Probe and display having a gas sensor assembly and surface treatment

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 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 including a gas sensor assembly mounted in the distal extremity for providing an electrical signal to the display module when the probe is disposed in the blood, the probe having an antithrombogenic surface treatment for inhibiting the adhesion of blood components to the probe when disposed in the blood. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the probe is gas permeable in the vicinity of the gas sensor assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the entire probe is gas permeable. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the entire probe is made of polymethylpentene. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the surface treatment is a hydrophilic surface treatment. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the surface treatment includes strands of polyvinylpyrrolidone bonded to the probe.