Method for controlling a therapeutic ultrasonic interventional system

A method for controlling a system, comprising:

• (a) repeatedly monitoring at least one operational characteristic of an ultrasonic therapeutic system that includes an ultrasonic transducer,
• (i) wherein the ultrasonic transducer is powered by an ultrasonic generator and is configured to drive an end-effector at one or more predetermined levels of vibration amplitude, and
• (ii) wherein the ultrasonic generator includes a controller configured to monitor operational parameters of the therapeutic system;
• (b) detecting a change in an operational characteristic based on a comparison of the monitored characteristic against a predetermined threshold for that characteristic;
• (c) inferring a system-use criteria based on the detected change in the operational characteristic;
• and
• (d) adapting system control by using the controller to alter the operational characteristic based on the inferred use criteria, wherein adapting system control includes operating the system at a reduced amplitude set point for a predetermined period of time after the system use criteria is inferred;
• or operating the system at an increased amplitude set point for a predetermined period of time after the system use criteria is inferred, and further comprising a second amplitude modulation scheme wherein operating levels are adjusted based on a second modulation criteria.