Prototype of a system for electric conduction at contact with laparoscopic tools

The authors present their prototype of a system for electric conduction at contact with laparoscopic tools, devised, designed and produced by them at the Politecnico di Torino, Department of Mechanical Engineering. The system consists of a two sided plate, one side is a non conducting adhesive surface to stick to the surgical glove and the other side is a subtle flexible shell of a conductor. The Authors used the instrument with surgical tools with a metallic handle, during three cholecystectomies. Nowadays all standard laparoscopic tools have the chance and the need to be electrified. Now the way commonly used to electrify a laparoscopic tool is using a wire plugged to a fixed conducting point of the instrument. This prototype has been devised and produced to avoid some discomforts met during the numerous manoeuvres of connecting and disconnecting the wire at the time of a surgical intervention. This device permits the direct transfer (by contact) of electric energy from the wire to surgical tools. The advantage is to be more rapid in changing surgical tools obtaining, immediately an electrified instrument in your hand.