阅读说明：本技术 电缆识别测试仪 (Cable identification tester ) 是由 W·M·雅努什科 H·李 J·L·甘博亚 V·W·S·李 C·M·史密斯 于 2020-03-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种识别具有多个电缆的电缆组件内的电缆的相对端部的方法。该方法包括：将信号传送到多个电缆中的电缆的第一端部；在多个电缆中的电缆的第二端部处接收所述信号；将来自连接器的输出信号从连接器传送到处理器,该连接器可操作地耦合到所述多个电缆中的所述电缆的所述第二端部。所述连接器是多个连接器中的一个。该方法还包括使用指示器设备识别多个连接器中的可操作地耦合到所述电缆的所述第二端部的所述连接器。(A method of identifying opposite ends of a cable within a cable assembly having a plurality of cables. The method comprises the following steps: transmitting a signal to a first end of a cable of a plurality of cables; receiving the signal at a second end of a cable of a plurality of cables; an output signal from a connector is transmitted from the connector to a processor, the connector being operatively coupled to the second end of the cable of the plurality of cables. The connector is one of a plurality of connectors. The method also includes identifying, using an indicator device, the connector of the plurality of connectors that is operatively coupled to the second end of the cable.)

1. A method of identifying opposite ends of a cable within a cable assembly having a plurality of cables, the method comprising:

transmitting a signal to a first end of a cable of the plurality of cables;

receiving the signal at a second end of the cable of the plurality of cables;

communicating an output signal from a connector to a processor, the connector operably coupled to the second end of the cable of the plurality of cables, wherein the connector is one of a plurality of connectors; and

identifying the connector of the plurality of connectors that is operatively coupled to the second end of the cable using an indicator device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the signal to the first end of the cable comprises: directly contacting the first end of the cable with a connector.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the connector is a probe.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the signal at the second end of the cable further comprises: the signal is received at an electrode operably coupled to the cable, the electrode being positioned near the second end of the cable.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising transmitting the signal from the electrode to the connector.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a signal to a first end of a second cable of the plurality of cables;

receiving the signal at a second end of the second cable;

communicating an output signal from a second connector to the processor, the second connector operatively coupled to the second end of the second cable; and

identifying the second connector on the indicator apparatus operably coupled to the second end of the second cable.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein communicating the signal to the first end of the cable and communicating the signal to the first end of the second cable occur sequentially.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein communicating the signal to the first end of the cable comprises: directly contacting the first end of the cable with a probe; and

communicating the signal to the first end of the second cable comprises: decoupling the probe from the cable and directly contacting the first end of the second cable with the probe.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein communicating the signal to the first end of the cable and communicating the signal to the first end of the second cable occur sequentially.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein identifying the connector on the indicator device operably coupled to the second end of the cable and identifying the second connector on the indicator device operably coupled to the second end of the second cable occur simultaneously.

11. A system for identifying opposite ends of a cable within a cable assembly having a plurality of cables, the system comprising:

a processor connected to a first end of a cable of the plurality of cables;

a plurality of connectors operably coupled to the processor, the plurality of connectors being respectively connectable to the second end of each of the plurality of cables; and

an input/output device operably coupled to the processor, wherein the input/output device includes an indicator device operable to display information identifying a connector of the plurality of connectors associated with the first end of the cable.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the system further comprises a connector operably coupled to the processor, wherein the connector is positionable in direct contact with the first end of the cable.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the connector is a probe.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the connector comprises a plurality of terminals, each of the plurality of terminals connectable to a first end of one of the plurality of cables.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the system is positioned within a housing, and the housing and the system together form a portable identification device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the input/output device is disposed outside of the housing.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the input/output device comprises at least one of a display and one or more light emitting devices.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the housing includes an opening for receiving the second end of each of the plurality of cables, and the plurality of connectors are mounted directly adjacent the opening.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the cable assembly is an electrode catheter.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the cable assembly is a coaxial cable.

Technical Field

Example embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a cable assembly and, more particularly, to a testing apparatus for detecting and identifying corresponding ends of cables within a cable assembly and methods of use thereof.

Description of the background

Power transmission devices, such as electrode catheters, typically consist of a central core of wire or cable that terminates at a distal end in one or more electrodes and at a proximal end in connector prongs. Before securing the connector to the proximal ends of the cables, the operator must identify each different passageway within the conduit by identifying both ends of each cable. Correct identification is of utmost importance, as the power transfer equipment may directly affect the health and safety of personnel relying on the operation of the equipment.

At present, multimeters are used to identify the interconnected and opposite ends of the cables of such power transmission devices. This identification process is repeated continuously (primarily by trial and error) until the measured resistance indicates that the multimeter is connected to the opposite end of the same cable. Thus, existing identification methods are time consuming.

Background

Disclosure of Invention

According to an embodiment, a method of identifying opposing ends of a cable within a cable assembly having a plurality of cables. The method comprises the following steps: transmitting a signal to a first end of a cable of a plurality of cables; receiving the signal at a second end of a cable of the plurality of cables; an output signal from a connector operatively coupled to the second end of the cable of the plurality of cables is transmitted to the processor. The connector is one of a plurality of connectors. The method also includes identifying, using the indicator device, a connector of the plurality of connectors that is operatively coupled to the second end of the cable.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the above, in a further embodiment, transmitting a signal to the first end of the cable includes: the first end of the cable is directly contacted with the connector.

In addition, or alternatively, to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment the connector is a probe.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the above, in a further embodiment, receiving a signal at the second end of the cable further comprises: the signal is received at an electrode operatively coupled to the cable, the electrode being positioned near the second end of the cable.

In addition to, or instead of, one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the method includes transmitting a signal from the electrode to the connector.

In addition, or alternatively, to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the method comprises: transmitting a signal to a first end of a second cable of the plurality of cables; receiving the signal at a second end of the second cable; communicating an output signal from a second connector to a processor, the second connector operatively coupled to a second end of a second cable; and identifying a second connector on the indicator device that is operatively coupled to the second end of the second cable.

In addition to or in lieu of one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the transmitting of the signal to the first end of the cable and the transmitting of the signal to the first end of the second cable occur sequentially.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features above, in a further embodiment, transmitting the signal to the first end of the cable includes directly contacting the first end of the cable with the probe, and transmitting the signal to the first end of the second cable includes decoupling the probe from the cable and directly contacting the first end of the second cable with the probe.

In addition to or in lieu of one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the transmitting of the signal to the first end of the electrical cable and the transmitting of the signal to the first end of the second cable occur sequentially.

In addition, or alternatively to one or more of the above features, in a further embodiment, identifying the connector operatively coupled to the second end of the cable on the indicator device and identifying the second connector operatively coupled to the second end of the second cable on the indicator device occur simultaneously.

According to another embodiment, a system for identifying opposite ends of a cable within a cable assembly having a plurality of cables, comprises: a processor connected to a first end of a cable of the plurality of cables. A plurality of connectors operably coupled to the processor and respectively connectable to the second end of each of the plurality of cables. An input/output device operatively coupled to the processor. The input/output device includes an indicator device operable to display information identifying a connector of the plurality of connectors associated with the first end of the cable.

In addition, or alternatively to one or more of the above features, in a further embodiment, the system further comprises a connector operably coupled to the processor, wherein the connector is positionable in direct contact with the first end of the cable.

In addition, or alternatively, to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment the connector is a probe.

In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the connector includes a plurality of terminals, each of the plurality of terminals being connectable to the first end of one of the plurality of cables.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features above, in a further embodiment at least a part of the system is located within a housing, and the housing and the system together form a portable identification device.

In addition to, or instead of, one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the input/output device is arranged outside the housing.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment the input/output device comprises at least one of a display and one or more light emitting devices.

In addition, or alternatively, to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the housing includes an opening for receiving the second end of each of the plurality of cables, and the plurality of connectors are mounted directly adjacent the opening.

In addition, or alternatively, to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the cable assembly is an electrode catheter.

In addition, or alternatively, to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the cable assembly is a coaxial cable.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an example of a cable assembly according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cable assembly according to another embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a computing system operable to identify a relationship between a proximal end of a cable and a distal end of the cable assembly;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an identification device including a computing system operable to identify a relationship between a proximal end of a cable and a distal end of the cable of a cable assembly, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an identification device including a computing system operable to identify a relationship between a proximal end of a cable and a distal end of the cable assembly, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5A is an example of a display of an input/output device associated with an identification device according to an embodiment; and

fig. 5B is another example of a display of an input/output device associated with an identification device according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

One or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods are described in detail herein, by way of example, and not limitation, with reference to the figures.

Referring now to fig. 1 and 2, an example of a cable assembly 20 is shown. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the cable assembly 20 is an electrode catheter that includes an elongated body 22 and a tip portion 24 disposed at a distal end 26 of the body 22. In the embodiment best shown in fig. 1, the control handle 28 is located at a proximal end 30 of the body 22. The elongate body 22 has a tubular configuration defining a single, central or axial lumen 32. The body 22 is formed of a flexible (e.g., bendable), electrically insulating material that is substantially incompressible along its length. The body 22 may have any suitable configuration and may be made of any suitable material. In an embodiment, the body 22 includes an outer wall 34 formed of a polyurethane material and contains an embedded woven stainless steel mesh (not shown) for increasing torsional stiffness of the body 22. The interior of the body 22 includes a stiffening tube 36, for example formed of a nylon material, the inner surface of which defines the central lumen 32. The outer diameter of the stiffening tube 36 may be about equal to or slightly less than the inner diameter of the outer wall 34. The stiffening tube 36 may be fixedly attached to the outer wall 34 in any suitable manner.

Tip portion 24 of cable assembly 20 comprises a short section of flexible tube 38, with flexible tube 38 having one or more lumens 39 defined therein. Tip portion 24 may be attached to distal end 26 of body 22 with a suitable adhesive material (not shown), such as an adhesive. In an embodiment, tip portion 24 includes a plurality of electrodes, such as, for example, ring electrodes 40a-40d and/or tip electrode 42 spaced apart from one another. The outer diameter of the ring electrodes 40a-40d may be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the flexible tube 38 such that the electrodes 40a-40d form a smooth continuous surface with the outer surface of the flexible tube 38. Alternatively, the electrodes may have an outer diameter slightly larger than the flexible tube 38, such that the electrodes 40a-40d protrude slightly from the surface of the flexible tube 38.

With particular reference to fig. 2, the cable assembly 20 additionally includes a plurality of lead cables or wires 44. The lead cables, shown as 44a-44e, extend through both lumen 39 of tip portion 24 and central lumen 32 of body 22 such that a proximal end 46a-46e of each lead cable 44a-44e extends beyond proximal end 30 of body 22. In embodiments where the cable assembly 20 includes a control handle 28, as shown in FIG. 1, each proximal end portion 46a-46e of the plurality of lead cables 44a-44e is received within and/or extends through the control handle 28 for coupling to a connector (not shown) adapted for use with a monitor, energy source, or other suitable device.

Each of the plurality of electrodes 40a-40d and 42 is electrically connected to a distal end portion 48a-48e of an individual lead cable 44a-44e of the plurality of lead cables 44a-44e by any suitable method. While five lead cables 44a-44e are shown in the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, it should be understood that embodiments herein may have any number of lead cables 44, for example, between two and twenty lead cables, or more than twenty lead cables are also contemplated herein. Further, because each lead cable is coupled to a different electrode, it should be understood that cable assemblies 20 having any number and type of electrodes (e.g., two or more ring electrodes) are within the scope of the present disclosure.

The electrode catheters shown and described are intended to be examples only. It should be understood that other configurations of electrode catheters having multiple lead cables are contemplated herein within the scope of the term "cable assembly". In addition, other cable assemblies, such as coaxial cables or cable bundles having two or more partially armored cables, are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

The association between the proximal end portion 46a-46e of each lead cable 44a-44e and the distal end portion 48a-48e of each lead cable 44a-44e, respectively, is determined prior to securing the connector or control handle 28 to the proximal end portion 46a-46e of the lead cable 44a-44 e. Because the distal ends 48a-48e of lead cables 44a-44e are hidden within lumen 39 of tip portion 24, and because the plurality of lead cables 44a-44e are substantially identical (i.e., no distinguishing indicia), the lead cable 44a-44e and electrode 40a-40d, 42 pairs need to be identified.

Reference is now made to fig. 3, which is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a computing system 50 operable to identify electrodes 40 or 42 associated with an exposed end of a cable 44, such as electrodes 40a-40d, 42 of lead cables 44a-44e of cable assembly 20, according to an embodiment. As shown, computing system 50 includes a processor 52. The processor 52 may be any type of processor including a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or the like. In an embodiment, processor 52 may include one or more image processors for processing the associated data from the acquisition device using one or more processing algorithms to produce one or more processed signals.

Computing system 50 additionally includes one or more input/output (I/O) devices 54 operatively connected to processor 52. In an embodiment, the at least one I/O device 54 is an indicator device for providing identifying information to the user regarding the electrodes 40, 42 and, thus, the distal end 48 associated with the proximal end 46 of the cable 44 in the cable assembly 20. Examples of such indicators include, but are not limited to, a display screen, light emitting diodes, or speakers, to name a few. Alternatively or additionally, the I/O devices 54 may be configured to provide an interface for allowing a user to interact with the computing system 50.

At least one connector 56 may be electrically connected to the distal end of the cable 44 of the cable assembly. In an embodiment, the at least one connector 56 is a spring-loaded connector and is configured to electrically couple to the electrodes 40, 42 of the cable assembly 20. In embodiments where the cable assembly 20 includes multiple lead cables 44 and, thus, multiple electrodes 40, 42, the computing system 50 includes multiple connectors 56, and each connector 56 is configured to couple to a single electrode associated with one of the multiple cables 44.

In an embodiment, computing system 50 includes at least one multiplexer having programmable input and output sets, as shown at 58. The at least one multiplexer 58 is not only operably coupled to the processor 52, but may be coupled to each of the plurality of connectors 56. Each of the plurality of connectors 56 is operable to provide an input signal I to the multiplexer 58 and to provide a selected one of the input signals I as an output signal O to the processor 52.

Referring now to fig. 4, in an embodiment, the computing system 50 is completely contained by the housing 60 to provide a portable device 70, the portable device 70 being capable of identifying cables within the cable bundle or cable assembly 20. The housing 60 may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the connection mechanism 62, which is operatively coupled to the processor 52, may be movable or fixed relative to the exterior of the housing 60. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in fig. 4, the connection mechanism 62 includes a probe or conductor that can selectively individually contact the proximal end 46 of each cable 44 of the cable assembly 20. In another embodiment, the connection mechanism 62 includes a plurality of terminals, and each terminal is configured to receive and electrically connect to the proximal end of a respective cable 44 of the cable assembly 20. Accordingly, in embodiments where the connection mechanism 62 includes a plurality of terminals, the processor 52 is arranged in cable communication with each of the plurality of cables 44 of the cable assembly 20.

An opening 64 is formed in a portion of housing 60 for receiving tip portion 24 of cable assembly 20. In an embodiment, a plurality of connectors 56 configured to connect to a plurality of electrodes 40, 42 of cable assembly 20 are mounted directly adjacent opening 64 such that when tip portion 24 is mounted within opening 64, connectors 56 may be electrically coupled to each of the plurality of electrodes 40, 42 of tip portion 24.

Further, at least one indicator I/O device 54 of the computing system 50 is exposed outside of the housing 60. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, at least one I/O device includes a display screen 54a mounted on the upper surface 66 of the housing 60. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of light emitting devices 54b, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), may be mounted so as to be visible on the surface of the housing 60. In such embodiments, each light emitting device 54 may be associated with one of the connectors 56. It should be understood that the configuration of the device 70 shown and described herein is intended to be exemplary only.

During operation of the apparatus 70, the processor 52 is selectively coupled to one or more of the plurality of cables 44 of the cable assembly 20. In an embodiment, this coupling is achieved by bringing the proximal end 46 of the cable 44 into direct contact with the connection mechanism 62. Via this contact, the electrical signal generated by the processor 52 is transmitted or conveyed to the cable 44. The electrodes 40, 42 associated with the cable 44 receive the signal, and the connector 56 coupled to the electrodes 40, 42 also receives the signal. In response, connector 56 generates a signal that is returned to processor 52 to complete the transmission circuit. The processor 52 determines the connector of the plurality of connectors 56 that generated the signal and sends a signal to the I/O device 54 indicating the identification information of the connector 56 and/or the electrode 40, 42 associated with the contacted cable 44. For example, if the electrodes 40, 42 coupled to connector "4" of the device 70 and the computing system 50 communicate a signal to the processor 52 in response to a signal output from the processor 52, the I/O device may display the number "4" on the display screen 54a and/or the LED 54b associated with the fourth connector, e.g., may emit light via the reference number.

Alternatively, the proximal end portions 46 of the plurality of cables 44 of the cable assembly 20 may be electrically connected to the processor 52 via the connection mechanism 62 at the same time. Thus, the electric signal output from the processor 52 is automatically transmitted to each of the plurality of cables 44 via the connection mechanism 62. These electrical signals may be transmitted sequentially or simultaneously. The electrical signals are transmitted via each cable 44 to a respective electrode 40, 42 located at a distal end 48 of the cable 44. The electrical signals are received by the electrodes 40, 42 associated with the cable 44 and the connectors 56 coupled to the electrodes 40, 42, respectively.

As previously described, connector 56 generates a signal that is returned to processor 52 to complete the transmission circuit. In embodiments where the connection mechanism 62 is coupled to multiple cables 44 of the cable assembly 20 simultaneously, the computing system 50 may include one or more multiplexers for organizing the input signals received from each connector. In such embodiments, the input signal from each connector 56 is selectively provided as an output signal from the multiplexer 58 to the processor 52 when prompted. The processor 52 may coordinate the identification information for each of the plurality of cables 44 of the cable assembly 20 and simultaneously display such information to the user, as shown in fig. 5. After identifying the end of each cable 44, the first end 46a-46e of each cable 44a-44e may be labeled, coded, or otherwise marked to indicate which cable 44a-44e corresponds to which electrode 40a-40d, 42 of the cable assembly 20. The proximal end portions 46a-46e may then be secured to a connector (not shown), such as via a soldering or welding operation for operation of the cable assembly 20.

The portable identification device 70 has a computing system 50 as described herein that allows for the efficient identification of the opposite ends of one or more cables within the cable assembly 20. As previously mentioned, the identification apparatus may be adapted for use with any type of cable assembly having a plurality of cables, wherein the cables are devoid of any identifying indicia or markings bundled together.

The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error associated with a measurement based on the particular amount of equipment available at the time of filing the present application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.