Patent ID: 8398418

Claim:
An electrical connector, comprising: a conformable electrically conductive membrane disposed between a flow cell and an electrical circuitry, the conformable electrically conductive membrane defining conductive pathways between one or more electrical contacts associated with the flow cell and one or more corresponding electrical contacts associated with the electrical circuitry, the conformable electrically conductive membrane comprising an elastomeric material and columns of conductive material, the columns of conductive material defining the conductive pathways, the flow cell having one or more fluid transfer ports, and the flow cell further being associated with at least one electrical component for detecting at least one analyte within the flow cell, the conformable electrically conductive membrane defining a barrier to prevent intrusion of liquid into the electrical circuitry; and a clamping member configured to urge the flow cell in proximity to the electrical circuitry with the conformable electrically conductive membrane disposed therebetween establishing the conductive pathways between the flow cell and the electrical circuitry while preventing fluid from contacting the electrical circuitry.