Electrical connectors – With coupling separator – Nonconducting pusher
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-07
2001-08-28
Vu, Hien (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With coupling separator
Nonconducting pusher
C439S909000, C439S729000, C439S838000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06280213
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical connectors. More specifically, the present invention relates to the connection of medical sensors to instruments responsive to signal from the sensors.
2. Description of the Related Art
Energy is often transmitted through or reflected from a medium to determine characteristics of the medium. For example, in the medical field, instead of extracting material from a patient's body for testing, light, heat or sound may be generated and transmitted. Detection of the transmitted signal allows determination of information about the material through which the signal has passed. For example, during surgery, the body's available supply of oxygen, or the blood oxygen saturation, is monitored. Measurements such as these are often performed by measuring the ratio of incident to transmitted (or reflected) light through a portion of the body, for example a digit such as a finger, or an earlobe, or a forehead. Durable and disposable sensors are often used for such physiological measurements. These sensors have connectors which allow detachment from the instrument or cable from the instrument.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention involves a connector that is configured to attach both disposable and durable sensors to instruments that are responsive to signals from the sensors or to cables from the instruments. To ensure proper operation, the connector is designed to prevent incorrect attachment of the probe to the connector. Additionally, the connector allows for easy connection and release, yet prevents accidental disconnection. Advantageously, the connector does not add significant noise to the system, and can be coated inside with RF shielding material. Additional, the connector and sensor tab are not sharp and do not contain protrusions that might hurt or scratch the patient.
More specifically, the present invention involves a probe connector for use in both invasive and non-invasive measurements. Examples of sensors are disclosed in
FIGS. 29-56
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/543,789, filed Apr. 16, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,757, entitled Low Noise Optical Probes, filed on the same day as the present application, which application is incorporated by reference herein.
The connector of the present invention couples the probe to a monitor or processor to analyze the signals from the probe. Once a sensor is inserted into the connector, the sensor is locked in place and the sensor tab (connection portion of the sensor) is shielded from electromagnetic interference. Depressing release buttons provides easy removal of the sensor from the connector. The connector has male and female portions. The female portion forms a receptacle that shields the electrical connection from fluids in the surrounding environment.
One aspect of the present invention involves a connector having a case defining a shroud, the case having a passageway configured to accept a sensor plug. at least one release mechanism has an engagement wedge configured such that when depressed, the engagement wedge unlocks the sensor plug from the case. An electrical connector secured within the case has contacts and is positioned such that the sensor plug, when inserted into the case, engages the contacts of the electrical connector. In one advantageous embodiment, the case further comprises a sensor plug lock, the sensor plug lock being positioned to hold the sensor plug in place when inserted into the case. Advantageously, the case further comprises a stop bar positioned to prevent insertion of the sensor plug beyond a predetermined limit. In one embodiment, the release mechanism contains at least one lift tab designed to urge the sensor plug from the sensor plug lock. In the present embodiment, the lift tab lifts the sensor plug off a locking post when the release mechanism is activated. In one embodiment, the release mechanism has at least one push tab designed to move the sensor plug in a direction out of the case when the push tab is engaged. Preferably, the electrical cable is attached to an electrical signal cable.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a connector having a case defining a shroud. The case has a passageway configured to accept a sensor tab. Advantageously, the case has metallic shielding. At least one release mechanism has an engagement wedge unlocks the sensor plug from the case. Preferably, the release mechanism also has spring members having metallic shielding. An electrical connector secured within the case has contacts and is positioned such that the sensor plug, when inserted into the case, engages contacts of the electrical connector.
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Gerhardt Thomas J.
Mason Eugene E.
Mills Mike A.
Tobler David R.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Masimo Corporation
Vu Hien
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