Dispensing instrument for fluid monitoring sensors

摘要

A sensor dispensing instrument houses a sensor pack having a plurality of fluid sensors and is used to eject one of the sensors from the sensor pack so that it can be placed in a testing position with the sensor projecting from the instrument. Data generated by the sensor when a testing end of the sensor is placed in a fluid to be tested is transferred to data processing circuitry on a printed circuit board disposed within the instrument. Information regarding tests conducted can be displayed on a display screen disposed in the instrument In addition, user actuated buttons disposed adjacent a data port connector permit the user of the instrument to input data to the electrical components on the printed circuit board or obtain information about the performed tests. The manually actuated buttons, the data port connector and the display screen are electrically coupled to the circuitry on the printed circuit board by an elastomeric connector. The connector has conductive filaments on three sides thereof and is sandwiched between the display screen and the printed circuit board with circuits on the display screen and printed circuit board in contact with two opposite sides of the elastomeric connector and the user actuated buttons and data port connector making contact on a third side of the elastomeric connector. The elastomeric connector consists of a generally silicone sponge rubber core with U-shaped metal filaments wrapped around the core. <IMAGE>