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US 10,201,364 B2Granted
Surgical instrument comprising a rotatable shaft
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsRichard L. Leimbach, Andrew T. Beckman, Darwin L. Schultz, Shane R. Adams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various electrical and slip ring connector arrangements configured to facilitate the passage of electrical current and signals between two components that are rotatable relative to each other such as an interchangeable surgical shaft assembly that includes portions that are rotatable relative to fixed mounting portions.
Claims17
An electrical coupler, comprising:
- a slip ring assembly comprising a plurality of non-electrically-conductive rings and at least one continuous electrically-conductive annular path wherein each continuous electrically-conductive annular path corresponds to an annular electrically-conductive ring laminated between two non-electrically-conductive rings;
- a transverse mounting member in operable engagement with the slip ring assembly and including a transverse circuit trace thereon corresponding to each continuous electrically-conductive annular path;
- and
- an electrical component including a contact corresponding to each of the continuous electrically-conductive annular paths and wherein one of the slip ring assembly and the electrical component is rotatable about an axis such that each said contact is in electrical contact with the continuous electrically-conductive annular path corresponding thereto during rotation of one of the slip ring assembly and the electrical component about the axis.
1 more element
An electrical coupler, comprising:
- a slip ring assembly comprising:
- a non-electrically conductive base member defining an axis;
- a plurality of electrically-conductive rings on the non-electrically conductive base member in a spaced, concentric arrangement relative to each other;
- and
- an electrically-conductive circuit trace extending through the non-electrically conductive base member corresponding to each of the electrically-conductive rings and being electrically coupled thereto and wherein the electrical coupler further comprises an electrical component mounted along the axis and including a contact corresponding to each of the electrically-conductive rings and wherein one of the slip ring assembly and the electrical component is rotatable about the axis such that each said contact is in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive ring corresponding thereto during rotation of one of the slip ring assembly and the electrical component about the axis.
2 more elements
An electrical coupler, comprising:
- a slip ring assembly, comprising:
- a first non-electrically-conductive ring;
- a second non-electrically-conductive ring;
- and
- an electrically-conductive ring laminated between the first non-electrically-conductive ring and the second non-electrically-conductive ring, wherein the electrically-conductive ring forms a continuous electrically-conductive path;
- a transverse mounting member in operable engagement with the slip ring assembly, wherein the transverse mounting member comprises a transverse circuit trace corresponding to the continuous electrically-conductive path;
- and
- an electrical component comprising a contact corresponding to the continuous electrically-conductive path;
- wherein one of the slip ring assembly and the electrical component is rotatable about an axis such that the contact is in electrical contact with the continuous electrically-conductive path during rotation thereof.
6 more elements
An electrical coupler, comprising:
- a slip ring assembly, comprising:
- a non-electrically-conductive base defining an axis;
- a first electrically-conductive ring;
- a second electrically-conductive ring, wherein the first electrically-conductive ring and the second electrically-conductive ring are concentrically spaced apart on the non-electrically-conductive base;
- a first electrically-conductive circuit trace;
- and
- a second electrically-conductive circuit trace, wherein the first electrically-conductive circuit trace and the second electrically-conductive circuit trace extend through the non-electrically-conductive base, wherein the first electrically-conductive circuit trace is electrically coupled to the first electrically-conductive ring, and wherein the second electrically-conductive circuit trace is electrically coupled to the second electrically-conductive ring;
- and
- an electrical component comprising a first contact and a second contact, wherein the first contact corresponds to the first electrically-conductive ring, and wherein the second contact corresponds to the second electrically-conductive ring;
- wherein one of the slip ring assembly and the electrical component is rotatable about the axis such that the first contact is in electrical contact with the first electrically-conductive ring and the second contact is in electrical contact with the second electrically-conductive ring during rotation thereof.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.