US 12,232,771 B2
Mechanical compression hermetic force sensors for surgical devices
Ramiro D. Cabrera, Cheshire, CT (US); Patrick D. Mozdzierz, Glastonbury, CT (US); and Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Southbury, CT (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Apr. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/716,015.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/209,194, filed on Jun. 10, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0395294 A1, Dec. 15, 2022
Int. Cl. G01L 1/22 (2006.01); A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/3476 (2013.01) [G01L 1/2287 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00022 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00473 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A force sensor comprising:
a substrate having a proximal surface and a distal surface, the substrate defining a cavity therein open to the proximal surface;
sensing elements disposed within the cavity of the substrate;
a pin block assembly mounted within the cavity of the substrate and electrically coupled to the sensing elements;
a first gasket disposed within the cavity of the substrate over the pin block assembly;
a flex cable positioned against the proximal surface of the substrate over the cavity, the flex cable electrically coupled to the pin block assembly;
a second gasket positioned over the flex cable;
a retainer plate positioned over the second gasket; and
a seal restraint coupled to the substrate and extending over the retainer plate, the seal restraint applying pressure on the retainer plate and compressing the second gasket against the flex cable to seal the cavity of the substrate.