Control of multiple generators for surgical devices

A method for controlling a plurality of surgical devices includes: receiving a foot pedal signal indicating a foot pedal activation of a first foot pedal of a plurality of foot pedals; generating a control signal based on the foot pedal signal, wherein: if the foot pedal signal indicates that only the first foot pedal is pressed, then generating the control signal to cause a generator to activate a first surgical device associated with the first foot pedal; if the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal remains pressed and a second foot pedal is newly pressed, then generating the control signal to cause the generator to: maintain activation of the first surgical device associated with the first foot pedal; and not activate a second surgical device associated with the second foot pedal; and outputting the control signal to the generator.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the control of multiple separate generators. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, this disclosure relates to devices and methods for controlling multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform.

BACKGROUND

Generators are used during surgery to provide energy to surgical devices. In some instances, a surgery may require multiple generators to power multiple surgical devices, e.g., a generator for delivering core energy to surgical devices and a generator for delivering advanced energy to surgical devices. Typically, the multiple generators are external, separate, third-party generators that are not equipped to communicate with one another. Using multiple generators to power multiple surgical devices raises safety considerations and technical challenges in preventing the multiple generators from activating multiple surgical devices simultaneously.

SUMMARY

Various examples are described for devices and methods for controlling multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform. One example method includes receiving a foot pedal signal indicating a foot pedal activation of a first foot pedal of a plurality of foot pedals; generating a control signal based on the foot pedal signal, wherein: if the foot pedal signal indicates that only the first foot pedal is pressed, then generating the control signal to cause a generator to activate a first surgical device associated with the first foot pedal; if the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal remains pressed and a second foot pedal is newly pressed, then generating the control signal to cause the generator to: maintain activation of the first surgical device associated with the first foot pedal; and not activate a second surgical device associated with the second foot pedal; and if the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal is released while the second foot pedal remains pressed, then generating the control signal to cause the generator to: deactivate the first surgical device associated with the first foot pedal, and not activate the second surgical device associated with the second foot pedal; and outputting the control signal to the generator.

One example system includes a plurality of foot pedals; at least one generator; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the plurality of foot pedals and the at least one generator, the at least one processor configured to: receive a foot pedal signal indicating a foot pedal activation of a first foot pedal of the plurality of foot pedals; generate a control signal based on the foot pedal signal, wherein: if the foot pedal signal indicates that only the first foot pedal is pressed, then generating the control signal to cause the at least one generator to activate a first surgical device associated with the first foot pedal; if the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal remains pressed and a second foot pedal is newly pressed, then generating the control signal to cause the at least one generator to: maintain activation of the first surgical device associated with the first foot pedal; and not activate a second surgical device associated with the second foot pedal; and if the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal is released while the second foot pedal remains pressed, then generating the control signal to cause the at least one generator to: deactivate the first surgical device associated with the first foot pedal; and not activate the second surgical device associated with the second foot pedal; and outputting the control signal to the at least one generator.

These illustrative examples are mentioned not to limit or define the scope of this disclosure, but rather to provide examples to aid understanding thereof. Illustrative examples are discussed in the Detailed Description, which provides further description. Advantages offered by various examples may be further understood by examining this specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples are described herein in the context of devices and methods for controlling multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of examples as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like items.

To provide consistent and predictable surgical practices, it may be desirable to control multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform. Examples according to this disclosure can provide for the control of multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform.

In an illustrative example, a surgical system includes a surgeon console that the surgeon interacts with during a surgery. The surgeon console includes at least two foot pedals that a surgeon can press to activate different energy tools as needed during a surgery. The pedals provide signals to a processor that then determines which energy tool to activate or deactivate.

One of the problems surgeons encounter using foot pedals is that the surgeon may inadvertently press two (or more) pedals at the same time. In general, only one energy tool should be used at a time. Thus, activating a second energy tool may be unexpected by the surgeon, especially if the pedal press was inadvertent, and may injure the patient. Thus, the system includes software to properly manage foot pedal presses to ensure that only one energy tool is active at a time, even if multiple foot pedals are pressed.

For example, if the foot pedal signal indicates that only a single foot pedal is pressed, the software will generate a control signal to activate the surgical device corresponding to the pressed foot pedal. But if the foot pedal signal indicates that a first foot pedal is pressed and remains pressed while a second foot pedal is newly pressed, then the software will generate a control signal that causes the one generator to remain active but does not activate the surgical device that is associated with the second foot pedal. Further, to ensure smooth and intentional transitions between energy tools, the software will not allow transition to a different energy pedal unless certain conditions are met. In this case, if the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal is released while the second foot pedal remains pressed, then the software will generate a control signal to deactivate the surgical device associated with the first foot pedal and to not activate the surgical device that is associated with the second foot pedal. In other words, if the surgeon wants to switch energy tools, she must deactivate one tool before attempting to activate a different tool.

One advantage of using this software to control the activation of the surgical devices via the generators is that it ensures that at most only one surgical device will be activated. In addition, this software also allows for a consistent approach to handling multiple foot pedal presses even when multiple separate, external generators not capable of communicating between each other are used. Additionally, the software meets clinical requirements for how to handle multiple foot pedal presses (e.g. if a first pedal is pressed and a second pedal is pressed, the generator maintains the activation of the surgical device corresponding to the first pedal until the first pedal is released after which no surgical device is activated).

This illustrative example is given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and the disclosure is not limited to this example. The following sections describe various additional non-limiting examples and examples of systems and methods for controlling multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform.

Referring now toFIG. 1,FIG. 1shows an example system100for controlling multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform. The system100includes a surgeon console110, which includes multiple foot pedals112and a first processor114, a second processor120, a foot pedal interface board130, a first generator140, a second generator150, a surgical platform160, which includes a first surgical device162, a second surgical device164, a third surgical device166, and a fourth surgical device168, and a feedback device170.

In some examples, the surgeon console110is where a surgeon may sit to control the activation of the surgical devices of the surgical platform160using the foot pedals112. An example of a foot pedal device is shown inFIG. 2. The example foot pedal device200includes four separate foot pedals, first foot pedal210, second foot pedal220, third foot pedal230, and fourth foot pedal240. The foot pedals210-240are arranged in a two-by-two pattern on the foot pedal device200. However, the foot pedals210-240may be arranged in any suitable pattern and may be organized in any suitable order, e.g., the first foot pedal210may be in the lower left hand corner of the foot pedal device200, the second foot pedal220may be in the upper left hand corner of the foot pedal device200, the third foot pedal230may be in the upper right hand corner of the foot pedal device200, and the fourth foot pedal240may be in the lower right hand corner of the foot pedal device200. Additionally, the foot pedal device200may include any suitable number of foot pedals, such as one foot pedal, two foot pedals, three foot pedals, etc.

The foot pedals210-240each include a proximity sensor250. In some examples the proximity sensor250may be an optical sensor. The proximity sensor250may detect whether an object, such as a user's foot, is located near the foot pedal210-240, e.g., a surgeon's foot is hovering over the pedal. The proximity sensor250transmits sensor signals to either the first processor114or the second processor120to indicate whether the proximity sensor250detects the presence of an object near or proximate to one of the foot pedals210-240. In some examples, the proximity sensor250may not be included on each of the foot pedals210-240found on the foot pedal device200. In other examples, the foot pedal device200may not include any proximity sensors250on the foot pedals210-240.

In some examples, the proximity sensors250may provide the sensor signals to indicates that an object, e.g., the surgeon's foot, is near the pedal or the sensor signals may be used in conjunction with a foot pedal signal generated by the foot pedals210-240, or in some examples by the foot pedal device200, to detect a possible error condition relating to the pressing of one or more foot pedals210-240. For example, if the foot pedal signal indicates a pedal press, but the sensor signal indicates that no object is in the proximity of the pressed pedal, an error may be detected and communicated to the surgeon or other staff in an operating room.

Referring again toFIG. 1, the foot pedals112may be the foot pedals210-240of the foot pedal device200discussed in relation toFIG. 2. In some examples, the foot pedals112may include multiple foot pedal devices200, each having one or more foot pedals210-240as described above.

The foot pedals112or the foot pedal device200may be communicatively coupled to the first processor114using any suitable wired or wireless connection, such as a USB cable, Ethernet, IEEE 1394, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, radio interfaces for accessing cellular telephone networks (e.g., transceiver/antenna for accessing a CDMA, GSM, UMTS, or other mobile communications network(s)), etc. For example, the foot pedals112may be communicatively coupled to the first processor114using a USB cable. Thus, when one or more foot pedals are pressed by a surgeon, the foot pedal device200transmits one or more foot pedal signals to the first processor114via the USB connection to indicate that the one or more foot pedals are pressed. These foot pedal signals may be used to determine which surgical device162-168should be activated or deactivated.

The first processor114is communicatively coupled to the second processor120, again using any suitable wired or wireless connection as described above. For example, the first processor114may be communicatively coupled to the second processor120via a local area network. As described earlier in reference toFIG. 2, the first processor114or the second processor120may also receive sensor signals from the proximity sensor250. The processor114or120may then generate an error feedback signal based in part on the sensor signal and the foot pedal signal when the signals indicate that the foot pedal is pressed while the presence of an object is not detected in the proximity of the pressed foot pedal. The error feedback signal may then be output to the feedback device170. The feedback device170may be configured to output any suitable form of feedback, including audio feedback, visual feedback, tactile feedback, etc. Additionally, while the feedback device170is shown as a separate device inFIG. 1, the feedback device170may be incorporated into any of the devices included in the system100, such as the surgeon console110, the foot pedals112, the foot pedal interface board130, the first generator140, the second generator150, the surgical platform160, the first surgical device162, the second surgical device164, the third surgical device166, the fourth surgical device168, etc.

In some examples, the first processor114and the second processor120are separate from one another, as is shown inFIG. 1. The separate first processor114and second processor120may be integrated into two separate computing devices500, where the computing device500is discussed in more detail below in reference toFIG. 5, or the first processor114and the second processor120may be integrated into a single computing device500. Additionally, any suitable number of separate processors may be added and incorporated into the system100, e.g., a third processor, a fourth processor, a fifth processor, etc. WhileFIG. 1shows the first processor114and the second processor120, it is also understood that only a single processor may be used in the system100to control multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform.

In some examples, the first processor114may also be communicatively coupled to the surgical platform160. The surgical platform160includes a plurality of surgical devices, e.g., a first surgical device162, a second surgical device164, a third surgical device166, and a fourth surgical device168. In some examples, each surgical device162-168may be mechanically coupled to a robotic arm that can control the movement and positioning of the surgical devices162-168. WhileFIG. 1shows four surgical devices as part of the surgical platform160, any suitable number of surgical devices may be included on the surgical platform160, e.g., fewer than four pedals, or examples that may include a fifth surgical device, a sixth surgical device, a seventh surgical device, etc. Typically, the number of surgical devices included on the surgical platform160corresponds to the number of foot pedals112in the system100; however, in some systems, the number of surgical devices included on the surgical platform160may differ from the number of foot pedals112.

The first processor114may receive at least one surgical device signal from the surgical platform160. The surgical device signal may indicate which surgical device is associated with which foot pedal112. The surgical device signal may also indicate that the surgical devices162-168are correctly connected to the surgical platform160and are functioning properly.

In some examples, the second processor120determines and generates a control signal based on the foot pedal signal. The control signal may be determined and generated using software implemented by the second processor120. For example, the state machine shown inFIG. 3, and discussed in further detail below, may be implemented by the second processor120to determine and generate the control signal.

The second processor120is communicatively coupled to a foot pedal interface board130, and the foot pedal interface board130is communicatively coupled to a first generator140and a second generator150. While only two generators140,150are shown inFIG. 1, any suitable number of generators may be used to power the surgical devices162-168of the surgical platform160, e.g., a third generator, a fourth generator, a fifth generator, etc. The foot pedal interface board130receives the control signal from the second processor120and transmits the control signal to one or more of the first generator140or the second generator150based on the control signal. The first generator140and the second generator150may then output a suitable energy type, e.g., monopolar core energy, bipolar core energy, or advanced energy, to a single or multiple surgical device(s)162-168to either activate or de-activate the surgical devices162-168so that only a single surgical device is activated at one time.

Referring now toFIG. 3,FIG. 3shows an example state machine300for controlling multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform. As discussed above in relation toFIG. 1, the state machine300may be implemented in a processor, such as second processor120, so that the state machine300functions as part of the system100. The state machine300in this example has four different states: an invalid state310, a hold state320, a single press active state330, and a multiple press active state340. However, the state machine300may have any suitable number of states, e.g., one, two, three, five, six, etc. The state machine300transitions from a first state to a second state based on the foot pedal signal received by the second processor120and generates a control signal to transmit to the foot pedal interface board130based on the transition between the states.

In some examples, the state machine300may start at the invalid state310. If the foot pedal signal indicates that one or more foot pedals112are pressed substantially simultaneously (≥1P) or within a threshold time interval (e.g., approximately 50 milliseconds, 100 milliseconds, 200 milliseconds, etc.), then the state machine300remains in the invalid state310. The control signal generated based on remaining in the invalid state will cause the generators140,150to not activate any of the surgical devices162-168. Additionally, if the surgical device signal and/or the foot pedal signal indicates that any of the surgical devices162-168or foot pedals112are not connected to the system properly or are malfunctioning (e.g., a foot pedal signal is output, but a proximity sensor does not detect an object near that pedal), then the state machine300remains in the invalid state310. Again, the control signal generated based on remaining in the invalid state will cause the generators140,150to not activate any of the surgical devices162-168.

The state machine300will transition from the invalid state310to the hold state320when the foot pedal signal indicates that zero pedals (0P) are pressed and the surgical device signal and/or the foot pedal signal indicates that the surgical devices162-168and the foot pedals112are connected to the system and functioning properly. As the state machine300transitions from the invalid state310to the hold state320, the state machine300will generate the control signal to cause the generators140,150to not activate any of the surgical devices162-168. The state machine300will remain in the hold state320if the foot pedal signal indicates that zero pedals are pressed so that the control signal generated based on remaining in the hold state will again cause the generators140,150to not activate any of the surgical devices162-168. The state machine300will transition from the hold state320to the invalid state310if the foot pedal signal indicates that multiple foot pedals112are pressed substantially simultaneously (>1P). As the state machine300transitions from the hold state320to the invalid state310, the state machine300will generate the control signal to cause the generators140,150to not activate any of the surgical devices162-168.

In some examples, the state machine300will transition from the hold state320to the single press active state330when the foot pedal signal indicates that a first foot pedal (1P) is pressed. As the state machine300transitions from the hold state320to the single press active state330, the state machine300will generate the control signal to cause either the first generator140or the second generator150to activate the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal. Which generator is used to activate the surgical device will depend on the energy modality, e.g., core energy or advanced energy, that is required to activate the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal. For example, if the first generator140is a core energy generator, the second generator150is an advanced energy generator, and the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal is an electrocautery instrument that uses advanced energy, then the second generator150will be used to activate the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal. In other examples, the first generator140may be an advanced energy generator and the second generator150may be a core energy generator.

If the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal remains pressed and no other foot pedal is pressed (1P, original), then the state machine300will remain in the single press active state330and the control signal generated by the state machine300will continue to cause the generator to maintain the activation of the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal.

The state machine300will transition from the single press active state330to the hold state320when the foot pedal signal indicates that the pressed first foot pedal is released and no other foot pedal is pressed. As the state machine300transitions from the single press active state330to the hold state320, the state machine300will generate the control signal to cause the generator that is activating the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal to deactivate the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal. The state machine300will transition from the single press active state330to the invalid state310when the foot pedal signal indicates that one or more foot pedals are pressed substantially simultaneously and none of the pressed foot pedals are the first foot pedal (≥1P, without original). For example, if the surgeon's foot slips off of the active pedal and lands on multiple other pedals, the system may transition from the single press active state330to the invalid state310. As the state machine300transitions from the single press active state330to the invalid state310, the state machine300will generate the control signal to cause the generator that is activating the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal to deactivate the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal.

In some examples, the state machine300will transition from the single press active state330to the multiple press active state340when the foot pedal signal indicates that at least one additional foot pedal, the second foot pedal, is newly pressed while the first foot pedal remains pressed (>1P, with original). As the state machine300transitions from the single press active state330to the multiple press active state340, the control signal generated by the state machine300will continue to cause the generator to maintain the activation of the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal while not activating a second surgical device associated with the pressed second foot pedal. If the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal and the at least one additional foot pedal remain pressed or that the first foot pedal remains pressed while additional foot pedals are newly pressed, then the state machine300will remain in the multiple press active state340and the control signal generated by the state machine300will continue to cause the generator to maintain the activation of the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal while not activating any other surgical device that is associated with any of the additional pressed foot pedals.

The state machine300will transition from the multiple press active state340to the single press active state330if the foot pedal signal indicates that only one foot pedal is pressed and that foot pedal is the first foot pedal. As the state machine300transitions from the multiple press active state340to the single press active state330, the control signal generated by the state machine300will continue to cause the generator to maintain the activation of the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal.

In some examples, the state machine300will transition from the multiple press active state340to the hold state320if the foot pedal signal indicates that all of the pressed foot pedals are released so that there are no pressed foot pedals. The control signal generated by the state machine300as the state machine transitions from the multiple press active state340to the hold state320will cause the generator to deactivate the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal and to not activate any other surgical device. The state machine300will transition from the multiple press active state340to the invalid state if the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal is released while at least one additional foot pedal remains pressed. As the state machine300transitions from the multiple press active state340to the invalid state310, the control signal generated by the state machine300will cause the generator to deactivate the surgical device associated with the pressed first foot pedal and to not activate any other surgical device.

In some examples, various devices in the system100may provide feedback to the user based on the state of the state machine300. For example, if a generator is delivering energy to a surgical device, the generator may receive the feedback signal, such as an audio signal, from the second processor120to output an audio feedback, a visual feedback, a vibrotactile feedback, or any other suitable form of feedback. Additionally, if the generator is not delivering energy because the state machine300transitioned to the invalid state310, then the first processor114may output an audio feedback, a visual feedback such as an error message, a vibrotactile feedback, or any other suitable form of feedback.

Utilizing software, such as implementations of state machine300, to control the activation of multiple surgical devices162-168on a surgical platform160allows for a consistent handling of multiple foot pedal presses regardless of the type or number of foot pedals and generators being used in the system. This consistent handling of multiple foot pedal presses may reduce the amount accidental surgical device activation and may eliminate the amount of multiple surgical device activation, both of which may cause serious damage and harm to the patient, that occurs during surgery. And while the example shown inFIG. 3employs a state machine architecture, software may employ a loop structure in conjunction with one or more condition checks and state variables, e.g., via a “switch” block in the C/C++/Java language or if/else blocks, as an alternative to an explicit state machine.

Referring now toFIG. 4,FIG. 4shows an example method400for controlling multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform according to this disclosure. The example method400will be discussed with respect to the system100shown inFIG. 1and the state machine300shown inFIG. 3. However, it should be appreciated that any suitable device for controlling multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform may be employed, such as those shown inFIG. 2 or 5.

At block410, a foot pedal signal is received indicating an activation state (e.g., pressed or not pressed) of one or more foot pedals112. The foot pedals112may be the same as those included in the foot pedal device200described above in reference toFIG. 2. In some examples, there may be four separate foot pedals, first foot pedal210, second foot pedal220, third foot pedal230, and fourth foot pedal240. When one or more of the foot pedals210-240is pressed, the foot pedal device transmits the foot pedal signal indicating which foot pedal210-240has been pressed and thus activated. This foot pedal signal may be received by the first processor114and transmitted to the second processor120as discussed above in reference toFIG. 1.

At block420, a control signal is generated based on the foot pedal signal. The control signal may be generated using software, such as the state machine300discussed above in reference toFIG. 3. The foot pedal signal may cause the state machine to transition between states, or remain at a single state, and thus generate a control signal based on that transition.

In some examples, as discussed above in reference toFIG. 3, the state machine300may have four separate states substantially as discussed above. The state machine300may transition from the first state to the second state when the foot pedal signal indicates that a first foot pedal is pressed. The state machine300may transition from the second state to the third state when the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal remains pressed and a second foot pedal is newly pressed. The state machine300transitions from the third state to the fourth state when the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal is inactive and at least the second foot pedal remains pressed. The state machine300may also transition directly from the second state to the fourth state when the foot pedal signal indicates that the first foot pedal is inactive and at least the second foot pedal remains pressed. And the state machine300transitions from the fourth state to the first state when the foot pedal signal indicates that no foot pedal is pressed. The state machine300may also transition directly from the third state to the first state when the foot pedal signal indicates that no foot pedal is pressed.

The transition between states of the state machine300will cause the state machine to generate a control signal and transmit that control signal to the foot pedal interface board130discussed above. As the state machine300transitions between the first state and the second state, the control signal generated will cause the surgical device162-168associated with the pressed first foot pedal to be activated by the generator140,150that provides the surgical device with the correct energy modality. As the state machine300transitions between the second state and the third state, the control signal generated will cause the surgical device162-168associated with the pressed first foot pedal to remain activated by the corresponding generator140,150while no other surgical device162-168is activated. As the state machine300transitions between either the second state or the third state and the fourth state or the second state or the third state and the first state, the control signal generated will cause the surgical device162-168associated with the pressed first foot pedal to be deactivated by the corresponding generator140,150while no other surgical device162-168is activated. As the state machine300transitions between the fourth state and the first state, none of the surgical devices162-168will be activated by the generators based on the control signal generated.

At block430, the control signal generated by the software at block420is output either to the foot pedal interface board130or directly to the generators140,150so as to cause the generators140,150to not activate, activate, maintain the activation, or deactivate the surgical devices162-168based on the control signal.

Referring now toFIG. 5,FIG. 5shows an example computing device500suitable for use in example systems or methods for controlling multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform according to this disclosure. In this example, the example computing device500is an electronic device such as a mobile device, a tablet, a laptop, a computer, a wearable device such as a smart watch, etc.

The example computing device500includes a processor510which is in communication with the memory520and other components of the computing device500using one or more communications buses502. The processor510executes processor-executable instructions stored in the memory520to assist with controlling multiple separate generators that are used to activate multiple surgical devices connected to a single surgical platform, such as instructions for part or all of the example method400described above with respect toFIG. 4. The computing device500, in this example, also includes one or more user input devices550, such as a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, microphone, etc., to accept user input. The computing device500also includes a display540communicatively coupled to the processor510using the one or more communications buses502to provide visual output to a user. For example, the display540may show the current active surgical device162-168as described above in relation toFIG. 1.

Such processors may include, or may be in communication with, media, for example computer-readable storage media, that may store instructions that, when executed by the processor, can cause the processor to perform the steps described herein as carried out, or assisted, by a processor. Examples of computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, an electronic, optical, magnetic, or other storage device capable of providing a processor, such as the processor in a web server, with computer-readable instructions. Other examples of media include, but are not limited to, a floppy disk, CD-ROM, magnetic disk, memory chip, ROM, RAM, ASIC, configured processor, all optical media, all magnetic tape or other magnetic media, or any other medium from which a computer processor can read. The processor, and the processing, described may be in one or more structures, and may be dispersed through one or more structures. The processor may include code for carrying out one or more of the methods (or parts of methods) described herein.