Sensor apparatus for use in measuring a parameter of a fluid sample
First Claim
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1. Sensor apparatus for use in measuring a predetermined parameter of a fluid sample, comprising:
- a body defining a chamber for carrying the fluid sample;
a ring disposed in the body, the ring defining an opening adjacent to the chamber;
a semi-permeable membrane disposed across the opening defined in the ring; and
an electrode assembly incorporating one or more electrically conductive electrodes, at least a portion of the electrode assembly being positioned in the opening defined in the ring, in intimate contact with the membrane;
wherein the membrane separates the electrode assembly from the fluid sample in the chamber;
and wherein the ring is configured both to tension the membrane and thereby ensure its intimate contact with the electrode assembly, and to seal the chamber and thereby prevent the escape of the fluid sample.
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Abstract
An improved sensor apparatus of a kind that positions a semi-permeable membrane adjacent to an electrode assembly, for measuring a predetermined parameter, e.g., glucose concentration, of an adjacent fluid sample. A special compressible ring serves a first function of tensioning the membrane so that it is maintained in intimate contact with the electrode assembly, and it further serves a second function of sealing the fluid sample from the external environment.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. Sensor apparatus for use in measuring a predetermined parameter of a fluid sample, comprising:
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a body defining a chamber for carrying the fluid sample; a ring disposed in the body, the ring defining an opening adjacent to the chamber; a semi-permeable membrane disposed across the opening defined in the ring; and an electrode assembly incorporating one or more electrically conductive electrodes, at least a portion of the electrode assembly being positioned in the opening defined in the ring, in intimate contact with the membrane; wherein the membrane separates the electrode assembly from the fluid sample in the chamber; and wherein the ring is configured both to tension the membrane and thereby ensure its intimate contact with the electrode assembly, and to seal the chamber and thereby prevent the escape of the fluid sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Sensor apparatus for use in measuring a predetermined parameter of a fluid sample, comprising:
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a body defining a chamber for carrying the fluid sample; an electrode assembly that carries one or more electrically conductive electrodes; a ring disposed in the body, adjacent to the chamber, the ring defining an opening; and a semi-permeable membrane disposed across the opening defined in the ring; wherein the electrode assembly is sized to fit through the opening defined in the ring, to engage and tension the membrane, the tensioned membrane intimately contacting the electrode assembly and separating the electrode assembly from the fluid sample in the chamber; and wherein the ring is configured to provide a seal in a region radially beyond the tensioned membrane, to prevent the escape of the fluid sample from the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. Sensor apparatus for measuring the concentration of glucose in a fluid sample, comprising:
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a body having a wall that defines a generally cylindrical cavity, with a depression at one end of the cavity defining a passageway for carrying the fluid sample; an elastomeric ring, of unitary construction, disposed in the body cavity, the ring defining a circular opening disposed adjacent to the passageway, and the ring further defining an annular protrusion around its periphery, the protrusion having a substantially uniform height; a semi-permeable membrane disposed across the ring opening, radially inward of the annular protrusion; an electrode assembly incorporating one or more electrically conductive electrodes, the electrode assembly including a substantially cylindrical projection sized to fit in the ring opening, and further including an annular shoulder encircling the cylindrical projection and defining an annular recess sized and configured to conformably receive the annular protrusion of the ring; wherein the cylindrical projection of the electrode assembly defines a convex surface; and a mechanism for compressing the electrode assembly against the elastomeric ring, such that the convex surface of the electrode assembly engages and intimately contacts the membrane, the membrane separating the electrode assembly from the fluid sample in the passageway, and such that the ring is deformed radially outwardly to engage the body wall, to seal the chamber and thereby prevent the escape of the fluid sample from the chamber.
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Specification