Patent Publication Number: US-2023155324-A1

Title: Active connector receptacle for an electrosurgical generator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/279,220, filed on Nov. 15, 2021. The entire contents of the foregoing application are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an active connector receptacle, which may be used with an energy generator. 
     Background of Related Art 
     Ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices are frequently used during surgical procedures to limit bleeding and to minimize injury to tissue. Ultrasonic surgical devices and systems utilize ultrasonic energy, i.e., ultrasonic vibrations, to treat tissue. More specifically, ultrasonic surgical devices and systems utilize mechanical vibration energy transmitted at ultrasonic frequencies to coagulate, cauterize, fuse, seal, cut, and/or desiccate tissue to effect hemostasis. An ultrasonic surgical device may include, for example, an ultrasonic blade and a clamp mechanism to enable clamping of tissue against the blade. Ultrasonic energy transmitted to the blade causes the blade to vibrate at very high frequencies, which heats tissue clamped against or otherwise in contact with the blade. 
     Electrosurgery involves application of high radio frequency electrical current to a surgical site to cut, ablate, desiccate, or coagulate tissue. In monopolar electrosurgery, a source or active electrode delivers radio frequency alternating current from the energy generator to the targeted tissue. A patient return electrode is placed remotely from the active electrode to conduct the current back to the generator. 
     In bipolar electrosurgery, return and active electrodes are placed in close proximity to each other such that an electrical circuit is formed between the two electrodes (e.g., in the case of an electrosurgical forceps). In this manner, the applied electrical current is limited to the tissue positioned between the electrodes. Accordingly, bipolar electrosurgery generally involves the use of devices where it is desired to achieve a focused delivery of electrosurgical energy between two electrodes. 
     To accommodate various energy modalities a single multi-modal plug may be used, which may include a substrate (e.g., printed circuit board) with printed contacts disposed thereon. A conventional card edge connector having plated contacts may be used with such plugs. However, such connectors may only have a lifetime of about 50 inserts due to leading edge copper plating scraping the plated connector contacts on every insertion of the plug. Thus, there is a need for a connector having a longer lifetime. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides for a receptacle configured to couple to an instrument plug having a substrate with a plurality of contacts. The receptacle includes a connector configured to engage the substrate without exposing the contacts of the connector contacts to scraping and wearing. The connector includes a pair of biased connector portions that are held in an open configuration using corresponding biasing members (e.g., springs). The connector portions close onto the substrate once the plug is inserted into the connector. In particular, as the substrate is inserted into the receptacle, the receptacle pushes the connector portions from the open configuration into a closed configuration, establishing an electrical connection. As the receptacle is withdrawn, the connector portion returns to the open configuration by the biasing members. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a connector is disclosed. The connector includes a first portion having one or more first contacts and a second portion having one or more second contacts. Each of the first portion and the second portion is pivotable from a first position to a second position, in which the first and second portions are configured to engage one or more plug contacts. 
     Implementations of the above embodiment may include one or more of the following features. According to one aspect of the above embodiment, the first portion may further include a first biasing member configured to move the first portion into the first position. The first portion may also include a pivot arm coupled to a pivot pin. The first portion may further include a contact arm coupled to the pivot arm. The contact arm is configured to engage a plug to move the first portion into the second position. The second portion may include a second biasing member configured to move the second portion into the first position. The second portion may further include a pivot arm coupled to a pivot pin. The second portion may further include a contact arm coupled to the pivot arm. The contact arm is configured to engage a plug to move the second portion into the second position. 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a connector assembly is disclosed. The connector assembly includes a plug having a substrate having one or more first plug contacts and one or more second plug contacts. The plug also includes an insertion portion. The assembly may include a connector configured to couple to the plug. The connector includes a first portion having one or more first connector contacts and a second portion having one or more second connector contacts. Each of the first portion and the second portion is pivotable from a first position to a second position, in which the first portion and second portion are configured to engage the insertion portion and the first connector contact(s) to electrically couple to the first plug contact(s) and the second connector contact(s) to electrically couple to the second plug contact(s). 
     Implementations of the above embodiment may include one or more of the following features. According to one aspect of the above embodiment, the first portion may further include a first biasing member configured to move the first portion into the first position. The first portion may further include a pivot arm coupled to a pivot pin. The first portion may further include a contact arm coupled to the pivot arm. The contact arm is configured to engage the insertion portion to move the first portion into the second position. The second portion may further include a contact arm coupled to the pivot arm. The contact arm is configured to engage the insertion portion to move the second portion into the second position. The second portion may further include a pivot arm coupled to a pivot pin. The second portion may include a second biasing member configured to move the second portion into the first position. 
     According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a surgical energy delivery system is disclosed. The surgical energy delivery system includes an energy delivery instrument with a plug having a substrate including one or more first plug contacts and one or more second plug contacts. The plug also includes an insertion portion. The system also includes an energy generator having a connector configured to couple to the plug. The connector includes a first portion having one or more first connector contacts and a second portion having one or more second connector contacts. Each of the first portion and the second portion is pivotable from a first position to a second position, in which the first portion and second portion are configured to engage the plug and the first connector contact(s) to electrically couple to the first plug contact(s) and the second connector contact(s) to electrically couple to the second plug contact(s). 
     Implementations of the above embodiment may include one or more of the following features. According to one aspect of the above embodiment, the first portion may further include: a first biasing member configured to move the first portion into the first position; a pivot arm coupled to a pivot pin; and a contact arm coupled to the pivot arm, the contact arm configured to engage the insertion portion to move the first portion into the second position. The insertion portion may also include a first surface configured to engage the contact arm. The second portion may also include: a second biasing member configured to move the second portion into the first position; a pivot arm coupled to a pivot pin; and a contact arm coupled to the pivot arm, the contact arm configured to engage the insertion portion to move the second portion into the second position. The insertion portion may further include a second surface configured to engage the contact arm. The second surface may be a sloping surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure may be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a surgical energy delivery system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of an energy generator of  FIG.  1    according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram of the energy generator of  FIG.  1    according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a plug according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a receptacle for receiving the plug of  FIG.  4    according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the plug of  FIG.  4    inserted into the receptacle of  FIG.  5    according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a side, cross-sectional view of the plug of  FIG.  4    partially inserted into the receptacle of  FIG.  5    with a connector in an open configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  8    is a side, cross-sectional view of the plug of  FIG.  4    fully inserted into the receptacle of  FIG.  5    with the connector in a closed configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical energy delivery system are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein the term “distal” refers to the portion of the surgical device coupled thereto that is closer to the patient, while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that is farther from the patient. 
     In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be adapted for use with either an endoscopic device, a laparoscopic device, or an open device. It should also be appreciated that different electrical and mechanical connections and other considerations may apply to each particular type of device. 
     An energy generator according to the present disclosure may be used in ultrasonic or electrosurgical (i.e., monopolar and/or bipolar) procedures, including, for example, cutting, coagulation, ablation, and vessel sealing procedures. The generator may include a plurality of outputs for interfacing with various ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices (e.g., ultrasonic dissectors and hemostats, monopolar devices, return electrode pads, bipolar electrosurgical forceps, footswitches, etc.). Further, the generator may include electronic circuitry configured to generate radio frequency energy specifically suited for powering ultrasonic devices and electrosurgical devices operating in various electrosurgical modes (e.g., cut, blend, coagulate, division with hemostasis, fulgurate, spray, etc.) and procedures (e.g., monopolar, bipolar, vessel sealing). 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    a surgical energy delivery system  10  includes an energy generator  100  which may be used with one or more monopolar electrosurgical instruments  20 , one or more bipolar electrosurgical instruments  30 , one or more ultrasonic instruments  40 , and/or any other suitable energy delivery instrument. The monopolar electrosurgical instrument  20  includes an active electrode  22  (e.g., electrosurgical cutting probe, ablation electrode(s), etc.) for treating tissue of a patient. The system  10  may include a plurality of return electrode pads  26  that, in use, are disposed on a patient to minimize the chances of tissue damage by maximizing the overall contact area with the patient. The return electrode pad  26  is electrically coupled to the generator  100  via a supply line  28 . Electrosurgical alternating RF waveform is supplied to the instruments  20  by the generator  100  via supply line  24 . 
     The bipolar electrosurgical instrument  30  may be forceps or tweezers. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument  30  includes a housing  31  and a pair of opposing jaw members  33  and  35  disposed at a distal end of a shaft  32  coupled to the housing  31 . The jaw members  33  and  35  have one or more active electrodes  34  and a return electrode  36  disposed therein, respectively. The active electrode  34  and the return electrode  36  are connected to the generator  100  through cable  38  that includes the supply and return lines  38   a,  and  38   b.    
     The ultrasonic instrument  40  includes a housing  41  and a shaft  42  extending distally from the housing  41 . An ultrasonic transducer  43  is coupled to the housing  41  and is coupled to a waveguide  44 . A blade  45  is defined at a distal end of the waveguide  44  and a jaw member  46  is pivotally coupled to the shaft  42  allowing for clamping of tissue against the blade  45 . The transducer  43  is configured to convert electrical energy into ultrasonic vibrations transmitted along the waveguide  44  to the blade  45 . The ultrasonic instrument  40  also includes a cable  48  for connection to the generator  100 . Each of the instruments  20 ,  30 , and  40  includes a plug  400  ( FIG.  4   ) for coupling to the generator  100 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  2   , a front face  102  of the generator  100  is shown. The generator  100  may include a plurality of receptacles  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  each of which is configured to couple to various types of energy instruments (i.e., instruments  20 ,  30 ,  40 ) and a receptacle  118  for coupling to the return electrode pad  26 . The generator  100  includes a display  120  for providing the user with variety of output information (e.g., intensity settings, treatment complete indicators, etc.). The display  120  is a touchscreen configured to display a corresponding menu for the devices being used. The user then adjusts inputs by simply touching corresponding menu options. The generator  100  also includes suitable input controls  122  (e.g., buttons, activators, switches, touch screen, etc.) for controlling the generator  100 . 
     The generator  100  is configured to operate in a variety of modes, which include outputting electrosurgical or ultrasonic waveforms based on the selected mode. Each of the electrosurgical modes output electrosurgical waveforms based on a preprogrammed power curve that dictates how much power is output by the generator  100  at varying impedance ranges of the load (e.g., tissue). Each of the power curves may also include power, voltage, and current control ranges that are defined by the user-selected intensity setting and the measured impedance of the load. In ultrasonic mode, the generator  100  outputs an ultrasonic drive signal, which is an alternating current waveform suitable for energizing the transducer  43  of the ultrasonic instrument  40 . 
     The electrosurgical waveforms are radio frequency waveforms, which may be either continuous or discontinuous and may have a carrier frequency from about 200 kHz to about 500 kHz. As used herein, continuous waveforms are waveforms that have a 100% duty cycle. In embodiments, continuous waveforms are used to impart a cutting effect on tissue as well as soft coagulation, bipolar, and vessel seal. Conversely, discontinuous waveforms are waveforms that have a non-continuous duty cycle, e.g., below 100%. In embodiments, discontinuous waveforms are used to provide coagulation effects to tissue. The ultrasonic drive signal is continuous and may have a carrier frequency from about 20 kHz to about 60 kHz. 
     With reference to  FIG.  3   , the generator  100  may have a multiple energy source architecture, where each energy source is supplied by an individual and separate inverter, each of which is powered by an individual and separate DC power supply. More specifically, the generator  100  includes a first energy source  202  and a second energy source  302 . Each of the sources  202  and  302  includes a first controller  204  and a second controller  304 , a first power supply  206  and a second power supply  306 , and a first inverter  208  and a second inverter  308 . The power supplies  206  and  306  may be high voltage, DC power supplies connected to a common AC source (e.g., line voltage) and provide high voltage, DC power to their respective inverters  208  and  308 , which then convert DC power into a first and second RF waveforms or ultrasonic drive signals. 
     The receptacles  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  are coupled to the sources  202  and  302  through a switching relay  303 , which enables pathways for energizing connected instruments  20 ,  30 ,  40 . The switching relay  303  may include a plurality of high frequency switching components, e.g., MOSFETS, etc. When the monopolar electrosurgical instrument  20  is connected to one of the receptacles  110 ,  112 ,  114 , or  116 , the receptacle  118  is also connected to the one of the energy sources  202  or  302  to enable the return electrode pad  26 . In embodiments, the generator  100  may operate with two monopolar electrosurgical instruments  20  sharing a common return electrode pad  26 . Two monopolar electrosurgical instruments  20  may be activated simultaneously, each being energized by a corresponding energy source  202  or  302 . In this embodiment, both of the sources  202  and  302  are connected to the receptacle  118  allowing for a common return path. In embodiments, the receptacles  110  and  112  may be energized by the first source  202  and the receptacles  114  and  116  may be energized by the second energy source  302 . In further embodiments, plurality of other instruments, i.e., bipolar instruments  30  and ultrasonic instruments  40 , may be used simultaneously and in any suitable combination, i.e., matching or mismatching pairs. 
     The switching relays  303  are coupled to the inverter  208  through an isolation transformer  214 . The isolation transformer  214  includes a primary winding  214   a  coupled to the inverter  208  and a secondary winding  214   b  coupled to the switching relays  303 . Similarly, the switching relays  303  are coupled to the inverter  308  through an isolation transformer  314 . The isolation transformer  314  includes a primary winding  314   a  coupled to the inverter  308  and a secondary winding  314   b  coupled to the switching relays  303 . 
     The inverters  208  and  308  are configured to operate in a plurality of modes, during which the generator  100  outputs corresponding waveforms having specific duty cycles, peak voltages, crest factors, etc. It is envisioned that in other embodiments, the generator  100  may be based on other types of suitable power supply topologies. Inverters  208  and  308  may be resonant RF amplifiers or non-resonant RF amplifiers, as shown. A non-resonant RF amplifier, as used herein, denotes an amplifier lacking any tuning components, i.e., inductors, capacitors, etc., disposed between the inverter and the load, e.g., tissue. 
     The generator  100  also includes a main controller  201 , which is responsible for operation of the generator  100  including user input and output, configuration of the first and second energy sources  202  and  302 , as well as configuration of the receptacles  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 . The controllers  201 ,  204 ,  304  may include a processor (not shown) operably connected to a memory (not shown), which may include one or more of volatile, non-volatile, magnetic, optical, or electrical media, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrically-erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), or flash memory. The processor may be any suitable processor (e.g., control circuit) adapted to perform the operations, calculations, and/or set of instructions described in the present disclosure including, but not limited to, a hardware processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and combinations thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the processor may be substituted for by using any logic processor (e.g., control circuit) adapted to perform the calculations and/or set of instructions described herein. 
     Each of the controllers  204  and  304  is operably connected to the respective power supplies  206  and  306  and/or inverters  208  and  308  allowing the processor to control the output of the first energy source  202  and the second source  302  of the generator  100  according to either open and/or closed control loop schemes. A closed loop control scheme is a feedback control loop, in which a plurality of sensors measures a variety of tissue and energy properties (e.g., tissue impedance, tissue temperature, output power, current and/or voltage, etc.), and provide feedback to each of the controllers  204  and  304 . The controllers  204  and  304  then control their respective power supplies  206  and  306  and/or inverters  208  and  308 , which adjust the DC and/or RF waveform, respectively. 
     The generator  100  according to the present disclosure may also include a plurality of sensors  216  and  316 , each of which monitors output of the first energy source  202  and the second energy source  302  of the generator  100 . The sensors  216  and  316  may be any suitable voltage, current, power, and/or impedance sensors. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the sensors  216  are coupled to leads  220   a  and  220   b  of the inverter  208 . The leads  220   a  and  220   b  couple the inverter  208  to the primary winding  214   a  of the transformer  214 . The sensors  316  are coupled to leads  320   a  and  320   b  of the inverter  308 . The leads  320   a  and  320   b  couple the inverter  308  to the primary winding  314   a  of the transformer  314 . Thus, the sensors  216  and  316  are configured to sense voltage, current, and other electrical properties of energy being supplied. In embodiments, the sensors  216  and  216  may sense energy properties at the secondary windings  214   b  and  314   b.    
     In further embodiments, the sensors  216  and  316  may be coupled to the power supplies  206  and  306  and may be configured to sense properties of DC current supplied to the inverters  208  and  308 . The controllers  204  and  304  also receive input signals from the display  120  and the input controls  122  of the generator  100  and/or controls of the instruments  20 ,  30 ,  40 . The controllers  204  and  304  adjust power outputted by the generator  100  and/or perform other control functions thereon in response to the input signals. 
     The inverters  208  and  308  include a plurality of switching elements, which may be arranged in an H-bridge topology. In embodiments, inverters  208  and  308  may be configured according to any suitable topology including, but not limited to, half-bridge, full-bridge, push-pull, and the like. Suitable switching elements include voltage-controlled devices such as transistors, field-effect transistors (FETs), combinations thereof, and the like. In embodiments, the FETs may be formed from gallium nitride, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon carbide, or any other suitable wide bandgap materials. 
     The controllers  204  and  304  are in communication with the respective inverters  208  and  308 . Controllers  204  and  304  are configured to output control signals, which may be pulse-width modulated (“PWM”) signals. In particular, controller  204  is configured to modulate a control signal d 1  supplied to switching elements of the inverter  208  and the controller  304  is configured to modulate a control signal d 2  supplied to switching elements of inverter  308 . The control signals d 1  and d 2  provide PWM signals that operate the inverters  208  and  308  at their respective selected carrier frequency. Additionally, controllers  204  and  304  are configured to calculate power characteristics of output of the first energy source  202  and the second source  302  of the generator  100 , and control the output of the first energy source  202  and the second source  302  based at least in part on the measured power characteristics including, but not limited to, voltage, current, and power at the output of inverters  208  and  308 . 
     Each of the controllers  204  and  304  is coupled to a clock source  340 , which acts as a common frequency source for each of the controllers  204  and  304 , such that the controllers  204  and  304  are synced. The clock source  340  may be an electronic oscillator circuit that produces a clock signal for synchronizing operation of the controllers  204  and  304 . In particular, sampling operation of the controllers  204  and  304  may be synchronized. Each of the controllers  204  and  304  generates a waveform based on clock signal from the clock source  340  and the selected mode. Thus, once the user selects one of the electrosurgical modes or ultrasonic modes, each of the controllers  204  and  304  outputs a first and second control signal, which are used to control the respective inverters  208  and  308  to output first and second RF waveforms corresponding to the selected mode. The selected mode for each of the first energy source  202  and the second source  302 , and the corresponding RF waveforms, may be the same or different. 
     With reference to  FIG.  4   , a plug  400 , shown as a male connector, is coupled to each of the instruments  20 ,  30 , and  40 . The plug  400  includes a substrate  402  having a first surface  404  and a second surface  406  that is on the opposite side of the first surface  404 . The substrate  402  is enclosed in a housing  410  having a first shell  412  and a second shell  414 , which may be coupled using any suitable method, such as fasteners, adhesives, ultrasonic welding, etc. The substrate  402  may be a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) formed from any suitable dielectric material, including, but not limited to, composite materials composed of woven fiberglass cloth with an epoxy resin binder such as FR-4. The substrate  402  includes an insertion portion  420  having a plurality of extensions separated by a plurality of cutouts. In embodiments, the insertion portion  420  may include any number (n) of extensions separated by corresponding number (n−1) of cutouts. In further embodiments, the insertion portion  420  may be continuous without any cutouts. 
     The substrate  402  includes a first plurality of plug contacts  430  disposed on the first surface  404  and a second plurality of plug contacts  431  disposed on a second surface  406 . The contacts  430  and  431  may be conductive traces formed on the surfaces  404  and  406 . Each of the contacts  430  and  431  are isolated from each other and some or all are coupled to the components of the instrument, i.e., instrument  20 ,  30 , or  40 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  5   , the receptacle  110 , which is identical to the receptacles  112 ,  114 , and  116 , includes a cover  450  having an opening  452 . The cover  450  may also include one or more protrusions  454  configured to engage the housing  410  of the plug  400 , such that the plug  400  is properly oriented relative to the receptacle  110  preventing improper insertion. The receptacle  110  includes a housing  440  and a connector  460  disposed within the housing  440 . The connector  460  includes a plurality of ports separated by a plurality of partitions. The ports may have a rectangular, slit-like shape configured to receive the corresponding extensions such that the partitions also engage, i.e., fit within, the respective cutouts. 
     The connector  460  includes a first connector portion  500  and a second connector portion  502 . The receptacle  110  also includes a first plurality of receptacle contacts  470   a  disposed on the first connector portion  500  and a second plurality of receptacle contacts  470   b  disposed on the second connector portion  502 . The connector  460  is coupled to the switching relay  303  via a flexible cable  474 . The switching relay  303 , along with other components of the generator  100  may be disposed on a mother board PCB having an edge connector, which is coupled to the flexible cable  474 . 
     A connector assembly  390  includes the plug  400  and the connector  460 . As shown in  FIG.  6   , the plug  400  is inserted into the receptacle  110  and is coupled to the connector  460 . With reference to  FIGS.  7  and  8   , each of the first shell  412  and the second shell  414  of the plug  400  includes a first surface  413  and a second surface  415 , respectively, which define an insertion portion  401 . The first and second surfaces  413  and  415  are disposed at a proximal end portion of the plug  400  facing the connector  460  (i.e., insertable end of the plug  400 ). The first and second surfaces  413  and  415  slope distally from an outer surface of the first and second shells  412  and  414  toward the substrate  402 . The first and second surfaces  413  and  415  may have any suitable shape, such as planar (i.e., chamfered) as shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , curved, and combinations thereof. Each of the first and second surfaces  413  and  415  are configured to engage the first and second connector portions  500  and  502  of the connector  460 . Each of the first and second surfaces  413  and  415  may also include a retaining structure (e.g., depression, groove, etc.) configured to hold the first and second connector portions  500  and  502  after engagement. 
     Each of the first and second connector portions  500  and  502  includes a first and second pivot arm  501  and  503  that are pivotally coupled to the housing  440  about respective pins  504  and  506 . In embodiments, the first and second connector portions  500  and  502  may be pivotably coupled to a single pin (e.g., grasper configuration). Thus, each of the first and second connector portions  500  and  502  are pivotable from a first (e.g., open) position in which the first and second connector portions  500  and  502  are disengaged from the substrate  402  of the plug  400  ( FIG.  7   ) to a second (e.g., closed) position in which the first and second connector portions  500  and  502  are engaged with the substrate  402  of the plug  400  ( FIG.  8   ). The first and second pivot arms  501  and  503  are coupled to contact arms  507  and  508 , respectively. Each of the first and second pivot arms  501  and  503  is coupled to a corresponding first and second biasing members  509  and  511 , respectively, which rotate the first and second connector portions  500  and  502  about the pins  504  and  506 . The biasing members  509  and  511  are disposed on one side (e.g., proximally) of the pins  504  and  506  and the contact arms  507  and  508  are disposed on the other side (e.g., distally) of the pins  504  and  506 . In particular, the biasing members  509  and  511  pivot the first and second connector portions  500  and  502  into an open configuration as shown in  FIG.  7   , in which the contact arms  507  and  508  are spaced apart. 
     The first contact arm  507  includes a first plurality of contacts  510  and the second contact arm  508  includes a second plurality of contacts  512 . The contacts  510  and  512  may be any suitable electrical contacts, e.g., pins, springs, strips, etc. The first plurality of contacts  510  and the second plurality of contacts  512  may be coupled to PCBs or PCB stiffeners  513  and  515 , respectively, which in turn, are coupled to flexible cable  474  as shown in in  FIG.  7    (e.g., via soldering). 
     During use, as the plug  400  is about to be inserted into the receptacle  110 , the connector  460  is in the open configuration as shown in  FIG.  7   . The first and second surfaces  413  and  415  of the first shell  412  and the second shell  414  engage the first and second contact arms  507  and  508  of the connector  460 . As the plug  400  is inserted into the receptacle  110 , the distal edges of the contact arms  507  and  508  slide along the first and second surfaces  413  and  415 , causing the first and second connector portions  500  and  502  to pivot about their respective pins  504  and  506 . The first and second contact arms  507  and  508  are approximated toward each other such that the contacts  510  and  512  engage and electrically couple to the contacts  430  and  431  of the plug  400  disposed on the substrate  402 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , once the plug  400  is fully inserted, the first and second contact arms  507  and  508  are secured within the insertion portion  401  of the plug  400  and the connector  460  is in the closed configuration. The first and second contact arms  507  and  508  remain engaged with the first and second surfaces  413  and  415  of the plug  400  while the plug  400  is inserted in the receptacle  110 . Once the plug  400  is pulled out, the first and second portions  500  and  502  transition to the open configuration. The first and second contact arms  507  and  508  slide along the first and second surfaces  413  and  415  as the first and second portions  500  and  502  are pivoted by the first and second biasing members  509  and  511  until the connector  460  returns to the open position. 
     The opening and closing sequence of connector  460  prevents sliding and scrapping between the contacts  430  and  431  of the plug  400  and the corresponding contacts  510  and  512  of the connector  460  since engagement occurs by opening and closing and applying pressure to form a secure electrical connection only after the plug  400  is fully inserted. This is in contrast with conventional plug and connector interfaces where contacts are engaged during the entire insertion and extraction sequences, resulting in scraping of the contacts, thereby decreasing their lifetime. 
     While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings and/or described herein, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope of the claims appended hereto.