Sensor cartridge for a fluid analyte analyzer
First Claim
1. A sensor cartridge for a fluid analyte analyzer, includinga. a sensor assembly, including:
- i. an electrically insulating substrate on which said sensor assembly is formed, the substrate having a planar surface defining a first side;
ii. a plurality of sensors having a diameter between about 0.046 to about 0.078 inch deposited on said planar surface of said first side of the substrate;
iii. a plurality of electrical conductors deposited on a second side of the substrate;
iv. a plurality of subminiature thru-holes having a diameter in the range of about 0.002 to 0.006 inch filled with electrically conductive material, each thru-hole disposed directly under a corresponding one of the sensors for coupling one of the sensors with one of the electrical conductors;
v. an electrical connector disposed on the second side of the substrate, the connector having a plurality of electrical contacts, at least some of the electrical contacts corresponding one to one with an associated one of the electrical conductors and at least some of the electrical contacts beingcoupled to the associated one of the electrical conductors; and
b. an encasement into which the sensor assembly is placed for directing the flow of the analyte over the sensors, and preventing contact of the analyte with the second side of the substrate, including;
i. an inlet for allowing the fluid analyte to enter the encasement;
ii. an outlet for allowing the fluid analyte to exit the encasement;
iii. a flow channel between the inlet and the outlet for allowing the fluid analyte to pass through the housing and over each of the sensors; and
iv. an opening at one side for exposing the electrical connector.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a sensor formed over a subminiature through hole. Because of the small diameter of the through hole, the material that fills the through hole and the through hole itself have an essentially negligible effect on the sensor. Only a small amount of conductive material which fills each through hole is in contact with each associated electrode. Therefore, the purity of the electrode is not significantly altered by the conductive material coupled to the electrode. A relatively large number of sensors can be formed on the surface of the substrate within a relatively small fluid flowcell. Thus, more information can be attained using less blood. The sensors of the present invention are preferably disposed on an alumina substrate which is essentially impervious to aqueous electrolytes and blood over long periods of storage in potentially corrosive environments. Since the substrate on which the sensors are deposited does not break down or become unstable when exposed over time to such corrosive environments, the isolation that is provided by the substrate remains very high between each sensor and each other sensor, between each sensor and each conduction path, and between each conduction path and each other conduction path. The superior isolation provided by the substrate provides for a high level of accuracy in the sensor of the present invention. Furthermore, the use of the through holes allows the conduction paths between the electrodes of the sensors and any external devices to be exclusively on the opposite side of the substrate from the sample. This physical isolation of the sample from the conduction paths between the sensor electrodes and external devices ensures very high electrical isolation between each of the sensors is maintained over an extended period time during which corrosive fluids (such as electrolytes and/or blood) are present in the flowcell.
33 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor cartridge for a fluid analyte analyzer, including
a. a sensor assembly, including: -
i. an electrically insulating substrate on which said sensor assembly is formed, the substrate having a planar surface defining a first side; ii. a plurality of sensors having a diameter between about 0.046 to about 0.078 inch deposited on said planar surface of said first side of the substrate; iii. a plurality of electrical conductors deposited on a second side of the substrate; iv. a plurality of subminiature thru-holes having a diameter in the range of about 0.002 to 0.006 inch filled with electrically conductive material, each thru-hole disposed directly under a corresponding one of the sensors for coupling one of the sensors with one of the electrical conductors; v. an electrical connector disposed on the second side of the substrate, the connector having a plurality of electrical contacts, at least some of the electrical contacts corresponding one to one with an associated one of the electrical conductors and at least some of the electrical contacts being coupled to the associated one of the electrical conductors; and b. an encasement into which the sensor assembly is placed for directing the flow of the analyte over the sensors, and preventing contact of the analyte with the second side of the substrate, including; i. an inlet for allowing the fluid analyte to enter the encasement; ii. an outlet for allowing the fluid analyte to exit the encasement; iii. a flow channel between the inlet and the outlet for allowing the fluid analyte to pass through the housing and over each of the sensors; and iv. an opening at one side for exposing the electrical connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A sensor cartridge for a fluid analyte analyzer, comprising:
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a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a flow channel for allowing the fluid analyte to enter the housing; a sensor assembly disposed in said flow channel between the inlet and the outlet; said sensor assembly, comprising; an electrically insulating substrate on which said sensor assembly is formed, the substrate having a first side defined by a planar surface; a plurality of sensors having a diameter between about 0.046 to about 0.078 inch deposited on said planar surface of said substrate; a plurality of electrical conductors deposited on a second side of the substrate; a plurality of subminiature thru-holes having a diameter in the range of about 0.002 to 0.006 inch filled with electrically conductive material, each thru-hole disposed directly under a corresponding one of the sensors for coupling one of the sensors with one of the electrical conductors; and an electrical connector disposed on the second side of the substrate, the connector having a plurality of electrical contacts, at least some of the electrical contacts corresponding one to one with an associated one of the electrical conductors and at least some of the electrical contacts being coupled to the associated one of the electrical conductors, said connector being accessible from the exterior of said housing. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification