Ultrasonic surgical aspirator for probing and ablating tissue

Abstract

A system and method for probing patient tissue using an ultrasonic surgical aspirator includes a tip for treating the patient tissue and a control console coupled to the handpiece. The control console supplies an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece that vibrates the tip against the patient tissue. The AC drive signal includes a first component at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece and a second component at a probing frequency lower than the resonant frequency. The control console measures the voltage and current of the AC drive signal, calculates a resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and current, and then provides at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Distinguishing between different types of patient tissue during a medical procedure can be difficult, especially when the physician's view of the tissue is obstructed. Summary of the Invention

[0002] This Summary introduces a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, nor does it necessarily identify every key feature or essential feature of the claimed subject matter.

[0003] In a first aspect, an ultrasonic tool system for operating an ultrasonic handpiece to probe patient tissue is provided, the ultrasonic handpiece including a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip. The system includes a control console coupled to the ultrasonic handpiece and configured to generate an AC drive signal that is applied to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece to vibrate the tip of the ultrasonic handpiece. The control console is further configured to: supply the AC drive signal to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece, the AC drive signal including a first component at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece and a second component at a probing frequency that is lower than the resonant frequency; measure a voltage and a current of the AC drive signal; calculate a resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and measured current; and provide at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance.

[0004] In a second aspect, an ultrasonic tool system for operating an ultrasonic handpiece to probe patient tissue is provided, the ultrasonic handpiece including a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip. The system includes a control console coupled to the ultrasonic handpiece and configured to generate an AC drive signal that is applied to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece to vibrate the tip of the ultrasonic handpiece. The control console is configured to supply the AC drive signal to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece, the AC drive signal producing vibrations at the distal region of the tip that are insufficient to ablate patient tissue, measure the voltage and current of the AC drive signal, and provide at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current.

[0005] In a third aspect, an ultrasonic tool system for operating an ultrasonic handpiece to probe patient tissue is provided, the ultrasonic handpiece including a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip. The system includes a control console coupled to the ultrasonic handpiece and configured to generate an AC drive signal applied to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece to vibrate the tip of the ultrasonic handpiece, and a switch coupled to the control console and having a first setting and a second setting. In response to the switch being set to the first setting, the control console is configured to operate the ultrasonic handpiece in a probing mode, and in response to the switch being set to the second setting, the control console is configured to operate the ultrasonic handpiece in an ablation mode.

[0006] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided for probing patient tissue using an ultrasonic tool system including an ultrasonic handpiece having a tip for treating the patient tissue and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, the method including the steps of supplying an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece, the AC drive signal including a first component at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece and a second component at a probing frequency lower than the resonant frequency, measuring a voltage and a current of the AC drive signal, calculating a resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and measured current, and providing at least one of an audible, a visual, or a tactile indication based on the calculated resistance.

[0007] In a fifth aspect, a method is provided for probing patient tissue using an ultrasonic tool system including an ultrasonic handpiece having a tip for treating patient tissue and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, the method including the steps of supplying an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece, the AC drive signal producing vibrations at a distal region of the tip that are insufficient to ablate patient tissue, measuring a voltage and a current of the AC drive signal, and providing at least one of an audible, a visual, or a tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current.

[0008] In a sixth aspect, a method for operating an ultrasonic tool system for probing patient tissue is provided, the ultrasonic tool system including an ultrasonic handpiece having a tip for treating patient tissue, at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, and a switch having a first setting and a second setting, the method including the steps of: providing an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece to vibrate the tip of the ultrasonic handpiece; monitoring a state of the switch to determine whether the switch is set to the first setting or the second setting; determining that the switch is set to the first setting; operating the ultrasonic handpiece in a probe mode in response to determining that the switch is set to the first setting; determining that the switch is set to the second setting; and operating the ultrasonic handpiece in an ablation mode in response to determining that the switch is set to the second setting.

[0009] Any of the above aspects may be combined in whole or in part.

[0010] Any of the above aspects, whether utilized individually or in combination, can be utilized in any one or more of the following implementations.

[0011] Some implementations include an ultrasonic handpiece coupled to a control console. Some implementations include the ultrasonic handpiece defining a first pathway for providing suction at a distal region of the tip and a second pathway for providing fluid to the distal region of the tip. Some implementations include providing fluid to the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece and providing suction at the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece.

[0012] Some implementations include a control console including a first sensor for measuring a voltage of the AC drive signal, a second sensor for measuring a current of the AC drive signal, and a processor coupled to the first and second sensors and configured to implement a set function of the control console. For example, some implementations include a processor configured to: provide an AC drive signal to at least one driver of an ultrasonic hand piece, the AC drive signal including a first component at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic hand piece and a second component at a probing frequency lower than the resonant frequency; measure the voltage and current of the AC drive signal using the first and second sensors while a distal region of the tip is in contact with patient tissue; calculate a resistance associated with the ultrasonic hand piece based on the measured voltage and measured current; and provide at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance.

[0013] Some implementations include identifying, by a processor and / or control console, or the like, a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the calculated resistance, thereby providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance, and providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic. Some implementations include the identified characteristic being a health state of the patient tissue, such as whether the patient tissue is tumorous.

[0014] Some implementations include: an AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece defined by a base signal at a resonant frequency that is amplitude modulated according to a probing frequency; some implementations include the resonant frequency being about 25 kHz and the probing frequency being about 4 Hz; some implementations include the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece configured to produce tip vibrations that are insufficient to ablate patient tissue; some implementations include the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece configured to produce vibrations at a distal region of the tip having a peak-to-peak displacement of 100 microns or less, thereby producing tip vibrations that are insufficient to ablate patient tissue.

[0015] Some implementations include an AC drive signal defined as a first AC drive signal and also include determining, by a processor and / or control console, or the like, whether the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in a probing mode or an ablation mode, and providing the first AC drive signal to the ultrasonic hand piece in response to determining that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in the probing mode, and providing a second AC drive signal to the ultrasonic hand piece in response to determining that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in the ablation mode, the second AC drive signal being configured to cause vibrations of the tip sufficient to ablate patient tissue. Some implementations include the second AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic hand piece being configured to cause vibrations at a distal region of the tip having a peak-to-peak displacement of greater than 100 microns and less than or equal to 300 microns, thereby causing vibrations of the tip sufficient to ablate patient tissue.

[0016] Some implementations also include a switch communicatively coupled to a processor and / or control console, the switch having a first setting and a second setting, and determining, by the processor and / or control console, etc., that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in a probing mode in response to the switch being set to the first setting, and that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in an ablation mode in response to the switch being set to the second setting.

[0017] Some implementations include, in response to a determination, such as by a processor and / or control console, that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in an ablation mode, providing suction at a distal region of the tip through a first pathway defined by the ultrasonic handpiece and supplying fluid to the distal region of the tip through a second pathway defined by the ultrasonic handpiece.

[0018] Some implementations include calculating, by a processor and / or control console or the like, a resistance associated with the ultrasonic hand piece based on the measured voltage and the measured current by calculating an equivalent of the current through the mechanical parts of the ultrasonic hand piece based on the measured voltage and the measured current, calculating a resistance associated with the ultrasonic hand piece based on the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical parts of the ultrasonic hand piece, some implementations include calculating, by a processor and / or control console or the like, a resistance associated with the ultrasonic hand piece based on the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical parts of the ultrasonic hand piece by calculating a first amplitude of the measured voltage at the probing frequency, a second amplitude of the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical parts of the ultrasonic hand piece at the probing frequency, and a phase difference between the measured voltage and the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical parts of the ultrasonic hand piece at the probing frequency, and calculating a real part of the impedance of the ultrasonic hand piece based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference.

[0019] Some implementations include providing, by a processor and / or control console or the like, a difference between the calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece, and providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance, and providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated difference. Some implementations include providing, by a processor and / or control console or the like, at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated difference, and providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic, and providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic.

[0020] Some implementations include a memory, such as a control console, coupled to a processor, that stores tissue property data, the tissue property data indicating potential tissue properties and, for each potential tissue property, indicating one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue property. Some implementations also include identifying, by the processor and / or the control console, or the like, one of the potential tissue properties indicated by the tissue property data as a property of the patient tissue based on the one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue property and the calculated resistance, and providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication of the identified property of the patient tissue.

[0021] Some implementations include identifying, by a processor and / or control console, or the like, one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data based on the one or more values ​​characteristic of the potential tissue characteristic and the calculated resistance by calculating a difference between the calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece, and identifying one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data based on the one or more values ​​characteristic of the potential tissue characteristic and the calculated difference.

[0022] Some implementations include determining the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic hand piece by, for example, a processor and / or control console, in response to the ultrasonic hand piece being connected to the control console, providing an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic hand piece while the ultrasonic hand piece is in an unloaded state, measuring, for example, a second voltage and a second current of the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic hand piece while the ultrasonic hand piece is in an unloaded state using first and second sensors, and calculating the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic hand piece based on the measured second voltage and the measured second current of the AC drive signal. Some implementations include determining the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic hand piece by, for example, a processor and / or control console, in response to the ultrasonic hand piece being connected to the control console, reading data indicative of the no-load resistance from a memory integral with the ultrasonic hand piece.

[0023] Some implementations include providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current, such as by a processor and / or controller, identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the measured voltage and current and providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic.

[0024] Some implementations include identifying characteristics of the patient tissue based on the measured voltage and current by calculating, by a processor and / or control console, or the like, an equivalent of the current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and the measured current, and identifying characteristics of the patient tissue based on the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece.

[0025] Some implementations include an AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic hand piece that includes a first component at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic hand piece and a second component at a probing frequency that is lower than the resonant frequency, and also include identifying, by a processor and / or control console or the like, a characteristic of the patient tissue based on a calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic hand piece by calculating a first amplitude of a measured voltage at the probing frequency, a second amplitude of a calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic hand piece at the probing frequency, and a phase difference between the measured voltage and the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic hand piece at the probing frequency, and identifying the characteristic of the patient tissue based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference.

[0026] Some implementations include providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current by, for example, a processor and / or control console, identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the measured voltage, the measured current, and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece, and providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic.

[0027] Some implementations include a memory, such as a control console, that stores tissue characteristic data, the tissue characteristic data indicating potential tissue characteristics and, for each potential tissue characteristic, one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic; and identifying, by a processor and / or the control console or the like, one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data as a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic and the measured voltage and current, and providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic of the patient tissue, thereby providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current. Some implementations also include identifying, by a processor and / or the control console or the like, one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data based on the one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic, the measured voltage and current, and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece.

[0028] Some implementations include determining the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic hand piece by, for example, a processor and / or control console, in response to the ultrasonic hand piece being connected to the control console, providing an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic hand piece while the ultrasonic hand piece is in an unloaded state, measuring, for example, a second voltage and a second current of the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic hand piece while the ultrasonic hand piece is in an unloaded state using first and second sensors, and calculating the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic hand piece based on the measured second voltage and the measured second current of the AC drive signal. Some implementations include determining the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic hand piece by, for example, a processor and / or control console, in response to the ultrasonic hand piece being connected to the control console, reading data indicative of the no-load resistance from a memory integral with the ultrasonic hand piece. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

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Figure 6

Figure 7

[0030] 1 illustrates an ultrasonic tool system 10 for probing and ablating patient tissue. The ultrasonic tool system 10 can include a control console 12 and an ultrasonic handpiece 14. The ultrasonic handpiece 14 can include a tip 16. During operation of the ultrasonic tool system 10, the control console 12 can provide an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece 14, which causes the tip 16 to vibrate. A surgeon can then position the vibrating tip 16 relative to patient tissue to probe or ablate the contacted tissue.

[0031] A surgeon using ultrasonic tool system 10 may desire to remove some types of patient tissue while leaving other types of patient tissue intact. For example, the surgeon may desire to remove unhealthy tissue (e.g., tumor tissue) while leaving adjacent healthy tissue intact, or to remove certain types of patient tissue (e.g., dura mater, muscle tissue) without damaging adjacent patient tissue of a different type (e.g., pia mater, blood vessel wall). Distinguishing between different types of patient tissue can be difficult, especially when the surgeon's view of the tissue is obstructed or when the distinction between one tissue type and another is difficult to ascertain from visual inspection. Thus, ultrasonic tool system 10 may be configured to probe contacted tissue to detect and indicate the type of contacted tissue without causing tissue damage.

[0032] Specifically, the control console 12 may be configured to provide an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 that vibrates the tip 16 in a manner insufficient to ablate the contacted tissue. The control console 12 may also be configured to slowly vary the displacement amplitude of the tip 16 caused by the vibration and monitor the tissue's response as it is pushed or pulled by the vibrating tip 16. In particular, the vibration may be a longitudinal vibration that pushes or pulls the tissue as the displacement amplitude varies. As the tip 16's displacement amplitude increases, harder tissue may be more difficult to push or pull than relatively soft tissue. In other words, harder tissue may apply more resistance to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 than softer tissue as the tip 16's displacement amplitude increases. Therefore, the control console 12 may be configured to track the stiffness of the contacted tissue by determining the mechanical resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 in response to changes in the tip 16's displacement amplitude, and identify tissue properties based thereon. The tissue characteristics may indicate the type of tissue with which the ultrasonic handpiece 14 is in contact, such as whether the tissue is healthy or unhealthy, or the type of tissue in contact (e.g., blood vessel wall, dura mater). The control console 12 may then be configured to indicate the tissue characteristics to the user, such as via an audible, visual, and / or tactile indication.

[0033] The above-described operation of the ultrasonic tool system 10 may occur when the ultrasonic tool system 10 is configured to operate in a probing mode. In response to receiving an indication of tissue characteristics while the ultrasonic tool system 10 is operating in the probing mode, the surgeon can determine whether the tip 16 is in contact with tissue from which removal is desired. If so, the surgeon can activate an ablation mode in which the control console 12 provides an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 configured to cause vibration of the tip 16 sufficient to ablate the contacted tissue.

[0034] In addition to the tip 16, the ultrasonic hand piece 14 may include a body 18 and a sleeve 20. The body 18 may define a handle for a practitioner to grasp and manipulate the ultrasonic hand piece 14. The tip 16 may be removably coupled to the body 18 to allow the body 18 to be used with different interchangeable tips 16. The body 18 may form the proximal end of the ultrasonic hand piece 14, and the tip 16 coupled to the body 18 may form the distal end of the ultrasonic hand piece. "Proximal" may be understood as being toward the practitioner holding the ultrasonic hand piece 14 and away from the tissue to which the tip 16 is applied, and "distal" may be understood as being away from the practitioner and toward the tissue to which the tip 16 of the ultrasonic hand piece 14 is applied.

[0035] The ultrasonic handpiece 14 may be removably coupled to the control console 12 via an electrical cable 22. One end of the electrical cable 22 may be permanently connected to the proximal end of the body 18 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14, and the other end of the electrical cable 22 may include an adapter 24 that corresponds to a socket 26 on the control console 12. The socket 26 may be shaped to receive the adapter 24 and may include electrical contacts that correspond to the electrical contacts of the adapter 24 such that an electrical connection is made between the ultrasonic handpiece 14 and the control console 12 when the adapter 24 is fully seated in the socket 26.

[0036] During operation of the ultrasonic handpiece 14, the control console 12 can generate an AC drive signal and supply it to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 via the electrical cable 22. Application of the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 can vibrate the tip 16 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14. More specifically, the body 18 can define a cavity containing one or more drivers 28 (three are shown), such as piezoelectric drivers. Each driver 28 can be formed from a material that momentarily expands or contracts upon application of an alternating current. The expansion and contraction of each driver 28 can be along the longitudinal axis of the driver 28, i.e., the axis extending between the proximally-facing and distally-facing surfaces of the driver 28. The drivers 28 can be disk-shaped and arranged end-to-end in a stack within the body 18. Insulating disks can be positioned between adjacent drivers 28 to firmly abut them.

[0037] The ultrasonic handpiece 14 may be designed so that an AC drive signal received from the control console 12 is applied to each of the drivers 28, causing the drivers 28 to expand and contract in accordance with the AC drive signal. The drivers 28 may be coupled to the tip 16 such that expansion and contraction of the drivers 28 imparts an oscillatory motion to the tip 16. Specifically, expansion and contraction of the drivers 28 may impart a back-and-forth vibration along the longitudinal axis of the tip 16 corresponding to the AC drive signal provided by the control console 12. These vibrations may vibrate the distal region 17 of the tip 16. The distal region 17 may be the portion of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 that is applied to patient tissue to probe and / or ablate the tissue. The distal region 17 may include a tip head 19 (e.g., FIG. 4 ) that may be formed with teeth or grooves sized to remove tissue by a cutting action.

[0038] The sleeve 20 may be disposed around the tip 16 and may be formed from plastic. A coupling feature may be formed at the proximal end of the sleeve 20 for releasably coupling the sleeve 20 to the distal end of the body 18. When the sleeve 20 is disposed over the tip 16 and coupled to the body 18, the sleeve 20 may be radially spaced from the tip 16 and longitudinally spaced from the distal region of the tip 16. Accordingly, the components of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 may be dimensioned so that the tip 16 does not contact the sleeve 20 during normal operation.

[0039] The ultrasonic hand piece 14 can define a pathway extending at least partially through the ultrasonic hand piece 14 for supplying irrigation fluid to the distal region 17 of the tip 16. For example, the sleeve 20 can include a fitting 30 for receiving an irrigation line. During operation of the ultrasonic hand piece 14, irrigation fluid can be channeled through the gap between the tip 16 and the sleeve 20 via the fitting 30 and exit the open distal end of the sleeve 20. Thus, the sleeve 20 can facilitate the supply of irrigation fluid to tissue contacted and treated by the ultrasonic hand piece 14. In another example, the ultrasonic hand piece 14 can include an irrigation line extending from the proximal end of the body 18 for receiving irrigation fluid from an irrigation source and can define a pathway extending through the body 18 and the sleeve 20 between the irrigation line and the distal region 17 of the tip 16. Thus, during operation of the ultrasonic handpiece 14, irrigation fluid can be flowed throughout the length of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 (e.g., through the irrigation line, the body 18, and the sleeve 20) and exit through the open distal end of the sleeve 20.

[0040] The ultrasonic hand piece 14 may also define a passageway extending at least partially through the ultrasonic hand piece 14 for applying suction at the distal region 17 of the tip 16. For example, the ultrasonic hand piece 14 may define a lumen 32 extending from the proximal end of the body 18 through the tip 16 to the open distal end of the tip 16. During a procedure, suction may be applied to the lumen 32 in a proximal direction. The suction may draw in irrigation fluid applied to the surgical site and debris generated by the procedure that is entrained in the fluid. The suction may also draw tissue toward the distal region 17 of the tip 16, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the tip 16 in contacting and treating tissue.

[0041] The control console 12 may include a display 34 for presenting information to the surgeon. Non-limiting examples of the information presented include the identity of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 and / or tip 16 currently connected to the control console 12, the operational status of the ultrasonic tool system 10, and characteristics of the tissue in contact with the tip 16 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 described herein. The display 34 may also be a touchscreen display that allows the surgeon to provide user input to the control console 12, such as via on-screen controls. The surgeon can interact with the on-screen controls to set operating parameters for the ultrasonic tool system 10, such as maximum tip 16 displacement level, suction level, and irrigation level for the ultrasonic handpiece 14.

[0042] The ultrasonic tool system 10 may also include one or more actuators coupled to the control console 12. When activated by the practitioner, each of the actuators may cause the control console 12 to provide an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece 14, causing the tip 16 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 to vibrate. For example, one or more of the actuators may include a foot pedal 36. The foot pedal 36 may be wirelessly connected to the control console 12, such as via an adapter 38 connected to the control console 12. When the foot pedal 36 is depressed, it may communicate an actuation signal to the control console 12 indicative of the depression. In some cases, the communicated actuation signal may vary depending on the degree to which the foot pedal 36 is depressed. In response to receiving the actuation signal, the control console 12 may provide an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece 14, causing the tip 16 to vibrate according to the current settings of the control console 12.

[0043] The ultrasonic tool system 10 may further include a remote control 40 coupled to the control console 12. Similar to the touchscreen display 34, the remote control 40 may include user-selectable buttons for providing user input to the control console 12. For example, the remote control 40 may include buttons for setting operating parameters of the ultrasonic handpiece 14, such as a maximum tip 16 displacement level, aspiration level, and irrigation level for the ultrasonic handpiece 14. The remote control 40 may include a power button for turning the control console 12 on and off. Additionally or alternatively, the control console 12 may include an integrated power button 42 for turning the control console 12 on and off.

[0044] The ultrasonic tool system 10 may also include a mode setting switch coupled to the control console 12, the switch having a probing mode setting and an ablation mode setting. A surgeon may interact with the mode setting switch to selectively set the ultrasonic tool system 10 to operate in either the probing mode or the ablation mode. Accordingly, the control console 12 may be configured to monitor the state of the mode setting switch to determine whether the mode setting switch is set to the probing mode setting or the ablation mode setting. In response to the mode setting switch being set to the probing mode setting, the control console 12 may be configured to determine that the ultrasonic tool system 10 is set to operate in the probing mode and to operate the ultrasonic handpiece 14 in the probing mode, as described in more detail below. Conversely, in response to the mode setting switch being set to the probing mode setting, the control console 12 may be configured to determine that the ultrasonic tool system 10 is set to operate in the ablation mode and to operate the ultrasonic handpiece 14 in the ablation mode, as described in more detail below.

[0045] In some implementations, the mode setting switch may be a switch 43 integral with the ultrasonic handpiece 14 and coupled to the control console 12 via the electrical cable 22. Additionally or alternatively, the ultrasonic tool system 10 may include a mode setting switch integral with the foot pedal 36 and / or the remote control 40. Additionally or alternatively, the control console 12 may be configured to display a virtual mode setting switch on the display 34, and the surgeon may set the mode setting switch to an ablation mode setting or a probing mode setting by interacting with the virtual mode setting switch via a touchscreen interface of the display 34.

[0046] 2A and 2B show a circuit illustrating the operation of ultrasonic handpiece 14 in response to receiving an AC drive signal from control console 12. The current i of the AC drive signal supplied to ultrasonic handpiece 14 is S is a function of two components: the current i applied to the driver 28 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 O and the current i applied to the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece 14. M (referred to herein as "machine current i M The mechanical parts of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 may include components that vibrate to apply force to tissue, such as a driver 28 and a tip 16.

[0047] current i O The impedance Z presented by the driver 28 to O may be primarily capacitive. Thus, the driver 28 O The impedance presented by the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece 14, Z M can contain inductive, resistive, and capacitive components. Therefore, the mechanical component has an inductance L M inductor with resistor R M a resistor with a capacitance C M It can be represented by a capacitor with inductance L M , resistance R M , capacitance C M varies with the operation of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 and includes at least the resistance R M may vary depending on the tissue to which the tip 16 is applied.

[0048] The vibration of the tip 16 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 generates a mechanical current i M For example, the frequency of vibration in the distal region 17 of the tip 16 may be proportional to the mechanical current i M and when the ultrasonic handpiece 14 is operating at resonance, the peak-to-peak displacement of the distal region 17 in microns may be equal to the frequency of the machine current i in milliamps.M As an example, the machine current i has an amplitude of 150 milliamperes. M can vibrate the distal region 17 of the tip 16 back and forth along a path of travel of approximately 300 microns. Thus, the control console 12 generates a mechanical current i having a predetermined frequency and an amplitude corresponding to a predetermined displacement. M Vibrations with a predetermined frequency and displacement can be induced in the distal region 17 by supplying an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 that results in a mechanical current i M can be determined using the following formula:

[0049] i M =i S -j2πfC O v s (1)

[0050] where i S is the current of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14, f is the frequency of the AC drive signal, and C o is the capacitance of the driver 28, which may be considered constant for purposes of equation (1) and is read from a memory integral with the ultrasonic handpiece 14, and v s is the voltage of the AC drive signal. An explanation of equation (1) can be found in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 10,016,209, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Thus, assuming the frequency f of the AC drive signal is preset to achieve a desired vibration characteristic (e.g., resonance) of the ultrasonic handpiece 14, the control console 12 can determine if equation (1) is the machine current i corresponding to the desired vibration. M The voltage of the AC drive signal, v, is s A desired vibration can be achieved in the distal region 17 by setting

[0051] An integral characteristic of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 is the mechanical resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece 14. The mechanical resonant frequency is the frequency at which the distal region of the tip 16 experiences a peak range of vibratory motion. In other words, at the resonant frequency, the tip 16 experiences motion that is greater in magnitude than would occur if the driver 28 were vibrated at a frequency less than or greater than the resonant frequency. For a longitudinally vibrating tip 16, the peak range may be the maximum anterior-posterior distance.

[0052] Applicant's U.S. Patent No. 10,016,209, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a means for tracking the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece 14, which may change during operation of the ultrasonic handpiece 14. In particular, the ultrasonic handpiece 14 generates a machine current i M The current i applied to the driver 28 for O is substantially equal to zero. In other words, the frequency f of the AC drive signal may correspond to the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 when the following equation holds:

[0053]

number

[0054] where i S is the current of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14, and C O is the capacitance of the driver 28, which may be considered constant for purposes of equation (2) and may be read from a memory integral with the ultrasonic handpiece 14, and v s is the voltage of the AC drive signal. Thus, to produce a desired vibration at the distal region 17 of the tip 16 during operation of the ultrasonic handpiece 14, the control console 12 must determine f so that equation (2) holds true and determine the machine current i corresponding to the desired vibration. M The voltage of the AC drive signal, v, is s The time may be configured to alternate between setting the time.

[0055] 3 illustrates components that may be present within the control console 12. The control console 12 may include a processor 52, a power supply 54, a signal generator 56, a transformer 58, and a console memory 60. The processor 52 may include one or more devices selected from a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a central processing unit, a field programmable gate array, a programmable logic device, a state machine, a logic circuit, an analog circuit, a digital circuit, and / or any other device that manipulates signals (analog or digital) based on operating instructions stored in the console memory 60. The console memory 60 may include a single memory device or multiple memory devices, including, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), flash memory, cache memory, and / or any other device capable of storing information. Console memory 60 may also include one or more persistent data storage devices, such as a hard drive, optical drive, tape drive, non-volatile solid state device, and / or any other device capable of persistently storing information.

[0056] The processor 52 may be configured to implement the functions, features, processes, and methods of the control console 12 described herein. In particular, the processor 52 may operate under the control of software embodied by computer-executable instructions present in the console memory 60. The computer-executable instructions may be compiled or interpreted from a variety of programming languages ​​and / or technologies, including, but not limited to, Java, C, C++, C#, Objective C, Fortran, Pascal, JavaScript, Python, Perl, and PL / SQL, alone or in combination, and, in turn, may be configured, when executed by the processor 52, to cause the processor 52 to implement the functions, features, processes, and methods of the processor 52 described herein.

[0057] During operation of the ultrasonic tool system 10, the power supply 54 may output a constant voltage signal, typically between 1 and 250 VDC, to the signal generator 56. In some implementations, the maximum potential of the voltage output by the power supply 54 may be 150 VDC or less. The processor 52 may be configured to output a control signal (also referred to herein as a “waveform_set signal”) to the signal generator 56 corresponding to a desired AC drive signal. The signal generator 56, which may include an internal processor and / or amplifier, may be configured to generate an AC signal from the constant voltage signal and the waveform_set signal, such as using direct digital synthesis (DDS). More specifically, the signal generator 56 may be configured to output an AC signal having a frequency and amplitude corresponding to the waveform_set signal from the processor 52.

[0058] In some implementations, signal generator 56 may be a class A amplifier or an amplifier such as the amplifier disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 10,449,570, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In this case, processor 52 may be configured to generate a waveform_set signal, such as using a DDS, having an amplitude and frequency proportional to the desired AC drive signal. The amplifier may then be configured to output a signal having an amplitude and frequency based on the amplitude and frequency of the waveform_set signal.

[0059] The output of the signal generator 56 may be proportional to a desired AC drive signal indicated by the waveform_set signal and may be applied across a primary winding 62 of the transformer 58. The AC signal from the signal generator 56 may produce the desired AC drive signal across a secondary winding 64 of the transformer 58. The secondary winding 64 may be coupled to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 via electrical contacts 66, which may be integral with the socket 26 of the control console 12, and electrical contacts 67 ( FIG. 4 ), which may be integral with the adapter 24 coupled to the ultrasonic handpiece 14. As such, the AC drive signal developed across the secondary winding 64 may be supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 to cause vibration of the tip 16. Accordingly, the processor 52 may be configured to provide and selectively set the amplitude and frequency of the waveform of the AC drive signal applied to the driver 28 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 and correspondingly control vibration of the distal region 17 of the tip 16 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 via the waveform_set signal provided to the signal generator 56.

[0060] The processor 52 may also be configured to receive feedback data corresponding to the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14, such as via one or more sensors in the control console 12. For example, the control console 12 may receive feedback data corresponding to the voltage v of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14, which may include a regenerative coil 68 integral with the transformer 58. sThe regeneration coil 68 may include a sensor for measuring the voltage v of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14. The regeneration coil 68 may be connected to a voltage measurement circuit 70 in the control console 12, which may be connected to the processor 52. The signal across the regeneration coil 68 may be measured as the voltage v of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14. s Based on the signal across the regeneration coil 68, the voltage measurement circuit 70 measures the voltage v of the AC drive signal applied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14. s , and communicates the signal to processor 52. Thus, processor 52 can measure the voltage v of the AC drive signal via voltage measurement circuit 70 and regenerative coil 68. s and making decisions based thereon.

[0061] As a further example, the control console 12 may control the current i of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14. s The ultrasonic handpiece 14 may include a sensor for measuring the current, i, of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14, which may include a coil 72 positioned proximate to one of the conductors extending from the secondary winding 64 of the transformer 58 to the ultrasonic handpiece 14. The coil 72 may be connected to a current measurement circuit 74 of the control console 12, which may be connected to the processor 52. The signal across the coil 72 may be measured as the current, i, of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14. s Based on the signal across the coil 72, the current measurement circuit 74 measures the current i of the AC drive signal applied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14. s , and communicates the signal to processor 52. Thus, processor 52 can measure the current i of the AC drive signal via current measurement circuit 74 and coil 72. s and making decisions based thereon.

[0062] In addition to software embodied by computer-executable instructions, the console memory 60 may include data supporting the functions, features, processes, and methods of the control console 12, or more particularly, the processor 52, described herein. For example, the console memory 60 may store waveform control data correlating various waveform_set signals to various AC drive signals supplied to the ultrasonic hand piece 14. The processor 52 may then be configured to access this data to produce the desired AC drive signal. As a further example, the console memory 60 may store tissue characteristic data 61 correlating potential operating characteristics of the ultrasonic hand piece 14, such as potential modulated mechanical resistance, described in more detail below, with various tissue characteristics. The processor 52 may then be configured to access this data to identify the characteristics of the tissue being contacted by the ultrasonic hand piece 14 based on the identified operating characteristics of the ultrasonic hand piece 14.

[0063] The control console 12 may also include a memory reader 76 for communicating with one or more electronic memory storage devices integral with the ultrasonic handpiece 14. Referring to Figure 4, the ultrasonic handpiece 14 may include one or more electronic memory storage devices for storing data identifying the ultrasonic handpiece 14 and / or tip 16 and defining operating parameters specific to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 and / or tip 16. Non-limiting examples of operating parameters include maximum drive current in the AC drive signal, machine current i M the maximum current in the AC drive signal, the maximum drive voltage in the AC drive signal, the maximum frequency in the AC drive signal, the minimum drive frequency in the AC drive signal, the capacitance C of the driver 28 O , PID coefficients, and usage history.

[0064] For example, the body 18 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 may include a handpiece (HP) memory 78 disposed therein. By way of non-limiting example, the HP memory 78 may be an EPROM, an EEPROM, or an RFID tag. In response to connecting the ultrasonic handpiece 14 to the control console 12, the processor 52 may be configured to read data stored in the HP memory 78 using the memory reader 76 and adjust operation of the control console 12 based on the data. More specifically, the control console 12 may include a communications interface, such as a coil 80, connected to the memory reader 76. The coil 80 may be integral with the socket 26 of the control console 12. The HP memory 78 may likewise be connected to a coil 82, which may be integral with the adapter 24 of the cable 22. When the ultrasonic handpiece 14 is connected to the control console 12 via the cable 22, the coils 80, 82 become aligned and are able to inductively exchange signals. The processor 52 may then be configured to read data from and write data to the HP memory 78 via the coils 80, 82.

[0065] More particularly, memory reader 76 may be configured to convert signals across coil 80 into data signals readable by processor 52. Memory reader 76 may also be configured to receive data from processor 52 to be written to HP memory 78 and to generate signals across coil 80 that cause the data to be written to HP memory 78. The structure of memory reader 76 may complement the structure of HP memory 78. Thus, continuing with the non-limiting example above, memory reader 76 may be an assembly that can read data from and write data to an EPROM, EEPROM, or RFID tag.

[0066] In addition to or instead of the HP memory 78, the ultrasonic handpiece 14 may include a tip memory 84. As previously mentioned, the tip 16 may be removable from the body 18, so that the body 18 can be used with a variety of interchangeable tips 16, with different tips 16 having different structural characteristics and operational limitations. Thus, the HP memory 78 stores data identifying the body 18 and the capacitance C of the driver 28. O and chip memory 84 can store data identifying chip 16 currently coupled to body 18 and operational parameters specific to chip 16. Chip 16 and sleeve 20 can be distributed together as a single package, so chip memory 84 can be located within sleeve 20. Chip memory 84 can be the same type of memory as HP memory 78 (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, or RFID tag).

[0067] In response to connecting the ultrasonic handpiece 14 to the control console 12, the processor 52 may be configured to read the data stored in the HP memory 78 and the chip memory 84 using the memory reader 76 and tailor the operation of the control console 12 to the particular body 18 and chip 16 combination coupled to the control console 12. The chip memory 84 may contain values ​​for the same operating parameters as the HP memory 78. To the extent that the values ​​for a given operating parameter differ between the HP memory 78 and the chip memory 84, the processor 52 may be configured to utilize the more restrictive value to govern the operation of the ultrasonic handpiece 14. Additionally or alternatively, to the extent that both the HP memory 78 and the chip memory 84 contain values ​​for a given operating parameter, the processor 52 may be configured to derive a value (e.g., a maximum drive current for the AC drive signal current) to govern the operation of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 based on a combination (e.g., a sum) of the values ​​stored in the memories.

[0068] Similar to the HP memory 78, the processor 52 can read data from and write data to the chip memory 84 via the memory reader 76 and coil 80. In particular, the body 18 can include two conductors 86 extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the body 18. The proximal end of the conductor 86 can be coupled to a coil 82, which can be integral with the adapter 24 of the cable 22. The distal end of the conductor 86 can be coupled to another coil 88 disposed at the distal end of the body 18. A corresponding coil 90 can be disposed at the proximal end of the sleeve 20. When the sleeve 20 is disposed around the tip 16 and attached to the body 18, the coils 88, 90 become aligned and can inductively exchange signals. When the body 18 is connected to the control console 12 via the cable 22, the coils 80, 82 also become aligned and can inductively exchange signals. The processor 52 can then read data from and write data to the chip memory 84 over the conductors 86 via the inductive communication provided by the coils 80, 82 and coils 88, 90.

[0069] The one or more electronic memory storage devices of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 may also store data for identifying characteristics of tissue in contact with the ultrasonic handpiece 14 when the ultrasonic tool system 10 is operating in probe mode. As previously described, the processor 52 may be configured to identify characteristics of tissue in contact with the ultrasonic handpiece 14 based on identified operating characteristics associated with the ultrasonic handpiece 14, such as the modulated mechanical resistance described in more detail below. However, a given body 18 may be used with different interchangeable tips 16, and different combinations of body 18 and tip 16 may exhibit different basic operating characteristics. In other words, different ultrasonic handpieces 14 may exhibit different operating characteristics when operating in an unloaded state, i.e., vibrating in air and not in contact with any tissue. As an example, the operating characteristic of one ultrasonic handpiece 14 when operating in an unloaded state may be approximately 300 ohms, while the unloaded modulated mechanical resistance of another ultrasonic handpiece 14 may range from 600 ohms to 800 ohms. Therefore, the significance of a specified operating characteristic of the ultrasonic handpiece 14, such as the modulated mechanical resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece 14, to the properties of the contacted tissue may vary depending on the particular ultrasonic handpiece 14 used to contact the tissue.

[0070] Thus, one or more electronic memory storage devices of the ultrasonic hand piece 14 may store normalization data specific to the ultrasonic hand piece 14, such as data indicative of an unloaded modulated mechanical resistance specific to the ultrasonic hand piece 14, for normalizing the operating characteristics of the ultrasonic hand piece 14 determined when the ultrasonic hand piece 14 is in contact with patient tissue. For example, the HP memory 78 may store an unloaded modulated mechanical resistance specific to the body 18, and / or the chip memory 84 may store an unloaded modulated mechanical resistance specific to the chip 16. As described in more detail below, this data may be determined by testing the components of the ultrasonic hand piece 14 during manufacturing. When the ultrasonic tool system 10 is operating to probe patient tissue, the processor 52 may be configured to read this data from the HP memory 78 and / or the chip memory 84 and normalize the operating characteristics determined for the contacted patient tissue based thereon.

[0071] The processor 52 may also be coupled and configured to drive the display 34 of the control console 12. Specifically, the processor 52 may be configured to generate information and user interface (UI) components for presentation on the display 34. Such information shown on the display 34 may include information identifying the body 18 and tip 16, information describing the operational state of the ultrasonic tool system 10, and information identifying characteristics of patient tissue contacted by the tip 16 when the control console 12 is operating in a probing mode. If the display 34 is a touchscreen display, the processor 52 may also be configured to cause the display 34 to display images of buttons and other user-selectable components, such as the virtual mode setting switch described above. By interacting with the buttons and other user-selectable components, the surgeon can set desired operating parameters of the ultrasonic tool system 10.

[0072] The processor 52 may also be coupled to mode setting switches of the ultrasonic tool system 10, such as the foot pedal 36, the remote control 40, and a switch 43 integral with the ultrasonic handpiece 14, to receive user input from such devices and process such input accordingly. For example, when the ultrasonic handpiece 14 is coupled to the control console 12, the processor 52 may become communicatively coupled to the switch 43 integral with the ultrasonic handpiece 14 via one or more electrical contacts 92 integral with the socket 26 of the control console 12 and one or more electrical contacts 94 integral with the adapter 24 coupled to the ultrasonic handpiece 14. In this case, the processor 52 may be configured to monitor the state of the switch 43 to determine whether the ultrasonic tool system 10 is set to operate in a probing mode or an ablation mode.

[0073] The processor 52 may also be coupled and configured to drive a speaker 96 of the control console 12. For example, in response to determining a characteristic of the patient tissue with which the tip 16 is in contact, the processor 52 may be configured to play a distinct sound via the speaker 96 to indicate the tissue characteristic to the surgeon.

[0074] 5 illustrates a method 100 for probing patient tissue with the ultrasonic handpiece 14 to identify characteristics of the tissue, such as characteristics indicative of whether the tissue is healthy or unhealthy. Method 100 may be performed by the control console 12, such as under the direction of the processor 52. More specifically, the processor 52 may be configured to cause the control console 12 to perform method 100, such as via software stored in the console memory 60.

[0075] In block 102, it may be determined whether the ultrasonic tool system 10 is set to a probing mode or an ablation mode. In the ablation mode, the control console 12, or more particularly the processor 52, may be configured to generate and supply an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 that causes vibration of the tip 16 sufficient to ablate contacted tissue. In the probing mode, the control console 12, or more particularly the processor 52, may be configured to generate and supply an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 that causes vibration of the tip 16 insufficient to ablate contacted tissue. In this latter mode, the vibration of the tip 16 may push or pull contacted tissue without causing damage.

[0076] Processor 52 may be configured to perform the identification of block 102 based on user input selecting one of these operating modes. More particularly, processor 52 may be configured to determine whether ultrasonic tool system 10 is set to probing mode or ablation mode by monitoring the state of a mode setting switch, which may be integral with at least one of touchscreen display 34, foot pedal 36, remote control 40, or ultrasonic handpiece 14 (e.g., switch 43). Specifically, a user may interact with one of these devices to indicate one of the operating modes to processor 52.

[0077] For example, the touchscreen display 34 may present on-screen interactive elements (e.g., buttons) for selecting between the operating modes, and the remote control 40 may similarly include interactive control elements for making the selection. The foot pedal 36 may enable user selection of one of the operating modes by a processor 52 configured to determine whether depression of the foot pedal 36 corresponds to either the probing mode or the ablation mode. For example, in response to a signal received by the processor 52 from the foot pedal 36 indicating a depression below a set threshold, the processor 52 may be configured to identify that the user desires to operate the ultrasonic tool system 10 in the probing mode. In response to a signal received by the processor 52 from the foot pedal 36 indicating a depression equal to or greater than a set threshold, the processor 52 may be configured to identify that the user desires to operate the ultrasonic tool system 10 in the ablation mode. Alternatively, the foot pedal 36 may have separate depressible elements for operating the ultrasonic tool system 10 in the ablation mode and another for operating the ultrasonic tool system 10 in the probing mode. A switch 43 integral with the ultrasonic handpiece 14 may be configured such that pressing the switch 43 selects the probing mode and releasing the switch 43 selects the ablation mode.

[0078] In block 104, in response to determining that the ultrasonic tool system 10 is configured to operate in the ablation mode (the "Ablation" branch of block 102), the ultrasonic handpiece 14 may be operated in the ablation mode. In particular, the processor 52 may configure the control console 12 to provide an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 that causes vibration of the tip 16 to ablate patient tissue. The AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 in the ablation mode may cause vibrations in the distal region of the tip 16 having a vibration cycle with a relatively high peak-to-peak displacement, such as between 100 microns and 300 microns. In other words, the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 in the ablation mode may displace the distal region of the tip 16 back and forth along a path of travel between 100 microns and 300 microns. Similarly, the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 in the ablation mode may cause a machine current i with an amplitude between 50 milliamperes and 150 milliamperes. M Relatively high machine currents such as i M Generation of the AC drive signal by the control console 12 in the ablation mode may be performed as described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 10,016,209, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0079] In some implementations, operating the ultrasonic hand piece 14 in the ablation mode in block 104 may also include applying suction to the distal region 17 of the tip 16 through corresponding pathways defined by the ultrasonic hand piece 14 and supplying fluid to the distal region 17 of the tip 16 through corresponding pathways defined by the ultrasonic hand piece 14. In other words, in response to determining that the ultrasonic tool system 10 is configured to operate in the ablation mode, the control console 12 may be configured to initiate the supply of suction and irrigation fluid to the ultrasonic hand piece 14. Conversely, when the ultrasonic tool system 10 is configured to operate in the probing mode, the control console 12 may be configured to maintain the suction and irrigation functions in an inactive state.

[0080] In response to determining in block 106 that the ultrasonic tool system 10 is configured to operate in a probing mode (the “Probing” branch of block 102), an AC drive signal may be provided to the ultrasonic hand piece 14, causing vibration of the tip 16 to probe patient tissue, such as while a distal region of the tip 16 is in contact with the patient tissue. FIG. 6 shows an example of an AC drive signal 126 that may be provided to the ultrasonic hand piece 14 in the probing mode. As shown in the illustrated example, the AC drive signal 126 may include a component at the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic hand piece 14 and a component at the probing frequency. The probing frequency may be significantly lower than the resonant frequency. For example, the resonant frequency may be approximately 25 kHz (e.g., ±1 kHz), and the probing frequency may be approximately 4 Hz (e.g., ±1 Hz). More specifically, the AC drive signal 126 may include a base signal, such as a sinusoidal signal, at the resonant frequency with an amplitude that varies according to the probing frequency. Thus, the AC drive signal 126 provided to the ultrasonic hand piece 14 in the probing mode may be an amplitude-modulated signal.

[0081] The AC drive signal can be configured to provide vibrations of the tip 16 that are insufficient to ablate patient tissue, instead pushing and pulling the patient tissue without causing damage. In particular, the AC drive signal can provide vibrations of the distal region of the tip 16 that are less in magnitude and velocity than vibrations provided when the control console 12 is operating in an ablation mode, such that the provided vibrations push and pull, but do not ablate, tissue. For example, an AC drive signal provided in a probing mode can provide vibrations of the distal region 17 of the tip 16 having oscillation cycles with relatively low peak-to-peak displacements, such as 100 microns or less. In other words, while operating in a probing mode, the tip 16 may oscillate back and forth along a varying path of travel of up to 100 microns. Similarly, an AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 in an ablation mode can provide a machine current i with a varying amplitude of 50 milliamperes or less. M Relatively low machine currents such as i M As an example, the AC drive signal may produce a machine current i with an amplitude that varies between 50 mA and 25 mA, or between 10 mA and 5 mA, depending on the probing frequency. M It may be configured to provide:

[0082] The processor 52 may be configured to cause the control console 12 to generate an AC drive signal that is supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 in the probing mode. In particular, the processor 52 may sweep the AC drive signal between a minimum frequency and a maximum frequency, for example, as read from an electronic memory storage device of the ultrasonic handpiece 14, to determine which frequency generates the greatest machine current i M Alternatively, the ultrasonic handpiece 14 may be configured to track the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 by determining whether or not the frequency f results in equation (2) being satisfied.

[0083] The processor 52 may then be configured to generate and communicate to the signal generator 56, using, for example, a DDS, a waveform_set signal that causes the signal generator 56 to generate an AC signal across the primary winding 62 of the transformer 58 that is proportional to the desired AC drive signal. Specifically, the processor 52 may calculate the machine current i M The machine current i at an amplitude equal to the maximum amplitude desired (e.g., 50 mA, 10 mA). M to generate a sinusoidal modulating waveform at a probing frequency that varies between 1 and a value between 0 and 1 (e.g., 0.5), which can be multiplied by the base signal to generate a proportional AC signal across the primary winding 62.

[0084] In another example, such as when signal generator 56 is an amplifier, processor 52 may be configured to generate a waveform-set signal proportional to the desired AC drive signal, such as using a DDS. In particular, processor 52 may generate a waveform-set signal proportional to the machine current i M The machine current i with amplitude equal to the maximum amplitude desired for M The processor 52 may be configured to generate a sinusoidal base signal at the tracked resonant frequency, i.e., a sinusoidal modulating waveform at the probing frequency, having an amplitude that results in a sinusoidal base signal at the tracked resonant frequency, i.e., a sinusoidal modulating waveform at the probing frequency, and multiply these signals to generate an amplitude modulated signal that is proportional to the desired AC drive signal. The processor 52 may then be configured to communicate this signal as a waveform-set signal to the signal generator 56, which may amplify the signal to generate the desired AC drive signal across the secondary winding 64 of the transformer 58.

[0085] At block 108, the voltage v of the applied AC drive signal is s and current i s may be measured while the distal region 17 of the tip 16 is in contact with patient tissue. Specifically, the processor 52 uses a voltage sensor, such as the regeneration coil 68 and voltage measurement circuitry 70, to measure the voltage v across the ultrasonic handpiece 14. sand may be configured to measure the current i applied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 using a current sensor such as the coil 72 and current measurement circuitry 74. s Then, in block 110, the measured voltage v of the AC drive signal is s and current i s Based on this, the machine current i M Specifically, the processor 52 can calculate the measured voltage v s and current i s By applying this to the above equation (1), the machine current i M 7 shows the relationship between the measured voltage v s and the calculated machine current i M 12A and 12B show the corresponding voltage waveform 128 and machine current waveform 130, respectively.

[0086] During operation of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 in the probing mode, the processor 52 generates a machine current i M is at the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 and the mechanical current i M For example, processor 52 may be configured to continuously check that the result of equation (1) is equal to the machine current i M and then determining whether equation (2) is substantially true. M If the target is not substantially equal to the target, the processor 52 may adjust the amplitude of the waveform_set signal, for example, to achieve a better correlation between the result of equation (1) and the machine current i M The voltage of the AC drive signal v is reduced so that the difference between the target S Further, if equation (2) is not substantially true, processor 52 may be configured to adjust the frequency of the AC drive signal, such as by adjusting the frequency of the waveform_set signal, so that the relationship in equation (2) is substantially true.

[0087] Referring again to method 100, the voltage v of the applied AC drive signal s and current i s Measure the machine current i M In response to calculating the modulated mechanical resistance (MR), the processor 52 may be configured to identify operating characteristics associated with the ultrasonic handpiece 14 and to identify characteristics of the patient tissue in contact with the ultrasonic handpiece 14. In particular, the processor 52 may be configured to calculate the modulated mechanical resistance (MR) as used herein.

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[0088] More specifically, in block 112, the voltage v at the probing frequency is calculated. s and the mechanical current i M The amplitudes of the respective voltages v s and the mechanical current i M The processor 52 can determine the phase difference between the voltage v s and the mechanical current i MThe processor 52 may be configured to determine the amplitude and phase difference by detecting the respective envelopes of the voltage waveform 128 and the machine current waveform 130. For example, the processor 52 may be configured to determine the upper envelope of these signals by implementing a direct Fourier transform (DFT) algorithm that squares and low-pass filters the signals or applies a Hilbert transform filter to the signals. FIG. 7 shows a voltage envelope waveform 132 corresponding to the upper envelope of the voltage waveform 128 and a machine current envelope waveform 134 corresponding to the upper envelope of the machine current waveform 130. As shown in the illustrated example, each of the voltage envelope waveform 132 and the machine current envelope waveform 134 may be a sinusoidal wave at the probing frequency.

[0089] Processor 52 may then be configured to determine the amplitude and phase difference at the probing frequency by determining the amplitude of each envelope and the phase difference between the envelopes. Processor 52 may be configured to execute a peak detection algorithm to determine the maximum and minimum values ​​of the envelopes, and determine the amplitude of each envelope by subtracting the minimum value from the maximum value and dividing the result of the subtraction by 2. Processor 52 may be configured to determine the phase difference between the envelopes by subtracting the time index corresponding to the maximum value of one envelope from the next higher time index corresponding to the maximum value of the other envelope and dividing the result of the subtraction by the period of the envelopes (e.g., the reciprocal of the probing frequency).

[0090] At block 114, a modulated mechanical resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece 14 is

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[0091] In block 116, the property of the contacted tissue is modulated mechanical resistance.

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[0092] The processor 52 modulates mechanical resistance

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[0093] In some cases, the surgeon may be able to define tissue characteristic data 61 used to identify tissue characteristics in probing mode. For example, the surgeon may interact with the control console 12 via the touchscreen display 34 to specify tissue types desired to be removed or detected and / or left intact. The console memory 60 may contain tissue characteristic data 61 for each possible tissue type available for user selection, and the processor 52 may be configured to retrieve and use the tissue characteristic data 61 corresponding to the surgeon's selection to determine whether the tissue being contacted by the ultrasonic handpiece 14 has characteristics corresponding to the tissue type selected for removal or the tissue type selected to be left intact. The surgeon may also directly define threshold values ​​and / or lookup tables.

[0094] In some cases, the calculated modulated mechanical resistance

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[0095] Therefore, the processor 52 identifies the no-load modulated mechanical resistance specific to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 being used to contact the tissue and calculates the calculated modulated mechanical resistance

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[0096] Alternatively, the unload modulated mechanical resistance specific to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 may be determined from data pre-stored in and retrieved from one or more electronic memory storage devices integral with the ultrasonic handpiece 14, such as the HP memory 78 and / or the chip memory 84. Variations in unload modulated mechanical resistance between different ultrasonic handpieces 14 may be primarily due to the use of different chips 16 within the ultrasonic handpiece 14. Accordingly, data for identifying the unload modulated mechanical resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 may be stored in a distributed chip memory 84 along with the chip 16 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14. For example, during manufacture of the chip 16, the unload modulated mechanical resistance of the chip 16 may be determined by coupling the chip 16 to the body 18 to form the ultrasonic handpiece 14, coupling the ultrasonic handpiece 14 to the control console 12, and having the control console 12 execute blocks 106-114 to determine the unload modulated mechanical resistance of the chip 16 while the tip 16 is not in contact with tissue. This unload modulated mechanical resistance may then be stored in a distributed chip memory 84 along with the chip 16. Thereafter, in response to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 with the tip 16 being connected to the control console 12 and the control console 12 being powered on in preparation for operation, the processor 52 may be configured to read the no-load mechanical resistance from the tip memory 84 and use this value as the normalized no-load modulated mechanical resistance in the ultrasonic handpiece 14.

[0097] Alternatively, both the HP memory 78 and the chip memory 84 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 can store data for identifying the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece 14. Specifically, the HP memory 78 of the main body 18 can store data indicating the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the main body 18, and the chip memory 84 distributed with the chip 16 can store data indicating the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the chip 16. The no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the main body 18 can be identified during manufacturing by coupling the main body 18 without the chip 16 to the control console 12 and having the control console 12 execute blocks 106-114 without bringing the main body 18 into contact with tissue. The no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the tip 16 may be determined during manufacturing by coupling the tip 16 to the body 18 to form the ultrasonic handpiece 14, coupling the ultrasonic handpiece 14 to the control console 12, and having the control console 12 execute blocks 106-114 to determine the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 without the ultrasonic handpiece 14 contacting any tissue, and subtracting the previously determined no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the body 18 from the determined no-load modulated mechanical resistance to determine the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the tip 16. Thereafter, upon connecting the ultrasonic handpiece 14 with the body 18 and the control console 12 being powered on in preparation for operation, the processor 52 may be configured to determine the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 by reading the no-load modulated mechanical resistance specific to the body 18 from the HP memory 78 and the no-load modulated mechanical resistance specific to the chip 16 from the chip memory 84, and determining the no-load modulated mechanical resistance specific to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 based on the read data (e.g., summing the read no-load modulated mechanical resistances).

[0098] By automatically performing a test of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 when the ultrasonic handpiece 14 is connected to the control console 12 for operation or by storing data indicative of the ultrasonic handpiece 14's unique no-load resistance in the HP memory 78 and / or chip memory 84 integral with the ultrasonic handpiece 14, the control console 12 can calculate the calculated modulated mechanical resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 for the particular ultrasonic handpiece 14 being used.

number

[0099] 5 , in block 118, the tissue characteristics may be indicated to the surgeon. In particular, the processor 52 may be configured to provide a visual indicator corresponding to the identified tissue characteristic, for example, via the display 34 or a visual indicator integral with the ultrasonic hand piece 14, an audible indicator corresponding to the identified tissue characteristic via the speaker 96, and / or a tactile indicator corresponding to the identified tissue characteristic via vibration of the ultrasonic hand piece 14. To provide the tactile indication, the processor 52 may be configured to supply an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic hand piece 14 that causes a distinct vibration pattern that is insufficient to ablate tissue and that can be felt by a surgeon holding the ultrasonic hand piece 14. For example, the processor 52 may be configured to supply an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic hand piece 14 that includes on-pulses separated by off-periods, which can result in spaced ultrasonic vibrations of the tip 16 that are insufficient to ablate tissue.

[0100] If the identified characteristic indicates a tissue type that corresponds to a binary tissue state (e.g., the characteristic indicates whether the contacted tissue should be ablated, the characteristic indicates whether the contacted tissue is healthy, or the characteristic indicates whether the contacted tissue is of a type of tissue set by the surgeon), processor 52 may be configured to provide an indication of the identified characteristic when the characteristic corresponds to one of the states of the binary condition and not provide an indication when the characteristic corresponds to the other state of the binary condition. For example, if the identified characteristic indicates that the contacted tissue is healthy, processor 52 may be configured to not provide an indication of the characteristic, and if the identified characteristic indicates that the contacted tissue is not healthy, processor 52 may be configured to provide a visual, audio, and / or tactile indication of the characteristic as described above. Alternatively, processor 52 may be configured to provide an indication of the characteristic regardless of the state represented by the characteristic.

[0101] If the identified characteristics indicate tissue types corresponding to tissue conditions of varying severity (e.g., varying levels of unhealthy tissue), the processor 52 may be configured to provide an indication of the identified characteristics that varies according to the severity indicated by the characteristic. For example, if one identified characteristic indicates that the contacted tissue has a low health grade, the processor 52 may be configured to provide one audio, visual, and / or tactile indication, and if another identified characteristic indicates that the contacted tissue has a lower health grade, the processor 52 may be configured to provide a different audio, visual, and / or tactile indication indicating a lower health grade compared to the previous health grade. As some non-limiting examples, the processor 52 may be configured to indicate a lower health grade by displaying an indication on the display 34 having a larger magnitude than the previous health grade, by sounding the speaker 96 at a louder volume or with a beep at a higher frequency than the previous health grade, and / or by vibrating the sonic handpiece 14 to generate on-pulses at a higher frequency than the previous health grade.

[0102] Described herein are ultrasonic tool systems and methods for probing and / or ablating patient tissue. It can be difficult to distinguish between different types of patient tissue during a medical procedure, particularly when the surgeon's view of the tissue is obstructed or when the distinction between one tissue type and another is difficult to ascertain from visual inspection. Accordingly, described herein are examples of identifying characteristics of patient tissue using an ultrasonic handpiece without damaging the tissue. The identified tissue characteristics are displayed to the surgeon, who can then decide based on the display whether to ablate the tissue using the ultrasonic tool system or leave the tissue intact.

[0103] The computer-executable program code described herein may be distributed individually or collectively as a program product in a variety of different forms, in particular, the program code may be distributed using a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions for causing a processor to perform aspects of embodiments of the present invention.

[0104] Computer-readable storage media that are non-transitory in nature can include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable tangible media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer-readable storage media can also include RAM, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other solid-state memory technology, portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or other media that can be used to store desired information and that can be read by a computer. Computer-readable storage media should not be interpreted as transient signals themselves (e.g., radio waves or other propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a transmission medium such as a waveguide, or electrical signals transmitted through wires). The computer readable program instructions may be downloaded from the computer readable storage medium to a computer, another type of programmable data processing apparatus, or another device, or over a network to an external computer or external storage device.

[0105] Computer-readable program instructions stored on a computer-readable medium can be used to cause a computer, other type of programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to function in a particular manner, whereby the instructions stored on the computer-readable medium generate an article of manufacture including instructions that implement the functions, acts, and / or operations specified in the flowcharts, sequence diagrams, and / or block diagrams. The computer program instructions can be provided to one or more processors of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine whereby the instructions, executing via the one or more processors, perform a series of computations to perform the functions, acts, and / or operations specified in the flowcharts, sequence diagrams, and / or block diagrams.

[0106] In certain alternatives, the functions, acts, and / or operations specified in the flowcharts, sequence diagrams, and / or block diagrams may be reordered, processed sequentially, and / or processed simultaneously, consistent with embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, any of the flowcharts, sequence diagrams, and / or block diagrams may include more or fewer blocks than shown in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0107] While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of various examples, and these examples have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Additional advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept. In order to maintain the disclosure matters at the time of the original filing of the present application, the descriptions of claims 1 to 56 at the time of the original filing of the present application are added as follows. (Claim 1) In an ultrasonic tool system for probing a patient tissue, an ultrasonic handpiece comprising a tip (distal region) for treating the patient tissue and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, the ultrasonic handpiece defining a first path for suction in the distal region of the tip and a second path for supplying fluid to the distal region of the tip; a control console coupled to the ultrasonic handpiece and configured to generate the AC drive signal applied to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece to vibrate the tip of the ultrasonic handpiece, a first sensor for measuring the voltage of the AC drive signal, a second sensor for measuring the current of the AC drive signal, coupled to the first and second sensors, and supplying the AC drive signal to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece, the AC drive signal including a first component at the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece and a second component at a probing frequency lower than the resonance frequency, measuring the voltage and current of the AC drive signal using the first and second sensors, calculating a resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and the measured current, providing at least one of an auditory, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance, a processor configured as such, a control console comprising the same, an ultrasonic tool system comprising the same. (Claim 2) The processor is identifying the characteristics of the patient tissue based on the calculated resistance, providing at least one of an auditory, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristics, The system according to claim 1, configured as such so as to provide at least one of an auditory, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance. (Claim 3) The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece is defined by a base signal at a resonance frequency that is amplitude-modulated according to the probing frequency. (Claim 4) The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resonance frequency is about 25 kHz and the probing frequency is about 4 Hz. (Claim 5) The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece is configured to provide vibrations of the tip that are insufficient to excise the patient tissue. (Claim 6) The system according to claim 5, wherein the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece is configured to provide vibrations of the tip that are insufficient to excise the patient tissue by causing vibrations having a peak-to-peak displacement of 100 microns or less in a distal region of the tip. (Claim 7) The AC drive signal is defined as a first AC drive signal, and the processor determines whether the ultrasonic tool system is set to operate in either a probing mode or an ablation mode, supplies the first AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece in response to a determination that the ultrasonic tool system is set to operate in the probing mode, and supplies a second AC drive signal configured to provide vibrations of the tip sufficient to excise the patient tissue to the ultrasonic handpiece in response to a determination that the ultrasonic tool system is set to operate in the ablation mode. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, configured as such. (Claim 8) The system according to claim 7, wherein the second AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece is configured to provide vibrations of the tip sufficient to excise the patient tissue by causing vibrations having a peak-to-peak displacement greater than 100 microns and less than or equal to 300 microns in the distal region of the tip. (Claim 9) The processor further comprises a switch communicatively coupled thereto, the switch having a first setting and a second setting, and the processor determining that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in the probing mode in response to the switch being set to the first setting; determining that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in the ablation mode in response to the switch being set to the second setting; 9. The system according to claim 7 or 8, configured to: (Claim 10) In response to determining that the ultrasound tool system is configured to operate in the ablation mode, the processor: applying suction at the distal region of the tip through the first pathway defined by the ultrasonic handpiece; supplying fluid to the distal region of the tip through the second pathway defined by the ultrasonic handpiece; 10. The system according to claim 7, configured to: (Claim 11) The processor: calculating an equivalent of a current through a mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and the measured current; calculating a resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece; 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to calculate a resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and the measured current. (Claim 12) The processor: calculating a first amplitude of the measured voltage at the probing frequency, a second amplitude of the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece at the probing frequency, and a phase difference between the measured voltage and the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece at the probing frequency; calculating a real part of the impedance of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference; 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the system is configured to calculate the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece. (Claim 13) The processor generates at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance. calculating the difference between the calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece; providing at least one of the audio, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated difference. 13. The system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the system is configured to provide by being configured to: (Claim 14) The processor: identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the calculated difference; providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic; 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured to provide at least one of the audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated difference. (Claim 15) The control console further comprises a memory for storing tissue characteristic data coupled to the processor, the tissue characteristic data indicating potential tissue characteristics and, for each of the potential tissue characteristics, indicating one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic, the processor: identifying one of the potential tissue properties indicated by the tissue property data as a property of the patient tissue based on one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue property and the calculated resistance; providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic of the patient tissue; 15. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to provide at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance. (Claim 16) The processor: calculating the difference between the calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece; identifying one of the potential tissue properties indicated by the tissue property data based on one or more values ​​characteristic of the potential tissue property and the calculated difference; 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the system is configured to identify one of the potential tissue properties indicated by the tissue property data based on one or more values ​​characteristic of the potential tissue properties and the calculated resistance. (Claim 17) The processor, in response to the ultrasonic handpiece being connected to the control console, providing the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece while the ultrasonic handpiece is in an unloaded condition; measuring a second voltage and a second current of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece using the first and second sensors while the ultrasonic handpiece is in an unloaded condition; calculating a no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured second voltage and the measured second current of the AC drive signal; 17. The system of claim 13, 14 or 16, configured to identify a no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece by being configured to: (Claim 18) 17. The system of claim 13, 14, or 16, wherein the processor is configured to determine the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece by reading data indicative of the no-load resistance from a memory integral with the ultrasonic handpiece in response to the ultrasonic handpiece being connected to the control console. (Claim 19) 1. A method of probing patient tissue using an ultrasonic tool system including an ultrasonic handpiece having a tip for treating patient tissue and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, comprising: supplying fluid through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece to a distal region of the tip; applying suction at the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece; providing the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece, the AC drive signal including a first component at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece and a second component at a probing frequency that is lower than the resonant frequency; measuring the voltage and current of the AC drive signal during said chip; calculating a resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and the measured current; providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance; A method comprising: (Claim 20) providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance; identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the calculated resistance; providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic; 20. The method of claim 19, comprising: (Claim 21) The step of providing the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece comprises: generating a base signal at the resonant frequency; modulating the amplitude of the base signal according to the probing frequency; 21. The method of claim 19 or 20, comprising: (Claim 22) 22. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the resonant frequency is about 25 kHz and the probing frequency is about 4 Hz. (Claim 23) 23. The method of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein supplying the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece comprises supplying an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece that results in vibration of the tip that is insufficient to ablate the patient tissue. (Claim 24) 24. The method of claim 23, wherein supplying an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece that results in vibrations of the tip insufficient to ablate the patient tissue comprises supplying an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece that results in vibrations at the distal region of the tip having a peak-to-peak displacement of 100 microns or less. (Claim 25) determining that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in a probing mode; providing the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece in response to determining that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in the probing mode; determining that the ultrasound tool system is configured to operate in an ablation mode; responsive to determining that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in the ablation mode, providing another AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece that causes vibration of the tip sufficient to ablate the patient tissue; 25. The method of any one of claims 19 to 24, further comprising: (Claim 26) 26. The method of claim 25, wherein supplying another AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece that causes vibration of the tip sufficient to ablate the patient tissue comprises supplying an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece that causes vibrations at the distal region of the tip having a peak-to-peak displacement of greater than 100 microns and less than or equal to 300 microns. (Claim 27) the ultrasonic tool system further includes a switch having a first setting and a second setting; monitoring the state of the switch to determine whether the switch is set to the first setting or the second setting; determining that the switch is set to the first setting; determining, in response to determining that the switch is set to the first setting, that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in the probing mode; determining that the switch is set to the second setting; determining that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in the ablation mode in response to determining that the switch is set to the second setting; 27. The method of claim 25 or 26, further comprising: (Claim 28) 28. The method of any one of claims 25 to 27, further comprising the steps of: supplying fluid to the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic hand piece; and, in response to determining that the ultrasonic tool system is configured to operate in the ablation mode, applying suction to the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic hand piece. (Claim 29) Calculating a resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and the measured current comprises: calculating an equivalent of a current through a mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and the measured current; calculating a resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece; 29. The method of any one of claims 19 to 28, comprising: (Claim 30) calculating a resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece, calculating a first amplitude of the measured voltage at the probing frequency, a second amplitude of the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece at the probing frequency, and a phase difference between the measured voltage and the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece at the probing frequency; calculating a real part of the impedance of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference; 30. The method of claim 29, comprising: (Claim 31) providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance; calculating the difference between the calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece; providing at least one of the audio, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated difference; 31. The method of any one of claims 19 to 30, comprising: (Claim 32) providing at least one of the audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated difference, identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the calculated difference; providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic; 32. The method of claim 31 , comprising: (Claim 33) The ultrasonic tool system further comprises a memory storing tissue property data indicative of potential tissue properties and indicative of one or more values ​​for each of the potential tissue properties that are specific to the potential tissue property, and wherein providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance comprises: identifying, as a characteristic of the patient tissue, one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data based on one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic and the calculated resistance; providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic of the patient tissue; 33. The method of any one of claims 19 to 32, comprising: (Claim 34) identifying one of the potential tissue properties indicated by the tissue property data based on one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue properties and the calculated resistance, calculating the difference between the calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece; identifying one of the potential tissue properties indicated by the tissue property data based on one or more values ​​characteristic of the potential tissue property and the calculated difference; 34. The method of claim 33, comprising: (Claim 35) Positioning the ultrasonic handpiece in an unloaded state; While the ultrasonic handpiece is positioned in an unloaded state, providing the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece; measuring a second voltage and a second current of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece; calculating a no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured second voltage and the measured second current of the AC drive signal; 35. The method of claim 31, 32 or 34, further comprising determining the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece by: (Claim 36) 35. The method of claim 31, 32 or 34, further comprising determining the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece by reading data indicative of the no-load resistance from a memory integral with the ultrasonic handpiece. (Claim 37) 1. An ultrasound tool system for probing patient tissue, comprising: an ultrasonic handpiece comprising: a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue; and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, the ultrasonic handpiece defining a first pathway for providing aspiration at the distal region of the tip and a second pathway for supplying a fluid to the distal region of the tip; a control console coupled to the ultrasonic handpiece and configured to generate the AC drive signal applied to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece to vibrate the tip of the ultrasonic handpiece, a first sensor for measuring a voltage of the AC drive signal; a second sensor for measuring the current of the AC drive signal; coupled to the first and second sensors; providing the AC drive signal to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece, the AC drive signal producing vibrations at the distal region of the tip that are insufficient to ablate the patient tissue; measuring the voltage and current of the AC drive signal using the first and second sensors; providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current. a processor configured to: a control console comprising: 1. An ultrasonic tool system comprising: (Claim 38) The processor: identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the measured voltage and current; providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic; 38. The system of claim 37, wherein the system is configured to provide at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current. (Claim 39) The processor: calculating an equivalent of a current through a mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and the measured current; identifying the characteristic of the patient tissue based on the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece; 40. The system of claim 38, wherein the system is configured to identify a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the measured voltage and current by: (Claim 40) The AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handpiece includes a first component at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece and a second component at a probing frequency lower than the resonant frequency, and the processor: calculating a first amplitude of the measured voltage at the probing frequency, a second amplitude of the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece at the probing frequency, and a phase difference between the measured voltage and the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece at the probing frequency; identifying the characteristic of the patient tissue based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference; 40. The system of claim 39, wherein the system is configured to identify a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece. (Claim 41) The processor: identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the measured voltage, the measured current, and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece; providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic; 41. The system of any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein the system is configured to provide at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current. (Claim 42) The control console further comprises a memory for storing tissue characteristic data coupled to the processor, the tissue characteristic data indicating potential tissue characteristics and, for each of the potential tissue characteristics, indicating one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic, the processor: identifying, as a characteristic of the patient tissue, one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data based on one or more values ​​characteristic of the potential tissue characteristic and the measured voltage and current; providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic of the patient tissue; 42. The system of any one of claims 37 to 41, configured to provide at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current. (Claim 43) 43. The system of claim 42, wherein the processor is configured to identify one of the potential tissue properties indicated by the tissue property data based on one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue property, the measured voltage and current, and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece. (Claim 44) The processor, in response to the ultrasonic handpiece being connected to the control console, providing the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece while the ultrasonic handpiece is in an unloaded condition; measuring a second voltage and a second current of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece using the first and second sensors while the ultrasonic handpiece is in an unloaded condition; calculating a no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured second voltage and the measured second current of the AC drive signal; 44. The system of claim 41 or 43, configured to determine the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece by being configured to: (Claim 45) 44. The system of claim 41 or 43, wherein the processor is configured to determine the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece by reading data indicative of the no-load resistance from a memory integral with the ultrasonic handpiece in response to the ultrasonic handpiece being connected to the control console. (Claim 46) 1. A method for probing patient tissue using an ultrasonic tool system including an ultrasonic handpiece having a tip for treating patient tissue and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, comprising: supplying fluid through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece to a distal region of the tip; applying suction at the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece; providing the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece, the AC drive signal producing vibrations at the distal region of the tip that are insufficient to ablate the patient tissue; measuring the voltage and current of the AC drive signal; providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current; A method comprising: (Claim 47) providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current; identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the measured voltage and current; providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic; 47. The method of claim 46, comprising: (Claim 48) Identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the measured voltage and current includes: calculating an equivalent of a current through a mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and the measured current; identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece; 48. The method of claim 47, comprising: (Claim 49) the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece includes a first component at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece and a second component at a probing frequency lower than the resonant frequency, and identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece includes: calculating a first amplitude of the measured voltage at the probing frequency, a second amplitude of the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece at the probing frequency, and a phase difference between the measured voltage and the calculated equivalent of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece at the probing frequency; identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference; 49. The method of claim 48, comprising: (Claim 50) 50. The method of any one of claims 46 to 49, further comprising identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the measured voltage, the measured current, and a no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece. (Claim 51) The ultrasonic tool system further comprises a memory storing tissue property data, the tissue property data indicating potential tissue properties and, for each of the potential tissue properties, indicating one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue property, and providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current includes: identifying, as a characteristic of the patient tissue, one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data based on one or more values ​​characteristic of the potential tissue characteristic and the measured voltage and current; providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic of the patient tissue; 51. The method of any one of claims 46 to 50, comprising: (Claim 52) 52. The method of claim 51, further comprising identifying one of the potential tissue properties indicated by the tissue property data based on one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue property, the measured voltage and current, and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece. (Claim 53) Positioning the ultrasonic handpiece in an unloaded state; While the ultrasonic handpiece is positioned in an unloaded state, providing the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece; measuring a second voltage and a second current of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece; calculating a no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured second voltage and the measured second current of the AC drive signal; 53. The method of claim 50 or 52, further comprising determining the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece by: (Claim 54) 53. The method of claim 50 or 52, further comprising determining the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece by reading data indicative of the no-load resistance from a memory integral with the ultrasonic handpiece. (Claim 55) an ultrasonic handpiece comprising: a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue; and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, the ultrasonic handpiece defining a first pathway for providing aspiration at the distal region of the tip and a second pathway for supplying a fluid to the distal region of the tip; a control console coupled to the ultrasonic handpiece and configured to generate the AC drive signal applied to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece to vibrate the tip of the ultrasonic handpiece; a switch communicatively coupled to the control console, the switch having a first setting and a second setting; Equipped with In response to the switch being set to the first setting, the control console is configured to operate the ultrasonic handpiece in a probing mode, and in response to the switch being set to the second setting, the control console is configured to operate the ultrasonic handpiece in an ablation mode. Ultrasonic tool system. (Claim 56) 1. A method for operating an ultrasonic tool system including an ultrasonic handpiece having a tip for treating patient tissue and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, the method including a switch having a first setting and a second setting, the method comprising: providing the AC drive signal to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece to vibrate the tip of the ultrasonic handpiece; supplying fluid through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece to a distal region of the tip; applying suction at the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece; monitoring the state of the switch to determine whether the switch is set to the first setting or the second setting; determining that the switch is set to the first setting; operating the ultrasonic handpiece in a probe mode in response to determining that the switch is set to the first setting; determining that the switch is set to the second setting; operating the ultrasonic handpiece in an ablation mode in response to determining that the switch is set to the second setting; A method comprising:

[0108] Particular implementations can be described with reference to the following exemplary sections.

[0109] Item 1. An ultrasonic tool system for probing patient tissue, comprising: an ultrasonic handpiece comprising a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue; and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, the ultrasonic handpiece defining a first pathway for providing suction at the distal region of the tip and a second pathway for supplying fluid to the distal region of the tip; and a control console coupled to the ultrasonic handpiece and configured to generate an AC drive signal that is applied to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece to vibrate the tip of the ultrasonic handpiece, the control console including a first sensor for measuring a voltage of the AC drive signal; and a second sensor for measuring a voltage of the AC drive signal. a second sensor for measuring the current of the ultrasonic hand piece; and a control console coupled to the first and second sensors and configured to provide an AC drive signal to at least one driver of the ultrasonic hand piece, the AC drive signal including a first component at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic hand piece and a second component at a probing frequency that is lower than the resonant frequency, measure the voltage and current of the AC drive signal using the first and second sensors, calculate a resistance associated with the ultrasonic hand piece based on the measured voltage and measured current, and provide at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on the calculated resistance.

[0110] Item 2. The ultrasound tool system of Item 1, further comprising an indicator coupled to the processor, the processor configured to operate the indicator to provide an indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on the calculated resistance.

[0111] Item 3. The ultrasonic tool system of item 2, wherein the indicator is integral with the ultrasonic handpiece, the control console, or a separate display such as a tablet or navigation screen.

[0112] Item 4. A method for probing patient tissue using an ultrasonic handpiece having a tip for treating patient tissue and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, the method comprising the steps of: supplying fluid to a distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece; performing suction at the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece; supplying an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece, the AC drive signal including a first component at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece and a second component at a probing frequency lower than the resonant frequency; measuring the voltage and current of the AC drive signal; calculating a resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and measured current; and providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on the calculated resistance.

[0113] Clause 5. The method of clause 4, further comprising operating an indicator to provide an indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on the calculated resistance.

[0114] Item 6. An ultrasonic tool system for probing patient tissue, comprising: an ultrasonic handpiece including a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue; and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, the ultrasonic handpiece defining a first pathway for performing suction at the distal region of the tip and a second pathway for supplying fluid to the distal region of the tip; and a control console coupled to the ultrasonic handpiece and configured to generate an AC drive signal applied to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece to vibrate the tip of the ultrasonic handpiece. and a control console comprising: a first sensor for measuring a voltage of the AC drive signal; a second sensor for measuring a current of the AC drive signal; and a processor coupled to the first and second sensors and configured to: supply the AC drive signal to at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece, the AC drive signal producing vibrations at a distal region of the tip that are insufficient to ablate patient tissue; measure the voltage and current of the AC drive signal using the first and second sensors; and provide at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on the measured voltage and current.

[0115] Clause 7. The ultrasound tool system of clause 6, further comprising an indicator coupled to the processor, the processor configured to operate the indicator to provide an indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on the measured voltage and current.

[0116] Clause 8. The ultrasonic tool system of clause 7, wherein the indicator is integral with the ultrasonic handpiece, the control console, or a separate display such as a tablet or navigation screen.

[0117] Item 9. A method for probing patient tissue using an ultrasonic handpiece having a tip for treating patient tissue and at least one driver to which the tip is coupled and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, the method comprising the steps of: supplying fluid to a distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece; performing suction at the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece; supplying an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece, the AC drive signal producing vibrations at the distal region of the tip that are insufficient to ablate the patient tissue; measuring the voltage and current of the AC drive signal; and providing at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on the measured voltage and current.

[0118] Clause 10. The method of clause 9, further comprising operating an indicator to provide an indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on the measured current and voltage.

Claims

1. 1. An ultrasound tool system for probing patient tissue, comprising: an ultrasonic handpiece comprising: a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue; and at least one driver to which the tip is connected and to which an AC drive signal is applied to vibrate the tip, the ultrasonic handpiece having a first pathway for providing suction at the distal region of the tip and a second pathway for supplying a fluid to the distal region of the tip; a control console connected to the ultrasonic handpiece and generating the AC drive signal applied to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece to vibrate the tip of the ultrasonic handpiece, a first sensor for measuring the voltage of the AC drive signal; a second sensor for measuring the current of the AC drive signal; connected to the first and second sensors; providing the AC drive signal to the at least one driver of the ultrasonic handpiece, the AC drive signal producing vibrations at the distal region of the tip that are insufficient to ablate the patient tissue; determining a no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece corresponding to vibration of the tip while not in contact with patient tissue; measuring the voltage and current of the AC drive signal using the first and second sensors; calculating a resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and the measured current of the AC drive signal; identifying a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the calculated resistance and the no-load resistance; providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication based on the identified characteristic; a processor configured to: a control console comprising:

1. An ultrasonic tool system comprising:

2. The processor: calculating an equivalent current through mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and the measured current, the mechanical components including components of the ultrasonic handpiece that vibrate to apply force to tissue; calculating the resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the calculated equivalent current of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece and the measured voltage; 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to calculate the resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and current.

3. The AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece includes a first component at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece and a second component at a probing frequency lower than the resonant frequency, and the processor: calculating a first amplitude of the measured voltage at the probing frequency, a second amplitude of the calculated equivalent current of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece at the probing frequency, and a phase difference between the measured voltage and the calculated equivalent current of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece at the probing frequency; calculating the resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference; 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is configured to calculate the resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the calculated equivalent current of the current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece and the measured voltage.

4. The control console further comprises a memory for storing tissue characteristic data coupled to the processor, the tissue characteristic data indicating potential tissue characteristics and, for each of the potential tissue characteristics, indicating one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic, and the processor: identifying as the property of the patient tissue one of the potential tissue properties indicated by the tissue property data based on one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue property, the calculated resistance, and the no-load resistance; providing at least one of an audio, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristic of the patient tissue; 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to provide at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indication based on the measured voltage and current.

5. The processor, in response to the ultrasonic handpiece being connected to the control console, providing the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece while the ultrasonic handpiece is in an unloaded state in which the tip is not vibrating against tissue; measuring a second voltage and a second current of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handpiece using the first and second sensors while the ultrasonic handpiece is in an unloaded condition; calculating a no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured second voltage and the measured second current of the AC drive signal; The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the system is configured to identify a no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece by being configured to:

6. The system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor is configured to identify the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece by reading data indicative of the no-load resistance from a memory integral with the ultrasonic handpiece in response to the ultrasonic handpiece being connected to the control console.

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