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Publication Number
US-10873164-B2
Publication Date
2020-12-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A coupling system and related methods are disclosed. The system has a first plug detachably coupled to a first housing, and a first socket detachably coupled to a second housing. The first socket is configured to receive the first plug. The system is movable between a first configuration wherein the first and second housings are not engaged and a second configuration wherein the first and second housings are engaged and the first plug and the first socket are coupled together.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a coupling system for medical devices that includes a first plug detachably coupled to a first housing and a first socket detachably coupled to a second housing. The first socket is configured to receive the first plug. The coupling system is movable between a first configuration in which the first and second housings are not engaged and a second configuration in which the first and second housings are engaged and the first plug and the first socket are coupled together.
When the system is in the second configuration, the first plug and the first socket are slidable relative to the first and second housings while electrical connectivity is maintained. The described arrangement includes retaining and locking functionality using a lock member and a catch, including detent engagement and detent-like engagement, with friction-fit retention in the first configuration and release retention via resilient protrusions and recesses.
An alignment mechanism using protrusion and recess with ramped surfaces guides coupling and sliding between aligned positions. In one use, the coupling system is integrated into an instrument that includes an actuation tool having a tensioning mechanism and at least one wire, and the system couples the tensioning mechanism and the wire by detachably connecting one of the first plug or the first socket to the tensioning mechanism and the other to the wire.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims covered are clm-00001, clm-00013, and clm-00021, and the inventive features include a movable plug/socket-with-housings coupling that enables sliding in an engaged configuration, instrument integration that couples a tensioning mechanism and wire to the plug/socket, and a method of moving between unengaged and engaged configurations and applying a pulling force to cause sliding. Across the independent claims, the coverage includes detachable coupling, configuration change, relative sliding, and force-applied sliding in the engaged configuration.
Movable detachable plug-and-socket coupling between unengaged and engaged configurations with slidable relative motion
A coupling system with a first plug detachably coupled to a first housing and a first socket detachably coupled to a second housing, where the first socket is configured to receive the first plug; the system is movable between a first configuration where the first and second housings are not engaged and a second configuration where the first and second housings are engaged and the first plug and the first socket are coupled together; and when in the second configuration, the first plug and the first socket are slidable relative to the first and second housings.
Instrument coupling tensioning mechanism and wire via the movable detachable plug-and-socket system
An instrument including an actuation tool having a tensioning mechanism, at least one wire, and a coupling system that couples the tensioning mechanism and the wire; the coupling system has a first plug detachably coupled to a first housing and a first socket detachably coupled to a second housing, the first socket configured to receive the first plug; the coupling system is movable between a first configuration where the first and second housings are not engaged and a second configuration where the first and second housings are engaged and the first plug and the first socket are coupled together; and the first plug or the first socket is coupled to the at least one wire while the other of the first plug or the first socket is coupled to the tensioning mechanism.
Method of moving a detachable plug-and-socket coupling between unengaged and engaged configurations and applying a pulling force to cause sliding
A method comprising providing a coupling system with a first plug detachably coupled to a first housing and a first socket detachably coupled to a second housing, the first socket configured to receive the first plug; moving the coupling system between a first configuration where the first and second housings are not engaged and a second configuration where the first and second housings are engaged and the first plug and the first socket are coupled together; and in the second configuration, applying a pulling force on one of the first plug or the first socket to cause the first plug and the first socket to slide relative to the first and second housings.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is directed to a coupling system that is movable from an unengaged housing state to an engaged housing state where the plug and socket couple and become slidable relative to the housings, together with an instrument and method that place a tensioning mechanism and wire into that detachable plug/socket connection and apply a pulling force to initiate the sliding in the engaged configuration.
Stated Advantages
Enables the first plug and the first socket to slide relative to the first and second housings when the system is in the engaged second configuration.
Documented Applications
Coupling system for medical devices and integration into an instrument that includes an actuation tool with a tensioning mechanism and a wire.
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