Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
A sensor dispensing instrument (30) for handling a plurality of fluid sensors
(46) retained in a sensor pack (38), said sensors (46) generating electrical data
during a fluid test, said instrument (30) comprising: an outer housing (32); a display means (52) in said housing (32) for displaying information; a circuit means (50) disposed in said housing (32) adjacent said display means
(52) and having data processing means thereon to receive said electrical data
generated by said sensors (46); data means (82, 84, 86) accessible from externally of said housing (32) and
being electrically coupled to said circuit means (50); and a flexible connector means (78) disposed between said display means (52)
and said circuit means (50) and adjacent to said data means (82, 84, 86) for
coupling said display means (52) and said data means (82, 84, 86) to said
circuit means (50), said connector means (78) having conductors on at least
first (78A) and second (78B) opposed sides and a third side (78C) extending
therebetween with said display means (52) electrically coupled to said first
side (78A) of said connector means (78), said circuit means (50) electrically
coupled to said second side (78B) of said connector means (78), and said data
means (82, 84, 86) being electrically coupled to said third side (78C) of said
connector means (78), wherein said connector means (78) includes a soft core (112) and wherein
said conductors on said connector means includes a plurality of conductive
filaments (114), said conductive filaments (114) being metallic, generally U-shaped conductors
extending about said first (78A), second (78B) and third (78C) sides of said
core (112).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sensor dispensing instrument (30) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said soft
core ( 112) is a soft silicone rubber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
A sensor dispensing instrument (30) as set forth in claim 1 or 2 wherein said
display means (52) and said circuit means (50) lie in generally parallel planes
and said connector means (78) is sandwiched between said display means
(52) and said circuit means (50) such that said connector means (78) is
retained between and electrically couples said display means (52) and said
circuit means (50).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
A sensor dispensing instrument (30) as set forth in claim 3 wherein said data
means (82, 84, 86) includes contacts (106, 108, 110) extending therefrom in a
direction that is generally parallel to the planes of said display means (50) and
said circuit means (52) and wherein said third side (78C) of said connector
means (78) is generally at a right angle with respect to said first (78A) and
second (78B) sides of said connector means (78).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A sensor dispensing instrument (30) as set forth in claim 3 or 4 including an
additional flexible connector (80) sandwiched between said display means
(52) and said circuit means (50) and providing electrical coupling between
said display means (52) and said circuit means (50), said additional connector
(80) and said connector means (78) being disposed at opposite edges (98,100)
of said display means (52).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sensor dispensing instrument (30) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 5
wherein said display means (52) is a liquid crystal display.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sensor dispensing instrument (30) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 6
wherein said circuit means (50) is a printed circuit board (48) having data
processing means thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A sensor dispensing instrument (30) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 7
wherein said data means (82, 84, 86) is a plurality of manually actuated
buttons for inputting information into said circuit means (50) or obtaining
information from said circuit means (50).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A sensor dispensing instrument (30) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 8
wherein said data means (82, 84, 86) includes an electrical connector (106,
108, 110) coupled to said circuit means (50) through said connector means
(78).