Patent ID: 11923084
Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A  G  H  Y | IPC A  G

Claim 8:
9. A communication circuit, in a primary surgical instrument comprising:
a first control circuit configured to allow the primary surgical instrument to communicate with an energy module using at least a first protocol over a first communication line; and
a second control circuit configured to allow the primary surgical instrument to communicate with one or more secondary surgical instruments, the one or more secondary surgical instruments coupled to the communication circuit using at least a second protocol over a second communication line;
wherein the first control circuit comprises:
a communication logic circuit coupled to the first communication line and to the second control circuit;
a local processor coupled to the communication logic circuit; and
a multiplexer having inputs coupled to the local processor and the second control circuit, and an output coupled to the communication logic circuit;
wherein the communication logic circuit is configured to:
receive a message from the energy module over the first communication line;
provide a recognized message to the local processor for local processing; and
provide an unrecognized message to the second control circuit for processing.