Sensor probe and display module

Abstract

An apparatus for use with a patient having a vessel carrying blood to ascertain characteristics of the blood. The apparatus includes a display module and a probe having a distal extremity adapted to be inserted into the vessel of the patient and having a proximal extremity coupled to the display module. The probe includes a sensor in the distal extremity for providing an electrical signal to the display module when the probe is disposed in the blood. The probe can have an antithrombogenic surface treatment for inhibiting the adhesion of blood components to the probe when disposed in the blood.

1 . An apparatus for use with a patient having a vessel carrying blood to ascertain characteristics of the blood comprising a compact display module and a probe, the probe having a proximal extremity coupled to the display module and a distal extremity adapted to be inserted into the vessel of the patient, the distal extremity including a sensor for providing an electrical signal to the display module when the probe is disposed in the blood, the probe having calibration coefficients, the display module having a processor for processing the electrical signal to provide a reading and a memory for storing the calibration coefficients, the processor being coupled to the memory to permit access by the processor to the calibration coefficients in connection with the processing of the electrical signal so as to enhance the accuracy of the reading. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a band connected to the display module for securing the display module to the wrist of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of gas sensors, oxygen sensors, carbon dioxide sensors, pH sensors and temperature sensors. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the sensor is a gas sensor assembly having first and second electrodes disposed in an electrolyte solution. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the display module includes a wireless transmitter receiver circuit coupled to the processor for permitting wireless receipt of control signals from an external source and wireless transmission of blood characteristics to an external device. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the memory is a nonvolatile memory. 
     
     
         7 . A kit for use with a patient having a vessel carrying blood to ascertain characteristics of the blood comprising a package, a probe carried within the package and having a distal extremity adapted to be inserted into the vessel of the patient and including a sensor for providing an electrical signal, the probe having calibration coefficients, a compact display module carried within the package and having a processor and a nonvolatile memory coupled to the processor, the calibration coefficients being stored in the memory of the display module whereby when the probe is coupled to the display module and the distal extremity inserted into the vessel and an electrical signal is received by the display module for providing a reading the processor accesses the memory so as to utilize the calibration coefficients and thus enhance the accuracy of the reading. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7  further comprising a band connected to the compact display module for securing the display module to the wrist of the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 7  wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of gas sensors, oxygen sensors, carbon dioxide sensors, pH sensors and temperature sensors.