#$%^&*AU2010224390B220140220.pdf#####ABSTRACT METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SMART HANDSET DESIGN IN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS An electrosurgical instrument (10) is provided which includes a housing (2) and an electrocautery blade (6) supported within the housing (2) and extending distally. The housing (2) has a treatment portion attached and defining a chamber therein for retaining an activation circuit and a control circuit. The activation circuit is operably coupled to at least one activation element that is activatable to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy from a generator (G) to tissue proximate the treatment portion. The control circuit includes a microprocessor (92) to enable bidirectional communication between the electrosurgical instrument (10) and the generator (G) relating to usage information of the electrosurgical instrument (10). The usage information includes serial number of the electrosurgical instrument (10), instrument type, number of times the electrosurgical instrument (10) has been activated, overall time the electrosurgical instrument (10) has been used, operating parameters of the at least one activation element during each activation, operational status of the treatment portion during each activation, and power settings. 2994773_I.DOC1/7 G1 C J -CC. (C CCD
