Fluid analyzer with tube connector verifier
First Claim
1. Apparatus for analyzing fluid supplied to it through a tube, comprising:
- (a) an analyzing instrument;
(b) a first connector attached to said tube and having an end face;
(c) a second connector attached to said analyzing instrument;
(d) a light source and a light receptor disposed such that when said first connector is correctly mated with said second connector, there is a clear optical path between at least one common point on said end face and each of said light source and said light receptor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for analyzing fluid supplied to it through a tube, comprising an analyzing instrument within an enclosure, a first connector attached to the tube and having an end face, a second connector, mating with the first connector and attached to the enclosure, a pair of optical fibers disposed inside the enclosure, a first end of each of the fibers is mounted in the second connector, there is a clear optical path between the end face of each of the first ends of the fibers and at least one common point on the end face. A light source is optically coupled to the second end of a first one of the pair of fibers, and a light detector optically coupled to the second end of the second one of the pair of fibers.
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Citations
86 Claims
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1. Apparatus for analyzing fluid supplied to it through a tube, comprising:
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(a) an analyzing instrument;
(b) a first connector attached to said tube and having an end face;
(c) a second connector attached to said analyzing instrument;
(d) a light source and a light receptor disposed such that when said first connector is correctly mated with said second connector, there is a clear optical path between at least one common point on said end face and each of said light source and said light receptor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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- 19. A system for verifying the proper connection of a tube assembly to a fluid analyzing instrument, the connection being effected by means of a first connector which is part of the tube assembly, and which has an end face, and a second connector, mating with the first connector and attached to said analyzing instrument, the system comprising light source and a light receptor disposed such that when said first connector is correctly mated with said second connector, there is a clear optical path between at least one common point on said end face and each of said light source and said light receptor.
- 37. A system for verifying the class of a tube assembly connected to a fluid analyzer, the connection being effected by means of a first connector which is part of the tube assembly and which has an end face, and a second connector, mating with the first connector and attached to said analyzing instrument, the system comprising a light source and a light receptor disposed such that when said tube assembly is of the correct class, and when said first connector is correctly mated with said second connector, optical identifying information may be transferred along a clear optical path between at least one common point on said end face and each of said light source and said light receptor.
- 53. A method for verifying the proper connection of a tube to a fluid analyzing instrument, the connection being effected by means of a first connector attached to the tube and having an end face, and a second connector mating with said first connector and attached to said analyzing instrument, the method comprising the step of providing a light source and a light receptor disposed such that when said first connector is correctly mated with said second connector, there is a clear optical path between at least one common point on said end face and each of said light source and said light receptor.
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71. A method for verifying the class:
- of a connection tube connected to a fluid analyzer, the connection being effected by means of a first connector which is part of said tube assembly and which has an end face, and a second connector mating with said first connector and attached to said analyzing instrument, the method comprising the step of providing a light source and a light receptor disposed such that when said tube assembly is of the correct class, optical identifying information may be transferred along a clear optical path between at least one common point on said end face and each of said light;
source and said light receptor. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75, 76)
- of a connection tube connected to a fluid analyzer, the connection being effected by means of a first connector which is part of said tube assembly and which has an end face, and a second connector mating with said first connector and attached to said analyzing instrument, the method comprising the step of providing a light source and a light receptor disposed such that when said tube assembly is of the correct class, optical identifying information may be transferred along a clear optical path between at least one common point on said end face and each of said light;
- 77. A tube assembly for connection to a fluid analyzing instrument, comprising a connector having an end face, wherein at least part of said end face comprises a material selected from the group consisting of optically fluorescent and phosphorescent materials.
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82. A tube assembly for connection to a fluid analyzing instrument, comprising a connector, said connector having an end face, and wherein at least part of said end face is formed with a reflective foil attached thereto.
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83. A tube assembly for connection to a fluid analyzing instrument, comprising a connector, said connector having an end face, and wherein at least part of said end face is formed with a reflective material deposited thereon.
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84. A tube assembly for connection to a fluid analyzing instrument, comprising a connector, said connector having an end face, and wherein said at least part of said end face is formed with a reflective object bonded to said end face.
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85. A tube assembly for connection to a fluid analyzing instrument, comprising a connector, said connector having an end face, and wherein said at least part of said end face has spectrally selective reflectivity.
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86. A tube assembly for connection to a fluid analyzing instrument, comprising a connector, said connector having an end face, at least part of said end face being optically reflective, and further comprising an optical filter having spectrally selective transmission, disposed over said at least part of said end face.
Specification