Extracorporeal sensing module

Claim 1

An extracorporeal sensing module for use in monitoring parameters of body fluids, comprising: a tube-like housing provided with inlet and outlet end portions for respective attachment with body fluid supply and discharge means; a lumen internally of said housing and extending longitudinally thereof for defining a fluid flow path in communication with said body fluid supply and discharge means, said lumen having an internal surface that is generally cylindrical and of substantially the same diameter throughout its longitudinal extent so that said lumen internal surface defines a substantially isodiametric fluid flow path; and a convex sensor membrane longitudinally spaced along and forming a part of said housing, said convex sensor membrane being constructed of polymeric material that is longitudinally spaced along said generally cylindrical internal surface, said polymeric material convex sensor membrane having a bottom surface which forms an inside surface thereof that is a flush portion of said generally cylindrical and substantially isodiametric lumen internal surface that defines the substantially isodiametric fluid flow path such that said fluid flow path defined by said substantially isodiametric lumen internal surface is unobstructed throughout its longitudinal extent, said flush portion bottom surface being contiguous with adjacent surfaces of said lumen internal surface, said convex sensor membrane having tapering ends, said contiguous flush portion bottom surface of the convex sensor membrane being reduced in cross-section toward and being confluent with said adjacent surfaces of the lumen.