IMAGE GUIDE WIRE CONNECTION
An electrical connector and assembly having a body arranged and disposed to receive an interconnector of a guide wire at a first end and an interface cable at a second end, and a contact module in the body, the contact module comprising a contact housing and a plurality of contacts, disposed in the contact housing, the plurality of contacts being configured for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire, is disclosed.
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The present disclosure is directed to an electrical connector assembly. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to an assembly for connecting an imaging guide wire to an electronic monitoring and control box.
BACKGROUNDElectronic medical devices permitting measurement of internal conditions of a human body are well known. Often, these electronic medical devices are connected to monitoring and control devices and systems. For safety, sanitation, convenience, and effectiveness, the connection of the monitoring and control devices to these medical devices is performed by electrically connecting a cable extending from the monitoring and control device to a cable extending from the medical device.
Known connectors do not adequately connect with certain types of medical devices, such as catheters. Catheters may include hypo tubes, which may include delicate portions with dielectric and conductive portions. These hypo tubes may be as thin as about 14/1000 of an inch. Known connectors may break these hypo tubes or may be unreliable in separating the electrical signals transmitted to the various conductive portions.
Therefore, there is an unmet need to provide an electrical connector and an electrical connector assembly permitting rotation, able to interface with cables and to work in conjunction with hypo tubes.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREThis disclosure provides an electrical connector and electrical connector assembly permitting rotation that is configured to interface with cables and to work in conjunction with hypo tubes.
According to an embodiment, an electrical connector includes a body arranged and disposed to receive an interconnector of a guide wire at a first end and an interface cable at a second end, and a contact module in the body, the contact module comprising a contact housing and a plurality of contacts, disposed in the contact housing, the plurality of contacts being configured for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire. In the embodiment, the interconnector comprises a plurality of axial conductive portions separated by a plurality of axial dielectric portions, the number of the axial conductive portions corresponding to the number of the contacts in the contact module, and the interface cable is arranged and disposed for electrically connecting with a monitoring and control device.
According to another embodiment, an electrical connector assembly includes a guide wire having an interconnector, the interconnector comprising a plurality of axial conductive portions separated by a plurality of axial dielectric portions, the number of the axial conductive portions corresponding to the number of the contacts in the contact module, the guide wire further comprising a sensor at a distal end of the guide wire, the sensor arranged and disposed for measuring internal conditions of a human; an interface cable, the interface cable arranged and disposed for electrically connecting with a monitoring and control device; and an electrical connector connecting the guide wire to the interface cable. In the embodiment, the connector comprises a body, and a contact module, the contact module comprising a contact housing and a plurality of contacts disposed in the contact housing for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire. The body is arranged and disposed for protecting internal components of the electrical connector.
According to yet another embodiment, an electrical connector includes a body arranged and disposed to receive a contact module and arranged and disposed to receive a hypo tube of a guide wire at a first end and an interface cable at a second end, the contact module, and a cam actuator and a cam. In the embodiment, the contact module includes a contact housing and a plurality of contacts, the contact housing arranged and disposed for receiving the plurality of contacts, the plurality of contacts being configured for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire. The cam actuator is arranged and disposed for partially rotating the cam, the cam being arranged and disposed for engaging the contacts upon being partially rotated, thereby permitting the interconnector to be inserted into the contact module. The hypo tube comprises a plurality of axial conductive portions and a plurality of axial dielectric portions, and the interface cable is arranged and disposed for electrically connecting with a monitoring and control device.
An advantage of the present disclosure is permitting rotational movement of a catheter thereby permits physicians to have increased ability for manipulating medical devices.
Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the assembly allows longer cables to be used with medical devices.
Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is the interoperability of the connector with hypo tubes.
Still yet another advantage of the present disclosure is the decreased production cost of the connector.
Further aspects of the system and apparatus are disclosed herein. The features as discussed above, as well as other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONInterface cable 104 may be any flexible multi-conductor shielded cable with an insulated covering. It is desirable that a shielded portion of interface cable 104 be connected to a shielded portion of guide wire receptacle 106. Interface cable 104 is arranged and disposed for an electronic communication signal to be provided through interface cable 104 to monitoring and control device 102. Guide wire receptacle 106 is arranged and disposed for an interconnector 112 of guide wire 108 to be releasably inserted into guide wire receptacle 108. Interconnector 112 includes a plurality of axial conductive portions 116 and a plurality of axial dielectric portions 118. The number of axial conductive portions 116 and axial dielectric portions 118 corresponds with the number of contacts inside guide wire receptacle 106. In the exemplary embodiment, each of interconnector 112 and guide wire receptacle 106 includes axial conductive portions 116, although in other embodiments more or fewer axial conductive portions 116 may be provided. Interconnector 112 is depicted as a hypo tube but may be any suitable device with a plurality of axial dielectric portions and a plurality of axial conductive portions.
Interconnector 112 is configured to be removably inserted into an aperture 201 of guide wire receptacle 106. Sensor 110 at end 107 of guide wire 108 may be inserted into a human body (e.g. intravenously), thereby permitting measurements from inside the body to be transmitted as electrical signals through guide wire 108 into guide wire receptacle 106 to interface cable 104 in electrical communication with monitoring and control device 102.
Sensor 110 of guide wire 108 may be inserted into the human body within a balloon catheter 114 or other manners known in the art. It is desirable that the method of inserting sensor 110 of guide wire 108 into the human body permit accurate and consistent measurements of conditions inside the body. As such, it is desirable that sensor 110 be inserted into a closed area with little external stimulus. For example, sensor 110 may be inserted into the femoral artery. As illustrated in the embodiment in
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Upon interconnector 112 being inserted into guide wire receptacle 106, cam actuator 210 may be engaged by the user thereby reducing or eliminating the force required to insert interconnector 112. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, guide wire receptacle 106 may be a zero insertion force connector. This reduction or elimination of the force required to insert interconnector 112 reduces the risk of breaking or damaging it. The engaged cam actuator 210 compresses springs 208 and rotates cam 212, thereby rotating lobes 211 on cam 212. When rotated, lobes 211 engage the contacts in a contact module 302, thereby permitting insertion of interconnector 112 into contact module 302. When interconnector 112 is fully inserted into contact module 302, the user may release pressure on cam actuator 210. The release of pressure permits springs 208 to expand. When springs 208 expand, cam actuator 210 rotates thereby rotating cam 212 in the opposite direction. When cam 212 rotates, lobes 211 on cam 212 rotate, thereby disengaging the contacts in contact module 302, which places the contacts in electrical communication with interconnector 112. Fully inserted interconnector 112 permits multiple separate signals to be transmitted and received between sensor 110 and the contacts.
Contact housing 206 may include a feature 314 configured to receive interconnector 112. Feature 314 may include chamfers 316 for increased ease in inserting interconnector 112 into contact housing 206. Contact housing 206 may be further configured to permit the interconnector to be inserted through contact housing 206, thereby establishing electrical contact between contacts 216 and axial conductive portions 116 of interconnector 112. Feature 314 may be a channel extending through at least a portion of contact housing 206. Feature 314 may extend through the entire contact housing or may be defined by an interior surface of contact housing 206, limiting the extent that interconnector 112 may be inserted into contact module 302.
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While the disclosure has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, the materials disclosed as comprising the embodiments are exemplary and not exhaustive. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An electrical connector comprising:
- a body arranged and disposed to receive an interconnector of a guide wire at a first end and an interface cable at a second end; and
- a contact module in the body, the contact module comprising a contact housing and a plurality of contacts, disposed in the contact housing, the plurality of contacts being configured for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire; and
- wherein the interconnector comprises a plurality of axial conductive portions separated by a plurality of axial dielectric portions, the number of the axial conductive portions corresponding to the number of the contacts in the contact module, and
- wherein the interface cable is arranged and disposed for electrically connecting with a monitoring and control device.
2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is arranged and disposed for releasably receiving the guide wire.
3 The electrical connector of claim 1, further comprising a cam actuator and a cam in the body, the cam actuator arranged and disposed for partially rotating the cam, the cam being arranged and disposed for engaging the contacts upon being partially rotated, thereby permitting the interconnector to be inserted into the contact module.
4. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein the cam includes a fulcrum configured to rest in a receiving slot of the body, the receiving slot arranged and disposed for receiving the fulcrum thereby permitting the cam to partially rotate upon the cam actuator being engaged.
5. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein the cam actuator is arranged and disposed to be manually engaged by depressing it, thereby permitting the interconnector to be inserted into the body, the cam actuator further arranged and disposed for adjusting the cam upon being depressed, the cam including a fulcrum configured to rest in a receiving slot of the body, the receiving slot arranged and disposed for receiving the fulcrum thereby permitting the cam to partially rotate upon the cam actuator being engaged.
6. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein the cam actuator is arranged and disposed to be manually engaged by depressing it, thereby permitting the interconnector to be inserted into the body, the cam actuator being a protruding portion of the cam, the cam actuator arranged and disposed for adjusting the cam upon being depressed, the cam including a fulcrum configured to rest in a receiving slot of the body, the receiving slot arranged and disposed for receiving the fulcrum, thereby permitting the cam to partially rotate upon the cam actuator being engaged.
7. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein the cam further comprises a latch catch arranged and disposed for releasably engaging a latching member, the latching member being arranged and disposed for releasing the latch catch upon full insertion of the interconnector into the contact module.
8. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the contact housing comprises:
- grooves arranged and disposed for the contacts to slide into the grooves; and
- recessed portions arranged and disposed to receive an upper portion of the contacts, the contacts comprising terminals providing a conductive surface for electrical connection, the upper portion arranged and disposed to flex upon being engaged by a cam, thereby permitting the interconnector to be inserted into the contact module.
9. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the contact further comprises:
- a single integrated conductive band with a flexible upper portion; and
- a lower portion affixed to the contact housing.
10. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the contact housing is arranged and disposed to slidably receive the contacts, and wherein the contacts include a single integrated conductive band with an upper portion and a lower portion affixed to the contact housing.
11. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the contact housing is:
- arranged and disposed for receiving the contacts by a contiguous dielectric shell, and
- arranged and disposed for securely receiving contacts and substantially preventing the contacts from unintentionally being removed.
12. An electrical connector assembly comprising:
- a guide wire having an interconnector, the interconnector comprising a plurality of axial conductive portions separated by a plurality of axial dielectric portions, the number of the axial conductive portions corresponding to the number of the contacts in the contact module, the guide wire further comprising a sensor at a distal end of the guide wire, the sensor arranged and disposed for measuring internal conditions of a human;
- an interface cable, the interface cable arranged and disposed for electrically connecting with a monitoring and control device; and
- an electrical connector connecting the guide wire to the interface cable, the connector comprising: a body; and a contact module, the contact module comprising a contact housing and a plurality of contacts disposed in the contact housing for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire; and wherein the body is arranged and disposed for protecting internal components of the electrical connector.
13. The electrical connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the electrical connector is arranged and disposed for releasably receiving the guide wire.
14. The electrical connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the guide wire is arranged and disposed for a catheter to be inserted onto it.
15. The electrical connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the body further comprises a cam actuator and a cam, the cam being arranged and disposed for engaging the contacts thereby permitting insertion of the interconnector into the contact module, thereby permitting an electrical communication signal to be transmitted from the guide wire to the interface cable.
16. The electrical connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the cam includes a fulcrum configured to rest in a receiving slot of the body, the receiving slot arranged and disposed for receiving the fulcrum thereby permitting the cam to partially rotate upon the cam actuator being engaged.
17. The electrical connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the cam actuator is arranged and disposed to be manually engaged by depressing it permitting the interconnector to be inserted into the contact module, the cam actuator further arranged and disposed for adjusting the cam upon being depressed, the cam including a fulcrum configured to rest in a receiving slot of the body, the receiving slot arranged and disposed for receiving the fulcrum thereby permitting the cam to partially rotate upon being activated by the interconnector.
18. The electrical connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the cam actuator is arranged and disposed to be manually engaged by depressing it permitting the interconnector to be inserted into the contact module, the cam actuator being a protruding portion of the cam, the cam actuator arranged and disposed for adjusting the cam upon being depressed, the cam including a fulcrum configured to rest in a receiving slot of the body, the receiving slot arranged and disposed for receiving the fulcrum thereby permitting the cam to partially rotate upon being activated by the interconnector.
19. The electrical connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the contact housing comprises:
- grooves arranged and disposed for the contacts to slide into the grooves; and
- recessed portions arranged and disposed to receive an upper portion of the contacts, the contacts comprising terminals providing a conductive surface for electrical connection, the upper portion arranged and disposed to flex upon being engaged by the cam, thereby permitting the interconnector to be inserted into the contact module.
20. The electrical connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the contact further comprises:
- a single integrated conductive band with a flexible upper portion; and
- a lower portion affixed to the contact housing.
21. The electrical connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the contact housing is arranged and disposed for the contacts to slide into it, and wherein the contacts include a single integrated conductive band with a flexible portion upper portion and a lower portion affixed to the contact housing.
22. The electrical connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the contact housing is:
- arranged and disposed for receiving the contacts by a contiguous dielectric shell, and
- arranged and disposed for securely receiving contacts and substantially preventing the contacts from unintentionally being removed.
23. The electrical connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the cam further comprises a latch catch arranged and disposed for releasably engaging a latching member, the latching member being arranged and disposed for releasing the latch catch upon full insertion of the interconnector into the contact module.
24. An electrical connector comprising:
- a body arranged and disposed to receive a contact module and arranged and disposed to receive a hypo tube of a guide wire at a first end and an interface cable at a second end;
- the contact module comprising a contact housing and a plurality of contacts, the contact housing arranged and disposed for receiving the plurality of contacts, the plurality of contacts being configured for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire;
- a cam actuator and a cam, the cam actuator arranged and disposed for partially rotating the cam, the cam arranged and disposed for engaging the contacts upon being partially rotated, thereby permitting the interconnector to be inserted into the contact module; and
- wherein the hypo tube comprises a plurality of axial conductive portions and a plurality of axial dielectric portions, and
- wherein the interface cable is arranged and disposed for electrically connecting with a monitoring and control device.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 22, 2009
Publication Date: Oct 28, 2010
Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (Berwyn, PA)
Inventors: Kenneth R. GLEASON (Harrisburg, PA), Keith Edwin MILLER (Manheim, PA), Kenneth Alan MCGIBONEY (Gilbert, AZ), Laurence Alan DAANE (Portland, OR)
Application Number: 12/427,799
International Classification: H01R 25/00 (20060101);