Sensor Apparatus Systems, Devices and Methods

• US 20080253427A1
• Filed: 02/27/2008
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Kamen, Dean, Grant, Kevin L., Demers, Jason A., Perry, N. Christopher, Chawan, Arun D., Tracey, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,491,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/121 interface between cassette and base
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6027 Electric-conductive bridges closing detection circuits, with or without identifying elements, e.g. resistances, zener-diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/113 in other functional devices, e.g. dialysers or heart-lung machines
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/10 Inlet temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/00 Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for elastic fluids F04B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/02 Stopping, starting, unloading or idling control
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/16 Casings; Cylinders; Cylinder liners or heads; Fluid connections
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 9/109 having plural pumping chambers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 25/18 by investigating thermal conductivity by calorimetry G01N25/20; by measuring change of resistance of an electrically-heated body G01N27/18
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8376 Combined
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8593 Systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85978 With pump
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9682 Miscellaneous

Abstract

A sensor apparatus and sensor apparatus system for use in conjunction with a cassette, including a disposable or replaceable cassette. In some embodiments, the cassette includes a thermal well for permitting the sensing of various properties of a subject media. The thermal well includes a hollow housing of a thermally conductive material. In other embodiments, the cassette includes sensor leads for sensing of various properties of a subject media. The thermal well has an inner surface shaped so as to form a mating relationship with a sensing probe. The mating thermally couples the inner surface with a sensing probe. In some embodiments, the thermal well is located on a disposable portion and the sensing probe on a reusable portion.

Claims

1. A cassette comprising a fluid path including a sensor element for at least one of transmitting temperature and permitting conductivity sensing of fluid passing through the conduit, wherein the well is adapted for interconnection with a sensor.

2. A cassette according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element is a thermal well.

5. A cassette according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element is a thermal well.

3. A cassette comprising a fluid path including a thermal well, said thermal well comprising:

a hollow housing of a thermally conductive material, said housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface of a predetermined shape so as to form a mating relationship with a sensing probe, whereby said mating thermally couples the inner surface with a sensing probe.

4. A method for determining temperature and conductivity of a subject media, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a cassette containing at least one sensor element;

thermally coupling a thermal well and a sensing probe such that temperature and conductivity can be determined;

transferring thermal and conductivity signals through at least 3 leads from said sensing probe; and

determining temperature and conductivity using said signals.

6. Apparatus comprising a fluid path within a cassette including a well for at least one of transmitting temperature and permitting conductivity sensing of fluid passing through the conduit, wherein the well is adapted for interconnection with a sensor.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, configured so that a portion of the well comes into contact with fluid in the fluid path.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the well is coupled to the cassette using at least one of press fit connection, flexible tabs, adhesive, ultrasonic weld, and a retaining plate and fastener.

9. A fluid pumping cassette comprising at least one pump and a well for at least one of transmitting temperature and permitting conductivity sensing of fluid passing through the conduit, wherein the well is adapted for interconnection with a sensor.

10. A fluid pumping apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one pump includes at least one pod pump.

11. A fluid pumping apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one pump includes at least one pump chamber.

12. A sensing system for sensing subject media in a fluid path in a cassette comprising:

a sensing probe; and

a well, the well in communication with the sensing probe for at least one of thermal sensing and conductivity sensing.

13. A sensing system for sensing subject media comprising:

a sensor manifold comprising at least one fluid port;

sensor apparatus for sensing at least one characteristic of subject media in said fluid path.

14. A sensing system according to claim 13, wherein the sensor manifold further comprises a printed circuit board.

15. A sensing system according to claim 13, wherein the sensor manifold is comprised of a top plate and a mid plate.

16. A sensing system according to claim 13, wherein the sensor manifold is free of valves and pumping mechanisms.