Features for coupling surgical instrument shaft assembly with instrument body

A method of attaching a waveguide to an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• (a) connecting the waveguide to the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the act of connecting the waveguide to the ultrasonic transducer creates at least one vibration pulse within the ultrasonic transducer, wherein ultrasonic transducer generates at least one corresponding voltage pulse in response to the vibration pulse;
• (b) sensing the at least one corresponding voltage pulse generated by the ultrasonic transducer;
• (c) analyzing characteristics of the at least one corresponding voltage pulse;
• and
• (d) providing feedback to an operator indicating whether a proper connection has been made between the waveguide and the ultrasonic transducer, based on the analyzed characteristics of the at least one corresponding voltage pulse.

A method of attaching a shaft assembly to a body assembly of a surgical instrument, wherein the shaft assembly comprises an ultrasonic waveguide and longitudinally translatable member, wherein the body assembly comprises an ultrasonic transducer, a sensor, locking member, and a motor, wherein the body assembly includes a socket, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• (a) positioning the shaft assembly in the socket of the body assembly;
• (b) sensing the shaft assembly within the socket;
• (c) translating the translatable member from a distal longitudinal position to a proximal longitudinal position,
• (c) actuating the locking member a first time, wherein the act of actuating the locking member a first time prevents rotation of the shaft assembly relative to the body assembly;
• (d) actuating the motor, wherein the act of actuating the motor secures the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic waveguide;
• and
• (e) actuating the locking member a second time, wherein the act of actuating the locking member a second time allows rotation of the shaft assembly relative to the body assembly.