Abstract: This invention relates to a blood pressure transducer (8) and provides a safe and economical transducer by providing a novel optical fiber (80) made of a transparent elastomer. The present invention provides an invasive direct blood pressure transducer (8) of an external sensor system consisting of a catheter (1a), a pressure tub (6) connected to the catheter at one of the ends thereof and a pressure transducer (8) connected to the other end of the pressure tube (6), part of the pressure transducer is composed of an optical fiber (80) made of a transparent elastomer.

Abstract: A method of making a temperature sensor including the steps of mixing a cationically polymerized compound, a radically polymerized compound, a cationic polymerization initiator, and a radical initiator to form a blend; forming the mixture in the shape of a senor disposed near the end of an optical fiber; curing one of the cationically polymerized compound and the radically polymerized compound and then curing the other of the compounds to form a microphase separation structure; and, thereby producing a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A blood parameter measurement device especially useful for surgical procedures includes a compact housing with a light source, light detector and signal converter contained within the housing. In use, the device is releasably coupled to a cassette that can be either used as an in-line cell in series with a cardiopulmonary by-pass circuit, or in another passageway that shunts the cardiopulmonary by-pass circuit. Preferably, the housing of the device has a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction generally parallel to the direction of blood flowing through the cassette.

Abstract: A blood handling system has a first blood handling apparatus mounted on a second blood handling apparatus with a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus has two primary components: a retention sleeve attached to a stem that protrudes from the lower portion of the first blood handling apparatus; and a slotted plate that is attached to a stem on the second blood handling apparatus. The retention sleeve has a track for receiving the slotted plate and a flexible tab, with a protruding tooth, that securely engages the slotted plate in a locked position. If it becomes necessary to disconnect the first blood handling apparatus from the second blood handling apparatus during surgery, the tab may be easily moved into an unlocked position, allowing the disk to slide freely out of the track so that the units can be easily separated from each other.