third light receiver 5048.
  • Fig. 33 shows an activation detection system 5500 for detecting the activation state of footswitch pedals.
  • the system 5500 comprises a first pedal 5510, a second pedal 5520, and a control unit 5530.
  • the control unit 5530 is configured to detect an activation state of the first and second pedals 5510, 5520. Therefore, the control unit 5530 is connected to an RFID interrogator 5540.
  • the first pedal 5510 is mechanically linked to a first RFID tag 5541.
  • the second pedal 5520 is mechanically linked to a second RFID tag 5542.
  • the mechanical link between the first and second pedals 5510, 5520 and the associated RFID tags 5541 , 5542 is configured so that an RFID tag is moved away from the RFID interrogator 5040 when the corresponding pedal is in the home position, as shown with first pedal 5510 and first RFID tag 5541 , and that an RFID tag is moved towards and into the reading distance of the RFID interrogator 5540 when the corresponding pedal is depressed, as shown with the second pedal 5520 and the second RFID tag 5542.
  • the corresponding RFID tag 5541, 5542 is detected by the RFID interrogator 5540, which sends a detection signal to the control unit 5530.
  • the activation detection system 5500 can be integrated into a footswitch device or an electrosurgical system in various ways.
  • the system 5500 can be completely integrated into a footswitch device, like the footswitch device 2900 shown in Fig. 28.
  • the system 5500 can be partially integrated into a footswitch device, and partially integrated into an electrosurgical generator.
  • the first and second pedals 5510, 5520 and the first and second RFID tags 5541, 5542 may be integrated into a footswitch device, while the control unit 5530 can be included into an electrosurgical generator.
  • the RFID interrogator 5540 may be connected to the electrosurgical generator through a flexible cable, and may be releasably attachable to the footswitch device, so that the first and second RFID tags 5541, 5542 can be moved into and out of a reading distance of the RFID interrogator.
  • first and second pedals 5510, 5520 may be integrated into a footswitch device, while the control unit 5530 and the RFID interrogator 5540 can be included into an electrosurgical generator.
  • the first and second RFID tags 5541, 5542 may be connected to the footswitch device through flexible mechanical cables, like Bowden wires, and may be mounted in a housing that can be releasably attachable to the electrosurgical generator, so that the first and second RFID tags 5541, 5542 can be moved into and out of a reading distance of the RFID interrogator.
  • control unit may include hardware controllers, software-controlled microcontrollers, or controllers realized by software executed on higher-lever computer architecture, like a general purpose industrial PC.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Gynecology & Obstetrics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Robotics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Surgical Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention divulgue un système chirurgical, comprenant : au moins un dispositif chirurgical; un dispositif de commande destiné à commander le dispositif chirurgical; et un commutateur à pédales; le dispositif de commande étant conçu pour fonctionner dans un premier mode de fonctionnement, amenant le dispositif chirurgical à effectuer une première fonction chirurgicale, et fonctionner dans un second mode de fonctionnement, amenant le dispositif chirurgical à effectuer une seconde fonction chirurgicale; et le commutateur à pédales comprenant un premier élément d'entrée destiné à commuter le dispositif de commande entre le premier mode de fonctionnement et le second mode de fonctionnement; un second élément d'entrée pour activer et/ou désactiver la première ou la seconde fonction chirurgicale; une interface de communication; et un processeur; le processeur étant configuré pour échanger de manière bidirectionnelle des données avec le dispositif de commande par l'intermédiaire de l'interface de communication. L'invention divulgue également un dispositif de commutateur à pédales d'un système chirurgical.
PCT/EP2024/080153 2023-11-09 2024-10-24 Système électrochirurgical, commutateur à pédales électrochirurgical et son procédé de fonctionnement Pending WO2025098797A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102023131154.9 2023-11-09
DE102023131154.9A DE102023131154A1 (de) 2023-11-09 2023-11-09 Elektrochirurgisches System, elektrochirurgischer Fußschalter und Verfahren zu dessen Bedienung
DE102023131151.4 2023-11-09
DE102023131153.0A DE102023131153A1 (de) 2023-11-09 2023-11-09 Elektrochirurgisches System, elektrochirurgischer Fußschalter und Verfahren zu dessen Bedienung
DE102023131155.7 2023-11-09
DE102023131155.7A DE102023131155A1 (de) 2023-11-09 2023-11-09 Elektrochirurgisches System, elektrochirurgischer Fußschalter und Verfahren zu dessen Bedienung
DE102023131153.0 2023-11-09
DE102023131151.4A DE102023131151A1 (de) 2023-11-09 2023-11-09 Elektrochirurgisches System, elektrochirurgischer Fußschalter und Verfahren zu dessen Bedienung

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WO2025098797A1 true WO2025098797A1 (fr) 2025-05-15

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060090990A1 (en) * 2002-06-11 2006-05-04 Blaha Derek M Illuminated foot-switch
US20100198200A1 (en) * 2009-01-30 2010-08-05 Christopher Horvath Smart Illumination for Surgical Devices
US20160128678A1 (en) * 2008-11-25 2016-05-12 Linvatec Corporation Wireless foot controller
US20190117322A1 (en) * 2017-04-28 2019-04-25 Stryker Corporation System And Method For Indicating Mapping Of Console-Based Surgical Systems
US20210338343A1 (en) * 2020-04-30 2021-11-04 Gyrus Medical Limited Electrosurgical system with customised control
US20210393313A1 (en) * 2020-06-22 2021-12-23 Covidien Lp Universal surgical footswitch toggling
WO2022046008A1 (fr) * 2020-08-26 2022-03-03 Mazaka Endustriyel Urunler Sanayi Ticaret Ve Teknoloji Anonim Sirketi Pédale/commutateur à pied à sélection de fonction

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060090990A1 (en) * 2002-06-11 2006-05-04 Blaha Derek M Illuminated foot-switch
US20160128678A1 (en) * 2008-11-25 2016-05-12 Linvatec Corporation Wireless foot controller
US20100198200A1 (en) * 2009-01-30 2010-08-05 Christopher Horvath Smart Illumination for Surgical Devices
US20190117322A1 (en) * 2017-04-28 2019-04-25 Stryker Corporation System And Method For Indicating Mapping Of Console-Based Surgical Systems
US20210338343A1 (en) * 2020-04-30 2021-11-04 Gyrus Medical Limited Electrosurgical system with customised control
US20210393313A1 (en) * 2020-06-22 2021-12-23 Covidien Lp Universal surgical footswitch toggling
WO2022046008A1 (fr) * 2020-08-26 2022-03-03 Mazaka Endustriyel Urunler Sanayi Ticaret Ve Teknoloji Anonim Sirketi Pédale/commutateur à pied à sélection de fonction

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