Patent Description:
Medical devices in the field often include a host device providing a display of data and controls of the device, as well as a peripheral device that somehow engages with the patient to collect this data for display. The peripheral device in many cases is connected by a leadwire to the host device, and particularly by an electrical connector of the leadwire being receivable within an input port of the host device. This allows the peripheral device to be removable from the host device for ease of replacement due to damage, or to enable disposable peripheral devices and/or leadwires for convenience and/or sanitation purposes.

Section <NUM>. <NUM> of AAMI EC53 standard refers to the DIN <NUM>-<NUM> standard for ECG leadwire connector requirements to mitigate the potential hazard of a patient connected leadwire inadvertently making electrical contact with the power mains or other hazardous voltage sources. The DIN <NUM>-<NUM> standard specifies that a standard test probe such as a finger not be able to make electrical contact with the ECG leadwire connector pins (or sockets) when applied with a force of <NUM> N (<NUM> lbs. Section <NUM>. <NUM> of the AAMI ES60601-<NUM><NUM> C1 <NUM> has similar requirement except the test probe force is reduced to <NUM> N (<NUM> lbs. Section <NUM>. <NUM> relates to creepage distances and air clearances for defibrillation-proof applied parts. IEC <NUM>-<NUM> standard requires <NUM> (<NUM> in. ) creepage distance, <NUM> (<NUM> in. ) of air clearance, and a dielectric strength of <NUM>,<NUM> Vac for at least <NUM> minute, protection from mains voltage. Defibrillation patient safety requirements of AAMI EC11:<NUM>/(R)<NUM> (section <NUM>. <NUM>) dictate that the reduction in energy delivered to a patient being defibrillated be less than <NUM>% of the total energy delivered by the defibrillator while an electrocardiograph and its associated leadwires are attached to the patient in order to maintain the efficacy of defibrillation. The defibrillator generates voltages of up to 5000V peak, therefore, in order to prevent "arcing" of defib energy shunting around the patient, the leadwires and the connector must maintain adequate electrical isolation (i.e., withstand 5000V peak). In order to guarantee this level of isolation a <NUM> (<NUM> in. ) creepage distance, <NUM> (<NUM> in. ) of air clearance must be maintained in order to support a dielectric breakdown strength of <NUM>,<NUM> volts between the exposed conductive surfaces of the connector. These dimensional requirements are based upon the assumptions of a pollution degree <NUM> level, using materials with a comparative tracking index (CTI) greater than <NUM> for the substrate, at an altitude less than <NUM> meters above sea level. The non-exposed conductor areas of the connector/leadwire must also be constructed to support the <NUM>,<NUM> volt withstand level by incorporating appropriate conductor spacing's based upon the specific dielectric materials in between them.

<CIT> describes a feedthrough flat-through capacitor that includes a capacitor having a first and second set of electrode plates, a first feedthrough passageway through the capacitor, a first lead disposed within the first feedthrough passageway and conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates, a second feedthrough passageway through the capacitor disposed remote from the first feedthrough passageway, and a second lead disposed within the second feedthrough passageway and conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates. The second set of electrode plates are typically conductively coupled to a ground. An EMI shield may be provided to electromagnetically isolate the first lead from the second lead.

<CIT> describes a flex circuit connector assembly which includes folding one end of a flex circuit having contact pads to form a male contact portion. The male contact portion is then inserted into a female socket of an edge connector for electrically interconnecting the contact pads of the flex circuit to mating contacts disposed in the female socket of the edge connector. The edge connector includes pins for mounting it to a receptacle of a wired circuit.

An invention is set out in the independent claims.

One embodiment of the present disclosure generally relates to an electrical connector for a medical device according to claim <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the wall height of each of the walls is a height difference greater than the finger height of each of the fingers, and the front edges of the walls extends farther than the tips of the fingers from the main support by a front difference.

In certain embodiments, the front difference is different than the height difference.

In certain embodiments, main support walls among the walls are coupled to the left and the right of the main support, the main support walls each having a top and a bottom opposite the top that define a main support wall height therebetween, where a main support height is defined between the top and the bottom of the main support, and where the main support wall height is greater than the main support height.

In certain embodiments, the main support walls are coplanar with two of the walls, where the wall heights equal the main support wall heights.

In certain embodiments, the main support walls extend from the front of the main support only partially towards the back of the main support.

In certain embodiments, the flexible circuit board has a main section and a moveable section that extends forwardly from the main section to a board edge, the main section being supported by the main support when the flexible circuit board is wrapped around fingers, where the openings defined through the flexible circuit board have a front boundary that is closer than the board edge to the main section along the outer surface of the flexible circuit board.

In certain embodiments, a lock opening is defined through the flexible circuit board, where the lock opening is closer than the board edge to the main section along the outer surface of the flexible circuit board. A lock protrusion extends away from the bottom of the main support, where when the flexible circuit board is wrapped around the fingers the lock protrusion of the main support is received within the lock opening defined in the flexible circuit board.

In certain embodiments, each of the gaps has a gap width between the fingers, where the lock opening has a lock opening width extending substantially parallel to the gap widths, and where the lock opening width is greater than each of the gap widths.

In certain embodiments, the electrical leads extend from first to second ends, where the first ends are positioned on the fingers when the flexible circuit board is wrapped around the fingers.

In certain embodiments, each of the electrical leads has an exposed contact between the first and second ends configured for electrically engaging with the medical device, and the exposed contacts are positioned on the tips of the fingers when the flexible circuit board is wrapped around the fingers.

In certain embodiments, the flexible circuit board has a main section and a moveable section that extends forwardly from the main section to a board edge, the main section being supported by the main support when the flexible circuit board is wrapped around fingers, where the openings defined through the flexible circuit board have a front boundary that is closer than the board edge to the main section along the outer surface of the flexible circuit board, and where the front boundaries of the openings defined in the flexible circuit board are closer than the first ends of the electrical leads to the board edge.

In certain embodiments, the fingers comprise at least five fingers that are coplanar with each other and with the main support.

In certain embodiments, the flexible circuit board is a flexible printed circuit board having exposed contacts, and wherein the inner surface of the flexible printed circuit board is free of exposed contacts.

In certain embodiments, the exposed contacts are all a same distance from the front of the main support along the outer surface when the flexible circuit board is wrapped around fingers.

Another embodiment generally relates to a method for making an electrical connector for a medical device according to claim <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the flexible circuit board has a main section and a moveable section that extends forwardly from the main section to a board edge. A lock opening is defined through the flexible circuit board to be closer than the board edge to the main section along the outer surface of the flexible circuit board. A lock protrusion extends away from the bottom of the main support, where when the flexible circuit board is wrapped around the fingers the lock protrusion of the main support is received within the lock opening defined in the flexible circuit board, where the electrical leads extend from first to second ends, where the first ends are positioned on the fingers when the flexible circuit board is wrapped around the fingers, where each of the electrical leads has an exposed contact between the first and second ends configured for electrically engaging with the medical device, and where the exposed contacts are positioned on the tips of the fingers when the flexible circuit board is wrapped around the fingers.

Another embodiment generally relates to an electrical connector for a medical device, the connector having a main support with a front and a back opposite the front, a top and a bottom opposite the top, and a left and a right opposite the left, where a lock protrusion extends away from the bottom of the main support. Fingers extend forwardly from the front of the main support to a tip, where the fingers have a top and a bottom opposite the top, where a finger height is defined between the tops and bottoms of the fingers, where the fingers are arranged from the left to the right of the main support such that gaps are defined between the fingers, and where the fingers are coplanar with each other and with the main support. Walls sandwich each of the fingers, where the walls each have a top and a bottom opposite the top that define a wall height therebetween, where the walls extend away from the main support to a front edge, and where at least one of the wall height of each of the walls is greater than the finger height of each of the fingers and the front edges of the walls extends farther than the tips of the fingers from the main support, where the wall height of each of the walls is greater than the finger height of each of the fingers, and where the front edges of the walls extends farther than the tips of the fingers from the main support. A flexible circuit board has an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, where the flexible circuit board has a main section and a moveable section that extends forwardly from the main section to a board edge, where the flexible circuit board includes electrical leads that are exposed on the outer surface thereof, where openings are defined through the flexible circuit board between the electrical leads, and where the flexible circuit board is wrapped around the fingers such that the outer surface of the flexible circuit board is supported on both the top and the bottom of the fingers and the openings in the flexible circuit board are aligned with the gaps between the fingers, where a lock opening is defined through the flexible circuit board, where the lock opening is closer than the board edge to the main section along the outer surface of the flexible circuit board, and where when the flexible circuit board is wrapped around the fingers the lock protrusion of the main support is received within the lock opening defined in the flexible circuit board.

Various other features, objects and advantages of the disclosure will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

The present disclosure is described with reference to the following drawings.

The present inventors have identified that electrical connectors presently known in the art, and particularly those for disposable peripheral devices including flexible printed circuit boards, are susceptible to water ingress and contamination. Due to the flat surfaces, the appropriate creepage and air clearances are difficult to achieve, thereby resulting in large and heavy electrical connectors. Likewise, the flatform factor limits the direction of the electrical contact points for meeting within the corresponding input ports, and the flat and wide connectors having open contact pads make them hard to protect against making contact with non-flat surfaces. Through experimentation and development, the inventors have developed the presently disclosed electrical connectors, which overcome the problems discussed above.

<FIG> depicts an exemplary medical device <NUM> as generally known in the art, but now incorporating a system <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The medical device <NUM> includes a host device <NUM> having a display <NUM>, controls <NUM>, and input port <NUM>, whereby the input port <NUM> provides a basis for connecting the host device <NUM> to a peripheral device <NUM>. In the example shown, the peripheral device <NUM> is a disposable neuromuscular transmission device having three electrodes <NUM> configured for positioning on a patient, such as GE Healthcare's NMT Module Entropy Sensor. The electrodes <NUM> are coupled together by leadwires <NUM>, which through the electrical connector <NUM> presently disclosed is receivable within the input port <NUM> of the host device <NUM> to provide communication between the host device <NUM> and peripheral device <NUM>. Other exemplary peripheral devices <NUM> include GE Healthcare's MAC VU360 Resting ECG or CASE Exercise testing system, for example. Non-healthcare applications for the presently disclosed electrical connector <NUM> are also contemplated by the present disclosure, such as consumer electronics.

<FIG> depicts a prior art connector <NUM> as presently known in the art. The front <NUM> of the prior art connector <NUM> is configured to be inserted in an input port similar to the input port <NUM> of <FIG>, but specifically configured to correspond to the prior art connector <NUM>. The prior art connector <NUM> has a top <NUM> and opposite bottom <NUM> and is comprised of a rigid portion <NUM> with a flexible circuit board <NUM> positioned on top. A slot <NUM> is defined through the rigid portion <NUM> and extends rearwardly from the front <NUM>, the slot <NUM> having a width <NUM> and length <NUM>. The slot <NUM> is used in part to provide electrical isolation between two separate functions in the same applied part (e.g., transmitting signals or receiving signals), or between different functions. For example, in the case of neuromuscular transmission (NMT), the slot <NUM> provides that patient stimulating current is separated from the sensor electromyograph (EMG) electrodes. By having this slot <NUM>, a large air clearance can be achieved when the electrical connector <NUM> is mated with the input port <NUM> of the host device <NUM>. In some applications, the creepage distance requirement can be greater that the required air clearance, especially if moisture/pollution is present inside the electrical connector <NUM>. The slot <NUM> will separate two halves of the electrical connector <NUM> from each other so that the creepage distance is significantly greater. In addition, the slot <NUM> can and or alternatively function as a poke-yoke, ensuring that the electrical connector <NUM> is inserted into the input port <NUM> in the intended orientation. The flexible circuit board <NUM> has a front <NUM> substantially aligned with the front <NUM> of the prior art connector <NUM>, which also has a slot <NUM> that substantially overlays the slot <NUM> of the rigid portion <NUM>.

Similar to other flexible circuit boards presently known in the art, the flexible circuit board <NUM> includes a plurality of leads <NUM> running through the flexible circuit board <NUM>, which terminate at exposed contacts <NUM> near the front <NUM> of the flexible circuit board <NUM>. In the example shown, distances D1, D2, and D3 are shown between the exposed contacts <NUM>, particularly denoting the shortest distances between these exposed contacts <NUM>. A slot <NUM> is also defined within the flexible circuit board <NUM>, which in the present example is intended to increase separation between two of the exposed contacts <NUM> in view of the regulations regarding clearances.

This prior art connector <NUM> is subject to the problems described above, including being susceptible to water ingress and contamination from the configuration of the exposed contacts. Likewise, the configuration is limited in terms of how many exposed contacts <NUM> may be positioned on the prior art connector <NUM> due to creepage and air clearance requirements, which are nonetheless separated by relatively small distances D1-D3. In the example shown, the exposed contacts <NUM> are a minimum of <NUM> apart from each other. The prior art connector <NUM> is also limited in that the exposed contacts <NUM> must be positioned on the top <NUM> of the prior art connector <NUM>, limiting the manner in which these exposed contacts <NUM> may make contact with the host device via the corresponding input port. Moreover, as is apparent from the view of <FIG>, the inventors have recognized that it is hazardously simple to make electrical contact between exposed contacts <NUM> in this configuration, for example via accidental contact with conductive objects.

Accordingly, the present inventors have developed an alternative electrical connector that mitigates against the electrical hazards presently known of flexible circuit board type connectors in the art. The presently disclosed connectors also advantageously provide a cost-effective design and a compact form factor while nonetheless fulfilling the safety requirements and considerations described above.

The presently disclosed electrical connector <NUM> is generally formed of a rigid base and a flexible circuit board, each of which is discussed in detail separately. <FIG> depict an exemplary rigid base <NUM> for an electrical connector <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The rigid base <NUM> includes a main support <NUM> that extends between a front <NUM> and back <NUM> defining a main support line MSL therebetween, top <NUM> and bottom <NUM> defining a main support height MSH therebetween, and left <NUM> and right <NUM> defining a main support width MSW therebetween. Fingers <NUM> extend forwardly from the front <NUM> of the main support <NUM>, shown here in a configuration having five fingers <NUM>. The fingers <NUM> each extend between a tip <NUM> and base end <NUM> defining a finger length FL therebetween, a top <NUM> and a bottom <NUM> defining a finger height FH therebetween, and a left <NUM> and right <NUM> defining a finger width FW therebetween. In this manner, a gap G and a gap width GW is formed between adjacent fingers <NUM> that extend forwardly from the main support <NUM>. The rigid base <NUM> may be formed of different rigid polymers, ceramics, or other materials, such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or any type of material providing sufficient mechanical durability and electrical insulating properties, for example. In certain embodiments, the fingers are integrally formed with the main support <NUM>. However, it should be recognized that the fingers <NUM> may also or alternatively be coupled to the main support <NUM> through methods presently known in the art, including the use of epoxies, for example.

In certain embodiments, such as that shown in the embodiments of <FIG>, the rigid base <NUM> further includes walls <NUM>, which include outer walls <NUM> and/or inner walls <NUM>. These walls <NUM> extend from a front edge <NUM> and back <NUM> defining a wall length WL therebetween, a top <NUM> and a bottom <NUM> defining a wall height WH therebetween, and a left <NUM> and right <NUM> defining a wall width WW therebetween. In the embodiment shown, the walls <NUM> are shown to sandwich the fingers <NUM>. The present example also shows a main support wall <NUM> that extends rearwardly from the walls <NUM>, whereby in certain examples the main support wall <NUM> is aligned with the main support <NUM> and, with the other walls <NUM> (and particularly inner walls <NUM>) align with the fingers <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the wall height WH is greater than the finger height FH, as well as the main support height MSH. Likewise, the walls <NUM> are shown to extend forwardly from the tips <NUM> of the fingers <NUM>. The tips <NUM> are shown here to has a side profile that is substantially semi-circular to minimize stresses on the flexible circuit board <NUM> (discussed below). However, it will be recognized that other shapes for the tips <NUM> are also contemplated by the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, a front difference between the front edge <NUM> of the walls <NUM> and the tips <NUM> of the fingers <NUM> provides ≥ <NUM> distance from the exposed contact <NUM> to a flat surface, as specified in IEC60601-<NUM> clause <NUM>. <NUM>, in addition the walls <NUM> protect the exposed contact <NUM> from making a connection with test finger. Likewise, in certain embodiments, a height difference between the wall height WH of the walls <NUM> and the finger height FH of the fingers <NUM> is the same as discussed above with respect the front difference (between the front edge <NUM> of the walls <NUM> and the tips <NUM> of the fingers <NUM>).

In certain embodiments, such as that shown in <FIG>, the wall heights WH of the outer walls <NUM>, inner walls <NUM>, and main support walls <NUM> are shown to be the same. However, it should be recognized that differences in the wall heights WH are also contemplated by the present disclosure. Likewise, the present disclosure contemplates configurations in which the front edge <NUM> of the outer walls <NUM> extends a different distance from the front <NUM> of the main support <NUM> than that of the inner walls <NUM>. Likewise, the present disclosure contemplates configurations in which the main support walls <NUM> are not coplanar with the outer walls <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the rigid base <NUM> further includes a lock protrusion <NUM> extending downwardly from the bottom <NUM> of the main support <NUM>. The lock protrusion <NUM> extends between a front <NUM> and back <NUM>, between a left <NUM> and right <NUM> defining a left protrusion width LPW therebetween, and a bottom <NUM> extending from the main support <NUM> by a lock protrusion height LPH. The lock protrusion <NUM> may be coupled to the main support <NUM> or integrally formed therewith, for example. In the example shown, the lock protrusion <NUM>, and particularly the bottom <NUM> thereof has a rectangular shape and is parallel to the bottom <NUM> of the main support <NUM>. However, it should be recognized that different shapes for the bottom <NUM> of the lock protrusion <NUM>, and also alternate planes thereof, are contemplated by the present disclosure. Additional detail regarding the lock protrusion <NUM> is provided below.

<FIG> depict an exemplary embodiment of flexible circuit board <NUM> for integration within an electrical connector <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The flexible circuit board may be formed of commercially available materials, such as a conductive (e.g. silver/carbon) traces printed on Polyethylene terephthalate PET film. The traces are insulated by printing a dielectric layer on top of the traces, except for the exposed contact <NUM> on the tip <NUM> of the finger <NUM>. The flexible circuit board <NUM> is presently shown before being assembled with the rigid base <NUM>, such as the rigid base <NUM> previously shown in <FIG>. The flexible circuit board <NUM> has an outer surface <NUM> and inner surface <NUM> defining a flexible circuit board height FCBH therebetween, a board edge <NUM> and back <NUM> defining a flexible circuit board length FCBL therebetween, and a left <NUM> and right <NUM> defining a flexible circuit board width FCBW therebetween. Electrical leads <NUM> are defined within the flexible circuit board <NUM> in a manner known in the art and extend between a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. Exposed contacts <NUM> are provided between the first end <NUM> and second end <NUM>, substantially near to the first end <NUM>. Communication with the electrical leads <NUM> may be made via the exposed contacts <NUM>, which is propagated along the corresponding electrical leads <NUM> to communicate with the peripheral device in a manner known in the art.

Openings <NUM> are defined within the flexible circuit board <NUM> between the first ends <NUM> of the electrical leads <NUM>. Each opening <NUM> is defined by a front boundary <NUM> and back boundary <NUM>, the front boundary <NUM> being closer than the back boundary <NUM> to the board edge <NUM>. The openings <NUM> are further defined between a left <NUM> and a right <NUM> with an opening width OW defined therebetween. The present inventors have identified that by positioning these openings <NUM> between the electrical leads <NUM>, and particularly the exposed contacts <NUM> associated therewith, the exposed contacts <NUM> may be positioned closer together than without the openings <NUM> while remaining in compliance with regulations regarding creepage and air clearance.

In the embodiment shown, a lock opening <NUM> is also defined through the flexible circuit board <NUM>, in this example near to the board edge <NUM> of the flexible circuit board <NUM> than the openings <NUM>. In the configuration shown, the lock opening <NUM> is formed as a substantially rectangular shape having a front <NUM> and back <NUM>, as well as a left <NUM> and right <NUM> defining a lock width LW therebetween. As will become apparent, the distances between the electrical leads <NUM> correspond to the distances between the fingers <NUM>, and likewise the lock opening <NUM> and its lock width LW corresponds to the lock protrusion <NUM> and its lock protrusion width LPW.

<FIG> depict a flexible circuit board <NUM> such as that shown in <FIG> coupled to a rigid base <NUM> such as that disclosed in <FIG>, and particularly wrapped around the tips <NUM> of the fingers <NUM>. As shown, the openings <NUM> of the flexible circuit board <NUM> overlay with the gaps G defined between the fingers <NUM> of the rigid base <NUM>. In the example shown, the openings <NUM> are sized to not only accommodate the open space of the gaps G, but also the walls <NUM> sandwiching each of the fingers <NUM>. In this manner, the openings <NUM> are sized sufficiently large to not interfere with these walls <NUM>, such as depicted by the back <NUM> of the walls <NUM> shown in <FIG> being forward of the back boundary <NUM> of the opening <NUM>, for example.

As also shown in <FIG>, the exposed contacts <NUM> of the electrical leads <NUM> defined in the flexible circuit board <NUM> are now aligned with the tips <NUM> of the fingers <NUM>, whereby in the present example the exposed contacts <NUM> face forwardly from these tips <NUM>. However, it should be recognized that the present disclosure contemplates configurations in which the position of the exposed contact <NUM> may face any desired direction, including entirely upwardly or parallel to the top <NUM> of the main support <NUM>, entirely downwardly, or parallel to the bottom <NUM> of the main support <NUM>, or any angle therebetween. This allows the electrical connector <NUM> to be configured in a manner to protect the exposed contacts <NUM>, and also in the advantageous configuration in which inserting the electrical connector <NUM> into the input port <NUM> of the host device <NUM> (see <FIG>) forms contacts with the exposed contacts <NUM> in the same direction of the insertion of the electrical connector <NUM>, as discussed further below. In other words, the present inventors have recognized particular advantages in the present design of the electrical connector <NUM>, including that the exposed contacts <NUM> are normal to the tips <NUM> of the fingers <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the walls <NUM> assist in retaining the flexible circuit board <NUM> in proper position on the rigid base <NUM>, as do the main support walls <NUM>. In addition to this alignment guide and protection for the left <NUM> and right <NUM> of the flexible circuit board <NUM> may be adhered or otherwise coupled to the rigid base <NUM> in a manner presently known in the art.

As shown in <FIG>, the lock opening <NUM> of the flexible circuit board <NUM> is also configured to receive and retain the lock protrusion <NUM> extending downwardly from the rigid base <NUM> therein. In this manner, the lock opening <NUM> and lock protrusion <NUM> further assist in positioning the flexible circuit board <NUM> relative to the rigid base <NUM>, in this example defining the position of the exposed contact <NUM> relative to the tips <NUM> of the fingers <NUM> to ensure proper alignment. As discussed above, the lock protrusion <NUM> and lock opening <NUM> may be shaped differently to provide this same functionality, for example being shaped in a triangular fashion, or having multiple lock protrusions <NUM> received within multiple lock openings <NUM>, for example.

In this manner, the electrical connectors <NUM> disclosed herein provide increased resistance against contamination and water ingress, and also enable increased creepage distances and air clearances in a compact form factor. This is achieved by separating the exposed contacts <NUM> by the gaps G, and also walls <NUM>. This provides high separations distances between the exposed contacts <NUM>, while nonetheless enabling the electrical leads <NUM> to be located tightly together when insulated. Gaskets may also be provided on the electrical connectors <NUM> to provide a seal between the electrical connectors <NUM> and the host device <NUM> and/or peripheral device <NUM> to further prevent contamination and water ingress (the gaskets being made of rubber or polymers known in the art, for example). The present inventors have also recognized that the presently disclosed electrical connectors <NUM> advantageously provides reliable means to prevent connector pads coming into contact with other surfaces with having external electrical potentials.

<FIG> depicts an exemplary input port <NUM> as may be provided in a host device <NUM> for receiving an electrical connector <NUM> according to the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown, the input port <NUM> includes finger openings <NUM> configured to receive the fingers <NUM> of the electrical connector <NUM>, and in this case also the walls <NUM> sandwiching the fingers <NUM>. In the example shown, the finger opening <NUM> includes a finger wall opening width FWOW configured to be sufficiently wide to accept two walls <NUM> and a finger <NUM> therein, and also extends between a finger opening height FOH corresponding to the finger height FH of the finger <NUM>, and a wall opening height WOH corresponding to the wall height WH of the wall <NUM>. A contact <NUM> is provided at the back of each finger opening <NUM>, which may be spring metal or a biased conductive material as presently known in the art for engaging with the exposed contact <NUM> of the flexible circuit board <NUM> when the electrical conductor <NUM> is received within the input port <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown, projections <NUM> extend forwardly from the input port <NUM> to define separation between the finger openings <NUM>, which in the present example have a projection width PW approximately corresponding to the gap width GW of the gaps G between the fingers <NUM>, also accommodating for any walls <NUM> therebetween.

In this manner, the system <NUM> presently disclosed (see <FIG>) includes an input port <NUM> corresponding to the electrical connector <NUM> to together provide connectivity between a peripheral device such as the peripheral device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and the host device <NUM>.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure are described or depicted as functional and/or logical block components or processing steps, which may be performed by any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, certain embodiments employ integrated circuit components, such as memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, configured to carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more processors or other control devices. The connections between functional and logical block components are merely exemplary, which may be direct or indirect, and may follow alternate pathways.

In certain examples, the control system <NUM> communicates with each of the one or more components of the system <NUM> via a communication link CL, which can be any wired or wireless link. The control system <NUM> is capable of receiving information and/or controlling one or more operational characteristics of the system <NUM> and its various sub-systems by sending and receiving control signals via the communication links CL. In one example, the communication link CL is a controller area network (CAN) bus; however, other types of links could be used. It will be recognized that the extent of connections and the communication links CL may in fact be one or more shared connections, or links, among some or all of the components in the system <NUM>. Moreover, the communication link CL lines are meant only to demonstrate that the various control elements are capable of communicating with one another, and do not represent actual wiring connections between the various elements, nor do they represent the only paths of communication between the elements. Additionally, the system <NUM> may incorporate various types of communication devices and systems, and thus the illustrated communication links CL may in fact represent various different types of wireless and/or wired data communication systems.

The control system <NUM> may be a computing system that includes a processing system <NUM>, memory system <NUM>, and input/output (I/O) system <NUM> for communicating with other devices, such as input devices <NUM> and output devices <NUM>, either of which may also or alternatively be stored in a cloud <NUM>. The processing system <NUM> loads and executes an executable program <NUM> from the memory system <NUM>, accesses data <NUM> stored within the memory system <NUM>, and directs the system <NUM> to operate as described in further detail below.

The processing system <NUM> may be implemented as a single microprocessor or other circuitry, or be distributed across multiple processing devices or sub-systems that cooperate to execute the executable program <NUM> from the memory system <NUM>. Non-limiting examples of the processing system include general purpose central processing units, application specific processors, and logic devices.

The memory system <NUM> may comprise any storage media readable by the processing system <NUM> and capable of storing the executable program <NUM> and/or data <NUM>. The memory system <NUM> may be implemented as a single storage device, or be distributed across multiple storage devices or sub-systems that cooperate to store computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The memory system <NUM> may include volatile and/or non-volatile systems, and may include removable and/or non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information. The storage media may include non-transitory and/or transitory storage media, including random access memory, read only memory, magnetic discs, optical discs, flash memory, virtual memory, and non-virtual memory, magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store information and be accessed by an instruction execution system, for example.

Through experimentation and development, the present inventors have particularly designed an electrical connector <NUM> for use with NMT. In this use context, a small current is delivered to the patient to cause a muscle contraction, which is then measured through EMG-specific electrodes <NUM>. In this example, the electrical connector <NUM> may be configured to both deliver stimulating current to the patient and to communicate back the EMG signal from the patient to the host device <NUM>. However, different embodiments of electrical connectors <NUM> could be configured to provide additional functions (beyond different medical uses, such as EEG, ECG), for containing identification/counterfeit protection smart chips that would then transmit digital data over the electrical connector <NUM> for authentication by the host device <NUM>, for example. Moreover, the electrical connector <NUM> may include an additional pin (exposed contact <NUM>) dedicated to accommodate different sensor types, such as an NMT MechanoSensor that uses Piezo element to measure the muscle contraction instead of using EMG.

In addition or in the alternative, additional fingers <NUM> may be provided to function as a sensor detection pin for the host device <NUM> to recognize the electrical connector <NUM>. In certain examples, a sheet sensor such as a GE Entropy EasyFit Sensor or another sensor with elecrical conductors and insultation printed on a plastic sheet mates with an interconnect cable that has a receptible for the finger connector. In the interconnect cable there is an identification wire, and when the sensor completes the circuit from the identification wire the monitor will detect that the sensor is connected to the interconnect cable. The interconnect cable may thus serve as an extension between the host device <NUM> and the peripheral device <NUM>. In this manner, the present disclosure contemplates electrical connector <NUM> that are connectable as interconnect cables between the host device <NUM> and the peripheral device <NUM>, that are integrally formed with the host device <NUM> and connectable to an interconnect cable and/or a peripheral device <NUM>, or that are integrally formed with the peripheral device <NUM> and connectable to an interconnect cable and/or a host device <NUM>.

The functional block diagrams, operational sequences, and flow diagrams provided in the Figures are representative of exemplary architectures, environments, and methodologies for performing novel aspects of the disclosure. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies included herein may be in the form of a functional diagram, operational sequence, or flow diagram, and may be described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance therewith, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology can alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all acts illustrated in a methodology may be required for a novel implementation.

Claim 1:
An electrical connector (<NUM>) for a medical device (<NUM>), the connector comprising:
a main support (<NUM>) having a front (<NUM>) and a back (<NUM>) opposite the front, a top (<NUM>) and a bottom (<NUM>) opposite the top, and a left (<NUM>) and a right (<NUM>) opposite the left;
fingers (<NUM>) that each extend forwardly from the front of the main support to a tip (<NUM>), wherein the fingers have a top (<NUM>) and a bottom (<NUM>) opposite the top, and wherein the fingers are arranged from the left to the right of the main support such that gaps (G) are defined between the fingers; and
a flexible circuit board (<NUM>) having an outer surface (<NUM>) and an inner surface (<NUM>) opposite the outer surface, wherein the flexible circuit board includes electrical leads (<NUM>) on the outer surface thereof, wherein openings (<NUM>) are defined through the flexible circuit board between the electrical leads, and wherein the flexible circuit board is wrapped around the fingers such that the outer surface of the flexible circuit board is supported on both the top and the bottom of the fingers and the openings in the flexible circuit board are aligned with the gaps between the fingers,
wherein a finger height (FH) is defined between the tops (<NUM>) and bottoms (<NUM>) of the fingers (<NUM>), further comprising walls (<NUM>) that sandwich each of the fingers, wherein the walls each have a top (<NUM>) and a bottom (<NUM>) opposite the top that define a wall height (WH) therebetween, wherein the walls extend away from the main support (<NUM>) to a front edge (<NUM>), and wherein at least one of the wall height of each of the walls is greater than the finger height of each of the fingers and the front edges of the walls extends farther than the tips (<NUM>) of the fingers from the main support.