Surgical instrument with compressible electrical connector

US10842517B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Ryan P. Posey · Cincinnati, US
• Taylor W. Aronhalt · Loveland, US
• Christopher J. Hess · Cincinnati, US
• Andrew Kolpitcke · Centerville, US
• Alexander R. Cuti · Cincinnati, US
• Gregory G. Scott · Cincinnati, US
• Frederick E. Shelton, IV · Hillsboro, US
• David C. Yates · Morrow, US
• Jason L. Harris · Lebanon, US
• Gregory J. Bakos · Mason, US
• Jeffery D. Bruns · Cincinnati, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 23, 2018
• Grant date: Nov 24, 2020
• Expiry date: Nov 24, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01R2201/12
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly that releasably attaches to the body assembly, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The body assembly includes a first support structure, a first electrical contact supported by the first support structure, and a first sealing surface. The shaft assembly includes a second support structure, a second electrical contact supported by the second support structure, and a second sealing surface. When the shaft assembly attaches to the body assembly, the first and second electrical contacts electrically couple to establish an electrical connection therebetween, and the first and second sealing surfaces sealingly engage to block fluid from reaching the electrical connection. At least one of the first or second sealing surfaces is movable relative to the respective support structure to facilitate the sealing engagement.