Thermal effects of the anovo® instrument arms hook electrode and curved scissors: an ex vivo study of safety and precision in monopolar electrosurgery.

Abstract

Background: Thermal damage during surgical procedures is a critical factor influencing patient safety and outcomes, particularly in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries. Advanced robotic-assisted surgical systems, such as the Anovo^® Surgical System, incorporate monopolar electrosurgical tools designed to optimize precision while minimizing collateral tissue damage. This study evaluates the thermal effects of the Anovo^® Hook Electrode and Curved Scissors compared to conventional off-the-shelf (OTS) tools.

Methods: An ex vivo study was conducted using 288 tissue samples from a swine model, including liver, kidney, and muscle tissues. Thermal effects during monopolar cutting and coagulation were evaluated at three power settings (low, medium, high) and durations (5, 10, 15 s). Histological analysis was performed on all samples to assess coagulation necrosis and thermal spread. Statistical equivalence testing was applied to compare the Anovo^® devices with OTS tools.

Results: The Anovo^® devices achieved precise and consistent thermal effects, meeting equivalence criteria in 97.57% of samples. Histological analysis confirmed well-defined coagulation zones with no unintended necrosis beyond the treated areas. Thermal spread increased proportionally with power settings and activation durations, but remained within clinically acceptable limits. The Anovo^® devices demonstrated performance comparable to, and occasionally superior to, OTS tools.

Conclusion: The Anovo^® Hook Electrode and Curved Scissors provide safe and effective monopolar electrosurgical performance with precise thermal effects. These findings support their use in robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgeries and highlight their potential to enhance surgical precision and patient outcomes.