Smoke evacuation device remote activation system

A method for remote activation of a smoke evacuation device, the method comprising:

• generating a radio frequency (RF) current at a signal generator;
• communicating the RF current through a source cable to an electrosurgical instrument;
• detecting an activation of RF current with an RF current sensor communicatively coupled to a smoke evacuation device;
• in response to detecting the activation of RF current, communicating an activation signal from the RF current sensor to the smoke evacuation device;
• receiving the activation signal at the smoke evacuation device;
• and
• in response to receiving the activation signal, activating a vacuum source for one or more of a defined period of time or to generate a defined smoke evacuation flow rate.

An electrosurgical system, comprising:

• a signal generator producing a radio frequency (RF) current;
• a source cable electrically coupled to the signal generator and to an electrosurgical instrument, the source cable communicating the RF current from the signal generator to the electrosurgical instrument;
• a smoke evacuation device comprising a vacuum hose, the vacuum hose being positioned proximate the electrosurgical instrument and configured to evacuate smoke generated by the electrosurgical instrument;
• and
• an RF current sensor communicatively coupled to the smoke evacuation device, the RF current sensor activating the smoke evacuation device in response to identifying the RF current.