Bayer Corporation

Chiron Diagnostics Corporation

Medical and Scientific Designs Inc.

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Gmbh

Kevin J Sullivan

Rudolf E Slovacek

Robert B Green

Richard W Mason

Dennis R Conlon

Thomas C Collins

Minna A Rannikko

James E Rasmussen

Christiane Munkholm

Richard L Schulkind

Gerald R Mansfield

Norman K Parker

Arthur H Rogers

Steven M Barnard

Susan L Cudmore

A sample introduction device is provided that is particularly useful in the critical care environment for the anaerobic withdrawal of small volumes of arterial blood from a sample collection syringe and introduction thereof into a sample chamber of a sensor for analysis. The sample introduction device includes a Luer fitting adapted to mate an outlet of the container in a concentric orientation with an input aperture of the sample chamber. A tubular probe is adapted for concentric placement with both the outlet and inlet aperture, with a first end thereof extending into the syringe and a second end adapted for attachment to an air supply. The probe has a predetermined diameter sufficient to provide an annular clearance between the probe and each of the outlet and inlet aperture. A predetermined volume of air is injected through the probe into the container to displace a predetermined volume of sample therefrom, through the annular clearance into the sample chamber. Injecting air into the syringe through the probe to displace the sample therefrom, rather than drawing the sample into the probe, advantageously reduces or eliminates the need for washing the interior of the probe to relatively reduce the use of wash reagents.

Sample introduction device

Multi-analyte reference solutions having a stable partial pressure of oxygen (pO ) in zero headspace packaging and methods for preparing such solutions are disclosed. The solutions have long shelf and use lives when stored at room temperature and are packaged in laminated foil containers having low or no oxygen reactivity. Access devices are also disclosed.

Multi-analyte reference solutions with stable pO2 in zero headspace containers

A multiple single use optical sensor includes a series of continuous sensor stripes deposited on a substrate web. At least one sample chamber is adapted to extend transversely across a discrete portion of the series of sensor stripes to facilitate analysis of a sample disposed therein. The sample chamber may be moved, or additional sample chambers provided to enable subsequent measurements of additional samples at unused discrete portions of the sensor stripes. The continuous nature of the sensor stripes provides consistency along the lengths thereof to enable calibration data obtained from one discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be utilized for testing an unknown sample an other discrete portion of the sensor stripes. This advantageously eliminates the need for any particular discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be contacted by more than one sample, for improved sensor performance.

Optical sensor and method of operation

Method of operating an optical sensor adapted for selective analyte-sensing contact with a plurality of samples

A liquid permeable metallic coating is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescence based optical sensor. The metallic coating is deposited directly on, and is in physical contact with, the sensing membrane. The metallic coating does not require an intervening substrate layer or other components. When light from a light source is shone through the substantially light transmissive substrate onto the sensing membrane, the metallic overcoating reflects back the excitation light as well as the fluorescence light generated by the sensor such that substantially no light reaches the sample where the light may be scattered and/or absorbed by the sample. Accordingly, the accuracy and repeatability of the sensor is improved while the cost and production times associated with manufacturing the sensor are minimized.

Metallic overcoating as a light attenuating layer for optical sensors

Optical sensors with reflective materials

Multi-analyte reference solutions having a stable partial pressure of oxygen (pO.sub.2) in zero headspace packaging and methods for preparing such solutions are disclosed. The solutions have long shelf and use lives when stored at room temperature and are packaged in laminated foil containers having low or no oxygen reactivity. Access devices are also disclosed.

Multi-analyte reference solutions with stable pO.sub.2 in zero headspace

A polymeric sensing membrane having a Stern-Volmer constant within a pre-determined range of Stern-Volmer constants. The membrane includes a polymeric material having a fluorescent dye molecule dispersed therein. The dye molecule is capable of having its fluorescence collisionally quenched by a gas to be detected by the membrane. In one embodiment, the membrane includes a fluorescent dye molecule which has a relaxation time and a polymeric material having a permeability within a range of permeabilities defined by a mathematical function of the pre-determined range of Stern-Volmer constants. In another embodiment, the membrane includes a polymeric having a permeability and a fluorescent dye molecule having a relaxation time within a range of relaxation times defined by a mathematical function of the pre-determined range of Stern-Volmer constants.

Oxygen sensing membranes

A conductivity sensor for measuring hematocrit and a sensor housing for a blood analysis instrument using the conductivity sensor are described. The conductivity sensor includes a seven-electrode conductivity measurement cell in which three symmetric pairs of electrodes are arranged on opposite sides of a central electrode. The central electrode is connected to an AC source and the outermost pair of electrodes, which provide a return path for the current, are maintained at a ground or reference potential. The two inner pairs of electrodes measure the voltage drop along the current flow path. This arrangement confines the measurement current and potential within the sensor chamber, thereby preventing the sensor from interfering with other electrochemical sensors that may be provided in the blood analysis instrument. The sensor housing provides a linear arrangement of flow cells defining a fluid flow path through the housing. The conductivity and other sensors are each located within an associated cell to form a wall portion of the flow path. The housing arrangement is simple to assemble and provides a flow path which resists fouling and is readily flushed out.

Planar hematocrit sensor incorporating a seven-electrode conductivity

Oxygen sensing membranes and methods of making same

A novel flexible package for an oxygen reference solution has been developed. This package is made from a laminated film including preferably polypropylene as the inner layer, aluminum foil as the middle layer, and polyester as the outer layer. The seams are heat sealed, while an optional access device for allowing access to the solution after the storage period, is attached to the inside wall of the bag without breeching the middle barrier layer.

Growing community of inventors

Medfield, MA, United States of America

Kevin J Sullivan