Resistance level communication protocol

A method of two-way communication between an electrosurgical device and a generator comprising:

• providing, via the generator, a continuous signal to the electrosurgical device and at the electrosurgical device:
• converting the continuous signal to a DC signal;
• powering a processor with the DC signal;
• and
• varying, using a resistor, the current of power used by the processor over time;
• providing, via the electrosurgical device, the current to the generator and at the generator:
• interpreting variances in the current as data;
• and
• sending an acknowledgement to the electrosurgical device using frequency shift keying (FSK).

A system configured to establish two-way communication using a resistance level communication protocol, the system comprising:

• a generator;
• and
• an electrosurgical device comprising:
• an electrical connector configured to receive a treatment signal and a continuous signal from the generator;
• a transformer configured to isolate the continuous signal;
• a digital potentiometer configured to receive the isolated continuous signal;
• and
• a controller configured to vary the resistance of the digital potentiometer over time;
• wherein the generator is configured to interpret the variation in the resistance as data and provide an acknowledgement to the electrosurgical device using frequency shift keying (FSK).