Probe for transcutaneous sampling

A probe adapted to be positioned against a body to detect a blood gas diffusing through the skin of said body, said probe comprising:

• a housing;
• a cap having an axis common to the axis of said housing and an opening in the base thereof, said cap also having locking means engaging said housing upon movement of said cap along said axis for securing said cap to said housing;
• a membrane secured to said cap and spanning said opening in said base of said cap;
• detector means responsive to said blood gas diffusing through said skin for developing an electrical signal representative of said blood gas, said detector means including an electrode unit held within said housing and forming a domed surface which projects from said housing through said opening in said base of said cap and an electrolyte between said domed surface and said membrane;
• sealing means positioned between said housing and said membrane for preventing said electrolyte from escaping;
• and means emanating from said housing for conducting said electrical signal developed by said detector means to a remote location.

A probe having a face adapted for contact with the skin of a body, said probe comprising:

• a cap having an axis common to the axis of said housing and an opening in the base thereof, the outside surface of said base forming a portion of said face, said cap also having locking means engaging said housing upon movement of said cap along said axis for securing said cap to said housing;
• an electrode unit held within said housing and forming a domed surface which projects from said housing through said opening in said base of said cap and forms a portion of said face;
• a membrane secured to said cap and spanning said opening in said base of said cap;
• an electrolyte between said domed surface and said membrane;
• sealing means positioned between said housing and said membrane for preventing said electrolyte from escaping;
• first means emanating from said housing for electrically connecting said electrode unit to a remote location;
• heating means held within said housing for transmitting heat to said face;
• second means emanating from said housing for connecting said heating means to a source of electrical power;
• sensing means held within said housing for sensing the temperature at said face and for developing an electrical signal representative of said temperature;
• and third means emanating from said housing for connecting said sensing means to a remote location to conduct said electrical signal representative of said temperature to said remote location.