阅读说明：本技术 用于机电手术装置的包封插头组件 (Encapsulated plug assembly for an electro-mechanical surgical device ) 是由 安东尼·斯格罗伊 于 2020-02-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了用于机电手术装置的包封插头组件。一种用于机电手术系统的插头组件包括：限定面向近侧的孔的壳体；安置在所述壳体内的一对电触头,每个电触头包括从所述壳体的远侧末端向远侧突出的远侧末端部分；和安置在所述壳体的所述面向近侧的孔内的近侧末端部分；带状电缆,所述带状电缆具有电连接到所述一对电触头中的每一个的所述近侧末端部分的远侧末端部分,并且与所述壳体的所述面向近侧的孔一起安置；和填充所述壳体的所述面向近侧的孔的包封材料。(The invention discloses an encapsulated plug assembly for an electro-mechanical surgical device. A plug assembly for an electro-mechanical surgical system comprising: a housing defining a proximally facing aperture; a pair of electrical contacts disposed within the housing, each electrical contact including a distal tip portion projecting distally from a distal tip of the housing; and a proximal end portion disposed within the proximally facing aperture of the housing; a ribbon cable having a distal end portion electrically connected to the proximal end portion of each of the pair of electrical contacts and disposed with the proximally-facing aperture of the housing; and an encapsulating material filling the proximally facing aperture of the housing.)

1. A plug assembly for an electromechanical surgical system, the plug assembly comprising:

a housing defining a proximally facing aperture;

a pair of electrical contacts disposed within the housing, each electrical contact comprising:

a distal tip portion projecting distally from the distal tip of the housing; and

a proximal end portion disposed within the proximally facing aperture of the housing;

a ribbon cable having a distal end portion electrically connected to the proximal end portion of each of the pair of electrical contacts and disposed with the proximally-facing aperture of the housing; and

an encapsulation material filling the proximally facing aperture of the housing.

2. The plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is at least partially transparent.

3. The plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is transparent to light or UV curing.

4. The plug assembly of claim 2, wherein the housing is made of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) or Polysulfone (PSU).

5. The plug assembly of claim 3, wherein the encapsulating material is an optical or UV curable material.

6. The plug assembly of claim 5, wherein the encapsulant material is a resin or an acrylic resin.

7. The plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a distally facing aperture therein; and wherein the plug assembly further comprises:

a sealing member disposed within the distally facing aperture of the housing.

8. The plug assembly of claim 7, wherein the housing and the sealing member form a fluid-tight seal therebetween.

9. The plug assembly of claim 8, wherein the sealing member is made of silicone, rubber, plastic, or polymer.

10. The plug assembly of claim 8, wherein the sealing member includes a distal portion projecting distally from the housing and a proximal portion extending from a side surface of the housing.

11. The plug assembly of claim 10, wherein the distal tip portion of each of the pair of electrical contacts extends distally beyond the sealing member.

12. The plug assembly of claim 11, wherein the sealing member includes at least one circumferential ridge extending therearound.

13. The plug assembly of claim 1, wherein each electrical contact includes a tab projecting from the proximal end portion thereof, and wherein the distal end portion of the ribbon cable defines a respective solder recess formed therein for receiving a respective tab.

14. The plug assembly of claim 1, wherein each electrical contact includes a pair of tabs projecting from the proximal end portion thereof, and wherein the distal end portion of the ribbon cable defines a respective pair of solder recesses formed therein for receiving the respective pair of tabs.

15. The plug assembly of claim 14, wherein the housing is transparent to light or UV curing.

16. The plug assembly of claim 15, wherein the housing is made of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) or Polysulfone (PSU).

17. The plug assembly of claim 16, wherein the encapsulating material is an optical or UV curable material.

18. The plug assembly of claim 17, wherein the housing defines a distally facing aperture therein; and wherein the plug assembly further comprises:

a sealing member disposed within the distally-facing aperture of the housing, wherein the housing and the sealing member form a fluid-tight seal therebetween.

19. The plug assembly of claim 18, wherein the sealing member includes a distal portion projecting distally from the housing and a proximal portion extending from a side surface of the housing.

20. The plug assembly of claim 19, wherein the distal tip portion of each of the pair of electrical contacts extends distally beyond the sealing member, and wherein the sealing member includes at least one circumferential ridge extending therearound.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to surgical devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a handheld electromechanical surgical system having an enclosed plug assembly therein for performing surgical procedures.

Background

One type of surgical device is a circular clamping, cutting and stapling device. Such devices may be used in surgical procedures or similar procedures to reattach previously transected rectal portions. Conventional circular clamping, cutting and stapling devices include a pistol or linear grip-type structure having an elongated shaft extending therefrom and a staple cartridge supported on a distal tip of the elongated shaft. In this case, the physician may insert the loading unit portion of the circular stapling device into the patient's rectum and maneuver the device up the patient's colon canal toward the transected rectal portion. The loading unit includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples. Along a proximal portion of the transected colon, the anvil assembly may be tucked therein. Alternatively, if desired, the anvil portion may be inserted into the colon through an incision adjacent to the transected colon. The anvil and cartridge assembly are approximated toward one another, and staples are ejected from the cartridge assembly toward the anvil assembly to form staples in tissue to achieve an end-to-end anastomosis, and the annular knife is activated to core a portion of the clamped tissue portion. After end-to-end anastomosis is achieved, the circular stapling device is removed from the surgical site.

Many surgical device manufacturers have also developed proprietary powered drive systems for operating and/or manipulating end effectors. The powered drive system may include a reusable powered handle assembly and a disposable end effector removably connected to the powered handle assembly.

Many existing end effectors for use with existing powered surgical devices and/or handle assemblies are driven by a linear driving force. For example, end effectors for performing an internal gastrointestinal anastomosis procedure, an end-to-end anastomosis procedure, and a lateral anastomosis procedure are actuated by a linear driving force. Thus, these end effectors are not compatible with surgical devices and/or handle assemblies that use rotational motion.

In order for a linearly driven end effector to be compatible with powered surgical devices that use rotational motion to deliver electrical power, an adapter is required to interconnect the linearly driven end effector with the powered rotationally driven surgical device. These adapters are also reusable and, thus, need to be able to withstand multiple sterilization cycles.

As these adapters become more complex and include various electronic components, there is a need for electronic components that can withstand multiple autoclave cycles that are housed within the adapter. For example, the electronic components may include flexible or ribbon cables made of materials that are highly resistant to the high pH environment of sterilization chemicals, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), and also resistant to autoclave steam and the associated pressures of autoclaving (+ atm/-atm). It is also desirable that the housings for these electronic components also be made of materials that are highly resistant to the high PH environment of the sterilization chemicals (KOH) and also resistant to autoclave steam and the associated pressures of autoclaving (+ atm/-atm).

Disclosure of Invention

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a plug assembly for an electro-mechanical surgical system is disclosed. The plug assembly includes: a housing defining a proximally facing aperture; a pair of electrical contacts disposed within the housing, each electrical contact including a distal tip portion projecting distally from the distal tip of the housing; and a proximal end portion disposed within the proximally facing aperture of the housing; a ribbon cable having a distal end portion electrically connected to the proximal end portion of each of a pair of electrical contacts and disposed with the proximally-facing aperture of the housing; and an encapsulating material filling the proximally facing aperture of the housing.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a plug assembly includes: a housing defining a proximally facing aperture, the housing including a proximally extending central rib positioned within the proximally facing aperture; a pair of electrical contacts disposed within the housing, wherein the pair of electrical contacts are spaced apart from each other, each electrical contact including a distal tip portion projecting distally from the distal tip of the housing; and a proximal end portion disposed within the proximally facing aperture of the housing; a ribbon cable having axially-spaced distal tip portions defining a pair of fingers spaced apart from one another by a gap, each finger electrically connected to a proximal tip portion of a respective one of a pair of electrical contacts and disposed with a proximally-facing aperture of the housing, wherein the ribs of the housing are disposed within the gaps of the ribbon cable; and an encapsulant material filling the proximally facing aperture of the housing.

The housing may be at least partially transparent. The housing may be transparent to light or UV curing. The housing may be made of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) or Polysulfone (PSU).

The encapsulating material may be a light or UV curable material. The encapsulating material may be a resin or an acrylic resin.

The housing may define a distally facing aperture therein. The plug assembly may additionally include a sealing member disposed within the distally facing bore of the housing.

The housing and the sealing member may form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The sealing member may be made of silicone, rubber, plastic or polymer.

The sealing member may include a distal portion projecting distally from the housing and a proximal portion extending from a side surface of the housing.

A distal tip portion of each of the pair of electrical contacts may extend distally beyond the sealing member.

The sealing member may comprise at least one circumferential ridge extending therearound.

Each electrical contact may include a tab projecting from a proximal end portion thereof. The distal end portions of the ribbon cables can define respective solder recesses formed therein for receiving the respective tabs.

Each electrical contact may include a pair of tabs projecting from a proximal end portion thereof. The distal end portions of the ribbon cables can define a respective pair of solder recesses formed therein for receiving a respective pair of the tabs.

Each electrical contact may include a tab projecting from a proximal end portion thereof. Each finger of the distal tip portion of the ribbon cable can define a respective solder recess formed therein for receiving a respective tab.

Each electrical contact may include a pair of tabs projecting from a proximal end portion thereof. Each finger of the distal end portion of the ribbon cable can define a respective pair of solder recesses formed therein for receiving a respective pair of tabs.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handheld surgical device, an adapter assembly, an end effector with a reload, and an anvil assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the connection of the adapter assembly and the handle assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the internal components of the handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1 without a refill according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the distal tip portion of the adapter assembly of FIGS. 1-4 illustrating the electrical assembly of the adapter assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an electrical assembly of the adapter assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a distal portion of the electrical assembly of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a distal perspective view of a plug assembly of the electrical assembly of FIGS. 1-7 configured for connection to a refill of a handheld surgical device;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the plug assembly of FIG. 8 as taken through 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the plug assembly of FIG. 8 as taken through 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the plug assembly of FIG. 8 as taken through 11-11 of FIG. 8;

12A and 12B are rear and front perspective views, respectively, of the plug assembly of FIG. 8 with the seal removed therefrom;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the plug assembly of FIG. 8 illustrating the insertion of the ribbon cable and contacts of the plug assembly into the housing;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the ribbon cable and contacts of the plug assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the plug assembly of FIG. 8;

fig. 16 is a perspective view of a distal end portion of a ribbon cable of another embodiment of a plug assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the distal tip portion of the ribbon cable of FIG. 16 shown connected to a pair of electrical contacts of the plug assembly;

figure 18 is a rear perspective view of the pair of contacts and ribbon cable of figures 16 and 17 and the housing of the plug assembly of figures 16 and 17 with parts separated;

figure 19 is a rear perspective view of the pair of contacts and ribbon cable of figures 16 and 17 and the assembled components of the housing of the plug assembly of figures 16 and 17; and

fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the plug assembly as taken through 20-20 of fig. 19.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term "clinician" refers to a doctor, nurse, or any other medical professional and may include support personnel. Throughout this specification, the term "proximal" will refer to the portion of the device or component thereof that is closer to the clinician and the term "distal" will refer to the portion of the device or component thereof that is further from the clinician. Also, in the drawings and the following description, terms such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", and similar directional terms are used for convenience of description only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail.

The present disclosure relates to powered surgical devices having electronic sensors for monitoring mechanical strains and forces exerted on components of the powered surgical devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to load measurement sensors that include a load sensing device and analog and digital circuits that are hermetically sealed such that the load sensor is configured to withstand harsh environments. In the event that the electrical connections of the powered surgical device are damaged during use, the measurement signal output by the sensor of the present disclosure remains unchanged. Furthermore, the sensor is programmable to allow adjustment of gain and offset values in order to optimize the measurement signal.

Referring to FIG. 1, a powered surgical device 10 includes a handle assembly 20, the handle assembly 20 being configured for selective connection with an adapter assembly 30, the adapter assembly 30 in turn being configured for selective connection with an end effector such as a ring shaped reload 40. Although commonly referred to as powered surgical devices, it is contemplated that the surgical device 10 may be manually actuated and may include various configurations.

The handle assembly 20 includes a handle housing 22 having a lower housing portion 24, an intermediate housing portion 26 extending from and/or supported on a portion of the lower housing portion 24, and an upper housing portion 28 extending from and/or supported on a portion of the intermediate housing portion 26. As shown in fig. 2, a distal portion of the upper housing portion 28 defines a nose or connecting portion 28a configured to receive a proximal tip portion 30b of the adaptor assembly 30.

Referring to fig. 3, the handle assembly 20 includes one or more motors 36 coupled to a battery 37. The handle assembly 20 also includes a main controller 38 for operating the motor 36 and other electronic components of the handle assembly 20, the adapter assembly 30, and the reload 40. The motor 36 is coupled to a corresponding drive shaft 39 (fig. 2), which corresponding drive shaft 39 is configured to engage the socket 33 on the proximal tip portion 30b such that rotation of the drive shaft 39 is imparted on the socket 33. The actuating assemblies 52 are coupled to the respective sockets 33. Actuation assembly 52 is configured to convert the rotational motion of socket 33 into linear motion and actuate reload 40 (fig. 1) in conjunction with anvil assembly 58.

Referring to fig. 4, the adaptor assembly 30 includes a tubular housing 30a extending between a proximal end portion 30b and an opposite distal end portion 30c, the proximal end portion 30b being configured for operable connection to the connection portion 28a of the handle assembly 20, the distal end portion 30c being configured for operable connection to the refill 40. In this manner, the adapter assembly 30 is configured to convert the rotational motion provided by the handle assembly 20 into axial translation, which can be used to advance/retract the trocar member 50 slidably disposed within the distal tip portion 30c of the adapter assembly 30 for actuating the functions of the reload 40, such as for firing the staples of the reload 40.

Referring to fig. 2, the connecting portion 28a includes an electrical receptacle 29 having a plurality of electrical contacts 31, the plurality of electrical contacts 31 being in electrical communication with the electronic assembly (e.g., the main controller 38) and the electrical components (e.g., the battery 37) of the handle assembly 20. The adapter assembly 30 includes corresponding electrical connectors 32 configured to engage the electrical receptacles 29. The electrical connector 32 also includes a plurality of electrical contacts 34 that engage and electrically connect to their corresponding electrical contacts 31.

Referring to fig. 4, the trocar member 50 is slidably disposed within the tubular housing 30a of the adapter assembly 30 and extends through the distal tip portion 30c thereof. In this manner, trocar member 50 is configured for axial translation, which in turn causes corresponding axial translation of anvil assembly 58 (fig. 1) of reload 40 to fire staples (not shown) disposed therein. Trocar member 50 includes a proximal end coupled to tubular housing 30a of adapter assembly 30. The distal tip portion of trocar member 50 is configured to selectively engage anvil assembly 58 (fig. 4) of reload 40. In this manner, when anvil assembly 58 is coupled to trocar member 50, as will be described in greater detail below, axial translation of trocar member 50 in a first direction results in opening of anvil assembly 58 relative to reload 40, and axial translation of trocar member 50 in a second, opposite direction results in closing of anvil assembly 58 relative to reload 40.

The reload 40 is configured for operable connection to the adapter assembly 30 and is configured to fire and form an annular array of surgical staples and sever a ring of tissue.

For a detailed description of an exemplary powered Surgical stapler including an adapter assembly and a reload, reference is made to commonly owned U.S. patent application publication No. 2016/0310134 entitled "hand-held electro-mechanical Surgical System (handheldheld electro-mechanical Surgical System") filed 2016 to Contini et al, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring now to fig. 5-15, the adapter assembly 30 includes an electrical assembly 100 disposed within the adapter assembly 30 and configured for electrical connection with the handle assembly 20 and the reload 40 and between the handle assembly 20 and the reload 40. The electrical assembly 100 provides communication (e.g., identification data, life cycle data, system data, load sense signals) with the main controller 38 of the handle assembly 20 through the electrical receptacle 29 (fig. 2).

The electrical assembly 100 includes an electrical connector 102; a proximal harness assembly 104 having a ribbon cable 105 connected to the electrical connector 102; a distal wire harness assembly 106 having a ribbon cable 107 connected to the proximal wire harness assembly 104; a load sensing assembly 108 connected to the distal wire harness assembly 106; and a distal electrical plug assembly 110 also connected to the distal wire harness assembly 106. The distal electrical plug assembly 110 is configured to be selectively mechanically and electrically connected to a chip assembly (not shown) of the reload 40.

The electrical connector 102 of the electrical assembly 100 is supported within the proximal end portion 30b of the adapter assembly 30. The electrical connector 102 includes electrical contacts 102a that enable electrical connection to the handle assembly 20. The proximal harness assembly 104 is electrically connected to an electrical connector 102 disposed on a printed circuit board 103.

The ribbon cable 105 of the respective proximal wire harness assembly 104 and the ribbon cable 107 of the distal wire harness assembly 106 of the electrical assembly 100 include a body or substrate adapted to support and/or electrically connect electronic components thereto. The substrate of the ribbon cables 105, 107 is formed from one or more layers or sheets of a dielectric material (e.g., a polymer or ceramic) and one or more layers of a conductive material (e.g., copper foil) that form conductive traces (not expressly shown) in the substrate. Vias (not shown) may interconnect the conductive traces through different layers of the ribbon cables 105, 107.

In an embodiment, the substrate of the ribbon cables 105, 107 is formed of a copper clad polyimide, such as

Or

Which is a registered trademark owned by DuPont (DuPont). In some embodiments, the substrate of the ribbon cables 105, 107 is formed of a high temperature material, such asHT, which is also a registered trademark owned by dupont.

In embodiments, it is contemplated that the ribbon cables 105, 107 may be made, in whole or in part, of a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP). LCP is more resistant to high PH environments and autoclaving than a ribbon cable without LCP. The ribbon cables 105, 107 may include multiple layers, including, for example, a polyimide layer as an inner or outer layer. The various layers forming the ribbon cables 105, 107 may be bonded using thermal bonding lamination (e.g., melting/fusing the layers together) or by bonding the layers to one another using an adhesive layer. In other embodiments, the substrates of the ribbon cables 105, 107 are formed of copper clad bonded to a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) film.

It should be understood that the substrate of the ribbon cables 105, 107 is configured to allow the fabrication of single or double sided flex circuits, multilayer flex circuits, and rigid flex circuits. The layers of the substrate of the ribbon cables 105, 107 may be joined to one another by, for example, lamination, welding, and/or the use of adhesives, as well as other methods and materials within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

The plug assembly 110 includes a housing 112 defining a proximally facing aperture 112a, the proximally facing aperture 112a configured to receive a distal end portion 107a of the ribbon cable 107 of the distal wire harness assembly 106. Electrical contacts or blades 114, 116 are supported within the housing 112, with each electrical contact 114, 116 including a respective distal tip portion 114a, 116a projecting distally from the housing 112. The electrical contacts 114, 116 may be secured within the apertures 112a of the housing 112 in any suitable manner, such as press-fit, friction-fit, snap-fit, stapling, welding, potting with a resin material or the like (for fluid-tight retention of the electrical contacts 114, 116 within the housing 112), gluing, or the like.

Referring to fig. 12A, 12B, 13 and 14, each electrical contact 114, 116 includes a pair of tabs 114c, 116c, respectively, formed in and/or protruding from its respective proximal tip portion 114B, 116B. The tabs 114c, 116c define a solder area for electrical connection to the distal tip portion 107a of the ribbon cable 107. Specifically, the distal tip portion 107a of the ribbon cable 107 includes a first pair of welding grooves 107b1 formed in a first side edge thereof and a second pair of welding grooves 107b2 formed in a second side edge thereof. The first pair of solder grooves 107b1 is configured to align with a pair of tabs 114c of the electrical contacts 114, and the second pair of solder grooves 107b2 is configured to align with a pair of tabs 116c of the electrical contacts 116. Each of the first pair of solder grooves 107b1 and the second pair of solder grooves 107b2 may define a pad (e.g., a castellation-type pad) for electrically connecting with the respective bump 114c, 116c of the electrical contact 114, 116. It is contemplated that the distal tip portion 107a of the ribbon cable 107 may be soldered or secured to each of the electrical contacts 114, 116 via an immersion tin process, an Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG) process, or similar process known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to fig. 7-11, the plug assembly 110 includes a sealing member 120 disposed within a distally facing aperture 112b (see fig. 12A) of the housing 112. The sealing member 120 includes a pair of slots formed therein for passing the distal tip portions 114a, 116a of the electrical contacts 114, 116 therethrough. Sealing member 120 is secured to the distal end of housing 112 and includes a distal portion 120a extending from the distal end of housing 112 and a proximal portion 120b configured to be received by and form an interlock with at least one side surface of housing 112. The sealing member 120 may include a circumferential ridge 122 configured to engage an inner wall (not shown) of the plug receptacle of the refill 40 to facilitate a friction fit and a fluid-tight seal between the plug assembly 110 of the adapter assembly 30 and the plug receptacle of the refill 40.

The sealing member 120 may be formed from silicone, rubber, plastic, polymer, or any other suitable material.

As mentioned above, the respective distal tip portions 114a, 116a of the electrical contacts 114, 116 of the plug assembly 110 pass through and extend from the sealing member 120. The distal tip portions 114a, 116a of the electrical contacts 114, 116 are configured to electrically couple with corresponding contact members of complementary plug receptacles of the reload 40 (not shown).

Referring to fig. 15, with the electrical contacts 114, 116 and the distal end portion 107a of the ribbon cable 107 disposed within the housing 112, the proximally facing aperture 112a of the housing 112 may be filled with an encapsulating material 130 (e.g., resin, acrylic) that is resistant to sterilization and disinfection operations (e.g., washing, rinsing, autoclaving, etc.).

The housing 112 may be transparent or nearly transparent, enabling the use of a light or UV curable encapsulant 130. The transparency of the housing 112 allows the encapsulant material 130 to be cured after the plug assembly 110 is fully assembled. Accordingly, the housing 112 may be made of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) using an injection molding process, an extrusion process, or the like, or of Polysulfone (PSU) that is also transparent to light/UV curing. In an embodiment, housing 112 may be made of an opaque material, provided that a Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) envelope is selected that is curable without the need for a UV or light curing process.

Turning now to fig. 16-20, a plug assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure is generally designated 210. The plug assembly 210 is substantially similar to the plug assembly 110, and for the sake of brevity, only the differences therebetween will be described in detail below.

Referring to fig. 16-18, a distal tip portion 207a of a ribbon cable 207 of the electrical assembly 100 for use with the plug assembly 210 is shown and described. The distal tip portion 207a of the ribbon cable 207 is split, divided or bifurcated to include a pair of distally extending fingers 207c, 207d separated by a gap or space 207 e.

The distal tip portion 207a of the ribbon cable 207 includes a first pair of welding grooves 207b1 formed in a first side edge of the first finger 207c and a second pair of welding grooves 207b2 formed in a second side edge of the second finger 207 d. The first pair of welding grooves 207b1 is configured to align with a pair of tabs 114c of the electrical contact 114, and the second pair of welding grooves 207b2 is configured to align with a pair of tabs 116c of the electrical contact 116. Each of the first pair of solder grooves 207b1 and the second pair of solder grooves 207b2 may define a pad (e.g., a castellation-type pad) for electrically connecting with the respective bump 114c, 116c of the electrical contact 114, 116. It is contemplated that the first and second fingers 207c, 207d of the distal tip portion 207a of the ribbon cable 207 may be soldered or secured to each of the electrical contacts 114, 116, respectively, via an immersion tin process, an Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG) process, or similar processes known to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to fig. 18-20, the housing 212 of the plug assembly 210 is shown and described. The housing 212 defines a proximally facing aperture 212a configured to receive the distal tip portion 207a of the ribbon cable 207. The electrical contacts or blades 114, 116 are supported within the housing 112, with each electrical contact 114, 116 including a respective distal tip portion 114a, 116a disposed within and defined within a respective cavity 212c, 212d (fig. 20) and projecting distally from the housing 212. The electrical contacts 114, 116 may be secured within the apertures 212a of the housing 212 in any suitable manner, such as press-fit, friction-fit, snap-fit, stapling, welding, potting with a resin material or the like (for fluid-tight retention of the electrical contacts 114, 116 within the housing 212), gluing, or the like.

Housing 212 includes a central proximally extending rib or wall 212e that seats within proximally facing aperture 212 a. The rib 212e is configured and dimensioned to substantially fill a gap 207e (described above) defined in the distal tip portion 207a of the ribbon cable 207 when the electrical contacts 114, 116 and the distal tip portion 207a of the ribbon cable 207 are positioned within the housing 212. Rib 212e may be an integral component of housing 212 and, therefore, may be constructed of the same electrically conductive, resistive material as housing 212. It is contemplated in accordance with the present disclosure that the rib 212e may work in conjunction with the encapsulant material 130 (e.g., resin, acrylic) of the proximally facing aperture 212a to inhibit moisture from entering the plug assembly 210 and to inhibit shorting of the solder pads defined by the first pair of solder grooves 207b1 and the second pair of solder grooves 207b2 of the distal tip portion 207a of the ribbon cable 207.

It should be understood that various modifications can be made to the embodiments of the presently disclosed adapter assembly. Accordingly, the foregoing description is not to be construed in a limiting sense, but is made merely as illustrative of the present embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.