Method and apparatus for aligning and securing a cable strain relief

• US 8,251,739 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2011
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Flagler, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hyeon, Hae Moon
• Application Number:
  US13/290,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20120053430A1
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 439/470, 439/449, 439/452, 439/455, 439/464, 439/465, 600/344
• US Class Current: 439/470
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/58 Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip , for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable for flat or ribbon cables H01R12/771
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5804 comprising a separate cable clamping part H01R13/5841 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5845 the strain relief being achieved by molding parts around cable and connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a strain relief. In various embodiments, the strain relief includes a strain relief body and at least one alignment feature. The strain relief body is configured to provide support for connection of a cable and/or a wire lead of the cable to a frame. The alignment feature is configured to facilitate alignment of the strain relief relative to the frame. In various embodiments, provided are methods of manufacturing a sensor with a strain relief. The methods may include forming the strain relief about a cable and/or wire leads, wherein the strain relief comprises at least one alignment feature, aligning the alignment feature of the strain relief to a complementary alignment feature of a frame, engaging the complementary alignment feature of the frame with the alignment feature of the strain relief, and electrically coupling the cable and/or wire leads to a circuit.

Claims

1. A sensor assembly, comprising:

a pulse oximetry sensor coupled to a frame, the pulse oximetry sensor comprising at least one emitter and detector;

a cable coupled to the emitter and detector;

a strain relief body capable of providing support for connection of the cable to the emitter and the detector; and

an alignment feature capable of facilitating alignment of the strain relief body relative to the frame.

2. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the strain relief body comprises polypropylene.

3. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the strain relief body comprises a generally transparent material.

4. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the strain relief body comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is capable of facilitating support and/or retention of the strain relief body in the frame, and the second portion is capable of facilitating support of the cable.

5. The sensor assembly of claim 4, wherein the second portion comprises a material generally having a durometer rating of about 45 A to about 70 A.

6. The sensor assembly of claim 4, wherein the two portions are coupled to one another via a locking feature.

7. The sensor assembly of claim 6, wherein the locking feature facilitates an audible indication when the two portions are coupled.

8. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the alignment feature comprises an extension configured to align with a complementary slot on the frame, wherein sliding the extension into the complementary slot secures the strain relief body to the frame.

9. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the strain relief body comprises a retention feature configured to engage a complementary retention feature on the frame.

10. The sensor assembly of claim 9, wherein the retention feature is configured to provide an audible indication when the retention feature engages the complementary retention feature.

11. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the strain relief body is molded generally about the cable and/or wire leads coupled to the cable.

12. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the strain relief body comprises two portions configured to facilitate alignment and support of the cable and wire leads coupled to the cable, wherein one portion comprises an accepting channel configured to secure the cable and/or the wire lead, and wherein the two portions are secured to one another about the cable and/or the wire leads.

13. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the strain relief body comprises a surface feature that generally conforms to the shape and/or curvature of the frame.

14. A sensor assembly, comprising:

a cable comprising wire leads;

a strain relief body coupled to the cable at a first end of the strain relief body and capable of separating the wire leads within the strain relief body, wherein the wire leads exit the strain relief body from a second end in a separated configuration;

a flexible circuit coupled to the wire leads in the separated configuration; and

at least one emitter and detector, wherein the emitter and the detector are coupled to the flexible circuit.

15. The sensor assembly of claim 14, wherein the flexible circuit comprises a plurality of soldering pads and wherein the wire leads are separated to align with at least a portion of the plurality of soldering pads.

16. The sensor assembly of claim 14, wherein the strain relief body comprises a plurality of channels configured to receive at least one wire lead.

17. The sensor assembly of claim 16, wherein the plurality of channels form a fan shape within the strain relief body, wherein a widest portion of the fan shape is proximate to the second end.

18. The sensor assembly of claim 14, wherein the emitter and the detector are disposed on the flexible circuit.

19. A sensor assembly, comprising:

a frame;

a photometric sensor coupled to the frame;

a cable encompassing one or more wire leads; and

a strain relief body comprising;

a first end coupled to the cable;

a second end coupled to the photometric sensor via the one or more wire leads, wherein the wire leads exit the cable within the strain relief body; and

alignment members extending from the strain relief body between the first end and the second end, wherein the alignment members are configured to couple the strain relief body to the frame.

20. The sensor assembly of claim 19, wherein the alignment members are configured to slide into receiving members on the frame.