Force switch
First Claim
1. A method of creating a mechanical force switch to be disposed along a longitudinal axis of a medical device, comprising:
- providing a hollow body defining a body interior cavity with a longitudinal device axis;
movably disposing a switching piston along the longitudinal device axis in the body interior cavity to define;
a switch-making piston position at a first longitudinal piston position with respect to the body; and
a switch-breaking piston position at a second longitudinal piston position with respect to the body that is different from the first longitudinal piston position, the switching piston having;
a longitudinal piston axis disposed parallel to the longitudinal device axis; and
a bias-device contact;
coupling an electrically-conductive contact to the switching piston such that the electrically-conductive contact is moveable between the two piston positions to define a switch-making state, when the switching piston is in the switch-making piston position, and a switch-breaking state, when the switching piston is in the switch-breaking piston position; and
imparting a variable longitudinal bias to the switching piston at the bias-device contact with a bias device to retain the switching piston in one of two positions selected from the switch-making piston position and the switch-breaking piston position until an external force imparted to the switching piston exceeds the longitudinal bias thereby forcing the switching piston to move to the other of the two piston positions, thereby providing the switching piston with a variable longitudinal pre-tension force that must be overcome before the force switch can actuate electrically.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanical force switch to be disposed along a longitudinal device axis of a medical device includes an electrically conductive switching piston to form a first electrical contact of the switch, a hollow body, an end stop, a bias device, and an electrically conductive second contact of the switch electrically insulated from the piston. The piston is movably disposed in the body hollow along the axis to define different switch-making and -breaking positions. The piston is also movably disposed in a cavity of the stop and the stop is disposed in the body. The stop can be a smooth or threaded puck. The bias device surrounds the piston and imparts bias against it to retain it in one of the two positions until an external axis force overcomes the bias, at which time the switch indicates a state changeover. The switch can be normally open or closed.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of creating a mechanical force switch to be disposed along a longitudinal axis of a medical device, comprising:
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providing a hollow body defining a body interior cavity with a longitudinal device axis; movably disposing a switching piston along the longitudinal device axis in the body interior cavity to define; a switch-making piston position at a first longitudinal piston position with respect to the body; and a switch-breaking piston position at a second longitudinal piston position with respect to the body that is different from the first longitudinal piston position, the switching piston having; a longitudinal piston axis disposed parallel to the longitudinal device axis; and a bias-device contact; coupling an electrically-conductive contact to the switching piston such that the electrically-conductive contact is moveable between the two piston positions to define a switch-making state, when the switching piston is in the switch-making piston position, and a switch-breaking state, when the switching piston is in the switch-breaking piston position; and imparting a variable longitudinal bias to the switching piston at the bias-device contact with a bias device to retain the switching piston in one of two positions selected from the switch-making piston position and the switch-breaking piston position until an external force imparted to the switching piston exceeds the longitudinal bias thereby forcing the switching piston to move to the other of the two piston positions, thereby providing the switching piston with a variable longitudinal pre-tension force that must be overcome before the force switch can actuate electrically. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification