Modular medical pressure transducer

• US 5,848,971 A
• Filed: 04/11/1997
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medex Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Medex Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Patzer, Charles R., Fowler, James H., Brunner, Glenn D., Nicholson, Warren B., Shah, Nilesh M., Thompson, Wendell, Adams, Theodore R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US08/837,919
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 600/488, 600/486, 600/561, 73/715, 73/721, 73/726, 73/727, 73/706
• US Class Current: 600/486
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/16 Details concerning attachment of head-supporting legs, with or without actuation of locking members thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/22 with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs F16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/02 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0023 for flowthrough systems having a flexible pressure transmitting element

Abstract

A medical pressure transducer includes a reusable component with channels to either side of a reusable diaphragm, and a disposable dome with mounting wings to either side of a disposable diaphragm and slidably receivable in the channels to mount the dome with the diaphragms in confronting relationship. Camming ramps are provided in the channels and on the wings by which to drive the dome diaphragm into the reusable diaphragm. Where the channels are defined behind outer front walls, the outer surface of one is provided with a tab-receiving slot to receive a locking tab associated with dome to lock diaphragms into confronting relationship. The dome includes second wings spaced from the mounting wings to receive the outer front walls. The second wings have finger gripping portions one of which is a locking paddle supporting the lock tab. In alternative embodiments, the dome wings are edges, fixed or resilient, receivable through slots formed in the reusable component.

Claims

1. A medical pressure transducer comprising:

a disposable dome having a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a patient, a dome diaphragm coupled to the fluid path, and at least one edge disposed to one side of the dome diaphragm; and

a reusable component having a support, a pressure sensor permanently associated with the support, a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with the sensor, and at least one channel member defining a slot through the reusable component and disposed to one side of the reusable diaphragm to receive the dome edge such that the dome diaphragm is brought into confronting relationship with the reusable diaphragm on mating reception of the edge into the channel member, the dome edge defining an arm pivotally mounted to the dome.

2. The transducer of claim 1, the dome including a second dome edge defining an L-shaped foot extending forwardly from the dome and receivable through a second slot of the reusable component.

3. The transducer of claim 1 further comprising a calibration test switch associated with the support and electrically connected to the sensor.

4. The transducer of claim 1 wherein the support includes peripheral side edges that define a generally rectangular shape and a front face whereat the reusable diaphragm is exposed.

5. The transducer of claim 1 further comprising integral support structure for mating the reusable component to an external support.

6. The transducer of claim 1, the arm including a hook edge adapted to engage an edge of the slot of the reusable component.

7. A medical pressure transducer comprising:

a disposable dome having a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a patient, a dome diaphragm coupled to the fluid path, and at least one edge disposed to one side of the dome diaphragm; and

a reusable component having a support, a pressure sensor permanently associated with the support, a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with the sensor, and a support edge disposed to one side of the reusable diaphragm to receive the dome edge such that the dome diaphragm is brought into confronting relationship with the reusable diaphragm on mating reception of the dome edge with the support edge, the dome edge defining an arm pivotally mounted to the dome.

8. The transducer of claim 7, the arm including a hook edge adapted to engage the support edge of the the reusable component.

9. The transducer of claim 7, the dome including a second dome edge defining an L-shaped foot extending forwardly from the dome and matable with a second support edge of the reusable component.

10. The transducer of claim 7, the arm including a hook portion adapted to engage the support edge of the reusable component.

11. The transducer of claim 7 wherein the support includes peripheral side edges that define a generally rectangular shape and a front face whereat the reusable diaphragm is exposed.

12. The transducer of claim 7 further comprising integral support structure for mating the reusable component to an external support.

13. A medical pressure transducer comprising:

a disposable dome having a housing containing therein a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a patient, a dome diaphragm on the housing and coupled to said fluid path, the dome diaphragm defining a first plane, and at least one edge disposed to one side of said dome diaphragm and depending from the housing in a direction generally perpendicular to the first plane; and

a reusable component comprising;

a support;

a pressure sensor permanently associated with the support;

a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with the sensor and defining a second plane, a portion of the support disposed to one side of the reusable diaphragm and extending in a plane generally parallel to the second plane; and

at least one channel member defining a slot extending into the support portion of the reusable component disposed to one side of the reusable diaphragm in a perpendicular direction relative to the second plane to matingly receive said dome edge such that said dome diaphragm is brought into confronting relationship with the reusable diaphragm on mating reception of said edge into the channel member.

14. The transducer of claim 13 wherein the dome edge includes a hook portion adapted to engage an edge of the slot of the reusable component.

15. The transducer of claim 13 further comprising integral support structure for mating the reusable component to an external support.

16. A medical pressure transducer comprising a disposable dome for use with a reusable component having a support, a pressure sensor permanently associated with said support, a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with said sensor and at least one channel member defining a slot through said reusable component and disposed to one side of said reusable diaphragm, the disposable dome comprising:

a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a patient;

a dome diaphragm coupled to the fluid path; and

at least one edge disposed to one side of the dome diaphragm and being receivable in said reusable component channel member such that the dome diaphragm is brought into confronting relationship with said reusable diaphragm on mating reception of the edge into said channel member, the dome edge defining an arm pivotally mounted to the dome.

17. The transducer of claim 16 wherein the dome includes a second dome edge defining an L-shaped foot extending forwardly from the dome and receivable through a second slot of said reusable component.

18. The transducer of claim 16, the arm including a hook edge adapted to engage an edge of said slot of said reusable component.

19. A medical pressure transducer comprising:

a disposable medical pressure transducer dome having a disposable diaphragm for pressure communication and a pair of edges disposed to different sides of the dome; and

a reusable medical pressure transducer component having a support, a sensor permanently associated with the support, a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with the sensor, and a pair of channel members associated with the support and being defined by elongated slots in the support so as to matingly receive respective ones of the pair of edges of the dome, the reusable diaphragm being disposed between the pair of channel members such that the channel members bring the disposable diaphragm into confronting pressure transmitting relationship with the reusable diaphragm on mating reception of said respective ones of the pair of edges, wherein the edges are pivotally mounted on opposing sides of the dome and are adapted to be received by the pair of slots for releasably locking the disposable dome to the support member thereby placing the disposable diaphragm in pressure communication with the reusable diaphragm.

20. The transducer of claim 19 wherein one of the dome edges is defined by an outwardly facing L-shaped foot extending forwardly from one side of the dome and adapted to be received by one of the slots, and another of the dome edges is defined by a flexible latching arm extending forwardly from the opposing side of the dome and adapted to be received by the other slot for releasably locking the disposable dome to the support member, thereby placing the disposable diaphragm in pressure communication with the reusable diaphragm.

21. The transducer of claim 19 further comprising support structure for mounting the reusable component to an external support.

22. A medical pressure transducer comprising:

a disposable medical pressure transducer dome having a disposable diaphragm for pressure communication and a pair of edges disposed to different sides of the dome; and

a reusable medical pressure transducer component having a support, a sensor permanently associated with the support, a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with the sensor, and a pair of support edges associated with the support and being positioned so as to matingly receive respective ones of the pair of edges of the dome, the reusable diaphragm being disposed between the pair of support edges such that the disposable diaphragm is brought into confronting pressure transmitting relationship with the reusable diaphragm on mating reception of said respective ones of the pair of edges, wherein the edges are pivotally mounted on opposing sides of the dome and are adapted to be received by the pair of support edges for releasably locking the disposable dome to the support member thereby placing the disposable diaphragm in pressure communication with the reusable diaphragm.

23. The transducer of claim 22 further comprising support structure for mounting the reusable component to an external support.

24. A disposable medical pressure transducer dome for use with a reusable component having a support, a pressure sensor permanently associated with said support, and a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with said sensor, said dome comprising:

a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a patient;

a dome diaphragm coupled to the fluid path; and

a pair of spaced-apart arms extending in a generally parallel direction and generally transversely away from the dome diaphragm and presenting generally flat, confronting inner aspects, the arms being situated to releasably engage edges defined on said reusable component support whereby to hold the dome diaphragm in confronting relationship with said reusable diaphragm without relative rotation between the dome diaphragm and said reusable diaphragm.

25. A disposable medical pressure transducer dome for use with a reusable component having a pressure sensor permanently associated therewith and a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with said sensor, the dome comprising:

a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a patient;

a dome diaphragm coupled to the fluid path; and

a pair of arms extending forwardly along opposite sides of the dome diaphragm, each arm having a hook portion with the hook portions being in confronting relationship directed towards each other the hook portions of the arms each presenting a generally flat inner aspect whereby to releasably engage said reusable component such that the dome diaphragm is held in pressure communicating relationship with said reusable diaphragm without rotation of the dome diaphragm relative to said reusable diaphragm.

26. A disposable medical pressure transducer dome for use with a reusable component having a pressure sensor permanently associated therewith and a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with said sensor, the dome comprising:

a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a patient;

a dome diaphragm coupled to the fluid path; and

a pair of arms extending forwardly along opposite sides of the dome diaphragm, each arm having a hook portion with the hook portions being in confronting relationship directed towards each other whereby to releasably engage said reusable component such that the dome diaphragm is held in pressure communicating relationship with said reusable diaphragm, the dome including means pivotally attaching each arm to the dome.

27. A medical pressure transducer comprising:

a disposable component having a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a patient, a disposable diaphragm coupled to the fluid path, and a first connection element associated with the dome; and

a reusable component having a support, a pressure sensor permanently associated with the support, a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with the sensor, and a second connection element associated with the support, the first and second connection elements cooperating to hold the disposable diaphragm in pressure communication with the reusable diaphragm, the connection elements being respective ones of an arm pivotally attached to, and extending generally transverse to the diaphragm of, the associated component and having a hook, and a mating edge spaced from the diaphragm of the associated component and over which the hook is received.

28. The medical pressure transducer of claim 27 wherein the first connection element is the arm and the second connection element is the mating edge.

29. The medical pressure transducer of claim 28 wherein the mating edge is defined by a slot through the reusable component support.

30. The medical pressure transducer of claim 27 wherein the disposable component further includes a third connection element associated therewith and the reusable component further includes a fourth connection element associated therewith wherein the first and third connection elements cooperate with the second and fourth connection elements, respectively, to hold the disposable diaphragm in pressure communication with the reusable diaphragm, the third and fourth connection elements being respective ones of an L-shaped arm extending to the side of the diaphragm of the associated component, and a slot adjacent to the diaphragm of the associated component through which the L-shaped arm is received.

31. A disposable medical pressure transducer dome for use with a reusable component having a support, a pressure sensor permanently associated with said support, and a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with said sensor, said dome comprising:

a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a patient;

a dome diaphragm coupled to the fluid path; and

a pair of arms extending generally transversely away from the dome diaphragm and presenting a generally planar inner aspect facing toward the dome diaphragm, each arm being situated to releasably engage an edge defined on said reusable component support whereby to hold the dome diaphragm in confronting relationship with said reusable diaphragm without relative rotation between the dome diaphragm and said reusable diaphragm.

32. A disposable medical pressure transducer dome for use with a reusable component having a pressure sensor permanently associated therewith and a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with said sensor, the dome comprising:

a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a patient;

a dome diaphragm coupled to the fluid path, a space being defined forwardly of the dome diaphragm; and

a pair of arms extending forwardly along a side of the dome diaphragm, each arm having a hook portion aimed at the space forwardly of the dome diaphragm, each hook portion presenting a generally planar inner aspect whereby to releasably engage said reusable component such that the dome diaphragm is held in pressure communicating relationship with said reusable diaphragm without rotation of the dome diaphragm relative to said reusable diaphragm.

33. A disposable medical pressure transducer dome for use with a reusable component having a support, a pressure sensor permanently associated with said support, and a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with said sensor, said dome comprising:

a housing having a front and a back and a fluid path therebetween adapted to be coupled to a patient;

a dome diaphragm mounted on the front of the housing and coupled to the fluid path; and

a pair of spaced-apart arms connected to the back of the housing, the arms extending in a generally parallel direction toward the front of the housing and generally transversely away from the dome diaphragm, the arms being situated to releasably engage edges defined on said reusable component support whereby to hold the dome diaphragm in confronting relationship with said reusable diaphragm.

34. A disposable medical pressure transducer dome for use with a reusable component having a support, a pressure sensor permanently associated with said support, and a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with said sensor, said dome comprising:

a housing having a front and a back and a fluid path therebetween adapted to be coupled to a patient;

a dome diaphragm mounted on the front of the housing and coupled to the fluid path; and

a pair of spaced-apart arms connected to the housing adjacent the back thereof, the arms extending in a generally parallel direction toward the front of the housing and past a plane of the dome diaphragm, the arms being situated to releasably engage edges defined on said reusable component support whereby to hold the dome diaphragm in confronting relationship with said reusable diaphragm.

35. A disposable medical pressure transducer dome for use with a reusable component having a support, a pressure sensor permanently associated with said support, and a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with said sensor, said dome comprising:

a housing having a front and a back and a fluid path therebetween adapted to be coupled to a patient;

a dome diaphragm mounted on the front of the housing and coupled to the fluid path; and

an arm connected to the back of the housing, the arm extending toward the front of the housing and generally transversely away from the dome diaphragm, the arm being situated to releasably engage an edge defined on said reusable component support whereby to hold the dome diaphragm in confronting relationship with said reusable diaphragm.

36. A disposable medical pressure transducer dome for use with a reusable component having a support, a pressure sensor permanently associated with said support, and a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with said sensor, said dome comprising:

a housing having a front and a back and a fluid path therebetween adapted to be coupled to a patient;

a dome diaphragm mounted on the front of the housing and coupled to the fluid path; and

an arm connected to the housing adjacent the back and spaced from the front, the arm extending toward the front of the housing and past a plane of the dome diaphragm, the arm being situated to releasably engage an edge defined on said reusable component support whereby to hold the dome diaphragm in confronting relationship with said reusable diaphragm.

37. A disposable medical pressure transducer dome for use with a reusable component having a support, a pressure sensor permanently associated with said support, and a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with said sensor, said dome comprising:

a housing having a front, a back and a side wall therebetween with a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a patient extending between the front and the back;

a dome diaphragm mounted on the front of the housing and coupled to the fluid path; and

a pair of spaced-apart arms connected to the side wall at a location spaced from the front wall, the arms extending in a generally parallel direction from adjacent the back of the housing toward the front of the housing and past a plane of the dome diaphragm, the arms being situated to releasably engage edges defined on said reusable component support whereby to hold the dome diaphragm in confronting relationship with said reusable diaphragm.

38. A disposable medical pressure transducer dome for use with a reusable component having a support, a pressure sensor permanently associated with said support, and a reusable diaphragm in pressure communication with said sensor, said dome comprising:

a housing having a front, a back and a side wall therebetween with a fluid path adapted to be coupled to a patient extending between the front and the back;

a dome diaphragm mounted on the front of the housing and coupled to the fluid path; and

an arm connected to the side wall at a location spaced from the front wall, the arm extending from adjacent the back of the housing toward the front of the housing and past a plane of the dome diaphragm, the arm being situated to releasably engage an edge defined on said reusable component support whereby to hold the dome diaphragm in confronting relationship with said reusable diaphragm.