The invention relates to a universal measuring module for medical application and a method for assembling the measuring module.
The invention relates more particularly to a measuring module for medical application which is provided with a housing, comprising: a number of first connections for catheters, a number of pressure sensors, a number of conduits for fluid connection to one of the first connections, wherein each of the conduits comprises at least one opening for the purpose of fluid connection to one of the pressure sensors; and at least one second connection for a communication module for transfer of measurement data from the pressure sensors to the communication module.
Such a measuring module for medical application is per se known in the field. The known measuring module is particularly suitable for performing in vivo urodynamic pressure measurements. The measuring module is intended for once-only use. Since only the known measuring module comes into contact with fluids of a patient and the communication module does not, the know measuring module has to be discarded after use while the communication module is suitable for re-use.
The invention has for its object to provide such a measuring module, which is simpler and less expensive to produce than the known measuring module and from an economic viewpoint is therefore even more suitable as disposable article.
The measuring module according to the invention has for this purpose the feature that at least one gasket, which leaves the openings clear, is arranged between the conduits and the pressure sensors.
The method according to the invention is characterized by the following steps of:
a) arranging a gasket over the conduits such that the fluid openings remain clear;
b) arranging the pressure sensors on the gasket at the position of the fluid openings;
c) arranging the printed circuit board and mounting the pressure sensors on the printed circuit board.
By applying a gasket between the conduits and the pressure sensors in accordance with the inventive concept, the pressure sensors need no longer be adhered in the housing. The placing of a gasket can be performed much more quickly than forming an adhesive connection. Arranging the adhesive connection moreover regularly causes defects in the pressure sensors. The number of production errors can therefore be reduced by avoiding the adhesive connection.
In a first preferred embodiment the measuring module is further provided with a printed circuit board on which the pressure sensors are arranged, wherein an electrically conductive connecting element is arranged between each pressure sensor and the printed circuit board.
According to a first preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises, after step b), the step of b1) arranging the electrically conductive connecting elements at the position of the pressure sensors; and step c1) comprises of arranging the printed circuit board over the electrically conductive connecting elements.
Application of electrically conductive connecting elements adapted to realize an electrical connection between the pressure sensors and the printed circuit board makes it possible to connect the pressure sensors to the printed circuit board without arranging the usual soldered connections. Arranging soldered connections is a time-consuming activity which must be performed very accurately. By means of the electrically conductive connecting elements the production of the measuring module according to the invention can take place not only more quickly, but also more accurately and so with fewer production errors.
Both the gasket and the electrically conductive connecting elements make it possible to releasably connect the pressure sensors and the components connected thereto. In addition to its releasability, this connection also has a certain tolerance. This is because the gasket material and the material of the electrically conductive connecting elements are more flexible than respectively the rigid adhesive connection and the soldered connection, so that these connections can be made more easily, also by less skilled personnel.
The measuring module according to the invention is universally suitable for fluid catheters, i.e. for all types of liquid catheters as well as for all types of gas catheters, including air catheters. The measuring module according to the invention preferably comprises a closing tap and/or a non-return valve and/or a vent tap.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures.
The same components are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.
The method for assembling measuring module 1 according to the invention will now be elucidated with reference to
Relative to
In
In
Printed circuit board 17 is preferably mounted on housing part 10, for instance by means of a screw connection, a snap connection or an adhesive connection.
In
The connection between the first housing part 10 and the second housing part 20 can be realized in different ways. Some examples are: by means of a snap connection, an adhesive connection or an (ultrasonic) welded connection.
The first connections 30 for the catheters are finally arranged. The connections are preferably such that the catheters can be releasably mounted. In the shown preferred embodiment connections 30 comprise closing taps 31 and non-return valves 32.
The measuring module according to invention is described in the context of urological applications. It will be apparent to a skilled person in the field that the measuring module is also suitable for performing in vivo pressure measurements in other medical fields, such as blood pressure measurements or gastro-enterological measurements.
The invention is of course not limited to the described and shown preferred embodiments but extends to any embodiment falling within the scope of protection as defined in the claims and as seen in the light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2006377 | Mar 2011 | NL | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/NL2012/050146 | 3/9/2012 | WO | 00 | 12/17/2013 |