Abstract: A method of delivering power to a load coupled to an energy module includes determining a power to be produced in a load, generating a signal, and selecting a first or second power amplifier circuit based on the power to be produced in the load. The power rating of the amplifier circuits is different. Another method includes generating a digital waveform having a predetermined wave shape and frequency, converting the digital waveform to an analog waveform, selecting a first power amplifier circuit or a second power amplifier circuit based on a predetermined power output to be produced by the first or second power amplifier circuit into a load coupled to an energy output port of the energy module, coupling the analog waveform to the selected first or second power amplifier circuit, and producing the predetermined power output into the load.

Abstract: A modular energy system for use in a surgical environment includes a plurality of functional modules including at least an initial module, a functional module, and a terminal module. Each of the plurality of modules has a module control circuit, and a local data bus. An internal data bus is composed of a serial array of the local data busses of the modules. The local data bus may includes a communication switch, a first switch data path between the communication switch and the module control circuit, a second switch data path in communication with the communication switch, and a third switch data path in communication with the communication switch. The third switch data path of a module N is in communication with a second switch data path of a module N+1. The system further includes a termination unit in communication with the third data path of the terminal module.

Abstract: Several mitigation circuits are disclosed. An audio mitigation circuit includes an audio mitigation control module configured to read a unique tone identification embedded in a digital audio signal to identify a digital audio tone. A video mitigation circuit confirms video to be displayed by a user interface. Another audio mitigation circuit is configured to process super-audible tones in an audio signal to confirm an audio asset. The disclosure also describes various methods associated with the mitigation circuits.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed. One method includes reading an RFID card that is associated with a surgical instrument when the RFID card is located proximal to an RFID reader and initiating a wireless pairing process with the surgical instrument by the header module. Another method includes receiving an accessory at an accessory port of a modular energy system, communicating via a flexible serial communication interface coupled between a processor and the accessory port, the flexible serial communication interface configured to support multiple communication protocols, and detecting, by a presence detection circuit coupled between the accessory port and the processor, presence of the accessory connected to the accessory port. Other methods include a flexible serial bus power configuration method for a modular energy system and a remote power control interface method for a modular energy system.

Abstract: A multi-energy port splitter for a modular energy system includes an input port configured to couple to an energy output port of an energy module, a first energy output port configured to deliver energy supplied by the energy output port of the energy module, and at least a second energy output port configured to deliver the energy supplied by the energy output port of the energy module. An electronically controlled power switch configured to switch energy received at the input port to one of the first energy output port or the at least second energy output port. A controller is configured to couple to the energy module through a first communication bus. The controller is electrically coupled to the electronically controlled power switch through a power switch control line. A backplane including backplane communication interfaces is configured to receive a multi-energy port splitter and an energy module.

Abstract: Disclosed in an accessory circuit for a modular energy system. The accessory circuit includes an accessory port configured to receive an accessory, a power supply, a processor, an isolation barrier configured to electrically isolate the processor and the power supply from the accessory port. A flexible serial communication interface is coupled between the processor and the accessory port. The flexible serial communication interface is configured to support multiple communication protocols. A presence detection circuit is coupled between the accessory port and the processor. The presence detection circuit is configured to detect presence of an accessory connected to the accessory port.

Abstract: A modular energy system includes modules, at least two having a transceiver timer. The modules communicate data messages over an internal bus. A first module obtains a transmission time from its transceiver timer, which it appends to the message, and transmits the appended message over the internal data bus. The second module receives the data message, obtains a receipt time from its transceiver timer, and extracts the transmission time from the message. A smart surgical system includes a plurality of surgical subsystems including a modular energy system all in mutual data communication over a system data bus. The components of the smart surgical system may each have a transceiver timer. The components of the smart surgical system transmit and receive data across the system data bus using the respective transceiver timers in a manner like the communications between the modular energy system modules.

Abstract: Mitigating a user interface display function of a modular energy system includes receiving formatted video data at a video data converter circuit, providing differential video signaling data to the display from the video data converter circuit, providing a copy of the differential video signaling data to a processor, and determining that the differential video signaling data is changing over time. Mitigating erroneous outputs from an isolated interface includes receiving a state of a first switch of a first footswitch coupled to a first comparator and a reference voltage coupled to the first comparator, receiving the state of the first switch coupled to the first duplicate comparator and the reference voltage coupled to the first duplicate comparator, comparing the output of the first comparator with the output of the first duplicate comparator, and determining activation or deactivation of a surgical instrument coupled to the controller based on the comparison.

Abstract: An energy module is disclosed. The energy module includes a control circuit and a two wire interface coupled to the control circuit. The two wire interface is configured as a power source and as a communication interface between the energy module and a neutral electrode.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a reusable assembly having an inner tube and an ultrasonic blade positioned within the inner tube. The inner tube includes at least one opening to receive a sterilization fluid therethrough for sterilizing the ultrasonic blade within the inner tube. The surgical instrument further includes a sterilization detection system to determine whether the reusable assembly has been sterilized during a sterilization cycle. A seal is selectively couplable with the at least one opening of the inner tube to fluidly seal the at least one opening for inhibiting bodily fluid from entering the at least one opening during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for controlling the activation of energy surgical instruments are disclosed. An advance energy surgical instrument, such an electrosurgical instrument or an ultrasonic surgical instrument, can include one or more sensor assemblies for detecting the state or position of the end effector, arm, or other components of the surgical instrument. A control circuit can be configured to control the activation of the surgical instrument according to the state or position of the components of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An audio control system for a modular energy system. The audio control system can include a first controller and a second controller. The first controller can be configured to output an audio signal and an audio signal ID associated with the audio signal. The second controller can be coupled to the first controller and configured to receive the audio signal ID from the first controller and determine whether the audio signal ID corresponds to an expected audio signal ID.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a reusable assembly having an inner tube and an ultrasonic blade positioned within the inner tube. The inner tube includes at least one opening to receive a sterilization fluid therethrough for sterilizing the ultrasonic blade within the inner tube. The surgical instrument further includes a sterilization detection system to determine whether the reusable assembly has been sterilized during a sterilization cycle. A seal is selectively couplable with the at least one opening of the inner tube to fluidly seal the at least one opening for inhibiting bodily fluid from entering the at least one opening during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An audio control system for a modular energy system. The audio control system can include a first controller and a second controller. The first controller can be configured to output an audio signal and an audio signal ID associated with the audio signal. The second controller can be coupled to the first controller and configured to receive the audio signal ID from the first controller and determine whether the audio signal ID corresponds to an expected audio signal ID.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a circuit design that provides automatic ultrasonic energy activation for a modular surgical system. In some aspects, a control circuit in an ultrasonic surgical instrument may be connected to a modular energy system that allows therapeutic energy to pass from a generator to the ultrasonic surgical instrument after automatically activating the ultrasonic functionality based on some threshold criterion being satisfied. In some aspects, the ultrasonic instrument may include a capacitive touch sensor that sends a signal to automatically activate the therapeutic ultrasonic energy when the touch sensor contacts appropriate tissue.

Abstract: An energy module is disclosed. The energy module includes a hand-switch circuit, a surgical instrument interface coupled to the hand-switch circuit, and a control circuit coupled to the surgical instrument interface and the hand-switch circuit. The control circuit is configured to control the hand-switch circuit to communicate with a surgical instrument coupled to the hand-switch circuit using a plurality of communication protocols over a single wire. The control circuit is configured to control the hand-switch circuit to supply power to the instrument over the single wire.

Abstract: A method for controlling an output of an energy module of a modular energy system is disclosed. The modular energy system includes a header module, the energy module, and a secondary module communicably coupled together. The energy module configured to provide an output driving an energy modality deliverable by a surgical instrument connected thereto. The method includes causing the energy module to provide the output driving the energy modality delivered by the surgical instrument; sensing a parameter associated with the secondary module; receiving the parameter as sensed by the secondary module at the energy module; and adjusting the output of the energy module from a first state to a second state according to the received parameter.

Abstract: A method for constructing a modular surgical system is disclosed. The method comprises providing a header module comprising a first power backplane segment, providing a surgical module comprising a second power backplane segment, assembling the header module and the surgical module to electrically couple the first power backplane segment and the second power backplane segment to each other to form a power backplane, and applying power to the surgical module through the power backplane.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a first control circuit configured to communicate with an energy module using at least a first protocol over a first communication line and a second control circuit configured to communicate with another surgical instrument coupled to the surgical instrument using at least a second protocol over a second communication line.

Abstract: An energy module connectable to a surgical instrument is disclosed. The energy module can include a circuit, which can include a first amplifier and a second amplifier coupled to a port of the energy module to which a surgical instrument is connectable. The first amplifier can be configured to generate a first drive signal at a first frequency range and the second amplifier can be configured to generate a second drive signal at a second frequency range. The circuit can be configured to control the amplifiers to deliver the first drive signal, the second drive signal, and/or a combination of the first and second drive signals to a surgical instrument connected to the port.