DISPLAY AND PROBE HAVING A REMOVABLE CONNECTIONS
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, the probe having proximal and distal extremities, the distal extremity of the probe being adapted to be inserted into the vessel of the patient and having a gas sensor assembly for providing an electrical signal when the probe is disposed in the blood, the display module having a first connector, the proximal extremity of the probe having a second connector for mating with the first connector, the second connector having a cylindrical portion and an electrical contact extending around at least a portion of the cylindrical portion, a conductor extending though the probe for electrically coupling the gas sensor assembly with the electrical contact, the electrical contact being seated flush with the cylindrical portion so as to provide the second connector with a substantially smooth cylindrical surface, the first and second connectors permitting connection and disconnection between the probe and the display module.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a band connected to the display module for securing the control and display module to the wrist of the patient.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an additional electrical contact extending around at least a portion of the cylindrical portion and spaced apart from the first-named electrical contact.