Systems and methods for optimizing emissions from simultaneous activation of electrosurgery generators

1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to function as an information processing apparatus for a modular electrosurgical generator platform, comprising:

a power supply module configured to output power;

a first energy module configured to receive the power and convert the power into a first waveform having a first phase, and to deliver the power in a first energy mode;

a second energy module configured to receive the power and convert the power into a second waveform having a second phase, and to deliver the power in a second energy mode;

a host controller module configured to control a type and a number of energy modalities provided by the generator platform;

a comparator for comparing the first phase of the first waveform with the second phase of the second waveform in one or more of a plurality of sub-periods; and

an adjustment module for adjusting a relative phase between the first and second waveforms based on results obtained from the comparator, the adjustment module offsetting the first phase from the second phase by a predetermined amount, the offsetting resulting in destructive interference of the first and second waveforms limiting constructive interference to less than a predetermined maximum value;

wherein the comparator compares zero crossings of the first waveform with zero-crossings of the second waveform to determine the relative phase between the first and second waveforms.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein the energy modality is selected from the group consisting of cutting, coagulation, blend, division with hemostasis, fulguration, spray, and combinations thereof.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second energy modules include an RF stage, a sensor stage, a controller stage, and a connector module stage.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 3 , wherein the RF stage includes an inverter and a preamp.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein the modular electrosurgical generator platform supports simultaneous activation of two energy modes.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 5 , wherein the host controller module manages requests and controls activation of energy modes.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein the relative phase is adjusted at predefined frequencies.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein:

the one or more of the plurality of sub-period is two or more of the plurality of sub-periods; and

the predetermined amount is an integer multiple of sub-periods.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 8 , wherein:

the comparator identifies a combined waveform of the first waveform and the second waveform having a lowest constructive interference among a plurality of phase differentials between the first and second waveforms, the phase differentials being associated with an associated one of the plurality of sub-periods; and

the integer multiple of sub-periods being associated with the lowest constructive interference.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein:

the host controller module is configured to control a plurality of energy modalities, at least two of the energy modalities being of a different type.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to function as an information processing apparatus for a modular electrosurgical generator platform, comprising:

delivering first energy to a first target tissue via a first generator, the first energy represented as a first waveform having a first phase;

delivering second energy to a second target tissue via a second generator, the second energy represented as a second waveform having a second phase;

applying the first energy in a first energy mode in a predetermined time period;

applying the second energy in a second energy mode in the predetermined time period;

comparing the first phase of the first energy waveform with the second phase of the second energy waveform in one or more of a plurality of sub-periods; and

adjusting a relative phase between the first and second energy waveforms based on the comparison step, the adjusting step involving offsetting the first phase from the second phase by a predetermined amount, the offsetting resulting in destructive interference of the first and second energy waveforms limiting constructive interference to less than a predetermined maximum value;

wherein the comparing of the first and second phases includes comparing zero crossings of the first waveform with zero-crossings of the second waveform to determine the relative phase between the first and second waveforms.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 11 , wherein the energy modes are at least one of: bipolar, monopolar, continuous, and discontinuous modes.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 11 , wherein at least one modality is selected from the group consisting of cutting, coagulation, blend, division with hemostasis, fulguration, spray, and combinations thereof.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to function as an information processing apparatus for a modular electrosurgical generator platform, comprising:

delivering first energy represented as a first waveform via a first surgical instrument to a first target tissue;

delivering second energy represented as a second waveform via a second surgicalinstrument to a second target tissue;

comparing the first waveform to the second waveform; and

adjusting a relative phase of the first and second waveforms to offset constructive interference, the adjusting offsetting the first phase from the second phase by a predetermined amount, the offsetting resulting in destructive interference of the first and second waveforms limiting constructive interference to less than a predetermined maximum value;

wherein the comparing of the first and second waveforms includes comparing zero crossings of the first waveform with zero-crossings of the second waveform to determine the relative phase between the first and second waveforms.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 14 , wherein the comparing step involves performing sampling of the first and second waveforms in regions surrounding the zero crossings of the first and second waveforms.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 15 , wherein sampling data surrounding the zero crossings of the first and second waveforms is provided to a software algorithm for computing the relative phase between the first and second waveforms.