By: Paul Verboom
In this project a connector from a disposable pressure transducer is adapted to a PS2 connector. This allows an invasive pressure channel on an ECG simulator to be connected to a patient monitor using the existing trunk cables normally used with disposable pressure transducers.
This has the following advantages;
- While monitoring manufactures do not use standard connectors for their invasive channels there does exist standard connectors on the disposable transducer end. At least within a single vendor product line. Most institutions will us a single vendor line of disposable transducers. The vendor of the transducer will then provide the required cables which should be available in all departments that do invasive pressures. In this way a single adapter can be used with all the monitor types in an institution.
- The resulting adapter is much smaller to transport in your test kit then full cables.
- Also this adapter allows you to test the trunk cables and we all know the biggest problem area in modern monitoring is the accessories.
To construct this adapter disposable transducers are required. Only the connector is used from this transducer. However cable on the two types of disposable I’ve used has solid core conductors. These cabless will not withstand continuous use. I know this from experience. It is therefore necessary to anchor the rigid cable to the connector shell in some way and use flexible cable to the PS2 connector.
On the ECG simulator end a Mini Din style connector is required. This style connector is used on both Fluke and the former Metron products. It is also the same connector used with PS2 mouse and keyboards. While empty Mini Din shells are available, the small size makes them very hard to wire in a way that gives a durable connection.
For this reason I sacrificed used PS2 mouse/keyboard extension cables. Extension cables work better then actual mouse and keyboard cables as they are more likely to have all 6 connections wired. Check with your IT department. With the move to USB keyboards and mice they most likely will have some of these cables around if they haven’t already disposed of them all.
Below are all the pin out information required to construct the cables for both Edwards line of transducers sold by Baxter and the Transpac line of transducers sold by ICU Medical.
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