US 7,256,362 B2 · Mechanical limiter switch

Abstract

A mechanical limiter switch for use in a medical or surgical device has a substantially cylindrically shaped housing with a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction. The housing has a pattern along the perimeter. A spring is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, and is pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction and pre-stressed for movement in the axial direction. The spring has a radial member protruding through the pattern of the housing. A plunger is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, abutting the spring for urging the spring in the axial direction and for moving the member in the pattern along the perimeter. After a pre-determined number of activations of the plunger in the axial direction, the member will come to a terminating position and will either contact a pin to establish electrical continuity or at the terminating position break electrical continuity.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A limiter switch assembly comprising:

means for enclosing the assembly;
means for establishing and disconnecting electrical connectivity associated with the assembly;
and
means for manually controlling the establishment and disconnection of electrical connectivity.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

11/038,575Filed 21 Jan 2005 · continuation

Priority

17 Dec 2002

Published

US 2005/0252756 A117 Nov 2005

Granted

14 Aug 2007

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

A61N 1/048
Structure-related aspects: electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
H01H 13/18
Operating parts, e.g. push-button: adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement…
H01R 13/7035
Operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part: comprising a separated limit switch
A61B 2560/0276
For monitoring or limiting apparatus function: determining malfunction

Family

Application60/434,297Us provisional application · filed 17 Dec 2002

Application10/739,252Parent of this continuation · filed 17 Dec 2003

US 2005/0252756 A1Pre-grant publication · published 17 Nov 2005

US 6,846,996 B2Parent of this continuation

US 2004/0129551 A1Published application

US 7,256,362 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Mechanical limiter switch

Life of this patent

Mechanical limiter switch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20