US 11,744,633 B2
Connector plug for a medical instrument
Michael Otto Hermann Fakler, Freiburg (DE); and Dirk Weitkamp, Waldkirch (DE)
Assigned to Sutter Medizintechnik GmbH, Emmendingen (DE)
Filed by Sutter Medizintechnik GmbH, Freiburg (DE)
Filed on Nov. 10, 2017, as Appl. No. 15/809,094.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2016 121 701.8 (DE), filed on Nov. 11, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2018/0132924 A1, May 17, 2018
Int. Cl. A61B 18/12 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); H01R 43/20 (2006.01); H01R 11/18 (2006.01); H01R 4/48 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); H01R 4/02 (2006.01); H01R 24/66 (2011.01); H01R 103/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/1442 (2013.01) [H01R 4/48 (2013.01); H01R 11/18 (2013.01); H01R 43/20 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00083 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00172 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00178 (2013.01); A61B 2018/126 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1462 (2013.01); H01R 4/023 (2013.01); H01R 24/66 (2013.01); H01R 2103/00 (2013.01); H01R 2201/12 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bipolar electrode or forceps comprising:
two limbs (7) each forming an electrode and terminating at a free proximal end, wherein each of the limbs (7) includes a projection (15) adjacent to the proximal end and a planar region (16) opposite to the projection (15), and
a connector plug (1) having an insulating body (2) for connecting the proximal ends of the limbs (7) of the bipolar electrode or forceps, wherein the insulating body (2) has first and second openings (4) for receiving the proximal ends of the limbs (7) respectively, and, a latching or spring element (5) provided in each of the first and second openings (4) for fastening a corresponding one of the proximal ends of the limbs (7) to the insulating body (2), wherein the first and second openings are bounded by an outer wall and separated by a middle insulated section of the insulating body (2),
wherein each of the latching or spring elements (5) includes electrically conductive material and is formed with a U-shaped cross section with first and second fastening limbs (13) and an open side therebetween, the first fastening limb (13) including a nose-like projection (13a) extending towards the second fastening limb (13), the second fastening limb (13) including a planar inner side (17) facing the first fastening limb (13), wherein the latching or spring elements (5) are provided in the first and second openings (4), respectively, to be located between the outer wall and the middle insulated section with a clearance adjacent to the corresponding first fastening limb (13) and,
wherein, with the proximal ends of the limbs (7) received in the latching or spring elements (5) respectively, for each of the latching or spring elements (5): i. the nose-like projection (13a) engages the corresponding limb (7) adjacent to the projection (15) thereof to form an electrical connection therewith, and ii. the planar inner side (17) engages the planar region (16) of the corresponding limb (17) to form a second electrical connection therewith, wherein the nose-like projection (13a) resists withdrawal of the projection 15 of the corresponding limb (7).