Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal.

Abstract: A modular surgical system is disclosed. The modular surgical system comprises a header module, a first surgical module, a second surgical module, and a module identification circuit. The second surgical module is arrangeable in a stack configuration with the header module and the first surgical module. The module identification circuit is configured to cause a pre-determined current to be transmitted to the first surgical module through the second surgical module in the stack configuration, detect a first voltage indicative of a first position of the first surgical module in the stack configuration, and detect a second voltage indicative of a second position of the second surgical module in the stack configuration. The second voltage is different than the first voltage.

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.

Abstract: An energy module for driving electrosurgical and/or ultrasonic surgical instruments is disclosed. The energy module can include an amplifier assembly that is configured to drive a variety of different energy modalities for one or more surgical instruments connected thereto. The energy module can further include a relay assembly for selectively coupling one or more of the amplifiers to different ports to which the surgical instruments are connectable. The amplifier assembly can include amplifiers for driving ultrasonic, bipolar, and/or monopolar energy.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for systems and methods for identifying characteristics of a return pad in a monopolar electrosurgical system using contact quality monitoring (CQM) and near field communication (NFC) signals. In some aspects, resistance or impedance materials are sensed that may help identify what kind of return pad is being used, including what is the structure of the pad. In some aspects, NFC signals are used to identify characteristics of the return pad. In some aspects, the grounding or return pad may include two separate materials that form an interconnecting or interwoven mesh and both act as non-active electrodes when both contact the patient. A non-zero impedance may separate conductive lines connecting the two separate materials that may be analyzed to obtain a defining signature about that is linked to structural characteristics about the return pad.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for providing coordinated energy outputs of separate but connected modules, in some cases using communication protocols such as the Data Distribution Service standard (DDS). In some aspects, there is provided a communication circuit between a header or main device, a first module, and a second module, each including connection to a segment of a common backplane, where the output from a first module can be adjusted by sensing a parameter from a second module. In some aspects, the signal can pass from the first module through the header to the second module, or in other cases directly from the first module to the second module. Aspects of the present disclosure also include methods for automatically activating a bipolar surgical system in one or more of the modular systems using the DDS standard.

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 modular surgical system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The modular surgical system includes a control module including a power supply and surgical modules including a first surgical module and a second surgical module. The first surgical module is arranged in a stack configuration with the control module and the second surgical module. The power supply is configured to output power to the first surgical module and the second surgical module. A power backplane is configured to deliver the power to the first surgical module and the second surgical module through the first surgical module. A control circuit is configured to adaptively adjust power allocations to the first surgical module and the second surgical module.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for managing simultaneous outputs of surgical instruments. In some aspects, methods are presented for synchronizing the current frequencies. In some aspects, methods are presented for conducting duty cycling of energy outputs of two or more instruments. In some aspects, systems are presented for managing simultaneous monopolar outputs of two or more instruments, including providing a return pad that properly handles both monopolar outputs in some cases.

Abstract: A modular surgical system for use in a surgical procedure to treat tissue is disclosed. The modular surgical system includes a footer module including a power supply, a first surgical module configured to be stacked on top of the footer module, and a second surgical module configured to be stacked on top of the first surgical module. The first surgical module is detachably couplable to the footer module to receive power from the power supply of the footer module to generate a first therapeutic energy for delivery to the tissue. The second surgical module is detachably couplable to the first surgical module to receive power from the power supply of the footer module to generate a second therapeutic energy for delivery to the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument connectable to a surgical energy module that is configured to provide a first drive signal at a first frequency range for driving a first energy modality and a second drive signal at a second frequency range for driving a second energy modality is provided. The surgical instrument can comprise a surgical instrument component configured to receive power from a direct current (DC) power source, an end effector, and a circuit. The circuit can be configured to convert the first electrical signal to a DC voltage, apply the DC voltage to the surgical instrument component, and deliver the second energy modality to the end effector according to the second drive signal. Alternatively, the circuit can be disposed within a cable assembly configured to connect the surgical instrument to the surgical energy module.

Abstract: A modular surgical system is disclosed includes a header module including a power supply, a first surgical module, a second surgical module, and a segmented power backplane. The first surgical module is arrangeable in a stack configuration with the header module and the second surgical module. The segmented power backplane includes a first backplane segment in the header module, a second backplane segment in the first surgical module, and a third backplane segment in the second surgical module. The second backplane segment is detachably coupled to the first backplane segment in the stack configuration and the third backplane segment is detachably coupled to the second backplane segment in the stack configuration. The first backplane segment, the second backplane segment, and the third backplane segment are configured to cooperate to transmit energy from the power supply to the second surgical module in the stack configuration.

Abstract: A method for controlling a user interface of a modular energy system. The modular energy system comprises a header module and a display screen on which the user interface is displayed. The modular energy system can detect attachment of a first module thereto, control the user interface to display one or more first user interface elements corresponding to the first module, detect attachment of a second module to the modular energy system, control the user interface to resize the one or more first user interface elements to accommodate display of one or more second user interface elements corresponding to the second module, and control the user interface to display the one or more second user interface elements. The various UI elements can correspond to the particular module type that is being connected to the modular energy system.

Abstract: A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer, an end effector, a generator and a control circuit. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The generator may provide an electrical signal to the transducer. Also, the control circuit may modify a current amplitude of the electrical signal in response to a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector. Accordingly to various embodiments, the control circuit may detect a first contribution to a vibration frequency of the end effector, the first contribution originating from tissue in contact with the end effector. Also, according to various embodiments, the control circuit may indicate a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed including a surgical device including a transducer positioned to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and an end effector positioned distally from the transducer. The surgical instrument further includes a sleeve configured to receive the surgical device and a rail positioned along an interior portion of the sleeve. The surgical device includes a feature for receiving the rail. The surgical device is slidable along the rail.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods manage surgical instruments throughout their lifecycle by reprogramming a device to account for operational displacement of ultrasonic components based upon a diagnostic test. A diagnostic test tip is used with a surgical instrument to simulate device usage and capture capacitance and phase margin of the device. This information is used to calculate an optimal current to supply to the device during future procedures.

Abstract: A generator is disclosed to generate a drive signal to a surgical device. The generator includes an ultrasonic generator module to generate a first drive signal to drive an ultrasonic device, an electrosurgery/radio frequency (RF) generator module to generate a second drive signal to drive an electrosurgical device, and a foot switch coupled to each of the ultrasonic generator module and the electrosurgery/RF generator module. The foot switch is configured to operate in a first mode when the ultrasonic device is coupled to the ultrasonic generator module and the foot switch is configured to operate in a second mode when the electrosurgical device is coupled to the electrosurgery/RF generator module. The generator further includes a user interface to provide feedback in accordance with the operation of any one of the ultrasonic device and the electrosurgical device in accordance with a predetermined algorithm.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a transducer and an end effector is disclosed. The transducer may be configured to generate an acoustic standing wave of vibratory motion along a longitudinal axis and may include a piezoelectric stack positioned along the longitudinal axis. A length of the transducer may be less than ½ of the wavelength of the acoustic standing wave. The end effector may be acoustically coupled to and may extend distally from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. A sum of the length of the transducer and a length of the end effector may be an integer multiple of ½ of the wavelength of the acoustic standing wave.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is disclosed including a transducer, an ultrasonic blade operably coupled to the transducer, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to provide a drive signal to the transducer to cause the transducer to transmit ultrasonic vibrations to the ultrasonic blade, detect a change in a vibration frequency of the ultrasonic blade based at least in part on a change in a frequency of the drive signal, wherein the change in the vibration frequency of the ultrasonic blade corresponds to a tissue condition of tissue treated with the ultrasonic blade, and modify the drive signal in response to the tissue condition.

Abstract: A control circuit configured to receive a control signal that defines a first phase and a second phase from a surgical generator. The control circuit may include a first resistor, a second resistor in parallel with the first resistor, and a switch in series with the second resistor. The switch may be configured to transition between an open state and a closed state corresponding to an operational mode of a surgical instrument. In the first phase of the control signal, the control circuit is configured to communicate surgical instrument information to the surgical generator. In the second phase of the control signal and in the open state of the switch, the control circuit is configured to provide a first output. In the second phase of the control signal and in the closed state of the switch, the control circuit is configured to provide a second output.