Ultrasonic device for fingertip control

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• (a) a handpiece;
• (b) an end effector positioned distal to the handpiece, wherein the handpiece and end effector are configured to permit a user to apply a force to tissue with the end effector by using the handpiece to force the end effector against the tissue;
• (c) a power source in communication with the end effector, wherein the power source is operable to provide a plurality of power levels to the end effector;
• (d) a controller, wherein the controller is operable to select one of the power levels provided by the power source to the end effector;
• and
• (e) an activation member, wherein the activation member is integral with the handpiece, wherein the activation member comprises an exterior surface and a longitudinal array of buttons disposed below the exterior surface;
• wherein the array of buttons comprises at least three buttons, and wherein the exterior surface is operable to activate each button successively in response to a user sliding a finger across the exterior surface, wherein the controller is operable to progressively and substantially continuously select a series of corresponding predetermined power levels in response to the act of the user sliding a finger across the exterior surface;
• wherein each of the buttons of the activation member is configured to activate the end effector at the selected predetermined power level in response to the user tapping the activation member with a predetermined number of taps after the user slides a finger across the exterior surface.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:

• (a) a body having a distal end and a proximal end;
• (b) a shaft extending from the distal end of the body;
• (c) an ultrasonically actuated blade positioned distal to the body and coupled to the shaft;
• (d) means for controlling a level of power provided by a power source to the blade, wherein the means for controlling the level of power comprises an elongate strip having a length, wherein the means for controlling the level of power is configured to select a power level based on a longitudinal position at which an operator stops sliding a finger along the length of the strip;
• and
• (e) means for activating the blade, in response to an operator tapping on the elongate strip, at a power level selected using the means for controlling.