US3878830A - Catheter system for blood gas monitoring - Google Patents

Abstract

A catherter system for blood gas monitoring comprising a polarographic sensing means having a body, first and second conductors supported by the body and each respectively having an exposed conducting surface at a region of the body, electrolytic material supported by the body at said region in contact with the exposed surfaces at the first and second conductors, and a membrane supported by the body extending over the region of said body covering the electrolytic material. The membrane is pervious to oxygen in the fluid system and semi-pervious to water. The electrolytic material is anhydrous prior to use of the device and is activated by immersing in a aqueous solution just before use. The sensing means is at the end of a cable carrying the conductors which cable has its other end joined to the connector end of a terminal or transport unit. The end opposite the connector end of the unit has a securing means for attaching the unit to the hub end of a catherer through which the sensing means and cable are receivable.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Bicher 1 Apr. 22, 1975 CATHETER SYSTEM FOR BLOOD GAS MONITORING [75] lnventor: .Haim I. Bicher, Charleston, S.C.

221 Filed: May 31,1973

211 App]. No.: 365,431

[52] US. Cl 128/2 E; 128/2 L; 204/195 B [51] Int. Cl A611) 5/00 [58] Field of Search 128/2 E, 2 L, 2.1 E;

204/195 B, 195 P, 195 S, 195 W [56] Reierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,259,124 7/1966 Hillier et al.., 204/195 X 3,278,408 10/1966 Leonard et al. 204/195 P 3,334,039 8/1967 Vlasak 204/195 P 3,380,905 4/1968 Clark, Jr 204/195 P 3,400,054 9/1968 Ruka et a1. 204/195 S 3,406,109 10/1968 Molloy 204/195 P 3,533,403 10/1970 Woodson.... 128/2.06 3.682.159 8/1972 lmredy et a1... 128/2 E 3,791,376 2/1974 Rybak 128/2 E OTHER PUBLICATIONS Niedrach, L. W. et al.. Jou'rn. of Assoc. for Advanc. of

Med. Instr., Vol. 6, No. 2, Mar.-Apr., 1972, pp. 121-125.

Primary Examiner-Kyle L. Hlowell Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jacob Trachtman [5 7] ABSTRACT A catherter system for blood gas monitoring comprising a polarographic sensing means having a body, first and second conductors supported by the body and each respectively having an exposed conducting surface at a region of the body, electrolytic material supported by the body at said region in contact with the exposed surfaces at the first and second conductors, and a membrane supported by the body extending over the region of said body covering the electrolytic material. The membrane is pervious to oxygen in the fluid system and semi-pervious to water. The electrolytic material is anhydrous prior to use of the device and is activated by immersing in a aqueous solution just before use. The sensing means is at the end of a cable carrying the conductors which cable has its other end joined to the connector end of a terminal or transport unit. The end opposite the connector end of the unit has a securing means for attaching the unit to the hub end of a catherer through which the sensing means and cable are receivable.

15 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures CATHETER SYSTEM FOR BLOOD GAS MONITORING The invention relates to a catheter system for blood gas monitoring and particularly a system for monitoring and measuring the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood system which provides a sensing head with a dry electrolyte for long shelf life which can be activated prior to use by emersion in an aqueous solution.

The constant monitoring of respiratory gas tensions in the circulating blood is vital for determining patient responses during anesthesia, certain surgical proce dures and the treatment of the heart, pulmonary and metabolic diseases, as well as for assisting positive pressure breathing and during many medical emergencies including shock or trauma. I-Ieretofore, no device has been available for fulfilling such needs in a practical, reproducable, and economical manner. The present invention provides such a catheter system which is readily implantable and has a disposable catheter and sensing means for determining gas tension in the blood, particularly the partial pressure of oxygen and can be implanted in the vein or artery, or in the tubing attached to a heart-lung machine or to any similar profusion apparatus.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved catheter system for blood gas monitoring which is highly reliable and may easily be implanted in the region where the blood system is to be monitored.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved catheter system which may be inexpensively produced and has a disposable catheter and sensing unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved catheter system for monitoring the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood system in-situ or at a selective point or location in the circulatory system with desirable accuracy over an extended period of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved catheter system for blood gas monitoring which provides a relatively long shelf life and may be readily activated just before use byimmersion in an aqueous solution.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved catheter system for blood gas monitoring which allows a sensing head to be threaded through a catheter or cannula already in place in the patient without disturbing other catheter functions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved catheter system for blood gas monitoring which may readily be calibrated in-situ, provides for obtaining blood samples and for infusing fluids therethrough without interfering with the monitoring and measuring functions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved catheter system for blood gas monitoring which includes a delivery or transport unit for being secured with a catheter and controlling the placement of the sensing head selectively within the catheter or extending beyond the catheter into the circulatory system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved catheter system for blood gas monitoring which permits the sensing head to be implanted with the insertion of a catheter or after a catheter has been implanted, and also allows the removal of the sensing means without requiring the removal or disturbing of the implanted catheter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved catheter system for blood gas monitoring which is highly reliable in operation, provdes good stability over an extended period of time, and may readily be calibrated to provide accurate read-out information.

The above and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a catheter system for blood gas monitoring which has a polarographic sensing means or head comprising a body, first and second conductors supported by the body and each respectively having an exposed conducting surface at a region of the body, electrolytic material supported by the body at said region in contact with the exposed surfaces of the first and second conductors, and a membrane supported by the body extending over the region of said body and covering the electrolytic material. The membrane is provided with an inner layer which is pervious to oxygen in the fluid system and semi-pervious to water, and a gas pervious outer layer which is compatible with the blood system into which it is placed.

Prior to use of the sensing head, the electroytic material is anhydrous or of crystalline form for providing long shelf life with minimized deterioration. The electrolytic material is activated by immersing the sensing head in an aqueous solution, which may be a saline solution, prior to use. In the particular form illustrated, the electrolytic material is potassium chloride, and the inner layer of the membrane is made of polyvinyl formal with an outer layer of silicone elastomer.

The pair of conductors of the head each comprising a copper wire having a silver coating. Oneof the conductors is chlorinated to provide a silver chloride, copper chloride surface in contact with the postassium chloride electrolyte as one electrode, while the other electrode is formed by the silver clad copper wire, also in contact with the electrolyte. The pair of conductors of the sensing head are provided by one end of a cable which has an insulating coating of a flexible material such as Teflon." The cable is connected at its other end to a terminal or transport unit which provides a connector for electrically detachably joining the wires of the cable to read-out equipment which may digitally indicate information derived from the sensing head, and also provide the bias potential utilized for operation of the sensing head.

The transport unit also has a first end providing a connector for threadedly engaging the hub of a cannula or catheter through which the cable and sensing head are threaded, and a cavity for communicating through the opening of the catheter to the circulatory system. The terminal unit is also provided with a plunger or piston which is received within the chamber and may be longitudinally moved for extending the sensing head from within the catheter to a position beyond the end of the catheter for making measurements in-situ. The piston when it is in its retracted position may be, locked to avoid movement of the sensing head.

The terminal unit is also provided with a port communicating with its chamber which allows the drawing of blood samples through the catheter, and also for the infusion of fluids into the circulatory system as may be required.

The method of making the sensing means of the invention includes the steps of forming a body with first and second spaced electrodes providing exposed surfaces at a region of the body, affixing an anhydrous electrolytic material over the exposed surfaces of the electrodes on the body, securing with the body a mem brane which is semi-pervious to water, enclosing the electrolytic material and the exposed surfaces of the electrodes. The anhydrous electrical material is affixed over the exposed surfaces of the electrodes by applying a wet electrolytic material on the body over the electrodes and allowing it to dry prior to enclosing the electrolytic material by the membrane. The wet electrolytic material is comprised of potassium chloride gel which is dried to crystalline form. The membrane is formed by applying a solution of polyvinyl formal to the body over the anhydrous electrolytic material and drying same to form a coating which is semi-pervious to water and pervious to oxygen in an aqueous solution. An outer coating for the membrane is formed by the additional'step of applying a silicone solution over the polyvinyl formal coating and allowing same to dry.

The method for forming the body of the sensing means with first and second spaced electrodes includes providing a cylindrical mold having an opening along its longitudinal axis and positioning in spaced axial extending relationship therein the first and second conductors, filling the opening of the mold about the conductors with an epoxy material in unset form and per mitting the epoxy material to set and harden, severing the mold, the epoxy material and conductors extending therethrough, along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mold, providing the conductors with an exposed surface at a flat surface region of the body, and removing the remaining mold from about the body.

The method also includes the step of applying an aqueous solution to the outside of the membrane for activating the electrolytic material of the sensing means by passage of water through the membrane, prior to the utilization of the sensing means for blood gas monitor- The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become more apparent when the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elongated perspective view of a catheter system for blood gas monitoring embodying the invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of reduced size taken on theline 22 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2,

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional views illustrating the method of making the sensing head of the invention,

FIG. 8a is an enlarged portion of FIG. 8, and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the sensing head similar to that shown in FIG. 8 after the electrolytic material has been activated by immersing the head in an aqueous solution.

Like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the figures, the catheter system of the invention comprises asensing means 10 having a sensinghead 12 at theend 14 of aflexible cable 16 including double parallelinsulated lines 18 and 20 withwire conductors 22 and 24. Thecable 16 may have an outerinsulating wall 26 of a plastic material which is compatible with the blood system, such as that commercially known as Teflon. Theconductors 22 and 24, may be made of any suitable conducting material, and in the specific embodiment disclosed comprises copper wire which is silver plated. Such a cable havingAWG size 36 wires is commercially available from Phoenix Wire, Inc. as catalog number 36TDQ.

Theconductors 22 and 24 at the other end 28 of thecable 16 are secured with and electrically connected to theposts 30, 32 of amale connector 34 which is located at therear end 36 of a terminal ortransport unit 40. Thefront end 42 of thetransport unit 40 provides anopening 46 andinternal threads 44 for engaging the connecting end orhub 48 of acatheter 51. Theopening 46 of thetransport unit 40 communicates with achamber 52 therewithin. Thechamber 52 communicates with theopening 54 of thecatheter 51 whichopening 54 extends from the connector end orhub 48 to thedistal end 56 thereof. Thechamber 52 of thetransport unit 40 extends in the longitudinal direction within acylinder portion 58 of thetransport unit 40.

Theend 36 of theunit 40 is provided with a plunger orpiston 60 which extends into thechamber 52 and is movable therein in the longitudinal direction. The end of thepiston 60 is provided with arubber seal 62 for preventing leakage of fluid from thechamber 52. Thecable 16 passes axially and in the longitudinal direction through the center of theseal 62 and acentral opening 64 in thepiston 60 to theconnector 34. Thecable 16 extends in the opposite direction through thechamber 52 and out of theopening 46 of theunit 40 to thesensing head 12 at itsother end 14. Thesensing head 12 may be threaded through theopening 54 of acatheter 51 after which theconnector end 48 of the catheter is threadedly engaged with theend 42 of theunit 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As also illustrated in FIG. 1, when theunit 40 is in its extended position, thehead 12 is moved toward theend 42 of the unit, while when theunit 40 is in its compressed condition with thepiston 60 fully received into thechamber 52, thesensing head 12 is extended away from theend 42 of theunit 40. This relative movement of thehead 12 may be seen from the illustrations of FIG. 1, which shows thesensing head 12 within theopening 54 of thecatheter 51, and FIG. 2 which shows thesensing head 12 extending from theend 56 of thecatheter 51 so that it is positioned external to thecatheter 51.

The terminal ortransport unit 40 is provided with a radially extending portion providing aport 68, proximate to itsconnector end 42 which has aradially extending opening 66 communicating with thechamber 52. Theport 68 may be closed by astop plug 70 when not in use, as illustrated, and may be used for delivering or removing fluid through thecatheter 51 when such use is desired.

Therear end 36 may be enlarged over thepiston 60 to provide ease of handling and a stop abutment when thepiston 60 is fully received into thechamber 52 of thecylinder 58. Theunit 40 is also provided with a locking means 72 in the form of apin 74 extending radially from thepiston 60 proximate to therear end 36 and a J-shapedgroove 76 in thecylindrical portion 58 for receiving the pin in the axially direction and locking same by relative rotation of thepiston 60 andcylinder 58. Such locking action is important for preventing the relative movement of thepiston 60 with respect to thecylinder 58 and in turn preventing the movement of thesensing head 12, especially when thechamber 52 is subjected to high fluid pressure.

""12 is produced at theend 14 of thecable 16 in a manner illustrated by FIGS. 4 to 8 inclusive. Theend 14 of thecable 16 is placed into the end of atube 78. Thetube 78 may be made of plastic material, such as poly- .:ethylene, forming a casting mold as shown in FIG. 4.Epoxy material 80 in its plastic state is placed within the opening of thetube 78 abouttheend 14 of thecable 16. The positioning theepoxy 80 within thetube 78 may be assisted by using a hypodermic syringe needle at the rear of the tube to suck up the epoxy mate rial. After the epoxy has set and hardened and has dried for at least 8 hours, thetube 78,epoxy material 80 and thecable 16 are severed along a plane indicated by the dashedline 82 of FIG. 4. The plane along which the cut is made provides asurface 84 which is perpendicular to the extending direction of thecable 16.

Thetube 78 is now removed leaving an epoxy cast or plug 86 at theend 14 of thecable 16 with aflat end surface 84. Theend surface 84, as seen in FIG. 6, provides exposed perpendicular cross sections of theconductors 22 and 24 of thecable 16 each of which is respectively ,surrounded by aninsulation layer 88, 89 which may be of Teflon and bound to each other by the intermediate joining plastic material 93 which may also be Teflon. Surrounding thecable 16 is the epoxy cast or plug 86. The plastic covering 88 of thecable 16 may be provided with a red coloring to distinguish theconductor 22 from theconductor 24 which is covered by aplastic material 89 which is colored green'or any other distinguisting color.

The end .14 of thecable 16 with itscast epoxy body 86 and exposedconductors 22, 24 is immersed in a 0.05 HCl aqueous solution for 2 minutes while an elec trical potential of 1 volt is applied at the other end of thecable 16 between-theconductors 22, 24. The positive potential is applied to theconductor 22, while the ;negative potential is supplied to theconductor 24. This results in providing a silver chloride coating at the silyer plated surface of theconductor 22 and copper fchloride coating at the exposed copper surface to form the reference electrode. The silver' platedcopper conductor 24 is not affected by the chlorination operation thus performed and provides the other electrode of thehead 12. Theflat end surface 84 of theplug 86 is positioned to face upwardly and a drop ofwet electrolyte 90 is placed thereon making certain theelectrolyte 90 is not received over thecylindrical side wall 85 of theplug 86. Theelectrolyte 90 is allowed to dry to form adry electrolyte layer 90 for approximately 2 hours. Theelectrolyte 90 applied is potassium chloride gel such as that commercially available from Beckman Instruments, Inc. as P Electrolyte No. 326590. Upon drying, the potassium chloride electrolyte crystallizes to provide a layer of electrolyte on thesurface 84 extending over and between, and in contact with the exposed chlorinated end of theconductor 22 and the exposed metallic end of the conductor 24 (see FIG. 7).

Theplug 86 is dipped into a solution of 0.25% Formvar in ethylene dichloride. The Formvar utilized is Formvar l/95E, a polyvinyl formal which has an average molecualr weight of 24,000 to 40,000, a solution viscosity (15% by wt.) of 3,000 to 4,500 cp., a resin viscosity of 37 to 53 cp., a specific gravity (23/23) of 1.227, a hydroxyl content expressed as polyvinyl alcohol of 5.0 to 6.0 (Dl396-58), an acetate content expressed as polyvinyl acetate of 9.5 to 13.0 (D1 396-58) and a formal content expressed as polyvinyl formal of about 82. This product is sold by Monsanto Chemical Co. and is described in detail in the Monsanto Technical Bulletin No. 6070A.

It has been found desirable to repeat the dipping process by double dipping theplug 86 in the solution, at one minute intervals between double dippings, and holding theplug 86 in the upward direction and alternately in a downward direction between dippings. The coated material is allowed to dry for from 5 to 10 minutes to provide theinner layer 92 of themembrand 94. Thelayer 92 extends over the entire outside surface of theepoxy material 86 and where theend surface 84 is covered by the driedelectrolyte layer 90, it extends overand encloses theelectroyte 90 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 8a.

After theinner layer 92 is dried, theplug 86 is double dipped in a solution of 0.2 gram of Silastic to each cc of xylene and allowed to air dry for 24 hours. The Silastic used is commercially available from Dow Corning Corp. as Silastic Medical Adhesive-Sicicone, Type A, Stock No. 891. This forms a second or outer layer 96 of themembrane 94. The outer layer 96 extends completely over theinner layer 92 and provides a surface which is compatible with the blood system into which thesensor head 12 is to be received for making measurements.

In operation, thesensor head 12 is activated just prior to its use by immersing it. in an aqueouos solution, which may be a saline solution. With the passage through themembrane 94 of water, the crystallizedpotassium chloride electrolyte 90 is transformed into theelectrolyte 91 in its active liquid state. This transformation causes the expansion ofelectrolyte 90 to provide thewet electrolyte 91 as shown in FIG. 9. In the ex- .panded form, themember 94 is stretched to provide In the form illustrated, the sensing means 10 provides a intra-arterial catheter with apolarographic head 12 for, measuring in-vivo, the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood. Thesensing head 12 is provided with an outside diameter of 0.5 mm so that it may easily fit through a 20 gauge Teflon arterial canulla. Thesensing head 12 may be placed in an artery by utilizing a catheter which had previously been implanted in the subject, or by positioning an arterial canulla or catheter with its implanted end at the location at which in-vivo measurements are to be taken.

Thus, for example, with thecatheter 51 positioned in the artery as required, thecable 16 with thehead 12 at its leadingend 14 is threaded through theopening 54 of thecatheter 51 by entering its terminal end orhub 48. At this time, the transport means 40 is positioned with itsplunger 60 in its withdrawn or extended condition as shown in FIG. 1. After thecable 16 has been fully threaded through thecatheter 51, its sensing head 12is positioned as indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 1 and theend 42 of thetransport unit 40 is proximate to the threaded end orhub 48 of thecatheter 51. Theend 48 of thecatheter 51 and. theend 42 of the transport unit are threadedly engaged so that the protruding male portion 45 of thetransport unit 40 is received into and securely sealed with thecatheter 51 to provide communication .between itschamber 52 and theopening 54 of thecatheter 51.

Theend 36 of thetransport unit 40 may now be moved to its contracted position shown in FIG. 2 and locked. The inward movement of the piston orplunger 60 results in the advancement of thesensing head 12 so that it extends out of theend 56 of thecatheter 51 and into the blood system in which measurements of partial pressure of oxygen are to be obtained and monitored. An electrical measuring apparatus (not shown) is electrically joined to theconnector 34 of the terminal 36 and provides a bias voltage potential to the conductors andelectrodes 22, 26 of thesensing head 12 of 0.6 volt. 7

Since themembrane 94 is pervious to oxygen in the blood system, the oxygen passes therethrough to theelectrolyte 91 resulting in polarographic action. As well known, the presence of oxygen at thepolarographic sensing head 12 produces a current which may be calibrated to show the partial pressure of oxygen. Such current flow is delivered to an indicating means (not shown) providing output readings which may be calibrated by reference to measurements taken of blood samples by means of a conventional gas analyzer.

The catheter system for blood gas monitoring has been most effective and useful during and after major cardiovascular and pulmonary operations by providing continuous indications of oxygen tension in the blood correlated to within 12% of the values obtained by conventional gas analyzers. Such indications have followed faithfully stepwise changes in oxygen tension of inspired gas. It has been found that the catheter system could be left in-situ in patients for periods of 24 hours and more, proving the system to be of value for monitoring arterial partial oxygen pressure during and after major cardiovascular and pulmonary surgery and providing helpful information for the controlling of artificial ventilation.

The system provides a great advantage over prior art, by having a polarographic sensing head with an extended shelf life. This is achieved by providing the head with its electrolyte in a dry condition when not in use, while the head may be readily activated for use by placing same in a saline solution. Thesensing head 12 can also be activated by placing same in the blood system, although the preactivation by immersion in the saline solution is preferred.

The in-situ calibration is also advantageous in that it permits making allowance for flow, temperature, and positioning artifacts. Calibration is readily accomplished by withdrawing blood samples through thecatheter 51 by a syringe attached to theport 68 of thetransport unit 40. In addition to removing such blood samples, other desirable fluids may be infused through theport 68, so that the catheter system does not inter- I invention disclosed may find wide application with appropriate modification to meet individual design circumstances, but without substantial depature from the essence of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A polarographic sensing means for a fluid system comprising a body, first and second electrical conductors insulated from each other and supported by said body and each respectively having an exposed conducting surface at a region of said body, a deactivated electrolytic material supported by said body at said region in contact with the exposed surfaces of said first and second conductors, and a membrane supported by said body extending over the region of said body and covering said electrolytic material, said membrane being pervious to oxygen in the fluid system and semi-pervious to water. v

2. The sensing means of claim 1 in which the electrolytic material is anhydrous, and the electrolytic material of said sensing means is activated by immersing said sensing means in an aqueous solution prior to use.

3. The sensing means of claim 2 in which the electrolytic material is crystalline potassium chloride.

4. The sensing means of claim 2 in which the membrane comprises a layer of polyvinyl formal.

5. The sensing means of claim 2 in which the electrolytic material is potassium chloride, the membrane is a layer of polyvinyl formal, said first conductor providing an exposed silver surface in contact with said electolytic material said second conductor providing a silver chloride surface in contact with said electrolytic material.

6. The sensing means of claim 4 in which said membrane includes an outer layer of silicone over the layer of polyvinyl formal.

7. the sensing means ofclaim 6 in which said first and second conductors are elongated wires encased in a flexible plastic material and extending from said body to a terminal end.

8. The sensing means of claim 7 including a terminal unit having a connector with a pair of contacts respectively electrically engaging the said first and second wires at said terminal end.

9. The sensing means of claim 8 in which said body has a head of substantially cylindrical configuration with an end providing a flat surface, said wires extend through said body and have an end providing said exposed conducting surfaces at said flat surface, said electrolytic material being supported on the flat surface of said head, and said membrane extending over the end of said head and covering said electrolytic material.

10. The sensing means of claim 9 in which said terminal unit has a first end and a second end and a cavity therein extending through said first end, the connector of said unit being secured at its second end with the wires of said first and second conductors extending therefrom through the cavity and opening in the first end of said unit to said head. i

11. The sensing means ofclaim 10 in which the first end of said unit includes securing means for attachment to the end of a catheter through which the head and extending conductors are receivable.

' 12. The sensing means of claim 11 including a catheter having a first end removably attached to the first end of said terminal unit and a second end, said catheter having a longitudinal opening therein communicating with the cavity of said unit and receiving said head and extending conductors therewithin.

13. The sensing means ofclaim 12 in which said unit has a scalable port communicating with its cavity for withdrawing fluid from and infusing fluid into said fluid system through said catheter.

The sensing means ofclaim 12 in which the first end of said unit has a cylinder containing said cavity and said second end includes a piston received within said cavity and movable between a first extended position and a second compressed position, said head being positioned within the opening of said catheter when ter is an elongated plastic tube.

Claims (15)

1. A polarographic sensing means for a fluid system comprising a body, first and second electrical conductors insulated from each other and supported by said body and each respectively having an exposed conducting surface at a region of said body, a deactivated electrolytic material supported by said body at said region in contact with the exposed surfaces of said first and second conductors, and a membrane supported by said body extending over the region of said body and covering said electrolytic material, said membrane being pervious to oxygen in the fluid system and semi-pervious to water.

1. A polarographic sensing means for a fluid system comprising a body, first and second electrical conductors insulated from each other and supported by said body and each respectively having an exposed conducting surface at a region of said body, a deactivated electrolytic material supported by said body at said region in contact with the exposed surfaces of said first and second conductors, and a membrane supported by said body extending over the region of said body and covering said electrolytic material, said membrane being pervious to oxygen in the fluid system and semi-pervious to water.

2. The sensing means of claim 1 in which the electrolytic material is anhydrous, and the electrolytic material of said sensing means is activated by immersing said sensing means in an aqueous solution prior to use.

3. The sensing means of claim 2 in which the electrolytic material is crystalline potassium chloride.

4. The sensing means of claim 2 in which the membrane comprises a layer of polyvinyl formal.

5. The sensing means of claim 2 in which the electrolytic material is potassium chloride, the membrane is a layer of polyvinyl formal, said first conductor providing an exposed silver surface in contact with said electolytic material said second conductor providing a silver chloride surface in contact with said electrolytic material.

6. The sensing means of claim 4 in which said membrane includes an outer layer of silicone over the layer of polyvinyl formal.

7. the sensing means of claim 6 in which said first and second conductors are elongated wires encased in a flexible plastic material and extending from said body to a terminal end.

8. The sensing means of claim 7 including a terminal unit having a connector with a pair of contacts respectively elEctrically engaging the said first and second wires at said terminal end.

9. The sensing means of claim 8 in which said body has a head of substantially cylindrical configuration with an end providing a flat surface, said wires extend through said body and have an end providing said exposed conducting surfaces at said flat surface, said electrolytic material being supported on the flat surface of said head, and said membrane extending over the end of said head and covering said electrolytic material.

10. The sensing means of claim 9 in which said terminal unit has a first end and a second end and a cavity therein extending through said first end, the connector of said unit being secured at its second end with the wires of said first and second conductors extending therefrom through the cavity and opening in the first end of said unit to said head.

11. The sensing means of claim 10 in which the first end of said unit includes securing means for attachment to the end of a catheter through which the head and extending conductors are receivable.

12. The sensing means of claim 11 including a catheter having a first end removably attached to the first end of said terminal unit and a second end, said catheter having a longitudinal opening therein communicating with the cavity of said unit and receiving said head and extending conductors therewithin.

13. The sensing means of claim 12 in which said unit has a sealable port communicating with its cavity for withdrawing fluid from and infusing fluid into said fluid system through said catheter.

14. The sensing means of claim 12 in which the first end of said unit has a cylinder containing said cavity and said second end includes a piston received within said cavity and movable between a first extended position and a second compressed position, said head being positioned within the opening of said catheter when said unit is in its extended position, while extending from the second end of said catheter when said unit is in its compressed position, said unit including locking means for securing said unit in its compressed position.

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