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: 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: 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 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: 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 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: 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 modular energy system including a header module and a module. The header module includes a display screen for displaying a user interface. The header module is configured to receive data, including safety critical data, from the module, control the display screen to cause the UI to display UI content based on the received data, the UI content including safety critical UI content based on the safety critical data, and transmit the displayed safety critical UI content to the module for verification thereby. The module is configured to confirm whether the transmitted safety critical data coincides with the displayed safety critical UI content. In the event that it is determined that they do not coincide, the header module and/or the module can be configured to stop the function(s) of the module, display an alert on the display screen, and take various other actions.

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 modular energy system that can include a header module removably couplable to one or more energy modules. The one or more energy modules collectively comprise multiple ports to which a surgical instrument is connectable and are each configured to drive a plurality of energy modalities for the surgical instrument. The header module can comprise a display screen configured to display a user interface. The header module is connectable to a footswitch such that the header module can receive a control signal from the footswitch and can send a control signal to the footswitch. The header module can further comprise configured to assign the footswitch to a particular port and, based on user input received via the user interface, reassign the footswitch to another of the ports.

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 method for controlling an output of an energy module of a modular energy system. The energy module can comprise a plurality of amplifiers configured to generate a drive signal at a frequency range and a plurality of ports coupled to the plurality of amplifiers. The method includes determining to which port of the plurality of ports the surgical instrument is connected, selectively coupling an amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers to the port of the plurality of ports to which the surgical instrument is connected, and controlling the amplifier to deliver the drive signal for driving the energy modality to the surgical instrument through the port.

Abstract: A surgical platform is disclosed. The surgical platform includes a component and a regional location tracking module configured to connect with an external device and receive geographic location data from the external device and implement geographic location specific functionality based on the geographic location data received from the external device.

Abstract: A method of operating a modular surgical system including a control module, a first surgical module, and a second surgical module is disclosed. The method includes detachably connecting the first surgical module to the control module by stacking the first surgical module with the control module in a stack configuration, detachably connecting the second surgical module to the first surgical module by stacking the second surgical module with the control module and the first surgical module in the stack configuration, powering up the modular surgical system, and monitoring distribution of power from a power supply of the control module to the first surgical module and the second surgical module.

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: A first module configured to engage with a second module in a stacked configuration to define a modular energy system is provided. The first module comprises a first bridge connector portion and a second conductive portion. The first bridge connector portion is configured to engage with a second bridge connector portion of the second module as the first module and the second module are engaged. The first conductive portion is configured to engage with a second conductive portion of the second module as the first module and the second module are engaged, prior to engagement between the first bridge connector portion and the second bridge connector portion.

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: A marking attachment for a tape measure is provided. The marking attachment includes a body having a base and at least a front wall and a rear wall defining an interior section. The interior section is proportioned to receive and frictional secure the tab from a tape measure therein. The rear wall may be flexibly attached to the base and is biased inwards. A pin may be located on the interior of the rear wall that locks into the tape measure tab. Alternatively, flexible tabs may be located on each of a pair of sidewalls to lock the attachment to the tape measure. A marking device is located on a bottom portion of the base of the attachment. The marking device may be a liquid marker, chalk, a pencil or a razor blade.