A metal connector of a pressure conduit, a pressure measuring unit and a pressure conduit

Abstract

The application discloses a metal connecting piece of a pressure measuring catheter, which comprises a cylindrical body, a through hole penetrating in the axial direction is arranged in the cylindrical body, an opening communicating with the through hole is arranged on the cylindrical body, annular convex edges are arranged on the cylindrical body on both sides of the opening, and an annular mounting groove is arranged between the annular convex edges on each side. The technical problem solved by the application is to provide a metal connecting piece of a pressure measuring catheter, a pressure measuring unit and a pressure measuring catheter, which can avoid damage of a sensor and conductive material and has impedance function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pressure measuring conduit technology using sensors, and in particular to a metal connector, pressure measuring unit, and pressure measuring conduit for a pressure measuring conduit. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, gastroesophageal diseases often require the assistance of pressure measuring devices for diagnosis. Based on the principle of pressure measurement, these devices can be designed into two categories: water pressure measuring devices and solid-state pressure measuring devices. The main difference between the two lies in the way they sense pressure. Water pressure measuring devices consist of a stable pressure source, a sensor, an electronic amplifier, and a multi-channel water-filled pressure measuring catheter. They use liquid as the pressure transmission medium, thereby causing pressure changes within the connected pressure sensor. While water-filled pressure measuring catheters are inexpensive, due to limitations in principle and manufacturing processes, the liquid sensing medium is easily affected by external factors, resulting in drawbacks such as limited channels, small measurement range, poor accuracy, and inability to be used for extended periods. Solid-state capacitive pressure measuring catheters, on the other hand, avoid the shortcomings of water-filled pressure measuring catheters.

[0003] Currently, commonly used solid-state pressure measurement catheters are divided into two types: capacitive pressure sensors and resistive pressure sensors. Both suffer from complex manufacturing processes and high costs, as well as issues such as small measurement angles, poor accuracy, susceptibility to breakage, limited functionality, and narrow coverage. Furthermore, how to install sensors on pressure measurement catheters requiring large-angle bending, and how to make sensor installation more secure and convenient while better protecting the sensor and conductive materials from damage, while ensuring more accurate measurements and a better customer experience, are all technical problems that urgently need to be solved by those skilled in the art. In addition, existing pressure measurement catheters, while detecting motor abnormalities, cannot distinguish between the pressure generated by reflux and swallowing. Since reflux and swallowing are not pathological motor abnormalities, the pressure they generate can affect the test results, leading to some inaccuracy.

[0004] Therefore, those skilled in the art are dedicated to developing a metal connector, pressure measuring unit, and pressure measuring conduit that can avoid damage to the sensor and conductive materials and has impedance function. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention discloses a metal connector, a pressure measuring unit, and a pressure measuring conduit for a pressure measuring conduit. The technical problem to be solved is to provide a metal connector, a pressure measuring unit, and a pressure measuring conduit for a pressure measuring conduit that can avoid damage to the sensor and conductive materials and has an impedance function.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a metal connector for a pressure measuring conduit, comprising a cylindrical body, wherein the cylindrical body has a through hole extending axially, and the cylindrical body has an opening communicating with the through hole. Both sides of the cylindrical body are provided with annular protrusions, and annular mounting grooves are formed between the annular protrusions on each side.

[0007] Preferably, the two ends of the cylindrical body are connecting portions, and the connecting portions are provided with protruding ribs and annular grooves. The connecting portions are used to connect with the hollow tube, the protruding ribs can prevent the hollow tube from slipping off the metal connector; the annular grooves are located at the contact points between the hollow tube and the metal connector, and can be used to retain adhesive to increase the adhesive force.

[0008] The present invention also provides a pressure measuring unit for a pressure measuring conduit, including the metal connector of the pressure measuring conduit as described above.

[0009] Preferably, a sensor carrier is installed within the through hole of the metal connector, and the position of the pressure sensor on the sensor carrier corresponds to the opening; a protective sleeve is fitted between the annular mounting grooves on both sides of the opening, and the connecting part is connected to the hollow tube. The pressure sensor is preferably a resistive pressure sensor made of semiconductor material, and the circuit connection of the pressure sensor is a Wheatstone bridge connection to further improve measurement accuracy.

[0010] Preferably, the sensor carrier has a receiving groove for mounting the pressure sensor.

[0011] Preferably, a metal ring overlaps the hollow tube and the protective sleeve, and the metal ring contacts the annular protrusion. The metal ring is used to fix the hollow tube and the protective sleeve. At the same time, when the pressure measuring conduit is used as an impedance electrode, the metal ring contacts the annular protrusion. Then, conductive material is connected to any position of the metal connector to realize the connection between the metal ring and the conductive material to form an impedance electrode.

[0012] Preferably, the metal ring has a raised lap rib inside, which contacts the annular protrusion. The lap rib facilitates better contact between the metal ring and the metal connector, allowing for easier electrical connection between the metal ring and the sensor carrier.

[0013] Preferably, the protective sleeve is a circumferentially spherical balloon, and a flexible pressure-conducting medium, typically water, oil, or soft rubber, is filled between the protective sleeve and the metal connector to achieve 360° pressure transmission. Both ends of the protective sleeve are connecting ends, which are respectively embedded in the annular mounting groove to prevent the protective sleeve from sliding axially. Specifically, two annular protrusions are provided on each side of the opening, with an annular mounting groove between the two annular protrusions on each side. The height of the two annular protrusions on the inner side is lower than the height of the two annular protrusions on the outer side to facilitate the installation of the protective sleeve.

[0014] The present invention also provides a pressure measuring catheter, including a pressure measuring unit of the pressure measuring catheter as described above.

[0015] Preferably, multiple pressure measuring units are connected sequentially via hollow tubes. The conductive material of each pressure measuring unit passes through the hollow tube sequentially and then through the hollow through-hole of the sensor carrier of the next pressure measuring unit. The first pressure measuring unit is connected to an insertion head, and the last pressure measuring unit is connected to a hollow flexible tube, which is connected to a transfer device.

[0016] The insertion head, hollow flexible tube, and protective sleeve of the pressure testing conduit are made of flexible materials, preferably silicone, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, or polyurethane. The relay device includes a connector for connecting to external equipment. The relay device may also include a circuit board, a combination of components for analyzing electrical signals, and a protective shell that provides support and protection. Typically, the conductive material of the pressure testing conduit is connected to the circuit board of the relay device, and one end of the connector is connected to the circuit board.

[0017] The pressure-measuring catheter measures pressure directly at various locations within a living organism, typically through an insertion orifice, surgical incision, or other pre-inserted tube. It is commonly used for esophageal pressure measurement. The pressure-measuring catheter of this invention can be assembled into various types to meet specific needs, offering high practicality. For example, a camera module and corresponding circuitry can be extended to the front end or body of the first pressure-measuring unit of the catheter, allowing for observation of internal physiological characteristics while detecting pressure, thus aiding in diagnosis. Furthermore, an antimony electrode and a reference electrode can be extended to the body of the catheter to assist in diagnosing conditions such as acid reflux while detecting internal pressure.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0019] The metal connector of this invention has a through hole for mounting the sensor carrier and an opening for exposing the sensing side of the sensor. This allows the entire metal connector to enclose the sensor carrier, providing excellent protection for the sensor and its wiring. The annular ridge can be used to form an impedance unit with the power supply, giving the pressure-sensing conduit impedance functionality and the ability to distinguish between pressures generated by backflow and swallowing. The annular mounting grooves at both ends are used to engage the protective component, preventing it from sliding axially. After the protective component is installed, it protects the sensor from external damage and allows for the filling of a flexible medium in the gap between the protective component and the metal connector, enabling 360° pressure transmission on the circumferential surface, thereby improving the pressure measurement angle, coverage, and accuracy. Furthermore, the metal connector is made of metal, which also prevents breakage and ensures the strength of the pressure-sensing conduit. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1This is a structural schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the metal connector of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a front view schematic diagram of the metal connector of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the pressure measuring unit of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the pressure measuring unit of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the metal ring structure of the pressure measuring unit of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the protective sleeve of the pressure measuring unit of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is an exploded structural diagram of the pressure measuring unit of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the pressure measuring catheter of the present invention.

[0028] In the above figures: 1. Metal connector; 11. Cylindrical body; 12. Through hole; 13. Opening; 14. Annular protrusion; 15. Connecting part; 151. Protruding rib; 152. Annular groove; 2. Pressure measuring unit; 21. Sensor carrier; 22. Pressure sensor; 23. Protective sleeve; 231. Connecting end; 24. Hollow tube; 25. Metal ring; 251. Overlapping rib; 3. Pressure measuring conduit; 31. Insertion head; 32. Hollow flexible tube; 33. Transfer device. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are used only for the convenience of describing the present invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific manner. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the present invention provides a metal connector 1 for a pressure measuring conduit, including a cylindrical body 11, with an axially penetrating through hole 12 inside the cylindrical body 11. An opening 13 communicating with the through hole 12 is provided on the cylindrical body 11. Annular protrusions 14 are provided on both sides of the opening 13, and an annular mounting groove is formed between the annular protrusions 14 on each side. Connecting portions 15 are located at both ends of the cylindrical body 11, and each connecting portion 15 is provided with a rib 151 and an annular groove 152. The connecting portion 15 is used to connect with a hollow tube 24. The rib 151 prevents the hollow tube 24 from slipping off the metal connector 1; the annular groove 152 is located at the contact point between the hollow tube 24 and the metal connector 1 and can be used to retain adhesive to increase adhesion.

[0031] In this embodiment, the metal connector 1 of the present invention has a through hole 12 for mounting the sensor carrier 21 and an opening 13 for exposing the sensing side of the sensor. Thus, the entire metal connector 1 encloses the sensor carrier 21, providing excellent protection for the sensor and its wires. The annular protrusion 14 can be used to connect to the power supply to form an impedance unit, giving the pressure measuring conduit impedance functionality and the ability to distinguish between pressures generated by backflow and swallowing. The annular mounting grooves at both ends are used to engage the protective component, preventing it from sliding axially. After the protective component is installed, it protects the sensor from external damage and allows for the filling of a flexible medium in the gap between the protective component and the metal connector 1, enabling 360° pressure transmission on the circumferential surface, thereby improving the pressure measuring angle, coverage, and accuracy. Furthermore, the metal connector 1 is made of metal, which also prevents breakage and ensures the strength of the pressure measuring conduit.

[0032] like Figures 3 to 7 As shown, the present invention also provides a pressure measuring unit 2 for a pressure measuring conduit, including a metal connector 1 for the pressure measuring conduit as described above. A sensor carrier 21 is installed in the through hole 12 of the metal connector 1. The sensor carrier 21 has a receiving groove for installing a pressure sensor 22, and the position of the pressure sensor 22 on the sensor carrier 21 corresponds to the opening 13. A protective sleeve 23 is fitted between the annular mounting grooves on both sides of the opening 13, and the connecting part 15 is connected to the hollow tube 24. The pressure sensor 22 is preferably a resistive pressure sensor made of semiconductor material. The circuit connection of the pressure sensor 22 is a Wheatstone bridge connection to further improve the measurement accuracy. In addition, a metal ring 25 overlaps the hollow tube 24 and the protective sleeve 23, and the metal ring 25 contacts the annular protrusion 14. The metal ring 25 is used to fix the hollow tube 24 and the protective sleeve 23. At the same time, when the pressure measuring conduit is used as an impedance electrode, the metal ring 25 contacts the annular protrusion 14, and then a conductive material is connected to any position of the metal connector 1 to realize the connection between the metal ring 25 and the conductive material to form an impedance electrode.

[0033] like Figure 5As shown, the metal ring 25 has a raised lap rib 251 inside, which contacts the annular protrusion 14. In order to make better contact between the metal ring 25 and the metal connector 1, the metal ring 25 is provided with the lap rib 251 to facilitate the formation of an electrical connection between the metal ring 25 and the sensor carrier 21.

[0034] like Figure 6 As shown, the protective sleeve 23 is a circumferentially spherical balloon. A flexible pressure-conducting medium, typically water, oil, or soft rubber, is filled between the protective sleeve 23 and the metal connector 1 to achieve 360° pressure transmission. Both ends of the protective sleeve 23 are connecting ends 231, which are respectively embedded in annular mounting grooves to prevent the protective sleeve 23 from sliding axially. Specifically, two annular protrusions 14 are provided on each side of the opening 13. An annular mounting groove is formed between the two annular protrusions 14 on each side, and the height of the two inner annular protrusions 14 is lower than the height of the two outer annular protrusions 14 to facilitate the installation of the protective sleeve 23.

[0035] like Figure 8 As shown, the present invention also provides a pressure measuring conduit 3, including a pressure measuring unit 2 of the pressure measuring conduit as described above. Multiple pressure measuring units 2 are connected sequentially via hollow tubes 24. The conductive material of each pressure measuring unit 2 passes sequentially through the hollow tubes 24 and then through the hollow through-hole of the sensor carrier 21 of the next pressure measuring unit 2. The first pressure measuring unit 2 is connected to an insertion head 31, and the last pressure measuring unit 2 is connected to a hollow flexible tube 32, which is connected to a transfer device 33. In practical applications, the insertion head 31, hollow flexible tube 32, and protective sleeve 23 of the pressure measuring conduit are made of flexible materials, preferably silicone, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyurethane, etc. The transfer device 33 includes a connector for connecting to external equipment. The transfer device 33 may also include a circuit board, a combination of components for analyzing electrical signals, and a protective shell providing support and protection. Typically, the conductive material of the pressure measuring conduit is connected to the circuit board of the transfer device 33, and one end of the connector is connected to the circuit board.

[0036] In this embodiment, the pressure-measuring catheter directly measures pressure at various locations within the living body through an insertion orifice, surgical incision, or other pre-inserted tubes, typically used for esophageal pressure measurement. The pressure-measuring catheter of this invention can be combined into various types according to requirements, offering high practicality. For example, a camera module and corresponding circuitry can be extended to the front end of the first pressure-measuring unit or the tube body of the catheter, allowing for observation of internal physiological characteristics while detecting internal pressure, thus aiding in diagnosis. Furthermore, an antimony electrode and a reference electrode can be extended to the tube body of the pressure-measuring catheter, assisting in the diagnosis of conditions such as acid reflux while detecting internal pressure.

[0037] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concept of the present invention without creative effort. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the concept of the present invention through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation on the basis of existing technology should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A pressure measuring unit for a pressure measuring conduit, characterized in that: Metal connectors (1) for the pressure measuring conduit; The metal connector (1) includes a cylindrical body (11), with an axial through hole (12) inside the cylindrical body (11). An opening (13) communicating with the through hole (12) is provided on the cylindrical body (11). Two annular protrusions (14) are provided on each side of the opening (13). An annular mounting groove is formed between the annular protrusions (14) on each side. The height of the two annular protrusions (14) on the inner side is lower than the height of the two annular protrusions (14) on the outer side. The two ends of the cylindrical body (11) are connecting parts (15). The connecting parts (15) are provided with ribs (151) and annular grooves (152). A sensor carrier (21) is installed inside the through hole (12), and the position of the pressure sensor (22) on the sensor carrier (21) corresponds to the opening (13); a protective sleeve (23) is fitted between the annular mounting grooves on both sides of the opening (13), and the connecting part (15) is connected to the hollow tube (24); a metal ring (25) overlaps the hollow tube (24) and the protective sleeve (23), and a protruding lap rib (251) is provided inside the metal ring (25), which contacts the annular protrusion (14) to form an impedance electrode; The two ends of the protective sleeve (23) are connecting ends (231), and the connecting ends (231) are respectively embedded in the annular mounting groove.

2. The pressure measuring unit of the pressure measuring conduit as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor carrier (21) has a receiving groove for installing the pressure sensor (22).

3. The pressure measuring unit of the pressure measuring conduit as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The protective sleeve (23) is a circumferentially spherical balloon, and a flexible pressure transmission medium is filled between the protective sleeve (23) and the metal connector (1).

4. A pressure measuring catheter, characterized in that: The pressure measuring unit (2) includes the pressure measuring conduit as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The pressure measuring catheter as described in claim 4, characterized in that: Multiple pressure measuring units (2) are connected in sequence through hollow tubes (24). The first pressure measuring unit (2) is connected to an insertion head (31), and the last pressure measuring unit (2) is connected to a hollow flexible tube (32). The hollow flexible tube (32) is connected to a transfer device (33).

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