Anti-run dry membrane
First Claim
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1. An intravenous delivery system comprising:
- a liquid source containing a liquid;
tubing comprising;
a first end connectable to the liquid source to receive the liquid from the liquid source; and
a second end connectable to an intravenous access unit that delivers the liquid to a patient;
an anti-run-dry membrane positioned such that the liquid, flowing from the liquid source to the tubing, passes through the anti-run-dry membrane, wherein the anti-run-dry membrane comprises a plurality of pores through which the liquid flows, wherein the anti-run-dry membrane is formed of a hydrophilic material configured to resist passage of air through the pores; and
a bubble point raising component configured to raise a bubble point of the anti-run-dry membrane, wherein the bubble point raising component comprises a liquid cooling unit that cools the liquid before the liquid contacts the anti-run-dry membrane to raise the bubble point of the anti-run-dry membrane.
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Abstract
An intravenous delivery system may have a liquid source containing a liquid, tubing, and an anti-run-dry membrane positioned such that the liquid, flowing form the liquid source to the tubing, passes through the anti-run-dry membrane. The anti-run-dry membrane may have a plurality of pores through which the liquid flows, and may be formed of a hydrophilic material that resists passage of air through the pores. The intravenous delivery system may further have a bubble point raising component that raises the bubble point of the anti-run-dry membrane. The bubble point raising component may, in some embodiments, be a high surface energy coating or additive.
104 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An intravenous delivery system comprising:
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a liquid source containing a liquid; tubing comprising; a first end connectable to the liquid source to receive the liquid from the liquid source; and a second end connectable to an intravenous access unit that delivers the liquid to a patient; an anti-run-dry membrane positioned such that the liquid, flowing from the liquid source to the tubing, passes through the anti-run-dry membrane, wherein the anti-run-dry membrane comprises a plurality of pores through which the liquid flows, wherein the anti-run-dry membrane is formed of a hydrophilic material configured to resist passage of air through the pores; and a bubble point raising component configured to raise a bubble point of the anti-run-dry membrane, wherein the bubble point raising component comprises a liquid cooling unit that cools the liquid before the liquid contacts the anti-run-dry membrane to raise the bubble point of the anti-run-dry membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for using an intravenous delivery system, the intravenous delivery system comprising a liquid source, tubing, and an anti-run-dry membrane, and a bubble point raising component, the tubing comprising a first end connected to the liquid source and a second end connectable to an intravenous access unit that delivers the liquid to a patient, the method comprising:
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priming the intravenous delivery system by gravity feeding liquid from the liquid source through the anti-run-dry membrane and into the tubing; delivering the liquid to the patient via the intravenous access unit; substantially stopping flow of the liquid from the liquid source; in response to substantially stopping flow of the liquid from the liquid source, developing a column of the liquid below the anti-run-dry membrane; and with the bubble point raising component, substantially preventing passage of air into the column of the liquid through the anti-run-dry membrane. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An intravenous delivery system comprising:
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a liquid source containing a liquid; tubing comprising; a first end connectable to the liquid source to receive the liquid from the liquid source; and a second end connectable to an intravenous access unit that delivers the liquid to a patient; a drip unit comprising a drip chamber that receives the liquid from the liquid source and delivers the liquid to the first end of the tubing, wherein the drip unit further comprises an anti-run-dry membrane formed of a hydrophilic material and positioned within the chamber; and a bubble point raising component configured to raise a bubble point of the anti-run-dry membrane; wherein the anti-run-dry membrane has a thickness of less than 90 micrometers, the anti-run-dry membrane comprises at least one nonplanar shape selected from the group consisting of; a domed shape; a folded shape comprising at least one fold defining an acute angle between two adjacent surfaces of the anti-run-dry membrane; and a generally tubular shape; wherein the anti-run-dry membrane comprises a plurality of pores through which the liquid flows, each of which is less than 3 micrometers in size; and wherein the anti-run-dry membrane is formed of a membrane material having a membrane surface energy, wherein the bubble point raising component comprises a selection from the group consisting of; a coating applied to the anti-run-dry membrane, wherein the coating is formed of a coating material comprising a coating surface energy higher than the membrane surface energy; and an additive added to the membrane material prior to formation of the anti-run-dry membrane, wherein the additive is formed of an additive material comprising an additive surface energy higher than the membrane surface energy.
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Specification