Electrosurgical systems, electrosurgical generators, and methods for operating electrosurgical generators

Abstract

To provide an electrosurgical system configured to connect both an electrosurgical instrument having an activation switch circuit and an electrosurgical instrument having an instrument identification circuit to one same connector of an electrosurgical generator.SOLUTION: An electrosurgical system comprises an electrosurgical generator, and electrosurgical instruments configured to connect to the electrosurgical generator through a three-pin connector. The electrosurgical generator is configured to detect, upon connection of the electrosurgical instrument to the electrosurgical generator, whether the electrosurgical instrument includes an activation switch circuit or an instrument identification circuit, when the electrosurgical instrument includes the activation switch circuit, connects a second and a third pin of the three-pin connector to an activation switch unit, and when the electrosurgical instrument includes the instrument identification circuit, connects the second and third pin of the three-pin connector to an instrument identification unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical system comprising an electrosurgical generator and an electrosurgical instrument, the electrosurgical generator of the electrosurgical system, and a method of operating the electrosurgical system.

Background Art

[0002] The way surgeries are performed has evolved over time. In classical surgery, standalone mechanical instruments such as scalpels, forceps, scissors, etc. have been used for various invasive and non-invasive procedures, but the mechanical functions of those instruments have been replaced or complemented by energy functions such as monopolar or bipolar electrosurgery, ultrasonic surgery, microwave surgery, etc. Electrosurgical generators have been developed to supply surgical energy, usually in the form of an electric current, to each instrument. The surgical energy provided by an electrosurgical generator is also called an electrosurgical treatment signal.

[0003] The connection between an electrosurgical generator and an electrosurgical instrument is usually obtained via an electrosurgical cable that is fixedly or removably connected to the electrosurgical instrument, and the electrosurgical cable can be connected to the electrosurgical generator by a plug-type connector. Many forms of connectors can be found in the art, but the use of a three-pin connector is very common, especially in monopolar applications.

[0004] The three-pin connector was first developed for use with monopolar instruments having one or more activation switches. In such an instrument, the first pin of the three-pin connector is usually connected to the electrosurgical electrode of the instrument, and the second and third pins of the three-pin connector are connected to an activation switch circuit that includes one or more activation switches.

[0005] When connected to an electrosurgical generator, the first pin is connected to the patient circuit, through which the electrosurgical treatment signal is provided. In unipolar applications, the patient circuit is typically completed through a large surface neutral electrode patch attached to the patient's body away from the surgical site. Such a neutral electrode patch is usually connected to the electrosurgical generator by a separate connector plug.

[0006] The second and third pins of the 3-pin connector are connected to the activation switch unit of the electrosurgical generator. The activation switch unit is configured to provide a query signal to the activation switch circuit of the electrosurgical instrument and to receive a response signal from the activation switch circuit, the response signal changing depending on the activation state of one or more activation switches. The activation switch unit of the electrosurgical generator is further configured to analyze the response signal and provide a control signal, which is then used to control the activation of the electrosurgical treatment signal by the electrosurgical generator. In some examples, the activation switch circuit of the electrosurgical instrument may include a "coagulation (coag)" switch and a "cutting (cut)" switch, and the electrosurgical generator is configured to provide a first electrosurgical treatment signal suitable for tissue coagulation when the "coagulation (coag)" switch is activated and a second electrosurgical treatment signal suitable for tissue cutting when the "cutting (cut)" switch is activated.

[0007] For a long time, advanced electrosurgical instruments requiring sophisticated electrosurgical signals have been developed. To prevent problems arising from providing inappropriate electrosurgical signals to such instruments, some modern instruments are equipped with an instrument identification circuit that can be detected and / or read by an instrument identification unit of the electrosurgical generator when the instrument is connected. The electrosurgical generator can then use the information obtained by detecting or reading the instrument identification circuit to select the appropriate electrosurgical waveform to be supplied to the instrument. While some instrument identification circuits consist of simple resistive or reactive electronic elements, instrument identification often includes a microchip, such as an EEPROM memory device, which can also be written to by the electrosurgical generator to store usage information, etc. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Known electrosurgical generators generally provide proprietary connectors that include additional contacts for connecting the electrosurgical generator's instrument identification unit to the instrument identification circuit of the electrosurgical instrument. Such proprietary connectors require additional space on the front plate of the electrosurgical generator, making it more difficult to find the correct connector, especially in the stressful conditions during surgical procedures.

[0009] It would be beneficial to have an electrosurgical system in which both electrosurgical instruments having a start switch circuit and electrosurgical instruments having an instrument identification circuit can be connected to the same single connector of an electrosurgical generator.

[0010] The object of this disclosure is to provide an electrosurgical system in which both an electrosurgical instrument having a start switch circuit and an electrosurgical instrument having an instrument identification circuit can be connected to one same connector of an electrosurgical generator, an electrosurgical generator for the electrosurgical system, and a method for operating the electrosurgical system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In some embodiments, the Disclosure provides an electrosurgical system comprising an electrosurgical generator and an electrosurgical instrument configured to be connected to the electrosurgical generator via a 3-pin connector, the electrosurgical instrument comprising an electrosurgical electrode connected to a first pin of the 3-pin connector and one of a start switch circuit and an instrument identification circuit connected to a second and a third pin of the 3-pin connector, wherein the electrosurgical generator is configured to detect, when the electrosurgical instrument is connected to the electrosurgical generator, whether the electrosurgical instrument comprises a start switch circuit or an instrument identification circuit, and to connect the second and third pins of the 3-pin connector to a start switch unit if the electrosurgical instrument comprises a start switch circuit, and to connect the second and third pins of the 3-pin connector to an instrument identification unit if the electrosurgical instrument comprises an instrument identification circuit.

[0012] In the electrosurgical system described herein, both standard unipolar electrosurgical instruments equipped with a start switch circuit and electrosurgical instruments equipped with an instrument identification circuit can be alternately connected to an electrosurgical generator via the same 3-pin connector.

[0013] The electrosurgical generator may include a plug detection unit configured to detect the insertion of a 3-pin connector into the connection socket of the electrosurgical generator. The plug detection unit may include a microswitch, an optical barrier, a split contact along the length or circumference of a pin receiving bushing, or any other suitable means for detecting the insertion of a pin into the receptacle of the connection socket.

[0014] The electrosurgical generator may include a relay switch unit for connecting the second and third pins of a 3-pin connector to either an instrument identification unit or a start switch unit. The relay switch unit may provide galvanic isolation between the instrument identification unit and the start switch unit of the electrosurgical generator.

[0015] The electrosurgical generator may be configured to connect the second and third connectors of the 3-pin connector to an instrument identification unit when an electrosurgical instrument is connected to the electrosurgical generator.

[0016] The electrosurgical generator may be further configured to send an instrument identification query signal to the electrosurgical instrument when the instrument is connected to the electrosurgical generator and to receive an instrument identification response signal via the instrument identification unit. If no instrument identification response signal is received in response to the instrument identification query signal, the electrosurgical generator may be further configured to disconnect the second and third pins of the 3-pin connector from the instrument identification unit and connect the second and third pins of the 3-pin connector to the activation switch unit.

[0017] The electrosurgical generator may be further configured to maintain the connection of the second and third pins of the 3-pin connector to the activation switch circuit until the 3-pin connector is removed from the connection socket.

[0018] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides an electrosurgical generator configured to operate in the electrosurgical system described above.

[0019] In some further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for operating an electrosurgical system, comprising the steps of: detecting the connection of an electrosurgical instrument to an electrosurgical generator via a 3-pin connector; detecting whether the electrosurgical instrument includes a start switch circuit or an instrument identification circuit; and, if the electrosurgical instrument includes a start switch circuit, connecting the second and third pins of the 3-pin connector to a start switch unit of the electrosurgical generator, or, if the electrosurgical instrument includes an instrument identification circuit, connecting the second and third pins of the 3-pin connector to an instrument identification unit of the electrosurgical generator.

[0020] The method may further include the steps of detecting the connection of an electrosurgical instrument to an electrosurgical generator, connecting the second and third pins of a 3-pin connector to an instrument identification unit, transmitting an instrument identification query signal to the electrosurgical instrument, and attempting to receive an instrument identification response signal via the instrument identification unit.

[0021] If no device identification response signal is received in response to a device identification query signal, the method may further include the steps of disconnecting the second and third pins of the 3-pin connector from the device identification unit and connecting the second and third pins of the 3-pin connector to the activation switch unit.

[0022] This method may further include the step of maintaining the connection of the second and third pins of the 3-pin connector to the activation switch circuit until the 3-pin connector is removed from the connection socket.

[0023] Some examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the exemplary drawings. The examples described are provided for better understanding and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the appended claims in any way.

[0024] The drawings show the following.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electrosurgical system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electrosurgical generator. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a method of operating an electrosurgical system.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] FIG. 1 shows an electrosurgical system 1 including an electrosurgical generator 10 and electrosurgical instruments 11, 12.

[0027] The electrosurgical instrument 11 is a monopolar pencil electrode including a handle 15, a shaft 16, and a distal electrode 17. The handle 15 is provided with two activation switches 18, 19. The electrosurgical instrument 11 further includes a 3-pin connector 20 for connecting the instrument to the connection socket 21 of the electrosurgical generator 10.

[0028] When the electrosurgical instrument 11 is connected to the electrosurgical generator 10, upon activation of the activation switches 18, 19, the electrosurgical generator 10 provides different electrosurgical treatment signals to the electrosurgical instrument 11. In one example, activation of the activation switch 18 may cause the provision of a first electrosurgical treatment signal designed to cut tissue, and activation of the activation switch 19 may cause the provision of a second electrosurgical treatment signal designed to coagulate or cauterize tissue.

[0029] The electrosurgical instrument 12 is a unipolar forceps comprising a body 25, a shaft 26, a jaw portion 27, and handle levers 28, 29 that are operable to open and close the jaw portion 27. An electrosurgical electrode (not shown) may be provided on one or both of the jaw portions 27, or the jaw portion 27 may be composed of a conductive material that acts as the electrode itself. Similar to the electrosurgical instrument 11, the electrosurgical instrument 12 is provided with a 3-pin connector 30 for connecting the instrument to the electrosurgical generator 10.

[0030] Unlike the electrosurgical instrument 11, the electrosurgical instrument 12 does not have an activation switch. Instead, an instrument identification circuit 35 is provided on the 3-pin connector 30.

[0031] When the electrosurgical instrument 12 is connected to the electrosurgical generator 10, the generator 10 can use the information stored in the instrument identification circuit 35 to determine the appropriate parameters of the electrosurgical treatment signals to be supplied to the electrosurgical instrument 12. For activating such electrosurgical treatment signals, the electrosurgical generator 10 may be connected to another activation device such as a wireless foot switch 40. The wireless foot switch 40 may have first and second pedals 41 (only one visible) for activating different electrosurgical treatment signals for cutting, coagulating, and / or cauterizing tissue.

[0032] The electrosurgical system 1 further comprises a neutral patch electrode 50 for closing the patient circuit. The patch electrode 50 includes a simple plug 51 for connecting to the electrosurgical generator 10 via a socket 52. In other examples, the electrosurgical system may also include a segmented neutral electrode patch (not shown) that can be used to monitor the quality of contact between the electrode patch and the patient's skin.

[0033] Figure 2 shows a schematic design of an electrosurgical generator 10 used in the electrosurgical system 1. The electrosurgical generator 10 comprises a signal generation unit 110 configured to generate various electrosurgical treatment signals. The signal generation unit 110 includes known circuits for generating alternating current, such as high-frequency currents having predetermined characteristics such as voltage, current, waveform, and duty cycle, from a DC voltage source. The signal generation unit 110 may include digital circuits for generating AC, such as multivibrators and PLL circuits, analog circuits for generating AC, such as resonant loops, or a combination thereof. The signal generation unit 110 may further include sensors for determining the characteristics of the electrosurgical treatment signals, such as voltage sensors and current sensors, and feedback adjustment circuits for keeping the characteristics of the electrosurgical treatment signals within specified limits.

[0034] Electrosurgical treatment signals are provided by the signal generation unit 110 between the first pin receptacle 31a of the connection socket 31 and the pin receptacle 52a of the socket 52. A relay switch 115 is further provided to selectively isolate the sockets 31 and 52 from the signal generation unit 110.

[0035] A start switch unit 120 is associated with the signal generation unit 110, which can be connected to the second and third pin receptacles 31b, 31c of the connection socket 31, and permanently connected to the first pin receptacle 31a to form a closed circuit. The start switch unit 120 is configured to provide a query signal to the start switch circuit of an electrosurgical instrument connected to the connection socket 31 and to analyze the response signal received from the start switch circuit. In some embodiments, the start switch unit 120 may provide a constant or low-frequency AC voltage to the start switch circuit, and the start switch circuit may include a predetermined resistive or reactive element that is coupled to or uncoupled from a circuit formed between the start switch unit and the start switch circuit depending on the activation state of one or more start switches of the start switch circuit. In some embodiments, the start switch circuit may include different resistors coupled to the circuit, resulting in different currents flowing through the circuit depending on the activation state. In other embodiments, the start switch circuit may include a diode having opposite polarity coupled to the circuit so that either a positive or negative half-wave of the query signal passes through the circuit.

[0036] Since the activation switch circuit is typically located within the handle 15 of the electrosurgical instrument 11, the wire for connecting the activation switch circuit extends parallel to the wire that carries the electrosurgical treatment signal between the handle 15 and the 3-pin connector 20. Therefore, the interrogation signal must have a specific signal strength so that the response signal can still be detected.

[0037] The electrosurgical generator 10 further comprises a control unit 130 configured to communicate with a signal generation unit 110. The control unit 130 provides parameters of the electrosurgical treatment signals generated by the signal generation unit 110, and status information received from the signal generation unit 110. The control unit 130 may also receive start and / or stop signals from a start switch unit 120 and convert such signals into commands to be sent to the signal generation unit 110.

[0038] The control unit 130 may include a processor and associated circuits, such as memory elements and a bus system. The control unit 130 may be a standard, industrial-grade, or medical-grade computer running on an operating system such as Windows®, MacOS®, or a proprietary operating system. The control unit 130 may include a user interface for communicating status information with the operator of the electrosurgical generator and for receiving operator inputs such as parameter settings for electrosurgical treatment waveforms.

[0039] The electrosurgical generator 10 further includes an instrument identification unit 140 which can also be connected to the second and third pin receptacles 31b and 31c of the connection socket 31. The instrument identification unit 140 is configured to send an instrument identification query signal to the instrument identification circuit 35 of the electrosurgical instrument 12 connected to the electrosurgical generator 10 and to receive an instrument identification response signal from the instrument identification circuit 35.

[0040] The communication signals exchanged between the instrument identification unit 140 and the instrument identification circuit 35 are typically low-voltage signals in the range of 3V to 5V. In many electrosurgical instruments, the instrument identification circuit is located on a 3-pin connector 30, which minimizes interference from the signal lines.

[0041] The device identification circuit 35 may include a "1-wire" chip, such as an EEPROM or FLASH memory chip, that can be read and written by the device identification unit.

[0042] For safety reasons, the signal generation unit 110 and the activation switch unit 120 are galvanically isolated from the control unit 130 and the device identification unit 140. This isolation is indicated by a dashed line 150. The AC / DC power conversion unit 151 has isolated power outputs to supply power to the isolated units. Any signal lines crossing the isolation may be provided with optical couplers or other suitable means to maintain galvanic isolation.

[0043] To avoid disconnection, an intermediate switch unit 152 is provided between the activation switch unit 120, the device identification unit 140, and the connection socket 31. The intermediate switch unit 152 may include a switch configured to alternately connect either the activation switch unit 120 or the device identification unit 140 to the second and third pin receptacles 31b, 31c of the connection socket 31, or to disconnect the second and third pin receptacles 31b, 31c from both the activation switch unit 120 and the device identification unit 140. The intermediate switch unit 152 and the intermediate switch 115 are controlled by the control unit 130.

[0044] The electrosurgical generator 10 further comprises a plug detection unit 160 associated with one or more of the pin receptacles 31a, 31b, and 31c. The plug detection unit 160 may include, but is not limited to, a microswitch that is activated when a plug is inserted into the pin receptacle, a light-shielding light barrier, or split contacts along the length of the pin receptacle to which the plug is connected when inserted. The plug detection unit 160 comprises a circuit configured to output a signal to the control unit 130 indicating whether or not a plug is inserted into one or more of the pin receptacles 31a, 31b, and 31c.

[0045] An exemplary method 200 for operating an electrosurgical system, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is shown in Figure 3.

[0046] In the first step 201, the insertion of the 3-pin connector into the connection socket 31 is detected by the plug detection unit 160, and a corresponding control signal is sent from the plug detection unit 160 to the control unit 130. The control signal may include a logic signal that is maintained in a "high" state while no plug is inserted into at least one of the pin receptacles 31a, 31b, 31c of the connection socket 31, and changes to "low" when a plug is inserted into each pin receptacle 31a, 31b, 31c, or vice versa. The control signal may also include a logic signal that is permanently "low" and changes to "high" only for short pulses when insertion into or removal of a plug from each pin receptacle 31a, 31b, 31c is detected. The shape of the pulse may be configured to distinguish between plug insertion and plug removal.

[0047] In the second step 202, the type of electrosurgical instrument connected to the connection socket is detected. To detect the instrument type, in some embodiments, the control unit 130 may control the relay switch unit 152 to connect the second and third pin receptacles 31b,31c of the connection socket 31 to the instrument identification unit 140. At the same time, the control unit 130 may control the relay switch 115 to disconnect the connection sockets 31 and 52 to prevent interference from electrosurgical treatment signals affecting the instrument identification unit 140. The control unit 130 then controls the instrument identification unit 140 to send instrument identification query signals to the electrosurgical instrument via the second and third pin receptacles 31b,31c.

[0048] If the electrosurgical instrument connected to the connection socket 31 is of the type that has an instrument identification circuit 35, the instrument identification query signal is received by the instrument identification circuit 35, and the instrument identification circuit transmits an instrument identification response signal to the instrument identification unit 140. The instrument identification query and response signals may include various signal components such as instrument identification data, instrument characteristic data, and instrument certification date.

[0049] If the instrument identification response signal is received by the instrument identification unit 140, the control unit 130 determines that the electrosurgical instrument connected to the connection socket 31 is an instrument type equipped with an instrument identification circuit, such as electrosurgical instrument 12. If the instrument identification response signal is not received by the instrument identification unit 140, the control unit 130 determines that the electrosurgical instrument connected to the connection socket 31 is an instrument type equipped with an activation switch circuit, similar to electrosurgical instrument 11, but without an instrument identification circuit. This distinction is represented by block 203 in Figure 3.

[0050] If the instrument is of a type that has an instrument identification circuit, in step 204, a connection between the instrument identification unit 140 and the instrument identification circuit is established or maintained. If the instrument type is detected by the method described above, such a connection is already established and only needs to be maintained. Other possible methods for detecting the instrument type may not require establishing a connection with the instrument identification unit. If such a method is used, the connection still needs to be established. In parallel, the control unit 130 may control the relay switch 115 to connect the connection sockets 31 and 52 to the signal generation unit 110, thereby providing electrosurgical treatment signals to the electrosurgical instrument.

[0051] In step 205, after the connection between the instrument identification circuit 35 and the instrument identification unit 140 is established or maintained, the control unit 130 may control the instrument identification unit 140 to communicate with the instrument identification circuit 35 in order to read information useful for providing appropriate electrosurgical treatment signals to the electrosurgical instrument and to write instrument usage data to the instrument identification circuit 35.

[0052] If the instrument is of the type that has an activation switch circuit, the control unit controls the relay switch unit 152 in step 207 to connect the second and third pin receptacles 31b,31c to the activation switch unit 120. If the second and third pin receptacles 31b,31c were previously connected to the instrument identification unit 140 in step 202, such connections are automatically disconnected by the relay switch unit 152. In parallel, the control unit 130 may again control the relay switch 115 to connect the connection sockets 31 and 52 to the signal generation unit 110, thereby providing electrosurgical treatment signals to the electrosurgical instrument.

[0053] In step 208, the control unit 130 may control the activation switch unit 120 to communicate with the activation switch circuit of the instrument, and control the signal generation unit 110 to provide the instrument with an electrosurgical treatment signal according to the activation state of the instrument's activation switch.

[0054] After the completion of an electrosurgical procedure or part thereof, in step 209, the disconnection of the 3-pin connectors 20, 30 from the connection socket 31 may be optionally detected. After the disconnection of the 3-pin connectors is detected, the control unit 130 may control the relay switch unit 152 to disconnect the activation switch unit 120 and / or the device identification unit from the second and third pin receptacles 31b, 31c of the connection socket 31. At the same time, the control unit 130 may control the relay switch 115 to disconnect the connection socket 31 and socket 52 from the signal generation unit 110. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Electrosurgical System 10 Electrosurgical Generators 11 Electrosurgical Instruments 12 Electrosurgical Instruments 15 Handle 16 shafts 17. Electrosurgical electrodes (distal electrodes) 18. Start switch 19. Start switch 20 3-pin connector 21 connection sockets 25 Main unit 26 shafts 27. Electrosurgical electrodes (jaw region) 28 Handle lever 29 Handle lever 30 3-pin connector 31 connection sockets 31a First pin receptacle 31b Second pin receptacle 31c Third pin receptacle 35. Device identification circuit 40 Wireless Foot Switches 41 pedals 50 patch electrodes 51 plug 52 sockets 52a Pin receptacle 110 Signal Generation Unit 115 Relay switch 120 Startup switch unit 130 Control Unit 140 Equipment Identification Unit 151 AC / DC Conversion Power Supply Unit 152 Relay Switch Unit 160 Plug Detection Unit

Claims

1. Electrosurgical generator, An electrosurgical instrument configured to be connected to the electrosurgical generator via a 3-pin connector, An electrosurgical system equipped with, The electrosurgical instrument comprises an electrosurgical electrode connected to the first pin of the three-pin connector, The second and third pins of the aforementioned three-pin connector are connected to Start switch circuit and It comprises one of the device identification circuits, The aforementioned electrosurgical generator is When the electrosurgical instrument is connected to the electrosurgical generator, it is detected whether the electrosurgical instrument is equipped with a start switch circuit or an instrument identification circuit. If the electrosurgical instrument is equipped with the activation switch circuit, the second and third pins of the three-pin connector are connected to the activation switch unit. If the electrosurgical instrument is equipped with the instrument identification circuit, connect the second and third pins of the three-pin connector to the instrument identification unit. It is configured in such a way. Electrosurgical system.

2. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the electrosurgical generator comprises a plug detection unit configured to detect the insertion of the three-pin connector into the connection socket of the electrosurgical generator.

3. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, further comprising a relay switch unit for connecting the second and third pins of the three-pin connector to either the instrument identification unit or the activation switch unit.

4. The electrosurgical system according to claim 2, wherein the electrosurgical generator is configured to connect the second and third pins of the three-pin connector to the instrument identification unit when the electrosurgical instrument is connected to the electrosurgical generator.

5. When the electrosurgical instrument is connected to the electrosurgical generator, A device identification query signal is transmitted to the aforementioned electrosurgical instrument. The device identification unit attempts to receive a device identification response signal. The electrosurgical system according to claim 4, configured as described above.

6. If the electrosurgical generator does not receive the instrument identification response signal in response to the instrument identification query signal, The second and third pins of the three-pin connector are cut from the device identification unit. The electrosurgical system according to claim 5, wherein the second and third pins of the three-pin connector are configured to be connected to the activation switch unit.

7. The electrosurgical system according to claim 6, wherein the electrosurgical generator is configured to maintain the connection of the second and third pins of the three-pin connector to the activation switch circuit until the three-pin connector is removed from the connection socket.

8. An electrosurgical generator for an electrosurgical system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A method for operating an electrosurgical generator, The control unit provided in the electrosurgical generator detects the connection of an electrosurgical instrument to the electrosurgical generator via a 3-pin connector, The control unit includes the step of detecting whether the electrosurgical instrument is equipped with an activation switch circuit or an instrument identification circuit, If the electrosurgical instrument includes the start switch circuit, the control unit connects the second and third pins of the three-pin connector to the start switch unit of the electrosurgical generator, or If the electrosurgical instrument is equipped with the instrument identification circuit, the steps include connecting the second and third pins of the three-pin connector to the instrument identification unit of the electrosurgical generator. Including the method of operating an electrosurgical generator.

10. After the control unit detects the connection of the electrosurgical instrument to the electrosurgical generator, the second and third pins of the three-pin connector are connected to the instrument identification unit, The control unit controls the instrument identification unit to transmit an instrument identification query signal to the electrosurgical instrument, The control unit attempts to receive a device identification response signal via the device identification unit. The method for operating an electrosurgical generator according to claim 9, further comprising:

11. If the device identification response signal is not received in response to the device identification query signal, The control unit performs the steps of disconnecting the second and third pins of the three-pin connector from the device identification unit, The control unit performs the steps of connecting the second and third pins of the three-pin connector to the activation switch unit. A method for operating an electrosurgical generator according to claim 10, further comprising:

12. The control unit maintains the connection of the second and third pins of the three-pin connector to the start switch circuit until the three-pin connector is removed from the connection socket of the electrosurgical generator. A method for operating an electrosurgical generator according to claim 11, further comprising:

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