Ultrasonic surgical system and method

An ultrasonic surgical system comprising:

• an ultrasonic unit including an instrument operatively connected to an ultrasonic generator, wherein said instrument has an ultrasonic end effector positioned on a distal end of a shaft and an actuating unit, said ultrasonic end effector including a clamping element and an ultrasonic blade, and said actuating unit including a force transmission assembly adapted to actuate said clamping element;
• a control unit operatively connected to said actuating unit of said ultrasonic unit, wherein said control unit is programmed with a surgical subroutine for performing a plurality of surgical tasks in an operative cycle, wherein at least one surgical task of said plurality includes reversibly and repeatedly actuating said clamping element to apply a modulated clamping force to tissue clamped against said ultrasonic blade;
• and
• a user interface operatively connected to said control unit for initiating said operative cycle of said surgical subroutine such that said plurality of surgical tasks are automatically performed during said operative cycle.

A method for ultrasonically treating a tissue of a patient, said method comprising:

• providing an ultrasonic surgical system comprising an ultrasonic unit including an instrument operatively connected to an ultrasonic generator, wherein said instrument includes an end effector having a clamping element and an ultrasonic blade, a control unit in communication with said ultrasonic unit, and a user interface in communication with said control unit;
• programming said control unit with a surgical subroutine for performing a plurality of surgical tasks, wherein at least one surgical task of said plurality includes reversibly and repeatedly actuating said clamping element to apply a modulated clamping force to tissue clamped against said ultrasonic blade;
• positioning said end effector of said instrument at a surgical site inside a body cavity of said patient with tissue disposed between said clamping element and said ultrasonic blade;
• and
• initiating said surgical subroutine such that said ultrasonic surgical system automatically performs said plurality of surgical tasks according to said surgical subroutine.