Image guide wire connection

An electrical connector and assembly having a body arranged and disposed to receive an interconnector of a guide wire at a first end and an interface cable at a second end, and a contact module in the body, the contact module comprising a contact housing and a plurality of contacts, disposed in the contact housing, the plurality of contacts being configured for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire, is disclosed.

FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to an electrical connector assembly. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to an assembly for connecting an imaging guide wire to an electronic monitoring and control box.

BACKGROUND

Electronic medical devices permitting measurement of internal conditions of a human body are well known. Often, these electronic medical devices are connected to monitoring and control devices and systems. For safety, sanitation, convenience, and effectiveness, the connection of the monitoring and control devices to these medical devices is performed by electrically connecting a cable extending from the monitoring and control device to a cable extending from the medical device.

Known connectors do not adequately connect with certain types of medical devices, such as catheters. Catheters may include hypo tubes, which may include delicate portions with dielectric and conductive portions. These hypo tubes may be as thin as about 14/1000 of an inch. Known connectors may break these hypo tubes or may be unreliable in separating the electrical signals transmitted to the various conductive portions.

Therefore, there is an unmet need to provide an electrical connector and an electrical connector assembly permitting rotation, able to interface with cables and to work in conjunction with hypo tubes.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure provides an electrical connector and electrical connector assembly permitting rotation that is configured to interface with cables and to work in conjunction with hypo tubes.

According to an embodiment, an electrical connector includes a body arranged and disposed to receive an interconnector of a guide wire at a first end and an interface cable at a second end, and a contact module in the body, the contact module comprising a contact housing and a plurality of contacts, disposed in the contact housing, the plurality of contacts being configured for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire. In the embodiment, the interconnector comprises a plurality of axial conductive portions separated by a plurality of axial dielectric portions, the number of the axial conductive portions corresponding to the number of the contacts in the contact module, and the interface cable is arranged and disposed for electrically connecting with a monitoring and control device.

According to another embodiment, an electrical connector assembly includes a guide wire having an interconnector, the interconnector comprising a plurality of axial conductive portions separated by a plurality of axial dielectric portions, the number of the axial conductive portions corresponding to the number of the contacts in the contact module, the guide wire further comprising a sensor at a distal end of the guide wire, the sensor arranged and disposed for measuring internal conditions of a human; an interface cable, the interface cable arranged and disposed for electrically connecting with a monitoring and control device; and an electrical connector connecting the guide wire to the interface cable. In the embodiment, the connector comprises a body, and a contact module, the contact module comprising a contact housing and a plurality of contacts disposed in the contact housing for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire. The body is arranged and disposed for protecting internal components of the electrical connector.

According to yet another embodiment, an electrical connector includes a body arranged and disposed to receive a contact module and arranged and disposed to receive a hypo tube of a guide wire at a first end and an interface cable at a second end, the contact module, and a cam actuator and a cam. In the embodiment, the contact module includes a contact housing and a plurality of contacts, the contact housing arranged and disposed for receiving the plurality of contacts, the plurality of contacts being configured for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire. The cam actuator is arranged and disposed for partially rotating the cam, the cam being arranged and disposed for engaging the contacts upon being partially rotated, thereby permitting the interconnector to be inserted into the contact module. The hypo tube comprises a plurality of axial conductive portions and a plurality of axial dielectric portions, and the interface cable is arranged and disposed for electrically connecting with a monitoring and control device.

An advantage of the present disclosure is permitting rotational movement of a catheter thereby permits physicians to have increased ability for manipulating medical devices.

Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the assembly allows longer cables to be used with medical devices.

Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is the interoperability of the connector with hypo tubes.

Still yet another advantage of the present disclosure is the decreased production cost of the connector.

Further aspects of the system and apparatus are disclosed herein. The features as discussed above, as well as other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a guide wire assembly100. Guide wire assembly100includes a monitoring and control device102arranged and disposed to receive an interface cable104. Interface cable104may be electrically connected with a guide wire receptacle106at a distal end105of interface cable104. Interface cable104is arranged and disposed to electrically connect with a guide wire108by guide wire receptacle106. Guide wire108is arranged and disposed for measuring internal conditions by a sensor110at an end107of guide wire108. Interface cable104may further include a plug120configured for electrical communication with monitoring and control device102. Alternatively, interface cable104may be hard-wired directly into monitoring and control device102at an end103, or other means of electrical connection may be used.

Interface cable104may be any flexible multi-conductor shielded cable with an insulated covering. It is desirable that a shielded portion of interface cable104be connected to a shielded portion of guide wire receptacle106. Interface cable104is arranged and disposed for an electronic communication signal to be provided through interface cable104to monitoring and control device102. Guide wire receptacle106is arranged and disposed for an interconnector112of guide wire108to be releasably inserted into guide wire receptacle106.Interconnector112includes a plurality of axial conductive portions116and a plurality of axial dielectric portions118. The number of axial conductive portions116and axial dielectric portions118corresponds with the number of contacts inside guide wire receptacle106. In the exemplary embodiment, each of interconnector112and guide wire receptacle106includes axial conductive portions116, although in other embodiments more or fewer axial conductive portions116may be provided. Interconnector112is depicted as a hypo tube but may be any suitable device with a plurality of axial dielectric portions and a plurality of axial conductive portions.

Interconnector112is configured to be removably inserted into an aperture201of guide wire receptacle106. Sensor110at end107of guide wire108may be inserted into a human body (e.g. intravenously), thereby permitting measurements from inside the body to be transmitted as electrical signals through guide wire108into guide wire receptacle106to interface cable104in electrical communication with monitoring and control device102.

Sensor110of guide wire108may be inserted into the human body within a balloon catheter114or other manners known in the art. It is desirable that the method of inserting sensor110of guide wire108into the human body permit accurate and consistent measurements of conditions inside the body. As such, it is desirable that sensor110be inserted into a closed area with little external stimulus. For example, sensor110may be inserted into the femoral artery. As illustrated in the embodiment inFIG. 1, once guide wire108is inserted into the desired location, catheter114may be inserted onto guide wire108.

Referring toFIG. 2, guide wire receptacle106is a connector that includes a body200(seeFIG. 1) formed by a shielded upper housing202and a shielded lower housing204. Shielded upper housing202is arranged to be secured to shielded lower housing204to form body200, thereby protecting components housed within guide wire receptacle106. Body200may be a molded interconnection device as known in the art.

Referring still toFIG. 2, guide wire receptacle106is arranged and disposed to receive guide wire108through aperture201, which may be partially formed by shielded upper housing202and shielded lower housing204. Shielded lower housing204may receive springs208, a cam actuator210, a cam212, and a contact module302that may be electrically connected to interface cable104. As illustrated inFIG. 2, interconnector112of guide wire108may be inserted into guide wire receptacle106. Cam actuator210includes a fulcrum218configured to rest in a receiving slot220of shielded lower housing204. Receiving slot220is arranged and disposed for receiving fulcrum218.

Upon interconnector112being inserted into guide wire receptacle106, cam actuator210may be engaged by the user thereby reducing or eliminating the force required to insert interconnector112. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, guide wire receptacle106may be a zero insertion force connector. This reduction or elimination of the force required to insert interconnector112reduces the risk of breaking or damaging it. The engaged cam actuator210compresses springs208and rotates cam212, thereby rotating lobes211on cam212. When rotated, lobes211engage the contacts in a contact module302, thereby permitting insertion of interconnector112into contact module302. When interconnector112is fully inserted into contact module302, the user may release pressure on cam actuator210. The release of pressure permits springs208to expand. When springs208expand, cam actuator210rotates thereby rotating cam212in the opposite direction. When cam212rotates, lobes211on cam212rotate, thereby disengaging the contacts in contact module302, which places the contacts in electrical communication with interconnector112. Fully inserted interconnector112permits multiple separate signals to be transmitted and received between sensor110and the contacts.

FIG. 2further illustrates guide wire receptacle106including an elastomeric guide seal214. Guide seal214is arranged and disposed for interconnector112to be inserted through it, thereby preventing fluids from entering guide wire receptacle106and disrupting electrical communication. It is desirable that guide seal214include an opening slightly smaller than interconnector112that will expand upon insertion of interconnector112to substantially prevent contaminants, such as blood or other fluids, from entering guide wire receptacle106. Additionally, guide seal214should be configured to permit insertion of interconnector112without damaging it. In other embodiments, the guide seal may be a wiper having a top and bottom portion configured to abut each other. The wiper may be a single unitary piece with a slot or aperture configured for insertion of the interconnector. Alternatively, the wiper may include separate pieces that abut each other but are configured for insertion of the interconnector. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the top and bottom portions may have any suitable geometry including, but not limited to, half circles forming a disc, wedge-like portions, and brush-like components. The guide seal may be comprised of any suitable material including, but not limited to, elastomeric material, foam, plastic, and fabric. Additionally or alternatively, the guide seal may require that it is punctured by a pin prior to insertion of the interconnector.

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary embodiment of contact module302. As illustrated inFIG. 3, contact module302includes contact housing206and contacts216. Contact housing206may be comprised of a dielectric material. Contacts216may be comprised of a conductive material. Contact housing206may include grooves304arranged and disposed to retain contacts216. Contact housing206may also include guides306arranged and disposed for an upper portion308to insert into contact housing206. Additionally, contact216may include a terminal310providing a conductive surface for receiving a conductive wire (not shown) by crimping, clipping, soldering, or otherwise attaching the wire to the conductive surface of terminal310. Terminal310may also provide lateral support to contacts216upon being inserted into contact housing206. As illustrated inFIG. 3, terminal310may be a substantially planar surface that engages a contact housing surface312upon contacts216being inserted into contact housing206.

Contact housing206may include a feature314configured to receive interconnector112. Feature314may include chamfers316for increased ease in inserting interconnector112into contact housing206. Contact housing206may be further configured to permit the interconnector to be inserted through contact housing206, thereby establishing electrical contact between contacts216and axial conductive portions116of interconnector112. Feature314may be a channel extending through at least a portion of contact housing206. Feature314may extend through the entire contact housing or may be defined by an interior surface of contact housing206, limiting the extent that interconnector112may be inserted into contact module302.

Referring next toFIG. 4, contact module302may include contact216inserted into contact housing206. Upper portion308of contact216may be arranged and disposed to flex. The ability of upper portion308to flex may permit an end portion406of contact216to be moved substantially vertically by being engaged by a mechanism, such as cam212(seeFIG. 2). Cam212may engage end portion406of contact216by providing a force upon end portion406thereby flexing upper portion308. When upper portion308is flexed, end portion406reveals feature314(seeFIG. 3), thereby permitting the interconnector to be inserted into feature314. As illustrated inFIG. 5, feature314may be filled with the interconnector. Upon the mechanism disengaging end portion406of contact216, upper portion308flexes in the reverse direction thereby resulting in contact216providing a normal force on the interconnector. The ability to flex also permits normal force to provide a tight fit between the interconnector and contact module302. In one embodiment, the interconnector is substantially circumferentially supported and secured by contact housing206and/or contact216. In part, the support is provided by feature314in contact housing206providing a support surface for the interconnector. The support surface provides support in the opposite direction of the normal force applied by contact216to interconnector112.

Referring toFIG. 5, the contact housing of contact module302additionally secures contacts216. The contact housing may include grooves404arranged at a size slightly larger than contact and disposed to substantially prevent movement of contact (except for flexing where applicable). Additionally, contact216may include retention features408to prevent contact216from being removed from the contact housing

FIG. 6illustrates another exemplary embodiment of contact module302. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, contact module302includes printed wiring board506with contacts516affixed to printed wiring board506. The substrate includes holes504arranged and disposed for housing towers (not shown) to be inserted through. The housing towers in conjunction with holes504may secure contact module302to shielded lower housing204. Contact516is formed from a single integrated conductive band having a flexible upper portion508. Lower portion502of contact516may be affixed to printed wiring board506. Contacts516are secured within printed wiring board506. Contacts516may be affixed by mechanical force, adhesive, and/or solder.

FIG. 7illustrates another exemplary embodiment of contact module302. In the embodiment ofFIG. 7, contact module302includes contact housing606as a structure with grooves604configured to align and receive contacts616. Lower portion601of contact616is arranged and disposed for being affixed to contact housing606. Contacts616may be secured by mechanical force, adhesive, and/or solder. Contact housing606further includes upper features602. Upper feature602is configured to guide, secure, and support the interconnector. Upper feature602may abut a corresponding actuator (not shown), such as cam actuator210(seeFIG. 2) and/or cam212(seeFIG. 2). Contact616is a single integrated conductive band with a flexible upper portion608.

FIG. 8illustrates another exemplary embodiment of contact module302. In the embodiment ofFIG. 8, contact module302includes contact housing706as a substrate configured for receiving contacts716. As illustrated, contacts716are secured by interface fit pins704, which may be ultrasonically welded. Contacts716may be partially or entirely secured by a contiguous dielectric shell702. Contiguous dielectric shell702may provide support to interconnector112in opposition to the normal force provided by contacts716. As illustrated, contacts716can include terminal703providing a conductive surface for receiving a conductive wire (not shown).

FIG. 9illustrates an alternate embodiment of guide wire receptacle106. In the embodiment ofFIG. 9, guide wire receptacle106includes a shielded upper housing802and a shielded lower housing804. Shielded upper housing802may be secured to shielded lower housing804, thereby protecting components housed within guide wire receptacle106. Shielded lower housing804and shielded upper housing802are comprised of a dielectric material. Both housings802,804are configured to receive the guide wire (not shown), the interconnector (not shown), cam812, spring808, and contact module302that is in electrical communication with interface cable (not shown). The interconnector may be inserted into guide wire receptacle106.

Referring still toFIG. 9, while the interconnector is being inserted into guide wire receptacle106, cam actuator810may be manually engaged thereby reducing or eliminating the force required to insert the interconnector. This reduction or elimination of the force required to insert the interconnector reduces the risk of breaking or damaging the interconnector. The engaged cam actuator810compresses spring808. When spring808is compressed, cam812partially rotates along a fulcrum818configured to rest in receiving slot820of both housings802,804. When rotated, cam actuator810engages contacts216thereby permitting insertion of the interconnector into contact module302. When the interconnector is fully inserted into contact module302, cam actuator810may be disengaged thereby permitting spring808to expand. When spring808expands, cam812rotates in the opposite direction. When cam812rotates and disengages contacts216, contacts216may engage the interconnector in contact housing206, thereby permitting contacts216to be in electrical communication with the interconnector. The fully inserted interconnector permits multiple separate signals to be transmitted and received between a sensor and contacts216. Additionally, cam812may include a tab806that may be used for disengaging contacts216. In another embodiment, spring808is not included and tab806or other feature on cam812is used to disengage contacts216. In yet another embodiment, spring808is included and tab806is not included. As depicted inFIG. 9, cam812may be a button lever and cam actuator810may be a button lever actuator.

FIG. 10illustrates an alternate embodiment of guide wire receptacle106. In the embodiment inFIG. 10, guide wire receptacle106includes a shielded upper housing902and a shielded lower housing904. Shielded upper housing902may be secured to shielded lower housing904, thereby protecting components housed within guide wire receptacle106. Shielded upper housing902and shielded lower housing904are comprised of a dielectric material. Both housings902,904are configured to receive the guide wire (not shown), the interconnector (not shown), cam912, spring908, and contact module302, which is in electrical communication with the interface cable (not shown).

Referring still toFIG. 10, when the interconnector is being inserted into guide wire receptacle106, cam actuator910may be manually engaged thereby reducing or eliminating the force required to insert the interconnector. This reduction or elimination of the force required to insert the interconnector reduces the risk of breaking or damaging the interconnector. In the embodiment illustrated byFIG. 10, cam actuator910is a protruding portion of cam912. The engaged cam912compresses spring908. When spring908is compressed, cam912rotates along a fulcrum918configured to rest in receiving slot920formed by both housings902,904. When rotated, cam912engages contacts216thereby permitting insertion of the interconnector into contact module302. When the interconnector is fully inserted into contact module302, cam actuator910may be disengaged, thereby permitting spring908to expand. When spring908expands, cam912rotates in the opposite direction. When cam912rotates and disengages contacts216, contacts216may engage the interconnector in contact housing206, thereby permitting contacts216to be in electrical communication with the interconnector. The fully inserted interconnector permits multiple separate signals to be transmitted and received between a sensor (not shown) and contacts216. In another embodiment, spring908is not included and the tab or other feature on cam912is used to disengage contacts216instead of cam actuator910to remain depressed for contacts216to be engaged. In yet another embodiment, both spring908and the tab (or other feature on cam912) are included. Additionally, cam912may include a tab906that may be used for disengaging contacts216. In another embodiment, spring908is not included and tab906or other feature on cam912is used to disengage contacts216. In yet another embodiment, spring908is included and tab906is not included. As depicted inFIG. 10, cam912may be a button lever and cam actuator910may be a button lever actuator protruding from the button lever.

Referring toFIG. 11, another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a latching member950arranged and disposed for releasably securing cam952after cam952engages contacts216. When cam actuator954is depressed, cam952may engage contacts216as described above. When contacts216are engaged, a latch catch956on cam952is pushed against latching member950. As depicted inFIG. 11, latching member950and latch catch956may have angled corresponding geometry. This angled corresponding geometry permits a downward force to be applied to cam952(directly or through a cam actuator as described above) and, therefore, latch catch956. When latch catch956contacts latching member950, the angled corresponding geometry permits latch catch956to provide an axial force onto latching member950. The axial force applied to latching member950compresses a latch spring958. After latch catch956is pushed below the angled corresponding geometry of latching member950, latch spring958may expand thereby pushing latching member950axially in the reverse direction. At this point, an audible clicking sound may result. When latching member950is axially pushed by latch spring958in this reverse direction, latching member950secures cam952while cam952engages contacts216. This continued engaging of contacts216permits the user of guide wire receptacle106to release cam actuator954without cam952disengaging contacts216. As described above, when cam952engages contacts216, the interconnector may be inserted into guide wire receptacle106.

Referring again toFIG. 11, when the interconnector is fully inserted into contact module962, the interconnector applies an axial force to latching member950. The axial force applied to latching member950compresses latch spring958thereby moving latching member950axially. In one embodiment, the axial force may be provided by the interconnector contacting the end of feature314permitting the interconnector to push against the contact housing in an axial direction. In another embodiment, the axial force may be provided by the interconnector reaching a mechanism that provides axial force. In yet another embodiment with the feature extending entirely through the contact housing, axial force may be provided when interconnector112extends through the entire contact housing. Referring toFIG. 11, when latching member950is moved axially, latching member950releases latch catch956, thereby resulting in cam952disengaging contacts216. As described above, when cam952disengages contacts216, the interconnector and contacts216may be in electrical communication. At this point, an audible clicking sound may result. As depicted inFIG. 11, cam952may be a button lever and cam actuator954may be a button lever actuator protruding from the button lever.

FIG. 12illustrates an alternate embodiment of guide wire receptacle106. In the embodiment ofFIG. 12, guide wire receptacle106includes a shielded upper housing972and a shielded lower housing974. Shielded upper housing972may be secured to shielded lower housing974, thereby protecting components housed within guide wire receptacle106. Shielded lower housing974is configured to receive interconnector112, a cam976, an anisotropic material978, and a printed circuit board980.

In the embodiment illustrated byFIG. 12, anisotropic material978acts as the plurality of contacts and printed circuit board980acts as the contact housing. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, an anisotropic material is a material with differing effects for compression in one direction as opposed to another direction. The differing effect permits the material to be compressed in a vertical or z-axis thereby permitting conductivity. Anisotropic materials are also described as z-axis materials and include, but are not limited to, arrays of wires, silver flakes in a polymer, molded particle interconnect, interposers with contacts embedded in a matrix, and/or polyamid compression sheets. Anisotropic material978permits electrical signals to be transmitted in compressed portions. The compressed portions permit electrical communication by forming an electrically conductive region in the compressed portions while remaining dielectric in non-compressed portions. The portions that are not compressed do not permit electrical signals to be transmitted. InFIG. 12, anisotropic material978and printed circuit board980constitute the contact module.

Referring toFIG. 12, when interconnector112is being inserted into guide wire receptacle106, a cam actuator982may be manually engaged thereby reducing or eliminating the force required to insert interconnector112. This reduction or elimination of the force required to insert interconnector112reduces the risk of breaking or damaging interconnector112. The engaged cam actuator982compresses a spring984in a collett986. When spring984is compressed, cam976partially rotates along a fulcrum988configured to rest in receiving slot992of shielded lower housing974of guide wire receptacle106. When partially rotated, cam976is secured in a depressed position by a securing mechanism990connected to collett986. In the depressed position, cam976compresses anisotropic material978. Anisotropic material978is arranged and disposed for receiving interconnector112and to be received by printed circuit board980. In one embodiment, anisotropic material978includes a channel extending in the axial direction arranged and disposed to slidably receive interconnector112prior to cam976being depressed. When cam976is depressed and interconnector112is positioned within anisotropic material978, electrical signals from axial conductive portions116of interconnector112may be transmitted to printed circuit board980. Fully inserted interconnector112permits multiple separate signals to be transmitted and received between sensor110and printed circuit board980. As depicted inFIG. 12, cam976may be a button lever and cam actuator982may be a button lever actuator protruding from the button lever.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 12, when interconnector112is fully inserted into anisotropic material978, if cam actuator982is depressed, securing mechanism990disengages cam976and expands spring984on collett986thereby resulting in cam976no longer applying pressure to anisotropic material978. With no pressure being applied to anisotropic material978, no electrical signals are transmitted to printed circuit board980.