Surgical instrument capable of single-wire digital communication via a differential bus

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a surgical instrument capable of single-wire digital communication via a differential bus. More specifically, it relates to a single-wire digital communication system for use with an ultrasonic surgical instrument and an ultrasonic surgical instrument incorporating the single-wire digital communication system. The single-wire digital communication system includes a first transmitter logic buffer and a first receiver logic buffer operably coupled to a first single-wire device via a first single-wire communication bus. The single-wire digital communication system further includes a first differential transceiver operational amplifier that is operably coupled to the first transmitter logic buffer via a first transmitter signal line and operably coupled to the first receiver logic buffer via a first receiver signal line. A second differential transceiver operational amplifier is operably coupled to the first differential transceiver operational amplifier via at least one differential bus. A second single-wire device is operably coupled to the differential bus and configured to communicate with the first single-wire device.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 948,996, filed on December 17, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to ultrasonic surgical instruments, and more particularly, to a communication protocol for surgical instruments in which data is communicated via a bus, the protocol eliminating the need for multiple buses for transmitting information between various components in a system. Background Art

[0004] Ultrasonic surgical instruments utilize ultrasonic energy, i.e., ultrasonic vibrations, to treat tissue. More specifically, ultrasonic surgical instruments utilize mechanical vibration energy transmitted at ultrasonic frequencies to coagulate, cauterize, fuse, seal, cut, dry, and / or electrocauterize tissue to achieve hemostasis.

[0005] Ultrasonic surgical instruments typically employ a transducer that is coupled to the handle of the ultrasonic surgical instrument and configured to generate ultrasonic energy for transmission along a waveguide to the end effector of the ultrasonic surgical instrument, the end effector being designed to utilize the ultrasonic energy to treat tissue. The transducer can be driven by, for example, an ultrasonic generator located on or within the handle of the ultrasonic surgical instrument, or remotely located, such as via a surgical cable, as a set - top box connected to the ultrasonic surgical instrument. The end effector of the ultrasonic surgical instrument can include: a blade that receives ultrasonic energy from the waveguide for application to tissue; and a clamp member configured to hold tissue between the blade and the clamp member to facilitate treatment of the tissue. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The various components of electrosurgical and ultrasonic instruments include multiple electronic components that transmit digital communication signals therebetween, e.g., nodes. Some digital electronic communication nodes utilize a single-wire interface to minimize the device electrical connections required to transmit data. In a single-wire interface, the transmission of data is half-duplex, meaning that at any given moment, the device can transmit or receive data, but not both simultaneously. Devices within these nodes that utilize single-wire communication are typically built into hardware and software drivers for aggregating the transmission and reception of data in this manner. The data encoded on the single wire depends on its voltage relationship to the device power supply. Differential signaling uses two independent but complementary signals, where the data encoded in those signals depends on their relationship to each other and not on their relationship to the device power supply. This is commonly referred to as a differential bus. In situations where there are relatively long and / or electrically noisy links between communication nodes, the differential bus improves the immunity and fidelity of the transmission of digital signals. Nodes that are part of the differential bus are capable of handling both data transmission and data reception on the differential bus. This can be done with independent differential buses for transmission and reception, or by added hardware or software-generated logic to control the node for transmission or reception on a single differential bus.

[0007] There is a problem where nodes only have single-wire communication capabilities but are in an environment where a differential medium would provide more reliable communication between the nodes. The communication link between nodes is referred to as a bus. The present disclosure provides a communication bus where single-wire devices send temporal bitwise data that is either dominant or passive to represent binary states on the bus. In the dominant state, the device places the bus in a state where it cannot be changed by other devices; while in the passive state, the bus can be changed by other devices. Given this state system, a logic device is used to detect the dominant or passive state and split it into two channels, one channel for transmission and the other channel for receiving signals. When the dominant state is detected, the transmission logic is driven to the same binary state and the receiver logic buffer is disabled. Conversely, when the passive state is detected, the receiver logic buffer is enabled and the transmitter logic buffer is disabled, causing the node to present a passive state on the communication interface.

[0008] In this way, the logic for detecting the active / passive state of the detection device derives a direction control indicator for data communication (i.e., a transmit or receive indication). The separate transmit and receive channels then lead to differential transceiver operational amplifier electronics that convert the signals on the differential bus to the transmitter and convert the signals on the differential bus from the receiver. These differential buses can be independent differential buses or a shared differential bus. In the case of a shared bus, the previously obtained direction control indicator is used to control transmission to, or reception from, the shared differential bus by the transceiver electronics. Finally, this solution is used for multiple nodes on a differential transmission medium, enabling multiple nodes with single-wire functionality to communicate on a single differential bus medium.

[0009] As used herein, the term "distal" refers to the part described as being away from the user, and the term "proximal" refers to the part described as being closer to the user. Additionally, to the extent consistent, any or all aspects described herein may be used in combination with any or all other aspects described herein.

[0010] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a single-wire digital communication system is provided that includes a first transmitter logic buffer and a first receiver logic buffer operably coupled to a first single-wire device via a first single-wire communication bus. The single-wire digital communication system also includes a first differential transceiver operational amplifier and a second differential transceiver operational amplifier. The first differential transceiver operational amplifier is operably coupled to the first transmitter logic buffer via a first transmitter signal line and operably coupled to the first receiver logic buffer via a first receiver signal line. The second differential transceiver operational amplifier is operably coupled to the first differential transceiver operational amplifier via at least one differential bus. The single-wire digital communication system further includes a second single-wire device operably coupled to the differential bus and configured to communicate with the first single-wire device.

[0011] In one aspect, the at least one differential bus is a single shared differential bus. Alternatively, the at least one differential bus may include a first differential bus and a second differential bus.

[0012] In one aspect, each of the first transmitter logic buffer and the first receiver logic buffer is a tri-state buffer.

[0013] In one aspect, the first transmitter signal line is configured to transmit a transmitter signal from an output of the first transmitter logic buffer through the first differential transceiver operational amplifier to an input of the first transmitter logic buffer and an inverted input of the first receiver logic buffer.

[0014] In one aspect, a first receiver signal line is operatively coupled to an output of a first differential transceiver operational amplifier, an input of a first receiver logic buffer, and an input of a first transmitter logic buffer.

[0015] In one aspect, a single-wire digital communication system includes a second transmitter logic buffer operatively coupled to a second differential transceiver operational amplifier via a second transmitter signal line; a second receiver logic buffer operatively coupled to the second differential transceiver operational amplifier via a second receiver signal line; and a second single-wire communication bus operatively coupling a second single-wire device to the second transmitter logic buffer and the second receiver logic buffer. The second transmitter signal line is configurable to transmit a transmitter signal from an output of the second transmitter logic buffer through the second differential transceiver operational amplifier to an input of the second transmitter logic buffer and an inverted input of the second receiver logic buffer. Additionally or alternatively, the second receiver signal line can be operatively coupled to an output of the second differential transceiver operational amplifier, an input of the second receiver logic buffer, and an input of the second transmitter logic buffer.

[0016] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes: a housing, an ultrasonic transducer assembly supported by the housing, and an elongate assembly extending distally from the housing. The elongate assembly includes a waveguide configured to engage the ultrasonic transducer assembly. The waveguide defines a blade at its distal end. Ultrasonic energy generated by the ultrasonic transducer assembly is transmitted along the waveguide to the blade for treating tissue adjacent the blade. The ultrasonic surgical instrument further includes a single-wire digital communication system configured to control communication between a first single-wire device disposed within the housing and a second single-wire device disposed external to the housing. The single-wire digital communication system includes a first transmitter logic buffer and a first receiver logic buffer operatively coupled to the first single-wire device via a first single-wire communication bus. The single-wire digital communication system further includes a first differential transceiver operational amplifier and a second differential transceiver operational amplifier. The first differential transceiver operational amplifier is operatively coupled to the first transmitter logic buffer via a first transmitter signal line and to the first receiver logic buffer via a first receiver signal line. The second differential transceiver operational amplifier is operatively coupled to the first differential transceiver operational amplifier via at least one differential bus. The single-wire digital communication system further includes a second single-wire device operatively coupled to the differential bus and configured to communicate with the first single-wire device.

[0017] In one aspect, the at least one differential bus is a single shared differential bus. Alternatively, the at least one differential bus can include a first differential bus and a second differential bus.

[0018] In one aspect, each of the first transmitter logic buffer and the first receiver logic buffer is a tri-state buffer.

[0019] In one aspect, the first transmitter signal line is configured to transmit a transmitter signal from an output of the first transmitter logic buffer through a first differential transceiver operational amplifier to an input of the first transmitter logic buffer and an inverting input of the first receiver logic buffer.

[0020] In one aspect, the first receiver signal line is operatively coupled to an output of the first differential transceiver operational amplifier, an input of the first receiver logic buffer, and an input of the first transmitter logic buffer.

[0021] In one aspect, a single-wire digital communication system includes a second transmitter logic buffer operatively coupled to a second differential transceiver operational amplifier through a second transmitter signal line; a second receiver logic buffer operatively coupled to the second differential transceiver operational amplifier through a second receiver signal line; and a second single-wire communication bus operatively coupling a second single-wire device to the second transmitter logic buffer and the second receiver logic buffer. The second transmitter signal line is configured to transmit a transmitter signal from an output of the second transmitter logic buffer through the second differential transceiver operational amplifier to an input of the second transmitter logic buffer and an inverting input of the second receiver logic buffer. Additionally or alternatively, the second receiver signal line may be operatively coupled to an output of the second differential transceiver operational amplifier, an input of the second receiver logic buffer, and an input of the second transmitter logic buffer.

[0022] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for single-wire digital communication in an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes: detecting, based on time-bit data, whether a bus including a receiver logic buffer and a transmitter logic buffer is in a dominant state or a passive state; disabling the receiver logic buffer and enabling the transmitter logic buffer when the bus is detected to be in the dominant state; enabling the receiver logic buffer and disabling the transmitter logic buffer when the bus is detected to be in the passive state; converting a signal from the transmitter logic buffer to a differential bus; converting a signal from the differential bus to a receiver; and transmitting a signal from the receiver to a single-wire device through a single-wire communication bus.

[0023] In one aspect, the differential bus includes a first bus configured to receive a signal from a transmitter logic buffer and a second bus configured to transmit a signal to a receiver.

[0024] In one aspect, the differential bus receives a signal from a transmitter logic buffer and transmits the signal to a receiver.

[0025] In one aspect, the method further includes controlling a transceiver electronic device configured to transmit a signal to a differential bus.

[0026] In one aspect, the method further includes controlling a transceiver electronic device configured to receive a signal from a differential bus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements.

[0028] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of an ultrasonic surgical instrument provided in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an enlarged, side, longitudinal cross-sectional view of a proximal portion of the ultrasonic surgical instrument of

[0030] Figure 3 is Figure 1 an enlarged front perspective view of a transducer assembly of the ultrasonic surgical instrument of

[0031] Figure 4 is Figure 1 an enlarged front perspective view of a transducer assembly of the ultrasonic surgical instrument of , where a portion of the housing is removed to show its internal features and components;

[0032] Figure 5 is at Figure 4 an enlarged perspective view of the detail area indicated as "5" in

[0033] Figure 6 is at Figure 4 an enlarged side view of the detail area indicated as "6" in

[0034] Figure 7 is a circuit diagram of a single-wire digital communication system of an ultrasonic surgical instrument provided in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0035] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a method for single-wire digital communication in accordance with the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Reference is made to Figure 1 and Figure 2, which shows an ultrasonic surgical instrument generally designated by reference numeral 10 provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The ultrasonic surgical instrument 10 includes a handle assembly 100 and an elongate assembly 200 extending distally from the handle assembly 100. The handle assembly 100 includes a housing 110 defining a body portion 112 and a fixed handle portion 114. The handle assembly 100 also includes an activation button 120 and a clamping trigger 130.

[0037] The body portion 112 of the housing 110 is configured to support an ultrasonic transducer and generator assembly ("TAG") 300 including a generator assembly 310 and an ultrasonic transducer assembly 320. The TAG 300 may be permanently engaged with or removable from the body portion 112 of the housing 110. The generator assembly 310 includes a housing 312 configured to house the internal electronics of the generator assembly 310 and a bracket 314 configured to rotatably support the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320. Alternatively, the generator assembly 310 may be remotely located and coupled to the ultrasonic surgical instrument 10 via a surgical cable. The TAG 300 is described in more detail below.

[0038] The fixed handle portion 114 of the housing 110 defines a compartment 116 configured to receive a battery assembly 400 and a door 118 configured to enclose the compartment 116. An electrical connection assembly 140 is disposed within the housing 110 of the handle assembly 100 and is configured to electrically couple the activation button 120, the generator assembly 310 of the TAG 300, and the battery assembly 400 to each other when the TAG 300 is supported on or within the body portion 112 of the housing 110 and the battery assembly 400 is disposed within the compartment 116 of the fixed handle portion 114 of the housing 110, thereby enabling activation of the ultrasonic surgical instrument 10 in response to pressing the activation button 120. In embodiments where the generator assembly 310 is remote from the ultrasonic surgical instrument 10, the battery assembly 400 and the configuration of the fixed handle portion 114 for receiving the battery assembly 400 need not be provided, as the generator assembly 310 may be powered by a standard wall outlet or other power source.

[0039] Still referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the elongated assembly 200 of the ultrasonic surgical instrument 10 includes an outer drive sleeve 210, an inner support sleeve 220 disposed within the outer drive sleeve 210, a waveguide 230 extending through the inner support sleeve 220, a drive assembly 250, a rotary knob 270, and an end effector 280 including a blade 282 and a clamp 284. The proximal portion of the outer drive sleeve 210 is operatively coupled to the clamping trigger 130 of the handle assembly 100 via the drive assembly 250, while the distal portion of the outer drive sleeve 210 is operatively coupled to the clamp 284. Thus, the clamping trigger 130 can be selectively actuated to thereby move the outer drive sleeve 210 about the inner support sleeve 220 to pivot the clamp 284 relative to the blade 282 of the end effector 280 from a spaced-apart position to a proximate position for clamping tissue between the clamp 284 and the blade 282. The drive assembly 250 has a force limiting feature, thereby limiting the clamping pressure applied to the tissue to a specific clamping pressure or within a specific clamping pressure range. The rotary knob 270 can be rotated in either direction to rotate the elongated assembly 200 relative to the handle assembly 100 in either direction.

[0040] The waveguide 230 extends through the inner support sleeve 220. The waveguide 230 defines a body 232 and a blade 282 extending from the distal end of the body 232. The blade 282 serves as the blade of the end effector 280. The waveguide 230 also includes a proximal threaded male connector 236 configured for threaded engagement within a threaded female receiver 325e of a nose portion 325b of a horn 324 of an ultrasonic transducer assembly 320 such that ultrasonic vibrations generated by the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320 are transmitted along the waveguide 230 to the blade 282 for treating tissue clamped between the blade 282 and the clamp 284 or positioned adjacent to the blade 282.

[0041] Reference Figure 2-4 , the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320 includes a piezoelectric stack 322, a horn 324, a bolt 328 ( Figure 4 ), a proximal nut 329 ( Figure 4) The first and second electrode assemblies 330, the contact member assembly 332, and the housing 340. The bolt 328 fixes the piezoelectric stack 322 between the ultrasonic horn 324 and the proximal nut 329. The first and second electrode assemblies 330 are disposed between the piezoelectric elements 323 of the piezoelectric stack 322 and are connected to the contact member assembly 332. The contact member assembly 332 enables the transmission of drive and / or data signals through the housing 340, for example, between the piezoelectric stack 322 and the generator assembly 310. The housing 340, together with the ultrasonic horn 324, defines an airtight enclosure having an interior 341 that houses the piezoelectric stack 322, a portion of the ultrasonic horn 324, the bolt 328, the proximal nut 329, the first and second electrode assemblies 330, and a portion of the contact member assembly 332.

[0042] The ultrasonic transducer assembly 320 further includes a rotary knob 350 mounted on or formed integrally with the housing 340 at the proximal end of the housing 340 ( Figure 1 ). The knob 350 is accessible from the outside of the handle assembly 100 and is configured for manual rotation to rotate the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320 relative to the generator assembly 310 and the outer housing 110.

[0043] Continuing to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the generator assembly 310 includes a plurality of annular contacts 364, 366, 368 that surround the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320 and are arranged to slidably contact corresponding sliding contacts 334, 336, 338 of the contact member assembly 332 of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320, respectively. Thus, the annular contacts 364, 366, 368 and the corresponding sliding contacts 334, 336, 338 define a sliding annular contact member assembly that enables the transmission of drive and / or data signals between the generator assembly 310 and the piezoelectric stack 322 of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320, regardless of the rotational orientation of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320 relative to the generator assembly 310. More specifically, with respect to drive signal communication, the first of the electrode assemblies 330 includes at least one positive electrode that is disposed between a piezoelectric element 323 of the piezoelectric stack 322 and an electrode connector that connects the at least one positive electrode to the sliding contact 334, which in turn is arranged to contact the annular contact 364. The second of the electrode assemblies 330 includes at least one negative electrode that is disposed between a piezoelectric element 323 of the piezoelectric stack 322 and an electrode connector that connects the at least one negative electrode to the sliding contact 336, which in turn is arranged to contact the annular contact 366. In this way, the drive signal voltage can be applied to the piezoelectric element 323 of the piezoelectric stack 322 from the generator assembly 310 through the positive and negative electrodes. The piezoelectric stack 322 in turn converts the applied voltage into mechanical energy in the form of ultrasonic vibrations, which is transmitted to the ultrasonic horn 324. In other embodiments, the second of the electrode assemblies 330 is omitted and the housing 340 is used as the negative electrode of the piezoelectric stack 322.

[0044] Regarding data signal communication, the contact member assembly 332 can include data storage and processing means (not explicitly shown) (or an electrical connector, where the data storage and processing means is disposed within the generator assembly 310) arranged to communicate with the ultrasonic horn 324 (and / or other parts of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320). More specifically, the data storage and processing means can be a microprocessor chip or other suitable chip with sensing circuitry to detect various conditions, parameters, characteristics, etc. of the piezoelectric stack 322, the ultrasonic horn 324, and / or other parts of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320. The data storage and processing means can be configured to sense, for example, the frequency, amplitude, impedance, and / or temperature of the ultrasonic horn 324 (or other parts of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320); the number of times the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320 is activated, the duration of activation of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320, etc. The data storage and processing means can additionally or alternatively include a memory that stores information related to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320, such as, for example, model number, serial number, manufacturing date, calibration and / or test information, manufacturer setting information, etc. In embodiments where the data storage and processing means includes sensor circuitry, the memory can also store the sensed data.

[0045] The data storage and processing means (or electrical connector) within the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320 is coupled to the sliding contact 338 of the contact member assembly 332, which in turn is arranged to contact the annular contact 368 to effect the transfer of data signals between the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320 and the ultrasonic generator assembly 310.

[0046] The ultrasonic horn 324 includes a body 325a disposed within the housing 340 of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320, and a nose portion 325b extending distally from the exterior of the body 325a of the housing 340 of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320. A proximal collar 325c is disposed between the body 325a and the nose portion 325b, and an annular outwardly facing contact surface 325d is provided at the proximal collar 325c adjacent the distal end to facilitate the formation of an airtight seal between the housing 340 and the ultrasonic horn 324, as detailed below. The annular outwardly facing contact surface 325d can be provided at or near a node along the ultrasonic horn 324. The nose portion 325b of the ultrasonic horn 324 defines a distally threaded concave receiver 325e configured such that the waveguide 230 engages the ultrasonic horn 324 in a releasable threaded engagement. The ultrasonic horn 324 can be formed of a metal such as, for example, titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, amorphous metal, or other suitable material.

[0047] Reference Figure 3-6, as described above, the housing 340 of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 320 defines a hermetically sealed enclosure having an interior 341 that houses a piezoelectric stack 322, a portion of an ultrasonic horn 324, bolts 328, a proximal nut 329, first and second electrode assemblies 330, and a portion of a contact member assembly 332. The housing 340 can be formed of a metal such as titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, amorphous metal, or other suitable material. The housing 340 can be formed of a plurality of housing components that include, for example, a proximal cap portion 342, one or more intermediate tube portions 344, and a distal cap portion 346. The proximal cap portion 342 defines a closed proximal end and an open distal end, the intermediate tube portions 344 define open proximal and distal ends, and the distal cap portion 346 defines an open proximal end and an opening 347 of smaller diameter at its distal end. The distal cap portion 346 further defines an annular inwardly facing contact surface 348 surrounding the opening 347 of smaller diameter. The housing 340 additionally includes one or more windows 349 defined therethrough for sealing the contact member assembly 332 therein, as detailed below.

[0048] The distal end of the proximal cap portion 342 and the proximal end of the most proximal intermediate tube portion 344 are adjacent to each other to define a joint 343a and are welded to each other circumferentially around the joint 343a to fix and hermetically seal the distal end of the proximal cap portion 342 and the proximal end of the most proximal intermediate tube portion 344 to each other. One of the distal end of the proximal cap portion 342 or the proximal end of the most proximal intermediate tube portion 344 includes a flange (not explicitly shown, see flange 345b( Figure 6 )) that overlaps on the inner side of the joint 343a. When the joint 343a is welded to fix and hermetically seal the distal end of the proximal cap portion 342 and the proximal end of the most proximal intermediate tube portion 344 to each other, the flange protects the interior 341 of the housing 340 (and any components disposed therein) by overlapping the joint 343a. As an alternative to welding, other suitable methods of fixing and hermetically sealing the distal end of the proximal cap portion 342 and the proximal end of the most proximal intermediate tube portion 344 to each other also encompass, for example, press-fitting, using an O-ring, adhesives, etc.

[0049] The distal end of the most distal intermediate tube portion 344 and the proximal end of the distal cap portion 346 are adjacent to each other to define a joint 343b and are welded to each other circumferentially around the joint 343b to fix and hermetically seal the distal end of the most distal intermediate tube portion 344 and the proximal end of the distal cap portion 346 to each other. One of the distal end of the most distal intermediate tube portion 344 or the proximal end of the distal cap portion 346 includes a flange (not explicitly shown, see flange 345b( Figure 6)) to protect the interior 341 of the housing 340 when fixing and hermetically sealing the distal end of the most distal intermediate tube portion 344 and the proximal end of the distal cap portion 346 to each other at the welded joint 343b.

[0050] Steering Figure 6 , in embodiments having multiple intermediate tube portions 344, the adjacent ends of adjacent intermediate tube portions 344 can be welded to each other in a similar manner as described above. For example, where the flange 345b overlaps the welded joint 345a on the inner side of the welded joint. As an alternative to including proximal portion 342, intermediate portion 344, and distal portion 346 welded to each other around an annular joint, the housing 340 can include, for example, a left half and a right half welded to each other along a longitudinal joint, or can include any suitable combination of components welded to each other through annular and / or longitudinal joints (and including annular and / or longitudinal internal flanges). In other embodiments, the housing 340 is formed as a single monolithic material.

[0051] Specifically return to reference Figure 5 , to completely enclose and hermetically seal the interior 341 of the housing 340, thereby hermetically sealing the piezoelectric stack 322, portions of the horn 324, the bolt 328, the proximal nut 329, the first and second electrode assemblies 330, and portions of the contact assembly 332 within the housing 340, the distal cap portion 346 of the housing 340 is positioned such that the horn 324 extends through a smaller diameter opening 347. More specifically, the housing 340 and the horn 324 are positioned such that the horn 324 extends through the smaller diameter opening 347 while the proximal collar 325c abuts the inner surface of the housing 340 adjacent to the smaller diameter opening 347, and such that the outwardly facing contact surface 325d and the inwardly facing contact surface 348 abut each other to define a joint 327. The distal cap portion 346 of the housing 340 and the horn 324 are welded to each other annularly around the joint 327 to fasten and hermetically seal the distal end of the distal cap portion 346 and the horn 324 to each other. The proximal collar 325c overlaps the joint 327 on its inner side, thereby protecting the interior 341 of the housing 340 (and any components disposed therein) when welding the joint 327 to fix and hermetically seal the distal cap portion 346 of the housing 340 and the horn 324 to each other. As described above, the annular outwardly facing contact surface 325d of the horn 324 can be disposed at a node along the horn 324, and thus, the joint 327 (the location where the housing 340 is connected to the horn 324) is disposed at a node along the horn 324 in the same manner to keep the housing 340 ultrasonically inert.

[0052] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4, as described above, the contact assembly 332 includes sliding contacts 334, 336, 338 that extend from the interior 341 of the housing 340 to its exterior. More specifically, the contacts 334, 336, 338 project radially outward beyond the outer surface of the housing 340 so as to be slidably contactable with corresponding annular contacts 364, 366, 368 of the generator assembly 310, respectively, while the housing 340 does not contact the annular contacts 364, 366, 368. In addition, since the housing 340 is formed of a conductive material such as metal, the contact assembly 332 further includes an electrically insulating border 333 that hermetically holds the contacts 334, 336, 338 in electrical isolation from each other and from the housing 340 within the electrically insulating border. The border 333 may be formed of a polymer or other suitable electrically insulating material and may be overmolded around the contacts 334, 336, 338 to form an airtight seal around and securing the border, hermetically sealing and securing the border around the contacts 334, 336, 338 using epoxy resin or other sealant, or may be hermetically sealed and secured around the contacts 334, 336, 338 in any other suitable manner. In addition, the border 333 may be overmolded within a window 349 of the housing 340 to secure the contact assembly 332 within the border and to form an airtight seal between the borders (by the same overmolding or additional overmolding used to secure and seal the contacts 334, 336, 338), the border may be secured and hermetically sealed within the window 349 using epoxy resin or other sealant, or may be secured and hermetically sealed within the window 349 in any other suitable manner.

[0053] The hermetic seal of the housing 340 to the horn 324 (and the hermetic seal of the contact assembly 332 within the window 349 of the housing 340) detailed above ensures that the transducer assembly 320 can withstand multiple rounds of sterilization such as autoclaving.

[0054] Reference Figure 7 , a circuit diagram of a single-wire digital communication system 1000 that can be used with a single-wire device of an ultrasonic surgical instrument is shown. In an embodiment, the single-wire digital communication system 1000 can be used with any surgical instrument that utilizes a single-wire bus for digital communication between various nodes. In one aspect, a first single-wire device is disposed within the housing 110 of the handle assembly 100, and a second single-wire device 1200 is disposed external to the housing 110, adjacent to the end effector 280. In various aspects, either or both of the first single-wire device 1100 or the second single-wire device 1200 can include or be coupled to a sensor or data storage device, as well as other integrated circuit components similar to those described above.

[0055] The currently disclosed single-wire digital communication system 1000 can be read from the storage and processing devices and electronic components in the system and various components of the ultrasonic surgical instrument in an effective manner. The currently disclosed communication protocol improves security because it allows fewer mechanical parts to be corroded and / or damaged, especially in cases where pins may be exposed to blood and other fluids.

[0056] The single-wire digital communication system 1000 includes a communication bus in which single-wire devices transmit time-bit data that is either dominant or passive to represent binary states on the bus. In the dominant state, a device places the bus in a state where it cannot be changed by other devices; while in the passive state, the bus can be changed by other devices. Given this state system, a logic device is used to detect the dominant or passive state and divide it into two channels for transmitting and receiving signals respectively. When the dominant state is detected, the transmission logic is driven to the same binary state and the receiver logic buffer is disabled. Conversely, when the passive state is detected, the receiver logic buffer is enabled and the transmitter logic buffer is disabled, causing the node to present a passive state on the communication interface.

[0057] In this way, the logic for detecting the dominant / passive state of the device yields a direction control indicator for data communication (i.e., a transmit or receive indication). The separate transmit and receive channels then lead to differential transceiver operational amplifier electronics that convert signals on the differential bus to the transmitter and convert signals on the differential bus from the receiver. These differential buses can be independent differential buses or a shared differential bus. In the case of a shared bus, the previously obtained direction control indicator is used to control the transmission of the transceiver electronics or the reception from the shared differential bus. Finally, this solution is used for multiple nodes on a differential transmission medium, enabling multiple nodes with single-wire functionality to communicate on a single differential bus medium.

[0058] With particular reference to Figure 7 , the single-wire digital communication system 1000 includes a first single-wire device 1100 and a second single-wire device 1200 that communicate with each other. The first single-wire device 1100 can be coupled to a controller or other suitable component of the ultrasonic surgical instrument 10 (e.g., within the housing of the ultrasonic surgical instrument 10), and the second single-wire device 1200 can be coupled to another component of the ultrasonic surgical instrument 10 (e.g., a sensor (not shown) disposed on the end effector of the ultrasonic surgical instrument).

[0059] The single-wire digital communication system 1000 includes a first transmitter logic buffer 1104 and a first receiver logic buffer 1106 that are operably coupled to a first single-wire device 1100 via a first single-wire communication bus 1102. The first transmitter logic buffer 1104 and the first receiver logic buffer 1106 can be tri-state buffers or other suitable logic or non-logic switching devices. The single-wire digital communication system 1000 also includes a first differential transceiver operational amplifier 1112 that is operably coupled to the first transmitter logic buffer 1104 via a first transmitter signal line 1108 and to the first receiver logic buffer 1106 via a first receiver signal line 1110. A second differential transceiver operational amplifier 1212 is operably coupled to the first differential transceiver operational amplifier 1112 via at least one differential bus 1300. A second single-wire device 1200 is operably coupled to the differential bus 1300 and is configured to communicate with the first single-wire device 1100.

[0060] As described above, the differential bus 1300 can be a single shared differential bus or can include two independent differential buses. The first transmitter signal line 1108 is configured to transmit a transmitter signal from an output 1104c of the first transmitter logic buffer 1104 through the first differential transceiver operational amplifier 1112 to an input 1104b of the first transmitter logic buffer 1104 and an inverting input 1106b of the first receiver logic buffer 1106. The first receiver signal line 1110 is operably coupled to an output 1112c of the first differential transceiver operational amplifier 1112, an input 1106a of the first receiver logic buffer 1106, and an input 1104b of the first transmitter logic buffer 1104.

[0061] In one aspect, the single-wire digital communication system 1000 further includes a second transmitter logic buffer 1204, which is operatively coupled to a second differential transceiver operational amplifier 1212 via a second transmitter signal line 1208. The single-wire digital communication system 1000 further includes a second receiver logic buffer 1206 operatively coupled to the second differential transceiver operational amplifier 1212 via a second receiver signal line 1210, and a second single-wire communication bus 1202 operatively coupling the second single-wire device 1200 to the second transmitter logic buffer 1204 and the second receiver logic buffer 1206. The second transmitter signal line 1208 is configured to transmit a transmitter signal from the output 1204c of the second transmitter logic buffer 1204 to the input 1204b of the second transmitter logic buffer 1204 and the inverted input 1206b of the second receiver logic buffer 1206 via the second differential transceiver operational amplifier 1212. The second receiver signal line 1210 is operatively coupled to the output 1212c of the second differential transceiver operational amplifier 1212, the input 1206a of the second receiver logic buffer 1206, and the input 1204b of the second transmitter logic buffer 1204.

[0062] The structure of the single-wire digital communication system 1000 enables the logic device to detect the dominant or passive state and separate the two into two channels for transmission (e.g., the first transmitter signal line 1108 and the second transmitter signal line 1208) and reception (e.g., the first receiver signal line 1110 and the second receiver signal line 1210).

[0063] Figure 8 A flowchart showing a method for single-wire digital communication according to the present disclosure, the method being described as method 800. For example, a method for single-wire digital communication in an ultrasonic surgical instrument using the single-wire digital communication system 1000 ( Figure 7 ) includes detecting whether a bus including a receiver logic buffer and a transmitter logic buffer is in a dominant state or a passive state (step 801). The detection in step 801 can be based on time-based bit data. When the bus is in the dominant state, the bus cannot be changed by another device, and when the bus is in the passive state, the bus can be changed by another device. When it is detected that the bus is in the dominant state, the receiver logic buffer is disabled and the transmitter logic buffer is enabled (step 803). Alternatively, when it is detected that the bus is in the passive state, the receiver logic buffer is enabled and the transmitter logic buffer is disabled (step 805).

[0064] The method further includes converting a signal from a transmitter logic buffer to a differential bus (step 807), converting a signal from the differential bus to a receiver (step 809), and transmitting a signal from the receiver to a single-wire device via a single-wire communication bus (step 811). In one aspect, the method includes controlling a transceiver electronic device to transmit to the same differential bus, and may additionally include controlling the transceiver electronic device to receive from the same differential bus. Converting a signal from a transmitter logic buffer to a differential bus may include passing a signal from the transmitter logic buffer through a differential transceiver operational amplifier. Additionally or alternatively, converting a signal from the differential bus to a receiver includes passing a signal from the differential bus through a differential transceiver operational amplifier.

[0065] Although several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above and shown in the drawings, it is not intended to limit the present disclosure thereto, but rather to make the scope of the present disclosure as broad as permitted in the art and to be understood in the same manner as the specification. Therefore, the above description and drawings should not be construed as restrictive, but merely as illustrative of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the appended claims herein.

Claims

1. A single-wire digital communication system (1000), comprising: A first transmitter logic buffer (1104) and a first receiver logic buffer (1106) operably coupled to a first single-wire device (1100) via a first single-wire communication bus (1102); A first differential transceiver operational amplifier (1112) operably coupled to the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) via a first transmitter signal line (1108) and operably coupled to the first receiver logic buffer (1106) via a first receiver signal line (1110); A second differential transceiver operational amplifier (1212) operably coupled to the first differential transceiver operational amplifier (1112) via at least one differential bus (1300); and A second single-wire device (1200) operably coupled to the differential bus (1300) and configured to communicate with the first single-wire device (1100), wherein the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) and the first receiver logic buffer (1106) are configured to enable an input coupled to a first transmitter signal line based on whether the bus (1102) is in a dominant state or a passive state, wherein when a dominant state is detected, the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) is enabled to transmit data and the first receiver logic buffer (1106) is disabled, and wherein when a passive state is detected, the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) is disabled and the first receiver logic buffer (1106) is enabled to receive data.

2. The single-wire digital communication system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one differential bus (1300) is a single shared differential bus.

3. The single-wire digital communication system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one differential bus (1300) comprises a first differential bus and a second differential bus.

4. The single-wire digital communication system according to claim 1, wherein each of the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) and the first receiver logic buffer (1106) is a tri-state buffer.

5. The single-wire digital communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first transmitter signal line (1108) is configured to transmit a transmitter signal from an output (1104c) of the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) of the first single-wire device (1100) to an input (1104b) of the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) of the second single-wire device (1200) and an inverting input (1106b) of the first receiver logic buffer (1106) via the first differential transceiver operational amplifier (1112).

6. The single-wire digital communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first receiver signal line (1100) is operatively coupled to the output (1112c) of the first differential transceiver operational amplifier (1112), the input (1106a) of the first receiver logic buffer (1106), and the input (1104b) of the first transmitter logic buffer (1104).

7. The single-wire digital communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: A second transmitter logic buffer (1204) operatively coupled to the second differential transceiver operational amplifier (1212) via a second transmitter signal line (1208); A second receiver logic buffer (1206) operatively coupled to the second differential transceiver operational amplifier (1212) via a second receiver signal line (1210); And A second single-wire communication bus (1202) operatively coupling the second single-wire device (1200) to the second transmitter logic buffer (1204) and the second receiver logic buffer (1206).

8. The single-wire digital communication system according to claim 7, wherein: The second transmitter signal line (1208) is configured to transmit a transmitter signal from the output (1204c) of the second transmitter logic buffer (1204) through the second differential transceiver operational amplifier (1212) to the input (1204b) of the second transmitter logic buffer (1204) and the inverted input (1206b) of the second receiver logic buffer (1206); and The second receiver signal line (1210) is operatively coupled to the output (1212c) of the second differential transceiver operational amplifier (1212), the second input (1206a) of the second receiver logic buffer (1206), and the input (1204b) of the second transmitter logic buffer (1204).

9. An ultrasonic surgical instrument (10) comprising: A housing (110); An ultrasonic transducer assembly (300) supported by the housing; An elongate assembly (200) extending distally from the housing, the elongate assembly including a waveguide (230) configured to engage the ultrasonic transducer assembly, the waveguide defining a blade (282) at its distal end, wherein ultrasonic energy generated by the ultrasonic transducer assembly is transmitted along the waveguide to the blade for treating tissue adjacent the blade; And A single-wire digital communication system (1000) configured to control communication between a first single-wire device (1100) disposed within the housing and a second single-wire device (1200) disposed outside the housing, the single-wire digital communication system (1000) including: A first transmitter logic buffer (1104) and a first receiver logic buffer (1106) operatively coupled to the first single-wire device (1100) via a first single-wire communication bus (1102); A first differential transceiver operational amplifier (1112) operably coupled to the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) via a first transmitter signal line (1108) and operably coupled to the first receiver logic buffer (1106) via a first receiver signal line (1100); A second differential transceiver operational amplifier (1212) operably coupled to the first differential transceiver operational amplifier (1112) via at least one differential bus (1300); and A second single-wire device (1200) operably coupled to the differential bus and configured to communicate with the first single-wire device, wherein the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) and the first receiver logic buffer (1106) are configured to enable an input coupled to the first transmitter signal line based on whether the bus (1102) is in a dominant state or a passive state, wherein when a dominant state is detected, the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) is enabled to transmit data and the first receiver logic buffer (1106) is disabled, and wherein when a passive state is detected, the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) is disabled and the first receiver logic buffer (1106) is enabled to receive data.

10. The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the at least one differential bus (1300) is a single shared differential bus.

11. The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the at least one differential bus (1300) comprises a first differential bus and a second differential bus.

12. The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein each of the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) and the first receiver logic buffer (1106) is a tri-state buffer.

13. The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the first transmitter signal line (1108) is configured to transmit a transmitter signal from an output (1104c) of the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) of the first single-wire device (1100) through the first differential transceiver operational amplifier (1112) to an input (1104b) of the first transmitter logic buffer (1104) of the second single-wire device (1200) and an inverting input (1106b) of the first receiver logic buffer (1106).

14. The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the first receiver signal line (1100) is operably coupled to an output (1112c) of the first differential transceiver operational amplifier (1112), an input (1106a) of the first receiver logic buffer (1106), and an input (1104b) of the first transmitter logic buffer (1104).

15. The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the single-wire digital communication system further comprises: A second transmitter logic buffer (1204) operably coupled to the second differential transceiver operational amplifier (1212) via a second transmitter signal line (1208); A second receiver logic buffer (1206) operably coupled to the second differential transceiver operational amplifier (1212) via a second receiver signal line (1210); And A second single-wire communication bus (1202) operably coupling the second single-wire device (1200) to the second transmitter logic buffer (1204) and the second receiver logic buffer (1206).

16. A method for single-wire digital communication in an ultrasonic surgical instrument, the method comprising: Detecting, on a bit-by-bit basis over time, whether a bus including a receiver logic buffer (1106) and a transmitter logic buffer (1104) is in a dominant state or a passive state; When the bus is detected to be in the dominant state, disabling the receiver logic buffer (1106) and enabling the transmitter logic buffer (1104); When the bus is detected to be in the passive state, enabling the receiver logic buffer (1106) and disabling the transmitter logic buffer (1104); Converting a signal from the transmitter logic buffer (1104) to a differential bus (1300); Converting a signal from the differential bus to a receiver; And Transmitting a signal from the receiver to a single-wire device (1100) via a single-wire communication bus (1102).

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the differential bus (1300) includes a first bus configured to receive the signal from the transmitter logic buffer (1104) and a second bus configured to transmit a signal to the receiver.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the differential bus (1300) receives the signal from the transmitter logic buffer (1104) and transmits a signal to the receiver.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising controlling transceiver electronics configured to transmit the signal to the differential bus (1300).

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising controlling transceiver electronics configured to receive the signal from the differential bus (1300).

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