US 12,237,617 B2
Connection system for establishing an electrical connection through a drape and methods thereof
Chase Thompson, Bountiful, UT (US); Jerry Zhao, Salt Lake City, UT (US); Bradley W. Zentgraf, West Jordan, UT (US); Jason R. Stats, Layton, UT (US); and Anthony K. Misener, Bountiful, UT (US)
Assigned to Bard Access Systems, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed by Bard Access Systems, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed on Dec. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/539,518.
Application 18/539,518 is a continuation of application No. 17/240,826, filed on Apr. 26, 2021, granted, now 11,936,132.
Application 17/240,826 is a continuation of application No. 16/261,368, filed on Jan. 29, 2019, granted, now 10,992,078, issued on Apr. 27, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/623,394, filed on Jan. 29, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0170887 A1, May 23, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H01R 13/52 (2006.01); A61B 46/00 (2016.01); A61M 25/01 (2006.01); H01R 4/2406 (2018.01); H01R 13/04 (2006.01); H01R 13/631 (2006.01); H01R 13/717 (2006.01)
CPC H01R 13/5224 (2013.01) [A61B 46/00 (2016.02); A61M 25/0102 (2013.01); A61M 25/0111 (2013.01); H01R 4/2406 (2018.01); H01R 13/04 (2013.01); H01R 13/631 (2013.01); H01R 13/7175 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0166 (2013.01); H01R 2201/12 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of assembling a catheter placement system, the method comprising:
providing a location sensor configured for placement on a patient, the location sensor comprising:
an exterior channel having a channel length;
an exterior alignment notch positioned above the exterior channel, the exterior alignment notch having a notch length less than the channel length; and
an interior receptacle including an electrical contact;
providing a drape configured to cover the patient and the location sensor; and
providing a connector tethered to a catheter tracking element, the connector comprising an alignment protrusion and a piercing element having an electrical contact, the connector configured to couple to the location sensor through the drape, wherein:
the alignment protrusion of the connector is configured to move through the exterior alignment notch and into the exterior channel when the connector is pressed vertically over the location sensor, and
the piercing element is configured to pierce the drape and form an electrical connection with the electrical contact in the interior receptacle when the connector is slid horizontally over the location sensor such that the alignment protrusion slides along the exterior alignment notch.