Smoke exhaust method for a surgical hub

Abstract

To provide a system for use in a method for evacuating particulates generated from a surgical site during a surgical procedure.SOLUTION: The method comprises communicatively connecting a particulate evacuation module and a surgical hub, where the surgical hub comprises a surgical hub enclosure, and where the particulate evacuation module is configured to be received in the surgical hub enclosure. The method further comprises removing a particulate from the surgical site into the particulate evacuation module, analyzing the removed particulate, and modifying an operation of the particulate evacuation module based on the analysis of the removed particulate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 38

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 773,778, filed November 30, 2018, entitled "METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL SCHEMES FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND INTERACTION"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 773,728, filed November 30, 2018, entitled "METHOD FOR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FUNCTION BASED ON A SENSED SITUATION OR USAGE"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 773,741, filed November 30, 2018, entitled "METHOD FOR FACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 773,742, filed November 30, 2018, entitled "METHOD FOR CIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS", the entire disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

[0002] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 750,529, filed October 25, 2018, entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATING MULTI-CLIP APPLIER", U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 750,539, filed October 25, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER", and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 750,555, filed October 25, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER", the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] This application also claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 729,183, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "CONTROL FOR A SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE THAT ADJUSTS ITS FUNCTION BASED ON A SENSED SITUATION OR USAGE", U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 729,177, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "AUTOMATED DATA SCALING, ALIGNMENT, AND ORGANIZING BASED ON PREDEFINED PARAMETERS WITHIN A SURGICAL NETWORK BEFORE TRANSMISSION", U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 729,176, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "INDIRECT COMMAND AND CONTROL OF A FIRST OPERATING ROOM SYSTEM THROUGH THE USE OF A SECOND OPERATING ROOM SYSTEM WITHIN A STERILE FIELD WHERE THE SECOND OPERATING ROOM SYSTEM HAS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OPERATING MODES", U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 729,182, filed September 10, 2018, entitled "POWERED STAPLING DEVICE THAT IS CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FORCE, ADVANCEMENT SPEED, AND OVERALL STROKE OF CUTTING MEMBER OF THE DEVICE BASED ON SENSED PARAMETER OF FIRING OR CLAMPING", the entire disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 729,184, filed on September 10, 2018, entitled "POWERED SURGICAL TOOL WITH A PREDEFINED ADJUSTABLE CONTROL ALGORITHM FOR CONTROLLING AT LEAST ONE END EFFECTOR PARAMETER AND A MEANS FOR LIMITING THE ADJUSTMENT"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 729,182, filed on September 10, 2018, entitled "SENSING THE PATIENT POSITION AND CONTACT UTILIZING THE MONO-POLAR RETURN PAD ELECTRODE TO PROVIDE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS TO THE HUB"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 729,191, filed on September 10, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL NETWORK RECOMMENDATIONS FROM REAL TIME ANALYSIS OF PROCEDURE VARIABLES AGAINST A BASELINE HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENCES FROM THE OPTIMAL SOLUTION"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 729,195, filed on September 10, 2018, entitled "ULTRASONIC ENERGY DEVICE WHICH VARIES PRESSURE APPLIED BY CLAMP ARM TO PROVIDE THRESHOLD CONTROL PRESSURE AT A CUT PROGRESSION LOCATION"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 729,186, filed on September 10, 2018, entitled "WIRELESS PAIRING OF A SURGICAL DEVICE WITH ANOTHER DEVICE WITHIN A STERILE SURGICAL FIELD BASED ON THE USAGE AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF DEVICES", and claims priority to each of them.,

[0004] This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 721,995, filed August 23, 2018, entitled "CONTROLLING AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO TISSUE LOCATION"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 721,998, filed August 23, 2018, entitled "SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEMS"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 721,999, filed August 23, 2018, entitled "INTERRUPTION OF ENERGY DUE TO INADVERTENT CAPACITIVE COUPLING"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 721,994, filed August 23, 2018, entitled "BIPOLAR COMBINATION DEVICE THAT AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS PRESSURE BASED ON ENERGY MODALITY"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 721,996, filed August 23, 2018, entitled "RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY DEVICE FOR DELIVERING COMBINED ELECTRICAL SIGNALS", the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] This application further claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 692,747, filed June 30, 2018, entitled "SMART ACTIVATION OF AN ENERGY DEVICE BY ANOTHER DEVICE"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 692,748, filed June 30, 2018, entitled "SMART ENERGY ARCHITECTURE"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 692,768, filed June 30, 2018, entitled "SMART ENERGY DEVICES", the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0006] This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 691,228, filed Jun. 28, 2018, entitled "METHOD OF USING REINFORCED FLEX CIRCUITS WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS WITH ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 691,227, filed Jun. 28, 2018, entitled "CONTROLLING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO SENSED CLOSURE PARAMETERS"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 691,230, filed Jun. 28, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A FLEXIBLE ELECTRODE"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 691,219, filed Jun. 28, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION SENSING AND MOTOR CONTROL"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 691,257, filed Jun. 28, 2018, entitled "COMMUNICATION OF SMOKE EVACUATION SYSTEM PARAMETERS TO HUB OR CLOUD IN SMOKE EVACUATION MODULE FOR INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 691,262, filed Jun. 28, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION SYSTEM WITH A COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A FILTER AND A SMOKE EVACUATION DEVICE"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 691,251, filed Jun. 28, 2018, entitled "DUAL IN-SERIES LARGE AND SMALL DROPLET FILTERS", under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e).

[0007] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 665,129, filed May 1, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING SYSTEMS"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 665,139, filed May 1, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING CONTROL SYSTEMS"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 665,177, filed May 1, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 665,128, filed May 1, 2018, entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 665,192, filed May 1, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL DISSECTORS"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 665,134, filed May 1, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER", the entire disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0008] This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 659,900, filed Apr. 19, 2018, entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION", the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0009] This application further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 650,898, filed Mar. 30, 2018, entitled “CAPACITIVE COUPLED RETURN PATH PAD WITH SEPARABLE ARRAY ELEMENTS”; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 650,887, filed Mar. 30, 2018, entitled “SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED SENSING CAPABILITIES”; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 650,882, filed Mar. 30, 2018, entitled “SMOKE EVACUATION MODULE FOR INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM”; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 650,877, filed Mar. 30, 2018, entitled “SURGICAL SMOKE EVACUATION SENSING AND CONTROLS”, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0010] This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,302, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,294, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,300, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,309, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,310, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,291, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,296, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER", under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e). The entire disclosure of each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference.U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,327, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,315, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,313, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,320, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,307, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,323, filed on March 28, 2018, entitled "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS", and claims priority to each of them.,

[0011] This application further claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed on December 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,340, filed on December 28, 2017, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,339, filed on December 28, 2017, entitled "ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM", the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference., BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present disclosure relates to a surgical system and a method for its evacuator. A surgical fume evacuator is configured to evacuate smoke, as well as fluid and / or particles, from a surgical site. For example, during a surgical procedure involving an energy device, smoke may be generated at the surgical site. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0013] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for evacuating particles from a surgical site. The method includes communicably connecting a particle evacuation module and a surgical hub, wherein the surgical hub comprises a surgical hub housing and the particle evacuation module is configured to be received within the surgical hub housing; removing particles from the surgical site into the particle evacuation module; analyzing the removed particles; and modifying the operation of the particle evacuation module based on the analysis of the removed particles.

[0014] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for evacuating particles from a surgical site. The method includes connecting a particle evacuation module and a surgical hub, wherein the surgical hub comprises a surgical hub housing and the particle evacuation module is configured to be received within the surgical hub housing; activating a surgical instrument within the surgical site; drawing particles from the surgical site into the particle evacuation module; analyzing the particles; and modifying the operating parameters of the particle evacuation module based on the analysis of the particles.

[0015] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for evacuating smoke from a surgical site. The method includes connecting a smoke evacuation module and a surgical hub, wherein the surgical hub comprises a surgical hub housing and the smoke evacuation module is configured to be received within the surgical hub housing; inserting components of the smoke evacuation module into the surgical site; removing smoke from the surgical site; analyzing the removed smoke; and modifying the operation of the smoke evacuation module based on the analysis of the removed smoke.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Features of various aspects are described in detail in the appended claims. However, various aspects regarding both the mechanism and the method of operation can be best understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings hereinafter, along with their further objectives and advantages.

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[0017] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed December 4, 2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: Attorney Docket No. END8495USNP / 170727M, Title of Invention: "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, STORAGE AND DISPLAY" Attorney Docket No. END8495USNP1 / 170727-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION" Attorney Docket No. END8496USNP / 170728M, Title of Invention: "METHOD OF CLOUD BASED DATA ANALYTICS FOR USE WITH THE HUB" · Attorney Docket No. END8497USNP / 170729M, Invention Title "METHOD OF ROBOTIC HUB COMMUNICATION, DETECTION, AND CONTROL" · Attorney Docket No. END8505USNP / 170772M, Invention Title "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, DISPLAY, AND CLOUD ANALYTICS" · Attorney Docket No. END8538USNP / 170751M, Invention Title "METHOD OF COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS" · Attorney Docket No. END8539USNP / 170752M, Invention Title "METHOD OF USING REINFORCED FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS TO OPTIMIZE PERFORMANCE OF RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES" · Attorney Docket No. END8540USNP / 170753M, Invention Title "METHOD OF SENSING PARTICULATE FROM SMOKE EVACUATED FROM A PATIENT, ADJUSTING THE PUMP SPEED BASED ON THE SENSED INFORMATION, AND COMMUNICATING THE FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS OF THE SYSTEM TO THE HUB" · Attorney Docket No. END8558USNP1 / 180138-1M, Invention Title "METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SMART ENERGY DEVICES" · Attorney Docket No. END8559USNP1 / 180141-1M, Invention Title "METHOD FOR SMART ENERGY DEVICE INFRASTRUCTURE" · Attorney Docket No. END9011USNP1 / 180510-1M, Invention Title "METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL SCHEMES FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND INTERACTION", · Attorney Docket No. END9015USNP1 / 180514-1M, Invention Title "METHOD FOR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FUNCTION BASED ON A SENSED SITUATION OR USAGE", · Attorney Docket No. END9017USNP1 / 180516-1M, Invention Title "METHOD FOR FACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION", and · Attorney Docket No. END9033USNP1 / 180520-1M, Invention Title "METHOD FOR CIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS".

[0018] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on November 6, 2018, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,224, entitled "SURGICAL NETWORK,INSTRUMENT,AND CLOUD RESPONSES BASED ON VALIDATION OF RECEIVED DATASET AND AUTHENTICATION OF ITS SOURCE AND INTEGRITY", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,230, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION INTERPRETED FROM EXTERNAL DATA", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,233 titled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH AUTONOMOUSLY ADJUSTABLE CONTROL PROGRAMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,239 titled "ADJUSTMENT OF DEVICE CONTROL PROGRAMS BASED ON STRATIFIED CONTEXTUAL DATA IN ADDITION TO THE DATA", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,243 titled "SURGICAL HUB AND MODULAR DEVICE RESPONSE ADJUSTMENT BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,248 titled "DETECTION AND ESCALATION OF SECURITY RESPONSES OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS TO INCREASING SEVERITY THREATS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,251 titled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEM", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,260 titled "AUTOMATED DATA SCALING, ALIGNMENT, AND ORGANIZING BASED ON PREDEFINED PARAMETERS WITHIN SURGICAL NETWORKS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,267 titled "SENSING THE PATIENT POSITION AND CONTACT UTILIZING THE MONO - POLAR RETURN PAD ELECTRODE TO PROVIDE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS TO THE HUB", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,249, entitled "POWERED SURGICAL TOOL WITH PREDEFINED ADJUSTABLE CONTROL ALGORITHM FOR CONTROLLING END EFFECTOR PARAMETER", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,246, entitled "ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON AIRBORNE PARTICLE PROPERTIES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,256, entitled "ADJUSTMENT OF A SURGICAL DEVICE FUNCTION BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,242, entitled "REAL-TIME ANALYSIS OF COMPREHENSIVE COST OF ALL INSTRUMENTATION USED IN SURGERY UTILIZING DATA FLUIDITY TO TRACK INSTRUMENTS THROUGH STOCKING AND IN-HOUSE PROCESSES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,255, entitled "USAGE AND TECHNIQUE ANALYSIS OF SURGEON / STAFF PERFORMANCE AGAINST A BASELINE TO OPTIMIZE DEVICE UTILIZATION AND PERFORMANCE FOR BOTH CURRENT AND FUTURE PROCEDURES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,269, entitled "IMAGE CAPTURING OF THE AREAS OUTSIDE THE ABDOMEN TO IMPROVE PLACEMENT AND CONTROL OF A SURGICAL DEVICE IN USE", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,278, titled "COMMUNICATION OF DATA WHERE A SURGICAL NETWORK IS USING CONTEXT OF THE DATA AND REQUIREMENTS OF A RECEIVING SYSTEM / USER TO INFLUENCE INCLUSION OR LINKAGE OF DATA AND METADATA TO ESTABLISH CONTINUITY", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,290, titled "SURGICAL NETWORK RECOMMENDATIONS FROM REAL TIME ANALYSIS OF PROCEDURE VARIABLES AGAINST A BASELINE HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENCES FROM THE OPTIMAL SOLUTION", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,232, titled "CONTROL OF A SURGICAL SYSTEM THROUGH A SURGICAL BARRIER", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,227, titled "SURGICAL NETWORK DETERMINATION OF PRIORITIZATION OF COMMUNICATION, INTERACTION, OR PROCESSING BASED ON SYSTEM OR DEVICE NEEDS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,231, titled "WIRELESS PAIRING OF A SURGICAL DEVICE WITH ANOTHER DEVICE WITHIN A STERILE SURGICAL FIELD BASED ON THE USAGE AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF DEVICES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,229, entitled "ADJUSTMENT OF STAPLE HEIGHT OF AT LEAST ONE ROW OF STAPLES BASED ON THE SENSED TISSUE THICKNESS OR FORCE IN CLOSING", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,234, entitled "STAPLING DEVICE WITH BOTH COMPULSORY AND DISCRETIONARY LOCKOUTS BASED ON SENSED PARAMETERS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,240, entitled "POWERED STAPLING DEVICE CONFIGURED TO ADJUST FORCE, ADVANCEMENT SPEED, AND OVERALL STROKE OF CUTTING MEMBER BASED ON SENSED PARAMETER OF FIRING OR CLAMPING", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,235, entitled "VARIATION OF RADIO FREQUENCY AND ULTRASONIC POWER LEVEL IN COOPERATION WITH VARYING CLAMP ARM PRESSURE TO ACHIEVE PREDEFINED HEAT FLUX OR POWER APPLIED TO TISSUE", and · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 182,238, entitled "ULTRASONIC ENERGY DEVICE WHICH VARIES PRESSURE APPLIED BY CLAMP ARM TO PROVIDE THRESHOLD CONTROL PRESSURE AT A CUT PROGRESSION LOCATION".

[0019] The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on October 26, 2018, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,303, titled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATING MULTI-CLIP APPLIER", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,130, titled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING INTERCHANGEABLE CLIP RELOADS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,066, titled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING A MOVABLE CLIP MAGAZINE", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,078, titled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING A ROTATABLE CLIP MAGAZINE", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,087, titled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING CLIP ADVANCING SYSTEMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,094, titled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING A CLIP CRIMPING SYSTEM", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,128, titled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING A RECIPROCATING CLIP ADVANCING MEMBER", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,168, titled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING A MOTOR CONTROLLER", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,164, titled "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING A SURGICAL TOOL AND A SURGICAL HUB", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,328, titled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,280, titled "METHOD FOR PRODUCING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SMART ELECTRICAL SYSTEM", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,219, titled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,248, titled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,198, titled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS", and · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 172,155, titled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS".

[0020] The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on August 28, 2018, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,214, titled "ESTIMATING STATE OF ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,205, titled "TEMPERATURE CONTROL OF ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,233, titled "RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY DEVICE FOR DELIVERING COMBINED ELECTRICAL SIGNALS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,208 entitled "CONTROLLING AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO TISSUE LOCATION", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,220 entitled "CONTROLLING ACTIVATION OF AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO THE PRESENCE OF TISSUE", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,232 entitled "DETERMINING TISSUE COMPOSITION VIA AN ULTRASONIC SYSTEM", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,239 entitled "DETERMINING THE STATE OF AN ULTRASONIC ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM ACCORDING TO FREQUENCY SHIFT", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,247 entitled "DETERMINING THE STATE OF AN ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,211 entitled "SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,226 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR CONTROLLING DIFFERENT ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS OF AN ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,240 entitled "DETECTION OF END EFFECTOR EMERSION IN LIQUID", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,249 entitled "INTERRUPTION OF ENERGY DUE TO INADVERTENT CAPACITIVE COUPLING", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,256 entitled "INCREASING RADIO FREQUENCY TO CREATE PAD-LESS MONOPOLAR LOOP", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,223 entitled "BIPOLAR COMBINATION DEVICE THAT AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS PRESSURE BASED ON ENERGY MODALITY", and · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 115,238 entitled "ACTIVATION OF ENERGY DEVICES".

[0021] The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on August 24, 2018, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,129, entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING INSTRUMENT CONFIGURED TO MANIPULATE TISSUE USING MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL POWER", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,155, entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CAPTURE WIDTH WHICH IS LARGER THAN TROCAR DIAMETER", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,168, entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A NON-CIRCULAR NEEDLE", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,180, entitled "ELECTRICAL POWER OUTPUT CONTROL BASED ON MECHANICAL FORCES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,193, entitled "REACTIVE ALGORITHM FOR SURGICAL SYSTEM", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,099, titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ADAPTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,112, titled "CONTROL SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR A MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,119, titled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAMS FOR A SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF CARTRIDGE", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,097, titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING BATTERY ARRANGEMENTS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,109, titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,114, titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING FEEDBACK MECHANISMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,117, titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING LOCKOUT MECHANISMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,095, titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A LOCKABLE END EFFECTOR SOCKET", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,121, titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,151, titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATION AND ROTATION COMPENSATION", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,154, titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A BIASED SHIFTING MECHANISM", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,226, titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE THAT PROVIDES FOR HIGH ARTICULATION ANGLES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,062, titled "SURGICAL DISSECTORS AND MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,098, titled "SURGICAL DISSECTORS CONFIGURED TO APPLY MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,237, titled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER CONFIGURED TO STORE CLIPS IN A STORED STATE", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,245, titled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN EMPTY CLIP CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,249, titled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN AUTOMATIC CLIP FEEDING SYSTEM", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,253, titled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING ADAPTIVE FIRING CONTROL", and · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 112,257, titled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING ADAPTIVE CONTROL IN RESPONSE TO A STRAIN GAUGE CIRCUIT".

[0022] The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on June 29, 2018, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,090, titled "CAPACITIVE COUPLED RETURN PATH PAD WITH SEPARABLE ARRAY ELEMENTS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,057, titled "CONTROLLING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO SENSED CLOSURE PARAMETERS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,067, titled "SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING END EFFECTOR PARAMETERS BASED ON PERIOPERATIVE INFORMATION", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,075, titled "SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR SMART POWERED SURGICAL STAPLING", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,083, titled "SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR SMART POWERED SURGICAL STAPLING", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,094, titled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING END EFFECTOR TISSUE DISTRIBUTION IRREGULARITIES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,138, titled "SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING PROXIMITY OF SURGICAL END EFFECTOR TO CANCEROUS TISSUE", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,150 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CARTRIDGE SENSOR ASSEMBLIES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,160 entitled "VARIABLE OUTPUT CARTRIDGE SENSOR ASSEMBLY", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,124 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A FLEXIBLE ELECTRODE", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,132 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,141 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH A TISSUE MARKING ASSEMBLY", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,162 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH PRIORITIZED DATA TRANSMISSION CAPABILITIES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,066 entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION SENSING AND MOTOR CONTROL", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,096 entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,116 entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION FLOW PATHS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,149 entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION SENSING AND GENERATOR CONTROL", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,180 entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION SENSING AND DISPLAY", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,245, entitled "COMMUNICATION OF SMOKE EVACUATION SYSTEM PARAMETERS TO HUB OR CLOUD IN SMOKE EVACUATION MODULE FOR INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,258, entitled "SMOKE EVACUATION SYSTEM INCLUDING A SEGMENTED CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM", · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,265, entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION SYSTEM WITH A COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A FILTER AND A SMOKE EVACUATION DEVICE", and · U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 024,273, entitled "DUAL IN-SERIES LARGE AND SMALL DROPLET FILTERS".

[0023] The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on March 29, 2018, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,641, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,648, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH CONDITION HANDLING OF DEVICES AND DATA CAPABILITIES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,656, entitled "SURGICAL HUB COORDINATION OF CONTROL AND COMMUNICATION OF OPERATING ROOM DEVICES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,666 entitled "Spatial Awareness of Surgical Hubs in Operating Rooms" · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,670 entitled "Cooperative Utilization of Data Derived From Secondary Sources by Intelligent Surgical Hubs" · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,677 entitled "Surgical Hub Control Arrangements" · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,632 entitled "Data Stripping Method to Interrogate Patient Records and Create Anonymized Record" · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,640 entitled "Communication Hub and Storage Device for Storing Parameters and Status of a Surgical Device to be Shared With Cloud Based Analytics Systems" · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,645 entitled "Self Describing Data Packets Generated At An Issuing Instrument" · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,649 entitled "Data Pairing to Interconnect A Device Measured Parameter With An Outcome" · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,654 entitled "Surgical Hub Situational Awareness" · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,663 entitled "Surgical System Distributed Processing" · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,668 entitled "AGGREGATION AND REPORTING OF SURGICAL HUB DATA", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,671 entitled "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,686 entitled "DISPLAY OF ALIGNMENT OF STAPLE CARTRIDGE TO PRIOR LINEAR STAPLE LINE", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,700 entitled "STERILE FIELD INTERACTIVE CONTROL DISPLAYS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,629 entitled "COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,704 entitled "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,722 entitled "CHARACTERIZATION OF TISSUE IRREGULARITIES THROUGH THE USE OF MONO-CHROMATIC LIGHT REFRACTIVITY", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,742 entitled "DUAL CMOS ARRAY IMAGING", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,636 entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,653 entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL HUBS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,660 entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,679 entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR LINKING OF LOCAL USAGE TRENDS WITH THE RESOURCE ACQUISITION BEHAVIORS OF LARGER DATA SET", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,694 entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR MEDICAL FACILITY SEGMENTED INDIVIDUALIZATION OF INSTRUMENT FUNCTION", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,634 entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,706 entitled "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,675 entitled "CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,627 entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,637 entitled "COMMUNICATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,642 entitled "CONTROLS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,676, titled "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,680, titled "CONTROLLERS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,683, titled "COOPERATIVE SURGICAL ACTIONS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS", · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,690, titled "DISPLAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS", and · U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,711, titled "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS".

[0024] The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Provisional Applications filed on March 8, 2018, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. · U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62 / 640,417, titled "TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN ULTRASONIC DEVICE AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR", and · U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62 / 640,415, titled "ESTIMATING STATE OF ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR".

[0025] Before detailing various aspects of the surgical device and generator, it is to be noted that the examples illustrated are not limited in their application or use to the details of the structure and arrangement of the components shown in the accompanying drawings and description. The exemplary examples may be implemented in or incorporated with other aspects, variations, and modifications, and may be carried out or executed in various ways. Further, unless otherwise specified, the terms and expressions used herein are selected for the purpose of explaining the exemplary examples for the convenience of the reader and are not intended to limit them. Further, it is to be understood that one or more of the aspects, embodiments, and / or examples described below can be combined with any one or more of the other aspects, embodiments, and / or examples described below.

[0026] Energy Device and Smoke Exhaust The present disclosure relates to an energy device and an intelligent surgical exhaust system for exhausting smoke and / or other fluids and / or particulates from a surgical site. Smoke often occurs during a surgical procedure that utilizes one or more energy devices. The energy device uses energy to affect tissue. In the energy device, the energy is supplied by a generator. The energy device includes devices having a tissue contact electrode, such as an electrosurgical device having one or more radio frequency (RF) electrodes, and devices having a vibrating surface, such as an ultrasonic device having an ultrasonic blade. In the electrosurgical device, the generator is configured to generate an oscillating current to power the electrode. In the ultrasonic device, the generator is configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations to power the ultrasonic blade. The generator will be further described herein.

[0027] Ultrasonic energy can be utilized for coagulation and tissue cutting. Ultrasonic energy coagulates and cuts tissue by vibrating an energy delivery surface (e.g., an ultrasonic blade) that contacts the tissue. The ultrasonic blade can be connected to a waveguide that transmits vibration energy from an ultrasonic transducer, which generates mechanical vibrations and is powered by a generator. By vibrating at a high frequency (e.g., 55,500 times per second), the ultrasonic blade generates friction and heat at the blade-tissue interface, that is, between the blade and the tissue, which denatures proteins within the tissue to form an adhesive clot. The pressure exerted on the tissue by the blade surface causes blood vessels to collapse and enables the clot to form a hemostatic seal. The accuracy of cutting and coagulation can be controlled, for example, by the skill of the clinician and by adjusting the power level, the blade edge, tissue traction, and blade pressure.

[0028] Ultrasonic surgical instruments are finding an increasingly wide range of applications in surgical procedures due to the special performance characteristics of such instruments. Depending on the specific instrument configuration and operating parameters, ultrasonic surgical instruments can effect hemostasis by tissue cutting and coagulation substantially simultaneously and, desirably, minimize trauma to the patient. The cutting operation is typically realized by an end effector or blade tip at the distal end of the ultrasonic instrument. The ultrasonic end effector transmits ultrasonic energy to the tissue in contact with the end effector. Ultrasonic instruments of this nature can be configured for open surgical applications, including robot-assisted surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or endoscopic surgery.

[0029] Electrical energy can also be utilized for coagulation and / or cutting. Electrosurgical devices typically include a handpiece and an instrument having an end effector (e.g., one or more electrodes) attached to the distal end. The end effector can be positioned against and / or adjacent to the tissue such that an electric current is introduced into the tissue. Electrosurgery is widely used and offers many advantages, including the use of a single surgical instrument for both coagulation and cutting.

[0030] The electrodes or tips of electrosurgical devices are small at the point of contact with the patient so as to generate a high-frequency current with a high current density in order to produce a surgical effect of coagulating and / or cutting tissue by cauterization. The return electrode conveys the same high-frequency signal back to the electrosurgical generator after passing through the patient, thus providing a return path for the RF signal.

[0031] Electrosurgical devices can be configured for bipolar or monopolar operation. During bipolar operation, current is introduced into the tissue by the operating electrode of the end effector and returned from the tissue by the return electrode of the end effector. During monopolar operation, current is introduced into the tissue by the active electrode of the end effector and returned via a return electrode (e.g., a grounding pad) positioned separately on or against the patient's body. The heat generated by the current flowing through the tissue may form a hemostatic seal within and / or between tissues and is thus particularly useful, for example, for sealing blood vessels. The end effector of an electrosurgical device may also include a cutting member movable relative to the tissue and the electrode for severing the tissue.

[0032] In electrosurgical devices, low-frequency RF current can be transmitted through tissue, which causes ion agitation or friction (i.e., resistive heating), thereby raising the temperature of the tissue. Since a boundary is created between the diseased tissue and the surrounding tissue, the clinician can operate with a high level of accuracy and control without sacrificing adjacent non-target tissue. The low operating temperature of RF energy is useful for removing, shrinking, or shaping soft tissue while simultaneously sealing blood vessels. RF energy can act particularly well on connective tissue, which is mainly composed of collagen and shrinks when in contact with heat. Other electrosurgical instruments include, but are not limited to, irreversible and / or reversible electroporation, and / or microwave technology. The techniques disclosed herein are applicable, inter alia, to ultrasonic, bipolar and / or monopolar RF (electrosurgical), irreversible and / or reversible electroporation, and / or microwave-based surgical instruments.

[0033] The electrical energy applied by an electrosurgical device can be transmitted from a generator to an instrument. The generator is configured to convert electricity into a high-frequency waveform consisting of an oscillating current that is transmitted to an electrode to affect tissue. The current passes through the tissue and cauterizes (a form of coagulation where an electric arc to the tissue produces tissue carbonization), dries (direct energy application that drives water out of cells), and / or cuts (indirect energy application that vaporizes cell fluid and causes cell explosion) the tissue. The response of the tissue to the current is a function of the tissue's resistance, the current density passing through the tissue, the power output, and the duration of the current application. In certain examples, as further described herein, the current waveform can be adjusted to affect different surgical functions and / or to adapt to tissue of different characteristics. For example, different types of tissue - vascular tissue, nerve tissue, muscle, skin, fat, and / or bone may react differently to the same waveform.

[0034] Electrical energy may be in the form of RF energy that can be within the frequency range described in EN60601-2-2:2009+A11:2011, Definition 201.3.218 - HIGH FREQUENCY. For example, in monopolar RF applications, the frequency is typically limited to less than 5 MHz to minimize problems associated with high - frequency leakage current. Frequencies above 200 kHz can typically be used for monopolar applications to avoid unnecessary stimulation of nerves and muscles resulting from the use of low - frequency currents.

[0035] In bipolar RF applications, the frequency can be almost any frequency. In certain examples, such as when risk analysis shows that the likelihood of neuromuscular stimulation has been mitigated to an acceptable level, lower frequencies can be used with bipolar technology. Generally, 10 mA is recognized as the lower threshold for thermal effects on tissue. In the case of bipolar technology, higher frequencies can also be used.

[0036] In certain examples, the generator can be configured to digitally generate an output waveform and provide it to a surgical device, thereby enabling the surgical device to utilize the waveform for various tissue effects. The generator can be a monopolar generator, a bipolar generator, and / or an ultrasonic generator. For example, a single generator can supply energy to a monopolar device, a bipolar device, an ultrasonic device, or a combined electro - surgical / ultrasonic device. The generator can promote tissue - specific effects through waveform shaping and / or drive RF energy and ultrasonic energy simultaneously and / or sequentially to a single surgical instrument or multiple surgical instruments.

[0037] In one example, a surgical system can include a generator and various surgical instruments that can be used with the generator, including ultrasonic surgical instruments, RF electrosurgical instruments, and combined ultrasonic / RF electrosurgical instruments. The generator can be configured to be used with various surgical instruments as further described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 265,279, filed September 14, 2016, now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0086914, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0038] As described herein, medical procedures that cut tissue and / or cauterize blood vessels are often performed by utilizing RF electrical energy generated by a generator and transmitted to a patient's tissue through an electrode that is operated by a clinician. The electrode delivers an electrical discharge to the cytoplasm of the patient's body adjacent to the electrode. This electrical discharge heats the cytoplasm to cut the tissue and / or cauterize the blood vessel.

[0039] The high temperatures associated with electrosurgery can cause thermal necrosis of the tissue adjacent to the electrode. The longer the tissue is exposed to the high temperatures associated with electrosurgery, the higher the likelihood that the tissue will undergo thermal necrosis. In certain examples, thermal necrosis of the tissue not only reduces the rate at which the tissue is cut and increases the incidence of thermal damage to tissue located away from the cut site, but also can increase postoperative complications, eschar formation, and healing time.

[0040] The concentration of RF energy discharge affects both the efficiency with which the electrode can cut tissue and the potential for tissue damage away from the cut site. With standard electrode shapes, RF energy tends to be distributed uniformly over a relatively large area adjacent to the intended incision site. This generally uniform distribution of RF energy discharge increases the potential for stray charge loss to surrounding tissue, which can increase the potential for unwanted tissue damage in the surrounding tissue.

[0041] Typical electrosurgical generators produce RF electrical energy at various operating frequencies and output power levels. The specific operating frequency and power output of the generator vary based on the particular electrosurgical generator being used and the needs of the physician during the electrosurgical procedure. The specific operating frequency and power output levels can be adjusted manually on the generator by the clinician or other operating room staff. Proper adjustment of these various settings requires extensive knowledge, skill, and attention on the part of the clinician or other staff. When the clinician makes the desired adjustments to the various settings on the generator, the generator is able to maintain those output parameters during the electrosurgical procedure. Generally, waveform generators used in electrosurgery are adapted to produce RF waves with output power in the range of 1 - 300 W in the cut mode and 1 - 120 W in the coagulation mode, and frequencies in the range of 300 - 600 kHz. A typical waveform generator is adapted to maintain the settings selected during the electrosurgical procedure. For example, if the clinician sets the output power level of the generator to 50 W and then touches the electrode to the patient to perform an electrosurgical procedure, the power level of the generator will rapidly increase and be maintained at 50 W. Setting the power level to a specific setting such as 50 W will enable the clinician to cut the patient's tissue, but maintaining such a high power level increases the potential for thermal necrosis of the patient's tissue.

[0042] In some forms, the generator is configured to provide sufficient power to effectively perform electrosurgery in relation to an electrode that increases the concentration of RF energy discharge, while simultaneously limiting unwanted tissue damage, reducing postoperative complications, and promoting more rapid healing. For example, the waveform from the generator can be optimized by a control circuit throughout the surgical procedure. However, the subject matter claimed herein is not limited to eliminating any disadvantages or operating only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background art is presented merely to illustrate an example of the technical field in which some of the aspects described herein may be practiced.

[0043] As provided herein, an energy device delivers mechanical and / or electrical energy to a target tissue for treating the tissue (e.g., for cutting the tissue, cauterizing blood vessels, and / or coagulating the tissue within and / or near the target tissue). Cutting, cauterizing, and / or coagulating the tissue can result in the release of fluids and / or particulates into the air. Such fluids and / or particulates released during a surgical procedure can constitute smoke, which can include, for example, carbon particles and / or other particles suspended in the air. In other words, the fluid can include smoke and / or other fluid substances. Approximately 90% of endoscopic and open surgeries generate some level of smoke. Smoke can be unpleasant to the olfactory senses of the clinician(s), assistant(s), and / or patient(s), can obscure the view of the clinician(s) at the surgical site, and in certain instances can be unhealthy if inhaled. For example, smoke generated during an electrosurgical procedure can 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, pyridine, pyrrole, styrene, toluene, and xylene, as well as dead and living cellular material (including blood fragments), and viruses. Certain substances identified in surgical smoke have been identified as known carcinogens. It is estimated that 1 gram of tissue cauterized during an electrosurgical procedure can be equivalent to the toxicants and carcinogens of 6 unfiltered cigarettes. In addition, exposure to smoke released during an electrosurgical procedure has been reported to cause eye and lung inflammation in healthcare workers.

[0044] In addition to the toxicity and odors 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 (singular or plural), assistants (singular or plural), and / or patients (singular or plural). In certain examples, the particulates can be very small. In certain examples, repeated inhalation of very small particulate matter can mimic acute and chronic respiratory conditions.

[0045] Many electrosurgical systems use a surgical exhaust system that captures the smoke generated from a surgical procedure and directs the captured smoke away from the clinician(s) and / or patient through a filter and an exhaust port. For example, the exhaust system can be configured to expel the smoke generated during an electrosurgical procedure. The reader can refer to such an exhaust system as a "smoke evacuation system," but will understand that such an exhaust system can be configured to evacuate more than just smoke from the surgical site. Throughout this disclosure, the "smoke" evacuated by the exhaust system is not limited to just smoke. Rather, the smoke evacuation systems disclosed herein can be used to evacuate a variety of fluids including liquids, gases, vapors, smoke, steam, or combinations thereof. The fluids can be of biological origin and / or can be introduced to the surgical site from an external source during the procedure. Examples of fluids include, for example, water, saline, lymphatic fluid, blood, exudate, and / or purulent discharge. Moreover, the fluids can include particulate matter or other substances (e.g., cellular material or cell fragments) evacuated by the exhaust system. For example, such particulate matter can be suspended in the fluid.

[0046] The exhaust system often includes a pump and a filter. The pump generates a suction that draws smoke into the filter. For example, the suction can be configured to draw smoke into the exhaust housing of the exhaust system through an exhaust conduit from the surgical site to the conduit opening. The exhaust housing 50018 of the surgical exhaust system 50000 is shown in FIG. 1. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the pump and the filter are disposed within the exhaust housing 50018. The smoke drawn into the exhaust housing 50018 moves to the filter via the suction conduit 50036, and harmful toxins and unpleasant odors are filtered from the smoke as it passes through the filter. The suction conduit may also be referred to as, for example, a vacuum conduit and / or an exhaust conduit and / or a vacuum tube and / or an exhaust tube. The filtered air can then exit the surgical exhaust system as an exhaust. In certain examples, the various exhaust systems disclosed herein can also be configured to deliver fluid to a desired location such as a surgical site.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 2, the suction conduit 50036 from the exhaust housing 50018 (FIG. 1) may terminate at a handpiece such as the handpiece 50032. The handpiece 50032 comprises an electrosurgical instrument that includes an electrode tip 50034 and an exhaust conduit opening near and / or adjacent to the electrode tip 50034. The exhaust conduit opening is configured to capture fluid and / or particulates released during a surgical procedure. In such an example, the exhaust system 50000 is integrated with the electrosurgical instrument 50032. Still referring to FIG. 2, the smoke S is drawn into the suction conduit 50036.

[0048] In certain examples, the exhaust system 50000 can include a separate surgical tool having a conduit opening and configured to draw smoke into the system. In still other examples, a tool having an exhaust conduit and opening can snap onto an electrosurgical tool as shown in FIG. 3. For example, a portion of the suction conduit 51036 can be disposed around (or adjacent to) the electrode tip 51034. In one example, the suction conduit 51036 can be removably secured to the handpiece 51032 of an electrosurgical tool having an electrode tip 51034 with a clip or other fastener.

[0049] Various internal components of the ejector housing 50518 are shown in FIG. 4. In various examples, the internal components of FIG. 4 can also be incorporated into the ejector housing 50018 of FIG. 1. Referring primarily to FIG. 4, the exhaust system 50500 includes an ejector housing 50518, a filter 50502, an exhaust mechanism 50520, and a pump 50506. The exhaust system 50500 defines a flow path 50504 through the ejector housing 50518 having an inlet port 50522 and an outlet port 50524. The filter 50502, the exhaust mechanism 50520, and the pump 50506 are disposed in series and continuously along the flow path 50504 through the ejector housing 50518 between the inlet port 50522 and the outlet port 50524. The inlet port 50522 can be fluidly coupled to a suction conduit, such as the suction conduit 50036 of FIG. 1, for example, and the suction conduit can include a distal conduit opening that can be disposed at the surgical site.

[0050] The pump 50506 is configured to generate a pressure difference within the flow path 50504 by mechanical operation. The pressure difference is configured to draw the smoke 50508 from the surgical site into the inlet port 50522 and along the flow path 50504. After the smoke 50508 has moved through the filter 50502, the smoke 50508 can be considered to be filtered smoke or air 50510, which continues to travel through the flow path 50504 and is discharged through the outlet port 50524. The flow path 50504 includes a first zone 50514 and a second zone 50516. The first zone 50514 is upstream from the pump 50506. The second zone 50516 is downstream from the pump 50506. The pump 50506 is configured to pressurize the fluid within the flow path 50504 such that the fluid in the second zone 50516 has a higher pressure than the fluid in the first zone 50514. The motor 50512 drives the pump 50506. Various suitable motors are further described herein. The exhaust mechanism 50520 is a mechanism that can control the velocity, direction, and / or other characteristics of the filtered smoke 50510 exiting the exhaust system 50500 at the outlet port 50524.

[0051] The flow path 50504 through the exhaust system 50500 can be composed of a tube or other conduit that substantially contains the fluid moving through the flow path 50504 and / or separates it from the fluid outside the flow path 50504. For example, the first zone 50514 of the flow path 50504 may include a tube through which the flow path 50504 extends between the filter 50502 and the pump 50506. The second zone 50516 of the flow path 50504 may also include a tube through which the flow path 50504 extends between the pump 50506 and the exhaust mechanism 50520. The flow path 50504 also extends through the filter 50502, the pump 50506, and the exhaust mechanism 50520 such that the flow path 50504 extends continuously from the inlet port 50522 to the outlet port 50524.

[0052] In operation, smoke 50508 may enter filter 50502 at inlet port 50522 and may be pumped by pump 50506 through flow path 50504 such that the smoke 50508 is drawn into filter 50502. Filtered smoke 50510 may then be pumped through exhaust mechanism 50520 and out outlet port 50524 of exhaust system 50500. The filtered smoke 50510 exiting exhaust system 50500 at outlet port 50524 is exhaust and may consist of filtered gases that have passed through exhaust system 50500.

[0053] In various examples, the evacuation systems disclosed herein (e.g., evacuation system 50000 and evacuation system 50500) can be incorporated into a computer-implemented interactive surgical system, such as, for example, system 100 ( FIG. 39 ) or system 200 ( FIG. 47 ). In one aspect of the present disclosure, for example, computer-implemented surgical system 100 can include at least one hub 106 and cloud 104. Referring primarily to FIG. 41 , hub 106 includes a smoke evacuation module 126. The operation of smoke evacuation module 126 can be controlled by hub 106 based on its situational awareness and / or feedback from its components and / or based on information from cloud 104. Computer-implemented surgical systems 100 and 200, and situational awareness therefor, are further described herein.

[0054] Situation awareness encompasses the ability of some aspects of a surgical system to determine or infer information related to a surgical procedure from data received from a database and / or an instrument. The information can include the type of procedure being performed, the type of tissue being operated on, or the body cavity that is the subject of the procedure. With context information related to the surgical procedure, the surgical system can, for example, improve the way it controls a modular device (e.g., a smoke evacuation system) that is connected to it and provides information or suggestions contextualized during the surgical procedure to the clinician. Situation awareness is further described in this specification and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed on December 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0055] In various examples, the surgical system and / or the evacuation system disclosed herein can include a processor. The processor can be programmed to control one or more operating parameters of the surgical system and / or the evacuation system based on, for example, sensed and / or aggregated data and / or one or more user inputs. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system 50300 that includes a processor 50308. The electrosurgical system 50300 is powered by an AC power supply 50302 that provides either 120V or 240V alternating current. The voltage supplied by the AC power supply 50302 is directed to an AC / DC converter 50304 that converts 120V or 240V alternating current to 360V direct current. The 360V direct current is then directed to a power converter 50306 (e.g., a buck converter). The power converter 50306 is a step-down DC / DC converter. The power converter 50306 is adapted to reduce the input 360V to a desired level within the range of 0 to 150V.

[0056] The processor 50308 can be programmed to adjust various aspects, functions, and parameters of the electrosurgical system 50300. For example, the processor 50308 can determine a desired output power level at the electrode tip 50334, which may be similar in many respects to the electrode tip 50034 of Figure 2 and / or the electrode tip 51034 of Figure 3, and instruct the power converter 50306 to step down the voltage to a specified level to provide the desired output power. The processor 50308 is coupled to a memory 50310 configured to store machine-executable instructions for operating the electrosurgical system 50300 and / or its subsystems.

[0057] A digital-to-analog converter ("DAC") 50312 is connected between the processor 50308 and the power converter 50306. The DAC 50312 is adapted to convert the digital code generated by the processor 50308 into an analog signal (current, voltage, or charge) that governs the voltage step-down performed by the power converter 50306. When the power converter 50306 steps down the 360V to a level determined by the processor 50308, it will provide the desired output power level, and the stepped-down voltage is directed to the electrode tip 50334 and then to the return or ground electrode 50335 to achieve electrosurgical treatment of the patient's tissue. The voltage sensor 50314 and the current sensor 50316 are adapted to detect the voltage and current present in the electrosurgical circuit and communicate the detected parameters to the processor 50308, which can then determine whether to adjust the output power level. As noted herein, typical waveform generators are adapted to maintain selected settings throughout an electrosurgical procedure. In other examples, the generator's operating parameters can be optimized during a surgical procedure based on one or more inputs to the processor 5308, such as, for example, inputs from a surgical hub, a cloud, and / or a situational awareness module, as described further herein.

[0058] The processor 50308 is coupled to a communication device 50318 for communicating via a network. The communication device includes a transceiver 50320 configured to communicate via a physical wire or wirelessly, and the communication device 50318 may further include one or more additional transceivers. The transceiver can include, but is not limited to, a cellular modem, a wireless mesh network transceiver, a Wi-Fi® transceiver, a low power wide area (LPWA) transceiver, and / or a near field communication transceiver (NFC). The communication device 50318 can include or be configured to communicate with a mobile phone, a sensor system (e.g., environmental, location, movement, etc.) and / or a sensor network (wired and / or wireless), a computing system (e.g., a server, a workstation computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer (e.g., iPad® and Galaxy Tab® etc.), an ultra-portable computer, an ultra-mobile computer, a netbook computer, and / or a subnotebook computer, etc.). In at least one aspect of the present disclosure, one of the devices may be a coordinator node.

[0059] The transceiver 50320 can be configured to receive serial transmission data from the processor 50308 via the corresponding UART, modulate the serial transmission data onto an RF carrier wave, generate a transmission RF signal, and transmit the transmission RF signal via the corresponding antenna. The transceiver(s) can be further configured to receive a received RF signal including an RF carrier wave modulated with serial reception data via the corresponding antenna, demodulate the received RF signal to extract the serial reception data, and provide the serial reception data to the corresponding UART for providing to the processor. Each RF signal has an associated carrier frequency and an associated channel bandwidth. The channel bandwidth is associated with the carrier frequency, the transmission data, and / or the reception data. Each RF carrier frequency and channel bandwidth is associated with the operating frequency range(s) of the transceiver(s) 50320. Each channel bandwidth is further associated with the wireless communication standard and / or protocol that the transceiver(s) 50320 may comply with. In other words, each transceiver 50320 can be configured to support a selected wireless communication standard and / or protocol, e.g., IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n for Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and / or IEEE 802.15.4 for wireless mesh networks using Zigbee routing.

[0060] The processor 50308 is connected to a sensing and intelligent control device 50324 that is connected to an exhaust gas extractor 50326. The exhaust gas extractor 50326 can include one or more sensors 50327, and can also include a pump and a pump motor controlled by a motor driver 50328. The motor driver 50328 is communicatively connected to the processor 50308 and the pump motor within the exhaust gas extractor 50326. The sensing and intelligent control device 50324 includes a sensor algorithm 50321 and a communication algorithm 50322 that facilitate communication between the exhaust gas extractor 50326 and other devices and adapt their control programs. The sensing and intelligent control device 50324 is configured to evaluate, for example, the fluid, particles, and gases extracted through the discharge conduit 50336, as further described herein, to improve the smoke extraction efficiency and / or reduce the smoke output of the device. In a particular example, the sensing and intelligent control device 50324 is communicatively connected to one or more sensors 50327 within the exhaust gas extractor 50326, one or more internal sensors 50330, and / or one or more external sensors 50332 of the electrosurgical system 50300.

[0061] In a particular example, the processor can be located within the ejector housing of the surgical drainage system. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the processor 50408 and its memory 50410 are disposed within the ejector housing 50440 of the surgical drainage system 50400. The processor 50408 signals communicate with the motor driver 50428, various internal sensors 50430, the display 50442, the memory 50410, and the communication device 50418. The communication device 50418 is similar in many respects to the communication device 50318 described above with respect to FIG. 5. The communication device 50418 can enable the processor 50408 within the surgical drainage system 50400 to communicate with other devices within the surgical system. For example, the communication device 50418 can enable wired and / or wireless communication to one or more external sensors 50432, one or more surgical devices 50444, one or more hubs 50448, one or more clouds 50446, and / or one or more additional surgical systems and / or tools. In a particular example, the reader will readily understand that the surgical drainage system 50400 of FIG. 6 can be incorporated into the electrosurgical system 50300 of FIG. 5. The surgical drainage system 50400 also includes a pump 50450 that includes its pump motor 50451, a drainage conduit 50436, and an exhaust port 50452. Various pumps, exhaust conduits, and exhaust ports are further described herein. The surgical drainage system 50400 can also include a sensing and intelligent control device that can be similar in many respects to, for example, the sensing and intelligent control device 50324. For example, such a sensing and intelligent control device can signal communicate with the processor 50408 and / or one or more of the sensors 50430 and / or external sensors 50432.

[0062] The electrosurgical system 50300 (FIG. 5) and / or the surgical drainage system 50400 (FIG. 6) can be programmed to monitor one or more parameters of the surgical system and affect surgical functions based on one or more algorithms stored in memory in signal communication with the processor 50308 and / or 50408. Various exemplary aspects disclosed herein can be implemented, for example, by such algorithms.

[0063] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a processor and sensor system, such as processors 50308 and 50408 and corresponding sensor systems in communication therewith (FIGS. 5 and 6), are configured to sense airflow through a vacuum source to adjust parameters of, for example, the smoke evacuation system and / or external devices and / or systems used in conjunction with the smoke evacuation system, such as electrosurgical systems, energy devices, and / or generators. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the sensor system can include multiple sensors positioned along the airflow path of the surgical evacuation system. The sensors can measure a pressure difference within the evacuation system to detect a state or condition of the system between the sensors. For example, the system between two sensors can be a filter, and the pressure difference can be used to increase the speed of a pump motor when flow through the filter is reduced in order to maintain flow through the system. As another example, the system can be a fluid trap in the evacuation system, and the pressure difference can be used to determine the airflow path through the evacuation system. In yet another example, the system can be an inlet and outlet (or exhaust) of the evacuation system, and the pressure difference can be used to determine a maximum suction load within the evacuation system in order to maintain the maximum suction load below a threshold.

[0064] In one aspect of the present disclosure, processors such as processors 50308 and 50408 and corresponding sensor systems (Figs. 5 and 6) that communicate with them are configured to detect the ratio of aerosol or carbonized fine particles, i.e., smoke, in the fluid extracted from the surgical site. For example, the sensing system may include sensors that detect the size and / or composition of particles used to select the air flow path through the exhaust system. In such an example, the exhaust system can include a first filtration path or a first filtration state and a second filtration path or a second filtration state that can have different characteristics. In one example, the first path includes only a particulate filter, and the second path includes both a fluid filter and a particulate filter. In a specific example, the first path includes a particulate filter, and the second path includes a particulate filter and a finer particulate filter arranged in series. Additional and / or alternative filtration paths are also envisioned.

[0065] In one aspect of the present disclosure, processors such as processors 50308 and 50408 and corresponding sensor systems (Figs. 5 and 6) that communicate with them are configured to perform chemical analysis on the particles discharged from the patient's abdominal cavity. For example, the sensing and intelligent control device 50324 may sense the number and type of particles in order to adjust the power level of the ultrasonic generator to induce the ultrasonic blade to generate less smoke. In another example, the sensor system may include sensors for detecting the number of particles, temperature, fluid content, and / or ratio of contamination of the discharged fluid, and the detected characteristic(s) can be communicated to the generator to adjust the output of the generator. For example, the smoke extractor 50326 and / or the sensing and intelligent control device 50324 therefor may be configured to adjust the exhaust flow rate and / or the motor speed of the pump to a predetermined particulate level and may operably affect the output power or waveform of the generator to reduce the smoke generated by the end effector.

[0066] In one aspect of the present disclosure, processors and sensor systems, such as processors 50308 and 50408 and their corresponding sensor systems (FIGS. 5 and 6), are configured to assess particle counts and contamination in an operating room by evaluating one or more characteristics of the ambient air and / or the exhaust air from the eductor housing. The particle count and / or air quality may be displayed on the smoke evacuation system, such as on the eductor housing, to communicate the information to clinicians and / or to establish the effectiveness of the smoke evacuation system and its filter(s), for example.

[0067] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a processor, such as, for example, processor 50308 or processor 50408 (FIGS. 5 and 6), is configured to compare sample velocity images obtained from the endoscope with evacuation particle counts from a sensing system (e.g., sensing and intelligent controller 50324) to determine correlation and / or adjust the pump revolutions-per-minute (RPM) rate. In one example, activation of the generator may be communicated to the smoke evacuation system, thereby implementing the anticipated required smoke evacuation rate. Activation of the generator may be communicated to the surgical evacuation system, for example, via a surgical hub, a cloud communication system, and / or a direct connection.

[0068] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the sensor system and algorithm of the smoke exhaust system (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6) can be configured to control the smoke exhaust device and adapt its motor parameters to adjust the filtration efficiency of the smoke exhaust device based on the needs of the surgical field at a given time. In one example, an adaptive air flow pump speed algorithm is provided for automatically changing the motor pump speed based on the sensed particulates entering the inlet of the smoke exhaust device and / or exiting the outlet or exhaust port of the smoke exhaust device. For example, the sensing and intelligent control device 50324 (FIG. 5) can include, for example, user-selectable speeds and automatic mode speeds. In the automatic mode speed, the air flow through the exhaust system may be scalable based on the lack of smoke entering the exhaust system and / or filtered particles exiting the smoke exhaust system. In a particular example, the automatic mode speed can provide automatic sensing and compensation in the laparoscopic mode.

[0069] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the exhaust system can include an electrical and communication architecture (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6) that provides data collection and communication functions to improve the bidirectionality with the surgical hub and the cloud. In one embodiment, the surgical exhaust system and / or its processors, such as processor 50308 (FIG. 5) and processor 50408 (FIG. 6), can include a segmented control circuit that is powered on in a stepwise manner to verify system errors, short circuits, and / or safety checks. The segmented control circuit can also be configured to have an energized portion and a non-energized portion until the energized portion performs a first function. The segmented control circuit can include circuit elements for identifying status updates and displaying them to the user of the attached components. The segmented control circuit can also include circuit elements for operating the motor in a first state where the motor is activated by the user and a second state where the motor is not activated by the user but operates the pump more quietly and at a slower speed. The segmented control circuit can, for example, enable the smoke exhaust device to be powered on stepwise.

[0070] The electrical and communication architecture of the evacuation system (see, e.g., Figures 5 and 6) can also provide interconnectivity of the smoke evacuation system with other components in the surgical hub for interaction and communication of data with the cloud. Communication of surgical evacuation system parameters to the surgical hub and / or the cloud can be provided to affect the output or operation of other attached devices. Parameters may be operational or sensed. Operational parameters include airflow, pressure differential, and air quality. Sensed parameters include particulate concentration, aerosol fraction, and chemical analysis.

[0071] In one aspect of the present disclosure, an evacuation system, such as the surgical evacuation system 50400, can also include a housing, replaceable components, a control, and a display. Circuitry is provided for communicating security identification (ID) between such replaceable components. For example, communication between the filter and the smoke evacuation electronics can be provided to verify component authenticity, remaining life, update parameters within the components, log errors, and / or limit the number and / or type of components that can be identified by the system. In various examples, the communication circuitry can authenticate features for enabling and / or disabling configuration parameters. The communication circuitry can employ encryption and / or error handling schemes to manage security and unique relationships between components and the smoke evacuation electronics. Disposable / reusable components are included in specific examples.

[0072] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the drainage system can provide fluid management and an extraction filter and air flow configuration. For example, a surgical drainage system including a fluid capture mechanism is provided, the fluid capture mechanism having first and second sets of extraction or air flow control mechanisms, which are in series with each other and extract large and small fluid droplets respectively. In a particular example, the air flow path can include a recirculation channel or a secondary fluid channel that returns from downstream of the exhaust port of the main fluid management chamber to the primary reservoir.

[0073] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a high-performance pad can be coupled to an electrosurgical system. For example, the ground electrode 50335 of the electrosurgical system 50300 (FIG. 5) can include a high-performance pad having local sensing integrated into the pad while maintaining capacitive coupling. For example, a capacitive coupling return path pad can have small separable array elements that can be used to detect the proximity of a monopolar tip to a nerve bundle and / or sense nerve control signals and / or movement at a selected anatomical location.

[0074] An electrosurgical system can include a signal generator, an electrosurgical instrument, a return electrode, and a surgical evacuation system. The generator may be an RF wave generator that generates RF electrical energy. A utility conduit is connected to the electrosurgical instrument. The utility conduit includes a cable that transmits electrical energy from the signal generator to the electrosurgical instrument. The utility conduit also includes a vacuum hose that conveys captured and / or collected smoke and / or fluid away from the surgical site. Such an exemplary electrosurgical system 50601 is shown in FIG. 7. More specifically, the electrosurgical system 50601 includes a generator 50640, an electrosurgical instrument 50630, a return electrode 50646, and an evacuation system 50600. The electrosurgical instrument 50630 includes a handle 50632 and a distal conduit opening 50634 fluidly coupled to the suction hose 50636 of the evacuation system 50600. The electrosurgical instrument 50630 also includes an electrode that is powered by the generator 50640. A first electrical connection 50642, such as a wire, extends from the electrosurgical instrument 50630 to the generator 50640. A second electrical connection 50644, such as a wire, extends from the electrosurgical instrument 50630 to the electrode, i.e., the return electrode 50646. In other examples, the electrosurgical instrument 50630 may be a bipolar electrosurgical instrument. The distal conduit opening 50634 on the electrosurgical instrument 50630 is fluidly coupled to a suction hose 50636 that extends to a filter end cap 50603 of a filter installed within an ejector housing 50618 of the evacuation system 50600.

[0075] In other examples, the distal conduit opening 50634 of the evacuation system 50600 may be on a handpiece or tool that is separate from the electrosurgical instrument 50630. For example, the evacuation system 50600 may include a surgical tool that is not coupled to the generator 50640 and / or does not include a tissue-conducting surface. In certain examples, the distal conduit opening 50634 of the evacuation system 50600 may be releasably attached to the electrosurgical tool. For example, the evacuation system 50600 may include a clip-on or snap-on conduit that terminates in the distal conduit opening, which may be releasably attached to the surgical tool (see, e.g., FIG. 3 ).

[0076] The electrosurgical instrument 50630, as described herein, is configured to deliver electrical energy to target tissue of a patient to cut the tissue and / or cauterize blood vessels in and / or near the target tissue. Specifically, an electrical discharge is delivered to the patient by the electrode tip to cause heating of the patient's cellular material in close contact with or adjacent to the electrode tip. The tissue heating occurs to a suitably high temperature so that electrosurgical procedures can be performed using the electrosurgical instrument 50630. A return electrode 50646 (depending on the type of return electrode) is either applied to the patient or positioned adjacent to the patient to complete the circuit and provide a return electrical path to the generator 50640 for the energy entering the patient's body.

[0077] Heating of a patient's cellular material with the electrode tip, or cauterization of blood vessels to prevent bleeding, often results in the emission of smoke at the location where the cauterization is occurring, as described further herein. In such instances, the evacuation system 50600 is configured to capture smoke emitted during a surgical procedure, as the evacuation conduit opening 50634 is near the electrode tip. Vacuum suction can draw the smoke through the electrosurgical instrument 50630, into the conduit opening 50634, and into the suction hose 50636 toward the evacuation housing 50618 of the smoke evacuation system 50600.

[0078] Referring now to FIG. 8, the ejector housing 50618 of the exhaust system 50600 (FIG. 7) is shown. The ejector housing 50618 includes a socket 50620 dimensioned and configured to receive a filter. The ejector housing 50618 can completely or partially surround the internal components of the ejector housing 50618. The socket 50620 includes a first receptacle 50622 and a second receptacle 50624. A transition surface 50626 extends between the first receptacle 50622 and the second receptacle 50624.

[0079] Referring now mainly to FIG. 9, the socket 50620 is depicted along the cross-sectional plane shown in FIG. 8. The socket 50620 includes a first end 50621 that is open to receive a filter and a second end 50623 that communicates with a flow path 50699 through the ejector housing 50618. A filter 50670 (FIGS. 10 and 11) may be removably disposed with the socket 50620. For example, the filter 50670 may be inserted into and removed from the first end 50621 of the socket 50620. The second receptacle 50624 is configured to receive a connection nipple of the filter 50670.

[0080] Surgical exhaust systems often use a filter to remove unwanted contaminants from the smoke before the smoke is released as exhaust. In certain examples, the filter may be replaceable. The reader will understand that the filter 50670 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be used in various exhaust systems disclosed herein. The filter 50670 may be a replaceable and / or disposable filter.

[0081] Filter 50670 includes a front cap 50672, a rear cap 50674, and a filter body 50676 disposed therebetween. The front cap 50672 includes a filter inlet 50678 configured to receive smoke directly from a suction hose 50636 (FIG. 7) or other smoke source in certain examples. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the front cap 50672 can be replaced by a fluid trap (e.g., fluid trap 50760 shown in FIGS. 14-17) that directs smoke directly from the smoke source, removes at least a portion of the fluid therefrom, and then passes the partially treated smoke into the filter body 50676 for further treatment. For example, the filter inlet 50678 can be configured to receive smoke via an exhaust port of a fluid trap, such as port 50766 of fluid trap 50760 (FIGS. 14-17), and transmit the partially treated smoke to the filter 50670.

[0082] As smoke enters the filter 50670, it can be filtered by components housed within the filter body 50676. The filtered smoke can then exit the filter 50670 through a filter outlet 50680 defined in a rear cap 50674 of the filter 50670. When the filter 50670 is associated with an evacuation system, suction created within the evacuation system's 50600 evacuation housing 50618 can be transmitted to the filter 50670 via the filter outlet 50680 to draw the smoke through the filter's 50670's internal filtering components. Filters often include a particulate filter and a charcoal filter. The particulate filter can be, for example, a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or an ultra-low penetration air (ULPA) filter. ULPA filtration utilizes a depth filter similar to a labyrinth. Particulates can be filtered using at least one of the following methods: direct interception (particles over 1.0 microns are trapped because they are too large to pass through the fibers of the media filter), inertial impaction (particles between 0.5 and 1.0 microns collide with the fibers and are retained there), and diffusion interception (particles smaller than 0.5 microns are trapped by the effects of Brownian random thermal motion as the particles "search" for and adhere to the fibers).

[0083] The charcoal filter is configured to remove toxic gases and / or odors generated by surgical smoke. In various examples, the charcoal may be "activated," meaning that it has been treated with a heating process to expose active absorption sites. The charcoal may be, for example, from activated virgin coconut shells.

[0084] Referring now to FIG. 11, filter 50670 includes a coarse media filter layer 50684, followed by a fine particulate filter layer 50686. In other examples, filter 50670 may consist of a single type of filter. In still other examples, filter 50670 can include three or more filter layers and / or three or more different types of filter layers. After particulate matter is removed by filter layers 50684 and 50686, the smoke is drawn through carbon reservoir 50688 within filter 50670 to remove gaseous contaminants in the smoke, such as volatile organic compounds. In various examples, carbon reservoir 50688 can include a carbon filter. The filtered smoke, which here is substantially free of particulate matter and gaseous contaminants, is drawn into exhaust system 50600 through filter exhaust port 50680 for further processing and / or removal.

[0085] Filter 50670 includes a plurality of dams between components of filter body 50676. For example, a first dam 50690 is disposed, for example, intermediate filter inlet 50678 (FIG. 10) and a first particulate filter such as coarse media filter 50684. A second dam 50692 is disposed, for example, intermediate a second particulate filter such as fine particulate filter 50686 and carbon reservoir 50688. Additionally, a third dam 50694 is disposed intermediate carbon reservoir 50688 and filter exhaust port 50680. Dams 50690, 50692, and 50694 can include gaskets or O-rings, which are configured to prevent movement of components within filter body 50676. In various examples, the size and shape of dams 50690, 50692, and 50694 can be selected to prevent expansion of the filter components in the direction of the applied suction.

[0086] The coarse media filter 50684 can include a low air resistance filter material such as glass fiber, polyester, and / or a pleated filter configured to remove most of the particulate matter larger than, for example, 10 μm. In some aspects of the present disclosure, this includes a filter that removes at least 85% of the particulate matter larger than 1 μm, more than 90% of the particulate matter larger than 10 μm, more than 95% of the particulate matter larger than 10 μm, more than 99% of the particulate matter larger than 10 μm, more than 99.9% of the particulate matter larger than 10 μm, or more than 99.99% of the particulate matter larger than 10 μm.

[0087] In addition or alternatively, the coarse media filter 50684 can include a low air resistance filter that removes most of the particulate matter larger than 1 μm. In some aspects of the present disclosure, this includes a filter that removes at least 85% of the particulate matter larger than 1 μm, more than 90% of the particulate matter larger than 1 μm, more than 95% of the particulate matter larger than 1 μm, more than 99% of the particulate matter larger than 1 μm, more than 99.9% of the particulate matter larger than 1 μm, or more than 99.99% of the particulate matter larger than 1 μm.

[0088] The fine particulate filter 50686 can include any filter with higher efficiency than the coarse media filter 50684. This includes, for example, a filter that can filter a higher percentage of particles of the same size as the coarse media filter 50684 and / or can filter particles smaller in size than the coarse media filter 50684. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the fine particulate filter 50686 can include a HEPA filter or a ULPA filter. In addition or alternatively, the fine particulate filter 50686 may be pleated to increase its surface area. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the coarse media filter 50684 includes a pleated HEPA filter and the fine particulate filter 50686 includes a pleated ULPA filter.

[0089] After particulate filtration, the smoke enters a downstream portion of the filter 50670 that includes a carbon reservoir 50688. The carbon reservoir 50688 is defined by porous partitions 50696 and 50698 disposed between the intermediate dam 50692 and the end dam 50694, respectively. In some aspects of the disclosure, the porous partitions 50696 and 50698 are rigid and / or inflexible and define a fixed spatial volume for the carbon reservoir 50688.

[0090] The carbon reservoir 50688 can include additional sorbents that act cumulatively with or independently of the carbon particles to remove gaseous pollutants. The additional sorbents can include sorbents such as magnesium oxide and / or copper oxide, which can act to adsorb gaseous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, ethylene oxide, and / or ozone. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the additional sorbents are dispersed throughout the reservoir 50688 and / or disposed in a separate layer above, below, or within the reservoir 50688.

[0091] Referring again to FIG. 4 , the evacuation system 50500 includes a pump 50506 within the evacuation housing 50518. Similarly, the evacuation system 50600 shown in FIG. 7 can include a pump disposed within the evacuation housing 50618 that can generate suction to draw smoke from the surgical site, through the suction hose 50636, and through a filter 50670 ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ). During operation, the pump can create a pressure differential within the evacuation housing 50618 that causes the smoke to move into the filter 50670 and out an exhaust mechanism (e.g., exhaust mechanism 50520 in FIG. 4 ) at the outlet of the flow path. The filter 50670 is configured to extract harmful, contaminating, or otherwise unwanted particulates from the smoke.

[0092] The pump may be arranged in series with the flow path through the ejector housing 50618, such that the gas flowing through the ejector housing 50618 enters the pump at one end and exits the pump at the other end. The pump can provide a sealed positive displacement flow path. In various examples, the pump can create a sealed positive displacement flow path by trapping (sealing) a first volume of gas as the gas moves through the pump and reducing that volume to a second, smaller volume. By reducing the volume of the trapped gas, the pressure of the gas increases. The second pressurized volume of gas can be discharged from the pump at the pump outlet. For example, the pump may be a compressor. More specifically, the pump may include a hybrid regenerative blower, a claw pump, a lobe compressor, and / or a scroll compressor. A positive displacement compressor can provide an improved compression ratio and operating pressure while limiting the vibrations and noise generated by the discharge system 50600. Additionally or alternatively, the discharge system 50600 can include a fan for moving fluid.

[0093] An example of a positive displacement compressor, such as a scroll compressor pump 50650, is shown in FIG. 12. The scroll compressor pump 50650 includes a stator scroll 50652 and an orbiting scroll 50654. The stator scroll 50652 can be fixed in place while the orbiting scroll 50654 orbits eccentrically. For example, the orbiting scroll 50654 can orbit eccentrically so as to rotate about the central longitudinal axis of the stator scroll 50652. As shown in FIG. 12, the central longitudinal axes of the stator scroll 50652 and the orbiting scroll 50654 extend perpendicular to the plane of view of the scrolls 50652, 50654. The stator scroll 50652 and the orbiting scroll 50654 are arranged alternately with each other to form separate sealed compression chambers 50656.

[0094] In use, gas can enter the scroll compressor pump 50650 at the inlet 50658. As the orbiting scroll 50654 orbits relative to the fixed scroll 50652, the inlet gas is first trapped within the compression chamber 50656. The compression chamber 50656 is configured to move discrete volumes of gas along the spiral shapes of the scrolls 50652 and 50654 towards the center of the scroll compressor pump 50650. The compression chamber 50656 defines a sealed space in which gas is present. Further, as the orbiting scroll 50654 moves the trapped gas towards the center of the fixed scroll 50652, the volume of the compression chamber 50656 decreases. This decrease in volume increases the pressure of the gas within the compression chamber 50656. The gas within the sealed compression chamber 50656 is trapped while the volume is decreasing and thus pressurizes the gas. When the pressurized gas reaches the center of the scroll compressor pump 50650, the pressurized gas is discharged through the outlet 50659.

[0095] Referring now to FIG. 13, a portion of the exhaust system 50700 is shown. The exhaust system 50700 may be similar in many respects to the exhaust system 50600 (FIG. 7). For example, the exhaust system 50700 includes an ejector housing 50618 and a suction hose 50636. Referring again to FIG. 7, the exhaust system 50600 is configured to generate suction and thereby draw smoke into the ejector housing 50618 from the distal end of the suction hose 50636 for treatment. In particular, the suction hose 50636 is not connected to the ejector housing 50618 via the filter end cap 50603 of FIG. 13. Rather, the suction hose 50636 is connected to the ejector housing 50618 via a fluid trap 50760. A filter similar to the filter 50670 can be disposed within a socket of the ejector housing 50618 behind the fluid trap 50760.

[0096] The fluid trap 50760 is a first treatment point that extracts and holds at least a portion of a fluid (e.g., liquid) from the smoke before relaying the partially treated smoke to the exhaust system 50700 for further treatment and filtration. The exhaust system 50700 is configured to treat, filter, and otherwise clean the smoke to reduce or eliminate unpleasant odors or other problems associated with smoke generation in an operating room (or other operating environment) as described herein. In certain examples, the fluid trap 50760 can, among other things, increase the efficiency of the exhaust system 50700 and / or increase the lifespan of the filter associated therewith by extracting droplets and / or aerosols from the smoke before it is further treated by the exhaust system 50700.

[0097] Referring mainly to FIGS. 14 - 17, the fluid trap 50760 is shown removed from the ejector housing 50618 (FIG. 13). The fluid trap 50760 includes an inlet port 50762 defined in the front cover or surface 50764 of the fluid trap 50760. The inlet port 50762 can be configured to removably receive the suction hose 50636 (FIG. 13). For example, the end of the suction hose 50636 can be at least partially inserted into the inlet port 50762 and can be fixed therein by an interference fit. In various examples, the interference fit can be a fluid - tight and / or air - tight fit such that substantially all of the smoke passing through the suction hose 50636 is transferred into the fluid trap 50760. In some cases, other mechanisms for connecting or joining the suction hose 50636 to the inlet port 50762 can be used, such as, for example, a latch - based compression fit, an O - ring, screwing the suction hose 50636 to the inlet port 50762, and / or other connection mechanisms.

[0098] In various examples, the fluid-tight and / or air-tight fit between the suction hose 50636 and the fluid trap 50760 is configured to prevent leakage of fluid and / or other substances in the smoke discharged at or near the junction of these components. In some cases, the suction hose 50636 can be associated with the inlet port 50762 via an intermediate connection device such as, for example, an O-ring and / or an adapter to further ensure an air-tight and / or fluid-tight connection between the suction hose 50636 and the fluid trap 50760.

[0099] As described above, the fluid trap 50760 includes an exhaust port 50766. The exhaust port extends in a direction away from the back cover or surface 50768 of the fluid trap 50760. The exhaust port 50766 defines an open channel between the internal chamber 50770 of the fluid trap 50760 and the external environment. In some cases, the exhaust port 50766 is sized and shaped to be closely associated with the surgical discharge system or its components. For example, the exhaust port 50766 can be sized and shaped to be associated with and convey at least partially processed smoke from the fluid trap 50760 to a filter housed within the ejector housing 50618 (FIG. 13). In certain examples, the exhaust port 50766 can extend in a direction away from the front plate, top surface, or side surface of the fluid trap 50760.

[0100] In certain examples, the exhaust port 50766 includes a membrane that spaces the exhaust port 50766 from the ejector housing 50618. Such a membrane can act to prevent water or other liquids collected within the fluid trap 50760 from passing through the exhaust port 50766 and entering the ejector housing 50618 while allowing air, water, and / or vapor to freely enter the ejector housing 50618. For example, a high-flow microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) can be placed downstream of the exhaust port 50766 and upstream of the pump to protect the pump or other components of the discharge system 50700 from damage and / or contamination.

[0101] The fluid trap 50760 also includes a gripping region 50772 that is sized and positioned to assist a user in handling the fluid trap 50760 and / or connecting the fluid trap 50760 to the suction hose 50636 and / or the ejector housing 50618. The gripping region 50772 is depicted as an elongated recess. However, the reader will readily understand that the gripping region 50772 may include, for example, at least one recess, groove, protrusion, tassel, and / or ring, which may be sized and shaped to correspond to a user's finger or otherwise provide a gripping surface.

[0102] Referring now primarily to FIGS. 16 and 17, the internal chamber 50770 of the fluid trap 50760 is shown. The relative arrangement of the inlet port 50762 and the exhaust port 50766 is configured to facilitate the extraction and retention of fluid from the smoke as the smoke enters the fluid trap 50760. In a particular example, the inlet port 50762 can have a notched cylindrical shape, which can direct the smoke and associated fluid towards the fluid reservoir 50774 of the fluid trap 50760 or otherwise away from the exhaust port 50766 in a directed manner. Examples of such fluid flow are shown by the arrows A, B, C, D, and E in FIG. 17.

[0103] As shown, smoke enters the fluid trap 50760 through the inlet port 50762 (indicated by arrow A) and exits the fluid trap 50760 through the exhaust port 50766 (indicated by arrow E). Due at least in part to the geometry of the inlet port (e.g., the longer upper sidewall 50761 and the shorter lower sidewall 50763), the smoke entering the inlet port 50762 is initially directed mainly downward into the fluid reservoir 50774 of the fluid trap 50760 (indicated by arrow B). As the smoke continues to be drawn downward into the fluid trap 50760 along arrows A and B, the initially downward-directed smoke rotates downward and is directed away laterally from its source, moving outward through the exhaust port 50766 in a substantially opposite but parallel path toward the top of the fluid trap 50760 (indicated by arrows D and E).

[0104] The directional flow of smoke through the fluid trap 50760 can ensure that the liquid in the smoke is extracted and retained within the lower portion of the fluid trap 50760 (e.g., the fluid reservoir 50774). Further, the relative arrangement of the exhaust port 50766 vertically above the inlet port 50762 when the fluid trap 50760 is in an upright position is configured to substantially prevent the flow of fluid in and out of the fluid trap 50760 while suppressing the unintentional conveyance of liquid through the exhaust port 50766 by the smoke flow. Additionally, in certain examples, the configuration of the inlet port 50762 and the outlet port 50766, and / or the size and shape of the fluid trap 50760 itself, can enable the fluid trap 50760 to be sealed.

[0105] In various examples, the evacuation system can include multiple sensors and an intelligent controller, for example, as further described herein with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6 . In one aspect of the present disclosure, the evacuation system can include one or more temperature sensors, one or more fluid detection sensors, one or more pressure sensors, one or more particle sensors, and / or one or more chemical sensors. The temperature sensor can be positioned to detect the temperature of fluid at the surgical site traveling through the surgical evacuation system and / or being discharged from the surgical evacuation system into the operating room. The pressure sensor can be positioned to detect pressure within the evacuation system, such as within the ejector housing. For example, the pressure sensor can be positioned upstream of the filter, between the filter and the pump, and / or downstream of the pump. In certain examples, the pressure sensor can be positioned to detect pressure in the ambient environment outside the evacuation system. Similarly, the particle sensor can be positioned to detect particles within the evacuation system, such as within the ejector housing. The particle sensor can be, for example, upstream of the filter, between the filter and the pump, and / or downstream of the pump. In various examples, the particle sensor can be positioned to detect particles in the ambient environment, for example, to determine air quality within the operating room.

[0106] The ejector housing 50818 of the evacuation system 50800 is shown schematically in FIG. 18 . The ejector housing 50818 may be similar in many respects to, for example, the ejector housings 50018 and / or 50618 and / or may be incorporated into the various evacuation systems disclosed herein. The ejector housing 50818 includes a number of sensors, which are described further herein. The reader will understand that a particular ejector housing may not include each sensor shown in FIG. 18 and / or may include additional sensor(s). Similar to the ejector housings 50018 and 50618 disclosed herein, the ejector housing 50818 of FIG. 18 includes an inlet 50822 and an outlet 50824. The fluid trap 50860, filter 50870, and pump 50806 are aligned in series along a flow path 50804 through the ejector housing 50818 between the inlet 50822 and the outlet 50824.

[0107] The ejector housing can include modular and / or replaceable components, as described further herein. For example, the ejector housing can include a socket or receptacle 50871 sized to receive a modular fluid trap and / or a replaceable filter. In certain examples, as shown in FIG. 18 , the fluid trap and filter can be incorporated into a single replaceable module 50859. More specifically, the fluid trap 50860 and the filter 50870 form a replaceable module 50859, which can be modular and / or replaceable, and can be removably installed in the receptacle 50871 in the ejector housing 50818. In other examples, the fluid trap 50860 and the filter 50870 can be separate and distinct modular components that can be assembled together and / or installed separately in the ejector housing 50818.

[0108] Referring further to the ejector housing 50818, the ejector housing 50818 includes a plurality of sensors for detecting various internal parameters and / or parameters of the surrounding environment. Additionally or alternatively, one or more modular components installed within the ejector housing 50818 can include one or more sensors. For example, referring further to FIG. 18, the replaceable module 50859 includes a plurality of sensors for detecting various internal parameters.

[0109] In various examples, the ejector housing 50818 and / or the modular component(s) compatible with the ejector housing 50818 can include processors such as processors 50308 and 50408 (FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively), which are configured to receive input from one or more sensors and / or communicate an output to one or more systems and / or drivers. Various processors for use with the ejector housing 50818 are further described herein.

[0110] During operation, smoke from the surgical site can be drawn into the ejector housing 50818 through the inlet 50822 via the fluid trap 50860. The flow path 50804 through the ejector housing 50818 of FIG. 18 can include a sealed conduit or tube 50805 that extends between various components arranged in a row. In various examples, the smoke can pass through the fluid detection sensor 50830 and the chemical sensor 50832 and flow to the diverter valve 50834 further described herein. A fluid detection sensor such as the sensor 50830 can detect fluid particles in the smoke. In one example, the fluid detection sensor 50830 can be a continuity sensor. For example, the fluid detection sensor 50830 can include two spaced electrodes and a sensor for detecting the degree of continuity therebetween. For example, when no fluid is present, the continuity can be zero or substantially zero. The chemical sensor 50832 can detect the chemical characteristics of the smoke.

[0111] In the diverter valve 50834, fluid can be directed into the condenser 50835 of the fluid trap 50860, and the smoke can continue to proceed toward the filter 50870. The baffle 50864 is disposed within the condenser 50835 to promote the condensation of fluid droplets from the smoke into the reservoir within the fluid trap 50860. The fluid detection sensor 50836 can ensure that any fluid within the ejector housing is completely or at least substantially captured within the fluid trap 50860.

[0112] Referring further to FIG. 18, the smoke can then be directed to flow into the filter 50870 of the replaceable module 50859. At the inlet to the filter 50870, the smoke can flow through the particle sensor 50838 and the pressure sensor 50840. In one form, the particle sensor 50838 can include a laser particle counter, as further described herein. The smoke can be filtered through the pleated ultra-low penetration air (ULPA) filter 50842 and the carbon filter 50844, as shown in FIG. 18.

[0113] Once the filter is exited, the filtered smoke can flow through the pressure sensor 50846 and then continue to proceed towards the pump 50806 along the flow path 50804 within the ejector housing 50818. When moving through the pump 50806, the filtered smoke can flow through the outlet particle sensor 50848 and the pressure sensor 50850 and into the ejector housing 50818. In one form, the particulate sensor 50848 can include a laser particle counter, as further described herein. The ejector housing 50818 of FIG. 18 also includes an air quality particle sensor 50852 and an ambient pressure sensor 50854 to detect various characteristics of the surrounding environment, such as the environment within an operating room. In at least one form, the air quality particle sensor or external / ambient air particle sensor 50852 can include a laser particle counter. The various sensors shown in FIG. 18 are further described herein. Additionally, in various examples, alternative sensing means can be utilized in the smoke exhaust system disclosed herein. For example, alternative sensors for counting particles and / or determining the particulate concentration in a fluid are further disclosed herein.

[0114] In various examples, the fluid trap 50860 shown in FIG. 18 can be configured to prevent the outflow and / or leakage of the captured fluid. For example, the geometric shape of the fluid trap 50860 may be selected to prevent the captured fluid from flowing out and / or leaking. In a particular example, the fluid trap 50860 can include a splatter screen, such as a baffle and / or screen 50862, to prevent the captured fluid from splashing out of the fluid trap 50860. In one or more examples, the fluid trap 50860 can include a sensor for detecting the volume of the fluid within the fluid trap and / or determining whether the fluid trap 50860 is filled to capacity. The fluid trap 50860 may include a valve for emptying the fluid therefrom. The reader will readily understand that various alternative fluid trap configurations and geometric shapes can be used to capture the fluid drawn into the ejector housing 50818.

[0115] In certain examples, the filter 50870 can include additional and / or fewer levels of filtration. For example, the filter 50870 can include one or more filtration layers selected from the group of a coarse media filter, a fine media filter, and a sorbent-based filter. The coarse media filter can be a low air resistance filter that can be constructed of, for example, glass fiber, polyester, and / or a pleated filter. The fine media filter can be a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and / or a ULPA filter. The sorbent-based filter can be, for example, an activated carbon filter. The reader will readily appreciate that a variety of alternative filter configurations and geometries can be used to filter smoke drawn along the flow path through the ejector housing 50818.

[0116] 18 may be replaced with and / or used in combination with another compressor and / or pump, such as, for example, a hybrid regenerative blower, a claw pump, and / or a lobe compressor. The reader will readily appreciate that a variety of alternative pump configurations and geometries may be used to create suction in the flow path 50804 to draw smoke into the eductor housing 50818.

[0117] Various sensors in the evacuation system, such as the sensors shown in FIG. 18 , can be in communication with a processor. The processor can be incorporated into the evacuation system and / or can be a component of another surgical instrument and / or surgical hub. Various processors are described further herein. The on-board processor can be configured to adjust one or more operating parameters of the ejector system (e.g., a motor for the pump 50806) based on input from the sensor(s). Additionally or alternatively, the on-board processor can be configured to adjust one or more operating parameters of another device, such as an electrosurgical tool and / or an imaging device, based on input from the sensor(s).

[0118] Referring now to FIG. 19, another exhaust housing 50918 for the exhaust system 50900 is shown. The exhaust housing 50918 of FIG. 19 may be similar to the exhaust housing 50818 of FIG. 18 in many respects. For example, the exhaust housing 50918 defines a flow path 50904 between an inlet 50922 to the exhaust housing 50918 and an outlet 50924 of the exhaust housing 50918. Intermediate the inlet 50922 and the outlet 50924, a fluid trap 50960, a filter 50970, and a pump 50906 are sequentially arranged. The exhaust housing 50918 can include a socket or receptacle 50971 sized to receive a modular fluid trap and / or a replaceable filter, similar to the receptacle 50871, for example. At the switching valve 50934, the fluid can be directed into the condenser 50935 of the fluid trap 50960, and the fumes can be directed directly towards the filter 50970. In a particular example, the fluid trap 50960 can include baffles such as baffle 50964 and / or a splatter screen such as screen 50962 to prevent the captured fluid from escaping from the fluid trap 50960. The filter 50970 includes a pleated ultra-low penetration air (ULPA) filter 50942 and a carbon filter 50944. A sealed conduit or tube 50905 extends between various rows of components. The exhaust housing 50918 also includes sensors 50830, 50832, 50836, 50838, 50840, 50846, 50848, 50850, 50852, and 50854, further described herein and shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

[0119] Referring further to FIG. 19, the ejector housing 50918 also includes a centrifugal blower mechanism 50980 and a recirculation valve 50990. The recirculation valve 50990 can be selectively opened and closed to recirculate fluid through the fluid trap 50960. For example, when the fluid detection sensor 50836 detects fluid, the recirculation valve 50990 can be opened so that the fluid is directed away from the filter 50970 and back into the fluid trap 50960. When the fluid detection sensor 50836 does not detect fluid, the valve 50990 can be closed so that smoke is directed towards the filter 50970. When fluid is recirculated through the recirculation valve 50990, the fluid can be drawn through the recirculation conduit 50982. The centrifugal blower mechanism 50980 engages with the recirculation conduit 50982 to generate a recirculation suction force within the recirculation conduit 50982. More specifically, when the recirculation valve 50990 is opened and the pump 50906 is activated, the suction force generated by the pump 50906 downstream of the filter 50970 can cause the rotation of the first centrifugal blower or basket-shaped 50984, which can transmit to the second centrifugal blower or basket-shaped 50986 that draws in the fluid recirculated into the fluid trap 50960 through the recirculation valve 50990.

[0120] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the control unit schematic diagrams of FIGS. 5 and 6 can be utilized with the various sensor systems and ejector housings of FIGS. 18 and 19.

[0121] Communication of smoke evacuation system parameters to a surgical hub or cloud for affecting the output or operation of other attached devices END8546USNP(M-1 / 164469) During a surgical procedure in which an electrosurgical instrument is used, parameters such as the type, concentration, and particle size of the particulates in the surgical smoke have not been monitored heretofore. Not monitoring the smoke during surgery means that the smoke evacuation device present at the surgical site could not adjust its operation to evacuate smoke more carefully to compensate for changes in the parameters of the surgical procedure (e.g., higher particulate concentration in the discharged smoke, etc.).

[0122] 20-22 and 25-35, the example smart smoke evacuation system 56100 described herein can communicate detected or sensed parameters to the surgical hub 206 or cloud analytics computing environment 204 (hereinafter cloud 204), which can affect the output and operation of other devices in communication with the surgical hub 206 or cloud 204. For example, if different particulate concentrations are detected, the different parameters can be communicated to the surgical hub 206 or cloud 204, which can adjust the operation of another component in the smart smoke evacuation system 56100, such as the power level applied to an electrosurgical instrument, to compensate for the different parameters.

[0123] By automatically adjusting the operation of other devices according to parameters detected by the smart smoke evacuation system, smoke generated by the operation of electrosurgical instruments is more efficiently removed, reducing the risk to physicians and other personnel present during the surgical procedure.

[0124] Figure 20 shows a smoke evacuation system 56100 in which various modules and devices communicate with each other, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Communication between the modules and devices identified in the smoke evacuation system 56100 can occur directly or indirectly via a connection through the surgical hub 204 and / or the cloud 204. The smoke evacuation system 56100 can be interactively coupled to the surgical hub 206 and / or the cloud 204, for example, as described in FIGS. 25-35. In this way, the parameters sensed or detected by the smoke evacuation module 226 can affect the functions of other modules, devices, or components within a computer-implemented surgical system as shown in FIGS. 32-24. FIG. 20 shows, for example, a computer-implemented smoke evacuation system 56100 comprising the cloud 204, the surgical hub 206, the smoke evacuation module 226, module A 56108, module B 56106, and module C 56104. Module A 56108, B 56106, and C 56104 may be any module or device that communicates with the surgical hub 206 or is a part thereof. For example, module A 56108, B 56106, and C 56104 may be components of the visualization system 208, components of the robotic system 222, the intelligent instrument 235, the imaging module 238, the generator module 240, the aspiration / perfusion module 228, the communication module 230, the processor module 232, the storage array 234, the operating room mapping module 242, and the like. Examples and descriptions of these various types of modules and components can be found, for example, in the descriptions of FIGS. 25-35.

[0125] The smoke exhaust module 226 is provided with at least one sensor. This sensor may be any type of sensor, including sensors that detect operating parameters such as, for example, an ambient pressure sensor, an air quality particulate sensor, etc. Further, the sensor may be an internal sensor such as, for example, a pressure sensor, a fluid detection sensor, a chemical sensor, a laser particle counter, etc. Further, two or more pressure sensors may be included in the smoke exhaust module 226 to determine a pressure difference across various parts of the smoke exhaust module 226. The description of the sensors used in the context of the smoke exhaust system 56100 can be found, for example, in connection with FIGS. 4 - 6, FIG. 18, and FIG. 19.

[0126] In various aspects, the smoke exhaust module 226, as well as modules A56108, B56106, and C56104, may communicate directly or indirectly with, for example, the surgical hub 206 and / or the cloud 204. Referring again to FIG. 20, the smoke exhaust module 206, as well as modules A56108, B56106, and C56104, are shown to engage in two-way communication with the surgical hub 206. This two-way communication is indicated by two-way arrows such as arrow 56112. In one example, this two-way communication can be achieved by connecting the modular housing of the smoke exhaust module 226 or modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 to a modular backplane including an inner connector console. The modular backplane is configured to connect to the modular housing of the smoke exhaust module 226 or modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 horizontally or vertically by the surgical hub 206. This example is shown in FIGS. 27-31. In an alternative example, the two-way communication may be established by a stand-alone housing having a wired connection attachment at the rear of the housing of the smoke exhaust module 226 or modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 that enables interface connection with the surgical hub 206. Or, in another example, the smoke exhaust module 226, as well as modules A56108, B56106, and C56104, may be directly connected to each other. In yet another example, the smoke exhaust module 226, as well as modules A56108, B56106, and C56104, may include a wireless communication module for communicating either directly or indirectly with the surgical hub 206 and / or the cloud 204. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the surgical hub 206 is shown to be in two-way communication with the cloud 204. Or, in another example, any one or all of the smoke exhaust module 226, as well as modules A56108, B56106, and C56104, indicated by the dashed line 56110, may communicate directly with the cloud 204 to receive commands or information directly from the cloud without passing through the surgical hub 206.

[0127] 21 illustrates an exemplary method flow diagram 56200 of interconnectivity between the surgical hub 206, the cloud 204, the smoke evacuation module 226, and / or various other modules A 56108, B 56106, and C 56104, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. While the exemplary method 56200 is described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 21, it will be understood that many other ways of implementing the operations associated with this method are also possible. For example, the order of some of the blocks may be changed, certain blocks may be combined with other blocks, and some of the described blocks are optional.

[0128] 25-35, initially, a parameter is acquired (56202) by the smoke evacuation module 226. A sensor component of the smoke evacuation module 226, such as an air quality particulate sensor, detects the parameter. The parameter may be any parameter related to the ambient environment of the operating room, such as the air quality of the operating room. In this example, there is only one sensed parameter, but the present disclosure should not be so limited. In alternative examples, there may be many sensed parameters, sensed by any number of different sensors. The frequency with which the parameter is sensed, and the frequency with which the smoke evacuation module 226 is activated, depends on the amount of smoke being evacuated. For example, if little smoke is being evacuated, the smoke evacuation module 226 may operate more slowly and / or sense the parameter less frequently. Alternatively, if the smoke evacuation module 226 is operating aggressively to evacuate rapidly-generating smoke, it may be useful for the smoke evacuation module 226 to operate more quickly and / or sense the parameter more frequently to ensure that the equipment is functioning properly. This provides a safe environment for all surgeons, personnel, and medical equipment in the operating room. Other parameters that may be sensed include those sensed by internal sensors, such as particulate concentration, aerosol percentage, or chemical analysis. Alternatively, operating parameters sensed by sensors on the housing of the smoke evacuation module 226 may include, for example, airflow, pressure differential, or air quality. Descriptions of sensors used in the context of the smoke evacuation system 56100 can be found, for example, in Figures 4-6, 18, and 19.

[0129] Next, the smoke exhaust module 226 transmits the obtained parameter value to the surgical hub 206 or the cloud 204 (56204). For example, when the value of the air quality in the operating room is obtained, it may be sent to the surgical hub 206 by the smoke exhaust module 226. The surgical hub 206 may process the parameter and / or communicate the received air quality parameter to the cloud 204. This can be achieved via the network router 211, the network hub 207, the network switch 209, or any combination thereof. In an alternative, the smoke exhaust module 226 may directly communicate the air quality parameter to the cloud 204 using wired or wireless communication technology.

[0130] Next, the value of the parameter is processed (56206), and it is determined whether the value of the parameter affects how the surgical exhaust system 56100 or another modular device should operate (56208). This processing can occur within the surgical hub 206 in the cloud 204 or a combination of the surgical hub 206 and the cloud 204. The processing performed on the sensed parameter uses the detected parameter value in various algorithms and learning software to automatically adjust the operation of either the smoke exhaust module 226 or modules A 56108, B 56106, and C 56104, and includes determining whether the detected parameter value should be corrected. The value of the parameter is a smoke exhaust variable. The algorithms and learning software may be stored in the cloud 204 (storage 105) or the surgical hub 206 (storage 248) before processing and may be remotely updated as needed.

[0131] For example, if the value of the sensed air quality parameter indicates a large amount of smoke particles in the air, cloud 204 may include a software algorithm that can use the value of the air quality parameter to determine how to change the operation of the smoke exhaust module or modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 to improve the ambient air quality in the operating room. In this example, cloud 204 can determine whether the operation of the intelligent instrument 235 should be modified and whether this operation is optimally adjusted by adjusting the output of the generator that supplies the waveform to the intelligent instrument 235. Generator 240 is configured to convert electricity into a high-frequency waveform consisting of an oscillating current transmitted to the electrodes to affect the tissue. In an alternative example, cloud 204 may determine that none of modules A56108, B56106, and C56104 need to be adjusted, but whether the operation of the smoke exhaust module 226 should be adjusted. In this alternative example, cloud 204 may determine that the smoke exhaust module 226 can provide a safer environment when the operation of the smoke exhaust module 226 is adjusted to more quickly discharge smoke from the operating room, as indicated by the value of the air quality parameter.

[0132] Next, an instruction for adjusting the operation is sent (56210) to the surgical exhaust system 56100 or the modular device. For example, cloud 204 can determine that the operation of the intelligent instrument 235 should be adjusted based on the value of the sensed air quality parameter. In this example, this is most effectively achieved by cloud 204 by modifying the output of the generator module 240. Thus, in step 56210 of this example, cloud 204 sends an instruction to the generator module 240 (e.g., module A56108). In this example, an instruction is sent to the generator module 240 to support modifying the output of the generator module 240 to change the operation of the intelligent instrument 235.

[0133] Finally, the operation of the surgical drainage system 56100 or the modular device is adjusted based on instructions (56212). For example, the generator module 240 changes the shape of the waveform output to the intelligent instrument 235 according to instructions received from the cloud 204. By this adjustment, the intelligent instrument 235 effects the tissue in a desired manner. In the example, the instructions for the various modules are pre-stored in the cloud 204 or the surgical hub 206, but may be remotely updated as needed. Alternatively, these instructions are dynamically generated by the cloud 204 or the surgical hub 206 as needed.

[0134] FIG. 22 shows a smoke evacuation system 56300 that communicates with various other modules and devices according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The example illustrated in FIG. 22 discloses an alternative to the computer-implemented surgical system shown in FIG. 20. Continuing to refer to FIGS. 25-35 and FIG. 22, the cloud 204 and the surgical hub 206 are shown. In the alternative, the example illustrated shows one cloud 204 and one surgical hub 206, but two or more clouds 204 and / or surgical hubs 206 may be present within the computer-implemented surgical system.

[0135] In FIG. 22, the surgical hub 206 may include various modules such as a suction / irrigation module 228, a smoke evacuation module 226, and a generator module 240. The smoke evacuation module 226 may include a first sensor 56302 and a second sensor 56304 that detect different parameters. For example, the first sensor 56302 may be a chemical sensor that performs a chemical analysis of the smoke being discharged from the operating room, and the second sensor 56304 may be a laser particle counter that determines the particulate concentration of the smoke being discharged from the operating room. In the alternative, more than two or less than two sensors may be present within the smoke evacuation module 226.

[0136] In this example, the first sensor 56302 senses a first parameter 56306, e.g., the pH of the smoke being emitted from the operating room. The second sensor 56304 senses a second parameter 56308, e.g., the particulate count (parts per million) of the smoke being emitted from the operating room. The smoke evacuation module 226 may be connected to or part of the surgical hub 206, such that the first parameter 56306 and the second parameter 56308 may be automatically provided to the surgical hub 206 after being sensed. In an alternative example, the surgical hub 206 may request any sensed parameters from the smoke evacuation module 226 periodically or upon a user request for sensed parameter information, and the smoke evacuation module 226 provides the values of the sensed parameters in response to the request. Alternatively, the smoke evacuation module 226 may periodically provide the sensed values to the surgical hub 206 without being requested.

[0137] In one example, the surgical hub 206 can process, modify, or manipulate a first parameter 56306 and a second parameter 56308 to produce a first processed parameter 56306' and a second processed parameter 56308'. In an alternative example, the surgical hub 206 may not perform any processing on the first parameter 56306 and the second parameter 56308. The surgical hub 206 may transmit the first processed parameter 56306' and the second processed parameter 56308' to the cloud 204 for further processing to determine whether the operations of various modules should be adjusted based on the sensed values of the parameters. The cloud 204 can execute various algorithms to determine whether the values of the first processed parameter 56306' and the second processed parameter 56308' indicate that the operations of any of the other modules and devices, including the smoke evacuation module 226, should be adjusted to provide a more ideal surgical environment in the operating room. In this example, the cloud 204 can determine that the values of the first processed parameter 56306' and the second processed parameter 56308' are above or below an acceptable threshold, and thus, the operations of the other modules should be adjusted to correct for the sensed / detected values of the first processed parameter 56306' and the second processed parameter 56308'.

[0138] In the example shown in FIG. 22, the cloud 204 can determine that the display of the visualization system 208 should be adjusted to accurately depict the surgical site. In this case, the cloud 204 can transmit an instruction A56312 to the visualization system 208 to adjust the display of the surgical site. The visualization system 208 is communicatively coupled to the surgical hub 206.

[0139] Furthermore, in this example, after executing various algorithms, the cloud 204 can determine that the operation of the aspiration / irrigation module 228 should also be adjusted based on either the value of the first processed parameter 56306' or the value of the second processed parameter 56308'. In this example, the instruction B56310 may be transmitted from the cloud 204 to the surgical hub 206. The surgical hub 206 may transmit the instruction B56310 to the aspiration / irrigation module 228. In an alternative example, the surgical hub 206 can cause the processor 244 located within the surgical hub 206 to adjust the operation of the aspiration / irrigation module 228. In another alternative example, the cloud 204 can directly transmit the instruction B56310 to the aspiration / irrigation module 228 without first transmitting the instruction B56310 through the surgical hub 206.

[0140] After executing various algorithms, the cloud 204 can determine that there may be cases where the adjustment of the operation is not effective for the generator module 240, or the sensed parameters may not be effectively affected by the adjustment in the operation of the generator module 240. Therefore, in the example illustrated in FIG. 22, the cloud 204 may not need to transmit an instruction to the generator module 240. Alternatively, the cloud 204 may transmit an instruction to the generator module 240 indicating that no modification of the operation is required.

[0141] A segmented control circuit including a circuit that is energized in a step-by-step manner to check for system errors, short circuits, and safety checks in a smoke exhaust system When the exhaust system is not functioning properly and no fault is detected in the smoke exhaust system, the smoke exhaust system may operate unbeknownst in a surgical situation. This can cause an unsafe surgical environment where dangerous or carcinogenic smoke is not properly removed from the operating room. Alternatively, some parts of the smoke exhaust system may function properly while other parts may not. This can generally put the smoke exhaust system in a state that is dangerous for energization and operation.

[0142] As depicted in Figures 20-22, the smoke evacuation systems 56100, 56300 including a smoke evacuation module 226 coupled to the surgical hub 206 and / or cloud 204 may further include a segmented control circuit 57100, for example, as depicted in Figure 23. The segmented control circuit 57100 may be energized in stages to check for faults, errors, short circuits, and perform various safety checks while the smoke evacuation module 226 is activated to help determine that operation of the smoke evacuation module 226 is safe.

[0143] By starting the smoke evacuation module 226 in a step-by-step manner, malfunctions and errors can be identified before attempting to operate the smoke evacuation module 226. This allows the smoke evacuation system to be repaired or replaced with a new smoke evacuation module as needed, improving the overall safety of the surgical procedure.

[0144] In one embodiment, the smoke evacuation module 226 depicted in FIGS. 20-22 includes a segmented control circuit that can be energized in a staged manner to check for errors, shorts, and to perform system safety checks. FIG. 23 illustrates one embodiment of a segmented control circuit 57100 in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. While certain features, modules, processors, motors, etc. are grouped into various segments as depicted in FIG. 23 , it should be noted that the disclosure should not be limited to this example. In alternative examples, the segments may include more, fewer, or different components than those disclosed in FIG. 23 . Furthermore, in another alternative, the number of segments in the example segmented circuit may be greater than or less than three segments.

[0145] 23, segmented control circuit 57100 includes a first segment 57102, a second segment 57104, and a third segment 57106. In one example, first segment 57102 includes a main processor 57108 and a safety processor 57110. Main processor 57108 may be directly connected to a power button or switch 57120. Thus, in this example, first segment 57102, and specifically main processor 57108, is the first segment 57102 and component 57108 that are activated.

[0146] The safety processor 57110 and / or main processor 57108 may be configured to interact with one or more additional circuit segments and their components, such as the second segment 57104, which may include sensing circuitry 57112 and display circuitry 57114, and the third segment 57106, which may include motor control circuitry 57116 and motor 57118. Each of the circuit segments and their components may be coupled to or in communication with the safety processor 57110 and / or main processor 57108. The main processor 57108 and / or safety processor 57110 may also be coupled to memory or may include internal memory. The main processor 57108 and / or safety processor 57110 may also be coupled to a communication device enabling communication over a network, such as the surgical hub 206 and / or the cloud 204, or may communicate wired or wirelessly.

[0147] The main processor 57108 may have multiple inputs coupled to, for example, one or more circuit segments, a battery, and / or multiple switches. The segmented control circuit 57100 may be implemented by any suitable circuit, such as, for example, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) within the smoke evacuation module 226. The term processor, as used herein, should be understood to include any microprocessor, processor, one or more controllers, or other basic computing device that incorporates the functionality of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) on one integrated circuit or up to several integrated circuits. The main processor 57108 and safety processor 57110 are general-purpose programmable devices that accept digital data as input, process that data according to instructions stored in memory, and provide results as output. Because it has internal memory, it is an example of sequential digital logic. The safety processor 57110 may be specifically configured for safety-critical applications, among other things, to provide advanced integrated safety features while offering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

[0148] In the example shown in Figure 23, the second segment 57104 may include a sensing circuit 57112 and a display circuit 57114 coupled to or in signal communication with the main processor 57108. The sensing circuit 57112 of the smoke evacuation module 226 generally described herein includes various sensors, some internal to the smoke evacuation module 226 and some external, located on the housing of the smoke evacuation module 226. These sensors include various pressure sensors, fluid sensors, chemical sensors, laser particle counters or other laser sensors, and air quality sensors. Descriptions of sensors used in the context of the smoke evacuation system 56100 can be found, for example, in Figures 4-6, 18, and 19.

[0149] In alternative aspects, the sensing circuit 57112 may include a communication device when several sensors located on the external housing of the smoke evacuation module 226 are involved in communication and / or connection with the sensing circuit 57112, the main processor 57108, and / or the safety processor 57102 via the communication device. The display circuit 57114 may include a screen or other display that may display text, images, graphs, charts, etc. obtained by the smoke evacuation module 226 or another device in communication with the smoke evacuation module 226 or the surgical hub 206. For example, the display circuit 57114 may include a monitor or screen (e.g., display 210, 217 or monitor 135) that may display and overlay images or data received from the imaging module 238, the device / instrument 235, and / or the visualization system 208. This display or screen may present to a user the status of each segment within the segmented control circuit 57100, or the status of each component within each segment. The status of each segment, or the status of each component of each segment, may be identified by the segmented control circuit 57100 by identifying each component or segment, receiving or determining the status of each component or segment, and displaying the status of each component or segment to a user. Components or segments may be identified using, for example, unique data packet formats, authentication, encryption, ID numbers, passwords, signaling, flags, etc. The status of a component or segment may be determined using flags, indications, values of sensed parameters, measurements, etc.

[0150] These functions (identification, determination, indication) may be performed using, for example, Wi-Fi, a wired connection, signal communication, Thread, Bluetooth, RFID, or NFC. For example, the components of the segmented control circuit 57100 may include a communication device for communicating over a network or may be coupled to an external communication device that enables communication over a network. The communication device may include a transceiver configured to communicate physically wired or wirelessly. The device may further include one or more additional transceivers. The transceiver may include, but is not limited to, a cellular modem, a wireless mesh network transceiver, a Wi-Fi transceiver, a low-power wide-area (LPWA) transceiver, and / or a near-field communication (NFC) transceiver. The communication device may comprise or be configured to communicate with the main processor 57108, the safety processor 57110, the display circuit 57114, the surgical hub 206, or the cloud 204, and may verify or receive the identity of the components and their associated status. The transceivers can be configured to receive serial transmit data from the processor via a corresponding UART, modulate the serial transmit data onto an RF carrier, generate a transmit RF signal, and transmit the RF signal via a corresponding antenna. Each transceiver may support a selected wireless communication standard and / or protocol, as described herein, for example, an implementation of IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n for Wi-Fi and / or IEEE 802.15.4 for wireless mesh networking using Zigbee routing. In alternative aspects, the display circuitry may include an audible signal or a small light / display to indicate the smoke detector's status, on / off operation, remaining filter life, etc. Identification of each component and its status may be provided autonomously by the respective components, which may transmit or communicate such information at regular or irregular intervals. An example of an irregular interval may be, for example, when a user indicates that information should be transmitted.In the alternative example, the identification information and status information of each component or segment may be requested at regular or irregular intervals. For example, the identification information and status of the motor control circuit 57116 may be requested every 1 minute, 20 minutes, 40 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours, etc.

[0151] In another aspect, the segmented control circuit 57100 enables the energization of a status circuit that allows the smoke exhaust module 226 to query or poll all attached components. The status circuit may be located in any of the segments, but in this example, it may be located within the first segment 57102. This status circuit can query / poll all components, including components within the first segment 57102, the second segment 57104, the third segment 57106, and any other additional components such as those shown in FIGS. 25-35. Polling / querying of the attached components may be performed to verify compatibility, i.e., that the component or segment may be compatible with the smoke exhaust system or hub, reliability, i.e., that the component or segment is the correct component and reliable, usage status, i.e., the status of any segment or component having a usage-based lifespan such as a filter, and correct insertion of the segment or component, such as the correct insertion of a filter prior to energizing a motor and a pump connected to the motor. In one example, an intelligent appliance, such as the intelligent appliance 235, may be further queried / polled to verify that the appropriate device is being used and that the smoke exhaust system can function with the intelligent appliance being polled / queried or knows how to function. For example, the intelligent appliance 235 being polled or queried may be a Zip Pen (registered trademark). Knowing which Zip Pen (registered trademark) is being used can help determine how the smoke exhaust system functions. If an unrecognized intelligent appliance is being used, the smoke exhaust system may determine that energization of the motor is inappropriate or unsafe, and an error may be displayed by the display circuit 57114. This may be done for any component of the smart surgical environment, not just the intelligent appliance 235. Alternatively, if an unrecognized intelligent appliance is being used, the smoke exhaust system may determine that the device may be used in a generally safe operating mode.

[0152] As described above, powering on the status circuit that enables the smoke exhaust module 226 to query / poll other components can also provide unique identification, authentication, and status text strings for the queried / polled components. This enables controlled identification of the smoke exhaust module 226 and the sub-components of the smoke exhaust module 226 to prevent a mimic device from deceiving the security device. For example, an example of an attempt to deceive a security device is made by constructing a "skimmer" to make a unique connection. To prevent the system from being deceived, operations can be performed to authenticate each component. Each component attached to the smoke exhaust system may be authenticated based on stored data, security encryption, authentication, parameters, or some combination thereof. The stored data may include an identification number or other identifier, product name, and product type, unique device identifier, company trademark, serial number, and / or other manufacturing data, configuration parameters, usage information, enabled or disabled features, or algorithms / instructions regarding how the attached component is used.

[0153] In the example shown in FIG. 23, the third segment 57106 may include a motor control circuit 57116 and a motor 57118. The motor control circuit 57116 and / or the motor 57118 may be connected to or in signal communication with the main processor 57108 and / or the safety processor 57110. The main processor 57108 may instruct the motor control circuit 57116 to increase or decrease the speed of the motor 57118. In an alternative example, the motor control circuit 57116 and the motor 57118 may be connected to or in signal communication with the safety processor 57110. The motor 57118 may be connected to a pump within the smoke exhaust module 226 (see FIGS. 4 and 6-19), and the operation of the motor 57118 may enable the pump to function. Specifically, in one example, the motor 57118 may operate in two different states. The first state may be when the motor 57118 is activated by a user. In this first state, the motor 57118 may operate at a higher speed than in the second state. In the second state, the motor 57118, the motor control circuit 57116, the main processor 57108, or the safety processor 57110 may sense the absence of user activity or receive an instruction from the main processor 57108, the safety processor 57110, the surgical hub 204, the cloud 206, or another module (e.g., the processor module 232) located within the surgical hub 206 to reduce the operating speed of the motor 57118.

[0154] The number of different states in which the motor 57118 can operate is not limited to two. The motor 57118 can change or select its operating state based on various measured values of parameters. In another aspect, the motor 57118 can determine or set its operating state based on a user activity level that falls within, above, or below a specific threshold. Further, these thresholds may be related to or correlated with the thresholds of other modules or components of the smoke exhaust module 226.

[0155] In an alternative example, the motor 57118 may optionally have a mode called the sleep mode. In this example, the sleep mode is activated when not used for a predetermined period of time, or the motor 57118 may be shut down to the sleep mode (off mode, or low power mode). The amount of inactive threshold time before entering the sleep mode can vary depending on a number of factors including the type of surgical procedure, the particular surgeon performing the procedure, or other factors. Thus, a predetermined amount of time may be preset, but it can be easily adjusted. For example, the threshold may be 10 minutes from the exemplary switch from the active state to the sleep mode state. In this example, if the intelligent instrument 235 is not used by the surgeon for more than 10 minutes, the motor control circuit 57116 or the motor 57118 can receive an instruction to enter the sleep mode. In an alternative example, if the intelligent instrument 235 is not used by the surgeon for more than 10 minutes, the intelligent instrument 235 may automatically activate the sleep mode by decelerating the motor 57118 to the sleep mode state. Further, when the smoke exhaust module 226 or the intelligent instrument 235 is used again or senses an interaction with the user, the smoke exhaust module 226 may receive a restart sequence to re-energize the segmented circuit 57100. This restart sequence may be the same as the startup sequence used to energize the segmented circuit 57100 while checking for errors or defects. Alternatively, the restart sequence may be a shortened version of the startup sequence for quickly re-energizing the segmented circuit 57100 when an interaction with the user is sensed.

[0156] The example shown in FIG. 24 discloses a method 57200 of operating a control circuit portion of a smoke evacuation module 226 to energize a segmented control circuit 57100 in a staged manner, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this manner, various portions of the control circuit can perform safety checks before energizing subsequent segments, providing a safe electrical start-up circuit method. While the exemplary method 57200 is described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 24 , it will be understood that many other ways of implementing the operations associated with this method are also possible. For example, the order of some of the blocks may be changed, certain blocks may be combined with other blocks, and some of the described blocks are optional.

[0157] According to method 57200, control circuit 57100 initially activates (57202) first segment 57102. For example, as previously described in FIG. 23 , first segment 57102 may include main processor 57108 and safety processor 57110. In alternative examples, other components may also be included in first segment 57102, or first segment 57102 may not include main processor 57108 and / or safety processor 57110.

[0158] Next, the first segment 57102 executes the first function 57204. This first function may be related to, for example, verifying the safety of the control circuit 57100 and / or the smoke exhaust module 226. For example, the main processor 57108 or the safety processor 57110 may check each segment or the components of the segment for short circuits and other errors before engaging the high-power part of the segmented control circuit 57100. The main processor 57108 and / or the safety processor 57110 may perform a safety check on each component or each segment to determine if they are functioning properly. Further, in another example, the main processor 57108 or the safety processor 57110 may perform a verification function to ensure that the components within the smoke exhaust module 226 are the correct components. For example, to ensure that the components of the smoke exhaust systems 56100, 56300 are the correct components, the main processor 57108 or the safety processor 57110 may include a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), or the TPM may be a separate component within the segmented control circuit 57100. This verification can be done in various ways. For example, one exemplary way is to store the key of each component or segment within the TPM. The connected components are compared, and if the key of each component or segment is not found within the TPM, the smoke exhaust module 226 cannot enable or power those modules. In a further example, the keys described may incorporate encryption or may require authentication by components of the smoke exhaust module 226 such as the main processor 57108 or the safety processor 57110.

[0159] Further, for example, the main processor 57108 and / or safety processor 57110 may include switching logic stored in memory that prevents activation of circuit portions by the segmented control circuit 57100 if certain safety conditions are not met. For example, there may be various states stored in the safety processor 57118 that are associated with a logic switch or multiple logic switches. For example, if the protective housing is not fully closed, the filter module is not fully or properly inserted, the fluid reservoir is not fully or properly inserted, the hose is not properly or completely inserted, or the fluid reservoir is not sufficiently full, the logic switch may operate and the associated portion of the segmented control circuit 57100 or smoke evacuation module 226 may not be activated.

[0160] In an alternative example, there may be a separate housing circuit to ensure that the housing is fully and properly closed before the exhaust smoke module 226, or one of the various segments, is enabled or operated. For example, if the housing is not fully closed, the circuit may not be complete. Thus, the remaining segments or components of the segmented control circuit 57100 may not be activated. This concept of a housing circuit may be used in a tamper circuit to prevent unauthorized maintenance. For example, the tamper circuit may include a verification circuit. If the housing that should not be opened is open, the verification circuit can be permanently destroyed either electrically or mechanically. This destructible verification circuit has an internal connection strip that can bridge two rigidly fixed electrical connection blocks. One block may be disposed on the shell of the housing, and the other block may be disposed on the base frame of the housing. The internal connection may have a rigid insertable electrical connector that can lock to each connection block having a latch feature on each of the shell and the base frame. When destroyed, it may become apparent that the housing is open or tampered with. Once destroyed, the electrical connector can be easily removed and replaced when the housing is opened for replacement. In an alternative aspect, the blocks and latch features may be disposed in different positions, and each segment may include a separate block and latch mechanism. For example, the second segment 57104, the third segment 57106, and the first segment 57102 may each have a separate verification circuit. If the first segment 57102 is tampered with or open, the verification circuit may have the rigid inner connection strip broken, and thus, it can be identified as being tampered with, and / or the verification circuit may be replaced. By having separate verification circuits, it may be easily detectable if any of the various segments or components of the segmented control circuit 57100 are tampered with.

[0161] Alternatively, the housing circuit may be used as a segmented security device. For example, if a portion of the system requires maintenance, the housing circuit may allow that portion of the system to be opened and serviced, but may prevent use of the segmented control circuit 57100 or the smoke evacuation module 226 after an unauthorized separate portion of the segmented control circuit 57100 has been opened, disassembled, or altered. For example, if the segmented control circuit 57100 of the smoke evacuation system 226 is to be serviced, but only the display circuit 57114 requires service, there may be no reason for a service technician or other personnel to service the third segment 57106 or the first segment 57102. Thus, the third segment 57106 and the first segment 57102 may include separate housing circuits that include single-use fuses or other mechanical / electromechanical devices, or digital versions of such. If the third segment 57106 and the first segment 57102 are opened, altered, or disassembled, the fuse can be blown, preventing power from reaching the third segment 57106 and the first segment 57102.

[0162] If an error, short circuit, fault, or other problem is detected, the segmented control circuit 57100 may be capable of running at least one segment of the segmented control circuit 57100 while not running other segments. To ensure the safety of the segmented control circuit 57100, portions of the segmented control circuit 57100 and the connections between them are mechanically equipped with switches, fuses, and breakers that can interrupt and prevent the passage of current if an unsafe condition exists. The switches may be implemented using any suitable mechanical, electromechanical, or solid-state switches. For example, there may be a single-use fuse, a resettable fuse, or a solid-state switching device between the main processor 57108 and the motor control circuit 57116. Generally, a fuse is an electrical safety device that operates to provide overcurrent protection for an electrical circuit. It may include a metal wire or strip that melts when too much current flows, thereby interrupting the current. Generally, a resettable fuse is a polymer positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) device, which is a passive electronic component used to protect against overcurrent faults in electronic circuits. This device may also be known as a polyfuse or polyswitch. Generally, solid-state switches operate under the influence of a magnetic field, such as Hall effect devices, magnetoresistive (MR) devices, giant magnetoresistive (GMR) devices, and magnetometers, among others. In other implementations, the switch may be a solid-state switch that operates under the influence of light, such as optical sensors, infrared sensors, and ultraviolet sensors, among others. Furthermore, the switch may be a solid-state device, such as a transistor (e.g., FET, junction FET, metal-oxide semiconductor FET (MOSFET), bipolar, etc.). Other switches may include wireless switches, ultrasonic switches, accelerometers, and inertial sensors, among others.

[0163] Next, the second segment can be activated (57206). For example, the second segment 57104 including the sensing circuit 57112 and the display circuit 57114 may be energized. Next, the third segment can be activated (57208). For example, the third segment 57106 including the motor control circuit 57116 and the motor 57118 may be energized. This exemplary aspect discloses activating the first segment 57102 before the second segment and the second segment 57104 before the third segment 57106, but the order of segment activation may be modified if determined to be appropriate. Further, in an alternative, various error checks, validations, etc. may be performed while energizing the second segment 57104 and the third segment 57106.

[0164] The reader will readily appreciate that the various surgical drainage systems and components described herein can be incorporated into computer-implemented interactive surgical systems, surgical hubs, and / or robotic systems. For example, a surgical drainage system can communicate data to and / or receive data from a surgical hub, a robotic system, and / or a computer-implemented interactive surgical system. Various examples of computer-implemented interactive surgical systems, robotic systems, and surgical hubs are further described below.

[0165] A surgical drainage system having a communication circuit for communication between a filter and a smoke evacuation device Generally, providing network services to medical devices may expose the medical device to malicious attacks. Although network-wide firewall services may be provided within a network system, these services may be vulnerable to security attacks from components within the medical device. That is, the firewall service may not have information related to the type, product, configuration, or authentication of the medical device's components and may therefore be unable to protect the medical device system from malicious attacks coming from unauthorized / unauthorized components of the medical device. For example, an unauthorized / unauthorized component (e.g., a filter device) may contain ransomware, which may deny a medical device user access to the medical device or data within the medical device. Furthermore, an unauthorized / unauthorized component may be incompatible with other authorized / authentic components of the medical device, resulting in a shortened lifespan and / or reduced performance of the entire medical component. This may also result in an unexpected interruption of the medical device's operation.

[0166] Aspects of the present disclosure can address the above-described deficiencies. In some embodiments, the surgical exhaust system may include a communication circuit that can facilitate communication between a smoke evacuation device and a replaceable filter device having a plurality of filter components. The communication circuit may authenticate the filter device (including the plurality of filter components), verify the remaining life of the filter device, update parameters output from the filter device, and record errors output from the filter device. The communication circuit may limit the number or type of filter components that can be identified by the surgical exhaust system and may enable / disable the plurality of filter components based on the result of the authentication. In some embodiments, the communication circuit may authenticate the filter device / component by using filter component information, which may include the product type, product name, unique device identifier, product trademark, serial number, or configuration parameters of the filter device / component. In some embodiments, the filter device and / or the communication circuit may encrypt or decrypt data / parameters communicated between the filter device and the communication circuit.

[0167] In this way, a surgical exhaust system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can detect non-genuine / unauthenticated components of a medical device, protect the data / parameters of the medical device by encryption, and pre-check possible problems in the filter device by checking the remaining life and errors of the filter components. Thereby, advantageously, the surgical system can prevent malicious attacks and performance degradation that may be caused by non-genuine / unauthenticated components and enable the operation of the surgical exhaust system to continue without an unexpected interruption to the operation of the medical device.

[0168] 25 shows a high-level block diagram of an exemplary smoke evacuation system 58100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The smoke evacuation system 58100 may include a smoke evacuation device 58105 having a pump 58160 and a motor 58165 operably coupled to the pump 58160, a display device 58170, a communication device 58180, a processor 58110, a memory 58120, and one or more sensors 58140A-B. In some embodiments, the smoke evacuation device 58105 may include a filter device 58150 and a filter communication circuit 58130. The filter device 58150 may be in communication with the smoke evacuation device 58105 (e.g., the processor 58110) through the filter communication circuit 58130.

[0169] The smoke evacuation system 58100 may be similar to the smoke evacuation system shown in FIG. 6. For example, the processor 58110 may be in signal communication with a motor driver or motor 58165, various sensors 58140A-B, a display device 58170, a memory 58120, and a communication device 58180. The communication device 58180 may be similar to the communication device described above in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6. That is, the communication device 58180 may enable the processor 58110 in the smoke evacuation system 58100 to communicate with other devices in the surgical system. For example, the communication device 58180 may enable wired and / or wireless communication to external sensors, surgical devices, a hub, a cloud, and / or various additional surgical systems and / or tools. The reader will readily appreciate that the smoke evacuation system of FIG. 25 may be incorporated into the surgical system of FIG. 5 in certain instances.

[0170] In some embodiments, the filter device 58150 may be coupled to the suction conduit 58155. The exhaust mechanism 58190 may be coupled to the pump 58160. The exhaust mechanism 58190 may be similar to the exhaust mechanism 50520. In some embodiments, the suction conduit 58155, the filter device 58150, the pump 58160, and the exhaust mechanism 58190 may be arranged in series and continuously along a flow path (e.g., the flow path 50504) between an inlet port (e.g., the inlet port 50522) and an outlet port (e.g., the outlet port 50524). The inlet may be fluidly coupled to the suction conduit 58155 having a distal conduit opening at the surgical site. The exhaust mechanism 58190 is shown as being located outside the smoke exhaust device 58105, but in some embodiments, the exhaust mechanism 58190 may be located within the smoke exhaust device 58105.

[0171] In some embodiments, the processor 58110 may signal communicate with the filter communication circuit 58130 for communication between the filter device 58150 and the smoke exhaust device 58105. In some embodiments, the filter communication circuit 58130 may be located within the smoke exhaust device 58105 or the filter device 58150. In other embodiments, the communication circuit 58130 may be located outside the smoke exhaust device 58105. In some embodiments, the communication circuit 58130 may be part of the sensing and intelligent control device shown in FIG. 5.

[0172] FIG. 26 shows a filter communication circuit 58130 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The filter communication circuit 58220 may include a master controller 58210, an authentication unit 58220, an error log unit 58230, an update unit 58240, an encryption / description unit 58250, a remaining life verification unit 58260, and a data storage unit 58270. In some embodiments, the master controller 58210 may signal communicate with the processor 58110 and control the other units 58220-58270 within the filter communication circuit 58130. In other embodiments, the processor 58110 may function as the master controller 58210.

[0173] Figure 27 shows a filter device 58150 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The filter device 58150 may include a plurality of filter components. The filter components may include a controller 58310, a filter element unit 58320, and a filter sensor unit 58330. The filter element unit 58320 may include one or more filter elements 58325A - C. The filter sensor unit 58330 may include one or more filter sensors 58335A - C. The controller 58310 may control and communicate with the filter element unit 58320 and the filter sensor unit 58330. The filter device 58150 may be similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 18, and 19 (e.g., filter 50670). In some embodiments, one or more of the filter elements 58325A - C may be a fluid filter, a coarse media filter 50684, a fine particle filter 50686, a particle filter, a carbon reservoir 50688, or a carbon filter, or any other filter within the filter device 58150, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 18, and 19. The filter elements 58325A - C may also include a switching valve, a baffle, a rotating basket, or any other element within the filter device other than a sensor (e.g., dams 50690, 50692, 50694, rear cap 50674, etc.). In some embodiments, one or more of the filter sensors 58335A - C may be similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 (e.g., fluid detection sensor 50830, chemical sensor 50832, fluid sensor 50836, pressure sensor 50840, laser particle counter 50838, etc.).

[0174] In some embodiments, the controller 58310 within the filter device 58150 may communicate with the master controller 58210 of the filter communication circuit 58130. In some embodiments, the filter device 58150 may encrypt the parameters output from the plurality of filter components before transmitting the parameters to the communication circuit 58130. Upon receiving the encrypted parameters, the communication circuit (e.g., the encryption / description unit 58250) may decrypt the encrypted parameters as discussed below.

[0175] Referring again to FIG. 26, the authentication unit 58220 may authenticate / verify the filter device 58150 or the plurality of filter components. In some embodiments, the authentication unit 58220 may identify the number of filter components attached within the filter device 58150. The authentication unit 58220 may also be able to limit the number or type of filter components that can be identified by the communication circuit. For example, if the filter component is not of the type of component that has been authenticated for use in the filter device 58150, or if the number of filter components used in the filter device 58150 is greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 10, 20, 50, etc.), the authentication unit 58220 may be able to invalidate the filter component or the filter device 58150. The authentication unit 58220 may also enable or disable the filter device 58150 or the plurality of filter components based on the result of the authentication.

[0176] The error log unit 58230 may record errors or error messages from a plurality of filter components or filter devices 58150. In some embodiments, the error log unit 58230 may record the error message and the error message in the data storage unit 58270. The filter communication circuit 58130 can read the error message and use the error message to understand what happened in the filter device 58150. Examples of errors and error messages may include errors caused by sensor / filter failures, strange / dangerous chemical substances detected by the sensor / filter, moisture detected by the particulate filter, clogged filters, pressure differences (e.g., between pressure sensors 50840 and 50846), and non-genuine / unauthenticated filter devices / components.

[0177] The update unit 58240 may update parameters output from a plurality of filter components. The updated parameters may be operable and may be sensed. Operable parameters may include air flow, pressure difference, air quality, or any other parameter related to the operation of the filter device 58150. Sensed parameters may include particulate concentration, aerosol ratio, chemical analysis, or any other value sensed by sensors (e.g., pressure, fluid, chemical, particle) within the filter device 58150. These parameters are stored in the data storage unit 58270 and may be updated automatically or manually by the update unit 58240. For example, the update unit 58240 may update the pressure difference value stored in the data storage unit 58270 when a change in the pressure difference is detected by a pressure sensor (e.g., 50840, 50846). The filter communication circuit 58130 may receive these parameters directly from each of the filter components (e.g., filter elements 58325A - C / filter sensors 58335A - C) or through the slave controller 58310.

[0178] The encryption / description unit 58250 may encrypt or decrypt the parameters output from a plurality of filter components. The encryption / description unit 58250 may encrypt or decrypt any data or packets received from the filter device 58150. In some embodiments, the filter device 58150 may also include an encryption / description unit similar to the encryption / description unit 58250. The encryption / description unit of the filter device 58150 may encrypt the parameters before transmitting the parameters output from a plurality of filter components to the filter communication circuit 58130, and may decrypt the data from the filter communication circuit 58130. The encrypted data / parameters communicated between the filter device 58150 and the filter communication circuit 58130 may not be visible / readable to the filter components, the filter device 58150, and the smoke exhaust device 58105 unless the encrypted data / parameters are decrypted.

[0179] In some embodiments, the encryption / description unit 58250 and the filter device 58150 may encrypt or decrypt the data / parameters by symmetric encryption using the same (secret) key to encrypt or decrypt the data / parameters. In other embodiments, the encryption / description unit 58250 and the filter device 58150 may encrypt or decrypt the data / parameters by symmetric encryption using the same (secret) key to encrypt or decrypt the data / parameters. In asymmetric encryption, one of the private key / public key may be used to encrypt the data, and the other key may be used to decrypt the data.

[0180] The remaining life verification unit 58260 may verify / predict the remaining life of a plurality of filter components. In some embodiments, the remaining life verification unit 58260 may use usage information regarding the plurality of filter components to verify the remaining life of the filter components. The filter component usage information may include usage time data, the number of times each filter member has been used, the number or type of errors generated by each filter component, the standard life of each filter component, and the pressure difference between pressure sensors located upstream (e.g., 50840) and downstream (e.g., 50846) of the filter elements 58325A - C. In some embodiments, when the pressure difference value of the filter element 58325A (e.g., ULPA filter) exceeds a predetermined value that may indicate that the filter element 58325A is clogged, the remaining life verification unit 58260 may determine that the remaining life of the filter element 58325A is zero or will soon be zero, e.g., within a predetermined period (e.g., 1 - 5 hours, 1 - 5 days, 1 - 5 weeks, or 1 - 5 months), and that the filter element 58325A should be replaced. When the filter component usage information indicates that a significant amount of mass has entered the particulate or carbon filter, the remaining life verification unit 58260 may determine that the remaining life of the particulate or carbon filter is zero or will soon be zero, e.g., within a predetermined period (e.g., 1 - 5 hours, 1 - 5 days, 1 - 5 weeks, or 1 - 5 months), and that the particulate or carbon filter should be replaced. When the filter component usage information indicates that there is an error (e.g., does not operate properly) in the filter sensor 58335A or the filter element 58325A, the remaining life verification unit 58260 may determine that the remaining life of the filter sensor 58335A or the filter element 58325A is zero or will soon be zero, e.g., within a predetermined period (e.g., 1 - 5 hours, 1 - 5 days, 1 - 5 weeks, or 1 - 5 months), and that the filter sensor 58335A or the filter element 58325A should be replaced. In some embodiments, the filter component usage information may be stored in the data storage unit 58270.

[0181] The data storage unit 58270 may store information regarding the filter components. The filter component information may include the product type, product name, unique device identifier, product trademark, serial number, and configuration parameters of the plurality of filter components. In some embodiments, the information regarding the filter components may be generated from the filter components, for example, when the authentication unit 58220 authenticates / verifies the filter components. In some embodiments, the data storage unit 58270 may also include information regarding genuine / authenticated filter components. The genuine filter component information may include a list of the product type, product name, unique device identifier, product trademark, serial number, and configuration parameters of the genuine / authenticated filter components. In some embodiments, the filter component information and / or the genuine filter component information may be stored in plain text. In other embodiments, the filter component information and / or the genuine filter component information may be stored in an encrypted form. In some embodiments, the data storage unit 58270 may also store information regarding disabled and enabled functions, and an algorithm or instructions regarding how the smoke exhaust device 58105 may use the filter components.

[0182] In some embodiments, data / parameters from the filter device 58150 may be delivered to the smoke exhaust device 581,05 (e.g., the data storage unit 58270), for example, as a data packet. As used herein, a data packet may refer to a unit of data communicated between two devices (e.g., the filter device 58150 and the smoke exhaust device 58105). The smoke exhaust device 58105 (e.g., the processor 58110, the master controller 58210) may know how to combine the received data packet with the original data / parameters.

[0183] In some embodiments, the authentication unit 58220 may authenticate / verify a plurality of filter components within the filter device 58150 by using the filter component information and / or the genuine filter component information. For example, the authentication unit 58220 may compare the filter component information of the filter component with the genuine filter component information. That is, the authentication unit 58220 can check whether the filter component information (e.g., the unique device identifier / trademark / serial number of the filter within the filter device 58150) matches the pre-stored genuine filter component information (e.g., within a list of unique device identifiers / trademarks / serial numbers of genuine authenticated filter components). If it is determined that the filter component information of the filter component does not match the genuine filter component information, the authentication unit 58220 may determine that the filter component is not genuine / authenticated. If it is determined that the filter component is not genuine, the authentication unit 58220 may disable the filter device function (e.g., smoke filtration, smoke sensing, data processing, etc.) or the filter device / component. In some embodiments, the authentication unit 58220 may disable the filter device / component or the filter device function by stopping the pump 58160 / motor 58165 or closing one of the input ports of the filter.

[0184] In some embodiments, the serial number may be located within a chip such as an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM) or an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) of a filter device / component (e.g., slave controller 58310). For example, in some cases, only a specific group of chips may be used for the genuine filter device / component, and the serial numbers on those chips may indicate that the filter device / component having the chips is genuine. In some embodiments, when the filter device 58150 is connected to the smoke exhaust device 58105, the authentication unit 58220 can read the serial number of the chip (e.g., EPROM / EEPROM) within the filter component and check whether it is genuine. In some embodiments, the authentication unit 58220 may be programmed to accept a set range of serial numbers.

[0185] In some embodiments, the filter communication circuit 58130 (e.g., master controller 58210) may function as a master device, and the filter device 58150 (e.g., multiple filter components including slave controller 58310) may function as a slave device. In some embodiments, communication between the master device and the slave device may be unidirectional from the master device to the slave device when performing an authentication process. That is, it may be only the master device that can authenticate / verify the slave device, and the slave device cannot authenticate / verify the master device. In this case, the slave device may only provide information requested by the master device (e.g., filter component information including the filter component's product type, product name, unique device identifier, product brand, serial number, and configuration parameters). In some embodiments, communication between the master device and the slave device may be bidirectional.

[0186] In some embodiments, multiple filter components may have a hierarchical structure. For example, one of the filter components (e.g., slave controller 58310) may function as a master component, and the remaining filter components may function as slave components. In this case, the remaining filter components may report data / parameters directly to the master component, which may then report received data / parameters to the master device (master controller 58210). In other embodiments, each of the filter components may report data / parameters directly to the master device.

[0187] In some embodiments, the smoke exhaust device 58105 and the filter device 58150 may communicate with each other through the filter communication circuit 58130 using, for example, a (bidirectional or unidirectional) wireless connection. Examples of wireless connections can include RFID (read-only or read / write), Bluetooth, Zigbee, IR, or any other suitable wireless protocol. In other embodiments, the smoke exhaust device 58105 and the filter device 58150 may communicate with each other using a wired connection. In this case, an electrical connector is provided between the smoke exhaust device 58105 and the filter device 58150. For example, referring again to FIGS. 13 and 14, the electrical connector may be located on a socket 2120 configured to receive the filter device 58150. In some embodiments, the first receptacle 2122 and / or the second receptacle 2124 may function as an electrical connector that electrically connects the smoke exhaust device 58105 (e.g., the processor 58110, the master controller 58210) and the filter device 58150 (e.g., the slave controller 58310 or other filter components 58325A - C, 58335A - C). In some embodiments, the electrical connector may be a pogo pin or a plug-type connector.

[0188] Referring again to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, there may be a cable connector, e.g., a wire, extending from the smoke exhaust devices 50600, 58100 to the generator 50640. The cable connector may transmit startup signals and information regarding energy delivery, and the smoke exhaust devices 50600, 58100 may control components within the smoke exhaust devices 50600, 58100 based on the startup signals and energy delivery information. For example, the smoke exhaust device 50600 may reduce the suction force / speed or stop the suction by, for example, reducing the pump power / motor speed, or by stopping the pump 58160 / motor 58165 in response to receiving energy delivery information / signal indicating that the generator is not activated or not fully started. The smoke exhaust device 50600 may also increase the suction force / speed in response to receiving energy delivery information / signal indicating that the generator is activated or fully started. Thereby, the smoke exhaust device 50600 may be able to change the level of the suction force / speed when the generator 50640 is started or stopped.

[0189] In some embodiments, the filter communication circuit 58130 may include a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) that can be used to protect unencrypted keys and authentication information from malicious software attacks. In some embodiments, the TPM may be a special microprocessor or chip that provides a protected space for key operations and other security-related tasks. In some embodiments, the TPM may use a monotonic counter for anti-play protection, e.g., to limit the number of failed accesses. For example, a TPM using a monotonic counter can prevent attempts to maliciously or fraudulently transmit data repeatedly by unauthenticated components of the filter device 58150. The TPM can provide non-uniform and enhanced security to the system 58100.

[0190] In some embodiments, the display device 58170 can function as an interactive data point, receive inputs for the smoke exhaust system 58100, and display outputs. In some embodiments, the display device 58170 may include a touch screen. In some embodiments, the display device 58170 may display a smoke exhaust console with keys / buttons to control (e.g., start / stop) or check the status of components within the smoke exhaust system 58100. For example, using the keys / buttons, a user may check the startup status or data / parameters (e.g., magnitude of fan / motor speed) output from components within the smoke exhaust system 58100. In other embodiments, the exhaust system may include a mechanical console with keys / buttons to control or check the status of components within the smoke exhaust system 58100. In some embodiments, the smoke exhaust console on the display device 58170 may, for example, by default settings, appear similar to the mechanical console. In this case, the display device 58170 may, for example, display at the corner of the display device 58170, a (small) icon that may enable the user to access a menu structure, which shows more adjustment options when activated.

[0191] In some embodiments, the display device 58170 may operate interactively with other display devices (e.g., the hub display 135) in the surgical system 100. For example, the display device 58170 may function as a primary display device when the smoke evacuation device 58105 is not connected to the hub 106. When the smoke evacuation device 58105 is connected to the hub 106, the display device 58170 may function as a secondary display device while the hub display 135 functions as the primary display device. In this case, the display device 58170 may also include control buttons for controlling not only the smoke evacuation device 58105 but also the hub 106. In some embodiments, the hub display 135 and / or the display device 58170 may include icons that may enable one of the hub display 135 and the display device 58170 to be an input device for the other.

[0192] In some embodiments, one or more components within the surgical system may be disposable / reusable, including the filter device 58150, a filter component within the filter device 58150, a fluid trap 50760 (e.g., including a fluid reservoir 50774), an air hose 50636, an electrosurgical instrument 50630 (e.g., a Zip Pen®), a blade within a surgical instrument, or any other component within the smoke evacuation system 58100.

[0193] Dual series large and small droplet filters Fluids extracted from a surgical site by a smoke evacuation system may contain liquids (e.g., large and small droplets) and various particulates in addition to smoke that may be generated during a surgical procedure. The combination of different types and / or conditions in the evacuation fluid may make filtering the fluid that has escaped from the surgical site difficult. Furthermore, certain types of substances in the fluid may be harmful to certain filters within a smoke evacuation system. For example, the presence of liquid droplets in the fluid may damage certain filters, such as particulate / charcoal filters, which can be very effective. Furthermore, these filters may be easily damaged / blocked not only by large droplets but also by relatively small droplets.

[0194] Aspects of the present disclosure can address the above-described deficiencies. In certain examples, a surgical drainage system may include a pump, a motor operably coupled to the pump, and a fluid passage fluidly coupled to the pump. The fluid passage may include a first fluid filter configured to extract large droplets in the fluid moving through the fluid passage and a second fluid filter configured to extract small droplets in the fluid. The first fluid filter may be coupled in series with the second fluid filter and positioned upstream of the second fluid filter. The outlet port of the second fluid filter may be coupled to the inlet port of a non-fluid filter that may be damaged when moisture / droplets enter therein. In certain examples, the surgical drainage system may also include one or more recirculation channels configured to recirculate the fluid flowing out of the first fluid filter or the second fluid filter.

[0195] In this way, the present disclosure can enable a smoke exhaust system to extract not only large droplets but also small droplets before the fluid enters a non-fluid filter that can be damaged by the large and small droplets. Also, the second fluid filter may use filter elements that are more delicate and more expensive than the components used in the first fluid filter, and these filter elements in the second fluid filter may tend to clog easily and quickly by the large droplets. In the present disclosure, by providing a first fluid filter configured to extract large droplets upstream of the second fluid filter, the drainage system can effectively protect the second fluid filter from damage and / or blockage and save the power and cost of the pump. Finally, by providing one or more recirculation channels, the present disclosure can ensure that a smoke exhaust system prevents droplets that may damage the non-fluid filter from entering the non-fluid filter.

[0196] FIG. 28 shows a schematic view of a housing of a smoke exhaust system 59100 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The smoke exhaust system 59100 may include an exhaust housing 59105 and a fluid trap 59110 coupled to the exhaust housing 59105. The exhaust system 59100 may also include a first fluid filter device 59120, a second fluid filter device 59130, a non-fluid filter device 59140, and a pump 59170. The pump 59170 may be operably coupled to a motor. The smoke exhaust system 59100 may further include a plurality of sensors 59190A-K and an intelligent control unit. The fluid trap 59110, the non-fluid filter device 59140, and the pump 59170 may be similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 (e.g., fluid trap, ULPA filter, carbon filter, scroll pump). The fluid trap 59110, the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140, and the pump 59170 may be sequentially aligned along a flow path through the exhaust housing 59105 between an inlet 59112 and an outlet 59175. As used herein, the non-fluid filter device 59140 may refer to a filter device or filter (e.g., particulate / carbon filter) that is vulnerable to droplets and can be damaged when droplets enter therein.

[0197] In various examples, the plurality of sensors may include one or more fluid detection sensors, one or more pressure sensors, one or more particle sensors, and / or one or more chemical sensors. The plurality of sensors 59190A-K may be similar to the sensors shown in Figures 18 and 19 (e.g., sensors 50830, 50832, 50836, 50840, 50838, 50846, 50848, 50850, 50854, 50852). For example, the pressure sensor may be positioned to detect pressure within the evacuation system 59100, such as within the evacuation housing 59105. For example, a pressure sensor may be positioned upstream of one of the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 (e.g., sensor 59190E), between the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 and the pump 59170 (e.g., sensor 59190G), and / or downstream of the pump 59170 (e.g., sensor 59190I). In certain examples, the pressure sensor 59190K may be positioned outside the exhaust system 59100 to detect pressure in the surrounding environment.

[0198] Similarly, particle sensors 59190F, 59190H may be positioned to detect particles within the exhaust system 59100, such as within the exhaust housing 59105. The particle sensors may be positioned, for example, upstream of one of the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 (e.g., sensor 59190F), between the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 and the pump 59170, and / or downstream of the pump 59170 (e.g., sensor 59190H). In various examples, particle sensor 59190J may be positioned to detect particles within the ambient environment, for example, to determine air quality within a surgical suite.

[0199] In various examples, the fluid detection sensor may be positioned upstream of one of the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 (e.g., sensors 59190A, 59190C, 59190D), between the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 and the pump 59170, downstream of the pump 59170, or outside of the discharge housing 59106. Similarly, the chemical sensor may be positioned upstream of one of the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 (e.g., sensor 59190B), between the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140 and the pump 59170, downstream of the pump 59170, or outside of the discharge housing 59106.

[0200] One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a particular discharge system may not include each sensor shown in FIG. 28 and / or may include additional sensors. The components within the discharge system 59100 may be modular and / or replaceable. For example, the fluid trap 59110, the filter devices 59120, 59130, 59140, the pump 59170, the plurality of sensors 59190A-K may be modular and / or replaceable.

[0201] The plurality of sensors 59190A-K may detect various parameters of the fluid moving through the fluid path within the discharge housing 59105 and / or the surrounding environment. In various examples, the discharge housing 59105 and / or the modular component compatible with the housing 59105 may include a processor configured to receive inputs from one or more sensors (e.g., 59190A-K) and / or communicate outputs to one or more drivers.

[0202] As used herein, fluid can refer to any material entering inlet 59112 from a suction conduit, including, for example, liquids, gases, vapors, smoke, or combinations thereof. The fluid may originally be biological and / or can be introduced from an external source to the surgical site during a procedure. Fluids can also include water, saline, lymph, blood, exudate, and / or purulent discharge. Additionally, the fluid can also include particulate matter or other substances (e.g., cellular material or debris) discharged by the drainage system. In one embodiment, such particulate matter may be suspended in the fluid.

[0203] During operation, fluid from the surgical site can be drawn into inlet 59112 and into the ejector housing 59105 via the fluid trap 59110. The flow path through housing 59105 of FIG. 28 can be a sealed conduit or tube extending between various rows of components. In various examples, the fluid may flow through the fluid detection sensor 59190A and the chemical sensor 59190B and to the first fluid filter device 59120. The fluid detection sensor 59190A may detect fluid particles in the fluid / smoke, and the chemical sensor 59190B may detect the chemical properties of the fluid. The fluid detection sensor 59190A may also detect the concentration (e.g., liquid-to-gas ratio) and / or the size of droplets in the fluid near the fluid detection sensor 59190A. The first fluid filter device 59120 may extract large droplets from the fluid. The fluid may then be directed to flow into the second fluid filter 59130. In the second fluid filter 59130, small droplets in the fluid flowing out of the first fluid filter device 59120 may be extracted. The fluid may then flow through the second fluid filter device 59130 and may be directed to flow into the non-fluid filter device 59140.

[0204] At the inlet of the non-fluid filter device 59140, the fluid may flow through the laser particle counter 59190F and the pressure sensor 59190E. The fluid may be filtered through one or more non-fluid type filters 59144, 59146. In a particular example, the non-fluid filter device 59140 shown in FIG. 28 may include additional and / or fewer filtration levels. For example, the non-fluid filter device 59140 may include one or more filtration layers selected from the following filter groups: a coarse media filter, a fine media filter, and an adsorbent-based filter. The coarse media filter may be, for example, a low air resistance filter composed of fiberglass, polyester, and / or a pleated filter. The fine media filter may be a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and / or an ULPA filter. The adsorbent-based filter may be, for example, an activated carbon filter (e.g., a carbon filter). In a particular example, the non-fluid filter device 59140 may also include one or two or more baffles 59142 or similar structures, in which case the fluid flowing into the non-fluid filter device 59140 may be condensed. In a particular example, the baffle 59142 may be located near the inlet port of the non-fluid filter device 59140. In other particular examples, the baffle 59142 may be positioned at any other suitable location within the non-fluid filter device 59140.

[0205] Upon exiting the non-fluid filter device 59140, the fluid can flow through the pressure sensor 59190G and then proceed towards the pump 59170 along the flow path 59148 within the ejector housing 59105. Upon moving through the pump 59170, the filtered fluid can flow through the laser particle sensor 59190H and the pressure sensor 59190I at the outlet 59175 of the ejector housing 59105. The ejector housing 59105 may also include an air quality particle sensor 59190J and an ambient pressure sensor 59190K to detect various characteristics of the surrounding environment, such as the environment within the operating room.

[0206] In various examples, the fluid trap 59110 or first fluid filter device 59120 may be configured to prevent the escape and / or leakage of trapped fluid. For example, the shape of the fluid trap 59110 or first fluid filter device 59120 may be selected to prevent the escape and / or leakage of trapped fluid. In certain examples, the fluid trap 59110 or first fluid filter device 59120 may include one or more baffles 59126 and / or splatter screens to prevent the trapped fluid from splashing out of the fluid trap 59110 or first fluid filter device 59120. In one or more examples, the fluid trap 59110 / first fluid filter device 59120 may include sensors to detect the fluid in the fluid trap 59110 / first fluid filter device 59120 and / or whether the fluid trap 59110 / first fluid filter device 59120 is filled to volume. The fluid trap 59110 / first fluid filter device 59120 may include a valve for emptying fluid in the fluid reservoir 59114 of the fluid trap 59110 or the fluid reservoir 59125 of the first fluid filter device 59120.

[0207] The various sensors in the evacuation system 59100 may be in communication with a controller, which may be integrated into the evacuation system 59100 and / or may be a component of another surgical instrument and / or surgical hub. The controller may adjust one or more operating parameters of the ejector system (e.g., a motor for an ejector pump) based on input from the sensor(s), or may adjust operating parameters of another device, such as an electrosurgical tool and / or an imaging device, based on input from the sensor(s).

[0208] 28 , in certain examples, the first fluid filter device 59120 may be configured to extract large droplets from the fluid traveling through the flow path, and the second fluid filter device 59130 may be configured to extract small droplets from the fluid. As shown in FIG. 28 , the first fluid filter device 59120 may be coupled in series with the second fluid filter device 59130. The first fluid filter device 59120 may be positioned upstream of the second fluid filter device 59130. In certain examples, the outlet port of the second fluid filter device 59130 may be coupled to the inlet port of the non-fluidic filter device 59140.

[0209] As used herein, droplets larger than 10-20 μm can be considered large droplets. Also, droplets smaller than 10-20 μm can be considered small droplets. In certain examples, the first fluid filter device 59120 can remove a majority of droplets larger than 20 μm. In certain examples, the first fluid filter device 59120 may remove at least 85% of droplets larger than 20 μm, at least 90% of droplets larger than 20 μm, at least 95% of droplets larger than 20 μm, at least 99% of droplets larger than 20 μm, at least 99.9% of droplets larger than 20 μm, or at least 99.99% of droplets larger than 20 μm.

[0210] Additionally or alternatively, the first fluid filter device 59120 may remove a majority of droplets larger than 10 μm. In certain examples, the first fluid filter device 59120 may remove at least 85% of droplets larger than 10 μm, at least 90% of droplets larger than 10 μm, at least 95% of droplets larger than 10 μm, at least 99% of droplets larger than 10 μm, at least 99.9% of droplets larger than 10 μm, or at least 99.99% of droplets larger than 10 μm.

[0211] The second fluid filter device 59130 may, for example, remove a majority of droplets larger than 1 μm. In certain examples, the second fluid filter device 59130 may remove at least 85% of droplets larger than 1 μm, at least 90% of droplets larger than 1 μm, at least 95% of droplets larger than 1 μm, at least 99% of droplets larger than 1 μm, at least 99.9% of droplets larger than 1 μm, or at least 99.99% of droplets larger than 1 μm.

[0212] Additionally or alternatively, the second fluid filter device 59130 may remove, for example, a majority of droplets larger than 0.1 μm. In certain examples, the second fluid filter device 59130 may remove at least 85% of droplets larger than 0.1 μm, at least 90% of droplets larger than 0.1 μm, at least 95% of droplets larger than 0.1 μm, at least 99% of droplets larger than 0.1 μm, at least 99.9% of droplets larger than 0.1 μm, or at least 99.99% of droplets larger than 0.1 μm.

[0213] 18 and 19 . For example, when the switching valve 59122 is in a first position, fluid intake through the switching valve 59122 may be directed along a first path 59123. When the switching valve 59122 is in a second position, fluid intake through the switching valve 59122 may be directed along a second path 59124, as shown in FIG. 28 . In certain examples, the first path 59123 may correspond to a flow path when no liquid / droplets are detected in the fluid or when the detected liquid-to-gas ratio is below a threshold. In certain other examples, the first path 59123 may correspond to a flow path when the size of the majority of the detected droplets (e.g., 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99%) is smaller than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 10-20 μm).

[0214] In certain examples, the second path 59124 may correspond to the flow path when a liquid / droplet is detected within a fluid, such as an aerosol, or when the detected liquid-to-gas ratio is above a threshold value. In certain other examples, the second path 59124 may correspond to the flow path when the size of the majority of the detected droplets is above a predetermined threshold (e.g., 10 - 20 μm). The fluid detection sensor 59190A may be configured to detect the presence of droplets or aerosols in the fluid, the liquid-to-gas ratio, and / or the size of the droplets / aerosols. For example, the fluid detection sensor 59190A may be positioned at and / or near the output port of the fluid trap 59110 and / or the inlet port of the first fluid filter device 59120. A liquid-to-gas ratio above a threshold value (e.g., 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 10:1) may be considered an aerosol. The first path 59123 may bypass the first fluid filter device 59120, and the second path 59124 may direct the fluid through the first fluid filter device 59120 to capture large droplets from the fluid before the fluid is directed into the second fluid filter device 59130. By selecting the fluid path based on the liquid-to-gas ratio or the size of the droplets in the fluid, the efficiency of the surgical drainage system 59100 can be improved.

[0215] As discussed above, when the fluid detection sensor 59190A detects a liquid-to-gas ratio above a threshold value, droplets larger than a threshold size, or a combination of both, the fluid intake may be switched to the second path 59124 before entering the second fluid filter device 59130. The second path 59124 may be configured to condense liquid droplets within the flow path. For example, the second path 59124 may include a plurality of baffles 591266 or other similar structures on which the fluid may be configured to condense. As the fluid passes through the second path 59124, the liquid may condense on the baffles 59126 therein and may be directed to drip downwardly into the fluid reservoir 59125.

[0216] Conversely, when the fluid detection sensor 59190A detects a liquid-to-gas ratio below a threshold value, droplets smaller than a threshold size, or a combination of both, the fluid intake may be directed directly to the second fluid filter device 59130. The switching valve 59122 may be positioned to bypass the second path 59124 and the first fluid filter device 59120 so that fluid flows directly to the second fluid filter device 59130. By bypassing the first fluid filter device 59120, the surgical drainage system 59100 may require less power from the motor driving the pump 59170. For example, the motor may require more power to draw aerosol through the surgical drainage system than to draw non-aerosol smoke through the surgical drainage system.

[0217] In certain examples, the second fluid filter device 59130 may include a filter 59135 configured to capture small droplets (e.g., smaller than 10-20 μm). In certain examples, the filter 59135 may be configured to extract droplets larger than a threshold size (e.g., 0.1-1 μm). In certain examples, the filter 59135 may be a membrane filter, a honeycomb filter, and / or a porous structure filter (e.g., a thin porous pad), or at least one of any other suitable filter capable of extracting small droplets or droplets larger than 0.1-1 μm. The fluid flowing out of the second fluid filter device 59130 may flow into the non-fluid filter device 59140. In certain examples, the second fluid filter device 59130 may also include one or two or more baffles or similar structures on which the fluid flowing into the second fluid filter device may condense. In certain examples, the baffle may be located near the inlet port of the second fluid filter device 59130. In certain other examples, the baffle may be positioned at any other suitable location within the second fluid filter device 50130.

[0218] Referring again to FIG. 28, the discharge system 59100 can also include a first recirculation channel 59150. The inlet port 59152 of the first recirculation channel 59150 may be positioned between the second fluid filter device 59130 and the non-fluid filter device 59140. The first recirculation channel 59150 may be configured to recirculate the fluid flowing out of the second fluid filter device 59130.

[0219] The fluid directed into the first recirculation channel 59150 may be injected into the fluid path upstream of the second fluid filter device 59130. For example, the fluid directed into the first recirculation channel 59150 may be injected into the first fluid filter device 59120 (e.g., the fluid reservoir 59125) as shown in FIG. 28. In certain other examples, the fluid directed into the first recirculation channel 59150 may be injected into the upstream portion of the second fluid filter device 59130 (e.g., the inlet port of the second fluid filter device 59130) or the flow path between the first fluid filter device 59120 and the second fluid filter device 59130.

[0220] In a particular example, the first recirculation channel 59150 (e.g., a portion of the first recirculation channel 59150 near the inlet port 59152) may extend downwardly from the inlet port 59152 of the first recirculation channel 59150. Thereby, large or small droplets in the fluid flowing out of the second fluid filter device 59130 can be directed by gravity into the first recirculation channel 59150.

[0221] In certain examples, the exhaust system 59100 may also include a first recirculation valve 59155. The first recirculation valve 59155 may be configured to close and / or open the first recirculation channel 59150. When the first recirculation valve 59155 is opened, fluid exiting the second fluid filter device 59130 may be directed to the first recirculation channel 59150. In certain examples, the exhaust system 59100 may further include a fluid detection sensor 59190D. The fluid detection sensor 59190D may be positioned near the first recirculation valve 59155. The fluid detection sensor 59190D may be similar to the fluid detection sensor 59190A. The fluid detection sensor 59190D may be configured to detect a parameter of the fluid (e.g., droplet size, liquid to gas ratio in the fluid). The first recirculation valve 59155 may open the first recirculation channel 59150 when a parameter detected by the fluid detection sensor 59190D is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, if the fluid detection sensor 59190D detects a liquid-to-gas ratio equal to or greater than a threshold (e.g., 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 10:1) and / or a droplet size greater than a threshold (e.g., 0.1-1 μm), the fluid exiting the second fluid filter device 59130 may be diverted to the first recirculation channel. In this manner, the exhaust system 59100 can prevent droplets / moisture from entering the non-fluidic filter device 59140, which could damage the filters 59144, 59146. If the fluid detection sensor 59190D detects a liquid to gas ratio below a threshold and / or a droplet size smaller than a threshold (e.g., 0.1 to 1 μm), the first recirculation valve 59155 may close so that the fluid flowing out of the second fluid filter device 59130 is directed into the non-fluid filter device 59140.

[0222] In a particular example, the recirculating fluid passing through the first recirculation channel 59150 may pass through the first fluid filter device 59120 and / or the second fluid filter device 59130 again, and the recirculation process may be repeated until the parameter detected by the fluid detection sensor 59190D falls below a predetermined threshold value. In a particular example, if the number of repetitions is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (e.g., 5 times, 10 times, or any other suitable value greater than 0), which may indicate that some components within the first / second fluid filter devices 59120 / 59130 are not operating properly (e.g., due to sensor failure, damage or blockage to the filter / baffle), the first / second fluid filter devices 59120 / 59130 or the discharge system 59100 may be deactivated, for example, by stopping the pump 59170 or the motor. In this case, the processor of the discharge system 59100 may notify the discharge system 59100 or the user that there is an error in the first / second fluid filter devices 59120 / 59130.

[0223] In certain examples, the exhaust system 59100 can also include a second recirculation channel 59160. An inlet port 59162 of the second recirculation channel 59160 may be positioned between the first fluid filter device 59120 and the second fluid filter device 59130. The second recirculation channel 59160 may be configured to recirculate fluid exiting the first fluid filter 59120. In certain examples, fluid directed into the second recirculation channel 59160 may be injected into a fluid path upstream of the first fluid filter device 59120 (e.g., the reservoir 59114 or the fluid trap 59110) or into an upstream portion of the first fluid filter device 59120 (e.g., the inlet port of the first fluid filter or the reservoir 59125 of the first fluid filter device 59120). In certain examples, the second recirculation channel 59160 (e.g., a portion of the second recirculation channel 59160 near the inlet port 59162) may extend downward from the inlet port 59162 of the second recirculation channel 59160. This allows large or small droplets in the fluid exiting the first fluid filter device 59120 to be directed by gravity into the second recirculation channel 59160.

[0224] In certain examples, the exhaust system 59100 may further include a second recirculation valve 59165. The second recirculation valve 59165 may be configured to close and / or open the second recirculation channel 59160. When the second recirculation valve is opened, fluid exiting the first fluid filter device 59120 may be recirculated through the second recirculation channel 59160.

[0225] In certain examples, the evacuation system 59100 may also control the second recirculation valve 59165 using a fluid detection sensor 59190C. The fluid detection sensor 59190C may be similar to the fluid detection sensors 59190A, D. The fluid sensor 59190C may be positioned near the second recirculation valve 59165. The fluid sensor 59190C may be configured to detect a parameter of the fluid (e.g., droplet size, liquid to gas ratio in the fluid). The second recirculation valve 59165 may open the second recirculation channel 59160 when the parameter detected by the fluid detection sensor 59190C is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, if the fluid detection sensor 59190C detects a liquid-to-gas ratio above a threshold (e.g., 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 10:1) and / or a droplet size greater than a threshold (e.g., 10-20 μm), the fluid exiting the first fluid filter device 59120 may be diverted into the second recirculation channel 59160. In this way, the exhaust system 59100 can prevent large droplets / moisture that could easily and / or quickly clog the filter 59135 from entering the second fluid filter device 59140. If the fluid sensor 59190C detects a liquid-to-gas ratio below the threshold and / or a droplet size smaller than a threshold (e.g., 10-20 μm), the second recirculation valve 59165 may close such that the fluid exiting the first fluid filter device 59120 is directed into the second fluid filter device 59130.

[0226] In a particular example, the recirculating fluid through the second recirculation channel 59160 may pass through the first fluid filter device 59120 again, and the recirculation process may be repeated until the parameter detected by the fluid detection sensor 59190C falls below a predetermined threshold. In a particular example, if the number of repetitions is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 5 times, 10 times, or any other suitable value greater than 0), which may indicate that some components within the first fluid filter device 59120 are not operating properly (e.g., due to sensor failure, damage or blockage to the baffle), the first fluid filter device 59120 or the discharge system 59100 may be deactivated, for example, by stopping the pump 59170 or the motor. In this case, the processor of the discharge system 59100 may notify the discharge system 59100 or the user that there is an error in the first fluid filter device 59120.

[0227] In a specific example, the first recirculation valve 59155 may be configured to open and / or close a flow path between the second fluid filter device 59130 and the non-fluid filter device 59140. For example, when the parameter detected by the fluid detection sensor 59190D is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the first recirculation valve 59155 opens the first recirculation channel 59150 and simultaneously closes the flow path between the second fluid filter device 59130 and the non-fluid filter device 59140. In this way, the present disclosure advantageously enables the discharge system 59100 to switch substantially all of the fluid flowing out of the second fluid filter device 59130, which may contain droplets that could damage the filters 59144, 59146 of the non-fluid filter device 59140, into the first recirculation channel 59150. Also, in a specific example, the closing of the first recirculation channel 59150 and the opening of the flow path between the second fluid filter device 59130 and the non-fluid filter device 59140 can be performed in a single step / operation, as opposed to multiple steps / operations. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, when the first recirculation valve 59155 is opened 90 degrees, the first recirculation valve 59155 closes the flow path between the second fluid filter device 59130 and the non-fluid filter device 59140.

[0228] Similarly, in certain examples, the second recirculation valve 59165 may be configured to open and / or close the flow path between the first fluid filter device 59120 and the second fluid filter device 59130. In certain examples, when the parameter detected by the fluid detection sensor 59190C is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the second recirculation valve 59165 may open the second recirculation channel 59160 and simultaneously close the flow path between the first fluid filter device 59120 and the second fluid filter device 59130. In this way, the present disclosure advantageously enables the exhaust system 59100 to divert substantially all of the fluid flowing out of the first fluid filter device 59120 that includes large droplets that could potentially clog the second fluid filter device 59130 and / or the filter 59135 of the second fluid filter device 59130 into the second recirculation channel 59160. Also, in certain examples, closing the second recirculation channel 59160 and opening the flow path between the first fluid filter device 59120 and the second fluid filter device 59130 can be accomplished in a single step / operation as opposed to multiple steps / operations. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, when the second recirculation valve 59165 is opened 90 degrees, the second recirculation valve 59165 closes the flow path between the first fluid filter device 59120 and the second fluid filter device 59130. This advantageously reduces the number of signals / commands between the processor and the components of the exhaust system 59100 and can prevent the possibility of signal delay and malfunction of the components due to signal delay.

[0229] In a particular example, the discharge system 59100 may include one or more centrifugal blower mechanisms. For example, a first centrifugal blower 59180A (e.g., a rotating cage) may be provided in the flow path 59148 between the non-fluid filter device 59140 and the pump 59170, and a second centrifugal blower 59180B may be provided in the first recirculation channel 59150. The first centrifugal blower 59180A may be operably connected to the second centrifugal blower 59180B via, for example, one or more gears 59185A. For example, when the first recirculation valve 59155 is opened and the pump 59170 is activated, the suction force generated by the pump 59170 may cause the first centrifugal blower 59180A to rotate, which may be transmitted to the second centrifugal blower 59180B via the gear 59185A, which draws in the recirculation fluid via the first recirculation channel 59150.

[0230] Similarly, a third centrifugal blower 59180C may be provided in the second recirculation channel 59160. In a particular example, the third centrifugal blower 59180C may be operably connected to the first centrifugal blower 59180A via, for example, one or more gears 59185A - B and the second centrifugal blower 59180B, as shown in FIG. 28. In this case, when the second recirculation valve 59165 is opened and the pump 59170 is activated, the suction force generated by the pump 59170 may cause the first centrifugal blower 59180A to rotate, which is then transmitted to the second centrifugal blower 59180B and then to the third centrifugal blower 59180C, which draws in recirculation fluid through the second recirculation channel 59160. In certain other examples, the third centrifugal blower 59180C may be operably connected to the first centrifugal blower 59180A via, for example, a gear 59185B, without the second centrifugal blower 59180B intervening therebetween. In this case, when the second recirculation valve 59165 is opened and the pump 59170 is activated, the suction force generated by the pump 59170 may cause the first centrifugal blower 59180A to rotate, which may be transmitted to the third centrifugal blower 59180C via one or two or more gears 59185B, which draws in recirculation fluid through the second recirculation channel 59160. In this way, the present disclosure advantageously reduces the power from the motor / pump by reusing the motor / pump power when generating the suction force for the first and / or second recirculation channels 59150, 59160. In certain other examples, a separate pump may be provided in the first recirculation channel 59150 and / or the second recirculation channel 59160 to generate the suction force.

[0231] The reader will readily understand that the various surgical drainage systems and components described herein can be incorporated into a computer-implemented interactive surgical system, a surgical hub, and / or a robotic system. For example, a surgical drainage system can communicate data to and / or receive data from a surgical hub, a robotic system, and / or a computer-implemented interactive surgical system. Various examples of computer-implemented interactive surgical systems, robotic systems, and surgical hubs will be further described below.

[0232] FIG. 29 shows an electrosurgical system 60000 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The electrosurgical system 60000 includes a generator 60002, an electrosurgical instrument 60004, and a return pad 60006. The generator 60002 supplies alternating current at a radio frequency level to the electrosurgical instrument 60004 via a first conductor / cable 60008. The electrosurgical instrument 60004 includes an electrode tip (i.e., an active electrode) that can be placed on a target tissue of a patient. The electrosurgical instrument 60004 receives the alternating current from the generator 60002 and delivers the alternating current to the target tissue of the patient 60010 via the electrode tip. The alternating current is received by the target tissue, and heat is generated due to the resistance from the tissue, resulting in a desired effect (e.g., sealing and / or cutting) at the surgical site. The alternating current is conducted through the patient's body and is ultimately received by the return pad 60006. The alternating current received by the return pad 60006 is returned to the generator 60002 via a second conductor / cable 60012 to complete a closed loop through which the alternating current flows.

[0233] According to various aspects, the generator 60002 is similar to the generator 900 described above and may include, for example, a processor and a waveform generator similar to the processor 902 and the waveform generator 904 described above.

[0234] The electrosurgical instrument 60004 may be configured for monopolar operation, in which electrosurgical energy supplied by the generator 60002 is introduced into the patient's tissue by the active electrode of the surgical instrument 60004 and returned to the generator 60002 via the return pad 6006. According to various aspects, the electrosurgical instrument 60004 includes a handpiece or pencil and an electrode tip. The electrode tip functions as the active electrode of the electrosurgical system 60000 and introduces electrosurgical energy into the target tissue of the patient 60010. Specifically, a discharge is emitted from the electrode tip into the patient 60010 to cause heating of cellular material in the patient 60010 in close contact with or adjacent to the electrode tip. The tissue heating occurs to a suitably high temperature such that electrosurgical surgery can be performed using the electrosurgical instrument 60004.

[0235] Figure 30 illustrates a return pad 60006 of the surgical system 60000 of Figure 29 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The return pad 60006 may be similar to, but differs from, a MEGA SOFT® patient return electrode commercially available from Megadyne Medical Products, Inc. in that the return pad 60006 may include a sleeve or cover 60014, may be spaced a small distance from the patient's body, may be capable of capacitively coupling with the patient's body, and is configured to carry the amount of current introduced into the patient's body by the electrosurgical instrument 60004.

[0236] The return pad can capacitively couple to the patient's body instead of a single return electrode and is configured to carry the overall amount of current introduced into the patient's body by the electrosurgical instrument 60004. In this regard, the return pad 60006 is different from the MEGA SOFT® patient return electrode commercially available from Megadyne Medical Products, Inc. For this capacitive coupling, the patient's body effectively acts as one plate of a capacitor, and the plurality of electrodes of the return pad effectively act as the other plate of the capacitor as a whole. A more detailed description of capacitive coupling can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,214,000, issued April 10, 2001, entitled "CAPACITIVE REUSABLE ELECTROSURGICAL RETURN ELECTRODE," and U.S. Patent No. 6,582,424, issued June 24, 2003, entitled "CAPACITIVE REUSABLE ELECTROSURGICAL RETURN ELECTRODE," the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The return pad 60006 is shown in FIG. 30 as being substantially rectangular, but it will be understood that the return pad 60006 may be of any suitable shape.

[0237] FIG. 31 shows the plurality of electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 of FIG. 30, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. For clarity, the sleeve or cover 60014 of the return pad 60006 is not shown in FIG. 31. Four electrodes 60016 are shown in FIG. 31, but it will be understood that the return pad 60006 may include any number of electrodes 60016. For example, according to various aspects, the return pad 60006 includes 16 electrodes 60016. Also, the individual electrodes 60016 are shown in FIG. 31 as being substantially rectangular, but it will be understood that the individual electrodes may be of any suitable shape.

[0238] The electrode 60016 of the return pad 60006 can be regarded as the return electrode of the electrosurgical system 60000 in FIG. 29. Furthermore, since the electrode 60016 can be selectively separated from the patient's body and / or the generator 60002, it can also be regarded as a segmented electrode. The electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 can also be connected to each other so as to effectively act as one large electrode. For example, according to various aspects, each of the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 can be connected to the input of the switching device 60020 by its respective conductive member 60018, as shown in FIG. 24. As shown in FIG. 31, when the switching device 60020 is in the open position, each electrode 60016 of the return pad 60006 is separated from each other from the patient's body and / or the generator 60002. On the other hand, when the switching device 60020 is in the closed position, each electrode 60016 of the return pad 60006 is connected to each other so as to effectively act as one large electrode.

[0239] The switching device 60020 can be controlled by a processing circuit (for example, the processing circuit of the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system, the processing circuit of the surgical hub 206, the processing circuit of the surgical hub 106, etc.). For the sake of brevity, the processing circuit is not shown in FIG. 31. According to various aspects, the switching device 60020 shown in FIG. 31 can be incorporated into the return pad 60006. According to other aspects, the switching device 60006 shown in FIG. 31 can be incorporated into the second conductor / cable 60012 of the electrosurgical system 60000 in FIG. 29. The return pad 60006 can also include a plurality of sensing devices 60022 (see FIG. 32).

[0240] By being able to connect a plurality of electrodes 60016 together for use during an electrosurgical procedure, the total effective size of the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 is large enough and / or the current density is maintained low enough to have a surface area sufficient to reduce any potential for unwanted burns to the patient 60010.

[0241] FIG. 32 shows an array of sensing devices 60022 of the return pad 60006 of FIG. 30 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. For clarity, the sleeve or cover 60014 of the return pad 60006 is not shown in FIG. 32. According to various aspects, the number of sensing devices 60022 corresponds to the number of electrodes 60016, with one sensing device 60022 for each electrode 60016, and each sensing device 60022 is attached to or integrated with the corresponding electrode 60016. However, while the number of sensing devices 60022 shown in FIG. 32 corresponds to the number of electrodes 60016, it will be understood that the return pad 60006 may include any number of sensing devices 60022. For example, in an aspect of the return pad 60006 that includes 16 electrodes 60016, the return pad 60006 may include only 4 or 8 sensing devices 60022. The sensing devices 60022 are shown in FIG. 32 as being at the center of the corresponding electrodes 60016, but it will be understood that the sensing devices 60022 can be placed on any portion of the corresponding electrodes 60016 and can be placed at different positions on different electrodes 60016.

[0242] The sensing device 60022 is configured to sense a monopolar nerve control signal applied to a patient and / or movement of an anatomical feature of the patient (e.g., muscle contraction) resulting from the application of the nerve control signal. The monopolar nerve control signal may be applied by the electrosurgical instrument 60004 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29, or may be applied by different surgical instruments connected to different generators. Each sensing device 60022 may include, for example, a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, or a combination thereof, and is configured to output a signal indicating the detected nerve control signal and / or a signal indicating the detected movement of the anatomical feature of the patient. Such pressure sensors may include, for example, piezoresistive strain gauges, capacitive pressure sensors, electromagnetic pressure sensors, and / or piezoelectric pressure sensors. Such accelerometers may include, for example, mechanical accelerometers, capacitive accelerometers, piezoelectric accelerometers, electromagnetic accelerometers, and / or microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometers. The respective output signals of each sensing device 60022 may be in the form of analog signals and / or digital signals.

[0243] Using Coulomb's law and the positions of the active electrode of the electrosurgical instrument 60004, the patient's body, and each sensing device 60022, each output signal of each sensing device 60022 indicating the detected nerve control signal and / or the movement of the anatomical feature of the patient can be analyzed to determine the position of the nerve within the patient's body. Coulomb's law is E = K(Q / r 2 ) where E is the threshold current required for nerve stimulation in the nerve, K is a constant, Q is the minimum current from the nerve stimulation electrode, and r is the distance from the nerve. The current required to stimulate the nerve increases in proportion to the distance from the nerve stimulation electrode to the nerve. Therefore, the distance from the nerve stimulation electrode to the nerve can be estimated using a constant current stimulation. Generally, the intensity of each output signal of each sensing device 60022 indicates the distance from the stimulated nerve of the patient 60010 of each sensing device 60022.

[0244] According to various aspects, the analysis of the output signal of each sensing device 60022 can be performed by the processing circuit of the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29, by the processing circuit of a nerve monitoring system separate from the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29, by the processing circuit of the surgical hub 260, by the processing circuit of the surgical hub 106, etc. The analysis can be performed in real time or substantially in real time. According to various aspects, each output signal functions as an input to a monopolar nerve stimulation algorithm executed by the processing circuit.

[0245] According to various aspects, as shown in FIG. 32, the output signal of each sensing device 60022 can be input to a multi-input single-output switching device 60024 (e.g., a multiplexer) via a conductive member 60026. By controlling the selection signals S0, S1 for the multi-input single-output switching device 60024, the multi-input single-output switching device 60024 can be controlled to output only one of the output signals of each sensing device 60024 for the above-described analysis. For example, referring to FIG. 32, by setting the selection signals S0, S1 to 0, 0, the output signal from the sensing device 60022 associated with the upper left electrode 60016 in FIG. 32 can be output by the multi-input single-output switching device 60024 for analysis by an applicable processing circuit. By setting the selection signals S0, S1 to 0, 1, the output signal from the sensing device 60022 associated with the upper right electrode 60016 in FIG. 32 can be output by the multi-input single-output switching device 60024 for analysis by an applicable processing circuit. By setting the selection signals S0, S1 to 1, 0, the output signal from the sensing device 60022 associated with the lower left electrode 60016 in FIG. 32 can be output by the multi-input single-output switching device 60024 for analysis by an applicable processing circuit. By setting the selection signals S0, S1 to 1, 1, the output signal from the sensing device 60022 associated with the lower right electrode 60016 in FIG. 32 can be output by the multi-input single-output switching device 60024 for analysis by an applicable processing circuit.

[0246] The selection signals S0 and S1 can be provided to the multi-input single-output switching device 60024, for example, by a processing circuit such as a processing circuit of the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system 60000 in FIG. 29, a processing circuit of a nerve monitoring system separate from the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system 60000 in FIG. 29, a processing circuit of the surgical hub 260, a processing circuit of the surgical hub 106, etc. For the sake of brevity, the processing circuit is not shown in FIG. 32. By providing various selection signals at a sufficiently high speed, the output signals of each sensing device can be effectively scanned at a speed that enables all-time analysis of the output signals of each sensing device and determines the position of the stimulated nerve.

[0247] According to various aspects, the multi-input single-output switching device 60024 shown in FIG. 32 can be incorporated into the return pad 60006. According to other aspects, the multi-input single-output switching device 60024 shown in FIG. 32 can be incorporated into the second conductor / cable 60012 of the electrosurgical system 60000 in FIG. 29.

[0248] The control of the multi-input single-output switching device 60024 has been described so far in the context of a 4-input 1-output switching device corresponding to the four sensing devices 60022 shown in FIG. 32. In an embodiment where there are more than four sensing devices 60022 (for example, 16 sensing devices), the output signals of the more than four sensing devices 60022 are input to the multi-input single-output switching device 60024, and it will be understood that more than two selection signals (for example, S0, S1, S2, and S3) are required to control the output of the multi-input single-output switching device 60024.

[0249] In an embodiment where the output signal of the sensing device 60024 is an analog signal, the output of the multi-input single-output switching device 60024 can be converted into a corresponding digital signal by an analog-to-digital converter 60026 (shown by a dashed line in FIG. 32) before the analysis of the output signal is performed by an applicable processing circuit.

[0250] By incorporating an array of sensing devices 60022 into a plurality of electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006, the position of a patient's nerve relative to the electrode tip of the electrosurgical instrument 60004 can be determined. By being able to present the determined nerve position to the surgeon, the possibility that the surgeon inadvertently damages or cuts the nerve while using the electrode tip to cut the target tissue of the patient 60010 can be reduced.

[0251] In various embodiments, detection of the patient's neurocontrol signals and / or movement of anatomical features by the sensing device 60022 can be performed while the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 are coupled to one another or while the electrodes 60016 are not coupled to one another. For example, if detection is performed after positioning the patient 60010 on the operating table and before starting a surgical procedure when the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 are not coupled to one another, the return pad 60006 can be placed in a "sensing mode" by controlling the switching device 60020, shown in FIG. 31 , to decouple the electrodes 60016 of the return pad 60006 from one another. While the electrodes 60016 are not coupled to one another, nerves and / or nerve bundles can be stimulated with the electrosurgical instrument 60004 described above, and the output signals of each of the sensing devices 60022 of the return pad 60006 can be analyzed as described above to identify the location of the associated nerve, nerve bundle, and / or nerve plexus. This location may be entered into a monopolar nerve stimulation algorithm profile, which may reside, for example, in the memory circuitry of the generator 60002, in the memory circuitry of a different generator coupled to a surgical instrument other than the electrosurgical instrument 60004, etc. Once the location is entered into the monopolar nerve stimulation algorithm profile, this location is effectively isolated from the capacitive operation of the electrode 60016 of the return pad 60006 and is used as a sensing node in the monopolar nerve stimulation algorithm profile to alert the surgeon when they are approaching a nerve and / or nerve bundle while performing a tissue cutting procedure. According to various aspects, the location of the vicinity of the nerve and / or nerve bundle may be communicated to the surgeon via an audible alert, a visual alert, a vibration alert, etc.

[0252] As described in more detail below in connection with FIG. 33, according to various aspects, when detection is performed with each electrode 60016 of the return pad 60006 connected to each other, the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29 may generate a high-frequency waveform (alternating current at radio frequency) modulated on a carrier wave having a frequency low enough to stimulate the patient's nerve. Thereby, sensing of the nerve control signal and / or the movement of the anatomical feature may be performed simultaneously with the capacitive coupling of each electrode 60016 of the return pad 60006 to the patient's body. By applying a specific waveform to the patient 60010 and sensing a specific response, the movement of the anatomical feature is not just some general movement, but is the result of the applied waveform, thereby improving reliability. The modulation may be adjusted over time to stimulate different multiple nerve sizes. According to various aspects, the amplitude of the modulation can be varied over time such that the applicable processing circuit can determine the distance from the signal to the nerve and / or nerve bundle without the need to constantly stimulate the nerve and / or nerve bundle.

[0253] FIG. 33 shows a method 60030 for simultaneously applying a nerve stimulation signal and electrosurgical energy to a patient, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In this exemplary procedure, the generator 60002 generates an alternating current at a radio frequency level as a high-frequency waveform (60032). According to various aspects, the waveform generator, which is the generator 60002, performs this function.

[0254] The generator 60002 generates a low-frequency waveform configured to stimulate the patient's nerve (60034). According to various aspects, the low-frequency waveform is a monopolar nerve control signal, and the waveform generator, which is the generator 60002, performs this function.

[0255] Generator 60002 modulates the low-frequency waveform generated in step 60034 using the high-frequency waveform generated in step 60032 to form a composite waveform (60036). According to various aspects, the waveform generator, which is generator 60002, performs this step. According to other embodiments, the processing circuit of generator 60002 performs this function.

[0256] Generator 60002 supplies the composite waveform generated in step 60036 to the electrosurgical instrument 60004 (60038).

[0257] The electrode (i.e., the active electrode) of the electrosurgical instrument 60004 applies the composite waveform to the patient 60010 (60040). The high-frequency waveform operates to heat the target tissue of the patient 60010 and, after exiting the patient's body, is received by the electrode 60016 of the return pad 60006. The low-frequency waveform operates to stimulate the patient's nerves and / or cause movement of the patient's anatomical features (e.g., muscle contraction) resulting from the application of the nerve control signal.

[0258] A plurality of electrodes 60016 connected together via the switching device 60020 receive the electrosurgical energy exiting the patient's body and return the electrosurgical energy to the generator 60002 via the respective conductive members 60018, the switching device 60020, and the second conductor / cable 60012 (60042).

[0259] The sensing device 60022 detects the monopolar nerve control signal applied to the patient 60010 and / or the movement of the patient 60010's anatomical features (e.g., muscle contraction) resulting from the application of the nerve control signal, and generates a corresponding output signal for each (60044). The output of each sensing device 60022 is sampled as described above and transferred to the processing circuit for analysis. The processing circuit may be, for example, the processing circuit of the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29, the processing circuit of a nerve monitoring system separate from the generator 60002 of the electrosurgical system 60000 of FIG. 29, the processing circuit of the surgical hub 260, the processing circuit of the surgical hub 106, etc.

[0260] Applicable processing circuitry analyzes the output signals and determines where the nerve, nerve bundle, and / or nerve nexus associated with the output signal is located (60046). As noted above, according to various aspects, each output signal can serve as an input to a monopolar nerve stimulation algorithm executed by the processing circuitry, which operates to assist the surgeon in preventing severing or damage to the nerve, nerve bundle, and / or nerve nexus.

[0261] Computer-implemented interactive surgical system 34 , a computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100 includes one or more surgical systems 102 and a cloud-based system (e.g., a cloud 104 that may include a remote server 113 coupled to a storage device 105). Each surgical system 102 includes at least one surgical hub 106 in communication with the cloud 104, which may include the remote server 113. In one example, as shown in FIG. 34 , the surgical systems 102 include a visualization system 108, a robotic system 110, and a handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112 configured to communicate with each other and / or with the hub 106. In some embodiments, the surgical system 102 may include M hubs 106, N visualization systems 108, O robotic systems 110, and P handheld intelligent surgical instruments 112, where M, N, O, and P are integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0262] FIG. 36 shows an example of a surgical system 102 used to perform a surgical procedure on a patient lying on an operating table 114 within an operating room 116. A robotic system 110 is used as part of the surgical system 102 in a surgical procedure. The robotic system 110 includes a surgeon's console 118, a patient-side cart 120 (surgical robot), and a surgical robot hub 122. While the surgeon views the surgical site through the surgeon's console 118, the patient-side cart 120 can manipulate at least one removably coupled surgical tool 117 through a minimally invasive incision in the patient's body. Images of the surgical site can be obtained by a medical imaging device 124, which can be manipulated by the patient-side cart 120 to direct the imaging device 124. The robot hub 122 can be used to process images of the surgical site and then display the processed images to the surgeon via the surgeon's console 118.

[0263] Other types of robotic systems can be easily adapted for use with the surgical system 102. Various examples of robotic systems and surgical tools suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,339, filed Dec. 28, 2017, entitled "ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0264] Various examples of cloud-based analytical methods implemented by the cloud 104 and suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,340, filed Dec. 28, 2017, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0265] In various aspects, the imaging device 124 includes at least one image sensor and one or more optical components. Suitable image sensors include, but are not limited to, charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors.

[0266] The optical components of the imaging device 124 may include one or more illumination light sources and / or one or more lenses. The one or more illumination light sources may be directed to illuminate a portion of the surgical field. The one or more image sensors can receive light reflected or refracted from the surgical field, including light reflected or refracted from tissue and / or surgical instruments.

[0267] The one or more illumination light sources can be configured to emit electromagnetic energy within the visible spectrum and the invisible spectrum. The visible spectrum, sometimes called the optical spectrum or emission spectrum, is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum visible to the human eye (i.e., detectable by the human eye), and may be called visible light, or simply light. A typical human eye responds to wavelengths of approximately 380 nm to approximately 750 nm in air.

[0268] The invisible spectrum (i.e., the non-emission spectrum) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum located below and above the visible spectrum (i.e., wavelengths less than approximately 380 nm and greater than approximately 750 nm). The invisible spectrum is not detectable by the human eye. Wavelengths greater than approximately 750 nm are longer than the red visible spectrum and become invisible infrared (IR), microwaves, and radio electromagnetic radiation. Wavelengths less than approximately 380 nm are shorter than the violet spectrum and become invisible ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma-ray electromagnetic radiation.

[0269] In various aspects, the imaging device 124 is configured for use in minimally invasive surgery. Examples of imaging devices suitable for use with the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, arthroscopes, angioscopes, bronchoscopes, choledochoscopes, colonoscopes, cystoscopes, duodenoscopes, enteroscopes, esophagogastroduodenoscopes (gastroscopes), endoscopes, laryngoscopes, nasopharyngo-neproscopes, sigmoidoscopes, thoracoscopes, and ureteroscopes.

[0270] In one aspect, the imaging device uses multispectral monitoring to distinguish topography from the underlying structure. A multispectral image captures image data within a specific wavelength range from across the electromagnetic spectrum. The wavelengths can be separated by a filter or by using an instrument capable of sensing light at specific wavelengths, including frequencies beyond the visible light range, e.g., IR and ultraviolet light. Spectral imaging methods can enable the extraction of additional information that cannot be captured by the human eye with its red, green, and blue receptors. The use of multispectral imaging methods is described in detail in the section "Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module" of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed Dec. 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Multispectral monitoring can be a useful tool for repositioning the surgical field after one surgical operation is complete, in order to perform one or more of the above-described tests on the treated tissue.

[0271] It is self-evident that strict sterilization of the operating room and surgical instruments is required in any surgical procedure. The strict hygiene and sterilization conditions required in the "site where the surgical procedure is performed," i.e., the operating room or treatment room, require the highest level of sterility for all medical devices and equipment. As part of the above sterilization process, it is necessary to sterilize anything that comes into contact with the patient or enters the sterile field (including the imaging device 124 and its accessories and components). It will be understood that the sterile field can be considered a specific area that is considered to be free of microorganisms, such as within a tray or on a sterile towel, or the sterile field can be considered the area immediately surrounding the patient prepared for the surgical procedure. The sterile field can include properly attired and scrubbed team members, as well as all supplies and fixtures within that area.

[0272] In various aspects, the visualization system 108 includes, as shown in FIG. 35, one or more imaging sensors strategically positioned relative to the sterile field, one or more image processing units, one or more storage arrays, and one or more displays. In one aspect, the visualization system 108 includes interfaces for HL7, PACS, and EMR. The various components of the visualization system 108 are described in the "Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module" section of U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed Dec. 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0273] As shown in FIG. 35, the primary display 119 is positioned within the sterile field so as to be visible to an operator located on the operating table 114. Additionally, the visualization tower 111 is positioned outside the sterile field. The visualization tower 111 includes a first non-sterile display 107 and a second non-sterile display 109 that face away from each other. The visualization system 108, which is directed by the hub 106, is configured to use the displays 107, 109, and 119 to coordinate the flow of information to operators both inside and outside the sterile field. For example, the hub 106 can cause the visualization system 108 to display a snapshot of the surgical site recorded by the imaging device 124 on the non-sterile display 107 or 109 while maintaining a live video of the surgical site on the primary display 119. The snapshot on the non-sterile display 107 or 109 can, for example, enable a non-sterile operator to perform diagnostic steps related to the surgical procedure.

[0274] In one aspect, the hub 106 is also configured to send diagnostic inputs or feedback entered by a non-sterile operator at the visualization tower 111 within the sterile field to a primary display 119 within the sterile area, where it can be viewed by a sterile operator located at the operating table. In one embodiment, the input may be in the form of a modification to a snapshot displayed on a non-sterile display 107 or 109 that can be sent by the hub 106 to the primary display 119.

[0275] Referring to FIG. 35, the surgical instrument 112 is used as part of the surgical system 102 in a surgical procedure. The hub 106 is also configured to condition the flow of information to the display of the surgical instrument 112. For example, in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed Dec. 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Diagnostic inputs or feedback entered by a non-sterile operator at the visualization tower 111 can be sent by the hub 106 to a surgical instrument display 115 within the sterile field, where the diagnostic inputs or feedback can be viewed by the operator of the surgical instrument 112. Exemplary surgical instruments suitable for use with the surgical system 102 are described, for example, in the section "Surgical Instrument Hardware" and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed Dec. 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0276] Referring now to FIG. 36, hub 106 is shown in a state of communicating with visualization system 108, robotic system 110, and handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112. Hub 106 includes hub display 135, imaging module 138, generator module 140, communication module 130, processor module 132, and storage array 134. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 36, hub 106 further includes exhaust smoke module 126 and / or aspiration / irrigation module 128.

[0277] During a surgical procedure, applying energy to tissue for sealing and / or cutting generally involves exhausting smoke, aspirating excess fluid, and / or irrigating the tissue. Fluid lines, power lines, and / or data lines from different sources often become entangled during a surgical procedure. Valuable time may be lost in addressing this problem during a surgical procedure. To untangle the lines, it may be necessary to unplug the lines from their corresponding modules, which may require resetting the modules. The modular housing 136 of the hub provides a unified environment for managing power lines, data lines, and fluid lines, reducing the frequency of entanglement between such lines.

[0278] Aspects of the present disclosure present a surgical hub for use in a surgical procedure involving the application of energy to tissue at a surgical site. The surgical hub includes a hub housing and a combined generator module slidably receivable within a docking station of the hub housing. The docking station includes data contacts and power contacts. The combined generator module includes two or more of an ultrasonic energy generator component, a bipolar RF energy generator component, and a monopolar RF energy generator component housed within a single unit. In one aspect, the combined generator module further includes a smoke evacuation component, at least one energy supply cable for connecting the combined generator module to a surgical instrument, at least one smoke evacuation component configured to evacuate smoke, fluid, and / or particulates generated by the application of therapeutic energy to tissue, and a fluid line extending from a remote surgical site to the smoke evacuation component.

[0279] In one aspect, the fluid line is a first fluid line, and a second fluid line extends from a remote surgical site to a suction and perfusion module slidably received within the hub housing. In one aspect, the hub housing includes a fluid interface.

[0280] Certain surgical procedures may require the application of two or more energy types to tissue. One energy type may be more beneficial for cutting tissue, while a different energy type may be more beneficial for sealing tissue. For example, a bipolar generator can be used to seal tissue, while an ultrasonic generator can be used to cut the sealed tissue. Aspects of the present disclosure present a solution in which the modular housing 136 of the hub is configured to house various generators and facilitate bidirectional communication therebetween. One advantage of the modular housing 136 of the hub is that it allows for the quick removal and / or replacement of various modules.

[0281] Aspects of the present disclosure present a modular surgical housing for use in surgical procedures involving the application of energy to tissue. The modular surgical housing includes a first energy generator module configured to generate a first energy for application to tissue, and a first docking station having a first docking port that includes first data and power contacts, wherein the first energy generator module is slidably movable to engage electrically with the power and data contacts, and the first energy generator module is also slidably movable to disengage from the electrical engagement with the first power and data contacts.

[0282] In addition to the above, the modular surgical housing further includes a second energy generator module configured to generate a second energy for application to tissue that is different from the first energy, and a second docking station having a second docking port that includes second data and power contacts, wherein the second energy generator module is slidably movable to engage electrically with the power and data contacts, and the second energy generator module is also slidably movable to disengage from the electrical engagement with the second power and data contacts.

[0283] Furthermore, the modular surgical housing further includes a communication bus between the first docking port and the second docking port configured to facilitate communication between the first energy generator module and the second energy generator module.

[0284] 3-7, aspects of the present disclosure are presented relating to a hub modular housing 136 that allows for modular integration of a generator module 140, a smoke evacuation module 126, and a suction / irrigation module 128. The hub modular housing 136 further facilitates bidirectional communication between the modules 140, 126, and 128. As shown in FIG. 38, the generator module 140 may be a generator module that includes integrated monopolar, bipolar, and ultrasonic components supported within a single housing unit 139 that is slidably insertable into the hub modular housing 136. As shown in FIG. 38, the generator module 140 may be configured to connect to a monopolar device 146, a bipolar device 147, and an ultrasonic device 148. Alternatively, the generator module 140 may include a series of monopolar, bipolar, and / or ultrasonic generator modules that interact via the hub modular housing 136. The hub modular housing 136 may be configured to facilitate the insertion of multiple generators and bidirectional communication between the generators docked to the hub modular housing 136 so that the multiple generators function as a single generator.

[0285] In one aspect, the hub's modular housing 136 includes a modular power and communication backplane 149 with external and wireless communication headers to allow removable attachment of the modules 140, 126, 128 and bidirectional communication therebetween.

[0286] In one aspect, the modular housing 136 of the hub includes a docking station or drawer 151, also referred to herein as a drawer, configured to slidably receive modules 140, 126, 128. FIG. 37 shows a partial perspective view of a surgical hub housing 136 and a combined generator module 145 slidably receivable in the docking station 151 of the surgical hub housing 136. On the rear side of the combined generator module 145 is a docking port 152 having power and data contacts, which is configured to engage a corresponding docking port 150 having power and data contacts of the corresponding docking station 151 of the modular housing 136 of the hub when the combined generator module 145 is slid into a predetermined position within the corresponding docking station 151 of the modular housing 136 of the hub. In one aspect, the combined generator module 145 includes a bipolar, ultrasonic, and monopolar module and a smoke evacuation module incorporated together within a single housing unit 139, as shown in FIG. 38.

[0287] In various aspects, the smoke evacuation module 126 includes a fluid line 154 that diverts captured / recovered smoke and / or fluid away from the surgical site and conveys it, for example, to the smoke evacuation module 126. The vacuum suction generated from the smoke evacuation module 126 can draw smoke into the opening of the utility conduit at the surgical site. The utility conduit connected to the fluid line may be in the form of a flexible tube that terminates at the smoke evacuation module 126. The utility conduit and the fluid line define a fluid path extending towards the smoke evacuation module 126 received within the hub housing 136.

[0288] In various aspects, the aspiration / irrigation module 128 is connected to a surgical tool that includes an aspiration fluid line and a suction fluid line. In one example, the aspiration and suction fluid lines are in the form of flexible tubes extending from the surgical site towards the aspiration / irrigation module 128. One or more drive systems may be configured to cause irrigation and aspiration of fluid to and from the surgical site.

[0289] In one aspect, a surgical tool includes a shaft having an end effector at its distal end and at least one energy treatment portion associated with the end effector, a suction tube, and an irrigation tube. The suction tube can have an inlet port at its distal end and extends through the shaft. Similarly, the irrigation tube can extend through the shaft and can have an inlet port proximate to the energy delivery device. The energy delivery device is configured to deliver ultrasonic and / or RF energy to a surgical site and is coupled to a generator module 140 by a cable that first extends through the shaft.

[0290] The irrigation tube can be in fluid communication with a fluid source, and the suction tube can be in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The fluid source and / or the vacuum source can be housed within a suction / irrigation module 128. In one example, the fluid source and / or the vacuum source can be housed within a hub housing 136 separately from the suction / irrigation module 128. In such an example, a fluid interface can be configured to connect the suction / irrigation module 128 to the fluid source and / or the vacuum source.

[0291] In one aspect, the corresponding docking stations on the modular housings 136 of modules 140, 126, 128, and / or the hub can include an alignment mechanism configured to align the docking ports of the modules and engage them with these corresponding components within the docking stations of the modular housing 136 of the hub. For example, as shown in FIG. 37, the combined generator module 145 includes a side bracket 155 that is configured to slidably engage a corresponding bracket 156 of a corresponding docking station 151 of the modular housing 136 of the hub. The plurality of brackets described above cooperate to guide the docking port contacts of the combined generator module 145 to electrically engage with the docking port contacts of the modular housing 136 of the hub.

[0292] In some embodiments, the drawers 151 of the modular housing 136 of the hub are the same size or substantially the same size, and the modules are sized to be received within the drawers 151. For example, the side brackets 155 and / or 156 may be larger or smaller depending on the size of the module. In other embodiments, the drawers 151 are different sizes from each other and are each designed to accommodate a specific module.

[0293] Further, to avoid inserting a module into a drawer with incompatible contacts, a keying structure may be provided so that the contacts of a specific module engage the contacts of a specific drawer.

[0294] As shown in FIG. 37, the docking port 150 of one drawer 151 is connected via a communication link 157 to the docking port 150 of another drawer 151 to facilitate two-way communication between the modules housed within the modular housing 136 of the hub. Alternatively or additionally, the docking ports 150 of the modular housing 136 of the hub may facilitate wireless two-way communication between the modules housed within the modular housing 136 of the hub. For example, any suitable wireless communication such as Air Titan - Bluetooth may be used.

[0295] FIG. 39 shows the individual power bus attachments of the plurality of lateral docking ports of a lateral modular housing 160 configured to receive a plurality of modules of a surgical hub 206. The lateral modular housing 160 is configured to receive and interconnect the modules 161 laterally. The modules 161 are slidably inserted into a docking station 162 of the lateral modular housing 160 that includes a backplane for interconnecting the modules 161. As shown in FIG. 39, the modules 161 are arranged laterally within the lateral modular housing 160. Alternatively, the modules 161 may be arranged vertically within the lateral modular housing.

[0296] FIG. 40 shows a vertical modular housing 164 configured to receive a plurality of modules 165 of a surgical hub 106. The modules 165 are slidably inserted into a docking station or drawer 167 of the vertical modular housing 164 that includes a backplane for interconnecting the modules 165. The drawer 167 of the vertical modular housing 164 is arranged vertically, but in certain cases, the vertical modular housing 164 may include a horizontally arranged drawer. Further, the modules 165 can interact with each other via the docking ports of the vertical modular housing 164. In the example of FIG. 31, a display 177 is provided for displaying data related to the operation of the module 165. Additionally, the vertical modular housing 164 includes a master module 178, and the master module 178 houses a plurality of sub-modules that are slidably received within the master module 178.

[0297] In various aspects, the imaging module 138 includes a built-in video processor and a modular light source and is adapted to be used with various imaging devices. In one aspect, the imaging device is composed of a modular housing that can be assembled with a light source module and a camera module. The housing may be a disposable housing. In at least one example, the disposable housing is removably coupled to a reusable controller, a light source module, and a camera module. The light source module and / or the camera module can be selectively selected according to the type of surgical procedure. In one aspect, the camera module includes a CCD sensor. In another aspect, the camera module includes a CMOS sensor. In another aspect, the camera module is configured for beam scanning imaging. Similarly, the light source module can be configured to deliver white light or different light according to the surgical procedure.

[0298] During a surgical procedure, it can be inefficient to remove a surgical device from the surgical field and replace it with another surgical device that includes a different camera or a different light source. Temporarily losing the view of the surgical field can result in undesirable outcomes. The modular imaging device of the present disclosure is configured to allow for the replacement of a light source module or a camera module midstream during a surgical procedure without the need to remove the imaging device from the surgical field.

[0299] In one aspect, the imaging device comprises a tubular housing that includes a plurality of channels. The first channel is configured to slidably receive a camera module that can be configured to snap-fit engage with the first channel. The second channel is configured to slidably receive a light source module that can be configured to snap-fit engage with the second channel. In another example, the camera module and / or the light source module can be rotated to a final position within their corresponding channels. A screw engagement may be employed instead of a snap-fit engagement.

[0300] In various examples, a plurality of imaging devices are arranged at various positions within the surgical field to provide a plurality of fields of view. The imaging module 138 can be configured to switch between imaging devices to provide an optimal field of view. In various aspects, the imaging module 138 can be configured to integrate images from different imaging devices.

[0301] Various image processors and imaging devices suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent No. 7,995,045, issued August 9, 2011, entitled "COMBINED SBI AND CONVENTIONAL IMAGE PROCESSOR", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Further, U.S. Patent No. 7,982,776, issued July 19, 2011, entitled "SBI MOTION ARTIFACT REMOVAL APPARATUS AND METHOD", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes various systems for removing motion artifacts from image data. Such systems may be integrated with the imaging module 138. Further, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0306840, published December, 15, 2011, entitled "CONTROLLABLE MAGNETIC SOURCE TO FIXTURE INTRACORPOREAL APPARATUS", and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0243597, published August 28, 2014, entitled "SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING A MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURE", are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, respectively.

[0302] FIG. 41 shows a surgical data network 201 comprising a modular communication hub 203 configured to connect a modular device disposed in one or more operating rooms of a medical facility, or any room within a medical facility equipped with specialized equipment for surgical procedures, to a cloud-based system (e.g., cloud 204 that may include a remote server 213 coupled to a storage device 205). In one aspect, the modular communication hub 203 comprises a network hub 207 and / or a network switch 209 that communicates with a network router. The modular communication hub 203 can further be coupled to a local computer system 210 and can provide local computer processing and data manipulation. The surgical data network 201 may be configured as passive, intelligent or switched. A passive surgical data network functions as a conduit for data, enabling data to go from one device (or segment) to another device (or segment) and to cloud computing resources. An intelligent surgical data network enables traffic to be monitored as it passes through the surgical data network and includes additional mechanisms that configure each port within the network hub 207 or network switch 209. An intelligent surgical data network may be referred to as a manageable hub or switch. A switching hub reads the destination address of each packet and then forwards the packet to the correct port.

[0303] The modular devices 1a to 1n arranged in the operating room may be connected to the modular communication hub 203. The network hub 207 and / or the network switch 209 may be connected to the network router 211 to connect the devices 1a to 1n to the cloud 204 or the local computer system 210. The data associated with the devices 1a to 1n may be transferred via the router to a cloud-based computer for remote data processing and operation. The data associated with the devices 1a to 1n may also be transferred to the local computer system 210 for local data processing and operation. The modular devices 2a to 2m located in the same operating room may also be connected to the network switch 209. The network switch 209 may be connected to the network hub 207 and / or the network router 211 to connect the devices 2a to 2m to the cloud 204. The data associated with the devices 2a to 2n may be transferred via the network router 211 to the cloud 204 for data processing and operation. The data associated with the devices 2a to 2m may also be transferred to the local computer system 210 for local data processing and operation.

[0304] It will be appreciated that the surgical data network 201 can be extended by interconnecting a plurality of network hubs 207 and / or a plurality of network switches 209 with a plurality of network routers 211. The modular communication hub 203 can be housed within a modular control tower configured to receive a plurality of devices 1a-1n / 2a-2m. The local computer system 210 may also be housed within the modular control tower. The modular communication hub 203 is connected to a display 212 to display images acquired by some of the devices 1a-1n / 2a-2m, for example, during a surgical procedure. In various aspects, the devices 1a-1n / 2a-2m can include, among other modular devices connectable to the modular communication hub 203 of the surgical data network 201, for example, an imaging module 138 coupled to an endoscope, a generator module 140 coupled to an energy-based surgical device, a smoke evacuation module 126, a suction / irrigation module 128, a communication module 130, a processor module 132, a storage array 134, a surgical device coupled to a display, and / or a non-contact sensor module, and the like.

[0305] In one aspect, the surgical data network 201 may include a combination of network hub(s), network switch(es), and network router(s) that connect devices 1a - 1n / 2a - 2m to the cloud. Any one or all of the devices 1a - 1n / 2a - 2m connected to the network hub or network switch can collect data in real - time and transfer the data to a cloud computer for data processing and operation. It will be understood that cloud computing depends on sharing computing resources rather than having a local server or personal device to handle software applications. The term "cloud" can be used as a metaphor for the "Internet", but this term is not so limited. Thus, the term "cloud computing" can be used herein to refer to "a type of Internet - based computing", in which case various services such as servers, storage, and applications are delivered via the Internet to a modular communication hub 203 and / or a computer system 210 located in an operating room (e.g., a fixed, mobile, temporary or on - site operating room or space), and to devices connected to the modular communication hub 203 and / or the computer system 210. The cloud infrastructure can be maintained by a cloud service provider. In this context, the cloud service provider can be an entity that coordinates the use and control of the devices 1a - 1n / 2a - 2m located in one or more operating rooms. Cloud computing services can perform a number of calculations based on data collected by smart surgical instruments, robots, and other computerized devices located in the operating room. The hub hardware enables multiple devices or connections to connect to a computer that communicates with cloud computing resources and storage.

[0306] By applying cloud computer data processing technology to data collected by the devices 1a-1n / 2a-2m, the surgical data network provides improved surgical outcomes, reduced costs, and improved patient satisfaction. At least some of the devices 1a-1n / 2a-2m can be used to observe tissue status and evaluate leakage or perfusion of sealed tissue after tissue sealing and cutting procedures. Using cloud-based computing, at least some of the devices 1a-1n / 2a-2m can be used to diagnostically examine data, including images of body tissue samples, to identify pathologies, such as the effects of disease. Such data includes tissue localization and margin confirmation, as well as phenotyping. At least some of the devices 1a-1n / 2a-2m can be used to identify anatomical structures of the body using various sensors integrated with the imaging devices and techniques such as overlaying images captured by multiple imaging devices. Data collected by the devices 1a-1n / 2a-2m, including image data, can be transferred to the cloud 204 or a local computer system 210, or both, for data processing and manipulation, including image processing and manipulation. The data may be analyzed to improve the outcome of the surgical procedure by determining whether further treatments can be performed, such as endoscopic interventions, emerging technologies, targeted radiation, targeted interventions, and the application of precision robotics to tissue-specific sites and conditions. Such data analysis may further employ prognostic analysis processes, and using a standardized approach can provide useful feedback to either confirm or suggest modifications to the surgical procedure and surgeon's performance.

[0307] In one implementation, the operating room devices 1a - 1n may be connected to the modular communication hub 203 via a wired channel or a wireless channel according to the configuration of the devices 1a - 1n with respect to the network hub. The network hub 207 may be implemented as a local network broadcast device that functions on the physical layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model in one aspect. The network hub provides connectivity to the devices 1a - 1n located within the same operating room network. The network hub 207 collects data in packet form and transmits them to the router in half - duplex mode. The network hub 207 does not store any Media Access Control / Internet Protocol (MAC / IP) for transferring device data. Only one of the devices 1a - 1n can transmit data at a time via the network hub 207. The network hub 207 has no routing table or intelligence regarding the destination of information and broadcasts all network data across each connection and to the remote server 213 (Figure 42) on the cloud 204. The network hub 207 can detect basic network errors such as collisions, but broadcasting all information to multiple ports can pose a security risk and cause bottlenecks.

[0308] In another implementation, the operating room devices 2a - 2m may be connected to the network switch 209 via a wired channel or a wireless channel. The network switch 209 functions within the data link layer of the OSI model. The network switch 209 is a multicast device for connecting the devices 2a - 2m located within the same operating room to the network. The network switch 209 transmits data in the form of frames to the network router 211 and functions in full - duplex mode. Multiple devices 2a - 2m can transmit data simultaneously via the network switch 209. The network switch 209 stores and uses the MAC addresses of the devices 2a - 2m for transferring data.

[0309] The network hub 207 and / or the network switch 209 are connected to the network router 211 to connect to the cloud 204. The network router 211 functions within the network layer of the OSI model. The network router 211 creates a path for transmitting data packets received from the network hub 207 and / or the network switch 211 to cloud-based computer resources for further processing and manipulation of the data collected by any one or all of the devices 1a - 1n / 2a - 2m. The network router 211 may be used, for example, to connect two or more different networks located at different locations, such as different operating rooms in the same medical facility or different operating rooms in different medical facilities. The network router 211 transmits data in packet form to the cloud 204 and functions in full-duplex mode. Multiple devices can transmit data simultaneously. The network router 211 uses IP addresses to transfer data.

[0310] In one example, the network hub 207 may be implemented as a USB hub that enables connecting multiple USB devices to a host computer. The USB hub can expand a single USB port into several tiers to increase the number of available ports for connecting devices to the host system computer. The network hub 207 can include wired or wireless capabilities for receiving information via a wired or wireless channel. In one aspect, a wireless USB short-range high-bandwidth wireless communication protocol may be used for communication between the devices 1a - 1n and the devices 2a - 2m located within the operating room.

[0311] In other examples, the operating room devices 1a - 1n / 2a - 2m can exchange data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices (using short - wavelength UHF radio waves in the 2.4 - 2.485 GHz ISM band) and communicate with the modular communication hub 203 via the Bluetooth wireless technology standard to construct a personal area network (PAN). In other aspects, the operating room devices 1a - 1n / 2a - 2m can communicate with the modular communication hub 203 via numerous wireless or wired communication standards or protocols, such as Wi - Fi (IEEE802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE802.16 family), IEEE802.20, Long - Term Evolution (LTE) as well as Ev - DO, HSPA +, HSDPA +, HSUPA +, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT and Ethernet derivatives thereof, and also any other wireless and wired protocols designated as 3G, 4G, 5G and beyond, but not limited to these. The computing module may include multiple communication modules. For example, the first communication module may be dedicated to short - range wireless communication such as Wi - Fi and Bluetooth, and the second communication module may be dedicated to long - range wireless communication such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev - DO, etc.

[0312] The modular communication hub 203 can function as the central connection for one or all of the operating room devices 1a - 1n / 2a - 2m and handle a data type known as a frame. The frame carries data generated by the devices 1a - 1n / 2a - 2m. When the frame is received by the modular communication hub 203, the frame is amplified and transmitted to the network router 211, which transfers this data to cloud computing resources by using numerous wireless or wired communication standards or protocols as described herein.

[0313] The modular communication hub 203 may be used as a stand-alone device or may be connected to compatible network hubs and network switches to form a larger network. Since the modular communication hub 203 is generally easy to install, configure, and maintain, the modular communication hub 203 is a good option for network connecting the operating room devices 1a~1n / 2a~2m.

[0314] Figure 42 shows a computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200. The computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 is similar to the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100 in many respects. For example, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 includes one or more surgical systems 202 that are similar to the surgical system 102 in many respects. Each surgical system 202 includes at least one surgical hub 206 that communicates with a cloud 204 that may include a remote server 213. In one aspect, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 includes a modular control tower 236 connected to a plurality of operating room devices such as, for example, intelligent surgical instruments, robots, and other computerized devices located within the operating room. As shown in Figure 43, the modular control tower 236 includes a modular communication hub 203 connected to a computer system 210. As illustrated in the example of Figure 42, the modular control tower 236 is connected to an imaging module 238 connected to an endoscope 239, a generator module 240 connected to an energy device 241, a fume extractor module 226, a suction / irrigation module 228, a communication module 230, a processor module 232, a storage array 234, an optional smart device / instrument 235 connected to a display 237, and a non-contact sensor module 242. The operating room devices are connected to cloud computing resources and data storage via the modular control tower 236. A robot hub 222 may also be connected to the modular control tower 236 and cloud computing resources. Among other things, the device / instrument 235, visualization system 208 may be connected to the modular control tower 236 via a wired or wireless communication standard or protocol, as described herein. The modular control tower 236 may be connected to a hub display 215 (e.g., a monitor, screen) to display and overlay images received from the imaging module, device / instrument display, and / or other visualization system 208. The hub display may also display data received from devices connected to the modular control tower, along with the image and overlay image.

[0315] FIG. 43 shows a surgical hub 206 comprising a plurality of modules coupled to a modular control tower 236. The modular control tower 236 comprises a modular communication hub 203, such as a network connection device, and a computer system 210 for providing, for example, local processing, visualization, and imaging. As shown in FIG. 43, the modular communication hub 203 is connected in a hierarchical configuration to expand the number of modules (e.g., devices) that can be connected to the modular communication hub 203 and transfer data associated with the modules to the computer system 210, cloud computing resources, or both. As shown in FIG. 43, each of the network hubs / switches within the modular communication hub 203 includes three downstream ports and one upstream port. The upstream network hub / switch is connected to a processor to provide communication connections to cloud computing resources and a local display 217. Communication to the cloud 204 can be performed via either a wired or wireless communication channel.

[0316] The surgical hub 206 uses a non-contact sensor module 242 to measure the dimensions of the operating room and generate a map of the operating room using either an ultrasonic or laser-based non-contact measuring device. As described in the section "Surgical Hub Spatial Awareness Within an Operating Room" of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed on December 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, the ultrasonic-based non-contact sensor module scans the operating room by transmitting ultrasonic bursts and receiving the echoes when the ultrasonic bursts are reflected off the outer walls of the operating room, where the sensor module is configured to determine the size of the operating room and adjust the distance limit for Bluetooth pairing. The laser-based non-contact sensor module scans the operating room, for example, by transmitting laser light pulses, receiving the laser light pulses reflected off the outer walls of the operating room, comparing the phase of the transmitted pulses with the received pulses to determine the size of the operating room, and adjusting the Bluetooth pairing distance limit.

[0317] Computer system 210 includes a processor 244 and a network interface 245. Processor 244 is coupled to a communications module 247, storage 248, memory 249, non-volatile memory 250, and input / output interface 251 via a system bus. The system bus may be any of several types of bus structure(s), including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus or external bus, and / or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures, including, but not limited to, a 9-bit bus, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), MicroChannel Architecture (MSA), Enhanced ISA (EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), USB, Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory Card International Association bus (PCMCIA), Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), or any other proprietary bus.

[0318] The processor 244 may be any single-core or multi-core processor, such as those known by the trade ...

Claims

1. A system for exhausting smoke generated from a surgical site during a surgical procedure, comprising: a surgical hub and a remote server; the surgical hub includes a processor and a surgical hub housing configured to receive a plurality of modules, each of the plurality of modules is communicably coupled to the processor within the surgical hub housing, the plurality of modules includes a smoke exhaust module operable to remove the smoke from the surgical site, the smoke exhaust module includes a first sensor and a second sensor; the system is configured to: analyze the smoke removed from the surgical site within the smoke exhaust module, detect a first parameter of the smoke by the first sensor, detect a second parameter of the smoke by the second sensor, generate a first processed parameter from the first parameter and a second processed parameter from the second parameter by the processor of the surgical hub, transmit the first processed parameter and the second processed parameter to the remote server, and the remote server determines whether to modify the operation of the smoke exhaust module based on the first processed parameter and the second processed parameter, receive an instruction from the remote server by the processor of the surgical hub, modify the operation of the smoke exhaust module by the processor of the surgical hub based on the analysis of the smoke; wherein the first parameter is the pH of the smoke exhausted from the operating room, and the second parameter is the number of particulate matters of the smoke exhausted from the operating room.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a surgical instrument for performing the surgical procedure.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of modules includes a generator module for supplying electrical energy and / or ultrasonic energy for treating tissue to the surgical instrument.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the generator module is configured to be connected to the smoke exhaust module.

5. ​ The system according to claim 3, wherein the generator module is configured to connect to at least one of a monopolar device, a bipolar device, and an ultrasonic device.

6. The system according to claim 3, further configured to modify the operation of the generator module by the processor of the surgical hub based on the analysis of the smoke.

7. The system according to claim 3, wherein the generator module comprises a monopolar generator, a bipolar generator, and / or an ultrasonic generator.

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