Disposable polarographic gas sensor system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A partially reusable, partially disposable blood gas sensor comprising:
- (a) a reusable portion including an anode-cathode polarographic assembly, and electrical connectors for establishing a circuit from said polarographic electrodes to an external utilization device;
(b) a disposable portion including(i) a housing defining a blood input port, a blood output port, a flow chamber therebetween, and a gas sensing region contacting at least a portion of said chamber;
(ii) a gas permeable membrane sealably overlying said gas sensing region for contact with blood in said chamber;
(iii) a gelatinous electrolyte, responsive to said gas, coating the side of said membrane opposite said chamber; and
(iv) means, integral with said housing, for removably coupling said reusable portion to said disposable portion, said means for coupling imbedding said polarographic assembly into said gelatinous electrolyte, wherein said means for removably coupling comprises a protuberance from said housing, surrounding said membrane and enclosing said gelatinous matter, said protuberance defining a threaded portion and said reusable portion defining a matably corresponding portion for screwed attachment of said reusable portion with said protuberance, simultaneously imbedding said assembly into electrolyte;
(c) wherein said polarographic assembly comprises a frustoconical, hollow anode, carrying a cathode generally axially therein; and
(d) disposable plug means, duplicating the shape of said reusable portion, and insertible into said protuberance of said disposable portion for storage and shipment prior to use.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A partially disposable, partially reusable polarographic sensor includes a fixed membrane and gel electrolyte in the disposable portion, and includes all electrical/metallic parts in the reusable portion. The disposable portion comprises a housing having a flow chamber for fluids to be monitored, adjacent to which is the membrane. Behind the membrane is the gel electrolyte, and a screw structure for engaging the reusable part. In turn, the reusable part employs a matable screw portion, and a fixed, coaxial anode-cathode assembly, which when mounted to the disposable portion, engages the membrane.
23 Citations
2 Claims
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1. A partially reusable, partially disposable blood gas sensor comprising:
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(a) a reusable portion including an anode-cathode polarographic assembly, and electrical connectors for establishing a circuit from said polarographic electrodes to an external utilization device; (b) a disposable portion including (i) a housing defining a blood input port, a blood output port, a flow chamber therebetween, and a gas sensing region contacting at least a portion of said chamber; (ii) a gas permeable membrane sealably overlying said gas sensing region for contact with blood in said chamber; (iii) a gelatinous electrolyte, responsive to said gas, coating the side of said membrane opposite said chamber; and (iv) means, integral with said housing, for removably coupling said reusable portion to said disposable portion, said means for coupling imbedding said polarographic assembly into said gelatinous electrolyte, wherein said means for removably coupling comprises a protuberance from said housing, surrounding said membrane and enclosing said gelatinous matter, said protuberance defining a threaded portion and said reusable portion defining a matably corresponding portion for screwed attachment of said reusable portion with said protuberance, simultaneously imbedding said assembly into electrolyte; (c) wherein said polarographic assembly comprises a frustoconical, hollow anode, carrying a cathode generally axially therein; and (d) disposable plug means, duplicating the shape of said reusable portion, and insertible into said protuberance of said disposable portion for storage and shipment prior to use.
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2. In a blood gas sensor system having a reusable polarographic assembly including polarographic anode and cathode, a disposable sensor for repeatedly utilizing said assembly, comprising:
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(a) a housing defining a blood input port, a blood output port, a flow chamber therebetween, and a gas sensing region contacting at least a portion of said chamber; (b) a gas permeable membrane sealably overlying said gas sensing region for contact with blood in said chamber; (c) a gelatinous electrolyte, responsive to said gas, coating the side of said membrane opposite said chamber; (d) means, integral with said housing, for removably coupling said reusable portion to said disposable portion, said means for coupling imbedding said polarographic assembly into said gelatinous electrolyte with said anode and cathode being in direct contact with said membrane, wherein said means for removably coupling comprises a protuberance from said housing, surrounding said membrane and enclosing said gelatinous matter, said protuberance defining a threaded portion and said reusable portion defining a matably corresponding portion for screwed attachment of said reusable portion with said protuberance, simultaneously imbedding said assembly into electrolyte, and (e) disposable plug means, duplicating the shape of said reusable portion, and insertible into said protuberance of said disposable portion for storage and shipment prior to use.
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Specification