| 摘要 |
A calibrated medical sensing catheter system in which a catheter-mounted sensor may be calibrated in a simple and reliable manner. In one embodiment the calibration may be performed using a disposable vessel containing two volumes of calibrating fluid, each volume separately accessible by the sensor to be calibrated. Preferably, such a vessel takes the form of an elongated tube having a first volume at one end and a second volume at the other end, each volume containing distinct calibrating fluids. Each volume may be accessed through the respective ends of the tube by introducing a sensor through a pierceable membrane, such as a foil-plastic membrane or seal. In an alternative embodiment the calibrated vessel takes the form of an elongated cylinder having two separate volumes of calibrating fluid separated by a common pierceable membrane or seal. The second embodiment may be used to calibrate a sensor by introducing the sensor into a first volume of the tube and therefore piercing the common pierceable membrane and thus introducing the sensor into the second volume of the vessel. In other embodiments the catheter further features a fitting to facilitate the piercing of the membranes, the fitting designed so as to remain in the vessel once the catheter is withdrawn. In such a manner the vessel may not be reused.
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