Patent Description:
The invention is defined in appended independent claim <NUM>. Further embodiments are defined in appended dependent claims. According to the invention, there is provided a console (<NUM>) of a surgical system (<NUM>), the console (<NUM>) comprising:an electrical isolation device (<NUM>); a therapy signal generator (<NUM>) configured to generate a therapy signal; and a controller (<NUM>) configured to control the therapy signal generator (<NUM>), wherein the console (<NUM>) is configured to be directly or indirectly detachably attached to a first component (<NUM>), wherein the first component (<NUM>) is configured to be driven by the therapy signal to therapeutically affect a biological tissue; and a sensor circuit (<NUM>) arranged to the console (<NUM>), the sensor circuit (<NUM>) comprising: a device state signal generation circuit (<NUM>) configured to generate a device state signal; and a reference circuit (<NUM>) configured to provide a baseline signal based on the device state signal, wherein the sensor circuit (<NUM>) is configured to be selectively electrically connected in a first connected state to a first target state identifying circuit (<NUM>) arranged to the first component (<NUM>), and the sensor circuit (<NUM>) is configured to receive a first target state identifying signal in the first connected state, wherein the first target state identifying circuit (<NUM>) is configured to provide the first target state identifying signal based on the device state signal,wherein the sensor circuit (<NUM>) is configured to output:a feedback signal based on the baseline signal and the first target state identifying signal through the electrical isolation device (<NUM>),the feedback signal based on the baseline signal in the absence of the first target state identifying signal, thereby indicating absence of an attachment of the first component (<NUM>) to the console (<NUM>), through the electrical isolation device (<NUM>), characterized in that the controller (<NUM>) is configured to:perform first control of the therapy signal generator (<NUM>) in response to the feedback signal based on the baseline signal and the first target state identifying signal; and perform second control of the therapy signal generator (<NUM>) in response to the feedback signal based on the baseline signal in the absence of the first target state identifying signal.

According to a further embodiment, the console of a surgical system is further enhanced in that the sensor circuit is arranged as an astable oscillator circuit.

According to a further embodiment, the console of a surgical system is further enhanced in that the sensor circuit is arranged as a voltage sensor circuit.

In another advantageous embodiment, the console of a surgical system is further enhanced in that the reference circuit comprises a reference capacitor or a reference resistor, and wherein the first target state identifying circuit comprises one of: a first target capacitor configured, in the first connected state, to be selectively electrically connected in parallel with the reference capacitor, and a first target resistor configured, in the first connected state, to be selectively electrically connected in parallel with the reference resistor.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the console of a surgical system is further enhanced in that the sensor circuit is further configured to be selectively electrically connected in a second connected state to a second target state identifying circuit arranged to the first component, wherein the second target state identifying circuit comprises: one of: a second target capacitor configured, in the second connected state, to be selectively electrically connected in parallel with the reference capacitor and the first target capacitor, and a second target resistor configured, in the second connected state, to be selectively electrically connected in parallel with the reference resistor and the first target resistor; and a second target switch configured to be controlled to electrically connect the one of the second target capacitor and the second target resistor in parallel with the corresponding reference capacitor and reference resistor, wherein in the second connected state, the second target state identifying circuit is configured to provide a second target state identifying signal based on the device state signal, wherein the sensor circuit is further configured to output the feedback signal based on the baseline signal, the first target state identifying signal and the second target state identifying signal through the electrical isolation device, and wherein the controller is configured to control the therapy signal generator based on the feedback signal.

In accordance with a further example, not part of the invention, a surgical system is provided. The surgical system comprises: a console comprising: an electrical isolation device; a therapy signal generator configured to generate a therapy signal; and a controller configured to control the therapy signal generator; a first component configured to be directly or indirectly detachably attached to the console, wherein the first component is configured to be driven by the therapy signal to therapeutically affect a biological tissue; a sensor circuit arranged to the console, the sensor circuit comprising: a device state signal generation circuit configured to generate a device state signal; and a reference circuit configured provide a baseline signal based on the device state signal; and a first target state identifying circuit arranged to the first component, wherein the first target state identifying circuit is configured to be selectively electrically connected in a first connected state to the sensor circuit, and wherein in the first connected state, the first target state identifying circuit is configured to provide a first target state identifying signal based on the device state signal; wherein the sensor circuit is configured to output a feedback signal based on the baseline signal and the first target state identifying signal through the electrical isolation device, and wherein the controller is configured to control the therapy signal generator based on the feedback signal.

In accordance with a further example, not part of the invention, a surgical system is provided. The surgical system comprises: a console comprising: an electrical isolation device; a therapy signal generator configured to generate a therapy signal; and a controller configured to control the therapy signal generator, wherein the console is configured to be directly or indirectly detachably attached to a first component, wherein the first component is configured to be driven by the therapy signal to therapeutically affect a biological tissue; and a sensor circuit arranged to the console, the sensor circuit comprising: a device state signal generation circuit configured to generate a device state signal; and a reference circuit configured to provide a baseline signal based on the device state signal, wherein the sensor circuit is configured to be selectively electrically connected in a first connected state to a first target state identifying circuit arranged to the first component, and wherein in the first connected state, the first target state identifying circuit is configured to provide a first target state identifying signal based on the device state signal, wherein the sensor circuit is configured to output a feedback signal based on the baseline signal and the first target state identifying signal through the electrical isolation device, and wherein the controller is configured to control the therapy signal generator based on the feedback signal.

In accordance with a further example, not part of the invention, a method of providing a surgical system is provided. The method comprises: providing a console comprising: an electrical isolation device; a therapy signal generator configured to generate a therapy signal; and a controller configured to control the therapy signal generator; providing a first component configured to be directly or indirectly detachably attached to the console, wherein the first component is configured to be driven by the therapy signal to therapeutically affect a biological tissue; providing a sensor circuit arranged to the console, the sensor circuit comprising: a device state signal generation circuit configured to generate a device state signal; and a reference circuit configured provide a baseline signal based on the device state signal; providing a first target state identifying circuit arranged to the first component, wherein the first target state identifying circuit is configured to be selectively electrically connected in a first connected state to the sensor circuit, and wherein in the first connected state, the first target state identifying circuit is configured to provide a first target state identifying signal based on the device state signal, enabling the sensor circuit to output a feedback signal based on the baseline signal and the first target state identifying signal, and enabling the controller to control the therapy signal generator based on the feedback signal.

In one embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, a surgical system <NUM> includes a console <NUM>, an intermediate component <NUM> that is detachably attachable to the console <NUM>, and a first component <NUM> that is detachably attachable to the intermediate component <NUM>.

An example of the intermediate component <NUM> is a handpiece. An example of the first component <NUM> is an interchangeable tip that is configured to be detachably attached to the handpiece. Additional detailed descriptions of exemplary structures of the console <NUM>, the intermediate component <NUM>, and the first component <NUM> will be discussed further below.

The surgical system <NUM> further includes a circuit <NUM> that is distributively arranged to the console <NUM>, the intermediate component <NUM>, and the first component <NUM>.

The circuit <NUM> includes an alternating current (AC) signal generator <NUM>, a step-up transformer <NUM>, a pair of electrical leads <NUM>, <NUM>, a target state detection circuit <NUM> inlcuding a sensor circuit <NUM>, a first target state identification circuit <NUM>, and a second target state identification circuit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the AC signal generator <NUM>, the step-up transformer <NUM> and the target state detection circuit <NUM> are arranged in the console <NUM>, the first target state identification circuit <NUM> and the second target state identification circuit <NUM> are arranged in the first component <NUM>, and the pair of electrical leads <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged across the console <NUM>, the intermediate component <NUM>, and the first component <NUM>.

The AC signal generator <NUM> provides a time varying signal (and more specifically, an AC signal, to a low voltage side of the step-up transformer <NUM>. The step-up transformer <NUM> steps up a voltage of the AC signal to a high voltage, and outputs the high voltage AC signal on a high voltage side of the step-up transformer <NUM> to the pair of electrical leads <NUM>, <NUM>. The high voltage AC signal is characterized by at least one of a frequency and a voltage that is desirable for one or more therapeutic functions performed by the first component. Examples of the one or more therapeutic functions performed by the first component will be described in further detail below. The high voltage AC signal is referred to herein as a "therapy signal. " The therapy signal may range, for example, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, with frequencies ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

In a modification of the surgical system <NUM>, the AC signal generator <NUM> and the step-up transformer <NUM> can be replaced with a signal generator configured to generate a therapy signal that is characterized by at least one of a frequency and a voltage that is desirable for one or more therapeutic functions performed by the first component.

The sensor circuit <NUM> is configured to detect one or more states of electrical arrangement of the first component <NUM> to the console <NUM> via the intermediate component <NUM>. In a first arrangement, the first component <NUM> is not attached to the intermediate component <NUM>. In a second arrangement, the first component <NUM> is attached to the console via the intermediate component <NUM>. In a third arrangement, the first component <NUM> is attached to the console <NUM> via the intermediate component <NUM> and a switch provided to the first component <NUM> is actuated by a user.

The target state detection circuit <NUM> includes the sensor circuit <NUM>. The sensor circuit <NUM> includes a device state signal generation circuit <NUM> and a reference circuit <NUM>. The device state signal generation circuit <NUM> provides a device state signal that is referenced to one of the electrical leads <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the first arrangement, the reference circuit <NUM> is electrically connected to the device state signal generation circuit <NUM> to provide a baseline signal based on the device state signal.

In the second arrangement, the reference circuit <NUM> and the first target state identification circuit <NUM> are electrically connected to the device state signal generation circuit <NUM>. Specifically, the first target state identification circuit <NUM> is electrically connected to the device state signal generation circuit <NUM> upon physical attachment of the first component <NUM> to the intermediate component <NUM> and upon physical attachment of the intermediate component <NUM> to the console <NUM>. In the second arrangement, the reference circuit <NUM> and the first target state identification circuit <NUM> provide the baseline signal and a first target state identification signal based on the device state signal.

In the third arrangement, the reference circuit <NUM>, the first target state identification circuit <NUM>, and the second target state identification circuit <NUM> are electrically connected to the device state signal generation circuit <NUM>. The first target state identification circuit <NUM> is electrically connected to the device state signal generation circuit <NUM> upon physical attachment of the first component <NUM> to the intermediate component <NUM> and upon physical attachment of the intermediate component <NUM> to the console <NUM>.

The second target state identification circuit <NUM> includes a second target state identification circuit switch <NUM> that is actuated by a user. The second target state identification circuit <NUM> is electrically connected to the device state signal generation circuit <NUM> upon physical attachment of the first component <NUM> to the intermediate component <NUM>, physical attachment of the intermediate component <NUM> to the console <NUM> and actuation of the second target state identification circuit switch <NUM> by the user.

In the third arrangement, the reference circuit <NUM>, the first target state identification circuit <NUM>, and the second target state identification circuit provide the baseline signal, the first target state identification signal, and a second target state identification signal based on the device state signal.

The target state detection circuit <NUM> further includes an analog to digital convertor (ADC) <NUM>, an electrical isolation circuit <NUM> and a controller <NUM>. The ADC <NUM> is configured to convert a characteristic of the baseline signal, the first target state identifying signal and the second target state identifying signal to a digital signal. The digital signal is then passed through the electrical isolation circuit <NUM> as a low voltage signal to the controller <NUM> as feedback data. Examples of the electrical isolation circuit <NUM> include an opto-isolator, a capacitive isolator, and an inductive isolator.

The controller <NUM> is configured to control at least one therapeutic function performed by the first component <NUM> based on the feedback data.

In one example, the controller <NUM> is implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The controller <NUM> is configured to correlate the characteristic of the baseline signal, the first target state identification signal, and the second target state identification signal with one or more predetermined values in a look-up table. Based on the one or more predetermined values, the controller <NUM> is configured to determine, for example, one or more of the following states of electrical arrangement of the first component <NUM>: the first component <NUM> is not attached to the console <NUM>, the first component <NUM> is attached to the console <NUM> and is a recognized component or one of a set of recognized components, the first component <NUM> is attached to the console <NUM> and is not a recognized component, a switch of a recognized component is activated, and the switch of the recognized component is not activated. The controller <NUM> is further configured to control one or more therapeutic functions performed by the first component <NUM> based on the determined one or more states of electrical arrangement of the first component <NUM>.

The surgical system <NUM> is not limited to a first target state identification circuit <NUM> and a first target state identification circuit <NUM>. The surgical system <NUM> can include a third target state identification circuit <NUM> and additional target state identification circuits that can be arranged to be electrical connected to the device state signal generation circuit. The third target state identification circuits can include a third target state switch <NUM> that is actuated by the user to electrically connect the third target state identification circuit to the device state signal generation circuit <NUM>. The third and additional target state identification circuit are configured to provide a third and additional target state identification signals, the characteristics of which can be correlated by the controller <NUM> with predetermined values in the look-up table. Based on the predetermined values, the controller <NUM> is configured to determine additional states of electrical arrangement of the first component <NUM>. The controller is configured to control additional therapeutic functions performed by the first component based on the determined additional states of electrical arrangement of the first component <NUM>.

Examples of the sensor circuit <NUM>, the first target state identification circuit <NUM> and the first target state identification circuit <NUM> are discussed below.

The sensor circuit <NUM>, the first target state identification circuit <NUM>, the first target state identification circuit <NUM>, and the third target state identification circuit <NUM> can be implemented by, for example, an astable oscillator circuit (or more generally, a capacitive sensing circuit).

<FIG> illustrates an example of an astable oscillator circuit implemented with a <NUM> timer integrated circuit. The frequency of the astable oscillator output signal is controlled by the fixed electrical connection to the reference circuit <NUM> (including the reference capacitor <NUM>) and (i) the selective electrical connection of the first target state identification circuit <NUM> (including a first target state capacitor <NUM>) upon physical attachment of the first component <NUM> to the console <NUM> via the intermediate component <NUM>, (ii) the selective electrical connection of the second target state identification circuit <NUM> (including a second target state capacitor <NUM> and a second target state switch) upon the actuation of the second target state switch <NUM> by the user, and (iii) the selective electrical connection of the third target state identification circuit <NUM> (including a third target state capacitor <NUM> and a third target state switch <NUM>) upon the actuation of the third target state switch <NUM> by the user. The astable oscillator's output signal frequency is indirectly proportional to the capacitance offered by the reference capacitor, the first target capacitor <NUM>, the second target capacitor <NUM> and the third target capacitor <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the trigger pin (<NUM>) and the threshold pin (<NUM>) are connected so as to form a self-trigger, causing the <NUM> timer IC to operate as an astable oscillator. Here resistor R1 and resistor R2 act as timing resistors and the discharge pin (<NUM>) is connected to the junction of resistor R1 and resistor R2. When the supply Vcc is connected, the reference capacitor <NUM>, and the selectively electrically connected first target capacitor <NUM>, second target capacitor <NUM>, and third target capacitor <NUM> act like a timing capacitor and change toward Vcc. When the one or more capacitors get charged, the output pin (<NUM>) is held high. When the one or more capacitors voltage is just greater than (<NUM>/<NUM>) Vcc, the upper comparator of the <NUM> timer IC triggers the internal control flip flop and the one or more capacitors discharge towards the ground through resistor R2. During this discharge cycle the output is held low. During this discharge, as the voltage across the one or more capacitors reaches (<NUM>/<NUM>) Vcc the lower comparator is triggered and again it starts charging and the output is held high.

As additional capacitors are electrically connected, the offered capacitance increases, thereby decreasing the frequency of the astable oscillator output. Based on the predetermined ratings of the reference capacitor, the first target capacitor, the second target capacitor, and the third target capacitor, the frequency of the astable oscillator output can be correlated utilized to determine one or more states of electrical arrangement of the first component.

The output of the astable oscillator from pin <NUM> is referred to herein as a feedback signal. The feedback signal can be a square wave. In the above-described first arrangement where the first component is not attached to the console, the reference capacitor <NUM> is selected such that the astable oscillator provides a feedback signal having a measurable baseline frequency. In the above-described second arrangement where the first component <NUM> is attached to the console <NUM>, the first target state capacitor <NUM> is selected such that the astable oscillator provides a feedback signal having a measurable first frequency that is different from the baseline frequency. In the above-described third arrangement where the first component <NUM> is attached to the console <NUM> and the second target switch <NUM> is actuated to electrically connect the second target state capacitor <NUM>, the second target state capacitor <NUM> is selected such that the astable oscillator provides a feedback signal having a measurable second frequency that is different from the baseline frequency and the first frequency. The controller <NUM> is then configured to determine the capacitance provided in the astable oscillator by, for example, counting the pulses of the square wave in a predetermined time period. The determined capacitance then indicates the state of electrical arrangement of the first component <NUM> to the console <NUM>. It is noted that even in the absence of an attachment of the first component <NUM> to the console <NUM> (i.e. the above-described first arrangement), the surgical system <NUM> and in particular the circuit <NUM> provides for the reference circuit <NUM> including the reference capacitor <NUM> in the console <NUM> such that the feedback signal based on the baseline frequency is provided to the controller <NUM> to control the AC signal generator <NUM>.

In a modification of the circuit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the astable oscillator circuit configured using a <NUM> timer IC can be implemented by replacing the reference capacitor <NUM> with a reference resistor, and replacing the one or more of the first target capacitor <NUM>, the second target capacitor <NUM>, and the third target capacitor with a corresponding one or more of a first target resistor, a second target resistor, and a third target resistor.

<FIG> illustrates another example of an astable oscillator circuit and a reference circuit that implements the sensor circuit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an astable oscillator as a relaxation oscillator. A comparator takes in and compares a reference voltage from a voltage divider and the device state signal, and sends the output to a resetting latch which provides feedback to the comparator to provide the feedback signal to the controller. The resetting latch is comprised of a Schmidt trigger to provide hysteresis and a transistor switch to reset the oscillation.

In <FIG>, a reference resistor <NUM>, a first target resistor <NUM>, a second target resistor <NUM>, and a third target resistor <NUM> replaces the reference capacitor <NUM>, the first target capacitor <NUM>, the second target capacitor <NUM>, and the third target capacitor <NUM> respectively described above with respect to <FIG>.

The sensor circuit <NUM>, the first target state identification circuit <NUM>, the first target state identification circuit <NUM>, and the third target state identification circuit <NUM> can also be implemented by, for example, an a voltage sensor as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a device state signal sensing circuit for DC, non-time varying signals. A supply voltage is supplied to the reference resistor <NUM> and the one or more target resistors by the supply Vcc through a pull up resistor <NUM> on bus <NUM>. The device state signal voltage on bus <NUM> is compared by device <NUM> to a reference voltage supplied by the voltage divider comprised of resistors <NUM> and <NUM>. Stability of the comparison is provided by a feedback resistor <NUM>. The output of the comparator <NUM> is provided to an analog to digital converter <NUM> to create the feedback signal.

A more detailed description of the exemplary structures of the surgical system <NUM> will be discussed below. Examples of interchangeable tips that make up the first component and a handpiece that makes up the intermediate will be described below.

In a first example, a handpiece and a debrider blade as an interchangeable tip that is detachably attachable to the handpiece are provided. Detailed descriptions of the structures of the handpiece and the debrider blade can be found at, for example, <CIT>, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The debrider blade can include a first (outer) tubular body and a second (inner) tubular body. The second tubular body is at least partially disposed within the first tubular body, and is arranged to be moved by rotation or reciprocation with respect to the first tubular body.

In the first example, a motor (or more generally, a power transfer device) that is suitable to move the second tubular body to rotate or reciprocate is arranged in the handpiece or in the interchangeable tip. The motor is in turn driven by a signal generator arranged in the console.

The first tubular body can include a first set of teeth arranged at an opening of the first tubular body. The second tubular body can include a second set of teeth arranged at an opening of the second tubular body. As the second tubular body is moved by rotation or reciprocation, a tissue that is arranged between the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth is sheared or dissected by the rotational or reciprocal movement of the second set of teeth.

As an alternative to the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth, the first tubular body can be provided with a first opening and the second tubular body can be replaced with a rotatable burr that can be driven by the motor to rotate to remove a target tissue.

In the first example, the interchangeable tip is provided with the first target state identification circuit <NUM> and the first target state identification circuit <NUM> described above.

A second example of the interchangeable tip includes a modification of the first example of the interchangeable tip. In the second example, bipolar cauterization and/or coagulation functions are provided. Specifically, the first tubular body is charged with a first electrical potential (as an active electrode) and the second tubular body is charged with a second electrical potential (as a return electrode) that is different for the first electrical potential. The active electrode is electrically connected to the electrical lead <NUM> and the return electrode is electrically connected to the electrical lead <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the interchangeable tip according to the second example is electrically connected to the handpiece through three pins <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The therapy signal is provided into the interchangeable tip through pins <NUM>, <NUM>. The first through third target state identifying signal are provided from the interchangeable tip to the sensor circuit <NUM> through pins <NUM> and <NUM>. In the target state detection circuit <NUM>, the electrical isolation device <NUM> then separates the feedback signal output by the sensor circuit <NUM> from the therapy signal and transfers the feedback signal to the controller <NUM>.

As an alternative to the bipolar configuration described above, a monopolar configuration can be provided. In the monopolar configuration, the first tubular body is charged with a first electrical potential (as an active electrode) and a return electrode (as a second component) separate from the interchangeable tip is provided.

In the second example, the interchangeable tip is provided with the first target state identification circuit <NUM> and the second target state identification circuit <NUM>, as described above, and a third target state identification circuit <NUM> including a third target state identification switch <NUM>.

In an arrangement in which the third target state identification switch is actuated by the user, the controller may be configured to determine that the user has instructed a cauterization and/or coagulation function. Based on this determination, the controller <NUM> may be configured to control the AC signal generator <NUM> to enable cauterization and/or coagulation function.

The invention is not limited to the above-described examples. The invention also encompasses structures that can be driven to provide different combinations of the dissection, suction, and cauterization and/or coagulation functions described above.

The invention also encompasses, for example, an interchangeable tip that is configured to be controlled to perform other therapeutic functions such as dissection through ultrasonic vibrations. To enable dissection through ultrasonic vibrations, the first component can include a piezoelectric transducer and an end effector that is movably connected to the piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer is electrically connected to electrical leads <NUM>, <NUM> to be driven by the AC signal generator <NUM>.

A modification of the above-described surgical system <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. According to the modification of the surgical system <NUM>, the above-described indirect attachment of the first component <NUM> to the console <NUM> via the intermediate component <NUM> is replaced by a direct attachment of a first component <NUM> to the console <NUM>. Specifically, the first target state identification circuit <NUM> and the second target state identification circuit <NUM> are electrically connected to the device state signal generation circuit <NUM> upon physical attachment of the first component <NUM> to the console <NUM>.

In another embodiment, a method for detecting one or more states of electrical arrangement of a replaceable component and control of one or more therapeutic functions of the replaceable component based on the detected one or more states is provided.

The method includes a step of providing a console including the step-up transformer <NUM>, the AC signal generator <NUM> (or more generally, a therapy signal generator) configured to generate a therapy signal through the step-up transformer <NUM>, and a controller <NUM> configured to control the AC signal generator <NUM> (or therapy signal generator). The method further includes a step of providing a first component <NUM> configured to be directly or indirectly detachably attached to the console <NUM>, wherein the first component <NUM> is configured to be driven by the therapy signal to therapeutically affect a biological tissue. The method further includes a step of providing a sensor circuit <NUM> arranged to the console <NUM>, the sensor circuit including a device state signal generation circuit <NUM> configured to generate a device state signal, and a reference circuit <NUM> configured output a baseline signal based on the device state signal. The method further includes providing a first target state identification circuit <NUM> arranged to the first component <NUM>, wherein the first target state identification circuit <NUM> is configured to be selectively electrically connected in a first connected state to the sensor circuit, and wherein in the first connected state, the first target state identification circuit <NUM> is configured to output a first target state identification signal based on the device state signal. The method further includes a step of enabling the sensor circuit <NUM> to output the baseline signal and the first target state identification signal through an electrical isolation circuit <NUM> as feedback data, and a step of enabling the controller <NUM> to control the AC signal generator <NUM> (or the therapy signal generator) based on the feedback data. The method further includes providing a first target state identification circuit <NUM> to the first component <NUM>. The method further includes enabling the second target state identification circuit <NUM> to be selectively electrically connected to the sensor circuit <NUM> by the actuation of a second target state switch <NUM>, wherein the second target state identification circuit <NUM> outputs a second target state identification signal based on the device state signal. The method further includes enabling sensor circuit <NUM> to output the second target state identification signal through the electrical isolation circuit <NUM> as feedback data, and a step of enabling the controller <NUM> to control the AC signal generator <NUM> (or the therapy signal generator) based on the feedback data. The method further includes enabling the controller <NUM> to continuously or periodically control the AC signal generator <NUM> (or the therapy signal generator) based on the feedback data.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claim 1:
A console (<NUM>) of a surgical system (<NUM>), the console (<NUM>) comprising:
an electrical isolation device (<NUM>);
a therapy signal generator (<NUM>) configured to generate a therapy signal; and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to control the therapy signal generator (<NUM>),
wherein the console (<NUM>) is configured to be directly or indirectly detachably attached to a first component (<NUM>), wherein the first component (<NUM>) is configured to be driven by the therapy signal to therapeutically affect a biological tissue; and
a sensor circuit (<NUM>) arranged to the console (<NUM>), the sensor circuit (<NUM>) comprising:
a device state signal generation circuit (<NUM>) configured to generate a device state signal; and
a reference circuit (<NUM>) configured to provide a baseline signal based on the device state signal,
wherein the sensor circuit (<NUM>) is configured to be selectively electrically connected in a first connected state to a first target state identifying circuit (<NUM>) arranged to the first component (<NUM>), and
the sensor circuit (<NUM>) is configured to receive a first target state identifying signal in the first connected state, wherein the first target state identifying circuit (<NUM>) is configured to provide the first target state identifying signal based on the device state signal,
wherein the sensor circuit (<NUM>) is configured to output:
a feedback signal based on the baseline signal and the first target state identifying signal through the electrical isolation device (<NUM>),
the feedback signal based on the baseline signal in the absence of the first target state identifying signal, thereby indicating absence of an attachment of the first component (<NUM>) to the console (<NUM>), through the electrical isolation device (<NUM>),
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to:
perform first control of the therapy signal generator (<NUM>) in response to the feedback signal based on the baseline signal and the first target state identifying signal; and
perform second control of the therapy signal generator (<NUM>) in response to the feedback signal based on the baseline signal in the absence of the first target state identifying signal.