Modular energy systems

Abstract

This disclosure relates to various surgical systems, including modular electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical systems. [Solution] A modular energy system for surgical procedures, comprising a generator module, a header module, and a display, wherein the generator module comprises a first mounting section for mounting a unipolar RF energy surgical device, a second mounting section for mounting a bipolar RF energy surgical device, and a third mounting section for mounting an ultrasonic energy surgical device, and the display comprises a first display unit that displays the setting status of the unipolar RF energy surgical device or a first setting screen for changing the settings, a second display unit that displays the setting status of the bipolar RF energy surgical device or a second setting screen for changing the settings, and a third display unit that displays the setting status of the ultrasonic energy surgical device or a third setting screen for changing the settings.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present disclosure relates to various surgical systems, including modular electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical systems. The operating room (OR) is a maze of cords, devices, and people due to the number of various devices required to complete each surgical procedure, so the OR requires a rationalized capital solution. This is the reality of the OR in every market around the world. Since most capital equipment performs one task or job, each type of capital equipment requires its own unique technology or method of use and has its own unique user interface, capital equipment is the main culprit in creating islands within the OR.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0002] Therefore, there is an unmet consumer need to integrate capital equipment and other surgical technologies in order to improve the efficiency of surgical staff during surgical procedures by reducing the footprint of equipment in the OR, rationalizing the interfaces of the equipment, and reducing the number of devices that the surgical staff needs to operate.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] In various embodiments, a modular energy system is disclosed that includes a header module that includes an enclosure and a display that includes a coupler. The enclosure defines a recess. The recess includes a first guide wall and a second guide wall. The coupler is removably disposed within the recess. The coupler includes a first side wall and a second side wall. The first guide wall is configured to guide the first side wall as the coupler moves through the recess. The second guide wall is configured to guide the second side wall as the coupler moves through the recess.

[0004] In various embodiments, a modular energy system is disclosed that includes a header module with an enclosure, a display with a coupler, and a latching mechanism configured to removably latch the display to the header module. The enclosure defines a recess. The coupler is removably positioned within the recess.

[0005] In various embodiments, a modular energy system is disclosed that includes a header module including a housing and a display including a coupler. The housing defines a recess including a first guide wall, a second guide wall angled with respect to the first guide wall, and a first electrical connector. The coupler is removablely disposed within the recess. The coupler includes a second electrical connector configured to be removablely coupled to the first electrical connector, a first side wall configured to move along the first guide wall, and a second side wall configured to move along the second guide wall. The first and second side walls are configured to guide the second electrical connector toward the first electrical connector. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] The various embodiments described herein with respect to both configuration and operation, along with their other purposes and advantages, can be best understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of a computer-implemented interactive surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] A surgical system used to perform surgical procedures in an operating room, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 3] A visualization system, a robotic system, and a surgical hub paired with an intelligent instrument, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] A surgical system comprising a generator and various surgical instruments usable with the generator, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a diagram of a situational awareness surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a diagram of various modules and other components that can be combined to customize a modular energy system, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] A first exemplary modular energy system configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes a header module and a display screen representing a graphical user interface (GUI) for relaying information about modules connected to the header module. [Figure 7B] A modular energy system, as shown in Figure 7A, mounted on a cart, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 8A] A second exemplary modular energy system configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes a header module connected together and mounted on a cart, a display screen, an energy module, and an expansion energy module. [Figure 8B] A third exemplary modular energy system configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, is similar to the second configuration shown in Figure 7A, except that the header module lacks a display screen. [Figure 9] A fourth exemplary modular energy system configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes a header module connected together and mounted on a cart, a display screen, an energy module, an expansion energy module, and a technology module. [Figure 10] A fifth exemplary modular energy system configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes a header module connected together and mounted on a cart, a display screen, an energy module, an expansion energy module, a technology module, and a visualization module. [Figure 11] This is a diagram of a modular energy system including a communicably connectable surgical platform, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of a header module of a modular energy system including a user interface, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] This is a block diagram of a standalone hub configuration of a modular energy system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] This 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] This is a schematic diagram of a modular energy system stack showing a power backplane, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] This is a schematic diagram of a modular energy system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] This disclosure shows a modular energy system according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 18] Figure 17 is an exploded view of the modular energy system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] A display uncoupled from a header module of a modular energy system, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure, is shown. [Figure 20] A display coupled to a header module of a modular energy system, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, is shown. [Figure 21] A latch mechanism in a locked position is shown according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 22] Figure 21 shows the latch mechanism in the unlocked position according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 23] This invention illustrates a mounting structure having a latch mechanism according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 24] Shows an exploded view of FIG. 23 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 25] Shows a first alternative slider button for a latch mechanism according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 26] Shows a second alternative slider button for a latch mechanism according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 27] Shows a bottom view of a display according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 28] Shows a rear view of the display of FIG. 27 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 29] Shows a side view of the display of FIG. 27 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 30] Shows an isometric view of the display of FIG. 27 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 31] Shows a partial internal view of a header module according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 32] Shows a modular energy system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 33] Shows a partial plan view of the header module of the modular energy system of FIG. 32 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 34] Shows a partial isometric view of the header module of the modular energy system of FIG. 32 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 35] Is a side view of the modular energy system of FIG. 32 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 36] Shows a side view of the header module of the modular energy system of FIG. 32 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 37] Shows a partial isometric view of the header module of the modular energy system of FIG. 32 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 38]A header module having a door covering a memory partition is shown according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 39] Figure 38 shows a header module according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 40] An alternative door for covering a memory partition is shown according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 41] Figure 40 shows a side view of the door according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 42] The rear panel of a header module having an opening and a PCB mounting connector is shown according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 43] A header module having crush ribs according to at least one aspect of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 44] Figure 43 shows a header module having crushed ribs crushed under a PCB, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 45] An exploded view of an LCD subassembly according to at least one aspect of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 46] An LCD subassembly and rear enclosure of a display assembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure are shown. [Figure 47] An assembled display assembly according to at least one aspect of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 48] A latch for an LCD subassembly coupled to a rear enclosure is shown according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0007] Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts. The examples described herein illustrate various disclosed embodiments in one form, and such examples should not be construed as limiting the scope. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The applicant of this application owns the following concurrently filed U.S. patent applications, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference: ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9314USNP1 / 210018-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR MECHANICAL PACKAGING FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9314USNP2 / 210018-2, Title of Invention: "Backplane Connector Attachment Mechanism For Modular Energy System" ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9314USNP3 / 210018-3, Title of Invention: "BEZEL WITH LIGHT BLOCKING FEATURES FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9315USNP1 / 210019, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL PROCEDURALIZATION VIA MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9316USNP1 / 210020-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR ENERGY DELIVERY FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9316USNP2 / 210020-2, Title of Invention: "Modular Energy System With Dual Amplifiers And Techniques For Updating Parameters Thereof" ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9316USNP3 / 210020-3, Title of Invention: "Modular Energy System With MULTI-ENERGY PORT SPLITTER For Multiple ENERGY DEVICES" ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9317USNP1 / 210021-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR INTELLIGENT INSTRUMENTS FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9317USNP2 / 210021-2, Title of Invention: "RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TOKEN FOR WIRELESS SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9317USNP3 / 210021-3, Title of Invention: "INTELLIGENT DATA PORTS FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEMS"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9318USNP1 / 210022-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9318USNP2 / 210022-2, Title of Invention: "USER INTERFACE MITIGATION TECHNIQUES FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEMS"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9318USNP3 / 210022-3, Title of Invention: "ENERGY DELIVERY MITIGATIONS FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEMS"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9318USNP4 / 210022-4, Title of Invention "ARCHITECTURE FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM"; and ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9318USNP5 / 210022-5, Title of Invention: "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 these are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,144, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM USER INTERFACE" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078106); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,151, Title of Invention: "PASSIVE HEADER MODULE FOR A MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078110); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,157, Title of Invention: "CONSOLIDATED USER INTERFACE FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0081585); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,159, Title of Invention: "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, Title of Invention: "Adaptably Connectable and Reassignable System Accessories for Modular Energy System" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078111); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,123, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING AND USING A MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE DEVICES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0100830); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,135, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ENERGY MODULE OUTPUT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078076); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,180, Title of Invention: "ENERGY MODULE FOR DRIVING MULTIPLE ENERGY MODALITIES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078080); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,184, Title of Invention: "GROUNDING ARRANGEMENT OF ENERGY MODULES" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078081); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,188, title of invention: "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, Title of Invention: "ENERGY MODULE FOR DRIVING MULTIPLE ENERGY MODALITIES THROUGH A PORT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20200078117); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,202, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING DRIVE SIGNAL TO POWER SECONDARY FUNCTION" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078082); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,142, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR ENERGY DISTRIBUTION IN A SURGICAL MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078070); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,169, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM WITH A SEGMENTED BACKPLANE" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078112); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,185, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM WITH FOOTER MODULE" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078115); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,203, Title of Invention: "POWER AND COMMUNICATION MITIGATION ARRANGEMENT FOR MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078118); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,212, Title of Invention: "MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MODULE POSITIONAL AWARENESS SENSING WITH VOLTAGE DETECTION" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078119); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,234, Title of Invention: "MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MODULE POSITIONAL AWARENESS SENSING WITH TIME COUNTER" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0305945); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,243, Title of Invention: "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, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN MODULES AND DEVICES IN A MODULAR SURGICAL SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0100825); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,137, Title of Invention: "FLEXIBLE HAND-SWITCH CIRCUIT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0106220); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,143, Title of Invention: "FIRST AND SECOND COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL ARRANGEMENT FOR DRIVING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DEVICES THROUGH A SINGLE PORT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0090808); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,148, Title of Invention: "FLEXIBLE NEUTRAL ELECTRODE" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078077); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,154, Title of Invention: "SMART RETURN PAD SENSING THROUGH MODULATION OF NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION AND CONTACT QUALITY MONITORING SIGNALS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078089); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,162, Title of Invention: "Automatic Ultrasonic Energy Activation Circuit Design for Modular Surgical Systems" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0305924); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,167, Title of Invention: "Coordinated Energy Outputs of Separate But Connected Modules" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078078); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,170, Title of Invention: "Managing Simultaneous Monopolar Outputs Using Duty Cycle and Synchronization" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078079); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,172, Title of Invention: "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, Title of Invention: "INSTRUMENT TRACKING ARRANGEMENT BASED ON REAL TIME CLOCK INFORMATION" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078071); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,177, Title of Invention: "Regional Location Tracking of Components of a Modular Energy System" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078114); ● U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 704,610, Title of Invention: "ENERGY MODULE"; ● U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 704,614, Title of Invention: "ENERGY MODULE MONOPOLAR PORT WITH FOURTH SOCKET AMONG THREE OTHER SOCKETS" ● U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 704,616, Title of Invention: "BACKPLANE CONNECTOR FOR ENERGY MODULE"; and ● U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 704,617, Title of Invention: "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 disclosures of each of these are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: ● U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 826,584, Title of Invention: "MODULAR SURGICAL PLATFORM ELECTRICAL ARCHITECTURE"; ● U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 826,587, Title of Invention: "MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM CONNECTIVITY"; ● U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 826,588, Title of Invention: "MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM INSTRUMENT COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES"; and ● U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 826,592, Title of Invention: "MODULAR ENERGY DELIVERY SYSTEM".

[0011] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on September 7, 2018, the disclosures of each of these are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: ● U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 728,480, Title of Invention: "MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM AND USER INTERFACE".

[0012] Before describing in detail the various embodiments of surgical devices and generators, it should be noted that the illustrative embodiments are not limited in their application or use to the details of the structure and arrangement of the components illustrated in the accompanying drawings and descriptions. The illustrative embodiments may be implemented or incorporated into other embodiments, variations, and modifications, and may be carried out or performed in various ways. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the terms and expressions used herein have been selected for the purpose of illustrating the illustrative embodiments for the convenience of the reader and are not intended to limit them. Furthermore, it should be understood that one or more embodiments, expressions of embodiments, and / or embodiments described below may be combined with any one or more other embodiments, expressions of embodiments, and / or embodiments described below.

[0013] Various embodiments apply to improved ultrasonic surgical devices, electrosurgical devices, and generators for use with them. Embodiments of ultrasonic surgical devices may be configured, for example, to transversely incise and / or coagulate tissue during surgical procedures. Embodiments of electrosurgical devices may be configured, for example, to transversely incise, coagulate, scale, weld and / or dry tissue during surgical procedures.

[0014] Surgical system hardware Referring to Figure 1, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100 includes one or more surgical systems 102 and a cloud-based system (e.g., a cloud 104 which may include a remote server 113 connected to a storage device 105). Each surgical system 102 includes at least one surgical hub 106 which communicates with the cloud 104 which may include the remote server 113. In one example, as shown in Figure 1, the 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, the 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 of 1 or more.

[0015] Figure 2 shows an example of a surgical system 102 used to perform surgical procedures 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 surgical procedures. 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 allows the surgeon to operate at least one detachably connected 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 operated by the patient-side cart 120 to align the imaging device 124. The robotic hub 122 is used to process images of the surgical site, which can then be displayed 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 this 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 Cloud104 and suitable for use with this disclosure are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,340, filed December 28, 2017, entitled “CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS,” 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. Preferred 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. One or more illumination sources may be directed to illuminate a portion of the surgical field. 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] One or more illumination sources may be configured to emit electromagnetic energy in the visible and invisible spectra. The visible spectrum, sometimes also called the light spectrum or emission spectrum, is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye (i.e., detectable by the human eye), and is sometimes called visible light, or simply light. The typical human eye responds to wavelengths in air from about 380 nm to about 750 nm.

[0021] The invisible spectrum (i.e., the non-emission spectrum) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum located below and above the visible spectrum (i.e., wavelengths below approximately 380 nm and above approximately 750 nm). The invisible spectrum is undetectable to the human eye. Wavelengths above approximately 750 nm are longer than the red visible spectrum and consist of invisible infrared (IR), microwaves, and radio electromagnetic radiation. Wavelengths below approximately 380 nm are shorter than the violet spectrum and consist of invisible ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma-ray electromagnetic radiation.

[0022] In various embodiments, 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, cholangioscopies, colonoscopes, cystoscopes, duodenoscopes, intestinaloscopes, esophagogastroduodenoscopes (gastroscopy), endoscopes, laryngoscopes, nasopharyngolaryngoscopes, sigmoidoscopy, thoracoscopy, and ureteroscopes.

[0023] In one embodiment, the imaging device employs multispectral monitoring to distinguish topography from underlying structures. Multispectral imaging captures image data within a specific wavelength range from the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Wavelengths can be separated by filters or by using instruments sensitive to specific wavelengths, including frequencies beyond the visible light range, such as IR and ultraviolet light. Spectral imaging makes it possible to extract 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 section "Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module" of 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. 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 tests described above on the treated tissue.

[0024] It is self-evident that strict sterilization of the operating room and surgical instruments is necessary in any surgical procedure. The strict sanitary and sterilization conditions required in the “operating area,” i.e., the operating room or treatment room, require the highest possible level of sterility for all medical devices and instruments. Part of the above sterilization process 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 will be understood that the sterile field may be considered a specific area that is deemed to be free of microorganisms, such as inside a tray or on a sterile towel, or it may be considered the area immediately surrounding the patient when they are ready for the surgical procedure. The sterile field may include cleaned team members wearing appropriate clothing, as well as all equipment and restraints within that area.

[0025] In various embodiments, the visualization system 108 includes one or more imaging sensors strategically positioned relative to a 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 embodiment, the visualization system 108 includes interfaces for HL7, PACS, and EMR. Various components of the visualization system 108 are described in the section “Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module” of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed December 28, 2017, “INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

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

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

[0028] Referring to Figure 2, the surgical instrument 112 is used as part of the surgical system 102 in a surgical procedure. The hub 106 is also configured to coordinate the flow of information 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 in the visualization tower 111 can be sent by the hub 106 to the surgical instrument display 115 in the sterile field, which can then be viewed by the operator of the surgical instrument 112. Examples of surgical instruments suitable for use with surgical system 102 are described, for example, in the section “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 here to Figure 3, a hub 106 is shown that communicates 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 separable device. In an alternative embodiment, the visualization system 108 may be contained 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 communication module 130, a processor module 132, a storage array 134, and an operating room mapping module 133. In certain embodiments, as shown in Figure 3, the hub 106 further includes a smoke removal module 126, a suction / irrigation module 128, and / or an air supply module 129. In some embodiments, any of the modules within the hub 106 may be combined with each other to form a single module.

[0030] During surgical procedures, applying energy to tissue for sealing and / or cutting is generally associated with fumes, aspirating excess fluid, and / or irrigating tissue. Fluid lines, power lines, and / or data lines from different sources often become entangled during surgical procedures. Dealing with this problem during a surgical procedure can result in the loss of valuable time. Untangling lines may require disconnecting them from their corresponding modules, which may necessitate resetting the modules. The hub's modular enclosure 136 provides a unified environment for managing power lines, data lines, and fluid lines, reducing the frequency of such line entanglements.

[0031] Aspects of this disclosure present a surgical hub for use in surgical procedures 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 contacts and power contacts. The combination generator module includes one or more ultrasonic energy generator components, bipolar RF energy generator components, and unipolar RF energy generator components housed within a single unit. In one aspect, the combination generator module also includes a fume exhaust component, at least one energy supply cable for connecting the combination generator module to a surgical instrument, at least one fume exhaust component configured to exhaust smoke, fluid, and / or particulate matter generated by the application of therapeutic energy to tissue, and a fluid line extending from the remote surgical site to the fume exhaust component.

[0032] In one embodiment, the fluid line described above is a first fluid line, and a second fluid line extends from the remote surgical site to a suction and irrigation module that is slidably received within a hub enclosure. In one embodiment, 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 can be used to seal tissue, while an ultrasonic generator can be used to cut sealed tissue. A part of the present disclosure presents a solution in which a modular enclosure 136 of the hub is configured to house various generators and facilitate interactive communication between them. One of the advantages of the modular enclosure 136 of the hub is that it allows for the rapid removal and / or replacement of various modules.

[0034] Aspects of this disclosure present 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 having a first docking port including first data and power contacts. In one aspect, the first energy generator module is slidably movable to electrically engage with the power and data contacts, and the first energy generator module is slidably movable to disengage from the first power and data contacts. In an alternative aspect, the first energy generator module is stackably movable to electrically engage with the power and data contacts, and the first energy generator module is stackably movable to disengage from 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 identical or different to a first energy for application to tissue, and a second docking station having a second docking port including second data and power contacts. In one embodiment, the second energy generator module is slidably movable to electrically engage with the power and data contacts, and the second energy generator module is slidably movable to disengage from the second power and data contacts. In an alternative embodiment, the second energy generator module is stackably movable to electrically engage with the power and data contacts, and the second energy generator module is stackably movable to disengage from the second power and data contacts.

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

[0037] Referring to Figure 3, an aspect of the present disclosure is presented for a modular enclosure 136 of a hub that enables modular integration of a generator module 140, a smoke exhaust module 126, a suction / irrigation module 128, and an air supply module 129. The modular enclosure 136 of the hub further facilitates interactive communication between modules 140, 126, 128, and 129. The generator module 140 may be a generator module comprising integrated unipolar, bipolar, and ultrasonic components supported within a single housing unit that is slidably inserted into the modular enclosure 136 of the hub. The generator module 140 may be configured to connect to a unipolar device 142, a bipolar device 144, and an ultrasonic device 148. Alternatively, the generator module 140 may comprise a series of unipolar generator modules, bipolar generator modules, and / or ultrasonic generator modules that interact via the modular enclosure 136 of the hub. The modular enclosure 136 of the hub can be configured to facilitate the insertion of multiple generators and bidirectional communication between generators docked to the modular enclosure 136 of the hub, so that multiple generators function as a single generator.

[0038] In one embodiment, the modular enclosure 136 of the hub includes a modular power and communications backplane 149 with external and wireless communication headers to enable the removable mounting of modules 140, 126, 128, and 129 and interactive communication between them.

[0039] Generator hardware When used throughout this description, the term “wireless” and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communication channels, etc., that can communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation over a non-solid medium. This term does not imply that the devices in question are entirely wireless, although in some aspects they may not be present. A communication module may implement any of a number of 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, and their Ethernet derivatives, as well as any other wireless and wired protocols designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and later. 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 operates on several external data sources (usually memory) or some other data stream. The term is used herein to refer to a central processor (central processing unit) within a system or computer system (especially a system on a chip, or SoC) that combines many specialized "processors".

[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 contain 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 internal 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 a microcontroller unit) may be implemented as a miniature 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 memory and programmable input / output peripherals along with one or more core processing units (CPUs). Program memory in the form of ferroelectric RAM, NOR flash, or OTP ROM, and a small amount of RAM are also often included on the chip. Microcontrollers may be used for embedded applications, in contrast to microprocessors used in personal computers or other general-purpose applications consisting of various separate chips.

[0043] As used herein, the terms controller or microcontroller may refer to a standalone IC or chip device that interfaces with a peripheral device. This may also refer to a connection between two parts of a computer or controller on an external device that manages the operation of the device (and its connection to the device).

[0044] Any processor or microcontroller described herein may be implemented by any single-core or multi-core processor, such as those known by the trade name ARM Cortex from Texas Instruments. In one embodiment, the processor may be, for example, the LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F processor core available from Texas Instruments. This processor core includes on-chip memory of 256KB single-cycle flash memory or other non-volatile memory with a maximum frequency of 40MHz, a prefetch buffer for improving performance beyond 40MHz, 32KB single-cycle serial random access memory (SRAM), internal read-only memory (ROM) with StellarisWare® software, 2KB 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. Further details are available in the product datasheet.

[0045] In one embodiment, the processor may include a safety controller, which may include two controller-based families, such as the TMS570 and RM4x, also from Texas Instruments and known by the trade names Hercules ARM Cortex R4. The safety controller may be configured specifically for IEC61508 and ISO26262 safety limit applications, in particular, to provide a highly integrated safety mechanism while offering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

[0046] A modular device includes modules receivable within a surgical hub (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 3), and surgical devices or instruments that can be connected to various modules for connection or pairing with the corresponding surgical hub. Examples of modular devices include intelligent surgical instruments, medical imaging devices, suction / irrigation devices, fume extractors, energy generators, ventilators, inhalers, and displays. Modular devices described herein can be controlled by control algorithms. Control algorithms may be executed 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 (for example, via a distributed computing architecture). In some examples, the control algorithm of a modular device controls the device based on data sensed by the modular device itself (i.e., by sensors within the modular device, on the modular device, or connected to the modular device). This data may be related to the patient during surgery (e.g., tissue characteristics or pressure) or to the modular device itself (e.g., the speed of the advancing knife, motor current, or energy level). For example, a control algorithm for surgical stapling and cutting instruments can control the speed at which the instrument's motor penetrates tissue and drives the knife, based on the resistance generated by the knife as it moves forward.

[0047] Figure 4 shows one embodiment of a surgical system 2200 comprising a modular energy system 2000 and various surgical instruments 2204, 2206, and 2208 that can be used with it, wherein surgical instrument 2204 is an ultrasonic surgical instrument, surgical instrument 2206 is an RF electrosurgical instrument, and multifunctional surgical instrument 2208 is a combination of ultrasonic and RF electrosurgical instruments. The modular energy system 2000 can be configured for use with various surgical instruments. According to various embodiments, the modular energy system 2000 may be configured for use with different types of different surgical instruments, including, for example, the ultrasonic surgical instrument 2204, the RF electrosurgical instrument 2206, and the multifunctional surgical instrument 2208 which integrates RF and ultrasonic energy delivered individually or simultaneously from the modular energy system 2000. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the modular energy system 2000 is shown separately from the surgical instruments 2204, 2206, and 2208 in one embodiment, but the modular energy system 2000 may be formed integrally with any of the surgical instruments 2204, 2206, and 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 several surgical instruments 2204, 2206, and 2208. The first surgical instrument is the ultrasonic surgical instrument 2204, which comprises a handpiece 2205 (HP), an ultrasonic transducer 2220, a shaft 2226, and an end effector 2222. The end effector 2222 comprises an ultrasonic blade 2228 acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer 2220 and a clamp arm 2240. The handpiece 2205 comprises a trigger 2243 for operating the clamp arm 2240 and a combination of toggle buttons 2234a, 2234b, and 2234c for exciting and driving the ultrasonic blade 2228 or other functions. The toggle buttons 2234a, 2234b, and 2234c can be configured to excite the ultrasonic transducer 2220 by 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 comprising a handpiece 2207 (HP), a shaft 2227, and an end effector 2224. The end effector 2224 has electrodes in clamp arms 2242a, 2242b that return through the conductive portion of the shaft 2227. The electrodes are connected to a bipolar energy source in the modular energy system 2000, thereby supplying energy. The handpiece 2207 comprises a trigger 2245 for operating the clamp arms 2242a, 2242b and an energy button 2235 for activating an energy switch to energize the electrodes in the end effector 2224.

[0050] The modular energy system 2000 is also configured to drive a multifunctional surgical instrument 2208. The multifunctional surgical instrument 2208 comprises 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 detachable from the handpiece 2209 or may be integrated with the handpiece. The handpiece 2209 includes a trigger 2247 for operating the clamp arm 2246 and a combination of toggle buttons 2237a, 2237b, and 2237c for exciting and driving the ultrasonic blade 2249 or other functions. The toggle buttons 2237a, 2237b, and 2237c can be configured to excite the ultrasonic transducer 2220 by the modular energy system 2000 and to excite the ultrasonic blade 2249 by a bipolar energy source also included within the modular energy system 2000.

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

[0052] Situational awareness "Intelligent" devices that include control algorithms that respond to detected data may be an improvement over "data-dumb" devices that operate without considering detected data. However, some detected data, when considered in isolation, may be incomplete or inconclusive without the context of the type of surgical procedure being performed or the type of tissue being operated on. Without knowing the context of the procedure (e.g., the type of tissue being operated on or the type of procedure being performed), a control algorithm, given detected data without specific context, may control a modular device inaccurately or suboptimally. For example, the optimal form of a control algorithm for controlling a surgical instrument in response to a specific detected parameter may vary depending on the specific type of tissue being operated on. This is due to the fact that different types of tissue have different properties (e.g., resistance to tearing) and therefore respond differently to actions taken by the surgical instrument. Thus, even when the same measurement is detected for a particular parameter, it may be desirable for the surgical instrument to take different actions. As a specific example, the optimal mode of control for surgical stapling and cutting instruments in response to detecting unexpectedly high forces required to close their end effectors differs depending on whether the tissue type is susceptible to tearing or resistant to tearing. For tear-sensitive tissues, such as lung tissue, the instrument's control algorithm optimally slows down the motor in response to unexpectedly high forces required to close in order to avoid tearing the tissue. For tear-resistant tissues, such as stomach tissue, the instrument's control algorithm optimally accelerates the motor in response to unexpectedly high forces required to close in order to ensure that the end effector is properly clamped to the tissue. If it is unclear whether lung tissue or stomach tissue is being clamped, the control algorithm may make an insufficient decision.

[0053] One solution utilizes a surgical hub, which includes a system configured to derive information about a surgical procedure being performed based on data received from various data sources, and then appropriately control paired modular devices. In other words, the surgical hub is configured to infer information about a surgical procedure from received data, and then control modular devices paired with the surgical hub based on the inferred context about the surgical procedure. Figure 5 shows a diagram of a context-aware surgical system 2300 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In some examples, the data source 2326 includes, for example, a modular device 2302 (which may include sensors configured to detect parameters associated with the patient and / or the modular device itself), a database 2322 (e.g., an EMR database containing patient records), and a patient monitoring device 2324 (e.g., a blood pressure (BP) monitor and an electrocardiogram (EKG) monitor). The surgical hub 2304 may be configured to derive contextual information about a surgical procedure from data, for example, based on a specific combination of received data or a specific order in which data was received from the data source 2326. Contextual information inferred from the received data may include, for example, the type of surgical procedure being performed, a specific step of the surgical procedure being performed by the surgeon, the type of tissue being operated on, or the body cavity being targeted by the procedure. This function of the surgical hub 2304 for deriving or inferring information about the surgical procedure from the received data may be referred to as “situational awareness.” In one example, the surgical hub 2304 may incorporate a situational awareness system, which is hardware and / or programming associated with the surgical hub 2304 for deriving 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 source 2326 in various different ways. In one example, the situational awareness system includes a pattern recognition system or machine learning system (e.g., an artificial neural network) trained on training data to correlate various inputs (e.g., data from the database 2322, the patient monitoring device 2324, and / or the modular device 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 the provided inputs. In another example, the situational awareness system may include a lookup table that stores pre-characterized contextual information about the surgical procedure, associated with one or more inputs (or ranges of inputs) that correspond to that contextual information. In response to a query with one or more inputs, the lookup table can return the corresponding contextual information of the situational awareness system to control the modular device 2302. In one example, contextual information received by the situation awareness system of the surgical hub 2304 is associated with a specific control adjustment of one or more modular devices 2302, or a set of control adjustments. In another example, the situation awareness system includes a further machine learning system, lookup table, or other such system that, given contextual information as input, generates or retrieves one or more control adjustments of one or more modular devices 2302.

[0055] The surgical hub 2304, which incorporates a situational awareness system, brings many advantages to the surgical system 2300. One advantage is improved interpretation of detected and collected data, which improves processing accuracy during the surgical procedure and / or data utilization. Returning to the previous example, the situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can determine what type of tissue is being operated on, and therefore, if an unexpectedly high force is detected to close the end effector of a surgical instrument, the situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can correctly accelerate or decelerate the motor of the surgical instrument according to the tissue type.

[0056] In another embodiment, the type of tissue being operated on may affect the adjustments made to the compression rate and load threshold of surgical stapling and cutting instruments for measuring specific interstitial gaps. The situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can infer whether the surgical procedure being performed is a thoracic or abdominal procedure, thereby allowing the surgical hub 2304 to determine whether the tissue clamped by the end effector of the surgical stapling and cutting instrument is lung tissue (in the case of a thoracic procedure) or gastric tissue (in the case of an abdominal procedure). The surgical hub 2304 can then appropriately adjust the compression rate and load threshold of the surgical stapling and cutting instrument to match the type of tissue.

[0057] In yet another embodiment, the type of body cavity being operated on during the air insufflation procedure may affect the function of the smoke exhauster. The situation-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine whether the surgical site is under pressure (by determining that the surgical procedure is utilizing air insufflation) and determine the type of procedure. Generally, since certain types of procedures are performed in specific body cavities, the surgical hub 2304 can appropriately control the motor speed of the smoke exhauster to match the body cavity being operated on. Thus, the situation-aware surgical hub 2304 can provide a consistent amount of smoke exhaust for both thoracic and abdominal surgeries.

[0058] As yet another example, the type of procedure being performed can affect the optimal energy level for operation of an ultrasonic surgical instrument or a radio frequency (RF) electrosurgical instrument. For example, in arthroscopy, the end effector of the ultrasonic surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument is immersed in fluid, requiring a higher energy level. The situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can determine whether the surgical procedure is an arthroscopy. 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 for operation of an ultrasonic surgical instrument or an RF electrosurgical instrument. The situational awareness 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 expected tissue shape for the surgical procedure. Furthermore, the situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can be configured to adjust the energy levels of the ultrasound surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument not simply per procedure, but throughout the course of the surgical procedure. The situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can determine which step of the surgical procedure is being performed or is continuing, and then update the control algorithms of the generator and / or the ultrasound surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument to set the energy levels to values ​​appropriate for the expected tissue type according to the steps of the surgical procedure.

[0059] As yet another example, the surgical hub 2304 may also derive data from additional data sources 2326 to improve conclusions drawn from one data source 2326. The contextually aware surgical hub 2304 can enhance data received from the modular device 2302 with contextual information constructed from other data sources 2326 regarding the surgical procedure. For example, the contextually 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, video or image data may not be conclusive. Therefore, in one example, the surgical hub 2304 may be further configured to make a decision regarding the integrity of the staple line or tissue weld by comparing physiological measurements (e.g., blood pressure detected by a BP monitor communicably connected to the surgical hub 2304) with visualization data or image data of hemostasis (e.g., from a medical imaging device 124 (Figure 2) communicably connected to the surgical hub 2304). In other words, the context-aware system of the surgical hub 2304 can provide additional context when analyzing visualization data by considering physiological measurement data. This additional context can be useful when the visualization data itself may not be conclusive or may be incomplete.

[0060] Another advantage is the proactive and automatic control of the paired modular devices 2302 according to specific steps of the surgical procedure being performed, in order to reduce the number of times healthcare professionals are required to interact with or control the surgical system 2300 during the course of the surgical procedure. For example, the situation-aware surgical hub 2304 can proactively activate the generator to which the RF electrosurgical instrument is connected if it determines that the use of the instrument is required in a subsequent step of the procedure. By proactively activating the energy source, the instrument can be ready for use as soon as the preceding steps of the procedure are completed.

[0061] As another example, the situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can determine whether the current or subsequent steps of a surgical procedure require different views or magnifications on the display, according to the features(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., supplied from a medical imaging device for the visualization system 108) as appropriate, thereby automatically adjusting the display throughout the surgical procedure.

[0062] As yet another example, the situation-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine which steps of a surgical procedure are being performed or will be performed next, and whether specific data or comparisons of data 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 steps of the surgical procedure being performed, without waiting for the surgeon to ask for specific information.

[0063] Another advantage is the ability to check for errors during or in the course of a surgical procedure. For example, the situation-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine whether the operating room is properly or optimally set up for the surgical procedure to be performed. The surgical hub 2304 may be configured to determine the type of surgical procedure being performed, read the corresponding checklist, product location, or setup requirements (e.g., from memory), and then compare the current operating room layout to a standard layout for the type of surgical procedure that the surgical hub 2304 has determined is being performed. In one example, the surgical hub 2304 may 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 lists, the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to provide alerts indicating that a particular modular device 2302, patient monitoring device 2324, and / or other surgical items are missing. For 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 instance, by proximity sensors. The surgical hub 2304 can then compare the relative positions of the devices to a recommended or expected layout for a particular surgical procedure. If any discontinuities exist between layouts, the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to provide alerts indicating that the current layout for the surgical procedure deviates from the recommended layout.

[0064] As another example, the situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can determine whether a surgeon (or other healthcare professional) is making an error or deviating from a set of actions expected during the course of a surgical procedure. For example, the surgical hub 2304 may be configured to determine the type of surgical procedure being performed, read a corresponding list of instrument usage steps or sequences (e.g., from memory), and then compare the steps or instruments being performed or used during the course of the surgical procedure with the steps or instruments expected for the type of surgical procedure that the surgical hub 2304 has determined is being performed. In one example, the surgical hub 2304 may be configured to provide an alert indicating that an unexpected action is being performed or an unexpected device is being used at a particular step in the surgical procedure.

[0065] Overall, the context-aware 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., for different tissue types) and by validating actions during the surgical procedure. The context-aware system also improves surgeon efficiency when performing surgical procedures by automatically suggesting the next steps, providing data, and adjusting the in-situ displays and other modular devices 2302 according to the specific context of the procedure.

[0066] Modular energy systems Due to the sheer volume of equipment required to perform surgical procedures, operating rooms worldwide have become a tangled web of cords, devices, and people. Surgical capital equipment tends to be the primary cause of this problem, as most of it performs a single, specialized task. Because of their specialized nature, surgeons may need to utilize multiple different types of equipment during a single surgical procedure, forcing operating rooms to stock two or even more pieces of surgical capital equipment, such as energy generators. Each of these pieces of surgical capital equipment must be individually plugged into a power source and may also be connected to one or more other devices passed among personnel in the operating room, leading to tangled cords and requiring guidance. 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 be controlled independently of other pieces of equipment in the operating room. This makes it complex to connect and properly control multiple different devices, requiring users to be trained in and memorize different types of user interfaces (which may be further modified based on the task or surgical procedure being performed, in addition to changes between each piece of capital equipment). This cumbersome and complex process may require more individuals to be present in the operating room and can create danger if multiple devices are not properly controlled to each other. Therefore, integrating surgical capital equipment technology into a single system that flexibly addresses the surgeon's need 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 scalable or customizable would allow new technologies to be conveniently incorporated into existing surgical systems, eliminating the need to replace the entire surgical system or requiring operating room personnel to learn new user interfaces or equipment controls for each new technology.

[0067] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the surgical hub 106 can be configured to interchangeably accept various modules, which can then interface with surgical devices (e.g., surgical instruments or smoke exhausters) or provide various other functions (e.g., communication). In one embodiment, the surgical hub 106 can be embodied as a modular energy system 2000, as shown in relation to Figures 6 to 12. The modular energy system 2000 may include various different modules 2001 that are interconnected in a stacked configuration. In one embodiment, the modules 2001 can be physically and communicatively linked when stacked or when otherwise connected together to form a single assembly. Furthermore, the modules 2001 may be interchangeably connected in different combinations or arrangements. In one embodiment, each module 2001 may include a consistent or universal array of connectors arranged along their upper and lower surfaces, thereby enabling any module 2001 to be connected to another module 2001 in any arrangement (however, in some embodiments, certain module types, such as header modules 2002, may be configured to function, for example, as modules positioned at the top of a stack). In an alternative embodiment, the modular energy system 2000 may include housings configured to receive and hold modules 2001, as shown in Figure 3. The modular energy system 2000 may also include a variety of different components or accessories that can be connected to or otherwise associated with modules 2001. In yet another embodiment, the modular energy system 2000 may be embodied as a generator module 140 (Figure 3) of the surgical hub 106. In yet another embodiment, the modular energy system 2000 may be a system separate from the surgical hub 106. In this embodiment, the modular energy systems 2000 may be connectable to the surgical hub 206 in a communicative manner for transmitting and / or receiving data between them.

[0068] The modular energy system 2000 can be assembled from various different modules 2001, some examples of which are shown in Figure 6. Each of the different types of modules 2001 can provide a different function, thereby allowing the modular energy system 2000 to be assembled into different configurations and thus the functions and capabilities of the modular energy system 2000 to be customized by customizing the modules 2001 included in each modular energy system 2000. The modules 2001 of the modular energy system 2000 may include, for example, a header module 2002 (which may 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 topmost module in the modular energy system stack and therefore may lack connectors along its top surface. In another embodiment, the header module 2002 may be configured to be located at the bottom of the modular energy system stack or to be the bottommost module and therefore may lack connectors along its bottom surface. In yet another embodiment, the header module 2002 may be configured to be positioned in an intermediate location within the modular energy system stack and therefore may include connectors along both its bottom and top surfaces. The header module 2002 may be configured to control system-wide settings for each module 2001 and its connected components through a physical control unit 2011 on the header module 2002 and / or through a graphical user interface (GUI) 2008 displayed on a display screen 2006. Such settings may include the startup of the modular energy system 2000, alarm volume settings, foot switch settings, setting icons, the appearance or configuration of the user interface, the 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 to module 2001 connected to the header module 2002. The energy module 2004, which may also be referred to as generator module 140 (Figure 3), may be configured to generate one or more energy modalities for driving electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical instruments connected to it. 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 energy module 2004). The visualization module 2042 may be configured to interface with a visualization device (i.e., a scope) and thus can provide enhanced visualization capabilities.

[0069] The modular energy system 2000 may further include various accessories 2029 that are connectable to module 2001 to control the functions of module 2001, or otherwise configured to function in conjunction with the modular energy system 2000. Examples of accessories 2029 may include a single-pedal footswitch 2032, a dual-pedal footswitch 2034, and a cart 2030 for supporting the modular energy system 2000. Footswitches 2032 and 2034 may be configured, for example, to control the activation or function of specific energy modalities output by energy module 2004.

[0070] By utilizing modular components, the illustrated modular energy system 2000 provides a surgical platform that grows with the availability of technology and can be customized to the needs of facilities and / or surgeons. Furthermore, 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. Moreover, the surgical system architecture reduces the footprint of capital equipment by combining multiple technologies crucial for surgical procedures into a single system.

[0071] Various modular components available in connection with the modular energy system 2000 may include unipolar energy generators, bipolar energy generators, dual electrosurgical / ultrasonic energy generators, display screens, and various other modules and / or other components, some of which are also described above in relation to Figures 1 to 3.

[0072] Referring here to Figure 7A, the header module 2002 may, in some embodiments, include a display screen 2006 that displays a GUI 2008 for relaying information about modules 2001 connected to the header module 2002. In some embodiments, the GUI 2008 on the display screen 2006 can provide an integrated control point for all modules 2001 constituting a particular configuration of the modular energy system 2000. Various embodiments of the GUI 2008 are discussed below in more detail with reference to Figure 12. In alternative embodiments, the header module 2002 may lack a display screen 2006, or the display screen 2006 may be detachably connected to the housing 2010 of the header module 2002. In such embodiments, the header module 2002 may be communicably connected to an external system configured to display information generated by modules 2001 of the modular energy system 2000. For example, in a robotic surgery application, the modular energy system 2000 may be communicatively connected to a robotic cart or robotic control console, which is configured to display information generated by the modular energy system 2000 to the operator of the robotic surgery system. In another example, the modular energy system 2000 may be communicatively connected to a mobile display, which is carried by or attached to the surgical staff so that information can be viewed on the mobile display. In yet another example, the modular energy system 2000 may be communicatively connected to another computer system which may include a surgical hub 2100 or a display 2104, as shown in Figure 11.In embodiments utilizing a user interface that is separate from or otherwise distinguishable 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 modules 2001 thereof, so that the user interface can display information from the connected modules 2001.

[0073] Referring further to Figure 7A, the energy module 2004 may include a port assembly 2012 containing several different ports, each configured to deliver different energy modalities to corresponding surgical instruments connectable to its respective port. In the particular embodiments shown in Figures 6–12, the port assembly 2012 includes a bipolar port 2014, a first unipolar port 2016a, a second unipolar port 2016b, a neutral port 2018 (to which a unipolar return pad can be connected), and a combined 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 available for different surgical procedure types and / or different tasks. For example, Figures 7A and 7B show a first exemplary configuration of the modular energy system 2000, which includes a header module 2002 (including a display screen 2006) and an energy module 2004 connected together. Such a configuration may be suitable, for example, for laparoscopic and open surgical procedures.

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

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

[0077] Figure 10 shows a fifth exemplary configuration of the modular energy system 2000, which includes a header module 2002 (including a display screen 2006) connected together, a first energy module 2004a, a second energy module 2004b, a technology module 2040, and a visualization module 2042. Such a configuration may be suitable for endoscopic procedures by providing a dedicated surgical display 2044 for relaying video feeds from a scope connected to the visualization module 2042. It should be noted that the configurations shown in Figures 7A to 11 and described above are provided merely to illustrate various concepts of the modular energy system 2000 and should not be interpreted as limiting the modular energy system 2000 to any particular configuration described above.

[0078] As described above, the modular energy system 2000 can be communicably connected to an external system, such as a surgical hub 2100, as shown in Figure 11. Such an external system may include a display screen 2104 for displaying visual feeds 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 for analyzing data generated or provided by the modular energy system 2000 in other ways, for controlling the 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 the operation between multiple modular energy systems 2000 and / or other surgical systems (e.g., visualization system 108 and / or robotic system 110, as described in relation to Figures 1 and 2).

[0079] Next, referring to Figure 12, in some embodiments, the header module 2002 may include or support a display 2006 configured to display the GUI 2008 as described above. In addition to displaying information, the display screen 2006 may include a touchscreen for receiving input from the user. The control units displayed on the GUI 2008 may correspond to modules 2001 connected to the header module 2002. In some embodiments, different parts or areas of the GUI 2008 may correspond to specific modules 2001. For example, a first part or area of ​​the GUI 2008 may correspond to a first module, and a second part or area of ​​the GUI 2008 may correspond to a second module. When different and / or additional modules 2001 are connected to the modular energy system stack, the GUI 2008 may be configured to correspond to different and / or additional control units for each newly added module 2001, or to remove the control units of each module 2001 that is removed. Each portion of the display corresponding to a specific module connected to the header module 2002 can display the control unit, data, user prompts, and / or other information corresponding to that module. For example, in Figure 12, the first or upper portion 2052 of the illustrated GUI 2008 displays the control unit 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 2056a corresponding to a bipolar port 2014, a second widget 2056b corresponding to a first unipolar port 2016a, a third widget 2056c corresponding to a second unipolar port 2016b, and a fourth widget 2056d corresponding to a combined energy port 2020. Each of these widgets 2056a to d provides a control unit for controlling data related to the corresponding port of the widget in the port assembly 2012, and the mode and other features of the energy modality delivered by the energy module 2004 through each port of the port assembly 2012.For example, widgets 2056a to d may be configured to display the power level of the surgical instrument connected to each port, and to change the operating mode of the surgical instrument connected to each port (for example, changing the surgical instrument from a first power level to a second power level, and / or changing a unipolar surgical instrument from "spray" mode to "blend" mode).

[0080] In one embodiment, the header module 2002 may include various physical control units 2011 in addition to or instead of the GUI 2008. Such physical control units 2011 may include, for example, power buttons that control the application of power to each module 2001 connected to the header module 2002 in the modular energy system 2000. Alternatively, the power buttons may be displayed as part of the GUI 2008. Thus, the header module 2002 can function as a single point of contact, eliminating the need to individually start and deactivate each individual module 2001 that makes up the modular energy system 2000.

[0081] In one embodiment, the header module 2002 can display still images, videos, moving images, and / or information associated with the surgical module 2001 on which the modular energy system 2000 is constructed, or with a surgical device communicatively connected to the modular energy system 2000. Still images and / or videos displayed by the header module 2002 can be received from an endoscope or another visualization device communicatively connected to the modular energy system 2000. Moving images and / or information in GUI2008 can be overlaid on or adjacent to the image or video feed.

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

[0083] Figure 13 is a block diagram of a standalone hub configuration of the modular energy system 3000 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, and Figure 14 is a block diagram of a hub configuration of the modular energy system 3000 integrated with a surgical control system 3010 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the modular energy system 3000 can be used as a standalone unit or integrated with a surgical control system 3010 that controls and / or receives data from one or more surgical hub units. In the embodiments shown in Figures 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 aspects, the header module and the UI module may be provided as separate components that are communicably connected via a data bus 3008.

[0084] As shown in Figure 13, an example of a standalone modular energy system 3000 includes an integrated header module / user interface (UI) module 3002 connected 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 send various commands to the energy module 3004 through the data interface 3008. Such commands may 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] In Figure 14, the surgical hub configuration includes a modular energy system 3000 integrated with a control system 3010, and, in particular, an interface system 3022 for managing data and power transmission to and / or from the modular energy system 3000. The modular energy system shown in Figure 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). In addition, 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 embodiment, 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 via a power interface 3006 and a 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 and 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, FPGA, or various combinations thereof, is connected to a system interface 3022 via an energy interface 3026 and an appliance communication interface 3028. The system interface 3022 is connected to a first energy module 3004 via a first energy interface 3014 and a first appliance communication interface 3016. The system interface 3022 is connected to a 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] Energy modules 3004, 3012 are connectable to a hub and can be configured to generate electrosurgical energy (e.g., bipolar or unipolar), ultrasonic energy, or a combination thereof (referred to herein as “high-energy” modules) for various energy surgical instruments. Generally, energy modules 3004, 3012 include a hardware / software interface, an ultrasonic controller, a high-energy RF controller, a bipolar RF controller, and a control algorithm executed by a controller that receives the output from the controllers and controls the operation of the various energy modules 3004, 3012 accordingly. In various aspects of this disclosure, the controller described herein may be implemented as a control circuit, control logic, microprocessor, microcontroller, logic, or FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0088] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 13 and 14, the modules of the modular energy system 3000 may include optical links that enable high-speed communication (10–50 Mb / sec) across the patient's isolation boundary. These links transmit device communications, relaxation signals (such as watchdog signals), and low-bandwidth runtime data. In some embodiments, the optical link(s) do not include real-time sampling data that can be performed on the non-isolated side.

[0089] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 13 and 14, a module of the modular energy system 3000 may include a multifunction circuit block capable of (i) reading the present resistance value via an A / D and current source, (ii) communicating with legacy instruments via the hand switch Q protocol, (iii) communicating with instruments via the local bus 1-Wire protocol, and (iv) communicating with CAN FD-compatible surgical instruments. When a surgical instrument is properly identified by the energy generator module, the associated pin functions and communication circuits are activated, while other unused functions are disabled or disconnected and set to a high impedance state.

[0090] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 13 and 14, a module of the modular energy system 3000 may include a pulse / stimulus / auxiliary amplifier. This is a flexible amplifier based on a full-bridge output and incorporates functional isolation. This allows its differential output to reference any output connection on the applied portion (except, in some embodiments, a unipolar active electrode). The amplifier output may be either small signal linear (pulse / stimulus) 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. Output voltage and current are sensed by functionally isolated voltage and current feedback to provide accurate impedance and power measurements to the FPGA. Paired with a CAN FD-enabled device, this output can provide motor / motion control drive, while position or velocity feedback is provided by a CAN FD interface for closed-loop control.

[0091] As described in more detail herein, a modular energy system comprises a header module and one or more functional or surgical modules. In various examples, a modular energy system is a modular energy system. In various examples, a surgical module includes an energy module, a communication module, and a user interface module, but a surgical module is assumed to be any suitable type of functional or surgical module for use with a modular energy system.

[0092] Modular energy systems offer many advantages in surgical procedures, as described above in relation to modular energy systems 2000 (Figures 6-12) and 3000 (Figures 13-15). However, cable management and setup / tear-out times can be a major deterrent. Various embodiments of this disclosure provide a modular energy system having a single power cable and a single current switch for controlling the startup and shutdown of the entire modular energy system, thereby eliminating the need to individually start and stop each individual module in which the modular energy system is constructed. Furthermore, various embodiments of this disclosure provide a modular energy system having a power management scheme that facilitates safety and, in some cases, simultaneous delivery to the modules of the modular energy system.

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

[0094] The modular energy system 6000 comprises a header module 6002 and "N" surgical modules 6004, where "N" is an integer greater than or equal to 1. In various examples, the modular energy system 6000 includes UI modules, such as UI module 3030, and / or communication modules, such as communication module 3032. Furthermore, pass-through hub connectors connect the individual modules to each other in a stacked configuration. In the example in Figure 15, the header module 6002 is connected to the surgical modules 6004 via pass-through hub connectors 6005 and 6006.

[0095] The modular energy system 6000 features an exemplary power architecture consisting of a single AC / DC power supply 6003 that provides power to all surgical modules in the stack. The AC / DC power supply 6003 is housed within a header module 6002 and utilizes a power backplane 6008 to distribute power to each module in the stacked body. An example in Figure 15 shows three distinct 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] In the example shown in Figure 15, the power backplane 6008 extends from the header module 6002 through a number of intermediate modules 6004 to the bottommost or furthest module in the stack. In various embodiments, the power backplane 6008 is configured to deliver power to surgical modules 6004 through one or more other surgical modules 6004 located ahead of it in the stacked body. The surgical modules 6004, receiving power from the header module 6002, can be coupled to surgical instruments or tools configured to deliver therapeutic energy to the patient.

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

[0098] In various embodiments, the primary power domain 6009 is controlled by the header module 6002. In a particular example, a local power switch 6018 is located on the header module 6002, as shown in Figure 15. In a particular example, a remote on / off interface 6016 may be configured to control, for example, the system power control unit 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) and power state telemetry signals. In various embodiments, the primary power domain 6009 is configured to distribute power to all modules in a stacked configuration after power-up initiated by the user.

[0099] In various embodiments, as shown in Figure 16, the modules of the modular energy system 6000 can be connected to a header module 6002 and / or to each other via a communication (serial bus / Ethernet) interface 6040, so that data or other information is shared by and between the modules that make up the modular energy system. The Ethernet switch domain 6013 can be derived, for example, from the primary power domain 6009. The Ethernet® switch power domain 6013 is isolated into a separate power domain configured to supply power to the Ethernet® switches in each module in the stacked configuration, so that the primary communication interface 6040 remains operational when local power to the modules is removed. In at least one embodiment, the primary communication interface 6040 comprises a 1000BASE-T Ethernet network, where each module represents a node on the network, and each module downstream of the header module 6002 includes a 3-port Ethernet switch for routing traffic to local modules or for properly passing data upstream or downstream.

[0100] Furthermore, in certain examples, the modular energy system 6000 includes a secondary, low-speed, inter-module communication interface 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] In various embodiments, as shown in Figure 15, the standby power domain 6010 is a separate output from the AC / DC power supply 6003, which is always operational when the power source is connected to the main power supply 6020. The standby power domain 6010 is used by all modules in the system to power circuits for relaxed communication interfaces and to control local power to each module. Furthermore, the standby power domain 6010 is configured to provide power to circuits that are important in standby mode, such as on / off command detection, status LEDs, and secondary communication buses.

[0102] In various configurations, as shown in Figure 15, individual surgical modules 6004 lack independent power sources and therefore rely on header modules 6002 to supply power in a stacked configuration. Only header modules 6002 are directly connected to the main power supply 6020. Surgical modules 6004 lack a direct connection to the main power supply 6020 and can only receive power in a stacked configuration. This arrangement improves the safety of 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 the proper operation of the modular energy system 6000, thereby reducing clutter and footprint in the operating room.

[0103] Therefore, in a stacked configuration, surgical instruments connected to the surgical module 6004 of the modular energy system 6000 receive 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 to the second surgical module 6004'' through the first 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 via a modular energy system 6000. In the example in Figure 15, the header module 6002 houses the power backplane segment 6008', the first surgical module 6004' houses the power backplane segment 6008'', and the second surgical module 6004'' houses the power backplane segment 6008'''. In a stacked configuration, the power backplane segment 6008' is detachably coupled to the power backplane segment 6008''. Furthermore, in a stacked configuration, the power backplane 6008'' is detachably coupled to the power backplane segment 6008'''. Thus, energy flows from the AC / DC power supply 6003 to the power backplane segment 6008', then to the power backplane segment 6008'', and then to the power backplane segment 6008''''.

[0106] In the example in Figure 15, power backplane segment 6008' is detachably connected to power backplane segment 6008'' via pass-through hub connectors 6005 and 6006 in the stacked configuration. Furthermore, power backplane segment 6008'' is detachably connected to power backplane segment 6008'''' via pass-through hub connectors 6025 and 6056 in the stacked configuration. In certain examples, removing a surgical module from the stacked configuration disconnects its connection to power supply 6003. For example, separating the second surgical module 6004'' from the first surgical module 6004' disconnects power backplane segment 6008'' from power backplane segment 6008''. However, as long as header module 6002 and the first surgical module 6004' remain in the stacked configuration, the connection between power backplane segment 6008'' and power backplane segment 6008'' remains intact. Therefore, 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 the second surgical module 6004'' has been cut. Separating the connected modules can be achieved in certain examples simply by pulling the surgical module 6004 apart.

[0107] In the example shown in Figure 15, each of modules 6002 and 6004 includes a relaxation module control unit 6023. The relaxation module control unit 6023 is coupled to a corresponding local power adjustment module 6024, which is configured to adjust power based on input from the relaxation module control unit 6023. In certain embodiments, the relaxation module control unit 6023 allows the header module 6002 to independently control the local power adjustment module 6024.

[0108] The modular energy system 6000 further includes a relaxation communication interface 6021, which includes a segmented communication backplane 6027 extending between relaxation module control units 6023. The segmented communication backplane 6027 is similar in many ways to the segmented power backplane 6008. Relaxation communication between the relaxation module control unit 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 Figure 15, the header module 6002 houses the communication backplane segment 6027', the first surgical module 6004' houses the communication backplane segment 6027'', and the second surgical module 6004'' houses the communication backplane segment 6027'''. The communication backplane segment 6027' is detachably connected to the communication backplane segment 6027'' in a stacked configuration via pass-through hub connectors 6005 and 6006. Furthermore, the communication backplane 6027'' is detachably connected to the communication backplane segment 6027'' in a stacked configuration via pass-through hub connectors 6025 and 6026.

[0109] An example in Figure 15 shows that the modular energy system 6000 includes a header module 6002 and two surgical modules 6004', 6004'', but is not limited to these. Modular energy systems having more or fewer surgical modules are contemplated by this disclosure. In some embodiments, the modular energy system 6000 includes other modules, such as a communications module. In some embodiments, the header module 6502 supports a display screen, such as a display 2006 (Figure 7A), which renders a GUI, such as a GUI 2008, for relaying information about the modules connected to the header module 6002. The GUI 2008 on the display screen 2006 can provide an integrated control point for all the modules constituting a particular configuration of the modular energy system.

[0110] Figure 16 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the modular energy system 6000, illustrating the primary communication interface 6040 between the header module 6002 and the surgical module 6004. The primary communication interface 6040 enables communication between the module processors 6041, 6041', and 6041'' of the header module 6002 and the surgical module 6004. Commands generated by the module processor 6041 of the header module are transmitted downstream to the desired functional surgical module 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] Furthermore, the primary communication interface 6040 also includes a segmented communication backplane 6031, which is in many respects similar to the segmented power backplane 6008. Communication between the header module 6002 and the surgical module 6004 can be achieved via the segmented communication backplane 6031 defined through the modular energy system 6000. In the example of Figure 16, the header module 6002 houses the communication backplane segment 6031', the first surgical module 6004' houses the communication backplane segment 6031'', and the second surgical module 6004'' houses the communication backplane segment 6031'''. The communication backplane segment 6031' is detachably connected to the communication backplane segment 6031'' in a stacked configuration via pass-through hub connectors 6005, 6006. Furthermore, the communication backplane 6031'' is detachably connected to the communication backplane segment 6031'' in the stacked configuration via pass-through hub connectors 6025 and 6026.

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

[0113] In various embodiments, as shown in Figure 16, the header module 6002 includes a separate Gigabit Ethernet Phy 6045 for an external communication interface 6043 with the processor module 6041 of the header module 6002. In at least one embodiment, the processor module 6041 of the header module 6002 handles firewall and information routing.

[0114] Referring to Figure 15, the AC / DC power supply 6003 may provide an AC status signal 6011 indicating the 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 a segmented power backplane 6008, allowing each module to tolerate as much time as possible for a graceful shutdown before primary output power is lost. The AC status signal 6011 is received, for example, by module-specific circuits 6013, 6014, and 6015. In various examples, the system power control unit 6017 may be configured to detect AC power loss. In at least one embodiment, AC power loss is detected via one or more preferred sensors.

[0115] Referring to Figures 15 and 16, the primary power inputs to all modules can be fused, or similar current limiting methods (e-fuses, circuit breakers, etc.) can be used, to ensure that a localized power failure in one of the modules of the modular energy system 6000 does not disable the entire power bus. Furthermore, the Ethernet switch power is isolated to a separate power domain 6013 so that the primary communication interface 6040 remains operational when localized power to the module is removed. In other words, primary power can be removed and / or diverted from the surgical modules without losing its ability to communicate with other surgical modules 6004 and / or header module 6002.

[0116] Screen connection method While general implementations of headers and modules for modular energy systems 2000, 3000, and 6000 have been described, this disclosure now describes various other embodiments of modular energy systems. These other modular energy systems are substantially similar to modular energy systems 2000, 3000, and / or 6000. For brevity, various details of these other modular energy systems, similar to those of modular energy systems 2000, 3000, and / or 6000, will not be repeated in the following sections. Any embodiment of the other modular energy systems described below can be incorporated into modular energy systems 2000, 3000, or 6000.

[0117] As referenced elsewhere in this specification, operating rooms (ORs) worldwide are a tangled web of codes, equipment, and people due to the sheer volume of equipment required to perform surgical procedures. Surgical capital equipment tends to contribute significantly to this problem. For example, ORs become increasingly strained as individual procedures require additional advanced equipment. This problem can be addressed by utilizing modular energy systems.

[0118] For example, a modular energy system such as modular energy system 2000 can be assembled from various different modules that can provide different functions, thereby allowing the modular energy system to be assembled in different configurations and enabling customization of the functions and capabilities of the modular energy system by customizing the modules included in each modular energy system. For example, as described above, a modular energy system may include several combinations of header modules such as header module 2002 (which may include a display screen such as display screen 2006), energy modules such as energy module 2004, technology modules such as technology module 2040, and / or visualization modules such as visualization module 2042.

[0119] In various embodiments, the header module of a modular energy system can be configured to control the overall system settings of each module within the modular energy system and its connected components via a physical control unit such as a physical control unit 2011 and / or a graphical user interface (GUI) such as a GUI 2008 rendered on a display screen. Such settings may include the startup of the modular energy system, alarm volume settings, foot switch settings, setting icons, the appearance or configuration of the user interface, the surgeon profile logged into the modular energy system, and / or the type of surgical procedure being performed. The header module may also be configured to provide communication, processing, and / or power to modules connected to it.

[0120] Currently, there is a trend towards touchscreen displays on devices because they offer both greater functionality and flexibility than knobs or buttons. However, since small text and touch areas can be difficult to use, these displays are ideally as large as possible to facilitate use by the display operator. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the size of the device while maximizing the size of the display.

[0121] Referring here to Figures 17 and 18, a modular energy system 600 is provided according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The modular energy system 600 may include a header module 602 which may be similar to a header module 2002 and an energy module 604 which may be similar to an energy module 2004. While the modular energy system 600 as illustrated and described includes a header module 602 and an energy module 604, it should be understood that the modular energy system 600 may include any number or combination of additional modules, such as additional energy modules, technology modules, visualization modules, etc.

[0122] In one embodiment, the energy module 604 may include a port assembly 606 which can be similar to a port assembly 2012, and which may include several different ports configured to deliver different energy modalities to corresponding surgical instruments to which they can be connected. In various embodiments, the port assembly 606 may include a bipolar port 608 which can be similar to a bipolar port 2014, a first unipolar port 610a which can be similar to a first unipolar port 2016a, a second unipolar port 610b which can be similar to a second unipolar port 2016b, a neutral pole port 612 which can be similar to a neutral pole port 2018, and a combined energy port 614 which can be similar to a combined energy port 2020. This particular combination of ports is provided for illustrative purposes only, and it should be understood that alternative combinations of ports and / or energy modalities may be possible for the port assembly 606.

[0123] Furthermore, the energy module 604 may include an enclosure 616 that houses the internal components of the energy module 604. In various embodiments, the enclosure 616 may define a vent 618 that can dissipate heat generated within the energy module 604 to prevent the energy module 604 from overheating. In various embodiments, the energy module 604 may further include a number of legs 620 extending from the enclosure 616 that can be received in corresponding grooves defined on top of other modules for the purpose of stacking the energy module 604 with other modules within a modular energy system 600.

[0124] In one embodiment, the header module 602 may include an enclosure 622 that can house various internal components of the header module 602, such as a control system 694 (see Figure 31). In various embodiments, the control system 694 may be a printed circuit board (PCB). In various embodiments, the enclosure 622 may define a vent 624 that can dissipate heat generated within the header module 602 to prevent the header module 602 from overheating. In one embodiment, the header module 602 may further include various physical control units, such as a power button 626 that can control the activation of each module connected to the header module 602 in a modular energy system 600. In various embodiments, the header module 602 may further include an RFID tag reader 628 that can telecommunicate with the control system 694 of the header module 602. The RFID tag reader 628 may be configured to read RFID tags, such as clinician-specific RFID tags, which may include clinician-specific default settings and parameters for the header module 602. For example, the RFID reader 628 can communicate with the clinician's RFID tag to set the clinician's preferred default parameters for the header module 602 prior to the operation of the header module 602. In various other embodiments, the RFID reader 628 can read an RFID tag from which default parameters related to a particular type of surgical procedure to be performed can be set.

[0125] In one embodiment, the enclosure 622 of the header module 602 may define a recess 630. The recess 630 may include a first guide wall 632, a second guide wall 634, and a base 636 extending from the first guide wall 632 to the second guide wall 634. In various embodiments, the recess 630 may include an electrical connector 638 extending from the base of the recess 630. The electrical connector 638 may be able to communicate electrically with the control system 694 of the header module 602, so that the control system 694 can transmit various electrical signals to electrical components coupled to the electrical connector 638, as will be described in more detail below. In various embodiments, the electrical connector 638 may be connected to the control system 694 using an electrical ribbon 639 (see Figure 31).

[0126] Referring here to Figures 19, 21, and 22, the enclosure 622 of the header module 602 may further define a first opening 640 and a second opening 642. The first and second openings 640, 642 are defined within the enclosure 622 and may be sized to receive latch arms 668, 670 from the latch mechanism 660, as will be described in more detail below.

[0127] Referring again to Figures 17 and 18, the modular energy system 600 may further include a display 644, which may be similar to the display screen 2006. The display 644 may be configured to display a GUI 645, which may be similar to the GUI 2008. In addition to displaying information such as the status of other modules coupled to the header module 602, the display 644 may include a touchscreen for receiving user input. The control units displayed on the GUI 645 may correspond to modules connected to the header module 602. In some embodiments, different parts or areas of the GUI 645 may correspond to specific modules in the modular energy system. For example, a first part or area of ​​the GUI 645 may correspond to a first module, such as the energy module 604, and a second part or area of ​​the GUI 645 may correspond to a second module, such as another energy module, technology module, or visualization module stacked below the energy module 604. When different and / or additional modules are connected to or stacked in the modular energy system 600, the GUI 645 can be adjusted to correspond to different and / or additional control units for each newly added module, or to remove the control units of each module being removed. Each portion of the display 644 corresponding to a particular module connected to the header module 602 can display the control unit, data, user prompts, and / or other information corresponding to that module.

[0128] Referring here to Figures 19, 23, and 24, the display 644 may include a mounting structure 646 used to removably connect the display 644 to the header module 602. In various embodiments, the mounting structure 646 may include a dovetail coupler 648, most clearly shown in Figure 19, which may include a first side wall 650 and a second side wall 652 angled relative to the first side wall 650. The first and second side walls 650, 652 may be angled relative to the display 644 such that they correspond to the first and second guide walls 632, 634 of the recess 630 of the header module 602. In one embodiment shown in Figures 19 and 20, the guide walls 632 and 634 of the recess 630 are aligned with the side walls 650 and 652 of the mounting structure 646 to guide the dovetail coupler 648 through the recess 630 of the header module 602, allowing the dovetail coupler 648 to be removably seated in the recess 630. In one embodiment, the first side wall 650 can move along the first guide wall 632, and the second side wall 652 can move further along the second guide wall 634, allowing the dovetail coupler 648 to move through the recess 630. In one embodiment, the dovetail coupler 648 may include a first base portion 651 extending laterally from the first side wall 650 and a second base portion 653 extending from the second side wall 652. As the dovetail coupler 648 moves through the recess 630, the first and second base portions 651 and 653 of the dovetail coupler 648 can come into contact with the base 636 of the recess 630 and remain stationary.

[0129] In various embodiments, as most clearly shown in Figure 19, the recess 630 may further include a first capture arm 633 extending from a first guide wall 632 and a second capture arm 635 extending from a second guide wall 634. In one embodiment, when the dovetail coupler 648 is positioned within the recess 630, the first capture arm 633 may extend around the first side wall 650 of the dovetail coupler 648 to capture it, and the second capture arm 635 may extend around the second side wall 652 of the dovetail coupler 648 to capture it. The first and second capture arms 633, 635 abut against the side walls 650, 652 of the dovetail coupler 648 to prevent the dovetail coupler 648 from rotating forward out of the recess 630 and to maintain the position of the display 644 relative to the header module 602.

[0130] Referring here to Figures 19, 27, and 28, the dovetail coupler 648 may further include a recess 654 defined adjacent to the first base portion 651 and the second base portion 653. The recess 654 may be sized and positioned such that, when the dovetail coupler 648 is positioned within the recess 630 of the header module 602, the recess 654 of the dovetail coupler 648 can capture the electrical connector 638 of the header module 602 within it. In various embodiments, the recess 654 of the dovetail coupler 648 may include an electrical connector 656 that telecommunicates with the control system of the display 644. In one embodiment, when the dovetail coupler 648 is positioned in the recess 654 of the header module 602, the recess 654 of the dovetail coupler 648 can capture the electrical connector 638 of the header module 602 therein, and the electrical connector 656 of the display 644 can be electrically coupled to the electrical connector 638 of the header module 602. Once the electrical connector 638 is electrically coupled to the electrical connector 656, the control system 694 of the header module 602 can transmit electrical signals such as power signals, communication signals, and control signals to the display 644 to control various operations of the display 644.

[0131] In various embodiments, referring here to Figures 21 and 22, the mounting structure 646 may further include a latch mechanism 660 that can releasably latch the display 644 to the header module 602. In various embodiments, the latch mechanism 660 may include a slider button 662, a slider bar 664, and a spring 666. The slider bar 664 may include a first latch arm 668 and a second latch arm 670 extending from the slider bar 664.

[0132] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 24, the mounting structure 646 may have a recess 672 defined on its back surface 646b, which can accommodate various components of the latch mechanism 660. In various embodiments, the mounting structure 646 may include a mounting plate 674 that defines a plurality of openings 676a to g. In one embodiment, the openings 676a to e may be sized to receive a plurality of fasteners 677a to e through their interiors. As shown in Figures 21 to 23, the fasteners 677a to d extend through the openings 676a to d of the mounting plate 674, respectively, and are removably coupled to mounting holes defined within the mounting structure 646, thereby mounting the mounting plate 674 into the recess 672 of the mounting structure 646. Furthermore, the fastener 677e extends through the opening 676e of the mounting plate 674 and is removably coupled to a mounting hole 665 defined in the slider bar 664, thereby removably coupling the latch mechanism 660 to the mounting plate 674. In various embodiments, the opening 676e may be sized to allow lateral movement of the fastener 677e within the opening 676e, as most clearly shown in Figure 23 and described in more detail below. In various embodiments, continuing to refer to Figure 23, the opening 676f may be sized to receive a first pin 678a extending from the slider bar 664, and the opening 676g may be sized to receive a second pin 678b extending from the slider bar 664. The openings 676f and 676g are most clearly shown in Figures 21 to 23 and can be sized to allow lateral movement of the pins 678a and 678b within them, as will be described in more detail below.

[0133] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 21, 22, and 24, the mounting structure 646 may have a groove 680 defined on the front surface 646a of the mounting structure 646, the groove may be sized to receive a slider button 662 and allow the slider button 662 to move laterally within it. The slider button 662 may extend through a slot defined within the groove 680 and may include a pin that can be coupled to the slider bar 664 such that the lateral movement of the slider button 662 within the groove 680 causes the slider bar 664 to move laterally within the recess 672. In various embodiments, the slider button 662 may include a lip 663 extending from it, which can assist the user in moving the slider button 662 within the groove 680.

[0134] While a slider button 662 having a lip 663 is shown and described, other slider buttons are also contemplated by this disclosure. In one exemplary embodiment, referring to Figure 25, an alternative slider button 682 is provided. The slider button 682 may be circular and may include a defined groove 683 therein, the groove which can accommodate a user's finger to assist in moving the slider button 682 within the groove 680 of the mounting structure 646. In another exemplary embodiment, referring to Figure 26, an alternative slider button 684 is provided. The slider button 684 may be semicircular in shape, including a flat edge 685 which can assist a user in moving the slider button 684 within the groove 680 of the mounting structure 646.

[0135] Referring to Figure 28, the mounting structure 646 may define a first opening 669 and a second opening 671 on its front surface 646a. In one embodiment, the first latch arm 668 of the latch mechanism 660 may extend from the slider bar 664 through the first opening 669, and the second latch arm 670 of the latch mechanism 660 may extend from the slider bar 664 through the second opening 671. As most clearly shown in Figures 21 and 22, the latch arms 668, 670 may include bases 668a, 670a extending from the slider bar 664 and heads 668b, 670b extending from the bases 668a, 670a. The heads 668b, 670b may include contact surfaces 668c, 670c and cam surfaces 668d, 670d, as will be described in more detail below.

[0136] Continuing to refer to Figures 21 and 22, as described above, the slider bar 664 can be movably coupled to the slider button 662 such that the lateral movement of the slider button 662 in the groove 680 causes the slider bar 664 to move laterally in the recess 672. The slider button 662 can be made movable in the groove 680 to move the latch mechanism 660 between the locked position shown in Figure 21 and the unlocked position shown in Figure 22. In one embodiment, when the slider button 662 moves between the locked and unlocked positions, the slider bar 664 can be laterally translated in the recess 672, which causes the first latch arm 668 and the second latch arm 670 to move in the first opening 669 and the second opening 671, respectively, the fastener 677e to move laterally in the opening 676e, and the pins 678a and 678b to move laterally in the openings 676f and 676g, respectively. To determine the maximum displacement of the latch mechanism 660 between the unlocked position and the locked position, the size of any number of grooves 680 or openings 676e to f can be defined.

[0137] In various embodiments, as described above, the latch mechanism 660 may include a spring 666. The spring 666 may be coupled to the opposite end of the slider bar 664 relative to the slider button 662, as shown in Figures 21 and 22. In one embodiment, the spring 666 may be mounted in a recess 672 of the mounting structure 646 and may bias the slider bar 664 toward the locked position, as shown in Figure 21, and thus may bias the slider button 662 in the groove 680 toward the position corresponding to the locked position of the latch mechanism 660. In various other embodiments, the spring 666 may be positioned near the slider button 662 so that as the slider bar 664 moves toward the unlocked position, the spring 666 expands and may bias the slider bar 664 toward the locked position.

[0138] As described above, the display 644 can be coupled to the header module 602 by a dovetail coupler 648 that moves through a recess 630 defined within the header module 602. In one embodiment, when the dovetail coupler 648 moves through the recess 630 and the guide walls 632, 634 of the recess 630 guide the side walls 650, 652 of the mounting structure 646, latch arms 668, 670 extending through openings 669, 671 of the mounting structure 646 can move through openings 640, 642 defined in the enclosure 622 of the header module 602, respectively. As the latch arms 668 and 670 move through the openings 640 and 642, the cam surfaces 668d and 670d of the latch arms 668 and 670 come into contact with the side walls 641 and 643 defined by the openings 640 and 642, causing the latch arms 668 and 670, and thus the slider bar 664, to cam toward the unlocked position, thereby allowing the latch arms 668 and 670 to pass through the openings 640 and 642.

[0139] In one embodiment, when the latch arms 668 and 670 pass through the openings 640 and 642 and enter the enclosure 622 of the header module 602, the spring 666 biases the slider bar 664 back to the locked position, causing the contact surfaces 668c and 670c of the latch arms 668 and 670 to engage with the latch blocks 658a and 658b located within the header module 602. The latch arms 668 and 670 can engage with the latch blocks 658a and 658b, preventing them from slipping through the openings 640 and 642 while the latch mechanism 660 is in the locked position. As shown in Figure 22, to release the display 644 from the header module 602, the user can move the slider button 662 in the groove 680 to move the latch mechanism 660 toward the unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the latch arms 668 and 670 are released from the latch blocks 658a and 658b, allowing the latch arms 668 and 670 to be removed from the header module 602 through the openings 640 and 642.

[0140] Referring here to Figures 32–37, a modular energy system 601 is provided according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the modular energy system 601 may be similar to the modular energy system 600, and similar reference numerals described throughout the present disclosure are used in Figures 32–37 to identify their similarities and are not repeated herein for the sake of brevity.

[0141] Accessible memory on modular energy systems As referenced elsewhere in this specification, modular energy systems such as modular energy systems 600, 601, and 2000 can be assembled from a variety of different modules that can provide different functions, thereby allowing modular energy systems to be assembled in different configurations and enabling customization of the functions and capabilities of the modular energy systems by customizing the modules included in each modular energy system. For example, as described above, a modular energy system may include several combinations of header modules such as header module 602, 2002 (which may include a display screen such as display screen 2006), energy modules such as energy module 604, 2004, technology modules such as technology module 2040, and / or visualization modules such as visualization module 2042.

[0142] In various embodiments, the header module of a modular energy system may be configured to control the overall system settings of each module within the modular energy system and its connected components via a physical control unit such as the physical control unit 626, 2011 and / or a graphical user interface (GUI) such as the GUI 645, 2008 rendered on a display screen. Such settings may include the startup of the modular energy system, alarm volume settings, foot switch settings, setting icons, the appearance or configuration of the user interface, the surgeon profile logged into the modular energy system, and / or the type of surgical procedure being performed. The header module may also be configured to provide communication, processing, and / or power to modules connected to the header module.

[0143] In various embodiments, the header module can function as a central system for modules of a modular energy system and surgical instruments operably coupled to various modules, such as energy modules. The header module can collect data gathered by the surgical instruments operably coupled to it, and the data can be stored in memory for later use or evaluation. Due to global regulations, any personally identifiable data collected by medical devices such as header modules and surgical instruments must be accessible to the owner of the device. Ideally, the data should be easily accessible to the owner so that the owner does not need special equipment to retrieve the information or risk damaging the information. While it is ideal that this data is easily accessible to the owner, it is also ideal that this data is not easily accessible to all users of the device who may accidentally remove or damage the data. Therefore, it is desirable to find a simple place to store the collected data that is not easily visible but is quickly and easily accessible when needed.

[0144] Continuing the above description of the modular energy system 600, and referring here to Figures 17, 18, 38, and 39, the header module 602 of the modular energy system 600 may include a memory compartment 690 defined within an enclosure 622. Referring particularly to Figure 39, the memory compartment 690 may be sized to accommodate a memory card 692, such as an SD card, within it.

[0145] In various embodiments, referring to Figure 17, the memory partition 690 may be defined within the enclosure 622 such that the memory partition 690 can be hidden and inaccessible when the display 644 is coupled to the header module 602, as described elsewhere in this specification. In one embodiment, the coupling of the display 644 to the header module 602 makes it difficult to readily identify the location of the memory card 692, which may mean that the memory card 692 is less likely to be accidentally removed or damaged. In various embodiments, referring here to Figure 18, the memory partition 690 may be defined within the enclosure 622 such that the memory partition 690 is visible and accessible to the owner of the header module 602 when the display 644 of the modular energy system 600 is uncoupled from the header module 602. In this sense, the memory card 692 can be easily retrieved by a trained agent or technician simply by uncoupling the display 644 from the header module 602, such as by releasing the display 644 using the slider button 662 of the latch mechanism 660, as described elsewhere in this specification.

[0146] Defining the memory compartment 690 on the front of the header module 602, which will be covered by the display 644, is advantageous in contrast to defining the memory compartment 690 at another location on the header module 602, such as the back of the header module 602. In one embodiment, referring to Figure 31, for example, the front of the header module 602 can include extra space compared to the back of the header module 602 due to the positioning of the control system 694 within the header module 602. Furthermore, defining the memory compartment 690 on the front of the header module 602 can provide natural protection from fluid ingress due to the positioning of the display 644 in front of the memory compartment 690. Moreover, defining the memory compartment 690 on the front of the header module 602 can be advantageous in that the memory card 692 can be added to the main board of the control system 694 without requiring additional connections, which can reduce costs and improve signal integrity.

[0147] In various embodiments, referring here to Figures 18, 38, and 39, the header module 602 may further include a door 696 sized to cover the memory compartment 690. In one embodiment, the door 696 can provide additional protection against fluid ingress when the header module 602 is in use, while also providing the advantage of easily concealing the memory card 692. In various embodiments, the enclosure 622 may define a lip 698 surrounding the memory compartment 690. The lip 698 allows the user to insert the memory card 692 into the memory compartment 690, but the lip 698 may be sized to prevent the door 696 from moving into the memory compartment 690. In one embodiment, the door 696 may be seated on the lip 698 such that the door 696 is coplanar with the surface of the enclosure 622 of the header module 602, as shown in Figure 38.

[0148] In various embodiments, the door 696 may include an opening 700, which is sized to receive fasteners such as screws through the interior. In one embodiment, the enclosure 622 may further include a mounting hole 702, shown in Figure 39, which is sized to receive fasteners. In one exemplary operation, to assemble the door 696 onto the header module 602, the user can seat the door 696 over the lip 698 of the memory compartment 690, covering the memory compartment 690 and the memory card 692 potentially stored therein. The user can then connect the door 696 to the enclosure 622 by inserting fasteners through the opening 700 into the mounting hole 702. The use of the door 696 and fasteners can allow for quick and easy access to the memory compartment 690 (and memory card 692) as needed. The use of the door 696 also provides additional protection when the display 644 is not coupled to the header module 602, such as during its assembly or transport.

[0149] Referring here to Figures 40-41, a header module 704 is provided according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the header module 704 may be similar to the header module 602. In various embodiments, the header module 704 may include a memory partition 706 similar to the memory partition 690, defined within the enclosure 708 of the header module 704. The memory partition 706 may be sized to accommodate a memory card, such as a memory card 692, within it.

[0150] In various embodiments, similar to memory partition 690, memory partition 706 may be defined within the enclosure 708 such that when a display, such as display 644, is coupled from the header module 704, memory partition 706 can be hidden and inaccessible to the owner of the header module 704. In one embodiment, the coupling of the display to the header module 704 makes it difficult to immediately determine the location of the memory card, which may mean that the memory card is less likely to be accidentally removed or damaged. In various embodiments, similar to memory partition 690, the memory partition may be defined within the enclosure 708 such that when the display is uncoupled from the header module 704, memory partition 706 is visible and accessible to the owner of the header module 704. In this sense, the memory card can be easily retrieved by a trained agent or technician simply by uncoupled from the header module 704, such as by releasing the display using a slider button of a latch mechanism, as described elsewhere in this specification.

[0151] Defining the memory compartment 706 on the front of the header module 704, which will be covered by the display, is advantageous in contrast to defining the memory compartment 706 at another location on the header module 704, such as the back of the header module 704. In one embodiment, the front of the header module 704, as with the memory compartment 690, can include extra space compared to the back of the header module due to the positioning of a control system, such as a control system 694, within the header module 704. Furthermore, defining the memory compartment 706 on the front of the header module 704 can provide natural protection from fluid ingress due to the positioning of the display in front of the memory compartment 706. Moreover, defining the memory compartment 706 on the front of the header module 704 can be advantageous in that the memory card can be added to the main board of the control system without requiring additional connections, which can reduce costs and improve signal integrity.

[0152] In various embodiments, referring here to Figures 40 and 41, the header module 704 may further include a door 710 sized to cover the memory compartment 706. In one embodiment, the door 710 can provide additional protection against fluid ingress when the header module 602 is in use, while also providing the advantage of easily concealing the memory card. In various embodiments, the enclosure 708 may define a lip 712 similar to the lip 698 surrounding the memory compartment 706. The lip 712 allows the user to insert the memory card into the memory compartment 706, but the lip 712 may be sized to prevent the door 710 from moving into the memory compartment 706. In one embodiment, the door 710 may be seated on the lip 712 such that the door 710 is coplanar with the surface of the enclosure 708 of the header module 704, as shown in Figure 40. In various embodiments, the enclosure 708 may further define notches 714a, 714b, as will be described in more detail below.

[0153] In various embodiments, referring here to Figures 40 and 41, the door 710 may include a mounting structure comprising a first mounting arm 718a and a second mounting arm 718b. Each of the mounting arms 718a, 718b may include a base 720a, 720b, arms 722a, 722b extending from the bases 720a, 720b, and hooks 724a, 724b extending from the arms 722a, 722b. As shown in Figure 41, the mounting arms 718a, 718b extend from the door 710 so that they can extend through the memory compartment 706 when the door 696 is moved toward the lip 712 of the memory compartment 706. The hooks 724a, 724b may include cam surfaces 726a, 726b that can contact the cam surfaces 727a, 727b of the lip 712 as the mounting arms 718a, 718b move through the memory compartment 706, bending the mounting arms 718a, 718b away from the lip 712 and allowing them to enter the memory compartment 706. Once the hooks 724a, 724b have passed the lip 712, the cam surfaces 726a, 726b can disengage the lip 712 and bias the mounting arms 718a, 718b toward their non-bent position, as shown in Figure 41. In the non-bent position, the contact surfaces 728a, 728b of the hooks 724a, 724b can engage with the notches 714a, 714b of the enclosure 708, preventing the mounting arms 718a, 718b from moving out of the memory compartment 706, and thus preventing the door 710 from moving away from the memory compartment 706.

[0154] In one embodiment, to remove the door 710 from the memory compartment 706, referring to Figure 39, the user can move the bases 720a, 720b of the mounting arms 718a, 718b toward each other by means of a finger or the like. Moving the bases 720a, 720b toward each other disengages the contact surfaces 728a, 728b of the mounting arms 718a, 718b from their operable engagement with the notches 714a, 714b, allowing the mounting arms 718a, 718b to be removed from the memory compartment 706, and thus allowing the door 710 to be moved toward the memory compartment 706. The use of the door 710 can, if necessary, allow for quick and easy access to the memory compartment 706 (and memory card) without the need for additional tools such as a screwdriver. The use of the door 710 also provides additional protection when the display is not coupled to the header module 704, such as during assembly or transport.

[0155] EPAC crash rib biased PCB mounting connector As referenced elsewhere in this specification, modular energy systems such as modular energy systems 600, 601, and 2000 can be assembled from a variety of different modules that can provide different functions, thereby allowing modular energy systems to be assembled in different configurations and enabling customization of the functions and capabilities of the modular energy systems by customizing the modules included in each modular energy system. For example, as described above, a modular energy system may include several combinations of header modules such as header module 602, 2002 (which may include a display screen such as display screen 2006), energy modules such as energy module 604, 2004, technology modules such as technology module 2040, and / or visualization modules such as visualization module 2042.

[0156] In various embodiments, the header module of a modular energy system may be configured to control the overall system settings of each module within the modular energy system and its connected components via a physical control unit such as the physical control unit 626, 2011 and / or a graphical user interface (GUI) such as the GUI 645, 2008 rendered on a display screen. Such settings may include the startup of the modular energy system, alarm volume settings, foot switch settings, setting icons, the appearance or configuration of the user interface, the surgeon profile logged into the modular energy system, and / or the type of surgical procedure being performed. The header module may also be configured to provide communication, processing, and / or power to modules connected to the header module.

[0157] In various embodiments, the header module may include a control system, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), that can control various functions of the header module, such as data and power communication to a display or various other modules coupled to the header module. In one embodiment, the control system may be held in place within the header module by an EPAC, which is a foamed material with very large tolerances. Due to the tolerances of the EPAC, the PCB may vary in position within the header module.

[0158] In one embodiment, the PCB may include various externally accessible connectors mounted thereon, such as connector 740 shown in Figure 42. Connector 740 may be accessible through an opening 742 defined in a panel of the header module 744, such as the rear panel 746 of the header module 744. These connectors 740 allow external devices to be connected to the PCB and control various aspects of the PCB, and therefore of the header module 744.

[0159] As described above, the PCB can be held in place within the header module by an EPAC that can change the position of the PCB. As a result of the change in the position of the PCB, the externally accessible connector 740 can also change its position within the header module 744. To accommodate the various positions of the PCB mounting connector 740 within the header module 744, the opening 742 in the panel 746 needs to be large enough to allow the position of the connector 740 to change. However, an opening sized to accommodate the various positions of the PCB mounting connector is not ideal and could potentially allow access to the inside of the header module through the interior.

[0160] Referring here to Figures 43 and 44, a header module 750 is provided according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The header module 750 may include an enclosure 752 and a PCB 754 disposed within the enclosure 752. In one aspect, the PCB 754 can control various functions of the header module 750, such as data and power communication to a display or various other modules operably coupled to the header module 750. In various embodiments, the PCB 754 may be similar to other control systems disclosed herein, such as a control system 694.

[0161] In various embodiments, the PCB 754 may include a plurality of connectors 756 located thereon. The connectors 756 may be sized and configured to operably couple to an external control system capable of controlling the operation of the PCB 754, and therefore the header module 750. The enclosure 752 of the header module 750 may define an opening 758 therein, which may be sized to allow an external connector of the external control system to couple to a connector 756 located on the PCB 754.

[0162] In various embodiments, the header module 750 may further include several crush ribs 760 positioned within it. The crush ribs 760 may be positioned beneath the PCB 754 and may be used to control the position of the connector 756 of the PCB 754 within the enclosure 752 relative to the opening 758. In one embodiment, the crush ribs 760 may be biased upward at the rear end of the control system, as shown in Figure 44, which can ensure that the connector 756 "touches off" above the opening 758 of the enclosure 752. The use of the crush ribs 760 simplifies the tolerance stack of the EPAC and allows the opening 758 to be small enough to prevent access to the interior of the header module 750.

[0163] Screen configuration in the capital system As referenced elsewhere in this specification, modular energy systems such as modular energy systems 600, 601, and 2000 can be assembled from a variety of different modules that can provide different functions, thereby allowing modular energy systems to be assembled in different configurations and enabling customization of the functions and capabilities of the modular energy systems by customizing the modules included in each modular energy system. For example, as described above, a modular energy system may include several combinations of header modules such as header module 602, 2002 (which may include a display screen such as display screen 2006), energy modules such as energy module 604, 2004, technology modules such as technology module 2040, and / or visualization modules such as visualization module 2042.

[0164] In various embodiments, the header module of a modular energy system may be configured to control the overall system settings of each module within the modular energy system and its connected components via a physical control unit such as the physical control unit 626, 2011 and / or a graphical user interface (GUI) such as the GUI 645, 2008 rendered on a display screen. Such settings may include the startup of the modular energy system, alarm volume settings, foot switch settings, setting icons, the appearance or configuration of the user interface, the surgeon profile logged into the modular energy system, and / or the type of surgical procedure being performed. The header module may also be configured to provide communication, processing, and / or power to modules connected to the header module.

[0165] Currently, there is a trend toward touchscreen displays on devices because they offer both greater functionality and flexibility than knobs or buttons. As referenced elsewhere in this specification, displays can be coupled to and detached from header modules, for example, using a latch mechanism 660. The ability to detachably couple displays to header modules offers several advantages. For example, it allows displays to be manufactured separately from other components of a modular energy system. For example, it allows users to choose from a variety of different displays for use with a modular energy system, such as displays of varying sizes and / or degrees of functionality. The ability to detach displays from header modules is also beneficial from a transportation standpoint, while also facilitating maintenance when the display requires it. Therefore, it is desirable to continue improving detachable displays to offer additional advantages, such as reducing the number of parts, enabling the separation of display components, and providing a simple structure for displays that completely encloses all internal parts of the display.

[0166] Referring here to Figures 45 to 47, a display assembly 770 is provided according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the display assembly 770 may include a rear enclosure 772 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) subassembly 774 that is detachably coupled to the rear enclosure 772, as will be described in more detail below. In one embodiment, the rear enclosure 772 may be similar to the mounting structure 646. In one embodiment, the display assembly 770 may be similar to other displays described elsewhere in this specification.

[0167] In various embodiments, the LCD subassembly 774 may include an LCD touchscreen 776, a front cover 780, and an adhesive 778, such as a double-sided adhesive, configured to bond the LCD touchscreen 776 and the front cover 780. In one embodiment, the LCD touchscreen 776 may include a cover glass that can be bonded to the LCD touchscreen 776 by a suitable method, such as a liquid adhesive or air bonding, for example. In various embodiments, the front cover 780 and the LCD touchscreen 776 may be bonded to each other by various other methods besides the adhesive 778, such as screws or press-fitting.

[0168] Referring to Figures 45, 46, and especially Figure 48, the front cover 780 may include a plurality of latches 782 extending therefrom. The plurality of latches 782 can enable the LCD subassembly 774 to be removably coupled to the rear enclosure 772, as will be described in more detail below. In one embodiment, the plurality of latches 782 may extend around the front cover 780. In various other embodiments, the plurality of latches 782 may extend from separate locations on the front cover 780, such as from only one side of the front cover or from multiple sides of the front cover. In various embodiments, each of the latches 782 may include a base 784 extending from the front cover 780, a latch arm 786 extending from the base 784, and a latch head 788 extending from the latch arm 786. The latch head 788 may include a cam surface 790 and a contact surface 792.

[0169] Continuing to refer to Figure 48, the rear enclosure 772 may define an outer lip 773 and a recess 775 sized to receive the LCD subassembly 774. The lip 773 may be sized to cover the interior of the display assembly 770 when the LCD subassembly 774 is positioned within the recess 775. In various embodiments, the rear enclosure 772 may define a plurality of notches 794. The plurality of notches 794 may be defined within the rear enclosure 772 to correspond to latches 782 extending from the front cover 780.

[0170] In one embodiment, when assembling the display assembly 770, the LCD subassembly 774 can be moved toward a recess 775 in the rear enclosure 772. As the latch 782 moves through the recess 775, the cam surface 790 of the latch head 788 can engage with the cam surface 795 of the rear enclosure 772. The cam surface 795 of the rear enclosure 772 can cause the latch 782 to bend toward a bent position away from the notch 794 as the cam surface 790 of the latch 782 moves along the cam surface 795 of the rear enclosure 772. As the latch head 788 crosses the cam surface 795 of the rear enclosure 772, the latch head 788 can be biased backward toward a non-bent position and snapped into a notch 794 defined within the rear enclosure 772, as shown in Figure 48. With the latch head 788 positioned within the notch 794, the contact surface 792 of the latch head 788 can engage with the contact surface 796 of the notch 794, preventing the latch head 788 from disengaging from the notch 794 and thus preventing the LCD subassembly 774 from moving relative to the rear enclosure 772. In one embodiment, the rear enclosure 772 may define a hole therein that allows access to the latch 782 within the rear enclosure 772, thereby allowing a user to move the latch head 788 out of the notch 794 and to remove the LCD subassembly 774 from the rear enclosure 772.

[0171] In various embodiments, the rear enclosure 772 may include an electrical connector 798. In one embodiment, the electrical connector 798 may be similar to the electrical connector 656. Similarly, the LCD subassembly 774 may include an electrical connector. In one embodiment, as described above, once the LCD subassembly 774 is positioned within the rear enclosure 772, the electrical connector of the LCD subassembly 774 can be electrically coupled to the electrical connector 798 of the rear enclosure 772. In various embodiments, the electrical connection can be made using a wire harness and connectors that slide within the rear enclosure 772. Once assembled, the display assembly 770 can be coupled to a header module, as described elsewhere in this specification. In one exemplary embodiment, the electrical connector 798 of the rear enclosure 772 may be electrically coupled to an electrical connector, such as the electrical connector 638 of the header module, so that the header module can transmit control signals to the display assembly 770 and control its various operations. In one embodiment, the header module can control the GUI of the LCD touchscreen 776 to provide state updates for various modules operably coupled to the header module. In various embodiments, the header module can communicate with the display assembly 770 so that user input provided to the LCD touchscreen 776 can be communicated to the header module to control various aspects of the modular energy system. In one embodiment, the display assembly 770 may include a bezel around the LCD touchscreen 776, such as around a cover glass, and the header module can control the light emitted from the bezel to produce a highly aesthetic view with maximum usable space.

[0172] For example, various embodiments of the disclosures described herein, such as those related to Figures 17 to 48, may be used independently or in combination with each other. [Examples]

[0173] Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are illustrated in the following numbered examples.

[0174] Embodiment 1. A modular energy system comprising a header module having an enclosure and a display having a coupler. The enclosure defines a recess. The recess comprises a first guide wall and a second guide wall. The coupler is removablely disposed within the recess. The coupler comprises a first side wall configured to guide the coupler as it moves through the recess, and a second side wall configured to guide the coupler as it moves through the recess.

[0175] Example 2. The modular energy system according to Example 1, wherein the first side wall is angled relative to the second side wall.

[0176] Embodiment 3. A modular energy system according to any one or more of Embodiments 1 to 2, further comprising: a recess comprising a first capture arm configured to at least partially surround a first side wall as the coupler moves through the recess; and a second capture arm configured to at least partially surround a second side wall as the coupler moves through the recess, wherein the first and second capture arms are configured to prevent the coupler from rotating away from the recess.

[0177] Example 4. A modular energy system according to any one or more of Examples 1 to 3, wherein a header module comprises a first electrical connector, a recess further comprises a second electrical connector, and a first guide wall and a second guide wall are configured to guide the second electrical connector toward the first electrical connector as the coupler moves through the recess.

[0178] Example 5. A modular energy system according to any one or more of Examples 1 to 4, further comprising a latch mechanism configured to latch the display to a header module in a removable manner.

[0179] Embodiment 6. The modular energy system according to Embodiment 5, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a first latch arm extending from a display, and the enclosure of the header module further defines a first opening configured to receive the first latch arm through its interior.

[0180] Example 7. The modular energy system according to Example 6, wherein the first latch arm is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and the first latch arm is prevented from moving through the first opening in the locked position.

[0181] Embodiment 8. The modular energy system according to Embodiment 7, wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a slider button configured to move a first latch arm between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0182] Example 9. The modular energy system according to Example 8, wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a spring configured to bias the first latch arm toward the locked position.

[0183] Example 10. A modular energy system according to any one or more of Examples 6 to 9, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a slider bar, a first latch arm extending from the slider bar, and the latch mechanism further comprises a second latch arm extending from the slider bar, and the enclosure of the header module further defines a second opening configured to receive the second latch arm through its interior.

[0184] Example 11. A modular energy system according to any one or more of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the enclosure further defines a memory compartment configured to receive a memory card internally, and the memory card is hidden when the display is coupled to the header module.

[0185] Example 12. The modular energy system according to Example 11, further comprising a door configured to cover a memory compartment.

[0186] Example 13. A modular energy system comprising a header module with an enclosure, a display with a coupler, and a latching mechanism configured to removably latch the display to the header module. The enclosure defines a recess. The coupler is removably positioned within the recess.

[0187] Example 14. The modular energy system according to Example 13, wherein a header module comprises a first electrical connector, and a recess further comprises a second electrical connector, and the first electrical connector is configured to be electrically coupled to the second electrical connector.

[0188] Example 15. A modular energy system according to any one or more of Examples 13 to 14, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a first latch arm extending from a display, and the enclosure of the header module further defines a first opening configured to receive the first latch arm through its interior.

[0189] Embodiment 16. The modular energy system according to Embodiment 15, wherein the first latch arm is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and the latch mechanism further comprises a slider button configured to move the first latch arm between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0190] Embodiment 17. A modular energy system comprising a header module having a housing and a display having a coupler. The housing defines a recess. The recess comprises a first guide wall, a second guide wall angled with respect to the first guide wall, and a first electrical connector. The coupler is removablely disposed within the recess. The coupler comprises a second electrical connector configured to be removablely coupled to the first electrical connector, a first side wall configured to move along the first guide wall, and a second side wall configured to move along the second guide wall, wherein the first and second side walls are configured to guide the second electrical connector toward the first electrical connector.

[0191] Example 18. The modular energy system according to Example 17, further comprising a latching mechanism configured to latch the display to a header module in a removable manner.

[0192] Example 19. The modular energy system according to Example 18, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a first latch arm extending from a display, and the housing of the header module further defines a first opening configured to receive the first latch arm through its interior.

[0193] Example 20. The modular energy system according to Example 19, wherein the first latch arm is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and the latch mechanism further comprises a slider button configured to move the first latch arm between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0194] While several forms have been shown and described, it is not the applicant's intention to limit or restrict the attached claims to such details. Many modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents of these forms can be implemented and will be conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the structure of each element related to the described form can be alternatively described as a means for providing the function performed by that element. Also, while materials are disclosed with respect to specific components, other materials may be used. Therefore, it should be understood that the above description and the attached claims are intended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variations as being included within the scope of the disclosed forms. The attached claims are intended to cover all such modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions, alterations, and equivalents.

[0195] The detailed descriptions above have described various forms of apparatus and / or processes using block diagrams, flowcharts and / or embodiments. To the extent that such block diagrams, flowcharts and / or embodiments 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, flowcharts and / or embodiments can be implemented individually and / or collectively by various hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that some or all of the forms disclosed herein can be equivalently implemented on integrated circuits 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 substantially any combination thereof, and that designing circuits and / or writing software and / or firmware code falls within the scope of the skills of those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. Furthermore, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein can be distributed in various forms as one or more program products, and the specific forms of the subject matter described herein are applicable regardless of the particular type of signal carrier medium used to actually carry out the distribution.

[0196] Instructions used to program logic to implement various disclosed embodiments may be stored in system memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache, flash memory, or other storage. Furthermore, instructions may be distributed over a network or by other computer-readable media. Thus, machine-readable media may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), but are not limited to floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disks, read-only memory (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, read-only memory (ROMs), random access memory (RAMs), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or tangible machine-readable storage used for transmitting information over the Internet via electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Thus, non-temporary computer-readable media may include any type of tangible machine-readable media suitable for storing or transmitting electronic instructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).

[0197] When used in any aspect of this specification, the term “control circuit” can mean, for example, hardwired circuits, programmable circuits (e.g., computer processors, processing units, processors, microcontrollers, microcontroller units, controllers, digital signal processors (DSPs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) including one or more individual instruction processing cores), state-machine circuits, firmware that stores instructions executed by programmable circuits, and any combination thereof. Control circuits can be embodied collectively or individually as circuits that form part of a larger system, such as an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-a-chip (SoC), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a server, or a smartphone. Accordingly, as used herein, “control circuit” includes, but is not limited to, an electrical circuit having at least one separate electrical circuit, an electrical circuit having at least one integrated circuit, an electrical circuit having at least one application-specific integrated circuit, an electrical circuit forming a general-purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general-purpose computer configured by a computer program that performs at least partially the processes and / or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program that performs at least partially the processes and / or devices described herein), an electrical circuit forming a memory device (e.g., in the form of random access memory), and / or an electrical circuit forming a communication device (e.g., a modem, a communication switch, or an optical-electric installation). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in analog form, digital form, or some combination thereof.

[0198] When used in any aspect of this specification, the term “logic” may mean an application, software, firmware, and / or circuit configured to perform any of the operations described above. Software may be embodied as software packages, code, instructions, instruction sets, and / or data recorded on a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions, or instruction sets, and / or hardcoded (e.g., non-volatile) data in a memory device.

[0199] When used in any aspect of this specification, terms such as “component,” “system,” and “module” may refer to computer-related entities that are hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or running software.

[0200] Where used in any aspect of this specification, “algorithm” means a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result, and “step” means the manipulation of physical quantities and / or logical states that can take the form of electrical or magnetic signals, which are not necessarily required but can be stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. These signals are commonly referred to as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, etc. These and similar terms may be associated with appropriate physical quantities, or simply are convenient labels applied to these quantities and / or states.

[0201] A packet-switched network is one example of a network. Communication devices can communicate with each other using a selected packet-switched network communication protocol. One exemplary communication protocol is the Ethernet communication protocol, which can enable communication using the Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP). The Ethernet protocol may conform to or be compatible with the "IEEE 802.3 Standard" published in December 2008 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and / or later versions of the Ethernet standard. Alternatively or additionally, communication devices can communicate with each other using the X.25 communication protocol. The X.25 communication protocol may conform to or be compatible with standards published by the International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). Alternatively or additionally, communication devices can communicate with each other using the Frame Relay communication protocol. The Frame Relay communication protocol conforms to or may be compatible with standards published by the Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT) and / or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Alternatively or additionally, transceivers may communicate with each other using the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communication protocol. The ATM communication protocol conforms to or may be compatible with the ATM standard and / or later versions of this standard, published by the ATM Forum in August 2001 under the title "ATM-MPLS Network Interworking 2.0". Naturally, different and / or later developed connection-oriented network communication protocols are equally construed herein.

[0202] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, as is evident from the foregoing disclosures, any use of terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” and “displaying” throughout the foregoing disclosures should be understood to refer to the actions and processes of a computer system or similar electronic computing device that manipulate and convert data represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the registers and memory of a computer system into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the memory or registers of a computer system or other such information storage, transmission, or display device.

[0203] One or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable / operative to,” “adapted / adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable / conformed to,” and so on. Those skilled in the art will understand that “configured to” generally encompasses active components and / or inactive components and / or standby components, unless the context should interpret it otherwise.

[0204] The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein in reference to the clinician operating the handle portion of a surgical instrument. “Proximal” refers to the part closest to the clinician, and “distal” refers to the part further away from the clinician. For convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “up,” and “down” may be used herein in reference to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be restrictive and / or absolute.

[0205] Those skilled in the art will generally understand that the terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., the text of the appended claims), are generally intended to be "open" terms (for example, the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," and the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to"). Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that if a particular number is intended in an introduced claim recitation, such intent is clearly stated in the claim, and if such statement is not present, such intent does not exist. For example, to aid understanding, subsequent appended claims 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 interpreted as suggesting that any particular claim containing such introduced claim description is limited to claims containing only one such description, 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" (for example, "a" and / or "an" should generally be interpreted as meaning "at least one" or "one or more"). The same applies when introducing a claim description using a definite article.

[0206] In addition, even if a specific number is explicitly stated in the introduced claim, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that such a statement should typically be interpreted as meaning at least the number stated (for example, if there is a statement that is simply “two descriptions” without any other modifiers, it generally means at least two descriptions, or two or more descriptions). Furthermore, when a notation similar to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, such a notation is generally intended to be understood in a way that those skilled in the art will understand (for example, “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” 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 expressions similar to "at least one of A, B, or C" are used, such expressions are generally intended to be understood in a way that a person skilled in the art would understand (for example, "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). Furthermore, a person skilled in the art will understand that, typically, any disjunctive word and / or phrase representing two or more selective terms should be understood, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings, as intended to include the possibility of including one of those terms, any of those terms, or both of those terms, unless the context requires a different interpretation. For example, the phrase "A or B" will typically be understood to include the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0207] With respect to the attached claims, those skilled in the art will understand that the operations cited herein may generally be performed in any order. Furthermore, while various operations are shown in sequence(s), it should be understood that the operations may be performed in any order other than those shown, or simultaneously. Examples of such alternative orderings may include repetition, alternation, interruption, reordering, augmentation, preliminary, additional, simultaneous, reverse, or other different orderings, unless the context should imply otherwise. Moreover, terms such as “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variations, unless the context should imply otherwise.

[0208] It is worth noting that any reference to “one aspect,” “aspect,” “example,” or “example” means that the specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to that aspect is included in at least one aspect. Therefore, the phrases “in one aspect,” “in aspect,” “example,” and “example” found in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same aspect. Furthermore, specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any preferred manner in one or more aspects.

[0209] 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 that the incorporated material does not conflict with this Specified. Disclosures expressly stated herein, both in themselves and to the extent required, shall supersede any conflicting statements incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or any part thereof, that is referred to as being incorporated herein by reference but conflicts with current definitions, views, or other disclosures contained herein shall be incorporated only to the extent that there is no conflict between the incorporated material and the current disclosures.

[0210] In summary, the numerous benefits that can be obtained as a result of using the concepts described herein have been described. The above descriptions of one or more forms are presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes only. They are not intended to be comprehensive or to be limited to the exact forms disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. One or more forms have been selected and described to illustrate the principle and practical applications, thereby enabling a person skilled in the art to utilize the various forms, along with various modifications, for specific conceivable uses. The claims presented herein are intended to define the overall scope.

[0211] [Implementation Method] (1) A modular energy system, A header module comprising an enclosure, wherein the enclosure defines a recess, and the recess comprises a first guide wall and a second guide wall, A display comprising a coupler that can be detachably disposed within the recess, wherein the coupler is A first side wall, wherein the first guide wall is configured to guide the coupler through the recess, A modular energy system comprising: a second side wall, wherein the second guide wall is configured to guide the coupler through the recess; (2) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the first side wall is angled with respect to the second side wall. (3) The recess is A first capture arm is configured to at least partially surround the first side wall as the coupler moves through the recess, The device further comprises a second capture arm configured to at least partially surround the second side wall as the coupler moves through the recess, The modular energy system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the first and second capture arms are configured to prevent the coupler from rotating away from the recess. (4) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the header module comprises a first electrical connector, the recess further comprises a second electrical connector, and the first guide wall and the second guide wall are configured to guide the second electrical connector toward the first electrical connector as the coupler moves through the recess. (5) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 1, further comprising a latch mechanism configured to latch the display to the header module in a removable manner.

[0212] (6) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 5, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a first latch arm extending from the display, and the enclosure of the header module further defines a first opening configured to receive the first latch arm through its interior. (7) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 6, wherein the first latch arm is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and the first latch arm is prevented from moving through the first opening in the locked position. (8) The modular energy system according to embodiment 7, wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a slider button configured to move the first latch arm between the locked position and the unlocked position. (9) The modular energy system according to embodiment 8, wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a spring configured to bias the first latch arm toward the locked position. (10) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 6, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a slider bar, the first latch arm extending from the slider bar, the latch mechanism further comprises a second latch arm extending from the slider bar, and the enclosure of the header module further defines a second opening configured to receive the second latch arm through its interior.

[0213] (11) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the enclosure further defines a memory compartment configured to receive a memory card internally, and the memory card is hidden when the display is coupled to the header module. (12) The modular energy system according to embodiment 11, further comprising a door configured to cover the memory compartment. (13) A modular energy system, A header module comprising an enclosure, wherein the enclosure defines a recess, A display comprising a coupler that can be detachably disposed within the recess, A modular energy system comprising a latch mechanism configured to removably latch the display to the header module. (14) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 13, wherein the header module comprises a first electrical connector, the recess further comprises a second electrical connector, and the first electrical connector is configured to be electrically coupled to the second electrical connector. (15) The modular energy system according to embodiment 13, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a first latch arm extending from the display, and the enclosure of the header module further defines a first opening configured to receive the first latch arm through its interior.

[0214] (16) The modular energy system according to embodiment 15, wherein the first latch arm is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and the latch mechanism further comprises a slider button configured to move the first latch arm between the locked position and the unlocked position. (17) A modular energy system, A header module comprising a housing, wherein the housing defines a recess, and the recess is The first guide wall, A second guide wall angled with respect to the first guide wall, A header module comprising a first electrical connector, A display comprising a coupler that can be detachably disposed within the recess, wherein the coupler is A second electrical connector configured to be detachably coupled to the first electrical connector, A first side wall configured to move along the first guide wall, A modular energy system comprising: a second side wall configured to move along the second guide wall, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are configured to guide the second electrical connector toward the first electrical connector. (18) The modular energy system according to embodiment 17, further comprising a latch mechanism configured to latch the display to the header module in a removable manner. (19) The modular energy system according to embodiment 18, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a first latch arm extending from the display, and the housing of the header module further defines a first opening configured to receive the first latch arm through the interior. (20) The modular energy system according to embodiment 19, wherein the first latch arm is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and the latch mechanism further comprises a slider button configured to move the first latch arm between the locked position and the unlocked position.

Claims

1. A modular energy system for surgical procedures, Generator module and Header module and, The header module comprises a display that is detachably attached to the header module, The generator module comprises a first mounting section to which a unipolar RF energy surgical device is detachably attached, a second mounting section to which a bipolar RF energy surgical device is detachably attached, and a third mounting section to which an ultrasonic energy surgical device is detachably attached. A modular energy system for surgical procedures, comprising: a display unit that displays the setting status of the unipolar RF energy surgical device or a first setting screen for changing the settings of the unipolar RF energy surgical device; a second display unit that displays the setting status of the bipolar RF energy surgical device or a second setting screen for changing the settings of the bipolar RF energy surgical device; and a third display unit that displays the setting status of the ultrasonic energy surgical device or a third setting screen for changing the settings of the ultrasonic energy surgical device.

2. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 1, wherein in the generator module, the first mounting portion, the second mounting portion, and the third mounting portion are arranged in the same order as the first display portion, the second display portion, and the third display portion in the display.

3. The first display unit displays the power level of the unipolar RF energy surgical device, or displays the first setting screen for changing the power level of the unipolar RF energy surgical device. The second display unit displays the power level of the bipolar RF energy surgical device, or displays the second setting screen for changing the power level of the bipolar RF energy surgical device. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 1, wherein the third display unit displays the power level of the ultrasonic energy surgical device, or displays the third setting screen for changing the power level of the ultrasonic energy surgical device.

4. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 1, wherein the header module is stacked on top of the generator module.

5. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 1, comprising the unipolar RF energy surgical device, the bipolar RF energy surgical device, and the ultrasonic energy surgical device.

6. The ultrasonic energy surgical device comprises an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the modular energy system for surgical procedures is as described in claim 5.

7. When the display is attached to the header module, the first mounting portion is not covered by the display so that the unipolar RF energy surgical device can be attached to the first mounting portion. When the display is attached to the header module, the second mounting portion is not covered by the display so that the bipolar RF energy surgical device can be attached to the second mounting portion. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 1, wherein the third mounting portion is not covered by the display so that the ultrasonic energy surgical device can be attached to the third mounting portion when the display is attached to the header module.

8. The header module comprises an enclosure, the enclosure defines a recess, and the recess comprises a first guide wall and a second guide wall. The display includes a coupler that can be detachably disposed within the recess, The aforementioned coupler, A first side wall, wherein the first guide wall is configured to guide the first side wall as the coupler moves through the recess, A second side wall, wherein the second guide wall is configured to guide the coupler as it moves through the recess, The enclosure further defines a memory compartment configured to accept a memory card inside, The enclosure has a lip that protrudes inward from the memory compartment, The memory compartment is further provided with a door configured to cover it. The door, by engaging with the lip, covers the memory compartment, and the door, by disengaging from the lip, is removed from the enclosure. When the door engages with the lip and covers the memory compartment, the door and the surface of the enclosure surrounding the door form a coplanar plane. A modular energy system for surgical procedures according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the display can be coupled to the header module so that the door is concealed by the display when the door is engaged with the lip and covering the memory compartment.

9. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 8, wherein the first side wall is angled with respect to the second side wall.

10. The aforementioned recess is A first capture arm is configured to at least partially surround the first side wall as the coupler moves through the recess, The device further comprises a second capture arm configured to at least partially surround the second side wall as the coupler moves through the recess, The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 8, wherein the first and second capture arms are configured to prevent the coupler from rotating away from the recess.

11. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 8, wherein the header module comprises a first electrical connector, the recess further comprises a second electrical connector, and the first guide wall and the second guide wall are configured to guide the second electrical connector toward the first electrical connector as the coupler moves through the recess.

12. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 8, further comprising a latch mechanism configured to latch the display to the header module in a removable manner.

13. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 12, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a first latch arm extending from the display, and the enclosure of the header module further defines a first opening configured to receive the first latch arm through its interior.

14. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 13, wherein the first latch arm is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and the first latch arm is prevented from moving through the first opening in the locked position.

15. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 14, wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a slider button configured to move the first latch arm between the locked position and the unlocked position.

16. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 15, wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a spring configured to bias the first latch arm toward the locked position.

17. The modular energy system for surgical procedures according to claim 13, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a slider bar, the first latch arm extends from the slider bar, the latch mechanism further comprises a second latch arm extending from the slider bar, and the enclosure of the header module further defines a second opening configured to receive the second latch arm through its interior.

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