Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2227843B1/en
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 14:55:37+00:00

Document:
The present application claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/979,674, filed October 12, 2007 , entitled, "Connector Assembly," and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/032,936, filed February 29, 2008 , entitled, "Connector Assembly,".
The present disclosure is generally related to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/846,260, filed September 20, 2006 , to U.S. Patent Application No. 11/858,818, filed September 20, 2007 , to U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/296,064, filed October 12, 2007 , to U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/296,067, filed October 12, 2007 and to U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/304,439, filed February 29, 2008 .
in the tissue site. The detector outputs a detector signal to the monitor. The monitor processes the detector signal to provide a numerical readout of physiological parameters such as oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate. Enhanced oximetry systems can also include a multiple parameter monitor and a multiple wavelength sensor that provide enhanced measurement capabilities, including, for example, the measurement of a multitude of blood constituents and related parameters in addition to oxygen saturation and pulse rate, such as, for example, carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO), methemoglobin (HbMet), total Hematocrit (Hct), oxygen concentrations, glucose concentrations or the like.
High fidelity pulse oximeters capable of reading through motion induced noise are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,770,028 , 6,658,276 , 6,157,850 , 6,002,952 5,769,785 , and 5,758,644 .
US 5,237,994 discloses an integrated lead frame pulse oximetry sensor which includes a thin metal lead frame to which is connected light emitting diodes and a photodiode chip for the purpose of emitting light and detecting light respectively. The thin metal frame is deformable to attach to perfused tissue. The lead frame has a very low mass which diminishes its acceptability to motion induced artifact.
The subject-matter of the present invention is defined by the features of independent claim 1. Further preferred embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims. When the connection is subject to a threshold amount of stress, the retainer may become damaged. For example, a patient may jerk on the sensor accidentally, damaging the retainer. In other cases, hospital personnel may attempt to move the patient and leave the sensor connected, causing stress on the connection. In such cases, a user may replace the entire patient cable because of the damaged retainer. Accordingly a need exists to reduce costs associated with replacing cable. A connector assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure is advantageously configured to allow a sensor connector to straightforwardly and efficiently join with and detach from a patient cable connector.
Further, embodiments of the connector assembly advantageously reduce un-shielded areas in an electrical connection between the sensor and the monitor. According to the present invention, embodiments of the connector assembly advantageously increase the shielding of detector signals coming from the patient sensor to the monitor.
In the following a plurality of embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed, which are useful for the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 1 generally illustrates a connector assembly 100 as part of a patient monitoring system. The connector assembly 100 allows a sensor 130 to communicate with a monitor 160 via a patient cable 140 including wires and/or conductors that interconnect the patient cable connector 120 and a monitor connector 150. The connector assembly 100 includes a sensor connector 110 and a patient cable connector 120 and, advantageously, allows for relatively straightforward and efficient connection and separation of a sensor 130 from a patient cable 140. For example, the sensor 130 and patient cable 140 can be separated relatively straightforwardly and efficiently by a user, such as, for example, by single-handed separation. In various embodiments, the patient cable connector accepts different types of sensors and sensor configurations. For example, in one embodiment, the patient cable connector 120 accepts a wide variety of standard SpO2 sensors. In another embodiment, the patient cable connector 120 accepts a multiple wavelength sensor, such as, for example, a 3, 8, 16 or more or other numbered wavelength sensor. In another embodiment, for example, the patient cable connector 120 accepts both a standard SpO2 connector and a multiple wavelength sensor.
FIGS. 2A-D generally illustrate a prior art connector assembly 200. A sensor connector 220 is connected to a patient cable connector 230. A retainer 240 is rotatable about an axis 260 and is movable between a closed position ( FIGS. 2A- B and FIG. 2D ) and an open position ( FIG. 2C ). In the open position, the retainer 240 allows for the sensor connector 220 to be inserted into or removed from the patient cable connector 230. In the closed position, the retainer 240 mechanically impedes the sensor connector 220 from inadvertently disconnecting. Generally, the process of joining the connectors consists of attaching the connectors and closing the retainer to secure or substantially secure the connection and reduce accidental disconnects. In some assemblies, the retainer 240 snaps into a locked position. The process of separating the connectors consists of hinging the retainer 240 open and disengaging the connectors 220, 230. Generally, this process employs two hands.
FIGS. 3-5 illustrate one embodiment of a connector assembly 100 having a multiple wavelength sensor 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 130 connects to the patient cable 140 via a 15-pin sensor connector 110 designed to mate with a 15-socket patient cable connector 120. In various embodiments, the sensor connector 110 may have all of the pins electrically active, and, in other embodiments, only a subset of the pins may be active and used to communicate sensor signals. For example, in one embodiment only 9 pins are active. In other embodiments, the sensor connector may be a standard SpO2 sensor, having, for example, a 9-pin mini-D connector, which is well known in the art. The latching member 800 disposed on the sensor connector 110 includes a latch protuberance 830 configured to engage a latch pocket 1310 disposed on the patient cable connector 120 so as to releasably hold the sensor connector 110 and patient cable connector 120 together. Advantageously, the sensor connector 110 and patient cable connector 120 are straightforwardly and efficiently connected by pressing them together until the latch protuberance 830 clicks into the latch pocket 1310. Advantageously, the sensor connector 110 and patient cable connector 120 are straightforwardly and efficiently separated by pulling them apart while pressing downward on the lever portion 810 of the latching member 800 with a thumb or finger, thereby disengaging the latch protuberance 830 from the latch pocket 1310. In one embodiment, the monitor connector 150 comprises a 20-pin DB connector. Physical aspects of the sensor side of the connector assembly are described generally with respect to FIGS. 6A-F and with greater detail with respect to FIGS. 7- 11. Physical aspects of the patient cable side of the connector assembly are described generally with respect to FIGS. 12A-F and with greater detail with respect to FIGS. 13-16 . One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize from the disclosure herein that a variety of pin numbers, mechanical mating shapes and the like are possible in various configurations.
FIGS. 6A-F illustrate one embodiment of a male sensor connector 110 having a front 601, back 602, top 603 and bottom 604. The back 602 terminates a sleeve 620 encasing a flex circuit 1000. In one embodiment, the sleeve is a two-part structure having a top 621 and a bottom 622 which interlock to create a channel which encloses the flex circuit 1000. In one embodiment, the sleeve is comprised of silicone. The flex circuit 1000 communicates signals between the sensor 130 and connector plug 900. A latching member 800 is disposed on the top 603 while being hingably mounted on each side thereof. The sensor connector 110 is configured to mate with a patient cable connector 120 by inserting the patient cable connector along alignment path 610. FIGS. 17A-F , described below, illustrate another embodiment of a male sensor connector.
FIGS. 7A-F illustrate one embodiment of a sensor connector shell 700 having a front 701, back 702, top 703, bottom 704, left side 705 and right side 706. The shell begins to taper from front 701 to back 702 at a point approximately midway between the front 701 and the back 702. The front 701 has a mating passageway 750 configured to accommodate a patient cable connector socket 1300. Proximate the front 701 is a mating ledge 730 configured to accommodate a recess 1222 located on the patient cable connector shell 1220. Housed within the sensor connector shell 700 is a positioning tab 780 which abuts the flex circuit pin plate 1040. Disposed on the upper right side 705 and left side 706 are aperture recesses 720 and apertures 721 configured to secure a latching member 800 by accommodating aperture pegs 860. The back 702 has a passageway 760 configured to accommodate the sleeve 620. Aperture peg 770 is proximate the back 702, extends vertically from bottom 704 to top 703, and is designed to engage the peg aperture 1050, securing the flex circuit 1000. In one embodiment, the sensor connector shell 700 is comprised of a PC-ABS blend. FIGS. 18A-F , described below, illustrate another embodiment of a male sensor connector shell.
FIGS. 8A-F illustrate one embodiment of a latching member 800 having a front 801, back 802, top 803 and bottom 804. The front 801 is generally rounded and has a latch portion 820 having a latch protuberance 830 located on bottom 804. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch protuberance 830 is a prism having right triangular bases and slopes downward from front 801 to back 802 of the latching member 800, so as to advantageously gradually engage and snap into the latch pocket 1310. The end of the latch protuberance 830 toward the back 802 of the latching member 800 is a flat surface configured to abut the flat edge of the latch pocket 1310 when snapped in. In various other embodiments, the latch protuberance 830 and latch pocket 1310 could be shaped differently. For example, in one embodiment, the latch protuberance 830 could be hemispherical in shape and the latch pocket 1310 shaped generally as a hemispherical depression to accommodate the latch protuberance 830. The back has lever portion 810 beginning at a point approximately 3/4 of the way from front 801 to back 802, bending generally upward. Advantageously, the lever portion 810 and latching portion 820 are rigidly connected such that pressing downward with a finger or thumb on lever portion 810 raises the latching portion 820 and latch protuberance 830 so as to disengage the latch protuberance 830 from the latch pocket 1310. As such, the latching member 800 advantageously releasably holds the sensor connector 110 and patient cable connector 120 together, reducing accidental disconnects and providing for relatively straightforward and efficient connection and release. In certain embodiments, the latch protuberance 830 also disengages from the latch pocket 1310 and allows for disconnection without depressing the lever portion 810 of the latching member 800 when a certain threshold tension amount occurs on the connection between the latch protuberance 830 and the latch pocket 1310. This may be advantageous in certain cases, for example, if a sensor is accidentally jerked by a patient. In such a case, this tension release mechanism might reduce the chances of a monitor unit or other piece of equipment from being pulled onto the floor. In certain embodiments this tension release mechanism advantageously reduces the likelihood of potential accidents including damage to sensitive equipment and injuries to personnel. Attachment arms 850 are attached to either side of the latching member 800, are proximate the midway point from front 801 to back 802, and extend normally from the latching member 800. Attachment arms 850 further curve downward at the ends to accommodate a sensor connector shell 700 and terminate in aperture peg tabs 850. Aperture pegs 860 are attached to and extend inwardly from the aperture peg tabs 850 and accommodate the apertures 721 to secure the latching member 800 to the sensor connector shell 700. In one embodiment, the latching member 800 is comprised of a PC-ABS blend. FIGS. 19A-F , described below, illustrate another embodiment of a latching member.
FIGS. 9A-C illustrate one embodiment of a connector plug 900 having a front 901, back 902, top 903 and bottom 904. The connector plug 900 is disposed within and proximate the front 701 of the sensor connector shell 702. Socket pins 910 are arranged in rows and extend from front plate 920 through the pin apertures 950. The socket pins 910 are further designed to mate with the socket apertures 1331 disposed on the connector socket 1300. Additionally, the socket pins 910 are designed to extend through the pin apertures 1042 on the pin plate 1040 of the flex circuit 1000. The socket pins 910 include two detector pins 911 and thirteen drive pins 912, although many different configurations would be readily identifiable by a skilled artisan from the disclosure herein. Advantageously, shielding layers 940 wrap around back section 930 to provide enhanced signal noise protection. In one embodiment, the connector plug 900 is comprised of a PC-ABS blend, the shielding layers 940 are comprised of copper, and the socket pins 910 are comprised of a brass, bronze or copper base with gold plating. FIGS. 20A-C , described below, illustrate another embodiment of a sensor connector plug.
FIG. 10A-E illustrate one embodiment of the connector end of a flex circuit 1000 having a top 1001, bottom 1002, and front 1003. A rectangular pin plate 1040 is disposed at the front 1003 of the flex circuit 1000, having pin apertures 1042 arranged in rows and designed to accept socket pins 910. Flap 1041 is located on the detector pin side of pin plate 1040, on the face distal to connector plug 900. The flap 1041 is connected to the bottom of pin plate 1040 and folds over the pin plate 1040, leaving a small gap between the pin plate 1040 and the flap 1041. The flap is configured to contact at least the detector pins 910 and, advantageously, provides additional pin shielding and more robust connection between the flex circuit 1000 and the detector pins 911. A bend plate 1020 slopes downward from the top of the pin plate 1040 to the flex circuit length 1010. The circuit length 1010 extends to the sensor side of the flex circuit 1000 and communicates signals between the connector and sensor sides of the flex circuit 1000. In various embodiments, the flex circuit signals are shielded by ink layers or other shielding mechanisms. A peg aperture 1050 is on the circuit length, proximal the bend plate 1020 and is configured to accommodate the aperture peg 770, securing the flex circuit to the sleeve 620. In one embodiment, the flex circuit 1000 is comprised of alternating layers of Polyimide, rolled annealed copper, and silver impregnated thermoplastic ink which shields the signals. In various embodiments, the configuration of the layers and the materials used may differ. At least one memory unit 1030 is soldered to the bottom 1003 of flex circuit 1000 on bend plate 1020. In one embodiment, for example, the at least one memory unit 1030 is a 20K EEPROM well known to those of skill in the art and capable of performing various diagnostic and control functions. One of skill in the art will recognize from the disclosure herein that a variety of memory devices, controllers, microprocessors, gating or logic structures and the like may be used in various configurations. Advantageously, for example, the at least one memory unit 1030 is configured to assist in the determination of whether the sensor 130 is connected to compliant devices, such as patient cable connectors 120, patient cables 140 and monitors 160, thereby ensuring that the sensor 130 is also a compliant device. FIGS. 21A-E , described below, illustrate another embodiment of the connector end of a flex circuit.
As would be apparent to a skilled artisan from the disclosure herein, the drive pins 912 may be configured differently. For example, there may be a different number of emitter pins 913 (e.g., two), there may unused pins, or some of the drive pins 912 may be connected to other components in various configurations. In one embodiment, there are four dedicated emitter pins jumpered together into two groups of two, allowing for compatibility with differently configured sensors. In one alternative configuration, each detector pin 911 and/or drive pin 912 is separated from adjacent pins by from about 0.110 to about 0.115 inches.
FIGS. 11A-E illustrate one embodiment of the sensor end of flex circuit 1000 having a back 1101, top 1102, bottom 1103 and front 1104. The flex circuit terminates a first solder plate 1101 which is generally rectangular and connected to and is slightly wider than a first connection arm 1110. The first connection arm 1110 bends along its length in order to accommodate a second solder plate 1140. The second solder plate 1140 terminates a second connection arm 1130. In one embodiment, the first solder plate 1101 has three solder pads 1121 arranged in a triangular fashion and the second solder plate 1140 has ten smaller solder pads 1141 arranged in rows. It is well known in the art to include conductors and conductor paths on one or more sides of the flex circuit 1000. In various embodiments, the shape of the flex circuit 1000 may vary. For instance, in some embodiments, the flex circuit 1000 may vary in length, may not include a bend along the circuit length 1010, and the bend characteristics may vary.
FIGS. 12A-F illustrate one embodiment of a patient cable connector 120 having a front 1201, back 1202, top 1203 and bottom 1204. A connector socket 1300 protrudes from the front 1201 and is configured to accept connector plug 900 along alignment path 1210. The connector socket 1300 is described in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 13A-E . A connector shell 1220 has a semi-circular latching member recess 1221 configured to accommodate and secure the latching portion 820 of latching member 800. Additionally, the front 1201 face of shell 1220 has a recess 1222 which is configured to accommodate and secure the mating ledge 730 of the sensor connector shell 700. Raised grip striping 1223 is disposed on the top 1203 of the shell 1220 and reduce slipping of fingers when connecting and disconnecting the patient cable connector 120 and sensor connector 110. The shell 1220 terminates a cable opening 1224 which is configured to accept a strain relief 1600 and the patient cable 140. In some embodiments, a protruding feature is disposed on the back 1202 of connector shell 1220 over which a strain relief may be molded instead of being inserted into cable opening 1224. In various embodiments, the protruding feature may vary in flexibility. In one embodiment, the connector shell 1220 is comprised of a relatively hard PVC material.
FIGS. 13A-E illustrate one embodiment of a connector socket 1300 having a front 1301, back 1302, top 1303 and bottom 1304. The back portion 1340 of connector socket 1300 has a latch pocket plate 1320 having a latch pocket 1310. The latch pocket plate is disposed on top 1303 of the back portion 1340 of connector socket 1300. The latch pocket 1310 is generally a recessed pocket advantageously shaped and configured to releasably engage and retain latch protuberance 830 as described with respect to FIGS. 3-5 and FIGS. 8A-F above. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch pocket 1310 has a flat surface proximal the front 1301 of the socket 1300 so as to catch the flat edge of latch protuberance 830. The latch pocket 1310 is generally rectangular with rounded corners on the edge toward the back 1302 of the socket 1300 so as to accept the latch protuberance 830 snugly. As described above, the latch pocket 1310 may, in other embodiments, be shaped differently to accommodate various latch protuberance 830 shapes. For example, in certain embodiments, the latch pocket 1310 may be a hemispherical depression to accommodate a hemispherical latch protuberance 830. A bracing lip 1321 extends from latch pocket plate 1320 over the front portion 1330 of the connector socket 1300 and is configured to accommodate and secure the connector shell 1220 and the mating ledge 730 of sensor connector shell 700. The front portion 1330 has socket apertures 1331 arranged in rows configured to accept socket pins 910. Among the socket apertures 1331, in one embodiment, for example, are two detector socket apertures 1332 and thirteen drive socket apertures 1333 configured to accept detector pins 911 and drive pins 912 respectively. The socket apertures 1331 extend through the socket 1300 from front 1301 to back 1302. The detector socket apertures 1332 have a larger diameter in the back 1302 than the drive socket apertures 1333 to accommodate the detector socket shielding sleeves 1420. In one embodiment, the connector socket 1300 core is comprised of a glass filled nylon or an equivalent material. In some embodiments, the glass filled Nylon is appropriate because it is able to withstand repeated insertion and removal of the sensor connector 110.
Emitter drive signals in a pulse oximetry system are relatively coarse and require relatively less noise protection to effectively drive the light emitters. In contrast, the detector signals must be transmitted from the sensor to the monitor with more precision and require relatively more noise protection to allow for accurate measurement of the sensor parameters. As such, enhanced shielding of the detector signals in the connection between the sensor and patient cable is desirable. FIGS. 14A-B illustrate an embodiment of socket shrouds 1410 according to the present invention encased by a shielding shell 1500 which is over-molded by the connector shell 1220. In this embodiment, the connector shell 1220 has a protruding member 1430 over which a strain relief may be overmolded. The socket shrouds 1410 are generally tubular and are configured accept and secure socket pins 910. The front portions of the socket shrouds 1410 extend through the socket apertures 1331. The back portions of the socket shrouds 1410 protrude from socket apertures 1331 are encased by the shielding shell 1500, which advantageously provides enhanced signal noise protection. Advantageously, the detector sockets 1411 are individually shielded by detector socket shielding sleeves 1420. This configuration according to the present invention provides for extra signal protection on the relatively sensitive detector signals. In various embodiments, the socket shrouds 1410 are comprised of various metals including brass, copper, bronze, copper or nickel. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the shrouds are plated in gold or another suitable material. In one embodiment, the shielding shell 1500 and detector socket shielding sleeves 1420 are made of copper and an inner plastic core. In some embodiments, the inner plastic core is comprised of Delrin or an equivalent material.
the front 1501. The back 1502 is generally closed except for a cable opening 1520 which is configured to accept the strain relief 1600 and the patient cable 140.
FIGS. 16A-E illustrate one embodiment of a strain relief 1600 that protects the patient cable 140 from bending forces and the cable wires and corresponding solder joints from pulling forces. The strain relief 1600 is a generally tapered cylinder having a front 1611, a back 1612, a head 1610, a tail 1620, and an axial cavity 1630 extending the length of the strain relief 1600. In one embodiment, the strain relief 1600 is over-molded on the patient cable 140 so that the patient cable 140 is retained within the axial cavity 1630 so formed. The head 1610 is disposed within the connector shell 1220, inserted through cable opening 1224, with the tail 1620 extending distal the shell 1220. The head 1610 consists of a cylinder which is narrower than the rest of the strain relief 1600 body and is configured to mate with the connector shell cable opening 1224 and the shielding shell cable opening 1520. The head 1610 terminates a securing plate which is encased within the shielding shell 1500 and secures the strain relief 1600 to the shielding shell 1500. In one embodiment, the strain relief 1600 is comprised of a low durometer PVC material. In one embodiment, the strain relief 1600 and connector shell 1220 are over-molded at the same time so that the bend relief front 1611 fuses to the back of connector shell 1220. FIGS. 22A-D , described below, illustrate another embodiment of a strain relief.
FIGS. 17A-F illustrate another embodiment of a male sensor connector 1700. The sensor connector 1700 is generally similar in structure and function to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 6A-F , including a sleeve 1701 encasing a flex circuit, a latching member 1702, and a connector plug 1703.
FIGS. 18A-F illustrate another embodiment of a sensor connector shell 1800 having a front 1801, back 1802, top 1803, bottom 1804, left side 1805 and right side 1806. The shell 1800 is generally similar in structure and function to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 7A-F , including a mating passageway 1807, a mating ledge 1808, a positioning tab 1809, aperture recesses 1810, and apertures 1811, a back passageway 1813, and an aperture peg 1814. This embodiment also includes a latch member recess 1812 disposed on top 1803 and is configured to accommodate a latching member. The latch member recess 1812 generally extends across the entire top 1803 front 1801 portion of connector shell 1800 and extends towards the back 1802 in the middle portion of sensor connector shell 1800. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching member recess 1812 extends down the upper right side 1805 and left side 1806 and terminates at aperture recesses 1810. In the illustrated embodiment, aperture recesses 1810 are generally circular so as to strongly secure the latching member disposed on a patient cable connector. In this embodiment, the latch member recess 1812 is configured to allow the latching member to rock down into latch member recess 1812. As such, the latch member recess 1812 enhances the levering mechanism.
FIGS. 19A-F illustrate another embodiment of a latching member 1900 having a front 1901, back 1902, top 1903 and bottom 1904. The latching member 1900 is generally similar in structure and function to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 8A-F , including a latch portion 1905, a lever portion 1906, a latch protuberance 1907, attachment arms 1908, aperture peg tabs 1909, and aperture pegs 1911. This embodiment also includes a rib 1910 disposed on the bottom 1904 of latching member 1900 so as to provide a pivot surface with the connector shell. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, the aperture peg tabs 1909 are generally circular to fit the circular aperture recesses described with respect to FIGS. 18A-F above and strongly secure the latching member 1900 to the connector shell. In this embodiment, the rib 1910 and the aperture peg tabs 1909 are configured to allow for efficient pivoting of the latching member 1900, enhancing the levering mechanism.
FIGS. 20A-C illustrate another embodiment of a connector plug 2000 having a front 2001, back 2002, top 2003 and bottom 2004. The shell 2000 is generally similar in structure and function to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 9A-C , including socket pins 2005 comprising two detector pins 2006 and thirteen drive pins 2007, and pin apertures 2009. In the illustrated embodiment, the body of connector plug 2000 is comprised of a printed wiring board. Moreover, the front 2001 and back 2002 faces of the connector plug 2000 are covered with copper ground planes which act as a shielding mechanism. Also in the illustrated embodiment, a solder-mask is placed over both copper planes and a solder ring 2011 is placed around each pin aperture 2009 to connect the socket pins 2005. In the illustrated embodiment, the solder rings are isolated from the copper ground planes by a gap in the copper layer and one pin is electrically connected to the copper ground planes to complete the shield.
FIGS. 21A-E illustrate another embodiment of the connector end of a flex circuit 2100 having a top 2101, bottom 2102 and front 2103. The flex circuit 2100 is generally similar in structure and function to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 10A-E , and includes a pin plate 2104, pin apertures 2105, a first flap 2106, a bend plate 2107, and a peg aperture 2108. The illustrated embodiment also includes a second flap 2109 connected to the bottom of the pin plate 2104 and extending towards circuit length 2110. The second flap 2109 is configured to accommodate at least one memory unit which may, in some embodiments, be soldered to second flap 2109. The at least one memory unit is described above with respect to FIGS. 10A-E above.
FIGS. 22A-D illustrate another embodiment of a strain relief 2200. The strain relief 2200 is generally similar in structure and function to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 16A-D , having a front 2201, a back 2202, a head 2203, a tail 2204, and an axial cavity 2205. In the illustrated embodiment, the strain relief head 2203 is overmolded onto a protruding feature disposed on an embodiment of a patient cable connector shell instead of being inserted into the back of the connector shell. In one embodiment, the strain relief 1600 is comprised of a low durometer PVC material.
FIGS. 23A-B illustrate one embodiment of a male sensor connector 2300 having a front 2304, back 2305, top 2306 and bottom 2307. A retainer 2301 rotates about an axis 2308 and moves between an open position ( FIGS. 23A-C ) and a closed position ( FIG. 23D ). In the open position, the retainer 2301 allows for the sensor connector 2301 to be inserted into or removed from a patient cable connector such as one of the patient cable connectors described above. In the closed position, the retainer 240 mechanically impedes the sensor connector 220 from inadvertently disconnecting. Generally, the process of joining the connectors includes mechanically mating the connectors and hinging the retainer 2301 over mechanically mating structures of a patient cable to secure the connection and reduce accidental disconnects. The process of separating the connectors includes opening the retainer 2301 and pulling apart the sensor connector 2300 from the patient cable connector.
In one embodiment, the back 2305 terminates a stress relief 2302. In an embodiment, the back 2305 terminates a flex-circuit instead of or in addition to the strain relief 2302. The sensor connector 2300 includes a shell 2303 and a retainer 2301, hingably attached to the top 2306, back of the shell 2303. In other embodiments, the retainer 2301 may be disposed on another portion of the shell 2303. For example, the retainer 2301 may be attached to a different side of the shell 2303, such as, for example, the bottom 2307. The retainer 2301 includes a latching member 2311 disposed on the underside of the retainer 2301. The latching member 2311 disposed on the retainer 2301 includes a latch protuberance 2312 configured to engage a latch pocket disposed on the patient cable connector so as to releasably hold the sensor connector 2300 and a patient cable connector together. The sensor connector 2300, for example, may be connected to the patient cable connector 120 described above and the latch protuberance may engage a latch pocket such as latch pocket 1310.
FIGS. 25A-D illustrate an embodiment of a strain relief 2500. The strain relief 2500, may be, in some embodiments, generally similar in structure and function to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 16A-D and FIG. 22A-D , having a front 2510, a back 2510, a head 2507, a tail 2502. An axial cavity extends through the strain relief 2500 and is coaxial with the length of the tail 2502. In the illustrated embodiment, the strain relief head 2510 includes features 2509, 2510, 2514, 2515 adapted to accommodate corresponding features on a connector shell such as the connector shell 2303 described above. The strain relief 2500 may also be mated with features disposed on an embodiment of a patient cable connector shell instead of being inserted into the back of the connector shell. In one embodiment, the strain relief 2500 may be comprised of a low durometer PVC material.
A connector assembly has been disclosed in detail in connection with various embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed by way of examples only and are not to limit the scope of the claims that follow. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many variations and modifications. For example, in various embodiments a sensor 130 may measure any type of physiological parameter. In other embodiments, the monitor 160 end of the patient cable 140 might be configured to communicate with any type of monitor 160.
In some embodiments, the number of socket pins 910 and corresponding socket apertures 1331 may vary. Additionally, in some embodiments, the construction materials for various components may generally vary. For example, in some embodiments, some of the components can be made of different types of metal including, but not limited to, copper, tungsten, nickel, and others. In other embodiments, some of the components can be made of different types of plastic. In yet other embodiments, some components described may be substituted for other implementations that provide the desired function. For example, in some embodiments, the flex circuit 1000 may not be used and may be substituted for by, for example, a cable, another type of circuit or other signal communication mechanism. In other embodiments, for example, the sensor connector shell 700 and the patient cable connector shell 1220 may be replaced by an overmold. In some embodiments, the overmold is comprised of a PVC material.
a shielding mechanism configured to reduce unshielded areas surrounding the signal conduits, the shielding mechanism comprising two or more shielding sleeves (1420), at least a portion of each of the two or more detector signal conduits (1411) disposed within a corresponding one of the two or more shielding sleeves (1420), the emitter signal conduits (1412) disposed outside the two or more shielding sleeves (1420), the shielding sleeves (1420) disposed proximate to one another.
The connector assembly of Claim 1, wherein the first connector portion comprises a sensor connector portion and the second connector portion comprises a patient cable connector portion.
The connector assembly of Claim 1, wherein the shielding mechanism further comprises a shielding layer, at least a portion of each of the emitter signal conduits disposed within the shielding layer.
The connector assembly of Claim 3, wherein at least a portion of each of the detector signal conduits are disposed within shielding layer.
The connector assembly of Claim 3, wherein the detector signal conduits are substantially electrically shielded through substantially the entire connector assembly.
The connector assembly of Claim 3, wherein the shielding mechanism further comprises a shell and wherein each of the emitter signal conduits, each of the detector signal conduits and each of the shielding sleeves are at least partially disposed within the shell.
the first and second latching members configured to engage one another to removably secure the first connector portion to the second connector portion, the first latching member movable from a first position to a release position to disengage the first latching member and the second latching member.
The connector assembly of Claim 7, wherein the first latching member comprises a lever, the lever actuatable to move the first latching member from the first position to the release position.
The connector assembly of Claim 7, the second connector portion further comprising a hingable retainer and the second latching member disposed on the hingable retainer.
The connector assembly of Claim 7, wherein the first latching member comprises a protuberance and the second latching member comprises a pocket.
The connector assembly of Claim 7, wherein the first latching member and the second latching member are configured to disengage when subject to a threshold amount of tension.
The connector assembly of Claim 7, wherein the first connector portion can be detached from the second connector portion through single-handed operation at least in part by moving the first latching member from the first position to the release position.
The connector assembly of Claim 7, wherein the first latching element pivots to disengage from the second latching element when the first latching element is mechanically actuated by a user.

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