Enhanced control systems including flexible shielding and support systems for electrosurgical applications

1. A surgical system, comprising:

an introducer device adapted to deliver a plurality of surgical instruments to a site within a patient's body;

a first surgical instrument comprising an active electrode probe having a tip and being adapted for connection to an electrosurgical generator for effecting at the tip thereof an electrosurgical procedure within the patient's body, the first surgical instrument adapted to be deployed through the introducer device;

a second surgical instrument for performing a non-electrosurgical procedure, the second surgical instrument adapted to be deployed through the introducer device;

a conductive shield surrounding the active electrode probe of the first surgical instrument and connected to a reference potential; and

a cold instrument monitor connected to the second surgical instrument and to the reference potential, whereby any current which flows from the active electrode probe to the second surgical instrument is conducted to the reference potential, wherein the cold instrument monitor comprises:

a sensing tube surrounding at least a portion of the second surgical instrument and;

first and second contact monitors connected to the second surgical instrument, the first and second contact monitors electrically coupled to a connection monitor, the connection monitor adapted to determine one or more of the voltage, current, impedance and resistance generated at the first and second contact monitors.

2. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the second surgical instrument is selected from the group consisting of a grasper, an irrigation tube, an optical scope, a scissor, and an ablation device.

3. The surgical system of claim 1 further comprising:

a third surgical instrument for performing a non-electrosurgical procedure, the third surgical instrument adapted to be deployed through the introducer device;

a second cold instrument monitor connected to the third surgical instrument and to the reference potential, whereby any current which flows from the active electrode probe to the third surgical instrument is conducted to the reference potential.

4. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the cold instrument monitor is adapted to detect current emanating from the active electrode probe of the first surgical instrument by direct contact with the active electrode probe.

5. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the cold instrument monitor is adapted to detect current emanating from the active electrode probe of the first surgical instrument by capacitive coupling with the active electrode probe.

6. The surgical system of claim 1 , further comprising a voltage sensor coupled to the sensing tube, wherein the connection monitor and the voltage sensor are coupled to a processor adapted to determine whether a fault condition exists at the second surgical instrument.

7. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the second surgical instrument includes a conductive exterior.

8. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the second surgical instrument includes a non-conductive exterior.

9. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the cold instrument monitor further comprises a RF monitoring tag clamped on to a portion of the second surgical instrument.

10. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the cold instrument monitor further comprises an RF monitoring tag adhered to a portion of the second surgical instrument.

11. The surgical system of claim 1 , wherein the introducer device is a trocar.

12. A surgical system, comprising:

a surgical control mechanism for delivering a plurality of surgical instruments to a site within a patient's body, the surgical control mechanism comprising a control arm for maneuvering at least one of the plurality of surgical instruments;

a first surgical instrument comprising an active electrode probe having a tip and being adapted for connection to an electrosurgical generator for effecting at the tip thereof an electrosurgical procedure within a patient's body;

a second surgical instrument for performing a non-electrosurgical procedure;

a conductive shield surrounding the active electrode probe and connected to a reference potential; and

a cold instrument monitor connected to the second surgical instrument and to the reference potential, whereby any current which flows from the active electrode probe to the second surgical instrument is conducted to the reference potential, wherein the cold instrument monitor comprises:

a sensing tube surrounding at least a portion of the second surgical instrument and;

first and second contact monitors connected to the second surgical instrument, the first and second contact monitors electrically coupled to the a connection monitor, the a connection monitor adapted to determine one or more of the voltage, current, impedance and resistance generated at the first and second contact monitors

wherein at least one of the first and second surgical instruments is disposed on a distal end of the control arm.

13. The surgical system of claim 12 , wherein the surgical control mechanism is a robotic surgical system.

14. The surgical system of claim 12 , wherein surgical control mechanism is adapted to be controlled from a location remote from the patient.

15. The surgical system of claim 12 , wherein the control arm comprises a plurality of interconnected and articulating segments and is capable of positioning the at least one of the first and second surgical instruments within a three dimensional location in the patient's body.

16. The surgical system of claim 12 , further comprising a second control arm for maneuvering at least one of the plurality of surgical instruments.

17. The surgical system of claim 12 , wherein the cold instrument monitor further comprises a wireless radio frequency sensor coupled to the second surgical instrument.

18. The surgical system of claim 12 , further comprising a second cold instrument monitor, wherein the second cold instrument monitor is coupled to a surface other than that of a surgical instrument.

19. The surgical system of claim 18 , wherein the second cold instrument monitor is adapted to couple to an operating room table.

20. The surgical system of claim 18 , wherein the second cold instrument monitor is adapted to couple to a person.

21. An enhanced control surgery system for aiding in the performance of a surgical procedure, comprising:

a surgical tool control arm having two or more interconnected and articulated members;

a controller adapted to maneuver the surgical tool control arm;

a first surgical instrument comprising an active electrode probe having a tip and extending through the surgical tool control arm, the active electrode probe being adapted for connection to an electrosurgical generator;

a second surgical instrument for performing a non-electrosurgical procedure;

a conductive shield surrounding the active electrode probe; and

an electrical terminal connected to the shield and adapted to connect the shield to a reference potential;

a cold instrument monitor connected to the second surgical instrument and to the reference potential, whereby any current which flows from the active electrode probe to the second surgical instrument is conducted to the reference potential, wherein the cold instrument monitor comprises:

a sensing tube surrounding at least a portion of the second surgical instrument; and

first and second contact monitors connected to the second surgical instrument, the first and second contact monitors electrically coupled to the a connection monitor, the connection monitor adapted to determine one or more of the voltage, current, impedance and resistance generated at the first and second contact monitors;

wherein both the active electrode probe and the conductive shield are adapted to substantially conform to the movements of the surgical tool control arm.

22. The enhanced control surgery system of claim 21 , wherein the conductive shield is formed from a conductive cloth.

23. The enhanced control surgery system of claim 21 , wherein the conductive shield is formed from a wire mesh.

24. The enhanced control surgery system of claim 21 , wherein the conductive shield is formed from a wire braid.

25. The enhanced control surgery system of claim 21 , wherein the conductive shield comprises a polymer tubing and a conductive material disposed over the polymer tubing.

26. The enhanced control surgery system of claim 21 , wherein the conductive shield is formed from a wire embedded in a flexible polymer.

27. The enhanced control surgery system of claim 21 , wherein the conductive shield is formed from a flexible circuit.

28. The enhanced control surgery system of claim 21 , wherein the conductive shield comprises:

an insulating woven matrix;

a flexible conductor; and

an insulative coating.

29. The enhanced control surgery system of claim 21 , wherein the conductive shield is formed from flexible micro-coaxial cable.