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Abstract

A novel pressure sensor mechanism is provided which includes both a novel pressure sensor assembly and a novel handle for use therewith. The pressure sensor assembly has at least one pressure sensor at its distal end, the pressure sensor having electrodes which are connected through spaced leads to output terminals at a proximal end of the assembly. Even though sensor electrodes and leads may be on facing substrate sections of the assembly, the assembly is designed so as to permit all output terminals to be electrically accessed from the same side of the sensor assembly. An additional output terminal may be provided for preferred embodiments, which terminal is accessible from the same side of the sensor assembly as the other two output terminals, is substantially smaller than the other two output terminals and is connected to one of the other two output terminals by a sensor-ok lead or trace. The handle has a circuit board with a terminal corresponding to each output terminal on the sensor assembly, and a slot for receiving the proximal end of the sensor assembly and for aligning such assembly with each of its output terminals adjacent the corresponding terminal on the circuit board. The handle also includes a member for applying pressure to the side of the sensor assembly opposite the output terminals and a mechanism for permitting such pressure to be released so as to facilitate insertion and removal of the sensor assembly from the handle. The handle also includes controls which operate in conjunction with the sensor-ok trace on a sensor assembly to detect when good electrical contact is being made between the terminals of the sensor assembly and the corresponding terminals of the handle circuit board, and for receiving and suitably outputting pressure measurements from the sensor.

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First Claim