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 method for performing an electrosurgical procedure using an electrosurgical instrument including an end effector is disclosed. The method comprises applying a bipolar energy to a target tissue grasped by the end effector in a tissue-feathering segment, applying an energy blend of the bipolar energy and a monopolar energy to the target tissue in a tissue-warming segment and a tissue-sealing segment following the tissue-warming segment, and discontinuing the bipolar energy but continuing to apply the monopolar energy to the target tissue in a tissue-cutting segment following the tissue-sealing segment.

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: 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: 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 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 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: 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 staple cartridge comprising an implantable adjunct is disclosed.

Abstract: A modular surgical system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The modular surgical system includes a control module, a first surgical module arrangeable in a stack configuration with the control module, and a second surgical module arrangeable in a stack configuration with the control module and the first surgical module. The first surgical module includes a first counter module, a first stop-counter module configured to receive a sequence signal that causes the first stop-counter module to disable the first counter module from incrementing at a first final count, and a first delay module. The second surgical module includes a second counter module and a second stop-counter module configured to receive the sequence signal from the first surgical module after a predetermined delay. The sequence signal causes the second stop-counter module to disable the second counter module from incrementing at a second final count.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a motor assembly, a shaft defining a shaft axis, a distal head, a rotary drive member, and a distal head lock member movable between a first position where the distal head is unlocked from the shaft and a second position where the distal head is locked to the shaft is disclosed. The motor assembly comprises a motor and a controller configured to operate the motor in first and second operating modes. The distal head comprises an end effector movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The distal head is rotated about the shaft axis when the distal head lock member is in the first position and the rotary drive member is actuated. The end effector is moved from the open configuration toward the closed configuration when the distal head lock member is in the second position and the rotary drive member is actuated.

Abstract: A stapling assembly configured to produce staples having different formed configurations is disclosed.

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 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 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: 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: 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 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.