Disposable, pre-calibrated, pre-validated sensors for use in bio-processing applications
AssigneeParker-Hannifin Corporation
InventorsKarl G. Schick, David Uhen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disposable, pre-sterilized, and pre-calibrated, pre-validated conductivity sensors are provided. These sensors are designed to store sensor-specific information, such as calibration and production information, in a non-volatile memory chip on the sensor on in a barcode printed on the sensor. The sensors are calibrated using 0.100 molar potassium chloride (KCl) solutions at 25 degrees Celsius. These sensors may be utilize with in-line systems, closed fluid circuits, bioprocessing systems, or systems which require an aseptic environment while avoiding or reducing cleaning procedures and quality assurance variances.
Claims18
A disposable sensor for measuring electrical conductivity of a bio-processing fluid, comprising:
- a conduit for directing a bio-processing fluid;
- a sensing portion, said sensing portion is composed of at least one electrode in electrical communication with bio-processing fluid during use of the apparatus for sensing electrical conductivity of bio-processing fluid passing through said conduit, said sensing portion having a structure for measuring the temperature;
- a barcode printed or etched on the disposable sensor, said barcode contains calibration information including a sensor-specific cell constant that is a function of the specific sensor's conductance;
- said apparatus is made of disposable material suitable for single use of the apparatus;
- and
- a user interface, said user interface is connectable with said sensing portion, drives a current through the sensing portion, accesses or retrieves the sensor-specific cell constant encoded by said barcode, and uses the cell constant to calculate the electrical conductivity of the bio-processing fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.