Apparatus and methods for intravenous gas elimination

• US 10,179,213 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2016
• Issued: 01/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vital Signs Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Vital Signs Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Varga, Christopher, Mohr, Jason Anthony, Friedlander, Megan Danielle
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, BRANDY SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US15/167,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20160346486A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16818 by changing the height of the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/365 Air detectors A61M5/1684 takes precedence; in extracorporeal blood circuits A61M1/3626
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/385 using hydrophobic filters

Abstract

A gas elimination apparatus and a method for use in an intravenous delivery system are provided. The apparatus includes a fluid inlet coupling a fluid flow into a liquid chamber, a fluid outlet protruding into the liquid chamber, and a flow diversion member proximal to the fluid outlet. The flow diversion member configured to block a direct flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The apparatus includes a membrane separating a portion of the liquid chamber from an outer chamber and a gas venting valve fluidically coupling the outer chamber with the atmosphere. The flow diversion member may be mechanically supported by at least one strut or elongate member extending along a flow direction into the liquid chamber.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in an intravenous (IV) delivery system, comprising:

a fluid inlet coupling a fluid flow into a liquid chamber;

a fluid outlet protruding into the liquid chamber;

a flow diversion member proximal to the fluid outlet, the flow diversion member configured to block a direct flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet;

a membrane comprising a wall separating the liquid chamber from an outer chamber, the membrane configured to allow a gas to pass from the liquid chamber to the outer chamber, wherein the membrane forms a continuous surface over an inner side of the outer chamber, and wherein the outer chamber is concentrically disposed around the liquid chamber from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet;

a gas venting valve fluidically coupling the outer chamber with an atmosphere, wherein the flow diversion member is mechanically supported by an elongate member extending along a flow direction into the liquid chamber;

a support cage in the liquid chamber to provide mechanical support to the membrane; and

an outer wall to support the gas venting valve, the outer wall separated from the support cage by the outer chamber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the membrane is disposed on an inner face of the support cage, between the liquid chamber and the support cage.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the membrane is disposed on an outer face of the support cage, between the support cage and the outer chamber.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the membrane is embedded in the support cage by molding.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the membrane is heat-bonded to the support cage.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the membrane is welded into the support cage.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer wall comprises a wall perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the liquid chamber, the wall configured to be impermeable to the fluid flow and to the gas.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the membrane is one of the group consisting of a hydrophobic membrane, a hemophobic membrane, an oleophobic membrane, and a combination of the above.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid chamber comprises a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis aligned with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and further wherein a cross section of the cylindrical shape is tapered up in one of a fluid outlet direction or a fluid inlet direction.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow diversion member comprises a spherical surface having a concave cutout portion facing the fluid outlet.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow diversion member comprises a semi-spherical surface having a flat portion facing the fluid outlet.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises a strut that is occluded from the fluid flow by the flow diversion member.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer wall comprises a wall surrounding the outer chamber, the wall including a fence around the gas venting valve, the fence configured to prevent an external object to exert pressure on the valve.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is supported by one of the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet.

15. A system, comprising:

a container including an intravenous liquid;

a mechanism to provide a pressure to move the intravenous liquid through a fluid line to a patient; and

a gas elimination apparatus fluidically coupled with the fluid line, and configured to remove gas bubbles from the intravenous liquid, wherein the gas elimination apparatus comprises;

a flow diversion member configured to block a direct flow between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the flow diversion member supported by at least one elongated member extending along a flow direction into a fluid chamber;

a membrane comprising a wall separating a fluid from an outer chamber, and configured to allow a gas to pass through from the fluid to the outer chamber, wherein the membrane forms a continuous surface over an inner side of the outer chamber, and wherein the outer chamber is concentrically disposed around the fluid chamber from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet;

a gas venting valve fluidically coupling the outer chamber and an atmosphere;

a support cage in the fluid chamber to provide mechanical support to the membrane; and

an outer wall to support the gas venting valve, the outer wall separated from the support cage by the outer chamber.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the flow diversion member in the gas elimination apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a spherical surface having a concave cutout portion facing the fluid outlet, and a semi-spherical surface having a flat portion facing the fluid outlet.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the membrane in the gas elimination apparatus is one of the group consisting of a hydrophobic membrane, a hemophobic membrane, an oleophobic membrane, and a combination of the above.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the mechanism to provide a pressure comprises one of a pump, or a frame to place the container at a higher elevation relative to the patient.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising an antenna configured to receive commands and transmit data to a controller comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the controller to send the commands to the system and receive the data from system.