Multiple independent path bubble tonometer

Claim 2

In a bubble tonometer apparatus adapted for perparing a predetermined gas/blood sample, which comprises in a controlled environment locus a gas/blood equilibration chamber, means to add a blood sample to such chamber, means to diffuse a gas into said blood sample to an equilibrium condition therein, said gas diffusion means including a porous diffuser body communicating said sample with a pressurized gas supply, and side arm means to selectively withdraw an aliquot portion of the equilibrium condition sample, the improvement comprising an elongated circular cross-section diffuser body extending vertically within said chamber at least partly freely of the surrounding chamber wall to define a vertically extended annular space with said surrounding chamber wall for the diffusion of said gas radially into said blood sample for selective withdrawl of an aliquot portion thereof in highly oxygenated relation from said annular space immediately surrounding said diffuser body.

Claim 3

Bubble tonometer according to claim 1, in which said side arm means communicates with said chamber at said annular space.

Claim 4

Bubble tonometer according to claim 1, in which said diffusion means further includes reverse turn tubing for conducting gas to said diffuser body from beyond and through said controlled environment locus to said chamber.

Claim 5

Bubble tonometer according to claim 1, including also a closed vessel defining said controlled environmment locus.

Claim 6

Bubble tonometer according to claim 1, including also an annular flange within said chamber, said flange delimiting said chamber adjacently below said annular space and defining a seat for said diffuser body.

Claim 7

Bubble tonometer according to claim 5, in which said diffuser body is inverted cup-shaped and said seat comprises a tubular boss formed inwardly of said chamber flange in endwise diffuser seating relation.

Claim 8

Multiple, independent path bubble tonometer apparatus for preparing a plurality of predetermined like or different gas/blood samples under identical though dynamic conditions, which comprises in a controlled enviroment common locus multiple tonometer paths each of which is define by a gas/blood equilibration chamber, means to add a blood sample to said chamber, means to diffuse a gas into said blood sample to an equilibrium condition therein, said gas diffusion means including a porous diffuser body communicating the sample with a pressurized gas supply, and side arm means to selectively withdraw an aliquot portion of the equilibrium condition sample; and an enclosure defining said controlled environment locus identically about each and every tonometer path for instantly cross-referenceable multiple sample preparations.

Claim 9

Multiple, independent path bubble tonometer apparatus for preparing a plurality of predetermined like or different gas/blood samples under identical though dynamic conditions, which comprises in a controlled enviroment common locus multiple tonometer paths each of which is define by a gas/blood equilibration chamber, means to add a blood sample to said chamber, means to diffuse a gas into said blood sample to an equilibrium condition therein, said gas diffusion means including a porous diffuser body communicating the sample with a pressurized gas supply, and side arm means to selectively withdraw an aliquot portion of the equilibrium condition sample; and an enclosure defining said controlled environment locus identically about each and every tonometer path for instantly cross-referenceable multiple sample preparations.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 7, in which each said side arm means communicates with its respective chamber immediately adjacent its said diffuser body.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 8, in which said diffuser body is elongated and interiorly void for radial diffusion of said gas into said blood.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 9, in which said side arm means is radially opposite said diffuser body.

Claim 13

Triple independent path bubble tonometer apparatus for preparing three predetermined like or different gas/blood samples under identical though dynamic conditions, said apparatus comprising a closed glass housing defining an environmentally controlled locus and having an inlet and outlet for circulating controlled temperature water through the housing, and within said housing first, second and third closed flow path tonometers each comprising an equilibrium chamber defined by a vertical tube opening upwardly through the top of the housing for blood sample reception and downwardly through the bottom of the housing for blood sample disposal, said chamber tube in its lower portion having an annular inward flange forming a tubular boss axially of the chamber, means to diffuse an equilibrium condition amount of a gas into said blood sample including reverse turn tubing leading from a pressurized gas supply beyond said housing and to said tubular boss, and a cup-shaped porous gas diffuser body mounted on said tubular boss in annular space defining and blood sample immersed relation, a side arm sampling port selectively communicating the blood sample within said annular space beyond said housing, and mounting means integrally formed on said housing for supporting the same in operating position.

Claim 14

Triple independent path bubble tonometer apparatus for preparing three predetermined like or different gas/blood samples under identical though dynamic conditions, said apparatus comprising a closed glass housing defining an environmentally controlled locus and having an inlet and outlet for circulating controlled temperature water through the housing, and within said housing first, second and third closed flow path tonometers each comprising an equilibrium chamber defined by a vertical tube opening upwardly through the top of the housing for blood sample reception and downwardly through the bottom of the housing for blood sample disposal, said chamber tube in its lower portion having an annular inward flange forming a tubular boss axially of the chamber, means to diffuse an equilibrium condition amount of a gas into said blood sample including reverse turn tubing leading from a pressurized gas supply beyond said housing and to said tubular boss, and a cup-shaped porous gas diffuser body mounted on said tubular boss in annular space defining and blood sample immersed relation, a side arm sampling port selectively communicating the blood sample within said annular space beyond said housing, and mounting means integrally formed on said housing for supporting the same in operating position.