# US 11,998,258 B2 · Energy module for driving multiple energy modalities

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- Number: US 11,998,258 B2
- Document ID: US11998258B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/562,180
- Filed: 2019-09-05
- Published: 2020-03-12
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2018-09-07
- Assignees: Cilag GmbH International
- Applicants: Cilag GmbH International
- Inventors: Joshua Henderson; Joshua P. Morgan; Eitan T. Wiener; Ryan M. Asher; Brendan J. Oberkircher; John B. Schulte; John E. Hein; James R. Hoch
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998258B2

## CPC

- A61B 18/00: Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body (eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00)
- A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
- A61B 17/320068: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic (A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745)}
- A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw}
- A61B 18/12: by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
- A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor}
- A61B 18/1233: {with circuits for assuring patient safety}
- A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor
- A61B 18/1442: {Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps}
- A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod}
- A61B 18/16: Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding
- A61B 34/20: Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
- A61B 34/25: {User interfaces for surgical systems}
- A61B 34/35: for telesurgery
- A61B 34/74: {Manipulators with manual electric input means}
- A61B 50/13: Trolleys{, e.g. carts}
- A61B 50/22: Racks
- A61B 90/361: {Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras}
- A61B 90/90: Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
- A61B 90/98: using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
- G06F 8/65: Updates (security arrangements therefor G06F21/57)
- G16H 20/40: relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
- G16H 40/63: for local operation
- H01R 43/26: for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device (structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629)
- H04B 5/72: for local intradevice communication
- H04L 49/25: Routing or path finding in a switch fabric
- H04L 63/0227: {Filtering policies (mail message filtering H04L51/212)}
- H04L 63/0245: {Filtering by information in the payload}
- H04L 67/10: in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network (software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46)
- H04L 67/12: specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
- H04L 67/52: specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
- H04M 1/72406: by software upgrading or downloading
- H05K 5/30: Side-by-side or stacked arrangements
- A61B 5/021: Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels
- A61B 17/00: Surgical instruments, devices or methods (A61B18/00 takes precedence; dental tools A61C3/00; eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/20)
- A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially}
- A61B 34/30: Surgical robots
- A61B 34/37: Leader-follower robots (A61B34/35 takes precedence)
- A61B 34/76: {Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback}
- A61B 50/24: Stands (Mayo stands A61B50/15)
- A61B 90/30: Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
- A61B 90/37: {Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation}
- A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments}
- A61B 2017/00026: {Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue}
- A61B 2017/00119: {alarm; indicating an abnormal situation}
- A61B 2017/00123: {and automatic shutdown}
- A61B 2017/00194: {Means for setting or varying the repetition rate}
- A61B 2017/00199: {with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display}
- A61B 2017/00221: {with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves}
- A61B 2017/00225: {Systems for controlling multiple different instruments, e.g. microsurgical systems}
- A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like}
- A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids}
- A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00482: {with a code}
- A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing}
- A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated}
- A61B 2017/00973: {pedal-operated}
- A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil}
- A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge}
- A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter}
- A61B 2017/320074: {blade}
- A61B 2018/00178: {Electrical connectors}
- A61B 2018/00208: {actively driven, e.g. by a motor}
- A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation}
- A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting}
- A61B 2018/00613: {Irreversible electroporation}
- A61B 2018/00619: {Welding}
- A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing}
- A61B 2018/00642: {with feedback, i.e. closed loop control}
- A61B 2018/00672: {lower}
- A61B 2018/00702: {Power or energy}
- A61B 2018/00708: {switching the power on or off}
- A61B 2018/0072: {Current}
- A61B 2018/00732: {Frequency}
- A61B 2018/00755: {Resistance or impedance}
- A61B 2018/00767: {Voltage}
- A61B 2018/00779: {Power or energy}
- A61B 2018/00827: {Current}
- A61B 2018/00839: {Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG}
- A61B 2018/00845: {Frequency}
- A61B 2018/00875: {Resistance or impedance}
- A61B 2018/00892: {Voltage}
- A61B 2018/00898: {Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition}
- A61B 2018/00916: {with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device}
- A61B 2018/0094: {Types of switches or controllers}
- A61B 2018/00958: {for switching between different working modes of the main function}
- A61B 2018/00994: {combining two or more different kinds of non-mechanical energy or combining one or more non-mechanical energies with ultrasound}
- A61B 2018/1226: {powered by a battery}
- A61B 2018/124: {switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially}
- A61B 2018/1253: {monopolar}
- A61B 2018/126: {bipolar}
- A61B 2018/1266: {with DC current output}
- A61B 2018/1273: {including multiple generators in one device}
- A61B 2018/128: {generating two or more frequencies}
- A61B 2018/1286: {having a specific transformer}
- A61B 2018/1293: {having means to prevent interference}
- A61B 2018/1452: {including means for cutting (A61B2018/146 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws}
- A61B 2018/165: {Multiple indifferent electrodes}
- A61B 2034/2046: {Tracking techniques}
- A61B 2034/2048: {using an accelerometer or inertia sensor}
- A61B 2034/2051: {Electromagnetic tracking systems}
- A61B 2034/2055: {Optical tracking systems}
- A61B 2034/2059: {Mechanical position encoders}
- A61B 2034/256: {having a database of accessory information, e.g. including context sensitive help or scientific articles}
- A61B 2034/301: {for introducing or steering flexible instruments inserted into the body, e.g. catheters or endoscopes}
- A61B 2034/302: {specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities}
- A61B 2034/305: {Details of wrist mechanisms at distal ends of robotic arms}
- A61B 2034/742: {Joysticks}
- A61B 2034/743: {Keyboards}
- A61B 2034/744: {Mouse}
- A61B 2090/061: {for measuring dimensions, e.g. length}
- A61B 2090/064: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension}
- A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure}
- A61B 2090/066: {for measuring torque}
- A61B 2090/0804: {Counting number of instruments used; Instrument detectors}
- A61B 2090/0805: {automatically, e.g. by means of magnetic, optical or photoelectric detectors}
- A61B 2090/0818: {Redundant systems, e.g. using two independent measuring systems and comparing the signals}
- A61B 2090/371: {with simultaneous use of two cameras}
- A61B 2090/378: {using ultrasound}
- A61B 2217/005: with suction drainage system
- A61B 2217/007: with irrigation system
- A61B 2218/002: Irrigation
- A61B 2218/006: for smoke evacuation
- A61B 2218/007: Aspiration
- A61B 2218/008: for smoke evacuation
- A61B 2560/0443: Modular apparatus
- A61B 2560/0456: Apparatus provided with a docking unit
- H01R 2201/12: for medicine and surgery
- H04L 27/04: Modulator circuits; Transmitter circuits
- H05K 5/0026: {provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units}
- H05K 5/0065: {wherein modules are associated together, e.g. electromechanical assemblies, modular structures}
- H05K 7/023: {Stackable modules}
- Y02D 30/70: in wireless communication networks
- Y04S 40/18: Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H04B: TRANSMISSION
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08)
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
- Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS

## Abstract

An energy module for driving electrosurgical and/or ultrasonic surgical instruments is disclosed. The energy module can include an amplifier assembly that is configured to drive a variety of different energy modalities for one or more surgical instruments connected thereto. The energy module can further include a relay assembly for selectively coupling one or more of the amplifiers to different ports to which the surgical instruments are connectable. The amplifier assembly can include amplifiers for driving ultrasonic, bipolar, and/or monopolar energy.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An energy module of a modular energy system, the energy module configured to connect to a surgical instrument, the energy module comprising:
a first port;
a second port;
a third port;
a fourth port;
a first amplifier coupled to the first port, the first amplifier configured to generate a first electrical signal for driving an ultrasonic surgical assembly;
a second amplifier coupled to the first port, the second amplifier configured to generate a second electrical signal for driving a bipolar electrosurgical assembly;
a third amplifier configured to generate a third electrical signal for driving a monopolar electrosurgical assembly;
a relay assembly coupled to the third amplifier, the first port, the second port, and the third port, the relay assembly comprising:
a first relay to selectively couple the third amplifier to the first port to transmit the third electrical signal to the first port;
a second relay to selectively couple the third amplifier to the second port to transmit the third electrical signal to the second port; and
a third relay to selectively couple the third amplifier to the third port to transmit the third electrical signal to the third port; and
a fourth amplifier coupled to the fourth port, the fourth amplifier configured to generate a fourth electrical signal for driving a bipolar electrosurgical assembly.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The energy module of claim 1, wherein:
the first port comprises:
a first contact coupled to the first amplifier;
a second contact coupled to the second amplifier; and
a third contact coupled to the third amplifier;
the third contact is separated from each of the first contact and the second contact by a distance configured to prevent electrical arcing between the third contact and each of the first contact and the second contact.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The energy module of claim 1, wherein the first amplifier comprises an ultrasonic amplifier, the second amplifier comprises a bipolar amplifier, and the third amplifier comprises a monopolar amplifier.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The energy module of claim 1, wherein the third amplifier comprises a monopolar amplifier, the energy module further comprising a fifth port electrically coupled to the monopolar amplifier, the fifth port configured to be connected to a monopolar return pad that serves as an electrical return for the monopolar amplifier.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The energy module of claim 1, further comprising an isolation transformer coupled to each of the first amplifier, the second amplifier, the third amplifier, and the fourth amplifier, each respective isolation transformer configured to transmit the respective electrical signal from each respective amplifier.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The energy module of claim 1, further comprising a control circuit coupled to the relay assembly, the control circuit configured to control the relay assembly to selectively couple the third amplifier to the first port or at least one of the second or third ports.

### Claim 7

An energy module circuit for an energy module of a modular energy system, the energy module comprising a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port, the energy module circuit comprising:
a first circuit portion configured to generate a first electrical signal for driving an ultrasonic surgical assembly that is coupled to the first port;
a second circuit portion configured to generate a second electrical signal for driving a bipolar electrosurgical assembly that is coupled to the first port;
a third circuit portion configured to generate a third electrical signal for driving a monopolar electrosurgical assembly;
a relay assembly coupled to the third circuit portion, the relay assembly configured to selectively transmit the third electrical signal to the first port, selectively transmit the third electrical signal to the second port, and selectively transmit the third electrical signal to the third port; and
a fourth circuit portion configured to generate a fourth electrical signal for driving a bipolar electrosurgical assembly that is coupled to the fourth port.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The energy module circuit of claim 7, wherein the first circuit portion comprise:
an ultrasonic amplifier, the second circuit portion comprises a bipolar amplifier, and the third circuit portion comprises a monopolar amplifier.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The energy module circuit of claim 7, wherein:
the energy module further comprises a fifth port, the fifth port configured to be connecter to a monopolar return pad; and
the third circuit portion comprises a monopolar amplifier that is electrically coupled to the fifth port to serve as an electrical return for the monopolar amplifier.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The energy module circuit of claim 7, wherein each of the first circuit portion, the second circuit portion, the third circuit portion, and the fourth circuit portion comprises an isolation transformer configured to transmit the electrical signal generated by each respective circuit portion.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The energy module circuit of claim 7, further comprising a control circuit coupled to the relay assembly, the control circuit configured to control the relay assembly to selectively couple the third circuit portion to the first port or at least one of the second or third ports.

### Claim 12

An energy module of a modular energy system, comprising:
a port assembly comprising:
a first port configured to connect to a first surgical instrument;
a second port configured to connect to a second surgical instrument; and
a third port configured to connect to a third surgical instrument; and
a circuit coupled to the port assembly, comprising:
a first amplifier configured to generate a first electrical signal at a first frequency range;
a second amplifier configured to generate a second electrical signal at a second frequency range;
a third amplifier configured to generate a third electrical signal at a third frequency range;
wherein the first electrical signal comprises an ultrasonic drive signal, the second electrical signal comprises a bipolar drive signal, and the third electrical signal comprises a monopolar drive signal; wherein the circuit is configured to:
selectively deliver the first electrical signal to the first surgical instrument via the first port;
selectively deliver the second electrical signal to the first surgical instrument via first port;
selectively deliver the third electrical signal to the first surgical instrument via the the first port;
selectively deliver the third electrical signal to the second surgical instrument via the second port; and
selectively deliver the third electrical signal to the third surgical instrument via the third port.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The energy module of claim 12, wherein:
the first port comprises:
a first contact coupled to the first amplifier;
a second contact coupled to the second amplifier; and
a third contact coupled to the third amplifier;
the third contact is separated from each of the first contact and the second contact by a distance configured to prevent electrical arcing between the third contact and each of the first contact and the second contact.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The energy module of claim 12, further comprising a monopolar return port configured to be connected to a monopolar return pad that serves as an electrical return for the monopolar drive signal.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The energy module of claim 12, wherein the circuit further comprises a plurality of isolation transformers configured to transmit each of the first electrical signal, the second electrical signal, and the third electrical signal from a non-patient isolated portion of the circuit to a patient isolated portion of the circuit.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The energy module of claim 12, wherein the circuit is further configured to concurrently deliver the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal to the first surgical instrument via the first port.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The energy module of claim 12, wherein the circuit is further configured to concurrently deliver the first electrical signal and the third electrical signal to the first surgical instrument via the first port.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The energy module of claim 12, wherein the first frequency range of the first electrical signal is a nontherapeutic frequency configured to vibrate an end effector of the first surgical instrument to prevent tissue adhesion to the end effector.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The energy module of claim 12, wherein the second frequency range of the second electrical signal is a nontherapeutic frequency configured for sensing tissue properties via an end effector of the first surgical instrument.