# US 10,765,428 B2 · Hermetic force sensors for surgical devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,428 B2 - Document ID: US10765428B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/666,021 - Filed: 2017-08-01 - Published: 2018-02-15 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-15 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Anthony Sgroi, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765428B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/0684: {having a forming anvil staying above the tissue during stapling} - A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples} - A61B 17/3494: {with safety means for protection against accidental cutting or pricking, e.g. limiting insertion depth, pressure sensors (for the peridural space A61B17/3401)} - G01L 5/0028: {Force sensors associated with force applying means (G01L5/0052, G01L5/0057, G01L5/0061 take precedence)} - A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments} - A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)} - A61B 2090/064: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) ## Abstract A force sensor includes a substrate, a plurality of sensing elements, and a plate. The substrate includes a central aperture extending along a longitudinal axis of the substrate, and has a proximal surface, a distal surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A recess is defined in at least one of the distal surface, the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface, or the bottom surface of the substrate. The plurality of sensing elements are disposed within the recess, and the plate is disposed over the recess and mounted to the substrate to hermetically seal the plurality of sensing elements within the substrate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A force sensor comprising: a substrate including a central aperture extending along a longitudinal axis of the substrate, the substrate having a proximal surface, a distal surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, at least one of the distal surface, the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface, or the bottom surface including a recess defined therein; a plurality of sensing elements disposed within the recess; and a plate disposed over the recess and mounted to the substrate to hermetically seal the plurality of sensing elements within the substrate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The force sensor according to claim 1, wherein the recess is a first recess defined in the first side surface of the substrate, the first recess including a back wall, a proximal-facing wall, a distal-facing wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The force sensor according to claim 2, wherein the back wall, the proximal-facing wall, the distal-facing wall, the top wall, and the bottom wall are all substantially planar. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The force sensor according to claim 2, wherein the back wall is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, and the proximal-facing and distal-facing walls are angled with respect to the back wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The force sensor according to claim 2, wherein the plate is welded to the first side surface of the substrate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The force sensor according to claim 2, wherein the first side surface includes a recessed lip defined around an inner perimeter thereof, and the plate is received within the recessed lip. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The force sensor according to claim 2, wherein a second recess is defined in the second side surface of the substrate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The force sensor according to claim 1, wherein a through hole extends through a wall of the recess and the proximal surface of the substrate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The force sensor according to claim 8, wherein at least one wire is coupled to the plurality of sensing elements disposed within the recess and extends through the through hole. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The force sensor according to claim 9, wherein a sealant is disposed within the through hole filling a space defined between an outer diameter of the wire and an inner diameter of the through hole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The force sensor according to claim 8, wherein a pin block assembly is mounted to the substrate and in communication with the through hole of the substrate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The force sensor according to claim 11, wherein the pin block assembly includes a plurality of conductive pins, a plurality of glass seals, and a pin block housing including a plurality of openings, each pin of the plurality of conductive pins extending through a glass seal of the plurality of glass seals which is disposed within an opening of the plurality of openings of the pin block housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The force sensor according to claim 12, wherein the pin block housing is disposed within the through hole of the substrate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The force sensor according to claim 13, wherein a distal portion of each pin of the plurality of pins is disposed within the recess of the substrate, and a proximal portion of each pin of the plurality of pins is disposed outside of the substrate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The force sensor according to claim 12, wherein the pin block housing of the pin block assembly is disposed within a pin block cover, and the pin block cover is mounted to the substrate and in communication with the through hole of the substrate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The force sensor according to claim 15, wherein a distal portion of each pin of the plurality of pins is disposed within the pin block cover, and a proximal portion of each pin of the plurality of pins extends through the pin block cover. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The force sensor according to claim 11, wherein the pin block assembly is welded to the substrate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The force sensor according to claim 1, wherein walls sections of the substrate that define the central aperture are angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the substrate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The force sensor according to claim 1, wherein the recess is a distal recess defined in the distal surface of the substrate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The force sensor according to claim 1, wherein the recess is defined in at least two of the distal surface, the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface, or the bottom surface of the substrate.