Surgical suturing devices

Abstract

The present invention discloses a surgical stapling device, comprising a handle assembly, an adapter assembly, and a reload assembly, wherein the reload assembly is releasably secured to the adapter assembly to facilitate replacement of the reload assembly after each use of the stapling device. The reload assembly includes an authentication chip and a printed circuit board assembly, wherein the authentication chip and the printed circuit board assembly are configured to provide a self-supporting electrical contact to allow for automated assembly of the electrical contact and to provide a more reliable and robust electrical connection between the electrical contact and the chip.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 028,908, filed May 22, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present technology relates generally to surgical stapling devices, and more particularly to a surgical stapling device having a reusable adapter assembly and a disposable reload assembly. Background Art

[0004] Surgical suturing devices for suturing tissue are well known in the art and generally include a handle assembly, an adapter assembly, and an end effector supported on the adapter assembly for processing tissue. Such suturing devices can suturing tissue faster than traditional suturing techniques to reduce the time required to perform a surgical procedure and reduce trauma to the patient.

[0005] In order to reduce the costs associated with surgical procedures requiring suturing of tissue, the end effector of the surgical stapling device may constitute a portion of a reload assembly that is releasably coupled to an adapter assembly and is disposable for reuse of the handle assembly and the adapter assembly. In some cases, the adapter and handle assembly may be configured for use with reload assemblies of different types or sizes. The reload assembly may include an authentication chip that communicates with the adapter assembly and the handle assembly when the reload assembly is coupled to the adapter assembly, to ensure, in particular, that the reload assembly is compatible with the adapter assembly and the handle assembly and to allow the handle assembly to correctly actuate a specific reload assembly.

[0006] In such devices, the adapter assembly and the reload assembly include electrical contacts that cooperate to electrically couple the authentication chip to the adapter assembly when the reload assembly is coupled to the adapter assembly. If the electrical connection between the adapter assembly and the reload assembly is compromised, the surgical device will be inoperable. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In various aspects, the present disclosure as a whole relates to a surgical stapling device comprising a handle assembly, an adapter assembly, and a reload assembly that is releasably secured to the adapter assembly to facilitate replacement of the reload assembly after each use of the stapling device. The reload assembly includes an authentication chip and a printed circuit board assembly that includes electrical contacts that are coupled to the adapter assembly and communicate with the handle assembly when the reload assembly is coupled to the adapter assembly. The construction of the authentication chip and printed circuit board (PCB) assembly described herein provides self-supporting electrical contacts to allow for automated assembly of the electrical contacts and provides a more reliable and robust electrical connection between the electrical contacts and the chip.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a chip and printed circuit board assembly comprising a housing, a printed circuit board (PCB), an authentication chip, electrical contacts, and a cover. The housing includes a body defining a cavity and having an open proximal end and an open distal end communicating with the cavity. The body includes a transverse wall extending across the cavity and having a proximal side and a distal side. The transverse wall defines spaced-apart openings extending through the transverse wall and configured to receive conductive pins of a plug. The printed circuit board (PCB) is supported within the cavity of the housing on the distal side of the transverse wall. The authentication chip is supported on and electrically coupled to the PCB. Electrical contacts are also supported on and electrically coupled to the PCB. Each of the electrical contacts defines a slot. The slot is aligned with the opening in the transverse wall and is sized to receive the conductive pins of the plug. The cover is received within the distal end of the body and engages the PCB to retain the PCB, authentication chip, and electrical contacts within the cavity.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a reloading assembly comprising an outer shell, a staple cartridge, a pusher assembly, and a chip and printed circuit board assembly. The outer shell comprises an outer annular main portion and an inner annular main portion defining an annular cavity. The staple cartridge is supported on the outer shell and supports a plurality of staples. The pusher assembly is supported within the annular cavity and is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The chip and printed circuit board assembly is supported on the outer shell and comprises a housing, a printed circuit board, an authentication chip, electrical contacts, and a cover. The housing comprises a main body defining a cavity and having an open proximal end and an open distal end communicating with the cavity. The main body comprises a transverse wall extending across the cavity and having a proximal side and a distal side. The transverse wall defines spaced-apart openings extending through the transverse wall and configured to receive conductive pins of a plug. The printed circuit board is supported within the cavity of the housing on the distal side of the transverse wall. The authentication chip is supported on the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The electrical contacts are also supported on and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. Each of the electrical contacts defines a slot. The slot is aligned with the opening in the transverse wall and is sized to receive the conductive pins of the plug. A cover is received within the distal end of the body and engages the printed circuit board to retain the printed circuit board, authentication chip, and electrical contacts within the cavity.

[0010] In aspects of the present disclosure, the body is defined by a wall having an inner surface that includes alignment ribs that engage and properly position the printed circuit board within the housing.

[0011] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the body includes a wall defining a wall opening, and the cover includes a tab that is snap-fit ​​received within the wall opening to secure the cover to the housing.

[0012] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, each of the electrical contacts has a tuning fork shape and includes a first elongated contact portion and a second elongated contact portion spaced apart from each other to define a slot of the respective electrical contact.

[0013] In aspects of the present disclosure, the first elongated contact portion and the second elongated contact portion of each of the electrical contacts are configured to define a slot to have a convergent-divergent configuration.

[0014] In some aspects of the disclosure, the first elongated contact portion and the second elongated contact portion of each of the electrical contacts are connected by a base having a prong.

[0015] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the printed circuit board defines holes that receive prongs of the electrical contacts.

[0016] In aspects of the present disclosure, the printed circuit includes a surface having support pads, and the authentication chip is soldered to the support pads.

[0017] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the transverse wall comprises a tapered wall that defines the opening in the transverse wall and tapers inwardly in a distal direction toward the opening in the transverse wall.

[0018] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the housing includes a retaining ring configured to secure the chip and printed circuit board assembly to the surgical device.

[0019] In aspects of the present disclosure, a chip and printed circuit board assembly housing includes a retaining ring configured to secure the chip and printed circuit board assembly housing to an inner annular body portion of a housing housing.

[0020] Other features of the present disclosure will be understood from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Various aspects of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a surgical stapling device incorporating aspects of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A side exploded perspective view of a reload assembly of a surgical stapling apparatus is shown;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A perspective view of an adapter assembly and a reload assembly of a surgical stapling device is shown with the reload assembly separated from the adapter assembly;

[0025] Figure 4 For the Figure 3 A sectional view taken along section line 4-4;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 3 an enlarged view of the indicated area of ​​detail shown;

[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 2 an enlarged view of the indicated area of ​​detail shown;

[0028] Figure 7 for Figure 3 a side perspective view of the authentication chip and printed circuit board ("PCB") assembly of the reloaded assembly shown;

[0029] Figure 8 for Figure 7 An exploded side perspective view of the authentication chip and PCB assembly is shown;

[0030] Figure 9 for Figure 8 a side perspective view of the authentication chip, PCB, and electrical contacts of the authentication chip and PCB assembly shown with the components separated;

[0031] Figure 10 For the Figure 7 A sectional view taken along section line 10-10;

[0032] Figure 11 For the Figure 10 A sectional view taken along section line 11-11;

[0033] Figure 12 For the Figure 11 A sectional view taken along section line 12-12;

[0034] Figure 13 For Figure 7 The authentication chip and PCB assembly are shown positioned adjacent to each other. Figure 2 a side perspective view of the mating plug pins of the adapter assembly shown with the components separated and the housing of the authentication chip and PCB assembly shown in phantom; and

[0035] Figure 14 To connect to Figure 7 The authentication chip and PCB assembly shown Figure 2 A side perspective view of the mating plug pins of the adapter assembly is shown with the authentication chip and PCB assembly housing shown in phantom. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The disclosed suturing device will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals in each of the several views represent identical or corresponding elements. However, it should be understood that the various aspects of the present disclosure are merely examples of the present disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or configurations are not described in detail so as not to obscure the present disclosure with unnecessary detail. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the present disclosure differently in almost any suitable specific structure. In addition, directional terms such as front, back, up, down, top, bottom, distal, proximal and similar terms are used to aid in understanding the present specification and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0037] In this specification, the term "proximal" is generally used to refer to the portion of the device that is closer to the clinician, while the term "distal" is generally used to refer to the portion of the device that is farther from the clinician. In addition, the term "endoscopic" is generally used to refer to endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and / or any other procedure performed through a small diameter incision or cannula. In addition, the term "clinician" is generally used to refer to medical staff, including physicians, nurses, and support staff.

[0038] Figure 1 A surgical stapling device 10 incorporating aspects of the present disclosure is shown, generally designated as stapling device 10. Stapling device 10 includes a handle assembly 12, an adapter assembly 14, an anvil assembly 18, and a reload assembly 100. Handle assembly 12 includes a fixed grip 20 that supports an actuation button 22 for controlling the operation of various functions of stapling device 10, including the approximation of each of reload assembly 100 and anvil assembly 18, the firing of staples from reload assembly 100, and the cutting or coring of tissue. Adapter assembly 14 includes an anvil retainer 24 ( Figure 3 ) and is coupled to the handle assembly 12 via a knob 26. The knob 26 is rotatably supported on the handle assembly 12 to facilitate rotation of the adapter assembly 14 and the reload assembly 100 relative to the handle assembly 12. The anvil assembly 18 is supported on an anvil retainer 24 ( Figure 3 ) and is movable relative to the reload assembly 100 between an open position and a clamped position. The reload assembly 100 includes a proximal portion 102 ( Figure 1 ), the proximal portion is releasably coupled to the distal portion 14a of the adapter 14 to facilitate removal and replacement of a spent or fired reload assembly and reuse of the handle assembly 12 and the adapter assembly 14.

[0039] The suturing device 10 is shown as an electric suturing device and includes an electric handle assembly 12. In various aspects of the present disclosure, a fixed handle 20 of the handle assembly 12 supports a battery pack or one or more batteries (not shown) that provide power to the suturing device 10. The adapter assembly 14 converts power from the handle assembly 12 to the reload assembly 100 and to the anvil assembly 18 to actuate the reload assembly 100. Examples of electric suturing devices can be found in U.S. Patent No. 9,055,943 (the '943 patent), U.S. Patent No. 9,023,014 (the '014 patent), and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2018 / 0125495 and 2017 / 0340351.

[0040] Alternatively, it is contemplated that aspects of the present disclosure may also be incorporated into a manual suturing device such as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,303,106 (the '106 patent) or into a suturing device that does not include a handle assembly and is configured for use with a robotic system such as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,962,159 (the '159 patent).

[0041] Figure 2 A reload assembly 100 is shown, comprising: a housing shell 110; a pusher assembly including an annular pusher 114 and a staple pushing member 116; a knife carrier 118; an annular knife 120 supported on the knife carrier 118; a staple cartridge 122; and a plurality of staples 124 supported within the staple cartridge 122. The staple cartridge 122 is annular and defines an annular array of staple pockets 126. Each of the staple pockets 126 supports one of the plurality of staples 124. The annular pusher 114 has a distal portion that abuts a proximal portion of the staple pushing member 116, such that distal movement of the pusher 114 within the housing shell 110 from a retracted position to an advanced position causes distal movement of the staple pushing member 116. The staple pushing member 116 of the reload assembly 100 has a plurality of fingers 130. Each of the multiple fingers 130 is received in a corresponding one of the nail recesses 126 of the nail magazine 122, and can move through the corresponding nail recess 126 to push the nail 124 out of the nail recess 126 when the nail pushing member 116 moves from its retracted position to its advanced position within the shell shell 110.

[0042] The housing shell 110 includes a proximal portion 136 ( Figure 2 ), the coupling mechanism is operable to releasably couple the reload assembly 100 to the suturing device 10 ( Figure 1 ) adapter assembly 14 to facilitate replacement of the reload assembly 100 and reuse of the suturing device 10. The coupling mechanism 140 includes a retaining member 142 and a coupling member 144. The coupling member 144 surrounds the proximal portion 136 ( Figure 2 ) is received and engages the distal portion 14a ( Figure 3 ) to couple the reload assembly 100 to the adapter assembly 14. It is contemplated that other coupling mechanisms may be used to secure the reload assembly 100 to the adapter assembly 14.

[0043] The housing shell 110 includes an outer annular body portion 150 and an inner annular body portion 152 that are coupled to each other and define an annular cavity 154 within the housing shell 110. The inner annular body portion 152 defines a through-hole 158 that receives the anvil retainer 24 of the adapter assembly 14 and facilitates movement of the anvil retainer 24 from an advanced position to a retracted position. The anvil retainer 24 is releasably coupled to the anvil assembly 18 and is movable between its advanced and retracted positions to move the anvil assembly 18 between an open position and a clamped position relative to the staple cartridge 122. The annular pusher 114, staple pushing member 116, knife carrier 118, and annular knife 120 are supported within the annular cavity 154 of the housing shell 110 and are movable between its retracted and advanced positions to eject staples 124 from the reload assembly 100 and cut tissue clamped between the anvil assembly 18 and the staple cartridge 122. The '495 publication discloses the operation of an exemplary reload assembly including an annular pusher, a staple pushing member, a knife holder, and an annular knife.

[0044] The reload assembly 100 includes a bushing 160 ( Figure 2 ), the bushing is supported on the inner annular body portion 152 of the housing shell 110. In aspects of the present disclosure, the bushing 160 includes a generally cylindrical body that defines a through-bore 162 and includes a distal portion 164, a proximal portion 166, and a flange 168 positioned between the distal body portion 164 and the proximal body portion 168. The through-bore 162 is axially aligned with the through-bore 158 of the inner annular body portion 152 of the housing shell 110. The distal body portion 164 includes a plurality of raised retaining rings 170 extending around the outer surface of the bushing 160. The distal portion 164 of the bushing 160 is received within the through-bore 158 in the proximal end of the inner annular body portion 152 of the housing shell 110. The retaining rings 170 engage the inner surface ( Figure 4 ) to secure the bushing 160 to the housing shell 110.

[0045] Figures 3 to 5 A proximal portion of the reload assembly 100 is shown, including an authentication chip and printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, generally shown as chip and PCB assembly 200. In aspects of the present disclosure, the chip and PCB assembly 200 is secured to the inner annular body portion 152 of the housing shell 110 by a bushing 160, as described below.

[0046] Figure 3 and Figure 5The distal portion 14a of the adapter assembly 14 is shown and includes a tubular body 180 defining a passage 182. The anvil retainer 24 extends from the distal end of the tubular body 180 along the central longitudinal axis of the tubular body 180. The adapter assembly 14 includes a plug 184 including spaced apart conductive pins 186 positioned within the tubular body 180 and extending distally within the passage 182 of the tubular body 180. The conductive pins 186 are connected to a controller supported within the handle assembly 12 via conductors (e.g., wires or conductive ribbons). Conductors (not shown) extend from the plug 184 within the adapter assembly 14 toward the handle assembly 12 to allow the reload assembly to communicate with the controller positioned within the handle assembly 12. As used herein, the term "controller" includes terms such as a processor, a digital processing device, or the like, which are used to refer to a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU). A CPU is an electronic circuit within a computer that executes the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logic, control, and input / output (I / O) operations specified by the instructions, and includes, by way of non-limiting example, a server computer. In some aspects, the controller includes an operating system configured to execute executable instructions. For example, an operating system is software including programs and data that manages the hardware of the suturing device 10 disclosed herein and provides services for executing applications used with the suturing device 10 disclosed herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, by way of non-limiting example, suitable server operating systems include FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Windows and In some aspects of the present disclosure, the operating system is provided by cloud computing.

[0047] Figures 6 to 12 The chip and PCB assembly 200 is shown and includes a housing 210, an authentication chip 212, a PCB 214 having electrical contacts 216, and a closure member or cover 218. The housing 210 includes a body 220 and a retaining ring 222 secured to one end of the body 220. The body 220 defines a cavity 224 and has an open proximal portion 226 and an open distal portion 228, respectively, that communicate with the cavity 224. The body 220 of the housing 210 includes a transverse wall 230 ( Figure 10 ), which extends across the cavity 224 and includes two spaced-apart openings or ports 232. The transverse wall 230 is positioned in the proximal portion of the cavity 224 of the housing 210. The openings 232 are partially defined by a tapered wall 241 ( Figure 10 ) is defined, the tapered wall angled in the distal direction into the opening 232. As described below, when the reload assembly 100 is coupled to the adapter assembly 14, the opening 232 receives the conductive pins 186 of the plug 184 of the adapter assembly 14.

[0048] The body 220 of the housing 210 of the chip and PCB assembly 200 includes side walls 236 and upper and lower walls 238 (eg, Figure 4 ), the upper and lower walls connect the side walls 236 to each other to define the cavity 224 of the housing 210. Each of the side walls 236 defines an opening 240 ( Figure 8 ). The inner surfaces of walls 236 and 238 include alignment ribs 241 ( Figure 11 ), the alignment ribs center the PCB 214 within the housing 210, as described below. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the housing 210 can be formed from a medical grade plastic material.

[0049] After the bushing 160 is inserted into the proximal end of the through hole 158 of the inner annular main body portion 152 of the housing shell 110 ( Figure 4 ), during assembly of the reload assembly 100, the retaining ring 222 of the housing 210 is received around the distal portion 164 of the bushing 160 of the reload assembly 100 ( Figure 4 When the bushing 160 is inserted into the through hole 158, the retaining ring 222 is compressed between the flange 168 of the bushing 160 and the inner annular body portion 152 of the housing shell 110 to secure the chip and PCB assembly 200 to the housing 210. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a variety of different securing techniques may be used to secure the chip and PCB assembly 200 within the housing shell 110.

[0050] PCB 214 includes a body 250 having a proximal surface 252 defining two holes 254 at each end of body 250. Body 250 includes a central portion supporting pads 256 for authentication chip 212 and a distal surface 258 opposite the proximal surface. In various aspects of the present disclosure, body 250 of PCB 214 is a laminate formed from one or more layers of non-conductive material and chemically etched copper to create conductive pathways and pads 256. In some aspects of the present disclosure, body 250 of PCB 214 includes a top solder mask layer (e.g., approximately 0.005 inches), a conductive copper layer (e.g., approximately 0.007 inches thick), a dielectric layer (e.g., approximately 0.0315 inches thick), a bottom copper conductive layer (e.g., approximately 0.007 inches thick), and a bottom solder mask layer (e.g., approximately 0.005 inches thick). In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the dielectric layer is formed from fiberglass (e.g., FR-4 fiberglass), although other dielectric materials are also contemplated.

[0051] The electrical contacts 216 have a folded tuning fork shape. More specifically, each of the electrical contacts 216 includes two elongated contact portions 260 spaced apart to define a slot 262. In aspects of the present disclosure, each of the elongated contact portions 260 is generally U-shaped and includes ends coupled together by a base portion 264. Each of the base portions 264 of each of the contact portions 260 includes a pin 266 received within one of the holes 254 in the proximal surface 252 of the body 250 of the PCB 214. In aspects of the present disclosure, the pins 266 are soldered to the body 250 of the PCB 214 using known processes. In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the elongated contact portions 260 are configured such that the width of the slot 262 initially contracts and then expands ( Figure 10 ). When the adapter assembly 14 ( Figure 5 ) when the conductive pins 186 of the plug 184 are inserted into the slots 262, as described in more detail below.

[0052] The chip 212 is positioned on pads 256 of the body 250 of the PCB 214. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the bottom of the chip 212 includes solder balls 212 a, which are placed on and soldered to the pads 256 to secure the chip 212 to the PCB 214. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the assembly of the PCB 214 and the chip 212 is placed in a reflow oven to melt the solder and fuse the solder balls 212 a on the bottom of the chip 212 to the pads 256 of the PCB 214. After the reflow oven, the pins 266 of the electrical contacts 216 are placed into the holes 254 in the body 250 of the PCB 214, and the assembly is placed in a wave soldering machine to solder the bottom of the pins 266 of the electrical contacts 216 to the PCB 214. Copper vias within the PCB 214 electrically couple the electrical contacts 216 to the chip 212. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the chip and components of the PCB assembly 200 may be soldered manually.

[0053] The cover 218 includes a body 270 including tabs 272 extending radially outward from each end of the body 270. Figure 8 ). The body 270 also includes a grip portion 274 that extends axially from the distal end of the cover 218 to allow the cover 218 to be gripped and assembled to the housing 210 of the chip and PCB assembly 200, as described in further detail below. The tab 272 is received in a snap-fit ​​manner within the opening 240 in the housing 210 to secure the cover 218 to the housing 210. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the cover 218 has an open end 276 ( Figure 8), which has a proximal surface that supports a series of spacers 280. The spacers 280 engage the body 250 of the PCB 214 to secure the PCB 214 within the housing 210 of the chip and PCB assembly 200. The alignment ribs 241 ( Figure 11 ) engages the PCB 214 and centers or properly positions the PCB within the housing 210.

[0054] To assemble the chip and PCB assembly 200, the PCB 214 having the electrical contacts 216 and the authentication chip 212 mounted thereon is inserted into the open distal portion 228 of the housing 210 of the chip and PCB assembly 200, with the slots 262 of the electrical contacts 216 aligned with the openings 232 in the lateral walls 230 of the housing 210. After the PCB 214 is inserted into the housing 210, the cover 218 is inserted into the open distal portion 228 of the housing 210 and engaged with the PCB 214 to press the electrical pins 216 into engagement with the lateral walls 230 of the housing 210. When the tabs 272 are aligned with the openings 240 in the housing 210, the tabs 272, which are deformed inwardly when the cover 218 is inserted into the housing 210, snap outwardly into the openings 240 of the housing 210 to secure the cover 218 and PCB 214 within the housing 210 of the chip and PCB assembly 200.

[0055] It is contemplated that structures other than cover 218 may be used to secure the components of PCB assembly 200 within housing 210. For example, the distal end of housing 210 may be backfilled with epoxy to secure the components of PCB assembly 200 in place within housing 210.

[0056] Figure 5 、 Figure 13 and Figure 14 The adapter assembly 14 ( Figure 5 ) plug 184, which is connected to the adapter assembly 14 ( Figure 5 ) occurs. When the reload assembly 100 is coupled to the adapter assembly 14 ( Figure 5 ), the conductive pin 186 extends through the opening 232 ( Figure 10 ) and moves into the slot 262 of the elongated contact portion 260 of the electrical contact 216. The tapered walls 241 defining the opening 232 in the housing 210 of the chip and PCB assembly 200 guide the conductive pin 186 into the slot 262. As described above, the converging and diverging configuration of the slot 262 defined by the elongated contact portion 260 of each of the electrical contacts 216 creates a wiping action between the conductive pin 186 and the electrical contact 216 to remove any contaminants from the component.

[0057] In known devices, the electrical contacts of the authentication and printed circuit board assembly are mounted to the assembly's housing, and the authentication chip is soldered directly to the electrical contacts using solder paste. The assembly is then passed through a reflow oven, and the chip is encapsulated in epoxy resin within the housing. Due to the large thermal mass of the contacts, solder flow between the chip and contacts is inconsistent and difficult to detect. Consequently, manufacturing yields are low, solder joints are poor, and the electrical connection between the electrical contacts and the chip is intermittent. The aforementioned configuration of chip and PCB assembly 200 provides self-supporting electrical contacts, allowing for automated assembly of the electrical contacts. This configuration also provides, for example, a more reliable and robust electrical connection between electrical contacts 216 and chip 212.

[0058] Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the present disclosure. It is conceivable that the elements and features shown and described in conjunction with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features shown and described in conjunction with another exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, those skilled in the art will understand the additional features and advantages of the present disclosure based on the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited by what has been specifically shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A chip and printed circuit board assembly, comprising: a housing comprising a body defining a cavity and having an open proximal end and an open distal end in communication with the cavity, the body comprising a transverse wall extending across the cavity and having a proximal side and a distal side, the transverse wall defining spaced-apart openings extending through the transverse wall and configured to receive conductive prongs of a plug; a printed circuit board supported within the cavity of the housing on the distal side of the transverse wall; an authentication chip supported on the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board; electrical contacts supported on and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board, each of the electrical contacts defining a slot aligned with the opening in the transverse wall and sized to receive the conductive prong of the plug; and A closure member is received within the distal end of the body, the closure member engaging the printed circuit board to retain the printed circuit board, the authentication chip, and the electrical contacts within the cavity.

2. The chip and printed circuit board assembly of claim 1 , wherein the body is defined by a wall, the wall having an inner surface, the inner surface including alignment ribs that engage the printed circuit board and properly position the printed circuit board within the housing.

3. The chip and printed circuit board assembly of claim 1 , wherein the body includes a wall defining a wall opening, and the closure member includes a cover having a tab that is snap-fitted within the wall opening to secure the cover to the housing.

4. The chip and printed circuit board assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the electrical contacts has a tuning fork shape and includes a first elongated contact portion and a second elongated contact portion, the first elongated contact portion and the second elongated contact portion being spaced apart from each other to define the slot of the corresponding electrical contact. 5 . The chip and printed circuit board assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first and second elongated contact portions of each of the electrical contacts are configured to define the slot to have a convergent-divergent configuration.

6. The chip and printed circuit board assembly of claim 5, wherein the first elongated contact portion and the second elongated contact portion of each of the electrical contacts are connected by a base, the base of each of the electrical contacts having a prong.

7. The chip and printed circuit board assembly of claim 6, wherein the printed circuit board defines holes, each of the holes receiving one of the pins of the electrical contact.

8. The chip and printed circuit board assembly of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit includes a surface having support pads, the authentication chip being soldered to the support pads.

9. The chip and printed circuit board assembly of claim 1, wherein the transverse wall comprises a tapered wall defining the opening in the transverse wall, the tapered wall tapering inwardly in a distal direction toward the opening in the transverse wall.

10. The chip and printed circuit board assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a retaining ring configured to secure the chip and printed circuit board assembly to a surgical device.

11. A reloading assembly, comprising: an outer shell including an outer annular body portion and an inner annular body portion defining an annular cavity; a nail cartridge supported on the housing shell, the nail cartridge supporting a plurality of nails; a pusher assembly supported in the annular cavity, the pusher being movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to eject staples from the staple cartridge; and A chip and printed circuit board assembly, the chip and printed circuit board assembly being supported on the housing shell, the chip and circuit board assembly comprising: a housing comprising a body defining a cavity and having an open proximal end and an open distal end in communication with the cavity, the body comprising a transverse wall extending across the cavity and having a proximal side and a distal side, the transverse wall defining spaced-apart openings extending through the transverse wall and configured to receive conductive prongs of a plug of a surgical device; a printed circuit board supported within the cavity of the housing on the distal side of the transverse wall; an authentication chip supported on the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board; electrical contacts supported on and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board, each of the electrical contacts defining a slot aligned with the opening in the transverse wall and sized to receive the conductive prong of the plug; and A closure member is received within the distal end of the body, the closure member engaging the printed circuit board to retain the printed circuit board, the authentication chip, and the electrical contacts within the cavity.

12. The reload assembly of claim 11, wherein the housing of the chip and printed circuit board assembly includes a retaining ring configured to secure the housing of the chip and printed circuit board assembly to the inner annular body portion of the housing shell.

13. The reload assembly of claim 11, wherein the body is defined by a wall having an inner surface, the inner surface including alignment ribs that engage the printed circuit board and properly position the printed circuit board within the housing.

14. The reload assembly of claim 11, wherein the body includes a wall defining a wall opening, and the closure member includes a cover having a tab that is snap-fit ​​received within the wall opening to secure the cover to the housing.

15. The reload assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the electrical contacts has a tuning fork shape and includes first and second elongated contact portions spaced apart from each other to define the slot.

16. The reload assembly of claim 15, wherein the first and second elongated contact portions of each of the electrical contacts are configured to define the slot to have a convergent-divergent configuration.

17. The reload assembly of claim 16, wherein the first elongated contact portion and the second elongated contact portion of each of the electrical contacts are connected by a base, the base of each of the electrical contacts having a prong.

18. The reload assembly of claim 17, wherein the printed circuit board defines holes, each of the holes receiving one of the prongs of the electrical contact.

19. The reload assembly of claim 11, wherein the printed circuit includes a surface having support pads, the authentication chip being soldered to the support pads.

20. The reload assembly of claim 11, wherein the transverse wall comprises a tapered wall defining the opening therein, the tapered wall tapering inwardly in a distal direction toward the opening therein.

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