Technologies for controlling a radio frequency mode of energy-based surgical instruments

A method for controlling a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

• activating, by a control element, delivery of ultrasonic energy by the surgical instrument at a subtherapeutic level during a first phase;
• measuring, by the control element, a frequency shift of an ultrasonic blade of the surgical instrument in response to activating the delivery of the ultrasonic energy at the subtherapeutic level;
• determining, by the control element, a control parameter based on the frequency shift;
• and
• activating, by the control element, delivery of ultrasonic energy by the surgical instrument at a therapeutic level with the control parameter during a second phase after the first phase.

A method for controlling a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

• activating, by a control element, a radio frequency (RF) seal operation with the surgical instrument;
• recording, by the control element, a first attribute of the RF seal operation;
• determining, by the control element, an ultrasonic control parameter based on the first attribute of the RF seal operation;
• and
• activating, by the control element, an ultrasonic transection operation with the surgical instrument using the ultrasonic control parameter.