Flow pressure transducer

• US 5,554,113 A
• Filed: 06/07/1994
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Storz Endoskop GmbH
• Original Assignee: Storz Endoskop GmbH
• Inventors: Novak, Pavel, Rebholz, Clemens, Willner, Joachim
• Primary Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US08/255,881
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 73/262, 73/269, 73/271, 73/715, 137/557, 604/31, 604/33, 604/65, 604/67, 604/247, 604/30
• US Class Current: 604/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02154 by optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3639 Blood pressure control, pressure transducers specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3641 Pressure isolators
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3355 Controlling downstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0202 with electronic control means or interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0208 before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0216 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0258 by means of electric pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14232 Roller pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0015 using switching means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/003 using a detachable interface or adapter between the process medium and the pressure gauge
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0618 Overload protection
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/144 with dismountable parts, e.g. for maintenance purposes or for ensuring sterile conditions for detachable interface or adapter between the process medium and the pressure gauge G01L19/003

Abstract

A medical pressure transducer is disclosed with a sterilizable pressure dome exhibiting two connections by means of which the pressure dome can be connected to a tube conduit system or the like, the internal pressure of which is to be measured, in such a way that the medium flowing through the tube conduit system passes through the inner space of the pressure dome.

The inner space of the pressure dome is constituted by a housing, a sterilizable pressure dome diaphragm transmitting the pressure to an unsterilized pressure sensor, and a relief valve.

Claims

1. A medical pressure transducer comprising a sterilizable pressure dome having two connection means for attaching fluid inflow and outflow tubes to said pressure dome, an inner housing within said pressure dome in fluid communication with said two connection means having a sterilizable pressure dome diaphragm for sensing the pressure within said housing and transmitting said pressure to an unsterilized pressure sensor connected to said pressure dome, and a relief valve within said housing connected to a drain for allowing excess fluid to escape said housing when said relief valve experiences pressures above normal.

2. The pressure transducer according to claim 1, wherein said inflow and outflow tubes exhibit cross-sectional dimensions of at least 4 min.

3. The pressure transducer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said relief valve comprises a spring loaded valve plate which, in its normal condition, is in contact with a valve seat that forms a wall within said housing.

4. The pressure transducer of claim 3, wherein the valve plate comprises a plastic disk pretensioned by a compression spring.

5. The pressure transducer of claim 4, wherein the drain is connected to the inlet of a rotary or tube pump.

6. The pressure transducer according to claim 3, wherein a response pressure can be adjusted by setting a pressure level difference between the housing pressure within the dome and the pressure at the source of the fluid.