Probe with gas permeable material surrounding a gas sensor assembly

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 . A probe for use in a patient having a vessel carrying blood to ascertain characteristics of the blood comprising a cannula having proximal and distal extremities, the distal extremity being adapted to be inserted into the vessel of the patient, a gas sensor assembly mounted inside the distal extremity of the cannula, the cannula having an annular window of a gas permeable material extending around the gas sensor assembly. 
     
     
         2 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein the entire cannula is made of the gas permeable material. 
     
     
         3 . The probe of  claim 2  wherein the gas permeable material is polymethylpentene.