Abstract: Disclosed is a method of assembling a backplane connector subassembly for a module of a modular energy system. The backplane connector subassembly physically and electrically connects at least two modules stacked on top of one another. The method includes providing a back panel defining an inner surface, attaching a first support member to the inner surface of the back panel, attaching a second support member to the inner surface of the back panel, attaching the upstream connector to the back panel by sliding a first mating hole defined in the upstream connector onto the first support member, and attaching the downstream connector to the back panel by a sliding a second mating hole defined in the downstream connector onto the second support member. The first support member is configured to support an upstream connector. The second support member is configured to support a downstream connector.

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: 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: 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 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 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 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 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: 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: 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: 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: Disclosed is an isolated interface circuit for a modular energy system. A comparator is configured to couple to a switch and a reference voltage, and an output. A duplicate comparator is configured to couple to the switch and the reference voltage. An expander circuit is coupled to the comparator and the duplicate comparator. An isolator circuit is coupled to the expander circuit. A controller is coupled to the isolator circuit. The controller is configured to compare the output of the comparator with the output of the duplicate comparator and determine activation or deactivation of a surgical instrument coupled to the controller based on the comparison.

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: 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: 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.