Surgical instrument with hover sensor and related methods

A surgeon console, comprising:

• (a) a control unit;
• (b) a control console configured to receive commands from an operator and communicate the commands to the control unit;
• (c) a robotic arm in communication with the control unit;
• (d) a surgical instrument configured to selectively couple with the robotic arm, the surgical instrument comprising an end effector configured to deliver therapeutic energy to tissue, the end effector comprising:
• (i) a pair of jaws configured to grasp tissue with an adjustable compression, and
• (ii) a tissue sensor configured to determine at least one tissue characteristic and transmit the at least one tissue characteristic to the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to modify the adjustable compression of the pair of jaws in response to the at least one tissue characteristic;
• and
• (d) a foot control console in communication with the control console and including:
• (i) an activation switch configured to activate the end effector with therapeutic energy, and
• (ii) a hover sensor configured to sense an object proximate to the activation switch within a hover zone, wherein the hover sensor is configured to activate the tissue sensor to determine the at least one tissue characteristic in response to sensing the object within the hover zone.

A method of activating an end effector, comprising:

• (i) receiving indication from a hover sensor that an object has entered a hover zone defined by the hover sensor and positioned proximate to an activation switch;
• (ii) in response to receiving indication from the hover sensor, instructing a tissue sensor to determine at least one tissue characteristic of tissue adjacent to the tissue sensor;
• (iii) utilizing the at least one tissue characteristic to modify a first therapeutic energy to a second therapeutic energy to be delivered to tissue;
• and
• (iv) receiving indication that activation switch has been pressed;
• and
• (v) activating the end effector with the second therapeutic energy as modified based on at least one tissue characteristic.