Computerized electrical signal generator

Abstract

The invention relates to a medical probe signal generator. More particularly, it relates to a medical probe signal generator architecture. The present invention further relates to a system including a medical probe signal generator having an automatic probe type detector for detecting an identifier and at least one instrument cable comprising the identifier.

We claim: 
     
         1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . An energy delivery system comprising:
 an energy generator that is configured to operate in a plurality of modes for delivering energy to a plurality of different medical treatment devices;   at least one connector cable comprising a generator-side connector for releasably coupling to the energy generator and a device-side connector for releasably coupling to each of two or more selected medical treatment devices, that are selected from the plurality of different medical treatment devices;   the energy generator comprising a generator connector for engaging with, and coupling to, the generator-side connector of the at least one connector cable;   the at least one connector cable further comprising an identifier associated with the generator-side connector, the identifier associated with one or more modes of the plurality of modes, the one or more modes being relevant to the two or more medical treatment devices;   the energy generator further comprising a detector for detecting the identifier of the at least one connector cable when the generator-side connector is coupled to the generator connector to enable the one or more modes of the energy generator associated with the identifier; and   Wherein the generator enables the one or more modes independent from a connection of the device-side connector to one of the two or more medical treatment devices.   
     
     
         7 . The energy delivery system of  claim 6 , wherein the generator further comprises a mode determiner, wherein the detector sends an identification to the mode determiner for enabling the one more modes of the energy generator associated with the identifier and wherein the one or more modes are enabled by the mode determiner independently from a connection of the device-side connector to one of the two or more medical treatment devices. 
     
     
         8 . The energy delivery system of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one medical treatment device configured for connection to the device-side connector. 
     
     
         9 . The energy delivery system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 two or more connector cables from a plurality of connector cables;   each of the two or more connector cables comprising a unique identifier; and   each of the two or more connector cables being configured to releasably couple to the selected medical treatment device;   Whereby the energy generator is operative to enable a different one or more modes based upon the unique identifier of each of the two or more connector cables.   
     
     
         10 . The energy delivery system of  claim 6 , wherein the identifier comprises a circuit. 
     
     
         11 . The energy delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein the generator-side connector comprises a plurality of identity pins that are coupled together to form the circuit. 
     
     
         12 . The energy delivery system of  claim 11 , wherein identity pins are coupled via one or more resistors. 
     
     
         13 . The energy delivery system of  claim 11 , wherein the identity pins are shorted together. 
     
     
         14 . The energy delivery system of  claim 6 , wherein the identifier comprises a closed circuit even in an absence of a medical treatment device. 
     
     
         15 . An energy delivery system comprising:
 an energy generator that is configured to operate in one or more of a plurality of modes and is operable to deliver energy to a plurality of different medical treatment devices;   a connector cable comprising a generator-side connector for releasably coupling to the energy generator and a device-side connector for releasably coupling to a selected medical treatment device from the plurality of medical treatment devices;   an identifier associated with the cable for enabling the one or more modes of the energy generator upon coupling of the generator-side connector to the energy generator independent of a connection of the device-side connector to the selected medical treatment device;   the energy generator defining a generator connector for connecting to the connector cable; and   a detector associated with the energy generator for detecting the identifier to enable the one or more modes of the energy generator associated with the identifier.   
     
     
         16 . An energy delivery system comprising:
 an energy generator that is configured to operate in one or more of a plurality of modes and is operable to deliver energy to a plurality of different medical treatment devices;   a connector cable comprising a generator-side connector for releasably coupling to the energy generator and a device-side connector for releasably coupling to a selected medical treatment device from the plurality of medical treatment devices;   an identifier associated with the cable, the identifier comprising a circuit that is identifiable by the energy generator for enabling the one or more modes of the energy generator upon coupling of the generator-side connector to the energy generator, independent of a connection of the device-side connector to the selected medical treatment device;   the energy generator defining a generator connector for connecting to the connector cable; and   a detector associated with the energy generator for detecting the identifier to enable the one or more modes of the energy generator associated with the identifier.   
     
     
         17 . The energy delivery system of  claim 16 , wherein the circuit is included within the generator-side connector of the connector cable.