阅读说明：本技术 用于远程控制基于控制台的手术系统的手术器械的系统和方法 (System and method for remotely controlling surgical instruments of a console-based surgical system ) 是由 T·V·帕特尔 于 2019-03-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：本文公开了手术系统和操作手术系统的方法。手术系统包括手术控制台,控制设备和加密狗。手术控制台操作手术设备并包括连接端口。控制设备与手术控制台通信以远程地控制手术设备。加密狗物理地耦合到手术控制台的连接端口。控制设备包括第一通信设备和射频(RF)读取器,并且加密狗包括第二通信设备和无源RF设备。RF读取器响应于无源RF设备在RF读取器的阈值接近度以内而从无源RF设备接收配对信息。第一和第二通信设备基于配对信息进行无线连接,从而使控制设备能够与手术控制台进行无线通信以远程地控制手术设备。(Surgical systems and methods of operating surgical systems are disclosed herein. The surgical system includes a surgical console, a control device, and a dongle. The surgical console operates surgical equipment and includes a connection port. The control device communicates with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device. The dongle is physically coupled to a connection port of the surgical console. The control device includes a first communication device and a Radio Frequency (RF) reader, and the dongle includes a second communication device and a passive RF device. The RF reader receives pairing information from the passive RF device in response to the passive RF device being within a threshold proximity of the RF reader. The first and second communication devices are wirelessly connected based on the pairing information, thereby enabling the control device to wirelessly communicate with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device.)

1. A surgical system, comprising:

a surgical console configured to operate a surgical device and including a connection port;

a control device configured to communicate with a surgical console to remotely control a surgical device and including a first communication device and a Radio Frequency (RF) reader;

a dongle configured to physically couple to a connection port of a surgical console and comprising a second communication device and a passive RF device;

wherein the RF reader of the control device is configured to receive pairing information from the passive RF device of the dongle in response to the passive RF device being within a threshold proximity of the RF reader; and is

Wherein the first and second communication devices are configured to wirelessly connect based on the pairing information, thereby enabling the control device to wirelessly communicate with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device.

2. The surgical system of any preceding claim, wherein the control device is further defined as a foot-operable control device, a hand-operable control device, or a mobile computing device.

3. The surgical system of any preceding claim, wherein, in the absence of the dongle, the connection port of the surgical console is configured to receive a connector of a cable for coupling to the control device.

4. The surgical system of any preceding claim, wherein the dongle is powered through a connection port of the surgical console, and wherein the dongle does not include an internal power source.

5. The surgical system of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second communication devices are configured to wirelessly connect based on the pairing information in response to the dongle being physically coupled to a connection port of the surgical console.

6. The surgical system of any preceding claim, wherein the pairing information includes at least a unique identification of the dongle and communication parameters associated with the dongle.

7. The surgical system of any preceding claim, wherein the dongle is configured to encrypt the pairing information and the control device is configured to decrypt the pairing information.

8. The surgical system of any preceding claim, wherein the first communication device is configured to transmit control data to the second communication device such that the control device uses the control data to remotely control the surgical device, and wherein the control device is configured to encrypt the control data and the dongle is configured to decrypt control data.

9. The surgical system of any preceding claim, wherein the control device includes a housing, and wherein the first communication device and RF reader are integrated within the housing.

10. The surgical system of any preceding claim, wherein the control device is configured to be disposed in a sterile field and the surgical console is configured to be disposed in a non-sterile field.

11. The surgical system of claim 10, wherein the dongle is disposed in the sterile field when a passive RF device of the dongle is brought within a threshold proximity of the control device.

12. The surgical system of claim 10, wherein the dongle is disposed in the non-sterile field when the dongle is physically connected to a connection port of the surgical console.

13. The surgical system of any preceding claim, wherein the RF reader and the passive RF device are configured to operate at a frequency defined between 30kHz and 30MHz, between 400MHz and 450MHz, or between 860MHz and 960 MHz.

14. The surgical system of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second communication devices are configured to operate at a frequency greater than 1 GHz.

15. The surgical system of any preceding claim, wherein the dongle comprises a connector identifier and an adaptive connector, and wherein the connector identifier is configured to determine a type of communication protocol used by the surgical console to receive and transmit data, and the adaptive connector is configured to communicate with a surgical console according to the type of communication protocol used by the surgical console.

16. A method of operating a surgical system including a surgical console configured to operate a surgical device and including a connection port, a control device configured to communicate with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device and including a first communication device and a Radio Frequency (RF) reader, and a dongle including a second communication device and a passive RF device, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a threshold proximity between a passive RF device of the dongle and an RF reader of the control device;

receiving, with the RF reader of the control device, pairing information from the passive RF device of the dongle in response to the passive RF device and the RF reader being within a threshold proximity;

physically coupling a dongle to a connection port of a surgical console;

Establishing a wireless connection between the first and second communication devices based on the pairing information; and

the control device is used to remotely and wirelessly control the surgical device over the wireless connection.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the control device is further defined as at least one of a foot-operable control device, a hand-operable control device, and a computing device.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein the dongle does not include an internal power source, and wherein the method further comprises the step of powering the dongle through the connection port.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising the step of:

encrypting the pairing information by using a dongle; and

the pairing information is decrypted with the control device.

20. The method of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the step of remotely and wirelessly controlling a surgical device further comprises the step of transmitting the control data to the surgical console via the first communication device with the control device, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

encrypting the control data with the control device; and

The control data is decrypted with the dongle.

21. The method of any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the control device is configured to be disposed in a sterile field, and wherein the step of establishing a threshold proximity between the passive RF device of the dongle and the RF reader of the control device comprises the step of moving the dongle into a sterile field.

22. The method of any of claims 16-21, wherein the surgical console is configured to be disposed in a non-sterile field, and wherein the method further comprises the step of moving the dongle into the non-sterile field to physically couple the dongle to a connection port of a surgical console.

23. The method of any of claims 16 to 22, wherein the step of receiving pairing information from the passive RF device occurs at a frequency between 30kHz and 30 MHz.

24. The method of any of claims 16 to 23, wherein the step of receiving pairing information from the passive RF device occurs at a frequency between 300MHz and 1 GHz.

25. The method of any of claims 16 to 24, wherein the step of establishing wireless communication between the first and second communication devices occurs at a frequency greater than 300 MHz.

26. A surgical system, comprising:

a surgical console configured to operate a surgical device and including a connection port;

a control device configured to communicate with a surgical console to remotely control a surgical device and including a connection port;

a first dongle comprising a first communication device and a Radio Frequency (RF) device;

a second dongle comprising a second communication device and an RF reader;

one of the first and second dongle is configured to physically couple to a connection port of a surgical console and the other of the first and second dongle is configured to physically couple to a connection port of a control device;

wherein the RF reader of the second dongle is configured to receive pairing information from the passive RF device of the first dongle in response to the RF reader and the passive RF device being within a threshold proximity of each other; and is

Wherein the first and second communication devices are configured to wirelessly connect based on the pairing information, thereby enabling the control device to wirelessly communicate with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device.

27. A dongle for use in a surgical system that includes a surgical console configured to operate a surgical device and that includes a connection port, a control device configured to communicate with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device and that includes a communication device and a Radio Frequency (RF) reader, the dongle comprising:

A coupling interface configured to physically couple to a connection port of the surgical console;

a passive RF device configured to transmit pairing information to an RF reader of a control device in response to the passive RF device being within a threshold proximity of the RF reader; and

a communication device configured to wirelessly connect to the communication device of the control device based on the pairing information, thereby enabling wireless communication between the control device and the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device.

28. A communication system for a surgical system, the surgical system including a surgical console configured to operate a surgical device and including a connection port, a control device configured to communicate with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device and including the connection port, the communication system comprising:

a first dongle comprising:

a first coupling interface configured to physically couple to a connection port of one of a surgical console and a control device,

a Radio Frequency (RF) reader, and

a first communication device; and

a second dongle comprising:

a second coupling interface configured to physically couple to a connection port of the other of the surgical console and the control device,

A passive RF device configured to send pairing information to the RF reader of the first dongle in response to the passive RF device and the RF reader being within a threshold proximity of each other, an

A second communication device configured to wirelessly connect to the first communication device of the first dongle based on the pairing information, thereby enabling the control device to wirelessly communicate with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device.

Background

A console-based surgical system includes a surgical console having surgical devices and control devices (e.g., foot switches or manual switches) connected thereto. The surgical device may be controlled by the control device via the console. Traditionally, such control devices are physically and directly connected to a console. For example, the control device may include a hard-wired cable and a connector that plugs into the console, allowing the control device to control the surgical device. In such a configuration, the presence of the cable can clutter the operating room or cause a tripping hazard. Furthermore, cable management before, during and after any operation requires more time for the health care worker.

Attempts have been made to control surgical devices through a console using wireless communication between the control device and the console. Typically, such configurations require manual and complex pairing procedures to exchange pairing data between the control device and the console. Such manual pairing requires a significant amount of time and effort to initiate and perform. For example, identifying and selecting a corresponding device for pairing can be a burdensome process, especially given that many other wireless devices exist and can be found locally. Manual involvement is required to select a particular device from all available devices within range. Manual pairing requires manual entry of authentication data for one or more devices. Once a device with a particular ID is found, the process may request various security specific data from the device for authentication before enabling pairing to exchange data. Moreover, even if identified and selected, the device may fail to pair due to technical difficulties associated with manual pairing. The typical manual and complex pairing process involved with wireless communication is not user-friendly and discourages healthcare professionals from using wireless communication between the control device and the console.

In some cases, wireless devices may be hard paired, such a device having been pre-configured to only wirelessly communicate with a designated device, and vice versa. One problem with this approach is related to inventory (inventoryy). For example, in large medical facilities, surgical system equipment is often mixed and matched according to the needs of the facility. Hard paired devices must be held together to provide utility. If one of the devices is separated and mixed with the other system, both devices will be unusable.

Accordingly, there remains a need in the art to address at least the above-mentioned problems associated with wireless communication between surgical consoles and control devices.

Disclosure of Invention

An exemplary surgical system is provided. The surgical system includes a surgical console, a control device, and a dongle. The surgical console operates surgical equipment and includes a connection port. The control device communicates with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device. The dongle is physically coupled to a connection port of the surgical console. The control device includes a first communication device and a Radio Frequency (RF) reader, and the dongle includes a second communication device and a passive RF device. The RF reader receives pairing information from the passive RF device in response to the passive RF device being within a threshold proximity of the RF reader. The first and second communication devices are wirelessly connected based on the pairing information, thereby enabling the control device to wirelessly communicate with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device.

A possible embodiment of a method of operating a surgical system is provided. The surgical system includes a surgical console configured to operate a surgical device, the surgical console including a connection port. The surgical system also includes a control device and a dongle. A control device communicates with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device, the control device including a first communication device and an RF reader. The dongle includes a second communication device and a passive RF device. A method of operating a surgical system comprising: a step of establishing a threshold proximity between the passive RF device of the dongle and the RF reader of the control device; a step of receiving, with the RF reader of the control device, pairing information from the passive RF device of the dongle in response to the passive RF device and the RF reader being within a threshold proximity; a step of physically coupling the dongle to a connection port of a surgical console; a step of establishing a wireless connection between the first and second communication devices based on the pairing information; and remotely and wirelessly controlling the surgical device through the control device using the wireless connection.

An exemplary surgical system is provided. The surgical system includes a surgical console, a control device, a first dongle and a second dongle. The surgical console operates surgical equipment and includes a connection port. The control device communicates with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device. The first dongle includes a first communication device and a passive RF device and the second dongle includes a second communication device and an RF reader. One of the first and second dongle is physically coupled to a connection port of the surgical console and the other of the first and second dongle is physically coupled to a connection port of the control device. The RF reader receives pairing information from the passive RF device in response to the passive RF device being within a threshold proximity of the RF reader. The first and second communication devices are wirelessly connected based on the pairing information, thereby enabling the control device to wirelessly communicate with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device.

An example dongle for use with a surgical system is provided. The surgical system includes a surgical console configured to operate a surgical device, the surgical console including a connection port. The surgical system also includes a control device configured to communicate with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device, the control device including a communication device and an RF reader. The dongle includes a coupling interface, a passive RF device and a communication device. A coupling interface physically couples the dongle to a connection port of the surgical console. The passive RF device is configured to transmit pairing information to an RF reader of the control device in response to the passive RF device being within a threshold proximity of the RF reader. The communication device of the dongle is configured to wirelessly connect to the communication device of the control device based on the pairing information to enable wireless communication between the control device and the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device.

An example communication system for a surgical system is provided. The surgical system includes a surgical console and a control device. The surgical console operates surgical equipment and includes a connection port. The control device communicates with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device and includes a connection port. The communication system includes a first dongle and a second dongle. The first dongle includes a first coupling interface configured to physically couple to a connection port of one of the surgical console and the control device, an RF reader, and a first communication device. The second dongle includes a second coupling interface, a passive RF device, and a second communication device. The second coupling interface is configured to physically couple to a connection port of the other of the surgical console and the control device that is not physically coupled to the first coupling interface. The passive RF device sends pairing information to the RF reader of the first dongle in response to the passive RF device and the RF reader being within a threshold proximity of each other. The second communication device wirelessly connects to the first communication device of the first dongle based on the pairing information, thereby enabling the control device to wirelessly communicate with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device.

The advantages of the surgical system, method, dongle and communication system will be readily understood from the description.

Drawings

Referring now to the drawings, exemplary illustrations are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent examples, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated or in schematic form to better illustrate and explain certain aspects of the illustrative examples. Any one or more of these aspects may be used alone or in combination with one another. Furthermore, the exemplary illustrations described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limiting or restricting to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. An example illustration is described in detail by reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1A is an assembly view of an exemplary surgical system including a surgical console, a plurality of surgical instruments, a plurality of dongle's for connection to the surgical console, and a plurality of control devices;

FIG. 1B is an assembled view of another exemplary surgical system including a surgical console, a plurality of surgical instruments, a plurality of (first) dongles for connecting to the surgical console, a plurality of control devices, and a plurality of (second) dongles for connecting to the control devices;

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of aspects of the surgical system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of aspects of the surgical system of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of example components of a first dongle;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of example components of a second dongle;

fig. 6 is a flow chart of a method of operating a surgical system.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1A, an exemplary surgical system 100 is shown. As shown, surgical system 100 includes a surgical console 102 configured to operate a surgical device 110. The surgical device 110 may be one of many surgical devices, such as those shown in fig. 1A and 1B as surgical devices 112, 114, 116. Examples of surgical device 110 are described in detail below.

Surgical system 100 also includes a control device 120. The control device 120 may be configured to communicate with the surgical console 102 to remotely control the surgical device 110. In one example, the control device 120 includes a foot-operable control device 122 as shown in FIG. 1A. (the foot-operable control device is referred to herein as a "foot pedal"). In another example, the control device 120 includes a hand-operable control device 124, as shown in fig. 1A (the hand-operable control device is referred to herein as a "manual switch").

In addition, surgical system 100 may include a dongle (dongle)130 shown as dongles 132, 134. Dongle 130 may be configured as a dongle connection port 140 that is physically coupled to surgical console 102, as illustrated as connection ports 142, 144. As shown in fig. 1A, control device 120 and dongle 130 are wirelessly connected, allowing control device 120 to wirelessly communicate with surgical console 102 to remotely control surgical device 110.

Referring to fig. 1B, another exemplary surgical system 100 is shown. Similar to surgical system 100 in fig. 1A, surgical device 110 in fig. 1B includes surgical console 102 configured to operate surgical device 110. However, the example shown in fig. 1B includes two types of dongles, namely a first dongle 160 and a second dongle 170. First dongle 160 is shown as first dongle 162, 164 and second dongle 170 is shown as second dongle 172, 174. The control device 120' is shown as a foot switch 122' and a hand switch 124 '.

As shown in fig. 1B, first dongle 160 can be physically coupled to dongle connection port 140 of surgical console 102. The second dongle 170 is physically coupled to a dongle connection port 180, illustrated as dongle connection ports 182, 184, of the control device 120'. As shown, a first dongle 160 and a second dongle 170 are wirelessly connected, thereby allowing the control device 120' to wirelessly communicate with the surgical console 102 to remotely control the surgical device 110.

In some cases, dongle 130 and first dongle 160 can be included within surgical console 102. This is further described in US patent 7,846,150B2 entitled "Apparatus and Method for Synchronizing a Wireless Remote Control to a Central Control Unit as a to Low Remote Control of a Medical Device over Apparatus Wireless Connection", the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. As such, dongle 130 need not be physically coupled to dongle connection port 140 to connect to control device 120. Similarly, first dongle 160 need not be physically coupled to dongle connection port 180 to connect to second dongle 170.

Here, the components of the surgical system 100 in fig. 1A and 1B may be referenced broadly or specifically. For example, "surgical device 110" may be interpreted as a broad classification of a particular surgical device 112, 114, 116. However, the term "surgical device 110" refers herein to any number of surgical devices and any surgical device operable by a surgical console. In contrast, "surgical devices" 112, 114, 116 refer to the surgical devices shown in fig. 1A and 1B. Similarly, other components of the surgical system 110 in fig. 1A and 1B may also be mentioned generically or specifically.

As shown, the exemplary surgical system 100 of FIG. 1A includes one type of dongle, dongle 130. As such, the exemplary surgical system 100 in fig. 1A may be referred to herein as a "single dongle example". In contrast, the exemplary surgical system 100 in fig. 1B includes two types of dongles, a first dongle 160 and a second dongle 170. As such, the exemplary surgical system 100 in fig. 2 may be referred to herein as a "dual dongle example. It should be noted that "single" and "double" refer to the number of dongle types in each example, and not necessarily the total number of dongle types in each example.

As used herein, the term "dongle" refers to an accessory product that can be inserted or otherwise physically coupled to a host (client or parent) device, such as surgical console 102 or control device 120'. In the example shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the dongle 130, 160, 170 enables the control device 120, 120' to wirelessly connect to the surgical console 102 and control the surgical device 110. In an example, the dongles 130, 160, 170 are external hardware devices that are different from the pocket size of the surgical console 102 or control device 120'. The hardware and software architecture of the dongles 130, 160, 170 is described further below.

The dongle 130, 160, 170 is built in at the location of the surgical console 102 or the control device 120'. In other words, the dongle 130, 160, 170 is located at the same location as the surgical console 102 or control device 120', rather than remotely, e.g., over a network. For example, where the surgical console 102 and control device 120' are located at an operating site or room, the dongle 130, 160, 170 is also located at the operating site or room. In a more specific example where the control device 120' is disposed in a sterile field and the surgical console 102 is disposed in a non-sterile field, the dongle 170 is disposed in a sterile field and the dongles 130, 160 are disposed in a non-sterile field. As understood from the description and examples herein, the dongle 130, 160, 170 is provided locally with respect to the location of the surgical console 102 or control device 120', because, to some extent, the dongle 130, 160, 170 and the surgical console 102 or control device 120' must be physically coupled to each other using the dongle connection port 140, 180.

In some examples, the dongle 130, 160, 170 may include a cable. For example, as shown in fig. 1B, the second dongle 172, 174 includes a cable and dongle coupling interface 372, 374 for physically coupling to the control device 120'. The cable may be of any suitable length and may be provided to facilitate physically coupling the dongle 130, 160, 170 to the surgical console 102 or the control device 120'. If cables are present, the cables preferably have a short length to avoid interference in the operating room.

Further, in the single dongle example, dongle 130 is not specific to control device 120. In other words, any dongle 130 may be wirelessly connected to any control device 120. For example, in fig. 1A, control device 122 is wirelessly connected to dongle 132 and control device 124 is wirelessly connected to dongle 134. However, in another example of a single dongle example, control device 122 may be wirelessly connected to dongle 134 and control device 124 may be wirelessly connected to dongle 132.

Similarly, in the dual dongle example, first dongle 160 and second dongle 170 are not specific to each other. In other words, any first dongle 160 can be wirelessly connected to any second dongle 170. For example, as shown in fig. 1B, first dongle 162 is wirelessly connected to second dongle 172 and first dongle 164 is wirelessly connected to second dongle 174. However, in another example of the dual dongle example, first dongle 162 may be wirelessly connected to second dongle 174 and first dongle 164 may be wirelessly connected to second dongle 172. Thus, the dongle 130, 160, 170 provides versatility and flexibility to establish wireless communication between the control device 120 and the surgical console 102.

It should be noted that surgical console 102 may have any suitable shape and size, and may include components not shown in fig. 1A and 1B or described herein. For example, surgical console 102 may include a display for displaying information from surgical device 110. In yet another example, the surgical console 102 can include visual indicators to indicate successful connection of the surgical device 110 and/or dongle 130, 160, 170 and to indicate which control devices 120, 120' are controlling which surgical devices 110. Surgical console 102 may be fixed or movable. Surgical console 102 may be any other device, such as a robotic manipulator, configured to enable control device 120 to control surgical device 110 coupled thereto. Surgical console 102 may be one of a variety of surgical consoles 102. For example, the surgical console 102 can be configured to provide capabilities for ultrasonic aspiration, suction, irrigation, RF ablation or trauma, drilling, sawing, cutting, milling, imaging, and the like.

In addition to the number shown in fig. 1A and 1B, surgical system 100 may include any suitable number of surgical devices 110, dongles 130, 160, 170, and control devices 120, 120'.

In the exemplary surgical system 100 shown in fig. 1A and 1B, three examples of surgical devices 110 are provided for illustrative purposes. The illustrated shapes and other structural features of the surgical devices 112, 114, 116 as shown in fig. 1A and 1B are not intended to specifically describe the surgical device 110, but are merely intended to convey a general concept that a variety of surgical devices 110 may be used.

Surgical device 110 may be operated by surgical console 102 to perform one or more predetermined functions in the treatment or care of a patient. For example, the one or more surgical devices 110 may include a specialized drill, a high-power tapered drill, a modular handpiece, a high-speed pencil-grip drill (high-speed pencil-grip drill), a pneumatic drill, a drill used for intra-operative procedures, a drill used for oral surgery, a drill used for ENT procedures, a sagittal pendulum or reciprocating saw, a mini-debrider, an ultrasonic aspirator, an electrode, a probe, or any handheld imaging device (such as an endoscope or camera), and the like.

Electrosurgical, ultrasonic and other surgical devices 110 may also be employed. The electrosurgical instruments may be of any suitable type, including those that use diathermy with monopolar or bipolar current (often referred to simply as monopolar and bipolar instruments), as well as advanced instruments such as harmonic scissors and argon beam and laser instruments. As another example, non-handheld surgical devices 110, such as surgical robots, hospital beds, lighting systems, and cameras, may also be employed.

The various surgical devices 110 may be produced by different manufacturers, or may be different versions or models of surgical devices 110. Regardless of these differences, surgical console 102 enables control device 120 to control surgical device 110.

Although the surgical device 110 in fig. 1A and 1B is physically coupled to the surgical console 102 by a cable and connector, the surgical device 110 may be wirelessly connected to the surgical console 102. For example, surgical device 110 may be wirelessly connected to surgical console 102 using a dongle similar to dongle 130, 160, 170 described herein.

Additionally, although surgical device 110 is emphasized in this disclosure, other types of medical devices may be used instead. For example, suitable medical devices that may be used in conjunction with surgical console 102 include, but are not limited to, patient treatment devices, patient monitoring devices, temperature management systems, ventilators, IV systems, battery management systems, robotic devices, cardiac rate monitors, or any other medical device that may be used for a medical procedure or to provide medical services to a patient. As such, the term "surgical device" is interchangeable with these medical devices throughout this disclosure.

As described, the control device 120, 120' may be a foot operable control device. For example, in the examples of fig. 1A and 1B, the control devices 120, 120' are shown using a foot switch 122 and a hand switch 124, respectively. The control devices 120, 120' may include a variety of different configurations to enable an operator to remotely control the surgical device 110. The control devices 120, 120' may include one or more sensors, such as hall effect sensors, magnetic sensors, load sensors, pressure sensors, image sensors, inclinometers, or other sensors adapted to generate a signal in response to depression of a foot switch or manual switch.

In other examples, the control devices 120, 120' include hand-operable controls (referred to herein as "manual switches"), voice-actuated controls, knee-operated controls, gesture controls, augmented/mixed reality controls, and other types of controls that can be actuated by a user and that can be adapted to control the surgical device 110. In such examples, the control device 120, 120 'may include one or more of the described sensors to generate signals in response to actions of a user of the control device 120, 120'.

In still other examples, the control device 120, 120' comprises a mobile computing device. Such mobile computing devices may include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a wearable remote device, or any other mobile computing device suitable for controlling surgical device 110. For example, the control device 120, 120' may be a tablet computer customized for a surgical application and including a touch screen. In such an example, a user of the tablet computer may operate the surgical device 110 by touching a portion of the touch screen and selecting a command for the surgical device 110.

As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the surgical device 110 may be physically coupled to the surgical console 102 via a surgical device connection port 150 (illustrated as connection ports 152, 154, 156). As shown, the surgical device 112 is physically coupled to the surgical console 102 via a connection port 152. Likewise, the surgical devices 114, 116 are physically coupled to the surgical console 102 via connection ports 154, 156, respectively. In some examples, surgical console 102 includes a different number of surgical device connection ports 150. For example, surgical console 102 can include one, two, four, or any number of surgical device connection ports 150, which can be positioned on any suitable portion of surgical console 102. Further, in examples where surgical console 102 does not include surgical device connection port 150, surgical device 110 may be coupled directly to surgical console 102 without using surgical device connection port 150. For example, the cable may be integrally connected to surgical console 102, and surgical device 110 may be connected to a distal connector port of the cable. Alternatively, where surgical device 110 is wirelessly controlled by surgical console 102, surgical console 102 may not include surgical device connection port 150.

As also shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the dongle 130, 160 can be physically coupled to the surgical console 102 through the dongle connection port 140, and the second dongle 170 can be physically coupled to the control device 120' through the dongle connection port 180. More specifically, dongle coupling interface 330 (shown as dongle coupling interfaces 332, 334) can be configured to physically couple to dongle connection port 140. Similarly, dongle coupling interface 360 of first dongle 160, shown as dongle coupling interfaces 362, 364, may be configured to physically couple to dongle connection port 140. Dongle coupling interface 370, shown as dongle coupling interfaces 372, 374 of second dongle 170, may be configured to physically couple to dongle connection port 180. For example, dongle coupling interface 332 (fig. 1A) of dongle 132 of the single dongle example may be physically coupled to dongle connection port 142 of surgical console 102. Similarly, dongle coupling interface 374 (fig. 1B) of second dongle 174 of the dual dongle example may be physically coupled to dongle connection port 184 of control device 120'. Thus, when dongle 130, 160, 170 is inserted into surgical console 102 or control device 120', dongle coupling interface 330, 360, 370 is inserted into dongle connection port 140, 180.

Dongle coupling interfaces 330, 360, 370 are configured to mechanically and electrically couple the dongle 130, 160, 170 to the respective host device, i.e. console 102 or control device 120. The dongle coupling interface 330, 360, 370 may have any configuration configured to securely fit into the connection port 140, 180 of the host device. Thus, this mechanical fit secures the dongle 130, 160, 170 to the host device. The dongle coupling interface 330, 360, 370 is electrically conductive and enables electrical transmission of communication and power signals between the dongle 130, 160, 170 and the host device. The dongle coupling interface 330, 360, 370 may be specially shaped for a host device, may be one size suitable for all devices, or may be generally suitable for connection to any host device.

During hard-wired operations, the control devices 120, 120' may be connected to the connection port 140 of the surgical console 102 using cables and connectors. The connector of the cable is inserted into the connection port 140. The same connection port 140 that receives the hard-wire cable connector may also be configured as a dongle coupling interface 330, 360, 370 that receives the dongle 130, 160, 170. Accordingly, in view of the techniques described herein, the cables and connectors of the control devices 120, 120 'are replaced with dongles 130, 160, 170, thereby eliminating the need for cable connections between the control devices 120, 120' and the surgical console 102.

In some examples, surgical console 102 and control device 120' include different numbers of dongle connection ports 140, 180, respectively. For example, surgical console 102 may include one, two, four, or any number of dongle connection ports 140 that may be positioned on any suitable portion of surgical console 102. Similarly, the control device 120 'may include one, two, four, or any number of dongle connection ports 180, which may be located on any suitable portion of the control device 120'.

The connection ports 142, 144 of the surgical console 102 for the dongles 130, 160, 170 may have similar or different physical connection interfaces to each other. The connection ports 152, 154, 156 of the surgical console 102 for the surgical device 110 may have similar or different physical connection interfaces to each other. Similarly, the connection ports 182, 184 of the surgical console 102 for the first and second dongle 160, 170 may have similar or different physical connection interfaces to each other. Further, the connection ports 142, 144 for the dongles 130, 160, 170 and the connection ports 182, 184 for the first and second dongles 160, 170 may have similar or different physical connection interfaces than the connection ports 152, 154, 156 for the surgical device 110. For example, the dongle 130, 160, 170 and the surgical device 110 may be interchangeably connected to any of the connection ports 140, 150. In other words, the connection ports 140, 150 may receive the connectors of the surgical device 110 and/or the dongle coupling interfaces 330, 360, 370 of the dongles 130, 160, 170.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system block diagram of the components of the surgical system 100 of FIG. 1A, and more particularly, the control device 120 of the single dongle example shown in FIG. 1A. As shown, the control device 120 includes a first communication device 202 and a Radio Frequency (RF) reader 204. The RF reader 204 may be configured to receive pairing information via RF signals. The first communication device 202 may be configured to wirelessly connect to the device based on pairing information received by the RF reader 204.

The first communication device 202 and the RF reader 204 may be integrated within the control device 120. In one such example, the control device 120 includes a housing 190, shown in fig. 1A as housings 192, 194, within which a first communication device 202 and an RF reader 204 may be integrated.

As shown, dongle 130 includes a second communication device 252 and a passive RF device 254. The passive RF device 254 may be configured to transmit pairing information to the RF reader 204 via the RF signal in response to the passive RF device 254 being within a threshold proximity of the RF reader 204. The second communication device 252 may be configured to wirelessly connect to a device based on pairing information transmitted by the passive RF device 254.

By design, the passive RF device 254 may be configured to transmit information via an RF signal after the passive RF device 254 is powered by the RF signal from the RF reader 204. The RF signal from the RF reader 204 powers the passive RF device 254 such that the passive RF device 254 may transmit pairing information back to the RF reader 204 via the RF signal. In an example, the passive RF device 254 may be a passive RF tag. However, it is contemplated that the passive RF device 254 may be replaced by other types of RF devices. For example, the passive RF device 254 may be replaced by an RF device that may be internally powered, such as a battery-assisted RF tag or an active RF tag.

Further, the passive RF device 254 may be configured to transmit pairing information using an RF signal using a frequency defined between 30kHz and 30MHz, between 400MHz and 450MHz, or between 860MHz and 960 MHz. Accordingly, the RF reader 204 of the control device 120 may be configured to receive RF signals having a frequency defined between 30kHz and 30MHz, between 400MHz and 450MHz, or between 860MHz and 960 MHz. Depending on the application of the surgical system 100, it may be advantageous to transmit pairing information using RF signals having frequencies defined between each identified frequency range. For example, an RF signal having a frequency defined between 30kHz and 30MHz has a longer wavelength than an RF signal having a frequency defined between 400MHz and 450MHz or between 860MHz and 960 MHz. Thus, RF signals with frequencies between 30kHz and 30MHz are able to penetrate metal substances and liquids more efficiently, but have a more limited read range than RF signals with frequencies between 400MHz to 450MHz or 860MHz to 960 MHz. Other frequency ranges than those described herein may also be used to operate the passive RF device 254.

Additionally, as shown in fig. 2, the RF reader 204 of the control device 120 may be configured to receive pairing information from the passive RF device 254 in response to the passive RF device 254 being within a threshold proximity of the RF reader 204. Thus, the passive RF device 254 receives RF signals transmitted by the RF reader 204. The RF signal transmitted by the RF reader 204 powers the passive RF device 254, thereby enabling the passive RF device 254 to transmit pairing information to the RF reader 204 via the RF signal.

After the RF reader 204 receives the pairing information, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may be configured to wirelessly connect based on the pairing information. Thus, the first communication device 202 may be configured to transmit control data to the second communication device 252, thereby enabling the control device 120 to wirelessly communicate with the surgical console 102 to remotely control the surgical device 110.

It should be noted that the first and second communication devices 202, 252 in fig. 2 may use any communication network or protocol suitable for wirelessly communicating control signals. For example, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may communicate wirelessly using WiFi, infra, ZigBee, radio waves, cellular signals, any other suitable wireless network, or a combination thereof. It should also be noted that the communication network used by the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may be different from the RF signals used by the passive RF device 254 and the RF reader 204.

The first and second communication devices 202, 252 are configured to operate at a frequency or range dictated by the communication network or protocol being designed. For example, where the first and second communication devices 202, 252 use bluetooth for wireless communication, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may be configured to operate at a frequency between 2.4 and 2.485 GHz. Further, as previously described, the communication network used by the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may be different from the RF signals used by the passive RF device 254 and the RF reader 204. However, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may be configured to operate at frequencies that may overlap or be greater than the operating frequencies of the passive RF device 254 and the RF reader 204. For example, as previously described, the passive RF device 254 and the RF reader 204 may be configured to transmit and receive RF signals having frequencies defined between 30kHz and 30MHz, between 400MHz and 450MHz, or between 860MHz and 960 MHz. In one example, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may be configured to operate at frequencies that overlap with the above-described frequencies or at frequencies greater than 1 GHz.

In some examples, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 are transceivers. For example, each of the first and second communication devices 202, 252 can receive and transmit control data. In another example, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 are different communication devices and may be configured to perform different tasks. For example, the first communication device 202 may be a dedicated transmitter configured to transmit control data, while the second communication device 252 may be a dedicated receiver configured to receive control data.

The pairing information transmitted by the passive RF device 254 of the dongle 130 and received by the RF reader 204 of the control device 120 may include a unique identification of the dongle 130. The pairing information may also include communication parameters associated with dongle 130. For example, the communication parameters associated with dongle 130 may include bits-per-character (bits-per-character), bits-per-second (bits-per-second), baud rate (baud rate), parity bits (parity bits), and start, stop, and flag bits. In other examples, the pairing information includes other communication parameters. For example, the pairing information may include communication parameters that may be specific to: bluetooth, WiFi, infra, ZigBee, radio waves, cellular signals, or any other communication network that the first communication device 202 or the second communication device 252 may use to wirelessly communicate with other devices.

In some examples, pairing information transmitted by the passive RF device 254 of the dongle 130 and received by the RF reader 204 of the control device 120 is encrypted by the dongle 130 and decrypted by the control device 120. Similarly, control data transmitted by the first communication device 202 of the control device 120 and received by the second communication device 252 of the dongle 130 may be encrypted by the control device 120 and decrypted by the dongle 130. In this way, surgical system 100 allows for increased security of the pairing information and control data by encrypting and decrypting the pairing information and control data. In addition, the surgical system 100 can ensure that the control device 120 controls the correct surgical device 110. Similarly, the surgical system 100 can ensure that the surgical device 110 is controlled by the correct control device 120.

Further, as shown in fig. 2, dongle 130 may include connector identifier 262. Connector identifier 262 is configured to determine the type of communication protocol used by surgical console 102. As previously described, the surgical console 102 to which dongle 130 is physically coupled may include a variety of surgical consoles 102 that can receive and transmit data using a variety of communication protocols. For example, surgical console 102 may use UART, I ²C, CAN, l-Wire, SPI, USB, UNI/O or any other suitable communication protocol to receive and transmit data. Thus, connector identifier 262 determines the type of communication protocol used by surgical console 102.

Dongle 130 may also include an adaptive connector 264. After connector identifier 262 determines the type of communication protocol used by surgical console 102, adaptive connector 264 enables dongle 130 to communicate with surgical console 102 based on the communication protocol used by surgical console 102. For example, the surgical console 102 may use a UART as a communication protocol to receive and transmit data. Thus, after the connector identifier 262 determines that the surgical console 102 uses a UART to receive and transmit data, the adaptive connector 264 ensures that the dongle 130 uses a UART to communicate with the surgical console 102 after the dongle coupling interface 130 of the dongle 130 is physically coupled to the dongle connection port 140 of the surgical console 102.

Fig. 3 illustrates a system block diagram of surgical system 100 in fig. 1B, and more particularly, components of first dongle 160 and second dongle 170 of the dual dongle example illustrated in fig. 1B. As shown in fig. 3, the first dongle 160 includes the depicted second communication device 252 and the depicted passive RF device 254. The second dongle 170 includes the depicted first communication device 202 and the depicted RF reader 204. In the dual dongle example, the RF reader 204 of the second dongle 170 receives pairing information from the passive RF device 254 of the first dongle 160. The first communication device 202 of the second dongle 170 then wirelessly connects to the second communication device 252 of the first dongle 160. In this way, the control device 120' wirelessly communicates with the surgical console 102 to remotely control the surgical device 110.

It should be noted that although first dongle 160 is coupled to surgical console 102 in fig. 1B and 3, first dongle 160 may be physically coupled to surgical console 102 or control device 120'. More specifically, the dongle coupling interface 360 of the first dongle 160 can be physically coupled to the dongle connection port 140 of the surgical console 102 or the dongle connection port 180 of the control device 120'. Similarly, although second dongle 170 is coupled to control device 120 'in fig. 1B and 3, second dongle 170 may be physically coupled to surgical console 102 or control device 120'. More specifically, the dongle coupling interface 370 of the second dongle 170 can be physically coupled to the dongle connection port 140 of the surgical console 102 or the dongle connection port 180 of the control device 120'.

The arrangement of the first and second dongle 160, 170 can be interchangeable with respect to the host device (e.g., surgical console 102, control device 120') to which the first and second dongle 160, 170 are connected. Thus, one dongle 160, 170 is connected to one host device 102, 120 'and the other dongle 160, 170 is connected to the other host device 102, 120'. In other words, if first dongle 160 is physically coupled to surgical console 102, second dongle 170 is physically coupled to control device 120'. Similarly, if first dongle 160 is physically coupled to control device 120', second dongle 170 is physically coupled to surgical console 102.

Additionally, in the dual dongle example, the pairing information is transmitted by the passive RF device 254 of the first dongle 160 and received by the RF reader 204 of the second dongle 170. As such, the pairing information may include a unique identification of the first dongle 160, the first dongle 160 including the passive RF device 254. The pairing information may also include communication parameters associated with the first dongle 160. Thus, in the dual dongle example, pairing information transmitted by passive RF device 254 and received by RF reader 204 may be encrypted by first dongle 160 and decrypted by second dongle 170.

Further, in the dual dongle example, the communication devices 202, 252 that are physically coupled to the control device 120' transmit control data. The communication devices 202, 252 physically coupled to the surgical console 102 receive the control data. Thus, in the example of a dual dongle example where the first dongle 160 is coupled to the surgical console 102 and the second dongle 170 is coupled to the control device 120', the second dongle 170 encrypts control data and the first dongle 160 decrypts control data. In the example of a dual dongle example where second dongle 170 is coupled to surgical console 102 and first dongle 160 is coupled to control device 120', first dongle 160 encrypts control data and second dongle 170 decrypts control data.

As also shown in fig. 3, first dongle 160 and second dongle 170 may include an adaptive connector 264 and connector identifier 262, respectively. As previously described, the first and second dongle 160, 170 can be physically coupled to the control device 120' and the surgical console 102. Also as previously described, the control device 120' may be a variety of control devices, and the surgical console 102 may be a variety of surgical consoles. In addition, the various control devices and the various surgical consoles can receive and transmit data using different communication protocols. Thus, the connector identifiers 262 of the first and second dongle 160, 170 determine the communication protocol used by the control device 120' and the surgical console 102. Thus, the adaptive connectors 264 of the first and second dongles 160, 170 enable the first and second dongles 160, 170 to communicate with the control device 120' and with the surgical console 102 based on a communication protocol. This further increases the versatility and adaptability of the dual dongle configuration.

Fig. 4 and 5 illustrate exemplary system architectures for first dongle 160 and second dongle 170, respectively, of a dual dongle example. Further, for simplicity, although dongle 130 of the single dongle example is not shown, it is contemplated that second dongle 170 is similar to dongle 130. For example, dongle 130 and second dongle 170 each include first communication device 202, RF reader 204, connector identifier 262, and adaptable connector 264. However, while second dongle 170 may be physically coupled to surgical console 102 or control device 120', dongle 130 may be physically coupled to control device 120. As such, any of the components of second dongle 170 shown in fig. 5 and described herein may be applied to dongle 130.

It should again be noted that as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the first and second dongle 160, 170 can be physically coupled to the surgical console 102 or the control device 120'. However, while first and second dongle 160, 170 can be physically coupled to surgical console 102 or control device 120', when first dongle 160 or second dongle 170 is physically coupled to dongle connection port 140 of surgical console 102, the other of first dongle 160 or second dongle 170 is physically coupled to dongle connection port 180 of control device 120'. Thus, if first dongle 160 is physically coupled to surgical console 102, second dongle 170 is physically coupled to control device 120'. Similarly, if first dongle 160 is physically coupled to control device 120', second dongle 170 is physically coupled to surgical console 102.

In fig. 4 and 5, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 are programmable system on a chip (PSoC) integrated circuits. As shown, the PSoC integrated circuit includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) engine 291 and a BLE antenna 292. In this way, the PSoC integrated circuit can wirelessly communicate with other devices using bluetooth. Furthermore, the PSoC integrated circuit includes a microcontroller 293, which may control BLE engine 291 and BLE antenna 292 as well as other components of the PSoC integrated circuit. Microcontroller 293 may also control the inputs and outputs of the PSoC integrated circuit, which is shown in fig. 4 and 5 and described below. The PSoC integrated circuit also includes a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus controller and driver 294, which allows the PSoC integrated circuit to receive and transmit CAN messages.

Although the first and second communication devices 202, 252 are shown as PSoC integrated circuits, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may be any other circuit suitable for wireless communication, such as an ASIC, SOC, or the like. In other examples, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may be any device capable of wirelessly communicating with another device. In such an example, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may include a controller, or the controller may be coupled to the first and second communication devices 202, 252. Further, while the PSoC integrated circuit includes BLE engine 291 and BLE antenna 292 for wirelessly communicating with other devices using bluetooth, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may communicate with other devices using any other suitable wireless network, such as WiFi, infra, ZigBee, radio waves, cellular signals, or a combination thereof.

Additionally, fig. 4 and 5 illustrate that first dongle 160 and second dongle 170 may be configured to receive power from surgical console 102 and control device 120'. In some examples, the dongle 130, 160, 170 does not include an internal power source. Thus, the dongle 130, 160, 170 and some components thereof, such as the first and second communication devices 202, 252, may be powered by the surgical console 102 through the dongle connection port 140 or by the control device 120' through the dongle connection port 180. In such examples, operation of some components of the dongle 130, 160, 170 may occur after the dongle 130, 160, 170 is physically coupled to the surgical console 102 or the control device 120'. For example, after the first dongle 160 is physically coupled to the surgical console 102, the second communication device 252 of the first dongle 160 can be wirelessly connected to the first communication device 202 of the second dongle 170. In another example, after dongle 130 is physically coupled to surgical console 102, second communication device 252 of dongle 130 may be wirelessly connected to first communication device 202 of control device 120. It should be noted, however, that passive RF device 254 of dongle 130 and first dongle 160 may be powered by an external source such as RF reader 204 and may therefore operate before dongle 130 or first dongle 160 are physically coupled.

Fig. 4 and 5 also show the inputs and outputs of the first and second communication devices 202, 252 and other components of the first and second dongles 160, 170. As shown, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 and the adaptive connector 264 share digital I/O, and UART/I²A C/CAN bus 269 and a l-Wire bus 268. In this way, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may communicate with the surgical console 102 and the control device 120' using a variety of data types. For example, referring to fig. 5, the first communication device 202 may communicate serial data with the RF reader 204 via a UART bus. In another example where surgical console 102 communicates via analog data, first and second communication devices 202, 252 are configured to transmit digital SPI bus data and digital control I/O data to surgical console 102 by converting the digital SPI bus data and digital control I/O data to analog data using a 2-channel digital-to-analog converter with amplifier 295 and transmitting the data using analog I/O. Similarly, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 are configured to receive analog data from the surgical console 102 after converting the analog data to digital data using a 2-channel digital-to-analog converter with an amplifier 295. In one such example, where the battery life of the dongle 130, 160, 170 is received as analog data by the surgical console 102, the battery life is converted and communicated from the first or second communication device 202, 252 to the surgical console 102 via a 2-channel digital-to-analog converter with amplifier 295.

It should be noted that the dongle 130, 160, 170 may include connections different from those shown in fig. 4 and 5, or some of them may be omitted. For example, the first or second communication device 202, 252 may be an integrated circuit other than a PSoC integrated device. As such, the first or second communication device 202, 252 may include inputs and outputs that are different from the inputs and outputs of the first and second communication devices 202, 252 shown in fig. 4 and 5. For example, if the first or second communication device 202, 252 is an integrated circuit other than a PSoC integrated device, a 2-channel digital-to-analog converter with amplifier 295 may not be required. Furthermore, UART/I may be omitted²The C/CAN bus 269 and the 1-Wire bus 268 may alternatively be replaced with buses for different communication protocols.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the adaptive connector 264 is coupled to the UART/I²A C/CAN bus 269 and a l-Wire bus 268. Thus, the adaptive connector 264 of FIGS. 4 and 5 may enable the first and second dongle 160, 170 to use UART, I²C, CAN or l-Wire communicates with surgical console 102 or control device 120'. For example, surgical console 102 may use UART, I²C, CAN, l-Wire, SPI, USB, UNI/O or any other suitable communication protocol. For example, connector identifier 262 of first dongle 160 determines that the communication protocol used by surgical console 102 to receive and transmit data is 1-Wire. Thus, adaptive connector 264 communicates first dongle 160 with surgical console 102 by transmitting data from l-Wire bus 268 to surgical console 102.

The adaptive connector 264 may also be configured to use other than UART, I²Communication protocols other than C, CAN and l-Wire, such as SPI, USB or UNI/O. For example, in fig. 4 and 5, the adaptive connector 264 may be configured to communicate using USB. Thus, the first and second dongle 160, 170 include a UART to USB converter 270. Further, the first and second dongles 160, 170 may include a specific bus for each communication protocol, or may include buses for different packets of a communication protocol. For example, the first and second dongle 160, 170 may comprise a UART bus, I²C bus, CAN bus, UART/I²C bus, UART/CAN bus or I²C/CAN bus instead of UART/I²C/CAN bus 269.

Further, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the first and second dongle 160, 170 may include a memory 266. In FIGS. 4 and 5, memory 266 is coupled to the UART/I²C/CAN bus 269. It should be noted that memory 266 may be coupled to other components of first and second dongle 160, 170. For example, memory 266 may be coupled to the digital I/O of the first and second dongle 160, 170. Further, memory 266 may be any memory suitable for storing data and computer readable instructions. For example, the memory 266 may be Local or external memory embodied as Random Access Memory (RAM), non-volatile RAM (nvram), flash memory, or any other suitable form of memory.

In FIG. 4, an l-Wire device 267 is coupled to the second communication device 252 and an l-Wire bus 268. In one example, the l-Wire device 267 may be l-Wire memory, such as local memory or external memory, embodied as Random Access Memory (RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., l-Wire EEPROM or l-Wire NVSRAM), flash memory, or any other suitable form of memory. The l-Wire memory may be configured to store the configuration of surgical console 102 or control device 120'. In another example, the l-Wire device 267 can be a 1-Wire sensor, such as a temperature, current, or voltage sensor. The l-Wire device 267 may also be an l-Wire time counter or l-Wire battery monitor.

Additionally, some of the components of the first and second dongle 160, 170 shown in fig. 4 and 5 may be omitted. For example, in fig. 4 and 5, the first and second dongle 160, 170 include RGB LED indicators 296. However, in other examples, the first and second dongle 160, 170 may omit the RGB LED indicators 296. Similarly, in some examples of the first and second dongle 160, 170, the memory 266 or l-Wire device 267 may be omitted. As another example, a UART/I ²The C/CAN bus 269 or the l-Wire bus 268 may be omitted.

The microcontroller 293 of the first and second dongle 160, 170 is configured to control, manage, or otherwise perform any of the aforementioned capabilities of the first and second dongle 160, 170. For example, such capabilities include, but are not limited to, pairing using the RF reader 204, connector identification using the connector identifier 262, bus communication adaptation using the adaptive connector 264, control signaling using the first and second communication devices 202, 252, operation of the indicator 296, retrieving and saving data from the memory 266 or the l-Wire device 267 (in the example where the l-Wire device 267 is an l-Wire memory), or any other operation triggered by the host device (surgical console 102, control device 120'), etc.

A method of operating surgical system 100 is shown in fig. 6. As shown, the method includes the step 402 of establishing a threshold proximity between the passive RF device 254 of the dongle 130 and the RF reader 204 of the control device 120, or the step 402' of establishing a threshold proximity between the passive RF device 254 of the first dongle 160 and the RF reader 204 of the second dongle 170; a step 404 of receiving pairing information from the passive RF device 254; step 406 of physically coupling dongle 130 to dongle connection port 140 of surgical console 102 or step 406 'of physically coupling first dongle 160 and second dongle 170 to dongle connection port 140 of surgical console 102 and dongle connection port 180 of control device 120'; a step 408 of establishing a wireless connection between the first communication device 202 and the second communication device 252 based on the pairing information; and a step 410 of remotely and wirelessly controlling the surgical device 110 using the wireless connection.

In the single dongle example, the method includes step 402. During step 402, a threshold proximity is established between the passive RF device 254 of the dongle 130 and the RF reader 204 of the control device 120. In the dual dongle example, the method includes step 402'. In step 402', a threshold proximity is established between the passive RF device 254 of the first dongle 160 and the RF reader 204 of the second dongle 170.

In both the single dongle and the dual dongle examples, the threshold proximity may be defined as the distance between the passive RF device 254 and the RF reader 204 that allows the RF reader 204 to receive pairing information from the passive RF device 254. As previously described, the passive RF device 254 may be configured to transmit pairing information using RF signals having various frequencies that may affect the read range of the RF signals. For example, where pairing information is sent using an RF signal having a lower frequency and therefore a longer wavelength, the RF signal has a larger read range, allowing for a larger threshold proximity. Thus, the threshold proximity may vary depending on the frequency of the RF signal. For example, the threshold proximity may be on the order of centimeters or inches. In other examples, the threshold proximity may be on the order of feet or meters. In yet other examples, the threshold proximity may be greater than 50 feet. In yet another example, the threshold proximity may require proximity "trying" between devices including passive RF device 254 and RF reader 204.

In an example, the control device 120 can be disposed in a sterile field, while the surgical console 102 can be disposed in a non-sterile field. In such an example, step 402 may include the steps of: moving the dongle 130 into the sterile area to establish a threshold proximity between the passive RF device 254 of the dongle 130 and the RF reader 204 of the control device 120; or move the control device 120 into a non-sterile area to establish a threshold proximity between the passive RF device 254 of the dongle 130 and the RF reader 204 of the control device 120. Similarly, in another example, the control device 120' may be placed in a sterile field and the surgical console 102 may be placed in a non-sterile field. In such an example, step 402 may include the step of moving the first or second dongle 160, 170 into a sterile or non-sterile area to establish a threshold proximity between the passive RF device 254 of the first dongle 160 and the RF reader 204 of the second dongle 170.

Further, in the foregoing example where the passive RF device 254 is powered by an RF signal from the RF reader 204, the passive RF device 254 is powered during step 402. However, it is contemplated that the passive RF device 254 may be replaced by an RF device that may be internally powered, such as a battery-assisted RF tag or an active RF tag. In such an example, the battery assisted RF tag or the active RF tag may be powered prior to step 402.

After establishing a threshold proximity between the passive RF device 254 and the RF reader 204, the passive RF device 254 sends pairing information to the RF reader 204 during step 404. In the single dongle example, the passive RF device 254 of the dongle 130 sends pairing information to the RF reader 204 of the control device 120. In the dual dongle example, the passive RF device 254 of the first dongle 160 sends pairing information to the RF reader 204 of the second dongle 170.

During step 408, a wireless connection is established between the first and second communication devices 202, 252 based on the pairing information received from the passive RF device 254. In the single dongle example, a wireless connection is established between the first communication device 202 of the control device 120 and the second communication device 252 of the dongle 130. In the dual dongle example, a wireless connection is established between the first communication device 202 of the second dongle 170 and the second communication device 252 of the first dongle 160.

In some examples, the method shown in fig. 6 may include the step of encrypting the pairing information and the step of decrypting 414 the pairing information. In the single dongle example, dongle 130 including passive RF device 254 may encrypt pairing information; also, during step 414, the control device 120 including the RF reader 204 may decrypt the pairing information. In the dual dongle example, the first dongle 160 including the passive RF device 254 may encrypt the pairing information; also, the second dongle 170 including the RF reader 204 can decrypt the pairing information.

It should be noted that when sending the pairing information, the encryption of the pairing information may occur at any time prior to step 404. For example, the pairing information may be encrypted at the time of manufacture of the passive RF device 254. In another example, the pairing information may be encrypted after the passive RF device 254 is powered. For example, the pairing information may be encrypted after the passive RF device 254 is powered by an RF signal from the RF reader 204 during step 402.

Further, step 414 may occur at any time after step 404 (the step of receiving pairing information from the passive RF device 254) and before step 408 (the step of establishing a wireless connection between the first and second communication devices 202, 252). Unless otherwise stated, the step 414 of decrypting the pairing information with the RF reader 204 may occur after the step 404 of receiving the pairing information from the RF reader 204, before the step 408 of establishing a wireless connection between the first and second communication devices 202, 252 based on the pairing information.

After step 414, the method proceeds to step 406 in the single dongle example. During step 406, dongle 130 is physically coupled to dongle connection port 140 of surgical console 102. In one example of step 406, the control device 120 is disposed in a sterile field and the surgical console 102 can be disposed in a non-sterile field. In such an example, the step 406 of physically coupling the dongle 130 to the dongle connection port 140 of the surgical console 102 can include the step of moving the dongle 130 into a non-sterile area.

In the dual dongle example, the method proceeds to step 406'. During step 406', first dongle 160 and second dongle 170 are physically coupled to dongle connection ports 140, 150 of surgical console 102 and control device 120'. In one example of a dual dongle example (as shown in fig. 1B), during step 406', second dongle 170 is physically coupled to dongle connection port 180 of control device 120' and first dongle 160 is physically coupled to dongle connection port 140 of surgical console 102. In another example of the dual dongle example, during step 406', the second dongle 170 is physically coupled to the dongle connection port 140 of the surgical console 102 and the first dongle 160 is physically coupled to the dongle connection port 180 of the control device 120'.

It should be noted that in fig. 6, steps 406, 406' are shown as occurring before step 408. However, steps 406, 406' may occur simultaneously with or after step 408 (and before step 408). In other words, this wireless connection may be established between the first and second communication devices 202, 252 before the dongle 130, 160, 170 is physically coupled to the surgical console 102 or control device 120' via the dongle connection port 140, 180. This may occur in the following example: the dongle 130, 160, 170 and thus the first and second communication devices 202, 252 are powered internally or prior to being physically coupled to the surgical console 102 or the control device 120'. However, the dongle 130, 160, 170 and, therefore, the first and second communication devices 202, 252 may be powered by the surgical console 102 and/or the control device 120' via the dongle connection port 140, 180. In such an example, steps 406, 406' may occur before step 408.

During step 410, the surgical device 110 is remotely controlled by the control device 120 using a wireless connection. In some examples, step 410 may include a step 416 of encrypting control data and a step 418 of decrypting control data. In the single dongle example, control device 120 may encrypt the control data and dongle 130 may decrypt the control data. In the dual dongle example, the dongle 160, 170 physically coupled to the control device 120' can encrypt the control data and the dongle 170, 160 physically coupled to the surgical console 102 can decrypt the control data.

The surgical system, dongle, communication system and method described above create a more robust surgical environment. By remotely controlling the surgical device 110 using the control device 120, 120', the control device 120, 120' eliminates the need for cables and connectors that clutter the workspace and create obstacles in the surgical environment.

Furthermore, the above-described systems and methods disclose a fast and user-friendly means of establishing a wireless connection between the first and second communication devices 202, 252. In the above-described systems and methods, pairing information is received by RF reader 204 by simply establishing a threshold proximity between RF reader 204 and passive RF device 254. The pairing information is then used to automatically establish a wireless connection between the first and second communication devices 202, 252. By automatically establishing a wireless connection, the systems and methods discussed herein do not require the user to manually provide pairing information to the first and second communication devices 202, 252. In this way, the wireless connection between the first and second communication devices 202, 252 is established in a fast and user-friendly manner, minimizing errors from the user.

Additionally, the systems and methods disclosed herein simplify inventory management of the components of surgical system 100. As previously described, any dongle 130 may be wirelessly connected to any control device 120 and any first dongle 160 may be wirelessly connected to any second dongle 170. Thus, from an inventory management perspective, dongle 130 need not be paired with a particular control device 120, and first dongle 160 need not be specifically paired with second dongle 170. Further, the dongle 130, 160, 170 can communicate with various surgical consoles 102 due to the connector identifier 262 and adaptable connector 264 of the dongle 130, 160, 170. Thus, from an inventory management perspective, the dongle 130, 160, 170 need not be paired with a particular surgical console 102. In this way, the dongle 130, 160, 170 is easily replaced, and the stock of the dongle 130, 160, 170 is easily managed.

It will be further understood that the terms "includes" and "including" have the same meaning as the terms "comprises" and "including".

Several examples have been discussed in the foregoing description. However, the examples discussed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to any particular form. The terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.