Ultrasonic handpiece

Abstract

An ultrasonic handpiece includes a horn and a transducer system. The transducer system is configured to detect a first pressure applied to at least a first portion of the transducer system, transmit a signal associated with the first pressure, and generate ultrasonic vibratory energy. The first pressure is associated with a second pressure applied to the horn.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of operating a handheld medical device, said method comprising:
 detecting a first pressure applied to a horn of the handheld medical device when the horn is pressed against a first surgical implement;   determining when the first pressure is within a predetermined pressure range indicating that the first pressure is suitable for securing the first surgical implement to a second surgical implement;   generating energy when the first pressure has remained within the predetermined pressure range for at least a predetermined duration of time; and   applying the energy through the horn to the first surgical implement to secure the first surgical implement to the second surgical implement.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising inhibiting the generation of energy when the first pressure is outside the predetermined pressure range. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 determining when the first surgical implement is secured to the second surgical implement; and   stopping the generation of energy after determining the first surgical implement is secured to the second surgical implement.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising providing an indication to a user when the first surgical implement is secured to the second surgical implement. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said determining when the first surgical implement is secure to the second surgical implement comprises determining when a predetermined amount of energy has been applied to the first surgical implement by the handheld medical device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the predetermined duration of time is 2 seconds. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the energy generated is vibratory energy. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising receiving a user input, wherein said generating energy further comprises generating energy when the first pressure has remained within the predetermined pressure range for at least a predetermined duration of time and the user input has been received. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 identifying the handheld medical device based on an identifier associated with the handheld medical device; and   retrieving at least one setting for the handheld medical device based on the identifier.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one setting includes the predetermined pressure range. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one setting further includes the predetermined duration of time. 
     
     
         32 . A controller for use with a handheld medical device, the controller comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory device having encoded thereon computer-readable instructions that are executable by the processor to perform functions comprising: