JP3765030B2 - Gas sensor package - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas sensor package that accommodates a gas sensor including a gas sensor main body disposed at a measurement site, a lead wire for guiding the detection signal to another, and a connector attached to the tip of the lead wire.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when this type of gas sensor is calibrated, the gas sensor body is immersed in a calibration solution contained in an ampoule that is commercially available separately.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when such calibration is performed, the operation is complicated, and it is necessary to take out the gas sensor from the packaging bag at the time of calibration, so that there is a drawback that the cleanliness of the gas sensor cannot be maintained until the actual measurement. In addition, when calibration is performed by immersing the gas sensor body in a calibration solution during calibration, there is a drawback that it takes time until the detection signal is stabilized.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to enable easy and quick calibration of a gas sensor while keeping the gas sensor clean.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention of claim 1 accommodates a gas sensor having a gas sensor main body, a lead wire connected to one end of the gas sensor main body to guide a detection signal of the gas sensor main body, and a connector connected to the other end of the lead wire. In a gas sensor package, a housing that houses at least the gas sensor main body, exposes the gas sensor in an airtight state by exposing at least the connection terminals of the connector, and is filled in the housing and includes a measurement target gas. And a gas body having a predetermined concentration of the measurement target gas.
[0006]
When using the gas sensor accommodated in this package, the operator performs calibration by connecting the connection terminal of the connector to the measurement amplifier before opening the container. At this time, the concentration of the measurement target gas inside the container is known, and the operator adjusts the measurement amplifier so that this concentration is displayed. Next, the operator opens the container and places the gas sensor main body at the measurement site to perform actual measurement.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the gas sensor connector includes a first connector having connection terminals at both ends, and a second connector detachably connected to one connection terminal of the first connector. The first connector is characterized in that the other connection terminal is exposed to the outside of the container and is fixed to the container.
[0008]
Since the connector has such a configuration, after the container is opened, the second connector is removed from the first connector, and the second connector is directly connected to the measurement amplifier. Can be handled completely separated.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the first connector includes calibration state notifying means for notifying the outside that the gas sensor main body is housed in the housing and is in the calibration state. It is a feature.
[0010]
Since the connector has such a configuration, when the first connector is connected to the measurement amplifier, the calibration state notifying means notifies the measurement amplifier that it is in the calibration state. Calibrate with.
[0011]
The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the gas sensor includes a catheter, the gas sensor main body is attached to the catheter, and the container accommodates the entire catheter.
[0012]
Since it is such a structure, since the container should just be opened when actually measuring, the cleanliness of a catheter is not impaired at the time of calibration.
[0013]
The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the container contains water and a water-retaining substance.
[0014]
According to this, when the entire package is heated, high-pressure steam is generated inside the container, and the sterilization effect of the gas sensor is enhanced. At room temperature, the water is retained by a water retentive object.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the container is provided with a connector holding member that holds a connector having a hole portion that communicates the inside and the outside of the container. A screw portion provided on each of the peripheral surface and the peripheral wall surface of the hole portion is screwed to be held by the connector holding member.
[0016]
In this configuration, if the operator rotates the connector after calibration and releases the screwing of the threaded portion, the connector is detached from the container.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a gas sensor package according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a plan view thereof. As shown in these drawings, the gas sensor 1 is accommodated in a container 2 (in these figures, the container 2 is shown as a transparent member so that the inside can be clearly understood). The gas sensor 1 includes a catheter 3. The catheter 3 has a hole communicating with the outside in the vicinity of the distal end thereof, and a proximal end is provided with a connecting portion 3a for injecting a chemical solution or the like into the catheter 3 or removing a bodily fluid to connect to another tube. It has been.
[0018]
A gas sensor body 4 is attached in the vicinity of the inner tip of the catheter 3. As the gas sensor body 4, for example, an ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET), an optical fiber type, or a bellows type is used. The lead wire 5 guides a detection signal of the gas sensor main body 4, one end is connected to the gas sensor main body 4, the inside is passed through the catheter 3, and the outside is drawn out from the proximal end side of the catheter 3. A connector 6 for connecting to an external device is attached to the other end of the lead wire 5. The connector 6 includes a first connector 6a having connection terminals at both ends, and a second connector 6b that is detachable from one connection terminal of the first connector 6a.
[0019]
The first connector 6a is in a state in which the other connection terminal is exposed to the outside of the container 2, and its peripheral surface is fixed to the container 2 through the reinforcing member 9 (see FIG. 2) without a gap. ing.
[0020]
The container 2 is formed by bonding the peripheral edges of a pair of sheet-like members to each other. The sheet-like member may be made of a material that does not allow gas permeation. For example, a laminate film made of some of polyester, aluminum, nylon, polypropylene, or the like is suitable. A cut 7 is provided at one location on the periphery of the container 2. The gas sensor of this embodiment is a gas sensor that detects carbon dioxide gas, and a mixed gas body of carbon dioxide gas and nitrogen gas is sealed in the container 2 to an extent that does not become negative pressure or positive pressure at almost atmospheric pressure. . Here, the proportion of carbon dioxide gas is, for example, 5% of the total. This numerical value is described on the surface of the container 2 or in a manual attached to the gas sensor.
[0021]
The container 2 further contains some water and a sponge body 8. This water is stored in order to increase the sterilization effect by generating high-pressure steam in the container 2 when the gas sensor 1 is sterilized by heating the entire package after the package is finished. Further, this water is useful for preventing the gas sensor 1 from drying at room temperature, and is useful for making the inside of the container have the same saturated water vapor pressure as that in the body during calibration. Water at normal temperature is retained in the sponge body 8. For this reason, it is possible to prevent water droplets from being attached to the gas sensor 1.
[0022]
Next, a process until the gas sensor 1 is packaged in this way will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 3, a bag-like container 2 having an opening and having the first connector 6 a bonded to one peripheral edge is prepared. Here, the first connector 6 a is fixed to the peripheral portion of the container 2 such that one connection terminal is inside the container 2 and the other connection terminal is outside the container 2.
[0023]
Next, the gas sensor 1 is put into the container 2 from the opening, and the second connector 6b is connected to the first connector 6a. Further, a sponge body 8 containing water is also put into the container 2.
[0024]
Next, using a heat sealer equipped with two nozzles and capable of gas filling, as shown in FIG. 4, the calibration gas described above is put into the container 2 to seal the container 2.
[0025]
Next, the usage method of the gas sensor 1 packaged in this way is demonstrated. First, the operator performs calibration by connecting the first connector 6a to the measurement amplifier without opening the package. As described above, the concentration of carbon dioxide gas in the package is described on the surface of the container 2 or on its instruction. The operator adjusts the measuring amplifier to display this concentration, here 5%.
[0026]
Next, the operator removes the first connector 6a from the measurement amplifier, opens the container 2 from the cut opening 7, removes the second connector 6b from the first connector 6a, and takes out the gas sensor 1. Then, the operator inserts the gas sensor 1 into the stomach from the patient's nose, for example, in order to perform actual measurement.
[0027]
Next, the operator connects the second connector 6b to the measurement amplifier, and measures the carbon dioxide gas concentration.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, the connector 6 can be separated into the first connector 6a and the second connector 6b. After calibration, the second connector 6b is directly connected to the measurement amplifier without passing through the first connector 6a. To measure. That is, the container 2 is thrown away with the first connector 6a attached. For this reason, when packaging, the 1st connector 6a and the container 2 can be adhered without considering peeling off later. Further, when the gas sensor 1 is used, the work for removing it is not necessary. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, the packaging work is easy, and the use of the gas sensor taken out from the package is easy.
[0029]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if the first connector 6a holds the calibration state notification means, the measurement amplifier can automatically perform the calibration operation. An example is shown in FIG. The second connector 6b is provided with a detection signal output terminal A1 for guiding a detection signal from the gas sensor 1, and the first connector 6a is connected to the receiving terminal A2 connected to the terminal A1 and to the terminal A2. The provision of the measurement amplifier connection terminal A3 is the same as in the above embodiment, but different resistors R1 and R2 are incorporated in the first connector 6a and the second connector 6b, respectively. Terminals B and C connected to are respectively provided. The reason why the resistors and the terminals B and C are provided in this way is to make the measurement amplifier recognize which of the first connector 6a and the second connector 6b is connected to the measurement amplifier. The resistor R1 and the terminal B provided in the first connector 6a are calibration state notification means.
[0030]
On the other hand, the measurement amplifier is provided with a terminal D and a terminal E. Each engages with terminals A3 and B of the first connector 6a and terminals A1 and C of the second connector 6b. Further, the measurement amplifier has a detection means for detecting which one of the resistors R1 and R2 is connected from a signal given via the terminal E, and when the detection means detects that the resistor R1 is connected, Automatic calibration means for determining the offset voltage is provided. Here, the automatic calibration means is set in advance so as to calibrate with reference to a predetermined concentration of carbon dioxide gas sealed in the container 2.
[0031]
With this configuration, the operator can connect the first connector 6a to the measurement amplifier without opening the package, and cause the measurement amplifier to recognize the connection with the first connector 6a to perform automatic calibration. Then, the operator opens the package, takes out the gas sensor 1, and connects the second connector 6b to the measurement amplifier to perform measurement. However, since the measurement amplifier recognizes the second connector 6b, the operator erroneously calibrates. Never start. It should be noted that a resistance is built in only one of the first connector 6a and the second connector 6b, and the measurement amplifier recognizes the connection with the first connector 6b and automatically calibrates by determining the presence or absence of the resistance. Is also possible. Moreover, you may make it judge by the short circuit of a conducting wire, or a disconnection, without using resistance.
[0032]
FIG. 9 is a diagram specifically showing wiring when an ISFET type electrode is used as the sensor body 4 in the above example in which a resistor is built in the connector.
[0033]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a calibration state notifying means provided in the connector 6 when the sensor main body 4 is a leveling house type electrode. In this example, the first connector 6a and the second connector 6b are not provided with resistors, and the lines of the sensor output V0 and the reference potential Vs are exchanged in the first connector 6a. If the sensor body 4 is in the gas to be measured, a DC voltage of several hundred millivolts is detected, and the polarity of the detected voltage is reversed depending on the presence or absence of the first connector 6a. Based on this, the measurement amplifier determines whether or not to perform automatic calibration. According to this, the number of pins of the connector can be reduced, and the size of the connector and the entire package can be reduced.
[0034]
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a gas sensor package according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the connector holding member 11 having the through hole 11 a is attached to the container 20. Of course, the container 20 and the connector holding member 11 are bonded without a gap. A screw thread 10 a is provided on the peripheral surface of the connector 10, and a screw groove 11 b corresponding to the screw thread 10 a is provided on the peripheral wall surface of the through hole 11 a of the connector holding member 11. 10 is fixed to the connector holding member 11. Here, the thread 10a and the thread groove 11b are provided to such an extent that they can be removed from the connector holding member 11 if the connector 10 is rotated once. The outer diameter of the connector 10 is gradually reduced by a taper portion or a step portion as it reaches the lead wire 5 side. The connector holding member 11 is formed with a step portion in the vicinity of the inside outlet of the housing body 20 of the hole portion 11 a, and a ring-shaped packing 12 is provided there, and this is pressed into the connector 10. Yes. Thereby, the airtightness in the container 20 is kept highly.
[0035]
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. As shown in this figure, a knob 10d made of a pair of plate-like members is provided on the proximal end side of the guide tube 10c of the connection terminal 10b of the connector 10. The material and shape of the container 20 are the same as those described in the package of FIGS. However, the cut end of the container 20 is not necessary. Moreover, the gas sensor accommodated in this package is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the gas body filled in the container 20 is also the same.
[0036]
When carrying out the package of this embodiment, first, a container 20 having an opening and having a connector holding member 11 attached thereto is prepared, and a gas sensor is inserted from the through hole 11a of the connector holding member 11 to Contain inside. For this reason, the minimum diameter R of the through-hole 11a is set to a size that allows the gas sensor to be taken in and out. In this case, the gas sensor is provided with a catheter, and is sized so that the catheter can be taken in and out. Next, if the connector 10 is inserted into the through hole 11a and the connector 10 is rotated once with the knob 10d, the screw thread 10a and the screw groove 11b are screwed together, and the connector 10 is fixed to the connector holding member 11, At the same time, the packing 12 is pressed and the through hole 11a is closed. In this state, as shown in FIG. 4 (a sponge body containing water is also put into the container 20), the gas body is filled into the container 20, and the opening of the container 20 is sealed.
[0037]
Next, how to use the gas sensor packaged in this way will be described. The operator performs the calibration without opening the package in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
[0038]
Next, the operator can remove the connector 10 from the connector holding member 11, that is, the container 20 if the connector 10 is removed from the measurement amplifier and rotated once in the direction opposite to the direction in which the connector 10 is attached with the knob 10 d. . And if an operator pulls out a gas sensor from the through-hole 11a, a gas sensor will be isolate | separated from the container 20 completely. Next, the operator inserts a gas sensor, for example, from the patient's nose into the stomach, reconnects the connector 10 to the measurement amplifier, and performs an actual measurement.
[0039]
According to the present embodiment, the connector 10 is a type that does not separate, but the container 20 and the connector can be easily separated. For this reason, the structure of the connector 10 can be simplified.
[0040]
FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the second embodiment is that the connector 15 is attached to and detached from the connector holding member 16 from the inside of the housing 30. Therefore, a knob 15 d for rotating the connector 15 is provided on the lead wire 5 side and is located inside the container 30. The fixing of the connector 15 to the connector holding member 16 is performed by screwing a screw thread 15 a provided on the peripheral surface of the connector 15 and a screw groove 16 b provided on the peripheral wall surface of the through hole 16 a of the connector holding member 16. This is the same as the second embodiment. Further, a ring-shaped packing 17 is provided at the step formed on the connector holding member 16, and is in a state where it is pressed against the connector 15, the material and shape of the container 30, and the package is accommodated in this package. The gas sensor is also the same as in the second embodiment. The same applies to the gas body filled in the container 30. However, the container 30 is provided with a cut end.
[0041]
When carrying out the package of this embodiment, first, a container 30 having an opening and having a connector holding member 16 attached thereto is prepared, and the gas sensor is housed in the container 30. Unlike the embodiment, it can be accommodated from the opening of the accommodating portion 30, which is convenient. Next, if the connector 15 is inserted into the through hole 16a and the connector 15 is rotated once by holding the knob 15d, the connector 10 is fixed to the connector holding member 16 and the packing 17 is pressed at the same time, and the through hole 16a is closed. Is done. In this state, as shown in FIG. 4 (a sponge body containing water is also put into the container 30), the container 30 is filled with a gas body, and the opening of the container 30 is sealed.
[0042]
Next, how to use the gas sensor packaged in this way will be described. The operator performs the calibration without opening the package in the same manner as in the second embodiment.
[0043]
Next, the operator removes the connector 15 from the measurement amplifier, opens the container 30 from the cut end, holds the knob 15d, and holds the connector 15 in the connector direction if the connector 15 is rotated once in the opposite direction. It can be removed from the member 16, that is, the container 30. If the operator pulls out the gas sensor from the container 30, the gas sensor is completely separated from the container 30. The rest is the same as in the second embodiment.
[0044]
According to the present embodiment, when packaging, the gas sensor can be accommodated in the accommodating body 30 through the opening that is not yet sealed, and therefore the operation is simple, and the accommodating body 30 is also provided. Even after opening, the gas sensor can be taken out through the opening produced by the opening, so that the taking out is very simple.
[0045]
The gas sensor housed in the package of the above embodiment is a gas sensor main body or the like attached to a catheter. However, the gas sensor may be simply composed of a gas sensor main body, a lead wire, and a connector without the catheter.
[0046]
In the above embodiment, the sensor is carbon dioxide gas, but the same applies to other gas sensors such as an oxygen gas sensor.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the calibration can be easily performed, and it is not necessary to take out the gas sensor from the container at the time of the calibration. Since the gas in the body and the gas sensor body have reached equilibrium, the response time is extremely short. Further, the gas can be leaked during the calibration and the concentration does not change, and the calibration can be performed very accurately.
[0048]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, after the container is opened, the second connector is removed from the first connector, and the second connector is directly connected to the measurement amplifier. Can be handled separately. For this reason, handling of the gas sensor after opening is very easy. Further, since it is not necessary to consider removing the first connector from the container after opening, it is not necessary to take a special method or means for the bonding, and the packaging work is simple.
[0049]
According to the invention of claim 3, if the measuring amplifier has an automatic calibration function, calibration can be automatically performed only by connecting the first connector without opening the container.
[0050]
According to the invention of claim 4, the cleanliness of the catheter is not impaired until the actual measurement is performed.
[0051]
According to the invention of claim 5, when the entire container is heated, high-pressure water vapor is generated inside the container, and the sterilization effect of the gas sensor can be enhanced. At room temperature, the water is retained by the water retentive object, so that water droplets are prevented from being attached to the gas sensor. Moreover, drying of the gas sensor is prevented at room temperature. In addition, the presence of this water makes it possible to obtain a saturated water vapor state similar to that in the body during calibration.
[0052]
According to the invention of claim 6, the connector can be easily detached from the container, and the configuration of the connector can be simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entirety of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the package shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a first step of the package shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a view showing a next step of the package shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a main part of a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an application example of the first embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a diagram showing specific wiring in the example shown in FIG. 8. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another application example of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas sensor 2, 20, 30 Container 4 Gas sensor main body 5 Lead wire 6, 10, 15 Connector 11, 16 Connector holding member

Claims (6)

In a gas sensor package containing a gas sensor having a gas sensor main body, a lead wire connected to one end of the gas sensor main body to guide a detection signal of the gas sensor main body, and a connector connected to the other end of the lead wire,
A housing that houses at least the gas sensor main body, exposes the gas sensor in an airtight state by exposing at least the connection terminals of the connector, and
A gas sensor package comprising: a gas body that is filled in the container and includes a measurement target gas, and the concentration of the measurement target gas is a predetermined concentration. The connector of the gas sensor includes a first connector having connection terminals at both ends and a second connector that is detachably connected to one connection terminal of the first connector, and the first connector is the other connector. 2. The gas sensor package according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal is exposed to the outside of the container and is fixed to the container. The gas sensor package according to claim 2, wherein the first connector includes calibration state notifying means for notifying the outside that the gas sensor main body is accommodated in the container and is in a calibration state. . The gas sensor package according to claim 1, wherein the gas sensor includes a catheter, the gas sensor main body is attached to the catheter, and the container accommodates the entire catheter. The gas sensor package according to claim 1, wherein the container contains water and a water-retaining substance. The container is provided with a connector holding member that has a hole that communicates the inside and outside of the container and holds the connector, and the connector is provided on each of the peripheral surface and the peripheral wall surface of the hole. The gas sensor package according to claim 1, wherein the screw holding portion is held by the connector holding member by being screwed together.

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