Locking sensor cartridge with integral fluid ports, electrical connections, and pump tube
First Claim
1. A blood analyzer sensor cartridge comprising:
- a housing having means defining a chamber and a sensor assembly within the chamber;
an elongated tubular member pivotally mounted to said housing defining a first fluid port adapted for insertion in a sample container for direct introduction of a sample into said chamber;
first fluid path means in said housing communicating said first fluid port with said sensor assembly;
a second fluid port in said housing adapted for connection to an analyzer; and
second fluid path means in said housing communicating said sensor assembly with said second fluid port.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A blood analyzer sensor cartridge comprises a housing having chamber and a sensor assembly within the chamber, a first fluid port having an articulated inlet aspiration tube for direct introduction of a sample, a first fluid path in the housing communicating the first fluid port with the sensor assembly, a second fluid port in the housing adapted for connection to an analyzer, and a second fluid path in the housing communicating the sensor assembly with the second fluid port, the articulated tube is pivotally mounted to the housing for selective orientation within a range of up to ninety degrees, the tube is moveable from a protective recess in the housing to a position normal to a face of the housing.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A blood analyzer sensor cartridge comprising:
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a housing having means defining a chamber and a sensor assembly within the chamber;
an elongated tubular member pivotally mounted to said housing defining a first fluid port adapted for insertion in a sample container for direct introduction of a sample into said chamber;
first fluid path means in said housing communicating said first fluid port with said sensor assembly;
a second fluid port in said housing adapted for connection to an analyzer; and
second fluid path means in said housing communicating said sensor assembly with said second fluid port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A blood analyzer sensor cartridge comprising:
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a housing having means defining a chamber and a sensor assembly within the chamber;
a member defining a first fluid port adapted for insertion in a sample container for direct introduction of a sample into said chamber;
first fluid path means in said housing communicating said first fluid port with said sensor assembly;
a second fluid port in said housing adapted for connection to an analyzer; and
second fluid path means in said housing communicating said sensor assembly with said second fluid port, wherein said member defining said first fluid port comprises an elongated aspiration tube pivotally mounted to said housing for selective orientation within a range of up to ninety degrees.- View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
an electrical connector having electrical contacts; and
an end coupling, the end coupling being coupled between an end of the pump tube assembly and the second housing fluid port;
wherein the end coupling protrudes beyond the housing at least as far as the electrical contacts of the connector to guide the electrical contacts into proper alignment with mating contacts of the analyzer as the cartridge is installed on the analyzer.
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13. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein said aspiration tube is moveable from a generally vertical downward position to a generally horizontal position.
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14. The cartridge of claim 13, further comprising a lever for moving said aspiration tube between said downward position and said horizontal position.
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15. The cartridge of claim 14, wherein said lever includes a tab for activating a sensor.
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16. The cartridge of claim 14, wherein said lever extends and retracts through an opening in said housing.
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17. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the sensor assembly has a cover and the cover has an opening through which analyte may be viewed in the sensor assembly during analysis.
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18. A blood analyzer sensor cartridge comprising:
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a housing having chamber and a sensor assembly within the chamber;
an elongated tubular member pivotly mounted to said housing and defining a first fluid port adapted for insertion into a sample container for direct introduction of a sample into said housing;
a first fluid path in said housing communicating said first fluid port with said sensor assembly;
a second fluid port in said housing adapted for connection to an analyzer; and
a pump tube defining a second fluid path communicating said sensor assembly with said second fluid port. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification