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Sensor assembly and medical device incorporating same

  • US 8,474,332 B2
  • Filed: 10/20/2010
  • Issued: 07/02/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A sensor assembly, comprising:

  • a beam structure comprising a plurality of beams, each beam having a sensing element disposed thereon;

    a loading element mechanically coupled to the plurality of beams; and

    a structure to prevent deflection of one or more beams of the plurality of beams when a force applied by the loading element towards the structure is greater than a threshold value, wherein;

    the beam structure comprises a first portion affixed to the structure; and

    each beam of the plurality of beams is freestanding with respect to the structure and comprises;

    an end portion separated from the structure by an airgap in the absence of a force applied by the loading element towards the structure; and

    an arm portion extending radially inward from the first portion to the end portion, the arm portion being separated from the structure by a distance that is greater than a separation distance provided by the airgap.

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