Air management in surgical smoke exhaust systems
A modular surgical system with air supply and smoke evacuation modules addresses the challenge of surgical smoke and fluid management, enhancing surgical visibility and safety through intelligent power distribution and customizable setups.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-28
Smart Images

Figure 2026088095000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Background Art
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a surgical system, and more particularly to an air supply and smoke evacuation system used in a surgical system.
[0002] During a surgical procedure involving an energy device, an air supply device is often used to provide air supply to a patient's body cavity, thereby improving visibility and access to the patient's body cavity. During a surgical procedure, smoke may be generated at the surgical site when an energy device is utilized. A surgical smoke evacuator is configured to evacuate smoke, as well as fluid and / or particles, from the surgical site.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0003] The following figures are included to illustrate particular aspects of the present disclosure and should not be regarded as exclusive embodiments. The disclosed subject matter is capable of considerable modification, alteration, combination, and equivalents in form and function without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. [Figure 1] A block diagram of a computer-implemented interactive surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] A diagram of various modules and other components, such as an energy module, an evacuation module, an air supply module, etc., that can be combined to customize a modular surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Various surgical instruments that can be used with the energy module of FIG. 2 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] A first exemplary modular surgical system configuration including a header module and a display screen representing a graphical user interface (GUI) for relaying information about modules connected to the header module. [Figure 4B]This is an isometric view of the modular surgical system shown in Figure 4A, mounted on a cart, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] A second exemplary modular surgical 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, two energy modules, and an exhaust module. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of an example of a modular surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] Figure 2 schematically illustrates the internal components of the air supply module according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 8] Figure 2 schematically illustrates the internal components within the discharge module according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of a modular surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of a modular surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart for controlling the modular surgical system of Figure 11, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of a modular surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] A trocar including a Luer lock connection, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] A schematic diagram illustrating a modular surgical system according to at least one aspect of this disclosure, comprising an insufflation module for supplying insufflation gas to a patient's body cavity, an exhaust module for drawing gas from the patient's body cavity, a common pump, three three-way valves, and three trocars. [Figure 15] This disclosure illustrates a modular surgical system, as shown in Figure 14, in which a common pump is in an insufflated state that provides additional air to the patient's body cavity. [Figure 16] An example of a modular surgical system, as shown in Figure 14, in which a common pump is in a discharge state that draws additional smoke from the patient's body cavity, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 17] A modular surgical system of Figure 14 in a cleaned state, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure, is illustrated. [Figure 18] A modular surgical system, further comprising a tertiary filter, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure, is illustrated in Figure 14. [Figure 19] A schematic diagram illustrating another modular surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, comprising an insufflation module for supplying insufflation gas to a patient's body cavity, an exhaust module for drawing gas from the patient's body cavity, a common pump, three three-way valves, four-way valves, and three trocars. [Figure 20] This disclosure illustrates a modular surgical system, as shown in Figure 19, in an insufflated state, in which a common pump provides additional air to the patient's body cavity, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 21] This disclosure illustrates a modular surgical system, as shown in Figure 19, in a discharged state, in which a common pump draws additional smoke from the patient's body cavity, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 22] A schematic diagram illustrating another modular surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, comprising an insufflation module for supplying insufflation gas to a patient's body cavity, an exhaust module for drawing gas from the patient's body cavity, a common pump, three three-way valves, and four trocars. [Figure 23] A schematic diagram of a modular surgical system according to at least one aspect of this disclosure is illustrated. [Figure 24] A flowchart illustrating the control of the modular surgical system shown in Figure 23, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure, is provided. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0004] The applicant of this application also owns the following U.S. patent applications filed concurrently, the disclosures of each of these, as a whole, are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 950,801, Title of Invention: "IMPROVED FILTER LIFE IN SURGICAL smoke EVACUATION SYSTEMS", U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 951,268, Title of Invention: "INTELLIGENT INSUFFLATION AND SMOKE EVACUATION", and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 951,342, Title of Invention: "SETTING EVACUATION MOTOR SPEEDS FOR SURGICAL TOOL EVACUATION MODULES".
[0005] This disclosure relates to an energy device for discharging smoke and / or other fluids and / or particulate matter from a surgical site, an air supply system for supplying air gas to a patient, and an exhaust system.
[0006] Smoke is often generated during surgical procedures that utilize one or more energy devices. Energy devices use energy to act on (treat) tissue. In energy devices, energy is supplied by a generator. Energy devices include devices with tissue contact electrodes, such as electrosurgical devices having one or more radio frequency (RF) electrodes, and devices with vibrating surfaces, such as ultrasonic devices having ultrasonic blades. In electrosurgical devices, the generator is configured to generate a vibrating current to energize the electrodes. In ultrasonic devices, the generator is configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations to energize the ultrasonic blade. Generators are described further in this specification. Emission modules are used to control the amount of smoke generated by energy devices during their use.
[0007] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100 (hereinafter, "surgical system 100") according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The surgical system 100 includes one or more subsurgical systems 102 and a cloud-based system (e.g., cloud 104) which may include a remote server 113 that communicates with a storage device 105. Each subsurgical system 102 includes at least one surgical hub 106 that communicates with the cloud 104 which may include the remote server 113.
[0008] In one example, as illustrated in Figure 1, each subsurgical 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 a hub 106. In some embodiments, each subsurgical 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. The surgical system 100 is described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 11,666,368, issued June 6, 2023, entitled “METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING AND USING A MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE DEVICES,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0009] Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary surgical hub 106 (FIG. 1) can be embodied as a modular surgical system 200 that can include various different modules 201 that can be connectable together in a stacked configuration. In one aspect, the modules 201 can be physically and communicatively coupled when stacked or otherwise connected together in a single assembly. Further, the modules 201 can be connectable to each other compatibly in different combinations or arrangements. In one aspect, each of the modules 201 can include a consistent or universal array of connectors disposed along their upper and lower surfaces, thereby enabling any module 201 to be connected to another module 201 in any arrangement (except that in some aspects, certain module types, such as header module 202, can be configured to function as the topmost module within a stack, for example). In an alternative aspect, the modular surgical system 200 can include a housing configured to receive and hold the modules 201. The modular surgical system 200 can also include various different components or accessories that can be connectable to or otherwise associated with the modules 201.
[0010] The modular surgical system 200 can be assembled from various different modules 201, some examples of which are illustrated in FIG. 2. Each of the different types of modules 201 can provide a different function, thereby enabling the modular surgical system 200 to be assembled into different configurations (for example, by customizing the modules 201 included in each modular surgical system 200) to customize the functionality and capabilities of the modular surgical system 200. The modules 201 of the modular surgical system 200 can include, for example, a header module 202 (which can include a display screen 206), an energy module 204, an exhaust module 208, an air supply module 210, and a visualization module 212.
[0011] In the depicted embodiment, the header module 202 is configured to function as the upper or topmost module in a modular surgical system stack and therefore may lack connectors along its upper surface. In another embodiment, the header module 202 can be configured to be positioned at the bottom of a modular surgical system stack or to be the bottommost module (i.e., the "footer" module) and therefore may lack connectors along its bottom surface. In yet another embodiment, the header module 202 can be configured to be positioned in an intermediate position within a modular surgical system stack and therefore may include connectors along both its bottom and top surfaces. The header module 202 can be configured to control the overall system settings of each module 201 and the components connected thereto through a physical control unit 411 on the header module 202 (Figure 4A) and / or through a graphical user interface (GUI) 408 (Figure 4A) rendered on a display screen 206. Such settings may include the startup of the modular surgical system 200, the volume setting of alerts, the settings of the footswitch, the settings icon, the appearance or configuration of the user interface, the surgeon profile logged into the modular surgical system 200, and / or the type of surgical procedure being performed. The header module 202 may also be configured to provide communication, processing, and / or power to the module 201 connected to the header module 202.
[0012] The energy module 204, alternatively referred to as the generator module, can be configured to generate one or more energy modalities for driving electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical instruments connected thereto. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the generator 204 is configured to drive a plurality of surgical instruments 300, 330, 360. The first surgical instrument is an ultrasonic surgical instrument 300, which includes a handpiece 302 (HP), an ultrasonic transducer 304, a shaft 306, and an end effector 308. The end effector 308 includes an ultrasonic blade 310 and a clamp arm 312 that are acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer 304. The handpiece 302 includes a trigger 314 for operating the clamp arm 312 and a combination of toggle buttons 316a, 316b, 316c for energizing and driving the ultrasonic blade 310 or other functions. The toggle buttons 316a-c can be configured to energize the ultrasonic transducer 304 using the generator 204.
[0013] The generator 204 is also configured to drive a second surgical instrument 330, which is an RF electrosurgical instrument and includes a handpiece 332 (HP), a shaft 334, and an end effector 336. The end effector 336 includes electrodes within the clamp arms 338a, 338b and returns through the electrical conductor portion of the shaft 334. The electrodes are connected to a bipolar energy source within the generator 204 and are energized by the bipolar energy source. The handpiece 332 includes a manually operable trigger 340 for operating the clamp arms 338a, b and an energy button 342 for operating an energy switch for energizing the electrodes within the end effector 336.
[0014] The generator 204 is a multifunctional surgical instrument 360, also configured to drive a third surgical instrument 360 comprising a handpiece 362 (HP), a shaft 364, and an end effector 366. The end effector 366 comprises an ultrasonic blade 368 and a clamp arm 370. The ultrasonic blade 368 is acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer 372. The handpiece 362 includes a trigger 374 for operating the clamp arm 370 and a combination of toggle buttons 376a, 376b, and 376c for energizing and driving the ultrasonic blade 368 or other functions. The toggle buttons 376a-c can be configured to energize the ultrasonic transducer 372 using the generator 204 and similarly energize the ultrasonic blade 368 using a bipolar energy source housed within the generator 204. Further embodiments of surgical instruments are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety by U.S. Patent No. 10,624,691, “TECHNIQUES FOR OPERATING GENERATOR FOR DIGITALLY GENERATING ELECTRICAL SIGNAL WAVEFORMS AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS,” issued April 21, 2020.
[0015] The exhaust module 208 (Figure 2) may be configured to exhaust smoke, fluid, and / or particulate matter generated by the application of therapeutic energy to tissue by one or more surgical instruments 300, 330, and 360. Exemplary exhaust modules are described in detail elsewhere in this specification and in U.S. Patent No. 11,602,393, issued March 14, 2023, entitled “SURGICAL EVACUATION SENSING AND GENERATOR CONTROL,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The air supply module 210 (Figure 2) may be configured to inflate a patient’s body cavity with air or gas for diagnostic or surgical procedures, thereby providing better visibility and access during the procedure.
[0016] The visualization module 212 (Figure 2) can be configured to interface with a visualization device (i.e., a scope) and thus provide enhanced visualization capabilities. Exemplary visualization modules and systems are described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 11,284,963, issued March 29, 2022, entitled "METHOD OF USING IMAGING DEVICES IN SURGERY," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0017] Referring again to Figure 2, the modular surgical system 200 may further include various accessories 229 that are connectable to module 201 to control the functions of module 201, or otherwise configured to function in conjunction with the modular surgical system 200. Examples of accessories 229 include a single-pedal footswitch 232, a dual-pedal footswitch 234, and a cart 230 for supporting the modular surgical system 200. The footswitches 232 and 234 may be configured, for example, to control the activation or function of specific energy modalities output by the energy module 204.
[0018] By utilizing modular components, the depicted modular surgical system 200 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 surgical system 200 supports combo devices (e.g., electrosurgery and ultrasound 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.
[0019] Various modular components available in connection with the modular surgical system 200 may include unipolar energy generators, bipolar energy generators, dual electrosurgical / ultrasonic energy generators, display screens, and various other modules and / or other components as described elsewhere in this specification.
[0020] Referring here to Figure 4A, the header module 202 may, in some embodiments, include a display screen 206 that displays a GUI 408 for relaying information about module 201 (Figure 2) connected to the header module 202. In some embodiments, the GUI 408 on the display screen 206 can provide all integrated control points of module 201 that constitute a particular configuration of the modular surgical system 200. In alternative embodiments, the header module 202 may lack a display screen 206, or the display screen 206 may be detachably connected to the housing 410 of the header module 202. In such embodiments, the header module 202 may be communicatively connectable to an external system configured to display information generated by module 201 of the modular surgical system 200. For example, in a robotic surgical application, the modular surgical system 200 may be communicatively connectable to a robotic cart or robotic control console, which is configured to display information generated by the modular surgical system 200 to the operator of the robotic surgical system. As another example, the modular surgical system 200 may be communicatively connected to a mobile display, which is carried by or attached to the surgical staff for viewing information on the mobile display. In a configuration utilizing a user interface separate from or otherwise distinct from the modular surgical system 200, the user interface may be wirelessly connected to the entire modular surgical system 200, or to one or more modules 201 thereof, so that the user interface can display information from the connected modules 200.
[0021] Referring further to Figure 4A, the energy module 204 may include a port assembly 412 that provides a number of different ports, each configured to deliver different energy modalities to corresponding surgical instruments (e.g., surgical instruments 300, 330, 360 in Figure 3) that can be connected to each port. In a particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 4A, the port assembly 412 includes a bipolar port 414, a first unipolar port 416a, a second unipolar port 416b, a neutral port 418 (to which a unipolar return pad can be connected), and a combined energy port 420. 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 412.
[0022] As described above, the modular surgical system 200 can be assembled into different configurations. Furthermore, different configurations of the modular surgical system 200 may also be available for different surgical procedure types and / or different tasks. For example, Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a first exemplary configuration of the modular surgical system 200, which includes a header module 202 (including a display screen 206) and an energy module 204 connected together. Such a configuration may be suitable, for example, for laparoscopic and open surgical procedures. As shown in Figure 4B, the modular surgical system 200 may be positioned on a cart 230, allowing the modular surgical system 200 to be easily moved around the operating room, for example (carried on wheels).
[0023] Figure 5 illustrates a second exemplary configuration of a modular surgical system 200, which includes a header module 202 (including a display screen 206) connected together and positioned on a cart 230, a first energy module 204a, a second energy module 204b, and an exhaust module 208. In such a configuration, the exhaust module 208 can exhaust smoke, fluid, and / or particulate matter generated by surgical instruments powered by the energy modules 204a,b.
[0024] Figure 6 is a block diagram of an example of a modular surgical system 600 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the modular surgical system 600 includes a header module 202 (including a display screen 206), an energy module 204 stacked and connected below the header module 202, an exhaust module 208 stacked and connected below the energy module 204, and an air supply module 210 stacked and connected below the exhaust module 208.
[0025] The header module 202 is configured to monitor, control, energize, and provide feedback regarding the operation of modules within the modular surgical system 600, such as the energy module 204, the discharge module 208, and the air supply module 210. As illustrated, the header module 202 includes a controller 620 comprising a processor 622 and a memory 624 that stores computer-readable instructions executable by the processor 622 to perform the functions and operations of the header module 602. Examples of memory 624 include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), computer chips, optical disks (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), etc.), magnetic disks (e.g., hard disk drives (HDDs), floppy disks, ZIP® disks, etc.), magnetic tapes, and solid-state storage devices (e.g., memory cards, "flash" media, etc.). As used herein, the term “computer-readable medium” refers to any device or system for storing and providing information (e.g., data and instructions) to the processor 622. Examples of computer-readable mediums include, but are not limited to, optical disks, magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, solid media, and servers for streaming media over a network.
[0026] Based on instructions stored in memory 624, the processor 622 may be configured to control power and data transmission between the header module 202, energy module 204, exhaust module 208, and air supply module 210 via the power interface 608 and data interface 610. For example, the header module 202 can send various commands via the data interface 610 to the energy module 204, exhaust module 208 (through energy module 204), and air supply module 210 (through energy module 204 and exhaust module 208). Such commands may be based on user input received on the display screen 206, as discussed elsewhere in this specification, or on input received by the controller 620 from various sensors communicably connected to the modular surgical system 600.
[0027] As a further example, power may be transmitted from the header module 202 via the power interface 608 to the energy module 204, the exhaust module 208 (through the energy module 204), and the air supply module 210 (through the energy module 204 and the exhaust module 208). The header module 202 may receive power from an external power source 660 (referred to herein as the "AC mains"), such as a wall outlet. The header module 202 may include an AC / DC converter 662 that receives AC power from the AC mains 660 and converts the AC power to DC power. The controller 202 may then distribute the DC power to the energy module 204, the exhaust module 208, and the air supply module 210 via the power interface 608. The controller 620 may further include a timer 626 for measuring elapsed time. The header module 202 may include sensors 628, such as current sensors and / or power sensors, which operably communicate with the controller 620 to measure current and power along the power interface 608.
[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the energy module 204 may include a controller 680 comprising a processor 682 and a memory 684 that stores computer-readable instructions executable by the processor 682 for performing the functions and operations of the energy module 204. The processor 682 and memory 684 may be similar to the processor 622 and memory 624, respectively. The controller 680 may receive power from the AC / DC converter 662 via a power interface 608 and may communicate operably with the controller 620 via a data interface 610.
[0029] The energy module 204 may further include an energy generator 670. The energy generator 670 may receive power from an AC / DC converter 662 along a power interface 608 and may communicate operably with a controller 680 via a wired or wireless connection, etc. The energy generator 670 may be operable to provide therapeutic energy to one or more surgical instruments, such as surgical instruments 300, 330, 360, via a port assembly 412, such as a bipolar port 414 (Figure 4), a first or second unipolar port 416a, 416b (Figure 4), or a combined energy port 420 (Figure 4). For example, the energy generator 670 may be energized with DC power provided from an AC / DC converter 662 along a power interface 608. The controller 680 may then receive input from a controller 620, etc. Based on the input, the controller 680 may control the energy generator 670 to provide therapeutic energy to one or more surgical instruments connected to the energy module 204 in the port assembly 412. The energy generator 670 may include sensors 672, such as current sensors and / or power sensors, which operably communicate with the controller 680 to measure the current and / or power supplied by the energy generator 670. Sensors 672 may also include impedance sensors for measuring the impedance of tissue grasped by one of the surgical instruments.
[0030] As shown in Figure 6, the display screen 206 includes a touchscreen 630 connected to a touch controller 632. The touch controller 630 is connected to a controller 620 to read inputs such as user input from the touchscreen 630. The controller 620 drives the LCD display 640 via a display / port video output signal 642. The controller 620 is further connected to an audio amplifier 652 to drive one or more speakers 650.
[0031] surgical air supply Minimally invasive surgical procedures often require the creation of a gas-filled cavity to provide the surgeon with adequate visibility and space to manipulate instruments such as the energy delivery devices 300, 330, and 360 shown in Figure 3. This gas-filled cavity can be created using an insufflation module, such as the insufflation module 210 (Figure 2).
[0032] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the internal components of the air supply module 210 of Figure 2, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The air supply module 210 may include an air supply housing 700 that houses a fan or pump 702, a humidifier 703, a heat reservoir 704, a heater 705, and an exhaust mechanism 706, all of which are located therein. In some embodiments, the heater 705 may be operable to generate heat, and the heat reservoir 704 is configured to receive and store the heat generated by the heater 705. This stored heat may be used to passively heat the gas moving through the air supply module 210, as will be described in more detail below. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the heat reservoir 704 may be omitted, and the heater 705 may be operable to actively heat the gas moving through the air supply module 210. The humidifier 703 may be operable to humidify the gas moving through the air supply module 210, as will be described in more detail below. Motor 718 is provided to drive pump 702. When the air supply module 210 is stacked with the header module 202, as in the arrangement shown in Figure 6, motor 718, humidifier 703, and heater 705 may receive power from AC mains 660 via power interface 608.
[0033] The air supply module 210 extends through the air supply housing 700 and defines a flow path 708 (partially shown by dashed lines) having an inlet port 710 and an outlet port 712. The pump 702, humidifier 703, heat reservoir 704, and exhaust mechanism 706 are arranged in a line and continuous within the flow path 708 through the air supply housing 700 between the inlet port 710 and the outlet port 712. In some embodiments, the heat reservoir 704 is a ring surrounding the flow path 708 to passively heat the gas moving through the flow path 708. The outlet port 712 may be fluid-coupled to a trocar, which may be in fluid communication with the patient's internal lumen (e.g., the patient's abdominal cavity).
[0034] The inlet port 710 can be fluidly connected to the gas supply source 720 using a conduit 722 (pipe). The gas supply source 720 may contain, for example, gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), helium, oxygen, air, xenon, argon, or nitrogen (N2).
[0035] Pump 702 is configured to generate a pressure difference in the flow path 708 by mechanical action. The pressure difference draws gas 714 from the gas supply source 720 through the conduit 722 to the inlet port 710 along the flow path 708. After moving through the humidifier 703 and the heat reservoir 704, gas 714 can be considered “heated / humidified” gas 716 (referred to herein as “supplied” gas 716), which can continue through the flow path 708 and the exhaust mechanism 706, and finally discharged (released) through the outlet port 712. The exhaust mechanism 706 can control the speed, direction, and / or other characteristics of the supplied gas 716 as it exits the supply module 210 at the outlet port 712.
[0036] The flow path 708 through the air supply module 210 may consist of a pipe or other conduit that substantially contains and / or separates the fluid moving through the flow path 708 from the fluid outside the flow path 708 (the surrounding environment).
[0037] surgical smoke exhaust As provided herein, energy devices such as the energy delivery devices 300, 330, and 360 in Figure 3 deliver mechanical (e.g., ultrasound) and / or electrical (e.g., RF) energy to target tissue in order to treat the tissue (e.g., to cut the tissue, to cauterize blood vessels, and / or to coagulate tissue within and / or near the target tissue). Cutting, cauterizing, and / or coagulating tissue may result in the release of fluids and / or particulate matter into the air. Such fluids and / or particulate matter released during a surgical procedure may constitute smoke, which may include, for example, carbon particles and / or other particles suspended in the air. In other words, the fluid may include smoke and / or other fluid substances.
[0038] Approximately 90% of endoscopic and open surgeries generate some level of smoke. This smoke can be unpleasant to the sense of smell of clinicians, assistants, and / or patients, may obstruct the clinician's view of the surgical site, and in certain cases, may be harmful to health if inhaled. For example, smoke generated during electrosurgical procedures may contain toxic chemicals, including acrolein, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile, acetylene, alkylbenzene, benzene, butadiene, butene, carbon monoxide, creosol, ethane, ethylene, formaldehyde, free radicals, hydrogen cyanide, isobutene, methane, phenol, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, propene, propylene, pyridene, pyrrole, styrene, toluene, and xylene, as well as dead and living cellular material (including blood fragments) and viruses. Certain substances identified in surgical smoke are classified as containing known carcinogens. It is estimated that one gram of tissue cauterized during electrosurgical procedures may contain the same amount of toxic and carcinogenic substances as six unfiltered cigarettes. Additionally, exposure to smoke released during electrosurgical procedures has been reported to cause eye and lung inflammation in healthcare workers.
[0039] In addition to the toxicity and odor associated with the substances in surgical smoke, the size of the particulate matter in surgical smoke can be harmful to the respiratory systems of clinicians, assistants, and / or patients. In certain cases, the particulate matter is extremely small, and repeated inhalation of extremely small particulate matter may lead to acute and chronic respiratory conditions in certain cases.
[0040] Many electrosurgical systems utilize surgical exhaust systems that draw out and capture smoke generated during surgery, directing the captured smoke away from the clinician and / or patient procedure through filters and exhaust ports. For example, an exhaust system such as exhaust module 208 (Figure 2) can be configured to exhaust smoke generated during electrosurgical procedures. Such an exhaust system may be called a “smoke exhaust system,” and such an exhaust system can be configured to exhaust not only smoke but also other substances from the surgical site.
[0041] Throughout this disclosure, the “fumes” discharged by the discharge system are not limited to fumes. Rather, the fumes discharge systems disclosed herein can be used to discharge a variety of fluids, including liquids, gases, vapors, fumes, water vapor, or combinations thereof. The fluids may be of biological origin and / or introduced into the surgical site from an external source during the procedure. Examples of fluids include water, saline solution, lymph, blood, exudate, and / or purulent discharge. Furthermore, the fluids may contain particulate matter or other substances (e.g., cellular material or cell fragments) discharged by the discharge system. For example, such particulate matter may be suspended in the fluid.
[0042] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the internal components of the exhaust module 208 of Figure 2 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The exhaust module 208 includes an exhaust housing 801 in which a fan or pump 804 and a filter 800 are positioned. Smoke drawn into the exhaust housing 801 proceeds to the filter 800, where harmful toxins and unpleasant odors are filtered from the smoke as it moves through (crosses) the filter 800. The filtered air 814 can then exit the exhaust module 208 as exhaust.
[0043] The discharge module 208 extends through the discharge housing 801 and defines a flow path 806 (shown by a dashed line) having an inlet port 808 and an outlet port 810. The filter 800, pump 804, and exhaust mechanism 802 are arranged in a continuous line within the flow path 806 through the discharge housing 801 between the inlet port 808 and the outlet port 810. The inlet port 808 may be fluid-connected to a suction conduit 702, which may have a distal conduit opening that can be positioned at the surgical site.
[0044] Pump 804 is configured to generate a pressure difference in the flow path 806 by mechanical action. The pressure difference is configured to draw smoke 812 from the surgical site into the inlet port 808 and along the flow path 806. After passing through the filter 800, the smoke 812 can be considered “filtered” smoke or air 814 (referred to herein as “filtered air 814”), which can continue through the flow path 806 and is finally discharged through the outlet port 810.
[0045] As illustrated, the flow path 806 may include a first zone 816 and a second zone 818. The first zone 816 is located upstream of the pump 804, and the second zone 818 is located downstream of the pump 804. The pump 804 is configured to generate a vacuum and, separately, pressurize the fluid in the flow path 806, thereby pumping the fluid from the first zone 816 to the second zone 818 through the pump 804. The motor 820 drives the pump 804. When the discharge module 208 is stacked with the header module 202, the motor 820 may receive power via the power interface 608, as in the arrangement shown in Figure 6. The exhaust mechanism 802 is a mechanism that can control the velocity, direction, and / or other characteristics of the filtered air 814 exiting the discharge module 208 at the outlet port 810.
[0046] The flow path 806 through the discharge module 208 may consist of pipes or other conduits that substantially contain and / or separate the fluid moving through the flow path 806 from the fluid outside the flow path 806 (the surrounding environment). For example, the first zone 816 of the flow path 806 may include a pipe that extends between the filter 800 and the pump 804. The second zone 818 of the flow path 806 may also include a pipe (conduit) that extends between the pump 804 and the exhaust mechanism 802. The flow path 806 may also extend through the filter 800, the pump 804, and the exhaust mechanism 802 so that the flow path 806 extends continuously from the inlet port 808 to the outlet port 810.
[0047] During operation, smoke 812 can flow into the filter 800 after crossing the inlet port 808, and can be pumped through the flow path 806 by the pump 804 so that the smoke 812 is drawn into the filter 800. The filtered air 814 released from the filter 800 can then be pumped out through the exhaust mechanism 802 and out of the outlet port 810 of the discharge system 208. The filtered air 814 exiting the discharge module 208 at the outlet port 810 is exhaust and may consist of filtered gas that has passed through the discharge module 208. Further information relating to the discharge module 208 is described in U.S. Patent No. 11,602,393, issued March 14, 2023, titled "SURGICAL EVACUATION SENSING AND GENERATOR CONTROL," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0048] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the discharge module 208 may further include a plurality of sensors 820a, 820b, 820c, 820d positioned along the flow path 806 to measure one or more parameters related to smoke 812 and / or filtered air 814 flowing along the flow path 806. If the discharge module 208 is configured to be stacked with a header module 202, for example, as shown in Figure 6, the sensors 820a-d can communicate operably with the controller 620, for example, along a data interface 610 (Figure 6), and can receive power from the header module 202 via a power interface 608 (Figure 6). The controller 620 receives measurements from the sensors 820a-d and can control various operations of the modular surgical system based on these measurements. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 620 can control the speed of a motor 820 based on the received measurements.
[0049] One or more of the sensors 820a to d may be flow sensors for measuring the flow rate of smoke 812 / filtered air 814 along the flow path 806, for example, the flow rate entering the inlet port 808 (sensor 820a), the flow rate passing through the first zone 816 (sensor 820b), the flow rate passing through the second zone 818 (sensor 820c), and / or the flow rate leaving the outlet port 810 (sensor 820d). Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of the sensors 820a to d may be pressure sensors for measuring the pressure of smoke 812 / filtered air 814 along the flow path 806, for example, the inlet port 808 (sensor 820a), the first zone 816 (sensor 820b), the second zone 818 (sensor 820c), and / or the outlet port 810 (sensor 820d). In some embodiments, sensors 820a-d may be used by the controller 620 to measure pressure differences along the flow path 806, such as the pressure difference across the filter 800, using the first and second sensors 820a,b. The discharge module 208 may include a combination of both flow sensors and pressure sensors.
[0050] Intelligent power control air supply function based on smoke exhauster operation Due to the varying number of modules used, modular surgical systems may require more power than is available from a single AC mains 660, such as two or three AC mains, each requiring its own dedicated branch circuit within the operating room. Intelligently utilizing and distributing power from a single AC mains 660 can reduce the total required peak demand on the AC mains 660, which can help reduce constraints on the types of modules combined (e.g., header modules, energy modules, exhaust modules, air supply modules, etc.) and on the total number of AC mains connections for the modular surgical system.
[0051] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a modular surgical system 900 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the modular surgical system 900 includes a header module 202 (which may include a display screen 206 (Figure 6)), a first energy module 204a stacked and connected below the header module 202, a second energy module 204b stacked and connected below the first energy module 204a, and an air supply module 210 stacked and connected below the second energy module 204b. The modular surgical system 900 may include additional modules as described elsewhere herein, such as an exhaust module 208 (Figure 6), or may include fewer modules (e.g., only one energy module 204). The modular surgical system 900 may be similar in some respects to the modular surgical system 600.
[0052] Energy modules 204a and 204b are key users of the power from the AC mains power supply 660 in the modular energy system 900. Each of the energy modules 204a and 204b may transition between an active state in which energy modules 204a and 204b transmit energy to surgical instruments (e.g., one of the surgical instruments 300, 330, and 360 in Figure 3) and an idle state in which energy modules 204a and 204b refrain from transmitting energy to surgical instruments. As can be understood, energy modules 204a and 204b consume less power in the idle state, in contrast to the active state. For example, in an idle state, the header module 202 and the two energy modules 204a and 204b may consume a first amount of power (e.g., 275W, 137.5W per energy module), and while in an active state, the header module 202 and the two energy modules 204a and 204b may be constrained to consume a maximum of a second amount of power (e.g., 785W, 392.5W per energy module), which is greater than the first amount of power.
[0053] In real-world scenarios, the actual time that energy modules 204a and b are active is significantly less than the time they are idle. Furthermore, in most situations, energy modules 204a and b may be constrained to deliver only a fraction (percentage) of their maximum energy, rather than delivering their maximum energy.
[0054] The AC mains power supply 660 may be capable of delivering a supply of power (e.g., 1050W) to the modular surgical system 900. Thus, with both energy modules 204a and b in their active state, a first amount of free power may be available to the rest of the modular energy system 900 (e.g., 1050W - 785W = 265W), and with energy modules 204a and b in their idle state, a second amount of free power greater than the first amount may be available for the remaining modules of the modular energy system 900 (e.g., 1050W - 275W = 775W). The amount of free power may also change based on the transition of other modules in the modular surgical system 900 between idle and active states. For example, the modular surgical system 900 may further include a discharge module 208 (Figure 8), and the amount of free power may further depend on whether the discharge module 208 is in an active state in which the pump 804 (Figure 8) draws smoke 812 (Figure 8) into the discharge module 208, and in an idle state in which the pump 804 refrains from drawing smoke 812 into the discharge module 208.
[0055] As discussed elsewhere in this specification, the air supply module 210 includes a pump 702 configured to draw gas 714 from the gas supply source 720 through conduit 722 to the inlet port 710, along the flow path 708, and through the humidifier 703 and heat reservoir 704, thereby generating the supply gas 716. Operating the air supply module 210 may require a first energy output (e.g., 200 W) without heating the gas 714 in the heat reservoir 704 / heater 705. For example, the air supply module 210 may require a first energy output to start the motor 718 to draw the gas 714 into it and / or to energize the humidifier 703. Furthermore, the air supply module 210 may be constrained to consume a maximum of a second energy output (e.g., 850 W) greater than the first energy output when heating the gas 714 in the heat reservoir 704 / heater 705.
[0056] As discussed above, the amount of power available to the remaining modules of the modular surgical system 900 depends on whether energy modules 204a and b are in their active or idle state. For example, when both energy modules 204a and b are in the active state, there is a first amount of free power available to the air supply module 210 (e.g., 265W). Thus, with energy modules 204a and b in the active state, a first amount of thermal energy is available to heat the gas 714 (e.g., 265W - 200W = 65W). Furthermore, with energy modules 204a and b in the idle state, there is a second amount of free power available to the air supply module 210 (e.g., 775W). Thus, with energy modules 204a and b in the idle state, a second amount of thermal energy greater than the first amount of thermal energy is available to heat the gas (e.g., 775W - 200W = 575W).
[0057] It should be noted that the power values provided above are merely illustrative examples illustrating the boundary conditions of the modular surgical system 900, illustrating how less energy delivery to the patient via energy modules 204a and 204b results in more available energy for the air supply module 210 to heat the gas from the gas supply source 720.
[0058] As discussed above, intelligent utilization and distribution of power from a single AC mains power supply 660 can reduce the total required peak demand on the AC mains power supply 660. Therefore, the air supply module 210 may further include a power controller 902 that can operably communicate with the AC mains power supply 660 via a power interface 608 and with other modules in the modular surgical system 900 via a data interface 610.
[0059] The power controller 902 may be operable to determine the amount of free energy available from the AC mains power supply 660. The amount of free energy may be the difference between the amount of energy supplied from the AC mains power supply 660 and the amount of energy consumed by other modules in the modular surgical system 900.
[0060] The modular surgical system 900 may further include a power sensor 904a for detecting the amount of power supplied from the AC mains power supply 660, and a plurality of power sensors 904b, 904c, 904d, 904e, 904f for detecting the amount of power drawn from various other modules within the modular surgical system 900. For example, power sensor 904b may detect the power draw from the header module 202 from the AC mains power supply 660, power sensors 904c,d may detect the power draw from the energy module 202 from the AC mains power supply 660, power sensor 904e may detect the power draw from the motor 718 from the AC mains power supply 660, and power sensor 904f may detect the power draw from the humidifier 703. The power controller 902 may communicate with the power sensors 900a-f via one or more wired connections, such as along the data interface 610, or wirelessly. The power sensors 904a-f may be current sensors, voltage sensors, or any other suitable sensors designed to detect power draws.
[0061] The power controller 902 may be operated to determine the amount of free power available from the AC main power supply 660 by subtracting the detected power withdrawals, as detected by power sensors 904b to f, from the amount of power supplied from the AC main power supply 660, as detected by power sensor 904a. Based on the determination of the amount of free power available from the AC main power supply 660, the power controller 902 may draw the maximum amount of free power from the AC main power supply 660 and supply power to the heater 705, thereby storing heat in the heat reservoir 704.
[0062] For example, as considered above, the AC mains power supply 660 may be capable of supplying 1050W of power to the modular surgical system 900. Both energy modules 204a and 204b can be switched to their active state, which allows them to utilize 785W of power from the AC mains power supply 660. The power controller 902 may detect the amount of power supplied by the AC mains power supply 660 via power sensor 904a and the amount of power drawn by the header module 202 and energy modules 204a and 204b via power sensors 904b to 204d. Based on the readings detected from sensors 904b to 204d, the power controller 902 may determine that 265W of free power is available to the air supply module 210. Thus, the power controller 902 may draw up to 265W of free power, distributing 200W to the motor 718 and humidifier 703 and the remaining 65W to the heater 705 to heat the heat reservoir 704.
[0063] Later, both energy modules 204a and 204b may transition to an idle state, where they can utilize 275W of power from the AC mains power supply 660. The power controller 902 may detect this change via power sensors 904b to 204d, and based on the detected readings from sensors 904b to 204d, the power controller 902 may determine that 775W of free power is available from the AC mains power supply 660 for the air supply module 210. Thus, the power controller 902 may draw up to 775W of free power, distributing 200W to the motor 718 and humidifier 703, and the remaining 575W to the heater 705 to heat the heat reservoir 704.
[0064] Therefore, the aforementioned arrangement allows the modular surgical system 900 to dynamically and intelligently change the amount of thermal energy supplied to the heater 705 based on the amount of power available from the AC mains 660, thereby reducing the total required peak demand from the AC mains 660 and potentially reducing constraints on the type of modules combined and the total number of AC mains connections for the modular surgical system 900.
[0065] The above description concerned a power controller 902 that can draw free power from the AC mains power supply 660 for the air supply module 210, but other embodiments are conceivable in which other modules include a power controller 902 for drawing free power. For example, in some embodiments, the discharge module 208 (Figure 8) may include a power controller 902 for drawing free power to supply power to the motor 820 (Figure 8). In such embodiments, the discharge module 208 can dynamically adjust the speed of the pump 804 (Figure 8) according to the amount of free power from the AC mains power supply 660.
[0066] In some embodiments, the power controller 902 can determine the amount of free power available from the AC main power supply 660 and intelligently distribute power among multiple modules. For example, the power controller 902 can determine that free power is available from the AC main power supply 660 and selectively distribute a first amount of free power to a first surgical module such as the air supply module 210, and a second amount of free power to a second surgical module such as the exhaust module 208. Thus, the power controller 902 can intelligently utilize the free power available from the AC main power supply 660 for multiple modules.
[0067] Alternatively, the modular surgical system 900 may not include a power controller 902; rather, the controller 620 of the header module 202 may perform all of the aforementioned functions of the power controller 902. For example, sensors 904a to 904f may communicate operably with the controller 620, which can selectively distribute a free amount of power to the air supply module 210, as considered above.
[0068] Air management in pressure chambers As discussed above, modular surgical systems may require more power than is available from a single AC mains, such as two or three AC mains, and each requires its own dedicated branch circuit within the operating room due to the varying number of modules that can be used. By intelligently utilizing and distributing power from a single AC mains, a reduction in the total required peak demand on the AC mains can be achieved, which can help reduce constraints on the type of modules combined and on the total number of AC mains connections for the modular surgical system.
[0069] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a modular surgical system 1000 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The modular surgical system 1000 may be similar in arrangement and function to the modular surgical system 600 of Figure 6, and can therefore be best understood by referring to it, and in the figure, similar numbers are used to represent similar components that are again not described in detail.
[0070] The modular surgical system 1000 may include an air supply module 210, a gas supply source 720 fluidly connected to the air supply module 210 via a conduit 722 (Figure 7), and a positive pressure plenum 1002 fluidly connected to the air supply module 210. The modular surgical system 1000 may further include a first valve 1004 positioned between the air supply module 210 and the positive pressure plenum 1002, and transitionable between an open state in which the air supply module 210 and the positive pressure plenum 1002 are in fluid communication and a closed state in which fluid communication between the air supply module 210 and the positive pressure plenum 1002 is blocked.
[0071] The modular surgical system 1000 may further include a second valve 1006 positioned between a positive pressure plenum 1002 and an insufflated trocar 1008 inserted into a patient's body cavity 1010 (e.g., the patient's abdominal cavity), and which is transitionable between an open state for fluidizing the positive pressure plenum 1002 and the patient's body cavity 1010, and a closed state for fluidly separating the positive pressure plenum 1002 from the patient's body cavity 1010.
[0072] The modular surgical system 1000 may further include a discharge module 208 and a negative pressure plenum 1012 fluidly connected to the discharge module 208 via a conduit 722 (Figure 7) or the like. The modular surgical system 1000 may further include a third valve 1016 positioned between the negative pressure plenum 1012 and a discharge trocar 1018 inserted into the patient's body cavity 1010 (e.g., the patient's abdominal cavity), and transitionable between an open state for fluidly connecting the negative pressure plenum 1012 to the patient's body cavity 1010 and a closed state for fluidly separating the negative pressure plenum 1012 from the patient's body cavity 1010.
[0073] The modular surgical system 1000 may further include a fourth valve 1014 positioned between the discharge module 208 and the negative pressure plenum 1012, and transitionable between an open state for fluid coupling between the discharge module 208 and the negative pressure plenum 1012 and a closed state for fluid separation of the discharge module 208 from the negative pressure plenum 1012.
[0074] Valves 1004, 1006, 1014, and 1016 may be any suitable valve (e.g., gate, globe, ball, etc.) that is transitionable (operable) between an open state and a closed state. Each of the valves 1004, 1006, 1014, and 1016 may include a motor that is operable to communicate with the controller 620 (Figure 6) and the AC mains power supply 660, the motors function to transition the valves 1004, 1006, 1014, and 1016 between their respective open and closed states. Alternatively, the valves 1004, 1006, 1014, and 1016 may be solenoid valves that are transitionable between their respective open and closed states by the controller 620 and powered by the AC mains power supply 660. Trocars 1008 and 1018 may be similar to the trocars described elsewhere in this Spec., or to the trocar described in U.S. Patent No. 11,369,443 issued June 28, 2022, titled "METHOD US USING A SURGICAL MODULAR ROBOTIC ASSEMBLY," the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0075] Referring to Figures 6 and 10, the controller 620 may function to determine the amount of free energy available from the AC mains power supply 660, as described elsewhere in this specification. The amount of free energy may be the difference between the amount of energy supplied from the AC mains power supply 660 and the energy consumed by other modules in the modular surgical system 1000.
[0076] For example, the modular surgical system 1000 may further include a power sensor (similar to power sensor 904a in Figure 9) for detecting the amount of power supplied from the AC mains power supply 660, and a plurality of power sensors (similar to power sensors 904b-f in Figure 9) for detecting the amount of power drawn from various other modules within the modular surgical system 900. The controller 620 may communicate with the power sensors via one or more wired connections, such as along the data interface 610, or wirelessly. The power sensors may be current sensors, voltage sensors, or any other suitable sensors designed to detect power draws.
[0077] The modular surgical system 1000 may further include a pressure sensor 1020 for detecting the pressure in the patient's body cavity 1010. The pressure sensor 1020 may be fluidly connected to the patient's body cavity 1010 at the supply trocar 1008, the discharge trocar 1018, or at any other suitable location. The modular surgical system 1000 may further include pressure sensors 1022, 1024 for detecting the pressure in the positive pressure plenum 1002 and the negative pressure plenum 1012, respectively.
[0078] The controller 620 may be configured to determine the amount of free power available from the AC mains power supply 660 by subtracting the detected power draw from the detected power supply from the AC mains power supply 660. The controller 620 may compare the determined amount of free power with a power threshold that can be stored in memory 624. Based on the comparison, the controller 620 may selectively control the valves 1004, 1006, 1014, 1016, the air supply module 210, and the exhaust module 208, as will be described in more detail below.
[0079] Referring here to Figure 11, a flowchart 1100 for controlling the modular surgical system 1000 of Figure 10, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, is illustrated. In some embodiments, the flowchart 1100 is embodied as an algorithm stored in the memory 624 (Figure 6) of the controller 620 (Figure 6) and is executable by the processor 622 (Figure 6).
[0080] A discussion of the flow chart 1100 is provided here with reference to Figures 6-8 and 10. In step 1102, the controller 620 may execute algorithm 1100, for example, in response to user input on the touchscreen 630 or when the modular surgical system 1000 is powered by the AC mains power supply 660.
[0081] The controller 620 may then proceed to step 1104, where it provides initial air to the patient's body cavity 1010. More specifically, the controller 620 moves valves 1004 and 1006 to their respective open states (set) (step 1104a), moves valves 1014 and 1014 to their respective closed states (step 1104b), energizes the air supply motor 718 (step 1104c), and maintains the discharge motor 820 in an unenergized or idle state (step 1104d). Therefore, in step 1104, the controller 620 delivers gas 714 from the gas supply source 720 through the air supply module 210 (thus generating the air supply gas 716), through the valve 1004, the positive pressure plenum 1002, the valve 1006, and the air supply trocar 1008 to the patient's body cavity 1010 using the air supply motor 718, thereby providing initial air to the patient's body cavity 1010.
[0082] The controller 620 may then proceed to step 1106, where it determines whether the desired pressure has been achieved in the patient's body cavity 1010. For example, the controller 620 may determine the pressure in the patient's body cavity 1010 by querying the pressure sensor 1020, such as via the data interface 610 or wirelessly. The controller 620 may read a pressure threshold from memory 624 and compare the determined pressure in the patient's body cavity 1010 with the pressure threshold. If the pressure in the patient's body cavity 1010 is less than the pressure threshold, the controller 620 may return to step 1104 to provide additional air to the patient's body cavity 1010. Conversely, if the pressure in the patient's body cavity 1010 is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold, the controller 620 may proceed to step 1108.
[0083] In step 1108, the controller 620 may determine the amount of free power available from the AC main power supply 660 and whether the amount of free power is equal to or greater than a power threshold. For example, as considered above, the controller 620 may query various power sensors of the modular surgical system 1000 to determine the amount of free power from the AC main power supply 660. The controller 620 may then compare the amount of free power with a power threshold that can be stored in memory 624 to determine whether the amount of free power is equal to or greater than the power threshold.
[0084] Based on the controller 620's determination that the amount of free power is less than the power threshold, the controller 620 may loop and continue to determine when / if the amount of free power reaches / exceeds the power threshold. While the controller 620 is looping and continuing to determine when / if the amount of free power reaches / exceeds the power threshold, the controller 620 may determine in step 1109 whether a smoke emission event has been triggered (detected). A smoke emission event may result from a user providing input to the touchscreen 630, as described elsewhere in this specification, the pressure in the patient's body cavity 1010 reaching or exceeding a pressure threshold that can be stored in memory 624 (when detected by sensor 1020), or any other suitable event that energizes the motor 820 of the emission module 208 to emit smoke 812 from the patient's body cavity 1010. If no smoke emission event is triggered, the controller 620 may continue looping to determine when / if the amount of free power reaches / exceeds the power threshold. If a smoke emission event is triggered, the controller 620 may proceed to step 1120 to provide insufflation and exhaust to the patient's body cavities, as will be described in more detail below.
[0085] As in step 1108, based on the controller 620's determination that the amount of free power reaches or exceeds a power threshold, the controller 620 may proceed to step 1110 to prime (pressurize) the positive pressure plenum 1002 and the negative pressure plenum 1012. More specifically, the controller 620 may open valve 1004 and close valve 1006 (step 1110a), and energize the air supply motor 718 (step 1110b), thereby positively pressurizing the positive pressure plenum 1002. The controller 620 may then proceed to step 1110c, where it determines whether a desired pressure has been achieved in the positive pressure plenum 1002. For example, the controller 620 may query pressure sensor 1022 to determine the pressure in the positive pressure plenum 1002 and compare the determined pressure with a positive pressure threshold that can be stored in memory 624. Based on the determined pressure being less than the positive pressure threshold, the controller 620 may return to step 1110b and continue pressurizing the positive pressure plenum 1002. If the pressure reaches or exceeds the positive pressure threshold, the controller 620 may proceed to step 1110d, where the controller 620 de-energizes the air supply motor 718 and moves the valve 1004 to the closed position, thereby generating a "pressurized" positive pressure plenum 1002.
[0086] Similarly, the controller 620 may open valve 1014 and close valve 1016 (step 1110e), and energize the discharge motor 820 (step 1110f), thereby pressurizing the negative pressure plenum 1012 negatively. The controller 620 may then proceed to step 1110g, where it determines whether a desired pressure has been achieved in the negative pressure plenum 1012. For example, the controller 620 may query the pressure sensor 1024 to determine the pressure in the negative pressure plenum 1012 and compare the determined pressure with a negative pressure threshold that can be stored in memory 624. If the pressure is greater than the negative pressure threshold, the controller 620 may return to step 1110f and continue pressurizing the negative pressure plenum 1012. However, if the pressure reaches or falls below the negative pressure threshold, the controller 620 may proceed to step 1110h, where the controller 620 de-energizes the discharge motor 820 and moves the valve 1014 to the closed position, thereby generating a "pressurized" negative pressure plenum 1012.
[0087] During step 1110, the controller 620 may continuously or periodically compare the amount of free power from the AC mains power supply 660 with a power threshold as the plenums are primed. During step 1110, based on the amount of free power falling below the power threshold, the controller 620 may proceed to steps 1110d and 1110h, thereby stopping the priming of the positive pressure plenum 1002 and the negative pressure plenum 1012. In some embodiments, the controller 620 may return to step 1110 and continue priming the positive pressure plenum 1002 and the negative pressure plenum 1012 based on the amount of free power again reaching or exceeding the power threshold, and at least one of the positive pressure plenum 1002 and the negative pressure plenum 1012 not reaching their respective positive pressure thresholds and negative pressure thresholds.
[0088] In some embodiments, during step 1110, the controller 620 may pressurize the positive pressure plenum 1002 (steps 1110a-c) and simultaneously pressurize the negative pressure plenum 1012 (steps 1110e-g). In other embodiments, during step 1110, the controller 620 may pressurize only one of the positive pressure plenum 1002 (steps 1110a-c) or the negative pressure plenum 1012 (steps 1110e-g). For example, during step 1110, the controller 620 may first pressurize the negative pressure plenum 1012 using the available free power from the AC mains power supply 660 (steps 1110e-g). Once the negative pressure plenum 1012 is sufficiently primed (step 1110g), the controller may proceed to step 1110h, de-energizing the discharge motor 820 and closing the valve 1014, thereby generating a "pressurized" negative pressure plenum 1012. The controller 620 may then proceed to pressurize the positive pressure plenum 1002 using the available free power from the AC mains power supply 660 (steps 1110a-c).
[0089] The controller 620 then proceeds to step 1112 and, as in step 1109, may determine whether a smoke emission event has been triggered (detected). If no smoke emission event has been triggered, the controller 620 may loop in step 1112 until a smoke emission event is triggered, or, if the respective positive and negative pressure thresholds have not been achieved and the controller 620 determines that the amount of free power from the AC mains power supply 660 is greater than the power threshold, it may return to step 1110 to provide additional priming to one or both of the positive plenum 1002 and the negative plenum 1012.
[0090] If a smoke discharge event is triggered, the controller 620 may proceed to step 1114, where the controller 620 may move valves 1006 and 1016 to their open state and maintain valves 1004 and 1014 in their closed state (step 1114a). Due to the positive pressure generated in the positive pressure plenum 1002 (in step 1110), the supply gas 716 in the positive pressure plenum 1002 is passively delivered from the positive pressure plenum 1002 through valve 1006 and supply trocar 1008 to the patient's body cavity 1010. Similarly, due to the negative pressure generated in the negative pressure plenum 1012 (in step 1110), the smoke 812 in the patient's body cavity 1010 is passively delivered through the discharge trocar 1018 and valve 1016 to the negative pressure plenum 1012.
[0091] The controller 620 may then proceed to step 1114b and determine whether the pressures in the positive pressure plenum 1002 and the negative pressure plenum 1012 have been normalized. For example, the controller 620 may query the pressure sensors 1022 and 1024 and determine whether the pressures detected by the pressure sensors 1022 and 1024 are identical, or at least substantially identical. The controller 620 may also query the pressure sensor 1020 and determine whether the pressures detected by the pressure sensors 1020, 1022, and 1024 are identical, or at least substantially identical.
[0092] Based on the determination that the pressures in the positive pressure plenum 1002 and the negative pressure plenum 1012 have not yet been normalized, the controller 620 may loop in step 1114b until the pressures are normalized. Once it is determined that the pressures in the positive pressure plenum 1002 and the negative pressure plenum 1012 have been normalized, the controller 620 may proceed to step 1116 and move all valves 1004, 1006, 1014, and 1016 to their respective closed states. The controller 620 may then proceed to step 1118 and determine whether additional venting is required. The controller 620 may determine whether venting is required based on receiving user input, such as from a touchscreen 630, as described elsewhere in this specification, determining that the pressure in the patient's body cavity 1010 is still at or above the pressure threshold (when detected by sensor 1020), or any other preferred determination that requires or requires the motor 820 of the venting module 208 to be energized.
[0093] Based on the controller 620's determination that no additional smoke discharge is necessary, the controller 620 may return to step 1108 and determine whether the amount of free power of the AC mains power supply 660 is at or greater than the power threshold, and attempt to reprime the positive pressure plenum 1002 and the negative pressure plenum 1012. If the controller 620 determines that additional smoke discharge is necessary, the controller 620 may proceed to step 1120, where the controller 620 opens valves 1004 and 1006 respectively (step 1120a) and energizes the air supply motor 718 (step 1120b). Similarly, the controller 620 may open valves 1014 and 1016 respectively (step 1110c) and energize the discharge motor 820 (step 1110d). Therefore, the supply motor 718 delivers gas 714 from the gas supply source 720 through the supply module 208, thereby generating supply gas 716 into the patient's body cavity through valve 1004, positive pressure plenum 1002, valve 1006, and supply trocar 1008. Meanwhile, the discharge motor 820 delivers (draws) smoke 812 from the patient's body cavity 1010 through the discharge trocar 1018, valve 1016, negative pressure plenum 1012, and valve 1014 to the filter 800 of the discharge module 210, thereby generating filtered air 814.
[0094] The controller 620 may then proceed to step 1122, where it may determine whether smoke discharge is complete. The controller 620 may determine whether smoke discharge is complete based on receiving user input, such as from a touchscreen 630, as described elsewhere in this specification; determining that the pressure in the patient's body cavity 1010 (when detected by the sensor 1020) is still at or above a pressure threshold; or any other preferred determination that requires or requires the motor 820 of the discharge module 208 to remain energized.
[0095] If controller 620 determines that smoke evacuation is not complete, controller 620 may loop back to step 1120 and maintain motors 718 and 820 in their running state. Once controller 620 determines that smoke evacuation is complete, controller 620 may return to step 1108 and determine whether the amount of free power of the AC mains power supply 660 is at or greater than the power threshold, and attempt to reprime the positive plenum 1002 and negative plenum 1012.
[0096] Therefore, the aforementioned algorithm 1100 enables the controller 620 to pressurize the plenum during the time when a threshold amount of power is available from the AC mains power supply, thereby enabling the supply gas and smoke to be passively delivered into and out of the patient's body cavities, respectively, during the time when power from the AC mains power supply is unavailable.
[0097] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another modular surgical system 1200 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The modular surgical system 1200 may be substantially similar to the modular surgical system 1000 of Figure 10, and can therefore be best understood by referring to it, where similar numbers in the figure again correspond to similar components that are not described in detail. Unlike the modular surgical system 1000, the modular surgical system 1200 includes valves 1202, 1204 (similar to valves 1004, 1006, 1014, 1016 in Figure 10) which are operable to allow the recirculation of filtered air 814 to the air supply module 210.
[0098] In some embodiments, valve 1204 may be a three-way valve that can transition between a first state in which filtered air 814 is discharged into the operating room (similar to the arrangement in modular surgical system 1000) and a second state in which filtered air 814 passes into the air supply module 210 through a second valve 1202. Including valves 1202, 1204 may provide the benefit of using less gas 714 from the gas supply source 720 during surgical procedures.
[0099] Three-pump system for air supply and smoke discharge Referring to Figure 13, a motor 1300 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. The trocar 1300 may be similar to the supply trocar 1008 and discharge trocar 1018 in Figure 10 and may include a Luer lock connector 1302 for fluid connection to the supply module 210 or the discharge module 208. In some examples, the Luer lock connector 1302 is the smallest orifice in the system, thereby limiting the flow rate of supply gas to the patient's body cavities and / or the flow rate of smoke from the patient's body cavities. One way to increase the flow is to split the flow into multiple (e.g., two) trocars.
[0100] Figure 14 illustrates a schematic diagram of a modular surgical system 1400 for increasing air supply and exhaust flow rates according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The modular surgical system 1400 may be similar in arrangement and function to the modular surgical system 600 of Figure 6. The modular surgical system 1400 may include a header module 202 including a controller 620, an air supply module 210 including a pump 702 and a motor 718, and an exhaust module 208 including a pump 804 and a motor 820. The modular surgical system 1400 may further include a common pump 1402 and a common motor 1404 for driving the common pump 1402.
[0101] The modular surgical system 1400 may further include an AC mains power supply 660 for supplying power to motors 718, 820, and 1404. A controller 620 may be communicatively connected (wired or wirelessly) to the motors 718, 820, and 1404, and each of the motors 718, 820, and 1404 may be operable to transition between an active state, in which the motor drives the corresponding pump, and an inactive state, in which the motor refrains from driving the corresponding pump. The controller 620 may control various components of the modular surgical system 1400, as described in more detail below, based on a user providing input to the controller 620 via a touchscreen 630 (Figure 6), as described elsewhere in this specification, or based on sensor measurements, etc. The common pump 1402 and motor 1404 may increase the flow rate of insufflated gas to the patient and the flow rate of smoke from the patient, as described in more detail below.
[0102] The modular surgical system 1400 may further include an insufflation trocar 1412, a discharge trocar 1414, and a common trocar 1416, each of which may be similar to the trocar 1300 in Figure 13, and each of which may be insertable into the patient's body cavity 1410. The insufflation trocar 1412 may be fluidly coupled to an insufflation pump 702 via a Luer lock connection 1302 (Figure 13), etc. The trocar 1412 may receive an insufflation gas similar to the insufflation gas 716 from the insufflation module 210 to provide insufflation to the patient's body cavity 1410. The discharge trocar 1414 may be fluidly coupled to a discharge pump 804 via a secondary filter 1430 similar to the filter 800 (Figure 8) and a Luer lock connection 1302 to supply smoke similar to smoke 812 to the secondary filter 1430.
[0103] The modular surgical system 1400 further includes a plurality of three-way valves 1420, 1422, and 1424. The first three-way valve 1420 may be transitionable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the first three-way valve 1420 can fluidly connect the gas supply source 720 to the common pump 1402 via fluid lines 1420a and 1420c, and fluidly separate the secondary filter 1430 from the common pump 1402. In the second state, the first three-way valve 1420 can fluidly separate the gas supply source 720 from the common pump 1402, and fluidly connect the secondary filter 1430 to the common pump 1402 via fluid lines 1420b and 1420c, thereby allowing fluid from the secondary filter 1430 to reach the common pump 1402.
[0104] The second three-way valve 1422 may also be transitionable between the first state and the second state. In the first state, the second three-way valve 1422 can fluidly connect the common pump 1402 to an external location 1450, such as an operating room, via fluid lines 1422a and 1422b, and can fluidly disconnect the common pump 1402 from the third three-way valve 1424. In the second state, the second three-way valve 1422 can fluidly disconnect the common pump 1402 from the external location 1450, and can fluidly connect the common pump 1402 to the third three-way valve 1424 via fluid lines 1422a and 1422c.
[0105] The third three-way valve 1424 may also be transitionable between the first state and the second state. In the first state, the third three-way valve 1424 can fluidly connect the second three-way valve 1422 (and the common pump 1402) to the common trocar 1416 via fluid lines 1422c and 1424a, and fluidly separate the common trocar 1416 from the secondary filter 1430. In the second state, the third three-way valve 1424 can fluidly separate the second three-way valve 1422 (and the common pump 1402) from the common trocar 1416, and fluidly connect the common trocar 1416 to the secondary filter 1430 via fluid lines 1424a and 1424b.
[0106] The first, second, and third three-way valves 1420, 1422, and 1424 may be any preferred valves that are transitionable (operable) between their respective first and second states. In some embodiments, for example, valves 1420, 1422, and 1424 may each include a motor, similar to other motors described elsewhere herein, for transitioning the valves between their respective first and second states. The motors may be powered by a power source, such as the AC mains 660 or any other preferred power source, and may be communicatively coupled to the controller 620 to enable the controller 620 to control the motors. Alternatively, valves 1420, 1422, and 1424 may be solenoid valves that are transitionable between the first and second states by the controller 620 and powered by a power source (e.g., the AC mains 660).
[0107] Still referring to Figure 14, during operation, the controller 620 can energize the motor 718 to deliver (extract) gas from the gas supply source 720 to the patient's body cavity 1410 through the air supply module 210 (which generates the air supply gas 716 (Figure 7)) and the air supply trocar 1412. Similarly, the controller 620 can energize the motor 820 to deliver (extract) smoke from the patient's body cavity 1410 to the external location 1450 through the secondary filter 1430 and the exhaust module 208 (which generates filtered air 814 (Figure 8)). Depending on the state or configuration of the modular surgical system 1400, the smoke may be drawn out of the patient's body cavity 1410 through either the second trocar 1414 or the third trocar 1416, as will be considered below.
[0108] The controller 620 can transition the modular surgical system 1400 between several states to increase the flow rate of insufflated gas into the patient's body cavity 1410 or to increase the flow rate of smoke from the patient's body cavity 1410. Referring here to Figure 15, the modular surgical system 1400 may be configurable (transitionable) to a first state or an "insufflated" state, where the controller 620 sets the first three-way valve 1420 to the first state, the second three-way valve 1422 to the second state, and the third three-way valve 1424 to the first state. In the insufflation state, the controller 620 energizes the common motor 1404 to operate the common pump 1402, thereby supplying (drawing out) gas from the gas supply source 720 to the patient's body cavity 1410 through the first three-way valve 1420, the second three-way valve 1422, the third three-way valve 1424, and the common trocar 1416, thereby supplying gas to the patient's body cavity 1410 from the gas supply source 720 in addition to the insufflated gas provided by the insufflation module 210.
[0109] Referring here to Figure 16, the modular surgical system 1400 may be further configured (transitionable) to a second state or "insufflation" state, in which the controller 620 sets the first three-way valve 1420 to the second state, the second three-way valve 1422 to the first state, and the third three-way valve 1424 to the second state. In the discharge state, the controller 620 energizes the motor 1404 to operate the common pump 1402, thereby drawing smoke from the patient's body cavity 1410 to an external location 1450 through the common trocar 1416, the third three-way valve 1424, the secondary filter 1430, the first three-way valve 1420, and the second three-way valve 1422, thereby allowing smoke to be discharged from the patient's body cavity 1410 in addition to the smoke discharged by the discharge module 208.
[0110] Referring here to Figure 17, the modular surgical system 1400 may be further configured to a third state or a "cleaning" state, in which the controller 620 sets the first three-way valve 1420 to the first state and the second three-way valve 1422 to the first state. In the cleaning state, the controller 620 energizes the motor 1404 to operate the common pump 1402, thereby drawing in (extracting) gas from the gas supply source 720 through the first three-way valve 1420 and the common pump 1402, thereby purging any discharged gas and / or smoke that may still be present in the common pump 1402 from the common pump 1402 through the second three-way valve 1422 to the external location 1450.
[0111] Therefore, by including the common pump 1402, the modular surgical system 1400 may be able to increase the amount of insufflated gas that can be supplied to the patient and further increase the amount of smoke drawn from the patient beyond what is typically possible with a single insufflation module and a single exhaust module. In some embodiments, humidifiers, heat reservoirs, and / or heaters, such as humidifier 703, heat reservoir 704, and heater 705, respectively, may be installed along line 1420a to heat and humidify the gas that travels from the gas supply source 720 through the common pump 1402 to the patient's body cavities 1410, as schematically illustrated in Figure 15.
[0112] Referring here to Figure 18, the modular surgical system 1400 may further include a tertiary filter 1800 positioned along line 1422c. The tertiary filter 1800 may filter the gas delivered from the common pump 1402. For example, at a first time, the user may set the modular surgical system 1400 to a discharge state (Figure 16), thereby discharging additional smoke from the patient's body cavity 1410 via the common pump 1402, as described above. Particulate matter in the smoke may adhere to the common pump 1402 as the smoke moves through it. At a second, later time, the user may set the modular surgical system 1400 to an insufflation state (Figure 15), as described above, to provide additional air to the patient's body cavity 1410. As the gas is delivered to the patient's body cavity 1410, any particulate matter adhered to the common pump 1402 may be removed from the common pump 1402 and insulated toward the patient's body cavity 1410. Therefore, the tertiary filter 1800 may be configured to filter out these particles in the gas and may be capable of operating in a different manner.
[0113] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of another modular surgical system 1900 for increasing the flow rate of inlet and outlet air, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The modular surgical system 1900 may be substantially similar to the modular surgical system 1400 (Figure 18), except for the differences described below herein. Thus, the modular surgical system 1900 may be best understood by reference to the modular surgical system 1400, where similar figures correspond to similar components, again not described in detail.
[0114] In particular, unlike the modular surgical system 1400 in Figure 14, the modular surgical system 1900 includes a four-way valve 1424' and an additional three-way valve 1906 (instead of the third three-way valve 1424 in Figures 14-18). The four-way valve 1424' may be transitionable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the four-way valve 1424' may fluidly connect the second three-way valve 1422 to the three-way valve 1906 via fluid lines 1422c and 1902. In the second state, the four-way valve 1424' may fluidly connect the three-way valve 1906 to the secondary filter 1430 via second fluid lines 1904 and 1424b.
[0115] The three-way valve 1906 may also be transitionable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the three-way valve 1906 may fluidly connect the common trocar 1416 to the first fluid line 1902. In the second state, the three-way valve 1906 may fluidly connect the common trocar 1416 to the second fluid line 1904.
[0116] Similar to valves 1420 and 1422, valves 1424' and 1906 may be any preferred valves that are transitionable (operable) between their respective first and second states. In some embodiments, valves 1424' and 1906 may each include a motor, similar to the other motors described elsewhere herein, for causing valves 1424' and 1906 to transition between their respective first and second states. The motors may be powered by a power source such as the AC mains 660 or any other preferred power source and may be communicatively coupled to the controller 620 to enable the controller 620 to control the motors. Alternatively, valves 1424' and 1906 may be solenoid valves that are transitionable between the first and second states by the controller 620 and powered by a power source (e.g., the AC mains 660).
[0117] Still referring to Figure 19, during operation, the controller 620 energizes the motor 718 to operate the pump 702, thereby allowing gas to be drawn (extracted) from the gas supply source 720 into the patient's body cavity 1410 through the discharge module 208 (which generates the supply gas 716 (Figure 7)) and the supply trocar 1412. Similarly, the controller 620 energizes the motor 820 to operate the pump 804, thereby allowing smoke to be drawn (extracted) from the patient's body cavity 1410 into the external location 1450 through the secondary filter 1430 and the discharge module 208 (which generates filtered air 814).
[0118] The controller 620 may also transition the modular surgical system 1900 between several states to increase the flow rate of insufflated gas into the patient's body cavity 1410 or to increase the flow rate of smoke from the patient's body cavity 1410. Referring here to Figure 20, the modular surgical system 1900 may be configurable (transitionable) to a first state or an "insufflated" state, where the controller 620 sets the first three-way valve 1420 to the first state, the second three-way valve 1422 to the second state, the four-way valve 1424' to the first state, and the three-way valve 1906 to the first state. In the insufflation state, the controller 620 energizes the common motor 1404 to operate the common pump 1402, thereby injecting (drawing out) gas from the gas supply source 720 into the patient's body cavity 1410 through the first three-way valve 1420, the common pump 1402, the second three-way valve 1422, the tertiary filter 1800, the four-way valve 1424', the first fluid line 1902, the three-way valve 1906, and the common trocar 1416, thereby providing gas to the patient's body cavity 1410 in addition to the insufflated gas provided by the insufflation module 210.
[0119] Referring here to Figure 21, the modular surgical system 1900 may be further configured to a second state or “discharge” state, in which the controller 620 sets the first three-way valve 1420 to the second state, the second three-way valve 1422 to the first state, the four-way valve 1424' to the second state, and the three-way valve 1906 to the second state. In the discharge state, the controller 620 energizes the common motor 1404 to draw smoke out of the patient’s body cavity to an external location 1450 through the common trocar 1416, the three-way valve 1906, the second fluid line 1904, the four-way valve 1424', the secondary filter 1430, the first three-way valve 1420, the common pump 1402, and the second three-way valve 1422, thereby discharging smoke from the patient’s body cavity 1410 in addition to the smoke discharged by the discharge module 208.
[0120] The modular surgical system 1900 may be further configured to a third state or "cleaning" state, similar to the cleaning state of the modular surgical system 1400 (Figure 14), where the controller 620 sets the first three-way valve 1420 to the first state and the second three-way valve 1422 to the first state. In the cleaning state, the controller 620 energizes the motor 1404 to operate the common pump 1402, thereby supplying (drawing) gas from the gas supply source 720 to the external location 1450 through the first three-way valve 1420, the common pump 1402, and the second three-way valve 1422, thereby cleaning the common pump 1402.
[0121] Therefore, by including dedicated fluid lines 1902, 1904 instead of a common line, it is possible to prevent particulate matter present in the smoke from contaminating the gas supplied to the patient's body cavities 1410. In some embodiments, humidifiers, heat reservoirs, and / or heaters, such as humidifier 703, heat reservoir 704, and heater 705, may be installed along line 1420a to heat and humidify the gas moving from the gas supply source 720 through the common pump 1402 to the patient's body cavities 1410.
[0122] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary modular surgical system 2200 for increasing the flow rate of supply and exhaust air, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The modular surgical system 2200 may be substantially similar to the modular surgical system 1900 (Figure 19), except for the differences described below herein. In particular, like the modular surgical system 1900, the modular surgical system 2200 may include a four-way valve 1424', a first fluid line 1902, and a second fluid line 1904. However, unlike the modular surgical system 1900, the modular surgical system 2200 omits the three-way valve 1906 and instead includes a common trocar 1416 fluid-connected to the first fluid line 1902 and a second common trocar 2202 fluid-connected to the second fluid line 1904. The operation of the modular surgical system 2200 is substantially the same as that of the modular surgical system 1900 described above, except that in the first state, the four-way valve 1424' can fluidly connect the second three-way valve 1422 to the common trocar 1416 via fluid lines 1422c and 1902, and in the second state, the four-way valve 1424' can fluidly connect the secondary filter 1430 to the second common trocar 2202 via fluid lines 1904 and 1424b.
[0123] Automatic closed-loop airtightness system As will be discussed elsewhere, the exhaust module 208 (Figure 2) and the air supply module 210 (Figure 2) may be included in a modular surgical system such as the modular surgical system 600 (Figure 6) for the purposes of exhausting smoke from the patient and supplying air to the patient, respectively. The header module 202 (Figure 2) of the modular surgical system is supplied to various modules used within the modular surgical system and, using the data received therefrom, can coordinate and control the operation of the exhaust module 208 and the air supply module 210, in particular.
[0124] Figure 23 illustrates a schematic diagram of a modular surgical system 2300 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The modular surgical system 2300 may be similar to the modular surgical system 600 (Figure 6), and is therefore best understood by reference thereto, where similar numbers in the figure correspond to similar components that are not again described. As shown, the header module 202 may provide a start signal 2302 to the air supply module 210, which may include a start time (duration) 2302a and a motor current setting 2302b for the air supply motor 718 (Figure 7). The header module 202 may further provide a start signal 2304 to the discharge module 208, which may include a start time (duration) 2304a and a motor current setting 2304b for the discharge motor 820 (Figure 8). The activation signals 2302 and 2304 may be based on a user providing input to the touchscreen 630 (Figure 6) of the controller 620 (Figure 6) of the header module 202, or on sensor measurements of the modular surgical system, as discussed elsewhere in this specification.
[0125] The header module 202 may receive a first input signal 2306 from a smart trocar 2310 inserted into the patient. The smart trocar 2310 may be similar to the trocar 1300 and may include a first sensor 2310a that can operate to detect intraperitoneal pressure in the patient's body cavity 2320, and a second sensor 2310b that can operate to detect humidity in the patient's body cavity 2320. The first input signal 2306 includes measured values 2306a and 2306b of intraperitoneal pressure and humidity, respectively, as measured by sensors 2310a and b.
[0126] The header module 202 may further receive a second input signal 2308 from the generator module 204. The second input signal 2308 may include a signal indicating the type of device connected to the generator module 204, such as one of the surgical devices 300, 330, or 360 (Figure 3), and a signal indicating the amount of time the device has been activated.
[0127] Figure 24 illustrates flow diagrams 2400 and 2450 for controlling a modular surgical system 2300 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, flow diagrams 2400 and 250 are embodied as algorithms stored in memory 624 (Figure 6) of a header module 202 (Figure 23) and executable by a processor 622 (Figure 6) of the header module 202 (Figure 23). In some embodiments, as will be discussed in more detail below, algorithm 2400 is a pressure-maintaining loop algorithm and algorithm 2450 is a cooperative algorithm.
[0128] A discussion of flow charts 2400 and 2500 is provided here with reference to Figure 23. The controller 620 may execute algorithm 2400, for example, in response to user input on the touchscreen 630 (Figure 6) or to the modular surgical system 2300, which is powered by a power source such as the AC mains power supply 660 (Figure 6). Based on the executed algorithm 2400, the controller 620 may supply the insufflated gas 716 to the patient's body cavity 2320 via the trocar 1300. In step 2402, the controller 620 may detect the intraperitoneal pressure of the patient's body cavity 2320, for example, using the first sensor 2310a of the smart trocar 2310 or using a pressure sensor such as the pressure sensor 1020 connected to the trocar 1300.
[0129] The controller 620 may proceed to step 2404 to calculate the leakage rate of the delivered air into the patient's body cavity 2320. For example, the controller 620 may monitor the leakage rate of the system by monitoring pressure measurements over time via a first sensor 2310a or a pressure sensor on the trocar 1300. The controller 620 may proceed to step 2406 to activate (energize) the delivery module 210 to deliver the delivered gas 716 to the patient's body cavity 2320 via the trocar 1300. The controller 620 may proceed to step 2406 based on the fact that a threshold amount of delivery pressure is leaking from the patient's body cavity 2320. The threshold amount of delivery pressure may be stored in memory 624.
[0130] The controller 620 may then proceed to step 2408 to calculate the run time of the air supply module 210, for example, via the timer 626 (Figure 6). The run time of the air supply module 210 may be based on the calculated leakage rate of the system, which was calculated in step 2404. The controller 620 may then proceed to step 2410 to stop (de-energize) the air supply module 210. The controller 620 may proceed to step 2410 based on the measured pressure in the patient's body cavity 2320 reaching a threshold pressure, which may be stored in memory 624. The controller 620 may then return to step 2404 to calculate the leakage rate of the air supply in the patient's body cavity 2320 and maintain the air supply pressure in the patient's body cavity 2320 by repeating the aforementioned pressure maintenance cycle.
[0131] The controller 620 may execute algorithm 2450 in response to user input on the touchscreen 630 (Figure 6), a modular surgical system 2300 powered by a power source such as the AC mains power supply 660 (Figure 6), or a device connected to the activated (powered-on) generator module 204. Similar to the algorithm, based on the executed algorithm 2450, the controller 620 may supply the insufflated gas 716 to the patient's body cavity 2320 via the trocar 1300. In step 2452, the controller 620 may detect the intraperitoneal pressure of the patient's body cavity 2320, for example, using the first sensor 2310a of the smart trocar 2310, or using a pressure sensor such as the pressure sensor 1020 connected to the trocar 1300.
[0132] The controller 620 may proceed to step 2454 to calculate the leakage rate of the air delivered into the patient's body cavity 2320. For example, the controller 620 may monitor the leakage rate of the system by monitoring pressure measurements over time via a first sensor 2310a or pressure sensor on the trocar 1300. The controller 620 may then proceed to step 2456 to identify the devices and power settings of the modular surgical system. For example, the controller 620 may receive input signals, such as input signal 2308, which identifies the device type (e.g., the ultrasound device 300, RF device 330, or multifunction device 360 in Figure 3), and the power settings of the associated devices, which may be set in the header module 202.
[0133] The controller 620 may then proceed to step 2458 to calculate the motor current of the discharge motor 820 (Figure 8) and to step 2460 to calculate the motor current of the supply motor 718 (Figure 7). For example, the controller 620 may measure the current supplied to motors 718 and 820 via a current sensor, such as other current sensors as described elsewhere in this specification.
[0134] The controller 620 may then proceed to step 2462 to receive an activation signal from the device identified in step 2456. For example, the controller 620 may receive an input signal indicating that the device is activated. Based on the controller 620 receiving the activation signal in step 2462, the controller 620 may proceed to step 2464 to activate (energize) the air supply module 210 to supply air gas 716 to the patient's body cavity 2320 via the trocar 1300, and then proceed to step 2466 to activate (energize) the exhaust module 208 to extract smoke 812 from the patient's body cavity 2320 via the trocar 1300.
[0135] The controller 620 may then proceed to step 2468 to receive a deactivation signal for the device. For example, the controller 620 may receive an input signal indicating that the device has been deactivated. Based on the controller 620 receiving the deactivation signal in step 2468, the controller 620 may then proceed to step 2470 to calculate the run time of the supply module 210, for example via the timer 626 (Figure 6), and to step 2472 to calculate the run time of the discharge module 208, for example via the timer 626 (Figure 6). The run times of the discharge module 208 and the supply module 210 may be based on the calculated leakage rate of the system calculated in step 2454.
[0136] The controller 620 may then proceed to step 2474 to stop (de-energize) the insufflation module 210, and to step 2476 to stop (de-energize) the exhaust module 208. The controller 620 may proceed to steps 2474, 2476 based on the measured pressure in the patient's body cavity 2320 reaching a threshold pressure which can be stored in memory 624. The controller 620 may then return to step 2454 to calculate the leakage rate of the insufflated air in the patient's body cavity 2320 and repeat the above cycle to maintain the insufflated air pressure in the patient's body cavity 2320.
[0137] The embodiments disclosed herein include the following: A. A surgical system comprising a power supply operable to provide a supply amount of energy, a first surgical module electrically connected to the power supply, a second surgical module electrically connected to the power supply, and a controller. The first surgical module is transitionable between an idle state in which the first surgical module draws a first amount of energy from the power supply and an active state in which the first surgical module draws a second amount of energy greater than the first amount of energy from the power supply. The controller is operable to determine the amount of free energy available to the second surgical module from the power supply. The amount of free energy corresponds to the difference between the supply amount of energy and the amount of energy drawn by the first surgical module. B. A surgical system comprising a power supply operable to provide a supply of power, and a surgical module comprising a pump, a pressure plenum fluidly coupled to the pump and the patient's body cavity, a first valve, a second valve, and a controller. The first valve is transitionable between an open state for fluidly coupling the surgical module and the pressure plenum and a closed state for fluidly separating the surgical module from the pressure plenum. The second valve is transitionable between an open state for fluidly coupling the pressure plenum and the patient's body cavity and a closed state for fluidly separating the pressure plenum from the patient's body cavity. The controller is operable to determine the amount of free power available from the power supply to the motor, the amount of free power being less than the supply power, and based on the amount of free power, the controller selectively transitions the first valve and the second valve between an open state and a closed state. C. A surgical system comprising an air supply pump configured to deliver gas to a patient, an exhaust pump configured to extract smoke from a patient, and a common pump configured to selectively deliver gas to a patient and extract smoke from a patient.
[0138] Each of embodiments A to C may have one or more of the following additional elements in any combination: Element 1: The second surgical module comprises an air supply module. Element 2: The air supply module comprises a heat reservoir and a heater operable to heat the heat reservoir, and a controller further operable to supply power to the heater up to a determined amount of free energy. Element 3: The second surgical module comprises a controller. Element 4: The first surgical module comprises an energy module that supplies power to surgical instruments in an active state and refrains from supplying power to surgical instruments in an idle state. Element 5: The first surgical module further comprises a pressure plenum and a first valve and a second valve fluidly coupled to the pressure plenum, the first valve and the second valve being transmissible between an open state for allowing gas flow through the interior and a closed state for blocking gas flow through the interior. Element 6: The second surgical module comprises a pump fluidly coupled to the pressure plenum. Element 7: The controller is further operable to compare the free energy with a power threshold, and based on the free energy being greater than the power threshold, open the first valve, close the second valve, move gas into the pressure plenum using a pump, and after moving gas into the pressure plenum, close the first valve, thereby generating a pressurized pressure plenum. Element 8: Based on the free energy being less than the power threshold, the controller is further operable to open the first and second valves, move gas through the pressure plenum using a pump. Element 9: The controller is further operable to receive an input and, based on receiving the input, open the second valve to allow passive gas movement between the patient's body cavity and the pressure plenum, thereby depressurizing the pressure plenum. Element 10: The second surgical module comprises an air supply module, and the gas includes air supply gas. Element 11: The second surgical module comprises an exhaust module, and the gas includes smoke.Element 12: The controller is further operable to compare the free energy with a power threshold, open a first valve and close a second valve based on the free energy being greater than the power threshold, pressurize the pressure plenum using a pump, and close the first valve based on the pressure plenum being pressurized, thereby generating a pressurized pressure plenum. Element 13: The surgical module comprises an air supply module, and the surgical system further comprises a discharge module with a discharge pump, a second pressure plenum fluidly coupled to the discharge pump and the patient's body cavity, a third valve transitionable between an open state for fluidly coupling the second pressure plenum and the patient's body cavity and a closed state for fluidly separating the second pressure plenum from the patient's body cavity, and a fourth valve transitionable between an open state for fluidly coupling the discharge module and the second pressure plenum and a closed state for fluidly separating the discharge module from the second pressure plenum. Element 14: Further comprising a valve, which is transitionable between a first state in which the valve fluidly connects the common pump to a gas supply source and a second state in which the valve fluidly connects the common pump to a filter. Element 15: The valve is a first valve, and the surgical system further comprises a second valve and a third valve, the second valve being transitionable between a first state in which the second valve fluidly connects the common pump to an external location and a second state in which the second valve fluidly connects the common pump to a third valve, and the third valve being transitionable between a first state in which the third valve fluidly connects the second valve to a patient and a second state in which the third valve fluidly connects the second valve to a filter. Element 16: Further comprising an air supply trocar, a discharge trocar, and a common trocar, each insertable into a patient, wherein an air supply pump is configured to supply gas to the patient via the air supply trocar, a discharge pump is configured to draw smoke from the patient via the discharge trocar, and a common pump is configured to selectively supply gas to the patient and draw smoke from the patient via the common trocar.Element 17 further comprises an air supply trocar, a discharge trocar, a first common trocar, and a second common trocar, each of which is insertable into a patient; an air supply pump configured to supply gas to the patient via the air supply trocar; a discharge pump configured to draw smoke from the patient via the discharge trocar; and a common pump configured to selectively supply gas to the patient via the first common trocar and draw smoke from the patient via the second common trocar.
[0139] As a non-limiting example, exemplary combinations applicable to A, B, and C include: element 1 with element 2, element 1 with element 3, element 5 with element 6, element 5 with elements 6 and 7, element 5 with elements 6-8, element 5 with elements 6, 7, and 9, element 5 with elements 6, 7, and 10, element 5 with elements 6, 7, and 10, element 5 with elements 6, 7, and 11, element 1 with any combination of elements 2-11, element 2 with any combination of elements 1 and 3-11, element 3 with any combination of elements 1, 2 and 4-11, element 4 with any combination of elements 1, 3 and 5-11, elements 1-4 and 6-11 Element 5 with any combination of elements 1-5 and 7-11; Element 6 with any combination of elements 1-6 and 8-11; Element 8 with any combination of elements 1-7 and 9-11; Element 9 with any combination of elements 1-8, 10, and 11; Element 10 with any combination of elements 1-9 and 11; Element 11 with any combination of elements 1-10; Element 12 with element 13; Element 14 with element 15; Element 14 with elements 15 and 16; Element 14 with elements 15 and 17; Element 16 with element 17; and Element 14 with two or more of elements 15-17.
[0140] Accordingly, the systems and methods disclosed are well-adapted to achieve the results and benefits mentioned, as well as the inherent results and benefits therein. The teachings of this disclosure can be modified and implemented in equivalent ways that are evident to those skilled in the art who are interested in the teachings herein, although different; therefore, the specific embodiments disclosed above are merely illustrative. Furthermore, it is not intended to limit the details of the structures or designs shown herein other than those described in the following claims. Accordingly, the specific illustrative embodiments disclosed above can be modified, combined, or altered, and all such variations are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. The systems and methods disclosed herein can be suitably implemented in the absence of any elements not specifically disclosed herein and / or any optional elements disclosed herein. Compositions and methods are described using the terms “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components and steps, but compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may differ to some extent. Whenever a numerical range with lower and upper limits is disclosed, any number and any range that falls within that range is specifically disclosed. In particular, all ranges of values (of form) disclosed herein ("about a to about b," or equivalently "about a to b (from approximately a to b)," or equivalently "about a to b (from approximately ab)") should be understood to describe all numbers and ranges that fall within a broad range of values. Furthermore, terms in the claims have plain and ordinary meanings unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. In addition, when used in claims, the indefinite article "a" or "an" is defined herein to mean one or more of the elements it introduces.If there is any inconsistency in the use of a word or term in this Specified Patent or other document that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definition consistent with this Specified Patent or other Patent or other Document should be adopted.
[0141] As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a set of items is accompanied by the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, but modifies the list as a whole, rather than each individual component of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows for meanings including at least one of any of the items and / or at least one of any combination of the items and / or at least one of each of the items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” mean A only, B only, or C only, any combination of A, B, and C, and / or at least one of each of A, B, and C, respectively.
[0142] The use of directional terms such as up, down, upward, downward, left, right, etc., is used in relation to illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, where the upward direction is toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction is toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.
[0143] [Implementation Method] (1) A surgical system, A power supply capable of operating to provide the amount of power supplied, A first surgical module, which is electrically connected to the power supply, The first surgical module draws a first amount of power from the power supply in an idle state, The first surgical module is transitionable between an active state in which the first surgical module draws a second amount of power greater than the first amount of power from the power supply, and a first surgical module which is transitionable between these states. A second surgical module electrically connected to the aforementioned power supply, The system includes a controller that can be operated to determine the amount of free power available to the second surgical module from the power supply, A surgical system in which the free power amount corresponds to the difference between the supplied power amount and the power amount drawn by the first surgical module. (2) The surgical system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the second surgical module comprises an air supply module. (3) The air supply module Heat reservoir and, The system comprises a heater capable of operating to heat the heat reservoir, The surgical system according to Embodiment 2, wherein the controller is further operable to supply power to the heater up to the determined amount of free energy. (4) The surgical system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the second surgical module comprises the controller. (5) The surgical system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the first surgical module comprises an energy module that provides power to a surgical instrument in the active state and refrains from providing power to the surgical instrument in the idle state.
[0144] (6) Pressure plenum and A first valve and a second valve fluidly connected to a pressure plenum, wherein the first valve and the second valve each, An open state that allows gas to flow through the interior, The surgical system according to Embodiment 1, further comprising a first valve and a second valve that are transitionable between a closed state for blocking the flow of gas through the interior. (7) The surgical system according to embodiment 6, wherein the second surgical module comprises a pump fluidly connected to the pressure plenum. (8) The controller The aforementioned free energy is compared with the power threshold, Based on the fact that the amount of free power is greater than the power threshold, The first valve is opened, The second valve is closed, Using the aforementioned pump, gas is moved to the pressure plenum. The surgical system according to Embodiment 7, further operable to close the first valve after moving the gas to the pressure plenum, thereby generating a pressurized pressure plenum. (9) Based on the fact that the free power amount is less than the power threshold, the controller The first valve and the second valve are opened, The surgical system according to embodiment 8, further operable to move gas through the pressure plenum using the pump. (10) The controller Receive input, The surgical system according to Embodiment 8, further operable to open the second valve based on receiving the aforementioned input, thereby enabling passive gas transfer between the patient's body cavity and the pressure plenum, and thereby reducing the pressure plenum.
[0145] (11) The surgical system according to Embodiment 8, wherein the second surgical module comprises an air supply module, and the gas includes an air supply gas. (12) The surgical system according to Embodiment 8, wherein the second surgical module comprises an exhaust module, and the gas includes smoke. (13) A surgical system, A power supply capable of operating to provide the amount of power supplied, A surgical module equipped with a pump, The pump and a pressure plenum fluidly connected to the patient's body cavity, A first valve that can transition between an open state for fluidly connecting the surgical module and the pressure plenum and a closed state for fluidly separating the surgical module from the pressure plenum, A second valve that can transition between an open state for fluidly connecting the pressure plenum and the patient's body cavity and a closed state for fluidly separating the pressure plenum from the patient's body cavity, It is a controller, Determining the amount of free power available to the motor from the power source, wherein the amount of free power is less than the amount of power supplied, A surgical system comprising: a controller capable of operating the first valve and the second valve to selectively transition between the open state and the closed state based on the free energy. (14) The controller The aforementioned free energy is compared with the power threshold, Based on the fact that the amount of free power is greater than the power threshold, The first valve is opened, Set the second to the closed state, Using the pump, pressurize the pressure plenum, The surgical system according to embodiment 13, further operable to close the first valve based on the pressure plenum being pressurized, thereby generating a pressurized pressure plenum. (15) The surgical module includes an air supply module, and the surgical system is A discharge module equipped with a discharge pump, The discharge pump and a second pressure plenum fluidly connected to the patient's body cavity, A third valve that can transition between an open state for fluidly connecting the second pressure plenum and the patient's body cavity and a closed state for fluidly separating the second pressure plenum from the patient's body cavity, The surgical system according to embodiment 13, further comprising a fourth valve that can transition between an open state for fluidly connecting the discharge module and the second pressure plenum and a closed state for fluidly separating the discharge module from the second pressure plenum.
[0146] (16) A surgical system, An air pump configured to deliver gas to the patient, A discharge pump configured to extract smoke from the patient, A surgical system comprising a common pump configured to selectively deliver gas to the patient and to extract smoke from the patient. (17) Further comprising a valve, the valve is In a first state, the valve fluidly connects the common pump to the gas supply source, The surgical system according to embodiment 16, wherein the valve is transitionable between a second state in which the common pump is fluidly connected to the filter and a third state. (18) The valve is the first valve, and the surgical system is The system further comprises a second valve and a third valve, the second valve being The first state is when the second valve fluidly connects the common pump to an external location, The second valve is transitionable between a second state in which the common pump is fluidly connected to the third valve, The third valve mentioned above is, A first state in which the third valve fluidly connects the second valve to the patient, The surgical system according to Embodiment 17, wherein the third valve is transitionable between a second state in which the second valve fluidly connects to the filter. (19) further comprising an air supply trocar, an air discharge trocar, and a common trocar, each of which is insertable into the patient, The air pump is configured to deliver gas to the patient via the air trocar, The discharge pump is configured to draw smoke from the patient via the discharge trocar, The surgical system according to embodiment 16, wherein the common pump is configured to selectively deliver gas to the patient via the common trocar and to draw smoke from the patient. (20) further comprising an air supply trocar, an air discharge trocar, a first common trocar, and a second common trocar, each of which is insertable into the patient, The air pump is configured to deliver gas to the patient via the air trocar, The discharge pump is configured to draw smoke from the patient via the discharge trocar, The surgical system according to embodiment 16, wherein the common pump is configured to selectively deliver gas to the patient via the first common trocar and to draw smoke from the patient via the second common trocar.
Claims
1. A surgical system, A power supply capable of operating to provide the amount of power supplied, A first surgical module, which is electrically connected to the power supply, The first surgical module draws a first amount of power from the power supply in an idle state, The first surgical module is transitionable between an active state in which the first surgical module draws a second amount of power greater than the first amount of power from the power supply, and a first surgical module which is transitionable between these states. A second surgical module electrically connected to the aforementioned power supply, The system includes a controller that can be operated to determine the amount of free power available to the second surgical module from the power supply, A surgical system in which the free power amount corresponds to the difference between the supplied power amount and the power amount drawn by the first surgical module.
2. The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the second surgical module comprises an air supply module.
3. The aforementioned air supply module Heat reservoir and, The system comprises a heater capable of operating to heat the heat reservoir, The surgical system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is further operable to supply power to the heater up to the determined amount of free power.
4. The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the second surgical module comprises the controller.
5. The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the first surgical module comprises an energy module that provides power to a surgical instrument in the active state and refrains from providing power to the surgical instrument in the idle state.
6. Pressure plenum and A first valve and a second valve fluidly connected to a pressure plenum, wherein the first valve and the second valve each, An open state that allows gas to flow through the interior, The surgical system according to claim 1, further comprising a first valve and a second valve that are transitionable between a closed state for blocking the flow of gas through the interior.
7. The surgical system according to claim 6, wherein the second surgical module comprises a pump fluidly connected to the pressure plenum.
8. The aforementioned controller The aforementioned free energy is compared with the power threshold, Based on the fact that the amount of free power is greater than the power threshold, The first valve is opened, The second valve is closed, Using the aforementioned pump, gas is moved to the pressure plenum. The surgical system according to claim 7, further operable to close the first valve after moving the gas to the pressure plenum, thereby generating a pressurized pressure plenum.
9. Based on the fact that the amount of free power is less than the power threshold, the controller, The first valve and the second valve are opened, The surgical system according to claim 8, further operable to move gas through the pressure plenum using the pump.
10. The aforementioned controller Receive input, The surgical system according to claim 8, further operable to open the second valve based on receiving the aforementioned input, thereby enabling passive gas transfer between the patient's body cavity and the pressure plenum, and thereby reducing the pressure plenum.
11. The surgical system according to claim 8, wherein the second surgical module comprises an air supply module, and the gas includes an air supply gas.
12. The surgical system according to claim 8, wherein the second surgical module comprises a discharge module, and the gas includes smoke.
13. A surgical system, A power supply capable of operating to provide the amount of power supplied, A surgical module equipped with a pump, The pump and a pressure plenum fluidly connected to the patient's body cavity, A first valve that can transition between an open state for fluidly connecting the surgical module and the pressure plenum and a closed state for fluidly separating the surgical module from the pressure plenum, A second valve that can transition between an open state for fluidly connecting the pressure plenum and the patient's body cavity and a closed state for fluidly separating the pressure plenum from the patient's body cavity, It is a controller, Determining the amount of free power available to the motor from the power source, wherein the amount of free power is less than the amount of power supplied, A surgical system comprising: a controller capable of operating the first valve and the second valve to selectively transition between the open state and the closed state based on the free energy.
14. The aforementioned controller The aforementioned free energy is compared with the power threshold, Based on the fact that the amount of free power is greater than the power threshold, The first valve is opened, Set the second to the closed state, Using the pump, pressurize the pressure plenum, The surgical system according to claim 13, further operable to close the first valve based on the pressure plenum being pressurized, thereby generating a pressurized pressure plenum.
15. The surgical module includes an air supply module, and the surgical system is A discharge module equipped with a discharge pump, The discharge pump and a second pressure plenum fluidly connected to the patient's body cavity, A third valve that can transition between an open state for fluidly connecting the second pressure plenum and the patient's body cavity and a closed state for fluidly separating the second pressure plenum from the patient's body cavity, The surgical system according to claim 13, further comprising a fourth valve that can transition between an open state for fluidly connecting the discharge module and the second pressure plenum and a closed state for fluidly separating the discharge module from the second pressure plenum.
16. A surgical system, An air pump configured to deliver gas to the patient, A discharge pump configured to extract smoke from the patient, A surgical system comprising a common pump configured to selectively deliver gas to the patient and to extract smoke from the patient.
17. The valve further comprises, In a first state, the valve fluidly connects the common pump to the gas supply source, The surgical system according to claim 16, wherein the valve is transitionable between a second state in which the common pump is fluidly connected to the filter.
18. The valve is the first valve, and the surgical system is The system further comprises a second valve and a third valve, the second valve being The first state is when the second valve fluidly connects the common pump to an external location, The second valve is transitionable between a second state in which the common pump is fluidly connected to the third valve, The third valve is, A first state in which the third valve fluidly connects the second valve to the patient, The surgical system according to claim 17, wherein the third valve is transitionable between a second state in which the second valve is fluidly connected to the filter.
19. It further comprises an air supply trocar, an air discharge trocar, and a common trocar, each of which is insertable into the patient. The air pump is configured to deliver gas to the patient via the air trocar, The discharge pump is configured to draw smoke from the patient via the discharge trocar, The surgical system according to claim 16, wherein the common pump is configured to selectively deliver gas to the patient via the common trocar and to draw smoke from the patient.
20. The system further comprises an air supply trocar, an air discharge trocar, a first common trocar, and a second common trocar, each of which is insertable into the patient. The air pump is configured to deliver gas to the patient via the air trocar, The discharge pump is configured to draw smoke from the patient via the discharge trocar, The surgical system according to claim 16, wherein the common pump is configured to selectively deliver gas to the patient via the first common trocar and to draw smoke from the patient via the second common trocar.