Floating Connector for Microwave Surgical Device

• US 20090137145A1
• Filed: 11/18/2008
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Vivant Medical, Inc. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Arts, Gene H., Deborski, Christopher A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,713,076 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/447
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/005 Electrical coupling combined with fluidic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/748 using one or more screws H01R13/746 takes precedence

Abstract

A floating connector adapted for use with microwave surgical instruments is presented. The disclosure provides for the use of cost-effective and readily available non-floating connectors in a floating housing which can compensate for dimensional variations and misalignments between the connectors. Multiple connectors of varying types can therefore be used within a single support housing without requiring the costly precision manufacturing processes normally associated with such multiple connector assemblies. The floating connector is suitable for use with electrical connections as well as fluidic connections.

Claims

1. A floating connector, comprising:

a spring plate having at least one slot defining a floating region concentrically disposed within a fixed region, the at least one slot further defining at least one spring beam coupling the floating region and the fixed region, the spring plate further having a connector fixedly disposed therethrough, the connector having a mating end adapted to couple to a mating connector and a mounting end which mounts to the floating region;

a support member having an opening defined therein, the opening including an internal dimension greater than the mounting end of the connector to define a clearance between the opening and the mounting end of the connector, the spring plate and the connector being positioned in substantial concentric alignment with the opening;

a collar for securing the spring plate to the support member, the collar further including an aperture defined therein having an internal dimension greater than the mating end of the connector to define a second clearance between the aperture and the mating end of the connector; and

at least one coupling device which attaches the collar and the spring plate to the support member.

2. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slot further defines at least one stop for limiting the range of motion of the floating region.

3. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slot is formed by a process selected from a group consisting of stamping, machining, injection molding, laser machining, waterjet machining, chemical machining, blanking, fine blanking, compression molding, and extrusion with secondary machining

4. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device which attaches the collar and the spring plate to the support member is selected from a group consisting of at least one threaded fastener, at least one rivet, adhesive and welding.

5. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is a keyed circular connector.

6. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is an electrical connector.

7. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is a fluidic connector.

8. The floating connector according to claim 1, further comprising at least one additional connector mounted to the support member in spaced relation to the connector.

9. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one additional connector is a coaxial connector.

10. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least additional connector is fixedly mounted to the support member.

11. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one additional connector is floatably mounted to the support member.

12. A floating connector, comprising:

a floating member having a connector fixedly disposed therethrough, the connector including a mating end adapted to couple to a mating connector and a mounting end which mounts to the floating member;

a support member having an opening defined therein, the opening including an internal dimension greater than the mounting end of the connector to define a clearance between the opening and the mounting end of the connector, the floating member and the connector being positioned in substantial concentric alignment with the opening; and

an elastomeric coupling fixedly disposed between the floating member and the support member.

13. The floating connector according to claim 12, wherein the floating member includes a perimeter which extends beyond the edge of the opening and wherein the elastomeric coupling is fixedly disposed between the floating member and the support member along the perimetric interstice defined by the overlap therebetween.

14. The floating connector according to claim 12, wherein the floating member is concentrically disposed within the opening, the floating member and the opening defining an annular interstice therebetween, and wherein the elastomeric coupling is fixedly disposed between the floating member and the support member along the annular interstice.

15. The floating connector according to claim 14, further comprising:

a first semicircular recess disposed along an inner edge of the opening;

a second semicircular recess disposed along an outer edge of the floating member, the first semicircular recess and the second semicircular recess forming a substantially toroidal interstice therebetween; and

wherein the elastomeric coupling is an o-ring captured within the substantially toroidal interstice.

16. The floating connector according to claim 12, wherein the elastomeric coupling is constructed from material selected from a group consisting of rubber, neoprene, nitrile, silicone, foam rubber, and polyurethane foam.

17. The floating connector according to claim 12, further comprising:

a positive stop configured to limit the inward displacement of the floating member, the positive stop including an aperture defined therein having an internal dimension greater than the mounting end of the connector and further having an internal dimension less than the dimension of the outer floating member, the positive stop being fixedly disposed to the support member along the inner perimeter of the opening.

18. The floating connector according to claim 17, further comprising a standoff disposed between the positive stop and the support member.

19. The floating connector according to claim 18, wherein the standoff is integral to the positive stop.