CN112004490A

CN112004490A - Method of sensing particles from smoke drawn from a patient, adjusting pump speed based on sensed information, and communicating functional parameters of a system to a hub

Info

Publication number: CN112004490A
Application number: CN201980023886.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: F·E·谢尔顿四世; J·L·哈里斯; D·C·耶茨; S·K·霍纳; D·W·格瑞普
Original assignee: Ethicon LLC
Current assignee: Ethicon LLC
Priority date: 2018-06-28
Filing date: 2019-03-29
Publication date: 2020-11-27

Abstract

The invention discloses a surgical system. The surgical system may include an evacuation system for evacuating smoke, fluids, and/or particulates from the surgical site. The surgical evacuation system may be intelligent and may include one or more sensors for detecting one or more characteristics of, for example, the surgical system, the evacuation system, the surgical procedure, the surgical site, and/or patient tissue.

Description

Method of sensing particles from smoke drawn from a patient, adjusting pump speed based on sensed information, and communicating functional parameters of a system to a hub

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims a provisional patent application 62/773,778 entitled "METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND INTERACTION" filed 2018, 11, 30 days, volume 35, section (E) OF the American code, a provisional patent application 62/773,728 entitled "METHOD FOR SITUATIONAL AWARESS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED APPARATUS FOR A SENSING SYSTEM OR", filed 2018, 11, 30 days, section 62/773,741 entitled "METHOD FOR FACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERACTION", filed 2018, 30 days, and us provisional patent application 62/773,742 entitled "METHOD FOR container station CONTROL available FOR use in a device FOR monitoring and monitoring" filed 2018, 11, 30, and the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present application claims the priority of U.S. provisional patent application 62/750,529 entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWER ARTICULATING MULTITI-CLIP APPLIER" filed 2018, 10, 25, in accordance with the provisions of section 119 (e) of U.S. code, volume 35, priority of U.S. provisional patent application 62/750,539 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER" filed 2018, 10, 25, and priority of U.S. provisional patent application 62/750,555 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER" filed 2018, 10, 25, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

THE present application claims, according to THE provisions OF section 119 (e) OF THE American code, volume 35, THE provisional patent application 62/729,183 entitled "CONTROL FOR A SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE THAT ADJUSES FOR USE OF THE BASIS A SENSED STATIONS OR USAGE" filed ON 2018, 9, 10, THE provisional patent application 62/729,177 entitled "AUTOMATED DATA SCALING, ALIGNMENT, AND ORGANIZED BASED PREDEFINED PARAMETERS WITHIN A SURGICAL NETWORK BETRANSMISSION" filed ON 2018, 9, 10, THE provisional patent application 62/729,177 entitled "INDIRECT COMMAND CONTACT OF A FIOPROTATION SYSTEMS THROUGH USE OF A SECOND OPTION SYSTEM WITHIN A STERILE FIELD WHERE THE SECOND TRANSMISSION, THE provisional patent application 6778 entitled" INDIRATION METHOD OF 2018 SYSTEM TRANSMISSION OF THE USE OF THE DISCONNECTION, AND THE provisional patent application FOR MODE OF 2018, 6725 FOR USE OF THE CAP TRANSMISSION OF THE TRANSMISSION 368 filed ON 2018, 9, ADVANCEMENT SPEED, AND US provisional patent application 62/729,185 OF coverage study OF coverage MEMBER OF THE DEVICE BASED SENSED PARAMETER OF FIRING OR CLAMPING, US provisional patent application 62/729,184 entitled "POWER SURGICAL TOOL WITH A PREDEFINED ADJUSE CONTROL ALGORITHM FOR CONTROLLING AT LEAST ONE ED FOFED 465R LIMITING THE ADJUSE ENT" filed 2018 ON 9-10-th, US provisional patent application 62/729,182 entitled "SENSING THE PATIENT ITION AND CONTACT UTILITY MONO-POLAR RETURN METHOD PROVIDE SIGNAL ATIONAL AWAREST HU B" filed 2018-9-10-9-62/729,191 US provisional patent application HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENCES entitled "METHOD OF SURGICAL NETWORK SYSTEM OF SUGATE OF SUGATION PAT SUGATION FOR INVENTION 62/729,191, U.S. provisional patent application 62/729,195 entitled "ULTRASONIC ENERGY DEVICE WHICH VARIES PRESSURE APPLIED BY CLAMP ARM TO PROVIDE THRESHOLD CONTROL PRESSURE AT A CUT PROGRESSION LOCATION," filed ON 10.9.2018, AND U.S. provisional patent application 62/729,186 entitled "WIRELESS PAIRING OF A SURGICAL DEVICE WITH ANOTHER DEVICE WITHIN A STERILE SURGICAL FILL BASED THE GE AND SITUONATION AWARENESS OF DEVICES," filed ON 10.9.2018, THE disclosures OF each OF these provisional patent applications being incorporated herein BY reference in their entirety.

This patent application also claims, in accordance with the provisions OF clause 119 (e) OF the U.S. code, 35, U.S. provisional patent application 62/721,995 entitled "control AN ultra semiconductor minor energized TO time position" filed ON 23.8.8, U.S. provisional patent application 62/721,998 entitled "lateral aware OF electric system" filed ON 23.8.2018, U.S. provisional patent application 62/721,999 entitled "interior OF end TO INADVERTENT CAPACITIVE applying" filed ON 23.8.8, U.S. provisional patent application 62/721,999 entitled "dimensional information TO estimate system" filed ON 23.8.8, U.S. provisional patent application 62/721,996 entitled "dual bearing minor synthesis BASED ON" filed ON 23.8.8, U.S. provisional patent application 365 entitled "weighted COMBINATION method BASED ON estimate" filed ON 23.8, and U.S. provisional patent application 3675 entitled "weighted COMBINATION document published ON ENERGY DEVICE filed ON 23.8.8, the disclosure of each of these provisional patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This patent application also claims the priority OF U.S. provisional patent application 62/692,747 entitled "SMART activity OF AN ENERGY DEVICE BY anotherher DEVICE" filed on 30.6.2018, U.S. provisional patent application 62/692,748 entitled SMART ENERGY achitecture filed on 30.6.2018, and U.S. provisional patent application 62/692,768 entitled "SMART ENERGY DEVICES" filed on 30.6.2018, the disclosures OF each OF which are incorporated herein BY reference in their entirety, as specified in clause 119 (e) OF U.S. code 35.

This patent application also requires U.S. provisional patent application 62/691,228 entitled "METHOD OF USING REINFORCED FLEX CICUITS WITH MULTIPLE SENSE SORS WITH ELECTROSTATIC DEVICES" filed on 28.6.2018, U.S. provisional patent application 62/691,227 entitled "CONTROL A SURGICAL TRUMENT ACCORDING TO SENSE PARAMETERS" filed on 28.6.2018, U.S. provisional patent application 62/691,230 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT A FLEXIBLE ELECTROSTATE" filed on 28.6.2018, U.S. provisional patent application 3982 entitled "SURGICAL ACCUTION SENSING AND MOTOL", U.S. provisional patent application 62/691,219 filed on 6.S. 2018, U.S. MULTICANTIONAL TRANSACTION MULTIPLE TRANSACTION MODE 29 filed on 28.S. file, The disclosures of U.S. provisional patent application 62/691,262 entitled "SURGICAL EVACUTION SYSTEM WITH A COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A FILTER AND A SMOKE EVACATION DEVICE filed on 28.6.2018 and U.S. provisional patent application 62/691,251 entitled" DUAL IN-SERIES LARGE AND SMALL DROPLET FILTERS filed on 28.6.2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference IN their entirety.

This patent application claims us provisional patent application 62/665,129 entitled "minor warming SYSTEMS" filed on 5/1/2018, us provisional patent application 62/665,139 entitled "minor warming SYSTEMS" filed on 5/1/2018, us provisional patent application 62/665,177 entitled "minor warming SYSTEMS HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS" filed on 5/1/2018, us provisional patent application 62/665,128 entitled "minor warming SYSTEMS" filed on 5/1/2018, us provisional patent application 62/665,192 entitled "minor warming SYSTEMS" filed on 5/1/2018, us provisional patent application 62/665,128 entitled "minor warming SYSTEMS" filed on 5/1/2018, and us provisional patent application 62/665,134 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER" filed on 1/5/2018, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application also claims the priority OF U.S. provisional patent application 62/659,900 entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION", filed 2018, 4, 19.4, in accordance with the provisions OF section 119 (e) OF the American code, the disclosure OF which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present application further claims us provisional patent application 62/650,898 entitled "CAPACITIVE COUPLED RETURN PATH PAD WITH search ARRAY ELEMENTS" filed in 2018, 3, 30, 2018, us provisional patent application 62/650,887 entitled "minor SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED sensitive capturing patents" filed in 2018, 3, 30, 2018, us provisional patent application 62/650,882 entitled "minor implementation mode FOR iterative motion program" filed in 2018, 3, 30, and us provisional patent application 62/650,877 entitled "minor implementation variant SENSING AND rotation filed in 2018, 3, 30, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This patent application also requires, in accordance with the provisions OF clause 119 (e) OF section 35 OF the american code, that us provisional patent application 62/649,302 entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED communiation procedures" filed on day 28 at 3.28.2018, us provisional patent application 62/649,294 entitled "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO interface procedure RECORD AND CREATE anoonymized RECORD" filed on day 28.3.2018, us provisional patent application 62/649,294 entitled "SURGICAL HUB SIATIONARY" filed on day 28.3.2018, us provisional patent application 585 entitled "SURGICAL HUICAL RECORDS AND CREATE ANONIZED RECORD" filed on day 28.2018, us provisional patent application 62/649,309 filed on day 28.3.2018, us provisional patent application 62/649,309 filed on day 86535. DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPENING THETER "filed on day 28.2018, us provisional patent application 364 filed on patent IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS" filed on patent application 2018, us 3.28.8. field OF patent application LASER LIGHT AND RED. fig. 3-DETERME SCATTERED LIGHT "U.S. provisional patent application 62/649,291, U.S. provisional patent application 62/649,296 entitled" ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM applications FOR temporal DEVICES "filed on 28.3.2018, U.S. provisional patent application 62/649,333 entitled" CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUTOSTIMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATION TO A USER filed on 28.3.2018, U.S. provisional patent application number 62/649,327 entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES" filed on 28.3.2018, U.S. provisional patent application 62/649,315 entitled "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITION A CLOUD ANALYTWORKS" filed on 28.3.3.2018, U.S. provisional patent application number 62/649,315 entitled "CLOUD CONTROL DEVICE FOR SECTION AND temporal information 62/649,313 filed on 3.3.28.8, U.S. provisional patent application number 2018 filed on 3.3.3.3.3.23, U.S. provisional patent application number 62/649,313 entitled" CLOUD 62/649,320, U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/649,307 entitled "AUTOMATIC TOOL kit FOR purposes of assistant minor requirements FOR purposes" filed on 28.3.2018, and U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/649,323 entitled "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR TOOLs minor requirements FOR purposes" filed on 28.3.2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

This patent application also claims the benefit of priority from U.S. provisional patent application 62/611,341 entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM" filed on 28.12.2017, U.S. provisional patent application 62/611,340 entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS" filed on 28.12.2017, and U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/611,339 entitled "ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM" filed on 28.12.2017, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, as specified in title 119 (e) of U.S. code volume 35.

Background

The invention relates to a surgical system and an evacuation device thereof. The surgical smoke ejector is configured to eject smoke and fluids and/or particulates from the surgical site. For example, during a surgical procedure involving an energy device, smoke may be generated at the surgical site.

Disclosure of Invention

In various embodiments, a method comprises: utilizing a drainage system comprising a processor communicatively coupled to a surgical hub; obtaining a parameter indicative of a characteristic of fluid evacuated from a surgical site; and communicating the parameters to the surgical hub.

In various embodiments, a method comprises: utilizing a pumping system comprising a pump and a motor operably configured to drive the pump; monitoring a parameter of the motor; and communicating the parameters to a surgical hub.

Drawings

The features of the various aspects are set out with particularity in the appended claims. The various aspects, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extractor housing of a surgical extraction system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a surgical row electrosurgical tool according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is an elevation view of a surgical evacuation tool releasably secured to an electrosurgical pencil according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating internal components within an extractor housing of a surgical extraction system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of an electrosurgical system including an extractor hood according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a surgical system including a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an extractor housing of the surgical extraction system of fig. 7, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 is a front cross-sectional view of a socket in the ejector housing of fig. 8 along the plane shown in fig. 8, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a filter for a drainage system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 is a perspective cut-away view of the filter of fig. 10 taken along a central longitudinal plane of the filter, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 is a pump for a surgical evacuation system, such as the surgical evacuation system of fig. 7, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14 is a front perspective view of a fluid trap of the surgical evacuation system of fig. 13, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 15 is a rear perspective view of the fluid trap of fig. 14, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 16 is a front cross-sectional view of the fluid trap of fig. 14, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 17 is a front cross-sectional view of the fluid trap of fig. 14 with portions removed for clarity and showing liquid captured within the fluid trap and smoke flowing through the fluid trap, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 18 is a schematic view of a ejector housing of an ejector system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a row extractor housing of another row extraction system in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 20 is a schematic view of a photosensor for a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 21 is a schematic view of another photosensor for a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 22 is a schematic view of an ionization sensor for a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 23 is a graphical representation of (a) particle count over time and (B) motor speed over time of a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 24A is a cross-sectional view of a diverter valve for a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, showing the diverter valve in a first position.

Fig. 24B is a cross-sectional view of the diverter valve of fig. 24A in a second position according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 25 is a graphical representation of (a) airflow fluid content over time and (B) duty cycle over time of a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 26 is a flow chart illustrating an adjustment algorithm for a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 27 is a flow chart illustrating an adjustment algorithm for a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 28 is a flow chart illustrating an adjustment algorithm for a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 29 is a flow chart illustrating an adjustment algorithm for a surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of a surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 31 is a flow chart illustrating an algorithm for displaying efficiency data of a surgical drainage system in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 32 is a flow chart illustrating an adjustment algorithm for a surgical evacuation system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 33 is a graphical representation of (a) particle count over time and (B) RF current to voltage ratio over time for a surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 34 is a flow chart illustrating an adjustment algorithm for a surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 35 is a flow chart for controlling a motor based on at least one of a first signal received from a first sensor of a pumping system and a second signal received from a second sensor of the pumping system in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 36 is a graphical representation of (a) particle count over time, (B) generator power and voltage over time, and (C) motor speed over time for a drainage system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 37 is a graphical representation of a ratio of pressure detected at a first sensor to pressure detected at a second sensor and a pulse width modulation duty cycle of a motor of a pumping system over time in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 38 is a graphical representation of (a) particle count over time and (C) air flow rate over time for a drainage system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 39 is a block diagram of a computer-implemented interactive surgical system in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 40 is a surgical system for performing a surgical procedure in an operating room in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 41 is a surgical hub paired with a visualization system, a robotic system, and a smart instrument according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 42 is a partial perspective view of a surgical hub housing and a composite generator module slidably received in a drawer of the surgical hub housing according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 43 is a perspective view of a combined generator module with bipolar, ultrasonic and monopolar contacts and a smoke evacuation component according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 44 illustrates an individual power bus attachment for a plurality of lateral docking ports of a lateral modular housing configured to be capable of receiving a plurality of modules, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 45 illustrates a vertical modular housing configured to be capable of receiving a plurality of modules in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 46 illustrates a surgical data network including a modular communication hub configured to connect modular devices located in one or more operating rooms of a medical facility or any room in a medical facility dedicated to surgical operations to a cloud in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 47 is a computer-implemented interactive surgical system in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 48 illustrates a surgical hub including a plurality of modules coupled to a modular control tower according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 49 illustrates one aspect of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub device in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 50 illustrates a logic diagram of a control system of a surgical instrument or tool in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 51 illustrates a control circuit configured to control various aspects of a surgical instrument or tool in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 52 illustrates a combinational logic circuit configured to control various aspects of a surgical instrument or tool in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 53 illustrates sequential logic circuitry configured to control various aspects of a surgical instrument or tool in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 54 illustrates a surgical instrument or tool including multiple motors that can be activated to perform various functions in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 55 is a schematic view of a robotic surgical instrument configured to operate a surgical tool described herein, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 56 illustrates a block diagram of a surgical instrument programmed to control distal translation of a displacement member in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 57 is a schematic view of a surgical instrument configured to control various functions in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 58 is a simplified block diagram of a generator configured to provide inductor-less tuning, as well as other benefits, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 59 illustrates an example of a generator according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, which is one form of the generator of fig. 20.

Fig. 60 is a timeline illustrating situational awareness of a surgical hub according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

Description

The applicant of the present patent application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 12/4/2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

attorney docket number END8495USNP/170727M entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, STORAGE AND DISPLAY";

attorney docket number END8495USNP1/170727-1M entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION";

attorney docket number END8496USNP/170728M entitled "METHOD OF CLOUD BASED DATA ANALYTICS FOR USE WITH THE HUB";

Attorney docket number END8497USNP/170729M entitled "METHOD OF ROBOTIC HUB COMMUNICATION, DETECTIONION, AND CONTROL";

attorney docket number END8505USNP/170772M entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, DISPLAY, AND CLOUD analysis";

attorney docket number END8538USNP/170751M entitled "METHOD OF COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS";

attorney docket number END8539USNP/170752M entitled "METHOD OF USING INFORMATION FLUX FLUEXIBLE CIRCUITS WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS TO OPTIMIZATION PERFOMANCE OF RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES";

attorney docket number END8541USNP/170754M entitled "METHOD FOR smooth FOR SURGICAL HUB";

attorney docket number END8558USNP1/180138-1M entitled "METHOD FOR CONTROL SMART ENERGY DEVICES";

attorney docket number END8559USNP1/180141-1M entitled "METHOD FOR SMART ENERGY DEVICE infrastructurure";

attorney docket number END9011USNP1/180510-1M entitled "METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND INTERACTION";

Attorney docket number END9015USNP1/180514-1M entitled "METHOD FOR APPARATUS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE OF ADJUSE FUNCTION BASED A SENSED STATIONS OR USAGE";

attorney docket number END9017USNP1/180516-1M entitled "METHOD FOR FACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION"; and

attorney docket number END9033USNP1/180520-1M entitled "METHOD FOR CIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON STATIONIONAL AWARESS".

The applicant of the present patent application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 6/11/2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

U.S. patent application 16/182,224 entitled "SURGICAL NETWORK, INSTRUMENT, AND CLOUD RESPONSES BASED ON VALIDITION OF RECEIVED DATASET AND AUTHENTICATION OF ITS SOURCE AND INTEGRITY";

U.S. patent application 16/182,230 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION INTERPRETED FROM EXTERNAL DATA";

U.S. patent application 16/182,233 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH AUTONOMOUSLY ADJUSTABLE CONTROL PROGRAMS";

U.S. patent application 16/182,239 entitled "apparatus CONTROL program BASED ON structured DATA IN ADDITION TO THE DATA";

U.S. patent application 16/182,243 entitled "SURGICAL HUB AND MODULAR DEVICE RESPONSE ADJUSTMENT BASED ON STATIONIONAL AWARENESS";

U.S. patent application 16/182,248 entitled "DETECTION AND evaluation OF safety RESPONSES OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS TO INCREASING SEVERITY THREATS";

U.S. patent application 16/182,251 entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEM";

U.S. patent application 16/182,260 entitled "AUTOMATED DATA SCALING, ALIGNMENT, AND ORGANIZING BASED ON PREDEFINED PARAMETERS WITHIN SURGICAL NETWORKS";

U.S. patent application No. 16/182,267 entitled "SENSING THE PATIENT POSITION AND CONTACT UTILIZING THE MONO POLAR RETURN PAD ELECTRO TO PROVIDE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS TO THE HUB";

U.S. patent application 16/182,249 entitled "POWER SURGICAL TOOL WITH PREDEFINED ADJUSTABLE CONTROL ALGORITHM FOR CONTROLLING END EFFECTOR PARAMETER";

U.S. patent application 16/182,246 entitled "ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON AIRBORNE PARTLE PROPERTIES";

U.S. patent application 16/182,256 entitled "ADJUSTMENT OF A SURGICAL DEVICE FUNCTION BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS";

U.S. patent application 16/182,242 entitled "REAL-TIME ANALYSIS OF COMPREHENSIVE COST OF ALL INSTRUMENTATION USE IN SURGERY UTILIZING DATA FLUIDITY TO TRACK INSTRUMENTS THROUGH STOCKING AND IN-HOUSE PROCESSES";

U.S. patent application 16/182,255 entitled "USAGE AND TECHNIQUE ANALYSIS OF SURGEON/STAFF PERFOMANCE AGAINST A BASELINE TO OPTIMIZATION DEVICE AND PERFOMANCE FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE PROCEDURES";

U.S. patent application 16/182,269 entitled "IMAGE CAPTURING OF THE article AREAS OUTSIDE THE ABDOMEN TO IMPROVE PLACEMENT AND CONTROL OF A SURGICAL DEVICE IN USE";

U.S. patent application 16/182,278 entitled "COMMUNICATION OF DATA WHERE A SURGICAL NETWORKS USE CONTEXT OF THE DATA AND REQUIREMENTS OF A RECEIVING SYSTEM/USER TO INFLUENCE INCLUSION OR LINKAGE OF DATA AND METADATA TO ESTABLISH CONTINUITY";

U.S. patent application 16/182,290 entitled "SURGICAL NETWORK RECOMMENDITION FROM REAL TIME ANALYSIS OF PROCEDURE VARIABLE AGAINST A BASELINE HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENCES FROM THE OPTIMAL SOLUTION";

U.S. patent application 16/182,232 entitled "CONTROL OF A SURGICAL SYSTEM THROUGH A SURGICAL BARRIER";

U.S. patent application 16/182,227 entitled "SURGICAL NETWORK DETECTION OF PRIORITION OF COMMUNICATION, INTERACTION, OR PROCESSING BASED SYSTEM OR DEVICE NEEDS";

U.S. patent application 16/182,231 entitled "WIRELESS PAIRING OF A SURGICAL DEVICE WITH ANOTHER DEVICE WITHIN A STERILE SURGICAL FIELD BASED ON THE USAGE AND SITUATIONAL AWARESS OF DEVICES";

U.S. patent application 16/182,229 entitled "ADJUSTMENT OF STAPLE HEIGHT OF AT LEAST ONE ROW OF STAPLES BASED ON THE SENSED TISSUE THICKNESS OR FOR THE CONTROL IN CLOSING";

U.S. patent application 16/182,234 entitled "STAPLING DEVICE WITH BOTH COMPOSITE AND DISCRITIONARY LOCKOUTS BASED ON SENSED PARAMETERS";

U.S. patent application 16/182,240 entitled "POWER STAPLING DEVICE CONGURED TO ADJUSE FORCE, ADVANCEMENT SPEED, AND OVERALL STROKE OF CUTTING MEMBER BASED ON SENSED PARAMETER OF FIRING OR CLAMPING";

U.S. patent application 16/182,235 entitled "VARIATION OF RADIO FREQUENCY AND ULTRASONIC POWER LEVEL IN COOPERATION WITH VARYING CLAMP ARM PRESSURE TO ACHIEVE PREDEFINED HEAT FLUX OR POWER APPLIED TO TISSUE"; and

U.S. patent application 16/182,238 entitled "ULTRASONIC ENERGY DEVICE WHICH VARIES PRESSURE APPLIED BY CLAMP ARM TO PROVIDE THRESHOLD CONTROL AT A CUT PROGRESSION LOCATION".

The applicant of the present patent application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 26.10.2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

U.S. patent application 16/172,303 entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A Power engineering Multi-CLIP APPLIER";

U.S. patent application 16/172,130 entitled "CLIP APPLIER comprisinginterchangeable CLIP reload";

U.S. patent application 16/172,066 entitled "CLIP APPLIER complementation A Movable CLIP MAGAZINE";

U.S. patent application 16/172,078 entitled "CLIP APPLIER complementation a ROTATABLE CLIP MAGAZINE";

U.S. patent application 16/172,087 entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING CLIP ADVANCING SYSTEMS";

U.S. patent application 16/172,094 entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING A CLIP CRIMPING SYSTEM";

U.S. patent application 16/172,128 entitled "CLIP APPLIER comprisinga recipercolating CLIP ADVANCING MEMBER";

U.S. patent application 16/172,168 entitled "CLIP APPLIER comprisinga MOTOR CONTROLLER";

U.S. patent application 16/172,164 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING A SURGICAL TOOL AND A SURGICAL HUB";

U.S. patent application 16/172,328 entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS SYSTEMS";

U.S. patent application 16/172,280 entitled "METHOD FOR PRODUCING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SMART ELECTRICAL SYSTEM";

U.S. patent application 16/172,219 entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS SYSTEMS";

U.S. patent application 16/172,248 entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS SYSTEMS";

U.S. patent application 16/172,198 entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS SYSTEMS"; and

U.S. patent application 16/172,155 entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS".

The applicant of the present patent application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 28/8/2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

U.S. patent application 16/115,214 entitled "ESTIMATING STATE OF ultrasilicon END EFFECTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM valve;

U.S. patent application No. 16/115,205 entitled "TEMPERATURE CONTROL OF ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR";

U.S. patent application 16/115,233 entitled "RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY DEVICE FOR delay COMBINED ELECTRICAL SIGNALS";

U.S. patent application No. 16/115,208 entitled "CONTROL AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO TISSUE LOCATION";

U.S. patent application 16/115,220 entitled "control ACTIVATION OF AN ultra simple simulation TO THE PRESENCE OF TISSUE";

U.S. patent application 16/115,232 entitled "DETERMINING TISSUE COMPOSITION VIA AN ULTRASONIC SYSTEM";

U.S. patent application 16/115,239 entitled "DETERMINING THE STATE OF AN ultra semiconductor apparatus for making a SYSTEM consistent TO FREQUENCY SHIFT";

U.S. patent application 16/115,247 entitled "DETERMINING THE STATE OF AN ultra impact actuator";

U.S. patent application No. 16/115,211 entitled "STATIONAL AWARENESS OF ELECTROSTRURGICAL SYSTEMS";

U.S. patent application 16/115,226 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR CONTROLLING DIFFERENT ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS OF AN ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT";

U.S. patent application No. 16/115,240 entitled DETECTION OF END effect evaluation IN LIQUID;

U.S. patent application 16/115,249 entitled "INTERRUPTION OF ENERGY DUE TO INADVERTENT CAPACITIVE COUPLING";

U.S. patent application 16/115,256 entitled "INCREASING RADIO FREQUENCY TO CREATE PAD-LESS MONOPOLAR LOOP";

U.S. patent application 16/115,223 entitled "BIPOLAR communication DEVICE THAT AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS PRESSURE BASED ON ENERGY MODALITY"; and

U.S. patent application 16/115,238 entitled "activity OF ENERGY DEVICES".

The applicant of the present patent application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 24/8/2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

U.S. patent application 16/112,129 entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING INSTRUMENT CONGURED TO MANIPULATE TISSUE USE MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL POWER";

U.S. patent application 16/112,155 entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A CAPTURE WIDTH WHICH IS LARGER THAN TROCAR DIAMETER";

U.S. patent application 16/112,168 entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A NON-CIRCULAR NEEDLE";

U.S. patent application 16/112,180 entitled "ELECTRICAL POWER OUTPUT CONTROL BASED ON MECHANICAL FORCES";

U.S. patent application 16/112,193 entitled "REACTIVE ALGORITHM FOR SURGICAL SYSTEM";

U.S. patent application 16/112,099 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ADAPTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM";

U.S. patent application 16/112,112 entitled "CONTROL SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR A MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT";

U.S. patent application No. 16/112,119 entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL program FOR A SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPLISING MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF CARTRIDGE";

U.S. patent application 16/112,097 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPLISING BATTERY ARRANGEMENTS";

U.S. patent application 16/112,109 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS";

U.S. patent application 16/112,114 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPISING FEEDBACK MECHANISMS";

U.S. patent application 16/112,117 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPLISING LOCKOUT MECHANISM";

U.S. patent application 16/112,095 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A LOCKABLE END EFFECTOR SOCKET";

U.S. patent application 16/112,121 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM";

U.S. patent application No. 16/112,151 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPLEMENTING A SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATION AND ROTATION COMPENSATION";

U.S. patent application 16/112,154 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A BIASED SHIFTING MECHANISM";

U.S. patent application 16/112,226 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE THAT PROVIDES FOR HIGH ARTICULATION ANGLES";

U.S. patent application 16/112,062 entitled "SURGICAL DISSECTORS AND MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES";

U.S. patent application 16/112,098 entitled "SURGICAL DISSECTORS CONFIGURED TO APPLY MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY";

U.S. patent application 16/112,237 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER CONFIG TO STORE CLIPS IN A STORED STATE";

U.S. patent application 16/112,245 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN EMPTY CLIP CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT";

U.S. patent application 16/112,249 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN AUTOMATIC CLIP FEEDING SYSTEM";

U.S. patent application 16/112,253 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING ADAPTIVE FIRING CONTROL"; and

U.S. patent application 16/112,257 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING ADAPTIVE CONTROL IN RESPONSE TO A STRAIN GAUGE CICUIT".

The applicant of the present patent application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 29.6.2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

U.S. patent application 16/024,090 entitled "CAPACITIVE COUPLED RETURN PATH PAD WITH SEPARABLE ARRAY ELEMENTS";

U.S. patent application 16/024,057 entitled "control A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO SENSED CLOSURE PARAMETERS";

U.S. patent application 16/024,067 entitled "SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING END EFFECTOR PARAMETERS BASED ON PERIORATIVE INFORMATION";

U.S. patent application 16/024,075 entitled "SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR SMART POWER SURGICAL STAPLING";

U.S. patent application 16/024,083 entitled "SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR SMART POWER SURGICAL STAPLING";

U.S. patent application 16/024,094 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING END EFFECTOR TISSUE DISTRIBUTION IRREGULARITIES";

U.S. patent application No. 16/024,138 entitled "SYSTEM FOR DETECTING PROXIMITY OF SURGICAL END EFFECTOR TO CANCEROUS TISSUE";

U.S. patent application 16/024,150 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CARTRIDGE SENSOR ASSEMBLIES";

U.S. patent application 16/024,160 entitled "VARIABLE OUTPUT CARTRIDGE SENSOR ASSEMBLY";

U.S. patent application 16/024,124 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A FLEXIBLE ELECTRODE";

U.S. patent application 16/024,132 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A FLEXIBLE CICUIT";

U.S. patent application 16/024,141 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH A TISSUE MARKING ASSEMBLY";

U.S. patent application 16/024,162 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH PRIORIZED DATA TRANSMISSION CAPABILITIES";

U.S. patent application 16/024,066 entitled "SURGICAL EVACUTION SENSING AND MOTOR CONTROL";

U.S. patent application 16/024,096 entitled "SURGICAL EVACUTION SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS";

U.S. patent application 16/024,116 entitled "SURGICAL EVACUATION FLOW PATHS";

U.S. patent application 16/024,149 entitled "SURGICAL EVACUTION SENSING AND GENERATOR CONTROL";

U.S. patent application 16/024,180 entitled "SURGICAL EVACUTION SENSING AND DISPLAY";

U.S. patent application 16/024,245 entitled "COMMUNICATION OF SMOKE EVACUTION SYSTEM PARAMETERS TO HUB OR CLOUD IN SMOKE EVACUTION MODULATE FOR INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM";

U.S. patent application 16/024,258 entitled "SMOKE EVACUATION SYSTEM INCLUDING A SEGMENTED CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM";

U.S. patent application 16/024,265 entitled "SURGICAL EVACUTION SYSTEM WITH A COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A FILTER AND A SMOKE EVACUTION DEVICE"; and

U.S. patent application 16/024,273 entitled "DUAL IN-SERIES LARGE AND SMALL DROPLET FILTERS".

The applicant of the present patent application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 29/3/2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

U.S. patent application 15/940,641 entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED communiation CAPABILITIES";

U.S. patent application 15/940,648 entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH Conditioning HANDLING OF DEVICES AND DATA CAPABILITIES";

U.S. patent application 15/940,656 entitled "SURGICAL HUB COORDINATION OF CONTROL AND COMMUNICATION OF OPERATING ROOM DEVICES";

U.S. patent application 15/940,666 entitled "SPATIAL AWARENESS OF SURGICAL HUBS IN OPERATING ROOMS";

U.S. patent application 15/940,670 entitled "cooling utiza OF DATA DERIVED FROM SECONDARY SOURCES BY INTELLIGENT SURGICAL HUBS";

U.S. patent application No. 15/940,677 entitled "SURGICAL HUB CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS";

U.S. patent application 15/940,632 entitled "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORD AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD";

U.S. patent application 15/940,640 entitled "COMMUNICATION HUB AND STORAGE DEVICE FOR STORING PARAMETERS AND STATUS OF A SURGICAL DEVICE TO BE SHARED WITH CLOUD BASED ANALYTICS SYSTEMS";

U.S. patent application 15/940,645 entitled "SELF description DATA PACKETS GENERATED AT AN ISSUING INSTRUMENT";

U.S. patent application 15/940,649 entitled "DATA PAIRING TO INTERCONNECT A DEVICE MEASURED PARAMETER WITH AN OUCOME";

U.S. patent application No. 15/940,654 entitled "SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS";

U.S. patent application 15/940,663 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING";

U.S. patent application 15/940,668 entitled "AGGREGAGATION AND REPORTING OF SURGICAL HUB DATA";

U.S. patent application 15/940,671 entitled "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEEATER";

U.S. patent application 15/940,686 entitled "DISPLAY OF ALIGNMENT OF STAPLE CARTRIDGE TO PRIOR LINEAR STAPLE LINE";

U.S. patent application 15/940,700 entitled "STERILE FIELD INTERACTIVE CONTROL DISPLAYS";

U.S. patent application 15/940,629 entitled "COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS";

U.S. patent application 15/940,704 entitled "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN _ BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT";

U.S. patent application 15/940,722 entitled "CHARACTERIZATION OF TISSUE IRREGULARITIES THROUGH THE USE OF MONO-CHROMATIC LIGHT REFRACTIVITY";

U.S. patent application 15/940,742 entitled "DUAL CMOS ARRAY IMAGING";

U.S. patent application 15/940,636 entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR basic DEVICES";

U.S. patent application 15/940,653 entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR basic HUBS";

U.S. patent application 15/940,660 entitled "CLOOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CURSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATION TO A USER";

U.S. patent application 15/940,679 entitled "CLOOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR LINKING OF LOCAL USAGE TRENDS WITH THE RESOURCE ACQUISITION BEHAVORS OF LARGER DATA SET";

U.S. patent application 15/940,694 entitled "CLOOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR MEDICAL FACILITY SEGMENTED INDIVIDUALIZATION OF INSTRUMENTS FUNCTIONS";

U.S. patent application 15/940,634 entitled "CLOOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES";

U.S. patent application 15/940,706 entitled "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK";

U.S. patent application 15/940,675 entitled "CLOOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES";

U.S. patent application 15/940,627 entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-associated minor components platformes";

U.S. patent application 15/940,637 entitled "COMMUNICATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";

U.S. patent application No. 15/940,642 entitled "CONTROL FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";

U.S. patent application No. 15/940,676 entitled "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENT FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";

U.S. patent application No. 15/940,680 entitled "CONTROL FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";

U.S. patent application No. 15/940,683 entitled "passenger activated FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED passenger platformes";

U.S. patent application 15/940,690 entitled "DISPLAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-associated minor components platformes"; and

U.S. patent application 15/940,711 entitled "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS".

The applicant of the present patent application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on 8/3/2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

U.S. provisional patent application 62/640,417 entitled "TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN ULTRASONIC DEVICE AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR"; and

U.S. provisional patent application 62/640,415 entitled "ESTIMATING STATE OF ultraonic END effect AND CONTROL SYSTEM valve".

Before explaining various aspects of the surgical device and generator in detail, it should be noted that the example illustrated application or use is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description. The illustrative examples may be implemented alone or in combination with other aspects, variations and modifications, and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the terms and expressions employed herein have been chosen for the purpose of describing the illustrative embodiments for the convenience of the reader and are not for the purpose of limiting the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that expressions of one or more of the following described aspects, and/or examples may be combined with any one or more of the other below described aspects, and/or examples.

Energy device and exhaust gas

The present disclosure relates to an energy device and an intelligent surgical evacuation system for evacuating smoke and/or other fluids and/or particles from a surgical site. Smoke is typically generated during a surgical procedure using one or more energy devices. The energy device uses energy to affect tissue. In the energy device, energy is supplied by a generator. Energy devices include devices having tissue contacting electrodes, such as electrosurgical devices having one or more Radio Frequency (RF) electrodes, and devices having vibrating surfaces, such as ultrasonic devices having ultrasonic blades. For an electrosurgical device, the generator is configured to generate an oscillating current to energize the electrodes. For ultrasonic devices, the generator is configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations to energize the ultrasonic blade. The generator is further described herein.

Ultrasonic energy may be used for coagulation and cutting of tissue. The ultrasonic energy coagulates and cuts tissue by vibrating an energy delivery surface (e.g., an ultrasonic blade) in contact with the tissue. The ultrasonic blade may be coupled to a waveguide that transmits vibrational energy from an ultrasonic transducer that generates mechanical vibrations and is powered by a generator. Vibrating at high frequencies (e.g., 55,500 times per second), the ultrasonic blade generates friction and heat between the blade and the tissue (i.e., at the blade-tissue interface), which denatures proteins in the tissue to form a viscous coagulum. The pressure exerted by the blade surface on the tissue collapses the blood vessel and allows the coagulum to form a hemostatic seal. The precision of cutting and coagulation can be controlled by the skill of the clinician as well as by adjustments to, for example, power level, blade edge, tissue traction, and blade pressure.

Ultrasonic surgical instruments are increasingly used in surgery by virtue of the unique performance characteristics of such instruments. Depending on the particular instrument configuration and operating parameters, the ultrasonic surgical instrument is capable of substantially simultaneously performing cutting and coagulation-induced hemostasis of tissue, which may advantageously minimize patient trauma. The cutting action is typically accomplished by an end effector or blade tip at the distal end of the ultrasonic instrument. The ultrasonic end effector transfers ultrasonic energy to tissue that comes into contact with the end effector. Ultrasonic instruments of this nature may be configured for open surgical use, laparoscopic surgery, or endoscopic surgery, including, for example, robotically-assisted procedures.

Electrical energy may also be used for coagulation and/or cutting. Electrosurgical devices typically include a handpiece and an instrument with an end effector (e.g., one or more electrodes) mounted distally. The end effector may be positioned against and/or adjacent tissue such that an electrical current is introduced into the tissue. Electrosurgery is widely used and offers many advantages, including the use of a single surgical instrument for both coagulation and cutting.

The electrodes or tips of the electrosurgical device are small at the point of contact with the patient to generate RF currents with high current densities to produce the surgical effect of coagulating and/or cutting tissue by cauterization. After the return electrode passes through the patient, the return electrode brings the same RF current back to the electrosurgical generator, providing a return path for the RF signal.

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

In use, the electrosurgical device may emit low frequency RF current through tissue, which may cause ionic oscillations or friction (actually causing resistive heating), thereby raising the temperature of the tissue. Because a boundary is formed between the affected tissue and the surrounding tissue, the clinician is able to operate with high precision and control without damaging adjacent non-target tissue. The low operating temperature of the RF energy is suitable for removing, contracting, or sculpting soft tissue while sealing the vessel. RF energy may be particularly effective for connective tissue, which is composed primarily of collagen and contracts when exposed to heat. Other electrosurgical instruments include, but are not limited to, irreversible and/or reversible electroporation, and/or microwave technology, among others. The techniques disclosed herein may be applicable to ultrasound, bipolar and/or monopolar RF (electrosurgical), irreversible and/or reversible electroporation, and/or microwave-based surgical instruments, among others.

Electrical energy applied by the electrosurgical device may be transmitted from the generator to the instrument. The generator is configured to convert the electrical power into a high frequency waveform comprised of an oscillating current that is transmitted to the electrode to affect tissue. Electrical current is passed through the tissue to electrocautery the tissue (a form of coagulation in which an arc of current over the tissue produces charring of the tissue), desiccation (direct application of energy to water driving the cells), and/or cutting (indirect application of energy to evaporate cellular fluids, causing the cells to explode). The response of tissue to current flow depends on the resistance of the tissue, the current density through the tissue, the power output, and the duration of the current application. In some cases, the current waveform can be adjusted to affect different surgical functions and/or to accommodate tissues of different characteristics, as further described herein. For example, different types of tissue (vascular tissue, neural tissue, muscle, skin, fat, and/or bone) may respond differently to the same waveform.

The electrical energy may be in the form of RF energy, which may be in the frequency range described in EN 60601-2-2:2009+ a11:2011, definition 201.3.218-high frequency. For example, frequencies in monopolar RF applications are typically limited to less than 5MHz to minimize problems associated with high frequency leakage currents. Monopolar applications can typically use frequencies higher than 200kHz in order to avoid unwanted stimulation of nerves and muscles due to the use of low frequency currents.

In bipolar RF applications, the frequency can be almost any value. In some cases, bipolar techniques may use lower frequencies, such as if risk analysis shows that the likelihood of neuromuscular stimulation has been mitigated to an acceptable level. It is generally considered that 10mA is the lower threshold for tissue thermal effects. In the case of bipolar technology, higher frequencies may also be used.

In some cases, the generator may be configured to digitally generate and provide an output waveform to the surgical device such that the surgical device may use the waveform for various tissue effects. The generator may be a monopole generator, a bipolar generator, and/or an ultrasound generator. For example, a single generator may supply energy to a monopolar device, a bipolar device, an ultrasound device, or a combination electrosurgical/ultrasound device. The generator may promote tissue-specific effects by wave-shaping, and/or may drive RF energy and ultrasonic energy simultaneously and/or sequentially to a single surgical instrument or multiple surgical instruments.

In one instance, a surgical system can include a generator and various surgical instruments that can be used therewith, including ultrasonic surgical instruments, RF electrosurgical instruments, and combinations of ultrasonic/RF electrosurgical instruments. The GENERATOR may be configured FOR use with a variety of SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, as further described in U.S. patent application No. 15/265,279 (now U.S. patent application publication No. 2017/0086914), entitled "TECHNIQES FOR OPERATING GENERATOR FOR DIGITALLY GENERATING ELECTRICAL SIGNAL WAVEFORMS AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," filed on 9, 14.2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As described herein, medical procedures for cutting tissue and/or cauterizing blood vessels are typically performed by utilizing RF electrical energy generated by a generator and transmitted to the patient's tissue through electrodes operated by a clinician. The electrodes deliver an electrical discharge to cellular material of the patient's body adjacent the electrodes. The electrical discharge causes the cellular material to heat up in order to cut tissue and/or cauterize blood vessels.

The high temperatures involved in electrosurgery can cause thermal necrosis of the tissue adjacent to the electrode. The longer the tissue is exposed to the high temperatures involved in electrosurgery, the more likely the tissue will undergo thermal necrosis. In some cases, thermal necrosis of tissue can reduce the speed of cutting the tissue and increase post-operative complications, eschar generation and healing time, and increase the incidence of thermal damage to tissue located away from the cutting site.

The concentration of RF energy released affects the efficiency with which the electrode can cut tissue and the likelihood of tissue damage away from the cutting site. For standard electrode geometries, the RF energy tends to be distributed evenly over a relatively large area adjacent the intended incision site. The generally uniform distribution of RF energy release increases the likelihood of external charge loss into the surrounding tissue, which may increase the likelihood of unwanted tissue damage in the surrounding tissue.

Typical electrosurgical generators generate various operating frequencies and output power levels of RF electrical energy. The particular operating frequency and power output of the generator varies based on the particular electrosurgical generator used and the needs of the practitioner during the electrosurgical procedure. The particular operating frequency and power output level may be manually adjusted on the generator by a clinician or other operating room personnel. Adjusting these various settings appropriately requires a great deal of knowledge, skill and attention by the clinician or other worker. Once the clinician makes the desired adjustments to the various settings on the generator, the generator may maintain these output parameters during the electrosurgical procedure. Generally, a wave generator for electrosurgery is adapted to generate RF waves having an output power in the range of 1W to 300W in the cutting mode and an output power in the range of 1W to 120W in the coagulation mode, and a frequency in the range of 300kHz to 600 kHz. A typical wave generator is adapted to maintain a selected setting during electrosurgery. For example, if the clinician sets the output power level of the generator to 50W and then touches the electrode to the patient to perform electrosurgery, the power level of the generator will quickly rise and remain at 50W. While setting the power level to a particular setting (such as 50W) will allow the clinician to cut through the patient's tissue, maintaining such a high power level increases the likelihood of thermal necrosis of the patient's tissue.

In some forms, the generator is configured to provide sufficient power to effectively perform electrosurgery in conjunction with the electrode increasing the RF energy release concentration while limiting unwanted tissue damage, reducing post-operative complications, and facilitating faster healing. For example, the waveform from the generator may be optimized throughout the surgical procedure by the control circuit. However, the claimed subject matter herein is not limited in that respect to addressing any disadvantages or operating only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is provided merely to illustrate examples of technical areas in which some aspects described herein may be practiced.

As provided herein, an energy device delivers mechanical and/or electrical energy to a target tissue for treating the tissue (e.g., cutting tissue, cauterizing blood vessels, and/or coagulating tissue within and/or adjacent to the target tissue). The cutting, cauterization, and/or coagulation of tissue may result in the release of fluids and/or particles into the air. Such fluids and/or particles expelled during a surgical procedure may constitute smoke, which may include, for example, carbon particles and/or other particles suspended in air. In other words, the fluid may include smoke and/or other fluid matter. Approximately 90% of endoscopic and open surgical procedures generate a certain level of smoke. Smoke may smell an unpleasant smell to a clinician, assistant, and/or patient, may obstruct the clinician's view of the surgical site, and in some cases may be unhealthy to inhale. For example, smoke generated during electrosurgery may contain toxic chemicals including acrolein, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile, acetylene, alkylbenzenes, benzene, butadiene, butylene, carbon monoxide, cresol, ethane, ethylene, formaldehyde, free radicals, hydrogen cyanide, isobutylene, methane, phenol, polycyclic aromatics, propylene (propene), propylene (propylene), pyridine, pyrrole, styrene, toluene, and xylene, as well as dead and living cell matter (including blood debris) and viruses. Certain materials that have been identified in surgical smoke have been identified as known carcinogens. It is estimated that one gram of tissue cauterized during electrosurgery may be equivalent to the toxins and carcinogens of six unfiltered cigarettes. In addition, exposure to smoke released during electrosurgery has been reported to cause eye and lung irritation to health care workers.

In addition to the toxicity and odor associated with the materials in surgical smoke, the size of the particulate matter in surgical smoke may be harmful to the clinician, assistant, and/or patient's respiratory system. In some cases, the particles may be extremely small. In some cases, repeated inhalation of very small particles can lead to acute and chronic respiratory disorders.

Many electrosurgical systems employ surgical evacuation systems that capture smoke generated by the surgical procedure and direct the captured smoke through filters and exhaust ports away from the clinician and/or away from the patient. For example, the evacuation system may be configured to evacuate smoke generated during an electrosurgical procedure. The reader will appreciate that such evacuation systems may be referred to as "smoke evacuation systems," but such evacuation systems may be configured to evacuate more than just smoke from the surgical site. Throughout this disclosure, "smoke" evacuated by the evacuation system is not limited to only smoke. Rather, the smoke evacuation system disclosed herein may be used to evacuate a variety of fluids, including liquids, gases, vapors, fumes, vapors, or combinations thereof. The fluid may be of biological origin and/or may be introduced to the surgical site from an external source during surgery. The fluid may include, for example, water, saline, lymph, blood, exudate, and/or purulent discharge. Further, the fluid may include particles or other matter (e.g., porous matter or debris) evacuated by the evacuation system. For example, such particles may be suspended in a fluid.

The evacuation system typically includes a pump and a filter. The pump generates suction that draws the smoke into the filter. For example, suction may be configured to draw smoke from a surgical site into a conduit opening, through a suction evacuation conduit, and into a suction ejector housing of a suction evacuation system. An evacuation housing 50018 for a surgical evacuation system 50000 is shown in fig. 1. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the pump and filter are positioned within the ejector housing 50018. The smoke drawn into extractor housing 50018 travels to the filter via suction conduit 50036 and noxious toxins and pungent odors are filtered out of the smoke as it moves through the filter. The suction catheter may also be referred to as, for example, a vacuum and/or evacuation catheter and/or tube. The filtered air may then exit the surgical extraction system as exhaust. In certain instances, the various evacuation systems disclosed herein can also be configured to deliver fluid to a desired location, such as a surgical site.

Referring now to fig. 2, the aspiration conduit 50036 from the evacuator housing 50018 (fig. 1) may terminate in a handpiece, such as handpiece 50032. Handpiece 50032 includes an electrosurgical instrument that includes an electrode tip 50034 and a row of evacuation conduit openings near and/or adjacent to electrode tip 50034. The evacuation conduit opening is configured to capture fluids and/or particles released during a surgical procedure. In this case, the evacuation system 50000 is integrated into the electrosurgical instrument 50032. Still referring to fig. 2, smoke S is drawn into the suction conduit 50036.

In some cases, the evacuation system 50000 can include a separate surgical tool that includes a catheter opening and is configured to draw smoke into the system. In other cases, the tool including the evacuation conduit and the opening may be snap-engaged to the electrosurgical tool, as shown in fig. 3. For example, a portion of the aspiration catheter 51036 may be positioned around (or adjacent to) the electrode tip 51034. In one instance, the aspiration catheter 51036 can be releasably secured to a handpiece 51032 of an electrosurgical tool that includes an electrode tip 51034 having a clamp or other fastener.

The various internal components of the ejector housing 50518 are shown in fig. 4. In various instances, the internal components of fig. 4 can also be incorporated into the ejector housing 50018 of fig. 1. Referring primarily to fig. 4, the evacuation system 50500 includes an evacuation housing 50518, a filter 50502, a vent mechanism 50520, and a pump 50506. The evacuation system 50500 defines a flow path 50504 through an evacuation housing 50518 having an inlet port 50522 and an outlet port 50524. The filter 50502, vent mechanism 50520, and pump 50506 are, in turn, disposed in-line with a flow path 50504 through the ejector housing 50518 between an inlet port 50522 and an outlet port 50524. The inlet port 50522 may be fluidly coupled to an aspiration conduit, such as, for example, the aspiration conduit 50036 in fig. 1, which may include a distal conduit opening positionable at a surgical site.

The pump 50506 is configured to mechanically generate a pressure differential in the flow path 50504. The pressure differential is configured to draw smoke 50508 from the surgical site into the inlet port 50522 and along the flow path 50504. After the smoke 50508 has moved through the filter 50502, the smoke 50508 can be considered filtered smoke or air 50510, which can continue through the flow path 50504 and exit through the outlet port 50524. Flow path 50504 includes first region 50514 and second region 50516. The first region 50514 is located upstream of the pump 50506; the second region 50516 is located downstream of the pump 50506. The pump 50506 is configured to pressurize the fluid in the flow path 50504 such that the fluid in the second region 50516 has a higher pressure than the fluid in the first region 50514. A motor 50512 drives the pump 50506. Various suitable motors are also described herein. The exhaust 50520 is a mechanism that controls the velocity, direction, and/or other characteristics of the filtered smoke 50510 exiting the exhaust 50500 at the outlet port 50524.

The flow path 50504 through the evacuation system 50500 may be comprised of tubing or other conduits that substantially contain and/or isolate fluid moving through the flow path 50504 from fluids outside of the flow path. For example, the first region 50514 of flow path 50504 may include a tube through which flow path 50504 extends between filter 50502 and pump 50506. The second region 50516 of the flow path 50504 may also include a tube through which the flow path 50504 extends between the pump 50506 and the exhaust 50520. Flow path 50504 also extends through filter 50502, pump 50506, and vent mechanism 50520 such that flow path 50504 extends continuously from inlet port 50522 to outlet port 50524.

In operation, smoke 50508 can flow into filter 50502 at inlet port 50522 and can be pumped by pump 50506 through flow path 50504, such that smoke 50508 is drawn into filter 50502. The filtered smoke 50510 can then be pumped through the exhaust 50520 and out an outlet port 50524 of the exhaust 50500. The filtered smoke 50510 exiting the exhaust system 50500 at the outlet port 50524 is exhaust gas and may be comprised of filtered gas that has passed through the exhaust system 50500.

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

surgical systems

100 and 200 and situational awareness thereof.

Situational awareness encompasses the ability of some aspects of a surgical system to determine or infer information related to a surgical procedure from data received from a database and/or instrument. The information may include the type of surgery being performed, the type of tissue being operated on, or the body cavity being the subject of the surgery. With contextual information relating to the surgical procedure, the surgical system may, for example, improve the way it controls the modular devices (e.g., smoke evacuation systems) connected to it, and provide contextual information or advice to the clinician during the surgical procedure. Situational awareness is further described in U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/611,341 entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," filed here and on 2017, 12, month 28, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In various instances, the surgical systems and/or evacuation systems disclosed herein may include a processor. The processor may be programmed to control one or more operating parameters of the surgical system and/or the drainage system based on, for example, sensed and/or aggregated data and/or one or more user inputs. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system 50300 that includes a processor 50308. Electrosurgical system 50300 is powered by an AC source 50302 that provides 120V or 240V AC power. The voltage supplied by AC source 50302 is directed to AC/DC converter 50304, which converts the 120V or 240V alternating current to 360V direct current. The 360V dc power is then directed to a power converter 50306 (e.g., a buck converter). The power converter 50306 is a step-down DC-DC converter. The power converter 50306 is adapted to reduce the incoming 360V to a desired level in the range of 0V to 150V.

Processor 50308 can be programmed to adjust various aspects, functions, and parameters of electrosurgical system 50300. For example, the processor 50308 can determine a desired output power level at the electrode tip 50334, which can be similar in many respects to, for example, the electrode tip 50034 in fig. 2 and/or the electrode tip 51034 in fig. 3, and direct the power converter 50306 to reduce the voltage to a specified level to provide the desired output power. The processor 50308 is coupled to memory 50310 that is configured to store machine executable instructions for operating the electrosurgical system 50300 and/or subsystems thereof.

A digital-to-analog converter ("DAC") 50312 is connected between processor 50308 and power converter 50306. DAC 50312 is adapted to convert digital codes generated by processor 50308 into an analog signal (current, voltage, or charge) that controls the voltage reduction performed by power converter 50306. Once the power converter 50306 reduces the 360V to a level that the processor 50308 has determined will provide the desired output power level, the reduced voltage is directed to the electrode tip 50334 to effect electrosurgical treatment of the patient tissue and then to the return or ground electrode 50335. The voltage sensor 50314 and the current sensor 50316 are adapted to detect the voltage and current present in the electrosurgical circuit and communicate the detected parameters to the processor 50308 so that the processor 50308 can determine whether to adjust the output power level. As described herein, a typical wave generator is adapted to maintain a selected setting throughout the electrosurgical procedure. In other instances, the operating parameters of the generator can be optimized during the surgical procedure based on one or more inputs to the processor 5308 (such as inputs from a surgical hub, cloud, and/or situational awareness module), as further described herein.

Processor 50308 is coupled to communicateThe device 50318 to communicate over a network. The communication device includes a transceiver 50320 configured to be able to communicate by physical wire or wirelessly. The communication device 50318 can also include one or more additional transceivers. Transceivers may include, but are not limited to, cellular modems, wireless mesh network transceivers,

A transceiver, a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) transceiver, and/or a near field communication transceiver (NFC). The communication device 50318 can include or be configured to be capable of communicating with: mobile phones, sensor systems (e.g., environmental, location, motion, etc.), and/or sensor networks (wired and/or wireless), computing systems (e.g., servers, workstation computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers (e.g.,

etc.), ultra-portable computers, ultra-mobile computers, netbook computers, and/or small notebook computers), etc.; in at least one aspect of the disclosure, one of the apparatuses may be a coordinator node.

The transceiver 50320 can be configured to receive serial transmission data from the processor 50308 via a corresponding UART, modulate the serial transmission data onto an RF carrier to generate a transmission RF signal, and transmit the transmission RF signal via a corresponding antenna. The transceiver is further configured to be capable of receiving a receive RF signal via the respective antenna (the receive RF signal including an RF carrier modulated with serial receive data), demodulating the receive RF signal to extract serial receive data, and providing the serial receive data to the respective UART to be provided to the processor. Each RF signal has an associated carrier frequency and an associated channel bandwidth. The channel bandwidth is associated with the carrier frequency, the transmission data and/or the reception data. Each RF carrier frequency and channel bandwidth is associated with one or more operating frequency ranges of one or more transceivers 50320 . Each channel bandwidth is also associated with a wireless communication standard and/or protocol with which one or more transceivers 50320 can adhere. In other words, each transceiver 50320 can correspond to a particular implementation of a selected wireless communication standard and/or protocol, e.g., for

And/or IEEE 802.15.4 for wireless mesh networks using Zigbee routing.

Processor 50308 is coupled to sensing and intelligent control device 50324, which is coupled to smoke ejector 50326. The smoke ejector 50326 can include one or more sensors 50327, and can also include a pump and a pump motor controlled by a motor drive 50328. The motor driver 50328 is communicatively coupled to the processor 50308 and the pump motor in the smoke extractor 50326. Sensing and smart control device 50324 includes a sensor algorithm 50321 and a communications algorithm 50322 that facilitate communications between smoke ejector 50326 and other devices to adapt their control programs. The sensing and smart control device 50324 is configured to be able to evaluate the fluid, particulates, and gases drawn through the exhaust conduit 50336 to improve smoke evacuation efficiency and/or reduce device smoke output, for example, as further described herein. In some cases, sensing and smart control device 50324 is communicatively coupled to one or more sensors 50327 in smoke ejector 50326, one or more internal sensors 50330 and/or one or more external sensors 50332 of electrosurgical system 50300.

In some cases, the processor may be located within an extractor housing of the surgical extraction system. For example, referring to fig. 6, the processor 50408 and its memory 50410 are positioned within an extractor housing 50440 of a surgical extraction system 50400. The processor 50408 is in signal communication with a motor driver 50428, various internal sensors 50430, a display 50442, a memory 50410, and a communication device 50418. The communication device 50418 is similar in many respects to the communication device 50318 described above with respect to fig. 5. The communication device 50418 may allow the processor 50408 in the surgical evacuation system 50400 to communicate with other devices within the surgical system. For example, the communication device 50418 may allow wired and/or wireless communication with one or more external sensors 50432, one or more surgical devices 50444, one or more hubs 50448, one or more clouds 50446, and/or one or more additional surgical systems and/or tools. The reader will readily appreciate that in some instances, the surgical evacuation system 50400 of fig. 6 can be incorporated into the electrosurgical system 50300 of fig. 5. The surgical evacuation system 50400 also includes a pump 50450 (including its pump motor 50451), an evacuation conduit 50436, and an exhaust port 50452. Various pumps, evacuation conduits, and vents are further described herein. The surgical drainage system 50400 can also include a sensing and intelligent control device, which can be similar in many respects to, for example, the sensing and intelligent control device 50324. For example, such sensing and smart control devices may be in signal communication with one or more of the processor 50408 and/or the sensor 50430 and/or the external sensor 50432.

The electrosurgical system 50300 (fig. 5) and/or the surgical drainage system 50400 (fig. 6) can be programmed to monitor one or more parameters of the surgical system and can affect a surgical function based on one or more algorithms stored in memory in signal communication with the processors 50308 and/or 50408. For example, various exemplary aspects disclosed herein may be implemented by such algorithms.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the processor and sensor system, such as the

processors

50308 and 50408 and corresponding sensor systems in communication therewith (fig. 5 and 6), is configured to sense airflow through the vacuum source in order to adjust parameters of the smoke evacuation system and/or external devices and/or systems used in series with the smoke evacuation system, such as, for example, an electrosurgical system, an energy device, and/or a generator. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the sensor system may include a plurality of sensors positioned along an airflow path of the surgical evacuation system. These sensors may measure a pressure differential within the pumping system in order to detect a condition or state of the system between the sensors. For example, the system between the two sensors may be a filter, and the pressure differential may be used to increase the speed of the pump motor when flow through the filter is reduced in order to maintain flow through the system. As another example, the system may be a fluid trap of an exhaust system, and the pressure differential may be used to determine a gas flow path through the exhaust system. In yet another example, the system may be an inlet and an outlet (or exhaust) of an evacuation system, and the pressure differential may be used to determine a maximum suction load in the evacuation system in order to keep the maximum suction load below a threshold.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the processor and sensor system, such as the

processors

50308 and 50408 and corresponding sensor systems in communication therewith (fig. 5 and 6), are configured to be capable of detecting the rate of aerosol or carbonized particles (i.e., smoke) in the fluid withdrawn from the surgical site. For example, the sensing system may include a sensor that detects the size and/or composition of the particles, which is used to select the airflow path through the exhaust system. In this case, the drainage system may comprise a first filtration path or state and a second filtration path or state, which may have different characteristics. In one case, the first path includes only a particulate filter, and the second path includes both a fluid filter and a particulate filter. In some cases, the first path includes a particulate filter and the second path includes a particulate filter and a finer particulate filter arranged in series. Additional and/or alternative filtering paths are also contemplated.

processors

50308 and 50408 and the corresponding sensor systems in communication therewith (fig. 5 and 6), are configured to be capable of performing chemical analysis on particles evacuated from the patient's abdominal cavity. For example, the sensing and smart control device 50324 can sense particle count and type in order to adjust the power level of the ultrasonic generator, thereby causing the ultrasonic blade to generate less smoke. In another example, the sensor system may include sensors for detecting particle counts, temperature, fluid content, and/or contaminant percentage of the evacuated fluid, and may communicate the detected one or more characteristics to the generator for adjusting its output. For example, the smoke ejector 50326 and/or its sensing and intelligent control device 50324 can be configured to adjust the exhaust flow rate and/or the motor speed of the pump, and at a predetermined particle level, can be operable to affect the output power or waveform of the generator to reduce smoke generated by the end effector.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the processors and sensor systems, such as the

processors

50308 and 50408 and their respective sensor systems (fig. 5 and 6), are configured to be able to assess particle count and contamination in the operating room by assessing one or more characteristics in the ambient air and/or the exhaust from the extractor housing. The particle count and/or air quality may be displayed on the smoke evacuation system, such as, for example, on the extractor housing, in order to communicate this information to a clinician and/or to confirm the effectiveness of the smoke evacuation system and its filter(s).

In one aspect of the disclosure, a processor, such as, for example, the processor 50308 or the processor 50408 (fig. 5 and 6), is configured to be able to compare the sample rate image obtained from the endoscope to the ejector particle count from the sensing system (e.g., the sensing and intelligent control device 50324) in order to determine correlation and/or adjust the rate of Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) of the pump. In one case, activation of the generator may be communicated to the smoke extractor so that a desired smoke extraction rate may be achieved. Generator activation may be communicated to the surgical evacuation system through, for example, a surgical hub, a cloud communication system, and/or a direct connection.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a sensor system and algorithm for a smoke evacuation system (see, e.g., fig. 5 and 6) may be configured to control smoke evacuators, and may adjust its motor parameters to adjust the filtration efficiency of the smoke evacuator based on the needs of the surgical site at a given time. In one case, an adaptive airflow pump speed algorithm is provided to automatically vary the motor pump speed based on sensed particles entering the inlet of the extractor and/or exiting the outlet or exhaust of the extractor. For example, the sensing and smart control device 50324 (fig. 5) can include, for example, a user-selectable speed and an automatic mode speed. At automatic mode speeds, the airflow through the exhaust system may be scaled based on the smoke entering the exhaust system and/or the lack of filtered particulates exiting the exhaust system. In some cases, the automatic mode speed may provide automatic sensing and compensation for the laparoscopic mode.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the drainage system may include an electrical and communication architecture (see, e.g., fig. 5 and 6) that provides data collection and communication functionality to improve interactivity with the surgical hub and cloud. In one example, the surgical evacuation system and/or its processors, such as, for example, processor 50308 (fig. 5) and processor 50408 (fig. 6), may include segmented control circuitry that is powered on in a phased manner to check the system for errors, shorts, and/or safety checks. The segmented control circuit can also be configured to have a powered portion and a portion that is not powered until the powered portion performs the first function. The segmented control circuit may include circuit elements for identifying and displaying status updates to a user of the attachment component. The segmented control circuit also includes circuit elements for operating the motor in a first state in which the motor is activated by a user and a second state in which the motor has not been activated by the user, but rather operates the pump in a quieter manner and at a slower rate. For example, the segmented control circuit may allow the extractor to be powered in stages.

The electrical and communication architecture for the extraction system (see, e.g., fig. 5 and 6) may also provide interconnectivity of the extractor with other components within the surgical hub to facilitate interaction and data transfer with the cloud. Communication of surgical drainage system parameters to the surgical hub and/or cloud may be provided to affect the output or operation of other attached devices. The parameter may be operational or sensed. The operating parameters include airflow, pressure differential, and air quality. The sensed parameters include particle concentration, aerosol percentage, and chemical analysis.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a drainage system (such as, for example, the surgical drainage system 50400) may also include a housing and replaceable components, controls, and a display. A circuit element for communicating a secure Identification (ID) between such replaceable components is provided. For example, communication between the filter and the smoke evacuation electronics may be provided to verify the authenticity, remaining life of the component, update parameters in the component, log errors, and/or limit the number and/or types of components that may be identified by the system. In various instances, the communication circuit may authenticate features for enabling and/or disabling the configuration parameters. The communication circuitry may employ encryption and/or error handling schemes to manage the secure and proprietary relationship between the components and the smoke evacuation electronics. In some cases, disposable/reusable components are included.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a drainage system may provide fluid management and extraction filters and airflow configurations. For example, a surgical evacuation system is provided that includes a fluid capture mechanism having a first set of evacuation or air flow control features and a second set of evacuation or air flow control features in series with each other to evacuate large and small fluid droplets, respectively. In some cases, the airflow path may include a recirculation channel or secondary fluid channel from downstream of the exhaust port of the primary fluid management chamber back to the primary reservoir.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the advanced pad may be coupled to an electrosurgical system. For example, ground electrode 50335 of electrosurgical system 50300 (fig. 5) can include an advanced pad with localized sensing integrated into the pad while maintaining capacitive coupling. For example, the capacitively coupled return path pad may have small separable array elements that may be used to sense nerve control signals and/or movement of selected anatomical locations in order to detect the proximity of the monopolar tips to the nerve bundle.

The electrosurgical system may include a signal generator, an electrosurgical instrument, a return electrode, and a surgical evacuation system. The generator may be an RF wave generator that generates RF electrical energy. Connected to the electrosurgical instrument is a utility catheter. The utility conduit includes a cable that carries electrical energy from the signal generator to the electrosurgical instrument. The utility conduit also includes a vacuum hose that conveys the captured/collected smoke and/or fluid away from the surgical site. Such an exemplary electrosurgical system 50601 is shown in fig. 7. More specifically, the electrosurgical system 50601 includes a generator 50640, an electrosurgical instrument 50630, a return electrode 50646 and a drainage system 50600. The electrosurgical instrument 50630 includes a handle 50632 and a distal catheter opening 50634 that is fluidly coupled to a suction hose 50636 of the evacuation system 50600. The electrosurgical instrument 50630 also includes electrodes powered by the generator 50640. A first electrical connection 50642 (e.g., a wire) extends from the electrosurgical instrument 50630 to the generator 50640. A second electrical connection 50644 (e.g., a lead) extends from the electrosurgical instrument 50630 to an electrode, i.e., a return electrode 50646. In other cases, the electrosurgical instrument 50630 may be a bipolar electrosurgical instrument. The distal catheter opening 50634 on the electrosurgical instrument 50630 is fluidly coupled to a suction hose 50636 that extends to a filter end cap 50603 of a filter that is mounted in an extractor housing 50618 of an extraction system 50600.

In other instances, the distal catheter opening 50634 of the evacuation system 50600 may be located on a handpiece or tool separate from the electrosurgical instrument 50630. For example, the evacuation system 50600 may include a surgical tool that is not coupled to the generator 50640 and/or does not include a tissue energizing surface. In some cases, the distal catheter opening 50634 of the evacuation system 50600 can be releasably attachable to an electrosurgical tool. For example, the evacuation system 50600 may include a clip-on or snap-on catheter terminating at a distal catheter opening, which may be releasably attached to a surgical tool (see, e.g., fig. 3).

The electrosurgical instrument 50630 is configured to deliver electrical energy to a target tissue of a patient to cut tissue and/or cauterize blood vessels within and/or adjacent to the target tissue, as described herein. In particular, an electrical discharge is provided by the electrode tip to the patient in order to heat cellular material of the patient in close contact or proximity to the electrode tip. Tissue heating occurs at an appropriately high temperature to allow the electrosurgical instrument 50630 to be used to perform electrosurgery. The return electrode 50646 is administered to or placed in close proximity to the patient (depending on the type of return electrode) in order to complete the electrical circuit and provide a return electrical path to the generator 50640 for energy delivered into the patient.

Heating of the patient's cellular material by the electrode tip, or cauterizing the blood vessel to prevent bleeding, typically results in the release of smoke where the cauterization occurs, as further described herein. In such cases, because the evacuation conduit opening 50634 is proximate to the electrode tip, the evacuation system 50600 is configured to capture fumes released during the surgical procedure. Vacuum suction may draw smoke through the electrosurgical instrument 50630 into the conduit opening 50634 and into the suction hose 50636 toward the ejector housing 50618 of the smoke evacuation system 50600.

Referring now to fig. 8, the ejector housing 50618 of the ejector system 50600 (fig. 7) is shown. The extractor housing 50618 includes a socket 50620 sized and configured to receive a filter. The ejector housing 50618 may completely or partially enclose the internal components of the ejector housing 50618. The socket 50620 includes a first socket 50622 and a second socket 50624. Transition surface 50626 extends between first socket 50622 and second socket 50624.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 9, the socket 50620 is shown along the cross-sectional plane shown in FIG. 8. The socket 50620 includes a first end 50621 that is open to receive a filter and a second end 50623 that communicates with a flow path 50699 through the extractor housing 50618. The filter 50670 (fig. 10 and 11) can be removably positioned with the socket 50620. For example, the filter 50670 may be inserted and removed from the first end 50621 of the socket 50620. The second socket 50624 is configured to receive a connector tab of the filter 50670.

Surgical evacuation systems typically use filters to remove unwanted contaminants from the smoke before the smoke is released as exhaust. In some cases, the filter may be replaceable. The reader will appreciate that the filter 50670 shown in fig. 10 and 11 can be used with the various extraction systems disclosed herein. The filter 50670 may be a replaceable and/or disposable filter.

The filter 50670 includes a front cover 50672, a rear cover 50674, and a filter body 50676 disposed between the front and rear covers. The front cover 50672 includes a filter inlet 50678 that, in some cases, is configured to receive smoke directly from a suction hose 50636 (fig. 7) or other smoke source. In some aspects of the present disclosure, front cover 50672 may be replaced with a fluid trap (e.g., fluid trap 50760 shown in fig. 14-17) that directs smoke directly from a smoke source and, after removing at least a portion of the fluid from the smoke, passes the partially treated smoke into filter body 50676 for further processing. For example, the filter inlet 50678 may be configured to receive smoke via a fluid trap exhaust port, such as port 50766 in the fluid trap 50760 (fig. 14-17), to deliver partially-treated smoke into the filter 50670.

Once the smoke enters the filter 50670, the smoke may be filtered by components housed within the filter body 50676. The filtered smoke may then exit filter 50670 through filter vent 50680 defined in rear cover 50674 of filter 50670. When filter 50670 is associated with the extraction system, suction generated in the extractor housing 50618 of the extraction system 50600 can be communicated through filter vent 50680 to filter 50670 to draw smoke through the internal filtering components of filter 50670. The filter typically includes a particulate filter and a charcoal filter. The particulate filter may be, for example, a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter or an Ultra Low Penetration Air (ULPA) filter. ULPA filtration utilizes a depth filter similar to a labyrinth. The particles may be filtered using at least one of the following methods: direct interception (where particles above 1.0 micron are captured because they are too large to pass through the fibers of the media filter), inertial impaction (where particles between 0.5 and 1.0 micron collide with the fibers and remain there), and diffuse interception (where particles smaller than 0.5 micron are captured by brownian random thermal motion effects as the particles "find" the fibers and attach to the fibers).

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

Referring now to fig. 11, the filter 50670 includes a coarse media filtration layer 50684 followed by a fine particle filtration layer 50686. In other cases, the filter 50670 may consist of a single type of filter. In other cases, filter 50670 may include more than two filtration layers and/or more than two different types of filtration layers. After the particulate matter is removed by

filter layers

50684 and 50686, the smoke is drawn through a carbon reservoir 50688 in filter 50670 to remove gaseous contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds, within the smoke. In various instances, carbon reservoir 50688 can include a charcoal filter. The filtered smoke, now substantially free of particulate and gaseous contaminants, is drawn through filter exhaust 50680 and into exhaust system 50600 for further processing and/or abatement.

The filter 50670 includes a plurality of baffles between components of the filter body 50676. For example, the first baffle 50690 is positioned intermediate the filter inlet 50678 (fig. 10) and a first particulate filter, such as a coarse media filter 50684. A second baffle 50692 is positioned intermediate a second particulate filter (such as, for example, a fine particulate filter 50686) and a carbon reservoir 50688. Additionally, a third baffle 50694 is positioned intermediate carbon reservoir 50688 and filter vent 50680.

Baffles

50690, 50692, and 50694 may include gaskets or O-rings configured to prevent movement of components within filter body 50676. In various circumstances, the size and shape of the

baffles

50690, 50692, and 50694 can be selected to prevent the filter component from expanding in the direction of the applied suction.

The coarse media filter 50684 may comprise a low air resistance filter material, such as a fiberglass, polyester, and/or pleated filter configured to remove a majority of particulate matter greater than 10 μm, for example. In some aspects of the disclosure, this includes a filter that removes at least 85% of the particulates greater than 10 μm, greater than 90% of the particulates greater than 10 μm, greater than 95% of the particulates greater than 10 μm, greater than 99% of the particulates greater than 10 μm, greater than 99.9% of the particulates greater than 10 μm, or greater than 99.99% of the particulates greater than 10 μm.

Additionally or alternatively, the coarse media filter 50684 may comprise a low air resistance filter that removes a majority of particulate matter greater than 1 μm. In some aspects of the disclosure, this includes a filter that removes at least 85% of the particulates greater than 1 μm, greater than 90% of the particulates greater than 1 μm, greater than 95% of the particulates greater than 1 μm, greater than 99% of the particulates greater than 1 μm, greater than 99.9% of the particulates greater than 1 μm, or greater than 99.99% of the particulates greater than 1 μm.

The fine particle filter 50686 may include any filter that is more efficient than the coarse media filter 50684. This includes, for example, filters capable of filtering a higher percentage of the same size particles than the coarse media filter 50684 and/or filters capable of filtering smaller size particles than the coarse media filter 50684. In some aspects of the disclosure, the fine particle filter 50686 may include a HEPA filter or an ULPA filter. Additionally or alternatively, the fine particle filter 50686 may have pleats to increase its surface area. In some aspects of the disclosure, the coarse media filter 50684 comprises a pleated HEPA filter and the fine particulate filter 50686 comprises a pleated ULPA filter.

After particulate filtration, the fumes enter a downstream portion of the filter 50670 that includes a carbon reservoir 50688. Carbon reservoir 50688 is bounded by

porous partition walls

50696 and 50698 disposed between intermediate baffle 50692 and end baffle 50694, respectively. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the

porous partition walls

50696 and 50698 are rigid and/or inflexible and define a constant spatial volume of the carbon reservoir 50688.

Carbon reservoir 50688 can include additional adsorbents that act cumulatively with or independently of the carbon particles to remove gaseous contaminants. The additional adsorbent may comprise, for example, an adsorbent such as magnesium oxide and/or copper oxide, which may be used to adsorb gaseous pollutants such as, for example, carbon monoxide, ethylene oxide, and/or ozone. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the additional adsorbent is dispersed throughout reservoir 50688 and/or positioned in a different layer above, below or inside reservoir 50688.

Referring again to fig. 4, the evacuation system 50500 includes a pump 50506 located within the evacuation housing 50518. Similarly, the evacuation system 50600 shown in fig. 7 may include a pump located in the evacuation device housing 50618 that may generate suction to draw smoke from the surgical site through the suction hose 50636 and through the filter 50670 (fig. 10 and 11). In operation, the pump can create a pressure differential within the ejector housing 50618 that causes smoke to travel into the filter 50670 and exit a vent mechanism (e.g., vent mechanism 50520 in fig. 4) at the outlet of the flow path. The filter 50670 is configured to be able to extract harmful, contaminated, or otherwise unwanted particles from the smoke.

The pump may be positioned in-line with the flow path through the ejector housing 50618 such that gas flowing through the ejector housing 50618 enters the pump at one end and exits the pump at the other end. The pump may provide a sealed positive displacement flow path. In various instances, the pump may create a sealed positive displacement flow path by trapping (sealing) a first volume of gas and reducing that volume to a second, smaller volume as the gas moves through the pump. Reducing the volume of trapped gas increases the pressure of the gas. The second pressurized volume of gas may be released from the pump at the pump outlet. For example, the pump may be a compressor. More specifically, the pump may include a hybrid regenerative blower, a claw pump, a screw compressor, and/or a scroll compressor. The positive displacement compressor may provide improved compression ratios and operating pressures while limiting the vibration and noise generated by the extraction system 50600. Additionally or alternatively, the extraction system 50600 may include a fan for moving fluid therethrough.

An example of a positive displacement compressor (e.g., scroll compressor pump 50650) is shown in fig. 12. The scroll compressor pump 50650 includes a stator scroll 50652 and a moving scroll 50654. The stator volute 50652 can be fixed in place while the moving volute 50654 orbits eccentrically. For example, the moving scroll 50654 may orbit eccentrically such that it rotates about the central longitudinal axis of the stator scroll 50652. As shown in FIG. 12, the central longitudinal axes of the stator volute 50652 and the moving volute 50654 extend perpendicular to the viewing plane of the

volutes

50652, 50654. The stator volute 50652 and moving volute 50654 interleave with one another to form a discrete sealed compression chamber 50656.

In use, gas may enter the scroll compressor pump 50650 at the inlet 50658. As the moving scroll 50654 orbits relative to the stator scroll 50652, inlet gas is first trapped in the compression chamber 50656. Compression chamber 50656 is configured to enable a discrete volume of gas to move toward the center of scroll compressor pump 50650 along the spiral profile of

scroll housings

50652 and 50654. Compression chamber 50656 defines a sealed space in which gas resides. Further, as the moving scroll 50654 moves trapped gas toward the center of the stator scroll 50652, the volume of the compression chamber 50656 decreases. This reduction in volume increases the pressure of the gas inside compression chamber 50656. The gas inside the sealed compression chamber 50656 is trapped as the volume decreases, thereby pressurizing the gas. Once the pressurized gas reaches the center of the scroll compressor pump 50650, the pressurized gas is released through an outlet 50659.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a portion of a drainage system 50700 is shown. The evacuation system 50700 may be similar in many respects to the evacuation system 50600 (FIG. 7). For example, the evacuation system 50700 includes an evacuation housing 50618 and a suction hose 50636. Referring again to fig. 7, the suction system 50600 is configured to generate suction to draw smoke from the distal end of the suction hose 50636 into the extractor housing 50618 for treatment. Notably, the suction hose 50636 is not connected to the extractor housing 50618 by the filter end cap 50603 in fig. 13. Instead, the suction hose 50636 is connected to the ejector housing 50618 by a fluid trap 50760. A filter similar to filter 50670 can be positioned in a socket of the extractor housing 50618 behind the fluid trap 50760.

The fluid trap 50760 is a first treatment point that draws and retains at least a portion of the fluid (e.g., liquid) from the partially treated fumes before relaying the fumes to the evacuation system 50700 for further treatment and filtration. The evacuation system 50700 is configured to be capable of processing, filtering, and otherwise cleaning smoke to reduce or eliminate unpleasant odors or other problems associated with smoke generation in an operating room (or other operating environment), as described herein. In some cases, the fluid trap 50760 may (among other things) increase the efficiency of the evacuation system 50700 and/or extend the life of a filter associated therewith by extracting droplets and/or aerosols from the fumes before the fumes are further processed by the evacuation system 50700.

Referring primarily to fig. 14-17, the fluid trap 50760 is shown separated from the ejector housing 50618 (fig. 13). The fluid trap 50760 includes an inlet port 50762 defined in a front cover or surface 50764 of the fluid trap 50760. The inlet port 50762 may be configured to releasably receive a suction hose 50636 (fig. 13). For example, an end of the suction hose 50636 may be at least partially inserted into the inlet port 50762 and may be secured with an interference fit therebetween. In various instances, the interference fit can be a fluid-tight and/or air-tight fit such that substantially all of the smoke passing through the suction hose 50636 is conveyed into the fluid trap 50760. In some cases, other mechanisms for coupling or engaging the suction hose 50636 to the inlet port 50762 may be employed, such as, for example, a latch-based compression fitting, an O-ring that threadably couples the suction hose 50636 to the inlet port 50762, and/or other coupling mechanisms.

In various circumstances, the fluid-tight and/or air-tight fit between the suction hose 50636 and the fluid trap 50760 is configured to prevent fluid and/or other materials in the evacuated smoke from leaking at or near the junction of these components. In some instances, the suction hose 50636 may be associated with the inlet port 50762 by intermediate coupling devices (such as, for example, O-rings and/or adapters) to further ensure an air-tight and/or fluid-tight connection between the suction hose 50636 and the fluid trap 50760.

As described above, the fluid trap 50760 includes an exhaust port 50766. The exhaust port extends away from a back cover or surface 50768 of the fluid trap 50760. The exhaust port 50766 defines an open passageway between the internal cavity 50770 of the fluid trap 50760 and the external environment. In some instances, the exhaust port 50766 is sized and shaped to be closely associated with a surgical evacuation system or components thereof. For example, the exhaust port 50766 may be sized and shaped to associate at least partially treated smoke from the fluid trap 50760 and deliver it to a filter housed within the extractor housing 50618 (fig. 13). In some cases, the exhaust port 50766 can extend away from a front plate, top surface, or side surface of the fluid trap 50760.

In some instances, the exhaust port 50766 includes a diaphragm that spaces the exhaust port 50766 from the extractor housing 50618. Such diaphragms may be used to prevent water or other liquids collected in the fluid trap 50760 from passing through the exhaust port 50766 and into the extractor housing 50618, while allowing air, water, and/or vapor to freely enter the extractor housing 50618. For example, high flow microporous Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) may be positioned downstream of the exhaust port 50766 and upstream of the pump to protect the pump or other components of the evacuation system 50700 from damage and/or contamination.

The fluid trap 50760 also includes a gripping area 50772 positioned and sized to assist a user in gripping the fluid trap 50760 and/or connecting the fluid trap 50760 with a suction hose 50636 and/or a extractor housing 50618. The gripping region 50772 is shown as an elongated depression; however, the reader will readily appreciate that the gripping region 50772 may include, for example, at least one depression, groove, protrusion, tassel and/or loop that may be sized and shaped to receive a user's finger or otherwise provide a gripping surface.

Referring now primarily to fig. 16 and 17, an internal cavity 50770 of the fluid trap 50760 is shown. The relative positioning of the inlet port 50762 and the exhaust port 50766 is configured to facilitate the extraction and retention of fluid from smoke as the smoke enters the fluid trap 50760. In some instances, the inlet port 50762 may include a notched cylindrical shape that may direct smoke and entrained fluid toward the fluid reservoir 50774 of the fluid trap 50760, or otherwise be directed away from the exhaust port 50766. Examples of such fluid flow are illustrated in fig. 17 by arrows A, B, C, D and E.

As shown, smoke enters the fluid trap 50760 through an inlet port 50762 (shown by arrow a) and exits the fluid trap 50760 through an exhaust port 50766 (shown by arrow E). Due at least in part to the inlet port geometry (e.g., longer upper sidewall 50761 and shorter lower sidewall 50763), smoke entering the inlet port 50762 is initially directed primarily downward into fluid reservoir 50774 of fluid trap 50760 (shown by arrow B). As the smoke continues to be drawn down into the fluid trap 50760 along arrows a and B, the initially downwardly directed smoke rolls down and is directed laterally away from its source to travel along a substantially opposite but parallel path toward the upper portion of the fluid trap 50760 and out of the exhaust port 50766 (shown by arrows D and E).

The directional flow of the aerosol through the fluid trap 50760 may ensure that liquid within the aerosol is drawn out and retained within a lower portion of the fluid trap 50760 (e.g., fluid reservoir 50774). Further, when the fluid trap 50760 is in an upright position, the relative vertical positioning of the eductor port 50766 above the inlet port 50762 is configured to prevent liquid from being inadvertently carried through the exhaust port 50766 by the flow of smoke while substantially not impeding the flow of fluid into and out of the fluid trap 50760. Additionally, in certain instances, the configuration of the inlet port 50762 and the outlet port 50766 and/or the size and shape of the fluid trap 50760 itself may enable the fluid trap 50760 to resist spillage.

In various instances, the evacuation system may include a plurality of sensors and intelligent controls, for example, as further described herein with respect to fig. 5 and 6. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the evacuation system may include one or more temperature sensors, one or more fluid detection sensors, one or more pressure sensors, one or more particle sensors, and/or one or more chemical sensors. The temperature sensor may be positioned to detect a temperature of fluid at the surgical site, moving through the surgical evacuation system, and/or being evacuated from the surgical evacuation system into the operating room. The pressure sensor may be positioned to detect pressure within the evacuation system, such as within the ejector housing. For example, the pressure sensor may be positioned upstream of the filter, between the filter and the pump, and/or downstream of the pump. In some cases, the pressure sensor may be positioned to detect a pressure in an ambient environment external to the evacuation system. Similarly, a particle sensor may be positioned to detect particles within the evacuation system, such as particles within the ejector housing. For example, the particulate sensor may be located upstream of the filter, between the filter and the pump, and/or downstream of the pump. In various instances, a particle sensor may be positioned to detect particles in the ambient environment in order to determine, for example, air quality in an operating room.

FIG. 18 schematically illustrates a row extractor housing 50818 for use in the row extraction system 50800. The extractor housing 50818 can be similar in many respects to, for example, the extractor housing 50018 and/or 50618, and/or can be incorporated into the various extraction systems disclosed herein. The extractor housing 50818 includes a number of sensors, which are further described herein. The reader will appreciate that some extractor housings may not include each of the sensors shown in fig. 18 and/or may include additional sensors. Similar to the

extractor housings

50018 and 50618 disclosed herein, the extractor housing 50818 of fig. 18 includes an inlet 50822 and an outlet 50824. The fluid trap 50860, filter 50870, and pump 50806 are aligned in series along a flow path 50804 through the ejector housing 50818 between an inlet 50822 and an outlet 50824.

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

Still referring to the extractor housing 50818, the extractor housing 50818 includes a plurality of sensors for sensing various parameters therein and/or parameters of the surrounding environment. Additionally or alternatively, one or more modular components installed in the extractor housing 50818 can include one or more sensors. For example, still referring to fig. 18, the interchangeable module 50859 includes a plurality of sensors for detecting various parameters therein.

In various instances, the ejector housing 50818 and/or one or more modular components compatible with the ejector housing 50818 can include a processor, such as processors 50308 and 50408 (fig. 5 and 6), configured to be capable of receiving input from one or more sensors and/or transmitting output to one or more systems and/or drives. Various processors are further described herein for use with the extractor housing 50818.

In operation, smoke from the surgical site may be drawn into the inlet 50822 of the extractor housing 50818 via the fluid trap 50860. The flow path 50804 through the ejector casing 50818 in FIG. 18 may include a sealed conduit or tube 50805 extending between the various components in series. In various circumstances, smoke may flow through the fluid detection sensor 50830 and the chemical sensor 50832 to the diverter valve 50834 as further described herein. A fluid detection sensor such as sensor 50830 may detect fluid particles in the smoke. In one case, the fluid detection sensor 50830 may be a continuity sensor. For example, the fluid detection sensor 50830 may include two spaced apart electrodes and a sensor for detecting the degree of continuity between the two. When no fluid is present, the continuity may be, for example, zero or substantially zero. The chemical sensor 50832 may detect a chemical characteristic of the smoke.

At the diverter valve 50834, the fluid may be directed into a condenser 50835 of the fluid trap 50860, and the fumes may continue toward a filter 50870. A flow guide 50864 is positioned within the condenser 50835 to facilitate condensation of fluid droplets from the mist into a reservoir in the fluid trap 50860. The fluid detection sensor 50836 may ensure that any fluid in the ejector housing is completely or at least substantially captured within the fluid trap 50860.

Still referring to fig. 18, the smoke may then be directed to flow into the filter 50870 of the interchangeable module 50859. At the inlet of the filter 50870, smoke may flow through a particulate sensor 50838 and a pressure sensor 50840. In one form, the particle sensor 50838 may comprise a laser particle counter, as further described herein. The smoke may be filtered through a pleated Ultra Low Permeability Air (ULPA) filter 50842 and a charcoal filter 50844 as shown in fig. 18.

Upon exiting the filter, the filtered smoke may flow past the pressure sensor 50846, and may then continue to flow along the flow path 50804 within the extractor housing 50818 toward the pump 50806. While moving through the pump 50806, the filtered smoke may flow through a particulate sensor 50848 and a pressure sensor 50850 at the outlet to the ejector housing 50818. In one form, the particle sensor 50848 may include a laser particle counter, as further described herein. The extractor housing 50818 of fig. 18 also includes an air quality particle sensor 50852 and an ambient pressure sensor 50854 that are used to detect various characteristics of the surrounding environment, such as the environment within the operating room. The air quality particle sensor or the external/ambient air particle sensor 50852 may include at least one form of laser particle counter. Various sensors shown in fig. 18 are further described herein. Further, in various instances, alternative sensing devices may be utilized in the smoke evacuation systems disclosed herein. For example, alternative sensors for counting particles and/or determining the concentration of particles in a fluid are also disclosed herein.

In various circumstances, the fluid trap 50860 of fig. 18 can be configured to prevent spillage and/or leakage of the captured fluid. For example, the geometry of the fluid trap 50860 may be selected to prevent spillage and/or leakage of the captured fluid. In some instances, the fluid trap 50860 may include a baffle and/or a splash plate (such as plate 50862) for preventing captured fluid from splashing out of the fluid trap 50860. In one or more instances, the fluid trap 50860 may include a sensor for detecting a volume of fluid within the fluid trap and/or determining whether the fluid trap 50860 is filled to capacity. The fluid trap 50860 may include a valve for emptying fluid therefrom. The reader will readily appreciate that various alternative fluid trap arrangements and geometries may be employed to capture fluid drawn into the extractor housing 50818.

In some cases, the filter 50870 may include additional and/or fewer levels of filtration. For example, the filter 50870 may include one or more filtration layers selected from the following group of filters: coarse media filters, fine media filters, and adsorbent-based filters. The coarse media filter may be a low air resistance filter, which may be constructed of, for example, fiberglass, polyester, and/or pleated filters. The fine media filter may be a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter and/or an ULPA filter. The adsorbent-based filter may be, for example, an activated carbon filter. The reader will readily appreciate that various alternative filter arrangements and geometries may be employed to filter smoke drawn along the flow path through the extractor housing 50818.

In one or more instances, the pump 50806 shown in FIG. 18 can be replaced with and/or used in conjunction with another compressor and/or pump (such as a hybrid regenerative blower, claw pump, and/or screw compressor). The reader will readily appreciate that various alternative pumping arrangements and geometries can be employed to generate suction within flow path 50804 to draw smoke into extractor housing 50818.

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

Referring now to fig. 19, another ejector housing 50918 for the ejector system 50900 is shown. The ejector casing 50918 of FIG. 19 may be similar in many respects to the ejector casing 50818 of FIG. 18. For example, the ejector casing 50918 defines a flow path 50904 between an inlet 50922 to the ejector casing 50918 and an outlet 50924 to the ejector casing 50918. Disposed intermediate the inlet 50922 and the outlet 50924 are a fluid trap 50960, a filter 50970, and a pump 50906, in that order. The evacuation housing 50918 can include, for example, a socket or receptacle 50971 (similar to receptacle 50871) sized to receive a modular fluid trap and/or a replaceable filter. At the diverter valve 50934, the fluid may be directed into a condenser 50935 of the fluid trap 50960 and the fumes may continue toward the filter 50970. In some cases, the fluid trap 50960 can include, for example, a baffle (such as baffle 50964) and/or a splash screen (such as screen 50962) for preventing captured fluid from splashing out of the fluid trap 50960. Filter 50970 includes a pleated Ultra Low Permeability Air (ULPA) filter 50942 and a charcoal filter 50944. A sealing conduit or tube 50905 extends between the various embedded components. The extractor housing 50918 also includes

sensors

50830, 50832, 50836, 50838, 50840, 50846, 50848, 50850, 50852, and 50854, which are further described herein and shown in fig. 18 and 19.

Still referring to fig. 19, the ejector housing 50918 also includes a centrifugal blower arrangement 50980 and a recirculation valve 50990. The recirculation valve 50990 is selectively openable and closable to recirculate fluid through the fluid trap 50960. For example, if fluid is detected by the fluid detection sensor 50836, the recirculation valve 50990 may be opened such that fluid is directed back away from the filter 50970 and back into the fluid trap 50960. If fluid is not detected by the fluid detection sensor 50836, the valve 50990 may close such that smoke is directed into the filter 50970. As fluid is recirculated through recirculation valve 50990, fluid may be drawn in through recirculation conduit 50982. The centrifugal blower device 50980 engages with the recirculation conduit 50982 to generate a recirculation suction in the recirculation conduit 50982. More specifically, when the recirculation valve 50990 is open and the pump 50906 is activated, the suction generated by the pump 50906 downstream of the filter 50970 may generate rotation of a first centrifugal blower or squirrel cage 50984, which may be translated to a second centrifugal blower or squirrel cage 50986, which draws the recirculated fluid through the recirculation valve 50990 and into the fluid trap 50960.

In various aspects of the present disclosure, the control schematic of fig. 5 and 6 may be utilized with the various sensor systems and extractor housings of fig. 18 and 19.

The smoke drawn from the surgical site may include liquids, aerosols, and/or gases, and/or may include materials having different chemical and/or physical properties, such as particles and granules having different sizes and/or densities, for example. The different types of materials evacuated from the surgical site can affect the efficiency of the surgical evacuation system and its pump. Furthermore, certain types of materials may require the pump to draw excessive power and/or may risk damaging the motor of the pump.

The power supplied to the pump may be modulated based on input from one or more sensors along the flow path to control the flow of smoke through the exhaust system. The output from the sensor may be indicative of, for example, the state or quality of the smoke evacuation system and/or one or more characteristics of the evacuated smoke, such as the type and ratio of substances, chemical properties, density and/or particle size. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a pressure differential between two pressure sensors in a pumping system may indicate, for example, a condition of a region therebetween, such as a condition of a filter, a fluid trap, and/or the entire system. Based on the sensor input, an operating parameter of the motor of the pump, configured to change the motor speed, may be adjusted by changing the current and/or duty cycle supplied to the motor.

In one aspect of the disclosure, by modulating the flow of smoke through the exhaust system, the efficiency of the filter may be increased and/or the motor may be prevented from burning out.

The surgical evacuation system may include one or more particle counters or particle sensors for detecting the size and/or concentration of particles within the smoke. Referring again to fig. 18 and 19,

particle sensors

50838 and 50848 are shown. The reader will readily appreciate that a variety of particle measurement devices are possible. For example, the particle sensor may be an optical sensor, a laser sensor, a photosensor, an ionization sensor, an electrostatic sensor, and/or combinations thereof. Various particle sensors are further described herein.

In various circumstances, the speed of the motor, and thus the speed of the pump, may be adjusted based on the concentration of particles detected by one or more particle sensors in the surgical evacuation system. For example, when the particulate sensor detects an increased particulate concentration in the flow path (which may correspond to an increased amount of smoke in the flow path), the speed of the motor may be increased to increase the speed of the pump and draw more fluid from the surgical site into the smoke evacuation system. Similarly, when the particle sensor detects a reduced concentration of particles in the flow path (which may correspond to a reduced amount of smoke in the flow path), the speed of the motor may be reduced to reduce the speed of the pump and reduce suction from the surgical site. Additional and alternative adjustment algorithms for the surgical evacuation system are further described herein. Further, in some cases, based on sensor data from the smoke evacuation system, a generator in the surgical system may be controlled to adjust the amount of smoke generated at the surgical site, as further described herein.

In addition to particle sensors positioned along the flow path of the surgical drainage system, the system may also include one or more sensors for detecting the concentration of particles in the surrounding room (e.g., in the operating room or surgical room). Referring again to fig. 18 and 19, the air mass particle sensor 50852 is mounted on an outer surface of the extractor housing 50818. Alternative locations for the air mass particle sensor 50852 are also contemplated.

In at least one instance, the particulate sensor may be positioned downstream of the filter, and in some instances, at or near the outlet of the filter. For example, the particulate sensor 50848 is positioned downstream of the filter 50870 and the pump 50806 in the smoke evacuation system 50800, and downstream of the filter 50970 and the pump 50906 in the smoke evacuation system 50900. Because the particulate sensor 50848 is positioned downstream of the

filters

50870, 50970, the particulate sensor is configured to be able to confirm that the

filters

50870, 50970 have removed sufficient particulates from the smoke. In various instances, such sensors may be adjacent to the

exhaust outlets

50824, 50924 of the

extractor housings

50818, 50918, respectively. In one aspect of the present disclosure, an electrostatic particle sensor may be utilized. For example, the

exhaust outlets

50824, 50924 may include an electrostatic particle sensor that senses that exhaust gas is flowing downstream of the filtration system and then discharged into the surgical operating room.

The concentration of particles detected by one or more sensors of the surgical evacuation system may be communicated to the clinician in a number of different ways. For example, the

evacuation housing

50818, 50918 and/or evacuation device (e.g., electrosurgical instrument 50032 in fig. 2) may include an indicator, such as one or more lights and/or a display screen. For example, the LEDs on the extractor housings 50818, 50819 may change color (e.g., from blue to red) depending on the volume of particles detected by the sensor. In other cases, the indicator may include an alarm or warning, which may be tactile, audible, and/or visual, for example. In such cases, a clinician in the surgical operating room may be notified by an indicator when the concentration of particles in the ambient air detected by the air quality sensor (e.g., particle sensor 50852) exceeds a threshold amount.

In some cases, the surgical evacuation system may include an optical sensor. Optical sensors may include electronic sensors that convert light or changes in light into electrical signals. Optical sensors can detect and count particles in smoke using light scattering methods to determine the concentration of particles in smoke. In each case, light is laser-based. For example, in one case, the laser source is configured to illuminate the particles as they move through the detection chamber. As the particles pass through the laser beam, the light source becomes obscured, redirected, and/or absorbed. The scattered light is recorded by a light detector and the recorded light is analyzed. For example, the recorded light may be converted into an electrical signal indicative of the size and number of particles, which corresponds to the concentration of particles in the smoke. The concentration of particles in the smoke can be calculated in real time, for example by means of a laser optical sensor. In one aspect of the disclosure, at least one of the

particle sensors

50838, 50848, 50852 is a laser optical sensor.

The photoelectric sensor for detecting particles in smoke may be a through beam sensor, a reflective sensor or a diffuse sensor. A reflective photosensor 51000 is shown in fig. 20. Referring to fig. 20, reflective photosensor 51000 is a light scattering sensor in which light beam 51002 emitted from light source 51006 through lens 51012 is offset from photodetector or photocell 51004. For example, light detector 51004 in fig. 20 is offset 90 degrees from light source 51006. When smoke S obscures light beam 51002 intermediate light source 51006 and light trap 51008, light is reflected and reflected light 51010 is scattered toward lens 51014 and onto photodetector 51004. The light detector 51004 converts the light into an electrical signal (current) corresponding to the concentration of particles in the smoke S. The output signal may be provided to a processor 51016, which may be similar in many respects to the processors 50308 and/or 50408 shown in fig. 5 and 6, respectively, which may affect an operating parameter of the motor based on the electrical signal and corresponding particle concentration. For example, the output signal from the reflective photosensor 51000 can be an input to a control algorithm of the motor and/or an input to a surgical hub.

A through photosensor 51100 is shown in fig. 21. As shown in fig. 21, a line of sight extends between the light source 51102 and the light detector 51104. In such cases, the intensity of light reaching the light detector 51104 may be converted into an electrical signal (current) corresponding to the concentration of particles in the smoke S. The output signal can be provided to a processor 51106 coupled to a 24V dc power supply, which can be similar in many respects to processors 50308 and/or 50408 shown in fig. 5 and 6. The processor 51106 can affect an operating parameter of the motor based on the electrical signal and the corresponding particle concentration. For example, the output signal from the photosensor 51100 can be an input to a control algorithm of the motor and/or an input to a surgical hub.

In a photoelectric sensor for a surgical evacuation system (such as sensor 51000 in fig. 20 and/or sensor 51100 in fig. 21), the wavelength of light may be selected to tune the sensor 51000 for a particular type of smoke while ignoring other types of smoke. In some cases, multiple sensors and/or multiple wavelengths may be used to dial the sensor 51000 into the correct combination. Water vapor, even concentrated water vapor, absorbs light of a particular wavelength. For example, water vapor absorbs infrared light rather than reflecting infrared light. Because of these absorption characteristics of water vapor, infrared light can be used to accurately count particles in a fluid in the presence of water vapor in a surgical evacuation system.

In some cases, an ionization sensor may be used to detect particles in smoke. The ionization sensor includes two electrodes and a radioactive material that converts air molecules into positive and negative ions. Positive ions move toward the negative electrode, and negative ions move toward the positive electrode. If smoke passes between the electrodes, the smoke combines with ions, which breaks the electrical circuit. The drop in current through the circuit may be converted into an electrical signal (current) corresponding to the volume of smoke passing between the electrodes.

An ionization sensor 51200 is shown in fig. 22. The ionization sensor 51200 utilizes americium-241 to ionize air in the confined area. The sensor 51200 includes a small ionization chamber 51202 having two electrodes 51204 spaced apart. The ionization chamber 51202 can be made of, for example, polyvinyl chloride or polystyrene, and the electrodes 51204 can be spaced apart by about 1cm, for example, within the ionization chamber 51202. An americium-241 source 51208 may provide americium-241 to the ionization chamber 51202. For example, about 0.3 μ g of americium-241 may be embedded in a gold foil substrate sandwiched between a silver backing and a 2 micron thick palladium laminate layer. Americium-241 may have a half-life of 432 years and is attenuated by the emission of alpha rays 51206. The gold foil matrix is configured to retain radioactive material while still allowing alpha rays 51206 to pass through. In each case, alpha rays are preferred over beta rays and gamma waves because they tend to ionize air particles, have low penetration power, and can be easily contained.

During ionization, electrons are knocked out of oxygen and nitrogen molecules, which produce charged ions. The charged ions are attracted to the oppositely charged electrodes, thereby creating a current in the chamber. Because smoke particles 51210 are larger than air molecules, the ionized particles collide with and combine with the smoke particles. The combined particles act as recombination centers and neutralize ions, which reduces the amount of ionized particles in the ionization chamber 51202 and reduces the total current. The drop in current can be converted to an electrical signal corresponding to the volume of smoke passing between the electrodes 51204. The output signals may be provided to a processor, such as processor 50308 and/or processor 50408 shown in fig. 5 and 6, respectively, which may affect the operating parameters of the motor. For example, the output signal from the ionization sensor 51200 can be an input to a control algorithm of the motor and/or an input to a surgical hub, as further described herein.

In each case, a dual ionization chamber may be used. The first chamber, which acts as a sensing chamber, may be open to the atmosphere and affected by particulate matter, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. The second chamber may be isolated from smoke and particulate matter. Although positioned outside of the smoke flow path, the second chamber is still affected by humidity and atmospheric pressure. By using two chambers, humidity and barometric pressure variations can be minimized because the outputs from the two chambers are affected equally and cancel each other out. Since humidity and pressure can vary significantly during a surgical procedure (depending on, for example, the type of surgical procedure, the surgical device employed, and the type of tissue encountered), the dual ionization chamber can help the smoke evacuation system compensate for the pressure and humidity variations.

In some cases, a combined approach may be used to determine the concentration of particles in smoke. For example, a number of different types of smoke detectors or sensors may be utilized. Such sensors may be arranged in series with the flow path. For example, a plurality of particle sensors may be positioned along flow path 50804 in fig. 18 and/or flow path 50904 in fig. 19. Various sensors may provide input to pump motor control algorithms, such as the various adjustment algorithms described herein.

In some cases, the surgical evacuation system may be configured to tune sensor parameters to more accurately detect particles within smoke. The adjustment of the sensor parameters may depend on the type of surgical device, the type of surgical procedure, and/or the type of tissue. Surgical devices typically produce a predictable type of smoke. For example, in certain procedures, a predictable type of smoke may be smoke with a high water vapor content. In such cases, an infrared photosensor may be employed because infrared light is substantially absorbed by water vapor and is not reflected by water vapor. Additionally or alternatively, the predictable type of smoke may be smoke having particles of a particular size or concentration. Based on the expected size of the particles, the sensor may be tuned to more accurately determine the concentration of particles in the smoke.

In some cases, situational awareness may facilitate tuning of sensor parameters. The information related to situational awareness may be provided to the surgical drainage system by a clinician, an intelligent electrosurgical instrument in signal communication with the surgical drainage system, a robotic system, a hub, and/or a cloud. For example, the hub may include a situational awareness module that may aggregate data from various sensor systems and/or input systems (including, for example, smoke evacuation systems). Sensors and/or inputs throughout the computer-implemented interactive surgical system may be used to determine and/or confirm, for example, the surgical device used in the surgical procedure, the type and/or step of the surgical procedure, and/or the type of tissue. In some cases, situational awareness can predict the type of smoke that will be produced at a particular time. For example, the situational awareness module may determine the type of surgery and steps therein to determine which smoke will likely be generated. The sensor may be tuned based on the expected type of smoke.

In certain instances, one or more of the particle sensors disclosed herein can be a fluid detection sensor. For example, the particle sensor may be positioned and configured to be able to determine whether aerosols and/or liquid droplets are present in the evacuated smoke. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the size and/or concentration of the detected particles may correspond to aerosols, droplets, solid matter, and/or combinations thereof. In some cases, situational awareness can determine and/or confirm whether a detected particle is an aerosol or a solid substance. For example, a situational awareness module in signal communication with a processor (e.g., processor 50308 in fig. 5 and/or processor 50408 in fig. 6) may notify the fluid of the identification of the particles.

Referring now to fig. 23, a graphical representation of particle count 51300 and motor speed 51302 over time is shown, for example, for a surgical evacuation system, such as surgical evacuation system 50400 (fig. 6). The target motor speed 51304 may be predefined and stored in a memory of a processor in signal communication with the motor (see, e.g., fig. 5 and 6). In various instances, the processor can be configured to maintain the target motor speed 51304 under normal operating conditions. For example, the target motor speed 51304 may be stored in the memory 50410 (fig. 6), and the processor 50408 (fig. 6) may be configured to maintain the target motor speed 51304 under normal operating conditions. In such instances, when the surgical evacuation system 50400 (fig. 6) is activated, the motor 50451 may operate at the target motor speed 51304 and may continue to operate at the target motor speed 51304 unless one or more conditions are detected and/or communicated to the processor 50408.

In some cases, the processor 50408 may be in signal communication with a particulate sensor configured to detect a concentration of particulates in the intake smoke in real time. Various examples of particle concentration sensors, such as laser particle counter sensors, are described herein. In one aspect of the disclosure, a particulate sensor 50838 (fig. 18 and 19) may be in signal communication with the processor 50408 (fig. 6), the particulate sensor being positioned at an inlet to the filter 50870 of fig. 18 and at an inlet to the filter 50970 of fig. 19. For example, the laser particle sensor 50838 may correspond to one of the sensors 50430 in fig. 6.

In various circumstances, when the particle sensor 50838 (fig. 18 and 19) detects that the concentration of particles (e.g., one part per million of particles in the fluid) falls below the threshold amount 51306, the processor 50408 may direct the motor drive 50428 to decrease the speed of the motor 50451. For example, at time t in FIG. 23₁At this point, the particle count or particle concentration 51300 drops below the threshold amount 51306. Because the particle count 51300 has dropped below the threshold amount 51306, the motor speed 51302 may decrease below the target motor speed 51304. Then, if the particle sensor 50838 (fig. 18 and 19) detects a particle count 51300 again exceeding the threshold amount 51306, such as at time t ₂At this point, the processor 50408 may direct the motor driver 50428 to increase the speed of the motor 50451 to restore the target motor speed 51304. The concentration of particles may correspond to the size of the particles in the smoke. For example, smoke may be present at time t₁And time t₂With smaller particles included in between. By reducing the speed of the motor 50451, the suction generated by the pump 50450 may be reduced, which may ensure that smaller particles are not drawn through the filter of the surgical evacuation system 50400. For example, reducing the motor speed or reducing the pump pressure may ensure that the filtration system has sufficient time and capacity to capture particles and ensure that the fine media filter may capture smaller particles. In other words, a slower speed may improve the filtration efficiency of the surgical evacuation system 50400.

In some cases, the speed of the motor 50451 driving the pump 50450 may be adjusted based on a particulate sensor positioned downstream of the filter. For example, referring again to fig. 18 and 19, the particulate sensor 50848 is positioned downstream of the filter 50870 in fig. 18 and downstream of the filter 50970 in fig. 19. Because the particulate sensor 50848 is positioned downstream of the filter assembly, the particulate sensor 50848 is configured to detect particulates in the exhaust from, for example, the surgical exhaust system 50800 or exhaust system 50900. In other words, such a particle sensor 50848 is configured to be able to detect particles that have passed through the

extractor housings

50818, 50918 and exhausted into the ambient air. A particulate sensor 50848 is positioned adjacent to the

outlets

50824, 50924 to the

ejector housings

50818, 50918, respectively. In one instance, the processor 50308 (fig. 5) and/or the processor 50408 (fig. 6) may implement the adjustment to the pump when the concentration of particulates in the exhaust gas (e.g., the concentration of particulates detected by the particulate sensor 50848) exceeds a predefined threshold amount. For example, referring again to fig. 6, the speed of the motor 50451 may be adjusted to increase the filtration efficiency of the surgical drainage system 50400.

The motor speed may be adjusted by limiting the current supplied to the motor and/or changing the duty cycle of the motor. For example, the pulse modulation circuitry may employ pulse width modulation and/or pulse frequency modulation to adjust the length and/or frequency of the pulses.

Additionally or alternatively, if the particle count in the exhaust port exceeds a defined threshold amount that may be dangerous or harmful to operators and clinicians in the operating room, the exhausted fluid may be redirected through one or more filters in the surgical evacuation system. For example, if the particulate sensor 50838 detects that the particulate count in the exhaust gas is above a threshold amount, the processor 50308 (fig. 5) and/or the processor 50408 (fig. 6) may open a valve downstream of the filter that may recirculate the exhaust gas and inject the recirculated exhaust gas into the flow path upstream of the filter. In some cases, the valve may inject recirculated exhaust gas into an alternative flow path that includes, for example, one or more additional and/or different filters.

In some instances, the surgical evacuation system may include an override option in which the evacuation system continues to operate and/or continues to operate at a predefined power level despite exceeding a set threshold. For example, in the override mode, the surgical evacuation system may continue to operate and evacuate particulates even if a particulate sensor downstream of the filter detects a particulate concentration that exceeds a threshold amount. For example, an operator in a surgical operating room may activate an override feature or override mode by activating a switch, toggle switch, button, or other actuator on the evacuation device housing and/or an input to the surgical hub.

Referring now to fig. 27, a flow chart depicting an adjustment algorithm 52300 for a surgical evacuation system is shown. The various surgical evacuation systems disclosed herein may utilize the adjustment algorithm 52300 of fig. 27. Moreover, the reader will readily appreciate that in some cases, the adjustment algorithm 52300 may be combined with one or more additional adjustment algorithms described herein. Adjustment of the surgical evacuation system may be accomplished by a processor in signal communication with a motor of an evacuation pump (see, e.g., the processor and pump of fig. 5 and 6). For example, the processor 50408 may implement an adjustment algorithm 52300. Such a processor may also be in signal communication with one or more sensors in the surgical evacuation system.

In various circumstances, the surgical evacuation system can initially be operated in a standby mode 52302, as shown in fig. 27, in which the motor is operated at low power, as shown in block 52310, to sample fluid from the surgical site. For example, in the standby mode 52302, the surgical evacuation system can evacuate a small sample of fluid from the surgical site. The standby mode 52302 may be a default mode of the drainage system.

If a particulate sensor upstream of the filter (e.g., the particulate sensor 50838) detects a particulate count or particulate concentration greater than a threshold X, as indicated in block 52312, the surgical evacuation system may enter the automatic evacuation mode 52304. In the automatic evacuation mode 52304, the motor speed may be increased at block 52314 to evacuate additional smoke from the surgical site. For example, the particle count or particle concentration may increase above a threshold amount X when electrosurgery begins or when a particular electrosurgical power level is activated. In some cases, the speed of the motor may be adjusted during the automatic evacuation mode 52304 based on the detected concentration of particles. For example, as the concentration of particles detected by the particle sensor 50838 increases, the motor speed may increase accordingly. In some cases, the predefined motor speed may correspond to a predefined range of particle concentrations detected by the particle sensor 50838.

Still referring to fig. 27, if a particulate sensor (e.g., particulate sensor 50848) downstream of the filter detects a particulate count or particulate concentration less than a threshold amount Y at block 52316, the motor may resume the low power mode at block 52310 and/or be further adjusted at block 52314, as specified herein. Further, if the downstream particulate sensor 50848 detects a particulate count or particulate concentration greater than the threshold amount Y and less than the threshold amount Z at block 52318, the motor speed may be decreased at block 52320 to increase the efficiency of the filter. For example, the particulate concentration detected by the particulate sensor 50848 between thresholds Y and Z may correspond to small particulates passing through a filter of the smoke evacuation system.

Still referring to fig. 27, if the particulate sensor 50848 downstream of the filter detects a particulate count greater than the threshold amount Z at block 52318, the motor may be disconnected at block 52322 to terminate the evacuation procedure and the surgical evacuation system may enter the override mode 52306. For example, the threshold Z may correspond to an air quality risk for the clinician and/or other personnel in the surgical operating room. In some cases, the operator may selectively override the shutdown function, as further specified herein, such that the motor continues to operate at block 52310. For example, the surgical evacuation system may return to the standby mode 52302 in which a fluid sample is evacuated from the surgical site and monitored by the surgical evacuation system.

In some cases, the power level of the pump may be a function of the pressure differential across at least a portion of the surgical evacuation system. For example, the surgical evacuation system can include at least two pressure sensors. Referring again to fig. 18 and 19, the ambient pressure sensor 50854 is configured to be able to detect the pressure in the ambient room. Pressure sensor 50840 is configured to detect a pressure in flow path 50804 intermediate fluid trap 50860 and filter or filtration system 50870 in fig. 18, and to detect a pressure in flow path 50904 intermediate fluid trap 50960 and filter system 50970 in fig. 19. Additionally, a pressure sensor 50846 is configured to be able to detect pressure in the flow path 50804 intermediate the filtration system 50870 and the pump 50806 in fig. 18, and in the flow path 50904 intermediate the filtration system 50970 and the pump 50906 in fig. 19. Finally, a pressure sensor 50850 is configured to be able to detect the pressure in

flow paths

50804 and 50904 at exhaust ports or

outlets

50824 and 50924, respectively. The reader will readily appreciate that some smoke evacuation systems may include fewer or more than the four

pressure sensors

50840, 50846, 50850, and 50854 shown in fig. 18 and 19. Further, the pressure sensor may be positioned at an alternative location throughout the surgical evacuation system. For example, one or more pressure sensors may be positioned along an extraction conduit extending between the extractor and the housing, for example, in the extractor device, and within the housing, such as upstream of the fluid trap and/or intermediate different layers of the filtration system.

Referring now to fig. 28, a flow chart depicting an adjustment algorithm 52400 for a surgical evacuation system is shown. In various instances, the surgical drainage system disclosed herein can utilize the adjustment algorithm of fig. 28. Moreover, the reader will readily appreciate that in some cases, the adjustment algorithm 52400 of fig. 28 may be combined with one or more additional adjustment algorithms described herein. Adjustment of the surgical evacuation system may be accomplished by a processor in signal communication with a motor of an evacuation pump (see, e.g., the processor and pump of fig. 5 and 6). For example, the processor 50408 may implement the adjustment algorithm 52400. The processor may also be in signal communication with one or more pressure sensors in the surgical evacuation system.

In various instances, the processor 50408 is configured to obtain a pressure measurement P1 from the first pressure sensor at block 52402 and a second pressure measurement P2 from the second pressure sensor at block 52404. The first and second pressure sensors may be provided by, for example, sensor 50430 in FIG. 6. The processor 50408 is configured to be able to compare the measurements P1 and P2 at block 52406 to determine a pressure differential between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor. In one case, if the pressure differential is less than or equal to the threshold amount X, such as at block 52408, the speed of the pump may be maintained. Conversely, if the pressure differential is greater than the threshold amount X, such as at block 52410, the speed of the pump may be adjusted. Adjustment of the operating parameter of the motor is configured to adjust the speed of the pump. The adjustment algorithm 52400 may be repeated continuously and/or at regular intervals. In some cases, the clinician may trigger the implementation of the adjustment algorithm 52400.

The flow rate of smoke through the exhaust system may be a function of the pressure differential. In one case, if the pressure differential across the exhaust system increases significantly, the flow through the system may also increase. The actual flow rate may be predicted based on the pressure differential and the motor speed. Thus, by monitoring the pressure differential, the flow rate can be more accurately determined.

Additionally, a blockage in the flow path may correspond to an increase in the pressure differential. For example, as the filter captures particles from smoke, the pressure differential across the filter may increase for a given pump speed. In response to a predefined pressure drop across the filter, the speed of the motor and the corresponding speed of the pump may be increased to maintain the flow of smoke through the system despite a blockage in the filter. For example, referring again to fig. 18 and 19, a first pressure sensor may be positioned upstream of the filter (e.g., pressure sensor 50840) and a second pressure sensor may be positioned downstream of the filter (e.g., pressure sensor 50846). The pressure differential between pressure sensor 50840 and pressure sensor 50846 may correspond to a pressure drop across the filter. When the filter captures particles in the smoke, the captured particles may block the flow path, which may increase the pressure differential across the filter. In response to the increased pressure differential, the processor may adjust the operating parameters of the motor to maintain flow throughout the system. For example, the speed of the motor and the corresponding speed of the pump may be increased to compensate for a partially clogged filter in the flow path.

In other cases, the predefined pressure drop may correspond to a blockage in the evacuation conduit. In one example, to avoid tissue damage when the evacuation conduit is blocked by tissue, for example, the speed of the motor and the corresponding speed of the pump may be reduced. Reducing the speed of the pump in such cases may be configured to avoid potential tissue trauma.

In another instance, a first pressure sensor may be positioned upstream of the fluid trap and a second pressure sensor may be positioned downstream of the fluid trap (e.g., pressure sensor 50840). The pressure differential between the sensors may correspond to a pressure drop across the fluid trap, which may correspond to a flow rate and/or flow path through the fluid trap. The pressure differential across the fluid trap may also be estimated by other sensors in the fluid evacuation system. In some instances, it is desirable to reduce the flow through the fluid trap to ensure that liquid is adequately removed from the smoke before the smoke enters the downstream filter and pump. In such cases, the pressure differential may be reduced by reducing the speed of the motor and the corresponding speed of the pump.

In other instances, a first pressure sensor may be positioned at an inlet to the surgical evacuation system or an evacuation housing thereof, and a second pressure sensor may be positioned at an outlet to the surgical evacuation system (e.g., pressure sensor 50850). The pressure differential between the sensors may correspond to a pressure drop across the surgical evacuation system. In some cases, the maximum suction load of the system may be kept below a threshold by monitoring the pressure drop across the system. When the pressure drop exceeds a threshold amount, the processor may adjust an operating parameter of the motor (e.g., slow the motor) to reduce the pressure differential.

In one case, for example, the chemical sensor 50832 may detect the pH of a substance (such as a fluid sputtered onto the sensor 50832) that is in physical contact with the sensor, for example. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the chemical sensor 50832 may detect glucose and/or oxygen content in the fluid. The chemical sensor 50382 can be configured to be able to detect cancerous byproducts under certain circumstances. If cancerous byproducts are detected, parameters of the evacuation system may be adjusted to reduce the likelihood that such byproducts will enter the surgical operating room. In one case, the pump speed may be reduced to increase the efficiency of, for example, a filter in the pumping system. In other cases, the evacuation system may be powered down to ensure that cancerous byproducts are not evacuated into the surgical operating room.

The fluid extracted from the surgical site by the surgical drainage system may contain liquids and various particles. The combination of different types and/or states of matter in the evacuated fluid may make the evacuated fluid difficult to filter. Additionally or alternatively, certain types and/or states of matter may be harmful to certain filters. For example, the presence of droplets in the smoke may damage certain filters, and the presence of larger particles in the smoke may block certain fine particle filters.

The sensor may be configured to detect a parameter of the fluid moving through the evacuation system. Based on the parameters detected by the sensors, the surgical evacuation system may direct the evacuated fluid along an appropriate flow path. For example, fluid containing a percentage of droplets above a particular threshold parameter may be directed through the fluid trap. As another example, fluid containing particles above a threshold size may be directed through the coarse media filter, and fluid containing particles below the threshold size may bypass the coarse media filter and be directed to the fine media filter.

By providing an alternative flow path through the surgical evacuation system, the surgical evacuation system and its filter may operate more efficiently and may not be susceptible to damage and/or clogging. The service life of the filter can also be extended. As provided herein, a filter may include one or more filtration layers, and in some cases, a filtration system may include one or more filters.

The diverter valve 52934 for a surgical evacuation system is shown in detail in fig. 24A and 24B. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the

diverter valves

50834 and 50934 shown in the

surgical evacuation systems

50800 and 50900 of fig. 18 and 19, respectively, may include a diverter valve 52934. Diverter valve 52934 includes a ball valve 52396 operably configured to direct fluid from inlet path 52942 along either first path 52940 or second path 52938. In various instances, the ball valve 52396 may be an electrically actuated ball valve that includes a controller. For example, a processor for a surgical evacuation system, such as processor 50408 (fig. 6), may send a signal to a ball valve controller to initiate rotation of ball valve 52396 to change the flow path of smoke therethrough. When the diverter valve 52934 is in the first position (fig. 24A), the smoke intake through the diverter valve 52934 is directed along a first path 52940. When the diverter valve 52934 is in the second position (fig. 24B), smoke intake through the diverter valve 52934 is directed along the second path 52938.

The first path 52940 may correspond to a flow path when no liquid is detected within the smoke or when the detected liquid to gas ratio or aerosol percentage is below a threshold. The second path 52938 may correspond to a flow path when a liquid (e.g., aerosol) has been detected within the smoke, or when the detected liquid to gas ratio or aerosol percentage is equal to or above a threshold. In certain aspects of the disclosure, the first path 52940 can bypass the fluid trap and the second path 52938 can direct smoke through the fluid trap to capture fluid from the smoke before the smoke is directed into the filter. By selecting the flow path according to the aerosol percentage, the efficiency of the surgical evacuation system may be improved.

In other cases, the diverter valve 52934 can include more than two fluid path outlets. Furthermore, the fluid path may bypass/recirculate fluid with respect to the fluid trap and/or direct smoke along different filter paths including different arrangements of fluid traps, condensers, and/or particulate filters depending on detected fluid parameters.

Referring again to fig. 18 and 19, the fluid detection sensor 50830 is configured to be able to detect the presence of aerosol or the liquid to gas ratio in smoke. For example, the fluid detection sensor 50830 in fig. 18 is positioned at the inlet 50822 to the ejector housing 50818. In other instances, the fluid detection sensor 50830 may be positioned near the inlet 50822 and/or at a location upstream of the filter 50870 and/or a socket for receiving the filter 50870. Examples of fluid detection sensors are further described herein. For example, the fluid detection sensor 50830 may include one or more of the particle sensors disclosed further herein. Additionally or alternatively, in one aspect of the present disclosure, the fluid detection sensor 50830 comprises a continuity sensor.

In one case, if the fluid detection sensor 50830 detects a liquid to gas ratio at or above a threshold, the intake air may be diverted into the condenser before entering the particulate filter. The condenser may be configured to condense small droplets in the flow path. In various instances, the condenser may comprise a honeycomb structure. The condenser may include a plurality of baffles or other structures over which the liquid is configured to condense. As the mist flows through the condenser, the liquid may condense on baffles in the condenser and may be directed downward into the fluid reservoir.

Referring primarily to fig. 18, the diverter valve 50834 is positioned to direct the smoke intake to bypass the condenser 50835 so that the smoke flows directly to the filter 50870. The surgical evacuation system 50800 may require less power from the motor driving the pump (see, e.g., motor 50451 and pump 50450 in fig. 6) while bypassing the condenser 50835. Referring now to fig. 19, diverter valve 50934 is positioned to direct smoke into condenser 50935 within fluid trap 50960 before the smoke flows into filter 50970. Conversely, if the fluid detection sensor 50830 detects a liquid to gas ratio below a threshold, the intake air may bypass the condenser 50935 and be directed directly to the filter 50970.

In various circumstances, the fluid detection sensor 50830 may detect the presence of smoke in the flow path. For example, the fluid detection sensor 50830 may include a particle sensor. Detection of particles or detection of a concentration of particles above a threshold value may indicate that smoke is present in the flow path. In some cases, the fluid detection sensor may not distinguish between solid particles (e.g., carbon) and aerosol particles. In other cases, the fluid detection sensor 50830 may also detect the presence of an aerosol. For example, the fluid detection sensor may include a continuity sensor that may determine, for example, whether the detected particles are aerosols, as described herein.

In various instances, the surgical evacuation system can include additional or alternative flow paths. For example, a surgical evacuation system may include a high particle flow path and a low particle flow path. For example, intake smoke may be diverted to the particulate filter when a particulate sensor, such as the particulate sensor 50838 (fig. 18 and 19), detects a particulate concentration at or above a threshold value. Conversely, if the laser particle sensor detects a particle concentration below a threshold, the intake smoke may bypass the particle filter. Similarly, different flow paths may correspond to different sizes and/or types of particles. For example, if the particle sensor 50838 detects larger particles, smoke may be directed along a different path than when smaller particles are detected. For example, the surgical evacuation system may include different types of particulate filters (e.g., a large media filter and a fine media filter), and may use different filtering methods, such as direct interception, inertial impaction, and diffusion interception, based on the detected particle size (or range of sizes). Different flow paths may be selected to optimize fluid extraction and/or particulate filtration of the smoke while minimizing power consumption and/or stress on the motor. In some cases, the default flow path may be a more direct flow path, and upon detection of a fluid parameter that exceeds a threshold limit, fluid may be diverted to a less direct flow path. A less direct flow path may require more power.

In various instances, a motor for a surgical evacuation system may be adjusted based on characteristics of the intake air fumes and/or a filter installed in the surgical evacuation system. Referring again to the schematic shown in fig. 6, the processor 50408 is in signal communication with a motor drive 50428 that is coupled to the motor 50451 of the pump 50450. The processor 50408 may be configured to adjust the motor 50451 based on characteristics of the smoke and/or installed filter. In one instance, the processor 50408 may receive an input corresponding to a volume of liquid within the flow path, including a volume of aerosol suspended within the smoke and/or a volume of liquid droplets contacting or resting on a conduit of the surgical evacuation system. Various sensors for detecting the fluid density of the intake air smoke, such as a continuity sensor, are further described herein.

The liquid to gas ratio of the smoke can affect the efficiency of the smoke evacuation pump. For example, the compressibility of the liquid within the smoke may be less than the gas within the smoke, which may affect the efficiency of the pump. In addition, different types of pumps may behave differently in the presence of aerosol. In some cases, the pump speed may be accelerated, and in other cases, the pump speed may be decelerated. To optimize the efficiency of the pump for the respective liquid to gas ratio, the processor may be configured to adjust the motor driving the pump. In other words, the control program for the motor may be operable to adjust the pump speed based on the detected liquid to gas ratio in the flow path.

Some pumps can effectively handle fluids with high liquid to gas ratios such that the efficiency of the pump remains the same or increases. For example, certain scroll pumps can treat aerosols in the smoke path. In such cases, the rotational speed of the pump may be reduced with incompressible (or less compressible) fluid, thereby increasing the air handling of the vacuum. Other pumps may be more sensitive to fluids having high liquid to gas ratios and, therefore, may be slowed to limit the pressure differential across the fluid trap.

In various instances, the sensor may be configured to detect flow through the surgical evacuation system. For example, the optical sensor may be configured to measure a flow rate of particles within the surgical evacuation system. In some cases, the detected flow through the surgical suction system may be used to manage the suction rate of the compressor. The algorithm may determine an appropriate draw rate based on one or more detected parameters of the flow and/or smoke (e.g., particle concentration, liquid to gas ratio, etc.). For example, when smoke having a high liquid to gas ratio enters the surgical evacuation system, the motor speed may be reduced to reduce the flow through the surgical evacuation system including its fluid trap so that more liquid may be extracted from the smoke before the smoke enters the pump. Liquids can damage some pumps. For example, if the liquid within the smoke is allowed to enter, the lobe pump and regenerative blower may be damaged.

Fig. 25 illustrates a graphical representation of airflow fluid content and duty cycle over time for a surgical evacuation system, such as surgical evacuation system 50800 (fig. 18) and/or 50900 (fig. 19). The fluid content may include aerosols and droplets within the evacuation system and may be detected by, for example, fluid detection sensors 50830 and 50836 (fig. 18 and 19). Referring again to fig. 25, at the start of the procedure,

fluid detection sensors

50830 and 50836 detect the same or substantially the same fluid content in the smoke. In other words, the fluid content upstream of the

respective fluid trap

50860, 50960 is the same or substantially the same as the fluid content downstream of the

respective fluid trap

50860, 50960. The fluid content detected by

sensors

50830 and 50836 continues to rise as the procedure continues.

At time t₁At, the fluid content detected by

sensors

50830 and 50836 exceeds a fluid content threshold (C)_T)52102 and to prevent damage to the filtration system, the smoke is redirected through a fluid trap, such as fluid traps 50860 and/or 50960. Threshold value C of fluid content _T52102 can correspond to the percentage of fluid volume and/or aerosol that would be harmful to the filtration system. Referring primarily to the extraction system 50900 in fig. 19, the recirculation valve 50990 may be opened (as shown in fig. 19) such that fluid may be redirected back into the condenser 50935 of the fluid trap 50960 before entering the filter 50970. By recirculating the fluid, additional droplets may be removed therefrom. Thus, referring again to fig. 25, the fluid content detected by the fluid detection sensor 50836 positioned upstream of the filter 50970 may be reduced below the fluid volume threshold C _T52102. In each case, at time t, by the path of the air flow through the extractor housing₁The duty cycle of the motor may be maintained as adjusted, as shown in fig. 25.

Still referring to the graphical representation in fig. 25, as the smoke recirculates through the fluid trap (which captures some of the aerosol and/or droplets), the downstream fluid detection sensor 50836 begins to detect the lesser liquid content in the smoke. However, the upstream fluid detection sensor 50830 continues to detect the increased amount of liquid in the smoke. Furthermore, at time t₂At, the downstream fluid detection sensor 50836 again detects that the fluid content threshold C is exceeded_T52102 fluid content. To account for the increased fluid content, the duty cycle of the pump motor is at time t despite the recirculation of smoke through the fluid trap₂To reduce the speed of the pump so that more liquid can be extracted from the smoke before it enters the pump. The fluid trap may more effectively trap aerosol when the pump is adjusted to a reduced duty cycleAnd/or droplets are trapped within the smoke, and the fluid content detected by the fluid detection sensor 50836 eventually begins to decrease below the fluid content threshold C _T 52102。

In some cases, the volume of fluid in the fluid trap and/or the levelness of the housing may be used to determine whether the fluid level therein is approaching a threshold limit, which may correspond to reaching an outlet port of the spill-proof deflector and/or the fluid trap to the particulate filter. The liquid may damage the particulate filter and/or reduce its efficiency, as further described herein. To prevent liquid from entering the particulate filter, the processor may adjust the motor to minimize the possibility of drawing liquid into the particulate filter. For example, the processor may direct the motor to slow down when a predefined volume of liquid enters the fluid trap and/or when the liquid within the trap reaches a set marker or level within the housing that exceeds a predefined safe level.

In various circumstances, the control sequence of the motor can be further influenced by using the pressure differential between pressure sensors in the evacuation system, such as

pressure sensors

50840 and 50846 in surgical evacuation system 50900 (fig. 19). For example, based on the pressure differential across the filter 50970 and the speed of the motor of the pump 50906, the processor of the surgical drainage system 50900 may be configured to predict the actual flow through the filter 50970. Additionally, the flow rate may be adjusted (e.g., by adjusting the motor speed) to limit the flow rate and reduce the likelihood that fluid will be drawn out of the reservoir in the fluid trap 50960 and into the filter 50970.

As described herein, a surgical evacuation system can include one or more sensors configured to detect the presence of aerosol (e.g., liquid to gas ratio) within smoke, and one or more sensors configured to detect the presence of carbonized particles (e.g., parts per million measurement) within smoke. By determining whether the extracted fluid is primarily steam, primarily smoke, and/or the respective ratios of each, the surgical evacuation system may provide valuable information to a clinician, intelligent electrosurgical instrument, robotic system, hub, and/or cloud. For example, the ratio of steam to smoke may indicate the degree of tissue welding and/or collagen cauterization. In various instances, the energy algorithm of the electrosurgical instrument and its generator may be tuned based on the ratio of steam to smoke.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the processor may adjust the amplitude and/or power of an ultrasonic generator, such as generator 800 (fig. 58), when the extracted fluid is primarily vapor or has a high aerosol percentage. For example, a processor for a smoke evacuation system may be communicatively coupled to the generator 800. In one case, when the power is too high for a particular surgical scenario, an excess of vapor or aerosol may be generated. In such cases, the power level of the generator may be reduced to reduce the vapor/aerosol generated by the energy means. In other cases, the processor may adjust the power level of the generator for higher particle ratios. For example, for particle ratios above a threshold, the power level may be reduced. In some cases, the voltage may be adjusted to reduce particles generated by the energy tool.

Referring now to fig. 26, an adjustment algorithm 52200 for a surgical evacuation system is shown. The various surgical drainage systems disclosed herein may utilize the adjustment algorithm 52200. Further, the reader will readily appreciate that in some cases, the adjustment algorithm 52200 may be combined with one or more additional adjustment algorithms described herein. Adjustment of the surgical evacuation system may be accomplished by a processor in signal communication with a motor of an evacuation pump (see, e.g., the processor and pump of fig. 5 and 6). For example, the adjustment algorithm 52200 can be implemented by the processor 50408 in signal communication with the motor driver 50428 and/or a controller of the flow divider valve, as further described herein. The processor is configured to be able to monitor the characteristics of the drawn smoke using various sensors. In one aspect of the disclosure, referring to fig. 26, the processor is configured to be able to determine whether the intake smoke includes particles and aerosol above a threshold.

At the start of the adjustment algorithm 52200, the standard flow may be started at block 52202, and one or more characteristics of the intake smoke may be monitored at block 52204. At block 52206, the sensor may be configured to be able to detect particles in the fluid. If the sensor does not detect particles, the standard flow and/or power level may be maintained at block 52202. In one instance, the standard flow rate may be a minimum flow rate or an idle flow rate, as further described herein. If particles are detected at block 52206 and it is determined at block 52208 that the particles are not aerosol particles, a first adjustment to the flow rate and/or power level may be implemented at block 52210. For example, the flow rate and power level may be increased to increase the evacuation of particles (i.e., smoke) from the surgical site. In some cases, the second adjustment may be implemented if the particles are determined to be aerosol particles at block 52208, or if a portion of the particles are aerosol particles.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the second adjustment may depend on the aerosol percentage in the smoke. For example, if it is determined in block 52212 of fig. 26 that the aerosol percentage is greater than a first threshold amount, such as X%, the smoke may be directed to a fluid trap at block 52214. Conversely, if the aerosol concentration in the smoke is less than or equal to the threshold amount X%, the smoke may be directed to bypass the fluid trap at block 52216. Further described herein are conduits and valves for directing fluid flow within a smoke evacuation system. In some cases, the flow rate and/or power level may be adjusted to adequately draw fluid along, for example, a selected flow path, such as toward and/or around the fluid trap. In one aspect of the present disclosure, additional power and/or suction may be required to draw fluid into the fluid trap.

Still referring to fig. 26, after exiting the fluid trap, if aerosol particles are still detected in the smoke at block 52218, and if the aerosol concentration is greater than a second threshold amount, such as Y% in fig. 26, at block 52220, the flow rate may be reduced at block 52224 to ensure adequate extraction of the aerosol from the smoke. Conversely, if the aerosol concentration downstream of the fluid trap is less than or equal to the second threshold amount Y%, the flow may be maintained at block 52222. As shown in fig. 26, after redirecting the flow path and/or adjusting and/or maintaining the flow rate in the adjustment algorithm 52200, the adjustment algorithm may return to block 52204 to continue monitoring one or more parameters of the smoke evacuation system. In some cases, the adjustment algorithm 52200 may loop continuously such that smoke characteristics are continuously monitored and/or transmitted to the processor in real-time or near real-time. In other cases, the adjustment algorithm 52200 may be repeated for a predefined time and/or interval.

In some cases, the surgical evacuation system may also include a chemical sensor, such as chemical sensor 50832 (fig. 18 and 19). The chemical sensor 50832 is located near an inlet 50822 to the surgical extraction system 50800 and near an inlet 50922 to the surgical extraction system 50900. The chemical sensor 50832 is configured to detect a chemical characteristic of the particles evacuated by the surgical evacuation system. For example, the chemical sensor 50832 may identify the chemical composition of particles in smoke evacuated from the abdominal cavity of the patient during the electrosurgical procedure. Different types of chemical sensors may be utilized to determine the type of material being extracted by the surgical evacuation system. In some cases, the smoke evacuation system may be controlled based on the contents extracted from the surgical site (such as by the contents detected by the chemical sensor 50832).

Chemical analysis of the extracted fluid and/or particles may be used to adjust the generator function, such as the function of generator 800 (fig. 58). For example, generator function may be adjusted based on the detection of cancerous material by the chemical sensor 50832. In some instances, when the chemical sensor 50832 no longer detects cancerous material, the clinician may be alerted that all cancerous material has been removed and/or the generator may stop operation of the energy device. Alternatively, when the chemical sensor 50832 detects cancerous material, the clinician can be alerted and the generator can optimize the operation of the energy device to remove the cancerous material.

In some cases, the generator function may be adjusted based on tissue characteristics detected by the surgical system. Referring primarily to fig. 29, a flow chart depicting an adjustment algorithm 52500 for a surgical system is shown. The various surgical systems disclosed herein may utilize an adjustment algorithm 52500. Moreover, the reader will readily appreciate that in some cases, the adjustment algorithm 52500 may be combined with one or more additional adjustment algorithms described herein. Adjustments to the surgical system can be implemented by a processor (see, e.g., processor 50308 in fig. 5). In various aspects of the disclosure, to determine the type of organization, the processor 50308 (fig. 5) can be configured to receive information from multiple sources.

Still referring to fig. 29, one or more sensors 52502 in the surgical evacuation system can provide information to the processor 50308 (fig. 5). Still referring primarily to fig. 28, the particulate sensor 52502a, chemical sensor 52502b and/or fluid detection sensor 52502c (which may be similar to the sensors shown in fig. 18 and 19) of the surgical evacuation system, for example, can provide data indicative of the tissue type to the processor 50308. Additionally, an external sensor 52504 can provide information to the processor 50308. The external sensor 52504 may be remote from the surgical evacuation system, but positioned on other surgical devices associated with the surgical procedure. For example, one or more external sensors 52504 may be positioned on the surgical instrument, robotic tool, and/or endoscope. In some instances, the internal sensors 52502 and external sensors 52504 may provide information to a situational awareness module or surgical hub, which may provide situational awareness 52506 to the

various sensors

52502, 52504. In addition, situational awareness 52506 can inform processor 50308 regarding various sensor data. Based on the situational awareness 52506 and data from the

sensors

52502, 52504, the tissue type may be determined by the processor 50308 (fig. 5) at block 52510.

In some cases, the elastin to collagen ratio of the extracted material may be determined by the tissue type. For example, elastin may correspond to a first melting temperature and collagen may correspond to a second melting temperature that is higher than the first melting temperature. Where the external sensor 52504 is configured to be able to detect the speed of the clamp arm and/or a parameter of the electric motor corresponding to the clamp speed, the external sensor 52504 can indicate the melting temperature of the tissue, and thus the elastin to collagen ratio. Elastin and collagen also define different refractive indices and absorption rates. In some cases, an infrared spectrometer and/or a refractive camera sensor may be utilized to determine and/or confirm the tissue type.

In some cases, the energy modality may be adjusted based on the detected tissue type (elastin, collagen, and/or elastin to collagen ratio). For example, certain energy devices are more effective than elastin in melting collagen, but can be tuned by tuning the energy modality to better melt elastin. In other cases, it may be advantageous to melt the collagen and retain the elastin. Additionally or alternatively, the elastin to collagen ratio may indicate the type of physical structure, such as a vein or artery, which may inform situational awareness 52506 of the system. For example, if collagen is detected at block 52510, energy modality a may be implemented at block 52512. In other cases, if elastin is detected at block 52510, energy modality C may be implemented at block 52516. In still other cases, when a combination of collagen and elastin is detected at block 52510, an energy modality B may be implemented at block 52514. The reader will readily appreciate that additional and/or alternative energy modalities are contemplated. For example, different modalities may be used according to a particular ratio of elastin to collagen and/or based on the surgical procedure being performed and/or steps thereof.

In various surgical procedures that employ energy devices to treat tissue, fluids and/or particulates may be released, thereby contaminating the atmosphere in and/or around the surgical site, as further described herein. For example, to improve visibility of the atmosphere in the surgical site, contaminants may be drawn into the smoke evacuation system. Furthermore, as the contaminants are directed along the airflow path in the smoke evacuation system, the suspended fluids and/or particulates may be filtered out to improve air quality. Depending on the efficiency of the smoke evacuation system and/or the amount of smoke and/or contaminants generated after activation of the electrosurgical instrument, smoke may accumulate in the surgical site and/or in the surrounding atmosphere. Such accumulation of contaminants may, for example, prevent a clinician from being able to see the surgical site.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical system may include a smoke evacuation system including a particle sensor, an electrosurgical instrument, and a generator. Such a smoke evacuation system may monitor particle concentration as the electrosurgical instrument applies energy to tissue during surgery. For example, when the clinician requests that power be supplied to the electrosurgical instrument, the generator is configured to provide the requested power. A processor within the surgical system is configured to analyze the monitored particle concentration and the clinician-requested power from the generator. If the clinician requests power that produces contaminants that drive the particle concentration above a predetermined threshold, the processor may prevent the generator from supplying the requested power. Rather, in such cases, the generator may supply power to return the particle concentration to a level below a predetermined threshold.

In such cases, the clinician and/or assistant need not separately monitor particle concentration and adjust the energy modality in response. Rather, instruments and devices of the surgical system may communicate with each other to direct the generator to supply a particular power level under particular conditions based on input from sensors in the smoke evacuation system. The reader will readily appreciate that situational awareness can further inform the decision making process of the generator. Various algorithms to implement the foregoing monitoring processes and/or adjustments are also disclosed herein.

A surgical system may include an electrosurgical device, a generator configured to supply power to the electrosurgical device, and a smoke evacuation system. The smoke evacuation system may include a sensor system configured to monitor the size and/or concentration of particles within the smoke and/or intake evacuation duct. Referring now to fig. 18 and 19, a particle sensor 50838 is shown. The particulate sensor 50838 is an internal sensor located at a position along the flow path 50804 (fig. 18) and the flow path 50904 (fig. 19). In various instances, the particulate sensor 50838 is positioned at a point on the

flow path

50804, 50904 prior to being filtered by the

filter system

50870, 50970, respectively; however, the internal particle sensor 50838 may be positioned at any suitable location along the

flow paths

50804, 50904 to monitor contaminated air flowing from the surgical site. In various instances, the smoke evacuation system 50800 and/or 50900 may include more than one internal particulate sensor 50838 positioned at various locations along the flow path 50804 and/or 50904, respectively. The reader will readily appreciate that a variety of particle measurement devices are possible. For example, the particle concentration sensor may be an optical sensor, a laser sensor, a photosensor, an ionization sensor, an electrostatic sensor, and/or any suitable combination thereof. Various sensors are further described herein.

Electrosurgical generators are key components in electrosurgical circuits because they generate electrosurgical waveforms. The generator is configured to convert the electrical power into a high frequency waveform and generate a voltage for the flow of the electrosurgical current. In various instances, the generator is configured to be capable of generating various waveforms, each of which has a different effect on tissue. The "cutting current" will cut the tissue but provide little hemostasis. The "coagulation current" provides coagulation with limited tissue anatomy and results in increased depth of heating. The "hybrid current" is an intermediate current between the cutting current and the coagulation current, however, the hybrid current is generally not a combination of the cutting current and the coagulation current. Conversely, the hybrid current may be a cutting current, wherein the time that current actually flows is reduced from 100% of that time to about 50%. In each case, the generator may automatically monitor tissue impedance and adjust power output to the energy device in order to reduce tissue damage, resulting in an effective and accurate cutting effect at the lowest possible setting.

An additional electrosurgical cutting mode, known as Advanced Cutting Effect (ACE), provides the clinician with a scalpel-like cutting effect that provides little to no thermal necrosis and no hemostasis. When the generator is placed in ACE mode, a constant voltage is maintained at the tip of the electrode on the end effector. Active electrodes on the end of the end effector deliver RF current from the generator to the surgical site. By utilizing the ACE model, the clinician has the following capabilities: the electrosurgical device is used on the skin and equivalent wound healing results are achieved without the use of certain surgical instruments, such as scalpels, needles and/or any surgical instrument that can cause a wound and/or puncture to the patient and/or any person responsible for them, in general.

In various aspects of the present disclosure, an electrosurgical device includes an ACE cutting system.

During the entire duration of the surgical procedure, contaminants and/or smoke may be generated. If the atmosphere in and/or around the surgical site cannot be effectively filtered by the smoke evacuation system, contaminants accumulate in the atmosphere making it difficult for the clinician and/or assistant to see the surgical site. Additional issues regarding smoke in surgical operating rooms are also disclosed herein. In various instances, a processor within the surgical system may store information in memory that is specific to the amount of smoke and/or contaminants that are generated when a clinician uses a particular surgical instrument for a particular duration of time. Such information may be stored directly in the memory of the processor, in a centralized hub, and/or in the cloud. In various cases, the processors and memories shown in fig. 5 and 6 may be used to store such information.

In each case, a communication path is established between the smoke evacuation system and the generator to control the power supplied to the electrosurgical instrument. Such power is controlled so as to effectively cause the electrosurgical instrument to produce less smoke and/or release less contaminants and allow the surgical site to be effectively filtered. In various instances, the components of the surgical system may communicate directly with each other. In various instances, the components of the surgical system communicate with one another through a centralized hub, as further described herein with respect to, for example, fig. 39-60. The reader will readily appreciate that any suitable communication pathway may be used.

When the surgical procedure is initiated and the electrosurgical instrument is activated, sensors within the smoke evacuation system are configured to monitor parameters relating to air quality. Such parameters may include, for example, particle count and/or concentration, temperature, fluid content, and/or percent contaminants. The sensor is configured to communicate the monitored parameter to the processor. In each case, the sensor automatically transmits the monitored parameter after detection. In each case, the sensor transmits the monitored parameter to the processor after the sensor has been interrogated; however, the reader will appreciate that any suitable manner of communicating monitored information may be used. In each case, the sensor continuously transmits monitored information to the processor; however, the reader will appreciate that any suitable sampling rate may be used. The monitored information may be transmitted, for example, in real time or near real time.

In each case, the processor stores information about a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold varies based on a parameter monitored by a sensor of the smoke evacuation system. For example, when the sensor is monitoring particle counts and/or concentrations, such a threshold may indicate a level of particles within the surgical site atmosphere that effectively and/or insecurely obstructs the clinician's view within the surgical site. In other cases, the threshold may correspond to a filtration system in the extractor housing and the ability of the filtration system to adequately filter particles. For example, if the particle concentration exceeds a certain threshold, the filtration may not adequately filter particles from the smoke, and the toxins may pass through the exhaust system and/or clog its filter. When the processor receives information about the monitored parameter from the sensor of the smoke evacuation system, the processor is configured to be able to compare the monitored parameter to a predetermined threshold to ensure that the threshold is not exceeded.

In various instances, the processor may control various motor functions of the fume extraction system if the processor recognizes that a predetermined threshold has been exceeded and/or is nearing being exceeded. The processor may adjust the flow rate of the smoke evacuation system by increasing or decreasing the speed of the motor to more effectively filter contaminants from the surgical site. For example, if the sensor communicates to the processor information suggesting that a particulate threshold has been reached, the processor may increase the speed of the motor to draw more fluid and possibly more contaminants from the surgical site into the smoke evacuation system for filtering.

In various circumstances, the processor may vary the power supplied by the generator to the electrosurgical instrument if the processor recognizes that a predetermined threshold has been exceeded and/or is nearing being exceeded. For example, if the sensor communicates to the processor information suggesting that the particle threshold has been reached, the processor will prevent the generator from supplying any additional requested power to the handheld electrosurgical instrument. The processor may then allow the generator to supply the requested power to the handheld electrosurgical instrument when the smoke evacuation system filters contaminants from the atmosphere to a level below the particulate threshold.

Fig. 33 is a graphical representation of the correlation between particle count and power level detected over a period of time during a surgical procedure. The top graph 53300 shows the flow of particles and contaminants as they filter from the surgical site to the smoke evacuation system 50800 andand/or 50900, particle count and/or particle concentration detected by internal particle sensor 50838 (fig. 18 and 19). Particle concentration C_TRepresenting a predetermined particle count and/or concentration threshold within a volume of exhaust fluid. The bottom graph 53302 represents the power levels achieved during a surgical procedure, including the power requested by the clinician via the hand-held electrosurgical instrument (dashed line), and the power actually supplied by the generator of the surgical system (solid line). The power level is defined as the ratio of the RF current to the voltage of the electrosurgical system.

At time t<t₁Before starting the surgical procedure, a baseline particle concentration is measured 53304. When the clinician and/or assistant is at time t₁Upon activation of the electrosurgical instrument, the clinician and/or assistant requests a particular power level to be supplied in order to perform a particular function. Such functions include dissecting and/or cutting through tissue within the surgical site. For example, applying power to tissue may generate smoke and/or contaminants that may be directed into a smoke evacuation system to improve visibility within the surgical site. At time t ₁The generator supplies the requested power. The detected particle concentration is below a threshold C_T(ii) a However, at time t₁After activation of the electrosurgical instrument, the internal particle sensor 50838 at time t₂Where an increase in the concentration of particles is detected.

In the graphical representation of FIG. 33, the clinician is up to time t₃Additional power is requested. E.g. t₁And t₃May allow the tissue to cool, thereby creating a degree of hemostasis. As can be seen in FIG. 33, the detected particle concentration and power level are at time t₂And time t₃Is reduced. At time t₃At time t, the clinician requests a high power level, which when supplied by the generator is at time t₄An increase in the concentration of particles is produced. Finally, the clinician requests a power level at time t₅To generate an increase of about a predetermined threshold value C_TThe particle concentration of (a). In some cases, threshold C is exceeded_TMay indicate an accumulation due to contaminants and/or particlesLow visibility within the surgical site, an inefficient smoke evacuation system, and/or an inoperable smoke evacuation system.

In response to particle concentration at time t₅Is above the particle threshold C_TThe processor of the surgical system is configured to adjust the supply power of the generator to bring the particle concentration back below the particle threshold C _T. As shown in FIG. 33, when the particle threshold C is reached and/or exceeded due to high handpiece requested power_TThe generator supplies power different from the power requested by the handpiece. When the particle concentration returns to the threshold value C_TAnd/or fall below a threshold C_TWhen, such as at time t₆At this point, the generator again supplies the power level requested by the hand-held electrosurgical instrument. Further, power is requested at time t with the handpiece₆Thereafter, the particle concentration detected by the particle sensor 50838 also decreases.

Fig. 34 shows a representation of instructions 53400 stored, for example, by a memory of a surgical system (such as the memory in fig. 5 and 6). In various instances, the surgical system disclosed herein can utilize instructions 53400. For example, the instructions 53400 can include an adjustment algorithm for a surgical system. Moreover, the reader will readily appreciate that in some cases, instructions 53400 may be combined with one or more of the additional algorithms and/or instructions described herein. The instructions 53400 may be implemented by a processor, such as the processor 50308 in fig. 5, for example.

At block 53402 in instructions 53400, the processor may receive a request for power from an electrosurgical instrument. For example, the electrosurgical instrument may include a hand-held device and/or a robotic tool. The requested power may be provided by the user via, for example, a control and/or console. As described above, the sensor is configured to monitor a parameter associated with the fluid passing through the evacuation system. Such parameters may include, for example, particle size, temperature, fluid content, and/or percent contaminants. The processor is configured to receive the monitored parameter from the sensor. In various instances, the processor receives such information in response to interrogating the sensor, as indicated by block 53404. In each case, the sensor automatically transmits information upon detection. The processor then determines whether the received information exceeds a predetermined threshold at block 53406. At block 53408, if the threshold has been exceeded and/or is nearing exceeding the threshold, the processor is configured to prevent the generator from supplying any or all of the requested power to the electrosurgical instrument. In other cases, at block 53410, the generator waveform can be adjusted to reduce smoke generated by the surgical device, as further described herein.

In various cases, the generator may not cause the supply power to exceed the threshold level. At block 53410, if the threshold has not been exceeded, the processor is configured to enable the generator to supply the requested power to the electrosurgical instrument. In various instances, the processor is configured to be able to receive information from the sensors of the smoke evacuation system for the entire duration of the surgical procedure, or at least as long as the processor is receiving a request from the electrosurgical instrument to deliver power.

In various surgical procedures, Radio Frequency (RF) power may be used to cut tissue and coagulate bleeding. When RF power is used to treat tissue, fluids and/or particles may be released, thereby contaminating the air in and/or around the surgical site. For example, to improve visibility of the surgical site to the clinician, contaminated air inside the surgical site may be drawn into the smoke evacuation system. As the contaminated air is directed along the airflow path, the suspension fluid and/or particles may be filtered out of the contaminated air. The filtered air eventually exits the smoke evacuation system through an outlet and is released into the atmosphere of the operating room. Depending on the efficiency and/or efficacy of the smoke evacuation system, the filtered air may still contain fluids and/or particulates when released into the operating room atmosphere. The remaining contaminants may, for example, be unpleasant to the clinician, assistant, and/or patient's smell, and the inhalation of the contaminants may be unhealthy in some cases.

The smoke evacuation system may include a sensor system configured to monitor the size and/or concentration of particles in the air detected at various points along the airflow path, including locations external to and internal to the extraction system. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the smoke evacuation system may determine the efficiency of the extraction system based on comparing the particulate concentration outside and inside the extraction system and/or by monitoring the particulate concentration over time. In addition, the smoke evacuation system may alert the clinician of contaminated air in the operating room through a display.

The clinician may be made aware of the level of contaminants, such as fluids and/or particles, suspended in the operating room atmosphere. The indication of contaminants in the air may indicate the quality of the air in the operating room and alert the clinician and/or assistant that the smoke evacuation system needs adjustment and/or maintenance.

The smoke evacuation system may include a sensor system configured to monitor the size and/or concentration of particles within the air. Referring again to fig. 18 and 19,

particle sensors

50838 and 50852 are shown. The particle sensor 50838 is an internal sensor located at a position along the flow path. In various instances, a particulate sensor 50838 is positioned at a point on the flow path 50804 (fig. 18), 50904 (fig. 19) prior to filtration; however, the internal particle sensors 50838 may be positioned at any suitable location along the

respective flow paths

50804, 50904 to monitor contaminated air flowing from the surgical site. In various instances, the

smoke evacuation system

50800, 50900 may include more than one internal particulate sensor 50838 positioned at various locations along the

flow path

50804, 50904, respectively.

The particulate sensor 50852 is an external sensor positioned on an external surface of the smoke evacuation system 50800 (fig. 18), 50900 (fig. 19). In various instances, the

smoke evacuation system

50800, 50900 may include more than one external particulate sensor 50852. In each case, the external particulate sensor 50852 is located within a recess of the housing of the

smoke evacuation system

50800, 50900; however, the external particle sensor 50852 may be positioned on any suitable surface to detect air quality in the operating room. In each case, an external particulate sensor 50852 is located near an inlet 50822 (fig. 18), 50922 (fig. 19) of the

smoke evacuation system

50800, 50900, respectively, to ensure that unfiltered air does not leak from the surgical site into the operating room atmosphere. In each case, an external particulate sensor 50852 is located near an outlet port 50824 (fig. 18), 50924 (fig. 19) of the

smoke exhaust system

50800, 50900, respectively, to analyze the air flowing out of the

smoke exhaust system

50800, 50900.

The reader will readily appreciate that the external particle sensor 50852 may be located at any suitable location to properly monitor the operating room atmosphere. Furthermore, the reader will readily appreciate that a variety of particle measurement devices are possible. For example, the particle sensor 50852 may be any suitable particle concentration sensor, such as an optical sensor, a laser sensor, a photosensor, an ionization sensor, an electrostatic sensor, and/or any suitable combination thereof. Various sensors are further described herein.

In various instances, a sensor system for a smoke evacuation system is configured to be able to assess the particle size and/or concentration of operating room contaminants and display the detected air quality. The display of such information may convey, for example, the effectiveness of the smoke evacuation system. In each case, the information communicated includes detailed information about the filter within the smoke evacuation system, and contaminated air and/or smoke may be prevented from accumulating in the operating room atmosphere. The smoke evacuation system may be configured to sense, for example, particle concentration, temperature, fluid content, and/or pollutant percentage, and communicate it to the generator to adjust its output, as further described herein. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the smoke evacuation system can be configured to adjust its flow rate and/or motor speed, and, at a predefined particulate level, operatively affect the output power or waveform of the generator to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the end effector.

In various circumstances, as described herein, a sensor system may be used to detect whether a filter in a smoke evacuation system is properly and effectively removing pollutants and/or smoke from the air. By detecting air quality levels in the operating room, the smoke evacuation system is configured to prevent high levels of pollutants from accumulating in the operating room atmosphere. The parameters monitored by the sensor system may be used to inform the clinician whether the smoke evacuation system is operating and/or performing its intended purpose. In various instances, the monitored parameters may be used by a clinician and/or an assistant to determine that a filter within the smoke evacuation system needs repair and/or replacement. For example, if the external sensor 50852 (fig. 18 and 19) detects a contaminant particle size and/or concentration above a predetermined and/or acceptable threshold, the clinician is instructed to check whether a filter within the smoke evacuation system needs to be repaired and/or replaced.

In each case, as described above, a processor within the smoke evacuation system compares the detected parameters of the external sensors with the parameters detected by the internal sensors. In various instances, the smoke evacuation system includes a plurality of internal sensors, for example, located at various points along the flow path (such as after each individual filter). The reader should appreciate that the internal sensor may be positioned at any point throughout the flow path to provide a meaningful comparison of the filtration efficiency. Using this detected information, the clinician may determine that a filter at a particular location is not effective at removing contaminants and/or smoke from the air. In such cases, the clinician is guided to the precise location of the filter (or filtration layer) that needs to be repaired and/or replaced.

In various instances, the sensor system is configured to be able to assess the dilution of contaminants and/or particles within the atmosphere of the operating room. As described herein, the internal sensor may be located at any suitable location along the flow path. When the internal sensor is located near the outlet port of the smoke evacuation system and downstream of the filter, the internal sensor is effectively measuring the size and/or concentration of particulates being discharged into the operating system atmosphere. In other words, the internal sensor is configured to be able to detect particles and/or contaminants that are not captured during the filtration process. The external sensor is configured to be able to monitor the concentration and/or size of the diluted particles throughout the atmosphere of the operating room. The difference between the readings of the internal sensor and the external sensor may be important to determine the air quality of a particular operating room.

The size and/or concentration of particles emitted into the atmosphere may have different effects on the air quality in the operating room based on, for example, parameters such as the size of the operating room and/or the ventilation of the operating room. In one case, if discharged in a smaller operating room, the size and/or concentration of the discharged particles will have a greater adverse effect on air quality than if the same size and/or concentration of particles were discharged in a larger operating room. In various circumstances, the presence and/or efficiency of a ventilation system in an operating room may affect how air quality fluctuates in response to the emission of particles from a smoke evacuation system. For example, in an operating room without a ventilation system or an operating room with a low efficiency ventilation system, particles exhausted from the smoke evacuation system may accumulate to potentially harmful levels more quickly, thereby creating unsatisfactory air quality within the operating room.

In various instances, information detected by the sensor system may be used to control one or more motor functions of the smoke evacuation system. The external sensor may detect the initial air quality level before the surgical procedure begins. Air quality can be continuously monitored throughout the surgical procedure; however, the reader should appreciate that the air quality may be monitored at any suitable rate. The external sensor transmits the detected information to a processor of the smoke evacuation system (e.g.,

processors

50308 and 50408 in fig. 5 and 6, respectively). The processor uses the initial air quality level as a baseline for comparison with the continuously detected air quality levels. When the processor determines that the air quality level detected by the external sensor 50852 shows evidence of a higher contaminant particle size and/or concentration in the operating room atmosphere, the processor directs the motor to operate at a higher level. As the motor operates at increased speeds, more contaminated air and/or smoke is pulled from the surgical site into the

smoke evacuation system

50800, 50900 for filtration. In various instances, when the internal sensor 50838 determines that a cautery device and/or other electrosurgical device that produces smoke is active, the processor stores instructions to increase the flow of contaminated air and/or smoke directed into the

smoke evacuation system

50800, 50900 during a procedure. By detecting activation of the smoke producing surgical device, the

smoke evacuation system

50800, 50900 is motor controlled to prevent high levels of contaminants from accumulating in the operating room atmosphere.

In each case, the motor speed level is automatically controlled when the processor determines that the operating room atmosphere has an unacceptable air quality level. In each case, the motor speed level is automatically controlled when the processor determines that the smoke producing surgical device has been activated. For example, when the external sensor 50852 detects that the contamination level in the operating room atmosphere exceeds a predetermined threshold, the processor may automatically direct the motor to operate at a faster speed. The processor then automatically reduces the speed of the motor when the external sensor 50852 detects a contamination level that falls below a predetermined threshold. In each case, the motor speed level is manually controlled after the clinician is notified of an unacceptable air quality level. In each case, the motor speed level is manually controlled after the clinician activates the smoke producing surgical device. The reader will appreciate that any suitable combination of automatic and/or manual control may be implemented and/or incorporated into the control algorithm of the

smoke evacuation system

50800, 50900.

In various instances, the processor of the smoke evacuation system may identify when the external sensor 50852 detects an unacceptable and/or increased level of contamination of the operating room atmosphere. Such detection indicates that the

smoke evacuation systems

50800 and 50900 are inefficient. Detected inefficiencies may indicate that one or more filters are failing and/or need to be replaced. When the clinician is notified of a filter failure, the clinician can ensure that the replacement filter is in stock for future maintenance, thereby preventing delays.

In various instances, a smoke evacuation system may be used in conjunction with a camera scope during a surgical procedure to effectively manage contaminant and/or smoke evacuation from the surgical site. For example, the

smoke evacuation systems

50800, 50900 may be used in conjunction with the imaging module 238 and the endoscope 239 (fig. 47). In one aspect of the disclosure, a surgical hub, such as hub 206 (fig. 48), may coordinate communication between, for example, an imaging module 238 and a surgical evacuation system, such as extractor 226 (fig. 48). The camera mirrors are configured to be able to monitor visual obscuration in the air by capturing a series of images at a particular sampling rate. The collected images are sent to a processor (e.g.,

processors

50308, 50408 in fig. 5 and 6, respectively) for evaluation. In various instances, the processor is also configured to be capable of receiving monitoring data from a sensor system, which may include internal sensors 50838 and/or external sensors 50852, as described herein. The processor is configured to compare the image received from the camera lens with the particle count and/or concentration received from the sensor system to determine a correlation to improve the efficiency of extracting smoke and/or contaminants from the surgical site and/or operating room atmosphere.

In such cases, the visual occlusion determined by the camera mirror is compared to the particle count and/or concentration determined by the sensor system in order to tune the particle count measure to the motor speed of the smoke evacuation system. After comparing the data collected from the sensor system and the camera lens, the processor may take any of a number of steps. For example, based on the comparison, the processor may decide to: switching on a smoke exhaust system; increasing a motor speed of the fume extraction system; reducing the motor speed of the fume extraction system; and/or to disconnect the smoke evacuation system. In each case, the comparison is done automatically; however, the reader will appreciate that such a comparison may be made after manual activation.

In various instances, the images captured by the camera mirrors and the particle counts and/or concentrations detected by the sensor system may be stored in memory as a baseline comparison. In future surgical procedures, the images acquired by the camera scope may be used solely by the clinician and/or assistant to confirm smoke and/or contaminant density. In such cases, the visual obscuration detected by the camera lens is associated with a particular particle count and/or concentration. After the processor analyzes the air, the processor may take any of a number of steps. For example, based on comparing the analysis images captured by the camera mirrors according to the stored baseline, the processor may decide to: switching on a smoke exhaust system; increasing a motor speed of the fume extraction system; reducing the motor speed of the fume extraction system; and/or to disconnect the smoke evacuation system.

In various instances, situational awareness can further inform the decision-making process described herein. For example, the image from the scope may be meaningful in the context of a particular surgical procedure and/or steps thereof, which may be configured and/or determined based on situational awareness of the smoke evacuation system and/or hub with which it is in communication. For example, it is expected that more smoke may be present during certain surgical procedures and/or certain steps thereof and/or when treating certain types of tissue.

In various instances, the smoke evacuation system wirelessly communicates with other surgical devices and/or hubs located in the operating room to increase the efficiency of smoke evacuation during surgery. For example, activation of the generator of the surgical device may be communicated to a centralized hub that forwards the information onto the smoke evacuation system. The centralized hub can detect current flow through the surgical energy device and/or sense a change in power consumption of the generator for delivery to the smoke evacuation system. In various instances, the centralized hub may store information related to the surgical procedure and/or the activated surgical device. Such information may include, for example, an expected amount of smoke generated during a particular surgical procedure, and the expected amount may be determined using a particular surgical device and/or information related to the tissue composition of a particular patient. Receiving such information may allow the smoke evacuation system to anticipate a particular smoke evacuation rate to more effectively remove smoke and/or contaminants from the surgical site. The reader will appreciate that the various surgical devices may communicate information directly to the smoke evacuation system and/or indirectly through a centralized hub. The centralized hub may be, for example, a surgical hub, such as surgical hub 206 (fig. 48).

In various instances, the smoke evacuation system is in wired communication with other surgical devices and/or hubs located in the operating room to increase the efficiency of smoke evacuation during surgery. Such wired communication may be established through a cable interconnection between the generator and the smoke evacuation system for generator-activated communication. For example, an activation indicating signal cable may be connected between a generator and a smoke evacuation system of the surgical device. The smoke evacuation system is automatically activated when the generator is activated and a signal is received via the wired connection.

Wireless and/or wired communication between the generator of the surgical device and/or the centralized hub and/or the smoke evacuation system may include information about the activated surgical device. Such information may include, for example, the current operating mode of the surgical device and/or information regarding the particular energy setting and/or intensity delivered. In various instances, once such information is communicated from the surgical device, the memory of the centralized hub and/or smoke evacuation system is configured to be able to store such information for future use. For example, the centralized hub may store information about surgical devices used during a particular procedure and average smoke and/or contaminant counts and/or concentrations. In future surgical procedures, when the same (or similar) surgical device is activated in the same (or similar) surgical procedure that treats the same (or similar) type of tissue, the centralized hub may communicate such information to the smoke evacuation system before smoke and/or contaminants accumulate.

In various instances, the smoke evacuation system is configured to notify the clinician of the level of contamination detected in the atmosphere of the operating room. The smoke evacuation system may utilize a sensor system to monitor the difference between the particle size and/or concentration of particles detected by the first internal sensor and the second external sensor. In various instances, the monitored parameters of the sensor system may be used to alert the clinician and/or assistant when the detected contamination level exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In each case, the processor directs the display to display the parameter monitored by the sensor system. In each case, the display is located on the exterior of the housing of the smoke evacuation system. The processor may also communicate the monitored parameters with other surgical instruments and/or a hub located in the operating room to aid situational awareness for the interactive surgical system. In this way, other surgical instruments and/or hubs may be used more efficiently together. With the monitored parameters communicated throughout the operating room, the clinician and/or assistant may see contamination alarms from various displays around the operating room. In addition to the display on the smoke evacuation system, the monitored parameters may be displayed on a plurality of monitors in the operating room. The reader will appreciate that any suitable combination of displays may be used to communicate the air quality detected in the operating room.

Fig. 30 shows a smoke evacuation system 53000 configured to monitor air quality of the operating room atmosphere and alert a clinician when the detected air quality exceeds a predetermined threshold and/or becomes potentially harmful. The fume extraction system 53000 is similar in many respects to the fume extraction system 50600 (fig. 7). For example, smoke evacuation system 53000 includes a generator 50640, a first electrical connector 50642, a surgical instrument 50630, and a suction hose 50636. As shown in fig. 30, in various instances, the smoke evacuation system 53000 includes a display or air quality index screen 53002. The air quality index screen 53002 is configured to be capable of displaying information detected by sensor systems (such as a sensor system including one or more of the

sensors

50830, 50832, 50836, 50838, 50840, 50846, 50848, 50850, 50852) that are further described herein and shown in fig. 18 and 19. A processor, such as processor 50308 and/or 50408 (fig. 5 and 6), may be in signal communication with the sensor system and the air quality index screen 53002. In various instances, the air quality index screen 53002 is configured to display a count of pollutant particles monitored by the external sensor 50852 to verify that the pollutants are not circulating to the operating room atmosphere at a dangerous level.

In various instances, the smoke evacuation system 53000 includes a latch door 53004 that is accessible to a clinician to replace and/or exchange a filter housed in a extractor housing of the smoke evacuation system 53000. For example, by monitoring the particulate concentration through the smoke evacuation system 53000, the processor thereof can determine that one or more filters are substantially clogged and near the end of their useful life, and thus need to be replaced. In such cases, the clinician may open the latch door 53004 to replace one or more filters. As further described herein, based on the relative placement of the internal sensors in the smoke evacuation system 53000, a particular filter and/or a filter that needs to be replaced can be identified.

In various instances, a processor, such as processor 50308 and/or 50408 (fig. 5 and 6) is configured to be capable of communicating smoke parameters, such as detected particle size and/or concentration, to display 53002. Display 53002 is configured to display such detected information in any suitable manner. For example, the display 53002 may display the contamination level detected by each sensor (internal and external) throughout the sensor system. In various instances, the display 53002 is configured to display information only when the air quality does not meet a predetermined threshold. In various instances, the display 53002 includes a touch screen that allows the clinician to determine what information is displayed and/or the location at which the information is displayed.

In various instances, the display 53002 includes a graphical interface, an LCD screen, and/or a touch screen. The reader will appreciate that any suitable means of displaying the detected information and/or combinations thereof may be used in the smoke evacuation system 53000. For example, an LED lamp can be used as the display 53002. When the processor 50308 and/or 50408 (fig. 5 and 6) determines that there is an unacceptable air quality in the operating room, the processor 50308 and/or 50408 is configured to activate the LED light.

Fig. 31 shows a representation of instructions 53100 stored, for example, by a memory of a surgical drainage system, such as

memories

50310 and 50410 in fig. 5 and 6. In various instances, the surgical evacuation system disclosed herein can utilize instructions 53100 of fig. 31. Moreover, the reader will readily appreciate that in some cases, instructions 53100 of fig. 31 may be combined with one or more of the additional algorithms and/or instructions described herein. The instructions 53100 stored in the memory may be implemented by, for example, a processor (such as the processors 50308 and/or 50408 of fig. 5 and 6).

Still referring to fig. 31, as described above, internal sensors, such as sensor 50838 (fig. 18 and 19), are configured to be capable of monitoring internal parameters, such as particle size and/or concentration of the fluid. As the fluid flows through the flow path, particles and/or contaminants are filtered out before the fluid exits the surgical evacuation system. External sensors, such as sensor 50852 (fig. 18 and 19), located on an external housing of the surgical evacuation system are configured to monitor external parameters as the filtered fluid exits the surgical evacuation system. Such external parameters include, for example, the particle size and/or concentration of particles in the atmosphere in the operating room.

At block 53102 in instructions 53100, the processor is configured to be capable of querying the internal sensor and the external sensor for the detected internal parameter and the detected external parameter, respectively. In each case, the processor continuously interrogates the internal and external sensors for this information; however, any suitable sampling rate may be used. The processor is then configured to analyze the information received from the internal and external sensors to determine an efficiency level of the surgical evacuation system at block 53104. After determining the efficiency level of the surgical drainage system, at block 53106 the processor is configured to display the determined efficiency level on the display. Such displays may include raw information received from internal and external sensors, an efficiency level determined by the processor, and/or an alert to the clinician if the efficiency level falls below a predetermined threshold. A drop below a predetermined threshold may indicate, for example, that the filter needs to be replaced and/or that particles are not effectively filtered out and accumulate in the operating room atmosphere.

FIG. 32 shows a representation of instructions 53200 stored by a memory of a surgical evacuation system similar to those shown in FIG. 31. In various instances, the surgical drainage system disclosed herein may utilize the instructions of fig. 32. Moreover, the reader will readily appreciate that in some cases, the instructions of FIG. 32 may be combined with one or more of the additional algorithms and/or instructions described herein. The instructions may be stored in a memory and executed by a processor, such as memory 50310 and/or 50410 and/or processor 50308 and/or 50408 in fig. 5 and 6, for example.

Still referring to fig. 32, prior to beginning the surgical procedure, at block 53202 the processor is configured to be able to query an external sensor, such as sensor 50852 (fig. 18 and 19), for a baseline air quality parameter. The baseline air quality parameter is indicative of air quality of the operating room prior to the surgical procedure. At block 53204, the processor is configured to continuously interrogate the internal sensor to identify the surgical procedure being performed. After the processor has determined that a surgical procedure is being performed, at block 53206 the processor continuously interrogates the external sensors. When the processor determines that the air quality detected by the external sensor is deteriorating, such as at block 53208, for example, the processor is configured to increase the speed of the motor to direct more fluid into the surgical evacuation system at block 53210. If the detected air quality is the same as the baseline air quality, such as at block 53212, the processor is configured to be able to maintain the speed of the motor at block 53214. If the detected air quality has improved from the baseline air quality, such as block 53216, the processor is configured to be able to maintain or reduce the speed of the motor at block 53218. In each case, the processor continuously queries the internal and external sensors for information; however, any suitable sampling rate may be used.

Smoke evacuation systems play an important role in electrosurgical systems by removing harmful toxins and/or pungent odors from the surgical operating room. However, there may be a lack of control and adjustability of certain smoke evacuation systems, which may result in, for example, reduced motor life and/or poor filter life.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the sensor may be positioned and configured to be able to detect the presence of particles in the fluid moving through various points in the flow path of the evacuation system. In some aspects of the disclosure, the control circuit may be operative to modify a speed of a motor driving a pump of the evacuation system based on the concentration of particles detected at various points along the flow path. Additionally or alternatively, the control circuit may be operative to modify the speed of the motor based on the pressure detected at various points in the flow path.

Effective regulation of the motor speed of the evacuation system may increase the life of the motor and/or increase filter life. Additional benefits include, for example, potential energy savings and less noise in the surgical operating room.

As described herein, an electrosurgical instrument can deliver energy to a target tissue of a patient to cut tissue and/or cauterize blood vessels within and/or adjacent to the target tissue. Cutting and cauterization can result in the release of smoke into the air. In various instances, smoke can be uncomfortable, obstruct the physician's field of view, and inhale as further described herein. Electrosurgical systems may employ an evacuation system that captures the resulting smoke, directs the captured smoke through one or more filters, and expels the filtered smoke. More specifically, the fumes may travel through an evacuation system via a vacuum tube. As the smoke moves through one or more of the filters in the exhaust system, harmful toxins and offensive odors may be filtered from the smoke. The filtered air may then exit the exhaust system as exhaust through the exhaust port.

In various aspects of the present disclosure, the evacuation system includes a filter receptacle or socket. The filter receiver is configured to be capable of receiving a filter. The evacuation system also includes a pump having a sealed positive displacement flow path and a motor driving the pump. The sealed positive displacement flow path of the pump may include one or more circulation paths for fluid within the pump. In one aspect of the disclosure, the pump has a first operating pressure and a second operating pressure. In some cases, the pump may compress the incoming fluid to create a pressure differential along the flow path, as further described herein.

As shown in fig. 4, the evacuation system 50500 includes a pump 50506 coupled to and driven by a motor 50512. As described herein, the pump 50506 may be, for example, a positive displacement pump, such as a reciprocating positive displacement pump, a rotary positive displacement pump, or a linear positive displacement pump. In various instances, the pump 50506 may be, for example, a hybrid regenerative blower, a claw pump, a cam compressor, or a scroll compressor. In one aspect of the disclosure, the motor 50512 may be a permanent magnet synchronous Direct Current (DC) motor. Some aspects may include a brushless DC motor.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the motor 50512 may be adjusted and/or controlled for various reasons, including, for example, maintaining flow, increasing motor efficiency, increasing motor life, increasing pump life, increasing filter life, and/or saving energy. Once the control circuitry of the evacuation system (see, e.g., the control schematic in fig. 5 and 6) is aware of a particular condition, such as a blockage in the flow path, an undesirable pressure, and/or an undesirable particle count, for example, the control circuitry may adjust the motor 50512 to adjust or maintain the flow rate, which may, e.g., increase motor efficiency, increase motor life, increase pump life, increase filter life, and/or save energy.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 6, the processor may be located internal to the evacuation system. For example, the processor 50408 may be located inside the extractor enclosure 50618 in fig. 7. In other aspects of the disclosure, the processor may be located external to the extraction system 50600. An external processor 50308 is shown, for example, in fig. 5. The external processor may be a processor of a surgical hub. In another aspect, the internal processor and the external processor can communicate to cooperatively control the motor 50512.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the motor 50512 may be regulated by a control circuit to increase motor efficiency. For example, referring to the evacuation system in fig. 18 and 19, the fluid detection sensor 50830 is positioned upstream of the filter and upstream of the filter receiver. In various instances, the fluid detection sensor 50830 is configured to be able to detect fluid upstream of the filter. For example, the fluid detection sensor 50830 is configured to be able to detect whether aerosol or liquid droplets are present in the expelled smoke. Based on the output from the fluid detection sensor 50830, the control circuitry may, for example, adjust a control parameter of the smoke evacuation system, such as adjusting the power of a valve and/or motor.

In some cases, the evacuation system may detect whether fluid (e.g., smoke) is present in the flow path. In certain instances, the fluid detection sensor 50830 may automatically scan for fluids or particular types of fluids, for example, when a clinician begins to use the electrosurgical instrument to treat patient tissue, such as when the electrosurgical instrument 50630 (fig. 7) is activated by the generator 50640 (fig. 7). Alternatively or in combination with the fluid detection sensor 50830, a separate sensor may be configured to detect fluid at, for example, a surgical site, such as an end effector of a surgical instrument or imaging device. In one instance, a separate sensor may be positioned near the tip of the electrosurgical instrument 50630. When the fluid detected at the one or more fluid detection sensors is below a threshold, the control circuitry may adjust the motor speed of the pump to a level sufficient to monitor for the presence of the fluid or a particular type of fluid. The motor speed in such cases may be a minimum motor speed or an idle motor speed that allows for accurate readings at the fluid detection sensor. Alternatively, the motor speed may be reduced to zero and periodically increased to a minimum or idle motor speed to monitor for the presence of fluid or a particular type of fluid.

Upon detection of fluid by the fluid detection sensor or a fluid level above a threshold, the control circuitry may adjust the speed of the motor 50512 to a level sufficient to completely drain fluid from the surgical site. In one example, a cloud, such as cloud 104 (fig. 39) and/or cloud 204 (fig. 46), may track and/or store motor speed levels that have been determined to be sufficient to effectively evacuate fluid for the same or similar surgical procedure. In such an example, the control circuitry may access and/or reference historical motor speed levels stored in the cloud when setting the appropriate motor speed level for the surgical procedure.

Additionally or alternatively, the speed of the motor may be adjusted based on the concentration of particles detected along the flow path. For example, referring again to fig. 18 and 19, the

evacuation systems

50800 and 50900 include

laser particle sensors

50838 and 50848 along

respective flow paths

50804 and 50904. The particulate sensor 50838 is positioned upstream of the

filters

50842, 50844 and receiver 50871 in the surgical evacuation system 50800 and upstream of the

filters

50942, 50944 and receiver 50971 in the surgical evacuation system 50900. The particulate sensor 50838 is configured to detect and/or count particulates upstream of the filter. The particulate sensor 50848 is positioned downstream of the

filters

50842, 50844 and receiver 50871 in the surgical evacuation system 50800 and downstream of the

filters

50942, 50944 and receiver 50971 in the surgical evacuation system 50900. The particulate sensor 50848 is configured to detect and/or count particulates downstream of the filter.

In such cases, the

evacuation system

50800, 50900 may detect (e.g., via a laser particle counter sensor) the presence of fluid (e.g., smoke containing particulate matter). For example, the sensor may detect the concentration of particles in the smoke. In some cases, for example, when a physician begins treating patient tissue with an electrosurgical instrument, such as when the electrosurgical instrument 50630 is activated by the generator 50640, the laser particle counter sensor may automatically scan for and count particles.

When the particulate concentration detected by the particulate sensor 50838 is below a threshold value, the control circuitry may adjust the motor speed to a level sufficient to sample the particulate concentration of the flow path. For example, the motor speed may be set to a minimum or idle motor speed that allows for accurate readings at the sensor. In an alternative aspect, the motor speed may be reduced to zero and periodically increased to a minimum or idle motor speed level sufficient to monitor for the presence of fluid (e.g., the concentration of particles in smoke is above a threshold). In such aspects, upon detecting a particulate concentration above a threshold, the control circuit may adjust the speed of the motor 50512 (fig. 4) to a level sufficient to completely evacuate smoke and filter particulates from the surgical site. Likewise, the cloud may track and/or store motor speed levels that have been determined to be sufficient to effectively evacuate fluid for the same or similar surgical procedure based on the concentration of particles detected by the sensor. In such an example, the control circuitry may access and/or reference such historical motor speed levels when setting the appropriate motor speed level for the surgical procedure.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the motor 50512 is more efficient because it will be turned off (i.e., zero motor speed) or run at a predetermined minimum or idle speed unless fluid and/or a threshold particle concentration is detected. In such cases, energy may be saved and noise in the surgical operating room may be minimized. Further, if fluid and/or threshold particle concentrations are detected, the motor 50512 may operate at an effective motor speed, i.e., a motor speed determined to be sufficient to effectively evacuate fluid and/or particles based on historical data. This is an improvement over other manual methods of setting the motor speed level based on subjective assessment (e.g., experience of a particular clinician) and/or switching on the evacuation system only under visual and/or olfactory cues (e.g., seeing and/or smelling smoke) and/or increasing the motor speed level.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, motor parameters such as the speed of the motor may be adapted to adjust (e.g., increase) the efficiency of the evacuation system and its filter based on the needs at the surgical site. As described herein, if smoke detected at the surgical site is below a threshold, the evacuation system may be ineffective to filter the volume of air unnecessarily. In such a case, the motor speed may be reduced, reduced to zero, or maintained at zero, such that the volume of air filtered by the extraction box is reduced, reduced to zero, or maintained at zero, respectively. The efficient use of the evacuation system ultimately extends the useful life of the evacuation system and/or components thereof (e.g., fluid traps, filters, motors, pumps, etc.) and reduces the associated repair and/or replacement costs of the evacuation system and/or components thereof. Stress and wear caused by running the motor at full speed or over sufficient speed at all times is avoided. In addition, the motor driving the pump in the pumping system may generate various levels of operational and/or vibratory noise. For example, such operational and/or vibrational noise may be undesirable in a surgical operating room and/or environment because it may inhibit communication between surgical staff members and/or distract and/or disturb surgical staff members.

In some cases, it may not be desirable to reduce the motor speed to zero. Electric motors (such as permanent magnet synchronous DC motors), for example, may require a large starting torque from a full stop condition for use with the various pumps described herein. Here, referring again to fig. 4, pump 50506 creates a pressure differential between the fluid entering pump 50506 and the fluid exiting pump 50506. This pressure differential or compression ratio of the pump 50506 may result in a high starting torque of the motor 50512 in order to start the motor 50512 to rotate the pump 50506. In one example, the pump 50506 may include a blower (e.g., a hybrid regenerative blower). In such an aspect, the blower can operate at a compression ratio of between about 1.1 and 1.2 to deliver a higher volume of fluid (e.g., relative to the fan or compressor) at an operating pressure of, for example, between about 1.5psig and 1.72 psig. In another example, the pump 50506 may include a compressor (e.g., scroll compressor pump 50650 in fig. 12). In such an aspect, the compressor may be operated at a compression ratio greater than about 2 to deliver a lower volume of fluid (e.g., relative to the fan or blower) at an operating pressure of, for example, greater than about 2.72 psig.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for improving filter assembly life. The filter assembly may include a plurality of filtration layers. For example, referring again to fig. 11, the filter assembly includes a coarse media filter 50684, a fine particulate filter 50686 and a carbon reservoir 50688.

In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, a first pressure sensor (e.g., pressure sensor 50840 in fig. 18 and 19) may be positioned upstream of a filter receiver within the flow path, and a second pressure sensor (e.g., pressure sensor 50846 in fig. 18 and 19) may be positioned downstream of the filter receiver within the flow path. In such cases, the first pressure sensor is configured to be capable of detecting the first pressure and transmitting a signal indicative of the first pressure to the control circuit. Similarly, the second pressure sensor is configured to be capable of detecting the second pressure and transmitting a signal indicative of the second pressure to the control circuit. Further, the control circuit receiving the signal indicative of the first pressure and the signal indicative of the second pressure is configured to be able to calculate a pressure difference between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor. The control circuit may utilize the calculated pressure difference in various ways. In the first case, the control circuit may adjust the motor speed based on the pressure differential. In the second case, the control circuit may indicate that maintenance is required based on the pressure differential. For example, the indicator may appear on the evacuation system interface and/or the surgical hub interface. The control circuitry may calculate the differential pressure continuously, in real time, periodically, or when system computational resources are available.

Referring again to fig. 4, in some instances, particles entering the flow path 50504 of the evacuation system 50500 can cause a blockage therein. For example, particles may at least partially clog and/or block a portion of the flow path 50504. In one instance, the filter 50502 may become clogged with particulates. When the evacuation system is operated, clogging may occur suddenly or over time. A blockage within the evacuation system 50500 may cause the pressure differential in the flow path 50504 to rise as flow is impeded. To maintain the desired flow rate and compensate for the blockage, the pump 50506 and/or the motor 50512 may require more power and/or increased speed. However, increased speed and/or power may reduce the efficiency of the motor 50512 and/or the pump 50506. In addition, operating the motor 50512 and/or the pump 50506 at an increased speed to compensate for a blockage may shorten its life. In other cases, to compensate for the blockage, the control circuit can adjust the motor 50512 as further described herein.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the control circuit can send drive signals to supply the regulated current to the motor 50512. The desired current supply can be achieved by varying the pulse width modulation duty cycle of the electrical input to the motor 50512. In such an aspect, increasing the duty cycle of the current input to the motor may increase the motor speed, and decreasing the duty cycle of the current input to the motor may decrease the motor speed.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the evacuation system may include a relief valve within the flow path to relieve excessive resistance pressure in the evacuation system. For example, the relief valve may be in fluid communication with the ambient environment. Relieving the excessive resistive pressure via such a relief valve may prevent the motor 50512 from having to or attempting to compensate for the excessive resistive pressure. In various aspects of the present disclosure, such safety valves are configured to be operable (e.g., open and/or close) upon receiving a signal from a control circuit.

In various aspects of the present disclosure, the control circuitry may be aware of a blockage based on a sensor positioned within the evacuation system. For example, referring again to fig. 18 and 19, pressure sensor 50840 is positioned and configured to be capable of detecting pressure upstream of one or more filters, and pressure sensor 50846 is positioned and configured to be capable of detecting pressure downstream of one or more filters. Pressure sensor 50840 is further configured to transmit a signal indicative of the detected pressure to the control circuitry. Similarly, the pressure sensor 50846 is configured to be capable of transmitting a signal indicative of the detected pressure to the control circuitry. In such a case, the control circuitry may determine that a portion of the filter assembly is at least partially clogged based on the pressure detected at 50846 and/or the pressure differential calculated between 50840 and 50846. In various aspects of the disclosure, the control circuitry may determine that the filter assembly is clogged if, for example, (a) the pressure detected at pressure sensor 50846 is above a particular threshold, (B) the calculated pressure differential between pressure sensor 50840 and pressure sensor 50846 is above a particular threshold, (C) the pressure detected at pressure sensor 50846 is above a particular threshold determined for the filter, and/or (D) the calculated pressure differential between pressure sensor 50840 and pressure sensor 50846 is above a particular threshold determined for the filter. In one instance, the control circuitry is configured to be able to access and/or reference the expected pressure of the filter based on historical data stored in the cloud, such as cloud 104 (fig. 39) and/or cloud 204 (fig. 46).

Referring again to fig. 18 and 19, a pressure sensor 50850 is positioned and configured to detect a pressure at or near an outlet of the evacuation system. Additionally, pressure sensor 50850 is configured to transmit a signal to the control circuit indicative of the pressure detected at or near the outlet. In such cases, the control circuitry may determine that the flow path through the extraction system downstream of the filter is at least partially blocked based on the pressure detected at pressure sensor 50846 and/or a pressure differential calculated between pressure sensor 50846 and pressure sensor 50850. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the control circuitry may determine that the flow path is blocked if, for example, the pressure detected at pressure sensor 50846 is above a particular threshold and/or the pressure differential between pressure sensor 50846 and pressure sensor 50850 is above a particular threshold. When comparing the pressure differential of pressure sensor 50846 and pressure sensor 50850, the pressure differential generated by the pump may be considered. In one case, the control circuitry may access and/or reference the expected pressure of the flow path based on historical data stored in the cloud, such as cloud 104 (fig. 39) and/or cloud 204 (fig. 46).

The speed of the motor 50512 may correspond to the current supplied to the motor 50512. In one aspect of the disclosure, the control circuit can decrease a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) duty cycle of the current input to the motor 50512 to decrease the rotational speed of the pump 50506 and/or can increase a PWM duty cycle of the current input to the motor 50512 to increase the rotational speed of the pump 50506. As described herein, the adjustment to the PWM duty cycle may be configured to maintain the flow substantially constant over a range of inlet pressures (e.g., measured at pressure sensor 50840) and/or a range of outlet pressures (e.g., measured at pressure sensor 50850).

Referring now to fig. 37, the control circuit may track and/or plot the ratio of the pressure detected at the upstream pressure sensor 50840 to the pressure detected at the downstream pressure sensor 50846 (upstream to downstream pressure ratio) over time. For example, control circuitry including the processors 50308 and/or 50408 (fig. 5 and 6) can determine a pressure ratio and make various adjustments to the surgical evacuation system based on the pressure ratio.

In one case, referring to graphical representation 54200 in fig. 37, the pressure differential between upstream pressure sensor 50840 and downstream pressure sensor 50846 may increase as the filter becomes clogged. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the pressure ratio may increase as the downstream pressure measured by pressure sensor 50846 decreases and/or the upstream pressure measured by pressure sensor 50840 increases. The pressure at pressure sensor 50840 may be equal to or substantially equal to the pressure at the surgical site (e.g., within the patient). The pressure at pressure sensor 50846 may be the pressure pumped by the pump. The increase in pressure ratio may correspond to a blockage between downstream pressure sensor 50846 and upstream pressure sensor 50840, such as a blockage in a filter. For example, when the filter is clogged, the pressure at the pressure sensor 50840 may remain the same or substantially the same (pressure at the surgical site), and the pressure at the pressure sensor 50846 may decrease as the pump continues to draw a vacuum.

The ratio of the upstream to downstream pressure may be indicative of filter life. For example, a low ratio may indicate that the filter does not need to be replaced, and a high ratio may indicate that the filter needs to be replaced.

The slave time t is shown in FIG. 37₀New and non-blocking filter to time t₂The development of a mostly blocked filter. As shown in fig. 37, the ratio of upstream to downstream pressures (pressure at upstream pressure sensor 50840 to pressure at downstream pressure sensor 50846) begins at a non-zero ratio, which may be attributed to a baseline differential pressure of airflow through the filter component and material. From time t₀To the exact time t₁Previously, this ratio remained relatively constant. At time t₁At this point, the upstream-to-downstream pressure ratio increases at a relatively steady rate, with a slope of α, until the upstream-to-downstream pressure ratio reaches the replacement ratio R ". Upon reaching and/or exceeding the replacement ratio R ", the filter is considered to be substantially blocked and should be replaced to avoid damage to, for example, the motor and/or pump. In one case, the control circuitry may access and/or reference the replacement ratio R "for a given filter installed or positioned in a filter receiver of the drainage system via the cloud. For example, the permutation ratio R "may be stored in processor 50408 in FIG. 6 Memory 50410 accessed. Alternatively, the replacement ratio R "may be user defined and/or based on a history of local and/or global pressure data in the cloud. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the control circuitry may display the filter life metric (e.g., remaining 40%) on the drainage system and/or the surgical hub user interface using the tracked and/or plotted ratio.

Still referring to fig. 37, the control circuit may further track and/or plot the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) duty cycle of the motor of the evacuation system over time. For example, when the filter is considered to be at time t₀Then until just time t₁The PWM duty cycle of the motor is set to a relatively low constant duty cycle or percentage when it was previously relatively new. At a time t corresponding to the partial obstruction ratio R₁The control circuit is configured to increase the PWM duty cycle of the motor at a relatively stable rate with a slope of α¹. The increased duty cycle may be selected to compensate for filter clogging. As the blockage in the filter continues to accumulate during use, the duty cycle may be increased accordingly to compensate for filter blockage. In each case, the slope α¹The slope a can be tracked as shown in fig. 37. The control circuitry may access and/or reference a partial plugging ratio associated with a given filter installed in a filter receiver of the drainage system via a cloud, such as cloud 104 (fig. 39) and/or cloud 204 (fig. 46). Alternatively, the partial obstruction ratio may be user defined and/or based on a history of local and/or global pressure data in the cloud.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, increasing the duty cycle of the motor may increase the pump speed such that the pump draws more air through the exhaust system. In other words, an increase in the pressure differential across the filter may trigger a corresponding increase in the PWM duty cycle of the pump's motor.

A pump for a pumping system is configured to be capable of transmitting or affecting movement of fluid along a flow path by mechanical action. In activity, the pump may increase the pressure of the fluid as the fluid moves. The pump may have more than one operating pressure. In one aspect of the disclosure, the pump may be operated at a first operating pressure resulting in a first flow of fluid through the flow path, and the pump may be operated at a second operating pressure resulting in a second flow of fluid through the flow path. The first and second flow rates of fluid through the flow path may be the same or substantially similar regardless of a difference in the first and second operating pressures of the pump. In one case, the pump may be operated at a higher operating pressure to maintain a constant flow rate as blockages accumulate within the flow path.

Still referring to the graphical representation 54200 in fig. 37, the control circuit may increase the PWM duty cycle of the motor to increase the current supplied to the motor and increase the operating pressure of the pump. For example, the control circuit may adjust the duty cycle based on, for example, the detected pressure, the pressure differential, and/or a ratio of the detected pressures. The increased operating pressure may be configured to compensate for an occlusion, such as at time t in FIG. 37 ₁A blockage in the filter starting nearby while maintaining a constant flow of fluid through the flow path. In such cases, the control circuit can control the load on the pump, for example, when the filter is clogged with particulates.

In various aspects of the disclosure, the control circuit may increase the current supplied to the motor up to the determined motor current threshold. In one aspect, the control circuit may increase the determined motor current threshold to achieve the pressure differential required to maintain the desired flow. For example, the pressure differential and desired flow rate may be maintained despite a blockage in the flow path.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the control circuit may reduce the determined motor current threshold for various reasons. For example, the control circuit may reduce the determined motor current threshold to prevent inadvertent tissue damage at the surgical site. For example, when the surgical port is occluded by patient tissue, the control circuitry may reduce the motor current to reduce the pressure in the system and suction applied to the tissue. In one case, the control circuitry may access and/or reference the determined motor current threshold via a cloud, such as cloud 104 (fig. 39) and/or cloud 204 (fig. 46). Alternatively, the determined motor current threshold may be user defined and/or based on a history of local and/or global data in the cloud.

In various aspects of the disclosure, the control circuit may provide increased power and/or motor speed for a limited period of time based on feedback from the pressure sensor. During this time, an indication of pressure and/or occlusion may be communicated to the user via, for example, an interface in the surgical operating room. In one case, the clinician may resolve the blockage, for example, by clearing the blockage and/or changing one or more filters in the filter receiver. The limited period of time may be determined based on data stored in the cloud, such as historical data regarding the operating cycle at, for example, increased power levels and/or speeds prior to motor and/or pump failure. After a limited period of time, the power and/or speed may be reduced, as further described herein, until the blockage is properly resolved.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a control circuit for a pumping system may send a drive signal to supply an increased or decreased current to a motor of the pumping system in order to adjust a speed of the motor and/or a speed of a pump. In one case, the control circuit may send drive signals to achieve burst speeds at start-up of the pumping system and/or at transitions between power levels. For example, the burst speed may be configured to pump the evacuation system up to a specified level at the beginning of the active evacuation mode. The specified level may correspond to, for example, a specified flow rate and/or a specified pressure. In each case, the burst speed can effectively pump the extraction system to a specified level in an energy efficient manner.

In one case, the burst speed setting via the control circuit is different from the constant run speed setting via the control circuit. For example, after an initial startup of the pumping system and/or after setting an increased power level for the pumping system, the control circuit may send a drive signal to supply an increased current to the motor to increase the motor speed to the burst speed for a short period of time. The burst speed may be, for example, a motor speed that is at least 20% higher than the constant motor speed required to achieve the desired flow rate. In one aspect of the disclosure, the burst speed is at least 50% or at least 100% higher than the constant motor speed required to achieve the desired flow.

Referring now to the graphical representation 54300 in FIG. 38, a surgical evacuation system is shown from time to timeTime lapse air flow rate and particle count. The control circuitry of the surgical evacuation systems 50800 and 50900 (fig. 18 and 19) may adjust the gas flow rate as shown, for example, graphically in fig. 38. More specifically, the air flow rate includes burst

speeds

54302 and 54304 of the motor of the surgical evacuation system. For example, the burst speed may be a motor speed required to achieve an airflow speed higher than a desired airflow speed for a short period of time. As shown in FIG. 38, the burst speed 54302 may be, for example, at time t ₁And time t₂In a portion (e.g., 1/5) of the period in between, to achieve a ratio at time t₁And time t₂Desired airflow velocity V between₁Motor speed at least 20% higher than required for the air flow rate. Similarly, burst speed 54304 may be, for example, at time t₂And time t₃In a portion (e.g., 1/4) of the period in between, to achieve a ratio at time t₂And time t₃Desired airflow velocity V between₂Motor speed at least 20% higher than required for the air flow rate. In various instances, the gas flow rate may be dependent on the particle count within the evacuation system, as further described herein.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the transition of the extraction system from the first air flow rate to the second air flow rate may be accompanied by an increase in the air flow rate just before or just after the transition and before adjusting to the second air flow rate. For example, the first and second air flow rates may correspond to a constant or substantially constant motor speed and to a constant or substantially constant air flow rate. See again the graphical display in fig. 38, except at times t, respectively₁And time t₂Shortly thereafter outside of the burst speeds 54302 and 54304, the airflow speed is at time t₁And time t₂And also at time t ₂And time t₃Substantially constant in between. The substantially constant gas flow rate illustrated in fig. 38 may correspond to a respective constant motor speed in a respective mode of operation of the pumping system.

Still referring to FIG. 38, at time t₀The air flow velocity may be V₀And V₁Non-zero values in between, which may correspond to a motor in "quiet" mode 54310Speed. In the "quiet" mode 54310, the drainage system may be configured to sample fluid from the surgical site. The sampled fluid may be used to determine, for example, an operating state of a smoke evacuation system, an energy device, and/or another component of a surgical system. At time t₁At this point, the drainage system may enter the "active" mode 54312. In some cases, the "active" mode 54312 may be triggered by one or more sensors in the drainage system, as further described herein. The velocity of the air flow increases to time t₁Velocity V of₁And/or increase to time t₂Velocity V of₂An additional increase in the airflow velocity just after the transition or start-up to the new velocity level may be accompanied. More specifically, the airflow speed is at time t in fig. 38₁Shortly thereafter and at time t₂Before subsequent adjustments of (a) and (b) occur. Additionally, in the second "active" mode 54314, when the airflow is from velocity v ₁Conversion to velocity v₂At time t, the air flow velocity₂Spikes appear shortly thereafter.

Additionally or alternatively, a decrease in the power level of the extraction system from the first gas flow speed to the second gas flow speed may be accompanied by an initial increase in the gas flow speed just prior to the decrease. For example, as the airflow velocity decreases from a first constant or substantially constant level to a second constant or substantially constant level, the airflow velocity may experience airflow velocity spikes similar to those shown in fig. 38. In one case, the control circuit may directly affect the airflow speed spike before returning from "active mode" to a constant "quiet mode" motor speed. In various circumstances, for example, a burst speed prior to a quiet mode may flush the surgical system and/or the smoke evacuation system.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, various particle sensors, such as the

particle sensors

50838 and 50848 of fig. 18 and 19, for example, may be positioned and configured to be capable of counting particles flowing through and/or within the

evacuation systems

50800 and 50900. Similarly, an air quality particle sensor, such as the particle sensor 50852 in fig. 18 and 19, for example, may be positioned and configured to count particles in the ambient air surrounding the

evacuation systems

50800 and 50900 and/or within the surgical suite. Various particle sensors (e.g.,

particle sensors

50838, 50848, 50852, etc.) may be further configured to be capable of transmitting a signal indicative of the concentration of particles to, for example, a control circuit in order to adjust the gas flow rate.

Referring again to FIG. 38, the motor for the evacuation system may be at time t₀And time t₁In between, in a constant "quiet" mode 54310. At time t₀And time t₁In between, at least one particle sensor (e.g., particle sensors 50838 and/or 50848) may actively count particles flowing through the evacuation system. In some cases, at least one particle sensor (e.g., particle sensor 50852) may actively count particles in the ambient air. In at least one instance, the control circuitry can compare the particles counted at the particle sensor 50838 and/or the particle sensor 50848 to the particles counted at the particle sensor 50852. The control circuitry may determine that the concentration of particles detected by, for example, the particle sensor 50838 and/or the particle sensor 50848 exceeds a first threshold, such as threshold C in fig. 38₁. Threshold value C₁May correspond to, for example, a particle concentration level and/or a ratio of particles counted at various sensors along the flow path. In response to the particle concentration exceeding a first threshold C₁The control circuit may be at time t₁Increase the motor speed from the "quiet" mode 54310 speed associated with the first non-zero airflow speed to the second airflow speed (e.g., V) ₁) An associated second motor speed or "active" mode 54312. As described above, the increase in airflow velocity may be accompanied by a time t₁Shortly thereafter, a spike or burst 54302 in the speed of the airflow.

Still referring to FIG. 38, the control circuitry may continue to detect the particle concentration from at least one of the

particle sensors

50838, 50848, and/or 50852 while from time t₁To time t₂Maintaining the velocity V of the air flow₁The associated motor speed. At time t₂At this point, the control circuitry may determine that the concentration and/or ratio of particles detected by at least one of the

particle sensors

50838, 50848 and/or 50852 exceeds a secondary threshold, such as a map38 threshold value C₂. Threshold value C₂May correspond to a particle concentration level and/or a ratio of particles counted at various sensors along the flow path that is greater than a first threshold C₁. In response to a signal at time t₂Is over a second threshold value C₂The control circuit is configured to control the motor speed from a speed V equal to the airflow speed₁Or first "active" mode 54314, to increase the motor speed to that associated with the increased airflow velocity V₂Or a second "active" mode 54314. Likewise, the secondary air velocity V₁Increase to airflow velocity V₂Can accompany time t ₂Shortly thereafter, a spike or burst 54304 in the speed of the airflow.

In various circumstances, the control circuitry may continue to receive input indicative of the particulate concentration, for example, via the

particulate sensors

50838, 50848 and/or 50852, while at time t₂And time t₃Is kept at the airflow speed V₂The associated motor speed. At time t₃At this point, the control circuitry may determine that the concentration and/or ratio of particles detected by at least one of the

particle sensors

50838, 50848 and/or 50852 has decreased below a first threshold value C₁. In response, the control circuit may vary the motor speed from the airflow speed V₂The associated motor speed is reduced back to the "quiet" mode speed associated with the first non-zero airflow speed. As described above, in some cases, the velocity V of the slave airflow₂The reduction back to non-zero airflow velocity may be accompanied by a time t₃Shortly thereafter, the air flow velocity spikes. The control circuitry may, for example, continue to detect and/or compare the particle concentration detected by the

particle sensors

50838, 50848 and/or 50852 while at time t₃And thereafter maintain "quiet" mode speed.

In various aspects of the present disclosure, the motor may be a variable speed motor. For example, the motor 50512 (fig. 4) may be a variable speed motor. In such a case, the speed of the motor may be controlled based on externally measured parameters. For example, the speed of the variable speed motor may be increased, decreased, or maintained based on parameters measured external to the evacuation system.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the motor 50512 (fig. 4) may be adjusted by varying the supply of current to the motor 50512. For example, a first amount of current may be supplied to the motor 50512 such that the motor 50512 operates at a first operating level. Alternatively, a second amount of current may be supplied to the motor 50512 such that the motor 50512 operates at a second level of operation. More specifically, the varying current supply can be achieved by varying the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) duty cycle of the electrical input to the motor 50512. In other aspects, the current may be varied by adjusting the frequency of the current supplied to the motor. In various aspects of the disclosure, the motor 50512 is coupled to a rotary mechanism or pump 50506 (e.g., a compressor, blower, etc., as described herein) such that a duty cycle or frequency of the current input to the motor 50512 reduces the rotational speed of the pump 50506. In a similar manner, the duty cycle or frequency of the current input to the motor 50512 may increase the rotational speed of the pump 50506.

In various aspects of the present disclosure, the lower operating level of the motor 50512 may be more advantageous than completely disconnecting the motor 50512 when evacuation and/or suction is not needed, and then switching the motor 50512 back on when suction is needed. For example, a clinician may only need to use suction intermittently during a long surgical cycle. In such aspects, turning the motor 50512 on from a fully off state requires a high starting torque in order to overcome the stationary inertia of the motor 50512. Repeatedly turning the motor 50512 on from the fully off mode in this manner is inefficient and may shorten the life of the motor 50512. Alternatively, using a lower operating level allows the motor 50512 to remain on during intermittent use of the evacuation system during surgery, and may be adjusted to a higher operating level (e.g., when additional suction is required) without the need for higher torque required to overcome the stationary inertia of the motor.

In various aspects of the disclosure, a series of changes may be determined or predetermined for the motor parameters. In one example, the motor speed range may be predetermined for a variable speed motor. In various aspects, as described above, the control circuitry may determine that a particular flow rate is required at the surgical site or that an increase or decrease in flow rate is required based on feedback from one or more sensors. For example, the processors 50308 and/or 50408 in the control circuitry can be configured to receive input from one or more sensors and effect adjustment of the flow rate based at least in part on the sensor input. The adjustment may be determined in real-time or near real-time.

In one aspect, the control circuitry may determine the need to adjust the motor based on measurements detected by sensors in the surgical system, such as at least one sensor positioned and configured to detect fluid (e.g., fluid detection sensor 50830 in fig. 18 and 19), and/or particles in the fluid (e.g., particle sensors 50838 and/or 50848 in fig. 18 and 19), and/or a separate sensor on the electrosurgical instrument (e.g., electrosurgical instrument 50630 in fig. 7) that may be positioned at/near the surgical site. In response to a determined need, the control circuit can send a drive signal to supply drive current to the motor 50512 (fig. 4) to adjust its speed to the adjusted motor speed. The adjusted motor speed may correspond to a particular flow rate desired.

Alternatively, in response to a determined need, the control circuit may send a drive signal to supply drive current to the motor 50512 to increase or decrease the motor speed to a speed within a predetermined range of motor speeds. In such cases, the control circuit limits the speed increase or decrease of the variable speed motor to within a predetermined motor speed range. The adjusted motor speed may or may not correspond to a desired adjusted flow rate. For example, due to a predetermined motor speed range, the control circuit may not be able to adjust the motor speed to achieve a desired flow rate.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a clinician in a surgical operating room may select a motor speed, such as when the motor is operating in a manual mode. For example, a clinician may manually change the variable speed motor to a desired motor speed via a user interface. The user interface may be on, for example, the housing of the evacuation system and/or the surgical hub interface. In various aspects, the user interface may display external measurement parameters (e.g., the amount of smoke and/or particulates measured via a sensor at or near the surgical site) to the clinician, and the clinician may manually set the motor speed based on the external measurement parameters. In such an aspect, the user interface may send a drive signal to supply a drive current to the motor to set, increase, or decrease the motor speed to the selected motor speed.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the control circuit may change the first drive signal to the second drive signal based on a pressure condition detected and/or measured within the evacuation system. For example, referring again to fig. 18 and 19,

pressure sensors

50840, 50846, 50850, and 50854 may transmit their respective pressures to a control circuit, which may change the first drive signal to the second drive signal based on one or more of the detected pressures. Notably, in such an aspect, the actual motor speed may not be equal to the motor speed selected by the user via the user interface. For example, if the measured pressure within the evacuation system exceeds a threshold pressure, allowing an increased motor speed associated with the user-selected motor speed may damage the motor and/or other components of the evacuation system. Accordingly, the control circuitry can override the user-selected motor speed to prevent damage to the evacuation system and its components.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the motor speed may be automatically selected by the control circuit, such as when the motor is operating in an automatic mode. In such an aspect, the control circuit may send a drive signal to supply a drive current to the motor to set, increase, or decrease the motor speed to an appropriate motor speed based on an externally measured parameter (e.g., an amount of smoke and/or particles measured at or near the surgical site). In an alternative aspect, the control circuitry may send drive signals to supply drive current to the motor to set, increase, or decrease the motor speed based on parameters measured within the evacuation system, including at least one of pressure and particle concentration detected by various sensors therein. In one example,

pressure sensors

50840, 50846, 50850, and 50854 may transmit their respective detected and/or measured pressures to a control circuit. Additionally or alternatively, the

particle sensors

50838, 50848 and 50852 may transmit their respective detected and/or measured particle counts to the control circuitry.

Referring now to FIG. 35, an adjustment algorithm 54000 for a surgical evacuation system is shown. The various surgical drainage systems disclosed herein may utilize the adjustment algorithm 54000 of fig. 35. Moreover, the reader will readily appreciate that, in some cases, the adjustment algorithm 54000 may be combined with one or more additional adjustment algorithms described herein. Adjustment of the surgical evacuation system may be accomplished by a processor in signal communication with a motor of an evacuation pump (see, e.g., the processor and pump of fig. 5 and 6). For example, the processor 50408 may implement the adjustment algorithm 54000. Such a processor may also be in signal communication with one or more sensors in the surgical evacuation system.

In one case, the control circuitry 54008 may be communicatively coupled to a first particle sensor 54010 (which may be similar to the particle sensor 50838 in fig. 18 and 19) and may transmit a first signal including its detected and/or measured particle count at block 54002. Additionally, the control circuitry 54008 may be coupled to a second particle sensor 54012 (which may be similar in many respects to the particle sensor 50848 in fig. 18 and 19), and may transmit a second signal including its detected and/or measured particle count to the control circuitry at block 54004. The control circuit 54008 may then transmit a drive signal at block 54006 to apply the determined drive current to the drainage system motor at block 54016. For example, the control circuitry 54008 may be similar in many respects to the control schematic in fig. 5 and 6, and may include a processor communicatively coupled to a memory. In another aspect, any combination of

sensors

50840, 50846, 50850, 50854, 50838, 50848, and 50852 (fig. 18 and 19) may transmit their respective detected and/or measured parameters to the control circuitry 54008. In such alternative aspects, the control circuit may determine the appropriate motor speed based on internally measured parameters. In either case, the user interface may display the current motor speed in various circumstances.

In various aspects of the present disclosure, the appropriate motor speed may be an ideal motor speed determined based on historical data stored in a cloud, such as cloud 104 (fig. 39) and/or cloud 204 (fig. 46). For example, the ideal motor speed may be the most efficient speed given the measured external and/or internal parameters. In other aspects, the appropriate motor speed may be an ideal motor speed determined such that all measured pressures are below the threshold pressure. In other words, for example, damage to the evacuation system components is avoided and particle concentration (such as that measured at the particle sensor 50848) is minimized. In a further aspect, the motor speed automatically selected by the control circuit can be manually adjusted. In such a manual override mode, the user may select a desired motor speed that is different from the automatically selected motor speed. In such an aspect, the user interface may display the selected motor speed. In further aspects of the disclosure, the user interface may display a desired motor speed determined by the control circuit such that the user is notified that a less than (or greater than) desired motor speed and/or flow rate has been set and/or selected.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the external measurement parameter supplied to the control circuit may include a power level of an electrosurgical signal supplied by the generator to an electrosurgical instrument (such as the electrosurgical instrument 50630 supplied by the generator 50640 in fig. 6). In such an aspect, the control circuit may increase the motor speed in proportion to the increase in the power level. For example, various increased power levels may be associated with increased smoke levels in the cloud database. In a similar manner, the control circuit may reduce the motor speed in proportion to the reduction in power level. Here, in an alternative aspect, the motor speed can be set (e.g., automatically and/or manually as described herein) at the evacuation system. Further, in such an aspect, the power level set at the generator 50640 may affect the set motor speed. In one aspect, the manually set motor speed may be changed based on the power level set at the generator 50640. In another aspect, the automatically set motor speed may be changed based on the power level set at the generator 50640.

Fig. 36 illustrates a graphical display 54100 of particle count, power, voltage, and motor speed, for example, for a surgical evacuation system, such as

evacuation systems

50800 and 50900. The control circuit of the evacuation system is configured to adjust the motor speed based on the external and internal measured parameters. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the control circuits in fig. 5 and 6 may implement the depicted motor speed adjustment. In fig. 36, the external measurement parameter is the power level of the electrosurgical signal supplied by the generator used in the surgical procedure to the electrosurgical instrument (e.g., supplied by the generator 50640 in fig. 7 to the electrosurgical instrument 50630). The internal measured parameter is, for example, the particle count detected by the evacuation system, such as laser particle count counter 50838 in fig. 18 and 19. The reader will readily appreciate that in some cases, the motor speed may be adjusted based on one of the external or internal measured parameters. In some cases, additional internal or external parameters may be utilized to adjust the motor speed.

At time t₀At, the motor speed is zero, the power level supplied to the electrosurgical instrument is zero, and the particle count detected by the particle sensor 50838 is zero. At time t₁At, a first power level is supplied by the generator to the electrosurgical instrument. In one example, the first power level may correspond to a coagulation mode. At time t₁At the same time as the power level increases, or shortly thereafter, the control circuit sends a drive signal to supply a starting current to the motor. Starting current at motor t₁And t₂Before settling to the baseline (e.g., idle) motor speed 54104, resulting in a burst 54102 of motor speed. The baseline motor speed 54104 may correspond to, for example, a minimum torque required to turn the pump. For example, when the time approaches t₂The motor speed may correspond to a sleep or quiet mode in which the extractor is powered in anticipation of smoke generation. At time t₁Here, the particle sensor 50838 does not affect the motor speed.

At time t₂At this point, the particle sensor 50838 detects a first spike 54106 in particle concentration that increases the particle count above a minimum threshold 54110, which corresponds to an "active" mode of smoke evacuation. In response to the first spike 54106, at time t ₂Shortly thereafter, the control circuit sends a second drive signal to supply an increased current to the motor to increase the flow through the evacuation system from, for example, "quiet" mode to "liveThe "active" mode. In response to the increased flow, the particle concentration counted by the particle sensor 50838 at time t₂And time t₃Begins to fall in between. The control circuit actively monitors the output from the particle sensor 50838 and, as the particle concentration falls, sends a third drive signal to supply a reduced current to the motor 50512 in proportion to the reduced particle concentration detected by the particle sensor 50838. In other words, time t₂And time t₃The motor speed in between is proportional to the particle concentration detected by the particle sensor 50838.

At time t₃Supplied by the generator 50640 at time t₁And t₃The first power level, which remains relatively constant in between, increases from the first power level 54112 to the second power level 54114. In one example, the second power level 54114 may correspond to a cutting mode. In response to the power level of the generator increasing, at time t₃Shortly thereafter, the control circuit sends a third drive signal to supply an increased current to the motor, thereby again increasing the flow through the exhaust system. For example, the motor speed may be responsive to time t ₃The waveform of (a) changes. In addition, the particle sensor 50838 detects a second spike 54108 in the counted particles due to the increased power level. The third drive signal may account for increased particle concentrations in the smoke. In response to the increased motor speed, particles counted by the particle sensor 50838 at time t₃And t₄Is reduced. Likewise, the control circuit actively monitors the particle sensor 50838 and sends a fourth drive signal to provide a reduced current to the motor in proportion to the decrease in particle concentration detected by the particle sensor 50838.

At time t₄At time t, supplied by the generator₃And t₄ Second power level 54114 held relatively constant therebetween at time t₄And t₅Decreases at a steady rate. In response, at time t₄Thereafter, the particle concentration detected by the particle sensor 50838 also decreases. In fact, the particle concentration is at time t₄And time t₅To slightly below the minimum threshold 54110 and above the close threshold 54118 and is near the close threshold 54118 to time t₅Remain relatively constant. In one instance, this may correspond to drawing residual smoke from the surgical site. Control circuit at time t₄And t ₅Continues to monitor the particle sensor 50838 in between, and sends a subsequent drive signal to correlate with time t₄And time t₅The reduction in particle concentration therebetween proportionally reduces the current to the motor.

At time t₅At this point, the third sharp peak 54116 of the particle concentration may be detected by the particle sensor 50838, which again increases the particle count above the minimum threshold 54110. In one case, the additional smoke generated during the surgical procedure and detected by the particle sensor 50838 may be the result of the tissue state. For example, when tissue dries out during surgery, additional smoke may be generated. In response to a signal at time t₅With increased smoke, the generator waveform is automatically adjusted to minimize smoke. For example, the third power level may be supplied by the generator. Furthermore, at time t₁And time t₅At time t with a voltage held at a relatively constant first level therebetween₅Then drops to a relatively constant second level until time t₆. At time t of power increase, voltage decrease₅The waveform adjustment 54122 may be configured to generate less smoke in certain situations.

In response to a signal at time t₅The power level of the generator is adjusted and the particle concentration detected by the particle sensor 50838 at time t ₅And t₆Steadily decreases in between. At time t₆For example, the power level and voltage of the generator are reduced to zero, such as corresponding to a power-off state after completion of the surgical procedure. Further, the particle concentration detected by the particle sensor 50838 at time t₆And drops below the close threshold 54118. In response, the control circuit sends a drive signal to supply a reduced current to the motor to reduce the motor speed to a sleep or quiet mode 54120.

In each case, the evacuation system can automatically sense and compensate for laparoscopic use. For example, the evacuation system may automatically detect the laparoscopic mode of the surgical system. For laparoscopic surgery, a patient's body cavity is insufflated with a gas (e.g., carbon dioxide) to inflate the body cavity and create a working and/or viewing space for the physician during the surgery. The body cavity is inflated to create a pressurized cavity. In such cases, as disclosed herein, the evacuation system can be configured to sense, for example, the pressurized cavity and adjust a parameter of the evacuation system, such as motor speed, in response to the pressurized cavity parameter.

For example, referring again to fig. 18 and 19, pressure sensor 50840 may detect pressures above a certain threshold pressure, which may correspond to pressures conventionally used for insufflation. In such cases, the control circuitry may initially determine whether the surgical procedure being performed is a laparoscopic surgical procedure. In some instances, the control circuitry of the smoke evacuation system (e.g., processors 50308 and/or 50408 of fig. 5 and 6) can query the communicatively coupled surgical hub and/or cloud to determine whether laparoscopic surgery is being performed. For example, as further described herein, situational awareness can determine and/or confirm whether laparoscopic surgery is being performed.

In some cases, an external control circuit (such as a control circuit associated with a surgical hub) may query a communicatively coupled cloud. In another aspect, the user interface of the drainage system may receive input from a physician. The control circuitry may receive a signal from the user interface indicating that the surgical procedure being performed is a laparoscopic surgical procedure. If not laparoscopic surgery, the control circuitry may determine if the filter is clogged and/or partially clogged, as described herein. If it is laparoscopic surgery, the control circuitry may adjust the pressure detected at pressure sensor 50840 by a predetermined amount to achieve a laparoscopically adjusted pressure at sensor 50840. Such laparoscopically adjusted pressure at sensor 50840 may be utilized in accordance with various aspects described herein in place of the actual pressure detected at sensor 50840. In such aspects, this may avoid improper and/or premature indication that the filter is clogged and/or partially clogged. In addition, the foregoing adjustments may avoid unnecessary motor speed adjustments.

According to various aspects, in response to determining that the surgical procedure being performed is a laparoscopic surgical procedure, the evacuation system may further sense such pressurized cavity and adjust an evacuation system parameter (e.g., motor speed). In such aspects, after a pressure sensor (such as pressure sensor 50840), for example, detects that the evacuation system is being used within the pressurized environment, the control circuitry may send a drive signal to change one or more operating parameters of the motor to an effective evacuation rate for laparoscopic surgery. In one example, the baseline (e.g., idle) motor speed and/or the upper limit motor speed may be adjusted downward to compensate for the added pressure supplied by the pressurization lumen (e.g., see fig. 7, through the distal catheter opening 50634 near the tip of the surgical instrument 50630 and the suction hose 50636). In such cases, after a pressure sensor (such as pressure sensor 50840) detects that the evacuation system is being used within the pressurized environment, the control circuitry may set a secondary threshold relative to the pressure loss at the pressure sensor and/or monitor the established secondary threshold.

If the pressure detected at pressure sensor 50840 drops below such a secondary threshold, the evacuation system may adversely affect insufflation of the surgical site. For example, an adjustment to the motor speed may cause the pressure at pressure sensor 50840 to drop below a secondary threshold. In some cases, a separate pressure sensor may be positioned on the electrosurgical instrument (i.e., such that it is within the body cavity during laparoscopic surgery) to initially detect the pressurized cavity and/or to monitor the pressure within the body cavity during laparoscopic surgery. In such aspects, such a pressure sensor would send a signal to the control circuitry to appropriately adjust the evacuation system parameter (e.g., motor speed), as described herein.

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

Computer-implemented interactive surgical system

Referring to fig. 39, a computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100 includes one or more surgical systems 102 and a cloud-based system (e.g., cloud 104, which may include a remote server 113 coupled to a storage device 105). Each surgical system 102 includes at least one surgical hub 106 in communication with cloud 104, which may include a remote server 113. In one example, as shown in fig. 39, the surgical system 102 includes a visualization system 108, a robotic system 110, and a handheld smart surgical instrument 112 configured to communicate with each other and/or with the hub 106. In some aspects, surgical system 102 may include M number of hubs 106, N number of visualization systems 108, O number of robotic systems 110, and P number of handheld intelligent surgical instruments 112, where M, N, O and P are integers greater than or equal to one.

Fig. 40 shows an example of a surgical system 102 for performing a surgical procedure on a patient lying on an operating table 114 in a surgical room 116. The robotic system 110 is used as part of the surgical system 102 during surgery. 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 can manipulate at least one removably coupled surgical tool 117 through a minimally invasive incision in the patient's body while the surgeon views the surgical site through the surgeon's console 118. An image of the surgical site may be obtained by the medical imaging device 124, which may be manipulated by the patient side cart 120 to orient the imaging device 124. The robot hub 122 may be used to process images of the surgical site for subsequent display to the surgeon via the surgeon's console 118.

Other types of robotic systems may be readily adapted for use with the surgical system 102. Various examples of robotic systems and SURGICAL tools suitable for use in the present disclosure are described in U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/611,339 entitled "ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL tool" filed on 28.12.2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Various examples of CLOUD-BASED analysis performed by the CLOUD 104 and suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/611,340 entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS," filed on 28.12.2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In various aspects, the imaging device 124 includes at least one image sensor and one or more optical components. Suitable image sensors include, but are not limited to, Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensors and Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensors.

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 portions of the surgical field. The one or more image sensors may receive light reflected or refracted from the surgical field, including light reflected or refracted from tissue and/or surgical instruments.

The one or more illumination sources may be configured to radiate electromagnetic energy in the visible spectrum as well as the invisible spectrum. The visible spectrum (sometimes referred to as the optical spectrum or the luminescence spectrum) is that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to (i.e., detectable by) the human eye, and may be referred to as visible light or simple light. A typical human eye will respond to wavelengths in air from about 380nm to about 750 nm.

The invisible spectrum (i.e., the non-luminescent spectrum) is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that lies below and above the visible spectrum (i.e., wavelengths below about 380nm and above about 750 nm). The human eye cannot detect the invisible spectrum. Wavelengths greater than about 750nm are longer than the red visible spectrum and they become invisible Infrared (IR), microwave and radio electromagnetic radiation. Wavelengths less than about 380nm are shorter than the violet spectrum and they become invisible ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma-ray electromagnetic radiation.

In various aspects, the imaging device 124 is configured for use in minimally invasive surgery. Examples of imaging devices suitable for use in the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, arthroscopes, angioscopes, bronchoscopes, cholangioscopes, colonoscopes, cytoscopes, duodenoscopes, enteroscopes, esophago-duodenoscopes (gastroscopes), endoscopes, laryngoscopes, nasopharyngo-nephroscopes, sigmoidoscopes, thoracoscopes, and intrauterine scopes.

In one aspect, the imaging device employs multispectral monitoring to distinguish topography from underlying structures. A multispectral image is an image that captures image data across a particular range of wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. The wavelengths may be separated by filters or by using instruments that are sensitive to specific wavelengths, including light from frequencies outside the visible range, such as IR and ultraviolet. Spectral imaging may allow extraction of additional information that the human eye fails to capture with its red, green, and blue receptors. The use of multispectral Imaging is described in more detail under the heading "Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module" of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/611,341, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," filed on 28.12.2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Multispectral monitoring may be a useful tool for repositioning the surgical site after completion of a surgical task to perform one or more of the previously described tests on the treated tissue.

It is self-evident that strict sterilization of the operating room and surgical equipment is required during any surgical procedure. The stringent hygiene and sterilization conditions required in a "surgical room" (i.e., an operating room or treatment room) require the highest possible sterility of all medical devices and equipment. Part of this sterilization process is any substance that needs to be sterilized, including the imaging device 124 and its attachments and components, to contact the patient or penetrate the sterile field. It should be understood that the sterile field may be considered a designated area that is considered free of microorganisms, such as within a tray or within a sterile towel, or the sterile field may be considered an area around a patient that is ready for surgery. The sterile field may include members of a team who are properly wearing swabs, as well as all equipment and fixtures in the field.

In various aspects, the visualization system 108 includes one or more imaging sensors, one or more image processing units, one or more storage arrays, and one or more displays, strategically arranged relative to the sterile zone, as shown in fig. 40. In one aspect, the visualization system 108 includes interfaces for HL7, PACS, and EMR. Various components of the visualization system 108 are described under the heading "Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module" of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/611,341, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM," filed 2017, 12, 28, and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As shown in fig. 40, a main display 119 is positioned in the sterile field to be visible to the operator at the surgical table 114. Further, the visualization tower 111 is positioned outside the sterile field. Visualization tower 111 includes a first non-sterile display 107 and a second non-sterile display 109 facing away from each other. The visualization system 108 guided by the hub 106 is configured to be able to utilize the

displays

107, 109, and 119 to coordinate the flow of information to operators inside and outside the sterile zone. For example, the hub 106 may cause the visualization system 108 to display a snapshot of the surgical site recorded by the imaging device 124 on the

non-sterile display

107 or 109 while maintaining a real-time feed of the surgical site on the main display 119. A snapshot on

non-sterile display

107 or 109 may allow a non-sterile operator to, for example, perform diagnostic steps associated with a surgical procedure.

In one aspect, hub 106 is further configured to be able to route diagnostic inputs or feedback entered by non-sterile operators at visualization tower 111 to a main display 119 within the sterile field, where it can be viewed by the sterile operator on the operating floor. In one example, the input may be a modified form of a snapshot displayed on

non-sterile display

107 or 109, which may be routed through hub 106 to main display 119.

Referring to fig. 40, a surgical instrument 112 is used in surgery as part of the surgical system 102. Hub 106 is further configured to coordinate the flow of information to the display of surgical instrument 112. For example, U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/611,341 entitled "interactive surgical platform (INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM"), filed on 28.12.2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Diagnostic inputs or feedback entered by a non-sterile operator at the visualization tower 111 may be routed by the hub 106 to a surgical instrument display 115 within the sterile field, where the inputs or feedback may be viewed by the operator of the surgical instrument 112. Exemplary Surgical instruments suitable for use in Surgical system 102 are described under the heading Surgical Instrument Hardware (Surgical Instrument Hardware), U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/611,341 entitled "interactive Surgical platform (INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM)", filed 2017, 12, 28, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Referring now to fig. 41, hub 106 is depicted in communication with visualization system 108, robotic system 110, and handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112. Hub 106 includes a hub display 135, an imaging module 138, a generator module 140, a communication module 130, a processor module 132, and a storage array 134. In certain aspects, as shown in fig. 41, hub 106 further includes a smoke evacuation module 126 and/or a suction/irrigation module 128.

During surgery, the application of energy to tissue for sealing and/or cutting is typically associated with smoke evacuation, aspiration of excess fluid, and/or irrigation of the tissue. Fluid lines, power lines and/or data lines from different sources are often tangled during surgery. Valuable time may be lost in addressing the problem during surgery. Disconnecting the lines may require disconnecting the lines from their respective modules, which may require resetting the modules. The hub modular housing 136 provides a unified environment for managing power, data, and fluid lines, which reduces the frequency of entanglement between such lines.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a surgical hub for use in a surgical procedure involving application of energy to tissue at a surgical site. The surgical hub includes a hub housing and a composite generator module slidably received in a docking station of the hub housing. The docking station includes data contacts and power contacts. The combined generator module includes two or more of an ultrasonic energy generator component, a bipolar RF energy generator component, and a monopolar RF energy generator component seated in a single cell. In one aspect, the combined generator module further comprises a smoke evacuation device, at least one energy delivery cable for connecting the combined generator module to a surgical instrument, at least one smoke evacuation device configured to evacuate smoke, fluids, and/or particles generated by application of therapeutic energy to tissue, and a fluid line extending from the remote surgical site to the smoke evacuation device.

In one aspect, the fluid line is a first fluid line and the second fluid line extends from the remote surgical site to a suction and irrigation module slidably received in the hub housing. In one aspect, the hub housing includes a fluid interface.

Certain surgical procedures may require more than one energy type to be applied to tissue. One energy type may be more advantageous for cutting tissue, while a different energy type may be more advantageous for sealing tissue. For example, a bipolar generator may be used to seal tissue, while an ultrasonic generator may be used to cut the sealed tissue. Aspects of the present disclosure provide a solution in which the hub modular housing 136 is configured to accommodate different generators and facilitate interactive communication therebetween. One of the advantages of the hub modular housing 136 is the ability to quickly remove and/or replace various modules.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a modular surgical housing for use in a surgical procedure involving the application of energy to tissue. The modular surgical housing includes a first energy generator module configured to generate a first energy for application to tissue, and a first docking station including a first docking port including a first data and power contact, wherein the first energy generator module is slidably movable into electrical engagement with the power and data contact, and wherein the first energy generator module is slidably movable out of electrical engagement with the first power and data contact.

As further described above, the modular surgical housing further includes a second energy generator module configured to generate a second energy different from the first energy for application to tissue, and a second docking station including a second docking port including second data and power contacts, wherein the second energy generator module is slidably movable into electrical engagement with the power and data contacts, and wherein the second energy generator is slidably movable out of electrical contact with the second power and data contacts.

In addition, the modular surgical housing further includes a communication bus between the first docking port and the second docking port configured to facilitate communication between the first energy generator module and the second energy generator module.

Referring to fig. 41-45, aspects of the present disclosure are presented as a hub modular housing 136 that allows for modular integration of the generator module 140, the smoke evacuation module 126, and the suction/irrigation module 128. The hub modular housing 136 also facilitates interactive communication between the

modules

140, 126, 128. As shown in fig. 43, the generator module 140 may be a generator module with integrated monopolar, bipolar, and ultrasound devices supported in a single housing unit 139 that is slidably insertable into the hub modular housing 136. As shown in fig. 42, the generator module 140 may be configured to be connectable to a monopolar device 146, a bipolar device 147, and an ultrasound device 148. Alternatively, the generator modules 140 may include a series of monopole generator modules, bipolar generator modules, and/or ultrasonic generator modules that interact through the hub modular housing 136. The hub modular housing 136 can be configured to facilitate the insertion of multiple generators and the interactive communication between generators docked into the hub modular housing 136 such that the generators will act as a single generator.

In one aspect, the hub modular housing 136 includes a modular power and communications backplane 149 having external and wireless communications connections to enable removable attachment of the

modules

140, 126, 128 and interactive communications therebetween.

In one aspect, the hub modular housing 136 includes a docking cradle or drawer 151 (also referred to herein as a drawer) configured to slidably receive the

modules

140, 126, 128. Fig. 43 illustrates a partial perspective view of the surgical hub housing 136 and the combined generator module 145 that can be slidably received in the docking station 151 of the surgical hub housing 136. The docking ports 152 having power and data contacts on the back of the combined generator module 145 are configured to engage the corresponding docking ports 150 with the power and data contacts of the corresponding docking station 151 of the hub module housing 136 when the combined generator module 145 is slid into place within the corresponding docking station 151 of the hub module housing 136. In one aspect, the combined generator module 145 includes bipolar, ultrasonic, and monopolar modules integrated together into a single housing unit 139, as shown in fig. 43.

In various aspects, the smoke evacuation module 126 includes a fluid line 154 that communicates trapped/collected smoke and/or fluid from the surgical site to, for example, the smoke evacuation module 126. Vacuum suction from smoke evacuation module 126 may draw smoke into the opening of the common conduit at the surgical site. The utility conduit coupled to the fluid line may be in the form of a flexible tube terminating at the smoke evacuation module 126. The common conduit and fluid lines define a fluid path that extends toward the smoke evacuation module 126 housed in the hub housing 136.

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

In one aspect, a surgical tool includes a shaft having an end effector at a distal end thereof and at least one energy treatment associated with the end effector, a suction tube, and an irrigation tube. The draft tube may have an inlet at a distal end thereof, and the draft tube extends through the shaft. Similarly, a draft tube may extend through the shaft and may have an inlet adjacent the energy delivery tool. The energy delivery tool is configured to deliver ultrasonic and/or RF energy to the surgical site and is coupled to the generator module 140 by a cable that initially extends through the shaft.

The irrigation tube may be in fluid communication with a fluid source, and the aspiration tube may be in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The fluid source and/or vacuum source may be seated in the suction/irrigation module 128. In one example, the fluid source and/or vacuum source may be seated in the hub housing 136 independently of the suction/irrigation module 128. In such examples, the fluid interface can connect the suction/irrigation module 128 to a fluid source and/or a vacuum source.

In one aspect, the

modules

140, 126, 128 on the hub modular housing 136 and/or their corresponding docking stations may include alignment features configured to enable alignment of the docking ports of the modules into engagement with their corresponding ports in the docking stations of the hub modular housing 136. For example, as shown in fig. 42, the combined generator module 145 includes side brackets 155 configured to be slidably engageable with corresponding brackets 156 of corresponding docking stations 151 of the hub modular housing 136. The brackets cooperate to guide the docking port contacts of the combined generator module 145 into electrical engagement with the docking port contacts of the hub modular housing 136.

In some aspects, the drawers 151 of the hub modular housing 136 are the same or substantially the same size, and the modules are sized to be received in the drawers 151. For example, the side brackets 155 and/or 156 may be larger or smaller depending on the size of the module. In other aspects, the drawers 151 are sized differently and are each designed to accommodate a particular module.

In addition, the contacts of a particular module may be keyed to engage the contacts of a particular drawer to avoid inserting the module into a drawer having unmatched contacts.

As shown in fig. 43, the docking port 150 of one drawer 151 may be coupled to the docking port 150 of another drawer 151 by a communication link 157 to facilitate interactive communication between the modules housed in the hub modular housing 136. Alternatively or additionally, the docking port 150 of the hub modular housing 136 can facilitate wireless interactive communication between modules seated in the hub modular housing 136. Any suitable wireless communication may be employed, such as, for example, Air Titan-Bluetooth.

Fig. 44 illustrates separate power bus attachments for a plurality of lateral docking ports of a lateral modular housing 160 configured to receive a plurality of modules of a surgical hub 206. The lateral modular housing 160 is configured to laterally receive and interconnect the modules 161. The modules 161 are slidably inserted into docking feet 162 of a lateral modular housing 160 that includes a floor for interconnecting the modules 161. As shown in fig. 44, the modules 161 are arranged laterally in a lateral modular housing 160. Alternatively, the modules 161 may be arranged vertically in a lateral modular housing.

Fig. 45 shows a vertical modular housing 164 configured to receive a plurality of modules 165 of surgical hub 106. The modules 165 are slidably inserted into docking feet or drawers 167 of a vertical modular housing 164 that includes a floor for interconnecting the modules 165. Although the drawers 167 of the vertical modular housing 164 are arranged vertically, in some cases, the vertical modular housing 164 may include laterally arranged drawers. Further, the modules 165 may interact with each other through docking ports of the vertical modular housing 164. In the example of FIG. 45, a display 177 is provided for displaying data related to the operation of module 165. In addition, the vertical modular housing 164 includes a main module 178 that seats a plurality of sub-modules slidably received in the main module 178.

In various aspects, the imaging module 138 includes an integrated video processor and modular light source, and is adapted for use with a variety of imaging devices. In one aspect, the imaging device is constructed of a modular housing that can be fitted with a light source module and a camera module. The housing may be a disposable housing. In at least one example, the disposable housing is removably coupled to the reusable controller, the light source module, and the camera module. The light source module and/or the camera module may be selectively selected according to the type of the surgical operation. In one aspect, the camera module includes a CCD sensor. In another aspect, the camera module includes a CMOS sensor. In another aspect, the camera module is configured for scanning beam imaging. Also, the light source module may be configured to be able to deliver white light or different light, depending on the surgical procedure.

During a surgical procedure, it may be inefficient to remove a surgical device from a surgical site and replace the surgical device with another surgical device that includes a different camera or a different light source. Temporary loss of vision at the surgical site can lead to undesirable consequences. The modular imaging apparatus of the present disclosure is configured to enable midstream replacement of a light source module or a camera module during a surgical procedure without having to remove the imaging apparatus from the surgical site.

In one aspect, an imaging device includes a tubular housing including a plurality of channels. The first channel is configured to slidably receive a camera module that may be configured for snap-fit engagement with the first channel. The second channel is configured to slidably receive a light source module that may be configured for snap-fit engagement with the second channel. In another example, the camera module and/or the light source module may be rotated within their respective channels to a final position. Threaded engagement may be used instead of snap-fit engagement.

In various examples, multiple imaging devices are placed at different locations in a surgical field to provide multiple views. The imaging module 138 may be configured to be able to switch between imaging devices to provide an optimal view. In various aspects, the imaging module 138 may be configured to be able to integrate images from different imaging devices.

Various IMAGE PROCESSORs AND imaging devices suitable for use in the present disclosure are described in U.S. patent No. 7,995,045 entitled "COMBINED SBI AND associated IMAGE PROCESSOR" published on 9.8.2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further, U.S. patent No. 7,982,776 entitled "MOTION ARTIFACT REMOVAL MOTION ARTIFACT AND METHOD," published 7/19/2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, describes various systems for removing MOTION ARTIFACTs from image data. Such a system may be integrated with the imaging module 138. Further, U.S. patent application publication Nos. 2011/0306840, entitled "CONTROL MAGNETIC SOURCE TO FIXTURE INTRACORPORAL APPATUS", published 12/15.2011, and U.S. patent application publication No. 2014/0243597, entitled "SYSTEM FOR PERFOR PERFORMING A MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURE", published 28.8.2014, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Fig. 46 shows a surgical data network 201 including a modular communication hub 203 configured to enable connection of modular devices located in one or more operating rooms of a medical facility or any room in a medical facility specially equipped for surgical operations to a cloud-based system (e.g., a cloud 204 that may include a remote server 213 coupled to a storage device 205). In one aspect, modular communication hub 203 includes a network hub 207 and/or a network switch 209 that communicate with network routers. Modular communication hub 203 may also be coupled to local computer system 210 to provide local computer processing and data manipulation. The surgical data network 201 may be configured to be passive, intelligent, or switched. The passive surgical data network acts as a conduit for data, enabling it to be transferred from one device (or segment) to another device (or segment) as well as cloud computing resources. The intelligent surgical data network includes additional features to enable monitoring of traffic through the surgical data network and to configure each port in the hub 207 or network switch 209. The intelligent surgical data network may be referred to as a manageable hub or switch. The switching hub reads the destination address of each packet and then forwards the packet to the correct port.

The modular devices 1a-1n located in the operating room may be coupled to a modular communication hub 203. Network hub 207 and/or network switch 209 may be coupled to network router 211 to connect devices 1a-1n to cloud 204 or local computer system 210. Data associated with the devices 1a-1n may be transmitted via the router to the cloud-based computer for remote data processing and manipulation. Data associated with the devices 1a-1n may also be transmitted to the local computer system 210 for local data processing and manipulation. Modular devices 2a-2m located in the same operating room may also be coupled to the network switch 209. Network switch 209 may be coupled to network hub 207 and/or network router 211 to connect devices 2a-2m to cloud 204. Data associated with the devices 2a-2n may be transmitted via the network router 211 to the cloud 204 for data processing and manipulation. Data associated with the devices 2a-2m may also be transmitted to the local computer system 210 for local data processing and manipulation.

It should be understood that surgical data network 201 may be expanded by interconnecting multiple hubs 207 and/or multiple network switches 209 with multiple network routers 211. The modular communication hub 203 may be contained in a modular control tower configured to be capable of receiving a plurality of devices 1a-1n/2a-2 m. Local computer system 210 may also be contained in a modular control tower. The modular communication hub 203 is connected to a display 212 to display images obtained by some of the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m, for example, during surgery. In various aspects, the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m may include, for example, various modules such as non-contact sensor modules in an imaging module 138 coupled to an endoscope, a generator module 140 coupled to an energy-based surgical device, a smoke evacuation module 126, a suction/irrigation module 128, a communication module 130, a processor module 132, a memory array 134, a surgical device connected to a display, and/or other modular devices that may be connected to a modular communication hub 203 of a surgical data network 201.

In one aspect, the surgical data network 201 may include a combination of network hub(s), network switch (es), and network router(s) that connect the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m to the cloud. Any or all of the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m coupled to the hub or network switch may collect data in real time and transmit the data into the cloud computer for data processing and manipulation. It should be appreciated that cloud computing relies on shared computing resources rather than using local servers or personal devices to process software applications. The term "cloud" may be used as a metaphor for "internet," although the term is not so limited. Accordingly, the term "cloud computing" may be used herein to refer to a "type of internet-based computing" in which different services (such as servers, memory, and applications) are delivered to modular communication hub 203 and/or computer system 210 located in a surgical room (e.g., a fixed, mobile, temporary, or live operating room or space) and devices connected to modular communication hub 203 and/or computer system 210 over the internet. The cloud infrastructure may be maintained by a cloud service provider. In this case, the cloud service provider may be an entity that coordinates the use and control of the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m located in one or more operating rooms. Cloud computing services can perform a large amount of computing based on data collected by smart surgical instruments, robots, and other computerized devices located in the operating room. The hub hardware enables multiple devices or connections to connect to a computer in communication with the cloud computing resources and memory.

Applying cloud computer data processing techniques to the data collected by the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m, the surgical data network provides improved surgical results, reduced costs and improved patient satisfaction. At least some of the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m may be employed to observe tissue conditions to assess leakage or perfusion of sealed tissue following tissue sealing and cutting procedures. At least some of the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m may be employed to identify pathologies, such as the effects of disease, using cloud-based computing to examine data including images of body tissue samples for diagnostic purposes. This includes localization and edge confirmation of tissues and phenotypes. At least some of the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m may be employed to identify anatomical structures of the body using various sensors integrated with imaging devices and techniques, such as overlaying images captured by multiple imaging devices. The data (including image data) collected by the devices 1a-1n/2a-2m may be transmitted to the cloud 204 or the local computer system 210 or both for data processing and manipulation, including image processing and manipulation. Such data analysis may further employ outcome analysis processing, and use of standardized methods may provide beneficial feedback to confirm or suggest modification of the behavior of the surgical treatment and surgeon.

In one implementation, the operating room devices 1a-1n may be connected to the modular communication hub 203 through a wired channel or a wireless channel, depending on the configuration of the devices 1a-1n to the network hub. In one aspect, hub 207 may be implemented as a local network broadcaster operating at the physical layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. The hub provides connectivity to devices 1a-1n located in the same operating room network. The hub 207 collects the data in the form of packets and transmits it to the router in half duplex mode. The hub 207 does not store any media access control/internet protocol (MAC/IP) for transmitting device data. Only one of the devices 1a-1n may transmit data through the hub 207 at a time. The hub 207 does not have routing tables or intelligence as to where to send information and broadcast all network data on each connection and to the remote server 213 (fig. 47) through the cloud 204. Hub 207 may detect basic network errors such as conflicts, but broadcasting all information to multiple ports may present a security risk and lead to bottlenecks.

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

Network hub 207 and/or network switch 209 are coupled to network router 211 to connect to cloud 204. Network router 211 operates in the network layer of the OSI model. Network router 211 creates a route for transmitting data packets received from network hub 207 and/or network switch 211 to the cloud-based computer resources for further processing and manipulation of data collected by any or all of devices 1a-1n/2a-2 m. Network router 211 may be employed to connect two or more different networks located at different locations, such as, for example, different operating rooms of the same medical facility or different networks located in different operating rooms of different medical facilities. Network router 211 sends data in packets to cloud 204 and operates in full duplex mode. Multiple devices may transmit data simultaneously. The network router 211 transmits data using the IP address.

In one example, hub 207 may be implemented as a USB hub, which allows multiple USB devices to be connected to a host. A USB hub may extend a single USB port to multiple tiers so that more ports are available for connecting devices to a host system computer. Hub 207 may include wired or wireless capabilities for receiving information over a wired channel or a wireless channel. In one aspect, a wireless USB short-range, high bandwidth wireless radio communication protocol may be used for communication between devices 1a-1n and devices 2a-2m located in an operating room.

In other examples, the operating room devices 1a-1n/2a-2m may communicate with the modular communication hub 203 via the Bluetooth wireless technology standard for exchanging data from stationary and mobile devices over short distances (using short wavelength UHF radio waves of 2.4 to 2.485GHz in the ISM band) and building Personal Area Networks (PANs). In other aspects, the operating room devices 1a-1n/2a-2m may communicate with the modular communication hub 203 via a variety of wireless or wired communication standards or protocols, including but not limited to Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 series), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 series), IEEE802.20, Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Ev-DO, HSPA +, HSDPA +, HSUPA +, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, and ethernet derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless and wired protocols designated 3G, 4G, 5G, and above. The computing module may include a plurality of communication modules. For example, a first communication module may be dedicated to shorter range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and bluetooth, and a second communication module may be dedicated to longer range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO, and the like.

The modular communication hub 203 may serve as a central connection for one or all of the operating room devices 1a-1n/2a-2m and handle a data type called a frame. The frames carry data generated by the devices 1a-1n/2a-2 m. When the modular communication hub 203 receives the frame, it is amplified and transmitted to the network router 211, which transmits the data to the cloud computing resources using a plurality of wireless or wired communication standards or protocols as described herein.

Modular communication hub 203 may be used as a stand-alone device or connected to a compatible network hub and network switch to form a larger network. The modular communication hub 203 is generally easy to install, construct and maintain, making it a good option to network the operating room devices 1a-1n/2a-2 m.

Fig. 47 shows a computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200. The computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 is similar in many respects to the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100. For example, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 includes one or more surgical systems 202 that are similar in many respects to the surgical system 102. Each surgical system 202 includes at least one surgical hub 206 in communication with a cloud 204, which may include a remote server 213. In one aspect, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 includes a modular control tower 236 that is connected to a plurality of operating room devices, such as, for example, intelligent surgical instruments, robots, and other computerized devices located in an operating room. As shown in fig. 48, modular control tower 236 includes a modular communication hub 203 coupled to computer system 210. As shown in the example of fig. 47, the modular control tower 236 is coupled to: an imaging module 238 coupled to an endoscope 239, a generator module 240 coupled to an energy device 241, a smoke ejector module 226, a suction/irrigation module 228, a communication module 230, a processor module 232, a storage array 234, a smart device/instrument 235 optionally coupled to a display 237, and a non-contact sensor module 242. The operating room devices are coupled to cloud computing resources and data storage via modular control tower 236. Robot hub 222 may also be connected to modular control tower 236 and cloud computing resources. The devices/instruments 235, visualization system 208, etc. may be coupled to the modular control tower 236 via wired or wireless communication standards or protocols, as described herein. The modular control tower 236 may be coupled to the hub display 215 (e.g., monitor, screen) to display and overlay images received from the imaging module, device/instrument display, and/or other visualization system 208. The hub display may also combine the image and the overlay image to display data received from devices connected to the modular control tower.

Fig. 48 shows a surgical hub 206 that includes a plurality of modules coupled to a modular control tower 236. The modular control tower 236 includes a modular communication hub 203 (e.g., a network connectivity device) and a computer system 210 to provide, for example, local processing, visualization, and imaging. As shown in fig. 48, the modular communication hub 203 may be connected in a hierarchical configuration to expand the number of modules (e.g., devices) connectable to the modular communication hub 203 and transmit data associated with the modules to the computer system 210, cloud computing resources, or both. As shown in fig. 48, each of the network hubs/switches in modular communication hub 203 includes three downstream ports and one upstream port. The upstream hub/switch is connected to the processor to provide a communication connection with the cloud computing resources and the local display 217. Communication with the cloud 204 may be through a wired or wireless communication channel.

The surgical hub 206 employs the non-contact sensor module 242 to measure dimensions of the operating room and uses ultrasound or laser type non-contact measurement devices to generate a map of the operating room. An ultrasound-based non-contact sensor module scans an Operating Room by emitting a burst of ultrasound waves and receiving echoes as they bounce off the enclosure of the Operating Room, as described under U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/611,341 entitled "Surgical Hub space sensing in an Operating Room" (Surgical Hub space sensing in an Operating Room) entitled interactive Surgical platform (INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM), filed on 28.12.2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, wherein the sensor module is configured to determine the size of the Operating Room and adjust the bluetooth pairing distance limit. The laser-based non-contact sensor module scans the operating room by emitting laser pulses, receiving laser pulses bouncing off the enclosure of the operating room, and comparing the phase of the emitted pulses to the received pulses to determine the size of the operating room and adjust the bluetooth paired distance limit.

Computer system 210 includes a processor 244 and a network interface 245. The processor 244 is coupled via a system bus to the communication module 247, storage 248, memory 249, non-volatile memory 250, and input/output interface 251. The system bus can be any of several types of bus structure(s) including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus or external bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available bus architectures including, but not limited to, 9-bit bus, Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA), micro Charmel architecture (MSA), Extended ISA (EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), USB, Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), personal computer memory card international association bus (PCMCIA), Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), or any other peripheral bus.

The controller 244 may be any single-core or multi-core processor, such as those provided by Texas Instruments under the tradename ARM Cortex. In one aspect, the processor may be a processor core available from, for example, Texas Instruments LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F, which includes 256KB of on-chip memory of single cycle flash or other non-volatile memory (up to 40MHz), a prefetch buffer for improved execution above 40MHz, 32KB of single cycle Sequential Random Access Memory (SRAM), loaded with instructions

Software internal Read Only Memory (ROM), 2KB Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), and/or one or more Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) modules, one or more Quadrature Encoder Input (QEI) analog, one or more 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with 12 analog input channels, the details of which can be seen in the product data sheet.

In one aspect, the processor 244 may comprise a safety controller comprising two series controller-based controllers (such as TMS570 and RM4x), also known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, also manufactured by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be configured to be specific to IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety critical applications, etc., to provide advanced integrated safety features while delivering scalable execution, connectivity, and memory options.

The system memory includes volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines to transfer information between elements within the computer system, such as during start-up, is stored in nonvolatile memory. For example, nonvolatile memory can include ROM, Programmable ROM (PROM), Electrically Programmable ROM (EPROM), EEPROM, or flash memory. Volatile memory includes Random Access Memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. Further, RAM may be available in a variety of forms, such as SRAM, Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM) Enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchronous Link DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).

The computer system 210 also includes removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media such as, for example, disk storage. Disk storage includes, but is not limited to, devices such as a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, tape drive, Jaz drive, Zip drive, LS-60 drive, flash memory card, or memory stick. In addition, disk storage can include storage media separately or in combination with other storage media including, but not limited to, an optical disk drive such as a compact disk ROM device (CD-ROM), compact disk recordable drive (CD-R drive), compact disk rewritable drive (CD-RW drive) or a digital versatile disk ROM drive (DVD-ROM). To facilitate connection of the disk storage devices to the system bus, a removable or non-removable interface may be used.

It is to be appreciated that the computer system 210 includes software that acts as an intermediary between users and the basic computer resources described in suitable operating environments. Such software includes an operating system. An operating system, which may be stored on disk storage, is used to control and allocate resources of the computer system. System applications utilize the operating system to manage resources through program modules and program data stored in system memory or on disk storage. It is to be appreciated that the various components described herein can be implemented with various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user enters commands or information into the computer system 210 through input device(s) coupled to the I/O interface 251. Input devices include, but are not limited to, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad, keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TV tuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, and the like. These and other input devices are connected to the processor through the system bus via interface port(s). The interface port(s) include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, and a USB. The output device(s) use the same type of port as the input device(s). Thus, for example, a USB port may be used to provide input to a computer system and to output information from the computer system to an output device. Output adapters are provided to illustrate that there are some output devices (such as monitors, displays, speakers, and printers) that require special adapters among other output devices.

The computer system 210 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a cloud computer(s), or a local computer. The remote cloud computer(s) can be personal computers, servers, routers, network PCs, workstations, microprocessor-based appliances, peer devices or other common network nodes and the like, and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer system. For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device with remote computer(s) is illustrated. The remote computer(s) is logically connected to the computer system through a network interface and then physically connected via a communications connection. Network interfaces encompass communication networks such as Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs). LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet/IEEE 802.3, token Ring/IEEE 802.5, and the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to, point-to-point links, circuit switching networks like Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packet switching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).

In various aspects, the computer system 210, imaging module 238, and/or visualization system 208 of fig. 48, and/or processor module 232 of fig. 47 and 48 may comprise an image processor, an image processing engine, a media processor, or any dedicated Digital Signal Processor (DSP) for processing digital images. The image processor may employ parallel computing with single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) or multiple instruction, multiple data (MIMD) techniques to increase speed and efficiency. The digital image processing engine may perform a series of tasks. The image processor may be a system on a chip having a multi-core processor architecture.

Communication connection(s) refers to the hardware/software used to interface the network to the bus. While a communication connection is shown for exemplary clarity within the computer system, it can also be external to computer system 210. The hardware/software necessary for connection to the network interface includes, for exemplary purposes only, internal and external technologies such as, modems including regular telephone grade modems, cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernet cards.

Fig. 49 illustrates a functional block diagram of one aspect of a USB hub 300 device, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In the illustrated aspect, the USB hub device 300 employs a TUSB2036 integrated circuit hub from Texas Instruments. The USB hub 300 is a CMOS device that provides an upstream USB transceiver port 302 and up to three downstream

USB transceiver ports

304, 306, 308 according to the USB 2.0 specification. The upstream USB transceiver port 302 is a differential root data port that includes a differential data negative (DP0) input paired with a differential data positive (DM0) input. The three downstream

USB transceiver ports

304, 306, 308 are differential data ports, where each port includes a differential data positive (DP1-DP3) output paired with a differential data negative (DM1-DM3) output.

The USB hub 300 device is implemented with a digital state machine rather than a microcontroller and does not require firmware programming. Fully compatible USB transceivers are integrated into the circuitry for the upstream USB transceiver port 302 and all downstream

USB transceiver ports

304, 306, 308. The downstream

USB transceiver ports

304, 306, 308 support both full-speed devices and low-speed devices by automatically setting the slew rate according to the speed of the device attached to the port. The USB hub 300 device may be configured in a bus-powered mode or a self-powered mode and includes hub power logic 312 for managing power.

The USB hub 300 device includes a serial interface engine 310 (SIE). SIE 310 is the front end of the USB hub 300 hardware and handles most of the protocols described in section 8 of the USB specification. The SIE 310 typically includes signaling up to the transaction level. The processing functions thereof may include: packet identification, transaction ordering, SOP, EOP, RESET and RESUME signal detection/generation, clock/data separation, no return to zero inversion (NRZI) data encoding/decoding and digit stuffing, CRC generation and verification (token and data), Packet ID (PID) generation and verification/decoding, and/or serial-parallel/parallel-serial conversion. 310 receives a clock input 314 and is coupled to pause/resume logic and frame timer 316 circuitry and hub repeater circuitry 318 to control communications between the upstream USB transceiver port 302 and the downstream

USB transceiver ports

304, 306, 308 through

port logic circuitry

320, 322, 324. The SIE 310 is coupled to a command decoder 326 via interface logic to control commands from the serial EEPROM via a serial EEPROM interface 330.

In various aspects, the USB hub 300 may connect 127 functions constructed in up to six logical layers (tiers) to a single computer. Further, the USB hub 300 may be connected to all external devices using a standardized four-wire cable that provides both communication and power distribution. The power configuration is bus powered mode and self-powered mode. The USB hub 300 may be configured to support four power management modes: bus-powered hubs with individual port power management or package port power management, and self-powered hubs with individual port power management or package port power management. In one aspect, the USB hub 300, upstream USB transceiver port 302, are plugged into the USB host controller using a USB cable, and downstream

USB transceiver ports

304, 306, 308 are exposed for connection of USB compatible devices, or the like.

Surgical instrument hardware

Fig. 50 illustrates a logic diagram for a control system 470 for a surgical instrument or tool according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The system 470 includes control circuitry. The control circuit includes a microcontroller 461 that includes a processor 462 and a memory 468. For example, one or more of the

sensors

472, 474, 476 provide real-time feedback to the processor 462. A motor 482 driven by a motor drive 492 is operably coupled to the longitudinally movable displacement member to drive the I-beam knife element. The tracking system 480 is configured to be able to determine the position of the longitudinally movable displacement member. The position information is provided to a processor 462 that may be programmed or configured to determine the position of the longitudinally movable drive member as well as the positions of the firing member, firing bar, and I-beam knife element. Additional motors may be provided at the tool driver interface to control the I-beam firing, closure tube travel, shaft rotation, and articulation. The display 473 displays a variety of operating conditions of the instrument and may include touch screen functionality for data entry. The information displayed on the display 473 may be overlaid with the image acquired via the endoscopic imaging module.

In one aspect, microprocessor 461 may be any single-core or multi-core processor, such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex produced by Texas Instruments. In one aspect, microcontroller 461 may be an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F processor core available from Texas Instruments, Inc. (Texas Instruments), for example, that includes on-chip memory of 256KB single-cycle flash memory or other non-volatile memory (up to 40MHz), a prefetch buffer for improved performance above 40MHz, 32KB single-cycle SRAM, a device that houses a pre-fetch buffer for improved performance above 40MHzIs loaded with

Internal ROM of software, 2KB electrical EEPROM, one or more PWM modules, one or more QEI analog, one or more 12-bit ADCs with 12 analog input channels, the details of which can be seen in the product data sheet.

In one aspect, microcontroller 461 may comprise a safety controller comprising two controller-based families such as TMS570 and RM4x, also known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, also manufactured by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be configured to be specific to IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety critical applications, etc., to provide advanced integrated safety features while delivering scalable execution, connectivity, and memory options.

The controller 461 may be programmed to perform various functions such as precise control of the speed and position of the knife and articulation system. In one aspect, microcontroller 461 includes processor 462 and memory 468. The electric motor 482 may be a brushed Direct Current (DC) motor having a gear box and a mechanical link to an articulation or knife system. In one aspect, the motor driver 492 may be a3941 available from Allegro Microsystems, Inc. Other motor drives can be readily substituted for use in tracking system 480, including an absolute positioning system. Detailed description of the Absolute positioning System U.S. patent application publication 2017/0296213 entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT" published on 19.10.2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The microcontroller 461 may be programmed to provide precise control of the speed and position of the displacement member and the articulation system. The microcontroller 461 may be configured to be able to calculate a response in the software of the microcontroller 461. The calculated response is compared to the measured response of the actual system to obtain an "observed" response, which is used for the actual feedback decision. The observed response is a favorable tuning value that balances the smooth continuous nature of the simulated response with the measured response, which can detect external effects on the system.

In one aspect, the motor 482 can be controlled by a motor driver 492 and can be employed by a firing system of a surgical instrument or tool. In various forms, the motor 482 may be a brushed DC drive motor having a maximum rotational speed of about 25,000 RPM. In other arrangements, the motor 482 may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor driver 492 may comprise, for example, an H-bridge driver including a Field Effect Transistor (FET). The motor 482 may be powered by a power assembly releasably mounted to the handle assembly or tool housing for supplying control power to the surgical instrument or tool. The power assembly may include a battery that may include a plurality of battery cells connected in series that may be used as a power source to provide power to a surgical instrument or tool. In some cases, the battery cells of the power assembly may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. In at least one example, the battery cell may be a lithium ion battery, which may be coupled to and separated from the power assembly.

The driver 492 may be a3941 available from Allegro Microsystems, Inc. A 3941492 is a full-bridge controller for use with an external N-channel power Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) specifically designed for inductive loads, such as brushed DC motors. Driver 492 includes a unique charge pump regulator that provides full (>10V) gate drive for battery voltages as low as 7V and allows a3941 to operate with reduced gate drive as low as 5.5V. A bootstrap capacitor may be employed to provide the aforementioned battery supply voltage required for the N-channel MOSFET. The internal charge pump of the high-side drive allows for direct current (100% duty cycle) operation. The full bridge may be driven in fast decay mode or slow decay mode using diodes or synchronous rectification. In slow decay mode, current recirculation can pass through either the high-side or low-side FETs. The power FET is protected from breakdown by a resistor adjustable dead time. The integral diagnostics provide an indication of undervoltage, overheating, and power bridge faults, and may be configured to protect the power MOSFETs under most short circuit conditions. Other motor drives can be readily substituted for use in tracking system 480, including an absolute positioning system.

The tracking system 480 includes a controlled motor drive circuit arrangement including a position sensor 472 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The position sensor 472 for the absolute positioning system provides a unique position signal corresponding to the position of the displacement member. In one aspect, the displacement member represents a longitudinally movable drive member including a rack of drive teeth for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear of the gear reducer assembly. In other aspects, the displacement member represents a firing member that may be adapted and configured to include a rack of drive teeth. In yet another aspect, the displacement member represents a firing bar or an I-beam, each of which may be adapted and configured to include a rack of drive teeth. Thus, as used herein, the term displacement member is used generally to refer to any movable member of a surgical instrument or tool, such as a drive member, firing bar, I-beam, or any element that can be displaced. In one aspect, a longitudinally movable drive member is coupled to the firing member, the firing bar, and the I-beam. Thus, the absolute positioning system may actually track the linear displacement of the I-beam by tracking the linear displacement of the longitudinally movable drive member. In various other aspects, the displacement member may be coupled to any position sensor 472 suitable for measuring linear displacement. Thus, the longitudinally movable drive member, firing bar, or I-beam, or a combination thereof, may be coupled to any suitable linear displacement sensor. The linear displacement sensor may comprise a contact displacement sensor or a non-contact displacement sensor. The linear displacement sensor may comprise a Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT), a Differential Variable Reluctance Transducer (DVRT), a sliding potentiometer, a magnetic sensing system comprising a movable magnet and a series of linearly arranged hall effect sensors, a magnetic sensing system comprising a fixed magnet and a series of movable linearly arranged hall effect sensors, an optical sensing system comprising a movable light source and a series of linearly arranged photodiodes or photodetectors, an optical sensing system comprising a fixed light source and a series of movable linearly arranged photodiodes or photodetectors, or any combination thereof.

The electric motor 482 may include a rotatable shaft that operably interfaces with a gear assembly mounted on the displacement member in meshing engagement with the set or rack of drive teeth. The sensor element may be operably coupled to the gear assembly such that a single rotation of the position sensor 472 element corresponds to some linear longitudinal translation of the displacement member. The arrangement of the transmission and sensor may be connected to the linear actuator via a rack and pinion arrangement, or to the rotary actuator via a spur gear or other connection. The power source powers the absolute positioning system and the output indicator may display an output of the absolute positioning system. The displacement member represents a longitudinally movable drive member including a rack of drive teeth formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear of the gear reducer assembly. The displacement member represents a longitudinally movable firing member, a firing bar, an I-beam, or a combination thereof.

A single rotation of the sensor element associated with position sensor 472 is equivalent to a longitudinal linear displacement d1 of the displacement member, where d1 is the longitudinal linear distance that the displacement member moves from point "a" to point "b" after a single rotation of the sensor element coupled to the displacement member. The sensor arrangement may be connected via a gear reduction that causes the position sensor 472 to complete only one or more rotations for the full stroke of the displacement member. The position sensor 472 may complete multiple rotations for a full stroke of the displacement member.

A series of switches (where n is an integer greater than one) may be employed alone or in conjunction with the gear reduction to provide unique position signals for more than one rotation of the position sensor 472. The state of the switch is fed back to the microcontroller 461, which applies logic to determine a unique position signal corresponding to the longitudinal linear displacement d1+ d2+ … dn of the displacement member. The output of the position sensor 472 is provided to a microcontroller 461. The position sensor 472 of the sensor arrangement may include a magnetic sensor, an analog rotation sensor (e.g., a potentiometer), an array of analog hall effect elements that output a unique combination of position signals or values.

Position sensor 472 may include any number of magnetic sensing elements, such as, for example, magnetic sensors that are classified according to whether they measure the total or vector component of the magnetic field. The techniques for producing the two types of magnetic sensors described above encompass a number of aspects of physics and electronics. Technologies for magnetic field sensing include search coils, flux gates, optical pumps, nuclear spins, superconducting quantum interferometers (SQUIDs), hall effects, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance, magnetic tunnel junctions, giant magnetoimpedances, magnetostrictive/piezoelectric composites, magnetodiodes, magnetotransistors, optical fibers, magneto-optical, and magnetic sensors based on micro-electromechanical systems, among others.

In one aspect, the position sensor 472 for the tracking system 480 including an absolute positioning system comprises a magnetic rotary absolute positioning system. The position sensor 472 may be implemented AS an AS5055EQFT monolithic magnetic rotary position sensor, available from Austria microelectronics, AG, australia. The position sensor 472 interfaces with the microcontroller 461 to provide an absolute positioning system. The position sensor 472 is a low voltage and low power component and includes four hall effect elements located in the area of the position sensor 472 above the magnet. A high resolution ADC and an intelligent power management controller are also provided on the chip. Coordinate rotation digital computer (CORDIC) processors (also known as bitwise and Volder algorithms) are provided to perform simple and efficient algorithms to compute hyperbolic and trigonometric functions, which require only addition, subtraction, digital displacement and table lookup operations. The angular position, alarm bits and magnetic field information are transmitted to the microcontroller 461 via a standard serial communication interface, such as a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) interface. The position sensor 472 provides 12 or 14 bit resolution. The position sensor 472 may be an AS5055 chip provided in a small QFN 16 pin 4 × 4 × 0.85mm package.

The tracking system 480, including an absolute positioning system, may include and/or may be programmed to implement feedback controllers such as PID, state feedback, and adaptive controllers. The power source converts the signal from the feedback controller into a physical input to the system: in this case a voltage. Other examples include PWM of voltage, current and force. In addition to the location measured by the location sensor 472, one or more other sensors may be provided to measure physical parameters of the physical system. In some aspects, one or more other SENSORs may include a SENSOR arrangement, such as those described in U.S. patent 9,345,481 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE thicknes SENSOR SYSTEM," issued 5/24/2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263552 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM" published on 9/18 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/628,175 entitled "TECHNIQUES FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF MOTOR VELOCITY OF A SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT," filed 2017, on 20.6.7, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In a digital signal processing system, an absolute positioning system is coupled to a digital data acquisition system, wherein the output of the absolute positioning system will have a limited resolution and sampling frequency. The absolute positioning system may include comparison and combination circuitry to combine the calculated response with the measured response using an algorithm (such as a weighted average and a theoretical control loop) that drives the calculated response toward the measured response. The calculated response of the physical system takes into account characteristics such as mass, inertia, viscous friction, inductive resistance to predict the state and output of the physical system by knowing the inputs.

Thus, the absolute positioning system provides an absolute position of the displacement member upon power-up of the instrument, and does not retract or advance the displacement member to a reset (clear or home) position as may be required by conventional rotary encoders, which simply count the number of forward or backward steps taken by the motor 482 to infer the position of the device actuator, drive rod, knife, etc.

The sensor 474 (such as, for example, a strain gauge or a micro-strain gauge) is configured to measure one or more parameters of the end effector, such as, for example, the magnitude of the strain exerted on the anvil during a clamping operation, which may be indicative of the closing force applied to the anvil. The measured strain is converted to a digital signal and provided to the processor 462. Alternatively or in addition to the sensor 474, a sensor 476 (such as a load sensor) may measure the closing force applied to the anvil by the closure drive system. A sensor 476, such as a load sensor, may measure the firing force applied to the I-beam during the firing stroke of the surgical instrument or tool. The I-beam is configured to engage a wedge sled configured to cam the staple drivers upward to push the staples out into deforming contact with the anvil. The I-beam also includes a sharp cutting edge that can be used to sever tissue when the I-beam is advanced distally by the firing bar. Alternatively, a current sensor 478 may be employed to measure the current drawn by the motor 482. The force required to advance the firing member may correspond to, for example, the current consumed by the motor 482. The measured force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the processor 462.

In one form, the strain gauge sensor 474 may be used to measure the force applied to tissue by the end effector. A strain gauge may be coupled to the end effector to measure the force on the tissue being treated by the end effector. The system for measuring force applied to tissue grasped by the end effector includes a strain gauge sensor 474, such as, for example, a micro-strain gauge, configured to be capable of measuring one or more parameters of, for example, the end effector. In one aspect, strain gauge sensor 474 can measure the magnitude or magnitude of strain applied to the jaw members of the end effector during a clamping operation, which can indicate tissue compression. The measured strain is converted to a digital signal and provided to the processor 462 of the microcontroller 461. Load sensor 476 may measure a force used to operate the knife member, for example, to cut tissue captured between the anvil and the staple cartridge. A magnetic field sensor may be employed to measure the thickness of the trapped tissue. The measurements of the magnetic field sensors may also be converted to digital signals and provided to the processor 462.

The microcontroller 461 can use measurements of tissue compression, tissue thickness, and/or force required to close the end effector, as measured by the

sensors

474, 476, respectively, to characterize selected positions of the firing member and/or corresponding values of the velocity of the firing member. In one case, the memory 468 can store techniques, formulas, and/or look-up tables that can be employed by the microcontroller 461 in the evaluation.

The control system 470 of the surgical instrument or tool may also include wired or wireless communication circuitry to communicate with the modular communication hub, as shown in fig. 50.

Fig. 51 illustrates a control circuit 500 configured to control aspects of a surgical instrument or tool according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The control circuit 500 may be configured to implement the various processes described herein. The control circuit 500 may include a microcontroller including one or more processors 502 (e.g., microprocessors, microcontrollers) coupled to at least one memory circuit 504. The memory circuitry 504 stores machine-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor 502, cause the processor 502 to execute machine instructions to implement the various processes described herein. The processor 502 may be any of a variety of single-core or multi-core processors known in the art. The memory circuit 504 may include volatile storage media and non-volatile storage media. Processor 502 may include an instruction processing unit 506 and an arithmetic unit 508. The instruction processing unit may be configured to be able to receive instructions from the memory circuit 504 of the present disclosure.

Fig. 52 illustrates a combinational logic circuit 510 configured to control aspects of a surgical instrument or tool according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The combinational logic circuit 510 may be configured to enable the various processes described herein. Combinatorial logic circuitry 510 may include a finite state machine including combinatorial logic 512 configured to receive data associated with a surgical instrument or tool at input 514, process the data through combinatorial logic 512, and provide output 516.

Fig. 53 illustrates a sequential logic circuit 520 configured to control various aspects of a surgical instrument or tool, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Sequential logic circuit 520 or combinational logic 522 may be configured to enable the various processes described herein. Sequential logic circuit 520 may comprise a finite state machine. Sequential logic circuitry 520 may include, for example, combinatorial logic 522, at least one memory circuit 524, and a clock 529. The at least one memory circuit 524 may store the current state of the finite state machine. In some cases, the sequential logic circuit 520 may be synchronous or asynchronous. The combinational logic 522 is configured to receive data associated with a surgical instrument or tool from the inputs 526, process the data through the combinational logic 522, and provide the outputs 528. In other aspects, a circuit may comprise a combination of a processor (e.g., processor 502, fig. 51) and a finite state machine to implement various processes herein. In other aspects, the finite state machine may comprise a combination of combinational logic circuitry (e.g., combinational logic circuitry 510, fig. 52) and sequential logic circuitry 520.

Fig. 54 illustrates a surgical instrument or tool including multiple motors that can be activated to perform various functions. In some cases, the first motor may be activated to perform a first function, the second motor may be activated to perform a second function, and the third motor may be activated to perform a third function. In some instances, multiple motors of the robotic surgical instrument 600 may be individually activated to cause firing, closing, and/or articulation motions in the end effector. Firing motions, closing motions, and/or articulation motions can be transmitted to the end effector, for example, by a shaft assembly.

In certain instances, a surgical instrument system or tool may include a firing motor 602. The firing motor 602 is operably coupled to a firing motor drive assembly 604, which may be configured to transmit a firing motion generated by the motor 602 to the end effector, in particular for displacing the I-beam element. In some instances, the firing motion generated by the motor 602 may cause, for example, staples to be deployed from the staple cartridge into tissue captured by the end effector and/or cause a cutting edge of the I-beam member to be advanced to cut the captured tissue. The I-beam element may be retracted by reversing the direction of the motor 602.

In some cases, the surgical instrument or tool may include a closure motor 603. The closure motor 603 can be operably coupled to a closure motor drive assembly 605 configured to transmit the closure motions generated by the motor 603 to the end effector, in particular for displacing a closure tube to close the anvil and compress tissue between the anvil and staple cartridge. The closing motion can transition, for example, the end effector from an open configuration to an approximated configuration to capture tissue. The end effector may be transitioned to the open position by reversing the direction of the motor 603.

In some cases, the surgical instrument or tool may include, for example, one or

more articulation motors

606a, 606 b. The

motors

606a, 606b can be operably coupled to respective articulation motor drive assemblies 608a, 608b, which can be configured to transmit articulation motions generated by the

motors

606a, 606b to the end effector. In some cases, the articulation can articulate the end effector relative to the shaft, for example.

As described above, a surgical instrument or tool may include multiple motors that may be configured to perform various independent functions. In some cases, multiple motors of a surgical instrument or tool may be activated individually or independently to perform one or more functions while other motors remain inactive. For example, the

articulation motors

606a, 606b may be activated to articulate the end effector while the firing motor 602 remains inactive. Alternatively, the firing motor 602 may be activated to fire a plurality of staples and/or advance the cutting edge while the articulation motor 606 remains inactive. Further, the closure motor 603 may be activated simultaneously with the firing motor 602 to advance the closure tube and I-beam member distally, as described in more detail below.

In some instances, a surgical instrument or tool may include a common control module 610 that may be used with multiple motors of the surgical instrument or tool. In some cases, the common control module 610 may regulate one of the plurality of motors at a time. For example, the common control module 610 may be individually coupled to and decoupled from multiple motors of the surgical instrument. In some cases, multiple motors of a surgical instrument or tool may share one or more common control modules, such as common control module 610. In some instances, multiple motors of a surgical instrument or tool may independently and selectively engage a common control module 610. In some cases, the common control module 610 may switch from interfacing with one of the plurality of motors of the surgical instrument or tool to interfacing with another of the plurality of motors of the surgical instrument or tool.

In at least one example, the common control module 610 can be selectively switched between operably engaging the

articulation motors

606a, 606b and operably engaging the firing motor 602 or the closure motor 603. In at least one example, as shown in fig. 54, the switch 614 may be moved or transitioned between a plurality of positions and/or states. In the first position 616, the switch 614 may electrically couple the common control module 610 to the firing motor 602; in the second position 617, the switch 614 may electrically couple the common control module 610 to the close motor 603; in a third position 618a, the switch 614 may electrically couple the common control module 610 to the first articulation motor 606 a; and in the fourth position 618b, the switch 614 may electrically couple the common control module 610 to, for example, the second articulation motor 606 b. In certain instances, a single common control module 610 may be electrically coupled to the firing motor 602, the closure motor 603, and the

articulation motors

606a, 606b simultaneously. In some cases, the switch 614 may be a mechanical switch, an electromechanical switch, a solid state switch, or any suitable switching mechanism.

Each of the

motors

602, 603, 606a, 606b may include a torque sensor to measure the output torque on the shaft of the motor. The force on the end effector can be sensed in any conventional manner, such as by a force sensor on the outside of the jaws or by a torque sensor of a motor used to actuate the jaws.

In various instances, as shown in fig. 54, the common control module 610 may include a motor driver 626, which may include one or more H-bridge FETs. The motor driver 626 may modulate power transmitted from a power source 628 to the motors coupled to the common control module 610, for example, based on input from a microcontroller 620 ("controller"). In some cases, the microcontroller 620 may be employed, for example, to determine the current drawn by the motors when the motors are coupled to the common control module 610, as described above.

In some cases, microcontroller 620 may include a microprocessor 622 ("processor") and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media or storage units 624 ("memory"). In some cases, memory 624 may store various program instructions that, when executed, may cause processor 622 to perform various functions and/or computations as described herein. In some cases, one or more of the memory units 624 may be coupled to the processor 622, for example.

In some cases, power source 628 may be used, for example, to power microcontroller 620. In some cases, the power source 628 may include a battery (or "battery pack" or "power pack"), such as a lithium ion battery, for example. In some cases, the battery pack may be configured to be releasably mountable to the handle for powering the surgical instrument 600. A plurality of series-connected battery cells may be used as the power source 628. In some cases, the power source 628 may be replaceable and/or rechargeable, for example.

In various instances, the processor 622 may control the motor driver 626 to control the position, rotational direction, and/or speed of the motors coupled to the common controller 610. In some cases, the processor 622 may signal the motor driver 626 to stop and/or deactivate the motor coupled to the common controller 610. It is to be understood that the term "processor" as used herein includes any suitable microprocessor, microcontroller, or other basic computing device that combines the functions of a computer's Central Processing Unit (CPU) on one integrated circuit or at most several integrated circuits. A processor is a multipurpose programmable device that receives digital data as input, processes the input according to instructions stored in its memory, and then provides the result as output. Because the processor has internal memory, it is an example of sequential digital logic. The operands of the processor are numbers and symbols represented in a binary numerical system.

In one case, the processor 622 may be any single-core or multi-core processor, such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex produced by Texas Instruments. In some cases, microcontroller 620 may be, for example, a microcontroller such as may be available from Texas instruments (Texa)s Instruments) LM4F230H5 QR. In at least one example, the Texas Instruments LM4F230H5QR is an ARM Cortex-M4F processor core that includes: 256KB of single cycle flash or other non-volatile memory (up to 40MHz) on-chip memory, prefetch buffer for improved performance above 40MHz, 32KB of single cycle SRAM, load with

Internal ROM of software, EEPROM of 2KB, one or more PWM modules, one or more QEI analog, one or more 12-bit ADC with 12 analog input channels, and other features readily available. Other microcontrollers could be readily substituted for use with module 4410. Accordingly, the present disclosure should not be limited to this context.

In certain instances, the memory 624 may include program instructions for controlling each of the motors of the surgical instrument 600, which may be coupled to the common controller 610. For example, the memory 624 may include program instructions for controlling the firing motor 602, the closure motor 603, and the

articulation motors

606a, 606 b. Such program instructions may cause the processor 622 to control firing, closure, and articulation functions in accordance with input from an algorithm or control program of the surgical instrument or tool.

In some cases, one or more mechanisms and/or sensors, such as sensor 630, may be used to alert processor 622 of program instructions that should be used in a particular setting. For example, the sensor 630 may alert the processor 622 to use program instructions associated with firing, closing, and articulating the end effector. In some cases, sensor 630 may include, for example, a position sensor that may be used to sense the position of switch 614. Thus, the processor 622 can use program instructions associated with firing the I-beam of the end effector when the switch 614 is detected in the first position 616, such as by the sensor 630; the processor 622 can use the program instructions associated with closing the anvil when the switch 614 is detected in the second position 617, for example, by the sensor 630; and the processor 622 may use the program instructions associated with articulating the end effector when the switch 614 is detected to be in the third position 618a or the fourth position 618b, for example, by the sensor 630.

Fig. 55 is a schematic view of a robotic surgical instrument 700 configured to operate a surgical tool described herein, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The robotic surgical instrument 700 may be programmed or configured to control distal/proximal translation of the displacement member, distal/proximal displacement of the closure tube, shaft rotation, and articulation with single or multiple articulation drive links. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 700 can be programmed or configured to individually control the firing member, the closure member, the shaft member, and/or one or more articulation members. The surgical instrument 700 includes a control circuit 710 configured to control the motor-driven firing member, closure member, shaft member, and/or one or more articulation members.

In one aspect, the robotic surgical instrument 700 includes a control circuit 710 configured to control an anvil 716 and I-beam 714 (including sharp cutting edges) portion of the end effector 702, a removable staple cartridge 718, a shaft 740, and one or more articulation members 742a, 742b via a plurality of motors 704a-704 e. The position sensor 734 may be configured to provide position feedback of the I-beam 714 to the control circuit 710. Other sensors 738 may be configured to provide feedback to the control circuit 710. The timer/counter 731 provides timing and count information to the control circuit 710. An energy source 712 may be provided to operate the motors 704a-704e, and a current sensor 736 provides motor current feedback to the control circuit 710. The motors 704a-704e may be operated individually by the control circuit 710 in open loop or closed loop feedback control.

In one aspect, control circuit 710 may include one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors for executing instructions that cause the one or more processors to perform one or more tasks. In one aspect, the timer/counter 731 provides an output signal, such as a time elapsed or a digital count, to the control circuit 710 to correlate the position of the I-beam 714 as determined by the position sensor 734 with the output of the timer/counter 731 so that the control circuit 710 can determine the position of the I-beam 714 at a particular time (t) relative to a starting position or the time (t) at which the I-beam 714 is at a particular position relative to a starting position. The timer/counter 731 may be configured to be able to measure elapsed time, count or time external events.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 can be programmed to control the function of the end effector 702 based on one or more tissue conditions. Control circuit 710 may be programmed to sense a tissue condition, such as thickness, directly or indirectly, as described herein. The control circuit 710 may be programmed to select a firing control program or a closing control program based on tissue conditions. The firing control routine may describe distal movement of the displacement member. Different firing control programs may be selected to better address different tissue conditions. For example, when thicker tissue is present, the control circuit 710 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a lower speed and/or at a lower power. When thinner tissue is present, the control circuit 710 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a higher speed and/or at a higher power. The closure control program can control the closure force applied to the tissue by the anvil 716. Other control programs control the rotation of the shaft 740 and the articulation members 742a, 742 b.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may generate a motor set point signal. The motor set point signals may be provided to various motor controllers 708a-708 e. The motor controllers 708a-708e may include one or more circuits configured to provide motor drive signals to the motors 704a-704e to drive the motors 704a-704e, as described herein. In some examples, the motors 704a-704e may be brushed DC electric motors. For example, the speeds of the motors 704a-704e may be proportional to the respective motor drive signals. In some examples, the motors 704a-704e can be brushless DC motors, and the respective motor drive signals can include PWM signals provided to one or more stator windings of the motors 704a-704 e. Also, in some examples, the motor controllers 708a-708e may be omitted and the control circuit 710 may generate the motor drive signals directly.

In some examples, the control circuit 710 may initially operate each of the motors 704a-704e in an open loop configuration for a first open loop portion of the stroke of the displacement member. Based on the response of the robotic surgical instrument 700 during the open-loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 710 may select a firing control program in a closed-loop configuration. The response of the instrument may include the translation distance of the displacement member during the open loop portion, the time elapsed during the open loop portion, the energy provided to one of the motors 704a-704e during the open loop portion, the sum of the pulse widths of the motor drive signals, and so forth. After the open loop portion, the control circuit 710 may implement the selected firing control routine for a second portion of the displacement member travel. For example, during the closed-loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 710 may modulate one of the motors 704a-704e based on translation data that describes the position of the displacement member in a closed-loop manner to translate the displacement member at a constant speed.

In one aspect, the motors 704a-704e may receive power from an energy source 712. The energy source 712 may be a DC power source driven by a main ac power source, a battery, an ultracapacitor, or any other suitable energy source. The motors 704a-704e may be mechanically coupled to separate movable mechanical elements, such as an I-beam 714, an anvil 716, a shaft 740, an articulation 742a, and an articulation 742b, via respective transmissions 706a-706 e. The transmissions 706a-706e may include one or more gears or other linkage components to couple the motors 704a-704e to the movable mechanical elements. The position sensor 734 may sense the position of the I-beam 714. The position sensor 734 may be or include any type of sensor capable of generating position data indicative of the position of the I-beam 714. In some examples, the position sensor 734 may include an encoder configured to provide a series of pulses to the control circuit 710 as the I-beam 714 is translated distally and proximally. The control circuit 710 may track the pulses to determine the position of the I-beam 714. Other suitable position sensors may be used, including, for example, proximity sensors. Other types of position sensors may provide other signals indicative of the movement of the I-beam 714. Also, in some examples, position sensor 734 may be omitted. Where any of the motors 704a-704e are stepper motors, the control circuit 710 may track the position of the I-beam 714 by aggregating the number and direction of steps that the motor 704 has been commanded to perform. The position sensor 734 may be located in the end effector 702 or at any other portion of the instrument. The output of each of the motors 704a-704e includes a torque sensor 744a-744e for sensing force and has an encoder for sensing rotation of the drive shaft.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to drive a firing member, such as an I-beam 714 portion of the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to the motor control 708a, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704 a. The output shaft of motor 704a is coupled to a torque sensor 744 a. Torque sensor 744a is coupled to a transmission 706a that is coupled to I-beam 714. The transmission 706a includes movable mechanical elements, such as rotating elements and firing members, to control the distal and proximal movement of the I-beam 714 along the longitudinal axis of the end effector 702. In one aspect, the motor 704a may be coupled to a knife gear assembly that includes a knife gear reduction set that includes a first knife drive gear and a second knife drive gear. The torque sensor 744a provides a firing force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The firing force signal represents the force required to fire or displace the I-beam 714. The position sensor 734 may be configured to provide the position of the I-beam 714 along the firing stroke or the position of the firing member as a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The end effector 702 may include an additional sensor 738 configured to provide a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. When ready for use, the control circuit 710 may provide a firing signal to the motor control 708 a. In response to the firing signal, the motor 704a can drive the firing member distally along the longitudinal axis of the end effector 702 from a proximal stroke start position to an end of stroke position distal of the stroke start position. As the firing member is translated distally, the I-beam 714, having a cutting element positioned at the distal end, is advanced distally to cut tissue located between the staple cartridge 718 and the anvil 716.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to drive a closure member, such as an anvil 716 portion of the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to the motor control 708b, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704 b. The output shaft of motor 704b is coupled to torque sensor 744 b. The torque sensor 744b is coupled to a transmission 706b that is coupled to the anvil 716. The actuator 706b includes movable mechanical elements, such as rotating elements and closure members, to control the movement of the anvil 716 from the open and closed positions. In one aspect, the motor 704b is coupled to a closure gear assembly that includes a closure reduction gear set supported in meshing engagement with a closure spur gear. The torque sensor 744b provides a closing force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The closing force feedback signal is indicative of the closing force applied to the anvil 716. The position sensor 734 may be configured to provide the position of the closure member as a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. An additional sensor 738 in the end effector 702 may provide a closing force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The pivotable anvil 716 is positioned opposite the staple cartridge 718. When ready for use, the control circuit 710 may provide a close signal to the motor control 708 b. In response to the closure signal, the motor 704b advances the closure member to grasp tissue between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to rotate a shaft member, such as shaft 740, to rotate the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to the motor control 708c, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704 c. The output shaft of motor 704c is coupled to a torque sensor 744 c. Torque sensor 744c is coupled to a transmission 706c that is coupled to a shaft 740. Actuator 706c includes a movable mechanical element, such as a rotating element, to control rotation of shaft 740 up to 360 and beyond 360 clockwise or counterclockwise. In one aspect, the motor 704c is coupled to a rotary drive assembly that includes a tube gear section formed on (or attached to) the proximal end of the proximal closure tube for operable engagement by a rotary gear assembly operably supported on the tool mounting plate. The torque sensor 744c provides a rotational force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The rotational force feedback signal represents the rotational force applied to the shaft 740. The position sensor 734 may be configured to provide the position of the closure member as a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. An additional sensor 738, such as a shaft encoder, may provide the control circuit 710 with the rotational position of the shaft 740.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to articulate the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to the motor control 708d, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704 d. The output of motor 704d is coupled to torque sensor 744 d. The torque sensor 744d is coupled to the transmission 706d that is coupled to the articulation member 742 a. The transmission 706d includes a movable mechanical element, such as an articulation element, to control the + -65 deg. articulation of the end effector 702. In one aspect, the motor 704d is coupled to an articulation nut that is rotatably journaled on the proximal end portion of the distal spine and rotatably driven thereon by an articulation gear assembly. The torque sensor 744d provides an articulation force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The articulation force feedback signal represents the articulation force applied to the end effector 702. A sensor 738, such as an articulation encoder, may provide the control circuit 710 with the articulated position of the end effector 702.

In another aspect, the articulation function of the robotic surgical system 700 may include two articulation members or links 742a, 742 b. These hinge members 742a, 742b are driven by separate disks on the robotic interface (rack) driven by two motors 708d, 708 e. When a separate firing motor 704a is provided, each of the articulation links 742a, 742b can be driven antagonistic to the other link to provide resistance holding motion and load to the head when the head is not moving and to provide articulation when the head is articulating. When the head is rotated, the articulation members 742a, 742b are attached to the head at a fixed radius. Thus, the mechanical advantage of the push-pull link changes as the head rotates. This variation in mechanical advantage may be more pronounced for other articulation link drive systems.

In one aspect, one or more of the motors 704a-704e can include a brushed DC motor having a gearbox and a mechanical link to a firing member, a closure member, or an articulation member. Another example includes electric motors 704a-704e that operate moveable mechanical elements such as displacement members, articulation links, closure tubes, and shafts. External influences are unmeasured, unpredictable effects of things such as tissue, surrounding body and friction on the physical system. Such external influences may be referred to as drag forces, which act against one of the electric motors 704a-704 e. External influences such as drag forces may cause the operation of the physical system to deviate from the desired operation of the physical system.

In one aspect, position sensor 734 may be implemented as an absolute positioning system. In one aspect, the position sensor 734 may include a magnetic rotary absolute positioning system implemented AS an AS5055EQFT monolithic magnetic rotary position sensor, available from Austria microelectronics, australia, AG. Position sensor 734 may interface with control circuitry 710 to provide an absolute positioning system. The location may include a hall effect element located above the magnet and coupled to a CORDIC processor, also known as a bitwise method and a Volder algorithm, which is provided to implement a simple and efficient algorithm for calculating hyperbolic and trigonometric functions that require only an addition operation, a subtraction operation, a digit shift operation and a table lookup operation.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may be in communication with one or more sensors 738. The sensors 738 can be positioned on the end effector 702 and adapted to operate with the robotic surgical instrument 700 to measure various derivative parameters such as gap distance versus time, tissue compression versus time, and anvil strain versus time. The sensors 738 may include magnetic sensors, magnetic field sensors, strain gauges, load sensors, pressure sensors, force sensors, torque sensors, inductive sensors such as eddy current sensors, resistive sensors, capacitive sensors, optical sensors, and/or any other suitable sensors for measuring one or more parameters of the end effector 702. The sensors 738 may include one or more sensors. A sensor 738 may be located on the staple cartridge 718 deck to determine tissue location using segmented electrodes. The torque sensors 744a-744e may be configured to sense forces such as firing forces, closing forces, and/or articulation forces, among others. Thus, the control circuit 710 may sense (1) the closure load experienced by the distal closure tube and its position, (2) the firing member at the rack and its position, (3) the upper tissue portion of the staple cartridge 718, and (4) the load and position on the two articulation bars.

In one aspect, the one or more sensors 738 may include a strain gauge, such as a micro-strain gauge, configured to measure a magnitude of strain in the anvil 716 during the clamped condition. The strain gauge provides an electrical signal whose magnitude varies with the magnitude of the strain. The sensor 738 can comprise a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure generated by the presence of compressed tissue between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718. The sensor 738 can be configured to detect an impedance of a section of tissue located between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718 that is indicative of the thickness and/or integrity of the tissue located therebetween.

In one aspect, the sensors 738 may be implemented as one or more limit switches, electromechanical devices, solid state switches, Hall effect devices, Magnetoresistive (MR) devices, Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) devices, magnetometers, and the like. In other implementations, the sensor 738 may be implemented as a solid state switch that operates under the influence of light, such as an optical sensor, an IR sensor, an ultraviolet sensor, and so forth. Also, the switch may be a solid state device, such as a transistor (e.g., FET, junction FET, MOSFET, bipolar transistor, etc.). In other implementations, the sensors 738 may include a non-conductor switch, an ultrasonic switch, an accelerometer, an inertial sensor, and so forth.

In one aspect, the sensor 738 may be configured to measure the force exerted by the closure drive system on the anvil 716. For example, one or more sensors 738 may be positioned at the point of interaction between the closure tube and the anvil 716 to detect the closing force applied by the closure tube to the anvil 716. The force exerted on the anvil 716 may be indicative of tissue compression experienced by a section of tissue captured between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718. One or more sensors 738 may be positioned at various interaction points along the closure drive system to detect the closure force applied to the anvil 716 by the closure drive system. The one or more sensors 738 may be sampled in real time by a processor of the control circuit 710 during a clamping operation. The control circuit 710 receives real-time sample measurements to provide and analyze time-based information and evaluates the closing force applied to the anvil 716 in real-time.

In one aspect, the current sensor 736 can be used to measure the current consumed by each of the motors 704a-704 e. The force required to propel any of the movable mechanical elements, such as the I-beam 714, corresponds to the current consumed by one of the motors 704a-704 e. The force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the control circuit 710. The control circuit 710 may be configured to simulate the response of the actual system of the instrument in the software of the controller. The displacement member may be actuated to move the I-beam 714 in the end effector 702 at or near a target speed. The robotic surgical system 700 may include a feedback controller, which may be one of any feedback controllers including, but not limited to, for example, PID, state feedback, linear square (LQR), and/or adaptive controllers. The robotic surgical instrument 700 may include a power source to, for example, convert signals from a feedback controller into physical inputs, such as housing voltages, PWM voltages, frequency modulated voltages, currents, torques, and/or forces. Additional details are disclosed in U.S. patent application serial No. 15/636,829 entitled "CLOSED LOOP CONTROL FOR rolling basic injection," filed on 29.6.2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Fig. 56 illustrates a block diagram of a surgical instrument 750 programmed to control distal translation of a displacement member according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 750 is programmed to control distal translation of a displacement member, such as an I-beam 764. The surgical instrument 750 includes an end effector 752, which may include an anvil 766, an I-beam 764 (including a sharp cutting edge), and a removable staple cartridge 768.

The position, movement, displacement, and/or translation of a linear displacement member, such as an I-beam 764, may be measured by an absolute positioning system, a sensor arrangement, and a position sensor 784. Since the I-beam 764 is coupled to the longitudinally movable drive member, the position of the I-beam 764 may be determined by measuring the position of the longitudinally movable drive member using the position sensor 784. Thus, in the following description, the position, displacement, and/or translation of the I-beam 764 may be achieved by the position sensor 784 as described herein. The control circuit 760 may be programmed to control the translation of a displacement member, such as an I-beam 764. In some examples, the control circuitry 760 may include one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors for executing instructions that cause the one or more processors to control the displacement member (e.g., the I-beam 764) in the manner described. In one aspect, the timer/counter 781 provides an output signal, such as a elapsed time or a digital count, to the control circuit 760 to correlate the position of the I-beam 764, as determined by the position sensor 784, with the output of the timer/counter 781, such that the control circuit 760 can determine the position of the I-beam 764 relative to the starting position at a particular time (t). The timer/counter 781 may be configured to be able to measure elapsed time, count or time external events.

The control circuit 760 may generate a motor set point signal 772. The motor set point signal 772 may be provided to the motor controller 758. The motor controller 758 may include one or more circuits configured to provide a motor drive signal 774 to the motor 754 to drive the motor 754, as described herein. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushed DC electric motor. For example, the speed of motor 754 may be proportional to motor drive signal 774. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushless DC electric motor, and the motor drive signals 774 may include PWM signals provided to one or more stator windings of the motor 754. Also, in some examples, the motor controller 758 may be omitted and the control circuitry 760 may generate the motor drive signal 774 directly.

The motor 754 may receive power from an energy source 762. The energy source 762 may be or include a battery, a supercapacitor, or any other suitable energy source. The motor 754 may be mechanically coupled to the I-beam 764 via a transmission 756. The transmission 756 may include one or more gears or other linkage components for coupling the motor 754 to the I-beam 764. The position sensor 784 may sense the position of the I-beam 764. The position sensor 784 may be or include any type of sensor capable of generating position data indicative of the position of the I-beam 764. In some examples, the position sensor 784 may include an encoder configured to provide a series of pulses to the control circuit 760 as the I-beam 764 is translated distally and proximally. The control circuitry 760 may track the pulses to determine the position of the I-beam 764. Other suitable position sensors may be used, including, for example, proximity sensors. Other types of position sensors may provide other signals indicative of the motion of the I-beam 764. Also, in some examples, position sensor 784 may be omitted. Where the motor 754 is a stepper motor, the control circuit 760 may track the position of the I-beam 764 by aggregating the number and direction of steps the motor 754 has been instructed to perform. The position sensor 784 may be located in the end effector 752 or at any other portion of the instrument.

The control circuitry 760 may be in communication with one or more sensors 788. The sensors 788 may be positioned on the end effector 752 and adapted to operate with the surgical instrument 750 to measure various derivative parameters such as gap distance and time, tissue compression and time, and anvil strain and time. The sensors 788 may include, for example, magnetic sensors, magnetic field sensors, strain gauges, pressure sensors, force sensors, inductive sensors (such as eddy current sensors), resistive sensors, capacitive sensors, optical sensors, and/or any other suitable sensors for measuring one or more parameters of the end effector 752. The sensor 788 may include one or more sensors.

The one or more sensors 788 may include a strain gauge, such as a micro-strain gauge, configured to measure a magnitude of strain in the anvil 766 during a clamping condition. The strain gauge provides an electrical signal whose magnitude varies with the magnitude of the strain. The sensor 788 may comprise a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure generated by the presence of compressed tissue between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. The sensor 788 may be configured to detect an impedance of a section of tissue located between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768, which impedance is indicative of the thickness and/or integrity of the tissue located therebetween.

The sensor 788 may be configured to measure the force exerted by the closure drive system on the anvil 766. For example, one or more sensors 788 may be located at an interaction point between the closure tube and the anvil 766 to detect the closing force applied by the closure tube to the anvil 766. The force exerted on the anvil 766 may be indicative of tissue compression experienced by a section of tissue captured between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. One or more sensors 788 may be positioned at various interaction points along the closure drive system to detect the closure force applied by the closure drive system to the anvil 766. The one or more sensors 788 may be sampled in real time by the processor of the control circuitry 760 during the clamping operation. The control circuit 760 receives real-time sample measurements to provide and analyze time-based information and evaluates the closing force applied to the anvil 766 in real-time.

A current sensor 786 may be used to measure the current drawn by the motor 754. The force required to propel the I-beam 764 corresponds to the current consumed by the motor 754. The force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the control circuit 760.

The control circuit 760 may be configured to simulate the response of the actual system of the instrument in the software of the controller. The displacement member may be actuated to move the I-beam 764 in the end effector 752 at or near a target speed. The surgical instrument 750 may include a feedback controller, which may be one of any feedback controllers including, but not limited to, for example, a PID, status feedback, LQR, and/or adaptive controller. The surgical instrument 750 may include a power source to, for example, convert signals from the feedback controller into physical inputs such as housing voltage, PWM voltage, frequency modulated voltage, current, torque, and/or force.

The actual drive system of the surgical instrument 750 is configured to drive the displacement member, cutting member, or I-beam 764 through a brushed dc motor having a gearbox and mechanical connection to the articulation and/or knife system. Another example is an electric motor 754 that operates a displacement member and articulation driver, such as an interchangeable shaft assembly. External influences are unmeasured, unpredictable effects of things such as tissue, surrounding body and friction on the physical system. Such external influences may be referred to as drag forces acting opposite the electric motor 754. External influences such as drag forces may cause the operation of the physical system to deviate from the desired operation of the physical system.

Various exemplary aspects relate to a surgical instrument 750 that includes an end effector 752 with a motorized surgical stapling and cutting tool. For example, the motor 754 can drive the displacement member distally and proximally along a longitudinal axis of the end effector 752. The end effector 752 may include a pivotable anvil 766 and, when configured for use, a staple cartridge 768 is positioned opposite the anvil 766. The clinician may hold tissue between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768, as described herein. When the instrument 750 is ready for use, the clinician may provide a firing signal, for example, by depressing a trigger of the instrument 750. In response to the firing signal, the motor 754 may drive the displacement member distally along the longitudinal axis of the end effector 752 from a proximal stroke start position to an end of stroke position distal to the stroke start position. The I-beam 764 with the cutting element positioned at the distal end can cut tissue between the staple cartridge 768 and the anvil 766 as the displacement member is translated distally.

In various examples, the surgical instrument 750 can include a control circuit 760 that is programmed to control distal translation of a displacement member (such as an I-beam 764) based on one or more tissue conditions. Control circuit 760 may be programmed to sense a tissue condition, such as thickness, directly or indirectly, as described herein. The control circuit 760 may be programmed to select a firing control program based on tissue conditions. The firing control routine may describe distal movement of the displacement member. Different firing control programs may be selected to better address different tissue conditions. For example, when thicker tissue is present, the control circuit 760 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a lower speed and/or at a lower power. When thinner tissue is present, the control circuit 760 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a higher speed and/or at a higher power.

In some examples, the control circuit 760 may initially operate the motor 754 in an open loop configuration for a first open loop portion of the stroke of the displacement member. Based on the response of the instrument 750 during the open loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 760 may select a firing control routine. The response of the instrument may include the translation distance of the displacement member during the open loop portion, the time elapsed during the open loop portion, the energy provided to the motor 754 during the open loop portion, the sum of the pulse widths of the motor drive signals, and the like. After the open loop portion, the control circuit 760 may implement the selected firing control routine for a second portion of the displacement member travel. For example, during the closed-loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 760 may modulate the motor 754 based on translation data that describes the position of the displacement member in a closed-loop manner to translate the displacement member at a constant speed. Additional details are disclosed in U.S. patent application serial No. 15/720,852 entitled "SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING a DISPLAY OF a SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," filed 2017, 9, 29, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Fig. 57 is a schematic view of a surgical instrument 790 configured to control various functions in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 790 is programmed to control distal translation of a displacement member, such as an I-beam 764. The surgical instrument 790 includes an end effector 792 that may include an anvil 766, an I-beam 764, and a removable staple cartridge 768 that may be interchanged with an RF cartridge 796 (shown in phantom).

In one aspect, the sensor 788 can be implemented as a limit switch, an electromechanical device, a solid state switch, a hall effect device, an MR device, a GMR device, a magnetometer, or the like. In other implementations, the sensor 638 may be implemented as a solid state switch that operates under the influence of light, such as an optical sensor, an IR sensor, an ultraviolet sensor, and so forth. Also, the switch may be a solid state device, such as a transistor (e.g., FET, junction FET, MOSFET, bipolar transistor, etc.). In other implementations, the sensors 788 may include a non-conductor switch, an ultrasonic switch, an accelerometer, an inertial sensor, and so forth.

In one aspect, the position sensor 784 may be implemented AS an absolute positioning system including a monolithic magnetic rotary position sensor implemented AS5055EQFT, available from Austria microelectronics, australia, AG. The position sensor 784 may interface with the control circuitry 760 to provide an absolute positioning system. The location may include a hall effect element located above the magnet and coupled to a CORDIC processor, also known as a bitwise method and a Volder algorithm, which is provided to implement a simple and efficient algorithm for calculating hyperbolic and trigonometric functions that require only an addition operation, a subtraction operation, a digit shift operation and a table lookup operation.

In one aspect, the I-beam 764 may be realized as a knife member including a knife body that operably supports a tissue cutting blade thereon, and may further include an anvil-engaging tab or feature and a channel-engaging feature or foot. In one aspect, staple cartridge 768 can be implemented as a standard (mechanical) surgical fastener cartridge. In one aspect, the RF bins 796 may be implemented as RF bins. These and other sensor arrangements are described in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/628,175 entitled "TECHNIQES FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF MOTOR VELOCITY OF A SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT," filed on 20.6.2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The position, movement, displacement, and/or translation of a linear displacement member, such as an I-beam 764, may be measured by an absolute positioning system, a sensor arrangement, and a position sensor represented as position sensor 784. Since the I-beam 764 is coupled to the longitudinally movable drive member, the position of the I-beam 764 may be determined by measuring the position of the longitudinally movable drive member using the position sensor 784. Thus, in the following description, the position, displacement, and/or translation of the I-beam 764 may be achieved by the position sensor 784 as described herein. The control circuit 760 may be programmed to control the translation of a displacement member, such as an I-beam 764, as described herein. In some examples, the control circuitry 760 may include one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors for executing instructions that cause the one or more processors to control the displacement member (e.g., the I-beam 764) in the manner described. In one aspect, the timer/counter 781 provides an output signal, such as a elapsed time or a digital count, to the control circuit 760 to correlate the position of the I-beam 764, as determined by the position sensor 784, with the output of the timer/counter 781, such that the control circuit 760 can determine the position of the I-beam 764 relative to the starting position at a particular time (t). The timer/counter 781 may be configured to be able to measure elapsed time, count or time external events.

The motor 754 may receive power from an energy source 762. The energy source 762 may be or include a battery, a supercapacitor, or any other suitable energy source. The motor 754 may be mechanically coupled to the I-beam 764 via a transmission 756. The transmission 756 may include one or more gears or other linkage components for coupling the motor 754 to the I-beam 764. The position sensor 784 may sense the position of the I-beam 764. The position sensor 784 may be or include any type of sensor capable of generating position data indicative of the position of the I-beam 764. In some examples, the position sensor 784 may include an encoder configured to provide a series of pulses to the control circuit 760 as the I-beam 764 is translated distally and proximally. The control circuitry 760 may track the pulses to determine the position of the I-beam 764. Other suitable position sensors may be used, including, for example, proximity sensors. Other types of position sensors may provide other signals indicative of the motion of the I-beam 764. Also, in some examples, position sensor 784 may be omitted. In the case where the motor 754 is a stepper motor, the control circuit 760 may track the position of the I-beam 764 by aggregating the number and direction of steps that the motor has been instructed to perform. The position sensor 784 may be located in the end effector 792 or at any other portion of the instrument.

The control circuitry 760 may be in communication with one or more sensors 788. The sensors 788 may be positioned on the end effector 792 and adapted to operate with the surgical instrument 790 to measure various derivative parameters such as gap distance and time, tissue compression and time, and anvil strain and time. The sensor 788 may include, for example, a magnetic sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a strain gauge, a pressure sensor, a force sensor, an inductive sensor (such as an eddy current sensor), a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, and/or any other suitable sensor for measuring one or more parameters of the end effector 792. The sensor 788 may include one or more sensors.

The sensor 788 may be configured to measure the force exerted by the closure drive system on the anvil 766. For example, one or more sensors 788 may be located at an interaction point between the closure tube and the anvil 766 to detect the closing force applied by the closure tube to the anvil 766. The force exerted on the anvil 766 may be indicative of tissue compression experienced by a section of tissue captured between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. One or more sensors 788 may be positioned at various interaction points along the closure drive system to detect the closure force applied by the closure drive system to the anvil 766. The one or more sensors 788 may be sampled in real time by the processor portion of the control circuitry 760 during the clamping operation. The control circuit 760 receives real-time sample measurements to provide and analyze time-based information and evaluates the closing force applied to the anvil 766 in real-time.

When an RF cartridge 796 is loaded in the end effector 792 in place of the staple cartridge 768, an RF energy source 794 is coupled to the end effector 792 and applied to the RF cartridge 796. The control circuitry 760 controls the delivery of RF energy to the RF bin 796.

Additional details are disclosed in U.S. patent application serial No. 15/636,096 entitled "minor SYSTEM stable WITH STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND RADIO FREQUENCY CARTRIDGE, AND METHOD OF USING SAME," filed on 28.6.2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Generator hardware

Fig. 58 is a simplified block diagram of a generator 800 configured to provide inductorless tuning, as well as other benefits. Additional details of GENERATOR 800 are described in U.S. patent No. 9,060,775 entitled "motor GENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES," filed on 23.6.2015, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Generator 800 may include a patient isolation stage 802 that communicates with a non-isolation stage 804 via a power transformer 806. The secondary winding 808 of the power transformer 806 is housed in the isolation stage 802 and may include a tapped configuration (e.g., a center-tapped or non-center-tapped configuration) to define

drive signal outputs

810a, 810b, 810c to deliver drive signals to different surgical instruments, such as, for example, ultrasonic surgical instruments, RF electrosurgical instruments, and multi-functional surgical instruments that include ultrasonic energy and RF energy modes that can be delivered separately or simultaneously. In particular,

drive signal outputs

810a, 810c may output an ultrasonic drive signal (e.g., a 420V Root Mean Square (RMS) drive signal) to the ultrasonic surgical instrument, and drive

signal outputs

810b, 810c may output an RF electrosurgical drive signal (e.g., a 100V RMS drive signal) to the RF electrosurgical instrument, where drive signal output 810b corresponds to the center tap of power transformer 806.

In some forms, the ultrasonic drive signal and the electrosurgical drive signal may be provided simultaneously to different surgical instruments and/or to a single surgical instrument such as a multi-functional surgical instrument having the capability of delivering both ultrasonic energy and electrosurgical energy to tissue. It should be appreciated that the electrosurgical signal provided to the dedicated electrosurgical instrument and/or the combined multi-functional ultrasonic/electrosurgical instrument may be a treatment or sub-treatment level signal, wherein the sub-treatment signal may be used, for example, to monitor tissue or instrument conditions and provide feedback to the generator. For example, the ultrasound signal and the RF signal may be delivered separately or simultaneously from a generator having a single output port in order to provide the desired output signal to the surgical instrument, as will be discussed in more detail below. Thus, the generator may combine ultrasonic energy and electrosurgical RF energy and deliver the combined energy to a multifunctional ultrasonic/electrosurgical instrument. Bipolar electrodes may be placed on one or both jaws of the end effector. In addition to electrosurgical RF energy, one jaw may be simultaneously driven by ultrasonic energy. Ultrasonic energy may be used for anatomical tissue and electrosurgical RF energy may be used for vessel sealing.

The non-isolation stage 804 may include a power amplifier 812 having an output connected to a primary winding 814 of the power transformer 806. In some forms, the power amplifier 812 may include a push-pull amplifier. For example, the non-isolated stage 804 may also include a logic device 816 for supplying a digital output to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit 818, which in turn supplies a corresponding analog signal to the input of the power amplifier 812. In some forms, for example, logic device 816 may include a Programmable Gate Array (PGA), an FPGA, a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), among other logic circuits. Thus, by controlling the input of the power amplifier 812 via the DAC circuit 818, the logic device 816 may control any of a number of parameters (e.g., frequency, waveform shape, waveform amplitude) of the drive signals present at the

drive signal outputs

810a, 810b, 810 c. In some forms, as described below, the logic device 816, in conjunction with a processor (e.g., a DSP described below), may implement a plurality of DSP-based algorithms and/or other control algorithms to control parameters of the drive signals output by the generator 800.

Power may be supplied to the power rail of the power amplifier 812 by a switch mode regulator 820 (e.g., a power converter). In some forms, the switch mode regulator 820 may comprise, for example, an adjustable buck regulator. For example, the non-isolation stage 804 may also include a first processor 822, which in one form may include a DSP processor, such as Analog Devices ADSP-21469SHARC DSP, for example, available from Analog Devices (Norwood, MA), although any suitable processor may be employed in various forms. In some forms, the DSP processor 822 may control operation of the switching mode regulator 820 in response to voltage feedback data received by the DSP processor 822 from the power amplifier 812 via the ADC circuit 824. In one form, for example, the DSP processor 822 may receive as input via the ADC circuit 824 a waveform envelope of a signal (e.g., an RF signal) amplified by the power amplifier 812. The DSP processor 822 may then control the switch-mode regulator 820 (e.g., via the PWM output) such that the rail voltage provided to the power amplifier 812 tracks the waveform envelope of the amplified signal. By modulating the rail voltage of the power amplifier 812 in a dynamic manner based on the waveform envelope, the efficiency of the power amplifier 812 may be significantly increased relative to a fixed rail voltage amplifier scheme.

In some forms, the logic device 816, along with the DSP processor 822, may implement a digital synthesis circuit, such as a direct digital synthesizer control scheme, to control the waveform shape, frequency, and/or amplitude of the drive signals output by the generator 800. In one form, for example, the logic device 816 may implement the DDS control algorithm by invoking waveform samples stored in a dynamically updated look-up table (LUT), such as a RAM LUT, which may be embedded in an FPGA. The control algorithm is particularly useful for ultrasound applications where an ultrasound transducer, such as an ultrasound transducer, may be driven by a purely sinusoidal current at its resonant frequency. Because other frequencies may excite parasitic resonances, minimizing or reducing the total distortion of the dynamic branch current may correspondingly minimize or reduce adverse resonance effects. Because the waveform shape of the drive signal output by the generator 800 is affected by various distortion sources present in the output drive circuitry (e.g., power transformer 806, power amplifier 812), voltage and current feedback data based on the drive signal can be input to an algorithm, such as an error control algorithm implemented by the DSP processor 822, that compensates for the distortion by pre-distorting or modifying the waveform samples stored in the LUT, as appropriate, on a dynamic, ongoing basis (e.g., in real-time). In one form, the amount or degree of pre-distortion applied to the LUT samples may be dependent on the error between the calculated dynamic branch current and the desired current waveform shape, where the error may be determined on a sample-by-sample basis. In this manner, the pre-distorted LUT samples, when processed by the drive circuit, can cause the dynamic branch drive signal to have a desired waveform shape (e.g., sinusoidal shape) to optimally drive the ultrasound transducer. Thus, in such a form, when distortion effects are taken into account, the LUT waveform samples will not assume the desired waveform shape of the drive signal, but rather a waveform shape that is required to ultimately produce the desired waveform shape of the dynamic branch drive signal.

The non-isolation stage 804 may also include first and

second ADC circuits

826, 828 coupled to the output of the power transformer 806 via respective isolation transformers 830, 832 for sampling the voltage and current, respectively, of the drive signal output by the generator 800. In some forms, the

ADC circuits

826, 828 may be configured to be capable of sampling at high speed (e.g., 80 Mega Samples Per Second (MSPS)) to allow oversampling of the drive signal. In one form, for example, the sampling speed of the

ADC circuits

826, 828 may allow approximately 200x (as a function of frequency) oversampling of the drive signal. In some forms the sampling operation of the

ADC circuits

826, 828 may be performed by a single ADC circuit that receives the input voltage and current signals via a two-way multiplexer circuit. By using high speed sampling in the form of generator 800, among other things, computation of complex currents flowing through the dynamic branch (which in some forms may be used to implement the above-described DDS based waveform shape control), accurate digital filtering of the sampled signal, and computation of actual power consumption with high accuracy may be achieved. The voltage and current feedback data output by the

ADC circuits

826, 828 may be received and processed (e.g., first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffers, multiplexers) by the logic device 816 and stored in data memory for subsequent retrieval by, for example, the DSP processor 822. As described above, the voltage and current feedback data may be used as inputs to an algorithm for pre-distorting or modifying LUT waveform samples in a dynamic marching manner. In some forms, this may entail indexing or otherwise associating each stored voltage and current feedback data pair with a corresponding LUT sample output by logic device 816 upon acquisition of the voltage and current feedback data pair. Synchronizing the LUT samples with the voltage and current feedback data in this manner facilitates accurate timing and stability of the predistortion algorithm.

In some forms, voltage and current feedback data may be used to control the frequency and/or amplitude (e.g., current amplitude) of the drive signal. In one form, for example, voltage and current feedback data may be used to determine the impedance phase. The frequency of the drive signal may then be controlled to minimize or reduce the difference between the determined impedance phase and the impedance phase set point (e.g., 0 °), thereby minimizing or reducing the effects of harmonic distortion and correspondingly improving impedance phase measurement accuracy. The determination of the phase impedance and frequency control signals may be implemented in the DSP processor 822, for example, where the frequency control signals are provided as inputs to a DDS control algorithm implemented by the logic device 816.

In another form, for example, the current feedback data may be monitored in order to maintain the current amplitude of the drive signal at a current amplitude set point. The current magnitude set point may be specified directly or determined indirectly based on a particular voltage magnitude and power set point. In some forms, control of the current amplitude may be achieved by a control algorithm in the DSP processor 822, such as, for example, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm. Variables that the control algorithm controls in order to properly control the current amplitude of the drive signal may include, for example: scaling of the LUT waveform samples stored in the logic device 816 and/or the maximum scaled output voltage via the DAC circuit 818 of the DAC circuit 834 (which provides the input to the power amplifier 812).

The non-isolated stage 804 may also include a second processor 836 for providing, among other things, User Interface (UI) functionality. In one form, the UI processor 836 may include, for example, an Atmel AT91SAM9263 processor having an ARM 926EJ-S core available from Atmel Corporation, San Jose, Calif. Examples of UI functions supported by the UI processor 836 may include audible and visual user feedback, communication with peripheral devices (e.g., via a USB interface), communication with foot switches, communication with input devices (e.g., a touch screen display), and communication with output devices (e.g., a speaker). UI processor 836 may communicate with DSP processor 822 and logic device 816 (e.g., via an SPI bus). Although the UI processor 836 may primarily support UI functions, in some forms it may also cooperate with the DSP processor 822 to mitigate risks. For example, UI processor 836 may be programmed to monitor various aspects of user input and/or other input (e.g., touch screen input, foot pedal input, temperature sensor input) and may invalidate drive outputs of generator 800 when an error condition is detected.

In some forms, for example, both DSP processor 822 and UI processor 836 may determine and monitor the operating state of generator 800. For DSP processor 822, the operational state of generator 800 may, for example, indicate which control and/or diagnostic processes are being performed by DSP processor 822. For the UI processor 836, the operational state of the generator 800 may indicate, for example: which elements of the UI (e.g., display screen, sound) are presented to the user. Respective DSP processors 822 and UI processor 836 may independently maintain the current operating state of generator 800 and identify and evaluate possible transitions of the current operating state. DSP processor 822 may serve as a subject in this relationship and determine when transitions between operating states may occur. The UI handler 836 may note valid transitions between operating states and may verify that a particular transition is appropriate. For example, when DSP processor 822 instructs UI processor 836 to transition to a particular state, UI processor 836 may confirm that the required transition is valid. If the UI processor 836 determines that the required inter-state transition is invalid, the UI processor 836 may cause the generator 800 to enter a failure mode.

The non-isolation stage 804 may also include a controller 838 for monitoring input devices (e.g., capacitive touch sensors, capacitive touch screens for turning the generator 800 on and off). In some forms, the controller 838 may include at least one processor and/or other controller device in communication with the UI processor 836. In one form, for example, the controller 838 may include a processor (e.g., a Meg 1688 bit controller, available from Atmel) configured to be able to monitor user input provided through one or more capacitive touch sensors. In one form, the controller 838 may include a touchscreen controller (e.g., a QT5480 touchscreen controller available from Atmel) to control and manage the acquisition of touch data from a capacitive touchscreen.

In some forms, controller 838 may continue to receive operating power (e.g., via a line from a power source of generator 800, such as power source 854 described below) while generator 800 is in a "power off" state. In this way, the controller 838 may continue to monitor the input device (e.g., a capacitive touch sensor located on the front panel of the generator 800) for turning the generator 800 on and off. When the generator 800 is in the power-off state, the controller 838 may wake up the power source (e.g., enable operation of one or more DC/DC voltage converters 856 of the power source 854) if activation of a user "on/off" input device is detected. The controller 838 may begin a sequence that transitions the generator 800 to the "power on" state. Conversely, when the generator 800 is in the power-on state, if activation of the "on/off" input device is detected, the controller 838 may initiate a sequence that transitions the generator 800 to the power-off state. In some forms, for example, controller 838 may report activation of an "on/off" input device to UI processor 836, which in turn implements the required sequence of processes to transition generator 800 to a power-off state. In such forms, the controller 838 may not have the independent ability to remove power from the generator 800 after the power-on state is established.

In some forms, the controller 838 may cause the generator 800 to provide audible or other sensory feedback to alert the user that a power-on or power-off sequence has begun. Such alerts may be provided at the beginning of a power-on or power-off sequence and before other processes associated with the sequence begin.

In some forms, isolation station 802 may include instrument interface circuitry 840 to provide a communication interface, for example, between control circuitry of the surgical instrument (e.g., control circuitry including a handpiece switch) and components of non-isolation station 804, such as logic device 816, DSP processor 822, and/or UI processor 836. Instrument interface circuit 840 may exchange information with components of non-isolation stage 804 via a communication link (such as, for example, an IR-based communication link) that maintains a suitable degree of electrical isolation between isolation stage 802 and non-isolation stage 804. For example, instrument interface circuit 840 may be supplied with power using a low drop-out voltage regulator powered by an isolation transformer, which is driven from non-isolated stage 804.

In one form, the instrument interface circuit 840 can include a logic circuit 842 (e.g., logic circuit, programmable logic circuit, PGA, FPGA, PLD) in communication with the signal conditioning circuit 844. The signal conditioning circuit 844 may be configured to receive a periodic signal (e.g., a 2kHz square wave) from the logic circuit 842 to generate a bipolar interrogation signal having the same frequency. For example, the interrogation signal may be generated using a bipolar current source fed by a differential amplifier. The interrogation signal may be communicated to the surgical instrument control circuit (e.g., through the use of a pair of conductors in a cable connecting the generator 800 to the surgical instrument) and monitored to determine the state or configuration of the control circuit. The control circuit may include a plurality of switches, resistors, and/or diodes to modify one or more characteristics (e.g., amplitude, rectification) of the interrogation signal such that a state or configuration of the control circuit may be uniquely discerned based on the one or more characteristics. In one form, for example, the signal conditioning circuit 844 may include an ADC circuit for producing samples of the voltage signal appearing at the control circuit input as a result of the interrogation signal passing through the control circuit. Subsequently, the logic circuit 842 (or components of the non-isolation stage 804) may determine a state or configuration of the control circuit based on the ADC circuit samples.

In one form, the instrument interface circuit 840 may include a first data circuit interface 846 to enable the exchange of information between the logic circuit 842 (or other element of the instrument interface circuit 840) and a first data circuit disposed in or otherwise associated with the surgical instrument. In certain forms, for example, the first data circuit may be disposed in a cable integrally attached to the surgical instrument handpiece or in an adapter for interfacing a particular surgical instrument type or model with the generator 800. The first data circuit may be implemented in any suitable manner and may communicate with the generator according to any suitable protocol including, for example, as described herein with respect to the first data circuit. In some forms the first data circuit may comprise a non-volatile storage device such as an EEPROM device. In some forms, the first data circuit interface 846 may be implemented separately from the logic circuit 842 and include suitable circuitry (e.g., discrete logic devices, processors) to enable communication between the logic circuit 842 and the first data circuit. In other forms, the first data circuit interface 846 may be integral to the logic circuit 842.

In some forms, the first data circuit may store information related to the particular surgical instrument associated. Such information may include, for example, a model number, a serial number, a number of operations in which the surgical instrument has been used, and/or any other type of information. This information may be read by instrument interface circuitry 840 (e.g., by logic circuitry 842), transmitted to components of non-isolated stage 804 (e.g., to logic device 816, DSP processor 822, and/or UI processor 836) for presentation to a user via an output device, and/or for controlling functions or operations of generator 800. Additionally, any type of information may be communicated to the first data circuit via the first data circuit interface 846 (e.g., using the logic circuit 842) for storage therein. Such information may include, for example, the number of updates to the operation in which the surgical instrument is used and/or the date and/or time of its use.

As previously described, the surgical instrument is detachable from the handpiece (e.g., the multi-function surgical instrument is detachable from the handpiece) to facilitate instrument interchangeability and/or disposability. In such cases, the ability of the conventional generator to identify the particular instrument configuration used and to optimize the control and diagnostic procedures accordingly may be limited. However, from a compatibility perspective, solving this problem by adding a readable data circuit to the surgical instrument is problematic. For example, designing a surgical instrument to remain backward compatible with a generator that lacks the requisite data reading functionality may be impractical due to, for example, different signal schemes, design complexity, and cost. The form of the instrument described herein addresses these issues by using a data circuit that can be economically implemented in existing surgical instruments with minimal design changes to maintain compatibility of the surgical instrument with the current generator platform.

Additionally, generator 800 may be in the form of a communication circuit that communicates with the instrument-based data circuit. For example, the generator 800 may be configured to communicate with a second data circuit included in an instrument (e.g., a multi-function surgical instrument). In some forms, the second data circuit may be implemented in a manner similar to the first data circuit described herein. The instrument interface circuit 840 may include a second data circuit interface 848 for enabling this communication. In one form, the second data circuit interface 848 may comprise a tri-state digital interface, although other interfaces may also be used. In some forms the second data circuit may generally be any circuit for transmitting and/or receiving data. In one form, for example, the second data circuit may store information relating to the particular surgical instrument associated. Such information may include, for example, a model number, a serial number, a number of operations in which the surgical instrument has been used, and/or any other type of information.

In some forms, the second data circuit may store information about the electrical and/or ultrasonic performance of the associated ultrasonic transducer, end effector, or ultrasonic drive system. For example, the first data circuit may indicate an aging frequency slope, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, any type of information can be transferred to the second data circuit via the second data circuit interface 848 (e.g., using the logic circuit 842) for storage therein. Such information may include, for example, the number of updates to the operation in which the surgical instrument is used and/or the date and/or time of its use. In some forms, the second data circuit may transmit data collected by one or more sensors (e.g., instrument-based temperature sensors). In some forms, the second data circuit may receive data from the generator 800 and provide an indication (e.g., a light emitting diode indication or other visual indication) to a user based on the received data.

In some forms, the second data circuit and second data circuit interface 848 may be configured to enable communication between the logic circuit 842 and the second data circuit without providing additional conductors for this (e.g., dedicated conductors of a cable connecting the handpiece to the generator 800). In one form, information may be communicated to and from the second data circuit using, for example, a single bus communication scheme implemented on an existing cable, such as one of the conductors used to transmit interrogation signals from the signal conditioning circuit 844 to the control circuit in the handpiece. In this manner, design changes or modifications to the surgical instrument that may otherwise be necessary may be minimized or reduced. Furthermore, because the different types of communications implemented on the common physical channel may be band-separated, the presence of the second data circuit may be "invisible" to generators that do not have the requisite data reading functionality, thus enabling backwards compatibility of the surgical instrument.

In some forms, the isolation stage 802 may include at least one blocking capacitor 850-1 connected to the drive signal output 810b to prevent DC current from flowing to the patient. For example, the signal blocking capacitor may be required to comply with medical regulations or standards. While failures occur relatively rarely in single capacitor designs, such failures can have negative consequences. In one form, a second blocking capacitor 850-2 may be provided in series with the blocking capacitor 850-1, wherein current leakage occurring from a point between the blocking capacitors 850-1, 850-2 is monitored, for example by the ADC circuit 852, to sample the voltage induced by the leakage current. These samples may be received by logic circuitry 842, for example. Based on the change in leakage current (as indicated by the voltage samples), the generator 800 can determine when at least one of the blocking capacitors 850-1, 850-2 fails, providing benefits over a single capacitor design with a single point of failure.

In some forms, the non-isolated stage 804 may include a power source 854 for delivering DC power at an appropriate voltage and current. The power source may comprise, for example, a 400W power source for delivering a system voltage of 48 VDC. The power source 854 may also include one or more DC/DC voltage converters 856 for receiving the output of the power source to produce a DC output at the voltages and currents required by the various components of the generator 800. As described above in connection with the controller 838, one or more of the DC/DC voltage converters 856 may receive input from the controller 838 when the controller 838 detects a user activation of an "on/off" input device to enable operation of the DC/DC voltage converter 856 or to wake up the DC/DC voltage converter.

Fig. 59 shows an example of a generator 900, which is one form of the generator 800 (fig. 58). The generator 900 is configured to deliver a plurality of energy modalities to the surgical instrument. The generator 900 provides RF and ultrasonic signals for delivering energy to the surgical instrument independently or simultaneously. The RF signal and the ultrasound signal may be provided separately or in combination, and may be provided simultaneously. As described above, at least one generator output may deliver multiple energy modalities (e.g., ultrasound, bipolar or monopolar RF, irreversible and/or reversible electroporation, and/or microwave energy, etc.) through a single port, and these signals may be delivered separately or simultaneously to the end effector to treat tissue.

The generator 900 includes a processor 902 coupled to a waveform generator 904. The processor 902 and waveform generator 904 are configured to generate a variety of signal waveforms based on information stored in a memory coupled to the processor 902, which memory is not shown for clarity of the present disclosure. Digital information associated with the waveform is provided to a waveform generator 904, which includes one or more DAC circuits to convert a digital input to an analog output. The analog output is fed to an amplifier 1106 for signal conditioning and amplification. The regulated and amplified output of amplifier 906 is coupled to power transformer 908. The signal is coupled to the secondary side of the patient isolation side through a power transformer 908. A first signal of a first ENERGY modality is provided to the surgical instrument between terminals labeled ENERGY1 and RETURN. The second signal of the second ENERGY modality is coupled across capacitor 910 and provided to the surgical instrument between terminals labeled ENERGY2 and RETURN. It will be appreciated that more than two energy modes may be output, and thus the subscript "n" may be used to specify that up to n ENERGYn terminals may be provided, where n is a positive integer greater than 1. It should also be understood that up to "n" return paths RETURNn may be provided without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

A first voltage sensing circuit 912 is coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY1 and RETURN path to measure the output voltage therebetween. A second voltage sensing circuit 924 is coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY2 and RETURN path to measure the output voltage therebetween. As shown, a current sensing circuit 914 is placed in series with the RETURN leg on the secondary side of the power transformer 908 to measure the output current of either energy mode. If a different return path is provided for each energy modality, a separate current sensing circuit should be provided in each return branch. The outputs of the first 912 and second 924 voltage sensing circuits are provided to

respective isolation transformers

916, 922 and the output of the current sensing circuit 914 is provided to another isolation transformer 918. The output of the

isolation transformers

916, 928, 922 on the primary side of the power transformer 908 (not the patient isolation side) is provided to one or more ADC circuits 926. The digitized output of the ADC circuit 926 is provided to the processor 902 for further processing and computation. Output voltage and output current feedback information may be employed to adjust the output voltage and current provided to the surgical instrument and calculate parameters such as output impedance. Input/output communication between the processor 902 and the patient isolation circuitry is provided through an interface circuit 920. The sensors may also be in electrical communication with the processor 902 through an interface 920.

In one aspect, the impedance may be determined by the processor 902 by dividing the output of a first voltage sensing circuit 912 coupled across terminals labeled ENERGY1/RETURN or a second voltage sensing circuit 924 coupled across terminals labeled ENERGY2/RETURN by the output of a current sensing circuit 914 disposed in series with the RETURN leg of the secondary side of the power transformer 908. The outputs of the first 912 and second 924 voltage sensing circuits are provided to separate

isolation transformers

916, 922 and the output of the current sensing circuit 914 is provided to another isolation transformer 916. The digitized voltage and current sense measurements from the ADC circuit 926 are provided to the processor 902 for use in calculating the impedance. For example, the first ENERGY modality ENERGY1 may be ultrasonic ENERGY and the second ENERGY modality ENERGY2 may be RF ENERGY. However, in addition to ultrasound and bipolar or monopolar RF energy modalities, other energy modalities include irreversible and/or reversible electroporation and/or microwave energy, among others. Also, while the example shown in fig. 59 shows that a single RETURN path RETURN may be provided for two or more energy modalities, in other aspects multiple RETURN paths RETURN may be provided for each energy modality enerrgyn. Thus, as described herein, the ultrasound transducer impedance may be measured by dividing the output of the first voltage sensing circuit 912 by the output of the current sensing circuit 914, and the tissue impedance may be measured by dividing the output of the second voltage sensing circuit 924 by the output of the current sensing circuit 914.

As shown in fig. 59, a generator 900 including at least one output port may include a power transformer 908 having a single output and multiple taps to provide power to the end effector in the form of one or more energy modalities (such as ultrasound, bipolar or monopolar RF, irreversible and/or reversible electroporation, and/or microwave energy, etc.), for example, depending on the type of tissue treatment being performed. For example, the generator 900 may deliver energy with higher voltages and lower currents to drive an ultrasound transducer, with lower voltages and higher currents to drive an RF electrode for sealing tissue, or with a coagulation waveform for using monopolar or bipolar RF electrosurgical electrodes. The output waveform from the generator 900 may be manipulated, switched, or filtered to provide a frequency to the end effector of the surgical instrument. The connection of the ultrasonic transducer to the output of the generator 900 will preferably be between the outputs labeled ENERGY1 and RETURN as shown in fig. 59. In one example, the connection of the RF bipolar electrode to the output of generator 900 will preferably be between the outputs labeled ENERGY2 and RETURN. In the case of a unipolar output, the preferred connection would be an active electrode (e.g. a pencil or other probe) at the output of ENERGY2 and a suitable RETURN pad connected to the RETURN output.

Additional details are disclosed in U.S. patent application publication 2017/0086914 entitled "TECHNIQUES FOR OPERATING GENERATOR FOR DIGITALLY GENERATING ELECTRICAL SIGNAL WAVEFORMS AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," published 3, 30, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As used throughout this specification, the term "wireless" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some aspects they may not. The 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 series), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 series), IEEE 802.20, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA +, HSDPA +, HSUPA +, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, bluetooth, and ethernet derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless and wired protocols designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and above. The computing module may include a plurality of communication modules. For example, a first communication module may be dedicated for shorter range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and bluetooth, and a second communication module may be dedicated for longer range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO, and the like.

As used herein, a processor or processing unit is an electronic circuit that performs operations on some external data source, typically a memory or some other data stream. The term is used herein to refer to a central processing unit (cpu) in one or more systems, especially systems on a chip (SoC), that combine multiple specialized "processors".

As used herein, a system-on-chip or system-on-chip (SoC or SoC) is an integrated circuit (also referred to as an "IC" or "chip") that integrates all of the components of a computer or other electronic system. It may contain digital, analog, mixed signal, and often radio frequency functions-all on a single substrate. The SoC integrates a microcontroller (or microprocessor) with advanced peripherals such as a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Wi-Fi modules, or coprocessors. The SoC may or may not include built-in memory.

As used herein, a microcontroller or controller is a system that integrates a microprocessor with peripheral circuitry and memory. The microcontroller (or MCU of the microcontroller unit) may be implemented as a small computer on a single integrated circuit. It may be similar to a SoC; the SoC may include a microcontroller as one of its components. Microcontrollers may include one or more Core Processing Units (CPUs) as well as memory and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of ferroelectric RAM, NOR flash memory or OTP ROM as well as a small amount of RAM are often included on the chip. In contrast to microprocessors used in personal computers or other general-purpose applications composed of various discrete chips, microcontrollers may be used in embedded applications.

As used herein, the term controller or microcontroller may be a stand-alone IC or chip device that interfaces with peripheral devices. This may be a link between two components of a computer or a controller on an external device for managing the operation of (and connection to) the device.

Any of the processors or microcontrollers as described herein may be any single-core or multi-core processor, such as those provided by Texas Instruments under the trade name ARM Cortex. In one aspect, the processor may be, for example, an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F processor core available from Texas Instruments (Texas Instruments), which includes: 256KB of on-chip memory of single cycle flash or other non-volatile memory (up to 40MHz), prefetch buffer for performance improvement above 40MHz, 32KB of single cycle Serial Random Access Memory (SRAM), load with

Software internal Read Only Memory (ROM), 2KB of Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), one or more pulse width modulators (PWM:PWM) module, one or more Quadrature Encoder Input (QEI) analog, one or more 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with 12 analog input channels, and other features readily available.

In one example, the processor may include a safety controller that includes two series based controllers, such as TMS570 and RM4x also available from Texas Instruments under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4. The safety controller may be configured to be specific to IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety critical applications, etc., to provide advanced integrated safety features while delivering scalable execution, connectivity, and memory options.

The modular device includes modules (as described in connection with fig. 41 and 48) that can be received within a surgical hub and surgical devices or instruments that can be connected to the various modules for connection or mating with a corresponding surgical hub. Modular devices include, for example, smart surgical instruments, medical imaging devices, suction/irrigation devices, smoke ejectors, energy generators, respirators, insufflators, and displays. The modular devices described herein may be controlled by a control algorithm. The control algorithms may be executed on the modular devices themselves, on a surgical hub paired with a particular modular device, or on both the modular devices and the surgical hub (e.g., via a distributed computing architecture). In some examples, the control algorithm of the modular device controls the device based on data sensed by the modular device itself (i.e., by sensors in, on, or connected to the modular device). This data may be related to the patient being operated on (e.g., tissue characteristics or insufflation pressure) or the modular device itself (e.g., rate at which the knife is advanced, motor current, or energy level). For example, the control algorithm of a surgical stapling and severing instrument may control the rate at which the motor of the instrument drives its knife through tissue based on the resistance encountered by the knife as it advances.

Situation awareness

Situational awareness refers to the ability of some aspects of a surgical system to determine or infer information related to a surgical procedure from data received from a database and/or instruments. The information may include the type of surgery being performed, the type of tissue being operated on, or the body cavity being the subject of the surgery. With background information related to a surgical procedure, a surgical system may, for example, improve the manner in which the surgical system controls modular devices (e.g., robotic arms and/or robotic surgical tools) connected thereto, and provide background information or recommendations to a surgeon during the course of the surgical procedure.

Referring now to fig. 60, a timeline 5200 depicting situational awareness of a hub (e.g., surgical hub 106 or 206) is shown. The time axis 5200 is illustrative of the surgical procedure and background information that the

surgical hub

106, 206 may derive from the data received from the data source at each step in the surgical procedure. The time axis 5200 depicts typical steps that nurses, surgeons, and other medical personnel will take during a lung segment resection procedure, starting from the establishment of an operating room and ending with the transfer of the patient to a post-operative recovery room.

The situation aware

surgical hub

106, 206 receives data from data sources throughout the surgical procedure, including data generated each time medical personnel utilize a modular device paired with the

surgical hub

106, 206. The

surgical hub

106, 206 may receive this data from the paired modular devices and other data sources and continually derive inferences about the procedure being performed (i.e., background information) as new data is received, such as which step of the procedure is performed at any given time. The situational awareness system of the

surgical hub

106, 206 can, for example, record data related to the procedure used to generate the report, verify that the medical personnel are taking steps, provide data or prompts that may be related to particular procedure steps (e.g., via a display screen), adjust the modular device based on context (e.g., activate a monitor, adjust a field of view (FOV) of a medical imaging device, or change an energy level of an ultrasonic surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument), and take any other such actions described above.

As a first step 5202 in the exemplary procedure, hospital staff retrieve the patient's Electronic Medical Record (EMR) from the EMR database at the hospital. Based on the selected patient data in the EMR, the

surgical hub

106, 206 determines that the procedure to be performed is a chest procedure.

In a second step 5204, the staff scans the incoming medical supplies for the procedure. The

surgical hub

106, 206 cross-references the scanned supplies with a list of supplies utilized in various types of procedures and confirms that the supplied mixture corresponds to a chest procedure. In addition, the

surgical hub

106, 206 may also be able to determine that the procedure is not a wedge procedure (because the incoming supplies lack some of the supplies required for a chest wedge procedure, or otherwise do not correspond to a chest wedge procedure).

In a third step 5206, medical personnel scan the patient belt via a scanner communicatively connected to the

surgical hub

106, 206. The

surgical hub

106, 206 may then confirm the identity of the patient based on the scanned data.

Fourth, the medical staff opens the ancillary equipment 5208. The ancillary equipment utilized may vary depending on the type of surgery and the technique to be used by the surgeon, but in this exemplary case they include smoke ejectors, insufflators, and medical imaging devices. When activated, the auxiliary device as a modular device may be automatically paired with a

surgical hub

106, 206 located in a specific vicinity of the modular device as part of its initialization process. The

surgical hub

106, 206 may then derive contextual information about the surgical procedure by detecting the type of modular device with which it is paired during the pre-operative or initialization phase. In this particular example, the

surgical hub

106, 206 determines that the surgical procedure is a VATS procedure based on the particular combination of paired modular devices. Based on a combination of data from the patient's EMR, a list of medical supplies used in the procedure, and the type of modular device connected to the hub, the

surgical hub

106, 206 can generally infer the particular procedure that the surgical team will perform. Once the

surgical hub

106, 206 knows what specific procedure is being performed, the

surgical hub

106, 206 may retrieve the steps of the procedure from memory or cloud and then cross-reference the data it subsequently receives from the connected data sources (e.g., modular devices and patient monitoring devices) to infer what steps of the surgical procedure are being performed by the surgical team.

In a fifth step 5210, the practitioner attaches EKG electrodes and other patient monitoring devices to the patient. EKG electrodes and other patient monitoring devices can be paired with the

surgical hubs

106, 206. When the

surgical hub

106, 206 begins to receive data from the patient monitoring device, the

surgical hub

106, 206 thus confirms that the patient is in the operating room.

Sixth step 5212, the medical personnel induce anesthesia in the patient. The

surgical hub

106, 206 may infer that the patient is under anesthesia based on data from the modular device and/or the patient monitoring device, including, for example, EKG data, blood pressure data, ventilator data, or a combination thereof. Upon completion of the sixth step 5212, the pre-operative portion of the lung segmentation resection procedure is completed and the operative portion begins.

In a seventh step 5214, the patient's lungs being operated on are collapsed (while ventilation is switched to the contralateral lungs). For example, the

surgical hub

106, 206 may infer from the ventilator data that the patient's lungs have collapsed. The

surgical hub

106, 206 may infer that the surgical portion of the procedure has begun because it may compare the detection of the patient's lung collapse to the expected steps of the procedure (which may have been previously visited or retrieved), thereby determining that collapsing the lungs is the first surgical step in that particular procedure.

In an eighth step 5216, a medical imaging device (e.g., an endoscope) is inserted and video from the medical imaging device is initiated. The

surgical hub

106, 206 receives medical imaging device data (i.e., video or image data) through its connection to the medical imaging device. After receiving the medical imaging device data, the

surgical hub

106, 206 may determine that a laparoscopic portion of the surgical procedure has begun. In addition, the

surgical hub

106, 206 may determine that the particular procedure being performed is a segmental resection, rather than a leaf resection (note that wedge procedures have been excluded based on the data received by the

surgical hub

106, 206 at the second step 5204 of the procedure). Data from the medical imaging device 124 (fig. 40) may be used to determine contextual information relating to the type of procedure being performed in a number of different ways, including by determining the angle of visualization orientation of the medical imaging device relative to the patient anatomy, monitoring the number of medical imaging devices utilized (i.e., activated and paired with the surgical hub 106, 206), and monitoring the type of visualization devices utilized. For example, one technique for performing a VATS lobectomy places a camera in the lower anterior corner of the patient's chest above the septum, while one technique for performing a VATS segmental resection places the camera in an anterior intercostal location relative to the segmental cleft. For example, using pattern recognition or machine learning techniques, the situational awareness system may be trained to recognize the positioning of the medical imaging device from a visualization of the patient's anatomy. As another example, one technique for performing VATS lobectomy utilizes a single medical imaging device, while another technique for performing VATS segmental resection utilizes multiple cameras. As another example, one technique for performing VATS segmental resection utilizes an infrared light source (which may be communicatively coupled to a surgical hub as part of a visualization system) to visualize segmental fissures that are not used in VATS pulmonary resection. By tracking any or all of this data from the medical imaging device, the

surgical hub

106, 206 can thus determine the particular type of surgical procedure being performed and/or the technique being used for a particular type of surgical procedure.

Ninth step 5218, the surgical team begins the dissection step of the procedure. The

surgical hub

106, 206 may infer that the surgeon is dissecting to mobilize the patient's lungs because it receives data from the RF generator or ultrasound generator indicating that the energy instrument is being fired. The

surgical hub

106, 206 may intersect the received data with the retrieved steps of the surgical procedure to determine that the energy instrument fired at that point in the procedure (i.e., after completion of the previously discussed surgical steps) corresponds to an anatomical step. In some cases, the energy instrument may be an energy tool mounted to a robotic arm of a robotic surgical system.

In a tenth step 5220, the surgical team continues with the surgical ligation step. The

surgical hub

106, 206 may infer that the surgeon is ligating arteries and veins because it receives data from the surgical stapling and severing instrument indicating that the instrument is being fired. Similar to the previous steps, the

surgical hub

106, 206 may deduce the inference by cross-referencing the receipt of data from the surgical stapling and severing instrument with the retrieval steps in the procedure. In some cases, the surgical instrument may be a surgical tool mounted to a robotic arm of a robotic surgical system.

Eleventh step 5222, a segmental resection portion of the procedure is performed. The

surgical hub

106, 206 may infer that the surgeon is transecting soft tissue based on data from the surgical stapling and severing instrument, including data from its cartridge. The cartridge data may correspond to, for example, the size or type of staples fired by the instrument. Since different types of staples are used for different types of tissue, the cartridge data can indicate the type of tissue being stapled and/or transected. In this case, the type of staple fired is for soft tissue (or other similar tissue type), which allows the

surgical hub

106, 206 to infer that the segmental resection portion of the procedure is in progress.

In a twelfth step 5224, a node dissection step is performed. The

surgical hub

106, 206 may infer that the surgical team is dissecting a node and performing a leak test based on data received from the generator indicating that the RF or ultrasonic instrument is being fired. For this particular procedure, the RF or ultrasound instruments utilized after transecting the soft tissue correspond to a nodal dissection step that allows the

surgical hub

106, 206 to make such inferences. It should be noted that the surgeon periodically switches back and forth between the surgical stapling/severing instrument and the surgical energy (i.e., RF or ultrasonic) instrument depending on the particular step in the procedure, as different instruments are better suited to the particular task. Thus, the particular sequence in which the stapling/severing instrument and the surgical energy instrument are used may dictate the steps of the procedure being performed by the surgeon. Further, in some cases, robotic implements may be used for one or more steps in a surgical procedure, and/or hand-held surgical instruments may be used for one or more steps in a surgical procedure. One or more surgeons may alternate and/or may use the device simultaneously, for example, between a robotic tool and a hand-held surgical instrument. Upon completion of the twelfth step 5224, the incision is closed and the post-operative portion of the procedure is initiated.

A thirteenth step 5226, reverse anesthetizing the patient. For example, the

surgical hub

106, 206 may infer that the patient is waking up from anesthesia based on, for example, ventilator data (i.e., the patient's breathing rate begins to increase).

Finally, a fourteenth step 5228 is for the medical personnel to remove various patient monitoring devices from the patient. Thus, when the hub loses EKG, BP, and other data from the patient monitoring device, the

surgical hub

106, 206 may infer that the patient is being transferred to a recovery room. As can be seen from the description of this exemplary procedure, the

surgical hub

106, 206 may determine or infer when each step of a given surgical procedure occurs from data received from various data sources communicatively coupled to the

surgical hub

106, 206.

Situational awareness is further described in U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/611,341 entitled interactive surgical platform (INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM), filed on 28.12.2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In certain instances, operation of the robotic surgical system (including, for example, the various robotic surgical systems disclosed herein) may be controlled by the

hub

106, 206 based on its situational awareness and/or feedback from its components and/or based on information from the cloud 104.

Examples

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the following numbered examples.

Example 1-a method comprising: utilizing a drainage system comprising a processor communicatively coupled to a surgical hub; obtaining a parameter indicative of a characteristic of fluid evacuated from a surgical site; and communicating the parameters to the surgical hub.

Embodiment 2-the method of embodiment 1, wherein obtaining the parameter comprises at least one of: detecting a concentration of particles in the fluid, detecting a percentage of aerosol in the fluid, detecting a percentage of contaminants in the fluid, and detecting a temperature of the fluid.

Embodiment 3-the method of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the evacuation system further comprises a pump and a motor operably configured to drive the pump. The method also includes automatically adjusting a speed of the pump based on the parameter.

Embodiment 4-the method of embodiment 3, wherein the surgical hub includes a control circuit configured to determine an adjusted speed of the pump based on the parameter and communicate the adjusted speed to the processor.

Embodiment 5-the method of embodiment 3 or 4, further comprising receiving an operator input corresponding to a requested pump speed, and operating the motor at the requested pump speed unless the parameter exceeds a threshold parameter.

Example 6-the method of examples 3, 4, or 5, further comprising monitoring a functional parameter of the motor and communicating the functional parameter to the surgical hub.

Example 7-the method of examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherein the surgical hub comprises a control circuit configured to optimize an operating parameter of a surgical device communicatively coupled to the surgical hub based on the parameter and to communicate the optimized operating parameter to the surgical device.

Embodiment 8-the method of embodiment 7, wherein optimizing the operating parameter of the surgical device comprises determining an optimal generator waveform for an electrosurgical device.

Embodiment 9-the method of embodiment 8, wherein the surgical hub includes a situation awareness module, and wherein determining the optimal generator waveform for the electrosurgical device includes the step of the situation awareness module determining a surgical procedure.

Example 10-the method of example 7, further comprising receiving an operator input corresponding to a requested power level for the surgical device, and operating the surgical device at the requested power level unless the parameter exceeds a threshold parameter.

Example 11-a method comprising: utilizing a pumping system comprising a pump and a motor operably configured to drive the pump; monitoring a parameter of the motor; and communicating the parameters to a surgical hub.

Embodiment 12-the method of embodiment 11, wherein the evacuation system further comprises a sensor and a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and the motor. The processor is configured to be able to receive signals from the sensor. The signal is indicative of a characteristic of the fluid being evacuated by the evacuation system. The processor is further configured to adjust a speed of the motor based on the signal.

Embodiment 13-the method of embodiment 12, further comprising the processor automatically transmitting the signal to the surgical hub.

Example 14-the method of examples 12 or 13, further comprising communicating the speed of the motor to the surgical hub.

Embodiment 15-the method of embodiments 12, 13, or 14, wherein the signal indicative of the characteristic of the fluid comprises at least one of: a concentration of particles in the fluid, a percentage of aerosol in the fluid, a percentage of contaminants in the fluid, and a temperature of the fluid.

Embodiment 16-the method of embodiments 12, 13, 14, or 15, wherein adjusting the speed of the motor includes increasing a revolutions per minute of the motor when the signal indicates a concentration of particles that exceeds a threshold.

Embodiment 17-the method of embodiments 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16, wherein adjusting the speed of the motor comprises operating the motor at a minimum speed when the signal indicates a concentration of particles below a minimum value.

Example 18-the method of examples 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17, wherein the surgical hub comprises a control circuit configured to optimize an operating parameter of a surgical device communicatively coupled to the surgical hub based on the parameter of the motor. The control circuit is further configured to communicate the optimized operating parameter to the surgical device.

Example 19-the method of example 18, wherein optimizing the operating parameter of the surgical device comprises determining an optimal generator waveform for an electrosurgical device.

Example 20-the method of example 19, wherein the surgical hub includes a situation awareness module, and wherein determining the optimal generator waveform for the electrosurgical device includes the step of the situation awareness module determining a surgical procedure.

Example 21-a surgical evacuation system comprising a pump, a motor configured to drive the pump, and a housing. The housing includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and a flow path defined through the housing from the inlet port to the outlet port. The pump is positioned along the flow path. The surgical evacuation system also includes a sensor positioned along the flow path. The sensor is configured to be able to detect a concentration of particles in a volume of fluid moving past the sensor. The surgical evacuation system also includes a control circuit configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the concentration of particles in the volume of fluid. The control circuit is further configured to transmit a drive signal to the motor to automatically modify a speed of the motor based on the signal from the sensor.

Example 22-the surgical drainage system of example 21, wherein the sensor is positioned at a location selected from one of: a first position adjacent the inlet port and a second position adjacent the outlet port.

Example 23-the surgical drainage system of examples 21 or 22, wherein the control circuit is configured to operate the motor in a first operating state in which the speed of the motor is selected by an operator. The control circuit is further configured to be capable of operating the motor in a second operating state in which the speed of the motor is automatically modified based on a signal from the sensor.

Example 24-the surgical drainage system of example 23, wherein the control circuit selectively achieves the second operating state when the signal from the sensor exceeds a threshold.

Example 25-the surgical drainage system of examples 21, 22, 23, or 24, further comprising a filter receiver along the flow path intermediate the inlet port and the pump. The sensor is positioned upstream of the filter receiver. The surgical evacuation system also includes a second sensor positioned along the flow path downstream of the filter receiver. The second sensor is configured to be capable of detecting a concentration of particles in a volume of fluid moving past the second sensor.

Example 26-the surgical evacuation system of example 25, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive a second signal from the second sensor, and wherein the drive signal to the motor is also based on the second signal.

Example 27-the surgical drainage system of example 25, further comprising a replaceable filter positioned in the filter receiver.

Example 28-the surgical drainage system of examples 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, or 27, wherein the sensor comprises a laser particle counter.

Example 29-the surgical drainage system of examples 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, or 28, further comprising a user interface, wherein the speed of the motor is selectable via the user interface.

Example 30-the surgical drainage system of example 29, wherein the drive signal to the motor automatically modifies the speed of the motor based on the signal from the sensor to override the speed of the motor selected via the user interface when an override condition is satisfied.

Example 31-the surgical drainage system of examples 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30, further comprising a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to modify the speed of the motor based on the signal from the sensor.

Example 32-a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to receive a signal from a sensor of a surgical evacuation system, the surgical evacuation system further comprising a pump, a motor configured to drive the pump, a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a flow path defined through the housing from the inlet port to the outlet port. The sensor is positioned along the flow path and is configured to detect a concentration of particles in a volume of fluid moving past the sensor. The computer readable instructions, when executed, further cause the machine to automatically transmit a drive signal to the motor to modify a speed of the motor based on the signal from the sensor.

Embodiment 33-the non-transitory computer readable medium of embodiment 32, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to increase the speed of the motor when the particle concentration is greater than a first threshold amount and decrease the speed of the motor when the particle concentration is less than a second threshold amount.

Embodiment 34-the non-transitory computer readable medium of embodiment 32 or 33, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to stop the motor when the particle concentration exceeds a threshold amount.

Example 35-a surgical evacuation system comprising a pump, a motor configured to drive the pump, a filter receiver, and a housing. The housing includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and a flow path defined through the housing. The flow path fluidly couples the inlet port, the filter receiver, the pump, and the outlet port. The surgical evacuation system also includes a first sensor positioned in the flow path upstream of the filter receiver. The first sensor is configured to be capable of detecting particles in a fluid moving through the flow path. The surgical evacuation system also includes a second sensor positioned in the flow path downstream of the filter receiver. The second sensor is configured to be capable of detecting the concentration of particles in the fluid moving through the flow path. The surgical evacuation system also includes a control circuit configured to receive a first signal from the first sensor. The first signal is indicative of a concentration of particles present in the fluid upstream of the filter receiver. The control circuit is further configured to receive a second signal from the second sensor; the second signal is indicative of a concentration of particles present in the fluid downstream of the filter receiver. The control circuit is further configured to transmit a drive signal to modify a speed of the motor based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal.

Example 36-the surgical drainage system of example 35, further comprising a user interface, wherein the speed of the motor is selectable via the user interface.

Example 37-the surgical drainage system of examples 35 or 36, further comprising a filter positioned within the filter receiver.

Example 38-the surgical drainage system of examples 35, 36, or 37, wherein the control circuit is configured to increase the speed of the motor when the concentration of particulates upstream of the filter receiver is greater than a first threshold amount, and decrease the speed of the motor when the concentration of particulates downstream of the filter receiver is greater than a second threshold amount.

Example 39-the surgical drainage system of examples 35, 36, 37, or 38, wherein the control circuit is configured to operate in an automatic mode in which the speed of the motor is based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal. The control circuit is further configured to be operable in a manual mode in which the speed of the motor is based on a user override input.

Example 40-the surgical drainage system of examples 35, 36, 37, 38, or 39, wherein the control circuit comprises a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, and wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to modify the speed of the motor based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal.

Example 41-a surgical evacuation system comprising a pump, a motor operably coupled to the pump, a flow path fluidly coupled to the pump, and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor. The first pressure sensor is positioned along the flow path. The second pressure sensor is positioned along the flow path upstream of the first pressure sensor. The surgical evacuation system also includes a control circuit configured to determine a pressure differential between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor. The control circuit is further configured to adjust an operating parameter of the motor based on the pressure differential.

Example 42-the surgical drainage system of example 41, further comprising a receptacle and a filter mounted in the receptacle. The first pressure sensor is positioned downstream of the filter and the second pressure sensor is positioned upstream of the filter.

Example 43-the surgical drainage system of examples 41 or 42, wherein the control circuit is configured to increase the speed of the motor when the pressure differential increases above a threshold amount.

Example 44-the surgical drainage system of examples 41, 42, or 43, further comprising a fluid trap, wherein the first pressure sensor is positioned downstream of the fluid trap, and wherein the second pressure sensor is positioned upstream of the fluid trap.

Example 45-the surgical drainage system of example 44, wherein the pressure differential indicates the flow path relative to the fluid trap.

Example 46-the surgical evacuation system of examples 41, 42, 43, 44, or 45, further comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the flow path extends between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the first pressure sensor is positioned adjacent to the outlet, and wherein the second pressure sensor is positioned adjacent to the inlet.

Example 47-the surgical drainage system of examples 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, or 46, wherein the control circuit is configured to maintain a suction load on the pump below a maximum suction load.

Example 48-the surgical drainage system of examples 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, or 47, wherein the control circuit comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor system. The control circuit further includes a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor.

Example 49-a surgical evacuation system comprising a pump comprising a motor, a flow path fluidly coupled to the pump, and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor. The first pressure sensor is positioned along the flow path to detect a first pressure. The second pressure sensor is positioned along the flow path upstream of the first pressure sensor to detect a second pressure. The surgical evacuation system also includes a control circuit configured to determine a ratio of the second pressure to the first pressure and determine an operating condition of the surgical evacuation system as a function of the ratio.

Example 50-the surgical drainage system of example 49, wherein the control circuit is further configured to adjust an operating parameter of the motor based on the operating condition of the surgical drainage system.

Example 51-the surgical drainage system of examples 49 or 50, further comprising a receptacle and a filter mounted in the receptacle. The first pressure sensor is positioned downstream of the filter. The second pressure sensor is positioned upstream of the filter.

Example 52-the surgical evacuation system of examples 49, 50, or 51, wherein the control circuit is further configured to increase the speed of the motor in proportion to the ratio.

Example 53-the surgical drainage system of examples 49, 50, 51, or 52, further comprising a fluid trap, wherein the first pressure sensor is positioned downstream of the fluid trap, wherein the second pressure sensor is positioned upstream of the fluid trap, and wherein the operating condition corresponds to the flow path relative to the fluid trap.

Example 54-the surgical evacuation system of examples 49, 50, 51, 52, or 53, further comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the flow path extends between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the first pressure sensor is positioned adjacent the outlet, wherein the second pressure sensor is positioned adjacent the inlet, and wherein the control circuit is further configured to maintain a suction load on the pump below a maximum suction load.

Example 55-the surgical drainage system of examples 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, or 54, wherein the control circuit comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor system. The control circuit further includes a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor.

Embodiment 56-a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to: the method includes receiving a first signal from a first sensor positioned along a flow path through a surgical evacuation system, receiving a second signal from a second sensor positioned along the flow path through the surgical evacuation system, determining an operating condition of the surgical evacuation system based on the first signal and the second signal, and adjusting an operating parameter of the surgical evacuation system based on the operating condition.

Embodiment 57-the non-transitory computer-readable medium of embodiment 56, wherein the first sensor comprises a first pressure sensor, and wherein the second sensor comprises a second pressure sensor.

Example 58-the non-transitory computer-readable medium of examples 56 or 57, wherein the operating condition corresponds to a state of a filtration system of the surgical drainage system.

Example 59-the non-transitory computer readable medium of example 58, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to increase the speed of a pump motor for the surgical drainage system when the state of the filtration system comprises a partially obstructed state.

Example 60-the non-transitory computer readable medium of examples 56, 57, 58, or 59, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to redirect the flow path through the surgical drainage system.

Example 61-a surgical evacuation system comprising a pump, a motor operably coupled to the pump, and a flow path fluidly coupled to the pump. The flow path includes a first filtering path and a second filtering path. The surgical evacuation system also includes a sensor positioned along the flow path upstream of the pump. The sensor is configured to detect a parameter of a fluid moving through the flow path. The surgical evacuation system also includes a control circuit configured to direct the fluid along the first filtered path until a parameter detected by the sensor exceeds a stored threshold parameter. The control circuit is further configured to direct the fluid along the second filtration path when the parameter detected by the sensor exceeds the threshold parameter.

Example 62-the surgical drainage system of example 61, wherein the second filtration pathway comprises a fluid filter and a particulate filter, and wherein the first filtration pathway comprises the particulate filter and bypasses the fluid filter.

Example 63-the surgical drainage system of example 61, wherein the first filtration path comprises a first particulate filter and bypasses a second particulate filter, and wherein the second filtration path comprises the first particulate filter and the second particulate filter.

Embodiment 64-the surgical drainage system of embodiment 63, wherein the second particulate filter is a finer filter than the first particulate filter.

Example 65-the surgical drainage system of examples 61, 62, 63, or 64, wherein the flow path comprises a diverter valve movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the fluid is directed along the first filtration path when the diverter valve is in the first position, and wherein the fluid is directed along the second filtration path when the diverter valve is in the second position.

Example 66-the surgical drainage system of examples 61, 62, 63, 64, or 65, wherein the control circuit comprises a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, and wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to adjust operation of the motor when the parameter detected by the sensor exceeds a second threshold parameter.

Example 67-the surgical drainage system of examples 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, or 66, wherein the sensor comprises a laser particle counter.

Example 68-the surgical drainage system of examples 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, or 66, wherein the sensor comprises a continuity sensor.

Example 69-a surgical evacuation system comprising a pump, a motor operably coupled to the pump, and a flow path fluidly coupled to the pump. The flow path includes a first filtered path, a second filtered path, and a diverter valve movable between a first position and a second position. Directing fluid along the first filtration path when the diverter valve is in the first position. Directing fluid along the second filtering path when the diverter valve is in the second position. The surgical evacuation system also includes a sensor positioned along the flow path upstream of the pump. The sensor is configured to detect a parameter of the fluid moving through the flow path. The surgical evacuation system further includes a control circuit configured to control the diverter valve based on the parameter detected by the sensor.

Example 70-the surgical drainage system of example 69, wherein the second filtration path comprises a condenser and a particulate filter, and wherein the first filtration path comprises the particulate filter and bypasses the condenser.

Example 71-the surgical drainage system of example 69, wherein the first filtration path comprises a first particulate filter and bypasses a second particulate filter, and wherein the second filtration path comprises the first particulate filter and the second particulate filter.

Example 72-the surgical drainage system of example 71, wherein the second particulate filter is a finer filter than the first particulate filter.

Example 73-the surgical drainage system of examples 69, 70, 71, or 72, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust operation of the motor when the parameter detected by the sensor exceeds a threshold parameter.

Example 74-the surgical drainage system of examples 69, 70, 71, 72, or 73, wherein the control circuit comprises a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, and wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to control the diverter valve based on the parameter detected by the sensor.

Example 75-the surgical drainage system of examples 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, or 74, wherein the sensor comprises a laser particle counter.

Example 76-the surgical drainage system of examples 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, or 74, wherein the sensor comprises a continuity sensor.

Example 77-a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to detect a parameter of a fluid moving through a flow path of a surgical evacuation system. The flow path includes a first filtering path and a second filtering path. The computer readable instructions, when executed, further cause the machine to direct the fluid along the first filtration path until the parameter detected by the sensor exceeds a threshold parameter, and to direct the fluid along the second filtration path when the parameter detected by the sensor exceeds the threshold parameter.

Example 78-the non-transitory computer readable medium of example 77, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to transmit a signal to an electrically actuated ball valve diverter based on the parameter detected by the sensor, wherein when the electrically actuated ball valve diverter is in a first position, fluid is directed along the first filtration path, and wherein when the electrically actuated ball valve diverter is in a second position, the fluid is directed along the second filtration path.

Example 79-the non-transitory computer-readable medium of examples 77 or 78, wherein the second filtration path includes a fluid filter and a particulate filter, and wherein the first filtration path includes the particulate filter and bypasses the fluid filter.

Example 80-the non-transitory computer-readable medium of examples 77 or 78, wherein the first filtering path includes a first particulate filter and bypasses a second particulate filter, and wherein the second filtering path includes the first particulate filter and the second particulate filter.

Example 81-a surgical system comprising a surgical evacuation system. The surgical evacuation system includes a pump, a motor operably coupled to the pump, a flow path fluidly coupled to the pump, and a sensor positioned along the flow path. The sensor is configured to monitor a parameter of fluid flowing along the flow path. The surgical system also includes a generator operably configured to supply an energy waveform to the electrosurgical instrument. The surgical system also includes a control circuit configured to receive the parameter from the sensor and adjust the energy waveform supplied by the generator in response to the parameter received from the sensor.

Example 82-the surgical system of example 81, wherein the parameter is selected from the following list of parameters: temperature, particle concentration, aerosol percentage, and contaminant percentage.

Example 83-the surgical system of example 81, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust the speed of the motor when the parameter comprises a concentration of particles that exceeds a threshold concentration.

Example 84-the surgical system of examples 81, 82, or 83, wherein the control circuit comprises a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor, and wherein the processor is in signal communication with the sensor and the motor.

Example 85-the surgical system of examples 81, 82, 83, or 84, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust the energy waveform supplied by the generator when the parameter comprises a concentration of particles that exceeds a threshold.

Example 86-the surgical system of example 85, further comprising a surgical hub comprising a situational awareness module, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine the threshold at a plurality of steps in a surgical procedure based on input from the situational awareness module.

Example 87-the surgical system of examples 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85, further comprising an electrosurgical instrument, wherein the electrosurgical instrument comprises an actuator configured to receive an input corresponding to a requested energy level, and wherein the energy waveform supplied by the generator corresponds to the requested energy level unless the parameter exceeds a threshold.

Example 88-the surgical system of examples 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, or 87, further comprising a surgical hub comprising control circuitry, wherein the surgical hub further comprises a situational awareness module, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine a tissue type based on inputs from the situational awareness module and the sensors.

Example 89A surgical system comprising a surgical evacuation system. The surgical evacuation system includes a pump, a motor operably coupled to the pump, a flow path fluidly coupled to the pump, and a sensor positioned along the flow path. The sensor is configured to monitor a parameter of fluid flowing along the flow path. The surgical system also includes a generator operably configured to supply power to the electrosurgical instrument. The surgical system also includes a control circuit configured to receive the parameter from the sensor and to selectively adjust the power supplied by the generator based on the parameter received from the sensor.

Example 90-the surgical system of example 89, wherein the parameter is selected from the following list of parameters: temperature, particle concentration, aerosol percentage, and contaminant percentage.

Example 91-the surgical system of example 89, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust the power supplied by the generator to reduce a volume of smoke generated by the electrosurgical instrument when the parameter comprises a concentration of particles that exceeds a threshold.

Example 92-the surgical system of example 91, further comprising a surgical hub comprising a situational awareness module, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine the threshold at a plurality of steps in a surgical procedure based on input from the situational awareness module.

Example 93-the surgical system of examples 89, 90, 91, or 92, further comprising a surgical hub comprising a situational awareness module, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine an energy modality of the generator based on input from the situational awareness module.

Example 94-the surgical system of example 93, wherein the selected energy modality corresponds to a collagen to elastin ratio of tissue in the flow path.

Embodiment 95-a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to receive a parameter detected by a sensor. The sensor is positioned along a flow path of a surgical evacuation system and is configured to monitor the parameter of fluid flowing along the flow path. The surgical evacuation system also includes a pump fluidly coupled to the flow path and a motor operably coupled to the pump. The computer readable instructions, when executed, further cause the machine to selectively adjust power supplied by a generator to an electrosurgical instrument based on the parameter detected by the sensor.

Embodiment 96-the non-transitory computer-readable medium of embodiment 95, wherein the parameters are selected from the following list of parameters: temperature, particle concentration, aerosol percentage, and contaminant percentage.

Embodiment 97-the non-transitory computer readable medium of embodiment 95, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to adjust the power supplied by the generator when the parameter includes a concentration of particles that exceeds a threshold.

Embodiment 98-the non-transitory computer readable medium of embodiment 97, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to determine the threshold at multiple steps in a surgical procedure based on input from a situational awareness module.

Example 99-the non-transitory computer readable medium of examples 95, 96, 97, or 98, wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to determine an energy modality of the generator based on input from a situational awareness module.

Example 100-the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example 99, wherein the selected energy modality corresponds to a collagen to elastin ratio of tissue in the flow path.

Example 101-a surgical evacuation system, comprising a housing comprising a display; a pump; a motor operably coupled to the pump; a flow path fluidly coupled to the pump; and a sensor system. The sensor system includes an internal sensor positioned along the flow path. The secondary sensor is configured to monitor a first parameter of fluid flowing through the flow path. The sensor system also includes an external sensor positioned on the housing. The sensor is configured to monitor a second parameter of the fluid exiting the flow path. The surgical drainage system also includes a control circuit configured to query the internal sensor for the first parameter and the external sensor for the second parameter, analyze the first parameter and the second parameter to determine an efficiency level of the surgical drainage system, and display the determined efficiency level on the display.

Example 102-the surgical drainage system of example 101, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine a difference between the first parameter and the second parameter.

Example 103-the surgical drainage system of examples 101 or 1022, wherein the control circuit is configured to display an alarm on the display when the second parameter exceeds a threshold.

Example 104-the surgical drainage system of examples 101, 102, or 103, wherein the housing further comprises a filter receiver configured to receive a replaceable filter. The control circuit is configured to determine a status of the alternative filter based on the determined efficiency level and display the status of the alternative filter on the display.

Example 105-the surgical drainage system of example 104, wherein the status of the replaceable filter comprises a remaining useful life of the replaceable filter.

Example 106-the surgical drainage system of examples 104 or 105, further comprising the replaceable filter.

Example 107-the surgical drainage system of examples 104, 105, or 106, further comprising a latch door removably covering the filter receiver.

Example 108-the surgical drainage system of examples 104, 105, 106, or 107, wherein the internal sensor comprises a first particle counter upstream of the filter receiver, and wherein the external sensor comprises a second particle counter downstream of the filter receiver.

Example 109-the surgical drainage system of examples 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, or 108, wherein the control circuit comprises a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine an efficiency level.

Example 110-a surgical evacuation system, comprising a housing. The housing includes a motor and a pump configured to generate a flow. The surgical evacuation system also includes a flow path through the housing and an external sensor positioned on the housing. The external sensor is configured to monitor a parameter of the fluid exiting the flow path. The surgical drainage system also includes a control circuit configured to interrogate the external sensor over time to determine the parameter, analyze the parameter over time, and adjust the flow over time based on the parameter.

Example 111-the surgical drainage system of example 110, wherein the control circuit is configured to increase the flow rate when the parameter exceeds a threshold.

Example 112-the surgical drainage system of examples 110 or 111, wherein the control circuit is configured to activate the pump to generate a flow rate when the parameter reaches a threshold.

Example 113-the surgical drainage system of examples 110, 111, or 112, further comprising a situational awareness module communicatively coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to predict the parameter based on input from the situational awareness module.

Example 114-the surgical drainage system of examples 110, 111, 112, or 113, wherein the control circuit comprises a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor.

Example 115-the surgical drainage system of examples 110, 111, 112, 113, or 114, wherein the parameter comprises a particle concentration.

Embodiment 116-a surgical evacuation system, comprising a display; a pump; a motor operably coupled to the pump; a flow path fluidly coupled to the pump; and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a sensor configured to monitor a parameter of fluid exiting the flow path. The surgical drainage system also includes a control circuit configured to interrogate the sensor for the parameter and provide an alert when the parameter exceeds a threshold.

Example 117-the surgical evacuation system of example 116, further comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the flow path extends between the inlet and the outlet, and wherein the display is positioned on the housing.

Example 118-the surgical evacuation system of example 117, wherein the sensor is positioned on the housing.

Example 119-the surgical drainage system of examples 116, 117, or 118, wherein the control circuit comprises a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores the threshold and instructions executable by the processor.

Example 120-the surgical drainage system of examples 116, 117, 118, or 119, wherein the parameter comprises a concentration of particles in a surgical operating room.

While several forms have been illustrated and described, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents of these forms can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and will occur to those skilled in the art. Further, the structure of each element associated with the described forms may alternatively be described as a means for providing the function performed by the element. In addition, where materials for certain components are disclosed, other materials may also be used. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing detailed description and appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, combinations and variations as fall within the scope of the disclosed forms of the invention. It is intended that the following claims cover all such modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various forms of the devices and/or methods via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the forms disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in 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 as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the electronic circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or hardware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as one or more program products in a variety of forms, and that an exemplary form of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media used to actually carry out the distribution.

Instructions for programming logic to perform the various disclosed aspects may be stored within a memory within a system, such as a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), cache, flash memory, or other memory. Further, the instructions may be distributed via a network or by other computer readable media. Thus, a machine-readable medium may include a mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, read-only memories (CD-ROMs), magneto-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), Random Access Memories (RAMs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or a tangible, machine-readable storage device used in transmitting information over the internet via electrical, optical, acoustical or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Thus, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes any type of tangible machine-readable medium suitable for storing or transmitting electronic instructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).

As used in any aspect herein, the term "control circuitry" can refer to, for example, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry (e.g., a computer processor that includes one or more separate instruction processing cores, processing units, processors, microcontrollers, microcontroller units, controllers, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Programmable Logic Arrays (PLAs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)), state machine circuitry, firmware that stores instructions executed by programmable circuitry, and any combination thereof. The control circuitry may be collectively or individually embodied as circuitry forming 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, a smartphone, or the like. Thus, as used herein, "control circuitry" includes, but is not limited to, electronic circuitry having at least one discrete circuit, electronic circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electronic circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electronic circuitry forming a general purpose computing device constructed from a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer constructed from a computer program that implements, at least in part, the methods and/or apparatus described herein, or a microprocessor constructed from a computer program that implements, at least in part, the methods and/or apparatus described herein), electronic circuitry forming memory means (e.g., forming random access memory), and/or electronic circuitry forming communication means (e.g., a modem, a communication switch, or an optoelectronic device). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion, or some combination thereof.

As used in any aspect herein, the term "logic" may refer to an application, software, firmware, and/or circuitry configured to be capable of performing any of the foregoing operations. The software may be embodied as a software package, code, instructions, instruction sets, and/or data recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions or instruction sets and/or data that are hard-coded (e.g., non-volatile) in a memory device.

As used in any aspect herein, the terms "device," "system," "module," and the like can refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, or software in execution.

An "algorithm," as used in any aspect herein, is a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result, wherein "step" refers to the manipulation of physical quantities and/or logical states which may (but are not necessarily) take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. And are used to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. These and similar terms may be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities and/or conditions.

The network may comprise a packet switched network. The communication devices may be capable of communicating with each other using the selected packet switched network communication protocol. One exemplary communication protocol may include an ethernet communication protocol that may allow communication using the transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP). The ethernet protocol may conform to or be compatible with the ethernet standard entitled "IEEE 802.3 standard" promulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) at 12 months 2008 and/or higher versions of this standard. Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may be capable of communicating with each other using an x.25 communication protocol. The x.25 communication protocol may conform to or conform to standards promulgated by the international telecommunication union, telecommunication standardization sector (ITU-T). Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may be capable of communicating with each other using a frame relay communication protocol. The frame relay communication protocol may conform to or conform to standards promulgated by the international committee for telephone and telephone negotiations (CCITT) and/or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Alternatively or additionally, the transceivers may be capable of communicating with each other using an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communication protocol. The ATM communication protocol may conform to or be compatible with the ATM standard entitled "ATM-MPLS network interworking 2.0" promulgated by the ATM forum at 8 months 2001 and/or higher versions of that standard. Of course, different and/or later-developed connection-oriented network communication protocols are also contemplated herein.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the above discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the above disclosure, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "displaying" or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

One or more components may be referred to herein as "configured to be able," "configurable to be able," "operable/operable," "adapted/adaptable," "able," "conformable/conformal," or the like. Those skilled in the art will recognize that "configured to be able to" may generally encompass components in an active state and/or components in an inactive state and/or components in a standby state unless the context indicates otherwise.

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

Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claims. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); this also applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Further, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended to have a meaning that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B and C" would include, but not be limited to, systems having a alone, B alone, C, A and B together alone, a and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "A, B or at least one of C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended to have a meaning that one of skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B or C" would include but not be limited to systems having a alone, B alone, C, A and B together alone, a and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B and C together, etc.). It will also be understood by those within the art that, in general, disjunctive words and/or phrases having two or more alternative terms, whether appearing in the detailed description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to encompass the possibility of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, the phrase "a or B" will generally be understood to include the possibility of "a" or "B" or "a and B".

Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the appended claims that the operations recited therein may generally be performed in any order. In addition, while the various operational flow diagrams are listed in sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other sequences than the illustrated sequences, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternative orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preliminary, complementary, simultaneous, reverse, or other altered orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, unless the context dictates otherwise, terms like "responsive," "related," or other past adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variations.

It is worthy to note that any reference to "an aspect," "an example" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one aspect," "in an example" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

Any patent applications, patents, non-patent publications or other published materials mentioned in this specification and/or listed in any application data sheet are herein incorporated by reference, to the extent that the incorporated materials are not inconsistent herewith. Thus, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

In summary, a number of benefits resulting from employing the concepts described herein have been described. The foregoing detailed description of one or more forms has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The form or forms selected and described are to be illustrative of the principles and practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the form or forms and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The claims as filed herewith are intended to define the full scope.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

utilizing a drainage system comprising a processor communicatively coupled to a surgical hub;

obtaining a parameter indicative of a characteristic of fluid evacuated from a surgical site; and

communicating the parameters to the surgical hub.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the parameter comprises at least one of: detecting a concentration of particles in the fluid, detecting a percentage of aerosol in the fluid, detecting a percentage of contaminants in the fluid, and detecting a temperature of the fluid.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the evacuation system further comprises a pump and a motor operably configured to drive the pump, the method further comprising automatically adjusting a speed of the pump based on the parameter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the surgical hub comprises a control circuit configured to:

determining an adjusted speed of the pump based on the parameter; and is

Communicating the adjusted speed to the processor.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving an operator input corresponding to a requested pump speed; and is

Operating the motor at the requested pump speed unless the parameter exceeds a threshold parameter.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

monitoring a functional parameter of the motor; and is

Communicating the functional parameter to the surgical hub.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the surgical hub comprises a control circuit configured to:

optimizing an operating parameter of a surgical device communicatively coupled to the surgical hub based on the parameter; and is

Communicating the optimized operating parameter to the surgical device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein optimizing the operating parameters of the surgical device comprises determining an optimal generator waveform for an electrosurgical device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the surgical hub includes a situational awareness module, and wherein determining the optimal generator waveform for the electrosurgical device includes the step of the situational awareness module determining a surgical procedure.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving an operator input corresponding to a requested power level of the surgical device; and is

Operating the surgical device at the requested power level unless the parameter exceeds a threshold parameter.

11. A method, comprising:

utilizing a pumping system comprising a pump and a motor operably configured to drive the pump;

monitoring a parameter of the motor; and

communicating the parameters to a surgical hub.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the evacuation system further comprises a sensor and a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and the motor, wherein the processor is configured to:

receiving a signal from the sensor, wherein the signal is indicative of a characteristic of the fluid being evacuated by the evacuation system; and is

Adjusting a speed of the motor based on the signal.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the processor automatically communicating the signal to the surgical hub.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising communicating the speed of the motor to the surgical hub.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the signal indicative of the characteristic of the fluid comprises at least one of: a concentration of particles in the fluid, a percentage of aerosol in the fluid, a percentage of contaminants in the fluid, and a temperature of the fluid.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein adjusting the speed of the motor comprises increasing a revolutions per minute of the motor when the signal indicates a particle concentration that exceeds a threshold.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein adjusting the speed of the motor comprises operating the motor at a minimum speed when the signal indicates a particle concentration below a minimum value.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the surgical hub comprises a control circuit configured to:

optimizing an operating parameter of a surgical device communicatively coupled to the surgical hub based on the parameter of the motor; and is

Communicating the optimized operating parameter to the surgical device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein optimizing the operating parameters of the surgical device comprises determining an optimal generator waveform for an electrosurgical device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the surgical hub comprises a situational awareness module, and wherein determining the optimal generator waveform for the electrosurgical device comprises the step of the situational awareness module determining a surgical procedure.