JP7714857B2 - Smoke evacuation method for surgical hubs - Google Patents

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/773,778, filed November 30, 2018, entitled "METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL SCHEMES FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND INTERACTION," and entitled "METHOD FOR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FUNCTION," the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety under 35 U.S.C. §119(e). U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/773,728, filed November 30, 2018, entitled "METHOD FOR FACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETION," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/773,741, filed November 30, 2018, entitled "METHOD FOR CIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON A SENSE SITUIATION OR USAGE," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/773,741, filed November 30, 2018, entitled "METHOD FOR CIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON A SITUIATION This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/773,742, filed November 30, 2018, entitled "AWARENESS."

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/750,529, entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATING MULTI-CLIP APPLIER," filed October 25, 2018; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/750,539, entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER," filed October 25, 2018; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/750,555, entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER," filed October 25, 2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

This application also relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,183, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "CONTROL FOR A SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE THAT ADJUSTS ITS FUNCTION BASED ON A SENSEED SITUATION OR USAGE," the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e). U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,177, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "PARAMETERS WITHIN A SURGICAL NETWORK BEFORE TRANSMISSION," and entitled "INDIRECT COMMAND AND CONTROL OF A FIRST OPERATING ROOM SYSTEM THROUGH THE USE OF A SECOND OPERATING ROOM SYSTEM WITHIN A STERILE FIELD WHERE THE SECOND OPERATING ROOM SYSTEM HAS PRIMARY AND U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,176, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "POWERED STAPLING DEVICE THAT IS CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FORCE, ADVANCEMENT SPEED, AND OVERALL STROKE OF CUTTING MEMBER OF THE DEVICE BASED ON SENSE PARAMETER OF FIRING OR U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,185, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "Powered Surgical Tool with a Predefined Adjustable Control Algorithm for Controlling at Least One End Effector Parameter and a Means for Limiting the Adjustment" and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,184, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "Sensing the Patient Position" U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,182, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL NETWORK RECOMMENDATIONS FROM REAL TIME ANALYSIS OF PROCEDURE VARIABLES AGAINST A BASELINE HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENCES FROM THE HUB AND CONTACT USING THE MONO-POLAR RETURN PAD ELECTRODE TO PROVIDE SITUIATIONAL AWARENESS TO THE HUB," U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,191, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "ULTRASONIC ENERGY DEVICE WHICH VARIES PRESSURE APPLIED BY CLAMP ARM TO PROVIDE THRESSOLD CONTROL PRESSURE AT A CUT PROGRESSION LOCATION," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,195, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "WIRELESS PAIRING OF A SURGICAL DEVICE WITH Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,186, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "Another Device Within a Sterile Surgical Field Based on the Usage and Situational Awareness of Devices."

This application also relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,995, filed August 23, 2018, entitled "CONTROLLING AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO TISSUE LOCATION," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,998, filed August 23, 2018, entitled "SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEMS," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,998, filed August 23, 2018, entitled "INTERRUPTION OF ENERGY DUE TO INADVERTENT CAPACITIVE SYSTEMS," the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties under 35 U.S.C. §119(e). U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,999, filed August 23, 2018, entitled "BIPOLAR COMBINATION DEVICE THAT AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS PRESSURE BASED ON ENERGY MODALITY," U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,994, filed August 23, 2018, entitled "RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY DEVICE FOR DELIVERING COMBINED ELECTRICAL COUPLING," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,994, filed August 23, 2018, entitled "RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY DEVICE FOR DELIVERING COMBINED ELECTRICAL COUPLING." This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,996, filed August 23, 2018, entitled "SIGNALS."

This application further claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/692,747, entitled "SMART ACTIVATION OF AN ENERGY DEVICE BY ANOTHER DEVICE," filed June 30, 2018; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/692,748, entitled "SMART ENERGY ARCHITECTURE," filed June 30, 2018; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/692,768, entitled "SMART ENERGY DEVICES," filed June 30, 2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

This application also relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,228, filed June 28, 2018, entitled "METHOD OF USING REINFORCED FLEX CIRCUITS WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS WITH ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,227, filed June 28, 2018, entitled "CONTROLLING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO SENSED CLOSURE PARAMETERS," the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety under 35 U.S.C. §119(e). U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,230, filed June 28, 2018, entitled "Instrument Having a Flexible Electrode," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,219, filed June 28, 2018, entitled "Surgical Evacuation Sensing and Motor Control," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,219, filed June 28, 2018, entitled "Communication of Smoke Evacuation System Parameters to Hub or Cloud in Smoke Evacuation Module for Interactive Surgical U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,257, filed June 28, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL EVACATION SYSTEM WITH A COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A FILTER AND A SMOKE EVACATION DEVICE," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,262, filed June 28, 2018, entitled "DUAL IN-SERIES LARGE AND SMALL DROPLET This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,251, filed June 28, 2018, entitled "FILTERS."

This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,129, entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING SYSTEMS," filed May 1, 2018; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,139, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING CONTROL SYSTEMS," filed May 1, 2018; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,177, entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS," filed May 1, 2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e). This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,128, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," filed May 1, 2018; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,192, entitled "SURGICAL DISSECTORS," filed May 1, 2018; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,134, entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER," filed May 1, 2018.

This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/659,900, filed April 19, 2018, entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This application further discloses, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/650,898, filed March 30, 2018, entitled "CAPACITIVE COUPLED RETURN PATH PAD WITH SEPARABLE ARRAY ELEMENTS," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/650,887, filed March 30, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED SENSING CAPABILITIES," the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/650,882, filed March 30, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL SMOKE EVACUATION SENSING AND CONTROLS," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/650,877, filed March 30, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL SMOKE EVACUATION SENSING AND CONTROLS."

This application also incorporates by reference under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,302, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,294, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD," the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,300, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER," U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,309, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,310, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,291, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,296, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,296, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADD SURGICAL DEVICES." U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,333, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,327, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS" U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,315, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES," U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,313, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "DRIVE ARRANGMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,320, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS." This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,307, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,323, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS."

This application further claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,341, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," filed December 28, 2017; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,340, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS," filed December 28, 2017; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,339, entitled "ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM," filed December 28, 2017, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present disclosure relates to a surgical system and method for an evacuation device thereof. The surgical smoke evacuation device is configured to evacuate smoke, fluids, and/or particulates from a surgical site. For example, smoke may be generated at a surgical site during a surgical procedure involving an energy device.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for evacuation of particulates from a surgical site. The method includes communicatively connecting a particulate ejection module and a surgical hub, the surgical hub including a surgical hub housing, the particulate ejection module configured to be received within the surgical hub housing; removing particulates from the surgical site into the particulate ejection module; analyzing the removed particulates; and modifying operation of the particulate ejection module based on the analysis of the removed particulates.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for evacuating particulates from a surgical site, the method including connecting a particulate ejection module and a surgical hub, the surgical hub including a surgical hub housing, the particulate ejection module configured to be received within the surgical hub housing; actuating a surgical instrument within the surgical site; drawing particulates from the surgical site into the particulate ejection module; analyzing the particulates; and modifying operating parameters of the particulate ejection module based on the analysis of the particulates.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for evacuating smoke from a surgical site, the method including connecting a smoke evacuation module and a surgical hub, the surgical hub including a surgical hub housing, the smoke evacuation module configured to be received within the surgical hub housing; inserting components of the smoke evacuation module into the surgical site; removing smoke from the surgical site; analyzing the removed smoke; and modifying operation of the smoke evacuation module based on the analysis of the removed smoke.

While the features of the various aspects are set forth with particularity in the appended claims, the various aspects, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ejector housing of a surgical drainage system, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical evacuation electrosurgical tool according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a surgical evacuation tool releasably secured to an electrosurgical pencil, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating internal components within an ejector housing of a surgical drainage system, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system including a smoke evacuator, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a surgical drainage system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical system including a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an ejector housing of the surgical drainage system of FIG. 7, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 9 is an elevational cross-sectional view of a socket in the ejector housing of FIG. 8 taken along the plane shown in FIG. 8, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter of an evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 11 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the filter of FIG. 10 taken along a central longitudinal plane of the filter, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 8 is a pump for a surgical drainage system, such as the surgical drainage system of FIG. 7, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a surgical drainage system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a fluid trap of the surgical drainage system of FIG. 13, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the fluid trap of FIG. 14, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 15 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the fluid trap of FIG. 14, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the fluid trap of FIG. 14 with portions removed for clarity, showing liquid trapped within the fluid trap and smoke flowing through the fluid trap, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ejector housing of an ejection system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an ejector housing of another ejection system in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a smoke evacuation system in communication with various other modules and devices in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of interconnectivity between a surgical hub, cloud, smoke evacuation module, and/or various other modules A, B, and C, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a smoke evacuation system in communication with various other modules and devices in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates one aspect of a segmented control circuit in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a control circuit portion of a smoke evacuation module to energize a segmented control circuit in a stepwise manner is disclosed. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a smoke evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a filter communication circuit of the smoke evacuation system of FIG. 25 in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a filter device of the smoke evacuation system of FIG. 25 in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a housing of an evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates an electrosurgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 30 illustrates a return pad of the surgical system of FIG. 29 in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 31 illustrates multiple electrodes of the return pad of FIG. 30 in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 31 illustrates an array of sensing devices of the return pad of FIG. 30 in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a method for simultaneously applying a neural stimulation signal and electrosurgical energy to a patient according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer-implemented interactive surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 is a surgical system used to perform a surgical procedure in an operating room, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 is a surgical hub paired with a visualization system, a robotic system, and an intelligent instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of a surgical hub housing and a combination generator module slidably receivable within a drawer of the surgical hub housing, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination generator module including bipolar, ultrasonic, and monopolar contacts and a smoke evacuation component, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 10 illustrates individual power bus attachments for multiple lateral docking ports of a lateral modular housing configured to receive multiple modules, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a vertical modular housing configured to receive multiple modules, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a surgical data network comprising a modular communications hub configured to connect modular devices located in one or more operating rooms of a medical facility, or any room within a medical facility equipped for surgical procedures, to a cloud, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a computer-implemented interactive surgical system in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a surgical hub comprising multiple modules coupled to a modular control tower in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates one aspect of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) network hub device in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a logic diagram of a control system for a surgical instrument or tool, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a control circuit configured to control aspects of a surgical instrument or tool in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a combinational logic circuit configured to control aspects of a surgical instrument or tool in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a sequential logic circuit configured to control aspects of a surgical instrument or tool in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a surgical instrument or tool with multiple motors that can be activated to perform various functions, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a robotic surgical instrument configured to manipulate a surgical tool described herein, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a surgical instrument programmed to control distal translation of a displacement member, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a surgical instrument configured to control various functions, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a generator configured to provide, among other advantages, inductorless tuning, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 54 illustrates an example generator, one form of the generator of FIG. 53, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. 10 is a timeline illustrating situational awareness of a surgical hub according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed December 4, 2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
- Attorney Reference Number END8495USNP/170727M, Title of Invention: "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, STORAGE AND DISPLAY"
- Attorney Docket No. END8495USNP1/170727-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION"
- Attorney Reference Number END8496USNP/170728M, Title of Invention: "METHOD OF CLOUD-BASED DATA ANALYTICS FOR USE WITH THE HUB"
- Attorney Reference Number END8497USNP/170729M, Title of Invention "METHOD OF ROBOTIC HUB COMMUNICATION, DETECTION, AND CONTROL"
- Attorney Reference Number END8505USNP/170772M, Title of Invention: "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, DISPLAY, AND CLOUD ANALYTICS"
- Attorney Reference Number END8538USNP/170751M, Title of Invention: "METHOD OF COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS"
- Attorney Reference Number END8539USNP/170752M, Title of Invention: "METHOD OF USING REINFORCED FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS TO OPTIMIZED PERFORMANCE OF RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES"
- Attorney Reference Number END8540USNP/170753M, Title of Invention: "METHOD OF SENSING PARTICULATE FROM SMOKE EVACUATED FROM A PATIENT, ADJUSTING THE PUMP SPEED BASED ON THE SENSED INFORMATION, AND COMMUNICATING THE FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS OF THE SYSTEM TO THE HUB"
Attorney Docket No. END8558USNP1/180138-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SMART ENERGY DEVICES"
- Attorney Docket No. END8559USNP1/180141-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR SMART ENERGY DEVICE INFRASTRUCTURE"
- Attorney Docket No. END9011USNP1/180510-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL SCHEMES FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND INTERACTION"
Attorney Docket No. END9015USNP1/180514-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR SITURAL AWARENESS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FUNCTION BASED ON A SENSED SITURAL OR USAGE"
Attorney Docket No. END9017USNP1/180516-1M, titled "METHOD FOR FACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION", and Attorney Docket No. END9033USNP1/180520-1M, titled "METHOD FOR CIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed November 6, 2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,224, entitled "SURGICAL NETWORK, INSTRUMENT, AND CLOUD RESPONSE BASED ON VALIDATION OF RECEIVED DATASET AND AUTHENTICATION OF ITS SOURCE AND INTEGRITY";
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16/182,230, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION INTERPRETED FROM EXTERNAL DATA";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,233, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH AUTONOMOUSLY ADJUSTABLE CONTROL PROGRAMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,239, entitled "ADJUSTMENT OF DEVICE CONTROL PROGRAMS BASED ON STRATIFIED CONTEXTUAL DATA IN ADDITION TO THE DATA";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,243, entitled "SURGICAL HUB AND MODULAR DEVICE RESPONSE ADJUSTMENT BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,248, entitled "Detection and Escalation of Security Responses of Surgical Instruments to Increasing Severity Threats";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,251, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEM";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,260, entitled "AUTOMATED DATA SCALING, ALIGNMENT, AND ORGANIZING BASED ON PREDEFINED PARAMETERS WITHIN SURGICAL NETWORKS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,267, entitled "SENSING THE PATIENT POSITION AND CONTACT UTILIZING THE MONO-POLAR RETURN PADS ELECTRODE TO PROVIDE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS TO THE HUB";
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16/182,249, entitled "POWERED SURGICAL TOOL WITH PREDEFINED ADJUSTABLE CONTROL ALGORITHM FOR CONTROLLING END EFFECTOR PARAMETER";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,246, entitled "ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON AIRBORNE PARTICLE PROPERTIES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,256, entitled "ADJUSTMENT OF A SURGICAL DEVICE FUNCTION BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS";
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,242, entitled "REAL-TIME ANALYSIS OF COMPRESSIVE COST OF ALL INSTRUCTIONS USED IN SURGERY UTILIZING DATA FLUIDITY TO TRACK INSTRUMENTS THROUGH STOCKING AND IN-HOUSE PROCESSES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,255, entitled "USAGE AND TECHNIQUE ANALYSIS OF SURGEON/STAFF PERFORMANCE AGAINST A BASELINE TO OPTIMIZED DEVICE UTILIZATION AND PERFORMANCE FOR BOTH CURRENT AND FUTURE PROCEDURES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,269, entitled "IMAGE CAPTURING OF THE AREA'S OUTSIDE THE ABDOMEN TO IMPROVE PLACEMENT AND CONTROL OF A SURGICAL DEVICE IN USE";
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,278, entitled "COMMUNICATION OF DATA WHERE A SURGICAL NETWORK IS USING CONTEXT OF THE DATA AND REQUIREMENTS OF A RECEIVING SYSTEM/USER TO INFLUENCE INCLUSION OR LINKAGE OF DATA AND METADATA TO ESTABLISH CONTINUITY";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,290, entitled "SURGICAL NETWORK RECOMMENDATIONS FROM REAL TIME ANALYSIS OF PROCEDURE VARIABLES AGAINST A BASELINE HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENCES FROM THE OPTIMAL SOLUTION";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,232, entitled "CONTROL OF A SURGICAL SYSTEM THROUGH A SURGICAL BARRIER";
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,227, entitled "SURGICAL NETWORK DETERMINATION OF PRIORITIZATION OF COMMUNICATION, INTERACTION, OR PROCESSING BASED ON SYSTEM OR DEVICE NEEDS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,231, entitled "WIRELESS PAIRING OF A SURGICAL DEVICE WITH ANOTHER DEVICE WITHIN A STERILE SURGICAL FIELD BASED ON THE USAGE AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF DEVICES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,229, entitled "ADJUSTMENT OF STAPLE HEIGHT OF AT LEAST ONE ROW OF STAPLES BASED ON THE SENSE TISSUE THICKNESS OR FORCE IN CLOSING";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,234, entitled "STAPLING DEVICE WITH BOTH COMPULSORY AND DISCRETIONARY LOCKOUTS BASED ON SENSED PARAMETERS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,240, entitled "POWERED STAPLING DEVICE CONFIGURED TO ADJUST FORCE, ADVANCEMENT SPEED, AND OVERALL STROKE OF CUTTING MEMBER BASED ON SENSE PARAMETER OF FIRING OR CLAMPING";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/182,235, entitled "Variation of Radio Frequency and Ultrasonic Power Level in Cooperation with Varying Clamp Arm Pressure to Accompany Predefined Heat Flux or Power Applied to Tissue," and "Ultrasonic Energy Device Which Varies Pressure Applied by Clamp Arm to Provide" U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,238, entitled "Threshold Control Pressure at a Cut Progression Location."

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed on October 26, 2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,303, entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATING MULTI-CLIP APPLIE";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,130, entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRESSING INTERCHANGEABLE CLIP RELOADS";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,066, entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING A MOVEABLE CLIP MAGAZINE";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,078, entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING A ROTATABLE CLIP MAGAZINE";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,087, entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING CLIP ADVANCEING SYSTEMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,094, entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING A CLIP CRIMPING SYSTEM";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,128, entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING A RECIPROCATING CLIP ADVANCED MEMBER";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,168, entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRESSING A MOTOR CONTROLLER";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,164, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRESSING A SURGICAL TOOL AND A SURGICAL HUB";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,328, entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,280, entitled "METHOD FOR PRODUCING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SMART ELECTRICAL SYSTEM";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,219, entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,248, entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,198, entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS," and U.S. Patent Application No. 16/172,155, entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS."

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed August 28, 2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,214, entitled "ESTIMATING STATE OF ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,205, entitled "TEMPERATURE CONTROL OF ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,233, entitled "Radio Frequency Energy Device for Delivering Combined Electrical Signals";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,208, entitled "CONTROLLING AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO TISSUE LOCATION";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,220, entitled "CONTROLLING ACTIVATION OF AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO THE PRESENCE OF TISSUE";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,232, entitled "DETERMINING TISSUE COMPOSITION VIA AN ULTRASONIC SYSTEM";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,239, entitled "DETERMINING THE STATE OF AN ULTRASONIC ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM ACCORDING TO FREQUENCY SHIFT";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,247, entitled "DETERMINING THE STATE OF AN ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,211, entitled "Situational Awareness of Electrical Systems";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,226, entitled "MECHANISMS FOR CONTROLLING DIFFERENT ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS OF AN ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,240, entitled "DETECTION OF END EFFECTOR EMERSION IN LIQUID";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,249, entitled "INTERRUPTION OF ENERGY DUE TO INADVERTENT CAPACITIIVE COUPLING";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/115,256, entitled "Increasing Radio Frequency to Create a Pad-Less Monopolar Loop";
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,223, entitled "BIPOLAR COMBINATION DEVICE THAT AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS PRESSURE BASED ON ENERGY MODALITY," and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,238, entitled "ACTIVATION OF ENERGY DEVICES."

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed August 24, 2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,129, entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING INSTRUMENT CONFIGURED TO MANIPULATE TISSUE USING MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL POWER";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,155, entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING INSTRUMENT COMPRESSING A CAPTURE WIDTH WHICH IS LARGE THAN TROCAR DIAMETER";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,168, entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING INSTRUMENT COMPRESSING A NON-CIRCULAR NEEDLE";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,180, entitled "ELECTRICAL POWER OUTPUT CONTROL BASED ON MECHANICAL FORCES";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,193, entitled "REACTIVE ALGORITHM FOR SURGICAL SYSTEM";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,099, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRESSING AN ADAPTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,112, entitled "CONTROL SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR A MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,119, entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAMS FOR A SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRESSING MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF CARTRIDGE";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,097, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING BATTERY ARRANGEMENTS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,109, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRESSING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,114, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING FEEDBACK MECHANISMS";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,117, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING LOCKOUT MECHANISMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,095, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRESSING A LOCKABLE END EFFECTOR SOCKET";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,121, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRESSING A SHIFTING MECHANISM";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,151, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRESSING A SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATION AND ROTATION COMPENSATION";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,154, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A BIASED SHIFTING MECHANISME";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,226, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRESSING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE THAT PROVIDES FOR HIGH ARTICULATION ANGLES";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,062, entitled "SURGICAL DISSECTORS AND MANUFACTURERING TECHNIQUES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,098, entitled "SURGICAL DISSECTORS CONFIGURED TO APPLY MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,237, entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER CONFIGURED TO STORE CLIPS IN A STORED STATE";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,245, entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRESSING AN EMPTY CLIP CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,249, entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN AUTOMATIC CLIP FEEDING SYSTEM";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,253, entitled "Surgical Clip Applier Comprising Adaptive Firing Control," and U.S. Patent Application No. 16/112,257, entitled "Surgical Clip Applier Comprising Adaptive Control in Response to a Strain Gauge Circuit."

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed June 29, 2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,090, entitled "CAPACITIVE COUPLED RETURN PATH PAD WITH SEPARABLE ARRAY ELEMENTS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,057, entitled "CONTROLLING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO SENSED CLOSURE PARAMETERS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,067, entitled "SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING END EFFECTOR PARAMETERS BASED ON PERIOPERATIVE INFORMATION";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,075, entitled "SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR SMART POWERED SURGICAL STAPLING";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,083, entitled "SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR SMART POWERED SURGICAL STAPLING";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,094, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING END EFFECTOR TISSUE DISTRIBUTION IRREGULARITIES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,138, entitled "SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING PROXIMITY OF SURGICAL END EFFECTOR TO CANCEROUS TISSUE";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,150, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CARTRIDGE SENSOR ASSEMBLIES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,160, entitled "VARIABLE OUTPUT CARTRIDGE SENSOR ASSEMBLY";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,124, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A FLEXIBLE ELECTRODE";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,132, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,141, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH A TISSUE MARKING ASSEMBLY";
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16/024,162, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH PRIORITIZED DATA TRANSMISSION CAPABILITIES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,066, entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION SENSING AND MOTOR CONTROL";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,096, entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,116, entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION FLOW PATHS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,149, entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION SENSING AND GENERATOR CONTROL";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,180, entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION SENSING AND DISPLAY";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,245, entitled "COMMUNICATION OF SMOKE EVACUATION SYSTEM PARAMETERS TO HUB OR CLOUD IN SMOKE EVACUATION MODULE FOR INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM";
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/024,258, entitled "SMOKE EVACUATION SYSTEM INCLUDING A SEGMENTED CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM";
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,265, entitled "SURGICAL EVACATION SYSTEM WITH A COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A FILTER AND A SMOKE EVACATION DEVICE," and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,273, entitled "DUAL IN-SERIES LARGE AND SMALL DROPLET FILTERS."

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed March 29, 2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,641, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,648, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH CONDITION HANDLING OF DEVICES AND DATA CAPABILITIES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,656, entitled "SURGICAL HUB COORDINATION OF CONTROL AND COMMUNICATION OF OPERATING ROOM DEVICES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,666, entitled "SPATIAL AWARENESS OF SURGICAL HUB IN OPERATING ROOMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,670, entitled "COOPERATIVE UTILIZATION OF DATA DERIVED FROM SECONDARY SOURCES BY INTELLIGENT SURGICAL HUBs";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,677, entitled "SURGICAL HUB CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,632, entitled "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,640, entitled "COMMUNICATION HUB AND STORAGE DEVICE FOR STORING PARAMETERS AND STATUS OF A SURGICAL DEVICE TO BE SHARED WITH CLOUD-BASED ANALYTICS SYSTEMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,645, entitled "SELF DESCRIBING DATA PACKETS GENERATED AT AN ISSUING INSTRUMENT";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,649, entitled "DATA PAIRING TO INTERCONNECT A DEVICE MEASURED PARAMETER WITH AN OUTCOME";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,654, entitled "SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS";
- U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,663, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,668, entitled "AGGREGATION AND REPORTING OF SURGICAL HUB DATA";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,671, entitled "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,686, entitled "Display of Alignment of Staple Cartridge to Prior Linear Staple Line";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,700, entitled "STERILE FIELD INTERACTIVE CONTROL DISPLAYS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,629, entitled "COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,704, entitled "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,722, entitled "CHARACTERIZATION OF TISSUE IRREGULARITIES THROUGH THE USE OF MONO-CHROMATIC LIGHT REFRACTIONITY";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,742, entitled "DUAL CMOS ARRAY IMAGING";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,636, entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,653, entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL HUBs";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,660, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,679, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR LINKING OF LOCAL USAGE TRENDS WITH THE RESOURCE ACQUISITION BEHAVIORS OF LARGE DATA SET";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,694, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR MEDICAL FACILITY SEGMENTED INDIVIDUALIZATION OF INSTRUMENT FUNCTION";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,634, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,706, entitled "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,675, entitled "CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,627, entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,637, entitled "COMMUNICATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,642, entitled "CONTROLS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,676, entitled "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,680, entitled "CONTROLLERS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";
U.S. Patent Application No. 15/940,683, entitled "COOPERATIVE SURGICAL ACTIONS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,690, entitled "Display Arrangements for Robot-Assisted Surgical Platforms," and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,711, entitled "Sensing Arrangements for Robot-Assisted Surgical Platforms."

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications, filed March 8, 2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/640,417, entitled "TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN ULTRASONIC DEVICE AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/640,415, entitled "ESTIMATING STATE OF ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR."

Before describing various aspects of the surgical device and generator in detail, it is important to note that the illustrated examples are not limited in application or use to the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings and description. The illustrative examples may be embodied in or incorporated into other aspects, variations, and modifications, and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the terms and phrases used herein have been chosen for the convenience of the reader for the purpose of describing the illustrative examples, and not for the purpose of limiting them. Furthermore, it should be understood that one or more of the aspects, embodiment(s) of aspects, and/or examples described below can be combined with any one or more of the other aspects, embodiment(s) of aspects, and/or examples described below.

Energy Devices and Smoke Evacuation The present disclosure relates to energy devices and intelligent surgical evacuation systems for evacuating smoke and/or other fluids and/or particulates from a surgical site. Smoke is often generated during surgical procedures utilizing one or more energy devices. Energy devices use energy to affect tissue. In energy devices, energy is supplied by a generator. Energy devices include devices with tissue-contacting electrodes, such as electrosurgical devices with one or more radio frequency (RF) electrodes, and devices with a vibrating surface, such as ultrasonic devices with an ultrasonic blade. In electrosurgical devices, the generator is configured to generate an oscillating current to power the electrode. In ultrasonic devices, the generator is configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations to power the ultrasonic blade. Generators are further described herein.

Ultrasonic energy can be utilized to coagulate and cut tissue. Ultrasonic energy coagulates and cuts tissue by vibrating an energy-delivery surface (e.g., an ultrasonic blade) that contacts the tissue. The ultrasonic blade can be coupled to a waveguide that transmits vibrational energy from an ultrasonic transducer, which generates mechanical vibrations and is powered by a generator. By vibrating at high frequencies (e.g., 55,500 times per second), the ultrasonic blade generates friction and heat between the blade and tissue, i.e., at the blade-tissue interface, which denatures proteins within the tissue and forms a sticky coagulant. Pressure exerted on the tissue by the blade surface collapses blood vessels, allowing the coagulant to form a hemostatic seal. The precision of cutting and coagulation can be controlled, for example, by the clinician's technique and by adjusting the power level, blade edge, tissue traction, and blade pressure.

Ultrasonic surgical instruments are finding increasingly widespread use in surgical procedures due to the specialized performance characteristics of such instruments. Depending on the specific instrument configuration and operating parameters, ultrasonic surgical instruments can substantially simultaneously cut tissue and achieve hemostasis through coagulation, desirably minimizing trauma to the patient. The cutting action is typically accomplished by an end effector or blade tip at the distal end of the ultrasonic instrument. The ultrasonic end effector transfers ultrasonic energy to tissue brought into contact with the end effector. Ultrasonic instruments of this nature can be configured, for example, for open surgical applications, including robotic-assisted surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or endoscopic surgery.

Electrical energy can also be utilized for coagulation and/or cutting. Electrosurgical devices typically include a handpiece and an instrument having an end effector (e.g., one or more electrodes) attached to its distal end. The end effector can be positioned against and/or adjacent to tissue so that electrical current is introduced into the tissue. Electrosurgery is widely used and offers many advantages, including the use of a single surgical instrument for both coagulation and cutting.

The electrode or tip of an electrosurgical device is small at the point of contact with the patient to generate a high-frequency current with a high current density to produce the surgical effect of coagulating and/or cutting tissue by cauterization. The return electrode carries the same high-frequency signal back to the electrosurgical generator after passing through the patient, thus providing a return path for the RF signal.

Electrosurgical devices can be configured for bipolar or monopolar operation. During bipolar operation, current is introduced into tissue by the end effector's active electrode and returned from the tissue by the end effector's return electrode, respectively. During monopolar operation, current is introduced into tissue by the end effector's active electrode and returned via a return electrode (e.g., a ground pad) located on or separately from the patient's body. Heat generated by current flowing through the tissue can form a hemostatic seal within and/or between tissues and can therefore be particularly useful, for example, for sealing blood vessels. The end effector of an electrosurgical device can also include a cutting member movable relative to the tissue and electrode for transecting tissue.

During application, electrosurgical devices can transmit low-frequency RF current through tissue, which creates ionic agitation or friction (i.e., resistive heating), thereby increasing the temperature of the tissue. A boundary is created between the affected and surrounding tissue, allowing the clinician to operate with a high level of precision and control without sacrificing adjacent, non-target tissue. The low operating temperature of RF energy is useful for simultaneously sealing blood vessels while removing, shrinking, or shaping soft tissue. RF energy can work particularly well on connective tissue, which is primarily composed of collagen and contracts upon contact with heat. Other electrosurgical instruments include, but are not limited to, irreversible and/or reversible electroporation and/or microwave technologies, among others. The technology disclosed herein is applicable to ultrasonic, bipolar and/or monopolar RF (electrosurgical), irreversible and/or reversible electroporation, and/or microwave-based surgical instruments, among others.

Electrical energy applied by an electrosurgical device can be transmitted from a generator to an instrument. The generator is configured to convert the electricity into a high-frequency waveform consisting of an oscillating current that is transmitted to an electrode to affect tissue. The current passes through the tissue to cauterize (a form of coagulation in which current arcs against the tissue, producing tissue charring), desiccate (direct energy application that expels cellular water), and/or cut (indirect energy application that vaporizes cellular fluids, causing cell explosion). The tissue's response to the current is a function of the tissue's resistance, the current density passing through the tissue, the power output, and the duration of current application. In certain instances, as described further herein, the current waveform can be tailored to affect different surgical functions and/or to accommodate tissues with different characteristics. For example, different types of tissue—vascular tissue, nervous tissue, muscle, skin, fat, and/or bone—may respond differently to the same waveform.

The electrical energy may be in the form of RF energy, which may be within the frequency range set forth in EN 60601-2-2:2009+A11:2011, Definition 201.3.218-HIGH FREQUENCY. For example, frequencies in monopolar RF applications are typically limited to less than 5 MHz to minimize problems associated with high frequency leakage current. Frequencies above 200 kHz may typically be used in monopolar applications to avoid unnecessary nerve and muscle stimulation resulting from the use of lower frequency currents.

In bipolar RF applications, the frequency can be nearly any frequency. In certain instances, such as when a risk analysis indicates that the potential for neuromuscular stimulation has been mitigated to an acceptable level, lower frequencies can be used with bipolar techniques. Generally, 10 mA is recognized as the lower threshold for thermal effects on tissue. Higher frequencies can also be used with bipolar techniques.

In certain examples, the generator can be configured to digitally generate and provide output waveforms to a surgical device, allowing the surgical device to utilize waveforms for various tissue effects. The generator may be a monopolar generator, a bipolar generator, and/or an ultrasonic generator. For example, a single generator can supply energy to a monopolar device, a bipolar device, an ultrasonic device, or a combined electrosurgical/ultrasonic device. The generator can promote tissue-specific effects through waveform shaping and/or can drive RF and ultrasonic energy simultaneously and/or sequentially to a single surgical instrument or multiple surgical instruments.

In one example, the surgical system may include a generator and various surgical instruments usable therewith, including ultrasonic surgical instruments, RF electrosurgical instruments, and hybrid ultrasonic/RF electrosurgical instruments. The generator may be configurable for use with various surgical instruments, as further described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/265,279 (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0086914), entitled "TECHNIQUES FOR OPERATING GENERATOR FOR DIGITALLY GENERATING ELECTRICAL SIGNAL WAVEFORMS AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," filed September 14, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As described herein, medical procedures for cutting tissue and/or cauterizing blood vessels are often performed by utilizing RF electrical energy generated by a generator and transmitted to a patient's tissue via an electrode operated by a clinician. The electrode delivers an electrical discharge to the cytoplasm of the patient's body adjacent the electrode. This electrical discharge heats the cytoplasm, cutting the tissue and/or cauterizing the blood vessel.

The high temperatures associated with electrosurgery can cause thermal necrosis of tissue adjacent to the electrode. The longer tissue is exposed to the high temperatures associated with electrosurgery, the greater the likelihood that the tissue will undergo thermal necrosis. In certain instances, thermal necrosis of tissue can reduce the rate at which tissue can be cut, increase the incidence of thermal damage to tissue located away from the cut site, and potentially increase post-operative complications, eschar formation, and healing time.

The concentration of the RF energy discharge affects both the efficiency with which the electrode can cut tissue and the likelihood of tissue damage distant from the cutting site. With standard electrode geometries, the RF energy tends to be distributed uniformly over a relatively large area adjacent to the intended incision site. A generally uniform distribution of the RF energy discharge increases the likelihood of extraneous charge loss to surrounding tissue, which can increase the likelihood of undesired tissue damage in the surrounding tissue.

A typical electrosurgical generator generates RF electrical energy at a variety of operating frequencies and output power levels. The specific operating frequency and power output of the generator vary based on the particular electrosurgical generator used and the needs of the physician during the electrosurgical procedure. The specific operating frequency and power output level can be manually adjusted on the generator by a clinician or other operating room personnel. Properly adjusting these various settings requires significant knowledge, skill, and attention from the clinician or other personnel. Once the clinician makes the desired adjustments to the various settings on the generator, the generator can maintain those output parameters throughout the electrosurgical procedure. Generally, waveform generators used in electrosurgery are adapted to generate RF waves having output powers ranging from 1 to 300 W in cutting mode and 1 to 120 W in coagulation mode, and frequencies ranging from 300 to 600 kHz. A typical waveform generator is adapted to maintain the selected settings throughout the electrosurgical procedure. For example, if a clinician sets the generator's output power level to 50 W and then places the electrodes in contact with a patient to perform electrosurgery, the generator's power level will rapidly increase and remain at 50 W. Setting the power level to a particular setting, such as 50 W, will allow the clinician to cut the patient's tissue, but maintaining such a high power level increases the likelihood of thermal necrosis of the patient's tissue.

In some forms, the generator is configured to provide sufficient power to effectively perform electrosurgery in conjunction with electrodes that increase the concentration of RF energy discharge, while simultaneously limiting unwanted tissue damage, reducing post-operative complications, and promoting faster healing. For example, the waveform from the generator can be optimized by a control circuit throughout the surgical procedure. However, the subject matter claimed herein is not limited to aspects that eliminate any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background art is presented merely to illustrate one example technology area in which some aspects described herein may be practiced.

As provided herein, energy devices deliver mechanical and/or electrical energy to target tissue to treat the tissue (e.g., to cut tissue, cauterize blood vessels, and/or coagulate tissue within and/or near the target tissue). Cutting, cauterizing, and/or coagulating tissue can result in fluids and/or particulates being released into the air. Such fluids and/or particulates released during a surgical procedure can constitute smoke, which may include, for example, carbon particles and/or other particles suspended in the air. In other words, the fluids can include smoke and/or other fluidic substances. Approximately 90% of endoscopic and open surgical procedures produce some level of smoke. Smoke can be unpleasant to the olfactory senses of the clinician(s), assistant(s), and/or patient(s), can obstruct the clinician(s)'s view of the surgical site, and in certain instances, can be unhealthy if inhaled. For example, smoke generated during electrosurgical procedures can contain toxic chemicals, including acrolein, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile, acetylene, alkylbenzenes, benzene, butadiene, butene, carbon monoxide, creosol, ethane, ethylene, formaldehyde, free radicals, hydrogen cyanide, isobutene, methane, phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, propene, propylene, pyridene, pyrrole, styrene, toluene, and xylene, as well as dead and living cellular material (including blood fragments) and viruses. Certain substances identified in surgical smoke have been identified as known carcinogens. It has been estimated that one gram of tissue cauterized during electrosurgical procedures may be equivalent to the toxic and carcinogenic substances in six unfiltered cigarettes. Additionally, exposure to smoke emitted during electrosurgical procedures has been reported to cause eye and lung irritation in medical personnel.

In addition to the toxicity and odor associated with substances in surgical smoke, the size of particulate matter in surgical smoke can be harmful to the respiratory systems of clinician(s), assistant(s), and/or patient(s). In certain instances, the particulate matter can be very small. In certain instances, repeated inhalation of very small particulate matter can lead to acute and chronic respiratory conditions.

Many electrosurgical systems use a surgical evacuation system to capture smoke resulting from the surgical procedure and direct the captured smoke away from the clinician(s) and/or patient through filters and exhaust ports. For example, an evacuation system may be configured to evacuate smoke generated during an electrosurgical procedure. While such an evacuation system may be referred to as a "smoke evacuation system," the reader will understand that such an evacuation system may be configured to evacuate more than just smoke from a surgical site. Throughout this disclosure, the "smoke" evacuated by the evacuation system is not limited to smoke alone. Rather, the smoke evacuation systems disclosed herein can be used to evacuate a variety of fluids, including liquids, gases, vapors, smoke, steam, or combinations thereof. The fluids may be biological in origin and/or introduced to the surgical site from an external source during the procedure. Fluids may include, for example, water, saline, lymph, blood, exudate, and/or purulent discharge. Additionally, the fluid may contain particulates or other matter (e.g., cellular material or debris) that is expelled by the expulsion system. For example, such particulates may be suspended in the fluid.

Evacuation systems often include a pump and a filter. The pump generates suction, which draws smoke into the filter. For example, the suction can be configured to draw smoke from the surgical site through the exhaust conduit, through the conduit opening, and into the exhaust housing of the evacuation system. The exhaust housing 50018 of the surgical evacuation system 50000 is shown in FIG. 1. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the pump and filter are disposed within the exhaust housing 50018. Smoke drawn into the exhaust housing 50018 travels to the filter via the suction conduit 50036, and harmful toxins and unpleasant odors are filtered from the smoke as it travels through the filter. The suction conduit may also be referred to as, for example, a vacuum conduit and/or an exhaust conduit and/or a vacuum tube and/or an exhaust tube. The filtered air can then exit the surgical evacuation system as exhaust air. In certain examples, the various evacuation systems disclosed herein can also be configured to deliver fluid to a desired location, such as a surgical site.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the suction conduit 50036 from the ejector housing 50018 (FIG. 1) may terminate in a handpiece, such as handpiece 50032. The handpiece 50032 comprises an electrosurgical instrument including an electrode tip 50034 and an exhaust conduit opening near and/or adjacent to the electrode tip 50034. The exhaust conduit opening is configured to capture fluids and/or particulates released during a surgical procedure. In such an example, the exhaust system 50000 is integrated into the electrosurgical instrument 50032. Still referring to FIG. 2, smoke S is drawn into the suction conduit 50036.

In certain examples, the evacuation system 50000 can include a separate surgical tool including a conduit opening and configured to draw smoke into the system. In yet other examples, the tool including the evacuation conduit and opening can be snap-fit onto an electrosurgical tool such as that shown in FIG. 3. For example, a portion of the suction conduit 51036 can be positioned around (or adjacent to) the electrode tip 51034. In one example, the suction conduit 51036 can be releasably secured to the handpiece 51032 of an electrosurgical tool including the electrode tip 51034 with a clip or other fastener.

Various internal components of the ejector housing 50518 are shown in FIG. 4. In various examples, the internal components of FIG. 4 can also be incorporated into the ejector housing 50018 of FIG. 1. Referring primarily to FIG. 4, the ejection system 50500 includes an ejector housing 50518, a filter 50502, an exhaust mechanism 50520, and a pump 50506. The ejection system 50500 defines a flow path 50504 through the ejector housing 50518 having an inlet port 50522 and an outlet port 50524. The filter 50502, the exhaust mechanism 50520, and the pump 50506 are arranged in series with the flow path 50504 through the ejector housing 50518 between the inlet port 50522 and the outlet port 50524. The inlet port 50522 can be fluidly connected to a suction conduit, such as, for example, the suction conduit 50036 of FIG. 1, which can include a distal conduit opening positionable at the surgical site.

The pump 50506 is configured to create a pressure differential within the flow path 50504 through mechanical action. The pressure differential is configured to draw smoke 50508 from the surgical site into the inlet port 50522 and along the flow path 50504. After the smoke 50508 travels through the filter 50502, the smoke 50508 can be considered filtered smoke or air 50510, which continues through the flow path 50504 and is discharged through the outlet port 50524. The flow path 50504 includes a first zone 50514 and a second zone 50516. The first zone 50514 is upstream from the pump 50506. The second zone 50516 is downstream from the pump 50506. The pump 50506 is configured to pressurize the fluid in the flow path 50504 so that the fluid in the second zone 50516 has a higher pressure than the fluid in the first zone 50514. A motor 50512 drives the pump 50506. Various suitable motors are described further herein. The exhaust mechanism 50520 is a mechanism that can control the velocity, direction, and/or other characteristics of the filtered smoke 50510 exiting the exhaust system 50500 at the outlet port 50524.

The flow path 50504 through the exhaust system 50500 can be comprised of tubing or other conduits that substantially contain and/or separate the fluid traveling through the flow path 50504 from fluid outside the flow path 50504. For example, the first zone 50514 of the flow path 50504 may include tubing through which the flow path 50504 extends between the filter 50502 and the pump 50506. The second zone 50516 of the flow path 50504 may also include tubing through which the flow path 50504 extends between the pump 50506 and the exhaust mechanism 50520. The flow path 50504 also extends through the filter 50502, the pump 50506, and the exhaust mechanism 50520 such that the flow path 50504 extends continuously from the inlet port 50522 to the outlet port 50524.

In operation, smoke 50508 may enter the filter 50502 at the inlet port 50522 and may be pumped by the pump 50506 through the flow path 50504 such that the smoke 50508 is drawn into the filter 50502. The filtered smoke 50510 may then be pumped through the exhaust mechanism 50520 and out the outlet port 50524 of the exhaust system 50500. The filtered smoke 50510 exiting the exhaust system 50500 at the outlet port 50524 is exhaust and may consist of filtered gases that have passed through the exhaust system 50500.

In various examples, the evacuation systems disclosed herein (e.g., evacuation system 50000 and evacuation system 50500) can be incorporated into a computer-implemented interactive surgical system, such as, for example, system 100 (FIG. 39) or system 200 (FIG. 47). In one aspect of the present disclosure, for example, computer-implemented surgical system 100 can include at least one hub 106 and cloud 104. Referring primarily to FIG. 41, hub 106 includes a smoke evacuation module 126. Operation of smoke evacuation module 126 can be controlled by hub 106 based on its situational awareness and/or feedback from its components and/or based on information from cloud 104. Computer-implemented surgical systems 100 and 200, and situational awareness therefor, are further described herein.

Contextual awareness encompasses the ability of some aspects of a surgical system to determine or infer information relevant to a surgical procedure from data received from a database and/or instrument. Information may include the type of procedure being performed, the type of tissue being operated on, or the body cavity being treated. Contextual information relevant to a surgical procedure may enable a surgical system to, for example, improve how it controls modular devices (e.g., smoke evacuation systems) connected to it that provide contextualized information or suggestions to a clinician during the course of a surgical procedure. Contextual awareness is further described herein and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,341, filed December 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In various examples, the surgical system and/or evacuation system disclosed herein can include a processor. The processor can be programmed to control one or more operating parameters of the surgical system and/or evacuation system, for example, based on sensed and/or aggregated data and/or one or more user inputs. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system 50300 including a processor 50308. The electrosurgical system 50300 is powered by an AC power source 50302 that provides either 120V or 240V AC. The voltage provided by the AC power source 50302 is directed to an AC-to-DC converter 50304, which converts the 120V or 240V AC to 360V DC. The 360V DC is then directed to a power converter 50306 (e.g., a buck converter). The power converter 50306 is a step-down DC-to-DC converter. The power converter 50306 is adapted to step down the input 360V to a desired level within the range of 0 to 150V.

The processor 50308 can be programmed to adjust various aspects, functions, and parameters of the electrosurgical system 50300. For example, the processor 50308 can determine a desired output power level at the electrode tip 50334, which may be similar in many respects to the electrode tip 50034 of FIG. 2 and/or the electrode tip 51034 of FIG. 3, and instruct the power converter 50306 to step down the voltage to a specified level to provide the desired output power. The processor 50308 is coupled to a memory 50310 configured to store machine-executable instructions for operating the electrosurgical system 50300 and/or its subsystems.

A digital-to-analog converter ("DAC") 50312 is connected between the processor 50308 and the power converter 50306. The DAC 50312 is adapted to convert the digital code generated by the processor 50308 into an analog signal (current, voltage, or charge) that governs the voltage step-down performed by the power converter 50306. When the power converter 50306 steps down the 360V to a level determined by the processor 50308, it provides the desired output power level, and the stepped-down voltage is directed to the electrode tip 50334 and then to the return or ground electrode 50335 to achieve electrosurgical treatment of the patient's tissue. The voltage sensor 50314 and current sensor 50316 are adapted to detect the voltage and current present in the electrosurgical circuit and communicate the detected parameters to the processor 50308, which can then determine whether to adjust the output power level. As noted herein, typical waveform generators are adapted to maintain selected settings throughout an electrosurgical procedure. In other examples, the generator's operating parameters can be optimized during a surgical procedure based on one or more inputs to the processor 50308, such as inputs from a surgical hub, a cloud, and/or a situational awareness module, as further described herein.

The processor 50308 is coupled to a communication device 50318 for communicating over a network. The communication device includes a transceiver 50320 configured to communicate via a physical wire or wirelessly. The communication device 50318 may further include one or more additional transceivers. The transceivers may include, but are not limited to, a cellular modem, a wireless mesh network transceiver, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) transceiver, a low-power wide-area (LPWA) transceiver, and/or a near-field communication (NFC) transceiver. The communications device 50318 may include or be configured to communicate with a mobile phone, a sensor system (e.g., environmental, location, motion, etc.) and/or a sensor network (wired and/or wireless), a computing system (e.g., a server, a workstation computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer (e.g., iPad® and Galaxy Tab®, etc.), an ultraportable computer, an ultramobile computer, a netbook computer, and/or a subnotebook computer, etc. In at least one aspect of the present disclosure, one of the devices may be a coordinator node.

The transceiver 50320 may be configured to receive serial transmit data from the processor 50308 via a corresponding UART, modulate the serial transmit data onto an RF carrier, generate a transmit RF signal, and transmit the transmit RF signal via a corresponding antenna. The transceiver(s) are further configured to receive a receive RF signal including an RF carrier modulated with serial receive data via a corresponding antenna, demodulate the receive RF signal to extract the serial receive data, and provide the serial receive data to a corresponding UART for provision to the processor. Each RF signal has an associated carrier frequency and an associated channel bandwidth. The channel bandwidth is associated with the carrier frequency, the transmit data, and/or the receive data. Each RF carrier frequency and channel bandwidth is associated with the operating frequency range(s) of the transceiver(s) 50320. Each channel bandwidth is further associated with a wireless communication standard and/or protocol to which the transceiver(s) 50320 may conform. In other words, each transceiver 50320 may support a selected wireless communication standard and/or protocol, for example, an implementation of IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n for Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and/or IEEE 802.15.4 for wireless mesh networking using Zigbee routing.

The processor 50308 is coupled to a sensing and intelligent control device 50324 that is coupled to the smoke evacuator 50326. The smoke evacuator 50326 can include one or more sensors 50327 and can also include a pump and pump motor controlled by a motor driver 50328. The motor driver 50328 is communicatively coupled to the processor 50308 and the pump motor within the smoke evacuator 50326. The sensing and intelligent control device 50324 includes sensor algorithms 50321 and communication algorithms 50322 that facilitate communication between the smoke evacuator 50326 and other devices and adapt their control programs. The sensing and intelligent control device 50324 is configured to, for example, evaluate fluids, particulates, and gases extracted via the exhaust conduit 50336 to improve smoke extraction efficiency and/or reduce the smoke output of the device, as further described herein. In certain examples, the sensing and intelligent control device 50324 is communicatively coupled to one or more sensors 50327 within the smoke evacuator 50326, one or more internal sensors 50330, and/or one or more external sensors 50332 of the electrosurgical system 50300.

In certain examples, the processor may be located within the ejector housing of the surgical evacuation system. For example, with reference to FIG. 6, the processor 50408 and memory 50410 therefor are disposed within the ejector housing 50440 of the surgical evacuation system 50400. The processor 50408 is in signal communication with the motor driver 50428, various internal sensors 50430, the display 50442, the memory 50410, and the communication device 50418. The communication device 50418 is similar in many respects to the communication device 50318 described above with respect to FIG. 5. The communication device 50418 may enable the processor 50408 in the surgical evacuation system 50400 to communicate with other devices within the surgical system. For example, the communication device 50418 can enable wired and/or wireless communication to one or more external sensors 50432, one or more surgical devices 50444, one or more hubs 50448, one or more clouds 50446, and/or one or more additional surgical systems and/or tools. The reader will readily appreciate that, in certain examples, the surgical drainage system 50400 of FIG. 6 can be incorporated into the electrosurgical system 50300 of FIG. 5. The surgical drainage system 50400 also includes a pump 50450 including its pump motor 50451, an exhaust conduit 50436, and an exhaust port 50452. The various pumps, exhaust conduits, and exhaust ports are further described herein. The surgical drainage system 50400 can also include a sensing and intelligent controller, which can be similar in many respects to the sensing and intelligent controller 50324, for example. For example, such sensing and intelligent control devices may be in signal communication with the processor 50408 and/or one or more of the sensors 50430 and/or external sensors 50432.

The electrosurgical system 50300 (FIG. 5) and/or the surgical drainage system 50400 (FIG. 6) can be programmed to monitor one or more parameters of the surgical system and affect surgical functions based on one or more algorithms stored in memory in signal communication with the processor 50308 and/or 50408. Various exemplary aspects disclosed herein can be implemented, for example, by such algorithms.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a processor and sensor system, such as processors 50308 and 50408 and corresponding sensor systems in communication therewith (FIGS. 5 and 6), are configured to sense airflow through a vacuum source to adjust parameters of the smoke evacuation system and/or external devices and/or systems used in conjunction with the smoke evacuation system, such as electrosurgical systems, energy devices, and/or generators. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the sensor system can include multiple sensors positioned along the airflow path of the surgical evacuation system. The sensors can measure a pressure difference within the evacuation system to detect a state or condition of the system between the sensors. For example, the system between two sensors can be a filter, and the pressure difference can be used to increase the speed of a pump motor when flow through the filter is reduced in order to maintain flow through the system. As another example, the system can be a fluid trap in the evacuation system, and the pressure difference can be used to determine the airflow path through the evacuation system. In yet another example, the system can be an inlet and outlet (or exhaust) of the evacuation system, and the pressure difference can be used to determine a maximum suction load within the evacuation system in order to maintain the maximum suction load below a threshold.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, processors and sensor systems, such as processors 50308 and 50408 and corresponding sensor systems in communication therewith (FIGS. 5 and 6), are configured to detect the proportion of aerosols or carbonized particulates, i.e., smoke, in fluid extracted from a surgical site. For example, the sensing system may include sensors that detect particle size and/or composition, which are used to select an airflow path through the exhaust system. In such an example, the exhaust system may include a first filtration path or first filtration state and a second filtration path or second filtration state, which may have different characteristics. In one example, the first path includes only a particulate filter, and the second path includes both a fluid filter and a particulate filter. In a specific example, the first path includes a particulate filter, and the second path includes a particulate filter and a finer particulate filter arranged in series. Additional and/or alternative filtration paths are also contemplated.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, processors and sensor systems, such as processors 50308 and 50408 and corresponding sensor systems in communication therewith (FIGS. 5 and 6), are configured to perform chemical analysis on particles expelled from within the patient's abdominal cavity. For example, the sensing and intelligent controller 50324 may sense particle count and type to adjust the power level of the ultrasonic generator to guide the ultrasonic blade and generate less smoke. In another example, the sensor system may include sensors to detect particle count, temperature, fluid content, and/or contamination rate of the expelled fluid and communicate the detected characteristic(s) to the generator to adjust the generator's output. For example, the smoke evacuator 50326 and/or the sensing and intelligent controller 50324 therefor may be configured to adjust the exhaust flow rate and/or pump motor speed to a predetermined particulate level and may operatively affect the generator's output power or waveform to reduce smoke generated by the end effector.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, processors and sensor systems, such as processors 50308 and 50408 and their corresponding sensor systems (FIGS. 5 and 6), are configured to assess particle counts and contamination in an operating room by evaluating one or more characteristics of the ambient air and/or the exhaust air from the eductor housing. The particle count and/or air quality may be displayed on the smoke evacuation system, such as on the eductor housing, to communicate the information to a clinician and/or to establish the effectiveness of the smoke evacuation system and its filter(s), for example.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a processor, such as processor 50308 or processor 50408 (FIGS. 5 and 6), is configured to compare sample velocity images obtained from the endoscope with evacuation particle counts from a sensing system (e.g., sensing and intelligent control device 50324) to determine correlation and/or adjust the pump revolutions-per-minute (RPM) rate. In one example, activation of the generator may be communicated to the smoke evacuation system, thereby implementing the anticipated required smoke evacuation rate. Activation of the generator may be communicated to the surgical evacuation system, for example, via a surgical hub, a cloud communication system, and/or a direct connection.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the sensor system and algorithms of the smoke evacuation system (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6) can be configured to control the smoke evacuator and adapt its motor parameters to adjust the filtration efficiency of the smoke evacuator based on the needs of the surgical field at a given time. In one example, an adaptive airflow pump speed algorithm is provided to automatically change the motor pump speed based on sensed particulates entering the smoke evacuator inlet and/or exiting the smoke evacuator outlet or exhaust port. For example, the sensing and intelligent control device 50324 (FIG. 5) can include, for example, a user-selectable speed and an automatic mode speed. In the automatic mode speed, the airflow through the evacuation system may be scalable based on the lack of smoke entering the evacuation system and/or filtered particles exiting the smoke evacuation system. In certain examples, the automatic mode speed can provide automatic sensing and compensation for laparoscopic mode.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the evacuation system can include an electrical and communication architecture (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6) that provides data collection and communication capabilities to improve interactivity with the surgical hub and cloud. In one example, the surgical evacuation system and/or its processors, such as, for example, processor 50308 (FIG. 5) and processor 50408 (FIG. 6), can include a segmented control circuit that is energized in a staged manner to check for system errors, shorts, and/or safety checks. The segmented control circuit can also be configured to have energized portions and portions that are not energized until the energized portions perform a first function. The segmented control circuit can include circuit elements for identifying and displaying status updates to a user of the attached component. The segmented control circuit also includes circuit elements for operating the motor in a first state in which the motor is activated by the user, and a second state in which the motor is not activated by the user but operates the pump quieter and at a slower speed. The segmented control circuit can, for example, allow for staged energization of a smoke evacuator.

The electrical and communication architecture of the evacuation system (see, e.g., Figures 5 and 6) can also provide interconnectivity of the smoke evacuation system with other components in the surgical hub for interaction and communication of data with the cloud. Communication of surgical evacuation system parameters to the surgical hub and/or the cloud can be provided to affect the output or operation of other attached devices. Parameters may be operational or sensed. Operational parameters include airflow, pressure differential, and air quality. Sensed parameters include particulate concentration, aerosol fraction, and chemical analysis.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an evacuation system, such as the surgical evacuation system 50400, can also include a housing, replaceable components, a control, and a display. Circuitry is provided for communicating security identification (ID) between such replaceable components. For example, communication between the filter and the smoke evacuation electronics can be provided to verify component reliability, remaining life, update parameters within the components, log errors, and/or limit the number and/or type of components that can be identified by the system. In various examples, the communication circuitry can authenticate features for enabling and/or disabling configuration parameters. The communication circuitry can employ encryption and/or error handling schemes to manage security and unique relationships between components and the smoke evacuation electronics. Disposable/reusable components are included in specific examples.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an evacuation system can provide fluid management and extraction filters and airflow configurations. For example, a surgical evacuation system is provided that includes a fluid capture mechanism having first and second sets of extraction or airflow control mechanisms in series with each other to extract large and small fluid droplets, respectively. In certain examples, the airflow path can include a recirculation or secondary fluid channel that runs downstream of the exhaust port of the primary fluid management chamber and back to the primary reservoir.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a smart pad can be coupled to the electrosurgical system. For example, the ground electrode 50335 of the electrosurgical system 50300 (FIG. 5) can include a smart pad with localized sensing integrated into the pad while maintaining capacitive coupling. For example, the capacitively coupled return path pad can have small separable array elements that can be used to sense neural control signals and/or movement at selected anatomical locations to detect the proximity of the monopolar tip to a nerve bundle.

The electrosurgical system may include a signal generator, an electrosurgical instrument, a return electrode, and a surgical evacuation system. The generator may be an RF wave generator that generates RF electrical energy. Connected to the electrosurgical instrument is a utility conduit. The utility conduit includes a cable that transmits electrical energy from the signal generator to the electrosurgical instrument. The utility conduit also includes a vacuum hose that transports trapped and/or collected smoke and/or fluid away from the surgical site. Such an exemplary electrosurgical system 50601 is shown in FIG. 7. More specifically, the electrosurgical system 50601 includes a generator 50640, an electrosurgical instrument 50630, a return electrode 50646, and an evacuation system 50600. The electrosurgical instrument 50630 includes a handle 50632 and a distal conduit opening 50634 fluidly connected to a suction hose 50636 of the evacuation system 50600. The electrosurgical instrument 50630 also includes an electrode powered by the generator 50640. A first electrical connection 50642, e.g., a wire, extends from the electrosurgical instrument 50630 to the generator 50640. A second electrical connection 50644, e.g., a wire, extends from the electrosurgical instrument 50630 to an electrode, i.e., a return electrode 50646. In other examples, the electrosurgical instrument 50630 may be a bipolar electrosurgical instrument. A distal conduit opening 50634 on the electrosurgical instrument 50630 is fluidly connected to a suction hose 50636 that extends to a filter end cap 50603 of a filter located within the ejector housing 50618 of the evacuation system 50600.

In other examples, the distal conduit opening 50634 of the evacuation system 50600 may be on a handpiece or tool that is separate from the electrosurgical instrument 50630. For example, the evacuation system 50600 may include a surgical tool that is not coupled to the generator 50640 and/or does not include a tissue-conducting surface. In certain examples, the distal conduit opening 50634 of the evacuation system 50600 may be releasably attached to the electrosurgical tool. For example, the evacuation system 50600 may include a clip-on or snap-on conduit that terminates in the distal conduit opening, which may be releasably attached to the surgical tool (see, e.g., FIG. 3).

The electrosurgical instrument 50630, as described herein, is configured to deliver electrical energy to target tissue of a patient to cut the tissue and/or cauterize blood vessels in and/or near the target tissue. Specifically, an electrical discharge is delivered to the patient by the electrode tip to cause heating of the patient's cellular material in close contact with or adjacent to the electrode tip. The tissue heating occurs to a suitably high temperature so that electrosurgical procedures can be performed using the electrosurgical instrument 50630. A return electrode 50646 (depending on the type of return electrode) is either applied to the patient or positioned adjacent to the patient to complete the circuit and provide a return electrical path to the generator 50640 for the energy entering the patient's body.

Heating of a patient's cellular material by the electrode tip, or cauterization of blood vessels to prevent bleeding, often results in the emission of smoke at the location where the cauterization is occurring, as described further herein. In such instances, the evacuation system 50600 is configured to capture smoke emitted during the surgical procedure, as the evacuation conduit opening 50634 is located near the electrode tip. Vacuum suction can draw the smoke through the electrosurgical instrument 50630, into the conduit opening 50634, and into the suction hose 50636 toward the evacuation housing 50618 of the smoke evacuation system 50600.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the ejector housing 50618 of the ejection system 50600 (FIG. 7) is shown. The ejector housing 50618 includes a socket 50620 that is sized and structured to receive a filter. The ejector housing 50618 can completely or partially enclose the internal components of the ejector housing 50618. The socket 50620 includes a first receptacle 50622 and a second receptacle 50624. A transition surface 50626 extends between the first receptacle 50622 and the second receptacle 50624.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 9, the socket 50620 is depicted along the cross-sectional plane shown in FIG. 8. The socket 50620 includes a first end 50621 that is open to receive a filter and a second end 50623 that communicates with the flow path 50699 through the ejector housing 50618. A filter 50670 (FIGS. 10 and 11) may be removably disposed with the socket 50620. For example, the filter 50670 may be inserted into and removed from the first end 50621 of the socket 50620. The second receptacle 50624 is configured to receive the connecting nipple of the filter 50670.

Surgical exhaust systems often use filters to remove unwanted contaminants from the smoke before it is released as exhaust. In certain instances, the filters may be replaceable. The reader will understand that the filter 50670 shown in Figures 10 and 11 may be used in the various exhaust systems disclosed herein. The filter 50670 may be a replaceable and/or disposable filter.

The filter 50670 includes a front cap 50672, a rear cap 50674, and a filter body 50676 disposed therebetween. The front cap 50672 includes a filter inlet 50678, which, in certain instances, is configured to receive smoke directly from a suction hose 50636 (FIG. 7) or other smoke source. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the front cap 50672 can be replaced by a fluid trap (e.g., fluid trap 50760 shown in FIGS. 14-17) that directs smoke directly from the smoke source, removes at least a portion of the fluid therefrom, and then passes the partially processed smoke into the filter body 50676 for further processing. For example, the filter inlet 50678 can be configured to receive smoke via an exhaust port of the fluid trap, such as port 50766 of the fluid trap 50760 (FIGS. 14-17), and transmit the partially processed smoke to the filter 50670.

As smoke enters the filter 50670, it can be filtered by components housed within the filter body 50676. The filtered smoke can then exit the filter 50670 through a filter outlet 50680 defined in the rear cap 50674 of the filter 50670. When the filter 50670 is associated with an exhaust system, suction created within the exhaust housing 50618 of the exhaust system 50600 can be transmitted to the filter 50670 via the filter outlet 50680 to draw the smoke through the internal filtering components of the filter 50670. Filters often include a particulate filter and a charcoal filter. The particulate filter can be, for example, a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or an ultra-low penetration air (ULPA) filter. ULPA filtration utilizes a depth filter similar to a labyrinth. Particulates can be filtered using at least one of the following methods: direct blocking (particles over 1.0 microns are trapped because they are too large to pass through the fibers of the media filter), inertial impaction (particles between 0.5 and 1.0 microns collide with and are retained by the fibers), and diffusion blocking (particles smaller than 0.5 microns are trapped by the effects of Brownian random thermal motion as the particles "search" for and adhere to the fibers).

Charcoal filters are configured to remove toxic gases and/or odors generated by surgical smoke. In various examples, the charcoal may be "activated," meaning that it has been treated with a heating process to expose active absorption sites. The charcoal may be from activated virgin coconut shells, for example.

11 , the filter 50670 includes a coarse media filter layer 50684 followed by a fine particulate filter layer 50686. In other examples, the filter 50670 may consist of a single type of filter. In still other examples, the filter 50670 may include three or more filter layers and/or three or more different types of filter layers. After the particulate matter is removed by the filter layers 50684 and 50686, the smoke is drawn through a carbon reservoir 50688 within the filter 50670 to remove gaseous contaminants in the smoke, such as, for example, volatile organic compounds. In various examples, the carbon reservoir 50688 may include a charcoal filter. The filtered smoke, now substantially free of particulate matter and gaseous contaminants, is drawn through the filter outlet 50680 into the exhaust system 50600 for further processing and/or removal.

The filter 50670 includes multiple dams between components of the filter body 50676. For example, a first dam 50690 is positioned intermediate the filter inlet 50678 (FIG. 10) and a first particulate filter, such as the coarse media filter 50684. A second dam 50692 is positioned intermediate the second particulate filter, such as the fine particulate filter 50686, and the carbon reservoir 50688. Additionally, a third dam 50694 is positioned intermediate the carbon reservoir 50688 and the filter outlet 50680. The dams 50690, 50692, and 50694 can include gaskets or O-rings configured to prevent movement of components within the filter body 50676. In various examples, the size and shape of the dams 50690, 50692, and 50694 can be selected to prevent expansion of the filter components in the direction of applied suction.

The coarse media filter 50684 can include, for example, a low air resistance filter material such as fiberglass, polyester, and/or a pleated filter configured to remove a majority of particulate matter larger than 10 μm. In some aspects of the present disclosure, this includes filters that remove at least 85% of particulate matter larger than 10 μm, more than 90% of particulate matter larger than 10 μm, more than 95% of particulate matter larger than 10 μm, more than 99% of particulate matter larger than 10 μm, more than 99.9% of particulate matter larger than 10 μm, or more than 99.99% of particulate matter larger than 10 μm.

Additionally or alternatively, the coarse media filter 50684 can include a low air resistance filter that removes a majority of particulate matter larger than 1 μm. In some aspects of the present disclosure, this includes a filter that removes at least 85% of particulate matter larger than 1 μm, more than 90% of particulate matter larger than 1 μm, more than 95% of particulate matter larger than 1 μm, more than 99% of particulate matter larger than 1 μm, more than 99.9% of particulate matter larger than 1 μm, or more than 99.99% of particulate matter larger than 1 μm.

The fine particulate filter 50686 may include any filter with a higher efficiency than the coarse media filter 50684. This includes, for example, a filter capable of filtering a higher percentage of particles of the same size as the coarse media filter 50684 and/or a filter capable of filtering particles of a smaller size than the coarse media filter 50684. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the fine particulate filter 50686 may include a HEPA filter or a ULPA filter. Additionally or alternatively, the fine particulate filter 50686 may be pleated to increase its surface area. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the coarse media filter 50684 includes a pleated HEPA filter, and the fine particulate filter 50686 includes a pleated ULPA filter.

After particulate filtration, the smoke enters a downstream portion of the filter 50670, which includes a carbon reservoir 50688. The carbon reservoir 50688 is defined by porous partitions 50696 and 50698 disposed between the intermediate dam 50692 and the end dam 50694, respectively. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the porous partitions 50696 and 50698 are rigid and/or inflexible and define a fixed spatial volume for the carbon reservoir 50688.

The carbon reservoir 50688 can include additional adsorbents that act cumulatively with or independently of the carbon particles to remove gaseous pollutants. Additional adsorbents can include, for example, adsorbents such as magnesium oxide and/or copper oxide, which can act to adsorb gaseous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, ethylene oxide, and/or ozone. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the additional adsorbents are dispersed throughout the reservoir 50688 and/or disposed in a separate layer above, below, or within the reservoir 50688.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the evacuation system 50500 includes a pump 50506 within the evacuation housing 50518. Similarly, the evacuation system 50600 shown in FIG. 7 can include a pump disposed within the evacuation housing 50618 that can generate suction to draw smoke from the surgical site, through the suction hose 50636, and through a filter 50670 (FIGS. 10 and 11). During operation, the pump can create a pressure differential within the evacuation housing 50618 that causes the smoke to move into the filter 50670 and out an exhaust mechanism (e.g., exhaust mechanism 50520 in FIG. 4) at the outlet of the flow path. The filter 50670 is configured to extract harmful, contaminating, or otherwise unwanted particulates from the smoke.

The pump may be positioned in line with the flow path through the ejector housing 50618, such that gas flowing through the ejector housing 50618 enters the pump at one end and exits the pump at the other end. The pump may provide a sealed positive displacement flow path. In various examples, the pump may create a sealed positive displacement flow path by trapping (sealing) a first volume of gas and reducing that volume to a second, smaller volume as the gas moves through the pump. Reducing the volume of the trapped gas increases the pressure of the gas. The second, pressurized volume of gas may be released from the pump at the pump outlet. For example, the pump may be a compressor. More specifically, the pump may include a hybrid regenerative blower, a claw pump, a lobe compressor, and/or a scroll compressor. A positive displacement compressor may provide improved compression ratios and operating pressures while limiting vibration and noise generated by the ejector system 50600. Additionally or alternatively, the ejector system 50600 may include a fan for moving the fluid.

An example of a positive displacement compressor, e.g., a scroll compressor pump 50650, is shown in FIG. 12. The scroll compressor pump 50650 includes a stator scroll 50652 and a moving scroll 50654. The stator scroll 50652 can be fixed in position while the moving scroll 50654 orbits eccentrically. For example, the moving scroll 50654 can orbit eccentrically such that it rotates about the central longitudinal axis of the stator scroll 50652. As shown in FIG. 12, the central longitudinal axes of the stator scroll 50652 and the moving scroll 50654 extend perpendicular to the plane of view of the scrolls 50652, 50654. The stator scroll 50652 and the moving scroll 50654 are interleaved with one another to form separate, sealed compression chambers 50656.

During use, gas can enter the scroll compressor pump 50650 at the inlet 50658. As the moving scroll 50654 orbits relative to the stator scroll 50652, the inlet gas is initially trapped within the compression chamber 50656. The compression chamber 50656 is configured to move a separate volume of gas along the spiral shape of the scrolls 50652 and 50654 toward the center of the scroll compressor pump 50650. The compression chamber 50656 defines an enclosed space in which the gas resides. Furthermore, as the moving scroll 50654 moves the trapped gas toward the center of the stator scroll 50652, the compression chamber 50656 decreases in volume. This decrease in volume increases the pressure of the gas within the compression chamber 50656. The gas within the sealed compression chamber 50656 is trapped during the decrease in volume, thus pressurizing the gas. When the compressed gas reaches the center of the scroll compressor pump 50650, the compressed gas is released through the outlet 50659.

13, a portion of the evacuation system 50700 is shown. The evacuation system 50700 may be similar in many respects to the evacuation system 50600 (FIG. 7). For example, the evacuation system 50700 includes an evacuation housing 50618 and a suction hose 50636. Referring again to FIG. 7, the evacuation system 50600 is configured to generate suction, thereby drawing smoke from the distal end of the suction hose 50636 into the evacuation housing 50618 for processing. Notably, the suction hose 50636 is not connected to the evacuation housing 50618 via the filter end cap 50603 of FIG. 13. Rather, the suction hose 50636 is connected to the evacuation housing 50618 via a fluid trap 50760. A filter similar to the filter 50670 can be disposed in a socket in the evacuation housing 50618 behind the fluid trap 50760.

The fluid trap 50760 is a first processing point that extracts and retains at least a portion of the fluid (e.g., liquid) from the smoke before relaying the partially treated smoke to the exhaust system 50700 for further processing and filtering. The exhaust system 50700 is configured to treat, filter, and otherwise clean the smoke to reduce or eliminate unpleasant odors or other problems associated with smoke generation in an operating room (or other operating environment), as described herein. In certain examples, by extracting liquid droplets and/or aerosols from the smoke before it is further processed by the exhaust system 50700, the fluid trap 50760 can, among other things, increase the efficiency of the exhaust system 50700 and/or increase the life of a filter associated therewith.

14-17, the fluid trap 50760 is shown removed from the ejector housing 50618 (FIG. 13). The fluid trap 50760 includes an inlet port 50762 defined in a front cover or surface 50764 of the fluid trap 50760. The inlet port 50762 can be configured to releasably receive the suction hose 50636 (FIG. 13). For example, an end of the suction hose 50636 can be at least partially inserted into the inlet port 50762 and secured with an interference fit therebetween. In various examples, the interference fit can be a fluid-tight and/or air-tight fit such that substantially all of the smoke passing through the suction hose 50636 is transferred into the fluid trap 50760. In some cases, other mechanisms for connecting or joining the suction hose 50636 to the inlet port 50762 may be used, such as, for example, a latch-based compression fit, an O-ring, a threaded connection of the suction hose 50636 to the inlet port 50762, and/or other connection mechanisms.

In various examples, the fluid-tight and/or air-tight fit between the suction hose 50636 and the fluid trap 50760 is configured to prevent leakage of fluids and/or other substances in the emitted smoke at or near the junction of these components. In some cases, the suction hose 50636 can be associated with the inlet port 50762 via an intermediate coupling device, such as, for example, an O-ring and/or an adapter, to further ensure an air-tight and/or fluid-tight connection between the suction hose 50636 and the fluid trap 50760.

As described above, the fluid trap 50760 includes an exhaust port 50766. The exhaust port extends away from the back cover or surface 50768 of the fluid trap 50760. The exhaust port 50766 defines an open channel between the interior chamber 50770 of the fluid trap 50760 and the external environment. In some cases, the exhaust port 50766 is sized and shaped to be closely associated with a surgical evacuation system or component thereof. For example, the exhaust port 50766 may be sized and shaped to be associated with and transmit at least partially treated smoke from the fluid trap 50760 to a filter housed within the evacuation housing 50618 (FIG. 13). In certain examples, the exhaust port 50766 can extend away from the front plate, top surface, or side surface of the fluid trap 50760.

In certain examples, the exhaust port 50766 includes a membrane that separates the exhaust port 50766 from the ejector housing 50618. Such a membrane can act to prevent water or other liquids collected in the fluid trap 50760 from passing through the exhaust port 50766 and into the ejector housing 50618, while allowing air, water, and/or steam to freely enter the ejector housing 50618. For example, a high-flow microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) can be positioned downstream of the exhaust port 50766 and upstream of the pump to protect the pump or other components of the evacuation system 50700 from damage and/or contamination.

The fluid trap 50760 also includes a gripping area 50772 that is positioned and dimensioned to assist a user in handling the fluid trap 50760 and/or connecting the fluid trap 50760 to the suction hose 50636 and/or the ejector housing 50618. The gripping area 50772 is depicted as being an elongated recess. However, the reader will readily understand that the gripping area 50772 may include, for example, at least one recess, groove, protrusion, tassel, and/or ring, which may be sized and shaped to accommodate a user's finger or otherwise provide a gripping surface.

16 and 17, the interior chamber 50770 of the fluid trap 50760 is shown. The relative arrangement of the inlet port 50762 and the exhaust port 50766 is configured to facilitate extraction and retention of fluid from the smoke as it enters the fluid trap 50760. In certain examples, the inlet port 50762 can have a notched cylindrical shape, which can direct the smoke and associated fluids toward the fluid reservoir 50774 of the fluid trap 50760 or otherwise directionally away from the exhaust port 50766. Examples of such fluid flow are shown by arrows A, B, C, D, and E in FIG. 17.

As shown, smoke enters the fluid trap 50760 through the inlet port 50762 (indicated by arrow A) and exits the fluid trap 50760 through the exhaust port 50766 (indicated by arrow E). Due at least in part to the geometry of the inlet port (e.g., the longer upper sidewall 50761 and shorter lower sidewall 50763), smoke entering the inlet port 50762 is initially directed primarily downward into the fluid reservoir 50774 of the fluid trap 50760 (indicated by arrow B). As the smoke continues to be drawn downward into the fluid trap 50760 along arrows A and B, the initially downwardly directed smoke rotates downward and is directed laterally away from its source, traveling toward the top of the fluid trap 50760 and out of the exhaust port 50766 in a substantially opposite but parallel path (indicated by arrows D and E).

The directional flow of smoke through the fluid trap 50760 can ensure that liquid in the smoke is extracted and retained within the lower portion of the fluid trap 50760 (e.g., the fluid reservoir 50774). Furthermore, the relative location of the exhaust port 50766 vertically above the inlet port 50762 when the fluid trap 50760 is in an upright position is configured to substantially unimpede the flow of fluid into and out of the fluid trap 50760, while simultaneously inhibiting the inadvertent transport of liquid through the exhaust port 50766 by the flow of smoke. Additionally, in certain examples, the configuration of the inlet port 50762 and the outlet port 50766, and/or the size and shape of the fluid trap 50760 itself, can enable the fluid trap 50760 to be hermetically sealed.

In various examples, the evacuation system can include multiple sensors and an intelligent controller, for example, as further described herein with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6 . In one aspect of the present disclosure, the evacuation system can include one or more temperature sensors, one or more fluid detection sensors, one or more pressure sensors, one or more particle sensors, and/or one or more chemical sensors. The temperature sensor can be positioned to detect the temperature of fluid at the surgical site traveling through the surgical evacuation system and/or being discharged from the surgical evacuation system into the operating room. The pressure sensor can be positioned to detect pressure within the evacuation system, such as within the ejector housing. For example, the pressure sensor can be positioned upstream of the filter, between the filter and the pump, and/or downstream of the pump. In certain examples, the pressure sensor can be positioned to detect pressure in the ambient environment outside the evacuation system. Similarly, the particle sensor can be positioned to detect particles within the evacuation system, such as within the ejector housing. The particle sensor can be, for example, upstream of the filter, between the filter and the pump, and/or downstream of the pump. In various examples, the particle sensor can be positioned to detect particles in the ambient environment, for example, to determine air quality within the operating room.

The ejector housing 50818 of the ejection system 50800 is shown schematically in FIG. 18. The ejector housing 50818 may be similar in many respects to, for example, ejector housings 50018 and/or 50618, and/or may be incorporated into the various ejection systems disclosed herein. The ejector housing 50818 includes a number of sensors, which are further described herein. The reader will understand that a particular ejector housing may not include each sensor shown in FIG. 18 and/or may include additional sensor(s). Similar to the ejector housings 50018 and 50618 disclosed herein, the ejector housing 50818 of FIG. 18 includes an inlet 50822 and an outlet 50824. The fluid trap 50860, filter 50870, and pump 50806 are aligned in series along the flow path 50804 through the ejector housing 50818 between the inlet 50822 and the outlet 50824.

The ejector housing may include modular and/or replaceable components, as described further herein. For example, the ejector housing may include a socket or receptacle 50871 sized to receive a modular fluid trap and/or a replaceable filter. In certain examples, as shown in FIG. 18 , the fluid trap and filter may be incorporated into a single replaceable module 50859. More specifically, the fluid trap 50860 and filter 50870 form a replaceable module 50859, which may be modular and/or replaceable, and may be removably installed within the receptacle 50871 in the ejector housing 50818. In other examples, the fluid trap 50860 and filter 50870 may be separate and distinct modular components that may be assembled together within the ejector housing 50818 and/or installed separately.

With further reference to the ejector housing 50818, the ejector housing 50818 includes multiple sensors for detecting various internal parameters and/or parameters of the surrounding environment. Additionally or alternatively, one or more modular components installed within the ejector housing 50818 may include one or more sensors. For example, with further reference to FIG. 18, the replaceable module 50859 includes multiple sensors for detecting various internal parameters.

In various examples, the ejector housing 50818 and/or a modular component(s) compatible with the ejector housing 50818 may include a processor, such as processors 50308 and 50408 (FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively), configured to receive input from one or more sensors and/or communicate output to one or more systems and/or drivers. Various processors for use with the ejector housing 50818 are further described herein.

During operation, smoke from the surgical site can be drawn into the ejector housing 50818 through the inlet 50822 and the fluid trap 50860. The flow path 50804 through the ejector housing 50818 of FIG. 18 can include sealed conduits or tubes 50805 extending between various in-line components. In various examples, the smoke can flow through the fluid detection sensor 50830 and the chemical sensor 50832 to a diverter valve 50834, described further herein. A fluid detection sensor, such as sensor 50830, can detect fluid particles in the smoke. In one example, the fluid detection sensor 50830 can be a continuity sensor. For example, the fluid detection sensor 50830 can include two spaced electrodes and a sensor for detecting the degree of continuity between them. For example, if no fluid is present, the continuity can be zero or substantially zero. The chemical sensor 50832 can detect a chemical signature of the smoke.

At the diverter valve 50834, the fluid can be directed into the condenser 50835 of the fluid trap 50860, allowing the smoke to continue toward the filter 50870. A baffle 50864 is positioned within the condenser 50835 to promote condensation of fluid droplets from the smoke into a reservoir within the fluid trap 50860. The fluid detection sensor 50836 can ensure that any fluid within the ejector housing is completely, or at least substantially, captured within the fluid trap 50860.

With further reference to FIG. 18, the smoke can then be directed to flow into a filter 50870 of the replaceable module 50859. At the inlet to the filter 50870, the smoke can flow past a particle sensor 50838 and a pressure sensor 50840. In one form, the particle sensor 50838 can include a laser particle counter, as described further herein. The smoke can be filtered through a pleated ultra-low penetration air (ULPA) filter 50842 and a charcoal filter 50844, as shown in FIG. 18.

Upon exiting the filter, the filtered smoke may flow past a pressure sensor 50846 and then continue along a flow path 50804 within the eductor housing 50818 toward the pump 50806. Traveling through the pump 50806, the filtered smoke may flow past an outlet particle sensor 50848 and a pressure sensor 50850 to the eductor housing 50818. In one form, the particle sensor 50848 may include a laser particle counter, as described further herein. The eductor housing 50818 of FIG. 18 also includes an air quality particle sensor 50852 and an ambient pressure sensor 50854 for detecting various characteristics of the ambient environment, such as the environment within an operating room. In at least one form, the air quality particle sensor or external/ambient air particle sensor 50852 may include a laser particle counter. The various sensors shown in FIG. 18 are described further herein. Additionally, in various examples, alternative sensing means may be utilized in the smoke evacuation systems disclosed herein. For example, alternative sensors for counting particles and/or determining particulate concentrations in a fluid are further disclosed herein.

In various examples, the fluid trap 50860 shown in FIG. 18 can be configured to prevent the escape and/or leakage of trapped fluid. For example, the geometry of the fluid trap 50860 may be selected to prevent the escape and/or leakage of trapped fluid. In certain examples, the fluid trap 50860 may include a baffle and/or a splatter screen, such as screen 50862, to prevent the trapped fluid from splashing out of the fluid trap 50860. In one or more examples, the fluid trap 50860 may include a sensor to detect the volume of fluid in the fluid trap and/or determine whether the fluid trap 50860 is filled to capacity. The fluid trap 50860 may include a valve to empty the fluid therefrom. The reader will readily appreciate that a variety of alternative fluid trap configurations and geometries may be used to capture fluid drawn into the ejector housing 50818.

In certain examples, the filter 50870 may include additional and/or fewer levels of filtration. For example, the filter 50870 may include one or more filtration layers selected from the group consisting of a coarse media filter, a fine media filter, and a sorbent-based filter. The coarse media filter may be a low air resistance filter that may be constructed of, for example, fiberglass, polyester, and/or a pleated filter. The fine media filter may be a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and/or a ULPA filter. The sorbent-based filter may be, for example, an activated carbon filter. The reader will readily appreciate that a variety of alternative filter configurations and geometries may be used to filter smoke drawn along the flow path through the ejector housing 50818.

In one or more examples, the pump 50806 shown in FIG. 18 may be replaced with and/or used in combination with another compressor and/or pump, such as, for example, a hybrid regenerative blower, a claw pump, and/or a lobe compressor. The reader will readily appreciate that a variety of alternative pump configurations and geometries may be used to create suction in the flow path 50804 and draw smoke into the eductor housing 50818.

Various sensors within the evacuation system, such as the sensors shown in FIG. 18, can be in communication with a processor. The processor can be incorporated into the evacuation system and/or can be a component of another surgical instrument and/or surgical hub. Various processors are further described herein. The on-board processor can be configured to adjust one or more operating parameters of the ejector system (e.g., a motor for the pump 50806) based on input from the sensor(s). Additionally or alternatively, the on-board processor can be configured to adjust one or more operating parameters of another device, such as an electrosurgical tool and/or an imaging device, based on input from the sensor(s).

19, an alternative ejector housing 50918 for the ejection system 50900 is shown. The ejector housing 50918 of FIG. 19 may be similar in many respects to the ejector housing 50818 of FIG. 18. For example, the ejector housing 50918 defines a flow path 50904 between an inlet 50922 to the ejector housing 50918 and an outlet 50924 of the ejector housing 50918. Intermediate the inlet 50922 and the outlet 50924 are sequentially disposed a fluid trap 50960, a filter 50970, and a pump 50906. The ejector housing 50918 may include a socket or receptacle 50971 sized to receive a modular fluid trap and/or a replaceable filter, similar to, for example, receptacle 50871. At the diverter valve 50934, the fluid can be directed into a condenser 50935 of the fluid trap 50960, and the smoke can be directed straight to the filter 50970. In certain examples, the fluid trap 50960 can include a baffle, such as baffle 50964, and/or a splatter screen, such as screen 50962, to prevent the trapped fluid from splashing out of the fluid trap 50960. The filter 50970 includes a pleated ultra-low penetration air (ULPA) filter 50942 and a charcoal filter 50944. Sealed conduits or tubes 50905 extend between the various in-line components. The ejector housing 50918 also includes sensors 50830, 50832, 50836, 50838, 50840, 50846, 50848, 50850, 50852, and 50854, which are further described herein and shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

19 , the ejector housing 50918 also includes a centrifugal blower mechanism 50980 and a recirculation valve 50990. The recirculation valve 50990 can be selectively opened and closed to recirculate fluid through the fluid trap 50960. For example, if the fluid detection sensor 50836 detects fluid, the recirculation valve 50990 can open to direct fluid away from the filter 50970 and back into the fluid trap 50960. If the fluid detection sensor 50836 does not detect fluid, the valve 50990 can close to direct smoke toward the filter 50970. As fluid is recirculated through the recirculation valve 50990, the fluid can be drawn through the recirculation conduit 50982. The centrifugal blower mechanism 50980 engages the recirculation conduit 50982 to create a recirculation suction force within the recirculation conduit 50982. More specifically, when the recirculation valve 50990 is opened and the pump 50906 is activated, suction created by the pump 50906 downstream of the filter 50970 can cause rotation of a first centrifugal blower or squirrel cage 50984, which can be transmitted to a second centrifugal blower or squirrel cage 50986, which draws fluid that is recirculated through the recirculation valve 50990 and into the fluid trap 50960.

In various aspects of the present disclosure, the control schematics of Figures 5 and 6 can be utilized with the various sensor systems and ejector housings of Figures 18 and 19.

Communication of smoke evacuation system parameters to a surgical hub or cloud to affect the output or operation of other attached devices END8546USNP (M-1/164469)
Parameters such as particulate type, particulate concentration, and particle size within surgical smoke have not previously been monitored during surgical procedures in which electrosurgical instruments are used. The lack of smoke monitoring during surgery means that smoke evacuation devices present at the surgical site have not been able to adjust their operation to more carefully evacuate the smoke to compensate for changing parameters during the surgical procedure (e.g., higher particulate concentrations in the smoke being emitted).

With reference to Figures 20-22 and 25-35, the exemplary smart smoke evacuation system 56100 described herein can communicate detected or sensed parameters to the surgical hub 206 or cloud analytics computing environment 204 (hereinafter cloud 204), thereby affecting the output and operation of other devices in communication with the surgical hub 206 or cloud 204. For example, if different particulate concentrations are detected, the different parameters can be communicated to the surgical hub 206 or cloud 204, which can adjust the operation of other components in the smart smoke evacuation system 56100, such as the power level applied to an electrosurgical instrument, to compensate for the different parameters.

By automatically adjusting the operation of other equipment based on parameters detected by the smart smoke evacuation system, smoke generated by the operation of electrosurgical instruments can be more efficiently removed, reducing the risk to surgeons and other personnel present during surgical procedures.

FIG. 20 illustrates a smoke evacuation system 56100 in which various modules and devices are in communication with one another, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Communication between the modules and devices identified in the smoke evacuation system 56100 may occur directly or indirectly via connections through the surgical hub 204 and/or the cloud 204. The smoke evacuation system 56100 may be interactively coupled to the surgical hub 206 and/or the cloud 204, for example, as described in FIGS. 25-35. In this manner, parameters sensed or detected by the smoke evacuation module 226 may affect the function of other modules, devices, or components within the computer-implemented surgical system, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 32-24. FIG. 20 illustrates a computer-implemented smoke evacuation system 56100, for example, including the cloud 204, the surgical hub 206, the smoke evacuation module 226, module A 56108, module B 56106, and module C 56104. Modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 may be any module or device that communicates with or is part of surgical hub 206. For example, modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 may be components of visualization system 208, components of robotic system 222, intelligent instruments 235, imaging module 238, generator module 240, suction/irrigation module 228, communications module 230, processor module 232, storage array 234, operating room mapping module 242, etc. Examples and descriptions of these various types of modules and components can be found, for example, in the descriptions of FIGS. 25-35.

The smoke evacuation module 226 includes at least one sensor. This sensor may be any type of sensor, including a sensor that detects an operating parameter, such as, for example, an ambient pressure sensor, an air quality particulate sensor, etc. Additionally, the sensor may be an internal sensor, such as, for example, a pressure sensor, a fluid detection sensor, a chemical sensor, a laser particulate counter, etc. Additionally, two or more pressure sensors may be included in the smoke evacuation module 226 to determine pressure differentials across various portions of the smoke evacuation module 226. Descriptions of sensors used in the context of the smoke evacuation system 56100 can be found, for example, in connection with Figures 4-6, 18, and 19.

In various aspects, the smoke evacuation module 226 and modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 may communicate directly or indirectly with, for example, the surgical hub 206 and/or the cloud 204. Referring again to FIG. 20 , the smoke evacuation module 206 and modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 are shown engaged in bidirectional communication with the surgical hub 206. This bidirectional communication is indicated by two-way arrows, such as arrow 56112. This bidirectional communication may be achieved, in one example, by connecting the modular housing of the smoke evacuation module 226 or modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 to a modular backplane that includes an internal connector console. The modular backplane is configured to connect laterally or vertically to the modular housing of the smoke evacuation module 226 or modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 by the surgical hub 206. An example of this is shown in Figures 27-31. In an alternative example, bidirectional communication may be established by the housing of the smoke evacuation module 226 or modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 being a stand-alone housing with a wired connection attachment at the rear of the device that may allow for interfacing with the surgical hub 206. Alternatively, in another example, the smoke evacuation module 226 and modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 may be directly connected to one another. In yet another example, the smoke evacuation module 226, as well as modules A56108, B56106, and C56104, may include wireless communication modules for communicating, either directly or indirectly, with the surgical hub 206 and/or the cloud 204. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the surgical hub 206 is shown in bidirectional communication with the cloud 204. Alternatively, in another example, the smoke evacuation module 226, as indicated by dashed line 56110, and any one or all of modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 may communicate directly with the cloud 204 to receive instructions or information directly from the cloud without going through the surgical hub 206.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary method flow diagram 56200 of interconnectivity between the surgical hub 206, the cloud 204, the smoke evacuation module 226, and/or various other modules A 56108, B 56106, and C 56104, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. While the exemplary method 56200 is described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 21, it will be appreciated that many other ways of implementing the operations associated with this method are also possible. For example, the order of some of the blocks may be changed, certain blocks may be combined with other blocks, and some of the described blocks may be optional.

25-35, initially, a parameter is acquired by the smoke evacuation module 226 (56202). A sensor component of the smoke evacuation module 226, such as an air quality particulate sensor, detects the parameter. The parameter may be any parameter related to the ambient environment of the operating room, such as the air quality of the operating room. In this example, there is only one sensed parameter, but the disclosure should not be so limited. In alternative examples, there may be many sensed parameters, sensed by any number of different sensors. The frequency with which the parameter is sensed, and the frequency with which the smoke evacuation module 226 is activated, depends on the amount of smoke being evacuated. For example, if little smoke is being evacuated, the smoke evacuation module 226 may operate more slowly and/or sense the parameter less frequently. Alternatively, if the smoke evacuation module 226 is operating aggressively to evacuate rapidly-generating smoke, it may be useful for the smoke evacuation module 226 to operate more quickly and/or sense the parameter more frequently to ensure that the equipment is functioning properly. This provides a safe environment for all surgeons, personnel, and medical equipment in the operating room. Other parameters that may be sensed include those sensed by internal sensors, such as particulate concentration, aerosol percentage, or chemical analysis. Alternatively, operating parameters sensed by sensors on the housing of the smoke evacuation module 226 may include, for example, airflow, pressure differential, or air quality. Descriptions of sensors used in the context of the smoke evacuation system 56100 can be found, for example, in Figures 4-6, 18, and 19.

The smoke evacuation module 226 then transmits the obtained parameter values to the surgical hub 206 or the cloud 204 (56204). For example, if a value for the air quality of the operating room is obtained, it may be sent by the smoke evacuation module 226 to the surgical hub 206. The surgical hub 206 may process the parameters and/or communicate the received air quality parameters to the cloud 204. This may be accomplished via the network router 211, the network hub 207, the network switch 209, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the smoke evacuation module 226 may communicate the air quality parameters directly to the cloud 204 using wired or wireless communication technology.

The parameter values are then processed (56206) to determine whether the parameter values affect the way the surgical evacuation system 56100 or another modular device should operate (56208). This processing may occur in the surgical hub 206 in the cloud 204, or in a combination of the surgical hub 206 and the cloud 204. The processing performed on the sensed parameters includes using the detected parameter values in various algorithms and learning software to automatically adjust the operation of the smoke evacuation module 226 or any of modules A 56108, B 56106, and C 56104 to determine whether the detected parameter values should be corrected. The parameter values are smoke evacuation variables. The algorithms and learning software may be stored in the cloud 204 (storage 105) or the surgical hub 206 (storage 248) prior to processing and may be updated remotely as needed.

For example, if the value of the sensed air quality parameter indicates a large amount of smoke particles in the air, cloud 204 may include a software algorithm that can use the value of the air quality parameter to determine how to modify the operation of the smoke evacuation module or modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 to improve the ambient air quality in the operating room. In this example, cloud 204 can determine whether the operation of intelligent instrument 235 should be modified and whether this operation is optimally adjusted by adjusting the output of a generator that supplies waveforms to intelligent instrument 235. Generator 240 is configured to convert electricity into a high frequency waveform comprised of an oscillating current that is delivered to electrodes to affect tissue. In an alternative example, cloud 204 can determine whether the operation of smoke evacuation module 226 should be adjusted, without needing to adjust any of modules A56108, B56106, and C56104. In this alternative example, the cloud 204 may determine that the value of the air quality parameter indicates that the smoke evacuation module 226 could provide a safer environment if the operation of the smoke evacuation module 226 were adjusted to more quickly evacuate the smoke from the operating room.

Next, instructions are sent to the surgical exhaust system 56100 or modular device to adjust operation (56210). For example, the cloud 204 may determine that the operation of the intelligent instrument 235 should be adjusted based on the value of the sensed air quality parameter. In this example, this is most effectively accomplished by the cloud 204 by modifying the output of the generator module 240. Thus, in this example, at step 56210, the cloud 204 sends instructions to the generator module 240 (e.g., module A 56108). In this example, instructions are sent to the generator module 240 instructing it to modify the output of the generator module 240 to change the operation of the intelligent instrument 235.

Finally, the operation of the surgical drainage system 56100 or modular device is adjusted (56212) based on the instructions. For example, the generator module 240 alters the shape of the waveform output to the intelligent instrument 235 according to instructions received from the cloud 204. This adjustment causes the intelligent instrument 235 to affect the tissue in a desired manner. In examples, the instructions for the various modules are pre-stored in the cloud 204 or surgical hub 206, but may be remotely updated as needed. Alternatively, these instructions are dynamically generated by the cloud 204 or surgical hub 206 as needed.

Figure 22 illustrates a smoke evacuation system 56300 in communication with various other modules and devices, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The example illustrated in Figure 22 discloses an alternative to the computer-implemented surgical system shown in Figure 20. With continued reference to Figures 25-35 and Figure 22, a cloud 204 and a surgical hub 206 are shown. In an alternative embodiment, although the illustrated example shows one cloud 204 and one surgical hub 206, there may be two or more clouds 204 and/or surgical hubs 206 within the computer-implemented surgical system.

In FIG. 22, the surgical hub 206 may include various modules, such as a suction/irrigation module 228, a smoke evacuation module 226, and a generator module 240. The smoke evacuation module 226 may include a first sensor 56302 and a second sensor 56304 that detect different parameters. For example, the first sensor 56302 may be a chemical sensor that performs a chemical analysis on the smoke being emitted from the operating room, and the second sensor 56304 may be a laser particle counter that determines the particle concentration of the smoke being emitted from the operating room. In alternative examples, there may be more or less than two sensors in the smoke evacuation module 226.

In this example, the first sensor 56302 senses a first parameter 56306, e.g., the pH of the smoke being emitted from the operating room. The second sensor 56304 senses a second parameter 56308, e.g., the particulate count (parts per million) of the smoke being emitted from the operating room. The smoke evacuation module 226 may be connected to or part of the surgical hub 206, and thus the first parameter 56306 and the second parameter 56308 may be automatically provided to the surgical hub 206 after being sensed. In an alternative example, the surgical hub 206 may request any sensed parameters from the smoke evacuation module 226 periodically or upon a user request for sensed parameter information, and the smoke evacuation module 226 provides the values of the sensed parameters in response to the request. Alternatively, the smoke evacuation module 226 may periodically provide the sensed values to the surgical hub 206 without being requested.

In some examples, the surgical hub 206 may process, modify, or manipulate the first parameter 56306 and the second parameter 56308 to become first processed parameters 56306' and second processed parameters 56308'. In alternative examples, the surgical hub 206 may not perform any processing on the first parameter 56306 and the second parameter 56308. The surgical hub 206 may transmit the first processed parameters 56306' and the second processed parameters 56308' to the cloud 204 for further processing to determine whether operation of various modules should be adjusted based on the values of the sensed parameters. The cloud 204 may execute various algorithms to determine whether the values of the first processed parameter 56306' and the second processed parameter 56308' indicate whether operation of any of the other modules and devices, including the smoke evacuation module 226, should be adjusted to provide a more ideal surgical environment within the operating room. In this example, the cloud 204 may determine that the values of the first processed parameter 56306' and the second processed parameter 56308' are above or below acceptable thresholds, and therefore, the operation of other modules should be adjusted to correct the sensed/detected values of the first processed parameter 56306' and the second processed parameter 56308'.

In the example shown in FIG. 22, cloud 204 may determine that the display of visualization system 208 should be adjusted to accurately depict the surgical site. In this case, cloud 204 may send instruction A56312 to visualization system 208 to adjust the display of the surgical site. Visualization system 208 is communicatively coupled to surgical hub 206.

Furthermore, in this example, the cloud 204, after executing various algorithms, may determine that the operation of the aspirate/irrigate module 228 should also be adjusted based on the value of either the first processed parameter 56306' or the second processed parameter 56308'. In this example, instruction B56310 may be transmitted from the cloud 204 to the surgical hub 206. The surgical hub 206 may transmit instruction B56310 to the aspirate/irrigate module 228. In an alternative example, the surgical hub 206 may have a processor 244 located within the surgical hub 206 adjust the operation of the aspirate/irrigate module 228. In another alternative example, the cloud 204 may transmit instruction B56310 directly to the aspirate/irrigate module 228 without first transmitting instruction B56310 through the surgical hub 206.

After running various algorithms, cloud 204 may determine that an adjustment in operation may not be effective for generator module 240, or that a sensed parameter may not be effectively affected by an adjustment in the operation of generator module 240. Thus, in the example illustrated in FIG. 22, cloud 204 may not send an instruction to generator module 240. Alternatively, cloud 204 may send an instruction to generator module 240 that no modification in operation is necessary.

A smoke evacuation system including a segmented control circuit that is energized in a staged manner to check for system errors, short circuits, and safety checks. When the evacuation system is not functioning properly, if a fault is not detected in the smoke evacuation system, the smoke evacuation system may be inadvertently operated in a surgical setting. This may result in an unsafe surgical environment where dangerous or carcinogenic smoke is not properly removed from the operating room. Alternatively, parts of the smoke evacuation system may function properly while other parts do not. This may leave the smoke evacuation system in a state where it is generally unsafe to energize and operate.

As depicted in FIGS. 20-22, the smoke evacuation systems 56100, 56300 including a smoke evacuation module 226 coupled to the surgical hub 206 and/or cloud 204 may further include a segmented control circuit 57100, as depicted in FIG. 23, for example. The segmented control circuit 57100 may be energized in stages to check for faults, errors, short circuits, and perform various safety checks while the smoke evacuation module 226 is activated to help determine that operation of the smoke evacuation module 226 is safe.

By starting the smoke evacuation module 226 in a step-by-step manner, malfunctions and errors can be identified before attempting to operate the smoke evacuation module 226. This allows the smoke evacuation system to be repaired or replaced with a new smoke evacuation module as needed, improving the overall safety of the surgical procedure.

In one aspect, the smoke evacuation module 226 depicted in FIGS. 20-22 includes a segmented control circuit that can be energized in a staged manner to check for errors, shorts, and to perform system safety checks. FIG. 23 illustrates one aspect of a segmented control circuit 57100 in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. While certain features, modules, processors, motors, etc. are grouped into various segments as depicted in FIG. 23, it should be noted that the present disclosure should not be limited to this example. In alternative examples, the segments may include more, fewer, or different components than those disclosed in FIG. 23. Furthermore, in another alternative example, the number of segments in the example segmented circuit may be greater than or less than three segments.

In the example of FIG. 23, the segmented control circuit 57100 includes a first segment 57102, a second segment 57104, and a third segment 57106. In one example, the first segment 57102 includes a main processor 57108 and a safety processor 57110. The main processor 57108 may be directly connected to a power button or switch 57120. Thus, in this example, the first segment 57102, and specifically the main processor 57108, is the first segment 57102 and component 57108 that are activated.

The safety processor 57110 and/or the main processor 57108 may be configured to interact with one or more additional circuit segments and their components, such as the second segment 57104, which may include a sensing circuit 57112 and a display circuit 57114, and the third segment 57106, which may include a motor control circuit 57116 and a motor 57118. Each of the circuit segments and their components may be coupled to or in communication with the safety processor 57110 and/or the main processor 57108. The main processor 57108 and/or the safety processor 57110 may also be coupled to memory or may include internal memory. The main processor 57108 and/or the safety processor 57110 may also be coupled to a communication device enabling communication over a network, such as the surgical hub 206 and/or the cloud 204, or may communicate via wired or wireless communication.

The main processor 57108 may have multiple inputs, coupled to, for example, one or more circuit segments, a battery, and/or multiple switches. The segmented control circuit 57100 may be implemented by any suitable circuit, such as, for example, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) within the smoke evacuation module 226. The term processor, as used herein, should be understood to include any microprocessor, processor, one or more controllers, or other basic computing device that incorporates the functionality of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit or up to several integrated circuits. The main processor 57108 and safety processor 57110 are general-purpose programmable devices that accept digital data as input, process that data according to instructions stored in memory, and provide the results as output. Because they have internal memory, they are an example of sequential digital logic. The safety processor 57110 may be specifically configured for safety-critical applications, among other things, to provide advanced integrated safety features while offering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

In the example shown in FIG. 23, the second segment 57104 may include a sensing circuit 57112 and a display circuit 57114 coupled to or in signal communication with the main processor 57108. The sensing circuit 57112 of the smoke evacuation module 226 generally described herein includes various sensors, some internal to the smoke evacuation module 226 and some external, located on the housing of the smoke evacuation module 226. These sensors include various pressure sensors, fluid sensors, chemical sensors, laser particle counters or other laser sensors, and air quality sensors. Descriptions of sensors used in the context of the smoke evacuation system 56100 can be found, for example, in FIGS. 4-6, 18, and 19.

In an alternative aspect, the sensing circuit 57112 may include a communications device when several sensors located on the external housing of the smoke evacuation module 226 are involved in communication and/or connection with the sensing circuit 57112, the main processor 57108, and/or the safety processor 57102 via the communications device. The display circuit 57114 may include a screen or other display that may display text, images, graphs, charts, etc. obtained by the smoke evacuation module 226 or another device in communication with the smoke evacuation module 226 or the surgical hub 206. For example, the display circuit 57114 may include a monitor or screen (e.g., display 210, 217, or monitor 135) that may display and overlay images or data received from the imaging module 238, the device/instrument 235, and/or the visualization system 208. This display or screen may present to a user the status of each segment within the segmented control circuit 57100, or the status of each component within each segment. The status of each segment, or the status of each component of each segment, may be identified by the segmented control circuit 57100 by identifying each component or segment, receiving or determining the status of each component or segment, and displaying the status of each component or segment to a user. Components or segments may be identified using, for example, unique data packet formats, authentication, encryption, ID numbers, passwords, signaling, flags, etc. The status of a component or segment may be determined using flags, indications, values of sensed parameters, measurements, etc.

These functions (identification, determination, display) may be performed using, for example, Wi-Fi, a wired connection, signal communication, Thread, Bluetooth, RFID, or NFC. For example, the components of the segmented control circuit 57100 may include a communication device for communicating over a network or may be coupled to an external communication device that enables communication over a network. The communication device may include a transceiver configured to communicate physically by wire or wirelessly. The device may further include one or more additional transceivers. The transceivers may include, but are not limited to, a cellular modem, a wireless mesh network transceiver, a Wi-Fi® transceiver, a low-power wide-area (LPWA) transceiver, and/or a near-field communication (NFC) transceiver. The communications device may comprise or be configured to communicate with the main processor 57108, the safety processor 57110, the display circuitry 57114, the surgical hub 206, or the cloud 204, which may verify or receive the identity of the components and their associated status. The transceivers may be configured to receive serial transmit data from the processor via a corresponding UART, modulate the serial transmit data onto an RF carrier, generate a transmit RF signal, and transmit the RF signal via a corresponding antenna. Each transceiver may support a selected wireless communications standard and/or protocol, as described herein, e.g., an implementation of IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n for Wi-Fi and/or IEEE 802.15.4 for wireless mesh networking using Zigbee routing. In alternative aspects, the display circuitry may include an audible signal or a small light/display to indicate the status of the smoke detector, on/off operation, remaining filter life, etc. The identification of each component and its status may be provided voluntarily by the respective component, which may transmit or communicate such information at regular or irregular intervals. An example of an irregular interval may be when a user indicates that information should be transmitted. Alternatively, the identification and status information of each component or segment may be requested at regular or irregular intervals. For example, the identification and status of the motor control circuit 57116 may be requested every 1 minute, 20 minutes, 40 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours, etc.

In another aspect, the segmented control circuit 57100 enables energization of a status circuit that allows the smoke evacuation module 226 to query or poll all attached components. The status circuit may be located in any of the segments, but in this example, may be located in the first segment 57102. This status circuit may be capable of querying/polling all components, including those in the first segment 57102, the second segment 57104, the third segment 57106, and any other additional components, such as those shown in FIGS. 25-35. The polling/querying of attached components may be performed to verify whether the component or segment is compatible with the smoke evacuation system or hub, compatibility, that the component or segment is the correct component and reliable, reliability, usage status, i.e., the status of any segments or components that have a usage-based lifespan, such as filters, and correct insertion of the segment or component, such as correct insertion of a filter before energizing the motor and pump connected to the motor. In some examples, an intelligent instrument, such as intelligent instrument 235, may be further queried/polled to verify that an appropriate device is being used and that the smoke evacuation system can function or knows how to function with the polled/queried intelligent instrument. For example, the intelligent instrument 235 being polled or queried may be a Zip Pen®. Knowing which Zip Pen® is being used may help determine how the smoke evacuation system functions. If an unidentified intelligent instrument is being used, the smoke evacuation system may determine that the motor is improperly or unsafely energized, and an error may be displayed by display circuit 57114. This may be done for any component of the smart surgical environment, not just intelligent instrument 235. Alternatively, if an unidentified intelligent instrument is being used, the smoke evacuation system may determine that the device may be used universally in a safe operating mode.

As noted above, energizing the status circuitry that allows the smoke evacuation module 226 to query/poll other components can also provide unique identification, authentication, and status text strings for the queried/polled components. This allows for controlled identification of the smoke evacuation module 226 and its subcomponents to prevent counterfeit devices from spoofing security devices. For example, an example of an attempt to spoof a security device is by building a "skimmer" to make a unique connection. To prevent the system from being spoofed, actions can be taken to authenticate each component. Each component installed in the smoke evacuation system may be authenticated based on stored data, security encryption, authentication, parameters, or some combination thereof. The stored data may include an identification number or other identifier, product name and type, a unique device identifier, company trademark, serial number, and/or other manufacturing data, configuration parameters, usage information, enabled or disabled features, or algorithms/instructions regarding how to use the installed component.

23, the third segment 57106 may include a motor control circuit 57116 and a motor 57118. The motor control circuit 57116 and/or the motor 57118 may be coupled to or in signal communication with the main processor 57108 and/or the safety processor 57110. The main processor 57108 may instruct the motor control circuit 57116 to increase or decrease the speed of the motor 57118. In an alternative example, the motor control circuit 57116 and the motor 57118 may be coupled to or in signal communication with the safety processor 57110. The motor 57118 may be coupled to a pump within the smoke evacuation module 226 (see FIGS. 4 and 6-19), and operation of the motor 57118 may cause the pump to function. Specifically, in one example, the motor 57118 may operate in two different states. The first state may be when the motor 57118 is activated by a user. In this first state, the motor 57118 may operate at a higher speed than in the second state. In the second state, the motor 57118, motor control circuitry 57116, main processor 57108, or safety processor 57110 may sense a lack of user activity or receive a command from the main processor 57108, safety processor 57110, surgical hub 204, cloud 206, or another module located within the surgical hub 206 (e.g., processor module 232) to reduce the operating speed of the motor 57118.

The number of different states in which the motor 57118 may operate is not limited to two. The motor 57118 may change or select its operating state based on various measurements of parameters. In another aspect, the motor 57118 may determine or set its operating state based on a user activity level that falls within, above, or below certain thresholds. Furthermore, these thresholds may be related to or correlated with thresholds of other modules or components of the smoke evacuation module 226.

In an alternative example, the motor 57118 may have a mode, optionally referred to as a sleep mode. In this example, the sleep mode may be activated or the motor 57118 may be shut down into sleep mode (suspended mode, or low-power mode) when not used for a predetermined period of time. The threshold amount of inactivity before entering sleep mode may vary depending on numerous factors, including the type of surgical procedure, the particular surgeon performing the procedure, or other factors. Thus, the predetermined amount of time may be preset but can be easily adjusted. For example, an exemplary threshold may be 10 minutes from switching from an active state to a sleep mode state. In this example, if the intelligent instrument 235 is not used by the surgeon for more than 10 minutes, the motor control circuitry 57116 or the motor 57118 may receive a command to enter sleep mode. In an alternative example, if the intelligent instrument 235 is not used by the surgeon for more than 10 minutes, the intelligent instrument 235 may automatically activate sleep mode by slowing the motor 57118 to the sleep mode state. Additionally, when the smoke evacuation module 226 or intelligent appliance 235 is used again or senses user interaction, the smoke evacuation module 226 may undergo a restart sequence to re-energize the segmented circuit 57100. This restart sequence may be the same as the start-up sequence used to energize the segmented circuit 57100 while checking for errors or defects. Alternatively, the restart sequence may be an abbreviated version of the start-up sequence to quickly re-energize the segmented circuit 57100 when user interaction is sensed.

The example shown in FIG. 24 discloses a method 57200 of operating the control circuit portion of the smoke evacuation module 226 to energize the segmented control circuit 57100 in a staged manner, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In this manner, various portions of the control circuit can perform safety checks before energizing subsequent segments, providing a safe electrical startup circuit method. While the exemplary method 57200 is described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 24, it will be appreciated that many other ways of implementing the operations associated with this method are also possible. For example, the order of some of the blocks may be changed, certain blocks may be combined with other blocks, and some of the described blocks are optional.

According to method 57200, control circuit 57100 initially activates first segment 57102 (57202). For example, as previously described in FIG. 23, first segment 57102 may include main processor 57108 and safety processor 57110. In alternative examples, other components may also be included in first segment 57102, or first segment 57102 may not include main processor 57108 and/or safety processor 57110.

Next, the first segment 57102 performs a first function 57204. This first function may, for example, relate to verifying the safety of the control circuit 57100 and/or the smoke evacuation module 226. For example, the main processor 57108 or the safety processor 57110 may check each segment or segment components for short circuits and other errors before engaging the high-power portions of the segmented control circuit 57100. The main processor 57108 and/or the safety processor 57110 may perform safety checks on each component or segment to determine that it is functioning properly. Further, in another example, the main processor 57108 or the safety processor 57110 may perform a verification function to ensure that the components within the smoke evacuation module 226 are the correct components. For example, to ensure that the components of the smoke evacuation system 56100, 56300 are the correct components, the main processor 57108 or the safety processor 57110 may include a trusted platform module (TPM), or the TPM may be a separate component within the segmented control circuit 57100. This verification can be performed in a variety of ways. For example, one exemplary method is to store a key for each component or segment within the TPM. Connected components are compared, and if the key for each component or segment is not found within the TPM, the smoke evacuation module 226 cannot enable or power those modules. In a further example, the described keys may incorporate encryption or require authentication by a component of the smoke evacuation module 226, such as the main processor 57108 or the safety processor 57110.

Furthermore, for example, the main processor 57108 and/or the safety processor 57110 may include switching logic stored in memory that prevents activation of circuit portions by the segmented control circuit 57100 if certain safety conditions are not met. For example, there may be various states stored in the safety processor 57118 associated with a logic switch or multiple logic switches. For example, if the protective housing is not fully closed, the filter module is not fully or properly inserted, the fluid reservoir is not fully or properly inserted, the hose is not properly or completely inserted, or the fluid reservoir is not sufficiently full, the logic switch may operate and prevent activation of the segmented control circuit 57100 or associated portion of the smoke evacuation module 226.

Alternatively, there may be a separate enclosure circuit to ensure that the housing is completely and properly closed before allowing the smoke evacuation module 226, or one of the various segments, to operate or operate. For example, if the housing is not completely closed, the circuit may not be complete. Thus, the remaining segments or components of the segmented control circuit 57100 may not be activated. This enclosure circuit concept may also be used within a tamper circuit to prevent unauthorized servicing. For example, the tamper circuit may include a verification circuit. If a housing that should not be opened is opened, the verification circuit may be permanently destroyed, either electrically or mechanically. This destructible verification circuit may have an internal connection strip that can bridge two rigidly fixed electrical connection blocks, one block may be located on the shell of the enclosure and the other block may be located on the base frame of the enclosure. The internal connection may have a rigid insertable electrical connector that can lock into each connection block with latching features on each of the shell and base frame. When destroyed, it may be apparent that the housing has been opened or tampered with. Once broken, the electrical connector can be easily removed and replaced once the housing is opened for replacement. In alternative aspects, the blocking and latching features may be located in different positions, and each segment may include a separate blocking and latching mechanism. For example, the first segment 57102, the second segment 57104, and the third segment 57106 may each have a separate verification circuit. If the first segment 57102 is tampered with or opened, the verification circuit may break the rigid inner connecting strip and thus be identified as tampered with and/or the verification circuit may be replaced. By having separate verification circuits, tampering with any of the various segments or components of the segmented control circuit 57100 may be easily detectable.

Alternatively, the housing circuit may be used as a segmented security device. For example, if a portion of the system requires maintenance, the housing circuit may allow that portion of the system to be opened and serviced, but may prevent use of the segmented control circuit 57100 or the smoke evacuation module 226 after an unauthorized separate portion of the segmented control circuit 57100 has been opened, disassembled, or tampered with. For example, if the segmented control circuit 57100 of the smoke evacuation system 226 is to be serviced, but only the display circuit 57114 requires service, there may be no reason for a service technician or other personnel to service the third segment 57106 or the first segment 57102. Thus, the third segment 57106 and the first segment 57102 may include separate housing circuits that include single-use fuses or other mechanical/electromechanical devices, or digital versions of such. If the third segment 57106 and the first segment 57102 are opened, altered, or disassembled, the fuse can be blown, preventing power from reaching the third segment 57106 and the first segment 57102.

If an error, short circuit, fault, or other problem is detected, the segmented control circuit 57100 may be capable of running at least one segment of the segmented control circuit 57100 while not running other segments. To ensure the safety of the segmented control circuit 57100, portions of the segmented control circuit 57100 and the connections between them are mechanically equipped with switches, fuses, and breakers that can interrupt and prevent the passage of current if an unsafe condition exists. The switches may be implemented using any suitable mechanical, electromechanical, or solid-state switches. For example, there may be a single-use fuse, a resettable fuse, or a solid-state switching device between the main processor 57108 and the motor control circuit 57116. Generally, a fuse is an electrical safety device that operates to provide overcurrent protection for an electrical circuit. It may include a metal wire or strip that melts when too much current flows, thereby interrupting the current. Generally, a resettable fuse is a polymer positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) device, a passive electronic component used to protect against overcurrent faults in electronic circuits. This device may also be known as a polyfuse or polyswitch. Generally, solid-state switches operate under the influence of a magnetic field, such as Hall effect devices, magnetoresistive (MR) devices, giant magnetoresistive (GMR) devices, and magnetometers, among others. In other implementations, the switch may be a solid-state switch that operates under the influence of light, such as optical sensors, infrared sensors, and ultraviolet sensors, among others. Furthermore, the switch may be a solid-state device, such as a transistor (e.g., FET, junction FET, metal-oxide semiconductor FET (MOSFET), bipolar, etc.). Other switches may include wireless switches, ultrasonic switches, accelerometers, and inertial sensors, among others.

Next, the second segment can be activated (57206). For example, the second segment 57104, including the sensing circuit 57112 and the display circuit 57114, may be energized. Next, the third segment can be activated (57208). For example, the third segment 57106, including the motor control circuit 57116 and the motor 57118, may be energized. While this exemplary embodiment discloses activating the first segment 57102 before the second segment and the second segment 57104 before the third segment 57106, the order of segment activation may be modified as deemed appropriate. Additionally, in alternative examples, various error checks, validations, etc. may be performed between energizing the second segment 57104 and the third segment 57106.

The reader will readily appreciate that the various surgical evacuation systems and components described herein can be incorporated into computer-implemented interactive surgical systems, surgical hubs, and/or robotic systems. For example, the surgical evacuation system can communicate data to and/or receive data from the surgical hubs, robotic systems, and/or computer-implemented interactive surgical systems. Various examples of computer-implemented interactive surgical systems, robotic systems, and surgical hubs are further described below.

A surgical evacuation system having a communication circuit for communication between a filter and a smoke evacuation device. Generally, providing network services to a medical device may expose the medical device to malicious attacks. Although network-wide firewall services may be provided within the network system, these services may be vulnerable to security attacks from components within the medical device. That is, the firewall service may not have information related to the type, product, configuration, or authentication of the medical device's components, and therefore may not be able to protect the medical device system from malicious attacks originating from unauthorized/unauthorized components of the medical device. For example, an unauthorized/unauthorized component (e.g., a filter device) may contain ransomware, which may deny a medical device user access to the medical device or data within the medical device. Furthermore, an unauthorized/unauthorized component may be incompatible with other authorized/authentic components of the medical device, resulting in a shortened lifespan and/or reduced performance of the entire medical component. This may also result in an unexpected interruption of the medical device's operation.

Aspects of the present disclosure may address the above-mentioned deficiencies. In some embodiments, a surgical evacuation system may include a communications circuit that may facilitate communication between a smoke evacuation device and a replaceable filter device having multiple filter components. The communications circuit may authenticate the filter device (including multiple filter components), verify the remaining life of the filter device, update parameters output from the filter device, and log errors output from the filter device. The communications circuit may limit the number or types of filter components that can be identified by the surgical evacuation system and enable/disable multiple filter components based on the results of the authentication. In some embodiments, the communications circuit may authenticate the filter device/component by using filter component information, which may include the product type, product name, unique device identifier, product brand, serial number, or configuration parameters of the filter device/component. In some embodiments, the filter device and/or the communications circuit may encrypt or decrypt data/parameters communicated between the filter device and the communications circuit.

In this manner, a surgical drainage system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can detect inauthentic/unauthorized components of a medical device, protect medical device data/parameters through encryption, and proactively check for possible problems within the filter device by checking the remaining life and errors of the filter components. This may advantageously enable the surgical system to prevent malicious attacks and performance degradation that may be caused by inauthentic/unauthorized components, and allow the surgical drainage system to continue operating without unexpected interruptions to the operation of the medical device.

25 illustrates a high-level block diagram of an exemplary smoke evacuation system 58100 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The smoke evacuation system 58100 may include a smoke evacuation device 58105 having a pump 58160 and a motor 58165 operably coupled to the pump 58160, a display device 58170, a communication device 58180, a processor 58110, a memory 58120, and one or more sensors 58140A-B. In some embodiments, the smoke evacuation device 58105 may include a filter device 58150 and a filter communication circuit 58130. The filter device 58150 may be in communication with the smoke evacuation device 58105 (e.g., the processor 58110) through the filter communication circuit 58130.

The smoke evacuation system 58100 may be similar to the smoke evacuation system shown in FIG. 6. For example, the processor 58110 may be in signal communication with a motor driver or motor 58165, various sensors 58140A-B, a display device 58170, a memory 58120, and a communication device 58180. The communication device 58180 may be similar to the communication device described above in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6. That is, the communication device 58180 may enable the processor 58110 in the smoke evacuation system 58100 to communicate with other devices in the surgical system. For example, the communication device 58180 may enable wired and/or wireless communication to external sensors, surgical devices, a hub, a cloud, and/or various additional surgical systems and/or tools. The reader will readily appreciate that the smoke evacuation system of FIG. 25 may be incorporated into the surgical system of FIG. 5 in certain instances.

In some embodiments, the filter device 58150 may be coupled to the suction conduit 58155. The exhaust mechanism 58190 may be coupled to the pump 58160. The exhaust mechanism 58190 may be similar to the exhaust mechanism 50520. In some embodiments, the suction conduit 58155, the filter device 58150, the pump 58160, and the exhaust mechanism 58190 may be arranged in series with a flow path (e.g., flow path 50504) between an inlet port (e.g., inlet port 50522) and an outlet port (e.g., outlet port 50524). The inlet may be fluidly coupled to the suction conduit 58155 with a distal conduit opening at the surgical site. While the exhaust mechanism 58190 is shown as being external to the smoke evacuation device 58105, in some embodiments, the exhaust mechanism 58190 may be located within the smoke evacuation device 58105.

In some embodiments, the processor 58110 may be in signal communication with the filter communication circuitry 58130 for communication between the filter device 58150 and the smoke evacuation device 58105. In some embodiments, the filter communication circuitry 58130 may be located within the smoke evacuation device 58105 or the filter device 58150. In other embodiments, the communication circuitry 58130 may be located outside the smoke evacuation device 58105. In some embodiments, the communication circuitry 58130 may be part of the sensing and intelligent control device shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 26 illustrates a filter communication circuit 58130 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The filter communication circuit 58220 may include a master controller 58210, an authentication unit 58220, an error log unit 58230, an update unit 58240, an encryption/description unit 58250, a remaining life verification unit 58260, and a data storage unit 58270. In some examples, the master controller 58210 may be in signal communication with the processor 58110 and control the other units 58220-58270 in the filter communication circuit 58130. In other examples, the processor 58110 may function as the master controller 58210.

FIG. 27 illustrates a filter device 58150 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The filter device 58150 may include multiple filter components. The filter components may include a controller 58310, a filter element unit 58320, and a filter sensor unit 58330. The filter element unit 58320 may include one or more filter elements 58325A-C. The filter sensor unit 58330 may include one or more filter sensors 58335A-C. The controller 58310 may control and communicate with the filter element unit 58320 and the filter sensor unit 58330. The filter device 58150 may be similar to the examples (e.g., filter 50670) shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 18, and 19. In some embodiments, one or more filter elements 58325A-C may be the fluid filter, coarse media filter 50684, fine particulate filter 50686, particulate filter, carbon reservoir 50688, or charcoal filter shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 18, and 19, or any other filter in filter device 58150. Filter elements 58325A-C may also include a diverter valve, a baffle, a tumbling basket, or any other element in the filter device other than a sensor (e.g., dams 50690, 50692, 50694, rear cap 50674, etc.). In some embodiments, one or more filter sensors 58335A-C may be similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 (e.g., fluid detection sensor 50830, chemical sensor 50832, fluid sensor 50836, pressure sensor 50840, laser particle counter 50838, etc.).

In some embodiments, the controller 58310 in the filter device 58150 may be in signal communication with the master controller 58210 of the filter communication circuitry 58130. In some embodiments, the filter device 58150 may encrypt parameters output from the multiple filter components before transmitting the parameters to the communication circuitry 58130. Upon receiving the encrypted parameters, the communication circuitry (e.g., the encryption/description unit 58250) may decrypt the encrypted parameters, as discussed below.

Referring again to FIG. 26 , the authentication unit 58220 may authenticate/verify the filter device 58150 or multiple filter components. In some embodiments, the authentication unit 58220 may identify the number of filter components installed within the filter device 58150. The authentication unit 58220 may also limit the number or types of filter components that can be identified by the communication circuit. For example, if the filter component is not a type of component authenticated for use in the filter device 58150, or if the number of filter components used in the filter device 58150 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 10, 20, 50, etc.), the authentication unit 58220 may disable the filter component or the filter device 58150. The authentication unit 58220 may also enable or disable the filter device 58150 or multiple filter components based on the results of the authentication.

The error logging unit 58230 may record errors or error messages from multiple filter components or filter devices 58150. In some embodiments, the error logging unit 58230 may record error messages and error messages in the data storage unit 58270. The filter communication circuit 58130 can read the error messages and use the error messages to understand what happened with the filter device 58150. Examples of errors and error messages may include errors occurring due to sensor/filter failure, strange/dangerous chemicals detected by a sensor/filter, moisture detected in a particulate filter, a clogged filter, a pressure differential (e.g., between pressure sensors 50840 and 50846), and an unauthentic/uncertified filter device/component.

The updating unit 58240 may update parameters output from the multiple filter components. The updated parameters may be operational or sensed. Operational parameters may include airflow, pressure differential, air quality, or any other parameter related to the operation of the filter device 58150. Sensed parameters may include particulate concentration, aerosol fraction, chemical analysis, or any other value sensed by a sensor (e.g., pressure, fluid, chemical, particle) within the filter device 58150. These parameters may be stored in the data storage unit 58270 and updated automatically or manually by the updating unit 58240. For example, the updating unit 58240 may update the pressure differential value stored in the data storage unit 58270 when a change in pressure differential is detected by a pressure sensor (e.g., 50840, 50846). The filter communication circuit 58130 may receive these parameters directly from each of the filter components (e.g., filter elements 58325A-C/filter sensors 58335A-C) or through the slave controller 58310.

The encryption/description unit 58250 may encrypt or decrypt parameters output from the multiple filter components. The encryption/description unit 58250 may encrypt or decrypt any data or packets received from the filter device 58150. In some embodiments, the filter device 58150 may also include an encryption/description unit similar to the encryption/description unit 58250. The encryption/description unit of the filter device 58150 may encrypt parameters output from the multiple filter components and decrypt data from the filter communication circuit 58130 before transmitting the parameters to the filter communication circuit 58130. The encrypted data/parameters communicated between the filter device 58150 and the filter communication circuit 58130 may not be visible/readable to the filter components, the filter device 58150, and the smoke evacuation device 58105 unless the encrypted data/parameters are decrypted.

In some embodiments, the encryption/description unit 58250 and the filter device 58150 may encrypt or decrypt the data/parameters by symmetric encryption, which uses the same (secret) key to encrypt or decrypt the data/parameters. In other embodiments, the encryption/description unit 58250 and the filter device 58150 may encrypt or decrypt the data/parameters by symmetric encryption, which uses the same (secret) key to encrypt or decrypt the data/parameters. In asymmetric encryption, one of the private/public keys may be used to encrypt the data and the other key may be used to decrypt the data.

The remaining life verification unit 58260 may verify/predict the remaining life of multiple filter components. In some embodiments, the remaining life verification unit 58260 may use usage information regarding multiple filter components to verify the remaining life of the filter components. The filter component usage information may include usage time data, the number of times each filter element has been used, the number or type of errors each filter component has generated, the standard life of each filter component, and a pressure differential between pressure sensors located upstream (e.g., 50840) and downstream (e.g., 50846) of the filter elements 58325A-C. In some examples, if the pressure differential value across the filter element 58325A (e.g., a ULPA filter) exceeds a predetermined value, which may indicate that the filter element 58325A is clogged, the remaining life verification unit 58260 may determine that the remaining life of the filter element 58325A is zero or will soon be zero, for example, within a predetermined period of time (e.g., 1-5 hours, 1-5 days, 1-5 weeks, or 1-5 months), and that the filter element 58325A should be replaced. If the filter component usage information indicates that a significant amount of material has entered the particulate or charcoal filter, the remaining life verification unit 58260 may determine that the remaining life of the particulate or charcoal filter is zero or will soon be zero, for example, within a predetermined period of time (e.g., 1-5 hours, 1-5 days, 1-5 weeks, or 1-5 months), and that the particulate or charcoal filter should be replaced. If the filter component usage information indicates that the filter sensor 58335A or filter element 58325A has an error (e.g., is not operating properly), the remaining life verification unit 58260 may determine that the filter sensor 58335A or filter element 58325A is at zero or will soon become zero, for example, within a predetermined period of time (e.g., 1-5 hours, 1-5 days, 1-5 weeks, or 1-5 months), and that the filter sensor 58335A or filter element 58325A should be replaced. In some embodiments, the filter component usage information may be stored in the data storage unit 58270.

The data storage unit 58270 may store information about the filter components. The filter component information may include product types, product names, unique device identifiers, product trademarks, serial numbers, and configuration parameters of multiple filter components. In some embodiments, the information about the filter components may originate from the filter components, for example, when the authentication unit 58220 authenticates/verifies the filter components. In some embodiments, the data storage unit 58270 may also include information about authentic/authenticated filter components. The authentic filter component information may include a list of product types, product names, unique device identifiers, product trademarks, serial numbers, and configuration parameters of the authentic/authenticated filter components. In some embodiments, the filter component information and/or the authentic filter component information may be stored in clear text. In other embodiments, the filter component information and/or the authentic filter component information may be stored in encrypted form. In some embodiments, the data storage unit 58270 may also store information about disabled and enabled features, and algorithms or instructions for how the smoke evacuation device 58105 may use the filter components.

In some embodiments, data/parameters from the filter device 58150 may be delivered to the smoke evacuation device 58105 (e.g., data storage unit 58270), for example, as a data packet. As used herein, a data packet may refer to a unit of data communicated between two devices (e.g., the filter device 58150 and the smoke evacuation device 58105). The smoke evacuation device 58105 (e.g., the processor 58110, the master controller 58210) may know how to combine the received data packets into the original data/parameters.

In some embodiments, the authentication unit 58220 may authenticate/verify multiple filter components within the filter device 58150 by using the filter component information and/or the authentic filter component information. For example, the authentication unit 58220 may compare the filter component information of a filter component with the authentic filter component information. That is, the authentication unit 58220 may check whether the filter component information (e.g., the unique device identifier/brand/serial number of the filter within the filter device 58150) matches pre-stored authentic filter component information (e.g., in a list of unique device identifiers/brands/serial numbers of authentic, authenticated filter components). If it is determined that the filter component information of a filter component does not match the authentic filter component information, the authentication unit 58220 may determine that the filter component is not authentic/authenticated. If it is determined that the filter component is not authentic, the authentication unit 58220 may disable the filter device function (e.g., smoke filtration, smoke detection, data processing, etc.) or the filter device/component. In some embodiments, the authentication unit 58220 may disable a filter device/component or filter device function by stopping the pump 58160/motor 58165 or closing the input port of one of the filters.

In some embodiments, the serial number may be located in a chip, such as an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM) or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), of the filter device/component (e.g., slave controller 58310). For example, in some cases, only certain chips may be used for genuine filter devices/components, and the serial number on those chips may indicate that the filter device/component having the chip is genuine. In some embodiments, when the filter device 58150 is connected to the smoke evacuation device 58105, the authentication unit 58220 can read the serial number of the chip (e.g., EPROM/EEPROM) in the filter component and check whether it is genuine. In some embodiments, the authentication unit 58220 may be programmed to accept a set range of serial numbers.

In some embodiments, the filter communication circuit 58130 (e.g., master controller 58210) may function as a master device, and the filter device 58150 (e.g., multiple filter components including slave controller 58310) may function as slave devices. In some embodiments, communication between the master device and the slave device may be unidirectional from the master device to the slave device when performing the authentication process. That is, it may be only the master device that can authenticate/verify the slave device, and the slave device cannot authenticate/verify the master device. In this case, the slave device may only provide information requested by the master device (e.g., filter component information including the filter component's product type, product name, unique device identifier, product brand, serial number, and configuration parameters). In some embodiments, communication between the master device and the slave device may be bidirectional.

In some embodiments, multiple filter components may have a hierarchical structure. For example, one of the filter components (e.g., slave controller 58310) may function as a master component, and the remaining filter components may function as slave components. In this case, the remaining filter components may report data/parameters directly to the master component, which may then report received data/parameters to the master device (master controller 58210). In other embodiments, each of the filter components may report data/parameters directly to the master device.

In some embodiments, the smoke evacuation device 58105 and the filter device 58150 may communicate with each other through the filter communication circuitry 58130, for example, using a wireless connection (bidirectional or unidirectional). Examples of wireless connections may include RFID (read-only or read/write), Bluetooth, Zigbee, IR, or any other suitable wireless protocol. In other embodiments, the smoke evacuation device 58105 and the filter device 58150 may communicate with each other using a wired connection. In this case, an electrical connector is provided between the smoke evacuation device 58105 and the filter device 58150. For example, referring again to FIGS. 13 and 14, the electrical connector may be located on a socket 2120 configured to receive the filter device 58150. In some embodiments, the first receptacle 2122 and/or the second receptacle 2124 may function as an electrical connector that electrically connects the smoke evacuation device 58105 (e.g., processor 58110, master controller 58210) and the filter device 58150 (e.g., slave controller 58310 or other filter components 58325A-C, 58335A-C). In some embodiments, the electrical connector may be a pogo pin or plug-type connector.

7 , in some embodiments, there may be a cable connector, e.g., a wire, extending from the smoke evacuation device 50600, 58100 to the generator 50640. The cable connector may deliver activation signals and information regarding energy delivery, and the smoke evacuation device 50600, 58100 may control components within the smoke evacuation device 50600, 58100 based on the activation signals and energy delivery information. For example, the smoke evacuation device 50600 may reduce suction force/speed or stop suction by, for example, reducing pump power/motor speed or stopping the pump 58160/motor 58165 in response to receiving energy delivery information/signals indicating the generator is not activated or not fully activated. The smoke evacuation device 50600 may also increase suction force/speed in response to receiving energy delivery information/signals indicating the generator is activated or fully activated. This may allow the smoke evacuation device 50600 to vary the level of suction power/speed when the generator 50640 is activated or deactivated.

In some embodiments, the filter communication circuit 58130 may include a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which may be used to protect unencrypted keys and credentials from malicious software attacks. In some embodiments, the TPM may be a specialized microprocessor or chip that provides a protected space for key manipulation and other security-related tasks. In some embodiments, the TPM may use a monotonic counter for anti-play protection, for example, to limit the number of failed access attempts. For example, a TPM using a monotonic counter can prevent attempts by unauthorized components of the filter device 58150 to maliciously or fraudulently transmit repeated data. The TPM can provide decentralized and enhanced security to the system 58100.

In some embodiments, the display device 58170 may function as an interactive data point, receiving inputs and displaying outputs for the smoke evacuation system 58100. In some embodiments, the display device 58170 may include a touch screen. In some embodiments, the display device 58170 may display a smoke evacuation console with keys/buttons to control (e.g., start/stop) or check the status of components in the smoke evacuation system 58100. For example, using the keys/buttons, a user may check the startup status or data/parameters (e.g., fan/motor speed magnitude) output from components in the smoke evacuation system 58100. In other embodiments, the evacuation system may include a mechanical console with keys/buttons to control or check the status of components in the smoke evacuation system 58100. In some embodiments, the smoke evacuation console on the display device 58170 may appear similar to the mechanical console, for example, by default settings. In this case, the display device 58170 may display, for example, in a corner of the display device 58170, a (small) icon that may allow the user to access a menu structure that, when activated, reveals more adjustment options.

In some embodiments, the display device 58170 may operate interactively with other display devices (e.g., the hub display 135) within the surgical system 100. For example, the display device 58170 may function as a primary display device when the smoke evacuation device 58105 is not connected to the hub 106. When the smoke evacuation device 58105 is connected to the hub 106, the display device 58170 may function as a secondary display device while the hub display 135 functions as the primary display device. In this case, the display device 58170 may also include control buttons for controlling not only the smoke evacuation device 58105 but also the hub 106. In some embodiments, the hub display 135 and/or the display device 58170 may include icons that may enable one of the hub display 135 and the display device 58170 to be an input device for the other.

In some embodiments, one or more components within the surgical system may be disposable/reusable, including the filter device 58150, a filter component within the filter device 58150, the fluid trap 50760 (e.g., including the fluid reservoir 50774), the air hose 50636, the electrosurgical instrument 50630 (e.g., a Zip Pen®), a blade within the surgical instrument, or any other component within the smoke evacuation system 58100.

Dual Series of Large and Small Droplet Filters: Fluids extracted from a surgical site by a smoke evacuation system may contain liquids (e.g., large and small droplets) and various particulates in addition to smoke that may be generated during a surgical procedure. The combination of different types and/or conditions in the evacuation fluid may make filtering the fluid that has escaped from the surgical site difficult. Furthermore, certain types of substances in the fluid may be harmful to certain filters within a smoke evacuation system. For example, the presence of liquid droplets in the fluid may damage certain filters, such as particulate/charcoal filters, which can be very effective. Furthermore, these filters may be easily damaged/blocked not only by large droplets but also by relatively small droplets.

Aspects of the present disclosure may address the above-mentioned deficiencies. In certain examples, a surgical drainage system may include a pump, a motor operably coupled to the pump, and a fluid path fluidly coupled to the pump. The fluid path may include a first fluid filter configured to extract large droplets from fluid moving through the fluid path, and a second fluid filter configured to extract small droplets from the fluid. The first fluid filter may be coupled in series with the second fluid filter and positioned upstream of the second fluid filter. The outlet port of the second fluid filter may be coupled to the inlet port of a non-fluid filter that may be damaged when moisture/liquid droplets enter therein. In certain examples, the surgical drainage system may also include one or more recirculation channels configured to recirculate fluid exiting the first fluid filter or the second fluid filter.

In this manner, the present disclosure can enable a smoke evacuation system to extract not only large droplets but also small droplets before the fluid enters a non-fluid filter where the large and small droplets can damage it. Additionally, the second fluid filter may use filter elements that may be more sophisticated and expensive than the components used in the first fluid filter, and the filter elements in the second fluid filter may tend to become easily and quickly clogged by large droplets. In the present disclosure, by providing a first fluid filter configured to extract large droplets upstream of the second fluid filter, the evacuation system can effectively protect the second fluid filter from damage and/or clogging, saving pump power and costs. Finally, by providing one or more recirculation channels, the present disclosure enables a smoke evacuation system to ensure that droplets that could damage the non-fluid filter do not enter the non-fluid filter.

FIG. 28 shows a schematic diagram of a housing of a smoke evacuation system 59100 in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The smoke evacuation system 59100 may include an exhaust housing 59105 and a fluid trap 59110 coupled to the exhaust housing 59105. The exhaust system 59100 may also include a first fluid filter device 59120, a second fluid filter device 59130, a non-fluid filter device 59140, and a pump 59170. The pump 59170 may be operably coupled to a motor. The smoke evacuation system 59100 may further include multiple sensors 59190A-K and an intelligent controller. The fluid trap 59110, the non-fluid filter device 59140, and the pump 59170 may be similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 (e.g., the fluid trap, ULPA filter, charcoal filter, and scroll pump). The fluid trap 59110, filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140, and pump 59170 may be sequentially aligned along a flow path through the ejector housing 59105 between the inlet 59112 and the outlet 59175. As used herein, a non-fluidic filter device 59140 may refer to a filter device or filter (e.g., a particulate/charcoal filter) that is vulnerable to liquid droplets and can be damaged when liquid droplets enter it.

In various examples, the plurality of sensors may include one or more fluid detection sensors, one or more pressure sensors, one or more particle sensors, and/or one or more chemical sensors. The plurality of sensors 59190A-K may be similar to the sensors shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 (e.g., sensors 50830, 50832, 50836, 50840, 50838, 50846, 50848, 50850, 50854, 50852). For example, a pressure sensor may be positioned to detect pressure within the evacuation system 59100, such as within the evacuation housing 59105. For example, the pressure sensor may be positioned upstream of one of the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 (e.g., sensor 59190E), between the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 and the pump 59170 (e.g., sensor 59190G), and/or downstream of the pump 59170 (e.g., sensor 59190I). In certain examples, the pressure sensor 59190K may be positioned outside the exhaust system 59100 to detect pressure in the surrounding environment.

Similarly, particle sensors 59190F, 59190H may be positioned to detect particles within the exhaust system 59100, such as within the exhaust housing 59105. The particle sensors may be positioned, for example, upstream of one of the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 (e.g., sensor 59190F), between the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 and the pump 59170, and/or downstream of the pump 59170 (e.g., sensor 59190H). In various examples, particle sensor 59190J may be positioned to detect particles within the ambient environment, for example, to determine air quality within a surgical suite.

In various examples, the fluid detection sensor may be positioned upstream of one of the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 (e.g., sensors 59190A, 59190C, 59190D), between the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 and the pump 59170, downstream of the pump 59170, or outside the discharge housing 59106. Similarly, the chemical sensor may be positioned upstream of one of the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 (e.g., sensor 59190B), between the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 and the pump 59170, downstream of the pump 59170, or outside the discharge housing 59106.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a particular evacuation system may not include each sensor shown in FIG. 28 and/or may include additional sensors. Components within the evacuation system 59100 may be modular and/or replaceable. For example, the fluid trap 59110, the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140, the pump 59170, and the plurality of sensors 59190A-K may be modular and/or replaceable.

The multiple sensors 59190A-K may detect various parameters of the fluid moving through the fluid path in the exhaust housing 59105 and/or the surrounding environment. In various examples, the exhaust housing 59105 and/or modular components compatible with the housing 59105 may include a processor that may be configured to receive input from one or more sensors (e.g., 59190A-K) and/or communicate output to one or more drivers.

As used herein, fluid may refer to any material entering the inlet 59112 from the suction conduit, including, for example, liquid, gas, vapor, smoke, or combinations thereof. Fluids may be biological in nature and/or may be introduced to the surgical site from an external source during a procedure. Fluids may also include water, saline, lymph, blood, exudate, and/or purulent drainage. Additionally, fluids may also include particulates or other matter (e.g., cellular material or debris) that are expelled by the drainage system. In one example, such particulates may be suspended in the fluid.

During operation, fluid from the surgical site may be drawn into the inlet 59112 through the fluid trap 59110 and into the ejector housing 59105. The flow path through the housing 59105 in FIG. 28 may be a sealed conduit or tube extending between various in-line components. In various examples, the fluid may flow past the fluid detection sensor 59190A and the chemical sensor 59190B to the first fluid filter device 59120. The fluid detection sensor 59190A may detect fluid particles in the fluid/smoke, and the chemical sensor 59190B may detect a chemical characteristic of the fluid. The fluid detection sensor 59190A may also detect the concentration of droplets (e.g., liquid-to-gas ratio) and/or the size of the droplets in the fluid near the fluid detection sensor 59190A. The first fluid filter device 59120 may extract large droplets from the fluid. The fluid may then be directed to flow into the second fluid filter 59130. In the second fluid filter 59130, small droplets in the fluid exiting the first fluid filter device 59120 may be extracted. The fluid may then flow through the second fluid filter device 59130 or may be directed to enter the non-fluidic filter device 59140.

At the inlet of the non-fluidic filter device 59140, the fluid may flow through a laser particle counter 59190F and a pressure sensor 59190E. The fluid may be filtered through one or more non-fluidic filters 59144, 59146. In certain examples, the non-fluidic filter device 59140 shown in FIG. 28 may include additional and/or fewer levels of filtration. For example, the non-fluidic filter device 59140 may include one or more filtration layers selected from the following filter groups: course media filters, fine media filters, and sorbent-based filters. The course media filters may be low-air resistance filters, which may be composed of, for example, fiberglass, polyester, and/or pleated filters. The fine media filters may be high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and/or ULPA filters. The sorbent-based filters may be, for example, activated carbon filters (e.g., charcoal filters). In certain examples, the non-fluidic filter device 59140 may also include one or more baffles 59142 or similar structures, in which case fluid entering the non-fluidic filter device 59140 may be condensed. In certain other examples, the baffles 59142 may be located near the inlet port of the non-fluidic filter device 59140. In certain other examples, the baffles 59142 may be positioned in any other suitable location within the non-fluidic filter device 59140.

Upon exiting the non-fluidic filter device 59140, the fluid may flow past a pressure sensor 59190G and then along a flow path 59148 within the ejector housing 59105 toward the pump 59170. Upon traveling through the pump 59170, the filtered fluid may flow through a laser particle sensor 59190H and a pressure sensor 59190I at the outlet 59175 of the ejector housing 59105. The ejector housing 59105 may also include an air quality particle sensor 59190J and an ambient pressure sensor 59190K to detect various characteristics of the ambient environment, such as the environment within an operating room.

In various examples, the fluid trap 59110 or first fluid filter device 59120 may be configured to prevent the escape and/or leakage of trapped fluid. For example, the shape of the fluid trap 59110 or first fluid filter device 59120 may be selected to prevent the escape and/or leakage of trapped fluid. In certain examples, the fluid trap 59110 or first fluid filter device 59120 may include one or more baffles 59126 and/or splatter screens to prevent the trapped fluid from splashing out of the fluid trap 59110 or first fluid filter device 59120. In one or more examples, the fluid trap 59110/first fluid filter device 59120 may include sensors to detect the fluid in the fluid trap 59110/first fluid filter device 59120 and/or whether the fluid trap 59110/first fluid filter device 59120 is filled to capacity. The fluid trap 59110/first fluid filter device 59120 may include a valve for emptying fluid from the fluid reservoir 59114 of the fluid trap 59110 or the fluid reservoir 59125 of the first fluid filter device 59120.

The various sensors within the evacuation system 59100 may be in communication with a controller, which may be integrated into the evacuation system 59100 and/or may be a component of another surgical instrument and/or surgical hub. The controller may adjust one or more operating parameters of the ejector system (e.g., a motor for an ejector pump) based on input from the sensor(s), or may adjust operating parameters of another device, such as an electrosurgical tool and/or an imaging device, based on input from the sensor(s).

28 , in certain examples, the first fluid filter device 59120 may be configured to extract large droplets from the fluid traveling through the flow path, and the second fluid filter device 59130 may be configured to extract small droplets from the fluid. As shown in FIG. 28 , the first fluid filter device 59120 may be coupled in series with the second fluid filter device 59130. The first fluid filter device 59120 may be positioned upstream of the second fluid filter device 59130. In certain examples, the outlet port of the second fluid filter device 59130 may be coupled to the inlet port of the non-fluidic filter device 59140.

As used herein, droplets larger than 10-20 μm can be considered large droplets. And, droplets smaller than 10-20 μm can be considered small droplets. In certain examples, the first fluid filter device 59120 can remove a majority of droplets larger than 20 μm. In certain examples, the first fluid filter device 59120 may remove at least 85% of droplets larger than 20 μm, at least 90% of droplets larger than 20 μm, at least 95% of droplets larger than 20 μm, at least 99% of droplets larger than 20 μm, at least 99.9% of droplets larger than 20 μm, or at least 99.99% of droplets larger than 20 μm.

Additionally or alternatively, the first fluid filter device 59120 may remove a majority of droplets larger than 10 μm. In certain examples, the first fluid filter device 59120 may remove at least 85% of droplets larger than 10 μm, at least 90% of droplets larger than 10 μm, at least 95% of droplets larger than 10 μm, at least 99% of droplets larger than 10 μm, at least 99.9% of droplets larger than 10 μm, or at least 99.99% of droplets larger than 10 μm.

The second fluid filter device 59130 may, for example, remove a majority of droplets larger than 1 μm. In certain examples, the second fluid filter device 59130 may remove at least 85% of droplets larger than 1 μm, at least 90% of droplets larger than 1 μm, at least 95% of droplets larger than 1 μm, at least 99% of droplets larger than 1 μm, at least 99.9% of droplets larger than 1 μm, or at least 99.99% of droplets larger than 1 μm.

Additionally or alternatively, the second fluid filter device 59130 may remove, for example, a majority of droplets larger than 0.1 μm. In certain examples, the second fluid filter device 59130 may remove at least 85% of droplets larger than 0.1 μm, at least 90% of droplets larger than 0.1 μm, at least 95% of droplets larger than 0.1 μm, at least 99% of droplets larger than 0.1 μm, at least 99.9% of droplets larger than 0.1 μm, or at least 99.99% of droplets larger than 0.1 μm.

In certain examples, the first fluid filter device 59120 may include a switching valve 59122. The switching valve 59122 may be similar to the switching valves 50834, 50934 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 . For example, when the switching valve 59122 is in a first position, fluid intake through the switching valve 59122 may be directed along a first path 59123. When the switching valve 59122 is in a second position, fluid intake through the switching valve 59122 may be directed along a second path 59124, as shown in FIG. 28 . In certain examples, the first path 59123 may correspond to a flow path when no liquid/droplets are detected in the fluid or when the detected liquid-to-gas ratio is below a threshold. In certain other examples, the first path 59123 may correspond to a flow path when the size of the majority of the detected droplets (e.g., 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99%) is smaller than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 10-20 μm).

In certain examples, the second path 59124 may correspond to a flow path when liquid/droplets are detected in the fluid, e.g., an aerosol, or when the detected liquid-to-gas ratio is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In certain other examples, the second path 59124 may correspond to a flow path when the size of a majority of the detected droplets is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (e.g., 10-20 μm). The fluid detection sensor 59190A may be configured to detect the presence of droplets or aerosols in the fluid, the liquid-to-gas ratio, and/or the size of the droplets/aerosols. For example, the fluid detection sensor 59190A may be positioned at and/or near the output port of the fluid trap 59110 and/or the inlet port of the first fluid filter device 59120. A liquid-to-gas ratio equal to or greater than a threshold value (e.g., 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 10:1) may be considered an aerosol. The first pathway 59123 may bypass the first fluid filter device 59120, and the second pathway 59124 may direct the fluid through the first fluid filter device 59120 to capture large droplets from the fluid before the fluid is directed into the second fluid filter device 59130. By selecting a fluid pathway based on the liquid to gas ratio or the size of the droplets in the fluid, the efficiency of the surgical drainage system 59100 can be improved.

As discussed above, if the fluid detection sensor 59190A detects a liquid-to-gas ratio above a threshold, droplets larger than a threshold size, or a combination of both, fluid intake may be diverted to the second path 59124 before entering the second fluid filter device 59130. The second path 59124 may be configured to condense liquid droplets within the flow path. For example, the second path 59124 may include a plurality of baffles 591266 or other similar structures upon which the fluid may be configured to condense. As the fluid passes through the second path 59124, the liquid may condense on the baffles 59126 therein and may be directed to drip downward into the fluid reservoir 59125.

Conversely, if the fluid detection sensor 59190A detects a liquid-to-gas ratio below the threshold, droplets smaller than a threshold size, or a combination of both, the fluid intake may be directed directly to the second fluid filter device 59130. The diverter valve 59122 may be positioned to bypass the second path 59124 and the first fluid filter device 59120 so that the fluid flows directly to the second fluid filter device 59130. By bypassing the first fluid filter device 59120, the surgical drainage system 59100 may require less power from the motor driving the pump 59170. For example, the motor may require more power to draw aerosols through the surgical drainage system than to draw non-aerosol smoke through the surgical drainage system.

In certain examples, the second fluid filter device 59130 may include a filter 59135 configured to capture small droplets (e.g., smaller than 10-20 μm). In certain examples, the filter 59135 may be configured to extract droplets larger than a threshold size (e.g., 0.1-1 μm). In certain examples, the filter 59135 may be at least one of a membrane filter, a honeycomb filter, and/or a porous structure filter (e.g., a thin porous pad), or any other suitable filter capable of extracting small droplets or droplets larger than 0.1-1 μm. Fluid exiting the second fluid filter device 59130 may flow into the non-fluid filter device 59140. In certain examples, the second fluid filter device 59130 may also include one or more baffles or similar structures on which the fluid entering the second fluid filter device may condense. In certain examples, the baffle may be located near the inlet port of the second fluid filter device 59130. In certain other examples, the baffle may be positioned in any other suitable location within the second fluid filter device 50130.

Referring again to FIG. 28 , the exhaust system 59100 may also include a first recirculation channel 59150. The inlet port 59152 of the first recirculation channel 59150 may be positioned between the second fluid filter device 59130 and the non-fluid filter device 59140. The first recirculation channel 59150 may be configured to recirculate fluid exiting the second fluid filter device 59130.

Fluid directed into the first recirculation channel 59150 may be injected into a fluid path upstream of the second fluid filter device 59130. For example, fluid directed into the first recirculation channel 59150 may be injected into the first fluid filter device 59120 (e.g., fluid reservoir 59125), as shown in FIG. 28 . In certain other examples, fluid directed into the first recirculation channel 59150 may be injected into an upstream portion of the second fluid filter device 59130 (e.g., an inlet port of the second fluid filter device 59130) or into a flow path between the first fluid filter device 59120 and the second fluid filter device 59130.

In certain examples, the first recirculation channel 59150 (e.g., a portion of the first recirculation channel 59150 near the inlet port 59152) may extend downward from the inlet port 59152 of the first recirculation channel 59150. This allows large or small droplets in the fluid exiting the second fluid filter device 59130 to be directed by gravity into the first recirculation channel 59150.

In certain examples, the exhaust system 59100 may also include a first recirculation valve 59155. The first recirculation valve 59155 may be configured to close and/or open the first recirculation channel 59150. When the first recirculation valve 59155 is opened, fluid exiting the second fluid filter device 59130 may be directed into the first recirculation channel 59150. In certain examples, the exhaust system 59100 may further include a fluid detection sensor 59190D. The fluid detection sensor 59190D may be positioned near the first recirculation valve 59155. The fluid detection sensor 59190D may be similar to the fluid detection sensor 59190A. The fluid detection sensor 59190D may be configured to detect a parameter of the fluid (e.g., droplet size, liquid-to-gas ratio in the fluid). The first recirculation valve 59155 may open the first recirculation channel 59150 when a parameter detected by the fluid detection sensor 59190D is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, if the fluid detection sensor 59190D detects a liquid-to-gas ratio equal to or greater than a threshold (e.g., 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 10:1) and/or a droplet size greater than a threshold (e.g., 0.1-1 μm), the fluid exiting the second fluid filter device 59130 may be diverted to the first recirculation channel. In this manner, the exhaust system 59100 can prevent droplets/moisture from entering the non-fluidic filter device 59140, which could damage the filters 59144, 59146. If the fluid detection sensor 59190D detects a liquid to gas ratio below a threshold and/or a droplet size smaller than a threshold (e.g., 0.1-1 μm), the first recirculation valve 59155 may close such that fluid exiting the second fluid filter device 59130 is directed into the non-fluid filter device 59140.

In certain examples, the recirculating fluid through the first recirculation channel 59150 may pass again through the first fluid filter device 59120 and/or the second fluid filter device 59130, and the recirculation process may be repeated until the parameter detected by the fluid detection sensor 59190D falls below a predetermined threshold. In certain examples, if the number of repetitions is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 5 times, 10 times, or any other suitable value greater than 0), which may indicate that some component within the first/second fluid filter device 59120/59130 is not operating properly (e.g., due to a sensor failure, damage to or blockage of a filter/baffle), the first/second fluid filter device 59120/59130 or the evacuation system 59100 may be disabled, for example, by stopping the pump 59170 or motor. In this case, the processor of the discharge system 59100 may notify the discharge system 59100 or the user that there is an error in the first/second fluid filter device 59120/59130.

In certain examples, the exhaust system 59100 can also include a second recirculation channel 59160. The inlet port 59162 of the second recirculation channel 59160 can be positioned between the first fluid filter device 59120 and the second fluid filter device 59130. The second recirculation channel 59160 can be configured to recirculate fluid exiting the first fluid filter 59120. In certain examples, fluid directed into the second recirculation channel 59160 can be injected into a fluid path upstream of the first fluid filter device 59120 (e.g., the reservoir 59114 or the fluid trap 59110) or into an upstream portion of the first fluid filter device 59120 (e.g., the inlet port of the first fluid filter or the reservoir 59125 of the first fluid filter device 59120). In certain examples, the second recirculation channel 59160 (e.g., a portion of the second recirculation channel 59160 near the inlet port 59162) may extend downward from the inlet port 59162 of the second recirculation channel 59160. This allows large or small droplets in the fluid exiting the first fluid filter device 59120 to be directed by gravity into the second recirculation channel 59160.

In certain examples, the exhaust system 59100 may further include a second recirculation valve 59165. The second recirculation valve 59165 may be configured to close and/or open the second recirculation channel 59160. When the second recirculation valve is open, fluid exiting the first fluid filter device 59120 may be recirculated through the second recirculation channel 59160.

In certain examples, the discharge system 59100 may also control the second recirculation valve 59165 using the fluid detection sensor 59190C. The fluid detection sensor 59190C may be similar to the fluid detection sensors 59190A, D. The fluid sensor 59190C may be positioned near the second recirculation valve 59165. The fluid sensor 59190C may be configured to detect a parameter of the fluid (e.g., droplet size, liquid-to-gas ratio in the fluid). The second recirculation valve 59165 may open the second recirculation channel 59160 when the parameter detected by the fluid detection sensor 59190C is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, if the fluid detection sensor 59190C detects a liquid-to-gas ratio above a threshold (e.g., 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 10:1) and/or a droplet size greater than a threshold (e.g., 10-20 μm), the fluid exiting the first fluid filter device 59120 may be diverted into the second recirculation channel 59160. In this manner, the exhaust system 59100 can prevent large droplets/moisture, which may easily and/or quickly clog the filter 59135, from entering the second fluid filter device 59140. If the fluid sensor 59190C detects a liquid-to-gas ratio below the threshold and/or a droplet size less than a threshold (e.g., 10-20 μm), the second recirculation valve 59165 may close such that the fluid exiting the first fluid filter device 59120 is directed into the second fluid filter device 59130.

In certain examples, the recirculating fluid through the second recirculation channel 59160 may again pass through the first fluid filter device 59120, and the recirculation process may be repeated until the parameter detected by the fluid detection sensor 59190C falls below a predetermined threshold. In certain examples, if the number of repetitions is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 5 times, 10 times, or any other suitable value greater than 0), which may indicate that some component within the first fluid filter device 59120 is not operating properly (e.g., due to a sensor failure, damage to or blockage of a baffle), the first fluid filter device 59120 or the evacuation system 59100 may be disabled, for example, by stopping the pump 59170 or motor. In this case, the processor of the evacuation system 59100 may notify the evacuation system 59100 or a user that there is an error in the first fluid filter device 59120.

In certain examples, the first recirculation valve 59155 may be configured to open and/or close the flow path between the second fluid filter device 59130 and the non-fluid filter device 59140. For example, when a parameter detected by the fluid detection sensor 59190D is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the first recirculation valve 59155 opens the first recirculation channel 59150 and simultaneously closes the flow path between the second fluid filter device 59130 and the non-fluid filter device 59140. In this manner, the present disclosure can advantageously enable the exhaust system 59100 to divert substantially all of the fluid exiting the second fluid filter device 59130, including droplets that could damage the filters 59144, 59146 of the non-fluid filter device 59140, into the first recirculation channel 59150. Also, in certain examples, closing the first recirculation channel 59150 and opening the flow path between the second fluid filter device 59130 and the non-fluidic filter device 59140 can be performed in a single step/action, as opposed to multiple steps/actions. For example, as shown in FIG. 28 , when the first recirculation valve 59155 is opened 90 degrees, the first recirculation valve 59155 closes the flow path between the second fluid filter device 59130 and the non-fluidic filter device 59140.

Similarly, in certain examples, the second recirculation valve 59165 may be configured to open and/or close the flow path between the first fluid filter device 59120 and the second fluid filter device 59130. In certain examples, when a parameter detected by the fluid detection sensor 59190C is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the second recirculation valve 59165 may open the second recirculation channel 59160 and simultaneously close the flow path between the first fluid filter device 59120 and the second fluid filter device 59130. In this manner, the present disclosure may advantageously enable the exhaust system 59100 to divert substantially all of the fluid exiting the first fluid filter device 59120, including large droplets that may easily/rapidly clog the second fluid filter device 59130 and/or the filter 59135 of the second fluid filter device 59130, into the second recirculation channel 59160. Also, in certain examples, closing the second recirculation channel 59160 and opening the flow path between the first fluid filter device 59120 and the second fluid filter device 59130 can be performed in a single step/action, as opposed to multiple steps/actions. For example, as shown in FIG. 28 , when the second recirculation valve 59165 is opened 90 degrees, the second recirculation valve 59165 closes the flow path between the first fluid filter device 59120 and the second fluid filter device 59130. This can advantageously reduce the number of signals/commands between the processor and the components of the evacuation system 59100, preventing potential signal delays and component malfunctions due to signal delays.

In certain examples, the exhaust system 59100 may include one or more centrifugal blower mechanisms. For example, a first centrifugal blower 59180A (e.g., a rotating basket) may be provided in the flow path 59148 between the non-fluidic filter device 59140 and the pump 59170, and a second centrifugal blower 59180B may be provided in the first recirculation channel 59150. The first centrifugal blower 59180A may be operably coupled to the second centrifugal blower 59180B, for example, via one or more gears 59185A. For example, when the first recirculation valve 59155 is opened and the pump 59170 is activated, the suction force generated by the pump 59170 may cause the first centrifugal blower 59180A to rotate, which may be transmitted via gear 59185A to the second centrifugal blower 59180B, which draws recirculation fluid through the first recirculation channel 59150.

Similarly, a third centrifugal blower 59180C may be provided in the second recirculation channel 59160. In certain examples, the third centrifugal blower 59180C may be operatively coupled to the first centrifugal blower 59180A via one or more gears 59185A-B and the second centrifugal blower 59180B, for example, as shown in FIG. 28 . In this case, when the second recirculation valve 59165 is opened and the pump 59170 is activated, the suction force generated by the pump 59170 may cause the first centrifugal blower 59180A to rotate, which is transmitted to the second centrifugal blower 59180B and then to the third centrifugal blower 59180C, which draws the recirculation fluid through the second recirculation channel 59160. In certain other examples, the third centrifugal blower 59180C may be operatively coupled to the first centrifugal blower 59180A, for example, via gear 59185B, without an intervening second centrifugal blower 59180B. In this case, when the second recirculation valve 59165 is opened and the pump 59170 is activated, suction generated by the pump 59170 may cause the first centrifugal blower 59180A to rotate, which may be transmitted via one or more gears 59185B to the third centrifugal blower 59180C, which draws recirculated fluid through the second recirculation channel 59160. In this manner, the present disclosure can advantageously reduce power from the motor/pump by reusing motor/pump power in generating suction for the first and/or second recirculation channels 59150, 59160. In certain other examples, the first recirculation channel 59150 and/or the second recirculation channel 59160 may be provided with a separate pump to generate the suction force.

The reader will readily appreciate that the various surgical evacuation systems and components described herein can be incorporated into computer-implemented interactive surgical systems, surgical hubs, and/or robotic systems. For example, the surgical evacuation system can communicate data to and/or receive data from the surgical hubs, robotic systems, and/or computer-implemented interactive surgical systems. Various examples of computer-implemented interactive surgical systems, robotic systems, and surgical hubs are further described below.

FIG. 29 illustrates an electrosurgical system 60000 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The electrosurgical system 60000 includes a generator 60002, an electrosurgical instrument 60004, and a return pad 60006. The generator 60002 supplies alternating current at radio frequency levels to the electrosurgical instrument 60004 via a first conductor/cable 60008. The electrosurgical instrument 60004 includes an electrode tip (i.e., active electrode) that can be positioned at target tissue of a patient. The electrosurgical instrument 60004 receives alternating current from the generator 60002 and delivers the alternating current to the target tissue of the patient 60010 via the electrode tip. The alternating current is received by the target tissue, and resistance from the tissue generates heat at the surgical site, producing a desired effect (e.g., sealing and/or cutting). The alternating current is conducted through the patient's body and ultimately received by the return pad 60006. The AC received by the return pad 60006 may be returned to the generator 60002 via the second conductor/cable 60012, completing the closed circuit through which the AC flows.

According to various aspects, generator 60002 may be similar to generator 900 described above and may include, for example, a processor and waveform generator similar to processor 902 and waveform generator 904 described above.

The electrosurgical instrument 60004 may be configured for monopolar operation, in which electrosurgical energy supplied by the generator 60002 is introduced into the patient's tissue by the active electrode of the surgical instrument 60004 and returned to the generator 60002 via the return pad 6006. According to various aspects, the electrosurgical instrument 60004 includes a handpiece or pencil and an electrode tip. The electrode tip functions as the active electrode of the electrosurgical system 60000 and introduces electrosurgical energy into the target tissue of the patient 60010. Specifically, a discharge is emitted from the electrode tip into the patient 60010 to cause heating of cellular material of the patient 60010 in close contact with or adjacent to the electrode tip. The tissue heating occurs to a suitably high temperature such that electrosurgical surgery can be performed using the electrosurgical instrument 60004.

Figure 30 illustrates a return pad 60006 of the surgical system 60000 of Figure 29 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The return pad 60006 may be similar to, but differs from, the MEGA SOFT® patient return electrode commercially available from Megadyne Medical Products, Inc. in that the return pad 60006 may include a sleeve or cover 60014, may be spaced a short distance from the patient's body, may be capable of capacitively coupling with the patient's body, and is configured to carry the amount of current introduced into the patient's body by the electrosurgical instrument 60004.

The return pad 60006 differs from the MEGA SOFT® patient return electrode commercially available from Megadyne Medical Products, Inc. in that, instead of a single return electrode, the return pad includes multiple electrodes 60016 (see FIG. 31 ) that can capacitively couple with the patient's body and are configured to collectively carry the amount of current introduced into the patient's body by the electrosurgical instrument 60004. For this capacitive coupling, the patient's body effectively acts as one plate of a capacitor, and the multiple electrodes of the return pad collectively act as the other plate of the capacitor. A more detailed description of capacitive coupling can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,000, entitled "CAPACITIVE REUSABLE ELECTROSURGICAL RETURN ELECTRODE," issued April 10, 2001, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,424, entitled "CAPACITIVE REUSABLE ELECTROSURGICAL RETURN ELECTRODE," issued June 24, 2003, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. While the return pad 60006 is shown in FIG. 30 as being substantially rectangular, it will be understood that the return pad 60006 may be any suitable shape.

FIG. 31 illustrates multiple electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 of FIG. 30 , in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. For clarity, the sleeve or cover 60014 of the return pad 60006 is not shown in FIG. 31 . While four electrodes 60016 are shown in FIG. 31 , it will be understood that the return pad 60006 may include any number of electrodes 60016. For example, according to various aspects, the return pad 60006 includes sixteen electrodes 60016. Also, while the individual electrodes 60016 are shown in FIG. 31 as being substantially rectangular, it will be understood that the individual electrodes may be any suitable shape.

The electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 may be considered return electrodes of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29 and may also be considered segmented electrodes because the electrodes 60016 may be selectively isolated from the patient's body and/or the generator 60002. The electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 may also be coupled to one another to effectively act as one large electrode. For example, according to various aspects, each of the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 may be connected to an input of the switching device 60020 by a respective conductive member 60018, as shown in FIG. 24. As shown in FIG. 31, when the switching device 60020 is in the open position, each of the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 is isolated from the patient's body and/or the generator 60002. On the other hand, when the switching device 60020 is in the closed position, the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 are coupled together to effectively act as one large electrode.

The switching device 60020 can be controlled by a processing circuit (e.g., a processing circuit of the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system, a processing circuit of the surgical hub 206, a processing circuit of the surgical hub 106, etc.). For simplicity, the processing circuit is not shown in FIG. 31 . According to various aspects, the switching device 60020 shown in FIG. 31 can be incorporated into the return pad 60006. According to other aspects, the switching device 60006 shown in FIG. 31 can be incorporated into the second conductor/cable 60012 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29 . The return pad 60006 can also include multiple sensing devices 60022 (see FIG. 32 ).

By being able to link multiple electrodes 60016 together for use during an electrosurgical procedure, the total effective size of the electrodes 60016 on the return pad 60006 can be large enough and/or have sufficient surface area to keep the current density low enough to reduce the possibility of any unwanted burns to the patient 60010.

FIG. 32 illustrates an array of sensing devices 60022 on the return pad 60006 of FIG. 30 , in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. For clarity, the sleeve or cover 60014 of the return pad 60006 is not shown in FIG. 32 . According to various aspects, the number of sensing devices 60022 corresponds to the number of electrodes 60016, with one sensing device 60022 for each electrode 60016, and each sensing device 60022 attached to or integrated with a corresponding electrode 60016. However, while the number of sensing devices 60022 illustrated in FIG. 32 corresponds to the number of electrodes 60016, it will be understood that the return pad 60006 may include any number of sensing devices 60022. For example, in an embodiment of the return pad 60006 including 16 electrodes 60016, the return pad 60006 may include only four or eight sensing devices 60022. Although the sensing devices 60022 are shown in FIG. 32 as being centered on the corresponding electrodes 60016, it will be understood that the sensing devices 60022 may be positioned on any portion of the corresponding electrodes 60016 and may be positioned in different locations on different electrodes 60016.

The sensing devices 60022 are configured to sense monopolar neural control signals applied to the patient and/or movement of anatomical features of the patient (e.g., muscle twitches) resulting from the application of the neural control signals. The monopolar neural control signals may be applied by the electrosurgical instrument 60004 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29 or by a different surgical instrument coupled to a different generator. Each sensing device 60022 may include, for example, a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, or a combination thereof, and is configured to output a signal indicative of the detected neural control signal and/or detected movement of the anatomical feature of the patient. Such pressure sensors may include, for example, piezoresistive strain gauges, capacitive pressure sensors, electromagnetic pressure sensors, and/or piezoelectric pressure sensors. Such accelerometers may include, for example, mechanical accelerometers, capacitive accelerometers, piezoelectric accelerometers, electromagnetic accelerometers, and/or microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometers. The output signal of each sensing device 60022 may be in the form of an analog signal and/or a digital signal.

Using Coulomb's Law and the location of the active electrode of the electrosurgical instrument 60004, the patient's body, and each of the sensing devices 60022, the detected neural control signals and/or the output signals of each of the sensing devices 60022, indicative of movement of the patient's anatomical features, can be analyzed to determine the location of the nerve within the patient. Coulomb's Law is E=K(Q/ ^r² ), where E is the threshold current required for neural stimulation at the nerve, K is a constant, Q is the minimum current from the neural stimulation electrode, and r is the distance from the nerve. The current required to stimulate a nerve increases in proportion to the distance from the neural stimulation electrode to the nerve. Therefore, constant current stimulation can be used to estimate the distance from the neural stimulation electrode to the nerve. In general, the strength of each of the output signals of each of the sensing devices 60022 indicates the distance of each of the sensing devices 60022 from the stimulated nerve of the patient 60010.

According to various aspects, analysis of each output signal of each sensing device 60022 can be performed by processing circuitry of the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29 , by processing circuitry of a neuromonitoring system separate from the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29 , by processing circuitry of the surgical hub 260, by processing circuitry of the surgical hub 106, etc. The analysis can be performed in real time or near real time. According to various aspects, each output signal serves as an input to a monopolar nerve stimulation algorithm executed by the processing circuitry.

According to various aspects, as shown in FIG. 32 , the output signal of each sensing device 60022 can be input to a multiple-input, single-output switching device 60024 (e.g., a multiplexer) via conductive members 60026. By controlling the select signals S ₀ and S ₁ for the multiple-input, single-output switching device 60024, the multiple-input, single-output switching device 60024 can be controlled to output only one of the output signals of each sensing device 60024 for analysis as described above. For example, with reference to FIG. 32 , by setting the select signals S ₀ and S ₁ to 0, 0, the output signal from the sensing device 60022 associated with the top left electrode 60016 in FIG. 32 can be output by the multiple-input, single-output switching device 60024 for analysis by applicable processing circuitry. By setting the select signals _S0 , _S1 to 0, 1, the output signal from the sensing device 60022 associated with the top right electrode 60016 in Figure 32 can be output by the multiple-input, single-output switching device 60024 for analysis by applicable processing circuitry. By setting the select signals _S0 , S1 to ₁ , 0, the output signal from the sensing device 60022 associated with the bottom left electrode 60016 in Figure 32 can be output by the multiple-input, single-output switching device 60024 for analysis by applicable processing circuitry. By setting the select signals _S0 , S1 to ₁ , 1, the output signal from the sensing device 60022 associated with the bottom right electrode 60016 in Figure 32 can be output by the multiple-input, single-output switching device 60024 for analysis by applicable processing circuitry.

The selection signals _S0 , _S1 may be provided to the multiple-input single-output switching device 60024 by a processing circuit such as, for example, the processing circuit of generator 60002 of electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29 , the processing circuit of a neuromonitoring system separate from generator 60002 of electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29 , by the processing circuit of surgical hub 260, by the processing circuit of surgical hub 106, etc. For simplicity, the processing circuit is not shown in FIG. 32 . By providing the various selection signals at a sufficiently high rate, the output signals of each sensing device can be effectively scanned at a rate that allows for timely analysis of all of the output signals of each sensing device to determine the location of the stimulated nerve.

According to various aspects, the multi-input single-output switching device 60024 shown in FIG. 32 can be incorporated into the return pad 60006. According to other aspects, the multi-input single-output switching device 60024 shown in FIG. 32 can be incorporated into the second conductor/cable 60012 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29.

Control of the multiple-input, single-output switching device 60024 has been described above in the context of a four-input, one-output switching device corresponding to the four sensing devices 60022 shown in Figure 32. It will be understood that in aspects where there are more than four sensing devices 60022 (e.g., 16 sensing devices), the output signals of more than four sensing devices 60022 are input to the multiple-input, single-output switching device 60024 and more than two select signals (e.g., _S0 , _S1 , _S2 , and _S3 ) are required to control the output of the multiple-input, single-output switching device 60024.

In embodiments where the output signal of the sensing device 60024 is an analog signal, the output of the multiple-input single-output switching device 60024 may be converted to a corresponding digital signal by an analog-to-digital converter 60026 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 32) prior to analysis of the output signal by applicable processing circuitry.

By incorporating an array of sensing devices 60022 into the multiple electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006, the location of a patient's nerve relative to the electrode tip of the electrosurgical instrument 60004 can be determined. By being able to present the determined nerve location to the surgeon, the surgeon can reduce the chance of inadvertently injuring or severing the nerve while utilizing the electrode tip to cut target tissue in the patient 60010.

In various aspects, detection of the patient's neurocontrol signals and/or movement of anatomical features by the sensing device 60022 can be performed while the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 are coupled to one another or while the electrodes 60016 are not coupled to one another. For example, if detection is performed after the patient 60010 is positioned on the operating table and before the start of a surgical procedure when the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 are not coupled to one another, the return pad 60006 can be placed in a "sensing mode" by controlling the switching device 60020, shown in FIG. 31 , to decouple the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 from one another. While the electrodes 60016 are not coupled to one another, nerves and/or nerve bundles can be stimulated with the electrosurgical instrument 60004 described above, and the output signals of the sensing devices 60022 of the return pad 60006 can be analyzed as described above to identify the location of the associated nerve, nerve bundle, and/or nerve plexus. This location may be entered into a monopolar nerve stimulation algorithm profile, which may reside, for example, in the memory circuitry of the generator 60002, in the memory circuitry of a different generator coupled to a surgical instrument other than the electrosurgical instrument 60004, etc. Once the location is entered into the monopolar nerve stimulation algorithm profile, this location is effectively isolated from the capacitive operation of the electrode 60016 of the return pad 60006 and is used as a sensing node in the monopolar nerve stimulation algorithm profile to alert the surgeon when they are approaching a nerve and/or nerve bundle while performing a tissue cutting procedure. According to various aspects, the location of the vicinity of the nerve and/or nerve bundle may be communicated to the surgeon via an audible alert, a visual alert, a vibration alert, etc.

As described in more detail below in connection with FIG. 33 , according to various aspects, when detection is performed with the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 coupled to one another, the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29 may generate a high-frequency waveform (alternating current at radio frequencies) modulated onto a carrier wave, where the carrier wave has a frequency low enough to stimulate the patient's nerve. This may allow sensing of neural control signals and/or anatomical feature movement to occur simultaneously with capacitive coupling of the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 with the patient's body. By applying a specific waveform to the patient 60010 and sensing a specific response, confidence is increased that movement of the anatomical feature is the result of the applied waveform, rather than simply some general movement. The modulation can be adjusted over time to stimulate different nerve sizes. According to various aspects, the amplitude of the modulation can be varied over time, allowing applicable processing circuitry to determine the distance of the signal to the nerve and/or nerve bundle without the need to constantly stimulate the nerve and/or nerve bundle.

FIG. 33 illustrates a method 60030 for simultaneously applying a neural stimulation signal and electrosurgical energy to a patient in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In this exemplary procedure, a generator 60002 generates alternating current at radio frequency levels as a high-frequency waveform (60032). According to various aspects, the waveform generator that is generator 60002 performs this function.

Generator 60002 generates a low-frequency waveform (60034) configured to stimulate a patient's nerve. According to various aspects, the low-frequency waveform is a unipolar nerve control signal, and generator 60002, a waveform generator, performs this function.

Generator 60002 uses the high-frequency waveform generated in step 60032 to modulate the low-frequency waveform generated in step 60034 to form a composite waveform (60036). According to various aspects, a waveform generator, such as generator 60002, performs this step. According to other embodiments, processing circuitry of generator 60002 performs this function.

The generator 60002 supplies the composite waveform generated in step 60036 to the electrosurgical instrument 60004 (60038).

An electrode (i.e., active electrode) of the electrosurgical instrument 60004 applies (60040) a composite waveform to the patient 60010. The high-frequency waveform operates to heat target tissue in the patient 60010 and, after exiting the patient's body, is received by the electrode 60016 of the return pad 60006. The low-frequency waveform operates to stimulate the patient's nerves and/or cause movement of anatomical features of the patient (e.g., muscle contraction) resulting from the application of a neural control signal.

Multiple electrodes 60016, coupled together via a switching device 60020, receive electrosurgical energy emanating from the patient's body and return the electrosurgical energy to the generator 60002 via the respective conductive members 60018, the switching device 60020, and the second conductor/cable 60012 (60042).

The sensing devices 60022 detect the monopolar neurocontrol signals applied to the patient 60010 and/or movement of anatomical features of the patient 60010 (e.g., muscle twitches) resulting from the application of the neurocontrol signals and generate corresponding respective output signals (60044). The output of each sensing device 60022 is sampled as described above and transferred to a processing circuit for analysis. The processing circuit may be, for example, a processing circuit of the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29 , a processing circuit of a neuromonitoring system separate from the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29 , a processing circuit of the surgical hub 260, a processing circuit of the surgical hub 106, etc.

Applicable processing circuitry analyzes the output signals and determines where the nerve, nerve bundle, and/or nerve nexus associated with the output signal is located (60046). As noted above, according to various aspects, each output signal can serve as an input to a monopolar nerve stimulation algorithm executed by the processing circuitry, which operates to assist the surgeon in preventing severing or damage to the nerve, nerve bundle, and/or nerve nexus.

34 , a computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100 includes one or more surgical systems 102 and a cloud-based system (e.g., a cloud 104 that may include a remote server 113 coupled to a storage device 105). Each surgical system 102 includes at least one surgical hub 106 in communication with the cloud 104, which may include the remote server 113. In one example, as shown in FIG. 34 , the surgical systems 102 include a visualization system 108, a robotic system 110, and a handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112 configured to communicate with each other and/or with the hub 106. In some aspects, the surgical system 102 may include M hubs 106, N visualization systems 108, O robotic systems 110, and P handheld intelligent surgical instruments 112, where M, N, O, and P are integers greater than or equal to 1.

FIG. 36 shows an example of a surgical system 102 used to perform a surgical procedure on a patient lying on an operating table 114 in a surgical room 116. A robotic system 110 is used as part of the surgical system 102 in the surgical procedure. The robotic system 110 includes a surgeon's console 118, a patient side cart 120 (surgical robot), and a surgical robot hub 122. The patient side cart 120 can manipulate at least one detachably coupled surgical tool 117 through a minimally invasive incision in the patient's body while the surgeon views the surgical site through the surgeon's console 118. Images of the surgical site can be obtained by a medical imaging device 124, which can be manipulated and directed by the patient side cart 120. The robotic hub 122 can be used to process the images of the surgical site and then display the processed images to the surgeon via the surgeon's console 118.

Other types of robotic systems can be readily adapted for use with the surgical system 102. Various examples of robotic systems and surgical tools suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,339, filed December 28, 2017, entitled "ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Various examples of cloud-based analytics implemented by the cloud 104 and suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,340, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS," filed December 28, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In various aspects, the image capture device 124 includes at least one image sensor and one or more optical components. Suitable image sensors include, but are not limited to, charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors.

The optical components of the imaging device 124 may include one or more illumination sources and/or one or more lenses. The one or more illumination sources may be directed to illuminate a portion of the surgical field. The one or more image sensors may receive light reflected or refracted from the surgical field, including light reflected or refracted from tissue and/or surgical instruments.

One or more illumination sources may be configured to emit electromagnetic energy within the visible and invisible spectrum. The visible spectrum, sometimes called the optical spectrum or luminescence spectrum, is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to (i.e., detectable by) the human eye and is sometimes referred to as visible light, or simply light. The typical human eye responds to wavelengths in air between about 380 nm and about 750 nm.

The invisible spectrum (i.e., the non-radiative spectrum) is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum located below and above the visible spectrum (i.e., wavelengths below about 380 nm and above about 750 nm). The invisible spectrum is not detectable by the human eye. Wavelengths above about 750 nm are longer than the red visible spectrum, which constitutes invisible infrared (IR), microwave, and radio frequency electromagnetic radiation. Wavelengths below about 380 nm are shorter than the violet spectrum, which constitutes invisible ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma ray electromagnetic radiation.

In various aspects, the imaging device 124 is configured for use in minimally invasive surgery. Examples of imaging devices suitable for use with the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, arthroscopes, angioscopes, bronchoscopes, cholangioscopes, colonoscopes, cystoscopes, duodenoscopes, enteroscopes, esophagogastroduodenoscopes (gastroscopes), endoscopes, laryngoscopes, nasopharyngo-neproscopes, sigmoidoscopes, thoracoscopes, and ureteroscopes.

In one aspect, the imaging device uses multispectral monitoring to distinguish between topography and underlying structure. Multispectral imaging captures image data within specific wavelength ranges across the electromagnetic spectrum. Wavelengths can be separated by filters or by using instruments that are sensitive to specific wavelengths of light, including frequencies beyond the visible light range, e.g., IR and ultraviolet light. Spectral imaging can enable the extraction of additional information that the human eye cannot capture with its red, green, and blue receptors. The use of multispectral imaging is described in detail in the "Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module" section of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,341, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," filed December 28, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Multispectral monitoring can be a useful tool for repositioning the surgical field after a surgical procedure is completed in order to perform one or more of the above tests on the treated tissue.

It is self-evident that any surgical procedure requires rigorous sterilization of the operating room and surgical instruments. The strict sanitation and sterility conditions required in the "surgical field," i.e., the operating room or procedure room, require the utmost sterility of all medical devices and equipment. Part of the sterilization process described above includes the need to sterilize everything that comes into contact with the patient or enters the sterile field, including the imaging device 124 and its accessories and components. It will be understood that the sterile field may be considered a specific area deemed free of microorganisms, such as in a tray or on a sterile towel, or the sterile field may be considered the area immediately surrounding the patient as he or she is prepared for the surgical procedure. The sterile field may include cleaned team members in appropriate clothing, as well as all supplies and fixtures within the area.

In various aspects, the visualization system 108 includes one or more imaging sensors strategically positioned relative to the sterile field, as shown in FIG. 35 , one or more image processing units, one or more storage arrays, and one or more displays. In one aspect, the visualization system 108 includes HL7, PACS, and EMR interfaces. The various components of the visualization system 108 are described in the "Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module" section of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,341, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," filed December 28, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As shown in FIG. 35 , primary display 119 is positioned within the sterile field so as to be visible to an operator positioned at operating table 114. In addition, visualization tower 111 is positioned outside the sterile field. Visualization tower 111 includes first non-sterile display 107 and second non-sterile display 109 facing away from each other. Visualization system 108, guided by hub 106, is configured to coordinate information flow to operators inside and outside the sterile field using displays 107, 109, and 119. For example, hub 106 can cause visualization system 108 to maintain a live video of the surgical site on primary display 119 while displaying snapshots of the surgical site captured by imager 124 on non-sterile display 107 or 109. The snapshots on non-sterile display 107 or 109 can, for example, enable the non-sterile operator to perform diagnostic steps related to the surgical procedure.

In one aspect, the hub 106 is also configured to send diagnostic input or feedback entered by a non-sterile operator at the visualization tower 111 in the sterile field to the primary display 119 in the sterile field for viewing by a sterile operator located at the operating table. In one example, the input may be in the form of a correction to a snapshot displayed on the non-sterile display 107 or 109 that can be sent by the hub 106 to the primary display 119.

35, a surgical instrument 112 is used as part of a surgical system 102 in a surgical procedure. The hub 106 is also configured to coordinate information flow to the display of the surgical instrument 112, as described, for example, in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,341, filed December 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Diagnostic input or feedback entered by a non-sterile operator at the visualization tower 111 can be sent by the hub 106 to the surgical instrument display 115 in the sterile field, where the diagnostic input or feedback can be viewed by the operator of the surgical instrument 112. Exemplary surgical instruments suitable for use with surgical system 102 are described, for example, in the "Surgical Instrument Hardware" section and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,341, filed December 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to FIG. 36, the hub 106 is shown in communication with a visualization system 108, a robotic system 110, and a handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112. The hub 106 includes a hub display 135, an imaging module 138, a generator module 140, a communications module 130, a processor module 132, and a storage array 134. In certain aspects, as shown in FIG. 36, the hub 106 further includes a smoke evacuation module 126 and/or a suction/irrigation module 128.

During a surgical procedure, the application of energy to tissue for sealing and/or cutting is commonly accompanied by smoke evacuation, aspiration of excess fluid, and/or irrigation of the tissue. Fluid, power, and/or data lines from different sources often become tangled during a surgical procedure. Addressing this issue can result in valuable time being lost during a surgical procedure. Untangling the lines may require unplugging them from their corresponding modules, which may require resetting the modules. The hub's modular housing 136 provides a unified environment for managing power, data, and fluid lines, reducing the frequency of such line tangles.

Aspects of the present disclosure present a surgical hub for use in surgical procedures involving the application of energy to tissue at a surgical site. The surgical hub includes a hub housing and a combination generator module slidably receivable within a docking station of the hub housing. The docking station includes data contacts and power contacts. The combination generator module includes two or more of an ultrasonic energy generator component, a bipolar RF energy generator component, and a monopolar RF energy generator component housed within a single unit. In one aspect, the combination generator module further includes a smoke evacuation component, at least one energy delivery cable for connecting the combination generator module to a surgical instrument, at least one smoke evacuation component configured to evacuate smoke, fluid, and/or particulates generated by the application of therapeutic energy to tissue, and a fluid line extending from the remote surgical site to the smoke evacuation component.

In one aspect, the fluid line is a first fluid line, and a second fluid line extends from the remote surgical site to an aspiration and irrigation module slidably received within the hub housing. In one aspect, the hub housing includes a fluid interface.

Certain surgical procedures may require the application of two or more energy types to tissue. One energy type may be more beneficial for cutting tissue, while another, different energy type may be more beneficial for sealing tissue. For example, a bipolar generator may be used to seal tissue, while an ultrasonic generator may be used to cut the sealed tissue. Aspects of the present disclosure present a solution in which the hub's modular housing 136 is configured to house various generators and facilitate bidirectional communication between them. One advantage of the hub's modular housing 136 is that it allows for quick removal and/or replacement of the various modules.

Aspects of the present disclosure present a modular surgical housing for use in a surgical procedure involving the application of energy to tissue. The modular surgical housing includes a first energy generator module configured to generate a first energy for application to tissue; and a first docking station including a first docking port including first data and power contacts, wherein the first energy generator module is slidably movable into electrical engagement with the power and data contacts and the first energy generator module is slidably movable out of electrical engagement with the first power and data contacts.

In addition to the above, the modular surgical housing further includes a second energy generator module configured to generate a second energy for application to tissue, different from the first energy, and a second docking station including a second docking port including second data and power contacts, wherein the second energy generator module is slidably movable into electrical engagement with the power and data contacts and the second energy generator module is slidably movable out of electrical engagement with the second power and data contacts.

Furthermore, the modular surgical housing further includes a communication bus between the first docking port and the second docking port configured to facilitate communication between the first energy generator module and the second energy generator module.

3-7, aspects of the present disclosure are presented relating to a hub modular housing 136 that allows for modular integration of a generator module 140, a smoke evacuation module 126, and a suction/irrigation module 128. The hub modular housing 136 further facilitates bidirectional communication between the modules 140, 126, and 128. As shown in FIG. 38, the generator module 140 may be a generator module comprising integrated monopolar, bipolar, and ultrasonic components supported within a single housing unit 139 that is slidably insertable into the hub modular housing 136. As shown in FIG. 38, the generator module 140 may be configured to connect to a monopolar device 146, a bipolar device 147, and an ultrasonic device 148. Alternatively, the generator module 140 may comprise a series of monopolar, bipolar, and/or ultrasonic generator modules that interact via the hub modular housing 136. The hub modular housing 136 may be configured to facilitate insertion of multiple generators and bidirectional communication between generators docked to the hub modular housing 136 so that the multiple generators function as a single generator.

In one aspect, the hub's modular housing 136 includes a modular power and communication backplane 149 with external and wireless communication headers to enable removable attachment of and bidirectional communication between modules 140, 126, and 128.

In one aspect, the hub modular housing 136 includes a docking station or drawer 151, also referred to herein as a drawer, configured to slidably receive the modules 140, 126, 128. FIG. 37 shows a partial perspective view of the surgical hub housing 136 and a combination generator module 145 slidably receiveable in the docking station 151 of the surgical hub housing 136. The rear side of the combination generator module 145 includes a docking port 152 with power and data contacts configured to engage with a corresponding docking port 150 with power and data contacts of the corresponding docking station 151 of the hub modular housing 136 when the combination generator module 145 is slid into position within the corresponding docking station 151 of the hub modular housing 136. In one aspect, the combination generator module 145 includes a bipolar, ultrasound, and monopolar module and a smoke evacuation module integrated together in a single housing unit 139, as shown in FIG. 38.

In various aspects, the smoke evacuation module 126 includes fluid lines 154 that transport captured/collected smoke and/or fluid away from the surgical site, for example, to the smoke evacuation module 126. Vacuum suction generated from the smoke evacuation module 126 can draw the smoke into openings in utility conduits at the surgical site. Utility conduits connected to the fluid lines may be in the form of flexible tubing that terminates at the smoke evacuation module 126. The utility conduits and fluid lines define a fluid pathway that extends toward the smoke evacuation module 126, which is received within the hub housing 136.

In various aspects, the aspiration/irrigation module 128 is coupled to a surgical tool that includes an aspiration fluid line and a suction fluid line. In one example, the aspiration and aspiration fluid lines are in the form of flexible tubing that extends from the surgical site toward the aspiration/irrigation module 128. One or more drive systems can be configured to drive irrigation and suction of fluids to and from the surgical site.

In one aspect, the surgical tool includes a shaft having an end effector at its distal end and at least one energy treatment portion associated with the end effector, a suction tube, and an irrigation tube. The suction tube can have an inlet port at its distal end, and the suction tube extends through the shaft. Similarly, the irrigation tube can extend through the shaft and have an inlet port proximate to the energy delivery instrument. The energy delivery instrument is configured to deliver ultrasonic and/or RF energy to the surgical site and is initially coupled to the generator module 140 by a cable extending through the shaft.

The irrigation tube can be in fluid communication with a fluid source, and the suction tube can be in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The fluid source and/or vacuum source can be housed within the aspiration/irrigation module 128. In one example, the fluid source and/or vacuum source can be housed within the hub housing 136, separate from the aspiration/irrigation module 128. In such an example, a fluid interface can be configured to connect the aspiration/irrigation module 128 to the fluid source and/or vacuum source.

In one aspect, the modules 140, 126, 128, and/or their corresponding docking stations on the hub modular housing 136 may include alignment features configured to align and engage the docking ports of the modules with their counterparts in the docking stations of the hub modular housing 136. For example, as shown in FIG. 37 , the combination generator module 145 includes a side bracket 155 configured to slidably engage with a corresponding bracket 156 of the corresponding docking station 151 of the hub modular housing 136. The brackets cooperate to guide the docking port contacts of the combination generator module 145 into electrical engagement with the docking port contacts of the hub modular housing 136.

In some aspects, the drawers 151 of the hub's modular housing 136 are the same or substantially the same size, and the modules are sized to be received within the drawers 151. For example, the side brackets 155 and/or 156 may be larger or smaller depending on the size of the module. In other aspects, the drawers 151 are different sizes, each designed to accommodate a specific module.

Furthermore, to prevent inserting a module into a drawer with incompatible contacts, a keying mechanism may be provided to engage the contacts of a particular module with the contacts of a particular drawer.

As shown in FIG. 37, the docking port 150 of one drawer 151 can be coupled to the docking port 150 of another drawer 151 via a communication link 157 to facilitate two-way communication between modules housed within the hub modular housing 136. Alternatively, or in addition, the docking port 150 of the hub modular housing 136 can facilitate wireless two-way communication between modules housed within the hub modular housing 136. Any suitable wireless communication may be used, such as, for example, Air Titan-Bluetooth.

FIG. 39 illustrates individual power bus attachments of multiple lateral docking ports of a lateral modular housing 160 configured to receive multiple modules of a surgical hub 206. The lateral modular housing 160 is configured to laterally receive and interconnect modules 161. The modules 161 are slidably inserted into docking stations 162 of the lateral modular housing 160, which include a backplane for interconnecting the modules 161. As shown in FIG. 39, the modules 161 are arranged laterally within the lateral modular housing 160. Alternatively, the modules 161 may be arranged vertically within the lateral modular housing.

FIG. 40 illustrates a vertical modular housing 164 configured to receive multiple modules 165 of a surgical hub 106. The modules 165 are slidably inserted into a docking station or drawer 167 of the vertical modular housing 164, which includes a backplane for interconnecting the modules 165. While the drawer 167 of the vertical modular housing 164 is vertically oriented, in certain cases the vertical modular housing 164 may include a horizontally oriented drawer. Additionally, the modules 165 may interact with each other via docking ports on the vertical modular housing 164. In the example of FIG. 31, a display 177 is provided for displaying data related to the operation of the modules 165. Additionally, the vertical modular housing 164 includes a master module 178, which houses multiple sub-modules that are slidably received within the master module 178.

In various aspects, the imaging module 138 includes a built-in video processor and a modular light source and is adapted for use with various imaging devices. In one aspect, the imaging device is configured with a modular housing that can be assembled with a light source module and a camera module. The housing may be a disposable housing. In at least one example, the disposable housing is removably coupled to a reusable controller, light source module, and camera module. The light source module and/or camera module can be selectively selected depending on the type of surgical procedure. In one aspect, the camera module includes a CCD sensor. In another aspect, the camera module includes a CMOS sensor. In another aspect, the camera module is configured for beam-scanning imaging. Similarly, the light source module can be configured to deliver white light or a different light depending on the surgical procedure.

During a surgical procedure, it can be inefficient to remove a surgical device from the surgical field and replace it with another surgical device containing a different camera or a different light source. Temporarily losing view of the surgical field can have undesirable consequences. The modular imaging device of the present disclosure is configured to allow for midstream replacement of the light source module or camera module during a surgical procedure without the need to remove the imaging device from the surgical field.

In one aspect, the imaging device includes a tubular housing including a plurality of channels. A first channel is configured to slidably receive a camera module that can be configured for snap-fit engagement with the first channel. A second channel is configured to slidably receive a light source module that can be configured for snap-fit engagement with the second channel. In another example, the camera module and/or the light source module can be rotated to a final position within their corresponding channels. A threaded engagement may be employed instead of a snap-fit engagement.

In various examples, multiple imaging devices are positioned at various locations within the surgical field to provide multiple fields of view. The imaging module 138 can be configured to switch between the imaging devices to provide the optimal field of view. In various aspects, the imaging module 138 can be configured to integrate images from the different imaging devices.

Various image processors and imaging devices suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent No. 7,995,045, issued August 9, 2011, entitled "COMBINED SBI AND CONVENTIONAL IMAGE PROCESSOR," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additionally, U.S. Patent No. 7,982,776, issued July 19, 2011, entitled "SBI MOTION ARTIFACT REMOVEAL APPARATUS AND METHOD," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes various systems for removing motion artifacts from image data. Such systems may be integrated with the imaging module 138. Additionally, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0306840, published December 15, 2011, entitled "CONTROLLABLE MAGNETIC SOURCE TO FIXTURE INTRACORPOREAL APPARATUS," and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0243597, published August 28, 2014, entitled "SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING A MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURE," are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIG. 41 illustrates a surgical data network 201 comprising a modular communications hub 203 configured to connect modular devices located in one or more operating rooms of a medical facility, or any room within a medical facility equipped for surgical procedures, to a cloud-based system (e.g., a cloud 204 that may include a remote server 213 coupled to a storage device 205). In one aspect, the modular communications hub 203 comprises a network hub 207 and/or a network switch 209 in communication with a network router. The modular communications hub 203 can further couple to a local computer system 210 to provide local computer processing and data manipulation. The surgical data network 201 may be configured as passive, intelligent, or switched. A passive surgical data network acts as a conduit for data, allowing data to travel from one device (or segment) to another device (or segment) and to cloud computing resources. An intelligent surgical data network includes additional features that allow traffic to pass through the monitored surgical data network and configure each port within the network hub 207 or network switch 209. An intelligent surgical data network can be referred to as a manageable hub or switch. A switching hub reads the destination address of each packet and then forwards the packet to the correct port.

Modular devices 1a-1n located in an operating room may be coupled to a modular communication hub 203. A network hub 207 and/or a network switch 209 may be coupled to a network router 211 to connect devices 1a-1n to the cloud 204 or a local computer system 210. Data associated with devices 1a-1n may be transferred via the router to a cloud-based computer for remote data processing and manipulation. Data associated with devices 1a-1n may also be transferred to the local computer system 210 for local data processing and manipulation. Modular devices 2a-2m located in the same operating room may also be coupled to the network switch 209. The network switch 209 may be coupled to the network hub 207 and/or a network router 211 to connect devices 2a-2m to the cloud 204. Data associated with devices 2a-2n may be transferred via the network router 211 to the cloud 204 for data processing and manipulation. Data associated with devices 2a-2m may also be transferred to the local computer system 210 for local data processing and manipulation.

It will be appreciated that the surgical data network 201 may be expanded by interconnecting multiple network hubs 207 and/or multiple network switches 209 with multiple network routers 211. The modular communications hub 203 may be housed within a modular control tower configured to receive multiple devices 1a-1n/2a-2m. A local computer system 210 may also be housed in the modular control tower. The modular communications hub 203 is connected to a display 212 to display images acquired by some of the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m, for example, during a surgical procedure. In various aspects, devices 1a-1n/2a-2m may include various modules such as an imaging module 138 coupled to an endoscope, a generator module 140 coupled to an energy-based surgical device, a smoke evacuation module 126, a suction/irrigation module 128, a communications module 130, a processor module 132, a storage array 134, a surgical device coupled to a display, and/or a non-contact sensor module, among other modular devices that may be connected to a modular communications hub 203 of a surgical data network 201.

In one aspect, the surgical data network 201 may include a combination of network hub(s), network switch(es), and network router(s) that connect devices 1a-1n/2a-2m to the cloud. Any one or all of devices 1a-1n/2a-2m coupled to the network hub or network switch can collect data in real time and transfer the data to a cloud computer for data processing and manipulation. It will be understood that cloud computing relies on sharing computing resources rather than having local servers or personal devices to handle software applications. While the term "cloud" may be used as a metaphor for the "Internet," the term is not so limited. Accordingly, the term "cloud computing" may be used herein to refer to a type of internet-based computing in which various services, such as servers, storage, and applications, are delivered via the internet to the modular communications hub 203 and/or computer system 210 located in an operating room (e.g., a fixed, mobile, temporary, or on-site operating room or space) and to devices connected to the modular communications hub 203 and/or computer system 210. The cloud infrastructure may be maintained by a cloud service provider. In this context, the cloud service provider may be an entity that coordinates the use and control of devices 1a-1n/2a-2m located in one or more operating rooms. The cloud computing service may perform numerous calculations based on data collected by smart surgical instruments, robots, and other computerized devices located in the operating room. The hub hardware allows multiple devices or connections to connect to the computer, which communicates with cloud computing resources and storage.

By applying cloud computer data processing technology to data collected by devices 1a-1n/2a-2m, the surgical data network provides improved surgical outcomes, reduced costs, and improved patient satisfaction. At least some of devices 1a-1n/2a-2m can be used to observe tissue status and evaluate leakage or perfusion of sealed tissue after tissue sealing and cutting procedures. Using cloud-based computing, at least some of devices 1a-1n/2a-2m can be used to diagnostically examine data including images of bodily tissue samples to identify pathologies, such as the effects of disease. Such data includes tissue localization and margin confirmation, as well as phenotyping. At least some of devices 1a-1n/2a-2m can be used to identify bodily anatomical structures using various sensors integrated with imaging devices and techniques such as overlaying images captured by multiple imaging devices. Data collected by devices 1a-1n/2a-2m, including image data, may be transferred to cloud 204 or local computer system 210, or both, for data processing and manipulation, including image processing and manipulation. The data may be analyzed to improve the outcome of the surgical procedure by determining whether further treatments, such as endoscopic interventions, emerging technologies, targeted radiation, targeted interventions, and the application of precision robotics, can be performed on tissue-specific sites and conditions. Such data analysis may further employ prognostic analysis processes, and using a standardized approach can provide useful feedback to either confirm or suggest modifications to the surgical procedure and surgeon's performance.

In one implementation, operating room devices 1a-1n may be connected to the modular communications hub 203 via wired or wireless channels, depending on the configuration of the devices 1a-1n relative to the network hub. The network hub 207 may, in one aspect, be implemented as a local network broadcast device that operates on the physical layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. The network hub provides connectivity to devices 1a-1n located within the same operating room network. The network hub 207 collects data in the form of packets and sends them to a router in half-duplex mode. The network hub 207 does not store any media access control/internet protocol (MAC/IP) protocols for transporting device data. Only one of the devices 1a-1n can transmit data through the network hub 207 at a time. The network hub 207 does not have a routing table or intelligence regarding where to send the information; it broadcasts all network data across each connection and to a remote server 213 (FIG. 42) on the cloud 204. While the network hub 207 can detect basic network errors such as collisions, broadcasting all information to multiple ports can pose a security risk and cause bottlenecks.

In another implementation, the operating room devices 2a-2m may be connected to the network switch 209 via wired or wireless channels. The network switch 209 functions within the data link layer of the OSI model. The network switch 209 is a multicast device for connecting devices 2a-2m located in the same operating room to the network. The network switch 209 transmits data in the form of frames to the network router 211 and functions in full-duplex mode. Multiple devices 2a-2m can simultaneously transmit data through the network switch 209. The network switch 209 stores and uses the MAC addresses of the devices 2a-2m to forward data.

The network hub 207 and/or the network switch 209 are coupled to a network router 211 for connection to the cloud 204. The network router 211 functions within the network layer of the OSI model. The network router 211 creates a path for transmitting data packets received from the network hub 207 and/or the network switch 211 to cloud-based computer resources for further processing and manipulation of data collected by any one or all of the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m. The network router 211 may be used to connect two or more different networks located in different locations, such as different operating rooms in the same medical facility or different operating rooms in different medical facilities. The network router 211 transmits data in the form of packets to the cloud 204 and functions in full-duplex mode. Multiple devices can transmit data simultaneously. The network router 211 uses IP addresses to forward data.

In one example, network hub 207 may be implemented as a USB hub that allows multiple USB devices to be connected to a host computer. A USB hub can expand a single USB port into several tiers so that more ports are available for connecting devices to the host system computer. Network hub 207 may include wired or wireless capabilities for receiving information via wired or wireless channels. In one aspect, a wireless USB short-range, high-bandwidth wireless communication protocol may be used for communication between devices 1a-1n and 2a-2m located in the operating room.

In another example, operating room devices 1a-1n/2a-2m can communicate with modular communication hub 203 via the Bluetooth wireless technology standard to exchange data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices (using short-wavelength UHF radio waves in the ISM band of 2.4-2.485 GHz) and to create a personal area network (PAN). In other aspects, the operating room devices 1a-1n/2a-2m can communicate with the modular communications hub 203 via numerous wireless or wired communications standards or protocols, including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, Long Term Evolution (LTE), and any other wireless and wired protocols designated as Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, and their Ethernet derivatives, as well as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. A computing module may include multiple communications modules. For example, the first communication module may be dedicated to shorter-range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the second communication module may be dedicated to longer-range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, and Ev-DO.

The modular communications hub 203 can serve as a central connection for one or all of the operating room devices 1a-1n/2a-2m and handles data types known as frames. Frames carry data generated by the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m. Once received by the modular communications hub 203, the frames are amplified and transmitted to the network router 211, which forwards this data to cloud computing resources using a number of wireless or wired communications standards or protocols, as described herein.

The modular communications hub 203 may be used as a stand-alone device or may be connected to compatible network hubs and network switches to form a larger network. Because the modular communications hub 203 is generally easy to install, configure, and maintain, the modular communications hub 203 is a good choice for networking operating room devices 1a-1n/2a-2m.

FIG. 42 illustrates a computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200. The computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 is similar in many respects to the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100. For example, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 includes one or more surgical systems 202 that are similar in many respects to the surgical system 102. Each surgical system 202 includes at least one surgical hub 206 that communicates with a cloud 204, which may include a remote server 213. In one aspect, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 includes a modular control tower 236 connected to multiple operating room devices, such as, for example, intelligent surgical instruments, robots, and other computerized devices located in the operating room. As shown in FIG. 43, the modular control tower 236 includes a modular communication hub 203 coupled to a computer system 210. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 42 , modular control tower 236 is coupled to an imaging module 238 coupled to an endoscope 239, a generator module 240 coupled to an energy device 241, a smoke evacuation module 226, a suction/irrigation module 228, a communications module 230, a processor module 232, a storage array 234, and optionally a smart device/instrument 235 coupled to a display 237, and a non-contact sensor module 242. Operating room equipment is coupled to cloud computing resources and data storage via modular control tower 236. Robotic hub 222 may also be connected to modular control tower 236 and cloud computing resources. Devices/instruments 235, visualization system 208, among others, may be coupled to modular control tower 236 via wired or wireless communication standards or protocols as described herein. Modular control tower 236 may be coupled to a hub display 215 (e.g., monitor, screen) for displaying and overlaying images received from the imaging module, device/instrument display, and/or other visualization system 208. The hub display may also display data received from devices connected to the modular control tower, along with images and overlay images.

FIG. 43 illustrates a surgical hub 206 comprising multiple modules coupled to a modular control tower 236. The modular control tower 236 comprises a modular communications hub 203, e.g., a network-connected device, and a computer system 210, e.g., for providing local processing, visualization, and imaging. As shown in FIG. 43, the modular communications hubs 203 can be connected in a hierarchical configuration to expand the number of modules (e.g., devices) that can be connected to the modular communications hub 203 and transfer data associated with the modules to the computer system 210, cloud computing resources, or both. As shown in FIG. 43, each of the network hubs/switches in the modular communications hub 203 includes three downstream ports and one upstream port. The upstream network hub/switch is connected to a processor to provide communications connectivity to cloud computing resources and a local display 217. Communications to the cloud 204 can occur via either wired or wireless communication channels.

The surgical hub 206 uses a non-contact sensor module 242 to measure the dimensions of the operating room and generate a map of the operating room using either ultrasound or a laser-based non-contact measurement device. As described in the section entitled "Surgical Hub Spatial Awareness Within an Operating Room" of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,341, filed December 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, the ultrasound-based non-contact sensor module is configured to scan the operating room by transmitting bursts of ultrasound and receiving echoes as the bursts reflect off the exterior walls of the operating room, whereby the sensor module determines the size of the operating room and adjusts the distance limit for Bluetooth pairing. For example, the laser-based non-contact sensor module scans the operating room by transmitting laser light pulses, receives laser light pulses that reflect off the exterior walls of the operating room, and compares the phase of the transmitted pulses with the received pulses to determine the size of the operating room and adjust the Bluetooth pairing distance limit.

The computer system 210 includes a processor 244 and a network interface 245. The processor 244 is coupled to a communications module 247, storage 248, memory 249, non-volatile memory 250, and input/output interface 251 via a system bus. The system bus may be any of several types of bus structure(s), including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus or external bus, and/or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures, including, but not limited to, a 9-bit bus, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), MicroChannel Architecture (MSA), Enhanced ISA (EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), USB, Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory Card International Association bus (PCMCIA), Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), or any other proprietary bus.

Processor 244 may be any single-core or multi-core processor, such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex manufactured by Texas Instruments. In one aspect, the processor may be, for example, an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F processor core available from Texas Instruments. The processor core includes on-chip memory of 256KB of single-cycle flash memory or other non-volatile memory at up to 40MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance beyond 40MHz, 32KB of single-cycle serial random access memory (SRAM), internal read-only memory (ROM) with StellarisWare® software, 2KB of electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or one or more pulse-width modulation (PWM) modules, one or more quadrature encoder input (QEI) analogs, and one or more 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with 12 analog input channels, more details of which are available in the product datasheet.

In one aspect, the processor 244 may include a safety controller, including two controller families such as the TMS570 and RM4x, also known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, manufactured by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be specifically configured for IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety limit applications, among others, to provide advanced integrated safety mechanisms while offering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

System memory includes both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines to transfer information between elements within a computer system, such as during start-up, is stored in nonvolatile memory. For example, nonvolatile memory may include ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), EEPROM, or flash memory. Volatile memory includes random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. Furthermore, RAM is available in many forms, including SRAM, dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), SyncLink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct RAM (DRRAM).

The computer system 210 also includes removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media, such as disk storage. Disk storage includes, but is not limited to, devices such as magnetic disk drives, floppy disk drives, tape drives, Jaz drives, Zip drives, LS-60 drives, flash memory cards, or memory sticks. In addition, disk storage can include the above storage media, either independently or in combination with other storage media. Other storage media include, but are not limited to, optical disk drives such as compact disk ROM drives (CD-ROMs), compact disk recordable drives (CD-R drives), compact disk rewritable drives (CD-RW drives), or digital versatile disk ROM drives (DVD-ROMs). Removable or non-removable interfaces may be used to facilitate connection of disk storage devices to the system bus.

It should be understood that computer system 210 includes software that acts as an intermediary between users and the basic computer resources described in the preferred operating environment. Such software includes an operating system. The operating system, which may be stored on disk storage, functions to control and allocate resources of the computer system. System applications leverage resource management by the operating system through program modules and program data stored either in system memory or on disk storage. It should be understood that the various components described herein can be implemented with various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user enters commands or information into computer system 210 through input device(s) coupled to I/O interface 251. Input devices include, but are not limited to, pointing devices such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, or touchpad; keyboards; microphones; joysticks; gamepads; satellite dishes; scanners; TV tuner cards; digital cameras; digital video cameras; and webcams. These and other input devices connect to the processor through the system bus via interface port(s). Interface port(s) include, for example, serial ports, parallel ports, game ports, and USB. Output device(s) use some of the same types of ports as the input device(s). Thus, for example, a USB port may be used to provide input to the computer system and to output information from the computer system to an output device. Output adapters are provided to illustrate that there are some output devices, such as monitors, displays, speakers, and printers, among other output devices, that require special adapters. Output adapters include, by way of example only and not limitation, video and sound cards that provide a means of connection between an output device and a system bus. Note that other devices and/or systems of devices, such as remote computer(s), may provide both input and output capabilities.

The computer system 210 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote or local computers, such as cloud computer(s). The remote cloud computer(s) can be personal computers, servers, routers, network PCs, workstations, microprocessor-based appliances, peer devices, or other common network nodes, but typically include many or all of the elements described with respect to a computer system. For simplicity, only one memory storage device is shown with the remote computer(s). The remote computer(s) are logically connected to the computer system through a network interface, which is then physically connected through a communications connection. Network interfaces encompass communications networks such as local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet/IEEE 802.3, Token Ring/IEEE 802.5, and the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to, point-to-point links, circuit-switched networks such as Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) and its variants, packet-switched networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).

In various aspects, the computer system 210 of FIG. 43, the imaging module 238 of FIGS. 9-10, and/or the visualization system 208, and/or the processor module 232 may include an image processor, an image processing engine, a media processor, or any dedicated digital signal processor (DSP) used to process digital images. The image processor may use parallel computing using single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) or multiple instruction, multiple data (MIMD) techniques to increase speed and efficiency. The digital image processing engine may perform a variety of tasks. The image processor may be a system on a chip with a multi-core processor architecture.

The communications connection(s) refer to the hardware/software used to connect the network interface to the bus. While the communications connections are shown internal to the computer system for clarity of illustration, the communications connections may also be external to computer system 210. By way of example only, the hardware/software required to connect to the network interface may include internal and external technologies such as regular telephone-grade modems, modems including cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernet cards.

Figure 44 shows a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a USB network hub 300 device according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the USB network hub device 300 employs a Texas Instruments TUSB2036 integrated circuit hub. The USB network hub 300 is a CMOS device that conforms to the USB 2.0 standard and provides an upstream USB transmit/receive port 302 and up to three downstream USB transmit/receive ports 304, 306, and 308. The upstream USB transmit/receive port 302 is a differential routed data port that includes a differential data minus (DM0) input paired with a differential data plus (DP0) input. The three downstream USB transmit/receive ports 304, 306, and 308 are differential data ports, each including a differential data plus (DP1-DP3) output paired with a differential data minus (DM1-DM3) output.

The USB network hub 300 device is implemented with a digital state machine instead of a microcontroller, eliminating the need for firmware programming. Fully compliant USB transceivers are integrated into the circuitry of the upstream USB transceiver port 302 and all downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, and 308. The downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, and 308 support both full-speed and low-speed devices by automatically setting their ramp-up speed depending on the speed of the device attached to the port. The USB network hub 300 device may be configured in either bus-powered or self-powered mode and includes hub power logic 312 for managing power.

The USB network hub 300 device includes a serial interface engine 310 (SIE). The SIE 310 is the front end of the USB network hub 300 hardware and handles most of the protocol described in Chapter 8 of the USB specification. The SIE 310 typically understands signaling down to the transaction level. Functions it handles may include packet recognition, transaction reordering, SOP, EOP, RESET, and RESUME signal detection/generation, clock/data separation, non-return-to-zero inverted (NRZI) data encoding/decoding and bit stuffing, CRC generation and checking (token and data), Packet ID (PID) generation and checking/decoding, and/or serial-to-parallel/parallel-to-serial conversion. The SIE 310 receives a clock input 314 and is coupled to a suspend/resume logic and frame timer 316 circuit and a hub repeater circuit 318 for controlling communication between the upstream USB transmit/receive port 302 and the downstream USB transmit/receive ports 304, 306, and 308 via port logic circuits 320, 322, and 324. The SIE 310 is coupled to a command decoder 326 via interface logic for controlling commands from a serial EEPROM via a serial EEPROM interface 330.

In various aspects, the USB network hub 300 can connect 127 functions organized into up to six logical layers (hierarchies) to a single computer. Furthermore, the USB network hub 300 can connect to all peripherals using a standardized four-wire cable that provides both communication and power distribution. Power configurations include bus-powered mode and self-powered mode. The USB network hub 300 may be configured to support four modes of power management: a bus-powered hub with either individual or ganged port power management, and a self-powered hub with either individual or ganged port power management. In one aspect, using a USB cable, the USB network hub 300, the upstream USB transmit/receive port 302 is plugged into a USB host controller, and the downstream USB transmit/receive ports 304, 306, and 308 are exposed for connecting USB-compatible devices.

Surgical Instrument Hardware FIG. 45 shows a logic diagram of a surgical instrument or tool control system 470 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The system 470 comprises a control circuit. The control circuit includes a microcontroller 461 with a processor 462 and a memory 468. For example, one or more of sensors 472, 474, 476 provide real-time feedback to the processor 462. A motor 482, driven by a motor driver 492, operably couples a longitudinally movable displacement member to drive the I-beam knife element. A tracking system 480 is configured to determine the position of the longitudinally movable displacement member. The position information is provided to the processor 462, which can be programmed or configured to determine the position of the longitudinally movable drive member, as well as the positions of the firing member, firing bar, and I-beam knife element. Additional motors may be provided to the tool driver interface to control the firing of the I-beam, the movement of the closure tube, the rotation of the shaft, and the articulation. Display 473 displays various operating conditions of the instrument and may include touch screen functionality for data entry. Information displayed on display 473 can be overlaid with images acquired via the endoscopic imaging module.

In one aspect, the microcontroller 461 may be any single-core or multi-core processor, such as those known by the trade name ARM Cortex manufactured by Texas Instruments. In one aspect, the main microcontroller 461 may be an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F processor core available from Texas Instruments, including, for example, 256 KB of on-chip memory of single-cycle flash memory or other non-volatile memory up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance above 40 MHz, 32 KB of single-cycle SRAM, internal ROM loaded with StellarisWare® software, 2 KB of EEPROM, one or more PWM modules, one or more QEI analog, and/or one or more 12-bit ADCs with 12 analog input channels, details of which are available in the product datasheet.

In one aspect, the microcontroller 461 may include a safety controller, including two controller families such as the TMS570 and RM4x, also known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, manufactured by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be specifically configured for IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety limit applications, among others, to provide advanced integrated safety mechanisms while offering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

The microcontroller 461 may be programmed to perform various functions, such as precise control over the speed and position of the knife and articulation system. In one aspect, the microcontroller 461 includes a processor 462 and memory 468. The electric motor 482 may be a brushed direct current (DC) motor with a gearbox and mechanical linkage to the articulation or knife system. In one aspect, the motor driver 492 may be an A3941 available from Allegro Microsystems, Inc. Other motor drivers may be easily substituted for use in the tracking system 480 with an absolute positioning system. A detailed description of absolute positioning systems is provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0296213, published October 19, 2017, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The microcontroller 461 may be programmed to provide precise control over the velocity and position of the displacement member and articulation system. The microcontroller 461 may be configured to calculate a response within the microcontroller 461's software. The calculated response is compared to the measured response of the actual system to obtain an "observed" response, which is used to determine the actual feedback. The observed response is a suitably tuned value that balances the smooth, continuous nature of the simulated response with the measured response, which can detect external influences on the system.

In one aspect, the motor 482 may be controlled by a motor driver 492 and may be used by the surgical instrument or tool firing system. In various configurations, the motor 482 may be a brushed DC drive motor having a maximum rotational speed of, for example, approximately 25,000 RPM. In other arrangements, the motor 482 may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor driver 492 may include, for example, an H-bridge driver including field-effect transistors (FETs). The motor 482 may be powered by a power supply assembly releasably attached to the handle assembly or tool housing to provide control power to the surgical instrument or tool. The power supply assembly may include a battery, which may include multiple battery cells connected in series, that may be used as a power source to power the surgical instrument or tool. Under certain circumstances, the battery cells of the power supply assembly may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. In at least one example, the battery cells may be a lithium-ion battery, which may be connectable to and separable from the power supply assembly.

The motor driver 492 may be the A3941, available from Allegro Microsystems, Inc. The A3941 492 is a full-bridge controller for use with external N-channel power metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), specifically designed for inductive loads such as brushed DC motors. The driver 492 includes an internal charge pump regulator that provides full (>10V) gate drive for battery voltages up to 7V, allowing the A3941 to operate with reduced gate drive down to 5.5V. A bootstrap capacitor may be used to provide the necessary battery supply voltage for the N-channel MOSFETs. An internal charge pump for the high-side drive allows DC (100% duty cycle) operation. The full-bridge can be driven in fast or slow decay mode using diode or synchronous rectification. In slow decay mode, current recirculation is possible through either the high-side or low-side FET. The power FETs are protected from shoot-through by resistor-adjustable dead time. Integrated diagnostics indicate undervoltage, overtemperature, and power bridge faults and can be configured to protect the power MOSFETs under most short-circuit conditions. Other motor drivers can be easily substituted for use in tracking system 480 with an absolute positioning system.

The tracking system 480 includes a controlled motor drive circuit arrangement including a position sensor 472 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The position sensor 472 for the absolute positioning system provides a unique position signal corresponding to the position of the displacement member. In one aspect, the displacement member represents a longitudinally movable drive member including a rack of drive teeth for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear of a gear reducer assembly. In another aspect, the displacement member represents a firing member that may be adapted and configured to include a rack of drive teeth. In yet another aspect, the displacement member represents a firing bar or I-beam, each of which may be adapted and configured to include a rack of drive teeth. Thus, as used herein, the term displacement member is used generally to refer to any movable member of a surgical instrument or tool, such as a drive member, firing member, firing bar, I-beam, or any element that can be displaced. In one aspect, a longitudinally movable drive member is coupled to the firing member, firing bar, and I-beam. Thus, the absolute positioning system can, in effect, track the linear displacement of the I-beam by tracking the linear displacement of the longitudinally movable drive member. In various other aspects, the displacement member may be coupled to any suitable position sensor 472 for measuring linear displacement. Thus, the longitudinally movable drive member, firing member, firing bar, or I-beam, or combinations thereof, may be coupled to any suitable linear displacement sensor. The linear displacement sensor may include a contact or non-contact displacement sensor. The linear displacement sensor may include linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs), differential variable reluctance transducers (DVRTs), slide potentiometers, a magnetic sensing system comprising a movable magnet and a series of linearly arranged Hall effect sensors, a magnetic sensing system comprising a fixed magnet and a series of movable linearly arranged Hall effect sensors, an optical detection system comprising a movable light source and a series of linearly arranged photodiodes or photodetectors, an optical detection system comprising a fixed light source and a series of movable linearly arranged photodiodes or photodetectors, or any combination thereof.

The electric motor 482 may include a rotatable shaft operably interfaced with a gear assembly mounted in meshing engagement with a set or rack of drive teeth on the displacement member. The sensor element may be operably coupled to the gear assembly such that one rotation of the position sensor 472 element corresponds to some linear longitudinal translation of the displacement member. The gearing and sensor mechanism may be coupled to a linear actuator by a rack and pinion mechanism or to a rotary actuator by a spur gear or other connection. A power source provides power to the absolute positioning system, and an output indicator may display the output of the absolute positioning system. The displacement member represents a longitudinally movable drive member having a rack of drive teeth formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear of a gear reducer assembly. The displacement member may represent a longitudinally movable firing member, firing bar, I-beam, or combination thereof.

One revolution of the sensor element associated with position sensor 472 corresponds to a longitudinal linear displacement d1 of the displacement member, where d1 is the longitudinal linear distance traveled by the displacement member from point "a" to point "b" after one revolution of the sensor element coupled to the displacement member. The sensor arrangement may be connected via a gear reduction that results in the position sensor 472 completing one or more revolutions relative to the full stroke of the displacement member. The position sensor 472 may complete multiple revolutions relative to the full stroke of the displacement member.

A series of switches (where n is an integer greater than 1) may be used alone or in combination with gear reduction to provide a unique position signal for two or more revolutions of the position sensor 472. The states of the switches are fed back to the microcontroller 461, which applies logic to determine a unique position signal corresponding to the longitudinal linear displacement d1 + d2 + . . . dn of the displacement member. The output of the position sensor 472 is provided to the microcontroller 461. The position sensor 472 in the sensor arrangement may comprise a magnetic sensor, an analog rotation sensor such as a potentiometer, or an array of analog Hall effect elements that output a unique combination of position signals or values.

Position sensor 472 may include any number of magnetic sensing elements, such as magnetic sensors classified based on whether they measure the total magnetic field or vector components of a magnetic field. The technologies used to produce both types of magnetic sensors involve many aspects of physics and electronics. Technologies used to sense magnetic fields include search coils, fluxgates, optical pumping, nuclear precession, SQUIDs, Hall effect, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance, magnetic tunnel junctions, giant magnetoimpedance, magnetostrictive/piezoelectric composites, magnetic diodes, magnetotransistors, optical fiber, magneto-optical, and microelectromechanical systems-based magnetic sensors, among others.

In one aspect, the position sensor 472 of the tracking system 480 with an absolute positioning system comprises a magnetic rotation absolute positioning system. The position sensor 472 may be implemented as an AS5055EQFT single-chip magnetic rotation position sensor available from Austria Microsystems, AG. The position sensor 472 works in conjunction with the microcontroller 461 to provide the absolute positioning system. The position sensor 472 is a low-voltage, low-power component and includes four Hall-effect elements in the area of the position sensor 472 located above the magnet. Additionally, a high-resolution ADC and a smart power management controller are provided on-chip. A coordinate rotation digital computer (CORDIC) processor, also known as the digit-by-digit method and Volder's algorithm, is provided to implement simple and efficient algorithms for calculating hyperbolic and trigonometric functions, requiring only addition, subtraction, bit shifting, and table lookup operations. The angular position, alarm bits, and magnetic field information are transmitted to the microcontroller 461 via a standard serial communications interface, such as a serial peripheral interface (SPI) interface. The position sensor 472 provides 12-bit or 14-bit resolution. The position sensor 472 may be an AS5055 chip, provided in a small QFN 16-pin 4x4x0.85mm package.

The tracking system 480, which includes an absolute positioning system, may include and/or be programmed to implement a feedback controller, such as a PID, state feedback, and adaptive controller. A power supply converts the signal from the feedback controller into a physical input to the system, in this case, a voltage. Other examples include PWM of voltage, current, and force. In addition to the position measured by the position sensor 472, other sensor(s) may be provided to measure physical parameters of the physical system. In some aspects, the other sensor(s) may include sensors such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 9,345,481, issued May 24, 2016, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552, published September 18, 2014, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552, published September 18, 2014, entitled "TECHNIQUES FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF MOTOR VELOCITY OF A SURGICAL STAPLING," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Examples of sensor arrangements include those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/628,175, filed June 20, 2017, entitled "Analyzing and Cutting Instrument." In a digital signal processing system, an absolute positioning system is coupled to a digital data acquisition system, where the output of the absolute positioning system has a finite resolution and sampling frequency. The absolute positioning system may include comparison and combination circuitry to combine the calculated response with the measured response using algorithms such as weighted averages and theoretical control loops that drive the calculated response toward the measured response. The calculated response of the physical system takes into account properties such as mass, inertia, viscous friction, and induced resistance to predict what the state and output of the physical system will be given knowledge of the input.

The absolute positioning system provides the absolute position of the displacement member upon power-up of the instrument without retracting or advancing the displacement member to a reset (zero or home) position, as may be required with conventional rotary encoders that simply count the number of forward or backward strokes taken by the motor 482 to estimate the position of the device actuator, drive bar, knife, etc.

Sensor 474, such as a strain gauge or microstrain gauge, is configured to measure one or more parameters of the end effector, such as the amplitude of strain exerted on the anvil during clamping, which can be indicative of the closure force applied to the anvil. The measured strain is converted to a digital signal and provided to processor 462. Alternatively or in addition to sensor 474, a sensor 476, such as a load sensor, can measure the closure force applied to the anvil by the closure drive system. For example, sensor 476, such as a load sensor, can measure the firing force applied to the I-beam during the firing stroke of the surgical instrument or tool. The I-beam is configured to engage a wedge-shaped sled that cams the staple driver upward, forcing the staples into deforming contact with the anvil. The I-beam also includes a sharp cutting edge that can be used to cut tissue as the I-beam is advanced distally by the firing bar. Alternatively, a current sensor 478 can be used to measure current draw by motor 482. The force required to advance the firing member may correspond, for example, to the current drawn by the motor 482. The measured force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the processor 462.

In one form, a strain gauge sensor 474 can be used to measure the force applied to tissue by the end effector. A strain gauge can be coupled to the end effector to measure the force applied by the end effector to the tissue being treated. A system for measuring the force applied to tissue grasped by the end effector includes a strain gauge sensor 474, such as a micro-strain gauge, configured to measure one or more parameters of the end effector. In one aspect, the strain gauge sensor 474 can measure the amplitude or magnitude of strain exerted on the jaw members of the end effector during a clamping operation, which can indicate tissue compression. The measured strain is converted to a digital signal and provided to the processor 462 of the microcontroller 461. The load sensor 476 can measure the force used to operate the knife element, for example, to cut tissue captured between the anvil and staple cartridge. A magnetic field sensor can be used to measure the thickness of the captured tissue. The magnetic field sensor's measurements can also be converted to a digital signal and provided to the processor 462.

Measurements of tissue compression, tissue thickness, and/or force required to close the end effector on the tissue, measured by sensors 474, 476, respectively, can be used by microcontroller 461 to characterize a selected position of the firing member and/or a corresponding value of firing member velocity. In one example, memory 468 can store techniques, equations, and/or lookup tables that can be used by microcontroller 461 during the evaluation.

The surgical instrument or tool control system 470 may also include wired or wireless communication circuitry for communicating with a modular communications hub, as shown in Figures 8-11.

FIG. 46 illustrates a control circuit 500 configured to control aspects of a surgical instrument or tool according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The control circuit 500 can be configured to implement various processes described herein. The control circuit 500 can comprise a microcontroller including one or more processors 502 (e.g., microprocessors, microcontrollers) coupled to at least one memory circuit 504. The memory circuit 504 stores machine-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor 502, cause the processor 502 to execute the machine instructions to implement the various processes described herein. The processor 502 can be any one of a number of single-core or multi-core processors known in the art. The memory circuit 504 can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media. The processor 502 can include an instruction processing unit 506 and an arithmetic unit 508. The instruction processing unit can be configured to receive instructions from the memory circuit 504 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 47 illustrates a combinational logic circuit 510 configured to control aspects of a surgical instrument or tool, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The combinational logic circuit 510 can be configured to implement various processes described herein. The combinational logic circuit 510 can include a finite state machine including combinational logic 512 configured to receive data associated with the surgical instrument or tool at input 514, process the data through the combinational logic 512, and provide an output 516.

FIG. 48 illustrates a sequential logic circuit 520 configured to control aspects of a surgical instrument or tool, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The sequential logic circuit 520 or combinatorial logic 522 can be configured to implement the various processes described herein. The sequential logic circuit 520 may include a finite state machine. The sequential logic circuit 520 may include, for example, combinatorial logic 522, at least one memory circuit 524, and a clock 529. The at least one memory circuit 524 can store the current state of the finite state machine. In certain examples, the sequential logic circuit 520 may be synchronous or asynchronous. The combinatorial logic 522 is configured to receive data associated with the surgical instrument or tool from an input 526, process the data through the combinatorial logic 522, and provide an output 528. In other aspects, the circuitry may include a combination of a processor (e.g., processor 502 of FIG. 46) and a finite state machine that implements the various processes described herein. In other aspects, the finite state machine may include a combination of combinational logic (e.g., combinational logic 510 of FIG. 47) and sequential logic 520.

FIG. 49 illustrates a surgical instrument or tool with multiple motors that can be activated to perform various functions. In certain examples, a first motor can be activated to perform a first function, a second motor can be activated to perform a second function, a third motor can be activated to perform a third function, a fourth motor can be activated to perform a fourth function, and so on. In certain examples, the motors of the robotic surgical instrument 600 can be individually activated to produce firing, closing, and/or articulation motions in the end effector. The firing, closing, and/or articulation motions can be transmitted to the end effector via, for example, a shaft assembly.

In certain examples, the surgical instrument system or tool may include a firing motor 602. The firing motor 602 may be operably coupled to a firing motor drive assembly 604, which may be configured to transmit the firing motion generated by the motor 602 to the end effector, particularly to displace an I-beam element. In certain examples, the firing motion generated by the motor 602 may, for example, deploy staples from a staple cartridge into tissue captured by the end effector and/or advance a cutting blade of the I-beam element to cut the captured tissue. The I-beam element may be retracted by reversing the direction of the motor 602.

In certain examples, the surgical instrument or tool may include a closure motor 603. The closure motor 603 may be operably coupled to a closure motor drive assembly 605, which may be configured to transmit the closure motion generated by the motor 603 to the end effector, specifically to displace a closure tube to close the anvil and compress tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The closure motion may, for example, transition the end effector from an open configuration to an approximated configuration to capture tissue. The end effector may be transitioned to the open position by reversing the direction of the motor 603.

In certain examples, a surgical instrument or tool may include, for example, one or more articulation motors 606a, 606b. The motors 606a, 606b may be operably coupled to corresponding articulation motor drive assemblies 608a, 608b, which may be configured to transmit articulation motion generated by the motors 606a, 606b to an end effector. In certain examples, the articulation motion may, for example, cause the end effector to articulate relative to the shaft.

As described above, a surgical instrument or tool may include multiple motors that can be configured to perform various independent functions. In certain examples, multiple motors of a surgical instrument or tool may be activated individually or separately to perform one or more functions while other motors remain stopped. For example, articulation motors 606a, 606b may be activated to articulate the end effector while firing motor 602 remains stopped. Alternatively, firing motor 602 may be activated to fire multiple staples and/or advance the cutting edge while articulation motor 606 is stopped. Additionally, closure motor 603 may be activated simultaneously with firing motor 602 to distally advance the closure tube and I-beam element, as described in more detail herein below.

In certain examples, a surgical instrument or tool may include a common control module 610 that can be used with multiple motors of the surgical instrument or tool. In certain examples, the common control module 610 can accommodate one of the multiple motors at a time. For example, the common control module 610 may be capable of individually coupling and decoupling multiple motors of a robotic surgical instrument. In certain examples, the multiple motors of a surgical instrument or tool may share one or more common control modules, such as the common control module 610. In certain examples, the multiple motors of a surgical instrument or tool can be individually and selectively engaged with the common control module 610. In certain examples, the common control module 610 can be selectively switched from coupling with one of the multiple motors of the surgical instrument or tool to coupling with another of the multiple motors of the surgical instrument or tool.

In at least one example, the common control module 610 can be selectively switched between operative engagement with the articulation motors 606a, 606b and operative engagement with either the firing motor 602 or the closure motor 603. In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 49 , the switch 614 can be moved or transitioned between multiple positions and/or states. For example, in a first position 616, the switch 614 can electrically couple the common control module 610 to the firing motor 602, in a second position 617, the switch 614 can electrically couple the common control module 610 to the closure motor 603, in a third position 618a, the switch 614 can electrically couple the common control module 610 to the first articulation motor 606a, and in a fourth position 618b, the switch 614 can electrically couple the common control module 610 to the second articulation motor 606b. In certain examples, a separate common control module 610 may be electrically coupled to the firing motor 602, the closing motor 603, and the articulation motors 606a, 606b simultaneously. In certain examples, the switch 614 may be a mechanical switch, an electromechanical switch, a solid-state switch, or any suitable switching mechanism.

Each of the motors 602, 603, 606a, 606b may include a torque sensor to measure the output torque on the motor's shaft. The force on the end effector may be sensed in any conventional manner, such as by a force sensor outside the jaws or by a torque sensor on the motor that actuates the jaws.

In various examples, as shown in FIG. 49, the common control module 610 may include a motor driver 626, which may include one or more H-bridge FETs. The motor driver 626 may modulate the power transferred from a power source 628 to a motor coupled to the common control module 610, for example, based on input from a microcontroller 620 ("controller"). In certain examples, as described above, for example, the microcontroller 620 may be used to determine the current drawn by the motor while the motor is coupled to the common control module 610.

In particular examples, microcontroller 620 may include a microprocessor 622 ("processor") and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media or memory units 624 ("memory"). In particular examples, memory 624 may store various program instructions that, when executed, cause processor 622 to perform multiple functions and/or calculations described herein. In particular examples, one or more of memory units 624 may be coupled to processor 622, for example.

In certain examples, power source 628 may be used to provide power to, for example, microcontroller 620. In certain examples, power source 628 may include a battery (or "battery pack" or "power pack"), such as, for example, a lithium-ion battery. In certain examples, the battery pack may be configured to releasably attach to the handle to provide power to surgical instrument 600. Multiple battery cells connected in series may be used as power source 628. In certain examples, power source 628 may be, for example, replaceable and/or rechargeable.

In various examples, the processor 622 can control the motor drivers 626 to control the position, direction of rotation, and/or speed of the motors coupled to the common control module 610. In certain examples, the processor 622 can signal the motor drivers 626 to stop and/or disable the motors coupled to the common control module 610. The term "processor," as used herein, should be understood to include any suitable microprocessor, microcontroller, or other basic computing device that integrates the functionality of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit or up to a few integrated circuits. A processor is a general-purpose, programmable element that accepts digital data as input, processes that data according to instructions stored in memory, and provides the results as output. Because it has internal memory, it is an example of sequential digital logic. A processor operates on numbers and symbols represented in the binary system.

In one example, processor 622 may be any single-core or multi-core processor, such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex manufactured by Texas Instruments. In a particular example, microcontroller 620 may be, for example, an LM 4F230H5QR available from Texas Instruments. In at least one embodiment, the Texas Instruments LM4F230H5QR is an ARM Cortex-M4F processor core that includes, among other features readily available on the product datasheet, 256 KB of on-chip memory of single-cycle flash memory or other non-volatile memory up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance beyond 40 MHz, 32 KB of single-cycle SRAM, internal ROM loaded with StellarisWare® software, 2 KB of EEPROM, one or more PWM modules, one or more QEI analog, and one or more 12-bit ADCs with 12 analog input channels. Other microcontrollers may be readily substituted for use with module 4410. Accordingly, the present disclosure should not be limited in this context.

In certain examples, the memory 624 may include program instructions for controlling each of the motors of the surgical instrument 600 that may be coupled to the common control module 610. For example, the memory 624 may include program instructions for controlling the firing motor 602, the closing motor 603, and the articulation motors 606a, 606b. Such program instructions may cause the processor 622 to control the firing, closing, and articulation functions according to inputs from an algorithm or control program of the surgical instrument or tool.

In certain examples, one or more mechanisms and/or sensors, such as, for example, sensor 630, can be used to alert processor 622 to program instructions to use in a particular configuration. For example, sensor 630 can alert processor 622 to use program instructions associated with firing, closing, and articulating the end effector. In certain examples, sensor 630 can include, for example, a position sensor that can be used to sense the position of switch 614. Thus, for example, processor 622 can use program instructions associated with firing the I-beam of the end effector when it detects via sensor 630 that switch 614 is in first position 616; processor 622 can use program instructions associated with closing the anvil when it detects via sensor 630 that switch 614 is in second position 617; and processor 622 can use program instructions associated with articulating the end effector when it detects via sensor 630 that switch 614 is in third position 618a or fourth position 618b.

FIG. 50 is a schematic illustration of a robotic surgical instrument 700 configured to manipulate a surgical tool described herein, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The robotic surgical instrument 700 may be programmed or configured to control distal/proximal translation of a displacement member, distal/proximal displacement of an obturator tube, shaft rotation and articulation using either single or multiple articulation drive couplings. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 700 may be programmed or configured to independently control a firing member, a closure member, a shaft member, or one or more articulating members. The surgical instrument 700 includes a control circuit 710 configured to control a motor-driven firing member, a closure member, a shaft member, or one or more articulating members.

In one aspect, the robotic surgical instrument 700 includes a control circuit 710 configured to control the anvil 716 and I-beam 714 (including the sharp cutting blade) portions of the end effector 702, the removable staple cartridge 718, the shaft 740, and one or more articulating members 742a, 742b via multiple motors 704a-704e. A position sensor 734 can be configured to provide position feedback of the I-beam 714 to the control circuit 710. Other sensors 738 may be configured to provide feedback to the control circuit 710. A timer/counter 731 provides timing and counting information to the control circuit 710. An energy source 712 can be provided to operate the motors 704a-704e, and a current sensor 736 provides motor current feedback to the control circuit 710. The motors 704a-704e can be individually operated by the control circuit 710 in open-loop or closed-loop feedback control.

In one aspect, the control circuitry 710 may comprise one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors for executing instructions that cause the one or more processors to perform one or more tasks. In one aspect, the timer/counter 731 provides an output signal, such as an elapsed time or digital count, to the control circuitry 710 to correlate the position of the I-beam 714 determined by the position sensor 734 with the output of the timer/counter 731, such that the control circuitry 710 can determine the position of the I-beam 714 at a particular time (t) relative to a starting position or time (t) when the I-beam 714 is at a particular position relative to the starting position. The timer/counter 731 may be configured to measure elapsed time, count external events, or time an external event.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may be programmed to control the function of the end effector 702 based on one or more tissue conditions. The control circuit 710 may be programmed to sense tissue conditions, such as thickness, either directly or indirectly, as described herein. The control circuit 710 may be programmed to select a firing control program or a closure control program based on the tissue condition. The firing control program can describe the distal movement of the displacement member. Different firing control programs can be selected to better handle different tissue conditions. For example, when thicker tissue is present, the control circuit 710 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a slower speed and/or with less power. When thinner tissue is present, the control circuit 710 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a higher speed and/or with more power. The closure control program may control the closure force applied to the tissue by the anvil 716. Other control programs control the rotation of the shaft 740 and articulating members 742a, 742b.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 can generate motor set point signals. The motor set point signals may be provided to various motor controllers 708a-708e. The motor controllers 708a-708e may comprise one or more circuits configured to provide motor drive signals to the motors 704a-704e to drive the motors 704a-704e, as described herein. In some examples, the motors 704a-704e may be brushed DC electric motors. For example, the speed of the motors 704a-704e may be proportional to the respective motor drive signals. In some examples, the motors 704a-704e may be brushless DC electric motors, and the respective motor drive signals may include PWM signals provided to one or more stator windings of the motors 704a-704e. Also, in some examples, the motor controllers 708a-708e may be omitted, and the control circuit 710 may generate the motor drive signals directly.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may initially operate each of the motors 704a-704e in an open-loop configuration for a first open-loop portion of the displacement member's stroke. Based on the response of the robotic surgical instrument 700 during the open-loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 710 may select a firing control program for a closed-loop configuration. The instrument response may include the translation distance of the displacement member during the open-loop portion, the time elapsed during the open-loop portion, the energy provided to one of the motors 704a-704e during the open-loop portion, the total pulse width of the motor drive signal, etc. After the open-loop portion, the control circuit 710 may implement the selected firing control program for a second portion of the displacement member's stroke. For example, during the closed-loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 710 may modulate one of the motors 704a-704e in a closed-loop manner based on translation data describing the position of the displacement member to translate the displacement member at a constant velocity.

In one aspect, the motors 704a-704e can receive power from an energy source 712. The energy source 712 can be a DC power supply driven by a mains AC power supply, a battery, a supercapacitor, or any other suitable energy source. The motors 704a-704e can be mechanically coupled to individual movable mechanical elements, such as the I-beam 714, the anvil 716, the shaft 740, the articulation 742a, and the articulation 742b, via respective transmission mechanisms 706a-706e. The transmission mechanisms 706a-706e can include one or more gears or other coupling components for coupling the motors 704a-704e to the movable mechanical elements. The position sensor 734 can sense the position of the I-beam 714. The position sensor 734 can be or include any type of sensor capable of generating position data indicative of the position of the I-beam 714. In some embodiments, the position sensor 734 may include an encoder configured to provide a series of pulses to the control circuitry 710 as the I-beam 714 translates distally and proximally. The control circuitry 710 may track the pulses to determine the position of the I-beam 714. Other suitable position sensors may be used, including, for example, proximity sensors. Other types of position sensors may provide other signals indicative of the movement of the I-beam 714. Also, in some examples, the position sensor 734 may be omitted. If any of the motors 704a-704e are stepper motors, the control circuitry 710 may track the position of the I-beam 714 by summing the number and direction of steps the motor 704 is commanded to perform. The position sensor 734 may be located within the end effector 702 or in any other portion of the instrument. The output of each of the motors 704a-704e includes a torque sensor 744a-744e for sensing force and has an encoder for sensing drive shaft rotation.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to drive a firing member, such as the I-beam 714 portion of the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor setpoint to a motor controller 708a, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704a. The output shaft of the motor 704a is coupled to a torque sensor 744a. The torque sensor 744a is coupled to a transmission mechanism 706a, which is coupled to the I-beam 714. The transmission mechanism 706a includes a movable mechanical element, such as a rotating element and a firing member, for controlling the movement of the I-beam 714 distally and proximally along the longitudinal axis of the end effector 702. In one aspect, the motor 704a may be coupled to a knife gear assembly including a knife gear reduction set including a first knife drive gear and a second knife drive gear. The torque sensor 744a provides a firing force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The firing force signal represents the force required to fire or displace the I-beam 714. The position sensor 734 can be configured to provide a feedback signal to the control circuit 710 regarding the position of the I-beam 714 or the firing member along the firing stroke. The end effector 702 may include an additional sensor 738 configured to provide a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. When ready for use, the control circuit 710 can provide a firing signal to the motor controller 708a. In response to the firing signal, the motor 704a can drive the firing member distally along the longitudinal axis of the end effector 702 from a proximal start-of-stroke position to an end-of-stroke position distal to the start-of-stroke position. As the firing member translates distally, the I-beam 714, which includes a cutting element disposed at its distal end, advances distally to sever tissue located between the staple cartridge 718 and the anvil 716.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to drive a closure member, such as the anvil 716 portion of the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides motor settings to a motor controller 708b, which provides a drive signal to a motor 704b. The output shaft of the motor 704b is coupled to a torque sensor 744b. The torque sensor 744b is coupled to a transmission 706b, which is coupled to the anvil 716. The transmission 706b includes a movable mechanical element, such as a rotating element and a closure member, for controlling movement of the anvil 716 from open and closed positions. In one aspect, the motor 704b is coupled to a closure gear assembly including a closure reduction gear set supported in meshing engagement with a closure spur gear. The torque sensor 744b provides a closure force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The closure force feedback signal is indicative of the closure force applied to the anvil 716. The position sensor 734 may be configured to provide the position of the closure member as a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. An additional sensor 738 within the end effector 702 can provide a closure force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The pivotable anvil 716 is positioned opposite the staple cartridge 718. When ready for use, the control circuit 710 can provide a closure signal to the motor control 708b. In response to the closure signal, the motor 704b advances the closure member to clamp tissue between the clamp arm 716 and the staple cartridge 718.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to rotate a shaft member, such as the shaft 740, to rotate the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor setpoint to a motor controller 708c, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704c. The output shaft of the motor 704c is coupled to a torque sensor 744c. The torque sensor 744c is coupled to a transmission mechanism 706c, which is coupled to the shaft 740. The transmission mechanism 706c includes a movable mechanical element, such as a rotating element, for controlling the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 740 up to and beyond 360 degrees. In one aspect, the motor 704c is coupled to a rotational transmission mechanism assembly including a tubular gear segment formed on (or attached to) the proximal end of the proximal closure tube for operably engaging with a rotary gear assembly operably supported on the tool mounting plate. The torque sensor 744c provides a rotational force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The rotational force feedback signal is indicative of the rotational force applied to the shaft 740. The position sensor 734 may be configured to provide the position of the closure member as a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. An additional sensor 738, such as a shaft encoder, may provide the rotational position of the shaft 740 to the control circuit 710.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to articulate the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to a motor controller 708d, which in turn provides a drive signal to the motor 704d. The output shaft of the motor 704d is coupled to a torque sensor 744d. The torque sensor 744d is coupled to a transmission mechanism 706d, which is coupled to the articulation member 742a. The transmission mechanism 706d includes a movable mechanical element, such as an articulation element, for controlling ±65° of articulation of the end effector 702. In one aspect, the motor 704d is coupled to an articulation nut, which is rotatably journaled on the proximal end portion of the distal spine portion and rotatably driven by an articulation gear assembly on the proximal end portion of the distal spine portion. The torque sensor 744d provides an articulation force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The articulation force feedback signal represents the articulation force applied to the end effector 702. A sensor 738, such as an articulation encoder, may provide the articulation position of the end effector 702 to the control circuit 710.

In another aspect, the articulation function of the robotic surgical system 700 may include two articulation members or linkages 742a, 742b. These articulation members 742a, 742b are driven by separate disks on a robot interface (rack) driven by two motors 708d, 708e. When a separate firing motor 704a is provided, each of the articulation linkages 742a, 742b may be driven antagonistically relative to the other linkage to provide resistive holding motion and load to the head when the head is not moving, and to provide articulation motion when the head is articulating. The articulation members 742a, 742b are attached to the head at a defined radius as the head rotates. Therefore, the mechanical advantage of the push-pull linkage changes as the head rotates. This change in mechanical advantage may be more pronounced with other articulation linkage drive systems.

In one aspect, one or more of the motors 704a-704e may comprise a gearbox and a brushed DC motor with a mechanical linkage to the firing member, closure member, or articulation member. Another example includes electric motors 704a-704e that operate moving mechanical elements such as displacement members, articulation links, closure tubes, and shafts. External influences are the unmeasured and unpredictable effects of things such as tissue, surrounding bodies, and friction on a physical system. Such external influences are sometimes referred to as drags that act against one of the electric motors 704a-704e. External influences, such as drag, can cause the operation of a physical system to deviate from the desired operation of the physical system.

In one aspect, the position sensor 734 may be implemented as an absolute positioning system. In one aspect, the position sensor 734 may comprise a magnetic rotary absolute positioning system implemented as an AS5055EQFT single-chip magnetic rotary position sensor available from Austria Microsystems, AG. The position sensor 734 may be interfaced with the control circuit 710 to provide an absolute positioning system. The position sensor may include multiple Hall effect elements positioned above a magnet and coupled to a CORDIC processor, which implements simple and efficient algorithms for calculating hyperbolic and trigonometric functions, requiring only addition, subtraction, bit shifting, and table lookup operations, also known as the digit-by-digit method and the Boulder algorithm.

In one aspect, the control circuitry 710 may be in communication with one or more sensors 738. The sensors 738 may be disposed on the end effector 702 and adapted to operate in conjunction with the robotic surgical instrument 700 to measure various derived parameters, such as gap distance versus time, tissue compression versus time, and anvil strain versus time. The sensors 738 may comprise magnetic sensors, magnetic field sensors, strain gauges, load cells, pressure sensors, force sensors, torque sensors, inductive sensors such as eddy current sensors, resistive sensors, capacitive sensors, optical sensors, and/or any other suitable sensors for measuring one or more parameters of the end effector 702. The sensors 738 may include one or more sensors. The sensors 738 may be disposed on the deck of the staple cartridge 718 to determine the position of the tissue using split electrodes. The torque sensors 744a-744e may be configured to sense forces, such as firing force, closure force, and/or articulation force, among others. Thus, the control circuit 710 can sense (1) the closure load experienced by the distal closure tube and its position, (2) the firing member in the rack and its position, (3) which portion of the staple cartridge 718 has tissue thereon, and (4) the load and position on both articulation rods.

In one aspect, the one or more sensors 738 may comprise a strain gauge, such as a micro-strain gauge, configured to measure the magnitude of strain in the anvil 716 during clamping. The strain gauge provides an electrical signal whose amplitude varies with the magnitude of strain. The sensor 738 may comprise a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure generated by the presence of compressed tissue between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718. The sensor 738 may be configured to detect the impedance of the tissue portion located between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718, which impedance is indicative of the thickness and/or fullness of the tissue located therebetween.

In one aspect, the sensor 738 may be implemented as one or more limit switches, electromechanical devices, solid-state switches, Hall effect devices, magnetoresistive (MR) devices, giant magnetoresistive (GMR) devices, magnetometers, among others. In other implementations, the sensor 738 may be implemented as a solid-state switch that operates under the influence of light, such as a light sensor, an IR sensor, or an ultraviolet sensor, among others. Additionally, the switch may be a solid-state device such as a transistor (e.g., FET, junction FET, MOSFET, bipolar, etc.). In other implementations, the sensor 738 may include a non-conductor-containing switch, an ultrasonic switch, an accelerometer, and an inertial sensor, among others.

In one aspect, the sensor 738 can be configured to measure the force exerted on the anvil 716 by the closure drive system. For example, one or more sensors 738 can be located at an interaction point between a closure tube and the anvil 716 to detect the closure force applied to the anvil 716 by the closure tube. The force exerted on the anvil 716 can be representative of tissue compression experienced by tissue portions captured between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718. One or more sensors 738 can be positioned at various interaction points along the closure drive system to detect the closure force applied to the anvil 716 by the closure drive system. The one or more sensors 738 can be sampled by a processor in the control circuitry 710 in real time during the clamping operation. The control circuitry 710 receives the real-time sampled measurements to provide and analyze time-based information to assess the closure force applied to the anvil 716 in real time.

In one aspect, a current sensor 736 can be used to measure the current drawn by each of the motors 704a-704e. The force required to advance any of the moving mechanical elements, such as the I-beam 714, corresponds to the current drawn by one of the motors 704a-704e. The force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the control circuit 710. The control circuit 710 can be configured to simulate the actual system response of the instrument in the controller software. The displacement member can be actuated to move the I-beam 714 in the end effector 702 at or near a target velocity. The robotic surgical instrument 700 can include a feedback controller, which can be any one of a number of feedback controllers, including, but not limited to, a PID, state feedback, linear quadratic (LQR), and/or adaptive controller. The robotic surgical instrument 700 can include a power supply for converting a signal from the feedback controller into a physical input, such as, for example, a case voltage, a PWM voltage, a frequency modulated voltage, a current, a torque, and/or a force. Further details are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/636,829, filed June 29, 2017, entitled "CLOSED LOOP VELOCITY CONTROL TECHNIQUES FOR ROBOTIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 51 shows a block diagram of a surgical instrument 750 programmed to control the distal translation of a displacement member, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 750 is programmed to control the distal translation of a displacement member, such as an I-beam 764. The surgical instrument 750 includes an anvil 766, an I-beam 764 (including a sharp cutting blade), and an end effector 752 that may include a removable staple cartridge 768.

The position, movement, displacement, and/or translation of a linear displacement member, such as I-beam 764, can be measured by an absolute positioning system, a sensor mechanism, and a position sensor 784. Because I-beam 764 is coupled to a longitudinally movable drive member, the position of I-beam 764 can be determined by measuring the position of the longitudinally movable drive member using position sensor 784. Accordingly, in the following description, the position, displacement, and/or translation of I-beam 764 can be achieved by position sensor 784 as described herein. Control circuitry 760 can be programmed to control the translation of a displacement member, such as I-beam 764. In some embodiments, control circuitry 760 can comprise one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors for executing instructions that cause a processor or processors to control a displacement member, e.g., I-beam 764, in the manner described. In one aspect, the timer/counter 781 provides an output signal, such as elapsed time or a digital count, to the control circuit 760 to correlate the position of the I-beam 764 determined by the position sensor 784 with the output of the timer/counter 781, such that the control circuit 760 can determine the position of the I-beam 764 at a particular time (t) relative to a starting position. The timer/counter 781 may be configured to measure elapsed time, count external events, or time external events.

The control circuit 760 may generate a motor set point signal 772. The motor set point signal 772 may be provided to the motor controller 758. The motor controller 758 may include one or more circuits configured to provide a motor drive signal 774 to the motor 754 to drive the motor 754, as described herein. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushed DC electric motor. For example, the speed of the motor 754 may be proportional to the motor drive signal 774. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushless DC electric motor, and the motor drive signal 774 may include a PWM signal provided to one or more stator windings of the motor 754. Also, in some examples, the motor controller 758 may be omitted, and the control circuit 760 may directly generate the motor drive signal 774.

The motor 754 can receive power from an energy source 762. The energy source 762 can be or can include a battery, a supercapacitor, or any other suitable energy source. The motor 754 can be mechanically coupled to the I-beam 764 via a transmission mechanism 756. The transmission mechanism 756 can include one or more gears or other coupling components for coupling the motor 754 to the I-beam 764. A position sensor 784 can sense the position of the I-beam 764. The position sensor 784 can be or can include any type of sensor capable of generating position data indicative of the position of the I-beam 764. In some embodiments, the position sensor 784 can include an encoder configured to provide a series of pulses to the control circuitry 760 as the I-beam 764 translates distally and proximally. The control circuitry 760 can track the pulses to determine the position of the I-beam 764. Other suitable position sensors can be used, including, for example, a proximity sensor. Other types of position sensors can provide other signals indicative of the movement of the I-beam 764. Also, in some examples, the position sensor 784 may be omitted. If the motor 754 is a stepper motor, the control circuit 760 can track the position of the I-beam 764 by summing the number and direction of steps the motor 754 is commanded to take. The position sensor 784 can be located within the end effector 752 or in any other part of the instrument.

The control circuitry 760 may be in communication with one or more sensors 788. The sensors 788 may be disposed on the end effector 752 and adapted to operate in conjunction with the surgical instrument 750 to measure various derived parameters, such as gap distance versus time, tissue compression versus time, and anvil strain versus time. The sensors 788 may comprise magnetic sensors, magnetic field sensors, strain gauges, pressure sensors, force sensors, inductive sensors such as eddy current sensors, resistive sensors, capacitive sensors, optical sensors, and/or any other suitable sensors for measuring one or more parameters of the end effector 752. The sensors 788 may include one or more sensors.

The one or more sensors 788 may comprise a strain gauge, such as a micro-strain gauge, configured to measure the magnitude of strain in the anvil 766 during clamping. The strain gauge provides an electrical signal whose amplitude varies with the magnitude of strain. The sensor 788 may comprise a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure generated by the presence of compressed tissue between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. The sensor 788 may be configured to detect the impedance of the tissue portion located between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768, which impedance is indicative of the thickness and/or fullness of the tissue located therebetween.

The sensor 788 may be configured to measure the force exerted on the anvil 766 by the closure drive system. For example, one or more sensors 788 may be located at an interaction point between the closure tube and the anvil 766 to detect the closure force applied to the anvil 766 by the closure tube. The force exerted against the anvil 766 may be representative of tissue compression experienced by tissue portions captured between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. One or more sensors 788 may be positioned at various interaction points along the closure drive system to detect the closure force applied to the anvil 766 by the closure drive system. The one or more sensors 788 may be sampled by a processor in the control circuitry 760 in real time during the clamping operation. The control circuitry 760 receives the real-time sampled measurements to provide and analyze time-based information to assess the closure force applied to the anvil 766 in real time.

A current sensor 786 can be used to measure the current drawn by the motor 754. The force required to advance the I-beam 764 corresponds to the current drawn by the motor 754. The force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the control circuit 760.

The control circuitry 760 can be configured to simulate the response of the actual system of the instrument in the controller software. The displacement member can be actuated to move the I-beam 764 in the end effector 752 at or near a target velocity. The surgical instrument 750 can include a feedback controller, which can be any one of a number of feedback controllers, including, but not limited to, a PID, state feedback, LQR, and/or adaptive controller. The surgical instrument 750 can include a power supply for converting a signal from the feedback controller into a physical input, such as, for example, a case voltage, a PWM voltage, a frequency modulated voltage, a current, a torque, and/or a force.

The actual drive system of the surgical instrument 750 is configured to drive the displacement member, cutting member, or I-beam 764 via a brushed DC motor with a gearbox and mechanical linkage to the articulation and/or knife system. Another example is an electric motor 754 that operates, for example, the displacement member and articulation driver of an interchangeable shaft assembly. External influences are the unmeasured and unpredictable effects of things like tissue, surroundings, and friction on the physical system. These external influences are sometimes referred to as obstacles that act against the electric motor 754. External influences, such as obstacles, can cause the operation of a physical system to deviate from the desired operation of the physical system.

Various exemplary embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument 750 including an end effector 752 having a motor-driven surgical stapling and cutting means. For example, a motor 754 may drive a displacement member distally and proximally along a longitudinal axis of the end effector 752. The end effector 752 may include a pivotable anvil 766 and, when configured for use, a staple cartridge 768 disposed opposite the anvil 766. A clinician may grasp tissue between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768 as described herein. When the instrument 750 is ready for use, the clinician can provide a firing signal, for example, by depressing a trigger on the instrument 750. In response to the firing signal, the motor 754 can drive the displacement member distally along the longitudinal axis of the end effector 752 from a proximal start-of-stroke position to an end-of-stroke position distal to the start-of-stroke position. As the displacement member translates distally, the I-beam 764, having a cutting element disposed at its distal end, can cut tissue between the staple cartridge 768 and the anvil 766.

In various embodiments, the surgical instrument 750 may include a control circuit 760 programmed to control the distal translation of a displacement member, such as an I-beam 764, based on one or more tissue conditions. The control circuit 760 may be programmed to sense tissue conditions, such as thickness, either directly or indirectly, as described herein. The control circuit 760 may be programmed to select a firing control program based on the tissue condition. The firing control program may describe the distal movement of the displacement member. Different firing control programs may be selected to better handle different tissue conditions. For example, when thicker tissue is present, the control circuit 760 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a slower speed and/or with lower power. When thinner tissue is present, the control circuit 760 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a higher speed and/or with higher power.

In some examples, the control circuit 760 may initially operate the motor 754 in an open-loop configuration for a first open-loop portion of the displacement member stroke. Based on the response of the instrument 750 during the open-loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 760 may select a firing control program. The instrument response may include the translation distance of the displacement member during the open-loop portion, the time elapsed during the open-loop portion, the energy provided to the motor 754 during the open-loop portion, the total pulse width of the motor drive signal, etc. After the open-loop portion, the control circuit 760 may implement the selected firing control program for a second portion of the displacement member stroke. For example, during the closed-loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 760 may modulate the motor 754 in a closed-loop manner based on translation data describing the position of the displacement member to translate the displacement member at a constant velocity. Further details are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/720,852, filed September 29, 2017, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A DISPLAY OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 52 is a schematic illustration of a surgical instrument 790 configured to control various functions, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 790 is programmed to control the distal translation of a displacement member, such as an I-beam 764. The surgical instrument 790 includes an end effector 792 that may include an anvil 766, an I-beam 764, and a removable staple cartridge 768 that may be replaced with an RF cartridge 796 (shown in dashed lines).

In one aspect, the sensor 788 may be implemented as a limit switch, an electromechanical device, a solid-state switch, a Hall effect device, an MR device, a GMR device, a magnetometer, among others. In other implementations, the sensor 638 may be a solid-state switch that operates under the influence of light, such as a light sensor, an IR sensor, or an ultraviolet sensor, among others. Additionally, the switch may be a solid-state device such as a transistor (e.g., FET, junction FET, MOSFET, bipolar, etc.). In other implementations, the sensor 788 may include a non-conductor-containing switch, an ultrasonic switch, an accelerometer, and an inertial sensor, among others.

In one aspect, the position sensor 784 may be implemented as an absolute positioning system, comprising a magnetic rotary absolute positioning system implemented as an AS5055EQFT single-chip magnetic rotary position sensor available from Austria Microsystems (AG). The position sensor 784 may be interfaced with the control circuit 760 to provide an absolute positioning system. The position sensor may include multiple Hall effect elements positioned above a magnet and coupled to a CORDIC processor, which implements simple and efficient algorithms for calculating hyperbolic and trigonometric functions, requiring only addition, subtraction, bit shifting, and table lookup operations, also known as the digit-by-digit method and the Boulder algorithm.

In one aspect, the I-beam 764 may be implemented as a knife member comprising a knife body operably supporting a tissue-cutting blade thereon, and may further include anvil engagement tabs or features and channel engagement features or feet. In one aspect, the staple cartridge 768 may be implemented as a standard (mechanical) surgical fastener cartridge. In one aspect, the RF cartridge 796 may be implemented as an RF cartridge. These and other sensor configurations are described in commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/628,175, filed June 20, 2017, entitled "TECHNIQUES FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF MOTOR VELOCITY OF A SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The position, movement, displacement, and/or translation of a linear displacement member, such as I-beam 764, can be measured by an absolute positioning system, sensor mechanism, and position sensor, represented as position sensor 784. Because I-beam 764 is coupled to a longitudinally movable drive member, the position of I-beam 764 can be determined by measuring the position of the longitudinally movable drive member using position sensor 784. Accordingly, in the following description, the position, displacement, and/or translation of I-beam 764 can be achieved by position sensor 784 as described herein. Control circuitry 760 may be programmed to control the translation of a displacement member, such as I-beam 764, as described herein. In some embodiments, control circuitry 760 may comprise one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors for executing instructions that cause a processor or processors to control a displacement member, e.g., I-beam 764, in the manner described. In one aspect, the timer/counter 781 provides an output signal, such as elapsed time or a digital count, to the control circuit 760 to correlate the position of the I-beam 764 determined by the position sensor 784 with the output of the timer/counter 781, such that the control circuit 760 can determine the position of the I-beam 764 at a particular time (t) relative to a starting position. The timer/counter 781 may be configured to measure elapsed time, count external events, or time external events.

The control circuit 760 may generate a motor set point signal 772. The motor set point signal 772 may be provided to the motor controller 758. The motor controller 758 may include one or more circuits configured to provide a motor drive signal 774 to the motor 754 to drive the motor 754, as described herein. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushed DC electric motor. For example, the speed of the motor 754 may be proportional to the motor drive signal 774. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushless DC electric motor, and the motor drive signal 774 may include a PWM signal provided to one or more stator windings of the motor 754. Also, in some examples, the motor controller 758 may be omitted, and the control circuit 760 may directly generate the motor drive signal 774.

The motor 754 can receive power from an energy source 762. The energy source 762 can be or can include a battery, a supercapacitor, or any other suitable energy source. The motor 754 can be mechanically coupled to the I-beam 764 via a transmission mechanism 756. The transmission mechanism 756 can include one or more gears or other coupling components for coupling the motor 754 to the I-beam 764. A position sensor 784 can sense the position of the I-beam 764. The position sensor 784 can be or can include any type of sensor capable of generating position data indicative of the position of the I-beam 764. In some embodiments, the position sensor 784 can include an encoder configured to provide a series of pulses to the control circuitry 760 as the I-beam 764 translates distally and proximally. The control circuitry 760 can track the pulses to determine the position of the I-beam 764. Other suitable position sensors can be used, including, for example, a proximity sensor. Other types of position sensors can provide other signals indicative of the movement of the I-beam 764. Also, in some examples, the position sensor 784 may be omitted. If the motor 754 is a stepper motor, the control circuit 760 can track the position of the I-beam 764 by summing the number and direction of steps the motor is commanded to perform. The position sensor 784 can be located in the end effector 792 or in any other part of the instrument.

The control circuitry 760 may be in communication with one or more sensors 788. The sensors 788 may be disposed on the end effector 792 and adapted to operate in conjunction with the surgical instrument 790 to measure various derived parameters, such as gap distance versus time, tissue compression versus time, and anvil strain versus time. The sensors 788 may comprise magnetic sensors, magnetic field sensors, strain gauges, pressure sensors, force sensors, inductive sensors such as eddy current sensors, resistive sensors, capacitive sensors, optical sensors, and/or any other suitable sensors for measuring one or more parameters of the end effector 792. The sensors 788 may include one or more sensors.

The one or more sensors 788 may comprise a strain gauge, such as a micro-strain gauge, configured to measure the magnitude of strain in the anvil 766 during clamping. The strain gauge provides an electrical signal whose amplitude varies with the magnitude of strain. The sensor 788 may comprise a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure generated by the presence of compressed tissue between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. The sensor 788 may be configured to detect the impedance of the tissue portion located between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768, which impedance is indicative of the thickness and/or fullness of the tissue located therebetween.

The sensor 788 can be configured to measure the force exerted on the anvil 766 by the closure drive system. For example, one or more sensors 788 can be located at an interaction point between the closure tube and the anvil 766 to detect the closure force applied to the anvil 766 by the closure tube. The force exerted against the anvil 766 can be representative of tissue compression experienced by tissue portions captured between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. One or more sensors 788 can be positioned at various interaction points along the closure drive system to detect the closure force applied to the anvil 766 by the closure drive system. The one or more sensors 788 can be sampled in real time during clamping by a processor portion of the control circuitry 760. The control circuitry 760 receives the real-time sampled measurements to provide and analyze time-based information to assess the closure force applied to the anvil 766 in real time.

A current sensor 786 can be used to measure the current drawn by the motor 754. The force required to advance the I-beam 764 corresponds to the current drawn by the motor 754. The force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the control circuit 760.

An RF energy source 794 is coupled to the end effector 792 and is applied to the RF cartridge 796 when the RF cartridge 796 is loaded into the end effector 792 in place of the staple cartridge 768. The control circuit 760 controls the delivery of RF energy to the RF cartridge 796.

Further details are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/636,096, filed June 28, 2017, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM COUPLABLE WITH STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND RADIO FREQUENCY CARTRIDGE, AND METHOD OF USING SAME," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Generator Hardware Figure 53 is a simplified block diagram of a generator 800 configured to provide, among other advantages, inductorless tuning. Additional details of generator 800 are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,060,775, filed June 23, 2015, entitled "SURGICAL GENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Generator 800 may include a patient-isolated stage 802 in communication with a non-isolated stage 804 via a power transformer 806. The secondary winding 808 of the power transformer 806 is housed within the isolation stage 802 and can include a tap configuration (e.g., a center-tapped or non-center-tapped configuration) to define drive signal outputs 810 a, 810 b, 810 c for delivering drive signals to various surgical instruments, such as, for example, ultrasonic surgical instruments, RF electrosurgical instruments, and multifunction surgical instruments including ultrasonic and RF energy modes that can be delivered singly or simultaneously. Specifically, drive signal outputs 810 a, 810 c may output an ultrasonic drive signal (e.g., a 420 V root-mean-square (RMS) drive signal) to an ultrasonic surgical instrument, and drive signal outputs 810 b, 810 c may output an RF electrosurgical drive signal (e.g., a 100 V RMS drive signal) to an RF electrosurgical instrument, with drive signal output 810 b corresponding to the center tap of the power transformer 806.

In certain configurations, ultrasonic and electrosurgical drive signals may be supplied simultaneously to separate surgical instruments and/or to a single surgical instrument, such as a multifunction surgical instrument capable of delivering both ultrasonic and electrosurgical energy to tissue. It will be understood that the electrosurgical signals provided to either dedicated electrosurgical instruments and/or combined multifunction ultrasonic/electrosurgical instruments may be either therapeutic or subtherapeutic signals, with the subtherapeutic signals being used, for example, to monitor tissue or instrument status and provide feedback to the generator. For example, ultrasonic and RF signals may be delivered separately or simultaneously from a generator having a single output port to provide the desired output signal to the surgical instrument, as discussed in more detail below. Thus, the generator can combine ultrasonic and electrosurgical RF energy to deliver combined energy to a multifunction ultrasonic/electrosurgical instrument. Bipolar electrodes may be positioned on one or both jaws of the end effector. One jaw may be driven by ultrasonic energy in addition to electrosurgical RF energy, operating simultaneously. Ultrasonic energy may be used to cut tissue, while electrosurgical RF energy may be used to seal vessels.

The non-isolated stage 804 may include a power amplifier 812 having an output connected to a primary winding 814 of a power transformer 806. In certain embodiments, the power amplifier 812 may include a push-pull amplifier. For example, the non-isolated stage 804 may further include a logic device 816 for providing a digital output to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit 818, which subsequently provides a corresponding analog signal to the input of the power amplifier 812. In certain embodiments, the logic device 816 may include, for example, a programmable gate array (PGA), an FPGA, or a programmable logic device (PLD), among other logic circuits. Thus, the logic device 816 may control any of a number of parameters (e.g., frequency, waveform, waveform amplitude) of the drive signals appearing at the drive signal outputs 810a, 810b, and 810c by controlling the input of the power amplifier 812 via the DAC circuit 818. In certain embodiments, and as described below, the logic device 816, in conjunction with a processor (e.g., a DSP, described below), may implement a number of DSP-based and/or other control algorithms to control parameters of the drive signal output by the generator 800.

Power may be supplied to the power rails of the power amplifier 812 by a switch-mode regulator 820, e.g., a power converter. In particular embodiments, the switch-mode regulator 820 may include, for example, an adjustable buck regulator. The non-isolated stage 804 may further include a first processor 822, which in one embodiment may include, for example, a DSP processor such as the Analog Devices ADSP-21469 SHARC DSP available from Analog Devices (Norwood, MA), although in various embodiments any suitable processor may be used. In particular embodiments, the DSP processor 822 may control the operation of the switch-mode regulator 820 in response to voltage feedback data that the DSP processor 822 receives from the power amplifier 812 via the ADC circuit 824. In one form, for example, the DSP processor 822 may receive as an input via the ADC circuitry 824 the waveform envelope of the signal (e.g., an RF signal) amplified by the power amplifier 812. The DSP processor 822 may then control the switch-mode regulator 820 (e.g., via a PWM output) so that the rail voltages supplied to the power amplifier 812 track the waveform envelope of the amplified signal. By dynamically modulating the rail voltages of the power amplifier 812 based on the waveform envelope, the efficiency of the power amplifier 812 can be significantly improved over fixed rail voltage amplifier schemes.

In certain embodiments, the logic device 816, in conjunction with the DSP processor 822, may implement digital synthesis circuitry, such as a direct digital synthesizer control scheme, to control the waveform shape, frequency, and/or amplitude of the drive signal output by the generator 800. In one embodiment, for example, the logic device 816 may implement a DDS control algorithm by recalling waveform samples stored in a dynamically updated lookup table (LUT), such as a RAM LUT that may be embedded in an FPGA. This control algorithm is particularly useful in ultrasound applications, where an ultrasonic transducer, such as an ultrasonic transducer, can be driven by a well-defined sinusoidal current at its resonant frequency. Because other frequencies may excite parasitic resonances, undesirable resonance effects can be minimized or reduced, corresponding to minimizing or reducing the overall distortion of the operating branch current. Because the waveform shape of the drive signal output by generator 800 is affected by various sources of distortion present within the output drive circuitry (e.g., power transformer 806, power amplifier 812), voltage and current feedback data based on the drive signal can be input to an algorithm, such as an error control algorithm implemented by DSP processor 822, to dynamically and continuously (e.g., in real time) compensate for the distortion by suitably pre-distorting or modifying the waveform samples stored in the LUT. In one form, the amount or degree of pre-distortion applied to the LUT samples may be based on the error between the calculated motional branch current and the desired current waveform, the error being determined on a sample-by-sample basis. In this manner, the pre-distorted LUT samples, when processed through the drive circuitry, may yield a motional branch drive signal having a desired waveform shape (e.g., a sinusoidal wave) for optimally driving the ultrasonic transducer. In such a form, the LUT waveform samples therefore do not represent the desired waveform of the drive signal, but rather represent the waveform required to ultimately produce the desired motional branch drive signal waveform when considering distortion effects.

The non-isolated stage 804 may further include a first ADC circuit 826 and a second ADC circuit 828 coupled to the output of the power transformer 806 via respective isolation transformers 830 and 832 for sampling the voltage and current, respectively, of the drive signal output by the generator 800. In certain embodiments, the ADC circuits 826 and 828 may be configured to sample at a high speed (e.g., 80 mega samples per second (MSPS)) to enable oversampling of the drive signal. In one embodiment, for example, the sampling rate of the ADC circuits 826 and 828 may enable approximately 200x (depending on frequency) oversampling of the drive signal. In certain embodiments, the sampling operation of the ADC circuits 826 and 828 may be performed by a single ADC circuit that receives the input voltage and current signals via a bidirectional multiplexer. The use of high-speed sampling in configurations of generator 800 can enable, among other things, calculation of complex currents flowing through the motional branch (which may be used in certain configurations to implement the DDS-based waveform shape control described above), accurate digital filtering of the sampled signals, and calculation of actual power consumption with high precision. The voltage and current feedback data output by ADC circuits 826, 828 can be received and processed (e.g., first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffers, multiplexers) by logic device 816 and may be stored in data memory for subsequent retrieval, for example, by DSP processor 822. As noted above, the voltage and current feedback data can be used as input to algorithms to pre-distort or modify LUT waveform samples on a dynamic and ongoing basis. In certain configurations, this may require that each stored voltage and current feedback data pair be indexed based on or otherwise relative to the corresponding LUT sample output by logic device 816 when the voltage and current feedback data pair is obtained. Synchronizing the LUT samples with the voltage and current feedback data in this manner contributes to the precise timing and stability of the predistortion algorithm.

In certain embodiments, the voltage and current feedback data may be used to control the frequency and/or amplitude (e.g., current amplitude) of the drive signal. For example, in one embodiment, the voltage and current feedback data may be used to determine the impedance phase. The frequency of the drive signal may then be controlled to minimize or reduce the difference between the determined impedance phase and the impedance phase setpoint (e.g., 0°), thus minimizing or reducing the effects of harmonic distortion and correspondingly improving impedance phase measurement accuracy. The determination of the phase impedance and frequency control signal may be implemented, for example, in the DSP processor 822, with the frequency control signal provided as an input to a DDS control algorithm implemented by the logic device 816.

In another embodiment, for example, current feedback data may be monitored to maintain the current amplitude of the drive signal at a current amplitude set point. The current amplitude set point may be specified directly or may be indirectly determined based on specified voltage amplitude and power set points. In a particular embodiment, control of the current amplitude may be performed by a control algorithm, such as, for example, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm in the DSP processor 822. To suitably control the current amplitude of the drive signal, variables controlled by the control algorithm may include, for example, the scaling of the LUT waveform samples stored in the logic device 816 and/or the full-scale output voltage of the DAC circuit 818 (which provides an input to the power amplifier 812) via the DAC circuit 834.

The non-isolated stage 804 may further include a second processor 836 to provide, among other things, user interface (UI) functionality. In one form, the UI processor 836 may include, for example, an Atmel AT91SAM9263 processor with an ARM 926EJ-S core, available from Atmel Corporation (San Jose, California). Examples of UI functionality supported by the UI processor 836 may include audible and visual user feedback, communication with peripheral devices (e.g., via a USB interface), communication with a foot switch, communication with an input device (e.g., a touchscreen display), and communication with an output device (e.g., a speaker). The UI processor 836 may communicate with the DSP processor 822 and the logic device 816 (e.g., via an SPI bus). The UI processor 836 may primarily support UI functions, but in certain configurations may also perform hazard mitigation in cooperation with the DSP processor 822. For example, the UI processor 836 may be programmed to monitor various aspects of user input and/or other input (e.g., touchscreen input, footswitch input, temperature sensor input) and may disable the drive output of the generator 800 if an erroneous condition is detected.

In certain embodiments, both the DSP processor 822 and the UI processor 836 may, for example, determine and monitor the operating state of the generator 800. With respect to the DSP processor 822, the operating state of the generator 800 may represent, for example, which control and/or diagnostic processes are being performed by the DSP processor 822. With respect to the UI processor 836, the operating state of the generator 800 may represent, for example, which elements of the UI (e.g., display screen, sound) are being presented to the user. The DSP processor 822 and the UI processor 836 may each separately maintain the current operating state of the generator 800 and recognize and evaluate possible transitions from the current operating state. The DSP processor 822 may act as a master in this relationship and determine when transitions between operating states occur. The UI processor 836 may recognize valid transitions between operating states and may verify whether a particular transition is appropriate. For example, when the DSP processor 822 commands the UI processor 836 to transition to a particular state, the UI processor 836 may verify that the requested transition is valid. If the requested transition between states is determined to be invalid by the UI processor 836, the UI processor 836 may place the generator 800 in a failure mode.

The non-isolated stage 804 may further include a controller 838 for monitoring input devices (e.g., capacitive touch sensors used to turn the generator 800 on and off, capacitive touch screen). In certain embodiments, the controller 838 may include at least one processor and/or other controller device in communication with the UI processor 836. In one embodiment, for example, the controller 838 may include a processor (e.g., a Meg168 8-bit controller available from Atmel) configured to monitor user input provided via one or more capacitive touch sensors. In one embodiment, the controller 838 may include a touch screen controller (e.g., a QT5480 touch screen controller available from Atmel) for controlling and managing the acquisition of touch data from the capacitive touch screen.

In certain configurations, when the generator 800 is in the "power off" state, the controller 838 may continue to receive operating power (e.g., via a line from a power source of the generator 800, such as the power source 854 described below). In this manner, the controller 838 may continue to monitor an input device (e.g., a capacitive touch sensor located on the front panel of the generator 800) for turning the generator 800 on and off. When the generator 800 is in the power off state, the controller 838 may activate a power source (e.g., enable operation of one or more DC-DC voltage converters 856 of the power source 854) if activation of the "on/off" input device by a user is detected. As a result, the controller 838 may initiate a sequence to transition the generator 800 to the "power on" state. Conversely, if activation of the "on/off" input device is detected while the generator 800 is in the power on state, the controller 838 may initiate a sequence to transition the generator 800 to the power off state. In certain embodiments, for example, the controller 838 may report activation of an "on/off" input device to the UI processor 836, which then performs the process sequence necessary to transition the generator 800 to a power-off state. In such embodiments, the controller 838 may not have a separate capability to remove power from the generator 800 after the generator 800's power-on state has been established.

In certain forms, the controller 838 may cause the generator 800 to provide audible or other sensory feedback to alert the user that a power-on or power-off sequence has begun. Such an alert may be provided at the start of the power-on or power-off sequence and prior to the start of other processes associated with the sequence.

In certain forms, the isolated stage 802 may include an instrument interface circuit 840 to provide a communications interface between, for example, the surgical instrument's control circuitry (e.g., control circuitry including the handpiece switches) and components of the non-isolated stage 804, such as, for example, the logic device 816, the DSP processor 822, and/or the UI processor 836. The instrument interface circuit 840 may exchange information with the components of the non-isolated stage 804 via a communications link that maintains a suitable degree of electrical isolation between the isolated stage 802 and the non-isolated stage 804, such as, for example, an IR-based communications link. For example, the instrument interface circuit 840 may be powered using a low-dropout voltage regulator powered by an isolation transformer driven from the non-isolated stage 804.

In one form, the instrument interface circuit 840 may include a logic circuit 842 (e.g., logic circuit, programmable logic circuit, PGA, FPGA, PLD) in communication with a signal conditioning circuit 844. The signal conditioning circuit 844 may be configured to receive a periodic signal (e.g., a 2 kHz square wave) from the logic circuit 842 to generate a bipolar interrogation signal having the same frequency. The interrogation signal may be generated using, for example, a bipolar current source fed by a differential amplifier. The interrogation signal may be communicated to a surgical instrument control circuit (e.g., by using a conductor pair in a cable connecting the generator 800 to the surgical instrument) and monitored to determine the state or configuration of the control circuit. The control circuit may include multiple switches, resistors, and/or diodes and may modify one or more characteristics of the interrogation signal (e.g., amplitude, rectification) such that the state or configuration of the control circuit is individually identifiable based on the one or more characteristics. In one form, for example, the signal conditioning circuitry 844 may include an ADC circuit for generating samples of the voltage signal appearing across the input of the control circuit resulting from the path traversed by the interrogation signal. The logic circuitry 842 (or components of the non-isolated stage 804) may then determine the state or configuration of the control circuit based on the ADC circuit samples.

In one form, the instrument interface circuit 840 may include a first data circuit interface 846 to enable the exchange of information between the logic circuit 842 (or other elements of the instrument interface circuit 840) and a first data circuit disposed within or otherwise associated with the surgical instrument. In certain forms, for example, the first data circuit may be disposed within a cable or adapter integrally attached to a surgical instrument handpiece for interfacing with a particular surgical instrument type or model with the generator 800. The first data circuit may be implemented in any suitable manner and may communicate with the generator according to any suitable protocol, including, for example, those described herein with respect to the first data circuit. In certain forms, the first data circuit may include a non-volatile storage device, such as an EEPROM device. In certain forms, the first data circuit interface 846 may be implemented separately from the logic circuit 842 and may include suitable circuitry (e.g., a separate logic device, processor) to enable communication between the logic circuit 842 and the first data circuit. Alternatively, the first data circuit interface 846 may be integral with the logic circuit 842.

In certain configurations, the first data circuit may store information regarding the particular surgical instrument with which the first data circuit is associated. Such information may include, for example, a model number, a serial number, the number of operations the surgical instrument has been used in, and/or any other type of information. This information may be read by the instrument interface circuit 840 (e.g., by the logic circuit 842) and communicated to components of the non-isolated stage 804 (e.g., the logic device 816, the DSP processor 822, and/or the UI processor 836) for presentation to a user via an output device and/or for control of the function or operation of the generator 800. Additionally, any type of information may be communicated to the first data circuit (e.g., using the logic circuit 842) via the first data circuit interface 846 for internal storage. Such information may include, for example, the most recent number of operations the surgical instrument has been used in and/or the date and/or time of its use.

As noted above, surgical instruments may be detachable from the handpiece to facilitate instrument interchangeability and/or disposability (e.g., multi-function surgical instruments may be detachable from the handpiece). In such cases, conventional generators may be limited in their ability to recognize the particular instrument configuration being used and correspondingly optimize their control and diagnostic processes. However, adding readable data circuitry to the surgical instrument to address this issue presents compatibility challenges. For example, designing a surgical instrument to be backward compatible with generators lacking the necessary data read functionality may be impractical due to, for example, different signaling schemes, design complexity, and expense. The instrument configurations discussed herein address these concerns by economically using data circuitry that may be implemented in existing surgical instruments and minimizing design changes to maintain compatibility of the surgical instrument with modern generator platforms.

Additionally, configurations of the generator 800 may enable communication with instrument-based data circuitry. For example, the generator 800 may be configured to communicate with a second data circuit housed within an instrument (e.g., a multifunction surgical instrument). In some configurations, the second data circuit may be implemented in many similar ways to the first data circuit described herein. The instrument interface circuit 840 may include a second data circuit interface 848 that enables this communication. In one configuration, the second data circuit interface 848 may include a tri-state digital interface, although other interfaces may also be used. In certain configurations, the second data circuit may generally be any circuitry for transmitting and/or receiving data. In one configuration, for example, the second data circuit may store information regarding the particular surgical instrument with which the second data circuit is associated. Such information may include, for example, the model number, serial number, the number of operations the surgical instrument has been used in, and/or any other type of information.

In some embodiments, the second data circuit may store information regarding the electrical and/or ultrasonic characteristics of the associated ultrasonic transducer, end effector, or ultrasonic drive system. For example, the first data circuit may indicate a burn-in frequency slope, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, any type of information may be communicated (e.g., using logic circuit 842) to the second data circuit for internal storage via second data circuit interface 848. Such information may include, for example, the most recent number of operations the instrument was used for and/or the date and/or time of that use. In certain embodiments, the second data circuit may transmit data obtained by one or more sensors (e.g., instrument-based temperature sensors). In certain embodiments, the second data circuit may receive data from the generator 800 and provide an indication (e.g., a light-emitting diode indication or other visual indication) to the user based on the received data.

In certain embodiments, the second data circuit and second data circuit interface 848 can be configured to allow communication between the logic circuit 842 and the second data circuit without the need to provide additional conductors for this purpose (e.g., dedicated conductors in the cable connecting the handpiece to the generator 800). In one embodiment, information can be communicated to and from the second data circuit using a one-wire bus communication scheme implemented on existing cable wiring, for example, with one of the conductors used transmitting an interrogation signal from the signal conditioning circuit 844 to the control circuitry in the handpiece. In this manner, design changes or modifications to the surgical instrument that might otherwise be required are minimized or reduced. Furthermore, because different types of communications conducted on a common physical channel can be frequency-band separated, the presence of the second data circuit is "invisible" to generators that do not have the necessary data reading capabilities, thus enabling backward compatibility of the surgical instrument.

In certain embodiments, the isolation stage 802 may include at least one blocking capacitor 850-1 connected to the drive signal output 810b to prevent direct current from passing through the patient. A single blocking capacitor may be required, for example, to comply with medical regulations or standards. While failure in a single-capacitor design is relatively rare, such failure may nonetheless have negative consequences. In one embodiment, a second blocking capacitor 850-2 may be provided in series with the blocking capacitor 850-1, and current leakage from a point between the blocking capacitors 850-1 and 850-2 is monitored, for example, by an ADC circuit 852 to sample the voltage induced by the leakage current. The samples may be received, for example, by the logic circuit 842. Based on the change in leakage current (as indicated by the voltage sample), the generator 800 can determine when at least one of the blocking capacitors 850-1, 850-2 has failed, thus providing an advantage over single-capacitor designs with a single point of failure.

In certain embodiments, the non-isolated stage 804 may include a power supply 854 for delivering DC power at a suitable voltage and current. The power supply may include, for example, a 400 W power supply for delivering a 48 VDC system voltage. The power supply 854 may further include one or more DC/DC voltage converters 856 for receiving the output of the power supply and generating a DC output at the voltage and current required by the various components of the generator 800. As described above in connection with the controller 838, one or more of the DC/DC voltage converters 856 may receive input from the controller 838 to enable or activate operation of the DC/DC voltage converter 856 when activation of an "on/off" input device by a user is detected by the controller 838.

Figure 54 shows an example of generator 900, which is a form of generator 800 (Figure 53). Generator 900 is configured to deliver multiple energy modalities to a surgical instrument. Generator 900 provides RF and ultrasonic signals, either alone or simultaneously, for delivering energy to the surgical instrument. RF and ultrasonic signals may be provided alone or in combination, or simultaneously. As described above, at least one generator output can deliver multiple energy modalities (e.g., ultrasound, bipolar or monopolar RF, irreversible and/or reversible electroporation, and/or microwave energy, among others) through a single port, and these signals can be delivered individually or simultaneously to an end effector to treat tissue.

The generator 900 includes a processor 902 coupled to a waveform generator 904. The processor 902 and waveform generator 904 are configured to generate various signal waveforms based on information stored in a memory (not shown for clarity of disclosure) coupled to the processor 902. Digital information related to the waveforms is provided to the waveform generator 904, which includes one or more DAC circuits for converting the digital input to an analog output. The analog output is supplied to an amplifier 1106 for signal conditioning and amplification. The conditioned and amplified output of the amplifier 906 is coupled to a power transformer 908. The signal is coupled across the power transformer 908 to a secondary on the patient-isolated side. A first signal of a first energy modality is provided to the surgical instrument between terminals labeled ENERGY1 and RETURN. A second signal of the second energy modality is coupled across capacitor 910 and provided to the surgical instrument between terminals labeled ENERGY2 and RETURN. It will be understood that more than two energy modalities may be output, and thus the subscript "n" may be used to indicate that up to n ENERGYn terminals may be provided, where n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. It will also be understood that up to "n" return paths (RETURNn) may be provided without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

A first voltage sense circuit 912 is coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY1 and RETURN PATH and measures the output voltage therebetween. A second voltage sense circuit 924 is coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY2 and RETURN PATH and measures the output voltage therebetween. A current sense circuit 914 is disposed in series with the RETURN section of the secondary side of the illustrated power transformer 908 to measure the output current of either energy modality. If different return paths are provided for each energy modality, a separate current sense circuit must be provided in each return section. The outputs of the first voltage sense circuit 912 and the second voltage sense circuit 924 are provided to corresponding isolation transformers 916, 922, and the output of the current sense circuit 914 is provided to another isolation transformer 918. The outputs of isolation transformers 916, 928, 922 on the primary side (non-patient-isolated side) of power transformer 908 are provided to one or more ADC circuits 926. The digitized output of ADC circuit 926 is provided to processor 902 for further processing and calculations. Output voltage and output current feedback information can be used to adjust the output voltage and current provided to the surgical instrument and to calculate output impedance, among other parameters. Input/output communication between processor 902 and the patient-isolated circuitry is provided via interface circuit 920. Sensors may also be in electrical communication with processor 902 via interface circuit 920.

In one aspect, impedance may be determined by the processor 902 by dividing the output of either the first voltage sensing circuit 912 coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY1/RETURN or the second voltage sensing circuit 924 coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY2/RETURN by the output of a current sensing circuit 914 disposed in series with the RETURN section of the secondary side of the power transformer 908. The outputs of the first voltage sensing circuit 912 and the second voltage sensing circuit 924 are provided to separate isolation transformers 916, 922, and the output of the current sensing circuit 914 is provided to another isolation transformer 916. Digitized voltage and current sense measurements from the ADC circuit 926 are provided to the processor 902 to calculate the impedance. By way of example, the first energy modality ENERGY1 may be ultrasound energy and the second energy modality ENERGY2 may be RF energy. Nevertheless, in addition to ultrasound energy modalities and bipolar or monopolar RF energy modalities, other energy modalities include irreversible and/or reversible electroporation and/or microwave energy, among others. Also, while the example illustrated in FIG. 54 shows that a single return path RETURN may be provided to two or more energy modalities, in other aspects, multiple return paths RETURNn may be provided to each energy modality ENERGYn. Thus, as described herein, the impedance of the ultrasound transducer may be measured by dividing the output of the first voltage sensing circuit 912 by the current sensing circuit 914, and the impedance of the tissue may be measured by dividing the output of the second voltage sensing circuit 924 by the current sensing circuit 914.

As shown in FIG. 54 , a generator 900 including at least one output port can include a power transformer 908 with a single output and multiple taps to provide power to an end effector in the form of one or more energy modalities, such as ultrasound, bipolar or monopolar RF, irreversible and/or reversible electroporation, and/or microwave energy, among others, depending on the type of tissue treatment being performed. For example, the generator 900 can deliver energy at high voltage and low current to drive an ultrasonic transducer, at low voltage and high current to drive an RF electrode for tissue sealing, or in a coagulation waveform for spot coagulation, using either monopolar or bipolar RF electrosurgical electrodes. The output waveform from the generator 900 can be directed, switched, or filtered to provide the frequency to the end effector of the surgical instrument. The connection of the ultrasonic transducer to the generator 900 output would preferably be located between the outputs labeled ENERGY1 and RETURN shown in FIG. 54 . In one embodiment, the connection to the output of the RF bipolar electrode generator 900 would preferably be located between the output labeled ENERGY2 and the output labeled RETURN. In the case of a unipolar output, the preferred connection would be the active electrode (e.g., a pencil or other probe) to suitable return pads connected to the ENERGY2 and RETURN outputs.

Further details are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0086914, published March 30, 2017, entitled "TECHNIQUES FOR OPERATING GENERATOR FOR DIGITALLY GENERATING ELECTRICAL SIGNAL WAVEFORMS AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As used throughout this description, the term "wireless" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communication channels, etc. that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation over a non-solid medium. This term does not imply that the associated devices do not include any wires, although in some aspects they may not be present. The communication module may implement any of a number of wireless or wired communication standards or protocols, including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, Ethernet derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless and wired protocols designated 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The computing module may include multiple communication modules. For example, a first communication module may be dedicated to short-range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a second communication module may be dedicated to long-range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, and Ev-DO.

As used herein, a processor or processing unit is an electronic circuit that performs operations on some external data source (usually memory) or some other data stream. The term is used herein to refer to a system that combines many dedicated "processors" or the central processor (central processing unit) within a computer system, particularly a system-on-chip (SoC).

As used herein, a system on a chip or system on a chip (SoC or SOC) is an integrated circuit (also known as an "IC" or "chip") that integrates all the components of a computer or other electronic system. It can include digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often high-frequency functionality, all on a single substrate. SoCs integrate a microcontroller (or microprocessor) with modern peripherals such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), Wi-Fi module, or coprocessor. SoCs may or may not include embedded memory.

As used herein, a microcontroller or controller is a system that integrates a microprocessor with peripheral circuits and memory. A microcontroller (or MCU for microcontroller unit) may be implemented as a small computer on a single integrated circuit. This may be similar to an SoC, which may include a microcontroller as one of its components. A microcontroller may house one or more core processing units (CPUs) along with memory and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory and a small amount of RAM in the form of ferroelectric RAM, NOR flash, or OTP ROM are often also included on the chip. Microcontrollers may be employed for embedded applications, as opposed to microprocessors used in personal computers or other general-purpose applications, which are made up of various individual chips.

As used herein, the term controller or microcontroller may refer to a standalone IC or chip device that interfaces with a peripheral device. It may also be the link between two parts: a computer or controller on an external device that manages the operation of (and connections with) that device.

Any of the processors or microcontrollers described herein may be any single-core or multi-core processor, such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex manufactured by Texas Instruments. In one aspect, the processor may be, for example, an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F processor core available from Texas Instruments. The processor core includes 256KB of on-chip memory of single-cycle flash memory or other non-volatile memory at up to 40MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance beyond 40MHz, 32KB of single-cycle serial random access memory (SRAM), internal read-only memory (ROM) with StellarisWare® software, 2KB of electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), one or more pulse-width modulation (PWM) modules, one or more quadrature encoder input (QEI) analogs, and one or more 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with 12 analog input channels. More details are available in the product datasheet.

In one aspect, the processor may include a safety controller, including two controller families such as the TMS570 and RM4x, also known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, manufactured by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be specifically configured for IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety limit applications, among others, to provide advanced integrated safety mechanisms while offering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

Modular devices include modules (e.g., as described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 9 ) that are receivable within a surgical hub, and surgical devices or instruments that can be connected to various modules to connect or pair with corresponding surgical hubs. Modular devices include, for example, intelligent surgical instruments, medical imaging devices, suction/irrigation devices, smoke evacuators, energy generators, ventilators, aspirators, and displays. The modular devices described herein can be controlled by control algorithms. The control algorithms can execute on the modular device itself, on the surgical hub to which a particular modular device is paired, or on both the modular device and the surgical hub (e.g., via a distributed computing architecture). In some examples, the modular device's control algorithm controls the device based on data sensed by the modular device itself (i.e., by sensors within, on, or connected to the modular device). This data can be related to the patient during surgery (e.g., tissue characteristics or insufflation pressure) or to the modular device itself (e.g., advancing knife speed, motor current, or energy level). For example, a control algorithm for a surgical stapling and severing instrument may control the speed at which the instrument's motor drives the knife through tissue based on the resistance offered by the knife as it advances.

Contextual Awareness Contextual awareness is the ability of some aspects of a surgical system to determine or infer information relevant to a surgical procedure from data received from a database and/or instrument. Information may include the type of procedure being performed, the type of tissue being operated on, or the body cavity that is the target of the procedure. Contextual information related to a surgical procedure may enable a surgical system to, for example, improve how it controls modular devices (e.g., robotic arms and/or robotic surgical tools) connected to it and provide contextualized information or suggestions to the surgeon during the course of a surgical procedure.

Referring now to FIG. 55, a timeline 5200 illustrating the situational awareness of a hub, such as surgical hub 106 or 206, is shown. Timeline 5200 illustrates an exemplary surgical procedure and the contextual information that surgical hub 106, 206 can derive from data received from data sources at each step of the surgical procedure. Timeline 5200 illustrates the typical steps that nurses, surgeons, and other medical personnel may take during a lung segmentectomy surgery, beginning with setting up the operating room and concluding with transporting the patient to a post-operative recovery room.

The context-aware surgical hub 106, 206 receives data from data sources throughout the course of a surgical procedure, including data generated each time medical personnel use a modular device paired with the surgical hub 106, 206. The surgical hub 106, 206 receives this data from the paired modular device and other data sources. As new data is received, such as which step of the procedure is being performed at any given time, inferences (i.e., context information) regarding the ongoing procedure can be continuously derived. The context-aware system of the surgical hub 106, 206 can, for example, record data regarding the procedure to generate a report, verify steps being taken by medical personnel, provide data or prompts (e.g., via a display screen) that may be relevant to a particular procedure step, adjust the modular device based on the context (e.g., activate a monitor, adjust the field of view (FOV) of a medical imaging device, or change the energy level of an ultrasonic surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument), and any other such actions described above.

As a first step 5202 in this exemplary procedure, hospital personnel retrieve the patient's Electronic Medical Record (EMR) from the hospital's EMR database. Based on selected patient data in the EMR, the surgical hub 106, 206 determines that the procedure to be performed is a thoracic procedure.

In a second step 5204, the personnel scans the incoming medical supplies for the procedure. The surgical hub 106, 206 cross-references the scanned supplies with a list of supplies utilized in various types of procedures to verify that the combination of supplies is compatible with the thoracic procedure. Additionally, the surgical hub 106, 206 may also determine that the procedure is not a wedge procedure (either because the incoming supplies do not include the specific supplies required for a thoracic wedge procedure or are otherwise not compatible with a thoracic wedge procedure).

In a third step 5206, medical personnel scan the patient's band via a scanner communicatively connected to the surgical hub 106, 206. The surgical hub 106, 206 can then verify the patient's identity based on the scanned data.

In a fourth step 5208, the medical staff turns on the auxiliary devices. The auxiliary devices utilized may vary depending on the type of surgical procedure and the technology used by the surgeon, but in this exemplary case, they include a smoke evacuator, an aspirator, and a medical imaging device. When the auxiliary device is activated, the modular auxiliary device may automatically pair with the surgical hub 106, 206 located within a specific proximity of the modular device as part of its initialization process. The surgical hub 106, 206 can then derive contextual information about the surgical procedure by detecting the type of modular device paired with it during this pre-operative or initialization phase. In this particular example, the surgical hub 106, 206 determines that the surgical procedure is a VATS procedure based on this particular combination of paired modular devices. Based on data from the patient's EMR, a list of medical supplies used in the procedure, and the combination of the types of modular devices connecting to the hub, the surgical hub 106, 206 can roughly deduce the specific procedure the surgical team will perform. Once the surgical hub 106, 206 knows what particular procedure is being performed, it can then retrieve the steps of that procedure from memory or from the cloud and then cross-reference data subsequently received from connected data sources (e.g., modular devices and patient monitors) to deduce which steps of the surgical procedure the surgical team is performing.

In a fifth step 5210, personnel attach EKG electrodes and other patient monitoring devices to the patient. The EKG electrodes and other patient monitoring devices may be paired with the surgical hub 106, 206. When the surgical hub 106, 206 begins receiving data from the patient monitoring devices, the surgical hub 106, 206 confirms that the patient is in the operating room.

In a sixth step 5212, medical personnel anesthetize the patient. The surgical hub 106, 206 can estimate that the patient is under anesthesia based on data from the modular devices and/or patient monitoring devices, including, for example, EKG data, blood pressure data, ventilator data, or a combination thereof. Upon completion of the sixth step 5212, the pre-operative portion of the lung segmentectomy surgery is complete and the operative portion begins.

In a seventh step 5214, the patient's lung being operated on is collapsed (while ventilation is switched to the contralateral lung). The surgical hub 106, 206 can, for example, infer from ventilator data that the patient's lung has been collapsed. The surgical hub 106, 206 can compare the detection of the patient's collapsed lung with the expected steps of the procedure (which may be accessed or retrieved in advance) and therefore infer that the surgical portion of the procedure has already begun, thereby determining that collapsing the lung is the first surgical step in this particular procedure.

In an eighth step 5216, a medical imaging device (e.g., a scope) is inserted and video feed from the medical imaging device is initiated. The surgical hub 106, 206 receives medical imaging device data (i.e., video or image data) through the connection to the medical imaging device. Upon receiving the medical imaging device data, the surgical hub 106, 206 can determine that the laparoscopic portion of the surgical procedure has begun. Additionally, the surgical hub 106, 206 can determine that the particular procedure being performed is a segmentectomy as opposed to a lobectomy (note that a wedge procedure was already ruled out by the surgical hub 106, 206 based on the data received in the second step 5204 of the procedure). Data from the medical imaging device 124 (FIG. 33) may be used in many different ways to determine contextual information regarding the type of procedure being performed. For example, it may be used to determine the angle at which a medical imaging device is oriented relative to a visualization of the patient's anatomy, monitor the number of medical imaging devices being used (i.e., activated and paired with the surgical hub 106, 206), and monitor the type of visualization device being used. For example, one technique for performing a VATS lobectomy positions the camera above the diaphragm in the anterior-inferior corner of the patient's chest cavity, while one technique for performing a VATS segmentectomy positions the camera in an intercostal position anterior to the segmental fissure. For example, using pattern recognition or machine learning techniques, the situational awareness system may be trained to recognize the location of the medical imaging device based on a visualization of the patient's anatomy. As another example, one technique for performing a VATS lobectomy utilizes a single medical imaging device, while another technique for performing a VATS segmentectomy utilizes multiple cameras. As yet another example, one technique for performing a VATS segmentectomy uses an infrared light source (which may be communicatively coupled to the surgical hub as part of the visualization system) to visualize the segmental fissure, but this is not used in a VATS lobectomy. By tracking any or all of this data from the medical imaging device, the surgical hub 106, 206 can determine the particular type of surgical procedure being performed and/or the technique being used for the particular type of surgical procedure.

In a ninth step 5218, the surgical team begins the dissection step of the procedure. Because the surgical hub 106, 206 receives data from the RF or ultrasonic generator indicating that an energy instrument is being fired, it can infer that the surgeon is in the process of dissecting and mobilizing the patient's lungs. The surgical hub 106, 206 can cross-reference the received data with the retrieved steps of the surgical procedure and determine that the energy instrument being fired at this point in the process (i.e., after the steps of the procedure described above have been completed) corresponds to the dissection step. In a particular example, the energy instrument may be an energy tool attached to a robotic arm of a robotic surgical system.

In a tenth step 5220, the surgical team proceeds to the ligation step of the procedure. Because the surgical hub 106, 206 receives data from the surgical stapling and severing instrument indicating that the instrument is being fired, it can infer that the surgeon is currently ligating an artery and vein. As with the previous step, the surgical hub 106, 206 can derive this inference by cross-referencing the receipt of data from the surgical stapling and severing instrument with the step in the retrieved process. In a specific example, the surgical instrument may be a surgical tool attached to a robotic arm of a robotic surgical system.

In an eleventh step 5222, the segmental resection portion of the procedure is performed. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the surgeon is transecting parenchymal tissue based on data from the surgical stapling and severing instrument, including data from its cartridge. The cartridge data can correspond, for example, to the size or type of staples fired by the instrument. Because different types of staples are utilized for different types of tissue, the cartridge data can indicate the type of tissue being stapled and/or transected. In this case, the type of staples fired is utilized for parenchymal tissue (or other similar tissue type), thereby enabling the surgical hub 106, 206 to infer that the segmental resection portion of the procedure is being performed.

Next, in a twelfth step 5224, a node dissection step is performed. Based on data received from the generator indicating that an RF or ultrasonic instrument is being fired, the surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the surgical team is dissecting the node and performing a leak test. For this particular procedure, the RF or ultrasonic instrument used after the parenchymal tissue is transected corresponds to the node dissection step, thereby enabling the surgical hub 106, 206 to make this inference. Note that surgeons regularly alternate between surgical stapling/severing instruments and surgical energy (i.e., RF or ultrasonic) instruments depending on the particular step during the procedure, as different instruments are better suited for specific tasks. Thus, the particular sequence in which the stapling/severing instruments and surgical energy instruments are used can indicate which step of the procedure the surgeon is performing. Furthermore, in certain instances, a robotic tool may be used for one or more steps during the surgical procedure, and/or a handheld surgical instrument may be used for one or more steps during the surgical procedure. The surgeon(s) can, for example, alternate between using robotic tools and handheld surgical instruments and/or use the devices simultaneously. Once the twelfth step 5224 is completed, the incisions are closed and the post-operative portion of the procedure begins.

In a thirteenth step 5226, the patient is awakened from anesthesia. The surgical hub 106, 206 can estimate that the patient is awakening from anesthesia, for example, based on ventilator data (i.e., the patient's breathing rate begins to increase).

Finally, the fourteenth step 5228 is for medical personnel to remove the various patient monitoring devices from the patient. Thus, the surgical hub 106, 206 can presume that the patient is being transferred to a recovery room when the hub loses EKG, BP, and other data from the patient monitoring devices. As can be seen from this exemplary procedure description, based on data received from various data sources communicatively coupled to the surgical hub 106, 206, the surgical hub 106, 206 can determine or presume when each step of a given surgical procedure is occurring.

Situational awareness is further described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,341, filed December 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In certain examples, the operation of a robotic surgical system, including, for example, the various robotic surgical systems disclosed herein, may be controlled by the hub 106, 206 based on its situational awareness and/or feedback from its components and/or based on information from the cloud 104.

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are illustrated in the following numbered examples.

Example 1: A method for evacuation of particulates from a surgical site is disclosed. The method includes communicatively connecting a particulate evacuation module and a surgical hub, where the surgical hub includes a surgical hub housing and the particulate evacuation module is configured to be received within the surgical hub housing. The method further includes removing particulates from the surgical site into the particulate evacuation module, analyzing the removed particulates, and modifying operation of the particulate evacuation module based on the analysis of the removed particulates.

Example 2: The method of Example 1, further comprising attaching the generator module to a surgical hub housing.

Example 3: The method of Example 2, further comprising communicatively connecting the generator module and the particulate emission module.

Example 4: The method of any one of Examples 2 and 3, further comprising connecting the generator module to at least one of a monopolar device, a bipolar device, and an ultrasound device.

Example 5: The method of any one of Examples 2-4, further comprising modifying operation of the generator module based on analysis of the removed particulates.

Example 6: The method of any one of Examples 2 to 5, wherein the generator module comprises multiple sub-generator modules, and the surgical hub is configured to facilitate communication between the sub-generator modules, enabling the sub-generator modules to function as a single generator module.

Example 7: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the particulate removal module includes a fluid line, the end of which terminates within the surgical hub housing.

Example 8: A method for evacuating particulates from a surgical site is disclosed. The method includes connecting a particulate evacuation module and a surgical hub, the surgical hub including a surgical hub housing, and the particulate evacuation module configured to be received within the surgical hub housing. The method further includes actuating a surgical instrument within the surgical site, drawing particulates from the surgical site into the particulate evacuation module, analyzing the removed particulates, and modifying operating parameters of the particulate evacuation module based on the analysis of the particulates.

Example 9: The method of Example 8, wherein the surgical instrument comprises at least one of a monopolar device, a bipolar device, and an ultrasonic device.

Example 10: The method of any one of Examples 8 and 9, further comprising attaching the generator module to a surgical hub housing.

Example 11: The method of Example 10, further comprising communicatively connecting the generator module and the smoke evacuation module.

Example 12: The method of any one of Examples 10 and 11, further comprising connecting the generator module to at least one of a monopolar device, a bipolar device, and an ultrasound device.

Example 13: The method of any one of Examples 10-12, further comprising modifying operation of the generator module based on analysis of the particulates.

Example 14: The method of any one of Examples 10-13, wherein the generator module comprises multiple sub-generator modules, and the surgical hub is configured to facilitate communication between the sub-generator modules, enabling the sub-generator modules to function as a single generator module.

Example 15: A method for evacuating smoke from a surgical site is disclosed. The method includes connecting a smoke evacuation module and a surgical hub, where the surgical hub includes a surgical hub housing and the smoke evacuation module is configured to be received within the surgical hub housing. The method further includes inserting components of the smoke evacuation module into the surgical site, removing smoke from the surgical site, analyzing the removed smoke, and modifying operation of the smoke evacuation module based on the analysis of the removed smoke.

Example 16: The method of Example 15, further comprising attaching the generator module to a surgical hub housing.

Example 17: The method of Example 16, further comprising connecting the generator module and the smoke evacuation module.

Example 18: The method of any one of Examples 16 and 17, further comprising connecting the generator module to at least one of a monopolar device, a bipolar device, and an ultrasound device.

Example 19: The method of any one of Examples 16-18, further comprising modifying operation of the generator module based on analysis of the removed smoke.

Example 20: The method of any one of Examples 16-19, wherein the generator module comprises multiple sub-generator modules, and the surgical hub is configured to facilitate communication between the sub-generator modules, enabling the sub-generator modules to function as a single generator module.

Various additional aspects of the subject matter described herein are illustrated in the following numbered examples.

Example 1: A method comprising: obtaining, by a surgical drainage system, a value of a parameter; transmitting the value of the parameter to at least one of a cloud computing network and a surgical hub; processing, by at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub, the value of the parameter; determining, by at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub, an effect of the value of the parameter on at least one of the surgical drainage system and a modular device; transmitting, from at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub, instructions to adjust operation to at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device; and adjusting operation by at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device based on the instructions.

Example 2: The method of Example 1, wherein the parameter is sensed by an internal sensor within the surgical drainage system.

Example 3: The method of Example 2, wherein the parameter is at least one of particulate concentration, aerosol fraction, or chemical analysis, and any combination thereof.

Example 4: The method of any one of Examples 1-3, wherein the internal sensor within the surgical exhaust system is at least one of a fluid sensor, a chemical sensor, a laser particle counter, or a pressure sensor, and any combination thereof.

Example 5: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the parameter is an operational parameter.

Example 6: The method of Example 5, wherein the operating parameter is at least one of air flow, pressure differential, or air quality, and any combination thereof.

Example 7: The method of any one of Examples 1-6, wherein the operating parameter is sensed by at least one of an air quality particulate sensor or an ambient pressure sensor, and any combination thereof.

Example 8: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 7, further comprising transmitting the value of the parameter from the surgical hub to a cloud computing network.

Example 9: The method of Example 8, wherein the value of the parameter is manipulated by the surgical hub before transmitting the value of the parameter to the cloud computing network.

Example 10: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the parameter value is transmitted from the surgical hub to the cloud computing network via a network router.

Example 11: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 10, further comprising transmitting instructions for coordinating operations from a cloud computing network to the surgical hub.

Example 12: The method of Example 11, wherein the surgical hub transmits instructions to at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device to coordinate operation.

Example 13: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the surgical ejection system obtains values for at least two parameters.

Example 14: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the modular device is at least one of a visualization circuit, a robotic circuit, an intelligent communications circuit, an imaging circuit, a generator, an aspiration/irrigation circuit, a communicator, a processor, a storage array, and an operating room mapping circuit.

Example 15: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 14, wherein at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub is in bidirectional communication with at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device.

Example 16: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the cloud computing network is in bidirectional communication with the surgical hub.

Example 17: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 16, wherein at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub includes an algorithm stored in memory for determining the effect of the parameter value on at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device.

Example 18: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 17, wherein at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub includes learning software stored in memory for determining the effect of parameter values on at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device.

Example 19: A computer-implemented surgical system comprising: a surgical hub including a processor and a memory; and a smoke evacuation module in communication with the surgical hub, the smoke evacuation module configured to obtain parameter values and transmit the parameter values to at least one of a cloud computing network and the surgical hub, wherein at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub is configured to process the parameter values, determine an effect of the parameter values on at least one of the smoke evacuation module and a modular device, and send instructions to at least one of the smoke evacuation module and the modular device to adjust operation, and at least one of the smoke evacuation module and the modular device is configured to adjust operation based on the instructions.

Example 20: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to obtain a value of a parameter by a surgical drainage system, transmit the value of the parameter to at least one of a cloud computing network and a surgical hub, process the value of the parameter by at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub, determine an effect of the value of the parameter on at least one of the surgical drainage system and a modular device by at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub, transmit instructions from at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub to at least one of the surgical drainage system and a modular device to adjust operation, and adjust operation by at least one of the surgical drainage system and a modular device based on the instructions.

Example 21: A method comprising: obtaining, by a surgical drainage system, a value of a parameter; transmitting, via a network router, the value of the parameter to a cloud computing network; processing, by the cloud computing network, the value of the parameter; determining, by the cloud computing network, an effect of the value of the parameter on at least one of the surgical drainage system and a modular device; transmitting, via the network router, from the cloud computing network to at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device, instructions for adjusting operation; and adjusting operation by at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device based on the instructions.

Example 22: The method of Example 21, wherein the parameter is sensed by an internal sensor within the surgical drainage system.

Example 23: The method of any one of Examples 21-22, wherein the parameter is at least one of particulate concentration, aerosol fraction, or chemical analysis, and any combination thereof.

Example 24: The method of any one of Examples 21-23, wherein the internal sensor within the surgical exhaust system is at least one of a fluid sensor, a chemical sensor, a laser particle counter, or a pressure sensor, and any combination thereof.

Example 25: The method of any one of Examples 21 to 24, wherein the parameter is an operational parameter.

Example 26: The method of Example 25, wherein the operating parameter is at least one of air flow, pressure differential, or air quality, and any combination thereof.

Example 27: The method of any one of Examples 25-26, wherein the operating parameter is sensed by at least one of an air quality particulate sensor or an ambient pressure sensor, and any combination thereof.

Example 28: A method comprising: obtaining, by a surgical drainage system, a value of a parameter; transmitting the value of the parameter to a surgical hub; transmitting the value of the parameter from the surgical hub to a cloud computing network via a network router; processing, by the cloud computing network, the value of the parameter; determining, by the cloud computing network, an effect of the value of the parameter on at least one of the surgical drainage system and a modular device; transmitting, from the cloud computing network via the network router, instructions to adjust operation to at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device; and adjusting operation by at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device based on the instructions.

Example 29: The method of Example 28, wherein the parameter is sensed by an internal sensor within the surgical drainage system.

Example 30: The method of Example 29, wherein the internal sensor within the surgical exhaust system is at least one of a fluid sensor, a chemical sensor, a laser particle counter, or a pressure sensor, and any combination thereof.

Example 31: The method of any one of Examples 28-30, wherein the parameter is at least one of particulate concentration, aerosol fraction, or chemical analysis, and any combination thereof.

Example 32: The method of any one of Examples 28 to 31, wherein the parameter is an operating parameter.

Example 33: The method of Example 32, wherein the operating parameter is at least one of air flow, pressure differential, or air quality, and any combination thereof.

Example 34: The method of any one of Examples 32-33, wherein the operating parameter is sensed by at least one of an air quality particulate sensor or an ambient pressure sensor, and any combination thereof.

Example 35: A method comprising: obtaining, by a surgical drainage system, a value of a parameter; transmitting, by the surgical hub, the value of the parameter; processing, by the surgical hub, the value of the parameter; determining, by the surgical hub, an effect of the value of the parameter on at least one of the surgical drainage system and a modular device; transmitting, from the surgical hub, instructions to adjust operation of at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device; and adjusting operation by at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device based on the instructions.

Example 36: The method of Example 35, wherein the parameter is sensed by an internal sensor within the surgical drainage system.

Example 37: The method of any one of Examples 35-36, wherein the parameter is at least one of particulate concentration, aerosol fraction, or chemical analysis, and any combination thereof.

Example 38: The method of any one of Examples 35-37, wherein the internal sensor within the surgical exhaust system is at least one of a fluid sensor, a chemical sensor, a laser particle counter, or a pressure sensor, and any combination thereof.

Example 39: The method of any one of Examples 35 to 38, wherein the parameter is an operational parameter.

Example 40: The method of any one of Examples 35 to 39, wherein the operating parameter is at least one of air flow, pressure differential, or air quality, and any combination thereof.

Example 41: The method of any one of Examples 35-40, wherein the operating parameter is sensed by at least one of an air quality particulate sensor and an ambient pressure sensor.

Example 42: A computer-implemented surgical system comprising: a surgical hub; and a smoke evacuation module positioned within the surgical hub, the smoke evacuation module configured to sense a parameter with a sensor and transmit the parameter to the surgical hub, the surgical hub configured to analyze the parameter and, based on the analysis of the parameter, modify operation of at least one of the smoke evacuation module and a second module in communication with the surgical hub.

Example 43: A surgical hub comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor for performing a method according to any one of Examples 21 to 31.

Example 44: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to perform a method described in any one of Examples 21-31.

Example 45: A method comprising: obtaining, by a surgical drainage system, a value of a parameter; transmitting the value of the parameter to at least one of a cloud computing network and a surgical hub; processing, by at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub, the value of the parameter; determining, by at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub, an effect of the value of the parameter on at least one of the surgical drainage system and a modular device; transmitting, from at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub, instructions to adjust operation to at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device; and adjusting operation by at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device based on the instructions.

Example 46: The method of Example 45, wherein the parameter is sensed by an internal sensor within the surgical drainage system.

Example 47: The method of any one of Examples 45-46, wherein the parameter is at least one of particulate concentration, aerosol fraction, or chemical analysis, and any combination thereof.

Example 48: The method of any one of Examples 45 to 47, wherein the internal sensor within the surgical exhaust system is at least one of a fluid sensor, a chemical sensor, a laser particle counter, or a pressure sensor, and any combination thereof.

Example 49: The method of any one of Examples 45 to 48, wherein the parameter is an operating parameter.

Example 50: The method of any one of Examples 45 to 49, wherein the operating parameter is at least one of air flow, pressure differential, or air quality, and any combination thereof.

Example 51: The method of any one of Examples 45-50, wherein the operating parameter is sensed by at least one of an air quality particulate sensor or an ambient pressure sensor, and any combination thereof.

Example 52: The method of any one of Examples 45 to 51, further comprising transmitting the value of the parameter from the surgical hub to a cloud computing network.

Example 53: The method of any one of Examples 45 to 52, wherein the value of the parameter is manipulated by the surgical hub before transmitting the value of the parameter to the cloud computing network.

Example 54: The method of any one of Examples 45 to 53, wherein the parameter value is transmitted from the surgical hub to the cloud computing network via a network router.

Example 55: The method of any one of Examples 45-54, further comprising transmitting instructions for coordinating the operation from the cloud computing network to the surgical hub.

Example 56: The method of any one of Examples 45-55, wherein the surgical hub transmits instructions to at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device to coordinate operation.

Example 57: The method of any one of Examples 45-56, wherein the surgical evacuation system obtains values for at least two parameters.

Example 58: The method of any one of Examples 45 to 57, wherein the modular device is at least one of a visualization circuit, a robotic circuit, an intelligent communications circuit, an imaging circuit, a generator, an aspiration/irrigation circuit, a communicator, a processor, a storage array, and an operating room mapping circuit.

Example 59: The method of any one of Examples 45-58, wherein at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub is in bidirectional communication with at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device.

Example 60: The method of any one of Examples 45 to 59, wherein the cloud computing network is in bidirectional communication with the surgical hub.

Example 61: The method of any one of Examples 45-60, wherein at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub includes an algorithm stored in memory for determining the effect of the parameter value on at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device.

Example 62: The method of any one of Examples 45-61, wherein at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub includes learning software stored in memory for determining the effect of parameter values on at least one of the surgical drainage system and the modular device.

Example 63: A computer-implemented surgical system comprising: a surgical hub including a processor and a memory; and a smoke evacuation module in communication with the surgical hub, the smoke evacuation module configured to obtain parameter values and transmit the parameter values to at least one of a cloud computing network and the surgical hub, wherein at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub is configured to process the parameter values, determine an effect of the parameter values on at least one of the smoke evacuation module and a modular device, and send instructions to at least one of the smoke evacuation module and the modular device to adjust operation, and at least one of the smoke evacuation module and the modular device is configured to adjust operation based on the instructions.

Example 64: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to obtain a value of a parameter by a surgical drainage system, transmit the value of the parameter to at least one of a cloud computing network and a surgical hub, process the value of the parameter by at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub, determine an effect of the value of the parameter on at least one of the surgical drainage system and a modular device by at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub, transmit instructions from at least one of the cloud computing network and the surgical hub to at least one of the surgical drainage system and a modular device to adjust operation, and adjust operation by at least one of the surgical drainage system and a modular device based on the instructions.

Various additional aspects of the subject matter described herein are illustrated in the following numbered examples.

Example 1: A surgical hub comprising: a control circuit including a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments including a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment; the first segment including a main processor and a safety processor; the main processor coupled to a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the main processor for energizing the first segment before the second and third segments and for energizing the second and third segments after the first segment performs a first function; the second segment including a sensing circuit and a display circuit; and the third segment including a motor control circuit and a motor.

Example 2: The surgical hub of Example 1, wherein the first function is to check the first, second, and third segments for at least one of a short circuit and an error.

Example 3: A surgical hub described in any one of Examples 1 and 2, wherein the first function is to perform a safety check on the first, second, and third segments.

Example 4: A surgical hub described in any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein a first function is to verify that the sensing circuit, display circuit, motor control circuit, and motor are the correct components.

Example 5: A surgical hub described in any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the control circuitry identifies the main processor, the safety processor, the sensing circuitry, the display circuitry, the motor control circuitry, and the motor, and displays the status of the main processor, the safety processor, the sensing circuitry, the display circuitry, the motor control circuitry, and the motor on a display device.

Example 6: A surgical hub described in any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the control circuitry identifies the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment and displays the status of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment to a user on a display device.

Example 7: A surgical hub described in any one of Examples 1 to 6, further comprising a pump coupled to the motor.

Example 8: A surgical hub described in any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the motor operates in a first state or a second state.

Example 9: The surgical hub of any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the first state is activated by a user and the motor operates the pump at a first speed.

Example 10: A surgical hub described in any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the motor operates the pump at a second speed in the second state.

Example 11: A method of operating a segmented control circuit in a surgical drainage system, the method including: activating a first segment, the first segment including a main processor and a safety processor; causing the first segment to perform a first function; activating a second segment, the second segment including a sensing circuit and a display circuit; and activating a third segment, the third segment including a motor control circuit and a motor.

Example 12: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of Example 11, wherein a first function is to check the first, second, and third segments for at least one of a short circuit and an error.

Example 13: A method of operating a segmented control circuit described in any one of Examples 11-12, wherein a first function is to perform a safety check on the first, second, and third segments.

Example 14: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of any one of Examples 11-13, wherein a first function is to verify that the sensing circuit, display circuit, motor control circuit, and motor are the correct components.

Example 15: A method of operating a segmented control circuit described in any one of Examples 11 to 14, further comprising: identifying, by the control circuit, the main processor, the safety processor, the sensing circuit, the display circuit, the motor control circuit, and the motor; and displaying, on a display device, the status of the main processor, the safety processor, the sensing circuit, the display circuit, the motor control circuit, and the motor.

Example 16: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of any one of Examples 11 to 15, further comprising: identifying, by the control circuit, the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment; and displaying, on a display device, the status of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment.

Example 17: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of any one of Examples 11 to 16, further comprising operating the motor in the first state or the second state.

Example 18: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of any one of Examples 11 to 17, wherein the first state is activated by a user and the motor operates the pump at a first speed.

Example 19: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of any one of Examples 11 to 18, wherein the motor operates the pump at a second speed in a second state.

Example 20: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to: activate a first segment, the first segment including a main processor and a safety processor; cause the first segment to perform a first function; activate a second segment, the second segment including a sensing circuit and a display circuit; and activate a third segment, the third segment including a motor control circuit and a motor.

Example 21: A surgical drainage system comprising a control circuit, the control circuit including a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments including a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment, the first segment including a main processor and a safety processor, the main processor coupled to a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the main processor for energizing the first segment before the second and third segments and for energizing the second and third segments after the first segment performs a first function, the second segment including a sensing circuit and a display circuit, and the third segment including a motor control circuit and a motor.

Example 22: The surgical drainage system of Example 21, wherein the first function is to check the first, second, and third segments for at least one of a short circuit and an error.

Example 23: A surgical evacuation system described in any one of Examples 21-22, wherein the first function is to perform a safety check on the first, second, and third segments.

Example 24: A surgical evacuation system described in any one of Examples 21-23, wherein a first function is to verify that the sensing circuit, display circuit, motor control circuit, and motor are the correct components.

Example 25: A surgical ejection system described in any one of Examples 21 to 24, wherein the control circuitry identifies the main processor, the safety processor, the sensing circuitry, the display circuitry, the motor control circuitry, and the motor, and displays the status of the main processor, the safety processor, the sensing circuitry, the display circuitry, the motor control circuitry, and the motor on a display device.

Example 26: The surgical drainage system of any one of Examples 21-25, wherein the control circuitry identifies the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment and displays the status of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment to the user on the display device.

Example 27: The surgical drainage system of any one of Examples 21 to 26, further comprising a pump coupled to the motor.

Example 28: A surgical evacuation system described in any one of Examples 21 to 27, wherein the motor operates in a first state or a second state.

Example 29: The surgical drainage system of Example 28, wherein the first state is activated by a user and the motor operates the pump at a rapid speed.

Example 30: The surgical drainage device of any one of Examples 28-29, wherein the second state is a slow state and the motor operates the pump at a slower speed.

Example 31: A method of operating a segmented control circuit in a surgical drainage system, the method comprising: activating a first segment, the first segment including a main processor and a safety processor; causing the first segment to perform a first function; activating a second segment, the second segment including a sensing circuit and a display circuit; and activating a third segment, the third segment including a motor control circuit and a motor.

Example 32: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of Example 31, wherein the first function is to check the first, second, and third segments for at least one of a short circuit and an error.

Example 33: A method of operating a segmented control circuit described in any one of Examples 31-32, wherein a first function is to perform a safety check on the first, second, and third segments.

Example 34: A method of operating a segmented control circuit described in any one of Examples 31 to 33, wherein a first function is to verify that the sensing circuit, display circuit, motor control circuit, and motor are the correct components.

Example 35: A method of operating a segmented control circuit described in any one of Examples 31 to 34, further comprising: identifying, by the control circuit, the main processor, the safety processor, the sensing circuit, the display circuit, the motor control circuit, and the motor; and displaying, on a display device, the status of the main processor, the safety processor, the sensing circuit, the display circuit, the motor control circuit, and the motor.

Example 36: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of any one of Examples 31 to 35, further comprising: identifying, by the control circuit, the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment; and displaying, on a display device, the status of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment.

Example 37: A method of operating a segmented control circuit described in any one of Examples 31 to 36, wherein the pump is coupled to a motor.

Example 38: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of Example 37, further comprising operating the motor in the first state or the second state.

Example 39: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of Example 38, wherein the first state is activated by a user and the motor operates the pump at a rapid speed.

Example 40: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of any one of Examples 38-39, wherein the second state is a slow state in which the motor operates the pump at a slower speed.

Example 41: A surgical hub comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor for performing a method according to any one of Examples 31 to 40.

Example 42: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to perform a method described in any one of Examples 31-40.

Example 43: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of Example 38, wherein the first state is activated by a user and the motor operates the pump at a first speed.

Example 44: A method of operating the segmented control circuit of Example 38, wherein the motor operates the pump at a second speed in a second state.

Example 45: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to: activate a first segment, the first segment including a main processor and a safety processor; cause the first segment to perform a first function; activate a second segment, the second segment including a sensing circuit and a display circuit; and activate a third segment, the third segment including a motor control circuit and a motor.

Various additional aspects of the subject matter described herein are illustrated in the following numbered examples.

Example 1: A surgical evacuation system comprising: a smoke evacuation apparatus including a pump and a motor operably coupled to the pump; a communications circuit; and a filter device in communication with the smoke evacuation device through the communications circuit, wherein the filter device comprises a plurality of filter components, the plurality of filter components comprising at least one of a fluid filter, a particulate filter, and a charcoal filter; and a plurality of filter sensors, wherein the communications circuit stores instructions executable by a processor to authenticate the plurality of filter components, verify the remaining life of at least one of the plurality of filter components, update parameters output from the plurality of filter components, and record errors output from the plurality of filter components.

Example 2: The surgical drainage system of Example 1, wherein the communication circuitry is further configured to limit the number or types of filter components that can be identified by the communication circuitry.

Example 3: The surgical drainage system of any one of Examples 1-2, wherein the communication circuitry is further configured to enable or disable the plurality of filter components based on the results of the authentication.

Example 4: A surgical drainage system according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the communication circuitry authenticates multiple filter components by using filter component information.

Example 5: The surgical drainage system of Example 4, wherein the filter component information includes at least one of product type, product name, unique device identifier, product trademark, serial number, and configuration parameters of the plurality of filter components.

Example 6: The surgical drainage system of any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the filter device is configured to encrypt the parameters output from the plurality of filter components before transmitting the parameters to the communication circuit.

Example 7: The surgical evacuation system of Example 6, wherein upon receiving the encrypted parameters, the communications circuitry decrypts the encrypted parameters.

Example 8: A surgical drainage system according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the communication device functions as a master device and the filter device functions as a slave device, and communication between the master device and the slave device is unidirectional from the master device to the slave device when performing the authentication process.

Example 9: A method for communication between a smoke evacuation apparatus and a filter device through a communications circuit, the method including: authenticating, by the communications circuit, a plurality of filter components in the filter device, the plurality of filter components including a plurality of filter elements including at least one of a fluid filter, a particulate filter, and a charcoal filter, and a plurality of filter sensors; verifying, by the communications circuit, a remaining life of at least one of the plurality of filter components; updating, by the communications circuit, parameters output from the plurality of filter components; and recording, by the communications circuit, errors output from the plurality of filter components; the smoke evacuation device including a pump and a motor operably coupled to the pump.

Example 10: The method of Example 9, further comprising limiting the number or types of filter components that can be identified by the communication circuitry.

Example 11: The method of Example 9, further comprising enabling or disabling, via the communication circuitry, a plurality of filter components based on the authentication result.

Example 12: The method of any one of Examples 9 to 11, wherein the communication circuitry authenticates multiple filter components by using filter component information.

Example 13: The method of Example 12, wherein the filter component information includes at least one of product type, product name, unique device identifier, product brand, serial number, and configuration parameters of the plurality of filter components.

Example 14: The method of any one of Examples 9 to 13, further comprising encrypting, by the filter device, the parameters output from the plurality of filter components before transmitting the parameters to the communication circuit.

Example 15: The method of Example 14, further comprising, upon receiving the encrypted parameters, decrypting the encrypted parameters by the communication circuitry.

Example 16: The method of any one of Examples 9 to 15, wherein the communication device functions as a master device, the filter device functions as a slave device, and communication between the master device and the slave device is unidirectional from the master device to the slave device when performing the authentication process.

Example 17: A surgical hub comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor for performing a method according to any one of Examples 9 to 16.

Example 18: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to perform a method described in any one of Examples 9-16.

Example 19: A surgical hub comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to authenticate a plurality of filter components in a filter device, the plurality of filter components including a plurality of filter elements including at least one of a fluid filter, a particulate filter, and a charcoal filter, and a plurality of filter sensors; verify a remaining life of at least one of the plurality of filter components; update parameters output from the plurality of filter components; and record errors output from the plurality of filter components.

Example 20: The surgical hub of Example 19, wherein the memory stores further instructions executable by the processor for limiting the number or types of filter components that can be identified.

Example 21: A surgical hub described in any one of Examples 19 to 20, wherein the memory stores further instructions executable by the processor for enabling or disabling multiple filter components based on the results of the authentication.

Example 22: A surgical hub described in any one of Examples 19 to 21, wherein the plurality of filter components are authenticated by using filter component information including at least one of product type, product name, unique device identifier, product brand, serial number, and configuration parameters of the plurality of filter components.

Various additional aspects of the subject matter described herein are illustrated in the following numbered examples.

Example 1: A surgical drainage system comprising: a pump; a motor operably coupled to the pump; and a fluid path fluidly coupled to the pump, the fluid path including a first fluid filter configured to extract large droplets from fluid moving through the fluid path; and a second fluid filter configured to extract small droplets from fluid moving through the fluid path, the first fluid filter being coupled in series with the second fluid filter, the first fluid filter being positioned upstream of the second fluid filter, and an outlet port of the second fluid filter being coupled to an inlet port of a non-fluid filter.

Example 2: The surgical drainage system of Example 1, further comprising a first recirculation channel, the inlet port of the first recirculation channel being positioned between the second fluid filter and the non-fluid filter, the first recirculation channel being configured to recirculate fluid exiting the second fluid filter.

Example 3: The surgical drainage system of Example 2, further comprising a first recirculation valve configured to close and open the first recirculation channel, such that when the first recirculation valve is open, fluid exiting the second fluid filter is recirculated through the first recirculation channel.

Example 4: The surgical drainage system of Example 3, further comprising a first sensor positioned near the first recirculation valve, the first sensor configured to detect a parameter of the fluid, and the first recirculation valve opening the first recirculation channel when the parameter detected by the first sensor is equal to or greater than a first predetermined threshold.

Example 5: The surgical drainage system of any one of Examples 2-4, wherein the fluid directed into the first recirculation channel is injected into the fluid path upstream of the second fluid filter.

Example 6: The surgical drainage system of Example 5, wherein the fluid directed into the first recirculation channel is infused into a first fluid filter.

Example 7: The surgical drainage system of any one of Examples 2-6, wherein the fluid directed into the first recirculation channel is injected into an upstream portion of the second fluid filter.

Example 8: The surgical drainage system of any one of Examples 2-7, wherein the first recirculation channel extends downwardly from the inlet port of the first recirculation channel, thereby allowing large or small droplets in the fluid exiting the second fluid filter to be directed into the first recirculation channel via gravity.

Example 9: The surgical drainage system of any one of Examples 2-8, further comprising a second recirculation channel, the inlet port of the second recirculation channel being positioned between the first fluid filter and the second fluid filter, and the second recirculation channel being configured to recirculate fluid exiting the first fluid filter.

Example 10: The surgical drainage system of Example 9, further comprising a second recirculation valve configured to close and open the second recirculation channel, such that when the second recirculation valve is open, fluid exiting the first fluid filter is recirculated through the second recirculation channel.

Example 11: The surgical drainage system of Example 10, further comprising a second sensor positioned near the second recirculation valve, the second sensor configured to detect a parameter of the fluid, and the second recirculation valve opening the second recirculation channel when the parameter detected by the second sensor is equal to or greater than a second predetermined threshold.

Example 12: The surgical drainage system of any one of Examples 9-11, wherein the fluid directed into the second recirculation channel is injected into the fluid path upstream of the first fluid filter.

Example 13: A surgical drainage system described in any one of Examples 9-12, wherein the fluid directed into the second recirculation channel is injected into an upstream portion of the first fluid filter.

Example 14: The surgical drainage system of any one of Examples 9-13, wherein the second recirculation channel extends downwardly from the second recirculation channel inlet port, thereby allowing large or small droplets in the fluid exiting the first fluid filter to be directed into the second recirculation channel via gravity.

Example 15: A surgical drainage system described in any one of Examples 1 to 14, wherein the first fluid filter comprises at least one baffle.

Example 16: A surgical drainage system described in any one of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the first fluid filter includes a switching valve.

Example 17: A surgical drainage system described in any one of Examples 1 to 16, wherein the second fluid filter comprises a filter selected from the group consisting of a membrane filter, a honeycomb filter, a porous structure filter, and combinations thereof.

Example 18: A surgical drainage system described in any one of Examples 1 to 17, wherein the non-fluid filter includes a particulate filter.

Example 19: The surgical drainage system of any one of Examples 1 to 17, wherein at least one of the first fluid filter and the second fluid filter is disabled when it is determined that the number of recirculation processes performed through the recirculation channel is greater than or equal to a third predetermined threshold.

Example 20: A surgical drainage system comprising: a pump; a motor operably connected to the pump; and a fluid path fluidly connected to the pump, the fluid path comprising: a first fluid filter configured to extract large droplets from fluid moving through the fluid path, the first fluid filter including at least one baffle; and a second fluid filter configured to extract small droplets from fluid moving through the fluid path, the second fluid filter comprising a filter selected from the group consisting of membrane filters, honeycomb filters, and porous structure filters, and combinations thereof, the first fluid filter being connected in series with the second fluid filter, the first fluid filter being positioned upstream of the second fluid filter, and an outlet port of the second fluid filter being connected to an inlet port of a non-fluid filter.

Example 21: The surgical drainage system of Example 20, further comprising a first recirculation channel, the inlet port of the first recirculation channel being positioned between the second fluid filter and the non-fluid filter, the first recirculation channel being configured to recirculate fluid exiting the second fluid filter.

Example 22: The surgical drainage system of any one of Examples 20-21, further comprising a second recirculation channel, the inlet port of the second recirculation channel being positioned between the first fluid filter and the second fluid filter, and the second recirculation channel being configured to recirculate fluid exiting the first fluid filter.

Various additional aspects of the subject matter described herein are illustrated in the following numbered examples.

Example 1: A return pad for an electrosurgical system, the return pad comprising: a plurality of conductive members configured to receive radio frequency current applied to a patient; and a plurality of sensing devices configured to detect at least one of a neural control signal applied to the patient and movement of an anatomical feature of the patient resulting from application of the neural control signal.

Example 2: The return pad of Example 1, wherein the plurality of conductive members are further configured to capacitively couple with the patient.

Example 3: The return pad of any one of Examples 1 and 2, further comprising a switching device configured to selectively isolate at least one of the plurality of conductive members from another of the plurality of conductive members.

Example 4: The return pad of any one of Examples 1 to 3, further comprising a switching device configured to selectively isolate each of the conductive members from one another.

Example 5: The return pad of any one of Examples 1 to 4, further comprising a switching device configured to selectively disconnect the plurality of conductive members from the patient.

Example 6: The return pad of any one of Examples 1 to 5, further comprising a switching device configured to selectively disconnect the plurality of conductive members from the generator.

Example 7: The return pad of any one of Examples 1 to 6, further comprising a switching device configured to selectively couple each of the plurality of conductive members to the generator.

Example 8: A return pad described in any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of sensing devices are configured as an array of sensing devices.

Example 9: A return pad described in any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein each of the plurality of sensing devices is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive members.

Example 10: A return pad described in any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein each of the plurality of conductive members is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of sensing devices.

Example 11: A return pad described in any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensing devices includes one of a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, and a pressure sensor and an accelerometer.

Example 12: A return pad described in any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein each of the plurality of sensing devices is further configured to output a signal indicative of detection.

Example 13: An electrosurgical system comprising: a generator configured to supply alternating current at a radio frequency; an instrument configured to apply the alternating current to a patient; a return pad capacitively coupleable to the patient, the return pad including a plurality of conductive members configured to conduct radio frequency current, the plurality of conductive members being capacitively coupleable to the patient and selectively coupleable to the generator; a plurality of sensing devices configured to detect at least one of a neural control signal applied to the patient and movement of an anatomical feature of the patient resulting from application of the neural control signal; and conductors coupled to the return pad and the generator.

Example 14: The electrosurgical system described in Example 13, further comprising a multi-input single-output switching device coupled to each of the plurality of sensing devices.

Example 15: The electrosurgical system of Example 14, further comprising an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the multi-input single-output switching device.

Example 16: An electrosurgical system according to any one of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the generator is further configured to generate alternating current as a high-frequency waveform, generate a low-frequency waveform configured to stimulate a nerve of the patient, modulate the low-frequency waveform using the high-frequency waveform to form a composite waveform, and deliver the composite waveform to the instrument.

Example 17: An electrosurgical system according to any one of Examples 1 to 16, wherein the generator is further configured to amplitude modulate the low-frequency waveform to form a composite waveform.

Example 18: A return pad for an electrosurgical system, the return pad comprising a plurality of electrodes configured for capacitive coupling with a patient and an array of sensing devices configured to detect at least one of a neural control signal applied to the patient and movement of an anatomical feature of the patient resulting from the application of the neural control signal.

Example 19: The return pad of Example 18, wherein each sensing device in the array of sensing devices is configured to output a signal indicative of a detection.

Example 20: A return pad described in any one of Examples 18-19, wherein each sensing device in the array of sensing devices is disposed on a corresponding one of the plurality of electrodes.

While several embodiments have been illustrated and described, it is not the applicant's intention to restrict or limit the appended claims to such details. Numerous modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents of these embodiments may be implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the structure of each element associated with the described embodiments can alternatively be described as a means for providing the function performed by that element. Also, while materials are disclosed with respect to particular components, other materials may be used. It is therefore to be understood that the above description and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variations as fall within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various aspects of devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. To the extent that such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples include one or more functions and/or operations, those skilled in the art will understand that each function and/or operation included in such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples can be individually and/or collectively implemented by a variety of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that all or a portion of some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be equivalently implemented on an integrated circuit as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or virtually any combination thereof, and that designing circuitry and/or writing software and/or firmware code is within the skill of those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the subject matter described herein may be distributed as one or more program products in a variety of forms, and that the particular form of the subject matter described herein will be used regardless of the particular type of signal-bearing medium used to actually effect the distribution.

The instructions used to program logic to implement various disclosed aspects may be stored in system memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache, flash memory, or other storage. Additionally, the instructions may be distributed over a network or by other computer-readable media. Thus, machine-readable media may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), including, but not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disks, read-only memories (CD-ROMs), magneto-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, flash memories, or tangible machine-readable storage used to transmit information over the Internet via electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Accordingly, non-transitory computer-readable media includes any type of tangible machine-readable medium suitable for storing or transmitting electronic instructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).

As used in any aspect of this specification, the term "control circuitry" may refer to, for example, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry (e.g., a computer processor including one or more individual instruction processing cores, a processing unit, a processor, a microcontroller, a microcontroller unit, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic device (PLD), a programmable logic array (PLA), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), a state machine circuit, firmware that stores instructions executed by the programmable circuitry, and any combination thereof. Control circuitry may be embodied, collectively or individually, as circuitry that forms part of a larger system, such as, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on a chip (SoC), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a server, a smartphone, etc. Thus, as used herein, "control circuitry" includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application-specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general-purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general-purpose computer configured by a computer program that at least partially executes the processes and/or apparatus described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program that at least partially executes the processes and/or apparatus described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., a form of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, a communications switch, or an optical-to-electrical facility). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in analog or digital form, or some combination thereof.

As used in any aspect of this specification, the term "logic" may refer to an application, software, firmware, and/or circuitry configured to perform any of the aforementioned operations. Software may be embodied as a software package, code, instructions, instruction sets, and/or data recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions, or instruction sets and/or hard-coded (e.g., non-volatile) data in a memory device.

When used in any aspect of this specification, the terms "component," "system," "module," etc. may refer to a computer-related entity that is either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution.

As used in any aspect of this specification, an "algorithm" refers to a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result, and the "steps" refer to the manipulation of physical quantities and/or logical states, which may, but need not, take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It is common practice to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. These and similar terms may be associated with the appropriate physical quantities or are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities and/or states.

The network may include a packet-switched network. The communication devices may communicate with each other using a selected packet-switched network communication protocol. One exemplary communication protocol may include an Ethernet communication protocol, which may enable communication using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The Ethernet protocol may conform to or be compatible with the Ethernet standard published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), entitled "IEEE 802.3 Standard," dated December 2008, and/or later versions of this standard. Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may communicate with each other using the X.25 communication protocol. The T.25 communication protocol may conform to or be compatible with standards promulgated by the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standards Sector (ITU-T). Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may communicate with each other using a frame relay communication protocol. The frame relay communication protocol may conform to or be compatible with standards promulgated by the Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT) and/or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Alternatively or additionally, the transceivers may be capable of communicating with each other using an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) communication protocol. The ATM communication protocol may conform to or be compatible with the ATM standard published by the ATM Forum in August 2001, entitled "ATM-MPLS Network Interworking 2.0," and/or later versions of this standard. Of course, different and/or later-developed connection-oriented network communication protocols are equally contemplated herein.

Unless expressly specified otherwise, as will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure, discussions throughout the foregoing disclosure using terms such as "processing," "calculating," "computing," "determining," and "displaying" will be understood to refer to the operations and processing of a computer system or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and converts data represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the computer system's registers and memory into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the computer system's memory or registers or such information storage, transmission, or display devices.

One or more components may be referred to herein as being "configured to," "configurable to," "operable/operative to," "adapted/adaptable," "able to," "conformable/conformed to," etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that "configured to" may generally encompass active components and/or inactive components and/or standby components, unless the context requires otherwise.

The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of a surgical instrument. The term "proximal" refers to the portion closest to the clinician, and the term "distal" refers to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further understood that for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," and "lower" may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms used herein generally, and in the appended claims in particular (e.g., the body of the appended claims), are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that where a specific number is intended in an introduced claim recitation, such intention will be clearly stated in the claim; and, in the absence of such a statement, no such intention exists. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims below may include the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce the claim recitation. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed as suggesting that when a claim is introduced by the indefinite article "a" or "an," any particular claim containing such introduced claim language is limited to claims containing only one such recitation, even if the same claim contains both an introductory phrase such as "one or more" or "at least one" and the indefinite article "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should normally be construed to mean "at least one" or "one or more"). The same applies when a definite article is used to introduce a claim.

Furthermore, even when a specific number is explicitly stated in an introduced claim, those skilled in the art will recognize that such a statement should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., a statement simply stating "two items" without other modifiers generally means at least two items, or more than two items). Furthermore, when a term similar to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, such syntax is generally intended to mean what a person skilled in the art would understand the term (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" includes, but is not limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C, and/or all of A, B, and C, etc.). When notation similar to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, such syntax is generally intended in the sense that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the notation (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" includes, but is not limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C, and/or all of A, B, and C, etc.). Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any disjunctive word and/or phrase expressing two or more alternative terms should typically be understood to contemplate the possibility of including one of those terms, either of those terms, or both of those terms, unless the context requires otherwise, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings. For example, the phrase "A or B" will typically be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will understand that the recited actions herein generally may be performed in any order. Additionally, while flow diagrams of various actions are shown in sequence(s), it should be understood that the various actions may occur in orders other than those illustrated, or may occur simultaneously. Examples of such alternative orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preliminary, additional, simultaneous, reverse, or other different orderings, unless the context requires otherwise. Furthermore, terms such as "responsive to," "related to," or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variations, unless the context requires otherwise.

It is worth noting that any reference to "one embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary," "one example," etc. means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," "exemplary," and "in one example" in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Any patent application, patent, non-patent publication, or other disclosure material referenced herein and/or listed in any Application Data Sheet is incorporated herein by reference to the extent the incorporated material is not inconsistent with this specification. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure material expressly set forth herein shall supersede any conflicting statements incorporated herein by reference. Any content, or portions thereof, that conflicts with current definitions, opinions, or other disclosure material set forth herein shall be incorporated herein by reference, but only to the extent that there is no conflict between the referenced content and the current disclosure material.

In summary, many benefits have been described that result from using the concepts described herein. The foregoing description of one or more embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The one or more embodiments were selected and described to illustrate the principles and practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to utilize various embodiments, with various modifications, as suitable for the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the claims presented herewith define the overall scope.

[Embodiment]
(1) A method for expelling particulates from a surgical site, comprising:
communicatively connecting a particulate evacuation module and a surgical hub, the surgical hub comprising a surgical hub housing, the particulate evacuation module configured to be received within the surgical hub housing;
removing particulates from the surgical site into the particulate removal module;
analyzing the removed particulates;
and modifying operation of the particulate emission module based on the analysis of the removed particulates.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching a generator module to the surgical hub housing.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising communicatively connecting the generator module and the particulate emission module.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising connecting the generator module to at least one of a monopolar device, a bipolar device, and an ultrasound device.
5. The method of claim 2, further comprising modifying operation of the generator module based on the analysis of the removed particulates.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the generator module comprises a plurality of sub-generator modules, and the surgical hub is configured to facilitate communication between the sub-generator modules to enable the sub-generator modules to function as a single generator module.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the particulate removal module includes a fluid line, an end of the fluid line terminating within the surgical hub housing.
(8) A method for expelling particulates from a surgical site, comprising:
connecting a particulate evacuation module and a surgical hub, the surgical hub comprising a surgical hub housing, the particulate evacuation module configured to be received within the surgical hub housing;
actuating a surgical instrument within the surgical site;
drawing particulates from the surgical site into the particulate extraction module;
analyzing the particulate;
and modifying operating parameters of the particulate emission module based on the analysis of the particulates.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the surgical instrument comprises at least one of a monopolar device, a bipolar device, and an ultrasonic device.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising attaching a generator module to the surgical hub housing.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising communicatively connecting the generator module and a smoke evacuation module.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising connecting the generator module to at least one of a monopolar device, a bipolar device, and an ultrasound device.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising modifying operation of the generator module based on the analysis of the particulate.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the generator module comprises a plurality of sub-generator modules, and the surgical hub is configured to facilitate communication between the sub-generator modules to enable the sub-generator modules to function as a single generator module.
(15) A method for evacuating smoke from a surgical site, comprising:
connecting a smoke evacuation module and a surgical hub, the surgical hub comprising a surgical hub housing, the smoke evacuation module configured to be received within the surgical hub housing;
inserting the smoke evacuation module components into the surgical site;
removing smoke from the surgical site;
analyzing the removed smoke;
and modifying operation of the smoke evacuation module based on the analysis of the removed smoke.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising attaching a generator module to the surgical hub housing.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising connecting the generator module and the smoke evacuation module.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising connecting the generator module to at least one of a monopolar device, a bipolar device, and an ultrasound device.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising modifying operation of the generator module based on the analysis of the removed smoke.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the generator module comprises a plurality of sub-generator modules, and the surgical hub is configured to facilitate communication between the sub-generator modules to enable the sub-generator modules to function as a single generator module.

Claims (7)

1. A system for evacuating smoke generated from a surgical site during a surgical procedure, comprising:
a surgical hub and a remote server;
the surgical hub comprises a processor and a surgical hub housing configured to receive a plurality of modules, each of the plurality of modules being communicatively coupled to the processor within the surgical hub housing, the plurality of modules including a smoke evacuation module operable to remove the smoke from the surgical site, the smoke evacuation module comprising a first sensor and a second sensor;
The system comprises:
analyzing the smoke removed from the surgical site in the smoke evacuation module;
sensing a first parameter of the smoke with the first sensor;
sensing a second parameter of the smoke with the second sensor;
generating, by the processor of the surgical hub, first processed parameters from the first parameters and second processed parameters from the second parameters;
transmitting the first processed parameters and the second processed parameters to the remote server, and determining, by the remote server, whether to modify operation of the smoke evacuation module based on the first processed parameters and the second processed parameters;
receiving, by the processor of the surgical hub, instructions from the remote server;
modifying, by the processor of the surgical hub, operation of the smoke evacuation module based on the analysis of the smoke;
is configured to perform
The system , wherein the first parameter is a pH of the smoke being emitted from an operating room, and the second parameter is a particle count of the smoke being emitted from the operating room . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a surgical instrument for performing the surgical procedure. The system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of modules includes a generator module for supplying electrical and/or ultrasonic energy to the surgical instrument for treating tissue. The system of claim 3 , wherein the generator module is configured to connect with the smoke evacuation module. The system of claim 3 , wherein the generator module is configured to connect to at least one of a monopolar device, a bipolar device, and an ultrasound device. The system of claim 3 , wherein the system is further configured to modify, by the processor of the surgical hub, operation of the generator module based on the analysis of the smoke. The system of claim 3 , wherein the generator module comprises a monopolar generator, a bipolar generator, and/or an ultrasonic generator.