Patent · US Expired

Locking sensor cartridge with integral fluid ports electrical connections, and pump tube

US5718816A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
8References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 16, 1996
Grant dateFeb 17, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 16, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N33/4915
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention is a sensor cartridge into which sensors are installed. The sensor cartridge allows the sensors to be easily and reliably installed into a blood analyzer. The sensor assembly has an electrical connector mounted on the rear side of the assembly. A plurality of inner walls within the housing locate a pump tube assembly and right angle fluid coupling within the housing. An opening in the housing receives a first boss which extends from the blood analyzer. A capture/release arm has an opening through which the first boss protrudes. The arm is resiliently held in place such that an inner edge of the opening is captured within a ring-like groove in the boss that extends from the blood analyzer when the cartridge is installed in the blood analyzer. A portion of the arm extends beyond the housing to allow an operator to press the arm and thus release the edge of the arm from the groove in the boss. Electrical contacts of the connector on the rear side of the sensor assembly are aligned to mating electrical contacts of the blood analyzer as the sensor assembly is being installed by alignment of the boss which extends from the blood analyzer to mate with the boss which …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.