# US 2021/0242640 A1 · Connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0242640 A1 - Document ID: US20210242640A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/118,016 - Filed: 2020-12-10 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-23 - Assignees: Eximis Surgical Inc. - Applicants: Eximis Surgical Inc. - Inventors: Robert Fuchs; Dirk Johnson; William N. Gregg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210242640A1 ## CPC - H01R 13/72: Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder - A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 18/1482: {having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy} - H01R 13/42: Securing in a demountable manner - H01R 13/627: Snap or like fastening - A61B 2017/00287: {Bags for minimally invasive surgery} - A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing} - A61B 2017/2212: {having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop} - A61B 2018/00101: {low, i.e. thermally insulating} - A61B 2018/00172: {Connectors and adapters therefor} - A61B 2018/00178: {Electrical connectors} - A61B 2018/00184: {Moving parts} - A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting} - A61B 2018/1407: {Loop} - A61B 2018/141: {Snare} - A61B 2018/144: {Wire} - A61B 2018/1475: {Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing} - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A coupling system and related methods are disclosed. The system has a first plug detachably coupled to a first housing, and a first socket detachably coupled to a second housing. The first socket is configured to receive the first plug. The system is movable between a first configuration wherein the first and second housings are not engaged and a second configuration wherein the first and second housings are engaged and the first plug and the first socket are coupled together. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-21. (canceled) ### Claim 22 A coupling system, comprising: a first connector coupled to at least one cutting wire within a specimen bag assembly; a second connector coupled to a handheld instrument, wherein the second connector is configured to couple to the first connector; wherein the coupling system is movable between a first configuration wherein the specimen bag assembly and the handheld instrument are not engaged, and a second configuration wherein the specimen bag assembly and the handheld instrument are engaged based at least in part on a coupling between the first connector and the second connector; and wherein when the coupling system is in the second configuration, the first connector and the second connector are engaged such that an end of the at least one cutting wire is configured to be pulled by one or more of a user and the handheld instrument. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The coupling system of claim 22, further comprising: a cover, the cover configured to be mounted over the first connector and on or near an opening of the specimen bag assembly, and wherein at least a portion of the cover is configured to be removed or released to expose at least a portion of the first connector. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The coupling system of claim 23, wherein the cover further comprises a flap formed to surround at least a portion of the coupling system or the first connector, and wherein the flap is selected from a group consisting of a semi-permanent layer configured to be released or removed via user action, a perforated layer configured to be removed via user action, and a rigid component configured to be unlocked or released via user action. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The coupling system of claim 22, wherein the first connector comprises one or more female contacts, and wherein the second connector comprises one or more male contacts. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The coupling system of claim 25, wherein the handheld instrument is a tensioning instrument, the tensioning instrument comprising one or more alignment features configured to hold the one or more female contacts such that the one or more male contacts are aligned when the coupling system is in the second configuration. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The coupling system of claim 25, wherein: the at least one cutting wire comprises a first cutting wire, and wherein the first and the second connectors are configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled; and wherein when in the second configuration, respective housings of the first and the second connectors are configured to remain connected and a first contact pair and the first cutting wire are configured to travel through the housings and towards the handheld instrument upon application of electrical or RF energy to one or more of the first contact pair and the first cutting wire. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The coupling system of claim 27, wherein, when in the second configuration, a second contact pair and the second cutting wire are configured to remain proximate the respective housings of the first and the second connectors when electrical power or RF energy is not applied to the second contact pair and the second cutting wire. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The coupling system of claim 28, wherein the first contact pair and the second contact pair are configured to be held within the respective housings of the first and the second connectors using one or more of retainer clips, detents, springs, stamped features, and machined features. ### Claim 30 (depends on 22) The coupling system of claim 22, further comprising a tensioning mechanism coupled to the second connector. ### Claim 31 (depends on 22) The coupling system of claim 22, wherein the first connector comprises one or more raised surfaces, and wherein the first connector is configured to be retained within a housing by a friction fit engagement between the first connector and an interior surface of the housing. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The coupling system of claim 31, wherein the first connector is a plug, and wherein the plug further comprises a transverse passage or recess shaped and sized to receive an elongated member for affixing the at least one cutting wire in a longitudinal recess at a distal portion of the plug. ### Claim 33 (depends on 22) The coupling system of claim 22, wherein the second connector is a socket and comprises a resilient member having an inwardly-facing resilient protrusion. ### Claim 34 (depends on 22) The coupling system of claim 22, wherein: when the coupling system is in the first configuration, the first connector is fixed to a first housing by a friction fit, and the second connector is fixed to a second housing by a friction fit; wherein when the coupling system is in the second configuration, the first connector and the second connector are slidable relative to the first and second housings by application of a pulling force that is greater than a retaining force applied by the friction fits of the first and second connectors. ### Claim 35 An instrument, comprising: an actuation tool comprising a tensioning mechanism; at least one cutting wire; and a coupling system for coupling the tensioning mechanism and the at least one cutting wire, the coupling system comprising: a first connector coupled at a distal end to the at least one cutting wire within a specimen bag assembly; a second connector coupled to the tensioning mechanism, wherein the coupling system is movable between a first configuration wherein the at least one cutting wire and the tensioning mechanism are not engaged, and a second configuration wherein the tensioning mechanism and the at least one cutting wire are engaged; and wherein, when the coupling system is in the second configuration, the first connector and the second connector are connected such that an end of the at least one cutting wire is configured to be pulled by one or more of a user and the actuation tool. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The instrument of claim 35, wherein the first connector is one of a plug or a socket, and the second connector is the other of a plug or the socket, the socket configured to couple to the plug, wherein the socket comprises one or more female contacts and the plug comprises one or more male contacts, and wherein the actuation tool comprises one or more alignment features configured to hold the one or more female contacts of the socket such that the one or more male contacts of the plug are aligned when the coupling system is in the second configuration. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) The instrument of claim 35, further comprising: a cover, the cover configured to be mounted over the first connector and proximate an opening of the specimen bag assembly, and wherein at least a portion of the cover is configured to be removed or released to expose at least a portion of the first connector. ### Claim 38 (depends on 35) The instrument of claim 35, wherein the at least one cutting wire comprises a first cutting wire portion and a second cutting wire portion, and wherein, when in the second configuration, respective housings of the first and the second connectors are configured to remain connected and wherein a first contact pair and the first cutting wire are configured to travel through the housings and towards the actuation tool upon application of electrical or RF energy to one or more of the first contact pair and the first cutting wire. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The instrument of claim 38, wherein a second contact pair and the second cutting wire are configured to remain proximate the respective housings of the first and the second connectors when electrical power or RF energy is not applied to the second contact pair and the second cutting wire. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The instrument of claim 39, further comprising: a tensioning mechanism configured to couple to an end of the second connector for engaging the actuation tool, and wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises at least a first recess or groove for receiving a portion of the actuation tool and a second recess or groove for receiving a fastener. ### Claim 41 A method, comprising: providing a coupling system, the coupling system comprising a first connector detachably coupled to at least one cutting wire within a specimen bag assembly, and a second connector detachably coupled to a tensioning instrument; forming one or more alignment features; moving the coupling system between a first configuration wherein the first and second connectors are not engaged, and a second configuration wherein the first and second connectors are engaged, and wherein moving the coupling system to the second configuration comprises: aligning, using the one or more alignment features, one or more contacts of the first connector to one or contacts of the second connector; and coupling the first connector to the second connector based at least in part on the aligning; and applying a pulling force on or more of the first connector, the second connector, and the at least one cutting wire to pull an end of the at least one cutting wire towards the tensioning instrument.