US 12,257,014 B2
Devices and methods for crimp interface for cable tension sensor
Lizmarie Comenencia Ortiz, Sunnyvale, CA (US); Jason Miao, Sunnyvale, CA (US); David Moreira Ridsdale, Saratoga, CA (US); Harsukhdeep S. Ratia, Foster City, CA (US); Sharathchandra Somayaji, Santa Clara, CA (US); and Zhou Ye, Santa Clara, CA (US)
Assigned to Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US)
Filed by Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/840,859.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/213,369, filed on Jun. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0401171 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 34/00 (2016.01); A61B 34/35 (2016.01); G01L 1/22 (2006.01); G01L 5/10 (2020.01)
CPC A61B 34/71 (2016.02) [A61B 34/35 (2016.02); G01L 1/22 (2013.01); G01L 5/10 (2013.01); A61B 2034/715 (2016.02)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A medical device, comprising:
an end effector, a mechanical structure, a connector, and a force sensor unit;
wherein the mechanical structure comprises a drive component;
wherein the connector extends from the drive component to the end effector, motion of the drive component produces a tension force within the connector, and the tension force is associated with an end effector force exerted by the end effector;
wherein the force sensor unit comprises a body, a first tube, a second tube, and a strain sensor coupled to the body of the force sensor unit;
wherein the body of the force sensor unit comprises a first end, a second end opposite from the first end, and a channel extending from the first end through the body to the second end;
wherein the first tube is coupled to the first end of the body of the force sensor unit, and the second tube is coupled to the second end of the body of the force sensor unit; and
wherein the connector comprises a first coupling portion, a second coupling portion, and a strain relief portion between the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion; and
wherein the first coupling portion of the connector is coupled to the force sensor unit within the first tube, the second coupling portion of the connector is coupled to the force sensor unit within the second tube, and the strain relief portion of the connector is in the channel of the body and is free of the tension force.