Importance

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Abstract

A pressure monitoring apparatus for use in monitoring a physiological fluid pressure in successive patients. Three embodiments of the pressure monitoring apparatus (10, 100, 200) are disclosed, each of which include a disposable portion ( 12, 12', 12') and a reusable portion ( 14, 14', 14'). Fluid flows through the disposable portion and into a cavity (48) that is covered with an elastomeric membrane (46, 46'). When the disposable portion is engaged with the reusable portion, the elastomeric membrane is in contact with a corresponding elastomeric membrane (50, 50'), which covers a pressure sensing cavity (52). A pressure transducer (56) is mounted in the pressure sensing cavity, and the pressure sensing cavity is filled with a fluid and is in fluid communication with a reservoir(38) when not engaged with the disposable portion. When the disposable portion is brought into engagement with the reusable portion, a passage (54, 53) connecting the reservoir with the pressure sensing cavity is blocked, thereby minimizing the volume of fluid within the pressure sensing cavity. In this way, the compliance of the pressure sensing portion is reduced, so that its frequency response is increased. In one embodiment of the pressure monitoring apparatus (100), a slider (110) is provided for covering the elastomeric membrane used on the disposable portion so that exposure of the elastomeric membrane to a fluid pressurized to a level in excess of the rated pressure for the membrane does not damage the membrane.

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First Claim