Backplane connector mounting mechanism for modular energy systems

Abstract

A modular energy system is disclosed that includes a first module that includes a first panel and a first connector attached to the first panel. A portion of the first connector extends beyond a first edge of the first panel. The modular energy system further includes a second module that includes a second panel and a second connector attached to the second panel. The second connector is aligned with the second edge of the second panel, the second connector defining a cavity. The second module is coupled to the first module, and the portion of the first connector that extends beyond the first edge of the first panel is disposed within the cavity defined by the second connector.

Description

Background Art

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

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

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

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] In one general aspect, the present disclosure provides a modular energy system comprising a first module including a first panel and a first connector attached to the first panel. A portion of the first connector extends beyond a first edge of the first panel. The modular energy system further comprises a second module including a second panel and a second connector attached to the second panel. The second connector is aligned with a second edge of the second panel, and the second connector defines a cavity. The second module is coupled to the first module, and a portion of the first connector that extends beyond the first edge of the first panel is disposed within the cavity defined by the second connector.

[0004] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a modular energy system comprising a first module. The first module comprises a first panel. The first panel comprises a first support member attached to the panel and a second support member attached to the panel, the second support member being offset from the first support member. The first panel further comprises a support ledge attached to the first panel, the support ledge being located between the first support member and the second support member. The first module further comprises a first connector defining a first hole within the first connector. The first connector comprises support ribs extending away from the first connector. The first connector is slidably mountable to the first panel, and the first support member is slidably insertable into the first hole. In the mounting configuration, the support ribs are configured to rest on the support ledge. In the mounting configuration, a portion of the first connector extends beyond a first edge of the first panel. The first module further comprises a second connector defining a cavity and a second hole. The second connector is slidably mounted on the first panel, and the second support member is slidably received within the second hole. In the mounting configuration, the second connector is aligned with the second edge of the first panel, which is opposite the first edge of the first panel.

[0005] In another embodiment, the Disclosure provides a module for a modular energy system, the module comprising a panel. The panel comprises a first support member attached to and extending away from the panel, and a second support member attached to and extending away from the panel, the second support member being offset from the first support member. The module further comprises a first connector defining a first hole within the first connector. The first connector is slidably mountable to the panel, and the first support member is slidably receivable within the first hole. In the mounting configuration, a portion of the first connector extends beyond a first edge of the panel. The module further comprises a second connector defining a cavity and a second hole. The second connector is slidably mountable to the first panel, and the second support member is slidably receivable within the second hole. In the mounting configuration, the second connector is aligned with the second edge of the panel, and the second edge of the first panel is on the opposite side of the first edge of the panel.

[0006] In yet another embodiment, the disclosure provides a modular energy system comprising a header module, the header module configured to supply power to one or more connected dependent modules. The modular energy system further comprises at least one dependent module connected to and powered by the header module, and a power module connected to the dependent module, the power module configured to supply power to one or more other connected dependent modules. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] The various embodiments described herein with respect to both configuration and operation, along with their other purposes and advantages, can be best understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of a computer-implemented interactive surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]A surgical system used to perform surgical procedures in an operating room, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 3] A visualization system, a robotic system, and a surgical hub paired with an intelligent instrument, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] A surgical system comprising a generator and various surgical instruments usable with the generator, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a diagram of a situational awareness surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a diagram of various modules and other components that can be combined to customize a modular energy system, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] A first exemplary modular energy system configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes a header module and a display screen representing a graphical user interface (GUI) for relaying information about modules connected to the header module. [Figure 7B] A modular energy system, as shown in Figure 7A, mounted on a cart, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 8A] A second exemplary modular energy system configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes a header module connected together and mounted on a cart, a display screen, an energy module, and an expansion energy module. [Figure 8B] A third exemplary modular energy system configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, is similar to the second configuration shown in Figure 7A, except that the header module lacks a display screen. [Figure 9]A fourth exemplary modular energy system configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes a header module connected together and mounted on a cart, a display screen, an energy module, an expansion energy module, and a technology module. [Figure 10] A fifth exemplary modular energy system configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes a header module connected together and mounted on a cart, a display screen, an energy module, an expansion energy module, a technology module, and a visualization module. [Figure 11] This is a diagram of a modular energy system including a communicably connectable surgical platform, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of a header module of a modular energy system including a user interface, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] This is a block diagram of a standalone hub configuration of a modular energy system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] This is a block diagram of a hub configuration of a modular energy system integrated with a surgical control system, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] This is a schematic diagram of a modular energy system stack showing a power backplane, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] This is a schematic diagram of a modular energy system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] This is an exploded view of a backplane connector subassembly for a module of a modular energy system, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] This is an elevation view of a backplane connector subassembly for a module of a modular energy system, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 19]An elevation view of a panel of a backplane connector subassembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] An elevation view of an upstream connector for a backplane connector subassembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] An elevation view of a downstream connector for a backplane connector subassembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] A front view of a panel for a backplane connector subassembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 23] A front view of a panel for a backplane connector subassembly shown in FIG. 22 with upstream and downstream connectors attached according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 24] A rear view of a panel shown in FIG. 23 with upstream and downstream connectors attached according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 25] An elevation view of a backplane connector subassembly shown in FIG. 7 with connection wires added according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 26] A front view of a backplane connector subassembly shown in FIG. 7 with connection wires added according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 27] A side view of an upstream connector attached to a panel of a backplane subassembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 28] An elevation view of a backplane connector subassembly in FIG. 9 with a circuit board added according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 29] A front view of a backplane connector subassembly in FIG. 9 with a circuit board added according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 30] A modular energy system is shown according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 31]Shows various electrical connections in a modular energy system of FIG. 30 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 32] Shows a module of a modular energy system of FIG. 30 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 33] Shows a module of a modular energy system including a rigid wire harness according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 34] Is an elevation view of a backplane connector subassembly showing connection wires as wire ribbons according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 35] Is a side view of a method of connecting an upstream connector to a panel of a backplane subassembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 36] Is a side view of a method of connecting a downstream connector to a panel of a backplane subassembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 37A] Is an elevation view of a method of connecting upstream and downstream connectors to a panel for a backplane connector subassembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 37B] Is an elevation view of a method of connecting upstream and downstream connectors to a panel for a backplane connector subassembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 37C] Is an elevation view of a method of connecting upstream and downstream connectors to a panel for a backplane connector subassembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 38] Is an elevation view of a cartridge system that enables a backplane connector to be connected to a module according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 39] Is an elevation view of a backplane connector snap-fitting to the bottom of a module enclosure according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 40]This is a front view of a backplane connector subassembly incorporated into a module enclosure, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 41] This is a bottom view of the upstream connector shown in Figure 18, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 42] This is a front view of a backplane connector subassembly incorporated into a module enclosure, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 43] This disclosure shows a modular energy system including a power module, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure.

[0008] Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts. The examples described herein illustrate various disclosed embodiments in one form, and such examples should not be construed as limiting the scope. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The applicant of this application owns the following concurrently filed U.S. patent applications, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference: ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9314USNP1 / 210018-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR MECHANICAL PACKAGING FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9314USNP3 / 210018-3, Title of Invention: "BEZEL WITH LIGHT BLOCKING FEATURES FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9314USNP4 / 210018-4, Title of Invention: "HEADER FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9315USNP1 / 210019, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL PROCEDURALIZATION VIA MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9316USNP1 / 210020-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR ENERGY DELIVERY FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9316USNP2 / 210020-2, Title of Invention: "Modular Energy System With Dual Amplifiers And Techniques For Updating Parameters Thereof" ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9316USNP3 / 210020-3, Title of Invention: "Modular Energy System With MULTI-ENERGY PORT SPLITTER For Multiple ENERGY DEVICES" ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9317USNP1 / 210021-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR INTELLIGENT INSTRUMENTS FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9317USNP2 / 210021-2, Title of Invention: "RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TOKEN FOR WIRELESS SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9317USNP3 / 210021-3, Title of Invention: "INTELLIGENT DATA PORTS FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEMS"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9318USNP1 / 210022-1M, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9318USNP2 / 210022-2, Title of Invention: "USER INTERFACE MITIGATION TECHNIQUES FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEMS"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9318USNP3 / 210022-3, Title of Invention: "ENERGY DELIVERY MITIGATIONS FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEMS"; ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9318USNP4 / 210022-4, Title of Invention "ARCHITECTURE FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM"; and ● U.S. Patent Application No. END9318USNP5 / 210022-5, Title of Invention: "Modular Energy System With Hardware Mitigated Communication".

[0010] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on September 5, 2019, the disclosures of each of these are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,144, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM USER INTERFACE" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078106); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,151, Title of Invention: "PASSIVE HEADER MODULE FOR A MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078110); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,157, Title of Invention: "CONSOLIDATED USER INTERFACE FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0081585); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,159, Title of Invention: "AUDIO TONE CONSTRUCTION FOR AN ENERGY MODULE OF A MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0314569); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,163, Title of Invention: "Adaptably Connectable and Reassignable System Accessories for Modular Energy System" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078111); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,123, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING AND USING A MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE DEVICES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0100830); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,135, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ENERGY MODULE OUTPUT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078076); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,180, Title of Invention: "ENERGY MODULE FOR DRIVING MULTIPLE ENERGY MODALITIES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078080); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,184, Title of Invention: "GROUNDING ARRANGEMENT OF ENERGY MODULES" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078081); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,188, title of invention: "BACKPLANE CONNECTOR DESIGN TO CONNECT STACKED ENERGY MODULES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078116); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,195, Title of Invention: "ENERGY MODULE FOR DRIVING MULTIPLE ENERGY MODALITIES THROUGH A PORT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20200078117); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,202, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING DRIVE SIGNAL TO POWER SECONDARY FUNCTION" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078082); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,142, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR ENERGY DISTRIBUTION IN A SURGICAL MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078070); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,169, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM WITH A SEGMENTED BACKPLANE" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078112); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,185, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM WITH FOOTER MODULE" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078115); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,203, Title of Invention: "POWER AND COMMUNICATION MITIGATION ARRANGEMENT FOR MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078118); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,212, Title of Invention: "MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MODULE POSITIONAL AWARENESS SENSING WITH VOLTAGE DETECTION" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078119); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,234, Title of Invention: "MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MODULE POSITIONAL AWARENESS SENSING WITH TIME COUNTER" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0305945); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,243, Title of Invention: "MODULAR SURGICAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITH MODULE POSITIONAL AWARENESS WITH DIGITAL LOGIC" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078120); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,125, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN MODULES AND DEVICES IN A MODULAR SURGICAL SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0100825); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,137, Title of Invention: "FLEXIBLE HAND-SWITCH CIRCUIT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0106220); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,143, Title of Invention: "FIRST AND SECOND COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL ARRANGEMENT FOR DRIVING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DEVICES THROUGH A SINGLE PORT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0090808); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,148, Title of Invention: "FLEXIBLE NEUTRAL ELECTRODE" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078077); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,154, Title of Invention: "SMART RETURN PAD SENSING THROUGH MODULATION OF NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION AND CONTACT QUALITY MONITORING SIGNALS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078089); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,162, Title of Invention: "Automatic Ultrasonic Energy Activation Circuit Design for Modular Surgical Systems" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0305924); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,167, Title of Invention: "Coordinated Energy Outputs of Separate But Connected Modules" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078078); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,170, Title of Invention: "Managing Simultaneous Monopolar Outputs Using Duty Cycle and Synchronization" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078079); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,172, Title of Invention: "PORT PRESENCE DETECTION SYSTEM FOR MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078113); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,175, Title of Invention: "INSTRUMENT TRACKING ARRANGEMENT BASED ON REAL TIME CLOCK INFORMATION" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0078071); ● U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 562,177, Title of Invention: "Regional Location Tracking of Components of a Modular Energy System" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0078114); ● U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 704,610, Title of Invention: "ENERGY MODULE"; ● U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 704,614, Title of Invention: "ENERGY MODULE MONOPOLAR PORT WITH FOURTH SOCKET AMONG THREE OTHER SOCKETS" ● U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 704,616, Title of Invention: "BACKPLANE CONNECTOR FOR ENERGY MODULE"; and ● U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 704,617, Title of Invention: "ALERT SCREEN FOR ENERGY MODULE".

[0011] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on March 29, 2019, the disclosures of each of these are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: ● U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 826,584, Title of Invention: "MODULAR SURGICAL PLATFORM ELECTRICAL ARCHITECTURE"; ● U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 826,587, Title of Invention: "MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM CONNECTIVITY"; ● U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 826,588, Title of Invention "MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM INSTRUMENT COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES"; and ● U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 826,592, Title of Invention: "MODULAR ENERGY DELIVERY SYSTEM".

[0012] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on September 7, 2018, the disclosures of each of these are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: ● U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 728,480, Title of Invention: "MODULAR ENERGY SYSTEM AND USER INTERFACE".

[0013] Before describing in detail the various embodiments of surgical devices and generators, it should be noted that the illustrative embodiments are not limited in their application or use to the details of the structure and arrangement of the components illustrated in the accompanying drawings and descriptions. The illustrative embodiments may be implemented or incorporated into other embodiments, variations, and modifications, and may be carried out or performed in various ways. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the terms and expressions used herein have been selected for the purpose of illustrating the illustrative embodiments for the convenience of the reader and are not intended to limit them. Furthermore, it should be understood that one or more embodiments, expressions of embodiments, and / or embodiments described below may be combined with any one or more other embodiments, expressions of embodiments, and / or embodiments described below.

[0014] Various embodiments apply to improved ultrasonic surgical devices, electrosurgical devices, and generators for use with them. Embodiments of ultrasonic surgical devices may be configured, for example, to transversely incise and / or coagulate tissue during surgical procedures. Embodiments of electrosurgical devices may be configured, for example, to transversely incise, coagulate, scale, weld and / or dry tissue during surgical procedures.

[0015] Surgical system hardware Referring to Figure 1, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100 includes one or more surgical systems 102 and a cloud-based system (e.g., a cloud 104 which may include a remote server 113 connected to a storage device 105). Each surgical system 102 includes at least one surgical hub 106 which communicates with the cloud 104 which may include the remote server 113. In one example, as shown in Figure 1, the surgical system 102 includes a visualization system 108, a robotic system 110, and a handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112, which are configured to communicate with each other and / or with the hub 106. In some embodiments, the surgical system 102 may include M hubs 106, N visualization systems 108, O robotic systems 110, and P handheld intelligent surgical instruments 112, where M, N, O, and P are integers of 1 or more.

[0016] Figure 2 shows an example of a surgical system 102 used to perform surgical procedures on a patient lying on an operating table 114 in an operating room 116. A robotic system 110 is used as part of the surgical system 102 in surgical procedures. The robotic system 110 includes a surgeon's console 118, a patient-side cart 120 (surgical robot), and a surgical robot hub 122. The patient-side cart 120 allows the surgeon to operate at least one detachably connected surgical tool 117 through a minimally invasive incision in the patient's body while viewing the surgical site through the surgeon's console 118. Images of the surgical site can be acquired by a medical imaging device 124, which can be operated by the patient-side cart 120 to align the imaging device 124. The robotic hub 122 is used to process images of the surgical site, which can then be displayed to the surgeon through the surgeon's console 118.

[0017] Other types of robotic systems can be readily adapted for use with surgical system 102. Various examples of robotic systems and surgical tools suitable for use with this disclosure are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,339, filed December 28, 2017, entitled "ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0018] Various examples of cloud-based analytical methods implemented by Cloud104 and suitable for use with this disclosure are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,340, filed December 28, 2017, entitled “CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0019] In various embodiments, the imaging device 124 includes at least one image sensor and one or more optical components. Preferred image sensors include, but are not limited to, charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensors.

[0020] The optical components of the imaging device 124 may include one or more illumination sources and / or one or more lenses. One or more illumination sources may be directed to illuminate a portion of the surgical field. One or more image sensors may receive light reflected or refracted from the surgical field, including light reflected or refracted from tissue and / or surgical instruments.

[0021] One or more illumination sources may be configured to emit electromagnetic energy in the visible and invisible spectra. The visible spectrum, sometimes also called the light spectrum or emission spectrum, is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye (i.e., detectable by the human eye), and is sometimes called visible light, or simply light. The typical human eye responds to wavelengths in air from about 380 nm to about 750 nm.

[0022] The invisible spectrum (i.e., the non-emission spectrum) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum located below and above the visible spectrum (i.e., wavelengths below approximately 380 nm and above approximately 750 nm). The invisible spectrum is undetectable to the human eye. Wavelengths above approximately 750 nm are longer than the red visible spectrum and consist of invisible infrared (IR), microwaves, and radio electromagnetic radiation. Wavelengths below approximately 380 nm are shorter than the violet spectrum and consist of invisible ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma-ray electromagnetic radiation.

[0023] In various embodiments, the imaging device 124 is configured for use in minimally invasive surgery. Examples of imaging devices suitable for use with the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, arthroscopes, angioscopes, bronchoscopes, cholangioscopies, colonoscopes, cystoscopes, duodenoscopes, intestinaloscopes, esophagogastroduodenoscopes (gastroscopy), endoscopes, laryngoscopes, nasopharyngolaryngoscopes, sigmoidoscopy, thoracoscopy, and ureteroscopes.

[0024] In one embodiment, the imaging device employs multispectral monitoring to distinguish topography from underlying structures. Multispectral imaging captures image data within a specific wavelength range from the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Wavelengths can be separated by filters or by using instruments sensitive to specific wavelengths, including frequencies beyond the visible light range, such as IR and ultraviolet light. Spectral imaging makes it possible to extract additional information that cannot be captured by the red, green, and blue receptors of the human eye. The use of multispectral imaging is described in detail in the section "Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module" of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed December 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Multispectral monitoring can be a useful tool for repositioning the surgical field after the completion of a surgical task to perform one or more of the tests described above on the treated tissue.

[0025] It is self-evident that strict sterilization of the operating room and surgical instruments is necessary in any surgical procedure. The strict sanitary and sterilization conditions required in the “operating area,” i.e., the operating room or treatment room, require the highest possible level of sterility for all medical devices and instruments. Part of the above sterilization process includes the need to sterilize everything that comes into contact with the patient or enters the sterile field, including the imaging device 124 and its accessories and components. It will be understood that the sterile field may be considered a specific area that is deemed to be free of microorganisms, such as inside a tray or on a sterile towel, or it may be considered the area immediately surrounding the patient when they are ready for the surgical procedure. The sterile field may include cleaned team members wearing appropriate clothing, as well as all equipment and restraints within that area.

[0026] In various embodiments, the visualization system 108 includes one or more imaging sensors strategically positioned relative to a sterile field, one or more image processing units, one or more storage arrays, and one or more displays, as shown in Figure 2. In one embodiment, the visualization system 108 includes interfaces for HL7, PACS, and EMR. Various components of the visualization system 108 are described in the section “Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module” of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed December 28, 2017, “INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the primary display 119 is positioned in the sterile field so that it is visible to the operator on the operating table 114. In addition, a visualization tower 111 is positioned outside the sterile field. The visualization tower 111 includes a first non-sterile display 107 and a second non-sterile display 109, facing opposite directions from each other. The visualization system 108, guided by the hub 106, is configured to utilize displays 107, 109, and 119 to coordinate the flow of information to operators inside and outside the sterile field. For example, the hub 106 can cause the visualization system 108 to display snapshots of the surgical site recorded by the imaging device 124 on the non-sterile displays 107 or 109 while maintaining live video of the surgical site on the primary display 119. The snapshots on the non-sterile displays 107 or 109 can, for example, enable a non-sterile operator to perform diagnostic steps related to the surgical procedure.

[0028] In one embodiment, the hub 106 is also configured to send diagnostic input or feedback entered by a non-sterile operator in the visualization tower 111 to a primary display 119 in the sterile field, which can then be viewed by a sterile operator at the operating table. In one example, the input may take the form of modifications to a snapshot displayed on the non-sterile display 107 or 109, which can then be sent to the primary display 119 by the hub 106.

[0029] Referring to Figure 2, the surgical instrument 112 is used as part of the surgical system 102 in a surgical procedure. The hub 106 is also configured to coordinate the flow of information to the display of the surgical instrument 112. For example, in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed December 28, 2017, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Diagnostic input or feedback entered by a non-sterile operator in the visualization tower 111 can be sent by the hub 106 to the surgical instrument display 115 in the sterile field, which can then be viewed by the operator of the surgical instrument 112. Examples of surgical instruments suitable for use with surgical system 102 are described, for example, in the section “SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HARDWARE” and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, filed December 28, 2017, entitled “INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0030] Referring here to Figure 3, a hub 106 is shown that communicates with a visualization system 108, a robotic system 110, and a handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112. In some embodiments, the visualization system 108 may be a separable device. In an alternative embodiment, the visualization system 108 may be contained within the hub 106 as a functional module. The hub 106 includes a hub display 135, an imaging module 138, a generator module 140, a communication module 130, a processor module 132, a storage array 134, and an operating room mapping module 133. In certain embodiments, as shown in Figure 3, the hub 106 further includes a smoke removal module 126, a suction / irrigation module 128, and / or an air supply module 129. In some embodiments, any of the modules within the hub 106 may be combined with each other to form a single module.

[0031] During surgical procedures, applying energy to tissue for sealing and / or cutting is generally associated with fumes, aspirating excess fluid, and / or irrigating tissue. Fluid lines, power lines, and / or data lines from different sources often become entangled during surgical procedures. Dealing with this problem during a surgical procedure can result in the loss of valuable time. Untangling lines may require disconnecting them from their corresponding modules, which may necessitate resetting the modules. The hub's modular enclosure 136 provides a unified environment for managing power lines, data lines, and fluid lines, reducing the frequency of such line entanglements.

[0032] Aspects of this disclosure present a surgical hub for use in surgical procedures involving the application of energy to tissue at a surgical site. The surgical hub includes a hub enclosure and a combination generator module slidably receivable within a docking station of the hub enclosure. The docking station includes data contacts and power contacts. The combination generator module includes one or more ultrasonic energy generator components, bipolar RF energy generator components, and unipolar RF energy generator components housed within a single unit. In one aspect, the combination generator module also includes a fume exhaust component, at least one energy supply cable for connecting the combination generator module to a surgical instrument, at least one fume exhaust component configured to exhaust smoke, fluid, and / or particulate matter generated by the application of therapeutic energy to tissue, and a fluid line extending from the remote surgical site to the fume exhaust component.

[0033] In one embodiment, the fluid line described above is a first fluid line, and a second fluid line extends from the remote surgical site to a suction and irrigation module that is slidably received within a hub enclosure. In one embodiment, the hub enclosure includes a fluid interface.

[0034] Certain surgical procedures may require the application of two or more energy types to tissue. One energy type may be more beneficial for cutting tissue, while another different energy type may be more beneficial for sealing tissue. For example, a bipolar generator can be used to seal tissue, while an ultrasonic generator can be used to cut sealed tissue. A part of the present disclosure presents a solution in which a modular enclosure 136 of the hub is configured to house various generators and facilitate interactive communication between them. One of the advantages of the modular enclosure 136 of the hub is that it allows for the rapid removal and / or replacement of various modules.

[0035] Aspects of this disclosure present a modular surgical enclosure for use in surgical procedures involving the application of energy to tissue. The modular surgical enclosure includes a first energy generator module configured to generate a first energy for application to tissue, and a first docking station having a first docking port including a first data contact and a power contact. In one aspect, the first energy generator module is slidably movable to electrically engage with the power contact and the data contact, and the first energy generator module is slidably movable to disengage from the first power contact and the data contact. In an alternative aspect, the first energy generator module is stackably movable to electrically engage with the power contact and the data contact, and the first energy generator module is stackably movable to disengage from the first power contact and the data contact.

[0036] In addition to the above, the modular surgical enclosure also includes a second energy generator module configured to generate a second energy identical or different from the first energy for application to tissue, and a second docking station having a second docking port including a second data contact and a power contact. In one embodiment, the second energy generator module is slidably movable to electrically engage with the power contact and the data contact, and the second energy generator module is slidably movable to disengage from the second power contact and the data contact. In an alternative embodiment, the second energy generator module is stackably movable to electrically engage with the power contact and the data contact, and the second energy generator module is stackably movable to disengage from the second power contact and the data contact.

[0037] In addition, the modular surgical enclosure also includes a communication bus between a first docking port and a second docking port, which is configured to facilitate communication between a first energy generator module and a second energy generator module.

[0038] Referring to Figure 3, an aspect of the present disclosure is presented for a modular enclosure 136 of a hub that enables modular integration of a generator module 140, a smoke exhaust module 126, a suction / irrigation module 128, and an air supply module 129. The modular enclosure 136 of the hub further facilitates interactive communication between modules 140, 126, 128, and 129. The generator module 140 may be a generator module comprising integrated unipolar, bipolar, and ultrasonic components supported within a single housing unit that is slidably inserted into the modular enclosure 136 of the hub. The generator module 140 may be configured to connect to a unipolar device 142, a bipolar device 144, and an ultrasonic device 148. Alternatively, the generator module 140 may comprise a series of unipolar generator modules, bipolar generator modules, and / or ultrasonic generator modules that interact via the modular enclosure 136 of the hub. The modular enclosure 136 of the hub can be configured to facilitate the insertion of multiple generators and bidirectional communication between generators docked to the modular enclosure 136 of the hub, so that multiple generators function as a single generator.

[0039] In one embodiment, the modular enclosure 136 of the hub includes a modular power and communications backplane 149 with external and wireless communication headers to enable the removable mounting of modules 140, 126, 128, and 129 and interactive communication between them.

[0040] Generator hardware When used throughout this description, the term “wireless” and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communication channels, etc., that can communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation over a non-solid medium. This term does not imply that the devices in question are entirely wireless, although in some aspects they may not be present. A communication module may implement any of a number of wireless or wired communication standards or protocols, including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, and their Ethernet derivatives, as well as any other wireless and wired protocols designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and later. A computing module may include multiple communication modules. For example, the first communication module may be dedicated to short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the second communication module may be dedicated to long-range wireless communication such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, and Ev-DO.

[0041] As used herein, a processor or processing unit is an electronic circuit that operates on several external data sources (usually memory) or some other data stream. The term is used herein to refer to a central processor (central processing unit) within a system or computer system (especially a system on a chip, or SoC) that combines many specialized "processors".

[0042] As used herein, a system-on-a-chip (SoC or SOC) is an integrated circuit (also known as an "IC" or "chip") that integrates all the components of a computer or other electronic system. It can contain digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often high-frequency functions, all on a single substrate. An SoC integrates a microcontroller (or microprocessor) with modern peripherals such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), Wi-Fi module, or coprocessor. An SoC may or may not include internal memory.

[0043] As used herein, a microcontroller or controller is a system that integrates a microprocessor with peripheral circuits and memory. A microcontroller (or MCU for a microcontroller unit) may be implemented as a miniature computer on a single integrated circuit. This may be similar to an SoC, which may include a microcontroller as one of its components. A microcontroller may house memory and programmable input / output peripherals along with one or more core processing units (CPUs). Program memory in the form of ferroelectric RAM, NOR flash, or OTP ROM, and a small amount of RAM are also often included on the chip. Microcontrollers may be used for embedded applications, in contrast to microprocessors used in personal computers or other general-purpose applications consisting of various separate chips.

[0044] As used herein, the terms controller or microcontroller may refer to a standalone IC or chip device that interfaces with a peripheral device. This may also refer to a connection between two parts of a computer or controller on an external device that manages the operation of the device (and its connection to the device).

[0045] Any processor or microcontroller described herein may be implemented by any single-core or multi-core processor, such as those known by the trade name ARM Cortex from Texas Instruments. In one embodiment, the processor may be, for example, the LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F processor core available from Texas Instruments. This processor core includes on-chip memory of 256KB single-cycle flash memory or other non-volatile memory with a maximum frequency of 40MHz, a prefetch buffer for improving performance beyond 40MHz, 32KB single-cycle serial random access memory (SRAM), internal read-only memory (ROM) with StellarisWare® software, 2KB electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), one or more pulse width modulation (PWM) modules, one or more quadrature encoder input (QEI) analogs, and one or more 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with 12 analog input channels. Further details are available in the product datasheet.

[0046] In one embodiment, the processor may include a safety controller, which may include two controller-based families, such as the TMS570 and RM4x, also from Texas Instruments and known by the trade names Hercules ARM Cortex R4. The safety controller may be configured specifically for IEC61508 and ISO26262 safety limit applications, in particular, to provide a highly integrated safety mechanism while offering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

[0047] A modular device includes modules receivable within a surgical hub (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 3), and surgical devices or instruments that can be connected to various modules for connection or pairing with the corresponding surgical hub. Examples of modular devices include intelligent surgical instruments, medical imaging devices, suction / irrigation devices, fume extractors, energy generators, ventilators, inhalers, and displays. Modular devices described herein can be controlled by control algorithms. Control algorithms may be executed on the modular device itself, on the surgical hub to which a particular modular device is paired, or on both the modular device and the surgical hub (for example, via a distributed computing architecture). In some examples, the control algorithm of a modular device controls the device based on data sensed by the modular device itself (i.e., by sensors within the modular device, on the modular device, or connected to the modular device). This data may be related to the patient during surgery (e.g., tissue characteristics or pressure) or to the modular device itself (e.g., the speed of the advancing knife, motor current, or energy level). For example, a control algorithm for surgical stapling and cutting instruments can control the speed at which the instrument's motor penetrates tissue and drives the knife, based on the resistance generated by the knife as it moves forward.

[0048] Figure 4 shows one embodiment of a surgical system 2200 comprising a modular energy system 2000 and various surgical instruments 2204, 2206, and 2208 that can be used with it, wherein surgical instrument 2204 is an ultrasonic surgical instrument, surgical instrument 2206 is an RF electrosurgical instrument, and multifunctional surgical instrument 2208 is a combination of ultrasonic and RF electrosurgical instruments. The modular energy system 2000 can be configured for use with various surgical instruments. According to various embodiments, the modular energy system 2000 may be configured for use with different types of different surgical instruments, including, for example, the ultrasonic surgical instrument 2204, the RF electrosurgical instrument 2206, and the multifunctional surgical instrument 2208 which integrates RF and ultrasonic energy delivered individually or simultaneously from the modular energy system 2000. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the modular energy system 2000 is shown separately from the surgical instruments 2204, 2206, and 2208 in one embodiment, but the modular energy system 2000 may be formed integrally with any of the surgical instruments 2204, 2206, and 2208 to form an integrated surgical system. The modular energy system 2000 may be configured for wired or wireless communication.

[0049] The modular energy system 2000 is configured to drive several surgical instruments 2204, 2206, and 2208. The first surgical instrument is the ultrasonic surgical instrument 2204, which comprises a handpiece 2205 (HP), an ultrasonic transducer 2220, a shaft 2226, and an end effector 2222. The end effector 2222 comprises an ultrasonic blade 2228 acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer 2220 and a clamp arm 2240. The handpiece 2205 comprises a trigger 2243 for operating the clamp arm 2240 and a combination of toggle buttons 2234a, 2234b, and 2234c for exciting and driving the ultrasonic blade 2228 or other functions. The toggle buttons 2234a, 2234b, and 2234c can be configured to excite the ultrasonic transducer 2220 by the modular energy system 2000.

[0050] The modular energy system 2000 is also configured to drive a second surgical instrument 2206. The second surgical instrument 2206 is an RF electrosurgical instrument comprising a handpiece 2207 (HP), a shaft 2227, and an end effector 2224. The end effector 2224 has electrodes in clamp arms 2242a, 2242b that return through the conductive portion of the shaft 2227. The electrodes are connected to a bipolar energy source in the modular energy system 2000, thereby supplying energy. The handpiece 2207 comprises a trigger 2245 for operating the clamp arms 2242a, 2242b and an energy button 2235 for activating an energy switch to energize the electrodes in the end effector 2224.

[0051] The modular energy system 2000 is also configured to drive a multifunctional surgical instrument 2208. The multifunctional surgical instrument 2208 comprises a handpiece 2209 (HP), a shaft 2229, and an end effector 2225. The end effector 2225 includes an ultrasonic blade 2249 and a clamp arm 2246. The ultrasonic blade 2249 is acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer 2220. The ultrasonic transducer 2220 may be detachable from the handpiece 2209 or may be integrated with the handpiece. The handpiece 2209 includes a trigger 2247 for operating the clamp arm 2246 and a combination of toggle buttons 2237a, 2237b, and 2237c for exciting and driving the ultrasonic blade 2249 or other functions. The toggle buttons 2237a, 2237b, and 2237c can be configured to excite the ultrasonic transducer 2220 by the modular energy system 2000 and to excite the ultrasonic blade 2249 by a bipolar energy source also included within the modular energy system 2000.

[0052] The modular energy system 2000 can be configured for use with a variety of surgical instruments. In various embodiments, the modular energy system 2000 may be configured for use with different types of surgical instruments, including, for example, an ultrasonic surgical instrument 2204, an RF electrosurgical instrument 2206, and a multifunctional surgical instrument 2208 that integrates RF and ultrasonic energy delivered individually or simultaneously from the modular energy system 2000. In the embodiment of Figure 4, the modular energy system 2000 is shown separately from the surgical instruments 2204, 2206, and 2208, but in another embodiment, the modular energy system 2000 may be formed integrally with any one of the surgical instruments 2204, 2206, and 2208 to form an integrated surgical system. Further embodiments of generators and surgical instruments for digitally generating electrical signal waveforms are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0086914, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0053] Situational awareness "Intelligent" devices that include control algorithms that respond to detected data may be an improvement over "data-dumb" devices that operate without considering detected data. However, some detected data, when considered in isolation, may be incomplete or inconclusive without the context of the type of surgical procedure being performed or the type of tissue being operated on. Without knowing the context of the procedure (e.g., the type of tissue being operated on or the type of procedure being performed), a control algorithm, given detected data without specific context, may control a modular device inaccurately or suboptimally. For example, the optimal form of a control algorithm for controlling a surgical instrument in response to a specific detected parameter may vary depending on the specific type of tissue being operated on. This is due to the fact that different types of tissue have different properties (e.g., resistance to tearing) and therefore respond differently to actions taken by the surgical instrument. Thus, even when the same measurement is detected for a particular parameter, it may be desirable for the surgical instrument to take different actions. As a specific example, the optimal mode of control for surgical stapling and cutting instruments in response to detecting unexpectedly high forces required to close their end effectors differs depending on whether the tissue type is susceptible to tearing or resistant to tearing. For tear-sensitive tissues, such as lung tissue, the instrument's control algorithm optimally slows down the motor in response to unexpectedly high forces required to close in order to avoid tearing the tissue. For tear-resistant tissues, such as stomach tissue, the instrument's control algorithm optimally accelerates the motor in response to unexpectedly high forces required to close in order to ensure that the end effector is properly clamped to the tissue. If it is unclear whether lung tissue or stomach tissue is being clamped, the control algorithm may make an insufficient decision.

[0054] One solution utilizes a surgical hub, which includes a system configured to derive information about a surgical procedure being performed based on data received from various data sources, and then appropriately control paired modular devices. In other words, the surgical hub is configured to infer information about a surgical procedure from received data, and then control modular devices paired with the surgical hub based on the inferred context about the surgical procedure. Figure 5 shows a diagram of a context-aware surgical system 2300 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In some examples, the data source 2326 includes, for example, a modular device 2302 (which may include sensors configured to detect parameters associated with the patient and / or the modular device itself), a database 2322 (e.g., an EMR database containing patient records), and a patient monitoring device 2324 (e.g., a blood pressure (BP) monitor and an electrocardiogram (EKG) monitor). The surgical hub 2304 may be configured to derive contextual information about a surgical procedure from data, for example, based on a specific combination of received data or a specific order in which data was received from the data source 2326. Contextual information inferred from the received data may include, for example, the type of surgical procedure being performed, a specific step of the surgical procedure being performed by the surgeon, the type of tissue being operated on, or the body cavity being targeted by the procedure. This function of the surgical hub 2304 for deriving or inferring information about the surgical procedure from the received data may be referred to as “situational awareness.” In one example, the surgical hub 2304 may incorporate a situational awareness system, which is hardware and / or programming associated with the surgical hub 2304 for deriving contextual information related to the surgical procedure from the received data.

[0055] The situational awareness system of the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to derive contextual information from data received from the data source 2326 in various different ways. In one example, the situational awareness system includes a pattern recognition system or machine learning system (e.g., an artificial neural network) trained on training data to correlate various inputs (e.g., data from the database 2322, the patient monitoring device 2324, and / or the modular device 2302) with corresponding contextual information about the surgical procedure. In other words, the machine learning system can be trained to accurately derive contextual information about the surgical procedure from the provided inputs. In another example, the situational awareness system may include a lookup table that stores pre-characterized contextual information about the surgical procedure, associated with one or more inputs (or ranges of inputs) that correspond to that contextual information. In response to a query with one or more inputs, the lookup table can return the corresponding contextual information of the situational awareness system to control the modular device 2302. In one example, contextual information received by the situation awareness system of the surgical hub 2304 is associated with a specific control adjustment of one or more modular devices 2302, or a set of control adjustments. In another example, the situation awareness system includes a further machine learning system, lookup table, or other such system that, given contextual information as input, generates or retrieves one or more control adjustments of one or more modular devices 2302.

[0056] The surgical hub 2304, which incorporates a situational awareness system, brings many advantages to the surgical system 2300. One advantage is improved interpretation of detected and collected data, which improves processing accuracy during the surgical procedure and / or data utilization. Returning to the previous example, the situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can determine what type of tissue is being operated on, and therefore, if an unexpectedly high force is detected to close the end effector of a surgical instrument, the situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can correctly accelerate or decelerate the motor of the surgical instrument according to the tissue type.

[0057] In another embodiment, the type of tissue being operated on may affect the adjustments made to the compression rate and load threshold of surgical stapling and cutting instruments for measuring specific interstitial gaps. The situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can infer whether the surgical procedure being performed is a thoracic or abdominal procedure, thereby allowing the surgical hub 2304 to determine whether the tissue clamped by the end effector of the surgical stapling and cutting instrument is lung tissue (in the case of a thoracic procedure) or gastric tissue (in the case of an abdominal procedure). The surgical hub 2304 can then appropriately adjust the compression rate and load threshold of the surgical stapling and cutting instrument to match the type of tissue.

[0058] In yet another embodiment, the type of body cavity being operated on during the air insufflation procedure may affect the function of the smoke exhauster. The situation-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine whether the surgical site is under pressure (by determining that the surgical procedure is utilizing air insufflation) and determine the type of procedure. Generally, since certain types of procedures are performed in specific body cavities, the surgical hub 2304 can appropriately control the motor speed of the smoke exhauster to match the body cavity being operated on. Thus, the situation-aware surgical hub 2304 can provide a consistent amount of smoke exhaust for both thoracic and abdominal surgeries.

[0059] As yet another example, the type of procedure being performed can affect the optimal energy level for operation of an ultrasonic surgical instrument or a radio frequency (RF) electrosurgical instrument. For example, in arthroscopy, the end effector of the ultrasonic surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument is immersed in fluid, requiring a higher energy level. The situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can determine whether the surgical procedure is an arthroscopy. The surgical hub 2304 can then adjust the RF power level or ultrasonic amplitude (i.e., "energy level") of the generator to compensate for the fluid-filled environment. Relatedly, the type of tissue being operated on can affect the optimal energy level for operation of an ultrasonic surgical instrument or an RF electrosurgical instrument. The situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can determine what type of surgical procedure is being performed and then customize the energy level of the ultrasonic surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument, respectively, according to the expected tissue shape for the surgical procedure. Furthermore, the situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can be configured to adjust the energy levels of the ultrasound surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument not simply per procedure, but throughout the course of the surgical procedure. The situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can determine which step of the surgical procedure is being performed or is continuing, and then update the control algorithms of the generator and / or the ultrasound surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument to set the energy levels to values ​​appropriate for the expected tissue type according to the steps of the surgical procedure.

[0060] As yet another example, the surgical hub 2304 may also derive data from additional data sources 2326 to improve conclusions drawn from one data source 2326. The contextually aware surgical hub 2304 can enhance data received from the modular device 2302 with contextual information constructed from other data sources 2326 regarding the surgical procedure. For example, the contextually aware surgical hub 2304 may be configured to determine whether hemostasis has occurred (i.e., whether bleeding at the surgical site has stopped) according to video or image data received from a medical imaging device. However, in some cases, video or image data may not be conclusive. Therefore, in one example, the surgical hub 2304 may be further configured to make a decision regarding the integrity of the staple line or tissue weld by comparing physiological measurements (e.g., blood pressure detected by a BP monitor communicably connected to the surgical hub 2304) with visualization data or image data of hemostasis (e.g., from a medical imaging device 124 (Figure 2) communicably connected to the surgical hub 2304). In other words, the context-aware system of the surgical hub 2304 can provide additional context when analyzing visualization data by considering physiological measurement data. This additional context can be useful when the visualization data itself may not be definitive or may be incomplete.

[0061] Another advantage is the proactive and automatic control of the paired modular devices 2302 according to specific steps of the surgical procedure being performed, in order to reduce the number of times healthcare professionals are required to interact with or control the surgical system 2300 during the course of the surgical procedure. For example, the situation-aware surgical hub 2304 can proactively activate the generator to which the RF electrosurgical instrument is connected if it determines that the use of the instrument is required in a subsequent step of the procedure. By proactively activating the energy source, the instrument can be ready for use as soon as the preceding steps of the procedure are completed.

[0062] As another example, the situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can determine whether the current or subsequent steps of a surgical procedure require different views or magnifications on the display, according to the features(s) of the surgical site that the surgeon is expected to need to see. The surgical hub 2304 can then proactively change the displayed view (e.g., supplied from a medical imaging device for the visualization system 108) as appropriate, thereby automatically adjusting the display throughout the surgical procedure.

[0063] As yet another example, the situation-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine which steps of a surgical procedure are being performed or will be performed next, and whether specific data or comparisons of data are required for that step of the surgical procedure. The surgical hub 2304 can be configured to automatically call up data screens based on the steps of the surgical procedure being performed, without waiting for the surgeon to ask for specific information.

[0064] Another advantage is the ability to check for errors during or in the course of a surgical procedure. For example, the situation-aware surgical hub 2304 can determine whether the operating room is properly or optimally set up for the surgical procedure to be performed. The surgical hub 2304 may be configured to determine the type of surgical procedure being performed, read the corresponding checklist, product location, or setup requirements (e.g., from memory), and then compare the current operating room layout to a standard layout for the type of surgical procedure that the surgical hub 2304 has determined is being performed. In one example, the surgical hub 2304 may be configured to compare a list of items for the procedure (e.g., scanned by a suitable scanner) and / or a list of devices paired with the surgical hub 2304 to a recommended or expected manifest of items and / or devices for a given surgical procedure. If any discontinuities exist between lists, the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to provide alerts indicating that a particular modular device 2302, patient monitoring device 2324, and / or other surgical items are missing. For example, the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to determine the relative distance or relative position of the modular device 2302 and the patient monitoring device 2324, for instance, by proximity sensors. The surgical hub 2304 can then compare the relative positions of the devices to a recommended or expected layout for a particular surgical procedure. If any discontinuities exist between layouts, the surgical hub 2304 can be configured to provide alerts indicating that the current layout for the surgical procedure deviates from the recommended layout.

[0065] As another example, the situational awareness surgical hub 2304 can determine whether a surgeon (or other healthcare professional) is making an error or deviating from a set of actions expected during the course of a surgical procedure. For example, the surgical hub 2304 may be configured to determine the type of surgical procedure being performed, read a corresponding list of instrument usage steps or sequences (e.g., from memory), and then compare the steps or instruments being performed or used during the course of the surgical procedure with the steps or instruments expected for the type of surgical procedure that the surgical hub 2304 has determined is being performed. In one example, the surgical hub 2304 may be configured to provide an alert indicating that an unexpected action is being performed or an unexpected device is being used at a particular step in the surgical procedure.

[0066] Overall, the context-aware system for the surgical hub 2304 improves surgical outcomes by adjusting surgical instruments (and other modular devices 2302) for the specific context of each surgical procedure (e.g., for different tissue types) and by validating actions during the surgical procedure. The context-aware system also improves surgeon efficiency when performing surgical procedures by automatically suggesting the next steps, providing data, and adjusting the in-situ displays and other modular devices 2302 according to the specific context of the procedure.

[0067] Modular energy systems Due to the sheer volume of equipment required to perform surgical procedures, operating rooms worldwide have become a tangled web of cords, devices, and people. Surgical capital equipment tends to be the primary cause of this problem, as most of it performs a single, specialized task. Because of their specialized nature, surgeons may need to utilize multiple different types of equipment during a single surgical procedure, forcing operating rooms to stock two or even more pieces of surgical capital equipment, such as energy generators. Each of these pieces of surgical capital equipment must be individually plugged into a power source and may also be connected to one or more other devices passed among personnel in the operating room, resulting in tangled and tangled cords that must be guided. Another problem faced in modern operating rooms is that each of these specialized pieces of surgical capital equipment must have its own user interface and be controlled independently of the other pieces of equipment in the operating room. This makes it complex to connect and properly control multiple different devices, requiring users to be trained in and memorize different types of user interfaces (which may be further modified based on the task or surgical procedure being performed, in addition to changes between each piece of capital equipment). This cumbersome and complex process may require more individuals to be present in the operating room and can create danger if multiple devices are not properly controlled to each other. Therefore, integrating surgical capital equipment technology into a single system that flexibly addresses the surgeon's need to reduce the footprint of surgical capital equipment in the operating room would simplify the user experience, reduce clutter in the operating room, and prevent the difficulties and dangers associated with simultaneously controlling multiple pieces of capital equipment. Furthermore, making such a system scalable or customizable would allow new technologies to be conveniently incorporated into existing surgical systems, eliminating the need to replace the entire surgical system or requiring operating room personnel to learn new user interfaces or equipment controls for each new technology.

[0068] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the surgical hub 106 can be configured to interchangeably accept various modules, which can then interface with surgical devices (e.g., surgical instruments or smoke exhausters) or provide various other functions (e.g., communication). In one embodiment, the surgical hub 106 can be embodied as a modular energy system 2000, as shown in relation to Figures 6 to 12. The modular energy system 2000 may include various different modules 2001 that are interconnected in a stacked configuration. In one embodiment, the modules 2001 can be physically and communicatively linked when stacked or when otherwise connected together to form a single assembly. Furthermore, the modules 2001 may be interchangeably connected in different combinations or arrangements. In one embodiment, each module 2001 may include a consistent or universal array of connectors arranged along their upper and lower surfaces, thereby enabling any module 2001 to be connected to another module 2001 in any arrangement (however, in some embodiments, certain module types, such as header modules 2002, may be configured to function, for example, as modules positioned at the top of a stack). In an alternative embodiment, the modular energy system 2000 may include housings configured to receive and hold modules 2001, as shown in Figure 3. The modular energy system 2000 may also include a variety of different components or accessories that can be connected to or otherwise associated with modules 2001. In yet another embodiment, the modular energy system 2000 may be embodied as a generator module 140 (Figure 3) of the surgical hub 106. In yet another embodiment, the modular energy system 2000 may be a system separate from the surgical hub 106. In this embodiment, the modular energy systems 2000 may be connectable to the surgical hub 206 in a communicative manner for transmitting and / or receiving data between them.

[0069] The modular energy system 2000 can be assembled from various different modules 2001, some examples of which are shown in Figure 6. Each of the different types of modules 2001 can provide a different function, thereby allowing the modular energy system 2000 to be assembled into different configurations and thus the functions and capabilities of the modular energy system 2000 to be customized by customizing the modules 2001 included in each modular energy system 2000. The modules 2001 of the modular energy system 2000 may include, for example, a header module 2002 (which may include a display screen 2006), an energy module 2004, a technology module 2040, and a visualization module 2042. In the illustrated embodiment, the header module 2002 is configured to function as the top or topmost module in the modular energy system stack and therefore may lack connectors along its top surface. In another embodiment, the header module 2002 may be configured to be located at the bottom of the modular energy system stack or to be the bottommost module and therefore may lack connectors along its bottom surface. In yet another embodiment, the header module 2002 may be configured to be positioned in an intermediate location within the modular energy system stack and therefore may include connectors along both its bottom and top surfaces. The header module 2002 may be configured to control system-wide settings for each module 2001 and its connected components through a physical control unit 2011 on the header module 2002 and / or through a graphical user interface (GUI) 2008 displayed on a display screen 2006. Such settings may include the startup of the modular energy system 2000, alarm volume settings, foot switch settings, setting icons, the appearance or configuration of the user interface, the surgeon profile logged into the modular energy system 2000, and / or the type of surgical procedure being performed.The header module 2002 may also be configured to provide communication, processing, and / or power to module 2001 connected to the header module 2002. The energy module 2004, which may also be referred to as generator module 140 (Figure 3), may be configured to generate one or more energy modalities for driving electrosurgical and / or ultrasonic surgical instruments connected to it. The technology module 2040 may be configured to provide additional or extended control algorithms (e.g., electrosurgical or ultrasonic control algorithms for controlling the energy output of energy module 2004). The visualization module 2042 may be configured to interface with a visualization device (i.e., a scope) and thus can provide enhanced visualization capabilities.

[0070] The modular energy system 2000 may further include various accessories 2029 that are connectable to module 2001 to control the functions of module 2001, or otherwise configured to function in conjunction with the modular energy system 2000. Examples of accessories 2029 may include a single-pedal footswitch 2032, a dual-pedal footswitch 2034, and a cart 2030 for supporting the modular energy system 2000. Footswitches 2032 and 2034 may be configured, for example, to control the activation or function of specific energy modalities output by energy module 2004.

[0071] By utilizing modular components, the illustrated modular energy system 2000 provides a surgical platform that grows with the availability of technology and can be customized to the needs of facilities and / or surgeons. Furthermore, the modular energy system 2000 supports combo devices (e.g., electrosurgical and ultrasonic energy dual generators) and software-driven algorithms for customized effects on tissue. Moreover, the surgical system architecture reduces the footprint of capital equipment by combining multiple technologies crucial for surgical procedures into a single system.

[0072] Various modular components available in connection with the modular energy system 2000 may include unipolar energy generators, bipolar energy generators, dual electrosurgical / ultrasonic energy generators, display screens, and various other modules and / or other components, some of which are also described above in relation to Figures 1 to 3.

[0073] Referring here to Figure 7A, the header module 2002 may, in some embodiments, include a display screen 2006 that displays a GUI 2008 for relaying information about modules 2001 connected to the header module 2002. In some embodiments, the GUI 2008 on the display screen 2006 can provide an integrated control point for all modules 2001 constituting a particular configuration of the modular energy system 2000. Various embodiments of the GUI 2008 are discussed below in more detail with reference to Figure 12. In alternative embodiments, the header module 2002 may lack a display screen 2006, or the display screen 2006 may be detachably connected to the housing 2010 of the header module 2002. In such embodiments, the header module 2002 may be communicably connected to an external system configured to display information generated by modules 2001 of the modular energy system 2000. For example, in a robotic surgery application, the modular energy system 2000 may be communicatively connected to a robotic cart or robotic control console, which is configured to display information generated by the modular energy system 2000 to the operator of the robotic surgery system. In another example, the modular energy system 2000 may be communicatively connected to a mobile display, which is carried by or attached to the surgical staff so that information can be viewed on the mobile display. In yet another example, the modular energy system 2000 may be communicatively connected to another computer system which may include a surgical hub 2100 or a display 2104, as shown in Figure 11.In embodiments utilizing a user interface that is separate from or otherwise distinguishable from the modular energy system 2000, the user interface may be wirelessly connectable to the entire modular energy system 2000, or to one or more modules 2001 thereof, so that the user interface can display information from the connected modules 2001.

[0074] Referring further to Figure 7A, the energy module 2004 may include a port assembly 2012 containing several different ports, each configured to deliver different energy modalities to corresponding surgical instruments connectable to its respective port. In the particular embodiments shown in Figures 6–12, the port assembly 2012 includes a bipolar port 2014, a first unipolar port 2016a, a second unipolar port 2016b, a neutral port 2018 (to which a unipolar return pad can be connected), and a combined energy port 2020. However, this particular combination of ports is provided for illustrative purposes only, and alternative combinations of ports and / or energy modalities may be possible for the port assembly 2012.

[0075] As described above, the modular energy system 2000 can be assembled into different configurations. Furthermore, different configurations of the modular energy system 2000 may also be available for different surgical procedure types and / or different tasks. For example, Figures 7A and 7B show a first exemplary configuration of the modular energy system 2000, which includes a header module 2002 (including a display screen 2006) and an energy module 2004 connected together. Such a configuration may be suitable, for example, for laparoscopic and open surgical procedures.

[0076] Figure 8A shows a second exemplary configuration of the modular energy system 2000, which includes a header module 2002 (including a display screen 2006) connected together, a first energy module 2004a, and a second energy module 2004b. By stacking the two energy modules 2004a and 2004b, the modular energy system 2000 can provide a pair of port assemblies 2012a and 2012b for extending the array of energy modalities deliverable from the first configuration by the modular energy system 2000. Thus, the second configuration of the modular energy system 2000 can accommodate two or more bipolar / unipolar electrosurgical instruments, three or more bipolar / unipolar electrosurgical instruments, and so on. Such a configuration may be particularly suitable for complex laparoscopic and open surgical procedures. Figure 8B shows a third exemplary configuration similar to the second configuration, except that the header module 2002 lacks the display screen 2006. As described above, this configuration may be suitable for robotic surgery applications or mobile display applications.

[0077] Figure 9 shows a fourth exemplary configuration of the modular energy system 2000, which includes a header module 2002 (including a display screen 2006) connected together, a first energy module 2004a, a second energy module 2004b, and a technology module 2040. Such a configuration may be particularly suitable for surgical applications requiring complex or computationally intensive control algorithms. Alternatively, the technology module 2040 may be a newly published module that complements or extends the functionality of a previously published module (such as energy module 2004).

[0078] Figure 10 shows a fifth exemplary configuration of the modular energy system 2000, which includes a header module 2002 (including a display screen 2006) connected together, a first energy module 2004a, a second energy module 2004b, a technology module 2040, and a visualization module 2042. Such a configuration may be suitable for endoscopic procedures by providing a dedicated surgical display 2044 for relaying video feeds from a scope connected to the visualization module 2042. It should be noted that the configurations shown in Figures 7A to 11 and described above are provided merely to illustrate various concepts of the modular energy system 2000 and should not be interpreted as limiting the modular energy system 2000 to any particular configuration described above.

[0079] As described above, the modular energy system 2000 can be communicably connected to an external system, such as a surgical hub 2100, as shown in Figure 11. Such an external system may include a display screen 2104 for displaying visual feeds from an endoscope (or camera or another such visualization device) and / or data from the modular energy system 2000. Such an external system may also include a computer system 2102 for performing calculations, or for analyzing data generated or provided by the modular energy system 2000 in other ways, for controlling the functions or modes of the modular energy system 2000, and / or for relaying data to a cloud computing system or another computer system. Such an external system may also coordinate the operation between multiple modular energy systems 2000 and / or other surgical systems (e.g., visualization system 108 and / or robotic system 110, as described in relation to Figures 1 and 2).

[0080] Next, referring to Figure 12, in some embodiments, the header module 2002 may include or support a display 2006 configured to display the GUI 2008 as described above. In addition to displaying information, the display screen 2006 may include a touchscreen for receiving input from the user. The control units displayed on the GUI 2008 may correspond to modules 2001 connected to the header module 2002. In some embodiments, different parts or areas of the GUI 2008 may correspond to specific modules 2001. For example, a first part or area of ​​the GUI 2008 may correspond to a first module, and a second part or area of ​​the GUI 2008 may correspond to a second module. When different and / or additional modules 2001 are connected to the modular energy system stack, the GUI 2008 may be configured to correspond to different and / or additional control units for each newly added module 2001, or to remove the control units of each module 2001 that is removed. Each portion of the display corresponding to a specific module connected to the header module 2002 can display the control unit, data, user prompts, and / or other information corresponding to that module. For example, in Figure 12, the first or upper portion 2052 of the illustrated GUI 2008 displays the control unit and data associated with the energy module 2004 connected to the header module 2002. Specifically, the first portion 2052 of the GUI 2008 for the energy module 2004 provides a first widget 2056a corresponding to a bipolar port 2014, a second widget 2056b corresponding to a first unipolar port 2016a, a third widget 2056c corresponding to a second unipolar port 2016b, and a fourth widget 2056d corresponding to a combined energy port 2020. Each of these widgets 2056a to d provides a control unit for controlling data related to the corresponding port of the widget in the port assembly 2012, and the mode and other features of the energy modality delivered by the energy module 2004 through each port of the port assembly 2012.For example, widgets 2056a to d may be configured to display the power level of the surgical instrument connected to each port, and to change the operating mode of the surgical instrument connected to each port (for example, changing the surgical instrument from a first power level to a second power level, and / or changing a unipolar surgical instrument from "spray" mode to "blend" mode).

[0081] In one embodiment, the header module 2002 may include various physical control units 2011 in addition to or instead of the GUI 2008. Such physical control units 2011 may include, for example, power buttons that control the application of power to each module 2001 connected to the header module 2002 in the modular energy system 2000. Alternatively, the power buttons may be displayed as part of the GUI 2008. Thus, the header module 2002 can function as a single point of contact, eliminating the need to individually start and deactivate each individual module 2001 that makes up the modular energy system 2000.

[0082] In one embodiment, the header module 2002 can display still images, videos, moving images, and / or information associated with the surgical module 2001 on which the modular energy system 2000 is constructed, or with a surgical device communicatively connected to the modular energy system 2000. Still images and / or videos displayed by the header module 2002 can be received from an endoscope or another visualization device communicatively connected to the modular energy system 2000. Moving images and / or information in GUI2008 can be overlaid on or adjacent to the image or video feed.

[0083] In one embodiment, modules 2001 other than the header module 2002 can similarly be configured to relay information to the user. For example, the energy module 2004 may include optical assemblies 2015 arranged around each of the ports of the port assembly 2012. The optical assemblies 2015 can be configured to relay information about the ports to the user according to their color or state (e.g., blinking). For example, the optical assemblies 2015 can change from a first color to a second color when a plug is fully seated in each port. In one embodiment, the color or state of the optical assemblies 2015 may be controlled by the header module 2002. For example, the header module 2002 can cause the optical assembly 2015 of each port to display a color corresponding to the port color display on the GUI 2008.

[0084] Figure 13 is a block diagram of a standalone hub configuration of the modular energy system 3000 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, and Figure 14 is a block diagram of a hub configuration of the modular energy system 3000 integrated with a surgical control system 3010 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the modular energy system 3000 can be used as a standalone unit or integrated with a surgical control system 3010 that controls and / or receives data from one or more surgical hub units. In the embodiments shown in Figures 13 and 14, the integrated header / UI module 3002 of the modular energy system 3000 includes a header module and a UI module integrated together as a single module. In other aspects, the header module and the UI module may be provided as separate components that are communicably connected via a data bus 3008.

[0085] As shown in Figure 13, an example of a standalone modular energy system 3000 includes an integrated header module / user interface (UI) module 3002 connected to an energy module 3004. Power and data are transmitted between the integrated header / UI module 3002 and the energy module 3004 through a power interface 3006 and a data interface 3008. For example, the integrated header / UI module 3002 can send various commands to the energy module 3004 through the data interface 3008. Such commands may be based on user input from the UI. As a further example, power may be transmitted to the energy module 3004 through the power interface 3006.

[0086] In Figure 14, the surgical hub configuration includes a modular energy system 3000 integrated with a control system 3010, and, in particular, an interface system 3022 for managing data and power transmission to and / or from the modular energy system 3000. The modular energy system shown in Figure 14 includes an integrated header module / UI module 3002, a first energy module 3004, and a second energy module 3012. In one embodiment, a data transmission path is established between the system control unit 3024 of the control system 3010 and the second energy module 3012 (through the first energy module 3004) and the header / UI module 3002 (through the data interface 3008). In addition, a power path extends between the integrated header / UI module 3002 and the second energy module 3012 through the power interface 3006 and through the first energy module 3004. In other words, in one embodiment, the first energy module 3004 is configured to function as a power and data interface between the second energy module 3012 and the integrated header / UI module 3002 via a power interface 3006 and a data interface 3008. This configuration allows the modular energy system 3000 to be expanded by seamlessly connecting additional energy modules to the energy modules 3004 and 3012 already connected to the integrated header / UI module 3002, without requiring dedicated power and energy interfaces within the integrated header / UI module 3002.

[0087] A system control unit 3024, which may be referred to herein as a control circuit, control logic, microprocessor, microcontroller, logic, FPGA, or various combinations thereof, is connected to a system interface 3022 via an energy interface 3026 and an appliance communication interface 3028. The system interface 3022 is connected to a first energy module 3004 via a first energy interface 3014 and a first appliance communication interface 3016. The system interface 3022 is connected to a second energy module 3012 via a second energy interface 3018 and a second appliance communication interface 3020. When additional modules, such as additional energy modules, are stacked within the modular energy system 3000, additional energy and communication interfaces are provided between the system interface 3022 and the additional modules.

[0088] Energy modules 3004, 3012 are connectable to a hub and can be configured to generate electrosurgical energy (e.g., bipolar or unipolar), ultrasonic energy, or a combination thereof (referred to herein as “high-energy” modules) for various energy surgical instruments. Generally, energy modules 3004, 3012 include a hardware / software interface, an ultrasonic controller, a high-energy RF controller, a bipolar RF controller, and a control algorithm executed by a controller that receives the output from the controllers and controls the operation of the various energy modules 3004, 3012 accordingly. In various aspects of this disclosure, the controller described herein may be implemented as a control circuit, control logic, microprocessor, microcontroller, logic, or FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0089] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 13 and 14, the modules of the modular energy system 3000 may include optical links that enable high-speed communication (10–50 Mb / sec) across the patient's isolation boundary. These links transmit device communications, relaxation signals (such as watchdog signals), and low-bandwidth runtime data. In some embodiments, the optical link(s) do not include real-time sampling data that can be performed on the non-isolated side.

[0090] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 13 and 14, a module of the modular energy system 3000 may include a multifunction circuit block capable of (i) reading the present resistance value via an A / D and current source, (ii) communicating with legacy instruments via the hand switch Q protocol, (iii) communicating with instruments via the local bus 1-Wire protocol, and (iv) communicating with CAN FD-compatible surgical instruments. When a surgical instrument is properly identified by the energy generator module, the associated pin functions and communication circuits are activated, while other unused functions are disabled or disconnected and set to a high impedance state.

[0091] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 13 and 14, a module of the modular energy system 3000 may include a pulse / stimulus / auxiliary amplifier. This is a flexible amplifier based on a full-bridge output and incorporates functional isolation. This allows its differential output to reference any output connection on the applied portion (except, in some embodiments, a unipolar active electrode). The amplifier output may be either small signal linear (pulse / stimulus) with waveform drive provided by a DAC or square wave drive, with moderate output power for DC applications such as DC motors, lighting, and FET drives. Output voltage and current are sensed by functionally isolated voltage and current feedback to provide accurate impedance and power measurements to the FPGA. Paired with a CAN FD-enabled device, this output can provide motor / motion control drive, while position or velocity feedback is provided by a CAN FD interface for closed-loop control.

[0092] As described in more detail herein, a modular energy system comprises a header module and one or more functional or surgical modules. In various examples, a modular energy system is a modular energy system. In various examples, a surgical module includes an energy module, a communication module, and a user interface module, but a surgical module is assumed to be any suitable type of functional or surgical module for use with a modular energy system.

[0093] Modular energy systems offer many advantages in surgical procedures, as described above in relation to modular energy systems 2000 (Figures 6-12) and 3000 (Figures 13-15). However, cable management and setup / tear-out times can be a major deterrent. Various aspects of this disclosure provide a modular energy system having a single power cable and a single current switch for controlling the startup and shutdown of the entire modular energy system, thereby eliminating the need to individually start and stop each individual module in which the modular energy system is constructed. Furthermore, various aspects of this disclosure provide a modular energy system having a power management scheme that facilitates safety and, in some cases, simultaneous delivery to the modules of the modular energy system.

[0094] In various embodiments, as shown in Figure 15, the modular energy system 6000 is similar in many respects to the modular energy systems 2000 (Figures 6-12) and 3000 (Figures 13-15). For brevity, various details of the modular energy system 6000 that are similar to the modular energy system 2000 and / or the modular energy system 3000 are not repeated herein.

[0095] The modular energy system 6000 comprises a header module 6002 and "N" surgical modules 6004, where "N" is an integer greater than or equal to 1. In various examples, the modular energy system 6000 includes UI modules, such as UI module 3030, and / or communication modules, such as communication module 3032. Furthermore, pass-through hub connectors connect the individual modules to each other in a stacked configuration. In the example in Figure 15, the header module 6002 is connected to the surgical modules 6004 via pass-through hub connectors 6005 and 6006.

[0096] The modular energy system 6000 features an exemplary power architecture consisting of a single AC / DC power supply 6003 that provides power to all surgical modules in the stack. The AC / DC power supply 6003 is housed within a header module 6002 and utilizes a power backplane 6008 to distribute power to each module in the stacked body. An example in Figure 15 shows three distinct power domains on the power backplane 6008: a primary power domain 6009, a standby power domain 6010, and an Ethernet switch power domain 6013.

[0097] In the example shown in Figure 15, the power backplane 6008 extends from the header module 6002 through a number of intermediate modules 6004 to the bottommost or furthest module in the stack. In various embodiments, the power backplane 6008 is configured to deliver power to surgical modules 6004 through one or more other surgical modules 6004 located ahead of it in the stacked body. The surgical modules 6004, receiving power from the header module 6002, can be coupled to surgical instruments or tools configured to deliver therapeutic energy to the patient.

[0098] The primary power domain 6009 is the primary power source for the functional module-specific circuits 6013, 6014, and 6015 of modules 6002 and 6004. It consists of a single voltage rail provided to all modules. In at least one embodiment, the nominal voltage of 60V can be selected to be higher than the local rail required by any module, and as a result, the module can implement buck regulating exclusively, which is generally more efficient than boost regulating.

[0099] In various embodiments, the primary power domain 6009 is controlled by the header module 6002. In a particular example, a local power switch 6018 is located on the header module 6002, as shown in Figure 15. In a particular example, a remote on / off interface 6016 may be configured to control, for example, the system power control unit 6017 on the header module 6002. In at least one embodiment, the remote on / off interface 6016 is configured to transmit pulsed individual commands (separate commands for on and off) and power state telemetry signals. In various embodiments, the primary power domain 6009 is configured to distribute power to all modules in a stacked configuration after power-up initiated by the user.

[0100] In various embodiments, as shown in Figure 16, the modules of the modular energy system 6000 can be connected to a header module 6002 and / or to each other via a communication (serial bus / Ethernet) interface 6040, so that data or other information is shared by and between the modules that make up the modular energy system. The Ethernet switch domain 6013 can be derived, for example, from the primary power domain 6009. The Ethernet® switch power domain 6013 is isolated into a separate power domain configured to supply power to the Ethernet® switches in each module in the stacked configuration, so that the primary communication interface 6040 remains operational when local power to the modules is removed. In at least one embodiment, the primary communication interface 6040 comprises a 1000BASE-T Ethernet network, where each module represents a node on the network, and each module downstream of the header module 6002 includes a 3-port Ethernet switch for routing traffic to local modules or for properly passing data upstream or downstream.

[0101] Furthermore, in certain examples, the modular energy system 6000 includes a secondary, low-speed, inter-module communication interface for critical power-related functions, including module power sequencing and module power status. The secondary communication interface may be, for example, a multi-drop local interconnect network (LIN), where the header module is the master and all downstream modules are slaves.

[0102] In various embodiments, as shown in Figure 15, the standby power domain 6010 is a separate output from the AC / DC power supply 6003, which is always operational when the power source is connected to the main power supply 6020. The standby power domain 6010 is used by all modules in the system to power circuits for relaxed communication interfaces and to control local power to each module. Furthermore, the standby power domain 6010 is configured to provide power to circuits that are important in standby mode, such as on / off command detection, status LEDs, and secondary communication buses.

[0103] In various configurations, as shown in Figure 15, individual surgical modules 6004 lack independent power sources and therefore rely on header modules 6002 to supply power in a stacked configuration. Only header modules 6002 are directly connected to the main power supply 6020. Surgical modules 6004 lack a direct connection to the main power supply 6020 and can only receive power in a stacked configuration. This arrangement improves the safety of individual surgical modules 6004 and reduces the overall footprint of the modular energy system 6000. This arrangement further reduces the number of cords required for the proper operation of the modular energy system 6000, thereby reducing clutter and footprint in the operating room.

[0104] Therefore, in a stacked configuration, surgical instruments connected to the surgical module 6004 of the modular energy system 6000 receive energy for tissue treatment generated by the surgical module 6004 from power delivered to the surgical module 6004 from the AC / DC power supply 6003 of the header module 6002.

[0105] In at least one embodiment, while the header module 6002 is assembled with the first surgical module 6004' in a stacked configuration, energy can flow from the AC / DC power supply 6003 to the first surgical module 6004'. Furthermore, while the header module 6002 is assembled with the first surgical module 6004' (connected to the header module 6002) and the second surgical module 6004'' (connected to the first surgical module 6004') in a stacked configuration, energy can flow from the AC / DC power supply 6003 to the second surgical module 6004'' through the first surgical module 6004'.

[0106] Energy generated by the AC / DC power supply 6003 of the header module 6002 is transmitted through a segmented power backplane 6008 defined via a modular energy system 6000. In the example in Figure 15, the header module 6002 houses the power backplane segment 6008', the first surgical module 6004' houses the power backplane segment 6008'', and the second surgical module 6004'' houses the power backplane segment 6008'''. In a stacked configuration, the power backplane segment 6008' is detachably coupled to the power backplane segment 6008''. Furthermore, in a stacked configuration, the power backplane 6008'' is detachably coupled to the power backplane segment 6008'''. Thus, energy flows from the AC / DC power supply 6003 to the power backplane segment 6008', then to the power backplane segment 6008'', and then to the power backplane segment 6008''''.

[0107] In the example in Figure 15, power backplane segment 6008' is detachably connected to power backplane segment 6008'' via pass-through hub connectors 6005 and 6006 in the stacked configuration. Furthermore, power backplane segment 6008'' is detachably connected to power backplane segment 6008'''' via pass-through hub connectors 6025 and 6056 in the stacked configuration. In certain examples, removing a surgical module from the stacked configuration disconnects its connection to power supply 6003. For example, separating the second surgical module 6004'' from the first surgical module 6004' disconnects power backplane segment 6008'' from power backplane segment 6008''. However, as long as header module 6002 and the first surgical module 6004' remain in the stacked configuration, the connection between power backplane segment 6008'' and power backplane segment 6008'' remains intact. Therefore, energy can still flow to the first surgical module 6004'' through the connection between the header module 6002 and the first surgical module 6004'' after the second surgical module 6004'' has been cut. Separating the connected modules can be achieved in certain examples simply by pulling the surgical module 6004 apart.

[0108] In the example shown in Figure 15, each of modules 6002 and 6004 includes a relaxation module control unit 6023. The relaxation module control unit 6023 is coupled to a corresponding local power adjustment module 6024, which is configured to adjust power based on input from the relaxation module control unit 6023. In certain embodiments, the relaxation module control unit 6023 allows the header module 6002 to independently control the local power adjustment module 6024.

[0109] The modular energy system 6000 further includes a relaxation communication interface 6021, which includes a segmented communication backplane 6027 extending between relaxation module control units 6023. The segmented communication backplane 6027 is similar in many ways to the segmented power backplane 6008. Relaxation communication between the relaxation module control unit 6023 of the header module 6002 and the surgical module 6004 can be achieved through the segmented communication backplane 6027 defined through the modular energy system 6000. In the example of Figure 15, the header module 6002 houses the communication backplane segment 6027', the first surgical module 6004' houses the communication backplane segment 6027'', and the second surgical module 6004'' houses the communication backplane segment 6027'''. The communication backplane segment 6027' is detachably connected to the communication backplane segment 6027'' in a stacked configuration via pass-through hub connectors 6005 and 6006. Furthermore, the communication backplane 6027'' is detachably connected to the communication backplane segment 6027'' in a stacked configuration via pass-through hub connectors 6025 and 6026.

[0110] An example in Figure 15 shows that the modular energy system 6000 includes a header module 6002 and two surgical modules 6004', 6004'', but is not limited to these. Modular energy systems having more or fewer surgical modules are contemplated by this disclosure. In some embodiments, the modular energy system 6000 includes other modules, such as a communications module. In some embodiments, the header module 6502 supports a display screen, such as a display 2006 (Figure 7A), which renders a GUI, such as a GUI 2008, for relaying information about the modules connected to the header module 6002. The GUI 2008 on the display screen 2006 can provide an integrated control point for all the modules constituting a particular configuration of the modular energy system.

[0111] Figure 16 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the modular energy system 6000, illustrating the primary communication interface 6040 between the header module 6002 and the surgical module 6004. The primary communication interface 6040 connects the module processors 6041, 6041', and 6041'' of the header module 6002 to the surgical module 6004 in a communicative manner. Commands generated by the module processor 6041 of the header module are transmitted downstream to the desired functional surgical module via the primary communication interface 6040. In certain examples, the primary communication interface 6040 is configured to establish a bidirectional communication path between adjacent modules. In other examples, the primary communication interface 6040 is configured to establish a unidirectional communication path between adjacent modules.

[0112] Furthermore, the primary communication interface 6040 also includes a segmented communication backplane 6031, which is in many respects similar to the segmented power backplane 6008. Communication between the header module 6002 and the surgical module 6004 can be achieved via the segmented communication backplane 6031 defined through the modular energy system 6000. In the example of Figure 16, the header module 6002 houses the communication backplane segment 6031', the first surgical module 6004' houses the communication backplane segment 6031'', and the second surgical module 6004'' houses the communication backplane segment 6031'''. The communication backplane segment 6031' is detachably connected to the communication backplane segment 6031'' in a stacked configuration via pass-through hub connectors 6005, 6006. Furthermore, the communication backplane 6031'' is detachably connected to the communication backplane segment 6031'' in the stacked configuration via pass-through hub connectors 6025 and 6026.

[0113] In at least one example, as shown in Figure 16, the primary communication interface 6040 is implemented using a DDS framework running on a Gigabit Ethernet interface. Module processors 6041, 6041', 6041'' are connected to Gigabit Ethernet Phy 6044 and Gigabit Ethernet switches 6042', 6042''. In the example in Figure 16, the segmented communication backplane 6031 connects the adjacent module's Gigabit Ethernet Phy 6044 and Gigabit Ethernet switch 6042.

[0114] In various embodiments, as shown in Figure 16, the header module 6002 includes a separate Gigabit Ethernet Phy 6045 for an external communication interface 6043 with the processor module 6041 of the header module 6002. In at least one embodiment, the processor module 6041 of the header module 6002 handles firewall and information routing.

[0115] Referring to Figure 15, the AC / DC power supply 6003 may provide an AC status signal 6011 indicating the loss of AC power supplied by the AC / DC power supply 6003. The AC status signal 6011 is provided to all modules of the modular energy system 6000 via a segmented power backplane 6008, allowing each module to tolerate as much time as possible for a graceful shutdown before primary output power is lost. The AC status signal 6011 is received, for example, by module-specific circuits 6013, 6014, and 6015. In various examples, the system power control unit 6017 may be configured to detect AC power loss. In at least one embodiment, AC power loss is detected via one or more preferred sensors.

[0116] Referring to Figures 15 and 16, the primary power inputs to all modules can be fused, or similar current limiting methods (e-fuses, circuit breakers, etc.) can be used, to ensure that a localized power failure in one of the modules of the modular energy system 6000 does not disable the entire power bus. Furthermore, the Ethernet switch power is isolated to a separate power domain 6013 so that the primary communication interface 6040 remains operational when localized power to the module is removed. In other words, primary power can be removed and / or diverted from the surgical modules without losing its ability to communicate with other surgical modules 6004 and / or header module 6002.

[0117] While general implementations of headers and modules for modular energy systems 2000, 3000, and 6000 have been described, this disclosure now describes various other embodiments of modular energy systems. These other modular energy systems are substantially similar to modular energy systems 2000, 3000, and / or 6000. For brevity, various details of these other modular energy systems, similar to those of modular energy systems 2000, 3000, and / or 6000, will not be repeated in the following sections. Any embodiment of the other modular energy systems described below can be incorporated into modular energy systems 2000, 3000, or 6000.

[0118] Mechanical mounting mechanism for modular energy system backplane connectors Having described common implementations of modular energy systems 2000, 3000, and 6000, this disclosure now moves on to various embodiments of backplane connectors for modular energy systems 2000, 3000, and 6000. In one embodiment, the backplane connector described below can be added to any module of modular energy systems 2000, 3000, and 6000 that accommodate modules of various heights. In another embodiment, the backplane connector can be incorporated into a module enclosure. In another embodiment, the backplane connector can electrically and physically connect stacked modules of modular energy systems 2000, 3000, and 6000 by thin cables. In another embodiment, the backplane connector can be attached to any module of modular energy systems 2000, 3000, and 6000 using a snap-on function.

[0119] A modular energy system may have multiple modules stacked on top of each other. The modules of the modular energy system may include backplane connector subassemblies that physically and electrically connect the stacked modules. In one embodiment, each backplane connector subassembly may need to withstand the weight of two modules that may result from user misalignment when stacking the modules. Therefore, to withstand the weight of two modules, the backplane connector may require a robust mounting capable of supporting the weight. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the backplane connector subassembly may need to accommodate different heights of additional modules without altering the connector design. Additionally, the mounting mechanism may need to be invisible from the outside of the unit to maintain an ideal aesthetic appearance.

[0120] In one embodiment, the back panel of a backplane connector subassembly may have a support member attached thereto. The support member may be used to mount the upstream and downstream connectors through mating holes on the sides of each connector. In one embodiment, the back panel mounting mechanism or support member may be a fastener insert mounted to a sheet metal back panel. Such fastener inserts include those manufactured by Penn Engineering, known by the trade name PEM. Such fasteners include any one or more fasteners that utilize self-clinching, broaching, flaring, surface mounting, or welding techniques to provide a strong, reusable, permanent thread and mounting point in, for example, thin sheet metal, PCB material, and other ductile or non-ductile thin materials. When mounted, the upstream connector may have a rib extending downward and may contact a square fastener insert mounted to the back panel for additional mechanical support, such as a support ledge.

[0121] In one embodiment, the fastener inserts are designed to be used for attaching components via threads, zip ties, etc., which is an unconventional method for using these inserts. From preliminary finite element analysis, the design can withstand loads of at least 60 lbs without yielding. In one embodiment, by using fastener inserts to attach the support members to the panel, the attachment to the panel is barely visible from the back of the panel, thus satisfying aesthetic requirements. This design may be adaptable to further modules, as the support members can be attached to the sheet metal back panel of another module without the need to modify the backplane connector itself.

[0122] In one embodiment, Figures 17 to 19 show a backplane connector subassembly 343. Referring mainly to Figure 17, the back panel 202 has two sets of support members attached to the inner surface 208 of the back panel 202. The first set of support members 212, 214 are for mounting the upstream connector 200, and the second set of support members 220, 222 are for mounting the downstream connector 280. In one embodiment, there may be four support members for mounting the upstream and downstream connectors, such as support members 212, 214, 220, 222, etc. In another embodiment, there may be any number of support members used for mounting the upstream and downstream connectors, for example, one support member for the upstream and one support member for the downstream.

[0123] Referring primarily to Figure 19, the support members 212, 214, 220, and 222 are attached to the back panel 202 and extend away from it. For example, the support members 212, 214, 220, and 222 can be fastener inserts attached to the surface 208 of the back panel 202. In one embodiment, the support members can extend perpendicularly from the back panel 202. In other embodiments, the support members 212, 214, 220, and 222 can extend away from the back panel 202 at any angle. Support ledges 216 and 218 may be attached to the back panel 202 between a first set of support members 212 and 214 and a second set of support members 220 and 222. The support ledges 216 and 218 may be offset from the first set of support members 212 and 214. The back panel 202 may have vents 224 that allow airflow into the module. Furthermore, the back panel 202 may have side edges 226 to allow the back panel to be attached to the module enclosure.

[0124] Referring to Figures 17 and 18, the upstream connector 200 can be attached to the back panel 202 by sliding its mating hole onto the support members 212 and 214. The downstream connector 254 is attached to the back panel 202 by the same means as the upstream connector 200. For example, the downstream connector 254 can be attached to the back panel 202 by sliding its mating hole onto the support members 220 and 222. Figure 17 shows the upstream connector 200 and downstream connector 254 removed from the back panel 202. Figure 18 shows the upstream connector 200 and downstream connector 254 attached to the back panel 202.

[0125] Referring further to Figures 17 and 18, the upstream connector 200 can be attached to the back panel 202 by sliding the mating holes onto the support members 212, 214 of the back panel 202. The mating holes may be located on the lower part 260 of the upstream connector 200, for example, there may be mating holes located within each projection 262, 264. The housing 234 may extend away from the lower part 260 and terminate at the upper part 232. Referring mainly to Figure 18, when the upstream connector 200 is attached to the back panel 202, a portion of the housing 234 and the upper part 232 extend beyond the upper edge 204 of the back panel 202. The holes 240 are where electrical components can pass from an upper module in the stack to a lower, physically connected module in the stack. Power and telecommunications can pass between the two modules. Support ribs 236, 238 may extend away from the lower part 260 in the opposite direction from the housing 234. Support rib 236 may be attached to the upstream connector 200 at projection 264, and support rib 238 may be attached to the upstream connector 200 at projection 262. Referring mainly to Figure 18, when the upstream connector 200 is attached to the back panel 202, support ribs 236 and 238 may be placed on support ledges 216 and 218. Support rib 236 may be placed on support ledge 216, and support rib 238 may be placed on support ledge 218. Note that a design without support ribs may also be possible.

[0126] Referring further to Figures 17 and 18, the downstream connector 254 can be attached to the back panel 202 by sliding its mating hole onto the support members 220, 222 of the back panel 202. The mating hole may be located within the projections 278, 280. The housing 274 may extend away from the projections 278, 280. Referring mainly to Figure 18, once the downstream connector 254 is attached to the back panel 202, the bottom 290 of the downstream connector 254 may be aligned with the lower edge 206 of the back panel 202. The hole 276 is where electrical components can pass through the module to the next module in the stack. The downstream connector 254 may have a cavity 272 in the bottom surface 290 of the downstream connector 254. The cavity 272 may be manufactured to mate with the upper part 232 of the upstream connector during module stacking.

[0127] When modules are stacked, the upper part 232 of the upstream connector 200 of the lower module enters the cavity 272 of the downstream connector 254 located on the upper module, thereby electrically and physically connecting the two modules. For example, when modules are stacked, the upper part 232 enters the cavity 272, and the inner plug of the downstream connector 254 enters the hole 240 and connects with the inner plug of the upstream connector 200 to electrically connect the modules. In one embodiment, the plug may be integrated into the connector assembly so as to be a single molded component rather than two separate components. In another embodiment, the plug may be a separate component inserted into the connector. In yet another embodiment, electrical pins / contacts may be integrated into the connector, for example, by press-fitting. In one embodiment, the electrical wire may start from the inner plug of the upstream connector 230 and terminate on the printed circuit board in the module. In another embodiment, similarly, the electrical wire may start from the inner plug of the downstream connector 270 and terminate on the printed circuit board in the module. Multiple modules can be stacked on top of each other regardless of the height of the modules. Each module may have the same upstream connector 200 and downstream connector 254, which may allow the modules to be physically and electrically connected when stacked. When modules are stacked and connected, power can be transmitted to the module through the upstream connector 200 and then to the next module below in the stack through the downstream connector 254. Telecommunications can pass through the upstream connector 200 and downstream connector 254 in both directions.

[0128] To better understand stacking, the following is an example of stacking three modules. The first module may be at the bottom of the stack, the second module may be in the middle of the stack, and the third module may be at the top of the stack. The second module may be stacked on top of the first module. Then, the upper part 232 of the upstream connector 200 of the first module may enter the cavity 272 of the downstream connector 254 of the second module. Then, the first and second modules may be physically and electrically connected. Then, the third module may be stacked on top of the second module. Then, the upper part 232 of the upstream connector 200 of the second module may enter the cavity 272 of the downstream connector 254 of the third module. The first, second, and third modules may then be physically and electrically connected. The upstream connector 200 and the downstream connector 254 may be the same in each module. The height of the module may vary because the upstream connector 200 and the downstream connector 254 are connected to the back panel 202 of the module itself.

[0129] Mechanical mounting mechanism for backplane connectors Figures 20–29 show different diagrams of an alternative backplane connector subassembly 345 which is substantially similar to the backplane connector subassembly 343 of Figures 17–19. Figure 20 shows an alternative upstream connector 230 which may be substantially similar to the upstream connector 200. For brevity, not all of the same details are repeated. The upstream connector 230 may comprise an upper part 232, a hole 240, a housing 234, a lower part 260, two projections 262, 264, and holes for mating with support members 212, 214, each of which features is substantially similar to that of the upstream connector 200. The upstream connector 230 may have a hole 244 located on the surface 258 of the projection 262 and a hole 242 located on the surface 256 of the projection 264. The surface 256 may be offset from the housing 234 by a distance d1, and the surface 258 may be offset from the housing 234 by the same distance d1. The upstream connector 230 may have four support ribs extending away from the lower part 260. There may also be two support ribs 246, 248 extending away from the projection 262 and two support ribs 250, 252 extending away from the projection 264. The holes 240 are where electrical components can pass from an upper module in the stack to a lower, physically connected module in the stack.

[0130] Figure 21 shows an alternative downstream connector 270 which may be substantially similar to the downstream connector 254. For brevity, not all of the same details are repeated. The downstream connector 270 may comprise a housing 274, two projections 278, 280, a cavity 272, and holes for mating with support members 220, 222, each of which features is substantially similar to that of the downstream connector 254. The downstream connector 270 may have a hole 286 located on the surface 284 of projection 280 and a hole 288 located on the surface 282 of projection 278. The surface 282 may be offset from the housing 274 by a distance d2, and the surface 258 may be offset from the housing 274 by the same distance d2. The hole 276 is where electrical components can pass from the current module stack to a physically connected module below in the stack. The downstream connector 270 may have a bottom surface 290, on which the cavity 272 may be located. The cavity 272 may be fabricated to mate with the upper part 232 of the upstream connector 230 during module stacking. In one embodiment, when modules are stacked, the downstream connector 270 of the upper module mates with the upstream connector 230 of the lower module to physically and electrically connect the two modules. For example, when the downstream connector 270 and the upstream connector 230 are mated, the holes 240 and 276 allow electrical components to connect between the upper and lower modules.

[0131] Figure 22 shows an alternative back panel 210 which may be substantially similar to the downstream connector 254. For brevity, not all of the same details are repeated. The back panel 210 may have an upper edge 204, a lower edge 206, a first set of support members 212, 214, a second set of support members 220, 222, a surface 208, a side edge 226, ventilation holes 224, and support ledges 216, 218, each of which features is substantially similar to that of the back panel 202. The support ledges 216, 218 may be attached to the surface 208 between the first set of support members 212, 214 and the second set of support members 220, 222. In one embodiment, the support ledges 216, 218 may be attached closer to the first set of support members 212, 214 than to the second set of support members 220, 222. In one embodiment, the support members 212, 214, 220, and 222 can extend vertically away from the back panel 202. In another embodiment, the support members 212, 214, 220, and 222 can extend away from the back panel 202 at any angle.

[0132] Referring to Figure 23, the upstream connector 230 and the downstream connector 270 are connected to the back panel 210. The upstream connector 230 may be attached to the back panel 210 by sliding holes 242 and 244 over support members 212 and 214. For example, hole 242 slides over support member 212, and hole 244 slides over support member 214. For example, the upstream connector 230 may be slid over support members 212 and 214 such that surfaces 256 and 258 contact surface 208. Once the upstream connector 230 is slid over support members 212 and 214, it can be attached to the back panel 210. The support ribs 246, 248, 250, and 252 can be placed on support ledges 216 and 218 once the upstream connector 230 is attached to the back panel 210. For example, support ribs 250, 252 may rest on support ledge 216, and support ribs 246, 248 may rest on support ledge 218. In one embodiment, support ribs 246, 248, 250, 252 provide additional physical support when modules are stacked. The upstream connector 230 may have an upper portion 232 that extends beyond the upper edge 204 of the back panel 210. The holes 240 are locations through which electrical components can pass from an upper module in the stack to a lower, physically connected module in the stack.

[0133] Referring further to Figure 23, the downstream connector 270 may be attached to the back panel 210 by sliding holes 288 and 286 over support members 220 and 222. For example, hole 288 slides over support member 220, and hole 286 slides over support member 222. For example, the downstream connector 270 may be slid over support members 220 and 222 such that surfaces 282 and 284 contact surface 208. Once the downstream connector 270 is slid over support members 220 and 222, it can be attached to the back panel 210. The downstream connector 270 may have a surface 290 aligned with the lower edge 206 of the back panel 210 so that nothing extends beyond the lower edge 206. Holes 276 are locations where electrical components from the current module can pass to the next module below in the stack.

[0134] Figure 24 shows a rear view of the back panel 210 shown in Figure 23. In other words, Figure 24 shows a rear view of the module from the outside, and Figure 23 shows a view of the back panel 210 from the inside of the module. Referring to Figure 24, the upper part 232 may extend beyond the upper edge 204 of the back panel 210. Recesses 212a, 214a may be all that is visible from the outside of the module from the mounting of the support members 212, 214. Recesses 216a, 218a may be all that is visible from the outside of the module from the mounting of the support ledges 216, 218. Recesses 220a, 222a may be all that is visible from the outside of the module from the mounting of the support members 220, 222. The downstream connector 270 may not be visible from the outside of the module.

[0135] Figures 25-27 show some of the wires of a backplane connector subassembly. Referring to Figures 25 and 26, in one embodiment, the electrical wire 294 may extend downward from the inner plug of the upstream connector 230 and terminate at plug 296. In one embodiment, the electrical wire 294 can be used to transmit data between stacked modules, for example, to transmit data back and forth from a higher module in the stack to the current module. Referring to Figure 27, the electrical wire 304 may extend downward from the inner plug of the upstream connector 230 and terminate at plug 296. In one embodiment, the electrical wire 304 can be used to transmit data between stacked modules, for example, to transmit data back and forth from a higher module in the stack to the current module. Referring to Figures 25 and 26, the electrical wire 292 may extend from the inner plug of the downstream connector 270 and terminate at plug 296. In one embodiment, the electrical wire 292 can be used to transmit data between stacked modules, for example, to transmit data from a lower module in the stack to the current module. Referring to Figures 28 and 29, a printed circuit board 306 for the module may be connected to a plug 296. In one embodiment, the printed circuit board 306 controls the module and receives transmission signals via a set of wires 294, 304, and 292. For example, the printed circuit board may enable the transmission of data between modules stacked above and below the current module. Referring to Figures 25 to 29, electrical wires 298 and 300 may extend from a plug in an upstream connector 230 and terminate at a plug 302. In one embodiment, electrical wires 298 and 300 can be used to transmit power to a current module.

[0136] When modules are stacked, the upper part 232 of the upstream connector 230 of the lower module may enter the cavity 272 of the downstream connector 270 located within the upper module, which electrically and physically connects the two modules. In one embodiment, the inner plug of the upstream connector 230 may connect to the inner plug of the downstream connector 270 to electrically connect the stacked modules. For example, when modules are stacked, the upper part 232 may enter the cavity 272, and the inner plug of the downstream connector 270 may enter the hole 240 and connect to the inner plug of the upstream connector 230 to electrically connect the modules. In one embodiment, the plug may be integrated into the connector assembly so that it is a single molded component rather than two separate components. In another embodiment, the plug may be a separate component inserted into the connector. In yet another embodiment, electrical pins / contacts may be integrated into the connector, for example, by press-fitting. In one embodiment, electrical wires may start from the inner plug of the upstream connector 230 and terminate on a printed circuit board within the module. In one embodiment, similarly, the electrical wires may begin from the plug inside the downstream connector 270 and terminate on the printed circuit board within the module. Multiple modules can be stacked on top of each other, regardless of the module height. Each module may have the same upstream connector 230 and downstream connector 270, which allow the modules to be physically and electrically connected when stacked. When the modules are stacked and connected, power is transmitted to the module through the upstream connector 230 and then to the next lower module in the stack through the downstream connector 270. Telecommunications can pass through the upstream connector 230 and downstream connector 270 in both directions.

[0137] To better understand stacking, the following is an example of stacking three modules. The first module may be at the bottom of the stack, the second module may be in the middle of the stack, and the third module may be at the top of the stack. The second module may be stacked on top of the first module. Then, the upper part 232 of the upstream connector 230 of the first module may enter the cavity 272 of the downstream connector 270 of the second module. Then, the first and second modules may be physically and electrically connected. Then, the third module may be stacked on top of the second module. The upper part 232 of the upstream connector 230 of the second module may enter the cavity 272 of the downstream connector 270 of the third module. The first, second, and third modules may then be physically and electrically connected. The upstream connector 230 and the downstream connector 270 may be the same in each module. The height of the module may vary because the upstream connector 230 and the downstream connector 270 are connected to the back panel 210 of the module itself.

[0138] Energy module bridge connector In various embodiments, the end user can assemble any suitable number of modules into various different stacked configurations that support the flow of electrical energy between them. Each of the different types of modules provides a different function, thereby allowing the individual to customize the functions provided by each surgical platform by customizing the modules included in each surgical platform. The modular energy system is assembled or modified by the end user either before or during the surgical procedure. Since the manufacturer is not involved in the final assembly of the modular energy system, suitable precautions are taken to ensure proper stacking and / or alignment of the modules within the modular energy system.

[0139] As discussed above, one or more modules can be connected together in various different stacked configurations to form various modular energy systems. When positioned in various different stacked configurations, the surgical modules are configured to communicate and transmit power between them. To facilitate the transmission of communication signals and power, it is intended that external wiring connections may be available to electrically connect the modules when they are stacked together. However, it is desirable that the modules be connectable without requiring external wiring and to facilitate safe assembly and disassembly by the end user. To this end, the modules may include bridge connectors configured to transmit power and / or communication signals between modules in the modular energy system when the modules are assembled or engaged together.

[0140] In a general embodiment, the disclosure provides a top-mounted connector and a bottom-mounted socket for stackable energy modules capable of carrying communications and power through multiple units (i.e., modules). The connector shape facilitates mechanical alignment, then grounding, and then electrical contact of a series of power and communications lines when multiple energy modules are assembled together in a modular energy system.

[0141] In another common embodiment, the disclosure provides a bridge circuit in which a variable number of stacked modules (including header modules) are segmented on the same substrate present within each module and connected by connectors molded to align and connect them together.

[0142] In another general embodiment, the Disclosure provides a modular connector configured to have a first configuration or accommodation configuration and a second configuration or expansion configuration. The modular connector for energy modules (and / or other modules of a modular energy system) is capable of carrying both communication and power between modules, and the connector is configured to transition between a first low-profile accommodation configuration and an expansion configuration that provides both electrical and mechanical connections between modules.

[0143] In yet another general embodiment, the disclosure provides a surgical platform comprising a first surgical module and a second surgical module. The first surgical module is configured to be assembled with the second surgical module in a stacked configuration. The first surgical module comprises a first bridge connector portion comprising a first outer housing and a first electrical connection element. The second surgical module comprises a second bridge connector portion comprising a second outer housing and a second electrical connection element. The second outer housing is molded and configured to engage with the first outer housing during assembly before the second electrical connection element engages with the first electrical connection element.

[0144] In yet another general embodiment, the disclosure provides a surgical platform comprising a first surgical module and a second surgical module. The first surgical module comprises a first enclosure comprising a bottom surface and a first bridge connector, the first bridge connector comprising a recess, a first printed circuit board (PCB), and a first wire assembly connected to the first PCB. The first wire assembly extends from the first PCB to the first bridge connector, and the first wire assembly is operably coupled to the first bridge connector. The second surgical module comprises a second enclosure comprising a top surface, a second bridge connector, a second PCB, and a second wire assembly connected to the second PCB. The second bridge connector extends away from the top surface, and the second bridge connector is configured to be positioned within the recess of the first bridge connector of the first surgical module. The second wire assembly extends from the second PCB to the second bridge connector, and the second wire assembly is operably connected to the second bridge connector. When the second bridge connector is positioned within the first bridge connector, the second wire assembly is electrically connected to the first wire assembly.

[0145] Referring here to Figures 30 and 31, a configuration is shown in which three surgical modules, namely the first module 10002, the second module 10004, and the third module 10006, are assembled together by the end user in a stacked configuration, utilizing the internal wiring arrangement to facilitate the transmission of communication signals and power between modules within the modular energy system 10000. Each module 10002, 10004, and 10006 may be the same type of surgical module or different types of surgical modules. For example, each module 10002, 10004, and 10006 may be a header module, an energy module, a generator module, an imaging module, a smoke extraction module, a suction / irrigation module, a communication module, a processor module, a storage array, a surgical device connected to a display, a non-contact sensor module, or other modular device. These and other such modules are described above under the headings “Surgical Hub” and “Modular Energy System”.

[0146] Each of the modules 10002, 10004, and 10006 may include a bridge connector. For example, the first module 10002 may include a lower bridge connector 10008, the second module 10004 may include an upper bridge connector 10010 (Figure 32) and a lower bridge connector 10012, and the third module 10006 may include an upper bridge connector (not shown) and a lower bridge connector 10016. Each of the bridge connectors 10008, 10010, 10012, and 10016 may include an outer housing that extends at least partially around the electrical connection elements of the respective bridge connector.

[0147] Referring to Figure 32, a detailed view of an embodiment of the second module 10004 is provided. It is understood that the first module 10002 and the third module 10006 can be configured as the second module 10004 shown in Figure 32. The upper bridge connector 10010 of the second module 10004 is mounted on the top surface 10018a of the enclosure 10018 and extends away from the second module 10004. The lower bridge connector 10012 of the second module 10004 is mounted on the bottom surface 10018b of the enclosure 10018 of the second module 10004. The lower bridge connector 10012 includes a recess 10020 that is molded and configured to receive the upper bridge connector from a separate module. For example, when the second module 10004 is stacked on top of the third module 10006, the upper bridge connector of the third module 10006 is inserted into the recess 10020 of the lower bridge connector 10016 of the second module 10004, thereby aligning the second module 10004 with the third module 10006.

[0148] Referring back to Figures 30 and 31, each module 10002, 10004, and 10006 further includes a PCB. For example, the first module 10002 includes the first PCB 10022, the second module 10004 includes the second PCB 10024, and the third module 10006 includes the third PCB 10026.

[0149] In addition, each module 10002, 10004, and 10006 includes a flexible wire harness (e.g., flexible cable) electrically connected to the respective PCBs, 10022, 10024, and 10026 by any number of preferred connections. For example, the first module 10002 includes a first flexible wire harness 10028 that extends from the first PCB 10022 and is operably connected to the lower bridge connector 10008 of the first module 10002 to connect the first PCB 10022 to the electrical connection elements of the lower bridge connector 10008. The first flexible wire harness 10028 is located within the first module 10002 and thus can be facilitated for faster assembly of the modular energy system.

[0150] The second module 10004 includes a second flexible wire harness 10030 and a third flexible wire harness 10032 extending from the second PCB 10024. The second flexible wire harness 10030 is operably connected to the upper bridge connector 10010 of the second module 10004, connecting the second PCB 10024 to the electrical connection elements of the upper bridge connector 10010. The third flexible wire harness 10032 is operably connected to the lower bridge connector 10012 of the second module 10004, connecting the second PCB 10024 to the electrical connection elements of the lower bridge connector 10012. The second flexible wire harness and the third flexible wire harnesses 10030 and 10032 are located within the second module 10002, thus facilitating the rapid assembly of the modular energy system.

[0151] The third module 10006 includes a fourth flexible wire harness 10034 and a fifth flexible wire harness 10036 extending from the third PCB 10026. The fourth flexible wire harness 10034 is operably connected to the upper bridge connector of the third module 10006, connecting the third PCB 10026 to the electrical connection elements of the upper bridge connector of the third module 10006. The fifth flexible wire harness 10036 is operably connected to the lower bridge connector 10016 of the third module 10006, connecting the third PCB 10026 to the electrical connection elements of the lower bridge connector 10016. The fourth and fifth flexible wire harnesses 10034 and 10036 are located within the third module 10002, thus facilitating the rapid assembly of the modular energy system.

[0152] When the upper bridge connector of the lower module is located within the lower bridge connector of the upper module (for example, when the electrical connection elements of the bridge connectors are electrically coupled), the upper flexible wire harness connected to the upper bridge connector of the lower module is electrically coupled to the lower flexible wire harness connected to the lower bridge connector of the upper module. Once coupled, power and communication signals can flow from the lower module to the upper module (and / or from the upper module to the lower module) via the internal flexible wire harness and PCB. For example, when the upper bridge connector 10014 of the third module 10006 is located within the lower bridge connector 10012 of the second module 10004, the fourth flexible wire harness 10034 is electrically coupled to the third flexible wire harness 10032. Therefore, power and communication signals can flow from the third module 10006 to the second module 10004 through the third flexible wire harness and the fourth flexible wire harnesses 10032 and 10034, and their respective PCBs 10023 and 10026.

[0153] Referring back to Figures 30 to 32, in one example, board connector 10038 is mounted on the second PCB 10024, and board connector 10066 is mounted on the third PCB 10026. The second flexible wire harness 10030 extends from the upper bridge connector 10010 and is configured to connect to board connector 10038, and the third flexible wire harness 10032 extends from the lower bridge connector 10012 and is configured to connect to board connector 10038. The fourth flexible wire harness 10034 extends from the upper bridge connector of the third module 10006 and is configured to connect to board connector 10066, and the fifth flexible wire harness 10036 extends from the lower bridge connector 10016 and is configured to connect to board connector 10066.

[0154] Similar to the scenario described above, when the upper module is connected to the lower module via its respective bridge connector, the upper and lower modules can communicate and transmit power between them via PCBs, board connectors, and flexible wire harnesses. For example, referring to Figure 31, power and communication signals can flow from the third module 10006 to the second module 10004 via the third and fourth flexible wire harnesses 10032 and 10034, board connectors 10038 and 10066, and their respective PCBs 10024 and 10026.

[0155] Referring now to Figure 33, another embodiment of module 10040 is shown. Module 10040 shown in Figure 33 is similar in many respects to the second module 10004 shown and described in Figures 30 to 32, except that a rigid wire harness 10042 is used instead of a flexible wire harness. The rigid wire harness 10042 may be sized and configured to stand between the top surface 10044a and the bottom surface 10044b of the enclosure 10044 of module 10040. The rigid wire harness 10042 may extend to the full or at least substantially full height h1 of module 10040. Furthermore, the upper and lower bridge connectors 10046 and 10048 are operably connected (e.g., directly mated) to the rigid wire harness 10042 rather than to the enclosure 10044 of module 10040. In at least one embodiment, the upper and lower bridge connectors 10046 and 10048 are integrated with the rigid wire harness 10042.

[0156] In the example shown in Figure 33, the upper wire 10050 extends from the board connector 10054 on the PCB 10056 along the rigid wire harness 10042 and connects to the upper bridge connector 10046. In addition, the lower wire 10052 extends from the board connector 10054 and connects to the lower bridge connector 10048. The lower bridge connector 10048 includes a recess 10062 that is molded and configured to receive the upper bridge connector from a separate module.

[0157] A series of retaining members 10058 can extend from a rigid wire harness 10042, which is configured to wrap around, or at least partially wrap around, the upper wire 10050 to support the upper wire 10050 within a predetermined distance from the rigid wire harness 10042. In the example of Figure 33, the retaining members 10058 extend from a backbone column 10060 that supports the upper bridge connector 10046 and the lower bridge connector 10048.

[0158] The ability of the rigid wire harness 10042 to mate with the upper bridge connector 10046 and the lower bridge connector 10048 provides a clear advantage when assembling module 10040. Because the rigid wire harness 10042 is a single component and extends to the full or at least substantially full height h1 of module 10040, the rigid wire harness 10042 can be inserted into module 10040 and allowed to stand freely during the assembly of module 10040. Once assembled in module 10040, the upper and lower bridge connectors 10046 and 10048 can mate directly with the rigid wire harness 10042, thereby eliminating the need to mount the upper and lower bridge connectors 10046 and 10048 to the top and bottom surfaces 10044a and 10044b of enclosure 10044, respectively, and thus reducing assembly time. The rigid wire harness 10042 can limit the forces applied to the enclosure 10044 of module 10040 during the assembly of the modular energy system, and can reliably establish and / or maintain connections between bridge connectors.

[0159] Modular energy backplane connector internal flexible circuit In a common embodiment, the upstream and downstream connectors of a modular energy backplane may need to be electrically connected to modules in a space-constrained area. In another common embodiment, the electrical connections may need to be flexible to accommodate further modules that may be of different heights. In one embodiment, the upstream and downstream backplane connectors can be electrically connected to modules via low-profile, space-efficient flexible ribbon cables.

[0160] In one common embodiment, the backplane connector subassembly 345 may require that the upstream connector 230 and downstream connector 270 be electrically connected to the main printed circuit board of the module in a space-efficient and height-flexible manner to accommodate further modules of different heights. Referring to Figure 34, in one embodiment, signals from the upstream connector 230 may be taken into the module printed circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable 310. Signals from the downstream connector 270 may be taken into the module printed circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable 308. In one embodiment, the flexible ribbon cables 310, 308 may be flexible and low-profile to accommodate a limited space environment. The flexibility of the flexible ribbon cables 310, 308 may allow any additional cable length to be displaced within a smaller module. In one embodiment, having additional cable length provides the cable length required for modules of various heights.

[0161] In an alternative embodiment, the module printed circuit board may be a flexible circuit having flexible cables that detach from it for attachment to the upstream connector 230 and the downstream connector 270. For example, the upstream connector 230 has a flexible ribbon cable connected to the flexible circuit board, and the downstream connector 270 has a flexible ribbon cable connected to the flexible circuit board. In one embodiment, this embodiment can reduce the number of electrical connections required between the backplane and the printed circuit board, which may have the potential to reduce any possible voltage drops in the system.

[0162] Mechanical mounting of backplane connectors on the back panel In one common embodiment, modular energy backplane connectors can be rigidly mounted to withstand the abusive loads from module misalignment during stacking. In another backplane connector subassembly, the upstream and downstream connectors can be mounted as part of the back panel, which offers assembly advantages and eliminates the need for additional components for mechanically mounting the upstream connector.

[0163] Figures 35 and 36 show different diagrams of an alternative backplane connector subassembly 347 which is substantially similar to backplane connector subassemblies 343 and 345. Figure 35 shows an alternative upstream connector 211 which may be substantially similar to upstream connectors 200 and 230. For brevity, not all the same details are repeated. In one embodiment, the upstream connector 211 may differ from the aforementioned upstream connectors 200 and 230 in the manner of mounting to the back panel 217. The back panel 217 may have two bent flanges 219 positioned toward the center of the edge 209 of the back panel 217. Referring to Figure 35, a cross section of the back panel 217 is shown, and the cross section position is at the bent flanges 219. For example, the two bent flanges 219 are positioned such that each slides along the opposite side of the upstream connector 213 so that the upstream connector 213 can be positioned in the center of the back panel 217. The back panel 217 may define a first vertical plane along the back panel. The bent flange 219 may move a distance d3 away from the first plane and then rotate perpendicularly along the second vertical plane. The first and second vertical planes may be parallel to each other. The bent flange may then rotate at an angle perpendicular to the first and second planes before reaching the edge 209, as shown in Figure 35. The upstream connector 211 may slide on the two bent flanges 219. For example, the upstream connector 211 may have two slots 231 on each side of the upstream connector 211, and the two slots 231 may slide on the bent flange 219. Each bent flange 219 may have a hole 233. In one embodiment, when the bent flange 219 slides into the slot 231 of the upstream connector, the projection 229 snaps into the hole 233, thereby allowing the upstream connector 211 to be attached to the back panel 217. In one embodiment, the hole 233 is also aligned with a hole in the upstream connector 211. In one embodiment, the projection 229 can be pushed down and exited through the hole 231 in order to remove the upstream connector 211, and thus can be slid away from the flange 219. Circle 227 may highlight the area in Figure 35 where the projection 229 snaps into the hole 233.

[0164] Referring to Figure 35, the upstream connector 211 may include a housing and an upper portion that extends vertically beyond the edge 209, similar to the upstream connectors 200 and 230. The upstream connector 211 may also include one or more support ribs 225 that extend downward to abut against the back panel 217. The back panel 217 may include a hole 221 located below the bent flange 219. When the upstream connector 211 is attached to the back panel 217, the support ribs 225 may descend along the hole 221 so that a projection 223 on the support rib 225 can enter the hole 221. In one embodiment, the support ribs 225 abutting against the back panel 217 and the projection 223 entering the hole 221 may provide additional mechanical support. In one embodiment, there may be two support ribs 225 and two holes 221, one on each side of the upstream connector 211. In an alternative embodiment, there may be any number of holes 221 and support ribs 225 abutting them.

[0165] Figure 36 shows an alternative downstream connector 243 which may be substantially similar to the downstream connectors 254 and 270. For brevity, not all of the same details are repeated. In one embodiment, the downstream connector 243 may differ from the aforementioned downstream connectors 254 and 270 in how it is attached to the back panel 217. The back panel 217 may have two bent flanges 237 and 235 positioned toward the center of the edge of the back panel 217. Referring to Figure 36, a cross section of the back panel 217 is shown, with the cross section position at the bent flange 237. For example, the two bent flanges 237 and 235 are positioned so that each slides into a slot in the downstream connector 243, thereby centering the downstream connector 243 in the back panel 217. For example, flange 237 may slide into a slot 249 of the downstream connector, and on the opposite side of the downstream connector, flange 235 may slide into a similar slot (not shown). Next, the back panel 217 may be attached to the bottom of the module enclosure 239, and a standoff 241 on the enclosure may slide in a slot 251 located both on the flange 237 and the downstream connector 243. In one embodiment, the slot 251 may be located only within the downstream connector 243. On the opposite side of the downstream connector 243, there may be a similar standoff 241 that slides in a second slot located on the flange 235 and the downstream connector 243. In one embodiment, the second slot may be located only within the downstream connector 243. In one embodiment, the standoff 241 may allow the downstream connector to be positioned in a suitable location within the bottom enclosure. Circle 247 may highlight the area in Figure 36 where the flange 241 slides in the slot 251.

[0166] Stacking modules using backplane connector subassembly 347 is substantially the same as stacking modules using backplane connector subassemblies 343, 345. For brevity, not all the same details are repeated. When stacking modules, the upper part 213 of the upstream connector 211 of the lower module may enter the cavity of the downstream connector 243 located within the upper module, which electrically and physically connects the two modules. In one embodiment, the inner plug of the upstream connector 211 may connect to the inner plug of the downstream connector 243 to electrically connect the stacked modules. For example, when modules are stacked, the upper part 213 may enter the cavity, and the inner plug of the downstream connector 243 may enter the hole in the upstream connector 211 and connect to the inner plug of the upstream connector 211 to electrically connect the modules. In one embodiment, the plug may be integrated into the connector assembly so that it is a single molded component rather than two separate components. In another embodiment, the plug may be a separate component that is inserted into the connector. In yet another embodiment, electrical pins / contacts may be press-fitted and integrated into the connector. In one embodiment, electrical wires may extend downward from a hole in the upstream connector 213, and the electrical wires may start from an inner plug in the upstream connector 211 and terminate at a printed circuit board. In one embodiment, electrical wires may extend upward from a hole 245 in the downstream connector 243, and the electrical wires may start from an inner plug in the downstream connector 243 and terminate at a printed circuit board. Multiple modules can be stacked on top of each other regardless of module height. Each module may have the same upstream connector 211 and downstream connector 243, which allow the modules to be physically and electrically connected when stacked. When modules are stacked and connected, power can be transmitted to the module through the upstream connector 211 and then to the next module below in the stack through the downstream connector 243. Telecommunications can pass through the upstream connector 211 and downstream connector 243 in both directions.

[0167] In various embodiments, alternative methods for mounting the upstream and downstream connectors to the back panel are envisioned. Referring to Figure 37A, the flange 261 can be mounted to the back panel 255 such that it can be aligned with or offset from the edge 253 of the back panel 255. The flange 261 may be curved away from the back panel 255 (257), providing a region between them for the upstream or downstream connector to slide. The flange 261 may be provided with a hole 259, and the upstream or downstream connector may be characterized to be snap-fit ​​into the hole 259, similar to the projection 229 of the upstream connector 211. The upstream or downstream connector can be slid in direction 265 until the bottom of the connector is positioned on the support ledge 267, and then slid in direction 263 until the connector is snap-fit ​​into the hole 259. In one embodiment, the flange 261 can be mounted to the back panel 255 by welding. In an alternative embodiment, the flange 261 can be mounted to the back panel 255 by any means that allows for the necessary mechanical support. In yet another embodiment, the back panel 255 may require two sets of flanges 262 to be attached, so that one set can be attached to an upstream connector and the other set to a downstream connector.

[0168] Referring to Figure 37B, the flange 273 can be attached to the back panel 269 so as to be aligned with or offset from the edge of the back panel 269. The flange 273 may be substantially similar to the flange 261. The flange 273 may be curved away from the back panel 269, providing a region for sliding an upstream or downstream connector between them. The flange 273 may be provided with a hole 271, and the upstream or downstream connector may have a feature that allows it to snap into the hole 271, similar to the projection 229 of the upstream connector 211. The upstream or downstream connector can be slid in direction 275 until the bottom of the connector is positioned on the flange 273, and then slid in direction 277 until the feature on the connector snaps into the hole 271. In one embodiment, the flange 273 can be attached to the back panel 269 by welding. In an alternative embodiment, the flange 273 can be attached to the back panel 269 by any means that provides the necessary mechanical support. In yet another embodiment, the back panel 269 may require the mounting of two sets of flanges 271 to allow one set to mount the upstream connectors and the other set to mount the downstream connectors. In yet another embodiment, two types of flanges 273, 271 can be used together to mount the upstream and downstream connectors to the back panel of the module.

[0169] Referring to Figure 37C, panel 281 can be attached to the back panel 279 such that panel 281 is centered on the back panel 279. Panel 281 may have a flange 285 located on the top of panel 281. Flange 285 may have a hole 287. The upstream connector may be attached to flange 287 in the same manner as flange 261 or flange 271. For example, the upstream connector may slide along flange 287 until a feature on the upstream connector snaps into the hole 287. The feature can be similar to the projection 229 of the upstream connector 211. Panel 281 may have a flange 289 located on the top of panel 281. Flange 289 may have a hole 291. The downstream connector may be attached to flange 289 in the same manner as flange 261 or flange 271. For example, the downstream connector may slide along flange 289 until a feature on the downstream connector snaps into the hole 291. The feature portion can be similar to the projection 229 of the upstream connector 211. In one embodiment, the panel 281 can be attached to the back panel 279 by welding. In another embodiment, the panel 281 can be attached to the back panel 279 by fastener inserts 283. In yet another embodiment, the panel 281 can be attached to the back panel 279 by any means that provide the necessary mechanical support.

[0170] In various embodiments, when the upstream and downstream connectors are mounted on the back panel, the back panel connector subassemblies may function substantially the same as the back panel connector subassemblies 343, 345, and 347. Module stacking may connect modules electrically and physically, and the height of the modules may vary between the stacked modules. In one embodiment, the upstream and downstream connectors may be interchangeable between backplane connector subassemblies and may still be adequately connected. For example, a module having backplane connector subassembly 343 may be connected to a module having backplane connector subassembly 345 or backplane connector subassembly 347. In an alternative embodiment, modules may be connected only to modules containing the same backplane connector subassemblies.

[0171] Use of an enclosure to secure the backplane In various common embodiments, the backplane connector subassembly may be integrated into the system in a robust mechanical manner capable of withstanding substantial mechanical forces that push the connector downward. In one embodiment, another consideration is to create a design that does not add assembly complexity or additional parts such as screws. In yet another embodiment, another consideration is to provide a solution that allows for mounting flexibility to take into account various module heights.

[0172] In various common embodiments, modular energy systems feature backplane connector subassemblies that provide communication and power to modules within the system. For example, one embodiment for integrating a backplane into a mechanical architecture is to create a backplane subassembly similar to a cartridge design so that the backplane subassembly is mounted on a lower enclosure. In one embodiment, this can be implemented by mounting the backplane subassembly on a framework shown in Figure 38, or by snapping the features within the subassembly onto tabs on a lower enclosure shown in Figure 39.

[0173] In various common embodiments, both embodiments enable ease and simplicity of assembly by eliminating any additional assembly components such as screws. In various embodiments, the backplane connector subassembly cartridge design would allow for the use of this design in modular systems if the modules are similar in height or if the cartridge height can be expanded or reduced.

[0174] Referring to Figure 38, a cartridge-type backplane connector subassembly 349 is shown. Figure 38 shows two cartridge-type backplane connectors 354, 356. In one embodiment, both cartridge-type backplane connectors 354, 356 may connect to the bottom 352 of a module enclosure. In the backplane connector 354, the framework 360 may be attached to the bottom 352 of the module enclosure. In one embodiment, the cartridge-type connector 358 of the backplane connector 354 is a single part that slides on the framework 360 to attach the cartridge-type connector 358 to the bottom 352 of the enclosure. Once the cartridge-type backplane connector 354 is assembled and attached to the bottom 352 of the lower enclosure, the upper part of the cartridge-type connector 358 may extend outside the top of the module enclosure, which is not shown. To accommodate variations in module height, the height of the components within the cartridge-type backplane connector 354 may vary based on the module height.

[0175] Referring further to Figure 38, another cartridge-type backplane connector 356 is shown, which is a multi-part backplane connector 356, for example, a lower part 364, an intermediate part 362, and an upper part 356. The lower part 364 may connect to a framework on the bottom 352 of an enclosure. The intermediate part 362 may be attached to the bottom as indicated by arrow 368. The upper part may be attached to the bottom as indicated by arrow 366. Once the cartridge-type backplane connector 356 is assembled and attached to the bottom 352 of the lower enclosure, the upper part 360 may extend outside the top of a module enclosure, which is not shown. To accommodate variations in module height, the heights of the components within the cartridge-type backplane connector 356 may vary based on the module height.

[0176] Modules using the cartridge-type backplane connector subassembly 349 can be stacked substantially similarly to those using backplane connector subassemblies 343, 345, and 347. For example, a stack of modules has the upper part of the connector of the lower module entering the lower part of the connector of the upper module. The stack of modules can connect the modules electrically and physically, and the height of the modules may vary between the stacked modules.

[0177] Referring to Figure 39, a cartridge-type backplane connector subassembly 351 is shown. The cartridge 372 of the cartridge-type backplane connector subassembly 351 can be mounted on the bottom 394 of the enclosure. In one embodiment, mounting may be performed by a snap-fit ​​mechanism 290 on the cartridge 372 that snaps onto a tab 392 on the bottom 394 of the enclosure. The snap-fit ​​mechanism 290 is located at the bottom of a frame 378. The frame 378 may extend along the length of the cartridge 372 on either side of the cartridge 378. The bottom of the cartridge 378 may have a first connector enclosure 386 that may extend into an enclosure 209 that can receive connections from the cartridge of a lower module. The frame 378 may include a projection 203 that can hold a printed circuit board 201. A plug 388 may be connected to the first connector enclosure 386, and electrical wires may extend from the plug 388 to the circuit board 201. The electrical wire 380 extends away from the circuit board 201 into a plug located within a second connector enclosure 384. A hole 374 within the second connector enclosure 384 allows a plug from a higher module in the stack to connect to a plug located within the second connector enclosure 380 of the current module. The back panel 396 of the current module may have vents 205 to allow airflow into the module. When the cartridge 372 is connected to the bottom 394 of the enclosure, the cartridge 372 extends vertically beyond the edge 398 of the back panel, such that the top 376 of the cartridge 372 extends outside the module. To accommodate modules of various heights, specific cartridges 273 of various heights can be created to accommodate the varying heights of the modules.

[0178] Modules using the cartridge-type backplane connector subassembly 351 can be stacked substantially similarly to those using backplane connector subassemblies 343, 345, 347, and 349. For example, a stack of modules may have the upper part 376 of the backplane connector of the lower module entering the lower part of the backplane connector of the upper module. The stack of modules can connect the modules electrically and physically, and the height of the modules may vary between the stacked modules.

[0179] Use of crush ribs to capture backplane housing In various common embodiments, a modular energy system features a backplane that provides communication and power to modules within the system. In one embodiment, the backplane may be integrated into the system in a robust mechanical manner capable of withstanding substantial mechanical forces that push connectors downward. In another embodiment, another consideration is to create a design that does not involve assembly complexity or the addition of additional parts such as screws. In yet another embodiment, another consideration is to provide a solution that allows for mounting flexibility that takes into account the varying heights of the modules.

[0180] One embodiment of integrating backplane connectors into a mechanical architecture may involve utilizing the existing interface of crush ribs. In various embodiments, crush ribs are protruding features added to injection-molded designs to aid in the stability of press-fit connections. These structures are used in holes or other components into which other parts may be press-fitted. In the case of plastic crush rib designs, the crush ribs may be defined as either pointed or rounded. In one embodiment, the crush ribs may be formed from a foam-like material with high tolerances, and a thixotropic enclosure sandwiches the upstream and downstream connectors between the crush ribs and the enclosure. This process can be implemented by adding crush ribs and guide bosses to the crush ribs to secure the backplane connectors. This embodiment eliminates complex assembly mechanisms or additional components (such as screws) for any assembly purpose and allows for similar implementation across all modules in the system.

[0181] Referring to Figures 40 and 41, a backplane connector subassembly 353 is shown. In one embodiment, a crush rib 312, which is a foamed material with high tolerances, is located inside the rear of the enclosure 318. The crush rib can be seen as being disassembled into three sections: an upper crush rib 324, a middle crush rib 326, and a lower crush rib 328. An upstream connector 314 can slide between the crush rib 312 and the top of the enclosure 318. The upstream connector 314 may be similar to the upstream connectors 211, 230, and 200 in many embodiments. For brevity, not all the same details are repeated. The upstream connector 314 rests on the crushed rib 330 of the crush rib 312. The upstream connector 314 may be positioned on the crush rib 330 so that the alignment boss 332 of the crush rib 312 enters the guide hole 334 of the upstream connector 314. Figure 41 shows the bottom of the upstream connector 314. Referring primarily to Figure 41, the guide holes may be located on either side of the housing 348 of the upstream connector 314, and the recesses 346 may be contact points for the crushed ribs 330. The holes 320 may be locations where electrical components can pass information and power between modules. For example, a plug may be located inside the hole 320, and the plug can connect the upstream connector to a downstream connector of another module which may be stacked on top of the current module.

[0182] Referring to Figure 40, the downstream connector 316 may slide between the crush rib 312 and the bottom of the enclosure 318. In many embodiments, the downstream connector 316 may be similar to the downstream connectors 254, 270, and 234. For brevity, not all of the same details are repeated. The downstream connector 316 may rest on the bottom of the enclosure 318 with the crushed rib 342 of the crush rib 312 holding the downstream connector 316 against the enclosure 318. The downstream connector 316 may be positioned correctly by sliding the guide hole 344 over the alignment boss 340. The downstream connector may include a housing 350 that includes a cavity 322 made to receive the upper part 338 of the upstream connector during module stacking.

[0183] Modules using the backplane connector subassembly 353 can be stacked substantially similarly to those using the backplane connector subassemblies 343, 345, 347, 349, and 351. For example, when stacking modules, the upper part 338 of the upstream connector 314 of the lower module may enter the cavity 322 of the downstream connector 316 located within the upper module, which electrically and physically connects the two modules. In one embodiment, the inner plug of the upstream connector 314 may connect to the inner plug of the downstream connector 316 to electrically connect the stacked modules. For example, when modules are stacked, the upper part 338 may enter the cavity 322, and the inner plug of the downstream connector 316 may enter the hole 320 and connect to the inner plug of the upstream connector 338 to electrically connect the modules. In one embodiment, the plug may be integrated into the connector assembly so that it is a single molded component rather than two separate components. In another embodiment, the plug may be a separate component that is inserted into the connector. In yet another embodiment, electrical pins / contacts may be press-fitted and integrated into the connector. In one embodiment, electrical wires may start from an inner plug of the upstream connector 338 and terminate on a printed circuit board within the module. In another embodiment, similarly, electrical wires may start from an inner plug of the downstream connector 316 and terminate on a printed circuit board within the module. Multiple modules can be stacked on top of each other regardless of the height of the modules. Each module may have the same upstream connector 314 and downstream connector 316, which allow the modules to be physically and electrically connected when stacked. When modules are stacked and connected, power can be transmitted to the modules through the upstream connector 338 and then to the next module below in the stack through the downstream connector 316. Telecommunications can pass through the upstream connector 314 and downstream connector 316 in both directions.

[0184] Backplane back panel support In various common embodiments, modular energy system backplane assemblies require connectors from both the top and bottom, with a wire harness in the center. In one embodiment, the design and assembly can become complex depending on the requirements.

[0185] In one embodiment of the backplane subassembly, ribs may be added to the back panel, protruding to support both the downstream connector backplane subassembly and the upstream connector backplane subassembly. A bottom enclosure may be used to position the downstream connector, and the back panel may then be positioned to cover the top and secure the downstream connector in place. The upstream connector may be positioned on the back panel ribs, and the entire assembly can then be clamped together by the top enclosure. In one embodiment, this process eliminates the need for screws to the two enclosures, ensuring a robust backplane connector with a simplified design.

[0186] Referring to Figure 42, a backplane connector subassembly 355 is shown. In one embodiment, the upstream connector 293, support ribs 307a, 307b, and downstream connector 309 may be sandwiched together inside the enclosure bottom 305 and the enclosure top 303. The upstream connector 293 and downstream connector 309 may be similar to the upstream connectors 211, 230, 200, 314 and the downstream connectors 254, 270, 234, 316. For brevity, not all the same details are repeated. The downstream connector 309 may comprise a housing 313 and a cavity 311, and the upstream connector 293 may comprise a housing 299, an upper part 297, and a hole 295. The downstream connector 309 may rest on the enclosure bottom 305. In one embodiment, the downstream connector 309 may be positioned such that the protrusions 315a and 315b of the enclosure bottom 305 are located inside the holes 321a and 321b of the downstream connector 309. The support ribs 307a and 307b may be attached to the back panel 301. The back panel 301 may be positioned relative to the enclosure bottom 305 so that the support ribs 307a and 307b can rest on the recesses 317a and 317b of the downstream connector 309. The upstream connector 293 may be placed on the support ribs 307a and 307b so that the support ribs 307a and 307b are located inside the holes 319a and 319b of the upstream connector 293. The enclosure top 303 may be placed relative to the upstream connector 293 to hold the backplane connector subassembly 355 together. Various module heights may be accommodated by attaching support ribs 307a and 307b of appropriate length, taking into account the module height.

[0187] Modules using the backplane connector subassembly 355 can be stacked substantially similarly to those using the backplane connector subassemblies 343, 345, 347, 349, 351, and 353. For example, when stacking modules, the upper part 297 of the upstream connector 293 of the lower module may enter the cavity 311 of the downstream connector 309 located within the upper module, which electrically and physically connects the two modules. In one embodiment, the inner plug of the upstream connector 293 may connect to the inner plug of the downstream connector 309 to electrically connect the stacked modules. For example, when modules are stacked, the upper part 297 may enter the cavity 311, and the inner plug of the downstream connector 309 may enter the hole 295 and connect to the inner plug of the upstream connector 293 to electrically connect the modules. In one embodiment, the plug may be integrated into the connector assembly so as to be a single molded component rather than two separate components. In another embodiment, the plug may be a separate component inserted into the connector. In yet another embodiment, electrical pins / contacts may be press-fitted and integrated into the connector, for example. In one embodiment, electrical wires may start from an inner plug of the upstream connector 293 and terminate on a printed circuit board within the module. In another embodiment, similarly, electrical wires may start from an inner plug of the downstream connector 309 and terminate on a printed circuit board within the module. Multiple modules can be stacked on top of each other regardless of the height of the modules. Each module may have the same upstream connector 293 and downstream connector 309, which allow the modules to be physically and electrically connected when stacked. When modules are stacked and connected, power can be transmitted to the modules through the upstream connector 293 and then to the next module below in the stack through the downstream connector 309. Telecommunications can pass through the upstream connector 293 and downstream connector 309 in both directions.

[0188] Isolation mechanisms in modular systems In various common embodiments, in modular capital systems, power can be distributed via a common backplane interface. In modular energy systems, the mains power source may reside in a header module capable of distributing 60V DC to downstream modules. This architecture may be designed to reduce the number of AC power cords in the OR. The system may only be scalable to the same extent as the AC power coming from the wall. External standards and known national variations limit this to approximately 12A and 1200 watts per power cord. Beyond 1200 watts, solutions may be needed to add additional power while still meeting external standards.

[0189] In one embodiment, a module capable of supplying additional power may be added to the module stack. For example, a “power module” having an additional 1200W AC-DC power supply capable of supplying backplane power may be added to the stack. In one embodiment, in order to add a power module to a modular energy system, its power domain may need to be separated from the power domain of the header module and any upstream module domains. By having the maximum possible power supply (1200W), the power module may power itself and other downstream modules. In one embodiment, the power module may be an independent module that provides power, or it may be a module that also provides some other clinical functions such as visualization, smoke exhaust / air supply, and fluid management.

[0190] Figure 43 shows a cross-sectional view of a corner of the modular energy system 357. The modular energy system 357 may include a header module 323 that can supply power to any module below it in the module stack. For example, the header module 323 may supply power to a first generator module 325 and a second generator module 327. The header module 323 may include a power cable 341 that can bring power to the header module 323. The modular energy system 357 may also include a power module 329 that can supply power to any module below it in the module stack. For example, the power module 329 may supply power to a further module. In one embodiment, the further module 331 may be another generator module. In another embodiment, the further module may be any type of module. The power module 329 may include a power cable 339 that can bring power to the power module 329. In one embodiment, the power cable 339 and the power cable 341 may need to be connected to separate branch circuits. All modules in the modular energy system 357 are provided with rubber insulated feet at the bottom corners of the module. For example, modules 323, 325, 327, 329, and 331 in the modular energy system 357 may have rubber insulated feet 333a to e at the bottom corners of the module. Modules that require power from upstream modules may have metal grounding pads attached to their top corners. For example, modules 325, 327, and 331 may have metal grounding pads 335a to c attached to their top corners. In one embodiment, the metal grounding pads are in contact with modules stacked on top of them so that the insulated feet do not come into contact with them. In one embodiment, the metal grounding feet do not need to be present on the top surface of the power module so that the rubber insulated feet 333c of the upstream module of the power module come into contact with it, providing an insulating distance between the power domain of the header module 323 and the power domain of the power module 329.

[0191] The modular energy system 357 may have multiple power domains. For example, a header module may have a first power domain 337, and a power module may have a second power domain 359. The two power domains 337, 359 may be insulated by rubber insulating feet 333c that contact the last module in the first power domain 337 and the first module in the second power domain 359. The last module in the first power domain 337 may be a second generator module 327, and the first module in the second power domain 359 may be a power module 329. Modules that require power from an upstream module may have a metal grounding pad attached to the upper corner. The metal grounding pad may contact the modules above and below the grounding pad to provide a common ground between the modules in the power domain. In one embodiment, the metal grounding pad of the lower module may be positioned so that the rubber insulating feet of the upper module do not rest on the lower module. For example, the metal grounding pad 335b can lift the first generator module 325 so that the rubber insulated legs 333b are not placed on the second generator module 327, and the first generator module 325 is placed only on the metal grounding pad 335b.

[0192] In the modular energy system 357, power may flow through power codes 341 and 339 to their respective power domains 337 and 359. Power may flow into the header module 323 and then down the stack to supply the first generator module 325 and the second generator module 327. Power and communication electrical wires may start from the header module 323 and enter the downstream connector of the header module 325 connected to the upstream connector of the first generator module 325. The power and communication electrical wires may then continue from the upstream connector of the first generator module 325 into the first generator module 325. The power and communication electrical wires may then continue from the first generator module 325 to the downstream connector of the first generator module 325 connected to the upstream connector of the second generator module 327. The power and communication electrical wires may then continue from the upstream connector of the second generator module 327 into the second generator module 327. Next, the power and communication electrical wires may continue from the second generator module 327 to the downstream connector of the second generator module 327, which is connected to the upstream connector of the power module 329. Next, the communication electrical wires may continue from the upstream connector of the power module 329 into the power module 329. The upstream connector of the power module 329 may contain only the communication electrical wires and not the power electrical wires. The power electrical wires may enter the power module 329 through the power cord 339. The power electrical wires may start from the power module 329 and proceed to the downstream connector of the power module 329. The communication electrical wires may continue from the power module 329 and proceed to the downstream connector of the power module 329. The downstream connector of the power module 329 may be connected to the upstream connector of a further module 331. The power and communication electrical wires may continue from the upstream connector of the further module 331 to the further module 331. If more modules are connected below the further module 331, the power and communication electrical wires may continue in a manner similar to that described above.

[0193] Communication electrical wires connect all modules in the modular energy system 357, and the communication electrical wires are insulated between modules. The first and second generator modules 325, 327 may be powered by a header module 323 and may have metal grounding pads 335a, 335b to maintain common ground with the header module 323. A further module 331 may be powered by a power module 329 and may have a metal grounding pad 335c to maintain common ground with the power module 329. The power module 329 does not have a metal grounding pad, and rubber insulated feet 333c make contact between the power module 329 and the second generator module 327. The contact of the rubber insulated feet 333c may provide an insulating distance between the first power domain 337 and the second power domain 359.

[0194] In this embodiment, modules are either independent or dependent. Independent modules have their own power supply and can transmit power through their downstream backplane connectors. For example, the header module 323 and the power module 329 may be independent modules. Independent modules do not need to have power lines in their upstream connectors. In one embodiment, the power passing through their downstream backplane connectors may be 60V DC. In another embodiment, the power passing through the downstream backplane connectors may be power of any voltage that does not exceed electrical limits. Dependent modules may have the ability to receive power through modules above them via upstream backplane connectors and transmit that power to modules below them via downstream backplane connectors. For example, the first generator module 325, the second generator module 327, and a further module 331 are dependent modules. [Examples]

[0195] Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are illustrated in the following numbered examples.

[0196] Example 1. A modular energy system comprising a first module comprising a first panel and a first connector attached to the first panel. A portion of the first connector extends beyond the first edge of the first panel. The modular energy system further comprises a second module comprising a second panel and a second connector attached to the second panel. The second connector is aligned with the second edge of the second panel and defines a cavity. The second module is connected to the first module, and the portion of the first connector extending beyond the first edge of the first panel is located within the cavity defined by the second connector.

[0197] Example 2. The modular energy system according to Example 1, further comprising a third module comprising a third panel and a third connector attached to the third panel. The third connector is aligned with the third edge of the third panel and defines a second cavity. The second module further comprises a fourth connector attached to the second panel, a portion of which extends beyond the fourth edge of the second panel. The fourth edge of the second panel is on the opposite side of the second edge of the second panel. The third module is connected to the second module, and the portion of the fourth connector extending beyond the fourth edge of the second panel is located within the second cavity of the third connector.

[0198] Example 3. The modular energy system according to Example 2, wherein the first module, the second module, and the third module can be of different sizes.

[0199] Example 4. A modular energy system according to any one or more of Examples 1 to 3, wherein a first panel comprises a first support member attached to the first panel and extending away from the first panel. A first connector further defines a first hole within the first connector. The first connector is slidably mounted to the panel, and the first support member is slidably receivable within the first hole defined by the first connector.

[0200] Embodiment 5. The modular energy system according to Embodiment 4, wherein the first panel further comprises a support ledge attached to the panel, the support ledge being offset from the first support member. The first connector further comprises a support rib extending away from the first connector, the support rib being configured to rest on the support ledge in a configuration defined by the first connector attached to the first panel.

[0201] Example 6. The modular energy system according to Example 4, wherein the first panel further comprises a second support member attached to the first panel and extending away from the first panel, the second support member being offset from the first support member. The second connector further defines a second hole within the second connector. The second connector is slidably mounted to the first panel, and the second support member is slidably received within the second hole defined by the second connector.

[0202] Example 7. A modular energy system according to one or more of Examples 1 to 6, wherein in a connected configuration, the first module and the second module are physically and electrically connected.

[0203] Example 8. A modular energy system according to any one of Examples 4 to 7, wherein the first support member comprises a fastener insert.

[0204] Example 9. The modular energy system according to Example 5, wherein the support ribs include a plurality of support ribs that extend away from the first connector.

[0205] Example 10. Modular energy system comprising a first module. The first module comprises a first panel. The first panel comprises a first support member attached to the panel and a second support member attached to the panel, the second support member being offset from the first support member. The first panel further comprises a support ledge attached to the first panel, the support ledge being located between the first support member and the second support member. The first module further comprises a first connector defining a first hole within the first connector. The first connector comprises support ribs extending away from the first connector. The first connector is slidably mountable to the first panel, and the first support member is slidably insertable into the first hole. In the mounting configuration, the support ribs are configured to rest on the support ledge. In the mounting configuration, a portion of the first connector extends beyond the first edge of the first panel. The first module further comprises a second connector defining a cavity and a second hole. The second connector is slidably mounted on the first panel, and the second support member is slidably received within the second hole. In the mounting configuration, the second connector is aligned with the second edge of the first panel, which is opposite the first edge of the first panel.

[0206] Example 11. The modular energy system according to Example 10, further comprising a second module. The second module comprises a second panel. The second panel comprises a third support member attached to the second panel and a fourth support member attached to the second panel, the fourth support member being offset from the third support member. The second panel further comprises a second support ledge attached to the second panel, the support ledge being located between the third support member and the fourth support member. The modular energy system further comprises a third connector, the third connector defining a third hole within the third connector. The third connector comprises a second support rib extending away from the third connector. The third connector is slidably mountable to the second panel, and the third support member is slidably receivable within the third hole defined by the third connector. In the mounting configuration, the second support rib is configured to rest on the second support ledge. In the mounting configuration, the second portion of the third connector extends beyond the third edge of the second panel. The modular energy system further comprises a fourth connector defining the second cavity and a fourth hole within the fourth connector. The fourth connector is slidably mounted on the second panel, and the fourth support member is slidably received within the fourth hole defined by the fourth connector. In the mounting configuration, the second connector is aligned with the fourth edge of the second panel, and the third edge is on the opposite side of the fourth edge.

[0207] Example 12. The modular energy system according to Example 11, wherein a first module is connected to a second module, and in the connected configuration, a second portion of a third connector extending beyond the second panel is located within a cavity defined by the second connector.

[0208] Example 13. The modular energy system according to Example 11, wherein a second module is connected to a first module, and in the connected configuration, a portion of the first connector extending beyond the first panel is located within a cavity defined by a fourth connector.

[0209] Example 14. A modular energy system according to one or more of Examples 11 to 13, wherein in a connected configuration, the first module and the second module are physically and electrically connected.

[0210] Example 15. A module for a modular energy system, comprising a panel. The panel comprises a first support member attached to and extending away from the panel, and a second support member attached to and extending away from the panel, the second support member being offset from the first support member. The module further comprises a first connector defining a first hole within the first connector. The first connector is slidably mountable to the panel, and the first support member is slidably receivable within the first hole. In the mounting configuration, a portion of the first connector extends beyond the first edge of the panel. The module further comprises a second connector defining a cavity and a second hole. The second connector is slidably mountable to the first panel, and the second support member is slidably receivable within the second hole. In the mounting configuration, the second connector is aligned with the second edge of the panel, and the second edge of the first panel is on the opposite side of the first edge of the panel.

[0211] Example 16. The module according to Example 15, wherein the panel further comprises a support ledge attached to the panel. The support ledge is located between a first support member and a second support member. The first connector further comprises a support rib extending away from the first connector. In the mounting configuration, the support rib rests on the support ledge.

[0212] Example 17. A module according to any one of Examples 15 to 16, wherein the module is one of a plurality of modules, and the plurality of modules are stackable by inserting a portion of a first connector extending beyond one module into a cavity defined by a second connector of another module, and in the stacked configuration, the plurality of modules are physically and electrically connected.

[0213] Example 18. A modular energy system comprising a header module, wherein the header module is configured to supply power to one or more connected dependent modules. The modular energy system further comprises at least one dependent module connected to and powered by the header module, and a power module connected to the dependent module, wherein the power module is configured to supply power to one or more other connected dependent modules.

[0214] Example 19. The modular energy system according to Example 18, wherein the dependent modules are provided with grounding legs at the upper corners of the dependent modules, and the header modules are placed on the grounding legs.

[0215] Example 20. A modular energy system according to any one of Examples 18 to 19, wherein the dependent module has insulating legs at the bottom corners of the dependent module, the insulating legs are located between the dependent module and the power module, and the insulating legs isolate the dependent module from the power module.

[0216] Example 21. A modular energy system according to any one or more of Examples 18 to 20, wherein the header module and the dependent module are part of a first power domain, the power module is part of a second power domain, and the first power domain is separated from the second power domain.

[0217] While several forms have been shown and described, it is not the applicant's intention to limit or restrict the attached claims to such details. Many modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents of these forms can be implemented and will be conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the structure of each element related to the described form can be alternatively described as a means for providing the function performed by that element. Also, while materials are disclosed with respect to specific components, other materials may be used. Therefore, it should be understood that the above description and the attached claims are intended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variations as being included within the scope of the disclosed forms. The attached claims are intended to cover all such modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions, alterations, and equivalents.

[0218] The detailed descriptions above have described various forms of apparatus and / or processes using block diagrams, flowcharts and / or embodiments. To the extent that such block diagrams, flowcharts and / or embodiments include one or more functions and / or operations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that each function and / or operation included in such block diagrams, flowcharts and / or embodiments can be implemented individually and / or collectively by various hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that some or all of the forms disclosed herein can be equivalently implemented on integrated circuits as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or substantially any combination thereof, and that designing circuits and / or writing software and / or firmware code falls within the scope of the skills of those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. Furthermore, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein can be distributed in various forms as one or more program products, and the specific forms of the subject matter described herein are applicable regardless of the particular type of signal carrier medium used to actually carry out the distribution.

[0219] Instructions used to program logic to implement various disclosed embodiments may be stored in system memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache, flash memory, or other storage. Furthermore, instructions may be distributed over a network or by other computer-readable media. Thus, machine-readable media may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), but are not limited to floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disks, read-only memory (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, read-only memory (ROMs), random access memory (RAMs), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or tangible machine-readable storage used for transmitting information over the Internet via electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Thus, non-temporary computer-readable media may include any type of tangible machine-readable media suitable for storing or transmitting electronic instructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).

[0220] When used in any aspect of this specification, the term “control circuit” can mean, for example, hardwired circuits, programmable circuits (e.g., computer processors, processing units, processors, microcontrollers, microcontroller units, controllers, digital signal processors (DSPs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) including one or more individual instruction processing cores), state-machine circuits, firmware that stores instructions executed by programmable circuits, and any combination thereof. Control circuits can be embodied collectively or individually as circuits that form part of a larger system, such as an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-a-chip (SoC), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a server, or a smartphone. Accordingly, as used herein, “control circuit” includes, but is not limited to, an electrical circuit having at least one separate electrical circuit, an electrical circuit having at least one integrated circuit, an electrical circuit having at least one application-specific integrated circuit, an electrical circuit forming a general-purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general-purpose computer configured by a computer program that performs at least partially the processes and / or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program that performs at least partially the processes and / or devices described herein), an electrical circuit forming a memory device (e.g., in the form of random access memory), and / or an electrical circuit forming a communication device (e.g., a modem, a communication switch, or an optical-electric installation). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in analog form, digital form, or some combination thereof.

[0221] When used in any aspect of this specification, the term “logic” may mean an application, software, firmware, and / or circuit configured to perform any of the operations described above. Software may be embodied as software packages, code, instructions, instruction sets, and / or data recorded on a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions, or instruction sets, and / or hardcoded (e.g., non-volatile) data in a memory device.

[0222] When used in any aspect of this specification, terms such as “component,” “system,” and “module” may refer to computer-related entities that are hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or running software.

[0223] Where used in any aspect of this specification, “algorithm” means a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result, and “step” means the manipulation of physical quantities and / or logical states that can take the form of electrical or magnetic signals, which are not necessarily required but can be stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. These signals are commonly referred to as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, etc. These and similar terms may be associated with appropriate physical quantities, or simply are convenient labels applied to these quantities and / or states.

[0224] A packet-switched network is one example of a network. Communication devices can communicate with each other using a selected packet-switched network communication protocol. One exemplary communication protocol is the Ethernet communication protocol, which can enable communication using the Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP). The Ethernet protocol may conform to or be compatible with the "IEEE 802.3 Standard" published in December 2008 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and / or later versions of the Ethernet standard. Alternatively or additionally, communication devices can communicate with each other using the X.25 communication protocol. The X.25 communication protocol may conform to or be compatible with standards published by the International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). Alternatively or additionally, communication devices can communicate with each other using the Frame Relay communication protocol. The Frame Relay communication protocol conforms to or may be compatible with standards published by the Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT) and / or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Alternatively or additionally, transceivers may communicate with each other using the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communication protocol. The ATM communication protocol conforms to or may be compatible with the ATM standard and / or later versions of this standard, published by the ATM Forum in August 2001 under the title "ATM-MPLS Network Interworking 2.0". Naturally, different and / or later developed connection-oriented network communication protocols are equally construed herein.

[0225] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, as is evident from the foregoing disclosures, any use of terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” and “displaying” throughout the foregoing disclosures should be understood to refer to the actions and processes of a computer system or similar electronic computing device that manipulate and convert data represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the registers and memory of a computer system into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the memory or registers of a computer system or other such information storage, transmission, or display device.

[0226] One or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable / operative to,” “adapted / adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable / conformed to,” and so on. Those skilled in the art will understand that “configured to” generally encompasses active components and / or inactive components and / or standby components, unless the context should interpret it otherwise.

[0227] The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein in reference to the clinician operating the handle portion of a surgical instrument. “Proximal” refers to the part closest to the clinician, and “distal” refers to the part further away from the clinician. For convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “up,” and “down” may be used herein in reference to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be restrictive and / or absolute.

[0228] Those skilled in the art will generally understand that the terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., the text of the appended claims), are generally intended to be "open" terms (for example, the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," and the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to"). Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that if a particular number is intended in an introduced claim recitation, such intent is clearly stated in the claim, and if such statement is not present, such intent does not exist. For example, to aid understanding, subsequent appended claims may include the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce the claim recitation. However, the use of such phrases should not be interpreted as suggesting that any particular claim containing such introduced claim description is limited to claims containing only one such description, even if the same claim contains an introductory phrase such as "one or more" or "at least one" and the indefinite article "a" or "an" (for example, "a" and / or "an" should generally be interpreted as meaning "at least one" or "one or more"). The same applies when introducing a claim description using a definite article.

[0229] In addition, even if a specific number is explicitly stated in the introduced claim, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that such a statement should typically be interpreted as meaning at least the number stated (for example, if there is a statement that is simply “two descriptions” without any other modifiers, it generally means at least two descriptions, or two or more descriptions). Furthermore, when a notation similar to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, such a notation is generally intended to be understood in a way that those skilled in the art will understand (for example, “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” is not limited to systems having only A, only B, only C, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C and / or all of A, B and C, etc.). When expressions similar to "at least one of A, B, or C" are used, such expressions are generally intended to be understood in a way that a person skilled in the art would understand (for example, "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" includes, but is not limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C, and / or all of A, B, and C). Furthermore, a person skilled in the art will understand that, typically, any disjunctive word and / or phrase representing two or more selective terms should be understood, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings, as intended to include the possibility of including one of those terms, any of those terms, or both of those terms, unless the context requires a different interpretation. For example, the phrase "A or B" will typically be understood to include the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0230] With respect to the attached claims, those skilled in the art will understand that the operations cited herein may generally be performed in any order. Furthermore, while various operations are shown in sequence(s), it should be understood that the operations may be performed in any order other than those shown, or simultaneously. Examples of such alternative orderings may include repetition, alternation, interruption, reordering, augmentation, preliminary, additional, simultaneous, reverse, or other different orderings, unless the context should imply otherwise. Moreover, terms such as “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variations, unless the context should imply otherwise.

[0231] It is worth noting that any reference to “one aspect,” “aspect,” “example,” or “example” means that the specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to that aspect is included in at least one aspect. Therefore, the phrases “in one aspect,” “in aspect,” “example,” and “example” found in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same aspect. Furthermore, specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any preferred manner in one or more aspects.

[0232] Any patent application, patent, non-patent publication, or other disclosure material referenced herein and / or listed in any application data sheet is incorporated herein by reference to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with this Specified. Disclosures expressly stated herein, both in themselves and to the extent required, shall supersede any conflicting statements incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or any part thereof, that is referred to as being incorporated herein by reference but conflicts with current definitions, views, or other disclosures contained herein shall be incorporated only to the extent that there is no conflict between the incorporated material and the current disclosures.

[0233] In summary, the numerous benefits that can be obtained as a result of using the concepts described herein have been described. The above descriptions of one or more forms are presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes only. They are not intended to be comprehensive or to be limited to the exact forms disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. One or more forms have been selected and described to illustrate the principle and practical applications, thereby enabling a person skilled in the art to utilize the various forms, along with various modifications, for specific conceivable uses. The claims presented herein are intended to define the overall scope.

[0234] [Implementation Method] (1) A modular energy system, The first module, The first panel and, A first module comprising: a first connector attached to the first panel, wherein a portion of the first connector extends beyond the first edge of the first panel; The second module, The second panel, A second module comprising a second connector attached to the second panel, the second connector being aligned with a second edge of the second panel, and the second connector defining a cavity, A modular energy system in which the second module is connected to the first module, and the portion of the first connector extending beyond the first edge of the first panel is located within the cavity defined by the second connector. (2) Furthermore, The third module, The third panel, A third connector attached to the third panel, the third connector being aligned with a third edge of the third panel, the third connector defining a second cavity, and a third connector. A third module comprising: The second module further comprises A fourth connector attached to the second panel, a part of the fourth connector extending beyond a fourth edge of the second panel, the fourth edge of the second panel being on the opposite side of the second edge of the second panel, and a fourth connector. The third module is connected to the second module, and the part of the fourth connector extending beyond the fourth edge of the second panel is disposed within the second cavity of the third connector. The modular energy system according to Embodiment 1. (3) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 2, wherein the first module, the second module, and the third module can have different sizes. (4) The first panel includes a first support member attached to the first panel and extending away from the first panel. The first connector further defines a first hole within the first connector. The first connector is slidably attachable to the panel, and the first support member is slidably receivable within the first hole defined by the first connector. The modular energy system according to Embodiment 1. (5) The first panel further comprises A support ledge attached to the panel, the support ledge being offset from the first support member, and a support ledge. The first connector further comprises a support rib extending away from the first connector, the support rib being configured to rest on the support ledge in a configuration defined by the first connector attached to the first panel. The modular energy system according to Embodiment 4.

[0235] (6) The first panel further comprises a second support member attached to the first panel and extending away from the first panel, the second support member being offset from the first support member. The second connector further defines a second hole within the second connector. The modular energy system according to embodiment 4, wherein the second connector is slidably attachable to the first panel, and the second support member is slidably receivable within the second hole defined by the second connector. (7) In the connection configuration, the modular energy system according to embodiment 1, wherein the first module and the second module are physically and electrically connected. (8) The modular energy system according to embodiment 4, wherein the first support member comprises a fastener insert. (9) The modular energy system according to embodiment 5, wherein the support rib comprises a plurality of support ribs extending away from the first connector. (10) A modular energy system, a first module, a first panel, a first support member attached to the panel, a second support member attached to the panel, the second support member being offset from the first support member, a support ledge attached to the first panel and positioned between the first support member and the second support member. A first connector comprising a first hole defined in the first connector, the first connector having a support rib extending away from the first connector, the first connector being slidably mounted on the first panel, the first support member being slidably inserted into the first hole, the mounting configuration comprising the support rib being configured to rest on the support ledge, and the mounting configuration comprising the first connector having a portion extending beyond the first edge of the first panel, A modular energy system comprising a first module, the first module comprising: a second connector defining a cavity and a second hole, the second connector being slidably mounted on the first panel, the second support member being slidably received in the second hole, and in the mounting configuration, the second connector being aligned with a second edge of the first panel, the second edge of the first panel being on the opposite side of the first edge of the first panel.

[0236] (11) Furthermore, The second module, The second panel, A third support member attached to the second panel, A fourth support member attached to the second panel, which is offset from the third support member, A second panel comprising: a second support ledge attached to the second panel, the second support ledge located between the third support member and the fourth support member; A third connector comprising a third hole defined in the third connector, the third connector comprising a second support rib extending away from the third connector, the third connector being slidably mounted on the second panel, the third support member being slidably received in the third hole defined by the third connector, the mounting configuration comprising the second support rib being configured to rest on the second support ledge, and the mounting configuration comprising the second portion of the third connector extending beyond the third edge of the second panel, A modular energy system according to Embodiment 10, comprising a second module, the second module comprising a fourth connector having a second cavity and a fourth hole defined in the fourth connector, the fourth connector being slidably mounted on the second panel, and the fourth support member being slidably received in the fourth hole defined by the fourth connector, wherein in the mounting configuration, the second connector is aligned with a fourth edge of the second panel, and the third edge is on the opposite side of the fourth edge, the second module, comprising the fourth connector. (12) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 11, wherein the first module is connected to the second module, and in the connected configuration, the second portion of the third connector extending beyond the second panel is located within the cavity defined by the second connector. (13) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 11, wherein the second module is connected to the first module, and in the connected configuration, the portion of the first connector extending beyond the first panel is located within the cavity defined by the fourth connector. (14) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 11, wherein in a connected configuration, the first module and the second module are physically and electrically connected. (15) A module for a modular energy system, It is a panel, A first support member attached to the panel and extending away from the panel, A panel comprising: a second support member attached to the panel and extending away from the panel, the second support member being offset from the first support member; A first connector comprising a first hole defined in the first connector, the first connector being slidably mounted on the panel, and the first support member being slidably received within the first hole, wherein in the mounting configuration, a portion of the first connector extends beyond the first edge of the panel, A module comprising: a second connector defining a cavity and a second hole, which is slidably mounted on the first panel, and a second support member is slidably received in the second hole, wherein in the mounting configuration, the second connector is aligned with a second edge of the panel, and the second edge of the first panel is on the opposite side of the first edge of the panel.

[0237] (16) The module according to embodiment 15, wherein the panel further comprises a support ledge attached to the panel, the support ledge being positioned between the first support member and the second support member, and the first connector further comprises a support rib extending away from the first connector, the mounting configuration wherein the support rib rests on the support ledge. (17) The module according to Embodiment 15, wherein the module is one of a plurality of modules, and the plurality of modules are stackable by inserting the portion of a first connector extending beyond one module into the cavity defined by a second connector of another module, and in the stacked configuration the plurality of modules are physically and electrically connected. (18) A modular energy system, A header module, wherein the header module is configured to supply power to one or more connected dependent modules, A minimum one dependent module connected to the header module and powered by the header module, A modular energy system comprising: a power module connected to the aforementioned dependent module, configured to supply power to one or more other connected dependent modules. (19) The modular energy system according to embodiment 18, wherein the dependent module is provided with grounding legs at the upper corners of the dependent module, and the header module is placed on the grounding legs. (20) The modular energy system according to embodiment 18, wherein the dependent module is provided with insulating legs at the bottom corners of the dependent module, the insulating legs are located between the dependent module and the power module, and the insulating legs separate the dependent module from the power module.

[0238] (21) The modular energy system according to Embodiment 18, wherein the header module and the dependent module are part of a first power domain, the power module is part of a second power domain, and the first power domain is separated from the second power domain.

Claims

1. A modular energy system, The first module, The first panel and A first module comprising: a first connector attached to the first panel, wherein a portion of the first connector extends beyond the first edge of the first panel; The second module, The second panel, A second module comprising a second connector attached to the second panel, the second connector being aligned with a second edge of the second panel, and the second connector defining a cavity, The second module is connected to the first module, and the portion of the first connector, which extends beyond the first edge of the first panel, is located within the cavity defined by the second connector. The first module comprises a first printed circuit board and a first flexible ribbon cable that electrically connects the first connector and the first printed circuit board. The second module comprises a second printed circuit board and a second flexible ribbon cable that electrically connects the second connector and the second printed circuit board. The first panel comprises a first support member attached to the first panel and extending away from the first panel, The first connector further defines a first hole within the first connector, A modular energy system in which the first connector is slidably mounted on the first panel, and the first support member is slidably received in the first hole defined by the first connector.

2. Furthermore, The third module, The third panel, A third module comprising a third connector attached to the third panel, the third connector being aligned with a third edge of the third panel, and the third connector defining a second cavity, The second module described above further, A fourth connector attached to the second panel, wherein a portion of the fourth connector extends beyond the fourth edge of the second panel, and the fourth edge of the second panel is on the opposite side of the second edge of the second panel, The modular energy system according to claim 1, wherein the third module is connected to the second module, and the portion of the fourth connector extending beyond the fourth edge of the second panel is located within the second cavity of the third connector.

3. The modular energy system according to claim 2, wherein the first module, the second module, and the third module can be of different sizes.

4. The first panel further, A support ledge attached to the first panel, comprising a support ledge offset from the first support member, The modular energy system according to claim 1, wherein the first connector further comprises a support rib extending away from the first connector, the support rib being configured to rest on the support ledge in a configuration defined by the first connector mounted on the first panel.

5. The first panel further, A second support member is attached to the first panel and extends away from the first panel, and comprises a second support member that is offset from the first support member, The second connector further defines a second hole within the second connector, The modular energy system according to claim 1, wherein the second connector is slidably mounted on the first panel, and the second support member is slidably receivable in the second hole defined by the second connector.

6. The modular energy system according to claim 1, wherein in a connected configuration, the first module and the second module are physically and electrically connected.

7. The modular energy system according to claim 1, wherein the first support member includes a fastener insert.

8. The modular energy system according to claim 4, wherein the support ribs comprise a plurality of support ribs that extend away from the first connector.

9. The first module comprises a fifth connector and a third flexible ribbon cable, the fifth connector being mounted on the first panel, aligned with the fifth edge of the first panel, defining a third cavity, and the third flexible ribbon cable electrically connecting the fifth connector and the first printed circuit board. The modular energy system according to claim 1, wherein the second module comprises a sixth connector and a fourth flexible ribbon cable, the sixth connector being mounted on the second panel, a portion of the sixth connector extending beyond the sixth edge of the second panel, and the fourth flexible ribbon cable electrically connecting the sixth connector to the second printed circuit board.

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