US 11,786,330 B2
Force sensor for surgical devices
Patrick Mozdzierz, Glastonbury, CT (US); Anthony Sgroi, Wallingford, CT (US); and David Valentine, Hamden, CT (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Jul. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/365,125.
Application 16/714,005 is a division of application No. 15/665,789, filed on Aug. 1, 2017, granted, now 10,595,951, issued on Mar. 24, 2020.
Application 17/365,125 is a continuation of application No. 16/714,005, filed on Dec. 13, 2019, granted, now 11,058,506, issued on Jul. 13, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/375,012, filed on Aug. 15, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0322123 A1, Oct. 21, 2021
Int. Cl. G01L 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 34/00 (2016.01); G01L 1/22 (2006.01); A61B 17/115 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 34/20 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 34/76 (2016.02) [A61B 17/1155 (2013.01); A61B 34/25 (2016.02); A61B 34/77 (2016.02); G01L 1/2243 (2013.01); G01L 1/2268 (2013.01); G01L 5/0028 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00017 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0046 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00473 (2013.01); A61B 2034/2061 (2016.02); A61B 2090/064 (2016.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A force sensor comprising:
a substrate including a proximal surface having a proximal load contact area and a distal surface having at least one distal load contact area and a sensing area, the at least one distal load contact area and the sensing area separated by at least one relief cut defined in the distal surface, the sensing area including a groove defined therein; and
at least one sensing element disposed on the sensing area of the distal surface of the substrate.