Surgical acclimatization via modular energy system

Abstract

To provide a modular energy system for use in a surgical environment.SOLUTION: A modular energy system for use in a surgical environment, comprising an energy module configured to generate at least one energy modality for driving connected electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical instruments, and a header module communicatively coupled to the energy module, wherein the header module comprises a display screen capable of rendering a graphical user interface (GUI); A GUI configured to display a plurality of steps corresponding to actions performed by a user while operating the modular energy system, wherein the plurality of steps displayed by the GUI are steps of an output validation process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to various surgical systems, including modular electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical systems. Operating rooms (ORs) are complex webs of cords, equipment, and personnel due to the number of different devices required to complete each surgical procedure, making them in need of streamlined capital solutions. This is the reality of ORs in every marketplace around the world. Capital equipment is a major culprit of clutter within ORs, as most capital equipment performs a single task or job, and each type of capital equipment requires a unique technology or method to be used and has a unique user interface. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0002] Thus, there is an unmet consumer need to integrate capital equipment and other surgical technologies to improve surgical staff efficiency during surgical procedures by reducing the equipment footprint in the OR, streamlining equipment interfaces, and reducing the number of devices the surgical staff must operate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] In various aspects, a modular energy system for use in a surgical environment is disclosed, the system including: an energy module configured to generate at least one energy modality for driving a connected electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical instrument; and a header module communicatively coupled to the energy module, the header module including a display screen capable of rendering a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI configured to display a plurality of steps corresponding to actions performed by a user while operating the modular energy system.

[0004] In various aspects, a modular energy system for use in a surgical environment is disclosed, the system including: an energy module configured to generate at least one energy modality for driving a connected electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical instrument; a header module communicatively coupled to the energy module, the header module including a display screen capable of rendering a GUI; and a storage device configured to record event data related to operation of the energy module, wherein the modular energy system is capable of detecting which events in the event data are associated with a surgical procedure based on detection of a predetermined series of events, and the event data is organized into an event log based on detection of the events associated with the surgical procedure.

[0005] In various aspects, an output verification key device is disclosed, the device comprising: a first side comprising a neutral electrode plug for connecting to the neutral electrode port of an energy module and an advanced energy plug for connecting to the advanced energy port of the energy module, a second side comprising a neutral key port for receiving a lead wire of an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with the neutral electrode port, a monopolar key port for receiving a lead wire of the electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with a monopolar energy modality of the advanced energy port, a bipolar key port for receiving a lead wire of the electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with a bipolar energy modality of the advanced energy port, and an ultrasound key port for receiving a lead wire of the electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with an ultrasound energy modality of the advanced energy port. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] The various aspects described herein, both as to organization and method of operation, together with other and further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer-implemented interactive surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a surgical system used to perform a surgical procedure in an operating room, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a surgical hub paired with a visualization system, a robotic system, and an intelligent instrument, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a surgical system including a generator and various surgical instruments usable with the generator, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram of a context-aware surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 illustrates various modules and other components that can be combined to customize a modular energy system, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] 1 is a first exemplary modular energy system configuration including a header module and a display screen representing a graphical user interface (GUI) for relaying information about modules connected to the header module, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] 7B is a diagram of the modular energy system shown in FIG. 7A mounted on a cart, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] 1 is a second exemplary modular energy system configuration including a header module, a display screen, an energy module, and an extended energy module connected together and mounted to a cart, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] 7B is a third exemplary modular energy system configuration similar to the second configuration shown in FIG. 7A, except that the header module lacks a display screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9]10 is a fourth exemplary modular energy system configuration including a header module, a display screen, an energy module, an extended energy module, and a technology module connected together and mounted to a cart, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10 is a fifth exemplary modular energy system configuration including a header module, a display screen, an energy module, an extended energy module, a technology module, and a visualization module connected together and mounted on a cart, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a modular energy system including a communicably connectable surgical platform, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a header module of a modular energy system including a user interface, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a stand-alone hub configuration of a modular energy system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a hub configuration of a modular energy system integrated with a surgical control system, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a modular energy system stack showing a power backplane, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a modular energy system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] 1 is a flowchart of a process for organizing data collected during a surgical procedure, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] 1 is an example modular energy system displaying a current step in a predefined checklist, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 19]1 illustrates an example modular energy system displaying all steps of a predefined checklist, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] 1 illustrates an example modular energy system configured for voice activation, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] 1 is an exemplary display screen configured for voice activation in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] 10 is an exemplary display screen of a modular energy system displaying usage pattern data associated with a particular surgical procedure, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 23] 10 is an exemplary display screen of a modular energy system displaying usage pattern data of an exemplary user profile across multiple surgical procedures, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 24] 10 is an exemplary display screen of a modular energy system displaying the traverse time of an exemplary surgical procedure, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 25] 10A-10C are exemplary display screens of a modular energy system displaying various usage patterns for an exemplary surgical procedure, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 26] 1 is a series of example graphical user interface screens illustrating the general architecture of a modular energy system event log, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 27] 1 is an example graphical user interface event log main screen of a modular energy system event log, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 28] 10 is an example graphical user interface event log details modal displaying information related to bipolar energy modalities, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 29]10 is an exemplary graphical user interface event log details modal displaying information related to a monopolar, single-energy modality, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 30] 10 is an example graphical user interface event log details modal displaying information related to advanced energy modalities, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 31] 10 is an example graphical user interface event log details modal in which error condition information related to an advanced energy modality is displayed via a pop-up window, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 32] 10 is a flowchart for a guided output verification process in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 33] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface main screen of a modular energy system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 34] 1 is an example graphical user interface utility menu screen of a modular energy system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 35] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface system settings screen for a modular energy system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 36] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a graphical user interface of a modular energy system displaying the system settings screen of FIG. 35 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 37] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface screen for inputting output verification in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 38] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface output validation in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 39]1 is an exemplary graphical user interface bipolar ESU analyzer connection screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 40] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a graphical user interface of a modular energy system displaying the bipolar ESU analyzer connection screen of FIG. 39 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 41] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface bipolar setting resistance screen according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 42] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a user adjusting a resistance level of an ESU analyzer, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 43] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface first bipolar test mode screen according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 44] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface first bipolar mode test screen according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 45] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface first bipolar test mode screen according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 46] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface first bipolar test mode screen according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 47] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface utility second bipolar test mode screen, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 48] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface final bipolar test mode screen, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 49] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface output verification mode main screen in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 50] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface monopolar 1 ESU analyzer connection screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 51] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface 1st Monopole 1 Set Resistance screen according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 52] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface 1st Monopole 1 Set Resistance screen according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 53] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface second monopole 1 test mode screen according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 54] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface second monopole 1 test mode screen according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 55] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface final single pole 1 test mode screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 56] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface monopolar 2ESU analyzer connection screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 57] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface final monopole 2 test mode screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 58] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface advanced energy monopolar ESU analyzer connection screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 59] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface final advanced energy monopolar test mode screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 60] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface Advanced Energy:Ultrasound ESU Analyzer connection screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 61] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface Final Advanced Energy: Ultrasound Test Mode screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 62]1 is an exemplary graphical user interface Advanced Energy: Bipolar ESU Analyzer Connection screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 63] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface Final Advance Energy: Bipolar Test Mode screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 64] 1 is an exemplary graphical user verification key connection screen in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 65] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface output verification mode main screen in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 66] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface main screen of a modular energy system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 67] 1 is an example graphical user interface utility menu screen of a modular energy system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 68] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface system settings screen for a modular energy system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 69] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface screen for inputting output verification in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 70] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface output verification mode main screen in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 71] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface first bipolar test mode screen according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 72] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface first bipolar test mode screen according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 73]1 is an exemplary graphical user interface first bipolar test mode screen according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 74] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface first bipolar test mode screen according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 75] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface second bipolar test mode screen, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 76] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface second bipolar test mode screen, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 77] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface second bipolar test mode screen, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 78] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface final bipolar test mode screen, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 79] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface output verification mode main screen in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 80] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface first monopole 1 test mode screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 81] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface first monopole 1 test mode screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 82] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface second monopole 1 test mode screen according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 83] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface third monopole 1 test mode screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 84] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface output verification mode main screen in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 85] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface first high energy: ultrasound test mode screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 86] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 87] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface High Energy: Ultrasound Test Mode screen, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 88] 10 is an exemplary graphical user interface third high energy: ultrasound test mode screen, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 89] 1 is an exemplary graphical user interface output verification mode main screen in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 90] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrosurgical generator with a temporary electrosurgical unit (ESU) analyzer connection, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 91] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrosurgical generator connected to an output verification key, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 92] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary output verification key according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 93] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary output verification key according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 94] FIG. 94 is a top view of the output verification key shown in FIG. 93, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 95] FIG. 94 is a front view of the output verification key shown in FIG. 93, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 96] FIG. 94 is a rear view of the output verification key shown in FIG. 93, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 97] FIG. 94 is an alternative perspective view of the output verification key shown in FIG. 93, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0007] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set forth herein illustrate various disclosed embodiments in one form only, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The applicant of the present application owns the following concurrently filed U.S. patent applications, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. END9314USNP1 / 210018-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR MECHANICAL PACKAGING FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. END9314USNP2 / 210018-2, Title of Invention: "BACKPLANE CONNECTOR ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. END9314USNP3 / 210018-3, Title of Invention: "BEZEL WITH LIGHT BLOCKING FEATURES FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" - U.S. Patent Application Serial Number END9314USNP4 / 210018-4, Title of Invention: "HEADER FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. END9316USNP1 / 210020-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR ENERGY DELIVERY FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. END9316USNP2 / 210020-2, Title of Invention: "MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM WITH DUAL AMPLIFIER AND TECHNIQUES FOR UPDATING PARAMETERS THEREOF" - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. END9316USNP3 / 210020-3, Title of Invention: "MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MULTI-ENERGY PORT SPLITTER FOR MULTIPLE ENERGY DEVICES" - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. END9317USNP1 / 210021-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR INTELLIGENT INSTRUMENTS FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. END9317USNP2 / 210021-2, Title of Invention: "RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TOKEN FOR WIRELESS SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. END9317USNP3 / 210021-3, Title of Invention: "INTELLIGENT DATA PORTS FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEMS" - U.S. Patent Application Serial Number END9318USNP1 / 210022-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" - U.S. Patent Application Serial Number END9318USNP2 / 210022-2, Title of Invention: "USER INTERFACE MITIGATION TECHNIQUES FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEMS" - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. END9318USNP3 / 210022-3, Title of Invention: "ENERGY DELIVERY MITIGATIONS FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEMS" U.S. Patent Application Serial No. END9318USNP4 / 210022-4, entitled "ARCHITECTURE FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM," and - U.S. Patent Application Serial Number END9318USNP5 / 210022-5, Title: "MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM WITH HARDWARE MITIGATED COMMUNICATION."

[0009] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed on September 5, 2019, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,144, entitled "METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM USER INTERFACE" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078106); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,151, entitled "PASSIVE HEADER MODULE FOR A MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078110); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,157, entitled "CONSOLIDATED USER INTERFACE FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0081585); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,159, entitled "AUDIO TONE CONSTRUCTION FOR AN ENERGY MODULE OF A MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0314569); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,163, entitled "ADAPTABLY CONNECTABLE AND REASSIGNABLE SYSTEM ACCESSORIES FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078111); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,123, entitled "METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING AND USING A MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE DEVICES" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0100830); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,135, entitled "METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ENERGY MODULE OUTPUT" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078076); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,180, entitled "ENERGY MODULE FOR DRIVING MULTIPLE ENERGY MODALITIES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078080); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,184, entitled "GROUNDING ARRANGEMENT OF ENERGY MODULES" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078081); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,188, entitled "BACKPLANE CONNECTOR DESIGN TO CONNECT STACKED ENERGY MODULES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078116); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,195, entitled "ENERGY MODULE FOR ENERGY MODALITIES THROUGH A PORT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078117); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,202, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING DRIVE SIGNAL TO POWER SECONDARY FUNCTION" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078082); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,142, entitled "METHOD FOR ENERGY DISTRIBUTION IN A SURGICAL MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078070); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,169, entitled "SURGICAL MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM WITH A SEGMENTED BACKPLANE" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078112); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,185, entitled "SURGICAL MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM WITH FOOTER MODULE" (currently U.S. Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078115); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,203, entitled "POWER AND COMMUNICATION MITIGATION ARRANGEMENT FOR MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078118); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,212, entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MODULE POSITIONAL AWARENESS SENSING WITH VOLTAGE DETECTION" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078119); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,234, entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MODULE POSITIONAL AWARENESS SENSING WITH TIME COUNTER" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0305945); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,243, entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MODULE POSITIONAL AWARENESS WITH DIGITAL LOGIC" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078120); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,125, entitled "METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN MODULES AND DEVICES IN A MODULAR SURGICAL SYSTEM" (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0100825), U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,137, entitled "FLEXIBLE HAND-SWITCH CIRCUIT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0106220); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,143, entitled "FIRST AND SECOND COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL ARRANGEMENT FOR DRIVING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DEVICES THROUGH A SINGLE PORT" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0090808); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,148, entitled "FLEXIBLE NEUTRAL ELECTRODE" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078077); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,154, entitled "SMART RETURN PAD SENSING THROUGH MODULATION OF NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION AND CONTACT QUALITY MONITORING SIGNALS" (currently Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078089); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,162, entitled "AUTOMATIC ULTRASONIC ENERGY ACTIVATION CIRCUIT FOR MODULAR SURGICAL SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0305924); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,167, entitled "COORDINATED ENERGY OUTPUTS OF SEPARATE BUT CONNECTED MODULES" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078078); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,170, entitled "MANAGING SIMULTANEOUS MONOPOLAR OUTPUTS USING DUTY CYCLE AND SYNCHRONIZATION" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078079); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,172, entitled "PORT PRESENCE DETECTION SYSTEM FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078113); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,175, entitled "INSTRUMENT TRACKING ARRANGEMENT BASED ON REAL TIME CLOCK INFORMATION" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078071); U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,177, entitled "REGIONAL LOCATION TRACKING COMPONENTS OF A MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078114); · U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 704,610, entitled "ENERGY MODULE"; U.S. Design Application No. 29 / 704,614, entitled "ENERGY MODULE MONOPOLAR PORT WITH FOURTH SOCKET AMONG THREE OTHER SOCKETS"; U.S. Design Application No. 29 / 704,616, entitled "BACKPLANE CONNECTOR FOR ENERGY MODULE," and · U.S. Design Application No. 29 / 704,617, entitled "ALERT SCREEN FOR ENERGY MODULE."

[0010] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications, filed on March 29, 2019, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: · U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 826,584, entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL PLATFORM ELECTRICAL ARCHITECTURE"; · U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 826,587, entitled "MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM CONNECTIVITY"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 826,588, entitled "MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM INSTRUMENT COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES," and · U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 826,592, entitled "MODULAR ENERGY DELIVERY SYSTEM."

[0011] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications, filed September 7, 2018, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference: · U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 728,480, entitled "MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM AND USER INTERFACE."

[0012] Before describing various aspects of the surgical device and generator in detail, it should be noted that the illustrative embodiments are not limited in application or use to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description. The illustrative embodiments may be implemented in or incorporated into other aspects, variations, and modifications, and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the terms and phrases used herein have been chosen for the convenience of the reader for the purpose of describing the illustrative embodiments, and not for the purpose of limiting them. Furthermore, it should be understood that one or more of the aspects, aspect expressions, and / or examples described below can be combined with any one or more of the other aspects, aspect expressions, and / or examples described below.

[0013] Various aspects are directed to improved ultrasonic surgical devices, electrosurgical devices, and generators for use therewith. Aspects of the ultrasonic surgical devices can be configured, for example, to transect and / or coagulate tissue during a surgical procedure. Aspects of the electrosurgical devices can be configured, for example, to transect, coagulate, scale, weld, and / or desiccate tissue during a surgical procedure.

[0014] Surgical System Hardware 1 , a computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100 includes one or more surgical systems 102 and a cloud-based system (e.g., a cloud 104 that may include a remote server 113 coupled to a storage device 105). Each surgical system 102 includes at least one surgical hub 106 in communication with the cloud 104, which may include the remote server 113. In one example, as shown in FIG. 1 , a surgical system 102 includes a visualization system 108, a robotic system 110, and a handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112, which are configured to communicate with each other and / or with the hub 106. In some embodiments, a surgical system 102 may include M hubs 106, N visualization systems 108, O robotic systems 110, and P handheld intelligent surgical instruments 112, where M, N, O, and P are integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows an example of a surgical system 102 being used to perform a surgical procedure on a patient lying on an operating table 114 in an operating room 116. A robotic system 110 is used as part of the surgical system 102 in a surgical procedure. The robotic system 110 includes a surgeon's console 118, a patient side cart 120 (surgical robot), and a surgical robot hub 122. The patient side cart 120 enables the surgeon to manipulate at least one detachably coupled surgical tool 117 through a minimally invasive incision in the patient's body while viewing the surgical site through the surgeon's console 118. Images of the surgical site can be acquired by a medical imaging device 124, which can be manipulated by the patient side cart 120 to orient the imaging device 124. The robotic hub 122 can be used to process and then display the images of the surgical site to the surgeon through the surgeon's console 118.

[0016] Other types of robotic systems can be readily adapted for use with surgical system 102. Various examples of robotic systems and surgical tools suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,339, filed December 28, 2017, entitled "ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0017] Various examples of cloud-based analytical methods implemented by cloud 104 and suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,340, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS," filed December 28, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0018] In various embodiments, the imaging device 124 includes at least one image sensor and one or more optical components. Suitable image sensors include, but are not limited to, charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors.

[0019] The optical components of the imaging device 124 may include one or more illumination sources and / or one or more lenses. The one or more illumination sources may be directed to illuminate a portion of the surgical field. The one or more image sensors may receive light reflected or refracted from the surgical field, including light reflected or refracted from tissue and / or surgical instruments.

[0020] The one or more illumination sources may be configured to emit electromagnetic energy in the visible spectrum as well as the invisible spectrum. The visible spectrum, sometimes referred to as the optical spectrum or luminous spectrum, is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to (i.e., detectable by) the human eye and is sometimes referred to as visible light or simply light. The typical human eye responds to wavelengths in air between about 380 nm and about 750 nm.

[0021] The invisible spectrum (i.e., the non-radiative spectrum) is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum located below and above the visible spectrum (i.e., wavelengths less than about 380 nm and greater than about 750 nm). The invisible spectrum is not detectable by the human eye. Wavelengths greater than about 750 nm are longer than the red visible spectrum, which constitutes invisible infrared (IR), microwave, and radio electromagnetic radiation. Wavelengths less than about 380 nm are shorter than the violet spectrum, which constitutes invisible ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray electromagnetic radiation.

[0022] In various aspects, the imaging device 124 is configured for use in minimally invasive surgery. Examples of imaging devices suitable for use with the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, arthroscopes, angioscopes, bronchoscopes, cholangioscopes, colonoscopes, cystoscopes, duodenoscopes, enteroscopes, esophagogastroduodenoscopes (gastroscopes), endoscopes, laryngoscopes, nasopharyngological-nephroscopes, sigmoidoscopes, thoracoscopes, and ureteroscopes.

[0023] In one aspect, the imaging device employs multispectral monitoring to distinguish between topography and underlying structures. Multispectral imaging captures image data within specific wavelength ranges across the electromagnetic spectrum. Wavelengths can be separated by filters or by using instruments sensitive to specific wavelengths, including frequencies beyond the visible light range, e.g., IR and UV light. Spectral imaging allows for the extraction of additional information that cannot be captured by the red, green, and blue receptors of the human eye. The use of multispectral imaging is described in detail in the "Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module" section of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," filed December 28, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Multispectral monitoring can be a useful tool for repositioning the surgical field after the completion of a surgical task to perform one or more of the above-mentioned tests on the treated tissue.

[0024] It is self-evident that any surgical procedure requires rigorous sterilization of the operating room and surgical equipment. The strict hygiene and sterilization conditions required in the "surgical field," i.e., the operating room or procedure room, require the highest possible sterility of all medical devices and equipment. Part of the sterilization process described above includes the need to sterilize everything that comes into contact with the patient or enters the sterile field, including the imaging device 124 and its accessories and components. It is understood that the sterile field may be considered a specific area deemed free of microorganisms, such as in a tray or on a sterile towel, or the sterile field may be considered the area immediately surrounding the patient prepared for the surgical procedure. The sterile field may include cleaned team members in appropriate clothing, as well as all supplies and fixtures within the area.

[0025] In various aspects, the visualization system 108 includes one or more imaging sensors strategically positioned relative to the sterile field, one or more image processing units, one or more storage arrays, and one or more displays, as shown in Figure 2. In one aspect, the visualization system 108 includes interfaces for HL7, PACS, and EMR. The various components of the visualization system 108 are described in the "Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module" section of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," filed December 28, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2 , primary display 119 is positioned in the sterile field so as to be visible to the operator of operating table 114. In addition, visualization tower 111 is positioned outside the sterile field. Visualization tower 111 includes first non-sterile display 107 and second non-sterile display 109 facing opposite each other. Visualization system 108, guided by hub 106, is configured to utilize displays 107, 109, and 119 to coordinate information flow to operators inside and outside the sterile field. For example, hub 106 can cause visualization system 108 to display snapshots of the surgical site captured by imaging device 124 on non-sterile display 107 or 109 while maintaining a live video of the surgical site on primary display 119. The snapshots on non-sterile display 107 or 109 can, for example, enable a non-sterile operator to perform diagnostic steps related to the surgical procedure.

[0027] In one aspect, the hub 106 is also configured to send diagnostic input or feedback entered by the non-sterile operator at the visualization tower 111 to the primary display 119 in the sterile field for viewing by the sterile operator at the operating table. In one example, the input can be in the form of modifications to a snapshot displayed on the non-sterile display 107 or 109 that can be sent by the hub 106 to the primary display 119.

[0028] 2, a surgical instrument 112 is used as part of the surgical system 102 in a surgical procedure. The hub 106 is also configured to coordinate information flow to the display of the surgical instrument 112, for example, in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed December 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Diagnostic input or feedback entered by a non-sterile operator at the visualization tower 111 can be sent by the hub 106 to a surgical instrument display 115 in the sterile field, where it can be viewed by the operator of the surgical instrument 112. Exemplary surgical instruments suitable for use with the surgical system 102 are described, for example, in the section entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HARDWARE" and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed December 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 3 , a hub 106 is shown in communication with a visualization system 108, a robotic system 110, and a handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112. In some embodiments, the visualization system 108 may be a detachable instrument. In alternative embodiments, the visualization system 108 may be included within the hub 106 as a functional module. The hub 106 includes a hub display 135, an imaging module 138, a generator module 140, a communications module 130, a processor module 132, a storage array 134, and an operating room mapping module 133. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3 , the hub 106 further includes a smoke evacuation module 126, a suction / irrigation module 128, and / or an insufflation module 129. In some embodiments, any of the modules within the hub 106 may be combined with one another into a single module.

[0030] During a surgical procedure, the application of energy to tissue for sealing and / or cutting is commonly associated with smoke evacuation, aspiration of excess fluid, and / or irrigation of the tissue. Fluid, power, and / or data lines from different sources often become tangled during a surgical procedure. Addressing this issue can result in valuable time being lost during a surgical procedure. Untangling the lines may require unplugging them from their corresponding modules, which may require resetting the modules. The hub's modular enclosure 136 provides a unified environment for managing power, data, and fluid lines, reducing the frequency of tangling between such lines.

[0031] Aspects of the present disclosure present a surgical hub for use in a surgical procedure involving the application of energy to tissue at a surgical site. The surgical hub includes a hub enclosure and a combination generator module slidably receivable within a docking station of the hub enclosure. The docking station includes data and power contacts. The combination generator module includes one or more of an ultrasonic energy generator component, a bipolar RF energy generator component, and a monopolar RF energy generator component housed within a single unit. In one aspect, the combination generator module also includes a smoke evacuation component, at least one energy delivery cable for connecting the combination generator module to a surgical instrument, at least one smoke evacuation component configured to evacuate smoke, fluid, and / or particulates generated by the application of therapeutic energy to tissue, and a fluid line extending from the remote surgical site to the smoke evacuation component.

[0032] In one aspect, the fluid line is a first fluid line and a second fluid line extends from the remote surgical site to an aspiration and irrigation module slidably received within the hub enclosure. In one aspect, the hub enclosure includes a fluid interface.

[0033] Certain surgical procedures may require the application of two or more energy types to tissue. One energy type may be more beneficial for cutting tissue, while another, different energy type may be more beneficial for sealing tissue. For example, a bipolar generator may be used to seal tissue, while an ultrasonic generator may be used to cut the sealed tissue. Aspects of the present disclosure present a solution in which the hub's modular enclosure 136 is configured to house various generators and facilitate interactive communication between them. One advantage of the hub's modular enclosure 136 is that it allows for quick removal and / or replacement of various modules.

[0034] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a modular surgical enclosure for use in surgical procedures involving the application of energy to tissue. The modular surgical enclosure includes a first energy generator module configured to generate a first energy for application to tissue and a first docking station including a first docking port including first data and power contacts. In one aspect, the first energy generator module is slidably movable into electrical engagement with the power and data contacts, and the first energy generator module is slidably movable out of electrical engagement with the first power and data contacts. In an alternative aspect, the first energy generator module is stackably movable into electrical engagement with the power and data contacts, and the first energy generator module is stackably movable out of electrical engagement with the first power and data contacts.

[0035] In addition to the above, the modular surgical enclosure also includes a second energy generator module configured to generate a second energy, the second energy being the same or different from the first energy, for application to tissue, and a second docking station including a second docking port including second data and power contacts. In one aspect, the second energy generator module is slidably movable into electrical engagement with the power and data contacts, and the second energy generator module is slidably movable out of electrical engagement with the second power and data contacts. In an alternative aspect, the second energy generator module is stackably movable into electrical engagement with the power and data contacts, and the second energy generator module is stackably movable out of electrical engagement with the second power and data contacts.

[0036] In addition, the modular surgical enclosure also includes a communication bus between the first docking port and the second docking port configured to facilitate communication between the first energy generator module and the second energy generator module.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 3 , an aspect of the disclosure is presented regarding a hub modular enclosure 136 that allows for modular integration of a generator module 140, a smoke evacuation module 126, a suction / irrigation module 128, and an insufflation module 129. The hub modular enclosure 136 further facilitates interactive communication between the modules 140, 126, 128, and 129. The generator module 140 may be a generator module that includes integrated monopolar, bipolar, and ultrasonic components supported within a single housing unit that is slidably insertable into the hub modular enclosure 136. The generator module 140 can be configured to connect to a monopolar device 142, a bipolar device 144, and an ultrasonic device 148. Alternatively, the generator module 140 may include a series of monopolar, bipolar, and / or ultrasonic generator modules that interact via the hub modular enclosure 136. The hub modular enclosure 136 can be configured to facilitate the insertion of multiple generators and bidirectional communication between generators docked to the hub modular enclosure 136 so that the multiple generators function as a single generator.

[0038] In one aspect, the hub's modular enclosure 136 includes a modular power and communication backplane 149 with external and wireless communication headers to allow removable attachment of and interactive communication between the modules 140, 126, 128, 129.

[0039] Generator Hardware As used throughout this description, the term "wireless" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, apparatus, systems, methods, techniques, communication channels, etc. that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation over a non-solid medium. This term does not imply that the associated device does not include any wires, although in some aspects they may not be present. The communication module may implement any of several wireless or wired communication standards or protocols, including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, Ethernet derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless and wired protocols designated 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. A computing module may include multiple communication modules. For example, the first communication module may be dedicated to short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the second communication module may be dedicated to long-range wireless communication such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, and Ev-DO.

[0040] As used herein, a processor or processing unit is an electronic circuit that performs operations on some external data source (usually memory) or some other data stream. The term is used herein to refer to a system that combines several specialized "processors" or the central processor (central processing unit) within a computer system (especially a system on a chip (SoC)).

[0041] As used herein, a system on a chip (SoC or SOC) is an integrated circuit (also known as an "IC" or "chip") that integrates all the components of a computer or other electronic system. It can include digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often high-frequency functions, all on a single substrate. An SoC integrates a microcontroller (or microprocessor) with modern peripherals such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), Wi-Fi module, or coprocessor. An SoC may or may not include built-in memory.

[0042] As used herein, a microcontroller or controller is a system that integrates a microprocessor with peripheral circuits and memory. A microcontroller (or MCU for microcontroller unit) may be implemented as a small computer on a single integrated circuit. This may be similar to an SoC, which may include a microcontroller as one of its components. A microcontroller may house one or more core processing units (CPUs) along with memory and programmable input / output peripherals. Program memory and a small amount of RAM in the form of ferroelectric RAM, NOR flash, or OTP ROM are also often included on the chip. Microcontrollers may be used for embedded applications, as opposed to microprocessors used in personal computers or other general-purpose applications, which are made up of various individual chips.

[0043] As used herein, the term controller or microcontroller may be a standalone IC or chip device that interfaces with a peripheral device, or it may be the link between two parts of a computer or controller on an external device that manages the operation of (and connections with) that device.

[0044] Any processor or microcontroller described herein may be implemented by any single-core or multi-core processor, such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex manufactured by Texas Instruments. In one aspect, the processor may be, for example, an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F processor core available from Texas Instruments. The processor core includes 256KB of on-chip memory of single-cycle flash memory or other non-volatile memory at up to 40MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance above 40MHz, 32KB of single-cycle serial random access memory (SRAM), internal read-only memory (ROM) with StellarisWare® software, 2KB of electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), one or more pulse width modulation (PWM) modules, one or more quadrature encoder input (QEI) analogs, and one or more 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with 12 analog input channels, details of which are available in the product datasheet.

[0045] In one aspect, the processor may include a safety controller, including two controller-based families such as the TMS570 and RM4x, also known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, manufactured by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be specifically configured for IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety-critical applications, among others, to provide advanced integrated safety mechanisms while offering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

[0046] Modular devices include modules receivable within a surgical hub (e.g., as described in connection with FIG. 3 ) and surgical instruments or tools that can be connected to various modules to connect or pair with corresponding surgical hubs. Modular devices include, for example, intelligent surgical instruments, medical imaging devices, suction / irrigation devices, smoke evacuators, energy generators, ventilators, aspirators, and displays. The modular devices described herein can be controlled by control algorithms. The control algorithms can execute on the modular device itself, on the surgical hub to which a particular modular device is paired, or on both the modular device and the surgical hub (e.g., via a distributed computing architecture). In some examples, the modular device's control algorithm controls the device based on data sensed by the modular device itself (i.e., by sensors within, on, or connected to the modular device). This data can be related to the patient during surgery (e.g., tissue characteristics or insufflation pressure) or related to the modular device itself (e.g., advancing knife speed, motor current, or energy level). For example, a control algorithm for a surgical stapling and severing instrument may control the speed at which the instrument's motor drives the knife through tissue based on the resistance offered by the knife as it advances.

[0047] 4 illustrates one form of a surgical system 2200 including a modular energy system 2000 and various surgical instruments 2204, 2206, 2208 usable therewith, where the surgical instrument 2204 is an ultrasonic surgical instrument, the surgical instrument 2206 is an RF electrosurgical instrument, and the multifunction surgical instrument 2208 is a combination ultrasonic / RF electrosurgical instrument. The modular energy system 2000 is configurable for use with a variety of surgical instruments. According to various forms, the modular energy system 2000 may be configurable for use with a variety of different types of surgical devices including, for example, the ultrasonic surgical instrument 2204, the RF electrosurgical instrument 2206, and the multifunction surgical instrument 2208 that integrates RF energy and ultrasonic energy delivered individually or simultaneously from the modular energy system 2000. 4, the modular energy system 2000 is shown separate from the surgical instruments 2204, 2206, 2208, however, in one form the modular energy system 2000 may be integrally formed with any of the surgical instruments 2204, 2206, 2208 to form an integrated surgical system. The modular energy system 2000 may be configured for wired or wireless communication.

[0048] The modular energy system 2000 is configured to drive multiple surgical instruments 2204, 2206, 2208. The first surgical instrument is an ultrasonic surgical instrument 2204 and includes a handpiece 2205 (HP), an ultrasonic transducer 2220, a shaft 2226, and an end effector 2222. The end effector 2222 includes an ultrasonic blade 2228 acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer 2220 and a clamp arm 2240. The handpiece 2205 includes a trigger 2243 to operate the clamp arm 2240 and a combination of toggle buttons 2234a, 2234b, 2234c to energize and drive the ultrasonic blade 2228 or other functions. The toggle buttons 2234a, 2234b, 2234c can be configured to deliver energy to the ultrasonic transducer 2220 using the modular energy system 2000.

[0049] The modular energy system 2000 is also configured to drive a second surgical instrument 2206. The second surgical instrument 2206 is an RF electrosurgical instrument and includes a handpiece 2207 (HP), a shaft 2227, and an end effector 2224. The end effector 2224 includes electrodes in clamp arms 2242 a, 2242 b and return through an electrical conductor portion of the shaft 2227. The electrodes are coupled to and energized by a bipolar energy source within the modular energy system 2000. The handpiece 2207 includes a trigger 2245 for operating the clamp arms 2242 a, 2242 b and an energy button 2235 for actuating an energy switch to supply energy to the electrodes in the end effector 2224.

[0050] The modular energy system 2000 is also configured to power a multifunction surgical instrument 2208. The multifunction surgical instrument 2208 includes a handpiece 2209 (HP), a shaft 2229, and an end effector 2225. The end effector 2225 includes an ultrasonic blade 2249 and a clamp arm 2246. The ultrasonic blade 2249 is acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer 2220. The ultrasonic transducer 2220 may be separable from or integrated into the handpiece 2209. The handpiece 2209 includes a trigger 2247 that operates the clamp arm 2246 and a combination of toggle buttons 2237a, 2237b, 2237c for energizing and driving the ultrasonic blade 2249 or other functions. The toggle buttons 2237a, 2237b, 2237c can be configured to energize the ultrasonic transducer 2220 using the modular energy system 2000 and to energize the ultrasonic blade 2249 using a bipolar energy source also housed within the modular energy system 2000.

[0051] The modular energy system 2000 is configurable for use with a variety of surgical instruments. According to various embodiments, the modular energy system 2000 may be configurable for use with different surgical instruments of different types, including, for example, an ultrasonic surgical instrument 2204, an RF electrosurgical instrument 2206, and a multifunction surgical instrument 2208 that integrates RF and ultrasonic energy delivered simultaneously from the modular energy system 2000. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 , the modular energy system 2000 is shown separate from the surgical instruments 2204, 2206, 2208; however, in other embodiments, the modular energy system 2000 may be integrally formed with any one of the surgical instruments 2204, 2206, 2208 to form an integrated surgical system. Further aspects of generators for digitally generating electrical signal waveforms and surgical instruments are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0086914, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0052] Situational Awareness While “intelligent” devices that include control algorithms responsive to sensed data may offer an improvement over “dumb” devices that operate without considering the sensed data, some sensed data may be incomplete or inconclusive when considered alone, i.e., without the context of the type of surgical procedure being performed or the type of tissue being operated on. Without knowledge of the context of the procedure (e.g., without knowing the type of tissue being operated on or the type of procedure being performed), the control algorithm may inaccurately or suboptimally control the modular device when given sensed data without the specific context. For example, the optimal manner in which a control algorithm controls a surgical instrument in response to a particular sensed parameter may vary depending on the particular type of tissue being operated on. This is due to the fact that different tissue types have different properties (e.g., resistance to tearing) and therefore respond differently to actions taken by the surgical instrument. Thus, it may be desirable for the surgical instrument to take different actions even when the same measurement value is sensed for a particular parameter. As one specific example, the optimal manner in which a surgical stapling and cutting instrument controls in response to the instrument detecting an unexpectedly high closing force on its end effector differs depending on whether the tissue type is susceptible to tearing or resistant to tearing. For tissue that is susceptible to tearing, such as lung tissue, the instrument's control algorithm optimally decelerates the motor in response to the unexpectedly high closing force to avoid tearing the tissue. For tissue that is resistant to tearing, such as stomach tissue, the instrument's control algorithm optimally accelerates the motor in response to the unexpectedly high closing force to ensure that the end effector is properly clamped to the tissue. Without knowing whether lung tissue or stomach tissue is being clamped, the control algorithm may make suboptimal decisions.

[0053] One solution utilizes a surgical hub including a system configured to derive information about the surgical procedure being performed based on data received from various data sources and then control paired modular devices accordingly. In other words, the surgical hub is configured to infer information about the surgical procedure from the received data and then control the modular devices paired with the surgical hub based on the inferred context for the surgical procedure. FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of a context-aware surgical system 2300 in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In some examples, data sources 2326 include, for example, modular devices 2302 (which may include sensors configured to detect parameters associated with the patient and / or the modular devices themselves), databases 2322 (e.g., EMR databases including patient records), and patient monitoring devices 2324 (e.g., blood pressure (BP) monitors and electrocardiography (EKG) monitors). The surgical hub 2304 can be configured to derive contextual information regarding the surgical procedure from the data based on, for example, a particular combination of received data or a particular order in which the data is received from the data sources 2326. The contextual information inferred from the received data can include, for example, the type of surgical procedure being performed, the particular step in the surgical procedure the surgeon is performing, the type of tissue being operated on, or the body cavity that is the subject of the procedure. This ability by some aspects of the surgical hub 2304 to derive or infer information regarding the surgical procedure from the received data can be referred to as “situational awareness.” In one example, the surgical hub 2304 can incorporate a situational awareness system, which is hardware and / or programming associated with the surgical hub 2304 that derives contextual information related to the surgical procedure from the received data.

[0054] The situational awareness system of the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to derive contextual information from data received from the data sources 2326 in a variety of different ways. In one example, the situational awareness system includes a pattern recognition system or a machine learning system (e.g., an artificial neural network) trained with training data to correlate various inputs (e.g., data from the database 2322, the patient monitoring devices 2324, and / or the modular devices 2302) with corresponding contextual information about the surgical procedure. In other words, the machine learning system can be trained to accurately derive contextual information about the surgical procedure from provided inputs. In another example, the situational awareness system can include a lookup table that stores pre-characterized contextual information about the surgical procedure in association with one or more inputs (or ranges of inputs) corresponding to the contextual information. In response to querying with one or more inputs, the lookup table can return corresponding contextual information for the situational awareness system to control the modular devices 2302. In one example, the contextual information received by the surgical hub 2304 situational awareness system is associated with a particular control adjustment or set of control adjustments for one or more modular devices 2302. In another example, the situational awareness system includes an additional machine learning system, lookup table, or other such system that generates or retrieves one or more control adjustments for one or more modular devices 2302 when provided with the contextual information as input.

[0055] A surgical hub 2304 incorporating a situational awareness system provides several advantages to the surgical system 2300. One advantage includes improved interpretation of sensed and collected data, which improves processing accuracy and / or use of the data during the course of a surgical procedure. Returning to the previous example, the situational aware surgical hub 2304 can determine what type of tissue is being operated on, and thus, if an unexpectedly high force to close the end effector of the surgical instrument is detected, the situational aware surgical hub 2304 can properly accelerate or decelerate the motor of the surgical instrument to match the tissue type.

[0056] As another example, the type of tissue being operated on may affect the adjustments made to the compression speed and load threshold of the surgical stapling and severing instrument for a particular tissue gap measurement. The context-aware surgical hub 2304 may infer whether the surgical procedure being performed is a thoracic or abdominal procedure, which allows the surgical hub 2304 to determine whether the tissue being clamped by the end effector of the surgical stapling and severing instrument is lung tissue (in the case of a thoracic procedure) or stomach tissue (in the case of an abdominal procedure). The surgical hub 2304 can then adjust the compression speed and load threshold of the surgical stapling and severing instrument appropriately for the tissue type.

[0057] As yet another example, the type of body cavity being operated on during an insufflation procedure can affect the function of the smoke evacuator. The context-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine if the surgical site is under pressure (by determining that the surgical procedure utilizes insufflation) and determine the type of procedure. Since certain types of procedures are generally performed within specific body cavities, the surgical hub 2304 can control the smoke evacuator motor speed appropriately for the body cavity being operated on. Thus, the context-aware surgical hub 2304 can provide a consistent amount of smoke evacuation for both thoracic and abdominal procedures.

[0058] As yet another example, the type of procedure being performed can affect the optimal energy level at which an ultrasonic surgical instrument or a radio frequency (RF) electrosurgical instrument operates. For example, an arthroscopic procedure requires a higher energy level because the end effector of the ultrasonic surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument is immersed in fluid. The context-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine whether the surgical procedure is an arthroscopic procedure. The surgical hub 2304 can then adjust the RF power level or ultrasonic amplitude (i.e., "energy level") of the generator to compensate for the fluid-filled environment. Relatedly, the type of tissue being operated on can affect the optimal energy level at which an ultrasonic surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument operates. The context-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine what type of surgical procedure is being performed and then customize the energy level of the ultrasonic surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument, respectively, according to the tissue geometry expected for the surgical procedure. Additionally, the context-aware surgical hub 2304 can be configured to adjust the energy level of the ultrasonic surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument throughout the course of a surgical procedure, rather than simply on a procedure-by-procedure basis. The context-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine which step of the surgical procedure is occurring or will continue, and then update the generator and / or the control algorithms of the ultrasonic surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument to set the energy level to a value appropriate for the expected tissue type according to the step of the surgical procedure.

[0059] As yet another example, the surgical hub 2304 may derive data from additional data sources 2326 to improve conclusions drawn from one data source 2326. The context-aware surgical hub 2304 may augment the data received from the modular device 2302 with contextual information constructed about the surgical procedure from other data sources 2326. For example, the context-aware surgical hub 2304 may be configured to determine whether hemostasis has occurred (i.e., whether bleeding at the surgical site has stopped) according to video or image data received from a medical imaging device. However, in some cases, the video or image data may be inconclusive. Thus, in one example, the surgical hub 2304 may be further configured to compare a physiological measurement (e.g., blood pressure sensed by a BP monitor communicatively connected to the surgical hub 2304) with visual or image data of hemostasis (e.g., from a medical imaging device 124 ( FIG. 2 ) communicatively coupled to the surgical hub 2304) to make a determination regarding the integrity of a staple line or tissue weld. In other words, the situational awareness system of the surgical hub 2304 can take physiological measurement data into account to provide additional context when analyzing the visualization data, which can be useful when the visualization data may not be conclusive or incomplete on its own.

[0060] Another advantage includes actively and automatically controlling paired modular devices 2302 according to the particular step of the surgical procedure being performed to reduce the number of times a medical professional is required to interact with or control the surgical system 2300 during the course of a surgical procedure. For example, the context-aware surgical hub 2304 may actively activate a generator to which an RF electrosurgical instrument is connected if it determines that a subsequent step in the procedure requires the use of the instrument. By actively activating the energy source, the instrument can be ready for use immediately upon completion of the previous step of the procedure.

[0061] As another example, the context-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine whether a current or subsequent step in a surgical procedure requires a different view or magnification on the display according to the feature(s) of the surgical site that the surgeon is expected to need to see. The surgical hub 2304 can then proactively change the displayed view (e.g., provided by a medical imaging device for the visualization system 108) accordingly, so that the display automatically adjusts throughout the surgical procedure.

[0062] As yet another example, the context-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine which step of the surgical procedure is being performed or will be performed next, and whether specific data or data comparisons are required for that step of the surgical procedure. The surgical hub 2304 can be configured to automatically call up data screens based on the step of the surgical procedure being performed, without waiting for the surgeon to ask for specific information.

[0063] Another benefit includes checking for errors during the setup of a surgical procedure or during the course of a surgical procedure. For example, the situation-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine whether the surgical field is properly or optimally set up for the surgical procedure to be performed. The surgical hub 2304 can be configured to determine the type of surgical procedure being performed, retrieve (e.g., from memory) the corresponding checklist, product locations, or setup requirements, and then compare the current operating room layout to a standard layout for the type of surgical procedure the surgical hub 2304 has determined is being performed. In one example, the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to compare a list of items for the procedure (e.g., scanned by a suitable scanner) and / or a list of devices paired with the surgical hub 2304 to a recommended or expected manifest of items and / or devices for a given surgical procedure. If any discontinuities exist between the lists, the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to provide a warning indicating that a particular modular device 2302, patient monitoring device 2324, and / or other surgical item is missing. In one example, the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to determine the relative distance or relative position of the modular device 2302 and the patient monitoring device 2324, for example, by a proximity sensor. The surgical hub 2304 can compare the relative positions of the devices to a recommended or expected layout for a particular surgical procedure. If any discontinuities exist between the layouts, the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to provide a warning indicating that the current layout of the surgical procedure deviates from the recommended layout.

[0064] As another example, the context-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine whether a surgeon (or other medical personnel) is making an error or deviating from an expected sequence of actions during the course of a surgical procedure. For example, the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to determine the type of surgical procedure being performed, retrieve (e.g., from memory) a corresponding list of steps or sequences of instrument use, and then compare the steps being performed or instruments being used during the course of the surgical procedure with the expected steps or instruments for the type of surgical procedure that the surgical hub 2304 has determined is being performed. In one example, the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to provide a warning indicating that an unexpected action is being performed or an unexpected device is being utilized at a particular step in the surgical procedure.

[0065] Overall, the situational awareness system for the surgical hub 2304 improves surgical outcomes by adjusting surgical instruments (and other modular devices 2302) for the specific context of each surgical procedure (e.g., adjusting for different tissue types) and validating actions during surgery. The situational awareness system also improves the surgeon's efficiency in performing surgical procedures by automatically suggesting next steps, providing data, and adjusting displays and other modular devices 2302 within the surgical field according to the specific context of the procedure.

[0066] Modular Energy Systems Due to the amount of equipment required to perform surgical procedures, ORs worldwide are becoming a complex web of cords, equipment, and personnel. Surgical capital equipment tends to be a major source of this problem, as most surgical capital equipment performs a single, specialized task. Due to their specialized nature, surgeons may need to utilize multiple different types of equipment during the course of a single surgical procedure, forcing operating rooms to stockpile two or even more pieces of surgical capital equipment, such as energy generators. Each piece of surgical capital equipment must be individually plugged into a power source and may be connected to one or more other devices that are passed between personnel in the operating room, creating a tangle of cords that may require routing. Another problem faced in modern operating rooms is that each of these specialized pieces of surgical capital equipment must have its own user interface and must be controlled independently from other pieces of equipment in the operating room. This complicates connecting and properly controlling multiple different devices, requiring users to train on and memorize different types of user interfaces (which may further change based on the task or surgical procedure being performed, in addition to changing between each piece of capital equipment). This cumbersome and complex process may require even more individuals to be present in the operating room and may create danger if multiple devices are not properly controlled with each other. Therefore, integrating surgical capital equipment technology into a single system that can flexibly accommodate surgeons' needs to reduce the footprint of surgical capital equipment in the operating room would simplify the user experience, reduce clutter in the operating room, and prevent the difficulties and dangers associated with simultaneously controlling multiple pieces of capital equipment. Furthermore, making such a system extensible or customizable would allow new technology to be conveniently incorporated into existing surgical systems, eliminating the need to replace the entire surgical system or require operating room personnel to learn new user interfaces or equipment controls with each new piece of technology.

[0067] As described in FIGS. 1-3 , the surgical hub 106 can be configured to interchangeably receive a variety of modules, which can interface with surgical devices (e.g., surgical instruments or smoke evacuators) or provide a variety of other functions (e.g., communications). In one aspect, the surgical hub 106 can be embodied as a modular energy system 2000, as shown in connection with FIGS. 6-12 . The modular energy system 2000 can include a variety of different modules 2001 that are connectable to one another in a stacked configuration. In one aspect, the modules 2001 can be physically and communicatively coupled when stacked or otherwise connected together into a single assembly. Furthermore, the modules 2001 can be interchangeably connectable to one another in different combinations or arrangements. In one aspect, each of the modules 2001 can include a consistent or universal array of connectors disposed along their top and bottom surfaces, thereby allowing any module 2001 to be connected to another module 2001 in any arrangement (although in some aspects, a particular module type, such as the header module 2002, can be configured to function as the top-most module in a stack, for example). In an alternative aspect, the modular energy system 2000 can include a housing configured to receive and hold the module 2001, as shown in FIG. 3. The modular energy system 2000 can also include a variety of different components or accessories that can be connectable to or otherwise associated with the module 2001. In another aspect, the modular energy system 2000 can be embodied as the generator module 140 of the surgical hub 106 (FIG. 3). In yet another aspect, the modular energy system 2000 can be a system separate from the surgical hub 106. In such an embodiment, the modular energy system 2000 may be communicatively coupleable to the surgical hub 206 for transmitting and / or receiving data therebetween.

[0068] Modular energy system 2000 can be assembled from a variety of different modules 2001, some examples of which are shown in FIG. 6 . Each of the different types of modules 2001 can provide different functions, thereby allowing modular energy systems 2000 to be assembled into different configurations to customize the functionality and capabilities of the modular energy system 2000 by customizing the modules 2001 included in each modular energy system 2000. The modules 2001 of modular energy system 2000 can include, for example, a header module 2002 (which can include a display screen 2006), an energy module 2004, a technology module 2040, and a visualization module 2042. In the illustrated embodiment, the header module 2002 is configured to function as the top or top module in the modular energy system stack and therefore may lack connectors along its top surface. In another embodiment, the header module 2002 can be configured to be positioned at the bottom or to be the bottom module in the modular energy system stack and therefore may lack connectors along its bottom surface. In yet another aspect, the header module 2002 can be configured to be positioned at an intermediate position within the modular energy system stack and, therefore, can include connectors along both its bottom and top surfaces. The header module 2002 can be configured to control system-wide settings for each module 2001 and their connected components through physical controls 2011 on the header module 2002 and / or through a graphical user interface (GUI) 2008 displayed on the display screen 2006. Such settings can include activation of the modular energy system 2000, alarm volume settings, footswitch settings, settings icons, user interface appearance or configuration, surgeon profile logged into the modular energy system 2000, and / or the type of surgical procedure being performed.The header module 2002 may also be configured to provide communication, processing, and / or power for the modules 2001 connected to the header module 2002. The energy module 2004, which may also be referred to as a generator module 140 (FIG. 3), may be configured to generate one or more energy modalities for driving connected electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical instruments. The technology module 2040 may be configured to provide additional or extended control algorithms (e.g., electrosurgical or ultrasonic control algorithms for controlling the energy output of the energy module 2004). The visualization module 2042 may be configured to interface with a visualization device (i.e., a scope) and therefore may provide enhanced visualization capabilities.

[0069] The modular energy system 2000 may further include various accessories 2029 connectable to the module 2001 to control the functionality of the module 2001 or otherwise configured to function in conjunction with the modular energy system 2000. The accessories 2029 may include, for example, a single pedal footswitch 2032, a dual pedal footswitch 2034, and a cart 2030 for supporting the modular energy system 2000 thereon. The footswitches 2032, 2034 may be configured, for example, to control the activation or function of a particular energy modality output by the energy module 2004.

[0070] By utilizing modular components, the illustrated modular energy system 2000 provides a surgical platform that grows with technology availability and is customizable to fit the needs of the facility and / or surgeon. Additionally, the modular energy system 2000 supports combo devices (e.g., electrosurgical and ultrasonic energy dual generators) and software-driven algorithms for customized effects on tissue. Still further, the surgical system architecture reduces the capital equipment footprint by combining multiple technologies critical to surgical procedures into a single system.

[0071] The various modular components available in association with the modular energy system 2000 can include a monopolar energy generator, a bipolar energy generator, a dual electrosurgical / ultrasonic energy generator, a display screen, and various other modules and / or components, some of which are also described above in association with FIGS. 1-3.

[0072] 7A , the header module 2002, in some embodiments, may include a display screen 2006 that displays a GUI 2008 for relaying information regarding the modules 2001 connected to the header module 2002. In some embodiments, the GUI 2008 of the display screen 2006 may provide a unified point of control for all of the modules 2001 that make up a particular configuration of the modular energy system 2000. Various embodiments of the GUI 2008 are discussed in more detail below in connection with FIG. 12 . In alternative embodiments, the header module 2002 may lack the display screen 2006, or the display screen 2006 may be removably connected to the housing 2010 of the header module 2002. In such embodiments, the header module 2002 may be communicatively coupleable to an external system configured to display information generated by the modules 2001 of the modular energy system 2000. For example, in a robotic surgical application, the modular energy system 2000 may be communicatively coupleable to a robotic cart or robotic control console configured to display information generated by the modular energy system 2000 to an operator of the robotic surgical system. As another example, the modular energy system 2000 may be communicatively coupleable to a mobile display that may be carried to or attached to surgical personnel for viewing by the surgical personnel. In yet another example, the modular energy system 2000 may be communicatively coupleable to a surgical hub 2100 or another computer system that may include a display 2104, as shown in FIG. 11 . In aspects utilizing a user interface that is separate or otherwise distinct from the modular energy system 2000, the user interface may be wirelessly connectable to the entire modular energy system 2000 or to one or more of the modules 2001 such that the user interface can display information from the connected modules 2001.

[0073] 7A , the energy module 2004 can include a port assembly 2012 that includes several different ports configured to deliver different energy modalities to corresponding surgical instruments connectable thereto. In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-12 , the port assembly 2012 includes a bipolar port 2014, a first monopolar port 2016 a, a second monopolar port 2016 b, a neutral port 2018 (to which a monopolar return pad can be connected), and a combination energy port 2020. However, this particular combination of ports is provided for illustrative purposes only, and alternative combinations of ports and / or energy modalities may be possible for the port assembly 2012.

[0074] As described above, the modular energy system 2000 can be assembled into different configurations. Furthermore, different configurations of the modular energy system 2000 may also be usable for different surgical procedure types and / or different tasks. For example, FIGS. 7A and 7B show a first exemplary configuration of the modular energy system 2000 including a header module 2002 (including a display screen 2006) and an energy module 2004 connected together. Such a configuration may be suitable for, for example, laparoscopic and open surgical procedures.

[0075] FIG. 8A shows a second exemplary configuration of the modular energy system 2000 including a header module 2002 (including a display screen 2006), a first energy module 2004a, and a second energy module 2004b connected together. By stacking two energy modules 2004a, 2004b, the modular energy system 2000 can provide a pair of port assemblies 2012a, 2012b for expanding the array of energy modalities deliverable by the modular energy system 2000 from the first configuration. Thus, the second configuration of the modular energy system 2000 can accommodate two or more bipolar / monopolar electrosurgical instruments, three or more bipolar / monopolar electrosurgical instruments, etc. Such a configuration may be particularly suitable for complex laparoscopic and open surgical procedures. FIG. 8B shows a third exemplary configuration similar to the second configuration, except that the header module 2002 lacks the display screen 2006. This configuration may be suitable for robotic surgical or mobile display applications, as discussed above.

[0076] 9 shows a fourth exemplary configuration of a modular energy system 2000 including a header module 2002 (including a display screen 2006), a first energy module 2004a, a second energy module 2004b, and a technology module 2040 connected together. Such a configuration may be suitable for surgical applications where particularly complex or computationally intensive control algorithms are required. Alternatively, the technology module 2040 may be a newly released module that complements or extends the functionality of a previously released module (such as the energy module 2004).

[0077] 10 illustrates a fifth exemplary configuration of the modular energy system 2000 including a header module 2002 (including a display screen 2006), a first energy module 2004a, a second energy module 2004b, a technology module 2040, and a visualization module 2042 connected together. Such a configuration may be suitable for endoscopic procedures by providing a dedicated surgical display 2044 for relaying a video feed from a scope coupled to the visualization module 2042. It should be noted that the configurations shown in FIGS. 7A-11 and described above are provided merely to illustrate various concepts of the modular energy system 2000 and should not be construed to limit the modular energy system 2000 to the specific aforementioned configurations.

[0078] As mentioned above, the modular energy system 2000 may be communicatively coupleable to an external system, such as a surgical hub 2100, as shown in FIG. 11 . Such an external system may include a display screen 2104 for displaying a visual feed from an endoscope (or camera or another such visualization device) and / or data from the modular energy system 2000. Such an external system may also include a computer system 2102 for performing calculations or otherwise analyzing data generated or provided by the modular energy system 2000, for controlling functions or modes of the modular energy system 2000, and / or for relaying data to a cloud computing system or another computer system. Such an external system may also coordinate operations between multiple modular energy systems 2000 and / or other surgical systems (e.g., visualization systems 108 and / or robotic systems 110, as described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 ).

[0079] 12 , in some aspects, the header module 2002 can include or support a display 2006 configured to display a GUI 2008, as described above. The display screen 2006 can include a touch screen for receiving input from a user in addition to displaying information. The controls displayed on the GUI 2008 can correspond to the modules 2001 connected to the header module 2002. In some aspects, different portions or regions of the GUI 2008 can correspond to particular modules 2001. For example, a first portion or region of the GUI 2008 can correspond to a first module, and a second portion or region of the GUI 2008 can correspond to a second module. As different and / or additional modules 2001 are connected to the modular energy system stack, the GUI 2008 can adjust to correspond to different and / or additional controls for each newly added module 2001 or to remove controls for each removed module 2001. Each portion of the display corresponding to a particular module connected to the header module 2002 may display controls, data, user prompts, and / or other information corresponding to that module. For example, in FIG. 12 , the first or upper portion 2052 of the illustrated GUI 2008 displays controls and data associated with the energy module 2004 connected to the header module 2002. Specifically, the first portion 2052 of the GUI 2008 for the energy module 2004 provides a first widget 2056 a corresponding to the bipolar port 2014, a second widget 2056 b corresponding to the first monopolar port 2016 a, a third widget 2056 c corresponding to the second monopolar port 2016 b, and a fourth widget 2056 d corresponding to the combination energy port 2020.Each of these widgets 2056a-d provides data associated with the widget's corresponding port of the port assembly 2012, as well as controls for controlling the mode and other features of the energy modality delivered by the energy module 2004 through the respective port of the port assembly 2012. For example, the widgets 2056a-d may be configured to display the power level of a surgical instrument connected to their respective port, change the operating mode of a surgical instrument connected to their respective port (e.g., change the surgical instrument from a first power level to a second power level and / or change a monopolar surgical instrument from a "spray" mode to a "blend" mode), and the like.

[0080] In one aspect, the header module 2002 may include various physical controls 2011 in addition to or instead of the GUI 2008. Such physical controls 2011 may include, for example, a power button that controls the application of power to each module 2001 connected to the header module 2002 in the modular energy system 2000. Alternatively, the power button may be displayed as part of the GUI 2008. Thus, the header module 2002 may act as a single point of contact, eliminating the need to individually activate and deactivate each individual module 2001 from which the modular energy system 2000 is built.

[0081] In one aspect, the header module 2002 can display still images, video, animation, and / or information associated with the surgical module 2001 on which the modular energy system 2000 is constructed or a surgical device communicatively coupled to the modular energy system 2000. The still images and / or video displayed by the header module 2002 can be received from an endoscope or another visualization device communicatively coupled to the modular energy system 2000. The animation and / or information in the GUI 2008 can be overlaid on or displayed adjacent to the image or video feed.

[0082] In one aspect, modules 2001 other than header module 2002 can be configured to relay information to a user as well. For example, energy module 2004 can include light assemblies 2015 disposed around each of the ports of port assembly 2012. The light assemblies 2015 can be configured to relay information about the port to a user according to their color or state (e.g., blinking). For example, light assemblies 2015 can change from a first color to a second color when a plug is fully seated in its respective port. In one aspect, the color or state of light assemblies 2015 can be controlled by header module 2002. For example, header module 2002 can cause the light assembly 2015 of each port to display a color corresponding to the color indication of the port on GUI 2008.

[0083] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a standalone hub configuration of a modular energy system 3000, and FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a hub configuration of a modular energy system 3000 integrated with a surgical control system 3010, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the modular energy system 3000 can be utilized as a standalone unit or integrated with a surgical control system 3010 to control and / or receive data from one or more surgical hub units. In the example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the integrated header / UI module 3002 of the modular energy system 3000 includes a header module and a UI module integrated together as a single module. In other embodiments, the header module and UI module can be provided as separate components communicatively coupled via a data bus 3008.

[0084] 13 , an example of a standalone modular energy system 3000 includes an integrated header module / user interface (UI) module 3002 coupled to an energy module 3004. Power and data are transmitted between the integrated header / UI module 3002 and the energy module 3004 through a power interface 3006 and a data interface 3008. For example, the integrated header / UI module 3002 can transmit various commands to the energy module 3004 through the data interface 3008. Such commands can be based on user input from the UI. As a further example, power may be transmitted to the energy module 3004 through the power interface 3006.

[0085] 14 , the surgical hub configuration includes a modular energy system 3000 integrated with a control system 3010 and an interface system 3022 for managing, among other things, data and power transfer to and / or from the modular energy system 3000. The modular energy system shown in FIG. 14 includes an integrated header module / UI module 3002, a first energy module 3004, and a second energy module 3012. In one embodiment, a data transmission path is established between the system control unit 3024 of the control system 3010 and the second energy module 3012 (through the first energy module 3004) and the header / UI module 3002 (through the data interface 3008). Additionally, a power path extends between the integrated header / UI module 3002 and the second energy module 3012 through the power interface 3006 and through the first energy module 3004. In other words, in one aspect, the first energy module 3004 is configured to function as a power and data interface between the second energy module 3012 and the integrated header / UI module 3002 through the power interface 3006 and the data interface 3008. This configuration allows the modular energy system 3000 to be expanded by seamlessly connecting additional energy modules to the energy modules 3004, 3012 already connected to the integrated header / UI module 3002 without requiring dedicated power and energy interfaces within the integrated header / UI module 3002.

[0086] A system control unit 3024, which may be referred to herein as a control circuit, control logic, microprocessor, microcontroller, logic, or FPGA, or various combinations thereof, is coupled to the system interface 3022 via an energy interface 3026 and an appliance communication interface 3028. The system interface 3022 is coupled to the first energy module 3004 via a first energy interface 3014 and a first appliance communication interface 3016. The system interface 3022 is coupled to the second energy module 3012 via a second energy interface 3018 and a second appliance communication interface 3020. When additional modules, such as additional energy modules, are stacked within the modular energy system 3000, additional energy and communication interfaces are provided between the system interface 3022 and the additional modules.

[0087] The energy modules 3004, 3012 are connectable to the hub and can be configured to generate electrosurgical energy (e.g., bipolar or monopolar), ultrasonic energy, or combinations thereof (referred to herein as "advanced energy" modules) for various energy surgical instruments. Generally, the energy modules 3004, 3012 include a hardware / software interface, an ultrasonic controller, an advanced energy RF controller, a bipolar RF controller, and control algorithms executed by a controller that receives outputs from the controller and controls the operation of the various energy modules 3004, 3012 accordingly. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the controllers described herein may be implemented as control circuitry, control logic, microprocessors, microcontrollers, logic, or FPGAs, or various combinations thereof.

[0088] 13 and 14, the modules of the modular energy system 3000 can include an optical link that allows high-speed communication (10-50 Mb / s) across the patient isolation boundary. This link carries device communications, mitigation signals (such as watchdogs), and low-bandwidth runtime data. In some aspects, the optical link(s) do not include real-time sampling data that can be done on the non-isolated side.

[0089] 13 and 14, a module of the modular energy system 3000 can include a multi-function circuit block that can (i) read presence resistance values ​​via an A / D and current source, (ii) communicate with legacy instruments via the Hand Switch Q protocol, (iii) communicate with instruments via the local bus 1-Wire protocol, and (iv) communicate with CAN FD enabled surgical instruments. Once a surgical instrument is properly identified by the energy generator module, the associated pin functions and communication circuitry are enabled, while other unused functions are disabled or disconnected and set to a high impedance state.

[0090] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 , a module of the modular energy system 3000 can include a pulse / stim / aux amplifier. This is a flexible amplifier based on a full-bridge output and incorporates functional isolation, allowing its differential output to be referenced to any output connection on the applied part (except, in some embodiments, the unipolar active electrode). The amplifier output can be either small signal linear (pulse / stim) with waveform drive provided by a DAC or square wave drive, with moderate output power for DC applications such as DC motors, lighting, and FET drives. The output voltage and current are sensed with functionally isolated voltage and current feedback to provide accurate impedance and power measurements to the FPGA. Paired with a CAN FD-enabled instrument, this output can provide motor / motion control drive, while position or velocity feedback is provided by the CAN FD interface for closed-loop control.

[0091] As described in more detail herein, the modular energy system includes a header module and one or more functional or surgical modules. In various examples, the modular energy system is a modular energy system. In various examples, the surgical module includes an energy module, a communications module, and a user interface module, although it is contemplated that the surgical module may be any suitable type of functional or surgical module for use with the modular energy system.

[0092] Modular energy systems, as described above in connection with modular energy systems 2000 ( FIGS. 6-12 ) and 3000 ( FIGS. 13-15 ), offer many advantages in surgical procedures. However, cable management and setup / teardown time can be a significant deterrent. Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a modular energy system with a single power cable and a single power switch to control startup and shutdown of the entire modular energy system, thereby eliminating the need to individually start and stop each individual module from which the modular energy system is constructed. Additionally, various aspects of the present disclosure provide a modular energy system with a power management scheme that promotes safety and, in some cases, simultaneous power delivery to the modules of the modular energy system.

[0093] In various aspects, as shown in Figure 15, modular energy system 6000 is similar in many respects to modular energy systems 2000 (Figures 6-12), 3000 (Figures 13-15). For the sake of brevity, various details of modular energy system 6000 that are similar to modular energy system 2000 and / or modular energy system 3000 will not be repeated herein.

[0094] The modular energy system 6000 includes a header module 6002 and "N" surgical modules 6004, where "N" is an integer greater than or equal to 1. In various embodiments, the modular energy system 6000 includes a UI module, such as UI module 3030, and / or a communications module, such as communications module 3032. Additionally, pass-through hub connectors couple the individual modules to one another in a stacked configuration. In the embodiment of FIG. 15 , the header module 6002 is coupled to the surgical module 6004 via pass-through hub connectors 6005, 6006.

[0095] The modular energy system 6000 comprises an exemplary power architecture consisting of a single AC / DC power supply 6003 that provides power to all of the surgical modules in the stack. The AC / DC power supply 6003 is housed in a header module 6002 and utilizes a power backplane 6008 to distribute power to each module in the stack. The example of Figure 15 shows three separate power domains on the power backplane 6008: a primary power domain 6009, a standby power domain 6010, and an Ethernet switch power domain 6013.

[0096] 15 , the power backplane 6008 extends from the header module 6002 through several middle modules 6004 to the bottom-most or furthest module in the stack. In various aspects, the power backplane 6008 is configured to deliver power to the surgical module 6004 through one or more other surgical modules 6004 that precede it in the stack. The surgical module 6004 that receives power from the header module 6002 can be coupled to a surgical instrument or tool configured to deliver therapeutic energy to a patient.

[0097] The primary power domain 6009 is the primary power source for the functional module specific circuits 6013, 6014, 6015 of modules 6002, 6004. It consists of a single voltage rail provided to all modules. In at least one embodiment, the 60V nominal voltage can be selected to be higher than the local rails required by any module, so that the modules can exclusively implement step-down regulation, which is generally more efficient than step-up regulation.

[0098] In various aspects, the primary power domain 6009 is controlled by the header module 6002. In particular examples, a local power switch 6018 is located on the header module 6002, as shown in FIG. 15 . In particular examples, the remote on / off interface 6016 can be configured to control, for example, a system power control 6017 on the header module 6002. In at least one embodiment, the remote on / off interface 6016 is configured to transmit pulsed individual commands (separate commands for on and off) as well as power status telemetry signals. In various examples, the primary power domain 6009 is configured to distribute power to all modules in a stacked configuration after a user-initiated power-on.

[0099] In various aspects, as shown in FIG. 16 , modules of the modular energy system 6000 can be communicatively coupled to the header module 6002 and / or each other via a communication (serial bus / Ethernet) interface 6040, such that data or other information is shared by and among the modules that make up the modular energy system. The Ethernet switch domain 6013 can be derived from the primary power domain 6009, for example. The Ethernet switch power domain 6013 is separated into separate power domains configured to provide power to the Ethernet switches within each of the modules in the stacked configuration, such that when local power to a module is removed, the primary communication interface 6040 continues to operate. In at least one embodiment, the primary communication interface 6040 comprises a 1000BASE-T Ethernet network, with each module representing a node on the network, and each module downstream of the header module 6002 includes a three-port Ethernet switch for routing traffic to the local module or for passing data upstream or downstream as appropriate.

[0100] Additionally, in certain embodiments, the modular energy system 6000 includes a secondary, low-speed, communication interface between modules for critical power-related functions, including module power sequencing and module power status. The secondary communication interface may be, for example, a multi-drop Local Interconnect Network (LIN) where the header module is the master and all downstream modules are slaves.

[0101] 15, the standby power domain 6010 is a separate output from the AC / DC power supply 6003 that is always running when the source is connected to mains power 6020. The standby power domain 6010 is used by all modules in the system to power the circuitry for the relaxed communication interface and to control the local power to each module. Additionally, the standby power domain 6010 is configured to provide power to circuitry that is important in standby mode, such as on / off command detection, status LEDs, a secondary communication bus, etc.

[0102] 15 , the individual surgical modules 6004 lack an independent power source and therefore rely on the header module 6002 to provide power in a stacked configuration. Only the header module 6002 is directly connected to the mains power 6020. The surgical modules 6004 lack a direct connection to the mains power 6020 and can only receive power in a stacked configuration. This arrangement improves the safety of the individual surgical modules 6004 and reduces the overall footprint of the modular energy system 6000. This arrangement further reduces the number of cords required for proper operation of the modular energy system 6000, which can reduce clutter and footprint in the operating room.

[0103] Thus, in a stacked configuration, a surgical instrument connected to a surgical module 6004 of the modular energy system 6000 receives energy for tissue treatment generated by the surgical module 6004 from power delivered to the surgical module 6004 from the AC / DC power supply 6003 of the header module 6002.

[0104] In at least one embodiment, while the header module 6002 is assembled with the first surgical module 6004' in a stacked configuration, energy can flow from the AC / DC power supply 6003 to the first surgical module 6004'. Furthermore, while the header module 6002 is assembled with the first surgical module 6004' (connected to the header module 6002) and the second surgical module 6004" (connected to the first surgical module 6004') in a stacked configuration, energy can flow from the AC / DC power supply 6003 through the first surgical module 6004' to the second surgical module 6004".

[0105] Energy generated by the AC / DC power supply 6003 of the header module 6002 is transmitted through a segmented power backplane 6008 defined through the modular energy system 6000. In the example of FIG. 15 , the header module 6002 houses a power backplane segment 6008′, the first surgical module 6004′ houses a power backplane segment 6008″, and the second surgical module 6004″ houses a power backplane segment 6008′′. The power backplane segment 6008′ is removably coupled to the power backplane segment 6008″ in the stacked configuration. Furthermore, the power backplane 6008″ is removably coupled to the power backplane segment 6008′′ in the stacked configuration. Thus, energy flows from the AC / DC power supply 6003 to the power backplane segment 6008′, then to the power backplane segment 6008″, then to the power backplane segment 6008′″.

[0106] In the example of FIG. 15 , the power backplane segment 6008′ is removably connected to the power backplane segment 6008″ via pass-through hub connectors 6005, 6006 in a stacked configuration. Additionally, the power backplane segment 6008″ is removably connected to the power backplane segment 6008′″ via pass-through hub connectors 6025, 6056 in a stacked configuration. In certain examples, removing a surgical module from the stacked configuration disconnects its connection to the power source 6003. For example, separating the second surgical module 6004″ from the first surgical module 6004′ disconnects the power backplane segment 6008′ from the power backplane segment 6008″. However, as long as the header module 6002 and the first surgical module 6004′ remain in the stacked configuration, the connection between the power backplane segment 6008″ and the power backplane segment 6008′″ remains intact. Thus, energy can still flow to the first surgical module 6004' through the connection between the header module 6002 and the first surgical module 6004' after disconnecting the second surgical module 6004". Separating the connected modules can, in certain instances, be accomplished by simply pulling the surgical modules 6004 apart.

[0107] 15 , each of the modules 6002, 6004 includes a relaxed module controller 6023. The relaxed module controller 6023 is coupled to a corresponding local power adjustment module 6024 configured to adjust power based on input from the relaxed module controller 6023. In some aspects, the relaxed module controller 6023 enables the header module 6002 to independently control the local power adjustment module 6024.

[0108] The modular energy system 6000 further includes a relaxed communication interface 6021 including a segmented communication backplane 6027 extending between the relaxed module controls 6023. The segmented communication backplane 6027 is similar in many respects to the segmented power backplane 6008. Relaxed communication between the relaxed module controls 6023 of the header module 6002 and the surgical module 6004 can be achieved through the segmented communication backplane 6027 defined through the modular energy system 6000. In the example of FIG. 15 , the header module 6002 houses a communication backplane segment 6027′, the first surgical module 6004′ houses a communication backplane segment 6027″, and the second surgical module 6004″ houses a communication backplane segment 6027′′. The communications backplane segment 6027' is removably coupled to the communications backplane segment 6027'' in the stacked configuration via pass-through hub connectors 6005, 6006. Further, the communications backplane 6027'' is removably coupled to the communications backplane segment 6027'' in the stacked configuration via pass-through hub connectors 6025, 6026.

[0109] The example of FIG. 15 illustrates, but is not limited to, a modular energy system 6000 including a header module 6002 and two surgical modules 6004′, 6004″. Modular energy systems having more or fewer surgical modules are contemplated by the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the modular energy system 6000 includes other modules, such as, for example, a communications module. In some embodiments, the header module 6502 supports a display screen, such as, for example, display 2006 (FIG. 7A), that renders a GUI, such as, for example, GUI 2008, to relay information about the modules connected to the header module 6002. In some embodiments, the GUI 2008 of the display screen 2006 can provide a centralized point of control for all of the modules that make up a particular configuration of the modular energy system.

[0110] FIG. 16 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the modular energy system 6000 illustrating a primary communication interface 6040 between the header module 6002 and the surgical module 6004. The primary communication interface 6040 communicatively connects the module processors 6041, 6041″, 6041″ of the header module 6002 to the surgical module 6004. Commands generated by the module processor 6041 of the header module are transmitted to the desired functional surgical module downstream via the primary communication interface 6040. In certain examples, the primary communication interface 6040 is configured to establish a bidirectional communication path between adjacent modules. In other examples, the primary communication interface 6040 is configured to establish a unidirectional communication path between adjacent modules.

[0111] Additionally, the primary communication interface 6040 includes a segmented communication backplane 6031 that is similar in many respects to the segmented power backplane 6008. Communication between the header module 6002 and the surgical modules 6004 may be achieved via the segmented communication backplane 6031 defined through the modular energy system 6000. In the example of FIG. 16 , the header module 6002 houses a communication backplane segment 6031′, the first surgical module 6004′ houses a communication backplane segment 6031″, and the second surgical module 6004″ houses a communication backplane segment 6031′″. The communication backplane segment 6031′ is removably coupled to the communication backplane segment 6031″ in the stacked configuration via pass-through hub connectors 6005, 6006. Additionally, the communications backplane 6031'' is removably coupled to the communications backplane segments 6031'' in a stacked configuration via pass-through hub connectors 6025, 6026.

[0112] In at least one embodiment, the primary communication interface 6040 is implemented using the DDS framework running on a Gigabit Ethernet interface, as shown in Figure 16. The module processors 6041, 6041', 6041" are connected to a Gigabit Ethernet FI 6044 and a Gigabit Ethernet switch 6042', 6042". In the embodiment of Figure 16, a segmented communication backplane 6031 connects the Gigabit Ethernet FI 6044 and Gigabit Ethernet switch 6042 of adjacent modules.

[0113] 16, the header module 6002 includes a processor module 6041 of the header module 6002 and a separate Gigabit Ethernet fiber 6045 for the external communication interface 6043. In at least one embodiment, the processor module 6041 of the header module 6002 handles firewalling and information routing.

[0114] 15 , the AC / DC power supply 6003 may provide an AC status signal 6011 indicating loss of AC power supplied by the AC / DC power supply 6003. The AC status signal 6011 is provided to all modules of the modular energy system 6000 via the segmented power backplane 6008 to allow each module as much time as possible for graceful shutdown before primary output power is lost. The AC status signal 6011 may be received, for example, by module specific circuits 6013, 6014, 6015. In various embodiments, the system power controller 6017 may be configured to detect AC power loss. In at least one embodiment, AC power loss is detected via one or more suitable sensors.

[0115] 15 and 16 , to ensure that a local power failure of one of the modules of the modular energy system 6000 does not disable the entire power bus, the primary power input to all modules can be fused or similar methods of limiting current can be used (electronic fuses, circuit breakers, etc.). Additionally, the Ethernet switch power is separated into separate power domains 6013 so that the primary communication interface 6040 remains operational when local power to a module is removed. In other words, primary power can be removed and / or shunted from a surgical module without losing its ability to communicate with other surgical modules 6004 and / or header modules 6002.

[0116] Surgical Procedures Through Modular Energy Systems Having described general implementations of the headers and modules of modular energy systems 2000, 3000, and 6000, the present disclosure next describes various aspects of other modular energy systems. The other modular energy systems are substantially similar to modular energy system 2000, modular energy system 3000, and / or modular energy system 6000. For the sake of brevity, various details of the other modular energy systems described in the following sections that are similar to modular energy system 2000, modular energy system 3000, and / or modular energy system 6000 will not be repeated herein. Any aspect of the other modular energy systems described below can be implemented in modular energy system 2000, modular energy system 3000, or modular energy system 6000.

[0117] Case proceduralization via modular energy systems When a surgical procedure is performed using various aspects of the disclosed modular energy system in a surgical setting, data related to the procedure may be collected and stored. For example, the modular energy system may collect and store data corresponding to when an energy port is activated, the energy modality provided by the activated port, the power level provided by the activated port, the activation time, and the manner in which the port was activated (e.g., a first single-pedal footswitch, a second single-pedal footswitch, a dual-pedal footswitch, etc.). By reviewing and analyzing the collected data, surgeons and other users can gain useful insights related to their and other users' performance during the surgical procedure. However, as with any integrated visualization system, there are challenges associated with sorting large amounts of collected data. For example, it may not be meaningful for a surgeon to compare unsorted data collected across multiple surgical procedures, as the complexity of each surgical procedure may vary. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for organizing data collected by a modular energy system based on the specific surgical procedure being performed.

[0118] In one aspect of the present disclosure, data collected by the modular energy system during a surgical procedure is organized based on a predefined procedure checklist. Furthermore, each predefined checklist step corresponds to a mental model that a surgeon can follow during a given procedure. The predefined checklist may be displayed by a display screen of the modular energy system. Throughout the procedure, the surgeon interacts with the modular energy system to identify when each step in the checklist is complete.

[0119] For example, as a surgeon performs a surgical procedure, the display screen can display the current expected step of the procedure based on a predefined procedure checklist. In an alternative embodiment, the display screen can display all of the expected steps of the surgical procedure as well as the current expected step. The surgeon then indicates when the current step of the procedure is complete by “flag” the step. Flagging can be performed by interacting with a touchscreen graphical user interface (GUI) rendered on the display screen, by voice command, by using a keyboard connected to the modular energy system, or by other means. While performing a surgical procedure, if the surgeon determines that a step of the predefined checklist is not to be performed, the surgeon can manually skip or override that step. The process of flagging each step continues until all steps of the predefined checklist are completed. In other cases, a surgical procedure may require multiple checklists (e.g., a sleeve gastrectomy with a cholecystectomy), in which case each checklist is displayed and flagged by the surgeon unit until the entire procedure is complete. The modular energy system organizes the collected data based on corresponding flagged steps of the surgical procedure. The organized data is recorded in an event log for future use. As a result, by accessing the event log, surgeons and other users can beneficially review data related to the surgical procedure based on the low-level steps of the procedure to which the data is associated.

[0120] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a surgeon may choose not to use a predefined checklist. In this case, the surgeon performing the surgical procedure is free to flag steps of the procedure as they are completed. These flagged steps are time-stamped by the modular energy system. Additionally, step descriptions may be added by the surgeon or another user (e.g., via a touchscreen GUI, voice command, keyboard, etc.). Similar to the above description, the modular energy system organizes collected data based on corresponding flagged steps of the surgical procedure and records the data in an event log for future use. If neither the use of a predefined checklist nor manual flagging is desired, the surgical procedure may be performed without utilizing either method.

[0121] There are many benefits associated with utilizing routine procedure checklists. First, the use of checklists results in standardization of surgery. The use of standard checklists is a growing trend in the medical field, especially in connection with what are considered routine procedures. The use of routine checklists is useful to all operating room staff because the checklist informs them of which step of the surgical procedure is currently being performed. This is especially useful for trained staff and for complex procedures involving many steps.

[0122] Furthermore, the use of a predefined checklist with user-flagged steps advantageously allows for data segregation. The segregated data is easily reviewable by the surgeon. Furthermore, by reviewing the segregated data, the surgeon can better analyze his or her own performance during a procedure. For example, a surgeon may realize that he or she is slower at access but very fast at resection compared to some other group (e.g., surgeons from around the world, nationwide, or even at the same hospital). This type of data organization also provides insight into how surgeons' techniques differ. Furthermore, the stored data can be paired with a visual record of the surgical procedure. This pairing advantageously allows the visual record to be separated into sub-videos based on each procedural step, allowing for a more organized and faster review of the record. Information regarding specific steps may also be displayed with the sub-videos. This can be particularly useful for training surgeons and other staff.

[0123] Additionally, segregating data based on a predetermined treatment checklist can be useful to modular energy system manufacturers. For example, segregated data allows for easier comparison across treatments. Because the data can be more easily compared, users may be more willing to share data with manufacturers.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 17 , a process 1800 for organizing data collected during a surgical procedure begins with a start procedure screen 1802. In the start procedure screen 1802, the modular energy system's display screen prompts the user (e.g., a surgeon) to select whether to use a pre-created list, free input, or no input. If a pre-created list (or predetermined checklist) is selected, the user is prompted to select the appropriate checklist for the procedure at 1804. Once a checklist is selected, the user can begin performing the surgical procedure, at which point the modular energy system waits for input at 1806. When the user completes the first step of the surgical procedure associated with the first step of the checklist, the user provides input instructing the system to flag the first step at 1808. At this point, the system associates a timestamp and description with the data collected during the first step of the procedure. The modular energy system also causes the display screen to display the next step of the predetermined checklist and waits for further input at 1806. This process is repeated for all steps in the checklist. If the user wishes to change or modify the checklist used, the user can provide input for case modification at 1812. The user is then prompted to select the appropriate checklist at 1804 and the process continues. Once the surgical procedure is complete, the user provides input indicating the case is complete at 1810 and the process returns to the procedure start screen 1802.

[0125] Alternatively, if the user selects the free input option on the start procedure screen 1802, the user may begin performing the surgical procedure, at which point the modular energy system awaits input at 1814. Once the user completes the first step of the surgical procedure, the user provides input instructing the system to flag the first step at 1816. At this point, the system associates a timestamp with the data collected during the first step of the procedure. The user may also be prompted to provide a description of the completed step. The system then awaits further input at 1814. Once the user completes the next step of the procedure, the user again provides input instructing the system to flag the step at 1816. This process repeats until the user provides input indicating the case is complete at 1818, at which point the process returns to the start procedure screen 1802.

[0126] If the user selects the no input option on the start procedure screen 1802, the user may begin performing the surgical procedure, at which point the modular energy system awaits input at 1820. The process remains at 1820 and the user provides input indicating the case is complete at 1822, and the process returns to the start procedure screen 1802.

[0127] FIG. 18 illustrates a modular energy system displaying the current step of a predetermined checklist. Modular energy system 1830 includes a header module 1832 having a display screen 1834. In this example, GUI 1838A is rendered on display screen 1834 and displays the current step of the predetermined checklist (e.g., 3.0 Mobilize Stomach). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19, the modular energy system can display all steps of a predetermined checklist. In this example, GUI 1838B is rendered on display screen 1834 and displays not only the current step of the procedure (e.g., 3.0 Mobilize Stomach), but also completed steps (e.g., 1.0 Prepare Patient, 2.0 Create Access) as well as future steps (e.g., 4.0 Separate Stomach, 5.0 Remove Stomach, 6.0 Suture Staple Lines, 7.0 Close Patient).

[0128] FIG. 20 illustrates a modular energy system configured for voice activation. The modular energy system 1830 includes a header module 1832 and a display screen 1834 with touchscreen capabilities. In this example, a GUI 1838C is rendered on the display screen 1834, displaying a microphone symbol. When a user completes a step in the surgical procedure, the user touches the microphone symbol, indicating that a voice command will be entered. Through a voice command, the user indicates that a step in the surgical procedure is complete. If the user is performing the procedure using the free-entry option described above, the user can also provide a voice command that includes a description of the completed step. A microphone installed on the modular energy system 1830 captures the voice command. For example, the modular energy system 1830 can include microphones 1836A and / or 1836B located on the header module 1832. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 21 , microphones 1836C, 1836D, and / or 1836E may be located on the display screen 1834. Locating the microphone on the display screen 1834 advantageously allows for the inclusion of a microphone in an upgrade of an existing modular energy system without having to modify the entire header module. Similarly, to accommodate users who may be concerned about having a microphone in the operating room, locating the microphone on the display screen allows for the easy construction of a non-microphone version of the modular energy system by simply using a different display screen.

[0129] Surgeon Profile Case Data Feedback As described above, by reviewing and analyzing data collected by a modular energy system, surgeons and other users can gain valuable insights related to their and other users' performance during a surgical procedure. For example, a surgeon can advantageously compare his or her instrument usage patterns with those of other surgeons to identify areas for improvement. Technicians, engineers, and sales personnel can also use the collected data to assist in troubleshooting instrument problems. However, because large amounts of data are collected by modular energy systems, it can be difficult to quickly and easily access the most meaningful data. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method that provides users with streamlined access to relevant information related to surgical procedures performed using a modular energy system.

[0130] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the modular energy system provides feedback to a user (e.g., a surgeon) by presenting information regarding the user's usage patterns. Each user of the modular energy system can have a unique user profile. As described above, data is collected during a surgical procedure when the user "flags" or tags specific steps performed throughout the procedure. Once the user enters these flags, the collected data is organized based on the procedure step to which it corresponds. The modular energy system is configured to present this organized data in a streamlined manner. For example, a user can view a summary of the user's usage patterns for a particular procedure or across multiple procedures. Usage pattern data related to a particular procedure may also be organized over time and displayed along with video recorded during the procedure. As described in more detail in connection with FIGS. 22-24 , each of these data presentation methods can be viewed as charts rendered on the modular energy system's display screen.

[0131] FIG. 22 shows a display screen 1842 of the modular energy system 1840 displaying usage pattern data associated with an exemplary surgical procedure. The usage data shown on screen 1844A of the display screen 1842 is organized using bar graphs. In this example, the displayed surgical procedure summary (or case summary) includes four steps: mobilize the stomach, separate the stomach, remove the stomach, and close the staple line. For each step, the average transection time, number of transactions, and number of instrument exchanges are visually displayed on the bar graphs. Other types of usage pattern data and visual presentation methods (e.g., line graphs, charts, etc.) can similarly be implemented using the modular energy system. This type of information presentation beneficially allows users to easily visualize their own instrument usage patterns and evaluate their performance associated with a particular surgical procedure.

[0132] FIG. 23 shows a display screen 1842 of a modular energy system 1840 displaying usage pattern data based on an exemplary user profile across multiple surgical procedures. The usage data shown on screen 1842B of display screen 1844 is organized using a bar graph. In this example, a user's (e.g., surgeon's) average transection time, number of transactions, average ultrasound power level used, and average RF power level used for a particular surgical procedure (case) are compared to average values ​​corresponding to usage data for other procedures (cases) performed by the user, as well as the user's colleagues (e.g., other surgeons). By viewing screen 1844B, a surgeon can quickly identify, for example, that the average transection time for the procedure just performed (this example case) is shorter than the average transection time for other procedures (other cases) and similar to the average transection time of their colleagues. Other types of usage pattern data and methods of visual presentation (e.g., line graphs, charts, etc.) can similarly be implemented using the modular energy system. This type of comparison is beneficial because it allows users to anticipate their future needs and behavior by comparing their usage patterns with their colleagues. As mentioned above, peer groups can be defined and sorted geographically (eg, surgeons worldwide, surgeons nationwide, or surgeons at the same hospital).

[0133] FIG. 24 shows a display screen 1842 of the modular energy system 1840 displaying the transection times for an exemplary surgical procedure. The transection time data shown on screen 1844C of display screen 1842 is organized using a line graph. In this example, the time required to perform each transection for the procedure (case) is displayed across the line graph from left to right as the transections are performed over time. Again, other types of usage pattern data and visual presentation methods (e.g., line graphs, charts, etc.) can similarly be implemented using the modular energy system. Additionally, screen 1844C also includes a video icon that, when selected by the user, allows the user to view a video recording of the procedure. This type of data organization advantageously allows the user to troubleshoot complaints. For example, if a surgeon consistently complains of longer transection times than other surgeons and pad burn-through is observed, comparing the data displayed on screen 1844C with instrument usage advantageously allows for more rapid complaint analysis. A technician, sales representative, or engineer troubleshooting the complaint can identify the problem on-site or remotely by accessing an overview similar to that of screen 1844C. To gain further insight into the complaint, the technician, engineer, or sales representative may also access paired video from the visualization system that the modular energy system has correlated with the captured data.

[0134] FIG. 25 shows a display screen 1842 of the modular energy system 1840 displaying various usage patterns for an exemplary surgical procedure. The usage pattern data shown on screen 1844D of display screen 1842 is organized using a line graph. In this example, the time required to perform each transection during the procedure (case) is displayed from left to right across the line graph, corresponding to transactions occurring over time. The harmonic or RF power level used for each transection is also displayed. Again, other types of usage pattern data and visual presentation methods (e.g., line graphs, charts, etc.) can similarly be implemented using the modular energy system. Additionally, screen 1844D also includes a video icon that, when selected by the user, allows the user to view a video recording of the procedure. Using one or more screens similar to screen 1844D, a user may post-operatively analyze transection times compared against the corresponding harmonic and RF power parameters used for the transection to determine how to better optimize transection times based on power levels. Additionally, the user can use this chart as a basis for analyzing what happened during a long transection or other data trends identified on the screen. Furthermore, if the data is tied to flagged steps in the procedure, the user can review the video captured by the visualization system based on the timestamps corresponding to the flagged steps.

[0135] The modular energy system may also be configured to analyze core appliance usage patterns against appliance presets (e.g., power levels) and display the data in a format similar to that shown in screens 1844A-D. The modular energy system may further be configured to identify when usage patterns associated with a given user profile change. Based on this identification, the modular energy system may prompt the user to update their appliance presets.

[0136] Enhanced Event Log Viewer In various aspects of the present disclosure, a modular energy system can collect and store data related to events that occur while the system is in use. Events may be related, for example, to instrument use (e.g., when an energy port is activated, the energy modality provided by the activated port, the power level provided by the activated port, the activation time, and the manner in which the port was activated). Events may also be related to instrument and other system hardware errors (e.g., when a handpiece is no longer functioning, when communication to a footswitch is lost, etc.). However, the modular energy system may also store and collect data related to numerous other events that do not occur during a surgical procedure (e.g., events related to output verification). Due to the large amount of data collected, it is difficult to navigate all of the events recorded by the system. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method that allows a user to easily access an event log consisting of a subset of all stored events, such that the event log improves the user experience for event navigation and troubleshooting.

[0137] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the modular energy system can determine which events are related to a surgical procedure based on the detection of a predetermined series of events. For example, certain actions such as connecting various instruments, activating instruments, and disconnecting instruments may cause the modular energy system to recognize all events that occur during this predetermined series as events related to the particular procedure. Based on this recognition, the modular energy system can classify and group these events as a surgical procedure. The modular energy system may also recognize when a series of events is related to something other than a surgical procedure. For example, inserting a validation key and proceeding with the activation of various energy ports may trigger the system to recognize the series of events as related to output validation. Using a graphical user interface rendered on the modular energy system's display screen, a user can access an event log, which displays only a subset of all stored events, and the events in the event log are grouped based on different categories of system activity (e.g., surgical procedure, output validation, software update, etc.). This easy-to-read graphical display of information related to categorized events advantageously enables a user (e.g., a surgeon, technical support staff, etc.) to quickly assess and diagnose problems related to the modular energy system after they occur. Furthermore, the organization of the event log advantageously makes it easier for a user to find and access related event information, as disclosed, for example, in the description accompanying Figures 26-31. The various graphical user interface (GUI) screens shown in Figures 26-31 may be rendered by a modular energy system display screen similar to, for example, the display screen 2006 and the graphical user interface 2008 shown in Figure 7A.The details of the specific treatment events shown in Figures 26-31 are illustrative examples and are provided to help explain the general layout, organization, user interaction, and functionality of the event log in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0138] FIG. 26 is a series of exemplary GUI screens illustrating the general architecture of a modular energy system event log. The settings menu screen 1850 shows the settings menu of the modular energy system GUI. The settings menu screen 1850 can be accessed by tapping the utilities or settings button displayed on the GUI main screen (GUI main screen not shown). To access the event log main screen 1860 from the settings menu screen 1850, the user taps the event log button 1852. The event log main screen 1860 displays groupings of events recorded and / or stored by the modular energy system based on category (e.g., actions, output verifications, etc.). The table shown on the event log main screen 1860 includes a row associated with each group of events (i.e., each action, output verification, etc.). The end of each row includes a details button (e.g., details button 1875A, 1875B, 1875C, 1875D, etc.). When the user taps one of the details buttons, the GUI displays the event log details modal associated with the particular grouping (i.e., action) selected. For example, tapping the details button 1875D corresponding to the fourth action listed on the event log main screen 1860 causes the modular energy system to display the event log details modal 1870.

[0139] FIG. 27 is an exemplary GUI event log main screen for a modular energy system event log. The upper left of the event log main screen 1860 includes filtering options. For example, a user can filter which events are displayed by the event log main screen 1860 based on date by tapping a date filter button 1862. Similarly, a user can select which category of events is shown (e.g., actions, output validation, etc.) by tapping a category filter drop-down menu 1864. Below the filter buttons is a table displaying information associated with each group of events. In the example shown in the event log main screen 1860, only actions are displayed. The upper right of the event log main screen 1860 includes an export button 1876, a clear log button 1878, and an exit button 1879. By tapping the export button 1876, a user can cause the modular energy system to export the event log data to an external source. By tapping the clear log button 1878, a user can cause the modular energy system to clear the event log. The user can then exit the event log main screen 1860 and return to the GUI main screen by tapping the exit button 1879.

[0140] 27 , the procedures are sorted chronologically in ascending order, as shown under table headings for date 1866 and time 1868. A table heading for category 1870 is also included, beneath which the category for each grouping of events is displayed (e.g., procedure, output verification, software update, etc.). In one aspect of the present disclosure, if multiple grouping categories are displayed on the event log main screen 1860, the user can tap the category heading 1870 to sort the table based on the category (i.e., procedure, output verification, etc.). The table shown on the event log main screen 1860 also includes a duration 1872 and description 1874 for each procedure. For example, by viewing the event log main screen 1860, a user can identify that the fourth listed procedure, which occurred on March 30, 2021 at 11:42:22, lasted 68 minutes. Furthermore, the user can identify that a handpiece error occurred during the procedure. If desired, the user can tap the Details button 1875D to access the Event Log Details modal to view additional details related to events logged during the procedure.

[0141] FIG. 28 is an exemplary GUI Event Log Details modal displaying information related to bipolar energy modalities. The top portion of the Event Log Details modal 1880A includes a summary of details related to this exemplary procedure. For example, the date, start time, duration, and preset used for the procedure (i.e., 20 minutes default, 48 minutes complex laparoscopy) are outlined in the upper left portion of the screen. The top center portion of the Event Log Details modal 1880A displays a graphical representation of the energy ports used during the procedure. Based on this modal screen, the user can identify that ports from two generator modules were utilized for this exemplary procedure: the bipolar, monopolar 1, and advanced energy ports on Generator 1, and the monopolar 1 port on Generator 2. The upper right portion of the Event Log Details modal 1880A also displays each footswitch used during the procedure (identified graphically and with each footswitch's serial number or unique ID) and the plug to which each footswitch was connected. Below the treatment details summary, in the middle and bottom portions of the screen, the user has the option to select any of the energy ports used during the treatment to see a summary of events associated with that port. For example, in the event log details modal 1880A, under the Generator Module 1 heading, the Bipolar button 1882A is selected. With this button selected, the event log details modal 1880A displays the device number 1884A, mode 1886A, power level 1888A, total operating time 1890A, operating method 1892A, and any errors 1894A associated with this energy modality. To see similar summaries for other energy modalities for generator 1 used during this exemplary treatment, the user may tap the Monopolar 1 button 1882B or the Advanced Energy button 1882C. Additionally, the user can scroll within the modal to view other content. For example, by scrolling down, they can view summaries of the energy modalities used during the treatment associated with generator 2.

[0142] 29 is an exemplary GUI event log details modal in which information related to the monopolar 1 energy modality is displayed. The top of the event log details modal 1880B includes the same summary of details related to this exemplary procedure as shown in the event log details modal 1880A. In the event log details modal 1880B under the Generator Module 1 heading, the Monopolar 1 button 1882B has been selected. With this button selected, the event log details modal 1880B displays the device number 1884B, ablation information 1886B (including mode, power level, and activation time), coagulation (coag) information 1888B (including mode, power level, and activation time), activation method 1892B, and any errors 1894B related to this energy modality. To see similar summaries for other energy modalities used during the exemplary procedure associated with generator 1, the user may tap the bipolar button 1882A or the advanced energy button 1882C.

[0143] 30 is an exemplary GUI event log details modal in which information related to an advanced energy modality is displayed. The top of the event log details modal 1880C includes the same summary of details related to this exemplary procedure as shown in event log details modals 1880A and B. In event log details modal 1880C, under the Generator Module 1 heading, the Advanced Energy button 1882C has been selected. With this button selected, event log details modal 1880C displays the device ID 1884C, handpiece ID 1886B, number of remaining handpiece uses 1896C, maximum and minimum power levels 1888C, total activation time 1890C, activation method 1892C, and any errors 1894C associated with this energy modality. The user may tap the buttons associated with the other energy modalities of generator 1 (1882A and 1882B) to return to an overview of each respective energy modality, or the user may scroll down to see an overview of the energy modalities associated with generator 2 used during the procedure. The event log details modal 1880C also indicates that there was an error associated with the advanced energy modality during this exemplary procedure. Specifically, the advanced energy button 1882C has a warning symbol (in this example, the warning symbol is an exclamation point within a triangle), and an error description is included under the error heading 1894C. Additionally, the number of errors (in this example, one error) is displayed in a bubble associated with the warning symbol. If one or more errors occurred during the procedure associated with one or more of the other energy modalities used, the errors would similarly be displayed in association with the other energy modality buttons (e.g., 1882A and 1882B) and error descriptions (e.g., 1894A and 1894B). By tapping on a given error description, a pop-up window within the Event Log Details modal will present details related to the error.

[0144] FIG. 31 is an exemplary GUI event log details modal in which error condition information related to advanced energy modalities is displayed via a pop-up window. When viewing the event log details modal 1880C, tapping on the error description in the table under the error heading 1894C causes an error pop-up window 1898C to appear. Generally, the error pop-up window displays the name of the error condition, a description of the error condition, and instructions on how the user can resolve the error condition. For example, the error pop-up window 1898C indicates that a handpiece error occurred during the procedure. The pop-up window 1898C further explains that this error condition means that the handpiece is no longer functioning and that to resolve the error, the current handpiece should be replaced with a functioning handpiece.

[0145] QR code display for easy submission of system event data When a problem or other event occurs in connection with the use of capital equipment, such as equipment associated with various aspects of the modular energy system disclosed herein, it may be difficult for a user to communicate information related to the event to assist in troubleshooting. Similarly, it may be difficult for appliance support staff to gather information about the event from a user. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method that easily transmits system event data related to a modular energy system.

[0146] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a modular energy system can display a unique QR code (quick response code) when a system event (e.g., a system error) occurs. When an event occurs, the user is notified of both the event and the associated QR code (e.g., using a notification on the modular energy system's display screen). The user can then take a photo of the QR code and send it to support staff (e.g., customer service, a sales representative, etc.). For example, the user can capture the image using a smartphone and send it to support staff via email or text message. Alternatively, a smartphone application may be used to capture and interpret or transmit the code (see the "Surgeon's Mobile Phone Application for Recording and Monitoring Surgical Procedures" section below). The data carried by the QR code may be encrypted to protect sensitive information. After receiving the image of the QR code, support staff can extract information related to the event. For example, the QR code can contain additional information useful for further diagnosing the event. Because QR codes can capture and convey up to 3 KB of data in a simple manner, support staff can advantageously receive this diagnostic information quickly and easily. As a result, better support can be provided to the user.

[0147] Surgeon's mobile phone application for recording and monitoring surgical procedures As described above, various aspects of the modular energy system collect and store data as surgical procedures are performed. Furthermore, information derived from that data may be presented to the user via a graphical user interface (GUI) rendered on a display screen, via a dedicated surgical display, and / or via various other modules of the modular energy system. However, surgeons may still desire additional ways to access clinical and record data. Therefore, there is a need to further improve user connectivity and enhance access to information using mobile phone applications that interact with the modular energy system.

[0148] In at least one aspect of the present disclosure, the modular energy system is configured to communicate with a user's smartphone via a smartphone application. The smartphone application may include several features to improve user connectivity and access to information related to the modular energy system. Each application may securely connect with the modular energy system. Furthermore, different applications may be specifically configured based on the type of surgery or medical specialty. For example, there may be one application dedicated to general surgery and several other applications dedicated to different specialties. Within each application, a user (e.g., a surgeon) may be able to select the type of surgical procedure they wish to perform. In other cases, a user may also be able to view data related to past procedures.

[0149] While performing a surgical procedure, the user may be able to view a graphical flow representing the steps of the procedure via the smartphone application. For example, the steps shown on the application may be similar to the checklist steps described in connection with FIGS. 17-19 . Furthermore, by tapping an icon displayed by the application, the user may identify or flag the completion of a procedure step, thereby causing the modular energy system to timestamp the step. The user may also request that the modular energy system capture a photo of what is currently being displayed by one or more display screens of the modular energy system and associate the captured photo with a particular step of the procedure. Furthermore, the user may record audio using the application. In addition, the user may request that other data related to the modular energy system be transmitted to the smartphone. For example, during the procedure, the surgeon may view real-time measurements of the patient's abdominal pressure. The application may also have the ability to access the smartphone camera to capture an image of a QR code generated by other instruments of the modular energy system in response to an event (e.g., a system error) and either transmit the code to support staff or provide instructions to the user based on the code.

[0150] During the procedure, the smartphone application is intended to be used only for personal monitoring and recording of data by the user and not to control the operation of the instruments used to perform the surgery, with the exception that the application may submit requests to the modular energy system to transmit data to the user's smartphone.

[0151] Guided Output Verification Standard hospital procedures often require annual or semi-annual power verification testing of electrosurgical generators. The power verification process involves connecting an electrosurgical unit (ESU) analyzer to various ports on the generator (e.g., the port assembly 2012 of the energy module 2004 shown in FIG. 7A ). Once the ESU analyzer is connected, a user (e.g., a biomedical technician) activates the connected ports on the electrosurgical generator at various power settings while the ESU analyzer is set to various resistance levels. The user cycles through different combinations of power and resistance settings and records the results. The user uses these results to determine whether the power output of the electrosurgical generator complies with the manufacturer's specifications. In systems with multiple power modalities, such as the modular energy systems described in various aspects of the present disclosure, power verification testing can involve significant complexity. For example, a user may need to cycle through multiple power and resistance settings for multiple ports on multiple generators (e.g., port assemblies 2012a and 2012b of energy modules 2004a and 2004b shown in FIG. 8A ). This complexity can lead to errors during the power verification process. Furthermore, power verification can be a time-consuming process for users, such as biomedical engineers, who often have a wide range of responsibilities. Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods that improve the efficiency and reliability of the power verification process.

[0152] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system and method for guided power verification is disclosed. A user is guided through the power verification process by displaying step-by-step instructions via a graphical user interface (GUI) of the modular energy system. As part of this step-by-step process, the user can also activate the energy ports with the appropriate mode and power level settings by simply tapping a button displayed by the GUI.

[0153] A user can cause the modular energy system to initiate inductive output verification (output verification mode) by accessing the appropriate output verification button from the GUI's settings screen. Alternatively, the modular energy system may automatically enter output verification mode when the user inserts an output verification key into the appropriate energy port on the modular energy system. The output verification key is a device that acts as an adapter allowing the ESU analyzer leads to be connected to various power modalities on the neutral electrode port and advanced energy port (see the Output Verification Key section below). Once in output verification mode, the GUI displays a menu from which the user can select any port on the energy module for testing. Once a port is selected, a pop-up display instructs the user to insert the ESU analyzer leads into the appropriate port on the energy module and / or output a verification key. After the user confirms this action has been taken, the modular energy system guides the user step-by-step as to which resistance level of the ESU analyzer and the accompanying mode and power level of the selected energy modality to verify. Unlike other electrosurgical generators that require the user to manually select the appropriate power level and mode, the guided output verification process disclosed herein allows the modular energy system to select and display the correct settings for the user as they proceed through the required tests. This advantageously improves the efficiency of the output verification process and reduces the likelihood of errors. Furthermore, the sequence followed by the guided output verification process may be configured to match the sequence of the process described in the output verification chart included in the modular energy system's service manual. This advantageously improves user understanding, which may reduce the time required to complete the output verification test. Furthermore, the guided output verification process may be configured such that at each point where the user must change a resistance on the ESU analyzer, a very clear stage gate ensures that the user does not proceed without making the change.Usability testing showed that this guided output verification technique was highly intuitive and significantly reduced the time required to complete output verification.

[0154] Referring to FIG. 32 , an exemplary process for guided output verification 1900 begins in step 1902 when an output verification key is inserted into the appropriate energy port of the modular energy system. Inserting the output verification key causes the modular energy system to open output verification mode in step 1904. As part of opening output verification mode, the modular energy system GUI displays an output verification mode menu screen. After selecting an energy modality to test from the menu screen, the user is instructed in step 1906 to plug the ESU analyzer leads into the generator and / or verification key ports corresponding to the selected energy modality. Next, in step 1908, the GUI instructs the user to set the appropriate resistance level on the ESU analyzer (or load box). Once the user has set the appropriate resistance level, the user is instructed in step 1910 to select a mode and / or power level for the energy port. The user then taps the appropriate button on the GUI to activate the energy port in step 1912, and the user looks at the ESU analyzer (load box) and records measurements in step 1914. In an alternative embodiment, the user can activate power using a foot pedal connected to the modular energy system. The modular energy system instructs the user to repeat steps 1910, 1912, and 1914 until all required modes and power levels for the selected port at the selected resistance have been tested. Once testing of all modes and levels at the selected resistance has been completed, the modular energy system can instruct the user to adjust the ESU analyzer to an additional resistance level in step 1908 and repeat steps 1910, 1912, and 1914 again until all required modes and power levels at the new resistance level have been tested.If more ports need to be tested, the modular energy system instructs the user to plug the ESU analyzer leads into the next port in step 1906, and the process repeats steps 1908-1914 as necessary for that port. If ports associated with a different energy module (i.e., generator) need to be tested, the process returns to step 1902, and the modular energy system instructs the user to insert the output verification key into the appropriate port of the next energy module. Again, the process repeats steps 1906-1914 as necessary for that energy module. After all ports associated with all energy modules have been tested, the process ends in step 1916, and the modular energy system exits output verification mode.

[0155] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, FIGS. 33-65 are exemplary GUI screens displayed by a modular energy system during a guided power verification process. FIG. 33 is an exemplary GUI main screen 1920A of a modular energy system. To begin accessing the power verification mode, a user taps the utility button (gear icon) in the upper right corner of the GUI main screen 1920A, causing the utility menu screen to appear. FIG. 34 is an exemplary GUI utility menu screen 1920B. By tapping the system settings button in the lower right corner of the utility menu screen 1920B, the user causes the modular energy system to display the system settings screen. FIG. 35 is an exemplary GUI system settings screen 1922. From the system settings screen 1922, the user then taps the service button located on the left side. Tapping the service button displays various service options, including an "output verification test," as shown in the central system settings screen 1922. Under the "output verification test" heading, an image of an output verification key being inserted into the appropriate energy port is displayed. The system setup screen 1922 instructs the user to insert the output verification key as shown to begin the output verification test. FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a modular energy system displaying the GUI system setup screen 1922, with the user inserting the output verification key 1923 into the neutral electrode and advanced energy ports of the energy module (i.e., generator). If the user inserts the output verification key 1923 into the appropriate energy port while the system setup screen 1922 is displayed, the modular energy system enters output verification mode. In other aspects of the present disclosure, the modular energy system can be placed into output verification mode by inserting the output verification key 1923 at any time.

[0156] FIG. 37 is an exemplary GUI screen for entering power verification 1924. The screen for entering power verification 1924 displays a notification to the user indicating the estimated length of time it will take to complete the power verification test. The notification also prompts the user to ensure they have an ESU analyzer with appropriate resistance capabilities (e.g., capable of reaching 1250 ohms of resistance). The user is also notified that they can activate the generator (i.e., the various modalities of the energy module) by interacting with the GUI touchscreen or appropriate footswitches. Tapping the continue button located at the bottom right of the screen for entering power verification 1924 causes the modular energy system to display the power verification mode main screen.

[0157] FIG. 38 is an exemplary GUI output verification mode main screen 1926A. The output verification mode main screen 1926A displays buttons representing various energy ports associated with the modular energy system. The top row of buttons (i.e., Bipolar, Monopolar, 1, Monopolar 2, and Advanced) represent ports associated with the first energy module (i.e., Generator 1) of the modular energy system. The output verification mode main screen 1926A may also display a serial number associated with the first energy module above the top row of buttons. If there are more than one energy modules (more than one generator) associated with the modular energy system, the output verification mode main screen 1926A may display additional rows of energy port buttons corresponding to the energy ports of the additional energy modules. The user can initiate output verification for a particular port by tapping the appropriate energy port button. In the exemplary display on the output verification mode main screen 1926A, the bipolar energy port button has been tapped. This brings up the bipolar ESU analyzer connection screen.

[0158] FIG. 39 is an exemplary GUI bipolar ESU analyzer connection screen 1928A. The bipolar ESU analyzer connection screen 1928A instructs the user to insert the ESU analyzer leads into the appropriate ports to test the bipolar energy modality. These instructions include a visual depiction of the leads connected to the appropriate ports. FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the modular energy system displaying the GUI bipolar ESU analyzer connection screen 1928A while the user is inserting the ESU analyzer lead 1929 into the bipolar energy port. After the leads are connected as shown, the user taps the OK button to advance to the bipolar setting resistance screen.

[0159] FIG. 41 is an exemplary GUI bipolar setting resistance screen 1928B. In the bipolar setting resistance screen 1928B, the user is instructed to adjust the resistance of the ESU analyzer to the appropriate setting (e.g., 100 ohms). Setting the resistance of the ESU analyzer must be done manually by the user. For example, FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the user adjusting the resistance level of the ESU analyzer 1931. Returning to FIG. 41, after the user has properly adjusted the ESU analyzer resistance as instructed, they tap the confirm button, and the first bipolar test mode screen appears.

[0160] FIG. 43 is a first bipolar test mode screen 1928C of an exemplary GUI. The first bipolar test mode screen 1928C displays all modes and power levels that need to be tested for the bipolar energy modality. The first mode and power level to be tested (i.e., micro 10W) ​​is highlighted on the first bipolar test mode screen 1928C. Also, next to the first power mode and power level is an activate button. This activate button only appears next to the current mode and power level being tested. Referring now to the first bipolar mode test screen 1928D of FIG. 44, pressing and holding the activate button causes the modular energy system to deliver energy at the corresponding mode and power level in the active row. As energy is delivered, the power level displayed in the active row is highlighted. Once the energy is activated, the user can take appropriate measurements using the ESU analyzer. Releasing the activate button causes the modular energy system to stop delivering energy through the bipolar port. In another aspect of the present disclosure, a foot pedal may be used to cause the modular energy system to deliver energy instead of a GUI touchscreen button. Referring to the first bipolar test mode screen 1928E shown in FIG. 45, a foot pedal image is displayed in place of the activation button. The first bipolar mode test screen 1928E instructs the user to activate the power supply using the foot pedal. Similar to the activation button described above, pressing the foot pedal causes the modular energy system to deliver energy at the corresponding mode and power level in the active row. Once energy is delivered, the power level displayed in the active row may be highlighted. Once energy is activated, the user can take appropriate measurements using the ESU analyzer. Releasing the foot pedal causes the modular energy system to stop delivering energy through the bipolar port.46, the user may continue to activate bipolar energy at the first mode and power level (i.e., micro 10w) by pressing the activation button as desired. When the user is ready to proceed to the second mode and power level, the user can press the next power level button (i.e., 80w).

[0161] FIG. 47 is a second bipolar test mode screen 1928G of an exemplary GUI. Similar to the first bipolar test mode screen 1928C, the second bipolar test mode screen 1928G displays all modes and power levels that need to be tested for the bipolar energy modality. However, the second mode and power level to be tested (i.e., micro 80W) is highlighted, the activate button has moved to that row, and there is a check mark indicating that testing of the first mode and level is complete. To test the second power level, the user proceeds in the same manner as described above for the first power level. The modular energy system prompts the user to proceed until all power modes and levels have been tested, at which point the final bipolar test mode screen 1928H of FIG. 48 is displayed. The final bipolar test mode screen 1928H confirms that testing of all modes and power levels is complete by a check mark displayed in each row under the tested column. At this point, a button to proceed to monopolar 1 appears at the bottom of the screen. Clicking the button to go to Unipolar will return the modular energy system to the Output Verification Mode main screen.

[0162] 49 is an exemplary GUI Output Verification Mode Main Screen 1926B. Similar to the Output Verification Mode Main Screen 1926A, the Output Verification Mode Main Screen 1926B displays buttons representing the various energy ports associated with the modular energy system. However, since output verification for the bipolar port has been completed, this button is now highlighted and displays a check mark. To proceed to testing the Monopolar 1 port, the user taps the Monopolar 1 button. This brings up the Monopolar 1 ESU Analyzer Connection Screen.

[0163] FIG. 50 is an exemplary GUI Monopolar 1 ESU Analyzer Connection Screen 1930A. The Monopolar 1 ESU Analyzer Connection Screen 1930A instructs the user to insert the ESU analyzer leads into the appropriate ports to test the Monopolar 1 energy modality. These instructions include a visual depiction of the leads connected to the appropriate ports. After the leads are connected as shown, the user taps the OK button to advance to the first Monopolar 1 Set Resistance screen.

[0164] 51 is an exemplary GUI First Monopole 1 Set Resistance screen 1930B. In the First Monopole Set Resistance screen 1930B, the user is instructed to adjust the ESU analyzer resistance to the appropriate setting (e.g., 100 ohms). After the user properly adjusts the ESU analyzer resistance as instructed, they tap the confirm button, and the First Monopole 1 Test Mode screen appears.

[0165] FIG. 52 is a first monopolar 1 test mode screen 1930C of an exemplary GUI. The first monopolar 1 test mode screen 1930C displays all modes and power levels that need to be tested for the monopolar 1 energy modality (the user can scroll down as needed). The first mode and power level to be tested (i.e., Soft Coag 20w) is highlighted on the first monopolar 1 test mode screen 1930C. As with the bipolar test mode screen described above, an activation button is displayed next to the highlighted row. By pressing and holding the activation button, the modular energy system will deliver energy at the corresponding mode and power level in the active row. Once the energy is delivered, the power level displayed in the active row is highlighted. Once the energy is activated, the user can take appropriate measurements using the ESU analyzer. The user may press the next mode and power level button (i.e., Soft Coag 20w) when ready to proceed to the second mode and power level. However, the user may need to adjust the resistance level of the ESU analyzer to proceed with measuring the mode and power level required for Monopole 1 port output verification. Referring to the second Monopole 1 test mode screen 1930D in Figure 53, a Set Resistance button (i.e., Set Resistance to 200 Ohms) appears, instructing the user to change the resistance. Tapping this button brings up the second Monopole 1 Set Resistance screen.

[0166] FIG. 54 is a second Monopole 1 Setting Resistance screen 1930E of the exemplary GUI. In the second Monopole Setting Resistance screen 1930E, the user is again instructed to adjust the ESU analyzer resistance to the appropriate setting (e.g., 200 ohms). After the user properly adjusts the ESU analyzer resistance, they tap the Confirm button, and the next Monopole 1 Test Mode screen appears. From the next test screen, the modular energy system instructs the user to proceed until all power modes and levels have been tested. Referring now to FIG. 55, after all modes and power levels have been tested, the Final Monopole 1 Test Mode screen 1930F is displayed. At this point, a button to proceed to Monopole 2 Output Verification appears at the bottom of the screen. Clicking the Proceed to Monopole 2 button returns the modular energy system to the Output Verification Mode Main screen, where the user can then select the Monopole 2 port for testing. This causes the Monopole 2 ESU Analyzer Connection screen to appear.

[0167] FIG. 56 is an exemplary GUI Monopolar 2 ESU Analyzer Connection Screen 1932A. The Monopolar 2 ESU Analyzer Connection Screen 1932A instructs the user to insert the ESU analyzer leads into the appropriate ports to test the monopolar 2 energy modality. These instructions include a visual depiction of the leads connected to the appropriate ports. After the leads are connected as shown, the user taps the OK button to proceed to the first Monopolar 2 Set Resistance screen. As with the other ports described above, the modular energy system instructs the user to test each of the required modes and power levels for the monopolar 2 port. Referring now to FIG. 57, after all modes and power levels have been tested, the Final Monopolar 2 Test Mode screen 1934B is displayed. At this point, a button to proceed to Advanced Energy Output Verification appears at the bottom of the screen. Clicking the Proceed to Advanced Energy button returns the modular energy system to the Output Verification Mode Main screen, where the user can then select the advanced energy port for testing. Testing of the advanced energy port begins at the Advanced Energy: Monopolar ESU Analyzer Connection screen.

[0168] FIG. 58 is an exemplary GUI Advanced Energy: Monopolar ESU Analyzer Connection screen 1934A. The Advanced Energy: Monopolar ESU Analyzer Connection screen 1934A instructs the user to insert the ESU analyzer leads into the appropriate ports (on the output verification key) to test the Advanced Energy: Monopolar energy modality. These instructions include a visual depiction of the leads connected to the appropriate ports. After the leads are connected as shown, the user taps the OK button to proceed to the test screen associated with the Advanced Energy: Monopolar modality. As with the other ports described above, the modular system instructs the user to test each of the required modes and power levels of the Advanced Energy: Monopolar energy modality. Referring now to FIG. 59, after all power modes and levels have been tested, the Final Advanced Energy: Monopolar Test Mode screen 1934B is displayed. At this point, a button to proceed to Advanced Energy: Ultrasound Output Verification appears at the bottom of the screen. Clicking the button to proceed to Advanced Energy: Ultrasound Output Verification causes the modular energy system to proceed to the Forward Energy: Ultrasound ESU Analyzer Connection screen.

[0169] FIG. 60 is an exemplary GUI Advanced Energy: Ultrasound ESU Analyzer Connection Screen 1936A. The Advanced Energy: Ultrasound ESU Analyzer Connection Screen 1936A instructs the user to insert the ESU analyzer leads into the appropriate ports (on the Output Verification Key) to test the Advanced Energy: Ultrasound energy modality. These instructions include a visual depiction of the leads connected to the appropriate ports. After the leads are connected as shown, the user taps the OK button to proceed to the test screen associated with the Advanced Energy: Ultrasound modality. As with the other ports described above, the modular energy system instructs the user to test each of the requested modes and power levels of the Advanced Energy: Ultrasound energy modality. Referring now to FIG. 61, after all modes and power levels have been tested, the Final Advanced Energy: Ultrasound Test Mode Screen 1936B is displayed. At this point, a button to proceed to Advanced Energy: Bipolar Output Verification appears at the bottom of the screen. Clicking the Proceed to Advanced Energy: Bipolar button causes the modular energy system to proceed to the Advanced Energy: Bipolar ESU Analyzer Connection Screen.

[0170] FIG. 62 is an exemplary GUI Advanced Energy: Bipolar ESU Analyzer Connection screen 1938A. The Advanced Energy: Bipolar ESU Analyzer Connection screen 1938A instructs the user to insert the ESU analyzer leads into the appropriate ports (on the output validation key) to test the Advanced Energy: Bipolar energy modality. These instructions include a visual depiction of the leads connected to the appropriate ports. After the leads are connected as shown, the user taps the OK button to proceed to the test screen associated with the Advanced Energy: Bipolar modality. As with the other ports described above, the modular energy system instructs the user to test each of the required modes and power levels of the Advanced Energy: Bipolar energy modality. Referring now to FIG. 63, after all power modes and levels have been tested, the final Advanced Energy: Bipolar Test Mode screen 1938B is displayed. At this point, if the modular energy system includes an additional energy module (e.g., a second generator), a button to proceed to the next module (e.g., Generator 2) appears at the bottom of the screen. Clicking this button will cause the modular energy system to proceed to the verification key connection screen.

[0171] 64 is an exemplary GUI verification key connection screen 1940. Upon completion of the output verification test associated with a first energy module (e.g., generator 1), this screen instructs the user to remove the output verification key from the port associated with the first energy module and insert the output verification key into the appropriate port of a second energy module (e.g., generator 2). These instructions include a visual depiction of the output verification key being removed from the port of the first energy module and inserted into the port of the second energy module. Once the key is properly inserted into the correct port of the second energy module, the system will automatically recognize the connection and may proceed to the output verification main screen.

[0172] FIG. 65 is an exemplary GUI output verification mode main screen 1926C. The output verification mode main screen 1926C displays buttons representing various energy ports associated with the modular energy system. However, unlike the verification mode main screen 1926A, the output verification mode main screen 1926C displays a second row of available buttons (i.e., Bipolar, Monopolar, 1, Monopolar 2, and Advanced) representing ports associated with a second energy module (e.g., Generator 2) of the modular energy system. The output verification mode main screen 1926C may also display the serial number associated with the second energy module above the buttons in the second row. The user can initiate output verification of a particular port of the second energy module by tapping the appropriate energy port button. When the user has completed output verification, or if the user wishes to exit output verification mode and return to the system settings screen 1922, the user can tap the done button in the upper right corner of the output verification mode menu screen.

[0173] 66-89 are exemplary GUI screens displayed by a modular energy system during an inductive output verification process, according to at least one other aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 66 is an exemplary GUI main screen 1942A of a modular energy system. To begin accessing the output verification mode, a user taps the utility button (gear icon) in the upper right corner of the GUI main screen 1942A, causing the utility menu screen to appear. FIG. 67 is an exemplary GUI utility menu screen 1942B. By tapping the system settings button in the lower right corner of the utility menu screen 1942B, the user causes the modular energy system to display the system settings screen. FIG. 68 is an exemplary GUI system settings screen 1944. Next, from the system settings screen 1944, the user taps the service button located on the left side. Tapping the service button displays various service options, including an "output verification test," as shown in the central portion of the system settings screen 1944. Under the "output verification test" header, an image of an output verification key being inserted into the appropriate energy port of the energy module (i.e., generator) is displayed. The system setup screen 1944 instructs the user to insert an output verification key as shown to begin the output verification test. If the user inserts an output verification key into the appropriate energy port while the system setup screen 1944 is displayed, the modular energy system enters output verification mode. In other aspects of the present disclosure, the modular energy system can be placed into output verification mode by inserting an output verification key at any time.

[0174] FIG. 69 is an exemplary GUI screen for entering power verification 1946. The screen for entering power verification 1946 displays a notification to the user indicating the estimated length of time it will take to complete the power verification test. The notification also prompts the user to ensure they have an ESU analyzer with appropriate resistance capabilities (e.g., capable of reaching 1250 ohms of resistance). The user is also notified that they can activate the generator (i.e., the various modalities of the energy module) by interacting with the GUI touchscreen or appropriate footswitches. Tapping the continue button located at the bottom right of the screen for entering power verification 1946 causes the modular energy system to display the power verification mode main screen.

[0175] FIG. 70 is an exemplary GUI output verification mode main screen 1948A. The output verification mode main screen 1948A displays panels representing various energy ports associated with the modular energy system. The top row of panels (i.e., Bipolar, Monopolar 1, Monopolar 2, and Advanced) represent ports associated with the first energy module (i.e., Generator 1) of the modular energy system. If there is more than one energy module (more than one generator) associated with the modular energy system, the output verification mode main screen 1948A may display additional rows of energy port panels corresponding to the energy ports of the additional energy modules. For example, the output verification mode main screen 1948A includes a second row of panels (i.e., Bipolar, Monopolar 1, Monopolar 2, and Advanced) associated with the second energy module (i.e., Generator 2) of the modular energy system. A user may initiate output verification of a particular energy modality by inserting the ESU analyzer leads into the appropriate ports associated with that energy modality. For example, if the ESU analyzer lead is inserted into a port corresponding to a bipolar energy modality, the first bipolar test mode screen will appear.

[0176] FIG. 71 is a first bipolar test mode screen 1948B of an exemplary GUI. The first bipolar test mode screen 1948B includes an expanded bipolar panel that displays the available modes and power levels associated with the bipolar energy modality being tested. For example, the expanded bipolar panel shown on the first bipolar test mode screen 1948B includes buttons for the 20W and 200W power levels to be tested using the micro mode and buttons for the 20W and 200W power levels to be tested using the macro mode. Each button also displays the ESU analyzer resistance level required for each test. The button corresponding to the first power mode and power level to be tested (i.e., micro 20W) is highlighted on the first bipolar test mode screen 1948B. Additionally, that same mode and power level is displayed in larger font at the top of the expanded bipolar panel (i.e., 20 micro). The foot pedal image displayed in the expanded bipolar panel of screen 1948B indicates that a foot pedal connected to the modular energy system may be used to activate the power supply at the level / mode corresponding to the highlighted button (i.e., Micro 20W). In various aspects of the present disclosure, an activation button displayed on the first bipolar test mode screen may be used to activate the power supply in place of a foot pedal.

[0177] 72, a first bipolar test mode screen 1948C of an exemplary GUI is shown with an activation button in place of a foot pedal. Pressing and holding the activation button causes the modular energy system to deliver energy in the mode and power level corresponding to the highlighted button in the extended bipolar panel (i.e., Micro 20w). Once energy is activated, the user can take appropriate measurements using the ESU analyzer. Releasing the activation button causes the modular energy system to stop delivering energy through the bipolar port.

[0178] Referring now to the first bipolar test mode screen 1948D of FIG. 73, the user activates bipolar energy at a first mode and power level (i.e., micro 20W) by pressing the foot pedal. Once power is activated, the top of the expanded bipolar panel is highlighted, as shown by screen 1948D. When the user is ready to test a second mode and power level of the bipolar energy modality, the user may tap the button in the expanded bipolar panel that corresponds to that mode and level (e.g., micro 200W), as illustrated by the first bipolar test mode screen 1948E of FIG. 74. This causes a second bipolar test mode screen to appear.

[0179] FIG. 75 is a second bipolar test mode screen 1948F of an exemplary GUI. Similar to the first bipolar test mode screen 1948B, the second bipolar test mode screen 1948F includes an expanded bipolar panel displaying the available modes and power levels associated with the bipolar energy modality being tested. However, the text in the button corresponding to the first mode and power level tested then appears struck through, indicating that testing at that setting is complete. Additionally, the button corresponding to the second power mode and level being tested (i.e., micro 200w) is highlighted, and then the large text at the top of the expanded bipolar panel is updated based on that mode and level (i.e., 200 micro). To test the second power level, the user proceeds in the same manner as described above for the first power level. Once power is activated, the top of the expanded bipolar panel is highlighted, as shown by the second bipolar test mode screen 1948G of FIG. 76. When the user is ready to test the next mode and power level of the bipolar energy modality, the user may tap the button in the expanded bipolar panel that corresponds to that mode and level (e.g., Macro 20w), as illustrated by the second bipolar test mode screen 1948H in FIG. 77. This process continues for all available modes and power levels shown in the expanded bipolar panel. For example, FIG. 78 is an exemplary GUI final bipolar test mode screen 1948J showing that testing has been completed on the Micro 20w, Micro 200w, and Macro 20w, with the Macro 200w currently being tested. After testing at the final mode and power level is complete, the user may remove the ESU analyzer lead from the port corresponding to the bipolar energy modality. Removing the lead returns the modular energy system to the main screen of the output verification mode.

[0180] FIG. 79 is an exemplary GUI output verification mode main screen 1948K. Similar to the output verification mode main screen 1948A, the output verification mode main screen 1948K displays panels representing the various energy ports associated with the modular energy system. However, the panel corresponding to the bipolar energy modality of the first energy module is now highlighted, indicating that the output verification test for that modality is complete. The user may initiate output verification for the monopolar 1 energy modality by inserting the ESU analyzer lead into the corresponding port on the energy module and output verification key. This will cause the first monopolar 1 test mode screen to appear.

[0181] FIG. 80 is a first monopolar 1 test mode screen 1948L of an exemplary GUI. The first monopolar 1 test mode screen 1948L includes an extended monopolar 1 panel, which displays the available modes and power levels associated with the monopolar 1 energy modality to be tested. Each of the buttons also displays the ESU analyzer resistance level required for each test. The button corresponding to the first power mode and power level to be tested is highlighted on screen 1948L. An indication such as "monopolar modulation technique high" may be displayed. Additionally, that same mode and power level may be displayed in a larger font at the top of the extended monopolar 1 panel (e.g., "high monopolar modulation technique"). Referring now to the first bipolar test mode screen 1948M of FIG. 81, the user activates the monopolar 1 energy port at a first mode and power level (i.e., "monopolar modulation technique high") by pressing the foot pedal. Once power is activated, the top of the extended monopolar 1 panel is highlighted, as shown by screen 1948M. When the user is ready to test a second mode and power level of the monopolar 1 energy modality, they may tap the button in the expanded monopolar 1 panel that corresponds to that mode and level (e.g., monopolar modulation technique low), which will bring up a second monopolar 1 test mode screen.

[0182] FIG. 82 is a second monopolar 1 test mode screen 1948N of an exemplary GUI. Similar to the first monopolar 1 test mode screen 1948L, the second monopolar 1 test mode screen 1948N includes an expanded monopolar 1 panel that displays the available modes and power levels associated with the monopolar 1 energy modality to be tested. However, the text in the button corresponding to the first mode and power level tested now appears with a strikethrough, indicating that testing at that setting is complete. Additionally, the button corresponding to the second mode and power level to be tested (e.g., monopolar modulation technique low) is highlighted, and the large text at the top of the expanded monopolar 1 panel is updated (e.g., low monopolar modulation technique). To test the second power level, the user proceeds in the same manner as described above for the first power level. Similarly, the user proceeds with measurements for each power level shown in the expanded monopolar 1 panel. For example, the third Monopolar 1 Test Mode screen 1948P shown in FIG. 83 indicates that the user has tested the Monopolar Modulation Technique High and Low settings, is currently testing the Pure 20W setting, and is ready to proceed to the Pure 300W setting. After testing all Monopolar 1 settings, the user may remove the ESU analyzer lead from the port corresponding to the Monopolar 1 energy modality. Removing the lead returns the modular energy system to the main screen in Output Verification Mode. From the main screen, the user may proceed to test the Monopolar 2 energy modality by following steps similar to those described above.

[0183] FIG. 84 is an exemplary GUI Output Verification Mode Main Screen 1948Q. This screen shows the Bipolar Panel, Monopolar Panel 1, and Monopolar Panel 2 highlighted. These highlighted panels indicate that an output verification test has been completed for the corresponding energy modality. The user may initiate output verification for an advanced energy modality by inserting the ESU analyzer lead into the corresponding port on the Output Verification Key. This will bring up the Advanced Energy: Ultrasound Test Mode screen.

[0184] FIG. 85 is a first Advanced Energy: Ultrasound Test Mode screen 1948R of an exemplary GUI. Similar to the other test mode screens described above, screen 1948R includes an expanded advanced energy panel that displays available test modes and power levels associated with the advanced energy modality. Each of the buttons also displays the ESU analyzer resistance level required for each test. The button corresponding to the first power mode and power level to be tested (i.e., Ultrasound Maximum at 150 Ohms) is highlighted on screen 1948R. Furthermore, that same mode and power level is displayed in a larger font at the top of the expanded advanced energy panel (i.e., Ultrasound Maximum). Now, referring to the first Advanced Energy: Ultrasound Test Mode screen 1948S shown in FIG. 86, the user activates the advanced energy port at the first mode and power level (i.e., Ultrasound Maximum) by pressing the foot pedal. Once power is activated, the top of the expanded advanced energy panel is highlighted, as shown by screen 1948S. When the user is ready to test a second mode and power level of the advanced energy modality, they may tap the button in the expanded advanced energy panel that corresponds to that mode and level (e.g., ultrasound minimum at 150 ohms), as illustrated by the Advanced Energy: Ultrasound Test Mode screen 1948T in FIG. 87. This causes the second Advanced Energy: Ultrasound Test Mode screen to appear. To test the second power level, the user proceeds as described above in connection with the first power level. Similarly, the user advances through each ultrasound setting shown in the expanded advanced energy panel, adjusting the resistance of the ESU analyzer as needed. For example, the third Advanced Energy: Ultrasound Test Mode screen 1948U shown in FIG. 88 indicates that the user has already tested the ultrasound maximum and minimum settings at 150 ohms, is currently testing the ultrasound maximum setting at 650 ohms, and is ready to advance to the ultrasound minimum setting at 650 ohms. After testing all ultrasound settings, the user may advance to the bipolar setting of the advanced energy modality by tapping the toggle button at the bottom of the expanded advanced energy panel.This will cause the Extended Advanced Energy panel to display all of the required output verification test settings for the Advanced Energy: Bipolar modality. After the user has completed all of the required output verification tests associated with the advanced energy modality, the user may remove the ESU analyzer lead from the output verification key. Removing the lead will return the modular energy system to the main screen in output verification mode.

[0185] FIG. 89 is an exemplary GUI output verification mode main screen 1948V. This screen shows the bipolar, monopolar 1, monopolar 2, and advanced energy panels highlighted. These highlighted panels indicate that output verification testing has been completed for all energy modalities for a first energy module (e.g., generator 1). The user may initiate output verification for a second energy module (e.g., generator 2) by transferring the output verification key to the appropriate port on the second module and inserting the ESU analyzer lead into the port corresponding to the bipolar energy modality. The output verification process for the second energy module then proceeds similarly to that described above.

[0186] Output Verification Key As explained above, standard hospital practice requires that output verification tests be performed on electrosurgical generators, often annually or semi-annually. Typically, the output verification process involves connecting an electrosurgical unit (ESU) analyzer to various energy ports on the electrosurgical generator. Once the ESU analyzer is connected, a user (e.g., a biomedical technician) activates the connected ports on the electrosurgical generator in various modes and power settings while the ESU analyzer is set to various resistance levels. The user cycles through different combinations of power and resistance levels and records the results. These results are used to determine whether the power output of the electrosurgical generator complies with the manufacturer's specifications. However, some or all of the energy ports on a typical electrosurgical generator are not compatible with the wire leads associated with the ESU analyzer. Furthermore, electrosurgical generators often do not include the accessories necessary to properly connect to the ESU analyzer. As a result, users must "rig" their own instruments and cables to make temporary connections to the ESU analyzer so that the output verification process can be completed. For example, FIG. 90 is a perspective view of an electrosurgical generator with a temporary ESU analyzer connection. The electrosurgical generator 1950 includes various energy ports that must be connected to the ESU analyzer leads. Because the ESU analyzer leads do not fit into the neutral electrode (NE) port of the generator 1950, a temporary connection 1952 is made. In some cases, the temporary connection 1952 is “rigged” by cutting the return cable at the return pad and soldering a banana jack to the cable. Use of devices such as the temporary connection 1952 can result in inaccurate output verification results. Furthermore, these temporary connections pose a potential safety hazard to the user when improperly “rigged.” Therefore, there is a need for an adapter that allows for a safe and easy connection between an electrosurgical generator and an ESU analyzer.

[0187] In one aspect of the present disclosure, an output verification key is disclosed that functions as an adapter between an energy port of an electrosurgical generator and a lead of an ESU analyzer. A first side of the output verification key includes a connection that plugs into the generator's neutral electrode port and a connection that plugs into the generator's advanced energy port (e.g., the neutral electrode port 2018 and the combination energy port 2020 of the energy module 2004 shown in FIG. 7A). A second side of the output verification key includes one port (i.e., the neutral key port) that accepts the ESU analyzer lead to make a connection with the generator's neutral electrode port. Thus, when performing an output verification test for a monopolar energy modality of a generator, a user can easily plug the first ESU analyzer lead into the appropriate monopolar port of the generator (e.g., the first monopolar port 2016a or the second monopolar port 2016b shown in FIG. 7A) and plug the second lead into the neutral key port of the output verification key. The second side of the output verification key also includes four ports associated with the generator's advanced energy (combined) port: a monopolar key port, a bipolar key port, an ultrasound key port, and a common key port. To test the advanced energy port's monopolar modality, a user can easily plug a first ESU analyzer lead into the monopolar key port and a second ESU analyzer lead into the neutral key port. To test the advanced energy port's bipolar modality, a user can easily plug a first ESU analyzer lead into the bipolar key port and a second ESU analyzer lead into the common key port. Finally, to test the advanced energy port's ultrasound modality, a user can easily plug a first ESU analyzer lead into the ultrasound key port and a second ESU analyzer lead into the common key port. By including the ports and plugs described above, the output verification key advantageously functions as an adapter that allows for a safe and easy connection between the electrosurgical generator and the ESU analyzer during output verification.

[0188] FIG. 91 is a perspective view of an electrosurgical generator connected to an output verification key. The generator 1950 includes various energy ports that must be connected to the leads of an ESU analyzer for output verification. These energy ports include a bipolar port, two monopolar ports, an indifferent electrode port, and an advanced energy port (e.g., similar to the bipolar port 2014, first monopolar port 2016a, second monopolar port 2016b, indifferent electrode port 2018, and combination energy port 2020 shown in FIG. 7A). The output verification key 1960 plugs into the indifferent electrode and advanced energy ports of the generator 1950. Specifically, the indifferent electrode plug on a first side of the output verification key 1960 is connected to the indifferent electrode port of the generator 1950, and the advanced energy plug on the first side of the output verification key 1960 is connected to the advanced energy port of the generator 1950.

[0189] 92 is a perspective view of an exemplary output verification key. A first side of the output verification key 1960 includes a neutral electrode plug 1962 and an advanced energy plug 1964. The neutral electrode plug 1962 connects to the neutral electrode port of the generator 1950. Similarly, the advanced energy plug 1964 connects to the advanced energy port of the generator 1950. A second side of the output verification key 1960 includes a neutral key port 1966, a monopolar key port 1968A, a bipolar key port 1968B, an ultrasound key port 1968C, and a common key port 1968D.

[0190] FIG. 93 is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary output verification key. In this example, the output verification key 1970 includes a neutral electrode plug 1972 and an advanced energy plug 1974. The neutral electrode plug 1972 connects to the neutral electrode port of the generator 1950. Similarly, the advanced energy plug 1974 connects to the advanced energy port of the generator 1950. The output verification key 1970 also includes a neutral key port 1976, a monopolar key port 1978A, a bipolar key port 1978B, an ultrasound key port 1978C, and a common key port 1978D. Additional views of the output verification key 1970 are described below in FIGS. 94-97. Although some of these views are described as “top,” “front,” and “back” views of the output verification key 1970, these terms are merely used to identify the relative angles at which the output verification key 1970 is depicted and are not intended to limit in any way the orientation associated with the output verification key 1970.

[0191] Figure 94 is a top view of the output verification key shown in Figure 93. Viewing the output verification key 1970 from this angle depicts the neutral electrode plug 1972 and the advanced energy plug 1974, as well as the neutral key port 1976, the monopolar key port 1978A, and the common key port 1978D.

[0192] Figure 95 is a front view of the output verification key shown in Figure 93. Viewing the output verification key 1970 from this angle depicts neutral key port 1976, monopolar key port 1978A, bipolar key port 1978B, ultrasound key port 1978C, and common key port 1978D.

[0193] Figure 96 is a rear view of the output verification key shown in Figure 93. Viewing the output verification key 1970 from this angle depicts the neutral electrode plug 1972 and the advanced energy plug 1974.

[0194] Figure 97 is an alternative perspective view of the output verification key shown in Figure 93. Viewing the output verification key 1970 from this angle depicts the neutral electrode plug 1972 and the advanced energy plug 1974, as well as the neutral key port 1976, monopolar key port 1978A, bipolar key port 1978B, ultrasound key port 1978C, and common key port 1978D. [Example]

[0195] Various aspects of surgical intervention via the modular energy system described herein are illustrated in the following examples.

[0196] Example 1: A modular energy system for use in a surgical environment, comprising: an energy module configured to generate at least one energy modality for driving a connected electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical instrument; and a header module communicatively coupled to the energy module, the header module comprising a display screen capable of rendering a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI configured to display a plurality of steps corresponding to actions performed by a user while operating the modular energy system.

[0197] Example 2: The modular energy system of Example 1, wherein the steps displayed by the GUI are steps of a predetermined procedure checklist, and the steps of the predetermined procedure checklist correspond to steps of a surgical procedure.

[0198] Example 3: A modular energy system as described in any one or more of Examples 1-2, wherein the GUI is further configured to sequentially display each step of a predetermined procedure checklist as the user performs the surgical procedure, the GUI displaying each step until the user provides input to the modular energy system indicating that the step is completed.

[0199] Example 4: The modular energy system of any one or more of Examples 1-3, further comprising a storage device configured to record event data related to operation of the energy module during a surgical procedure, wherein the event data is organized into an event log based on steps of a predetermined procedure checklist displayed by the GUI while the events are being recorded.

[0200] Example 5: The modular energy system of any one or more of Examples 1-4, wherein the display screen further comprises a touchscreen, the touchscreen configured to detect inputs indicating completion of each step.

[0201] Example 6: The modular energy system of any one or more of Examples 1-5, further comprising a microphone, wherein the input indicating completion of each step is a voice command captured by the microphone.

[0202] Example 7: The modular energy system of any one or more of Examples 1-6, wherein the GUI is configured to skip predetermined checklist steps when a user provides input to the modular energy system.

[0203] Example 8: A modular energy system described in any one or more of Examples 1-7, wherein the multiple steps displayed by the GUI are steps of a procedure checklist corresponding to steps of a surgical procedure, and each step of the procedure checklist is input by the user upon completion of each step of the surgical procedure.

[0204] Example 9: The modular energy system of Example 8, wherein the display screen further comprises a touchscreen, the touchscreen configured to detect steps of a treatment checklist entered by a user.

[0205] Example 10: A modular energy system described in any one or more of Examples 8-9, further comprising a microphone, the microphone configured to detect steps of a treatment checklist entered by a user.

[0206] Example 11: The modular energy system of any one or more of Examples 1-10, wherein the GUI is further configured to display appliance usage patterns based on the event data.

[0207] Example 12: A modular energy system as described in any one or more of Examples 1-11, wherein the instrument usage pattern compares events recorded during a particular step of a first surgical procedure performed by a first user with events recorded during the same particular step of multiple surgical procedures performed by the first user.

[0208] Example 13: A modular energy system as described in any one or more of Examples 1-12, wherein the instrument usage pattern compares events recorded during a particular step of a first surgical procedure performed by a first user with events recorded during the same particular step of multiple surgical procedures performed by multiple users.

[0209] Example 14: The modular energy system of any one or more of Examples 1-13, wherein the instrument usage pattern comprises average transection time, number of transactions, average instrument power level, and number of instrument changes.

[0210] Example 15: The modular energy system of any one or more of Examples 1-14, wherein the GUI is further configured to display an event log.

[0211] Example 16: The modular energy system of any one or more of Examples 1-15, wherein the event log displayed by the GUI comprises an event log main screen including data related to the operation of the energy module during a plurality of surgical procedures, the data related to the operation of the energy module during the plurality of surgical procedures including a date for each procedure, a time for each procedure, a duration for each procedure, a description of each procedure, and a details button corresponding to each procedure; and an event log detail modal screen corresponding to each procedure included on the event log main screen, wherein the event log detail modal screen for each procedure is accessed by selecting the details button corresponding to the procedure, and the event log detail modal screen for each procedure includes the energy modality used during the procedure, the mode of the energy modality, the power level of the energy modality, and the activation time of the energy modality.

[0212] Example 17: A modular energy system described in any one or more of Examples 1-16, wherein the event log detail modal screen further includes an error description of the energy modality used during the procedure and an error status information pop-up window, and the error status information pop-up window is accessed by selecting the error description.

[0213] Example 18: The modular energy system of any one or more of Examples 1-17, wherein the system is configured to export the event log to an external source.

[0214] Example 19: The modular energy system of any one or more of Examples 1-18, wherein the steps displayed by the GUI are steps of an output verification process.

[0215] Example 20: A modular energy system as described in Example 19, wherein at least one of the steps of the output verification process displayed by the GUI includes a power level and mode setting to be tested for at least one energy modality and instructions prompting the user to adjust a resistance setting of the electrosurgical unit analyzer, and wherein the energy module is further configured to activate at least one energy modality at the power level and mode setting to be tested based on input from the user.

[0216] Example 21: A modular energy system described in any one or more of Examples 19-20, wherein at least one of the steps of the output verification process displayed by the GUI includes instructions prompting the user to insert an output verification key into at least one port of the energy module.

[0217] Example 22: A modular energy system described in any one or more of Examples 19-21, wherein at least one of the steps of the output verification process displayed by the GUI includes instructions prompting the user to insert a lead of the electrosurgical unit analyzer into at least one port of the energy module.

[0218] Example 23: A modular energy system described in any one or more of Examples 19-22, wherein the GUI displays a first step of the output verification process when a user inserts an output verification key into at least one port of the energy module.

[0219] Example 24. A modular energy system as described in Example 19, wherein the GUI does not display the next power level and mode setting to be tested until the user provides input to the system indicating that the resistance setting of the electrosurgical unit analyzer has been adjusted.

[0220] Example 25: A modular energy system described in any one or more of Examples 19-24, wherein the output verification key comprises: a first side comprising a neutral electrode plug that connects to the neutral electrode port of the energy module; and an advanced energy plug that connects to the advanced energy port of the energy module; a neutral key port that receives a lead from the electrosurgical unit analyzer to form a connection with the neutral electrode port; a monopolar key port that receives a lead from the electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with a monopolar energy modality of the advanced energy port; a bipolar key port that receives a lead from the electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with a bipolar energy modality of the advanced energy port; and an ultrasound key port that receives a lead from the electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with an ultrasound energy modality of the advanced energy port.

[0221] Example 26: An output verification key comprising: a first side comprising a neutral electrode plug that connects to the neutral electrode port of the energy module and an advanced energy plug that connects to the advanced energy port of the energy module; a neutral key port that receives a lead wire of an electrosurgical unit analyzer and creates a connection with the neutral electrode port; a monopolar key port that receives a lead wire of the electrosurgical unit analyzer and creates a connection with a monopolar energy modality of the advanced energy port; a bipolar key port that receives a lead wire of the electrosurgical unit analyzer and creates a connection with a bipolar energy modality of the advanced energy port; and an ultrasound key port that receives a lead wire of the electrosurgical unit analyzer and creates a connection with an ultrasound energy modality of the advanced energy port.

[0222] Example 27: A modular energy system for use in a surgical environment, comprising: an energy module configured to generate at least one energy modality for driving a connected electrosurgical instrument and / or ultrasonic surgical instrument; a header module communicatively coupled to the energy module, the header module comprising a display screen capable of rendering a graphical user interface (GUI); and a storage device configured to record event data related to operation of the energy module, wherein the modular energy system is capable of detecting which events in the event data are associated with a surgical procedure based on detection of a predetermined series of events, and the event data is organized into an event log based on detection of events associated with the surgical procedure.

[0223] Example 28: The modular energy system of Example 27, wherein the predetermined series of events includes connecting an electrosurgical instrument and / or ultrasonic surgical instrument to the energy module, activating the connected electrosurgical instrument and / or ultrasonic surgical instrument, and disconnecting the electrosurgical instrument and / or ultrasonic surgical instrument from the energy module.

[0224] Example 29: The modular energy system of any one or more of Examples 27-28, wherein the GUI is further configured to display an event log.

[0225] Example 30: A modular energy system described in any one or more of Examples 27 to 29, wherein the event log displayed by the GUI includes an event log main screen, the log main screen including event data related to a plurality of surgical procedures, the data related to the plurality of surgical procedures including the date of each procedure, the time of each procedure, the duration of each procedure, a description of each procedure, and a details button corresponding to each procedure, and an event log details modal screen corresponding to each procedure included on the event log main screen, wherein the event log details modal screen for each procedure is accessed by selecting the details button corresponding to the procedure, and the event log details modal screen for each procedure includes the energy modality used during the procedure, the mode of the energy modality, the power level of the energy modality, and the activation time of the energy modality.

[0226] Example 31: A modular energy system described in any one or more of Examples 27-30, wherein the event log detail modal screen further includes an error description of the energy modality used during the procedure and an error status information pop-up window, and the error status information pop-up window is accessed by selecting the error description.

[0227] Example 32: The modular energy system of any one or more of Examples 27-31, wherein the system is configured to export the event log to an external source.

[0228] While several embodiments have been shown and described, it is not the applicant's intention to restrict or limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Numerous modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents of these embodiments may be implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the structure of each element associated with the described embodiments can alternatively be described as a means for providing the function performed by that element. Also, although materials are disclosed with respect to particular components, other materials may be used. It is therefore to be understood that the above description and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variations as fall within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.

[0229] The above detailed description has set forth various aspects of devices and / or processes using block diagrams, flow diagrams, and / or examples. To the extent that such block diagrams, flow diagrams, and / or examples include one or more functions and / or operations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that each function and / or operation included in such block diagrams, flow diagrams, and / or examples can be individually and / or collectively implemented by a variety of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that all or a portion of some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be equivalently implemented on an integrated circuit as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or virtually any combination thereof, and that designing circuitry and / or writing software and / or firmware code is within the skill of those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. Additionally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the subject matter described herein may be distributed as one or more program products in a variety of forms, and that the particular form of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal-bearing medium used to actually effect the distribution.

[0230] The instructions used to program the logic to implement various disclosed aspects may be stored in system memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache, flash memory, or other storage. Additionally, the instructions may be distributed over a network or by other computer-readable media. Thus, a machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), including, but not limited to, a floppy diskette, an optical disk, a compact disc, a read-only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic or optical card, a flash memory, or tangible machine-readable storage used for transmitting information over the Internet via an electrical, optical, acoustic, or other form of propagated signal (e.g., carrier wave, infrared signal, digital signal, etc.). Accordingly, non-transitory computer-readable media includes any type of tangible machine-readable medium suitable for storing or transmitting electronic instructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).

[0231] The term “control circuitry,” as used in any aspect of the present specification, may refer to, for example, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry (e.g., a computer processor including one or more individual instruction processing cores, a processing unit, a processor, a microcontroller, a microcontroller unit, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic device (PLD), a programmable logic array (PLA), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), a state machine circuit, firmware that stores instructions executed by the programmable circuit, and any combination thereof. Control circuitry, collectively or individually, may be embodied as circuitry that forms part of a larger system, such as, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-chip (SoC), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a server, a smartphone, etc. Thus, as used herein, "control circuitry" includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program that at least partially executes the processes and / or apparatus described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program that at least partially executes the processes and / or apparatus described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., a form of random access memory) and / or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, a communications switch, or an optical-to-electrical facility).Those skilled in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion, or some combination thereof.

[0232] As used in any aspect of this specification, the term "logic" may refer to an application, software, firmware, and / or circuitry configured to perform any of the operations described above. Software may be embodied as a software package, code, instructions, instruction sets, and / or data recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions, or instruction sets in a memory device, and / or hard-coded (e.g., non-volatile) data.

[0233] When used in any aspect of this specification, the terms "component," "system," "module," etc. may refer to a computer-related entity that is either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution.

[0234] As used in any aspect of this specification, an "algorithm" refers to a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result, and the "steps" refer to manipulations of physical quantities and / or logical states, which may, but need not, take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It is common practice to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. These and similar terms may be associated with the appropriate physical quantities or are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities and / or states.

[0235] The network may include a packet-switched network. The communication devices may communicate with each other using a selected packet-switched network communication protocol. One exemplary communication protocol may include an Ethernet communication protocol, which may enable communication using Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP). The Ethernet protocol may conform to or be compatible with the Ethernet standard published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), entitled "IEEE 802.3 Standard," December 2008, and / or later versions of this standard. Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may communicate with each other using the X.25 communication protocol. The X.25 communication protocol may conform to or be compatible with standards promulgated by the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may communicate with each other using a frame relay communication protocol. The frame relay communication protocol may conform to or be compatible with standards promulgated by the Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT) and / or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Alternatively or additionally, the transceivers may be capable of communicating with each other using an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communication protocol. The ATM communication protocol may conform to or be compatible with the ATM standard published in August 2001 by the ATM Forum entitled "ATM-MPLS Network Interworking 2.0" and / or later versions of this standard. Of course, different and / or later-developed connection-oriented network communication protocols are equally contemplated herein.

[0236] Unless expressly specified otherwise, as will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure, discussions throughout the foregoing disclosure using terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "displaying," and the like will be understood to refer to the actions and processing of a computer system or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the computer system's registers and memory into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the computer system's memory or registers or other such information storage, transmission, or display device.

[0237] One or more components may be referred to herein as being "configured to," "configurable to," "operable / operative to," "adaptable," "capable to," "conformable / conformed to," etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that "configured to" may generally encompass active components and / or inactive components and / or standby components, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0238] The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of a surgical instrument. The term "proximal" refers to the portion closest to the clinician, and the term "distal" refers to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further understood that for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," "up," and "down" may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and / or absolute.

[0239] Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms used generally herein, and in the appended claims in particular (e.g., the body of the appended claims), are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that where a specific number is intended in an introduced claim recitation, such intention will be clearly recited in the claim; and, in the absence of such recitation, no such intention exists. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims below may include the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce the claim recitation. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed as suggesting that when a claim is introduced by the indefinite article "a" or "an," any particular claim containing such introduced claim language is limited to claims containing only one such recitation, even if the same claim contains an introductory phrase such as "one or more" or "at least one" and the indefinite article "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should normally be construed to mean "at least one" or "one or more"). The same applies when a definite article is used to introduce a claim.

[0240] Additionally, even when a specific number is explicitly stated in an introduced claim, those skilled in the art will recognize that such a statement should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., a statement simply stating "two items," without any other modifiers, generally means at least two items, or more than two items). Furthermore, when notation similar to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, such syntax is generally intended in the sense that one skilled in the art would understand the notation (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" includes, but is not limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C, and / or all of A, B, and C, etc.). When notation similar to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, such syntax is generally intended in the sense that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the notation (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" includes, but is not limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C, and / or all of A, B, and C, etc.). Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms should typically be understood, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings, to contemplate the possibility of including one of those terms, either of those terms, or both of those terms, unless the context requires otherwise. For example, the phrase "A or B" will typically be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

[0241] With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will understand that the recited operations herein generally can be performed in any order. Also, while flow diagrams of various operations are shown in sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in orders other than those shown, or may be performed simultaneously. Examples of such alternative orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preliminary, additional, simultaneous, reverse, or other different orderings, unless the context requires otherwise. Furthermore, terms such as "responsive to," "related to," or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variations, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0242] It is worth noting that any reference to "one embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary," "one illustrative embodiment," etc. means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," "exemplary," and "in one illustrative embodiment" in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0243] Any patent application, patent, non-patent publication, or other disclosure material referenced herein and / or listed in any Application Data Sheet is incorporated herein by reference to the extent the incorporated material is not inconsistent with this specification. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure explicitly set forth herein shall supersede any conflicting statement incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated herein by reference but that conflicts with current definitions, views, or other disclosure material set forth herein shall be incorporated only to the extent that there is no conflict between the incorporated material and the current disclosure material.

[0244] In summary, many benefits have been described that result from using the concepts described herein. The foregoing description of one or more embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The one or more embodiments have been selected and described to illustrate the principles and practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to utilize various embodiments, with various modifications, as suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the claims presented herewith define the overall scope.

[0245] [Embodiment] (1) A modular energy system for use in a surgical environment, comprising: an energy module configured to generate at least one energy modality for driving a connected electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical instrument; a header module communicatively coupled to the energy module, the header module comprising a display screen capable of rendering a graphical user interface (GUI); A modular energy system, wherein the GUI is configured to display a plurality of steps corresponding to actions performed by a user while operating the modular energy system. (2) A modular energy system as described in embodiment 1, wherein the plurality of steps displayed by the GUI are steps of a predetermined procedure checklist, and the steps of the predetermined procedure checklist correspond to steps of a surgical procedure. (3) The modular energy system of embodiment 2, wherein the GUI is further configured to sequentially display each step of the predetermined procedure checklist as the user performs the surgical procedure, and wherein the GUI displays each step until the user provides input to the modular energy system indicating that the step is complete. (4) The modular energy system of embodiment 3, further comprising a storage device configured to record event data related to operation of the energy module during the surgical procedure, the event data being organized into an event log based on the steps of the predetermined procedure checklist that were being displayed by the GUI while the events were being recorded. (5) the display screen further comprises a touch screen; A modular energy system as described in embodiment 3, wherein the touchscreen is configured to detect the input indicating that each step has been completed.

[0246] (6) further comprising a microphone; A modular energy system as described in embodiment 3, wherein the input indicating the completion of each step is a voice command captured by the microphone. (7) The modular energy system of embodiment 3, wherein the GUI is configured to skip a step of the predetermined checklist when the user provides input to the modular energy system to skip the step. (8) A modular energy system as described in embodiment 1, wherein the plurality of steps displayed by the GUI are steps of a procedure checklist corresponding to steps of a surgical procedure, and each step of the procedure checklist is input by the user upon completion of each step of the surgical procedure. (9) The display screen further comprises a touch screen; 9. The modular energy system of claim 8, wherein the touchscreen is configured to detect the steps of the treatment checklist entered by the user. (10) further comprising a microphone; 9. The modular energy system of claim 8, wherein the microphone is configured to detect the steps of the treatment checklist entered by the user.

[0247] (11) The modular energy system of claim 4, wherein the GUI is further configured to display appliance usage patterns based on the event data. (12) The modular energy system of embodiment 11, wherein the instrument usage pattern compares events recorded during a particular step of a first surgical procedure performed by a first user with events recorded during the same particular step of multiple surgical procedures performed by the first user. (13) The modular energy system of embodiment 11, wherein the instrument usage pattern compares events recorded during a particular step of a first surgical procedure performed by a first user with events recorded during the same particular step of multiple surgical procedures performed by multiple users. (14) The modular energy system of claim 11, wherein the instrument usage patterns include average transection time, number of transactions, average instrument power level, and number of instrument changes. (15) The modular energy system of embodiment 4, wherein the GUI is further configured to display the event log.

[0248] (16) The event log displayed by the GUI is an event log main screen including data related to the operation of the energy module during a plurality of surgical procedures, the data related to the operation of the energy module during the plurality of surgical procedures comprising: the date of each procedure; The time of each procedure, the duration of each procedure; A description of each procedure, and an Event Log main screen containing a Details button corresponding to each action; an event log detail modal screen corresponding to each action included in the event log main screen, wherein the event log detail modal screen for each action is accessed by selecting the detail button corresponding to the action, and the event log detail modal screen for each action includes: the energy modality used during the procedure; and a mode of said energy modality; a power level of the energy modality; and 16. The modular energy system of claim 15, further comprising: an activation time for the energy modality. (17) The event log detail modal screen an error description of the energy modality used during the procedure; and an error status information popup window; 17. The modular energy system of embodiment 16, wherein the error status information pop-up window is accessed by selecting the error description. (18) The modular energy system of embodiment 15, wherein the system is configured to export the event log to an external source. (19) The modular energy system of embodiment 1, wherein the steps displayed by the GUI are steps of an output verification process. (20) At least one of the steps of the output verification process displayed by the GUI comprises: power levels and mode settings to be tested for the at least one energy modality; and instructions prompting the user to adjust a resistance setting of an electrosurgical unit analyzer; 20. The modular energy system of embodiment 19, wherein the energy module is further configured to activate the at least one energy modality at the power level and mode setting to be tested based on input from the user.

[0249] (21) A modular energy system as described in embodiment 19, wherein at least one of the steps of the output verification process displayed by the GUI includes instructions prompting the user to insert an output verification key into at least one port of the energy module. (22) The modular energy system of embodiment 19, wherein at least one of the steps of the output verification process displayed by the GUI includes instructions prompting the user to insert a lead of the electrosurgical unit analyzer into at least one port of the energy module. (23) The modular energy system of embodiment 19, wherein the GUI displays a first step of the output verification process when the user inserts an output verification key into at least one port of the energy module. (24) A modular energy system as described in embodiment 20, wherein the GUI does not display the next power level and mode setting to be tested until the user provides input to the system indicating that the resistance setting of the electrosurgical unit analyzer has been adjusted. (25) The output verification key is a first side, a neutral electrode plug that connects to the neutral electrode port of the energy module; a first side including an advanced energy plug that connects to an advanced energy port of the energy module; a second side, a neutral key port for receiving a lead of an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with said neutral electrode port; a monopolar key port for receiving a lead of an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with a monopolar energy modality of said advanced energy port; a bipolar key port for receiving leads from an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with a bipolar energy modality of said advanced energy port; A modular energy system as described in embodiment 21, comprising a second side comprising an ultrasound key port that accepts leads from an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with the ultrasound energy modality of the advanced energy port.

[0250] (26) An output verification key device, a first side, a neutral electrode plug that connects to the neutral electrode port of the energy module; a first side including an advanced energy plug that connects to an advanced energy port of the energy module; a second side, a neutral key port for receiving a lead of an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with said neutral electrode port; a monopolar key port for receiving a lead of an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with a monopolar energy modality of said advanced energy port; a bipolar key port for receiving leads from an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with a bipolar energy modality of said advanced energy port; and a second side comprising an ultrasound key port that receives leads from an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with an ultrasound energy modality of said advanced energy port. (27) A modular energy system for use in a surgical environment, comprising: an energy module configured to generate at least one energy modality for driving a connected electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical instrument; a header module communicatively coupled to the energy module, the header module comprising a display screen capable of rendering a graphical user interface (GUI); a storage device configured to record event data related to operation of the energy module; the modular energy system is capable of detecting which events in the event data are associated with a surgical procedure based on detecting a predetermined series of events; The modular energy system, wherein the event data is organized into an event log based on the detection of events related to the surgical procedure. (28) The predetermined series of events is connecting the electrosurgical instrument and / or the ultrasonic surgical instrument to the energy module; activating the connected electrosurgical instrument and / or the connected ultrasonic surgical instrument; and disconnecting the electrosurgical instrument and / or the ultrasonic surgical instrument from the energy module. (29) The modular energy system of embodiment 27, wherein the GUI is further configured to display the event log. (30) The event log displayed by the GUI is an event log main screen, the log main screen including event data associated with a plurality of surgical procedures, the data associated with the plurality of surgical procedures comprising: the date of each procedure; The time of each procedure, the duration of each procedure; A description of each procedure, and an Event Log main screen containing a Details button corresponding to each action; an event log detail modal screen corresponding to each action included in the event log main screen, wherein the event log detail modal screen for each action is accessed by selecting the detail button corresponding to the action, and the event log detail modal screen for each action includes: the energy modality used during the procedure; and a mode of said energy modality; a power level of the energy modality; and 30. The modular energy system of claim 29, further comprising: an activation time for the energy modality.

[0251] (31) The event log detail modal screen an error description of the energy modality used during the procedure; and an error status information popup window; 31. The modular energy system of embodiment 30, wherein the error status information pop-up window is accessed by selecting the error description. (32) The modular energy system of embodiment 27, wherein the system is configured to export the event log to an external source.

Claims

1. 1. A modular energy system for use in a surgical environment, comprising: an energy module configured to generate at least one energy modality for driving a connected electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical instrument; a header module communicatively coupled to the energy module, the header module comprising a display screen capable of rendering a graphical user interface (GUI); the GUI is configured to display a plurality of steps corresponding to actions performed by a user while operating the modular energy system; A modular energy system, wherein the steps displayed by the GUI are steps of an output verification process.

2. The modular energy system of claim 1 , wherein the GUI displays a first step of the output verification process when the user inserts an output verification key into at least one port of the energy module.

3. The modular energy system of claim 2 , wherein the first step is displayed before energy is transferred through the output verification key to the energy module.

4. 3. The modular energy system of claim 2, wherein the first step is to plug leads of an electrosurgical unit analyzer into ports on a generator and / or verification key corresponding to a selected energy modality.

5. 5. The modular energy system of claim 4, wherein the GUI further displays a second step of the output verification process, the second step being setting a resistance level on the electrosurgical unit analyzer or load box.

6. 6. The modular energy system of claim 5, wherein the GUI further displays a third step of the output verification process, the third step being to select a mode and / or power level for an energy port.

7. At least one of the steps of the output verification process displayed by the GUI comprises: power levels and mode settings to be tested for the at least one energy modality; instructions prompting the user to adjust a resistance setting of an electrosurgical unit analyzer; 10. The modular energy system of claim 1, wherein the energy module is further configured to activate the at least one energy modality at the power level and mode setting to be tested based on input from the user.

8. 2. The modular energy system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the steps of the output verification process displayed by the GUI includes instructions prompting the user to insert an output verification key into at least one port of the energy module.

9. 2. The modular energy system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the steps of the output verification process displayed by the GUI includes instructions prompting the user to insert an electrosurgical unit analyzer lead into at least one port of the energy module.

10. 8. The modular energy system of claim 7, wherein the GUI does not display the next power level and mode setting to be tested until the user provides input to the system indicating that the resistance setting of the electrosurgical unit analyzer has been adjusted.

11. The output verification key is a first side, a neutral electrode plug that connects to the neutral electrode port of the energy module; a first side including an advanced energy plug that connects to an advanced energy port of the energy module; a second side, a neutral key port for receiving a lead of an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with said neutral electrode port; a monopolar key port for receiving a lead of an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with a monopolar energy modality of said advanced energy port; a bipolar key port for receiving leads from an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with a bipolar energy modality of said advanced energy port; a second side comprising an ultrasound key port that receives leads from an electrosurgical unit analyzer to make a connection with an ultrasound energy modality of the advanced energy port.

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