Patent ID: 12239498

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure generally provides for a system comprising a control console or control unit configured to interchangeably connect to and control a plurality of surgical devices. The surgical devices may correspond to various devices or accessories that may be implemented in medical or surgical environments. As described in some of the following examples, the surgical devices interfaced with the control console correspond to surgical handpieces, each of which may include one or more configuration or operational variations. Accordingly, the control console of the disclosed system may be required to identify the configuration of the surgical device connected to the control console in order to interpret input signals and output compatible control signals. For example, based on the device configuration, the control console may be configured to communicate via one or more communication protocols, input/output configurations and various control configurations. In this way, the system may provide for a rapid interfacing and configuration process to adjust the operation of the control console in accordance with preconfigured or custom control schemes for each of the device configurations of the various compatible surgical devices.

In order to identify the device configuration (e.g., a type, model, style, etc.) of the surgical device and the corresponding control configuration, the control console may initially communicate with a connected surgical device to receive a periodic identification signal that may be communicated at a fixed or constant target frequency for a predetermined period of time. Based on the temporal frequency of the identification signal, the controller of the control console may identify a type, model, and/or style and, thus, the configuration of the connected surgical device. By communicating the signal at a continuous target frequency for a predetermined time period, the control console may identify the frequency and the corresponding device configuration even in noisy or harsh environments that may cause fidelity issues in the identification signal. For example, if the identification signal were to be distinguished based on different an analog voltage values (e.g., 1V, 2V, 3V, etc.), variations in the voltage values in noisy environments could result in misidentification and operating errors. Accordingly, the disclosure provides for systems and methods to accurately communicate the identification signal to the control console by avoiding issues that may result from the operating environment as well as the connection integrity of a wired connection interface of the system. The following exemplary systems and methods may be implemented with a wide variety of surgical devices or accessories to communicate identifications signals identifying a model, status, and/or various control messages. The identification signals may be interpreted or identified even when exposed to noisy ambient conditions, thereby providing for robust operation of the control system.

Referring now toFIGS.1and2, an exemplary diagram of a control system10for a surgical device12is shown. The surgical device12may correspond to a surgical tool, input control device, or related accessory and is exemplified in the form of a handheld instrument or handpiece14that is powered via a control console16. Though the surgical device12may correspond to various devices and peripherals compatible with the control console16, each of the exemplary surgical devices may be referred to in reference to specific examples for clarity. Accordingly, though handpieces14are discussed in various examples, it shall be understood that the disclosure is broadly applicable to various medical devices, accessories, peripherals, and related devices that may be controlled by the control console16. In operation, the control console16may supply operating power and control signals to the handpieces14, each of which may have a different device or operating configuration18. In addition to the various configurations18of the surgical devices12, the control console16may comprise multiple control or communication ports20configured to concurrently interface with multiple surgical devices12or peripheral devices22over a plurality of channels.

The variety of device configurations18may be the result of the various configurations of user interfaces26, actuators, or features of the surgical devices12. For example, each of the surgical devices12may require different control signals from a controller24of the control console16to effectuate a desired operation. Accordingly, the controller24may be required to configure the operation of the communication ports20and corresponding input/output (I/O) circuits to recognize and interpret different input signals from input devices28and communicate corresponding control outputs. For example, each of the handpieces14may include pushbutton interfaces28a(e.g., momentary switches, alternate action, etc.), variable switches28b, or various input devices and combinations to suit the operating requirements. Additionally, the handpieces14may have different supply or control requirements (voltages, control signals, communication protocols, etc.) as a result of differences in hardware (e.g., motor or actuator types, drive power, etc.). Accordingly, the system10may rely on adaptive programming to facilitate the operation of the diverse configurations18of the handpieces14.

In operation, the controller24may receive an identification signal30from an identification module or device32of a connected device34of the surgical devices12. The connected device34may be connected via a connection interface36(e.g., a power and/or communication cable or wired connection) to one of the communication ports20and interfaced via one of a plurality of control channels. As discussed in greater detail in the following examples, the identification signal30is interpreted or processed by the controller24to determine an identifier (e.g., a tool ID) indicating a make, model, style, specification, and/or operating configuration of the connected device34. In response to the determination of a model or type (e.g., an identifier) of the connected device34, a processor40of the controller24may access a table or identification key in a memory42to determine and assign the corresponding control configuration18for the connected device34. Once the controller24of the console16is configured in accordance with the operating configuration18of the connected device34, the controller24may accurately supply operating power and/or control signals to the connected device34in response to inputs to the user interface26.

As discussed herein, the surgical devices12, handpieces14, and peripheral devices22may provide for a diverse range of specialized applications supported by the various device configurations18. For example, the surgical devices12or handpieces14may provide for a variety of medical or surgical operations including, but not limited to, sectioning, burring, grinding, cutting, and drilling, as well as incision operations, suction control, or other powered surgical operations. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the handpieces14corresponds to a motorized shaver system that may be used for the resection of soft tissue, cartilage, and bone during arthroscopic surgical procedures. Though discussed in reference to specific examples, the control system10may similarly be applied to control various surgical implements and provide corresponding operating configurations.

In addition to the configuration of the user interface26incorporated on the handpiece14, additional peripheral devices22or accessories (e.g., footswitches, pedals, remote controls, etc.) may similarly be connected to the communication ports20of the control console16and may also include the identification device32. In this configuration, the controller24of the control console16may be configured to operate in response to various control inputs associated with the input devices28of the peripheral devices22. Accordingly, the controller24may receive the identification signal30from the identification module or device32incorporated in one or more connected peripheral devices22and configure the operation of the control console16to communicate with the peripheral devices22. In this way, the system10may provide for the peripheral devices22to be implemented as control devices for the surgical devices12or handpieces14by supplying input signals to the controller24via one or more of the input devices28. As previously discussed, the handpieces14and peripheral devices22may generally be referred to as the surgical devices12, and the corresponding device configurations18may be identified by the controller24of the control console16for operation.

Referring now toFIGS.1-3, detailed examples of the identification signals and methods for identifying the operating configuration of the connected device34are provided. As previously discussed, the communication of the identification signal30may be susceptible to interference, particularly in the form of electromagnetic interference (EMI), which may be common in the operating environment (e.g., a surgical suite, hospital, etc.) of the system10. The interference may be the result of the operation of multiple electronic devices in an operating room. In order to limit the vulnerability of the interpretation of the identification signal30by the controller24to interference, the system10may communicate the identification signal30as a periodic signal with a fixed target frequency as exemplified inFIG.3. For example, the identification signal30may correspond to a periodic signal with a temporal frequency defined as the inverse of the period T. The time of the period T and the corresponding frequency of the identification signal30may vary broadly depending on the application of the system10and each frequency or frequency band of the identification signal30. Based on the frequency identified by the controller24or processor40, the corresponding device configuration18of the connected device34may be attributed by the controller24to a style, model, or device configuration18of the surgical devices12. The identification signal30may be communicated for a predetermined period of time that may extend for a duration of at least two or more times the period T (e.g.,3T,4T, or longer durations).

In general, the identification device32may generate the identification signal30at a frequency compatible with an identification range of an identification circuit (e.g., processor40or an integrated circuit) of the controller24. The identification signal30may be easily distinguished, even when exposed to significant noise as depicted inFIG.3, from other signals or messages due to the fixed target period extending over a predetermined time. In this configuration, the controller24may detect the frequency of the identification signal30over a detection duration of multiple periods T of the frequency or as an average frequency to exclude outlying frequencies and noise to ensure that frequency is accurately identified. In some examples, the frequency of the identification signal30may even be dithered or adjusted over time by the identification device around a target frequency. In this way, the controller24may identify the average frequency of the identification signal30as the target frequency associated with the device configuration18of the connected device34and filter or prevent harmonic noise to further support the identification of the device configuration18in particularly noisy environments. Accordingly, the repetitive, oscillating nature of the identification signal30may allow the controller24to determine the identifier (e.g., a tool ID) of the handpiece14or surgical device12without failures dues to nearby signal interference. The operating range of the frequency for the identification signal30may vary from approximately 100 Hz to 10 MHz in different applications. For practical purposes, the identification signal may include frequencies ranging from 500 Hz to 1 MHz. However, the frequency of the identification signal30may be implemented outside the exemplary ranges described.

The identification signal30in the exemplary case depicted is a square wave generated by the identification device32. As demonstrated, the square wave includes noise induced oscillations and variations in voltage. However, the pattern and timing (e.g., period T) of the identification signal30is not affected by the interference and may readily be interpreted by the controller24. Though demonstrated as a square wave, the identification signal30may be implemented as various periodic signals, such as sine waves, triangle waves, saw tooth waves, etc. The identification device32may be implemented with suitable capability to generate the identification signal30at a frequency and pattern that is compatible for interpretation by the processor40or processing circuitry of the controller24. In an exemplary implementation, the identification device32may operate with limited power requirements with a voltage of 5V or less. The identification device32may be implemented as an oscillator, particularly in cases where the identification signal30is fixed throughout the life of the handpiece, and may implement more sophisticated processing or signal generation devices in more complex applications as discussed in later examples. In such cases, the identification module or device32may be implemented as a microprocessor, microcontroller, or application-specific integrated controller (ASIC), which may be implemented as a distinct device or in combination with the operating circuitry (e.g., device controller54) of the handpiece14.

Referring now toFIG.2in further detail, the control console16is shown connected to the handpiece14via the connection interface36. In addition to the aspects of the control console16that were previously introduced, the control console16may further comprise a power supply50and display or user interface52. The specifications of the power supply50may provide for operating power of each of the surgical devices12(e.g., handpieces14, peripheral devices22, etc.) via the communication ports20, as well as operating power for the controller24and display/user interface52of the control console16. The display/user interface52may correspond to various display devices (e.g., a liquid crystal display), which may incorporate touch panel functionality in addition to various switches or conventional input devices.

The varying nature of the compatible handpieces14or surgical devices12and their broad range of corresponding efficacies may result in a wide variety of operating configurations and corresponding circuitry incorporated in the connected device34. In the example provided inFIG.2, the surgical device12or handpiece14may include a device controller54that may incorporate a processor56and memory58that may be configured to communicate and interpret operating signals to the controller24of the control console16via the connection interface36and the communication ports20. In this configuration, inputs received by the input devices28of the user interface26of the handpiece14may be communicated to the device controller54and transmitted to the console controller24to adjust and control the operation of the handpiece14. The device controller54may further be in communication with an actuator60, which may correspond to an electrical motor and drive mechanism that may generate rotational motion and/or translational motion for a connected actuator accessory62. In various implementations, the actuation accessories62may correspond to reciprocating or rotating cutting or oscillating blades that may be implemented in surgery for surface preparations, resections, and/or various cutting or burring operations. For example, the actuator accessories62may be configured to drive various saws, drills, burrs, wraps, or similar cutting tools.

Though discussed primarily in reference to the actuator60as a motorized device, the surgical device12may ultimately correspond to a variety of medical devices (e.g., lasers/radio frequency ablation devices, pumps, vacuums/suction devices, imagers, etc.), which similarly may be interfaced with the control console16based on the corresponding device configuration18communicated from the identification device32. As previously discussed, the identification device32may be implemented into the surgical device12as a discrete device or incorporated in the device controller54as an integrated component or module. Accordingly, the identification device32may be implemented in a wide variety of applications to identify the device configuration18or operating configuration of the surgical device12for control or communication via the control console16.

In some embodiments, the surgical device12may further comprise a communication circuit64that may be configured to communicate via a plurality of wired or wireless communication protocols. In an exemplary implementation, the communication circuit64may correspond to a wireless communication interface that may provide for communication to or from the actuator accessory62. For example, the communication circuit64may provide for communication to and/or from the actuator accessory62via the device controller54(e.g., processor56, memory58). In this way, the device controller54may identify an accessory type, configuration, etc. of the actuator accessory62. In some examples, the accessory type of the actuator accessory62may be communicated from the device controller54to the console controller24as a message M incorporated in the identification signal30. As further discussed, the message M may be interpreted by the controller24in response to the frequency of the identification signal30. In this way, the controller24may configure the operation of the control console16based on the device configuration18as well as the accessory type of the actuator accessory62. The communication circuit64may be configured to communicate in accordance with a variety of communication protocols and include corresponding operating circuitry. For example, the communication circuit64may provide for a wired communication interface (e.g., serial, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART), etc.) and/or a wireless communication interface (e.g., a ZigBee, an Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), etc.

Referring now toFIGS.4A and4B, the console controller24of the control system10may be configured, in some cases, to identify multiple bits or messages of information based on the frequency of the identification signal30. As shown inFIG.4A, a plurality of frequency bands70may be designated to identify and distinguish among the surgical devices12. As show, a first frequency band70amay be assigned to a first device12aand range from 900 kHz to 919 kHz. Additional surgical devices12may include a second device12bidentified by a second frequency band70branging from 920 kHz to 939 kHz, a third surgical device12cidentified by a third frequency band70cranging from 940 kHz to 959 kHz, and a fourth device12didentified over a fourth frequency band70dranging from 960 kHz to 979 kHz. Accordingly, based on the frequency bands70demonstrated inFIG.4A, the controller24may interpret the frequency of the identification signal30within each of the frequency bands70to identify the device configuration18of the corresponding surgical device12. For example, in response to receiving the identification signal30and identifying that the frequency is within the first frequency band70a, the controller24may identify that the first device12ais the connected device34. Similarly, in response to identifying that the frequency of the identification signal30is within the second frequency band70b, the controller24may identify the connected device34as the second device12b. Accordingly, the controller24of the control console16may identify the connected device34based on the identification signal30communicating a frequency within one of the frequency bands70.

Referring now toFIG.4B, detailed plots of the first frequency band70aand the second frequency band70bare depicted. In addition to identifying the type or the identification of the connected device34as one of the devices12a,12b, etc.; the controller24of the control console16may further identify a message M1, M2, M3, etc. or status signal of the connected device34in response to a frequency identified within one of the frequency bands70a,70b, etc. For example, as previously introduced, each of the frequency bands70includes a range of frequencies. In the example provided, each of the frequency bands70extends over a range of 20 kHz. In this configuration, frequencies centered around specific periods or frequency values within each of the frequency bands70may be interpreted by the controller24to detect specific messages M1, M2, M3, etc. or status indicators. The messages M1, M2, M3, etc. may be further interpreted based on a table or designation in the memory42to identify a state, operating condition, and/or operating mode of the connected device34. As provided in the specific exemplary case depicted, the controller24may interpret a first message M1from the surgical device12in response to identifying the frequency of the identification signal30centered at 900 kHz. Additional messages M2, M3, and M4may be identified by the controller24in response to the identification signal30being centered around corresponding frequencies of 901 kHz, 902 kHz, and 903 kHz, respectively. Accordingly, the communication of the identification signal30at a single fixed frequency may be interpreted by the controller24of the control console16to both identify and discriminate among different surgical devices12to identify their corresponding device configurations18, as well as identify various status messages M1, M2, M3, etc. associated with the operation with the surgical devices12.

As previously discussed, the sophistication of the identification device32may vary based on the operating requirements of the corresponding surgical device12. In cases where the identification signal30is changed to communicate various messages M1, M2, M3, etc. or status indicators, the identification device32may be configured to communicate with the device controller54to identify a corresponding status or operating message related to the state of the connected device34. For example, in response to receiving an activation signal or activation energy via the connection interface36, the device controller54may complete a diagnostic check of the connected device34. Based on the diagnostic check, the device controller54may generate one or more messages or identify an operating state (e.g., alive without error, alive with error, motor malfunction, feature failure, etc.) and communicate the corresponding status of the connected device34to the identification device32. In response to the status of the connected device34communicated from the device controller54, the processor56, or the identification device32may access a lookup table and identify the corresponding frequency associated with the status message M1, M2, M3, etc.

Based on the frequency identified in the lookup table or, more generally, the memory58, the identification device32may be instructed to, or otherwise be triggered to, generate the identification signal30at the corresponding frequency according to the status message M1, M2, M3, etc. The identification signal30may be communicated via the connection interface36and interpreted by the controller24of the control console16to identify both the connected device34from the various surgical devices12a,12b,12c, etc. as well as identify the underlying message M1, M2, M3, etc. or status indication associated with the specific frequency of the identification signal30. Accordingly, the identification signal30may be communicated at a fixed frequency for a predetermined period of time and be interpreted by the control console16to identify and discriminate among the various connected devices34as well as identify an underlying message M1, M2, M3, etc. or status indication of the connected device34.

Referring now toFIG.5, a flowchart is shown demonstrating a method80for identifying a surgical device12in connection with the control console16. In operation, the method80may begin in response to the activation of the control console at step82. In addition to the activation of the control console, the surgical device12may be connected to one of the communication ports20via the connection interface36(step84). In response to the detection of the connected device34, the controller24of the control console16may communicate an activation signal to the surgical device12(step86). The activation signal may correspond to a voltage signal or operating power supplied from the communication port20of the control console16to the device controller54of the surgical device12. Accordingly, the receipt of the activation signal may serve to activate the identification device32or the device controller54of the surgical device12, such that the identification signal30may be communicated to the control console16(step88).

Once the identification signal30is communicated to the controller24of the control console16, the processor40or identification circuitry of the controller24may interpret the identification signal30to detect the frequency (step90). In response to identifying the frequency of the identification signal30, the controller24may access the device identification18of the connected device34(step92). As previously discussed, the device identification (e.g., ID) may indicate the device configuration18of the connected device34, which may be accessed via the memory42via a lookup table or database. In addition to the device identification, the controller24may further access an operating message or status of the surgical device12, at step94, based on the frequency identified from the identification signal30. The message may correspond to a status or operating condition of the surgical device12or handpiece14, which may be identified by the device controller54in response to an internal diagnostic test. Based on the device identification and/or the operating message or status of the connected device34, the controller24may configure the operation of the control console16(step96). Based on a control configuration identified from the identification signal30, the controller24of the control console16may initiate the control and communication of the connected device34(step98). Accordingly, the controller24may identify at least one of the device configuration18of the connected device34and the status based on the frequency of the identification signal30, as previously discussed in reference toFIGS.4A and4B. Following step98, the method80may be repeated periodically or in response to the connection of a surgical device and may continue throughout the operation of the control console16(step100).

Referring generally, toFIGS.1-6, various aspects of the system10are discussed in reference to operating configurations of one of more of the surgical devices12in further detail. As discussed in various examples provided herein, the control and communication to and from the surgical device12may be tailored based on the specific device configuration18. For example, the control instructions communicated to and the interpretation of signals received from the connected device34, collectively referred to as the control configuration of the controller24, may be adjusted in response to various preconfigured or custom configurations accessed from the memory42of the controller24. Additionally, the control configuration for the connected device34may be adjusted or corrected in response to the message M and corresponding status or operating instruction of the connected device34. For example, in response to a message M indicating that the connected device34has an operating error the controller24may control the display/user interface52to present a message indicating that the control of the connected device is suspended due to the error. Additionally, one or more features (e.g., inputs, features, etc.) of the connected device34may be identified as being inoperable or having a fault status. In response to such messages M, the controller24may suspend or disable the functions or operating ranges identified by interpreting the message M. The suspended or disabled operations may be displayed on the display/user interface52in response to the control configuration accessed in the memory42.

In some cases, the controller24may adjust the operation and/or appearance of the display/user interface52of the control console16to suit the functions and operating characteristics or data associated with the operation of the connected device34based on the different device configurations18. For example, in response to the device configuration identifying a rotational actuator, the controller24may display a rotational direction and/or speed (e.g., rate of rotation in revolutions per minute [RPM]) of the connected device34. Similarly, the controller24may display different operating information including, but not limited to, a current, frequency, relative intensity (e.g., low, medium, high, 1-10 range, a flow rate, vacuum pressure, etc.), or various operating information associated with the device configuration18and corresponding operation of the connected device34. Accordingly, the disclosure provides for the controller24to identify the device configuration18associated with one or more connected devices34to assign corresponding control configurations tailored to the specific operating features and control signals of each of the connected devices34. In this way, the system10may adjust a communication configuration of the communication port20and configure the controller24of the control console16in response to the frequency of the identification signal30.

In some cases, the controller24may identify multiple surgical devices12in connection with the communication ports20and apply different control configurations for each of the surgical devices12based on the frequencies of the identification signals30communicated from each of the identification devices32. For example, one or more of the first surgical device12a, the second surgical device12b, and the third surgical device12cmay be connected and interfaced with the controller24of the control console16via the communication ports20(seeFIG.1). As previously discussed, each of the device configurations18and the corresponding control configurations of the one or more connected devices34may be identified in response to an identifying frequency of identification signals30. Based on the frequency, the device configuration18for each the connected devices34may be identified separately and distinctly assigned by the controller24to control the plurality of connected devices34.

For example, the controller24may be configured to communicate via one or more communication protocols, input/output configurations and various control configurations, such that the inputs received from and the outputs directed to the connected device34are interpreted in accordance with preconfigured or custom control schemes for each of the device configurations18identified in the memory42. Based on a control configuration identified in the memory42for a specific device ID indicated by the frequency of the identification signal, the controller24may apply an input/output control configuration associated with the connected device34. Based on the control configuration, the controller24may configure the operation of the control console16to communicate control signals to and from the connected device34via a control configuration (e.g., identifiers, addresses, instructions, control ranges, drivers, etc.) to ensure that signals communicated from and received by the controller24are formatted in accordance with the input/output configuration for the device configuration18identified for the connected device34.

Referring now toFIG.6, the control system10, as previously referenced inFIG.1, is shown demonstrating the control console16and further details of the console controller24. In operation, the controller24may receive inputs via one or more user interfaces26of the connected devices34. In various examples, the operation of the system was discussed in reference to the operation of a single surgical device12or handpiece14. However, it shall be understood that the operation of the system10may commonly provide for the concurrent use and control of two or more connected devices34in the form of surgical devices12, which may include various handpieces14, peripheral devices22, remote controls, and various other devices or accessories that may be beneficial in a medical or surgical environment. For example, the surgical devices12may include various laser or radio frequency cutting or operating utilities in the form of ablation devices, catheters, pumps, suction or aspiration devices, and similar tools that may also correspond to handpieces14. The surgical device12may correspond to one or more imaging device, which may be connected to the control console16. The image data captured by such surgical devices12may be presented on the display/user interface52and/or may be displayed on one or more external devices102(e.g., peripherals, servers, communication networks, etc.) in communication with the control console16via the communication ports20or communication circuits104. Accordingly, the control console16and corresponding operation of the identification module or device32of the surgical devices12may be applied by the controller24to configure the operation of the communication ports20to suit various device configurations18.

As previously discussed, the peripheral devices22may correspond to surgical devices12or accessories associated with the operation of the control console16. For example, the peripheral devices22may correspond to one or more electronic or electromechanical buttons, triggers, or pedals (e.g., pressure sensitive or single actuation foot pedals), and additional devices communicatively connected to the communication ports20. The display/user interface52of the control console16may include one or more switches, buttons, dials, and/or displays, which may include soft-key or touchscreen devices incorporated in a display (e.g., liquid crystal display [LCD], light emitting diode [LED] display, cathode ray tube [CRT], etc.). In response to inputs received from the display/user interface52, the controller24may activate or adjust the settings of the control signals communicated to the surgical devices12. The control signals generated by the console controller24may be configured for operation in response to the device configuration18identified from the frequency of the identification signal30. The output signals communicated from the communication ports20to the surgical devices12or handpieces14may be generated by various signal generators, motor controllers, or power supplies that may provide for operation of power electronic operations (e.g., motor drive signals and supply current), which may be controlled and configured for operation based on the instructions, commands, or signals communicated from the processor40of the console controller24for the associated device configuration18. Accordingly, the console controller24may be operable to generate signals to drive or control the motion, rotation, activation, intensity, and various other operating characteristics of the connected devices34.

The performance or specifications of the control console16(e.g., rating of power supply50, heat dissipation, etc.) may be designed to accommodate the target properties of the control signals for each of the surgical devices12and peripheral devices22associated with the system10. The processor40of the controller24or, more generally, the processors40,56discussed herein may be implemented as microprocessors, microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), or other circuitry configured to perform instructions, computations, and control various input/output signals to control the control system10. The instructions and/or control routines106of the system10may be accessed by the processors40,56via a memory42,58. The memory42,58may comprise random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk storage, solid state drive memory, etc. Each of the processors40,56and memory devices42,58may be implemented to suit the corresponding functionality or sophistication of the surgical devices12and the corresponding control requirements of the controller24.

The controller24may incorporate additional communication circuits or input/output circuitry represented inFIG.6as a communication circuit104, which may be implemented to communicate with one or more peripherals, devices, remote computers or servers, etc. The communication circuit104may complement or support the operating capability of the communication ports20. In general, the communication circuit104may provide for communication via a variety of communication protocols to support operation of the surgical devices12and peripheral devices22in addition to the communication of the identification signal30as discussed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the circuitry associated with the communication ports may include digital-to-analog converters, analog-to-digital converters, digital inputs and outputs, as well as one or more communication interfaces or buses. The communication interfaces of the communication ports20and/or the communication circuit104may be implemented with various communication protocols, such as serial communication (e.g., CAN bus, I2C, etc.), parallel communication, or network communication (e.g., RS232, RS485, Ethernet). In some cases, the communication circuit104may also provide for wireless network communication (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, Ultra-wideband [UWB], etc.). In some examples, the controller24may be in communication with one or more of the external devices102(e.g., control devices, peripherals, servers, etc.) via the communication circuitry104. Accordingly, the control console16may provide for communication with various devices to update, maintain, and control the operation of the control system10.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within the described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.