Spacer and conductivity detector

Abstract

The utility model relates to a distance fixing device (4, 4a, 6, 6a) and a conductivity detector (1). The spacer (4, 4a, 6, 6a) is designed and provided for installation in a conductivity detector (1), in particular of a dialysis machine. The spacer (4, 4a, 6, 6a) has a through channel with two openings (29). An abutment region (44) is provided at each opening (29), said abutment region having an abutment surface (46) arranged transversely to the through-channel. A clamping device (50, 52; 52) is arranged on each of the two abutment regions (44); 54, 56, 58). The two clamping devices (50, 52; 54, 56, 58) can be activated and closed independently of each other and can be activated and closed independently of each other with a respective corresponding clamping device (50, 52; 54, 56, 58) of a further spacer (4, 4a, 6, 6a) of the conductivity detector (1) or of an abutment region (44) of the end flange (8, 10). 54, 56, 58) are operatively connected to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a distancer and a conductivity detector. The distancer and the electrode are assembled together in an alternating order and assembled into a conductivity detector. The electrode is used to measure conductivity in particular in the process of producing dialysate. For this purpose, the through hole of the electrode and the through channel of the distancer arranged therebetween together constitute a measuring channel of the conductivity detector. In particular, in the process of producing dialysate, the components of the dialysate, the permeate and the bicarbonate concentrate or the later finished dialysate all flow through this measuring channel. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, such a spacer is known, which has a central through-channel extending in the flow direction of the dialysate or the component and two abutment surfaces arranged transversely to the through-channel. Depending on the installation position of the spacer in the conductivity probe, either one end side of the adjacent electrodes abuts against the two abutment surfaces of the spacer, or only one electrode abuts against one of the abutment surfaces, while an end flange of the conductivity probe abuts against the other abutment surface.

[0003] According to the prior art, such a spacer is clamped in order to seal against the electrode or the end flange by means of a plurality of continuous tie rods. These tie rods extend parallel to the measuring channel on the periphery of the spacer and the electrode and pass through the two end flanges. When the tie rods are clamped, they clamp the layered structures of the electrode and the spacer in a sealing manner against each other.

[0004] A disadvantage of conductivity probes assembled with such spacers is that it is very laborious to correct assembly defects later, for example in order to add or adjust seals, because in this case the continuous tie rods must be loosened and removed, so that the entire layered structure falls apart again. After the assembly defect has been corrected, all individual components (electrodes, spacers and sealing rings) must be correctly reassembled. The amount of work required to correct the assembly defect depends on the number of electrodes and spacers. Utility Model Content

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a distance device and a conductivity probe having at least one distance device and at least two electrodes, in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are eliminated.

[0006] This object is achieved by a distance device according to the invention, and in terms of a conductivity detector, by the invention.

[0007] As already explained in detail above, for measuring the conductivity, preferably according to the invention at least two electrodes are arranged (in a pipeline system) at a (predetermined) axial distance from one another, for which purpose preferably a spacer is provided.

[0008] The spacer according to the content of the utility model is installed together with the electrode in, for example, a dialysis machine, in particular a conductivity detector of a hemodialysis machine, and is designed as such a device for integrating the conductivity measuring electrode into a pipeline system of the dialysis machine, preferably a dialysis fluid pipeline system, alone or in combination with another / additional spacer of the same structure. The spacer has a through-channel with two axially spaced openings, wherein at each opening there is a contact / mounting area for a conductivity measuring electrode or another spacer preferably according to the content of the utility model, wherein the respective contact / mounting area has an (electrode-) contact surface surrounding the respective opening. On the two contact areas, a respective clamping device (which can be independently and individually operated and run) is respectively provided in the following manner, that is, the two clamping devices of the spacer can be activated and closed independently of each other. The two clamping devices of the spacer can be independently connected to the respective corresponding clamping devices of the contact area of ​​another spacer or end flange or electrode preferably according to the content of the utility model when they are activated.

[0009] In order to properly characterize only exactly one claimed distance device, the term "clamping device" refers to one of the two components that are required together for clamping the electrode.

[0010] In a structural design of the spacer that is simple in terms of production technology, the through-channel is straight and is simultaneously oriented orthogonally or perpendicularly to the two contact surfaces.

[0011] According to the same principle, a configuration component is also disclosed, which has two spacers and a dialysis conductivity measuring electrode in between, wherein each spacer has an axial through-channel and two abutment surfaces arranged transversely to the through-channel, wherein one end side of the dialysis conductivity measuring electrode abuts against two mutually opposite abutment surfaces of the two spacers, respectively. The dialysis conductivity measuring electrode has a clamping, which is composed of two clamping devices formed on two mutually opposite abutment areas of the two spacers.

[0012] Independently of further clamping of the relevant conductivity probe, the dialysis conductivity measuring electrode can be clamped or has been clamped using a defined distancer and a defined configuration component and, for example when a leak is determined, can be loosened or opened again only at the relevant clamping point, for example to reinforce a defective / damaged sealing ring between the distancer abutment surface and the electrode end surface, or to adjust their fit.

[0013] In addition, compared to the prior art continuous clamping, the individual clamping according to the invention has the advantage that only the forces of two sealing rings, which are clamped together with the electrodes between mutually opposing contact surfaces of two spacers, act on the individual clamping.

[0014] The two abutment surfaces preferably have corresponding outer edges that are at least partially surrounded for positioning and holding the abutting electrodes in position. The two outer edges can be circular or angular (e.g. square). The electrodes correspondingly have a body with a circular or angular (e.g. square) cross section.

[0015] Preferably, an opening (notch) for electrical contacting of the electrodes is formed on one of the two outer edges or on both outer edges. If the two outer edges are not completely surrounding, they can be interrupted by an opening (notch), for example.

[0016] In a particularly preferred design, a sealing ring is arranged on each of the two contact surfaces and at the two openings. The electrode thus does not require a sealing ring, so that an electrode with a reduced outer diameter can be produced. In addition, the end face of the electrode can be designed without grooves and / or flat surfaces for sealing rings.

[0017] In a first sealing variant of the spacer, the two sealing rings can be fixed to the contact surface by material fusion, ie, chemically.

[0018] In a second sealing variant, the two sealing rings can be fixed to the contact surface in a form-fitting manner.

[0019] The above two sealing solutions have the following advantages: by fixing the sealing ring (especially on both sides) to the spacer when assembling the upper conductivity detector, the number of parts is significantly reduced, and malfunctions caused by defective or incorrectly installed sealing rings are eliminated.

[0020] In a particularly preferred design of the second sealing solution, a sealing ring is provided on each of the two contact surfaces, which completely surrounds the corresponding opening of the through-channel. To establish a positive connection, the two sealing rings together with at least one connecting element / connecting strip form a (material) integral sealing assembly, in particular made of silicone rubber or other sealing materials. The at least one connecting element extends axially between the two sealing rings.

[0021] In one development of the spacer, the two contact areas are each formed by a flange, with a neck extending between the two flanges having a smaller diameter than the two flanges. An intermediate section of the through-channel is formed in the neck.

[0022] In one embodiment, the clamping of the electrode comprises or is an annular snap connection. Thus, the clamping device of the claimed spacer comprises or is one side of this annular snap connection.

[0023] Preferably, the clamping device comprises a clamp hole on each side of the mouth of the through-channel, wherein one leg of a U-shaped clamp is inserted into one of the clamp holes, and one leg of the other U-shaped clamp of the other spacer can be inserted into the other clamp hole.

[0024] If the annular snap-in connection is designed to be circular or arc-shaped and extends completely or substantially or partially over two mutually opposite outer edges, it is simple to produce in terms of production technology and at the same time provides maximum support between the two associated spacers.

[0025] Preferably, the annular snap connection has a circumferential outer ridge on one outer edge and a circumferential inner groove on the other outer edge.

[0026] As an alternative, the geometry of the annular snap connection may also be a separable or inseparable locking hook geometry.

[0027] In another embodiment, the clamping of the electrode comprises or is a clamp connection. Thus, the clamping device of the spacer claimed in the application comprises or is one side of this clamp connection. Preferably, the clamp connection is composed of several parts and is distributed on the circumference.

[0028] The clamping may also be a clamp connection comprising at least one clamp having two legs, one of which is inserted into a clamp hole in the abutment region of the one spacer, and the other leg is inserted into a corresponding clamp hole in the adjacent abutment region of the other spacer.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, a clamp connection having two clamps and four clamp holes is realized by means of two clamping devices of the two spacers that are opposite to each other, wherein the two clamps are arranged on two opposite sides of the through-channel.

[0030] Above-mentioned three clamping also can be combined arbitrarily.Therefore, the clamp connection can be connected with the annular buckle or can be combined with the clamp connection.

[0031] The conductivity detector according to the content of the utility model has at least one (preferably multiple) aforementioned distancers and at least two (preferably more than two) electrodes, wherein the number of the electrodes is one more than the number of the distancers. On the two outermost electrodes of the measuring channel of the conductivity detector, the exactly one distancer or the outermost distancer is arranged on the inner side, respectively, and an end flange of the conductivity detector is arranged on the outer side. The two end flanges also respectively have a contact area with a contact surface, so that the two outermost electrodes are respectively clamped in a sealed manner between the two mutually opposite contact surfaces of the exactly one or the outermost distancer and the end flange. A clamping device is also respectively provided on the contact area of ​​the two end flanges. The clamping devices can also be activated and closed independently of each other, and when activated, they can be independently connected to the adjacent clamping devices of the contact area of ​​the exactly one or the outermost distancer. Preferably, the two clamping devices of the two end flanges correspond to the clamping devices of the aforementioned distancer.

[0032] Each individual electrode is thus clamped in the conductivity probe independently of the other electrodes. For example, if a leak is detected, the conductivity probe can be loosened or opened again only at the relevant clamping point, for example to reinforce a defective sealing ring between the spacer contact surface and the electrode end surface, or to adjust the fit thereof.

[0033] A jacket can be arranged on the outer circumference of the at least one spacer and the at least two electrodes. The jacket can be made of aluminum or stainless steel plate or steel plate or plastic or glass fiber reinforced plastic. The jacket can be used as an assembly aid and / or a support sleeve.

[0034] The casing may be open on one side (eg over its entire length) in order to leave space there for electrical contacts of the electrodes.

[0035] A hose connection and / or a sensor mount and / or a fastening mechanism for fastening the conductivity probe to, for example, a frame of a dialysis machine can be formed on at least one of the two end flanges. A sensor for temperature, pressure or flow rate can be installed in the sensor mount.

[0036] As an alternative or in addition, the fastening means can also be formed or arranged on the outer shell.

[0037] The electrode or dialysis conductivity measuring electrode according to the present invention has a (puck-shaped) body, which has or surrounds an (axially extending) through-hole or channel, which connects two (parallel to each other or parallel and spaced apart) end sides of the body to each other. A conductive inner sleeve is arranged in the through-hole, through which the dialysate or its components to be measured can flow. In other words, an inner tube is provided, which is made of a conductive material and defines the inner sleeve, and is surrounded by a preferably non-conductive material block. In this case, the material block constitutes the body of the electrode. The inner tube is either constructed as a component that is constructed separately from the material block, or is formed by coating the through-hole arranged in the material block.

[0038] An electrical contact is arranged on the outer side of the main body, in particular on the outer periphery, and the electrical contact preferably extends radially away from the through hole or the inner sleeve and is electrically connected to the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve and the electrical contact are preferably jointly made of a first conductive material. The main body is preferably a support member separated from the inner sleeve and the electrical contact, and the support member is made of a second, preferably non-conductive material (further preferably a solid material).

[0039] Therefore, the electrode is advantageously composed of a conductive sleeve (inner tube / inner sleeve) with a conductive projection or litz wire formed or fixed thereon, the projection or litz wire being jointly sheathed / surrounded by an electrically insulating material block / support member in such a way that the inner wall of the sleeve remains at least partially exposed to the outside (not covered by the material block) and its axial end side is at least partially open to the outside (so that fluid can flow through the sleeve), the projection or litz wire forming an electrical connection point (freely accessible from the outside) at least at its free end section.

[0040] Compared with the prior art, the production costs of the electrode of the present invention are reduced, because the second (electrically insulating) material of the support member can be, for example, plastic, ceramic material or similar insulating material, and is therefore not as expensive as the graphite of the prior art, and is easy to produce - for example by injection molding. In addition, the production of the conductive components of the electrode is simplified, because these components are basically composed only of the inner sleeve and the protrusion / stranded wire. Using the body according to the present invention, a simplified method for fixing additional sealing rings on two axially spaced end sides of the body / material block / support member is also provided, thereby reducing the number of individual components of the upper-level conductivity detector. In this way, for example, two sealing rings can be connected to each other at a predetermined axial distance, preferably in one piece, by an axial connecting strip, and then encapsulated by the material block, for example by injection molding. In this way, the sealing ring is firmly and reliably held on the material block (by mechanical connection, not just by bonding).

[0041] This simplifies the assembly of the electrode according to the present invention.

[0042] The body and the inner sleeve arranged or formed in the through hole can be cylindrical and concentric with each other in a manner well known in the prior art. However, it is also possible for the body (and the inner sleeve as appropriate) to have a shape different from this, for example a rectangular hexahedron. Here, the cross section of the body (transverse to the flow direction or the center axis of the inner sleeve) can be square. If two such electrodes are assembled with a spacing from each other by at least one spacer, this will help to simplify assembly and / or positioning. As appropriate, the cross-sectional shape of the inner sleeve can be different from the cross-sectional shape of the body.

[0043] According to the prior art, the electrical contact is a stranded wire that is constructed or fixed as a stamped contact. In contrast, according to the present invention, it is preferred that the electrical contact (protrusion) is a flat contact and / or a plug contact. This simplifies the production of the electrical contact. The electrical contact can also have a through hole / through groove, which makes it easier to fix a separate stranded wire that is not part of the electrode.

[0044] According to a first sealing solution, the one sealing ring is arranged on at least one end side, the sealing ring completely surrounds the through-hole opening formed on the end side, and is fixed to the end side by material fusion, that is, chemically. It is particularly preferred that one such sealing ring is arranged on both end sides and at both openings. All seals are then pre-assembled during the production of the main body, thereby reducing the number of individual components of the upper-level conductivity measuring probe / measuring unit, thereby simplifying assembly. In particular, the risk of missing or incorrectly positioned sealing rings during assembly of the conductivity probe is eliminated.

[0045] According to a second sealing concept, the at least one sealing ring can also be fixed on the end side in a form-fitting manner.

[0046] In a preferred specific design of the second sealing solution, a sealing ring is arranged on each of the two end sides, which completely surrounds the corresponding through-hole opening formed on the end sides. The two sealing rings together with at least one connecting element / connecting strip form a (material) integral sealing component, in particular made of silicone rubber.

[0047] Different from the above description, as an alternative, it is possible that the at least one connecting element / connecting strip extends between two sealing rings through the connecting hole formed as a through hole in the main body. In this case, the sealing assembly can be injection molded once on the main body that has been (preliminarily) made.

[0048] Thus, two, three or four (uniformly) distributed connection holes on the outer circumference of the through-hole inner sleeve may be provided, through which the connection elements of the sealing assembly extend respectively.

[0049] The body is made of the second, preferably non-conductive material, which may be or at least contain biocompatible PPE (polyphenylene ether) and PS (polystyrene) or PEI (polyetherimide) or PSU (polysulfone).

[0050] The inner sleeve and the electrical contact (protrusion) are jointly made of a first conductive material. The material can be or at least contain copper or brass, silver or hard gold or graphite. In particular, the first material in the form of hard gold or graphite can be applied as a coating on the main body.

[0051] The electrical contact can be connected and electrically contacted with the inner sleeve through an intermediate connecting section. The intermediate connecting section (hereinafter referred to as the connecting section) actually serves as an electrical bridge between the electrical contact radially spaced from the inner sleeve and at least partially arranged outside the body and the inner sleeve.

[0052] In a first embodiment of the dialysis conductivity measuring electrode, the inner sleeve and the electrical contacts form a (material) integral stamped bent part / deep-drawn part. The body is an injection-molded part which is injection-molded around the inner sleeve and at least around the connecting section or partially around the electrical contacts (protrusions).

[0053] A first embodiment of a method for manufacturing a dialysis conductivity measuring electrode is also disclosed, wherein a stamped and bent component is firstly manufactured from a first material, and then a main body is injection molded around the stamped and bent component from a second material.

[0054] In the specific structural design of the first embodiment, the stamped and bent part has a cylinder / sleeve forming an inner sleeve, on which a flange or lip is formed. The flange / lip is arranged on one of the end sides of the main body, and the connecting section / protrusion extends radially away from the flange.

[0055] In the case of thin flat contacts or plug contacts (tongue-shaped contact pieces), a great advantage can be that the body is formed / has a contact carrier formed / constructed as one piece (material), in fact in the form of a guide rail made of non-conductive material, on one side of which the electrical contact is placed in the longitudinal direction of the contact and is therefore supported thereon (so that it cannot be bent any further). If the electrical contact additionally has a through-hole for the litz wire, the contact carrier naturally also has a corresponding (overlapping) litz wire through-hole.

[0056] In a second embodiment of the dialysis conductivity measuring electrode, the inner sleeve and the electrical contacts are coated on the body and its contact holder as a coating by MID technology (molded interconnect device) or by a similar coating technology. Preferably, the coated inner sleeve and the coated electrical contacts are made of graphite or copper.

[0057] A second embodiment of the method for manufacturing a dialysis conductivity measuring electrode is also disclosed, wherein a main body is firstly manufactured from a second material, and then an inner sleeve and electrical contacts made of a first material are laid on the main body.

[0058] In one embodiment of the second exemplary embodiment, the connecting section is arranged on one of the two end faces of the main body.

[0059] In a third embodiment of the dialysis conductivity measuring electrode, the inner sleeve, the electrical contacts and the body are formed by an additive process (3D printing).

[0060] Also disclosed is a method for additive manufacturing of a dialysis conductivity measuring electrode, wherein an inner sleeve and electrical contacts are formed from a first material and a body is formed from a second material simultaneously or in one process by a method (3D printing).

[0061] In a specific construction design of the third embodiment, the connecting section is arranged inside the main body to be protected.

[0062] The electrical contacts and the inner sleeve, optionally the cylinder and optionally the connecting section, are made of a first electrically conductive material, which can be a non-metallic electrically conductive (novel) plastic. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] Figure 1 A diagram showing a conductivity detector according to the present invention;

[0064] Figure 2 An electrode according to a first example is shown;

[0065] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 An exploded view of the electrode shown;

[0066] Figure 4 An electrode according to a second example is shown in an unfinished state;

[0067] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 The electrode is shown in its finished state;

[0068] Figure 6 A diagram showing an electrode according to a third example in an unfinished state;

[0069] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 The electrode is shown in its finished state;

[0070] Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the electrode shown;

[0071] Fig. 9An exploded view of a long version and a short version of a first embodiment of a spacer is shown, having Figure 2 and 3 The electrodes shown;

[0072] Fig.10 Shows Fig. 9 The arrangement is shown in an assembled state with two further electrodes;

[0073] Fig.11 A long version and a short version of a second embodiment of a spacer are shown;

[0074] Fig.12 Shows Figure 1 The upper and lower sections of the conductivity probe are shown in cross-sectional view, which have Fig.11 The spacer and multiple electrodes are shown.

[0075] Among them: 1-conductivity detector; 2-electrical contact; 4-shorter distance device; 4a-outermost shorter distance device; 6-longer distance device; 6a-outermost longer distance device; 8-end flange; 10-end flange; 12-jacket; 14-hose interface; 16-electrode; 18-through hole; 20-inner sleeve; 21-stamped and bent part; 22-main body; 24-connecting section; 26-flange; 28-cylinder; 29-mouth of through passage; 30-end side; 32- Sealing ring; 34-connecting hole; 36-connecting element; 38-sealing assembly; 39-through hole; 40-contact bracket; 42-neck; 44-rest area / flange; 46-rest surface; 48-outer edge; 50-outer convex edge (clamping device); 52-inner groove (clamping device); 54-clamp hole (clamping device); 56-clamp (clamping device); 58-leg (clamping device); 60-sensor mounting seat; 62-measuring channel; 64-angled channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] Several embodiments of the present invention are described below based on the accompanying drawings.

[0077] Figure 1 A conductivity detector 1 is shown. It has a plurality of electrodes. Figure 1 Only one of the electrical contacts 2 can be seen in each case. The conductivity probe 1 is fastened directly or via a mounting adapter (auxiliary element; metal plate; injection-molded support) to the frame of the dialysis machine and (either a permeate and bicarbonate concentrate or) a finished dialysis fluid flows through it.

[0078] The electrodes are spaced apart from each other along an internal measuring channel by means of spacers 4, 4a, 6, 6a at a predetermined distance. For this purpose, shorter spacers 4, 4a and longer spacers 6, 6a are provided. A plurality of electrodes are arranged alternately with a plurality of spacers 4, 4a, 6, 6a and are clamped by means of two end flanges 8, 10. More precisely, ( Figure 1 The upper middle end flange 8 is directly connected to the ( Figure 1 The outermost distancers 4a arranged at the bottom thereof together form a clamping device for the outermost electrodes there. Figure 1 The lower middle end flange 10 is directly connected to the ( Figure 1 The outermost distancers 6a arranged on the upper part of the electrode together form a clamping device for the outermost electrode there. The other electrodes are also clamped directly by two adjacent distancers 4, 4a, 6, 6a. Figures 9 to 12 The individual clamping of each electrode is described in further detail.

[0079] Thus, a cylindrical structure consisting of electrodes and spacers 4, 4a, 6, 6a is formed between the two end flanges 8, 10, which structure is surrounded by a metal jacket 12 in the illustrated embodiment, which jacket can also be omitted. This jacket is open on one side so that the electrical contacts 2 can be extended to be electrically connected to the upper control unit of the dialysis machine. The jacket 12 is an assembly aid and / or support. In addition, it can also provide a fastening possibility together with an additional component (adapter plate or adapter made by injection molding).

[0080] In the conductivity probe shown, a fastening ring for fastening the conductivity probe 1 to the device frame or hydraulic component of the dialysis machine (not shown) is integrally formed in the ( Figure 1 On the end flange 10 in the middle and lower part.

[0081] Corresponding hose connections 14 are integrally formed on both end flanges 8, 10. One hose connection serves as an inlet (for permeate and bicarbonate concentrate or) for finished dialysate, while the other hose connection 14 serves as an outlet.

[0082] Figure 2 A first embodiment of an electrode 16 is shown. It has a through hole 18 with an electrically conductive inner sleeve 20, through which the dialysate or its components to be determined can flow. In addition, the electrode 16 has a body 22, on the outer circumference of which the electrical contacts 2 are arranged. The inner sleeve 20 and the electrical contacts 2 are jointly made of a first electrically conductive material.

[0083] Figure 3 Shown is the assembly Figure 2The electrode 16 shown in FIG. 1 has three main components. One component is a stamped and bent component 21, which is assembled into one piece by an electrical contact 2, a substantially S-shaped or stepped connecting section 24, a flange 26 and a barrel 28. The three sections 2, 24, 26, and 28 are fastened together in this order, wherein the flange 26 is arranged on an end section of the barrel 28. This constitutes one of the two openings of the through hole 18. The flange 26 is connected to the two ( Figure 3 One of the end sides 30 of the lower middle part is flush with each other. The inner sleeve 20 which is in contact with the permeate and bicarbonate concentrate or the finished dialysate is formed in the cylinder 28.

[0084] The conductive stamped and bent part 21 is surrounded by a body 22, wherein the electrical contacts 2 protrude from the body 22. Figure 1 and 2 The electrode 16 shown is designed as an injection-molded part which is injection-molded around a stamped and bent part 21 .

[0085] A circumferential groove for a corresponding sealing ring 32 is formed on each end face 30 of the main body 22 , wherein the two grooves are connected to each other via four connecting holes 34 evenly distributed on the circumference.

[0086] In the final production step of the electrode 16, two sealing rings made of silicone rubber or other sealing materials are injection molded onto the body 22 at one time. Here, the silicone rubber also passes through the four connecting holes 34 and thus connects the two sealing rings 32 together. Figure 3 The upper part shows an integrated sealing assembly 38. The two sealing rings 32 are thus fastened to the respective end sides 30 of the main body 22 in a form-fitting manner.

[0087] The main body 22 and the sealing component 38 are made by multi-component injection molding. The second non-conductive material of the main body 22 and the silicone rubber or other sealing materials of the sealing component 38 are both biocompatible.

[0088] The stamped and bent part 21 is, for example, treated with a copper or brass coating, or is additionally treated completely or partially with a conductive biocompatible coating, such as hard gold or graphite, which is beneficial for detection or signal transmission optimization.

[0089] The electrical contact 2 shown is a flat contact or a plug contact. The electrical contact 2 also has a through-hole 39 which serves as a through-contact for a litz wire.

[0090] Figure 4 and 5 Another example of electrode 16 is shown, wherein Figure 4 shows the intermediate state of production, while Figure 5The figure shows the finished electrode 16. This is an electrode 16 made by the MID method (moulded interconnect device) or similar coating technology. Here, first, the body 22 and the contact support 40 are made into a biocompatible whole by a second, for example, non-conductive material (such as PPE+PS or PEI or PSU), wherein the contact support 40 extends radially from the body 22 to the far side.

[0091] Then, the connecting section 24 and the inner sleeve 20 made of a conductive material (e.g., graphite or stainless steel or gold) are applied to the electrical contact 2. More precisely, the electrical contact 2 is applied to the contact support 40, the connecting section 24 is applied to one of the end faces 30 of the main section 22, and the inner sleeve 20 is applied to the through hole 18 of the body 22.

[0092] The electrical contact 2 is narrower than the contact carrier 40. The connecting section 24 follows the shape of the end face 30, ie also the shape of the recess of the sealing ring 32. It is shown that the electrical contact 2 together with the connecting section 24 has the shape of a continuous strip.

[0093] and Figure 3 The electrode 16 shown differs further in that no stabilizing cylinder is provided to form the inner sleeve 20. Rather, the inner sleeve 20 and the connecting section 24 and the electrical contact 2 have a small, preferably identical, thickness.

[0094] The electrical contacts 2 can be used as solder pads and / or the through-holes 39 shown can be used to fasten the litz wires.

[0095] Figures 6 to 8 Another example of electrode 16 is shown, wherein Figure 6 shows an intermediate state of production, while Figure 7 The diagram and Figure 8 The sectional view of FIG. 1 shows the finished electrode 16. In this case, the conductive components (electrical contact 2, connecting section 24 and cylinder 28) are simultaneously or jointly formed (printed) by an additive method (3D printing) and combined with the plastic body 22. Then, with reference to FIG. Figure 3 The sealing assembly 38 is injection molded in one step in the illustrated manner.

[0096] Refer only to Figure 7 and 8 , another method for producing the electrode 16 can also be seen: according to this method, all basic components, namely the main body 22 with a conductive component and two separate sealing rings 32 or sealing components 38, can also be constructed (printed) simultaneously or in one process by an additive method (3D printing).

[0097] Figure 8The electrical contact 2 is shown with the connecting section 24 in the form of a strip-shaped or tongue-shaped continuous connecting strip, which extends away from the center of the cylinder 28 (as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder 28 ).

[0098] exist Figures 2 to 8 Instead of the one-shot injection-molded sealing component 38 , two separate sealing rings 32 (without connecting element 36 ) can also be provided in all electrodes 16 , which are arranged in a circumferential groove in the end face 30 .

[0099] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 1 An exploded view of a long version and a short version of a first embodiment of a spacer 4, 6 is shown, with Figure 2 and 3 The electrode 16.

[0100] Each spacer 4, 6 has a through-channel formed in the neck 42. In the case of shorter spacers 4, the neck 42 is so short that only a circumferential groove can be seen. A contact area formed as a flange 44 is provided on each end section of the neck 42. A contact surface 46 for the end side 30 of the electrode 16 is formed on the flange 44.

[0101] The abutment surfaces 46 each have a substantially circumferential outer edge 48 which is interrupted by an opening (notch) for the electrical contact 2 of the respective electrode 16. An outer ridge 50 serving as an annular snap-fit ​​connection or an inner groove 52 serving as an annular snap-fit ​​connection is formed on each of the two outer edges 48.

[0102] According to this document, a snap-on connection or a (not shown) clamp connection can therefore be considered a one-sided device. Two such devices together form a clamp for the electrode 16 concerned.

[0103] Each flange 44 is provided with two eccentric transverse holes serving as clamp holes 54, which will be referred to as Fig.10 Describe these cross holes in detail.

[0104] Fig.10 Shows Fig. 9 The configuration is shown in the assembled state. In addition, two further electrodes 16 are shown on the outside. This is Figures 2 to 8 A combination of three examples of electrodes 16 is shown to demonstrate the modular interchangeability or compatibility of electrodes 16 with distancers 4 , 6 .

[0105] Only the center electrode of the electrical contact 2 can be seen to have a clamping. The clamping consists of an inner groove 52 (first annular snap-in connection) and an outer lip 50 (second annular snap-in connection) snapping into the inner groove. Since the lip 50 and the groove 52 are substantially and almost closed around the outer edge 48, a stable fixing of the spacers 4, 6 to each other and a sealing clamping of the electrodes are achieved.

[0106] An optional fixing device is realized by two metal clamps 56. Fig. 9 and 10 Only one of the clamps 56 is shown in each of the figures. The clamps 56 each have two substantially parallel legs 58, which are inserted into the clamp holes 54 of two flanges 44 that are close to each other. When the two legs 58 of a clamp 56 are clamped relative to each other, a second clamping is produced.

[0107] Fig.11 A long version and a short version of a second example of a spacer 4, 6 are shown. Here, the outer edge 48 corresponds to Fig. 9 and 10 The outer edges of the spacers 4 , 6 shown have an annular snap-in connection in the form of a ridge 50 and a groove 52 and an additional clip opening 54 .

[0108] If it will be based on Fig.11 The spacers 4, 6 and Figures 2 to 8 If the electrode 16 is combined as shown, the sealing ring 32 or the sealing assembly 38 is omitted, because the sealing ring 32 is arranged on the spacer 4, 6. Therefore, the reference Figures 2 to 8 The structure of the electrode 16 described, consisting of the conductive component and the body 22, is clamped in accordance with the method of manufacture described there, but without the sealing ring 32 or the sealing assembly 38. Fig.11 Among the spacers 4 and 6.

[0109] In accordance with Fig.11 In the spacers 4 and 6, each abutment surface 46 is provided with a sealing ring 32. The two sealing rings 32 are connected to each other as a whole by two connecting elements 36. Fig.11 Only one of the connecting elements 36 of the longer spacer 6 can be seen. The connecting element 36 extends on the outer side of the neck 46. In this way, a positively locked sealing component 38 is formed on the spacer 4, 6.

[0110] All the spacers 4, 6 shown can be made of biocompatible PPE+PS or PEI or PSU by injection molding. Fig.11 In the spacers 4 and 6 shown, the integrated sealing assembly 38 is formed by one-time injection molding of silicone rubber or other sealing materials.

[0111] Fig.12 Shows Figure 1 The upper and lower partial cross-sections of the conductivity probe 1 are shown, which have Fig.11 The spacers 4, 6 shown have corresponding sealing components 38 with two positively locked sealing rings 32. A plurality of electrodes 16 without separate sealing elements are connected in series along the measuring channel. Only an additional sealing ring (not shown) needs to be added between the two outermost electrodes 16 and the corresponding end flanges 8, 10.

[0112] It can be seen that the two end flanges 8, 10 also each have an annular snap-on connection. More precisely, one of them ( Fig.12 The end flange 8 of the middle upper part has an outer convex edge 50 at the outer edge 48 of its abutment surface 46, and the other ( Fig.12 The end flange 10 in the middle and lower part has an inner groove 52 at the outer edge 48 of its contact surface 46. Thus, all electrodes 16, i.e. also the two outermost electrodes 16, each have a separate clamping, which is clamped according to Fig.12 The conductivity detector 1 is formed by an annular snap connection, more precisely, by an outer convex edge 50 or an inner groove 52.

[0113] The two end flanges 8, 10 connect an end section of a measuring channel 62 formed by the through-hole 18 of the electrode 16 and the through-channel of the spacers 4, 6 to the dialysis machine via an angled channel 64. A sensor mounting 60 is formed on each angled channel 64. A sensor for temperature, pressure and / or flow rate, for example, can be mounted there.

Claims

1. A distance device (4, 4a, 6, 6a), which is designed and arranged to be installed in a conductivity detector (1) of a dialysis machine, wherein: The spacer (4, 4a, 6, 6a) has a through-channel with two openings (29), wherein a contact area (44) is provided at each opening (29), and the contact area has a contact surface (46) surrounding the opening (29), wherein a clamping device is provided on each of the two contact areas (44), wherein the two clamping devices can be independently connected to the corresponding clamping devices of the contact area (44) of another spacer (4, 4a, 6, 6a) or the end flange (8, 10) of the conductivity detector (1).

2. The spacer (4, 4a, 6, 6a) according to claim 1, wherein the two abutment surfaces (46) have corresponding outer edges (48), characterized in that: The two outer edges (48) are rounded or angular.

3. The distance device (4, 4a, 6, 6a) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A sealing ring (32) is arranged on at least one of the abutment surfaces (46), which completely surrounds the mouth (29) of the through-channel formed on the abutment surface (46), wherein the sealing ring (32) is fixed to the abutment surface (46) by material fusion.

4. The distance device (4, 4a, 6, 6a) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A sealing ring (32) is respectively arranged on the two abutment surfaces (46), and the sealing ring completely surrounds the corresponding mouth (29) of the through-channel, wherein the two sealing rings (32) and at least one connecting element (36) together form an integrated sealing component (38), wherein the connecting element (36) extends between the two sealing rings (32).

5. The distance device (4, 4a, 6, 6a) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The two contact areas (44) are each formed by a flange, wherein a neck (42) with a smaller diameter than the two flanges extends between the two flanges, wherein the middle section of the through-channel is formed in the neck (42).

6. The spacer (4, 4a, 6, 6a) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the clamping device is or comprises one side of an annular snap connection.

7. The distance device (4, 4a, 6, 6a) according to claim 6, wherein: The annular snap-fit ​​connection is designed to be circular or arc-shaped and extends completely or partially on a corresponding outer edge (48).

8. The distance device (4, 6) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The annular snap connection is or has an at least partially surrounding outer convex edge (50) on one outer edge (48), and is or has an at least partially surrounding inner groove (52) on the other outer edge (48).

9. The distance device (4, 6) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The clamping device is or comprises one side of at least one clamp connection.

10. The distance device (4, 6) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The clamping device comprises a clamp hole (54) on each side of the mouth (29) of the through-channel, wherein a leg (58) of one U-shaped clamp (56) is inserted into one of the clamp holes (54), and a leg (58) of another U-shaped clamp (56) of the other spacer (4, 6) can be inserted into the other clamp hole (54).

11. A conductivity detector (1), comprising at least one distance device (4, 4a, 6, 6a) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10 and at least two electrodes (16), wherein the number of the electrodes (16) is one more than the number of the distance devices (4, 4a, 6, 6a), wherein on the two outermost electrodes (16) the one distance device or the outermost distance device (4a, 6a) is arranged on the inside, and an end flange (8, 10) is arranged on the outside, wherein the two end flanges (8, 10) also each have a contact area (44) with a contact surface (46), wherein the two outermost electrodes (16) are each clamped in a sealing manner between two mutually opposite contact surfaces (46) of exactly one or the outermost distance device (4a, 6a) and the end flange (8, 10), characterized in that: A clamping device is provided on the abutment area (44) of the two end flanges (8, 10), respectively, which can be activated and closed independently of each other and can be independently connected to the adjacent clamping device of the abutment area (44) of exactly one or the corresponding outermost spacer (4a, 6a).

12. The conductivity detector (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that: A jacket (12) is arranged on the outer circumference of the at least one spacer (4, 4a, 6, 6a) and the at least two electrodes (16).

13. The conductivity detector (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: A hose connection (14) and / or a sensor mounting seat (60) and / or a fastening device for fastening the conductivity probe (1) to a dialysis machine is formed on at least one of the two end flanges (8, 10).

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