Interference No. 103,146
of the injectate-blood mixture, the patient’s blood flow rate
can be established. It is important that the injectate
temperature be accurately sensed before it is injected into
the patient. The prior art used a commercial Y-shaped
thermistor which required sterilization after each use. In
the subject matter of the interference, a reusable thermistor
is used inside a disposable plastic housing.
The count in interference reads as follows:
Count 1
For use in a cardiovascular flow measuring system
wherein a cold injectate fluid is delivered in a known amount
from a supply through a catheter into a patient's blood vessel
and the resultant change in the temperature of the patient's
blood is sensed to determine the circulatory blood flow rate,
an improved injectate fluid temperature sensor comprising:
a disposable housing defining a through lumen for
conducting injectate fluid therethrough;
a disposable thermally conductive receiver
hermetically sealingly joined to the housing and projecting
transversely into said lumen to be in heat transfer
association with injectate fluid conducted through said lumen,
said receiver extending substantially fully across said lumen;
and
a reusable temperature sensor removably installed in
said enclosure, said sensor providing a signal corresponding
3
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