Sendx Medical, Inc.

Sendex Medical, Inc.

Jeffrey Graves

Matthew J Leader

Douglas R Savage

Michael C Weinzierl

John M Moorman

The present invention is a sensor formed over a subminiature through hole. Because of the small diameter of the through hole, the material that fills the through hole and the through hole itself have an essentially negligible effect on the sensor. Only a small amount of conductive material which fills each through hole is in contact with each associated electrode. Therefore, the purity of the electrode is not significantly altered by the conductive material coupled to the electrode. A relatively large number of sensors can be formed on the surface of the substrate within a relatively small fluid flowcell. Thus, more information can be attained using less blood. The sensors of the present invention are preferably disposed on an alumina substrate which is essentially impervious to aqueous electrolytes and blood over long periods of storage in potentially corrosive environments. Since the substrate on which the sensors are deposited does not break down or become unstable when exposed over time to such corrosive environments, the isolation that is provided by the substrate remains very high between each sensor and each other sensor, between each sensor and each conduction path, and between each conduction path and each other conduction path. The superior isolation provided by the substrate provides for a high level of accuracy in the sensor of the present invention. Furthermore, the use of the through holes allows the conduction paths between the electrodes of the sensors and any external devices to be exclusively on the opposite side of the substrate from the sample. This physical isolation of the sample from the conduction paths between the sensor electrodes and external devices ensures very high electrical isolation between each of the sensors is maintained over an extended period time during which corrosive fluids (such as electrolytes and/or blood) are present in the flowcell.

Sensor cartridge for a fluid analyte analyzer

The present invention is a sensor having an electrode formed in electrical contact with a subminiature through hole. Because of the small diameter of the through hole, the material that fills the through hole and the through hole itself have an essentially negligible effect on the sensor. A relatively large number of sensors can be formed on the surface of the substrate within a relatively small fluid flowcell. Thus, more information can be attained using less analyte. The sensors of the present invention are preferably disposed on an alumina substrate which is essentially impervious to aqueous electrolytes and blood over long periods of storage in potentially corrosive environments. Since the substrate on which the sensors are deposited, and the encapsulants which insulate the conductive elements of the sensor do not break down or become unstable when exposed over time to such corrosive environments, the isolation that is provided remains very high between each sensor and each other sensor, between each sensor and each conduction path, and between each conduction path and each other conduction path. The superior isolation provides for a high level of accuracy in the sensor of the present invention. Furthermore, the use of the through holes allows the conduction paths between the electrodes of the sensors and any external devices to be exclusively on the opposite side of the substrate from the sample. This physical isolation of the sample from the conduction paths between the sensor electrodes and external devices ensures very high electrical isolation between each of the sensors is maintained over an extended period time during which reactive fluids (such as electrolytes and/or blood) are present in the flowcell.

Sensors with subminiature through holes

The present invention is an electronic wiring substrate for sensors formed over a subminiature through hole. Because of the small diameter of the through hole, the material that fills the through hole and the through hole itself have an essentially negligible effect on the sensor. Only a small amount of conductive material which fills each through hole is in contact with each associated electrode. Therefore, the purity of the electrode is not significantly altered by the conductive material coupled to the electrode. A relatively large number of sensors can be formed on the surface of the substrate within a relatively small fluid flowcell. Thus, more information can be attained using less blood. The substrate is essentially impervious to aqueous electrolytes and blood over long periods of storage in potentially corrosive environments. Since the substrate does not break down or become unstable when exposed over time to such reactive environments, the isolation that is provided by the substrate remains very high between each sensor and each other sensor, between each sensor and each conduction path, and between each conduction path and each other conduction path. The superior isolation provided by the substrate provides for a high level of accuracy in the sensor of the present invention. This physical isolation of the sample from the conduction paths between the sensor electrodes and external devices ensures very high electrical isolation between each of the sensors is maintained over an extended period time during which corrosive fluids (such as electrolytes and/or blood) are present in the flowcell.

Electronic wiring substrate with subminiature thru-holes

Method for fabricating wiring substrate with subminiature thru-holes

The present invention is a method for drilling a subminiature through hole through a substrate. The through holes of the present invention are preferably drilled through an alumina substrate which is essentially impervious to aqueous electrolytes and blood over long periods of storage in potentially reactive environments. The holes are drilled by directing a sealed type CO.sub.2 laser at a predetermined position located on the substrate, energizing the laser at a power of approximately 75 to 225 watts, such that the laser beam focuses on the substrate at the predetermined position, and treating the substrate after the laser has drilled the hole.

Method for drilling subminiature through holes in a sensor substrate

A waste container for a blood analyzer or other fluid analysis medical device. The waste container includes a flexible waste bag having a gas vent that may include a gas permeable, but substantially fluid impermeable, material or fabric. The fabric allows gases to escape the waste bag, but substantially prevents fluids from escaping. The waste container also includes a moisture absorbent material, such as a polyacrylamide polymer, that converts waste fluid, such as blood, from the blood analyzer into a substantially solid material, such as a gel, as waste fluids enter the waste bag. As waste fluids enter the waste bag and are converted into a substantially solid material, expelled gases that form in the waste bag as well as gases entering the waste bag from the blood analyzer pass through the gas vent. The waste container can be used with a blood analyzer that analyzes blood gases and electrolytes.

Growing community of inventors

San Clemente, CA, United States of America

Jeffrey Graves