Sensor assembly of the sensing device

By designing carrier and sensor components with base walls and side walls, the problem of difficult installation and unreliable performance of sensors in the conduit is solved, achieving higher installation reliability and sensor performance.

CN116036442BActive Publication Date: 2025-07-01MEASUREMENT SPECIALTIES INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202211309737.2
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2021-10-28
Filing Date
2022-10-25
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Estimated Expiration
2042-10-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing sensors are prone to damage during installation into the catheter and are difficult to install in place, resulting in unreliable performance.

Method used

A sensor assembly is designed, including a carrier having a base wall and a side wall, and a sensor mounted between the side walls. The sensor die of the sensor is spaced a distance from the side wall in the width direction, and ensures correct installation through side steps and traction devices.

Benefits of technology

With this design, the sensor reduces contact with the conduit wall during installation, reduces the risk of damage, and simplifies the installation process and improves the reliability of the sensor.

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Abstract

A sensing device (1) includes a main body (20) and a sensor assembly (10). The main body has a receiving channel (22) extending through the main body (20). The sensor assembly has a carrier (100) and a sensor (200) mounted on the carrier (100). The carrier (100) has a base wall (110) extending from a proximal end (102) to a distal end (104) along a longitudinal direction (L) and a pair of side walls (140) extending from the base wall (110). The sensor (200) is mounted on the base wall (110) between the side walls (140). The carrier (100) has a traction device (132) at the distal end (104) of the base wall (110). Through this traction device, the sensor assembly (10) is pulled in the longitudinal direction (L) and along the receiving channel (22).
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensing device, and more particularly, to a sensor assembly of a sensing device. Background Art

[0002] Catheters for invasive human procedures and other applications use pressure sensors to improve existing procedures or implement new procedures. Sensors are typically small and fragile, and it is difficult to install them in catheters without damaging the sensors. During the process of inserting the sensor into the catheter, the sensor may contact the catheter wall, resulting in sensor damage and unreliable sensor performance. It is also difficult to install the sensor in the proper position in the catheter. In some applications, the conditioning electronics connected to the sensor must first be removed before carefully placing the sensor in the catheter, and then the wires must be reconnected. The complex reconnection of the wires weakens the electrical connection and the reliability of the signal from the sensor. Due to curing and positioning limitations in small spaces, it is also difficult for the sensor to adhere to the catheter in the correct orientation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The sensor assembly includes a carrier having a base wall and a pair of side walls extending from the base wall, and a sensor mounted on the base wall between the side walls. Each side wall has a side step between a first side portion and a second side portion, which extends along the longitudinal direction of the carrier from the first side portion. The sensor die of the sensor is spaced apart from the first side portion by a first lateral gap distance and from the second side portion by a second lateral gap distance in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The second lateral gap distance is greater than the first lateral gap distance. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0005] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sensor assembly according to an embodiment;

[0006] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the carrier of the sensor assembly;

[0007] Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the carrier;

[0008] Figure 4 is a top view of the carrier according to another embodiment;

[0009] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a cross-sectional side view of the carrier of;

[0010] Figure 6 is a top view of the sensor assembly;

[0011] Figure 7is a cross-sectional side view of a sensor assembly;

[0012] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a sensor assembly according to another embodiment, having a pair of outer shells separated from each other;

[0013] Figure 9 is Figure 8 a perspective view of the sensor assembly of, in which a pair of outer shells are connected to each other;

[0014] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a sensing device according to an embodiment;

[0015] Figure 11 is Figure 10 a cross-sectional side view of the sensing device of; and

[0016] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional side view of a sensing device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals denote like elements. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will convey the concept of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. In addition, in the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may also be implemented without these specific details.

[0018] Throughout the specification, directional descriptors such as "longitudinal", "width", and "vertical" are used. These descriptors are merely for the sake of clarity in description and the distinction between different directions. These directional descriptors do not imply or require any specific orientation of the disclosed elements.

[0019] In all the drawings, for the clarity of the drawings, only one of the multiple identical elements is labeled in the figure, but the detailed description of this element here equally applies to each identical occurrence of the element in the figure.

[0020] A sensor assembly 10 according to an embodiment is shown in Figure 1 , 6 and 7. The sensor assembly 10 includes a carrier 100 and a sensor 200 mounted on the carrier 100.

[0021] As Figures 1-3As shown, the carrier 100 extends from a proximal end 102 to a distal end 104 along a longitudinal direction L of the carrier 100. The carrier 100 has a base wall 110 extending between the proximal end 102 and the distal end 104 and a pair of side walls 140 extending from the base wall 110 in a vertical direction V perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The base wall 110 and the side walls 140 define Figure 1 the sensor receiving space 160 shown.

[0022] As Figure 2 and 3 shown, the base wall 110 has a sensing opening 118 extending through the base wall 110 in the vertical direction V. In another embodiment, the sensing opening 118 may be a recess in the base wall 110 facing the sensor receiving space 160 that does not extend completely through the base wall 110 in the vertical direction V. The base wall 110 has a rear base portion 120 at the proximal end 102 and a front base portion 130 at the distal end 104, and the front base portion 130 is separated from the rear base portion 120 along the longitudinal direction L by the sensing opening 118.

[0023] As Figure 2 shown, the rear base portion 120 has a base step 122 between a first base step portion 124 at the proximal end 102 and a second base step portion 126 extending from the first base step portion 124. The first base step portion 124 has a first base thickness 125 in the vertical direction V, and the second base step portion 126 has a second base thickness 127 in the vertical direction V. The first base thickness 125 is greater than the second base thickness 127.

[0024] As Figure 2 and 3 shown, the front base portion 130 has a traction device 132. In Figure 2 and 3 the embodiment shown, the traction device 132 is an eyelet 134 extending through the base wall 110 in the vertical direction V. In the embodiment shown, the eyelet 134 is a symmetric circular channel extending through the base wall 110. In other embodiments, the eyelet 134 may be a channel of any other shape extending through the base wall 110, including any symmetric or asymmetric shape.

[0025] In Figure 4 and 5 another embodiment shown, the traction device 132 in the front base portion 130 is a hook 136 extending from an inner base surface 112 of the base wall 110 in the vertical direction V; as Figure 2 , 4 and 5 shown, the base wall 110 has an inner base surface 112 and an outer base surface 114 opposite the inner base surface 112 in the vertical direction V. Figure 4 and 5The hook 136 shown is merely exemplary. In other embodiments, the hook 136 can be any element extending in the vertical direction V from the inner base surface 112 of the base wall 110, can be positioned on the carrier 100 asymmetrically or symmetrically, and can be a single hook 136 or multiple hooks 136 positioned in any arrangement. In other embodiments, the traction device 132 in the front base portion 130 can be any other type of recess or protrusion that can be engaged and pulled by an external element, as described in more detail below.

[0026] As Figure 2 shown, each side wall 140 has a base end 142 connected to one side of the base wall 110 and a free end 144 opposite the base end 142 in the vertical direction V. Each side wall 140 extends along the longitudinal direction L from a first end 147 to an opposite second end 148. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end 148 has an inclined shape 149 that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction V and the longitudinal direction L.

[0027] As Figure 1 shown, each side wall 140 has a side step 150. As Figure 2 shown, the side step 150 is located between a first side portion 152 and a second side portion 156 of the side wall 140. The second side portion 156 extends from the first side portion 152 along the longitudinal direction L. The first side portion 152 has a first side thickness 154 in the width direction W that is perpendicular to the vertical direction V and the longitudinal direction L. The second side portion 156 has a second side thickness 158 in the width direction W. The first side thickness 154 is greater than the second side thickness 158.

[0028] As Figure 1 shown, at the free end 144, each side wall 140 has a shaped side edge 146 on the side facing away from the sensor receiving space 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the shaped side edge 146 is a straight chamfer that intersects the free end 144. In other embodiments, the shaped side edge 146 can have a curved cross-sectional shape.

[0029] As Figure 3 shown, the base wall 110 has a shaped base edge 116 on opposite sides of the outer base surface 114 of the base wall 110 in the width direction W. In the illustrated embodiment, each shaped base edge 116 is a straight chamfer that intersects the base end 142 of one of the side walls 140. In other embodiments, the shaped base edge 116 can have a curved cross-sectional shape. In one embodiment, the shape of the shaped base edge 116 corresponds to the shape of the shaped side edge 146. In another embodiment, if the shaped base edge 116 and the shaped side edge 146 perform the following functions, the shape of the shaped base edge 116 can be different from the shape of the shaped side edge 146. In another embodiment, the shaped base edge 116 and the shaped side edge 146 can be omitted.

[0030] As Figure 2 and 3 shown, the carrier 100 has a carrier positioning device 170 in the rear base portion 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier positioning device 170 is a peg 172 disposed on the outer base surface 114 of the base wall 110 and extending in the vertical direction V from the outer base surface 114. In other embodiments, the carrier positioning device 170 can be any other type of protrusion extending from the outer base surface 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier positioning device 170 is a single peg 172 located substantially centrally on the outer base surface 114; in other embodiments, the carrier positioning device 170 can be a single peg 172 positioned eccentrically or asymmetrically on the outer base surface 114, or can be a plurality of pegs 172 positioned symmetrically or asymmetrically on the outer base surface 114. In a further embodiment, as described below for example, the carrier positioning device 170 can be a recess extending through the base wall 110 in the vertical direction V, and can likewise be one recess or a plurality of recesses, and can be positioned symmetrically or asymmetrically.

[0031] As Figure 1 shown, the sensor 200 includes a sensor die 210 and a plurality of wires 220 connected to the sensor die 210. In one embodiment, the sensor die 210 is a pressure sensor, such as a piezoresistive pressure sensing die. In other embodiments, the sensor die 210 can be any other type of pressure sensor, or can be any sensor capable of detecting other qualities in addition to or instead of pressure. The wires 220 are conductors that transmit the signals of the sensor die 210 to components external to the sensor assembly 10.

[0032] The assembly of the sensor assembly 10 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 1 、 6 and 7.

[0033] As Figure 6 and 7 shown, the sensor 200 is mounted in a sensor receiving space 160 on the base wall 110 and is located between the side walls 140. The sensor die 210 has a fixed portion 212 disposed on the second base step portion 126. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed portion 212 abuts against the base step 122 to position the sensor die 210 in the sensor receiving space 160 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0034] As Figure 6 and 7As shown, the sensor adhesive 230 attaches the sensor die 210 to the carrier 100. The sensor adhesive 230 is deposited or dispensed on the fixed portion 212 of the sensor die 210 and the wire 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor adhesive 230 flows around the sensor die 210 and flows under the wire 220 to Figure 7 the position shown, where the sensor adhesive 230 is disposed between the inner base surface 112 of the rear base portion 120 and the fixed portion 212. In other embodiments, the sensor adhesive 230 may be retained only on top of the sensor die 210 and the wire 220, or may be disposed between the inner base surface 112 of the rear base portion 120 and the fixed portion 212 and on top of the sensor die 210 and the wire 220.

[0035] The sensor adhesive 230 can be any type of adhesive curable by light, such as an epoxy resin curable by ultraviolet light, can be any type of adhesive curable by applying heat, or can be any type of adhesive curable by a chemical catalyst. The sensor adhesive 230 in the cured state fixes the fixed portion 212 of the sensor die 210 and the wire 220 to the carrier 100. The sensor die 210 has a free portion 214 extending from the fixed portion 212 and located above the sensing opening 118.

[0036] As Figure 6 shown, the sensor die 210 is fixed at a position spaced apart from the side wall 140 in the width direction W. The sensor die 210 is spaced apart from the first side portion 152 by a first lateral gap distance G1 in the width direction W and from the second side portion 156 by a second lateral gap distance G2 in the width direction W. The second lateral gap distance G2 is greater than the first lateral gap distance G1. In Figure 6 the illustrated embodiment, the sensor adhesive 230 is disposed in the region having the first lateral gap distance G1 between the side wall 140 and the sensor die 210. In Figure 6 the illustrated embodiment, the sensor die 210 is centered between the side walls 140 in the width direction W; the first lateral gap distance G1 is the same on both sides of the sensor die 210, and the second lateral gap distance G2 is the same on both sides of the sensor die 210. In other embodiments, the sensor die 210 may be positioned offset from the center between the side walls 140 in the width direction W, and the first lateral gap distance G1 and the second lateral gap distance G2 may be different on opposite sides of the sensor die 210 along the width direction W.

[0037] The positioning of the first lateral gap distance G1 and the second lateral gap distance G2 between the sensor die 210 and the side wall 140, and the omission of the front wall in the carrier 100 prevent the sensor die 210 from contacting the carrier 100. The second lateral gap distance G2, which is greater than the first lateral gap distance G1, is aligned with the free portion 214 of the sensor die 210, and this free portion 214 is the sensing area of the sensor die 210. By maintaining the spacing from the carrier 100 in this way, restricting damage to the sensor die 210 and / or restricting output errors from the sensor die 210 helps to ensure accurate readings from the sensor die 210.

[0038] As Figure 6 and 7 shown, the wire 220 extends from the sensor die 210 over the first base step portion 124 and protrudes from the proximal end 102 of the carrier 100. As in the illustrated embodiment, the wire 220 can also be fixed to the inner base surface 112 of the base wall 110 by the sensor adhesive 230. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor adhesive 230 is located in a part of the first base step portion 124. In another embodiment, the sensor adhesive 230 can be deposited throughout the first base step portion 124 and extend in the longitudinal direction L to or beyond the proximal end 102 of the carrier 100.

[0039] In Figures 1-7 the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 100 is integrally formed as a single piece. In another embodiment, the carrier 100 can be formed of a plurality of independent pieces of the same material or different materials and assembled together to form the above-mentioned carrier 100.

[0040] In one embodiment, the carrier 100 is formed of at least partially translucent material, that is, translucent or transparent material, such as polycarbonate. In the embodiment where the carrier 100 is formed of at least partially translucent material, by applying light (such as light in the visible spectrum or ultraviolet light) that can cure the sensor adhesive 230 to the carrier 100, such that the light passes through at least the partially translucent material of the carrier 100 and reaches the sensor adhesive 230, the sensor adhesive 230 can be cured at the Figure 7 position shown.

[0041] In another embodiment, the carrier 100 can be formed of an opaque material. In this embodiment, the sensor adhesive 230 can be cured at the Figure 7 position shown by applying heat that cures the sensor adhesive 230 to the sensor assembly 10, or can be cured at the Figure 7 position shown by a chemical catalyst, for example, as a two-part epoxy resin.

[0042] In Figure 8 and 9In another embodiment shown, the carrier 100 is formed by a pair of outer shells 190, 191 that can fit together. In Figure 8 and 9 's embodiment, the carrier 100 is shown to be formed by two outer shells 190, 191. In other embodiments, the carrier 100 can be formed by more than two outer shells 190, 191. Each outer shell 190, 191 is integrally formed as a single piece and can be formed of any of the materials of the above-mentioned carrier 100.

[0043] As Figure 8 and 9 shown, each outer shell 190, 191 has a portion of the base wall 110, including a portion of the sensing opening 118, and a side wall 140. In Figure 8 and 9 's embodiment, each outer shell 190, 191 also has a portion of the top wall 182 and a portion of the end wall 184 of the carrier 100. In other embodiments, such as in Figures 1-7 's embodiment, the carrier 100 can be formed by a pair of outer shells 190, 191, where the carrier 100 has no top wall 182 or end wall 184. In other embodiments, the outer shells 190, 191 can be different parts of the carrier 100 separated along different directions. For example, one of the outer shells 190 can have the entire base wall 110 and the sensing opening 118, while the other of the outer shells 192 is a lid having at least the side wall 140.

[0044] In Figure 8 and 9 's embodiment, one of the outer shells 190, 191 has the carrier positioning device 170. In other embodiments, a portion of the carrier positioning device 170 can be positioned on each outer shell 190, 191. In the shown embodiment, the carrier positioning device 170 is a peg 172, and in other embodiments, it can be any other type of protrusion or recess extending through the base wall 110 as described above.

[0045] As Figure 8As shown, each of the housings 190, 191 has a positioning feature 192. In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing 190 of the housings 190, 191 has a positioning protrusion 194 extending from a portion of the base wall 110, and the second housing 191 of the housings 190, 191 has a positioning recess 196 extending into a portion of the base wall 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning protrusion 194 is a single rectangular protrusion and the positioning recess 196 is a single rectangular recess. In other embodiments, the positioning protrusion 194 can be any other type of protrusion, such as a circular protrusion, and the positioning recess 196 can be any other type of recess corresponding to the positioning protrusion 194, such as a concave fragment. In another embodiment, one of the positioning features 192 can have multiple positioning protrusions 194 while the other of the positioning features 192 can have multiple positioning recesses 196.

[0046] To form the sensor assembly 10, first the sensor 200 is mounted on the base wall 110 of one of the housings 190, as Figure 8 shown. The sensor 200 is mounted in place on the base wall 110 as described in detail above with reference to Figure 6 and 7 above.

[0047] With the sensor 200 mounted on one of the housings 190, the carrier 100 is formed by moving the housings 190, 191 together in the width direction W to the Figure 9 shown formed state. The positioning features 192 cooperate with each other to ensure that the housings 190, 191 are in the proper position relative to each other in the formed state; in the illustrated embodiment, the positioning protrusion 194 extends into the positioning recess 196. As Figure 9 shown, portions of the housings 190, 191, such as corresponding portions of the base wall 110, the top wall 182, and the end wall 184, are adjacent to each other to form the walls 110, 182, 184 of the carrier 100 in the formed state. The housings 190, 191 can be connected to each other in the Figure 9 shown formed state by an adhesive, plastic welding, or any other form of connection.

[0048] Figure 10 and 11 show a sensing device 1 according to an embodiment. The sensing device 1 includes a main body 20 and a sensor assembly 10 according to the above embodiment provided in the main body 20. For clarity of the drawings, not all elements of the sensor assembly 10 are detailedly labeled in Figure 10 and 11 , but the reference numerals and descriptions of the sensor assembly 10 regarding Figures 1-3 , 6 and 7 above are equally applicable to the sensor assembly 10 shown in Figure 10 and 11 .

[0049] As Figure 10 and 11 shown, the body 20 extends along a longitudinal direction L and has a receiving channel 22 that extends through the body 20 along the longitudinal direction L. The inner surface profile 24 of the body 20 forms and defines the receiving channel 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 20 is a cylindrical member having a circular cross-section, and the inner surface profile 24 has a circular cross-section. In other embodiments, the body 20 can be a tubular member having any cross-sectional shape, such as a square cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, or a curved cross-section other than circular, and the inner surface profile 24 can correspondingly have any cross-sectional shape.

[0050] As Figure 10 and 11 shown, the body 20 has a sensing window 26 that extends into the body 20 in a vertical direction V and communicates with the receiving channel 22. The sensing window 26 extends along a portion of the body 20 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0051] As Figure 11 shown, the body 20 has body positioning means 28 that is opposite a portion of the sensing window 26 in the vertical direction V. In the illustrated embodiment, the body positioning means 28 is a recess 29 that extends through the body 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the body positioning means 28 is a single recess 29 that is positioned generally centrally on the body 20 along the longitudinal direction L; in other embodiments, the body positioning means 28 can be a single recess 29 that is positioned off-center of the body 20, or can be a plurality of recesses 29 that are symmetrically or asymmetrically positioned on the body 20. In other embodiments, the body positioning means 28 can be a protrusion that extends from the body 20 into the receiving channel 22 in the vertical direction V, and can similarly be one protrusion or a plurality of protrusions, and can be symmetrically or asymmetrically positioned.

[0052] Now, reference will be made to Figure 10 and 11 to describe in more detail the installation of the sensor assembly 10 in the body 20 to form the sensing device 1.

[0053] The sensor assembly 10 is formed as any of the embodiments described above with reference to Figures 1-9 and is located at one end of the receiving channel 22 of the body 20. The tool is connected to the traction device 132 at the distal end 104 of the carrier 100. The tool can be a wire or a protrusion that passes through or otherwise engages the eyelet 134, and the eyelet 134 is formed as the traction device 132 in the embodiments shown in Figure 10 and 11 In another embodiment where the traction device 132 is a hook 136, as shown in Figure 4 and 5As shown and described above, the tool can be a wire or a gripper that engages the hook 136.

[0054] Through the traction device 132 and using the tool, the sensor assembly 10 is pulled in the longitudinal direction L and along the receiving channel 22. The formed side edge 146 of the side wall 140 and the formed base edge 116 of the base wall 110 are shaped to correspond to the inner surface profile 24 of the main body 20, so that the carrier 100 can be assembled in the receiving channel 22 and move along the receiving channel 22 without significant obstruction.

[0055] Pulling the sensor assembly 10 into the main body 20 through the traction device 132 limits damage to the sensor die 210 by applying a tensile force on the carrier 100. In addition, when the carrier 100 is assembled in the receiving channel 22, the carrier 100 protects the sensor die 210 from contacting the main body 20 when the sensor assembly 10 moves. Using the traction device 132 to move the sensor assembly 10 also allows the wire 220 to remain connected to the sensor die 210 and the sensor conditioning electronics, and prevents additional steps from complicating the assembly process.

[0056] The sensor assembly 10 is pulled along the receiving channel 22 until the carrier positioning device 170 reaches the main body positioning device 28, as Figure 11 shown. The carrier positioning device 170 cooperates with the main body positioning device 28 to position the sensor assembly 10 at the installation position I in the receiving channel 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier positioning device 170 embodied as a bolt 172 engages the main body positioning device 28 embodied as a recess 29. In another embodiment, the main body positioning device 28 can be a bolt extending into the receiving channel 22, and the carrier positioning device 170 can be a recess for receiving the bolt. In an embodiment where both the carrier positioning device 170 and the main body positioning device 28 are multiple elements, the carrier positioning device 170 and the main body positioning device 28 have the same number of elements, and these elements are respectively aligned in place to engage with each other.

[0057] In Figure 12 another embodiment shown, the carrier positioning device 170 is a hole 134 extending through the base wall 110. In this embodiment, when the hole 134 is aligned with the recess 29 of the main body positioning device 28 in the vertical direction V, the pin 40 is inserted to extend through the recess 29 and the hole 134, thereby fixing the sensor assembly 10 at the installation position I. In other embodiments, holes or channels located elsewhere on the base wall 110 can receive the pin 40.

[0058] Once the sensor assembly 10 is in the installation position I in the receiving channel 22, as Figure 11 and 12As shown, an apparatus adhesive 30 is applied to fix the sensor assembly 10 at the mounting location I. The apparatus adhesive 30 is disposed between the carrier 100 and the body 20 around the carrier positioning device 170 and the body positioning device 28. The apparatus adhesive 30 can be an epoxy resin or any other type of adhesive and can be cured by light (including light in the visible spectrum or ultraviolet light), heat, or a chemical catalyst. The engagement of the carrier positioning device 170 with the body positioning device 28 ensures that the carrier 100 and the sensor 200 held by the carrier 100 are correctly positioned within the body 20 before the apparatus adhesive 30 is applied.

[0059] In one embodiment, the sensing device 1 is part of a catheter used in a medical application. In this embodiment, the sensor die 210 can be used to detect the pressure of a fluid that contacts the sensor die 210 by passing through the sensing window 26 and into the receiving channel 22, and a signal representative of the pressure can be transmitted along the wire 220. In other embodiments, the sensing device 1 can be another type of medical device or can be part of any device that requires the sensor 200 to be disposed in the body 20 to measure pressure or other qualities.

Claims

1. A sensor assembly (10), comprising: A carrier (100) having a base wall (110) and a pair of side walls (140) extending from the base wall (110), each side wall (140) having a side step (150) between a first side portion (152) and a second side portion (156), the side step extending from the first side portion (152) along the longitudinal direction (L) of the carrier (100); And A sensor (200) mounted on the base wall (110) between the side walls (140), the sensor die (210) of the sensor (200) being spaced apart from the first side portion (152) by a first lateral gap distance (G1) and from the second side portion (156) by a second lateral gap distance (G2) in a width direction (W) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), the second lateral gap distance (G2) being greater than the first lateral gap distance (G1); Wherein, the second side portion (156) of each side wall (140) is aligned with a free portion (214) of the sensor die (210), and the free portion (214) is the sensing area of the sensor die (210).

2. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The base wall (110) extends from a proximal end (102) to a distal end (104) along the longitudinal direction (L), the base wall (110) having a rear base portion (120) at the proximal end (102) and a front base portion (130) at the distal end (104), the rear base portion and the front base portion being separated from each other along the longitudinal direction (L) by a sensing opening (118) in the base wall (110).

3. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The sensor die (210) has a fixed portion (212) attached to the rear base portion (120) by a sensor adhesive (230) and a free portion (214) extending from the fixed portion (212) and located above the sensing opening (118).

4. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The rear base portion (120) has a base step (122) between a first base step portion (124) at the proximal end (102) and a second base step portion (126) extending from the first base step portion (124), the first base step portion (124) having a first base thickness (125), the second base step portion (126) having a second base thickness (127), the first base thickness (125) being greater than the second base thickness (127), and the fixed portion (212) being disposed on the second base step portion (126).

5. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The carrier (100) has a traction device (132) in the front base portion (130), and the traction device (132) can be engaged and pulled by an external element.

6. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The carrier (100) has a carrier positioning device (170) in the rear base portion (120).

7. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The carrier (100) is formed of at least partially translucent material.

8. The sensor assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The carrier (100) is formed by at least one pair of outer shells (190) that can be fitted together, each outer shell (190) having one of the side walls (140) and a part of the base wall (110).

9. A sensing device (1), comprising: A body (20) having a receiving channel (22) extending therethrough; and A sensor assembly (10) including a carrier (100) and a sensor (200) mounted on the carrier (100), the carrier (100) having a base wall (110) extending from a proximal end (102) to a distal end (104) along a longitudinal direction (L) and a pair of side walls (140) extending from the base wall (110), each side wall (140) having a side step (150) between a first side portion (152) and a second side portion (156), the side step extending from the first side portion (152) along the longitudinal direction (L) of the carrier (100), the sensor (200) being mounted on the base wall (110) between the side walls (140), a sensor die (210) of the sensor (200) being spaced apart from the first side portion (152) by a first lateral gap distance (G1) and from the second side portion (156) by a second lateral gap distance (G2) in a width direction (W) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), the second lateral gap distance (G2) being greater than the first lateral gap distance (G1), the carrier (100) having a traction device (132) at the distal end (104) of the base wall (110), the sensor assembly (10) being pulled in the longitudinal direction (L) and along the receiving channel (22) by the traction device wherein the second side portion (156) of each side wall (140) is aligned with a free portion (214) of the sensor die (210), the free portion (214) being a sensing area of the sensor die (210).

10. The sensing device (1) according to claim 9, wherein, The traction device (132) is an eyelet (134) extending through the base wall (110) or a hook (136) extending from an inner base surface (112) of the base wall (110).

11. The sensing device (1) according to claim 9, wherein, The carrier (100) has carrier positioning means (170) on the base wall (110), and the body (20) has body positioning means (28) cooperating with the carrier positioning means (170) to position the sensor assembly (10) in the receiving channel (22).

12. The sensing device (1) according to claim 11, further comprising a device adhesive (30) disposed between the carrier (100) and the body (20) around the carrier positioning means (170) and the body positioning means (28).

13. The sensing device (1) according to claim 11, wherein, The carrier positioning means (170) is a peg (172) extending from an outer base surface (114) of the base wall (110), and the body positioning means (28) is a recess (29) extending through the body (20), the peg (172) engaging the recess (29).

14. The sensing device (1) according to claim 11, wherein, The carrier positioning means (170) is an eyelet (134) extending through the base wall (110), and the body positioning means (28) is a recess (29) extending through the body (20), and further comprising a pin (40) extending through the eyelet (134) and the recess (29).

15. The sensing device (1) according to claim 9, wherein, Each side wall (140) has a formed side edge (146) at the free end (144) of the side wall (140) opposite the base wall (110), and the formed side edge (146) corresponds to the inner surface profile (24) of the body (20) that forms the receiving channel (22).

Citation Information

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