Apparatus and method for alerting generator functions in an ultrasonic surgical system

A system for implementing surgical procedures comprising:

• an ultrasonic surgical handpiece;
• an end-effector connectable to said handpiece and selected from the group consisting of a blade and shears;
• a generator console having a digital signal processor for controlling the handpiece, wherein the console sends a drive current to drive the handpiece, which drive current imparts ultrasonic longitudinal movement to the end-effector;
• a memory disposed within the end-effector which adjusts operation of the generator console for operation with the end-effector to set a cutting rate and degree of tissue hemostasis with the end-effector,
• an adaptor
• wherein the memory communicates electrically with the adaptor through electromagnetic signal coupling;
• and
• wherein the adaptor conveys the information via the electromagnetic signal coupling to the handpiece;
• and
• wherein the console reads information stored in the memory and displays the information and an interpretation of the information on the console display.

A method for implementing surgical procedures in a system including an ultrasonic surgical hand piece connectable to an end-effector, said end-effector being selected from the group consisting of a blade, an assembly of a blade and a sheath, shears, scissors and forceps, a console for controlling the hand piece, and a memory disposed in the end-effector which adjusts operation of the generator console for operation with the end-effector to set a cutting rate and degree of hemostasis with the end-effector, the method comprising the steps of:

• reading information stored in the memory;
• determining whether a copyrighted data string is present in the memory;
• authenticating use of the hand piece with the console if the data string is present;
• sending a drive current to drive the hand piece;
• imparting ultrasonic movement to the end-effector;
• periodically querying the memory during the ultrasonic movement of the end-effector to adjust operation of the console;
• instructing the hand piece to operate in a handicap mode if a number of defective blades found in a time period of operating the hand piece exceeds a handicap limit;
• and
• disabling the hand piece if the number of defective blades found in the time period exceeds a disable limit.