# US 2018/0021098 A1 · Surgical cannulas, and related systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021098 A1 - Document ID: US20180021098A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/624,148 - Filed: 2017-06-15 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-20 - Assignees: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. - Applicants: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. - Inventors: Jason HEMPHILL - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021098A1 ## CPC - A61B 34/35: for telesurgery - A61B 17/3421: {Cannulas} - A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor - A61B 18/18: by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves - A61B 34/25: {User interfaces for surgical systems} - A61B 34/30: Surgical robots - A61B 34/70: {Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery} - C01B 32/168: After-treatment - C01B 32/176: Cutting - G01N 27/12: of a solid body in dependence upon absorption of a fluid; of a solid body in dependence upon reaction with a fluid {, for detecting components in the fluid} - G01N 33/0036: {specially adapted to detect a particular component (physical analysis of gaseous biological material G01N33/497)} - A61B 18/16: Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding - A61B 90/98: using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00876: {magnetic} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - C01B: NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; {METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A surgical cannula includes an electrically conductive portion, an electrical connector interface configured to removably engage with an electrical connector electrically coupled to a patient return electrode, and an electrical connector sensing device configured to sense whether the electrical connector interface is engaged or disengaged with the electrical connector. Surgical systems include surgical cannulas. Methods relate to surgical cannulas. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical cannula, comprising: an electrically conductive portion; an electrical connector interface configured to removably engage with an electrical connector electrically coupled to a patient return electrode; and an electrical connector sensing device configured to sense whether the electrical connector interface is engaged or disengaged with the electrical connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical cannula of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector sensing device has a first state when the electrical connector is engaged with the electrical connector interface, and has a second state when the electrical connector is not engaged with the electrical connector interface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The surgical cannula of claim 2, wherein the electrical connector sensing device comprises at least one magnet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The surgical cannula of claim 3, wherein the at least one magnet is configured to be in a first configuration when the electrical connector sensing device is in the first state, and wherein the at least one magnet is configured to be in a second configuration when the electrical connector sensing device is in the second state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The surgical cannula of claim 4, wherein the at least one magnet is configured to be in a first position when the electrical connector sensing device is in the first state and in a second position when the electrical connector sensing device is in the second state. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The surgical cannula of claim 4, wherein the at least one magnet is configured to be in a first rotational orientation when the electrical connector sensing device is in the first state and a second rotational orientation when the electrical connector sensing device is in the second state. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The surgical cannula of claim 2, wherein the electrical connector sensing device comprises a pushrod configured to move from a first position corresponding to the first state to a second position corresponding to the second state. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The surgical cannula of claim 7, wherein the pushrod comprises a portion configured to mechanically contact the electrical connector when the electrical connector is engaged with the electrical connector interface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The surgical cannula of claim 8, wherein: the electrical connector interface comprises a receptacle, and a portion of the pushrod is disposed within the receptacle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The surgical cannula of claim 2, wherein the electrical connector sensing device comprises a shutter configured to move between a first position corresponding to the first state and a second position corresponding to the second state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The surgical cannula of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector sensing device comprises a radio-frequency identification device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The surgical cannula of claim 1, further comprising an attachment portion configured to be attached to a portion of a manipulator arm of a surgical system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The surgical cannula of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector sensing device is further configured to output a signal containing information regarding an engaged or disengaged state of the electrical connector with the electrical connector interface. ### Claim 14 A surgical system, comprising: a surgical manipulator; a cannula, comprising: an attachment portion configured for attachment to the surgical manipulator; an electrical connector interface configured to removably engage with an electrical connector electrically coupled with a patient return electrode; and an electrical connector sensing device configured to provide information to a controller of the surgical system regarding an engaged or disengaged state of the electrical connector with the electrical connector interface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The surgical system of claim 14, wherein a user interface of the surgical system is configured to display a visible notification when the electrical connector is in the disengaged state. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The surgical system of claim 14, wherein the surgical system is configured to provide an audible notification when the return electrode is in the disengaged state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The surgical system of claim 14, wherein at least one function of the surgical system is configured to be disabled when the return electrode is in the disengaged state. ### Claim 18 A method comprising: positioning an electrode in conductive contact with an electrically conductive body; engaging an electrical connector operatively coupled to the electrode to an electrical connector interface of a surgical cannula, wherein the engaging electrically couples the electrical connector and the electrical connector interface of the surgical cannula; and changing a state of an electrical connector sensing device responsive to the engaging of the electrical connector and the electrical connector interface of the surgical cannula. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein changing the state of the electrical connector sensing device comprises changing a configuration of at least one magnet disposed within the surgical cannula. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein changing the state of the electrical connector sensing device comprises changing radio-frequency electromagnetic waves being sensed by the electrical connector sensing device.