Abstract: A calibration fluid cartridge for a medical device, such as a blood analyzer. The cartridge includes at least one calibrant bag that is filled with a flexible calibration fluid and a flexible waste bag for holding fluid waste from the blood analyzer. The calibrant bags contract as calibration fluid exits the bags, leaving a void in the cartridge that is filled by the waste bag, which expands with waste fluids as the calibrant bags contract. Thus, the cartridge can be made compact and light-weight, making it particularly suited for use in a portable blood analyzer. The calibrant bags have fluid ports with self-sealing valves and a flange to secure them within the cartridge, as well as a compliant member for facilitating a secure, fluid-tight seal between fluid fitting on the blood analyzer and the calibrant and waste bags. The calibrant bags can be directly coupled to the blood analyzer to reduce diffusion of gases from the calibrant bags.

Abstract: A reference solution container for an analyzer for measuring gas and/or electrolyte levels in a fluid. The vessel includes a fluid container for holding a reference solution and a self-sealing fluid port for repeatedly accessing the reference solution in the fluid vessel by a fluid carrying device that is external to the reference solution container. The partial pressure of each gas in the reference solution within the fluid vessel is maintained at a substantially constant level.

Abstract: The present invention is a sensor cartridge into which sensors are installed. The sensor cartridge allows the sensors to be easily and reliably installed into a blood analyzer. The sensor assembly has an electrical connector mounted on the rear side of the assembly. A plurality of inner walls within the housing locate a pump tube assembly and right angle fluid coupling within the housing. An opening in the housing receives a first boss which extends from the blood analyzer. A capture/release arm has an opening through which the first boss protrudes. The arm is resiliently held in place such that an inner edge of the opening is captured within a ring-like groove in the boss that extends from the blood analyzer when the cartridge is installed in the blood analyzer. A portion of the arm extends beyond the housing to allow an operator to press the arm and thus release the edge of the arm from the groove in the boss.

Abstract: A portable, ready-for-use analyte measuring device is provided for the measurement of multiple sequential fluid samples. The device has a disposable cartridge, a calibrating fluid external to the cartridge and an analyzer. The cartridge has a housing, inlet for introduction of fluids into the housing, flow cell in fluid connection with the inlet, a waste collection area or reservoir in fluid connection to receive fluids from the flow cell, and at least one flow control means in fluid connection with the reservoir. The flow cell has a flow-through channel with one or more hydrated sensors arranged along the channel that has fluid therein. Also the flow cell has one or more spaced-apart reference electrode containment spaces in conductive contact with a contained quantity of reference fluid for the number of multiple sequential tests for the cartridge. The reference electrode containment space is spaced apart from but in conductive relation with the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A plastic covered nonconducting substrate with an electrical circuit means is secured to the extent to withstand the presence of liquids in contact with the substrate. The covered substrate can have the substrate with one or more fluid preconditionable electrical components, a housing secured to the substrate to maintain contact of the preconditioning fluid with the electrical component like a sensor, and moisture impervious seals to cover openings in the housing for the disposition of the preconditioning fluid in the housing for contact with the electrical component on the substrate. The housing can have one or more parts and have one or more channels for containing the preconditioning fluid.

Abstract: A fluid sample collector, sensing, and calibration device contains a collector like a syringe, with one or more analyte sensors, and a calibrator for calibrating the sensor. These can be pre-assembled and are particularly adapted to be disposable after a single use; the analyte sensor may be connected to a self-contained monitoring instrument or analyzer which processes the signals from the sensor and displays the information to the operator.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed vial for liquids is provided by the present invention. The liquid can be a calibrant or a reference fluid for gas analysis where the liquid has dissolved gas or medication or medicaments. The vial is a glass container means with at least one opening. The dimensions of the opening range from that which is just effective for the addition and removal of fluids to that which is the smallest side of the container. A flange circumferentially extends about the opening. The vial has the liquid that does not fill the vial to leave room for a head space. The head space is present in an amount of the volume percent of the vial ranging from 1 to 99 compared to the amount of the liquid. The vial is sealed with an air impermeable bilaminate seal comprised of an adhesive polymer contacting the vial and a metal surface facing externally from the vial. Before the vial is sealed by heat or induction sealing a securing means like a cap or chemical coupling agents are used to hold the seal on the vial.

Abstract: A resilient valve core, biased against its seat in a molded body, controls large flow volumes for flushing. A small resilient tube embedded in the core bypasses the valve to provide smaller flow volumes for IV-fluid drip. For flushing, the core is deformed, rather than bodily moved, relative to the body. A fluid-flow channel is recessed along one side of the valve cavity, and the valve seat forms a short barrier across this channel. The core is a T-shaped unitary member; the center of the "upper" surface of the T crossbar is biased against the seat, and the extrema of the crossbar are hermetically sealed against the valve body, while the stem of the T extends outward from the body. A user squeezes a cowling mounted outside the body to start and control flushing. The cowling itself deforms to pull the stem of the T outward, deforming the T and separating the middle of its crossbar portion from the valve seat. A user can elect to grasp and pull the stem directly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliably assembling battery cell elements having relatively large numbers of electrode plates separated by a single interleaved spacer.