WATER RESISTANT CONNECTOR FOR NONINVASIVE PATIENT MONITOR
First Claim
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1. A water-resistant medical device cable assembly configured to interface one or more noninvasive physiological sensors with a patient monitor, the cable assembly comprising:
- a cable configured to connect to a physiological sensor, the cable comprising a plurality of conductors configured to obtain physiological signals from a patient; and
a male connector attached to the cable and configured to couple the cable with a patient monitor so as to convey the physiological signals from the physiological sensor to the patient monitor, the male connector comprising;
a rigid frame;
a circuit board disposed within the rigid frame and connected with the conductors in the cable;
a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on the circuit board, the plurality of electrical contacts operative to contact second electrical contacts in a corresponding female connector of the patient monitor when the male connector is inserted into the female connector;
a pliable overmold configured to cover a portion of the rigid frame and a portion of the circuit board but not the plurality of electrical contacts, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are open to air when the male connector is disconnected from the female connector of the patient monitor; and
a raised rib disposed on the pliable overmold, the raised rib circumferentially surrounding the pliable overmold and configured to create a seal with the female connector when the male connector is inserted into the female connector, such that when the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the plurality electrical contacts of the male connector are no longer exposed to air, such that a water-resistant seal is created between the male connector and the female connector.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for water resistant connectors. A male connector includes a rib or a draft angle that creates a seal when engaged with a female connector. A male connector includes an overmold that includes or is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. Male or female connectors include molds that include or are made of a thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene. A female connector includes spring contacts that fit within individual pockets of the female connector.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A water-resistant medical device cable assembly configured to interface one or more noninvasive physiological sensors with a patient monitor, the cable assembly comprising:
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a cable configured to connect to a physiological sensor, the cable comprising a plurality of conductors configured to obtain physiological signals from a patient; and a male connector attached to the cable and configured to couple the cable with a patient monitor so as to convey the physiological signals from the physiological sensor to the patient monitor, the male connector comprising; a rigid frame; a circuit board disposed within the rigid frame and connected with the conductors in the cable; a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on the circuit board, the plurality of electrical contacts operative to contact second electrical contacts in a corresponding female connector of the patient monitor when the male connector is inserted into the female connector; a pliable overmold configured to cover a portion of the rigid frame and a portion of the circuit board but not the plurality of electrical contacts, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are open to air when the male connector is disconnected from the female connector of the patient monitor; and a raised rib disposed on the pliable overmold, the raised rib circumferentially surrounding the pliable overmold and configured to create a seal with the female connector when the male connector is inserted into the female connector, such that when the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the plurality electrical contacts of the male connector are no longer exposed to air, such that a water-resistant seal is created between the male connector and the female connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A water-resistant medical device cable assembly configured to interface one or more noninvasive physiological sensors with a patient monitor, the cable assembly comprising:
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a cable configured to connect to a physiological sensor, the cable comprising a plurality of conductors configured to obtain physiological signals from a patient; and a male connector attached to the cable and configured to couple the cable with a patient monitor so as to convey the physiological signals from the physiological sensor to the patient monitor, the male connector comprising; a rigid frame; a circuit board disposed within the rigid frame and connected with the conductors in the cable; a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on the circuit board, the plurality of electrical contacts operative to contact second electrical contacts in a corresponding female connector of the patient monitor when the male connector is inserted into the female connector; and a pliable overmold configured to cover a portion of the rigid frame and a portion of the circuit board but not the plurality of electrical contacts, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are open to air when the male connector is disconnected from the female connector of the patient monitor, and wherein the pliable overmold is further configured to create a seal with the female connector when the male connector is inserted into the female connector, such that when the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the plurality electrical contacts of the male connector are no longer exposed to air, such that a water-resistant seal is created between the male connector and the female connector. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification